a report from LLB

[latelatebloomer]

Just had to shoot you all a little report and get you all to do the Snoopy happy dance with me!

Latelatebloomer just did her first club ride on her NEW ROAD Bike and she was CLIPPED IN, TOO!!!

This is proof-positve that TE can work miracles. Of course, I also trained hard at the gym all winter, even did some tough indoor training with the local bike club's racing team. (What they thought when a 46 year old, 200-some lb woman walked in, I don't wanna know. But guess what? My heart rate targets were about the same as theirs. Talk about pushing beyond one's comfort level - I wore the spandex, one night I was the only woman there, and I was scared I was gonna throw up - either from nerves or effort! (but on the last night of training, one of the guys said he and a couple others might join me on my century ride, just to give me moral support I think - it made me feel like I was part of the team just a teeny tiny bit )

So, last Sunday, DH and I did a little how-to-road-ride class, and this Sunday, the same man was leading a class D ride - 10 mph, 10 -15 miles. Ok, I thought, perfect for a start. I mean, my best ride at the end of last season was 20! (this time last year, I could only do 3 miles.) Well, we got out there and after some miles, he announced we were all doing great and could handle a longer ride. We did 25. I was often last, but not by much, and I DIDN"T CARE ONE BIT! The leader taught me how to take hills a lot better, and told me I did great.

And there was a more experienced rider along to help and encourage - another large woman, an African American woman who mostly mountain bikes and SHE WAS TOTALLY CAPABLE OF KICKING BUTT - but also rode gently to help us out.

Yeah, I wanna lose more weight. Mostly so gravity doesn't have such a claim on me on the inclines - but I really feel like I have transformed myself. This is all so beyond what I ever believed I could do when I weighed 270+. Thank you all for coaxing me along when I got frustrated and discouraged. For all you big women who are committed to getting fit, I just want to mention that I stopped getting on the scale - because I'm building a lot of muscle and if the weight stays the same or even goes up a little, I plummet emotionally - so I just make fitness goals and slowly but surely, it's time to send another set of clothes to the Salvation Army. Just don't give up.

Thanks again, everyone.

[bikerz]

Hey way to go LLB!!! Congrats!!

[Trekhawk]

Mate Im so pleased for you. I wish you were closer so we could ride together, what a blast we would have.

Sounds like a great group to ride with and congratulations on riding your new bike clipped in.

I will have a celebration drink for you.

Leslie

[Lise]

LLB, you rock! Congratulations!

I didn't know that anybody else did what I call the "Snoopy Dance of Joy"! I join you! I am dancing like a fool!

Thanks for letting us know how it went. Looking forward to more ride reports. Good, good work. Lise

[Grog]

Wonderful, LLB! Way to go, you'll go further next time.

[bluedress]

AWESOME JOB! I love your FABULOUS ATTITUDE! You are doing great things!

~Marca

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill

[jobob]

Ah, this is just the beginning. Someday soon you'll look back at this ride fondly and marvel at how far you've gone since.

I didn't know that anybody else did what I call the "Snoopy Dance of Joy"!

You kidding?!? Cue the Linus & Lucy theme ....

[Bad JuJu]

Oh that's so inspiring! Good for you! I'm dancin' up a storm here.

[PAP103]

I'll do the Snoopy dance with/for you!! Thanks for your inspiring post. I was feeling a bit down because I went out yesterday for my 2nd club ride and was dropped (along with another woman) on the first hill. We rode together. I was only able to do the short route of 13 miles and had to walk a couple of hills. But its only my 2nd ride of the season and my second ride on my new road bike.

Thanks for reminding me that my fitness level will improve as I ride more! I need not be so hard on myself, I just need to ride more!!

Ride on!!
Patty

[slinkedog]

You definitely deserve the big, happy, Snoopy dance!! Me and my kids will be doing one as soon as I log off!!

Good for you! Stick with it and you will be going farther than you ever imagined you could! Great job!

[easterbird]

[QUOTE=latelatebloomer]Just had to shoot you all a little report and get you all to do the Snoopy happy dance with me!

Latelatebloomer just did her first club ride on her NEW ROAD Bike and she was CLIPPED IN, TOO!!!
QUOTE]

Congrats! Great Job! I'mm dancin,too. BTW, I have been thinking...dreaming of trying a club ride...which club??? Central Bucks by any chance...you are from Bucks Co,PA?? I am from Kintnersville,PA(Bucks Co)

[latelatebloomer]

Hey, Easterbird, if I walk on my front door and holler, you just might hear me! I'm in downtown Applebachsville (for those who don't know - no stoplights, no post office, no stores, no nothing, and we love it that way!)

I'm doing rides with the Lehigh Wheelmen, and you don't have to be a member to ride. www.lehighwheelman.org I've now done 3 rides with the leader named Rob who does a lot of stuff for beginners.

I just got back from a 30 mile towpath ride, Allentown to Easton and back. Rough riding, so I took the hybrid. I'm very fatigued, but pleased with myself. I was almost getting dropped at the end and I was clearly the weakest rider - but my first 15 miles were really strong, and I've never done this rougher terrain before. And this is my new personal best already. Rob tells me the next road ride will feel like cake. I really need to work on my hill skills, though. And keep lightening the load.

I really love the feeling of riding past a large woman on foot who makes this face. I hope I can help plant a little seed from which will grow another rider who will astonish her own self.

[jobob]

I hope I can help plant a little seed from which will grow another rider who will astonish her own self.

That is a wonderful sentiment.

It's such a fabulous feeling when you reach a goal about which you used to think "hoo mee? no way!"

[cindysue]

Congrats! So many milestones....

sounds like a great group to ride with - and very supportive!!!!

[RoadRaven]

*doing the happy dance*



*doing the happy dance*