I only got in a very slow 5 mile ride today. I might go out in a bit for another ride, but I took my 9yr old daughter with me to some trails that I found today and we explored there a bit, not very long trails...we managed to ride about half a mile through the woods. So we rode to the beach and stayed there a bit. Not long enough, but quality time with my daughter! :)

Kim, I have no idea yet what kind of bike I'm going to get. Hubby and I just recently started talking about getting road bikes. We're getting tired of being passed on the bike trail by "bike gangs" on road bikes! Though I've noticed they don't seem to pass us as quickly as before, because we're faster now. :D So you may see me on the other site, though I will probably just lurk for a while.

And Kim and Courtnie, a "short" ride is better than no ride. :dizzy: Which will be me (no ride) until the weekend. Need to start working on swimming and maybe running. Will probably do that during the week and ride on weekends.

Sherry - swimming would be so nice! I used to swim like 6 days a week, I was on a local team. It was soo fun! But I partly blame my HUGE calf muscles on that, and I mean HUGE! At least they are all muscle, the only non-fat area of my body, lol. I hope I can get in lots of swimming this year.

I did 33 km this morning :) weeeee

"Janis, I bet the parade miles do add up! How many parades do you do a year? That would be a fun way to get exercise!"

60+ parades & performances a year with this group (whew!) It would be more fun if some of the parades weren't 90 degrees while wearing 3 layers of wool and a polyester "powdered" wig. ;) It gets kinda hot. I've been doing it for 20 years now. Parade folk are one step up from Carnies. ;)

After the 2 parades on Monday, we went back to the Director's house for a picnic. They told us we'd have a meeting first thing, so go their directly after the parade (they live in the same town as the parade). So, I went directly after the parade. 4 hours later, we got to the meeting part. If I had known it would be that long, I would've gone home and rode my bike there, as it's sort of along the bike trail, and I've done it before. (Albeit it's a 30 mile round-trip). But, I was feeling energized, and it was a beautiful day. A bit hot, but I was already sweaty from the parades, so I wouldn't have cared so much.

I did get in a lousy 5.5 miles on Sunday, though. After several hours of homework, I needed a break, and didn't have anything to eat at home, so my boyfriend & I went out to a restaurant to eat. However, I rode my bike and met up with him there. Not a long ride, but it was nice, because it was cooler and towards sundown. It's actually the toughest half of my ride to work, but it seemed really easy. Probably because I didn't have my 25 lbs of backpack filled with laptop and school books on me.

When the bike store suggested getting a rack for the back of my bike, I thought it was a bit excessive, but they're right - in the summer, you don't want stuff sticking to your back. Ew. And you don't feel as gross after riding if your shirt isn't sticking to you. :p

Glad to see everyone's out there working to catch up! I'll need to get going if I'm going to stay ahead! ;)

--Janis

Got in 19.1 miles today. Nice, brisk ride for me! I upped my avg speed a good bit. It was 13 for the first 10 miles, but overall it was 12.6...not too bad considering I've been doing 10-11.5 or so. I've found the best route for me to take most days! Not too hilly, but not totally flat either!

Janis, wow...lots of walking through the year! I bet your legs are in great shape! HEHE...I bet it does make a difference riding with about 25lbs on your back vs nothing! Hey, least that's more calories you're burning everyday, huh? I must be odd because I love to feel sweaty. I guess not the feeling itself, but the...I dunno, the fact that I've worked up a REAL sweat! I just can't get over the fact of what I'm doing lately with the biking...lol. I don't like the sweaty feeling of the backpack though...I can't wait to put water bottle cages and a seat bag on my bike so I don't have to carry the backpack for my cash, water, and cell phone.

Courtnie, your legs sound like mine. My legs are my favorite part of my body though, because they're muscular and powerful...do you feel the same way? I mean, they'll never be lean and girlie, but they look like...well, a cyclists or runners legs!

sf40 (Sherry?), keep me posted on what kinda bike you're gonna get! I'm researching now. Won't even let myself walk into the bike shop though. I know me, I'll spot 'the bike', pitch a fit and make hubby buy it for me, and then feel bad because I didn't wait to research and didn't buy it myself! If I don't get this job, I'll let him buy it...lol.

Know what you mean about getting passed by roadies! I hate it too. One scared the mess outta me the other day! I was riding along, at the end of 16 miles, so I was riding sorta slow to cool down before I got off the bike....zoned out, looking from the road in front of me to the trees beside me...he came up behind me and spoke 'how ya doin' to let me know he was there and I jumped a MILE! I must have gasped or something cause he slowed and looked at me...we both laughed after we realized what was going on. I'm just glad to see friendly roadie's around here and not bike snobs!

