We brought in $941 and change at our Emagine fundraiser. I rounded up to $945 and am now at $3095. Yeah! And big thanks to everyone who donated to us. People can be so generous - you ask and they don't think twice about pulling a dollar out and handing it to you. I finally feel like I am getting closer to my goal and it may be possible after all. Of course, my past experience has shown that the last part is the hardest since you have already tapped all the resources you knew you had and are now looking into your reserves. Luckily, I have two people who just offered to make donations and a bucket drive still coming up.
And now the not as good news...not too much to report in the training area. Between fundraising all weekend and mom breaking her ankle, I was pretty busy and didn't get in too much riding. Or swimming. Or running. Sigh.
Weds, Oct 12: 1 hour swim. Did the 12 minute test with P & S. They did great! I didn't swim all out, as I was also watching the time, but still put in a good effort and improved by 4 lengths (100 yds) from my results when I first started training for St. Anthony's Tri. My guess is that I could pull another 50, maybe 100 if I really tried. Next time, I will see if D, the cool lifeguard, will time us.
Sun, Oct 16 (note the big gap): 2 hour ride at Hines, 27.5 miles. Had planned to ride about 60, as I skipped the group training in favor of waking up a bit later after fundraising all Sat evening. Basically, this would have been out and back twice. The out went great, but the back ended up being head first into the wind. At times, even with all out effort, it felt like I was standing still. Ugh! I got back to my car and decided that was more than enough for the day. My legs were burning and I needed them for my final night of fundraising.
Tues, Oct 18: 45 minute ride, 8.5 miles. Basically, seeing how much time I could get in if I just hopped on my bike and rode as soon as I got home from work. Not too much, but better than none. I knew it was time to head back when a woman yelled out her car window at me, "Get a light." Or maybe she said, "Get a life." Possibly, both would apply. People need to be made aware that most bikers usually have no idea what they say when they drive by. And frankly, when it is some thinking-he's-so-fine guy, we just don't care. He does not need to bother tooting his horn. We are aware that there is a large, fast-moving metal object near us and only care that it does not collide with us. As for him, he is a car dweller. Maybe if there was a sweet mountain bike hanging off the back, but certainly not when he is chomping on a Big Mac and looks like he has not been on two wheels since he was six.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Some more training.
TRAINING:
Sat, Oct 8: 1hr 45 min bike on Hines, 24.5 miles, avs 14. Met CR and M for a ride. Of course, M went ahead so we saw him for about a minute of the ride. CR and I had a lovely, if a bit cold, ride. I didn't push my pace due to planning on riding 60 the next day. It is getting cold in MI. The trees are starting to turn and we have had nothing but clouds for about a week now. I am one of those rare people that really likes winter - well, the nice snowy part, not the lingering cold with slush part - but I really was hoping that summer would hang on for a bit longer. After all, it did come so late this year. Spent the rest of the day "crosstraining" at the Outlet Mall with P. Lots of arm and leg exercises - such as lift leg, put into cute new pants, bend and zip...
Sun, Oct 9: 2 hour ride around Livonia area, 24 miles, avs 12. Well, you might notice right above this that I mentioned 60 miles and 24 certainly is less. I woke up at 6:30 am to get ready for our group ride and was all stuffed up and felt pretty nasty. I had turned the furnace on the day before. BIG NOTE TO SELF: Just sticking in a new filter is not enough. Next year, turn the furnace on for a day in Sept with the windows open! Too much cat hair and dust in there after the whole summer! So I ended up calling Steve and flopping back into bed. When I woke up again at noon, I felt much better and hopped on my bike. I toured the little neighborhoods of Livonia as I wound my way toward Hines. I was having a lovely time, enjoying all the fall flower displays and Halloween decor, when I picked up Hines. I rode a bit then I saw a little paved path and bridge going off to the side. I have always wondered where it went, so made a sharp U-turn to follow it. I promptly slid a bit in some gravel, lost my balance and of course my pedal clip chose that moment to refuse to release (M says they are too loose! Ha!) Slow motion topple to the side, fortunately out of the main road and on the side path, but of course there was a jogger that saw it all. I finally released my shoe and scrambled up, pretending nothing had just happened, and proceeded up the little path - stopping only to wack my seat back into place. Was it worth it, you ask. Certainly not! It was just a little cut through to AA Trail, where I resumed my neighborhood tour and found nothing exciting at all. They say curiosity killed the cat. In my case, it just resulted in a big bruise on my leg and a slight pain in my butt.
