Unfortunate Update

After a long conversation with my husband yesterday, we had come to the realization that participating in the Tulsa Tough this year will not happen. Bret's company is a few assistant managers short and lately he has to drive to another store that is 41 miles away in a Muskogee mall; this particular store had an incident that made headlines when a victim from a gang shooting ran into the store to get medical attention. As such, they are now short an assistant manager or two Bret doesn't mind the commute or helping out this store but since we don't know when they are going to get more personnel, we can't commit ourselves to the Tulsa Tough. Bret has such a fantastic reputation within his company, we don't want to ruin all the success he has had. His reputation and success can be incredibly beneficial in helping him move up within the company. Moreover, with Liam having a sensory defensiveness treatment, a.k.a. Wilbarger therapressure brushing and joint compression therapy, every two hours, it would be almost impossible to do the ride.

With that said, there's always next year for the Tulsa Tough. We can still get in some practicing in but we just cannot commit ourselves this year for the Tulsa Tough.

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Short and to the point

Why is it when the weather is excellent outside and the wind is light, Bret has to work? Must be a conspiracy. Bret will be working in his normal store and then in another store 41 miles away so he is going to be one busy little boy. His next day off isn't until Tuesday but we have to take Liam to the doctor for occupational therapy and a speech evaluation, and then afterwards we need to take the bikes into the shop for a tune-up.

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Somewhat improved

On Wednesday, we went for another ride. The weather outside looked absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't hear the typical swoosh-swoosh of our Oklahoma winds. We drove to our new launching point there was still no winds. I kept thinking that my numbers would be vastly improved without the winds slowing me down. Of course, Oklahoma was just playing a nasty trick on me because as soon as we got to our launching point, the winds picked up. While Bret put the bikes together, I took Liam over to the play structure for a few moments.

In the beginning of our ride, the winds had died down again and my cadence was fantastic. I was averaging 15 miles per hour and even got up to 16.6. We zig-zagged our way around a portion of Bixby. We wanted to look at a house that we found for sale on a local real estate website. We then zig-zagged our way back around other parts of Bixby trying to get some mileage on. I figured that I wanted to ride about 15 miles. Of course by this time, the winds were picking up again and causing a real strain on my cadence. Even though I was pushing above 12 mph for much of the ride, the winds caused so much hell on my pedaling. We were cycling our way down a quiet, windy Mingo Road when a black lab mix ran out to say hi to Bret. I was in back and noticed that the dog was limping a little bit. I wasn't sure if the dog had hurt herself trying to run out to us so I stopped to see. I couldn't see anything wrong with her and put out my hand for her to sniff. Apparently, I passed her test because she licked my hand like mad and then stood up to try to give me a hug. After a few more minutes of scratching her, I went back to pedaling. I did a quick check on my Bell computer to see where I was averaging: 9.9 mph. I was happy that my speeds had increased from Easter Sunday.

We started riding back to our launch point a few moments after this and I realized that there was a giant hill soon in the distance. I tried pedaling as much as I could and realized that if I had to stop to walk up it, then unfortunately, that's what I had to do. I walked up the rest of the hill and grumbled the entire way up. After I got to the top of the hill, I rode back down still grumbling to myself that I had to walk. The winds were incredibly tense while we were riding back and it made pedaling hurt. I could tell that Bret was even having problems trying to ride in them. Unfortunately, the winds got so intense that both of our cadences were subpar as were our mph speeds.

I guess I really need to learn how to ride in both the wind and stupid hills.

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Room for Improvement

We had talked about doing an Easter Sunday ride for a few days; it depended whether or not the skies would cooperate. As it turns out, Easter was pretty gorgeous, with highs in the low 80s but winds up to 20 or 25 mph. We had been itching to ride for quite awhile and Bret felt like he was definitely well enough to be able to. One of the things we wanted to accomplish on our ride was being able to use our bike computers. Since our previous rides lacked that vital piece of cycling informational technology, it was difficult for me to know what things I needed to improve upon.