Wow...that was a long post...lol...not wanting to go to bed!

Hope everyone is doing great!


Kim

I want nice girly legs :( But hey, guess I can't have it all. The tops are flaby, least I could lost some there and tone them up. It is just hard to buy pants, lots of times they are too tight in my calfs! So I have to get like super flare.

I did 32km today. And I am getting sick :( I might have to skip tomorrow and sleep in... but then I feel guilty all day!

Courtnie, I'll be right there with ya on the guilty thing! I got in a sad lil 6 mile ride today, and just gave up! Something happened with my gears (think my mind just wasn't connecting what I was doing really) and I hit my knee on the top tube of the bike, so I turned around and went home!

Was feeling not quite right when I left for the ride, but pushed myself to go...now I'm making myself take at least a day off riding, see if I can get to feeling better with a good rest!

So, yeah, I'll be sleeping in and feeling guilty right along with you tomorrow! Not sick though, and I hope your day of rest makes you feel better! Don't push yourself too hard! Rest when you're tired.

Hope everyone is doing well!

I didn't sleep in - got 25km in :) Still sick tho - sore throat is gone but I am all stuffed up.

Courtnie, I reallyhope you're feeling better soon! Seems like a rough time of year. My hubby was sick a week or so ago. Allergies maybe? Good to hear that your sore throat is gone though!

I didn't ride today, just couldn't make myself get out there for some reason. Will tomorrow though!

I figure I got my exercise today...had to go grocery shopping with my 3yr old...that's always fun...lol. Get a workout from putting stuff back on the shelf as fast as she can put it in the cart!

I'm starving tonight! I'm gonna have to go find something relatively healthy to snack on!!

Kim

Starting to feel better... thankfully. I know it is a cold and it sucks because my grandmother is in the hospital and I don't want to go visit until I am better. She is not doing very well at all and if I got her sick... well I don't even want to think about it.

I am dead tired and just wanted to sleep! I got in 33.80km this morning - phew- but not I am at work counting my 8 hours left until I can go home :(

Hope you gals are feeling better! From one who has over-trained and gotten sick because of it, take the time you need to get rested and recovered. You will be surprised to find that you maintain your strength and endurance.

Good news -- got the job that I recently interviewed for and really want. Start next Wednesday so I've been busy adding to and updating my working wardrobe. I can now seriously research a road bike, so Kim I'll let you know what I find out. Though it might be a couple of weeks, don't know how busy I'll be at work.

We got in a short ride today, only 13 miles, but I'm glad we didn't go any farther because it's so hot and sticky. We were drenched at the end of the ride. Ick. Some sweat is ok, but being soaked is a bit too much. We are riding along the beach tomorrow and plan an earlier start in an attempt to beat the heat.

Courtnie, glad to hear you're feeling better! I hate to hear that about your grandmother...hope she's better soon! Sending good thoughts!

Sherry, congrats on the job!!!! What are you gonna be doing? I still haven't been called for my job. Guess I'm not getting it, although the guy said that I pretty much had it! It was cashiering at Walmart on 3rd shift, good pay...I called last week to find out what was going on, since he said he'd call me at the beginning of that week and the lady said they were waiting on my background check to come in and they'd call. Still no call :( I know my background check and drug test was clean! Can't figure out why they wouldn't hire me. Oh well, I can try elsewhere! Looks like for 3rd shift they'd take whoever they could...it's not a shift that many people ASK for, ya know?

No riding in the last 2 days here! As soon as I started to go yesterday (literally, was putting my backpack on to walk out) it started raining! Could have been a good thing though, there was a plane crash right where I ride around the time I was going to ride. Hoping that I'll get to ride tomorrow....rain rain go away!

Kim

That is one good thing about using an exercise bike! No worries about rain! I got in 31km yesterday. I will ride later today I am sure. Still sick now with an AWEFUL headache. Thank god it hasn't started yet today but I am sure it is coming :(

Thanks, Kim. First let me warn you that I am a geek. ;) I will be working as a consultant for a consulting firm that provides land use, real estate, and environmental services to public agencies and private companies. I'm really excited by the work because it's multi-dimensional and very interesting. And the company seems fabulous and I think it will be a perfect fit for me in terms of work-life balance.

