After recently reading blogs of several friends and family members,I decided it was time to join the world of blogging. I have a small "blog" area on my website, but I thought I'd dedicate this to my bike rides. I just finished my first century and LOVED IT! I am planning on doing at least 4-5 more just in the next 6 months or so. (the blog title I must credit to my coach Patrick - it was a phrase he used in his blog that I loved...)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
LIVESTRONG
So and member of Team in Training and I have decided to ride the LIVESTRONG race in San Jose in 2 weeks. Should be good times all around. We decided to enjoy the ride and just do the half century (5o miles) instead of the full 100. Can't wait. It's been like 9 months since I've rode in an event. And rumor has it that Lance Armstrong will actually be riding this ride as well. How cool is that? I'll have all the cool details for everyone after the ride.
That is one of my favorite catch lines concerning cancer - simple and to the point. A kid at packard coined the phrase and I forgot about it til I saw someone with a cancer sucks button yesterday.
I was just talking to a hematologist I work with about Myelodysplastic Syndrome. One of her family members was just diagnosed, and she remembered that that's what my dad had. We were talking about prognosis' and treatments, and she said there is actually a pretty sucessful treatment out now. A chemotherapy type drug that from what she has heard is pretty good at wiping out MDS. It's very much a bitter-sweet thing to hear. It's a little sad to think that if this drug had been discovered a few years earlier that my dad might very well still be around. But on the flip side, it's awesome to realize that research is progressing. It's cool to know that money I've been fundraising with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society funds most of the research going on in this field and that it actually is saving other people's lives!
Yesterday was my first fundraiser of the season. Ron and I organized a car wash at Sports Basement. It was awesome. Despite the insane heat, it went really well and at least the hoses kept us cool. We had lines of cars lined up most of the day, so it went really well. And sports basement is going to donate a portion of their proceeds from yesterday to us! Woohoo!
For everyone who came out to our car wash yesterday, THANKS!!! It went really really well. When all is said and done, we raised almost $1500 for Leukemia research yesterday!! :)
I just wanted to thank Mike Wu and his wife for bringing us lunch and hydration and for being so rad. Mike, you inspire me with all you've been through and your positive attitude, and your generousity amazes me!!! And Matt, Marlon, and Mihaela thanks for your eagerness to help us out. It was great to have a few extra hands, and I don't think we woulda done as well without you guys!!
Well, I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I actually think I LIKE hill repeats!!! It took me a season to say that, but I am saying it now.
Four climbs up Mount Eden last night and my legs were burning, but it was awesome! Beth said the coolest thing last night as well. We were coming up to the last 100 yards or so of the last climb of the night, and she pulls up on my side and said "we're almost done, you wanna go all out for the rest of this?" I was a little reluctant and said that I thought my legs were about done. She then told me that when she first met coach Patrick, she told him she "liked to ride until she cried." Of course crazy Patrick who does insane things like 450 mile rides just laughed and said "I think I'm gonna like you."
I may have not cried last night, but it was an awesome work out. I finally believe all the "hills are are friends" and "this is good for you" banter from the coaches. I even found myself saying that to a few of the newer riders last night. Who woulda guessed?
Below is a view from the top of Mt. Eden. It's worth the climb. Even better if I get that helmet cam, the descent would be an awesome video clip!!
My teammate Randy has been pretty good about documenting some of the season this year. Here is another video clip he got of one of our team Honorees, Gene. Also, all of this video taping has given me an idea. I think I'm going to look into getting a little camera I can mount on my helmet and tape some of the century ride this year!!
