Last night was a perfectly dry, warm respite for the trick-or-treaters and we sat on the front steps and handed out candy. Then in the night the rain came. I'm talking true rain, not just some sprinkles, but pouring down, windy rain.
Today was scheduled for our 80 mile ride--the peak of training before tapering for the event two weeks away. Riding in a little bit of rain, as I did on Thursday, isn't too big a deal--avoid metal and paint on the road-those white lines are slick. Riding in a ton of rain can be a bit dangerous AND being wet for an extended period of time makes your body work hard to keep you warm, in addition to racking up miles. So, the ride's been postponed...to Sunday. An occasional short ride works for me on Sunday, but 80 miles won't be happening. I'll do a longer ride on Thursday, but coach says 80 miles is too much that close to the event, so maybe it'll be 60-65 miles. Today, I'll head to the gym, get some running and spinning in and some core work. It won't even come close to a day on the road, but it'll have to do.
Two weeks until Solvang! Fundraising goals met. Oh, and happy birthday Mom!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
One goal met, one to go!
I've reached my fundraising goal!!! Thank you all so very much for your support! And it's so sweet to hear the appreciation for thank you cards.
On Saturday we had a buddy ride beginning at Orinda BART. The BART lady gave us an etiquette lesson when we went to use the bathroom, but the morning smoothed out quickly.
Rocky start to the ride--in the first 5 minutes we heard "rider down"--heart rates raced. Turns out it was Sarah--people not calling out properly. The beginning of the ride was a good suburban tour through Orinda and Moraga, onto Walnut Creek, Alamo, and a stop at Peet's in Danville. I rode with the front pack and we pacelined for a few miles. This style of group riding is still new to me but my frustrations with people who burn themselves out at the front were already building and I wanted to be with my friends. I was already craving pizza (I don't even like pizza that much) but the only options were sweet. The first group rode out and I chose to hang back and wait to ride with Sarah and Molly.
We rode out, past the development that was once my jr high and the mortuary that was our hometown library. We passed a guy setting up his "yes on 8" signs. "NO, sir." was all I could say to him. We rode past Susan's street and then the creek, the house I was raised in and on to San Ramon--GREAT tailwinds! In Dublin, we approached the 580 on-ramp. Tamara had a flat-glass.
Changed it and headed over to the SAG--chips-yum, otter pops-refreshing! I gave myself a bite mark parking my bike--gear wheel jammed into my leg.
We got back on the road, people were pretty lethargic and we weren't even halfway through the ride. Long, steady, boring incline along 580. Flat tire--Molly this time, although we never found the reason. Re-grouped, back on the road. Little climb and a descent--passed Holy Cross, Mark's church.
Then onto a couple more climbs. I was having troubling with the mileage counting on my cycling computer, but heartrate showed up fine--Riding slower meant I wasn't pushing into heart rate zone, an important part of training. K Sue told me to for it on the real climb--ride on ahead and wait. I did. It was a longer climb, but I pushed into zone only a couple times. Got to the top and gauged that I could ride down and encourage others who might be more tired. They were a ways back, but rode up behind Lisa, who needed to stop for a bit. Another flat tire down the hill. Headed on up one last time and enjoyed the beautiful descent into redwoods.
At this point we'd all had enough of being in the saddle, rode into Moraga, full of signs proclaiming "this is Moraga, not Berkeley!" Really? Huh? You really had me going there.
Post ride pizza and beer were yum. Headed home to finish my sermon and be up at 6 am.
This Saturday: 80 miles!
On Saturday we had a buddy ride beginning at Orinda BART. The BART lady gave us an etiquette lesson when we went to use the bathroom, but the morning smoothed out quickly.
Rocky start to the ride--in the first 5 minutes we heard "rider down"--heart rates raced. Turns out it was Sarah--people not calling out properly. The beginning of the ride was a good suburban tour through Orinda and Moraga, onto Walnut Creek, Alamo, and a stop at Peet's in Danville. I rode with the front pack and we pacelined for a few miles. This style of group riding is still new to me but my frustrations with people who burn themselves out at the front were already building and I wanted to be with my friends. I was already craving pizza (I don't even like pizza that much) but the only options were sweet. The first group rode out and I chose to hang back and wait to ride with Sarah and Molly.
