Whatta Week

Wow, this week has been insane. It is one of the critical times of the quarter at work where deadlines are king. The schedule is so all encompassing that I have not even ridden once this week although I had the bike in the car in case the chance for a quick getaway presented itself (no such luck). I think I may finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope the light isn't the oncoming train called "year end" which arrives on March 15.


Tomorrow is the kickoff for the spring season of Team in Training (TNT). It promises to be another great season and I am really looking forward to getting underway and meeting the participants in my group. I know we are going to have a great time and raise a significant amount of money to find cures for blood cancers in support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission. I am honored to take part.


After kickoff, I plan return home and saddle up on my 52cm Trek 5500 and roll somewhere. I don't know where yet, but it won't really matter. I know it will be a great ride because I will buoyed by the spirit of the TNT kickoff and ready to take on the world.


Look out world, it's time to pick a fight with cancer one mile at a time.

Ride 7 - Brrrr, It's Cold Outside

Ok, where did the wind come from. Today's ride felt like I a wall was pushing against me the whole way. To make matters that much more it was cold and got colder (it seemed) as I rode. My legs were just dead to boot... what to do?

It is days like this where I draw strength to turn the pedals from my honorees. Some have passed away and some are still with us. I ride for them and I know that no matter how lousy the weather might be or I might feel it doesn't compare to what they face and faced. I am making a difference. For me it is good to get back to that basic level from time to time to remember what it is really all about.

The ride ended up being exactly what I wanted from a mileage and challenge perspective. Again, I have my honorees to thank for the 30 cold, windy, but completed miles. Maybe this is a bit weird, but I hope tomorrow's ride is a bit more of the same. I think it can only help to keep me on track knowing that even when it isn't much fun it is still doable. I am lucky to still have the ability to ride.

Rain, Rain Go Away (Thanks)

Well, yesterday's ride got off to an inauspicious start. As soon as I had rolled about 50 meters I felt the rain on my face. Here I thought I had picked the window of opportunity so perfectly. What to do? Well, I decided I would just circuit the neighborhood for awhile which would keep me within 1 1/2 miles of the house at the farthest should the clouds open. It seemed like a good idea, so off I went. Change of plans, I decide to turn right and head out for one of my usual routes... damn the torpedoes ... Let it Rain. Usually, decisions made with such disregard for Mother Nature lead to dire consequences (such as getting drenched like a rat). Not today, my causes are just and my aim is true. I rode peacefully for a couple hours with no rain at all.





As I note above, the weather had the potential to be a bit dodgy. I sure do miss the temps when they started with '7' about a week ago. Now the only '7' in the temp is more likely to follow a 4 or 5.





I would love to give some details about my ride such as mileage and speed, but the Garmin decided it, again, was not up to it from a rechargeable battery standpoint. I can say that it was a good ride and I am getting stronger.

Ride 5 - Recovery Time

Sometimes things just seem unexplainable to me. So, yesterday I rode 42 miles and came home kind of tired (due no doubt to my subpar current conditioning). Today, I get on the bike and my legs feel tired, but I ride exceedingly well and with good power. Sure, the ride was only 20 something recovery miles because I only had a bit more than an hour to ride, but I was kind of thinking I would feel worse. Each time I asked my legs for a bit more power they obliged me... go figure. In any case, it was a beautiful day and my legs and mind were both up to the task.

I guess the only thing that didn't pan out today was the performance, or lack thereof, from my Garmin 305. I gave the device a full charge the night before, but it wasn't able to answer the bell at go time. It better start behaving or I may have to go back to my Polar 725s which gives new meaning to erratic performance. Oh, who knows, it may have been not knowing what my measured performance from Garmin was that kept me focused and riding with an uncluttered mind. I don't know, but what I do know is "I like riding my bike and making a difference."

Week 2 - Pedaling Circles

Well, we are now in week two of training and I am reminded of the old adage - "just put one foot in front of the either". Of course on a bicycle that doesn't really make much sense since, still, this is what I was thinking about as I rode yesterday. To make the phrase useful I translate it to "remember to pedal circles". I guess I needed a bit of extra help yesterday since I upped the mileage to 42.



The ride was beautiful again and I wore shorts, short sleeves, and arm warmers in comfort. The route was what I will call the "Moraga Loop". The ride is pretty much flat the whole way from San Ramon to Moraga which is good for me now for building base fitness. I figure another 10 days of flat and then I will turn the volume up by adding some elevation gain. On the whole, it was a great ride. I just need to continue pedaling circles and pretty soon I will be turning them for 100+ miles at time over mountain passes, across rollers, and, of course, down hills to benefit all my honorees.

