Monday, Day 13, post bike crash.
I am excited to report, I am doing more by the day.
The plan had been to ride the computrainer Friday but apparently I needed an adapter to plug it into my HP laptop so that went on hold temporarily.
I decided I would try a very easy treadmill run Friday. Hopped on with my left arm tucked into my chest, elbow tight to the side and cranked out 5 miles at 6.5 on the treadmill. It was a bit awkward without moving the left arm but not bad and did not feel as though it was causing any extra discomfort to the shoulder. Just no moving arm!
So, with the confidence run Friday, I met some of my old school friends to run Saturday morning on the Headwaters Trail out in Garrettsville. It was a perfect morning for running and a nice very relaxed pace. I felt fabulous and was sooo happy to be back outside running easy with friends. 8.5 miles clicked by very effortlessly, even without moving the arm.
Sunday, I had got the Computrainer set up on my work, Dell notebook as it can use the chord I had. I hopped on for a 15 min w/u and calibarated and proceeded to do Coach's sweet spot workout. Wow, training with power requires focus and a lot of effort! With sweat burning my eyes, I successfully completed the workout! I cannot imagine how tough this workout is supposed to build to, but thankfully Coach G took pity on me and did not start me out with the full thing!
This morning, Monday, I decided I was ready to go back to the gym. I hit the 6AM performance cycling. This proved to be a very good workout, although I took a pass whenever they said to get out of the saddle for now. Then I hopped on the treadmill for another one arm easy 5 miles.
I now have my right arm unbandaged and just two extra large wound coverings on my left hand and elbow where the deepest of road rash is. Soon it should be pretty good to go. I seem to be progressing quicker than I expected and get more range of motion by the day.
I get happy about the little things, like now I can open doors with my left hand. Today I could hold the blow dryer in my left hand. Soon maybe I will be able to get my left arm high enough to actually pool up my ponytail like a normal person!
Things that hurt the most include: sneezing, coughing, laughing hard and reaching up to hit my car horn with my left arm without thinking about it which I have done twice now (stupid bad rush hour drivers!).
Looking forward to seeing what else this week brings.
PS, I think my husband is excited about my progress too because towards then end of last week I started doing dishes again and even managed some laundry yesterday! I can't say I even minded that as I just am happy to be getting back to normal!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The return to normalcy...sort of!
So Monday, Day 6 post accident, I returned to work.
Arm in a sling, bandages on my chin and elbow and arms wrapped from my hands to my elbows seems to garner a lot of attention walking around Cleveland. Never am sure what they are thinking besides probably, "What the heck happened to her?". Many have asked and made comments, all very curious by nature. Seems there are no shortage of people with bicycle crash stories! :-) Other sketchier people have left me a little uneasy and wondering if they want to rob a hurt girl of some painkillers.
All in all I am getting along so much better already.
The plan was to go hiking on Monday, Day 6, but that got delayed due to storms in the area so we went Tuesday, Day 7, instead. Hiking and walking was not an issue but the lack of bug spray sure was! I had quarter size welts all over my body from them evil bloodsucking flies! Worst thing was if they got me on the right side, I could not really move my left arm to smack them. Ouchies! While I wanted to go longer, between time constraints and the bites we called it a night after 2 miles. Bug spray for now on!
The awesome thing was it was the first time I had visited West Woods out in Newbury. It has really gorgeous scenic trails and I am looking forward to going back and seeing the rest of them. Might get some new ideas for training events for the tri club as I check out some of these new trails while I heal.
Oh and the bonus is I have been trying to get the husband to do some hiking/walks with me forever now and I think we may actually start to do this on a regular basis!
Today, Day 9- My road rash has healed considerably. I have been keeping the wounds covered with gauze and with bacetracin or neosporin to keep them moist. They are filling in fast and not scabbing really at all to speak of. Definitely going through a lot of products but truly believe in the value of treating the wounds in this fashion. I think over the weekend my right arm will really not need much at all but the left will continue to need a little TLC because the wounds were deeper, but they can't be too far behind. Progress.
I had been hesitant to get super sweaty with the wounds but showers have become less painful and today I decided it was time! :-)
The bike had not got picked up yet so I hopped onto the treadmill at home. Figured I would start with 30 minutes. I was gonna jog but wanted to play it safe Day 1 so I commenced to crank my incline as high as it would go and walk at 4.0. I would walk until my calves were on fire and then either ease the pace or lower the incline for a minute. Did 2 miles in the 30 minutes. I was shocked with just how sweaty I was and how hard I felt like I was working. Either this is a great alternate training method or I got out of shape fast! Felt good and more like me covered in sweat! I plan to continue upping the effort and time on the treadmill taking caution to listen to my body.
While I would really prefer to hit the gym, I figure home is best as their are less germs for my wounds and then hubby can wrap me back up.
The highlight at the moment is that super awesome guy, DM, brought over his computrainer for me to borrow while I heal and am not able to hit the road. AND today at lunch I picked up my bike which is now all good to go thanks to MV and Bike Authority with a new fork, headset and wheel!
The Dr. called after speaking with shoulder specialist to confirm the prognosis of no surgery, light range of motion activities and STATIONARY CYCLING IS GOOD TO GO! I cannot wait to get home and get my bike setup. So thankful to be able to ease back into things!
Arm in a sling, bandages on my chin and elbow and arms wrapped from my hands to my elbows seems to garner a lot of attention walking around Cleveland. Never am sure what they are thinking besides probably, "What the heck happened to her?". Many have asked and made comments, all very curious by nature. Seems there are no shortage of people with bicycle crash stories! :-) Other sketchier people have left me a little uneasy and wondering if they want to rob a hurt girl of some painkillers.
All in all I am getting along so much better already.
