Preping for my first bike event

I spent the rest of the week recovering, relaxing and stressing about my first bike event. First of all, I didn't sleep well all week, and tried to make a list of all the things I would need this weekend. Camping and biking 150 miles just doesn't seem right to me. Trying to remember your sleeping bag, along with trying to make sure you have short gloves, long gloves, extra tubes, co2 cartridges, cycling shoes, protein drinks, fruit, medicines, and energy drinks, ugh! My head is hurts and quite frankly is spinning. Anyway, I just wanted to share a few pictures with you before I finished packing and say thank you for your continued support and words of encouragement. I would not be riding in this event if it wasn't for you who were kind enough to donate to this cause. Please keep me in your prayers as I get ready for this weekends challenge as the wind has decided to come out and play. For those of you who do not ride a bike it is difficult to keep a bike still or at times upright in windy conditions. However, if the wind is blowing just right, it almost seems as if someone is giving you a small push from behind. :)  Enjoy the pics. This is from one of our training rides in January.

82 miles

I took a day off work today so I could participate in the last MS 150 training ride. I was a little apprehensive as my team leader has cycled over 200 miles this week as was not going to attend this ride. However, she assured me that I would be fine and I could use the time in the saddle. A couple of the girls I ride with on Saturday were going to be there so I was not concerned. This ride began a little around 0730 and the group started off fast & furious. The continued pounding the pedals throughout the duration of the ride. Even in some pretty strong headwinds. Sarah and I did what we could, but felt a little pushed. We finished the ride together around 1400. Sarah never left my side, thanks Sarah!!! Six months ago, I never thought I would see the day when I would be riding 82 miles and burning approximately 3300 calories. :)  The real fun started when I started hacking and couldn't stop on the way home. I knew what that meant. For those of you that don't know I am an asthmatic. It meant that my lungs were pushed to hard and now there were going to shut down. I tried to make them happy with some puffs from my albuterol inhaler. I started to worry a little when it didn't work. I came home and gave myself a breathing treatment and it worked. My lungs were able to open up. :) I was then able to soaked in some lavender epsom salt. ahh... my legs still feel like I am dragging some bricks along every time I walk, ouch! Time for some ibuprofen and bed! Thanks to all of you who called to check on me!

St. Patty's Day

While most people spent the day wearing geen and drinking green beer. My day started at 0430. I reluctantly woke up, made some coffee and put my tri swimsuit on and headed off to my 2nd swim lesson. The good news is that Phoenix is warming up and it was not quite as cold as the last time I swam. However, it was still cold. We are not in our normal pool, so things were a little chaotic. Once we were settled, Coach Bryan was determined to teach me how to breathe in the pool. He informed me that taking a breathe while swimming was not done by turning your head to the side. It was done by turning the whole the body to the side. So, guess who learned how to swim on her side yesterday? Well, I am not sure I learned how to swim on my side. I swallowed a lot of water, got a lot of water up my nose, and did a lot of coughing. By the end of swim practice, I was frustrated and convinced that I was never going to swim. Swimming on your side feels like you are drowning and somehow feels unnatural! I was given homework by my coach to do on the floor at home, ha ha! But, I am sticking with it and doing my homework!

At 5p.m. we went riding in Ahwatukee. I am not sure how many miles we rode because my cycling computer has decided to grow a mind of its own. However, I think it was about 18-20 miles. LaVerne decided that we would have a mini in-service on changing flats in front of Subway. :) Laura, Dee, and LB were going to be in a tri on Sunday, so it was important for them to know how to change tires. We all changed our front tires. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Cycling w/the ladies

Every other Friday morning, I ride with the ladies in Ahwatukee. I look forward to this ride as Ahwatukee has some beautiful rolling hills. Reminds me of the place in grew up. Yesterday, I thought about staying in bed as I woke up feeling so tired and lethargic. However, I remembered that the ladies usually call me when I show up late or don't show up. I decided to avoid this and drag myself out of bed. Like clock work the girls were texting at 0725 to make sure I was just going to be late. I love those girls! We rode 25 miles and did quite a few hills for a Friday ride. I think I may be getting a little better at hills since the girls tell me I have wings when I climb hills. :) Often times I am one of the first one up to the top. What they don't know is that I just need to get it done and over with asap!

Saturday's ride with the Ladies always impresses me. We had 25 ladies show up for our group ride. Today we were going to meet Linda B. One of the ladies who is ride cross country, she started in San Diego about a week ago and is riding straight through to Florida, amazing! Yes, on a bicycle. Today's ride was mostly flats with a few little hills to warm the legs as I hear tomorrow's ride is going to be a bear! We rode a little under 30 miles and rejoiced with our fellow teammate. Below you will find a pics of Linda with our group leader, LaVerne who I like to call momma bear. She takes care of all the ladies like we were her little cubs. She is motivating, patient, kind, and giving. Everything you would expect from a true leader. Thanks, LaVerne.

