Oak Lawn psychotherapist Randy Martin braves June heat while training for the Lone Star Ride

ROAD WARRIOR: Randy Martin pedals about 30 to 50 miles each time he hops on his Giant OCRC3.

The last weekend in September is more than 100 days away. But veterans of the Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS know that planning ahead helps increase a bicyclist’s endurance. That’s why Randy Martin, a psychotherapist with a private practice in Oak Lawn, is already pounding the pedals in this god-awful heat.

He has three years of Lone Star Ride experience under his helmet. Last year, on the first day of the weekend ride, he opted for “the centurion,” which meant cranking out 100 miles on the first day — an experience that Martin says “felt so good.”

The recommended training schedule advises to start biking 20 miles a week five months before the ride. By the 19th week, riders should be pedaling 150 to 170 miles a week.

On top of all that sweating, riders have to pay a $75 fee and raise at least $500 in pledged donations. As a rider, Martin has raised more than $1,000 each year (his first year, Martin volunteered as a crew member for the closing ceremony).

How tough is it to pedal for the Lone Star Ride? Martin explains how he breaks his ass and finds that “feels so good” euphoria:

Equipment:
I got into cycling four years ago. I did my first Lone Star Ride on a hybrid bike that cost about $300. Then I was hooked. So I bought a $1,000 Giant OCRC3. I’m proof that you can participate without having the top-of-the-line equipment.

Training regimen:
Due to my work schedule, I don’t get to ride during the week. So my rides are limited to weekends. I try to get in30 to 50 miles each time I ride — more if I participate in a local rally. I consider my weekly weight-training and cardio exercise as an important part of my training, building muscle and stamina.

Are you an athlete?
I was the stereotypical gay kid, who was awkward and intimidated by sports. I tried soccer and football but ended up being a football manager-trainer because I wasn’t any good, but I wanted tobe part of the team. In college, I got into running, tennis, racquetball and weightlifting butI never developed any real skill. I like cycling because it can be competitive, but it’s more about the journey than the finish line.

Any juicy wipeouts?
Only one accident. I finished riding about 60 miles one day and was on my way home. As I was riding down the alley to my house, I made a turn into my driveway, hit a slick spot and my bike went out from under me. I ended up with a pretty good scrape on my right shoulder.

What personal items do you bring on the ride?
My cellphone. When I can get service I like to call family and friends to include them in the adventure.

Best part of the ride:
The crew support. They transform the ride into an extended theme park, with the start,finish and each pit stop being an adventure, full of characters,costumes, music, food and lots of TLC.

Worst part:
I can’t really think of anything — except the fact that more folks don’t participate.

Do you have a trainer?
I have three:

1) My partner, who is a superb athlete. He inspires me by usually riding 50 to 100 yards ahead of me constantly setting a forward moving goal.

2) My Wild Stallions teammates, who make riding a blast.

3) All of my counseling clients — those who have HIV and those who don’t. Every time theystep into my office to face their fears, grief and challenges they teach me to “show up” and give it my all.

Why participate in the ride?
Although HIV is not something that I’ve had to deal with in my own body, it has been a part of my life since the first article about it that I read in Time magazine in the early ’80s. I ride to remember those who have died with HIV,to honor those with HIV who continue to make the journey against all odds andto support the many people who give their lives in service to the community through HIV service agencies.

SADDLE UP The Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS is a two-day ride from Dallas to Fort Worth that will be held Sept. 27-28. The ride returns 100 percent of the money raised to AIDS services organizations in North Texas. Riders and crew members can register at lonestarride.org

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MORE FROM THE WORKOUT WARRIOR AND INFOMERCIAL QUEEN

It’s good to know that Susan Powter, pictured, hasn’t disappeared. In fact, she keeps popping up in the most unexpected places.

Years ago, she was a Garland housewife and mother of two who had ballooned up to 260 lbs. Abandoned by her husband soon after her second son was born, she eked out a living as a secretary, spending most of her take home pay on day care. She might well have given up, but she didn’t. Powter steeled her resolve to make a better life for herself and her kids, starting with her health.

In the 1990s, she became “the Lenny Bruce of wellness” with her contentious personality and the “stop the insanity” mantra. It paid off — she supposedly “inspired millions.”

Then she dropped off the cultural radar — but not entirely.

In 2004, she told Curve magazine that she was a “radical feminist lesbian woman.”

A couple of years ago, Rosie O’Donnell stretched out her arm, and Powter was giving fitness tips on the R Family Cruise line. And last year, she was sporting dreadlocks while bossing around Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie on an episode of “The Simple Life Goes to Camp.”

Last month, Powter released “The Policies of Stupid: The Cure for Obesity,” (Atria, $14, 192 pp.).

The book’s title isn’t exactly new. It was released in 2002. This must be a second printing (Powter’s earlier work put her on the New York Times’ bestseller list).

In “Politics of Stupid,” she promises to teach about being a powerful consumer in the $276 billion American food industry and how to motivate yourself to perform cardio and strength training.

One chapter is simply titled, “Oxygen.”






These articles appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 13, 2008.