Running on Faith

OK Timbeaux, you asked for it. First off I would like to apologize to all that will read this, my writing skills are poor. I will do my best not to butcher the English language. If I am to write a blog of the things I do or my training report leading up the marathon you will have to get used to hearing about my family, they are a part of everything I do, from swimming to riding to running, they are with me every step of the way.

St. Francisville Spring Century 2009

I had been looking forward to this event for the past couple of months for several reasons, one is I just enjoy riding and I don’t get to ride in St Francisville that often and two, my entire family would be riding with me, what better way than to spend your Memorial Day! Now, a little about my family, Camren is a 12 year old that is a big hearted bookworm, he is not a fan of sweating but loves doing things as a family, Blake is a 13 year old bike freak, the higher the hill the bigger the grin, and my wife Marci (Flash), she is as some say is my better half, I think I am the better half but whatever.

5:45 am, I knew it was going to be a long day when we awoke to the sound of thunder. It had thundered, lightened and rained all night, Marci and I lay in bed and discussed if we were going to attempt the ride, we paid for it so why not? We had loaded the bikes the night before so it was just breakfast and out the door by 6:30. The weather was looking better the closer we got to St Francisville, little did we know that Mother Nature was just screwing with us. On the trip up we discussed if it was going to be a 27 or a 50 mile ride, we all agreed that 50 was the one for us, well Cam did not agree, I kind of strongly encouraged, and then he agreed. Just as we arrived at the park the century riders were leaving. As we unpacked, unloaded and prepped for our 8:00 start time, the ominous looking clouds were building in the south. At 8:00 sharp the ride director started giving instructions and directions when a nasty looking lighten bolt popped behind him, his final word were “prepare to get wet”, nice.

As we were riding out of the park the sprinkles started falling. The four of us pretty much stayed in the back of the pack occasionally passing a few people who were putting on slicker suits and a person who had a flat. Two miles in the sprinkles turned into a pretty good rain and my wife and kids are behind me riding down Highway 10, I am thinking, I have got to be stupid (Don’t say a word Timbeaux) to put us in this position. About 6 miles down Hwy 10 we finally reached the spot where we go 27 or 50 and I decide at this point 27 miles will be a good day. We turn left off Hwy 10 and the rain seems to ease up but the big water drops from the trees were just as bad or worse than the rain falling from the sky. It was pretty uneventful for the next 6 to 8 miles with a few slight hills and a 13 year who thinks he is Lance Armstrong on my butt. We reach the only stop for the day at mile 14, there are about 6 other cyclist there asking for directions to the Bluffs, they are not part of the Century Ride but they were on some serious rides as Blake pointed out. At this point the rain had stopped and the sun was peaking through the clouds. The road is drying nicely so I think our potential problems for the day are behind us. I WAS WRONG. Several miles later while I was sight seeing instead of watching the rode, my front tire went off the road and down I went, cussing the whole way. Blake being the cyclist he is, and being right on my tail just about runs over my head. Luckily he maintained his composure and avoided his poor old daddy lying on his back in the middle of the road. My injuries are minor but I am ticked and snap at Marci when she come riding up asking what happened? I needed a break and just figured I would lie down in the middle of the road to get some rest. Sorry Marci. The last two events I ride and I go down in both. I am thinking about adding some new wheels to my ride.

Anyway I am back on the bike and am sulking when I hear Marci screaming, only to look back and see her riding off in the ditch as a car is coming around her and Cam. She never comes off the bike and rides back up onto the rode while Cam continues to ride like there is no problem. Let me recap just for a minute, Two Adult and two kids riding and both adults have spills while the kids seem to be doing fine and I was worried about them???? Anyway back to the story, we ride back into St Francisville without any more problems. We are some of the first to arrive back at the park about 10:30. We enjoyed some Bow-Tie pastalya and white beans before heading home. All in all it was a great day, I am really proud of both Cam and Blake for riding well in adverse conditions and again Marci, I am sorry for snapping at you.

Later!

Paul