Sunday, September 20, 2009
Repairs
My bike is out of commission for a while. I have to take it in for repairs. One of my shifters isn't working
Friday, August 28, 2009
How this started
It was about 4yrs ago. I wanted to do something. I happen upon the American Diabetes Associations web site about the Tour de Cure bike ride. 150 miles over a two day period to raise money for diabetes. Since diabetes had taken my father-in-law, and has since taken my father, I felt this was a good cause to get behind.
I was excited
I fundraised, I bought a bike, I told everyone what I was doing.
I had no idea what I was doing
I was very unprepared for what it actually meant to ride 150 miles on a bike.
I invited a friend of mine to ride with me. She was a CYCLIST. She had ridden in a long distance ride before and was well trained and well prepared.
I made it 10 miles before I couldn't breathe, my heart was racing and the medic pulled me off the course.
I was embarrassed. People had supported me. I let them down. I let myself down. And I got to hear from my friend what an awesome ride it was once I left and she didn't have to hang back with me anymore.
I went home and was determined to prove something to myself. I googled 150 mile charity rides. I came up with the MS 150 being held just a few months down the road. I needed to train.
I didn't tell anyone but my immediate family and my best friend what I was doing. I didn't want to humiliate myself again if I couldn't complete it. I got back on the bike and I trained. I trained hard. I got myself up to 30 miles non-stop with steep hills. The MS 150 course is relatively flat and they say if you can do 30 miles with hills then 75 flat is easy (there's nothing easy about it).
The weekend came and I packed up and headed east. It was about a 4hrs drive from home. I didn't know a sole and was riding completely alone.
When I went in to sign in, I was approached by a guy selling socks with his team. I'm a sucker for cycling socks. I love them. We got to talking and he asked what team I was with. I told him I was all alone. He said that just wouldn't do and he took me over and introduced me to the best group of people I've ever met in the cycling community. The MSFITS.
I wasn't ready to jump on a team just yet. I talked to the group for a little bit them headed to my hotel room to meditate on what the next day would bring; 75 miles on me on the bike.
The next morning I got up, too nervous to eat, I started heading to the venue. Once there I decided to make myself grab a banana and a bagel.
A few announcements, review of the Rules of the Road and we were off. Seven and a half hours later I crossed the finish line in tears. I was coming across the bring and could hear the announcer say "We have a first time solo rider coming in let's all cheer her on" People were lining the streets cheering, gathered at the finish cheering...it was all too much. I jumped off the bike and hide in a Port-a-potty and just cried. Then I got a massage. Then I went back to my hotel room and collapsed. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't move. My legs hurt worse than they ever had before. I didn't think I'd be able to ride the next day.
The next day I got up and called my family. My husband was having some issues at home that needed me back that evening instead of the next day like we had planned. I decided instead of 75 miles, I would ride the 30 mile option.
It was during that 30 mile ride that I caught back up with teh Captians of the MSFITS and officially joined the group. I finished the course in an easy 3 hours, packed up eevrything and headed home more excited and invigorated than I had felt before.
The next year I did 30 miles on both days. I started with the 30 on day one with the plan to do 75 the next day. What I didnt anticipate was a Tropical Storm coming through and the organizers closing the course to only 30 miles. It was cold, and wet, and windy, but I did it
Then I moved. I'm now in Atlanta. The whole move threw me ito a depression I'm only now realizing. I drove the 9hours to the ride last year, but I hadnt even been on my bike since the previous years ride. I was horribly out of shape and barely completed the first day 30 miles. I wasnt able to complete the second day at all.
This year was going to be different.
It wasn't
I havent ridden like I need to, and I feel overwhelmed with our finances. It's expensive to drive from Atlanta to New Bern. NC. Then the hotel for 3 nights, and food. It's a credit card charge we simply don't need in this economy. I could do it, but I feel like i shoudl be more fiscally responisible.
But aside from the money aspect, I need to start taking better care of myself. I need to be held accountable for getting on the bike. I need to shed the weight I've been hiding behind for the past 2 yrs.
