Nutrition – The 4th Discipline

Anyone who knows me knows that I am very disciplined when it comes to things like my work or training. It is one of the reasons that make me a good engineer. Logic. Order. Discipline. Deductive reasoning. It is also why, although I’m not a very skilled athlete, I will make it to the finish line at the REV3 triathlon. I have the stick-to-a tive-ness (as my dad says) it take to get things done.

However, anyone who also knows me knows my weakness for sugar – chocolate in particular – Peanut M&M’s to be the most specific. I love peanut M&M’s. They are the perfect blend of dairy, caffeine and protein – right? I am truly addicted to them. I am convinced if I could cut them out of my diet I would drop 10 lbs in no time.

Right now it is what I struggle with the most – nutrition. I am eating a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner and healthy snacks. But then I add the unhealthy snacks like peanut M&M’s. I must admit I buy them in the Sams’s Club size – I don’t mess around with the small bags. I am truly a work in progress and I still need so much work.

First time using clipless pedals...Yikes

Yesterday I rode my bike outside for the first time this year. I know. I know. It has been a spectacular spring. You are probably wonder what was the hold up. Actually, I’m a big chicken. I was afraid to ride my new bike with the clipless pedals. Didn’t want to wreck and not be able to get my foot unclipped.

I finally got up the nerve yesterday because I had really just run out of excuses. I made my oldest son stand next to me while I got on the bike and started to pedal. I went around the cul-de-sac a few times and clipped and unclipped my shoes several times. So far so good.

I felt confident enough to take my bike out for a real spin. I grabbed my cell phone, just in case, then told my husband and kids to send help if I’m not home in an hour. That would mean I was spralled out on the highway somewhere. I did two loops of 6.5 miles each on a course used for the annual Willoughby Lions Club Biathlon. It is about a 10th of a mile from my house. It is a nice loop and many bikers use it to train.

However, there is one spot at the intersection of Reeves Road and Lakeshore Blvd where it is a very steep incline. It is also a very busy intersection – especially with the construction rerouting traffic to those roads. I was stopped at the red light and unclipped my right foot (I’m better with that foot). OK. When the light turned green is where my troubles began. I could not for the life of me get my shoe clipped back in. I tried 4 times before it worked. I almost gave up and just walked my bike up the hill. Finally – success.

So I didn’t go all out because I just wanted to get familiar with the feel of everything, but I was averaging about 16mph and I did get up to speeds of 24 mph. That is so much better than on my mountain bike where I averaged about 13mph in the two sprint tri’s I did last summer. I know I will improve as my confidence with my equipment grows.