One year ago the hubby & I were riding in a Saturday morning shop ride out at the old Carolina Triathlon on Woodruff Rd (now Ride On)... Riding with the B group I was in my normal position... at the back of the front 10 riders... but ahead of the rear riders... always working to bridge up. At the end of the ride I met one of the ladies who had stayed with the front group... she said they were starting a women's team and asked if I wanted to be on it... Me? A rider of 3 months join a team?? The key was could I do it while traveling? Would I be able to keep up with them while only training on the weekends?? I said yes, we exchanged emails & numbers... and I went through the application process, was accepted, and thanks to that morning ride... one year later I'm a different rider.
The person I met that day would go on to be my new team manager and friend! I was accepted onto the GHS Every Woman Cycling Team... which would be a way for me to really grow in cycling and meet new people in Greenville. While we were enjoying cycling... this new team gave both the hubby and I an in with the cycling culture here in Greenville. It gave me people to call up at a moment's notice to ride... especially with my crazy schedule... over this past year I was never at a loss for people to ride with on a Friday afternoon... It gave me a team of people who were striving for the same goals and trying to be better human beings.
Since that day I've clocked countless hours on my bike, never been left behind on a ride, rode farther and longer than I ever have... and had more fun that I could ever have imagined. I am so thankful to the ladies of GHS Every Woman for taking me in and making both the hubby and I a part of Greenville's wonderful cycling community
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A long time coming...
So it's been a while since I last blogged... and still haven't decided to share this with anyone. Much has changed since July.
Cycling - My husband and I were able to raise over $10,000 for the Palemetto Peloton Project's Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride. For more information about this life changing experience in which we partook see: www.ridetoaustin.com .
Upon our return we were exhausted both physically and emotionally, so what did we do? We slept, ate, and slept and ate some more. There's something about your days constantly being shifted for an entire week, and riding 6 hours shifts that makes you awake around the clock, tired around the clock, and constantly hungry! That's not something you can just flip a switch and say, "Okay... no more!"
So as our bodies began to adjust to the lack of riding I began to think about my commitment to riding. I'm an incredibly competitive person... have been my entire life. I was drawn into road cycling through it's charitable aspects, mainly to raise money for cancer research and those fighting cancer. But it has grown from that into a passion and something I truly enjoy. So, with my work schedule, how can I get better?
That's where work comes into play. It was a blessing in disguise but while on our way home from Austin, I received a call to not return to my L.A. project. Surprised and thankful at the same time I realized that I needed the break from traveling, so no big deal. I relaxed at home with the hubby and puppy, did weekday rides, Monday night pub runs... etc.
After the first week (it only takes 1 these days) , my boss and others started to get worried. In this day and age you want to be on a project... the longer the better! Alas, the friendships and network I'd developed did not fail me and I've been able to stay busy with other endeavors and stay off the "bench" while at the same time on it.
This only could go so far and others continued to worry, I however continued to not worry... stay patient and continue to do what was necessary - the work I've been tasked to do... as well as search for opportunities around the globe to use my skill-set. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Phil 4:6) - So that's what I've been doing... my request? To have more time at home in Greenville. More time with the hubby... and time to actually get to know my cycling friends (they are amazing people) vs being the one who just rides with them!
And what do you know? It worked... or more so... He works! I've been picked up for a remote (read - work from home) project for the next 4 months! I'll grab an open cubicle at one of our local offices... and when one of our cycling buddies asks the hubby, "where's your wife?" during a weekday ride... He can for the first time answer, "just over there!"
So, if you recall (it was a while back so you may not) I had this great segue from cycling into work... but haven't really provided the connection. In order to be more competitive at cycling... I need to be on the bike more. That could not happen while traveling. Alas that is no longer an excuse! I use the word excuse because now I've got to do something about this. Commit to hours on the bike, hours in the gym... and get my body onto a real training schedule.
So, it's been a long time coming, but here goes nothing!
Cycling - My husband and I were able to raise over $10,000 for the Palemetto Peloton Project's Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride. For more information about this life changing experience in which we partook see: www.ridetoaustin.com .
Upon our return we were exhausted both physically and emotionally, so what did we do? We slept, ate, and slept and ate some more. There's something about your days constantly being shifted for an entire week, and riding 6 hours shifts that makes you awake around the clock, tired around the clock, and constantly hungry! That's not something you can just flip a switch and say, "Okay... no more!"
So as our bodies began to adjust to the lack of riding I began to think about my commitment to riding. I'm an incredibly competitive person... have been my entire life. I was drawn into road cycling through it's charitable aspects, mainly to raise money for cancer research and those fighting cancer. But it has grown from that into a passion and something I truly enjoy. So, with my work schedule, how can I get better?
That's where work comes into play. It was a blessing in disguise but while on our way home from Austin, I received a call to not return to my L.A. project. Surprised and thankful at the same time I realized that I needed the break from traveling, so no big deal. I relaxed at home with the hubby and puppy, did weekday rides, Monday night pub runs... etc.
After the first week (it only takes 1 these days) , my boss and others started to get worried. In this day and age you want to be on a project... the longer the better! Alas, the friendships and network I'd developed did not fail me and I've been able to stay busy with other endeavors and stay off the "bench" while at the same time on it.
This only could go so far and others continued to worry, I however continued to not worry... stay patient and continue to do what was necessary - the work I've been tasked to do... as well as search for opportunities around the globe to use my skill-set. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Phil 4:6) - So that's what I've been doing... my request? To have more time at home in Greenville. More time with the hubby... and time to actually get to know my cycling friends (they are amazing people) vs being the one who just rides with them!
And what do you know? It worked... or more so... He works! I've been picked up for a remote (read - work from home) project for the next 4 months! I'll grab an open cubicle at one of our local offices... and when one of our cycling buddies asks the hubby, "where's your wife?" during a weekday ride... He can for the first time answer, "just over there!"
So, if you recall (it was a while back so you may not) I had this great segue from cycling into work... but haven't really provided the connection. In order to be more competitive at cycling... I need to be on the bike more. That could not happen while traveling. Alas that is no longer an excuse! I use the word excuse because now I've got to do something about this. Commit to hours on the bike, hours in the gym... and get my body onto a real training schedule.
So, it's been a long time coming, but here goes nothing!
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