Off The Radar With Roberta Gonzales
Welcome To My Column! I'll tell you what's going on with the crazy Bay Area weather, but that's not all. I'll talk about Bay Area events, getting fit!, the why behind the weather, biking, Bay Area hiking, triathlon and swimming. And of course feel free to send me questions and feedback.
Countdown!
After 6 months of dedicated training for my 4th Ironman competition, it is countdown to the Starting Line. Sunday, July 20th, Ironman USA will take place in Lake Placid and I will be one of 2200 athletes standing on the shores of Lake Mirror with a pounding heart, a wrenching gut, a head full of dreams and a fistful of will.
The juggling.
The juggling with an Ironman schedule, life's demands and 50 hour work weeks is always daunting. How does one do it? You just do. Most of the time, there are sacrifices along the path and a sense of not enough time in the day or night.
I always say, "it looks good on paper". Every Friday, I write out my training schedule for the upcoming week. Of course, rarely does it pan out the way I planned. This week's smoke and heat-wave as thrown another curve ball into a well thought-out week of tapering. But, some how, some way, there is always light at the end of the training day.
Looking back over the past half year of swimming, cycling and running, I realize I have had more "fun" training for this Ironman than ever before. Call it, "clarity". Everything is more clear and pure.
I have been blessed with a healthy body to compete. As recently as the month of March, I was doubtful of racing at all. However, here I stand, thanks to the vision of Dr. Ben Krieg, the best Acupuncturist in the world! He is the one who got me to, not only the Boston Marathon Starting Line, but to the Tour De Cure Century in Napa and Escape From Alcatraz. His magic needles work wonders. His caring, nuturing expertise is a precious talent.
And talk about a discovery! Dr. Richard Asturias and his eSoles recommendation was ground breaking! The custom footbeds invented to allivate "hot foot" is the best invention since the hoola hoop! The good doctor assured me, I would need to exercise patience with eSoles, "give myself time to break them in". First time with the eSoles, I ran 2 miles. The next time I hit the asphalt, I was able to run 15 miles pain free. And on the bike, it took two separate 2 hour rides before the eSoles no longer felt as if I had a walnut under my arch. Since then, two "60 mile rides", a "40" and several "30 mile rides" and my feet are happy! No more hot foot! (Oh, a suggestion, scale back to thinner socks with the eSoles).
My biggest revolution and insight to this season's Ironman training has been the friendships. I have opened myself up to a wealth of brilliant and most notably, happy gents. Guys like John, Todd, John #2 and Tom who just want to go out and have fun and help me improve in the three disciplines. Never before have I trained with other IM athletes. I have always been too insecure about my own performance.
But, in the water, the guys have made me feel part of the gang!
On the bike, Sergio and Greg have pushed me and instead of harping on my slow climbing skills (or lack of them) then give accolades for my speed on the flats and endurance. In turn for their brownie points, I give them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the long rides.
My best training ride? Toss up. I loved the day Sergio, Greg and I rode to the south side of Diablo, then climbed to the Saddle. It was a swift thrill down to the North Gate of Walnut Creek, a hot struggle back up to the Saddle, then a glide down to the south side. We raced 20 miles back to my home for Banana Creme Pie.
Favorite swim? Watching my husband Randy trail me in a boat while swimming in Lake Del Valle.
Most memorable moment….there has been many. The frigid bay waters during Escape From Alcatraz truly made me feel alive!
Seeing my son Randall at the Finish Line at the Boston Marathon was overwhelming.
And being Coached by Patricia LaSalle has been more than a client-coach relationship. It has been a wonderful sisterhood.
The past six months is over flowing with gratitude, reflection, prayer, truthfulness, friendships and soul searching.
It is the countdown to my 4th Ironman. Whether I cross the Finish Line is no longer as relevant or important to me. The crossing is only a huge bonus, a bouquet! Over the last half year, the hard work has been completed. I was commited and I did it! There has been balance in my life. Balance with goals, dedication, decipline and a whole lot of sweat and fun!
My journey is complete.
Lazy Days Of Summer - NOT!
It is only two weeks into the summer season and the fourth of July is a mere days away. Time is flying by and life is busy, but life is good.
Wasn't it just last weekend I was training for the Tour Of California Prologue?
And here it is, nearly 5 months later, and it is difficult to get friends together for a weekend ride. Everyone is on their own path, chasing their dreams. Race season is in full throttle.
Post Escape from Alcatraz (which will be televised on CBS 5 July 19) there has been….
