Support My Trek to Find a Cause, Treatment and Cure for MS

If you've been following my training progress, you know that I'm not just doing this for me. I'm training this hard and riding in the Bike MS to support the research efforts to find the cause, a treatment, and ultimately a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Please support me and this cause by making a donation. No matter how small, every little bit will help. If your employer matches, I'd be happy to take care of the matching paperwork for you too.

You can donate online or mail a check to:
Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach
National MS Society
P.O. Box 4125
Houston, TX 77210
To ensure proper credit to my fundraising, please be sure to print my name on your check.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I can't wait to share the success of this year's ride!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

New Bike Computer

For Christmas, Pete gave me a computer for my bike. I suspect it is so I stop giving him such a hard time for having three! It has sat in it's box for the last two months. Pete made time to install it on my new, blue bike. Now I'll be able to track my mileage and watch my cadence (the speed in which my feet go around on the pedals.)

So far, Pete gave me my bike (which came with a water bottle holder), a gel seat, and now a bike computer. That personal financial investment is looking good. Handy having a boyfriend who is already deep into cycling and has spare gear laying around. Right now I borrow one of his water bottles and a pair of gloves. I already had a bike helmet and I'm wearing workout clothes that look practically brand new - gee I wonder why they look so new since they've rarely been worn!

Goals
Today's Miles:
Total Miles Achieved: 5
Financial Investment: $0
Total Weight Loss: 2

Monday, February 4, 2008

Going Down

The good news is, I wasn't sore today from my measely five miles on the bike yesterday. The better news, I went to the doctor today for my check-up. In December, we determined my cholesterol was scary high (that's higher than "high".) Scary enough that the doctor actually had me pretty freaked out. But, it was enough to help me realize what I need to do to improve. I've spent the last two months doing a lot of reading, trying to make better choices, and thinking about getting more exercise scheduled into my life.

Today I go in for the follow-up a bit nervous. Well, I'm down two pounds (despite all the Christmas goodies) and my cholesterol is at the high end of the "normal" range. Whew! It's a start. I'm counting it.

Goals
Today's Miles: 0
Total Miles Achieved: 5
Financial Investment: $0
Total Weight Loss: 2

Sunday, February 3, 2008

First Ride on the New Blue Bike

As an early birthday present, Pete got me a blue Schwinn bike. It's a cute bike and just my size! Plus it's in shades of blue. He couldnt' go wrong with that! We took the bikes out to his new neighborhood and set out on a tour of the neighborhood. I narrowly avoid a collision with the curb as I study one of the houses we ride by.

After one loop through the neighborhood (about two and a half miles) I wanted to stop. My inner right thigh kept hitting something under the seat. Upon dismounting, I discovered my thigh is hitting the clamp that holds the seat in place. Point one to drop some weight! Message received. After drinking some water, we're off again.

On the second loop, the scenery is getting boring and the kids playing in the streets are looking at us wondering what we're doing riding in circles. And, my butt is getting numb. By the time we near the cut-off to go home, I can't sit on the seat any longer, and I'm bored. Then Pete gives me the option to continue, or go home. "Go home! I'm done."

We pull in the driveway and I jump off the bike. Numb, I have to stand next to the bike for a few minutes drinking water waiting for my butt to not be numb anymore so I can walk. And I think I can sit on this bike for 90 miles in one day? Am I nuts?!?!

So, it's official, I need more padding on my seat. You'd think I have enough, naturally, but apparently not! Thankfully, Pete says he has a spare gel seat and we'll give that a try. Sold!

Goals
Today's Miles: 5
Total Miles Achieved: 5
Financial Investment: $0
Total Weight Loss: 0