Thank You, Orange Shirt

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WHEW!  That 40 miler was WAY harder than I expected it to be!

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It was very, very windy out (gusts of 20 mph!) and the first 9 miles of my ride were entirely into the wind.  I had to pull over a tweet a ‘help me!’ for extra motivation (thanks to everyone who responded!).  I decided to turn a negative into a positive by reminding myself that wind is the Florida version of hill training.  Since my race is in Napa Valley, it’s very important I get used to resistance!

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Still, I struggled to stay positive.  40 miles isn’t easy, especially when 1/2 of it is into the grueling wind.  I know sometimes people read my workout or race recaps and think I don’t struggle, but trust me – I DO!  I actually almost cried at one point.  It was a huge mental and physical challenge.

 

I was working really hard to get into a more positive state of mind when a middle-aged man in an orange shirt rolled up next to me on his bike.  We started to talk and once we turned back into the wind, he offered to let me draft him for about 7 miles! 

 

Drafting makes a HUGE different in cycling.  It really cuts down on wind resistance.  I was so excited to have someone to draft, even if that meant I had to work a little harder to keep up with orange shirt.  It was worth it!  And he was nice (side note: he had absolutely no idea what a blog was).

 

Around mile 20, I ate 1/2 of this Glo bar, and I finished it up around mile 30 (I stopped to eat the first half and ate the other half while riding).

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Glo bars make excellent fuel!  🙂

 

I ended up finishing up the ride in just over 3 hours.  I was thrilled it was over, to be honest!  My legs and butt are pretty sore, but I’m happy to get my first long ride in for Century training. 

 

Came home and attacked the fridge:

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I had a sweet potato with baked beans:

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And Pumpkin Yogurt with 1/2 cup oatmeal, strawberries, and cashews:

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The Husband and I are going to hang out with our friend Harry.  I don’t know what’s the plan for dinner tonight, but I know my hunger is about to kick in very, very soon.  Maybe we’ll get take-out?!

 

Oh and PS – iPhones are amazing.  I’ve had mine for three days and cannot imagine going back.  If you’re on the fence about getting on, do it!  You won’t regret it.

{ 83 comments }

 

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs March 28, 2010, 4:00 pm

    Wooww, well done girl, what an awesome achievement! Biking 40miles…I can’t even begin to imagine the pain your butt must be in!!
    I’ve done endurance rides (horses) of 40miles, I was pretty sore after them 😛
    Enjoy your night!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) March 28, 2010, 4:12 pm

    You do make it look oh so easy but only because you have so much mental strength and power through your workouts. Glad you made it safe and sound (despite the collision!).

    What a nice man in the orange shirt!

  • Julia March 28, 2010, 4:13 pm

    What a fantastic ride-that’s so nice that that guy rode with you and let you draft!
    Knowing you had to ride 40 miles motivated me to ride 15 today! You paid it forward 🙂

  • Michelle March 28, 2010, 4:16 pm

    Hey! Congrats on the forty miler! that is awesome! What kind of seat pad or something do you have?? I rode 12 miles a couple days ago, and my pelvic/seat bones area is killing me!! my seat is super hard, and I don’t have riding shorts, what do you recommend?? do you have cycling shoes??

    Also, I Love my iphone too. I had an itouch before and thought wow, how great would it be if this was my phone too…!! and it is, super great!. 🙂 check out the runkeeper app too if you have time 🙂 I’m completely sold on it.

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 4:18 pm

      you most definitely need padded shorts 🙂 they are much cheaper than a new seat!

    • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete March 28, 2010, 4:20 pm

      Girl, you need biking shorts!! I tell all my students that if they come regularly to spin class! Especially if you are riding outside for more than 30 minutes. Going over bumps are not fun when your shorts are not padded!! Good luck. 🙂

      And cycling shoes make a HUGE difference if you don’t already have them!

  • clay March 28, 2010, 4:17 pm

    Great workout! That post ride fuel looks good too!

