Entering the World of Watts

This is my new favorite toy.

Ok. So it is not really a toy. And it is not mine.

And it is not even new.

But you get the idea.

It is the spin bike I get to use at the YMCA.

I have been using it since November

but I did not realize just how cool it was.

Until I talked to Coach M.

Sure. I like my trainer, too.

(Although I like my old cheap Minoura trainer

better than my new fancy CycleOps one.)

But here is the problem with riding on the trainer:

The only place for it is right next to my bed.

So either my foot gets caught in the comforter

or my elbow stuck in the blinds.

Plus, it is hard to open my drawers

or get out of bed.

And what husband wants his wife biking around

in the bedroom at 5am?

That is what you get for going to grad school with a family.

Therefore,

I escape to the gym for most of my indoor rides.

Space. Quiet. No interruptions. Ceiling fans.

And watts.

I know. For a girl who claims she dislikes numbers,

I am a little too excited about the whole wattage thing.

But I also like to execute workouts perfectly,

and watts sure come in handy for that.

My little computer can tell me lots of stuff:

cadence

wattage

calories

time

gear

distance

Pretty cool, right?

So after 2 months of riding on this thing

and oblivious to the fact that it shows my watts,

I finally told Coach M what kind of spin bike I ride.

I just did not think it was a big deal.

Well, it is a big deal.

I guess it is the nicest one out there.

Thank you, YMCA!

Tomorrow I get to do a little wattage test:

30 minutes until I fall off the bike.

Report to Coach M.

Receive wattage-specific training plans.

It is kinda like Christmas.

Sort of.

Good bye

I-am-tired-today-so-maybe-I-will-just-shift-down-a-gear-and-no-one-will-ever-know days.

I will miss you!

Hello

You-are-going-hold-250-watts-today-whether-you-like-it-or-not days.

I hope I will like you!

PS: Thank you for all your comments about the Halfmarathon Report. I will talk about the aftermath in my next post. For now, it is bedtime.

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