Unexpected Treasures

This past week I was in Ames, Iowa for the first US National Games for Special Olympics, working with the Healthy Athletes, Health Promtion Program. It's always inspiring to work with this group of professionals who care deeply about the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilites. I enjoy this collaboration very much.

Before I left, I wondered how I would get my training miles in while there. I looked and looked and could not find anywhere to rent a bikcycle in Des Moines or Ames. I resigned myself to packing up my bike in a bike box I purchased a few years ago on E-Bay and spending the .$150 to bring it with me on the plane.

At hte last minute, I fired off an email a local bike shop, Skunk River Cycles. What a great response. I heard back from the owner, who was familiar with the Seattle to Portland ride. He was very supportive. He told me that although they didn't rent bikes, he had one downstairs I could use. I was thrilled. IT's nto that I minded the expense of bringing my bike along, it was the sheer effort and stress of packing it up.

On my second day in Ames, I walked the 2.5 miles downtown to the shop on a hot and humid day. Dripping in sweat I met the nicest people. Not only did they set me up with a bike, they put on a new pump, made sure I had emergency supplies, and loaned me a lock. While they were dong all this, I got to know the resident cat who seemed to know everyone in the store. Additionally I saw amazing customer service - friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Everything you want to find in a bike shop.

The owner, Ronn Ritz, got out a map of campus and drew me two or three routes to ride and approximate lenghts. He embellished each one with great places to stop for breakfast or a bite to eat. I felt really well cared for!

When it came time to pay, Ronn would only let me pay for the new pair of gloves I picked out - he was loaning me the bike for the week as his contribution to Special Olympics. WOW! I was thrilled. What Ronn doesn't realize is that he is also loaning it to sponsor Creating Solutions and our fundraising event. What a nice surprise.

My first ride, at 5 AM the next day was an adventure. I, of course, can't follow maps well, so I meandered about lost. Once I found a familiar road, I stayed on it and kept riding until my cell phone alarm went off (alarm to turn around). There I was, in a sea of corn fields, and it began to rain as I headed home. Wonderful ride. Once back on campus, I cruised about until I found the roads that I missed earlier and mapped out the next days' ride.

Unfortunately, that next ride didn't happen as I had to come home from Ames due to a medical emergency. Rex, my husband, had gone to the ER.

Now home, with everything stable and settled, I am longing for that map and those corn fields. What a wonderful treasure in the midst of Ames Iowa. If you are in the market for a bike or accessories and live in the area, stop by and take a look. Good people deserve good things.

Thank you Ronn and Skunk River Cycles!

Pedaling & Pilates

Well who'd a thunk it? Joining a Pilates studio for the last year has helped prepare me for this monstrous bike ride!

I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I’ve taken a two year break from riding my bike. I don’t know why I did that, I thoroughly enjoy riding –once I get going. It’s getting out the door that is tough.

When I decided to do the Seattle-to-Portland Event, I chose it because it was a huge challenge. My greatest fear was that after not riding for two years my neck would give me trouble. (For those of you who don’t know, I have a chronic neck injury from lifting Andy during panic attacks when he moved to middle school).

To be fair, I haven’t been a complete slug the past two years, but almost. I took up Pilates last July at a friend’s suggestion. What a great thing! I am able to completely control my upper body and thus my posture so my neck hasn’t even been a problem during these first 500 miles. It has most certainly strengthened my torso and neck more than I realized, which is key to protecting my neck.

So today’s blog is a tribute to the combination of Pilates and Pedaling, my two favorite physical activities. If you haven’t been active in a while or have back or neck injuries, don’t choose just any class. The Pilates group at 24 hour fitness will work for many, but you may need more individualized attention. Most studios offer private, duo, and trio sessions that allow for more individual attention. Look for a studio in which the instructors know how to accommodate your injuries. How do you know? When observing a duo or trio session (or participating in an introductory session), pay attention to whether or not the instructor modifies the activiteis for each person. Sometimes when I’m in a group the instructor has us all doing the same thing, but three different ways to accommodate our injuries. Check out the studio where I work out, reForm Pilates. Jessica Talisman, the studio owner, may be able to give you some hints regarding questions to ask. For those of you in the Portalnd area, this is the place for Pilates!

For me, the best work out is one in which I sandwich Pilates with about 45 minutes on the bike. The trouble is, if I commute on my bike from home, the return trip is a killer. I live on the top of Mt. Sylvania, an old extinct volcano. It’s a 575 foot climb (or so) from the river to my home. There’s nothing easy about it. But, I figure it’s good training.

Whatever you choose to do, choose something you will enjoy and that is customized to your body’s needs. Get ideas for you and your family from the National Center for Physical Activity and Disability in Chicago (ncpad.org) . Director Jim Rimmer and his staff have gathered amazing information that will help you in your quest, including a searchable database of gyms and clubs that are disability friendly and inclusive.

The weathe should begin to improve soon and the kids are almost out of school! Time to make a plan! But make one that is 100% achievable, for everyone.

Take good care,
Joan Medlen

PS – Make your contribution today and forward the fundraising page for “Ride, Joan, Ride!” and support the programs of Creating Solutions. Thank you!

