WOW!!! That is all I have to say! People you would never expect to step up to bat---well, they do! TRUST-I am nervous.
but then again for the last whole bunch of years, Spring, (my favorite time) has come with some very stressful times, why should I think this would be any different? I may be tired, and wore out, but I am strong, and will make it through all this stuff.
I can say my ear is hurting from all the time spent on the phone. Thank goodness for texting!!! although my fingers hurt now from all the texting.
tomorrow brings a 4 hour bike ride mimicing the 60 I plan to do-guess i will do either the lollipop, or the out and back on the iron fork- will know for sure in the morning. homework afterwards!
Monday is going to be a huge mess for me, but will get through it!
Really would like to get on the water and do some upper body work with the kayak-UGH!!

challenges

i have a tough time keeping up with the blog this semester. partly cause I live a slightly boring life, partly cause I am trying to get so many papers finished for my classes. My Tuesday night class alone, I will have written nearly 30 (YES-30!!) papers.
I just finished watching "you tube" of the Ouachita challenge that happened a week ago yesterday. I almost did not go to the race, but needed to "just for me". I am glad I did, and will be back for more!! The goals I had set for myself were set, and exceeded. I did not finish the race, but have no regrets.
The bag that we received when we registered, had a do-rag with the map of the race that we were to race. I now have mine hanging in my computer room, so that I walk by it several times a day, and keep it as a reminder to what I want to accomplish next year.
I learned alot this year at the race-very humbling experience. I know what I have to do to accomplish the 80 miler and I will complete it.
I have now started back to training the right way-to go to syllamo next month. Never been -and I am excited about going-I think I will camp over night and race the next morning.
I thought the support at the challenge was awesome-Feed station 2 was awesome!! The guys were dressed up, and were ready to help you the moment you came in! Lubed my chain, water, called me by name, just awesome all around! Thanks guys!!
I also want to put a VERY BIG THANKS out to the other people who helped with this race-You know who you are, and without you this race would not be going on!! THANKS!!
you need to go to this web link and check out the race features:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8WV2y6MJTw

This is a you tube link, For the Ouachita Challenge, and has two parts.
I can also now say that I am a movie star! all be it, just a flash of me is shown, that is ok, I will be famous-er some day!! (haha)
Now that you have read the "stuff" about the race, and watched an actual movie about it- here are my real feelings about the race, not only am I a movie star, but I have now directed my own film, I dont expect any grammys, cause it still needs work, but maybe some day.
click on this link to see how I really fill:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=2009040617512572

Back in action!

I have neglected my blog for awhile. I could make excuses, but that is not like me, so I will just simply start with OMG- what a bunch of stuff has been going on.
All I do is go to school and write papers for my classes. UGH!!
I was going to work on school work over spring break- but all I did was think about it. OOPS! Instead, I rode my bike and Kayaked! Spent the week with Dennis-I was happy to do that, but really ready for school to start back up.
So now ya know why I am living a boring life.
Bike riding-Dennis has started to ride with me some-I have him decked out in all the stuff.
One ride we went on the other day was a simple ride with just a tiny incline the whole way. He had to stop at one point and was wanting to crouch down, but I would not let him. When we started back he was surprised at the tiny incline we had just rode. I think if he sticks with it, he has some natural skills-we will see though.

Time in the saddle

I thought I had better update. I have been putting a lot of time in school research, and finally got the go ahead to start collecting data for my thesis. I will start that today, pretty excited about it.
Training has become something I still love to do, but if I have to miss a day, which happened last week, I am ok with it.
I rode with Susie saturday on the vista tril riding single speed. The Troll was so happy to get back on the trial. My abs were mad at me the next day though.
Sunday I rode with Saraha, Susie, and Kevin doing all but one of the mountains that will be in the Challenge. I was already tired from the previous week, and the previous day. I was not really looking forward to the Death March, But was really happy with what I had accomplished when it was over. I kept strong mentally, even when I was struggling. The best part was Flying down Blowout after a whole lot of climbing. I did not tell anyone until after the ride was over that I really had no desire to do that ride, and they all laughed when I told them. Thanks everyone for riding with me-even though it may not have looked like it at one (or two) points, I did have a Fabulous time. (But I was so happy to see the truck)

positive polly, so real susie, and beans!

What an amazing weekend. Sarah came over for a few days so we rode fast and hard over the weekend. I learned a lot of things during these weekend warrior days. Here are just a few of them:
1) when sarah becomes Negative Nelly, just wait her other personality comes out- Positive Polly.
(I like either personality though) she is one bad chick!
2) Dangerous Dr. Susie- no matter how tired she is, you still have to chase her if you want to ride with her. One totally tough chick! (I also like chasing rabbits)
3) when someone offers you a bowl of beans to take home-beware! you may love the spicy little things (yummy) but, your husband no matter how much he likes beans- does NOT like spicy ones! (dont worry no beans were left un-eaten during this set-up) Thanks girls for letting me think I was making some massive brownie points, only to find out that I lost a bunch instead. Not to mention the big D does not believe Sarah is a true Arkansan, cause she makes spicy beans, and if you are from the bean state, you should know that beans are not spicy! I did tell big D, the next evening that I was set up (even though it was a yummy set up) and all he had to say and I am quoting here:
"humph" --he did not see the humor. It was a pretty fun set up no matter how you ate your beans!
4) The girls I ride with on the weekends are two of the coolest people in the world- after a cold two hour ride on Sunday when they were done, but I was still wanting more- they made sure the jeep got home, and I rode another 2 hours to get home! Thanks ladies-your the bestest in the whole world! No matter what D has to say about it!!
so all together, even though I am exhausted cause I didn't sleep last night, I fill really great and cant wait until Sarah comes back!

