My Training Regiment

Here in DaVita’s Lone Star Division, we have formed a training team made up of four of us who live relatively close to each other. Knowing others are making the commitment to show up really helps get me on my bike.

 

I have loaned my old road bike to one of the unknowing souls who just went into this blindly (and with my intense coaxing). She is STILL talking to me, can you believe it? (Gaylee, I love you!)

 

We try to ride three times a week in the evenings…last month it was a challenge to do that in JULY in HOUSTON, TEXAS, as the heat index averaged about 106, and the humidity was always at 110%. Nice weather if you enjoy mixing biking and saunas.

 

We don’t have that problem anymore: it has been raining for a month now in Texas!! I am thinking of trading my bike in for an ark! (I am really starting to freak out about not being able to get out and ride!)

 

We have been doing some local sponsored rides on the weekends. We hope to kick our ride up to 50 miles this weekend! (That is, if that pesky rain I just mentioned ever lets up). We hope to kick in a 100 mile ride before we head to the Tour DaVita. (OK, maybe that’s wishful thinking!)

 

I have convinced my fellow riders about the importance of pedal clips. It can make a big difference when you are going long distances. We also use a bike computer to monitor our mph and our cadence.

 

There is a great book by Lance Armstrong (you know, our fellow Texan) The Lance Armstrong Performance Program: 7 weeks to the Perfect Ride. It has great tips and good ideas on how to prepare for such an event. The section on riding hills and mountains is very informative. We know NOTHING about hills here in Texas. We have been practicing on nearby freeway overpasses!!

 

I also work out with a personal trainer two to three times a week (oh yeah, money also motivates me…I make sure I get up and sweat if I know I am paying someone whether I show up or not!). I think strong core muscles also benefit a rider. My trainer is my cheerleader and has been really stepping up the workouts to get me ready.

 

A lot of people go to spinning classes…I think that is SOOOOO BORING! And it is nothing like being on a road bike. But to each his own, some people swear by it.

 

And finally, I pray a lot. I am in my forties (definitely not the new 20 when it comes to biking…or anything else in my case!) and I can use all the help I can get!

Why I Joined the Tour DaVita

First off, I love to ride my bike. It makes me feel strong and I love challenging myself. Because I have sloth-like tendencies, this type of organized, “forced,” “others are depending on you,” training situation works well to motivate me.

 

Secondly, doing something to benefit others makes me feel good about myself. I was definitely raised with the mentality of “it is the right thing to do,” and “we are so blessed, we should do something/anything to help others that are not as fortunate.”

 

I love the fact that DaVita, a for-profit company that makes money providing dialysis services, is sponsoring a fundraiser to help put them out of business! How cool is that?! It lets me know that this company really believes in its mission and core values…and that is something I am proud to be part of. I know we all love and care for our patients, but wouldn’t it be awesome if they didn’t need us? If we could prevent kidney disease instead of treat it?

 

Thirdly, I could stand to drop a few pounds. My problem is…I love to eat. I am not one of those whiney people who says all I eat is a celery stick and I gain weight. Give me the hard stuff!! So, when I am training and sweating and putting in those long hours on a bike seat, I know I can knock out a Denny’s “Grand Slam” breakfast and still lose weight (refer to the first paragraph: sloth-like tendencies).

 

Finally, I think the whole thing sounds like a blast! (Which some people think makes me mentally unstable). Being outdoors, riding the beautiful Natchez Trace, camping, enjoying Mother Nature with a whole bunch of DaVita bike riding enthusiasts…it sure beats being on a conference call!!!

 

So that is why I am here: to do something that makes me feel good on the inside and out! It is a win-win situation.