Race
This isn’t the post I planned on writing. It’s not an epic recap of two back-to-back 50 mile bike rides. It’s not even a tale of two 40 mile bike rides. In fact, it’s not a story of two bike rides at all.
It’s about one 18 mile ride on a Saturday morning. The end.
There’s a lot of people out there that could eat an 18 mile ride for breakfast. I’m not one of them, so I’m still proud of my accomplishment, I just wish it could’ve been more.
But let me back up and start at the beginning.
I’m a casual type A {if there is such a thing}. The night before a race or event involves knocking out The List: the to-dos, the prep, the ducks in a row. Equipment ready to go, bags packed, food prepped, maps printed, race numbers pinned, and plans made.
Friday night I put the babe to bed and came downstairs to start The List. I stopped being nervous about our upcoming ride and started getting excited. I detoured out to the garage before making dinner to give the bike tires one last pump of air and check on the husband’s bike-rack building progress.
He was holding the bike latch package in his hand, utility knife poised to cut through the zip ties, knife pointing towards him. Just as I started to utter the words, “Well that’s a good way to hurt yourself”, IT happened.
I saw the blade jam into his wrist, right where that vital artery hides. I looked up at him and said, “Hospital?”. When he barely hesitated before saying yes, I knew it was time to go- and fast.
I darted up the stairs, scooped the babe out of bed, and we were off.
3 hours and 6 giant stitches later we came home. It was way past my bedtime and The List was not getting tackled.
The husband was lucky- he missed all the important arteries and tendons, but he wouldn’t be able to ride in the morning as he was unable to squeeze the brakes on his bike.
Saturday morning rolled around far too soon and I scrambled to get everything together. I dragged the wounded husband out of bed to help me rack my bike and collect my pump supplies while I fed the baby. {Those are 2 things I’ve never had to include in race-day prep.
}
I hopped in the car with a mug of coffee and allergy-friendly granola bar and started the 45 minute trek to the park. I sat at the stoplight waiting to get on the highway and thought about turning around and going home. I was going to be late, I was by myself {my other team members didn’t meet the fundraising minimum}, I was tired, hungry, and didn’t want to leave my family. Most of all, I had serious doubts about my ability to complete even the shortest ride of the event.
I pulled into the park, jumped on my bike, and rode through the grass to the start line where I barely paused before we took off. My number was half hanging off my bike and I didn’t pack any fuel. Not the prepared approach I normally take.
The course started in the park before heading out to the local streets. The park is full of long, gradual hills and speed bumps that aren’t so fun on a road bike. It was a bit of brutal awakening and didn’t do too much to boost my confidence. My feet were already numb {they never get numb} and my hip ached where I tweaked it getting stuck in my pedals during a training ride.
As we turned out of the park onto the roads, I recognized the first part of the course from the triathlon I did in the same park. I hoped I wouldn’t be repeating that sequence of events. {Chain falling off, getting stuck, waiting for help…}
The roads were fairly quite and traffic wasn’t much of an issue. I had a couple riders in sight so I could follow their lead when it came to maneuvering around cars and waiting for traffic. At one point we got stuck behind a Bobcat –the equipment, not the animal {although we do have those in NC}- which slowed us down for awhile, but it was nice to just relax and pedal calmly for a few minutes.
Soon after we escaped the farm equipment we approached the rest stop. That was the moment I knew I could do it. Not only that, I knew I could do the longer ride the next day.The rest stop was the turn around point. The halfway mark. It took me by surprise when it came so soon in the ride.
I grabbed some sports drink and a handful of snacks, took a potty break, and stretched out my hips. As soon as I did that I felt better. The kinks were worked out, I was loose and warmed up, and I was ready to bust out the last 9 miles.
I spent most of the second half of the ride by myself on the rural roads. Instead of being lonely and scared, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew I was safe and soaked up the rising sunshine and country scenery. The weather was absolutely perfect and I felt great.
The last couple miles brought a few hills. I had no idea how much of the ride I had left and my confidence started wavering. I wasn’t sure I could do it.
But then I thought about my dad, who has MS and is in better shape than most people I know.
I thought about my mom, who rode 75 miles last weekend and finished her first triathlon last month.
I thought about my in laws, who were happily and lovingly taking care of my son so I could participate in this adventure.
I thought about the last time I rode my bike in this park, when my feet hurt so badly I could barely coast down the hills and I needed help racking my bike because my hands didn’t work.
And then I saw the entrance into the park. I’d done it. I dominated the long slow hill. I let out a cheer for the people pushing their bikes up the side and I let out a little silent cheer for myself for managing to stay on my bike.
I couldn’t help but smile as I crossed the finish line. It may have been the shortest ride of the event, but it was still a ride I pushed through and finished.
I can’t say much about the event itself. Although it prides itself on being accessible to all levels, it was clearly geared towards the longer rides of the day and the focus was on the individual fundraising teams, as opposed to riders as a whole. I planned to hang out and partake in the post-ride festivities, but there was nothing going on when I finished {even after I took a timeout to pump in the car}.
I headed home a little disappointed, but pumped for the next day’s ride.
