TRAINING TUESDAY: “CAUSE THE EFFECT” KARA'S STORY

A solo mission. Across the country. Forty-eight states on a bike. Riding almost 100 miles per day. 13,500 miles when the journey is over. All to Cause the Effect.

This Training Tuesday I want to highlight the courageous journey of a close friend of mine Kara Borel. She is currently biking across the country in an effort to inspire others to become selfless and cause the effect in someone else's life. Her spirit is remarkable, and a true testament to the fact that most large athletic endeavors are 90% mental.

Kara's journey really began before June 27^th when she started in Augusta, Maine. In 2009 Kara, she lost her godmother and cousin to illness. She began to reflect inward and she realized she had to stop blaming others and begin to be the change she wanted to see. Her journey is not just about her, it is about doing something bigger to effect change. Kara hopes to raise 1 cent for every U.S citizen 3.2 million dollars that will benefit various charities.

She is not a professional cyclist. She is just a girl on a mission. Waking up everyday at 4 a.m to bike anywhere from 75 to 110 miles per day. She carries with her a backpack with her laptop, two ipods and a bible. Everyday I think about what Kara is doing and it brings a tear to my eye. She inspires me to further complete my goals. Words can not express how proud I am of her. She currently has made it to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Paparoxi caught up with Kara to ask her a few questions about her journey:

The loss of your family members was the catalyst for starting your bike ride, how do you anticipate you will be different after this experience is over?

Mentally I will be a much stronger person. Everyone keeps asking how my body is holding up, but honestly that's the easy part. This ride is very trying mentally when you think about where you are, how far you've gone, how far you still have to go all the while it's in the back of your mind that you have to wake up and do it again the next day. This is a prime example of something being 90% mental and 10% physical.

What are some of the things you think about while you are on the road?

When I ride through certain areas whether it be urban or country I often think about the people there and their stories. I often wonder if they had to tell their story, what it would entail. Outside of that I think about my family, my friends and the future.

What is your biggest obstacle/fear that you have being out there and how do you conquer it?

Honestly I can not say that I have been fearful instead I've just been faithful. My faith has kept my thoughts positive. But, my biggest obstacle thus far has been the heat. I planned this route trying to avoid the northern states in the winter but much to my chagrin, the heat has been the killer. To deal with that, some days I have to shorten the amount of miles I ride, I have had alter the time in which I ride, I took your advice and got a water bladder and I just try to stay as hydrated as much as possible.

How do you stay focused and encouraged everyday?

To stay focused I pray a lot and read my bible. I find that whether it was a good day of riding or a bad day, keeping my faith is what refuels me to do it all over again. I find that my encouragement comes constantly reminding myself of the purpose of the ride. I think about my lost loved ones and they are more than enough to remind me that no matter what is going on that I will be alright and get through the day. I also call on two of my best friends to vent as I have found that one can not always carry the load alone.

Ok here is a practical question, how do you get clean clothes? What happens in the rain?

Whatever clothes I have with me at the time, I’ll wash when I stay over with someone, I’ll go to a laundromat or I’ll hand wash some items at times. I'm not able to carry much with me so I'm forced to re-wear my clothes. When it rains, I put on my rain jacket and keep going. I've only got caught in the rain once thus far. But if lightening strikes I will plan to seek shelter as that is one force of mother nature I do not plan to challenge.

 Have you mapped out the whole route?

Yes, I have mapped out every stop from Maine to Washington state. I take it one day at a time, because completing each day is one step closer to the finish line.

Do you ride on the highway?

I can not ride on interstates but some US highways I can ride on. To direct me, I have bike GPS and I honestly just follow where it tells me to go.

Any advice to anyone out there who was like you, and wants to change their lives?

To anyone who wants to change any aspect of their life, my advice is simple...do for others. No good deed goes unnoticed and good karma goes full circle. No matter how big or small that deed may be, I encourage one to remember the sky is NOT the limit, because if it were, there wouldn't be footprints on the moon!

TRAINING TUESDAYS: MEET JAYSON PHILLIPS

Jayson J. Phillips, 30

Software Engineer/Mobile Engineer

New Jersey

Website: http://jaysonjphillips.com

Twitter: @_jjphillips

What event(s) are you currently training for and what does that include?

I am training for 3 rides: Bike the River Valley in July, The NYC Century Bike Tour and the Twin Lights NJ Century ride, both in September. Leisure in nature, these are three 100 mile events that will be challenging in altitude, elevation and terrain. I am also training for three endurance obstacle runs: Mud Run a 6.2 mile run for multiple sclerosis in August, Spartan Super Run 8 plus miles in September and Tough Mudder Tri-State 11 miles in November. These runs consist of obstacles (fire pits, live voltage from wires, etc.) and challenges designed with military influence to test strength, endurance and ability; and usually tons of mud!

What are your personal goals for this year?

I want to complete each event I sign up for, improve my performance each time, and challenge myself beyond my current abilities and step up to the plate. More importantly I want to have fun! I’ve partaken in many bad habits in my 20s. I’ve worked hard to stop and replace most of them with healthy alternatives. As I go along, I want to improve my health and fitness level. These challenges are difficult yet fun ways to do so, which makes them twice as rewarding.

What does your weekly workout out look like?

