So Not Lance Armstrong

Mission Accomplished!!! June 3rd, 2007

2007-06-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

Distance: 100.1 miles
Max speed: 36.3 mph
Average speed: 14.4 mph

Time on bike: 6:56:46

Total Training Distance: 1387.1 miles
Total Time on trainer: 10.0 hours

Links to pictures -

Skip - Tahoe 2007 Pics
Skip - Tahoe 2007 Slideshow
Clint - Tahoe 2007 Team Pics

Mission accomplished! We made it! Our team crossed the finish line after riding 100 miles in The Most Beautiful Bike Ride in America!

It was an amazing weekend. I was one of 24 cyclists representing the Central Florida Chapter. There were a total of 3000 cyclists for the ride with 2000 of them being Team in Training participants. It was amazing at the start to see the line of TNT green and purple extending as far forward and rearward as you could see.

On Saturday morning, Mark took the team up the climb to Inspiration Point. He reported it was as tough as Sugarloaf Mountain BUT twice as long. That got our attention. So off we went. The first 8 miles or so were nice and flat-a good range to warm up. Then we started climbing. We hit some rollers which weren't too bad. And then, all of a sudden, we hit the first long stretch which was a challenge, turned the corner and hit three successive switchbacks with some monster inclines. I have never had to stop on a hill, and I wasn't going to start now. But I made a mistake. I found myself pushing too hard and was out of breath. I couldn't catch my breath with the thin air at the altitude (6828 feet). At one point, I thought I might pass out. But, I remembered my training on Sugarloaf, slowed my pace down to let my breathing control my pedaling, and then used the places that flattened out some to catch my breath. I made it up but, for a while, I was sucking dust off the road, I was breathing so hard.

The team all made it up and we spent at least 30 minutes taking pics and just generally cutting up. What a fun team we have. The scenery from Inspiration Point is simply awesome. Anyway, the descent down was as fun as the climb up was challenging.

When I arrived back at the hotel, I took Melanie out for some lunch and then took her up to Inspiration Point to check out the scenery. She couldn't believe I had climbed up there on a bike. And, she couldn't believe the drop offs on each side of the road either.

The pasta party later Saturday night was very cool. As we walked to the ballroom, all the TNT staff and coaches lined up to cheer us. It was great. The MC for the event announced some of the all-star fund raisers. The top fundraiser brought in over $52k! And, the whole event raised $8.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Awesome! We also listened to one of our fellow cyclists who was diagnosed with lymphoma and then lost his son to leukemia. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Saturday night, I slept well up until about 3:00 AM. Then I was too excited to go back to sleep. I checked the temperature at 5:00. It was 38 degrees. Knowing that it was supposed to get warm later in the day, I put on layers that I could peel off. Its a good thing I dressed warmly as it was cold up until about 10:00.

We assembled outside the hotel. Melissa, Liz, Jody, Denise and I formed our own group which I affectionately named the Pacemakers. I didn't need to finish fast. My only goal was to finish in a respectable time.

We headed out at a good pace--approximately 18 mph. We hit the climb to Inspiration Point with me pulling the group. This time I learned my lesson from Saturday and climbed nice and steady up the hill, letting my breathing control my pedaling. Even with the altitude, I had no trouble getting up.

The descent down from Inspiration Point was a blast. In two miles you descend about 450 feet in these nice winding turns. Its a lot of fun.

Anyway, after Inspiration Point, the next 50 miles or so are relatively flat with some rollers thrown in. Both Melissa and Denise developed flats along the way and Liz needed some chain lube as her bike was squeeching pretty bad. We managed to get all the mechanical difficulties resolved and headed into Kings Beach for lunch where we met Melanie and some of the other family members who cheered us in. We were at mile 70 and it wasn't too bad so far. But Spooner was ahead of us.

We regrouped after lunch and then headed off again. Melissa was in the lead, and for some reason was really hammering. There were several serious hills even before Spooner. I couldn't imagine what she was thinking as one of the two biggest climbs was still ahead of us. So I let her go. I settled back into a nice slow steady pace and chewed up the miles while conserving as much energy as I could.

At mile 81, I arrived at the bottom of Spooner and started climbing. Spooner isn't as steep as Sugarloaf or even the climb to Inspiration Point. But its a steady climb with difficult inclines in places. Its unrelenting and goes on for eight long miles. About half way up I passed Melissa who had to walk some. Then I passed Jody, who was also walking with Mark, who had come back to help her up. Mark ended up catching up to me and we rode the last half of the ascent to the top. It was nice to ride with him as we were able to talk some and it took my mind off the pain of continually pushing your legs to keep pedaling. Before I knew it we were at the top and taking a nice long break. Only ten more miles to go.

Melissa and I took off again and shot down the backside of Spooner. We decended 700 feet in four miles. It was the most fun part of the course as we were going fast, riding the sweeping curves, and we were chewing up miles fast. But we got to the bottom and still had three descent hills left. By then our legs were spent and it was just heart that kept our legs moving, propelling us up the hills.

At about 3 miles out, I could smell the finish line. I started hammering and lost Melissa. And, then as I turned the corner, the hotels of South Tahoe appeared. At this point, they looked like The Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz. Everyone around me cheered and we all slowed down to take the last bit of the ride talking and joking.

We crossed the finish line with hundreds of people cheering. It was without a doubt one of the best days of my life. My teammates who had already finished handed me an ice cold beer. It was the best tasting beer I had ever had. Melanie came up and gave me a hug and told me she was proud of me.

The team waited at the finish line for the last of our team. We cheered them in. We all made it.

I can not relate what a feeling it is to finish this endurance event. It meant so much to me on so many levels. I can't begin to relate how impressed I am with our coaches, Mark and Jay, without whom I could not have done this. Its funny. As I turn 48, I thought my athletic days were just about over. Thanks to them, I realize those days have just begun.

And, finally, I have to thank everyone who donated for allowing me to go to Tahoe and representing us all. We raised over $7500. But, more importantly, we participated in the event which raised $8.5 million dollars to help others cope with a terrible disease.

Thank you everyone. It was an amazing weekend. I'll never forget it.

(Stayed tuned... I am thinking of training for a half or full marathon in January!)

Lake Tahoe - 6/1/07

2007-06-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

We're here and its absolutely gorgeous!

My daughter and I stayed at the Hyatt at the Orlando airport as we had to meet the team at 5:30 AM. Everyone who was supposed to have traveled with the team made it. Despite the early morning hours, we were all very excited!

One of the cool things to happen came as we taxied out to the runway at Salt Lake City for the last leg of the trip. The head flight attendant pointed out all the white TNT shirts and announced that 62 Team-In-Training people were on the plane and just the TNT people on this plane had raised $330k for the cause! And we were only one plane!

Anyway, we had planned to take a bike ride when we arrived but it got rained out. So, Melanie and I met up with some of the team members at the Zephyr Cove Restaurant and had a nice dinner before heading out on a sunset cruise on the lake. The sunset was gorgeous. I took some pictures with my new compact digital camera. I'll post them sometime tomorrow.

Til then...

Training Log - 5/28/07

2007-05-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1.0 hours

Total Training Distance: 1262.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 10.0 hours
Weight: ???.? lbs

Woke up this morning and hit the exercise bikes at the hotel. Another good workout. I will bike for another day or two before allowing myself a couple of days of rest before the trip.

My girlfriend bought me a nice compact digital camera for the trip. Its really awesome how everyone has rallied to make this event such a success. So many people have joined our team by making very generous donations. Several people not only gave generously but also brought in donations from other people, many of whom I don't even know. My great friend, Betsy, hooked me up with the reporter from the Florida Today to do the newspaper article early on. My kids have been so supportive. Our coach and the rest of the team have been so supportive as well. Its been an awesome experience all the way around.

Training Log - 5/27/07 (Mickey Mouse ears)

2007-05-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1.0 hours

Total Training Distance: 1262.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 9.0 hours
Weight: ???.? lbs

I love my recovery weekends. I actually get to kick back and do things like read a book or watch the Indianapolis 500. No groceries, laundry, house cleaning, or cooking!

OK... so here's an idea. At the team party last week, we had to decide how we are going to decorate our helmets to distinguish the cyclists on our team from everyone else. We decided to mount these little plastic Mickey Mouses atop our brain buckets. Pretty cool. But, for next year, I'm thinking we need to keep with the mouse theme but do what they do for the Truly Nolan cars. That is, spring loaded Mickey Mouse ears that flatten down in the wind. And, attached to the back of our helmets, a long thin mouse tail. So, what do you think of that idea?

I am so looking forward to this ride in Tahoe. I called and made a reservation for my daughter and I for a sunset cruise on the lake for Friday night. I want to make sure she has a good time as well and feels like she is a part of this too. She is. She has been very supportive of my doing this. She is part of my team.

Oh, yeah... the training thing... I spent another hour on the exercise bikes here. It really is a pretty good work out. After about 10 minutes I've worked up a good sweat and am breathing hard. The simulation of hills is great.

Training Log - 5/26/07

2007-05-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1.0 hours

Total Training Distance: 1262.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 8.0 hours
Weight: ???.? lbs

Just like we on the cycling team plan our rest and recovery from training, I also plan personal rest and recovery weekends for myself. And, since your body treats stress the same whether its stress from physical training or from just a crazy busy life, this is a good time for a personal recovery weekend. I don't need more stress a week before our big ride. Plus, I get to spend the better part of a four day weekend with my girlfriend in DC.

Anyway, I found it pretty tough to get time in on the bike this past week. I was a little light on training. So I picked a hotel in DC with a nice exercise room which features Lifecycle exercise bikes. I dialed in the "Hill Plus" training setting and set it on 15 of 25 for intensity for 30 minutes on both the upright and recumbant exercise bikes. It's kind of funny but each of those bikes exercise a slightly different set of leg muscles. It was a good workout though. It got my heart rate up between 120 and 140, and it gave my legs a good workout.