And then at 4am I woke up to a baby and thunderstorms. I crossed my fingers and hoped it would subside in the next couple hours, but no luck. Lightening + bike spokes don’t mix. Bike ride day 2 = no go.
So instead of doing a victory dance and relishing in our amazing “endurance event” accomplishment, the husband and are I wallowing a bit in what could’ve been. We’ve decided to do another ride at the end of October when his arm has healed to make up for it- we don’t want to let those that sponsored us down!
Not the way I pictured this going, but at least I have my first post-baby event under my belt.
Biking
For most people, this weekend’s holiday was Labor Day. For others, it was a different holiday. The official kickoff of the season known as college football.
Perhaps you can tell which team the husband’s side of the family pulls for…
Before heading over to the in-laws’ to watch the first game of the season, Grandma picked up the little guy and the husband and I headed out on our first bike ride together in at least a year. We’re gearing up for our two-day bike ride extravaganza for MS, and neither one of us has put nearly enough time in the saddle. This was actually the husband’s first ride of the year.
Of course he kicked my butt the whole ride, as if he’d been training all year and it was my first time on the bike. We rode a few loops at the park so we could avoid dealing with cars on the road. When we got tired {which didn’t take long} we headed back to the car. I pulled my phone {yes, the rice worked!} out of my bag and saw we rode a whopping 7.5 miles.
7 and a half.
That’s not going to cut it! The plan was to ride again this morning but it’s pouring rain.
It’s funny, I started riding my bike when my body couldn’t handle running without injury, but my body is just not made for biking. I watch people fly past me right and left, uphill and down, and I just pedal, pedal, pedal away, never catching up.
I suppose it’s just a challenge I’ll have to keep working on, because nothing worth it is ever easy, right? But I long for the day when I can head out for a long run and not have it hurt.
So how did you celebrate the long weekend? Run a race? Cookout? Lounge around? Obsess over fantasy drafts and first football games?
Biking
I’m running on fumes these days. More like walking on fumes.
There’s nothing like attempting to train for two back-to-back 50 mile bike rides to make you realize you’re not invincible.
I thought signing up and committing to an event would be the impetus I needed to keep pushing through, but it looks like it’ll take more than that. I’ve had to dig deeper and push harder to make myself start every workout, every ride, every training session.
When I’m out there riding or in the middle of a tough weights session I feel great. I remember why I do this, why I push myself, and why I love every kind of exercise.
But getting to those moments and finding those opportunities has proven more difficult than I’d imagined. I try to put our sleep situation {or lack there of} in a positive light. I try to find the humor in it. I try to accept it for what it is. For the most part I’ve been able to do that, but when it comes to working out, I really, really feel it.
There’s a point where you can’t push through the fatigue. For me, that’s the end of the day. I can keep my act together in the morning, but as the day wears on, I lose all motivation and ability to do anything purposeful or productive.
What was once a simple task of getting up, throwing on workout clothes, racking my bike, and heading to the park is now a much more complicated circus act. Getting up early is not an option. I already have a 5-6am wake up call {cough cough insomniac baby cough cough} and after getting up 2 or 3 times a night, an earlier date with my alarm clock is an act I refuse to commit to. Call me selfish.
Squeaking in weight training isn’t all that hard. It’s a matter of motivation and finding the mental strength to do it. Cycling, however, is a different story. Perhaps I was looking at our situation with rose-colored glasses when I imagined how training would go. Whatever I was thinking, it wasn’t realistic.
The real situation looks more like this: I can’t ride my bike with the baby. The more I look into it, the more I think he’s not ready to be in a bike trailer yet. That leaves riding on my own. The baby eats every 2 1/2 hours or so, which leaves a smaller window than you’d think to get to the park, ride, and come home. There’s also the little factor of having someone home to watch the kiddo while I ride. Unfortunately the husband has had to travel for work more this year than ever before. Sometimes for a couple days, sometimes longer. I can’t remember the last time he was home for a full week. Obviously I don’t talk about this as it’s happening.
Did I mention he’s training for this ride to? That schedule makes it tough on him too.
All that’s left are the weekends. So far our weekends have been packed with plans and rain, rain, rain. No riding.
I try to hop on the trainer as much as I can, but it’s not the same. {My trainer is actually a permanent kitchen staple these days. That’s normal, right?}
I don’t really know the point of this post. It’s part frustration, part defeat, part determination. To find a way to make it work or to accept that it’s not my time, I’m not sure which way I’m going. It depends on the day. 
Regardless of the frustrations of finding the time to get out on the bike, I’m more determined than ever to keep up with building my strength. Rebuilding the muscle in my legs, glutes, and hips is what will get me {and keep me} out there running again; something I can do with Kabes. I’m sticking with bootcamp {which is awesome and challenging and empowering} the best that I can, modifying it as needed to make it work with my schedule and energy levels.
Eating enough to build muscle and power through a workout is a totally different story…
Talk to me about bike trailers. If you have kids, how old were they when you started using one? If you have a road bike, do you feel comfortable using a trailer with it? {I’ve heard it’s bad for your bike…} I’ve been looking at this bike trailer for a little down the road, but will probably make the husband put it on his bike. I’d love any feedback or advice you have. {And where do you find helmets small enough?!}
Biking
As I rolled out of bed for the umpteenth time that night and saw it was only 3 am, I immediately thought there’s no way I’m riding today.
