Tucson or Bust (Part II)

Voice Post

2009-11-21T21:35:47Z

Voice Post

2009-11-21T20:14:40Z

Voice Post

2009-11-21T17:59:33Z

Voice Post

2009-11-21T16:41:40Z

Voice Post

2009-11-21T15:30:26Z

Voice Post

2009-11-20T17:32:43Z

Last Year's Mile Sponsors

2009-10-12T20:17:18Z

It's been about ten months since my last post... yes, I've been training, and yes, I've even ridden a bike century recently (more about that later). But in the meantime, I needed to clear the sidebar of the blog for this year's list of those people who've given $109 or more in order to sponsor an entire mile of El Tour de Tucson, so here's the list of people who did that last year:

Miles 1-5: Paul Anbinder
Mile 6: John Raimondi
Mile 7: Thomas Lento's girlfriend's cat "Awsome"
Miles 8-9: Tyler & Lisa Anbinder
Mile 10: Jessica Lang
Miles 11-12: Noah Price
Miles 13-21: Meg Silvern
Mile 22: Fred Trinkoff
Mile 23: Rebecca Seacord
Miles 24-26: Henry & Christine Bial
Mile 27: Michelle Lee
Mile 28: Marisa Bocci
Mile 29: Missa Bergin (In Honor of Luke Romano)
Mile 30: Andy Grosser & Nadine Macolini
Mile 31: Jason Damsker
Mile 32: Brandyne Warren
Mile 33: Stacey Golub (In Honor of Bob Golub)
Mile 34: Rob Necco
Mile 35: Kendall Golladay
Mile 36: Temple Sinai
Mile 37: Adriano Manocchia
Mile 38: Jeremiah Gertler
Miles 49-50: Lev Spiro
Mile 52: Dustin & Linda Moskowitz
Mile 54: Jeffrey Anbinder
Mile 55: Wade Kwon
Miles 58-59: Mark Weiss
Mile 60: Stu Fox
Miles 62-63: Linda Rodd
Mile 64: Dustin & Linda Moskowitz
Miles 65-68: Ross & Melody Brown
Mile 69: Mark Giordano
Mile 70: Ken Deschere
Mile 72: Mark H. Anbinder
Mile 77: Barry & Adrienne Anbinder
Mile 78: Ann Senghas (In Memory of June Murray Senghas)
Mile 79: Ernie & Martha Bial
Miles 93-94: Tim Vinciguerra
Miles 95-99: Madeline & Steve Anbinder
Mile 100: The Future Mr. & Mrs. Ellsom
Miles 101-4: Tracy & Rob Baron
Miles 105-9: Helen Anbinder

Thanks again to all of last year's Mile Sponsors!

El Tour de Tucson 2008

2008-12-02T17:19:53Z

Click Here for Gallery of El Tour de Tucson 2008 Photos

Late in the afternoon on November 22, 2008, I pedaled my way over the finish line for El Tour de Tucson XXVI, completing 109 miles of bicycling that I'd started by crossing the start line at five minutes after 7 in the morning, a couple thousand riders already starting ahead of me in those five minutes. I finished nine hours and thirty-two minutes after I started, in 3,487th place out of the 3,814 riders who completed the entire 109 miles.

Click here to read my transcribed voice posts from the day of the ride for more detail.

It was my third century ride in slightly over a year, and the second year in a row I've ridden El Tour de Tucson - and in many ways, the two rides were like night and day for me. The weather was equally gorgeous and tame, starting in the low 50s in the morning and topping out in the mid-70s. But my training had gone very differently, and my riding habits were very different as well.

I still had more strength in my core from working on it in the spring while preparing for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Tahoe in June, and although it wasn't as strong as I'd hoped, it did help me take fewer and shorter breaks instead of having to nurse my back every hour or so. I had also learned a lot of valuable lessons during last year's Tucson ride about feeding myself constantly, hydrating myself effectively with electrolyte powder, putting on plenty of sunscreen, getting a good night's sleep beforehand, and wearing shorts with thicker padding... so I never had a moment like last year's where I felt like I was simply too exhausted to finish the ride.

On the other hand, I missed a lot of training rides this fall. Between the weather, greater demands on my time at work, and other issues, I just didn't work as hard to get my legs strong. And I felt it, but not for a while, and not nearly as badly as I expected. For the first several hours, I really felt great - I had some trouble climbing hills, but my riding was otherwise strong and efficient, and I was very glad to be out there. As I alluded to in one of my voice posts, on more than one occasion I thought the rest of my teammates were ahead of me when they were actually behind me, and vice versa (we were just stopping at different rest stops, and hopping over each other, basically). I wasn't doing too badly by comparison, though I knew the effect would worsen at the end of the day when they had more steam in reserve than I did.

