August
2009
From Surgery to Personal Best
Graeme, sorry we did not hook up on saturday, i was looking forward to meeting you in person. I am 52 and have not done the D2R2 since 3 years ago and then had back surgery, so the last couple of years has been a little off. I decided in January to work hard this year and thanks to your bootcamps and all of the other training camps and tips that you have provided for us, i have been able to drop 30 lbs and gained back some serious speed and climbing abilities that i had lost. 3 years ago i was in great shape, had done over 10 centurys that year as well as my solo border to border ride in a day from Canada to Massachusettes, 192 miles in 10 1/2 hours solo. I did the d2r2 that year in just over 10 hours.
This year i did the d2r2 in 9 1/2 hours and that was with a flat and with the very hot humid weather that we had. This is still one of the toughest 115 miles that i do, it is the equivilent of going over the top of Mt Greylock 5 times, but without a doubt you have helped to make it all possible. my core strenght is better than ever and this seems to be really key. I am a certified personal trainer as well, and i must say all of your tips are right on. thanks for being there,
--Mark Newton
