Fitness Monday is a community diary series where we talk about various health and fitness related topics. Today I'm going to tell y'all about the Hill Country Ride for AIDS, which I did on Saturday.
This was the tenth annual ride, and I have been there every year. I have yet to do every bit of a ride, but I have been there every year; and some day, I will do every mile under my own power.
Before I get to the fitness part, I have something really cool to share - the Ride has already made their fundraising goal. They did not lower the goal from last year, despite the horrible economy. And they made it! With money still coming in, they have raised over $667,000! I'm so proud of everyone - and thanks to the Kossacks who donated through my page! Here's a link to a local news story about the Ride:
News 8 Austin story
So, I hadn't trained nearly enough, and had been panicking a lot. This is my cautionary note to people - sign up for an event & rain, train, train. This event is a ride not a race, but still - I mentioned that someday I want to ride the whole ride. So, Saturday morning I decided that I would ride the short route, and when I got back to Krause Springs, the place where the ride goes out from & back to, I'd swim. So that's what I did.
Here's a picture from before the ride started:
And the short route, while short, was still a challenge. Here's a pic from the pit stop:
and from the end of the ride, with David Smith, the most amazing ride director ever in the world:
So, after I rinsed off the road grime, I went down to the pool. They have 2, there's a regular pool, then down below that, a natrual pool. I swam in the lower pool, for 40 minutes. (distance completely unknown). The natural pool is so gorgeous, and it is definitely natural, I fell a couple of times getting in & out.
Have I mentioned my favorite invention in the world? Ihey have these trailers that have stalls with hot showers in them. The person who invented them has a special place in heaven. I got a hot shower after swimming, then signed up for a massage. Have I mentioned the wonderful volunteers for the Ride? There were several massage tables set up under some trees, and a person doing accupressure. Getting a massage is the reason I can even lift my arms today.
So, the Ride was wonderful, but I really wish I had trained more. I have a triathlon in about 3 weeks that I'm really wishing I had trained more for. But I was there, and that's the important thing. And I have 3 weeks, that I can use to train as much as I can.
What have you been doing for fitness? What to you want to do for fitness? Come on in, and let's discuss.
and I checked the calendar, we need people to host - please go to the FM account at gmail name is FitnessMonday, pw exercise and sign up for a Monday. Please -- like, we need someone for next week!