Rides to Calaveras with Sergio.
Swims with TP Joe.
A trip to the Mojave Desert to present my annual scholarship. This year I presented two scholarships to the most deserving girls ever met.
Then there was the scheduled 18 mile run before the 110 degree Barstow heat and blisters set in.
From Barstow, back to the Bay Area where a Heat Wave meant more training in above triple digit weather.
We attended a fabulous concert in San Francisco by our favorite, Spencer Day. I always love the bright windows with big views at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Then, there was the The Easter Seals Luncheon followed by the San Jose Role Model Dinner.
Michael returning and Randall heading off to Hockey camp.
Fast forward to this past weekend, the cancellation of Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run was completely heartbreaking. My buddy and pal, Todd Anderson has been training for a full year to run 100 miles from Squaw Valley to Auburn. His goal for this feat, in 30 hours or less. No doubt, Fire Captain Todd was going to blaze the trails with many of us on the sidelines for support. We were packed and ready to go.
But life doesn't always work out as penciled in to our weekly race schedules. It always looks good on paper.
As the 35 year old race was cancelled due to smoke from our raging California fires, I thought of a favorite quote:
Paulo Coelho writes, "To attain his dream, the warrior of light needs a strong will and an enormous capacity for acceptance". Todd has been amazingly graceful with his profound understanding of this temporary set back. Race day will be, another day, next year.
Meanwhile, John and Cheryl Stark stepped up and hosted a "we love you and support you Todd" party at their home. The FOMO racers came out for one big group hug.
Did I mention there was dancing. Sort of….
After our Western States bump in the road, John and I stashed the bike rides and runs and headed to Lake Del Valle for total immersion. For the first time in eight days, the smoke was clearing. It appeared, so was my recently clouded vision.
As blue skies returned, the demands of work and the hectic pace of Ironman training shined a little brighter!
Today, I want to wrap my arms around Mt. Diablo in a big "welcome back" hug. I have missed seeing that big beautiful mountain, standing majestically over its valley, as a protector to all.
As viewer Dennis from Pleasanton writes, "Roberta heard you mention Mt. Diablo is back! I'm rejuvenated, too! It's great to be outdoors again without any soot!"
Yes, they call it the "lazy days of summer". But there is no indication of lackadaisical laziness in our Bay Area.
By taking challenges and risks, I believe we are all saying "yes" to life.
Escape From Alcatraz...The Race!
I have been trying to write this column, but I do not have a clue where to begin!
This past Sunday, I competed in my first full "Accenture Escape from Alcatraz".
After each race, I try to write a "race report". But Escape from Alcatraz does not have a beginning, middle and an ending. I am convinced, this is a journey that I will forever remember and learn from. I find myself day dreaming, recalling each detail, every personal moment. From sucking in salty Pacific Ocean water, to climbing the steep hills of San Francisco to feeling the squishy sand/mud of high tide while running on the seashore. I am still in the moment.
Escape from Alcatraz is not just a Triathlon. It is an soul searching adventure! It is a chosen path that begins with a smoldering desire seeded deep within your heart. The passion pumps into your blood with every stroke, pedal and step. During last Sunday's competition, in less than four hours, I learned more about myself than I had ever possibly acquired in a lifetime.
The Day Before.
Coach Patricia LaSalle ready by side, was as excited to attend the Athletes Meeting . She enjoyed being a spectator rather than a competitor. We found our way through registration (don't ever forget your USAT card, it muddies the process) then found our way to the Mandatory Athletes meeting. This is a meeting in which we group to hear the dos and don'ts of the race, but also receive critical information about conditions of the Bay as well as Roads. It is also a place where we size up the competition!
I always find registration day mentally and physically exhausting. After a sweep of the souvenir booth (goodies for the family) it's off to drive the Bike Course.
What an education. Highly recommended. The course is a roller coaster, except there is no advantage on the descends. As soon as you want to let it rip, there is a tight turn revealing another climb. For me, my strength is on the flats and the descends. This is not my kind of a course!
While navigating the bike course, we discovered the most stunning views of a place I call home. San Francisco was shining in all of its glory, the day before race day. Now if the weather could hold for another 24 hours, we will all be in good racing shape.
