Alright, so hills are not the total bane of my existence. I did hill repeats last Tuesday evening...10 of them...not 20-25 as recommended. But, apparently they paid off.
I went on a 20 mile ride today with my training team. We rode the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge in downtown Nashville and it wasn't so bad! Another hill leading to the Cumberland River pedestrian bridge hardly phased me. Coach Katherine was quite encouraging that the hill repeats had paid off.
However, I have a new obstacle to overcome. My right foot seems to be going numb about 15miles into my rides. Today the numbness led to cramping in my right calf and then seemed to spread to aching and tingling in the right side of my groin where I contact the saddle. I had to quit the ride early, instead of completing the 30 miles originally scheduled. We tried to adjust the cleats on my shoes, but to no avail. So, apparently, I need to do some stretching and maybe some yoga. I'll also be visiting a local bike shop to get their input on what may be causing my numb, cramping, irritating foot, calf, and bum.
Any suggestions? I'd love to hear them!! Well, I'm off to practice facing downward like a dog, posing like a child, or something.
Our next ride will be an "easy" 10-15mile out & back from Belle Meade Boulevard (where Al Gore's house has a monthly carbon-footprint the same as the yearly average of most Americans...akin to a wooly mammoth versus a wolf) to Radnor Lake, one of the most serene places within the city limits of Nashville. What beautiful dichotomy. I love Nashville.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Hills...I hate hills
So last night I went riding with my neighbors, Stephanie and John (I think), who have been riding together for over a year. Needless to say they rode away from me on many a hill. In fact, they had to wait for me as I walked up more than one of them. I have decided that when my heart rate gets to 198, it's time to stop and walk before I have a heart attack right there on the side of the road.
It was recommended that I do 20-25 hill repeats in our subdivision on nights I don't have time for a full ride. He said to sprint as hard as I can (on the bike) up the hills and ride easily down; do over and over and over. It's great that I can do these so close to home in case I do have a coronary. I love getting advice from others...especially when I'm totally clueless about the issue. It should help me train and build my strength and endurance on hills.
They were so gracious and patient with me; I am greatly appreciative for it. Stephanie has even invited me to go again, only this time we'll do a bit of a flatter course.
I'll let you know how I do on my hill sprints. Ugh!!
It was recommended that I do 20-25 hill repeats in our subdivision on nights I don't have time for a full ride. He said to sprint as hard as I can (on the bike) up the hills and ride easily down; do over and over and over. It's great that I can do these so close to home in case I do have a coronary. I love getting advice from others...especially when I'm totally clueless about the issue. It should help me train and build my strength and endurance on hills.
They were so gracious and patient with me; I am greatly appreciative for it. Stephanie has even invited me to go again, only this time we'll do a bit of a flatter course.
I'll let you know how I do on my hill sprints. Ugh!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
My first donation!!!
Today I received the first donation toward my Team in Training fundraising efforts! A generous anonymous contributor gave $50. Thank you, anonymous, for your gift to kick-start my way to $4000 raised!!! You have made my day!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Harpeth River Ride
Today was my first riding event, the Harpeth River Ride. I willingly arose at 5am on a Saturday in order to be at the event on time by the 7:30 start (which I was; that's a big deal for me). There were probably 300+ riders of all ages and skill-levels. The event provided distances of 22, 42, 64, or 100 miles. I chose to ride the 22mi leg. Now that may not sound like a very long distance, but let me tell you, if you've never ridden...you have no idea.
Not only is 22 miles not a little jaunt for a fairly inexperienced rider, the event was in an area of Middle Tennessee known for its rolling hills (actually, much of Middle TN is rolling hills. I don't know how the civil war soldiers trudged up and down them all day). I was cruising along with my heart rate in the 170bpm range (that's bad), when I met the meanest hill I've seen since I started riding 2 years ago. It was about mile 8; I started up it in my "granny gear," the best gear for hard hills, and as soon as my heart rate hit 198bpm (that's horrible) and I became far too short of breath, I walked it. Yep, that's right, I got off my bike and walked it up a hill! Pretty sad, eh? Actually, there were many riders ahead of and behind me who did the same thing! One woman rode past me as I was walking and said, "Don't worry, I'm not going much faster than you are." While she was right, she still had the strength and conditioning to ride that hill!
