Since I got stomped last night I considered what I could do to improve myself - besides, or in conjunction with John D's offer to do interval training with me. I picked up a book which discusses women's cycling in all aspects.
I haven't started reading it yet (just got home a little bit ago) but will tackle that this weekend and see what other things I can do to improve myself.
Windy 60 is next weekend. Might be doing that one alone...not sure - haven't talked to anyone else who's riding it at this point. Not sure my kiddo is up for 60 miles.
Anyway, I'm off to take the kids for ice cream - that thunderstorm earlier didn't do a lot to alleviate the heat.
Oh yeah, and no ride tonight b/c we are under a thunderstorm warning until 7 p.m. So, I'll rest today and hopefully grab a ride with Karen or Cassy tomorrow.
I ended July with only 7 days off the bike - hoping to knock that number lower in August. As of today I have 96 commutes by bike to work for the year. I also have 1,632 miles of cycling under my belt so far this year. August and September should still be good months to ride alot and then I will continue commuting through the winter as long as there isn't too much snow or ice to get through. So, I think I should be able to hit the 2,500 mile goal I set for myself this year.
Ride Safe!
A blog about my exploits on my bike, my adventures with my camera, my life of rock and roll concerts, my 4 kids, and just about any other topic I think worth talking about.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Had your ass handed to you lately?
I have. Went out to ride with the group tonight, was happy to see some people (Mike) who I haven't seen in a while . A few minutes before we were getting ready to leave two of the fast guys (Brian and bearded Mike..I think those are their names) showed up. I knew immediately what would happen. They'd hammer it out (which equals their warm up) for about 5 miles before dropping me...and that's about what happened - I lasted a little longer than that - but not sure how much longer because at that point I had so much sweat falling into my eyes that I couldn't read my computer.
So, Karen was kind enough to hang back with me. We rode it - averaging 16.5 for the ride - that was a good speed for me! I'm sucking these days - not sure why - I wouldn't think that missing 1 ride - even for a couple of weeks would hurt me so badly but apparently it has. It's a little depressing.
Afterwards we changed at Karen's and headed up to Twins for Spaghetti and drinks. Tim and Mike were already there - I hate that I'm the slow one! We had a good time and some good laughs. It was nice hanging out with them. Gonna have to start bringing Cassy with me, although they are all now aware that I'm that slow - so it wouldn't do me any good!
Going to try drinking more water on the day of the ride - prior to getting to the ride. Hoping it's something simple like that - I feel like I'm actually sliding backwards - or at least progressing more slowly than before. Going to have to start doing those interval training rides (GASP).
OH yeah, I got to tell Karen about the latest sage with the In-laws. There is really no reason for a 60 year old woman to get arrested. It's all very sad and disturbing...Poor Bob is beside himself and I think wishes everyone would just not act like a nutter - guess that's too much to ask.
I think it was decided also that Mike H. is now going to be called Dad (by me anyway) lol - So as we left Twins I asked "dad" for a new bike for Christmas...I should have been more specific - Orbea Diva would be fabulous! I don't think I'm getting one though he said I've been a naughty girl LMAO! Probaby true!
Okay, Ride Safe folks - I'm jumping in the shower and heading to bed! Riding 20 miles tomorrow with John and Cassy at 5 from the bike shop if anyone wants to join.
So, Karen was kind enough to hang back with me. We rode it - averaging 16.5 for the ride - that was a good speed for me! I'm sucking these days - not sure why - I wouldn't think that missing 1 ride - even for a couple of weeks would hurt me so badly but apparently it has. It's a little depressing.
Afterwards we changed at Karen's and headed up to Twins for Spaghetti and drinks. Tim and Mike were already there - I hate that I'm the slow one! We had a good time and some good laughs. It was nice hanging out with them. Gonna have to start bringing Cassy with me, although they are all now aware that I'm that slow - so it wouldn't do me any good!
Going to try drinking more water on the day of the ride - prior to getting to the ride. Hoping it's something simple like that - I feel like I'm actually sliding backwards - or at least progressing more slowly than before. Going to have to start doing those interval training rides (GASP).
OH yeah, I got to tell Karen about the latest sage with the In-laws. There is really no reason for a 60 year old woman to get arrested. It's all very sad and disturbing...Poor Bob is beside himself and I think wishes everyone would just not act like a nutter - guess that's too much to ask.
