GGRR
Being a GGRR volunteer since 1994 and the chair since 1997, and being the co chair from 2000 - 2005 (ride got a lot more organized when my partner Eileen jumped on board!), amazingly, I HAD NEVER RIDDEN THE GGRR.
Well, after I retired from chairing the bike ride after last year's ride, I really wished to be able to do it at least once. But, I did fear that I would not be healthy enough. That was truly a great fear that led me on this LapBand journey. That was truly a major fear- that I would never get to ride the GGRR.
So, 37 miles, 2 hills walked, tons of pretty leaves changing colors, being passed by many a faster rider, meeting a charming worker at the one food stop visited (twice), and a great meal by the Future Home Makers of East Central that I skipped except for a piece of custard pie, (Damn those country girls can cook!) I must say that I had a GREAT time.
It was 39 degrees at 10AM, so we waited until 10:30 to ride as it had become 45 degrees. The sun came out and then it was a fine day. The food stop was an issue for me, as I am constantly trying to have higher amounts of protein and lower amounts of calories. But my body did need some fuel so I would not BONK. So at the first time at the rest stop I had two cups of hot apple cider and two cookies. The second time was a Protein Bar from my pack and a banana with Peanut Butter, no beverages. Compared to old days, this would be 1/3 to 1/2 of what I would have ate at a food stop. I will say that the no liquids for 30 minutes after eating rule was not strictly adhered to. I did drink the cider first, but after the small amount of food had been eaten, and I was riding, I was drinking again in 10-15 minutes. Once you have had kidney stones, you always want to drink on a ride. So, I'll have to figure that out better in the future. Most rides have Water and Gatorade and Gatorade is just a bunch of wasted calories to me. When I do week long rides, I guess I will be stopping at Convenience stores for Propel.
Many of my old volunteers had not seen me in a year. At 72 pounds down, they were all amazed. Even shocked. I was wearing a jacket that had not fit since 1999. Hugs were had, and they could put their arms all the way around. They all saw how happy I was to just be physically healthy enough to be able to ride! I must say I was smiling. They all begged me to come back as the new ride chair is not quite as pleasant or organized as I was. Besides never saying THANK YOU to any of my volunteers, the new chair ran out of food at every stop. But this isn't a blog about how she is trying to kill my ride. This is a blog about how great it felt to actually be able to RIDE THE RIDE.
I rode with a gentleman who is engaged to a friend of mine. Nice guy, and it was good to ride with him for 35 (actually 37) miles and get to know him better. I wish them the best of luck. I also pointed out every sight, directed him to a great pumpkin festival to take her to next weekend, and knew every pothole and gravel patch without ever looking at a map. (I made the route in 2000 with a fellow named Bruce, and then changed the route a bit over the years.)
Post ride, I was not really very hungry, but did want to have lunch with a number of friends. So I gave my ride partner my meal ticket and had a protein bar and three sticks of string cheese. One of my volunteers got me a plate of Meatballs that were homemade and tasty. I had decided that I was skipping the spaghetti, but I was glad she got me some meat balls. And yes, I cheated and had a piece of home made pie. One giant sugar buzz later, I was glad I did. It was tasty. But I was full. Again, at about 1/3 to 1/2 of what the olden days would have been. And if I ride 37 miles, I think I can afford the calories of one piece of homemade by a sweet young country girl's pie!
All in all, one of the best days of my new life that I hope will be filled with many more of them as this Life with a Lap Band continues.
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Now my trip to BubbaFest in the Florida Keys is just a bit over 2 weeks away. So tonight, I start hitting the tanning bed (Which will be warm- so that is nice) and I start the winter basement exercise bike riding (which is cold and boring - so not so nice).
THANKYAVERYMUCH and ON YER LEFT!
JC
posted by LAPBAND BY JC @ 7:59 PM
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