CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: GWEN S.

Gwen has been training one on one with me for a little over a year now and she has made huge improvements in her training.  She started off wanting to increase her mobility and cycling strength so she could ride faster and climb better.  Through our one on one sessions and taking our Hillz n Skillz cycling classes and winter indoor spin series she has become a much stronger cyclist.  Here is her story about her latest adventure.

 

 

 

 

Lifetime Grand Fondo

It was a last minute decision. I was about to fly out for two weeks on the east coast, and my husband and I were looking for something spectacular to do together before I leave. When he discovered that he got a code for free passes to the Lifetime Grand Fondo, we quickly formed a plan. Ride the 60 miles of the Grand Fondo, visit wineries and finish with a party.

We woke up at 5am to make it to the starting line in Santa Rosa by 8am. Even at the starting line, I could immediately see it was a more serious event than my previous charity centuries: Entire teams lined up in matching kits, everyone looked lean and fit, and we even saw an occasional famous professional racer. The peleton started out at a very high pace, around 20 miles per hour, squiggling its way through the sleepy streets of Santa Rosa. The course was not well marked, so Omer and I worked hard to stay with the group we happened to be with, to avoid getting lost.

Things went well until the first climb, about 5 miles into the ride. I slowed down while the group surged ahead and I quickly found myself falling farther and farther behind, with more and more riders passing me. By the time I reached the rest stop at the end of the climb, Omer was gone and so was everyone else I started the ride with. I joined another group and kept riding.

I started calculating: 12 mph will let me finish the race in 5 hours and 15 mph will be 4 hour finish. I resolved to do my best and keep at around 15 mph for the rest of the ride. I tried to cling to groups of other riders as much as possible. But when they went too fast or too slow, I just kept riding at my own pace. After I passed the 30 miles mark, I noticed something strange: I started passing riders who have passed me before. I saw riders slow down, stop to rest or to refuel, and I just kept riding. Same steady pace, mile after mile. I felt fresh and my legs felt strong. The road was gorgeous, flowing among vineyards, mountains visible in all directions. The narrow road gently climbed and descended. Before I knew it, I was back in Santa Rosa.

 

Marin Century 2011, Great Job!

 

The city was almost familiar. I recognised the streets I rode out just hours prior. Kaiser Permenante building, where the ride started was suddenly in view. One more stop light and I was there. Break, and check the Garmin. 3 hours and 58 minutes after I started the 60 miles ride, I reached for the beer.

Thanks for reading her story, stay tuned for more NORTH Fitness success stories.