Goldilocks

If you read this blog, you probably know me well enough to know that I am not an athlete.  I don't like sports, and I hate to run.  I know I should exercise.  I just don't always make it a priority, mostly because I don't like it very much.  But , I do feel better when I exercise consistently.  A few of my friends have gotten into biking recently, and I decided to tag along and give it a try.  I knew for sure it would be better than running, plus it's so much better to have someone to exercise with.  The girls were so nice, and found me a proper road bike to borrow.  My Dad spent a lot of time getting me started and making sure the bike fit for me.  He's super-excited to see me on a bike!  

The girls and I signed up for the Goldilocks bike ride at the beginning of May.  We registered for the  40 mile route, and I was super nervous.  A) because I am totally out of shape, B) because the weather has been so lousy that I didn't feel like I had enough time to get out and prepare.  Getting used to the road bike was hard.  The first time I got on it I literally fell right over into the bushes!  I'll admit, I'm still not very comfortable riding on the road with traffic---especially getting my feet in and out of the pedal cages when I come to a stop.  I have almost fallen a zillion times! 

Anyway, I am happy to report that I survived the ride, and had a really good time.  In many ways, it was harder than I had anticipated.  There were a lot more hills than I was hoping for, and it was so darn windy!  I definitely felt like a beginner.  Right off the bat Valerie had to holler at me and tell me to pass on the left (duh), and I when I got a flat tire I was to glad to have girls with me who could change a tire in 5 minutes flat.  By the end of the ride, I was ready to be done.  Really.  I couldn't have gone much farther.  But, I finished, and it felt good.  It felt really good to be able step out of my comfort zone and do something hard.  I really enjoyed being out enjoying the scenery (except Redwood road---didn't like that at all!), and I totally loved the social aspect of being out with my friends, and hundreds of other women.  It was a great experience, and I'm so glad I did it.