From DEconditioning to REconditioning:

August 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under: Spinning®, indoor cycling, weight loss 
Barb rewards herself with a trip to the beach

Barb rewards herself with a trip to the beach

The Beginning:

Who hasn’t looked in the mirror at some point in their life and disliked something that they saw?  If we are true to ourselves, we can all say – yep to that one.  Either the tummy, the butt, the legs, neck, chest, arms, lips, even the ankles could be on the list of things to change.  On one day this year, well, in truth, many days this year, I saw in that mirror, my mother.  I love her dearly but she is 28 years my senior!  I’m 55 so you can do the math.  Not a pretty picture.

I had only myself to blame.   After the passing of my love, I had tried to find happiness again without much success.   I was wallowing in self-pity and self-loathing.  My poor habits were numerous.  I had become a workaholic, working 12 hour nights 4-5 nights per week and sleeping when not working.  I ate in bed when I got home in the morning right before sleeping , in the car on the way to work and  in the middle of the night at work.    The only exercise I got was the walking up and down halls at work and the lifting, moving of patients.   I was  on my way to being one of those patients!

It was well over time to get my life, my health back!  And being the typical female I am, with whom did I commiserate?  My girlfriend.  She talked me into trying yoga for starters.  She loved it and to this day continues the stretching and holding.  Me?  Well, let’s just say  I’m more of a mover plus the torn tendons, ligaments of my rotator cuff, knee and foot just made the kneeling and positions of yoga unbearably painful.

Here’s where those who believe in fate would say – twas destiny!  The yoga class was in the most fabulous place with a fantastic spinning area – Global Ride – and wonder of all wonders; it was 10 minutes from home.   Needless to say, one session spinning with that wonderful heart pulsing music sold me and this frugal minded, couch potato signed up for more!

The Initiation:

I started my first week doing a couple of Acclimation classes – 30 minutes of spinning to 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music.   And, beat still my heart; the promise of tunes from various musicals and singers near and dear to my heart were listed for the next week’s schedule.   I was in a surround-sound heaven!  It gave a new meaning to “the Richard’s” saying: sweatin’ to the oldies.   I signed up for all those Acclimation sessions a couple more times during the next week when my work/sleep schedule would permit.   Low and behold, my heel spurs and plantar fasciitis pain disappeared!   And I kept on spinning as much as possible in hopes of losing many, many pounds/inches and getting a semblance of ‘the old me” back.

On the first day of the 2009 Gino wrote: “It’s time to pick a goal so big, that once accomplished, we will never let the hurdles of life loom larger than we see our legs leaping.”  I can say, yes, I did that!  My goal?  To ride, to peddle, myself from Butler area to Lake Erie in June for the charity ride, the MS 150.   That would be 75 miles per day on the back roads of PA.  Seeing that I had never ridden more than 16 miles at one time and had not even been on my bicycle for over 6 years, this, I believe, could qualify as a “hurdle of life.”

Moving forward:

I knew without help I would never, ever be able to accomplish such a huge endeavor so I figured a way to attend a 3 month, intensive training for cyclists being held for 3-4 hours Saturday mornings from January to March.   I notified my Unit Director and coworkers of the fact that after my 12 hour Friday night shift I MUST leave on time to make it to the training sessions.  Every Saturday morning I’d slam into my cycling attire, put my vehicle in “low fly” mode and get to Global Ride to spin, exercise and study on how to track heart thresholds, increase endurance and speed and much more.   Keeping track of my progress was fun because I actually had progress!  I could feel myself getting stronger, spinning with more ease, and increasing the amount of time I could keep my heart rate at my max threshold and over!

The spinning was great but my attempts at core strengthening – well – let’s just say I tried.  There were days afterward that I hurt to move but I kept going.   Hey I had to get ready for that MS150!  I would have no trouble falling asleep those days but having to do another 12 hour those 13 Saturday nights was sometimes excruciating.    The saying,” No pain, no gain” comes to mind.   Everyone at Global Ride was terrific.  Gene didn’t even mind if occasionally I got glassy eyed and accidentally dozed off during the class part of the program.    And I signed up for every spinning class I could logistically work into my schedule.   Of course I signed up for as many as I could that used my favorite sing along music and there were many.

The time flew up quickly.  I dusted off my bike and gave it to a friend who is known by many as the “bike doctor”.  If he can’t fix it, it isn’t fixable!   He looked at my poor old mountain bike (bought over 15 years ago), shook his head and took on the task of getting it ready.   On the side, he told me to start looking for a new bike which I did.  The prices were beyond my pocket so I just kept praying that it all would work out.  Yes there were setbacks like when the old shifter broke apart and he had to find replacement parts.  Not an easy task for something that old but he got it ready for road riding and I started riding outside.   After two trips outside I took it for the official inspection. It immediately failed and back to my friend’s it went who now in my mind is not just a bike doctor but is a bike wizard!   At that time I had one week before the MS150.  I was in better shape than I can remember ever being.  I could spin non-stop for several hours without hurting but still didn’t have more than 27 miles of road riding under my belt.    I got my bike back and it rained constantly on the only days left I had to ride outside.  Ugh!

The day arrives:

I kept thinking – silly me – what in the world am I doing!?!?!?!?  I’m just not ready.  I need more time to train.  But the day came.  I was doing this!   My friends and coworkers could believe I could/would do this and actually finish and I was going to show them!  The gang at Global Ride were so supportive.  They actually believed in me!  And with their blessings I packed up my vehicle and the next morning started out for the Starting Point.  It was a foggy day but the hour drive went quickly.  Looking around I saw no one I knew which was good.  I figured if I messed up, no one I knew would ever know!  That last hour before the official start dragged and then the word came down – due to the fog the start would be pushed back!  Lordy!   I talked with those around me.  There were others that had never done this before and had their doubts but we all were determined!  I will always remember one smiling little man looking at me and saying, “Kiddo, I’m 76 years old and if I can do this, so can you!”