Training Log - 5/24/07

2007-05-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1.0 hours

Total Training Distance: 1262.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 7.0 hours
Weight: 184.6 lbs

Last night was the Bon Voyage meeting/briefing with the team. My daughter attended as well. It was fun getting together with the team in a setting that didn't involve a bike. Everyone is excited about the event. Only one more week to go before we leave for Tahoe!

On my way to the party, I dropped off my bike to be shipped. Tonight, I pulled out an older road bike a friend of mine was gracious enough to lend me. Since it was raining, I put it on the trainer and pedaled for an hour. Actually, I did 4-15 minute sprints. It was good as I haven't ridden at all since our last team ride on Sunday.

Tomorrow I fly to DC for the long weekend. I made sure the hotel I am staying at has an exercise room with several exercise bikes. I can't do the spinning class with the rest of the team on Saturday, but I can hit the exercise bikes where I am staying.

I can't wait for Tahoe!

Training Log - 5/20/07 (I Found My Thrill on Sugarloaf Hill)

2007-05-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Distance: 60.8 miles
Max speed: 40.5 mph
Average speed: 14.9 mph

Total Training Distance: 1262.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 6.0 hours
Weight: 186.0 lbs

Today's ride was the last ride with the team for this event. While I won't miss getting up at 4:30 in the morning to drive to Clermont, I will miss these rides with the team. All of my team mates have been friendly and supportive. And, Mark, our coach, has been awesome! We should start referring to him as Obi-Wan. ;-)

Anyway, I started out the ride feeling awesome. My legs were strong and had no problem keeping up or climbing. As a matter of fact, I was feeling so good that I decided to attack one of the challenging hills. I was going 20+ mph half way up when on of my team mates slipped her chain and fell right in front of me! I had to swerve quickly in order to keep from testing the structural integrity of her helmet. In the end, I think she escaped with just some scrapes and bruises. She probably won't be feeling too good when she wakes up tomorrow morning.

At mile 40, we hit Sugarloaf. I still felt good and decided to hit the hill with vigor. I started in the back and managed to pass everyone on the way to the top. Then I rode back down and hit it again. The second pass was tough and I thought I was going to lose my groceries as I crested the hill. But I made it.

The problem I have is, when I do repeats on Sugarloaf, I'm spent afterwards. The rest of the ride is tough. I have trouble doing the 18-20 mph the rest of the team wants to ride at. I still seem to be able to climb OK though but sustained effort is hard.

So, of course, the team decided to add a few miles onto this ride and tackle the hills around Citrus Tower. *laugh* The extra loop we took added some challenging climbs to our ride. And that was a good thing.

I can always tell when we have had a good team ride by what I do when I get home. I came home today, sat down in my chair and promptly fell fast asleep. I was zonked. Right now, my legs are tired but in a good way.

Training Log - 5/18/07

2007-05-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

Distance: 25.3 miles
Max speed: 16.9 mph
Average speed: ??.? mph

Total Training Distance: 1201.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 6.0 hours
Weight: 186.4 lbs

OK, I was able to get in a decent ride tonight. I have been a little worried that I haven't gotten in enough miles this week. Too much to do though. Sometimes, the cycling has to take a back seat to other priorities.

Only two weeks to go before we leave for Tahoe! Can't wait!

Training Log - 5/16/07

2007-05-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.4 miles
Max speed: 19.3 mph
Average speed: 16.3 mph

Total Training Distance: 1175.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 6.0 hours
Weight: 184.6 lbs

I meant to do a 25 mile ride but some family came into town and I had to cut my ride short. My son graduates from high school tomorrow night and its been a little crazy around here. I am so proud of him. He has set a very nice course for his future.

Training Log - 5/15/07

2007-05-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

Distance: 20.4 miles
Max speed: 21.5 mph
Average speed: 17.8 mph

Total Training Distance: 1159.5 miles
Total Time on trainer: 6.0 hours
Weight: 186.0 lbs

Damn! I missed an average speed of 18 mph by just 2/10ths of an mph! I did pretty well though. Just call Speedy!

:-)

Training Log - 5/14/07

2007-05-14T19:30:00.001-07:00

Distance: 4.9 miles
Max speed: ??.? mph
Average speed: 15.8 mph
Time on trainer: 30 minutes

Total Training Distance: 1139.1 miles
Total Time on trainer: 6.0 hours
Weight: 186.4 lbs

I only biked about 5 miles before it started to rain and lightning. So... I pulled out the trainer and used that for 30 minutes. I dislike the trainer although it will do in a pinch.

I also noticed I've been eating everything in sight since the big ride on Saturday. I need to watch that as I'm starting to gain weight again.

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is always a little tough at our house since Carol passed away. This is the third Mother's Day since her passing. She was on all of our minds. But, unlike the last two Mother's Day, it was not a sad day because we still feel her presence.

This leads me to post the lyrics of a song I've hesitated to post for a while now. Its a personal favorite of mine. One of the things I've wanted to do here in this blog is keep it positive. But you can't know life and love without understanding loss as well. So I don't consider it a sad song.

One More Day
~ Diamond Rio

Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished for one more day with you

One more day, one more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again, I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you
One more day...

First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl
I'd unplug the telephone and keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million 'I Love You's'
That's what I'd do with one more day with you

One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you

One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you.

Training Log - 5/12/07

2007-05-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

Distance: 67.7 miles
Max speed: 39.1 mph
Average speed: 15.4 mph

Total Training Distance: 1134.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 184.8 lbs

Another great ride with the team. It was a long one though. I did Sugarloaf twice with just a brief respite in between. Its getting easier every time we climb it. Mark told me that the pro cyclists recently had a race and they climbed Sugarloaf nine times and were climbing at 22 mph. I'm not sure that was the best strategy for motivating me when I was climbing at 4-5 mph! LOL

Anyway, I do agree with him on not even being able to comprehend what it takes to get to that fitness level. I find it tough to not try to go faster. It really helps me to watch my breathing and slow my pace to match while going up the hill. I think the hard part comes with being afraid that my legs will give out and I'll stop. But I've also learned to trust that my legs are stronger than I give them credit for. They haven't failed me yet.

Of course, the last 10-15 miles of this ride was tough. Melissa and I agreed we weren't sure we could have gone another 30 miles to finish the century. Mark told us that in Tahoe by 70 miles we will have hit 3-4 rest stops. So we'll be in good shape. I hope so.

Training Log - 5/10/07

2007-05-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

Distance: 20.8 miles
Max speed: 19.1 mph
Average speed: 16.6 mph

Total Training Distance: 1066.5 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.4 lbs

Training Log - 5/9/07 (On the Road Again...)

2007-05-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.3 miles
Max speed: 18.3 mph
Average speed: 15.7 mph

Total Training Distance: 1045.7 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 186.0 lbs

Picked up my bike from the bike shop earlier in the day. The new gel handlebar wrap is awesome. It keeps my fingers from going numb during long rides.

The ride of my bike is new and improved with the new tires and everything adjusted and lubed. It just seemed so much easier to ride. My only complaint was the gears on the front carriage is a little off which is kind of ironic as, before I brought it in to the shop, the front carriage was fine. It was the gears on the rear carriage I had problems with.

I'll ride tomorrow night to let things settle and then will adjust the gears on the front carriage on Friday.

Ramblings...

2007-05-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

No bike ride tonight. My bike is in the shop getting some much needed loving. It actually was done around 4:00 but I couldn't get from where I work to the bike shop before it closed. So I'll pick it up during my lunch hour tomorrow. New tires, freshly lubed chain, gears and cables adjusted, and new gel padding and tape on the handlebars. Woo hoo! I will be cycling in style on Saturday.

I was god-awful sore yesterday. I had to force myself to go for some walks to get the blood moving and wash out the lactic acid from my legs. Mark gave me a good suggestion to use a rolling pin on my legs to massage them. Worked great. I've also noticed that I am recovering a whole lot faster from these rides as my fitness level increases. I'm just a little sore today.

Now how crazy is this? I'm sitting in my family room typing away on my laptop while my 18 year old is sitting on the couch typing away on his laptop and my daughter is sitting next to him surfing the web on her PSP. OK, time for me to get them moving on the chores. So I'm opening up Instant Messenger...

"Matthew, time to take out the garbage!"

"Melanie, time to go clean the Johnny Depp Love Shrine!" (The Johnny Depp Love Shrine is an accurate depiction of her room.)

Hee hee... I love technology. They can't get away from me even on the Net!

Hey, I just realized both Johnny Depp and I are in our 40's. I better go tell my daughter. I'm sure she'll see the resemblance right away. Not!!! LOL

Training Log - 5/6/07 (Think about going through chemo...)

2007-05-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

Distance: 57.8 miles
Max speed: 36.3 mph
Average speed: 14.8 mph

Total Training Distance: 1029.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.2 lbs

I topped 1,000 miles with the ride with the team today. When I first started this adventure, I wondered if I would reach the 1,000 mile mark. I not only reached it but will pass it with room to spare. I wonder how many miles I'll wrack up by the time I cross the finish line in Tahoe. One thing is for sure. One hundred miles doesn't seem as daunting as it once did.

Today's ride was tough. It was hot and muggy. And, Mark had us climb Sugarloaf Mountain as slow as we could without falling over, then ride back down to climb back up again. The second ascent we were to give it everything we had. Somehow, I managed to get up the hill both times without stopping. It was hard, but it was also tremendously satisfying. It always is when you dig down and do something you are pretty sure you just can't do.