When we first started our ride, the headwinds were just intense and made pedaling tough for me. Cadence was absolutely horrible. My left knee was also bugging me quite a bit and I realized that soon into the trip, I already needed to rest it. One and a quarter miles into the ride and average speed of 13.4 mph, we rested at Bentley Park in Bixby; it had the coolest playground for Liam to play on. While Li was playing, I kept trying to decide whether or not I could finish the ride. Stopping so early in the ride made me feel like an utter failure...but at the same time, I didn't want to aggravate my knee even more and cause even greater problems for me. Liam had an absolute blast playing and I was thrilled that he was able to so. One part of the play structure has a very tall twisty slide (about 20-25 feet tall) and I knew that Liam would love to climb up the stairs so he can go down. The stairs are incredibly safe and protected on all sides. I slowly climbed the stairs with Liam and smiled as he was going down. I thought to myself, "If you can't beat him, join him" and followed him down the slide. The picture to the right is Liam's typical face when he sees something that he is absolutely surprised by.

An hour later, we started up our ride again. I hate thinking of myself as a quitter and since I was dying to find out what riding figures I needed to improve, I wanted to continue, I needed to continue. Very soon into the start of our second phase of the ride, we were passing two teenage boys enjoying the weather. One of the boys started to jog with us and kindly asked us where we were going. "California," I joked. This made the boy instantly stop and I realized that he thought I was serious. "Too far for my blood," he replied. The headwinds were incredibly strong again but I didn't want to stop...again. I was angry that the average speed at this time was only about 7-8mph. I pushed myself harder and I was able to maintain a speed of 13-14 miles per hour for quite awhile. I was still a little unhappy with this number but since this was only the first day of using the computer, I knew that there was huge room to increase those numbers.

On 151st Street between Memorial and Sheridan there is a rather steep hill. Bret was able to glide up the hill without any problems, or so it seemed while watching him, but I didn't feel like I was strong enough to ride up it so unfortunately, I walked most of the way up. I grumbled to myself all the way up and unfortunately, yet again, I felt like a failure. When I was able to get back on the bike, I was happy with myself. We turned right onto another street into some easier crosswinds but there was another intense hill; I knew that I just couldn't make it so I told Bret that I wouldn't be able to manage it. We turned back around and went down that steep hill. As I have mentioned in a previous entry, I am currently a wuss when it comes to steeper downgrades, so I rode the brake a little bit. I managed to get 18mph. Hopefully in the future, I won't be as afraid to take those hills. (I had later asked Bret what his maximum speed was going down this hill: His computer read 30.1).

We decided it was best for us to ride back into town where it was flatter and wouldn't cause me so many complications. On the straightaways and not as much wind, I was able to ride between 13-15.5 mph. When the headwinds were intense, I could only manage about 9 or 10, 11 when I was really pushing it.

One of the things I was happy about was being able to grab my water bottle from its cage, drink, and then put the bottle back while the bike was still in motion. That is something I had never been able to do. I guess I was too much of a chicken shit or something like that. Anyway, I was able to do this several times during the ride. I bet that Bret must have thought I was a goofball for being so happy about this. He did make me feel better by stating that when he first started cycling, he wasn't able to do this. I am really glad that I don't have to keep stopping every little time I want something to drink and not having to pull over to stop is rather inefficient plus a major pain in my ass.

I guess even though my numbers were a lot more dismal than I would have imagined, I am a little proud of myself. Even though I had to stop riding for an hour to calm my knee, I was glad that I was get back on. If you fall of a horse, you're supposed to get back on, right? With that reasoning, it even rings true for falling off a bicycle. I know that technically, I didn't "fall off", so I need to keep going, eh? I am glad that I have the computer to tell me how much I suck, but it also tells me how much I need do to get better. Keeping track of my numbers in correlation to the weather report for that particular date, will immensely help me progress into being the rider that I am trying to become. I have just shy of two months left before I ride in the Tulsa Tough; I figure that being able to see my cycling progress will definitely help me while riding. I am also hoping to be able to ride the hills instead of walking up them. I know that I am going to get better riding in wind. I am desperately waiting for the next ride so I can increase my numbers, my cadence, and help ease my hatred of Oklahoma winds.

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Update of the Update

On Wednesday when he got home from work, Bret told me that he feels like he had gotten bitten by a bug and didn't think anything of it and took Wednesday's dose of medicine. A few hours later, while he was out doing laundry at the laundromat, he called me and told me he's miserable. He is having red marks, technically hives, everywhere and they all itched like crazy; he called them "welts". They were all over his hands, legs, abdomen, and even his hairline. He then told me to see what urgent cares were open later so we could go. I was shocked because he hates going to doctors and then I knew that he was really having a serious problem. When he got home, I got to see what he looked like and I gasped. Some of these "welts" were much bigger than my hand!! We took him to Urgent care and right when they saw him, they immediately sent him back for treatment. Li and I stayed back to fill out paperwork and Bret's medical history. When we were able to go back, Bret had an IV in his left arm with 5 different medicines fighting the allergic reaction. He stayed that way for about 30 minutes. At its absolute worse, he said that it felt like he was being bit by a thousand bugs all at once. The above photo is during the IV treatment so it was actually getting better. Just imagine the hives being deeper and redder.