The 13 mile rest stop, "The Last Chance Watering Hole" as it was called, came just at the right time. Since this is my first riding event, I didn't know what to expect. What a spread! PB&J sandwiches, chips, watermelon, bananas, fig newtons, pretzels, Gatorade, water, port-a-potty, paper towels, hand wipes, and lens cleaner. Knowing I was quite tempted to just sit down and enjoy a nice lunch along a TN country road, I opted for a quick Gatorade/Water 50/50 refill, 2 fig newtons, a bite of watermelon, a quick hand wipe and paper towel face cleaning, and I was off again. Les, one of the men at the rest stop asked how I was liking the ride, to which I favorably replied...save that big nasty hill. He said one of the men he rides with has a favorite quote, "I've never met a hill I was too proud to walk." I loved it and have adopted it for this training program. That was just the boost I needed to finish the last +/- 9 miles. The smaller hills I came across seemed to barely catch my attention, and I finished the ride well.
I learned a few great things about riding events today:
1. Hills Suck. I need more conditioning to ride hills well, and I will proudly walk any one that really stands in my way.
2. Great food. Not only was the "watering hole" well stocked, the post ride meal was custom-made burritos, chips/salsa, drinks...apparently that's not uncommon.
3. JellyBelly makes jellybeans high in carbs specially designed for athletes to use mid-workout. They taste nothing like JellyBellies when you're not riding and sweating like a pig...but they are remarkably tasty, sweet, and refreshing at mile 9 after a hill kicks you in the tail!
4. Oatmeal and milk are a great race-day breakfast for me; and fig newtons and JellyBellys sit well on the course. (I know it sounds like I'm focused on food, but endurance nutrition is apparently a fine art; eat the wrong thing - you can't perform and you end up "bonking" or "hitting the wall", or vomiting. Eat the right thing and you don't think endurance nutrition is all that hard to figure out.)
5. Don't put an opened pack of "goo" or "gel" (again, a carb source) into the pocket on your jersey...or you'll be as sticky as fly paper. Oh, and most of them taste nasty anyway.
6. Drafting saves your energy. I often ride with a friend and we draft from time to time. She was working today...I really missed her.
7. Chamois Butt'r is a necessity. Again, if you've never done an endurance event, you can't fully understand. You put this creamy buttery lotion in any and all locations that may chafe - the sad part is there are many places that may chafe. What a difference!!! I may buy stock in the company.
8. The people are great. Everyone I met was so kind and friendly. I also saw people lending others their tire pumps (thanks, Roger) and sharing tips about the course (thanks again, Roger). Roger is my Team in Training coach and he did 60+ miles today...way to go Roger!!
9. Most importantly...I can do this!!! There is no reason for me to believe that I can't accomplish riding a century (100 miles) by November. Not only that, but I may actually be able to anticipate a finish time. If my pace today were any indication (22mi. in 1:46), it will be about 8 hours. I'm hoping to beat that time into the ground.
Please check out my Team in Training website. I'd love your support as I go through this crazy process. After a much needed nap, I have refueled. Maybe my husband wants to go on a date tonight?
Until later...and until I can walk straight again.
Not only is 22 miles not a little jaunt for a fairly inexperienced rider, the event was in an area of Middle Tennessee known for its rolling hills (actually, much of Middle TN is rolling hills. I don't know how the civil war soldiers trudged up and down them all day). I was cruising along with my heart rate in the 170bpm range (that's bad), when I met the meanest hill I've seen since I started riding 2 years ago. It was about mile 8; I started up it in my "granny gear," the best gear for hard hills, and as soon as my heart rate hit 198bpm (that's horrible) and I became far too short of breath, I walked it. Yep, that's right, I got off my bike and walked it up a hill! Pretty sad, eh? Actually, there were many riders ahead of and behind me who did the same thing! One woman rode past me as I was walking and said, "Don't worry, I'm not going much faster than you are." While she was right, she still had the strength and conditioning to ride that hill!