Regarding Wal-Mart, you should call again until they tell you no. Be nice about it, not a pest; sometimes people get busy with other things and hiring decisions might take a temporary back seat. Also shows you have initiative! :D Good luck!!

Hope the rain goes away and you can ride again soon. And hope no one was seriously injured in that plane crash. Good thing you weren't around when it happened!

Courtnie, hope you and your grandmother feel better soon.

We got up early this morning and rode 10 miles along the beach. Is supposed to even hotter today and is very sticky. I'm really excited because I was riding up a hill and a chick on a road bike was not able to pass me! Yay! Someone mentioned big, powerful thighs ... Well I have them too and they sure come in handy at times like that. Though I wish they weren't quite so huge and flabby at the top that they rub together when I walk. Sigh.

I'll try to peek in during the week but don't have any rides planned until next weekend and will be busy with the new job. Hope everyone has a great week!

Still no ride...lol. I think I overdid it last week and I just keep looking at the bike knowing that I need to ride and I want to ride, but can't make myself do it! Sad. I am going to TRY to run again though, and I'm fixin to start with jogging in place here in the living room in a few. I was gonna go around the block tonight, but sat here till too late and hubby didn't want me out with him sleeping and if something happened he wouldn't know I wasn't home till morning.

Good luck with that job! Sounds interesting. I was just having a pity party a bit ago because I didn't finish high school and college and all that, knowing I had potential and I had to rely on Walmart for a job! Now I see nothing wrong with working at jobs like this (I waitressed at a Waffle House for a few years and I'd go back to that job in a MINUTE...it was fun, I made good money and was a good waitress and gave people a smile alot of times when they needed it) but I wish I could get a higher level job. Maybe one of these days I'll get back to school! I guess I'm blessed that I don't have to work, and that I'm looking for a job for extra money...so many others have to have 2 parents working to make ends meet.

This has turned into too much huh? LOL.

Courtnie, I think I'd ride all of 10 minutes on a stationary! I've got an elliptical machine and I just can't make myself use it on a regular basis because of the boredom factor! I need to though..it's great cardio! It's a great thing though that you can deal with it! Do you read or watch tv or something while on it?

Hope your grandmother is improving!

Yes, sadly, 2 people died in the plane crash, but 2 people walked away. They were landing at our tiny airport. I feel awful for their families.

Hope everyone is doing well! I'm off to make myself jog in place! LOL.

Kim

Watch TV! Or sometimes I read - I have to get back into the reading, I have two books on the go haha. But usually I get up at 5:45 watch the last bit of saved by the bell and then dawson's creek! I never watched dawson's creek when it was on TV but the re-runs are good and the time fly's by! I didn't get any riding in yesterday and this morning I woke up and went back to bed. My body was stiff and I felt like crap - still sick. But I have to get back at it tomorrow.

I've tried TV with the elliptical...but I'm not big on TV so get bored with it so easily! Music videos work, but then again...I get bored. LOL.

Still haven't gotten on the bike...probably will tomorrow. I did walk/jog for 30 minutes with my daughter tonight. She's 9 and getting a little pudge. I'd never tell her this, but I include her when I can on rides and/or walks on the basis of 'come keep me company!' She did better at the jogging than I did! I jogged for 16 minutes around my coffee table last night, but apparently that's alot easier than road jogging...lol.

Kim

Road jogging is much harder :( I have a treadmill for a couple more days, but I haven't been using it... far too nosiey!

I got in 25.22 km today :)

31.02km today :)

30.08 km

Got in 14.6 miles today. Finally got back on my bike! Sheesh, that 14.6 felt like 30 because of the wind! When I got home I checked the weather site and the winds are between 15 and 25mph today...no wonder I almost gave up a few times...lol.

Hope everyone is doing great!

Kim

Only rode one time this weekend: today. A very short ride, just about an hour and only 13 miles. But hey, better than nothing!

The new job is going extremely well. But because I've been off for 10 months I need to re-learn my time management skills. So for now, that means much less computer time.

Hope you're all doing well! It looks like Courtnie is racking up the miles on the stationary bike -- good job!! Kim, glad you're back on the bike. I know what you mean about the wind; we ride along a river bed and the wind almost always howls up it, but it was particularly strong today and I think that's why we didn't go so far (had to limit the ride to 1 hour).

Rain rain go away!
 

*sob* Between the rain, being buried alive at work with nothing but a straw to breathe through, school work and fife & drum, I haven't seen the light (if there's been any) of day in several weeks now.

Last week I pulled 16 hours days and then did homework, getting home around 3:30 am. Ugh. Totally sucks.

