P8 & Gary,

Great success stories! Add me to the list. I bought a trainer this time last year with my Christmas bonus and began using it on Jan 1. I did so to strengthen my lower back muscles on my pitifully overweight body. I managed to reach a measly 225 miles on the trainer by the end of May before heading back out on the roads (snow melts late here in NH). At that point I decided if I worked hard I MIGHT be able to reach 1000 m between the trainer and outside. By the end of July I felt as if I was on track with 485 m, felt stronger than ever on the hills and could handle more and more distance. BUT then the hammer dropped. I rode 6 miles in the bike portion of a mini Triathlon Aug. 7 and in the process had the worse headache of my life which lasted for 2 weeks. The short story is I'm fine but I couldn't ride again in Aug. until the 29th.

On Sep. 1 I recalculated what I needed to ride to reach 1000 m. I made it on Nov. 12 and decided I could reach 1200 m. I hit that on Dec. 14 and as the year comes to a close I'm certain I can reach 1300 m (1245 m after 20 m on the trainer yesterday). I've averaged 200 m per month since Sep., lost 30 lbs., discovered this inspirational forum in Oct., and haven't pulled a lower back muscle all year! My wife loves me and my 13 year old daughter loves school! Could life be any grander!?!

May you both be blessed in 2006 to reach your goals and possibly even surpass them!

Bob