Nevertheless, when I realized I had overestimated how much it would affect my overall time on the ride, and I actually had a shot at finishing earlier this year than last, I knew I had to seize the opportunity. All of my teammates had passed me for good by this point, but that was fine. I knew my training had been subpar, and unlike last year the cyclists on the team who were weaker than I had dropped out a couple of months ago, so I knew that one way or another I was almost certain to finish last; the only question was how far behind.

So I hammered my way through those last fifteen miles, especially - with my knees starting to hurt from the exertion, and beginning to run low on my last bottle of Gatorade (or so I thought, anyway; as it turned out, I still had one more packet of mix buried in a pocket somewhere). And at this late stage of the ride, with the police actually stopping us to let suburban automobile traffic through, I was forced to channel my frustration at those stops and renew my efforts.

But it paid off - just as our route took us onto the downtown flats that begin two miles from the finish line at the Tucson Convention Center, I felt my phone vibrate, and I checked to see that Coach Kurt had sent me a text message: "How are you doing, sir?" The rest of the team had finished, and had obviously had time to gather themselves and their thoughts together long enough to wonder just how far behind I was. So I answered him the best way I knew how - by powering up the flats at 20mph, rounding the corner, and finishing the damn ride. This time, Mom and Dad were both there, as was my old friend Mark, and it was a relief to get off the bike, check in, and get my medal.

So I finished this year four minutes earlier than I had last year - but my bike's computer registered a ride time of 7 hours and 32 minutes, meaning it took me about twenty minutes longer to do the actual 109 miles of pedaling. As I'd planned, I made it through with fewer and far shorter breaks, which more than made up for the slower biking and accounted for getting me across the finish line sooner.

But another thing I pondered was this: Last year, I started in the back of the Gold group, which meant I crossed the start line pretty quickly after 7am. This year I started with the rest of the team (minus Anna and Peach, who were shooting for gold medals) in the Bronze section, and we didn't cross the start line until 7:05am. If our ankle chips were scanned at the start line when we actually crossed, then my ride really took nine hours and thirty-two minutes; if on the other hand they were all set with a default start time of exactly 7am, then the time it took me to bike the 109-mile route was really nine hours and twenty-seven minutes, and I shaved nine minutes off my time. Naturally, I sent an e-mail to the organizers to ask them which it is, because I'm just that obsessive - and the answer came back this morning that the start time was 7am for everyone, meaning I actually shaved nine minutes off my time. Woohoo!

(Not officially, but whatever.)

The victory celebration was a nice turkey dinner, just like last year's, and this time instead of feeling burned out from too much sun, I just had trouble using my knees. To my pleasant surprise, the next morning I was getting around just fine, and my knees have been great ever since. My back had trouble on the flights back on Sunday, and then went into full spasms on Tuesday, but I've fully recovered from that now. Last night was bike pickup, so my bike is now back in its rightful place in my apartment's entry hallway.

I even got a very nice e-mail this morning from Team in Training, asking if I would be a mentor or fundraising captain again for the spring/summer season, as I did this past spring. But I politely declined this time, because I think I need a season off - several months during which when I bike, it's because I want to. I made sure to let them know I'd be available as a fundraising resource if they needed me, though.

Which brings me to the final point, and the reason I was doing this in the first place: So far, friends, family, colleagues, and complete strangers have sponsored me for this second El Tour de Tucson ride to the tune of $14,774, which will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to support its missions of blood cancer research, patient support, and lobbying efforts. I'm very grateful for everyone's support! Still, it's not quite 75% of the way to my 2008 goal of $20,000; and in fact it's still short of my total from last year, $15,395. I would really love to top last year, even with the economy in its current state.

If you haven't made a donation yet, there is still time. There are even a few miles left open that you could sponsor retroactively with a $109 donation (see the sidebar to your right)! Click the link below for information on how to give by credit card or check. Please also feel free to share the information with your friends and family if you think they would be interested; I'm perfectly happy to have strangers sponsor me if it'll help the LLS find new treatments and cures. Thank you for reading, and for supporting my ride and this important cause!

Click Here to Sponsor Me

Voice Post: Finish Line

2008-11-22T23:39:34Z

Voice Post: Mile 105

2008-11-22T23:05:44Z

Voice Post: Mile 94

2008-11-22T22:20:46Z

Voice Post: Mile 86

2008-11-22T21:38:19Z

Voice Post: Mile 66

2008-11-22T19:42:46Z

Voice Post: Mile 40

2008-11-22T17:19:24Z

Voice Post: Mile 31.5

2008-11-22T16:35:51Z

Voice Post: Starting Line

2008-11-22T13:07:35Z

Pasta Party 2008

2008-11-22T03:58:32Z

I won't go into too much detail about this year's pre-ride Pasta Party, because for the most part it was very much like last year's pre-ride Pasta Party. There were some differences, of course. First of all, the NYC team is a bit smaller this year, with a total of about 15 between riders, mentors, and coaches.

