Keep on Spinning…

Holidays? training? Gym? Yes Sir! Nothing’s gonna stop me. I taught a spin class on Saturday, then ran on Sunday (as part of my Couch-to-5k program). While it was great riding weather on Sunday, I stayed off the street. My family is all in South Texas so I didn’t want to ride out there alone.

Tonight, I start Week 7 of my C25K program. 25 straight minutes on the treadmill. I’m a little scared but know if I think it, I can achieve it….will I slow down tonight?

NOPE. The rest of this week doesn’t look any easier. Tomorrow, I’ll run in the morning and then spin at night. Then Wednesday, I’ll jog and spin in the morning. Thursday, I’m going to run and/or ride in South Texas with my younger sister (who is also on my team). I will probably have to borrow my dad’s single speed. : ) I’ll sneak a run/ride in on Christmas too. Workouts stops at nothing so neither will I.

Now, if I can somehow sneak/pack my bike before I leave for the holidays, I won’t have to worry about riding on a single speed cruiser. : )) Shhh…just don’t tell anyone!

Sorry….

Sorry, I haven’t blogged in a while. My husband’s mom was in the hospital last week in a coma. She came out of it Saturday and is home today. Praise the Lord!

My training is what keeps me sane. I don’t mind pushing a little harder and getting more motivated, especially when I am stressed out. Who knows, this weekend, I may go out and ride just to reflect on all the great things to be thankful for.

So, come cycle with me Thursday night in Carrollton at 6:30 p.m… or maybe Friday morning in Lewisville at 6:00 a.m. Saturday is also a great time to spin with me. How about 9:00 a.m. in Lewisville?! Come Join Me! All classes are with 24Hr Fitness. Saturday is “All Club Access” day meaning you can attend any 24Hr Fitness regardless of the 24Hr club membership you have.

Until then…. God Bless!

Benefits of Indoor Cycle Classes!

As seen from the view of a 24Hr Fitness 24Cycle Instructor – me!

An indoor cycling class can be a great way to stay in shape over the holidays and during the cold winter months. If you’re like me, you won’t set foot on a bike from December through mid February (aka hibernation). Of course, those dedicated cyclists who faced cold temperatures through the winter months are going to be stronger come Spring and you’ll end up playing catch-up or hang-on for dear life, or worse, get dropped from a group ride or team training. This is where an indoor cycling class can be your secret weapon for staying in cycling shape while keeping all fingers from developing frostbite or that nose that just won’t stop running while out on a ride in cold weather (if you’ve ridden in cold weather, you know exactly what I’m talking about!).

Bear with me as I go through this. This list may not be all-inclusive. If you have specific questions, don’t hesitate to send me a note. If I don’t have the answer, I have a huge circle of 24Hr Fitness cycling instructors I can go to for help (FYI – I have three other teammates who are also 24Hr fitness 24Cycle instructors and who teach other formats for 24Hr Fitness as well!).

Recipe for an Enjoyable and Successful Indoor Cycling Class
• 32 oz Water Bottle with hydration / liquid – you can add a second one for added pleasure
• One (1) Hand Towel – for wiping success off your forehead, arms, body, bike
• One (1) Pair of comfortable tennis shoes or cycling shoes (see equipment below for added information on clipless pedals)
• Dash of Hard Work
• Spoonful of Dedication
• Dash of Hard Work (Yes, I said it twice. That’s because it takes twice as much hard work as dedication! (taken from Chicken Run (the movie) – I love that little speech when he’s trying to teach the chickens to fly. LOL.)

CLASSES:
So, what do you need to know before you step foot in a cycling class? Most, if not all, gyms have some indoor cycle class ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Check your local gym and ask if they have schedules for cycle classes. Ask if you need to pay an additional fee to attend a class. Also, ask if you need to sign up early or if classes fill up quickly. Some of the more popular cycle instructors’ classes fill up even an hour before a class starts so it’s important to know what classes do and when you need to get there.

