What a Team!

My triathlon training blogathon continues with a theme of banding together, only this time I am on a bike.


The bike is my least favorite of the three sports involved in a triathlon. For most triathletes, its the swim. My constant challenge is that it seems to require more effort both prior to, during and after to get out there and ride. But last Sunday, I packed up the car, dusted off the shoes and helmet and embarked on a 30mile journey down the St. Marks trail. My saving grace was knowing it was 30miles of shaded, flat asphalt.


I was amazed how many people enjoy partaking in this activity at 7:30am on a Sunday morning, as the parking lot was full upon my arrival. There at the end of the parking lot was my group. A mixture of runners needing to cross train, triathletes and mountain bikers; there is no discrimination as to who can join. No flashy equipment is needed if you just want to come out and enjoy the ride. Unfortunately for me, the said 'flashy equipment' was a necessity and this was also going to be my first ride with clipless pedals. Some of you reading this are probably beginning to giggle... For those of you, who like I, are amazed that a pedal can attach securely to a shoe, let me tell you how difficult this little piece of ingenuity really is, plus a few first-timer tips:


Step 1 - Clip-in first shoe and swing leg over bike and start to locate your pedal. Ensure you are in low gear, not something I remembered, and attempt to clip second shoe. At mile 1 I was still attempting this.


Step 2 - Ensure that your group or biking buddy is far enough ahead of you drawing close to stop signs along the bike path, so that you don't actually have to stop and therefore do not have to clip out of the clipless pedals.


Step 3 - Locate lampposts, hand rails or any other stationary object within at least 200ft of you when you are coming to a group stop such as bathrooms, again so that you don't actually have to stop and therefore do not have to clip out of clipless pedals.


As s result of following steps 1-3 I rode 30miles continuously pedaling. Thats right. 30miles without stopping. Cyclists or non-cyclist at this point, you should be roaring with laughter.


One amazing situation did occur on the ride, however. The group allowed for people of different abilities, skills sets, and goals to create a team. At mile 10 we all fell into a single line of cyclists. We exhibited all the virtues of a successful team: respecting others on the trail, supporting and encouraging the bike in front and the bike behind, and as a team illustrated perfectly a universal non-verbal communication style. It was an incredibly powerful moment.


Who knew my triathlon training would also teach me a new team building strategy, the potential power of a team, and how to harness strength and teamwork for amazing results.


I have to add that my training buddy, Jeff, is back. How do I know he's returned to training? He arrives, sweaty and triumphant this morning to work with a new, well used but new to him, Specialized Allez road bike. This is a monumental step for any triathlete, having the equipment does somewhat help, but for the two of us it means more time in the saddle and less time in the pool.


Now the next step will be to harness the power of our dynamic duo from saddle to our team at Catch Your Limit. Perhaps it will be tested this weekend as we head off to Amelia Island for the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Catch Your Limit Challenge Course.