Week 10 of Session 2 now completed! My schedule was as follows:
Sunday June 9th -70 km ride with the Bulls-Eye Bike Club, culminating in the Rolling Hill of Death...
Monday June 10th - A day
of rest.
Tuesday June 11th - TRX Suspension training.
Wednesday June 12th -An evening of rest!
Thursday June 13th - Working late and organizing camping gear for the ride.
Saturday
June 15th - Butt & Gutt - personal training style.
Tomorrow morning I expect to ride for a few hours. The Ride is only 6 days away.
Showing posts with label Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. Show all posts
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Journeys 3
An update to the April 12th and May 15th entries:
This week marks my 32nd week of nutritional changes, 23rd week of fitness training, and 15th week of bike specific training.
I have less than 2 weeks remaining to prepare for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 200 KM (125 Mile) 2-day ride from Calgary, Alberta to Okotoks and back.
32 weeks ago I started a journey to change my nutritional lifestyle. For those wondering what "nutritional lifestyle" means, it means changing your eating habits for good, forever, for always. Sure you can have food now and again that isn't good for you but, for the most part, you don't because you learn to care about what you are eating and the health and well being of your body. I gave up processed sugar (straight sugar, added sugar, fake sugar) months ago and have found that my body doesn't like when I consume anything with added sugar these days. It tends to revolt and let me know how very unhappy it is with any sugary choice I make. I never want to get used to eating sugar again!
23 weeks ago I started a journey to change my health and fitness. I joined a couple of classes at a local gym and have been working hard to overcome my own mental blocks. I've been setting micro goals for myself during my TRX and Butt & Gutt Classes so that I can continue to improve and challenge myself. Sure, it would be easy to sit back just do what the instructor says or continue at the same level week after week but where is the benefit to that? My challenges to myself for this 12 week session:
1. Do Burpies with a pushup - every time. I want to be able to do pushups. I don't know why I am obsessed with pushups but I am so this is a way to improve my ability.
2. Do all of the suspended exercises in TRX - this is harder than it sounds because when I started TRX 23 weeks ago, I had a lower back injury. The first session I spent stretching and strengthening my back, often modifying the suspended exercises so that I could get through them. This session, I am attempting them all; suspended planks, suspended side planks (my current nemesis), suspended crunches, suspended mountain climbers, suspended... you get the picture. While I can't always complete the full 30-45 seconds of each exercise, they each get my full effort and I can see improvement.
3. Do more reps, more quickly of each exercise.
4. Take a harder angle or modification for each exercise; ie - push myself harder.
It's paying off in improved strength, flexibility, and fitness.
15 weeks ago I started my cycling journey. When I had last updated my journeys a month ago, I was still of the mindset that maybe I couldn't ride 2 big days in a row. Looking back, I realize that I set my goal low: 3 hours Sat, 5 hours Sun. I was afraid that I couldn't do 2 big days and I was giving myself an out - a way to give in. Fortunately I didn't take that out and I ended up riding 4.5 hours each day for a total of 90 miles (150 km). Now, I don't even consider riding less than 70 km (40 miles) on a weekend day. I've logged some pretty big hills (massive hill & rolling hill - of death) along the way and am now only 9 days from the biggest ride of my life (so far). I can't wait to take on this next challenge. I know I can do it. Stay tuned for pix and posts from the ride! Calgary & Okotoks, here I come!
This week marks my 32nd week of nutritional changes, 23rd week of fitness training, and 15th week of bike specific training.
I have less than 2 weeks remaining to prepare for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 200 KM (125 Mile) 2-day ride from Calgary, Alberta to Okotoks and back.
32 weeks ago I started a journey to change my nutritional lifestyle. For those wondering what "nutritional lifestyle" means, it means changing your eating habits for good, forever, for always. Sure you can have food now and again that isn't good for you but, for the most part, you don't because you learn to care about what you are eating and the health and well being of your body. I gave up processed sugar (straight sugar, added sugar, fake sugar) months ago and have found that my body doesn't like when I consume anything with added sugar these days. It tends to revolt and let me know how very unhappy it is with any sugary choice I make. I never want to get used to eating sugar again!
23 weeks ago I started a journey to change my health and fitness. I joined a couple of classes at a local gym and have been working hard to overcome my own mental blocks. I've been setting micro goals for myself during my TRX and Butt & Gutt Classes so that I can continue to improve and challenge myself. Sure, it would be easy to sit back just do what the instructor says or continue at the same level week after week but where is the benefit to that? My challenges to myself for this 12 week session:
1. Do Burpies with a pushup - every time. I want to be able to do pushups. I don't know why I am obsessed with pushups but I am so this is a way to improve my ability.
2. Do all of the suspended exercises in TRX - this is harder than it sounds because when I started TRX 23 weeks ago, I had a lower back injury. The first session I spent stretching and strengthening my back, often modifying the suspended exercises so that I could get through them. This session, I am attempting them all; suspended planks, suspended side planks (my current nemesis), suspended crunches, suspended mountain climbers, suspended... you get the picture. While I can't always complete the full 30-45 seconds of each exercise, they each get my full effort and I can see improvement.
3. Do more reps, more quickly of each exercise.
4. Take a harder angle or modification for each exercise; ie - push myself harder.
It's paying off in improved strength, flexibility, and fitness.
15 weeks ago I started my cycling journey. When I had last updated my journeys a month ago, I was still of the mindset that maybe I couldn't ride 2 big days in a row. Looking back, I realize that I set my goal low: 3 hours Sat, 5 hours Sun. I was afraid that I couldn't do 2 big days and I was giving myself an out - a way to give in. Fortunately I didn't take that out and I ended up riding 4.5 hours each day for a total of 90 miles (150 km). Now, I don't even consider riding less than 70 km (40 miles) on a weekend day. I've logged some pretty big hills (massive hill & rolling hill - of death) along the way and am now only 9 days from the biggest ride of my life (so far). I can't wait to take on this next challenge. I know I can do it. Stay tuned for pix and posts from the ride! Calgary & Okotoks, here I come!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Rain on a Sunny Day
Second ride of the weekend and second time out with the crew from Bulls-Eye Bike Club.
The day started off weird. As I came out the front door of my house at 6:45am, I was met by a young man in a hoody wandering off my neighbor's front porch and towards my door. I asked if I could help him with something, he muttered "It's all good" and wandered off between our houses. The odd thing is... all of the houses have fenced in back yards. Where he went from there or what he wanted at that early hour, I can only guess. Nothing appears to be amiss in either back yard and houses were locked up tight so no foul at this point. Next up, I got all the way to the meet up point (on time, I might add) only to realize that I'd forgotten my helmet. Back home I went and managed to arrive only 15 minutes late, thankfully the group waited for me. :)
There were 9 of us today and I quickly learned that we would be riding Shaun's FNR route. I've seen the markings on the road in various locations but I've never purposefully followed them. FNR in 18" tall yellow paint on the road, accompanied by an arrow. Turns out this is a 70 km, September ride officially known as the Frozen Nipple Ride which I can only imagine is due to the brisk weather in Alberta that time of year. Guess I'll find out this fall.