Then on Thursday afternoon, while Bret was at work, Liam was cuddling up with me on the couch and watching TV. He took off the blanket so he could go get his box of cereal and I was a bit surprised by what I saw. Since he just loves to sit in his diaper, I was able to see his entire body. His skin was mottled and it looked like he was having the same problem that Bret but not as bad. I called Bret at work and let him know. Since I never call the main work phone, he knew that something wasn't right. Usually, if I need to ask something, I just send him a text and he responds during his lunch. Anyway, he came home from work and he was confused too by what he saw. It didn't completely look like Bret's so it was sort of hard to figure out what was going on. We realized that it was better to be safe than sorry so we went to urgent care...again. The doctor confirmed that yup, Liam was allergic to the same medicine. He had hives all over his body in a smaller size but was still having a bit of a reaction. They took him off that medicine and put him on another called prednisolone.

A few people have wondered if the reason why both boys got sick is maybe they got part of a bad batch. But remember, Liam had a unopened bottle of liquid azithromycin and Bret had pills in a pre-dosed unopened box. They definitely didn't get a bad batch. I am honestly not surprised that Liam got sick as well; he is Bret's little mini-me. I felt so bad for them and I just hate to see anyone feel like that.

I can tell that Bret is somewhat relieved that between the powerful winds and his frantic work schedule, he is not able to go ride...despite the fact that he really wants to. He gets off at 1pm next Wednesday and is completely off next Friday, so right now we are really hoping that he can be well enough to participate in riding. As of right now, he is feeling so b-l-a-h, lethargic, and is still dealing with a deep cough.

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Update

We went to Urgent Care today since Bret was getting worse and Liam was still feeling rather snotty. I am feeling a lot better but I am not 100 percent; I am at about 80 percent. As it turns out, Bret has bronchitis and Liam has an upper respiratory infection. Yuck. Bret has a prescription for the generic version of Zithromax Z-pack (pre-dosed box of pills)  and Liam has a prescription for liquid, cherry-flavored azithromycin in an unopened bottle.

Apparently, one of the reasons why Bret wanted to see the doctor today (he hates going and will only go if he is really really ill) is because he didn't want to feel this sick the next time he went riding. That's a guy for you.

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Sick and Icky

My husband, who works in retail, brought something home with him last week: A nasty, sneezing, coughing up a lung, throat hacking illness (more than a common cold). We are unfortunately still suffering the ill effects of it.

Unfortunately we have had three issues hindering our ability to go out and ride: (1) this illness messing up our health, (2) Bret's rather hectic work schedule, and (3) the strange influx of weather that hit Oklahoma over the weekend. Apparently this state can go from gorgeous weather with the sun shining high and temps in the high 60s to low 70s to days to where it's snowing, almost blizzard like, and temps in the mid 30s... in just a few hours!! Thursday and most of Friday were just stunning and then on Friday night, all hell broke loose. I am till trying to figure it out.

This morning when we woke up we had quite a bit of fun looking at the Google bike maps. You can plan out bike trips to anywhere in the US and it will tell you step-by-step how to complete the ride. We actually set up a fake route that criss-crossed us all over the country with stops in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to see friends and family. I felt my leg actually cramp up a hair just from reading the directions. However, with that said, a ride like that would be fun!! (Hello, lottery gods...are you listening?)

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Chased by dogs and waited for chickens

On March 15th, I turned 29, which was something I was dreading for awhile. My goal before my birthday was to ride a real ride, something more in the double digits range. I wanted to prove to myself that I could handle more mileage, especially with the Tulsa Tough coming up in the beginning of June. I wanted to know that I could do at least a 50k (just about 32 miles); I wanted to be proud of me. At this moment in my cycling career, I just say that I finished. I will be working more on speed and time during the next ride; unfortunately with the inches of white stuff on the ground, I am not sure when the next ride will actually be.

