It was windy. Wizard of Oz windy. I saw a witch go by on her bicycle. Even though she was a witch, there must have been some good in her because she was riding in the Tour de Cure, helping to raise money for diabetes research. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and let her pass me.
It was hot. Africa hot. Every time I inhaled, my nose hairs ignited, like a hundred tiny matches.
On my 40-mile cycling tour through Rochester's southern farmlands I passed:
- an entire family riding together. The little ones were in a screened-in cart being pulled behind Dad.
- an overweight woman in a red cycling jersey, riding a tour bike with a basket on the front.
- a young woman riding a recumbent bike. (I don't really get the recumbent bike. You sit low to the ground, with your feet extended out in front of you, and your back against a pad, like a regular chair. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I am against the recumbent position, but when I am so situated, I want a glass of Merlot in one hand, the remote in my other hand, and a great movie in the DVD player.)
- the overweight woman in the red cycling jersey again.
- my husband Rick. I passed him a few times, he passed me a few times. We kept each other motivated up those long, hot, country hills. (I admit we exchanged dirty words here and there, a conversation that wasn't as much fun as it may have been under different circumstances.)
- two teen-aged boys riding alone together. No girls, no cigarettes, just two buddies taking on a challenge together.
- an older couple riding a bicycle built for two. (I could never do this with Rick. He'd put me in front, claiming that the back was the more difficult position, and then every time I'd turn around, I'd catch him with his feet up, napping.)
- the tour monitors. They were positioned along the route, ready to help guide riders or offer water or technical assistance. As we glided by behind hundreds of other riders, Rick called out to one of the guides, "Are we winning?" The guide replied, "Yes, I believe you are!"
- the overweight woman in the red jersey again. I must have passed her five times. Every time we pulled up at a rest stop, she gained on us, and then every time we hit the road again, there she was, cranking out a slow and steady pace. What a champ.
- I must be in really good shape, because at one point I whizzed really closely past this guy, and I heard him say, "What an ass..." (OK - I made that one up, but it could've happened.)
I found the whole experience incredibly scary. I raced down unfamiliar hills at approximately 147 mph with nothing between me and the pavement except a whoosh of air. When you go down those hills, you have to hold your body in as horizontal a position as possible, keep firm and steady control of the bike. You have to continuously scan the ground for potholes, rocks, debris, sewer covers, and anything else that might send you flying (and be ready to respond. All this with people, cars, and an assortment of bugs streaking past. (I ate one bug that I know of.) But scary is good. It makes you feel alive.
I also found the experience incredibly energizing. I fought gravity, wind, my own doubts about my ability, and my mother's voice saying, "Do you have to do the whole 40 miles?" (If I gave up, would I be less disappointed in myself if I could I say that my mother told me to?)
I did not, however, find the experience satisfying. I want more. Next year, I am going to do the 62.5 miles, and then there's only one more level after that: the Century. 100 miles - just in time for my 50th birthday.
What I noticed is that hundreds of people rode. None of them were "typical." They all had different types of bikes, different speeds, different styles. They all just showed up and did their thing, their way.
Just find something and go and do it.
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In strength,
Julie
Julie Scipioni McKown is a certified personal trainer, and a physique transformation champion. Her e-book, Body Wizardry: Releasing the Champion Within is now available for the Kindle ebook reader. Don't have a Kindle? Get yours here. For information on purchasing other versions of the ebook, email us at [email protected] .
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June 10, 2009 - 5:42amsee this example: check ebook search engine
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Great info! And let's just say I have two years to train for that century:)
June 13, 2008 - 3:13pmThis Comment
Congratulations! It is addictive. I rode it as my first 100-mile ride, and have to agree, the wind and heat were brutal! Good job, and good luck next year!
(Ride details at bikebeagle.blogspot.com)
June 12, 2008 - 7:42amThis Comment
I was writing to Tina that I just joined my local bicycling club, and next month they are hosting a 24-ride/picnic. There is a park that is situated in a the middle of a figure-8 route that is 25 miles in length. So, every time you complete the loop, you log 25 miles, and are back at home base. I'm thinking of trying to do my first 100 there. I can stop, rest, get a drink, etc. every 25 miles, and space it out a bit. I would love to be able to get to 100 this year! My only real challenge is that I tend to get pain in my hips and back way before my energy is gone. I've been concentrating on strengthening the muscles in my "girdle" and being careful to stretch well before and after each ride.
Julie
http://www.BodyWizards.com
June 13, 2008 - 10:23amThe Power to Build your Ideal Body
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From your writings about fitness and exercise and your infinite activity, I thought you were in your 30s! I love that! What a great inspiration.
I too would love to try a century... Someday. Maybe for my 40th birthday. Do you have a cycling training plan that you follow?
June 11, 2008 - 8:52amThis Comment
Hi, Tina!
Yep - I'll be 48 in September (I can hardly believe it!) I guess we're not "supposed" to tell other people our age, and when I color my hair, I can easily get away with saying I'm 35 or 40. But I think it's cool to be middle-aged and still be in shape, and be excited about fitness. I stopped trying to make people think I'm younger than I am. I've earned every one of these gray hairs!
I have to say that I am in the same or better shape than I was when I was 30. Actually, I am in better shape, because even though I was working out back then, I had my second child when I was 29 - and I gained a whopping 60 pounds during my pregnancy.
I just got a road bike this spring, so I don't have a plan yet, but I did join the Rochester Bicyling Club. They have organized group rides every day during the summer, and also several on the weekends. They lead rides of varying difficulty, so at least I can set up goals to get up to the most difficult rides.
Right now, I'm riding about 3 times during the week (I think about 25 miles each time) and then one longer ride on the weekend.
I was actually inspired by another Empowher member who said she ran her first marathon at 50. I figured I needed to set some sort of an exciting goal for myself, too! I've toyed with the idea of a triathlon, but I'm like a cat in the water :)
So how many years until you do that Century ride? :)
Julie
http://www.BodyWizards.com
June 13, 2008 - 10:18amThe Power to Build your Ideal Body
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