Keith Howard

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• $4,500 goal
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My Training Journal

Thursday 07 April 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.38 miles   Time: 20m 09s

A Bigger Crash: While practicing my new clip pedals outside our house I took another tumble. Maybe my weakened left arm contributed, I can't say. I hit the pavement hard. Having "learned" from my first fall I tucked my arm. Taking the shot in my chest didn't help me fare much better. I fractured several ribs. Doing just about anything right now, including breathing, is difficult. I'm angry at myself for letting this clutzy thing happen. I'm not sure when I'll be back on the bike again. The race is 2 months out and I need to be getting stronger. I managed to ride 4 miles before it became apparent I wasn't getting any better. A trip to the doctor the next day confirmed my fears.

Sunday 03 April 2011 Distance Cycled: 26.78 miles   Time: 1h 59m 39s

Even with a wounded wing I coulon't stay off my new bike. The "big ride"is an important part of training. The wind was brutal on Parmer Lane today. Still I managed nearly 27 miles in heavy gusts.

Saturday 02 April 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.38 miles   Time: 20m 09s

Crash: While practicing my new clip pedals outside our house I took a tumble. Matthew had fallen in front of me and I stopped concentrating on getting out of the pedals. Tried to break the fall with my left arm. It hurts even more than my pride. Gingerly took on a short ride on the trail but every bump shot pain through my left arm. Matthew and my new bike are fine. :)

Saturday 02 April 2011

Having met my fundraising goal I am focused on race preparation now. After months of shopping I broke down today and bought my bike. It's a Giant Defy with Shimano 105 components. When I took it for a test ride it just felt perfect.

Friday 01 April 2011

Today I received a donation from Annie Reeves. My wife "B" made a donation too. Then it happenned. I cleared the $4,500 goal. Thank you, thank you, thank you... everyone who has donated so far. I will never forget the moment I received my first donation. I appreciate everyone's faith in me to complete this mission, especially in those early days. I'm still training. It's 2 months to the race. I feel great.

Wednesday 30 March 2011Distance Cycled: 11.8 miles   Time: 1h 02m 57s

Today I explored more of the trails accessible from Brushy Creek Regional trail. All said this is an excellent trail system.

Wednesday 30 March 2011

I received donations from Marissa Tarleton, Kristin & Anthony Muraco, and Tammy & Norman Franco. Thank you!

Sunday 27 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 12.0 miles   Time: 1h 05m 13s

Recovery ride: After a hard ride like Saturday's the idea is to work your muscles to relieve the soreness. I didn't push myself too hard and had an enjoyable ride down Brushy Creek Trail. I took a scenic detour through the Avery Ranch Trail, Oak Brook Trail, and Fern Bluff Trail. The new scenery was great, but lots of loose gravel on the trails required constant attention.

Saturday 26 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 42.3 miles   Time: 3h 16m 23s

My biggest challenge yet. I rode the Rosedale Ride. Proceeds from the ride go to a local school. I went 42 miles through the rolling hills east of Austin. It was a beautiful ride. I saw Cele and New Sweeden. My tailbone really felt the 3 hours in the saddle, but otherwise I was in suprisingly great form at the end of the ride. I am definitely encouraged by my progress. I shopped for a bike again after the ride. I know a lot of what need in a bike now, I just have to find it!

Wednesday 23 March 2011

I received donations from Joanna Bartholemew, Sherall Howard and Mike Herdzina. I can see the light at the end of the fundraising tunnel!

Wednesday 23 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 7.4 miles   Time: 39m 0s

I rode in the afternoon today and managed to squeeze in a few extra miles.

Tuesday 22 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.7 miles   Time: 20m 48s

This week has been crazy busy. Only time for another short ride.

Monday 21 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.7 miles   Time: 20m 42s

Quick ride down Brushy Creek Trail.

Sunday 20 March 2011

Saturday 19 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.0 miles   Time: 42m 28s

Speaking of birthdays my friend Paul also had a birthday today. He's into cycling and a group of us cycled around downtown Austin. There are a few good stories to tell here, but I'll focus on the cycling. I did at least 6 miles.

