Take it Away, James!

Thank you, James Brown. 

I am back. And, it's time to "get up off of that thing."

After I finished RAGBY, lots of people asked me if I was sick of my bike. Well, sort of. I was kind of sick of my bike, and kind of sick of working out, and that lead me to be kind of sick of blogging. I joked with Goldie, as I sat late into the evening drinking wine on her patio, that I was going to take "August off" from working out in the morning. 

That was only kind of true. 

And, I have to say, this summer, I really struggled to want to sit down at a computer. Often I wanted to be outside or doing something. Sometimes I wanted to do nothing, but rarely did I want to compute: hence the blog hiatus. 

But, now, I'm back. Back to school, back to computers, and here's hoping, back to a regular gym and exercise routine. 

Thanks for your patience, gentle readers! Steve L, fly-catcher, this means you! Thank you!** 

Happy Day Shout Outs

I do want to give a couple shout-outs today to fellow bloggers. 

First, please send your vibes of love and happiness to Carnations blogger, scientist, uber-mom, yogi and cancer-kick-asser: H-Bomb. She's going through her last hard chemo today. I am so proud of her! She is an amazing friend and a total inspiration.

Second, it is Steven's birthday! Happy birthday Steven! I hope your 23rd year is full of adventure and fun, are MORE BLOGGING, please. That is all. 

Lick it and Stick it 

Lately, I have been thinking about how I have never actually completed a "training program." Every year for ragby, I print the training schedule for the 1,000 miles, but then I just do my own thing. 

When I trained for my first 5-K, way back in the day, I followed, mostly, the Couch to 5k Training Plan, but then kind of fell off it when I went on vacation. 

Every time Oprah and Deepak come out with a new 21-day meditation challenge, I get through the first 8 or 12 days, but then I miss a day, and then miss a couple days, and then I can't access them anymore. Very unzen.

Same is true for the plank challenge. Let's be honest. I could not make it past 2 minutes of planking, no matter how much planking I did.

It is a catalog of started training programs/challenges/schedules that have got kaput. 

What if I actually did stick with a training program? Is there a training program that is easy enough for me to stick to? Can I stick to a training program while working?!

Let's see, shall we? (I am very refreshed after my summer of leisure). I do think it would be good for me to stick with a program, just once, to the end. And see what that accomplishes.

Secrets and Centuries

While most people are putting their road bikes away and greasing up their cross bikes, I have centuries in my mind. 

Well, one century now. Too Much invited us to do the Urban Century in the Twin Cities the first weekend in September. Then, he bailed. Typical Wheelman.

But, there is another century ride on the horizon. I would tell you all about it, but I can't tell you all about it, just yet....I will tell you that Steven and I have "plans." So, stay tuned. 

With that in mind, I am going to strive! Really, really strive to complete this program! 

Starting this week! 

Yes, it is kind of cheating because it is for beginners, and I have already ridden one century this summer, but I need something easy to fit into my fabulous busy-work lifestyle. 

Step Two or To?

Once again, the charming captain of my colleges stair climb team has hoodwinked encouraged me to join the team. This year the climb is four buildings for a total of 93. It is also on my mom's birthday. (Think we could get her to do it with me?). 

I'd really like to not hate every minute of this event. That is my motivation. Actually, that's actually my new goal. Actually it's two-fold.

1. Training enough for an event that I don't hate every single minute, aka not dry heaving. 

2. Having reasonable expectations about:

a) Events I chose

b) Fitting training into my lifestyle

Now What?

In terms of blog content, I may have boxed myself into a corner. Now that the December Winter Festival of RAGBRAI Blogging is an institution, I can't write about that. So, now what do I write about? I have some book reviews I've been kicking around...

Here's hoping that our secret-event in 8-ish weeks, and training for said secret event, will create some good blog fodder. 

Until then, Happy Last Chemo Day, H-Bomb! Happy Birthday, Steven! Happy Blogging Me!

**Please tell Justin I had some time to think about his "[the dead fly] probably fell out of your hair" comment, and the next time I see him I am going to punch him in the dick.