These are exciting times! I will wake up tomorrow and register for the 2011 Assault on Mt. Mitchell. I am going to bed tonight having achieved my goal of 500 miles for the month of January. I have ridden at least 30 minutes EVERY day for the last 92 days. Good things are happening in my little bicycle universe.
Mt. Mitchell has become the highlight of my biking year. So much so, that after I made it last year, I didn't care what happened the rest of the year. That was a mistake that, even though I had some good times, cost me dearly. I had worked hard to lose 30+ pounds and once I hit my goal, I lost my focus and before you know it, I had re-gained the weight. Blah! That's why, this year, I will have several rides as goals to keep working toward and keep focused on.
I managed to ride 500 miles this past month. That's always a great month for me. It cost me, though; I had to ride about 200 miles in the last 9 days to make it. That kind of mileage sucks out loud on a trainer. I'll set my February goal at 400 because probably all of it will be trainer miles. When March rolls around and I start getting outside, perhaps I'll be able to get some serious miles then. Perhaps this is the year I hit 6000 miles.
Back in November, I decided I would see how many consecutive days I could ride, at least for 30 minutes. That was 1194 miles ago; turns out, I am tired. I have decided now that I would make it to 100 days and cease to ride every day. I have not taken the time to rest, recover, and heal, and I can see it in my performance. The experiment was well worth it, though. I think I have learned much and become a better rider for it. I am looking forward to reaping my reward when I hit the road this spring.
So, a large part of what I do (and probably, what you do) involves goals. Let's all set goals beyond our reach and then work hard to smoke them! Here's to a great 2011!
Be blessed, be safe.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
5 January 2011
Still hammering every day, up to day 66 now! Been fighting a cold since Christmas Eve so I've not quite had the strength I think I should have had. Hard to ride hard when you cannot breathe!
Massaged the calendar a bit today, working out my schedule for the coming year. I have done some great rides in the past and look forward to repeating them this year. Something I do want to add this year: I want to find a ride I can volunteer for, to support. There are always wonderful people at ride departures, rest stops, and waiting at the end, I feel like I owe it to the sport to give back a little in this way. Any ideas?
Another New Year's "resolution" was to lose some weight. I do okay to take it off, it's keeping it off that is the problem. I lost a good chunk of blubber early last year, but once I finished Mt. Mitchell, I lost all motivation and regained it. Need to find something this year that clicks and helps me stay lighter.
Y'all keep turning the pedals and so will I.
Be blessed, be safe.
Massaged the calendar a bit today, working out my schedule for the coming year. I have done some great rides in the past and look forward to repeating them this year. Something I do want to add this year: I want to find a ride I can volunteer for, to support. There are always wonderful people at ride departures, rest stops, and waiting at the end, I feel like I owe it to the sport to give back a little in this way. Any ideas?
Another New Year's "resolution" was to lose some weight. I do okay to take it off, it's keeping it off that is the problem. I lost a good chunk of blubber early last year, but once I finished Mt. Mitchell, I lost all motivation and regained it. Need to find something this year that clicks and helps me stay lighter.
Y'all keep turning the pedals and so will I.
Be blessed, be safe.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year's Eve!
Time to bid adieu to 2010 and wake up to a fresh start! Happy to have hit 4000 miles this year (December was an excellent month!) but looking forward to an even better 2011! Hope your year ends well and starts fantastic. We're looking for some nice temps tomorrow so I hope to start with a metric.
Be blessed, be safe.
Be blessed, be safe.
Monday, December 27, 2010
27 December 2010
'Bout to put a lot of things behind me; Christmas, a lame hunting season, and 2010. It's not been a bad year, busy but not bad.
I finished Mt. Mitchell back in May, very happy about that, and already looking forward to next May and the opportunity to better my time up the mountain. I won't make the 6000 miles I had hoped for but I will make 4000, and I guess I am happy with that.
