Posted by: jencoombs | November 27, 2009

Incredible IMAZ Race Report

A good friend of mine raced her very first IM in Arizona this past weekend. She has graciously allowed me to post it on here. I hope you find it as motivating, inspiring and gripping as I did. You can enjoy more from Susan here: http://adultonsetathleticism.blogspot.com/

Episode one: In which I nearly drown
The swim is the part of triathlon that always seems to freak people out. Those people are on to something, the swim is horrible. You are encased in a wetsuit that when you are starting out feels like a coffin but then after a few races, starts to feel like your saviour. People are peeing in the water all around you in an attempt to warm up their bodies. When the horn goes you know you are going to get jostled, maybe kicked, you will be groped. It’s really a very stupid idea.

I’ve never seen an Ironman swim live; I’ve just been in one. I know that it’s a fantastic scene as the water itself seems to take on a life of its own as it moves forward. I would love to have seen the Arizona start from the bridge above the lake but I have to say it was pretty cool down on the water too.

To get to the swim start all 2500 competitors had to first be channelled through the swim start entrance and then mass on the sidewalk that runs along the lake. Gradually everyone gets pushed to the water’s edge where we were all admonished to not hesitate and just get in. Alex and I hadn’t participated in either of the swims that were held as we thought that would actually give us concrete proof of how cold the water was and therefore leave us with something to really worry about.

In a word – cold, too cold for 4000 metres.

The swim start was about 200 metres away and I flipped onto my back to do the backstroke to the start. My plan was to start in the centre towards the back and I thought that that I could hover by one of the bridge piers to wait out the 15 minutes or so until it all began. I was feeling great. My mind had been so calm the past couple days and I was pretty sure that the day was going to be everything I had wanted it to be. First Ironman, what did I know.

I ended up hanging off a kayak with a few others talking to one of the lifeguards as we waited. The atmosphere was so positive, so festive, I’ll admit, I teared up in my goggles. The choice of ACDC’s “For those about to die, we salute you” blaring out of the sound system struck me as perfect. The American national anthem started and I was surprised that everyone around didn’t start singing it. Americans are so gloriously patriotic I was certain this would be a big moment for them. I know that if I ever do Ironman Canada I will be sobbing through the anthem. As it was I was pretty choked up for someone else’s. Then, for the last part suddenly everyone around me started singing and the energy surged, the horn/cannon/gong, something went and we were off.

I started out doing back stroke cursing the cold water, singing 99 bottles of beer. The plan was to get through all 99 bottles and then alternate backstroke with crawl every 10 bottles. That was the first plan that crashed and burned in the reality of Ironman. I could not keep my head in the water, it was just too cold. Backstroke also gave me a wonderful view of the race. The race site is directly under the flight path of the airport and a plane went over every minute or so. There was a helicopter hovering, I could easily turn my head and see all the spectators on the sidewalk around the lake. A group walked as we swam, keeping pace, holding signs. It was incredible. The plan to freestyle went out the window.

I sighted off the bridge and buoys behind me pausing occasionally to stare into the rising sun trying to get sight of the red, turnaround buoy. In driving beside the lake the buoy appeared to be just past the second bridge. From water’s level, NOT SO MUCH. I was starting to get rather angry at the buoy – my love for the colour red was waning, I started to worry about finishing the race. My emotions kept flipping from absolute desperation to unbelievable joy. Generally the odd number bottles of beer were happy, even bottles mocked my efforts. 20 bottles of beer, oh my god, what was I thinking I can’t do this, 19 bottles of beer and I was finishing in 15 hours easily. It was that fast. I’m pretty sure that people have been committed to mental health facilities with more stable emotions than I was experiencing during that swim.

The great part about my number three rule for the day (don’t stop), is that eventually you get there. The red buoy appeared I turned directly left, swam to the next red buoy, turned left again back to the bridge where it all started.

That was my 2000 metres, the longest open water swim I had yet done. My body was great for 2000, the next half started to become a struggle.

Did I mention that it was cold? My feet were numb, odd number bottles weren’t giving me any love and I stopped several times to find shoreline landmarks to concentrate on. Swim to that set of stairs into the lake, good, now to the light pole, guy in blue volunteer shirt, next guy and so on. I started to feel the water slip over my head (remember I’m on my back), took in some too many times, spoke to a few kayak lifeguards as I got my bearings and just kept swimming.

