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Sunday, August 12, 2007

Weekend Update

Friday Night after work, I took a big bike in the country all by myself since Mike wanted to run. It was good to get out there and hammer the pedals. I took a long route and tried to detour a busy road, which is where I got a little lost and also found the biggest hill ever. Couple hundred feet of climbing in a pretty short distance - not fun, but I did it.

Saturday, we had thought about doing a race - we had 2 to choose from, one in Beloit and the other in Broadhead. Apparently they were both super secret races since we could not really get any details on them. Mike even emailed and asked specifically when, where, and how much for the race, and they emailed back without really answering his questions. So, since Mike was on call for work anyhow, we decided to scrap those plans. My thought was if it was that hard to get details or find really any basic info at all, that the field of runners for these 10K's would be very very small and consist of hardcore folks..... translation: I would get totally smoked. I was OK with not doing any race. Instead I watched my niece Isabel for a couple hours while Michele got a haircut and all gussied up for the Lone Star concert at GOEX where here hubby works. We had a blast. She loved watching the dogs run around and act stupid (it really isn't an act, it just comes natural to them...), except when Maddy would lick the bottoms of her feet.

In the afternoon, we went to the Parker Football Team Picnic. It was hot and was inside the school which was quite hot and humid. I might also mention that it took place directly after Saturday practice, so the room was packed with sweaty teenage boys and was smelling quite rank, Eau de Sweatsock I believe it was called. After 3 hours we arrived home with Lucas the proud owner of a new t-shirt, this one for qualifying for the 1000 Yard Club which recognizes performance and community service throughout the year. Pretty cool, although I could think of a couple other ways to spend my Saturday off......


We watched a couple movies and headed to bed with the intention of getting up early and driving to Madison to ride a loop of the IMWI course. We slept in a little and had to scrap that plan as the heat predicted for the day was not conducive to a late start. Instead we took the Velo Club route to Beckman Mill, a restored mill that is also a county park. It was a nice 40+ mile ride and I hadn't ever taken that way before although a lot of it was actually roads I ride all the time. Bonus - I got to climb the same big monster hill I had hated to ride AGAIN!

The first picture is a lovely shot of my behind (thanks, Mike....) showcasing what see on nearly every coutry road ride, miles and miles, and miles of corn with a smattering of farmhouses.
The second picture is Mike after using the incredibly clean facilities at Beckman Mill County Park. This last picture is a shot of the pond the buildings overlook. Thought I would get an artsy shot in there for Di.

Now, in other news, Mike and I were one of the front page stories of the Janesville Gazette today. That was kind of cool. I am having a bit of difficulty getting over the fact that she included our starting weights, something I have been pretty protective of by telling people what I have lost in pounds rather that where I started. I have always figured anyone that really wanted to know could do the math themselves..... Anyhow, there it was paragraph one, every fat girl's nightmare - your weight printed for all the world to see on the front page of the paper. A little mortifying, but I think I am getting over it. The rest of the article was pretty nice, so I should really just shut up and enjoy it. Besides, it was my own fault for telling her, I just thought it went without saying that any girl would not be happy with that.

12 comments:

tayjizzy said...

Who is that beautiful baby? She must take after her mother. I was suprised she put your weight in also. Even though you look great and have come a long way, I think it's common knowlege that girls do not like to tell their weight.

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

Just want to tell you I think you look fantastic! keep up your excellent work!

Bigun said...

well, it's a fantastic story about weight loss - you have to have some point of refrence, right? Still, increadible job - and sounds like you had a very active couple of days there - nice pics! Is that some kind of nightie miss janesvill has on today? You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?!? 70 degrees, eh? we haven't seen 70 at any time, day or night, in weeks....

Dan Seifring aka "OBRATS" said...

It is a great and very motivating article. I don't have to tell you that you should be proud of your accomplishments (because I know you are).

Nice weekend biking also.

Jeff said...

Great ride, great article, great motiviation.

I figure the more people that know your old weight, the harder it would be to ever go back.

Margie said...

Great article! You both are such an inspiration. Looks like Valerie and Kirsty are still 245 lbs behind you.

Pat said...

congratulations on the article. You deserve it, both of you have done fantastic.

Great pictures too. A lot more green than in my pictures here.

Tri-Dummy said...

What did you think of the IMWI bike course?????

Great article, too! you guys are an amazing couple. You'll never know the lives you can touch through sharing your experiences with others.

Unknown said...

Hey TD- just to answer your question-- Mike and I did not get our cracks out of the sack early enough to get up there and beat the heat so we just rode local. We have ridden a portion of it before (around the Old Sauk Pass and Stagecoach road area). It's hilly. A pretty ride though. Would be fun to ride with say several hundred of your closest triathlete friends.....

Steve said...

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jenny Davidson said...

Great story! I totally hear you on the mortification part, but really, just think how inspiring this might be to someone who thinks they're too heavy to start exercising, it's really worth it...

Erin said...

Who cares about starting numbers -- it's what you're doing now that's important...and so ridiculously impressive!!!

I continue to be amazed and inspired by your and Mike's journey.


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