The plan was to go hiking on Monday, Day 6, but that got delayed due to storms in the area so we went Tuesday, Day 7, instead. Hiking and walking was not an issue but the lack of bug spray sure was! I had quarter size welts all over my body from them evil bloodsucking flies! Worst thing was if they got me on the right side, I could not really move my left arm to smack them. Ouchies! While I wanted to go longer, between time constraints and the bites we called it a night after 2 miles. Bug spray for now on!
 |
| Me in the cave at West Woods! |
The awesome thing was it was the first time I had visited West Woods out in Newbury. It has really gorgeous scenic trails and I am looking forward to going back and seeing the rest of them. Might get some new ideas for training events for the tri club as I check out some of these new trails while I heal.
Oh and the bonus is I have been trying to get the husband to do some hiking/walks with me forever now and I think we may actually start to do this on a regular basis!
Today, Day 9- My road rash has healed considerably. I have been keeping the wounds covered with gauze and with bacetracin or neosporin to keep them moist. They are filling in fast and not scabbing really at all to speak of. Definitely going through a lot of products but truly believe in the value of treating the wounds in this fashion. I think over the weekend my right arm will really not need much at all but the left will continue to need a little TLC because the wounds were deeper, but they can't be too far behind. Progress.
I had been hesitant to get super sweaty with the wounds but showers have become less painful and today I decided it was time! :-)
The bike had not got picked up yet so I hopped onto the treadmill at home. Figured I would start with 30 minutes. I was gonna jog but wanted to play it safe Day 1 so I commenced to crank my incline as high as it would go and walk at 4.0. I would walk until my calves were on fire and then either ease the pace or lower the incline for a minute. Did 2 miles in the 30 minutes. I was shocked with just how sweaty I was and how hard I felt like I was working. Either this is a great alternate training method or I got out of shape fast! Felt good and more like me covered in sweat! I plan to continue upping the effort and time on the treadmill taking caution to listen to my body.
While I would really prefer to hit the gym, I figure home is best as their are less germs for my wounds and then hubby can wrap me back up.
The highlight at the moment is that super awesome guy, DM, brought over his computrainer for me to borrow while I heal and am not able to hit the road. AND today at lunch I picked up my bike which is now all good to go thanks to MV and Bike Authority with a new fork, headset and wheel!
The Dr. called after speaking with shoulder specialist to confirm the prognosis of no surgery, light range of motion activities and STATIONARY CYCLING IS GOOD TO GO! I cannot wait to get home and get my bike setup. So thankful to be able to ease back into things!
Monday, June 20, 2011
The skinny from the MD's
Had plenty of xrays at at Geauga and Metro.
FINDINGS:
The left humerus is intact, and the left humeral head is situated within the glenoid fossa.
There is a displaced fracture in the lower scapular body, adjacent to the inferior angle of the scapula. The upper scapula is normal in appearance, including the acromion , glenoid and coracoid process.
The distal clavicle is intact, as are the visualized left upper ribs.
Follow-up visit included you guessed it...more xrays! Everything looks about the same. issue is at the bottom of left shoulder blade. said i could bike on stationary bike and trainer now. advised waiting to run. hmmm... we will see how long i can wait! perhaps late next week we can do a test and be careful to not move left arm and see if it bothers me. no need to tisk, tisk as i will be careful not to push it and delay the healing process.
followup visit in 3 weeks. apparently my shoulder muscles and other stuff back there should push it all back together and it will heal on its own. use arm sling to mobilize.
so guess we will start biking soon. trying to let some of my open wounds heal before getting them super sweaty plus re-bandaging them myself is hard. hike night with hubby later!
FINDINGS:
The left humerus is intact, and the left humeral head is situated within the glenoid fossa.
There is a displaced fracture in the lower scapular body, adjacent to the inferior angle of the scapula. The upper scapula is normal in appearance, including the acromion , glenoid and coracoid process.
The distal clavicle is intact, as are the visualized left upper ribs.
Follow-up visit included you guessed it...more xrays! Everything looks about the same. issue is at the bottom of left shoulder blade. said i could bike on stationary bike and trainer now. advised waiting to run. hmmm... we will see how long i can wait! perhaps late next week we can do a test and be careful to not move left arm and see if it bothers me. no need to tisk, tisk as i will be careful not to push it and delay the healing process.
followup visit in 3 weeks. apparently my shoulder muscles and other stuff back there should push it all back together and it will heal on its own. use arm sling to mobilize.
so guess we will start biking soon. trying to let some of my open wounds heal before getting them super sweaty plus re-bandaging them myself is hard. hike night with hubby later!
on the mend
we will go with lowercase letters today as i still dont feel like bothering with punctuation with my one hand typing.
yesterday was day 5 of no workouts. picture me stomping feet starting to go stir-crazy. but there are little victories everyday. this morning with the string trick from my facebook friends' suggestion i finally got my wedding ring off. so thankful for that as my hands have been so swollen and it concerned me a lot. the ring also has some road rash.
today i also made the drive into work all by myself which was no small feat with one sorta ok arm, a 40 mile one way commute, a gas tank filling and a long walk to the office carrying a heavy back pack over one shoulder with my laptop. bumps suck and have i mentioned how much i despise potholes.
potholes are my nemesis. they ruined st patty's day with my car breakdown in the ghetto and now this!
other random thoughts-
my watch broke so i am gonna treat myself to a new one. i was due anyways.
my garmin 305 which was on the bike is mia :-( so guess it went sailing into somewhere unknown. we went back last night to the sight to check, but no dice. guess i will be shopping amazon.
mv from bike authority and my good friend cv made the long drive across town to visit yday. of course i was happy to see them and they even brought me some kick arse beer (an ipa of couse) but even better, mike looked over my bike and it appears damage is somehow limited to only the front wheel....oh and now the front fork....so thankful for that! so hopefully i will have that bike set up on a stationary trainer before weeks end.
tonight i think i got the husband conned into walking / hiking with me. must do something!
so i know everyone wants to see pics so here goes.....
