Pain

Sunday Bike Ride: 26.2 miles (a marathon on bicycle)

I conquered many hills that I have never been able to in the past! But....at a price.

The beast itself....I dominated that hill!

Of course, Joel did it with no problems!

After a day of climbing hills, my knees were feeling it. Thank you, frozen veggies. I knew you were good for something.

And the other pain I am feeling....horrible sunburn.
Very stupid mistake, I know. The Sunblock Nazi is now in extreme pain from this terrible sunburn.

And the best part....riding gloves...am I still wearing them, or is that my burn line??

Lessons Learned:
Never go for ANY ride without sunblock, even if I don't think we'll be gone long! It will hurt.
Don't try to tackle every hill in town on my first big ride! It will hurt.

Logging Some Miles (or Trying)

I wanted to add the Daily Mile training widget to my blog to make myself accountable for my biking and running miles. So I started a profile on the website.
They ask you to pick what you consider yourself:
1) Runner
2) Cyclist
3) Athlete
4) Triathlete
5) Walker

Ok, so I want to log my biking AND my running, so I couldn't choose just runner or cyclist. Walker is out. Triathlete is obviously out. So that leaves.....Athlete. HA!!! I seriously laughed. But there I am, on Daily Mile. An athlete. Weird.

I thought I should probably have some mileage to log, so I went for a run. Also, I have a race this weekend, that I have NOT prepared for! I set off, intending to run 3 miles, but only ended up running about 2. The side stitches were unbearable today. I had to stop to walk several times, despite the mini-Amanda on my shoulder telling me to just run/breathe through the side pain. I ended up running 31 minutes. I stopped the watch every time I walked, so I could tell how long I really ran.

The worst part was that during one of my pathetic walking stints, this really old guy runs by me. He had to be around 75, wearing cargo shorts, really high socks, no shirt, and very gray hair. And he ran past me! I let him get a little ahead of me, until my current side stitch subsided, and then I tried to catch him. Old Guy just kept truckin.' I tried to speed up, but he just kept going and going. I was determined to beat Old Guy. I mean, come on, I am 28, wearing decent running wear, and have zero gray hairs. Old Guy won. You have to hand it to him, though. Pretty impressive for an old guy running in cargo shorts! Bravo, Old Guy. Bravo.
Despite my difficult run today, I have to run a few more times this week. I am running 4 miles at the Grandview Gallop this Saturday. Yuck.

My motivation:
Pictures of Amanda and me during and after my first 8K

(Amanda didn't get the memo that it was St. Patrick's Day, not Halloween!)

Just started...feeling pretty good! I have no idea that by mile 2, I am going to want to pass out!

Almost to the finish line.....almost in tears, cannot believe I ran the whole thing!

We did it!

If I was able to run that beast of an 8K, I can run 4 miles this weekend....right?!?

Keep Your Workouts Interesting...Very Interesting

This weekend was one of celebration and fun with family and friends. I had my brother and sister and nieces and nephews over for dinner out on the patio Friday night. There is nothing better than sitting outside with the people you love, eating. (I had to add the eating.)

We went out of town for a Memorial Day party at our friend's house. Our gracious hosts showed us a great time, and handled the stress of throwing a big party very well!!!

Even though this was a weekend filled with eating, I feel pretty good about the amount of exercise I got in. Did I go running? NO. Biking? NO. Any other traditional form of exercise? NO.
Now, how about interpretive dance inspired by the Predator? YUP! "Volleyball" with a giant blue children's ball? YOU BETCHA! Intense game of badminton, with all my teammates mad at me? MmmHmm! How about 2 games of laser tag so intense, I was sweating more than I do after a run? ABSOLUTELY! Oh, and navigating a maze of lasers much like they do in every great movie, with stealth moves and somersaults? HECK YES!!

To top it off, we ate at an amazing Thai restaurant. I learned from our friend Jon that eating spicy food gives you the same good feelings that running does. This was my first time eating Thai, and after hearing that, and realizing I LOVE Thai food, I think this is the way to go:
No more running. Only Thai food.

What Gets You Going?

I am NOT self-motivated. I am pretty sure I may have said I was in an interview or two. But tonight, I came to terms with this truth. I am in no way self-motivated. Other people motivate me. Does that make me people-motivated? Others-motivated?

In biking: Joel motivates me because he sucks. Sorry Joel! He can get on a bike and GO! I struggle with every physical activity I attempt, and he exceeds at every activity. Grrr. But, it IS motivation.

In school: Kids are my motivation. I certainly don't do the crazy, time-consuming, albeit fun things I do because I enjoy overworking myself. That would just be sick.

In life: Our friends motivate me.....to clean! I love throwing parties, and I always overwork myself for the parties. I clean, cook, and decorate until I am delirious the night before because there is just never enough time. I really hope I don't do that to myself FOR myself. Again, sick!

In running: Amanda was my motivation to start running and to keep running, even though I hated it. More recently, Beth was my motivation as she asked for my help as she began the Couch to 5K program. Now, I have 2 more friends who have begun the C25K, who once said I inspired them. HA! Jill is on Week 5, and Jen just started this week and seems to be loving it!
So I was thinking, if I motivated them to run, perhaps I should run! You know, since it has been weeks since I last ran.
So, since tonight we had a break in the weirdly hot 95 degree temperatures and the flash floods this afternoon, I decided to get out there. For Jill and Jen.
OUCH! Now I remember why I should not skip running for so long, and try running like I used to...it hurts.
I ran for 20 minutes with a 5 minute warmup, and hurt the WHOLE time. Not fun. And to top it off...I ran through a seemingly harmless, run-of-the-mill patch of grass. Oh wait. Nope. Not grass. Mud. That I sank into, all the way up to my ankle. RUN OVER.
So....thanks for the motivation girls, but I wish my run would have gone as smoothly as yours have been!!