I learned a lot this year, about biking and nursing. I have become a better ER nurse and even reproduced; I oriented a new nurse who is now on his own and giving to our profession. I took my nursing "on the road" this year, taking two weeks in the summer to go work in health clinics in Samoa. That was a neat opportunity to give to folks something we take for granted here. You think people lack health care here in the States?! You should see the rest of the world!
My hunting season has been lackluster. I've spent the last three months in the woods every chance I get, and the only deer I have seen were roadkill on the interstate. 'Nuff said about that.
Christmas was fun, though played down a bit this year. Took the kids to western NC to get a tree and we were able to go up the mountain and see elk and wild turkey. That was a great and rainy day! Had to work on Christmas Eve and one of my always delightful patients was kind enough to bring me a virus I am still dealing with. It didn't put me down, just kind of aggravating. I'll get over it. Hasn't stopped me from enjoying our favorite Christmas movies with my family.
So, what's next? Well, I have been a bit careless with the holiday eating, so my major New Year's resolution is too work on my weight. I have been exercising like crazy, I just need to fix my dietary habits. Started back on November 1st to ride every day, regardless. When I feel good and have the time, I take a good long ride. If I don't have the time, I try to kill it for at least 30 minutes. When I don't feel so hot, I still ride at least 30 minutes, then usually do whatever it takes to hit 10 miles. Hopefully soon, as I improve, I will be hitting 10 in 30!
As I said earlier, I am excited about 2011 AoMM, and am already preparing myself for it. I would love to do it in 8 hours or so this year, I think I can. Gonna take some work and commitment though.
Get out there and ride.
Be blessed, be safe.
I finished Mt. Mitchell back in May, very happy about that, and already looking forward to next May and the opportunity to better my time up the mountain. I won't make the 6000 miles I had hoped for but I will make 4000, and I guess I am happy with that.
I learned a lot this year, about biking and nursing. I have become a better ER nurse and even reproduced; I oriented a new nurse who is now on his own and giving to our profession. I took my nursing "on the road" this year, taking two weeks in the summer to go work in health clinics in Samoa. That was a neat opportunity to give to folks something we take for granted here. You think people lack health care here in the States?! You should see the rest of the world!
My hunting season has been lackluster. I've spent the last three months in the woods every chance I get, and the only deer I have seen were roadkill on the interstate. 'Nuff said about that.
Christmas was fun, though played down a bit this year. Took the kids to western NC to get a tree and we were able to go up the mountain and see elk and wild turkey. That was a great and rainy day! Had to work on Christmas Eve and one of my always delightful patients was kind enough to bring me a virus I am still dealing with. It didn't put me down, just kind of aggravating. I'll get over it. Hasn't stopped me from enjoying our favorite Christmas movies with my family.
So, what's next? Well, I have been a bit careless with the holiday eating, so my major New Year's resolution is too work on my weight. I have been exercising like crazy, I just need to fix my dietary habits. Started back on November 1st to ride every day, regardless. When I feel good and have the time, I take a good long ride. If I don't have the time, I try to kill it for at least 30 minutes. When I don't feel so hot, I still ride at least 30 minutes, then usually do whatever it takes to hit 10 miles. Hopefully soon, as I improve, I will be hitting 10 in 30!
As I said earlier, I am excited about 2011 AoMM, and am already preparing myself for it. I would love to do it in 8 hours or so this year, I think I can. Gonna take some work and commitment though.
Get out there and ride.
Be blessed, be safe.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
16 December 2010
Wow, where've I been?! Two months since I have posted, what a slacker!! I promise, I have been riding; I've just been working a lot, too. When my time is limited, as it has been, and I have to choose between riding and blogging, I am gonna ride!
Most of my riding, unfortunately, has been on the trainer. I last hit the road over two months ago and it seems when I ride in temps colder than 50 degrees Farenheit, I get these nasty bronchospasms that put me down for several days. Trainer it is.
