Jens Voigt - Shut Up Legs

When your body is hurting and starts talking to you, follow the advice of pro cyclist, Jens Voigt. - "shut up legs.". My great roommate Tim forwarded along this You Tube video for inspiration.. hilarious short video and insight to exactly what I will be saying and doing tomorrow.

100 miles. Oh my gosh, here I come!

Psych Myself Up!

From the moment, my little alarm clock rang... I've been pumping myself up to avoid being too nervous. I am actually... very nervous and making myself a little sick.

Jessica Toohill has been helping to keep the party up in the office in preparation for tomorrow. We've been dancing to "Move like Jagger" and "Edge of Glory" all day. Not sure if it's helping or provoking unnecessary energy.

As my old coach always said, your body knows something big is coming tomorrow so it rests and feels lethargic to prepare!

Check out the directions that I finally decided to download. - not all of them, but look how tricky they are......

Up early! Not as early as tomorrow, but hopefully I will be super tired around 7pm to prepare for tomorrow's early morning rise!

Today looks like a fine day this morning... let's have another one tomorrow, please!

My boss offered to rig up our elevator for my Monday return. I don't view this as a joke, not sure why she was laughing?

Other ways to prep today.
Water - 6 - 8 bottles
More Pasta - need to cook some!
In bed around 7pm - at least with a book, maybe sleeping too!
Pack up bike
Pack up party bag
Pack up Goos
Sunscreen?

ok! Off to work. Happy Friday everyone!

Goo!

Goos Goos and More Goos.

I am all fueld up. I poured over the calculations for weeks and determined that 16 GOOS, 1 banana, and 1 trail crunch bar will provide the optimum fuel levels for 100 miles. I will be riding for approximately 7 hours. If I follow the history of my goo experience, I "eat" (eat is a fluffy term when dealing with Goos because it's an absolute lie - they are not food) 1 packet of goo every 30 minutes. I will consume 14 goos in 7 hours if I keep a pace of every 30 minutes. Instead, I took up 16 packets because I plan to combine my water bottles with the Goos. I will empty two packets into one bottle. My bike can carry two bottles - THANKS FOR MIKE KEOUGH!! (He had the foresight that I would need a 2nd holder last summer! What a guy!) For each 25 miles, I will have 2 Goos within each water bottles (4 total for 25 miles) so this figures to 16 goos inside of me for 100 miles. Yikes! The calculations add up, but it sounds like a lot of nothing (or too much) to me. And, that reminds me - I need to bring/buy some salt for the journey. My stomach usually gets funny with too many Goos - but how else is someone suppose to avoid bonking. I know...with Goos, Salt, and Cookies.


I absolutely hit the jack pot when I stopped by Sports Authority on my way home from work. Lots of places offer Goos, but I need variety. My prayers were answered.
SO MANY CHOICES


With all this fuel, I might just bike home from Foxborough!

Nerves are starting a little more now, although, I am much more confident than last week. Also, I did not check the weather report until today and it keeps getting worse and worse each time. Either way, I am rolling out at 7AM on Saturday morn! It will be clear for me - I know it!

Most Productive Day of the Week.

Today! Today was the Most Productive Day of the Week - and my eye lids are falling as I type this. I crossed most everything off my To-Do list even though I have a couple days left in the week because it's best to be tired today than on Saturday!

I took some soap, tshirts, Qtips, toothbrushes to my bike for the 2011 Rodman Ride for Kids cleaning this evening. And now, the grease is all on me instead of the bike. Please, if you see me in the next few days, don't make eye contact with all the spots - just smile and wish me luck.

I rolled my bike into my driveway ... after completing a couple minutes of Leadership reading. Cleaning my bike was the reward for the evening. Cleaning a bike is a tough tough job, but also very nice to receive a great sense of satisfaction. I wish my bike looked like this now, but it's still rather black...

Reels of Dirt

These components are hard to clean around. I know you can take it all apart, but that's the advanced bike technician abilities that I haven't yet learned. I am happy to report that the use of Qtips, as suggested by Rick Muhr worked! I pulled a lot of dirt off the reels. I might even take some time out later in the week to clean more off.

Sped off to the gym for a short workout. I did my usually rowing workout and decided to chill out on that end since it was aggrevating my knee.

