Training Log

Training Log:

So I'm not sure exactly how to train to bike across North America, but I figure I need to do as much exercise as possible. And a variety of workouts to workout every muscle in my body. Here's what I've logged so far:

Feb 13:
1 hour Bootcamp Class
50 min. walk outdoors
Feb 14:
50 min. walk outdoors
Feb 15:
50 min. walk outdoors
Feb 16:
16km skate on the canal in Ottawa
Feb 17:
50 min. walk outdoors
Feb 18:
30 min. on exercise bike (with Kaitlyn)
50 min. walk outdoors
Feb 19:
1 hr. Pump Class
45 min Cycle Fit Class

So I'm pretty much sore all the time- but I figure no pain, no gain!

How you can help!

Hey everyone start gathering your pennies! They may no longer have value to you, but they will to Kaitlyn Kuipers and I as we are doing a penny drive for our Sea to Sea bike tour. Together we are fundraising $20,000. Remember every penny counts!
Look at how much we collected in just 10 days! They just keep rolling in :)

You can also donate online at http://www.seatosea.org

Thanks in advance!

Freely you received, Freely give. Matt 10:8

It is so encouraging to have so much support from my friends and family, both in my community and across Canada! This weekend I went to Listowel with my Dad to visit my grandparents, aunts, and uncles on the Bakelaar side. Everyone was so excited to hear about my upcoming adventure and were very eager to help out in any way possible. I received 3 heavy bags filled with pennies from my Beppe, Aunt Karen, and cousin Alex.
My Uncle Tim showed off his new street bike (pre-Christmas present to himself). He got a pretty good deal for it, and it only weighs 11 pounds. That got me seriously thinking of buying myself a new bike. As of right now I plan on using my dad's bike, it's a little heavier and I'll need to buy smaller tires. My Uncle Tim plans on joining me on the tour for 3 days - London to Ajax, ON. That will really be something to look forward to!

Uncle Tim participating in the MS bike ride

 

 

Yesterday I received such a  nice text from my Aunt Karen:





SO Sara... I was at the gym this morning and everyone I know I asked them if they had or knew of anyone who had temp work.. I said you would do anything.. Corrie asked if you would milk cows.. I said you had never done it, but I would ask. She has done a lot of biking . . her father-in-law is the one who went sea to sea in Canada.. He would love to talk to you about his experience. He is thinking of going as a volunteer if he gets good results from his cancer treatments. Anyways, the guys at the gym said the Home Hardware is very good at sponsoring worthy causes. Some companies may even supply you with a bike as part of their sponsorship! He said if you find temp work here in Listowel then their contribution would be a gym membership and training to get you ready. And the nutritional training that you will need. So if you cannot find work in Trenton and we find work for you here... you can stay with us and train at the gym for free!

 

I feel so blessed to come from such a generous and strong Christian family that is thinking of me and looking after my needs. Without the support and prayers of my loved ones, participating in this amazing journey would not be possible.

"Be the Change You Wish to see in the World"- Ghandi

I am so excited to announce I have signed up for the Sea to Sea 2013 tour this summer! On June 24 I will be biking from Newport Beach, CA all the way to New York, NY on Aug 24! That's a total of 6,178km. This year I was supposed to be living in the Netherlands for one year, and returning to Canada in September. Things didn't work out in the Netherlands, and I ended up returning to Canada early- feeling discouraged and defeated. But when I came back I met up with my good friend Kaitlyn Kuipers. She brought up that now I would be able to do the tour this summer! At first I didn't think it would be possible to come up with $10,000. But then after some serious thinking, I thought to myself I definitely can do this! My brother did the tour in 2008 and had an amazing time. He thought it would be a challenge to raise the money as well, but with the help of a generous community he ended up raising $12,000! Everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe God allowed me to return home early from my travels so that I could participate in this tour and make a big difference in the fight to end the cycle of poverty.

In 2010, I participated on a Global Village trip with Habitat for Humanity to build a house in Guatemala.

It was a real eye-opening experience to see such extreme poverty. I returned to Canada with a newfound appreciation for my country and my life. We are so blessed here! In Guatemala we wore t-shirts with the Ghandi quote written on them, "Be the change you wish to see in the world". I wish to see a world with less pain and poverty. I wish to see a world where everyone does what they can to make this a better place to live. I wish to see a world radiating with God's love.