As terrifying as terror is.....

Let's look at all the glorious and/or tedious non teaching activities that filled my day.

I started out with about 30 minutes of swimming. I increased my intervals from 50m to 75m and did 20 seconds of rest in between. I did 10 sets, plus a warmup and a cooldown. Sometimes I'm a bit slow starting on days off if I don't have a specific time I need to workout so I'm pretty proud of myself for finishing by 8:15am.

Then things got wild. I did four loads of laundry and began worked on my grad school final project for hours. I also tend to procrastinate sometimes so I'm pretty excited that I got started Monday, not Friday. Or next Monday. Or not at all.

I almost never get sleepy unless it's bedtime but after hours of typing in APA format vs. chasing children I couldn't believe how exhausted I was. Eric and I actually took a little nap on the couch to "Classical Favorites" on the music channel. Then I woke up and read The Kitchen House, which I highly recommend on the patio.

 

I'd prefer to be out there in a sundress rather than a snuggie and a fleece, but it was still bliss.

How perfect is it that I got my bike yesterday and the Baltimore Area Triathlon Club hosted a free beginners ride today?

I thought I faced my fear of bikes when I rented a bike for a bike ride on a paved, flat trail last August. I also thought I faced my fear when I took my bike around my hilly neighborhood last night. FYI, googling "fear of bikes" gives you tons of info on cyclophobia, which is a fear of being around bikes, but no information whatsoever on overcoming fear of actually riding them. Probably because it affects only one person on earth, ever. (Me.)

Panic Attack #1:

As per Mike's recommendation, my bike has these straps to hold my feet in, 

 

aka make it impossible to get my feet in to start peddling.  The club took off without me while I tried to get my feet in 800 times and couldn't do it.

Panic Attack #2

Going downhill. Still terrified and hold my brakes so tight I am barely moving and my hand STILL hurts and it's been 4 hours.

Panic Attack #3

The group was waiting for me at a light. Which meant I was already holding up a whole group of strangers, and now I needed to start pedaling at the exact right moment and go fast enough to cross a busy street. This may or may not have prompted me to start crying and tell Eric that I was done and couldn't do it. 

Panic Attack #4 - 5,000,000

Going on several hundred downhills in busy traffic with around a foot of shoulder space and cars whizzing by, inches from my bike, while the group constantly stopped and waited for me. Totally didn't know we were riding in traffic and I honestly can't remember a time in my adult life that I was so gripped in terror, I was literally shaking so hard that I could barely stay straight on the bike. 

We then went to a residential neighborhood and the group leader, an accomplished, very experienced cyclist worked with me one on one to learn the gears, turn, and get more comfortable on the downhills. It made a huge difference and on the way back, I did not shake, cry, attempt not to cry, and I took my hands off the brakes for at least part of every downhill on the way back.

(Don't worry, Mom, this was posed, he wore his helmet the entire ride.)

After 10 miles of staying upright, I fell off the bike when I attempted to stop in the parking lot. Genius. Then we reenacted the fall for pictures.

This group seriously deserves an award, or at least a home baked treat, for their patience with me. Everyone was really encouraging despite how much I slowed them down and the leader was an amazing help. 

We are now a two bike family.

I have to admit I'm a little embarrassed to put on the internet just how scared I was of something that small children do every day, but it is what it is and the ultimate goal is to get over it and reread this post and laugh one day. It was a huge rush getting in the car knowing I almost gave up but I stuck with it. I'm planning on another ride tomorrow!

Randomness:

We did Eric's workout of five sets of 30 jumping jacks, 15 pushups, and 10 sit ups (not crunches) when we got home and I did 60/75 pushups on my toes, then I practiced hanging from the pullup bar so I can one day do a pull up. I did 4 sets of hanging, for 20 sec, 20 sec, 10 sec, and 13 sec. Michelle O., I'm coming for you.

Kara was concerned about my craving for veggies after yesterday's 20 miler. Not to worry, Kara, here's the pizza we made for dinner. Amazing. Bread maker pizza dough is delicious and gigantic beyond belief. Then I busted out the toppings from Nicole's shower again and had my own private sundae bar. AGAIN. Then I just ate more pizza tonight and I sure didn't run anything close to 20 miles.

 

Please please please if anyone is still reading tell me an irrational fear of yours so I feel less pathetic.