Metcalf

The LIVESTRONG Challenge route planners have a sadistic side to them or a twisted sense of humor. At about mile 75 (out of 100) they've decided to throw one of the tougher hills in our area at the riders. A fellow rider from my bike club told me that Metcalf, at about a mile and a half long and almost exactly 1000 ft difference from bottom to top, has about the same average steepness as many of the hills the Tour de France riders climb each year. Granted, the "hills" they climb are actually mountains and much, much longer. But still, climbing Metcalf does make you feel like you're suffering like some poor domestique trying to stay on the leader's wheel. (Image courtesy of Almaden Cycle Touring Club).

The weather today was spectacular, except for the haze that persists from the fires. It was a comfortable 82 degrees with a cool and gentle breeze blowing. I could have ridden all day if it were not for the other things I needed to get done. I did manage to get in 39 miles, my longest ride yet and I'm beginning to feel more ready for the 100 mile Challenge ride. I'm still not looking forward to Metcalf after having ridden 75 miles though. That really will be a challenge.

Mileage so far: 366.5
Projected mileage: 550
Days left: 14

Bees and Shining Eyes

There are quite a few fires raging in California right now and the air quality is rather poor. It makes for nice sunsets but not so great to ride in. I was coughing more than I'd like after Tuesday night's effort with my bike club which made me decide to take a couple of days off in preparation for riding this weekend. I will probably ride tomorrow (Friday) as well, time permitting.

This leaves me with some time to write about something a bit off-topic: parenting. A friend of mine, and supporter of my Challenge, sent me a link today that was one of the best things I've seen on the internet in quite a while. It's a 20 minute video of a talk titled "Classical Music With Shining Eyes" by Benjamin Zander, a classical music afficionado who enjoys increasing people's appreciation for classical music. As a parent of an 8-year who is learning to play the piano - and doing quite well I might add - this talk really connected with me. And there are some words of wisdom for everyone near the end. If you have 20 minutes to spare you will be glad you watched it. It left me with "shining eyes".

Another link that resonated with me as a parent of school-age children was "Animal School" published by the Raising Small Souls web site. It is difficult to think about our educational system the same way after watching this, and it will make you appreciate your children's differences. Forget the sitcoms tonight. Sit down in front of your computer and watch some thought-provoking videos on the web.

I'm off to go give my bees - I mean boys (watch the Animal School video and you'll understand) - a pat on the shoulder as they sleep. Oh, and I have to play tooth fairy for Weston (Shhhhhhh....).

Energized and Motivated

As I mentioned in an earlier post I wasn't sure what to expect going into this Challenge thing. I'm not the best at asking people for money, even if it's for a cause as worthy as fighting cancer. I can say now, three weeks into this, that it has been a truly rewarding experience and one that I would encourage anyone and everyone to do.

I had a few doubts about the physical part but since I've done century rides in the past I figured I would be able to handle that part OK. I set a mileage goal that was challenging but manageable. Twelve miles per day doesn't sound like a lot, especially to some of my cycling friends, but it is when you have a family and job to look after. If you miss a day, then guess what? You're looking at 24 miles the next day and so on. So far I have enjoyed the time on the bike so much that the miles have ticked away rather enjoyably.

The other part, the fundraising, was a big unknown to me. I've donated to many causes in the past so I knew it well enough from that side, but to get donations and words of encouragement from friends and family is really a big mental boost. In many ways it shows off the best of the human spirit, and it's impossible not to be moved and motivated by that. And some of the letters I've received along with the donations have satisfied the Jimmy V daily requirement #3. The health benefits are tangible now - 8 lbs. lost and counting - but it's the connections I've made (or re-made) and the names and stories I ride with in my head that are the true reward.

On the fundraising front I am excited to report that I met my primary goal today! It took me 16 days to do it and I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can exceed it in the remaining days. I've created an additional goal for myself to increase my training mileage 1 mile for every $5 over my goal that I receive, so if you've thought about donating then it's not too late. You can get me to ride more and help even more people in their fight against cancer. And a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me reach my initial fundrasing goal. You are the wind at my back.