BIKE FIT:
If you’ve never taken an indoor cycle class at your gym, get there a little early – 10-15 minutes earlier than class starts. Each club has a different type of bike and you need to make sure you make the proper adjustments to ensure an enjoyable class. Instructors are there early to help you out. Let them know it’s your first time and they can assist you with setting up your bike. Most bikes will have three adjustments – saddle height, handlebar height, and saddle fore/aft positioning (forward/backward positioning of the saddle). The class instructor will direct you on proper bike fit and should evaluate each person on an individual basis. In my classes, I fit each new individual and then have them pedal to check their form while riding. If it doesn’t look right or if the person is not comfortable, we can readjust with enough time before class.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Once you are fitted, make sure you have water (or your choice of hydration) for a full hour class. A large water bottle works well for most. Some riders bring in two bottles – and that’s ok too. Most handlebars for indoor cycles have two water bottle holders. Most gyms will also require that you have a hand towel. Be courteous and wipe down your bike after your workout to wipe away any excess sweat from your equipment. Shoes are another important factor. Bikes may or may not have clipless pedals. Either call ahead and check to see what pedals are provided on the bikes – standard platform pedals (like on the cruiser bikes), toe cages (straps on the platform pedals) or clipless pedals – if so, what type of clips. 24Hr Fitness has a dual sided pedal. One side has toe cages and straps while the other side has an SPD clipless pedal. This way you can use proper form when executing the pedal stroke – keeping constant contact with the pedal. If you are a 24Hr Fitness member, and have shoes that have SPD clips, you are set and ready to go!

INTENSITY:
But everyone will see me? The best part of an indoor cycling class is the fact that, while there is an instructor cueing you up a hill or on a sprint, you are the only one that can control your resistance. Instructors will teach based on an intensity level or heart rate or level of perceived exertions. What feels like a 10 for one may not be the same for another person. The bikes at 24Hr Fitness don’t have numbers on the dial so only YOU know what you are riding at. Remember, you can choose your resistance, you can choose your hill to climb, and you can choose the pace at which you ride based on your own fitness level. (My husband says you can also control when you want that hill to end! LOL). The instructor is there to push you and to motivate you to a point where you think you can no longer go, but then realize you can.

As with any other workout program, you will get better with time. Yes, your bottom will be sore for a while, but when you rode your first rally, you were the same then, too, were you not? Think back to your first ride swearing you’d never go for a longer distance and look to the present. You’re training for a 150+mile bike ride, your bottom is no longer sore, and a 40-mile ride is now a warm-up ride (maybe). As you continue to go these spin/indoor cycle classes, your breathing will get better, your pedal strokes will be smoother, your bottom would have developed that cycling callus that feels no pain, and you will become a more efficient cycling machine. Ok, you won’t really get a callus but I have no other way of explaining the soreness away. : ))

BENEFITS:
Most of all, realizing the benefits of indoor cycling are worth taking that first step to a better cycling you for the 2010 cycling season.
(1) Anyone can benefit from an indoor cycling class. Any age or fitness level will find it to be challenging yet truly rewarding! (Just think, you can burn anywhere from 350 to 800+ cals in one hour). On average, as an instructor, I burn between 750 and 900 calories. And I’ve gone through three HR monitors – apparently my sweat keeps shorting them out! D’Oh! But, it’s on my Christmas wish list!
(2) Indoor cycling is great for those who have bad or weak ankles, knees, or hips! That is because indoor cycling is a non-impact cardio activity! One of my fellow teammates had knee surgery late last year and rode in the MS ride without any problems!
(3) It’s also a great stress reliever – use those sprint intervals to “sprint” past your problems!!
(4) You, as the rider, are always in control of that resistance/tension and can control your ride. You can make it as challenging or easy as you want it to be!
(5) No complicated choreography or moves. No grapevine left or V-step up or uppercut, hook, punch….If the instructor is a great instructor, your ride will simulate a true outdoor ride experience! My motto – if you don’t do it outside, you won’t do it inside. So don’t come to my class expecting to do handlebar pushups.
(6) You work out not only your quads, hamstrings, and glutes, but you also work out your core (abs) by tightening them to support your upper body so that your lower body focuses on the task at hand (hills, intervals, race-pace runs, sprints). Keeping your core engaged will also improve your posture and strengthen your lower back.
(7) You improve your overall cardiovascular system – stronger heart, stronger lungs, lower resting heart rate. Not to mention, those pounds will start to melt away (with proper diet, of course!)

