6 January 2009

Another episode of BoB, another 15 miles. I am pretty happy with the fact that I have now ridden three days in a row, woo-hoo! Starting to see a pattern! That's what it will take to get my fat heiney up Mt. Mitchell. The pattern, I mean; 15 miles a day will never cut it. It was tough getting started today, for the first two miles my butt kept screaming at me for taking a month and a half off. I showed it; I sat there and kept pedaling until it shut up. So there.
Be blessed, be safe.

5 January 2009

I hopped back on the trainer today for another 15 miles. I want to get some good miles in regardless of what's going on outside, and I want to do way better than I did last January. But, it's easy to get bored on a trainer if the scenery never changes.
So, I have this box set of "Band of Brothers" I bought several years ago that I have never completely watched. Each episode is around an hour long (perfect!) and tells the story of men and women who quite literally saved the world and made it possible for me to have a garage attached to a decent home, where I could ride my bike and watch a movie.
These folks are heroes (I reserve the title "Savior" for One alone) to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude. I am grateful. And as I train, sweat, hurt, and complain, I'll try to remember the images of these guys training, and what they were training for; and I'll shut my hole and keep pedaling.
Be blessed, be safe.

4 January 2009

Made a great compromise tonight; I set my laptop in front of my bike/trainer and I got to ride while watching "X-Men 2" with my son. I couldn't ride the whole movie, been off the bike too long. But, I spun for an hour and then sat with the boy and enjoyed the rest of the flick. Managed to push out 15 miles and had a good time doing it. I want to spend a lot more time on my trainer, so I just may get to see a few more movies; ah, the art of multi-tasking!
Be blessed, be safe!

2 January 2009

I read several biking blogs, most of which inspire and shame me all at the same time. One which I read, at http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/ , is a young lady in Alaska, who is tougher than nails! While not daring to dream of some of the extemes she has endured (check her out!) she is one of several biker/bloggers to track her mileage. Therefore, I shall publish my (piddly) mileage for 2008, with the goal of totally blowing them away in 2009!

January 104.11
February 101.04
March 44.21
April 342.38
May 325.37
June 451.51
July 301.75
August 178.03
September 187.43
October 82.46
November 32.67
December 22.87
Total 2173.93 miles for 2008.

In my defense, I spent the first several months of '08 trying to finish nursing school (graduated May!), passing NCLEX (successful, 1st try, June!), and orienting to my new job as an Emergency Nurse at the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the Midlands of SC (finished middle of November!); so, I have been busy. But, now that all this trivial nonsense :) is out of the way, I am ready to ride!
Be blessed, be safe.

Happy New Year!

Hey, the New Year is here and it's time to start fresh! I have been planning on this and you know what happens when you plan? Something else happens! I got my trainer for Christmas (sweet!), worked all night New Year's Eve, then woke up sick! So, no ride on NY Day :( .
I did, however, make my weight goal for NYD, how about that? I actually managed to DROP a few pounds over Christmas. Yeah, I don't believe it either, but it's true. So, I am starting my year at goal, with the plan to focus on weight loss through January and February, and then in March I will head for the hills! I want to lose 35 pounds by May 18 and finish the 2009 Assault on Mt. Mitchell in 10 hours or less.
All I have to do now is recover from this bug I have and get some strength for pedaling. It'll come.
Be blessed, be safe!

17 December 2008

Wow, I haven't been on a bike in over a month and I hate it! Been working alot of extra hours, Christmas is coming, yadda yadda yadda...
I am not without a plan, however. Seeing as I own Mt. Mitchell in the 2009 Assault (at least that's my goal :) ), I have got to get cracking! I am on the treadmill daily, trying to drop some weight; I tried to carry too much rider up the mountain last year. I am realistic, however, in that Christmas is coming and the food is too good to not touch it. So, I'll try some moderation to go with my exercise.
Also, I have asked for an indoor trainer for Christmas so I can start putting in the miles in spite of the weather. I am getting excited about this and looking forward to a great season on the bike.
Be safe, be blessed.

1 December 2008

Now that my riding "season" is over, I have headed back to the woods to do some hunting. The deer season in SC (longest in the nation) ends New Year's Day, so until then, I am pretty much off the bike. I know my buttocks shall greatly regret this, as I will have no callouses between me and the seat when January rolls around, but we will manage. In the mean time, I am spending some awesome time in the great out-of-doors. Just this morning, I got up well before the sun to go sit in a damp, chilly forest. It was too windy for deer movement, but as the sun came up, the woods came alive with color. And so peaceful; no phones, no lights, no motorcars....
It's a good time to reboot and get my head clear. I love my family and my job, but everyone needs a break now and again. So, if you're still riding...
Be safe, be blessed.