"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Wednesday, August 19, 2015

My First Ride

We purchased new bikes when we relocated to LA but have hardly ridden them.  I know cycling helps with running as I've seen what it's done for several of my friends.  Biking has not been a favorite sport of mine as I find it hard to sit.  Okay, it hurts my butt!!  There, I've said it.  With grit and determination, I decided I needed to go to spin class.  At least, it would help even if I couldn't do the class as it should be done.  I had tried this before and it was very difficult for me and I was embarrassed that after 2-3 classes I wasn't able to do it like the others.  Glad these are stationary bikes cause I'd definitely be left behind!!  Guess what I mean is that I had to sit off and on throughout.  Friends of mine, Marsha and Diane, and another signed up to do The First Friday Slow Ride in Pensacola.  I checked it out and saw where this group is organized to encourage first time riders.  Children were invited and I really liked that no one would be left behind!  We were in groups with a leader and a sweep; hence, no racing type ride.  After talking with Marsha, I decided I would try it.  I had wanted to do a ride for so long but, like class, was afraid I couldn't make it.  I took my new bike out for a pre-ride, of sort, and it went fine.  Check out what a real rider looks like, ha! 

After 5 miles, I felt like I could handle this.  After all, it just couldn't be much more if they are encouraging children, right??  Oh, did I say that it was a late afternoon ride?  After meeting the others at Marsha's home, I was really getting excited.  I accepted that even if I couldn't keep up with the fast ones I wouldn't be alone.  We got there and got our bikes ready and donned our helmets.  Okay...this is a first for me...a helmet.  But I am glad that I purchased one because now I feel like I'm "dressed" for the sport. 

Had to do a little carb loading before the ride.  So we had a snack at The East Hill Yard.  It was pretty, darn good...just couldn't eat for all the butterflies in my stomach, ha!

 A pre-race photo before we suffer from "helmet-head".  Paula, me, Marsha and Diane.  Marsha saying "Go Tigers" while we were coached to say "Roll Tide"...lol. 

Here are a few pics of the ride.  We passed by the fairly new War Memorial and it was so touching.  I want to return with Kent and walk through it, take pics and read the plaques.  Funny story...we saw this because our leader made a wrong turn.  This was one of the prettiest parts of the ride and I didn't mind.  Also, it gave us more mileage...as a runner, that's always good, right?  I fell in love with "riding".  I can hardly wait until the next one in September.  We all made a date!  Unfortunately, Paula will be having knee surgery soon and probably won't make it.  Get well, Paula!




And, yep, got to have our ride-along photographer's pic, Diane.  Thanks!!  This was so much fun.  We continued to have fun afterward as we stopped for some refreshment before heading home.  We got in 9 miles and I am very happy with that.  And, guess what??  No butt pain!!!  Yay...maybe I'm getting there...little by little. 

I'm incorporating spin once a week into my regimen.  Still not my favorite thing to do but not giving up on this; and since we go out of town here and there in the middle of the week, Wednesday class is missed some.  Guess I say all of this to say that I haven't quit going.  No, I'm not able to stay out of the saddle [like that??  I'm learning new slang...saddle, sweep] like the others but I'm still trying.  Today I will go again even though I've missed the last TWO weeks; hope I don't have to start all over. 

As I continue to workout 6 days a week as much as possible, I feel I'm getting stronger.  On the downside, my weight continues to be the same or a little more!!  VERY discouraging to say the least.  After a doctor's visit yesterday, I'm changing my hrt again.  It should help with weight as well as several other issues I've been experiencing.  I think it will do fine...looking forward to next week to get this thing started! 

Yesterday, I got in 11 miles on the treadmill in my trekking class.  I can't see doing more than that and only 11 miles occasionally until I can get outside again and run.  Ten miles can be done along with class.  My running is continuing to get strong.  I have NO idea how I will do on the road again but time will tell.  At the time of this writing, I still can't do .25 mile outside so I continue to hit the TM.  I have several races this fall and winter that I can hardly wait to do.  I am excited about what my future holds.  So for now, our goal is to go

Run 4 It [however we do it]

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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