I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

It's been a busy couple weeks.  Work has been kinda busy, interfering with my training and time!  That's life right?  May is going to be a blur, I can already tell. 

I've been having to swap workouts because of late nights and early mornings.  Luckily the past 2 weeks were not filled with long workouts as much. 

Two weekends ago on April 29th I ran the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon.  This was the first half I ever ran in college with my Scranton ladies.  I've been wanting to run it for years, but working it or other TNT events and other commitments have always been an issue.  This year I plugged it into my training schedule, and am so glad.  As I ran the course, I felt nostalgic.  Singing to myself "y'all gunna make me lose my mind, up this hill, up this hill" many times.  A former mantra in honor of DMX when we raced it in 2001.  I have to admit, of the 3 other halves I've run in the past year, this is by far the most trained I've been.  And I feel pretty good about my PR of almost 4 minutes, considering it wasn't my "A" race this year obviously.  Big confidence booster for the half distance for me, makes me crave another PR to push my limits.  It's crazy how addicting that is!  I'm competitive yes, but I think I'm learning so much about how to push my limits for personal accomplishments this year that I really desire to keep improving myself.  And this feeling is applying to all parts of my life, it's pretty cool (said in a Derek Zoolander voice). 

Last weekend was a big long workout weekend.  The week before LV, my 62 mile ride got cut short for Girls With Gears because of cold weather and lots of rain, doing only the 40.  Last weekend, I had a 15 mile run Sat and a 60 mile ride on Sun.  Leggies were tired for the run, it was slowww but I got through it (without any tummy issues, which in and of itself is a big accomplishment for me).  The 60 was harder than I expected.  Have had some really decent rides for myself the past weeks, even the rainy, cold one.  This one hurt, my legs and my behind.  Trying out a new saddle because the old suddenly was causing pain and saddle sores.  New one is much more comfortable, but had some chaffing.  Trying to give it time to "break it in," but not completely sure yet.  Told myself not every ride will be great, so one ehh one is ok.  Perspective. 

In the process of the new saddle, I also have replaced my chain and casset, got new gloves, brake pads, and am finally testing aero bars.  I feel like my bike is reborn and new!  It's amazing how much like a car it is.  I spent about the same amount for maintanence work on both of my vehicles this month - which was not pleasant for my wallet.  Just made me think about how important it is to repect your bike (cycling friends know what's up!).  Also made me realize how much I love my bike and car alike.  So many friends have upgraded bikes, which is definitely not in my cards anytime soon.  I joke about bike envy (not gunna lie, I do a little), but I really do love my Ruby :)  My bike twins can agree ;) 

Not sure about these aerobars, and forsee taking them off after LP (I know cycling peeps).  BUT from all I hear and have read, they are helpful for the IM distance so we'll see.  I do know I am not coordinated enough to use them well.  Coordination, ah the reason I do endurance sports (because they don't require it). 

I never named my car or bike.  Just never have been into that personally.  But I have come to totally love that they both are a reflection of me and my personality.  Love Subaru for being green and activity-friendly.  (Some people may find it typical I picked an Asian car.)  And for some reason have always been drawn to Specialized bikes.  Both have been great to me, and embody me now.  The scatches and imperfections on both of my modes of transportation totally represent me.  I'm clumsy, I get bruises all over my body especially my legs because I walk into things and don't pay attention.  I've also been told my legs are much more beat up now compared to 5 years ago ;)  But that's me, and as mad as I am about those imperfections on my car and bike, that's my stuff.  What can you do?  Nothing remains perfect, and I'm far from it.  :)

"I want to ride my bicycle...I want to ride it where I like."