Oh Ruuu-uby!

Don’t take your love to town! (Yep- totally dated myself right there, but when you’ve already admitted your age, whatever!)

Realized when I was on my ride Monday that I told the world when I fell in love with Ruby, and on Twitter have talked about the latest, but since I’m back on the blog, I haven’t shared pics of my new BFF, Ruby.

Isn’t she PRETTY! We first met at the IronGirl 5k last September, and I was trying to save enough to buy her, or feel like I’ve done enough to deserve. Only did 3 tris last year, and NO working out since Sept., but I’ve worked my rear end off at work, so the hubby agreed that I earned it, and I went to my big local bike shop, Gregg’s- and got fitted. Twice.

After much deliberation, we decided that I didn’t want to settle for anything less then what I REALLY wanted. A 57cm Ruby Elite, in the Komen color scheme. We ordered the 2010, only to learn that they only have it available in the white with blue. White seat, white handle bars, white frame. I live outside Seattle. Even when it’s dry, it gets muddy. I do triathlons. I have NO desire to put my fat, wet butt on a white seat. I was just about ready to give up, when I decided to call around to see if ANYONE still it in stock.

Finally, I found one place that had the 2009 Ruby Elite 57cm in Komen about an hour away. The bike I first rode and fell in love with. I asked them to hold it until the next day. I got to the bike shop about an hour and a half later.

I’m totally in love, but when you start to read the fine print, (which I tend to do) then I see a couple of concerns.

1. Reading the manual for the bike, and if I weigh more than 150 lbs, I’m supposed to get different brake pads. Really? Yeah, I’m 5’8.” That’s below my goal weight. Why would they do that? Wouldn’t small people want the stronger brake pads too? I’ve got a Women’s XL bike, because, at 5’8,” I have a 34” inseam. I’m all leg. Anyhow, wouldn’t they already expect me to be a larger person, since I’m, you know, larger?


2. THEN I found the warning:

“Not every bicycle and component is made for every conceivable use. A road bike, for example, is not suitable for off-road riding. Also, some bicycles and components are built to be lightweight, which means they may not be appropriate for riders who are approaching 250 pounds in weight (over 240 pounds, for example). Riders approaching 250 pounds in weight should not ride any bicycle equipped with Specialized-branded composite seat posts, handlebar stems, or handlebars. Failure to follow this warning may result in catastrophic failure of the component or bicycle, which may lead to serious personal injury or death.”

Specialized, I love my new bike, but SERIOUSLY? So chunky chicks can’t go fast or stop fast? I want less vibration, and therefore to be less tired. Is that so much to ask?

Now I have a few more decisions to make. Do I trust clipless pedals? They scare me anyway, but what if I stand up on them? Will they hold my unsuitable weight? What happens if I spend so too much time on my bike? I LOVE to ride it, but will it fail, leading to “serious personal injury or death?”

And then it has made me nervous about getting a trainer. Wrong time of year, but my husband has to be out late coaching golf some nights... so I may be getting back on the Trek when I train, at least until I slim a little. It’s good to train on something harder to ride, right??

New Season, New Dedication

I admit it. I not only took the last 6 months off from my blog. I took the time off from working out. Part of that had to do with changes and stress at work. Part of it was the winter. And a BIG part of it was that I ONLY LOST SIX GOD DAMNED POUNDS WHILE TRAINING FOR THREE TRIS AND A 5K LAST YEAR.

Yes, I was a little pissed.

But I didn't buy a stupid sausage-casing wetsuit and save up for a brand new road bike just to quit. So despite the fact that I've been out for like one wun, been in the pool twice, and been on my new bike once, I've signed up for my race calendar for this year, and am looking at doing something potentially crazier than tris.

So far, my summer looks like this:
- May 22- Girls on the Run 5k
- August 15- Danskin Women's Tri
- Sept 12- registered for IronGirl 5k
- Sept 19- Trek Women's Tri

(Looking at this, I realize I'm going to have to find something in June or July. Damn. Maybe I will do something w/ Livestrong... hmm.)

I'm actually registered for all four events, the reason that I hedge on IronGirl (other than I HATE wunning, so why would I make myself do that more often than needed) is that I may sign up for a bigger event event that weekend & can't do both.

I think I've mentioned her before, but I have a friend who I met thru my tri group last year who has MS. She is AMAZING. When I did Lk. Samm (the one where I came in abso-frickin'-loutely last) she had been having a flare up. She was stiff & in pain. She still kicked my ass.

So the day after I signed up for the IronGirl, she told me she is considering heading up a team for the MS 150 on Sept 11 & 12. That's 150 miles on a bike over two days.

On one hand, that's crazy talk. That's almost the STP (Seattle to Portland) ride. That's a LOT of time in the saddle.

On the other hand, crazy has never stopped me before. When I tried to talk someone into doing 60 miles in 3 days for the 3 day, I kept hearing that I was crazy. When I decided to start training for triathlons last year, I heard I was crazy. When I kept showing up for work on the Assignment Desk for a decade... hell, maybe I am crazy.

Technically I still have a couple of months to decide, but I'm 99% decided that I will be spending a lot of time in the saddle training this year. My 2009 Specialized Ruby Elite- Komen edition- will be getting quite a workout. And if I'm going to DO it, I'm likely to go for clipless pedals, and therefore have to conquer my fear of falling. And conquer my fear of taking time for myself.

So 2010 is looking like quite a ride. I'll let you know how it goes.