Dehydration is a real pain

Today I had a horrible pain just under my ribcage. As I was driving my kids to school I was wondering if I was even going to be able to walk them to their classes, the pain was so  intense. I made it to each of their classes, but then doubled over in the hallway while chatting with another mom (and fellow cyclist). It was this squeezing yet sharp kind of pain that I knew wasn’t a tummy ache and wasn’t the result of anything I had eaten. It just felt different… and terrible.

I slumped into one of the couches in the teachers’ lounge and called my husband at work. He was so sweet, offering to cancel a meeting and take me to a doctor, and then the thought of dehydration occurred to me. I thought about how much water I consumed the two days before during each of my rides and thought I drank enough. But did I drink enough after the rides?

My friend, who was still with me, brought me a glass of water and I got off the phone, promising to check back. The school’s director told me to stay as long as I needed and checked on me several times as I sat in agony. After about an hour and a half, and a few glasses of water, I felt a little better. I shared my hypothesis for dehydration with the director who suggested I get a bottle of Gatorade. I drank some more water, ate a banana I had in the car and drove off. About 15 minutes later I was drinking Gatorade and maybe 10 minutes after that I was back to normal.

 I went about my day, drinking more water than usual, (which is a lot) and when I dropped a bike off at the bike shop I shared my experience. And there I learned that my sports drink of choice (Accelerade) does NOT have electrolytes. All this time I thought I was covered, but, actually, I wasn’t putting something back that my body needs. Yikes! I am so thankful I made this discovery today and not in between my two rides of the MS 150! And I’m also glad I figured it out and was able to take control of the situation before something worse happened. I’m pretty good at drinking water. But evidently that’s not enough.

Drafting Day at the Bluebonnet Express

My plan for today’s ride was to learn how to draft by riding with my husband and a friend until I decided I could no longer keep up. Well, that worked for about 6 miles. Then I spent about 2 miles trying to get close enough to tell them to leave me. These guys started fast right at the beginning, no warming up just ZOOOOOOM right from the start. But then I felt winded and glanced at my heartrate monitor and saw numbers I didn’t want to see. And I could hear my spinning instructor’s voice echoing in my head “Don’t start out too fast and lose your energy in the first 20 miles because you’ll never get it back… You’ll never get it back…. You’ll never get it back…”

“GARY!” (That was my voice, not hers.)

“GARY! I can’t keep up. I’ll see you later.” And he and Steven were off.

When I was drafting I didn’t have the chance to enjoy the scenery. At one point, while riding between Steven and Gary, trying not to go too fast or too slow, I saw horses loping nearby. They were running ‘with’ us… until they reached the end of the fence. I wanted to giggle and enjoy the moment, but I had to focus on the tire in front of me, the crowd of cyclists around me and the potential for potholes below me. I realized the ride would be very different drafting. And I was getting tired. And so I fell back and tried to find my own pace.

It wasn’t long after that I saw a jersey for the group I ride with some days. “Ride with” is pretty liberal, here. They ride super-fast and plan to complete the MS 150 in one day. I just show up and park my car where they park. Then they fly out of the parking lot while my buddies and I wonder if we’ll ever be that  fast.  And when we finish, they finish, too… except they’ve gone twice as far. But, anyhow, I saw the jersey and got excited and seconds later the whole group flew by me. A few knew that today was drafting day and asked where my husband was. All I could do was laugh. They zoomed by me and gave me a shot of energy. Behind them, other cyclists tried to jump on the back of their paceline, but I don’t think any could keep close enough. Just seeing them and knowing them made me smile, though. 

I pedaled along and, just as I started to get down on myself for not drafting, this man appeared and said “Come on! Let’s go.” I drafted behind him for quite awhile and my confidence grew. We chatted and cycled for a bit and then separated on a very bumpy very windy road. And then the route took a turn and I thought I was cycling on velvet. The road was smooth and the wind was at my back. I felt like I was flying. And I was. (Well, for me, anyhow.) And, not only was my speed fantastic, but my heart rate was just where I wanted it to be. Ya-hooooo! Soon I had cycled 35 miles and it was time for a rest stop. I pulled in, set my bike down and walked to the snacks and water to find my husband! What a wonderful surprise! We visited a bit and then he and Steven were off again. I refilled my sports drink, ate a bit, stretched and climbed back on my bike.

There would be one rest stop between this one and the end, and my intention was to skip it. Well, off I went, enjoying the ride, passing and being passed. And soon the wildflowers started, along with a few hills. It wasn’t long before I was riding past the rest stop 10 miles later. I scanned the crowds from the road and saw a University of Florida jersey! I couldn’t help but yell “GO GATORS!!!” And then I started thinking about how I could get some UF cycling socks or something to wear on the MS ride. (Guess I’ll work on that after I finish writing this.)

