Tour de Chocolate Town: My First (Almost) Century Ride

There was just something epic sounding about riding my bike 100 miles. I liked the evenness of the 100. It just had a lovely ring to it. Sure if I'd realized at the time of my sign up that the 65 Mile option was 100 Kilometers I might have considered that, but just, the idea of going 100 miles in a day was definitely on my list of things I wanted to do.

Leading up to the big day on June 3rd, I didn't have a ton of time to train on long rides, but I did do some pretty intensive 20/30 mile days that had a lot of hills built into them. For me, I can be on my bike all day and not care. I love it, but hills are definitely my weakness, and I wanted to make sure that even if I got to mile 90 and hit a great big hill, that I wouldn't be hopping off and walking because I wasn't prepared. And in the end, the only hill I had to walk part of the way up was the one where I hit my knee and started bleeding, so I suppose practicing going up some beasts of climbs all around NJ actually paid off. As for the reason I didn't quite make it the full 100 miles, well, that's some human error at play.



I got up about 2 AM, so I could leave my house by 3 and get to Hershey by 6 AM, so I'd have time to fiddle with my bike, get my packet and get stretch a little before we were allowed to start the ride at 7 AM. And, though some pesky deer did try and jump up out in front of me at one point, the rest of the ride was rather uneventful. So I got there, chatted with a few people (most of whom were shocked I had driven so far) and got ready to go. Mostly this meant studying my map, since there were several routes to choose from, a 17.5, a 35, a 65 or the 100. And I made sure to pay attention to people who had like colored wristbands, knowing they'd be going my way. Once it started at Hershey stadium, we wended our way around the parking lot, and then through the actual Hershey Park. I got to ride through most of the park, before we were let out a secret exit and then on to the streets of Hershey. We rode up through some Hershey sites and then over to the college, mostly the same route as the cute little trolley tour that you can take.

Once out of Hershey land, we were into farmland and countryside. I learned that while corn looks flat, its not, there were so many rolling hills, that by the time I got to the first rest stop around mile 15, I'd begun to wonder what I had gotten myself into. That turnoff for the 16.5 mile ride looked tempting, but I forged on. Then about three miles out of the rest stop (which was packed with snacks and most importantly refreshing ice water) was when I was riding up a big hill and fighting with my low gears (a problem that has since been fixed at my bike shop), when my gear shifted unexpectedly and wrenched by leg up so that it hit my bike pump and gouged my knee. I walked to the top of the hill, put some of the ice water on it, grabbed the bandaid I had remembered to pack in my small backpack and slapped it on and kept going. After all, I had 80 more miles or so to go.

So up and down over all the rolling hills, each time I had to really get up a big hill my knee was killing me, but at another rest stop I found a lovely person with some advil. Around mile 30 or so I met up with a lovely woman whose husband was clearly itching to really power fast through some miles. He was moving fast and then would get about a mile up and wait for her. So we told him to go on to a rest stop and we'd meet him there. It was at that crucial rest stop that I made my big mistake. There was a sign there for the big 35 mile loop that took off and differentiated from the 65 mile. I grabbed a yummy PB&J from the volunteers, as I was starving and had been riding for several hours. Then took off, since my newfound friend was doing the 65 mile ride. So we separated after they both marveled at the fact that I was attempting to go the full 100 miles on my hybrid bike, when most of the riders doing the long ride were on sleek little road bikes that were far lighter.



So I headed off, but for some reason there wasn't a big group leaving the rest stop when I was, and I missed one of the little stickers that were on the road indicating which way to go. I misread my map and ended up on a strange but beautiful road, that after about 7 miles, connected back with what I thought was the loop I needed, but turned out to be the road back to the rest stop I had just left. So I biked back, tried to go down the proper road, and made it about 5 or 6 miles or so (I really need to get one of those handy odometers), when some guy passed me and said that he felt like he was on the wrong road, and he turned around, so I turned around with him, and ended back at that same rest stop.

At that point I began to worry I wouldn't finish by the four o'clock deadline if I attempted the same route for a third time... and I was running out of gas. So I opted to hop back on the return route to Hershey, which was still a good 30 miles away. Turns out, that the hardest part was on the way back, an enormous hill with huge elevation gain, but it was the prettiest (aside from 3 Mile Island). Once I started nearing Hershey and seeing familiar sites, I was so delighted. Even though I'd long stopped seeing people who were doing the ride. But the bike path that leads around the hospital out there was just gorgeous (seriously, ride it if you are in the neighborhood). But about 5 miles from the end, and with only an hour left before the cutoff, it started pouring. But not just rain, thunderstorms. I can deal with water, even on my bike, but thunderstorms? Lighting when I'm in an exposed area, or riding around rollercoasters is more than a little disconcerting. And what's more, I saw a guy on a motorcycle totally wipe out in front of me because of all the water. As the storm ended, I finally arrived in the stadium, and got my t-shirt and pin and they threw a ton of food at me (since I was one of, if not the, last people to finish), but weirdly no chocolate. That's probably my biggest complaint about this ride. Anyway, I had seen a couple around the mile 90 sign, and they had told them that I was still behind them, so the volunteers knew I was still coming. All of the volunteers were impressed that I did the century (or anything close to it, since I told them my getting lost saga) and were extra impressed that I finished in the rain. But I still had nearly three hours to drive home, before I could truly relax.

