MS'ers Training in 2013

[teena marie]

water temperature

No, my pool isn't heated. I've been swimming in 58 degree water which is pretty intense. The cold does help but I know I have to be careful. I had a medical visit which included vital signs and my temperature didn't register on the thermometer. The nurse kept saying there was something wrong with the machine so I suggested we wait and take it later at which point it registered but very low.

Have a great ride.

Teena Marie

[AMFADVENTURES]

Snakes….I hate snakes

I don’t really hate snakes, live and let live I figure. But I was bopping down the bike trail the other day and ran over one. It was laid across the whole trail. I didn’t see it in time and couldn’t miss it. About a mile later I came across another one, sunning itself, hogging the whole trail, except for 6 inches of open pavement between it’s tail and the edge. I threaded the 6 inches perfectly but the SOB turned and took a swipe at me anyway. So much for trying to avoid snakes!

I’ve got 135 miles in so far. If I get the 50 I’m planning tomorrow that will give me 185 for the week. Then it’s off to taper land, Kentucky and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We’re as good as on the way Pell. DW did get on her bike the other day but only to try out a new pair of MTB shoes, her first pair of clipless shoes. She says she’s going to ride the 26-mile route. We’ll see. Maybe I can get her to ride a little while we’re on the way.

Thanks Alain, you wouldn’t be planning to see a bit of the TDF up close would you? I’ve never played Petanque but I did step foot on a Bocce ball court once. The home court rule was that you had to throw the ball with one hand while holding your beer in the other. Negative points were awarded for spilled beer of course, I don't suppose you play Petanque like that. I’ll fill you in on Kentucky and the Blue Ridge when I return.

TM, love seeing the progress you are making on the bike and glad to hear the personal trainer is working out so well. I’m thinking maybe your pool isn’t heated since you’re training for a swim in the North Atlantic! What water temperature are you expecting up there anyway? Pretty amazing TM, look forward to hearing more about that, and the bike.

I’ll check in when I get back if not sooner, stay safe,

AMF

[teena marie]

new trainer

Hi all,

I've been working with a new trainer for the past 5 weeks and I'm pretty pleased. We started very slowly on the spin bike-15 seconds on, 90seconds break for 10 minutes- followed by various strengthening exercise, some of which I've already been doing, ending with some phenomenal stretching. Getting on the bike is geting easier-not on my own yet, but I can see this is within reach, and I'm up to 2 minutes on and 1 minute off for 12-15 minutes. My left leg is much straighter and is less prone to rotating internally. It's been nice to have someone help me with all this and encourage me- I've been so used to doing it on my own-it's a nice boost. I'm also in my pool so all in all, I'm happy. This is all helping me prepare for the ocean swim portion of triathalon this summer in my community in Cape Breton,Nova Scotia. It's not until the end of July so I feel like I've got a good start on things. I will work with him until the end of June at which point I'll be in Cape Breton where I can start ocean training and continue with my strengthening routine.

Have a great ride and I look forward to the next installment.

Teena Marie

[penkalet]

Hello Larry and Pell

I wish you a great and fun week end !!
Maybe one day the stars are well aligned and I can ride with you.

I will be leaving for France tomorrow with my two daughters and their sweet heart so I won't ride much while with them, for couple weeks.

After I will get back in the routine: Ride, Eat, Siesta and Petanque !!!
I hope to find time to let you know.

Best luck to every one
Alain

[pawpaw]

Trying on the weather

Larry- The weather is pretty good- maybe a bit windy. The forecast is for 74 and wind about 5mph with possible rain.
I am still feeling that I can do 70 slowly. Has Betty been on the bike yet? She can do the 25 even if she hasn't been on a bike. It has a rest stop and it's a pretty ride.
Do you want to ride Friday and/or Sunday?
We went to the Northern Neck of Virginia for a long weekend. I pushed Mike around for a couple of rides but on Sunday he was able to pedal. It was a great place to ride as there was little elevation. On a 42 mile ride, I did all the pedaling so I was glad there were few hills.
See you soon.

Pell

[AMFADVENTURES]

90 miles in 6 hours for the last week, a recovery week. One more big week long push before a taper and we're on our way Pell. Hope all is well out there and you're arranging some good weather.

