Who needs Directions?

I'm the type o gal that just opens the box and starts putting things together... I might end up looking at a little something, but I'm terrible about following the rules. Tab A, Slot B, whatever! There are lots of training models out there and tons of theories about how to be or become your best... but I would rather find it through trial and error. Knowing that I'm not joining some racing team tomorrow, I figured I got time... right?

This year, my second season on the bike, I decided to up my game a bit with some new pedals and a heart rate monitor. I figured I could track my progress on a spreadsheet and see if it's helping my rides. Today I took my new toy for it's first spin. I don't like wearing the watch... so I'll have to figure out how to mount it on the handle bars.

I put in 25 miles and burned 1281 in calories. Avg speed was only 14 mph, but I was more interested in paying attention to my heart rate... scary thing:

That seems kinda high? No? It's obvious that I'm terribly out of shape and find it amusing that I'm paying for gadgets to tell me so! This is the Polar FT40 model and I think I'm going to get some good use out of it. The guys at the store told me I should do my heart rate first thing... to get the real "resting" rate. To be fair, they weren't clear about that in the instructions :) I also noted this unusual clicking noise and thought something was wrong with my bike... no, um, my heart was gonna explode and the watch was telling me to slow the F*@&%&K down. Nice right? Didn't need instructions for that shit, let me tell ya!

I also slipped into something a little more comfortable today, the new Time iClic 2 Carboflex pendals :)

I found them to be firm and you need to apply pressure to be "in" these babies. You also had to be firm in the turnout. I'm wondering if this is the design or if they will get easier in time and wear. I am very pleased with the ease of entry in terms of automatic placement. Your foot just finds this baby... ahhh, so nice. But, I would have ridden longer if I'd gotten the cleat position better. Mile 22ish I noticed some burning pain in the knee... and try as I might to adjust for a longer ride, I had already irritated it to much. :(

This year is going to be a year of trial and error for me as I try to find the right mix of calories, protein, carbs, etc for an improved year. My goal is to be able to stay on the bike shortly after HHH this year, unlike last years major Bonkout... If I had only put in a recovery ride I may have been ok.

I don't find disappointment in learning as I go, I find it to be one big adventure that takes my mind of stress and work and whatever else. I imagine that most people who got on the bike didn't have world class trainers, physicians, dietitians, etc telling them what to do. For the rest of us, it's about the ride itself. I do think the heart rate monitor is a huge asset, it helped me listen to my physical responses better than I previously did. I was more aware when I was reaching a red zone and not afraid to back off for fear of looking like a slacker.

I don't know about you, but I ride to live and sometimes live to ride. I'm 43 now and I know people in their 30s having heart attacks and dealing with health issues they should be able to overcome. I do this for me, my stress, my blood pressure, my sanity, my weight... it's one thing I've invested in that I can stick with and feel good. Since I don't much read directions or listen to what just anyone has to say... I don't push my thoughts on my friends either. We can only direct our own lives, choices and thoughts... and no one, especially me, wants directions from anyone else.