A New Kind of Race.

Yesterday, I signed up for a race.  Not another running race luckily… although I always have to talk myself off of that ledge.  Also, not a triathlon even though I really want to give one of those a try too!  This time though, I signed up for a bike ride!  I guess you probably don’t really call it a race when I am involved but regardless, I am pretty excited!

I signed up for the Krankin’ for Kids ride which is held only a short drive away from my house and I picked to attempt the 36 mile route (a mid-metric century if you will!).  This should be a good distance for me with about a month more of riding.  I’m hoping this weekend I can fit in a 22ish mile ride and try to also get in at least one 25-28 miles ride before the race.  I think that should give me enough butt endurance to sit on a bike that long!

One thing that I am excited about for bike races is the whole rest stop phenomena!  In running, you only stop in the worst case scenario but in biking, it’s really no big deal to stop and stretch, drink some water, eat a little something and go back on your way!  This should be good for me to practice taking things easy and not making every single thing I do a stressful event.  Also should help with the stress of training for it as I always have the option to take a break!

I only have two main goals for this race:

1) Don’t embarrass myself; and
2) Get used to riding near other bikers.

Going to try not to crash!!!

I should be able to get a little experience with both of these without much training.  I will be practicing the whole clipping/unclipping at stops thing though… or #1 might be more of a concern that I can’t avoid.  I also should probably try to determine what I should wear that won’t make me look like a clown on a tricycle.  I seem to be very good at combining workout clothes combos to really set a new element of style for the fitness world  I should probably also practice riding up hills… so many little things to work on now!

I am mentally prepared for my upcoming half/full marathon(s) to not quite go as I would secretly like so maybe this biking thing will be a good diversion?  Since not all my eggs will be in one basket with determining what makes me feel like I am being active/setting new distance records for myself.

The race is in one month so I guess I should go hit the trails for a ride!

What kind of race/what particular race would you like to sign up for if there was nothing limiting your ability to do so?  (either physical, time for training or financial).  I would have to say a Half Ironman, as crazy as that sounds… I did say there would be nothing limiting me!

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