Successfully finished first bike session...

Okay, so it was an informational session in which no actual riding was involved... but still!  I did it!  YAY.

Who knew there was so much to know about bicycles?  We covered the different styles & sizes and all of the various bits that hold the thing together.  To be honest, I didn't pay too much attention.  I'm pretty content with words like "the thingy majigy" or thewhatchamacallit".   I did learn some valuable stuff though that I might use to impress someone someday.

Yesterday I went shopping for some supplies.  I know we were told to wait for our Just Tri It shopping spree at Brainsport but I just couldn't do it.   I needed new stuff now!   So, I am now geared with some running pants (I honestly really did need these... all I own that currently fit me are jeans and although I'm an unexperienced runner, I was pretty sure that wouldn't do).  I also got a GREAT deal on some new running shoes (Saucony).  The most ridiculous thing I bought is bike shorts.  For the love of God... SERIOUSLY!  I had to think long and hard whether I was prepared to walk around feeling like I have a load in my pants.  I tried on several different pair in several different styles thinking that something was wrong with them.  Hoohoos and butts are NOT supposed to look like that, especially not look like that in public.   If it wasn't for the encouragement of my partner, Jordan, I would have walked away but she assured me that it was well worth it.  (Its a good thing I trust her so much otherwise I'd be thinking she is out to humiliate me).  My privates better enjoy the ride cuz I'm sacrificing a fair bit of dignity on their account.

So, with my new running shoes and running pants I'm all set to go for the first run of the training which starts tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will self-select ourselves into a group based on our fitness level.  I'm tempted to go in the walking group because I KNOW I can do that BUT I have not been training my butt off for the past 7 months in order to take it easy on myself now.  I'm just not sure how the training I have been doing will translate.  For several months now I have been running on the treadmill at the gym for 1/2 hour 3 times per week doing high intensity intervals (I run for 90 seconds at between 6.5 and 8pmh at a 1-2.5 incline and then I walk for 30 seconds).

I think I'm going to try the run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute group.  It's right in the middle.   If I can't do it... no problem, the next week I will move to a different group.  I think I can do it (especially with my new magic running shoes - geez... don't they make plain colored shoes anymore?  What's wrong with black or white?  Mine are florescent green, orange and yellow.  I tried telling the shoe guy that my goal was to NOT stand out...)

So.. tomorrow I run.   If you don't hear from me for a couple of days, it's because I can't move.

Til then..