Posts Tagged with: "Bike"

Bricks, in the triathlon world, is defined as training in two disciplines during one workout: bike/run, swim/bike, or run/bike.  Most triathletes practice bike/run as their brick workout with minimal interruption in between as if they were in a real race.

It was Sen. Pia Cayetano who first introduced me to bricks when I interviewed her for my Runner’s Interview (a portion of my blog that I think I should resurrect).  Running was the only thing on my mind then.  No way would I have guessed that, in less than a year from that time, I would be having my own mini brick session today.

This morning, Annie and I met at the same time and place for our usual Saturday run.  But, this time, we were going to bike.  She arrived late and so did I.  Both of us were distracted: she was pumping air in her tires, I was tightening my helmet, then I too had to pump air.  Aaaaah!  We agreed that life was so much easier when we would just jump out of our cars and run.  “Tara, takbo nalang tayo?” she joked.

Off we went on our bikes, er, well I used my hubby’s mountain bike.  Annie used her racer and led the way.  It was a smooth ride through the rolling hills of village roads, most of which we were very familiar with since it was our regular long run route.  Yes, it was enjoyable but half the time I was wishing I was running instead.  I believe Annie felt the same.  “Annie, gaano ka tagal tayo dito?” I asked.  “30 minutes?” she replied.  “Then, let’s run?” I said with a smile.  

After 27 minutes and 8 kms, we parked our bikes and wobbled our way into running.  (They say they call it “bricks” because your legs feel like bricks when you get out of your bike and start to run—so true. It’s great that they didn’t call it “poop” because that’s what seems to be stuck up your butt once you get out of your bike and attempt to run.)  

Just as we were about to start, we bumped into Patrick C. again (this was the 3rd time I saw him that morning) as he ended his 15k run.  The three of us running freaks spoke about our undying love for running and how nothing—nope, not even biking—could compare with the adrenaline rush it gave. 

Annie and I ran easy for just 3.5 kms, a distance that was all too short for this running buddy of mine but was just right for my slowly recovering shins.  We were able to chat again as we always do and laugh out loud in the middle of the road as if it was our own.  Oh, how I missed those days!

My first brick session was short—just a little over an hour—but it was a great start (considering it was unplanned!) I was ecstatic over the intense workout I got from both disciplines combined since an easy run or a short bike trip just didn’t do it for me the past few weeks.  Oh, I think I’m going to be doing this regularly from now on.  Uhm, I’ve actually penciled it into my training journal already.

We were to meet at 6:30 am on that fine Saturday morning.  I was a little bit excited over my first bike trip with my two girlfriends, Annie and Marga, but it certainly did not compare with the usual over-the-moon feeling I have over each and every morning run.  Put it this way, for a run, I am Manny Pacquiao…fight!  For any other sport, such as biking, swimming, or the gym, I give it a good fight like Diaz but there’s just something missing.  There’s no umph.

I arrived at our meeting place to find Annie in complete biking attire, something I have never seen her in since we met as running buddies over a year ago.  She was standing over her driver who was fiddling over the tight chains of her road bike.  Where was Marga?  Probably somewhere in between Bicutan and Sucat.  She biked all the way from her place, and unknown to us at that time, she actually had to walk through parts of the West Service Road as it was under construction.

– Annie testing her bike.  I want a road bike like hers or Margas! –

By the time Marga arrived, at around 7 a.m., Annie had declared that she couldn’t join us because her bike chains needed oil.  As for me, I had lost all enthusiasm for biking under the intense heat.  How could so many things go wrong that early in the morning?!  At that point, there was one thing that could turn things around: McDo!

We decided to bike out of the village for a good meal at nearby McDonalds.  It was to be my first ever bike trip on public roads and I was nervous.  As we biked our way towards the exit gate nearing the first intersection, I yelled out at Marga: “How do bikers stop at the traffic light?”  (Yes, you can kick me for such a dumb question)  I couldn’t quite hear her response and, as much as I wanted to just close my eyes and teleport my way to McDo, I knew that on a bike I would probably find myself at the hospital instead.  Luckily, the light turned green and we just biked along with the cars.  After crossing the street, Annie who should’ve been behind me was unusually quiet (Annie is never ever quiet!) so I had to yell out at Marga again: “Where’s Annie?  Can you check?”  That’s because I can’t even look behind while on a bike, much less scratch my face, fix my helmet, bike in between that narrow strip of flat road between a hump and the sidewalk, nor stand on my pedals to avoid the pain that comes from passing over a hump.  Gosh, I’m such a newbie.

A little over a kilometer later, we were happily chatting about running, boys (to my hubby, I was actually just listening!), and races over our meals.  We biked our way back to the village and, surprisingly, the super short bike trip gave me a lot more confidence already.  It was definitely a more relaxing ride on the way back—I could actually manage a smile!  Yeah, I finally found the courage to explore more roads on the bike.  Give me a month and I’ll be fast and fearless…I hope haha.

Last Sunday, I dropped by my brothers’ place to pick up my new old bike.  One of my brothers unselfishly agreed to lend me his mountain bike so I could gradually dip my feet into the world of cycling.

– My new hand-me-down bike –

I have three brothers.  And they have three bikes, if I’m not mistaken.  

The eldest brother was a cyclist in his 20s.  Having an 11 year age gap, I remember watching him in awe as a little girl every time he got ready to leave or returned from his cycling adventure wearing his cleats (which looked so high tech at that time).  I recall his tattered, overused logbook and how he tediously monitored his distance, time, and everything else in it.  He taught me that wearing the yellow jersey was the coolest thing in the Tour de France.  

One time, while on my way home to Makati riding our school bus along Marcos Highway in Antipolo, I was pleasantly surprised to see my Kuya waving from outside my window.  My bus mates suspiciously asked who it was I was smiling at.  And, I replied with pride “That’s my Kuya!”

My two other brothers enjoyed cycling too, but never got into it as seriously as the eldest.  It was the 2nd brother who lent me the mountain bike.  The 3rd was asleep (at noontime!) when I picked up the bike.

So, before they allowed me to bring home the bike, my two kuyas commanded me to test ride the bike.  I rode it up and down the driveway.  Okay, it looked like I passed that test.

Next, they demonstrated how to shift gears and how to reattach them should the gears fall off.  Easy peasy, I thought.

Lastly, they showed me how to remove the front wheel for transporting the bike.  Wait a minute, run that by me again.  They showed me a 2nd time and asked me to do it myself.  I did it twice.  Then, they told me to load the bike unto my car.  Such tough instructors, I tell you!

When all that was said and done, my eldest brother gave his final words of advise much like a nervous dad discussing the birds and the bees with his teener.  Spinning his hands in the air, he said “Don’t push down with your feet.  Focus on circular motions.”  Okay!  “When you are about to climb up, shift your gears, take a deep breath, and push forward.” Got it.  Then he looked at the bike and said, this time like a mother giving her baby away for adoption, “I’m going to miss you!”

I felt pangs of guilt, but I knew that he knew his baby would be in good hands.  I will try to ride the bike at least once a week.  And, hopefully, I’ll enjoy it.  I’m sure not as much as I love running though.