The FNR heads North out of Spruce Grove on Jennifer Heil Way towards the infamous Massive Hill of Death. Fortunately this was not to be my fate today though little did I know something more sinister was lurking in the shadows. I haven't got a map to show for it as I neglected to start my Nike Running app before we left so you'll need to take my word on this one. If I had to find the route again, I might get lost doing it. While it is marked FNR, I can't even recall the first turn direction (I think it was right) as the FNR has the magical skill of numbing your mind through the constant application of hills. Here is the account to the best of my recollection:
It was a beautiful day with fluffy white clouds and large patches of blue. I always enjoy a new route and this one started uphill almost from the gate. Heading north out of town I believe we took a right. The sun warmed the air enough that I shed my fleece by the top of the first hill. The FNR is beautiful! Rolling green fields, miles and miles of sky, and hills, everywhere you look, there are hills. After heading East (that was the right we took), we turned left and headed North again, further info the hills. It seemed that they were never ending. Even taking another left to head West (strong headwind coming at us), there were hills. Now, even with new street slicks and clip in shoes, my little hybrid is no match for the giant street bikes which which I was riding. So, coming to an intersection, Herb and I headed straight through, continuing West while the rest of the pack had taken a Northern route to loop out around us and catch up at the next intersection. It was a HUGE uphill climb when Herb and I turned North again. Meeting up with the group, we turned around and to my delight, Herb let me know that, "It's downhill from here". Keep in mind that the original working title for this post was Herb is a Liar! :) What he meant was, we are now going downhill before we start going back uphill.
We were now heading South and turned right to head further West. At some point we crossed RT 779 North of Stony Plain and the usual road that I turn onto to head to Chickakoo. Yes, we were in the Glory Hills and heading up still. I don't know how Shaun managed to do it but the FNR route is uphill the whole way. Not just part of the way but the whole way. Herb had the kindness to ride up beside me to check in and let me know that "By the way, there is one more killer hill ahead. I just think that you should prepare for it.". Thanks, Herb, thanks a lot... I think. One more killer hill ahead. How bad could it be? Do you recall The Massive Hill of Death from 2 weeks ago? Yeah, it has an evil twin, The Rolling Hill of Death. I encountered The Rolling Hill of Death about 2 hours into the ride. It goes uphill in waves. Steep up, small flat, steep up, small flat, repeat until you lose count and are actually at the top of the world, in the clouds, as high up as an airplane... I exaggerate. Let's just say it is a BIG hill. Like it's evil twin, I refused to stop and dismount and did make it to the top in super slow motion. I think I could have walked that hill faster! It was BIG I tell you!
We now turned and rode around a loop that took us uphill and then back around to the bottom of The Rolling Hill of Death. That's right folks, I did not even have the pleasure of riding down the hill. No, no, it was uphill to the bottom of the hill... I haven't figured that out yet but I'm tellin' ya, the FNR is tricky! Here it began to spit drizzle at us, the sky clouded over, and the wind picked up with a chill. I think The Rolling Hill of Death was angry that I hadn't walked. Honestly, some hills have such bad attitudes!
The rest of the ride is a bit of a blur, one of the roads gave me my first taste of "bone jarring" rough riding. I'm pretty sure that if I were made of glass, my arms would have shattered. :D So good thing I am not made of glass.
It was a fantastic ride with a great bunch of people. Tanis & Dana who rode back for me several times (did I mention that my bike is slow?), Herb who amuses me to no end with his stories of riding downhill. It isn't true, Herb, it is never true, but thank you for trying. Lucas who wiped out and lived to tell about it. Ron and Shaun who made a great story of Lucas' wipe-out, Corey, and that one guy in yellow who I don't recall his name who were all so very encouraging! :)
See you on the roads soon!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Riding in Sunshine
Today was a beautiful day to ride. The sun was shining, the temp was warm, and the wind appeared to be calm. A great day to try out my new bike shoes, clip in pedals, and street tires. I've always been slightly in fear of clip in pedals. Afraid that I would need to put my foot down and be stuck to the bike and as a result, fall over. I've never had any serious wipe-outs on a bike, only the time I thought I'd ride my 10 speed down a grassy trail on the back hill... it didn't end well and was enough to keep me on the paved roads from there on out. But I digress...
After a couple of practice clip-ins and twist outs, I hit the road. Clipping in and out wasn't so bad! My left foot didn't really want to cooperate and clip in while I was pedaling but I eventually got it. For the first hour of my ride, I flew. I thought "This is great! I'm shaving a minute per mile. I'm flying!". Little did I know, the wind was seriously to my back. So while I can't say that the new tires, shoes, and pedals make me any faster, they do save the wear and tear on my knees! That's a big deal as all of my big rides have been followed by achy knees but not today!
As for the ride, 45 miles (75 km), much of it east/west with the wind coming from the west, I conquered the Century Rd hill north of town (again), hit a few smaller hills, and enjoyed the ride. I have the goofiest tan ever, I didn't fall off my bike, and I think I swallowed few bugs.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Session 2 - Week 7
Week 7 of Session 2 now completed! My schedule was as follows:
Sunday May 19th - If you read last week's post, you know that I rode 45 miles (75 km) on Saturday, May 18th. Today was the first day that I have done back to back long rides. I rode for another 45 miles to bring my 2 day total to 90 miles (150 km). Started off at 7am waiting to meet up with a local bike club. By 7:30 myself and another rider came to the conclusion that there had been a bit of a communications snafu and the ride was not going to happen. So, home I headed to hit the streets myself. By 8am I was peddling off towards Jubilee Park and the Spring Grove neighborhood for a warm up and then hills. Spring Grove is set up so that streets run North/South on a hill so it was good practice for hills. Down the hill, up the hill, repeat. :D And then I was off exploring new areas. Click the link above to read about Sunday's ride.
Monday May 20th - A day of rest. After my weekend of riding, I was happy to have a Monday holiday. I spent 2 hours digging the weeds out of my "flower garden" and then another hour planting new flowers. By the end of the day, I was pretty tired and still recovering from the weekend of riding.
Tuesday May 21st - TRX Suspension training. This class was a bit different from our normal format in that we were doing counted reps instead of timed sets. A very, very, very hard class. You can read about it here. Legs were the target of the day...
Wednesday May 22nd -An evening of rest! Sore from Tuesday night's class (for the first time in a long time) and happy to relax.
Thursday May 23rd - TRX Suspension training - And more leg work!
Friday May 24th - An evening out with work and early to bed to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Saturday May 25th -NO OPTIONS Butt & Gutt!! Circuit based session with 7 stations, 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest, nearly every station weighted and no rest for the single leg/side stations. It was brutal! Read about it here.
Tomorrow morning I meet up with Herb of Bulls-Eye Bike Shop to ride from 7am to 12pm. Wish me luck and many miles!
Sunday May 19th - If you read last week's post, you know that I rode 45 miles (75 km) on Saturday, May 18th. Today was the first day that I have done back to back long rides. I rode for another 45 miles to bring my 2 day total to 90 miles (150 km). Started off at 7am waiting to meet up with a local bike club. By 7:30 myself and another rider came to the conclusion that there had been a bit of a communications snafu and the ride was not going to happen. So, home I headed to hit the streets myself. By 8am I was peddling off towards Jubilee Park and the Spring Grove neighborhood for a warm up and then hills. Spring Grove is set up so that streets run North/South on a hill so it was good practice for hills. Down the hill, up the hill, repeat. :D And then I was off exploring new areas. Click the link above to read about Sunday's ride.
Monday May 20th - A day of rest. After my weekend of riding, I was happy to have a Monday holiday. I spent 2 hours digging the weeds out of my "flower garden" and then another hour planting new flowers. By the end of the day, I was pretty tired and still recovering from the weekend of riding.
Tuesday May 21st - TRX Suspension training. This class was a bit different from our normal format in that we were doing counted reps instead of timed sets. A very, very, very hard class. You can read about it here. Legs were the target of the day...
Wednesday May 22nd -An evening of rest! Sore from Tuesday night's class (for the first time in a long time) and happy to relax.
