ANTS - AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Time is slipping ... no roaring past and I'm wondering if come The Challenge if my legs will fall off and/or my lungs will collapse. I'm sticking with the schedule, hope it's enough. These next 3 days will tell a lot, I have one (or two) 1.5 hour rides to complete. One will be on the mtn bike, either Daley or perhaps Pensquitos (which would be the easier of the two!). Hopefully that will be easier vs. the gym as there are things to look at and distract the mind. Yesterday's session was okay, but difficult after dance class, made for a long day.

Tonight's headline: ANTS - AHHHHHHHHHHHH is symbolic. Despite my repeated attempts to destroy them they persist and are back in FULL force. Quite amazing little creatures really. Since the house is to be tented next week I hope to convince them once and for all that they need to go elsewhere. Also next week I am to meet with the city to go over the necessary contractor info etc, so the project is moving forward albeit more slowly than I would like. I *really* need to get a good idea on bathroom fixtures etc as well as the flooring.

The county veterinary called today and they are not yet sure of the cause of Searsha's seizures, the additional lab work, which can take weeks hopefully will shed some light. Her happy face is dearly missed. Frankie's visit to Dr. Bausone today was inconclusive so it is back in someone elses court what direction to pursue. The eye does not appear to be causing him pain and there is no discharge so that is good.

The hills are brutal

Thur: I managed a full hour on the bikes at the gym with "only" a 10 minute break on the treadmill between. The first 30 minutes was fairly easy, the last 30 minutes was brutal. I'm wondering if since I start on the recliner first that might be why, tomorrow I'll do the opposite and see how that goes. They also have those spinning classes, I'll have to check into that and see what it's about, I hear they're a great workout. Tomorrow I'll get the bike sorted out and see about a ride on Sunday.

In the salsa arena, I got some "real" dance shoes & and trying to find a good site that has audio/video/and miracles since my feet don't seem to want to cooperate. I know 1/2 of it is not having "good" music! I am determined!

Eleanor (in pix) ... isn't she cute!! Still hunting for a husbun.

Wednesday?!??

Alright how did it get to be Wednesday already?? I feel like I missed a day somewhere, dang it! Happy to report I booked a flight to Portland - one less thing to worry about. Flying out of C'bad - yea, much less hassle for a little more $$. Next begins the trying to find a place to rent a motorcycle?? Maybe. Would be fun to cruise around on Sat & check out the course in advance of Sundays "real" ride. The mtn bike, although clean, is still sitting in the garage with flat tires, doesn't look like it's going to get any better until Sat either!

On the home from the lead based paint inspector came by today - check that off the list. And the 2nd termite inspection report is in so I can move on that. Found a bunch of great pix from mags I've collected over the years & have a good idea of the window style I want, and the general look & feel of the bathroom. On the 18th I'll meet with the City rep & go over the contractor/bid process. No word from either of the 2 landscape contractors I called yesterday to get the leak fixed. Drat.

Tomorrow is gym, tonight was Salsa & boy am I a beginner!! One-two-three (four), five-six-seven (eight) & repeat. I am seriously going to have to practice every night otherwise come next Wednesday I'm going to look like a dork :-) Give me an hour on a bike instead! What was I thinking? (LOL, it will be good for me!) Looking forward to the gym tomorrow, need to put in a full hour . . . tho I might have to take a 10 min "break" on the treadmill to give the behind a rest!

Thank you to the sponsors/donors we are getting closer and closer to the target goal. Eleanor (see pix) says Yipee too! Sorry, no pix, not working - tomorrow!

Wonderful support!! Thank you.

Tonight's blog is dedicated to my supporters, donors, friends & family. I am absolutely thrilled with the outpouring of sponsors that have already made donations. The link to my web page is here http://portland07.livestrong.org/debraskibun.- check it out - you guys are awesome - THANK YOU!!!

I spent nearly a full hour on the bikes tonight at the gym. They have a reclining style and an upright style - I like to break it up between the two (at least for now while my bike butt is developing). HOW do those folks that bike hundreds of miles a day do it??? Did some hill work and I can tell I'm getting stronger as the machine only paused twice on me (it does that when you are approaching muscle failure I guess). The first time I did the hill work it was pausing every 30 seconds.

My goal (one of many) for this weekend is to get the mtn bike out and cleaned up and ride a bit on a "real" bike. Tomorrow is starvation day, Friday is camera day. The Dr. promised she'd use two different cameras! I think tomorrow is going to be tougher than Friday. 36 hours without solid food - that'll be a new one for me!

Again, THANK YOU to all of you for your donations, emails, and words of encouragement YOU ARE THE BEST!

It's official

It's official, I've entered the new media age now, yes? I tried to resist but really needed someplace where I could keep folks informed of my progress for the LiveStrong Challenge coming up next month. Yikes!

So I haven't been riding in, oh, about 3 years & I signed up for a 40 mile bike ride (the one with peddles!). It's a fundraising ride with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. http://www.laf.org/. Anyway, I have some work ahead of me and will keep you posted here of my training progress. You can check out my fundraising efforts http://portland07.livestrong.org/debraskibun. Thank you to everyone that has already donated (since just last night!!).

I'll be heading to the gym tomorrow for some serious time in "the saddle" . . . maybe I'll ride the motorcycle over there.