KathyG's 2012 Awesome Mentor Group-Full up (Page 32)

No problem

wow Patrick, wonder how it managed to get so stuck?  Going clipless is scary but it soon becomes second nature.  I still tend to unclip way before I have to which I don't need to do as I've been fine getting out of them when having to do an emergency stop (think old lady in a gopher on the shared path coming around a corner on the wrong side).  Make sure you really change down gears at a stop as doing that one-legged cycle thing while trying to get your other foot in can be embarrassing when there's an entire peleton of blokes behind you at a crossing and you're in too high a gear. It's much better falling over down here in Aus because we drive on the left so your gear set and stuff doesn't get damaged when you do topple over.

I gave up on clipless when I tried them for the first time about 20 years ago - lying in the gutter in Edinburgh's High Street for the third time while a concerned tourist asks me if I'm okay made me give them to a friend (even though the tourist was a lovely German called Rhinehart who insisted on taking me for a brandy to make sure I was okay, then for dinner, then.............., well I never knew falling in the gutter was such a good pick-up technique ).  This time around has been much better, I still have a bit of a problem with my foot going numb but my PT has ordered some insoles that he think will remedy that.  Let us know how you go and everyone else, please post your best clipless horror story.

Enjoy the clipless pedals. Falling over isn't too bad, but boy do you feel like a dope when it happens.

I've kept the throttle back a bit this week in prep for Sunday's HM. I'm doing a low intensity spin on the bike tomorrow AM, and probably a short brick run, and then just rest. I'm getting a bit nervous since this will be my first race of this distance. My 9:1 run/walk should be an interesting way to go, and I know it works, so here's hoping all goes well. Weather looks like sunny & low 50's at race time!

Well Gwen, I cannot beat that story, but I will say that my own personal record for the "domino take-down" is five riders. Pretty proud of that! And Gwen is right, you are only going to have trouble at slow speeds and when you think about it too much. When you really need to in an emergency you will pop right out if them without giving it a second thought. Toe clips are actually tougher, in my experience. Best advice I can give is to learn and unclip like a pro, which is to say left foot goes on the ground and drive side stays clipped in. There are a number of reasons for this, but primarily it will keep you from getting the dreaded "cat 5 tattoo." I didn't know any better, and now unclipping with my right foot is so ingrained I will never be able to do it differently.

you are going to love them, BTW. With all the talk of fancy bikes, aero bars, deep wheels, etc, it somehow always gets lost that clipless pedals are the single most important upgrade to your new bike. nothing adds speed and efficiency like them.

I wish I could unclip with my left foot.  Unfortunately, my left ankle is the one that dislocates.  I'll just have to wear my tattoo with pride knowing that I will ride another day! 

Love this story! Awesome!!!!

Ah - failure to unclip. My favorite story was riding around the 'hood with the kids when they were first learning to ride their bikes. We pulled up to the top of the driveway and I just couldn't unclip to save my life. I toppled and took everyone else out.

I agree - get used to unclipping one foot consistently leaving the other foot clipped in. That way when you have to - it is second nature.

Best of luck Mike! I hope the day goes well. The weather couldn't be better for you...I love running in 50 degree weather.

I'm pretty psyched - I have hit every single one of my workouts this week for the first time in a while. Whoo hoo! (oh - and I should break 40 miles running this week). June 17th is coming right up.

Sounds like great weather for a HM. I think your 9/1 r/w strategy will be solid. At about mile 10 or 11 if feeling good and okay with digging deep go for it.

Good Luck Mike!

Puppies are 7 weeks old and still at our house. We are keeping them until their families pick them up. They are so darn cute and fun. All the kids wanted to keep them as long as possible. Having them here has been a blast but a lot of work at times.

Right now they have some GI issue and have liquid yucky poop...this is not fun.

Here are all 5 with Libby, Emily and I

Kathy - what a bunch of cuties, I know you won't miss the poop, but I know you will be sad to see them go. Thanks for all the pics on your blog - the pups are awesome!

Omagourd - the cuteness of those puppies is off the charts!

Hi all - i'm getting ready to "race" first of the season on Sunday. Was supposed to do the Shamrock Run 15k, but have been having hamstring flare ups of late so have dropped down to the 8k - which I'll be walking a lot of... sigh. Was getting so into running and then derailed by this problem.

In other news on Monday I started using myfitnesspal to give the ole diet a kick in the guts. I like it. Keeps me honest. I also like seeing "You have earned xxxx extra calories..." due to exercise. It's the little things that keep us motivated! Goal is to reach the goal weight for once and for all - that means 36 more pounds to go as of today. I also threw in some jump roping into my routine to cut some extra cals during my work breaks.

Supposed to get in a 45 ish mile ride tomorrow with the ALC folks, and the 8K on Sunday. Another Pacific storm is rolling in - we've been getting waves every other day the past week so ride is up in the air - run will happen regardless. On Sunday afternoon I'm heading out to CO for a ski week with my sister. Snow there is looking pretty bad and it's been VERY warm, so might be doing some spring carving and/or tanning.

Have a great weekend all - good luck with your races!

I forgot to mention: managed to break a Craftsmen wrench in the process of trying to remove that darned pedal. Those that are familiar w/ Craftsmen tools know that they are quite robust!

Gwen: Very amusing story! I am heeding your past mishaps and practicing clip/unclip on the trainer about a thousand times.

Thank you all for the tales, advice and encouragement. I am 'planning' on getting on the road tomorrow for the first time this year. Weather has been unbelievable for mid March.

Good Luck to everyone racing today!!

Can't wait to hear the race reports!

edit - dp

Thanks for all the good thoughts, folks!

I've been talked into doing a crazy trail half marathon in August.  It is one, continuous hill.  It has 5600 feet of elevation gain!  Yikes!  Here's a little blurb from the website.

"The Mt Ashland Hill Climb Run has the second most elevation gain of any continuous hill climb in the continental United States. The Pikes Peak Ascent in Colorado is the only event with more--7,800 feet. We have more elevation gain than even the Mt Washington Road Race in New Hampshire (4,727')."

Good luck!  Can't wait to read about your race!

Success!! Race went very well, and even better than expected for much of it. The Galloway 9/1 really worked well. The first 8 miles of the race I was feeling great - mile markers were coming up faster than I expected. Did start to feel a bit tired after that, and mile 11 to 12.5 were a grind, and slow. The last .1 I tried to sprint in but my legs were like 2 pieces of rubber over which I seemed to have little control, so I backed off and just did a normal run it. Felt great to finish! Beautiful course along the ocean for much of the first 1/2. Organized, lots of police, signs, spectators, water, etc. Weather was clear blue sky & sun, but it was getting really hot the last couple of miles. And I forgot my hat, so no protection there, and sweat was dripping in my face all day. Final time according to my watch was 2:09:44. Not setting any records, but today was about finishing, gaining some confidence in going the distance, and checking my fitness. Overall, I feel good about it all.

Now, I'm going to have a beer and a nap

Congrats, Mike!!!!  I'm sure you will enjoy that beer and nap!