The 13 mile rest stop, "The Last Chance Watering Hole" as it was called, came just at the right time. Since this is my first riding event, I didn't know what to expect. What a spread! PB&J sandwiches, chips, watermelon, bananas, fig newtons, pretzels, Gatorade, water, port-a-potty, paper towels, hand wipes, and lens cleaner. Knowing I was quite tempted to just sit down and enjoy a nice lunch along a TN country road, I opted for a quick Gatorade/Water 50/50 refill, 2 fig newtons, a bite of watermelon, a quick hand wipe and paper towel face cleaning, and I was off again. Les, one of the men at the rest stop asked how I was liking the ride, to which I favorably replied...save that big nasty hill. He said one of the men he rides with has a favorite quote, "I've never met a hill I was too proud to walk." I loved it and have adopted it for this training program. That was just the boost I needed to finish the last +/- 9 miles. The smaller hills I came across seemed to barely catch my attention, and I finished the ride well.
I learned a few great things about riding events today:
1. Hills Suck. I need more conditioning to ride hills well, and I will proudly walk any one that really stands in my way.
2. Great food. Not only was the "watering hole" well stocked, the post ride meal was custom-made burritos, chips/salsa, drinks...apparently that's not uncommon.
3. JellyBelly makes jellybeans high in carbs specially designed for athletes to use mid-workout. They taste nothing like JellyBellies when you're not riding and sweating like a pig...but they are remarkably tasty, sweet, and refreshing at mile 9 after a hill kicks you in the tail!
4. Oatmeal and milk are a great race-day breakfast for me; and fig newtons and JellyBellys sit well on the course. (I know it sounds like I'm focused on food, but endurance nutrition is apparently a fine art; eat the wrong thing - you can't perform and you end up "bonking" or "hitting the wall", or vomiting. Eat the right thing and you don't think endurance nutrition is all that hard to figure out.)
5. Don't put an opened pack of "goo" or "gel" (again, a carb source) into the pocket on your jersey...or you'll be as sticky as fly paper. Oh, and most of them taste nasty anyway.
6. Drafting saves your energy. I often ride with a friend and we draft from time to time. She was working today...I really missed her.
7. Chamois Butt'r is a necessity. Again, if you've never done an endurance event, you can't fully understand. You put this creamy buttery lotion in any and all locations that may chafe - the sad part is there are many places that may chafe. What a difference!!! I may buy stock in the company.
8. The people are great. Everyone I met was so kind and friendly. I also saw people lending others their tire pumps (thanks, Roger) and sharing tips about the course (thanks again, Roger). Roger is my Team in Training coach and he did 60+ miles today...way to go Roger!!
9. Most importantly...I can do this!!! There is no reason for me to believe that I can't accomplish riding a century (100 miles) by November. Not only that, but I may actually be able to anticipate a finish time. If my pace today were any indication (22mi. in 1:46), it will be about 8 hours. I'm hoping to beat that time into the ground.
Please check out my Team in Training website. I'd love your support as I go through this crazy process. After a much needed nap, I have refueled. Maybe my husband wants to go on a date tonight?
Until later...and until I can walk straight again.
Monday, June 16, 2008
STOP RUNNING!!
Well, at least I can say I had good aspirations and intentions. I gave the 1/2 marathon training program the "old college try". But to no avail. My left knee insisted (make that insists) on causing me pain during and after my runs, (and, really, all the time now) as well as giving off this great grinding sound when I sit, stand, ascend or descend stairs, breathe...you get the idea. Given this unfortunate turn of events, I have withdrawn from the 1/2 marathon. BUT WAIT, fear not! I am still training. Thankfully my knee rather enjoys pushing my foot down onto the pedal of my bike, so I have switched to the century ride.
For those who are unfamiliar with cycling events (I was until about 1 month ago), a century ride is roughly 100 miles! That's right, you thought it was hard to sit in an office chair all day? Try sitting on a bike seat (or saddle, as they are called) for anywhere up to about 10hours. The great news about the century ride is that I will still be raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society with Team in Training. Not only that, but the century ride is in Tucson, Arizona the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov 22). Mom is planning to come down and see me ride, and we will try to get the family together for an early Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year (and every year, really).
So that's the latest. I will try and be more consistent about posting. Right now it's after midnight and I have 2 exams tomorrow (today) that I need to go study for.