We joked with our coach afterwards on how hard the ride was, particularly the two rides up Sugarloaf, but then Michelle, our coordinator from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, asked us to think about what its like to go through chemo. Yeah, I remember sitting with my wife while she was getting sick from the chemo, holding her while she cried unconsolably because her beautiful hair was falling out in clumps. On so many occasions she dug down and did things she was sure she just couldn't do. But she never reached the top and never could enjoy the sense of accomplishment I had getting to the top of Sugarloaf.

I'm sitting here writing this and I am tired and my body is spent. But I know I could do this every day for the rest of my life and still not truly understand what my wife went through the last year of her life. Yeah, I need to keep thinking about that.

Training Log - 5/5/07

2007-05-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.2 miles
Max speed: 20.0 mph
Average speed: 17.2 mph

Total Training Distance: 971.6 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 186.0 lbs

I just felt like riding today. I had to make it short though as I have a long ride with the team tomorrow.

Training Log - 5/4/07 (Speed)

2007-05-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

Distance: 21.3 miles
Max speed: 22.0 mph
Average speed: 17.5 mph

Total Training Distance: 961.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.5 lbs

One of the guys I work with keeps telling me I need to strive to be in the top 10 finishers at Tahoe. Leaving aside how ridiculous that goal would be considering my average speeds don't really move me out of the category of recreational cyclist, finishing towards the front isn't my real goal here. Just finishing a 100 mile ride will be quite a feat in itself. I'm sure I won't be first and I'm sure I won't be last. According to the people who run the Team in Training program, this year less than one-tenth of one percent of the population will finish an endurance event--a marathon, century bike ride or triathelon. So, in my mind, just finishing the 100 miles will put me in good company.

Speed is something I am going to focus a little more on though, but not because I want to finish in the top 10. When I am riding during the week, I don't feel like I am getting as much out of the rides as I need because there aren't any hills here. Picking up the pace will give me a better work out. Also, I am a bit worried about the thin air in Tahoe. I figure the best way for me to prepare for that is to get my cardio conditioning in the best shape possible.

So tonight I pushed myself to finish my 21 mile ride with an average time better than 17 mph. I did that with room to spare. Now I need to work on an 18+ mph average time.

Only a month to go!

Training Log - 5/3/07

2007-05-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Distance: 19.6 miles
Max speed: 18.3 mph
Average speed: 16.4 mph

Total Training Distance: 940.1 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.0 lbs

Training Log - 5/1/07 (Dead Man Riding)

2007-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.3 miles
Max speed: 18.7 mph
Average speed: 16.3 mph

Total Training Distance: 920.5 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 184.4 lbs

So I'm talking to one of the cool women I work with. She's cool because she is walking 60 miles in 3 days to raise money to combat breast cancer. Anyway, she asked me about the ride in Tahoe. So I tell her about my concerns about the distance and the thin air at the elevations there. And I discuss the tough climbs. She looks right at me and says, "You are going to die out there!"

hahahahahahahahaha

How's THAT for support?! LOL

Anyway, tonight's ride was fun. It was nice and cool. The air was calm and the moon was full. And, off in the distance, a mariachi band was playing. Heehee... I just made that last part up! *laugh*

Training Log - 4/29/07

2007-04-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

Distance: 56.8 miles
Max speed: 41.0 mph
Average speed: 14.7 mph

Total Training Distance: 904.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: ???.? lbs

Today's ride was with the team in Clermont. It was nearly a perfect day for it too. The temps were just a little cool at the start and just a little too warm at the end. I sure didn't want to get up at 4:20 to drive for an hour and a half to Clermont but, once I got there, it was a fun ride. I think the real key is I have finally started to relax on the bike. I know before I was so serious and focused while riding with the team that I rode tense. Now, I am more relaxed. I have fun chatting with my teamates on the ride and take the time to enjoy the scenery as well.

Sugarloaf is still tough. It seems like I can get up all the other hills no problem. But Sugarloaf is the only climb that I still wonder each time if I will be able to make it up. Its a humbling climb. And it also brings a sense of accomplishment when I get to the top that no other hill provides.

Only a bit more than a month to go before the event in Tahoe. I'm looking forward to finishing my first century cycling event.

OK, I'm beat. I am so going to sleep well tonight. Night...

Training Log - 4/27/07

2007-04-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

Distance: 30.2 miles
Max speed: 25.7 mph
Average speed: 15.9 mph

Total Training Distance: 847.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 183.6 lbs

Great ride. It was hot but not too windy. With the exception of a brief stop in Indialantic for fluids, and stops at traffic lights, I rode the 30 miles continuously without any problem. I even pushed hard at the end and did miles 27 and 28 at 24-25 mph. That was fun.

Anyway, it was a great training week. I feel strong going into the 60 mile ride on Sunday morning. I even lost the 3 lbs I had gained without any kind of drastic dieting or overtraining.

Give me another 4 weeks like this one and I'll be able to not only finish the 100 miles in Tahoe but truly enjoy the ride.

Training Log - 4/26/07

2007-04-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

Distance: 22.4 miles
Max speed: 19.5 mph
Average speed: 16.4 mph

Extra activities: one fast walk, stretching

Total Training Distance: 817.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.0 lbs

Another great night for a ride. Its been tough lately carving out enough time to get my nightly rides in. My life is crazy before my ride and my life is crazy as soon as I get home. But, during my ride, its peaceful. No phones. No kids running in with school forms to fill out or money needed for this or that activity. No co-workers with tight deadlines depending on me to pull their butts out of the fire. Just me, the bike and a long road ahead of me. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Training Log - 4/25/07

2007-04-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Distance: 21.1 miles
Max speed: 19.0 mph
Average speed: 15.9 mph

Extra activities: one fast walk, stretching, light session of core strengthening

Total Training Distance: 794.8 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.8 lbs

Beautiful night for a ride. The temperature was perfect and the wind was very light out of the east. I got into a rhythm and forgot to keep watch on my odometer. By the time I knew it, the ride was over.

Training Log - 4/23/07

2007-04-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.4 miles
Max speed: 18.2 mph
Average speed: 16.0 mph

Extra activities: two fast walks, stretching, light session of core strengthening

Total Training Distance: 773.7 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 186.0 lbs

Now this is a little more like it. The first third of this ride was slow as my legs were sore. The second third was just getting into a good rhythm. And, the last third, I felt good and was able to push myself. I can build on this.

Training Log - 4/22/07

2007-04-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

Distance: 40.1 miles
Max speed: 23.0 mph
Average speed: 15.1 mph

Extra activities: 1.6 mile fast walk

Total Training Distance: 757.3 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 186.6 lbs

I was able to get 40 miles in today. Actually, my goal was to get at least 45 miles in today but I ran out of available time for my ride. I rode to the beach and then added some more miles on when I arrived back home. There was a very stiff wind blowing in off the ocean. The wind was so strong that, when I was coasting down the Melbourne causeway, the wind was keeping me from going more than 8-9 mph downhill!

It wasn't a good ride. I didn't feel strong. I didn't feel I was "on top" of the ride. I struggled. I must have lost some ground on my conditioning the last couple of weeks. I need to find a way to get out on the bike and ride hard this week in order to set up the ride with the team next Sunday.

I've also gained 3 lbs the last week. So I need to watch my diet a little better too.

A minor setback. I just need to work my way out of it and come back even stronger.

Training Log - 4/20/07

2007-04-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

Distance: 18.0 miles
Max speed: 19.9 mph
Average speed: 16.4 mph

Total Training Distance: 717.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.8 lbs

Training Log - 4/19/07

2007-04-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.3 miles
Max speed: 19.7 mph
Average speed: 16.8 mph

Total Training Distance: 699.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.6 lbs

It was a great night for a ride. The temperature was just perfect and there wasn't a strong wind in any direction.

This week has been tough for cycling. The health of the father of my late wife has taken a turn for the worse and I have been busy helping out with that. Big Irv is quite a guy. He's a veteran of WWII. He actually joined the Navy in 1938, even before the war. He served on a number of submarines through the war. At 88, he is a real man's man, a great role model for my son and quite a teller of old war stories. I suspect my son will be telling his grandpa's war stories to his kids someday. Anyway, we are all hoping he will bounce back from this rough patch and keep his promise to live to 100 just for the letter from the president.

Training Log - 4/17/07

2007-04-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1 hour

Total training Distance: 682.9 miles
Total time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.4 lbs

*whooosh* [You have been the victim of a drive-by blogger!]

That is all...

:-)

Training Log - 4/14/07

2007-04-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Distance: 30.1 miles
Max speed: 25.1 mph
Average speed: 15.1 mph

Total Training Distance: 682.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 4.5 hours
Weight: 184.0 lbs

This morning I was rifling through one of the piles of unread books on my night stands. I truly love to spend time reading for pleasure. Its one of the great decadences in my life--one I rarely grant myself anymore. But I came across the book, "Every Second Counts" by Lance Armstrong. Its rather ironic that I never had the time to sit down and read this book. I did read Lance's first book, "It's Not About the Bike", and found it to be truly inspirational and comforting. At the time, my wife was struggling with the increasingly frequent downturns of her disease. Lance's first book remains an inspiration. I am not worthy to clean his water bottles, but Lance did inspire me to join Team in Training to ride for a cure.

Shortly after going through my unread book piles, I headed off on my bike ride. Destination: the beach at Indialantic. It was a nice day for a ride. A bit on the warm side (to say the least). And there was a fierce wind out of the east which shifted to the south as my ride went along. As I said, it was hot. When I first signed up for TNT, our coach recommended carrying two large water bottles. I couldn't imagine needing that much liquid. After today, I understood why. I drained every last drop in both water bottles.

