New Bike: Giant Defy 4

If you were reading my last posts, you see how my metal frame bike just wasn't cutting the mustard. Even though it was a great bike, I said it was time for an upgrade.

I went onto boards.ie and stuck up a wanted notice for a Giant Defy. I got a good few responses and just over a week later I had my new bike.   I was still sick with the flu but with the stronger medicine the doctor provided  has helped me this week and I took the bike off for a spin.

The first day I knocked up 33km on it. It felt great, I was way faster. I also purchased new dhb clipless shoes from wiggle. They are taking a bit of getting used to.    The only thing sore from the first day was the pain the saddle gave me.  I didn't want to overdo it on the second ride out but I put in 55km.  I remember going downhill and looking at the speedometer saying 48kph but also  when faced with tough headwinds the clock was reading 15kph.  

After around 40km in my journey, I totally forgot I was on clipless pedals and being a bit disillusioned at that time, I went to take my foot of the pedal in the normal way only to fall flat to the ground. All I could do was laugh but fairly had some cuts and bruises down my right hand side.  I had ripped my new cycling shorts that I just got but still the worse pain was my behind.   Its just normal saddle pain and will get immune to it with a few more rides. 

I practised in changing a tire tube the last day. It was a job and a half. First time doing it so that was expected. Better to learn now then to be totally tired in the middle of nowhere and having a go.  In taking off the back wheel, it was expected to be a small bit more complicated but putting it back on was another job and a half even though once i get the knack to it, it will take less then a few seconds. 

Looking forward to entering it into the next race. The cycling distance is only 14km  but should be fun. need to get out and run as well.. Too much to do... so little time.

Still not out of the woods yet

By God this is the longest i have ever being down with the flu. Went to the doctor again yesterday and this time he gave me stronger medicine and it looks like it has done the trick. Will finish the week course of them and get back to training then. 

My doctor is sound, Also takes parts in duathlons and runs. Another doctor in the same clinic also runs.. Sure them boys know what they are at. They are going to run the Craughwell 10 mile on 20th March. My friend Stephen Brodrick is doing it also and I wish them all the best. Sounds like a good day to be out.

I am looking on the good side of things. i got my new Giant Defy bike. Dying to take it out. I purchased dhb (wiggle own brand) road shoes at a valuable price and also got some more stuff through the Lidl cycling special day. i hope to go a few kph faster in it.

Weather is screaming to get out but will wait till Paddys day is over first. Since i haven't done anything in the past weeks might as well have a cracker of a paddys day and start fresh after. Lets hope i can go a few months before an injury or another flu attacks me.  Even though i aways have my five a day, i think some vitamins will be needed. 

If things go to plan, i will look to head to do the ennis duathlon on April 3rd on my new bike. I sat on my new bike only for a few minutes on the turbo trainer, It is fair to say that i will need good padding in my manhood regions.  Will take it out for a good spin next week and access that situation further. 

For now though. Happy St. Patricks Day 

 

Round Two Flu v Me

In my precious post I stated the flu won't knock me down, but by God its doing a good job in trying. It has hit the bone with pains all over causing me not to do any exercise at all.  I thought I was getting better last Saturday and I got myself out for a 5k and hit the town that night for a few scoops..

Sunday came around and by that night I couldn't move a muscle. I promised not to do anything for the week and expected to be feeling much better by now. Still wake up this morning with aches and pains. I plan to get out and about on Monday.  I say  Craughwell 10 mile is well off by this stage. So gutted as I was well up for it but now I hate thinking about it. All i can say is plenty of more races down the line but come on, give me a streak where I can build up something, always something getting in the way.

Flu won't knock me down

Over the past few weeks,  I came down with the flu. All my training was done inside in the gym.  I thought I got rid of it and felt great doing the duathlon last Sunday. Went for a cycle on Monday and a run on Tuesday. By Tuesday evening I felt something was not right, it was back. It had me knocked out on Wednesday and had some hot whiskeys to sweat it out. Went to the doctor this evening and he gave me some antibiotics.

As the friendly guy I am, I got chatting to the doctor and sure enough he does some races as well. He asked me did i sign up for the Craughwell 10mile. I said no.  then he gave the look which basically said go on and sign up, you will be grand.

I was thinking of it on the way back home, I never ran over 10km and the race is on in a couple of weeks and I'm still sick.  You would think by that sort of thinking I would decline in entering the race but no, I feel lately that I'm not pushing hard. If I was pushing enough I would already have done over 10k I feel.

OK maybe with the rough weather over the last few months and some accidents played a part in stopping me but the main thing is now I feel I have to up my game. "20th March is D-Day and the game is just beginning. I will mainly concentrate on the running for the two weeks and get back to cycling after it. i nearly have struck a new deal for a bike so will be like a little kid when I get my hands on it.

If i can't run the total distance, I will walk to the finish line.  Well walk near to the finish line and run the last part. :) Main thing is to finish it. 

Also, my membership is nearly up in the gym. I am grateful for the service it has provided me. i lost a good bit of weight but nowadays, i seem to opt for the gym instead of running outside so I am not renewing my membership. I don't want to have it as a back-up option.  I will see how I develop over the coming months and look back at re-joining in the winter.