September 23, 2010
Dear DaVitans!
What a final day for the Tour – after 2 days of clouds and frequent rain, we had a beautiful day of weather to cruise thru beautiful countryside.
Perhaps the use of the word “cruise” is only appropriate for the first 30 miles or so. After that my legs and fanny were protesting. But I kept thinking of the words from one of the teammates at the Open Mic session the previous night, how each time she was thinking of quitting she thought of how hard it must be for many dialysis patients to head in for that 145th treatment of the year, and she kept on going.
I did to, all 100 miles. 8 hours. The finish was inspiring, as the Red Shirts and Team Spirit had set up flags all the way along the final road, and balloons and a hundred cheering teammates at the finish (most everyone takes a turn welcoming finishing riders, it is the classic thing where you do it to give support to others and find out you get as many good feelings as they do!).
I will subtract one hour lunch and breaks, leaving 420 minutes !!
I flew back to Denver early Wednesday morning, stopped at home and did a brief 20 minutes on the lifecycle (painful!) and 4 min of stretching, for a total of 24. Then I headed into the Casa Nueva, until it was time for dinner at my home with 10 teammates and the future Governor of Colorado.
I had to leave home at 6:45 am today (Thursday) to give a speech, and I was just too tired and sleep deprived to get exercise. I had meetings all day in the office, and am now working as I fly to California for meetings tomorrow. I get to have dinner with my wife tonight, that will be great, and so I will stop working at 8:45 Denver time when I land, and then travel 30 minutes to get home. So exercise will be zero today, darn.
The speech was a cool thing, however – 50 of the Denver area leaders wanted to hear about our DaVita Story.
And one of the bright chapters in that DaVita Story is the Tour DaVita, a GLORIOUS life event. Don’t believe me, talk to 90% of the 400 riders and you will hear the same thing. Life to the max … and beyond.
One for All,
KT
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Anne Bailey said,
September 24, 2010 @ 8:58 am
Hey KT,
It was great to have you cheer me through the finish line! I noticed that unlike us softies who took a hot shower first, you just hopped off and cheered. Impressive! Thanks for the inspiration through a wet couple of days and a nice dry third day.
Ride on!
Anne
Kimberly said,
September 24, 2010 @ 10:40 am
I was at the Street Festival on Saturday. Oh how I would love to ride in the Tour next year but it is so far outside my box. It was great seeing you again KT. Great job to you and the rest of the riders. Sorry about the liquid sunshine.
Pamela Brule said,
September 24, 2010 @ 10:55 am
Wow – I am really tempted to participate in this Tour DaVita next year… very cool.
I’ve had a busy week and performed minimal exercise due to taking work home 2 nights, and assisting our son (a Marine) in moving his household goods – and maybe that counts as a workout, too!? However I’m going to hit it hard next week – promise. I’ve lined up a trainer to kick my fanny to get me moving (a teammate, actually) again.
This weekend we celebrate my dear hubby’s (DH’s) 53rd birthday – the last 25 of which we’ve celebrated together – and counting our blessings of home, family, work, friends, health, and so much more.
Enjoy your weekend, teammates, and keep movin’!
From wet & chilly Minnesota –
pamela at DaVita Clinical Research
Denise Turnbull said,
September 24, 2010 @ 10:58 am
After losing 17 pounds over last winter (on a 5 foot 3- 50 something year old body), I found that I had gained back 4 pounds during the summer months. I started playing tennis about a year and one half ago and love it! I am now starting cardio-tennis this weekend. Wish me luck so I don’t fall and break something! The tour sounds unbelievable but has there ever been one when it hasn’t rained?
Dara Jezierny said,
September 24, 2010 @ 11:26 am
I am feeling great after finishing my third Tour DaVita. This one was by far the most challenging, mentally and physically. Thankfully, all of my mountain biking came in handy to help me get up the hills. Day 2 of biking was the most mentally challenging due to the torrential downpour, but I thought of comments made at open mic about the difficulties our patients face and that kept me going. Next year, weather permitting, I will do the 100. Thanks for cheering me on and thanks for encouraging all of the “fast” riders to cheer the rest of us on, too.
amy hoffman said,
September 27, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
This was my first tour davita and what a ride it was! Im proud to say I finished every mile and the century. One of the greatest things i have taken away from this adventure is the “spirit of the ride” for me it encompasses so much. Perserverence,commrodery,encouragement,strength,compassion,leadership,and accomplishment.
this ride was truly a life changing event, and i will strive to keep the spirit of the ride alive a vital in each and every day.
Pamela Brule said,
September 29, 2010 @ 9:42 am
Hi, all –
A big congrats to those who participated in Tour DaVita – wow, that is impressive! I’ve been “coasting” the last week – using work and other commitments as reasons not to hit the gym – but I’ve given myself a stern talking-to and I put in over an hour yesterday, burning 450 calories an outdoor trail circuit series that I’ve described below in case you want to replicate it.
I am in NV now – 1650 miles or so. Hitting the gym or trail this evening, as well. It’s a gorgeous Fall day in MN and I’ll do an outdoor workout vs. indoors at the gym today. Even if I’m doing an outdoor workout, I go the gym first, get my card swiped so it counts towards my 12x/month for Medica reimbursement, and pick up some weights to take out to the 2-mile Normandale Lake walking trail conveniently located a couple blocks from the gym, and here’s that workout:
I walk the trail briskly, and at each of 5 park benches, I do this series using the bench:
push-ups using bench back rest,
squats (stand as if you’re about to sit, 1 foot on bench, squat
plank 60 sec.
back on the trail, do 10 walking lunges, alt. legs walking & lunging
Continue walking, use free weights to do:
15 bicep curls,
15 tricep extensions,
6 each front and side raises
rows.
Walk to next bench, repeat series.
There’s a set of stairs at ~.75 mile mark – I run those 2x for a hearty cardio interval and max my heart rate to AT, then continue to the next 2 benches and back to the gym.
This is a 1-hour circuit that will kick your booty and burn 450-600 calories per session.