I did ride today: a fast-paced 27 miles with the bike club I belong to. Thanks guys and gals for the quality, butt-kicking workout. I would not have ridden that hard without you.

Mileage so far: 310.5
Projected mileage: 543
Days left: 18

Pedaling On

Friday and Saturday were blistering hot but I rode anyhow. Today the temperature dipped almost 25 degrees and I was rewarded with some fabulous time on the bike. It's amazing how much the weather can affect the overall enjoyment of a ride. It also helps that my leg strength continues to improve and I've shed about 5 pounds already. It's time consuming riding this much but it has definite advantages. My challenge after this will be to keep riding and not let my work schedule interfere as much as I let it this past year.

It's about time for an updated graph to show where I am on my mileage goal:


I'm going to take the day off tomorrow and then ride my bike club's Tuesday night training ride which is always a fast paced workout and great for tuning up the cardio-vascular system.

Mileage so far: 283.5
Projected mileage: 513
Days left: 20

Strength Returning

I rode at lunchtime today (the 2008 summer solstice) which was a bit of a mistake. The weather reports put San Jose at a high of 102 degrees today and I think I pretty much hit it at or near the peak. You don't quite notice how hot it is while you're riding because of the wind, but it is quite evident when you stop riding and it takes you two hours - seriously - to return to a normal body temperature.

Despite the heat it felt great to be out there on the bike. I was able to clear the rollers (small hills) in my big chainring which I had not been able to do since resuming training, so that's an encouraging sign. Also, I climbed Camden which is a medium sized, gradual ascent hill in my big chainring and I was quite excited about that. Another 24.5 miles added to my log and I'm now almost exactly on pace. With some extra time for riding this weekend I should be ahead of the pace by Monday.

Mileage so far: 236.5
Projected mileage: 497
Days left: 22

Fundraising update

What do San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and The Netherlands all have in common? Locations from which I received donations today. This was the second best day of fundraising, bettered only by the first day. It's exciting and inspiring to get this support from family and friends. Thank you again to everyone who has helped put me in position to make my fundraising goal. I'm only $115 dollars away with three weeks to go and while I don't want to let up too much, it's looking pretty good for me to make the $3000 goal. So good, in fact, that I've decided to update my mileage goal. I'm going to challenge myself to maintain a $5/mile pace. This means for every $5 I raise over $3000 I will ride another mile in training for the LIVESTRONG Challenge century ride. So if you haven't donated yet here's your chance to make me get out and suffer ride even more! Go for it! I know I'm up for it. Are you?

Funds raised so far: $2,885.00
Funds left to go: $115
Days left: 23

Terrain of Truth

Like some cyclists I know I have a strange predilection for climbing hills, long steep hills. I refer to hills as the "terrain of truth" because there's no way to hide your weaknesses on a hill. I used to be a really strong climber, back in my younger days. Now I mostly struggle up them like the majority of cyclists, but this doesn't mean I like them any less. Almost every one of my training rides for the LIVESTRONG Challenge has included a hill (or two) of some kind.

Today, spurred on by a conversation with a colleague at work, I decided to try climbing Hicks Road, one of the real quad-busters in our area. The south side is less steep so I looped around through New Almaden, an interesting little town that time has mostly forgotten (except for a few multi-million dollar mansions that are popping up here and there). I figured I had put enough miles in my legs to not destroy my knees although this didn't make the climb any easier. Riding near my anaerobic threshold most of the way I could feel the lactic acid building up in my legs. Also, sunscreen-laced sweat ran into my eyes which were being simultaneously besieged by the infamous Hicks summer gnats. To say I was ready to turn around and take the long way back home on flatter roads would be something of an understatement. I persevered, however, and made it to the top cursing that blasted hill. The loop did give me some extra miles and I'm even closer to being back on track. And I received a donation from Tasmania today! Garrett, our 8-year old son, would say to that: "Maximum awesomeness!"

