30 miles in the wind: 2 flat tires, 1 crash and a broken shoe

Let me start by saying that not all trainings are created equal.  True, most of them are amazing and downright enjoyable, but there are the few that are not so great.

Remember my first time attempting to run 18 miles?
Yeah, not so great.

 But while not all trainings are created equal, they are all equally opportunities for growth and lessons learned.  And yesterday's training was an opportunity for both.

It started out with the team meeting at a park off of Floating Feather in Eagle.  The plan was to ride out through the countryside where there were rolling hills in a large loop for about 30 miles.  It was windy, and the clouds threatened rain, but we pushed on, determined to get our mileage in.  The first few miles were fairly unexciting.  We had a tail wind that was pushing us along nicely and it didn't seem to difficult to keep my pace around 19mph.  But after 6 or 7 miles things were starting to feel harder for me.  We still had a tailwind, but I was having to work pretty hard to keep up with the pack.  Soon I fell far behind, and Coach Brad circled back to ride with me.  He told me to pull over so we could check my tires.  And it was then, at mile 10 that we discovered my tires were only at 60 psi (they are supposed to be around 110).

No wonder I was beat!  I was having to work overtime to just keep my tires going.

So we (Coach Brad really) put air in my tires and I thought all would be well.
And it was.
For about 2 more miles. 

We were in the thick of our hills - rolling through Deep Canyon in Star, Idaho and climbing our way to the other side.  Coach Daniel rolled up beside me and asked how I was doing.  I was not doing well and told him so.
"I'm stronger than this," I said.  "But everything hurts.  My legs are cramping and I'm mentally over it."
He began asking me what I was drinking (Gatorade and water) and eating (Clif Bar) and how often.  We chatted a few minutes about it when he suddenly said, "your front tire is flat.  Pull over."

Flat #1

Coach Brad (who is a CHAMP!) showed me how to change my flat.  Since it was storming (still windy, and still rainy) he buzzed through it pretty quickly so we could all get going again.

After fixing the flat I was excited to take on the rest of the hills.  I figured NOW everything would be alright, and I could ride with less pain.  (Air in the tires makes a huge difference.  Take my word for it.)

I pulled up next to the team, who were all waiting so patiently for me at the top of the next hill.  Being overly excited and joking with them about being ready to ride for real now, I forgot to unclip my foot before stopping and promptly fell over.  Yep.

We were off again.  With only a few more hills to go I figured I could lick this no problem.
I would have loved it if that were the case.
Really.

About 5 miles later, after huffing and puffing, cramping and hurting and falling well behind the team's pace line I discovered another flat front tire.

Flat #2

Coach again replaced the tube in my tire and discovered that we had missed a step when replacing the first one.  ALWAYS check the tire for the cause of the flat.  While it may be a fluke, or pinched tube, it may also be because you picked up a friend along the way.  I happened to have picked up a nasty little goat-head.  So while we'll never know for sure, it is most likely that the second tube popped right after replacing the first one, and I had now huffed and puffed for another 5 miles on a flat front tire.
I was so ready to be done. 

We (Coach Brad really) replaced the second one and were off again.  About 3 miles down the road we caught up to the patiently waiting team and I discovered that I could not unclip my left foot from the bike. I was stuck.  Long story short on this one, my clip had come loose and Coach Daniel had to pry it from the bike in order to tighten it back up.  Who knows how long it had been loose, but it was causing me to loose efficiency in pedaling while it was.

With two working tires, a fixed shoe, and a bike checked (I had the coaches check my bike just in case something else could have possibly gone wrong) we were ready to ride the last 10 miles back to our cars.

I have never been so happy to see my car.

I know I started off this post by saying that this training was not so great, but I want to retract that statement and clarify.  While it wasn't the smoothest of rides, or even the easiest (by far) it was a great training experience.  I am so proud of myself for finishing.  Believe me, I did not want to.  Many times I thought about an exit strategy and how it might work for me to quit.  But I didn't.  A year ago that would not have been the case.  I've grown a lot over the last 14-ish months, and I owe a lot (if not nearly all) of that to Team in Training.

I joked with my team about milking this ride for all that it is worth for donations to the cause.  Saying that this ride better earn at least $500 for cancer research.  And while that would be awesome (really awesome!) I think this ride earned me much more than that in confidence and determination.
I got this.
No one can stop me, but me.

Stats
Distance: 28.66 miles
Max Speed: 27.8 mph
Total Distance on Odometer: 91.8 miles

I Like to Ride My Bicycle... I Like to Ride My Bike

I asked my friend, and fellow photographer, Joncee May to take some photos of me with my bicycle for my upcoming fundraising postcards.  We headed out to the Greenbelt in Garden City and had a great time snapping some photos.  I can't wait to get my postcards in the mail!

Thanks Joncee!

And perhaps my favorite shot of all...

(Don't worry, it was completely staged)

Recommitment

It's that time of the season again... time to recommit!  Halfway during the training season you are given the option of turning in the funds that you've raised for LLS and walking away - no harm, no foul.  Or you can sign the papers and dedicate yourself to finishing this great task.  There are many reasons someone might not recommit (injury, bad timing, low funds raised, etc) but MANY reasons one will continue the task as well. 

