Sharing the Love

So I try to go to a spin class once or twice a week when I can't get out on the open road. The class I go to is at the Joan Kroc Center gym at a lovely 5:45am. My instructor is awesome--her name is Kim, I really love the music she picks for our 'rides' and she is really motivating. I have never left her class dry, in fact, I don't recall sweating that much in my life. Her workouts get us of to zone 4 and 5 on occasion and I have found that spinning once or twice a week [if I can't get out on the road] has really built up leg strength and speed [aka power!] However, like anything you've done outside, the inside version is not quite as great. As much as I love going to spin, I still feel like a hamster on the wheel if you know what I mean.

Anyway, a friend of mine from church goes to spin class religiously [no pun intended] but seriously, she is there 5 days a week at 5:45am! Sue is her name and she, like Kim, is an awesome woman and mom to 7 children! So I teased her once asking when she was going to get a bike and go on a real ride. She showed a lot of interest and long story short, I finally took her out on a road bike today. We got in a good 14 mile hilly ride through Tierrasanta and she did great! It was really fun showing her the ropes of cycling [even though I feel fairly new to it myself] and brought back a lot of memories of my first time on a road bike and reminded me why I love cycling.

I love cycling because...

-I can get from point A to point B quickly so it feels like a real accomplishment
-It's easy on the joints so you think you can do it forever [and you can!]
-It makes you feel like you are flying, like you're a kid again



But the best part, is sharing the joy of an activity with people that you love!

Racing Myself

Hi my name is Emily and I'm a triathlete mom. By no means am I a pro, nor do I necessarily aspire to be, but I do enjoy challenging myself physically and triathlon does just that. I go by time, more than place when judging my performance in a race. However there have been times when placing unexpectedly has taken away the sting of a disappointing leg. At this point I can't say I have a specific weakness in terms of the swim, bike, or run, but I do know without a doubt that each one can get better. I feel that I am a better athlete since bearing children. I have learned patience, endurance, and how to deal with and push through pain. Sometimes I train to run away from life for a while and other times I train in an effort to move closer toward a specific goal. Either way, training clears my mind and calms my soul. I am a better wife and mother after my workouts. A better woman even. I love training hard and racing harder with the belief that I am only racing myself.


This picture is of me and my coach/brother-in-law/friend, Robe [pronounced 'Robbie']. And why doesn't anyone ever tell me my hat's crooked???