Thursday, August 19, 2010

Facing Fears

Last night I had a training ride with the WOW group (Women on Wheels). It is a women’s cycling group that is training for the Valley Girls Ride in October. The group is awesome and I really enjoy riding with them.

So back to my story, I went to the training, checked in, got my bike ready for the road and then settled in for the presentation about core strength. Once that wrapped up we were ready to hit the road, coach then gives up the route. Go out this way, turn here, then there, etc. ....eventually coming to “Hospital Hill!” Well, needless to say I almost loaded my bike up and went home!

Hospital Hill has been my nemesis since January 31, 2009. This is a section of road on the backside of our regional park that runs along side Freeway 41 and can been seen from Valley Children’s Hospital. (Hence the name “Hospital Hill”) I have run this road many a times. It has a long gradual hill and a short steep hill that are great for training on. Cyclist use this hill for training too and that is how I got hurt. I was my first training ride with Team in Training for the Summer Season (Tahoe Century) 2009 and I had a slow-motion crash. I had completed the climb up the long hill and decent and was starting the climb up the really steep short hill going back into the park when I started having trouble shifting (very new cyclist at this time) and I decided to come to a stop to get it figured out. Well, as I was stopping my right foot either missed the curb or hit the curb and I fell, breaking my ankle in three places. I laid on the side of the road for 11 minutes waiting for an ambulance to come get me, got 20 cc of morphine in route to the hospital and ended up with a titanium plate and 5 screws holding my ankle together. Freaking Awesome!!

The Hardware!


Well since the accident I had avoided Hospital Hill like the plague. I purposefully planned runs and especially training rides far away from here. So when I was told that we were riding there I started panicking. I decided that I would ride with the team and that I would just change my route at the end, do a different hill, and come back. But as I was riding over there I realized that I am a lot stronger now, I am a good cyclist and now was as good a time as any to face the hill again.

I rode in, descended the steep hill and climbed the really long gradual hill, turned around, came back down (getting to a top speed of 26.8 mph) and got myself psyched up to climb the steep hill. As I was approaching it, someone fell right where I did and I started to panic a little (the person was fine), but I got my breathing under control and I tackled it. I climbed up the hill, back through the little gate and stopped. I had to catch my breath and wipe away the tears of joy for finally facing my fear!

Needless to say the ride was awesome!!

Sunset following the ride!


Dare to be remarkable!!

Chandra

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Quick Update

I am only 18 days away from my next half marathon!! The Disneyland Half Marathon!! So excited!! This last Saturday I completed my long mileage day - 10 miles in under 3 hours! This was really good for me. I am not a fast runner by any means.  I was concerned with my time because there is a time cut off at mile 4 (1 hour 35 min) and mile 10 (3 hours 10 min), but I should be fine! (Also super excited for my little guy who will be doing his first race ever! 100 yards Kids Race in California Adventures.)

Here is a picture of the race course - Super excited about running through the parks and going through Angel's Stadium!



Last night, I did one of my midweek runs, 2 miles in under 25 minutes!! So stoked about my run!! My husband thought it was just ok, but I know it rocks for me! He just doesn’t see the improvements I have made in my running since 2008 (the last time he ran with me). I have shaved minutes off and my endurance has greatly improved. I have also gotten a better grasp on the mental aspect of running. Just being able to go out and consistently push myself is a huge accomplishment. I do most of my training on my own and it would be so easy to cheat myself out of miles and skip workouts because I am tired, but I have finally figured out that I can do it on my own and that I am stronger for it.

I have also begun training for the Tour de Fresno and the Valley Girls Ride. Yep, I am back on my bike. So far training is going well and the Women on Wheels group that I am riding with is awesome!!

Also, my Salad Challenge is going well. Still loving all the yummy greens!

Dare to be Remarkable!!

Chandra