A little later I was again against the wind and getting tired. I heard “On your left!” replied “Thank you,” and looked over to see Mr. Gator jersey! I told him that I am a Gator and jumped behind him and his friend. I stayed with them for several miles and was quite proud of myself. And then we approached a hill and it started raining and I realized it was time for an energy gel (both by my odometer and energy level). So I was left again, but this time still filled with joy.

From that point I grew stronger, got rained on some more and had to just laugh at the rain. I found that it felt nice and was nothing like the deluge I experienced in Vermont in October, so I was still happy. And then we were pulling on to the Prairie View A&M campus and the ride was over. (Except I went the wrong way and added about a mile more than I was suppossed to, winding around campus. Oops.)

I waited at the car for my husband (He was waiting for me at the finish line I never found.) and checked my stats. I was elated! I knew I had a strong ride, and was thrilled to see my average speed.

This ride was a little different than most in terms of my fellowship with God. I prayed and tried to listen, but it wasn’t as it had been in the past. No big realizations. However, I know He was there, giving me a push and encouraging me just when I needed it. He’s the one who orchestrated all those things that made me giggle or gave me energy. He is the Master Planner. And today I tried out my new Bible in 90 Days jersey. I’m excited to wear it Day 2 of the MS ride.

Alright, enough of my babble… and I’m one tired girl, too.

Today’s ride stats:

distance: 62.24 miles

average speed: 16.3 mph (personal best!!)

maximum speed: 26.6 mph

time: 3:54

average heartrate: 84%

maximum heartrate: 98%

To The Woodlands

Today I rode to our friends’ house in The Woodlands and back. It was great to get a nice (albeit quick) visit in with a friend and her adorable almost one-year-old. My friend’s husband is the one who got us involved in all this MS 150 business, so I don’t think she minded me showing up unexpected and in cycling gear. She even offered me a bathroom break and fresh water. Cute baby, nice friend and running water… does a rest stop get any better?

Ride Stats:

length: 28.38 miles

average speed: 15.2 mph

maximum speed: 22.2 mph

 average heartrate: 81%

maximum heartrate: 116% (I was trying to catch up with, and then keep up, with 2 guys who were way too fast for me. Ridiculous & stupid ego thing.)

time: 1:51

Gearing Up to Camp Out

Have you ever tried out a new sleeping bag while wearing a shortish skirt at the outdoor goods store? Well, now I have. (Fortunately I left my wedge heels in the car and opted for the flip-flops for easier maneuverability while power-shopping during my last big gear-up trip.)

After climbing into two bags, rolling over and feeling pretty ridiculous ’lounging’ on the platform in the store, and one man pretending to offer me my morning coffee, I decided on my ‘luxury’ bedding–some sort of down contraption and a self-inlfating mat to go beneath it. The last sleeping bag I selected for myself featured Snoopy and Charlie Brown. And that was probably 29 years ago. I can’t remember what I used the 2 or 3 times I camped in college, but my needs then were likely a little different. Now I’m preparing for sleeping in a mega tent with about 120 new friends (not to mention to 13,000 + in the other tents surrounding ours) after biking 93 miles and before biking about 85 more the next day. Needless to say, I decided to go for the cushiest self-inflating mat REI had to offer. I have a feeling my body is going to be pretty sore and I’m hoping for the best night’s sleep, taking all into consideration.

I have a lot of questions about this whole camping experience. How long will the lines for the shower be? And will I get so sweaty riding the yellow school bus back to the campground after my shower that I will erase all the good of the shower? Where will I brush my teeth in the morning? And how will I get dressed and apply chamois butt’r without flashing everyone? (If you’re not a cyclist, c.b. is used to reduce chaffing. I’m sure you can figure it out.) What will they serve for breakfast and what will the porta potties be like in the morning? What do I bring to wear to sleep so I’m comfy not too cold, not too hot… you get the picture.

My husband, on the other hand, is so low maintentance he could sleep anywhere… and/ or survive on no sleep. So, even though he did this ride last year, he is of little help when it comes to my unending questions. I’m a girl who likes a good sleep before biking up and down major mountains for almost 100 miles and I like to know what to expect so I can prepare. (Okay so they are hills…but they are pretty big and I live in Houston where it is FLAT!) But I guess the camping (and not knowing everything ahead of time) is part of the experience, so camp I will. And I’ll take tons of pictures, journal about it and scrapbook it when I return, sweaty or not sweaty, a little sore or barely-moving sore and no matter what the porta pottie conditions turn out to be.  And I’ll probably do it with a lot of giggling. I’m in for the whole adventure because as of yet, it has all been so incredibly amazing. My body has done things I never dreamed it would be capable of and I’ve heard God speaking to me more than I ever thought I would. He has blessed me with excellent health and He inspires me on every ride. I can’t wait to see what He has to show me during these two days and yes, even during the big camp out. What an adventure! 

