Time to Think

April 30, 2010,

Had an OK ride today. Went out early since I had a long ride and wanted to catch the wind in the right diretion. As it turned out wind was only a bother for the last 15 miles. Had a little back problem on and off during the last 25 miles. But was OK when I finished. My heart rate monitor broke so I am waiting for Garmin to send me a replacement. I feel naked without it because I rely on it so much to keep me abreast of the effort I give.

Some of my friends ask me what I think about for my long rides. So hear is what I thought about today. Today's thoughts were focused on family relationships. With people suffering thru real issues such as Cancer and other illnesses, I find it hard to see why we tend to make major conflicts on such small issues. Life is to short to hold grudges, to fight with family members and to treat others as if you were king and they were your court. Look at the problem, address it with a win win situation and move on. Life is to precious to waste time.

Crunches: 300
Push ups: 75

Total Distance: 71 miles
Total Time: 4 hours and 50 minutes

Total Monthly Distance: 1442 miles
Total Monthly Time: 96 hours and 15 minutes

Phil

What a Difference!

April 29, 2010,

I got on my bike today anxious to see the difference after it was serviced. Unbelievable! I did not realize the difference a new chain, a new cassette and new tires plus totally oiled and cleaned, could make. Like a new bike. Easy to shift gears and a nice smooth ride. If I had Lance Armstrong's leg's and heart muscle, than that would be something. As I say to my golf friends, new clubs will help a little but it is still up to you to put the ball in the hole. Same with bike riding. It is definitely easier to peddle, but I still have to do the work.

With a day off yesterday, I was a little sluggish today. I think the core strength exercise I did two days ago, strained my back a little. It is stiff and a little painful. I rode early to beat a very strong wind. It was cool but only wanted to do a short ride to get back into the swing of things. I am going to do some more exercises when I finish with the blog. Weather is supposed to be warm the next several days so I am going to try and put some long rides back to back.

Crunches: 350
Push ups: 75

Total Distance:24 miles
Total Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Phil

REST is Welcomed

April 28, 2010,

This was a good day to rest. I was a little tired today and enjoyed the day off.Also the wind was blowing at about 25 miles and hour. Had my biked tuned up. Got new tires, new chain and a new gear cassette. Bike was all cleaned up. Can't wait to get on it tomorrow. I didn't realize that the trouble I was having with shifting gears had to do with a worn out chain. Live and learn. I never said I was an expert biker. Anyway, supposed t be windy again tomorrow, so I might get up early and brave the cold to beat the wind. Won't do a huge ride tomorrow because Friday, Saturday and Sunday it will be in 70s. I will try and do two long rides on Friday and Saturday.

Had a good meeting today with Central Jersey Bank's advertising agency, Sirius Advertising of Avon. They are getting ready to launch a publicity campaign to help with the awareness of my ride. It should be exciting.

Total Distance: 0
Total Time: 0

Phil

Last Indoor Workout? Hopefully

April 27, 2010,

I was going to take my bike in for service this afternoon, so I had to bike in the morning. Since it was raining outside, I rode indoors. I did a Spinerval workout that followed the course of the Lake Placid Ironman. It was a good aerobic workout. I rewarded myself with a massage in the afternoon, after I took my bike to the Peddler for a tune up. Tomorrow is a REST day that I am looking forward to.I have not taken a day off for the past 18 days. After tomorrow, it is full steam ahead. I also will make sure I take a rest day every week.

Crunches: 350
Push ups: 140

Total Distance: 42 miles
Total Time: 2 hours and 42 minutes

Phil

A Little Tired

April 26, 2010,

I must admit I am a little tired today. After doing more miles this month, with 5 days to go, than I have done in any other total month, I think it has caught up with me. Also I think I am a little dehydrated. I really have to make an effort to drink more. Today I have been drinking a bottle of water every two hours to get me back in line. Over the next couple of days I will have an easy riding schedule. Today I just peddled for a while. Tomorrow I will be inside again and do a short Spinerval workout. Finally on Wednesday I will take my first day off in nearly 3 weeks. Will be taking my bike in to be serviced.

