Second week training

OK, so I am trying to update this a little more frequently that I am currently doing. However, Time, Kids using the computer, etc.....

So, I left off from my first spinner class.

2 days later, I got out and tried my new bike for the first time. And yes, I did fall twice!

I just went around the neighborhood, to get used to the bike, and it is a really nice ride.

I do have to get used to the seat, though!

The worst part of the event was coming into the house with my riding gear on. My wife, Anita, took one look at me and started to laugh. I had bike shorts, leg warmers, and my helmet still on. The shorts and the leg warmes are, well, very tight fiting!

And, according to my oldest son, he is not going to let me see him laugh. He is just going to do it when I am not around.

So, I need to get into better shape.

This past Sunday, it was the Charlotte group's first event together. We all met up at the Huntersville Business Park. It is one big circle, that is just about 2 miles, with a very long, gradule hill, just up to the last bump, which is a dozy (after going around a couple of times!)

We all met up there about 12:30, and all got our gear on, and started to get our bikes ready. And it was cold!

Just before we went off, our mentor Cat read a message from somebody in the Charlotte area that suffers from luekemia. His message was about how his aunt was truly inspired by his fight, and started to work with Team in Training to train and complete a half marathon. She loved doing the event, that the following year she completed a full marathon. She said that her nephew was her inspiration.

It was a very good story, to truly remind us who we are doing this for.

So, onto the bikes. And it was cold. And it was windy. Did I say it was cold?

But, I really tried to do it, and I was successful. I did about 12 miles that day.

I would have liked to do more, but my calf muscle was starting to bother me. I do not want to blow it out so early in the training!

At the end of the time, I was actually feeling very well. That was the longest I had ever gone on a bike! And it is only the beginning.

Earlier this week, I met up with Cat again, to do the spinning class. This time, we did the earlier class. The instructor is really good, and is a cyclist herself, and took us thru some very great excercises to help build up the leg muscles. No leg cramp that day.

Cat told me that because it was such a rainy and cold night that she really did not want to come, but I was her reminder to come and work out. She is mine. It is really good to have a great teammate like Cat to help me get motivated and moving.

So, this Saturday, our team is meeting again, in the same spot, but instead of only an hour, we are doing 90 minutes. I have to really push myself to do more than last time.

I also will be sending out a mailing to a lot of you, with a heartfelt plea for help. Please consider helping such a great cause!

See you soon!

First blog day

Welcome to my blog!

I am training to ride the Fletcher Flyer, a Century Bike Race, and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The coming days, I want to chronicle to all my training efforts to get ready for the race, on June 6.

During the upcoming days, I will also be asking for donations to help my goal of $2100 for the LLS.

There are a couple of reasons why I am doing this.

First, my Aunt Anna had Lymphoma, and it was quite painful to watch such a strong woman suffer thru such a terrible disease. I am racing in her memory, and so that everybody does not have to suffer from Leukemia or Lymphoma.

I am also very community oriented. For the past 2 years, I have been a member of the Village of Marvin Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Board. This group strove to save greenspace, as well as work to build parks, greenways, and have recreational events for the community. I enjoyed every moment that I worked with the other volunteers on this board, and we really made a difference in our community.

Sadly, the new council of Marvin got rid of the all volunteer board, leaving several projects half done.

With my commitment to my community, as well as the time I spent working towards it, I wanted to do more.

The Team in Training organization helps anybody prepare for a half marathon, a full marathon, an iron man competition, as well as a century ride. Team in Training is a part of the LLS, and has raised thousands of dollars for research, as well as to support people that suffer from these diseases.

I and other like minded people (including my wife, Anita, who is training for a half marathon in the memory of her Grandmother and Great Grandmother, both suffered from leukemia) have banded together to train, work, and raise money for a great cause.

So, let me tell you about my first couple of days, training.

It has been incredibly hard!!! As is the ground that I have fallen, trying to get used to the new shoes and clips for my bike.

First off, I had to get a new bike. My offroad combo is not designed for a road race. So, thanks to Uncle Sam's tax refund, I got a great road bike, that is very light, and very fast. I am hopping to go faster!

This past Tuesday, I met with our bike team Mentor, Cat, who is a great help in giving us ideas of how to help raise money for the LLS, as well as a great work out partner.

She is a member of the YMCA here, and on Tuesday nights, they have spinning classes.

Mind you, I have never been on a spinner before. The first of many of such workouts!

First, I had to find a spinner that had the set up for my new bike shoes. The shoes clip into the pedals, to make sure that you stay in them. Good and bad.

Second, I had to get help setting the spinner for my height and leg length. The instructor was a big help.

So, I get on the spinner, and start to follow the instructor. She had some great music, and timed all of her routines to the music.

About a third of the way, my seat began to lean into the bike. Let me tell you, it is not a comfortable thing!!

I did something that I really should not have done. I stopped, got off the bike, and fixed the seat.

That was when the leg cramp hit!!!!!

I did not yell out in pain, but boy, the feeling of somebody slowly drivin a nail into my calf muscle is really painfull.

And the only way to get rid of it was to stretch it out. But, I have clamps on the bottom of my shoes.

I am very greatful to the fact that there was no biker next to me, because I am still learning how to walk in these things. The floor was kind of hard!!

Fortunatly, the cramp started to relax, and I was able to get back up, and finish the class.

The instructor told me that it only takes 3 classes for every nerve ending in my backside to become dead. 1/3 of the way there!!!

That is enough for now, but stay tuned to this channel. I have to tell you about the first official ride on my bike!

I am