So, much to my relief, I was still able to ride 25 miles after a break from any serious riding. A group of my ex-teammates/coaches do a casual ride every weekend around stanford. I actually showed up to it for once. It was a great ride. 25 miles, which used to be an easy no brainer for me. One climb up Arastadero hill just past the wild life preserve, and a bunch of rollers down Juniper Serra and Foothill. Because this was a group of experienced riders, I think I was able to maintain about a 20 mph pace average. FUN! Going down Junipero Serra after Arastradero, I didn't get on Ruth's wheel quick enough when they decided to pace behind the tandem coach George and his wife were riding. I did about 28 mph solo, sure I'd be able to catch up and grab their wheel. Never happened. They eventually stopped and waited for me. I was shocked I was riding so fast and couldn't manage to catch them. Apparently, they got a 35 mph pace going behind the tandem! Crazy. I was laughed at when at about mile 20 I confessed that this was the longest ride I've done in over 6 months. Good times, and my legs survived.
This is a mini interview one of my teammates taped of our head coach, Matt, about what Team in Training is, and what we're doing this summer...
So today was our second team ride! I'm proud to announce, no flats! I love it when that happens. My new tires are doing their job.
Our ride today was a loop in Portola Valley just north of Stanford. Beautiful ride, though the air quality was a little crappy from the fires. It was just a 12 mile ride that served as a time trial to divide the team up into appropriately paced ride groups for the season. I had a solid ride. Not my best time for this loop, but pretty solid. I think I did the 12 miles in about 41 mins. With a few hills in the mix, I think it averaged out to about a 17 mile per hr pace according to my sketchy math (my bike computer was on the blitz though).
After the ride, we had a brief skills clinic to help new riders with things like steering over obstacles, quick breaking, ect. Then it was off to Mike's Cafe for breakfast. I'm really bad about eating breakfast before rides (I need to work on this) so breakfast was more than welcome!
Breakfast was a good time. It was nice to socialize with and get to know some of the people I haven't really ridden with yet. My coach from last season, Patrick, works in the Math department at Foothill college. It seems as if he has recruited the whole math department for the team. I think he has 4 other teachers, and one of their spouses riding with us this season. I was sitting between all of them at breakfast (aside from pyschotic Patrick who is in South Dakota doing a 450 mile ride!). One of the Math professors, Gene, is an honoree for the team. I think he had CLL which is in remission. Anyhow, he asked me if I'd done team in training before, and if I'd done the Honolulu century before and stuff like that. Rick, another teacher in their department was sitting on my other side and interrupted to inform Gene that even if he didn't know me, that he knew who I was. He went on to say, "this is that participant from last season with Patrick, you know the one he told everyone about..." Gene, indeed knew who I was from that description. I guess all my mishaps from Hawaii last season has unfortunately gained me a little fame amoung the team-- still not quite sure if that's a good or bad thing! This year's ride is NOT going to be like that again though!!!!
Uhhh... I'm very embarrassed to say that my legs are rather sore after that short, easy ride yesterday! I think they forgot it is cycle season... To avoid further build up of lactic acid, I definitely must not let myself go that long again without being on my bike!
So, this morning, we had our easy 15 mile kick-off ride in los altos. Weather was perfect, mid 70's and sunny- gorgeous day for riding. It was great to meet my new teammates, and see all of my old ones. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a mini-Honolulu all over again for me! 4 flats, and one blown tire. I sucked it up and just bought new tires today on my way home. I don't want a whole season like this for sure!!! From what I was told by teammates/coaches, the brand tires I got have a great reputation for not getting flats, so I'm stoked about that!
Getting ready to go put them on my bike now and maybe ride a few more miles. Can't wait for some more rides. It felt fantastic to be on the bike again. I was going an easy 30 mph down some turns by Arasterdero road asking myself why the heck it's been so long since I've really been out on my bike!
As always, our Honoree breakfast was great! We have one of our Honorees from last season, Mike, who is really cool, and got to hear a little bit more about 2 new (at least to me) honorees. It's really surreal to hear about their battles with Leukemia. I can remember things my family personally went through when my dad was sick, and it is really motivating to try and do something towards helping others with blood cancers.
That's How I Roll...
That's How I Roll... 
