It’s like riding a bike.

We’ve all heard that old adage, which implies that something we’ve learned is simple to recall how to do, even after much time has passed.

I tested that theory this week, literally, as I got back on my bike for the first time in a very long time.

If you’ve been reading runladylike.com for a while, you may recall I spent the majority of 2012 and 2013 focused on long distance triathlons. I trained for the Augusta IRONMAN 70.3 and then the Beach2Battleship Half Iron Triathlon. I experienced a great deal of growth between those two races, mainly by doing more of what I like the least: cycling.

It’s no secret that running is my passion. I found myself in need of a break from the marathon after 2012, and the half Ironman distance was just what I needed to find my spark again. Oh, but cycling. If only that wasn’t the longest portion of the three sports. If only we could replace it with something else. (Shuffleboard? Bowling? Putt-putt???) I’ve never felt passionate about it, but in 2013 I focused on it more than ever. I poured the most energy into the area where I was the weakest, and it paid off. I rode about 14 minutes faster than my first half iron race and nearly 2 mph faster over the 56 miles.

Fast forward to this past Friday. I decided it was time to get back in the saddle. Temporarily living on the beach means I have long stretches of flat, paved road with large cycling lanes just steps outside my door. I see tons of cyclists every day riding on the roads. I brought my road bike with me, and it needed to do more than sit eagerly in the closet waiting for me to make a move.

Truth be told, I’ve been a little scared of the bike during the past year. There are people I know and friends of friends who have had some tragic cycling crashes … some even leading to death. There was a moment in 2013 when I was riding downhill at 41 mph and I thought to myself, “I could literally die right now if something happens.” A pot hole. A dog. A car. Boom. Dead. As I began to run stronger and faster, the less I wanted to cycle. And then I stopped altogether.

Until Friday.

I got on my bike and set out to ride for about an hour. At first, I was very tentative. I gripped the handlebars too tight and slowed at every crack in the asphalt. I never went into aero position and I waited longer than humanly necessary at every intersection I had to cross. But as the ride continued, I found my confidence. Slowly but surely, I picked up the pace. About 8 miles in, I finally settled down into aero position where I felt comfortable and calm. I was thinking about my days of triathlon training and how awesome it would be to train on these beach roads that give you a pretty safe place to ride for miles on end.

Nearly 17 miles later, I returned feeling a little more confident than when I started (and with a neck and crotch that were sorer than when I started as well). Perhaps riding a bike really is “just like riding a bike.” All the things that cause us fear and doubt are not usually as bad as they first seem if we just tackle them head-on. Most of our fears are in our head. Most of our doubt is self-created. As I always say, we are consistently stronger than we think.

Here’s what my past 2 weeks of training looked like.

Every week (or every other week in this case) I share my weekly training and how I’m taking action against my 2015 goals. I also share the one thing I’m most proud of from the week and the one pitfall that has challenged me the most. Then, I invite you to do the same. There is a place at the bottom of this post for you to share a link to your weekly recap for others to come and cheer you on or offer you support. If you don’t have a Web site, simply share about your week in the comments section.

Getting Sweaty and Stronger

My fitness goals for 2015 are to stay in half marathon shape year-round (20-30 miles of running per week and long runs of 8-11 miles) and get stronger (2-3 strength training and cross training workouts each week).

Week of May 18

• Monday: REST and travel to NYC for work

• Tuesday: 4-mile run along the Hudson River Greenway (aka Manhattan Waterfront Greenway) in NYC (Sadly the fog was so think I didn’t get to see any of the normally great views.)
• Wednesday: 3-mile run on the beach + stretching

• Thursday: REST
• Friday: 45-minute IronStrength workout from Running Strong on the beach
• Saturday: 1 hour at Orangetheory Fitness with Mr. rUnladylike, including 3 miles of running and strength training
• Sunday: 11-mile out-and-back solo run on a flat, paved road that runs adjacent to the beach; my pace was very slow to get through this in the heat.

Week of May 25

• Monday: REST
• Tuesday: REST (aka lazy)
• Wednesday: AM: 1-hour at Orangetheory Fitness with Mr. rUnladylike, including about 3 miles of speed and hill work on the treadmill; PM: 3-mile walk on the beach
• Thursday: 3.5-mile slow, terrible, no-good hot run
• Friday: 16.5-mile bike on my road bike + evening walk on the beach
• Saturday: REST
• Sunday: AM: 3-mile walk on the beach; PM: 1 hour at Orangetheory Fitness, including 4 miles of running (with a lot of time at or below tempo pace) and leg work

Eating Clean

My nutrition goals for 2015 are to cook most days of the week, limit sugar and bread intake, track my food daily and focus on eating clean(er).

I have been eating well during the week but continue to overeat in social settings. We have friends and family out to the beach every weekend, so there are more appetizers than needed and treats to consume.

I have been keeping dinners pretty simple at the beach, such as brown rice bowls with chicken, veggies, beans, corn, avocado and white cheddar or pork tenderloin with roasted veggies and sweet potatoes. I’m excited to try this Sweet and Spicy Apricot Chicken this week.

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, these No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake Tartlets from Let’s Dish are simply AH-mazing and SO easy to make. My sister-in-law made them for our Memorial Day Weekend festivities and they were fantastic!

What I’m Most Proud of

Getting back on my bike.

Where I Struggled

Getting up early enough to not have to run in sweltering temperatures. I really need to get up at 5 a.m. to run, and I am starting closer to 7 a.m., which makes these runs brutal. Must. Not. Hit. Snooze.

Thought for the Week Ahead

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
― Albert Einstein

How was your week last week? How did your training go? What are you most proud of? Where were you most challenged? Share your comments and/or link up with your weekly recap.