Proud of myself!

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone!

After having spent 3 summers 2003-2005 riding around ONLY in empty parking lots, (very fearful of traffic - cars, trucks, etc....), my husband and I decided to check out a bikeway near our home on June 5th, 2006.

Finally, away from the "chains" of the parking lots, I enjoyed riding my bike in a more open area. After about 2 weeks of riding around at the bikeway, I read here at TE, (as well as experienced), the "danger" of riding on bikeways. Lots of walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, etc...... There really wasn't a lot of room for everyone...............SO, we made a decision to get out on the open road . (My DH would ride on the road -- I never wanted to join him).

Now that we're out on the road, there really is NO looking back!! Another thing I was extremely afraid to do was to ride "solo". I needed my husband with me. On August 18th, I did go out on my very first solo ride, but this week, I managed to do 3 solo rides in a row . And, I LIKE IT!!! I miss my husband on these rides, but I do carry him in my heart!

On the 6th, I went out for 16 miles - on the 7th, I did 24 miles and yesterday, I enjoyed 16 miles . This past Monday, my husband and I went out for 24 miles -- very desolate, country roads, picturesque & beautiful !

I am truly enjoying myself !! (yes, hills & all )!! I am so much stronger than I was 3 months ago. I am more in control of my breathing, (which is something that I never thought would happen!!!)

I just wanted to say, "THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN ME THE COURAGE TO GET OUT THERE AND RIDE"!!
I'm having more fun now at age 45 than at any other age!!

And, it really is quite a gift to be able to enjoy such a great activity with the person you love most !

Peace & Love,

Denise

[margo49]

You are a good person Denise and you know how to encourage people yourself. Glad to see you are getting it back too!
Tail winds to ya!

[Dogmama]

FANTASTIC! Congrats!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You GO Denise!!
I know just how you feel!!
I just went for a ride today that last month had me panting and gasping and tired. Today...no problemo!!!! In fact, after that one hour ride we just continued on for another 3 HOURS, and I got home feeling a bit tired but really happy and good all over. AMAZING what one more month of daily riding can do!!! I can't believe how much I have gotten stronger. And no more gasping and panting- just strong controlled breathing.
WE ROCK, DON'T WE??!!

[Lise]

WAHOO! Freedom is sweet, isn't it?!?

I am so happy for you, Denise, to have found the freedom of the open road. And, like Lisa SH, to be feeling your body getting stronger and stronger.

Ride on!

[Selkie]

That's terrific! The more you ride, the more confidence you'll have. ENJOY.

[Kano]

Another thing I was extremely afraid to do was to ride "solo". I needed my husband with me. On August 18th, I did go out on my very first solo ride, but this week, I managed to do 3 solo rides in a row . And, I LIKE IT!!! I miss my husband on these rides, but I do carry him in my heart!

It's a very different experience, isn't it? No pressure to keep up, or wait up for someone else, just please yourself as you ride. I think the occasional ride by myself does something special for my overall riding skills too! There's also a certain empowerment that comes from knowing you're relying on only yourself...

I am truly enjoying myself !! (yes, hills & all )!! I am so much stronger than I was 3 months ago. I am more in control of my breathing, (which is something that I never thought would happen!!!)

I notice those things too, Denise -- and getting control over my breathing feels remarkably empowering too, don't you think?

I'm having more fun now at age 45 than at any other age!!

I have to admit, 45 is a great age. For me, I think it's when I started being a person in my own right, more than being someone's wife or someone's mom!

And, it really is quite a gift to be able to enjoy such a great activity with the person you love most !

Ain't that the truth!!!!

Denise, thank YOU so much for all your posts. In so many ways, we seem to be in a very similar place, at least as bikers. Your posts always strike a chord for me!

Karen in Boise

[maillotpois]

Oh FANTASTIC!!! I absolutely LOVE hearing stories like these!

You rock!! Keep on pushing the limits of what you think is possible.

[Denise223]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL LADIES WHO POSTED -- CAN I CALL YOU MY "PERSONAL CHEERLEADERS??"

Yesterday, DH and I did a 27 mile "Great Meadow" loop. Such beautiful scenery - rustic old barns, lots of green meadows, AND acres of land!! (unlike the city in which I live - condos & houses built on top of one another )
I may not live in places that are as beautiful as where I ride.......but...., as I always say, "I am grateful to have a roof over my head."

I think today I'll take a break from riding.....although, it is a beautiful day out..... Nah, my legs are a bit sore from 83 miles in 4 days... (All of you strong women who do 100K, 200K, 400K - 1200K, triathlons, etc., etc....., I bow down to you YOU ALL TRULY ROCK!! )

In 3 months of riding, I NOW have muscles that were underdeveloped before. In fact, my rheumatologist, (who I've been seeing for 12 years for fibromyalgia, etc...), said, "Now THAT'S A QUAD!!! " He really is as tickled as I am about the changes in my body.
Funny, he's even talking about getting his bike out too......... !

It really is nice to see lots of people out riding..... From groups to solo riders... When I see women out riding, I often wonder, "hmmm....are they from TE???" I am one to stop & ask, but when I think to do it, they are well out of sight .... I love that I'm starting to recognize people, which means that perhaps they've recognized me as well.

Okay, I've got a question for all of you --- Has to do with "fat weight" & "muscle weight".

From 2001 - 12/2005, I went from 295 - 190. (because I had been a "chronic dieter" from age 8 to age 40 -- I did not lose any of that weight through dieting!! I HATE the word DIET! I don't ever want anything to do with dieting ever again in my life. I lost that 105 pounds just through "watching what I eat", and there was NEVER any deprivation, EVER!! (I just can't do deprivation anymore.....) ... Oh, and I don't like getting on a scale, either.
I much prefer using my clothes as a gauge as to how I'm doing.

