It's all over now

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I am done and can not do anymore. I was out for about 2 1/2 hours and rode for just over 3 hours to go 26 miles. My knees couldn't do anymore. I did not meet my personal goal of 150 miles for the weekend. I did manage to do 140 miles. I am still VERY proud of myself.

Today was tough on me. We did have some hills (not as bad as the ones on Friday). I got caught in the rain for awhile. The wind was blowing and I was getting cold. My knees just could not handle another 10 miles. I am surprised that my butt and legs don't feel too bad. That training must have helped.

It may sound crazy but I did have fun this weekend. I pushed myself to continue in difficult weather, up hills and through the miles. I have enjoyed this experience, but I do not see myself doing multiple day events in the future. This weekend has taken a lot out of me. It is not just the riding, but getting up at 4 in the morning everyday. I would not mind doing some single day events. I will enjoy getting back to just biking for fun and not training.

The Hero's Hurray at the end of the weekend was nice. We got to meet the kid we were riding for. He gave us all a metal and we got to take our picture with him. Many people saw me wearing my WAM bicycle jersey and thanked me for riding. No one cared that I did not ride the whole thing. No one even asked that.

This has been a wonderful experience and I will remember it always.

Day 2 is in the bag

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Well, I survived Day 2. Thunderstorms were going on at about 4:00 this morning. Luckily they stopped by 5am. The weather was iffy most of the morning. I got into the last stop before lunch and apparently I kept ahead of the next storm. I also was keeping pretty close to some of my team. They were usually getting ready to leave a break stop when I came in. During the next 10.5 miles to lunch I road in a steady rain for about 4 miles.

I also was talking to a guy named Al that has been participating in WAM for 22 years. Talking to him helped me forget about riding in the rain. I believe my angel sent him to help get me through those last 6 miles to lunch. I couldn't ride anymore. I at lunch and Eric brought me in. It wasn't a bad day overall. I was out for about 5 hours and I was on the bike for just under 4 hours to complete 54 miles. I'm feeling it in my legs tonight. I'll just have to see how tomorrow goes.

60 MILES

Friday, July 24, 2009

I made it through my first day of riding. I went 60 miles (which is 20 miles more than I have every gone before). I was gone for about 5 1/2 hours and I was actually riding for 4 hours 40 minutes. I am really proud of myself. I would have liked to go farther, but my knees just could not take the hills (or should I say mountains) anymore.

When everyone told me that today was full of hills, they were NOT exaggerating. The entire 100 mile route was full of hills. I did walk my bike up part of 3 hills. It was good to see that I wasn't the only one walking up some of those hills.

I also had a flat tire just before one of the break stops. I was at that stop for about 15 minutes to get it fixed.

Here and excited

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Well, I am all registered and ready to go. I have got everything set out for the morning and I have to wake up at 4:15am. It is after 9 pm right now and I know I should get to bed before too long. I hope that I can calm down enough to get to sleep.

I leave tomorrow

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Well I am all packed and ready to leave for Traverse City in the morning. I am getting a little nervous again but I am excited. I just pray that the weather decides to cooperate and not rain during the rides.

A different kind of exercise

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Well, I didn't do yoga, kickboxing, or go biking. Tonight I tried a new form of exercise. It is called 'Help Kim move stuff out of her old basement' :-) We spent a couple of hours moving stuff. It was a decent workout.

Tender legs

Sunday, July 19, 2009

I took today off from exercising. The only thing I did was walk around the Lennon car show a little. I sat in the shade visiting most of the day. It was very enjoyable. It is interesting that my legs feel so tender since I really did not do anything today. I am going to try to make it to yoga class tomorrow. I might bike 5 miles or so this week. I am looking forward to heading to Traverse City on Thursday. I just have to get packed now.