The first training update! I'm about 1/3 of the way to my fundraising goal - thank you for that. The weather has been a bit freaky and I had a guest in town last weekend so I haven't been on the bike all that much since I first wrote to you, this weekend being the exception.
On Thursday and Friday it was gorgeous so I went out early and took bike rides before work. I was hauling some major butt! I went about 20 miles each day and averaged between 16 and 17 mph. That's the level I was at at the END of the season last year - imagine where I'll be at the end of this year!
Saturday I went on a very cold (48 degrees) and wet ride on the Mt. Vernon trail. I met up early with my training partner from last year, Paul, and we rode down to the Tidal Basin to check out the Cherry Blossoms (they were at their peak). Then we met the group and rode to Mt. Vernon and back, about 40 miles.
Worrying that it might be colder on Sunday, we bundled up (3 top layers and 3 bottom layers) for one of my favorite rides, the Hidden Amish in Southern MD. This is a great ride because of the country that you're in, the chance to see horse-drawn carriages, and the route is varied. Because I mistakenly trusted a man to give directions, a friend and I got lost and ended up going about 3.5 miles out of our way. All told, I rode about 57 miles on Sunday at a speed of 16.5 mph.
Afterwards, we had a cookout at a friend's house. That was so much fun - I scarfed down hot dogs, hamburgers, and tons of potato chips and salad! Not a healthy item in the mix and I loved it!
Anyway, that's the first of the installments. If you don't want to receive updates, just let me know - there won't be more than 1 a week.
Hope you're doing well and had a wonderful weekend.
Rachael
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