I started to understand how people drowned. It did cross my mind a few times for the first time ever. My panic attacks in the past never actually focused on anything that concrete – it was always just an overwhelming need to get out of the wetsuit, out of the water, out of the race. This was a very rationale, intellectual mental journey. The cold was sapping my strength and it became difficult to keep my mouth and nose up out of the water. I was very close to kayaks the whole time and I don’t think anyone has drowned at an Ironman without a heart attack preceding it but, wow, that was a dark place to go.

Happily, just keeping swimming got me back to the start, back to the future, back to the rest of the race.

I expected some disorientation when I came out of the water, I had swum the race distance a couple times already in a pool and it does take a moment to get your land legs back. That, however, was in a warmer pool with a much shorter duration of swim. I was dizzy, two volunteers took me by the arms and walked me to two more young women who peeled my wetsuit off. Another volunteer walked me over to my ride bag pickup and I managed to grab my bag and head inside to Gwen, dresser extraordinaire. Gwen had my socks rolled down for me, my arm warmers also preprepared, shorts out, jersey ready, sunglasses in helmet and I still couldn’t have told you my name. I don’t know how I put it all on but I did and ran off to find Doris Day – all pretty and shiny in the Arizona sun.

Episode two: In which I pick pieces of Tempe Town Lake out of my teeth
So, right, off to the bike. Like most sane, rational would be Ironmen, this was the part I was most looking forward to. Only a freak would enjoy the swim and anyone looking forward to a marathon (I’m talking to you Molly) well, they are in serious need of some mental examination. Since getting my beautiful Doris Day last spring I’ve been really enjoying riding a bike again. Doris was preceded by The Gold Child, a fine bike but a bike that never fit me properly. Doris is female specific, I am female, Doris is short, I am short, Doris is white, I am white… perhaps that’s reaching.

So, as I was saying, the bike was going to be my time to get nutrition and liquid into me, to enjoy the desert, to think about all the wonderful people and experiences that got me to this point.

Alex and I, along with never getting into Tempe Town Lake, also never got a chance to check out the bike course. It’s a 3 loop that runs into town and out into the desert on a highway with pavement like buttah. Arizona doesn’t get frost heaved roads. We love Arizona pavement.

I’m heading into the wind, staying in my little girl gear on the front, spinning at 90 RPMs cursing the wind but absolutely stoked that I’m on the bike, racing an Ironman. I feel great. A fellow competitor summed it up perfectly as she rode by me and said “isn’t this amazing”.

It was tough going into the head wind but I was thinking about the ride coming back down after the turn around. Coming back down also gave me a better look at the length of the false flat I had come back on. This was fun, I was in the drops and remembered to shout “weeeee” at one point.

The only annoyance was the groups of drafting athletes moving through the race course. I honestly don’t understand why I was passed on so many occasions by riders moving as a pack but I never saw more than one athlete in the penalty tent. If you showed up with your buddies, drafted off them and qualified for Kona then I hope some Hawaiian god gets wind of your cheating and smites you well and good.

Otherwise the first 2 laps were a joy. Riders passed energy and encouragement back and forth. My bib was on back with my name on it and it was wonderful to hear someone take the time to use my name and wish me well as they passed me. There are some great riders out there and I’ll tell you when ever some young (good looking) athletic (good looking) probably type A took the time to speak to me I found myself just a little lighter on the pedals.

One aid station was manned/womaned by young fit people and I’d like to thank the topless men wearing hula skirts. One seemed to be only wearing a leaf of some sort but, damn, I was moving too fast to really assess the situation.

The only problem I had run into at this point was asthma. I don’t generally get asthmatic on a ride, and only notice it once I finish a run or a race but starting on the 2nd lap I found myself choking and coughing when I tried to speak to volunteers. I wasn’t too worried as I didn’t want to get my heart rate and respiration up to a point of deep breathing but it worried me enough that I started on my puffer. I’m not sure if I overused it (probably), if the Cliff bar I got from special needs was a bad idea (maybe) or if my body just decided that it wasn’t happy with the situation but my stomach rebelled and blew up into a good big distended organ. Rule number two was “don’t puke” but there were times heading up for the third lap when I thought I was going to pull a Norman and give it a go on the bike.

I started to head from aid station to aid station looking forward to the run so I could stand up like a proper homo sapiens and let all my organs find their proper place. I struggled to get into the drops to make the most of aerodynamics on the final head down the highway back to transition

Episode 3: In which I roam the streets of Tempe looking to score some coke
Right, run next. Getting tired just thinking about it but that might be the first full meal that I’ve been able to eat in a few days combined with “champagne” and wine. Oh yeah, and it’s been a couple weeks since I’ve slept through the night. People, I’ve said it before and I’ll say again, it’s not normal, it’s not sane, it’s probably not healthy. But you’re waiting to hear what it’s like to run a marathon after a 180 k ride and a 4000 metre swim.

