The Secret is Spandex

Normally when I go riding on the Olentangy Bike Path, the hardcore cyclists ignore me. I am generally with Amanda and we both look like we're heading out for a normal workout instead of the Tour de France, so I try not to be too offended when the men and women in head-to-toe spandex ignore my early morning smiles.

Or when they fly past me with no effort, despite the fact I am bursting with pride at my current pace, convinced Lance Armstrong and I would be neck and neck.

Clearly I am not offended by this. At all.

Anyway, even with my complete confidence in myself and my abilities, I was a little excited Tuesday when I got an unsolicited "good morning" from one of the aforementioned men in spandex. I was just a few miles into a quick 20-mile jaunt to start the day when this fellow in a Trek Store Columbus jersey and shorts gave me a once-over as we were coming up to each other and eventually greeted me with cheerful saluations.

Score.

For the next couple minutes, I pondered what had caused this outpouring of acceptance (yes, I realize I am completely overreacting and totally overanalyzing, but humor me). I thought my form must have been flawless or maybe I just looked that hardcore.

I eventually looked down, however, and realized ...

Spandex.

It was my first day rocking simply the padded shorts without covering them up with (looser and probably more flattering) clothes. Then I just laughed at the thought that maybe this guy thought I was as hardcore as him.

This may or may not be the real reason. Hopefully the guy was just being friendly. Regardless, I feel like, at least for a moment, I discovered a secret of the cycle-hood.


As always … Much love, many thanks and remember, to me, Pelotonia spells hope.

Looking Good is Half the Battle

I realize I should be way more concerned with other things, but while sitting at work on a Friday with only two other people in the office and your boss out golfing, there is only so much progress that can be made on the cycling front. And so, I went shopping for my jersey of choice.

After much deliberation and inner debate on whether the price of cuteness was worth it, I opted on this one.

Clearly I decided it was in fact worth it.

In Memory. In Honor. With Hope.

In my first blog entry after finally signing up for the event, I alluded to the fact cancer continued to touch people in the months I sat around making excuses and letting my bike gather dust. I want to make sure I have everyone covered who inspired this decision.

If any of you have anyone you would like added to list, please let me know.

In Memory
- Adam Travatello
- Phil Price

In Honor
- Matt Lampson

- Art Chase

- Jim Calhoun
- Jack Baronas

With Hope
- Jodi Brown

The fact the "In Honor" section is twice as long as the "In Memory" is pretty amazing. Best wishes, Jodi. My thoughts are with you.

As always … Much love, many thanks and remember, to me, Pelotonia spells hope.

Holy S*@$!

This morning I instituted a countdown on the marker board in my office until Pelotonia … it’s 85 days in case you were wondering.

So far 28 miles is the longest I’ve ridden and I have raised $450 through the support of some truly amazing friends (and Grams). While both numbers are exciting, that’s 47 miles short and $1,150 shy of my minimum goals for 85 days from now.

I think I just had a “Holy S*@$!” moment.

So, to add some checks and balances to my training, I just signed up for a 30-mile ride, the Tour deFeed, June 12 in Hilliard, the proceeds from which will benefit the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. I am also eyeing the 50-mile Quilt Barn Tour in Athens in mid-July, knowing the photos alone will make my Mom – the quilter – wicked jealous.

If you are, or know someone is who would be, interested in doing either of these rides, please let me know. Or if you just need a (slower and less-experienced) cycling buddy, I’m game.

As always … Much love, many thanks and remember, to me, Pelotonia spells hope.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Setenta y cinco (Miles)

So it’s been about three and a half weeks since I got tipsy and decided to sign up for Pelotonia after months of obsessing over it. My longest ride to date was about 28 miles last weekend and it felt pretty darn good. So good that I went ahead and increased my riding distance from 45 miles to 75 miles (holy s#@* !!), just now realizing that the aforementioned longest distance isn’t even the difference between the two. I guess math never really was my strong suit.

Long story short, I have a whole lot of work to do.

