2014 New Year and New Goals!

Well I am back to my blog.  I realize that I kind of gave up on writing here for a while and in fact achieved my stated goal, a Century, last fall.

 This year I have set new goals...To better my Century pace, do multiple centuries and to do a sprint triathlon.  This blog will be where I keep up with myself.  I have started on c25k training and signed all three of us up for the Leprechaun Loop in March.  So I seem to be focusing on running right now but will be getting in the pool soon.

Why I Ride

Why I Ride -
The League of American Bicyclists is doing a series of blog posts from people about why they ride so I thought I would do my own.

I started riding as a way to have some alone time and while I still do enjoy the me-time now I enjoy riding with groups and the wonderful friends I have made through riding.

I ride as a way of healing my spirit...I have suffered from depression for many years but once I am on the bike it all disappears.

I ride because I can.  When I started riding I could barely ride 5 miles and now I feel like the sky's the limit.  I choose to ride places I can and when I am running errands about town.

Most of all I ride so I can be the me I have always wanted to be.

Oh my...it's been a while again

Since my last post many things have transpired - the most memorable would be falling down while roller skating - straight on to my bum and severely bruising my tailbone.  So not being able to sit kind of puts a kink into all training plans so I joined the YMCA so that I could at least swim.  Dang - swimming is hard work.  While I am able to sit on the bike now - I am maintaining my membership for the time period and using the classes offered - Yoga and Spin and Aqua Zumba.

Next week is my week off so I will really have a lot of work to do once May hits if I wanna make my 130 miles in one day on Memorial Weekend.  I am gonna try to go to Dicks today to buy a few accessories - sunglasses, new camel etc - and let Jimmy use the smaller camel.  Thing is I got coupons to use there before the 21st!

Well it's been a while since I posted...

I have officially signed up for the Tour de Frankenmuth on Memorial weekend - said I would ride the 130 miles. It's gonna be hard, but looking at the course map, the return route (65 miles) seems to be generally on the decline side of things so that should help.  I have been riding Sundays at Finish In Time and for the last 2 weeks I have been the cyclist who pedaled the longest...maybe not farthest since some of these guys keep their cadence really high.   I think we are going to invest in a Garmin 800.  It's an awesome device and when I get home from rides all I have to do is plug it into the computer and my map/mileage/heartrate/speed and all is right there!  This week I am starting to work on core strength as well as riding the Vision Quest training dvd's I have.  I'm actually holding a plank pose longer than I thought I could!

Well any way - I hope that you enjoy reading this and this year I will succeed in my century mark - and btw ya'll help Jim to remember to get me a "Century" sticker for the van and/or shirt.

Busy month

Well just finished a 2 hr 15 min ride with the crew at Finish In Time.  They were co-hosts of yesterday's PoHo Cocoa Run.  Jackie who is the owner of FIT said the run seemed to be a big success.  Today's movie ride we watched Coach Carter - a very good flick.  I will be missing next week due to my little man's birthday - I can't believe he is turning 5!  I plan on getting some good riding in during the week though.

New Beginnings

So the year didn't quite start off with a bang...Friday morning Dec 30 I would up slamming my head in the car door and giving myself a concussion.  So NYE was very tame - stayed home just the 3 of us.  Sunday morning I did not ride at the studio as I was still disoriented.  By the afternoon I had decided to try a ride at home.  I wound up riding for an hour and a half.  Monday Jim and I did Just Dance and that can be quite a workout.  Tuesday little man got sick and we were home/bed bound for 4 days!  Jim stayed with him on Wednesday while I worked, Thursday I was home and Friday he came with me to the library.  His fever finally broke on Saturday morning.  Anyway I went out to Finish In Time today and rode for 2 hours.  I think I will ride longer next week but I had an engagement this afternoon.  Anyway this will still be my year - be it injury, illness or whatever this year my theme is - I Will Overcome!