I was happy that I made it anywhere near 100 miles, since it was leaps and bounds over what I'd done before. I'm quite into challenging myself, and this was indeed that. I know better how to look for the signs and pay attention the cues Now that my bike is fixed (apparently the gears were off, even though the young kid at the shop told me it was my imagination when I went in to get it checked at the end of last summer), thanks to my dad getting it a nice tune up. If (more like when), I go it again, I'll have learned a lot and be way better prepared. I'd be curious to try out a road bike, just to see how it effects my speed... maybe I'd be able to ride 15+ miles an hour instead of closer to 10/12. I also feel like I could kill at 65 mile ride, with no problem, so next spring, I might add a couple of those to my to do list, and maybe another century as well to make sure I did the whole thing. Maybe even this one. I don't think I have plans next May 19th...

Biking Is a Lot More Fun Now That I've Got a Nice Rack

It seemed ridiculous to me to have a bike rack, after all, wasn't the point of having the bike to use it to get to places? Well, yes. Where I grew up and spent the majority of my college years in Maine, this was definitely the case. If I wanted to go somewhere, I'd just head out on the door on my bike and I could get there. Sometimes people would be jerks and try and push me off the road, but for the most part, it was decent.

But now down in Jersey where I live, the streets are much more populated with cars, and bikes are the last thing people want to deal with. I'm always riding around my area praying that I don't get killed, and really, to get anywhere decent is a good 10 miles. But it is a stressful 10 miles, so by the time I get to the area where I can enjoy actually riding my bike (my favorite thing after swimming), I'm so tense that I can barely relax. Honestly, I've ridden in New York City on several occasions, and frankly, I'd take navigating lower Manhattan and all the taxis than trying to maneuver the suburbs... that is if you can even get where you want to go without having to go on a highway or ride 5 miles out of the way.

Anyway, last year for my birthday (and because I needed it to do a triathlon), my dad got me a bike rack. It was a long complicated process that involved getting a trailer hitch put on my tiny VW Beetle. But after today, I'm convinced that it was totally worth it. I had an appointment a bit further West than I am, looked up some bike routes remotely in that vicinity and put my bike rack back on the car (I took it off for the winter) and got out on my bike for the first time this season.

I had a choice between a moderate 26 mile path, and a "challenging" 17 mile trail. I opted for the shorter one (even though I'm used to longer), because I really wanted to focus on my sucky hill work. And that I did. this gorgeous route that went around Greenwood lake in Northwest jersey/New York State was a hill lovers dream. It started out with some rolling hills on a road, but one where people were polite and moved pretty slowly, as it was a rather residential area. As I hit the top of the lake, I began to think this was a piece of cake. Well, the back half kicked ass. I actually got to practice a lot of gear work thanks to all of the steep hills. And I totally didn't have to go down to the lowest gear all of the time, so I guess those spin classes have done some good.

I did the 17 miles in 1:20, which I know is slow for those true athletic types, but for me (especially with the hills) was pretty solid. Better still, I even considered doing a second loop, but there were a few things I wanted to tweak on my bike (more air, and a brake pad that was rubbing my front tire) that I decided to head home. Stopped at a little shop, and the guy saw my bike and told me about a group that rides at an old jungle park (totally hoping that Matt Damon owns this) on Sundays, and I should try and find out about it. Small town riding totally has its advantages, and being able to get to the small towns, is even better.

My Crazy Summer Event Schedule!

I didn't get into the New York Marathon, and while I was momentarily sad about that, I've quickly found plenty of ways to fill my time (and spend the money I had set aside for the race). I'm not planning on taking a real vacation this year (unless I win the lotto), so doing these events will keep me busy and give me plenty to look forward to, and keep my legs hurt just at the thought of all the training I have ahead of me.

Tour de Chocolate Town (June 3rd) -- a century ride (100 Miles) through Hershey, PA.

Rugged Maniac (July 14th)- Manalapan, NJ, A 5K Obstacle course that looks bananas.

Maine State Triathlon (August 5th)-- a nearly Olympic length triathlon in Bethel, ME. And I get to visit my parents.

Danskin Sprint Triathlon (September 9th) - A sprint triathlon in Sandy Hook, NJ. I did it last year and loved it (was my first "race" of any kind. Looking forward to finishing even faster this time!

Philadelphia Marathon (November 18th) -- My very first marathon. And my personal consolation "prize" for not getting into the NY Marathon.

There's a chance that I may do the NJ Tough Mudder the weekend of Oct. 20th and 21st. But that's ONLY if my brother signs up. I'd do that with him, but not alone. There's a lot of training ahead, plus plenty of hiking and other things (maybe even a relaxing day at the beach or two) but I'm looking forward to my crazy summer.

