Friday, December 30, 2011

Cancer

I have had my fair share of cancer battles. ... I am confident I have won my own personal war against this life-altering disease. Society has a label for someone like me: 'A Survivor'. Though the terminology might be appropriate to a degree, I do not think of myself as `A Survivor', but rather a person who has been given a fair share of blessings because I had to [fight] my own cancer fights. I consider myself 'A Conqueror'. ... My cancer battles helped me evolve as a person, made me a more enlightened soul, one who appreciates each and every moment I have here. Unfortunately, too many people forget this.

Mother will always give me inspiration!

Today was not a ride day - not exactly a rest day, but no ride -

Among many things I did today, starting at 5:00 a.m, I came across the last writing my mother gave me in an email in July of 2007.  My mother died in February of 2010 of multiple systems atrophy (long horrible way to leave) -  Anyway, in 2007 I had just blasted out my first real website.   When my mother saw it, her response is the following email to me was:

  "It is beautiful.  Worth every penny.  When can I expect to receive a picture?  I want to hang it up.  You are beautiful, living proof that exercise and believing in yourself, that you can accomplish anything, is vital to success.  I am so proud of you and all you have done.  Love Mom"

Sitting here tonight, exhausted, looking at photos of my mother and reading her very last email to me (she was ill for a long time) -- I just want to share how important it is/was that my mother was proud of me.  And that she is always with me telling me to keep on pedaling, reminding me not to quit before the miracle.   I would not be who I am today without her example of hard work and perseverance.

Thank you Mother - You died too young and I wish you were here for another new year, but I keep you close in my heart.

Love,
Cheryl
  

Thursday, December 29, 2011

HOT up in those hills today!

westridge to various places by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Well, after not riding for the last two days and a 15-hour work day yesterday, I could not wait to get out today!
There were so many hikers and dogs out on Westridge. Guess a lot of people off work. My suffer score on Strava was 243 out of 249, so that tells you something. And if you look at my heart rate on the link above, you see I was SURE TRYING!
See what Coach Lou has to say about today. She is traveling back home, so I am not in trouble yet.

I am not sure, but it seemed like a good thing that my HR was around 170 for 30 minutes going up Westridge. That means my legs were not tiring, but heart was going fast? I have no clue! But today was fast for me and nice that I did not let up. We went on some steep, rocky single tracks I have not ridden before and I found myself doing some walking. Preparing for this big endurance ride on a new bike, especially moving from a 26 inch to 29 inch bike. My confidence on my downhill needs some help!

Saturday, I am heading to CC with my knee and elbow pads, and see if the "boys" can get up and down some technical areas without injuries! What a great way to spend my New Year's Eve with friends who are taking the time to drive all the way to Orange County to help me with this practice session!

Not to mention, considering in 2011 I broke my foot and got seven stitches in my left knee, followed by slamming it in the car door, and, oh, yeah, the doctors who said I was going to die, also said I would NEVER mountain bike after the femur break????

Today was in the high 70s and I was sooo HOT in long pants! I just love how riding a bike has changed my life so much, especially so late in my life! I told my coach that I like to remind myself that two bone marrow transplants gave me all NEW cells! That means I am probably 20 years younger than my age? Does that make sense?

Well, getting a truck at 7 a.m. to move stuff to my new place next door to Danielle and the kids! I am so excited to be able to live there part time and LOVE my family! Look out, Noah, your mother-in-law is almost moving in! lol -

I have even bigger dreams for 2012!!!!
Love
Cheryl

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

No ride today ;-(

My right-hand person at work was ill, so I had to stick close by in case of emergency.

Good thing she is not ill often! ;-) Seems I am very grumpy when  I cannot ride my bike?

