I feel like I don't really have anything to write about, but I want to make sure I stay in the habit and stay on track. 

 

This is the last week of seminary so I'm still doing my church to lake and back to church ride in the mornings.  I was absolutely exhausted when I woke up this morning and I contemplated sleeping in the car while Josh was in class, but I got up and started getting dressed anyway.  As I was getting dressed I thought "this is what those who succeed do."  And so I went.  After temps in the 100's over the weekend, today I was treated to a light misty rain on my ride.  It was actually kind of fun.  It wasn't hard enough to really get me too wet and the bike didn't get muddy.  I ended up finishing the ride faster than I ever have before so I rode around the parking lot for a few minutes and rode a total of 4.3 miles.  I've noticed that I tend to leave the bike in a higher gear for most of the ride and I only downshift on the two big hills.  The rest of the time I tend to stay in 20.  Of course when I get to the hills, I go down to like 3 or 4. 

 

I'm gearing myself up to increase my mileage next week.  Since I won't be driving up to the church, I'll be leaving straight from the house.  The loop around the neighborhood is 2.78 miles and takes me about 20 min.  I'm contemplating doing two laps.  I'm kind of scoping out the neighborhood to see if there is a way to add a little mileage to the first loop before I jump right into two laps, but I'm actually kind of looking forward to seeing if I can do it.  It will definately be a good workout.  One lap leaves me feeling a little shaky in the legs.

 

For not having much to say... I sure went on and on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a great weekend!!!!  I didn't count calories or points, but I did make reasonable choices, so I think the damage (if any) will be minimal.  We stayed at some cabins in the mountains and did lots of stamping and scrapbooking, which equals lots of sitting and usually munching.  I held off on most of the munching (except for the glorious lemon bars!) and, as promised, took my bike with me.

 

Each morning I went out for a nice bike ride.  I had soooo much fun!!  I actually took my bike on little dirt roads and paths.  I'm sure the bike was thrilled to leave the streets behind and actually do some "mountain" biking.  Here's the real shocker.  I actually preferred going UP the hills.  I never thought I'd utter those words.  Going down hill is a just a little bit more scary when you're on dirt and rocks and pine cones and it was a much better upper body workout.  I really had to hold on and steer.  I wasn't sore when I was done, but I could feel it more in my arms than I ever have before.  I can definately see how it could be addicting.  Even though it was a little scary, it was kind of fun when the tires would slip a little.  I also noticed that climbing the hills on the trails was more fun.  I think it's because you go so much slower and you're climbing around obstacles.  I didn't/couldn't spin the wheels as quickly.  It was still tough and I was definately winded, but it was more enjoyable somehow.  Not only did I enjoy finding new places to ride, but it felt soooo good to start my day out with a nice hard ride.  I felt happy and energetic and I enjoyed the outdoors.  It was a good time!!

  

We've had a lot on our plates lately and I'm leaving for a stamp camp in a few hours.  I had to throw things together at the last minute and I HATE to do that.  Thankfully I planned what I was doing a long time ago and I made all my lists and prepped a bunch of stuff early, but still, there was lots of last minute hustling.  If it was a pleasure trip, I wouldn't mind, but since people have paid me for this trip....well... I want to make it worth it and pamper them.

 

Anyway, last minute rushing = frustration and a bump on the head from the hatch door and some tears of frustration and pain and ....McDonalds for breakfast.  Not the best choice.  I'll track the points and move on, but I was in a hurry and I didn't think angry, frustrated, hurt and hungry needed to all go together.

 

good news is that no matter what, I'm leaving in a few hours and I'm going to have a wonderful trip to the mountains and my mountain bike is nestled in amongst all my stamping/scrapbooking gear.  I'll ride off those extra McDonalds calories!!  (By the way... I definately got hungry earlier than I usually do.  What do they do to that food that makes you get hungrier quicker?)