Am I a Tough Mudder?

Yesterday Living Social offered this deal where you'd get picked up in New York, driven to Vermont to stay at a hotel, oh and in the middle of the nice relaxing weekend do a Tough Mudder obstacle course. Three. THREE people sent this email to me. What the hell does that say about me? That all of my friends think I'm absolutely nuts?

Now I'm not going to lie. The idea of doing a Tough Mudder has crossed my mind a few times before, but until I work on gaining some more upper body strength, I don't see myself hoisting myself over giant walls, or crossing monkey bars 15 feet in the air over a freezing cold pool of water, or using ice picks to scale a wall. Maybe in a year or two. I think I'd like to start with some smaller mud runs (there are a million of them now) to work my way up to it. I have a bad tendency to jump in over my head (see my post about entering the marathon lottery, instead of just doing more 10Ks or something), and I'm trying really hard to be logical here. Before I end up getting electrocuted for fun. (Yes, that's an actual part of the course).

So I guess my friends were right to send me this, because it isn't out of the realm of possibility. It is on my to do list. Does that mean I've officially lost my mind?

NYC Marathon: The Waiting Game

During the course of my half marathon training, I got it in my head that I could do a full one. Perhaps it was that runner's high that warped my brain into thinking this was a good idea, but I decided to throw my name into the ring for the NYC Marathon in November. The odds of getting in through the lottery are pretty low, so I left it up to fate, and mostly forgot about it. Well, until my coworker Rachel put her name in too, and reminded me that the drawing was next Wednesday.

What if I get in? Can I really do a full 26.2 miles? I survived 13.1, but at a snail's pace... on very flat terrain in Florida. In November, in New York? I remember well how long and hilly the Verrazano bridge is from the Five Boro Bike Tour, and that is just the start of the Marathon, not the end. And 40 miles on a bike is pretty easy compared to 26 on foot.

Also, I keep thinking about how the training for the half marathon was pretty grueling and how I still do a run-walk pace that someone's grandma could keep up with. My quick miles are like 11 or 12, my slow between 13 and 15. I could conceivably be running for upwards of 6 hours. SIX HOURS. OF RUNNING. On top of training for a sprint triathlon in September, and another possibly Tri in August. How could this be any kind of good idea.

Then again, it would give me incentive to push myself running. Maybe even work on picking up my pace doing all those training drills they mention, and really up my game. And, while I'd never done a proper training program before, I sort of like the discipline of it. Skipping runs doesn't work well with my guilt issues, so I'm less likely to pass on a workout because it is cold, or damp or my allergies are acting up or because there is a cheesy movie on Lifetime.

The whole process has my stomach in knots, and Rachel has me learning all this stuff about how the lottery works and because I'm in such a slow finish time goal it may up my odds over those who are actual runners and in more competitive time slots (which may or may not be true, who knows?). My head is spinning from it all. And because of the insane cost and rigorous training, I've been putting off signing up for any other events this summer until I find out if I get in. I don't want to overextend myself too much, physically or financially. So I sit here waiting. Hoping I get in. Hoping I don't get in. Weighing all the pros and cons with everyone who will listen. But as my mom told me last night if I get in I've just got to "suck it up." And mom's do know best.

(Picture courtesy Maryanne Kessler)

What a Difference a Year Makes

A year ago today I started on my weight loss journey by meeting my LA Weight Loss consultant Danae. She's really changed my life, and the entire way I think about food and eating. That first day I saw her, I remember leaving shell shocked at the idea of doing a juice cleanse and cutting out a lot of fat, sugar and white starches from my diet. For a girl who lives on potatoes, this was a big attitude adjustment. And while there have been some hard moments, and some relaxed vacation moments filled with lots of adult beverages, this way of eating is just so much healthier than I could have ever imagined. And, in the course of the year I've lost close to 50 lbs. and lost almost as many inches off my body. It's really been an amazing mental and physical transformation. At 188 pounds, and a size 12, I'm the smallest I've been since college, and in way better shape than I've ever been in my life. I feel great and just love the empowered feeling of being able to do anything. It makes me want to hug Danae on a daily basis, since I couldn't have done it without her constant support and encouragement. She kept me motivated and found innovative ways to alter my eating during plateaus and weird workout schedules. I honestly can't wait to see what the next year brings.

The Worst Part About Losing Weight?

The saggy underwear. There's something sort of cathartic about getting rid of clothes that are too big. Either donating them to charity, handing them off to a friend or otherwise upcyling them (I made a cute dress for my kid out of an old brown pair of pants). But the underwear? Not even the old gross cotton ones that are hanging around in the bottom of the drawer for desperate days when you haven't done laundry, but the cute ones. They start to get too big, and then they don't fit under your clothes, and they just hang there. It's not like you can do anything but trash them, and that seems like a shame, but on the upside, I'd rather my underwear be too big than too small.