Two possible lessons here:
1) The universe is saying "Never run again."
2) The universe is saying "You shouldn't take such a long time between runs. It will hurt. And I
will get mud on you. "

I hear ya, universe.

Highlights

Well, it turns out I really enjoy biking to work. Somehow, it's faster, and it wakes me up for my day!
Here are some highlights of my Bike to Work Week....

Monday:

Joel fell off his bike today as he was pulling up to work!!! Oh man, I wish I could have seen it! Could it be as funny as I am picturing in my head?! This was his first time falling as a result of not being able to unclip his bike shoes. But, he got a free BTWW shirt at the bike shop after work.
I drove today. I had to take all my lunch and weekend work I had brought home with me.

Tuesday:

For some stupid reason, I decided to start RAGBRAI training the same day I started riding to work. I biked 10 miles tonight.

Wednesday:

My butt hurts so badly today, I can barely sit down on the bike to ride to work! But I did.

Thursday:

Drove today. My butt still hurts!

Friday:

I started a RAGBRAI reading initiative with my students today. Kids are excited!

I decided to bike to the bike shop downtown today to get my free safety check and shirt. In jeans. DON'T EVER BIKE IN JEANS! It was a pretty cool afternoon, but as soon as I walked into the shop, I started sweating profusely. I didn't even get a free shirt out of it!

I left the bike store and somehow got lost on all the one-way streets downtown.
Something you should know....I get very annoyed by people who complain about our one-way streets (they are not that hard to figure out.). Man, is it different on a bicycle! It seemed like every street I turned on was not only one-way, but there were several cars coming right at me! Eventually I figured it out and got home, extremely sweaty and flustered!

Saturday:

We biked all over downtown, to farmer's market, to a cute little cafe, my favorite bookstore, and the festival that is going on all weekend. It was kind of nice to experience our town in this way. I would suggest it to anyone who lives here. It is so easy to forget the charm of your own city when you've lived there your whole life. Driving around just doesn't do it.

Lessons Learned:
I like biking to work. I should keep doing it.
I need a mirror.
(Maybe that will help with the terror I feel riding in the streets!)
Don't bike in jeans if you are riding more than one mile.

Bike to Work Week

Well, I think I found my motivation! This week is Bike to Work Week, so Joel and I signed up on our local newspaper's website as participants, which simply means we have committed to biking to work this week.

Now. Joel works about 4 miles from our house, and in order to get there, he must climb one of the many atrocious hills that his workplace sits upon.
I work 5 blocks from our house.

I know.

I should be biking or walking everyday. But, keep in mind...I am lazy.
I think about it all the time, but never get going in time, or get in the right mindset to commit to commuting in a more environmentally-conscious way.
So, this is a good kick in the pants for me! I do, however, feel a little weird pulling up to school, parking my bike on the playground with all the little Huffys! (Are Huffys still around?!)

Maybe getting over my embarrassment will inspire other teachers to bike or walk to school! (There are 2 other teachers who live on my block who drive to our school everyday. I'm not the only lazy girl!)

So here is my inspiration for you after reading about it here and here.....get out there, bike to work at least once this week! Joel took his clothes and lunch to work today, so he can change at work. Teachers take work home almost every night, but if you use a backpack, or a messenger bag that straps around you, you can do it!! If you bike slow enough, you won't get too sweaty! Our local paper is offering coupons for free bike safety checks at local bike shops and free showers at a downtown gym when you sign up as a bike-to-work-er! There is a party with prize giveaways for participants at a local bar this weekend. There are lots of cities that are getting bike racks on the city buses, so when the hills or distance gets the best of you, you can hop on the bus! Many are offering free rides this week too. Even if you only bike for part of your trip, you are still making a difference. Maybe (and this is my hope) it will be a great start to your day and either 1) It will inspire you to exercise more or 2) You can skip some workouts because of your commute! Inspired? Check into your city's events for Bike to Work Week!

The Darndest Thing

I need some motivation....I have zero desire to run, or even bike (which I usually love). Lately, the thought of exercise really makes me want to puke. Anyone have some motivation to spoon-feed me? Because I can't come up with it on my own, apparently! I am open to suggestions!

On a totally different note.....
I have to share these cute kindergarten conversations that happened this week. Remember that show, Kids Say the Darndest Things, with Bill Cosby? I could submit some dandies!

2 days ago....
Setting: My "room" under the music room.
Rock & Roll song from the 50s (can't remember which song now) drifts down to our ears. I start singing along. Kindergarteners (call them S. and L.) stare at me with confused, somewhat disturbed looks on their faces.

Me: I love this song! I must be an old lady, huh?
(Expecting sweet protests: "nooo Ms. Lazy Girl, you're not old!")

S. : You're not a old lady. You're a young old lady!

L. : Noooo, you're a grandma. (Said in a dead-serious tone of voice)

Important note: I am 28.

Another laughable moment in kindergarten with B. and L....
B. never uses finger spaces when he writes sentences. I remind him every single time he starts a new word.

Here is what an onlooker would hear on any given day.

"Finger space, B., finger space. Don't forget your finger space. Finger space, B.!!! Uh-oh, ok, let's get our magic tape, cover it up, and try again."

And it begins again. "Finger space, B."

Everyday.

Yesterday, his group buddy, L. says

"B., don't forget--"

B. cuts him off.

"I know...my spinger face."

Love it. :)