MS150 Ride, 2015

Another MS150 Bike Ride under the belt.

This year, I more than doubled my fund raising compared to last year, and I doubled the size of the team. My goal for next year is to double again.

The weather was incredible, and the people were even better.

The ride was with Rick & Jana, and my high school buddy Geoff.  Rick and Jana trained a bit (plus they had done Ride the Rockies a few years before, so they're badasses anyway) but Geoff didn't really have the time, with two kids of differing ages in sports - and him coaching both.

We all met at our house, and Chris and Joey dropped us off at the FRCC parking lot in Rick's truck.

We didn't stay together long - Rick is super fast, and Jana is faster than Geoff.  Geoff and I stuck together, at the back at the pack.  At the last rest stop before the 66 mile/75 mile split, Geoff and Jana paired up, and Rick and I paired up.  Rick and I did the rest of the 75 mile (going up part of Horsetooth Reservoir) and Jana and Geoff did the rest of the 66 mile (they skipped Horsetooth). It was AMAZING.  We met at the end, Chris made dinner reservations, and we all grabbed showers, and Trish and the kids came up.  Joey, Chris, me, Rick, Jana, Geoff, Trish, Sam, and Max all ate meat at the Rodisio in Ft. Collins.

Day two, Chris and Joey took Geoff for the Waffle House special - after they dropped Rick and Jana and I off at the starting line, they took Geoff to get his bike and then to the Waffle House, and then dropped him off at the last rest stop before the finish line.  Geoff actually later said that he felt like he could've done more miles the second day. Good for him, though, to end on a really good note.  The three of us did the 66 mile route on the way back (which wound up being 60 miles), and Jana and I stuck together.  It was HOT. Jana almost overheated near the end, but was luckily OK.

I am very much looking forward to next year. Trish says she's in. Chris is going to do it. Hopefully Joey is. There is event talk that Jeff and Dianna might train for it, and if that's the case, Jon and his wife Veronica will come up from Texas to do it, too.

ETA:  I forgot to describe the stunt plane that Geoff and I were lucky enough to get to watch on our way through Gunbarrel. It was SO COOL - we were riding straight toward the stunts, and Geoff regaled me with stories about his grandfather and planes, and his grandparents in general.  What a special time.

Morning Ride & Pop & a Bit of Philosophy

This morning was gorgeous.  60* and clear sky.  I got up at 5:30, inhaled my two scrambled eggs and about 20 ounces of water, and hit the path on the bike by 5:50.  Notice the conspicuous lack of Dr. Pepper. I've decided to quit again. I've been trying to lose the 10 winter pounds for a couple months now, but the scale isn't budging, despite using MFP and being diligent.  So, I'm looking at you, sugar.  I just can't have a relationship with soda. It's no good for me.  I have to say - starting the day with a ride made it 1,000x easier to skip it. I totally haven't missed it (despite the fact I'm typing about it). [Update 6/30/15 - still haven't stuck to quiting. I will, though.]

Also...generally speaking I live my life being grateful daily.  I'm a very lucky person. I had a wonderful childhood.  I've had mostly wonderful people in my life, and those that I perceived as not-so-wonderful, I've been able to learn and grow from that interface.  My house isn't fancy - but we're paying less for it than people rent apartments for, because we bought at a good time and knew we didn't want to max out what the bank told us we could "afford" (get financing for) .  My job is stressful, but I work with wonderful people and I believe in what we do and the people who do it, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I am rich in my family and friends.  I feel also, that I'm lucky to be able to recognize and have gratitude for my life. There are many people who always want more, and who are perpetually miserable because they can't ever "achieve" happiness and contentment, despite always trying to reach it.  Luckily, over the years, I have learned how to feel happy and content NOW, no matter what, and to recognize that loneliness, sadness, frustration - are all a part of the experience, and don't have to override my overall gratitude. I'm very thankful for having the ability to learn that over the years, and embrace it.  Knock on wood, for all of it.

OCD/Habits/Excuses

While browsing FB, just saw one of those sponsored ads by RunHaven come up in my feed (which, incidentally, also pictured a decent-looking, lifted TJ with armor and a bumper/winch on it), titled "The Realities of Running."  It basically talked about habits, and "must haves" when it comes to running.

I have to say - I disagree with all of it, and this is why. (Disclaimer:  I'm SO not some hard core runner.  I'm a hack at best, but I'm fairly consistent and get out there regularly, knock on wood).

Running is the most natural, basic movement for humans.  Why do we need all this extraneous crap and habits? The article talked about ear buds, clothes, shoes...The only thing I take with me without fail is my phone (which I'm going to have with me anyway, all day, and I use MapMyRun as my diary), and my running shoes.  On the shoes, it's not even necessarily my most recent, newest pair - if I forget my "new" shoes at work, and want to run at home - I'll pull out my older pair, the ones I use for snow running that have screws in them - and go for a run.  I don't use music.  I don't care what I wear. Forgot my jog bra? Too bad.  Not an excuse. I've run (painfully and probably ridiculous-looking enough) in my regular bra more than once.  Forgot socks? Tough.  I've run without them.  Meal time is off, and I'm feeling either too full or too empty? Again, tough.  I believe it makes me a stronger and more versatile runner, to still go when everything isn't exactly right, or even when things are quite wrong.  I still push through it and get in my miles, and am invariably happy that I did.

Just the THOUGHT of needing everything to be JUST SO to go out and run stresses me out. Just. Go. Just RUN!

Mini Incline

Sunday morning, I picked up coworker Kait at 7:00 to head to Castle Rock for the "mini-incline."  See pictures and an article here.  The staircase has 200 stairs, and they're numbered in 10s.  There is a trail that winds down from the top of the staircase, back to the bottom of the stairs.  It took us about 15 minutes per loops.  We did the loop six times, for a total of 1,200 stairs, and 4 miles.  It was really cool, and I'm looking forward to doing it again - and moving up to the Manitou Incline.  After this little workout, we had a BBQ to attend.  People asked me if I was sore, to which I replied, "I don't know yet." I was guessing that with all the walking paired with the stair ascension, it wouldn't be too bad. Turns out, I was right.

Yesterday, I ran 4.5 miles on my lunch break.

Today, I feel great.

I'm thinking of planning another Mini-Incline for this coming Sunday morning.

Summer is here, life is good.

Diet, Exercise, Energy

The last half of last year, I had gotten to the point where I was eating well, and my performance didn't seem to be easily affected by when/what I had eaten.  I'm desperate to get back that feeling of overall strength. Even though I can still easily run my 4.5 miles, and ride my 20 (or 35), I still feel as though I'm under-performing. I never, ever want to slack off so much over the winter again. Ugh!!