Sandie goes all the way!!!

I really had no business doing what I did today.

I had no business even attempting it. My largest ride this year was 30 miles and didn't compare in any way to any of the multitude of climbs I was in store for today. I was not a bit trained or prepared for this grueling marathon of challenges that led me on a tour of the outer gates of hell... I kid you not.

It was tough getting to sleep last night. I was so excited about the ride and my new bike, I guess I managed to get in about 6 hours. Up at 5:45am, out the door at 6:30, on site and registering at 7. I got my cue sheet that listed all the turns and roads we'd be up against. Quickly, a shocked Holy sh*t escaped my mouth. Listed at the 18 mile mark was a road with a monster climb I was familiar with, as I rode it a million years ago whenever I overslept and had to ride my bike to High shool. It wasn't fun then, and unlike Hershey bars, it certainly didn't get any smaller over the years! Well, I walked it when I was a kid, I guess I could walk it today.

7:40 Off we went. I was in a group of about 25 riders playing cat and mouse as I really have a huge downhill advantage and a huge uphill disadvantage. Guys that would blow me away on the climb would shudder as I flew past on the payoff. Imagine a 747 passing at eye level with no warning... that would be me;-) Soon enough, I couldn't keep up and went it alone.

Though it wasn't really difficult at the beginning, by the 10 mile mark, I wondered what I was thinking when I signed up for this silly thing. By that time, the group was so far ahead and beyond my reach, that I went it alone. I had serious doubts I'd make it to 20. You see, there were a number of options for this ride, a fundraiser for a multi-handicapped children's center. There were 12, 25 and 45 mile rides. A few weeks ago I thought I'd do 45. Then, after shaking up the guys last week on my 30mile Saturday route, I decided 62 was more appropriate. As this week wore on, I was really nagged by wanting to go for more. I really thought I would like to try for 80, and I'd kick myself if I didn't try, but the next option was 100... way, way, way beyond my reach.

Well, I decided to go for it since I could and rely on the SAG wagon if I couldn't do it anymore. The SAG wagon will collect disabled and exhausted riders and transport them back to the finish/start line or even to a rest stop(or hospital, I guess). I felt there was no shame in SAGing if I needed it. So, what did I have to loose?

I made it to the hill that killed me as a kid. For the first time in my life, I climbed it without stopping. It's a double hill with a short leveling in the middle where it crosses a busy highway. It's 2.4 miles long with a 114 foot total climb. YIKES!!! Then a rest stop at the 21 mile mark. By this time, I had consumed a gallon of water and needed something more to replace everything I was loosing from the sweat pouring down my face. I refilled both my water bottles with Gatorade, throwing my carb conscious way of life to the wind. At that point, it was more important to keep from keeling over than to worry about a few carbs.

I have had a hard time dealing with the issues of fueling for serious rides. I recognize the need for fuel, and carbs as the best fuel for the job, but being highly metabolically resistant, they just make more of me! Trying to strike a balance between the need for carbs and protein, and refusing to eat the high fructose corn syrup and other garbage in typical power bars and gels, I found a recipe online for a gel using pure honey and blackstrap molasses. Fewer carbs, more nutrients. Adding in plain, unsweetened soy protein powder and pure unsweetened cocoa, I came up with a high protein, highly nutritious concoction with the taste and texture of brownie batter. YUM!! (Don't tell my kids! I've convinced them it's gross diet food!) This was my fuel for the ride, besides a banana and some orange slices and Gatorade from the rest stops. Seriously, going without food for the rides is like driving on empty... ya' ain't gonna get too far!

So, about the ride. It was a whole lot of up, which killed, and a bit of down, which(I think I mentioned)... I ROCK on! Trouble is, the ups take forever and the downs scream by pretty darned quick. I had to make a stop along the way cause a toe went painfully numb on a climb. And I had a bit of trouble with shifting. Since the bike was new, the gear cables needed to stretch and settle in like new guitar strings. But since I worked it so hard the "fix" they told me about in the shop wasn't enough to take up the slack. I ended up riding 10 miles in one gear before I got someone to look at it at the 70mile mark rest stop.