But, of course, the scale was out last night, (DH uses it everyday - he's 5'9" and 186 - would like to lose 10 pounds, which I think is great - though, he's perfect to me !)
And, I hopped on the scale last night (after a day of eating, drinking fluids, etc...), and was a tiny bit shocked to see that I was 3 pounds heavier than 2 months ago .

I fit perfectly in my size 14 shorts, (my everyday wear). My PI XL shorts are definitely feeling too big -- they used to be tight (which felt better to me), but now...they just don't feel right. Chamois feels too big. My shebeest triple S feel better.

Oh, yesterday my husband looked at me & said, "your glasses are too big for your face -- your face is much smaller".... (he's an optician). I'm always ready for a new pair of glasses ! (I can't wear contacts b/c of my Rx).

So..........after my long story, (I have trouble being CONCISE! ), can someone please explain "fat vs. muscle", please.
I do know that muscle does weigh more than fat. I also know the "calories in vs. calories out".

I KNOW my body is going through a positive change, and that I am getting tighter - and, I am losing fat. If there is anything awful about my eating plan, it is that I DON'T have a full breakfast - I know that is a BIG NO-NO!!! (I do have breakfast sometimes, just not all the time). When I DO have breakfast, it's a bowl of Kashi w/raisins, skim milk, banana & coffee.

Yesterday, (for instance), I had 2 pieces whole wheat, PB & raspberry jam. A banana as well & coffee w/skim milk.
http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/

On our 27 mile ride, I had a clif bar, a pack of clif shots, one chocolate GU pkg., <<-(before we left), 2&1/2 - 24 oz. bottles water, 1 - 24 oz. bottle gatorade (on way home). (I LOVE WATER BTW).
(if I'm eating too many calories on my ride, please let me know..)

One thing about my riding is, "I feel that I STOP too much". Whether it's to blow my nose (X 3) - though, I'm getting better about getting my hankie out while riding. And, I'm getting better about drinking while riding. Though, I do stop about 4 - 6 X while riding. Perhaps this will get better as I gain more experience??
I do know that sometimes I stop to catch my breath - (but, my breathing is SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN IT EVER WAS!!!) I don't have to do anymore "open mouth breathing"

We just ordered some headlights/tail lights, and should be receiving them on Tuesday ! I also want to get some reflective items such as tape, stickies, etc.... (if you have any suggestions, please let me know). Thank you!

Well, before this post gets any longer & scares you all away, I'll stop for now .

I LOVE being here at TE - I love reading everyone's stories, whether you're a brand new cyclist or a seasoned pro! I learn so much from all of you !

If anyone from my neighborhood is up for a ride weekdays, AM or afternoon, please let me know.

Peace & Love to you & yours,

Denise

Robyn I think we'll tackle Grist Mill first -- but, I want to get some laminate for the cue sheet. (thank you for sending me the revised sheets !) Perhaps we can hook up for 25-30 sometime. For the Seacoast, we wanted to do 40 - but, I see that the choices are 25, 50, etc.... I may try for 50, but....I'll wait for that day & see what the conditions are Good luck to you & your husband!

melissam How are you?? I remember only too well about my fears, concerns, etc.... It really is amazing that I am actually "doing it" !! Thanks YOU for all of your support & help ! I'm having fun & loving it!

TO THE REST OF YOU I love being a part of everyone here. Thank you all for making me feel so very welcome!!

Love, Denise

[Crankin]

Denise, go over to REI and get a cue sheet holder. You stick the sheet in the plastic, close the bottom and it velcros around your handlebars. That way, you can use it any time you are following a cue sheet.

Robyn

[emily_in_nc]

On our 27 mile ride, I had a clif bar, a pack of clif shots, one chocolate GU pkg., <<-(before we left), 2&1/2 - 24 oz. bottles water, 1 - 24 oz. bottle gatorade (on way home). (I LOVE WATER BTW).
(if I'm eating too many calories on my ride, please let me know..)

Denise, it does sound like you might be eating a bit much for a ride of that length. Please don't take this as a criticism - just sharing of info, since it is so hard to know! Just to contrast, DH and I did a 32 mile ride yesterday to town to several markets and rode home with full panniers (my bike + panniers and groceries weighed 62.5 lbs, so the hills were killer coming home!!!)

On this ride, which included several longish shopping stops and an average speed of 12.5 (so it was longer than it might seem based on mileage), I ate one Clif Bar, drank one 16 oz. bottle of Accelerade, and the equivalent of two bottles of water in my Camelbak. And I was fine. I probably could have used a Gu for extra energy near the end of the ride but knew I'd be eating soon at home so I waited since I didn't want to stop again. (I had a large fruit/yogurt smoothie and some cheese and crackers w/sliced tomato when I got home - yum!)

Before the ride I had had a big bowl of cereal and half a banana. Now, I am petite, so I don't need as much fuel as some riders, but I do know that your body can only absorb so many carbs per hour. If you're drinking a large bottle of Gatoraid, I would think that just one additional "food item" (bar, gu, or whatever) for a 27-mile ride is plenty. Of course, if you get hungry on a ride you should eat more, but if you want to lose or maintain your weight, you should probably experiment with eating less on a ride. If you have eaten a meal right before the ride especially. If not, you can eat more on the ride, of course.

As others have said, you have come so far, and I applaud your successes along with them!

Emily