Sunday, ranging between 15 and 100 miles. I chose the 62 mile route (metric century or 100 Kilometers) to accomplish my fundraising goal for the year. With the help and camaraderie of WSI team mates, Team Active employees, and loyal Team Active customers I was able to stay on task and complete the 62 mile route. I raised over $400 in donations to support CityLinc ministries here in Battle Creek so they can continue to provide licensing services for foster care and adoption.
If you are anything like me, I took a friend’s advice (who started cycling the same time I did and has surpassed me since then) by getting outside before work for a run—any run, just run and enjoy the morning.
I did, slower run, but the stars were bursting and, aside from a skunk who wanted to show me the exit to the woods, it was one of those painless deeply cathartic exercises that makes you happy and ready to face the day. Thanks Doug for the advice. Even though I will not be able to get on my bike again today (early morning start and late evening work dinner), I harvested some outdoor time before ‘old man winter’ forced me into solitary winter interval training.
There is about a month left before the Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Race, and the culmination of fund raising for the MADC Family Support. Check out the website. If you have a family caregiver who would like a retreat, there are events starting as early as October 6. Spread the word! http://alzheimers.med.umich.edu/live-well/
Everyone has a day where, at the end of work, the gravitational pull of the couch and a bag of potato chips is very strong. Today was one of those countless days for me. Thankfully, I know that the only way to combat that demon is to prepare in advance…putting my bike and all of my gear in the car is half the battle, the other half is making the trip to the trailhead before I get home. On the way home tonight, I was going to stop at Island Lake for a quick loop before the autumnal equinox darkened the woods. Instead, I went to a place that I have heard of many times, but never tried-The Tree Farm in Novi.
I got there about 5:30pm and put my WSI/Team Active knicker and long sleeved shirt on, seemed a tad cool for me. As I went to the trailhead, I ran into a guy who was just getting ready to roll as well. Since I have never ridden the trail before I asked him where the trailhead was, he said that he was on his way and was happy to show me. He was riding a Niner, full rigid, single speed–I knew I would not be waiting for him! I asked his name and he said in a British accent Paul. I immediately wonder if he knows Gary, the other British guy I ride with (what a silly thought it was, but it was my thought, none-the-less, so I say nothing.) Bad thing about accents on the bike, if someone warns you about a long drop off a log jam and you cannot understand them, chances are you will find out the hard way what they were saying–I did, spectacular crash off the top of a log jam in the first 5 minutes of the ride.
After that, it was just a nice flowing pace on a semi-technical course through the woods in southeast Michigan. I made a new fried (which is always the way these impromptu exploratory rides seem to be) and had a nice training ride on the last day of summer 2014. Not too much longer to the Iceman. There will be a lot of miles and crashes between now and then.
Don’t forget to check out the fund raising that is the focus of the Iceman race for me. We are over 1/3 the way to our goal to raise $3,000 for Alzheimer Family Support at the University of Michigan. See you on the trails!
It has taken me a month to write this. Trust me, that is a good thing. It has allowed me to condense my emotions about this experience and NOT bore readers with a novel. To make a long story short, I chose the Cereal City Triathlon to be my fundraising event through Pedaling with a Purpose. I’m a runner, I’ve enjoyed cycling for the last year and well, swimming, let’s just say it wasn’t/isn’t my cup of tea.
Photo by Stephanie Parshall PhotographyI have had a fear of open water for quite some time. Many of you followed my personal blog and Facebook page and were able to see the weekly posts about horrible swim sessions, crying every time I got into a lake, etc. You get the point. But I still did it, and trained, and trained well for the event. I was still having panic attacks near and in water up to five days before the event.
On race day I was a wreck. Tears were flowing all the way up until the horn sounded to start the swim. Amazingly, once my head went underwater I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders and I did what I had trained for. I took the swim SLOW, knowing if I sped up too much I would freak myself out….besides, what is that saying about the turtle and the hare? I was fortunate to have a great volunteer next to me the whole time on his SUP helping to ease my anxiety as well. I came out of the water to one of the biggest cheering sections at the race: complete with posters and cowbells. Did I mention I was the 2nd to last out of the water?
After about a mile on the bike I was finally able to clear my mind and focus on what was ahead. I powered through the bike course making up a great amount of time. The bike course was an out and back and I was able to see and cheer on several WSI riders on bikes as well.
The run was as expected. The course was nice, non-hilly, and with it only being a mile from my home, it was familiar territory. Upon reentering the park I had several friends and family run alongside me up to the finish. I finished.
I finished. That was my accomplishment. I overcame my fear of water and that had been my goal all along. Imagine my surprise when my name was called for 2nd in my age group!
I did it AND survived the murky waters! I was a nervous wreck with lots of tears beforehand but the minute my head went underwater I felt this amazing weight lift off my shoulders. As I showered afterward I looked down to see a few pieces of seaweed stuck to my hip as a reminder of what I had just done. It made me smile.
I finished my first triathlon. I overcame my fear of open water. I earned 2nd in my age group. As if that wasn’t enough, through the support of my friends and family I raised OVER $1,000 for the Angelcheeks Foundation in honor of my friends’ son, Evan!!!