70 miles. If I had to end the tour there with bike trouble, it would be OK. I went well beyond anything I should have done and had no regrets(and no feeling in my butt beyond pain). SO, having nothing to loose, I got back on to see how far I could go. Ya know, in many ways, I did the last 40 miles better and smarter than the first 20. The last 15 were tough. My stomach tried to force out the tiny bit of turkey sub I ate at the rest stop. I wished it would hurry up and do it. The last 7 miles... I walked the long hill where a car slowed to offer me a ride(I'm just fine! Yes, I want to do this!) shortly after, the SAG wagon finally appeared(Are you kidding?). I dragged on the final leg, but I pulled into the lot I started from, all by my own power. 100 freakin' miles! 100 freakin' miles! Unbelievable!!!

8 1/2 hours on the bike, 1 1/2 hours in rest stops and unscheduled stops. 7:40am to 5:30pm... Call it a day's work done! Awesome!!!

I am reminded of the power of spirit and drive, determination and willpower. Of the faith of a mustard seed. Of the people who built this country, its railroads. Of the slaves, migrant workers and laborers who worked longer and harder every day than I did today. The people who work unrelenting to make a difference in the world. It's all of the same stuff, just spread in different places.

I am ready to ride again for 112 miles on Sept 15 and 16, to raise money for MS. The organization I'm riding for not only funds research, but does great things for individuals with MS. They offer free career counseling, yoga, aquatics, loan wheelchairs, help fund chair lifts, they offer a weekend camp for children of MS patients to socialize and have fun and learn, they offer scholarships to accredited camps for children and patients in the summer, the list goes on. Bottom line, they do real things for real people.

If you can ride, ride with me and prove to yourself that there is more power in you than you think.
If you can't ride, join in and support me. I'll carry your spirit with me on a great ride.

Much love,
Sandie

The After picture... I don't look tired enough!

Put me in, Coach!

After returning home from my trips, I immediately felt the difference in my riding. The training that I earned on the mountain translated into faster rides at home and easier climbs. I had more breath. I worked less to get the same results. I started my Saturday am rides from my house, saw "the guys" at some point in the route(though barely even a grunt of aknowledgement was emitted). I started finishing all my rides with a swim at our lake. 150-250 meters was what I would do. I found it to be a perfect way to cool off and stretch at the same time.

I am committed, I am loving it. It's time to start shopping for my own road bike. Countless stores and brands and sales reps. Some shops looked me up and down, decided I couldn't possibly be an athlete and treated me like a fool, some basically laughed at me. Yes, I can ride hard for 2 hours or more without stopping. Consider that an endurance sport. I can average 15 mph on a mountain bike, hills included and I am an athlete in my own right. So, I'm not in an athlete's body, but things are not always what they seem.

August 11, I'm on the ride on my mountain bike. I used a gel food for the first time in a ride. I felt the difference. In my mind? I don't think so. I've got good speed and endurance and the crest of the big hill seemed to come earlier. I feel great. Put me in, Coach, I'm ready to play!

August 18, Tony at Pedal Sports in Oakland, NJ(the shop) helped tune my Brother in Law's road bike for the ride. My first time doing it on a road bike. I was up till 1am, I'm tired. There was a head wind the entire time. I had no spedometer and had no idea how fast or slow I was going. I had no gel or food for energy. I had started my ride 5 or 10 minutes early and the guys caught up with me at the half way point, then did the four mile add on loop. I went ahead and climbed to the top of the hill then waited for them. After everyone was up, I clicked into my pedals with them to head out. What a sweet sound! Towards the back of the pack, I rode out. I don't know the guy ahead of me... suited up in riding gear and team shirts, they all look the same, but I recognize Rob, the shop owner behind me. We hit the incline. We own the road. I start to coast faster than the guy ahead is pedaling. I apply the brake lightly. I'm in with the pack, I don't want to be rude and step on toes...

Finally, I can't wait anymore. I like speed and I don't want to hold back. I give a couple thrusts and pass one of the guys on the left. It feels good... real good. Feeling exhilerated at being here after months of trying, I utter something of a triumphant grunt under my breath. I pedal my butt off part way down the hill then crouch down for aerodynamic advantage. I am flying. It is spectacular! The road bike is faster, leaner and meaner than the mountain bike and the ride is glorious! I pedal again at the bottom of the hill then coast, spent. Rob and the other guy pass me right before the light. I turn with them and they are off. The head wind is back. I'm drained.

