Eight weeks to Challenge '08

This week marks the 8 week count down till the Challenge. To date I've been good about my swimming and even weight lifting - they cycling has however been pretty lax. Not to worry I am in a much better spot this year than last! I'll be kicking the training into high gear and am looking forward to going to some spinning classes in addition to the other cycle training.

Donation requests are being sent, and the donations have started - it's such a great motivational tool too! I am also planning a special LiveStrong Day fundraising auction to end on LiveStrong Day, May 13th, stay tuned for details. There will be bunny things AND non-rabbit type items available in the auction. All proceeds will go to the LAF and be counted as part of my fund-raising goal. Don't keep it a secret - let your friends and family know!

New Challenge

I can't believe my last post was in September, how time flies! So much has happened since then. The LiveStrong Challenge ride was awesome, so much so that I signed up again! This year's ride in Portland will take place in June; I am hopeful that there will be sun instead of constant rain on the ride. I am in a much better position this year for the challenge and will begin the formal training plan this week. Last year I only got in a total of five weeks worth of training, this year I will have 12.

Stay tuned for progress reports!

Five, four, three, two, You're ON

It's been over a week since my last post & life is hectic. I was temporarily a displaced home owner while the house was being tented, alas it worked out nicely as I was able to stay with a friend who was away on vacation. All 12 critters & I loaded up the necessities and some odds and ends & took leave of the house. Coming back to the disaster has been a bit daunting, but it's coming back together little by little. Much to do before the trip (depart on Friday) so can only spend bits and bobs working on house stuff. While being bug free is nice, I didn't get in any training the whole week :-(

I picked up training where I left off and it went okay, the week off wasn't a good idea, but no matter, it is what it is. I spoke with my host tonight and she indicated they're expecting rain this weekend - yikes! That wasn't on my agenda, more planning, it's almost Wednesday ...

HAHAHAHAHA

Today marked a great milestone in my training for the LAF Challenge. I am happy to report that I covered 16 hilly, bumpy, dusty, hot miles in Penasquitos Canyon today . . . with only 7th & 14th gears working!!!! It was brutal in spots and I did have to walk some of the hills due to the bike's (yes! blame it on the bike) shifting problem (mostly non-existent!). Very happy with the results. Rode with Bill and Terry from I-15 out to the I-805, beautiful day albeit since we got started a bit later than planned (they tried to fix the shifter) it was hot. Legs feel good tonight, we'll see about tomorrow.

No word from the termite people so have to make some calls in the AM to see if the alternate company can get the fumigation done as was planned since I've already committed to being elsewhere! Should be an interesting week!

Getting Closer

I would like to be saying what a great workout I had today, but the truth is I totally buggered off. Tomorrow is however a 1.5 hr ride on the "real" bike! I did manage to get it pumped up (thanks to Bill) and all appears well. At first I thought Daley Ranch, but I know that first hill is brutal so maybe Pensquitos would be a better option. Got some proper bike shorts also.

Feeling very low energy today, none to happy about it either. This kink in my neck is wearing me down, I haven't had it go bad for this long of time before. Whine whine.

Termite guy was a no show Friday, so have no idea if the fumigation will take place next week. Have obligated myself to take care of a friends pets during the time, so keeping hopeful that the "other" company can pull off doing the fumigation on Wed or Th at the latest.

Paws crossed for a better day with higher energy levels! I feel like The Challenge is getting closer, but I'm not any better prepared (which I know isn't true, just feeling blah today).

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.

I did it & thank you to supporters!

Okay granted it's Monday and I should have posted this last night but alas too tired then. I did it - a full hour on the "regular" upright bike actually 61 minutes, 13.33 miles. Now I have something to measure with a bit better! Let's compare my cycling to Lance's shall we - hahaha. The Lance Armstrong's War book I just finished was talking about watts as a measure of overall performance ... at his best Lance could pull 500 watts for 30 minutes. I hit 145 watts for about 3 seconds and thought my legs were going to fall off! LOL, cough, gasp. Okay, well I guess that's why I'm not a millionaire bike rider eh?! I'll challenge him to a rabbit toe nail trimming contest - then we'll see who's got the stuff!!

Less than 3 weeks to the ride and not quite 1/2 way to my fund raising goal, the team "CCC - Cyclists Combating Cancer" is #1 and one of our riders is #5 for top fundraiser at about 19K! Don Larson, my Toastmaster mentor, graciously put a blurb on his website regarding the challenge . . . every little bit helps! Donate donate donate - great tax deduction :-) THANK YOU everyone that has donated & those that have committed - love you guys!

Today's picture is my theme shirt, "Aliens stole my TUMA." It works better when you think of our Governator saying it (California Governor AKA Arnold). Bill coined the expression and it helped me greatly to find humor in what could have been a very depressing situation last year. Thankfully all is well!