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete March 28, 2010, 4:18 pm

    I always have to draft off my husband when we go riding!! I’m a little nervous for next weekend since i haven’t been on my bike since last year, and I signed up for a 50 miler in Brussels! Eeeek! There might be some drafting going on!

  • Jenny March 28, 2010, 4:18 pm

    I feel the same way about iPhones – I can’t imagine going back to the blackjack I had before, even though it was a great phone!

    And I have to try cashews in my oats sometime soon!!!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) March 28, 2010, 4:19 pm

    So glad that guy was able to help you out. Making it though a difficult workout is more satisfying to me than one that feels easy.

  • Britt @ Runnerbelle March 28, 2010, 4:19 pm

    Gotta love a stranger that can help you out, glad he was able to keep you going. I was very happy to have my running buddy with me today for our 20 mile race, it was so windy… I was cursing at it.

  • Lauren March 28, 2010, 4:22 pm

    Congrats on the amazing ride Caitlin!

    I can only imagine how difficult this must have been- mind and body- but you truly prove that obtaining your goals is all about sheer dedication and inspiration.

    Have a wonderful and restful night!

  • Meghan@traveleatlove March 28, 2010, 4:22 pm

    Congrats on a great workout! I love getting motivational tweets on long runs!

  • Evan Thomas March 28, 2010, 4:24 pm

    Great job on the ride!
    And you’ve totally convinced me that sweet potato and beans are running magic

  • Megan @ Eat.Scrap.Run March 28, 2010, 4:24 pm

    Great job on your bike ride today! The rain hit me earlier in the day so I didn’t make it out for my bike ride 🙁

    How did the headband work out? I need something for running that will stay on my head. I must have an egg shaped head because everything just slips right off!

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 4:26 pm

      i really like it! i am going to try running with it tomorrow but it didnt move around under my helmet and was super comfortable.

  • Mastering Public Health March 28, 2010, 4:26 pm

    Thanks for the update and tips about padded shorts and such. I really need to invest in a bike now that spring is coming in the northeast… better get back to your previous post on that.

  • Kelly March 28, 2010, 4:26 pm

    Congrats on finishing the ride! So nice of orange shirt man to help ya out!

  • Orla March 28, 2010, 4:33 pm

    Congrats on a super distance! I find it really difficult to keep going sometimes (especially when it is windy). My training partner moved to Australia a year ago and for my long runs, my partner comes out now on his bike with the dog.
    Loving the iphone too. I have asked my friends to send me motivational texts during the London Marathon in 4 weeks time. Probably easier to check them when running than when you are cycling though!

  • Whitney @ whitinspired.wordpress.com March 28, 2010, 4:38 pm

    Good job on the ride. I’ve had many runs like that before…where I can’t wait to turn the corner to get the wind behind me! And I can’t imagine life without my iphone. I don’t know what I would do with myself!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing March 28, 2010, 4:44 pm

    How nice of orange shirt guy!!! You don’t meet many kind strangers like that 🙂

  • Sarah March 28, 2010, 4:45 pm

    I loved the part about the guy in the orange shirt drafting for you – very, very nice of him! 40 MILES is a long distance – impressive and I can’t wait to read more about your training for the Century! That is really exciting 🙂

  • Mama Pea March 28, 2010, 4:48 pm

    Have you always like baked beans? I ask because they were talking on the radio the other day about how crazy British people are about baked beans and how they eat them for breakfast!

    I couldn’t agree more with you about the iPhones. I’m obsessed.

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:19 pm

      these are not the british baked beans – those are cooked in ketchup. i don’t like them but hus is obviously obsessed. these are normal, all american (canned and vegetarian) baked beans!

  • Lauren March 28, 2010, 4:50 pm

    Congratulations! You are an inspiration to me whenever I work out! Yesterday my sister and I went on a trail run and I was telling her about you the whole time!! Haha…you inspired us!! 🙂

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:19 pm

      thank you, that is really sweet 😉

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write March 28, 2010, 4:51 pm

    Congrats Caitlin! You did amazing, as usual!