Wednesday I will be meeting with Central Jersey Bank's advertising people to plan their promotional campaign for me. They are big supporters and should really help me with the fund raising and awareness of what I am doing. Should be exciting and I look forward to working with them.

Core Strength Exercises
Arm Lifts
Quad Lifts
Crunches: 350

Total Distance: 20 miles
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Phil

Best Mileage Week Ever

April 25, 2010,

Rain returned after several really nice days here. It gave me a chance to a Spinerval workout inside. I decided to work the Spinerval but not push the big gears to the point I was doing previously because I did not want to tighten my back. Since I will not be racing the event,I just wanted to get my heart rate elevated as much as possible without putting strain on my back. Believe I did it OK. Rain is forecast for the next several days so I will spin indoors. On Wednesday I am taking my bike in to be tuned and get new tires. The end of the week is supposed to be real nice as the 70 degree weather is coming.

It has been a good April. I am finishing the month up with a very positive attitude. Obviously I will have my best mileage month ever and I am starting to do several long rides a week now. This week a did 3 rides of 75 or more. In May I will start to go over 100 miles a couple of times each week. I really am at a loss of how much mileage I should do before the event. I believe the key for me is just to ride and put in the mileage. We will see how it works out.

Crunches: 200
Push Ups: 75

Total Distance: 45 miles
Total Time: 3 hours

Total Weekly Distance: 384 miles
Total Weekly Time: 26 hours

Phil

I Can Do This

April 24,2010,

I must be frank with you, after the last two days riding I was beginning to question myself. Could I really do this? I struggled on Thursday and an easy ride on Friday that I was not really happy with. I was hurting, my back was hurting and doubts arose. Today I got up and started riding while it was still cool but I just had to get out. I wanted to ride long. But I did something different. I kept the chain in the small ring the whole ride. Even though I used the three hardest of those gears on the small ring, something great happened. My back did not hurt and I was still able to maintain a good pace. There is no need to really push it by using the big ring if it is not needed. When I finished I felt great and could have gone on for several more hours I believe.

As will happen with all challenging goals, you go thru ups and downs as you move forward. What you have to have to succeed above everything else is belief that you can succeed. I have always had it but I needed to see proof. Today I finally got it and my confidence has grown. What do all the great athletes have, belief that they will succeed no more what. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, never question their belief in themselves. It is a given. They will succeed. And they do whatever it takes to make that happen. I know this is not going to be easy, but I believe in my ability to make this happen.

Crunches: 300
Push ups: 50

Total Distance: 81 miles
Total Time: 5 hour and 32 minutes

Phil

Recovery Day

April 23, 2010,

I used today for an easy recovery day. Just went out around noon for an easy short ride. Have not taken a day off now for two weeks, so an easy day was called for. I am going to bring my bike in on Wednesday for a tune up so I will take that day off. Tomorrow I plan on going for a long ride heading west. Weather is suppose to be cool and sunny so I hope to get out by 9 am.

So far in my blog I have just been letting everyone know what I have been doing physically. There is another whole dynamic going on in my mind during this adventure. From now on I will start to share what I am thinking about and how I mentally am attacking the challenge. Riding alone for hours on end can be very taxing and people might say boring. I don't consider it boring since you have to be focused at all times on the road to stay safe. In future blogs I will share with you what it takes to accomplish this. Basically the same mind set that professional athletes have to succeed in their sport. At the "ripe old age" of 64, I really have to get my mind set in a direction that can keep me going. I will also share with you in more detail some of the physical challenges that occur during my ride. Hopefully someone reading the blog will have a suggestion to help me out.

Core Strength Exercises
Quad Lifts
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 450

Total Distance: 25 miles
Total Time: 1 hours and 40 minutes

Phil

Ran Out of Gas

April 22,2010,

Left my home this morning with the objective to ride between 4 and 5 hours. Road towards Sandy Hook as the wind was out of the west so it was the best route to ride. While doing several loops on the Hook, I tried to catch another biker in order to ride with her. Took a big effort to catch her and then rode a loop with her. Really going at a good pace. After about 5 miles I left for home. Don't know if it was that effort or just that I was sluggish, but I started to really lose it on the way home. This is the first time that I ran out of gas. Maybe it is because I have now biked 13 days in a row or that I didn't eat enough. Have to figure it out.

