Another Day, Another 100K

I did it! I reached another milestone: I finished my first Century ride. It was only a Metric Century - which is to be 100K instead of 100 Miles. I did it. It was long, and, hilly. And, I didn't think this could be true, but there was a head wind the entire ride. I kid you not.

About 40 cyclists met before 8:00 a.m. on an overcast Sunday in March (3.30.2008) at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy in Quincy, Florida, for a "short little ride through the countryside" called the Blue Line Springtime 100. Oh, my gosh! It was a beautiful ride. The scenery was spectacular; the SAG stops well stocked and staffed by friendly and appreciative volunteers. The riders in the "peloton" were exceptionally friendly and encouraging. Most were happy to chat briefly as they passed me; and one sort of became the ride leader for a time and instituted a "no drop" rule until the group was close to the finish and there was no doubt in his mind that we would all make it and find our way back to the Academy.

My heart-felt thank you to George Palmer for being that leader. He is, I learned during the ride, the Mack Daddy of triathlon here in the Big Bend area. I also thank him for supplying me with the "hook-up" for the bike that I borrowed from a complete stranger for training and the ride itself. George, Michelle, and Karin: I'm hooked. I'm buying a bike that truly fits me this week! Yeppers! This will definitely be my off-season program. But you know, come September, it's back to the pavement for Marathon season - and there are few of them on the horizon.

It was kind of cool to ride for a while, albeit a VERY SHORT while, in the pack - called a peloton in the cycling world. It was very cool to see all the different bicycles and the gear and to hear all the riders chat. They all ride together in one way or another and see each other frequently during events such as this one.

I had some questions about whether or not I should have committed to this as the training progressed. I learned that while it does not take nearly as long to ride 40 miles as it does to run that far, it still takes a long time. When I got to the SAG stop at about 40 miles on Sunday, my sit bones hurt. I had not been bothered at all during training, but another rider pointed out to me that the longer and higher hills along with the head wind had probably caused the discomfort more than the mileage itself. Whew! That made me feel better. As we set off from that SAG stop each pedal stroke was new and uncharted territory. I can tell you that it was a wonderful feeling to finish the 100K; nearly as wonderful as it did to finish my first marathon. I can only wonder what it will be like to finish a full century (100 miles). Wow! That day is coming, I am sure of it.

There is a group here currently training with Team in Training for a ride at Lake Tahoe: America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. Even though I have been to Tahoe and driven (not ridden) the route, I know that we don't really have any hills of real comparison here in this region. I hope that Chuck knows about some of these hills in Gadsden County, Florida, and Grady County Georgia. I will have to get him the map of the Blue Line. It might be beneficial, however small. One day I think I will be a part of that group and ride. Tahoe remains one of my favorite places to mountain bike. Road cycling would be no different I think.

Dave, Judy, Tracy, Sean, Mark, Michelle, Roger and your crew - well done. I will ride again, and bring others the next time. Better advertising...that's the only thing I have to offer. Good event. Great reason. Fabulous people. Again, very well done.

Things to Accomplish in 2008

I recently read about another writer's planned athletic endeavors for the year. I found it quite comforting to know that there are others as obsessive-compulsive as I am about what they want to accomplish in any given period. Of course, I have to take you back several months to get you caught up on this "race season." It goes back even further than the beginning of 2008, and spans a bit longer than one traditional "race season", but nonetheless it is what I had and do have planned. And, I have decided to include some things that are not "race" related, but are nonetheless very important to why I do what I do ... you'll see. I am going to try to update the list when necessary. Just bear with me while I figure out the best way to do that. ;-)

October, 2007
10.27.2007 Boston Mini Marathon (Boston, GA) - 2:12:59, personal best

November, 2007
11.22.2007 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2007
12.1.2007 Ten Mile Challenge - 1:33:57, personal best
12.1.2007 Jingle Bell Run 3K - ran with my 6 year-old (it was his first)

January, 2008
1.12.2008 Disney Half Marathon - Finished - it was my 9th Half Marathon!
1.13.2008 Disney Full Marathon - Finished (technically my first marathon, even though I walked a lot of it)

Put the Two Runs together and get "The Goofy"

February, 2008
2.3.2008 Tallahassee Half Marathon (1:58:59 - personal best)
2.17.2008 Inaugural 26.2 with Donna Hicken: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer (4:24:31 - personal best)