My grocery list for the carbo load and ride essentials included:

Honey Nut Cheerios - Wheaties are ... awful!
The Greenest Bananas - I want them for Saturday! but I also only like green bananas!
I splurged with "Focaccia Bread Loaded Signature"
Dried Cranberries
Prince Bow Ties
Pineapple - natural anti inflammatory!
Potateos
Okra
Milk
Cottage Cheese
Chicken

I still need to buy the actually GOOS and COOKIES. I gazed around the bakery area of the grocery store, contemplating what could travel with me. Nothing seemed to fit. I rationalized that the ride support will have tons of great snacks so I dont need to bring anything, but that woman from my first long ride keeps popping into my head saying..." in the last 20 miles, you're going to want THAT COOKIE." I don't doubt her, I often want cookies?

Anyway, all of this went through my head and I left eventually realizing, I would eat it before Saturday and the whole 10 minutes was a very ineffective use of time during my super productive day.

Eat up and Good night!

PS. "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." - Ernest Hemingway. I picked up a piece of "trash" this evening outside my house, and it turned out to be the Order of Service for a young 24 year old marine that died last week. It's definitely easy to rush through the day and forget to remember the importance of it all, but this slowed me down so I thought I would include it too.

Am I really riding 100 miles on Saturday?

Will the day ever come? It's been weeks in the making... planning, biking, meeting new friends, eating, wondering if this is possible, icing, and biking so more.

I'm back to a very similar spot to where I was a week ago... except this week is clear of internal audits, massive amount of homework, and a potential deluge of rain. I anticiapte a very clear and restful week.

My Sunday was much busier than I expected, which left no time for lasagna prep or laundry, but don't worry, I accomplished the important things! I wish blogger authorized the use of bullets because I prefer those when offering a list to readers. We're not allowed, so please stay with me.

I finished a (excellent- I'm grading myself for now) paper in the morning.
Had a work revelation as a result.
I met up with an old friend, Nicole from Somervile Road Runners and biked 50 miles around Concord, Lexington and Carslie. We hadn't seen each other in over 6 months so we might have spent more time talking than riding, but it was 52 mile in 3 hours and 27 minutes so that's not far off my week's previous ride. Nicole is a tour guide for the bike company Trek so she spent the last 6 months traveling around Europe and India leading tours. What. an. AMAZING. Job! I know!

Nicole was also able to offer her expert opinion on my bike brakes, cleaning my bike, and if all goes well, maybe I will be traveling around Europe as a tour guide next summer. I have experience... I gave campus tours back in the summer of 2006!

I also met with long time fundraising support Melissa Branzburg for a restful night sleep away from Somerville. Turns out, the ville is lately a place of loud parties, crime, greed, and well... sleepless nights! The success of my ride depends on restful nights so I am taking some drastic measures to meet my needs.


Back to focusing on the upcoming ride,

Congratulations everyone!

We made it! Congratulations everyone! We made it! We made it to $1527 for Bottom Line!

Visit my pretty fundraising site to view the little bike man at the top of the fundraising hill... I'm at the library and can't copy and paste images!

To properly celebrate the victory for the ride, I jumped in the swimming pool with a big cannon ball. It was so warm today and I had a lot of energy from sitting in one small room at work. The swimming was a great workout. I only squealed in pain a couple times from my knee, and I felt perfectly exhausted when I finished. I was under the impression that my knee was improving until this evening. It's back to icing, pineapple, tylenols, and some compression therapy for me.

High Five! We made it! Thanks so much for your support everyone!

Thank Goodness! It's Delayed!

The Rodman Ride is delayed until October 1st! Put your hands together and say, Thank Goodness!

What an absolute relief. I've had a week. I am too tired to ride 100 miles this week...but October 1st in the sunshine will be a beautiful thing.

I could cry I am so happy... or just feel much more confident and productive for the evening. I didn't want to admit exactly how scared I was for the upcoming ride with the rain... but now it's okay to say, I was so scared!

And now I even know where I'll be for the after party ... the Howland house!

AND NOW, I can cheer on my school and band at the UMass beats BC game! yay!

What day is it?

The hours are flying by... and the anticipation is killing me!

And Thank you for Katie Stomski Wilson for the donation this evening. It made all my emails worth it!

I have absolute no idea what to expect with this large group ride. Days leading up to the Boston Marathon were nerve racking, I found myself waking up in panic weeks leading up to the event. I am not nearly on edge as much for this event... oddly enough, but I am still very much concerned.

Ways that I am combating my concerns.

I bought my first bike jersey last weekend. It's incredible. I wore it on my ride with Rick, and I felt like an All-Star. It's a lemon color so it speaks to my Lance Armstrong roots, but doesn't yell as much as the official yellow jersey because, quite frankly, I am in no position to yell at someone or something with my bike shirt.