Crunches: 400
Push ups: 80

Total Distance: 55 miles
Total Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes

Phil

A Mental Training Ride

April 21, 2010,

Tried something different today. Went south to Sea Girt and did 1.25 mile loops 20 times. Then back to near my home and did 1.75 mile loops 10 times. Did this to train myself in case the weather is bad and I want to stay close to home. Need patience to do this. Always playing mind games to get it done. On each loop, the wind was in my face 1/2 way around.

Second day in a row where I have been on the bike for 5 hours. Also I have now biked 12 days in a row.

Crunches: 400
Push ups: 175

Total Distance: 73 miles
Total Time: 5 hours

Phil

Wind, Wind, Wind, Everywhere

August 20,2010,

Good ride today. Struggled a little at the end of the ride. But doing a long ride by myself is a tough one. Looking forward to riding with people in the event. Rode into the wind going to Sandy Hook. When I decided to come home, the wind just changed directions and was right in my face. I believe that which ever direction I ride, the wind knows to blow in my face. So be it. I just put my head down and peddle. Not to fast but I make it home.

Crunches: 0
Push ups: 0
Total Distance: 75 miles
Total Time: 5 hours

Phil

The Ever Present Wind

April 19, 2010,

Had an easy ride scheduled for today. Glad I did. The wind was out of the North West and blowing hard. Had to go north for 12 miles into the wind. Coming back was a pleasure. Did a couple of loops near my home and then called it a day. I plan on very long rides the next two days.

Core Strength Exercises
Arm Lifts
Quad Lifts
Crunches: 400

Total Distance: 30 miles
Total Time: 2 hours

Phil

Lazy Ride

April 18, 2010,

Got up very early this morning, 5:30 am. It was real cold outside and I had to be back by 11 to go visit my kids, so I decided to just go down stairs and ride indoors. Thought I might do a Spinerval workout but decided against it because it just tightens up my back. So I just pedaled easy for 3 hours. Watched the news for a while than got into a movie. I think I have done enough Spinerval workouts to get me into shape. Now I will just put in the long weekly mileage. Believe that should get me where I want to be.

Made believe I was a real biker, and shaved my legs yesterday. Did it once before when I was training for the Ironman. The reason is mainly that if I fall, there will be no hair there that can cause infection. Also I should be able to get better massages with no hair on my legs. Anyway my hairy legs are no more. At least till August. This week was my most mileage ever. I am getting close to 400 miles for the week.

Crunches: 300
Push ups: 50

Total Distance: 45 miles
Total Time: 3 hours

Total Weekly Distance: 353 miles
Total Weekly Time: 23 hours

Phil

Morning Ride in the Rain

April 17, 2010,

Decided to chance the weather and ride outside. Got an early morning start for this time of the year. Back to wearing winter clothes for the ride. It was cloudy cold and windy but I wanted to ride outside. Said it might rain but it looked like it was clearing. Headed for Sandy Hook. Got to the Hook and did a couple of laps. It was so peaceful. No cars, no people, just me and the wind and the birds. Soon I looked up and saw the dark rain clouds approaching. Headed for home. Rain hit me as I left the Hook and stayed with me for about 10 miles. Wasn't hard and the wind was to my back so I flew home. Would have rode longer but had some place to go in the afternoon. Feeling good.

Crunches: 300
Push ups: 100

Total Ditance: 48 miles
Total Time: 3 hours and 5 minutes

Phil

Easy Day

April 16,2010,

Weather was raining outside, so I decided to just have an easy day inside. Didn't have time to go long because of work in my home and an appointment in the afternoon. Will do a long ride tomorrow either inside or outside. Looking at the weather looks like I will be inside again tomorrow. Feeling good today after yesterday's 100 miler. Looking forward to my first back to back 100 miler. Hope to do that starting in May.

