This weekend had its ups and downs. The highlight of my weekend being spending the day with Sebastian on Saturday. We went to the Kalamazoo air zoo. It is a museum of sorts featuring types of airplanes and their history. We had a nice lunch and then went to an orchard. The cider was good but their apple choices were limited.
Sunday was to be my turning point. I vowed to start eating right and begin to exercise again. The scales say I am already up 6 pounds. Sluggish has become agetive once more. I reluctantly rolled out of bed at 8 am. Browsing through the adds with my morning cup of tea, I decided to go to the store first thing. I was cruising down the road and noticed my gas guage. Turning left on to High street I proceeded toward the Mobil station. Music blaring and thinking about what I needed from walmart , I neglected to notice the 25 mile per hour sign and the police officer. He of course spotted me . I was issued a ticket. He claimed I was going 38 miles per hour but ticketed me for going five over. He seemed to think that was really generous . If he really wanted to be nice he could have given just me a warning! But that was not to be. So being the mood eater that I am , I came home and had a large portion of the apple crisp I had made the night before. Okay tomorrow is going to be my turning point. Try try and try again..........

summer done now what?

To date I have ridden 2703 miles on my bike this year. This includes 320 mile dalmac ride. The Dalmac is an organized ride from Lansing to Mackinaw city. My friend Sarah and I rode the 4 day west route. What a great experience! The first day we rode through my daughters neighborhood. She was out there at roadside with her husband and my 2 gran dogs Gretchen and Maddy to wish us well.
George, husband to Sarah and best sag guy ever took great care of us. He made sure our tires were sufficiently inflated, bikes were ready to ride and had camp set up when we arrived at the next overnight stop.
Sarah was a great riding partner. She was very encouraging and offered tips throughout the ride. "Come on Rosie lets climb" she would say. It's amazing how those words got me going and helped me up each hill.
So I trained all year for this and I did it!!! Now I need a new goal. Now what?

friends indeed

These are my friends Sarah and Linda changing my back tube with Linda's spare tube. The three of us thought it would be a good idea to ride a long distance training ride. We started at Sarah's, picked up the wow ride 50 mile route and got 82 miles in yesterday. We stopped in Mason for breakfast. After breakfast I got a flat as soon as I got back o my bike. I had a co2 cartridge and gun but no tools or tube. Luckily my good friends had the needed supplies and skill to get me back on the road. We finished our ride without further incident.
This morning I thought I best get right back on the bike . My arms were a little sore at first, my thighs screamed for a bit, my bottom did not want to connect with the saddle . After a few miles I was okay though and I logged another 45 miles. The Dalmac is less than 3 weeks away. My total mileage this season is 1,979 miles. Although I'm still a little concerned about the longest day..94 miles, and about the "wall" , my training has been good. I'm ready!!!

occasional blogger

Well how time flies. Last entry April. Here it is August already. Dalmac is drawing near. Although I have ridden 1,718 miles since March I am a little nervous about the daily ride distance. My longest ride thus far was 67 miles. The shortest day of the 4 day route I am taking is 73 the longest 94. Tomorrow I am headed north to camp with Jeff and Sebastian. I will ride part of the last day's route. I was hoping to practice the hill they call the wall. Today I found out "the wall" is on day 3 and not the final day. Oh well I will look for other hills to train on.

Wilderness state park is our destination tomorrow. Here's hoping we get good weather. Here is a picture of Sebastian during our previous camping trip at Sleeping Bear Dunes and one of Miazey in Lake Michigan, same trip.

Okay this is not funny. I know it has snowed in April before and this is Michigan but give me a break. I guess this was a good time to take my bike in for a tune up.

I'm going to try and summon some energy and hit the elliptical this morning to try and work out.

March wind

It hasn't been as warm as I would like but I am getting out more. Last week I caught these two love birds frolicking about while walking with my son and Maizey the wonder dog.
This week the forcast was rather bleak. When the temperature hit 50 though I decided to bring the Diva out of the basement and hit the road. I need to ride at least 1000 miles before the Dalmac. I managed to maintain a 15.5 average on the way out. Coming back was a little more challenging. I was riding into the wind. By the end of my 32 mile ride my average was down to 13.5. Overall I thought the ride was a good effort. I have 72 miles logged only 928 to go. The weight watchers thing is working I'm down 15# and down a size in my jeans .