.
yesterday was day 5 of no workouts. picture me stomping feet starting to go stir-crazy. but there are little victories everyday. this morning with the string trick from my facebook friends' suggestion i finally got my wedding ring off. so thankful for that as my hands have been so swollen and it concerned me a lot. the ring also has some road rash.
today i also made the drive into work all by myself which was no small feat with one sorta ok arm, a 40 mile one way commute, a gas tank filling and a long walk to the office carrying a heavy back pack over one shoulder with my laptop. bumps suck and have i mentioned how much i despise potholes.
potholes are my nemesis. they ruined st patty's day with my car breakdown in the ghetto and now this!
other random thoughts-
my watch broke so i am gonna treat myself to a new one. i was due anyways.
my garmin 305 which was on the bike is mia :-( so guess it went sailing into somewhere unknown. we went back last night to the sight to check, but no dice. guess i will be shopping amazon.
mv from bike authority and my good friend cv made the long drive across town to visit yday. of course i was happy to see them and they even brought me some kick arse beer (an ipa of couse) but even better, mike looked over my bike and it appears damage is somehow limited to only the front wheel....oh and now the front fork....so thankful for that! so hopefully i will have that bike set up on a stationary trainer before weeks end.
tonight i think i got the husband conned into walking / hiking with me. must do something!
so i know everyone wants to see pics so here goes.....
 |
| The pothole |
 |
| Poor bike |
.
 |
| The wheel that has seen better days! |
 |
| "Anyone got some painkillers?" |
 |
| Someone spilled some jello on their chin! |
 |
| the security guard brought me a friend named gingerbear :-) |
 |
| gingerbear got to ride in second ambulance ride with me! |
 |
| one sore hand with wedding ring that wont budge |
 |
| the "good" hand |
 |
| boo boo bear! |
Friday, June 17, 2011
IF YOU'RE GONNA BE DUMB YOU BETTER BE TOUGH...
PECKING HERE WITH MY ONE SORT OF GOOD ARM....
FORGIVE CAPS. PUNCTUATION WITH ONE ARM PECKING IS A PIA.
SO AFTER MY LOVELY 12 MILE RUN TUESDAY MORNING AND A LONG DAY OF WORK, IT WAS TIME TO GO RIDE BICYCLES WITH MY NORMAL TUESDAY NIGHT TOURING CLUB FRIENDS.
PLAN WAS AN EASIER PACED RIDE AFTER MANY OF US DID 100M ON SUNDAY. YET WE GOT GOING WITH A PRETTY QUICK PACE. BEFORE LONG, MAYBE 7 MILES OR SO INTO THE RIDE, 3 OF US WERE OFF IN THE FRONT GROUP BY A BIT AND WERE FLYING DOWN A HILL ON A ROAD WE RIDE ALMOST EVERY WEEK DOING ABOUT 40MPH.
THE ROAD WAS SHADED AND AS SOON AS WE SAW THE POTHOLE MYSELF AND THE GUY RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME NAILED IT. THIS NEW GIANT CRATER HAD TO BE A NEW ONE. POTHOLE 1, JANET 0. TIME NOW AROUND 7PM.
WHEEL DISINTEGRATED INTO PIECES.
I THINK UPON IMPACT I WENT DIRECTLY OVER BARS WHILE HOLDING ONTO THEM, AEROBARS DUG INTO ROAD AND I PROCEEDED TO SMACK HELMET, CHIN, HANDS, ARMS INCL ELBOWS AND SHOULDER. OUCHIES IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. EMS WAS CALLED. BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER RIDER HAD PLENTY OF VISIBLE TRAUMA. I WAS DIZZY, ASTHMA KICKING IN A COULDNT MOVE LEFT ARM AT ALL.
2 SQUADS ARRIVED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO GEAUGA W FULL BOARD, C COLLAR AND STARTED ON IV AND MORPHINE. ARRIVED TO HOSPITAL AND STARTED ON DILAUDID. SO MUCH PAIN. REALLY DID NOT NOTICE PAIN MEDS MAKING ME FEEL BETTER OR FUNNY EXCEPT FOR THE SWEAT I COULD FEEL ON MY LEGS WHEN THEY PUSHED IT IN.
XRAYS, CAT SCAN, WOUND CLEANING = TORTURE, TORTURE AND MORE TORTURE DESPITE THEIR BEST EFFORTS.
ALL STAFF WAS GREAT ESP JOEY'S UNCLE WHO WORKS SECURITY WHO ARRANGED FOR VIP TREATMENT FOR MYSELF AND MY SISTERS TWINS WHO CAME IN W MY FOLKS AS SIS IS ON VK. THEY DREW AUNT JANET PICTURES, ATE POPSCICLES TALKING ABOUT THE JELLO ON CRAZY AUNT JANETS CHIN.
INITIAL FINDING OF CONCERN, FRACTURED SCAPULA. NOT SOMETHING NORMALLY BROKE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT FORCE AND TRAUMA. DR WAS CONCERNED AS THEY COULDNT GET A GOOD LOOK AND WANTED TO ENSURE THERE WAS NOT FURTHER DAMAGE OR INTERNAL BLEEDING, SO THEY HAD ME TRANSPORTED VIA EMS TO LEVEL 1 TRAUMA HOSPITAL, METRO JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. PRIOR TO SENDING, HAD ALL MY ROAD RASH CLEANED WHICH EQUALED NO FUN.
