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!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Donate for a cause!
On October 30th 2009 our Dad, Ubaldo, was diagnosed with non Hodgkin Lymphoma. Initially, we were very optimistic, because the prognosis on this form of lymphoma is very good and he was relatively young and in optimal health.
He underwent 28 rounds of Chemotherapy. The cancer, sadly, continued to grow and spread to his liver in the Spring of 2010. Even with this very bad news, Dad continued to remain positive, undergo treatments, and insisted on doing everything he could to live, fight the cancer, and get better. Dad passed away on November 16, 2010. He left behind a wife, 3 daughters, 4 sons, and 7 grandchildren.
In honor of our dad we will be collecting donations for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society to continue the efforts to find a cure. Our Sister Sylvia Coria Guzman will be representing our family by participating in the Team in Training Century Cycle Ride on June 5th, 2011.
Lest anyone think Sylvia is a ringer, we'll disclose that she has probably only ever biked 10 miles before (maybe). This should be an intense training process for her. Hopefully, if she makes it, we can get more family members to participate next year. To see her progress or to donate, see her Team in training page down below. Her goal is $3500. Please do what you can to help. Every little bit counts!
Lest anyone think Sylvia is a ringer, we'll disclose that she has probably only ever biked 10 miles before (maybe). This should be an intense training process for her. Hopefully, if she makes it, we can get more family members to participate next year. To see her progress or to donate, see her Team in training page down below. Her goal is $3500. Please do what you can to help. Every little bit counts!
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