MS'ers Training in 2013

[pawpaw]

Have a great ride

I'm glad you had the MS talk with your family and friends. Good to have that out of the way.
I'm so glad you are wearing your "I ride with MS" jersey. You will do great.

Afternoon storms have kept me off the bike lately. I broke down and went to the gym today for a little exercise. Friday should be a good day for a ride- storms should be past.

I am still sad that we aren't going to France. I know plan B will be good, but I had my heart set on France. Sorry we won't be able to ride with you Alain.

Pell

[teena marie]

Have an amazing ride, Larry. I'm interested in the disclosure talk-this is for another time.

I had an excellent training today-20 minutes continuously on the bike, one minute break, increased the resistance for 2 minutes, another 1 minute break, then a last 1 minute push. Squats,bridging and a great stretching. I leave for Cape Breton in a few days and can't wait for ocean training.

Take care all-until later,

Teena Marie

[pawpaw]

Report Larry?

TM- Have fun with your ocean training. You are making amazing progress.

Larry- How was the ride? I am sure you did great.

Pell

[AMFADVENTURES]

Colorado MS 150

The hot blond yoga chick and I might have been just a tad under trained for the century this year but we did make it. We talked it up with a few riders we met along the route convincing 4 or 5 to go with us. So, when we got to the turn at about mile 64, there wasn't any question.

No sooner did we make the turn than we encountered the first of 2 mofo steep little hills. We're talking at least 12% grade. I got up the first one, maybe 1/3 of a mile long, running at about 98% of maximum effort. Then it was down and right back up the second one. This one was a little longer and every bit as steep and it maxed out everything. Heart rate hit redline, legs couldn't have pushed another ounce, speed was down to 3 MPH, and with 200 yards to go I didn't think I'd make it. Somehow I crested but it was a 100+ percent effort.

The last 30 miles should have been easier than they were but a steadily increasing headwind slowed us down considerably. At the end of a long day we logged 102 miles in 6:57 saddle time, 8:45 elapsed, at an average speed of 14.9 and with about 4,400 ft. of ascent. Really a tough day.

The all out effort on the first day made the second day harder than it should have been. We had a nice tail wind most of the time which seemed to level out some of the hills a bit. Apparently the century only served to get the yoga chick warmed up because she was chasing down every good looking guy who had the audacity to pass us. And she caught most of them. Ya just got to love strong women! Even so, she was always at the next rest stop with a shoulder available if it was needed. We crossed the finish line together after 74 miles in 4:40 saddle time, 5:44 elapsed at 15.9 average speed and with 3,000 ft. of ascent. Overall, a surprisingly good performance.

There were so many "I Ride With MS" jerseys and I know I didn't even see most of them because we were one of the first teams out of the chute. I did wear mine on the century ride, it might have been what got me up that second hill. I know I wasn't the only MSer to do the century either, I talked to one girl on the way up who said she was going to do it and one guy the next day who said he did. I imagine there were others too because there were some incredibly strong MSers riding. Seems to me that kind of thing could put a whole new face on having and living with MS. The fortitude and perseverance it takes has to have an impact on those who might have a more negative impression of people living with the disease.

I talked to one guy in a wheel chair who was wearing the jersey at the end of the first day and asked him if he did the ride. He said yes, he did it on a hand crank bike because MS had taken his legs. I saw him the next day just as he was cresting one of the hills. Incredible!!

Saw another MSer mom with her husband and son on the second day. She said she had just started cycling, lost a bunch of weight and was starting to feel good about herself for the first time in quite a while. She looked pretty tired, maybe second guessing if she would finish but she was already over half way and I'm sure she did. I won't be surprised if I see her on the century in another year or two. The whole weekend was another amazing 150 experience.

TM, congratulations on the 20 minutes of cycling. Seems to me that's kind of a mile mark! Good luck in Cape Breton. I'm really glad you joined us and I assume you'll be staying in touch while you're there?

Pell, I think you were right, Colorado does seem to be a hot bed of active MSers. I hope the MS center up here is keeping some kind of track of that. It seems obvious that exercise is indeed a primary restorative therapy for people with MS. Hope you're getting some saddle time in.

Alain, hope all is well over there. Are you planning to put any time in at the Tour de France?

