Last Sunday (May 23) I rode in my first organized large ride. The Bloomin' Metric. A 100 KM (about 62 mile) ride beginning in Norwalk, CT and winding it's way through some really pretty countryside, past large estates, lots of hills for those of us so inclined (hahaha... get it?), and what seemed to be a million riders, most of them passing me at a high rate of speed.
Despite being with my team and trying to stay within a few minutes of my pals from the "Blue group" (slow), and the huge number of people around at times, I found myself quite alone. I am not complaining, I rather liked it. It gave me time to think, to take in the view and there was no one around when I let out a huge snarl because I was in the wrong gear when starting a rather large hump in the road.. okay it was a hill. (To quote Coach Bob, "It's a HILL, GET OVER IT!!!" (hahaha.... get it?)
I found people to follow, my thanks to the guy in the Dos Equis (XX) jersey, he was fun and easy to follow. and if I needed a diversion all I had to do was yell "Hey Dos Equis, CAR BACK"... and he would give me a friendly wave.
Once had my horse (okaaaayyyyy... my bike) headed down the backstretch, there were a couple of times I got teary eyed. This wasn't my big event, but it was still an accomplishment. I thought about my heroes, those that are battling leukemia and lymphoma and winning. I thought about the ones that have not won the battle, and those that don't even know that a battle lies ahead of them.
Rolling into the parking lot, finishing the ride, seeing the rest of my blue group finish filled me with pride in how far WE (yes WE) have come. But, more importantly, the ride itself, getting there was something to be savored.
Peace,
Karen
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
What I learned on the 80 mile ride
1) Don't even put your leg over the bar without a helmet on your head.
2) Always keep "Our Lady" in the bike bag.
3) Enjoy the scenery
4) I can ride over a grated swing bridge with a strong cross wind and not fall on my keester
5) Sometimes, if you look in the right direction, at precisely the right time, nature shows you something spectacular
6) I still HATE snakes, even if they are dead in the middle of the road
7) If you hit a squirrel going downhill at 34 mph... there is dinner. Tastes like chicken.
8)When you have to call 911 remember not to get frustrated because they are going to ask you the same questions twice.
9) when someone is hurt it seems like forever for an ambulance to come.
10) ICE.. In case of emergency... program it in your phone.
11) Sometimes, the people you really need are put right in front of you.. like the doctor and nurse that stopped to help.. what are the chances, I mean really, what are the chances that a doctor and nurse would be there when my teammates had an accident.
12) The kindness of strangers can be relied on. Truly.
2) Always keep "Our Lady" in the bike bag.
3) Enjoy the scenery
4) I can ride over a grated swing bridge with a strong cross wind and not fall on my keester
5) Sometimes, if you look in the right direction, at precisely the right time, nature shows you something spectacular
6) I still HATE snakes, even if they are dead in the middle of the road
7) If you hit a squirrel going downhill at 34 mph... there is dinner. Tastes like chicken.
8)When you have to call 911 remember not to get frustrated because they are going to ask you the same questions twice.
9) when someone is hurt it seems like forever for an ambulance to come.
10) ICE.. In case of emergency... program it in your phone.
11) Sometimes, the people you really need are put right in front of you.. like the doctor and nurse that stopped to help.. what are the chances, I mean really, what are the chances that a doctor and nurse would be there when my teammates had an accident.
12) The kindness of strangers can be relied on. Truly.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! I am loving my new bike seat. Yes, I used the L-word. Love, Love, LOVE my new bike seat...
The original seat that came on the bike was great on the ischial tuberosities (sits bones), but not so much on the soft tissue. The second seat I tried was better, but still not great. I kept having to stop pedaling to readjust my position, and every time I did, I would hear Coach in the background telling me to keep pedaling... how do I tell him politely that I have to rearrange my lady parts? Then.. there were the blood blisters. Not good. Unhappy hoohoo.
So, enter saddle number 3. Not the most expensive by any means, and probably not the lightest, but so far, the most comfortable. The cut away part is just in the right spot and it seems to be just the right size for my ischial tuberosities, and I like the little cut out in the back for my tailbone. I have only ridden it twice, 25 miles last night, and only about 15 tonight, but just the feeling of being on it, I know it will be fine on longer rides. And... I have a happy hoohoo.
