Hey friends!
This week I'll be focusing on nutrition. What I'm finding out as I train for an endurance event is that it is OK to eat carbs. Ha, what a concept. In the past I've tried out just about every diet on the market. I've tried everything from cabbage soup to pure protein. But, those don't work long-term. Focusing on a balance and the right amounts of the right carbs is going to be key in training for Tahoe. I've got to think about what is sustainable. Throughout the week I will be doing some research on nutrition and posting what I find. So, stay tuned.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Team Training Day 2
Baby, it’s cold outside.
This past Saturday we rode again at Texas Motor Speedway and, man, was it cold! When we started riding it was 38 degrees with a wind chill of much, much colder than that. We rode 15 miles and while my cardio endurance could take it just fine my fingers and toes were about to fall off at the end of it. When my mentor called me the night before and reminded me to bring gloves. I thought “Sure, I’ve got my cycling gloves” Well, this is a learning process for me. When the weather is going to be cold, it is a good idea to bring a pair of gloves that can be worn over your cycling gloves so that your fingers are not exposed.
I learned a couple of other tips from my teammates about how to improvise for cycling in cold weather. One has to do with keeping your feet warm. Since cycling shoes are designed to let your feet breathe, when you are riding in cold weather your feet can very quickly turn into icicles. There are a couple of inexpensive things you can do to stay warm. One thing you can do is take a plastic bag that you get from the grocery store’s produce section and wrap it around your foot and then put your foot into your shoe. The second thing, which I will try this coming Saturday, is to take some old tube socks and cut out the bottoms so that your cleats are exposed. Then, slip the tube socks over your shoes. This will help keep some of the draft out of your shoes and will also add an extra layer of warmth around your calves. Plus, you’ll look like a rockstar.
….It just so happens that I have a nice new pack of tube socks that we bought for Daniel’s Halloween costume this year. He was Flavor Flav. What a site that was…
This past Saturday we rode again at Texas Motor Speedway and, man, was it cold! When we started riding it was 38 degrees with a wind chill of much, much colder than that. We rode 15 miles and while my cardio endurance could take it just fine my fingers and toes were about to fall off at the end of it. When my mentor called me the night before and reminded me to bring gloves. I thought “Sure, I’ve got my cycling gloves” Well, this is a learning process for me. When the weather is going to be cold, it is a good idea to bring a pair of gloves that can be worn over your cycling gloves so that your fingers are not exposed.
I learned a couple of other tips from my teammates about how to improvise for cycling in cold weather. One has to do with keeping your feet warm. Since cycling shoes are designed to let your feet breathe, when you are riding in cold weather your feet can very quickly turn into icicles. There are a couple of inexpensive things you can do to stay warm. One thing you can do is take a plastic bag that you get from the grocery store’s produce section and wrap it around your foot and then put your foot into your shoe. The second thing, which I will try this coming Saturday, is to take some old tube socks and cut out the bottoms so that your cleats are exposed. Then, slip the tube socks over your shoes. This will help keep some of the draft out of your shoes and will also add an extra layer of warmth around your calves. Plus, you’ll look like a rockstar.
….It just so happens that I have a nice new pack of tube socks that we bought for Daniel’s Halloween costume this year. He was Flavor Flav. What a site that was…
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Note to self...
Never ride down Montgomery Street (while the stockshow and rodeo is going on) when first learning how to ride clipped in. Many crashes will occur.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Team Training Day 1
Today was day one of the Fort Worth cycle team’s training. We’re off to a great start and are looking forward to the season!
We road today at Texas Motor Speedway in DFW. For those of you who are interested in cycling and live in the area, this is a great place to ride. There is not a lot of traffic and most of the ride is flat - so it is good for beginners who are getting used to their bikes. Today’s ride was a 10 mile ride. Next week we’ll go 15 and then continue to move up from there.
The North Texas winds did not disappoint today, as usual. The winds almost knocked me over! The training that I’ve been doing in the gym really helped me get a good start on conditioning and the 10 miles only made me feel energized and not fatigued. That’s always a good sign!
Oh, and did I mention that you can support the cause here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntx/ambbr09/tshanklin
Riding to save lives!
Welcome to my cycle blog! I'm Taylor (aka T-Shank) and I've recently joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program in an effort to train for a 100-mile century ride while raising money to support LLS's mission.
On June 7, 2009, I will ride 100 miles in America's Most Beautiful Ride, in Lake Tahoe. I have committed to raising $4,400 that will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm asking for your support, and your committment to my fundraising efforts. The funds raised go to vital research and treatment programs for those affected by blood cancers.
Click here to visit my personal Team in Training page and make your donation now!
Throughout the season, I will be updating this blog with training progress, photos, nutritional tips and other cycling tips that I learn along the way. Bookmark this page to stay updated!
You may be wondering... up until today what kind of training have I done? How did this mission of mine start?
About 3 months ago I decided that it was time to get off of the couch and get active again. So, I joined the local YMCA and decided to check out a spin class. I'd always heard they were fun and a great workout. Indeed they are! I got hooked. Spinning then got me motivated to start getting back into cross-training. So, I've started back in the weightroom and have been getting in the pool, along with a little running as well. It feels great to be back on track with my physical fitness.
After a couple of months in spin classes, I realized it was time to get some gear - aka riding shorts. I picked some up from Academy and on my way out the door picked up this free training magazine that they had near the exit. Flipping through that one evening I found a one-pager for Team in Training (TNT). I went to the TNT website and thought it sounded pretty cool. So, I talked to the folks at LLS and attended an information meeting.
In the meeting, we heard from a TNT member who is a cancer survivor. His story about his struggles and his victory touched my heart. We also heard from a mother of a little girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of two. She is doing well now and is close to being done with her treatment (after about two long years). It was then that I realized that I needed to be involved in TNT. Sure, my training will be tough and the 100 miles in Tahoe will be challenging. But, that challenge is nothing like what those survivors and their families have gone through. My grandmother died of Leukemia - it is in her memory that I ride. I'm also riding to honor all of the heroes that have conquered their battles with cancer and are now telling tales of inspiration.
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