8 WEEKS

Here is my game. With most things fitness related just as I begin to see improvement somehow I quit, stop, slam on the breaks and move on. My intentions are always good but for some unexplainable reason this has become a repeated pattern.

I recently received and dove into Selen Yeager’s book – Every Woman’s Guide to Cycling. This book if fantastic with several detailed plans depending on what your goal or time of year of training you are in is. In short I have selected an 8 week plan for the off-season training which will incorporate strength training and RUNNING. All of this is done without the need of a gym (only one set of 8 or 10 lbs hand weights). How easy is this..right?

So last night was the first night. I figured out all of my HR zones (again) and placed the 60 minute workout in front of me on my trainer in my garage. If you recall I was moving right along with this type of HR training before (and liked it) and then stopped…. for what reason I am not sure. Did the same with YOGA about a year ago. Anyway, I quickly fell into the workout and the time flew by. Although I hit zones 1-4 I was in zone 3 for the longest section for a steady 20 minutes. Following the ride I did the complete weight training/core routine she lays out which lasted 25 minutes. I recall thinking that it seemed rather easy until I woke up this morning and can feel it in my ribs and across my chest.

So I am committing to this Eight Week Program that will bring me all the way to the first week of January. Should start into the new year with some improved cycling and a nice strong running base.

To mix things up for fun Scott and I are joining some friends and going mountain biking on Saturday. Since I have not been in years the announcement that it will be a 15 mile social in nature pace seemed perfect. Did I mention the water falls?

Life is GOOD.

Robin

Next....

This is always the question after the completion of a big event. I will save you the head drama and list a few ideas below:

1. Ironman – no budget for this but still a wish and goal I have

2. Challenge to Conquer Cancer Cycle Relay – October 2010 - no way I will miss being a part of this next year

3. Rockmont Challenge – 12/24 hr Trail Run – May 2010 - With a $30 registration fee how could I pass up being on the trails again

4. Cycle Events – Several local events that I will be a part of during the winter and will continue through next year

So really the Ironman will be the only “wish list” event that I do not see happening in 2010. I am tossing around a Half Ironman here in SC next October so I have plenty of time to figure that out.

For now I have decided to switch over to Winter conditioning. Meaning I will continue to cycle but will also toss in some crossing training runs with some yoga and strength training. I am not going to overly stress if I miss working out one day here and there. Mentally this time of year you just need to let go and relax. I want to go into next year refreshed and ready to enjoy another great year.

Thank you all for the amazing comments on my last post and providing me such encouraging support leading up to the trip to Austin. Tomorrow night I will rejoin a lot of my team for a night ride from a local bike shop. Love that I am going to put my bike light to use!

Robin

Big Emotions

Team Mellow Yellow - after we arrived in Austin, TX

How can I sum up this experience of riding a relay from Greenville, SC to Austin, TX? All week we slept very little, drove hours to transitions points, and then geared up for our six hour shifts. We weathered below freezing temps, rain, and lots of darkness (most of our shifts were at night). Funny how the hours of being upside down were filled with so much laughter, hugs, and memories I will carry with me long after I am now back at home. We met so many individuals that were either fighting cancer or knew someone very close that was. Our support vehicle was covered in magnets by the time we got to Austin. Add in police escorts through a town at midnight to Burger King opening up just to feed another team before their shift and you have a small insight of the gifts of appreciation for what we were doing were endless.

Thursday our team’s ride would greet us by rain…cold rain….lots of rain. With no where to eat breakfast we ate a fabulous pb&j and began our shift in the dark at 6am. Not even 2 hours into the ride I was bonking and with that all of this week’s emotions brought tears and just could not be stopped. I cried.. a lot… as I thought about all of those that helped make this possible. I did not want to let anyone down and just like that my team pulled me back in and with their love and support I pushed forward.

Later I would learn that my Aunt, who was currently in hospice fighting a fight with cancer, would pass away during this ride. She had told me that she had a “mean” kind of cancer and that it would take a miracle to cure it. I want to be a part of that miracle and riding in her honor and memory only drives me more.

Before the trip was over I would sit in the bathroom floor and hold my friend while we cut off the rest of her hair (now her second battle with breast cancer) and we just cried. I thought about the strength that a person has and finds to get themselves through each day. She is a true hero to me!

Saying I am blessed by this experience does not even come close! The words seem to small. This past week was not about the bike or the miles. The gift of loving one another and holding a person when they need it most is more powerful than any medicine. I cycled hours, slept very little, but gained a family that I will hold close to my heart forever.

It takes no money to make a difference… do what you can…just do something.

Robin