Anyway, when you are riding thirty miles by yourself you have a lot of time to think. I thought about that phrase "every second counts." My mind drifted to the night I had to call for an ambulance for my wife. She was struggling with the effects of a very nasty infection due to her compromised immune system. She was not doing well, but we had been through this routine time and time again. She would go into the hospital, spend a week or two, get better and then come home. This was the first time we had to call an ambulance though. Once the paramedics arrived, it was a blur of activity. Then as she was being wheeled off, she looked at me and pursed her lips. She wanted a kiss. But I was in a hurry to get her to the hospital. I smiled, brushed her arm as she went past and told her I'd see her at the Big House, our pet name for the hospital. She passed away on the trip to the ER. She knew her time had come and wanted a kiss goodbye. I was so caught up in the busy work of getting her to the Big House, I had missed the importance of the moment.

You never know when the next moment of your life may change things forever. That night taught me that every moment has a purpose. Every moment harbors an opportunity. But you have to get beyond the busyness of life, the auto-pilot we all tend to put ourselves on, and seize the moment.

So if you are reading this, think about what is truly important in your life. And then use the next moment to act on that. Kiss your kids goodnight and tell them how proud you are of them. Say a kind word to a friend. Spend some time with your life partner. Grasp the opportunity of the next moment. As for me, I'm going to continue with the movie marathon of Invader Zim episodes with my daughter. She's an awesome kid.

Why? Because...

Every second counts!

Training Log - 4/13/07

2007-04-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

Distance: 25.2 miles
Max speed: 19.6 mph
Average speed: 16.3 mph

Total Training Distance: 652.8 miles
Total Time on trainer: 4.5 hours
Weight: 184.0 lbs

I've really developed a lot of respect for competitive cyclists. First, there is a lot of technique involved in cycling. Being able to find the right gear at precisely the right time is hard. Fumbling around for the right gear for even a few second can cost you valuable time or valuable momentum going up a hard climb. But what impresses me the most is the mental game that goes on inside your head during a ride. A thousand questions go through your mind. Should I press harder? Am I pressing too hard? Will I have enough in the tank when I get to the big climb? Am I drinking enough? Eating enough? Is my teammate struggling? Should I help pull for her? Will I have a head wind on the way back or a tail wind?

Yup... there is a lot more going on than I ever realized. For those professional cyclists, it not just hopping on a bike and pedaling...

Training Log - 4/11/07

2007-04-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

Distance: 20.7 miles
Max speed: 18.3 mph
Average speed: 16.2 mph

Total Training Distance: 627.6 miles
Total Time on trainer: 4.5 hours
Weight: 184.8 lbs

Easy ride. I didn't push too hard tonight. I will plan on a 25 miles ride tomorrow and a ride to the beach (30 miles) during the day on Friday.

I really need to work a little harder on my diet. The Girl Scout cookie and Easter candy seasons have kept me from losing the weight I really need to. I also need to do better drinking water than I have the last few days.

I also need to get more sleep. So... I'm off to catch some Zzzzz's...

Nite...

I Feel Good!

2007-04-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

I feel good. I really do. I love the feeling when you have been working out. You sleep better. You look better. You have more energy. And, when you breath, you feel like you can breath all the way down to the bottoms of your lungs. I love that feeling. Its awesome!

So, I woke up this morning and this was playing on the radio...

I Feel Good
James Brown

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you

Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

{ sax, two licks to bridge }

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can't do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love won't do you no harm

and I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

{ sax, two licks to bridge }

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can't do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love can't do me no harm

and I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

Whoa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would
So good, so good, I got you
So good, so good, I got you
So good, so good, I got you
HEY!!

There's nothing like waking up and dancing to James Brown in your boxers. Whoa-oa-oa!

:-D

Training Log - 4/10/07

2007-04-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1 hour

Total Training Distance: 606.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 4.5 hours
Weight: 184.6 lbs

My apologies for being a little lax on keeping up with my training logs. Life has been a bit hectic lately. Its just one of those patches where everything seems to be colliding all at once and I run out of day long before I run out of responsibilities. Its all good. Its just a lot right now. So bear with me...

OK, I took my daughter to her Girl Scout meeting after work. I came home to grab something to eat, and had planned to hit the road on the bike, but it was pouring out. Good for my grass but not so good for my cycling. Anyway, I pulled out the trainer and spent an hour on that while watching the new episode of "World's Deadliest Catch." I highly recommend that show.

Anyway, I much prefer cycling on the road versus pedaling on the trainer. Although, I know by the fact I'm breathing hard and sweating that I am getting a decent workout on the trainer, it still feels like cheating for some reason.

Hopefully, tomorrow night I can get a 20 mile ride in.

Training Log - 4/7/07

2007-04-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Distance: 53.5 miles
Max speed: 38.5 mph
Average speed: 14.2 mph

Total Training Distance: 606.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 3.5 hours
Weight: 183.8 lbs

It was a great ride today. It is also nice to ride on Saturday morning and then have the rest of the weekend off from riding.

Mark, our coach, rerouted our course through Clermont and Windermere in order to put us on more hills--including Sugarloaf Mountain. I learned a good lesson from last week. Last week, I pushed hard the whole way and struggled on some of the hills. In particular, I wore myself out before hitting Sugarloaf and really struggled on the climb. This time, I focused on preserving energy, and my legs, while riding the flats and descents off the hills. It made a dramatic different. Sugarloaf was still tough, but I was able to climb it at a steady 5 mph. I also felt good climbing "The Wall" and the hills on Grassy Lake Road.

The fundraising is also going well. My fundraising total topped $6000 yesterday. Its awesome. I am overwhelmed by the support so many people have given me. Believe me, when the going gets tough on these rides, I think of all of the people who are on my team, supporting this cause, and I push a little harder. Thank you, all.

Training Log - 4/6/07

2007-04-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.5 miles
Max speed: 20.5 mph
Average speed: 15.7 mph

Total Training Distance: 553.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 3.5 hours
Weight: 185.2 lbs

I just wanted to take a short ride to make up some of the miles I missed this week but not so many miles it would adversely affect my long 60 mile ride tomorrow in Windermere.

I also raised my seat and adjusted the gears a little. So I wanted to test that out as well. You definately don't want to test any new bike adjustments on a long ride.

Training Log - 4/5/07

2007-04-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

Time on trainer: 1 hr

Total Training Distance: 542.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 3.5 hours
Weight: 185.2 lbs

This has been a tough week to try to getting my training time in. Its all priorities and cycling hasn't come up to the top of the list this week. I've had to deal with an open house for my daughters new high school next year, income taxes, financial aid forms for my son who attends college next year, selecting a winner of the Carol R Hines Memorial Nursing Scholarship I fund every year, blah, blah, blah...

I wanted to hit the road for a 25 mile ride tonight but it was dark by the time I got home and it was raining. Now I don't mind riding in the rain, but its a little too crazy to ride in the rain AND the dark. So, I pulled out the trainer. I did some spinning for 50 minutes, rested for 10 and then cranked up the drag on the rear wheel and pedaled for another 10 minutes. I figured that would simulate a good sized hill. It was a good work out as I worked up a good sweat and was out of breath by the end.

Anyway, I leave you with the immortal words of Socrates, "I drank what?!"

Training Log - 4/3/07

2007-04-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.3 miles
Max speed: 18.5 mph
Average speed: 15.7 mph

Total Training Distance: 542.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 184.8 lbs

Yesterday was kinda' tough. I was sore and stiff from the 58 mile ride on Sunday. I do really enjoy my rest days though. Its kinda' like how good it feels when you stop hitting yourself in the head with a hammer. Not that I really know how that feels.

Its amazing how fast I recover from the long rides though. I was just a little stiff when I started out on my ride tonight. I decided to just take a nice comfortable ride tonight. Its amazing how fast my comfortable rides are becoming now.

Training Log - 4/1/07

2007-04-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

Distance: 58.6 miles
Max speed: 40.7 mph
Average speed: 15.4 mph

Total Training Distance: 526.6 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 185.6 lbs

Happy April Fools Day!

Today I rode with the team. It was my toughest ride yet for a number of reasons. First, I wanted to challenge myself more and ride with some of the faster cyclists on the team. I did that. Second, I wanted to do Sugarloaf Mountain. I did that as well.

Sugarloaf Mountain is the highest natural point in peninsular Florida at 312 feet above sea level. The climb itself is 0.6 miles long with a 14% grade. It is listed by Bicycling magazine as one of the top 100 best climbs in the US. It feels like its straight up. There is a bit of a dip before you hit the climb but you really can't get a lot of momentum up before hitting the grade. I downshifted from the highest gear down to 1st gear and just toughed it out. After doing Buck Hill, I was already tired. I believe at one point, I was only doing about 2 mph and I was giving it everything I had. It's been a long time since my body was pushed right to the edge like that. Tough.

I'm sitting here now in my recliner and my legs are a wreck. Its going to be a rest day tomorrow. I suspect its going to be a tough day to move as well. But there is no rest for the weary as we do the same route on Saturday. So I will put in good rides on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.

I'm spent.

Training Log - 3/30/07

2007-03-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

Distance: 30.1 miles
Max speed: 22.4 mph
Average speed: 14.5 mph

Total Training Distance: 468.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.0 lbs

The training miles are starting to add up. I feel pretty good going into the 55 miles ride this Sunday. As for today's ride, I headed out on an overcast day and two miles into my ride the heavens opened up and rained. It rained all the way to and from the beach. At least it wasn't cold. I took the 192 causeway going over to the beach nice and easy. Then on the way back I decided to attack it. I ended up finding the right gear and maintained 12 mph up and over the causeway. And I never had to come out of the saddle. I thought that was pretty good. My legs are definitely getting stronger.

