Musings of a Road Biker and Snapshots of McCallister Park

I always have, and most likely always will (I pray) be a runner. Although many hours are put in lifting weights, road biking, and swimming laps. Running is the sport where I am most comfortable. It is me. I am a runner. In my 1st triathlon back in May, I felt rather awkward swimming in the open water, and REALLY awkward elbow-to-elbow among road bikers. But when my feet hit that pavement, I was "home"

Since we've been in San Antonio, I haven't done a great deal of road biking. I don't know the roads/trails around where we live, I have no one to call if I get a flat 20 miles out in the country (Ryan's usually in class or flying)......But since I had a random week day off, I decided to dust off the Mercier and my cycling shoes.

As I reunited with the road, I discovered a few things about my response to road biking that I never knew I'd encounter......

1. It has the ability to restore my mind and destress me like none other. I think it's the fact that you're going against the wind 16 miles/hour, powered by your own legs, out of the open air, sweating, and heart is pounding. It is extremely empowering.
2. The amount of distance you can cover in a short period of time stuns the runner at heart. 22 miles in 1:40?! Sign me up!
3. You will find yourself praying & pleading with God to turn that upcoming stop light green. When you realize it's still red, you slow down obnoxiously, still hoping for a change. Finally, you submit to the reality that it's still red, unclip left foot, unclip right foot, feet touch ground, and the light will immediately turn green. Bahh! (For those of you who have never had the joy of clipping in -- just trust me on this one)
4. Left turns become your worst nightmare. You will add 10 miles to your route if it means not having to take a left turn.
5. For someone who's a bit of a total chicken on her bike (I never could ride no-handed growing up), you risk your life reaching down for that water bottle.
6. You will fall over. And it will probably be at a stop light when you forgot to clip out both feet. You will pop up and act like nothing happened. Road rash will result. Depending on who you're talking you, you may change story and say you "crashed your bike because of some asshole at a stop light". When really, you were the asshole. :-)
7. Sometimes, you will go up a hill in such a high gear, that you may worry about tipping over. 
8. You may encounter a "fuller figured" road biker on the trails, and find yourself thinking "What I wouldn't give to have her butt" -- I don't care how fancy my gel-padded shorts may be, my butt hurts, and after an hour will you envy "cushioning".
9. Although it sounds difficult and tricky, it is one of the coolest hobbies. Not many sports can you cover many miles, stop at Starbucks for a nice coffee, and keep going without throwing up all over the road. I know someone who did a 60 mile trip with her husband through CA wine country, and they rented road bikes and stopped at cafes to try "snacks" all along the way (they waited to be finished biking before they drank any wine, no worries). That is on my bucket list for vacation ideas!

I didn't snap any photos this morning on my adventure. But to be honest, it was all corn fields, cattle, and donkeys. Nothing too noteworthy. But I will share some photos from my trail run yesterday morning at McCallister Park.

 This is the photo I posted about a month ago, of the deer that I was seeing the 1st time I came to this park. All I saw were mothers and their babies. So it's interesting when you see the change this time...

 

 Only bucks! (Which are males) I know very little about animals and their mating patterns. I know the bucks are "in rut"(aka "on the prowl") during the cooler seasons (fall),and fawns are typically born in August. (from the little reasearch I did)

Maybe all the bucks are out partying since their pregnant wives are pregnant, and swollen from the humidity? ;) I saw about 6 of them running around!

Here is a little snapshot of the terrain. I had to be very careful not to roll an ankle, as some of it was rocky. Great corework, nonetheless!