UMCA article

     I saw the new article "Riding towards Something" that came out in UMCA today, the link is listed on this blog.  It was such an amazing feeling to actually be included and highlighted along side such extraordinary people and athletes.  I've only touch on a small part of cycling, the drive and determination that it actually takes to do ultra cycling.   It was a huge honor to say the very least.
 I never really set out to be in this place, cycling just kind of fell into place for me.  With the encouragement Ralph, he has been a huge part in my cycling journey.  He pushed me along in so many ways I can't even begin to explain, even in the funniest ways....  heheh... only he knows the inside joke of that!!!! I'll tell everyone the joke sometime...although it still happens on those big climbs!!!   This place though that I say I'm in, I'll explain.  When I started cycling it was all about me... my refuge,  my place, where I could ride like the wind... A place a cry, a place to dream, a place to challenge myself at things I never thought I could do.. It is still like that but, for some reason it has become more.. and now it has to do with others.  As I first told my story, I never realized how it would affect people, from the first group of people that chose me for the scholarship to the writers at The Poughkeepsie journal when they first interviewed me about Battenkill, to people that have actually come up to me and told me how my story really touched them.  How they're reaching for something better, maybe not cycling but something that they've lost in their lives.  I never in my wildest thoughts ever though that my journey would have ever been so important to others.  It's given truly a new meaning to "riding towards something".  I'm not the fastest, hell I just like to not be the last... but it's not really about that.   I ride weekly with a friend ( this time on a horse not 2 wheels ) and he asked me how I did on the recent race.  I told him of my disappointments but we had a great talk.  He's in his 70's and is an amazing man... He does most everything with extraordinary passion.  He spoke to me about his experiences in different sports and he told me that it has to stay about you and your personal goals. Not about winning and where you ranked that time.. When it gets to be like that, it's no longer worth it, it's no longer fun. And life needs to be fun!!! It's too short!  It needs to be about the adventure, not about the the end reward.  Because I've realized the reward is not always at the end.   It's the moments of getting there that are the most important..... not about the podium...   Although Ralph still has high hopes for me... hehe... Ralph's commented on my article "Being part of history is way cool ! Stay the course."  He is part of it... he's that invisible bungie cord I always say I need.... The funny thing is...  bungie cord... needing??...I already have it and I always did...   I guess he believes somehow,  someway I'm here to make a difference.  I hope so... and that does bring me to where I am... my story... I never thought so many people would read it... enjoy it... live it, it seems to keep going....    As another dear friend Bernie that has been there the whole way, not next to me on the bike... but at every corner cheering me on,  he said of the article  "Just one chapter of your incredible journey....carry on. Congrats. !"  He's waiting for the book next!! hahahaha!!!!  Hummmm??? that could be interesting.... :D

Someone to believe

Took a newbie out of the road today.  We road nice and slow and about 7 miles total.  I didn't want to frighten him away the first time as I know he wants to succeed in this for a number of reasons.  It was kinda funny as he had a wicked cool bike... a bit older but wicked cool!!!  A Cannondale of course...much, much fancier than mine :) hehehe.. Silly as it may seem, I just don't want to part with my Raleigh Racer. Simple, nothing fancy and it's good to me, so I'm going to ride the racer as long as it'll carry me.   So newbie did great,  Stopped about 5 miles in for a short walk as I pedal slowly to his left.  It's important that you listen to your body.  He did great tho, and next time we plan to hit 10 miles and after that 14.  As quickly or slowly as they need.  This particular cyclist has been putting it off for a very long time.  Took a year to get the bike tuned up and still sat and collected dust until today.  Although he cycled prior, actually cycled thru Alaska!!!!  450 miles total/7 days, with stops along the way, to horse back ride or ride in a helicopter... WOW!!!  how cool when I heard about his adventures.  Adventures I think he somewhat has forgotten about, or even lost.  Anyway... Some times we stop believing in ourselves, and then we find someone that believes in us, helps us along without even knowing it... Sometimes we just need someone to believe in us.