The day before my birthday, Bret and I decided to do the ride that he had taken with our friend's cycling group the previous week. He kept telling me that I would love the scenery and be able to ride the streets but "not have to dodge 42,000 cars". (I think Bret has an obsession with the number 42,000 but that's for another blog, lol). While we were driving out to our launching spot, we tried to mentally map it so our mileage would total about 50k. We were going to weave our away around the Tulsa and Bixby countryside and end up in Mounds (a.k.a. the middle of nowhere). Bret wanted to pick up a snack at the lone grocery store/hangout.

I was getting myself mentally prepared for the trip, really questioning myself whether or not I could handle it. Every other ride we took was sub 10 miles, averaging 8.5. Bret reminded me that I proved myself wrong back in 2005 and did a 12 mile hike at Opal Creek in Oregon when I wanted to give up. He said that I don't quit even when I feel like all hope is gone. With him instilling that confidence in me, I knew that I could do it. I got my face and arms covered in globs of SPF 48 sunblock; my skin is so fair that I didn't want to end up looking like the surface of the sun.

While Bret was putting the bike trailer together and I snapped a few shots of him doing it, I was continuing to get myself mentally prepared. When it was time to go, we started our trek. We crossed the bridge going on Memorial crossing over the Arkansas River, and then the trail winds its way underneath the bridge. For a split second I thought I was going to smack my head along the side of the bridge but thankfully the bridge was just  playing tricks on me and it was a lot taller crossing over the trail then at first glance. We zigged and zagged across Bixby and I kept thinking that it would be amazing to live out that way. Along this part of the trip, we were surprised by two mixed breed dogs running off their property right at us, wanting to try and nip at our wheels. Bret relieved my stress and  finally got them to go back home. I absolutely loved the fact that we were able to ride side-by-side and talk. I felt like I was doing rather well but after awhile, my bum was absolutely killing me despite the fact I was wearing my padded shorts. I told Bret that I needed to stop. I got off my seat and instantly I felt better. A moment later, I started back on the bike and we made our way out to the grocery store. We passed fields of countless cows and horses, all probably wondering what we were doing, trying to figure out why we weren't spending our Sunday afternoon sitting in the grass, just grazing.

A little bit more into the trip -- and after a few more times being chased by dogs -- I was starting to really wonder if we were ever going to hit this grocery store...and if there even was a grocery store. Bret was a few bicycle lengths ahead of me but then had to wait as I had to stop for a group of chickens trying to figure out whether or not they should cross the road. I was getting hungry by this point and called out to them, "Hey, if you don't cross the street NOW, I am going to make lunch out of one of you." I guess this incited them and they scurried across the street, clucking insults back at me. Bret got me excited a moment later pointing at a building he thought was the grocery store but it was just a little house. I gave him a look that meant I am going to kill him; I quietly cursed him but kept at the riding. About 10 minutes later, he stopped again but started to dance. "What?" I asked. He pointed at a blue roof and said, "That's the store. I am serious!" I only half believed him but thankfully he was correct.

When we arrived at the store (about mile 18), Bret and Liam went inside and I waited outside with our gear. The boys came out a few minutes later toting a grocery bag. We ate our lunch and I slowly sipped the chocolate Muscle Milk that they bought for me. I stretched a little bit and noticed that Bret was taking pictures of me doing so. We started back on the voyage into some strong, aggressive Oklahoma-style headwinds. Like most cyclists, I hate headwinds with a passion and was cursing them every pedal of the way. All of a sudden, my gut was on fire and I just couldn't figure out why. While riding, I felt like everything was against me and I was getting incredibly frustrated. Bret knew that I would be over it and patiently just waited while I grunted and groaned. We zigged and zagged some more trying to stay with crosswinds instead of the headwinds. Unfortunately, we got to the point where we couldn't use the crosswinds anymore and just sucked it up.

I was getting so excited when we were getting closer to our starting point, surroundings were becoming familiar. The welcoming bridge was becoming a focal point. If I cross the bridge and land at our van, I would have pulled a 50k. I think at this point, everything was becoming a reality and I just started to really give it my all. I pedaled faster and harder and after a few more cranks, I was crossing that bridge. I told the river that even though it was looking beautiful, I couldn't stay and chat. A few more cranks later and I was off that bridge and just seconds away from finishing and then BAM!

I couldn't believe that I actually accomplished a 50k. Since this was my first time accomplishing such a huge feat, I was not focusing so much on time. I just wanted to complete it. I wanted to give up when the stomach pain and headwinds were wreaking havoc on me, but I got over it. However, with that said, a few expletives escaped my mouth. Bret used to this side of me, didn't say anything and knew that I would be quickly over it.

