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This morning I went on my first road bike ride.

To say biking is not my favorite thing in the world is an understatement. I despise spin classes, stationary bikes are my least favorite form of exercise, and I often get asked if I would be interested in a triathlon. As far as I can remember, my answer has always been some version of hell no to nah.

No interest, and the reason is biking.

Granted, I have never had a bike that fit me for endurance riding. I have not really had opportunities to ride around for long periods of time with beautiful views (other than maybe this view on Rottnest Island) during my honeymoon in 2015.

But even this has a loaded story to it...while I was smiling here, either before or after this moment, I was grumpy.

You see, it was an extremely windy day, and Steve powered away from me again and again. No matter how hard I tried, I could not keep up, and at the time, as someone who saw themself at the peak of physical fitness (I ran for GB&NI just a few months later), I could not stand that I struggled so much.

I acted like a child who was losing a game and ran away sulking. I was sulking.

With my Haglund's deformity/Achilles pain continuing to minimize my running, I decided it was time to find myself a bike that I could use for longer periods. I was fortunate to find a used bike (of course, reused!) for a reasonable price on Facebook Marketplace through a man whose hobby is building up custom bikes.

In my head, once I had the bike, I would take off, unable to stop, feeling so good, utilizing those running legs to power my way along the trail. Grant's trail is far from perfect, but with a proper road bike, it would feel great, right?

Nope.

Within 10 minutes I was getting an ache between my thumb and first finger. By 15 minutes my bum was aching in the seat and I wished I had bought some of those cycling shorts before I tried. By 20 minutes, the base of my neck was tight and sore (even when someone makes a bike for your height, it still may need adjusting).

The road bike tires were so narrow that I felt unstable and nervous, so I couldn't take my hands off the handlebars; stopping felt like I could easily spin out; and bumps in the path felt like I was going over potholes. Road bikes feel everything. Or at least mine does.

This was not what I had in mind.

But I reminded myself that just as someone trying running for the first time would not expect to go out and feel good in an hour run on day one (or even make it), I couldn't expect to do that with cycling. The muscles have to build, tweaks may need to be made to the bike, and my butt is just gonna have to get used to being in a bike seat (with or without the shorts).

Sometimes I get a little arrogant with my fitness because I have the ability/talent to be able to take up most endurance sports without my cardio system having much trouble. But that doesn't mean that I can just jump right in and do it for as long as I run without repercussions. There are always going to be little muscles, different muscles that have not been used before, that need time to adjust.

I never would have expected the space between my thumb and pointer finger to ache. I didn't even know it could ache, but the reality is, it needs time to get used to, and I am gonna have to build up to it.

While I can now dream of building up to a 100 mile ride, it's not gonna be right away.

This is a new adventure, a new chapter I am beginning, and I have to drop my ego at the door if I want to get anywhere.

Where can you do the same?

This week on the Running For Real podcast...

Here's the official description:

A conversation with her mother and a television documentary changed the trajectory of Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell’s life. They led her to take up running; become a Certified Run Coach; and create the Game Changers and L.E.A.D. programs, redefining who is seen as the experts and leaders in the run industry. This year she was honored with Running USA’s Award of Excellence, which recognizes “outstanding contributions, initiative, leadership or innovation in the running industry.”

Here's the real deal:

I have been aware of the work Vanessa is doing at Game Changers for a few years now. She actually applied to work at Running For Real when we had an opening a few years ago, but I knew that what she was doing was bigger than Running For Real. I knew she needed to spearhead and develop this important work; it mattered. I told her that, and it is really amazing to see years later what she has done and how she has been celebrated by the community. This epiosde shows the power of how a single conversation can change you, and is well worth a listen.

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I got my MRI of my Haglund's last week;yep, it's definitely there. We are figuring next steps, but for now, I feel some relief in seeing this, knowing that it's not in my head; it really is there, pointing at my Achilles.

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​Come join me for plogging in New York with NYRR next month. Kayleigh and Sandy will be there too. I would love to see you there. If you don't live there, send that link over to your friends who do; it is a powerful and meaningful thing to do to be a part of something greater than yourself.

I am looking to host plogging events at every race I am working this year. Let me know where you would like to see a plogging event next!

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Have friends who who are race organizers or race directors (or are you)? If they have not yet implemented sustainability initiatives, I get it. It is overwhelming and expensive and confusing. I am making it easy for them. A 90 minute webinar with the first steps to take, but also giving all the tools needed, making it copy and paste kinda easy. I know they are being pulled in enough directions.

The smaller the race, the better. This webinar is designed with small races in mind. This is one thing you can do dear friend, to your local races that this matter to you. Find the contact email, and let them know about it; let them know this is important to you.

I know you want to support the work I do; here is what you can do to do exactly that :)

"Perfection is impossible; just strive to do your best."- Angela Watson.

Thanks to our partner, Precision Fuel & Hydration

In this next endurance adventure I am about to take, you better believe Precision will be joining me for my rides. I love their gels and once I get used to the narrower wheels, it will be the ideal fuel to have on the go (or I'll stop if I don't feel secure). I love that we get to explore this new world together. I know I will be sweating a lot, and so it will be crucial for me to keep on taking electrolytes. Regardless of whether you are fully in your running phase, in an injury phase like me, or some version of what is best for you, Precision truly has the best fuel and hydration available for endurance sports. I have loved using them, and if you haven't already tried and loved them, you will.

And if you aren't sure where to begin, they have a free fuel and hydration planner for you and you can also have a free 20 minute consultation with one of their experts to answer your nutrition questions.

They are the best!

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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Enjoying these? Why not forward to a friend who may enjoy. Encourage them to sign up and get these emails on a Monday too.

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