And now, I’m geared up and ready to go. In addition to the sleeping bag, I also bought energy goos, energy jelly beans, recovery drink mix, shorts, gloves and a flashlight I can wear on my forehead. When you add that to what I already had before the shopping trip, I think I’m ready to go. No… it’s still two weeks away. I’m sure I’ll come up with a few things to buy before then!!

Today’s Ride

length: 33.22 miles

average speed: 14.6 mph

maximum speed: 23.5 mph

2:16:31

average heartrate: 73% of max

maximum heartrate: 90% of max

Letter #3 to my MS 150 ride supporters

This was a letter sent to those who are suporting me in the 2008 BP MS150 ride from Houston to Austin:

It’s three weeks away and my excitement is growing! On April 12, I’ll be clipping in and cycling off into the sunrise for about 93 miles to LaGrange. (And then I’ll wake up and do it again the next morning, arriving in Austin after about 85 or so miles!!)

Incase you’re wondering, this is going to those of you who have committed to support me in the MS 150 either through prayer, warm fuzzies or through donations to the MS Society, as well as a few of you who I thought just might be interested. This is my third update, so if you’ve missed the others and are interested I reading them, please let me know and I’d be happy to send them to you.

But on with the update…

When I wrote last I was anxious about a 67-mile ride. Well, what an amazing 67-mile ride I had, thanks to many of you! As I made the turn onto the 67-mile route (as opposed to the 45 mile route) I felt this burst of excitement and energy and a really funky tingly feeling… I was literally energized by all those prayers! There is no other way to explain it. I giggled and pedaled along and then burst out in song (The Doxology). It wasn’t long before someone cycled past me, which made me smile even bigger… I wonder what he was thinking as I was singing praises to the Lord!! The ride was fantastic, a major confidence-builder and showed me not only where my help comes from (Him) but that when my sights are set on the right things, confidence will flow from Him as well. And at the end, I felt I really could have cycled 25-30 miles if I needed to. Hooray!

The following weekend I cycled a similar, hilly route, but this time I rode 43 miles with some of the team I’ll be camping with in LaGrange (Baker Hughes). On that ride, I averaged 15.6 mph, a personal best for speed and, again it was another confidence-builder. I just love being out there, pedaling away thinking about how much God loves me. How else would I be able to ride like this?

Yesterday I rode with a new training buddy, and she showed me a beautiful, somewhat rolling route very near our house. We went for 40 miles and plan to ride a similar route, but extend it to 60 miles in one or two Wednesdays, depending on our schedules. My confidence in my distance rides is growing (Thank you for your prayers!). Now I’m working to increase my speed. Next weekend I plan to ride in back-to-back training rides. (I’m still deciding on the distances.) I’m hoping to feel encouraged at the end of the rides, and not let my average speed decrease from day one to day two. We’ll see how that goes!!

Some of you may know of my involvement with Bible in 90 Days (www.biblein90days.org). I am so excited that they are screening a cycling jersey for me to wear on day 2 of the ride!! How cool is that? (On Day 1 I’ll wear the Baker Hughes team jersey.)

If you want to follow my progress during ride, let me know… I’ll be wearing a chip through which the MS Society can send updates on my progress via text messages or email. If you want to be on the update list, let me know and I’ll send you an ‘invitation.’ Gary and I will not be riding together, so I’m excited that I can see where he is along the route by checking my phone at rest stops.

Thanks, again, for all your support of me and of the MS Society. Your prayers help me to ride stronger and your financial donations encourage me, as well as help those who are suffering the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. As of March 21, you have contributed $1,330!!! Thank you!!!

 

If you are intersted in contributing to the MS Society on my behalf, please click this link: http://www.ms150.org/edon.cfm?id=211033

Today’s ride was mostly flat with a few rolling hills. 

The training friend I rode with seems to know all sorts of wonderful routes… I am very excited she is sharing them with me. (She also told me about a website www.routeslip.com where you can plot new routes and see other routes people have plotted before you. It is pretty cool!)

 Anyhow, we rode behind Fairfield and out by the Oil Ranch in Hockley. We had a little wind against us coming back. The weather was beautiful… a little chilly at first, but it didn’t take long for the sun to come out. A few dogs found us and ran with us for a bit… nothing that a few harsh “NO!!”s didn’t stop, though. (wheeewww!!) I loved riding between the farms. We even went by a real working dairy farm and saw the big tanker truck taking the fresh milk away!! Cool!! (Feel free to laugh if you are more familiar with farm stuff than I, by the way.)