Mon Oct 10: 40 min swim. Had a meeting, so got there late. P & S had already finished their main workout, so we went into the deep end and did some kicking strength exercises with the floaty noodles. That is, until P had the briliant idea to see who could swim down and touch their noodle on the bottom with both hands. Yep, all kicking exercises abandoned to a wild sisterly competition. This is actually much harder than it would seem - try it. I happily report that I won! S ended up making it down too. Then we did the see-how-far-you-can-swim-underwater test and P made it farther than she ever had. I ended up not even making it the one length that I know I can do because my ears were all messed up from my repeated showing off of noodle-to-the-bottom skills.
FUNDRAISING:
All set for Emagine this weekend. Beads will be arriving this Thursday. Have to mention, if you are ever looking for a good, reliable source for Mardi Gras stuff, check out Big Wheel Novelties, Their site says they are just getting back on their feet after Katrina, but they returned my call right away and shipped the beads the next day. I have used them in the past and they are always on time and priced nicely.
Sat, Oct 8: 1hr 45 min bike on Hines, 24.5 miles, avs 14. Met CR and M for a ride. Of course, M went ahead so we saw him for about a minute of the ride. CR and I had a lovely, if a bit cold, ride. I didn't push my pace due to planning on riding 60 the next day. It is getting cold in MI. The trees are starting to turn and we have had nothing but clouds for about a week now. I am one of those rare people that really likes winter - well, the nice snowy part, not the lingering cold with slush part - but I really was hoping that summer would hang on for a bit longer. After all, it did come so late this year. Spent the rest of the day "crosstraining" at the Outlet Mall with P. Lots of arm and leg exercises - such as lift leg, put into cute new pants, bend and zip...
Sun, Oct 9: 2 hour ride around Livonia area, 24 miles, avs 12. Well, you might notice right above this that I mentioned 60 miles and 24 certainly is less. I woke up at 6:30 am to get ready for our group ride and was all stuffed up and felt pretty nasty. I had turned the furnace on the day before. BIG NOTE TO SELF: Just sticking in a new filter is not enough. Next year, turn the furnace on for a day in Sept with the windows open! Too much cat hair and dust in there after the whole summer! So I ended up calling Steve and flopping back into bed. When I woke up again at noon, I felt much better and hopped on my bike. I toured the little neighborhoods of Livonia as I wound my way toward Hines. I was having a lovely time, enjoying all the fall flower displays and Halloween decor, when I picked up Hines. I rode a bit then I saw a little paved path and bridge going off to the side. I have always wondered where it went, so made a sharp U-turn to follow it. I promptly slid a bit in some gravel, lost my balance and of course my pedal clip chose that moment to refuse to release (M says they are too loose! Ha!) Slow motion topple to the side, fortunately out of the main road and on the side path, but of course there was a jogger that saw it all. I finally released my shoe and scrambled up, pretending nothing had just happened, and proceeded up the little path - stopping only to wack my seat back into place. Was it worth it, you ask. Certainly not! It was just a little cut through to AA Trail, where I resumed my neighborhood tour and found nothing exciting at all. They say curiosity killed the cat. In my case, it just resulted in a big bruise on my leg and a slight pain in my butt.
Mon Oct 10: 40 min swim. Had a meeting, so got there late. P & S had already finished their main workout, so we went into the deep end and did some kicking strength exercises with the floaty noodles. That is, until P had the briliant idea to see who could swim down and touch their noodle on the bottom with both hands. Yep, all kicking exercises abandoned to a wild sisterly competition. This is actually much harder than it would seem - try it. I happily report that I won! S ended up making it down too. Then we did the see-how-far-you-can-swim-underwater test and P made it farther than she ever had. I ended up not even making it the one length that I know I can do because my ears were all messed up from my repeated showing off of noodle-to-the-bottom skills.
FUNDRAISING:
All set for Emagine this weekend. Beads will be arriving this Thursday. Have to mention, if you are ever looking for a good, reliable source for Mardi Gras stuff, check out Big Wheel Novelties, Their site says they are just getting back on their feet after Katrina, but they returned my call right away and shipped the beads the next day. I have used them in the past and they are always on time and priced nicely.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Breathe, Just Breathe
Oh, I am so happy! Within the past 24 hours, I have finally diminished the fundraising worry. I am not counting my chickens yet, but I do have a big basket of eggs. With luck, hatching will commence.