Longing for a Flat Tire

There are days when I dream of a flat tire. I know, most of the time they are quite a bother. A flat tire means a few minutes at the side of the road, a lot of messy hands and legs, and occasional scrapes as I pretend to be mechanically inclined.

But sometimes—like yesterday—a flat tire would almost be a gift. The weather here is finally out of winter-like temperatures, which has allowed me to be out on my bike quite a bit. I have some color and look less translucent than the typical Oregonian in the winter. I’ve been using my rides to commute as a start to my training this month rather than focusing on training. The trouble with that is where we live: on the top of Mt. Sylvania. So, yes, no matter which way I go, coming home means a big hill.

Thus, after four consecutive days of major hill climbing, I spent my Mother’s Day morning out by the Columbia River on one of my more relaxing rides. It’s been warm—today will be near 90—so I tried to get out early. Still, as my muscles began to scream at me and I was hot and tired, I passed Dabney State Park (it runs along the Sandy River) I thought, “wouldn’t it be nice to have a flat tire right about now?” I could stop and frolick in the freezing river snow melt. And I would have a good reason to be late for my Mother’s Day date with my own Mom.

Alas, my flat tire eluded me. I’m certain it will show up during a monsoon half way between the pilates studio and home. And when it does, I will try to remember that this, too, can be a nice rest.

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my firstgiving page and made a donation! I have only sent it to my personal email list, though it will be out in the Disability Solutions soon (it is at the printer). Please feel free to send the link and information around to your friends and coworkers. www.firstgiving.com/jmedlen or www.disabilitysolutions.org/giving/index.htm .

Today is 61 days before the big ride. I’m still not comfortable with my level of fitness for this ride, but it feels really good to be riding consistently again.

Take good care,
Joan

There's no turning back now!

It's official.

The fundraising has begun for the ride. We posted the firstgiving site today and began emailing it to friends, colleagues, and supporters. In the first hour, we were $300 closer to our $20,000 goal!

The ride is is a mere 2 1/2 busy months away! I can hardly believe it - nor am I ready!! I have a lot of habit retraining to do to get ready. It's no fun knowing how to do something and then having to do it...

I'm up to a paltry 30 miles a week of riding, which is better than nothing. I am purposfully trying to mix rides with hills and flat rides to work all the different muscles. Boy do I get tired! The lesson? Once you get into a groove, don't stop!! Regaining fitness is frustrating because you always remember where you had been.

The weather is still unseasonably cool - it was 36 degrees this morning - which means afternoon rides. I'll be glad when I can get out for comfortable sunrise rides as they are my favorites!

If you haven't seen the fundraising page, visit:
http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/giving/index.asp

or go to the Donation site directly:
www.firstgiving.com/jmedlen

Keep in touch!
Joan

I have been waiting to post until I can give you accurate informaton about pledging for me to ride the STP. Please stay tuned in the next few weeks as we take care of these details.

For now, let me tell you about my first trip out on my bike....

Finally it seemed as though a good day for "the first ride." The sun was out, it seemed a little windy, but not bad at our house. I headed otu to my favorite ride along the Columbia Gorge. This is because I can guage exactly how far I have gone and need to go to return to the starting point.

Clearly, I lost my head. I forgot how windy the Gorge is this time of year. Yet having driven the 20 minutes to Broughten Beach Park, I was not going to give up. As I head out going east, I struggled and struggled to go maybe 11mph. At one point the path dips down to a protected area and I finally broke 16mph! Maybe I wasn't as out of condition as I thought?

But, when the trail rose back up out of the dip, the wind slapped me directly in the face and put the brakes on. So, I turned around after 9 miles. On the return, I went an average of 23mph! It's GREAT when the wind is with you!

Since then, the weather has not been on my side. We've had cold, windy, rainy days, barely breaking 40 degrees ....and then it SNOWED! March 9th? Really?

I received my packet for regsistering for the STP this week--according to their training schedule I should be at 100 miles a week.

Oops.

So, the return to fitness and riding is taking a while. I did make it to the gym twice, though! T

So...do you think I've lost my mind? I'm beginning to wonder!

See you soon!
Joan

The Beginning

It's time for me to get pedaling for Creating Solutions!

Today I signed up for the Seattle-to-Portland Ride. In it's 27th year, the Seattle-to-Portland ride is among the most popular biking event in the Pacific Northwest. The ride is 200 miles long over a two-day period and includes up to 9000 riders. The route meanders through the gorgeous valleys, forests, and farmlands of Washington and Oregon, crossing over the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods. Bicycling Magazine lists this ride as one of the best in the nation.

Two years ago I was in great shape to take on this endeavor. Now, however, it is another story. My last ride was 18 months and 10 pounds ago. With just 4 1/2 months to train and a full work schedule in front of me, this will be quite a challenge! But then, I like challenges.

We're in the process of setting up our fundraising page - stay tuned for more information!

I plan to use this blog in two ways:

1. To keep you updated on the fundraising activity for this event, and
2. To share the process of getting back in shape for such a big goal.

Hopefully you will be inspired to find a challenge or fun activity that you or your family can do to raise money through our First Giving account for Creating Solutions!

If nothing else, the process of this fundraising event could be entertaining.

More to come soon!

Joan