Monday, December 26, 2011

December 26, 2011 - Monday - Easy (COLD) ride Sycamore Canyon

After a wonderful Christmas with my family yesterday, I headed over to a local hotel with my dog.  Something upset my stomach and I was up throwing up for hours last night- despite that and waking up freezing, I headed over to Sycamore Canyon to meet Doug and Thomas.  Thank gosh Lou had me down for an easy 1.5 hour, no climbing, recovery ride!  I knew I could handle that with no sleep, no water or breakfast! ;-)

It was so cold, the second time most recently I thought my fingers were falling off!!  32 degrees!
We saw, what appeared to be a flying deer cross the road.  We saw very few riders in the morning, but as it warmed up, we saw quite a few.  We road some fun single track and stopped a few times because my heart monitor was whacking out!  It was reading 203 while I was off the bike! arggg -- Doug also stopped to help some unprepared struggling guy with his sons fix a flat - This took a while!  Then I took some photos of a father with his son and his son's first mountain bike - Then Doug and I waited while Thomas took on the KOM! 
I kept reminding them, I cannot climb today! lol - I have to be sure and take it easy! ;-) It was so funny.
Good thing I am riding with friends who understand I have a coach and WE have an agenda! 
So the short ride was short, but the time out there was much longer than we planned for a slew of reasons.
But I felt great and went back to go shopping with Dani, Noah, Jess, Rhys, and River - Babies R Us and Best Buy!  Chinese take out - and hit the PCH to come home.  I am WIPED out from lack of sleep and driving!  But what a beautiful weekend. 
Need to get some sleep!
Good night friends....

Christmas present from Danielle - I love it

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve ride photos! paseo marimar





Christmas Eve - Paseo Miramar! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Christmas Eve - Paseo Miramar! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Today was a beautiful day in Santa Monica. I road out from home to PCH and headed for Sunset to begin my steep climb up Paseo Marimar. Steep it was. I started out feeling very strong and met Doug and Thomas at Parker Mesa bench. We moved on to the hub and battled the hikers down Eagle Rock. All in all, this was not the elevation I was striving for (5000K) but I am more tired and sore than the 6000K I climbed on 11-19-11. Today was steep ups and steep downs. Perfect training for CC!
So 31.5 miles, 4173 feet and four hours of riding, I came home and had a left over steak from last night, some boiled potatoes and a can of Bean with Bacon Campbells soup! lol - I have not had a CAN OF SOUP for over ten years, so I am tired! Too tired to go out.
Took a shower, walked the dog, stretch and in bed!

There were several times on the climb up that I was thinking of my mother and how much I miss her and tears were flowing. Christmas was her favorite time of year. Just not the same without her here anymore. I also was feeling so emotional, more than usual, for the mere gratitude of climbing a pedal at a time in the most beautiful mountains. We saw deer and plenty of people were out today.

Doug's son Thomas is here for the holidays and joined us. He is SUPER FAST!

The one dumb thing I did was ride my bike home via Third Street Promenade! On Christmas Eve?? What was I thinking?

I am very excited to get up early and head to spend Christmas morning with Danielle and her new family!

Merry Christmas to everybody and please say a prayer for my friend, Janet. She is in the hospital and I am sooo worried about her.

Peace and Miracles
Cheryl

Friday, December 23, 2011

12-22-11 Thursday & 12-23-11 Friday

Yesterday was too windy for us to ride where we planned.  Doug took me on the switch backs at Tapia and some rock rool at Malibu Creek!   That man has a lot of patience helping to teach me to ride some technical switch backs!   I road under six miles and climbed about only 900 feet, but it's amazing how sore I was using differently muscles trying to negotiate a difficutl and scary turn (for me anyway) - hiking my bike back up or down and practicing the same area over and over takes patience! - Eventually I did most of them.  A few are haunting me that I HAVE to go back and do!   It was an awesome day and I had a lot of fun.

Tonight (Friday) was 50 minutes on the stationary bike!  Tomorrow is supposed to be a really big ride for me and it is Christmas Eve, so I hope I can fit it all in one day!  Time to get some rest!

This time of year always reminds me of how much I miss my mother, how lucky I am to be alive and riding a bike.   I have so much to be grateful for. 

Merry Christmas everybody!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wednesday - 45 minutes on stationary bike

Today was a rather long day driving to Oxnard and back.  Feel a bit of a cold coming on - but Zimcam always works!!! Going for a good night's rest and hope to make to ride with Amy and Doug tomorrow and practice some switch backs at Tapia and climb Bulldog!

And, I found a place next to my daughter's house, so I can visit more often and have more places to ride and train near Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, etc!!
Yeah!!!

Tired-leg interval attemt by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Yesterday's ride (Tuesday) - very tired! Could not get my HR much over 163, so that means legs were too tired! Why?
Because I did not do the easier ride on Sunday I was supposed to do and allow enough recovery! ;-)
Keep on trying!!!