I’m overwhelmed at the amount of support I had near and far, thankful that each and every one of you (too many to name) had your place in my journey as supporters, encouragers, prayer warriors, coaches and more.
One down, no promises on more to go, although I do have a 1 second challenge to beat next year, right Chris Gillette?
Yes, I admit I’ve been a bit lax on my race reports and so far this year I’ve raced three times. Twice on my ‘cross bike in the Barry Roubaix and Lowell 50 gravel road races, and then today at the Fort Custer Stampede on my mountain bike. Each race had it’s own “personality” and given the Winter/Spring season we’ve had here in Michigan, to say that I’ve actually raced three times is a treat.
#1 Barry Roubaix – March 22nd
Named after the Spring Classic, Paris-Roubaix, I raced the BR again this year on my trusty ‘cross bike along 36 gravel roads throughout Barry County. I debated about using my studded tires due to ice the week prior, but ended up putting on regular tires for the race and didn’t regret the decision. We had a great turnout from the team and we had a great crew of racers representing WSI Cycling. The temps were chilly, but not as cold as last year (fortunately). The good news is that the cold weather kept the gravel roads relatively firm, so the course was fast. I finished mid-pack and the best part was I didn’t cramp (like I did last year). However, little did I realized that a few weeks later that would be a different story at the Lowell 50.
#2 Lowell 50 – April 5th
While you’d think the length of this race would be 50 miles, I did the 32 mile version. Temps were not as cold as the Barry Roubaix, which on the onset you’d think would be a good thing. However, there were more gravel roads on this race than in the BR, and due to the warmer temps, the surface was “smooshy” (as best I can describe it). That made it feel like you were riding with flat tires and there was always resistance… making constant pedaling a must. We had another great showing from the team and also got a few podiums. The good news is that for the first 27 or 28 miles I was hanging in there pretty good, but then the “wheels came off.” Ok, not really my wheels, but the legs started cramping and made the last few miles “uncomfortable” (yes, that’s a bit of an understatement. I know I lost several places at the end as I simply could not get the pedals to go around without pain in both legs, but I came across the finish line with a smile (ok, maybe it was a grimace), but I was happy to be done. One of the best parts of the race… Krispy Kreme donuts and hot coffee before the awards ceremony! Gotta maintain my Clydesdale status…
#3 Fort Custer Stampede – May 4th
Unfortunately the temps were still a bit on the chilly side and the wind was blowing like crazy, but the good news is that today I was going to be in the woods on my mountain bike… not riding gravel roads (which is brutal when windy). I raced Expert today, yet traveled quite a bit the week prior and had not been on my bike for over a week. Sure, I tried to keep the fitness up with running, but that’s not the same so I was reserved to chalk this one up to a nice, long training ride for this Summer’s Lumberjack 100. Our group did 36 miles (two Red/Green loops) and the trail was hooking up quite nicely. Last year, I ended up getting a soft front tire (slow leak) that took me down (into a tree) on the first lap, so I was also hoping for a crash-free race.
Hamming it up at the start… yes, that’s me photobombing my teammates – right in the middle.
The good news is that I got both of my wishes, although my right shoulder did lose a battle with a tree that got a little close on one of the corners and I’ve got a nice raspberry to show for it. However, not nearly the “battle scar” as the one guy that did a flying endo over one of the “camelback” humps on the first lap. He went down right in front of me, taking up the entire trail with his carnage. I stopped and decided to be the good samaritan, helping him get un-tangled from his cables and twisted handlebar. He was really wound up and as people were flying by us, it was all I could do not to snap at the riders complaining that we were in the trail. Did they not see this guy covered in dirt with his leg twisted up like a pretzel?
Good news is no long-term damage and he got up and was able to continue the race. Must not have fallen too hard, since he ended up catching me later and passed me by. You’d think that he would have given me a courtesy follow and let me stay in front, but that’s racing! Coming into the second lap, I started to feel a little better, although the rest of the field had pretty much gone by and I was riding solo. There were a few stragglers that I picked off as I got closer to the finish, so that made me feel a little better. The good news is that I finished on two (fully-inflated) tires this year and was in a considerably better mood than last year.
Another great part of the race, since this is WSI Cycling’s “home turf” we again cooked burgers and hotdogs for everyone. But this year we did something different, and set out a collection jar to help raise money for a great cause from racers willing to donate for the food. One of the guys on the team works with local Battle Creek youth and started a bike program to get them into fixing bikes and learning a skill. Thanks to the generosity of everyone that attended, we raised over $200!
Finally, and since it was a bike race, the good news is that we had several WSI Cycling racers make the podium. We’ll be posting photos on our Facebook page (be sure to stop by and “like” us), so click-on over and check ’em out. It was a great time and I was proud of everyone for their effort and making it a great day together.
and adoption.
I did it AND survived the murky waters! I was a nervous wreck with lots of tears beforehand but the minute my head went underwater I felt this amazing weight lift off my shoulders. As I showered afterward I looked down to see a few pieces of seaweed stuck to my hip as a reminder of what I had just done. It made me smile.