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

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

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

Why am I doing this?

When I met Pete, he was already a cyclists and had completed multiple Bike MS events. By his side, I have become an active participant in the various MS Society events around San Antonio. It's not just to support him and be by his side though. It's personal for me. I have a co-worker who has MS. He keeps it very quiet, but I've learned some of the signs. I've learned how to work with him, travel with him, and socialize with him without allowing the effects of MS to slow him down. Most importantly, I've learned how to support him in ways that does not "handicap" him. It's for him and the other suffering in silence, or out in the open, from MS that I ride.

By making this committment, I am holding myself to goal to train for the next eight months and to make this ride. My goal is to ride the entire 160 miles, but I recognize that other factors may stop me from achieving this goal, just as MS stops people from moving.

I am committing to the training and hard work.
I am committing to the ride.
I am committing to raising funds for MS.

Beyond that, it is out of my hands.

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

What did I get myself into?

I don't really know how it happened, but somehow, somewhere, I've begun committing to myself, to Pete, and to my friends that I will be pedaling a bicycle the 160 miles from San Antonio to Corpus Christi in the Bike MS event the weekend of October 4-5, 2008.

Because of how I like to see a progression, I decided a separate blog to track the training and my progress was appropriate. I have a number of goals to achieve between now and October. My plan (at least for now) is to track the progress of these at the bottom of each post.

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

We all have to start somewhere!