Longest bike ride to date

One of my awesome TIFL sisters planned a birthday weekend in Charleston. Of course the weekend included a race but as part of the marathon weekend, they have an after race bike ride. The bike ride has 20, 40 and 60 mile options. I opted for the 20 mile option. I still consider myself a newbie cyclist. We made a pit stop at performance bicycle on Friday and I walked around like a kid in a candy store. I need so many things for my bike. I know what my tax return or my STI aka bonus will be going towards just like it did last year when I bought my bike.

We get up Sunday and start preparing for the bike ride. I always ride with CamelBak. I pulled it out my backpack and realized the reservoir top was missing. That's not good. I fill the reservoir up but water splashes right out. I'm thinking yeah this might b my first ride without the CamelBak.

We load the bikes and our gear in the Jeep. We make a breakfast pit stop at Mickey D's. That egg white delight was delish.

We hit the road for Mt Pleasant. We miss out exit and then eventually get back on the correct route. Thanks GPS! We see a Charleston marathon truck at the entrance of our turn so we know we are at the right place. We see other cars with bikes so we really know we are at the right place. We had some location issues with Saturday's 5K.

After we park, we don't exactly know where to go for packet pickup. We assume it's in the building we see people walk to and from. SN: they need some signs. I pick up my packet and shirt. Bonus we got 2 shirts:1 for the 5K and 1 for the bike ride. As I'm waiting for Claudia and Sharon to get their packets, a lady walks up to me and ask "are you with Tri It For Life" I'm like yeah, she tells me she recognizes me from the pics on the Facebook page. It's Raini Binnicker Kimball from TIFL-Charlotte who we were told was in Charleston for the same races. Her and her husband are both doing the 40 mile ride.

We chit chat a bit. Then we both make a very necessary pit stop to the facilities. I head out to get ready for the ride. I've decided to forgo the CamelBak and tuck a bottle of water in my bag that's hitched to my bike. We take our bikes to the bike guy who's checking bikes. Bike is checked. 60 miles riders have taken off. 40 milers are lining up, that's Claudia and Sharon. Then they are off. Last but certainly not least is the 20 milers that includes me, the 2 BTA ATL peeps we had dinner with last night. I see the TIFL Charlotte sisters have arrived. They were working on real CP time. The announcer talks to us about the route, rest stop and SAG support. At about 9:01am we are off. Every time I get on a bike I start to not like how big my bum is because it's always sore one second after I get on the bike. I have my que sheet just in case I lose the group which I know I will.

We turn right out the school. We ride about 1.5 miles down and make a right on a main road that is pretty flat but there's a bridge waiting for us. I try to ride up the bridge but my body tells me "Nah you should just walk" that's exactly what I do because there's no shame in walking. One bridge down, who knows how many to go. Crossing this bridge reminds me of the bridge at OBX. At the bottom, turn right down another long road. I see a couple turn in front of me who I recognize are part of the bike ride. Then they make a left turn. I'm concerned that this is not the right turn. I pull off to confirm with my que sheet and this is not the turn. I keep going straight. I see a road marking that confirms I was right. I keep riding and then I ride upon 2 female cyclists who look like they are having issues. I ask if I can help even though I really can't. They are happy that I stopped. They have it covered. I keep on down the road. My next turn comes up and it passes right by a church. I start humming "I need thee oh I need thee. At this point my quads are talking back to me, my upper arms are tired, my right foot keeps falling asleep and I'm freezing. Did I mention my nose has been running since I first hit the bridge. I keep riding and then come to a stop and I see green flags with the words "RACE OPS" and I'm thinking it's the rest stop. I turn into the gas station. I'm so excited. One of the TIFL Charlotte chicks tells me I'm a little early for the rest stop. You're actually suppose to be at 11 miles when you get there. They did the same thing, hit the rest stop twice. I'm just glad for a break from the bike for a few minutes. I enjoy the rest stop for a few minutes. Hit the facilities and head back on the correct route, I make a wrong turn and don't see the marking on the road. I head back to the main road and make a left. I see the road markings. I pass fort Sumter site and turn through the neighborhoods and make it back to the rest stop officially at this point. The SAG guy ask if I need a lift back, I really want to tell him YES but I want to push on through. The couple who made that "turn" ride in, I ask them about that. They tell me they were on the scenic route. I think we have to go back towards the BRIDGE and the husband tells me no. I'm a little happy about that. The 3 of us head out and opt for sidewalks. There is a bridge but it's nothing like the first one. Did I mention there was some serious headwinds. Riding a bike plus strong headwinds = frozen Johanna. As I make it down the bridge I see a sign that says "welcome to mount pleasant" HALLEJUAH and thank you God we are back in the town we started in. I check my iPhone and it's in the single digits. I tell myself as soon as I hit 15 miles I'll connect it to the portable charger. I stop to do this and check my bag and you know what the charger and cable are not there. I realize they are in my gear bag which is in the jeep and the keys are with the owner on the 40 mile ride. I have no choice but to make it back because I can't call anyone and I don't know anyone's number by hard except the ride sag people on the que sheet. I'm on the final stretch headed to the school and I just break down and cry because I'm ready to get off the bike, I don't want to ride anymore, I don't want to do any races anymore. I'm just sore tired and hungry. I see the turn for the school, there's a guy waiting there. He ask "how many miles did you do" I reply 20 miles. He looks disappointed. I'm thinking to myself are you FU kidding me. I don't think about his reaction. I ride on to the parking lot. I disembark from the bike which takes 2 tries. I'm thinking I made it. I actually made it.19.1 mile bike ride is in the books.

