A bit Overwhelming

The last few days have been overwhelming. Friday, Danny went to pick up my bike and tons of gear. We got a great deal that we just couldn't pass up.

  New Bike, who needs a name

Saturday, 7:30am we went to meet our coach and do a 20 mile short bike ride with the team. We both went but have not come up with a schedule for the kid. Danny was going to let me have the first ride with the group. He was going watch while the kid played. The ride only was around 10 miles or less. I have only been on a bike with this many gears a few times. I was at the back of the pack, which was fine with me going up a hill. I had the bike in the hardest gear and felt like I was having an asthma attack. First time out on my new bike and I was going to die, yippee. Coach Mike flagged me down and told me to take the parking lot into the upcoming school, and we would go over some basic bike rules. LORD HELP ME! I know I looked like a deer in the headlights. He was talking fast and using words and terms I had never heard. He tried to reassure me we had plenty of time, and I would be fine. I just know inside he was going "boy this is going to be a miracle" I did get the hang of the bike and we went around the parking lot about 5-6 times. I had to learn how to change the gears and look ahead and plan to change to a different gear. One of the 1000 gears on this bike, brother. When Coach Mike thought I was good and ready we went back the way we came. So instead of going up the hill I was going down. I just knew I was going to fall on my face. I was going so fast that I started giggling and going "Weeeeeee" I couldn't see Coach Mike's face, but I can only imagine him thinking I am a true nut case.

We went past the park where Danny could see us go by to around the corner and then the coach just about laid down on his bike and flew past me down another hill. I do like the part with riding that you can talk to people in your group. Running isn't like that, and you try just to focus on the job at hand.
I was able to tell Coach Mike about our journey and a bit about me and my goals. Coach Mike doesn't show many emotions, and I don't understand how to read him just yet. I did find out that he has done 12 Ironman and has been hit by a car and told he would never be able to walk much less do another ironman again. Amazing story for another post. Once we got back to the park we talked a minute more about training plans, verbiage and what Coach Mike would be sending us for our training. I did not put my clip pedals on my bike but was informed "put them on and rip the band-aid off," Coach Mike. So with that said I told him." I may not like you, I may roll my eyes, I may yell and call you ugly names but try not to take it personal. OH and I cry a LOT".  Coach Mike laughed and said he had trained many people and that I would be fine, plus I would be hugging him when I cross that finish line in Galveston for my Ironman.  I guess he will work as a coach. 

Coach Mike & Me