Week of April 28th to May 02

I celebrated the start of my 27th year this week, i.e. my 26th birthday. So, although I managed to squeeze in a few rides, my week was full of mostly eatting, drinking and having a helava good time with friends and family!

I did ride to work on Monday, April 28th.

My extremly generous inlaws, got me cycling shoes as a birthday gift! My father-in-law picked me up on Tuesday night and him and I had a shopping night for the shoes. Got a great pair of Specialized, and he had extra pedals - so we just had to get clips for the shoes. The shoes are great, a huge difference when cycling! But I have never worn cycling shoes before, and had completely forgot about this when I woke-up Thrusday morning (my actual birthday), pulled on my tights, packed my panniers, got all ready to get on the bike and go to work. And....then realized without some practice I was going to kill myself riding to work as I didn't know how to ride with the clips! uggg... I did a few loops in the backyard, falling over many times. Went back in the house, quickly dressed and Scott drove me to work. I chickened out - actually just decided I didn't want to ride with traffic and potentially kill myself on my birthday if I had to stop and wasn't prepared to twist and pull my feet out of the clips.

Friday, Scott and I took the day off. I went on a 2 hour cycle with my Mom-in-law (Soph). There really was only one way to learn to ride with the clips --- GET ON THE BIKE. It went fine. We rode out to Headingly, with some detours, and I only fell once - forgetting to twist my foot to get out of the clip then break - NOT the other way around! It was ok.

The weekend was all a surprize. Scott had planned an amazing birthday weekend out of the city which didn't involve any cycling. Eatting, drinking and spending time with our good friends Ainsley and Travis. Sunday we worked some of that off, with a long hike in Spruce Woods Provincal Park . It was a great time! Thanks to all my friends and family for coming out for the hike, it was a great way to spend the day with all of you!

I certainly got spoiled on my birthday - seems I was easy to buy for considering all the cycling gear I need! Thank-you to my far to generous friends for outfitting me in great new cycling gear! My in-laws for the shoes, clips, pedals (oh and a bell!); Bob & Margaret for the sexy padded bum shorts! I know they will be my best friend! And my hubby for all kinds of odds and ends. Love you all.

Training - Week of April 21 to 27th

Well, things didn't start off very well this week. I was out of town for work - Sunday night through Wednesday night. So those days were a write-off for training.

AND THEN IT SNOWED! Wednesday night was the incident. I was pissed. I had hoped not the bring my bike back to the bike trainer. Had prayed that training would only be outdoors from now on. but seriously who was I kidding! This is Winterpeg, and we couldn't get away with out another storm or 2.

So Thursday I moved my bike from the shed, back into the basement, and onto the bike trainer. Put on my shorts, turned on the TV, pressed PLAY on Coach Troy, and cycled for a 45 minute workout in the basement. It was ok, but not the freedom of the road I had been getting excited by.

Friday was a lazy day.

Saturday I needed to put in serious time and effort. I turned on HGTV (I'm a home reno junkie) and I trained with the show. On commericals gearing up and standing up on the bike for tougher workout, and during the show gearing down but keeping my cadence high. It was good for an hour and a half and then I needed some extra motivation. I turned on Coach Troy, and pushed through the 2 hour mark. After I was done, I was tried, but not beat. It was a 48 km ride in my basement. Not shabby.

Today, I'm going to do something, but haven't yet talked myself into getting outdoors. The habitat cycle group was meeting this morning to cycle to St. Adolphe but I couldn't get myself organized for that early this morning, plus I'm still being a bit of a wimp, its cold out. I think it has warmed a bit, and the pavement is dry - maybe I will get outside.

18:48 Sunday

I did it (with some motivation from my Scotty), him and I got the bikes back outside. It took alot today to over come my urge to just stay in my PJs all day and be laaaaaaaaazy. Despite the wicked head wind we biked to Fort Whyte and back, a 15 km bike, that we took at a speed as far from leisurely as it could be. Got home, and I was just feeling warmed up, but decided I really was tired from the 50km yesterday and had some bike maintenance to take care of, so, I opted for that instead of continuing the ride with Scott. I hope to ride to work tomorrow, and was thinking on the way home I should do a few loops up the hill on Wilkes (one of the few places to actually pedal up hill besides the over passes!), I'll keep you posted.

