Energy bars

With endurance training, I need to eat every one hour of the workout. Energy bars are a great way to do this. They are lightweight and contains essential nutrients.

For a long time, I avoided energy bars in traditional packing (plastic with foil liner - not recyclable in main stream recycling). I thought KIND bars are way to go. It's wrappers are clear plastic and hence must be recyclable. But I found out after some interaction with KIND bar customer support and my local recycle company that they are NON-RECYCLABLE.

Thats when I came across, Thunderbird Energetica. They are produced in a Austin based facility. They use organic, unique ingredients and the wrappers are COMPOSTABLE! They have 5-6 different bars. These bars are going to provide me the energy to train and complete this challenge!

If you are not quite ready to give up your favorite energy bars which comes in foiled wrappers, please consider sending them to Terracycle for recycling. Thanks!

Protein supplement

I have been adding protein supplements in my morning smoothie regularly these days. Since I find Whey protein questionable, I am resorting to plant based protein supplements. I am also staying away the GMO soy products. I chose this one since its not a overwhelming amount of protein and it is a simple formula - just hemp power.

The store keeper kept pointing to another protein power with synthetic amino acids like those found in animal protein. I thought, what is the point in going for it when I am avoiding GMOs. I am happy with my choice. Have been having a little bit of Hemp power regularly and I already feel stronger!

Electrolyte supplement

I have started mixing electrolyte supplement in my drink to replenish the lost minerals and to recover faster. I have chosen Coco Hydro. While growing up in India, we used go through harsh summers by drinking coconut water. It has wonderful hydrating properties.

As an environmentalist, I like to do it in the most responsible way. Most packaged coconut water comes in irresponsible disposable packing (combination of metal, plastic and paper - not recyclable). It is like peeling bananas and selling them in wrapped in plastic (this is a true occurrence). Please stop buying those!

There are products like Coco Hydro which offer the same benefits without the packaging. It is a powdered concentrate which when mixed with water becomes coconut water. I love the taste of it. It brings back childhood memories!

Training plan

I have been biking as much as possible last two weeks. I bike to work 2-3 times a week and am doing consecutive long rides over the weekend. The idea is slowly build up the length of the consecutive rides upto 50-70 miles two weeks before the actual ride.

On the actual ride, I will be doing
       Day      Miles
         1           45
         2           68
         3           69
         4           62
         5           60

I get training directions from Climate ride's online page . I am following their hydration and dietary guidelines. More than anything, I really listen to my body. I take rest when the body demands it. So far I am doing well. Thanks for your support!

Biking around White rock lake

Biking around white rock lake has been the most satisfying experience. It is very refreshing to see so much greenery and life around. The sound of water and the sight of the falling sun rays on water are soothing.

I have seen some beautiful birds on the trail. People say that it is a bird sanctuary. I was thrilled to see Red-winged blackbird couple of times by the lake. Its shoulders are sparkling red that I wonder if it is a bird of Paradise!

People in Dallas are so active! I have not come across a single person who is not fit in Dallas. Other active folks on the trail encourage me with their nods and smiles. I forget sometimes that I am training by myself for this long ride. 

Hope to see you out there on the trail!

My workplace encourages biking

I am grateful to work for a company that encourages employees to bike. There are bike stands at all entrances and showers in every floor. There is a newly installed bike maintenance stand and they regularly check with bikers to find out how useful it is.

Every year, my company gets employees ready for "Bike to work" day through multiple newsletters. They send out weekly reminders. This year, they projected related videos in the newly installed multi projection wall. They reached out to employees in several ways and made it a successful event.

They also encourage employees to participate in Endomondo's national bike change which runs from May1st - August 31st. My company motivates participants to bike more by entering employees with high points (2000 or above) in a drawing for a free jersey. This was last year's prize. This year they will come up with an equally attractive prize. Thank you Sharon Wagner for leading these efforts!

I had already joined the national bike challenge when I signed up for this ride. Couldn't really ask for better timing. All those miles I will bike for the challenge will be training for my long ride in September!

I love biking to work and I do it more often now. The air is so clean when I bike in the trails surrounded by vegetation. It actually smells sweet at times. Flowers of various colors bloom. Its a beautiful sight. When I reach office, the state of art showers just makes me float. The restrooms have LED lights, the taps have solar sensors which work with the ambient light from those LEDs and the paper towels get composted!

If you work for my company, definitely make use of this facility. Else, demand for the same!

I have taken up a huge challenge but I have all the resources to get ready for the ride. So, support me with your dollars and I will be able to do it with ease. Thank you!

Why I signed up?

Because I am crazy! You already know that. Five years back, I signed up for a marathon. When I signed up, I didn't have much stamina. I could hardly run on the treadmill for 30mins. I took up the challenge because I had never done something like that before. It was the most exciting time of my life. I worked hard for raising funds. My friends and family encouraged me. I was able to raise funds and complete running a full marathon.

Over these five years, I have steadily got more and more passionate about sustainability. I started out as an avid recycler. Then one of my friends challenged me by saying that just recycling is not good enough. He told me that reducing consumption is better than recycling. So, I decided to do that. I didn't stop there. I started composting my food waste, taking public transport and drastically reduced the trash I put out.

After I made these changes, I understood the depth of the problem. Since then, I have been trying to contribute more to sustainable developments. It seems to me that lot of work needs to be done. There are very few non-profits who are able get people thinking about these issues. I am participating in this event to help them raise funds to find solutions to present day environmental problems.

I have been biking about 14-15miles at a time when the weather permits. Its nowhere close to 320miles that I have signed up for. In this ride, I will do a maximum of 70miles a day! I believe that I am meant to do it this year because this event has been happening for six years but I heard of it only this year. Even though I had to pay $75 to register, I was able to make a decision within a minute after I got an invite to participate. I am definitely in a better shape to take this challenge at this time of my life. So, please support me by donating here.

Thanks!
Swetha