Another Freakin’ Bee Sting - OUCH!

Last Saturday, I got stung again on another ride! I can’t believe it. What are the odds? O.K., I guess that I should go out and by a lotto ticket now.

After my first sting about a month ago, I did a lot of research. Some websites suggested carrying Benadryl or Calamine Lotion in your saddle bag. Others cyclists I talked to suggested other insect sting topical ointments that you can find in your local drug stores. All of which, were said to help but not cure.

Somehow my “sting incident” came up in a conversation I was having with a friend of mine from Mexico the other day. Her suggestion was garlic. Yes, GARLIC. She said that when she got stung as a child that they put a smashed clove of garlic on the sting and that the garlic drew out the insect poison. My friend swore by this old remedy and so I thought it was worth a try.

Well, ever since that conversation I have been riding my bike with a couple of large cloves of garlic wrapped in cellophane in my saddle bag. You know…just in case.

This last Saturday about 30 miles into my 60 mile ride…ZAP, I got stung on my leg near my knee. I screamed…“CRAP, I got stung again!!!!” and then yelled to my cycling buddy that I was stopping to get out my garlic. “Garlic?” he said, “What’s with the garlic?” So, I told him the story about my friend as I was getting it unwrapped from the cellophane.

First, I pulled out the stinger since I could still see it. Then I smashed a clove with my shoe on the road and put the smashed innards on the sting and sting area (you gotta hold the garlic on the sting the entire time). At first, it just hurt like heck and then all of the sudden the pain started to subside. Within about two minutes, all you could see was the small point where the stinger was pulled out of my leg.

After this episode, I got comments like...“you have to ride in the back now, no one wants to ride down wind of the garlic.” Yes, my garlic cure was the material for a few more jokes along the ride that day. However, every time I showed someone the sting area they were amazed at the result.

When I got home I told my husband about the incident and showed him my leg. It was truly amazing! The last time I got stung the area had welted up to a 4 inch red swollen bump. Burning and itching for about a week.

All I can say is that garlic is just as important as an extra tube on my rides!

FY I- Next week, I am going for 65 miles!

From 6 Miles to 60 – My Journey on My Bike

Last February when I came out and told some friends at a dinner party that THIS was the year I was going to ride the Lance Armstrong Challenge, I only imagined what this would be like. I was not a cyclist. Matter of fact, I had not been on a bike in over 20 years!

During these past few weekends I reached another milestone – completion of my third 60 miler. This is officially the longest distance I have ever completed in a single training ride. What started out at 6 miles has now progressed into a 60 mile journey into a new education. What I mean is that you don’t get to 60 miles without learning a few more lessons in life.

I used to think that golf was the ultimate teacher. However, I have learned that being on a bike can teach you a few things too. Riding my bike has taught me to make peace with myself and to enjoy where I am at that moment in time. I have learned to make time for myself and to enjoy my own company. I have also learned to try harder, take chances, and yes, to make mistakes. All of which, make me feel very much appreciative of where I am today.

So, I guess you can say that my training is going pretty damn well. Just four months ago, 90 miles was almost unthinkable. And now, I am just 30 miles from reaching my training goal.

I want to say that really appreciate all of the encouragement from my friends and family, I can't begin to describe how your kind words have pushed me to my limit, when I thought I couldn't go any further. My fundraising efforts for the Lance Armstrong Foundation are doing well. So far, I have raised $2,926 and am in the process of receiving even more donations. By the time the event happens I hope to have reached a new goal of $5,000 for the cause.

Last year, I caught my first Marlin - something that has been on my bucket list for many years. For cycling, its “big fish” is the century ride and I fully intend on reeling this in one day too.

As I celebrated my 46^th birthday this year, I reflected on something Lance once said “Birthdays don't really matter much anymore ... for me, I sort of have a new birthday and that's October 2nd, the day I was diagnosed, ... the day we all sort of look to and mark these milestones by one year, two year, five year, 10 year. Hopefully, I have a 50 year.” Now, I feel 13 years young and just like a kid riding her bike…happy, healthy and STRONG!

Interval Training - My New Frontier

First of all, I want to let everyone know that YES, I HAVE BEEN RIDING despite my blog neglect. It’s just that life sometimes interferes with entries. Rest assured that no matter what, I am getting my rides done each week.

