No Sex in this Grind

“Did you go up that ugly little hill?” he asks.

“Yes I did,” I replied.

Then silence.

Some pondering.

Both of us tuned into the time. Waiting for a bus.

“One will come eventually,” he claims as my fingers scroll over the schedule wrapping the metal post.

When I think of grinding, Kick Ass comes to mind. 

Coffee that is.

Since it was a day off from the office, I put myself up for the challenge.

The stopwatch was reset. Once past the gates I was off.

Within minutes my heart rate was elevated. My mind said steady.
Everything worked.

I plunged onwards and upwards.

Happy when I caught someone I could pass.

Disappointed when I heard someone behind me.

Soon enough I’d hesitate so he or she could go beyond.

When I saw the half way mark I glanced to my watch. Twenty something minutes.

Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever scrolled through the eyelids in the back of my head. My mind was already made up.

No stopping till the top.

The Grouse Grind record time for the men is 25:01, while for the women it's 31:04. 
Yes minutes.

According to the guide I met waiting for the bus afterwards, if you’re in shape it should take you 45.

I got in under an hour. But not in the 40’s.

Still, I figured I was doing good. Until “Joey” and his tag along came yapping up behind me.

It was steep. Their conversation didn’t stop. 

How is it this guy can keep yapping while climbing?
My lungs were gutted. I was heave hoe and all I could do to go.

Grunting came near the top.

I was so pissed when a woman older then me sped by.

Four letter words uttered in my quiet voice.

By this time my arms were pushing off of my thighs. Then rower woman came up beside me. Tuned into whatever she was listening to and hunched over like the oars were in the water ready for the catch.

I tried her technique for a while but preferred to huff and puff while occasionally resting my hands on my waist.

Rather the muffin tops. Twenty pounds less and I’d bet I could chop off ten more minutes.

Ironically I’d chosen this as another gateway to cycling cross-training.

During the RBC GranFondo Whistler a fellow sure to be in his 70’s came to the Official Merchandise Store where I was working and claimed that three or more Grouse Grinds a week were all you needed to be in shape for the ride from Vancouver to Whistler.

I was getting nearer the top. My lungs were bust. My heart was sore. I refused to let myself stop.

“Every step and strain you take today is an investment in tomorrow morning’s strength,” I kept saying to myself.

Over and over again.

If they can do it so can I.

Then when my bonking started I saw someone else’s puke.

There was no more hesitation now.

I am not weak. I am strong!

Very soon after I was up.

And so done.

I moaned. I grunted. I huffed and I puffed.

It wasn’t sex.

It was the Grouse Grind.

Doe Ditty Dumb

Not sure where it came from. The title that is. It just popped into my head.

Been missing writing my blog posts. Too much life expectancies getting in the way. Some things take over. Mash up all the rest.

The big weekend is coming up. The moments I’ve been training so hard for.

I’m ready. Made the quota on the minimums. Grateful for my mama for reaching out to her circles.

The legs feel good. Here’s hoping the rancid chest cold leaves me before Friday.

There can be a flop when you stretch yourself hard towards one goal. Questionable intentions. Got me to wrangling three in one month.

Yes, June is busy. The Victoria Goddess Half-Marathon run to start things off. Coming up to the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, followed by the 140km Tour de Victoria.

As the DH’ers in my life (Downhill Mountain Bikers) would say. I’m dialed!

Knowing what all of this has done for me is the lift. Weight loss, fitness, focus. Time for training. Then some more.

Tonight I’m on the steel commuter rolling home. The smell is in the air. Trying to act like spring. The drizzle softens the haze of the worshipped green all around.

Who would of thought I’d of spent all this time outside come rain or come shine?

As the droplets christen the sea the dimples of the moon or the sun warp the surface as each oar rows me home.

My journey is peaceful. The sound of an oar-lock rocking to the catch of the water.

At least it’s not cold like December. There were a lot of wet, long and cold training rides. Many damp and frosty runs. 

The time was worth it. 

Ready or not, here we come!

The forecast for the weekend is for rain. Warm temperatures filled with lots of spring rain.

No matter.

It will be a doe ditty dumb.

Whatever that means.

My Pal ICE!

"You really know what you’re made of. You run, but you’re sore, but you keep on running." 