And that's where this blog comes in. The 2009 ride is in 2 weeks. I'm not going. I transfered my room to a first time rider who needed one. I cancelled my carpool replacement, and child care. I'm focusing on 2010.
Registration is in Jan, and I plan to register. And when Sept comes around, I will be more than ready. This will be my one year journey to get ME back.
I was excited
I fundraised, I bought a bike, I told everyone what I was doing.
I had no idea what I was doing
I was very unprepared for what it actually meant to ride 150 miles on a bike.
I invited a friend of mine to ride with me. She was a CYCLIST. She had ridden in a long distance ride before and was well trained and well prepared.
I made it 10 miles before I couldn't breathe, my heart was racing and the medic pulled me off the course.
I was embarrassed. People had supported me. I let them down. I let myself down. And I got to hear from my friend what an awesome ride it was once I left and she didn't have to hang back with me anymore.
I went home and was determined to prove something to myself. I googled 150 mile charity rides. I came up with the MS 150 being held just a few months down the road. I needed to train.
I didn't tell anyone but my immediate family and my best friend what I was doing. I didn't want to humiliate myself again if I couldn't complete it. I got back on the bike and I trained. I trained hard. I got myself up to 30 miles non-stop with steep hills. The MS 150 course is relatively flat and they say if you can do 30 miles with hills then 75 flat is easy (there's nothing easy about it).
The weekend came and I packed up and headed east. It was about a 4hrs drive from home. I didn't know a sole and was riding completely alone.
When I went in to sign in, I was approached by a guy selling socks with his team. I'm a sucker for cycling socks. I love them. We got to talking and he asked what team I was with. I told him I was all alone. He said that just wouldn't do and he took me over and introduced me to the best group of people I've ever met in the cycling community. The MSFITS.
I wasn't ready to jump on a team just yet. I talked to the group for a little bit them headed to my hotel room to meditate on what the next day would bring; 75 miles on me on the bike.
The next morning I got up, too nervous to eat, I started heading to the venue. Once there I decided to make myself grab a banana and a bagel.
A few announcements, review of the Rules of the Road and we were off. Seven and a half hours later I crossed the finish line in tears. I was coming across the bring and could hear the announcer say "We have a first time solo rider coming in let's all cheer her on" People were lining the streets cheering, gathered at the finish cheering...it was all too much. I jumped off the bike and hide in a Port-a-potty and just cried. Then I got a massage. Then I went back to my hotel room and collapsed. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't move. My legs hurt worse than they ever had before. I didn't think I'd be able to ride the next day.
The next day I got up and called my family. My husband was having some issues at home that needed me back that evening instead of the next day like we had planned. I decided instead of 75 miles, I would ride the 30 mile option.
It was during that 30 mile ride that I caught back up with teh Captians of the MSFITS and officially joined the group. I finished the course in an easy 3 hours, packed up eevrything and headed home more excited and invigorated than I had felt before.
The next year I did 30 miles on both days. I started with the 30 on day one with the plan to do 75 the next day. What I didnt anticipate was a Tropical Storm coming through and the organizers closing the course to only 30 miles. It was cold, and wet, and windy, but I did it
Then I moved. I'm now in Atlanta. The whole move threw me ito a depression I'm only now realizing. I drove the 9hours to the ride last year, but I hadnt even been on my bike since the previous years ride. I was horribly out of shape and barely completed the first day 30 miles. I wasnt able to complete the second day at all.
This year was going to be different.
It wasn't
I havent ridden like I need to, and I feel overwhelmed with our finances. It's expensive to drive from Atlanta to New Bern. NC. Then the hotel for 3 nights, and food. It's a credit card charge we simply don't need in this economy. I could do it, but I feel like i shoudl be more fiscally responisible.
But aside from the money aspect, I need to start taking better care of myself. I need to be held accountable for getting on the bike. I need to shed the weight I've been hiding behind for the past 2 yrs.
And that's where this blog comes in. The 2009 ride is in 2 weeks. I'm not going. I transfered my room to a first time rider who needed one. I cancelled my carpool replacement, and child care. I'm focusing on 2010.
Registration is in Jan, and I plan to register. And when Sept comes around, I will be more than ready. This will be my one year journey to get ME back.
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