Sunday, April 18, 2010

I have a confession ...

Several confessions, actually.

First confession.
I do almost all of my long rides with one of a handful of my steady training partners. During IMFL training last year I did portions of long rides solo, but the majority of the time someone was nearby. Now, there are lots of good reasons to ride with a group, safety in numbers being a big reason, but I have another secret reason I like riding with my regular training partners.

Confession time.

I am not the most mechanically oriented person and I secretly worry that I will get a flat or have a mechanical issue that I cannot fix on my own. I normally ride with men and chivalry is definitely alive and well in Texas, so I feel taken care of on my rides. My amazing Iron Sherpa hubby is also my mechanic, so I will admit to being a bit spoiled.

This morning I went out for my last long ride before Lonestar 70.3 and for the first time this season I went out solo. I had a premonition that I was going to get a flat on this ride because I was alone. Sure enough, about 12 miles into my ride I felt a drag coming from my back wheel and I stopped to find my back tire flat. Great. Not only did I have a flat but it was on my back wheel. Ugh.

Now, confession two. I have never had a flat on the road. I have practiced changing tires at home (and not nearly enough) but I have always had Douglas looking over my shoulder.

So after diagnosing my problem (easy enough), I called Douglas for moral support and put my cell phone on speaker so Dougas could be my quick reference guide, if needed, and I got to work. Several people passed me and asked if I needed anything and I was tempted to be rescued, but I knew I could do this on my own ... AND I DID!

I know that I should not be so excited about doing something that I should have been able to do all along, but there is something about actually having done it and the confidence that goes with it that really gave me mental boost for the rest of my ride and going into my race next weekend (plus the new tires I am getting will provide a nice extra layer of protection). I know, lame ...

My ride and run today also went well from a pace and nutrition perspective, so I feel good heading into a recovery week. What I give up in workout hours I will spend mentally preparing for the race. I am nervous and excited about my first race of the season!

14 comments:

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

Good for you. I had one prior to IMFL last year and went through two tubes never to do it right. Problem was the tire (my trainers) are too stiff and you have to use the tire tools. Pinched the tube twice.

Michelle said...

Isn't that a great feeling???

Unknown said...

I feel the same way about mechanical stuff...it scares me, yet I know I need to be able to do it! Good for you for sticking it out. You'll probably never have a flat again now that you can do it! ;)

Aimee said...

Good job on changing your flat! :) Getting a flat is one of my biggest fears when out on a ride! Now that the weather is warmer and I'll be riding outside more, I really need to start practicing changing a flat. I know how to do it, but it takes me a LONG time!

Ironman By Thirty said...

Way to go! Knock on wood, but I have not yet had a flat on the road yet. I'm not looking forward to my first (or second, third, etc.).

Unknown said...

I was the same way, until I had an experience similar to yours!! You are going to feel SO MUCH better on rides now, guaranteed!! :)

Love and Puppies, Christy said...

I totally feel your pain! I always ride with my husband and I know that I am going to get a flat in a race one day and he won't be around and I will have to put on my big girl pants and do it myself. AHHH!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I love riding in a group. I think it helps push you and keeps you going when you get tired or down.

Nice job on the flat, I am a mechanic nerd and practice it every two weeks. Just to make sure I can do it.

Kendra said...

ohmygosh! what was your plan if you flatted at IMFL? Changing a tire is so easy, as you now know. :) Glad you've finally gotten over the fear!

Anne said...

Kendra - I technically knew how to change a flat, I just never had to do it on my own on the road. It was much less stressful than I imagined it would be ... but it was also not during a race!

Carole Sharpless said...

That is awesome, Anne!!! I am so proud of you!!!! We'll have you fixin' this stuff in no time. :)

xoxoxox.

Joel said...

Kudos on officially crossing over! My secret fear isn't flatting, but that something more mechanical will happen (like, a crank arm falling off or the chain breaking or snapping a spoke) that it's really difficult to plan for. I've seen far too many people just give up at short races because of mechanical problems. Good luck with Lonestar!

Erin said...

I just changed my tire for the first time last week. Hope I got that out of the way because it will take me eleventy bazillion years to do it during a race.

Enjoy tapering and hopefully we'll run into eachother on Sunday!

Ryan said...

just don't let that mechanic husband of your's touch your cranks!!