Jul 29, 2012
I had a bum week. Beyond a bum week, actually, a hardcore bum week. My adrenals and I did not have it in us to complete half of what I wanted to.
My Short Ride
My short rides should be at about 20 miles. I got in one ride of 7 miles on Wednesday. I felt awkward with the clips, I couldn't get my speed above 15mph. I just felt like I was struggling. I wanted to puke. I did my best but as the fatigue came in and whole digestive tract growled, I turned around and headed back to the car totally disgusted in myself.
My Long Ride
I thought I would have been able to knock out a good 40+ miles on Saturday. I got up to 17 miles and that was it. Fatigue hit hard and I almost fell asleep while riding. I just couldn't do it. I didn't have it in me. I turned around.
However, the clips felt better - still awkward and I felt like I was trapped more than before. I felt the shoes were a little more broken in. It's good to look at the positives.
Sunday Breakfast
I had breakfast with my parents and reviewed my adrenal situation and progress. It's nice to get their input because they are the only two people who really get what I have been through. They also tell it like it is.
So, maybe I am some type of scrappy athlete. I don't feel like one this week.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
 |
| Urg. URG! |
My short rides should be at about 20 miles. I got in one ride of 7 miles on Wednesday. I felt awkward with the clips, I couldn't get my speed above 15mph. I just felt like I was struggling. I wanted to puke. I did my best but as the fatigue came in and whole digestive tract growled, I turned around and headed back to the car totally disgusted in myself.
My Long Ride
I thought I would have been able to knock out a good 40+ miles on Saturday. I got up to 17 miles and that was it. Fatigue hit hard and I almost fell asleep while riding. I just couldn't do it. I didn't have it in me. I turned around.
However, the clips felt better - still awkward and I felt like I was trapped more than before. I felt the shoes were a little more broken in. It's good to look at the positives.
Sunday Breakfast
I had breakfast with my parents and reviewed my adrenal situation and progress. It's nice to get their input because they are the only two people who really get what I have been through. They also tell it like it is.
Dad: Listen, you have to understand that you are at at level few people get to. You are going to be tired and you are going to hurt. All athletes do.My Dad, by the way, is an athlete. He got to college on a football scholarship and still works out and runs and lifts. Anyhow, I had never thought of myself as any type of athlete. I was told riding a century was pretty easy to most people. I assumed any failures I had, minus the adrenals, were because I was weak, not because what I was doing was hard.
So, maybe I am some type of scrappy athlete. I don't feel like one this week.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Jul 22, 2012
Well, do to my work retreat/conference/personal growth thing I was at Sunday-Tuesday, I didn't have a chance to really bike during the week. I did get out for a 50 mile ride on Saturday. And I got clips.
10 Week
It's go time, people. July 21st was 10 weeks until the MS City to Shore. I feel like I can do the 50 easily, but, I hope I can do the 100. My training rides are not supported, so, makes it hard for me to determine. I need to work hard to get a little more in shape and get some serious miles in.
By the way, I have lost 0 dress sizes and 0 weight. I have a nice roll, still. AH!
Bad, Good, Bad, Good
I headed out Saturday for my ride but when I got to the park, my back tire was flat. I lacked the skills (and tube) to repair so I had to go home and then to the bike shop. Since I was in about a flat before, I told them I think I got both on soft gravel. They know the trails I ride and suggested I pump up my tires more to avoid these issues. In fact, the last flat I had seemed to be more of a tube defect than really a puncture.
While they were fixing my flat, I asked about getting clips.
Bam, I got clips. That was a nice $250 expenditure. They also promised me I wouldn't fall and if I did it would be on grass and everything was great.
I played with clipping and unclipping during my ride. On mile 49.7 - I hit a patch of gravel while turning and hit the pavement. Hard.
So, what's falling like? First, getting use to the heel-cock to get your foot out doesn't take that much time. I didn't have any time when I fell. The danger is you stop, if you don't stop, you won't fall. Mostly. I was wearing gloves and a helmet which everyone on a bike should be wearing. The issue is my knee hit the pavement and the rest of the bike fell on top of me and then my feet were still attached to the petals. I got loose, of course, made sure I was in one piece, walked a couple steps and rode back to my car. After all, you got to keep going.
I was stiff and banged up from it more than I thought, but, other than the cut on the front of my knee and the bruise on the side, no real damage. My elbow got it a little, but. .nothing you can see a day later.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
10 Week
It's go time, people. July 21st was 10 weeks until the MS City to Shore. I feel like I can do the 50 easily, but, I hope I can do the 100. My training rides are not supported, so, makes it hard for me to determine. I need to work hard to get a little more in shape and get some serious miles in.
By the way, I have lost 0 dress sizes and 0 weight. I have a nice roll, still. AH!