If you have a great instructor (and there are lots of them out there!!), you can increase your fitness, improve your cardio, and even improve the power behind your pedal stroke. You’ll be able to keep up with those hard-core riders who didn’t miss a single weekend ride, even in the snow!

JUST DO IT:
Don’t be shy! Realize, too, that everyone in that class has had a first class experience. Heck, when I first started taking a cycling class, I sat in the back row on the bike in the corner, lasted only 30 minutes and couldn’t see how people could pedal so fast! I remember walking out of class completely drenched in sweat and telling myself I would never go back. But something told me to go back. I’m glad I did. I got better. I started staying the full hour. I bought a heart rate monitor and saw I was burning upwards of 400 calories, then 500… I moved up a row as I improved my form. I started with big old baggy warm-ups and moved to some more cycling appropriate clothes (by gaining self-confidence, I wanted to show my slimming physique). Then, last year, on my birthday as I rode the Valero BikeMS ride from San Antonio to Corpus, I told myself it was time for me to move all the way to the front and teach something I was so passionate about – cycling. After two months of training, certification, and finally auditions, I was a 24Cycle Instructor!! I just completed my one year anniversary!!

So, don’t worry. Come on in to one of my classes at 24Hr Fitness or go to your local gym’s classes. Whatever you do this winter, don’t neglect your cycling muscles. Whether indoors or out, get on that bike and ride!

MY CLASS SCHEDULE (come by and meet me!):
24Hr Fitness – Carrollton (Trinity Mills & Marsh)
Every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
24Hr Fitness – Lewisville (Main Street & I35E)
Every Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.

Occasionally, I pick up additional classes at clubs throughout the north side of DFW – Check back on the blog for additional dates and times! I promise – I won’t let you down!
Upcoming additional classes:
24Hr Fitness – Lewisville (Main and I-35E)
Saturday, December 19th – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
24Hr Fitness – Valley Ranch (635W & Olympus Blvd)
Wednesday, December 23rd – 5:45 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.
24Hr Fitness – Addison (Beltline & Dallas North Tollway)
Monday, December 28th – 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
24Hr Fitness – Lewisville (Main and I-35E)
Wednesday, December 30th – 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

24Cycle Class

Had fun teaching 24Cycle in Addison last night. I love the end of my class where I get to announce the BikeMS ride along with any other rides I hear of. But the best part is seeing the reaction of those who have ridden this ride in the past!! Woo Hoo!

After class, I talked with a fellow MS150 rider from RBM’s (Richardson Bike Mart) cycling team. Always good to see/meet people who ride for such a great cause. She was trying to persuade her friend to ride too. His first step – registration…then on to 6 months of training! If you’re reading this, remember, you can do it!

Going to teach 24Cycle in Carrollton tomorrow night at 6:30… come join me!!

Cold Morning

No, not talking about the weather, either…

Got up this morning at 4:30 and made it to the gym. I got there happy to get a full-sized locker and a tucked-in-the corner treadmill. Did my Week 5 couch-to-5k training run. Woo Hoo! Finished my workout with “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas playing on my mp3 player. Yeah, it’s gonna be a great day!

Turned the water on in the shower at the gym…. hmm….no hot water…. I haven’t taken a freezing cold shower in a long time! Let’s just say I didn’t need coffee, caffeine, or energy drinks to fully wake up after a 15 minute cold shower!! And to those in the gym that heard me – no I was not singing! That was my vocal reaction to ice-cold water. I have never wished for short hair or a shaved head before in my life until today (or a faster rinsing shampoo!!) He he he..

