Training Log 2007
...posted better late than never. And I'll proof read this later - but for now here goes.
Well - here I sit. The 2007 Kingston Walk to Cure Diabetes is over (happened yesterday). It's getting
dark too early - so I thought I'd take a spin on my wind-trainer set up in the driveway after dinner.
Hmm - seems I can't stand to
have my riding shoes on because of blisters resulting from working at the Walk to Cure Diabetes. Now you would think that
someone who has already completes a century ride this season (more on that in a moment) would be able to stand on their feet all day, walk a walk route and
work and in hand with other volunteers for a long day... but my little bitty toes on both feet developed blisters... so this is
an off night.
Which gives me a chance to catch up a bit on how training has gone this year.
So where do I start. Well - I guess I'll start with the training season almost over. Back during the
last weekend of August (when I hit the big OVER 60 mark... now 61) Chad and I took part in the Woodstock Century.
This ride started around 7 a.m. with a slight mist - humid conditions - temps in the 80's.
From the Zena School we rode up and around the Ashokan Reservoir (lower basin) coming out on Route 28. For most
people that would have been enough. IF you are not familiar with this land mark - the next time you google maps for a location in
Ulster County - the Ashokan Reservoir consists of those two little blue areas just west of Route 28 (North west of Kingston).
We then proceeded up 28 to Phoenica for a supported pit stop - snack stop and checking of blood glucose. Chad was
pretty low (not quite sure how he kept going prior to that - seems he was WAY too low)... so 14 bananas and various snacks later
we took off... he was rejuvenated - and his old man had a chance to rest.
From there we took Rotue 214 up and over to Hunter Mountain. Yup - Ski Country. So picture a non-stop uphill climb
for eleven miles straight... and you've got the picture. The downhill on the other side(roads were now dry) were a welcome and
fun time (pushing 40 mph) - so much fun in fact that we blew by a turn off to the LEFT and had to back track to get back on course. Oh
THAT's what those queue sheets were for... and for those who ignored the sheets - there were little white arrows painted on the road
to point the way at intersections. Except at 30 to 40 mph... you don't always see those little white arrows. BTW - I decided about half
way into the ride - the the arrows had been painted by the ride committee the previous night after they got good and tanked up... they had
me confused for the last 50 miles. I have lived in this area all my life - and discovered roads I have never seen before. I kept waiting to
see a sign that said "Canada - 5 miles".
In Hunter - we road along Ski Bowl Road at the base of the Ski Lodge and then into town - up main street to
another hilly section (uh REALLY hilly section - mostly uphill) on 296 (i think) over to Windham Ski Area. Now you're starting
to get the picture.
We stopped in Windham for refreshments - pit stop and took off over Rt 23... never realized how much of
a climb it is taking 23 OUT of Windham... kept praying for the downhill.... and when we hit the downhill (beautiful view of
the valley looking out toward Albany and Mass etc)... and I was praying for level again. I hit 44 mph. Chad passed me...
Near the bottom of the downhill we had to make a quick right (we were warned to keep an eye out for it) and
took more backroads that I have never seen before over to Palenville.
My compliments to the Palenville Fire Dept for having by far the best accomodations in terms of rest rooms. By now
the Gatorade was getting a little boring though... but I refilled anyway... and we took off past a church where a wedding was
just getting out... I waived to someone trying to take video of the wedding party... today they may be watching the video at home saying - "who's that
old guy in the bike??"
Wel we eventually made it down through more backroads - across 212 to Glasco Turnpike and eventually back to Zena.
So - as you can see... my undocumented Spring and Summer training has paid off. I am ready for a Century... and now
focus on staying in shape - trying not to hurt myself and trying to keep getting rides in on my windtrainer (not tonight) and some decent
weekend rides.
On that note - let me tell you about last weekend. The rain stopped just after noon. The roads dried up around
3 pm - and Chad and I ventured out for a ride. It was COLD and WINDY. We have gotten use to riding in the 80 and 90 degree temps
of just a few weeks ago. Now it was in the 50's and blustery - wind chill in the 40's....
Anyway - this was Chad's first ride with his Continuous Blood Glucose Sensor... It was FANTASTIC. Chad knew
at all times where his blood sugar was - and where it was going. He was able to keep within the limits he wanted. According to him, he
was feeling great... he could not believe the difference compared to the lows he had experienced on other rides - or highs from over compensating
with food/snack in take... I finished that ride happy in the knowledge that he has this new toy which is making such a difference already
in his ability to take care of himself. It's not a cure. But for a Dad who remembers wringing out diapers to see what his urine sugar reading was
in order to determine insulin requirements... this is fantastic. [Yeah - were' all getting old].
So Thanks to all who have supported our efforts over the years... and thanks to those who have supported our ride.