Thursday May 23rd - TRX Suspension training - And more leg work!
Friday May 24th - An evening out with work and early to bed to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Saturday May 25th -NO OPTIONS Butt & Gutt!! Circuit based session with 7 stations, 30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest, nearly every station weighted and no rest for the single leg/side stations. It was brutal! Read about it here.
Tomorrow morning I meet up with Herb of Bulls-Eye Bike Shop to ride from 7am to 12pm. Wish me luck and many miles!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
9-T!
Today was my second day in a row of riding 45 miles to bring the weekend total to 90 miles (150 km). As you can see from the map below, I took a very different route, north out of Spruce Grove on Century, ending up waaaaaaaaay up at the top of a giant hill. Yes, I rode the entire thing, without stopping AND... I didn't die! :D (happy dance!)
I'm a bit surprised that I am not more tired but it is still early in the day (3:30 MST) and I'm sure by this evening I'll be ready to fall right over. Maybe it was the alternative protein, aka: bugs I swallowed on the ride.. hmmmm.
Today was slightly overcast and I had a nice cool breeze for most of the ride so I didn't add to the sunburn that I managed to get yesterday. :) Oh, and I have a funny white stripe where I wear my ID band on my wrist. And bikers tan, I am developing bikers tan. What is up with that? Geesh!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
45
Today was the first day of a 2 day training ride plan. I had planned to be up by 5am, riding from 6-9am, aiming for 30 miles before my 10am Butt & Gutt session. My body had other plans for me. Being a bit tired, I slept until 7 and hit the road at 8am, riding until I met up with the Butt & Gutt class at 10. I logged 20 miles in those 2 hours (Map on the right).
As I participated in the B&G session, all I could hear in the back of my mind was my mom: "You can't do BOTH bike riding and B&G, Silly Girl. You should just do one or the other." How right she was! B&G consisted of hill running and major leg work today, focusing on the thighs. And my poor thighs were already tired!
However, feeling that I still had something left in me to wrap up the planned 30 total miles for the day, I headed home after B&G for a pit stop, whipped up a smoothie (and downed it), and headed back to the streets (Map on the left). 2 hours, 11 minutes later, I had completed 25 miles and called it a day. And what a beautiful day it was! As tired as I am right now, I enjoyed every last second of sunshine, wind, scenery, exploring new neighborhoods, and kicking my butt! :D
I've planned to meet up with Bulls-eye Bike Club at 7am tomorrow for a 5 hour, many mile ride. See you after!
Session 2 - Week 6
Week 6 of Session 2 now completed! My schedule was as follows:
Sunday May 12th - Rest, sleep, fluids, & good nutrition. Happy Mothers' Day to all the Mothers out there. My son called to wish me a happy day and to plan our visit in July when I head for home. :D
Monday May 13th - A day of rest.
Tuesday May 14th - TRX Suspension training. Plenty of leg work in this session. It has been immensely helpful in getting me ready for the Ride. This evening's class was 40 seconds work with 10 second breaks. Mixing it up and making ourselves WORK! Do a set of tricep presses and then, take a step back and make it harder.
Wednesday May 15th -An evening hike at Chickakoo Lake! 1 hour of hiking the Advanced/Intermediate trails with Miss Ashley "Crunchy Frogs", Ghiry, and Zoie! It was a beautiful evening and the trail was challenging. :D
Thursday May 16th - TRX Suspension training - Tabata style! 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, 8 sets of each exercise, repeat!
Friday May 17th - An evening off!
Saturday May 18th - A BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC ride! :D Started the day off at 8am with a 2 hour, 20 mile ride followed by an hour of Butt & Gutt, and topped off with another 2+ hour, 25 mile ride. 45 miles on the day and scheduled to ride again in the AM for my first back to back long ride days.. wish me luck!
Sunday May 12th - Rest, sleep, fluids, & good nutrition. Happy Mothers' Day to all the Mothers out there. My son called to wish me a happy day and to plan our visit in July when I head for home. :D
Monday May 13th - A day of rest.
Tuesday May 14th - TRX Suspension training. Plenty of leg work in this session. It has been immensely helpful in getting me ready for the Ride. This evening's class was 40 seconds work with 10 second breaks. Mixing it up and making ourselves WORK! Do a set of tricep presses and then, take a step back and make it harder.
Wednesday May 15th -An evening hike at Chickakoo Lake! 1 hour of hiking the Advanced/Intermediate trails with Miss Ashley "Crunchy Frogs", Ghiry, and Zoie! It was a beautiful evening and the trail was challenging. :D
Thursday May 16th - TRX Suspension training - Tabata style! 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, 8 sets of each exercise, repeat!
Friday May 17th - An evening off!
Saturday May 18th - A BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC ride! :D Started the day off at 8am with a 2 hour, 20 mile ride followed by an hour of Butt & Gutt, and topped off with another 2+ hour, 25 mile ride. 45 miles on the day and scheduled to ride again in the AM for my first back to back long ride days.. wish me luck!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Fundraising 2
As of 8:37am, MST today, you have helped me to raise the $2,500 that is required for me to ride in the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. Each and every one of you are AMAZING!
Some of you are family, some of you are clients, and all of you are friends. I am overwhelmed by the support that you have all shown me through your donations, words of encouragement, and just being there when I needed you.
This is not the end of the journey. There is still training to do, I'm still collecting donations towards this cause, there is still planning and packing for the overnight portion of The Ride, and there will be plenty of updates to keep you all amused. :)
From my heart:
Some of you are family, some of you are clients, and all of you are friends. I am overwhelmed by the support that you have all shown me through your donations, words of encouragement, and just being there when I needed you.
This is not the end of the journey. There is still training to do, I'm still collecting donations towards this cause, there is still planning and packing for the overnight portion of The Ride, and there will be plenty of updates to keep you all amused. :)
From my heart:
THANK YOU ALL!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Journeys Too
An update to the April 12th entry.
This week marks my 28th week of nutritional changes, 19th week of fitness training, and 11th week of bike specific training.
I have 5 weeks remaining to train for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 200 KM (125 Mile) ride. Here is the update:
28 weeks ago I embarked on a journey to change my nutritional lifestyle. No more bags of chips, no more "junk foods", no more empty calories.
What are empty calories you ask? In my book, they are food that have nothing in them but calories from sugar/carbs, fat and not much else. No nutrients, vitamins, minerals - nothing that is actually naturally occurring in the ingredients of the "food". This includes enriched foods. If you can't get the nutrients from the ingredients, what on earth is being added to make up for that?
When I shop, I typically stick to fresh produce, dairy, meats (mostly fish and turkey/chicken), nuts & seeds, and a limited number of canned items - think tuna, pickles (love them in tuna!), canned fruits for smoothies, and alternative grains & pastas. By shopping this way and planning my meals each week, I've been able to drastically change what I am putting in my body. I KNOW what I am putting into my body. I know how many calories it has, I know what is in it for nutrients, I know how it was made because it was fresh and I cooked it myself. Best of all, I like what I am eating because I cook it the way I like it. I find this helps to eliminate cravings because, many times, when you are craving something you are looking for a certain flavor/taste from your food. And most of the time, you aren't getting it.
