The author of “The Pursuit of Happyness”, Chris Gardner, also wrote a book titled “Start Where You Are: Life Lessons In Getting From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be.”  Following my successful 10 mile test ride of my foot, I was very aware of the need to come to grips with how to relax and “Start Where You Are.”  There really is no other place you can be.  With this in mind, decided to get back in the game gradually and also become more involved in Tri Club San Diego opportunities to train with others.  For your $75 membership fee, Tri Club San Diego amazingly offers training opportunities daily across the three sports of swim, bike, and run.

Today, they offered a Beginner Road Bike Ride with an optional 5K run.  I definitely would not be doing the run, but it was a great excuse to try a little more mileage on the bike over a route that I was familiar with and only included a little climbing along the Carmel Valley bike path that parallels the 56 freeway.

I was early as usual and sat down outside the bike shop we were told to meet at.  Interestingly, the bike shop was closed so I had to just sit on the pavement out front as the other participants started to roll in.  It was a varied group that ranged from previous triathlon veterans trying to start all over again after years of no involvement to a mother and daughter that showed up bikes that resembled beach cruisers.

After a little pre-ride talk, we were off.  One of the Tri Club San Diego volunteers took the lead while the other stayed in the back to help out the slower beginners.  This was a “No Man or Woman Left Behind” type ride.  I immediately began to enjoy the beginner group as I tucked in behind the lead volunteer leaving most of the group well beind us.  The beginner group was definitely a ego booster for my less than spectacular abilities compared to non-beginner triathlon folk.  However, I could tell that I was certainly not yet in my former shape.  The rolling hills were definitely giving me some cardiovasular challenge, but my legs were surprisingly willing.

We clipped off the initial 7 miles quickly before turning around.  Upon our arrival back to where we originally joined up with the bike path, everyone was turning right to go back to the bike shop and go for their 5K run.  I was not going to run, but craved more pavement under my wheels.  There was plenty more bike path to be had.  I knew this because I had riddent it last year.  I decided to go eat up the rest of the path and test my ability for a longer ride and a bit more elevation.

The rest of the ride was uneventful except for my cardio challenged lungs.  The left foot felt only slightly strained after 23 miles and 1,373 feet of climbing.  Another good sign in the right direction of a comeback even though I had lost some of my ability to process oxygen.