Biking Outside...A Little Slice of Heaven

This past weekend I was able to get out of my basement, off the trainer, and outside to ride my bike as we traveled to St. George for Presidents Day Weekend! The plan was to link up with some athletes down there who are training for Ironman and ride on the course. I was really nervous about it as I knew that they were all great athletes who had been putting in a lot of miles! The plan was to bike 80-90 miles. Disclosure statement: I have never biked over 60 miles!!! And I was going to bike 80-90??? I had all sorts of self doubts about that much time on the bike and if I could keep up with everyone.

I decided as part of this bike ride I would use it as an opportunity to experiment with nutrition as well. As I did my 70.3's last year I felt like my nutrition was off on the bike and I knew it at Boise when I had been biking around this man for most of the bike ride and he whipped out a peanut butter sandwich...I would have done anything for that sandwich!! So, I felt like this was a good time to start experimenting as I am preparing for a couple 70.3's this year.

We met at the St. George Town Square and headed out for the ride. Riding outside was a little slice of heaven! The sun was shining, there was beautiful scenery, and a lot of bikers out! We rode on the Ironman St. George course and I was surprised at how great I felt. I had to smile when a guy I was riding with said he was surprised at how many people travel down to St. George to ride their bikes in the winter....I am telling you I wish I could teleport myself down there every weekend to ride with those fabulous group of athletes!

I learned that my body needs food...real food while on the bike! I enjoyed my nutroll and peanut butter sandwich, as well as my carbopro, stinger waffles, and gu! Can I recommend pineapple gu...it is so good! And...I made it...I rode 80 miles! I survived! Even though my legs were tired, I was so excited to have put in that many miles on the bike. I am so excited for this upcoming race season!