So where am I going with this? This nutritional journey has taken me on quite the ride. Over the past 28 weeks, I have changed my nutritional lifestyle (and activity lifestyle) enough to lose 58.5 pounds. This is huge for me. I've struggled with weight on and off for over 15 years. Don't get me wrong, this is not easy. It is a lot of work, sweat, and tears - but more on that another day. This journey is far from over. I've got a long way to go but I'm well on my way. And that brings us to:
19 weeks ago I began my fitness journey:
The biggest challenge to any fitness program is your own mind. When I started my fitness training in January, there was a night that I didn't have a car (the wheel had fallen off of The Dingo) or a ride home from the gym. I packed up my gym clothes in a duffel bag and brought them to work with me. I figured I would get dropped off at the gym and then walk the 1-2 miles home after the workout. I thought about it all day long. I'd only been attending classes for 1 week. I was convinced that I couldn't walk a mile (or 2) home after class. I was sure that I would never make it that far. And so I skipped class that night and got dropped off at home instead. How had I come to think this way? I had been athletic most of my life. I ran track, played soccer, hiked, kayaked, biked, walked everywhere - but I hadn't done any of these things in years. My mind told me that I couldn't, I listened to my mind tell me that I couldn't, and so, I couldn't.
Even today, 19 weeks later, I am still amazed at what I CAN do. I can do pushups, I can do TRX suspended mountain climbers & crunches. I can do squats and lunges for days (okay, exaggeration there), I can jog (and I hate jogging), I can bike for 4.5 hours, I can hike very steep hilly terrain and even RUN up the hills. I can do so much and yet my mind is still stuck on "Um, are you sure you can do that? I'm not sure you can...". My next challenge to myself (mini goal) is to stop listening to my mind and to tell myself I CAN DO IT!
11 Weeks ago began my bike journey:
As you just heard in the above paragraph (just seeing if you are paying attention), I bike for 4.5 hours at a time. I'd always biked as a kid. I went to bike camp where we biked for the whole day, every day, for a week. It was great! This is great! Also pertaining to the above paragraph, I am still amazed that I can do what I can do. This weekend's goal is 2 days of riding, both long rides. 3+ hours on Saturday, 5 hours on Sunday. Will I make it? Yes, I will! I'm telling my mind now that it is going to happen! Mind, get your butt in gear because we are taking a ride! Oh! And my fundraising is THIS close to the $2,500 that I need to ride in June! THIS CLOSE! So feel free to donate to sponsor my ride! I can't do it without you! In fact, I couldn't have gotten this far without everyone who has cheered me on in my journeys.
See you all in another month... (that is for the next update, the next blog post will most likely be tomorrow so come back then!)
This week marks my 28th week of nutritional changes, 19th week of fitness training, and 11th week of bike specific training.
I have 5 weeks remaining to train for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 200 KM (125 Mile) ride. Here is the update:
28 weeks ago I embarked on a journey to change my nutritional lifestyle. No more bags of chips, no more "junk foods", no more empty calories.
What are empty calories you ask? In my book, they are food that have nothing in them but calories from sugar/carbs, fat and not much else. No nutrients, vitamins, minerals - nothing that is actually naturally occurring in the ingredients of the "food". This includes enriched foods. If you can't get the nutrients from the ingredients, what on earth is being added to make up for that?
When I shop, I typically stick to fresh produce, dairy, meats (mostly fish and turkey/chicken), nuts & seeds, and a limited number of canned items - think tuna, pickles (love them in tuna!), canned fruits for smoothies, and alternative grains & pastas. By shopping this way and planning my meals each week, I've been able to drastically change what I am putting in my body. I KNOW what I am putting into my body. I know how many calories it has, I know what is in it for nutrients, I know how it was made because it was fresh and I cooked it myself. Best of all, I like what I am eating because I cook it the way I like it. I find this helps to eliminate cravings because, many times, when you are craving something you are looking for a certain flavor/taste from your food. And most of the time, you aren't getting it.
So where am I going with this? This nutritional journey has taken me on quite the ride. Over the past 28 weeks, I have changed my nutritional lifestyle (and activity lifestyle) enough to lose 58.5 pounds. This is huge for me. I've struggled with weight on and off for over 15 years. Don't get me wrong, this is not easy. It is a lot of work, sweat, and tears - but more on that another day. This journey is far from over. I've got a long way to go but I'm well on my way. And that brings us to:
19 weeks ago I began my fitness journey:
The biggest challenge to any fitness program is your own mind. When I started my fitness training in January, there was a night that I didn't have a car (the wheel had fallen off of The Dingo) or a ride home from the gym. I packed up my gym clothes in a duffel bag and brought them to work with me. I figured I would get dropped off at the gym and then walk the 1-2 miles home after the workout. I thought about it all day long. I'd only been attending classes for 1 week. I was convinced that I couldn't walk a mile (or 2) home after class. I was sure that I would never make it that far. And so I skipped class that night and got dropped off at home instead. How had I come to think this way? I had been athletic most of my life. I ran track, played soccer, hiked, kayaked, biked, walked everywhere - but I hadn't done any of these things in years. My mind told me that I couldn't, I listened to my mind tell me that I couldn't, and so, I couldn't.
Even today, 19 weeks later, I am still amazed at what I CAN do. I can do pushups, I can do TRX suspended mountain climbers & crunches. I can do squats and lunges for days (okay, exaggeration there), I can jog (and I hate jogging), I can bike for 4.5 hours, I can hike very steep hilly terrain and even RUN up the hills. I can do so much and yet my mind is still stuck on "Um, are you sure you can do that? I'm not sure you can...". My next challenge to myself (mini goal) is to stop listening to my mind and to tell myself I CAN DO IT!
11 Weeks ago began my bike journey:
As you just heard in the above paragraph (just seeing if you are paying attention), I bike for 4.5 hours at a time. I'd always biked as a kid. I went to bike camp where we biked for the whole day, every day, for a week. It was great! This is great! Also pertaining to the above paragraph, I am still amazed that I can do what I can do. This weekend's goal is 2 days of riding, both long rides. 3+ hours on Saturday, 5 hours on Sunday. Will I make it? Yes, I will! I'm telling my mind now that it is going to happen! Mind, get your butt in gear because we are taking a ride! Oh! And my fundraising is THIS close to the $2,500 that I need to ride in June! THIS CLOSE! So feel free to donate to sponsor my ride! I can't do it without you! In fact, I couldn't have gotten this far without everyone who has cheered me on in my journeys.
See you all in another month... (that is for the next update, the next blog post will most likely be tomorrow so come back then!)
Monday, May 13, 2013
Fund Raising Update
As of today, I've raised $2,145.00 of the $2,500 that I need to ride in the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. I couldn't do this without the help of each and every one of you. This is only $355.00 short of the amount that will allow me to get on my bike and ride on June 22 & 23.
Help me to make it the rest of the way?
Help me to make it the rest of the way?
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, in a cold, northern country, there lived a gurl who loved to bike. She would bike early in the morning, in the middle of the day, late into the evening, and even in her dreams at night. The gurl would bike in the cold weather, in the rain, the wind, and the sun. Though her neighbors saw her come and go, flashing by with a smile and a wave on her red and gold bike, they often scratched their heads and wondered... Why? Why does she bike day in and day out, hour after hour?
What they didn't know was the the gurl was training for an epic event that included a mountainous goal (or 2), figuratively and quite literally.
I am that gurl and I'm riding that bike (21 year old red with gold trim Specialized Cross Roads) in the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer on June 22nd & 23rd. This ride is a 2 day, 200 km (125 mile) ride that leaves out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada with an overnight (in a tent camp) at Okotoks, Alberta, and a return to Calgary on the second day. What is the ride for? Glad you asked! To raise funds for Alberta Cancer Research.
Here are the literal mountains - The Canadian Rockies! I'll be riding with these beautiful mountains as the back drop and, while I have yet to drive to Calgary (I hear Road Trip in my near future) and check them out, I get the distinct feeling that there will be some "hills" to ride.