Later all,

Larry

ps: next up, Copper Triangle, 80 miles, 6,000 ft. Definitely have more training to do.

[penkalet]

Well, you are all being so impress with my intention to climb 6000' make me wondering that my cognition was not firing on all the cylinders after all....!
And no Larry I can't blame it on the wine! I drink so little those day.
But I am very impress by your performance. Bravo! What a great ride and I can see that I need lot of more training if I want to ride with you one day.
I have been doing 2 or 3 rides a week for 80 miles.
Also we realize with my wife that we were not enjoying promenade anymore because my walking range is pretty limited. So we bought two 20" folding bikes so we can explore together the canal du Midi, the beaches or windows shopping in small towns.
So far we love it.
Teena have a great training and
Pawpaw don’t be too sad about your trip to France, the weather has been incredibly bad for the season.
Dave, you were in northern Europe and hope you got nicer days!

Alain

[ActiveMSers]

Way to go, AMF! And Alain, you certainly can guess about the weather in Northern Europe. And I even lost my raincoat before we boarded the ship! But no worries. We got a little rain one afternoon in Hamburg, Germany, and a touch of drizzle on our first morning in Norway. The rest of the three weeks? Sunny, 70s and 80s.

The downside: expecting lots of rain and temps in the 60s, I packed three short-sleeve shirts. Doh!

Training on vacation? I worked out every day that we were at sea (about 7 total) and had a few heavy walking days: re the cobblestones in Riga and St Petersburg. Good to be back into my routine and getting my fitness level back up to par.

[teena marie]

Hi all,

Larry your ride sounded amazing. I didn't realize it was 2 days. Good for you.

I'm here in Cape Breton. It's always quite the adaptation for the nervous system manoeuvering so many types of terrain but it's coming. I had my first swim today and it was amazing. I was at about 30%. I'm still recovering from a very demanding month of June at work, then a 15 hour drive. So, I'm not on a training schedule yet. Just moving around as much as I can.

Take care all,

Teena Marie

[AMFADVENTURES]

If it hadn't been for training buddies, I'm not sure I'd have gotten any mileage in at all last week. As it was, I managed 90 miles in 4 rides, 2 of them short 3,000 ft. climbs. Once I got going I felt good, just having a hard time getting myself out the door. Hence, the advantage of a club or a team I suppose.

Alain, you don't have to worry about riding with me. Rest assured, I continue to hold the penultimate position on many of my rides, and that's when I'm trying! I'll have to remember the folding bikes. IMHO, riding is generally preferable to walking. Regrets on the weather over there.

Thanks Dave, good to see you're getting your fitness level back up. Noticing any changes? Planning to see you at Pedal los Pueblos next month.

TM, I spent a little time reading up on Cape Breton, it sounds like a real gem. Do you train with anybody there?. What's the water temperature you're training in? Are you using a wetsuit/drysuit? Also, whenever you want to talk about the MS disclosure, just message or e-mail me. I think you can get to me via my username on the forums.

Pell, getting any time in? Want to stop by here on your way to Wyo. and Alaska? I sure could use another training buddy.

Later all,

[teena marie]

Hi all,

Here a week now and getting in to the swing of things. The water temperature is about 68-72 degrees and warming up too quickly. No, I don't use a wetsuit. I used to but I've adapted. It's quite a climb onto the beach up a dune and over rocks. I've needed my ice vest and pre-cooling in order to do it. My training, which I do solo, is 30 strokes, stop, float a bit, pick it up gradually to 100 strokes, return 100 strokes. Crawl out, do some stretching, meditation, sunning, reading, visiting.
Return for another swim but harder and further. Then up off the sand and off the beach. I did 4 days in a row, took today off and climbed 12 stairs upstairs and made everything I did an exercise. I plan to get my exercise bike going soon.

I love hearing all the training news. Since I'm doing this on my own, this forum is like my training club.

Take care all,

Teena Marie

[AMFADVENTURES]

Gotta say TM, I love the way you train. Swimming off a sunny beach, stretching, meditation, sunning, reading, visiting. As one who has spent considerable time on beaches and in oceans of the world, I can truly appreciate the birds nest you've found there.