But, I made it and was proud to have gone through with the workout while others just tested the water and then headed home…

Tonight, I sub-teach a 24Cycle class in Addison. Bring it on Addison! Let’s do it! It’s gonna be a good, good night…

Another Weekend…

So, another weekend come and gone. I’m not one to go out and ride in cold weather – I admit it. I’m a big wimp when it comes to cold weather. Even more than that, I look at my bike with sadness. I know it’s weird to say that but I get separation anxiety when I’m away from my bike. My co-captain, Kat, tells me I need to go to cyclists anonymous classes or something (LOL). Maybe it’s the cold weather that brings me down. But I know I need to keep going.

I’m on week 5 of my couch-to-5k running program. I get myself up at 4:45 in the morning each day and head to the gym. I’m not much of a runner (hence the ease-into-it program). I have a bad knee that flares up like a watermelon. But, interestingly enough, since I’ve started this program, I haven’t had a problem – fingers crossed! Aside from that, I’ve maintained my indoor cycling training. That’s the easy part. As a cycle instructor, it’s something I truly enjoy (outside of cycling outdoors). I love sharing my rides with members and connecting with them on an indoor training session. I’ve met all sorts of people and knowing I can make a difference for them brings me joy.

Being dedicated to a training regimen is hard work, especially in the eyes of those reading my blog (yikes!). I can’t let it go and it becomes my inner voice saying I’ve gotta be strong. I am thankful that the kids are healthy and that my husband has been home and not traveling. Of course, he’s ready to go out again on Thursday and Friday (my busiest days) on business. But that’s ok – we’ve managed to work out a schedule that works for work, kids, hubby, and pets. And so I get to go to the gym every day and twice on Wed, Thurs, and Friday. So, as far as training goes, it’s almost routine….almost.

Another thing I reflect on as I write this tonight is my team. I haven’t talked too much about increasing team size or recruiting. I was excited to have recruited some members when I worked the booth at the Denton Turkey Roll bike rally. Today, I received notices from some of the cyclists that joined our team at the bike rally. Woo Hoo – I noted as a new e-mail appeared in my inbox. My goal for 2010 is to increase our team to 25 members or more (of course!). In the past four years, it’s gone from 1 to 6 to 13, to 11. Because of the economy, we lost members this year. That was the hardest part for me – holding on to past members. I recently learned that one is moving away and others are planning on possibly starting a family early next year. Don’t get me wrong – I am ecstatic for all of them. Besides, maybe they’ll let me babysit for them! But at the same time, I want to grow the team and our fundraising efforts. I’ve tried recruiting family members and friends. I’ve tried recruiting at work (both past employer and existing). I’ve even announced the ride in my classes. There is a lot of interest out there but not much committment. I’ll continue to try – maybe the beginning of next year will bring more interest to the ride and to our team. Maybe people right now are too occupied with the holidays…

My co-captain tells me I can’t get too frustrated – it’s still a little early to be asking people to commit. I guess I have to learn to be patient and not easily discouraged. Besides, it is December. The ride is 5 months away and the new year will bring new resolutions and possible new riders. I look forward to that! : ))

Lets see what this weekend will bring! Maybe some riding…maybe some indoor training…maybe picking up my “other” hobby. Until next time. : ))

Surviving the Holidays

Thanksgiving has come and gone. I spent Wednesday through Sunday in my hometown of Mercedes, TX. Mercedes is a small town of about 15,000 people. My family has lived there all their lives – dad was born and raised there and has never moved away from the “Queen of the Rio Grande Valley”. My parents live two blocks from my inlaws on the same street so it makes visiting for the grandkids fairly easy.