Here are the figurative mountains -
1. Training - I'm training hard for this ride and have been since January. I ride 1-2 days per week on looooooooooooong rides (think 3+ hours - lately 4+) and I participate in high-intensity total body workouts 3 days a week. Strength and cardio are as important as endurance.
2. Fund raising - I am required to raise $2,500 to participate in THE RIDE. This is the mountain that I need help with. I'm 64% of the way there - to being allowed to ride. Won't you help me make my dream come true for a great cause?
Here are the stats as of May 2, 2013:
Date: June 22nd & 23rd, 2013
Distance: 200 KM (125 Miles)
Location: Calgary, Alberta to Okotoks, Alberta & back again
Donation Link: http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/nhkayakgirl
Fundraising required to ride: $2,500.00
Money raised to date: $1,695.00
Money left to raise to date: $805.00
(Pledged but not donated yet: $100)
Days left for fundraising: 51
Dollar amount needed per day to make Minimum goal: $15.78
Dollars that I have personally donated towards my goal: $100.00
Dollars that I have personally spent on training, nutrition, and equipment to date: $575.00
Note: this does not count the 24 weeks of fitness training at The Boxing Club that I have been participating in since January).
The Challenge to you: Become one of my sponsors by donating at least $25.00 towards my goal.
The Mountainous Challenge: Match what I have donated.
What they didn't know was the the gurl was training for an epic event that included a mountainous goal (or 2), figuratively and quite literally.
I am that gurl and I'm riding that bike (21 year old red with gold trim Specialized Cross Roads) in the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer on June 22nd & 23rd. This ride is a 2 day, 200 km (125 mile) ride that leaves out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada with an overnight (in a tent camp) at Okotoks, Alberta, and a return to Calgary on the second day. What is the ride for? Glad you asked! To raise funds for Alberta Cancer Research.
Here are the literal mountains - The Canadian Rockies! I'll be riding with these beautiful mountains as the back drop and, while I have yet to drive to Calgary (I hear Road Trip in my near future) and check them out, I get the distinct feeling that there will be some "hills" to ride.
Here are the figurative mountains -
1. Training - I'm training hard for this ride and have been since January. I ride 1-2 days per week on looooooooooooong rides (think 3+ hours - lately 4+) and I participate in high-intensity total body workouts 3 days a week. Strength and cardio are as important as endurance.
2. Fund raising - I am required to raise $2,500 to participate in THE RIDE. This is the mountain that I need help with. I'm 64% of the way there - to being allowed to ride. Won't you help me make my dream come true for a great cause?
Here are the stats as of May 2, 2013:
Date: June 22nd & 23rd, 2013
Distance: 200 KM (125 Miles)
Location: Calgary, Alberta to Okotoks, Alberta & back again
Donation Link: http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/nhkayakgirl
Fundraising required to ride: $2,500.00
Money raised to date: $1,695.00
Money left to raise to date: $805.00
(Pledged but not donated yet: $100)
Days left for fundraising: 51
Dollar amount needed per day to make Minimum goal: $15.78
Dollars that I have personally donated towards my goal: $100.00
Dollars that I have personally spent on training, nutrition, and equipment to date: $575.00
Note: this does not count the 24 weeks of fitness training at The Boxing Club that I have been participating in since January).
The Challenge to you: Become one of my sponsors by donating at least $25.00 towards my goal.
The Mountainous Challenge: Match what I have donated.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
The Giant 4-OH!
I'll be the first to admit that when I woke up this morning, I wasn't in the mood for a mega ride (well, that isn't exactly true, more like I wasn't in the mood to motivate myself for a mega ride). You know the feeling, we all get it, that it would be so much easier to stay in bed, hang around and watch movies, take a day off, anything but get our butts out of the house and DO something.
But, I'll be the first to let you know that I AM GLAD I DID IT! I am glad that I made myself eat breakfast, made myself mix up a delicious Camelbak of nutrients (Dripping sarcasm there, folks!), made myself put on 3 layers. Yes, count them, 3 - It's still cold here in Alberta! - Complete with hat under the helmet & gloves for my poor little cold hands... Glad that I kept going. Glad that after 2 hours when I needed a pit stop I was strong enough to make myself go back out for another hour. And then another. Yup, ended up riding for 4.5 hours today - 40 miles - ON THE STREET, against the wind, and uphill both ways! Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration but it was difficult. And when it was all over, I was able to say: I did it! And not only did I do it, but I felt good after I was done and even came to the conclusion that I might even be able to ride 50 Miles, 60 Miles, or even 65 (that is the daily requirement on the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - 2 days, 125 miles total) and all because I DID IT!
Now my question to you is: Since I did it, won't you get out there and sponsor me so that all of this hard work will not be in vain? Click here and when the new page loads, click the big green button to sponsor my ride. I'm only $925 away from being able to ride June 22nd & 23rd. Every little bit helps and I appreciate every dollar donated.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Getting Closer!
Fundraising update: $1,575 raised to date. Only $925 left to go to be able to ride in June! That means...
58 Days left to raise funds
$15.95 needed per day to meet goal.
Won't you sponsor me today?
P.S. stay tuned for a new post with story tonight!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY SPONSORS SO FAR! I appreciate each and every one of you. :D
58 Days left to raise funds
$15.95 needed per day to meet goal.
Won't you sponsor me today?
P.S. stay tuned for a new post with story tonight!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY SPONSORS SO FAR! I appreciate each and every one of you. :D
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The Cliffs of Insanity
NOTE: This year's ride link is here (not the ones below, they are last year)
In my family, when something is too big to believe, it becomes "The Cliffs of Insanity" (reference The Princess Bride - yeah, even you guys can appreciate this movie). My mom grows Delphinium that reaches 6 ft tall or better - it has become The Delphinium of Insanity. I have registered for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 2-day, 200 KM (125 Mile) bike ride to raise funds for Cancer Research Alberta. It has become The Bike Ride of Insanity!
Why did I do it, you might ask. And the answer is here: Why I am riding in The Bike Ride of Insanity.
Now, registering for The Bike Ride of Insanity is one thing. That is the easiest part (after a bit of nudging and encouragement from a good friend). The hard parts (Yes, there are more than 1 hard part or else it wouldn't be so insane, now would it?) are The Training of Insanity & The Fundraising of Insanity. Let's take them one at a time, shall we?
The Training of Insanity: In order to ride in The Bike Ride of Insanity, I need to be prepare to pedal 200 KM (125 Miles) over 2 days. Broken down, that is 100 KM (65 Miles) per day, most likely over 6+ hours each day. How does one train for such a thing? Personally, I participate in several high-intensity workouts at a local gym each week (3 days a week) and I ride 2-3 days per week. My last 2 riding sessions consisted of 3 hours of indoor spin on a Sunday and 1.5 hours of outdoor street riding on a Wednesday. Each week I add more time/distance to my rides so that by June 22nd (just 9 short weeks away), I'll be able to ride 6+ hours a day, at least 2 days a week. I know I can do this but that brings us to...
The Fundraising of Insanity: This is where you come in. I can't do The Bike Ride of Insanity alone. I've registered and I am training but I need to raise at least $2,500 to be allowed to get on my bike on June 22nd and ride out of Calgary, Alberta with 1,500 other riders who have raised their funds. This is why I am making The Plea of Insanity. I am asking you, a total stranger who may be reading my blog for the first time, please, sponsor me in The Bike Ride of Insanity.
Here are the stats as of April 20, 2013:
A HUGE THANK YOU out to my many sponsors who have already donated and a Hug of Insanity to my #1 Cheerleader.