1st time trial

Today I had a 2 hour ride, with a 20 minute time trial.
All I can say is OMG!!
First I was already getting antsy, just waiting for it to warm up. Then I rode to Mt. Magazine to start my time trial up the mountain. I had just got out of Danville when Todd caught up with me. He had already been out a couple hours. As I was trying to follow behind Todd, my focus was on spinning in one less gear than I noramlly do. I would watch Todd's spin and try to keep my rotations the same as his. I was doing this to make sure I wasn't riding in a hard gear the whole time, which I am bad about doing.
I was also wanting to work my heart a little harder by doing more spinning.
As I started the trial, a couple of times Todd would say positive things to keep me focused (such as- stay focused) and this helped cause about the time I was starting to loose focus his words got me back on track. Thanks Todd!
How did I do? Well lets just say that my heart rate got a little higher then I thought it would, no big deal. My legs still fill like toast, and my head is still throbbing!
But I am as happy as can be cause I pushed myself hard. I always dread when I have to be pushed harder then normal but when it is over I am delighted with what I just accomplished, and I fill great about being pushed hard.
The ride back home was long and miserable, but again I just tried working on my spinning. My heart got a good workout today. I cant wait until the next time trial so that I can see how I have improved.

naughty track ridin

For my training the other day I had specific sets that I had to accomplish. That morning I decided to take my trainer to school with me in case it was going to be to windy or cold and I would be tight for time.
I decided to use the trainer inside of the fitness center, but I had a 10 minute warm up first- since we were closed for a little longer, I wanted to ride around the track. I know it was a naughty thing to do, but that little rebel within had to come out. Just in case you were wondering, the track is really bumpy-But I was flyin fast! Yep I liked it :)

Grrr- what an animal
No animals were hurt during this ride!

so after my adventrous track trip, I did my sets on the trainer.

This is what was waiting for me after my training- Yep I now have a coffee corner in my office.

Seeing as my office is my home away from home during the semester.

back to schooool, back to schoool

today the kids came back to school. It was a busy day helping kids get to the right class. Meeting more "new ones" and looking at their poor faces. Had one young lady that was about in tears cause she could not find her class and was afraid she was missing something. I walked her down to the class, and let her know that everything was going to be ok, with a big smile. I guess I really do miss this stuff, and enjoy helping others out.
I had everything done to perfection-so I thought! Then was told the Fitness schedule was changed- ouch, the paper that was wasted! But I was able to get everything done before I left at noon.
Really crazy thing happened- I was lost when I was able to leave for the day at noon. I am so use to getting there before 6 am, and not leaving until after 8 pm on at least 3 days of the week. I dont think I will be able to do it this way, I see myself staying there longer, or else I am going to have to go get a more physical job, to keep busy. I am not use to having so much time to myself- felt very lost, Even found myself buffing the wheels on the jeep, and pulling dead weeds out in the field just for something to do.
Yesterday- rode with Kaylie and Susie. It was the last day of base (I'm kinda sad about that) I was happy to only ride for an easy 3 hour ride. My legs were tired from the previous day, not to mention my whole body. I have not slept in days, and it is taking it's toll on me.
Kaylie felt it necessary to be pulled up a couple small hills, damn, I could fill it in my thighs! Thanks kaylie :)
I cleaned my bike previous to the ride, well Kaylie insisted on "bumpin" me to make sure I would hit a mud hole- I held her off for while, but she finally got me in a mud hole.
I had a blast riding with the girls and need to get some pics to show before kaylie goes back to school. She leaves at the end of the week- that stinks! Back to schoool, back to schoool!
Well, One really cool thing about K, leavin- the sooner she will be back for the summer!! yippeee!

lollipop, mojo, and body butter

Lollipop- the section of trail I rode with Susie on Saturday. It was a hard ride, especially since I became hungry 45 minutes into the ride and still had over 2 hours to go. But it was an awesome ride, and I was riding sections that just last year I would not have been able to ride. It was an awesome ride.
Mojo- The stuff I had lost and had to find a few times while riding on the lollipop. Why? Cause during base, I dont use any supplements or such, just straight water to get my body use to using what it has to get through the day. When I loose my mojo, I have to slow down a bit until I fill the Mojo return. Does it work-Yeah.
Body butter- the stuff your body is suppose to be "living" off during the base training. How does this work- well it is all physiological and it does work. Problem with this body butter- (I understand all the physiological aspect of it) even though your body is burning the extra butter, you still fill hungry!! WHY? if your body is feeding on itself for fuel, why cant it place some of that butter into the gut tank so that you wont fill hungry?
Good thing about body butter- a hungry filling helps keep your mind off the technical trail you just went over or down, and how cold you may be at the moment.
in the end, it was a fabulous day and I would do it again (oh yeah! I will get to soon, I am sure).
Get to do another 3 hour ride with Kaylie and Susie next. Cant wait to talk about it.