I think it was decided also that Mike H. is now going to be called Dad (by me anyway) lol - So as we left Twins I asked "dad" for a new bike for Christmas...I should have been more specific - Orbea Diva would be fabulous! I don't think I'm getting one though he said I've been a naughty girl LMAO! Probaby true!
Okay, Ride Safe folks - I'm jumping in the shower and heading to bed! Riding 20 miles tomorrow with John and Cassy at 5 from the bike shop if anyone wants to join.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Surprise Ride
Well, another day at work with those people from the Federal Government hanging around - I can't complain too much considering it allowed me to keep my door shut all day (something with propping your door open with a chair being against building codes or some such thing ---eh...it's a nursing home). Having my door shut unfortunately doesn't mean not working (just in case you read that boss!) it simply means that I have less interruptions and fewer people trying to tell me stories I am not particularly interested in hearing (just in case the boss reads this and is under the impression I like people stopping to talk when I have work to do).
So, it's all fine and dandy with me - plus I can turn on the mp3 player and enjoy some music since the Administrator and maintenance man came and took my extension cord (another building code problem for nursing homes) and thus have left me without a place to plug in my radio.
After getting home (I had literally just sat down from riding home - took the long windy way home ---okay not so long, but a little longer than the straight to work and home thing)...so...as I was saying, after plopping down on the couch and discussing the day with the kids my phone rings ---I wasn't expecting any calls. It was John....who I hoped was calling for a ride- he didn't disappoint - asking me if I was interested in grabbing a ride on the bike this evening...nothing hard (he forgets I haven't been getting those good long rides in much lately). So, I meet him at the bike shop maybe 20 minutes after he called :) As I ride up he says What took so long? did you have to put your makeup on? (or something to that effect). So, off we went to Waterman - thankfully his knee was hurting so he had to take it easy- While I hope his knee feels better soon I was rather happy that I didn't have to pedal desperately hoping that I would be able to hang on a little longer...
On the way back it looked like rain - and upon getting back to the bike shop where I bought some new handlebar tape, since mine was unwinding - it began to pour! I rode home in the rain---I'm used to that. It was 91 or 92 degrees this afternoon so the rain felt good on the final couple of miles home.
After getting out of the shower I saw that Karen had called - she's back from RAGBRAI. She said it was fabulous - I'm a little envious - looking forward to the days when I can leave for a week without feeling guilty about taking a trip for my own enjoyment without the kids and hubby.
We are riding tomorrow night on the Wednesday night ride - hopefully they take it easy - although I've considered taking Cassy with me so that I have an excuse for riding slower lol - yes I know that's horrible - but it also saves me from being dropped...afterwards we will hit Twins for a post ride all you can eat spaghetti dinner ...no one can finish more than one plate - it's huge! They make out pretty good on that deal!
Cubs are winning in the bottom of the 7th inning and my dog is hiding because of the storm - this is a 50 pound German Short-haired Pointer who's hiding in a cabinet that isn't more than 2 feet wide and about 12 inches deep....crazy dog - I think he's scared of the thunder! Poor Brownie - he's very sweet - but not much of a guard dog! If someone ever breaks in he will bark at them and then run and hide someplace! LOL!
Below is a pic of my biking jersey (the back) which got very dirty during the ride home in the rain....where's that tide stick?
So, it's all fine and dandy with me - plus I can turn on the mp3 player and enjoy some music since the Administrator and maintenance man came and took my extension cord (another building code problem for nursing homes) and thus have left me without a place to plug in my radio.
After getting home (I had literally just sat down from riding home - took the long windy way home ---okay not so long, but a little longer than the straight to work and home thing)...so...as I was saying, after plopping down on the couch and discussing the day with the kids my phone rings ---I wasn't expecting any calls. It was John....who I hoped was calling for a ride- he didn't disappoint - asking me if I was interested in grabbing a ride on the bike this evening...nothing hard (he forgets I haven't been getting those good long rides in much lately). So, I meet him at the bike shop maybe 20 minutes after he called :) As I ride up he says What took so long? did you have to put your makeup on? (or something to that effect). So, off we went to Waterman - thankfully his knee was hurting so he had to take it easy- While I hope his knee feels better soon I was rather happy that I didn't have to pedal desperately hoping that I would be able to hang on a little longer...
