Car Verses My Bike

Today I went on a 30 mile ride, within the first four miles I almost got plowed by a Trail Blazer on the Bay Trail.  I understand that in this part of the trail it is a bit industrial as Subaru and Honda have shipping yards there.  However, the SUV blew past a stop sign and I had my hands on my aero bars and  didn't have my breaks ready and just missed being side-swiped and being road kill. In the past I have had a semi trailer truck push my bike off the bike lane, I've been cut off (its hard to just stop when you are literally fastened to your bike via clip shoes). I get that people get annoyed by bikes but here are a few points to consider: the first point (the main point), a car versus a bike. We know who is going to win. What point is being made by pushing a bike off the road or cutting them off? I see it as a car weighs over a ton and the bigger the vehicle the heavier it is…me on my bike weighs approximately 160 pounds.  If I get hit, I get hurt or possibly seriously hurt. The nonsensical point that a driver is trying to make is lost.  Secondly, a bicyclist is on a bike not driving they are getting exercise.  No matter how fat, skinny, slow or fast they may be they are burning calories.  As a driver of a vehicle just remember people are out there trying to better themselves.  Third and last,  I know bikes can get annoying and sometimes get in the way but take a deep breath and settle down and remember we are all human.  I know not all drivers try to hit and run over bicyclists and I know that a lot of bicyclist do not follow basic traffic rules but just remember if you're angry-- you're car is powerful and can seriously injure a person operating the bike.  For drivers who are aware that people are running, biking, skateboarding, etc and are cautious, I appreciate it.  If you get all riled up at people biking, skating, etc. chill out and be nice.

Jeannine

12/10/13

6 month, 6 months! I have been dreaming of Ironman, some dreams were more nightmares of me unprepared at the race, like bike stolen or not properly trained… they subsided once I really started getting on the ball and not messing around.  This weekend I went on a 10 mile run and a 26 mile ride…it was cold…I was frozen! For next weekend's ride I want to shoot for 50 to 60 miles and as much as I am resisting it--hills, oh bless you hills.

Tonight, I lifted 30 minutes and followed Nate's strength training training plan and it went well.  My neighbor Angie suggested tonight that I take my 7 month pit bull Jameson out tonight for a run as he had some energy to run out.  Jameson was a trooper and ran with me for about a mile and a half before I turned around.  On the way home though he had other plans and wanted to walk, so we walked.  My neighbor spotted us as we were climbing our last enormous hill (well we were on side of road as Jameson was smelling the vegetation) and offered to give the dog a lift.  He hoped in the car and I finished up my 45 min run.

On a side not, my favorite time to run is around 9 p.m.- I have energy.  I have nothing else planned for the evening and it is just me and the darkness.  Each time I run the stars are always so bright as there is no light to take away from them (we have no street lights on the mountain).  It is just my favorite time to be in and out in the world.

Tomorrow I have around a two hour bike ride planned, still avoiding hills but will try to get some speed in there.  I did get a new computer today as my last one bunked, 45 big ones…

Lastly, I will be doing IMCDA for a charity and have the perfect one involved but those details are to come in a few days.  I am horrible at fundraising…but for this I will try a BIT harder.

HAPPY TRAILS,

Jeannine

I had a rather slow week but I feel like I finally got motivated to really get to business. Last week I met with Nate, who has offered coaching services.  For me this is a great opportunity to pick his brain about nutrition, training and workout help.  Nate is a professional biker who has a vast knowledge about anything endurance and has placed well at many races and tours so am excited about him helping me out.  I also rode two weeks ago with a group of great bikers from FMRC, they were fast.  I lost them pretty much after the first mile but the leader Doug suggested that the more I ride with the group the faster I will be and at some point be able to keep up.  From suggestion of Nate, I am increasing my bike volume as that is imperative in order to really be able to build strength on the bike.  Today I swam a 3000 which is 1.8 miles or around 120 laps in the pool.  I killed it, I concentrated on good form, which for me is a constant reminder to keep my head down, elbows out of the water and staying streamline.  Today was also great as 3000 meters is the most I have ever swam at one time and really the work out did not have me dying on the pool side deck.  All in all finally off to a decent start.

Jeannine