In my family, when something is too big to believe, it becomes "The Cliffs of Insanity" (reference The Princess Bride - yeah, even you guys can appreciate this movie). My mom grows Delphinium that reaches 6 ft tall or better - it has become The Delphinium of Insanity. I have registered for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 2-day, 200 KM (125 Mile) bike ride to raise funds for Cancer Research Alberta. It has become The Bike Ride of Insanity!
Why did I do it, you might ask. And the answer is here: Why I am riding in The Bike Ride of Insanity.
Now, registering for The Bike Ride of Insanity is one thing. That is the easiest part (after a bit of nudging and encouragement from a good friend). The hard parts (Yes, there are more than 1 hard part or else it wouldn't be so insane, now would it?) are The Training of Insanity & The Fundraising of Insanity. Let's take them one at a time, shall we?
The Training of Insanity: In order to ride in The Bike Ride of Insanity, I need to be prepare to pedal 200 KM (125 Miles) over 2 days. Broken down, that is 100 KM (65 Miles) per day, most likely over 6+ hours each day. How does one train for such a thing? Personally, I participate in several high-intensity workouts at a local gym each week (3 days a week) and I ride 2-3 days per week. My last 2 riding sessions consisted of 3 hours of indoor spin on a Sunday and 1.5 hours of outdoor street riding on a Wednesday. Each week I add more time/distance to my rides so that by June 22nd (just 9 short weeks away), I'll be able to ride 6+ hours a day, at least 2 days a week. I know I can do this but that brings us to...
The Fundraising of Insanity: This is where you come in. I can't do The Bike Ride of Insanity alone. I've registered and I am training but I need to raise at least $2,500 to be allowed to get on my bike on June 22nd and ride out of Calgary, Alberta with 1,500 other riders who have raised their funds. This is why I am making The Plea of Insanity. I am asking you, a total stranger who may be reading my blog for the first time, please, sponsor me in The Bike Ride of Insanity.
Here are the stats as of April 20, 2013:
Date:
June 22nd & 23rd, 2013
Distance:
200 KM (125 Miles)
Location:
West of Calgary, Alberta
Donation
Link: http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/nhkayakgirl
Fundraising
required to ride: $2,500.00
Money
raised to date: $1,490.00
Money
left to raise to date: $1,010.00
Days
left for fundraising: 63
Dollar
amount needed per day to make Minimum goal: $16.03
Personal
fundraising goal: $5,000.00
Dollar
amount needed per day to make Personal Goal: $55.71
Dollars
that I have personally donated towards my goal: $100.00
Dollars
that I have personally spent on training, nutrition, and equipment to date:
$500.00 (note: this does not count the 24 weeks of fitness training at The
Boxing Club that I have been participating in since January).
The
Challenge to you: Become
one of my sponsors by donating at least $25.00 towards my goal.
The
Challenge of Insanity: Match what I have donated.
Need a Laugh of Insanity today?
A HUGE THANK YOU out to my many sponsors who have already donated and a Hug of Insanity to my #1 Cheerleader.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Monty Python
And who doesn't love some Monty Python? :D
It all started with a simple conversation... By the way, one of the best conversations I've had in a while.
FMM: It shall kneel before me, oh yes! If not I shall taunt it a 2nd time
Me: Well, it's mother WAS a hamster afterall....
FMM: Better than an African Swallow
Me: Depends on how you look at it. Hamsters aren't often tasked with transporting coconuts.
FMM: Not generally and they're never asked to bring out their dead
Me: Quite so, though weighing less than a duck, they are often mistaken for witches
FMM: BBBBUUUUURRRRRNNNN
And from there the weirdness began...
It all started with a simple conversation... By the way, one of the best conversations I've had in a while.
FMM: It shall kneel before me, oh yes! If not I shall taunt it a 2nd time
Me: Well, it's mother WAS a hamster afterall....
FMM: Better than an African Swallow
Me: Depends on how you look at it. Hamsters aren't often tasked with transporting coconuts.
FMM: Not generally and they're never asked to bring out their dead
Me: Quite so, though weighing less than a duck, they are often mistaken for witches
FMM: BBBBUUUUURRRRRNNNN
And from there the weirdness began...
The funniest thing happened to me today after work. You are
so not going to believe it. I was driving home (and you know it is only about 4
miles from work to home) and out of the clear blue sky, there dropped a
coconut! I'm not kidding you. I was shocked!! It bounced off of the roof of my
truck and then the hood and rolled across the road. Now, as you can imagine, I
was looking around to see if there might possibly be a Swallow in the area
(European or African, at this point I wasn't picky). However, I saw no trace of
a winged culprit and so I continued on.
When I reached my house, I was surprised to find that Ghiry
had been turned into a newt. Not an ordinary newt, mind you, but rather a giant
orange and purple spotted newt. Knowing, as you do, that Ghiry is 120 pounds
and rather large, you can understand my fear at finding such a creature in my
house. Fortunately he got better and is now back to his current state of being
a dog. Thank goodness because I don't know what newts eat.
I was wondering at this time whether my day could get any
weirder. I changed for TRX class and headed out the door. When I arrived at the
club, I was confronted by a rouge dressed all in black who insisted that none
should leave the class until they had proven themselves in battle. Alas, what
was I to do but draw my sword and plunge right in? An hour later, I was
fortunate to scarper off with myself and my dignity mostly intact, licking my
wounds, and swearing revenge upon this foul being.
Making a quick stop to board my trusty steed at the
farriers, I headed home befuddled, but happy, that the cost of board and
re-shoeing is only 1 small shrubbery, planted neatly next to a white picket
fence. Though were I am to find such an item is currently beyond me as there is
so much snow on the ground that all shrubberies are either buried or had
migrated south for the season and have yet to return.
I am hoping that the evening will proceed with far less
excitement as I fear I may pass away from shear shock and require a special
pick-up to be scheduled with the dead cart. I am hoping to avoid that scenario
though and am willing to do penance in the form of whacking my head against a
solid chunk of wood while chanting if that is what is required.
For now I retire to the castle Anthrax and light my beacon
in the hopes that some brave fellow should come and save me from this
insanity...
If I have in any way left you with a smile, a chuckle, or a guffaw, kindly return the favor and sponsor me in the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - which will make me smile. :) First Outside Ride
Last night was my first outside ride of the season as part of my training for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer.
Date: April 17, 2013
Days until The Ride: 66
Temperature: 41F (5C)
Funds Still Needed to Ride: $1,360 (hint, sponsor me! Click the big green button, you know you wanna!)
I left the house just after 5:30pm to explore the Spruce Grove Heritage Trail. This trail is a wide paved walkway that winds around neighborhoods and through Ghiry's favorite forest in the City of Spruce Grove. As the snow has finally receded from 98% of the trail, it makes a good training ground with it's winding paths and various levels of incline. I should note that I'm using the Nike Running App to track distance and let's just say that because I ride here, there, and wherever the Megrims take me, my route map looks pretty funny! I may have to make it a goal to come up with the weirdest looking maps possible just to amuse myself.
As you can see, I got in 12.44 miles (20 KM) last night. Overall it was terrific to be outside but I continue to struggle with the nutritional aspect of endurance training. I added some extra carbs in the form of Spelt Pasta to my mid-day meal and brought along electrolytes in my water but by mile 12, I was spent. Perhaps more pasta is in order...
Stay tuned for the next ride, most likely on Saturday before and after the regularly scheduled Butt & Gutt class! See you there!