LONG AMBULANCE RIDE THERE WAS NICE, MORE PAINKILLERS AND JUST CHATTED WITH EMS GUY. I WAS HAPPY NO ONE WAS MOVING ME AROUND.
UPON ARRIVAL TO METRO, IT WAS MORE XRAYS, CAT SCAN, MOVING AND OUCHIES. AFTER A BUNCH OF THAT, I HAD A LITTLE DOWNTIME WHILE RESULTS CAME IN WHICH LIKELY TOOK SOME TIME WITH ALL THE OTHER ACTION GOING ON THERE LIKE GUN SHOT WOUNDS ETC.
FINALLY BANDAGED UP AND RELEASED ABOUT 6AM WED. NO INTERNAL BLEEDING OR OTHER FINDINGS. FRACTURED SCAPULA, BRUISED RIBS AND LOTS OF ROAD RASH.
LOTS MORE IM THINKING BUT GETTING TIRED OF PECKING BUT IN SUM-
-THINGS HAPPEN, SO GOES LIFE! U CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST TO SCAN AHEAD WHEN RIDING.
-PEOPLE ARE THE BEST AND THE SUPPORT THESE FIRST FEW DAYS HAS MEANT A LOT
-I'D BE LYING TO SAY I'M NOT INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED BUT...
-I CANT WAIT TO GET BACK TO IT AND IM SURE I WILL BE IN NO TIME
-WATER BOTTLES ARE A PIA TO OPEN W ONE ARM
FORGIVE CAPS. PUNCTUATION WITH ONE ARM PECKING IS A PIA.
SO AFTER MY LOVELY 12 MILE RUN TUESDAY MORNING AND A LONG DAY OF WORK, IT WAS TIME TO GO RIDE BICYCLES WITH MY NORMAL TUESDAY NIGHT TOURING CLUB FRIENDS.
PLAN WAS AN EASIER PACED RIDE AFTER MANY OF US DID 100M ON SUNDAY. YET WE GOT GOING WITH A PRETTY QUICK PACE. BEFORE LONG, MAYBE 7 MILES OR SO INTO THE RIDE, 3 OF US WERE OFF IN THE FRONT GROUP BY A BIT AND WERE FLYING DOWN A HILL ON A ROAD WE RIDE ALMOST EVERY WEEK DOING ABOUT 40MPH.
THE ROAD WAS SHADED AND AS SOON AS WE SAW THE POTHOLE MYSELF AND THE GUY RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME NAILED IT. THIS NEW GIANT CRATER HAD TO BE A NEW ONE. POTHOLE 1, JANET 0. TIME NOW AROUND 7PM.
WHEEL DISINTEGRATED INTO PIECES.
I THINK UPON IMPACT I WENT DIRECTLY OVER BARS WHILE HOLDING ONTO THEM, AEROBARS DUG INTO ROAD AND I PROCEEDED TO SMACK HELMET, CHIN, HANDS, ARMS INCL ELBOWS AND SHOULDER. OUCHIES IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. EMS WAS CALLED. BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER RIDER HAD PLENTY OF VISIBLE TRAUMA. I WAS DIZZY, ASTHMA KICKING IN A COULDNT MOVE LEFT ARM AT ALL.
2 SQUADS ARRIVED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO GEAUGA W FULL BOARD, C COLLAR AND STARTED ON IV AND MORPHINE. ARRIVED TO HOSPITAL AND STARTED ON DILAUDID. SO MUCH PAIN. REALLY DID NOT NOTICE PAIN MEDS MAKING ME FEEL BETTER OR FUNNY EXCEPT FOR THE SWEAT I COULD FEEL ON MY LEGS WHEN THEY PUSHED IT IN.
XRAYS, CAT SCAN, WOUND CLEANING = TORTURE, TORTURE AND MORE TORTURE DESPITE THEIR BEST EFFORTS.
ALL STAFF WAS GREAT ESP JOEY'S UNCLE WHO WORKS SECURITY WHO ARRANGED FOR VIP TREATMENT FOR MYSELF AND MY SISTERS TWINS WHO CAME IN W MY FOLKS AS SIS IS ON VK. THEY DREW AUNT JANET PICTURES, ATE POPSCICLES TALKING ABOUT THE JELLO ON CRAZY AUNT JANETS CHIN.
INITIAL FINDING OF CONCERN, FRACTURED SCAPULA. NOT SOMETHING NORMALLY BROKE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT FORCE AND TRAUMA. DR WAS CONCERNED AS THEY COULDNT GET A GOOD LOOK AND WANTED TO ENSURE THERE WAS NOT FURTHER DAMAGE OR INTERNAL BLEEDING, SO THEY HAD ME TRANSPORTED VIA EMS TO LEVEL 1 TRAUMA HOSPITAL, METRO JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. PRIOR TO SENDING, HAD ALL MY ROAD RASH CLEANED WHICH EQUALED NO FUN.
LONG AMBULANCE RIDE THERE WAS NICE, MORE PAINKILLERS AND JUST CHATTED WITH EMS GUY. I WAS HAPPY NO ONE WAS MOVING ME AROUND.
UPON ARRIVAL TO METRO, IT WAS MORE XRAYS, CAT SCAN, MOVING AND OUCHIES. AFTER A BUNCH OF THAT, I HAD A LITTLE DOWNTIME WHILE RESULTS CAME IN WHICH LIKELY TOOK SOME TIME WITH ALL THE OTHER ACTION GOING ON THERE LIKE GUN SHOT WOUNDS ETC.
FINALLY BANDAGED UP AND RELEASED ABOUT 6AM WED. NO INTERNAL BLEEDING OR OTHER FINDINGS. FRACTURED SCAPULA, BRUISED RIBS AND LOTS OF ROAD RASH.
