Friday, May 29, 2015

Woman's Tour Bike Training

My bike in 2011...down by the beach.

You've read a snippet or two about the Woman's Bike Tour that I will be going on in July. It's a 6-day tour through part of the Grand Tetons and I've been in training for a few weeks now.  I'm so excited!

The Woman's Tour has many tour packages, but I chose this one because it was rated for beginners. However, Cliff keeps reminding me there will be hills and I keep reiterating that it's rated for beginners. I think I might be trying to convince myself of that, but in the meantime, I will ride my little legs off to make sure I'm ready for this tour.  The first day on the tour, we will ride approximately 12 miles. The rest of the week we will ride anywhere from 20-40 miles a day, from point to point staying in Inns at night. The rides are in the mornings and then we have little side excursions in the afternoon. One day, we'll float on a river and one day we'll have a yoga session. I'm really excited about that, too. And now, since I most assuredly have to train for this week-long riding tour, you get to hear all about my training. Ha!


I've been riding my bike on the porch at the lake with the help of a trainer.

The Woman's Tour sent me a six-week training schedule to follow. I started early to make sure I would be ready and I will wrap up their schedule next week. But, I still have almost two months before the trip. So, I will continue training....taking longer rides, until the day I leave for Wyoming.

I've had to re-think how I normally train because I'm all about the miles and when I give you stats, they will be in miles. But, the Woman's Tour training schedule has me riding by time. When I started a few weeks ago riding half an hour two days a week and then an hour on Saturdays, I could tell that the training was not enough for me. So, I thought, I'll just tweak their plan to fit my ability. Well gah, I didn't have to! The training has picked up now and it's very challenging. Time on the seat is most crucial. And Sunday, I rode for 3 hours. I'm not gonna lie, it was a little painful. Especially for the ischial tuberosity! My next long ride will be 4 hours. Holy Ouch!! I ride outside, when I can. And when I can't, I set my bike up on the trainer and ride indoors or on the porch. My biggest fear is not the hills or how bad the tush is going to feel, but the traffic. From all I've read, the Woman's Tour courses are on less traveled roads or on bike paths. I'm counting heavily on this. If you would whisper a prayer for safety, I would love you forever. For now, I will follow their schedule and continue to, throughout June and July. I'm sure I'll be ready!

So....in case you were wondering, my stats are as follows:
Week of Apr 26  - 14.36 miles
Week of May 3   - 10.82 miles
Week of May 10 - 26.5 miles
Week of May 17 - 41.67 miles
Week of May 24 - to be continued...but so far, 38.50 and I still have 2 more days of riding this week.

Trusting my training,
Laurie

Oh wait, before you go......take a look at the sunset Cliff and I were watching this evening at the lake.

The gloaming.....a magical time of day.

18 comments:

  1. Wow! Laurie you are plowing through those miles. This bike tour sound very interesting . . .
    I take my hat off to you . . . Bravo, you are a brave girl!

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    1. Thank you, Connie! I'm so excited about it!

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  2. A bike tour, what a fun way to see new sights! Sounds like you are going to be well prepared for a beginner ride, prayers for safety. Gorgeous sunset

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! Good to hear from you. How've you been? Your prayers are greatly appreciated! Yes, I think this tour may be the most fun I'll have all year! Lol!!

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  3. Whispering a prayer right now....I agree, the traffic would be stressful and that's far worse than pushing your muscles! It sounds like so much fun, though....you're going to have a blast!

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    1. Thanks Betsy, I'll love you forever! For real. I'm really looking forward to it. It will definitely be an adventure.

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  4. You can't hear it, but I'm applauding you! What a challenge but I know you'll be up to it and will be great! I would need a super big soft seat however and another set of new knees if I tried that! Prayers and hugs and anticipation at seeing the pics and stats when you're finished! Happy training to you!

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    1. Thanks YaYa! The seat can bothersome, but not bad on the knees. I can see how riding after knee surgery could be challenging, though. Thanks for your prayers and hugs. Can't wait to tell you all about it.

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  5. Whew- I am already tired just from lacing my shoes up to get ON the bike. Can I join a typing marathon instead? lol I am SOOOO proud of you, missy! You are going to do just great-just don't kill yourself by pushing yourself too hard. This is going to be one amazing journey! xo Diana

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    1. A little training here, a little there and all of a sudden I can ride 30 miles. I've been training conservatively because I know all too well the alternative. I've feel victim to overkill training for half marathons. Thanks for your encouraging words.

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  6. You are really racking up the miles on that bike, girl! I know you will do just great in the Women's Tour and I will be pulling for you and praying too! I think one of the first posts I ever read of yours was about a bike trek you took--a not so uneventful one, so I hope you will all stay safe and sound. I tried to get caught up a little on your blog posts and when I read about your poor Mama's plight with the laundry detergent I felt so sorry for her because she was in a real mess, for sure. Your pictures of Georgetown are very pretty. The last time I went to Georgetown was with my dad, some 45+ years ago and this brought back some of that time. It sound like you are loving your place at Lake Greenwood and it is no wonder because the pictures you have been posting are beautiful. That sunset is breathtaking. Your peony is very pretty! Don't they have a fabulous fragrance? It must have been a bad year for peonies because my bush had one solitary bloom this year too! Were the kids kneeboarding on the lake at your house? Lidia was so cute and she really was killing that wake! I know you are so proud of those two grands, with good reason. It is good to see you all are making those beautiful memories together. Laurie, I hope you will have a fabulous week, sweet friend!

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    1. Thank you, Lynne. It's so good to hear from you. Oh yes, I remember that bike ride. I still can't sleep on my left side as s result from that ride. Thanks for your prayers!!! Yes, mama was in a real mess. She's completely healed from that. But, you should have seen her. I'm just glad she figured out that it was the detergent. No more home-made soaps for her! We are certainly enjoying the lake....the flowers, the water, neighbors and all. Lidia was kneeboarding on the lake at our house...she caught on so quickly. Sawyer has been loving his bike. We are on a hill and he rides up and down the driveway a few times, rests and then repeats. Ha! Loving making these memories with them. Talk soon, Lynne!

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  7. I. Think that you will do great on the tour, S ounds like a lot of work with some fun thrown in. I bet you will make some amazing friends.

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    1. I'm really looking forward to the ride and meeting all the ladies that will ride with me. Hope you've made it safely to your mountain home!

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  8. With all the sensible (but difficult!) training you're doing in preparation, I know you'll do just fine. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you'll treasure forever. I think having goals and working toward them is one thing that keeps us young. I have a feeling you won't ever have a problem feeling that way!

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    1. Thanks Mama Pea, and I hope you're right...I hope I always have an adventure on the horizon!

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  9. You're my hero - marathons, and bike tours through the high country! WOW, gal - incredible! Just like the beautiful sunset up there! Happy Tuesday, Laurie.

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  10. Thanks, Tanya! Happy Tuesday to you also.

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