A New Year is on the Way

So I didn't make my Century ride this year - but I have since been told by a professional trainer that with the wind as bad as it was that day I can count it as 100 miles.  Anyway 2012 is on it's way and I plan on making it the year of Randi so watch out!  Memorial weekend I will ride in the Tour de Frankenmuth again at either the 90 or 130 mile distance - I will decide later.  I am also already signed up to ride the MS Rona Grand Bend - London ride again in July, and this year I signed my hubby up as well.  We have turned a corner of our basement into a home gym and had our first workout today.  I am gonna try to work on a 'schedule' - so far I know Sundays I will be riding at 'Finish In Time' cycling studio in downtown PH - Sunday's are a 'movie ride' where we all just ride on trainers while watching a movie.  During the week I will be using the RealRides DVDs I have (101, Strength, Climbing and Race Day) as well as working upper body on Jim's new Marcy Platinum Home Gym.  I also have Just Dance 3, Biggest Loser and Wii Fit to incorporate.  I'll post the schedule I come up with  but any input is appreciated.

Wow - what a beautiful day

When I woke up this morning at 7:30 to the sounds of rain I convinced myself today would be a basement riding day.  But the rain stopped and by 10:00 I was heading out to the Macomb Orchard Trail.  My first time on this 23+ mile trail and it was great!  Of course finding parking in Richmond at the trail head was impossible due to the Richmond Good Ole Days parade so I wound up parking a few miles up trail and backtracked on the bike to make sure I got to see the whole thing.   I think I will rate it tops on my rails-trails list so far.  The nature around the trail is beautiful, the length of the trail allows for a non-repetitive ride and it has a hill!  I still like Wadhams for the convenience of it as well as the beautiful scenery, and Fort Gratiot is great for the three of us to ride together since it is such a short trail.

I went for 52 miles in 4 hours today so I think my 8-8.5 hour goal for my 100 is reasonable as long as I don't stop too long for lunch.

It's almost here part 2

Wow I just realized I have 3 more Sunday's until my Century!  I know that I will be able to handle it if I ride smart and use the rest stops for gatorade/fruit refills.  I still am in awe that I am actually going to be doing this.  I feel as though finishing this will prove to me that anything is possible.  Who would have thought that 2 years ago and 70 pounds heavier I would even be thinking of attempting this.  Time wise I am hoping to be 8-8.5 hours, but will be happy just to finish.

 I have also set my 'ride calendar' for next year and it includes the Tour de Frankenmuth (100 miles this time), the PALM (Pedal Across Lower Michigan a week long 300+miles ride), the MS Rona Ride in London Ontario and the Blue Water Ramble again (this time hoping to take 1 hr off my finish time from this year).  Also I have to race Jeremy as he says he can beat me when we take off the training wheels.

On a genealogy note I am very happy to report that the 2012 version of Family Tree Maker will be able to sync with Ancestry.com online tree which I had been really annoyed by in the past.

Now I am a true cyclist...pictures attached...not for the squeamish

So I went for a ride when Jim got home...I rode up to the Fort Gratiot trail and while circuiting came across the Chain Gang.  So I joined up with them for the ride back downtown.  It was nice to be able to ride with them and hold my own!!! I was so proud...too proud...I rode up to the front to talk to the guy in the lead and as I was dropping back my front wheel tapped his rear.  2 seconds later I was on the ground.  Jim thinks I am psycho to be proud, but my pride comes from the fact that I was able to handle it with grace and to know that I was able to ride with the gang with ease!  And for my Thursday night crew - we will still ride!

riding can be so healing

I woke up in the worst mood this morning.  I really didn't want to ride but I knew my friends from Sarnia were coming state-side for a ride...I had to go.  2 seconds into the ride I felt much better.  Jim and I both know that riding works for me that way so he knew that I would "leave it on the road".

I signed up for the Blue Water Ramble today.  It's official - I'm nuts!

Short entry today...but I want to give a shout-out to my friend Jenn who also signed up for the Ramble.  I'm proud of you and I know you can do it!

Thank you.