Deborah Joel on completing a half-marathon.

My FIRST Half-Marathon (21.7km)!
Photograph by my person pal, Catherine Clarke.

Not once did I consider stopping or walking. For real. I ran the whole way.

My legs conquered the hills. No surprise given my hours of uphill cycling rolls.

There were harsh long hills on this course too. They didn’t bother me!

But the ladies passing me on the flats did.

One tussled up gal called me “Steady Eddy!”

What a course. What a feeling. What a dream come true. I DID IT!

No question the lack of training was felt. Especially in the hips.
When the 20km mark came up, I was already celebrating.

This course was actually 21.7km. Longer then most half-marathons.

But given the participants – all women – we didn’t mind.
Especially with the token finish. 
Firemen, a necklace and chocolate!

It was the Victoria Goddess Run. 
Consuming a Sunday bit for me, since I had to spin around and head home shortly afterwards.

Walking down the stairs on the ferry to the lower car deck for my quick escape to get first in line for the bus was funny.

“Ouch, ouch, OUCH!”

Work was also a challenge on Monday. Walking, going down stairs – absolute agony. Not to mention sitting down on the toilet.

Up – no problem!

I took to walking backwards down the stairs.

Today I rode my bike to work and felt fine. Super glad yesterday was over.

On tippy toes last night I got off the bus and toed my way over to Save-On Foods for a bag of ice. Which I lay on my legs, even on the row home.

Shortly afterwards it was separated into zip-locks for naked comfort to my thighs.

A good night’s sleep and come Tuesday - today, yup I’m as good as new.

Thanks to my pal, ICE!

YES I Can!

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to my Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. I’ve received emails from folks saying they want to donate. I’m at 77% of my goal!

The event is June 16 & 17^th so not much time left.

I urge you to click on the top left link of this blog to donate or click here and thank you SO much for rolling with me!

I appreciate all of you!!

The body does what the mind says.

For the most part.

But if you’re an endurance athlete, as the old saying goes, Mind over Matter – can take on a whole new meaning.

Over the last three weeks I watched with prowess and excitement our Canadian Pro Cyclist, Ryder Hesjedal’s daily achievements in the Giro d’Italia.

On the weekend, I took to the live feeds, even in Italian. What I witnessed was incredible.

There’s a lot of verbiage out there that cyclists, runners and the like use to express when your body starts to tell you, “NO MORE – STOP!”

My favourite is bonking. There’s also gassed, tanked, hit the wall, done and the pain cave of course.

Ryder went beyond. From what I could see. He ignored his body and dug so incredibly deep, beyond the threshold. Into the unimaginable. A place maybe even he had never been before.

This weekend I am doing my first half-marathon. The Victoria Goddess Half-Marathon on Vancouver Island.
I’m super excited and scared. Training. Well, I’ve been more focused on the time in the saddle then the running. Mostly due to a niggling calf scar tissue injury that hasn't left me yet.

Even though, I am going to do it anyway. Taped up. And with these thoughts in mind: if I say I can - I WILL!

When the going gets tough, I’m going to think about Ryder and what he did.

Focus on the finish.

YES I can!

Chasing Rabbits

There’s a good chance in the morning on my daily commute that I will come across another cyclist. Given the sun is shining.

My roll these days is almost an hour to work or school, and an hour home. I’m enjoying being out there, even with the challenges.

There are certain stretches where I like to pump it up. Raise the heart rate and burn a sweat.

Or chase a rabbit!!!!

That would be another cyclist. Maybe half a kilometer a way. And so the groove is on.

Catching them and passing them is one thing, but not giving in to them passing me after I pass them, is another.

So I crank it up. Roll along. Focus. Focus. And sweat.

Sweat is sweet. You know you’re working it.

Especially when you have a rabbit to catch!


I'm training for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer June 16 & 17th. If you'd like to donate to the BC Cancer Foundation through my ride, please go here and thank you in advance for helping to find a way to heal the World from Cancer.

To Scare Yourself

Who came up with that line anyway?

“Do something everyday that scares yourself.”

When I feel the uncomfortable twang I am reminded.

It’s everyday now, although getting somewhat easier and less frequent.