After a dinner of carbo loading and only a half glass of red wine (an absolute record for me pre race!) we head to the hotel. It's getting late and around 9pm I decide to start placing my race stickers on my bike. I pack my swim and transition bags with glide, goggles, wetsuit, bike shoes, running shoes, socks, gloves, arm warmers, sunglasses, gels, cliff bars, Ibuprofen and a banana. Oh yea, and another bag for the unusual transition from the swim to the mile run to the bike. All set, all done, to bed by 10p and up at 4am.
That was the plan.
Until I noticed two extra stickers. Oh yeah, those are for my helmet. Yes, the helmet I left sitting on the garage floor 45 miles away.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
The phone call to my husband began lovingly.
"Hi honey, how are you? What are you doing? Did you have a good day? Are you watching a movie? Are you really into it? I'm only asking because I was wondering if you would like to jump in the car and head towards San Francisco with my helmet.
It really was not that much of an ordeal for him. We met half way.
I slipped into my hotel bed at 11pm, fell asleep around 11:30 and slept pretty solid until 2:30 am. The remaining 2 hours or so were spent tossing and turning with every ocean swell filling my head. But isn't it always that way before any big event?!
I was at Marina Green by 5:15, Just in time to see the sunrise cast a beam of sunlight on Alcatraz. I said a silent prayer. I set up transition then hopped on the bus to Pier 3. I am now officially heading to the Horn Blower Boat to Alcatraz.
The Swim
The swim is what everyone asks me about. After nearly an hour on the boat, I am talking it up with athletes from all places other than the Bay Area! I sat down and stretched out on the floor with a fabulous woman from North Carolina and George from San Jose. We chatted about everything under the sun until a shadow swallowed us. There it was, up close. The Rock. Alcatraz.
The boat stopped and people jockeyed for positioning. We ran out to the deck to get a glimpse of the PROS diving into the water. E rained perched one full deck above the Pros until our turn. We filed down several sets of stairs, around a corner, down a stretch and boom! Right in front of me, an open door leading no where! I looked down and there was the frigid Pacific. Someone yelled 'JUMP!" and without thinking, I did!
Just like that!
I was in the Bay on my quest to finish my first Full Escape From Alcatraz!
My 43 minute swim was one of the most challenging endeavors of my life. For the first 10 minutes, I was fine. I think I was kind of in "awe and shock". I remember a friend, Lee Cannon telling me, "When you are in the Bay, stop and look around. You will never see the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco from that perspective view again". So I stopped. And my heart raced. It was truly overwhelming!
The next time I looked at my watch, 23 minutes had passed. The water was getting rough. I felt as if I was inside the drum of a washing machine. Then I heard a yell. It was a man in a Kayak telling me I was caught in the ebb and try to swim hard to get out.
It was exhausting. For a split second I wondered if I would complete the swim. After that moment, I knew I could not have those thoughts again or I would fall apart. So, I prayed.
About 200 yards from the shore I could hear the cheers and roar of the crowd. I smiled and tasted the salt of the ocean.
Escape From Alcatraz has the most unusual exit form the water. In order to defrost your hands and feet before jumping into the saddle and pedal the uneven surfaces of San Francisco, an extra transition station is set up. This is the place you go to peel off your wetsuit and put on a pair of shoes and run one mile to your bike transition. That run couldn't take me far enough from the water. I was glad to be on solid ground!
For fear of writing a novel, let's just say the bike course was the most beautiful (but hilly) course I have ever had the pleasure to ride.
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Exiting the bike to the run, I felt as if I was in an episode of "Survivor". The mainly all "trail run" had us hopping over logs, ducking under overpasses, running through a tunnel, climbing stairs after stairs and sloshing my way across high tide. I have never felt so alive.
As I crossed the finish line, I kneeled and said a silent prayer of gratitude, then cried when I saw friends gather and Kim Coyle interview me for CBS 5 Sports.
Off to T-3. Margaritas. And I am still savoring every moment.
There truly is, no Escaping the mystique of Alcatraz.
Countdown To Alcatraz
What a week!
The last seven days have been fun, eventful, exciting and exhausting.
It all began last Thursday at Lake Del Valle. Meeting up with buddy Greg, we mapped out our 1 hour and 15 minute swim to be followed by a 1 hour and 30 minute bike ride. Greg and his wife Joanie were camping at Del Valle. I was soon to be intruding on their vacation.
I haven't seen Greg in two weeks and suddenly I realized how much I missed his spirit, drive, coaching, humor and conversation on the road.
Ironman training can be wonderfully solemn. It can also be lonely. I surprisingly missed all my buddies as everyone deserted me over the Memorial Weekend Holiday. I think I actually pouted as I pedaled four hours solo on a sun-less Saturday morning.
