I feel so refreshed, alive, and rejuvenated after this morning’s 18 mile bike ride!

Being outside and enjoying nature is seriously a spiritual experience for me.  It calms me and re-focuses my energy on the things that are really important.  Love it!

I woke up at 6:30 and peeked out my window to see if the streets were dry yet (it has rained here for four or five days straight!).  Everything looked pretty slick, so I snoozed for another hour, woke up, and made a little pre-ride snack:

A slice of whole wheat toast and PB with a coffee.

After last weekend’s scary crash, I must admit that I was feeling a little nervous about my ride today.  It made me feel more secure to lay out all my safety gear and assure myself that I was prepared:

Safety gear includes:

• Helmet
• Sunglasses (the Husband’s… I need my own)
• Gloves (Ratty old ones I dug out of my gear box.  I need a new pair!)
• Road ID
• Copy of health insurance card
• Cell phone

I brought my camera on my ride today so I could show you all the beautiful Florida scenery I get to enjoy!

I love this area because it’s a long, flat stretch of empty road near the Orlando International Airport.  There are virtually no cars (yay), and I get to watch the planes come and go!  If the timing is right, I even get to bike under an airplane as it crosses this tunnel:

Pretty cool!

I also like the fact that if I pay attention, I can find some neat animals and birds!  Last weekend I saw a raccoon and a turtle, and today I spotted a trio of sandhill cranes:

As mentioned, I rode 18 miles.  Since this is actually a "short" ride for me right now, I decided to mix in some speedwork.  Each speed set consisted of sprinting for 30 seconds, cycling regularly for 1 minute, and then repeating 5 times.  I did the 5-sprint set twice.  It was so hard towards the end, but I can definitely see how it would make me faster!

YAY!  I love biking!

• Duration:  1 hour, 40 minutes
• Distance:  18 miles

My duration is so long because around mile 17, I rode by a guy pushing his car.  His motor had blown out, so I got off my bike and helped him push it for about 1/4 a mile.  Now, THAT was a workout.   My thighs were burning!  Whew!  He said he was surprised a girl had stopped to help — I told him to PAY IT FORWARD and rode away!  🙂

I practically attacked the fridge when I got home!

Nate and Kate, these pancakes are you for! (Apparently, they refer to me as Caitlin Pancake!)

I made pancakes with Hodsgon’s Mills InstaBake mix.  So delicious!

Plus blueberries and blackberries.  And, of course, maple syrup!

This is a pretty light breakfast for all the exercise I just did (I probably burned upwards of 750 calories), but I’m meeting Meghann for an early lunch and I don’t want to blow my appetite!

Have a WONDERFUL day!