Later in the day, I stop in the shop to make some final choices on the bike I'm going to order. Tony looks up at me and says. "Sandie, you scared a bunch of people out there today."
"What? Did it look like I was I out of control?"
Tony- "No, I heard you were passing people like crazy."
"I only passed one guy."
"That's not what I heard"
Then Rob popped in the room and chimed in, clearly amused. "You flew past Mike"
Tony- "You should have made vroom-vroom sounds as you passed him."
All laughing, "Yea, that would really kill him."
me- "But you guys blew me away at the bottom."
Rob- "It doesn't matter, the damage was done."

Wow! Is this an in? Did I do it? Did I earn an ounce of respect? Or will they chew me up and spit me out the next time I attempt to ride with them? Time will tell. Tomorrow my new bike should be in. I haven't been this excited since I bought my last Taylor guitar. I won't ride with the boys Saturday. I'm riding on Sunday. I'm entering a road rally/fundraiser for a multiple handicapped children's center. I plan to do the 62mile route. I'm contemplating the possibility of doing the 100 mile if I feel good enough. That's a century, 100 miles in one day. It's insane for me to think that big, but it's no more insane than last year's 112mi with 3 1/2 weeks of training.

Till soon,
Sandie

Gosh, I have So much to fill you in on from my training this year.

I started again in late May. A few weeks and I was about as strong as I was before the tour last year. It was time to move up to a bigger challenge. The bike shop I've been dealing with does a 30 mile Sat 7:30 am ride every week. I decided to join them. June 9. I arrive in the parking lot of at 7:15. It's a bunch of guys in great shape on real nice road bikes. I bet they're all younger than me too. I feel very intimidated. I do not belong in their secret male society. I'm not in shape, never have been, I'm a girl and I've got a mountain bike. They don't aknowledge me. It's alright, I'm not about to let it stop me. I'll prove girls can play too. Even if they don't want me there. It's tense.

JUNE 9, 7:30 on the dot. They clip into their pedals and head out. I'm right behind. I turn out of the parking lot, something grinds and ceases and my chain breaks. That's it. I'm out of the game and I'm pissed. The Shop owner, Rob rides up as I'm pushing my bike back to my car.
"Sandie... you broke your chain!"
"I know I broke my #$%^$% chain!"
Rob- "How are you doing?"
"Not real happy!" Devastated in fact. I had myself on an emotional roller coaster "Should I ride? I can't compete with them. I'm gonna ride. Stand tall. Okay, let's see how far I get." Then, SNAP!! It's over. "Why did you even try?"

I know why I tried, because I know I can do it. Maybe not as fast or as far as them today, maybe never, but I'll never get there if I don't try. My goal is September. Doing 112 miles again and doing it better than last year. Later in the day, I return to have my bike repaired find I've broken both my inner ring bearings.

JUNE 16, Let's try this again. I ride my bike to the shop this time. Get in line, clip out of my pedals to rest and catch my breath. Grab my water bottle take a swig and I hear an avalanche of clicks as they all ride away. Damn! I expect to have to earn their respect, but that's just rude! I set out and never see them again. It's a tough ride. I'm working very hard. I miss-navigate and have to make a left at a light. I do it legally, from the left lane. I'm the first at the light. It changes. I start out and have trouble cliping in. The cars behind me are not interested in waiting. I stand in the pedals for power to get out of the intersection. My left foot slips. I go down. My left leg slams against the pavement but my right leg is still clipped in. The bike shows no mercy as it pulls and drags, rips and extends my right leg.

I get up as fast as I can. The cars drive around me as I hobble from the intersection. I do inventory at the corner. My leg is numb, it's purple behind my knee, already swollen, I don't think anything is broken. Still, I really can't feel most of my lower leg. It's 3 miles to the hospital if I make a right. 17 miles home if I go straight. I re-align my bike and head straight... let's see how far I can go. I finish the ride and head home. Shadowed success. I wonder how much damage I really did.

