Anyone doing the MS150 or similar races?

[JosieK 120]

hi

i just signed up to do the MS150 from houston to austin in April. i'm pretty psyched. i'm a little behind in training but i've been going to the gym 4-5 days a week since being banded so i have some conditioning.

i just bought a new road bike and it is like riding on air.

if i complete this one...i am doing the MS bike ride in NY.

if anyone has done these or similar races...would appreciate tips or "tricks of the trade" on training, nutrition, etc.

thanks

[Suzzzie. 3]

Hey... I think Stef is doing this ride - I'll send her to this thread...

[Suzzzie. 3]

What kind of bike did you get??! I'm all about bikes now. Lol.

[TexasFire 84]

Hey, Josie! Yes, I'm doing the MS150, but the Frisco to Ft. Worth! I'm so excited about it! Are you doing any training rides before hand? I'm only doing one, Tour Dallas. But I ride TONS, so I'm not too worried. What kind of bike do you ride? By the way, if you have a Performance Bike near you, you should DEFINITELY stop by there and pick up a Competitor Texas magazine! It is simply amazing! And it's free, also! If you don't have a Performance Bike near you, here is the website: Competitor Texas | HOME. It lists just about every event in Texas, for running, walking, cycling, triathalons, duathalons...you name it. It has so much info in it. I really hope you come back here and tell how the MS150 goes for you and if you have any tips before I ride on May 3rd & 4th.

[TexasFire 84]

Oh and check out the Germanfest in Muenster, TX too. That should be a really great tour. I'm considering entering that one, too. But there are infinite possibilities, it seems.

[mumof2boys 71]

I haven't done anything similiar yet, however I am doing the Breast Cancer 3 day walk in Washington DC in October. I'm very excited and nervous at the same time. It's 60 miles. I have a lot of fundraising to do and training. Good luck on the MS race.

[TexasFire 84]

Hey there, MUM! Good for you on doing the 3-day. That's a real good one. I'm sure you will do just great!

[JosieK 120]

hi everyone,

sorry i havent replied. i was getting ready for my st patty's day party last night all week....now i'm left with the cleanup ha!

suzzie...i bought a trek 6.9 madone pro. it is so light and easy to ride. the clips are an issue but i am bringing it in tomorrow to see if it is "them" or "me" that's the problem

texasfire: thanks for the info. that's really helpful...so you are doing the dallas MS ride? i'm doing the houston ride. i also signed up to do the NY ride in october. i happen to be up there that time of year....so i figured why not? i used to hate when these rides shut down the city (traffic nightmare ha!)

i'm jumping into this blindly but sometimes i think this is the best way. i've been doing weekend rides with Bike Barn and riding during the week with someone that is also in the challenge. i am also doing the "katy ram challenge" next weekend and the "april spring ride" april 2nd.

i will look of the germanfest...

thanks mum...good luck on your walk

[Michee 2]

I have done several of the MS rides here in Ontario Canada, the 150's and the 180's. My advice - bike shorts with the chamois like crotch, and learn how to use the gears properly, this will make the uphills a breeze (well not really a breeze, but easier than you think). I have always found the first 20K to be the hardest, then I am in the groove, and the rest is a lot of fun. I always meet tons of great people.

[JosieK 120]

thanks michee for the info

[TexasFire 84]

Yes, Michee...thanks for the info! I'm a tiny bit intimidated by the ride since I've never done anything like it before. I'm sure that will disappear once I get there and get a few miles under my belt, though. I agree on the cycling shorts...that's all I wear. I would also suggest Chamois Butt'r. Makes the ride OH SO MUCH BETTER!

[minpinmom 2]

I just wanted to tell you guys a big THANK YOU! My husband has MS and there is always someone riding in his name. It is an awesome event and pulls in a lot of money for MS research.

Thank you guys again!

[TexasFire 84]

Hey, Wendy! You and hubby are most welcome! I hope to raise quite a substantial amount by turn-in time with hubby's company sponsorship. To be honest, I never knew much about MS before signing up for this event. My hats' off to you guys in dealing with this every day. I hope research leads to some good things very soon.

Oh! And BTW...my signature here used to be (and still is on MySpace) "My Goal In Life Is To Be The Person That My Dogs Think I Am!" I love all my kids...two or four-legged! LOL

[JosieK 120]

hi wendy

hopefully a cure is near. my best friend has MS so i know what you are dealing with. more and more i am hearing about this disease affecting people.

the MS150 is really a BIG deal down here in texas which is nice. the people here in texas are so caring ( i recently moved here so i'm not complimenting myself ha!)

hi texasfire, i love your my space signature. i may have to plaguerize it :scared2:

have a good afternoon everyone

[JosieK 120]

Hi,

i just completed my first MS150 here from Houston to Austin. it was 150 mile 2 day cycle ride (i did the shorter route).

at the finish line i burst into tears....i was thinking about 1 year ago. i was newly banded feeling like a failure because of my weight and the fact i couldn't "conquer" it myself.

fast forward 1 year later....my whole life has changed.....mostly mentally but definitely physically.

i am writing this for any newcomers starting out. the past year i worked by butt off to get the weight off (journalling food, exercising, etc) it wasn't easy but definitely worth it.

i started training for this race just 5 weeks ago.

on the first day of the race....i was at mile 80 and cried the whole way to mile 90. i wasn't sure i could do the second day.....but i decided to try it and figured i could get SAG'd in if i needed to....but i finished it.

cycling may not be your thing....but whatever dreams you have are reachable.