Apr
11
2012

Bike MS: Why I’m Riding

By Theresa on April 11, 2012

I haven’t talked about it much here but the weekend of April 21st and 22nd I’ll be taking part in Bike MS: The Citrus Tour, a 2-day bike tour in the Orlando area. (My goal is to ride 125 miles – 75 on Saturday and 50 on Sunday.)

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I don’t really know why I haven’t blogged about this yet – I guess because I have a hard time asking people to make a donation…even though that’s the whole point of Bike MS – to raise money for the National MS Society as part of the fight against multiple sclerosis.

One of my closest friends in college was diagnosed with MS in her mid-20s after many months of agonizing and debilitating symptoms.  This young woman has been strong over the years and is living a full and happy life – and I believe the MS Society has been an important part of why she has done so well. Sadly, she and I have fallen out of touch with each other but I just can’t get the image out of my mind of her dealing with her symptoms and then ultimately receiving the diagnosis.

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. Or that you may not always be able to walk, or ride a bike, or even feed yourself. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone – the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

I want to do something for this old friend (even if she doesn’t know I’m doing it), and for all of the other people who have been diagnosed. Today, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, and with diagnosis occurring most frequently between the ages of 20 and 50, many individuals face a lifetime filled with unpredictability.

MS researchers have made extraordinary progress in the last few years searching for a cure – and any funds I raise will help support these vital efforts.  Funds are also used to support local programs for people with MS and their families.

If you would like to contribute to the National MS Society by sponsoring me in Bike MS: The Citrus Tour 2012 you can make a (tax deductible) donation by visiting my fund raising site here. 

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I don’t have any fun giveaways planned or anything like that, but your support will mean a lot to me.  And I’m sure it will mean a lot more to the over 400,000 Americans living with MS.

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Apr
9
2012

Insanity Failure

By Theresa on April 9, 2012

Just two short weeks ago I proclaimed that I was beginning the Insanity program.

And I’m here today to proclaim that I’m no longer doing Insanity. In fact, my last Insanity workout was on Wednesday of last week.

I most definitely feel like a failure for not even making it 2 weeks. But I stopped for good reason. (No, not a baby.)

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After the first 2 workouts, my calves were super sore, as was my low back and just about every other part of my body.   I chalked it up to the new – and super intense – workouts.

Throughout the rest of the first week, my calves started to feel better, as did everything else.  With one exception: My back.

As the days went on the back pain got worse.  It was hurting so bad I was having trouble standing up straight after sitting at my desk at work. I left work in tears on Wednesday evening because it was so bad. 

And that’s when I decided to give it a 48 hour test. Would 48 hours of no Insanity off make things feel better?

48 hours off helped. So I pushed it to 72. And slowly the pain has subsided. But it hasn’t gotten worse again.   (When the pain first started, I tried modifying the workouts – but there’s only so much “modifying” that can be done to Insanity. I knew complete Insanity abstinence was in order.)  Even after nearly 5 days things aren’t totally back to normal, but I can stand up straight again and walk without pain.

For background – I’ve had back pain off and on for many years. Things were at their worst in 2008ish at which time I was diagnosed with early arthritis in L3,4 and 5.  Physical therapy ensued for several months and things got better.  A lot better.  And as long as I kept up on my PT exercises things were fine.  I’ve never even mentioned it here because it’s been a “regular” part of my life for several years and I know how to manage it. 

Running and cycling (and even sometimes yoga) cause a “flare up” of sorts, but nothing that a little ice/heat and stretching can’t handle.  After 30 minutes of PT exercises and stretching I feel fine.

But that didn’t hold true with Insanity workouts.  I would feel all nice and loosened up during and right after the Insanity workouts – so I’d think there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  But within 2 hours of finishing the pain came back – and it got worse each time.

My takeaway from all of this? Insanity is an awesome workout series…and I’m actually going to miss it!  (I seriously felt stronger after just 4 workouts!)

Ryan is continuing on – and it makes me jealous to see him doing these crazy workouts while I’m sitting at the computer (that may or may not be happening right now).

But I know it’s the best thing for me to take a pass on this workout series.  At least for now.

Maybe someday I’ll give it another whirl and see if things are any better.  But I’m not terribly hopeful. 

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Mar
29
2012

Up Front

By Theresa on March 29, 2012

For two weeks in a row now this has been my view at my weekly spin class:

After class...I'm too chicken to take a picture of everyone during class!

Since I went through the certification class, Kristen has asked me to set up a bike on the “podium” in the front of the class with her so I can get used to being in front of the group!   I cycle in the front of the room with her just to get used to the “overwhelming factor” of being in front of everyone for the first time.

It’s kind of a “get your feet wet” approach to becoming a full-blown instructor.

The first week I was up there I was terrified.  But yesterday I felt a bit better and was able to joke around with the class and Kristen a little bit when she introduced me to the class.