Speaking of Sunday's ride, it will be the fourth anniversary of my dad's passing. He died with lung cancer. It was rather ironic too. He had a heart transplant 8 years before only to die of lung cancer. If you knew my dad you'd laugh about him dying on April Fool's Day. He had quite a sense of humor and it would have been just like him to pull a stunt like this on purpose. Anyway, he was a good man with a work ethic that matched his sense of humor. I hope I have inherited even a fraction of both.

I remember a conversation I had with my dad when I was a teenager. I don't remember exactly what it was about but it had something to do with something I wanted to do but it was hard and success was a long shot. He told me, "Ya' know, the odds are against you but, if you give up, you are all done, brother."

Well, dad, I'll be thinking of you on my ride on Sunday. I promise, dad. I won't give up.

Training Log - 2/29/07

2007-03-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Distance: 20.8 miles
Max speed: 18.7 mph
Average speed: 15.8 mph

Total Training Distance: 437.9 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 185.8 lbs

OK, sports fans, let's go over one of the basic rules of interaction between cars and cyclists at night. If you are driving a car and you are closing the distance on a cyclist at night do not, I repeat, DO NOT turn on your high beams! I just don't get it. What possible benefit is there to burning my retinas? Its not like you are going to sneak up on me. If you flip on your high beams it means you have already seen me. And, it's not like I am going to miss you either. All you do completely blind me and make me run into mailboxes (even worse than folding metal barricades).

So, I'm giving everyone fair warning. If you shine your high beams at me at night, I'm going to chase you down, pull you over and write you a ticket. Yup, there will be a $50 fine payable to my Team in Training fund raising site. And, if all you ladies think you can flirt to get out of this ticket... well... maybe! *wink*

We did it! We blew through our goal!

2007-03-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

I came back from my bike ride tonight, sat down to check my email and discovered we not only met our goal of raising $5,000, we blew right past it! And, if my company comes through with matching mine and my co-worker's donations, it should put us at about $8,500!

So let's not stop here! We have plenty of time to keep this ball rolling.

Let's shoot for $10,000!

Awesome! Thank you!

Skip

Training Log - 3/27/07

2007-03-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.4 miles
Max speed: 19.2 mph
Average speed: 16.4 mph

Total Training Distance: 417.1 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.0 lbs

Well... I meant to get my ride in before it got dark but an emergency home repair delayed me. Unfortunately, when it gets dark I have to slow down a bit in order to keep from running over my neighbors out walked their dogs.

Anyway, a good ride. Tomorrow night is the nutrition clinic in Orlando. So I get a break. I'll ride 20 miles on Thursday and, since I have Friday off, I think I'll ride 30 miles to the beach during the day.

Sometimes when I ride I get a song stuck in my head. Tonight, I had the following song stuck in my noggin'. It's one of my favorites...

Life Ain't Always Beautiful
Gary Allan

Life ain't always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life ain't always beautiful
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggle makes you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has it's own way of takin' it sweet time

[chorus]
No,life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin' all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life dont work that way

But the struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has it's own way of takin' its sweet time

No, life aint always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine
Hey, life aint always beautiful
But its a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride

Training Log - 3/26/07

2007-03-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.4 miles
Max speed: 22.0 mph
Average speed: 17.2 mph

Total Training Distance: 400.7 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.0 lbs

I was able to get my ride in a little early tonight. I made it before the sun set which is novel for rides during the week. I was able to push pretty hard and finished with probably the best time ever during training. Not a bad effort for being in the saddle for the first time in five days. I had a great recovery weekend though. I feel fresh both physically and mentally.

I have noticed there is quite a difference in riding in flat terrain versus hills. Personally, I think that riding the flats is harder as its a constant push, whereas riding the hills is "bursty". You push hard up the hills but get to rest on the way down. On the long team rides, I tend to be conscious of conserving energy to make sure I have enough gas to make the whole ride. So maybe that is why it seems a little easier than my nightly rides.

Anyway, I'm back in the saddle again...

Training Log - 3/21/07

2007-03-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

Distance: 21.2 miles
Max speed: 19.1 mph
Average speed: 16.2 mph

Total Training Distance: 384.3 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 185.6 lbs

OK, so I'm sound asleep last night and I start to dream about cycling. Yeah, I know, its taking over my life. Anyway, in my dream, I'm riding along just flying, legs pumping, sucking in air like a jet engine. I look down briefly to check what gear I was in and when I look up there is a barricade right in front of me. (If you have followed my journey you know there is some precedent there.) I swerve, and right when I think I'm clear, I feel my bike shorts snag a corner of the metal barricade. I hear a rip, a pop and then watch as my stretchy pants fly off me, like a rubber band launched from your finger, and land in a field next to the road. I am buck naked. That's when I wake up--laughing. Now, tell me, what kind freak wakes up laughing?! I mean people are supposed to have dreams of monsters, demons and falling from planes. Me? I dream of flying stretchy pants! LOL

OK, I just don't know how to follow that up. So I'm going to bed. Hopefully, my stretchy pants will stay put tonight. Ha!

Nite nite.

Training Log - 3/20/07

2007-03-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

Distance: 238.3 miles
Max speed: 92.3 mph
Average speed: 70.2 mph

heehee... Wow! I guess I really am a Lance Armstrong! LOL

I set my bike computer down next to my laptop and it must have picked up the cooling fans I have under the laptop.

Here's the real numbers...

Distance: 16.4 miles
Max speed: 18.4 mph
Average speed: 16.3 mph

Total Training Distance: 363.1 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 186.2 lbs

I missed my scheduled ride last night. To be honest, I was pretty sore. So, it wasn't a hard sell for me to go grocery shopping and delivering girl scout cookies instead of riding.

Tonight I started out and my legs didn't want to move. But, after I warmed up a little, my legs felt great. I felt very strong. Tonight's ride was a huge confidence builder as if I can feel this good two days after riding 55 miles, then I know I can finish the 100 miles in June.

Awesome ride tonight. I'll do 20 tomorrow and 25 on Thursday. I'll be out-of-town early Friday morning until early evening Sunday. On Sunday night, I'll ride and then next week its spinning.

Training Log - 3/18/07

2007-03-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

Distance: 55.3 miles
Max speed: 31.6 mph
Average speed: 14.1 mph
Temperature: 46-69 degrees
Stretching

Total Training Distance: 346.7 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.2 lbs

OK, I woke up at 4:30, left my house at 5:30 and drove to Windermere to bike our scheduled 50 mile ride. There were 22 of us, including the 4 cyclists from the North Florida TNT team. Mark called the team together before the ride to remember a cyclist, training for the same TNT event, who passed away from a brain aneurysm during this same ride two years ago. He and several of the members of that team stopped off at the spot this happened to remember their fallen team mate before continuing on with the ride. I think this speaks volumes to the character of the people I now ride with.

Anyway, we rode for a bit more than 50 miles. At 55 miles this is almost twice as long a ride as I have ever done (30 miles). And it was a hard ride on hills named "Taco Hill", "The Wall" and "Buck Hill". Buck Hill was a first for me, and let me just say, it was the first hill a shred of doubt had entered my head as to whether I would make it. It was tough.

The first third of the ride was tame, just some rolling hills. The middle third of the ride contained the challenging hills. Tough. And, the last third was a repeat of the first third except by then the legs were heavy.

It was a good ride. It was fun to be with the team to do it. It also taught me that I some work still to do before I am ready for Tahoe.

Training Log - 3/16/07

2007-03-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

Distance: 25.2 miles
Max speed: 20.4 mph
Average speed: 15.4 mph
Temperature: 74 degrees
Stretching

Total Training Distance: 291.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 186.4 lbs

Tough ride today. There is a cold front moving through. So there was a 20 mph wind out of the south with gusts up to 29 mph. That's OK though as I was riding on a circular route and one leg was directly into the wind which is kind of like climbing a hill.

I also wanted to make this a longer ride than the plan as I still feel like I am in catch up mode. So I added another 5 miles onto the ride. Tomorrow is a rest day. So an extra long ride today should be a good thing.

One thing I am constantly amazed by is the amount of energy you burn on these rides. I thought I had eaten a pretty good breakfast, but after about 13 miles into the ride I had to pull out an energy bar as my body was hungry for fuel.

Training Log - 3/15/07

2007-03-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

Distance: 5.0 miles
Time on Trainer: 1 hour
X-Training: core strengthening
Stretching

Total Training Distance: 271.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 3.5 hours
Weight: 186.4 lbs

Headed off on my bike ride but only managed 5 miles before a thunder storm hit. So I hit the trainer for an hour to make up for the last 15 miles I needed to do today.

Training Log - 3/13/07

2007-03-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.4 miles
Max speed: 18.2 mph
Average speed: 16.4 mph

Total Training Distance: 266.2 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 186.2 lbs

I didn't get my ride in until late. Tuesday is Girl Scout night. My legs were a bit stiff tonight, but once I got moving they felt OK. This was the first ride in the last 2 weeks where I felt strong again. It will be very nice to have tomorrow off as a rest day. Hopefully, I should be in good shape to do the 20 mile rides on Thursday and Friday and then the 50 mile ride with the team on Sunday.

Training Log - 3/12/07

2007-03-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.3 miles
Max speed: 18.3 mph
Average speed: 14.8 mph
X-training: core strengthening
Stretching

Total Training Distance: 249.8 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.2 lbs

I sure didn't feel like getting back on the bike tonight. I was a bit sore from my ride yesterday. But I did. It wasn't too bad once I got going. It was a nice night for riding.

Becoming a cyclist...

2007-03-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ya' know at some point when you join Team in Training you have to accept that you have gone from being a recreational biker to a real cyclist. The evidence sneaks up on you but, at some point, you have to accept it.

Exhibit One: You are driving down the street and your daughter asks you what you are craning your neck at. You have to admit you are looking for streets with good bike lanes.

Exhibit Two: You are riding along and come to a fork in the road. You take the one with the incline on it.

