Combining Triathlon and Small Kids: Gear Edition

Granted, I have yet to do a triathlon. But I'm TRAINING for one, so I'm learning how to get stuff done.  First, the jogging stroller.  It's harder to run with a stroller, but if it's the only (or easiest) way to get a run in, I have both a single BOB and a double BOB.  I bring snacks and save juices for when they get really restless. I got this stroller almost 5 years ago and I'm still madly in love with it.

Today was so cold, but I bundled up the girl and myself and despite 30 degree temps with lots of wind, she was protected by the weather shield and so cozy that she fell asleep!  Peace!  I ran two miles or so (1 lap of the track jogging, then 1/4 lap walking, for 20 minutes, with a 5 minute warm up and cool down).  Easing in slowly here.

I got the Burley bike trailer just two weeks ago.  I want to be able to ride my bike even if I am with both kids.  Granted, riding in a park is not the same as road riding, but I'm pedaling a bike, and that's more than I was doing 6 months ago, so I call that progress in the right direction.

I love you, Burley.

Yesterday was (again) COLD but I packed the kids up in the car, put the Burley bike trailer in the trunk and my bike on the bike rack, drove to the beach, and pedaled around for 30 minutes or so.  We then played at the playground. I was frozen but the kids, who'd spent half of the time in the trailer, were fine. The girl fell asleep but woke up in time to play.  That bike trailer gives me so much freedom. While she was sleeping, I got to play on the playground with the boy.  He and I so rarely get time alone- being able to trap the younger one in the trailer is awesome. And being able to trap both of them while I pedal blissfully?  Priceless!

Helmet only off for a little bit! Safety first!

Getting Into Triathlons: Exercises in Embarrassment

I've been meaning to post for a while about how getting into triathlon has been a series of embarrassing events/purchases/conversations.  A stronger person might not survive it. It takes a lot to embarrass me.  Still, I admit this tested me.

First incident: buying bike shorts, and having to ask the guy at the store "Do these fit right." Bike shorts have this crazy pad in the butt.

Second incident: buying a wetsuit, and having to model it in front of the store's owner, who organizes one of the local triathlons, and asking, "Is this too tight."
Him, eyeing me with what appeared to be horror, disdain, or possibly total lack of interest or care: "It's supposed to be tight."  (That was size large, by the way, that I had to grunt and contort myself to get into. I seem to be size large in all triathlon clothing, which makes me feel, well, LARGE.)
Oh, and I had to have another (male, of course) store employee zip me in AND out of the suit.

I won't bore you with all of my other clothing purchases and conversations about what type of sports bra is best (with a male employee of the triathlon store).

Let's instead go onto events.

Step 32: learn to ride w/ kid (husband's bike with normal pedals )

So, I bought clipless pedals for my road bike, because those are supposed to be better on your body and make your pedaling much more efficient.  With clipless pedals, you buy special shoes that lock into your special pedals.  Fine, did that.  I learned how to take my feet off the pedals by twisting my ankle out to undo the locking mechanism. Good, good job KO.  Then, on one ride, coming to a stop sign, I tried to unclip myself and MY FOOT WOULDN'T COME OUT.  I kept trying to rip my ankle out, and it wouldn't budge, and I HAD to stop since I was coming up to a busy road.  Just as I was starting to fall over, I managed to WRENCH my other foot out and catch myself.  I got myself home and went online to youtube to figure out how to adjust clipless pedals, because I remembered when the guy put them on that he had adjusted something.  I tried to adjust the little turny thing to a spot that matched the pedal that I HAD been able to get myself out of, but it was still almost impossible to get my foot out. I called the bike store and explained the problem.
"There's a spot to turn to adjust it," the guy said.
"Oh, I did that. It still doesn't work."
"Huh. That's really the only thing it can be. Well, bring it in, we'll take a look."
So, I had to wait until the next weekend to bring the bike in since my work weeks are busy. I brought the bike in and explained the problem to yet another bike person.  He took a look at it.  "Yeah, you have it adjusted to the tightest setting."  He took an Allen key, turned it a few times, and said, "That should work."  Yup.