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