Tired-leg interval attemt by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Cheryl & Doug at gate Saturday 12-17-11

Sunday ride (I am in trouble again)

Okay, so when will I learn to read the details??  I was supposed to do a recovery-type ride today, but did, what I thought was a fun ride, but, too many miles and too much sustained climbing!
I road at Sycamore Canyon, the beach side.  It was a beautiful day.  Road up backbone, which I have not done in years, down Quadelasco (sp), Wood Canyon, Sage -- overall it was around 22 miles 2500 feet of climbing - I was prepared today with warm gloves and layers!

Tomorrow is a rest day.   I must be the ultimate challenge for Couch Lou!  She spends a lot of time working with my crazy court reporting calendar and it's constant changing, then I don't read the her G-calendar thoroughly, and don't rest like I am supposed to ;-(  - Sorry,  Coach! I promise to pay more attention. And, of course, I am asking her to work a miracle to get me ready for such an endurance race!

Counting Coup upper portion with Snow, ice, rain and cold wind!

Yesterday, 12-17-11, Doug and I drove out to Orange County, 405 to the 22, exit Chapman and go right to Silverado something.   We did not go left to go to Black Star, which we will do another time. We drove up and up to do what I am told is the second half of the Counting Coup.  It got cold very fast.  I have never ridden anywhere in those mountains, so it was all new.  A river and beautiful trees and signs of winter looming.  As we climbed up for 3.2 miles up pavement, we reached dirt! Yeah!

So we climbed and climbed and the wind was picking up and it was getting cold, mind you that my light wind breaker I was wearing will fit in my pant pocket!  Some unexpected storm was coming in.  Suddenly we were riding in snow and ice!  We went on after a place called four corners and kept on climbing.  The last portion of the climb was a switchback and was very open and we figured the winds could be 50 miles an hour and very cold, so we turned around.  It was starting to rain and later we heard riders turned back due to hail.  I only road for about 3.5  hours and climbed about 3500 feet, but it was steep and nice to get a taste of what it will be like in April. 
I really look forward to going back and trying all the parts of the 44 miles, uphill and the technical downhill terrain!
I am so grateful to my friend and training partner, Doug, for showing me the trails!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

12-15-11 Thursday COLD mountain bike ride (very tired today)

This morning I had three scrambled eggs and ham for breakfast and one flour tortilla!  Must not have been enough.  Yesterday got away from me, and today I got to see just how important it is to eat right while training for a race!  I felt sluggish right off the bat, and then felt I got slower as I tried to push myself .  I was getting frustrated and then Doug and Amy both really started encouraging me.  I just want to be faster NOW!  Patience is not in my dictionary, apparently.  Started off my day crying while driving to the ride, but these emotions were tears of happiness and just not believing how blessed I am.  I met a new friend today, Amy.  She is great! She is a very experienced rider and one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life.  She stayed behind me on a climb, giving me encouraging words to get me to the top and  it was my fastest time ever up that hill to the Hub!  Then I fell into a bush and she came running down to see if I was okay - I was fine, just stuck in the bush! lol
Doug and I are both breaking in new bikes - Today was my second ride on the sworks, so there are just some fit and weight issues I am hoping to take care of tomorrow!. 
It was also really cold, for Santa Monica! 

Driving home from my ride I was thinking a lot about cancer and how many people it hits!  Cancer took a lot more from me than my hair and breasts and causing my bones to break --- it took so many years of my life away from me while I was fighting!  Fighting for insurance! Fighting for my life!  
Well, cancer, you LOST!  And today I am the winner, no matter what, I am a winner.  I bet cancer never thought I would be trying to start a racing career in my fifties? ??  So I am so grateful that whatever life I have left, I plan to make the MOST of it!   In the end, I am saying GOOD BYE to cancer and HELLO to LIFE !!!

And big thanks to my daughter, Dani, and my family, friends, Lou, Marwan, Doug, new Strava friends, Lydia ( couldn't even be outdoors without here) -- Every day I give thanks for all your kind words and for believing in me enough to help me believe in me.

