Sunday, August 23, 2009

"C" is for...

"C" is for Charisa! The best training partner and bike mate a girl could have. I had a few tough moments during our Henshaw Loop (112 miles/7-hour) bike ride today. But she was always there - encouraging, smiling, and (most importantly at times) pulling me along in the wake of her draft. She made it clear that I could bail at any point if I was feeling like crap, and she wouldn't think anything of it; but with a partner like her, I just didn't want to stop. THANKS Charisa!

"C" is for colorful. Yep, I had a few colorful words during my ride. Not necessarily blog-appropriate.

"C" is for crap. Not the literal kind - but in the very beginning of the ride, its how I felt. But some very encouraging words from Charisa, and my own acceptance with the fact that my legs felt flat from my race last weekend - and after 1:45 or so, I finally came around.

"C" is for Coke. 3:30 into our ride at the Julian Pie Shop stop, I decided that the gels just weren't working. So I switched to coke. And for some magical reason only known to the triathlon gods - it worked. I think I had at LEAST a liter of the stuff, maybe more. But it was delicious and my fuel of choice (along with carbo pro 1200). The first thing I did, though, when I got home - was to brush my teeth. Ugh!

"C" is for chopsticks. As in I will NOT be eating my post-workout leftovers with them. It'll just take too long, and I'm hungry.

"C" is for carbs. As in the beer kind. 7 hours of drinking only water or coke, and the diet coke and seltzer water awaiting my arrival just didn't seem so appealing. So Sam Adams "Boston Lager" it was. And it was/is delicious.

"C" is for cupcake! I found a cupcake store!! "Elizabethan Desserts" in Encinitas was a recent discovery (since Friday!), and Nathaniel and I just had to stop by to pick up one. Or three. And it was more ME wanting one, while Nathaniel was willing to go along for "morale support". Its waiting for me...in the fridge...and I thought about it during my long ride... (And when I eat it, I will think of Molly, Kate, Julia, and Deirdre!)

"C" is for courage. Because sometimes it takes a little bit of courage to push through and not quit, when everything seems impossible, hilly, long, hot, and uncomfortable. And if YOU reading this have ever felt this way, know that you're not the only one. I think we all feel this way one time or another (and another...)

"C" is for CRAVING. And I've got more. Perhaps a cupcake...? We shall see. Now, please excuse me while I head to the kitchen...

14 comments:

Charisa said...

YOU did awesome!!! It's so hard to ride long when you are tired. And not just long - but a hard Henshaw loop! So happy to have your company - it was a very fun ride! I've got to check out that cupcake store!!! See ya at the pool manana - maybe I can draft off you in lane 2 - haha!

Jennifer Cunnane said...

I love the c for courage. That's the most important part... you have certainly shown a lot of it the last year in recovering from the accident and then making it all the way to KONA! And, YEAH for cupcakes... is there something about triathletes and cupcakes?? Everyone talking about it is starting to make me crave them!

Rebecca DeWire said...

I totally agree that Coke is the most magical drink when you need a pick me up in either training or racing.

TriGirl Kate O said...

Hooray for cupcakes, especially ones that are hard-won after a tough workout!

GoBigGreen said...

I have been to the Julian Pie Shoppe and actually we went to some place and got...hold your stomach...tamales as well. Yum. salty goodness on our ride.
But of course....Cupcakes!! I think Charisa deserves a cupcake too. Maybe she grows them in her garden. I wouldnt be surprised...
Rest up. And job well done!

Cy said...

There's nothing like sharing those tough training sessions with friends. What a journey and you two get to share it togther in KONA. SO COOL!!

cherelli said...

And C is for Chocolate too!!! (sorry, just had to throw that in, obviously having chocolate withdrawal symptoms, sorry, cupcakes work too :) )

Shan said...

Ooo Ooo Ooo, you tried out Elizabethan! I never got to try out that cupcake place, but I did hear a lot of good things about it...whaddya think about the 'cake?

Great work today - you're such a stud!

xoxo

ADC said...

And where am I for those cupcakes??? :))) Great ride. You know that is how we get tougher - by carrying on when we really do not feel like it. And you are doing it so well.

Beth said...

Great job for getting through it Marit!! I've never ridden that long but I've definitely had that "oh my, how will I ever get through this feeling". Training partners are the best aren't they?! :)

Angela and David said...

Damn you - now I really want a cupcake.

Great job getting through a tough day. It's the tough days that make you stronger.

Kim said...

C is for compression socks. and chocolate. and cookies. i spoke to beth shutt - thank you so much for the recommendation - we are going to work together! yay!

GoBigGreen said...

And Cappucino!

Runner Leana said...

Coke on the bike ride... Best...thing...EVER!!!

Cupcakes and beer - two of my favourite things!!