Not a lot going on here, trying to get a short climb and a long ride with a good climb in each week. Not doing too bad so far. Maybe the most exciting thing was the "Rider Bio's" the team captain of the "Pedal los Puebleos" MS 150 team called for. It is a great idea, here's what I sent him, the questions were his:

Who you are:
Larry, 63 Y.O. retired geophysicist

Why you ride:
To keep moving and to justify an afternoon nap.

Who do you ride for:
A whole lot of people with MS. You can read their names on my jersey.

What you ride (bike bio):
Cervelo R5, race worthy carbon comfort, modified to get a 63 Y.O. with MS up and down some hills, and home again in time for lunch and a nap.

Longest ride to date:
1)Stage ride - Ride the Rockies, 450 miles;
2) Single day - Tour de Tucson, 112 mi.

One interesting rider fact about you:
The best sleep I get is the nap after a hard ride.

Humiliating cycling memory:
I used to patch flatted inner tubes and carry them for re-use. One day I flatted out and went through 4 old patched tubes, none of which held air, before my buddy finally gave me a new one to get home on. Going on five years now and haven’t heard the end of it yet.

How epic fig Newton’s are in general (Fig Newton is one of the sponsors of our team):
Fig Newton’s are an indispensable tool for saving damsels in distress. It’s true, with a few fig Newton’s in your pocket you can save young women from bonking on long bike rides, thereby earning an enviable, life long biking buddy. From the book “Secrets of Old Guys on Bikes” which I haven’t written yet.

Best memory of a previous MS ride:
Actually finishing the second one I ever attempted, (Obviously the first one didn't go so well)

Your post ride routine:
Chocolate milk, Shower, Afternoon nap.

Highlight of 2012 (New Mexico MS 150) ride:
NOT being DFL up the Truchas hill. I hope to repeat that this year but I'm not taking bets.

[AMFADVENTURES]

Got about 130 miles and almost 9,000 feet in 10 hours last week. The longest ride was 55 miles. I'd like to go longer and get higher a couple more times before the taper into the Copper Triangle. I've just begun to enjoy the climb!

TM, your swim is in less than a couple of weeks isn't it? Hope you're feeling good. My ride is August 3rd.

Everybody else hanging in there?

[teena marie]

Hi to all,

Larry, you sound like quite the cycling machine. Amazing.

The swim training is going well. I'm back to my strengthening exercises like I was doing earlier with my trainer and am back to my Qigong practise.

Today, I realized I was pushing 110% so thought I'd back off, maybe swim at 30%. Got to the beach and the surf was too high for safe swimming so sat in the sun with friends, just did a few exercises and will now head to bed because rest is part of the training. The triathlon is July 26.

Take care all,

Teena Marie

[penkalet]

Bravo Teena for the good trainingand I wish you well.
Larry you are doing a very impressive training!!!

This week I did about 80 miles for 8000' in 3 rides but only at 11 m/h average!
I spoil myself today and bought a nice used Specialised Roubaix bike so will see if I that help! I am starting to have riding buddy now and most of them are just faster on the climb.
At list I will look like one of them with my carbon bike!

Best training and stay cool.

Alain

[AMFADVENTURES]

I got 120 miles in about 8:15 with only about 5500 ft. this week. Not nearly what I hoped but sometimes there’s just no choice except to listen to your body. I suspect that even if I did try to push harder, the results would have been counter productive, sometimes I just have to rest and recover even if it's in the middle of a build period. One more week to try to ramp it up until the taper into the “Copper Triangle”, I’m definitely feeling a little undertrained but I may be able to compensate by just going a little slower.

Alain, I suspect we’d ride very well together, our speed and ascents are quite similar, I hope you do make it out here sometime. BTW, congrats on the Roubaix bike. IMHO, that is the perfect bike for handling the heat damaged roads on the “Tour de Tucson”. Are you planning to bring it back with you?

TM, how are you feeling, do you think you’re ready? You’ve sure done plenty of work! I hope you get decent conditions for your event. Wishing you luck.

Larry

[teena marie]

I'm tapering down in preparation for the swim. I hope the surf isn't too high to make it unsafe for the event as it was last year. I'm feeling good-goal is to finish and have fun.

Thank you all for the encouragement.

Until later.

Teena Marie