A couple of days later, there was a Sergio sighting. He's Back! Finally, Sergio returned from his out-of-town shenanigans. I'm still not sure exactly where he was or what he was doing, but I do know there was lots and lots of dancing in the rain.
I hooked up with Serg for an 80 mile bike ride on Saturday morning. I brought the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, he provided the Memorial Weekend stories. Turns out, I missed him too. We rode from breezy Pleasanton, to the cherry stands of Sunol to windy Livermore to my son's baseball park in Danville. It was a bustling Saturday and it felt like the streets were swollen with cars. Fast moving cars racing somewhere very quickly. Sergio carves a path in and out of traffic, finally capturing golden silence on the back roads wrapping around the Tri Valley. I am so grateful.
By Sunday, I was in my car bright and early, heading west towards the Pacific Ocean. All sights on San Francisco. With the radio blaring to drown out all images of Sharks whirling around in my head, I sang as loud as I could, arriving at Aquatic Park with wetsuit in tow. There it is. The most beautiful site. Alcatraz. That big giant rock resembling a cherished marble on a smooth playground.
It is my first Bay swim ever. In the 12 years of living in Northern California, I have never attempted a swim in the Bay. Ok, I jumped in once, but I have never actually floated, dog paddled or emulated any form of swimming in the Bay. Have you? What for? It's bitterly cold and many claim, not the cleanest waters around.
I decided not to waste anytime and just get to the job at hand. Into the 55 degree water I waded. I did a couple of breast strokes and I quickly learned the definition of icy cold. I now also understand what the term "biting cold" means as well!
I almost instantly felt pain. My feet. My feet hurt so badly from the frigid water, I wondered if I was going to be able to swim at all. A million nails were being driven into my feet. Well, that's what it felt like. Until six minutes into my swim, I couldn't feel anything at all. My feet were numb.
It was nearly fifteen minutes into my swim, when I had a thought. "This is the first time I am using each and every one of my senses!" I can taste the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. I can see Alcatraz standing proudly like a taunting shiny trophy within grasp. I can touch the water and feel the coldness of it. I can smell the mouth watering crab steaming from renowned markets on the wooden wharf. And I could hear my screams of despair of no longer having any sensation in my feet!
As I pulled myself from the icy waters and peeled my protective wetsuit off, it was time for the unusual 1 mile run around the beach. In "Escape From Alcatraz", this leg of the race is so different then any other triathlons. But, the idea to run 1 mile before sliding into the saddle of your bike is to defrost your feet.
Just a few days away from one of the toughest Triathlons in the world and I am feeling pretty good.
Excited at times. Lot's of pink butterflies. Bewildered at other times, wondering, "Why the heck am I so compelled to do these things".
But I feel relatively healthy. And that I assume is why. I am blessed.
No spider bites (did I mention the "Brown Recluse" in any of my blogs? Or was it a "Black Widow?") Doctors still aren't certain. But the resulting staff infection was a three week ordeal, taking nearly 14 days out of my precious training. The nasty, nasty bite left me with swollen lymph nodes, feeling sick, listless and with hives from head to toe. I actually cried when I had to pick up the phone and call in "sick" for work for the first time in over a decade.
But, "The time has come, the walrus said".
It's countdown time for the "Big Day!"
No, not my upcoming July Ironman, the other big day. "Escape From Alcatraz". Yes, that's where I will be spending this next Sunday morning.
And in preparation, just like any other good reporter. I have been doing some fact checking! Here's what I have discovered.
ACCENTURE ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON FUN FACTS......
1. The waters of the San Francisco Bay are a frigid 55 degrees on average and also a major shark nursery, home to leopard sharks, seven gill cow sharks, brown smooth hound sharks, spiny dogfish sharks and soup fin sharks.
2. Perhaps the most famous "Escape from Alcatraz" was that of Frank Lee Morris, who was the brilliant mastermind of one of the most legendary prison escapes in history. Morris and two others escaped from Alcatraz on June 11, 1962, and they were never to be seen again. The story of Frank Morris and the great escape can be seen in the 1979 film, "Escape from Alcatraz," which stars Clint Eastwood.
3. According to many sources, the Triathlon is based on a race called "Les trois sports" that took place in France during the 1920-1930s.
4. Alcatraz was once home to more than 1,545 prisoners during its existence as a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963. Famous inmates include Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Henry Young and Robert Stroud "Birdman of Alcatraz."
