Update II

Another update as I prepare for my Century Ride . . .

On Wednesday I woke up early and went for a 75 mile ride. I went a bit slower than I will have to complete 100 miles in 6 hours, but intentionally so. I wanted to see how I felt and didn't want to hit a wall - that is not fun at all! I felt pretty good most of the ride and finished well. So I know I could have gone a little farther, but not 25 more miles. So will I be able to do a full 100? I don't know.

But part of the problem was that the trail I was riding on, the W&OD, has a section closed for utility work. So you get detoured off into some neighborhoods. And it is no short detour - nor a smooth one! Lots of turns and HILLS! So pretty steep ones. I was surprised at the detour on the way out and by how long it was and how much traffic I had to wait for and weave through. I wondered if I was EVER going to find the trail again! But I did, rode out to the end of the trail, turned around, and then did the detour in the reverse direction. That was a bit easier; I knew it was coming. But the hills in it were still steep and tough. So, I figure, if I can map out a route that is flatter, perhaps I will have the legs to do the full 100. In 6 hours? Not sure. First goal is to do the full 100. Second goal is the time. ;-)  I'm thinking right now that if I go down to somewhere south and east, out in King George County, I think that might have some long flat stretches and not too much traffic . . .

So, if you are reading this, please sponsor me! Or the Lutherans of Life team! Help us raise $10K for our local pregnancy center, each dollar (hopefully) to be matched, bringing our donation to $20K! That would be great! Click the tab above for the "The Pastor Challenge 2022" for more information and the link to make an online donation. Let's do this!

Update

I haven't posted in a while . . . lots going on this Lenten season . . . AND I've been trying to get my endurance up for the Pastor Challenge II. (Don't know what that is? See my previous post below, or click the Pastor Challenge tab above!)

So an update: yesterday, I did a hard workout of riding and a variety of other full body exercises for 4 hours and 40 minutes, only drinking water. I was pretty spent at the end! But that's well on my way to my 6 hours goal. And, I am hoping that if I can do that with only drinking water, then when I ride with some nutrition and sport drink, that should add to my endurance a bit. I still don't know if I can do the whole 100 miles, and I don't know if I can do that in 6 hours - that's going to be a wait and see. No practice runs when you're going that far!

The other good news is that while I needed to rest a bit yesterday afternoon after that workout, I recovered pretty well and by the evening was feeling okay. This morning back to normal. 

BUT the Lutherans for Life team still needs sponsors! We are only 1/5 of the way to our $10K goal (last I checked). We need your help. The Pregnancy Center needs your help. Please consider sponsoring me/us and help us get those matching funds that will really help the Center. Click on the "Pastor Challenge" tab above for a link to the fundraising website. Thanks!