I know that some of you out there (heck, probably most of you) thought I had literally gone off the deep end crazy when I went public with my decision to bike across the country for ALS research. Honestly, *I'm* not 100% sure that I haven't lost a couple of my marbles in making this decision. But after having acclimated to the idea, I realized that I need to really apply my mind to studying things to get me ready. So this week, apart from going out to get in road time, I've started to examine topics like nutrition, breathing techniques and strategies from people who have crossed the country by bike before. This is the hardest physical test I've ever set for myself by a very wide margin. So I thought I'd share a little bit about what I've learned this week and open up the floor for others to give advice, warning or thoughts on what I may face starting next April.
1) Belly breathing. Most of us breathe from our chests which is just fine for day-to-day, routine oxygen inhalation. But when you're exerting yourself physically chest-breathing often just doesn't cut it. If I'm going to be climbing the Appalachians almost right off the bat, I need to figure out how to maximize my body's oxygen intake. Breathing from the diaphragm gives you a much more ample supply of the oxygen your muscles need when you're pressing yourself really hard. This one is going to take some practice but it should eventually become second nature.
2) Eat before you're hungry; drink before you're thirsty. Proper nutrition is nonnegotiable on endeavors like biking the lower 48. Carbohydrates and lots of them. Carbs are quickly converted into energy and I'll need to take a lot of them if I'm going to be biking for more than a couple hours at a time. What's more, I'm going to need to learn how to eat *while* riding. One blog writer advised having your road foods unwrapped and very easily accessible so you can literally reach down and grab a bite to eat every 30 minutes. And if someone is going to be cycling more than one day in a row, the first 30 minutes after finishing your ride for the day need to be spent in eating loads of carbs. In the same vein, drinking a lot of water is necessary. The problems arise when it's not hot outside. Your body gets tricked into thinking it's not thirsty if it's feeling cold but I'll need to keep well hydrated by making sure to drink on a regular basis whether I feel thirsty or not.
3) Don't take long breaks. I remarked to a good friend who's a cyclist that I realized that if I get really worn down midway through the day's ride, I can just take a break for a half hour or an hour. She told me that would likely be a big mistake because your muscles cool down during a break of any longer than a couple of minutes and they do NOT appreciate you making them start up again. Better to just pull over for a moment, take a good drink and a bite to eat and then keep grinding.
4) Meltdowns. They will happen. There will be days when I wake up and everything goes wrong during the day. I will despair and, if alone, seriously consider permanently throwing in the towel and bailing out. This has sealed it in my mind. I need companionship. I need that extra push to keep going. I know myself too well to think I'd make it all the way on my own gumption. "One day at a time" is the solution for meltdowns. I must have this mentality. I must keep my eyes firmly fixed on "Just today." Not letting my mind wander out to "I've got another month and a half of this." Because things are always better the day after a meltdown.
So now you have an idea what I've learned so far. Hopefully these lessons will help me work smarter rather than just harder.
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