I am a bit disappointed with my year, although I had a great year (finished Mt. Mitchell!). I started out with a crazy goal of riding 6000 miles this year; NOT gonna happen. Don't know where the time went, but I will manage to break the 4000 mile mark before the New Year cruises in.
Already preparing for next year though, just started the process that will get me an opportunity to climb Mt. Mitchell next May, looking forward to that. Nine days before that will be the Tour de Cure, which I very much enjoy being a part of. And, to the best of my ability, I will again do the MS150, what a great ride!
I never really mention it, but I am an ER nurse; things are going well there, other than the fact that people can do the stupidest things to themselves and each other. I am growing and learning and becoming better at what I do. And at the age of 44, I'm still constantly amazed at how many people I take care of younger than I. People just need to make better decisions! (So do I, working on it!)
Kids out of school today for CHRISTmas break, getting excited about the big day coming up. So, let me take this opporunity to say to the three of you who still read this, Merry CHRISTmas! Hope your holiday season is especially peaceful!
Be blessed, be safe!
Most of my riding, unfortunately, has been on the trainer. I last hit the road over two months ago and it seems when I ride in temps colder than 50 degrees Farenheit, I get these nasty bronchospasms that put me down for several days. Trainer it is.
I am a bit disappointed with my year, although I had a great year (finished Mt. Mitchell!). I started out with a crazy goal of riding 6000 miles this year; NOT gonna happen. Don't know where the time went, but I will manage to break the 4000 mile mark before the New Year cruises in.
Already preparing for next year though, just started the process that will get me an opportunity to climb Mt. Mitchell next May, looking forward to that. Nine days before that will be the Tour de Cure, which I very much enjoy being a part of. And, to the best of my ability, I will again do the MS150, what a great ride!
I never really mention it, but I am an ER nurse; things are going well there, other than the fact that people can do the stupidest things to themselves and each other. I am growing and learning and becoming better at what I do. And at the age of 44, I'm still constantly amazed at how many people I take care of younger than I. People just need to make better decisions! (So do I, working on it!)
Kids out of school today for CHRISTmas break, getting excited about the big day coming up. So, let me take this opporunity to say to the three of you who still read this, Merry CHRISTmas! Hope your holiday season is especially peaceful!
Be blessed, be safe!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Reflections
Today was the 2010 Tour de Camden, a charity ride I have enjoyed participating in for the last few years. I went out with the goal of doing better than last year, and did it! Shaved off 9 minutes with an average speed that was a half mph higher this year, and rode the entire 62 miles without unclipping or stopping. This may not mean a lot to some folks (I read the blogs, there are MONSTERS out there!!) but to me it means this: four years ago when I began riding, I started keeping a journal; I rode every day the first week, for a grand total of 12 miles! I had an old mountain bike (something on it broke EVERY time I went to the woods with it) and I would ride 2 or 3 miles a day around my neighbourhood, and felt good about the progress I was making. I still feel good about the progress I am making. I am 44 years old, and although I am overweight, I am in great health. As an ER nurse, I daily tend to people much younger than I who won't make the decisions I have made and as a result, many are trainwrecks, health-wise. So, I'm gonna keep riding, eventually I'll get a grip on the weight thing, and God-willing, will enjoy many healthy years and old age.
Be blessed, be safe.
Be blessed, be safe.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Northern Kershaw County
Did a good loop followed by an out-and-back today with my brother and his brother-in-law, just wanted a good long ride in preparation for the Tour de Camden next Saturday. I'm pretty sure we're all good to go for the metric, always a good time with those folks.
Lately, I have been focusing less on high cadence and more on strength training, i.e., pushing a harder gear, as well as hitting the hills in the drops. I feel like I am seeing some progress here, or else the hills are not as long or steep as they used to be.
Lately, I have been focusing less on high cadence and more on strength training, i.e., pushing a harder gear, as well as hitting the hills in the drops. I feel like I am seeing some progress here, or else the hills are not as long or steep as they used to be.
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