I made it through these last few days.  It started on Saturday morning, we woke up at 5:30 to drive to Grand Bend, Ontario for the start of the MS Society Charity ride.  We got there in time for the 7:30 start.  The team rode great and we took breaks at the rest stops in order to refuel with Gatorade, fruit and water.  We rode a total of 55 miles on Saturday and were cheered along the way by grateful Canadians.  Little girls stood on the side of the road with squirt guns asking if we wanted a squirt - YES!!!  I got to the finish line slightly ahead of my team, but as I crossed the line the people were cheering and I could feel Pops and Donna cheering me on and found myself in tears as I crossed the finish line.  There were 1852 riders and we all made it across the finish line healthy on Saturday.  After we finished we got to enjoy University of Western Ontario dinner (really good) and free massages.  There were evening ceremonies where different awards were given for biggest team, most creative team name, biggest fundraisers etc.  Then we all got to sleep in the University dorm....wow has it been a while.  Sunday morning I woke at 6 to eat breakfast and be ready for a 7:30 start again.  we didn't actually start until 8ish.  Going back to Grand Bend was a slightly different route and only 48 miles.  I made good time and got in about 11:45.  Jim and Jeremy were there at the finish cheering me on and a guy they call "High Five Mike" was there too.  He is in a wheelchair and sits just beyond the finish line to high five every rider as we cross.  It was an awesome experience.  There were hills that I thought I'd never make it up, and just as I was ready to get off and walk up the rest of the hill I felt that extra burst and knew that Pops and Donna were pushing me up that hill.

As soon as I got across the finish line we went straight to the car and had to miss more free massage and BBQ.  We were able to get across the border by 2 which allowed me enough time to get a shower and some lunch before we had to leave for the airport.  All our flights were right on-time and Jeremy was a great traveler.  We got into Jacksonville about 10:45 and then went to mom's cousin Tommy's house for the two nights we were there.  Monday we woke up and had breakfast with Tommy and Becky and Tommy's brother Steve and his wife Karen.  It was nice to see some Lee's.  We then headed over to Aunt Susan's to get ready for the service.  It was a beautiful service and I finally let myself mourn.  I'm still mourning so beware I may break down on you.  It is always great to see the family and I got to see many cousins I haven't seen in a while.  It was so nice to touch base in the physical world not just the facebook world.  Jeremy loved being able to play with all the cousins and did not want to come home.

We are home now and life is getting back to normal - at least for a few weeks.  The MS Society is always accepting donations and If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

1 week to go!

This time next week I will be on my way to the airport to catch a flight to FL...after completing my 150km in 2 days to raise funds for MS.  I am hoping we will have enough time so I can shower before getting to the flight...and I think everyone else on board would like it too.  I'm just worried about crossing back, since Jim let his Nexus expire we will have to wait in line.  We should be o.k.

Feeling great after today's team ride.  We went 42 miles and took our time - we made it in 3:25.

Short entry today as I need to get moving...lots of laundry to do and grocery shopping too.

It's almost here.

I only have one more Sunday ride until my MS ride.  Today I went out to the Wadhams trail with my new camelbak. Mine isn't pink but I picked it up at a garage sale for $1.  Can't beat that.  Made it about 18 miles with that, then did another 12 more with my water bottle.  I'm really trying to make sure I stay hydrated.  So if you can add you see that I rode 30 miles total.  Good for you.  I wound up turning around earlier than I wanted but I was getting really low on water.  I wasn't smart in waiting until the hottest part of the day either.  It was 90 when I got there and 90 when I left.  Next Sunday I'll be riding with the team again and I will get out Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

My ride is to benefit the MS Society of Canada whose stated objective is:  to be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.  There are 22 different rides throughout Canada and they are expecting over 10,000 riders in all.  The ride I am doing is a 2-day 150km (93 miles) from Grand Bend Ontario to London Ontario on day one and back to Grand Bend on day 2.  They are expecting 2000 riders. 

On a personal level, I started cycling in June 2010 and could barely make 5 miles.  By October I completed my first 30 mile ride.  A friend of mine from Sarnia, Ontario, started a facebook group called 'My Goals for 2011'.  I joined his group and found a posting on the board about this fundraising ride.  I knew it would be difficult, but when I saw that it was for MS research I had to participate.  In 2008 I lost my Aunt Donna who had been suffering with MS since 1995.  I knew that this was something I could do for her.  I signed up and sent out my first fundraising requests.  My grandpa, Edward Rountree, was one of the first to donate - expressing his sincere appreciation that I could remember his youngest daughter this way.  I am now riding also to honor the memory of the world's best grandfather.  He always made me feel like I could accomplish anything...and knowing he and Donna are watching me, I know I'll be able to overcome this challenge and help many others worldwide who are suffering with this disease.

