Orphalin Annie

The holidays are over and I am starting to look at the spring race season to decide what I am interested in doing this year.  Bre and I have decided that we want to lay low this year (more on that in another post) so I am trying to really hone in on my specific goals.  I want to focus more on running longer distances faster but I also plan on doing some local triathlons.  It’s been difficult to make it to the gym for classes so Bre decided to buy a bike trainer so we can still get some quality time on the bike without the gym or nice weather.  I definitely notice a difference in my knee pain when I regularly cycle (it decreases) so I was happy he got the trainer.  Additionally, I need to practice my clipping skills so I thought it would help me improve that as well.  I had my first “session” this evening.  The clipping in did not go as well as we hoped.  We got speedplay pedals because others told me how easy they are to use.  Um, yeah, I never could get my left to clip in at all.  I rode for 25 minutes and just kept my left foot on top of the pedal.  It was a good workout and really seemed to mimic the road but I am increasingly frustrated with clipping in.  I will continue to try the speedplay pedals, but eventually I may go back to the SPDs.  I have given myself the ultimatum that if I don’t learn to clip in outside and learn to ride clipped in I can’t do any more triathlons longer than sprint distance.  Can you imagine biking the 112 miles of the Ironman in tennis shoes??  Bre doesn’t know what else to do to help me.  I feel like I have some sort of idiocy when it comes to that stupid bike!