On another happy note, fundraising is at $5820.00... wondering if I can make it an even 6K?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Decisions, decisions, decisions
Since starting this training for the Century Ride, there has been a lot of stuff that has gotten in the way.. just 'stuff' that needs me to make some sort of decision that can have an effect on how I ride, how far I can go, and avoiding the bonk. How much do I eat before a ride, what do I eat before a ride, what do I drink.. drink too much and there are too many potty stops, not enough and I bonk. What do I drink? Water is good, but I also need to replace electrolytes and I need sugar.. something I had given up along with simple carbs and replaced with complex carbs. So many decisions!
The drinking thing seemed to give me a real problem. Coaches were pretty clear, one bottle of water, one bottle of Gatorade or similar product. So, I struck out to find something I liked and would fit the bill. Oh.. and did I mention that since I am a klutz, I can not reach down, get a bottle of drink, raise it to my lips and keep the bike up on two wheels? Well, I can't do it. Practice or no practice, can't do it.. so enter the Camelbak. Yes, folks, I wear my water proudly on my back with a long tube I can just shove in between my teeth, bite down and voila! water! The Camelbak is the next best thing to having an IV pole attached to my bike.
Water problem solved.
Now, the Gatorade problem. Gatorade is too sweet, don't like it. And it doesn't like me much either. I tried G2, less sugar, still not really fond of it, I tried the powders and mixed them myself and over-diluted them a bit, still didn't work. I tried a couple of different versions and brands, all with the same effect (not something to talk about in polite company-- and you can't have that going on in the middle of a 100 mile bike ride).
Then I hit upon the perfect solution (no pun intended). A friend mentioned to me that her husband (a runner) drinks Kool-Aid. So, I picked up some of those little packages of Cherry flavored Kool-Aid, the kind you add your own sugar to (cheap!), I made up a pitcher of it, adding a lot less sugar than the recipe calls for, hmmm tasty!
Now, I just had to solve the electrolyte issue. I found a bottle of this stuff in Whole Foods, called Endure. Now, get your minds out of the gutter, it isn't what you are thinking at all... it is for enhancing your performance.. er.... I mean, it is full of performance enhancing electrolytes. There we go, back on track. It has Na+, K+, Cl-, Mg+, and SO4. 16 drops in 16 ounces of my Kool-Aid and I am good to go. So far, no bonk, no cramps and associated issues, and no Charley Horses in my legs, and it costs a whole lot less! One big decision out of the way. And.. I can put it in my checked luggage so I can make my own supply while in Tahoe. Hurdle overcome!
Summary of last Saturdays Cookie Ride:
7.5 mile, 3% grade out to Torrington.
2 long climbs with an average 6% grade (with some short sections up to 12%) on Route 20.
Over 5000 feet of climbing over 65 miles.
The fact that I finished is amazing to me.... even though I feel like it was not a complete success because I had to stop on the big hills, but I didn't walk, I just rested and then got back on and went on.
The drinking thing seemed to give me a real problem. Coaches were pretty clear, one bottle of water, one bottle of Gatorade or similar product. So, I struck out to find something I liked and would fit the bill. Oh.. and did I mention that since I am a klutz, I can not reach down, get a bottle of drink, raise it to my lips and keep the bike up on two wheels? Well, I can't do it. Practice or no practice, can't do it.. so enter the Camelbak. Yes, folks, I wear my water proudly on my back with a long tube I can just shove in between my teeth, bite down and voila! water! The Camelbak is the next best thing to having an IV pole attached to my bike.
Water problem solved.
Now, the Gatorade problem. Gatorade is too sweet, don't like it. And it doesn't like me much either. I tried G2, less sugar, still not really fond of it, I tried the powders and mixed them myself and over-diluted them a bit, still didn't work. I tried a couple of different versions and brands, all with the same effect (not something to talk about in polite company-- and you can't have that going on in the middle of a 100 mile bike ride).
Then I hit upon the perfect solution (no pun intended). A friend mentioned to me that her husband (a runner) drinks Kool-Aid. So, I picked up some of those little packages of Cherry flavored Kool-Aid, the kind you add your own sugar to (cheap!), I made up a pitcher of it, adding a lot less sugar than the recipe calls for, hmmm tasty!
Now, I just had to solve the electrolyte issue. I found a bottle of this stuff in Whole Foods, called Endure. Now, get your minds out of the gutter, it isn't what you are thinking at all... it is for enhancing your performance.. er.... I mean, it is full of performance enhancing electrolytes. There we go, back on track. It has Na+, K+, Cl-, Mg+, and SO4. 16 drops in 16 ounces of my Kool-Aid and I am good to go. So far, no bonk, no cramps and associated issues, and no Charley Horses in my legs, and it costs a whole lot less! One big decision out of the way. And.. I can put it in my checked luggage so I can make my own supply while in Tahoe. Hurdle overcome!