Now, with Holidays, of course comes all the eating. As I mentioned early on in my blogging, I am not your typical cyclist. I do not (carefully) watch my caloric intake or monitor my carbs or protein. I try and make healthy choices but I have two things stacked against me – my heritage, where rice, beans, and flour tortillas are staples in everyday life and my will power – where it gives in to such staples. : ) Going home is especially hard. After an 8 1/2 hour trip with kids, dogs, lizard, and husband, my way of relaxing is coming home to my mom’s refried beans and freshly homemade flour tortillas. Those are typical lunch and dinner meals. Breakfast at the in-laws is more traditional to Mexican heritage – egg with Machacado (dried meat) and a little hint of some home-grown red chilis, and of course homemade corn tortillas. Yes, lots of great stuff (and flooded with carbs and fat). Imagine, the best Mexican restaurant in the DFW area tenfold and you have my mom’s and my husband’s mom’s best cooking ever! YUMMY! My mouth waters at the thought of my last meals there before heading back to Dallas.

In the midst of all the homemade meals, I felt guilt. My bike sometimes makes the 8 1/2 hour trip with me. There are times that I participate in the RGV’s local charitable rides like the Ride Against Hunger (benefitting the local food bank), the Jalapeno 100, and the Resacafest Ride Rally. This time, the bike stayed at home. I missed my bike. I missed my gym – no 24Hr Fitness gyms south of Austin make it difficult for me to stay true to my training when I’m on vacation. I missed teaching my Cycle class. But most of all, I was disappointed in myself for not being in control of my eating. So Friday morning, I rolled out of bed, knocked on my sister’s door and dragged her to the track. I wanted to continue with my 5k training. I had been doing so well prior to the holiday and didn’t want to lose that momentum. I set my program up on my phone and away we went. I love the smell of dew in the early morning air and I love the way Mercedes smells – a scent I cannot express with words. Relaxing even when the pace of our jog wasn’t. Anyway, I was amazed at how well she kept up with me. I’ve been doing this for three weeks, she did it that one day and was outjogging me. Afterwards, we were praising each other for being proactive. When others were fighting crowds to take advantage of Black Friday sales, we were doing something great. We were jogging and walking and stretching. We did it again on Saturday morning. I was hoping to have gotten her bike fixed and would have borrowed dad’s cruiser to ride around town. But things got hectic Friday afternoon and I wasn’t able to go to the bike shop. But we stayed active. She was excited to have gotten a workout as well. Although I didn’t have a cycling story to share with you, I was excited to have taken the time to run and to tell you that sometimes will power can overtake the body…it is up to the body and our mind to take back the spotlight and make a difference. Besides, I couldn’t have talked about food my whole blog.

We got back into Dallas and into Denton about 11 p.m. on Sunday (9 hr trip back). I had another restless night and after several hours of tossing and turning, got up, gathered my gym bag, and headed to the gym at 5 a.m. I started Week 4 of my Couch-to-5K Run program. I hadn’t realized how much I was using my mp3 player until after about 30 seconds into warmup, it stopped working. I hadn’t charged it all weekend. I had no music to motivate me. In front of me, I watched others in the early morning working out. I started to think at how many things I was thankful for. First of all, I was thankful for my family – in mostly good health but all happy. I was thankful for my kids and husband for being so supportive in each other’s activities. I was thankful that my husband’s mom was doing better (She’d been in the hospital the week before with heart and kidney issues). I was thankful to have seen my grandma in good health and spirits – even as a widow at the age of 92 – she’s still got that playful spirit in her eyes. I was thankful for having seen some of my extended relatives – cousins and aunts that live in the RGV. So many people take for granted the things/people they should be thankful for. Some aren’t happy unless they have that $200 laptop or that $35 ipod shown only on the newspaper ad stuck to the shelves where the items used to be. Others are only happy if they drive the fancy car or live in the biggest house. They should be thankful for their health, their family, their faith, and the shelter over their heads.

