Post workout Fuel....

I am no expert on nutrition, but I try to keep my body going before, during and after I do a workout. One of my best friends who just happens to be an amazing triathlete turned me onto drinking chocolate milk after a long ride or run. One of my big problems after I do a long run or ride is that I have NO desire to eat anything...nothing...nada. So getting some protein in the form of a drink has been very helpful to me. There are lot's of recovery drinks out there...and I've tried a few, but nothing beats some ice cold chocolate milk (or soy milk) after those long workouts! I keep the milk cold by putting it in a cooler back with frozen water bottles. It's my reward after a long workout.

What's coming up...

Lot's and Lot's of Running is what is in my immediate future. We (myself, my husband Jason, my friend Chris, and my friend Kim) are actively training for the Disney Wine and Dine half Marathon in October. 3 of us (Jason, Chris, and I) have a pretty aggressive training plan, that only requires us to run 3 x week, but they are very specific workouts. This week in particular has been hard because the amount of mileage and the extreme heat we are experiencing here in North Carolina. This weeks 3 runs consist of a 4 mile run (I did that), an 8 mile run (I did that), and a 13 mile run (doing that tomorrow). The training schedule takes us up to 15 miles and I love the idea of training over the amount I'm going to run...so that I know I'll be comfortable on the actual "race day".

The only other event as of right now on my radar is a sprint triathlon in August. This is the race I won from going to the Trek Ladies night. My friend Kim and I both won a free race and we decided that we would do this race together. Mostly due to fact that there would no travel involved and we wouldn't really have to train for it. Not that we aren't swimming, biking and running anyways...but once you get a level of fitness the sprints can be easier (if you aren't competitive) but the longer distances (Olympic and Full and Half Iron mans) take some training. I wanted to be focusing on my running, but still have some fun with the other sports too.

Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride.

This is the 3rd year of the Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride, and the 3rd year I've been a part of it. This year they offered 3 different distances so that people of all abilities of riding can come be a part of this great cause. There were: 100K, 50K, and 25K routes and this year I decided on the 50K. The routes are very hilly and a nice workout. I did the 100K route last year and knew that this year I was not quite ready for those hills, and distance. I love being on my bike, but I've been running more lately and haven't gotten as much distance in.

My ride was great. I rode with my friend Bill and Elaine, and we enjoyed the beautiful views of the route. I think the biggest hill on our ride was Mt. Sinai, and it was a doozy. We got to talk to other cyclist along the way and I got to meet a few other people who's parent(s) have been dealing with Multiple Myeloma as well. It was nice to be around people who know what this cancer can do to people. My Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in February 2007, and had her stem cell transplant in October 2007. She is currently in remission from the cancer, but is dealing with the many after effects of the chemo and drug treatments to put her cancer into remission.

My friend Kim and her Mom rode the 25K route which started an hour after the 50 and 100K routes. Unfortunately their ride was not as pleasant as mine. Kim's Mom (Linda) got spooked by a motorist honking their horn, while she was going about 18 mph down a hill and ended up flipping her bike. She was taken to Duke Medical Center where she had a broken elbow, facial fractures and bleeding on the brain. Thankfully the doctors at Duke were able to help her and she has had surgery on her face and elbow and is doing fine now.

MY RANT= If you've never been on bicycle riding in traffic you may not realize how much little noises effect cyclist. Please do not honk your horn at us while we are riding. We assume that you are about to run into us and we tend to panic. Most of us are clipped into our pedals and not able to just put our feet on the ground when our actions cause our bikes to fall or flip....which means we go with our bikes. Please realize that your car has brakes. Yep it sure does and if it doesn't than you should get it looked at. Be considerate of cyclist (as we should be of motorist) while sharing the road, know that if you get to close to us and knock us over it's not just a little tap it's a life. We are real living breathing human beings out there, enjoying the fresh air, and getting some great exercise. Cycling is not easy, but those of us who love to do it love the challenge we put our bodies through to make it up those hills and against the winds. Take a minute and remember that we are people too.