1. Yeah Emagine! M and I did a fundraiser at a Emagine movie theater last February - heart-shaped and glow-in-the-dark Mardi Gras beads for Valentines Day. This was our most successful fundraiser financially out of anything we had done - and since we love that theater and go there so often that most of the employees recognize us, also a lot of fun. Awhile back, I had asked the woman who arranges marketing for Emagine if we could do another and she suggested Sweetest Day as a good tie in. I wrote her a few weeks ago to see if the opportunity was still avaialble - and no reply. I knew she usually got back to me right away, but was worried that maybe they could not have another fundraiser there. I knew that I had experienced some problems with my email, but thought they were cleared up - though who knows. I was stuck - not knowing if I should write back and check, or if that would just make me a pest. Finally, I sucked up my courage and wrote again. Turns out, she was having email problems and never got the first. She wrote me right back and we are now on for bead sales at the Novi location the 14, 15 and 16th. Come visit and catch a movie at my favorite theater.
2. Yeah Kroger! I called a local Kroger, having heard that Kroger in general is a big supporter of local fundraising groups. The customer service person I spoke to was so friendly and signed us up for the next available weekend. We will be at 11 Mile and Middlebelt on Nov 5 and 6, more beads and more fun. Come do your shopping there that weekend to thank Kroger for being so cool.
3. And a Double Yeah to my Friends! Last night I went to the annual Production Club Octoberfest. I ran into so many people that I have not seen in awhile. Of course, I invited them all to visit this blog and went on and on about TNT and training. Because they are so cool, I got more offers for donations. Got to email out the link. And not to leave out those that have already donated - you know who you are and you know I adore you!
4. Special thanks to Aunt Betsy and Stephanie - for their recent donations and more importantly, for their ongoing and eternal support. Both of them had a big part in getting me to where I am today.
5. Finally, I am looking into doing a Tastefully Simple party through a friend of mine and donating the proceeds to TNT. She is checking into how it works, so details to follow.
What is that I hear? Peep, peep, peep...could that be my chicks hatching?
TRAINING:
Weds, Oct 5: 1 hour of Water Aerobics. How cool! The lifeguard, Danielle, at the pool where we train invited us to check out her class. I had always heard WA could be a great workout, but never really believed it - after all you are just sort of floating around in the shallow end right? Not so. D had us jogging and jumping and doing all these arm things while holding these floaty weights to add resistance - I felt the burn. Then we moved to the deep end to basically tread water for 15 minutes in all different leg patterns. I think I have found something new to add to the rotation...
Thurs, Oct 6: 20 minutes, weight machines at lunch. Why do I think it is a good idea to torture my little arms? Oh yeah, cute little muscles...
And coming up on a weekend of biking, biking and a bit more biking...
1. Yeah Emagine! M and I did a fundraiser at a Emagine movie theater last February - heart-shaped and glow-in-the-dark Mardi Gras beads for Valentines Day. This was our most successful fundraiser financially out of anything we had done - and since we love that theater and go there so often that most of the employees recognize us, also a lot of fun. Awhile back, I had asked the woman who arranges marketing for Emagine if we could do another and she suggested Sweetest Day as a good tie in. I wrote her a few weeks ago to see if the opportunity was still avaialble - and no reply. I knew she usually got back to me right away, but was worried that maybe they could not have another fundraiser there. I knew that I had experienced some problems with my email, but thought they were cleared up - though who knows. I was stuck - not knowing if I should write back and check, or if that would just make me a pest. Finally, I sucked up my courage and wrote again. Turns out, she was having email problems and never got the first. She wrote me right back and we are now on for bead sales at the Novi location the 14, 15 and 16th. Come visit and catch a movie at my favorite theater.
2. Yeah Kroger! I called a local Kroger, having heard that Kroger in general is a big supporter of local fundraising groups. The customer service person I spoke to was so friendly and signed us up for the next available weekend. We will be at 11 Mile and Middlebelt on Nov 5 and 6, more beads and more fun. Come do your shopping there that weekend to thank Kroger for being so cool.
3. And a Double Yeah to my Friends! Last night I went to the annual Production Club Octoberfest. I ran into so many people that I have not seen in awhile. Of course, I invited them all to visit this blog and went on and on about TNT and training. Because they are so cool, I got more offers for donations. Got to email out the link. And not to leave out those that have already donated - you know who you are and you know I adore you!
4. Special thanks to Aunt Betsy and Stephanie - for their recent donations and more importantly, for their ongoing and eternal support. Both of them had a big part in getting me to where I am today.
5. Finally, I am looking into doing a Tastefully Simple party through a friend of mine and donating the proceeds to TNT. She is checking into how it works, so details to follow.