Core Strength Exercises
Quad Lifts
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 350

Total Distance: 20 miles
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Phil

A Day at Work

April 15, 2010,

Interesting day today. Planned on a long ride. Here is how it went.Got up and went downstairs and did my crunches and push ups. Came upstairs and had some breakfast. Had toast, bowl of Rice Krispies with a banana and 3 pieces of toast. It was 9 am and I was off to "work". Got on my bike and rode. Went south to Manasquan and then north to Sandy Hook. Did several short loops on the Hook and one big loop. Hooked up with another biker for 20 miles which was good. Made time go faster. After that I headed home just in time to beat "rush hour". Arrived back home at 3;30. Had a couple of pieces of pizza for a snack.

Today I realized that for those long rides, between 120 and 140 miles, it would be great to have company. Even if someone rides just a part of the distance it will make it go faster. Today I listened to 6 1/2 hours of Harry Chapin on my iPod. Listening to music is definitely good and it is quiet enough that I hear all the surrounding noises.

This adventure is not going to be easy. Last night I was wondering why I was doing this or could I even complete it. Life is all about challenges and preparing yourself mentally and physically to accomplish them. The cause is a great motivator and the challenge to stay focused on the goals is going to drive me to finish this project.

Crunches: 400
Push ups: 50

Total Distance: 100 miles
Total Time: 6 hours and 32 minutes

Phil

Sluggish Ride

April 14, 2010,

It was a beautiful day out today. Temperature in the 60s with the wind blowing but not to bad. Decided to ride west. Went into Colts Neck and Holmdel. Really felt yesterdays workout on my quads. Today's ride had several up and downs and it was a struggle getting up the hills. I know I had a killer workout yesterday and did quad lifts this morning. That is probably why I just could not keep a real good pace. Even though I struggled I was still able to keep a 15 mph pace. Tomorrow I want to try and go long. I will do it on the shore so there will be no hills. Of course there will be wind which in my mind is worse. We shall see.

Core Strength Exercises
Quad Lifts
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 400

Total Distance: 50 miles
Total Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes

Phil

Killer Workout

April 12, 2010,

It was raining outside this morning so I brought the bike indoors and went on the trainer. Took out a 2 hour Spinerval workout. I had not done this one in a while and was not real familiar about how hard it was. Let me simply say for 2 hours all I wanted to do was quit. But I hung in there. Sometimes I forget that I am 64, have a damaged lung from previous blood clots and that I am just not the 45 year old that did the Ironman any more. But most of the time I just say I can do it. At least I know when not to push it to hard. But I really put in the effort. Today was one killer effort. If it is not to cold the next several days, I will try and go real long on one of the days.

Crunches: 400
Push ups: 140

Total Distance: 40 miles
Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Phil

Relaxing Ride

April 12, 2010,

Went out for my ride in the afternoon. Waited till it warmed up and then went for an easy ride. With the wind forever present on the shore, nothing is really easy. The wind was out of the west so I rode to the Hook. Did a couple of short laps and than headed home. Tried to just relax and enjoy the ride. I rode with an ipod. Listening to the music does make the easy rides go a little faster. I keep it low enough so I can hear the traffic around me.

Core Strength exercises
Quad lifts
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 400

Total Distance: 50 miles
Total Time: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Phil

A Reality Check

April 11, 2010,

Sunny day today. It was a west wind so I rode to the Hook. Wanted to go 3 hours or so after yesterday's hard ride. Left early and had a nice ride to Sandy Hook. Did a loop on the Hook and headed home. On the way home, I was riding at a nice comfortable pace and two "real bikers" past me. I jumped on the chance to see if I could keep up with them. I was already in the big wheel and just upped the gear. I was able to stay with them but I was working like I do when I do a Spinerval workout. After about 3 miles they turned and I eased off. We were moving at about 22 miles an hour into a strong cross wind. I was proud of myself. After about a mile another biker rode past me. Again I jumped at the chance to ride behind him. He seemed to be going at a good even pace. I looked at him and I immediately knew he was a real biker. I caught him and asked him how far he was going. He said about 85 miles. I asked if I could go with him for the next 20 miles. He said no problem. He had been in a race yesterday and was out to loosen his legs today. 85 miles to loosen your legs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Give me a break. Anyway I was able to keep with him for about 2 miles. I could not keep up the 20 miles and hour he was doing for another 20 miles. He was strong and a "real biker racer". I am just a bike rider with a dream!