Saturday 19 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 18.2 miles   Time: 1h 40m 18s

This was the Team In Training group ride. The route was Parmer Lane north of 1431. The wind was intense. I was tired from the start from a long Friday. The team went further but I had to turn around after 9 miles to prepare for my youngest son's 6th birthday. Happy Birthday Matthew!

Friday 18 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.93 miles   Time: 26m 47s

Brushy Creek Trail. I made the 1st mile in 4m 22s which is a big improvement over my normal time on it.

Tuesday 15 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.7 miles   Time: 25m 42s

Another jaunt down Brushy Creek Trail. I'm really feeling the week of light training last week. Getting back up to form though.

Sunday 13 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.58 miles   Time: 32m 51s

I was happy to hit my familiar trail this morning. Most of my lap times are close to 4 minutes per mile. The 1st and 6th mile always are just over 5 because I have tp negotioate traffic and parking lots. I'm working on improving those numbers.

Friday 11 March 2011

Lots of donations this week! Big thanks to Laurie & Mike Flood, Gloria & Ronnie Benner, Susan Hebert, and Jean Blankenburg. Thank you! I submitted my first batch of donations to Dell for doubling so now you'll see the actual amount raised in my progress bar.

Wednesday 08 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 12.0 miles   Time: 49m 0s

This is going to be a very inconvenient week for training. I'm away from bike for several says this week and the weekend is the SXSW web conference in Austin. I managed to find a small gym and cycled 6 miles on a stationary bike on Tuesday and Wednesday. I totalled around 12 miles, but it's just not the same.

Sunday 06 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 26.74 miles   Time: 2 hr 18m 47s

I really missed my miles yesterday. Plus this week is going to be tough to ride. I have a lot of stuff going on, not to mention SXSW Interactive next weekend. I met some of the team Early Sunday and rode almost 27 miles on Parmer. Last time I tackled this route the hills kept me down to 13 miles. Today I did 27 and still felt great. This is the best proof yet of my progress.

Saturday 05 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.25 miles   Time: 34m 17s

Winter just will not quit this year. The team training ride was today in South Austin at the Veolway. The tempature was 30 degrees. The wind gustin at 25mph. We still tried to ride. Then the rain came. Cold, cold rain... needless to say we only made 6.25 miles before the ride was called. The afternoon, by the way, was completely gorgeous.

Friday 04 March 2011

Today I recieved donations from Krissi & Randy Losoya. Thank you!

Friday 04 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 7.4 miles   Time: 36m 32s

Today is my 11 year wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary my love! I need to ride because I am eating good tonight. The tempature was in the 50s and the ride was nice and pleasant. I rode a little further today - I hate getting into the office 30 minutes later than but everyone knows where I'm at.

Thursday 03 March 2011

A flurry of donations this week has really encouraged me. Today Stephanie Acuna, Tyrena Hankinson, Jennifer & Adam Poppe, and Derek Byrne made donations. Thank you!

Wednesday 02 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.0 miles   Time: 19m 20s

Quick ride - early meetings today! I saw the light rail train roll over Brushy Creek Trail. I've been hoping to see that. I'm a big fan of mass transit and bike trails. Seeing them together in the morning light was a great moment for me.

Tuesday 01 March 2011

I received donations from Noel Barnes, Sam Soto, Tabatha & Jeremy Bales, and Maria Dominguez. Thank you!

Tuesday 01 March 2011 Distance Cycled: 10.19 miles   Time: 52m 18s

This was a late afternoon ride around sun set. I was near SW Williamson County park. The sun set and the last half of the ride was big laps under the street lights of the expansive park.

Monday 28 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 7.0 miles   Time: 38m 27s

Saturday 26 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 20.90 miles   Time: 1hr 28m 35s

Two strange rides: My wife is out of town this weekend which makes riding tricky. I missed the team training ride but managed to get in a lot of miles anyway. Saturday morning I rode laps around my block in a light drizzle. The kids watched me endlessly circle from their perch in the upstairs loft. I managed to get 6 miles in. Then, later that night I got a surprise visit from my mother-in-law. While she watched the kids I set out into the darkness. I rode 13 miles, mostly in Brushy Creek park, in the darkenss. My eyesite is excellent and I know the trail by heart. Still the branches and deer rushing out of the darkenss towards you at 15mph is somewhat unnerving. It was as nearly as tranquil as I'd hoped. I know, I know, slightly crazy. But I really wanted to get in miles. I ended up returning to the parking lot and doing lots of big circles in the dim light of a distant streetlight. The cool air was perfect and once I got into the open space and dim light I really enjoyed the ride.