    My hubby has an iphone. I play with it all the time. They really are remarkable.

  • Anne P March 28, 2010, 4:51 pm

    Damn youuuuu and your iPhone 🙂 Me want!!!

    Awesome job on the ride!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) March 28, 2010, 4:55 pm

    Awesome job on the distance! I honestly can’t imagine biking that far – the farthest I think I’ve done was 8 miles!

  • Tina March 28, 2010, 5:03 pm

    Great job on the ride!!!! That is definitely inspiring and I love that you acknowledge that it is difficult for you, but the point is to keep going. All with the help of good fuel, kindness from strangers, and your eye on your goals. Great job! 🙂

  • Mary March 28, 2010, 5:04 pm

    I want an I-phone so badly! I have a crack-berry right now and love it, but my boyfriend has an i-phone and it seems to be so much better! I’m proud of you and your 40 miler! you’re an inspiration!

  • haya March 28, 2010, 5:06 pm

    yay 40 miles!!!

    i can’t wait till i get my iphone. i’m trying to hold out till the new ones are released later this spring. it is killllling me.

    drafting is awesome, but hard! i’m always terrified i’m going to accidentally crash into the person in front.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) March 28, 2010, 5:10 pm

    Great work on the ride girl – those windy rides can be hard – but you should be so proud that you pushed through!

  • Salina March 28, 2010, 5:13 pm

    GREAT job on your long ride…you are an inspiration!!

  • Brigid March 28, 2010, 5:16 pm

    I want to get an iphone when my current contract is up with Verizon but I am concerned that as soon as I take the plunge, apple will come out with an updated version. I heard the 4G is on the way.
    What made you take the plunge to the iphone?

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:20 pm

      At Fit Bloggin, Ali from FoodFitnessFashion.com used her iPhone to find the bar and that sold me on it. LOL

  • Rachel March 28, 2010, 5:24 pm

    Way to go Caitlin! I can’t even fathom a 40 mile bike ride. I am sorry that you struggle mentally and physically with your workouts sometimes, but it is also good to know. It makes you more real 🙂 Thanks for being so honest and open.
    I have never paired baked beans and sweet potatoes before but I bet it is absolutely amazing! It is now on my “must try” list.

  • Samantha March 28, 2010, 5:24 pm

    That’s one of the reasons your blog is at the top of my “to read” list…you’re real and you admit that things aren’t always peachy or easy. You’re one of the most relatable food and fitness bloggers…and certainly humble.

    Glad you finished out that grueling ride and found some motivation in various ways.

    I hope to get an iphone when we move stateside again. Here, it’s just too much money to not even be able to call/text my friends and family around the world!

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:20 pm

      thank you so much 🙂

  • Nicky March 28, 2010, 5:25 pm

    40 miles! you’re amazing!!! congrats!!! also, you really make me want to get an iphone… but the thought of the bill scares me! what’s it like…?

  • Laura Georgina March 28, 2010, 5:26 pm

    Forty miles…. awesomeness! It takes serious dedication to cycle for that long all by yourself. You can bet I’ll be mantra-ing “Caitlin does this ALL the time” when I start training on hills–and cursing them–for my June 20 miler (so wimpy!)..

  • Katrina@Katrina Runs March 28, 2010, 5:28 pm

    What headband are you using?

    Congrats on the ride! I ran a race yesterday and the wind was insane! But like you said, it’s a great resistance training and will come in handy for the trail race later in May.

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:20 pm

      bondi band!

  • Julie @ Pickley Pear March 28, 2010, 5:28 pm

    That was so nice of orange shirt man! Great job for continuing on, you are doing great with your training! Those Glo-bars look fab and I am seeing them everywhere, I need to try one!

  • Lisa March 28, 2010, 5:29 pm

    Orange shirt guy was nice! Sometimes bikers can be real jerks. And I LOVE my iphone. How did I live without???? 🙂

  • Abby March 28, 2010, 5:34 pm

    Yay! Orange Shirt! It’s amazing how encouraging athletes are to each other!