God Bless, Amanda
For those who are unfamiliar with cycling events (I was until about 1 month ago), a century ride is roughly 100 miles! That's right, you thought it was hard to sit in an office chair all day? Try sitting on a bike seat (or saddle, as they are called) for anywhere up to about 10hours. The great news about the century ride is that I will still be raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society with Team in Training. Not only that, but the century ride is in Tucson, Arizona the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov 22). Mom is planning to come down and see me ride, and we will try to get the family together for an early Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year (and every year, really).
So that's the latest. I will try and be more consistent about posting. Right now it's after midnight and I have 2 exams tomorrow (today) that I need to go study for.
God Bless, Amanda
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
My fourth and final quarter!
This week I started my last quarter of CRNA school (at least the didactic/classroom part). Once this quarter's over I'll simply work upwards of 50 hrs/week for free until graduation November 2009. It can't come soon enough.
Yesterday I had the rare and joy-filled opportunity to have oral surgery. You see, I was riding my bike at the tender age of 9 and somehow managed to wreck said bike, knock out my front "adult" tooth, and sustain a beauty of a black eye. Since then it was in and out of dentists/periodontists/orthodontists/yada-yada dontists in order to ultimately make me look like I really had a tooth where the previous real tooth lived. As of the age of 16 I have been wearing a Maryland Bridge (I have NO clue why it was named after Maryland. Was he the inventor, did it resemble bridges in the state of Maryland? I have no idea) and about a month ago I noticed it was loose. (Surprise, surprise I was grinding my teeth at night, likely from school stress. For those of you who REALLY know me, this is not a stretch). So, it was time to replace the bridge. If you've never had a post drilled into the front of your mouth and a bone graft to help make it stay, I thoroughly recommend running quickly in the opposite direction should the situation present itself. Needless-to-say I only eat soft mushy stuff, can't brush my top front teeth/gums, take antibiotics and pain-killers every few hours, oh, AND attend classes. Run away! Run far, far away. By the way, the periodontist had to replace my bridge after the implant went in, so I don't even have the appearance of a newer, prettier tooth. BOO.
Hopefully, I will feel well enough in the next few days to run again. I wonder if my dog thinks I'm punishing her for something by not taking her running? Speaking of running, the first group training session (GTS) for the 1/2 marathon training is this coming Saturday. I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates and coaches. They are having a little seminar as well, so that ought to be interesting. I will keep you posted. Remember, to link to my sponsorship site below...Racing to save lives...
Last week I was able to spend vacation at home with my family. I will write more on that later as well. Right now I'm nodding off and should probably sleep. Amanda
Yesterday I had the rare and joy-filled opportunity to have oral surgery. You see, I was riding my bike at the tender age of 9 and somehow managed to wreck said bike, knock out my front "adult" tooth, and sustain a beauty of a black eye. Since then it was in and out of dentists/periodontists/orthodontists/yada-yada dontists in order to ultimately make me look like I really had a tooth where the previous real tooth lived. As of the age of 16 I have been wearing a Maryland Bridge (I have NO clue why it was named after Maryland. Was he the inventor, did it resemble bridges in the state of Maryland? I have no idea) and about a month ago I noticed it was loose. (Surprise, surprise I was grinding my teeth at night, likely from school stress. For those of you who REALLY know me, this is not a stretch). So, it was time to replace the bridge. If you've never had a post drilled into the front of your mouth and a bone graft to help make it stay, I thoroughly recommend running quickly in the opposite direction should the situation present itself. Needless-to-say I only eat soft mushy stuff, can't brush my top front teeth/gums, take antibiotics and pain-killers every few hours, oh, AND attend classes. Run away! Run far, far away. By the way, the periodontist had to replace my bridge after the implant went in, so I don't even have the appearance of a newer, prettier tooth. BOO.
Hopefully, I will feel well enough in the next few days to run again. I wonder if my dog thinks I'm punishing her for something by not taking her running? Speaking of running, the first group training session (GTS) for the 1/2 marathon training is this coming Saturday. I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates and coaches. They are having a little seminar as well, so that ought to be interesting. I will keep you posted. Remember, to link to my sponsorship site below...Racing to save lives...
Last week I was able to spend vacation at home with my family. I will write more on that later as well. Right now I'm nodding off and should probably sleep. Amanda
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