Been awhile. Had some free time this Friday afternoon, so I was just browsing. Went on over to the ole' wish board, and read the description...something about sharing about fitness. I figured it wouldn't hurt to share my accomplishment of late to those who had followed along with my journey in 2004. I've been a lifetime member of WW since July 2005; with a weight loss of about 96 lbs. During that time I shared about many facets of my journey during that time; and how significant getting on the bike was; and how that journey has been with my wife and son. Eventually I shut down the journal and got on with my life...but was encouraged to come back every now and then and share about my adventures on the bike. For the past 6 months or so I've been paying at WW because I've been over goal weight-probably the same 5 lbs. or so. I have, however, continued riding and my abilities and increasing somewhat. I also rediscovered my love of running and have been fortunate to run each week a few times. I even trained for a distance event in December and completed it; with the goal of running evenly over the distance. Then I made the decision to compete at the next level
in mountain bike racing. After racing one year at beginner level; I was mandated to move up to sport level; more experienced riders, more conditioned, more of everything. So I worked myself up over the winter in thinking about how I was going to get pounded. February rolled around and so I went to my first race of the spring season. Sure enough, they took off like rabbits and took me along with them. It was a learning lesson...with no expectations I took 21st out of a field of 35. I got the new bike bug bad; and so made a considerable investment in my fitness goals...and how to match my ability to the bike. As it turns out, the manufacturer only made 80 of these in the USA, and I got the last one in the Austin area. So I took the next two months to dial into the new bike. This past Sunday was my second race of the spring season...and so the rain came. I decided that I would race on my terms...go out with the BACK of the pack; find my pace; and remain steady for 23 miles. Caught some guys in the hills; but had no idea how many. The rain continued and I had to pick my lines carefully; we have rock out here in the hill country in Texas. The tires caked up pretty good; had to stop once to clear out my drivetrain. With 2 miles left put up the best dogfight I could with another rider and came in with just a little in the tank but I just couldn't make up the gap. My son moved up in his age group and now races against the 12yo's on the state level. He is ranked 6th in state.
My wife is having some difficulty in staying on target with WW. She doesn't do her daily tracking anymore; and it is hard to keep my mouth shut. She decided to train for the century ride in Lake Tahoe in June; I try to remain supportive and encourage her; but her training is sporadic, at best. Emotionally I had some stuff come up and took action; I am doing much better. If you've gotten this far here is a link for a photo:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17100&sort=2&cat=500&page=1
Number 433 about 30 seconds before the gun. About 2/3 of the way through the race I was up on a hill, in the rain and mud; and realized today was 14 years...what a way to celebrate! Certainly I have an ability; and grateful I am. 14 years of what? If you've read my journal; you'll know. After the race the line was VERY long for showers and washing off bikes; they also would post results and have an awards ceremony. Today was all about the experience. My wife had a dear friend she wanted to visit in San Antonio; and so we drove off...she looked up the results that evening...9th place!
Went riding with a guy from work who has a tremendous amount of experience and is at another level; picked up an expert level rider a few miles in; met up with a group of team riders; all at expert level. Kept up; but I am not quite there yet...a long way from 300 lbs. and wheezing up the stairs.
in mountain bike racing. After racing one year at beginner level; I was mandated to move up to sport level; more experienced riders, more conditioned, more of everything. So I worked myself up over the winter in thinking about how I was going to get pounded. February rolled around and so I went to my first race of the spring season. Sure enough, they took off like rabbits and took me along with them. It was a learning lesson...with no expectations I took 21st out of a field of 35. I got the new bike bug bad; and so made a considerable investment in my fitness goals...and how to match my ability to the bike. As it turns out, the manufacturer only made 80 of these in the USA, and I got the last one in the Austin area. So I took the next two months to dial into the new bike. This past Sunday was my second race of the spring season...and so the rain came. I decided that I would race on my terms...go out with the BACK of the pack; find my pace; and remain steady for 23 miles. Caught some guys in the hills; but had no idea how many. The rain continued and I had to pick my lines carefully; we have rock out here in the hill country in Texas. The tires caked up pretty good; had to stop once to clear out my drivetrain. With 2 miles left put up the best dogfight I could with another rider and came in with just a little in the tank but I just couldn't make up the gap. My son moved up in his age group and now races against the 12yo's on the state level. He is ranked 6th in state.
My wife is having some difficulty in staying on target with WW. She doesn't do her daily tracking anymore; and it is hard to keep my mouth shut. She decided to train for the century ride in Lake Tahoe in June; I try to remain supportive and encourage her; but her training is sporadic, at best. Emotionally I had some stuff come up and took action; I am doing much better. If you've gotten this far here is a link for a photo:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17100&sort=2&cat=500&page=1
Number 433 about 30 seconds before the gun. About 2/3 of the way through the race I was up on a hill, in the rain and mud; and realized today was 14 years...what a way to celebrate! Certainly I have an ability; and grateful I am. 14 years of what? If you've read my journal; you'll know. After the race the line was VERY long for showers and washing off bikes; they also would post results and have an awards ceremony. Today was all about the experience. My wife had a dear friend she wanted to visit in San Antonio; and so we drove off...she looked up the results that evening...9th place!
Went riding with a guy from work who has a tremendous amount of experience and is at another level; picked up an expert level rider a few miles in; met up with a group of team riders; all at expert level. Kept up; but I am not quite there yet...a long way from 300 lbs. and wheezing up the stairs.