What is that I hear? Peep, peep, peep...could that be my chicks hatching?
TRAINING:
Weds, Oct 5: 1 hour of Water Aerobics. How cool! The lifeguard, Danielle, at the pool where we train invited us to check out her class. I had always heard WA could be a great workout, but never really believed it - after all you are just sort of floating around in the shallow end right? Not so. D had us jogging and jumping and doing all these arm things while holding these floaty weights to add resistance - I felt the burn. Then we moved to the deep end to basically tread water for 15 minutes in all different leg patterns. I think I have found something new to add to the rotation...
Thurs, Oct 6: 20 minutes, weight machines at lunch. Why do I think it is a good idea to torture my little arms? Oh yeah, cute little muscles...
And coming up on a weekend of biking, biking and a bit more biking...
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
A worry that wasn't...
Last night we rode, then M and I caught dinner and a late movie. I arrived home to my very dark driveway after midnight and noticed the kitchen light was on. I happened to be on the cell phone with M and said I didn't remember leaving the light on. Usually when I walk up to the house, there are cats sitting (shedding) on the back of the couch waiting for me. When I say hello and put the key in, they jump down and meet me at the door (try to run out and eat anything that moves). Last night - NO CATS! Well, I paniced and ran back to the car, jumped in and drove to the end of the driveway all in one breath. Had I been thinking straight, I would have remembered that I was working in the kitchen that morning and most likely did turn the light on, but I was feeling spooked by the dark driveway and not in the mood to think reasonably. M was able to talk me down and get me back to the door - where a cat promptly jumped up and greeted me from the window. Yep, since I was talking on the phone, they heard me before I got to the porch and were already at the door where I could no longer see them - as opposed to the prisoner of some scary house-invading, cat-stealing person. The door was locked, the cats were frisky and the house was fine - a bit messy, but it was that way when I left...
Which brings me to last Saturday - our first 50 mile bike ride. Yet another scary thing. I was pretty darn sure that there was no way I could ride 50 miles. I kept thinking of how awful I felt during our long rides for Tahoe (before I knew which foods I cannot eat and was inadvertantly eating a lot of stuff that was making me sick.) A feeling of ickiness was creaping up on me all week. The morning of the ride, I lay in bed looking for any excuse to stay there. I had to talk myself down. I had to remind myself that I was much healthier that I had been for past long rides. I had to tell myself that I would just go at my own pace, even if that was slower than the group and that I had multiple safely nets in case I needed them. And I knew that M believed I could do it (since I had asked him quite a few times the day before). Finally, I got up and arrived at the ride (last). Coach Steve reminded up that this was a ride to get in the distance, not to try for our best time, so go at a moderate pace (for me, that turns out to be 12mph). We started off, I got through the first mile or so when I am quite sure I don't want to ride, and then - guess what - I really started to enjoy myself. It was a gorgeous day, not too hot, and sunny as can be. We basically rode from Birmingham to Oakland U, past Great Lakes Crossing, to the DCX Tech Center for some loops and back to our starting point. I was by myself for some of the ride and joined by Judy for some of the middle. I usually like to ride alone, but had a lot of fun meeting her and riding with her - she knew the area and kept me on track. And we had great volunteers at rest stops along the way. One took my Gorilla Munch (gluten-free cereal - yum!) with them so I would have a safe snack along the way. I did the ride (turned out to be 45.5 miles) in 3 hours and 49 minutes. One of the best parts of the ride was the final loop at DCX. Coach Steve caught up to me and asked how I was doing. He was out on the course, making sure we were ok and trying to ride with everyone for a bit. I said I felt great and he said I looked great. That my riding looked strong and that my color was even better than at Tahoe - and to not worry about speed, as that would come with training and time. The only bad part of the whole ride was the few minutes I was behind a garbage truck! PU!
Which brings me to the "what I need to learn from this" section. Stop freaking yourself out! The dreading the ride and worrying all week thing was really concerns. Had I not been a little worried about this ride, I don't think I would have been so careful about what I ate in the days before and brought the cereal along. These were smart things to do and something I should do for all long rides. the good news is I have conquered my long ride fear and am really looking forward to our 60 miles this weekend!
As far as the spooky dark driveway, we are going to install motion lights on the garage. That should do the trick!
TRAINING:
Weds, Sept 28: 80 min. Our last spin class. Boohoo! Will miss it - and watching the tennis class out the window. I named the people based on their swings.
Fri, Sept 30: 20 min skating - crosstraining and I finally got my spin centered again.
Sat, Oct 1: The big ride!
