first 75 miles

 
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                   Here is the route I will be taking today.  By the time you read this I will be way into my route, prayerfully past the half way point and head back home.  Going out will be fun because we live about 150 miles form the coast and the winds are strong, but of course coming back will be the huge fight to come home.
I know the last part of it will be  wooded on the way back so that might cut back on the wind.
          Next to tack will be calorie intake & fluids.  going to use 1 two liter pack & a 1 liter pack.  2 liter camel will be water, the 1liter pack will be Gator Aid.    My calorie in take is going to be peanut butter with Honey on wheat bread.  2 table spoons of BP is 190 calories and 1 ts of honey is 90 cal..   Coach said intakes needs to be 250-300 cal every 30 min. so half a sandwich every hour for me.  I eat about 840 cal before i start of just pb & honey before i start and a 16 oz of water in 30 min on my prep time before i get on my bike. so we will see if that is enough. learning experience for sure.
             An i am still doing this with old faithful Avalanche GT 3.0 Mountain bike with Road slicks.  it took me 3 hours to do 40 miles, so 75 should land me around the 6hr mark. i usually on the road by 5am but i might to try sleep in, and hit the road and make it on the road at 4am  but so depending on when i start i should be done between 10 & 11am.   don't think my phone battery will last that long but i hope so.. i will have it set to mark every 5 miles instead on one mile, hopefully that will help save some battery, plus kill the programs except @mapmyfitness . my user name is greatredgiant if you want to look me up, the same with Twitter @greatredgiant .
              last but not least is my spiritual journey on a personal level through all of this, i can't help but always go back to "if he would find his life, he will truly loose it, but he who loose his life & die for my sake, will find life"  in part that is why i have really stayed away from really trying to race.  to buy at cycling bike, do you know the beginners bike is 900-1600.00.   When i know i have my own college debt, and i have friends that are doing hard core missions and need support. i just can seem to splurge on that kind of money on a bike. not matter how bad i really want to.
           but also in the midst of that struggle, i often wonder, why God would continually have anything to do with me.  I am half hatred, i have very little self discipline, not organized, very little self push to achieve anything great, and lazy.  i am not sharing this to gain any kind of concern or support, i just letting you know that you who ever you may be are not the only one that feels the way we do.   i just continue to pray, to listen to God's word (bible on CD's/mp3's not much of a reader) to keep pressing forward.. prayerfully accomplishing the task at hand........ i know.. i know... just don't give up right...  i should have that tattooed on me somewhere... don't give in, don't give up, fight harder!... Race as if to win the prize.. that takes alot of training time..
      Father come along side of my friends who have taken time to read this today, i pray that you would speak to their hearts, help us to hear you voice, give us direction, may we find a great hope in you that is infectious... and during the times we can't hear you, sustain us with the fighting power to keep heading in the directions you sent us until we reach the goals you have created us for, and receive you support, your encouragement, and affirmation... Father please come and meet us where are and help us to get to where you want us to be.. if were are blind please father heal our eyesight, if we are def please unclog our ears, if we become lifeless, please breath your breath of life into us.. Please father forgive us of where we have fallen short, forgive us for our complacency, please forgive us for our lack of spunk and determination, please Father help us to come and draw close to you in such a way that we couldn't stand anything else.. please Father do these things in the name of your son Jesus... Amen...
              have a great morning everyone, have a great day...  Get up, Get out, & Get going... hey if you see me along the road, honk, cheer, shout yeeeeehaaaa, please just don't run me over.. ha ha..  i hope i am past my half way mark be the time you read this..