Exhibit Three: Sometimes, when I go out riding, I start to think about my late wife. At times, a flood of memories hit me. I miss her still. Sometimes, I ride with a smile remembering and sometimes the tears come. So I'm riding along with tears coming down my face and I think, "Great, now I'm going to have to drink even more to hydrate!" *laugh*

Yeah, at some point, you have to admit you are a cyclist...

Training Log - 3/11/07

2007-03-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Distance: 30.5 miles
Max speed: 23.0 mph
Average speed: 14.8 mph
Temperature: 75 degrees

Total Training Distance: 233.5 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.6 lbs

I intended to train a little yesterday but I ended up spending more time in Orlando watching my son in the Florida Regional FIRST robotics competition. It was very cool for the kids. My sons team didn't win, place or show, but they had a great time. It was my son's high school's rookie appearance at this competition. They learned a lot about technology and teamwork.

I came home last night with my chest all congested again. I fell asleep discouraged that I just can't seem to shake this virus. But, I woke up this morning and felt much better. Go figure.

Anyway, I headed off from my house to cycle to the beach in Indialantic. I didn't feel the need to set any land speed records, particularly as I am still fighting off this virus. The going was a little tough as the winds were coming out of the east. Since I started off around 1:00, I was afraid that the winds would switch to the west in the afternoon and I'd be fighting a head wind both going to and coming from the beach. But it turned out to be too early in the year for that. Not hot enough yet.

I found out that the route I took measured exactly 15 miles from my house to the beach. I rested and hydrated right before tackling the Melbourne causeway. My legs felt fine but I wanted to take it easy on my lungs. I didn't have much problem with the causeways in either direction.

The ride home was a bit easier as I had the wind to my back. On some stretches, I managed to get up some speed (23 mph) without even trying. The last few miles started to get a little uncomfortable. My legs started to protest. But I made it back. I can't say I had much left in the tank though. And, to be honest, right now I am feeling it.

Its a good thing I didn't attempt the 40 miles on the hills with the team today. Hopefully, given one more week of training, I'll be ready for the 50 mile haul next Sunday.

Training Log - 3/9/07

2007-03-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

Distance: 11.5 miles
Max speed: 19.7 mph
Average speed: 16.0 mph
X-training: core strengthening
Stretching

Total Training Distance: 203.0 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 187.6 lbs

I didn't go much further tonight than last night but I did push a little harder. It felt pretty good although I still had a bit of a coughing fit at the end. Tomorrow, I'll add a little more distance. On Sunday, I'll put in a long ride, maybe even ride to the Melbourne causeway to do a little climbing.

When I was in high school I was into the martial arts. That was quite a long time ago. But I distinctly remember this quote that was on the walls -

Step-by-step, walk the thousand mile road. Today is a victory over the self of yesterday; tomorrow is a victory over lesser men.
-Musashi: Book of Five Rings

When you are eighteen there is only one meaning in that. Every day you must push yourself past your limits to set new heights of performance. Its funny, that when you are older, more experienced and hopefully wiser, you begin to understand that sometimes periods of rest, or periods of recovery from illness, are necessary to push your performance to new heights. Its not all about the push. Sometimes, its about the pull back.

Training Log - 3/8/07

2007-03-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

Distance: 11.1 miles
Max speed: 17.0 mph
Average speed: 15.0 mph

Total Training Distance: 191.5 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 185.6 lbs

Took it nice and easy today. I wanted to put in at least 10 miles but take it easy at around 15 mph. Surprisingly, even though I can't really see my bike computer unless I am right under a street light, I ended my ride at exactly 15.0 mph. I'll increase the distance a little more tomorrow and increase the speed if I feel OK.

I'll end with one of my favorite quotes -

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
- Theodore Roosevelt

Training Log - 3/7/07

2007-03-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

Distance: 30 minutes on trainer
X-training: core strengthening
Stretching

Total Training Distance: 180.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 2.5 hours
Weight: 186.6 lbs

I'm baaaaccckkk... :-)

I had to bench myself for a few days as I was a bit sicker than I was admitting to myself. The problem revolved around all the congestion I had in my chest. Amazingly, if you can't breath well, you have difficulty cycling. Go figure. So, I had to just stop and wait until my lungs cleared up.

My legs felt pretty good on the trainer tonight. But this cold has taken some of the stamina I had. So I will need to gradually increase the workouts until I get to where I need to be. As I increase my workouts, I can add some cross training and stretching in.

I'm still coughing some, but I'm definately feeling much better. Now I need to get my daughter better too.

Good morning!

2007-03-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

Yup, its a good morning. I woke up almost feeling normal again. Thank god! Still some congestion but Musinex and I have been good buddies the last few days. I will take today off again and see how things feel tomorrow. On the negative side, I feel like I've lost some of the strength and stamina I had worked hard to build. That will take some work to get back. On the positive side, I was in much better shape than I thought I would have been. I could have done 40 miles two weeks ago. Also, I have time to catch up again.

In the meantime, my focus has shifted to fundraising, which has been going well. I've even had neighbors flag me down in my neighborhood waving checks at me. I've had such wonderful support from so many people.

I am working on a catchy limerick to assist with the fundraising part of this adventure. Reply here and let me know what you think or suggest better wording.

There once was a man from Palm Bay
Who had a brilliant idea one day
Let's pretend I am Greg LeMond
And cycle 100 miles around a pond
Do your part and donate today!

I crack myself up! :-)

Training Log - 3/3/07

2007-03-04T05:45:00.000-08:00

Distance: just 5 miles

No fever but still sick. I have a lot of congestion in my chest. I knew I wouldn't be able to ride for long but I wanted to do something to keep from sliding too far behind because of this bug. I made some adjustments to the bike and headed off. I felt pretty good to start. It was great getting back on the bike. Unfortunately, once I started breathing harder my lungs started bothering me. By the time I got to 4 miles, I started feeling a burning sensation in my lungs. It was time to stop. No sense in pushing too hard and giving myself pneumonia.

I can't tell you how frustrating this is. Tomorrow the team will do 40 miles while I ride my recliner. Oi vey...

Chambre de la mort

2007-03-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Or roughly speaking... house of death. OK, far be it from me to be melodramatic. ha! ha!

Everyone in my house, including me, has been sick with the flu. I've missed two days this week training. Its been rough. But my temps have been below 100 today and I am ever hopeful that tomorrow I will be in shape to ride again. I did force myself to eat and stay hydrated. All that Gatorade I've been buying lately sure has come in handy. So I haven't lost any weight. And tonight, for the first time in several days, I've actually wanted to eat dinner.

And, I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike too. Can't wait.

Training Log - 2/28/07

2007-02-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

Distance: 1 hour spinning on the trainer
Weight: 187.6

Well... I didn't lose any vital organs tonight spinning on the trainer. It was pretty tough getting through it, particularly the last 10 minutes, as I still have this bad chest cold. I have been forcing myself to hydrate and eat as I can ill afford to lose any muscle from not eating while sick.

I wanted this to be my rest night and be able to travel to the team social in Orlando. But this was not to be. I needed to train tonight as I missed last night. I can't afford to fall behind in the training regardless of the reason. And, of course, drinking margaritas would be bad medicine.

OK, time to get to bed and try to shake this bug.

cheers,
Skip

Training Log - 2/27/07

2007-02-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

Distance: not long
Weight: 187.4 lbs

OK, I am a little more than "under the weather." I am a whole lot under the weather. I took some Tylenol to break the fever. Both the kids are sick too. But I got up on the bike anyway. I could only manage 10 minutes on the trainer though before a coughing jag overwhelmed me. And, I do mean overwhelmed me as, at one point, I coughed so hard it launched my spleen from my mouth hurtling across the room. OK, maybe just a slight exaggeration, but only slightly.

Sorry, team, I didn't get my hour in, but I did the best I could tonight.

Mountains by Lonestar

2007-02-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

Mark, our coach, sent out an inspirational message yesterday including the lyrics to the following song. Awesome. I think its very motivational and worth including here.

"Mountains"

Lucinda Jones, working at IHOP
Ten years worth of bacon, eggs and tears
She's waited on every creed and color
While waiting on this day to get here
Graveyard shifts, two big tips
Making every quarter count
Was worth it all to see her son
In that cap and gown

There are times in life when you gotta crawl
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no-one else
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walking's easier when the road is flat
Them danged ole hiils'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains
So we could learn how to climb

Bobby, Bobby Dunn came back from the war
Lost his leg but they couldn't take his will
Hell bent to run in that local marathon
He trained through the endless pain and pills
It hurt so bad that sometimes he just had to cry
He didn't stop until he crossed that finish line

There are times in life when you gotta crawl
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no-one else
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walkin's easier when the road is flat
Them danged ole hiils'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains
So we could learn how to climb

This world ain't fair
It can knock you on your butt
You can just lie there
Or you can get back up
You gotta get back up

There are times in life when you gotta crawl
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no-one else
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walkin's easier when the road is flat
Them danged ol' hiils'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains
(The good Lord gave us mountains)
So we could learn how to climb
Yeah, oh

Training Log - 2/26/07

2007-02-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

Distance: one hour riding my cycling trainer

I arrived home late tonight. There was an open house for an academic program at the high school my daughter will be going to next year. It lasted until 8:00. I didn't get home and get anything to eat until after 8:30. I am feeling a little under the weather anyway. So I figured tonight would be a good night to pull out the trainer I bought a few weeks ago and pedal for an hour while watching 24.

How hard could it be? Its not like you are going anywhere. Just hook the bike up to the stand, put a little resistance on the rear wheel and pedal for an hour. Well... it kicked my butt. Its a whole lot harder than I thought it would be--which is good. I was sweating and huffing and puffing within 10 minutes. And it was a pretty good work out for my legs too.

