I'm so very honored to have some great questions asked of me by my friend Traceys reading class. her students have been following my journey and my blog and well they had some questions so I am going to do my best to answer them.
Let's start Dyquan and really the answer is simple no. I stay away from McDonald's and really try to avoid all fast food. It is extremely bad for you and so nope Nada not happening. instead I eat healthy and that brings me to Cameron's question.
Cameron I eat food but very specific food. it has to be high in protein carbohydrates and calories. the reason for this is I burn between 5000 to 7000 calories a day and with little rest and heal up time I need the fuel to do this day in and day out. The food also has to not weigh much and be very simple to make if not available straight out of the pouch.
I eat about 6 times a day 3 meals 3 snacks. Breakfast is 3 pouches of oatmeal a orange or banana and a protein bar. Snacks are trail mix or beef jerky. lunch is a pouch of tuna fish no mayo and almonds. Dinner is a freeze dried meal that I just add hot water to (I have a 1lb stove to heat water). most of the dinners are beef stew or occasionally I will get some soup and baked beans.
Yes I do have to pay for my meals. However people do buy me lunch or dinner after hearing my story.
This brings me to Jacks question. Almost every person I meet thinks it beyond amazing. Most people are good and love to see someone try something they can't even imagine. What I have learned is we are all able to do something great.
Some however think it's stupid but hey mediocrity fits some people. This is not easy at all and most know that. Heck I have had people buy me lunch, slip me money and things like that after I share my story. People love to be a part of something epic so sometimes they just take my picture. I do have cards to my website to hand out it keeps me from having to keep going over my story. Besides I like to ask them about their story. The journey really is the people you meet and the relationships you make.
Shawn wanted to know about my injuries. Well I'm healing. Do not ever take a cast off early btw. Not my smartest move but I really wanted to continue and besides I'm tough like that. Injuries are part of any physically demanding journey and that's where preparation comes into play.
Mrs. Jenny wanted to know how I trained for this. Well I started with a strength and conditioning coach to help build my core back and stabilizer muscles. I saw this coach once a week for several months adding new exercises weekly. Then I had a swim coach that helped me with patience endurance and breathing. and then I rode both a indoor bike and my bicycle. I trained 7 days a week 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening. You see to be ready for day in and day out 35 to 50 + miles you have to train as if. But here is the catch 3 months of that still did not prepare me. All training does is help you endure the pain of the task. There is a blog on my training schedule for more detail including hydration salt and potassium intake.
With day in and day out riding Sarah wants to know if I ride at night. at all costs I try to avoid it. cycling on busy roads is dangerous but cycling on those roads at night is 10 x worse. Even though I have plenty of lights on my bike I have onot had to do it twice.
Mrs Cottone wants to know if I rdie all the time or do I walk My bike. occasionally I have had to walk my bike typically over steep bridges or up hills. But really it's pedal time for the most part. Now the mountains out west may change that a lot.
THAT brings me to Traceys question. most of Texas is fairly flat tI'll I get to the other side of Dallas. this is where the terrain starts to become hilly. nothing crazy just hilly. Somewhat like Baltimore County justore flat areas. mountains do not start till a few hundred miles into new Mexico. and well that leads to Kathleens question.
Kathleen up until I get out west in the mountains I don't have to worry about the daytime Temps. I wear cycling shorts and a T shirt now and probably for the next few weeks. I shipped cold weather gear to Dallas.
THAT gear is 2 pair of cold weather under armor compression pants a single sweet shirt and that's it. Weight is everything and while the temp swings can go from a 100 during the day to 20 degrees at night. I have to be ready.
I saved Emily s question for last because this is one of the most important to me. Lindsay and I talk 2 to 3 times a week. we text daily and well I miss her most of all. I think she was doubtful at first and didn't really know why I was doing this. Now she gets it and well she is proud of me and I'll take that.
So thank you I appreciate you all asking great questions. Remember asking questions means your a thinker so keep asking questions. oh and BTW I go to the bathroom the same way you all do.