March, 2008
3.8.2008 Thomasville Road Baptist 10K (53:53 - personal best)
3.29.2008 Springtime Tallahassee 10K - this did not materialize...there was a "ride" the next day
3.30.2008 Blue Line Metric Century (100K) Ride (finished in just about 4 hours - not too shabby)

April, 2008
4.5.2008 Watch Colin, my 13 year-old son, compete with "The Big Dogs" at the Red Hills Triathlon (1/3 Mile Swim, 16 Mile Ride, 3.1 Mile Run) - He finished in 1:38:06! 2nd in his age group (Men 19 and Under); 4th out of the water in his swim wave (Men 29 and Under)
4.6.2008 Watch Colin "set the water aflame" at the Dothan Spring Splash Swim Meet

Speak at Scott's Ferry United Methodist Church - "Who I am through what I do in Christ"
4.24-27.2008 Serve the Pilgrims on Walk #48, Big Bend Walk to Emmaus

May, 2008
5.17.2008 Ride To Remember "Horse Country" Century Ride - I won't do this one this year.
5.18.2008 Watch Aidan, the 6 year-old, compete in his first triathlon: Red Hills for Kids
5.20.2008 Celebrate my mother's 60th Birthday

June, 2008

6.7.2008 Capital City Ride for Hope: A metric century founded by a student at the FSU College of Medicine in honor of his father, a cancer victim. (www.capitalcityrideforhope.com)

July, 2008
7.4.2008 Freedom Springs Triathlon (for me really a DUathlon - I don't "do" the swim...)

7.19.2008 Take Colin to Jacksonville for the JAX TRI Series Sprint #2

August, 2008
8.23.2008 TriStates 100 Century Ride
8.24.2008 Celebrate 17 years of marriage to my wonderful husband!

September, 2008
9.20.2008 Take Colin to The Beach Blast Triathlon in Mexico Beach, Florida
9.30.2008 Celebrate Michael's 45th Birthday!!!


October, 2008
10.25.2008 Boston Mini Marathon (Boston, Georgia) or

10.26.2008 (my 41st birthday) 33rd Marine Corps Marathon - Registration opens at noon, 4.30.2008
10.31.2008 Celebrate my in-laws' 50th Wedding Anniversary

November, 2008
11.27.2008 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2008
12.6.2008 Ten Mile Challenge
12.6.2008 Jingle Bell Run (3K)
12.21.2008 Jacksonville Half Marathon???

January, 2009
1.10-11.2008 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge: In Memory of Richard Harvey
1.10.2009 Disney Half Marathon (Registered)
1.11.2009 Disney Full Marathon (Registered)

February, 2009
Tallahassee Half Marathon
2.15.2009 The 2nd Annual 26.2 with Donna Hicken: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

A Bit About My Aidan

Aidan is my second son. However, he is my first in many ways: First to not want to learn to tie his shoes. First to want to be in the sandbox at all hours. First to climb the once dilapidated fence to play at the neighbor's house. First to tell me he "could go off the diving board" at age 3 and make it to the ladder without help. First to demand to have his training wheels off at age 4. First to want to ride with Daddy on the bike trails when given a choice.

Aidan is playing Tee Ball this spring. He is playing in a small, church-based and organized, very low key, parent-involved league. And, he loves it. He can throw like a demon, almost always hitting his target. He can hit the ball like a true "slugger" as his grandfather quickly nick named him. And, now he is even talking about wanting to follow in his big brother's path and take on a triathlon

A small triathlon. A kids' triathlon. He has expressed a great deal of interest in participating in this year's Red Hills Triathlon for Kids. So, I suppose that Colin and I will get him ready: Colin is in charge of swimming (duh!), and I'll take the bike and ride. Aidan is already a really good rider, so all he really needs is to be able to muster through the final leg of the TRI: the one mile run. I think he'll make it. His little legs will get him there if his wee arms carry him through the swim. Oh, my. That's all I can think to say. Oh, my ...

A New Case - Cause - of Insanity!

Many of you are well aware that I run, and I run a lot. Here I am, 40 years old having run 5 1/2 years worth of half marathons and then two marathons inside of 5 weeks, looking for my next CAUSE.