I am so tired that I am going to be at 8:00!  Looking forward to my ride on Saturday and feeling strong!
After I eat a lot of prime rib and potatoes!
Blessings,
Cheryl

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

stationary ride 1:45 HARD

Okay, so all I can say about my training today (since it was too wet to go out) is that I used to tell my friends "I don't sweat."  My shins sweat!  So when I am riding in the dirt, my shins are dirty! So crazy.
But even in hot heat, I am not a "sweater" -- or so I thought!!  It is amazing what a workout you can get on a trainer.   Sorry, I wish I could disclose more details, but I may have my competition lurking on my site...
;-)  can't give away trade secrets! -- I lost another pound, which means I lost six pounds in about a month by riding a bike.  I am eating healthy, for the most part, but today I cheated and got Taco Bell ! oops - don't tell Lou!

The Jones Fracture I got last June 19th is still causing me some trouble and I am going to have it looked at, again!  I think it has been x-rayed about 20 times and always the same "no  healing" --- Not sure if it is Zometa (for MM) or what?

I am really loving being on Strava.com - it's so much fun having friends competing and supporting each other online.  I need to find some more time at the gym for core work.  I was just telling my dog that I have never had such a great life, as I have today!  Great friends and family!  Support! Love! Health!
As the saying goes "happy, joyous and free" ---
Thank you, God, for my life and all the people in it!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Hub and Eagle Rock on a chilly Sunday!

First ride on S works! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

First ride on S works! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

What a day! Not the ride I planned on doing, but it was great and quality. I got two QOMs on Strava at least. Doug and I both noticed that my heart rate is much lower than a few weeks ago, while still giving it all I have! And my HR recovery is much faster. Today was a cold day and my first ride on my new S-Works, so the tires were different and not really fitted to the bike yet. I was very tired given the long day I had yesterday with office paint and carpet and driving way down south to get the bike. Tired is not the word!!! But i still climbed some good elevation today and put in 21 plus miles. You can click on the blue link and hover over the details and see the HR at all points. Garmin is very cool!!!! This is also how my coach tracks what I do and there is not cheating!!!!!

I also elected to try the seat dropper and see how I like it, thought it adds one pound to the bike! I have lost five pounds in a month just by training and not even trying to lose weight, just burning the calories, I guess. I also went to Bike Effect today in Santa Monica for a professional bike fit by Steve (which I recommend to everyone) You can really prevent injuries and be at your maximum performance with the right fit on your bike, road or mountain!

He spent close to two hours helping me with special inserts for my bike shoes to try and ease some of the pressure off my Jones Fracture. This foot really hurts at night and I am concerned. We know the x-ray shows it is not healing, but if the pain gets worse and the break is not only "not healing" but getting worse, they have have to do surgery? I hope not because I don't want to stop training now.

I was told about a website called purelycustom and ordered some custom stem caps for me and my coach! Mine is going to say "Easier Than Cancer" and Lou's will be La Ruta Lou!
Any time I start to think climbing any mountain is tough, I can remind myself that anything and everything in my life today is "EASIER THAN CANCER" -----

I have assigned a road bike to my buddy Marwan and told him he better start clocking some hours on his trainer!!! I can drive a hard bargain! Dani, Noah and babies came by tonight and it was quick, but beautiful! They make a loving family. Dani is the mother I never had time or health to be when she was young!
So I was a little short of what I wanted to ride today, but Lou always reminds me that we all do the best we can and that's all we can do. Sometimes life things get in the way! ;-) --
It's going to rain tomorrow, so I am working all day and looking forward to it!

I am off to stretch and sleep!!!!!!!!!!!
Night

Thursday, December 8, 2011

1995 photo - multiple myeloma diagnosis

August 1995 the before and after when I was told I had six months to live and on to bone marrow transplant at Hoag Hosp - Been a long and bumpy road, but I am clearly blessed and lucky to be alive, let alone pedaling a mountain bike! 

Today at the hub

Hard Intervals! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Hard Intervals! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

I met Doug at the trailhead around 10:00 a.m. and road up
Westridge - then down Westridge and then back up - where Doug helped cheer me on and time me on the uphill intervals! Two minutes as fast as I could go, then rest two minutes, and four times!
My heart rate was around 180 at times, so I knew I was working as hard as I could, but sure felt like I was going no where, riding uphill fast is just not easy!
I ran into a few friends I have not seen in a long time, Liz and Colette, both riding solo - but Doug and I stopped and visited a while. Then we continued on to the hub.
I was three seconds from queeen of the mountain on one of the segments! It was sunny and beautiful!