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

My scale is mocking me.  I've mentioned that it appears to be stuck.  Well yesterday I went to ww and I gained .8.  I weigh in at the end of the day and little gains like that can be lunch or water or different clothes or....   This morning I got on my scale and it dropped 1.8 pounds.  Cracks me up.  I couldn't have lost it yesterday.  No.  I have to wait until the morning after weigh-in.  Oh well.  At least it looks like I'm on track for a good weigh-in next week.

 

My ride this morning wasn't quite as glorious because the techy, geeky side of me was annoyed with the odometer that wouldn't work.  I stopped a couple of times to try and figure it out, stopped and talked to a couple of walkers and whittled away some of my riding time.  I still rode about 3.5 miles, but I wasn't as enthusiastic about it.  I was sore, but the hills seemed easier today.  I guess it was because I knew that I could do it so I just powered through them. Oh and the odometer..... Josh twisted the sensor a little bit, spun the wheel and fixed it in like 10 seconds.  Grr...  At least now I know how to do it myself.

 

Tomorrow is going to be a rest day from the bike.  I'm hoping to get a quick workout in the gym.  I haven't decided if I'm going to swim, do the elliptical or both... we shall see...

Beginning a new program is so fun because every day you see improvements or find new paths.  Today I graduated from riding around the parking lot while Josh is in seminary.  I rode down to the lake, rode around the lake and then back up to the church.  I coasted almost the whole way down to the lake and the whole time I'm thinking... "Oh no, I'm going to have to pedal back up."

 

I saw a couple of ladies from church and a bunch of baby ducks.  (so cute!) By the time I finished the lap around the lake I was all warmed up and I headed back up to the church.  There was one point where I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I picked out a red truck part way up the hill and just pedaled toward it.  By the time I got to it, I knew I could make it the rest of the way.  I rode a couple of laps around the parking lot to cool down and finished at 4 miles. 

 

So that's the good....here's the bad.....

 

Yesterday we got home from youth group and I watched Medium on the dvr.  I wasn't even hungry, but I ended up picking up a bag of Doritos that Josh left out and I ate a few handfuls.  What the heck?  There was no reason to eat them.  I wasn't hungry.  I wasn't craving them.  I just mindlessly ate them.  Wait.  I take that back.  I knew I was doing it.  I knew I shouldn't eat them, but I did it anyway.  Stupid.  And I wonder why the scale said exactly the same thing this morning as it has for the last 10 mornings. 

 

Thankfully I'm not too caught up with the scale right now.  I'm pretty happy celebrating how I'm feeling and how my legs feel.  I figure the scale can say whatever it wants.  Eventually it has to go down....providing I ignore the stupid Doritos. LOL

First - Thanks for all the great comments.  Josh is turning 18 and graduating soon and I am truly proud of the great young man he has turned out to be.  I'm glad my story gave you a little peek.

 

Next - I rode 5.5 miles yesterday!!  Woo Hoo!!  First I rode 1.5 miles to Candace's house.  Thankfully most of it was downhill.  I tried to use the skills Josh taught me on the little killer hill, but sadly I ended up walking the bike up.  My thighs were burning!!  I imagine part of that is from the ride on Monday.  Then Candace and I put the bikes in the truck and headed off the the lake where we completed three laps and 4 miles in 28 minutes.  It felt great.

 

Today is a rest day.

 

Yesterday Candace and I shared some cycling goals that we want to accomplish so I thought I'd write them here....

 

1) Build up to riding 10 miles a day.  Can be broken up into a morning and evening ride. (My goal, not sure if Candace wants to do this one.)

 

2) Complete the 10 mile ride that my old boss has been telling me about for YEARS.  (He was more than excited to find out that I finally bought a bike.)  It's supposed to be an easy ride, but a good little workout.

 

3) Complete the bike ride down by the bay and OB (Candace knows where, this is her contribution. )

 

4) Ride around Lake Murray.

 

Ok, so I got home from work yesterday and decided I was going to attempt what we call the "Lakeview Loop."  I changed clothes and started to head out the door when my son said "Aren't I going with you?"  He's been fighting a cold so I just assumed he didn't want to go.  A few minutes later, he was ready and we were off.