Sun, Oct 2: 1.5 hour ride at Hines, about 14.5 avs. Rode with Crissy from the Disney Tri team. Great fun and company. Good for me too - she rides a bit faster than me, so I had to keep up. Luckily she was recovering from a cold so I could hang...
Mon, Oct 2: 60 min swim and 20 min water basketball. Our little swimming team is getting better and faster. And I finally got that stupid ball in the net!
Tues, Oct 3: 1.25 hr ride at Hines, 14.5 avs (slower at end, getting dark). M and I invited the team to come ride with us. Rob took us up on the offer and met up with M. I get out of work later, so started off on my own. The plan was to meet up on our way back. I had no light so didn't want to ride in the dark and ended up beating them back by a good 20 minutes. but a fine time was had by all and we want to do some more informal group rides in the future.
FUNDRAISING:
See story above to prevent attack of worry! One plan fell through, so must figure something out soon...
Which brings me to last Saturday - our first 50 mile bike ride. Yet another scary thing. I was pretty darn sure that there was no way I could ride 50 miles. I kept thinking of how awful I felt during our long rides for Tahoe (before I knew which foods I cannot eat and was inadvertantly eating a lot of stuff that was making me sick.) A feeling of ickiness was creaping up on me all week. The morning of the ride, I lay in bed looking for any excuse to stay there. I had to talk myself down. I had to remind myself that I was much healthier that I had been for past long rides. I had to tell myself that I would just go at my own pace, even if that was slower than the group and that I had multiple safely nets in case I needed them. And I knew that M believed I could do it (since I had asked him quite a few times the day before). Finally, I got up and arrived at the ride (last). Coach Steve reminded up that this was a ride to get in the distance, not to try for our best time, so go at a moderate pace (for me, that turns out to be 12mph). We started off, I got through the first mile or so when I am quite sure I don't want to ride, and then - guess what - I really started to enjoy myself. It was a gorgeous day, not too hot, and sunny as can be. We basically rode from Birmingham to Oakland U, past Great Lakes Crossing, to the DCX Tech Center for some loops and back to our starting point. I was by myself for some of the ride and joined by Judy for some of the middle. I usually like to ride alone, but had a lot of fun meeting her and riding with her - she knew the area and kept me on track. And we had great volunteers at rest stops along the way. One took my Gorilla Munch (gluten-free cereal - yum!) with them so I would have a safe snack along the way. I did the ride (turned out to be 45.5 miles) in 3 hours and 49 minutes. One of the best parts of the ride was the final loop at DCX. Coach Steve caught up to me and asked how I was doing. He was out on the course, making sure we were ok and trying to ride with everyone for a bit. I said I felt great and he said I looked great. That my riding looked strong and that my color was even better than at Tahoe - and to not worry about speed, as that would come with training and time. The only bad part of the whole ride was the few minutes I was behind a garbage truck! PU!
Which brings me to the "what I need to learn from this" section. Stop freaking yourself out! The dreading the ride and worrying all week thing was really concerns. Had I not been a little worried about this ride, I don't think I would have been so careful about what I ate in the days before and brought the cereal along. These were smart things to do and something I should do for all long rides. the good news is I have conquered my long ride fear and am really looking forward to our 60 miles this weekend!
As far as the spooky dark driveway, we are going to install motion lights on the garage. That should do the trick!
TRAINING:
Weds, Sept 28: 80 min. Our last spin class. Boohoo! Will miss it - and watching the tennis class out the window. I named the people based on their swings.
Fri, Sept 30: 20 min skating - crosstraining and I finally got my spin centered again.
Sat, Oct 1: The big ride!
Sun, Oct 2: 1.5 hour ride at Hines, about 14.5 avs. Rode with Crissy from the Disney Tri team. Great fun and company. Good for me too - she rides a bit faster than me, so I had to keep up. Luckily she was recovering from a cold so I could hang...
Mon, Oct 2: 60 min swim and 20 min water basketball. Our little swimming team is getting better and faster. And I finally got that stupid ball in the net!
Tues, Oct 3: 1.25 hr ride at Hines, 14.5 avs (slower at end, getting dark). M and I invited the team to come ride with us. Rob took us up on the offer and met up with M. I get out of work later, so started off on my own. The plan was to meet up on our way back. I had no light so didn't want to ride in the dark and ended up beating them back by a good 20 minutes. but a fine time was had by all and we want to do some more informal group rides in the future.
FUNDRAISING:
See story above to prevent attack of worry! One plan fell through, so must figure something out soon...
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