I Climb REALLY BIG Hills!

So I’ve been riding my little butt off to get myself ready for the big ride in October.  I’ve been doing anywhere between 15 to 30 miles, 4 to 6 days a week.  On my off days I do a cardio P90X video or go for a walk with Kev.  I’m doing anything and everything I can to make sure that I complete the 220+ miles and that I’m not in DEAD LAST when I do.  My fear is that the sweeper van will creep up on me and throw me into it and shuttle me off to the hotel because it’s just taking me to damn long to finish.  I still have lots of time to train, I know this, but I’m still nervous and working super hard.

So near me there is a kick butt trail that I ride with my mom, Kev and a super new friend who I met via TDP.  We’ve been riding the North and South County Trailways that connects to the Putnam Bike Path.  In total the path is about 52 miles, one way.  It’s paved and runs through some of the most beautiful and scenic areas around.  It’s a great place to ride. During the week and on Saturdays it’s not to crowded with other riders and walkers.  I can easily slide past and everyone is really courteous to the other users of the trail.  Sundays are usually a nightmare if you go at the wrong time.  I try to get there really early Sunday morning before the path become so congested that you’re basically walking your bike.

The Putnam trail has more hills and they are long and steep.  I can usually ride most of them but there are 3 that kick my butt every time and I’ve had to walk my bike up them….. until today that is…….

Today I headed out for a ride with my mom.  We planed to do just the Putnam Trail and work on getting up the hills.  So off we went.  First half of the ride was fine.  Smaller hills made for an easy climb. Then we cam upon the first 2 major downhills that I knew I would have to climb on the way back.  As we approached the descent I yelled back at my mom, “I don’t wanna go down the hill.”  She laughed at me.  Yeah, I’m “crying” and she’s laughing.  You know how you know it’s a bad hill? You know those signs you see on the side of the road that show a car or truck going down a steep hill to warn you that the hill is steep? Yeah it has one of those but with a bike on it!!! SUPER!!! But I digress….. so down I go.  I kicked my speed up to about 28 mph.  WEEEEEEEE! Now up a small hill and then down the next big hill and up a small hill again.  We push the last 2 miles to the end of the trail.  A pretty little ride over Lake Carmel and then you’re at the end and need to turn around.  After a quick stop to chug some water and spritz our faces with cold water we make our way back. JOY!

So we get to the first hill.  As soon as I start to approach it I drop my head and look just 5 or 6 feet in front of me only looking up occasionally.  If I don’t have to watch how far I still have to climb it won’t hurt as bad.  So off I go.  I’m pushing and pulling on my pedals, and I’m ever yelling out to my mom and myself, “CLIMB, CLIMB, CLIMB! DIG, DIG, DIG!!!”.  Woo Hoo!! Made it up the first sucker.  Now I have the next 2 evil hills.

So the way these hills work is that you go up the first one then have a few hundred feet of flat surface and then head up the next one.  They are relatively steep and about 3/4s of a mile long.  Now I’m sure there are plenty of you fabulous bikers out there who could eat this hill for a snack, but my mom and I are newbies….. and well, it’s daunting as hell.

So off we go up the hill.  I again drop my head and then remember what my dear friend Joy told me, “Drop your gears and just go!”.  And I do.  As I’m climbing up the hill all I can think about is how I have to get UP the damn hill.  I’m yelling at myself to dig and I even let out a few loud guttural yells to force me up. Then I just start talking to Tray.  Basically I’m yelling at her for a little bit of help and to beg her to get my legs to stop shaking.  I sneak a peek behind me to see how my mom is doing and she is off her bike walking it up. GRRRRR, I’m on my own. But not really because I hear my mom yelling behind me, “WOO HOO!! LOOK AT YOU GO GIRLIE!!!” And I am.  My ass is actually making it up and I’m breathing hard and pedaling and yelling at myself and climbing the stupid hill.  Next thing I know, I’m at the top of the hill!?!? REALLY!?!?! I did that? As soon as the path levels out I hop off my bike and just drop.  My legs and hands are shaking, I’m breathing super hard and I’m crying. Why the HELL am I crying?  For my readers who have gone through or are currently going through cancer and chemo and all the other lovely surgeries and treatments that come along with it, you’ll get this.  I’m crying because one year ago I was on a couch, sick as hell, tired as shit, scrawny, scared and miserable.  I couldn’t walk the 5 steps to the bathroom without having to stop, rest and catch my breath.  Now I’m biking 30 miles and climbing hills?!!? I’M ALIVE AND I’M HEALTHY!! The burn in my lungs feels so good! The sweat dripping down my back and off my face is so invigorating.  The soreness in my muscles caused from working them out and not from joint or bone pain caused by chemo or my neupogen shot feels like heaven. My body is strong and healthy and working WITH ME to do something amazing instead of railing AGAINST ME to kill me!  This is why I’m crying like a weirdo!