Considered homeless by the Vancouver Marine Police I’ve been relocated to the North Shore for anchorage. Another week and I can go back to the False Creek shuffle.

For another two weeks.

Then I come back again.

It’s amusing in many ways. And difficult too.

I wish I had roots. Access to power. A nearby shower. Laundry.

I’ve asked the Universe. Why me? What have I done that has been so wrong?

In acceptance I have discovered. It’s not what I’ve done that’s wrong. It is the lofty goals I have set for myself.

The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer 320km Challenge course next month.

Thank goodness it is spring and not winter!

Gingerly I plop the road bike, less the front wheel, derailer side up in the aft end of the dinghy. Gently placing the loaded panniers (complete with laptop) and front wheel in the bow.

Carefully I step to sit so I can row to shore and repeat the process.

Then it’s putting the bike together and setting off.
For what really scares me.

Riding skinny tires in Vancouver. Over the Second Narrows bridge.

Clear glasses have made a difference. Weekly brake adjustments as well.

Experience is starting to show. I can roll the hills with more confidence.

No speed wobbles. Panniers get packed to balance.

What does it make me knowing I scare myself daily?
Stronger?

Perhaps.

Or less likely to search out other ways to scare myself!

Just One Pound

It means a lot to me to receive donations from people I have never met.

Less then eight weeks now to the 320km cycling Challenge. The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Training has been my mantra. Time now to spin my wheels on reaching my minimum donation goal so I can ride.

I’ve struggled with reaching out.

Initially I heard the event company that organizes the ride takes 70% of the funds raised. That has since been clarified. It's 30%.

The stigma attached to a cycling event sponsored by an oil company wrenched my moral code for the longest time too. Yet, they are helping to raise funds for a painful and heart wrenching disease that has swept through communities and ravaged families for decades. Even mine.

Time to heal the wounds. To help. To do something.
I do know now the BC Cancer Foundation helps and the funds stay here.

When I began this journey there were two things I knew I had to do to get there. Firstly, set up a training regime that would jam into my full-time school/part-time work schedule. Secondly, peel off some pounds to make it all easier.

Thursday’s is my weekly weigh in. I reached a bit of a plateau in the last month. One pound up or no pounds lost. Well, until this week.

Yesterday when I weighed in I was down 1.2 pounds. To date I’ve lost 15.6 pounds. Thanks to the training and the focus to shred some with the help of Weight Watchers on-line.

Even though I’m not at my weight loss goal. I am getting there.
By setting these goals for myself, I am helping myself so I can help others.

My energy is better. I can wear my skinny jeans. My gate is like a thoroughbred. I feel so much lighter on my feet.

Especially this week. 

Even though it was just one pound.


If you'd like to donate to the BC Cancer Foundation through my ride please go here and thank you in advance for helping to find a way to heal the World from Cancer.

To Push the Edge

Training is a big part of my life these days.

I read a lot. Talk a lot. Sweat a lot.

And I love it.

But there are days when I want to push myself beyond.

Not always do I find a way to do that.

Except for last weekend.

You’ve heard the term Bonked.

It wasn’t that I Bonked. More like I went beyond my threshold of what I thought my body could do.

I so remember at one of the FEAT Talks a runner saying, “The body follows the mind.”

For me I was cycling. I’d already tallied the totals the day before and run as well. Hadn’t eaten enough, clearly. Still went for it. Following my powerhouse cycling pal, @TisCath up some long elevation gains.

It so hurt.

I kept thinking of the Pro Cyclists and the Tour de France.
So I pushed, and I pushed.

Honestly, at one point I didn’t think I could do it. Calling out “Damsel in distress!” came to mind.

Then Lance Armstrong’s line, “Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever,” swirled around in my head.

“I can do this,” I told myself.

And I did.

Later on it felt great.

To go beyond. 
To push the edge.

Training Ups

Signed up for the Victoria Goddess Run. A half marathon. Yup, call me crazy.

It’s two weeks before the 320km Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Which is three weeks before I do the 140km Tour de Victoria.

I know. I'm asking for a bit much out of this 40 almost 50 year-old body.

But hey, if you don’t take the leap you’ll never know how far you can jump.

Saw an interesting anecdote on Twitter today. Someone wrote they’d done a workout, then realized the “pros” would be doing another one, so they’d better get out there and up it.

