As a novice I think what may have been a more important decision is where I decided to buy my equipment. I researched and visited several local shops. I asked if they are certified to fit tri-bikes which is a key distinction and specialty. It is also important to note what type of accessories they sell. Does the shop cater to competitive bike riders and triathletes?

Once I committed to where I was going to buy my bike the rest boiled down to a few options, price and a qualified recommendation which is how I wound up with the Look 576. I could not be happier. Since I have never had the pleasure of riding a piece of equipment like this my rides are a joy. The Look brand is aptly named as it not only looks fast, it is. I love the blue and white color scheme and the paint job is first class. This bike was love at first site.

Getting professionally fit for a bike is a detailed process that requires experience. Christian at Cycles 54 did not steer me wrong in any regard. We took our time to fit the bike and answer my questions along the way. Fitting a bike cannot be underestimated. There are no shortcuts here and fit is critical to overall bike performance and comfort. Getting my bike fit was not only exciting but it was an education.

The bike has performed wonderfully and really is an amazing machine. One of the most noticeable features even to a novice like me is the weight. The frame and fork weight in at just over 3 lbs. Throw in some peddles, bottle clips, and a bag and your just over 4 lbs. I think my mountain bike peddles weigh more than that!

The SRAM components shift like butter and are incredibly smooth. Again when you are used to driving a Subaru and you step behind the wheel of a BMW a few things pop out at you. When in the saddle of my Look I feel like I am in the BWM and it has not yet disappointed me.

The big question is will the love affair stand the test of time? How will I feel about my Look 576 next year? Only time will tell but today I am satisfied and have a big smile on my face ever time I take it on the road. The Look is race ready and delivered performace in my first triathlon.

While this is and will always be a  family weekend I really was looking forward to my workouts. I enjoy challenging myself to get to the next level and my progress has kept my going. I will also admit that this past week was not a great diet week but for the most part was pretty good considering the abundance of goodies to eat and drink.

I spent Saturday morning in the pool with the opportunity to work out with a group of swimmers well above my level. I set my pace and trailed in the drills but exceeded my own expectations. Working out with veterans is so beneficial to a novice like myself. I was fortunate to get some good coaching and a really challenging workout.  This Saturday I am attending my first swimming clinic. I feel like I have started to build a good foundation and am looking forward to learning from a pro.

Sunday I planned to do a brick. A brick workout simply means that you complete one workout after another. I mapped out a 21 mile course using GMaps. This was really the first time I used a map to plot a bike course. It was a bit awkward and did not go 100% as planned but that did not matter. I was outside and on my bike, what could be bad! I wound up extending my distance by a few miles but that was OK because I felt good. I then met my club for our regular run. It was a great day and we all did well. I approximate that I did about 25 miles on my bike and a 7 mile run. This is my longest brick to date.

Memorial Day I got up early a did my 6.4 miles and made a personal best for the loop. This was surprising considering the extra effort I put out yesterday. I felt strong and paid close attention to my pace and form. It was a gorgeous Monday morning and the sun was shining. My time was 55:46 about 30 second faster than my previous time.

All in all it was a great weekend. I not only had a great time with the family but also accomplished my training goals.