The recommitment party is one of the highlights of the season.  We meet at Joe's Crab Shack and (after handing over our credit card info in case we don't raise our minimum - more on that later) we karaoke and party our tushies off.

This year's party fell on St. Patrick's Day, so many green beers were consumed.

TNT staffers Dan and Lynne started us off with a little "Love Shack"

Teammate Michelle got her Bieber Fever on

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

Really, we do :)

Jake redeemed himself by rocking a little Blink 182 after the girls tricked him into some Brittany Spears "Oops I Did It Again"

Our beloved marathon coaches Mike and Louise danced the night away.  How cute are these two?!

Triathlon coach, Roman, rocked the Kid Rock after refusing to dazzle us with his Lady Gaga

All-in-all the recommitment party was a great success!  The team is so big this season, and it's such a great thing to see so many people working their tales off to help save lives!!

Hills, and Beer and Road Rash... Oh My!

Friday night Dacia invited me to crash the triathlon team's training and join her for a ride along the Greenbelt.  Not one to pass up the opportunity to hang out with the amazing people in Team in Training, I accepted and met her after work for a ride.  We rode the 5 or so miles from her house to Lucky 13 where we met up with the rest of the group.  Later we rode back to her house in the dark.  It was a bit cold, a bit dodgy, and 100% awesome!

In the parking lot of Lucky 13, triathlon coach Roman no doubt telling a very entertaining story.

We ducked inside Lucky 13 and had a few beers and shot the breeze for a couple hours.  I think all training rides should end this way.  What a fun and relaxing way to spend an evening... in our spandex.  Ha!

Saturday morning the cycling team started out from Fort Boise at 11:00 for our 25 miler.  I love how big our group is this season!  We're missing about 5 members from this photo even.  Everyone out there is working hard to kick cancer in the ass!!

Here I am about 5 miles into the ride.  There were headwinds pushing against us the whole way.  Having spent the last year on a bike in the spin room I didn't realize how much of a difference wind makes!  I'm excited to get stronger and faster and cut through the wind like it's nothing {hopefully} soon!

We stopped in the parking lot at Lucky 13 to say hello to fellow teammate Ingrid at her salon.  I've been warned that I'll undoubtedly take a few spills due to my clip-in shoes until I get used to them, and I didn't disappoint.  As we pulled into the lot I remembered to unclip my right foot before stopping, and then leaned my bike to the left for my dismount.  Oops!  I quickly realized my mistake, but just held on and went with it.  I was completely fine, but my ego was bruised a bit.  Nothing a good laugh couldn't fix though.  I picked myself up, snapped a pic of my road rash and we took off again.

Next up on our course was tackling the hill to Lucky Peak Lake.  Having only driven this hill a few times, I was not quite sure what I was in for.  Climbing hills in the spin room is far different from climbing them on the bike though, of that I was certain.  We stopped at the base of the hill to grab some water and nourishment (almonds and raisins) before heading up.  The experienced members of my team told me what to expect and how to handle the hill, and we took off. 

I don't think it was harder than I expected necessarily, but it was difficult for sure.  Byron, who could have easily flown up the hill in no time, stayed with me the whole way.  About halfway up, I looked down at my bike computer and I saw I was only going 4mph!  "This sucks B," I said, "I'm going to be on this hill forever!"  I had to take a quick stretching rest halfway up.  I told Byron that my leg was cramping and we took a few minutes.  I think my leg was just an excuse though, and I was mentally hitting a wall.  I knew I could push my bike the rest of the way, but didn't want to.  I really wanted to make it up this hill.

I climbed back on my bike and started pedaling again as fast as I could.  I was really low mentally, and wanted to quit and just meet them at the bottom.  Suddenly Byron came up from behind me and said, "how great is it that we're out here and not stuck in some hospital?  We can be out here, riding up this hill and having a great day, and not have to worry about our meds."  He is so right and that was just the boost I needed!!  I kept pedaling and pretty soon I was at the top!

I'm excited to tackle this hill time and again.  I've set a benchmark now, and my goal is to climb without stopping, and increase my pace.  I love have benchmarks to beat.

Teammates Becky Lee, Julie and I at the top.

While climbing the hill was super tough and kicked my butt a bit, coming the down the hill was AWESOME!  It felt like it took only 30 seconds and I felt like I was flying.  I chanced a glance down at my speedometer and it read 27 mph!  I know that's not very fast in a car, but it felt awesome on a bicycle!

The rest of the ride back to Fort Boise was beautiful.  It was the perfect spring day.

I love my TEAM, I love this cause, and I love riding my bicycle and proving to myself time and again that I CAN DO THIS!

Stats
Distance: 23.54 miles
Max Speed: 27.6 mph
Total Distance on Odometer: 49.9

If you haven't had the opportunity, (or have, and want to give again!) to give a tax free donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit my fundraising site here.  I'm just over 50% of my goal, and with your help, I KNOW we can surpass it and save even more lives like Byron's.