    I really want an iPhone, but I’m on Verizon 🙁

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is March 28, 2010, 5:41 pm

    I desperately want an iPhone but am afraid to go with AT&T!!

  • Kate March 28, 2010, 5:59 pm

    I would love to hear what apps you have gotten on your iPhone and what ones you might get in the future. I love my iPhone, the minute I bought it I was like “AH that’s a lot of money”, but I have never regretted it. Best purchase ever!

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:22 pm

      i have:

      yelp
      echofan
      bank of america
      google
      pandora
      bump
      facebook
      babynames
      nytimes
      shazam
      aroundme

      🙂 its sooo amazing. what apps do you have?

      • Kate March 28, 2010, 8:33 pm

        One of my favourites is Shazam, it comes in handy a lot!! I have a lot of apps but I’ll tell you the ones I like a lot:

        Huffington Post
        Facebook
        Tweetdeck
        Today Todo Pro – I love To Do type apps!
        iCal – which comes with it
        Springpad
        Weathereye – the Weather Network app
        PopSugar
        Bookworm
        Google

        Have fun exploring apps!

        • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:38 pm

          i just downloaded a ton of these, thanks!

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) March 28, 2010, 6:07 pm

    I am obsessed with my iphone, I don’t know what I did before I had it!!!
    too funny the man didn’t know what a blog was lol!

  • Jenn (www.j3nn.net) March 28, 2010, 6:17 pm

    Wow! 40 miles?! That’s awesome! Good for you 😀 I would have swallowed the fridge whole when I was done with that LOL. That sweet potato with beans looks delish. Looks like it would be tasty with mustard. I could be wrong. 🙂

    Jenn

  • dotsie March 28, 2010, 6:28 pm

    YAY for the man in the yellow shirt! LOL’d about him not knowing about blogs…hahaha…so funny.

    CONGRATS on your first ride!

    Now, probably an odd question—where did those baked beans come from? Are they canned or did you make them some sort of way? Please share 🙂

    • dotsie March 28, 2010, 6:29 pm

      I meant to say, CONGRATS on your first LONG ride for the Century training…lol

      • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 8:22 pm

        hehe

        these are normal, all american (canned and vegetarian) baked beans!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers March 28, 2010, 6:33 pm

    Way to push through! I can’t imagine how hard 40 miles must be,let alone in such strong wind. What a nice guy you ran into!!

  • sierra March 28, 2010, 6:36 pm

    Hi, I’m new to your blog and am a runner so I look forward to reading more about your journeys with food and exercise! So far I am loving it. 🙂

  • Lex @ sweettoothlex March 28, 2010, 6:38 pm

    WOW!!

    Nice work on your 40mile ride! That’s intense!!

    Your orange shirt man sounds like a sweetheart!

  • eatdrinkandbemerrynyc March 28, 2010, 6:45 pm

    Awesome ride!!
    S

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople March 28, 2010, 7:02 pm

    I so wish I could afford a phone that I surf the ‘net with. There are so many times when I want to Blackle something only to completely forget when I get home.

    I had no clue what drafting was; I learn so much from reading blogs!!

  • Holly March 28, 2010, 7:05 pm

    Congrats on such a long ride! I’ve been wanting an iPhone forever. I’ll have to invest in one (slash the apps. That’s the only real reason I want one! Hehe).

  • Rachel March 28, 2010, 7:28 pm

    I think you should do a review of the iphone. I am on the fence about getting one, and I’d love to know everything that you love about it!

    Nice job on the long ride!

  • Kristina @Mendonpondmusings March 28, 2010, 7:34 pm

    way to keep going on the ride!

    I never realized how much of long-distance running/riding is mental. It’s the hardest part. Major props that you finished.

  • Lauren @ Team Giles March 28, 2010, 8:25 pm

    I KNEW you’d love the iphone. Changes your life huh? Amazing 🙂 Good job on your long ride

  • caronae March 28, 2010, 8:26 pm

    Congrats for pushing through and doing forty miles! Wow!

