Marc Martinez's AIDS/LifeCycle Blog

The journey ends!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:02:00 PST

Hi.

I am home in DC now! I took the red-eye home after closing ceremonies yesterday and arrived at 8:30 AM. Today I am sleepy, tired and reminiscent of the ride experience over the past 7 days. On June 1, I started a 561.5 mile journey. There were several difficult hills and days (low-energy and very cold/chilly mornings) that were ahead of me… But, I did it and feel pretty good about my riding (finished in the top 10%). More importantly, the event raised over 11.6 million dollars for AIDS support. This is remarkable and inspiring.

Thank you for helping me do this journey. I appreciate your thoughts, money and support over these last few months. I could not have done in without you. For now, I need to rest and gain back some strength. Take care and have a great week.

All the best.

-Marc.

The journey begins today!!!

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:31:00 PST

Hello. I am in the lobby of the hotel waiting for my ride. Nervous? Yes! But, I just want to get started...LA is 585 miles away you know!!!

Thank you, all of you, for your great support. I really appreciate it. Wish me luck and safe travels!

Big hug!!!

-Marc.

Nerves, nerves, and more nerves...

Wed, 28 May 2008 02:58:00 PST

I am not sure what is harder...cycling up large hills, packing for this ride, or working-out the logistics for this ride. So much to do!

I am nearly packed and leave tomorrow evening. It is happening!

-Marc.

I completed my last training ride!!!

Mon, 26 May 2008 11:12:00 PST

I did my last 32 mile ride today. I am done!

My plan is to do two runs before the ride and then ride-out is Sunday. I will pack my bike up on Tuesday and Thursday I am gone!

Again, a big thank you to everyone who has supported me. :)

-Marc.

One week to go!

Sat, 24 May 2008 11:09:00 PST

Hello.

I have one week to until the ride and I am a bit nervous. I finished an 80 mile ride today and it went okay. It would have been better if the Potomac Pedalers didn't wiz by and leave me ion the dust (ego gone). I just have to remember my game plan...ride consistenly, safely and do not push it.

I also had to put my bicycle in the shop today. My rear brakes needed replacing and my forward derailer needs adjustment. I would much rather fix it now before I go accross the USA!

One more training ride and I am done.

Century #2 Completed!!

Sat, 17 May 2008 12:46:00 PST

I did my second 100 miles today. Actually, it was 100 miles of riding and 2 miles of walking. I was riding through Georgetown today and had a tire failure (the thing just fell apart). I hace to walk the last 2 miles back to my condo in Dupont. I felt silly, but it was not a big deal. So, I did 102 miles. 100 on my bike and 2 walking my bike.

My cycling is better than previous weeks. But, again, I will need to take it easy on the ride as I am not as fit as rides past.

Wish me luck. 50 more miles tomorrow!

I reached my goal!

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:45:00 PST

I wanted to let you all know that I reached my fund raising goal today!

Thank you to everyone!

Hill training...the best you can do near DC!

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:43:00 PST

I was able to get twice this weekend to do hill training. Amazingly, things went well. I do have to say though, things are different for this ride. I am 42 and I have not had as many training days as I would have liked. So, I will do the ride, but I will not be finishing in the top 100 people...it just can't happen. So, my motto...ride hard, but do not hurt myself.

I am getting very close to my fund raising goal. I have $340 left to go. officially, fund raising ends this week. So, I hope I make it! :)

Lastly, did I mention the issues I am having with NWA? They no longer give free shipping of bikes for charity events (I guess many of the airlines are not making the $ they once did). So, I needed to find out how much it was going to cost to ship my bike. After three hours on the phone I finally got an answer (I hope it is the right one). It is $80 each way. The bike box might also has to be < 70 pounds. So, I will be packing VERY light this time!

Wish me luck. this next weekend is another century weekend!

My first century of 2008 - Nailed!

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:31:00 PST

Hello. I have not done a lot of riding this week (although I did run once). But, today I did 101 miles. It was a good day (except for the pollen) and I averaged 16.1 MPH (not impressive, but good enough).

I will do a short (<2 hr) ride tomorrow and one ride during the week.

Fund raising... I am $465 from my goal. I am crossing my fingers that a few last minute people help me out! Take care and wish me luck!

Training is happening...slowly!

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:42:00 PST

It is tough to have a FT job and to train for a 600 mile ride. But, I am getting in small rides after work. For instance, today was a great day and I was able to put in 20 miles. Tomorrow and Friday I will do short rides as well. This weekend I have to do at least one long ride.

I hope the decent weather holds out!