We rode out, past the development that was once my jr high and the mortuary that was our hometown library. We passed a guy setting up his "yes on 8" signs. "NO, sir." was all I could say to him. We rode past Susan's street and then the creek, the house I was raised in and on to San Ramon--GREAT tailwinds! In Dublin, we approached the 580 on-ramp. Tamara had a flat-glass.
Changed it and headed over to the SAG--chips-yum, otter pops-refreshing! I gave myself a bite mark parking my bike--gear wheel jammed into my leg.
We got back on the road, people were pretty lethargic and we weren't even halfway through the ride. Long, steady, boring incline along 580. Flat tire--Molly this time, although we never found the reason. Re-grouped, back on the road. Little climb and a descent--passed Holy Cross, Mark's church.
Then onto a couple more climbs. I was having troubling with the mileage counting on my cycling computer, but heartrate showed up fine--Riding slower meant I wasn't pushing into heart rate zone, an important part of training. K Sue told me to for it on the real climb--ride on ahead and wait. I did. It was a longer climb, but I pushed into zone only a couple times. Got to the top and gauged that I could ride down and encourage others who might be more tired. They were a ways back, but rode up behind Lisa, who needed to stop for a bit. Another flat tire down the hill. Headed on up one last time and enjoyed the beautiful descent into redwoods.
At this point we'd all had enough of being in the saddle, rode into Moraga, full of signs proclaiming "this is Moraga, not Berkeley!" Really? Huh? You really had me going there.
Post ride pizza and beer were yum. Headed home to finish my sermon and be up at 6 am.
This Saturday: 80 miles!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Broke a Spoke
Today was slotted for an easy 40 mile endurance ride. It was warm, calm, and absolutely gorgeous. I made it over the gauntlet, which was too bad at the lunch hour. My plan had been for the Tiburan Loop, but as I approached Camino Alto Scoop ice cream in Fairfax was calling out, so it was into Larkspur. There was some construction going on at the bike path.
Just as I passed Bon Air, I heard a loud POP! Something seemed off and I pulled off to the side. A quick check showed the problem: a broken spoke on the back tire. The tire wasn't sitting correctly. Fortunately the Village Peddler was just ahead. The desk guy said "when the spoke breaks the wheel isn't true." He wasn't sure they could do anything. Vanessa was willing to help out if I was stranded, despite her sick children. We chatted about shoe styles while they did a temporary fix of my spoke and trued the wheel.
No need to miss out on Scoop--I was hungry and it was only 4 miles away. Pumpkin ice cream and walnut maple. Yum.
Fueled, I road home. 40 miles. 1350 calories. High speed: 30 mph.
I stopped on the bridge--bike side, some thing I NEVER do, but it was so calm and the water so blue. We live in an inspiring place!
Just as I passed Bon Air, I heard a loud POP! Something seemed off and I pulled off to the side. A quick check showed the problem: a broken spoke on the back tire. The tire wasn't sitting correctly. Fortunately the Village Peddler was just ahead. The desk guy said "when the spoke breaks the wheel isn't true." He wasn't sure they could do anything. Vanessa was willing to help out if I was stranded, despite her sick children. We chatted about shoe styles while they did a temporary fix of my spoke and trued the wheel.
No need to miss out on Scoop--I was hungry and it was only 4 miles away. Pumpkin ice cream and walnut maple. Yum.
Fueled, I road home. 40 miles. 1350 calories. High speed: 30 mph.
I stopped on the bridge--bike side, some thing I NEVER do, but it was so calm and the water so blue. We live in an inspiring place!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thank you
Thank you. Thank you to everyone who has donated money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on my behalf. Thank you to you all for checking in on how the training is going. Thank you for your patience with my schedule. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for taking part in caring about this cause and people dealing with cancer. Cancer sucks. Let's get rid of it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Can't you hear that whistle blowing?