Date: April 17, 2013
Days until The Ride: 66
Temperature: 41F (5C)
Funds Still Needed to Ride: $1,360 (hint, sponsor me! Click the big green button, you know you wanna!)
I left the house just after 5:30pm to explore the Spruce Grove Heritage Trail. This trail is a wide paved walkway that winds around neighborhoods and through Ghiry's favorite forest in the City of Spruce Grove. As the snow has finally receded from 98% of the trail, it makes a good training ground with it's winding paths and various levels of incline. I should note that I'm using the Nike Running App to track distance and let's just say that because I ride here, there, and wherever the Megrims take me, my route map looks pretty funny! I may have to make it a goal to come up with the weirdest looking maps possible just to amuse myself.
As you can see, I got in 12.44 miles (20 KM) last night. Overall it was terrific to be outside but I continue to struggle with the nutritional aspect of endurance training. I added some extra carbs in the form of Spelt Pasta to my mid-day meal and brought along electrolytes in my water but by mile 12, I was spent. Perhaps more pasta is in order...
Stay tuned for the next ride, most likely on Saturday before and after the regularly scheduled Butt & Gutt class! See you there!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Base Gear
I love my base gear! But I get ahead of the story...
Sunday is a hardcore riding day. The only day that I have off from work and workouts to concentrate 100% on riding. And today was a big one. The longest ride I'd completed before this morning was 2 hours. That was last Sunday with 1 hour of Open Spin & 1 hour of instructor led Spin Class. I'd decided to add a half hour to my ride each Sunday until I hit 6 hours. I figure that I'm going to need approximately 6 hours to get from point A to point B each day during the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. The distance is 100 KM (65 Miles) per day. Gosh I hope 6 hours does it! I'll let you know if it doesn't!
The alarm went off at 5am this morning and oddly enough, I was awake before it did. It still took me a good 20 minutes to be out of bed and downstairs in the kitchen fixing breakfast. I'm still learning about sports nutrition (endurance sports nutrition specifically) but figured I couldn't go wrong with a scrambled egg cooked up with onion, mushrooms, purple barley, and cheddar cheese. I'm working to incorporate more whole grains into my diet (non-wheat whole grains). Currently Quinoa (white and red) and Purple Barley are favorites. My Camelbak holds 3 Liters (Litres) of water and today I figured it was a good day to test out the new nutritional supplement that I plan on using in June: Hammer Perpetuem. The label on the bag says Orange-Vanilla flavor, I say BLECH! It has a nasty flavor. Must remember to mix in some Orange flavored electrolytes in the future! Duly armed with this nasty concoction, 1.5 Litres of plain water, a change of clothes, and my best attitude, off I went to The Boxing Club - arriving at 6:30am.
I hit the bike at 6:40 after a quick stretch and began my first hour of pedaling for the day. Let's just concede the point that riding inside, in a building, staring at a mirror, is boring. That being said, Rod was there riding too so there was someone to chat with. Rod rides 10 minutes seated, 10 minutes standing (those are some looooong hills!). I'm not quite that talented yet so I chose a format of 10-15 minutes sitting, 2-5 minutes standing. The first hour went by fairly quickly and we were joined by 2 more cyclers (don't know their names yet though one was wearing a Boston Bruins t-shirt!!!!).
At the 1 hour mark I had hit 24.5 KM pedaled and it was time for a quick break. There are rumored to be pit-stops every 20 KM during the ride in June and I sure hope that's true. Back on the bike to start hour 2, my bum was feeling a bit numb so I switched up my circuits to 10 minutes sitting, 5 minutes standing. You pedal at a harder gear standing and so go a shorter distance than you do just sitting. The time flew by fairly quickly and before I knew it, it was going on 8:20 and I'd completed 2 hours of biking this morning. As I was THIS CLOSE to another 25 KM completed, I stuck around on the bike another 7.5 minutes to get to 25.6 KM for a total of 50 KM (31 miles) before calling it a day on the Free Spin.
But wait! There's more! Don't forget that I have a 10-11am instructor led Spin Class at The Boxing Club.... yeah, I wasn't done yet. :) As it was only 8:45, I quickly changed into dry clothes and headed the 1 mile home for some real food to supplement the ICK I'd been drinking for the past 2 hours. I quickly blended up a Lime, Banana, Pineapple smoothie with an additional ingredient this morning: Hemp Seed Hearts (I suggest you check them out). I figured my best plan would be to head back to the gym where I was less likely to sit and veg for a half hour and more likely to stretch and stay warm before the next hour long session. Once on the bike again (here's where 'base gear" comes in), we were instructed to pick a gear that is comfortable to ride at, where we could maintain at for 30 minutes at a time. I picked "10". From here on out, we would increase and return to base gear in 1 minute intervals, stepping up the gear by 2-5 gears depending on the exercise. Each time we came back down to base gear, I loved that gear more and more! It was a super ride with 5 other terrific gals and I look forward to doing it again next weekend. Thank you Ashley & Bobbi for co-leading this spin class today. It was a load of fun! 16 more KM added to wrap up the day at 66 KM (40.9 Miles) worth of spinning. PHEW! Now on to cooking dinner for the week but that's another post for another time...
Thanks for tuning in!
Sunday is a hardcore riding day. The only day that I have off from work and workouts to concentrate 100% on riding. And today was a big one. The longest ride I'd completed before this morning was 2 hours. That was last Sunday with 1 hour of Open Spin & 1 hour of instructor led Spin Class. I'd decided to add a half hour to my ride each Sunday until I hit 6 hours. I figure that I'm going to need approximately 6 hours to get from point A to point B each day during the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. The distance is 100 KM (65 Miles) per day. Gosh I hope 6 hours does it! I'll let you know if it doesn't!
The alarm went off at 5am this morning and oddly enough, I was awake before it did. It still took me a good 20 minutes to be out of bed and downstairs in the kitchen fixing breakfast. I'm still learning about sports nutrition (endurance sports nutrition specifically) but figured I couldn't go wrong with a scrambled egg cooked up with onion, mushrooms, purple barley, and cheddar cheese. I'm working to incorporate more whole grains into my diet (non-wheat whole grains). Currently Quinoa (white and red) and Purple Barley are favorites. My Camelbak holds 3 Liters (Litres) of water and today I figured it was a good day to test out the new nutritional supplement that I plan on using in June: Hammer Perpetuem. The label on the bag says Orange-Vanilla flavor, I say BLECH! It has a nasty flavor. Must remember to mix in some Orange flavored electrolytes in the future! Duly armed with this nasty concoction, 1.5 Litres of plain water, a change of clothes, and my best attitude, off I went to The Boxing Club - arriving at 6:30am.
I hit the bike at 6:40 after a quick stretch and began my first hour of pedaling for the day. Let's just concede the point that riding inside, in a building, staring at a mirror, is boring. That being said, Rod was there riding too so there was someone to chat with. Rod rides 10 minutes seated, 10 minutes standing (those are some looooong hills!). I'm not quite that talented yet so I chose a format of 10-15 minutes sitting, 2-5 minutes standing. The first hour went by fairly quickly and we were joined by 2 more cyclers (don't know their names yet though one was wearing a Boston Bruins t-shirt!!!!).
At the 1 hour mark I had hit 24.5 KM pedaled and it was time for a quick break. There are rumored to be pit-stops every 20 KM during the ride in June and I sure hope that's true. Back on the bike to start hour 2, my bum was feeling a bit numb so I switched up my circuits to 10 minutes sitting, 5 minutes standing. You pedal at a harder gear standing and so go a shorter distance than you do just sitting. The time flew by fairly quickly and before I knew it, it was going on 8:20 and I'd completed 2 hours of biking this morning. As I was THIS CLOSE to another 25 KM completed, I stuck around on the bike another 7.5 minutes to get to 25.6 KM for a total of 50 KM (31 miles) before calling it a day on the Free Spin.