Congrats on the new job!

And as for liking my legs... I'll never be what society deems as an ideal frame (I'd be a total babe in ancient Greece, though), but I like being able to do activities without getting winded or stressed by it. That's the whole reason I'm doing this now, is to try to keep my fitness level up. Now, if I only could get away from the desk once in a while so I could accomplish my goals... *sigh*

--Janis

Been a couple days since I posed, but I was still riding. Did 22.12km today making my total so far 509.85km or 316.8miles.

sf40, I'm so glad the new job is going well for you! I was wondering about you and Busker the other day, wondering how things were going for y'all.

Busker, I know what you mean about the Greece thing! I see the paintings and think 'hey that's me!' lol.

Glad to hear from both of y'all! I haven't been on the bike either lately, but I don't have a good excuse like y'all do...lol. Well, now I do..it's TOM and I'm just not feelin it!

sf40, I have started jogging/walking some though! I'm actually enjoying it a little after making hubby stay home so that I can do it at my pace all the way and not worry about him making me mad...hehe. I love that he's in awesome shape till we work out together in an endurance type thing...then I just get mad cause I can't keep up, when I KNOW in my rational mind that I'm just not in as good of shape as he is...ah, women!

Looks like Courtnie is gonna whoop us all! I wish I had a trainer to set my bike up on, then I might get some more miles in, but then again, probably not...lol.

Kim

I didn't ride yesterday - but I did today! 30.18km :)

did 31.34 today

31.07 today :)

Hey everyone!

Got in a short 13 mile ride today. Nothing again until next weekend (sob) unless I want to ride a stationary bike at the gym.

Kim, glad you're walking/running. This up-coming week is my target start date for adding running, but I did something to my left foot and it hurts to walk (I think my feet are not accustomed to being in dress shoes all day ;)). So I think I should wait for it to heal before I try to add jogging. Meanwhile, will continue to bike and swim, though the elliptical might be ok.

Hubby and I are starting to talk about researching road bikes. Of course that's on the list below exercising and preparing healthy food. But I'll share what I come up with, though it might be a while.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I'm determined to get on the bike tomorrow...at least 15 miles worth! This is getting ridiculous! I have been jogging some though. Tonight when I went my right knee was really hurting though. I had to force myself to jog some. I did notice that I'm able to jog for longer periods...I think I was focusing too much on time, watching the time and hoping to be able to stop soon...tonight I didn't even take my watch and I was jogging past my normal stopping points.

Cortnie, so glad to see you're getting those miles in! How are you doing on your weight loss?

Not losing fast here, at all! It's ridiculously slow. If I didn't feel so much better physically and mentally there's no way I'd still be at this. I'd probably be sitting here stuffing my face with brownies if I didn't feel better...lol. Yup, craving them and just can't justify them right now.

Hope everyone is doing well! Hopefully I'll get to report mileage tomorrow!

Kim

sf40, I GOT THE JOB!!!! They called this morning to say that all their background check and drug test had just come back in and I go in wed morning to start orientation!!!!!!! I was really disappointed and down about that!

Hope everyone is doing well! I didn't get a bike ride in yesterday like I said I was, we took my hubby to the beach for Father's Day. But, I did get in a jog last night and ran alot farther than I have so far. My knees are paying for it today, but I did it!

Kim

Kim - congrats on the job! So awesome! What will you be doing? Starting a new job is always hard, I hate it - that sick feeling in you stomach, YUCK! haha

I got in lots of riding this weekend, Saturday 31.26, Sunday 29.11 and this morning 30.78! I am getting close to starting over! I lost 2.2 pounds this week and the same last week, I just hope to keep it up! I am sure the 80min of biking a day is helping a lot. I was jogging before but then I hurt my knees, that is when I switched to biking. I never got back into the jogging. But I remember how good it felt to jog only because I was never able to do it before and it felt like I was working myself harder, but biking burns more calories, haha. Make sure you have a good pair of shoes or yo uwill really hurt your feet!

Courtnie,

thanks! I'll be cashiering at Walmart on third shift. Not the best job, but the best paying around here for the hours for a non grad. I mainly wanted it to get out of the house, and to be able to send my middle kid to karate classes without putting such a strain on hubby's paycheck, so it's gonna serve it's purpose! Besides...10% discount at my favorite store...lol. Gosh, I haven't worked in about 5 years...gonna be wierd! Yeah, I always hated starting a new job...you wonder what you're gonna screw up...hehe.

