Let me just start by saying I FELL OFF MY BIKE!!! This past Saturday's ride was bitter SWEET! Sweet that I managed to ride 37 miles getting faster and faster up the hills and bitter with my first fall!
I recently invested in cycling shoes and clips for my bike which made me nervous because I DID NOT WANT TO FALL! Anyway I practiced and practiced so I could appear as if I were an expert with my cycling group. I had seen others fall and I did not want to be apart of "that group." I made it the entire ride until 1 of the final stop signs. There were 3 cars in front of us and 3 cars behind. I unclipped my right shoe as I was coming to a stop but for some ODD reason I started to lean to my left. I thought to my self "WAIT MY LEFT SHOE IS NOT UNCLIPPED!" In true Sylvia fashion, fell in slow motion and quite gracefully, bike and all. My mentor was nurturing and helpful checking me out to make sure there was "no blood" and asked if I needed to get off the road for a break. I told her that I was OK and if I stopped now I would quit.
In the ended I came home with scrapped knees, a bruised ARSE and elbow. Not too bad for my first fall! It made for a nice face book picture and a funny story to tell my managers.
As I look back on my day and what I have accomplished so far...I am kind of amazed. I have always feared falling from my bike or skates...I am kind of a wimp. I would have never "tried" this new adventure because of fear. My Dad is pulling me through this experience. He went through so much to fight for his life and even to stay a little longer for his Family. If he or others can do that...I can fight through my fear.
If you get a moment and have the resources please donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of my Dad and others who have passed or are still fighting. Together we can continue to help find more treatments and a cure for blood cancers. The website below will take you to my fundraising page. All donations are tax deductible. Thanks for the support!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr11/sguzmannzd
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
30 Miles!
This past Saturday marked my 30 mile mark! Let me just say I HATE HILLS! Although my mentor continued to tell me it was good for me I couldn't help but want to "flip her off."
A part of our route was to complete a gradual incline and then what I would call a MASSIVE HILL for about a mile and half, 2 times during our ride. I am not going to lie...the first go around I thought my thighs were going to fall off and I would cough up a lung. I really did want to get off my bike and walk! The only thing that kept me going was the thought of my dad and what he went through...so I pushed through it. The second time around another novice rider and I had something to prove. We timed it and yelled at each other to "PUSH IT!" To our surpries we completed the 2nd segment even faster than the first time around. Our Mentor was bragging to the others about how much faster we were compared to the other novice groups in the years past. It was a proud moment!
I am really LOVIN the cycling thing!
A part of our route was to complete a gradual incline and then what I would call a MASSIVE HILL for about a mile and half, 2 times during our ride. I am not going to lie...the first go around I thought my thighs were going to fall off and I would cough up a lung. I really did want to get off my bike and walk! The only thing that kept me going was the thought of my dad and what he went through...so I pushed through it. The second time around another novice rider and I had something to prove. We timed it and yelled at each other to "PUSH IT!" To our surpries we completed the 2nd segment even faster than the first time around. Our Mentor was bragging to the others about how much faster we were compared to the other novice groups in the years past. It was a proud moment!
I am really LOVIN the cycling thing!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
ROCKY START!
Let me start by saying that I don't know a THING about bicycle maintenance. This past week I discovered I had a slow leak on my front tire. Jim helped me pump up my tire for my Friday ride. Saturday morning I got up extra early to pump up my tire so I could be "ready" for the group ride. Well the nob for the tube broke and the tire went completely flat! GREAT! In tears I threw one of my "I have no control" temper tantrums and thought "I GIVE UP! I CAN'T DO THIS!"
Well, then my thoughts turned to my Dad, my Uncle Victor, and Aunt Carmela. This bump in the road was not as hard as what they went through. Not once did they lose the will to stop trying. So I scooped up my front tire went to the local bike shop and made friends with the employees. I told them I had no idea what I was doing and needed HELP changing the tire. They were happy to help and now I know how to fix a flat!
So knowing that I missed my group ride...I was determined to ride 20 miles on my own. I had my turkey subway for energy and I needed it! The ride went surprisingly well! I was excited at how much easier it was for me to maintain my pace. I FELT GREAT...of course the thoughts of my Dad helped push me harder. In the end I rode 21.14 miles! I have never done that before!
So the lesson learned...Don't give up, there is too much to FIGHT for.
Well, then my thoughts turned to my Dad, my Uncle Victor, and Aunt Carmela. This bump in the road was not as hard as what they went through. Not once did they lose the will to stop trying. So I scooped up my front tire went to the local bike shop and made friends with the employees. I told them I had no idea what I was doing and needed HELP changing the tire. They were happy to help and now I know how to fix a flat!
So knowing that I missed my group ride...I was determined to ride 20 miles on my own. I had my turkey subway for energy and I needed it! The ride went surprisingly well! I was excited at how much easier it was for me to maintain my pace. I FELT GREAT...of course the thoughts of my Dad helped push me harder. In the end I rode 21.14 miles! I have never done that before!
So the lesson learned...Don't give up, there is too much to FIGHT for.
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