O.K….now for my entry….

When I reached 1,000 base miles I decided that I was ready for the next level in my cycling…Interval Training. So, what exactly is Interval Training? The basic concept of this type of training is to increase your overall amount of time spent training at a higher intensity, therefore increasing your endurance ability to ride fast longer. Science has proved that training at a high intensity leads to performance gains, particularly in professional athletes. The whole point of intervals is to allow you to increase the amount of time your body is able to train at a high intensity, therefore increasing your overall fitness level.

If it sounds pretty technical, it’s because it is and I use a heart rate monitor to help me with mine.

Right now, I am just starting this type of training. For me, I call it IT 101 or Interval Training for Dummies. This means my intervals are fewer (about 5 to 6 times) and for shorter periods of time (I judge this by heart rate).

First, I pick out a good long hill to climb (not too steep, but a good hard steady climb I can pedal on – nor one that’s too easy so that I will be spinning). I use a big gear. One that I can manage and then ride hard for a good distance to get my heart rate up to about 80-95%.

Although I was watching my heart rate monitor the first time I did these, my legs and lungs were already telling me that I was training in my threshold. I could feel my legs stinging after each one like they were asleep (I am told this is the lactate acid I am feeling in my muscles). Yes, these are particularly unpleasant to perform and…well, I just don’t like them very much!

No matter…if I want to get better, increase endurance, and insure that I finish 90 miles in a respectable amount of time then I will hammer these bad boys out when needed. From my research, I am told that as I progress I will be able to increase the numbers of repeats and as well as the lengths of my intervals. Additionally, I read where it is common for cyclists to do these intervals for up to 10 minutes (OMG-I can’t imagine going for this amount of time!). And another benefit? I will be able to increase my lactate tolerance!

All kidding aside…if this is what it takes, well then I am going to do it.

"Don't whine, Don't Complain, Don't Make Excuses"

The other night when I was watching the ESPY awards, Northern State University men’s basketball coach Don Meyer was presented with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

The Jimmy V Award is an award which is given to a member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through physical determination and perseverance.

Meyer lost part of his leg and battled cancer after surviving a near-fatal car accident. He was driving a car that collided with a truck last September. In January, Meyer set a national record for career coaching wins in NCAA men’s basketball. Like Lance, Coach Meyer is an amazing person and an inspiration to many.

In his acceptance speech last night he mentioned a gift he was given many years ago by a friend. On this wallet card he read, “Don’t whine, don’t complain, don’t make excuses.” Meyer said that these words meant more to him now than ever. As a fellow cancer survivor, his words touched me in a very special way because it embodies the attitude you gotta have to fight for your life.

Some days when I am on my bike rides it feels like I'm strolling through a grassy meadow with a mild summer breeze blowing through my hair. Other days, it feels like I'm climbing a sheer cliff wall and I wonder if I can even peddle another rotation. I'm afraid I'll fall over on my bike and sometimes I feel like just letting go. But I don't. I don't ever give up. No matter what! I've watched too many people give up on their dreams. Give up on their goals. And I will NOT be one of them. I will get to the top of the hill!

It’s that love/hate/love thing I wrote about in an earlier blog. I really don’t wish my training was easier, I just wish I was better. When I feel myself getting stronger I know its because I put in the hard work to make it happen.

I won't make excuses. I won't use the "yeah but," I won't whine and cry when things don't go my way. I know that there's a purpose for everything and even though I don't see it immediately, it doesn't mean the purpose isn't there. Just because the clouds hide the sun does not mean the sun isn't there.

Oh, by the way…I got my first bee sting while cycling yesterday. The wasp hit my face and I swatted it away (or so I thought). Took a wasp sting right in the stomach. I didn't panic. Since I have never been allergic before, I just kept on riding despite the stinging feeling. I am taking Benedryl today to relieve the swelling, itching and redness.

It really wasn't a pleasant experience, but hey it gives me something to talk about!

950 Miles So Far…I Love Riding My Bike!

As I got in from riding my 30 miles this morning, I could feel my self smiling. Then, it occurred to me that I always feel this way when I get in from a ride. How lucky I am to be riding a bike!

