AIDSRide Training

How's the training going?

		Miles to date:
18 July	Rode 16 miles yesterday, the last ride before I leave. I'm packing like crazy and discovering a bunch of things I'd forgotten, but progress is being made. Just need to track down some chamois butt'r... I think that's about the end of the list. I'm getting really excited about going up; hard to believe it's the day after tomorrow we're leaving. Thanks, everyone, for your support, both financial and otherwise; it means a lot to me. I couldn't have done this without all of you. Please keep thinking of me next week, and remember all the people living with AIDS that this ride is going to help.	1212.85
14 July	The last couple weeks were mostly medium-length rides, with one 78-mile long ride this last Thursday. Everything's going pretty well, and no flat tires. Yay! The weather has been fabulous... I just hope we're not using it all up. Yesterday was the last Team Canticle training ride, just 25 miles, but it was fun. I'm planning on riding another 25 this Tuesday, then that's it until St. Paul.	1196.26
30 June	Got in some nice, medium-length rides during the week, then took this weekend off. We spent Saturday at Great America instead of bicycling--their Fast Lane passes are a great deal. This week is looking massively hot once again. I just hope this weather breaks before July 22. Only three more weeks till Day Zero!	849.42
23 June	Well, summer is definitely here--it's been in the 90s for several days. I rode 63 miles on Saturday and 76 on Sunday, and they were tough. It was good experience, though: I learned to take things slowly and to spend plenty of time at the pit stops. And to drink lots of Gatorade and water. And to pray for not-quite-so-warm weather the last week of July. No flat tires this week, which was great. I think I spent the first half of Saturday's ride staring at my front tire, daring it to flatten. It didn't. There are hills near Bloomington/Normal. I had no idea.	785.28
16 June	The good news: The weather seems to be cooperating, and I've been riding more often. Yay! It's fun going out for 20-30 miles and having it feel easy. (Of course, the fact that there aren't any hills around here to speak of helps on that front....) The bad news: Had two rides cut short this weekend because of flat tires. I wanted to ride 75 miles yesterday but stopped after 42 because of a second flat tire. Took the bike to the shop; they fixed the flat and said they couldn't see any problems. Today, I managed 32 miles out of a planned 63 before my second flat. This time I didn't think about fixing it; I went straight back to the bike shop, where they tracked down a hole in the tire and replaced it. Whew! So with any luck, that's all my flats out of the way... four is plenty. And a special thanks to anyone who drives sag wagons. (Those are the cars that pick up riders with mechanical trouble or who just plain poop out.) After being sagged two days in a row, I'm really appreciating the time the drivers put in. I would rather have been riding, but sitting and talking with Joe, Jim and Mike was pretty fun, too. Joe, Saturday's driver, did the Heartland AIDS Ride last year, and he gave me some great tips. :-)	608.55
9 June	Ack! I didn't realize I was this far behind. Here are some of the last month's highlights: Didn't get in as much riding as I'd like during May, thanks to the weather. I did several 40+ mile rides but was only riding 2-3 times a week. The Saturday before Memorial Day I was in Michigan at MediaWest*Con and dragged myself out in the cold and rain to do 46 miles. It was sheer torture, and I thought about quitting every five minutes, but I got through it. And it was kind of nice riding in a rural area with very few cars, not to mention some actual hills, which are hard to come by around here. June has gotten off to a good start. I did two long rides in a row this weekend for the first time: 50 miles on Friday and 66 on Saturday. Then I was in agony on Sunday... my legs still have a way to go. But the weather is looking better; I just need to get out and ride more often.	465.35
4 May	Got in a 40-mile ride this week, with a nice, long lunch break. Now that spring is finally here, I've been outside a little more often. Haven't gotten hit by a car yet, but there have been some close calls.	134.81
25 April	24 miles on the Prairie Path, with a massive wind--gusts up to 40 mph, apparently. It was exhausting. Haven't ridden much the last couple weeks,thanks to a weekend in Cincinnati (where we watched my brother-in-law's brass band tie for first at the North American Brass Band Association championships) and some cold, wet weather. Still spinning, though. Goals for May: a 60-mile ride, and riding outside 3-4 times a week. I just hope it's not as rainy as last year!	80.28
13 April	20 miles on the Illinois Prairie Path. It went really well; must be time to find some hills. And it's time to concentrate on upping my weekly mileage.
6 April	13 miles today, on the Illinois Prairie Path, in just over an hour. I’m hoping to start riding outside twice a week, and spinning twice… assuming the weather stays decent.
30 March	Rode outside for the first time, just a few miles. I’m getting used to the computer and the clip-in pedals and shoes.