Very happy with my biggest mileage week ever. Will soon be over 400 miles for the week.

Crunches: 300
Push ups: 50

Total Distance: 47 miles
Total Time: 2 hours and 57 minutes

Total Weekly Distance: 332 miles
Total Weekly Time: 21 hours and 30 minutes

Phil

Tough Indoor Workout

April 10,2010,

Since it was windy and cold outside this morning I decided to do an indoor Spinerval workout. I choose what I believe is the hardest workout. It is a 3 hour very hard aerobic workout. I had not done a Spinerval ride in almost two weeks. I need to continue to do them at least once a week. They really keep me strong physically and mentally. I truly believe that these Spinervals are harder than an easy ride outside at a longer distance.

Crunches: 300
Push ups: 80

Total Distance: 65 miles
Total Time: 4 hours

Phil

A Well Deserved Rest Day

April 9, 2010,

I enjoyed the day off today. Got a well deserved massage. Started the day by doing my core strength exercises. Just took it easy the rest of the day. Will see what the weather is tomorrow and Sunday to see if I bike outside or indoors. I got a holder for my ipod and I will give it a try. Want to make sure I can hear outside noise. Doing my 4 to 6 hour rides it would be good to have music along. We will see.

Cores Strength Exercises
Quad Lifts
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 400

Total Distance: 0 miles
Total Time: 0 hours

Phil

The Day After

April 8, 2010,

Didn't really know how I would feel the day after my 90 mile ride. Yesterday's ride was on the same type of roads and distance I will be doing in the event. So I was really curious to see how my legs would feel and my body. I had planned to ride easy and not to long. I got out early to beat the wind. Now if I do not go over 3 hours I feel the ride was not really a ride. I kept today's ride on the flats and headed North and turned around and went south. Got the ride in before the stronger winds came later in the day. To be honest, I felt really good. What I decided, is that I will try and alternate flat roads with going west into some hills.

This weekend I am going west again to scout out some more areas to do my rides in. Tomorrow I am going to try and take the day off. I am going to get on a schedule of a day off every 8 days as it is in the event.

Crunches: 400
Push ups 125

Total Distance: 50 miles
Total Time: 3 hours and 17 minutes

Phil

There Are Hills in Central Jersey

April 7, 2010,

Today was like mid July. The temperature by 8:30 am when I left was already in the high 60s. By the time I finished it was in the high 80s. Rather rare for early April but a good chance to see how fit I am. The wind was blowing out of the west very strong. I headed north and then went west. Found some good roads to ride on that did not have traffic. What I did find were hills. Several of them. Not to long but steep. I handled them OK but sure had to work to get up them.

After about 45 miles I had to stop and buy water. It was hot. During the event a support vehicle will be around with cold water. After a while I thought I was drinking hot tea, the water was so warm. At about 50 miles I got onto I 195. This is a highway with a speed limit of 65 mph. It has a big should and rolling inclines. The wind was strong at my back. I was on the road for about 25 miles and averaged over 22 mph. I even did over 20 mph up the hills. Needless to say the wind really helped. I enjoyed riding on the road because there are no lights and you just ride ahead. When I got off I went to the ocean and to Manasquan. From there I headed north to home. I would have gone a litlle longer but I ran out of water and it was hot. Good ride. See how I feel tomorrow when I ride.

Crunches: 350
Push ups: 50

Total Distance: 91 miles
Total Time: 6 hours

Phil

Summer Has Arrived Early

April 6, 2010,

As bad as the weather was this winter, we have really been lucky so far in April. Today was in the 70s and tomorrow it will be in the 80s. I went out around 1 pm today after a meeting and did a good push for about 2 1/2 hours. Went out to the end of Sandy Hook and back. Good ride. Tomorrow I plan on going out for about 6 hours. Want to go west and check out the roads to ride on for the event.

Today was a really exciting day. I met with Central Jersey Bank and they have agreed to work with me on the event. I will work with them to maximize exposure and thus help in the fund raises efforts. With Central Jersey Bank's roots in the shore communities in Central Jersey, I really believe this is a true win win situation for both of us. I am really excited about their support.

