Introducing: Princess Leia

After last Monday's race it was off to get some food and to do some shopping with Aaron.  Yes, I was at least kind enough to change out of my racing shirt into the shirt they gaveaway at the race, because phew....I don't smell so dandy after running hard.  Before I knew it, we were at Scheel's and Aaron was telling a dude working there that I wanted to try out a road bike.  Whaaaaaaaaaaa?  I mean, we've discussed me getting a road bike.  And in exchange for me creating a training program for him, he was going to lend me his expert road bike knowledge in order to make an informed decision, but I tend to like to plan things years in advance.  Especially large purchases.

So I nervously got on a road bike (for the first time) wearing a helmet (for the first time) and road around the parking lot for about 12 seconds.  Done.  I know nothing about bikes.  I don't know if I "like" this bike because I've only ridden my sweet beach cruiser and some not so sweet mountain bikes back in the day.  So I threw in the towel.

And then we magically showed up at a bike shop.  I was really starting to hate Aaron.  Until I laid eyes on this creature.  I went from, "Yes, I'd like a road bike, but don't know if it's in my budget to get one" (this was the credit counselor in me speaking btw) to "Eeeeeeee I want it right now! Can I ride it home?!?  Can we go ride right now?  Ok fine I'll wear a helmet as long as I can ride her around!!!"  I had originally wanted to set aside money for a few months to pay for her, but once I realized that a few months = cold weather = no longer bike riding season, I gave in to some sweet financing options.  Credit isn't a bad thing when used wisely, yo. ;)

After signing my life away, we went to get Aaron's bike and set out for my first ride.  So much fun.  It's definitely a lot different from what I'm used to, and can actually go faaaaaaaast, which is 100% frightening to me.  I was momentarily thinking of hanging up my running shoes for my new love until I came back to reality.  When I brought her home there were some looks and scowls of disapproval from Miss Polly.  I have a feeling they do battle while I'm at work all day.  May the best bike win.

I took Princess Leia out for spin #2 and technically #3 on Sunday night when I just wasn't feeling the tempo run I had on the schedule.  Miss Jenn wanted to hang out, so I thought, "what better to go visit her than by bike!"  Luckily our places are separated mostly by bike trail, so it was a pleasant 8 mile jaunt over.  Since it's pretty flat I didn't have to practice changing gears too much.  By the time I left her place it was daaaaark out and kind of scary, so I hauled ass home.  Somehow I managed to make it home quicker than it took me to get there.  Whoo!  For the record, I'm still terribly frightened of going fast downhill.  Hopefully that passes....soon.

I did 15.8 miles in 1:17:00 (12.3 mph).  Speed demon I tell ya. ;)

Check out Racing With Babes' giveaway, Trying to Heal's giveaway, and The Boring Runner's giveaway!