Mountain Biking

Starting a new sport can be very challenging. No one wants to be bad at something but you have to start somewhere. I began my journey last month learning the sport of mountain biking. The first test began just 5 short weeks ago with a intermediate trail. The single track loop starts off with a fairly steep climb with numerous switchbacks. Being that I have only road biked I found myself with a whole different strand of concentration. I was constantly shifting my weight and focusing on keeping my tires aligned with the tiny dirt strip that lay below. After numerous falls around the tight corners and a few expletives I had made it to the top, a feat that made me smile. In the back of my head I knew that this was only half way over, what goes up must come down. After a sip of water and a quick picture I began my decent. Immediately I found myself clenching the metal levers as fear set in. I remembered the advice I was given, "look ahead and trust the bike." I repeated these words as I eased off the breaks. A few rock piles had me defeated as I hopped of the bike and and walked around them. As I came to the pavement I knew I had made it. I had conquered my first mountain bike ride.

The elliptical is for sissies

This thought has been on my mind for a while now so I thought I would get it out there for everyone to ponder. After training for a Iromman 70.3 by myself I have a whole new outlook on what working out really is. Now I am not going to lie I have been that skinny little girl shaking her butt on the elliptical for a half hour (well let's be honest minus the skinny part). This is NOT working out. When I was training for the race I worked out at least 2 hours a day, running on the treadmill for up to 2 hours at a time. Or doing a intense spin class that leaves you unable to walk. I am not saying this is what you have to do but if you want to get a good work don't use the elliptical. Wonder why you never see fat people running on the treadmill but you see them all lined up on the ellipticals? You can't get away with being lazy on a treadmill, I picture a porker falling off and slamming into the wall behind..... haha not trying to be mean but you get the picture, the elliptical is for sissies!!