LOTS MORE IM THINKING BUT GETTING TIRED OF PECKING BUT IN SUM-
-THINGS HAPPEN, SO GOES LIFE! U CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST TO SCAN AHEAD WHEN RIDING.
-PEOPLE ARE THE BEST AND THE SUPPORT THESE FIRST FEW DAYS HAS MEANT A LOT
-I'D BE LYING TO SAY I'M NOT INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED BUT...
-I CANT WAIT TO GET BACK TO IT AND IM SURE I WILL BE IN NO TIME
-WATER BOTTLES ARE A PIA TO OPEN W ONE ARM
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday Tidbits-SIJ
What a super awesome weekend! Why must they go by so fast?
Friday, hit a Cleveland Tri Club social. I always really enjoy getting out and meeting new members and those just getting started in the sport and even better when that is done over a good beer! Great night!
Saturday morning, I woke up early to head out to Edgewater beach for the tri club's Cleveland Triathlon Clinic. It was a practice tri where everyone would walk through everything which was perfect for newbies and ran by our Club's Newbies Coordinator and USAT Coach, Tim Edwards. I was able to get in a nice open water swim and to my surprise, Lake Erie water temp felt pretty comfortable in my sweet TYR wetsuit and the water was clean and calm! Then I headed out to get some running miles before the picnic. Grubbed and gabbed at picnic before heading out to a friends' place for the afternoon for more grubbing and gabbing. Returned home soaking wet after getting caught in a heavy downpour and storm on our motorcycles en route home. We hit the hay early after a busy day!
Sunday, I awoke and made the short drive to Burton to start the Cleveland Touring Club's Sunday in June Ride! When my alarm went off bright and early Sunday morning. I rolled over and smiled at my husband and said, "It's gonna be a good day!" I knew he was excited to go motorcycle riding and I was excited to ride my bicycle. I was even more excited because it was a tour and not a race which meant no pressure.
I had pretty much everything packed up and was off to meet friends just up the road in Burton for the Sunday in June Ride. Several years ago I helped Co-Direct this event and it was a daunting undertaking. Huge props to the Co-Directors the last couple years who have done a terrific job! I ride a fair amount with this group and they have all levels of abilities and offer a lot of group riding opportunities out in the eastside Cleveland area. Just the past Tuesday, on the Tavern Ride there must've been nearly 35 people and 12 that started with the A group that maintained an average pace over 20 on a very hilly 31 mile route...so some decent riders for sure and some really nice people!
A group of friends met up who were planning to ride the 100 mile century and around 7:45 AM we pushed off. It was straight downhill into a cloudy mist, almost like riding into an air conditioner. Yikes I was cold but hoped it would warm up and the sun would come out. Turns out, I wished for that all 103 miles and was cold for almost all of it! I even had arm warmers in my car that I had left there! Figures!
As we made the initial descent, somehow we managed to lose most the tri club group which stuck together. I rode with my friends, GG, JC and ET. JC has made tremendous gains on the bike and it was nice to see how much stronger he looked this year. Myself and ET, my spunky female sidekick oftentimes these days, took turns "busting balls" and having a lot of laughs as the norm. Miles clicked effortlessly by and 25 short miles later we pulled into Century Village after the STEEP HILL into Burton. I sipped on my First Endurance EFS, grabbed a cookie, hit the ladies room and we were back off for another 38 mile loop up to Burton. We fell into a group of many of my Touring Club Tuesday night riding buds and we kept a good pace without too much effort. We did witness one crash which serves always to be cognizant on the roads of your actions. One brain fart can cost ya...lord knows I have had my share!
We rolled into the next aid station up at Big Creek Park in Chardon and cookie monster (that would be daisy) grabbed another cookie. Fueled with cookies and EFS, I was ready to roll!
The course is pretty much very quiet rolling roads through the Amish countryside. In sum for the 103 miles I rode, it was ~4500 ft of climbing, so nothing too crazy but certainly not flat. These are all the roads I have rode a million times out in my neck of the woods and the route passed almost by my house twice.
On the return trip to Burton from Chardon we picked up the Maple Highlands Trail for awhile which was very scenic! As we pulled back into Century Village again for another stop, lunch had started to be served. I almost died laughing when sidekick ET seriously thought we were going to eat the pasta lunch then. She was not thrilled when she realized I was gonna make her ride 1 more 39 mile loop before lunch!
One final loop was left which included some hills in Hiram. We were joined with another rider, MK, who pulled us along for a bit after the last Overlook Park stop and we teased we were glad he came along to do all the work. Needless to say, I was really enjoying the ride, despite the fact I was often chilled and kept waiting for my sunshine to come out and play! As I made my way to the end, I continued to feel pretty chipper and was actually surprised with how good I felt and how sore I wasn't! YEAH!
When I got done, I quickly tossed my bike in my car, changed clothes and commenced eating a whole lotta good food! YUM YUM! We sat around for awhile shooting the breeze before I finally made my way home to chillax with the husband. It was a really good day just like I knew it would be!
I do love the opportunity to get out and ride these tours with friends!
Friday, hit a Cleveland Tri Club social. I always really enjoy getting out and meeting new members and those just getting started in the sport and even better when that is done over a good beer! Great night!
Saturday morning, I woke up early to head out to Edgewater beach for the tri club's Cleveland Triathlon Clinic. It was a practice tri where everyone would walk through everything which was perfect for newbies and ran by our Club's Newbies Coordinator and USAT Coach, Tim Edwards. I was able to get in a nice open water swim and to my surprise, Lake Erie water temp felt pretty comfortable in my sweet TYR wetsuit and the water was clean and calm! Then I headed out to get some running miles before the picnic. Grubbed and gabbed at picnic before heading out to a friends' place for the afternoon for more grubbing and gabbing. Returned home soaking wet after getting caught in a heavy downpour and storm on our motorcycles en route home. We hit the hay early after a busy day!