IT.WAS.FANTASTIC. for a bit. Then it sucked, it sucked so much my Dyson bowed down to the sheer suckage of it all, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Second dresser was no Gwen but I managed to get changed, pockets loaded with sugar and set out into the setting Arizona sun. My plan was to walk 100 steps and run 100 steps. The plan worked brilliantly. I felt strong, powerful, dare I say, iron-liscious as I set out on the first of 3 loops around Tempe Town Lake. It is a crazy weird rambling route and I’m still now sure how it worked even having run it 3 times so, for those who also attained Iron status on Sunday, bear with me as the chronology might be off. I doubt you guys knew what you were doing too. Things I remembered from the first two loops:

1. Janus charities had sponsored a tent for spectators to make signs for their athletes. Anita and Andreja made the best sign for Alex and I and I spotted that on my second time past. I saw so many signs with so much love and support that I found myself slowing to read them all.

2. Any race with a pirate aid station, (pirates direct from Tuscon) a Wizard of Oz theme station, a western theme aid station, complete with mock saloon store fronts and Johnny Cash on the sound system, is pretty much all right with me.

3. The Jon Blazeman foundation had a station. Jon died of ALS but not before he completed an Ironman, with swim fins strapped to his hands as he had no longer any control over them and rode his bike barely able to change gears or brake. The next year he was in a wheelchair watching. That was his last Ironman. Every time I saw them it put it all in perspective.

4. There are a billion bridges over Tempe Town Lake and I was never sure which one I was one.

5. I can’t go from metric to imperial without losing my mind.

6. Seeing Anita, Andreja, Faith and Sedona on the run meant more to me than I can ever express.

7. There is a very bitter 7 time Ironwoman out there – she’s lucky he dumped her for that 27 year old and I’m glad she’s still in touch with the step-kids, they sound great.

So that takes me 2/3 of the way through the marathon.

As I passed the finish chute heading out to lap 3 I distinctly remember looking back at it and imprinting that image on my mind. I wanted that chute so badly. I had, I figured 2 hours to get back to it taking me to 16 hours. Not fast but within the 17 hour time limit.

The last lap for back of the packers like me is lonely and dark. Unbelievably there are still people out cheering you on, and, as it was 9 pm some of the university students were out wandering the streets looking for whatever it was we looked for back then. I was still feeling wonderful and thinking that I’d switch it up to 200 paces run/100 walk somewhere around the lap half way mark. That might allow me to make my goal of a sub 16 hour Ironman.

About 1 mile into the race you come across a fantastic aid station with massage tables. 500 metres or so before that I came across my Iron challenge. Standing on the sidewalk on a dark stretch of Tempe my gut exploded with cramping the likes of which I haven’t experienced since my wedding day. (great story there, if you’re not the bride or groom).

Now, it get’s graphic – look away if you want but this is the reality of pushing your body to the limit.

I stood there clenched, sweating, desperate. I had to make the aid station but I wasn’t sure if I could walk. We had been warned about public urination etc. at the race meeting. Tempe is beautifully clean and wants to keep itself that way. I had to make an aid station for the sake of all that is holy and beautiful in Arizona.

Something got me that 500 metres to that lovely, now mostly deserted aid station. Porta potties were right at the edge. Oh sweet sweet porta potty. We need not go into details. I had a small container of Vasoline in my pocket to speed my journey but I was starting to worry about how it was all going to hold up.

I grabbed some chicken broth and coke – I did not dare any food at this point. I had 3 hours to make the cut off and those 180 minutes suddenly weighted heavy on me. Regardless of GI issues I was still feeling strong when running. This was still doable.

What wasn’t doable was a 17 hour finish for the ones just going out. I had no idea what to say to them. I was counting to 100 over and over again as I ran/walked, raced my plan. I could see my shadow as I went and I knew I was listing to the left and suspected I may have been foaming at the mouth. People yelled encouragement and I tried to wave my left hand to acknowledge the gift. I had no encouragement for the others.

As I ran/walked on the chaffing quickly became unbearable. I can’t even begin to describe it but next time a baby cries from diaper rash, he/she has my full sympathy – and baby isn’t running a marathon. The race became an agonizing trip from aid station to aid station looking for vasoline. I still don’t know where the vasoline went and I’m worried that it might suddenly reappear. I am a vasoline sponge.