Yesterday I cut out of work early to head to Walnut Creek for some good climbing. It was warm, sunny, and a small group of us headed for the hills. Mt. Diablo, to be exact. In my haste to leave, I forgot my heart rate monitor and cycling computer, so it would have been a challenge to track intervals. We rode about 20 miles, 2000 feet in elevation. There were very few cars and it was peaceful and a nice ride.
I usually get a random song in my head on rides. This time was I've been Working on the Railroad-singing keeps your cadence and heart rate in check on climbs--you're breathing hard but have to be able to speak.
Tomorrow's time for an endurance ride--65 miles, maybe. Just have to decide where to ride!
Thank you for all your support! I'm halfway to my fundraising goals!
I usually get a random song in my head on rides. This time was I've been Working on the Railroad-singing keeps your cadence and heart rate in check on climbs--you're breathing hard but have to be able to speak.
Tomorrow's time for an endurance ride--65 miles, maybe. Just have to decide where to ride!
Thank you for all your support! I'm halfway to my fundraising goals!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Just Keep Spinning
I need your help in reaching my fundraising goal: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck !!!
On Tuesday, it was a short ride over the bridge into the headlands and back to the office before sunset. We have been having phenomenal weather in S.F. and it was warm and lovely, even facing the climbing.
My cycle computer had died. I've put off putting on the new one that I purchased with the heart rate monitor, but this forced the issue, so this morning involved figuring out all the pieces.
Today my endurance ride included hitting the gauntlet: the non-cycle side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The GGB opens a cycling side on the West after 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. This makes a HUGE difference from the gauntlet which includes people stepping out right in front of a bike, or stopping quickly on their rental bikes to take photos, or just not looking where they're going. It's dangerous, but over quickly enough. I did the Tiburan loop--absolutely beautiful! The Bay was truly blue and clear today. I felt good and strong and knew today was my day to push for miles, so on my way back, I took a right turn at the Headlands tunnel (a dank, dark tunnel--a little Harry Potter-ish) and into the headlands. On the return, I turned right again--up McCullough road--good, long climb. Did some out-of-the saddle time on the way up and enjoyed the descent, despite cars literally parked in the road and people not paying attention. Park Ranger was on it!
At the Bridge I stopped to take care of a couple phone calls regarding evening plans and as I got ready to ride back over the bridge a sweet man in his 70s, with his wife, said "Is good to go to San Francisco?" Yes! It is good, but they were seeking directions and made their way. School groups on the bridge, and the Blue Angels practicing directly overhead--Lively!
48 miles, some good climbing, 1636 calories burned, Peak heart rate: 170, average: 140. Day: beautiful. Prayers for all those sick with any kind of cancer and all those seeking cures.
On Tuesday, it was a short ride over the bridge into the headlands and back to the office before sunset. We have been having phenomenal weather in S.F. and it was warm and lovely, even facing the climbing.
My cycle computer had died. I've put off putting on the new one that I purchased with the heart rate monitor, but this forced the issue, so this morning involved figuring out all the pieces.
Today my endurance ride included hitting the gauntlet: the non-cycle side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The GGB opens a cycling side on the West after 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. This makes a HUGE difference from the gauntlet which includes people stepping out right in front of a bike, or stopping quickly on their rental bikes to take photos, or just not looking where they're going. It's dangerous, but over quickly enough. I did the Tiburan loop--absolutely beautiful! The Bay was truly blue and clear today. I felt good and strong and knew today was my day to push for miles, so on my way back, I took a right turn at the Headlands tunnel (a dank, dark tunnel--a little Harry Potter-ish) and into the headlands. On the return, I turned right again--up McCullough road--good, long climb. Did some out-of-the saddle time on the way up and enjoyed the descent, despite cars literally parked in the road and people not paying attention. Park Ranger was on it!
At the Bridge I stopped to take care of a couple phone calls regarding evening plans and as I got ready to ride back over the bridge a sweet man in his 70s, with his wife, said "Is good to go to San Francisco?" Yes! It is good, but they were seeking directions and made their way. School groups on the bridge, and the Blue Angels practicing directly overhead--Lively!
48 miles, some good climbing, 1636 calories burned, Peak heart rate: 170, average: 140. Day: beautiful. Prayers for all those sick with any kind of cancer and all those seeking cures.