Sunday, I awoke and made the short drive to Burton to start the Cleveland Touring Club's Sunday in June Ride! When my alarm went off bright and early Sunday morning. I rolled over and smiled at my husband and said, "It's gonna be a good day!" I knew he was excited to go motorcycle riding and I was excited to ride my bicycle. I was even more excited because it was a tour and not a race which meant no pressure.
I had pretty much everything packed up and was off to meet friends just up the road in Burton for the Sunday in June Ride. Several years ago I helped Co-Direct this event and it was a daunting undertaking. Huge props to the Co-Directors the last couple years who have done a terrific job! I ride a fair amount with this group and they have all levels of abilities and offer a lot of group riding opportunities out in the eastside Cleveland area. Just the past Tuesday, on the Tavern Ride there must've been nearly 35 people and 12 that started with the A group that maintained an average pace over 20 on a very hilly 31 mile route...so some decent riders for sure and some really nice people!
A group of friends met up who were planning to ride the 100 mile century and around 7:45 AM we pushed off. It was straight downhill into a cloudy mist, almost like riding into an air conditioner. Yikes I was cold but hoped it would warm up and the sun would come out. Turns out, I wished for that all 103 miles and was cold for almost all of it! I even had arm warmers in my car that I had left there! Figures!
As we made the initial descent, somehow we managed to lose most the tri club group which stuck together. I rode with my friends, GG, JC and ET. JC has made tremendous gains on the bike and it was nice to see how much stronger he looked this year. Myself and ET, my spunky female sidekick oftentimes these days, took turns "busting balls" and having a lot of laughs as the norm. Miles clicked effortlessly by and 25 short miles later we pulled into Century Village after the STEEP HILL into Burton. I sipped on my First Endurance EFS, grabbed a cookie, hit the ladies room and we were back off for another 38 mile loop up to Burton. We fell into a group of many of my Touring Club Tuesday night riding buds and we kept a good pace without too much effort. We did witness one crash which serves always to be cognizant on the roads of your actions. One brain fart can cost ya...lord knows I have had my share!
We rolled into the next aid station up at Big Creek Park in Chardon and cookie monster (that would be daisy) grabbed another cookie. Fueled with cookies and EFS, I was ready to roll!
The course is pretty much very quiet rolling roads through the Amish countryside. In sum for the 103 miles I rode, it was ~4500 ft of climbing, so nothing too crazy but certainly not flat. These are all the roads I have rode a million times out in my neck of the woods and the route passed almost by my house twice.
On the return trip to Burton from Chardon we picked up the Maple Highlands Trail for awhile which was very scenic! As we pulled back into Century Village again for another stop, lunch had started to be served. I almost died laughing when sidekick ET seriously thought we were going to eat the pasta lunch then. She was not thrilled when she realized I was gonna make her ride 1 more 39 mile loop before lunch!One final loop was left which included some hills in Hiram. We were joined with another rider, MK, who pulled us along for a bit after the last Overlook Park stop and we teased we were glad he came along to do all the work. Needless to say, I was really enjoying the ride, despite the fact I was often chilled and kept waiting for my sunshine to come out and play! As I made my way to the end, I continued to feel pretty chipper and was actually surprised with how good I felt and how sore I wasn't! YEAH!
When I got done, I quickly tossed my bike in my car, changed clothes and commenced eating a whole lotta good food! YUM YUM! We sat around for awhile shooting the breeze before I finally made my way home to chillax with the husband. It was a really good day just like I knew it would be!
I do love the opportunity to get out and ride these tours with friends!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday...woot!
So I have been typing this long write up entailing my Mohican Mtn Bike100K experience that wasn't. It was getting so long, I got tired of typing it and figured no one would want to read that much so there it sits in my drafts folder.
Long story, short. I rode well and was very happy with how I rode. Ran into some rear derailleur issues (as in it locked into my rear chain ring) which cost me some time and now I know how best fix that. Managed to get past those issues after losing a lot of time and a good position in the single track only to get lost late in the day on the 100 miler course instead of the 100 K course (never hit the split or aid station 3 as myself and at least a couple others somehow got totally diverted). DNF and totally bummed.
Mohican Totals according to GPS:
Distance 50.1
Average Speed: 9.4
Avg HR: 161
Max HR: 186
Total Ascent: 5308 ft
Total Descent: 5116 ft
If you rode the course tho, you would know the climbing and hills are no joke. To me, it makes TTT hills seem tame. I will get my redemption on the course next year!!!! Just stinks as conditions with the dry week leading up to the race this year were soooo good!
This year seems to have so far, been the year that wasn't. Yet, while the races haven't garnered the results I so know that I am capable of, I feel like all of these long hard "training" races have positioned me to start this summer very strong and ahead of where I have been other years. So onward! No sense dwelling on the disappointments.
In general, I feel like these disappointments only feed my fire to work harder. This week starts my official 14 week training plan to REV3 Cedar Point.
Week has went as such-
Monday-off, due to me being a slacker and oversleeping my Monday workout
Tuesday-totally overslept am planned run as I set alarm clock wrong. Rode 31 mile very hilly route with Cleveland Touring Club's Chagrin Falls Ride (Russell-Caves-Sherman E- Bass Lake-Pekin/Dines back.
Total Distance: 31.00M
Total Time: 1:32:33
Avg Speed: 20.1
Avg HR: 163
Max Heart Rate: 185
Total Ascent: 2529
Total Descent: 2496
Comments: Enjoy riding with this group. Sherman road eastbound really threw some good hills at ya one after another without much reprieve. Ouch...this split the A group. I hung on for dear life to the lead pack and overall felt pretty good.
