Orphalin Annie

I have had a hate-hate relationship with biking ever since I decided to train for my first triathlon several years ago.  At that time I had not been on a bike since I had been a child.  I rode Bre’s mountain bike for my first race (which was torture by the way) and came in last (OK there were other factors involved there too).  That humiliation made me want to prove I was better than that.  We went to our local bike stores, I was measured, and I test rode several different bikes (falling at each test ride, Awesome), finally deciding on a mid-priced Trek road bike.  I got bike shoes and Bre attempted to teach me how to use them.  To say that I failed would be an understatement.  I decided I just wasn’t ready for clip pedals.  Fast forward many years and many races later.  The drive to continue to do triathlons overshadowed the fact that I was never comfortable on the bike.  I could never understand how Bre could go out and ride for 40 or 50 miles and enjoy it.  I could barely get through 30 miles.  I would be sore in all the wrong places, I never seemed to be able to increase my average speed, and I still couldn’t get past my fear of clipping in.  I even rode 56 miles for several 70.3 triathlons in tennis shoes, barely averaging 14 or 15 mph. I did several short races last year and improved in all but the bike.  I was very frustrated and thought about giving up on triathlons all together.  A photo of me on my bike and a gift certificate to our local triathlon store changed that.  I met with a certified bike fitter (yes, that exists) and was informed that my bike frame was ill-fitting and was likely the cause of my discomfort.  After much research and discussion with Bre I bought a Blue triathlon bike.  I also got a new bike seat and a new type of clip pedals.  That beautiful bike sat on the trainer all spring and early summer as my anxiety over clipping in outweighed my desire to ride it.  With running on hold though I forced myself to meet with a friend at the Legacy Trail, a closed traffic bike/run path and conquer my fears.  I fell twice that day but got back on.  It has been over a month now and I can finally, finally say that I love my bike.  I clip in and out with ease and even instinctually under pressure, my average mph is much higher than ever, and I do not hurt.  I will be getting off the trail this weekend and doing a group ride and I can’t wait!