Are you wondering where your money goes and how it helps? 

• $20 pays for nutrients to grow cells in a lab for one week that will be used to test new anticancer drugs.

• $50 will register 1 person to be a bone marrow donor.

• $100 will pay for the cost of 4 patient's chemotherapy drug prescription co-payments.

• $300 will train 25 peer volunteers who can provide emotional support to newly diagnosed patients.

• $500 will provide patient aid to a person with Leukemia or a related cancer for a year.

Riding Bicycles Outdoors!

We woke up to gray, rainy skies and cold weather, but I didn't care.  Today was the day.
The day for... riding bicycles outdoors!

On my way to our coach's house, I could not contain my excitement...

First up was our patient honoree potluck.  This is such an emotional morning.  Many patients, many stories, many beautiful hearts... all beating for one great mission.  Let's CURE cancer!!
Below is our amazing nutritionist and patient honoree Hilary Horton Brown and myself.

Then it was time to ride!  Here I am with my beautiful new Jamis, all ready to hit the road.  It was a bit chilly, so don't mind my puffy layers...

The ever-amazing Byron and me...

Well, my Jamis is officially broken in now.  Muddy, rainy and beautiful :)

My shoes are legit now too!

Stats for today:

• Distance: 14.59 miles
• Average Speed: 14.9 mph
• Max Speed: 22.2 mph

All-in-all a great ride on a great day!!

Spin Until Your Legs Fly Off

I began my morning by noticing that my bottom half is beginning to tone up and "take shape" again. This made me happy, and put me in quite a good mood before training :)

To the Y for spin class!

My spin bike for the day.  We'll call her "Bertha."

Mentors, and my personal inspirations, Brad and Byron warming up.

Cutie Brandie saying hello.

Roni, Loni and Dacia ready to ROCK it!

Julie and Coach Daniel are so fast!

My feet are going to fly off :)

Ahhh... nothing like a little yoga after a good spin session.

Oh how I love my TEAM.  

The end.

A Few Exciting Announcements

My new business cards came in the mail today...

I'd like to formally introduce you to Jamis...

And, I give you "flying baby"...

Barely holding it together

I just had my headshots taken for Eagle Magazine (I'm a writer on their publications team) by a young man I had never met before.  While setting up for my session, I noticed his shoes.  They were the same shoes I wore to train for, and eventually complete, my marathon in October.  I pointed this out.  Here's how the conversation went:

Me: "Hey, I have those same shoes!"
Him: "Yeah?  Don't you love them?"
Me: "Yes!  I ran my first marathon in them in October.  So know that they will hold up for you."
Him: "Wait, are you the staffer that wrote the story about the man who runs to raise money for people with cancer?"
Me: "YES!  That's the group I trained and ran with!  We train for endurance events in exchange for raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Have you heard of them?"
Him: "No.  But my daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia in October."

SLAM.

Me: "Oh, I am so sorry to hear that!  How old is your daughter?"
Him: "2."

DOUBLE SLAM

Stories like this are all too common.  It breaks my heart to hear that his daughter is living her life in a hospital, hooked to machines and receiving medication that causes so much good, but so much damage in her little body.  I hurt for his family, having to be strong, but having to deal with the unknown- what does this mean for her future, what does this mean for her family?  I can't help but focus on the fact that she is the same age as my niece.  Her father shared with me her blog that her mom is keeping as a journal.  I visited it after he left, and sat with tears at my desk. 

She instantly reminded me of my niece.  How would I handle getting the news that my niece, this little bundle of love that I treasure so much, is sick?  I pray that I never have to know.  I pray that no other parent, aunt, grandparent, cousin, brother, sister, friend or otherwise will ever have to hear that someone they love is sick.  I'm tired of it.  I'm ready for the world to be rid of cancer.

This is why I train.  I feel like I have to do something... anything.  I feel like by raising this money, and staying focused on the task at hand, I can somehow make a small difference.  And with the thousands of people across the nation who are making this same small difference, it adds up to one BIG difference.   
Together we can help.  Together we can make a difference.  Together we can save lives.

Would you like to make a difference with me?  Please do so, here.

And we're off...

I'm once again training with TNT to participate in an amazing endurance event. This past October I raised $3500 for LLS and ran a marathon in San Francisco... this time I will be riding my bike 100 miles around Lake Tahoe!!

I'm so excited to be training again with my wonderful team! Training started this past Saturday with a spin class and core workout. We'll be spinning indoors through February, and then we'll hit the road!

Stay tuned for lots of awesome updates! And don't forget you can help me SAVE LIVES by donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society here!


I got a new set of shoes just for riding. They clip onto special pedals to give you more power for a better ride. It's a little scary to think I'll be attached to the bike, and have to remember to unclip them before I stop. I'm sure I'll get it eventually, but until then I expect to fall many times.

The inspiring words on the wall of the Y spin classroom.

My new bike!! It's on layaway right now, but I can't wait to own her outright and take her for a spin!