I have been honored by my family in their support of my ride for MS.  The family has asked that in lieu of flowers for my Pops that people send donations:

If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

I miss my grandpa.

This week had highs and lows. I had a great ride with the MS team on the 3rd. We rode 27 miles; 13.5 to Sombra Ontario for dinner and then 13.5 back. It was nice to ride with everyone. It got me really excited for the big ride. Then on the 4th, it couldn't have been a better 4th of July. A lazy morning watching the Tour de France with the stage won by an American; ate red, white & blue pancakes; went swimming at Sanborn pool; cooked out burgers and corn; rode to the beach and then had flag cake and to end the day...sparklers.  July 5th saw a return to normalcy, Jeremy to swim class and an evening ride for me.  

Wednesday morning I woke up to my phone ringing...it's never good news when your phone rings that early.  It was the phone call telling me that my wonderful Grandfather passed away.  Edward Archibald Rountree 1926-2011.  A great life.  Throughout my training and fundraising for my MS Society ride I have been raising funds in memory of my Aunt Donna and now I am also riding in order to honor my grandfather.  I will be leaving directly from finishing the ride on the 24th to catch a flight to Florida for his services.  It will be a tough weekend but it is the least I can do to honor them both.

If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

I'm a ChainGanger!

I went for my first ride with the ChainGang today.  38 miles in just under 3 hours.  We rode down to St Clair and stopped for coffee/smoothies at Sue's Coffee House and then pedaled our way back to the mall.  I was afraid I would drag them down and I did.  I had 3 of them stay back with me - they are all very nice people.  They do these rides many times a week and it really didn't seem to challenge any of them the way it did me.  But I am still so proud that I am able to accomplish this.

There is still time to make a pledge in support of my ride to raise money for the MS Society.

If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

We love and miss you Aunt Donna.

MS Team Ride

Had my first ride with a group today.  I went over to Sarnia and rode with people from my MS RONA Charity ride.  We rode a nice laid back 24 miles.  My official 'ActiveTrainer.com' training sessions start on Tuesday so I will really be spinning hard.  It was real fun last Tuesday to go see my teammates whom I hadn't seen in a year and a half, and to ride with them again today was great.


For those of you who may have missed my FB post, in July I will be riding in a 2day, 150km (that 93 miles) charity ride to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.  (Yeah yeah I know I'm an American...but MS knows no borders).  I was so excited when I learned about this ride because it is something I can do in memory and honor of my Aunt Donna.  Donna was one of the sweetest people I know and was stricken with MS.  She passed away in 2008.  I thank everyone for your support as I strive towards this goal.  I have been blessed with many caring friends and family that support me however they can...most of all my husband who lets me go and ride for hours at a time and then is there with my glass of chocolate milk when I come back.


If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

We love and miss you Aunt Donna.

Can't beat today's weather.

I decided against riding with the Chain Gang this morning as I am still scared that I will slow them down too much, so I'm gonna work hard this week and maybe next Sunday meet up with the gang.  I went out to the Wadhams to Avoca Trail which is a normal spot for me, but usually I only ride on the paved part.  Today I decided to push on through the gravel.  20 miles total with 14 being in gravel.  Since I had never ridden out past the pavement I wasn't sure what to expect....low and behold there is a beautiful Trestle Bridge.  There are pics on FB.  When I got home we just did regular stuff but told the boys about the bridge.  So we all went out as a family.  I spoke with a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor on Saturday...turns out he lives 2 miles from my library.  He tells me I am ready...If I can do 40 then I can handle my 2 day and my century.  It's just a matter of being able to sit on the bike for that long.  I asked him how long should I expect for the century and he said 8 hours would be a good time.   I am feeling very encouraged.  I can't wait to meet the rest of my MS 2-day team on Tuesday.

I Did It!

