A little less than Two years ago I embarked on a journey after watching the cycling events in the Summer Olympics of 2008. At that time my ambitions were high. I was well over weight and out of shape. I was a bit tired of being a skinny person in a fat mans body. I was also out to discover the path in which one becomes a true Olympian. I have to say that the true Olympians are few and far between. I still have not seen an Olympic cyclists, but there are some really good cyclists that live here in the valley the competition is tough and getting noticed is even tougher. The cost of cycling is far more than I expected a good TT bike could cost around $5 - $8K and a good Road Bike could cost you upwards of $6K.
However there has been a whole new world opened to me much more of a world than the one behind a desk staring at a computer screen. I have learned so much about cycling. Probably the most addictive quality of cycling is the more you cycle the more you improve. It is a strange concept. However, there are times when recovery is necessary and trying to push yourself is counter productive. I'm still finding new doors and avenues. I meeting more people and enjoying my life. I find that the stresses in life are more bearable when my mind is focused on something that is meaningful, constructive and helps improve my overall health. I am happy I embarked on this journey it is marked by a determination, what I sought out to do was to find a way to the Olympics yet that spirit of determination is what drives me to improve and although I'm no where near an Olympic athlete I can say I'm fighting a good fight.
Last year in September after watching LOTOJA from start to finish. I was determined to make it a priority I got more serious about it I had the trainer and I put it to use over the winter. This spring has been unusually cool and rainy and even snowy at times. It has made it difficult to train but I still find time as much as I can. I put in for the LOTOJA in April and waited until May for the acceptance. I will be racing my first ever LOTOJA in the Citizens class 35+. I feel like I can make it the entire distance, I just don't know at what point I will drop off the back never to see the group until the finish line... but I'm determined to do it.
I have ridden in two organized rides so far both of them were the Tour de St. George. My first ever ride was in October last year the short 30 miler... which ended up being only 25 miles because the group took a wrong turn. Then in March I did my first ever century ride a complete 100 miles + 10. It was grueling windy day with some elevation gains that were painstaking. But I survived the 7:02 minute ordeal. Memorial day this year marked my longest ride to-date 122 miles. It was with a very good group then went to Emigration summit and back. This Saturday I embark on another challenge it is a flat 100 miles in the Tour de Cure Century starting in Brigham City. I hope to hang on. I have lost almost 30 lbs. in this journey I feel more confident in myself and I hope to do my best. I have competed in two Time Trials, one was blacksmith fork and the other was just tonight at Cache Junction. I tried my best. I have a lot to learn but the journey has just begun.