The whole imperial measurements thing was confusing the hell out of me – I had no idea where I was and everyone who told me I had X miles and X minutes until midnight was, in my deluded mind, liars. I had no idea if I could walk it in with 2 miles to go and one hour – I had no idea what a mile was. The pirates were drinking beer and eating hamburgers. I don’t trust drunk pirates. They were in a desert for god’s sake – there are no oceans in a desert.

My low point came about 2 miles, or 2 km from the end. I have no idea what time it was, I’m not even sure where I was but I was crying to a wonderful grandmotherly woman who led me to the porta potty and left the jar just outside the door. I was certain I couldn’t make it, they were certain I could.

Actually, I thought that was the low point. It wasn’t. The low point came just a little later when one of the many blisters that had formed on my feet broke. I could hear the finish line. I was broken, battered and so determined to get there that I thought about crawling the rest of the way. Sheer force of will somehow got me down the path and around the corner. At one point I could hear the finish line, hear Mike Reilly announce Ironmen in and I stopped and just took the moment in. Then I started to sprint and I rounded the corner and saw the lights and the hands reaching out to slap mine and I ran screaming “yeah, yeah, yeah” slapped hands, heard Mike say “Susan, you are an Ironman” and, best sight of all of the day, saw Alex wearing that damned grey sweater with the hood over his head. He was waving and came over and gave me the hug of a lifetime.

Posted by: jencoombs | November 22, 2009

Is it really fall?

First and foremost I would like to wish the very best of luck to everyone racing Ironman Arizona today, especially our good friends Alex and Susan who are competing in their very first Ironman! Enjoy every moment of it!!

Here in Oakville we are having some stunning fall weather! Mother Nature must love us Ontarians becuase she has blessed us with fantastic fall weather all month (with the exception of the miserable rainy day last Wednesday). Today it’s a balmy 10 degress and sunny, which is much more pleasant weather than most would expect at this time of year! There are no weather complaints from this girl! I ran this morning in capris and a long sleeve shirt and it was amazing! Don’t get me wrong, Nike makes some amazing cold weather run gear (including the best running gloves I have ever tried – review to come once the cold weather hits) but I was really glad to to run without long tights, a hat and gloves today!

Here are some pictures from a run that Duncan joined me on earlier in the week:

My training has been going very well lately. I have been doing a lot of the usual fall/winter training – lots of base miles, strength and technique work that are all going to help me immensely come race time! Of course, with the shorter days of fall come darker evenings and almost all of my weekday rides are on the trainer.

The upside is that I have really grown to enjoy time on the trainer because I can track my fitness from session to session and week to week.

That’s it from me today! Duncan and I are going to head outdoors and enjoy this gorgeous weather while it lasts!!

Posted by: jencoombs | November 16, 2009

Dreaming of Florida

What a fantastic weekend of racing in Clearwater at the 70.3 World Championships! In the Amaral household, we sat around and enjoyed coffee and breakfast while cheering everyone virtually through the ironman.com coverage. Congratulations to all of the finishers out there on Saturday! There were some very inspirational performances!

Watching the race online certainly has me motivated and excited for all of my winter training! I am really looking forward to getting fitter and faster for 2010! I am in the process of planning out my races and some opportunities for next year, including new partnerships and a plan to head south to Florida for a longer period of warm weather training than in previous years. Working full time certainly presents its challenges, one of which means that I am in the great white north training indoors while a lot of my competition benefits from warmer weather and lots of outdoor training. I have saved up a number of vacation days which I’m hoping to use for a longer trip south this year; hopefully I can make it work!

Until next time…dreaming of alligators, orange groves and Florida weather…

Posted by: jencoombs | November 11, 2009

Run Clinics and New Racers

Last night I had the pleasure of leading a run clinic at the Oakville Running Room with my friend and fellow triathlete Tyler Lord. The Running Room and I go way back! During the summer before my last year of university I sized up many feet at the Oakville Running Room and when I returned to school I worked at the Running Room in Waterloo. The shop is always full of helpful friendly staff; it’s a great place to hang out. This is probably one of the reasons why their winter half marathon clinic has 85 participants!

Last night I was asked to come in and help the runners with their run technique. It was a huge honour to be a part of this group for the evening and I was so excited to see the enthusiasm and dedication of all of the runners! It was a fantastic group to work with and I wish them all the best with their training and their race at the very popular Chilly Half Marathon in March!

