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.

Keeping the legs stretched

Saturday, July 18, 2009

I went out and biked 6 miles to stretch my legs. I am getting excited for next weekend. I just hope the weather is good to us. I also went for about a 6 1/2 mile walk. The walk felt good, but it really made my legs a little tender.

Nice day!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

It was such a nice day for a ride. I really would have liked to take a nap outside in the hammock, but I needed to bike. (I also don't own a hammock). After about 45 minutes I made it home and had biked 10.2 miles. I felt really good. The yoga class I took last night helped me stretch my leg muscles and they really needed it.

What a nice ride.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I had a really nice ride tonight. It was just a short ride around the neighborhood. I was gone for about 20 miles (5.4 miles). It was wonderful not to worry about going a long way. My legs weren't tight at all. Usually my legs are tight for the first 4-5 miles. My yoga class last night must have helped.

Maybe I will do ok in the WAM after all.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

I went out for my last long ride before WAM. I was headed straight into the wind. I had a hard time maintaining any kind of speed. I was struggling to go 12 mph. I took Juddville Road until it stopped at M-52 (18.7 miles from home). I only averaged 11.9 mph to that point.

On the way home I really gave it my all. I had the wind at my back and did not take it easy. I even got up to 20 mph on the flats at one point. I was gone a little over 3 hours, including my 3 rest stops. I managed to get my average speed up to 13.6 mph by the end of the trip. I rode 2 hours 55 minutes and did 40 miles! That's the furthest I have gone yet.

I felt pretty good when I was done. I think with the stops along the way to get energy bars, water and pee I will do ok in WAM. I am still a little nervous about the hills. I am not great on those and they take a lot out of me, but if I have to walk up some of the hills I will.

I do not need to worry about any more long days until WAM. I plan on doing half hour to an hour rides from now until WAM. I also want to get some yoga classes in. I need the stretching.

I just may survive WAM after all :-)

Since starting this blog November 21, 2008 I have ridden 1020 miles. I am very proud of myself.

Struggled but I did it.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

I really did not feel motivated to bike today, but I made myself go out. I struggled with one thing or another almost the entire trip. My legs were tight the first 5 miles or so, then I could not get my hands in a comfortable position. I hit some wind on the way out and had the wind in my face or pushing on the side ALL the way home.

I almost walked my bike up the last big hill heading home, but I managed to get up it. When all was said and done, I bike for 2 hours 23 minutes (31.3 miles).

I am having a problem getting motivated to ride this week. It sounds like fun early in the day, but when I get home from work, I just want to eat dinner and go to sleep. Maybe I am just burned out on training. I just have to keep it together for two more weeks. Once I am at the event the scenery change and the energy of the people should snap me out of it. There won't be any worrying about training. I will just do what I can do each day.

PITIFUL

Monday, July 6, 2009

I really did not want to go riding at all today. I managed to get out on the bike and forced myself to do 5 miles. What a pitiful rider I was today :-(

Riding with someone

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A friend of mine came over to ride with me. I have never rode with anyone before and it was an experience. Since it was my route, I led the way. I was afraid that I would have a hard time getting up the first Pierson Road hill. I didn't want my friend to end up right behind me, so I put everything I had into it. I did really well and rode about 2 hours 15 minutes (30.3 miles). riding with someone really seemed to push me. I enjoyed it.

Happy 4th!!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

I went out to practice some climbing today. I was out for a little over an hour and biked 15.9 miles. I hit a few hills and did a new route. I went up one big hill and ended up finding a couple others I didn't know were there. I felt pretty good when I was done and my knee didn't hurt :-) I have less than 3 weeks before WAM and I'm getting a little nervous. I have taken on a great challenge for my first bike event.

Indoor training

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

It was about 8pm when I finally got a chance to go riding. It was cold and rainy and I wouldn't have enough time to ride before dark. I put the trainer tire on and rode indoors. It doesn't give me as much resistance as riding outdoors and of course there are no hills, but I can't coast indoors so I have to keep pedaling. I rode for an hour (15.5 miles).