Let's Ride Down the California Coast!

My life-long goal: to ride a bike from San Francisco to Santa Monica. 2013…I told you I was going to own you and, well, I am. 

I am EXTREMELY excited to announce that I just registered for the 2013 California Coast Classic – an 8 day bike ride from San Francisco to Santa Monica - 525 miles!

Last year, I completed the two day version of the ride and it was definitely The Ride of a Lifetime. I met some incredible people along the way, and prior to the ride I had connected with Sean Conley, who started the team Playa Pushers a couple years back. They are a FUN group mainly out of LA, so I decided to join their team this year! I’m stoked for the ride because of the relationships you build along the way, the breathtaking scenery on the coast, and the promise that it will be an adventure like no other. But, most importantly, the funds raised by the riders benefit The Arthritis Foundation. Most of you know that I have had JRA since I was two-years-old (now, they called it Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, but in my day (25 years ago!) it was still call Rheumatoid). In the US alone, there are over 300,000 children with some form of Arthritis – yep – kids. I ride so that one day there will be a cure, so we can help raise awareness for the disease, and to give all of the kids that currently have it a sense of HOPE, that if I can do it, 25 years in to my diagnosis, there is hope for them as well.

“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” Jimmy V

If you or someone you know rides a bike, I encourage you to join all 300 of us! As I write this, there are room for only 150 more people (or so). If you want to join the group, the Playa Pushers can always use more team members. You must enjoy drinking wine. OK…not really, but there is plenty of it to be had! Contact me at monetdiamante at gmail dot com for more info, and check out the link below for details on the ride OR to make a donation in lieu of joining us! Every donation, no matter how big or how small, makes such an impact!

Check out this video of Caitlin, who has JIA and whose father, Dave, rides for her every year. Brings me to tears every time I watch it, but really drives home why we do this.

If you would like to visit my donation page and see details on the ride, click here.

What Have I Been Up To? 

I can’t even believe I am committed to doing this ride since my own health is SO flakey, but I have high hopes as always that it will simply keep improving.

The last time I updated on me, I had been off of the Methotrexate due to elevated ALT and AST levels, but thankfully those are back to perfect and I’m back on half the dosage I was before. Since I have been off of it for a month, and nearing my next Orencea Infusion, my joints are stiff and my left ankle is pretty swollen. The stiffness is the worst after sitting down for a while, or after lifting at the gym – my wrist just get stuck in place pretty easily. But…. I’m still hitting it hard at World!

I had a few days off of cardio last week because I had my ankle injected with Cortisone. However, Saturday morning I went for my first ankle-pain-free jog to the beach and down to Mission Beach and home, about four miles. I was hugely impressed with myself since jogging has NEVER been my thing since the Half Marathon I completed last Spring (actually, it’s never been my thing, EVER, I only did the Half because I wanted to be able to say I did one.). Did some more cardio Sunday, and rested with a ridiculous stomachache on Monday. Tuesday and Today were back and shoulders/leg day, respectively. Today I REALLY noticed a difference in my range of motion and I can tell you I absolutely cannot WAIT to sit in that chair for 3-4 hours and get the good stuff next week!!! I’m probably the only person who loves getting drug infusions. Oh, after legs today with my trainer I proceeded to do 15 miles on the bike – my goals are big and my mind won’t let my body get in the way.

All of this said, tonight especially, I am extremely grateful for my incredible trainer, Joe Dantrassy. When I first reached out to him about wanting to start building my strength, I was not confident that I could do it, like I have said previously, I had tried other things and none of them were for me. I felt weak, and did not want to overdo it and injure myself. He assured me that he would make a plan that would work for me and his confidence in me since day one has made a HUGE difference. Not only can I do almost everything (with the exception of a few) that he plans for me, I’ve made HUGE improvements since January 7. You can see one progress pic on my Facebook page (but that’s the only one I’m posting until August!). If you are looking for a personal trainer in San Diego, he’s your guy. Promise. If you want to reach him, shoot me an email and I will put you in touch.

Right now, I’m still training for the show (August 17th!), and I’ll do more endurance training when it is over to prep for the CCC. With the shape I’ll be in in August, I’m not worried at all about my ability to complete the CCC.

Speaking of the CCC….that’s the whole reason for this post! Here is how you can help if you are interested:

- share this post on Facebook or Twitter or email @diamantemonet

- visit my donation page where you can read more of my story

- find out if your company will match a donation that you make! Lots of employers will.

- comment here with any ideas you have for Fundraisers

- subscribe to my blog for future updates!

- “Like” this post so that it shows up in more search results. Without even having to donate, you are helping me to spread the word!

- if you have ever done a long ride like this, comment with your tips and advice!

Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance for your support! Stay inspired and stay PERSISTent!

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