Anotherwards, instead of doing what you should do or what you think you can. Do more.

Enough said.

So I’m telling my riding pal this morning, as we huff and puff up some hills on our bikes, that I signed up for a half.

“So how much running are you doing now?” she asks.

“About 40 minutes. Once, sometimes twice a week,” I reply.

“How far is a half marathon?” comes next.

Me in a mumbo jumbo said something like, “Over 20kms.”

Then, the lightning bolt.

“How far do you run in 40 minutes?” she smartly inquired.

“About 6.5 kms,” I reply meekly.

“So I guess you need to start running more,” she concludes.

Silence.

Seven weeks till the half. That’s the challenge.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

Now fit that in with school, work, living and training for a 320km cycling ride.

Thinking I might need a new pair of running shoes.

The High Five

Not enough time to roll today. Needed a good three hours plus. So I grabbed the gym bag to head out for a run.

Knew I’d be sitting the rest of the day. Trying to finish assignments. Figured a quick 40 minutes would do me good.

It’d been a week plus since a run. Managed to beat my last time… by a mere two seconds.

But hey, felt like that was good. All things considered.

This school stuff stifles the training plans when you get down to serious crunch time.

Was the best run ever.

I’m pacing myself good. Got the breathing down. The sun is in my face, I’m heading for Kitsilano Beach and this dude runs towards me and yells, “Hey! High five!”

We smashed a high five and ran on.

That made me happy.

I was doing it. Running my fastest, my hardest and sweating good.

And I got a high five.

Awesome.

Skinny Jeans

Booked six hours in the saddle this weekend.

I’ve learned a lot about my body.

Was close to bonking after the second hour today. Reminded myself to eat every 45 minutes. Tried that yesterday and it got me through.

It also helped to have a destination in mind.

Felt I should reward myself with a coffee at the new Musette Caffe where you can pack your bike in. No worries.

Took me a bit to find it. Was happy when I did.

Must of had a confused look on my face when I rode up. I saw a bunch of harsh locks outside. Was sure I’d read I could roll in.

Couple bike dudes looked down on me through the window. I pointed at my bike and to the door and I got the bring it in nod.

Was gassed when I parked my bike and booked it to the counter. Coffee and some fuel was only on my mind.

First thing I got asked was how my ride was. I elaborated and detailed yesterday’s and today’s. We discussed the wind during yesterday’s Iona Beach roll. I reiterated the tailwinds on the way home. Zoom, zoom, zoom!

There were wooden blocks on the floor as you walked in to park your back wheel. Genius. I’d wondered how they’d fit them in. There was a family, a couple fit cyclists reading Pro Cycling rags and more then a few pairs of riders in gear.

More guys rolled in.

We got to yacking. Where else can you go with your bike and talk saddle routes?

Turns out we had a lot in common. Plus they had a social team. Doing the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer as well.

Small world.

Or is it just we’re cyclists?

We exchanged contacts and I geared up for home. 
Fondly I reflected on my Friday night purchase. I’d bought a new pair of jeans.

If I can keep up this effort of training and nutritional regime, I’ll get the last 20 pounds off. Can hardly wait. Be easier for the ride. And afterwards, I’ll get to wear my skinny jeans.

The ones I bought on Friday night are a size too small.

Taking Shape

It’s harder now. Takes longer. Never thought I’d say it.

To work up a sweat.

Already feeling it. Down one for sure. Pant size that is.

The scales don’t lie either. Thirteen pounds to date.

Happy? YES!

Better then that. I feel taller. I feel proud.

Training (cycling), cross-training (running), yoga, meditation and Weight Watchers. It’s working.

There's never enough time to do exactly what I wish for. As long as I keep consistent I tell myself. Then I'm doing OK.

Although tonight when I threw the gym bag on the bench my only thought was Executive (sauna and shower). 
Bag the run in the rain.

Then I sat and contemplated that further.

Yesterday was a nothing day. Monday awash (one of the pitfalls of living on a boat. When there’s a windstorm – you don’t sleep).

Someone walked in. The guilty pang went off.

I got changed. Decided I’d do whatever I felt like when I got going, distance wise.