5. A number of challenged athletes will be competing in the race, including two "Operation Rebound" soldiers who each lost a limb fighting in the Middle East.
6. This year there are more than 50 teams taking part in the Corporate Challenge Relay, including teams from Smith Barney, Stanford University, Salesforce.com, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Toyota and many more.
7. In 2006, Inside Triathlon Magazine named the Accenture Escape from Alcatraz™ Triathlon the number one triathlon.
8. The fourth mini-event in the triathlon is a one-mile "warm-up" run between the swim and bike leg to reduce the occurrence of hypothermia.
9. This year's event will feature world famous athletes such as last year's winner and 2006 International Triathlon Union Team Champion Andy Potts from the U.S.; French triathlete and one of the world's fastest swimmers Benjamin Sanson; as well as Pip Taylor, a member of the world champion Australian Elite Triathlon Team; 2006 winner Becky Lavelle; and Jenna Shoemaker, an American and 2012 Olympic hopeful.
10. Alcatraz is home to the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States.
In the event you would like to come cheer on the Pros and those of us who consider ourselves "Passionate Weekend Warriors", here's the line up.
DATE/HOURS:
Saturday, June 7
Professional Athlete Registration: 5 p.m.
Free Fitness Festival and Expo: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 8
Race: Begins at 8 a.m.
Awards Ceremony: 12 p.m.
Free Fitness Festival and Expo: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
RACE SCHEDULE:
Sunday, June 8, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
8 a.m.
First swimmers hit the water
8:30 a.m.
First swimmers depart the water. First cyclists start the bike course
9:15 a.m.
Last swimmers depart the water. Last cyclists start the bike course
9:20 a.m.
First cyclists arrive at Marina Green bike finish line. First runners start run
10 a.m.
First runners to Marina Green finish line
10:45 a.m.
Last cyclists finish course. Last runners start run
12 p.m.
Awards ceremony begins
1 p.m.
Last runners to Marina Green finish line
1:30pm
Roberta is enjoying a margarita!.
Hope to see you there….If not, there should be plenty to write about and share on Monday!
Cheers!
Friends!
Can men and women be friends?
I have thought about this for years. Can men and women truly be great, dear friends without the line being crossed? Just because you are married, can you still nature a friendship with the opposite sex?
Undeniably, yes.
For as long as I can remember, I have always had guy friends. I think it comes with the territory. I grew up with two brothers. I did guy things with them and all of their guy friends.
But, fast forward to today. After five years of cycling with guys, swimming with guys, traveling with guys to out of town races, I have learned to love and respect my guy friends!
It was just the other day, someone ask me about all the photos I have of Greg and Sergio in my Journal. I said, "If I cycled with you, your photo would be in my journal too".
I was then asked, if my husband Randy ever has a problem with my guy friends. And I commented, "my friendships are not threatening to him because, the notion of my friendships being anything but pure is almost insulting".
Friends are precious. Some are great for cycling. Some are fabulous for other things.
My friend Rosana is great when I am in the need to indulge in a delicous martini. Well, she is actually a wonderful friend for many reasons.
Patricia is a great friend because she is always up for any challenge, any where.
Elaine is a true friend, because she likes to talk to me on the mobile phone, so I don't fall asleep driving home at 12:30 in the morning. Plus, she is a fabulous supporter of the American Diabetes Foundation.
Juliette is my hip friend and I thrive off her energy!
Kathy is an email buddy with a loving soul as large as the full harvest gibbous moon.
So while my girlfriends are vital, so are my guy friends. And I have found, as long as you maintain open and honest communication about the friendship, there's no reason anybody should feel uncomfortable. Unless, you break the golden rule. "What is said on the road stays of the road!"
So, onward to Mt. Diablo! It was the time of our lives!
It was my plan. Well, not entirely…it was a scheduled ride assigned by my Coach Patricia. An 80 mile bike ride from my home, up the South Side of Diablo to the 2nd Ranger Station (The Saddle). Then, a trip back down Diablo to the North Gate towards Walnut Creek. We turn around, and climb back up to the 2nd Ranger Station, then back down the South Side, and pedal hard home.
It started off sunny and bright and near 70 degrees at 7am. For an early Sunday morning, we were basking in unbelievable golden sunshine and warm air. Nearly 2 hours later, by the time I hit the Saddle (the slowest of the three, but Sergio humored me along!) the temperature was rising quickly. The trip down to the North Gate was a rapid fire 16 minutes! The trip back up (8 miles) took me 1 hour! Climbing a little over 2000 feet in 95 degrees takes its toll and Greg was there to encourage and push me along. Both are true friends and I adore them!