February is almost gone. Here's the summary of my 24 rides I've done since I signed up.

Friday 25 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.12 miles   Time: 29m 17s

Thursday 24 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.68 miles   Time: 25m 53s

Wednesday 23 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.69 miles   Time: 25m 45s

Another foggy and drizzly morning. I really like riding in this weather. I just have to remain diligent not to let the wet surfaces cause me to slip and crash. I was pushing myself a little harder this morning and got my average speed over 13mph. Not a big improvement over my 12mph average, but I need to get stronger in these short rides.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

I received donations from Christy Devenport, Chan & Amy Geltemeyer, and Janet Knippelmier. Thank you!

Monday 21 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.72 miles   Time: 25m 35s

East on Brushy Creek trail. Quick morning ride before heading to the office.

Sunday 20 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 7.40 miles   Time: 35m 52s

what a busy Sunday. I tackled lots of things around the house I'd been neglecting. I took a quick ride on Brushy Creek trail once I was finished. It helped clear my mind and relax me. I've never said that about excercise before...

Saturday 19 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 8.54 miles   Time: 47m 06s

This was our weekly cycling class. This week we meet the rest of the LLS volunteers and rode a "silent mile" to honor those lost to Leukemia and Lymphoma. It was touching but I don't need to be reminded why I'm riding. We followed up with a lenghty cornering clinic and a short ride with hills.

Friday 18 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.10 miles   Time: 30m 20s

West on Brushy Creek Trail. It was a pleasant ride in a light drizzle. I love the rain.

Wednesday 16 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.68 miles   Time: 28m 11s

Well, the bad news is that I'm not getting any faster. Third day in a row on this ride and I'm consistent at just over 28 minutes and average 12mph. The good news? I'm consistent and I'm having fun still.

Tuesday 15 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.71 miles   Time: 28m 25s

My 4th day in a row with a ride!

Monday 14 February 2011

Donation from Rubi and Abe Delgado. Thanks!

Monday 14 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 5.68 miles   Time: 28m 50s

Quick ride on the west leg of Brushy Creek Trail. I'm feeling pretty good today!

Sunday 13 February 2011

Lots of activity in donations this weekend after I posted my 25 mile ride to Facebook. Big thanks to Mona Lisa Real, Eric & Julie Erway, Tom Rawlings, Clare Wuellner, and Paul & Amy Pederson.

Sunday 13 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 12.85 miles   Time: 1h 6m 50s

Half the distance, twice as hard: I was feeling fairly arrogant today after flying through 25 miles the day before. Bill and Jim met me at the intersection of 1431 and Parmer. Yes - for all of you in Austin NW I officially became "one of those cyclists" you're forced to watch out for on Parmer. I would've been easy to spot - I was the guy who looked like a total amateur. :) It was very windy today and there were lots of long climbs. Then we'd blast down the other side of the hill and fly. The shoulder is really big on Parmer and I felt really safe despite the traffic. All told this was a very tough ride. The climbing and the wind were exhausting. I felt this one. If this was any indication of what the 100 mile ride will be like I have a lot of work to go.

Saturday 12 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 24.76 miles   Time: 2h 5m 48s

25 miles - Manor to Elgin and back:  It was a cold and sub-freezing week. I hadn't ridden in 4 days as a result. Even though it was 30 degrees when I arrived I was still excited to get back on my bike. This was our team training event for this week. It was a fairly flat 25 mile ride. We met in Manor and rode old 290/Littig Road to Elgin and back. It was my first forray onto a road with cars. I found a lot of comfort in being in a group. Everyone was constantly watching for traffic and calling out hazards. We worked on formation riding and a consistent pedalling cadence. Honestly the 25 miles went easily and quickly. I felt great the rest of the day. The only complaint I had was sore wrists. I was told was a result of my handle bar style. I need to get serious about acquiring a real road bike.