First TRI of 2015

FOMO fear of missing out. I truly have that :-). If one of my TIFL sisters post in our Facebook group about any type of race, tri or any event that is going on. I always feel that i should particiapte. If not for the health benefits alone. If there is BLING involved I am definitely in. I saw a post about Lifetime Indoor TRI and everyone was signing up, of course I signed up as well. Cost was $25 and you get a shirt. Not bad at all. The other 2 triathlons I have done cost around $80-90. This was a huge drop in price. The indoor TRI was January 4, 2015, 1st Sunday of the new year. About a few days before the TRI, emails were sent out confirming your wave number and start. I hadn't gotten any email. I was starting to worry that maybe I didn't register. I went to the registration page and was in the process of registering when I clicked on my account and saw the receipt for my registration, mystery solved. 1 of my TIFL sisters saw my name in her wave so she knew i was registered. I was still dealing with cold that I had been self-medicating with for a few weeks. I knew the TRI was going to be a semi-struggle because I haven't done any real form of exercise or training and my body was recovering from the cold.

Saturday night I started getting my gear together. Since this was an indoor TRI i didn't need my bike or bucket, woo hoo!! I have a new swim bag that I was going to use. I pretty much had all my gear together and headed to bed. I woke up Sunday morning excited and nervous. I headed to Lifetime Fitness-Cary. I was there about 9:50am. As I am heading into the gym, I hear someone call my name. It's one of TIFL/Fit-Tastic/Galloway buddies Claudia. She tells me "i knew i recognized that car with all those bumper stickers"
My car could never be the getaway car because it is not inconspicuous at all lol.

We head into the gym. The lady at the front desk tells us to head down the hall to the TRI check-in desk. I pick up my race bib, swim cap and race shirt. We head to the lockers. We run into other TIFL sisters who are already there. A few of us are members of another TRI group, Black Triathlete Association. We take a few group pics with our new BTA shirts.

It's about time for me to get ready to swim. I head out to the pool. Sharon Johnson tells me "Jo you should go for the lane by the door so when you're done you are right by the steps". Good advice. Tina Alexander and I are in lane 1. At 10:40 we start our 10 minutes in the pool. I don't know what it is about the pool. Everytime I get in, i am in love and i also feel like i have totally forgotten how to swim. Note to self: you need more pool time. I could tell i wa struggling because every time i would breath when i went under the water it felt like i couldn't breath. At one point, I just kept my head above water and just swam. It was kinda of nerve wracking because i kept an eye on the clock so when it got close to 10 minutes i made it to the end of the lane and just waited until the counter was done because i was so done.