Mileage so far: 212
Projected mileage: 495
Days left: 24

Happy Birthday Robin

We returned from four fun-filled and exhausting days of outdoor fun at San Jose Family Camp yesterday. Everyone had a blast, the kids especially, and I hopped back into the regular swing of things today despite being a bit light-headed. I wasn't sure I was going to get in a ride today, seeing as how I was worn out and it was Robin's birthday. We had plans to take her out for dinner but she still allowed me to squeeze in an hour ride. She said to me last week when I wasn't feeling like riding: "Cancer doesn't take breaks, so you shouldn't either." That was more than enough motivation to get me on the bike then and those words echoed in my mind this evening as I headed out for a 1-hour, 17-mile ride. I needed another 15 miles to get back on track from my 4-day hiatus but I'll chip away at those miles this weekend.

On the fundraising front things have slowed a bit, but I am still receiving donations and encouraging words from friends and family. Thank you again to everyone who has helped so far. It's still too early to tell which is going to be the more difficult goal to reach: 600 total miles (including the event) or $3,000 raised.

Mileage so far: 189
Projected mileage: 467
Days left: 25

Funds raised so far: $2,035
Funds left to go: $965

Seven Straight

The title of this post does not refer to Lance's Tour de France victories but rather the number of consecutive days I've ridden. I've maintained a good pace this week and have gone from a projected total of 155 miles last Thursday to 602 today. Tomorrow we leave for four days of relaxation in the mountains and when I return my projected total will be down to 452. That will be more than enough motivation to hop back on the bike and get riding again. I'm definitely feeling faster, lighter and stronger ("Citius, Caudicarius, Fortius" - my own Olympic motto).

Mileage so far: 172
Projected mileage: 602
Days left: 30

Thank You!

As I mentioned previously I wasn't sure what to expect when I sent out my request for help. Well, my high school teacher taught me never, ever to use the phrase, "needless to say" ("If something is needless to say," she opined, "then why say it?"), but I'm going to eschew that advice and say that needless to say, I've got some amazing family members and friends. The outpouring of support has been truly inspiring. I got my first donation within 10 minutes of sending out my plea for help. That was a rush. Then the next day I received several more donations. I'm moved by the support I've received so far. Several of you have sent me emails mentioning people you know who are battling cancer. You and the people you care about are among the thoughts that run through my mind as I pedal toward my goal. Your support means a lot to me and I'm as motivated as ever to make this my most important century ride ever. Thank you again!

Funds raised so far: $1,675
Funds left to go: $1,325

On Track (for now)

I commuted to work yesterday (13.5 miles round trip) and participated in my bike club's weekly training ride this evening and for the first time since I started this venture I'm finally above the 500 mile pace mark. This is good news, but trouble looms... We're leaving Friday for a 4-day camping trip, which means 0 miles for those days. I need to ride 72 miles in the next two days to not leave myself in a mileage hole when we return. I don't think I've got 72 miles in me the next two days, particularly considering that I've now ridden 5 straight days to finally get on track. Next week will be another challenge for me to get back on track. The good news here is that I'm feeling in better shape than I've been in for quite a while.



Mileage so far: 120.5
Projected mileage: 508 (yes!)
Days left: 32

Weekend Wrap-up

On Friday things weren't looking too good for my mileage goal. Even after riding that day I was still on pace to make only half of my target miles. Two weekend rides that resulted in a couple of sun-burned arms* have positioned me closer to where I need to be. I'm still not there yet and I'm going camping next weekend (no riding) so it's still going to take some hard work to get fully on track. The daily projected mileage graph is trending in the right direction, however:


* I forgot to use sunscreen on Saturday but I lathered up on Sunday.

Mileage so far: 86.5
Projected mileage: 454
Days left: 34

Inspiration

With over 10 million Americans battling cancer the chances are pretty good that you know someone who is currently fighting cancer or has fought cancer in the past. I lost my Uncle Bob to cancer several years ago. Bob was one of the biggest-hearted people you could possibly meet. He lived in Wisconsin so I didn't get to see him that often but I remember our visits to the dairy state when I was a kid and young adult. Bob always had time for the nieces and nephews and taught me a lot of things that kids growing up in California may not be familiar with.

Another person whose fight against cancer has inspired me is David, a 12-year old San Jose kid who was on the robotics team I coached in 2006. David is a real trouper with an indomitable spirit that is truly inspiring. His determination and drive to be just like the other kids, while undergoing fairly aggressive chemo treatments, is something I think about sometimes when the going gets tough.