Out on the Road

Well what started out as a crappy weekend turned into a good time. Weight watchers weigh in was disappointing. I gained instead of losing. Still down 10 pounds though.
Saturday got a good walk in with Maizey the wonder dog. Then I got to visit with Sebastian my sweet grandson. He came over and hung out with me. We broke out the Jungle Books tape and had dinner and a movie. He was able to stay long enough to visit with his Grandpa and everyone was happy at the end of the day.Even Maizey was smiling.
Determined to not repeat a weigh in fiasco this week, Maize and I hit the road for our 3 mile walk again Sunday morning. I tried to throw a little jogging into it but Maizey didn't seem to tolerate the pace. On our walk I spotted a rewing black bird and a robin. Is spring here ?
The best part of the day was getting my bike out of the basement and riding outside for the first time. Don helped me put air in the tires. I was able to locate all my gear. It was a great ride. I pushed myself and maintained a 15 mile pace for the first 15 miles. A little slower on the final 5 miles but pulled into the driveway satisfied with my effort. I even had a little energy left to do some yardwork .

slowly but surely

okay now I've resorted to weight watchers for weight loss help. The third week into the session I have lost 5% of my weight, 8 pounds. I'm up to 45 minutes on the trainer or elliptical and have resumed my weight workouts. For a change in pace I took advantage of some warm days this month and took to the falling waters trail with Maizey. We walked for at least an hour and I tried to maintain a good pace.
I have decided to participate in Dalmac this year. Some friends from work are doing the U.P. route and I plan to join them. The Dalmac is an organized bike ride from Lansing to Macinaw. There are different routes. The route we are taking takes you across the bridge into the upper penninsula. Should be a challenging ride and to prepare for it I must be sure and put in enough miles during the summer. My other goal is to complete a century ride or 100 mile ride.

Here I am with my grandson Sebastian. I'm resisting posting a photo of me in my bike gear. At this point I'm not sure that would be motivating, more like disheartening. I am caught up in that viscious circle of inactivity. No energy to work out but I know if I do I will feel better. Okay it is the New Year, it is Monday. Right now it has to begin. Yesterday my daughter had her birthday. She was planning on a birthday ride, outside, in Michigan , about 25 miles!!!!!!!! I'm digging deep for some of that motivation. Here I go out to the garage for my bike to put in my training. On your mark get set GO!!!!!!

2009

Another year winding down. It's that time again the dreaded New Years resolution.
I have the tools. Trainer, bike, elliptical reference books. The books I buy hoping they will stimulate, motivate get me up off the lard butt. The first "You on a Diet" I bought 4 months ago, read one page. The second "Younger Next Year", bought read 2 pages. The first challenge is to locate them. The second actually read them.
I actually used the elliptical this morning. Got the large ball out for squats and crunches. Now if I can make some improvements on the food intake. If only someone would challenge me. Perhaps I can get that weight loss contest going again at work.
Stepping on the scale I find I have surpassed that danger weight that is supposed to trigger he changes. 144# this morning. ok let the challenge begin!!!!!!!

mountain biking

This weekend Maizey and I headed north. We camped at the newlyweds property. I brought my mountain bike. On Saturday we went to rifle river state park and checked out the trails . It was a challenge but I managed to finish the course. Although I had to walk up some hills I was able to get up some that I wouldn't have thought possible. Good training for being a stronger biker. At hte end of the ride my son-in-law remarked that it would have been some what easier if I had had my bike in the proper gear.

the wedding

Although I did not achieve the attempted weight goal I was rewarded with a free session with my trainer. I took off for key west in pretty good shape. The trip went well. Everyone had a good time. We were joined by a number of family and a few good friends. We were pampered in preparation for the wedding. Some local ladies came to our place and Becky, Andrea and myself got hair and nails done. Andrea got her airbrush make-up.The wedding was perfect. My girl was a beautiful bride, my son in law a handsome groom and my grandson the cutest ring bearer ever. Besides the wedding we enjoyed kayaking in the mangrove trees, the local aquarium, some partying in local bars and on the last day swimming and lunch with my sister.

ONE WEEK TOGO

Well one week from tomorrow we head down to Key West. Although the weather has not cooperated and my bike mileage isn't what I would like it to be I pretty happy. I lost another pound. My trainer is trying to provide more incentive. She has been giving me homework to do on the days we don't meet. And if I get down to 129# before the wedding I get a free session. Having my mornings free has been really nice and I have managed to walk Maizey every day. My girl's going to get in shape right along with me.