Swim is done, i have 10 miuntes to transition from swim to cycle. Let's call this event #2, changing out of a wet sports bra to a dry sports bra. I truly believed the right girl felt like it was dislocated during this process. I head to the cycle studio. This is event #3, locker room is on the 1st floor, cycle studio is on the 3rd floor. I'm about done done when i get into the cycle studio. They have already started. I'm OK with that. One of the Lifetime trainers helps me get set up on the bike and get my feet in the clips. Lawd have mercy, my right foot is not working with me or the Lifetime trainer, takes us several tries to get it in there. I'm on the spin bike for the very first time. I wish it was over before it started. I pedal through the longest 28 minutes of my life. When we count down to 0 i was never so happy in my ENTIRE life. I shall call getting off the spin bike event #4, one leg was off and the other leg was still on. I am my very own comedy show and didn't even know it. I'm off the bike and headed to the cardio area for the final event, 20 minute run on the treadmill. My body is so sore from the bike, climbing down the steps is a real task. I meander my way over to the treadmill. We line up by race number. since I'm 81, i'm in position #1. I tune my iphone to DJ Kool genius playlist and i'm off. At this point i am not concerned about running, i am just trying to get the feeling back into my arse and my feet. Slow and steady on the treadmill grooving to the music. This was my FAV event of the entire TRI. When the 20 minutes is over, I have completed my first TRI of 2015 and my first indoor TRI. I am a TRIATHLETE.

GSC is still a go

It's day 7 of the green smoothie cleanse. I had intentions of blogging every day and was just too lazy or fatigued. This cleanse is hard as a rock. There were days when I really wanted to say F this thing and go eat some food. I thought about what my starting weight was and I kept drinking the smoothies. As of yesterday I am down 10.7 lbs. there must be something to do this. I know going forward I will probably only do the modified cleanse. I've had some "cheating"'and detours on this ride. Solid food is my BFF.

I have eaten more fruits and vegetables than I have ever eaten in my life. I really like eating apples. Hard boiled eggs with lemon pepper is the bee's knees. Food has always been my issue. I'm learning to develop a better relationship.

I've been on a mission for over 7 years to get under 300 lbs. yes that is a long time, this is my journey and it has been a roller coaster. I'm ok with that. I never completely gave up.

I have 3 more days left after today. Wouldn't you know it there's a potluck at work the very next day. Since I've had 2 detours i know I will be ok. I really would like to finish with double digit loss by day 10.

Starting over is better than never starting

I love Facebook. I have been introduced to so many wonderful and new things from it. I'm always on a mission to be healthier AKA losing weight. I decided before thanksgiving that once I came back from Alabama I would start the 10 day green smoothie cleanse that I've heard so much about.

The key to eating well is preparation. Between Aldi and Wally world I have purchased the first 5 days worth of ingredients. Day 1 starts tomorrow. I'm so excited.

I even pulled out my blender bottles that I used back when I was doing the Body By Vi challenge many many moons ago.

Rambin' Rose Raleigh 2014 AKA my first official triathlon

Ramblin' Rose Raleigh

I've been training for the last 12 weeks with Tri It For Life in preparation for completing my first official triathlon. 

Race was scheduled for May 18, 2014 at 8am. The race consisted of 225 yard swim, 9 mile bike and 2 mile run. Race was held at AE Finley YMCA in Raleigh. 

My plan was to be at the race site at 6am to get a good parking spot and a good spot in the transition area. I realized I was super dooper early when the race was still being set up. Early bird gets a good parking spot and bonus an end spot on the bike rack.

This was my first official TRI so I was kinda wandering around like a lost kid in the mall. A lot of my TIFL mentors would come up to me and guide me on what to do. I love those chicks.

Helen Bac AKA Claudio Mello help me mount my bike properly and all the way to the end of the rack. Martha helped me attach my timing chip. Then I headed over to the orange shirts aka the volunteers to get marked. I was familiar with being marked as we went through the same process during the mock TRI. I made my necessary pre-race potty stop. Went back to the transition area to get ready for the fun. 

I met up with the 3 amigos. Let me explain the 3 amigos = myself, Julia Reed and Erin Keener. 

We head over to the front of the Y for the pre race announcements and the start of the race. After the announcements, our TIFL cheerleader Sharon lead us into our TIFL cheer. Who are we? Triathletes What do we do? Finish Strong. We were so loud they could probably hear us in Durham. 

We filed into the Y. We line up in the gym based on swim ability. 10 is the fastest level and goes down to 1. I signed up with group 6 along with Julie. Like most things I got talked into moving up to group 7. Peer pressure I tell you.