Wednesday - Swam 2200
Comments: Had not swam at all prior week. Took a bit to find my rhythm. Love outdoor pool!
Thursday- Run with Girls ~ 9 mi
2 mi w/u, 2 mi @6:30pace, ~.75 Mi EZ, 1.5 Mi at 6:30pace, cooldown
Other girls did 6 mi tempo, but I took a break in the middle and cut last 2 mi interval short on acct of needing to hit RR. Overall, felt good but got my work cut out for me to even try to get closer to them on these workouts. Plan to focus on consistency here going forward and forcing myself to try to keep up longer. Dang fast chicks (cough like Espeed)!
Lifted post run for ~40 min.
Friday- Swam 2200 M (pouted that they would not open outdoor pool), hoping to run at lunch
Saturday-Plan to hit cleveland tri training day at edgewater
Sunday - 100 mile SIJ bike maybe brick after
Long story, short. I rode well and was very happy with how I rode. Ran into some rear derailleur issues (as in it locked into my rear chain ring) which cost me some time and now I know how best fix that. Managed to get past those issues after losing a lot of time and a good position in the single track only to get lost late in the day on the 100 miler course instead of the 100 K course (never hit the split or aid station 3 as myself and at least a couple others somehow got totally diverted). DNF and totally bummed.
Mohican Totals according to GPS:
Distance 50.1
Average Speed: 9.4
Avg HR: 161
Max HR: 186
Total Ascent: 5308 ft
Total Descent: 5116 ft
If you rode the course tho, you would know the climbing and hills are no joke. To me, it makes TTT hills seem tame. I will get my redemption on the course next year!!!! Just stinks as conditions with the dry week leading up to the race this year were soooo good!
This year seems to have so far, been the year that wasn't. Yet, while the races haven't garnered the results I so know that I am capable of, I feel like all of these long hard "training" races have positioned me to start this summer very strong and ahead of where I have been other years. So onward! No sense dwelling on the disappointments.
In general, I feel like these disappointments only feed my fire to work harder. This week starts my official 14 week training plan to REV3 Cedar Point.
Week has went as such-
Monday-off, due to me being a slacker and oversleeping my Monday workout
Tuesday-totally overslept am planned run as I set alarm clock wrong. Rode 31 mile very hilly route with Cleveland Touring Club's Chagrin Falls Ride (Russell-Caves-Sherman E- Bass Lake-Pekin/Dines back.
Total Distance: 31.00M
Total Time: 1:32:33
Avg Speed: 20.1
Avg HR: 163
Max Heart Rate: 185
Total Ascent: 2529
Total Descent: 2496
Comments: Enjoy riding with this group. Sherman road eastbound really threw some good hills at ya one after another without much reprieve. Ouch...this split the A group. I hung on for dear life to the lead pack and overall felt pretty good.
Wednesday - Swam 2200
Comments: Had not swam at all prior week. Took a bit to find my rhythm. Love outdoor pool!
Thursday- Run with Girls ~ 9 mi
2 mi w/u, 2 mi @6:30pace, ~.75 Mi EZ, 1.5 Mi at 6:30pace, cooldown
Other girls did 6 mi tempo, but I took a break in the middle and cut last 2 mi interval short on acct of needing to hit RR. Overall, felt good but got my work cut out for me to even try to get closer to them on these workouts. Plan to focus on consistency here going forward and forcing myself to try to keep up longer. Dang fast chicks (cough like Espeed)!
Lifted post run for ~40 min.
Friday- Swam 2200 M (pouted that they would not open outdoor pool), hoping to run at lunch
Saturday-Plan to hit cleveland tri training day at edgewater
Sunday - 100 mile SIJ bike maybe brick after
Thursday, June 02, 2011
What's harder-Full IM or TTT?
A few people like TriEric and BDD had wondered what I thought so here is my 2 cents!
I think it depends on a couple things-
a) What 140.6 course am I comparing it to. My only experience at a full was REV3 CP which is a pretty flat course, not like Placid, IMSG or any of the hilly fulls. Triple T was HILLY for reelz!
b) How hard did you race the TTT races? Did you lay it all on the line? Personally, I did not, so it was more like a long training weekend for me. So it is kind of hard to compare apples to apples.
TTT swim breakdown:
F: 250M Swim
S1: 1500 M Swim
S2: 1500 M Swim
S: 1.2 Mile (1931 M)
Total 3.21 Mi
SIGNIFICANTLY MORE SWIMMING THAN THE 2.4 MI FULL SWIM! This is not helpful for subpar swimmer like me. But definitely easier mentally to swim these shorter swims than 2.4 miles at once!
TTT Bike breakdown
TTT Run Breakdown
So my take is that mentally it is a lot easier to break it down into the shorter races with rest in between than pacing myself through a full all at once. There is the hill factor at TTT. If you don't like hills, perhaps a flat full might be easier. I don't mind hills and ride them a lot so it was not as much of an issue in my book. Also I think with TTT, sometimes the fatigue starts setting in and you might actually feel sore starting races more so than if you had just done it all at once. So perhaps some people may think TTT harder for that reason, but in my mind, the full still seems harder. I think both are challenging but it seems harder to me to tackle the distance all at once! That said, I like a challenge and look forward to tackling both TTT and another full 140.6 again!
I think it depends on a couple things-
a) What 140.6 course am I comparing it to. My only experience at a full was REV3 CP which is a pretty flat course, not like Placid, IMSG or any of the hilly fulls. Triple T was HILLY for reelz!
b) How hard did you race the TTT races? Did you lay it all on the line? Personally, I did not, so it was more like a long training weekend for me. So it is kind of hard to compare apples to apples.