Since it is the middle of September in New England, I have the potential to ride in 45 - 80 degree weather. What is a new young biker to do? Buy a short sleve bike shirt and fancy SL Arm Warmers for quick release of heat.

For some reason, I bought the white ones... everything white near my bike turns black

The sales rep that I spoke with pushed me over the edge when he said, "The professional roll them down when they get hot." 1. He showed me how best to use them. 2. He connected it to professional - my ultimate goal! Oh, and I also love an excuse to buy new fancy gear. Kara Goucher, the famous US marathoner was sporting these back at the 2009 Boston marathon so I've held out for a long time. They are now actually necessary... maybe?
The package told me that I will ride better, and I did!

Ok. I have the gear. Now, I need to make myself look even more like a professional. I emailed a company to jazz up my jersey for the ride. If plan A doesn't work out, I will be attempting the iron on venture... in between online class discussion posts.

That's all I have for my ideas for now.

Also, the counts are in - I'm almost there!

Almost there!

The Week Prep

The prepartion for the big ride started months ago. The support has been vast, huge and very appreciated.

Today, I started the one week countdown prep to the big ride. I slept in as much as possible because that is priority number 1 for the week behind work and homework. I wish they could be 2nd and 3rd, but that wouldn't fly!

I am all geared up and in process of preparing my Carbo loading engine - lasagna!

Dinner all week long!, maybe lunch too!

From what I've read, Carbo loading is best if done throughout the week leading up instead of one large pasta feast.

I also bought into some decades of marketing today. I bought my Wheaties! I don't think I've ever bought them so the reviews will be in later this week. On the box this week is IronMan Chris McCormack so it seemed very fitting.

She ate her Wheaties

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK:
Clean my bike
Buy more Goos
Print out the directions
Print out the instructions
Make a Name Label for my Bike - Rick has one and it presents him as a professional athlete. I need that! :)
Pack up snacks for the ride
Pack up post race outfit!
Send a couple emails!
SLEEP!

Half IronMan?!!?

When the Half Ironman starts to follow your tweets... does that mean you need to compete in a Half Ironman?

Tracked!

Something to consider... maybe I will follow them too and see what they have to offer.

For now, I will carbo load and tackle some biking. Have a great weekend everyone!

8 days left! - 7 days on the Auction!

Good evening Friends!

I am camped out at the local library for a night of discussion postings, but hopefully will escape for a short gym visit.

After completing one post, I checked my email to receive a delightful email from the development fundraising team at Bottom Line. They are hosting an online auction to benefit their mentoring and students. The auction has 15 hot items, from Whole Foods gift cards, Bruins tickets, PATRIOTS tickets, wine expos, kindle and even 10 pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream! I placed a couple bids because you know what is right around the corner - Christmas! And, I don't know about you, but I have some incredible family that deserves great gifts conveniently available at this auction.

Pros about this Auction.
1. The Money goes to Charity!
2. Christmas shopping done early
3. It's a competitive game!
4. You win something and feel great!

I might need to get back on the site. And perhaps provide you all with the link - Bottom Line 2011 Auction!

Focus.

Last Saturday, it became glaringly clear that I have fallen out of shape. I was tired after 40 miles. I have 10 days till the ride. Ok, so maybe out of shape is a bit dramatic...but something serious needed to be amended.

Despite waking up with a sore throat, runny nose, and nausea, I crammed in a short visit to the gym this evening. I am proud of the visit. I completed a 4 round circuit of rowing, sit ups and pull ups annnd some intense foam rolling. I know the extra visits to work on my core muscles will help in the ride even if it is 10 days away.

I really took the knee injury as a way out of my schedule... but maybe with good reason? I do a lot of squats, lunges, and knee necessary exercises that it seemed pointless... to try and on top of it, my little elbow pain restricted arm workouts too! Obviously not, pointless though, and I'm happy to report that my arm pain doesn't exist anymore and my knee pain is not so bad.

Oh, and you noticed the report that I'm a little sick. Yes, lesson learned and reported to you - do not finish up a 3 year olds half eaten bread after she completes her first days at pre-school days earlier. Pre-schoolers are sick and dirty by nature. What was I thinking you ask - Who doesn't know that? Well, I was thnking, I buttered that tasty piece of bread and didn't want to waste it! Well, it's water, Vitamin C rich items, no coffee, no alcohol, soup, throat drops, and benadryl until the race!

I like this part of preparing for distance events. It's the part that I pretend to be a real live important, sponsored, focused, professional athlete. Don't stop me, I'm focused on the prize! Well, that part is not pretend. I become very focused!