playin with Annie

Every year, I have to get renewed in CPR, Defib, and first aid. Today was the day to play with Annie. I was the only girl, and as I tried to apply first aid to Annie, I noticed she has not changed over the years. And no matter how much practice I have, I can't make Annie come back to life.
As the teacher was describing where to place your hands to do chest compressions, she was talking about how the victim would not look like Annie, but rather would be some person who has big boobs and they (the boobs) would be flopping all over the place so it would be difficult to get the right spot without grabbing a handful of boobs. As I was turning red with emabarassment, and the teacher was feeding off this, I started to imagine Annie with big floppy boobs. The thought of that grossed me out, and now I am not sure about this whole CPR thing.
All I could do is think about all the gross things
1) the body fluids
2) big boobs
3) me having to blow into another woman's face with the only barrier between us being a thin piece of plastic!! (YUCK to the max)
So I have decided that if anything happens while I am working, I am making the guys do the mouth to mouth, even if it is another guy.
If you think about it- I am not being mean, the person is already gone, we are just trying to keep the blood flowing in hopes that the medical people can use machines.
Now I wont ever look at Annie the same, and of course I doubt I will ever get her to come to life no matter how much I blow into her mouth.
oh, yeah and one last thing- If I pass out- I just wantto be left alone cause I really dont want another person blowin their hot air into my lungs! Unless, I am in the middle of a bike ride then it would be important for me to breath again so I could finish the ride.

I plead insanity

so today is the first day back to school- lots to do. Already had one meeting, caught up with some onld friends- so basically I have not accomplished anything yet. But I will try to get something to done by noon-maybe.
Bike riding- I have only a few more days then On monday I jump into training. I am excited to see how much I can improve from last year. But my biggest goal is to complete the challenge, ride a few races and do my best at each one.
My main objective for school are to teach students why it is important to be active every day of the week, and how it is possible to improve their health by doing so.
My main objective for bike riding- ride for my health, and for the love of the activity.
This is where insanity has entered my brain- I sign up for the SSWC in Durnago, and hope to go, if all things fall into place for it to happen. I believe it will be an exciting time and entertaining to watch and ride in.

girl rides

The girls met up last Saturday at Vista to get a warm yummy ride in. But, we started off with class first. Yes, Dr. Henne is not only a vet, but also a bike mechanic! She helped one of the girls get her brake pads in before the ride even began. But that would not be the end of her mechanic skills. Before the ride was over she helped replace a tubless tire with a cut to the sidewall, tried to get a seat that had some how flexed and came off the tiny bars back on so the lady could ride again. All this during a 3 hour ride! How cool is that?
It was a warm day and felt good to just be out riding for the day.

Dr. Henne hard at work just so we could ride
The arrow in the lake is being made by some birds, not ducks-but some relative to ducks.

The trail at Vista has some really neat views of the lake.

Oh, I know- dont even say it!

One after another, the girls made it through the woods

At the Lodge, I walked down to the empty gravel beach and found a variety of lake shells -pretty cool.

All the girls at the lodge- I had convinced some of them it was open and beer and pizza was waiting. I lied! It was closed for the season, so we continued on our ride.

One day I may try to swim to this little island just to see if there are any "un-found" creatures.

So I was thinking, with my Christmas break almost over- I forgot to say what I was thankful for, so here it is-

getting to ride my bike all break, and having the to opportunity to meet new people.

first bike ride of the new year

On the first day of the new year, there is a huge group ride and this year was no different. I am guessing there had to be around 50 people of every age, size and shape and gender. It was a really cool ride. I was able to ride with people I already knew, and some I had just met that day. We had a small group of guys taggin with us, but for the most part it was girls in our small group.

Big K and Sue waiting on the rest of us
Looks like these ladies are plum wore out

This is not the highest point of the trail, but if you look down below you will get the picture of what type trail we were riding. The river is below

Kaylie was doing awesome on the single trail

She isn't afraid of the cliffs-you can tell by the smile on her face

This is one of the guys that was in a small group that was taggin with us through out the ride

Two more of the young guys

big portion of the trail had a steep edge- it can be nerve racking if you allow it too

not far into the ride Teresa's chain broke, lucky for us there was a Dr. in the crowd, who was able to perform surgery on the chain. The Dr. was also able to have a class about the chain surgery while performing the surgery-how cool is that?

The really funny part about this surgery- The Dr. absolutely hates getting her hands greasy!

Well- here we are after about a 3 1/2 hour singletrack mountain bike ride- injury free and still all smiles!

can't wait to ride with the girls again