My butt was a bit on the sore side as was my knee. The park was empty and I just laid down in the parking spot next to our van trying to get my breath back and soak up a few rays. (In case you are curious why I didn't lie down in the grass behind me, I am a little allergic to it). Bret snapped a couple photos of this as well. Note: You do not need to adjust the color on your monitor. My legs really are that pale and now I am thinking that maybe I should get some tan-in-a-can.

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Caught on Camera

This blog is just for a few more pictures that I took over the weekend. I am actually wearing Bret's jersey and he is wearing mine.

Interesting self portrait (note the red Road ID on my right wrist)

Cute picture of my husband.

Our high-tech cardboard box of helmets and gloves, along with an extra pair or two of socks. Our helmets are Giro. Mine, the red one, is a 2009 Saros and Bret's helmet, the blue one, is an Atmos. We bought them during one of Performance Bicycles fantastic sales and saved about $150 by doing so. Liam's helmet is a Bell Rex).

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A weekend of rides

Although you couldn’t tell from the cats, dogs and possibly frogs pouring down from the sky, the weather this past weekend was just gorgeous. The temperatures hovered in the low to mid seventies and the sky was a gorgeous blue. This amazing weather enabled us to get into two family rides, one on Friday and one on Sunday (Bret had to work on Saturday).

On Friday afternoon, we started our ride from a different spot on the trail. This time, I brought our camera (we didn’t have it for the previous rides because we had left it at a friend’s house) and we got some before and after shots. On some of the downhills, I felt like I couldn’t get proper control of the bicycle and thought I was going to be falling on my face. I am literally amazed that I was able to keep the Trek in control. While on our ride, Bret had spotted a beaver dam and its occupant swimming around and wanted to show it to me but I was too far ahead to hear him. We graduated from Oregon State University, the home of the Beavers, so I wish that I could have seen him. Even without ever seeing him/her, I nicknamed it "L’il Benny". On this ride, I was a little disappointed that I was having such a problem trying to control my bike and kept trying to figure out why it was controlling me instead. At the end of the ride, we toured a neighborhood that backed right up to the trail. The homes were beautiful and the neighborhood was so quiet. Children were able to play, two hospitals are close by, close proximity to various shopping centers, and easy access to the turnpike.

Sunday morning we woke up and I knew that Bret had to focus on a finance final exam that he had to do that night, but he wanted to get his mind in gear by going out for a ride. We started out our normal starting point and again, we had the camera. This ride started out a little difficult for Bret as he felt the trailer was being a bit of dead weight. He looked like he was killing himself trying to pedal the hills, especially into the headwinds. Halfway into our ride, we decided that it was best to turn around. Bret also wanted to go across town and ride with our friend George and his friends. They were going to put on about 30 miles. Going back to our van was a million times easier as we having nice tail winds. We made it back to the car and there was a guy there that wanted to know about our trailer and if it worked with a dog. After this small two minute long conversation, we zipped across town and hoped that we weren’t going to be late since we had about 15 minutes to be there before they wanted to take off. Thankfully, George and the other riders hadn’t left yet and were still there waiting in the parking lot for other stragglers that might be on their way. Since these riders are much more experienced than I am and were focusing more on distance and speed, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to keep up and that really bugged me. I figured it wasn’t going to be fair to either me or them so I watched Liam. Bret decided to take my Trek flat-bar roadbike instead of his Gary Fisher 29er. I told him to take care of my baby. While Bret was getting my bike out of the van, Liam ran up to George and gave him a hug; those two are so close and it makes me smile. We consider George to be Liam's second father. I also got a fabulous picture of Liam, Bret, and George (see the photo above).

While the crew was on their ride, Liam and I walked around their launch point, a local park and arboretum. We found a West Highland White Terrier, a.k.a. a westie, to play with and it was so cute watching her and Liam roll a ball back and forth to each other. They played like this for about 20-30 minutes. After the dog had to go home, Liam and I chased each other around the park, just giggling and laughing. Overall, I found this riding day to be more successful than past rides. I felt that I had more control over the bike, I wanted to go faster, and I was getting to the point where the Trek and I were becoming one and the same. I just wish that I was able to go longer distances. Bret does want of our family rides to be on this path they took. I am looking forward to this!!

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