Things I loved about my bike ride today........

 This is a list of all of the things that made me smile today as I went on my first "official" bike ride of my triathlon career. I list the things in order of how much they made me smile. It is actually quite interesting that the final "smile" order is not the same list that I had mentally prepared while I was getting ready to set off this morning.

1. The sun was shining and the sky was blue
2. I customised some gloves to wear - they didn't have any small enough in the shop when I bought my bike and my hands were frozen last week during my short cycling lesson so I knew I needed something to keep my hands warm....

Beautiful aren't they... But they worked!

3. I didn't have to get off and push up the hill from my house to get to the main part of the route

4. Watching a buzzard circling and soaring on thermals while I stopped for a quick drink of water - the patterns on the underside of it's wings were amazing.

5. I can now use more than 3 gears on a bike

6. On two occasions passing cyclists smiled and said hi

7. A polite motorist reversing off his drive waiting for me to pass and returning my wave as I thanked him

8. Being able to let go of the handlebar to wave to the aforementioned motorist!

9. Thinking how pleased I am that I have raised £95 sponsorship so far and thinking that ovarian cancer is a great cause.

10. Deciding my next triathlon will be to raise money for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns Disease - think that means yes to all those people who have been wondering if I will ever do another one!

11. Realising that at 52 I still go beetroot red at the least bit of excercise, I guess I'm not going to grow out of that - so I am resigned to the fact that I will not look elegant at the end of the Derby Tri

12. I came home grinning like an idiot

13. Knowing I can cycle 6 miles and still have the energy to go for a brisk 3 mile walk with my hubby when I got home - my first brick session!!

13. I love my new bike.

Then a quick list of things that made me smile after the bike ride..........

1. The promise of a bike ride with Jessica ( see comment on blog entry "I didn't fall off") when she visits us - I have to agree that we will not be able to keep up with you know who!

2. Looking forward to trying to keep up with you know who when he is home from uni for the Easter break.

3. Wondering if I will be too stiff to get out of bed for work tomorrow!!



Walk Walk Swim Swim

I feel like I have really started my new leaf for March.

Not only did I start riding my bike, I have managed to go for 2 brisk walks this week and then have managed 2 early morning swims - 7am in the pool two mornings running - how impressive is that?

What's next? Will keep you posted.

I didn't fall off!!!

I have taken the wrapper off the handlebars and been for a ride on my bike!

My son arrived home on Sunday evening and listened patiently to my list of excuses about how I hadn't had time to ride it yet, then announced we were going NOW. So we did!

It was really scary at first - I set off down the slight incline from our house - felt like I was going about 100 miles an hour but even I realised that couldn't be the case!

The first comment when he saw how bad I was that "I never thought I'd have to teach my mother to ride a bike" - well my excuse was I never had a bike with gears as a kid and they have remained a mystery to me all the time I have had a mountain bike - I think I only use about 3 gears out of 20.

I think I owe him a great big thank-you as by the end of my training session I had learned a lot....

1. Wear warmer gear - I was very cold
2. I can use gears
3. I can turn the bike and change direction without having to get off.
4. My cycle helmet is very comfy
5. My new bike lights are very bright
6. Improvement is possible - I already did
7. Next time I can and will go further.

New Month New Me

It is March already.

Some things have changed....

I now have a shiny new bike - photo to follow.

I have actually officially entered the Derby triathlon, paid my money and everything - its not just words!

Although I already set up my Just Giving Page for ovarian cancer action I have now rung the charity and they have put it in their book - no going back now. They have even promised to send me a t-shirt and won't let me pay for it 'cos I am fundraising for them - I say again, no going back now.

Safe to say I am a little afraid but also very excited!

From now on lots of training and lots of blogging!