Spring Soccer with a small boy

I had my first whole week in my new position and they put me to the test. The surgery scedule had been slow for a few weeks but we made up for it this past week. Amazingly the cases finished in a timely matter although it was touch and go for a little bit. I was ready for the weekend and glad to have the week done. Saturday I was unable to ride but I did get up early hit the elliptical and the weights. My grandson had a soccer game, so it was off to Kalamazoo to see the Orange Crush in action. At times I thought perhaps dancing not soccer was Sebastians thing. My daughter and her fiance went to the game as well and we all went out to lunch. As if eating pizza wasn't a bad enough Dietary indiscretion I also went out to dinner. My highschool buddies got together for our own little 35 year reunion. We reminiced and laughed until we choked. At least I choked having taken a drink right when Theresa got everyone laughing.
So today I started over. Hit the bike trail for a 25 mile ride and then I took a 3 mile walk with Maize the wonder dog. Just 2 weeks until keywest the real work has just begun

lumpy size six

Well my dress came in and I tried it on. As usual for me the top fit perfect but the skirt could be a little looser. Determined to avoid fat wedding photos I upped my time on the elliptical and modified the food intake. I think my modified South Beach would be more effective if I cut out the nuts and red meat. My trainer has started to add some ab work in.
Yesterday I took a chance on a poor weather forcast and was able to get in 35 miles.
Still a little sluggish when riding on my own, but I tried to throw in sprints and tried to see how long I could pedal continuously without coasting. The highlight of my ride was showing off my cool bike. I ran into a coworker who had made derogitory comments about bikes I rode in the past. needless to say he was impressed with my Diva.
Today I went to my daughters first mountain bike race. It was kind of cool seeing the other side of cycling. I felt like I should have brought a bike. Maybe I'll get my own mountain bike out and hit some trails this week.
Tommorow I start my new position at work. I'll be working 12:30p.m. to 9:00 p.m
so I should be able to get some good a.m. workouts

spring fever

The sun is shining the roads are dry. A quick call to my friend Rebecca and I am on the road. I road from my house to the falling waters trail taking the trail to Reynolds road and headed for Rebecca's. We took off from her house and picked up the trail on the other side of Reynolds and road it to Concord. It felt sooo good to be out in the fresh air and on my bike. By the time I returned home I had ridden 33miles. We ran in to some friends and made plans to ride again on Sunday.
Another great day on Sunday. We met at Nancy's house. Randy lead the way through a "well planned course" consisting of hill after hill after hill. My perserverance was rewarded. We passed through Pulaski and headed to Concord. At Concord we got on the wondeful flat smooth trail. Reynolds road took us to Vrooman Road. After one last hill we conclude our 30 mile ride. I of course was the last one to pull in the drive but I'm not letting it get to me this year. I can't blame the equipment.I have a very nice bike I'll just have to try harder. I made it to the trainer 3 times last week and have 2 sessions this week I am on the right track.

six weeks to size six

okay it is a new month I am finally cough free and ready to get serious. Six weeks from today my daughter gets married in Key west. My dress is ordered ; size six. My training has officially begun. I have begun my sessions with a personal trainer and hit the elliptical on the days between sessions. In order to get Maizey the wonder dog in shape as well I have resumed our 3 mile walks on days I don't work. Fifteen minutes is all I've done on the trainer,I just can't seem to get going on it. I wish it would hurry up and get warm and dry on the same day so I can get outside and ride. I realize that along with increased physical activity the choices I make for food intake need to change.The weekend was a food disaster with too many social obligations to fulfil. Then I went to work today and of course there was a party . I didn't give in to the Panera sandwiches but I did cave and have a small slice of Sam's club cake with whip cream frosting. Tomorrow more chicken and green beans!!!!

oh where oh where has my energy gone?

The long cold winter and lack of sunshine has drained ever bit of energy, stifled any enthusiasm for physical activity. Here I am the proud owner of the coolest bike ever Orbea Diva and I have neglected any sort of training for about 2 weeks now. Knocked down by the virus from hell that ran rampant through the friends and coworkers, I even failed to make it to the gym for my half hearted elliptical workout. My trainer has sat empty in the basement and I haven't made it to one spinning class this year. One warm day in January I was able to complete 30 miles on the new paved trail. That is the full extent of my winter training. I have started this blog after reading my daughters hoping that I would motivate myself. Spring will be here before long and I do not want to be the one in the back of the pack again this year. I can no longer use my bike as an excuse for everyone having to wait for Rose. The plan return to the gym come Monday morning. Get the bike in the trainer and get on it at least 2x this week.