Summary of last Saturdays Cookie Ride:
7.5 mile, 3% grade out to Torrington.
2 long climbs with an average 6% grade (with some short sections up to 12%) on Route 20.
Over 5000 feet of climbing over 65 miles.
The fact that I finished is amazing to me.... even though I feel like it was not a complete success because I had to stop on the big hills, but I didn't walk, I just rested and then got back on and went on.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Karen Conquered the Cookie Ride
Phew!Hill after hill.. I thought they would never end. From Rt 202 heading into Torrington, to Rt 20 coming out of Riverton the hills just kept coming.
65.8 miles
Max heart rate: 178 (a little too high)
Average heart rate 115.
Max speed 31.5 (really good for 'she who is afraid to go downhill').
Feeling very accomplished.
I hit the 'dumb' zone at about mile 63, couldn't remember if I had passed the Coach or not, (I did). I hit the 'can't go another blessed foot' zone as I pulled into the parking lot, at mile 65.8, but the kindest, greatest, bestest friend put the bike on the car for me and fed me a piece of Juniors cheesecake from NYC (great to have friends like that isn't it!).
Throughout the ride, I kept thinking (pardon the language) "these hills suck", but then I thought about why I am doing this...... because... chemo sucks more.
Ready for the 70 miler next week :)
65.8 miles
Max heart rate: 178 (a little too high)
Average heart rate 115.
Max speed 31.5 (really good for 'she who is afraid to go downhill').
Feeling very accomplished.
I hit the 'dumb' zone at about mile 63, couldn't remember if I had passed the Coach or not, (I did). I hit the 'can't go another blessed foot' zone as I pulled into the parking lot, at mile 65.8, but the kindest, greatest, bestest friend put the bike on the car for me and fed me a piece of Juniors cheesecake from NYC (great to have friends like that isn't it!).
Throughout the ride, I kept thinking (pardon the language) "these hills suck", but then I thought about why I am doing this...... because... chemo sucks more.
Ready for the 70 miler next week :)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thai baby!
Soon after I made the decision to train for the century ride in Tahoe, I knew I wasn't going to be able to do this by myself, I would need help. I knew that the staff of LLS was there to help me with fundraising, and that the coaches were there to get me trained, and that the mentors were there to fill in the cracks and keep me headed in the right direction. I also knew that in addition to training for the ride, I needed to get more fit. So, I enlisted the help of a personal trainer. I work out once a week with him and a small group of like-aged ladies, we get good workouts in and have fun at the same time.
Now, I also, know myself very well, and I know I am more than a bit of a klutz, so remaining injury free was through all of this was going to be a bit of a challenge. So, I enlisted the help of a wonderful, beautiful, talented, gentle-spirited Buddhist massage therapist. He has kept me stretched out and my muscles from getting too angry at me from all of the new work I am asking them to do. When I took a tumble off my bike in March, I increased the frequency of my visits from once a month, to every other week. He has patiently worked on the separation of my shoulder (acromioclavicular joint), as well as all of the old crepitis in my neck, ankles and hips.
Rick practices Thai massage. It is really deep work, not for everybody, by 'mybody' really takes well to it. It is sometimes called "Thai yoga massage" and uses muscle compression, joint mobilization, acupressure and yoga like stretches. It is hard for me to describe, but I usually finish the sessions feeling relaxed, a little out of it, but very energized.
After my session today, I found that my shoulder had much more range of motion, and was far less tender than it was the last time Rick worked on it. I am finding that I am getting far fewer leg cramps, and that while my back and shoulders still get tired and sore towards the end of my long rides, each time the discomfort is less than the time before. While part of me wants to say that Rick is a miracle worker, he isn't. He works hard, he knows his stuff, and is able to put his knowledge of the anatomy and his craft to use, and he knows how to best help me. He has provided a safe, relaxing environment. I go into his space, wound up from work, tired, hurting, frustrated with my life, fed up with being pulled in too many directions at one time, with too many things to think about, and way too many things that need to be done. I smell the incense, feel the warmth of the heated pad on the floor where we work, and I find, that when I enter that space, I can allow everything to go away, and I can just ... ... be. And perhaps that, being able to just 'be' is what is making the shoulder more mobile and all of the other improvements to keep happening.