Over the next few weeks I had to back off a bit and give my leg a chance to heal. I did see a sports Medicine surgeon. He said I definitely did nerve damage. He expects the nerves will begin to regrow in three months or so. He sees no reason for me to stop riding. I am relieved.

July 24, I'm at Falcon Ridge. I ride my bike up the dirt road to the upper pasture. It's tough as heck. I do it a few times over the next few days as I eye the mountain across the way. There is a road that carves along the side of it. It is a long climb. Probably near a mile. It's got to rise more than 200 feet. You can see the cars and tractor trailers slow from the load of climbing it. Wow! If only.... Later I see a group of riders coming down the hill... I am envious. Later still I see a few head up the hill, excruciatingly slow. They're all men, all fit, all power. Someday I'd like to be that strong.

I eye the mountain for three days before I attempt it. I set my sights on climbing 1/4 of the way... if I can get my nerves up. I head in the opposite direction for 6 miles then head back and fight with myself to attempt it. I go slightly further than my goal before I have to give it up. I'm tired, I'm sweaty, I feel great.

The next day I go 2 miles out to warm up and return to go 2/3rds of the way up the beast. It hurts. It's good.

I've been teasing my friend, Scott, with the mountain. He's doing a 350mile trek this year... he is taunted by the climb and finally calls me on it. After two days attempting to tame the beast, I'm tired but won't back off the challenge. We ride two miles out and back, then we hit the incline. Scott distances me right away. God, it hurts. I don't have it in me. I pass my first day's point. I'll never get there. I'm going so damned slow I'm liable to fall over. When I look ahead, I know I can't do it. I can't take in the whole climb. It's enormous. I can only manage if I concentrate one foot ahead of me. One foot, one push one breath at a time. Above my second day's climb, Scott stops to wait. Thank God, I can't go on. We cross the road and sit on the guard rail purveying the entire grounds of Falcon Ridge. It's beautiful. Listening to the music, enjoying the company, joking, sharing. Ready to go further? Yep. We reach the crest where it turns and goes into deep woodland. Now the payoff... downhill. I pass Scott and hit a max speed of 44.7mph on a mountain bike. Insanely good stuff. Insanely dangerous. Insanely satisfying. I have conquered the beast!!

I've used that lesson with my students since then and they have learned well from my story. Looking at the enormity of a challenge, the task can seem daunting. But taking little steps and making smaller goals makes any job manageable. We can all conquer our personal beasts whatever they may be... One step at a time

Hi Everyone!

Well, I'm back!
If you thought I was going to wait till the last minute to train... I'm not silly enough to do that twice!!

I kept riding last year and was conquering some huge hills around here until the air got a bit nippy. I was reminded by a pneumonia-like cough and the loss of my voice after a nice climbing ride, that I have a form of exercise-induced asthma. I used to hate 8am gym class and track in HS. I was competitive enough that I ran as fast as I could, somewhere in the slow middle of the class. But when I finished, my lungs were always raw and painful and felt like I had inhaled knives. I was a kid, I didn't know any better... I thought everybody felt that way after they ran. I thought they were all crazy for running since it hurt so much... It never occured to me that it wasn't normal.

I really only identified this silly form of asthma over the last couple years. Fortunately, It only bothers me when I take cool air quickly into my lungs, so I avoid it. Instead, I joined a gym since I heard how fantastic spin classes were for carrying over winter. My first class, I decided not to wear my MS Goldspokes Cyclist Jersey that I earned from the tour. I didn't want to show off or anything... So, I took this 55 min class. After cycling 6+ hours a day for two days, this is gonna be a breeze, right?

Wrong. WAY wrong!!!

That class beat the crap out of me! It was NOTHING like cycling outside! Man! I was certainly glad I didn't wear that jersey, I would have been laughed out of the room! After the gym's tour de hell, I couldn't walk up stairs for most of a week! My family found it hysterical that a little high piched "yow!" came out of me each time I got up or down from a chair, a stair... the bathroom. And you know, they did everything they could to make me yelp!

That was the first and last time I made it to the gym. Instead, it was me and Billy banks in the living room with a little Tae Bo to make it through the winter.