Training is going slow...

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 06:21:00 PST

I have continued to train after the Chrerry Blossom 10 miler race. But, I have only completed two training rides. My work schedule and the weather (rain) have limited me. I hope to increase my cycling this week and next weekend.

My fund raising has been going well. I am just over $4K on my way to a goal of $5K. $975 left to go...

Have a good week!

Cherry Blosson 10 miler Compete!!!

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:55:00 PST

Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I completed the cherry blossom 10 miler. My time was okay, but I really feel like I have started my training now. Starting next week I will be doing 3 rides a week (two short and one medium). Spring is finally here!

Training has begun!

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:14:00 PST

I did my first (very short!!) ride this weekend. Since I got my bike out of the shop, I wanted to test-out the new seat and get a few miles in. After I finish my 10 miler (4/6/2008), I will be devoted sololey to cycling.

It has started!

My bike is back from the shop!

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:25:00 PST

Hello!

I just got my bike back from City Bikes. All is good to start training. Now I just have to remember how to ride again.

-Marc.

It is Spring!

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 05:02:00 PST

It is Saturday morning and I am getting ready to do my weekly long run. It might be spring, but it is still pretty damn cold here. When I woke up this AM is was 41 degrees. I am planning on my first short bike ride of the year for tomorrow. We will see how it goes!

Thanks for all of the fund raising support. That is one area that I am doing fine in!

Weight and cardio are improving!

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:15:00 PST

I have lost a total of 7 pounds. I have also put in two 7 mile runs. This will help me for my 10 mile race (my goal is to run at least 8 mile in training) and will launch me into my cycling for the spring. I am taking my bike in for servicing this week and will do my first outdoor ride next weekend. Wish me luck!

Back from Hawaii and I am ready to train!!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:11:00 PST

I spent the last week in Honolulu and Kona. Beautiful weather, some running and a lot of snorkeling. But, now I am back and ready to train for my 10 mile run and this 600 mile bike ride!

Two snow and ice storms...

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:23:00 PST

This has been a terrible training week. Two snow ans ice storms have put a crimp in my training. I am hoping that this weekend I will catch-up on training and get back on track. Send your positive entergy my way. I need it this week!

-Marc.

It was 14 degree this AM...you want me to train?

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:04:00 PST

I am not sur epeople on the West Coast understand what it is like to wake-up to 14 degrees. I do have to say, it did warm up to a blistering 31 degrees...and now back down to 25 degrees. Training is rough in weather like this. I did 30 minutes of spinning, bit that is about it! I hope this weekend is better!

Training...its a slow path!

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:41:00 PST

Hello. First of all, thank you to everyone for helping me with my fund raising. I am well on my way and already am almost at my minimum! This is great news and takes one stress out of my life!

Training. I am doing it...although it is still slow. This last week I ran 7 miles. This week I plan to run 8. The weather looks like it will hold-up, so I think I will be fine! I am still fat and slow. I hope this changes next month! :(

I love the cold...not!!!

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:56:00 PST

Winter on the East Coast might be beautiful, but it is not easy to train in. I ran yesterday and today and it was painful. My body is getting in better shape, but I doubt it will ever get used to the cold!!! How many days until Spring?

It is money time... I am doing my fund raising letter tonight!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:33:00 PST

Training is progressing fine. My friends coaxed me into running the cherry Blossom 10 miler. I guess it will be good training for the ride. But, I can ride 565 miles. But, I have never ran more than 6 miles. This should be a challenge. So, I have two trainings goin on right now. I am running 3-4 days a week (about 2-3 miles a time). I am also cycling 2-3 times a week inside. My weight is still coming down. To be fit enough for both events, I need to she 15. Please pray! ;)

Lastly, I am sending out my fund raising letters tonight via email. Doing positive stuff is fine...but asking for money is tough. Please do not hate me for asking!

All the best!

So far so good...

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:32:00 PST

I am doing better with training. I am up to three days a week running and two days a week cycling inside. My leg injury seems to be fine. I am also down 5 pounds!

I feel like a fat cow!

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:30:00 PST

It is January 10th and I am just starting my training! Please pray for me as I have some Holiday cheer to burn-off! I will start-out with two days a week of running and cycling (inside) two days a week!

Welcome to another great adventure!

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:30:00 PST

Hello. I know this is 10 months before the ride, but I wanted to give the new site its first blog spot! As always, I would like to ask for your financial support for this cause! I will do the riding if you will write the checks. ;)

I look forward to a long relationship with you over the next months. We can do it, together! Peace.

-Marc.