Monday, October 06, 2008
What's next?
So, the event is the Solvang Century on November 15, 2008. It will be just over 100 miles and is a timed event (you have to get off the course by a certain time). The team goes to Solvang on the 14th, eats a giant pasta dinner, stays overnight and awakens early for ride-out.
This week's training:
Monday--cycle and gym class
Tuesday--ride to the office, after-work: 30 miles, hill sprints
Wednesday--ride to work and home
Thursday--40-50 miles, yoga class
Friday--15-20 miles, sprints
Saturday--50-60 miles, endurance
Sunday--15-20 miles, off to Tahoe for friend's wedding
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
Should be a great week! We're getting gorgeous weather--perfect for riding!
This week's training:
Monday--cycle and gym class
Tuesday--ride to the office, after-work: 30 miles, hill sprints
Wednesday--ride to work and home
Thursday--40-50 miles, yoga class
Friday--15-20 miles, sprints
Saturday--50-60 miles, endurance
Sunday--15-20 miles, off to Tahoe for friend's wedding
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
Should be a great week! We're getting gorgeous weather--perfect for riding!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Have I told you Lately?
Thank you all so much for your support!
I am still in need of financial support: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
It's been a bit of a lighter week on the bike, so I'm planning to squeeze some miles in at the gym and in the misty morning tomorrow!
Cycling fit is a challenge. A millimeter can be the difference in knee pain and no knee pain. My psoas muscle has been killing me at the end of long rides and my lower back has never tolerated long rides well. I ended up in the chiropractic tent late one evening on the AIDS Lifecycle due to the lower back pain.
So, yesterday I made it back to my regular yoga class. It's a new teacher, who has a different teaching style, but a few headstands seemed to help!
Hearing of the physical and emotional pain of those struggling with cancer, all my aches and woes are NOTHING! And it's worth making the time and investment in this training on their behalf. Sweet little ones deserve better, as do those who aren't so little anymore.
I am still in need of financial support: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
It's been a bit of a lighter week on the bike, so I'm planning to squeeze some miles in at the gym and in the misty morning tomorrow!
Cycling fit is a challenge. A millimeter can be the difference in knee pain and no knee pain. My psoas muscle has been killing me at the end of long rides and my lower back has never tolerated long rides well. I ended up in the chiropractic tent late one evening on the AIDS Lifecycle due to the lower back pain.
So, yesterday I made it back to my regular yoga class. It's a new teacher, who has a different teaching style, but a few headstands seemed to help!
Hearing of the physical and emotional pain of those struggling with cancer, all my aches and woes are NOTHING! And it's worth making the time and investment in this training on their behalf. Sweet little ones deserve better, as do those who aren't so little anymore.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I need your help!
Help me reach my fundraising goals:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
Thank you all for the prayers and support!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
Thank you all for the prayers and support!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Cycling makes you pretty
Thanks for the photos, Crawdaddy! Thanks for the riding together. Sorry I got grumpy about the green light--crankopotomus musta bit.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Deception
So, last week I mentioned that the 40 mile ride turned out to be 50?
This week the "buddy ride" was listed as 40 miles on the team calendar, with ride-out from Sports Basement in the Presidio. I rode over to SB in 15 minutes, got to the parking lot at 8 am sharp. No cyclists. Runners, but no cyclists. Called Sarah--oh, we're meeting at Mike's Bike's in Sausalito. I had half and hour to get over there. It was foggy and beautiful on the bridge and most tourists weren't out yet, so it was a smooth ride, but I was pushing hard to get there quickly, instead of warming up.
I rode with Sarah, Kieran and Molly to catch up with them, laugh and enjoy the scenery. They appreciated the Team Virgin jersey in all its glory! It was a beautiful ride into Fairfax, Lagunitas, and Samuel P Taylor (by accident). There were a few good climbs in there. Riding a little slower than you're used to has a bit of a disadvantage: more time in the saddle.
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Even with my new saddle, this does not feel good. But we made it back to Mike's and they headed home in their cars. I rode on the 10 miles through the gauntlet of Sausalito tourists (it's truly frightening), up the hill, over the bridge, through the Presidio and into home--60 miles.
