Monday, February 21, 2011
Things are progressing - got donations from Scott, Natalie, and "Wolcheski Enterprises" - thanks guys! As for training, I really, really can't wait till I can ride outside. The bikes at the gym are awful. I can tolerate the ones at the Lewiston gym, but the ones at the Auburn gym make my knees hurt (yes, the same chain gym within a few miles from each other, but they have different equipment). The bike shoes are very helpful at least!
Friday, February 11, 2011
So I got my first donation yesterday from Katie W. It's very encouraging! I'm trying my hand at Facebook donations first before I bring out the "big guns" (I haven't quite figured out what that is yet) :-)
What is not encouraging is my knee pain. I was told at the beginning of this week that the alignment of my knee caps (though primarily the right knee) are off. It's just the way I'm built and there is nothing I can do about it. I recall having a similiar problem in high school (when I was forced to be active in gym class) though the pain was a lot different than what I am feeling now. I asked why it would suddenly flair up and I was told age, which breaks down your knees over time, and the fact that most of us gain weight as we age and that, of course, puts more stress on your knees.
What this all means is after a day of walking around and sometimes exercising (which does not hurt) that when I am no longer putting stress on them (at night) they hurt. The doctor told me not to be afraid of the gym but after I went on Tuesday, I've been in pain at night ever since. They gave me exercises that are supposed to help but, of course, are causing my knees to hurt during the day as well. I feel like an eighty year old woman.
However, this does not mean that I'm throwing in the towel on this or any event. Even if I'm in a knee coma for a week after doing the 42 miles, I'm still going to do it. I have a bike that should be more ergonomic than my old bike and the bikes at the gym, and I finally invested in a pair or real cycling shoes. Knees be damned!
What is not encouraging is my knee pain. I was told at the beginning of this week that the alignment of my knee caps (though primarily the right knee) are off. It's just the way I'm built and there is nothing I can do about it. I recall having a similiar problem in high school (when I was forced to be active in gym class) though the pain was a lot different than what I am feeling now. I asked why it would suddenly flair up and I was told age, which breaks down your knees over time, and the fact that most of us gain weight as we age and that, of course, puts more stress on your knees.
What this all means is after a day of walking around and sometimes exercising (which does not hurt) that when I am no longer putting stress on them (at night) they hurt. The doctor told me not to be afraid of the gym but after I went on Tuesday, I've been in pain at night ever since. They gave me exercises that are supposed to help but, of course, are causing my knees to hurt during the day as well. I feel like an eighty year old woman.
However, this does not mean that I'm throwing in the towel on this or any event. Even if I'm in a knee coma for a week after doing the 42 miles, I'm still going to do it. I have a bike that should be more ergonomic than my old bike and the bikes at the gym, and I finally invested in a pair or real cycling shoes. Knees be damned!
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Time to Start Fundraising!
I'm officially listed on Team ASPCA's website! They haven't given me a login and passcode yet so my fundraising page is rather sparse. I actually searched myself to see if I was listed!
You can donate to my cause by visiting http://aspcaambassadors.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=506&participantID=1079. Please give, and give often! :-)
You can donate to my cause by visiting http://aspcaambassadors.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=506&participantID=1079. Please give, and give often! :-)
Thursday, February 03, 2011
TDBank Five Boro Bike Tour - The Story
So a year ago I said it was a New Year's resolution for me and Erik to keep up with this blog. Well, we both failed.
But now I have a new reason to keep it up - I recently signed up for the TDBank Five Boro Bike Tour in NYC as a member of Team of ASPCA. I'm a relatively new member to the "cycling" world (in quotes because I am an imposter). I've done the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston-Auburn the past two years, and in that time have grown a lot (started at 10 miles, moved on to 25 miles - a big deal for me). While cancer will always be close to my heart (Nonna, John, Gail), I am ready to move on to another cause.
As many of you know, over the past year I've been very active with my local humane society. I love it. While I adore the museum world, volunteering at the shelter has helped me keep my sanity and has shown me how much I really care for animals. The ASPCA is the oldest humane society in this country. And it just so happens that this year, they decided to create their own team for the various athletic events in this country.
I have my friend Curtis to thank for my joining this event. Growing up, my dad and I would go to NYC but all we would see was the touristy part - Times Square, the tourist trap of America. I assumed that was all NYC had to offer. I went back just after 9-11 and then really spent some time there about a year and a half ago. I have fallen in love with the city. There is so much more than the tourist trap aspect. In fact, there are parts that remind me of Maine and New England given the affinity for good beer and the neigborhood atmosphere.
And in my visits there, I have been dying to bike it. There is no better time than to do it with 32,000 of your closest friends on a closed course - awesome.
My goals for this blog? To highlight my history with animals, to show why the ASPCA is an important charity to donate to, and to document my apprehension. Forty-two miles is a lot for me. Yes, it's relatively flat given the Dempsey, but it's still asking a lot from me. Since the Dempsey, I have upgraded bikes. But, I still refuse to do clips (I don't want to hear it Kate and Kendra!) and I'm still against spandex. I am just a "person who likes to ride a bike" (NOT a cyclist).
Stay tuned for more!
But now I have a new reason to keep it up - I recently signed up for the TDBank Five Boro Bike Tour in NYC as a member of Team of ASPCA. I'm a relatively new member to the "cycling" world (in quotes because I am an imposter). I've done the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston-Auburn the past two years, and in that time have grown a lot (started at 10 miles, moved on to 25 miles - a big deal for me). While cancer will always be close to my heart (Nonna, John, Gail), I am ready to move on to another cause.
As many of you know, over the past year I've been very active with my local humane society. I love it. While I adore the museum world, volunteering at the shelter has helped me keep my sanity and has shown me how much I really care for animals. The ASPCA is the oldest humane society in this country. And it just so happens that this year, they decided to create their own team for the various athletic events in this country.
I have my friend Curtis to thank for my joining this event. Growing up, my dad and I would go to NYC but all we would see was the touristy part - Times Square, the tourist trap of America. I assumed that was all NYC had to offer. I went back just after 9-11 and then really spent some time there about a year and a half ago. I have fallen in love with the city. There is so much more than the tourist trap aspect. In fact, there are parts that remind me of Maine and New England given the affinity for good beer and the neigborhood atmosphere.
And in my visits there, I have been dying to bike it. There is no better time than to do it with 32,000 of your closest friends on a closed course - awesome.
My goals for this blog? To highlight my history with animals, to show why the ASPCA is an important charity to donate to, and to document my apprehension. Forty-two miles is a lot for me. Yes, it's relatively flat given the Dempsey, but it's still asking a lot from me. Since the Dempsey, I have upgraded bikes. But, I still refuse to do clips (I don't want to hear it Kate and Kendra!) and I'm still against spandex. I am just a "person who likes to ride a bike" (NOT a cyclist).
Stay tuned for more!
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