Ride #3 - The Boulevard

Well, I managed to roll out of the office at around 3:15 today and catch a short 20 mile ride. The weather was beautiful again and the sun is staying up a bit longer each day. My timing was just right. My Garmin GPS told me the sun would set at 5:12 and I rolled into the parking lot at work at 5:11pm.



It was one of those weird days on the bike where even though I just cruising at about 15mph my heart rate hovered at the top of my training zone ~~ around 145 bpm. I am not sure why, but it was just great to be on the bike in shorts and short sleeves again... in January!



I also received my first donation towards the Best Buddies ride coming up May 30 in Boston, MA. The TNT mentoring season starts this Saturday with an information meeting in Pleasanton. I think I will be providing info, but my guess is I will learn more than anything because it will be the first information session I work.



So... how's training going? I would have to say 'great so far'. The body is holding up, the mind is willing, the rubber side remains down. Now, I just have to figure out what caused me to sign up for the 2009 Death Ride. :-)

Day 2 - Beautiful Ride

Well, Sunday was just as beautiful as Saturday and almost begged me to go riding. I decided that the ride would travel down the well-worn path we all call the "Boulevard". From the house, it is a 30 mile circuit from San Ramon up to Lafayette and back. The terrain is flat which is good for someone still trying to get their legs back and weight down.

The more I get on the bike the more I enjoy it. Now if I could just get that feeling about the gym I would all but be there. I guess sometimes you have to crawl before you can walk. In any case, it was great to be out there and thinking about my honorees from the upcoming events.

I suppose since I am just getting started on this blog thing that I should let the reader know who I have chosen and why.

For event #1 - Breakaway from Cancer, I am going to ride in honor of Rob Ramsey who passed a few years back from pancreatic cancer. It was Rob who took the time to talk to me when I was interested in working for Hill Physicians - PriMed Consulting and I remain grateful.

http://www.active.com/donate/breakawaysf2009/JGustaf91

Event #2 - American Diabetes Association "Tour de Cure". I have decided for this ride to select the generic everyone suffers from diabetes and has to stick themselves each day to get the insulin just right. I applaud their courage and turn the pedals in their honor.

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=5637&px=2792266

Event #3 - Best Buddies

I am riding this event in honor of Scott. Life is not always easy and fitting and is often a huge challenge. He rarely complains despite the difficulties and challenges he faces. He is always first to say we should help someone when it is often he who needs it most. I will climb mountain passes for you.

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=277768&lis=1&kntae277768=994E0D908BE44107B1CBECF217A9889F&supId=244232843

Event #4 - TNT "America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride"

I will mentor and ride in honor of my late Auntie Vern. She was a wonderful caring human being who always managed a smile even when cancer called. I hope when I pass I do so with even a touch of the class and bravery she displayed. As a five year memorial I will tackle the 129 mile, five mountain pass Death Ride to show I have not forgotten and will never forget.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/ambbr09/jgustafson

Opening Blog Message

Hello and welcome to my "Training to Make a Difference - 2009" blog. The objective of this my first blog twofold. First, it will serve as a chronicle my training efforts on behalf of the charities I have chosen to support this year. Second, the blog will inform from time to time about the specific charities I have chosen.

Today is my first ever blog entry and it focus on my first "official" training ride of the season. The ride was a leisurely 20 mile effort undertaken in mid-60s weather in January. The weather was fantastic after all the freezes of 30 degrees over the last month or so.

I have a ton of work to do on the bike so that I can get into condition to take part in four cycling fundraising events. The first is the "Breakaway from Cancer" coming in February in San Francisco. The second ride supports "Best Buddies" an organization that assists those with intellectual disabilities. This ride take place in Cape Cod, MA on May 30, 2009. For my third effort, I will captain the Hill Physicians Medical Group team at the May 2009 Tour de Cure which raises funds in support of those who suffer from diabetes. My final cycling effort of the year is Team in Training's - America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. Team in Training serves the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and raises funds and awareness for those with blood-related cancers. These are cancers that primarily impact children, but do not discriminate and attack adults as well. I work as a mentor to assist participants to have decided to "pick a fight with cancer".

I hope you will view this blog from time to time and both enjoy the posts and be inspired to give, participate, or both.

May 2009 find all who view this blog happy, healthy, and thankful.

Cheers,

Jeff