On the way back it looked like rain - and upon getting back to the bike shop where I bought some new handlebar tape, since mine was unwinding - it began to pour! I rode home in the rain---I'm used to that. It was 91 or 92 degrees this afternoon so the rain felt good on the final couple of miles home.
After getting out of the shower I saw that Karen had called - she's back from RAGBRAI. She said it was fabulous - I'm a little envious - looking forward to the days when I can leave for a week without feeling guilty about taking a trip for my own enjoyment without the kids and hubby.
We are riding tomorrow night on the Wednesday night ride - hopefully they take it easy - although I've considered taking Cassy with me so that I have an excuse for riding slower lol - yes I know that's horrible - but it also saves me from being dropped...afterwards we will hit Twins for a post ride all you can eat spaghetti dinner ...no one can finish more than one plate - it's huge! They make out pretty good on that deal!
Cubs are winning in the bottom of the 7th inning and my dog is hiding because of the storm - this is a 50 pound German Short-haired Pointer who's hiding in a cabinet that isn't more than 2 feet wide and about 12 inches deep....crazy dog - I think he's scared of the thunder! Poor Brownie - he's very sweet - but not much of a guard dog! If someone ever breaks in he will bark at them and then run and hide someplace! LOL!
Below is a pic of my biking jersey (the back) which got very dirty during the ride home in the rain....where's that tide stick?
Ride Safe!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Forced Motivation
Okay, I know I've been a little lax - after that 100 mile beanzie ride I had a sore knee - then I just was tired - so I didn't do much riding - honestly it was a sickly pathetic week on the riding scale considering what nice weather we've had the past week.
Today I forced myself to get up at 5 a.m. - I swear that snooze button looked like a good idea -but I just couldn't. I grabbed my mp3 player and had the music on within about 3 minutes of rolling out of bed, mumbling and grumbling about being exhausted and feeling old. Got dressed and headed into work on the bike. Pushed it a little bit - not too much - just hit the hill hard -
Work was a long 9 hours but I did them and got out - rode home at a pretty good pace and hit the big hill by NIU (okay I'm a flatlander so anything that goes upwards and takes more than 10 seconds to get over qualifies as a hill here). After getting home I cooked dinner. We ate and Cassy and I jumped on the bikes and headed to Wal-mart on the bikes! Hit the hill in Hopkins and waited at the end of it for Cassy to catch up - yes she's my baby girl but I can't help but be a little competitive about it with her.
On the ride back Ithought she was going to try to get a jump on me at the end like she did last time and so I grabbed another gear and rode hard but she laughed and said I learned my lesson last time...oh well, I kept going to finish strong.
Fun times.
Gotta go - Ride Safe!
Today I forced myself to get up at 5 a.m. - I swear that snooze button looked like a good idea -but I just couldn't. I grabbed my mp3 player and had the music on within about 3 minutes of rolling out of bed, mumbling and grumbling about being exhausted and feeling old. Got dressed and headed into work on the bike. Pushed it a little bit - not too much - just hit the hill hard -
Work was a long 9 hours but I did them and got out - rode home at a pretty good pace and hit the big hill by NIU (okay I'm a flatlander so anything that goes upwards and takes more than 10 seconds to get over qualifies as a hill here). After getting home I cooked dinner. We ate and Cassy and I jumped on the bikes and headed to Wal-mart on the bikes! Hit the hill in Hopkins and waited at the end of it for Cassy to catch up - yes she's my baby girl but I can't help but be a little competitive about it with her.
On the ride back Ithought she was going to try to get a jump on me at the end like she did last time and so I grabbed another gear and rode hard but she laughed and said I learned my lesson last time...oh well, I kept going to finish strong.
Fun times.
Gotta go - Ride Safe!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday in the Park
Today I am unmotivated and feeling lazy. I just want to lie on the couch and relax...instead I got up and baked some blueberry muffins for the family. Later I'm having the rest of the family (mom, brothers) over for taco's. Luke and Zach are coming as well.