Tuesday 08 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.11 miles   Time: 24m 26s

I was tired all day at office. I could barely keep my eyes open and my legs were sore. When I mentioned this to my friend who is an avid cyclist he told me to take a short ride after work. It seemed backwards but I tried it anyway. It was a little tough at first but then I settled in. I managed to keep a fairly agressive pace. Oddly enough I did feel better afterwards.

Monday 08 February 2011

More donations rolled in this week after B mentioned me on Facebook. Thank you Erin & Steve Kolecki and Donna Sollock!

Sunday 06 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 13.50 miles   Time: 1h 19m 37s

This was a tough one. I know people make jokes about "walking uphill both ways" but that is how it felt today. Winds were gusting into the 20s. It seems like I was climbing into the wind all day. I set out east from Brushy Creek Lake park today onto the Regional Trail. This really helps overall since I'm climbing the dam that makes the lake around the 30 minute mark instead of at the end. I made the loop once to tally 13.50 miles. I was slow but proud I stuck it out.

Saturday 05 February 2011 Distance Cycled: 9.93 miles   Time: 1h 14m 39s

Today was our first official team training. Yikes! It was 30 degrees outside. We met at the Veloway in South Austin. It's about a 3 mile circuit and we did it 3 times. The team coach Prescott spent some time working on basics with us. We even tried some loose formation riding. I had a little camera with me to document our suffering in the cold.

The night before I broke down and bought a jogging suit made out of windbreaker material. Even wearing 3 layers of cotton hadn't kept me warm on my morning rides. The wind just flows right through and chills you. Even though the thermostat said 30 once we got moving it wasn't bad at all. The jogging suit and one layer of cotton made all the difference! I really didn't feel the nearly 10 miles we biked. Maybe the cold made me numb after all?

Wednesday 02 February 2011

My first donations rolled in this week after I posted on Facebook. Big thanks to Melissa and Leon Marroquin, Aaron and Allison Hamilton!

Monday 31 January 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.16 miles   Time: 18m 30s

Another cold and early morning ride before I headed out to the office. These are always tricky. I can't leave until after the kids get on the school bus. Then I have to get back fast so that I can get to the office at a reasonable time. Luckily I live close to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. From my front door it's about 3 minutes by bike to Brushy Creek Lake Park. After that I head east or west on the trail.

Monday 24 January 2011 Distance Cycled: 4.61 miles   Time: 26m 59s

This was a cold and early morning ride before I headed out to the office. I headed east on the trail. This means tackling the dam that makes Brushy Creek Lake. Heading east it's great. Riding on top of the dam it's smooth and scenic. Then you head downhill. By the time you reach the creek you're about 140 feet below where you started. When you head west it's a steep grade back to the top of the dam.

Saturday 22 January 2011 Distance Cycled: 13.32 miles   Time: 1h 15m 56s

Today I rode the Brushy Creek Trail. I live near it and it is easy to access. All told I go all the way from the Twin Lakes YMCA on 183 in Cedar Park all the way down to the intersection of Brushy Creek Road and Great Oaks Dr. It's over 6.50 miles one way. Once I make the loop I've cleared over 13 miles. Here's the map of my journey from my Endomondo workout tracking.

Friday 21 January 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.14 miles   Time: 32m 59s

Early morning ride heading west on Brushy Creek Trail. I repeated the route from the previous morning and made nearly identical time. I'm slow but I'm steady.

Thursday 20 January 2011 Distance Cycled: 6.18 miles   Time: 32m 32s

Early morning ride heading west on Brushy Creek Trail.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

I registered for the Team In Training program today. The demands are intimidating: 100 miles in one day and $4,500 in fundraising for the privilege to try. I know I can muster the strength to make the distance. The fundraising is scary. If you know me you know how much I hate to ask for anything for myself. Luckily this has nothing to do with me - it's for kids with Leukemia. I need to keep reminding myself that when I start to feel awkward about asking.