  • Sarah Hafiz March 28, 2010, 8:31 pm

    Congrats on the great ride today! Have you ever written about price/where to buy a bike as a beginner? Any tips would be great! Thanks 🙂

  • Susan March 28, 2010, 8:32 pm

    I think bloggers sometimes forget to put in how hard a workout is whenever they type up quick recaps – it’s a nice reminder that while these things are achievable, it’s normal for it to be reallyreally hard sometimes!! Awesome work on the long ride!! Pull a Tour de France and stuff your jersey with pastry for the century 😛

    Whenever I’m biking into the wind or over hills, I just remind myself how boring a flat, windless, terrain would be. It’s the challenges that keep it interesting!

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner March 28, 2010, 8:43 pm

    Awesome ride, you rock!!

    And yes, I can’t imagine life without an iphone 🙂

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) March 28, 2010, 9:50 pm

    That is a crazy long bike ride!!! You are in such good shape girl!!!

  • Dominique March 28, 2010, 11:17 pm

    Congrats on completing the 40 miles today. You’re such a trooper–especially in the wind. I probably would have broke down a couple of times, especially if I was riding alone.

    I got an iPhone not too long ago either (less than a couple months maybe?) and am obsessed. It’s great for looking things up…like today, when my dad wanted to know exactly what kamut was when we were in the grocery store. I’m still trying to convince the BF about it but he’s the type of guy who doesn’t even have a cell phone–even both my parents have one!

  • Helen March 29, 2010, 7:15 am

    CONGRATULATIONS! 40 miles is amazing. And how nice was that man to act as a draft for you. I have a Blackberry (which I love) but have been considering getting an iPhone…mayb I will now! Can I just say, sweet potato and beans looks amazing!

  • Caroline March 29, 2010, 8:12 am

    You’re Awesome!! 40 miles!? That must feel amazing. I had that sweet potato and baked bean combo last week and loved it. Such a comfort food for me!

  • Sarah March 29, 2010, 10:32 am

    I love it when you meet kind people like Mr. Orange Shirt – they just cheer me up so much!

    And thanks for your info about the iphone – I’ve been on the fence for a while now, and I’ve heard lots of good stuff, but wasn’t really sure. You’ve convinced me!

  • Angie (Losing It and Loving It) March 29, 2010, 10:40 am

    Awesome accomplishment! You are truly an inspiration. As you know, I haven’t been running long and very new to running outside and my breathing is a struggle and I have cried every time I have run. Hope that goes away soon because it sure is a downer when I do that LOL

    Love my iphone!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) March 29, 2010, 10:48 am

    hurrray for the orange shirt man! that’s so nice of him to help you, and now that you’ve got one long ride down you can TOTALLY conquer any other ones 🙂

  • Corinne March 29, 2010, 11:28 am

    aw i love when random individuals enter your life to offer motivation you didn’t see coming when you needed it most! it really works wonders doesnt it?! 🙂 similar to that insurance commercial ha.

  • alli March 29, 2010, 12:54 pm

    wow! 40 miles is a great accomplishment! you make me want to pick up biking now!

    ps: last night i read the last part of this post to my husband (who’s been considering getting an iphone)he laughed and said thanks! i think you sealed the deal!

  • Melissa (It's a Veggieful Life) March 30, 2010, 8:30 am

    I love my iPhone! I listen to rhapsody or pandora while at the gym; use the maps to get places (no fancy GPS for our car!), a phone & ipod all in one, full web browser, fancy apps, it’s awesome. My husband only gets annoyed when I’m in bed playing bejeweled! lol!

  • Tara March 30, 2010, 10:34 am

    Wow! What a good description of your STRUGGLE! It always amazes me how much of fitness is in your head. Way to “just keep swimming!” (good old finding nemo!)

    I’ve always been a latecomer in the technology world… I just started texting last year! So based on that, I should be on track to get an iPhone in what, like 5 years? haha!

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