Deborah Maybury

Riding Across Canada-the Unknown Rewards

You just never truly know where this journey of life will take you. Far too often we plan all for not, as roads twist and turn into unpredictable destinations and  lakes spill into streams that flow into areas beyond our current awareness.

As I sat riding my bike at the Amazing Women’s Day in Toronto last weekend a young women determinedly walked towards me. I had had my time on stage an hour earlier, before a 100 plus women, and had spoken about riding across Canada to raise money for children with cancer and beyond.

She jumped in with her heart leading the way….”I have been trying to decide about whether or not to enter a cycling fundraising event in London” (the one found over the big pond). “I’m not a cyclist”…on and on she energetically went.

 ”What does this bike cost? How this, what that, can, if, how…she went on and in my limited experience I attempted to answer all. They were not really important questions in my mind because, all that I heard and saw was that she really wanted to go and the doubts of life were getting in the way.

I, in my own way, placed a little gas on the fire and smiled and she said

I inspired her. I get a little tickle in my throat when that comes my way.

We all make a big difference when we follow our heart.

The following session was open mike. I watched her raise her hand, I knew what was to be declared. She said with conviction that she was registering for the cycling event in London and pointed in my direction to explain why….this is what I received on Monday:

Hi Deb,
It was such a pleasure to meet you on Saturday -what a way for the universe to send me a sign!!  So I have officially signed up for the Right to Play Cycling event in July and am now eager to get the ball rolling.  I would love to take you up on your offer to go to Gears!  Is there an evening this week that works for you?
Thank you so much for your encouragement - I am so excited!!
I look forward to seeing you again,
Cheers,
Jill

So now, she inspires me. More than she knows. And all of those that learn of her journey are blessed by a woman who stretches beyond her comfort zone to make a difference in this world. She has a gift, a special something she wants to share. Herself.

And, if you think that is all, you are wrong! This is another message I received Monday:

Deb,Okay, I did another 25 kms yesterday on the bike. I have to admit that this time I did keep my eye on the odometer a lot more than the last time. I guess the hockey game had more appeal then day time TV!

I definitely feel the burn in my legs but it is manageable. The worst is how much my butt hurts. I have a gel pack and even put a towel on top of that. However, it still hurts.

Today I’m going for a long walk since it is sooo nice out.

I am training for a 10 k walk and roll! It’s called a walk and roll since some of the population we are raising money for are in wheel chairs. The fund raising is for “Extend a family”. Its a valuable program in Kingston for children with special needs. They run excellent programs for the kids so that parents can get some respite. Ex. Saturday fun program every two weeks, summer camp, Friday night pj party for teenage girls, etc… We have been using their services extensively so would like to give back. They also run Monday to Friday day program for adults with special needs.

Everyone will be working in teams! So our team is Dennis, Trish, myself and Sara. I don’t think that Sara will be able to do the 10k walk so she may have to hang out with grandma on the sidelines. She’s a bit heavy for a wagon. But who knows.

My goal is for our team to raise $1000. The overall goal for EAF is $25,000. The actual event is in June so I have lots of time to get my act together.

I plan to cross train which is my usual training program anyway. Twice a week 25K cycle. Three times weekly 5 k walk until I build up to 10 k, and my usual elliptical at the gym once or twice weekly. I also do core training on a stability ball. I use small 10 lb weights for upper body training in addition to tubing. I already have a walking buddy. We used to walk at least 7 km together once weekly until the snow came. Its time to get back at it.

I’m quite sincere when I say that once again Deb you were my inspiration. If you can raise the kind of money you have to for cycling across the country than we can certainly aim for 1,000!

I hope that your training continues to go well.

Have a fantastic weekend and get out to enjoy this beautiful weather. I’m sure that you are already planning on it.

Leslie The ripples of inspiration continue to be passed from one unsuspecting friend to another stranger. In the end is does not matter who originally dropped the pebble that began the ripple, only that the ripple continue to flow……….

Crossing Canada via bike 101

I have come to the point where I where I feel pretty comfortable on my bike.

Now the business begins! On the last riders call someone said, “Don’t just do the miles, do the training. It has been ringing in my ears for two weeks. I had figured out my training zones as best as I could and have been “doing the training”. Discipline. This is not typical training for me. I am programed to go hard, take a short break and go harder. That is what I do over and over and I have learned to push harder and challenge myself ,not because I have to , but because I love to.

That is not what will get me across Canada though. I am retraining my brain and body to work within zones. heart rate 132-135 steady!

Because of the importance of this type of  training , I bit the bullet and paid $300.00 to be tested by a professional, get a little coaching and book a follow up in May to make certain I am on the right track. I have included my chart for feedback and comments.

I was pleased when he said I am “One fit chick”. I actually found the test a lot easier than the ones I have been putting myself through. I think my bike trainer may be significantly inaccurate because compared to their set up I work a lot harder at home and it takes more effort to clock the miles. The good news is I would rather be working harder than not hard enough. I will continue without changing anything.

