The Swim:
It's getting better! The second swim practice was much easier. I was able to get through all the drills and was able to do the additional drill that was added that week. I still took in some water but I have figured out how to relax. Once I did that, it was much easier. During the last swim practice(#3) we finally got into the stroke. It was pretty hard. I know how to free style on my own but this one is very tricky. I appreciate the style of training where things are taught in progression. One drill building on the other. At the end of that last training, we played a game and I cramped up during it. Maybe because I was trying to swim really fast after an hour long workout? Dunno, but that did bring up the concern of cramping during the race!
The Bike:
For sure, just like I've always said, this is the leg that I'm most worried about. Usually people are really happy about this leg but NOT me! My first "on my own" training was with Manny. He helped me ride around the parking lot showing me how to change gears and where to keep my feet while riding. At the end of the ride, a cone suddenly jumped at me and I crashed. I crashed really really hard and even my brake lever was twisted. Luckily Manny knew how to fix it for me. I had some narly bruises that scared me. The second ride was with Louis who showed me how to brake and get off of the bike calmly. I used to brake and then come to a halting stop almost losing my footing every time. So now I can sort of brake easily. My third ride was with Manny again and I told him I wanted to do a lap around the Rose Bowl. I wanted to do this before my first bike training practice with the team. So after shaking off the nerves and chatting with Audrey, who was there for her training run, we went off. I was so nervous and couldn't keep the bike straight. I was nervous every time I had to pass a person hoping and praying that I wouldn't crash into them. Manny kept telling me to relax my shoulders but I couldn't. Then as we rounded about mile 1.25 we started to go downhill. It got windy and I asked Manny, is it windy or is that us? I was afraid the wind was going to blow me over. So then we get to about mile 2 and Manny is riding in front of me, I am still wavering side to side and I see myself hitting his back tire. I scream, "GO FASTER GO FASTER" and then the next thing I know, I'm flying off my bike into the road. THANK GOD the truck that was coming up beside me wasn't driving fast and didn't run me over. The guys in the truck kindly stopped and asked if I was OK. I quickly responded yes and moved to the side.
Funny enough, this crash wasn't as bad as the first one. The first one HURT and this one scratched up my arm. Manny checked out my arm and my bike and his bike and then we got up and finished the loop. I was still nervous for the last mile and didn't even consider doing another lap. When we got back to our cars Manny lowered my handle bar(?). I quickly tried it out and I think it feels better. Hopefully that adjustment will make my ride more stable. We'll see tomorrow at my first team bike practice!The Run:
The first run practice was tough on me. Knowing that I HATE running I knew I was going to tire out quickly and I did. Being the last one back to parking lot was a real eye opener for me. I need to work on that too but hopefully all of the other training will help with my endurance.
I'm enjoying my training and every day I ask myself, what the HECK did I sign up for? It's still a far-fetched, unfathomable goal for me but I will work diligently to eventually get there. I just wish it could be easy already....hahaha
