It’s go time y’all! I took a couple of unexpected weeks off from riding while I moved. (It was temporary chaos for sure). As the dust finally settled, I picked up my helmet and hit the road again. The first ride back nearly killed me. But the second ride was easier. As was the third. This past Saturday, I did an easy 30 miles with some minor inclines. Before next week, my plan is to do two short rides and one long one on Saturday, complete with a decent elevation increase. I haven’t decided what incline yet, but I have some ideas rolling around in my head.
I have some goals in mind (thanks to a friend who’s helping coach me) that include area mountains (or what people in Alabama call mountains). While I still need financial support (CLICK HERE), I also need prayers. When I took the time off to move, it was sporadic and only a couple of weeks. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but getting back into gear was tougher than I planned. Physically and mentally. In September, I’m taking 12 days off for my mission trip. I didn’t think it would make that big of a impact, but I now think otherwise. So I need some big time prayers please.
I started praying over this ride long before I ever committed. I’ve asked for His hand in every aspect, from fundraising to training to equipment. God has been faithful, and I’ve seen His hand at work in all of those areas. Now, I see how I need Him in a different area. Taking 12 days off a month before this century is truly going to hurt me. So would you pray for continued strength? Pray for my muscle memory and no fatigue? Pray for determination and endurance? And pray for mental stamina?
As I rode up the small inclines Saturday, I paced myself and kept repeating “just keep pedaling” as I moved my feet. I have more going on in my life these days than ever before and learning to juggle has been entertaining. The biggest kink in my riding schedule is time. A long ride takes several hours, of which I have few. I’m working extremely hard to train for this ride. Not only do I not want to let myself down, but I don’t want to let any of you down either. You, my friends, have cheered me on and supported me through prayers, financial donations and encouraging notes. But most of all, I want to stand by my original purpose in completing this ride — to show others with diabetes how possible this truly is.
I never said it would be easy. I never said I would finish first. But as long as I “just keep pedaling,” I’ll make it!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Even with the stress of time and traveling overseas, I’m still incredibly happy about this ride. Our jerseys came in the other day (see the pretty picture?) and my flight for Death Valley has been booked! Excitement overload!
You go V! You’re such an inspiration. You have my prayers for sure!
I would highly recommend you plan to ride nearly everyday. With the cool fronts that start at the end of August which always brings rain there will be many days that you can’t ride. Ross ran into situations like that last year where there were times he couldn’t ride because of weather and life which seemed to make the ride a little more difficult. Good luck!
You can do it! I know you can.
Definitely try to build up as much strength and conditioning as you can before your trip. The more you get now, the easier it will be to recover from a couple weeks off.
Prayers are up, sister!
You can totally do this. Remember, the mental strength you’re building now will also help you get through the big day. Just keep pedaling.