The bike - my safe place

Sometimes, it feels as if my bike really is my "safe place" - when most other things are overwhelming, riding my bike is surprisingly simple.

Of course, the getting dressed for the weather outside can be quite a task when you are not feeling great to start with, but when I have made it through all the decisions, which bike to take out, what to wear, what nutrition to bring, where to go, it gets surprisingly simple.

I am just sitting on my bike and pedaling.
There is really not much more about it.

While riding on the road, most of my atttention is focused on the few meters of road right in front of me, and the cars behind and in front of me, and the rest is mind-wandering or a casual glimpse at my watch to check for heart rate.

I must admit that even when the traffic is a bit daunting, my bike still feels like a safe place.
As for the possibility to get hit by a car, that possibility is there just as much when I am on the road driving myself, or when walking or crossing the road.
So I just try my best to be a "decent cyclist", meaning that when I am on narrow roads, and hear a huge truck from behind, and know there are few chances for him to safely drive by, I slow down and give him space if possible.

Why being a stubborn cyclist, claiming a huge part of the road when I can be decent and give way for someone that is probably driving his truck to make a living, while I ride my bike for the pure joy of it.

A few seconds more or less, or even minutes, on my workout total don't bother me at all.

I'd rather be a friendly cyclist and ride safely and share the road so I can have a good experience, and feel "safe".

One funny thing that doesn't happen very often, is that I got hot on the bike because I had dressed too much for the outside temperature.

After all, yes, it was sunny, but it was also end of august and by definition, fall was approaching fast.

I usually love sleeveless tops for bike riding in the summer (for the freedom of movement and better tan lines) but chose a bike jersey.

And it got soo hot!
And while I often wear a really thin sleeveless top underneath so I'd be more flexible in terms of how many layers to wear, I didn't this time.

Well - it was still nice bike ride.
The hills were long and beautiful, the sun shining and the view excellent.
My legs felt fine and I didn't bother too much about how fast or slow I went on.

Just had a good time on my bike, and a break from my usual overthinking.

Yep, my bike is still my safe place.

What happened so far and what will happen? (So much for: be in the moment)

Ok, I haven't been blogging here for a while, now it's really time for an update.
Here it comes.

Since my last blog post, I have...

• been really busy updating my Norwegian blog (which you can find here)
• found out that long bricks (over to hours) need lots of recovery 
• decided that my way too tight Orca wetsuit might eventually fit and be used in my 70.3 Haugesund/Norway
• reduced my training schedule a lot, due to my increased need of recovery
• gotten a nice tan
• pimped my pink bike with extra pink handlebar tape:

I put the new tape on top of the old,
and I got a much more comfy ride with less vibrations.

I pimped my pink bike!

• improved my breathing a lot, I think it must be the very hard VO2-max run intervals that force my breathing muscles to work extra hard
• enjoyed four swims in a single week (which was last week) - more than the last three months combined

My too -tight Orca wetsuit is starting to feel ok. Finally!

• tried the sports drink that'll be served at Haugesund and started to like it a bit
• eaten up almost all of my sports jelly beans

My favorite - assorted :)

• felt depressed and elevated again, like I always do
• tried out several race day outfits, and they are all equally fine:

• read a book of over 300 pages and would read 300 more pages if there were some more

Loved this book.

• been able to reduce my back pains by reducing training frequency and relaxing more
• ordered a new bike helmet which I'm still waiting for:

Rudy project Snuggy - ordered white/silver (on the right).
The picture on the web site looked the one  on the left.
I like them both. I wonder - which one will I get?

• bought a new pair of super cool pink arm warmers from Nathan

Nathan BreakAway Sleeve

• tried the blogger-app, which was rather frustrating since the posting picture function is very limited
• grown six tomato plants which hopefully will get tomatoes one fine day
• tried to figure out what my plans for 2014 race wise will be

As for race plans for 2014, that is something I actually wonder about almost each day.

All the bigger triathlon events I could imagine myself doing, are sold out early, and require sign-in a year before.

Which is - this year.

So I'll have to have my training and race plans ready.

The questions is - what will I do?
Will I continue training for middle distance triathlons, and do another IM 70.3 and use my Dave Scott training schedule for it?
Will I set a big hairy goal and go for a full Ironman distance?
Will I rather be training for short local and Norwegian triathlons races, that is, olympic and sprint races?

Or will I do something different, like exploring the world of ultra runs (which I am very curious about, I love to run in the mountains)?
Or what will happen next year?

For the moment, I have enough to think about my next race, which I'm looking forward to.

I'm looking forward to getting to Haugesund, and staying a whole week at a hotel (that's almost the most favorite part of it - I NEED a vacation!), see something new, explore the surroundings of Haugesund...

Only a week from now and I'll be there....