Second, this year both of my parents were able to join me in Tucson, instead of just my mother - along with my old friend Mark, whom I've known since first grade, and who drove out from southern California just to be in Tucson for the weekend.

Third, this year instead of Larry being the #3 fundraiser in the country and me being #8, Larry was #3 and I was #7, with $13,881 raised so far! Ironically, it was a pretty good sign of the current state of the economy that I moved up a spot while raising a little bit less money. But it's still a wonderful honor, and something I owe to all of you, my friends, family, and colleagues, for continuing to support this endeavor. There's still time to give, of course - through mid-December, really.

Anyway, here are also a couple of shots from the Shake-Out ride earlier today:

I hope to have many photos of tomorrow's big 109-mile El Tour de Tucson as well. Just like last year, I'll be voice posting from the road. In the meantime, I'm going to try to get about seven hours of sleep before the main event, which (sadly) would be about four or five more than I got last year.

Thanks for following this blog, and for your interest in and support of this very important cause!

Click Here to Sponsor Me

Shake-Out Ride

2008-11-21T18:50:21Z

Almost

2008-11-19T13:01:20Z

Just a quick note, since I have to be in court this morning...

My bike has been on its way to Tucson on a truck with many other bikes, since Friday evening.

I've been doing crunches and planks to work on my core so that it's strong enough to support my riding 109 miles.

You wonderful people have sponsored me to the tune of $13,047 so far!

And very early tomorrow morning, I'll head to Tucson myself via American Airlines, with the TNT group.

The ride is Saturday.

Stay tuned, and thank you for all your support!

Click Here to Sponsor Me

Last Two

2008-11-13T23:32:45Z

I did, in fact, get in two more rides this week - I rode both Tuesday morning at 5:45, and this morning at 5:45. Each time, I rode to Central Park, did two loops, and returned, for a total of about 16 miles. It wasn't a major workout, but in light of El Tour de Tucson being only nine days away, it was important for me to get in the saddle time. My back is doing well, and I'm continuing to work on my core. Meanwhile, bike drop is tomorrow - we put our bikes on a truck and wave goodbye, and we won't see them again until a week from today in Tucson.

I'm very excited - and gratified by all the messages of support I've been receiving from friends and family, both with and without donations. Fundraising is still lagging behind last year at this time, but I'm hopeful that there will be a last wave of giving as there was last year - particularly from those who gave last year but have not yet given this year. If you're one of them, watch for my next e-mail.

Click Here to Sponsor Me

Beautiful Day

2008-11-10T02:10:27Z

As I mentioned yesterday, I rode today instead of riding in the rain. It was a beautiful day, though a little chillier than yesterday. Since I'd been out late last night at a wedding, I got a late start this morning, and everywhere I went to ride was already fairly crowded - Central Park, Carl Schurz Park, Fifth Avenue, Central Park West, everywhere. I managed to get in about 57.5 miles before I started getting a little chilly and called it a day.

Because of the work I've been doing on my core, my back handled today's ride better than last week's, and I plan to keep that work up over the thirteen days remaining. I might get in two short training rides this week before bike drop, but that remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, fundraising reminders will start going out tonight... finally.

Click Here to Sponsor Me

Individual Rain Out

2008-11-08T17:58:04Z

Just as happened with last year's final big training ride, the group at large is out there somewhere right now, attempting to put 79 miles behind them in the rain. It's not nearly as cold as last year's, but also just like last year, the weather forecast for tomorrow is better by degrees of magnitude. And again, just like last year, I have a big social event tonight - not my own birthday party this time, but a black-tie wedding in Brooklyn. So after taking everything into consideration, I have once again opted out of the group ride in favor of riding on my own tomorrow. And, once again, I feel fairly vindicated - although it wasn't raining at the time Coach Gregg made the decision six hours ago, it's pouring right now.

Unlike last year, though, bike drop is on a Friday this year, so I may actually be able to get in two shorter weekday rides after tomorrow's longer solo ride. I've also been working my core very hard every day since my last ride, and I'm confident that my back and abs are getting stronger and will be better able to support me on the 109-mile ride in Tucson on Nov. 22.