With fund raising over $6000 already and with CJB now on board, my commitment to the event is stronger than ever. When July 3 is here I will be ready.

Core Strength Exercises
Quad lifts
Arm lifts
Crunches: 450

Total Distance: 40 miles
Total Time: 2 hours and 37 minutes

Phil

Nice Easy Ride

April 5, 2010,

Started the week with a good ride. The weather was sunny and cool with a south wind. Went south first, did some loops and then headed home with a tail wind. Good ride to start the week.

Crunches: 400
Push ups: 120

Total Distance: 40 miles
Total Time: 2 hours and 47 minutes

Phil

Quick Ride

April 4, 2010,

Wanted to ride long again, but my daughter was coming with her family to pick up her youngest. So I got up early and did a quick ride and pushed it a little. Legs felt great after two days of over 5 hours plus riding. Try to get several more of those days in the upcoming week. As long as the weather is OK, I will take advantage. Overall I consider this week an excellent one.

Core Strength exercises
Quad lifts
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 400

Total Distance: 23 miles
Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Total Weekly Distance: 305 miles
Total Weekly Time: 20 hours and 30 minutes

Phil

Which is Harder: A Steep Hill or a Strong Head Wind?

April 3, 2010,

What a ride. I left the home about 10:30 am it was sunny and expected to get into the high 60s. Two miles into the ride it was foggy and cool. The computer said the wind would be out of the south but only between 5 and 10 mph. I wanted to keep the ride flat so I rode to Sandy Hook which was north, thus I had the wind to back going out. I knew it would be in my face coming home but it did not seem to bad. Got to the Hook and the sun came out for a while. Did some loops on the hook. As I did I could feel the wind start to pick up. By the time I was ready to head home the wind was blowing between 15 and 25 mph. Not fun at all. I just put my head down and started pedaling. I was lucky if I could get the speed up to 13 mph.

This was a mental test. I could have gone inland and avoided the harsh wind. But I said no and really got serious and continued. It was about 20 miles directly into the wind. Now to my question. There is no doubt in my mind that a steep hill is a lot easier that a strong head wind. Why? Because the hill will eventually end. The wind just keeps blowing and blowing and blowing.

Today I was on the bike 45 minutes longer than yesterday. It was also the first time I did back to back 5 hour plus days. As soon as the weather gets a little warmer I will put 3 long days one after the other.

Crunches: 400
Push ups: 100

Total Distance: 80 miles
Total Time: 5 hours and 45 minutes

Phil

Excellent Ride

April 2, 2010,

Planned a nice long ride. Weather was perfect, 60 to 65 and the wind was out of the southeast so I planned the ride correctly. Even wore the right clothes today. I headed inland at 10 am. The weather was just warming up. By the time I reached the shore the weather was about 10 degrees cooler. No problem since the wind was to my back. Today I rode around new areas to plan for the event for new areas to ride. Today was north to the Holmdel area. Some nice roads to ride there. Some hills but manageable. Overall I felt great at the end of the ride and could have gone another hour or two.

Core Strength Exercises
Arm Lifts
Crunches: 350

Total Distance: 75 miles
Total Time: 5 hours

Phil

Is the Wind Out of the North or South?

April 1, 2010,

I am amazed at the weather forecasting. I look at the computer each day before I ride outside. Today it said the wind would be east north east till about 5 and then come out of the south. Left heading north about noon and was looking forward to riding with the wind to my back coming home. No luck. The wind turn directly in my face as soon as I headed for my ride home. That was at 2:00. The computer said I was good till 5:00. So much for today's technology.

Anyway my 3 month countdown started off pretty well. I did bike the last 20 miles into a 10 to 15 mile an hour head wind. But I was able to keep the speed between 15 and 16 miles an hour most of the way by using the big ring in an easy gear. I think my indoor biking has helped me in that situation. It was good to get outside and ride all the way to the end of Sandy Hook. The Hook is one of my favorite rides as there is very little traffic and you can ride easily. I might even do one of the 140 mile rides on the Hook by doing 10 ten mile loops on the Hook. We shall see.

Crunches: 200
Push ups: 50

Total Distance: 40 miles
Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Phil