So, my damaged shoulder was able to do a 60 mile ride in the Northwest corner of CT last Saturday, and is looking forward to doing the 65 mile 'Cookie ride" this Saturday.
Now, I also, know myself very well, and I know I am more than a bit of a klutz, so remaining injury free was through all of this was going to be a bit of a challenge. So, I enlisted the help of a wonderful, beautiful, talented, gentle-spirited Buddhist massage therapist. He has kept me stretched out and my muscles from getting too angry at me from all of the new work I am asking them to do. When I took a tumble off my bike in March, I increased the frequency of my visits from once a month, to every other week. He has patiently worked on the separation of my shoulder (acromioclavicular joint), as well as all of the old crepitis in my neck, ankles and hips.
Rick practices Thai massage. It is really deep work, not for everybody, by 'mybody' really takes well to it. It is sometimes called "Thai yoga massage" and uses muscle compression, joint mobilization, acupressure and yoga like stretches. It is hard for me to describe, but I usually finish the sessions feeling relaxed, a little out of it, but very energized.
After my session today, I found that my shoulder had much more range of motion, and was far less tender than it was the last time Rick worked on it. I am finding that I am getting far fewer leg cramps, and that while my back and shoulders still get tired and sore towards the end of my long rides, each time the discomfort is less than the time before. While part of me wants to say that Rick is a miracle worker, he isn't. He works hard, he knows his stuff, and is able to put his knowledge of the anatomy and his craft to use, and he knows how to best help me. He has provided a safe, relaxing environment. I go into his space, wound up from work, tired, hurting, frustrated with my life, fed up with being pulled in too many directions at one time, with too many things to think about, and way too many things that need to be done. I smell the incense, feel the warmth of the heated pad on the floor where we work, and I find, that when I enter that space, I can allow everything to go away, and I can just ... ... be. And perhaps that, being able to just 'be' is what is making the shoulder more mobile and all of the other improvements to keep happening.
So, my damaged shoulder was able to do a 60 mile ride in the Northwest corner of CT last Saturday, and is looking forward to doing the 65 mile 'Cookie ride" this Saturday.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Good stuff
It's all good. I have said that a million times, heard it a million times, but this time, it seems to really be true. Sure, there is 'stuff' everywhere, in my life and in yours I am sure that is not so good, but overall, the big picture is pretty darned fine.
Last Saturday we did our 49.8 mile ride, against a stiff headwind, which hit us going and coming (how is this possible?). At times, it became a sidewind, which just about blew me off the road and I am no lightweight.
This week, because of our lovely New England weather, and my work schedule, I opted to do the long ride on my own on Friday. Now, I am sure my ride was not as physically challenging as the team ride will be on Sunday, but this was really the first ride I have taken alone, of any distance, and of course on the road. I looked over the routes we have done on the group rides, and I wanted to stay on familiar ground, and of course I wanted to avoid big intersections, and I wanted to only go on roads with good shoulders and after looking at the maps and knowing the roads the way I do, I figured I would end up going up and down my driveway for 55 miles. Knowing that I need to get over my hangups about biking on the road, I set out.
At first, I missed the group calling out the obstacles...there was no one yelling "Grate", "Gravel", and if I yelled it and pointed at the obstacle, no one repeated it after me. It felt like one hand clapping. After a bit, I started to enjoy the quiet. The cars going by were few and far between (morning rides are great), a huge red-tailed hawk landed in a tree right off the road, while there was enough going on around me so I had to keep focused, there was also some time for me to let my mind wander a bit.
My route wandered out to Collinsville, and then up Route 44... had to make a major left hand turn onto route 44.. it took me a minute of sitting on the side of rt 179 before I got up the nerve, but I did it. From there, I went up by Ski Sundown and around the reservoir, back down and back to Collinsville. From there, I came back through Farmington, and did a loop around by the farm, down West Avon Road, around Avon a bit and when I realized I was going to be short by about 10 miles, I went back to Collinsville, trying to make better time on the hills. I did have hills, and like I said, I know my route was not as challenging as the Team will ride tomorrow, but sometimes the mental challenges we face are more significant than the physical ones.
I know that if I am faced with a hill, if worse comes to worse, I can just put my head down and try to power through it, my body can do it. But can my head? Right now, after doing 'my' 52.8 mile ride on my own, the answer is YES. My head can do it too.
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