I met a young guy who was thankful to still walk – even when a leg not properly treated was amputated at the knee. I saw an older lady thankful to have enough money to buy cornmeal to provide for her hungry family at home. I saw a family thankful to the ambulance workers for having showed up at the neighbor’s house after the father complained of chest pains. I saw my husband thankful that his mom was doing better and my kids thankful that their grandma was better. I am thankful for my health and for the ability to ride so that others may have their health and share with their families the joy of life. I am thankful for the opportunity to share with others my thoughts on this journey, even if to make a small difference, in the hopes that all those who read my blog, as well as read the other MS Ambassador’s blogs, will decide to take that same step to help others. In this season of thanksgiving and gifts, as you push to maintain your training (whatever it may be), listen instead to your heart, use those crazy sprint drills, or painful stairclimbing, long runs, extra reps on weights, or brisk walks to take the time to reflect on what you are thankful for and the type of heart-felt gifts you can share with others around you.

A Wheely Busy Weekend!!

Maybe a little cheesy but I couldn’t resist!

It was an awesome weekend for me.  I can’t believe I managed to somehow fit everything in.  Started Thursday night with a spin class (it was almost full – 3 open bikes), dinner with the kids, Friday morning spin class, dropped kids off at school, went to work, came home to pack for a camping trip, picked up the kids from school, had dinner, drove to the campsite and spent the evening there with the kids and hubby.  Left the campsite at 9:30 to pack for the Denton Turkey Roll on Saturday.  Got up early Saturday morning, loaded the booth into my fellow teammate’s vehicle, and drove to the fairgrounds.  We set up the tent and were open for business right at 7:00 a.m.    We spent the day at the Denton Turkey roll packing up at about 2:00 p.m. or so.  I got to spend the rest of the evening with the kids and husband (who had been in California all week).  Sunday, I got up and geared up to ride with Corinth Cycling.  I rode to the start location and then rode about 25 miles or so.  I don’t know the exact number since my bike’s computer is on the blitz again.  Funny – I had a $10 computer that never let me down (Bell Wired Cycle-computer from Wal-Mart).  Last year, my husband got me a very nice computer whose price tag I will not disclose, that has not worked for me consistently.  I’m about ready to tear it off and get my $10 computer off my mountain bike and back on my road bike… but I digress. 

After the bike ride, went home, family went to church, had lunch and spent the afternoon and evening doing the mother duties – cleaning, washing, vacuuming, cleaning (again – kids would go into a clean room and make their mark on it).  This morning, after only two hours of sleep (I’m trying to get over this Insomnia), I got up at 5:00 and started my week 3 of my Couch-to-5k running program.  As I jogged I realized I was breathing a little easier and my heart rate wasn’t shooting up as much as when I first started.  It felt good.  I reflected on my past life – 200 lbs and not 5 feet tall.  I led a sedentary life – sitting at a desk, sitting in a car, sitting at home.  I have come a long way.  And I owe it to friends who turned me on to cycling and turned me on to my first big organized ride – the Sam’s Club BikeMS ride.  “It’ll be a great way to get back into shape”, they said.  I never would have thought that I could be one of “them”.  But here I am, lighter, healthier, and active for a great cause.  By the way, I’m still waiting to break 5 feet tall.  I actually shrunk ½ inch to 4’11’ – husband says it’s the fat I lost on the bottom of my feet – funny…

So back to the Denton Turkey Roll rally on Saturday!  What a great day it was!  The weather cooperated with us (no rain) and the temperatures were tolerable.  Our tent was perfectly positioned in front of the registration site.  Some people almost mistakenly signed up for the BikeMS ride – that is until they asked for a rider packet.  While we thought about keeping their money and forcing them to ride in the BikeMS event, the honest person in my fellow booth-mate and I had to direct them into the Denton Turkey Roll registration instead (L).  So many people stopped by, it was unbelievable!  The MS Marketing manager had rolled out a contest just a day earlier (Friday) announcing that anyone taking a pic with me at the rally would be entered into a contest for a free illumiNite waterproof helmet cover.  While many people hadn’t heard of the promotion, there were many willing participants ready to smile for the camera.  I had never smiled nor taken so many pictures in my life.  I have never heard “Your wife is going to wonder why you have a picture on your phone with another lady” so much either (LOL!).  Needless to say it was a lot of fun.  Friends and fellow cyclists showed up to support me as well – from my 24Cycle classes and from the group we normally ride with (Shout out to The Bicycle Path and Corinth Cycling!!).  It couldn’t have been a better day!  If any of you who took pictures with me on Saturday have come to this blog for the link to the promotion – here it is.  Sorry we didn’t have it on Saturday. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bike-MS-SAMS-CLUB-Ride/123002878860#/pages/Bike-MS-SAMS-CLUB-Ride/123002878860.

