Today is Sunday which means it is cross-training day. I've mentioned before that I'm not crazy about the idea of cross-training but I'm willing to give it a shot if it will improve my marathon training.
So, today I dusted off my old mountain bike, strapped on my cheep helmet I picked up at Walmart last week and, feeling like a total spaz, went out for my first ride.
The first half wasn't too bad, mostly because it was all downhill. I smiled to runners as I passed them and ignored the other bikers because this is the ritual I'm so used to. To my surprise, the runners ignored me and the other bikers smiled and said "Hello". I realized there is an unwritten code of conduct out there on the trails; bikers acknowledge other bikers and runners acknowledge other runners and that's the way it is.
I got to my turn around point and marveled at how fast I was. You see, I biked the same route I run and what normally would have taken me nearly an hour to run only took me 28 minutes to bike. My my, how swift. I hopped of my bike and couldn't believe how sore my but was. Ouchie!
The ride back home, much to my dismay, was almost entirely uphill and I started wondering who's bright idea it was to go on this ridiculous bike ride anyway? I considered jumping off and just running. Running is so much easier! But no! The point was to give my running muscles a break and use other ones, right?
I crawled up the last hill with the bike in first gear, you know, the one where you can pedal really fast and not go anywhere? My legs were all wobbly as I hitched the bike to the back of my car to make my way home, but I was pretty pleased with myself nonetheless. I never thought I'd be biking and I sure never thought I'd enjoy it.
But OWIE! Now I know I'll be sore tomorrow!
4 comments:
Great ride Kate. Your booty will love you for it later. So will your running.
You'll get used to the butt pain - trust me! Even when I"m going uberslow on the bike, I know I'm going oodles faster than if I were running! Plus, there's more wind that way!
You are awesome. That's all there is to it! =) When I come to OH for Maggie's wedding, we'll have to go running together. Oh wait... I don't move faster than a brisk walk. Never mind. YOU can run and I'll lollygag along behind you, cheering you on the whole way. The further away you get, the louder I'll shout!
By the way, Les did a "Muddy Buddy" race that involves running, biking, and obstacles (and mud, as the name denotes). You should chat with him about it. I told him if it weren't for the mud, the running, and the biking, I would TOTALLY do it. =)
>I wanted to ask how your >experience with MIT is going? I >always see you guys running on >the bike path on Saturday >mornings but I've always been way >to intimidated to join.
MIT has been pretty good, except for the running almost everyday. I think that the schedule may be a bit advanced for 'true' beginners (me). You should join in the Saturday run! The people are really nice. I wish I were faster though because most of the people that are about my speed are training for a 1/2 instead of a full.
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