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Today the Purolator man arrived at my house with another package for me…I was like a little kid at Christmas, running down the stairs when I heard the doorbell. My new racing flats arrived today – Nike Lunaracers, in pink!! I put them on and did a few laps around our home (which really isn’t large enough to do laps in)! I can’t wait to put them on and give them the speed that they deserve! The shoes are extremely lightweight, supportive and provide the right amount of cushioning for a flat. I’ve heard many fantastic reviews about these shoes and I can’t wait to race in them and have my own chance to review them!

 

Posted by: jencoombs | November 9, 2009

A Little Taste of Summer

I spent my weekend outdoors enjoying our November heat wave here in southern Ontario. On Saturday I rode with Mike and our friend Colin (a great espoir cyclist). We rode through the busy Saturday morning streets of Oakville, enjoyed the view of the calm lake and watched as the last of the leaves fell from the trees. Saturday’s high of 14 (57 for my American friends) was a nice November treat before the cold winter air arrives and meant that we could enjoy our post ride coffee outside in the sunshine.

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Beautiful colours in Bronte Harbour

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Coffee stop with Mike and Colin

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Christmas cheer is everywhere! Starbucks is covered in red, white and green and has already come our with their holiday drinks and cups!

The weather on Sunday was even better and I headed up to Caledon to train with my coach, Lisa. With an 8:30 start, the air was still crisp when we hopped on our bikes. Luckily, it warmed up quickly. We had a nice scenic 3.5 hour hilly ride through the Caledon countryside before returning home for a run off the bike. We trotted along a local trail where just two weeks ago the trees were filled with bright yellow leaves. Yesterday, the trees were bare and we got to play in the piles of leaves as we ran through them!

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Beautiful fall colours

Today we hit almost 20 degrees which is unheard of for November!

Enjoy the heat wave while it lasts!!

Posted by: jencoombs | November 1, 2009

Halloween

Halloween, a great excuse to dress up in a fun costume and get together with all of your friends! Halloween is a bonus holiday in our house because Mike’s birthday is the day before! Since Mike’s birthday fell on a Friday this year, I thought it would be fun to have a Halloween themed party for him! Neither Mike nor I had dressed up for Halloween in years, so choosing costumes was a difficult but fun task! (see below)  The party was a huge success and most importantly, Mike had an awesome time!

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The Bat Family: Batman, Robin and Bat-Dog (aka Mike, Jen & Duncan)

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The happy bat-dog!

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Yoda grabbed for an empty beer bottle on the floor and I grabbed for my camera!

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In the kitchen with Mike the pumpkin

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My pumpkin carving creations!

The weather on Halloween day was cold, windy and rainy so I opted for 3 hours indoors instead! I rode with Lisa on a Computrainer and I was totally impressed. This is the second time that I’ve ridden one of these bad boys and they are amazing. I can totally appreciate why so many athletes endorse these. I’ve got to find a way to get my hands on a Computrainer!!

Time to get back to the little angels, fairies, lady bugs, spidermen, cowboys and pirates knocking on the door!

Happy Halloween!!

Posted by: jencoombs | October 28, 2009

Nike

I am very excited and honoured to announce that I will be supported by Nike in 2010!

Nike’s extensive research, passion and drive for perfection in their running shoes and apparel aligns with my goals for triathlon. I am very excited to be working with such a forward thinking, innovative company and look forward to the many miles that we’ll run together!

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Check them out at www.nikerunning.com.

Posted by: jencoombs | October 23, 2009

Thanksgiving

It’s been a couple of weeks since I have posted but when I logged in today I found this post that I had written a couple of weeks ago just after Thanksgiving, so I thought I would share it now. Better late than never…

Mike and I had a very busy Thanksgiving this year! I absolutely love this time of year (as I’m sure I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post). The weather is cooling off but the days are still long and beautiful. The leaves on the trees are changing into their seasonal yellow, orange and reds and falling to the ground. It’s peaceful and it’s a wonderful time of year to spend some time outdoors!

Our good friend Nate was visiting from Sarnia so we did some catching up on Friday night! Mike and Nate golfed on Saturday while I practiced my culinary skills! I baked 4 pies for our Thanksgiving dinners and tried out some new appetizer recipes for us to enjoy on Saturday night (crab cakes and samosas)! We also had Winston, our second son with us for the weekend while his mom and dad were off celebrating their wedding anniversary.

Duncan and Winston...best buddies!

Duncan and Winston...best buddies!