Training - April 14th to 20th

Friday April 18th

Rode to work again this morning. It really is a great way to start the day. Wake you up, get you energized (although the cold shower at work does that well too!). Biking home is great too, because by the time I get home I've cleared my head of all work-related thoughts (usually).

Thursday April 17th

I took the day off from work to run a million and one errands. And took the day off from anything related to the cycle.

Wednesday April 16th

The law of the wind " always blow against the cyclist"... wind direction shifted and I had a head wind all the way home on Tuesday night from work. Figures.

Wednesday night, I made plans to cycle with my mother-in-law, Sophie. We made all the timing arrangements and still somehow managed to miss each other! ah, well. It was still a nice night and I cycled out to Headingly and back ~21km.

Tuesday April 15th

Road the bike to work. But holy cow, there is still crazy wind. There was a wicked wind from the south, and of course law states this will be blowing as a head wind for the cyclist trying to pedal to work! May be I'll luck out and it will be blowing the same direction on the way home - and I can make it home in record time! It's threatening rain, so a fast ride home would be nice.

Monday April 14th
No cycling today, the wind would knock you over sideways! And although I realize these are conditions I might have to deal with during the tour - I had the choice to go out this night. Instead I ran with our dog, she needed it, and I still got a good workout. My husband, I and our good friends Tom & Brekyn are on the waiting list for the EcoAdventure this weekend at Fort Whyte - I will be doing one of the running sections if we get in - so running has been a work-out priority for me as well. It's too bad we didn't register earlier - it sure looks like this race would be alot of fun!

Training April 7th to 13th

I have slipped on keeping up the blog this week, I apologize!
After the first outdoor ride on Sunday, I was keen to keep up the road cycling.

Monday was a day off.

Got home from work Tuesday evening and pedaled over to my in-laws just on an errand - not far only 7km round trip.

Wednesday morning I got geared up and rode to work. Generally the roads were dry, but through Assiniboine forest and part of the Wilkes bike path were slick ice! I had to get off and walk as I have my road tires on my bike right now. Its 22 km round trip to work, took me about 45 minutes each way that day but that was slow because of the ice. I got home, had supper with my brother and then he dragged me out for a run, about 45 minutes. I was beat.

Thursday I had a massage appointment after work (I see Katherine at St. James Massage Clinic ), and so didn't want to ruin that great massage! It was a night off.

Tonight, however its on the bike! Haven't decided yet if it's going to be indoors or out.

I have solidified the logistics of my major fundraising event - and this weekend will up date you all on that. Saturday night, we're having a bunch of people over for charity poker - half the cash will go toward my fundraising. And Sunday morning is the April Habitat Clinic. It will be a busy weekend all involving the tour!

April 13th
Saturday morning I rolled out of bed and pulled on my cycling tights, had a quick bowl of cereal while I psyched myself up for the ride. My brother emerged from his lare in our basement at about the same time and I talked him into keeping me company on the ride. The two of us mounted our bikes (Al on my husband's mountain bike) and headed west. We rode out to Headingly. It was about 27km roundtrip ~1:20 minutes. It was great.

April 14th

After having a bunch of people at our place to play poker until late in the night it was tough dragging myself out of bed to get to our Cycle of Hope meeting for 9:30. It was worth it however, as the poker game raised a $100 for the cause, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

The Cycle meeting was great, we went over bike maintenance. Something I seriously need to learn more about and work on developing that skill set and habit. That reminds me my chain sounded squeaky on the way to work this morning - must clean and grease that up! After the meeting, I headed to the Bike Expo at Sir John Franklin in search of cycling shoes and pedals - but had no luck. Would prefer to buy them second hand as the expenses of being involved in this tour can add up.

Training - Week of March 31 to April 6th

March 31st at 6pm
A 30 minute ride after work (a tempo ride from the Have Mercy) 11.93 kms.

aPRIL fOOLS

Same 30 minute workout after work = 11.90 km, consistent effort from yesterday! Boy, I'm tired and sore though.

April 2nd.