Two other people I never met but who have provided more inspiration for me are Jimmy Valvano and Randy Pausch. In 1993 Jimmy V, as he is often called, gave a moving speech at the ESPY awards. In this speech he said that everyone should strive to do three things every day:

• Laugh
• Think
• Cry ("have your emotions moved to tears")
  

"If you laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day, that's a heck of a day," he said. The first two items on that list are easy. If you need any assistance with the third item then I recommend watching his 10 minute speech on YouTube. His cancer foundation's motto is: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." Words to live by.

Randy Pausch is someone you may have heard about already. His Last Lecture video and book became internet sensations a few months ago, and for good reason. I first encountered his work when I downloaded Alice, a programming environment for kids that I was interested in as way to help my kids and robotics team members learn to program in a fun and engaging environment. Randy's group at Carnegie Mellon University was responsible for this great programming tool. More recently, however, Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and he's chosen to spend his remaining days helping others achieve their childhood dreams through his words of wisdom. This 11 minute video from his Oprah appearance provides a short but inspiring glimpse of this amazing person. I've also read his Last Lecture book and highly recommend it. You can also follow Randy's journey on his personal information page.

If there is somebody you would like me to honor during my ride, please let me know. I will display a list of all honorees during my ride. I haven't figured out exactly how I'm going to do this yet, but the actual form of the list will depend on the number of names on it.

Fundraising

The LIVESTRONG Challenge is a benefit ride (or run) and requires participants to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This is my first event of this type so I've never been on this side of the fundraising process. I'm not really sure what to expect but I set a personal goal of $3,000. I'm already a week into my training so that leaves only 5 weeks to go. Can I raise $600 per week, nearly $100 per day? We'll have to see. If you want to help you can go to my LIVESTRONG Challenge page:

Steve's LIVESTRONG Challenge Page

If your employer has a matching gift program then you will need to provide the following information for your matching gift to count towards my goal:

• Participant's name: Steve Dakin
• Challenge City: San Jose
• Participant ID: 223528977

The LIVESTRONG Challenge site has more information about the matching gift process. It can take several weeks for matching gifts to be applied to my account so if you are planning to take advantage of this please do so as early as possible. If you need any assistance with matching gifts just let me know and I'll be happy to do the paperwork for you.

Thank you!

Funds left to raise: $3,000
Days left: 35

Nobody Said It Would Be Easy

I said my project was wrapping up, but that doesn't mean I'm off the hook yet. I was pressed for time again this week so I found myself driving to work to save some extra time. Here it is Friday and I haven't ridden the bike since Sunday. Not a good omen. I decided to work from home so I could take a break in the afternoon for a repeat of Sunday's ride. Aside from a bee flying into my helmet, it was an uneventful ride. I saw the bugger heading for my head and I knew it was going to be a close call. I heard a slight thwack! on the side of my helmet and I wondered if he had managed to avoid the gaping vents on the side and top of my helmet. I reached up tentatively and heard him buzz like crazy. Oh-oh. Thankfully I learned to ride with no hands long ago so I sat up, removed my helmet, brushed out my hair and thanked my lucky stars that I didn't get stung.

Here's a chart that shows how this week affected my projected miles:


I've got a long ways to go...

Mileage so far: 37
Projected mileage: 259
Days left: 36

First Ride

I dusted off the cobwebs (metaphorically speaking) and took the bike out for an easy spin. I did my ol' standby, an 18.5 mile loop that comprises three medium sized hills. These hills are enough to get your heart rate up but not enough to bust your knees, a wise choice considering how long I've been off the bike.

Being a Sunday I was able to stop at the farmer's market on the way home and pick up some peaches. Nothing quite like peaches, I say. I picked out two nice looking ones and handed them to the woman behind the scale. She weighed them and announced the price as $1.50. I handed her $2 and told her to keep the change. She said, "Then you can grab another one." I saved $0.25 cents on that third peach! Sometimes it's the little things in life that really perk me up.

Total mileage so far: 18.5
Projected mileage at this rate: 777 (yeah, right!)
Days left: 41