TTT swim breakdown:
F: 250M Swim
S1: 1500 M Swim
S2: 1500 M Swim
S: 1.2 Mile (1931 M)
Total 3.21 Mi
SIGNIFICANTLY MORE SWIMMING THAN THE 2.4 MI FULL SWIM! This is not helpful for subpar swimmer like me. But definitely easier mentally to swim these shorter swims than 2.4 miles at once!
TTT Bike breakdown
F: 5 Mi
S1: 24.8 Mi
S2: 24.8 Mi
S: 55.5 M
Total: 110.1
A little less bike mileage at TTT, but I think the hills definitely make up for it!
TTT Run Breakdown
F: 1 Mi
S1: 6.55 Mi
S2: 6.55 Mi
S: 13.1 Mi
Total: 27.2 Mi
A little more running with some hills for sure at TTT but the run was almost all on a soft surface which was very nice for me with the tendency of pavement beating me up!
So my take is that mentally it is a lot easier to break it down into the shorter races with rest in between than pacing myself through a full all at once. There is the hill factor at TTT. If you don't like hills, perhaps a flat full might be easier. I don't mind hills and ride them a lot so it was not as much of an issue in my book. Also I think with TTT, sometimes the fatigue starts setting in and you might actually feel sore starting races more so than if you had just done it all at once. So perhaps some people may think TTT harder for that reason, but in my mind, the full still seems harder. I think both are challenging but it seems harder to me to tackle the distance all at once! That said, I like a challenge and look forward to tackling both TTT and another full 140.6 again!
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Memorial Day Weekend Tidbits
Where does the time go??
Friday, rocked the scooter with husband over to the sister's for a cookout. That would have been a fun ride except we went under the only rain cloud in the area which rain for 5 minutes and soaked us to the bone. Super cute tho watching my sister's 4 yr old get to go for a ride with the husband on it.
Made it an early night before all the others tied a good one on as we had stuff to do Saturday!
I rolled out to meet another local Cleveland area team, Snakebite Racing for their team ride. My local team was riding Sunday so in the interest of getting my ride done on Saturday, I was happy that they welcomed this girl to their "Death Ride". The CVNP "Death Ride" is about 80 miles and ~14 hill climbs around the Cuyahoga Valley which was set to shove off around 8:30! Sounds fun! It was a fun group to ride with and a very challenging course. They regrouped at the top and bottom of the hills so that was nice in that they stayed together. Northeast Ohio people truly are so fortunate to have such wonderful riding roads around. CVNP (Cuyahoga Valley National Park) offers long climbs through the scenic park. Great views and plenty of opportunity to make that heart pump up those climbs! It was quite enjoyable and I just was pacing myself throughout the day maintaining a pretty consistent effort. I had planned to try to wrap it up by about 12:30 but by the time my two friends and I turned off, we did not make it back until a little later but still ended up with 66 miles on the day so not too bad. Super fun morning and I could have just rode all day! LOVE that area!
Then the husband and I cruised around on our motorcycles for a bit before heading over to a cookout with his family. Sunday was a no funday as every blue moon, I guess you have to take care of business. Yard work, deck work, house work, you name it! No fun! Oh well, it feels so nice to have everything back in order and we chilled out that night by a bonfire. I did manage to squeeze in a solid run in the peak heat of the day which went surprisingly well!
Monday was motorcycle riding day. Met up with some friends and we rolled Rt 9 down to Cadiz. Twisty fun riding all day, albeit at a mindful pace with all the cops out writing speeding tickets over Memorial Day. Can't believe I am back to work for another week so fast...boo!
But, it's a short week. Was off Monday and taking half day Friday to head down to Mohican for the 100K MTB race....SOOOOOO EXCITED!
Friday, rocked the scooter with husband over to the sister's for a cookout. That would have been a fun ride except we went under the only rain cloud in the area which rain for 5 minutes and soaked us to the bone. Super cute tho watching my sister's 4 yr old get to go for a ride with the husband on it.
 |
| Our cheesy lil 128 mpg toy! |
I rolled out to meet another local Cleveland area team, Snakebite Racing for their team ride. My local team was riding Sunday so in the interest of getting my ride done on Saturday, I was happy that they welcomed this girl to their "Death Ride". The CVNP "Death Ride" is about 80 miles and ~14 hill climbs around the Cuyahoga Valley which was set to shove off around 8:30! Sounds fun! It was a fun group to ride with and a very challenging course. They regrouped at the top and bottom of the hills so that was nice in that they stayed together. Northeast Ohio people truly are so fortunate to have such wonderful riding roads around. CVNP (Cuyahoga Valley National Park) offers long climbs through the scenic park. Great views and plenty of opportunity to make that heart pump up those climbs! It was quite enjoyable and I just was pacing myself throughout the day maintaining a pretty consistent effort. I had planned to try to wrap it up by about 12:30 but by the time my two friends and I turned off, we did not make it back until a little later but still ended up with 66 miles on the day so not too bad. Super fun morning and I could have just rode all day! LOVE that area!
Then the husband and I cruised around on our motorcycles for a bit before heading over to a cookout with his family. Sunday was a no funday as every blue moon, I guess you have to take care of business. Yard work, deck work, house work, you name it! No fun! Oh well, it feels so nice to have everything back in order and we chilled out that night by a bonfire. I did manage to squeeze in a solid run in the peak heat of the day which went surprisingly well!
Monday was motorcycle riding day. Met up with some friends and we rolled Rt 9 down to Cadiz. Twisty fun riding all day, albeit at a mindful pace with all the cops out writing speeding tickets over Memorial Day. Can't believe I am back to work for another week so fast...boo!
 |
| Daisy's Duc! |
But, it's a short week. Was off Monday and taking half day Friday to head down to Mohican for the 100K MTB race....SOOOOOO EXCITED!
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