When my mom finally meets up with me she can see I’m crying but she knows why.  With her there doesn’t need to be words a lot of the time.  She cheers me on again, gives me a spritz and after I catch my breath we are off again.  The way back was heaven.  I felt stronger and faster.  I was flying up the hills and motoring past everyone.  It feels so good!

So now I am sore. And I love it! I’m still a little nervous about the ride but I think if I keep working hard and train as hard as I am I’ll be able to pull it off!!

So now, go donate to my ride!! PLEASE?

P.S. To everyone who has already donated I can’t begin to thank you enough. Please know that I plan to send you a more formal thank you once the ride is over.  I think a hand written thank you along with a picture of me on my ride is the only appropriate way to truly show my appreciation for your kindness and support for something that is so near and dear to my heart!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

Happy Birthday Rowan

To My Sweet Ro!

Happy Birthday Kiddo! I can’t believe you’re 9! I remember when you used to be a tiny little baby with huge bright blue eyes that made me melt.  You’re growing up so quick! But you’re growing up into one of the sweetest and kindest boys I know.  YOu have such a loving and kind heart.  If you see me with a frown or looking even a little sad you immediately hug me and want to know whats wrong.  And when I walk in the door you’re always the first one to give me a big hug. And I KNOW how much you hate when I force you to give me kisses when I see you, even in front of your friends, but you placate your dear aunt and kiss me anyway. You are such a lovebug!!!

Don’t ever forget how very much you are loved and how much you mean to me.  You really are a super cool kid who I know will grow into in the most amazing man.  I don’t doubt that at all.  Happy Birthday Kiddo!!

I Love Love Love You!

Aunt Jamie

Mother’s Day in Maine

Mother’s Day was celebrated a week early this year due to Mom having to work this weekend.  So my Mom, sisters and I all took a trip up to Ogunquit, ME to spend some quality time together and celebrate our Mom!

We loaded ourselves into the CR-V last Saturday and made the quick trip up.  It was sunny and relatively warm.  Hell, the day was gorgeous.  When we reached Ogunquit we headed to 16 Beach Street B & B, a gorgeous little beach house that we called “home” for the next few days.  Our hosts, Linda and Dick, were there to warmly great us with smiles and welcoming hugs.  Mom and Dad had stayed there this past August for their anniversary and mom wanted to take us girls back there to see and experience gorgeous Maine and the welcoming and beautiful accommodations at 16 Beach.

Upon our arrival Linda showed us to our rooms. They were gorgeous and cozy and hard not to fall in love with.  My mom and I bunked up sharing The Hattie Nagle Room while Liza and Katie shared The Mary Harrington Room.  After settling into our respective rooms we ventured out into the town to grab lunch, check out the cute shops and meander down Marginal Way. The views were amazing.  There were cool rocks to climb on with small pools to explore.  Every view was more breath-taking then the next.  It was hard to stop snapping pictures.

At the end of Marginal Way is Perkins Cove.  Perkins Cove is a small Lobstering Village with a ton of character.  There are funky shops, tons of boats, yummy places to eat and the nicest people to talk to.  For dinner we ate at the famed Barnacle Billy’s.  Here you can get the best lobster rolls and enjoy their yummy Run Runner punch. It also happens to be George Bush’s favorite place to eat when he’s at his home in Kennebunkport.

The next day was filled with more shopping, more wandering along the beaches and eating of YUMMY food.  The cute little restaurants were great but the best food by far was made by our lovely hostess Linda.  Every morning we happily devoured her breakfasts leaving our plates licked clean.

The weekend away was amazing.  We were able to spend some much-needed time together.  Though much of the weekend was filled with fun and laughter there were moments when I noticed us sitting silently, each of us in our own thoughts, usually thinking about and missing Tracy.  I’m sure, like me, my mom and sisters couldn’t help but feel the lack of her presence.  Each night at dinner we toasted to her and we made sure to talk about her and include her in our own way but she was missed.  She will always be missed.  Its hard getting used to this new “normal”.  But I think we are doing our best, no matter how much it hurts.

I know for my mom, Mother’s Day will never really be the same.  She will always feel the whole in her heart is a bit bigger that day and she will ache just a bit more for her first baby girl.  But I hope she knows just how much I love her and how much she means to me.  And I hope that she was able to enjoy the weekend with us, even if it was for a fleeting moment.

I want to wish every Mom out there a VERY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.  To be a Mama is one of the most amazing gifts and feeling a woman can possibly experience and I really hope that I am able to celebrate being a Mama one day too.

Happy Mother’s Day to my sisters, Tracy, Liza and Katie, my grandmother and Aunts, my dear friends who are now mother’s and to all the women in my life who have become 2nd mothers to me.  But most importantly, Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who has always cared for me, loved me, and been the best mother anyone could possibly be.

I Love Love Love you Mom!!!

PS… Check out the pics from our trip HERE.  I highly recommend visiting this little slice of Heaven and staying at the same B&B as we did.  I am taking Kevin and few of my friends there in the Fall.  I think this is going to be a yearly visit for me.  🙂