But wait! There's more! Don't forget that I have a 10-11am instructor led Spin Class at The Boxing Club.... yeah, I wasn't done yet. :) As it was only 8:45, I quickly changed into dry clothes and headed the 1 mile home for some real food to supplement the ICK I'd been drinking for the past 2 hours. I quickly blended up a Lime, Banana, Pineapple smoothie with an additional ingredient this morning: Hemp Seed Hearts (I suggest you check them out). I figured my best plan would be to head back to the gym where I was less likely to sit and veg for a half hour and more likely to stretch and stay warm before the next hour long session. Once on the bike again (here's where 'base gear" comes in), we were instructed to pick a gear that is comfortable to ride at, where we could maintain at for 30 minutes at a time. I picked "10". From here on out, we would increase and return to base gear in 1 minute intervals, stepping up the gear by 2-5 gears depending on the exercise. Each time we came back down to base gear, I loved that gear more and more! It was a super ride with 5 other terrific gals and I look forward to doing it again next weekend. Thank you Ashley & Bobbi for co-leading this spin class today. It was a load of fun! 16 more KM added to wrap up the day at 66 KM (40.9 Miles) worth of spinning. PHEW! Now on to cooking dinner for the week but that's another post for another time...
Thanks for tuning in!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Journeys
This week marks my 23rd week of nutritional changes, 14th week of fitness training, and 6th week of bike specific training.
I have 10 weeks remaining to train until the day of the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 200 KM (125 Mile) ride. I can't believe how quickly time has gone and how many changes have happened since November, 2012. Here is a "recap":
23 weeks ago, I embarked on a journey of nutritional changes:
November 4th, 5th & 6th, 2012 - with the help of my mom, sister Cindy, and E, we packed a 17' U-Haul with my pared down belongings & my dog, Ghiry, (sad that it still took a 17' truck) and I departed for Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. You didn't realize I was a Yankee in Alberta did ya? Yuppers, that is me! What was to be a 5 day drive from Lee, NH, USA to my new home turned into 7 with a forced 2 night stay in Weyburn, SK, Canada due to Winter Storm Brutus.
Over the past several years I'd suffered an injury to my lower back and had gotten into some very bad eating habits. I was determined that this new move was going to be the start of a new me as well. I packed only healthy foods for my trip northwest and thus began my nutritional journey. What did I bring? Whole wheat bread, Granny Smith apples, bananas, organic natural (no sugar added) peanut butter, granola bars, and water. I picked up some fresh cheese in Wisconsin (couldn't pass it up!) at the Mousehouse Cheesehaus and enjoyed eggs and fruit for breakfast at the hotels that I stayed in. After 7 days of cleaner eating, it was easier to keep it up after arriving in Canada. The past 23 weeks haven't always been easy and I've had to spend a lot of time learning how to eat healthy, what my body needs, how little is too little, what doesn't work for me, etc. This is an ongoing process. For those interested, I'll include a link in the future to what I do eat in a day, during training and not.
Pictures of the trip from NH to AB
14 weeks ago, I began my journey to re-incorporate fitness into my daily life:
I signed up for classes at a local gym that runs a 12 week schedule. It was just by chance that I found them and that this turned out to be the right fit for me. Over my life I've been everything from a couch potato to a gym rat. I find that the programs that work best for me are group classes with a high-energy instructor and a challenging format. I found this at The Boxing Club in Spruce Grove, AB. My instructors: Sheila, Ashley, & Svetlana are as high-energy as they come with a mix of positive encouragement and constructive correction. The classes are hard work. You will hurt, you will struggle, and it won't get easier. You'll do more reps over time but you will work just as hard week 12 as you did week 1. It has been amazing.
6 Weeks ago, I began my bike journey:
I signed up for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer and began bike training. This is where the blog started, where the serious biking started, & where the next adventure begins. You can page back through the blog to see what has happened since March 4, 2013, how far I have come & how far I still have to go. Saturday and Sunday are my major riding days. Currently I am up to 2 hours on a weekend day with a plan to push it up 1/2 an hour each weekend. This weekend will be 2.5 hours per session on the bike.
Where will this journey go from here? Stay tuned...
I have 10 weeks remaining to train until the day of the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer - a 200 KM (125 Mile) ride. I can't believe how quickly time has gone and how many changes have happened since November, 2012. Here is a "recap":
23 weeks ago, I embarked on a journey of nutritional changes:
November 4th, 5th & 6th, 2012 - with the help of my mom, sister Cindy, and E, we packed a 17' U-Haul with my pared down belongings & my dog, Ghiry, (sad that it still took a 17' truck) and I departed for Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. You didn't realize I was a Yankee in Alberta did ya? Yuppers, that is me! What was to be a 5 day drive from Lee, NH, USA to my new home turned into 7 with a forced 2 night stay in Weyburn, SK, Canada due to Winter Storm Brutus.
Over the past several years I'd suffered an injury to my lower back and had gotten into some very bad eating habits. I was determined that this new move was going to be the start of a new me as well. I packed only healthy foods for my trip northwest and thus began my nutritional journey. What did I bring? Whole wheat bread, Granny Smith apples, bananas, organic natural (no sugar added) peanut butter, granola bars, and water. I picked up some fresh cheese in Wisconsin (couldn't pass it up!) at the Mousehouse Cheesehaus and enjoyed eggs and fruit for breakfast at the hotels that I stayed in. After 7 days of cleaner eating, it was easier to keep it up after arriving in Canada. The past 23 weeks haven't always been easy and I've had to spend a lot of time learning how to eat healthy, what my body needs, how little is too little, what doesn't work for me, etc. This is an ongoing process. For those interested, I'll include a link in the future to what I do eat in a day, during training and not.
Pictures of the trip from NH to AB
14 weeks ago, I began my journey to re-incorporate fitness into my daily life:
I signed up for classes at a local gym that runs a 12 week schedule. It was just by chance that I found them and that this turned out to be the right fit for me. Over my life I've been everything from a couch potato to a gym rat. I find that the programs that work best for me are group classes with a high-energy instructor and a challenging format. I found this at The Boxing Club in Spruce Grove, AB. My instructors: Sheila, Ashley, & Svetlana are as high-energy as they come with a mix of positive encouragement and constructive correction. The classes are hard work. You will hurt, you will struggle, and it won't get easier. You'll do more reps over time but you will work just as hard week 12 as you did week 1. It has been amazing.
6 Weeks ago, I began my bike journey:
I signed up for the Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer and began bike training. This is where the blog started, where the serious biking started, & where the next adventure begins. You can page back through the blog to see what has happened since March 4, 2013, how far I have come & how far I still have to go. Saturday and Sunday are my major riding days. Currently I am up to 2 hours on a weekend day with a plan to push it up 1/2 an hour each weekend. This weekend will be 2.5 hours per session on the bike.
Where will this journey go from here? Stay tuned...
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Amazing
You are all amazing! I have to send a big THANK YOU out to my sponsors. Some of you I've known for years and some for only a little while but you are all pulling together to help me with this HUGE and amazing journey that I am on.
THANK YOU!
For those of you just joining me in this journey, start here: The Blog
Wondering why I have decided to take on an amazing 2-day bike ride that covers 125 miles (200 KM)? Read about it on my personal Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer page. And while you are there, consider making a donation towards my ride.
And again, Thank You to all who have donated so far!
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