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Racing to Save Lives Welcome to my Team In Training home page. I'm getting back in the spandex and on a bike after a two year hiatus and training to participate in a 100 mile endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and the more than 50 different forms of blood cancer from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are or will be battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure! Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. I hope you will visit my Web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support! UPDATE #5 - 11.8.09 Since my last update in September, the Fall Team In Training group ventured into the land of true endurance rides. With five rides in the 50 mile range, we used this long rides to learn how to pace ourselves, as well as experiment with various food and drink mixes. Like all the other rides, we were treated to beautiful scenery. But, as the distances increased we were able to treat ourselves to the even more scenic views. Over the past month and a half, I climbed Mt. Hamilton, road from Menlo Park to the Pacific Ocean and back, pedaled from San Jose to Gilroy and so much more. Total Miles: 459.32 miles Avg. Speed: 15.3 mph Max. Speed: 42.8 mph Approx. Time on Bike: 28 hours 27 minutes Miles to date: 1,059.82 UPDATE #4 - 9/20/09 It has been just over a month since my last update, and boy has it been a busy one. During the past month, I have spent nearly a full day on my bike touring the hills and roads of the beautiful Bay Area. Recently, I have embarked on rides in Half Moon Bay, Woodside, Los Altos, Los Gatos and Morgan Hill. From here on out, our Team In Training rides will be getting heavy on the miles. The past few rides have been 40-50 miles, but the next few are scheduled to be 60-80 miles, easy. In addition to the miles, I teamed up with my best friend and teammate, Chris Porter, and hosted a fundraiser at Mandala Lounge in San Mateo. Thanks to the generosity of the bar's owner, Greg, and Chris' parents for the tri-tip, we were able to raise just over $400. Total Miles: 337.5 miles Avg. Speed: 16.0 mph Max. Speed: 42.8 mph Approx. Time on Bike: 20 hours 43 minutes Miles to date: 600.5 UPDATE #3 - 8/16/09 The third week seemed designed to test my strength and endurance thoughout the week. Four days of riding, with two hockey games mixed in, pushed my legs to the limit. But now, I know what I am currently capable of and for how long. The normal Tuesday Hill repeats up and down Mt. Eden in Cupertino are really showing my true strength is in climbing. Our third TNT ride was the first time we were grouped into our training groups based on our experience. Grouped with Malcom (the coach), Kurt and my best friend, we set out on a 25 mile ride and practiced the pace line. At the end of the ride, we had kept up a 17.7 mph average speed and we all felt great. This next week will be used for training and prep for Saturday's 35 mile (60 km) Tour de Menlo. Total Miles: 81.6 miles Avg. Speed: 15.9 mph Max. Speed: 42.9 mph Approx. Time on Bike: 5 hours 8 minutes UPDATE #2 - 8/9/09 The second week of training was actually slightly lighter in terms of mileage, but increased in difficulty. On Tuesdays, members of the TNT meet in Cupertino to practice climbing with hill repeats. During the first week, we completed four trips up and down Mt. Eden road at our own pace. As we progress through the training, the number of trips increases as they did Tuesday. Not only did the trips increase to five, but we were challenged to stand and pedal for durations of the climb. Total Miles: 78.7 miles Avg. Speed: 15.7 mph Max. Speed: 41.8 mph Approx. Time on Bike: 4 hours 57 minutes This week I would like to thank the Weichert Family for their donation to my fundraising campaign. UPDATE #1 - 8/2/09 In the first week of training with TNT, we have completed rides all over the Bay Area: San Jose, Portola Valley, Cupertino and Los Altos. Riding through these areas you get the chance to take in the beauty and splendor that you normally would be able to do while driving. At the same time, your appreciation of California is renewed. During the past week, I have been on my two-wheeled contraption called a bicycle for more than 100 miles. Here are some stats and averages of the past week's training:
Additionally, I would like to thank the Laidlaws, Vargos, Christa Atkins and David Cook for this week's donations totaling $175. |
Matthew Wolpin
Last Edited on: 11/08/2009