[AMFADVENTURES]

I capped off the three weeks since I've been back in the saddle with a 70 mile ride at 13.8 on Saturday and a 40 mile ride at 12.4 on Sunday. Needless to say, I was toast on Sunday and it showed big time. Looks like I'm due for a few recovery days.

In the last three weeks I rode 480 miles at an average of 14.0 mph. I wonder what that translates to in neural regeneration? I hope it's a lot, I'd like to get a few more years out of this old bod.

I also did my first ride with the Colo MS team and I got to say, I think we're looking at a banner year here. We've got a super bunch of folks, fun to ride with and fun to be around after we finish, very much the team that originally attracted me to join.

So Pell, that's probably about where I'll be for the HH, 14 or better but less than 15 for the 75 miles. We'll have fun no matter what, and you shouldn't need more than a short novel to read while you wait for me.

Stay active out there, it's the only known therapy for neural regeneration,

AMF

[pawpaw]

Slow progress here

My sister has been visiting- no cycling, but lots of yard work, cleaning, planting.
Mike is slowly improving. On Monday he will see the doctor and find out when he can start exercising. We are going to a tandem rally in Northern Virginia in one week. I think Mike will be sitting by the pool and I will be on a single bike.
Tomorrow I will ride again. I am planning to do about 28-33 miles. I don't see myself getting over 100 miles a week until Mike rides again. Larry, 14.5 is a great speed for a long ride. You have really recovered quickly. I am perfectly happy with that for the Horsey.

Pell

[AMFADVENTURES]

Larry- Apparently Colorado is a hotbed of MSer who really exercise. My neurologist has no other patients who exercise like we do.
Pell

To some extent I think that's right Pell, Colorado has a climate and an atmosphere that promotes an active lifestyle among the populace, MS or not. I also think that the active lifestyle has added benefits for People with MS vs. the general population. I wonder if your neurologist agrees?

[AMFADVENTURES]

Got 12 hours in for 168 miles last week. Average speed for the week was 14.1 but was able to hold 14.7 for almost 50 miles yesterday. Also doing yoga twice a week but haven't been and probably won't get back to the weight room for a while yet. I'll be ready for the bike ride though Pell!

[penkalet]

Larry, I am glad you are back in shape. That was pretty fast recovery!
Next? I want to ride just for the plaisir and to stay in shape so I am shooting for 100 miles a week.
I really enjoy riding those event so I will try to do some in France and I am still thinking about your tour of Tucson in November.
Pell, How is your husband recovery going on?
Have you decided if you are still doing your trip in France?
The best to every one.
Alain

[AMFADVENTURES]

Great pics Alain! If you had enough energy left to lift that bike overhead, we need to get you to a more challenging ride. Oh yeah, the jersey and the T look good. Did your daughter ride with you?

I'm firmly back in the saddle. Did 65 miles and 3,000 feet Thursday. According to "Strava" and "Ride With GPS", I hold the penultimate position on several of the climbs - penultimate being next to last! Hope I can pick up the speed a bit otherwise Pell will need a good book to read while she waits for me at the HH. Going to try again tomorrow, maybe I can move up a position or two.

What's next Alain?

Hope I didn't overstep Beth. I had checked your time shortly after you finished and heard about the bombs a couple of hours later. Knew it was close so was very relieved when I saw your tweet. The range of emotion must have been staggering.

Larry

[penkalet]

Dave,
Try to open those link. I it don't work please let me know how to do it.
Thanks.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...71663848_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...89443104_n.jpg

[ActiveMSers]

Thanks Beth for that update. I was in Houston that day watching the events unfold on TV and I immediately thought of you and started doing running math in my head. I was hoping you had gotten in a bit earlier, but knew it would have been close, and was regularly checking the forum for updates. Thanks for that, AMF.

And Alain, cool about the T pic, but the link doesn't work, doh.

[milesandtrials]

Boston Marathon update

Thank you to everyone who checked in on me and was concerned about me after last week's bombing at the Boston Marathon. And thanks to Larry for posting an update that I was alright.

Fortunately, I did finish the race shortly before the explosions happened. It was a horrific thing to have happen at such a joyous event, but the community of Boston and the running community around the world has been incredibly supportive. I only hope I am blessed enough to be back there next year. Please continue to pray for all the families who are suffering.