Group 7 is headed towards the pool. I'm thinking OMG we are about to swim. We head towards the pool. Erin and Julie are ahead of me. Then I'm up next. I climb into the pool and start swimming. I'm moving slow and steady. Next thing I know I'm apparently holding up traffic because there are like 3-4 women who pass me. No problem. I'm in no hurry. At the end of each lane I see a TIFL mentor who is calling my name and rooting me on. Then I'm on the last lane and TIFL mentor Amanda Law is pointing to the ladder and tells me "Jo you are done. You can get out" why do feet act like they can't move. I do make it out the pool. We head back to the transition area. There are spectators along the route rooting and cheering fellow participants are running past us to get to the transition area. Did I mention we noticed as we were getting out of the pool, we could see ladies already on the run course. That meant they had already done the 9 mile bike course. Holy Smokes batman. 

I make it to the transition area. I'm wishing I had brought a shirt to put in over my Tri suit but I totally didn't think about that when I was packing. Shoes and socks are on. CamelBak is on. Helmet and gloves are on. I drink some powerade and head out for the bike run. I meet up with other 2 amigos. We head out round 2. This is actually my 3rd time on this course so I know it very well. 

I'm rolling down Baileywick and cross into the neighborhood and I see folks headed back. Rebecca Sitton yells out "good job Jo" I see my fellow TIFL athlete Emily hauling tail back to the Y. This bike course is not for the faint. It is up and down. Up and down. We hit mount Vernon which is a busy road and when we get to the hill. We all walk it along with everyone else. We get to the top and get back on. Turn and turn through the neighborhood. Then we make that right on Countrywood. I know what's next the devil disguised as Carrington. I rock downhill. I will pass you going so fast it will make your head spin. I'm hauling down Carrington. Then here comes the uphill. Did i mention that Carrington is the devil in disguise. I don't even try, I get off the bike and walk it up. Because there is no shame in walking. There's a family bless their heart that lives on that devlish hill. They have a pit stop at the end of their driveway. They tell us there was food but it's gone. The story of my life. Erin asks "where's the beer?" The mom says she has champage and offers to run into the house to maker her a mimosa. I hear about this after the race. I was oblivious to the conversation as I was in a zone pushing my bike up Carrington.

After that it really is just a few more turns back to Baileywick. When I ride over the bridge and see 540 I am so excited because I know soon as I will be headed back to the Y. I'm head down the hill and I see the turn and the cops and course monitor are holding traffic and that turn is made with ease. I have less than 1/2 mile to go. I pedal and pedal. I see 1 of the amigos Julie I'm front of me. She is walking the last bit and I am still biking and I yell out "on your left" then there's the turn into the Y. I see a TIFL mentor and she yells out "you can dismount now" she tells me the hard part is over. You know what she is right. I check RunKeeper and will you beleive it i have another PR on the bike course.

I walked my bike back to the transition area. I see people leaving which means they are done. I hear someone yell my name and it's a friend of mine who has come out to see me at the race. That just made my day.

I load the phone in the armband, take the helmet and gloves off. Then I head out for the 2 mile run. The run at this point is a slow stroll. Slow and steady until the finish. It felt so good to cross that finish line and see all my TIFL ladies waiting for me as I crossed. I am a triathlete. 

None of this would have been possible without the love and support from my TIFL family. 

Bike course PR

This is taper week before Ramblin' Rose on Sunday. Since it's Tuesday, the schedule had a run/walk training session listed. When I left the house this morning for work, I was all prepared to make the run/walk session. Some time during the morning at work, I was on facebook as always via my phone not the work computer. I would never do that. One of my fellow TIFL athletes posted about doing the bike course instead. The biking is what I need more than swimming and running.

After work I make a pit stop at the house. Change into my workout clothes and load up the bike. I loaded up the camelbak with ice cold water. AE Finley Y is a hopping place. This place is packed like a sold out concert. I head to the back of the lot and I see Lillie and Erin. I always forgot stuff until I see it when I come out. Lillie pulls out her ice cold frog tog. I slap my head remembering i have one sitting in the fridge. Note to self: I must put that in the bucket for Sunday. Trish and Meg show up. We head out.

Trish, Lillie and Meg have the course route with them. Erin and I are winging it and hoping the pink arrows I was going by last week are still there and lo and behold they are. SCORE!!

We are down Baileywick. We turn on Chandler into the neighborhoods and right before we hit the 540 bridge I see a road closure sign.