What a perfect weekend capped off by a great feeling of accomplishment!  When I originally signed up to ride the Tour de Frankenmuth Grand Fondo, I was just hoping to survive.  I was encouraged by the fact that it was an out and back ride so therefore if I needed to turn around before my mark I could.  I signed up for the minimum of 40 miles and my longest ride to date had been 30 back in October.  My nerves were running high.  I also saw that on Saturday they were having a kids race and Jeremy wanted to participate so we got up in the morning and got moving to make it there by 10.  As soon as we got to town we noticed a ton of stuff happening.  Of course they were holding the bike races so we joined up with the race crowd, got Jeremy signed in and waited for his race.  He competed in the 4-6 year old category.  There were 3 older girls (6ish) riding with out training wheels and 3 littler ones riding with training wheels.  Jeremy was fastest amongst the children with training wheels.  Of course every kids got a prize and he is soooo proud of his stuffed chicken (it's a Frankenmuth thing).  After his race we went for lunch and then drove over to the Bavarian Inn to check in.  After we checked in we went to the pools for a while...it was fun to just have a day of playing in the pool for the 3 of us.  When we were done there we walked over to RiverPlace to get fudge...low and behold they were having the Dog Bowl.  There were more dogs there than I had ever seen in one place.  They had competitions for Dock  Jumping, Frisbee Routines, Agility, Sheep Herding and other smaller races.  We got to pet one of the biggest dogs I have ever seen as well as one of the smallest.  After that we made our way back to the hotel to play arcade games and mini golf.  When we finished golf we ate dinner and then made our way outside to watch a Hot Air Balloon Glow.  Turns out that there was a Hot Air Balloon race in town too.  For the glow there were two balloons inflated and the rest of the baskets were blowing their flames, definitely one of the neatest things to see.  Finally it was time to turn in for the night.  We got back to the room and crashed hard!  I was a nervous wreck so I didn't sleep well, but I did sleep enough.  I woke at 6:30 so I could eat breakfast by 7, left the room at 7:30 for an 8:00 start time.  Like I said earlier I wasn't really expecting to make all 40 miles and if I did I just wanted to keep it under 3.5 hours.  I was extra freaked out that a) this was my first time back on the roads after Brad's accident and b) there was a categorized climb which means - steep for at least a km.  The good thing was the cat 5 climb was at the beginning (6 miles in) and that would mean going down it on the way back.  After the climb it was very flat, i decided to push it to the 20 miles and then turn around for my full 40.  The final 6 miles were the hardest because Frankenmuth is much more hilly than Port Huron.  But I did it  - all 40 miles and in 3 hours 10 minutes...well under my goal of 3:30.  After I finished I met up with the boys to load up the bike and head on home.  We got here and I finally got a shower!  Then Jim's family came up from OH and we went down to the Feast de St Clair festival.  All-in-all probably the busiest weekend I can remember but also the most enjoyable.  I am so happy I did it and hope to be able to make it an annual event.

Thanks for reading all this...just had to share.  For photos check out my FB page after Monday.

A Good Weekend

As I mentioned before I planned on riding on Friday, which I did...and the weather held out!   But I think I found my break point...I had done the Biggest Loser workout on the wii on Thursday night and then spent all day Friday walking the zoo with Jeremy and then I rode for 2 hrs. and got in 25 miles and boy that was enough...I needed Saturday to recuperate.  Saturday was perfect weather - of course since I had to work but Saturday Night was great fun.  The 3 of us with some friends went to watch the Blue Water Derby Girls.  A friend of mine from work is on the team and we've been to all their home bouts.  It is so much fun!  Not at all what I remember growing up - this is real sport and these women are tough!  Sunday morning we took it easy and then our friends from Sarnia came for a visit...it's has been too long since we got together last.  After they left I loaded up the bike and headed back to the trail.  I put in another 2 hours and 25 miles.  It's amazing how good I feel when I'm done.  Jim was telling me a story last night about the drummer for the band Rush and how he had some tragedies in his life and he just got on his motorcycle and left...I don't remember how long he was gone but it wasn't just days - it was months or years even.  When he came back he explained that we humans are soothed by motion - take for example babies and how they fall asleep in cars.  He was soothing himself by riding all across the continent.  I too find all my worries fade away when I'm on the bike.  Just something to ponder...get moving people!