So grateful for everything in my life today! After the ride I was off to the office to pack boxes for work being done in the office this weekend. Finally home about 8:30.
If you click on the link above, you can see the stats. But it was about 3 hours of riding and 3500 feet of climbing, with intervals, an over-all "gave it my best" ride!

Going to visit Danielle, River and Rhys tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!! and really looking forward to see what Doug comes up with for our long Saturday ride!

Good night, friends.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Having the best coach makes a huge difference in your goal/game!

Today was  my "off" training day, but I did have an all-day deposition with one of my favorite clients!  It was  a great day, and I am one of the lucky people who really loves her job.  Court reporting has been very good to me!

Tomorrow I am going to try the intervals again (without throwing up) and get my three hours in.  I have to say to anybody out there thinking about getting a coach -- it is the best thing that has happened to me.  I have mentioned before that I found Louise Kobin by researching about a Jones Fracture (which we all know I sill have) - Lou broke her foot one year too and had a Jones Fracture, and on her blog I read about how devastated she was that she might not be able to ride La Ruta in Costa Rica that year.  But her amazing attitude and how she handled the whole situation inspired me.  When I emailed her and she agreed to coach me ( I must add at a very minimal cost)  not nearly as much as I thought having a coach would cost.  She gives me my training calendar weekly and touches base every day with me.  It's super easy having the Garmin 800, so I upload my rides for her and she can see everything!!
My HR on the ride, the elevation, the distance, miles, of course, hours of moving and not moving! 
Trust me, I am not out there wasting time anymore! ;-)  She has given me so many good tips from fueling while riding, recovery, the intervals, not carrying the kitchen sink in my camel bak, etc.   She really cares about you, as the client/friend - 
Being accountable to somebody really helps you stick to your goals! 

Marwan might even pipe in here and comment about how surprised he was last Sunday!  He has ridden with me for years, through it all!  He has watched me fall and get back up over and over, literally and figuratively.
Sunday on our ride he said, "I have never seen you like this, never seen you this fast -- keep doing what she says, she is great for you" !!!!!!!!!!!!   That brought a smile on my face.  My family and friends all know that I think of Marwan as a best friend and a brother - so that comment meant the world to me!!!
Doug, my riding partner, friend has said he has really seen a change to in my riding and how much stronger I am.  This is all due to listening to Lou and doing, and only doing what she says (trying - I only got in trouble once)

So, thanks to God, the Universe, whatever you believe in -- but I would not be doing this without the help of my coach, La Ruta Lou!! - I hope to get up to meet her in person after Christmas and actually do a little ride with her for fun! 

Oh, I am a lucky woman.  Thank you to all my new friends supporting too in this training process, Lydia for busting her butt at the office and Rachel and Petra!   My lovely daughter, Dani, who understands how much this means to me and forgives me for not giving the time to her and the kids I would like to right now.

My sister, Debbie, who I hope will be coming down from Seattle to see me at the finish line! Oh, gosh, getting carried away!  I still have months of training. 

Lou even suggested in the beginning that, if i can, to sleep in a little more and get more rest while training so hard, and I am doing just that!  So good night.
Cheryl

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Training ride by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Training ride by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

My morning started off great, until I took a prescription Motrin and two calcium pills! By the time I drove up the hill, my stomach was in knots and getting worse. I started early and did not wait for Doug and even though I was throwing up while pedaling up the mountain (freezing) I still mangaged to beat my own personal record time on that climb. Doug and I continued on and I could not stop throwing up bile, so I knew I could not make three hours with 18 minutes of intervals. The good news is that I am pretty sure it was what I ate or took and not a flu, so I gave it all I had to get in nearly 2500 feet of climbing, 17 miles and two hours of ride time. So I am not complaining. My coach says I can do the intervals on Thursday.

Doug got a rear flat tire and at least I watched him change it. I have been fortunate to have never had a flat on my bike, so it scares me that I surely would not be fast at changing one in a race.
Lou gave me the great of idea of practicing patching and changing the tires, front and back before the race.

So I am off to sleep early hoping my stomach is better by morning because I have an all-day deposition.

