Three years... and First (completed) Bike Race

Three years ago this month I started my pre-op diet....

Saturday I completed my first Ultra Cycling Race - a 12 Hour "Time Trial" outside of Houston.  We had 3 separate, drenching rain storms, but all went well (almost) and I logged 221 miles - then on my last lap (Laps are 21.3 miles in this particular race) I shredded a tire and the 12 hours was nearly up, so there wasn't enough time to complete another lap after fixing it.  

All in all, a good outing for my first complete race (my first attempt ended with a crash and a separated shoulder + broken collarbone last fall).  I believe I finished (a distant) second to the winner who set a new course record.  Of course he was 20 years younger than me, so no hard feelings :)

It was a painful but wonderful day.  Made possible by my VSG...

Tom

Congrats Tom!

Wonderful accomplishment. Go celebrate and recuperate! So great that you have found biking. It is certainly wonderful to have a passion - especially one that keeps you so active and youthful.

I get one day off (today) then back to training - next 12 hr Time Trial is in Ohio in 3 weeks!

What an inspiring story!!  Thanks so much for posting!  I used to LOVE to bike (although never in time trials!) Your post reminds me that is possible and within reach if I just stick with the program.  

~Michelle

The most important thing I learned on the journey was to start easy, but add a little each week. Post-surgery (once I was cleared for exercise) I could barely go a mile... but I chose cycling because I remembered practically living on my bike in the summer - with all my friends.  So I associated with happy memories - not "exercise".

I just added a little more each week - when I got to where I could ride 15-20 miles I started to plan for a big challenge, and I chose doing a "century" or 100-mile ride.  I didn't want to just survive it - I wanted to enjoy it.  So I started going to cycling group-classes during the winter and signed on with a coach.  About a year post-surgery I did my first century, and now I average close to  one per month- but it took that year of pretty consistent training to get to the point where I was comfortable to go for the big challenge! 

And at 57 I still love riding with all my (new) friends!

What an inspirational story. Thank you for sharing!  And btw, that 20 year younger had nothing on you

Inspiring. I draw strength from stories like yours. Thank you, Tom.

psychoticparrot

Way to go Jubs !!!!

Your a machine !!! Great accomplishment !!!

I am just now getting my peddling back on after several months of winter/other business stuff.... I was surprised that I really miss it and am eager to get back to a regular program.

I have two other frames now that I am building up to urban hot-rods.

I'm in Austin right now, MotoGP just raced here.

Congrats and thanks for the inspiration !!!

frisco

Hope you had better weather than we did!

Keep on pedaling!

Bravo,Tom!  

Nancy