What limits you may ask? I know I have been MIA, but I have a great excuse been super busy! Are you ready for it? I have been cycling it up! I have also been WAY out of my comfort zone.
Comfort zone: a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk –>To step out of the comfort zone raises the anxiety level engendering a stress response, the result of which is an enhanced level of concentration and focus.
(Source)
I cannot believe the love I have developed for cycling. I have always found myself veered towards running. Once I decided I was going to do my first triathlon I realized, oh I need to buy a bike. After my big purchase; I started learning how to ride and truly enjoyed it. I started with small rides. Like 5-7miles around my neighborhood and didn’t ride far from home. Then the training kicked it for the triathlon and before I knew I had done my first 14miles! Then the PDR’s kept rolling in. Slowly but surely I had grown from 7miles to 20miles to 25miles to 30miles to 37ish (my Garmin died ) all the way to 41miles.
I have been gaining new mileage every week! Trying new trails and even driving many miles to get to bigger trails. This has all been done with amazing friends and I couldn’t have done it without them!
Besides, it is worth it just for the views alone!
Starting with Kelly and Rachel with our amazing 15mile rides while we talk about anything and everything. Who needs Happy Hour when you have Happy Cycle Hour You really get to know someone when you cycle with someone.
Then I accomplished new mileage with Kelly and my new found friend Danielle! <- Who I met through Kelly! Danielle lives near me, so it is very exciting knowing I have someone to run, bike, swim.. or even enjoy a movie night out! Yay for Harry Potter friends! ANYWAYS.. Back to it.
Last weekend I found out something new about Florida.. It has hills???? Who knew?? Not me.I thought the guys were joking.. Meet Jason(right) & Chis(Left) <- Best coach/friend/cyclist I have ever met. I was pushed to all new limits and pulled (no, literally pulled by my water pack) up some of the toughest hills I had ever come across. Without the help of these guys I would have been a lone ranger and probably turned around and gone home! Not to mention he changed my flat tire in record time!
Guess what sits at the top of this mountain hill??? A water station.
But Sugar Loaf mountain hill exists! I should know I went up the back of it.
I am so proud of the new friends that made it up that hill without getting off their bike. I on the hand have reason to come back and show that mountain hill who’s boss.. I didn’t make it up that hill without getting off. Don’t worry, it will not get me down! I am going back to take it on!
Some new things I learned:
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Always carry a bike kit! <- Flat tire at mile 1!
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Always carry a first aid kit <- Fell at mile 30ish.. (first time! I am now I true cyclist.)
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Know what your gears are and how to use them. <- Major Thanks to Jason!
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Cycle groups not only look fun, but are!
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Fuel, Fuel and more Fuel + Water, Water and more Water! <- Love my water pack!
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How to put a bike rack on.
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Mix 1? Yes please! <- Refueling never tasted so good
With all the great flavors Mix1 has to offer I didn’t know which one to try first when Courtney offered after the long ride. I picked Peach! It was AMAZING! So next up, was chocolate; which Danielle offered after our 41miler! I am a newbie to this amazing drink. But don’t I look like a picture perfect of a billboard <—advertising for Mix1?? Just an idea..
Do you ever push you limits? Comfort zone, what comfort zone? How do you fuel, refuel? I am still learning!