You're doing so good on the challenge. You started after all of us and you're fixin to lap us! I guess that's why you're seeing a weight loss...hehe. Yes, I'm scared that I won't be able to jog anymore....my knees are giving me trouble since starting, but I think it may be my shoes. I got a cheap pair the other day just to see how they'd do, and I think I'll have to suck it up and just pay for a good pair if I want to keep jogging.

I know what you mean about feeling like you're working harder...it feels great to me to really sweat, besides just breaking one! I don't sweat easily, so I know when I'm dripping that I'm getting a great workout...jogging is about all I've found that'll do that for me! So I love doing it...go figure...I'll probably have to quit...lol.

Grrr...I can't ride today! Hubby won't be home till about 9 tonight so I have the kiddos all day. I can't wait till they're old enough to be left alone for awhile...lol. That's awful huh?

Hope you're doing well!

Kim

Kim - you need to go out and get yourself a really good pair of shoes. I know I did, I havent used them yet - but just in case! I think it makes a huge difference!

Good luck with the new job :) My search for a puppy continues!

I didn't know you were looking for a puppy!!! What kind are you hoping to get?
I'm thinking of getting a puppy for Christmas...but not sure about that. We have a houseful of new furniture and I'd hate to end up with chewed up table legs and shredded couch....I don't know what I'd do...lol.

There are so many great breeds out there! Mutts are worth looking at too. Shelters are sadly full!!! Let me know how the search goes!

Kim

The search is dreadfull! I am almost pulling my hair out! I want a small dog. I don't care if it is a mutt as long as it has good mixings. I have been asking about boston terriers. I would like a mixed breed but they are hard to come by around here. The way it is going for me it will be christmas by the time I get one too. Lots of the smaller dogs need lots of grooming and are not good with kids - I dont have kids, but I will while the puppy is still alive!

Oh man, there's so many choices in a small dog that doesn't require alot of grooming!!! Chihuahua's(not sure bout that spelling), Boston's (good dogs, my daughter's friend has 2, good with her kids at least), Poodles (need grooming, but aren't shedders really). Do you not have shelters around there? Or are all the small dogs grabbed up fast? Oh! Daschounds are great dogs too and require no grooming at all!

My fave small dogs are Pomeranian's. I wouldn't say alot of grooming that needs to be done outside the house, you just have to keep them brushed out....they're extremely smart and sweet dogs!!! We had one and that's the only dog (besides his childhood dog) that my husband has ever really liked..he actually loved her...she took his pillow, yeah, he was in love...lol.

I'm actually not a small dog lover, but wouldn't turn one down...lol. I'm a dog lover period really, I just prefer a HUGE dog!

Good luck with your search! Keep me posted! Like I said, I'm a dog nut...right along with horses :)

Kim

yes, I am a big dog lover too! I was offered a boxer puppy yesterday, so hard to say no but I had no :(

The problem with the pom's and chi's is they can be a bit snippy and yappy. I don't have any younge kids, but the dog will be around when I start a family. I am really thinking I want a Boston but having trouble finding one. My mom suggested a beagel today and I found some puppies, about half the price (or less) then a boston.... I don't know much about Beagel's tho, they sounds like great dogs but they need LOTS of exercise.

As for biking, I got in 30.06 today :)

Congratulations! Or condolences ... :dizzy: It will be nice for you to get out of the house and have some extra spending $$$.

My new job is going well. Because it's a career change for me, I'm learning lots of new things and at times I feel my head will explode! I think it will be this way for a while but that's ok because I enjoy learning new things.

Haven't ridden since last weekend and haven't even exercised because my foot is still giving me trouble. I don't think it's the shoes after all; it seems more like an infection, perhaps caused by a spider bite I found on my leg or my most recent pedicure. Think I'm gonna try to get some antibiotics from the doctor to get rid of it. Tired of hobbling around and not exercising! :(

Speaking of dogs ... Hubby likes big dogs. I like little pets. So we have a very large dog and a couple of cats. Luckily they all get along. In fact, the cats "raised" the dog and she has a lot of cat characteristics. Kim, if you want a well-behaved huge dog, try a lab or golden retriever. Ours is a mix yellow lab/golden and she is the very best dog I've ever had. She sheds after her bath, but doesn't require any other grooming. She's never chewed furniture, never had an accident in the house, is great with kids. She is a wonderful dog. :love:

my parents have a yellow love and he is awesome, I love him to pieces! I just need a smaller dog tho :(

got in 30.86km this morning.