Place for Me; Day297; Outlaw 100 Bike Ride

Joh 14:2  In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.
John 14 Full Chapter

I will be riding the Outlaw 100 bike ride today.  I am planning to ride the 100-mile route. I’ve been back in training since Day20 on my cardiac rehab.  I am on Day 297 today since my heart attack (20081222) and to all my mothers out there (I have a few, 1 in CA-Elie) , don’t worry about me because I am always wearing a heart rate monitor and I have cell phone with me and plus there are sag wagons (cars that will pick me up in time of distress).  Last night before I went to bed, my 13 year old son Brent went to my bedroom and asked me, “Dad, do you think your heart is ready for this?”.  I sensed right away that he is worried about me about what I am going to do and how my heart will react to a long distance endurance ride; I just look at him straight and gave him a hug and told him to sleep beside me.  We ended up recapping our bonding time today at the tennis court.  So far, there are only two people in my life that was so thoughtful of me and I appreciate that.  A friend of mine in CA specifically talked to me about my physical capacity in general and it feels really good that someone out there is thinking.  The reason why I put my body in this situation has nothing to do with my ego.  No, I am not doing this to show off to the world and be proud of it.  The only reason why I am doing this is to prove to the world that it can be done… that one can have a full time time job, be a parent and still have time for training.  As my heart permits, I will be doing this type of activities the rest of my life.  I started this serious cycling program since 1999 and it has been a great help to me as a stress relief and an diversion in life.  People like to do other things in life aside from work and this is my way of doing it and I love doing it.   I am not sure of the outcome today because things have changed 297 days ago but I will try my best to be safe and know when to give up when my heart shows signs of trouble,  This is not the first time that I dive into unfamiliar activities. I remember in 2006 when I signed up for my first 5K swim race and I’ve trained only for 1 year before racing.  It was a journey into the unknown that makes the activity more interesting.  Yes, the journey into the unknown is mostly the fuel of our life.  When we don’t know what is out there, what waits us at the finish line, can we make it there? Will I make it to the next mile?  But one thing I know for sure, there is a place for me waiting somewhere… a place they call special.

I will be carrying my cell phone in my back pocket so if want to check on me, feel free to call/text me 512-786-4157 or you can just write in my FB wall and I will get alerted.  I don’t need encouragement or anything like that, but your conversation will surely help me get through the depression after Mile 50 and above.  Yes, depression sets in sometimes because our body gets tried and sometimes the doubt set in.  I’ve experienced this on almost every long distance ride but it is perfectly normal but once you reach the finish line, it feels like nothing else better.  It is 56 degrees F in Round Rock and that is cold in my book but if you look at the wind speed below, not even 10MPH all day which is really a perfect day for a long ride.

Time to execute the plans.

MIT (Most Important Task)
1. Start and finish the Outlaw 100 Miles Bike Ride safely
2.
3.

2300  Sleep
0000, Sleep
0100, Sleep
0200, Sleep
0300, Sleep
0400, Sleep
0500, Sleep
0600, Breakfast; journal
0700, Leave house for Outlaw 100 Bike Ride
0800, Start of Outlaw 100,
0900, At Mile 15
1000, At Mile 30
1100, At Mile 45
1200, At Mile 60
1300, At Mile 75
1400, At Mile 90, 100 Miles complete
1500, Lunch, Recovery, Shower
1600, Nap
1700, Nap
1800,
1900,
2000,
2100,
2200,
2300,
2400, Sleep

Health Log
Workout Log
2009 Outlaw 100 Route Map
2008 Outlaw 100 Video

Cycling Log 2008 = 1720 Miles
Cycling Log 2009 = 1550 Miles
Longest Distance covered in training = 40 Miles
Days after MI = 297
Mileage Per Month = 100 Miles
What’s different this year?
– Heart failure in December 22, 2008
– Introduced 3 Miles Leg Workout climb training
– Heart Rate now peaks at 135 bpm only, in 2008, HR goes to >150 bpm (cardiologist explanation, I’m on heart medication)
– Will be using the backup road bike, last year I was using my Specialized Time Trial bike

Packing List:
Arm warmer (expecting a very cold start)
2 spare tube
Tire repair kit
Tools
Hear Rate Monitor
4 Clif bars
6 Power Gel
Prescription Sunglasses
Camera (Stefi’s)
Treo

The Route
Red = 100 miles
Estimated Finish Time = >6hours
Point of Decision = At Rest Stop #2 (30 Mile Mark) This is where I will decide if I am going for the 100 Miles or the 100 Kilometers.
Meal Plan = Clif bar at Mile 20, 40, 60, 80
Power Gel Plan = at Mile 15, 45, 55, 75, 85, 90
Hydration Plan = Gatorade every 20 minutes until 6 Hours
Pickle Juice Plan = at Rest Stop #2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 (prevents muscle cramps)