Gettin' There!

Snuck in a ride this morning ... and it felt good. 12 miles in 56 minutes with an average speed of 12.8 mph. A huge improvement from my first ride after getting clearance (7.5 miles in 50 minutes). Slowly but surely, I'm gettin' there ..... Get ready Veeder!

One Down Four To Go

I was officially discharged from Occupational Therapy yesterday! My wrist is much stronger. And I can identify specific activities that cause strain ... like scooping ice cream :-( That means no ice cream for me ... NOT! I just have Andrew scoop it :-)

I have to continue certain strengthening exercises, but I'm no longer under my OT's regular care. That's one less doctors appointment for me! Now there's just my physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, and orthodontist.

Don't get me wrong ... I LOVE my health care team! It's just that I'm getting a little tired of seeing you all so much ;-)

Ride Just to Ride?

Went out for a 10 mile ride today. Read a couple good cycling articles about recovering from an injury, so I tried not to think about performance - ride just to ride.

Ventured out of my neighborhood and headed 5 miles towards Lake Herman and back.

8 AM - the sun was out, but the wind was blowing. I turn around just at the end of my driveway to put the warmers on. Good thing I did, too.

Tried not to think about speed, cadence, or how much training I have do. Breath and pedal - that's all I thought about, the legs and lungs needing to get acclimated to my increased activity. The neck and chin have been pretty good. No muscles spasms.

But my thoughts wandered to a single mom of 3 children whom I met a couple weeks ago. (Our daughters go to school together.) Her husband passed away in July 2006. He seemed strong and healthy, but was involved in a car accident. During his hospital stay, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant right away. Thankfully, there were able to find not just one bone marrow match, but 3! How likely is that? Unfortunately, towards the latter stages of the process, he caught an infection and died.

My intensity picks up, as if I'm racing for a cure.
Wait a minute ... I am.

Our First Grandparent's Day

Yes, it's true ... we are grandparents! Exodus ~ just about 9 months old. One day we'll ride bikes together :-)

Back To The Grind

Yes, I'm back in work mode! I started a part-time job last week, which is good as it has helped me get back in the swing of things physically and mentally. It's also FORCED me to keep my cycling within my prescribed limits, a couple 20-30 minute rides a week for now.

Dusty (my new bike) needs a little attitude adjustment. I'm having difficulty shifting the front gears, particulary going from the granny to the middle gear. I'm hoping it's because she's still fairly new and not because I've totally lost all biking form in the accident! I'll bring her to the shop for a once over in a week or so and will let you know the prognosis ;-)

NEW GOAL : TAHOE, JUNE 2008

CLEARED TO RIDE !!!

To my donors, family, and friends ~ It’s been 8 weeks since my accident and I just wanted to update you and thank you for your support, both through your finances and your friendship. I am recovering very well.

You’ll be glad to know that TNT has allowed me to transfer the funds you donated to another event once I’m ready to roll!

I was hoping for Arizona in November, but that team is already a few rides into training. And although I finally have clearance to ride, I have to remind myself I’m still recovering. This was quite evident when I over did it by riding 8 miles my first time out. There’s no way I’d be ready for an endurance event by November.

I’ve been instructed to take it slow so that I can heal well. Short, indoor rides on the trainer for me until my jaw fully stabilizes and I build up my endurance. Official training with TNT for America’s Most Beautiful Ride in Tahoe starts in February 2008.

This 100-mile century starts with an out and back on Highway 89 / bike trail to visit historic Truckee, CA. America’s Most Beautiful Ride then circumnavigates the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe, in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totalling over 2,600 vertical feet of elevation gain! The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level.

Thanks again for being a part of this journey of mine.