My Life on the Run: April 2013

The world revolves around relationships: with family and friends, with coworkers, with those in your circle, and with yourself. I am very fortunate to have a great family and many close friends. I am often asked by friends to go here or there after work, and many times I beg off saying I have this to do or that to do, but I know that if this trend continues too long, those friendships will die off; people will get tired of being rejected. It was with this thought that I readily accepted an ivitation to dinner Friday after work. My work was caught up and I had no place to be in a hurry. We were going to a nice little restaurant a few towns over, and I knew from experience that they have the most excellent chicken fried steak.

Typically, the night before an event, I try and do the traditonal carb loading with pasta with other friends who are competing with me in the same events. No so this time. I had a hankering for some CFS and a margarita, so I ordered away. Not only that, one of my dinner companions had ordered loaded potato chips as an appetizer: potato chips smothered with bacon and cheese and sliced green onions and more cheese along with several small tubs of ranch dressing to dip the chips in. Mmmmmmmmmmmm....carbs, yes?

CFS, fried okra, and mashed potatoes

We ate our fill, went through the rituals of friendship in sharing a meal together, and then my friend and I headed back for home. I went to bed relatively early for me, and I set my alarm for 5 AM so that I could drive the 30 miles to the biking event in the morning and not feel rushed in getting there.

I woke up feeling like hell with all of those carbs from dinner the night before fighting to make their way out of my body. I had to keep fighting the gag reflex, and I did have to force myself to not wimp out and just stay home and try to sleep off the bloating and nausea. However, I knew that people were counting on me to be at this event, so I kept running to the bathroom in between getting all of my gear ready and loaded, and I finally headed out about 6:30 AM, without breakfast of course. Coffee and the repast from the night before would have to fuel me on this 25 mile bike ride I had set out before me.

The day dawned chilly but sunny, and as I pulled in to the parking lot, I could see people unracking their bikes and pumping up their bike tires in preparation for the 8 AM start time. It wasn't long until my friend showed up, and we got our things ready and headed to the starting line. There were in all about 100 bikers ready to attack the hills of Central Texas on this sunny, chilly morning.

The starting lineup

The shirt

Two modes of transportation

The camraderie of the bikers

Taking 5 in front of Belton Lake

Ahhhhhh, the bluebonnets!!

The "25 mile" route turned into 31. 62!

It was a perfect morning for biking through the Central Texas countryside, and it being the Hill Country, there were numerous hills to challenge one's endurance and riding skills. There were people of all shapes, sizes, and age groups riding, and at one point my friend and I were passed by an older couple on hybrids. My friend was incredulous, and I got the "REALLY?!" look, which meant for me to get the lead out. I had the best laugh of the day and it endured throughout the ride. My friend had orginally set out to do the 50 mile bike ride, and I had set on doing the 25. We rode together laughing and talking for about the first 14 miles until we came to the rest stop where the routes split. We said our goodbyes, and he set off one way and I, another. I was riding solo for a few miles as most people had chosen the routes of longer duration. I was kicking myself for not challenging myself in doing the 50 miler when I hear voices talking behind me. It was my friend and a couple of other riders in the local bike club who had come to join me on the25 mile route after all. It was great fun riding and chatting and sharing in this biking experience. Another phenomenal day in my life on the run!

I made a promise to myself that this year I would enter more biking events. I have been attending RPM class at my local gym, and I have become a better biker. Today was my first bike event of the year, and it was a perfect day for a ride! This was my third time doing this ride, and I have done both the 15 mile and 35 mile distances. This year I opted for the 15 miles ride so that I could complete the event and still make a noon appointment.

The Vineyard at Florence in Florence, Texas is a gorgeous place. I have been here for grape stomps, wine tastings, and Sunday brunch at their little cafe. Some of my friends joined in on this event today, and we all did varying distances from my 15 miles, to another friend's 35 miles, and another's 65 miles.

The weather could not have been more perfect: crisp and cool and sunny with little wind. There were many, many gorgeous wild flower along the way including my favorites the bluebonnet and the Indian Paintbrush. I stopped and took a few pictures along the route and said silent prayers of thanks along the way that I was both financially and physically able to ride my bike in this event. There are so many incredible and nice people who compete in these types of events, and it is always enjoyable saying hellos at each passing biker as we manuever the differing routes.

Up next weekend is the Stampede at Chisholm Trail with some challenging hills and a 25 mile route for me. I am truly looking forward to it. This is a far cry from the days when I used to say I would rather suck the snot out of a dog than ride a bicycle! ;)~