First Race, First DNF

DNF... made it 19.55 miles in 3:45 before I locked up. I don't know what to say, I am very disappointed with my performance. I started out with my usually crap legs and it just got worse and worse as I went. The terrain was exactly what the director said it was very hilly, the longer climbs just destroyed me, every hill took some of me that I just could not recover. Towards the end of my demise the last couple hills I had to walk I just had nothing in the tank, both legs got sore and tighter, and my right knee ballooned up, until I could barely walk a hill. In the flats I felt like I was pushing the biggest gear I had when I was on the granny gears, felt like slowly drying cement around my legs.

Im 28, and this is the first time in my life I not only DNF something and felt so utterly unprepared for the circumstances. 5 miles in I was wondering where all the miles and hours of training went, by 10 I knew I was in deep trouble, 10-20 I was mentally dancing with demons and was a complete grind. I dont know if mentally I forked up, or nerves, or just a combination terrain and not nearly enough training etc. I have never dug down so deep into myself and come up with nothing to help the situation, just a non stop grind with nothing in the tank. I paced my self, eat right, nutrition plan cadence like I have been doing for a month.

On to the good news, I was 285 this morning which means I have lost 30 lbs in this attempt, I have tasted defeat and already looking forward to training all year, lose more weight and come back with a vengeance next year.

Some pics of the event.

More Riding

More riding, got to ride White Clay DE which was a blast, narrow single track, feeling allot more comfortable. Got in 8miles under 2 hours, then the damn rain came and we had to call it quits. I felt great, at 2hrs I felt like I was just warming up, we had planned to ride all day so we had a slower pace. I had the pleasure of muscling up a few hills passed skinny guys walking their bikes up which was a confidence booster.

GPS http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50699970

Riding buddy Mikey, as you can tell I am having allot of fun.

All my riding clothes are getting very loose, even my 3 week old cycling shorts. Seems like my legs/butt are thinning out the fastest.

Goodbye 25lbs

Well today I did my weekly Sunday morning weigh in, 289 lbs, I have now lost over 25lbs since July. It is just a slow steady 3-4lbs a week, even on low exercise weeks I lose some so I know my diet is working too. Best part is I feel great, no aches and pains from my exercise.

Riding tomorrow am with my buddies so I am off bed.

PS My younger brother completed his first Ironman today, really gave me allot of inspiration and motivation for this ride. I am trying to convince him to do a Xtera race next :)

Lake Redman Ride

Rode today 7.35 miles 2 h 21 miles got my ass kicked up and down the mountain but loved every minute of it.

GPS http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50339147

First off holy crap do I love my bike, zero numbness, fits great, and rides amazing, rarely in life do you get to enjoy a purchase as much I am right now. Surprising there was no issue riding on a normal riding seat since my old bike had the wide fatty gel seat I was really worried about the new bikes seat, felt great and surprised me my large butt had no issues with such a narrow seat.

Second the ride was hard, allot of uphills and the down hills I don't have the confidence and skills yet to keep my speed up for the next ascent. Really learned allot on entry level technique, realized I was using way to low gear 1/1 which led to low speed and frustration. Per another rider I tried 2/1 and got off the saddle and my hill climbing went from making it 25 percent the hill to 75 percent even completing some hills at the end I previous had only made it 1/4 the way up. Its amazing how technique makes a huge difference. I would take 60 miles flatland over 7 miles of this terrain, I am plain beat.

For all the masochist in here, Yes Yes had my first over the bars experience, bigger wash out behind a root, panic with both brakes and went for a ride. Hydro brakes are awesome just have to learn to control them better, old v brakes I had to hammer on. Not so much with the new ones.

Camelback was awesome, it was HOT drank 100 oz of water on the ride, had the straps way too tight at first, loosened them up allot and I was good to go, glad I invested in one.

Last night I sent my money in for the 62 mile xc race mid October, now it just comes down to training and survival which for me comes down to the terrain. Either way I will give it my best effort and see what happens. More riding Sunday, will have some ride pics up later tonight.

New Bike

Picked up my new bike today, Cannondale Trail SL2, full shimano, hydro brakes, and Rock Shock Recon Air shock. Cant wait to take it out on the trail and enjoy it.

There is a 62 mile XC ride I am going to attempt late October, hopefully this weekend I will be able to string together a few long distance rides.

A Humble Introduction...

Greetings, after talking with a few people about my weight loss journey they suggested I share my experiences on this journey. I was very motivated reading "Timberman's" post so hopefully I can pass that motivation on to others.

    In July of 2010 I had been married for 2 years to my awesome wife Jessica and we were blessed with the birth of our first, a baby girl. I got on the scale and was 315lbs and knew it was time for a change. I dusted off a old mountain bike and started to ride, first a few mile at time, now after just two months I have completed multiple 40 mile flat trail rides and recently a 62 mile ride. Cycling has been a great exercise tool due to the low impact and lack of impact on my joints. My knees are in bad shape from carrying around my weight for so many years. Currently I have lost 20lbs in the last two months on cycling, dieting, and general lifestyle chances.

Me Currently:

I am blessed to have plenty of support from my wife and family. Both of my brothers are in tip top shape, yet are always there to exercise with me. I got the chance to run a 1/2 marathon a few years ago with them, they supported me the entire time and ran step for step with me, finished 2hrs 45 mins.

My goals are to
1) Complete 62 mile Mountain Bike XC Race mid October
2) 2011: Sprint Tri, 75/100 mile road bike race, 1/2 Marathon, and finish the year with a  Olympic Tri Next Fall


Thank you for your time, God Bless - Steve