I have been looking forward to an outside ride…by the look of things that wiil not happen for some time.

I am looking forward to another ‘little’ fundraiser this Tuesday. In a nutshell, a new friend will be talking about resiliency. He is a two time cancer survivor and his daughter also won the battle as a youngster. He speaks professionally and every time we speak I am inspired by his positive energy.

On another note:

The Canadian gals won in hockey tonight!! I am so proud of how far the sport has come over the last 30 or so years. I played for 20, refereed for 25…that footage that they showed in 1990-in PINK…oh, I remember it so well. I refereed the bronze game and it was a highlight for sure….it was more amazing watching the arena fill up that evening. 5-2 Canada over the Americans-go Gerry, what a goal that was-Bobby Orr style!!!   Becky would have been so happy tonight. She was the biggest fan ever-miss you girl…this ride is from me to you-we go across the country together!!

Crossing Canada for the kids

One km at a time in my living room! Today was a 50km day. I felt the burn in my legs. I wanted to stop each time I thought about it. But, that is not an option as long as I am committed to succeed. The discomfort now will be rewarded several times over. I will forget the awakening of a unique set of muscles, I will always remember the journey.

I was tired from a listof things, including an amazing day. My fundraising self defense seminar was a success-almost $600.00 for the 3hrs (Plus the time organizing of course). What a group, I love teaching!! I love hearing the laughter, though I am teaching something so serious. I love the look in the eyes of those wanting to learn, seeking to grow.

Tomorrow is rest day. I will cross train. My upper body is crying for some attention…it has been missing the usual boot camp drills. I wonder if it will enjoy the attention it receives tomorrow?

A special Thanks to my friends Veronica and Karen for their donations today!!!! You guys are amazing! 

Cross Canada Feb.18th

And the Olympics role along.

Just a quote today:

“I believe every individual has personal mountains to climb and that anything can be achieved with an indomitable spirit, belief in a dream, and a desire to dare.”

Laura Evans.

Go Canada

Go Canada!!

Is it really nine days since I last wrote on my blog?! The time is flying by! I am finding it very easy to fill in any free time.

Here’s the short version of life as a national cyclist:

I cycle pretty much every day-this week was recovery and though I wanted to get on the bike I realized that I needed a slight break….and I appreciated it! I was just asked to do something on April 25th and immediately looked at my cycle schedule-that’s a 100k day! Might be tired for the evening show?!

Cycling at this level is a science unlike any fitness I have done. Thank goodness for friends that understand numbers-really, measure water and sweat! Aerobicverse anearobic workout-monitor heart rate…come on REALLY. I just go at 100 miles and hour and where the heart rate goes it goes??!! Not in this sport….training is completely different here. The good news is I am quite fascinated with the whole process.

I continue to be impressed with “my hero’s”. They are the folks that keep coming out of nowhere to help raise money! “I will present a seminar, I will ask all my friends to join the pool, I will organize a concert, I will give gift baskets, I will be a volunteer and ask for donations”….on and on!

Thank you-everyone!  my new favorite word.

Oh, we were told eat six meals a day-verse the usual three….I’m liking that! Snack snack-and my weight is still down. It will be challenging to eat enough as the miles increase! Yesterday,  I burned about 500cal training.

Note: congratulations to all the rides and their accomplishments thus far!

Saturday Training prep to ride across Canada

As we ease into Feb. I welcome the longer group rides at the Malls. It gives me a reason to stay on the bike even longer than our training schedule requires. I must be slightly ‘off’ because everyone else keeps saying how much they prefer the outdoors, than the trainer in the living room model…I do not mind training stationary. It has provided me the opportunity to bond with my bike without dividing my attention between it and the road conditions, climate variations and, not to mention, safety considerations.

Back to the MALL—-Thanks to the other riders at SEARS-Oshawa-ED, Erin, Helen, Eric & Cath. Special thanks to our helpers including Ed’s wife Christine and the three young ladies that did a fabulous job asking for donations-what amazing confidence and persistence for kids! I was truly impressed.

Here are the states for today:

miles 89.6/ time in the saddle 4hr/ average cadence 84/ average speed 23.7/ calories burned 1200. I felt pretty good throughout - took it pretty easy today (with the exception of the 3-5min. stand ups and climbs and 3-2min. spin as fast as possible sessions in the last hour-next time out I will improve the speed and cadence average.

It is surprising me that I really enjoy being on the bike-there is no mental challenge to put in the time as is required at this moment. I had a good laugh this week at my body shape change. Through December I had been wearing what I call my SKINNY pants. I hadn’t worn them in months because the butt was too tight….however,  they fit as I began combining riding with boot camp training….then I went to put them on last Tuesday and NO MORE SKINNY pants-my legs are changing-muscles!

7:20pm and it feels like it’s time to sleep….pulling out paper work, from a book I must complete, and hoping not to fall asleep. 

You can be the difference.

Nobody can go back

and start a new

beginning, but anyone

can start today and

make a new ending.