“This is Theresa.  She just got certified to teach and has some in-class training to do.  Sitting here with me in front of the group is her first step! So, welcome Theresa & good luck!” Cue: everyone clapping & Theresa blushing and saying something she doesn’t remember today.

For about a month I’ll be up front without teaching any tracks.  When I feel comfortable enough I will lead the cool down and stretching.   Kristen even TOLD the class last night that I’ll be doing the cool down within the next couple of weeks.  Confession: I’m no where near feeling THAT comfortable yet!

While I’m up front not teaching, I’m focusing on keeping my heart rate in my “endurance zone” and making sure that I’m not huffing & puffing up there.  After all, once I am teaching a track (or a whole class) I can’t really be wheezing into the microphone, right? Confession: It’s surprisingly hard to stay motivated and excited while trying to hold back.  There’s most definitely a fine line between “not enough” and “too much” and I think it’ll take me a while to get the hang of it.

So far the only real drawback of being in the front is that I can’t see things like this:

Goose was always my favorite!

Yeah, we have a screen in the studio that is “supposed” to be for cycling videos.  But we got bored with those and now we watch movies each week!  Top Gun, The Italian Job, Casino Royale, Star Trek? Yes, please!

I will definitely miss that part of class if I ever find a class of my own to teach.  BUT, I think the reward of actually having my own class someday will be worth it!

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Mar
26
2012

Insanity

By Theresa on March 26, 2012

This happened tonight:

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About 45 minutes ago actually.

Workout Number 1: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

This ish is…well, it’s insane. My legs are ALREADY sore.

How on Earth did I get myself into this?

Wait…I know the answer to that: Because I haven’t run since the Sarasota Half Marathon and  I haven’t been in the pool for months.  So like any other undedicated triathlete, instead of running and swimming, I decided to go in a whole new direction!

Am I going to do the whole 60 day program? That’s the plan.  The only “change” I’ll be making is taking spin class on Wednesday evenings instead of completing the “Cardio Recovery” DVD. Otherwise it’ll be 2 months of ridiculous workouts 6 days a week.

Will I actually follow through? Only time will tell.

I’m only feeling slightly overwhelmed…and by “slightly” I mean “REALLY”.

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Mar
26
2012

Irreparable

By Theresa on March 26, 2012

What a gorgeous weekend we just had!

Ryan and I had grand plans to paint our house – the last time we did it was in the fall of 2004 & with the intense Florida sunshine a new coat is needed about every 7 years or so – but those fell through thanks to a weather report that was threatening rain.

Lucky for us – but unlucky for the house – it didn’t rain at all on Saturday. BUT, we had moved on to a different project: A new fire pit!

We’ve had a “portable” fire pit for years – you know, one of those copper bowls sitting in a metal frame – that we loved using.  But when the “feature tree” in the middle of our patio died and we put the portable fire pit in its place we knew it was time for an upgrade something more permanent.

So we went from this:

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To this:

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To THIS:

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We even had our first fire that night!

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Good thing we didn’t paint too – because it POURED on Saturday night/early Sunday morning! We would not have been happy campers if the first coat of paint washed off over night.

Since painting was no longer on the agenda, I even got in a decent bike ride on Sunday. Some friends came out and we were planning on getting in about 22 easy miles.

The ride started off great – even with a nasty headwind.

I was focusing on keeping my heart rate in my “endurance zone” which was sort of challenging. Only this time I was struggling to get it high enough – quite backwards from running or spinning where I struggle to keep it low enough.

(I’d show you a heart rate graph here…but my Garmin is on the fritz AGAIN even after a hard reset and software reinstall…so no data for you…or me…)

Our route took us through Robinson Preserve

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and then out to Anna Maria Island

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where we took a “half way” break at the City Pier.

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And since I’m an idiot, I forgot to turn the sepia filter off after taking that picture…so the rest of my pictures are super “artsy”! Enjoy!

We had the wind at our backs for the trip back home. I seriously think that was a first for me!

But it wasn’t meant to be. Just after we passed the 16 mile mark – after crossing the drawbridge on Manatee Avenue – my back tire started fishtailing and I immediately knew I had a flat.

Turns out it wasn’t a regular ‘ole flat.  It was completely irreparable because there was an effing twig stuck in my tire!

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Even with a new tube, that tire wasn’t going to hold for very long – and definitely not the 6+ miles back home.

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So I plopped myself into the grass and waited for Ryan to come get me. (Thank goodness for cell phones, right?)

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Several nice people stopped to make sure I was ok. And one guy was amazed at the condition of that tire!

Hopefully I’ll be able to get a new rear tire soon – I’ve got a 2-day 150 mile ride for the National MS Society coming up in three weeks (eeek!) and I wanted to ride that bike!

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I haven’t said much about it here – but I’m fund raising for the ride too. You can visit my fund raising site here to see why I’m riding in this event benefitting the National MS Society, or to make a donation.

WHAT ABOUT YOU: What did YOU do this weekend? Are you a do-it-yourselfer for at home projects? Have you ever participated in and raised funds for a charity event?

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