The next big idea

My first recreational ride after the race... I think without a doubt, even after I was a bit disappointed with the results of the last race... I'm back on track and focused.   Ralph and I did a 50.44 mile ride, it was Tour de Dutchess backwards!!!1   I loved it backwards, although I had to do the Dover mountain... Total elevations of +/- 3612.  Really a nice hilly ride.... with minimal climbs..    Total time 3:35, so not too bad.  On our ride we spoke briefly about the race.  Ralph spoke more of future rides and races.  He found the perfect race for me and I have to totally agree!!! and I have to say I'm really excited about the future challenge.  It is the Saratoga 12/24.  He also said there may even be a 6 hour race which I was thinking I could even possibly hit this year, but as I found out the race was actually last weekend, so no go on that...  Although that does bring to mind a potential problem.  If it is the same day as the PMRR next year as well, I will not be able to attend.  Hopefully the dates for both will come out soon.  The route is a 26 mile loop with mostly rolling hills, largely flat, and a few small climbs.  My strength is on the flats so this could actually be a great race for me..  The only thing I think will be hard is the time that I would need to allocate for the training... Because this is a long distance race, I would need to do more long rides devoting full days to training.  We will see???, I have a year to think about it/prepare for it... hahaha!!!!  

I start this blog with this particular photo...  it is just as I passed the finish line.  If you're familiar with racing you'll notice at every race... as a racer hits the finish line and does that last pass as their heart rate settles from their final sprint, their heads drops, every time.  Perhaps as a sigh of relief, a sigh of disappointment, or that of a sigh of accomplishment... Anyway, it is actually quite amazing of a moment at any level.... It's been about 3 days since the "big" race. I think I've found excuse after excuse why to not write.  This was of course my "big" race... 3 years running to date...  After a years time this one... I've tripled my mileage in one year... this was the year that I would be proud of what I did.  Every one else seems to be? But one race???? I've done these mountains time after time..... I don't know, perhaps it was the competition.  The  normal recreational biker or even beginner cyclist shy away from this race due to the length and the climbs.....There were 2 female bikers from my area, myself 43.. and Maggy 18??? She finally got to race without her junior gears? Yeash!!!!  I had support at multiple places throughout the duration of the race... it was great.. at every major corner the calls out, even as I climb the last mountain... The day of the race finished with a celebration of friends and family.  I actually snuck out for a 45 minute nap... actually felt much better after that... Although couldn't last to the end... and skipped the fireworks....Bottom line... is that I'm thrilled that I have such passion for this.. It is indeed a refuge for me,  as my art is, my photogrpahy... my writing, and my singing is... yet...with this.. it is measurable...   Measurable right?????  who is first, who is last????  But then I think to myself..... hummm... I stand in a group magnificent women... all of which I only personally know 1.... and I, I choose not to be a spectator... I choose to be a participant, regardless of whether I'm one of the "elite".  I reached for it and I made it... the second day after the races... I started planning... HOW!!! HOW!!!! will I get stronger... darn it.... I hope to still have Ralph there by side... as he always is...  that brings me back to moment that I will share...   As we climbed the mountain a few days before the race....  He says maybe we should try some weight training... As the sweat pores from my body... I say... god!!! ( I yell often with Ralph... but he smiles.... and let's it rolls over) Ralph, I say!!!!  have you seen my legs !!! they're strong... really strong... and he replies..... then make them push you up the climb!!!! Damn!!!!!  Yes.....  He's so right....   they're strong... they're really strong.. and therefore I Will Get Over The Hill.

And with that...   I reach, I reach for yet another goal....   and then I smile :)

I did make my personal goal  under 3 hours !!!! 2:49:35 ..... Oh yeay!!!!  

Tomorrows the big race... although small in comparison to many, ...but to me it was the first challenge in this journey and for that is means so much to me..  As I lay in bed trying to sleep I read a message ... Ralph of course, one that always believes in me...for some reason...

" Don't give into the demons . Fight to do the best you can . No shoulda coulda woulda after the race"

NO SHOULDA, COULDA, WOULDA!!!!

Thank you Ralph!!! I'll see you at the finish line my very dear friend! You sooooo rock!