RTCC training is over! Let's do this thang!

As of Sunday March 25th, I have officially completed my 12 weeks of training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.  Over the last 12 weeks, I've gone fone being extremely sore after a single hour of training to being able to leave the class and immediately go for a job/bike ride etc.

I've been able to push my body harder than I've ever thought possible, which I think is just the beginning.  Being able to sustain a heart rate on 170-180 for almost two hours and managing to drink almost two liters of water is something that I would have ever thought I could do.  I don't know how spinning bikes will differ compared to my bike on the road, but I know I'll be ready for it.

Being with the same group of people, I've been able to get to know a bunch of new and interesting individuals.  At the end of our final session, we all went out for drinks (at 2:00pm on a sunday heh).  It was fun to finally socialize with various training mates outside of the studio.  Something about not having to huff and puff while trying to hold a conversation that makes it a more enjoyable to make small talk.

Now that training is over, I think I'm going to make a new video.  I'm found a few video editing programs that I'm going to take a shot at.  Windows Movie Maker should be fine for now.. I'm literally just looking for something that will help me cut out awkward pauses etc.  I think what has been holding me back from making more videos is the fact that I've been doing them in a single take too.  Have to get used to being in front of the camera rather than behind it all the time.  Mayhaps I'll do a little gear run down too.  It's about high time I get on that.

Saw this initially at the orientation session I went to.  Seriously, amazing stuff.  After watching it, the orientation leader said one thing that stuck with just about everyone in the room.

"Wear dark sunglasses, the darkest you can find... Because whether you think you will or not... you WILL cry when you cross the finish line.  And it won't be from sadness I promise you"

Thanks to everyone that's been checking in with me since I've started this here bloggity blog. I appreciate it!

See you on the road!

Gear geek out and cross-training questions

Is it just me or are wheelsets like these all kinds of schweet?

Seriously!  I don't know why I like them so much.. but after you think about it, are the 30g that you're going to save REALLY going to be worth the $1000 that you spend? NO!  seriously, unless you are some sort of insane triathlete, I think it'd be much more effective if you just forgo the snacks or work out just a little bit more... That's just me.  Considering that my frame, unknown to me until very recently, weighs in at an insane 1150 grams, I think that a lot of these "premium" parts are heavily leaning on the law of diminishing returns.

I really hope that this project that I'm working on lightens up a bit some time soon.  I've been unable to get to a single spin class for almost a month.  Then again, hopefully the warmer weather will be coming so I'll just be able to get on the road rather than needing to go to a spin studio.

Another subject that's been rolling around in my brain has been cross-training... I know that obviously my legs are going to be the most important thing to strengthen for the RTCC.  However, I'm thinking more and more about the fact that my ARMS are going to hold me up the entire time, my core is going to be supporting me on my bike to stop my back from exploding...  Anyone have any ideas of what regimen I should be following?

Sickness, it does a body bad.

It's amazing just how much a sore throat can grind your training to a halt.  Since spinning / RTCC training is so intense with cardiovascular endurance, not being able to breathe really deeply is a BAD THING.

I've been drinking lemon ginger tea, taking a bunch of vit C and eating a bunch of soups etc.  So far it's just been getting incrementally worse.  Hopefully things will shape up soon.. Have to get back to training on Sunday!

Also, trying to build out a follow-up email for everyone for fundraising... less than 100 days!