By the time Sergio was done entertaining all the other cyclists at The Saddle (I swear the guy can talk more than me!), I finished off my Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and off we went. The squeals of delight could be heard for miles. It was a beautiful hot summery day in May and the visibility was endless.
Pedaling home, the guys went easy on me and even allowed me to lead for a while. I smiled, as I listened to them behind me talk, laugh and soak up the sunshine. I felt euphoric to be alive and blessed to have such companionship.
As we hit another rolling hill over a freeway overpass, I yelled out to the guys, "I have a reward waiting for you back at my house!". This was my way of thanking them for riding with me. The treat? A home made Banana Crème Pie.
It was the best of Times. It was the best of Pies. It was the best of Friends.
Century Moments and Mojitos!
It is always exciting to pack up the car/truck for the first Century (100 miles) ride of the Season. It is always more exhilarating upon completion.
I planned the weekend and notified the motley crew of riders our designated Ride and Cause. The chosen ride, "Tour De Cure". The cause; The American Diabetes Association. My mother suffers from this beast of a disease and I want to help find a cure.
Tour de Cure is a series of fund-raising cycling events held in 40 states nationwide.
The Tour is a ride, not a race (but of course, we are a bit competitive). There are routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether participants ride 10 miles or 100 miles, we were able to ride a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer us on!
Last year, more than 32,000 cyclists in 78 Tour events raised nearly $13 million to support the mission of the ADA: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. On our Sunday in Napa, nearly 3,000 cyclists raised a record 1.5 million dollars. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon in Wine Country!
It is never a good idea to take me out on the town in Wine Country before a ride or race. I have no willpower.
Here are the famous last words from fellow rider and friend Sergio Hernandez; "there will be no drinking of alcohol tonight". I figured this was a reasonable request and considering we are with Greg (who does not indulge in lascivious libations) I envisioned a quiet night.
The Mojoitos.
"Joe's" is a local pub in Napa. I'm still not quite sure how it all happened, but in less time than it takes to fix a flat tire, I was ordering my second Mojito. Who knew I like minted drinks so much? And so did the bevy of blondes, joining in on our reveling.
Camping.
It's midnight. And considering we were planning on rising at 5am for our 100 mile bike ride, we figured it was time to go back to our hotel. The four of us, (Greg, his lovely wife Joanie, Sergio and me) decided to share one room to keep the expenses down. Four people in one hotel room, this is as close to camping as I will ever, ever get. My cot next to the wall was an excellent choice. I got the closest spot to the window, allowing a fresh breeze to drift over us while we passed out, uh I mean, slumbered. The bewitching hour came way too soon. I felt as if we had just gone to bed. And the only thing that dragged me out of cot was knowing I had a free breakfast waiting for me!
Breakfast at Denny's.
"The Grand Slam Special!" is a dream come true. Eggs (protein), potatoes (carbos) pancakes (more carbos) bacon and sausage (I gave to Sergio). This is a perfect wake up call to what is going to be inevitably, a long, long day.
Waiting in the wings at Registration is the rest of our Crew from Cycle Path. Chad, John and Dave. Turns out Joel is under the weather, so we are seven riders strong.
In a bit of a Mojito haze and a country morning fog, we saddle up and roll out. Pedaling out and around our surroundings, the brisk morning air woke us quickly to the reality, only 99 miles to go.
The ride was beautiful. The ride was at times, fast. The ride was windy for the last 20 miles. And all along the way, I never lost sight of why we were riding. Yes, because we are all training for our own personal goals, but we are riding for those who can't.
There was one poignant moment at a designated Rest Stop. I saw a fellow rider giving himself an insulin injection. I asked him if he needed any help, he said, 'No, I have been doing this all my life".
It was at that point I decided I would not complain about my seasonal allergies, my lower back pain, my pulsating sciatica nerve or the fact I had to grocery shop as soon as I got back home.
As we rolled through City by City…..
Glided over streams…..
Weaved our way around local Road Houses….
We were all very happy. And healthy. Every cyclist has their own reason for riding that drives them to the finish line. What is your reason for dreaming big?
Tour De Cure Ride Results:
Time 5:53:55
Distance: 100.44
Maximum Speed: 36.1 mph
Average Speed: 17 mph