There are so many reasons why I love riding my bike. First of all, it’s just plain fun. It reminds me of a simpler time in my life – childhood. Back then, I could just hop on my bike and go just about anywhere I wanted. My bike was my freedom and independence.

Now, despite my battle with cancer I'm fortunate to have a strong, healthy body, the abilities to pedal, balance and move quickly once again. I love to feel my muscles' strength as I use my own energy to get where I need to go. I love the feeling of adrenaline and blood pumping as I climb a huge hill. It is so empowering to me because 13 years ago I was down on my knees, weak, bald, and driving the porcelain bus.

Did I mention how nice other cyclists are? Yes, there’s also a great camaraderie with other cyclists as we pass each other on the path or road. Everyone waves, nods or says “hello” to you on your rides. There have even been times when I have joined up with other riders in the middle of my rides.

I love riding in the morning. The quiet time the ride affords me to start thinking about the day and mentally prepare before the phone starts ringing or I am immersed in e-mails. I arrive at my desk more alert and ready for the day's challenges.

In the late afternoon, I love the opportunity to pedal out any stress after a long day's work and process any difficult situations. There’s nothing like a good hard ride in the heat to unwind. Plus, I sleep more soundly at night because I've had such a good workout in my day.

Sure, it takes me longer to do a ride than it does for me to go work-out at the gym. And yes, it takes preparation because I must prep my bike, fill water bottles and drive out to my route area. But the physical and mental benefits far outweigh the time trade-offs.

I can’t think of many other activities that strengthen you in body, mind and spirit.

Mile by Mile...My Training Continues

I have put over 750 miles on my bike since late April and now average between 125 to 150 miles per week in training for my challenge. So far, my personal best has been 16.7 mph on a flatter terrain and 15.5 on the hillier routes. Last night, I even managed to throw in a few pseudo-intervals on my ride. What a work-out!

You might wonder what kind of person tracks statistics like the mileage, average speed, altitude gain and time in the saddle after every ride?

Well, me for one.

I want to know how I am progressing all the time. Matter of fact, I am even looking into a riding coach now to help me with ridding nuances. The guy I am looking at recruiting gave me the best advice when I started. He told me“…first, you just need to get out there and just ride. You need to get miles under your belt in order to create muscle memory, build endurance and to get your brain comfortable on the bike.”

What sage advice…just get out there and ride. Well I guess he ought to know since he used to ride professionally.

OBTW-here’s a better photo of one of my route buddies. I have quite a few animals on my weekday ride that I say hello to as I pass by them (I call him Bevo of course).

Well, I am out the door to go ride now. It’s a holiday!

Not DFL Anymore!

At least that is what you can say about me in last Saturday’s ride. Yep, and I even did this on a 52 mile route that was hillier than the famous “Is This The Last Hill?” ride. I could hardly believe it myself. The fact that I did not come in last was such an incredible feeling! Especially, when you are used to showing up at the end of a ride and seeing only one car left in the parking lot….YOURS.

I can’t say that I knew this ride was going to be tough going in the onset. Quite the opposite, I thought this ride would have a few hills and would give my legs a break. It wasn’t until I was actually there at the starting point that I heard this ride was going to be tougher than last weekend’s 52 mile route.

When I heard this route was tougher, I cringed inside. A part of me wanted to pack my bike up and go home. I just did not know if I had it in me to do another tough ride in 95 degree heat.

I was once told by a professional cyclist…”most riders are screwed up, how else can you explain why someone would push themselves so hard? It’s like they are trying to prove something” (this person competed in the Tour De France and road against Lance). He went on to say, “…you can see it on his face. It’s like he’s battling something inside”

Well, you guessed it. This crazy cancer surviving girl hopped on her saddle and began peddling down the road.

It was a tough ride and once again, I amazed myself. Bicycling with the wind in my face just sends my senses into hyper-drive. It's is truly life at its best. There’s no other way I can explain how it makes me feel.

And yes, you have to be a little driven by something different inside to even do such an endurance sport (with me, it was facing my mortality).

I just do it. Ultimately, there will come a time when I won't be able to and I don’t plan on leaving this world with many regrets!