This summer, as I began my second journey to the Ironman, a 140.6-mile triathlon, I set three goals for myself: 1) To finish faster, stronger and healthier; 2) To maintain a strength training and yoga routine; and 3) To have more fun during training.
The first goal is a work in progress, the results yet to be seen, the outcome to be revealed on Nov. 17.
As for the other two, I've managed to dedicate at least 20 minutes twice a week to strength training, every post-workout stretch has become a mini yoga session, and I have indeed found ways to pepper the grueling schedule with workouts that are not only fun but that also serve a greater purpose.
The Donna Sunderdick Columbia Pedal & Paddle in July was one such event, where a swim and bike workout doubled as an opportunity to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
Last Sunday, instead of riding one of our regular bike routes, my husband and I traveled to Camp Milldale in Reisterstown to take part in the fourth annual Larry's Ride, a Bike Maryland fund raising event to raise awareness of bicyclists and bicycle safety issues.
According the Bike Maryland website, on April 6, 2010, Larry Bensky was tragically killed while riding his bike on Butler Road in Baltimore County. Larry's wife and a group of his friends created Larry's Ride to remember and honor Larry's life while bringing attention to the need for increased driver awareness on our roads.
Though the catalyst for Larry's Ride is tragic, the event itself is a beautiful tribute to Larry as well as to the sport of cycling.
The ride begins and ends at Camp Milldale, a sprawling, 150-acre site, where more than 400 cyclists converged to embark on one of three courses, with distances ranging from 21 to 65 miles. My husband and I, entering into a recovery week for an upcoming race, chose the 35-mile ride.
From the start we knew we were in for a treat as the Baltimore County that I am familiar with, as glimpsed from the beltway or from the northbound corridors of I-95 and I-83, unveiled a breathtaking landscape of sweeping vistas, rolling hills and vast stretches of farmland. Along one stretch of road we were stunned and delighted to encounter an equestrian hunting party, with more than a dozen formally dressed riders escorted by at least 40 hounds. The more I rode, the more I was struck by the extreme beauty of our state, from the ocean, bay and rivers in the east, the mountains in the west, and the lush, undulating countryside in-between.
The challenging, fully-supported ride featured SAG vehicles, well-stocked rest stops and a delicious post-ride lunch. I finished the ride feeling both satisfied and exhilarated by the workout, the camaraderie, the scenery, and the knowledge that, while doing something I love, I was also supporting a cause I believe in.
Larry's Ride is hosted by Bike Maryland, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting bicycling, increasing safety, improving conditions and providing a voice for bicyclist in Maryland. According to Bike Maryland's website, the group actively promotes pro-bike legislation on the state level and has been instrumental in improving bicycling conditions and protecting the rights of bicyclists across Maryland.
For more information, visit