Although, now it's time to re-focus on my homework! I'm currently learning How to Be an Effective Leader.

13 days to go!

My knee is feeling better! I successfully biked 65 miles yesterday with Coach Jeremy. My knee felt weak and sore in the morning, but I crossed my fingers that the clips and cleats were now correctly aligned and I would not be doing further damage. I said it first here, Paul Serafini and Robert Miceli are genius! They both helped heal me back. Paul suggested the foam roller and Mr. Miceli fixed up my alignment.

Glove in my Mouth. I'm really doing this though!


After 20 miles of riding, we took a short break for goos and treats. I stepped off my bike and walked around. My knee didn't feel horrible! Was this is a sign that I'm going to be ok? I didn't get too excited because my threshold for pain is relatively high and I'm not very good at judging pain levels.

We stopped again at Verrill Farm for lunch after completing 40 miles. I had a delicious ham sandwich, jelly beans and chocolate milk. Once we started rolling again, my legs did not want to go. I don't think it was the food that slowed me down, I think it was the amount of rest in between riding and starting. We probably rested for 20 - 30 minutes. Now, I know for the century ride to limit the breaks to 15 minute increments.

We rode all over the area above and even below Rt 2. Look we went all the way to Wayland & Sudbury yesterday!

Wayland

Sudbury

$518 to go! 15 days left!

Hello everyone!

With only 15 days until the big ride, I am more than pumped and much more sore than I thought was possible with biking.

Anyway, the Stats are in - I have completed 316 miles of training, which amounts to roughly 20 hours of riding. Together, we have raised nearly $1500, which leaves $518 to be fundraised before the big day!

September 8th updated summary

My knee is still very sore so I am being extra diligent about icing, rolling, and reducing inflamation so I can heal up! Any other tips are welcome. I am a fierce fundraiser!

Productive and Restful.

I have many great updates to fill you in on, but need to also prepare for my week back in the office.

Quick update, I biked 72 miles on Friday afternoon with Mr. And Mrs. Miceli. They were super helpful and guided me all over the Cape for a beautiful and challenging ride. I was still in some serious pain when I set out for the ride, but .... Perhaps you've met me, I don't give up easily and I like to be prepared. It happens all the time that folks bike through pain - tour de France for instance.

Anyway, the Micelis took me out to celebrate the big accomplishment. After hobbling along after the ride, I finally asked the obvious question, "do you ever have pain from biking?". Almost in unison they agreed that knee pain can occur to the best of bikers, but most commonly at the start. A usual culprit is the bike shoes and misalignment of the clips. The very next day Mr. Miceli rechecked my bike and fixed up my shoes.

I am resting some ice on my knee atbthis very moment. The agenda for the week includes lots of icing, light gym visits and walden swims.

72 miles!!! I felt really tired, but mostly because of my knee. I think with proper fueling and correct alignment, I will have a much better chance of staying on my bike ... And finishing!

Thanks for the support everyone!

MY... Stick, Foam Roller, Ice Pack. Good to be Home!

After roughly 11 hours of traveling, I am home with my own ice pack on my knee.

I am in the comfort of my nice little house with a tall glass of water.

It really was a fantastic trip. Jim guided me through his sales week and introduced me to many great customers and I had high hopes for the visit and it could not have been more productive. Well, if I had been able to run - that would have made it the best trip! I definitely packed enough exercise gear. I even packed my FUEL belt to run with since Texas was hovering around 105 degrees.

I self diagnosed my knee pain to be an overworked IT band. I grabbed my Stick and massaged it out as soon as I walked in the door. I also fell onto my foam roller and could instantly tell that was exactly the problem. It already feels worlds better ... so if I stay up and foam roll until the pain is gone!

Or, I am fading fast and will complete a few quick things before bed! Welcome Home!

uh Oh!

Hi Everyone - And sorry for the lack of updates.

I have been traveling around Texas with a sales rep from my division for the week. It has been very educational and interesting to say the least!

The oddest thing happened on Monday morning. I felt some pain in my left knee and by the end of the day, I had a balloon instead of a knee. The pain is down, but it is still very stiff and swollen. The odd part about the whole knee is I did not twist, fall or cause direct damage to it. Not sure where this started...

I ressted - no running or biking for the last couple days - I did swim in the hotel pool though!

I iced A LOT - The perks of an ice machine always fit nicely to the extremely necessary moments in life.

I compressed - I did not bring my knee brace so I walked down to CVS. I tried on several braces in the aisle. I wore my fancy new brace religiously.

I elevated - while I slept, in the car, at lunch and at dinner.