Click Here to Sponsor Me

No Pain, No Gain

2008-11-02T20:48:06Z

After last Saturday's somewhat painful ride, I was determined to take advantage of as many opportunities to ride as possible before bike drop, when my bike will disappear and head for Tucson over a week before I do. I was ready to do this past week's Tuesday 6am ride, but it was rained out. Then, I did actually show up for Thursday's 6am ride in Central Park, but unfortunately not all the air in my front tire showed up with me; there was some kind of slow leak, and Coach Gregg decided it wasn't worth the risk or potential damage to my bike. So I rode a total of 3.5 miles that morning, and had to bring my bike in Friday evening to make sure I'd be ready for yesterday.

Yesterday was beautiful, perfectly cool and sunny weather for riding. And ride I did, a total of 57 miles (including my 16-mile round-trip to the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge). I rode up 9W, over Tallman Mountain, into Piermont, up to Nyack, and a little beyond - but not very much beyond. The rest of the group went on to Rockland Lake Park, where I presume some of them did loops of that park and then rode back down. But I was having a lot of trouble with hills by the time we were heading uphill out of Nyack, so I turned back, and Gregg joined me.

(As a side note, on the way back, a bee flew into my helmet. I would love to report that I didn't panic, but this would be a lie. I did, in fact, panic for a few moments, and nearly rode right off the road (I probably also nearly swerved into car traffic, but I can't say for sure). Finally I managed to get the helmet off and toss it to the side, allowing the bee to fly away and me to calm the @#$% down. No stings. Yay.)

57 miles is still nothing to sneeze at, but I was having trouble with my back, my legs, and my ass. Ironically I had plenty of wind left, so I know that aerobically and cardiovacularly, I'm still doing great. I just had muscle and energy problems, which should be no real shock given how much training I unfortunately missed this season. But one thing was very curious: after Gregg remarked that he hadn't seen me eating very much on the ride, I stepped up the pace at which I consumed my carbs and electrolytes, in the form of Clif Shot-Blocks, Clif Shots, and Gatorade. And by the time I finished the ride at 57 miles, I felt much better than I had 28.5 miles in.

It's a rather foolish lesson to have to keep learning over and over again, especially after I had a similar problem on last year's El Tour de Tucson - but unless you're really stupid about it, it's almost impossible to overeat during a ride. So I resolve, on my one remaining long training ride next Saturday, and on El Tour de Tucson in twenty days, to feed and hydrate myself constantly and effectively. I will also work on my core as much as reasonably possible between now and then, so that my back feels as good after this year's Tucson ride as it did after this year's Tahoe ride, not as bad as it did after last year's Tucson ride.

As I've said before, I won't be as ready for this year's ride as I was for last year's. But I will finish it.

Click Here to Sponsor Me

Training Update

2008-10-26T17:45:59Z

For a variety of reasons, before yesterday, it had been over a month since the last time I'd ridden my bike at all. El Tour de Tucson is in less than a month away, and yesterday was the first of only three remaining long training rides. The weather wasn't promising, but I knew I had to go, or I might even have to withdraw from El Tour for lack of preparation. Travel reservations (including my parents') notwithstanding, that would have been extremely disappointing for a host of reasons, so I knew I had to ride yesterday.

I felt my five-week layoff pretty powerfully during the ride; my legs, my ass, and my back all felt it. I'm still feeling it today. The headwind on the way back didn't help, but most of it was my own fault for the lack of riding. But it's a good pain, the kind of pain that says, "What the hell were you waiting for?!" And I did make it up all the horrific hills that 9W South offers, it just hurt.

Since there was rain coming soon, the (fairly small) group only went up 9W as far as Piermont and then turned back. I even got a lift back into Manhattan with Kurt and Sandra instead of riding back over the Bridge to home because I was so wiped out, but that was fun as well. And the whole experience has renewed my determination to do a few weekday rides in the next two weeks as well as the last two weekend training rides, both of which promise to be quite long.

I will be ready for El Tour de Tucson on November 22. I may not improve on my time or performance from last year as I'd hoped, but I will bike 109 miles that day.

Second-round fundraising e-mails go out this week and next.

Click Here to Sponsor Me

A Great Man, a Great Loss

2008-10-11T18:17:12Z

Earlier this week, the world lost Ernest Beutler at the age of 80. Beutler was only seven when his family left Germany to escape Nazi persecution of Jews; by the time he was 21, he had already received his M.D. from the University of Chicago. As a hematologist and scientist, his long list of great achievements goes far beyond blood cancers - for instance, he was responsible for figuring out why anti-malarial medications caused anemia in some people, and he did ground-breaking work in the treatment of Tay-Sachs Disease. But he also developed 2-CdA, a highly effective treatment for hairy cell luekemia - and most remarkably, he pioneered the treatment of acute leukemias with bone marrow transplants. But for Dr. Beutler, my friend Lindsey might not be alive today and waiting to learn her Bar exam results. So he has my thanks, and his family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Beutler, ironically, died of lymphoma.

Click Here to Sponsor Me