The Ride:

Well, it is quite a sight to see so many bikers, over 1700, all trying to get going at the same time on the same narrow roads but we all did it.  After the first couple of miles I got my stride.  I had purchased a pair of Oakley sunglasses with an MP3 player.  All my favorite tunes were keeping me going at a decent, not the fastest, but decent pace.   I was doing it!!  That first day I found out quite a lot.  First off, there are some really wonderful people out there!!!   Second, all that training really paid off.  I rode 8 hours, 88 miles and my legs didn’t hurt!!  Granted after that long, I felt truly exhausted and funny walking again but there was no real pain.  By switching from sitting to standing when I could, my “sit bones” didn’t give me any trouble.  I got a good laugh many times as I would pass the same folks going down the hills and then they in turn would pass me going up the next one.  My bike was definitely too heavy for this kind of ride.

The only really major concern was the 4th and 5th fingers on both of my hands.   After the 50th mile, they went numb!  I switched positions, flexed and unflexed them to no avail.  The feeling was gone!  By the 75th mile, the feeling in parts of both hands had gone from that horrible tingling feeling to numb!    Well, that kept my mind occupied for the last 13 miles.   Eighty eight miles total that first day.  I was drained.  Seeing the first day finish line was tremendous.  I had made it!!   If asked that night which was tougher, this first 88 miles or labor, I’m afraid at that point I would have said the first 88 miles.  I rushed as best I could to get to the dorm room, change and go soak in the pool.  And then had a massage with special attention paid to my wrists and hands.   The feeling didn’t come back and I decided that was it.  Half way is better than nothing.

When I got to my dorm room, I checked for any messages on my phone and laptop (I go nowhere without both!)  God bless my coach, Gene.  He left me a tremendously uplifting message.  And I slept soundly.   That next morning I again listened to his message.  What in the world was I doing?  I’m not a quitter!  I could hear myself in earlier years encouraging my sons to not be quitters and here I was quitting – giving up – throwing in the towel!   I knew I couldn’t quit.  I’d hate myself and what was worse I would “condemn” myself to doing it all again next year because I hadn’t finish!   I went to the gym, got my bike and got back on the road.   That whole day was mind over matter for me.  I couldn’t feel my hands and that scared me terribly but I was not quitting!   I could hear in my mind, one of my friends/trainers at Global Ride, Bill, saying to me, “You’re gonna make it.  It might not be pretty but you can do it!”  And by George, I made it!!!  The MS 150 was actually only 148 miles.  LOL   And, for those thinking of attempting it next year, the last 12 miles are the easiest.     I was exhausted, had no feeling in most of both hands but was ecstatic as I rode under the balloon arch at the finish line and down the hill to Lake Erie’s beach.    I kept thinking I can’t believe I did it, I can’t believe I did it.  What a feeling!

It’s been 2 months now since that ride, it still seems like I dreamt it.  Was it worth it – yes!  The feeling in my hands came back completely after about 4 weeks.  I believe I can run rings around many people half my age.  I feel better about myself than I have in a long time.   I feel healthier.  My feet don’t hurt anymore.   I’ve lost 17 pounds and 7 inches — so far.   And some now ask, “Will you do it again next year?”   My answer —- ask me again in six months!

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Comments

6 Comments on From DEconditioning to REconditioning:

  1. gary smith on Sun, 23rd Aug 2009 3:36 am

    2. well done you! It’s never too late to turn your life around and cycling is the transport of the future

  2. Rich on Sun, 23rd Aug 2009 5:11 am

    3. Congratulations on a job well done.The hardest part about cycling is taking that first step. Beyond that it becomes a love affair.Don’t ever be discouraged, fitness doesn’t come easy but the payoff is tremendous as you are finding out.
    As far as you hands becoming numb. That is due to the style of bike you were riding. Mountain bikes weren’t meant to ride on the road where you are in a static position all the time.They stretch you out and lower your center of gravity which puts allot of pressure on your hands.
    You need either a Hybrid or a flat bared road bike that fits you properly. I am sure that Gene or Bill may have already mentioned that to you as well and when you are ready be sure to ask one of them to help you in your decision.A bike shop will definitely sell you a bike but not necessarily the right one for you specific needs.
    Continued success in your riding.
    Rich

  3. Mark Dalrymple on Sun, 23rd Aug 2009 7:10 am

    4. Woo! 148 miles is incredible. Dibs on drafting your wheel next year.

  4. Lisa Hanley on Sun, 23rd Aug 2009 7:11 pm

    5. Barb, I am truly impressed with your progress and your determination. I was with you in the cycling workshop. You made a commitment back then and followed through. I have to hand it to you for that alone. Now that you actually rode all of those long, hard miles, I’m giving you some extra stars! You worked really hard and you should be proud!

  5. Ian Turner on Mon, 24th Aug 2009 5:19 pm

    6. Well done Barbara from Perth Australia. An awesome job. You are an inspiration. Cycling will now be in your blood forever. I am going to show your letter to my wife. She is your age and is overcoming shoulder surgery and two bulged discs. She wants a goal to kickstart her reconditioning. Your letter should be it.

  6. Lorraine Nacey on Mon, 24th Aug 2009 8:46 pm

    7. You did an amazing job Barb and now we have Classic Rock, a “sunny” set”, and a “rainy day” set. What more could you ask for? Seriously, you rock!

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