Thursday, November 17, 2005
Travel, bike a lot, travel, travel
I am taking a month off from Tucson. Hehe. Seriously, I drove from Tucson to LA last Thursday to join my friends for a bike ride on Saturday (more about it below). Then I work a few days in LA at KHS. And today - Wednesday (I am writing this entry on the plane) - I am flying to Taiwan for a family reunion with the excuse to celebrate my grandpa's birthday. I'll be back to LA on Nov 27, where I'll spend 2 more days before flying to Orlando, FL on Wed Nov 30 where I will exhibit KHS's Spnergy indoor group cycle at the Athletic Business Convention. I'll be there until Sunday, Dec 4, then I'll drive back from LA to Tucson on Dec 5. So, that all adds up to a month of being away from Tucson! I always thought I would like traveling, and sure it's all very exciting because everyday is different. However, it really makes life complicated. I always have to plan what to do next and exercise seem to take a back seat. In fact, I haven't done any form of exercise since the bike ride on Saturday. I have to figure out how to get some exercise in during the rest of the trip. Speaking of which...
This past Saturday, I did a century (100 mile) bike ride called the "Solvang's finest" with my college ski friends. The ride is set in the picturesque town and countryside of Solvang, CA, which is known for vineyard, winery, rolling hills, strong winds, and Michael Jackson's Neverland. My friends (pictured from left to right: Alison, Chris, Tracy, me, and Bob) and I have been planning on doing something like this for months. It's a chance for us together and do something fun. We couldn't have asked for a better condition. The weather was perfect - mostly sunny with temperature at 50's in the morning and 70's during the day and fairly light winds; Alison had 1 flat; and no one got injured... well maybe except for me.
My lower back apparently hasn't recovered from the half iron race. It started to hurt again around mile 20. It really slowed me down. Fortunately, Chris, who has been training for cycling races, was able to break wind for us AND push me up the hills, literally. Although I am sure we are going too slow for even his training pace, at least he got his "strength endurance ride". With my lower back disabled, I guess my body must have re-routed all the energy output to come from my legs, which made me more fatigued than ever. At mile 70, my legs finally gave out in the form of the most painful cramp I have ever experienced - so much so I had to lie down on the ground for a few minutes. Fortunately, I was very close to an aid station where they supplied me with plenty of electrolyte tablets, food, Pepsi (yes), and tums (calcium is suppose to relieve cramps). The bad news was that I still have a *EVIL* 3 mile hill to climb. Chris again pushed me several times and told me stories of his experiences with leg cramps and how to deal with it. I immediately applied Chris' lesson because I got another cramps, but this time, I worked it through just as Chris instructed me. The rest of the 30 miles was slow and on the edge from cramping, but thanks to Chris' company and encouragement, I managed to finish the ride :) I have done many centuries, but victory has never been so hard...
This past Saturday, I did a century (100 mile) bike ride called the "Solvang's finest" with my college ski friends. The ride is set in the picturesque town and countryside of Solvang, CA, which is known for vineyard, winery, rolling hills, strong winds, and Michael Jackson's Neverland. My friends (pictured from left to right: Alison, Chris, Tracy, me, and Bob) and I have been planning on doing something like this for months. It's a chance for us together and do something fun. We couldn't have asked for a better condition. The weather was perfect - mostly sunny with temperature at 50's in the morning and 70's during the day and fairly light winds; Alison had 1 flat; and no one got injured... well maybe except for me.
My lower back apparently hasn't recovered from the half iron race. It started to hurt again around mile 20. It really slowed me down. Fortunately, Chris, who has been training for cycling races, was able to break wind for us AND push me up the hills, literally. Although I am sure we are going too slow for even his training pace, at least he got his "strength endurance ride". With my lower back disabled, I guess my body must have re-routed all the energy output to come from my legs, which made me more fatigued than ever. At mile 70, my legs finally gave out in the form of the most painful cramp I have ever experienced - so much so I had to lie down on the ground for a few minutes. Fortunately, I was very close to an aid station where they supplied me with plenty of electrolyte tablets, food, Pepsi (yes), and tums (calcium is suppose to relieve cramps). The bad news was that I still have a *EVIL* 3 mile hill to climb. Chris again pushed me several times and told me stories of his experiences with leg cramps and how to deal with it. I immediately applied Chris' lesson because I got another cramps, but this time, I worked it through just as Chris instructed me. The rest of the 30 miles was slow and on the edge from cramping, but thanks to Chris' company and encouragement, I managed to finish the ride :) I have done many centuries, but victory has never been so hard...
