Back in my element..

I got back on the bike today and boy did I need it. What a stress reliever for me today! My body now craves fitness or exercise to release my anxiety, stress or worries of my week. I have been enjoying learning something new, swimming but it's time to combine both and since I truly enjoy biking I was super excited to do the bike today and I will swim tomorrow. I live on a very popular bike street - even though the street is 60 mph there is a good sized shoulder and is perfect for cyclists. Even though I am afraid of some distracted driver accident or sharing the road with cars I braved the road until I got to the park with protected trails. Brushy Creek Lake Park is where I started.  The park is really good and I'm excited about it being just down the road. If I don't feel like riding on Parmer Ln, at least I know I can have a nice view on the hiking/bike paths and as soon as I get a trailer for my bike I will ride with the kids there, too. 

Not only do I enjoy biking but nature as well. I like how they combined the old rail bridges with the park and it's a cool place to ride. 

I also came across the funniest sign and got a laugh - like who is going to get off and walk their bicycle where there is a grade - that is the most fun part! haha. 

As far as my ride went, it was great aside from the few things that happened to try and prevent me from getting in a good ride. I totally banged up my knee before I left by running into the side of my TV stand because I am just that clumsy. It is throbbing a bit now so I should probably take some Advil. I also need to get a good pair of riding glasses, not because of the sun but because of - the gnats! I had to ride with my head down to shield myself from getting gnats in my eyes, nose and mouth. At some points it just felt like someone just dropped a bucket of gnats on my head during the ride which was pretty annoying. 

Once I got home let's just say I was wiping dead gnats out of unmentionable places, yes I even found one in my eyelid. I hardly ever spend a lot of money on sunglasses to begin with because I'm kind of forgetful and have lost my fair share of expensive glasses. I suppose if I just get a pair only for riding I can be responsible enough to keep them in the right place until I ride. 

Here is another bridge/path along the way. I love nature and it was a really nice trail ride. 

I am also going to be pretty sore in the thigh area! I am not used to the hills that are in Austin as Dallas is pretty flat. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to work in my rides and swims but it seems to be working out so far so good. My kids will be with their dad during spring break and it's going to be really a big test for me because well, SXSW is happening during spring break and there will be so much temptation to go see live music instead of train. I just hope and pray I can work in enough of my training and still get to enjoy some up and coming bands. So happy to call Austin my new home :)