Bob made a bonfire last night - it was nice - I grabbed my blanket sat on my chair with my feet up and enjoyed it - the only bad thing - the bugs, I can't use bug spray - it makes me break out and usually makes me sick - so if the kids have it on I can't get too close to them. UGH!
Anyway, I had considered getting on the bike this morning and riding but I just can't pull together enough energy to do so...which sucks because I know once I'm out there I'm fine especially with my MP3 player - maybe I'll mention it to Cassy and we could take a ride around 11 or so.
That's about it for me - I spent so much money on groceries this week - but I still have pretty bare cupboards...sad! I still have to get bread and I'll need milk later in the week! Unreal!
I'm going to have to go sell a kidney or something!
All right - well I'm going to go enjoy a blueberry muffin with my coffee and then relax until everyone else wakes up!
Ride safe!
Bob made a bonfire last night - it was nice - I grabbed my blanket sat on my chair with my feet up and enjoyed it - the only bad thing - the bugs, I can't use bug spray - it makes me break out and usually makes me sick - so if the kids have it on I can't get too close to them. UGH!
Anyway, I had considered getting on the bike this morning and riding but I just can't pull together enough energy to do so...which sucks because I know once I'm out there I'm fine especially with my MP3 player - maybe I'll mention it to Cassy and we could take a ride around 11 or so.
That's about it for me - I spent so much money on groceries this week - but I still have pretty bare cupboards...sad! I still have to get bread and I'll need milk later in the week! Unreal!
I'm going to have to go sell a kidney or something!
All right - well I'm going to go enjoy a blueberry muffin with my coffee and then relax until everyone else wakes up!
Ride safe!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
New approach with the All - American Game
Today the boys and I went over to the park to throw the baseball around. As we were there the few kids who seem to have a predisposition towards violence were fighting amongst each other and seemed to decide even with me there they'd come and stand around watching us to see if they could intimidate the kids- (I say this because of repeated attempts to beat up my children and several others at the park, on the bus, and anywhere else they've caught kids they can intimidate and beat up) - they started laughing at them for bad throws, bad catches etc. So I asked them if they wanted to play - my kids almost fell over - they all said no ...I asked why not - since they were standing around doing nothing but talking crap why not come and show my boys how to play the right way...well what choice did they have because being the hard assses that they think they are they had been called out and had something to prove.
So, we split up into teams. I tell them I'm the umpire and we have at it - well these boys have never played baseball in their lives - I assure you - one tried to put on a glove on the wrong hand and backwards....I showed each of them what they needed to do in whatever area they were having trouble with - We played 7 innings of very fun baseball - the crap talking stopped because - well they all kind of sucked - but those boys were all high fiving - they were jumping up and down for each other when a good hit was made, or when a nice tag out happened - and afterwards they asked if we could play again tomorrow - I told them if they could play to stop by our house after 1:00 tomorrow afternoon -
As we were leaving the park all the boys were saying goodbye to each other - I doubt that this will resolve all the problems, or possibly not any of them - but for one afternoon they forgot who was white and who was black and who was tough and who was not and they played ball - it was pretty cool and a lot of fun.
Nothing much else today - the house is clean I still need to actually get real grocery shopping done as I only got a few things last night. Okay, have a super day and ride safe!
So, we split up into teams. I tell them I'm the umpire and we have at it - well these boys have never played baseball in their lives - I assure you - one tried to put on a glove on the wrong hand and backwards....I showed each of them what they needed to do in whatever area they were having trouble with - We played 7 innings of very fun baseball - the crap talking stopped because - well they all kind of sucked - but those boys were all high fiving - they were jumping up and down for each other when a good hit was made, or when a nice tag out happened - and afterwards they asked if we could play again tomorrow - I told them if they could play to stop by our house after 1:00 tomorrow afternoon -
As we were leaving the park all the boys were saying goodbye to each other - I doubt that this will resolve all the problems, or possibly not any of them - but for one afternoon they forgot who was white and who was black and who was tough and who was not and they played ball - it was pretty cool and a lot of fun.
Nothing much else today - the house is clean I still need to actually get real grocery shopping done as I only got a few things last night. Okay, have a super day and ride safe!
Friday, July 25, 2008
It never fails...!
What never fails you might be asking yourself? What never fails is that when I am the designated late manager at the facility things happen that just don't happen to the other managers.
