Vietnam Prep
My boyfriend invited me to join him for a trip biking across Vietnam… how could I resist? It’s happening in less than three months and there’s lots to do between now and then!
The plan (as of July 30):
- Dates: Nov 1-Nov 21, 2008
- Route: Hwy 1 along the southern coast
- Start ride: The historic capital of Hue
- End ride: Phan Thiet
- Distance: 950km/590 miles
- Fly home from: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
This plan requires a minimum of 30 miles/per day if we ride every single day without breaking to rest for a day. I know this makes me pathetic, but right now this seems like a lot. I’m sure once I start working out regularly it’ll be totally manageable. Beyond just fitness capabilities, I’m hoping it’s not actually so much that we won’t have time to additionally explore and frolic and enjoy the company, the people, and Vietnam. Needless to say, my first item on the to do list is get in shape. Not sure if I should admit this, but this may be my first fitness goal ever. Let’s hope for the best!
To Do List
- Get in shape
- Get a visa
- Done: Get approval from my supervisor at work (She thinks it’s a great idea and instantly recommended I read Catfish and Mandala)
- Done: Get approval from my project manager at work.
- Done: Get approval from the CEO to take unpaid leave (I don’t have enough vacation time for Burning Man, Thanksgiving, and three weeks in Vietnam, but thankfully my CEO has a soft spot in his heart for fellow travelers and responded to my email in less than 1o minutes with his approval!)
- Done: Get a new bike! I’m now the proud owner of a Surly Long Haul Trucker 46cm frame.
- Done: Get plane tickets! Mez and I are going Nov 1-23.
- Done: Figure out return date and subsequent travel to/from Thanksgiving. I get home from Vietnam on Nov 23 and leave for Florida on Nov 24.
Training
- Week one of August: 5 days biking or walking to/from work for a total of 29 miles
- Last three weeks of August: out of town for work and Burning Man meant no training (eek!)
- Sept 1-6: Too hectic back in town, too much going on every night
- Sept 7-13: 12 miles for the week
- Sept 14-20: 23 miles on Sunday, 10 miles Wed
- Sept 28-Oct 4: 17, 5, 5, 10, 10 = 47 miles
- Oct 5-11: 34,
Test Run: I think Leo, Mae, Mez, and I will ideally do an overnight camping trip sometime in Sept or Oct as a mini-prep for the trip. Pack up our panniers and ride down to somewhere like Salt Water State Park and spend the night before heading back the next day. Caroline’s also suggested an overnight camping trip so I suspect there will be no shortage of opportunities to get in shape! Now it’s just a matter of fitting fitness into my normally hectic life and work schedule.
Fitness motto as of August: “You’ve got to start slow to go fast”
AUGUST: I’m currently riding a 1980s blue and pink REI Novara mountain bike. I got it at a garage sale from a woman who was super excited about my time spent working in Africa. She asked me one price, asked more questions about Africa, then dropped the price down to $10 and threw in a coffee table, a pan for banana bread, and a women’s Eddie Bauer down jacket. I didn’t even have to bargain with her. Yay good karma! I’m hoping to get a slightly updated bike for the trip… something newer that’s in great condition so I don’t have to worry about breaking down part way through the trek in the middle of nowhere. Something slightly lighter would be lovely too!