—

Maria Robinson

220 days

Sometimes I wish we were already on the road somewhere between Vancouver and Halifax-other days I feel like there isn’t enough time to prepare…will I be ready for this trip 220 days from now? What will it feel like to ride between 120-200km each day for 15 days? I have no idea. So, I do what I can to prepare my body.

We are now finished the second week of our formal training program. Due to a few things in my personal schedule, and riding a lot of extra miles in the mall last Saturday, I have managed to NOT follow the training routine right out of the gate.

However, that does not mean I am behind-it just means I switched a few things around-I actually road more than the schedule states. This week I will be able to get right on track-though I feel like I should and can ride more than it requires. I suppose there is a science behind the whole thing, over-training would not be wise. A slow build up makes sense.

I felt good both yesterday and today after 30/50 kms days. Today I was actually surprised I felt good, though hungry after 2:07hrs.                                 cadence average was 91        mph 23.7 average    

I was watching a good movie and each commercial I hit the hard gears and let my heart rate climb and my legs burn and the cadence slooowwww. I played the stand up sit down game until I felt like I was close to “burnout”.

It is interesting-the other day a friend said—“Why does our brain try to take us out”?  We can ALWAYS do more than the point to which we push ourselves. We are human-we look for the easy way out-we are solution oriented, right. Stopping is the answer to discomfort NO?  When you take the ‘stop’ out of the options, you accomplish more.

The last 10k was the hardest-not because I could not go on-I could have stayed there another hour, if that is what the schedule stated…it was the hardest because I was counting the time rather than enjoying the fact that I was preparing for the trip of a lifetime-every minute is as valuable  as the one previous…

When I was preparing for black sash in Kung Fu-it was the journey that was precious, not the moment I received the sash….though that was pretty amazing…….no more watching the clock!

75then100…..We climb to 150km this week-bring it on!

Days are flying by

Wow, Thursday already. Time is sailing by. Every time I look at the count down number I am even more motivated to hop on the bike. You can not fake conditioning and I do not intend to try. Riding across Canada will require great endurance!

I find it pretty easy to sit on the trainer, probably because I have little to compare it to. Meaning it has been 10 years since I have ridden more than a couple of blocks-the bike represents a hard workout and I am accustom to that. I try not to over think the time in the saddle-and now that the saddle does not represent pain, it is all good. (I will update that when the time jumps to a few hours a day).

The neat thing is that I get to watch tv….I don’t normally do much of that. So, I admit that I am planning my training around what is on and when. Dragon’s Den is a favorite-now they have added the Sharks from the States, Biggest Loser is pretty dramatic in a not so good way this season (get some positive energy folks-what you are doing is amazing), The Bachelor (oh my gosh that’s crazy that I watch that-non of the gals are for him), Survivor will be back and I so wish they would allow this Canadian to apply……and a few others-talk shows…dvd spinning is great too.

I’d rather read or listen to cd’s but neither of those seems to work for me. A good movie causes the time to fly….send some my way.

The Decision to Ride for Children with Cancer

What an amazing day! Where are all the fabulous people coming from? Someone recommended me here and there to do what I live-speak…more on that another day…

I was tired when I left work tonight. I had a hectic day due to a needed refit with my bike seat that shortened the work day by 3 hours….more on that later….

I headed hm, the maid served me dinner, my roomie gave me a much needed massage, I watched tv and feel peacefully asleep with ‘not a worry about me’.

NOT.

I headed to the gym, put my bike in the sauna (it was off- no one uses it), completed my beloved boot camp work out (a young man partnered with me, said “HI Deb”. It felt wonderful that he remembered my name from pre-Christmas when we paired up. I replied, “You remember my name”, with an impressed smile! He said “Of course. You were doing those Wing Chung moves in class”. He is special, there is something about him that is genuine and sincere. He then proceeded to tell me he would sponsor me, “Not a lot, but something”. So sweet.

After class a gal said her father would have 5 guys come to my golf tourney in June. Assume!

Then I went home ready to eat whatever I could prepare the quickest-fish, asparagus and beans. Sounds funny, but it tasted great.

I answered about 10 emails that had arrived since I left work. I ate, put my feet up for 20 minutes then put on my new biking shorts. (It was too late to make 2 calls I was suppose to make-sorry).

Oh my gosh, what a difference. I put my tender butt on my new fitted seat-with NO discomfort and started to warm up. 15 minutes later I was watching the Biggest Looser and spinning away…One hour later I had traveled 26.5 miles at an average cadence of 95rpm, burned 473 calories and had an average heart rate of 132bpm.

I cleaned up stepped on the scale and was 1.3lbs less than this afternoon….I proceeded to eat a bowl of blueberries, a protein bar, 4 dates and then drank a cup of water………..then I sat here.

Like I started to say, I decided to ride mostly because of Becky and the fact that all 13 neices and nephews are healthy. (See archieve Dec. 8th for the complete story).

Now I continue because I can’t remember when doing something made me feel this alive.