I am trying to get brave enough to draft behind someone, so I tried to pull up close to her a few times when I was in the back. It  makes me nervous to get too close. What if the rider in front stops suddenly or swerves or there is a huge pothole? I know I need to build trust… but I have to build the trust in myself, too! I don’t know that I’ll be brave enough to ride so close for the MS ride, but one day I will!

At the end of the ride I felt energized and still more encouraged. We were planning a few more rides to fit in out there before April 12. I cannot believe it is just 3 weeks until the big ride!

Length: 39 miles

average speed: 15 mph

max speed: 27.5 mph

2:36

Average heart rate: 78% of max

Wind wind wind!

Yippee! I did get a break from the potty-training to do my own training! (And my daughter is doing quite well with her training, by the way! )

 I got away for a quick ride, but I think the wind still made it a challenging one and time well spent. At one point, I thought the wind might actually blow me off the hill and into the field below me. I felt like I was climbing most of this ride, but the route we took was actually quite flat, aside from this one tiny hill I am describing. The wind sure got us!

length: 22.24 miles

average speed: 14.3 mph

maximum speed: 26.5 mph

1:33

average heartrate: 74%

maximum heartrate: 99%

A different kind of training

There is another kind of training going on at our house right now… It is time for our two-year-old to learn to use the potty. With the kiddos on Spring Break and very few definite plans, and because she certainly has been showing interest, I decided it was time to go for it. The trouble is, there’s just not enough time for two training schedules around here! If she’s training, that means I’m grounded, too. Well, at least somewhat… I can’t take her to childcare where I spin, but our babysitter is scheduled to come a few times, so maybe I’ll just cycle instead of grocery shop much this week.

Unfortunately today I planned to go for a ride and our sitter came, but the weather threatened so I stayed home. And then it didn’t rain! Oh well, my green jersey is at the printer, so what would I have worn on a St. Patty’s day ride?

I am getting nervous about not training much this week, but I think I’m doing the right thing sticking close to home and the kiddos.  I just hope a can find a way to sneak a couple rides in somewhere… And that my daughter gets the hang of the potty training thing so I won’t be grounded for too long!!

Baker Hughes team training ride

Today I met some of the people who are also riding with Baker Hughes at a team training ride. I was one of only 2 women riding, so I’m hoping some more show up on ride day!!  I’m riding with this team because a friend of mine rides with them, but his Baker Hughes connection has since moved away, so it’s hard for me to explain exactly where I fit in the whole Baker Hughes picture. But I’m excited nonetheless and am looking forward to seeing everyone at the start, middle and end of the big ride. And our team captain seems to cater to people like me who like to know every detail… his emails have answered a lot of my questions. (And, as my husband knows, I have a LOT of questions!!)

 The ride was roughly the same course as I rode the Sunday prior, except minus a huge hill and about 20 miles. I liked riding the same course again, as I knew what to expect and was able to enjoy some of the same scenery again. About 5 miles into the ride, when everyone was finding his or her own pace, I heard someone call out my name as I slowly passed by her…  a friend of mine training for a triathalon was cycling part of the same route! I hadn’t seen her in quite awhile and I don’t know how she recognized me in my cycling gear, but she did and it was pretty exciting to cycle along with her for a bit!  It seemed there were quite a few groups using that route that day.

After that nice surprise I rode on my own for awhile, then met at the appointed rest stop/ store at 17 miles. When I got there I felt a little awkward not knowing anyone and my phone rang. Another friend of mine was riding 70 miles that day and she called to check in and say hello. She was doing great, and her positive attitude encouraged me, too.

After the stop I rode alone for awhile and then rode with another Baker Hughes rider for about 10 miles. Riding with someone else made me push a little harder, but when he stopped, I couldn’t believe we rode 10 miles together… the time had vanished. I pedaled along, alone in my thoughts and prayers, marveling at all the farms and sunshine around me until it was time to turn onto a street where I remembered a dog from the weekend before. I rode as quickly as I could and, fortunately, never saw the dog. (Dogs have terrified me since I was about 8 or 9 and there a was a dog that would chase me on my bicycle when I drove by its house. It could have been a tiny dog, and it probably only ran after me the length of its yard, but I’ve always been afraid of any dog biting me.) Soon after being infused with the dog-fearing energy, I was nearing the end of the route and had the chance to cycle by a bed and breakfast where I had spent a scrapbook retreat in the summer. I thought about bringing my bike along the next time and then it was time to turn off into the parking lot. The ride was over and, again, I felt energized.  And, when I checked my computer, I was excited to see that I reached a personal best for an average speed. Hooray!

length: 42.84 miles

average speed: 15.6 mph

maximum speed: 28.7 mph

time: 2:45

average heartrate: 83% of max

maximum heartrate: 94% of max