What was even more unbelievable was that so many riders had not heard of the BikeMS event in the DFW area.  It was up to Marsha (my teammate and booth companion) and I to tell them about this great ride and the opportunity to help people and their families who have been affected by MS.  Some riders took fliers and others took registration forms.  A select few registered for the event – 9 total – I think.  The one who touched my heart the most was a man who had recently been diagnosed with MS.  It didn’t look like they were going to register at first but his wife (I think) persuaded him to sign up.  She went back to her car, brought her credit card and signed right up.  As they filled out the application, you could already hear her thinking aloud on ways to gather her friends and family to ride in this event.  It would be for him.  They had a reason to ride and newfound determination to make it a great event with their closest friends.  The man stood quietly as he listened to her and then finally said – “Better to ride now before I can’t in the future”.  WOW.

Such inspiration in someone whose life has been changed by the words of his doctor – You have MS.  I felt a lump in my throat as I explained to him the route options and the fundraising.  We all ride for him, for his family, for all the people covered by the Lone Star MS Society Chapter who have MS.  I felt an uncontrollable urge to hug him, as if he was family.   In some cases, we know not the people, their faces, nor their families.  We know not their background or their financial status.  But that doesn’t stop the 3,200 riders who sign up yearly and pledge to raise that minimum fee.   The generosity of so many strangers all riding towards a common cause – to rid this world of MS – is so empowering to me.  I feel, if he can do it, if Rodney (fellow MS Ambassador – rider with MS http://no2ms.wordpress.com/) can do it, we can surely grow this ride to be the biggest and the best in Texas.  So, please, get the word out, bring in your friends and family and ride for those who can’t.  Our journey on this bike ride stops after we’ve either completed the ride or turned in our final donations – but it doesn’t stop for those with MS.  And it’s up to us to raise those funds to make sure they see an end to this disease – to see THEIR finish line.  It’s up to YOU.  JOIN THE MOVEMENT TODAY!

WEEKEND TRAINING!!!

Well, it’s almost time for another great fun-filled weekend!! Woo Hoo!!

While some are making plans to head out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday (and avoiding the gym altogether), some of us are holding strong to our workout schedules (that is, until right before Thanksgiving, so we can have that extra slice of pumpkin pie!)… Several things to do if you plan on training either indoor or outdoors this weekend!! 

(1) Thurs – Carrollton 24 Hr Fitness – I teach my 6:30 p.m. 24Cycle Class!!  Try your skills against one hour of music as we tackle hills, endurance runs, and sprint intervals!!!  If you come, make sure to stay afterwards and introduce yourselves!!

(2) Friday – Lewisville 24Hr Fitness – I teach at 6:00 a.m. and it’s a 45 minute spin class (typically spills over a little).  We need more attendees at this class so come join me!!  Remember, the early bird gets the worm….or as my husband says “Yes, but the second mouse gets the cheese!”… makes me laugh every time!  You guessed it, he doesn’t come to my early morning spin class, just yet….

(3) Saturday – DENTON TURKEY ROLL – Denton, TX.  This is an outdoor ride that features routes from 20 to 63 miles!!  I will be there at the MS Society tent!  If you’re riding, come by and visit us.   We’ll be located right next to the registration table.  I’ll be there with one of my fellow team mates - a very busy mom of three very active pre-teen and teenager girls!!  Come ride, and then come by and say howdy!!  Giveaways for those that register for the BikeMS at the Denton Turkey Roll!!