Hope you enjoyed the pics, I need to get ready and get some rest for tomorrows 60+ mile ride. Wish me luck!

March 9, 2010 - My Inner Mermaid

This morning I was woken up by the the annoying buzzing of my alarm at 0420. I was thinking - am I dreaming? Why is my alarm going off so early it is not a work day and why do my legs feel like bricks!! Well, my legs felt like bricks because a few of my team members who are getting ready for a tri did something called hill repeats in Scottsdale with our team leader, LaVerne. The hill was .7 of a mile with a 8% grade. The goal was to climb it 5 times without stopping at the top or the bottom. I got up the first time and thought, "there has to be something wrong with my head".  Who climbs hills for fun!! I do!!
I found this lovely driveway halfway up, I would turn in make a u-turn; get a second wind and climb to the top. I did this 4 times. It was a great learning experience and one that will make my legs stronger.

How could I forget that today was my first swim lesson in 30 yrs. I got up slowly, made a cup of coffee, turned up the heater and changed into a very unflattering 1 piece bathing suit. I text LaVerne to ensure she was meeting me there as I am a shy girl. She said the swimming would be good for sore legs. So, I headed out the door with my swim cap and goggles. Although it was an outdoor pool, the pool was heated. Believe it or not, it was still cold. Yes, even in AZ. The swim coach was patient, made me feel comfortable and continued to give me words of encouragement.  I am no longer afraid of the water. Although, he did put me in the baby pool. :) I can't wait to go to my next lesson. I think I am on my way to finding to my inner mermaid.

Guidance & Equipment

The last couple of days I was told by my cycling team leader, Laverne, I could do anyting if I put my mind to it. Mind you, this is the woman that told me I could ride something called, "the towers" on one of my first bike ride with her 3 months ago. I had never done any climbing on my bike. She encouraged me and told me I was a strong rider; not to worry. Little did I know it was a 5 mile climb where you gain 1800 ft in elevation. I have heard some people say they are frightened when they drive this road. Needless to say, I did make it to the top after a few tears, and a push from a very experienced cyclist named Charlie (it was liking having an extra gear). The feeling of completing such a challenge was exhilarating. This is where my love/hate relationship of hills began...


I decided to order a couple of books, so that I would have some guidance on how to start running & swimming. I ordered: "The Woman Triathlete" and "Sports Nutrition". I also ordered two new pairs of cycling shorts, sugoi evolution and shebeest S-Pro shorts. These cycling shorts are for longer distance riding. I sure hope this works as my crotch is killing me after 60 miles!

I believe I have found the sprint triathlon I am going to sign up for, it is in Anthem on Sept. 4, 2010. This tri consist of a 400 meter swim, a fast 12.4 mile bike jaunt, and a 3.1 mile run. I should have already signed up, but I am a little scared. Although this does give me ample time to train - 6 months. But, I only have every other weekend free due to my schedule. hmmm... 

The Plan

I decided to start this blog, so that I can be accountable and see my progress as I start this crazy journey of becoming an athlete. Five an a half months ago I never thought I would be able to ride a road bike more than 10 miles. I wondered why anyone in their right mind would spend $75.00 on cycling shorts and why people were so passionate about sitting on a tiny seat for hours at a time. After initially learning the basics from an ex-boyfriend I was left without any direction after 2 months. Those of you who know a cyclist, know this is barely enough time to start learning about gears and how to clip in and out. Thank goodness I found a wonderful group of girls called, "the ladies". This is a wonderful group of women who are passionate about cycling, teach other women the essentials of cycling, and they ride on a weekly basis rain or shine. They welcomed me with open arms. It has been three months since I started riding with these women and I can't believe the progress I have made. These women have watched me fall over gracefully, cried over hills, and these women have continued to speak words or encouragement. I am currently riding 60 miles and at the end of this month I will try and conquer the MS 150 - 2 days, 150 miles.

For the last couple of months I have decided that I should probably try to run and swim as I am not getting any younger. Besides, I have always had a pretty flat stomach and I have recently noticed a few extra pounds in the waist area. Could this be due to age? Ugh, I am not aging gracefully! So, this is my attempt at aging gracefully! Several of the girls I ride with speak highly of triathalons and many of them have done them, so why not? A sprint tri has always been on my "bucket list". Why a 38 yr old women would even try to swim after a 30 yr hiatus is beyond me. I hate being wet and I hate being cold. Furthermore, I don't run unless something is chasing me, so this should be fun!