The plan when we left the Y was to get to Mount Vernon Church road and then turn around due to Mount Vernon being such a busy road. Wouldn't you know by the time I meet up with the group at the stop sign, they have decided to brave it and continue on. Hi Ho Hi Ho and it's off to Mount Vernon we go. It actually it isn't too bad. Going uphill is starting to kick in and so I decided there's no shame in walking. I look up and I see Erin sharing the same agenda. We walk up mount vernon without getting hit. Woo Hoo! Once we make it to flat ground, I hop on the bike and then make the turn back into the neighborhood.

The ride is going pretty good. I've only walked my bike up one hill so far. I push through others that I walked through during the mock. Progress baby. We come up on a street where I had a slight mental breakdown during the mock. I just push on through. We make a right onto Countrywide. Trish tells me "after this turn you know what's next. Carrington" Carrington = the HILL from HELL. We meet Erin at the turn for Carrington. We tell each other, "see you at the top".  Carrington starts downhill. if you ever see me on a bike, i "fly like the wind bullseye" going downhill. No brakes, just me and the wind. Uphill is my achilles hill. I pedal and pedal as much as I can. then a part of me said F.. and i remembered there's no shame in walking. I see Erin on the same page. We make it to the top. I tell Erin and Trish "i know how to get back from here" I really do. We continue through. Few more turns and guess what we see as we are heading back, the albino deer. Last time we ran into, folks in the neighborhood told us that it means you will have good luck. I sure meant to go buy me a mega million ticket.

I cross Baileywick and wait by the park entrance until the street is clear. I check RunKeeper and i have a 1/2 mile left to go. I pedal and pedal. I even pedal up the hill back to the Y. I'm trying to cross the street back into the Y. OMG this street is busy. I wait int the middle until it's clear. Why do my feet forget how to work. I almost can't pedal. They eventually work and I pedal into the parking lot. The Garmin beeps meaning i just hit 9 miles. I see the Max waiting for me. (side note:the Max = my car). 9.03 miles is done in 1:31. Did you see that? That means I just shaved off 29 minutes off my time. PR baby!! Ramblin is on Sunday and I am ready :-)

Ice ice baby

With ramblin being on May 18 which was my original weekend rotation, I swapped with a coworker. That's how I ended up working Mother's Day weekend. I missed the bike course ride this morning with my fellow TIFL triathletes. When my shift ended at 4:30, I was headed out the door with my camel back and TIFL water bottle. It's all about hydration these days.

Checked the tire pressure, put the phone in the holster, helmet on, Garmin set and I flew down my driveway. It's really an exhilarating feeling to ride out my driveway. Makes you feel like you can do anything. "I'm the queen of my driveway" I crack myself up sometimes.

I had already set a goal of 5 miles for today's ride. I needed to be done in time to get home and hit Starbucks before happy hour ended at 6. Priorities I know. If I knew what was good for me I would have not been set on that venti frappuchino. OMG that thing was delish.

Back to the lecture at hand. That's my love of old school hip hop coming out. I ventured over to spring forest road park. I did about 6 loops around. That's a new PR for me. As I was coming up on walkers and runners I would yell out the courtesy "on your left". Few folks "acted" like they couldn't hear me. When I run your ass over and keep moving don't come looking for me. J/K 😍

I've been riding since march but when I get to an incline or a hill I feel like I just started riding. Me and hills are not destined to me friends. I don't care if I'm running/walking or biking. It's just not meant to be. 

After my 6 loops, I headed out the park. To get to and from the park, you have to cross spring forest road AKA 4 lanes of busy will run you over traffic. Once again I got across without any issues. I still had under a mile to hit my 5 mile goal. I rode through my neighborhood, I passed one house that was having a cookout and OMG the smells coming from their house made me want to crash. It was the house of a guy who cut my grass awhile back who was confused and started to stalk me. 😝😝

I head back to my street. I only have about a 1/10 of a mile to go. I ride up and down until I see 5.00 on RunKeeper. Woo hoo! I made my goal. I head back to the house. 5 miles is done.

As I was chilling on the couch tonight after foam roller and tennis ball stretching, it hits me like a brick. Why don't I try icing my butt. I pop off the couch and hit the freezer and commence to ice my bum. after 10 minutes, i am painless. Then i realize why stop there, let's give my #1 problem child my lower back some ice. Lower back gets some ice love as well. ICE ICE BABY it can't get too cold.

T minus less than 8 days until Ramblin Rose. I am as ready as I will be. Wish I was about 30-50 lbs lighter. That's another struggle i will work on after next weekend.