I think to myself as I slowly grind up a hill on my mountain bike trying desperately to stay ahead of Colin, my 13 year-old son in training for a Sprint Triathlon, what's next? I am watching as Colin edges away from me on his feather light road bike, and I wonder if could make it through a Century Ride (100 Miles or 100K) on my mountain bike. Pro'bly could, but it might be ugly ... I start asking around and come to find a couple of people in the local Triathlon group are willing to lend me a bike to train on and then ride in such an event. Now, I wonder which one? It's too late to "go Team in Training" for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride at Lake Tahoe in June. But, I hear that there is a ride here - in the spring.

Sure enough there is a century ride here in the spring. The only problem: It's now less than a month away. Now I am really curious. Can I do this in less than four weeks? I know that most of the training is an endurance build-up - which I think I've got covered from the last several months of marathon training. My next obstacle is should I go full Century (100 Miles), or start out smaller with the Metric Century (about 68 miles)? After some contemplation and conversations with experienced century riders, I opt for the Metric. This way I can get my feet wet in the sport, and not have to put it off until next year and incorporate more training. Oh, my...

Well, you know me: Can I do anything requiring athletic or endurance ability without a cause? No. The answer is absolutely, positively NO! This century that I have chosen is The Blue Line 100. It is a fund raiser for the Police Unity Tour to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. Being married to my wonderful, giving, protect-and-serve, badge-wearing husband has given me a vested interest in this cause. I watched him and his colleagues suffer through a tremendously difficult time when they lost one of their own. I don't ever wish to see any family have to deal with that loss and the sadness it brings. If I can do just a little bit to bring more public awareness to the danger an officer (who forms a part of The Blue Line) puts him/herself in, then so be it. I'll be there.

I have copied the information below from that web site (www.bluelineheroes.com) so you will know that I am not putting you on.

In May 1997 the Police Unity Tour was organized, by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. We started in 1997 with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. which raised $18,000.00. This past year we had over 1000 members nationwide who made the trip and we are proud to announce that we were able to donate 1 Million Dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund bringing our total donations to 3.2 Million Dollars.In late 2005, the Police Unity Tour pledged $5 million in support of the National Law Enforcement Museum. Inspired by our commitment and our motto, "WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED" the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected our organization to be the sponsor of the Museum’s Hall of Remembrance.

The police officers who ride in the Unity Tour from Virginia Beach to D.C. must raise a minimum $1800 each to participate. On the Blue Line web site is a form that you can print and make a donation to the Unity Tour. That is your choice - I won't ask you to help me this time. If you would like the name of a Tallahassee Police officer (or Leon County Sheriff's deputy) who is planning to participate I will gladly get one for you so that you can directly affect their fund-raising campaign.

I hope that between now and March 30th, you will be thinking of me and the officers in your community. Keep us in your prayers for a splendid ride that day and a successful trip to D.C. for the officers in May.

My love and admiration for all you do to help those who protect and serve you.
I Corinthians 9:24-25

Play Together - Stay Together!

I hear that families who "play together, stay together." Does that include athletic activities? I am not sure if swimming, cycling, and runnig are always considered fun. But, the joy and satisfaction at the end are always worth it. Colin, my 13 year-old son is training for his 2nd "adult" triathlon. He is going to complete the Red Hills Sprint Distance Triathlon on April 5th, 2008. He is the youngest registered participant - the next closest person in age to him is 19! He'll be ready. And, he is psyched!

This past Saturday (3.8.2008) he and I ran together. Well, sort of together. He ran a 5K race while I ran the 10K at the same event. He finished respectably 7th in his age group. Not bad for a kid who really is a swimmer and only runs once a week. Then, he cheerfully met his slow, and old mom near the finish to "run me in." He is such a good sport! I ran a person best (called a PR) and placed 2nd in my age group (oh, my gosh how did that happen?)! I was so excited for the rest of the day I didn't know what to do with myself.

This weekend holds another 5K run for Colin, as well as a trip down to St. Marks and back on the bike. I'll be joining him for the ride - I have the Blue Line 100 Century ride on my calendar for March 30. Oh, my, and I thought 26.2 miles was a long way. Well, we shall see. If my hinney survives, this may become my Spring/Summer activity for a while. That's later: I must get through this ride first!

Off we go! More later, much more!