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