A bit better tonight, not sure where the energy came from cause I didn't get to my bike til 10pm after, work, errands, dinner, and grocery shopping. I did the 30 minute ride with 12.2 km. The total on my odometer since Scott got it for just a bit over a month ago is 310.3, which I don't think it a great amount, but since this is all on the bike trainer riding with spinerval workout DVDs - so tough rides. Once I get on the open road, and commuting to work the kms will add up!

April 4th

I didn't keep it up, I was just too darn tired last night to cycle after a day of painting (no renos in our house never end). I probably needed a rest day anyhow. Just finished an hour tonight and the dreams of getting my bike out of the basement this weekend kept me working hard. The rumour was it was suppose to be 10 C on Sunday here in Winnpeg - yes, you read that correctly +10C, yah, that was a big fat lie spread by some nasty weather reporter. Later today they were saying 2C with an overnight low of -14C. So much for cycling in shorts, but the pavement is dry so I'm getting this baby on the road. I'll have to post a pic of my odometer after the ride so you believe me.

K, now that I've put in the training I can go enjoy a guilt-free Friday night (well not too guilt free I've been trying to eat better to go along with the training, not that I ever really eat poorly - but just less junk I guess, and fewer beer cause that can pack on the pounds). Cheers! TGIF!

April 6th

First ride on the road this year. It was great ! I went with my good friends Bob & Margaret to Bird's Hill provincial park. It was a chilly 1C. I don't have cycling shoes yet, or any kind of booty to keep my feet warm, so as suggested by Bob I duct taped the top of my running shoes, covering the mesh, keeping out the wind and successfully keeping my feet warm. There were quite a few people meeting up for the ride. It was a group that are training to do a series of rides that are 200km a day. Of course I didn't keep up with this finely tuned group of athletes with their speedy road bikes, but I didn't get lapped and kept up my own good pace. Did 36 km in 1 hour 41 minutes, 3 laps of the park loop. The wind was cold, and during parts of the ride there was a really good head wind, but there was sun. Thanks to Bob & Margaret for inviting me out on this ride, and getting me out on the road.

Training - Week of March 24 to 30th

Well, the rec room is back into a state of liveableness, note that I did not say its complete there is still quite a bit to do but what is left can be one in small tasks it doesn't need to be done as a big job.

As I could now find my bike again I was excited to come home from work and set it back up on the trainer. I put in ~50 workout with the Mental Toughness DVD. I'm sure there will be days of hills and head winds that I will need that mental toughness!

I've been stewing a great fundraiser idea this past week....but I'll leave you in suspence while I plan the logistics...stay tuned.

March 27th

Got home a bit early today from the office, so got right on my bike for an hour pedal. Loving the Have Mercy workout. I'll have these workout videos memorized soon.

Working on some logical stuff for my big fundraising idea, once I get those major things worked out I'll make a formal announcement to you with the details. Stay tuned......

Planning on doing some gear shopping soon. The MEC spring/summer catalogue showed up in the mail box today, how did they know that I was looking to spend money? The gear investments will be clips, shoes, and shorts. I'm also investigating new handle bars. I'm riding a mountain bike on the tour, so whatever I can do it make the bike more road friendly will be good.

March 30th

I've been pretty consistant it seems with 3 or 4 rides a week. Today's ride was a bit longer, did the full 1 hr 30 minute ride DVD. Felt good the entire time, but its these rides that are just a bit longer (really no where near the length of the days I'll be cycling on the road!) but a bit longer than an hour, that I realize how much I need proper padded cycling shorts. I will have to go and do some gear shopping sometime in the near future as I'll want everything to be well broke-in before the tour.

My goal for training this week is 30 minute workouts everyday this week, no rest days.

Training - Week of March 17 to 23rd

Well, I must confess that training has been shuffled in the priority list this week as we decided to undergo some basement renos. My bike and bike trainer are now buried under piles of funiture and stuff as we moved everything out of the way to paint our rec room.

I did get in a good hard 1 hour ride on Tuesday night. Boy, this week the roads have been drying up and its starting to feel like SPRING! I saw also of people out on their bike, and am itching to get out as well. I will wait a few more weeks though as once I move my bike outside I hope all my training can be on the road (but its too early for Winnipeg, we will inevitably have a bit more witer before blessed with full-on Spring).

Hope to get our rec-room back into a liveable space by early this upcoming week so I can get back on my bike. I have really loved working out on my bike (first year I've done this through the winter).