Peace!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Monday - core-gym and spin bike

Today it was not easy as I hit the snooze alarm three times before getting up to meet Mikey at the gym at 6:30 a.m. - I drop my dog at the office and Mikey is always early and waiting for me.  Very nice that the Spectrum is on the same floor as my office.  He gave me a good hour of abs, arms and back.  But it's working!  Then back to the office (walking 100 feet) ;-) - Where I actually worked for a while.  My day was running errands and taking care of business.
My 45 min spin bike was later this evening and I am happy and tired!
Tomorrow is a big day with three hours of riding and uphill intervals!  Please don't let there be strong head winds again!
I ordered a custom headtube cap in red and engraved to say "easier than cancer"  - so I can look down and see it when I think i am struggling up a tough climb and remind myself, anything is easier than cancer and I am blessed.  Met several new very nice women mountain bikers on Strava and they are a lot of support.
I simply have the best people loving me through this challenge! 
Love you all!
Cheryl

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Sunday just-for-fun by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Sunday just-for-fun by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details
Today was a great day! Marwan and I have not ridden together in so long, we both cannot remember.
We road up westridge and down Sullivan Canyon. Never a dull moment with Marwan, as he was flying down the canyon, his chain came off and nearly ate it.
He did get beaten up by the bike as the seat nailed him in the back and the frame slapped his leg!

It was great to catch up and I gave him some "skinny" tires for his bike so he can be riding the CC trail with me! ;-) There were way too many people and dogs out today, so it's a day you have to go slow and be careful.

Today was a recovery 'fun' ride, as Lou put it. Marwan said he really noticed the difference in my fitness and riding ability (thank you, Lou and Doug) -- Lou gives me instructions and Doug makes sure I do and no more or less!

Petra worked in the office today and everybody is really putting in time and effort to help me through this training --- I could not be more grateful or happy! How in the world I found the world's best coach by googling "Jones Fracture- mountain biker" is a mystery! But I sure won the lotto with her.
Time to eat and rest. Tomorrow morning 6:30 a.m. is my core day and a stationary spin in the afternoon. Next week will be a harder week! I cannot wait.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sycamore - with intensity by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Sycamore - with intensity by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Today was a great ride, even with wind and chill!

Climbed Overlook as fast as I could (super head wind) and then did my first time trial from the valley side to Beach side and took queen of the mountain and 9th overall with men and women! Down Hell Hill!
Then off to visit Dani and Noah and kids - I am very blessed and been given many gifts of in my many chances at life. Thank you, God!
Doug is a hard act to follow, but I am lucky when I can follow his lines in the dirt!

It used to be that my emotional pain was so much it would not even fit in my head!!! My head was a scary place for me to hang out and my thinking got me in a lot of dark places. Today I am so happy I am in the Light, and though my mind still never slows down (as most of you know) - I try to slow down, but at times I feel like I lost so much of life that I am racing to get what I can out of life.

For today, I am simply very happy! And I want to do well at Counting Coup and Sea Otter? Is that asking too much? lol - I am willing to work for it!!!
Now I am off to listen to some experience, strength and hope!

Love
Cheryl

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Interval day! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Interval day! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

These intervals are not easy, but once you start them, they are nearly addicting as you try and get a few feet farther each effort!
I sure feel them the next day, which is why Lou usually has that day a rest day or recovery spin. I could not do this without Doug helping me out....he stays ahead of me so I have something to chase! He is quite a friend and cheerleader!

I still worry daily whether this race will be possible - I really try not to let my fears get the best of me and keep my trust in my coach to get me strong enough! And, as always, thanks to the people at my office working harder to allow me more time out of the office for riding! Thank you, Team!

Zuma to Backbone by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Zuma to Backbone by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Doug has me on some new fun training climbs! Beautiful views!

endurance ride 1 by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

endurance ride by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Endurance ride 2 by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Endurance ride 2 by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Endurance Ride 3 by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Endurance Ride 3 by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

ENDURANCE RIDE 4 (BEST EVER) by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

ENDURANCE RIDE 4 (BEST EVER) by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Zuma - crushing the climb

November 30th Wed - One hour on trainer

Then off to drive to Bakersfield for a two-day hearing.   Upon arriving there yesterday, at 4:45 p.m., I found out the job went off calendar.   I had wonderful steak and lobster dinner at Black Angus, baker potato, salad, soup, apple pie, ice cream! --

And drove back home this morning.   Need to ride off those calories this weekend!

Tomorrrow is a light reovery ride.  Lou is sure to remind me how important recovery is and to remember out agenda!  Counting Coup and Sea Otter!

This has, so far, been the most demanding and fun challenge of my life!