 

The first part of the ride is all downhill so it was fun.  But you know what that means....  The first hill we came to, I tried to switch gears, but I didn't do it right and it kind of clunked between gears and I started to slow and I was huffing and puffing and Josh was trying to tell me how to switch gears properly.  I was annoyed and frustrated and wasn't quite listening.  What he was telling me, didn't make sense in my head.

 

We rounded the corner and coasted a little bit and he said "let's practice changing gears here."  He gave me some more tips and then we got to the next little hill.  He rode behind me and told me when to switch gears.  And here's the biggie.... he made me slow down.  My normal tendency is to power through something.  If I'm having a hard time hiking up a hill, I'll knuckle down, look at the ground and just power myself up to get it over with.  I was trying to do the same thing on the bike.  I would lower the gear, but then I'd start pedaling really fast.  Josh kept gently reminding me to just slow down and crawl up the hill.

 

I made it up the hill and hit the next little downhill.  Finally I was starting to get it.  Next up - the long slow incline back to the house.  Josh didn't get a chance to tell me when to change gears.  I did it all by myself and it was so smooth you could hardly tell, but I was tired.

 

Me: "I (huff, huff) can't (huff, huff) do this anymore."

Josh:  "Can't do what?" As he watches me pedal with a little smile on his face."

Josh:  "What can't you do?  You can't pedal?"  (as if to say... I see you pedaling.  Don't tell me you can't pedal.)

 

Of course I realized that I was indeed still pedaling and so I kept pedaling and I made it the rest of the way home and then I was on a huge endorphin rush.  I couldn't believe I did it!!!  In the back of my mind I have been really worried that I'd never be able to do hills.  I know I'm still not ready to attack a big one, but now I get the concept and I know I'll be able to do it. 

 

And....how about that son of mine.  He was so sweet and kind and calm and patient.  He didn't go overboard by cheering me on, he just rolled along behind me and gave me little tips along the way.  I absolutely couldn't have done it without him.  It's pretty nice having my own personal trainer in the house. 

 

Ok, so here are the stats...  (remember there were hills, hahaha!)

2.77 miles (I bet my description made it sound longer)

23 minutes

average speed 7.7 mph

top speed 20 mph (love the other side of the hills!)

 

I taught a scrapbook class Friday night and then got up bright and early to spend the day with my son and his Eagle Project.  He built a foundation, storage shed and shelves for his school.  Last week they had a few little bumps, but this week they worked hard and cranked it out.  The shed and shelves are completely done and all that's left is paint!  I think the best quote I heard was from one of the dads.  He said "Wow, that is a substantial shed." 

 

Josh looked so happy and relieved at the end of the day.  He finished up all his merit badges a year or so ago, but life and sports and church and school all took their toll and he really struggled to prioritize and get this project done.  (He turns 18 in one month!) A few weeks ago there was a point when I think he was almost too overwhelmed, but he pulled through and I can tell that he is so happy! 

 

As soon as we were done at the school, we headed home, took showers, ate dinner and then headed out to Josh's indoor soccer game.  By the time we got home we were exhausted and my feet were sooooo sore.  I didn't get any "formal" exercise, but I racked up almost 9000 steps.  Considering I'm not really supposed to be walking - that's a lot of steps.

 

Sunday was a bit more relaxing.  We went to church, took an afternoon nap and then I headed out with a friend and we did three laps around the lake on our bikes.  It felt sooooo good.   I was almost giddy when we finished.  It feels good to get a nice workout and not be in pain when I'm done.

 

And, I think I've stumbled across a possible help for my silly foot.  I'm wearing the orthotics and I also started taping or wearing a arch support band.  Even with overdoing it on Saturday, it seems to be doing better.  I don't know why I didn't think of it before.  Hopefully I won't have to do this forever, but maybe it will help it heal for now. 

 

*****

Cycling is quickly becoming my new obsession.  I have been reading and studying and I even bought a "computer" to attach to my handle bars so I can start tracking how far I ride and how fast.  Of course I forgot to put it on until AFTER my ride yesterday.