Good workout.

Happy (truly) Anniversary

2007-02-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

Twenty-three years ago today, I married a remarkable woman. And, for the next 21 years, I was able to enjoy her company and raise a family together. And we had fun doing that. Some may think this should be a sad day, but I look at it as a celebration of a remarkable woman and a life well lived. I spent the day with our children and her dad. Family. That endures... because of her. Quite a gift.

Training Log - 2/24/07

2007-02-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

Distance: 22.95 miles
Avg. Speed: 16.1 mph
Max Speed: 20.4 mph
Total Training Distance: 175.4 miles
Temperature: 62 degrees
Weight: 189 lbs

Its funny. It seems like every training session is an opportunity to work on a specific aspect of my cycling. Some nights, its going fast. Other nights, its technique. Tonight I just wanted to increase my distance and ride at a comfortable pace.

I also end up learning something unexpected with each ride. About half way through my ride I started feeling light headed and sluggish. I started getting hungry which I couldn't imagine could be the case as I just had dinner. Then I mentally tallied what I have had to eat today and realized I really was out of gas. I only had some soup and a few girl scout cookies for dinner. It came on all of a sudden too. I surely don't want this to happen in Tahoe. Anyway, I stopped off at home, gassed up on a banana, some crackers and Gatorade and hit the road again. Lesson learned.

The ride was fine except I almost had a bad crash. One of those YouTube moments. I was riding along and a dog charged me in the dark. It startled me and almost caused me to wipe out. The worst part is the dog was let out to run free on purpose! The owners are too lazy to just walk the dog on a leash. Tomorrow we'll see if Animal Control can talk them into being responsible pet owners.

Overwhelmed... and humbled...

2007-02-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

Since its a recovery week this week, I have been spending quite a bit more time on the fund raising part of this adventure and a little less time in the saddle. I have talked to many people this week and I am astounded by the number of people that have been more than willing to pull out their credit cards or check books to donate to the cause. And I am humbled by the amounts people are willing to give as well--money that is hard earned but truly given from the heart.

All I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can assure you, your contributions are a worthwhile investment towards a future for you and yours that hopefully will not include the specter of blood cancers.

When I hit the mountains around Lake Tahoe, I will take all of you with me.

Thank you.

Training Log - 2/22/07

2007-02-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

Distance: 16.4 miles
Avg Speed: 15.5 mph
Max Speed: 17.9 mph
Temperature: 62 degrees
Total Training Distance: 152.5 miles
Weight: 190.6 lbs

Tonight I didn't focus on speed at all. I focused on efficiency--the proper cadence, pedal technique and a nice smooth ride. As it turned out, I was only 1.1 mph slower for average speed than the last ride. I ended up expending a whole lot more energy to pick up not a whole lot of speed.

I also noticed in the last week that my hamstrings have been getting tighter and tighter. From past experience, that has meant that I am working my quads much harder than my hamstrings. As a result, the opposing muscles are out of balance. To correct, I hit my weight machine to strengthen my hamstrings. This has always worked great. A little cross training is a good thing and I definately need to find some time to hit that weight machine and do core strengthening exercises. Tonight, I also focused on pedaling technique, using the whole stroke. By the end of the ride, I could feel it in my calves, hamstrings and hips.

Another good ride.

Training Log - 2/20/07

2007-02-20T18:59:00.000-08:00

Distance: 13.2 miles
Avg Speed: 16.6 mph
Max Speed: 20.0 mph
Temperature: 66 degrees
Total Training Distance: 136.1 miles
Weight: no idea as I had to lend my son the scales for his high school robotics project

Awesome ride tonight! I decided to just let it rip and I had a blast. After the first 3-4 miles I settled down into a nice rhythm. It was like I was floating instead of riding over the road. For the last few miles it felt like I was flying. My legs were pumping effortlessly and my mouth was open sucking in air like a jet engine. It felt great! Riding at night only accentuated the sense of speed.

I need to raise my seat up just a little as it still feels like I'm a little cramped pedaling. I also need to adjust the gears on the front set of gears. The fall I took Sunday may have knocked the gear changer a little out of whack. Or maybe the cables have stretched a little after this initial few weeks of use. Its amazing how you need to make little tweeks to the bike to get the most out of it.

Anyway, it was a good night on the bike.

Sweet Success!!!

2007-02-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

Well... although yesterday I felt like I could have ridden another 10-15 miles, today was different. I am a bit sore. A bit more bruised than I expected from running into that damn barricade too. But... I was the only one who got back up! Hahahaha... <--- maniacal laugh

But, despite all of that, I came home from work and met my partner in the driveway. We chatted for just a few minutes, planning several destinations for tonight's trek. Our journey began at a good pace but picked up speed with each of the destinations we clicked off. Soon we were in the zone--progress was coming easy--legs pumping, heart racing. We were covering some serious ground. And, then it appeared, the finish line. We both finished hard and sped to the end. Then, with such a sense of accomplishment, I plunked down my credit card to buy not one, but two, pairs of jeans that fit my daughter! Have you ever gone out shopping for clothes with a 14 year old girl?! OMG, it can be draining. Finding two pairs of jeans that fit is like finishing a marathon, like scaling Everest, like... well... you get the idea. I ran out of the store, arms raised like Rocky Balboa.

Eye of the tiger, baby!

Training Log - 2/18/07

2007-02-18T16:38:00.000-08:00

Distance: 28.3 miles
Avg Speed: 12.8 mph
Temperature: 46 degrees w/ a fierce wind
Total Training Distance: 122.9 miles (so far)
Weight: 189.4 lbs

Rode today with the rest of the team through the hills of Clermont. It was OMG cold! The temperature in itself wasn't bad, but the wind was strong and felt like it blew right through you. I thought the hills would be tough but both my legs and lungs were fine. At the end of the ride, I had enough in the tank to bike another 10-15 miles without a problem. I am looking forward to biking in warmer weather though.

I did have one incident on the road. Again it resulted because of the cleats and pedals. My left foot snapped out of the pedal while I was riding. I looked down to snap my foot back in and ran right into one of those folding metal barricades that was on the side of the road to mark some pot holes. One more bruise on my knee to go with the others. Oi vey! What a clutz! :-)

Training Log - 2/16/07

2007-02-16T17:34:00.000-08:00

Distance: 22.8 miles
Avg Speed: 16.0 mph
Temperature: 54 degrees
Total Training Distance: 94.6 miles (so far)
Weight: 190.4 lbs

Chilly ride but I put the arm and leg warmers on which helped considerably. I'm also getting used to clipping into the pedals. I'm almost comfortable with them now. I focused on proper pedaling technique. It does help to use the whole stroke but its something that will take a little while before pedaling this way will come naturally. I also focused on maintaining a steady cadence to my pedaling by changing the gears as needed. It was very windy with gusts up to 25 mph. So there were times when I had to gear up or down.

The ride ended with a bang though. I always try to finish my rides strong. So right at the end I was sprinting for home when it hit. Just as I was coming to my driveway, the only way I can describe it is--I blew out a buttock. OMG! My right butt cheek locked up suddenly in a cramp. I came flying off that bike like a coiled spring which is probably the only time at my age when I would be described in the same sentence as a coiled spring. Man, did that hurt. I hopped around my yard, cursing and waving my arms. It must have looked like some deranged dancer on Soul Train only with one leg shorter than the other as I was going round and round in circles. Now who gets a butt cramp?! LOL

Training Log - 2/14/07

2007-02-14T20:07:00.000-08:00

Distance: 13.4 miles
Avg Speed: 15.1 mph
Weight: 189 lbs

Last night I attended the Fundraising Fair at the LLS office in Orlando. I didn't get back until late. So instead of fixing the flat on my bike and then riding late, I begin my online fund raising by sending out donation requests to some family and friends. Lot's more to do there. But its a start.

Tonight I needed to run my daughter on some errands after work. When I arrived home I fixed the flat on my bike. It took longer than I expected. I changed the tube in the rear tire. The tire valves are different than what I am used to. Plus, the CO2 cartridges you use to inflate the tires take some getting used to. After wasting two of the cartridges, I ended up filling the tire with a hand pump. Hey, its low tech, but it works!

After skipping two days, I hit the road around 9:30. I felt very good. Angling the handlebars back in order to rest my hands on the brake/gear handles works great. It gives me a lot more control over the bike as well. I also focused on getting into the right gear and my pedaling technique. Its funny how much you need to build into habit. When I focus on changing gears, I forget how I am pedaling. If I focus on pedaling, I'm not sitting back on the saddle all the way. I'll get it together though. Just takes practice.

Anyway, I felt good on this ride. Tomorrow night, I need to increase the distance and intensity.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

One of Those Days...

2007-02-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

This was one of those days that just got away from me. Immediately after work, I picked up my daughter and whisked her off to her middle school. We had a meeting about some of the academic programs available in her high school next year. What I thought would be a short meeting turned into a two and a half hour marathon. Good information, particularly for her, but it took up a large chunk of my evening. By the time I arrived home, it was after 9:00. It was also raining. No problem. We ate a late dinner and cleaned up. Then I unpacked my new trainer from the box and set it up anticipating some training time indoors. My legs feel pretty good after my long ride yesterday. I set up the trainer and retrieved by bike... which... had a flat tire. *sigh* It was now 10:30.

The day got the best of me today. Sometimes that just happens. You try to seize the day but it runs out before you can get ahold of it.

OK, its almost midnight now and I need to pay some bills before they are past due. Then I'll seize some pillows for a good nights sleep. Tomorrow night is the fundraising activity in Orlando and hopefully I'll have enough time to get out on the bike.

Nite... nite...

