Mission Accomplished.

When I heard the warm(er) weather was coming I set my goal starting Thursday of 10 hours on the bike before the end of day Sunday. I really did not think I could do it. Most likely bailing on Sunday after four days. The three hours on Sunday put me pretty on the money.

Sundays ride was by no means a barn burner with several riders still on mountain bikes but we did hit the rolling hills of the kettle moraine and I found myself working very hard several times getting my first taste of hills this spring.

When you weigh 100 or more pounds than most, there is no way you can ride "base" with the group. Its wide open or get dropped. But any way you look at it its great to gain a little composure on the bike. Sundays ride left Steve M's place. We had almost 15 bikes. A mix of road, cross and MTB. Near 3 hours, about 46 miles with a mini mart stop in the middle. Its was a blast.

I was pretty sore last nite but I feel pretty good this morn. No doubt in my mind I gained a little as I felt better on the bike at hour nine than I did on hour three.

I rode more (outside) in the last 4 days than all of February combined.

Hope to keep it going. And I dont see how I cant with the weather getting even better this week. Bring it on.

DLD

Road Ride Saturday

Back on Thursday I set a goal of 10 hours of ride time by Sun nite. Here's the score card. Thursday was a hour forty five, Friday was a hour and a half. Today was three hours forty five minutes. Total as we speak is standing at 7 hours since Thursday. If you Google "blown out" you just might see a pic of me. I hurt everywhere. Legs to neck and shoulders. I had a bottle of Advil for lunch. Maybe my goal was a bit too much too soon but you know my motto has always been "nothing in moderation". I'm sure in the long run its good to get the seat time in early. At 55 miles this was the 5th longest ride I took all of last summer. So I hope this puts me ahead of the ball game. The pic shows what road riding in Wisco in March looks like. The snow is still taller than you. Not sure how tomorrow will go. The group I'm riding with will be on mostly MTB's so I should be able to keep up with road tires on the cross.

At least you would think so.

I have three hours to go.....

DLD

Weekend equals Go Time.

With the weather turning a small corner this week and showing us sunny and 40+ degrees, I unclamped this bike from the trainer and took it out of the basement. Trainer season is officially over! Immediately my spirits lifted. Gone is the beat up, dirty winter bike (sorry Pinkie, I will clean you up soon, I promise) and in is the cool carbon cross bike I have nicknamed "Rocket".

Slap some road tires on and off I go. Funny how your attitude changes when your on a cool bike.

Yesterday I set a short term goal of 10 hours on the bike by Sunday nite. Laid down a hour forty five then and plan on the same today. Saturday I am shooting for four and Sunday three.

This test of my commitment just might set the tempo of my entire spring ride schedule so wish me luck. I will be surrounded by friends the entire time, pushing me, listening to me whine and calling me names when I complain that my butt is sore.

That is what friends are for.

DLD

Rock Bottom

In better times.

Every person that been addicted to something bad knows. In most cases you need to hit rock bottom before you admit there is a problem. Its got to affect you in a huge way before your brain says enough. And then you think hard and try to deny it. You try to convince yourself things are going to turn any minute now. It will all work out if you wait it out. Just keep going for now. You have time.

I have had this moment.

After being called back to work I headed into the closet to grab all my office attire. I had not looked at it in a year and a half. Non of it fitted me. None.

I had to run to Goodwill.

Having to do that hurt real bad enough to cry.

Its now March and early spring racing is out. I'm shooting for June I guess.

Now that its going to be above freezing almost every day I don't need to ride more, just ride longer.

If we had our group road rides right now no way would I be able to participate in total.

Its not too late.

Its not to late.

Its not to late.

DLD

Who Knew?

Not me.

So Friday I was scheduled for a phone conference with my day job. I have been laid off since Dec of 08. But come back to do odd jobs now and then. However, during this phone call I was prepared to take a complete release. I was sure that was coming. Give back the cell and the car that I still have had. I was preparing to go full time at the store and was sure that's what was going to happen. I starting shopping for a new car and started working on the stores finances to fit me in.

I went into the conference with the "play me or trade me" attitude. I never got to that speech as the first thing they told me was that Im back in my original position (sales and marketing) full time starting Monday.

Never seen that coming.

Now I gatta do a 180. For about the 100th time in my life.

Most of the time my 180's turn out to be 360's.

Will see how this plays out.

On to other things..... just registered for the Iceman. First time for me.

I opted for my age class (50) instead of Clydesdale.

For motivational purposes only.

That is all for now.

DLD