Right now, I average about 150 - 200 miles per week on my bike, about 7 hours in the gym (spin sprints/climbs, tabata Intervals, boot camp and weights/kettle bells). Since I’m running more now, I’m increasing my runs to 3-4 days per week. I tend to bicycle 4 days a week and gym 4 days a week. The one day I don’t train is Wednesdays. I need that mid week recovery day.

What do you think is the hardest part about training and doing an endurance event?

The hardest part about training is being consistent, especially when athletics is NOT your career. I work about 70-75 hours per week between my main role and side jobs/initiatives. Socializing, family, dating, school - there are MANY potential derailments. You must keep your eyes on the prize, sacrifice some things for your goals. Another thing that’s hard is knowing when to plateau. There’s definitely such thing as overtraining. It has many negative effects like easier susceptibility to injury, actually getting injured and reaching the point of diminishing returns (meaning the more you train, the less you improve and/or the more you actually decline). Listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to plateau. Build some muscle memory, conditioning versus moving on too fast and hurting yourself.

What benefits/rewards do you get from competing?

Health! I feel so much more alive and great physically when competing. It’s also a great form of stress relief. Accomplishment! There’s few greater feelings on Earth, to me, than pushing for a goal outside your comfort zone and getting it done. Camaraderie! Competition breeds friendships, encouragement and rivalries, all which form a positive sphere of challenge and success. You also have a group of folks who understand the training, pain, sacrifice and joy that comes with training, performing, winning, and just completing an event.

What advice would you give someone looking to compete?

DO IT NOW! You’ll get rid of a bad habit or three. You’ll accomplish something you might not have done. You’ll surprise yourself at what you can accomplish. First things first, find a sport that interests you. Give yourself 10 bonus points if you’ve never done it before. Next, watch it on TV, websites, etc and get excited. If you still want to do it, find a team or a training facility and sign up! Then set a couple of goals; short-term, mid-term, long-term. Don’t worry about sucking or anything. Trust me, my initial run times SUCKED. It’s all good. Only place to go from there is up. Lastly, make sure you have fun doing it!

TRAINING TUESDAYS: MEET MELANIE SCHRANZ

 (Melanie is currently on the Anchor house 500 mile bike ride this week)

 Melanie Schranz

Occupation

Project Manager

Titusville, NJ

Twitter: @melanielschranz

www.facebook.com\melanieschranz

What event(s) are you currently training for and what does that include?

I am currently training for the Anchor House Ride for Runaways. This is a 500 mile cycling event, over seven days. The average mileage per day is 75. Its over moderately difficult terrain. The Anchor House is a charity in Trenton, NJ that provides services to youth who are unable to stay with their families, because of abuse or crisis situations. The Anchor House works to reunite youth with their families or assist in exploring adoption and foster situations.

I am also training for an Olympic distance triathlon at the end of July, and numerous 5k's, 10k's and half marathons thrown in there to keep things exciting.

What are your personal fitness goals for this year?

In the past I would be able to rattle off a long list of goals. However, this is a year of rebuilding. Last year, at this exact time I was at peak fitness. I was really happy with my fitness level, how I was riding and running. Then, my cycling partner was involved in a serious accident. He had multiple trauma that kept him out of action for almost nine months. It was startling because neither of us had ever taken that long off from fitness and activities. We were "brought to our knees" by this accident and the follow up care that was needed. As a gesture of solidarity to him during his recovery, I opted to hold off on running and riding until he was ready to come back.

Therefore, this year is a year of rebuilding. I lament the fitness that I lost, and all this comes full circle when I see how slow I am now at running and riding. I used to do yoga several times a week , now I can see my flexibility really took a hit. It's funny how long it takes to build things up, but it takes very little time to lose it all. Now that I am back on the bike (which was especially hard for my cycle partner after the accident), I am focusing on getting my pace per mile to drop. I will get there, but this time off taught me never to take my fitness for granted!

What do you think is the most difficult part about training and doing an endurance event?

Staying focused. We are not a society that is used to waiting. We want and can get things now. Endurance events teach me patience. I have to think in advance about my goals, then I have to map out my training, and then go for it! I've trained for many marathons and long distance cycling events, and you cannot start a month before the event to train. You must gradually build up endurance. That takes time. It takes focus. It takes discipline. Things our current society isn’t used to doing.

What benefits/rewards do you get from competing?

Confidence! There is nothing like finishing an event, a training ride, a long run and feeling like there isn‘t anything I cant do. I think sports has the ability to build confidence.

What advice would you give someone looking to compete?

Say to yourself “You can do it!” My 72 year old mom finished her first 5k a few years ago. She said my running pursuits inspired her and she wanted to be part of the fun. So she signed up the whole family, from her 5 year old grandson, to my 70 year old dad and all ages of family members in between. We all competed in the 5k (I did the half marathon). I just remember thinking as she crossed the finish line, "she didn't over think this, she decided she wanted to do it, and she did it". I was extremely proud of my mom. Recently, my 89 year old neighbor started walking around the block and now goes four times around (it's a very big block) and decided to sign up for a 5 mile race. When I hear someone say, "I can't do a 5k etc.” I think you can do it! As athletes, we should never forget how much what we do inspires others. We may not think we are very fast, talented or even worthy of being called an Athlete but what we do inspires others. That is the best reward I get from competing.

If you are an endurance athlete I would love to hear from you! Please email three photos and the answers to these questions. Along with your name, age, occupation and city to paparoxi.com@gmail.com! Happy training