Instead, I am sitting in my new swanky cubicle working on ALC Tournament notes and staring out the window at this beautiful day, wishing I was riding. I am going to take it as a positive sign daydreaming about cycling has entered into my sub-conscious. Of course margaritas and guacamole keep entering into it too, given today is Cinco de Mayo, and those two things may win out in the end. You can look for me at El Vaquero tonight – after spinning class.

Thoughts of salted glasses and icy goodness on the rocks aside, I must thank my amazing friends who have already donated to the cause. I started with the high school friends, hoping they would appreciate the aspect of honoring Adam, and the initial outpouring was awesome, despite the fact I have not been outstanding at keeping in touch. Sara, Sarah and Abbie – thank you many times over. (p.s. Abbie – congrats on the wedding!!)

My former roommate Kim and Big East (no caps) bestie Rachel – thank you, thank you, thank you. And, of course, to my Grams – you rock.

I still have a long way to go – $1150 to be exact – because the longer distance brings an increased fundraising goal, but not having the balance read $0.00 is a HUGE relief. I am confident I can get it done though, slightly more confident than in my ability to sit for 75 miles and keep my left hip/right knee comfortably in their respective sockets.

Encouragement welcome.

Please stay tuned for updates, including one about my plans for “Cupcakes for a Cure” a baking/fundraising initiative I hope to start up soon.

Much love, many thanks and remember, to me, Pelotonia spells hope.

For Real This Time

Rider Profile: http://www.pelotonia.org/ride/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=4993

For those nearest and dearest to me, you read my initial blog entries back in the fall when I initially made the grand sweeping pledge to ride in Pelotonia ‘10. You may have noticed there have not been any updates since. For the rest of you, let me catch you up …

After volunteering in Athens last year for Pelotonia ’09, I was so inspired I vowed to ride this year. I bought a new road bike and some cute bike clothes, but at the first sign of difficulty (i.e. the first second I got on and couldn’t master the clip pedals), my beautiful bike was relegated to the garage where it sat for the better part of seven months until a few weeks ago.

With the glorious spring weather in full force and my body itching to get outside, I filled up the tires and psyched myself up for a ride with Amanda on the Olentangy Bike Trail. I guess I finally realized, while I was sitting around scared of the bike and scared of not being able to reach my initial goal of 100 miles, cancer continued to touch and affect everyone around me.

During this time I blamed work and everything else in my life for not giving me enough time to ride, my college roommate and one of my dearest friends watched her dad battle (and beat!) cancer, our Big Ten Rookie of the Year goalkeeper Matt Lampson celebrated two years of being cancer free, an old high school teammate was diagnosed with leukemia and I recognized the 10-year anniversary of the event that sent me down this path to begin with.

I guess I just got tired of being scared. Plus I needed to cross off another entry from my Pre-30 Bucket List (#7 – Train for Something), but we’ll get into that more later I am sure. In the meantime, please look at my sponsor page and consider donating to my cause. I have signed up to ride 43 miles August 21 (my parents’ 34th anniversary – woot woot) and will consider increasing that to 75 as I see how the next few weeks ago.

Sigh.

I wish I could backdate blog posts. Or at least manufacture some forward progress.

Unfortunately, I cannot do either and I have nothing to report from the last two-plus weeks. At least nothing of any positive nature. The change in seasons leaves limited daylight to venture out on the still-to-be-named new bike and the lack of skill of this here rider leaves limited progress made.

To be completely honest, I still cannot get used to the pedals. I feel like I'm freakin' three years old and unable to stay upright. Do they make training wheels for pretty road bikes? Mental note to check that one out.

Any suggestions on the clip/strap method would be much appreciated because, personally, I am at a loss how to even best get my feet in them and even more so how to get them out. The whole getting comfortable on narrow tires and leaning over the handlebars thing has been slow going as well.

In short, I am pretty much a total loser thus far. When I first made the decision to do this, I was a little scared. I mean, 100 miles is a long way. A month or so later, I am absolutely terrified.

Of riding. Of the training process. And most importantly, of failing.

The good news, however, is that I have some inspiring people around that I am fairly certain will not let that happen and one in particular who has given me a swift kick in the arse by showing me that anything is possible.

So tomorrow is a new day. Remind me how to spell HOPE. Let's get this thing started. Fo' real.