So today I put up my feet when I got home from work, and will treat you all to a blog post instead of going outside to ride.
It started last Wednesday when I had a bike-fit appointment with Spencer at Speed Matrix. One of the first steps of the fit was to test my flexibility. And if that had been a test, I would have barely passed. Lying on my back, locking my knees, I can't bring either of my legs individually to be 90-degrees up from the horizontal, indicating super-tight hamstrings. I also have incredibly tight IT bands (which I was aware of from physio sessions two years ago). Before I even got on the bike, I was told I would be better off spending the next month preparing for the trip by stretching rather than logging extra miles.
While this recommendation to ride less was somewhat relieving to hear, it was also troublesome. I mean this in the way that an athlete can be told they have the freedom to eat whatever and as much as they want because they train so hard. While it's great to be given carte-blanche when it comes to food intake, it's a little concerning because the unspoken message is actually serious: you don't just get to eat lots, you need to eat lots.
So, last Wednesday I was told I was in good enough shape to ride, but the unspoken message was spoken: I need to improve my flexibility and knee stabilizing muscles or I will have trouble after spending any serious time in the saddle. As such, I'll be dialing back my saddle-time slightly, and adding 30-60 minutes of stretching into my daily routine for the next month.
And through this call to stretching, I recognize a call to rest. My body needs time to recover after rides. But the time of rest is not simply a day of not riding - different activities to improve my riding need to be added to the time of rest for my well-being.
The theme of rest was also addressed at church on Sunday night, as Kim introduced a new sermon series focusing on the Sabbath. She discussed the importance of taking time from our busy lives to recuperate and rejuvenate ourselves. Six days we labor, and the seventh day we rest. But more than just not working, our rest days need to include intentional time and activities to help restore our souls and minds to make us ready to tackle the weight of the week. Sounds like a similar concept to what I was told about stretching, no?
Looking forward to my time with the Sea to Sea this summer, my big fear (for now) is not getting enough sleep. We received a "day in the life" email from the organizers, warning riders that 5am will be the regular wake-up time most days of the tour. I've been reading the blogs of some riders from the 2008 tour, in particular that of Dave Teitsma. He took time to write a post for each day of the tour, and posted at least one, but often many more pictures as well. Reading his stories, I gathered that sleep and energy conservation was a constant balancing act with wanting to explore towns and be social. I could certainly sense the relief with which rest days (Sundays) came, allowing time to collect thoughts, get caught up on chores, but also to rest weary muscles and pereniums. I'm very much aware how tired I was after back-to-back 85km rides this weekend, and it's making me realize how tough this trip will actually be. Compound these feelings with the heat we've barely started experiencing here in Calgary (29C on Sunday), and I'll be struggling for a few days, guaranteed.
I suppose my fitness is at a good stage, but the guys I've been riding with on Saturday still make me feel slow, so I want to get faster. After bragging(?) last week about being too fast for the group I was riding with, I was humbled by being dropped from a pack of four strong riders this past Saturday after a mere 65km, leaving me to ride solo into the wind for 20km back home.
On the plus side, according to Strava, I've clocked over 1,100 outdoor-kilometers in 2013. With another 100km ride planned for this weekend with fellow Sea to Sea-er, Ava Baker, and Ride for a Reason coming up at the end of May, there should be no issue meeting the recommended 1,000mile (1,600km) training goal before June 21st.
As for fundraising, we sent out a flyer to my work-mates this week, and the company has graciously offered to make a donation in support of our cause to end poverty. Donation totals are at $11,900 today, and my target of $15,000 is not far off! To donate online, simply follow this link and click "Give Now" on the right side of the page. Every little bit helps!
My fundraising-incentive of dedicating days of riding to donors is almost at a close as only four more days of riding are left un-sponsored, so act quick if you'd like a day of the tour dedicated to you. Note that when all the days are met, it doesn't mean there is no more room to give, simply the first fifty-four donors were promised a day to call their own where they could suffer vicariously through my pedaling.
View Sea to Sea 2013 in a larger map
Finally - for any followers in Calgary, mark Friday, June 14th on your calendars as we will be throwing a going-away / last-ditch fundraising BBQ that night! Should be good times! Stay tuned here for details.
Alright, enough resting... time to stretch!
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