Bad, Good, Bad, Good
I headed out Saturday for my ride but when I got to the park, my back tire was flat. I lacked the skills (and tube) to repair so I had to go home and then to the bike shop. Since I was in about a flat before, I told them I think I got both on soft gravel. They know the trails I ride and suggested I pump up my tires more to avoid these issues. In fact, the last flat I had seemed to be more of a tube defect than really a puncture.
While they were fixing my flat, I asked about getting clips.
Bam, I got clips. That was a nice $250 expenditure. They also promised me I wouldn't fall and if I did it would be on grass and everything was great.
I played with clipping and unclipping during my ride. On mile 49.7 - I hit a patch of gravel while turning and hit the pavement. Hard.
 |
| PITY ME! |
I was stiff and banged up from it more than I thought, but, other than the cut on the front of my knee and the bruise on the side, no real damage. My elbow got it a little, but. .nothing you can see a day later.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Jul 14, 2012
In cycling, there is this thing call the "bonk." I think you bonk. Or you are bonking. Not to be confused with headbonks which are great.
Thank God there is Urban Dictionary!
Ride Stats
I think I missed last week and maybe the week before, that's fine. as of July 21st, I'm in my 10 week program. In July, so far, I have been trying to get into the habit and mileage of riding three times a week. I am super lucky because a lot of my co-workers are training for Tour DaVita which is a 200-plus mile ride over the course of two or three days. It raises money for kidney disease and helps people get treatment.
With that in mind, I had company for two 20 mile rides which made them much more enjoyable. Plus, I got to feel and get use to riding close to other people. My speed dropped a little because the first 20 mile ride was with some people who were just starting. It was a new trail close to were I work. I even got another lap in (hence 28) with one of the directors.
I thought I would have company for my long ride, and get in a good 50. After the two 20+ miles, though, I was thinking I should take it easy. Most of the crew were going to the beach. It rained most of the night but by 10am (meeting time) it had cleared. No one showed up. No worries! Off I went, texting that it was beautiful and lovely and things like "you ain't made of sugar, you won't melt!"
So, I got caught in the rain. I tried a new trail I sort of stumbled on. I hung out under a bridge for a bit with some other riders, but, 20 miles from home, I was as wet as I could get so I headed back out. I can't even tell you how dirty I was. I had gravel in my ears and other. .areas.
So, about 39 miles later, I got back into the non-rain and my car and a nice, hot shower. And the leftover French dip sandwich Mr. Green Eyes left in my fridge.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Image Credit
Bonks from catswhotwitter.blogspot.com
 |
| Love! |
Bonk: Expression used by cyclists to describe excercise induced low blood sugar levels; being a feeling of light-headedness and weakness in all limbs. Similar to 'The Wall' in running. Has fallen out of usage in recent years due to alternative meanings.Anyhow, to avoid the bonk I have been eating PopTarts, as any of you who follow me know. It's awesome. I think a lot of the "wall" I was hitting had something to do not eating enough. Before it was not drinking enough.
Ride Stats
I think I missed last week and maybe the week before, that's fine. as of July 21st, I'm in my 10 week program. In July, so far, I have been trying to get into the habit and mileage of riding three times a week. I am super lucky because a lot of my co-workers are training for Tour DaVita which is a 200-plus mile ride over the course of two or three days. It raises money for kidney disease and helps people get treatment.
With that in mind, I had company for two 20 mile rides which made them much more enjoyable. Plus, I got to feel and get use to riding close to other people. My speed dropped a little because the first 20 mile ride was with some people who were just starting. It was a new trail close to were I work. I even got another lap in (hence 28) with one of the directors.
 |
| That 5 miles was tough! |
 |
| BOOM! |
So, about 39 miles later, I got back into the non-rain and my car and a nice, hot shower. And the leftover French dip sandwich Mr. Green Eyes left in my fridge.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Image Credit
Bonks from catswhotwitter.blogspot.com
Jul 1, 2012
Hello heatwave, thanks for reminding me what "oppressive heat" is.
I set out (late) for my endurance ride after getting out 0 times this week. I took Monday off and went fishing with my Dad and Uncle.
And then Tuesday I chopped my hair for Locks for Love.
Wednesday I took off because I was tired of all the running around. Thursday I was out with my old co-workers for drinks (Remember them from my Goodbye Job post?). By Friday I ran around doing errands I couldn't do during the week. . .which brings me to Saturday.
On Friday, I got another badder to carry in my hydration pack. To give some background, the actual century is well supported, however, my training rides are not. I need to carry everything I have with me since once I am about 10 miles out, there are no facilities/water.
Many bike-shop people tell me about water bottles. I don't want to have water bottles and hot water and cages and all this crap. I am not balanced enough to reach down and grab that water. I like my pack.
Anyhow, they don't make dual hydration packs (that I have found) and the biggest I have seen for sale is 3 liters. I can carry two badders (2 liters each) in my pack. This means I carry about 8lbs of water (maybe about 10-12lbs total on my back) and that sort of made a weird difference. I was thinking about getting a rack for the back of my bike to carry other stuff - water, First Aid, snacks, mace, camera, tire parts, midget. . .