Truthfully I wanted to cave. Eat dinner. Go to bed. Bag the homework.

Once geared up (for rain and wind) I did the right thing.

Hit the bike for a warm-up, did the stretches, push-ups and core. Then I headed outside for my run.

Injury prevention is huge for me. I plan to go the distance. The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer Challenge Course which is 320kms of cycling over two days in June.

Decided on a different route tonight. Read somewhere it’s good to change things up.

Before I knew it I was 20 minutes in. Slow. But steady.

Then the tunes got real good. Somehow my feet got lifted. I was pumping. Power strikes. Half-way there.

The boot to the finish felt sweet. I dialed 42:27.

You never regret going. You only regret when you don’t go.

Feels so good.

Taking shape.

Carving Time

Getting up at 5am is hard.

For me.

By 3pm I’m dizzy. By 5pm I’m awash.

There’s always more work to do.

But it seems as the weeks flow by, like the river running downstream. There’s no stopping time.

Training and working out time takes time.

I can’t stop thinking about June. Will I be ready? I want to enjoy the ride.
Today I heard from one of the organizers of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer that there’s 2,500 feet of elevation gain on both days.

To which I replied (in my nervous voice), “What goes up must come down!”

Somewhere I read about the idea of developing a habit of doing side planks before every meal.
This got me thinking.

Workout goals for this week now include:

• Morning workouts (no matter what).
• Extra core at lunch – to include planks (during school).
• Push-ups on breaks.
• Gym (strength training) and a run Tuesday and Thursday.
• Hill ride sufferfest Wednesday.
• Bikram Yoga Monday and Friday (6am).
• Long rides Saturday and Sunday.
• Let’s see if I can fit it all in during the early mornings.

That way school and my part-time job during the week will also get 100%.

There’s also a few birthday parties to attend to on Saturday and Sunday.

Ah, carving out time...

Wheel Power

Cycling in Vancouver is a challenge.

I’m used to fairly well paved roads. Shoulders without gravel.

It was just after 8am. Vancouver was still asleep.

The goal. A three-hour minimum training ride. Easy rolling. I figured Richmond.

It was great beating the Starbucks brunch traffic on SE Marine Drive. A few dog walkers. The odd trail runner.

Bliss.

Till the packs started piling up on my tail.

No warning. ZOOM!

Whoopee I thought. Miss that pace line pooper pack ride. So I jumped on. Quickly realizing leaving the scratched clear lensed Ryders glasses at home was a bad idea.

Rocked it till the gravel spray started spewing then I called it.

Fenders or not, crap gets flung.

You've got to be on. Tiny potholes abound.

There was an A and a B. I watched where they went since this was my first ride of this route.

The next group I came up on were clearly inexperienced pack riders. No warnings, stopping suddenly.

I waited till I saw an opening of traffic and railed it past them.

Only to get cooked booking it up a hill. Thankfully to a red light.

Then they turned right. Drat. I was taking the wrong route.

We got hung up again but not until my way home

I discovered Iona Beach on Sea Island. Pretty cool.

Packs and packs of movers out there.

Only one person said hi.

Remember my brother saying that about runners. Nobody smiles. They’re clearly suffering, or not.

In most cases I realized after, when you’re in a pack you’ve got to pay attention to the wheel in front of you and most importantly, to the ruts in the road. Especially in Vancouver.

To keep it going.

Wheel power.

Training Love

Can hardly wait for the weekends. Not just because it’s the weekend.

Because I know I can get in a long ride and not feel rushed.

This morning I booted out the door at 5:30am for a Bikram Yoga class. The plan is to set myself up for the pedal to the metal by aligning and strengthening my flexibility.

Balance and core are also key to the build up of mileage. 

It was magic this morning. I become more tuned into my body each class. I don’t have time for everyday. When I go, it counts.

Since sourcing training programs and speaking with pals, those in the know I’ve come up with a regime that time permitting I plan to stick with.

Doesn’t matter the weather. The weekend rides, back to back slow go, build the base are the light in the sky.

This morning as I bent over eyes to my thighs, sweat rolling down between my legs, head to my knees, I asked my temple to take me there.

I also asked for forgiveness for any bad I’ve done in the past.

There’s only good from now on.

Training love.