REMEMBER – if you don’t come out and ride with us…at least go out and ride!!!  Take care!!

Training, Fundraising, and Rides

Well, another weekend come and gone…. I was proud of myself.  Even with my husband out of town, I was able to get myself to the gym and workout.  When he’s not around, riding outside is almost impossible. We have no family here in the DFW area and friends are typically booked with kids’ sport activities to be able to watch two more.  But I don’t let that slow me down.  I get my gear and I head to the gym.

Indoor cycle (24Cycle at 24Hr Fitness) is a great workout.  One hour of being pushed to the limits by the instructor.  It doesn’t give me the same satisfaction as riding outdoors but it’s still a fantastic workout for keeping the cardio up and the legs fresh. 

Sunday, after my kids and I attended church and I dropped them off at Catechism, I made my way to north Denton, where I was able to watch some Criterium races.  How fun!!  To many, it would seem kind of boring to watch guys ride bikes in circles for an hour, but to those select few (me included) it was amazing.  The speed, determination, and physique of some of those men was unbelievable.  Moving on to bikes – I thought about the thousands and thousands of dollars of each of those machines… Yikes!  Of course with that comes the itch to get a new bike.  I’ve had my Motobecane since Oct 23, 2006. (Yes, I remember the date).  I keep telling myself that as soon as I hit 3,000+ miles, I’ll get a new one!  I was 27 miles short in 2008 and this year…well, I’ve hit over 3,500 miles but the economy doesn’t lend itself to a new one…just yet. 

I also had tons of time to reflect on the Bike MS ride.  You see, I’m a bit shy when it comes to confronting people, let alone asking them for money.  As a team captain, I don’t raise the most funds on our team.  However, I make it a point to raise alway above the national average (typically around $750 avg).  As I try and recruit members (new and old) to our team again, I hear the same reasons why they can’t ride.  Perhaps, it’s the mileage, which I can defend by letting them know about the various route options for 2010..Perhaps, its the type of bike they own, which I can suggest they rent one from the various shops that let you rent road bikes on a daily basis…But the biggest fear/reason for not riding is that $300 fundraising requirement…Hmm.

Let’s see.  That one stumps me.  Some riders work from home so they don’t have the office connections.  Some are stay at home moms who know other stay at home moms who are careful with their spending.  Some riders don’t have a big family or circle of friends… it gets a little tougher for any of these groups.  But, I try… I break it down for them.  if they register now and get their link and participant center set up (which I tell them is VERY easy to use), and set a goal, it’s quite doable.  Let’s look at $300, $500, and $750.

We have 28 1/2 weeks from today for the Bike MS ride.  At the minimum level, that means we have to get $11 a week starting this week, at the $500 level, it’s $18 a week, and at $750 (avg), it’s $27 a week.  Break that down some more, that’s about $2 , $4, and $6 a day, respectively.  If we buy drinks, make a small sacrifice and don’t buy that Coke, Dr Pepper, or flavored water.  Maybe skip buying your daily lunches and instead bring lunch from home.  It sounds difficult to break habits…but it is easier to break a habit than to see those suffering with MS not get the treatment they need.  It is easier to go through a caffeine withdrawal than to see that families do not get the support they need to afford their medications or therapies.  Heck it would be easier to lose 5 lbs of weight (by not eating out everyday) than to spend money on a carbon fiber bike that weighs 3 or 5 lbs less than your current bike. Instead, giving even a fraction of that money to the Society could be the amount that will put an end this disease.  Think about it and then sign up, volunteer, or donate!!

So, I am excited about this weekend!  The DENTON TURKEY ROLL ride in Denton is on Saturday 11/21.   I’ll be working the MS Society tent in hopes of increasing enrollment for the Bike MS ride in May and in hopes of increasing awareness of the ride overall.  We need more riders, more volunteers, more donors – the Society and those with MS need us more than ever!  We may not be able to do much but the little each of us can do will add up!!  So, go on, sign up for the ride and don’t forget to stop by and see me at the MS tent on Saturday!!