cycling is hard

Really. It is hard. But, I love the challenge and I love my bike. I just wish I didn't have to work, so I had time to ride it more, haha!

I caved in and bought the padded bike shorts, sigh. Hideous and embarrassing, but without them? ouch ouch ouch.
It also kind of sucks about the weather. It had been getting warmer, but this whole week, the high is only like 50, which is cold for us. My legs were freeeeeeeezing on my ride last night and my nose started to run. When I got back to my car, I swear my nose was chapped. Terrible.

Also, I feel like my cardiovascular system is just pathetic. I have to stop here and there to rest. And I have not mastered the art of grabbing my water bottle while in motion. I need to stop or I will totally fall, and I don't even have clip on pedals. I know with practice that I will get better. It didn't help that something on my bike is making a squeaking nose, sounds like rubber against rubber only when I move. It was driving me insane. I'm going to take it to the bike shop and let them figure it out. I am sure it is something simple.

Lately, I've been looking at youtube videos of triathlons. I always thought it would be so amazing to complete one, even a sprint. However, I hate/suck at running and have no real experience with swimming. I still want to do one though. In fact, my hospital has one in June. Based on my fitness level, I think that June is too soon, but I will definitely go as a spectator. There is also a Tri downtown in April...St. Anthony's. I put them on my calendar (to go watch!).
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As far as work/nursing goes: bla. The last week pretty much sucked. On one day, I actually transferred two (all) of my patients and subsequently received two more. The second day, I had one of the sickest patients in the unit. She had literally 10 drips. It isn't that I'm not confident, but I also do not want to ask too many questions. The other nurses assure me that I can always, always ask for help, but part of me is worried. What if I ask for too much help and then my manager thinks it was a bad idea to send me to days? I mentioned this to one of the charge nurses and she said absolutely not. Winter sucks at the hospital. On one day, I made it the whole 12 hours without seeming too overwhelmed, but then I just let myself cry when I got on the shuttle bus. I hadn't eaten lunch and I felt like a failure nurse. However, I know I just have high standards for myself and am probably just being too critical. I hope?
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I just ordered some Glo Bars!! I'm super excited. I've been following Angela since the beginning, so I've been anxious to order some.

my new toy

I did it! I bought a rode bike!

We arrived to the bike shop around 1:30 and got right into measuring.

It was kind of awkward, but of course, necessary.

I tried out the Trek 1.2 WSD and I LOOOOOVED IT. Prior to this, I had only been on mountain and hybrid bikes. The employee gave Mirza a huge ass cruiser to come along on the ride with me. He let us take them out and go wherever we want. The Pinellas trail was right down the road, so we made our way there.

wow, when I first got on the bike, I could not believe the lightness. I gave minimal effort and Mirza was left behind in my dust!! haha! Truly, I was nervous about the drop handle bars, but the bike was much more comfortable than I had anticipated. The bike shop owner left the seat lower since I'm still new and he wanted me to get used to it and not be scared or fall off!

The whole process was painless and no pressure from the shop at all. He said I could give it a few days, even come in ready to ride again, take it out all day and pretend that it's my bike, they will put a water bottle on it, etc and really test drive it. I think that is awesome. But I honestly did not need that much time. I loved it. It is beautiful and comfortable.

I did not purchase padded bike shorts this go around, but after my ride tonight, I definitely will. Yow!
The shop offers 6 months of service on the bike. I go back in 30, 90, and 180 days for tune-up intervals.

Also purchase a helmet. Giro.
A water bottle.
Tire pump.

And with some maneuvering, it fits in my trunk perfect!!

This is my, "I'm not excited at all" face. Yes, I am ok.

Helmets look so dumb when you're looking straight on in the mirror. I made Mirza take this picture, so I could see how dumb I look. haha. Hey, it is either wear a helmet or be hurt. And since I really enjoy NOT eating my food from a tube in my gut, I will wear a helmet.

Bike helmet box!

pump

I stayed within my $1,000 budget, too. The total came to $1,075, which I thought would be more. I am so happy with my purchase. Cannot wait to get out there and really go for a ride.
And now i need to work the next two days. bummer.

Things to purchase on Thursday:
-padded shorts
-something small to put on my bike to carry my keys and ID...any suggestions?