My first bike ride since last July was in the AM. I was finally ready. It was Saturday morning and the husband was home to hang out with the little guy.
I was meeting a friend for a group ride at a nearby park.
But I was tired. Oh so tired. I’m pretty used to the broken sleep, but this night in particular was pretty rough. But I couldn’t bail on a friend waiting for me.
Good thing she was going otherwise I definitely would’ve backed out. Note to self: be held accountable by someone else.
I dusted off my bike the day before and pumped the tires full of fresh air. The tubes were so flat it took my entire body weight to get enough pressure on the air pump. In the morning I fought through the cobwebs and attached the bike carrier to the car. Phew, I remembered how to get it on by myself. I gathered my shoes, gloves, helmet, snacks, and water bottle, and hoisted my bike on the rack.
All ready to go, I headed back inside to fuel up for my ride. I had no idea how far we were riding, where we were riding, or how many people would show up. Not only was it my first ride in almost exactly a year, it was my first group ride- ever. Yeah, I was a little terrified.
Finally it was time to go. I tossed the baby into bed with the still groggy husband and kissed them both goodbye. Yes, at 6 months I still hate being away from him for a single second.
I pulled up to the park and searched for bikes. I had no idea who I was meeting, but figured a group of bikes in the parking lot would clear it up pretty quickly. I was immediately put at ease when I pulled in and passed group after group of runners, just finishing up their weekend long runs, having started early to beat the oppressive heat. Running through this park was familiar territory. It’d been awhile, but it was still familiar and comforting.
Finally at the back of the parking lot, I saw the bikes. I was oddly relieved when I saw someone wearing sneakers. That meant they weren’t all elite time trial cycling beasts. {And yes, that person still kicked my butt on the bike. Don’t judge a biker by his shoes.}
I parked off to the side and pulled my bike from the rack, slipped into my shoes, and slid my helmet on my head. Only then did I make eye contact. Yup, it was them.
Relief. They weren’t going to attack me.
We sat and waited for the last minute stragglers. I chatted with a few riders and immediately found another mom who struggled to find time to ride; a teenager riding with his dad; a couple older men who had no interest in keeping up with the speed-demons on the road. I immediately felt at ease as he explained the route they had planned. All paths I had run before and barely any road. I’m still scared of the road.
Just as the group set off for the 24 mile ride, my friend pulled up. Whew. She hopped on her bike and took off. Ahhh, here goes nothing. I still wasn’t sure I’d remember how to clip in. There was no time left to be nervous, I had to get going.
With minimal fumbling, I hopped on, clipped in, and took off.
Long story short- I survived. 15 miles. I could barely keep up and it didn’t matter. I had to turn around a little more than half way since I’d only left one bottle ready for the kiddo. Tackling this training thing will be a little harder with that in mind, but nothing we can’t figure out.
Training
I guess the internet gods’ way of telling me it is indeed time to get my fitness groove back was by selecting me to do a weeklong at-home bootcamp with personal trainer Jennifer Cohen right after I posted about itching to get back into some regular fitness training. A quick bootcamp is the perfect jumpstart to get back into the training mindset.
The real kicker that now is my time was a text from a friend over the weekend. Just as I was about to sign up for a triathlon {even though the training program was cancelled}, she asked if I was going to do a semi-local charity bike ride coming up in September. Registration was on sale for the holiday…
Nudge, nudge, nudge. Yup, that’s all I needed. A no-pressure event written on the calendar and a training buddy! I really think having a concrete event and training plan is what I need in order to work around the baby’s schedule. Read: not caving in and saying, “it’s ok, I’ll go tomorrow” when I feel bad about needing someone to watch the little punkster.
So mid September I’ll be doing a two day bike ride for MS– somewhere between 15-100 miles each day; distance to be determined once I figure out how the whole breastfeeding thing works into it.
As I clicked submit I got all excited about registering for my first post-baby event. Then I realized it was really my second- the day registration opened for the North Carolina Color Run I was on it. 
It’s a little far away to get my training endorphin fix going since it’s not until November, but I can’t wait. {It’s the first thing I’ll get to cross off my Fitness Bucket List!}
So bootcamp + bike ride = officially excited. Part of the bootcamp entails testing out Muscle Milk’s nutrition shake as a workout recovery tool. I make sure to have protein after every work out to help build muscle and promote quicker recovery. The convenience of not having to make a snack or shake sounds enticing. I’ll let you know how it goes, although the husband might have to be my proxy on this one due to the babe’s allergic colitis & breastfeeding. I have an appointment next week to learn more about his allergies.
So any tips on doing an endurance event while breastfeeding? I’m more concerned about the length of the actual event, not so much the training.
Muscle Milk® is an ideal blend of protein, fats, good carbohydrates and 20 vitamins and minerals to provide sustained energy, spur lean muscle growth and help provide recovery after tough days.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Muscle Milk via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Muscle Milk.