On Thanksgiving Sunday we went to Mike’s aunt and uncle’s home for dinner. We took our mountain bikes with us and went for a little ride before dinner!

Out for a ride in Caledon, pre-Thanksgiving dinner

Out for a ride in Caledon, pre-Thanksgiving dinner

On Monday we had Thanksgiving dinner again, this time at my parents house! By the end of the weekend we were stuffed with turkey and pumpkin pie and had enough leftovers to feed us for the next week!

Posted by: jencoombs | October 3, 2009

Gears Girls

This morning was the final Gears Girls ride of the season. We met at Gears for a 9am start and ended up having 12 women come out for the ride, despite the cool weather and threat of rain! The weather was great for the first hour and a half! Unfortunately on our way home the sky opened up and we returned to the shop soaked to the bone!

We finished up a great ride with an end of season celebration breakfast at Cora’s, yum yum!

Gears Girls!

Gears Girls!

During the ride there was some discussion about cool weather riding and since the days are getting shorter and colder, I thought now is as good a time as any to post my general cold & wet weather riding tips.

One of the best rules for cool weather riding is to always make sure you have layered your clothes. You can always add and remove layers as necessary. If there is rain in the forecast make sure you carry a rain jacket in one of your jersey pockets. If you get caught in a rain storm you’ll be glad you packed it around with you!

I could go on and on about great cycling gear to have but there really are a few pieces of gear that will get you through most conditions:

  • Full fingered gloves (Defeet makes great cotton and wool gloves; windproof gloves are great for colder temperatures)
  • Cycling cap or bandana (your head is the first place heat escapes)
  • Undershirts or long underwear (long and short sleeve) are great for layering
  • Knee & leg warmers (I usually wear leg warmers if it is 12 degrees or cooler – you can also wear running tights over your cycling shorts in cold weather)
  • Wool socks are great for keeping your toes warm, even in wet conditions (DeFeet makes a couple of great options – the Wool-e-ator and the Woolie Boolie)
  • Shoe covers: DeFeet makes a great lightweight shoe cover; windproof or neoprene booties are great for cold days
  • Jacket – there are so many types of jackets out there but a nice windproof jacket and layering underneath will get you through lots of conditions

Wow, this sounds a little like a Defeet ad! In all honesty, they do make some fantastic cycling gear: socks, knee and arm warmers, undershirts, gloves, etc. They’re easy to find and well priced which makes them that much more desirable! Happy fall riding! Stay warm!

Posted by: jencoombs | September 27, 2009

Mountain Bike Adventure

Team Amaral's first mountain bike ride!

Team Amaral's first mountain bike ride!

Yesterday Mike, Duncan and I went for our very first mountain bike ride together! I received my Specialized Myka Expert mountain bike from Gears Bike Shop back in the spring, but haven’t had the chance to ride it yet. You see, I’m a bit of a klutz (I am always walking into and tripping over things) and I figured that learning to ride a mountain bike before or during the race season would be a recipe for disaster. So, mountain biking had to wait until the fall, when new adventures are a little less risky!

With a couple hours of riding on my schedule for yesterday, I thought it would be fun to try out my mountain bike. Mike has lots of trail experience and was a very good and very patient teacher! I tend to be a bit of a chicken sometimes, but I think I did a pretty good job yesterday being that it was my first time ever on the trails (notice the running shoes & platforms instead of the cycling shoes & pedals)!

We threw the bikes on the car and headed over to Bronte Park.  I learned how to ride down “steep” hills (steep to me, not to the average mountain biker), practiced riding over logs and rocks and tried to climb up hills with only running shoes and platform pedals (this is really tough if the hill is steep!)

Duncan had a fantastic time chasing after our bikes! At one point we were riding over a little wooden bridge and Duncan decided to jump off, landing in a thick, black swampy bog. His legs, chest and face were covered in thick black muck! Needless to say, this was followed shortly by a swim in the river!

Dirty Dog!

Dirty Dog!

I arrived home tired and sweaty with only one little scratch. Although there were a couple of close calls, no bails on the bike just yet (I’m sure it’s just a matter of time). I had a great first experience on my mountain bike! I am looking forward to using it as a great cross training tool and a fun alternative to trainer riding in the winter!

Thank you again to Gears Bike Shop in Mississauga for all of their help and support. If you’re in the market for a bicycle of any kind (or gear), please check them out by clicking on the link on the right hand side of this page.

Happy riding!

It will only be a couple of weeks until this is a sea of yellow, orange and red!

It will only be a couple of weeks until this is a sea of yellow, orange and red!

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