Last week I put in about 110 miles. This week only about 80. Shooting for a hundred this week, even with missing the team ride on Saturday.
Now, it's time to rest up for 5 baptisms and a youth bonfire tomorrow evening.
This week the "buddy ride" was listed as 40 miles on the team calendar, with ride-out from Sports Basement in the Presidio. I rode over to SB in 15 minutes, got to the parking lot at 8 am sharp. No cyclists. Runners, but no cyclists. Called Sarah--oh, we're meeting at Mike's Bike's in Sausalito. I had half and hour to get over there. It was foggy and beautiful on the bridge and most tourists weren't out yet, so it was a smooth ride, but I was pushing hard to get there quickly, instead of warming up.
I rode with Sarah, Kieran and Molly to catch up with them, laugh and enjoy the scenery. They appreciated the Team Virgin jersey in all its glory! It was a beautiful ride into Fairfax, Lagunitas, and Samuel P Taylor (by accident). There were a few good climbs in there. Riding a little slower than you're used to has a bit of a disadvantage: more time in the saddle.
.jpg)
Even with my new saddle, this does not feel good. But we made it back to Mike's and they headed home in their cars. I rode on the 10 miles through the gauntlet of Sausalito tourists (it's truly frightening), up the hill, over the bridge, through the Presidio and into home--60 miles.
Last week I put in about 110 miles. This week only about 80. Shooting for a hundred this week, even with missing the team ride on Saturday.
Now, it's time to rest up for 5 baptisms and a youth bonfire tomorrow evening.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Pt Reyes
The schedule said Pt. Reyes, 40 miles.
The reality: Pt. Reyes, 50 miles. Yes, that's 25% more! But I can't complain.
I need your support! http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
The reality: Pt. Reyes, 50 miles. Yes, that's 25% more! But I can't complain.
I need your support! http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvFnst08/jhornbeck
Training in Teams
Thank you all for your support in my training for the Solvang Century through Team in Training.
How's it going?
This training season kicked off with a bumpy start: some great rides, then a trip to Colorado with no riding, back in time to ride out before getting a cold. I continued training with the cold, until I pushed it too far on a training ride and needed to recoup.
We're back on track, though. Training for time has added components of improving my time in the saddle. This includes making sure to get on the bike every other day, using a heart rate monitor to track my exertion and improve lactic acid flushing. There's a huge ego component of this training--people getting competitive with each other, putting added expectations and it's far more enjoyable when I ignore all of that and just enjoy the ride and celebrate the little victories: feeling healthy and strong at the end of a ride, getting out of the saddle sooner, being able to talk and tell stories, sing and encourage others.
Cycling comes fairly naturally to me. I love it. And it's easy to get lazy. Training for time has added a new challenge to commit to being on the bike and making training a priority.
We can't take being healthy for granted. Riding in honor of the father of a six year old, of the three year receiving chemo treatments, riding in hopes of our children not knowing the heart-rending pain of losing loved ones to these diseases makes every spin worth while. Thank you for your support. I'll be updating here regularly.
How's it going?
This training season kicked off with a bumpy start: some great rides, then a trip to Colorado with no riding, back in time to ride out before getting a cold. I continued training with the cold, until I pushed it too far on a training ride and needed to recoup.
We're back on track, though. Training for time has added components of improving my time in the saddle. This includes making sure to get on the bike every other day, using a heart rate monitor to track my exertion and improve lactic acid flushing. There's a huge ego component of this training--people getting competitive with each other, putting added expectations and it's far more enjoyable when I ignore all of that and just enjoy the ride and celebrate the little victories: feeling healthy and strong at the end of a ride, getting out of the saddle sooner, being able to talk and tell stories, sing and encourage others.
Cycling comes fairly naturally to me. I love it. And it's easy to get lazy. Training for time has added a new challenge to commit to being on the bike and making training a priority.
We can't take being healthy for granted. Riding in honor of the father of a six year old, of the three year receiving chemo treatments, riding in hopes of our children not knowing the heart-rending pain of losing loved ones to these diseases makes every spin worth while. Thank you for your support. I'll be updating here regularly.
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