Training Log - 2/11/07

2007-02-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

Distance: 30.4 miles
Average speed: 14.8 mph
Weight: 190.0 lbs
Falling over with your feet stuck in the pedals in front of two attractive women: priceless (*rolling eyes*)

Skipped training yesterday altogether. I've got a decent head and chest cold brewing which I'm trying to get rid of. No fever yet though.

My Team in Working schedule interfered with my Team in Training schedule. So I had to work today instead of meeting up with the team this morning to do the 30 mile ride with them. Too bad too as it was such a nice day for a bike ride. My work was finished around noon. So I came home to take a nap to nurse my cold, mounted the new bike computer on my bike and then hit the road. I did the 30 miles here. It wasn't too bad. I didn't stop except for the the aforementioned spill at the intersection. I also didn't try to set any land speed records. I still had some life left in my legs but my knees were letting me know they weren't used to this distance.

I also tilted my handlebars back in order to rest my hands on the stems of the brakes/gear changers. I'll see how this feels tomorrow night. I may want to raise up my feet just a little as well. Overall, I feel pretty good.

Goal for tomorrow night -- 12 miles and then see how I feel.

Amazing Support...

2007-02-11T15:28:00.000-08:00

At the first informational meeting, the Team in Training staff reported finding support for our cause would not be difficult. I figured that most people would be sympathetic to what I was doing, raising much need funds for cancer research and support, but I am very surprised that every single person I talk to about this wants to do more than I ask for. Everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Everyone wants to help. And so many want to relay their stories of how cancer has affected them and their families. There aren't too many activities I have been involved with in my life where I have had such a sense of being part of something so much bigger than myself. I'm riding for so many other people.

Training Log - 2/9/07

2007-02-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

Distance: 17.5 miles
Temperature: 67 degrees
Weight: 189.4 lbs

Yesterday, I felt great doing 17.5 miles. Today, not so much. My legs weren't sore at all but when I got on the bike they were like lead. I struggled the whole distance. The last 3-4 miles were really tough. But I forced myself to finish the last 1-2 miles strong. A rest day tomorrow will be important if I'm going to do 30 miles on Sunday.

I'm also coming down with a cold. I was achy and not feeling well even before getting on the bike. I need the rest day to nurse the cold as well.

Florida Today Article

2007-02-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo! I'm really excited about this. Today I met with a reporter from Florida Today who is going to do an article on my participation in this Team In Training century bike ride. The article will appear first on the Palm Bay edition of the Florida Today website and then in the print version of the newspaper. It will probably take a few days for the article to go up on the website. Stay tuned. You can bet I will publish the link here.

Training Log - 2/8/07

2007-02-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

Distance: 17.5 miles
Temperature: 59 degrees
Weight: 190.8 lbs

I woke up this morning, after a day of rest, and felt great. No soreness at all. I sure sleep great now though. Tough to haul my anchor out of bed in the morning.

Anyway, the bike ride felt really good. I am getting more used to the bike and the pedals. No playing cards in the spokes, but I did put some lights on the bike. Being able to see a little better in the dark, not to mention the cars being able to see me as well, makes it easier to go fast. The bike is so light it screams to go fast.

The Color Purple

2007-02-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

My late wife used to buy me these purple shirts for Christmas. I really don't like the color purple. After a couple of holidays I ended up telling her I didn't like the purple shirts. I looked forward to the next Christmas day with the knowledge that my days of purple shirts were behind me. I tore into the first gift box and discovered... a purple shirt! As a matter of fact, I received two purple shirts. I looked at my wife puzzled. She just smiled and told me I had made her angry the previous Sunday, right before she went out Christmas shopping, and it serves me right! I laughed so hard.

So, here I am, planning to spend a whole day riding 100 miles and guess what--I'll be in a purple shirt! She's paying me back for something I did.

Still laughing about it.

Training Log - 2/7/07

2007-02-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

Distance: 1.75 miles (walk)

Just a brisk walk tonight. A bit sore. So a walk is just enough to get the blood flowing to flush all the lactic acid out of my legs. Also spent 15 minutes going through some core strengthening exercises. I am being careful not to overtrain.

Need to get more sleep though. Tough to fit everything into one day.

My new trainer arrived today along with some other cycling supplies. The trainer is a good thing. It will allow me to train even when the weather is bad.

Time for bed. Zzzzzz....

Don't Google... Goodsearch instead!

2007-02-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to alert people to this Internet search engine. There are dozens of search engines available for all sorts of topics. And collectively these sites bring in billions of dollars in advertising revenues. One married couple decided to create their own web search site and contribute the ad revenues to charities. And, best of all, you can specify which charities you want your share of the ad revenues sent. So, of course, you would want to pick The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To date, $653 has been contributed to LLS.

Skip says check it out, use it and send the money you generate from your searches to LLS. Here's the link to Good Search -

http://www.goodsearch.com/

Frazzled...

2007-02-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

Feeling a bit frazzled today. Being a single parent of two teens, keeping up with a very demanding career, managing a household and now training for Tahoe keeps me hopping. I'm trying to get my Team in Training fundraising set up as I know I am going to have to put more and more time into training as June 3rd gets closer. Its all good though. I have a lot going on in my life right now but its all good stuff.

Training Log - 2/6/07

2007-02-06T18:39:00.000-08:00

Distance: 14 miles
Temperature: 51 degrees
Star Date: 6762905.1

OK, second day on the new bike. Except for the cool ride, everything was OK until I had to stop at an intersection and suddenly lost gyroscopic stability, a condition which continued until the force of gravity and motion was counteracted by an equal and opposite force, whereupon I and my bike discovered we were at rest. In other words, I fell over and forget to unclip my feet from the pedals! LOL Hmmmm... note to self, the leverage required to snap your feet out of the pedals is inversely proportional to the distance from the ground you are. It was kind of like going to Daytona during Bike Week and watching the drunk bikers stop at the traffic lights and forget to put their feet down. You get the picture. I crack myself up! :-)

I was a bit sore getting up this morning. My thighs were fine but the muscles around my hips were sore. I am definately using different sets of muscles with the new bike. Tomorrow is a rest day. No bike tomorrow. But I will use the day to start a core strengthening routine. I also need to hit my weight machine to strengthen the stabilizing muscles around my knees. I have read this can be a problem for cyclists, particularly if the type of cleats and pedals don't agree with you. A little cross training is a good thing.

I am also looking forward to the early Daylight Savings Time change this year on March 11th. By the time I get home from work its dark. So riding around my neighborhood can be a bit tricky. I can't go as fast as I'd like to. I noticed the bike has no reflectors or kick stand. No streamers hanging from the handlebars or lights. I am thinking about clipping some playing cards in the spokes on Thursday. heehee...

Urgency...

2007-02-06T18:22:00.000-08:00

Some days I get a real sense of the urgency to support this cause. I just read an email message from my son's boy scout troopmaster. His son is at home after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. It came as a complete shock to everyone. I am shocked. It wasn't very long ago I was helping this kid complete his Personal Fitness merit badge. The randomness of this disease is incredible. The next time someone close to me hears the words "you have cancer," I want it to be followed by the words "but we have a cure."

On a lighter note, my friend Susan may be able to meet my daughter and I in Lake Tahoe. Susan is a dear friend I have known for 28 years. We were in the Air Force together. She is battling lung cancer and doing well. She is one of the people I ride for. And to know she might be waiting for me at the finish line will be awesome.

Training Log - 2/5/07

2007-02-05T20:07:00.000-08:00

Distance: 14 miles
Temperature: 53 degrees

Woo hoo! This was my first day riding my new bike. There were a lot of firsts today: new bike, new bike shorts, new jersey, new bike shoes. Let me tell you, it took a while to figure out how to mount the cleats on my shoes. And, sweet mother of Schwinn, it is quite a feat to get those cleats snapped into the pedals. That is going to take some getting used to.

After spending the last month riding my 5-speed heavy duty Schwinn dreadnaught, it was a dream riding the 14 miles on my new light Mercier road bike. It almost felt like cheating. Unfortunately, I have a grand total of about 11 inches of vertical distance to climb over the course of the 14 miles. I am worried about training for the climbs around Lake Tahoe. My trainer is due to arrive in a few days. So maybe I can use that to train for the climbs. No way to train for the altitude unless I wore a bag over my head. (Just kidding!)

I did end up raising the seat and moving it back some. Once I did that my posture felt more natural. I have never used cleats or toe clips either. Just like Mark, my coach, reported clipping your feet to the pedals helps immensely. I quickly learned to pedal through the entire revolution of each cycle which seems a whole lot more efficient. I noticed it used a different combination of muscles as well.

It was cold too. Okay... Okay... it was only 53 degrees. But I am a Floridian. The idea of biking in Lake Tahoe in 30-something degree weather seems insane to me. I wonder if it would be bad form to start the ride in Tahoe in a snowmobile suit... ;-)

"Sometimes men have to wear stretchy pants." Jack Black in Nacho Libre

2007-02-05T19:21:00.000-08:00

Hello,

My name is Skip and I have this crazy notion of coaxing this 47 year old body to bike 100 miles in Lake Tahoe on June 3rd for a cause that hits very close to home for me and my children. Two years ago my wife of nearly 22 years lost her fight to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. So I signed up as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training to complete the 100-mile endurance bike ride named America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride to raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals and their families who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

As the name of the blog indicates--I am no Lance Armstrong. So my journey to the finish line is bound to be humorous at times. I plan on making regular entries here regarding my training for the event, my fund raising activities, a little about me and some info on one special hero named Collin whom my Team In Training is honored to ride for.

I hope you check back often to keep track of my progress. And, if you want to be a part of my team, head to Skip Hines' 2007 Team In Training Page to make a donation. Every donation brings relief to those with blood cancers and the families who support them.

Thanks for your support,
Skip