Wednesday, June 24, 2009

100k training ride DONE!

Yay - did my 100 km training ride last weekend. It was a tough route, but good.

The whole process of the rides has inspired me to really think about why I like doing this long-distance cycling thing.... and I really think it's the same reason I liked training for the half-marathon.

Endurance activities are a delicate balance of mental and physical, at least in my world. I'll never be the fastest, my body isn't naturally athletic, but I've learned that it takes more stubbornness and preparation than anything to do endurance sports.

I like them because something happens to you in the middle of a long run or ride - and by long I mean long, a 20km run, or a 100km ride:

You start out confident, because it's just a little bit further than the last one.

And then you hit the first hill, or headwind, or rough terrain, and it gets hard FAST, you suddenly start to wonder if you've bitten off more than you can chew. Maybe you're not enough

You do a quarter of the distance and tell yourself it'll be okay - only three more of those.

You push through your first half and take a short break, at that point you're feeling enthused because you made it to the turn point -- but in the back of your mind there's a tiny voice asking you how the hell you're going to get going again.

Somewhere between the beginning of that 2nd half, and the 3/4 mark the mental part kicks in. It starts to physically HURT, and it starts to hurt BAD. Your body is revolting against you, you're getting sharp pains where you haven't gotten them before, and all your muscles are protesting. Your brain starts beating you down; you're not fast enough, fit enough, strong enough. What is your backup plan when this inevitably fails and you have to call a taxi? Everything hurts and you want to cry because you obviously suck at being sporty, but you tell yourself to keep pushing on, a cab is way too expensive from the middle of nowhere anyways -- wait until you make it into the city limits and can catch the bus.

And then something happens....... it all changes in a second. Suddenly you realize your joints don't hurt anymore - you have beat your body into submission and now it's just doing it. You realize you've come really effin' far. You realize you only have an hour to go, and at least it's still light out. You start planning your next seven meals. You fly down hills, and make your way up them in a matter of fact way. Suddenly you're the most talented athlete in the world (it also helps that at this point the super-riders in their super-spandex have already finished, gone home, and you're surrounded by those of a similar caliber as yourself).

You finish sore, but ultimately realize it was worth it. You sit carefully on the subway to head home, vaguely proud of the heinous athletic odor surrounding you and the errant grease accenting your now define muscles.


In a matter of hours, you've gone from confidence, to rock bottom, to the top of the world. And you went really far in the process.

THAT is why I like endurance sports.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Yay! Stuff bought!

Okay -- so the updated list of things I need
- tubes - 700Cx18-25mm tubes with a minimum 48mm presta valve. Yay - bought 5!
- a new patch kit, Got it!
- handlebar bag to hold stuff on the rally. ($50) Checked them out -- not sure I need it as the Camelback is AWESOME.
- Martha also needs a tire change kit for her bike.
- Rim tape Done!
- Mr. Tuffy tire liners Bought and installed!
- new handlebars Purchased at CBN for $5, must now install them!
- new shorts! (very important!!!) - Bought one pair of awesome ones, may need another pair, but we'll see.
- new gloves Yay!

Thanks Mom!

I also picked up a new pair of sunglasses that are designed for sporty things - both for the sun protection and to have a barrier to keep flying rocks, dust & bugs out of my eyeballs (it happens!). Mountain Equipment Coop has GREAT ones for only $20!

AND I got a duffel bag to bring all my camping gear BACK from Montreal in.


I think I'm all ready to go really.... equipment wise anyways - to which my mom gets HUGE credit for.

Now just to finish up the training and to get the bike tuned.

Oh, and I crashed last weekend, HARD.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Whoh!

So I checked the figures yesterday, and including donations that haven't yet been counted (because they are through a monthly plan, or have given cash) - - I only have $80 worth of fundraising to go before I hit the minimum! WHOH! Crazy!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Lovely mid-week riding.

On the weekend I joined the bike rally 80k ride to Oakville, and then I went home and lay down on the couch, my legs unwilling me to move even slightly. It was a little bit horrible, especially because I ended up missing our team's social - - because I wasn't feeling like walking to the bus, and didn't get my shite together to make something for the potluck so I didn't want to show up empty handed. Too bad though - my teammates make some GREAT food.

And YESTERDAY I left work early to get my hair cut (lost at least 2 inches hurrah!), then met Martha for a wicked awesome ride to Aurora on the same route I did a week and a half ago. It was WAY better the 2nd time around, probably because I knew what was coming, but I am also attributing that win to the donuts I ate beforehand (I love donuts!). But Mar was such a superstar, and battled through despite many sore areas, and it was a GREAT day to be riding.

The evening was topped up in the form of electrolytes in the form of purple powerade and grilled cheese.

:)