In the 4 years I've been at the company on days I've been late or weekend manager the following is a short list of just a few of the things that have happened while I've been a manager on duty.
Example 1: Two nurses get into a verbal fight - that just keeps going and going...
Example 2: Whole groups of staaff just don't show up for work..I don't mean a couple of people, I mean so many people that departments aren't going to be able to do their jobs because they are so short handed.
Example 3: A nurse chases me down, gets in my face and starts yelling at me about something - that I have no clue about - ends up she thought I was someone else! HA!
So, tonight shouldn't be any different right? Right! I got to work at 6:15 a.m. I work all day, take a 30 minute lunch and then at the end of the day as everyone else is leaving inquire about possiblity of any admissions in the evening - of course the two admissions we were expecting during the day hadn't come - so both show up after most everyone else (management) is gone. I run around trying to get people settled in and all that jazz. I go round up dinner for them - the one family decides they are going to take the new resident out for dinner because they came from some distance away and are all hungry. I explain the visiting hour procedure, what happens if they aren't to the building in time and all that jazz...of course by this time it's already 30 minutes after I should have left the building for the night - instead I'm stuck waiting for them to come back to do paperwork...which they refused to do before leaving (believe me I tried to get it done before they left). At 8:15 they still weren't back. I finally just left - I was exhausted and my kids were very hungry for a decent meal. I don't know if the lady ever came back - yeesh! Other than that it was actually a very good day. I didn't get in trouble for anything. The administrator continued being kind...I think he's starting to mello out a bit (praying for this to be the case). All of my work is done, for now, I mean when I go back Monday there will be a whole new week worth of stuff to accomplish, but all in all, I've had a long, but productive and relatively calm day.
Anyway, I'm very tired - I'm going to hit the bed soon. Tomorrow I was planning on riding to Kirkland but after being at work so late tonight I may stay home with the kids and just take a quick trip out on the bike at 5:30a.m. head over to Waterman and then come back and bake some blueberry muffins for the kids and myself - I've now lost 20 lbs so I think I can eat 1 big fat blueberry muffin...right? RIGHT!
Ride safe -
In the 4 years I've been at the company on days I've been late or weekend manager the following is a short list of just a few of the things that have happened while I've been a manager on duty.
Example 1: Two nurses get into a verbal fight - that just keeps going and going...
Example 2: Whole groups of staaff just don't show up for work..I don't mean a couple of people, I mean so many people that departments aren't going to be able to do their jobs because they are so short handed.
Example 3: A nurse chases me down, gets in my face and starts yelling at me about something - that I have no clue about - ends up she thought I was someone else! HA!
So, tonight shouldn't be any different right? Right! I got to work at 6:15 a.m. I work all day, take a 30 minute lunch and then at the end of the day as everyone else is leaving inquire about possiblity of any admissions in the evening - of course the two admissions we were expecting during the day hadn't come - so both show up after most everyone else (management) is gone. I run around trying to get people settled in and all that jazz. I go round up dinner for them - the one family decides they are going to take the new resident out for dinner because they came from some distance away and are all hungry. I explain the visiting hour procedure, what happens if they aren't to the building in time and all that jazz...of course by this time it's already 30 minutes after I should have left the building for the night - instead I'm stuck waiting for them to come back to do paperwork...which they refused to do before leaving (believe me I tried to get it done before they left). At 8:15 they still weren't back. I finally just left - I was exhausted and my kids were very hungry for a decent meal. I don't know if the lady ever came back - yeesh! Other than that it was actually a very good day. I didn't get in trouble for anything. The administrator continued being kind...I think he's starting to mello out a bit (praying for this to be the case). All of my work is done, for now, I mean when I go back Monday there will be a whole new week worth of stuff to accomplish, but all in all, I've had a long, but productive and relatively calm day.
Anyway, I'm very tired - I'm going to hit the bed soon. Tomorrow I was planning on riding to Kirkland but after being at work so late tonight I may stay home with the kids and just take a quick trip out on the bike at 5:30a.m. head over to Waterman and then come back and bake some blueberry muffins for the kids and myself - I've now lost 20 lbs so I think I can eat 1 big fat blueberry muffin...right? RIGHT!
Ride safe -
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