working on my butt callous

At some point between kids I had decided I was GOING to be a triathlete (never mind the fact that I can't swim...) When my sister and brother in law (so fun I can call him that now!) were visiting almost two years ago, we went and looked at some fancy trek road bikes at a local bike shop. I rode one up and down the parking lot, fell in love, but realized as a broke college student /waitress /mom, there was no way I could afford the $1,000 price tag. So we got back in the car, drove straight to Target, and I purchased my bike: a Schwinn Hybrid that cost me $170 (it was on sale!), and that I proceeded to name "Schwinderlei Silva" (any other UFC fans reading this?).

Schwinderlei didn't get to see much action over the last 2 years. There were a hand full of training rides (and by hand full I mean, like, 3 separate 10 milers). And then there was my very first organized bike ride...32 miles where I was huffing and puffing just TRYING to keep up with Holly, who graciously stuck behind with me. I was very jealous of everyone with the fancy shmancy road and tri bikes, while I was hauling my 42 pound Target special into ridiculous headwinds. And, oh yeah, I was about 6 weeks pregnant.
2008 Myrtle Beach Marathon weekend Bike Rides
Holly, Jim, Me, and baby Kain (he's in there!).

I managed to finish (and not in last place, believe it or not! 113/150!)got my medal, and took Shwinderlei home. I parked him in the garage, where the poor thing sat for the next year and a half. I know this for sure, because when I took him out this week to dust (power wash) him off, both tires were flat and my race number was still secured to the bar, HA!

So anyway, fast forward to last night. I had a lot of energy, and Rich was home to watch the babies. I knew I needed to give the legs a day off from running sooo...I went for a bike ride! HELLO muscles I don't use for running, nice of you to join us on this fitness quest! The ride went well, I took my time, enjoyed the neighborhood and my "mommy time alone". But (you know I couldn't TOTALLY relax) on some big empty speed bump free stretches, I pushed to see just how fast I could go. According to Garmin, my MAX speed was 16.5 mph (avg 11.9 mph). I'm talking as fast as my little feet would pedal I'm going 16.5 mph. It makes me wonder how in the universe professionals reach speeds of 55+mph. I guess hills. And good bikes. Oh, and that whole being a "professional" thing, that probably helps!

So anyway, today, my butt hurts. There's no pleasant way to say it, but my butt cheeks are sore from riding, and it hurts to sit in a chair. It reminds me of when I started taking spinning class a few years back (haven't gotten back to it yet), had the same sore butt syndrome, and Jim told me I needed to work on my butt callouses. I laughed until I realized he was probably serious, which made me laugh even more! And now I think that once again, I will need to work on that. Shwinderlei may never win me a time trial...or even a local sprint triathlon, but it's still a great workout! I'll take it!