I brought along PopTarts this time and managed to eat about half of one while I was on my ride. It was a little hash and my tummy did hurt. However, once I pulled up by my car, I found that I was far less stupid than normal. They do work. I just need to learn to eat more.
I then noticed my rear gears were not working. I stopped by my bike shop and my buddy fixed up Docle as good as new. It ended up it was just the normal stretching of the cables. I need to take a bike maintenance class soon.
I was 13 miles short of my 55 mile goal, but, I found myself getting the chills in the heat which is not good. I drank 2.5 liters of my 4 liters of water and decided I need to drop in some extra hydration tables. However, on the upside, my average speed was 14mph from 12mph. Nice!
I think I was going faster, I kept my speed around 17mph but I kept Runkeeper going during breaks (it auto stops) to get in more minutes due to this Match the Mayor thing I am doing at work. I will fail at it because the goal is to get everyone to do 30 minutes of activity a day. I do 50 minutes two times a week plus 4 hours on Saturday. So, I am a failure in the program because of my inability to do 30 minutes everyday.
I set out (late) for my endurance ride after getting out 0 times this week. I took Monday off and went fishing with my Dad and Uncle.
 |
| Bobbers away! |
 |
| Send to Locks for Love |
 |
| 13 miles short of goal |
Many bike-shop people tell me about water bottles. I don't want to have water bottles and hot water and cages and all this crap. I am not balanced enough to reach down and grab that water. I like my pack.
Anyhow, they don't make dual hydration packs (that I have found) and the biggest I have seen for sale is 3 liters. I can carry two badders (2 liters each) in my pack. This means I carry about 8lbs of water (maybe about 10-12lbs total on my back) and that sort of made a weird difference. I was thinking about getting a rack for the back of my bike to carry other stuff - water, First Aid, snacks, mace, camera, tire parts, midget. . .
I brought along PopTarts this time and managed to eat about half of one while I was on my ride. It was a little hash and my tummy did hurt. However, once I pulled up by my car, I found that I was far less stupid than normal. They do work. I just need to learn to eat more.
I then noticed my rear gears were not working. I stopped by my bike shop and my buddy fixed up Docle as good as new. It ended up it was just the normal stretching of the cables. I need to take a bike maintenance class soon.
I was 13 miles short of my 55 mile goal, but, I found myself getting the chills in the heat which is not good. I drank 2.5 liters of my 4 liters of water and decided I need to drop in some extra hydration tables. However, on the upside, my average speed was 14mph from 12mph. Nice!
I think I was going faster, I kept my speed around 17mph but I kept Runkeeper going during breaks (it auto stops) to get in more minutes due to this Match the Mayor thing I am doing at work. I will fail at it because the goal is to get everyone to do 30 minutes of activity a day. I do 50 minutes two times a week plus 4 hours on Saturday. So, I am a failure in the program because of my inability to do 30 minutes everyday.
Hello heatwave, thanks for reminding me what "oppressive heat" is.
I set out (late) for my endurance ride after getting out 0 times this week. I took Monday off and went fishing with my Dad and Uncle.
|
| Bobbers away! |
|
| Send to Locks for Love |
|
| 13 miles short of goal |
Many bike-shop people tell me about water bottles. I don't want to have water bottles and hot water and cages and all this crap. I am not balanced enough to reach down and grab that water. I like my pack.
Anyhow, they don't make dual hydration packs (that I have found) and the biggest I have seen for sale is 3 liters. I can carry two badders (2 liters each) in my pack. This means I carry about 8lbs of water (maybe about 10-12lbs total on my back) and that sort of made a weird difference. I was thinking about getting a rack for the back of my bike to carry other stuff - water, First Aid, snacks, mace, camera, tire parts, midget. . .
I brought along PopTarts this time and managed to eat about half of one while I was on my ride. It was a little hash and my tummy did hurt. However, once I pulled up by my car, I found that I was far less stupid than normal. They do work. I just need to learn to eat more.
I then noticed my rear gears were not working. I stopped by my bike shop and my buddy fixed up Docle as good as new. It ended up it was just the normal stretching of the cables. I need to take a bike maintenance class soon.
I was 13 miles short of my 55 mile goal, but, I found myself getting the chills in the heat which is not good. I drank 2.5 liters of my 4 liters of water and decided I need to drop in some extra hydration tables. However, on the upside, my average speed was 14mph from 12mph. Nice!
I think I was going faster, I kept my speed around 17mph but I kept Runkeeper going during breaks (it auto stops) to get in more minutes due to this Match the Mayor thing I am doing at work. I will fail at it because the goal is to get everyone to do 30 minutes of activity a day. I do 50 minutes two times a week plus 4 hours on Saturday. So, I am a failure in the program because of my inability to do 30 minutes everyday.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
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