:) I did it

We drove 3 hours and checked into our hotel at 11:30.
I woke up early and squeezed into my padded bicycle shorts, double sports bra, cute new biking shirt and shorts and placed on my helmet.
We met mom at the starting line.
We started ten minutes late.
Four hours later, I finished the 26 mile ride right behind mom. J Then we both devoured an Italian lunch. Yum.

I cried a little when I saw the end. I don’t know if it was because I was so proud that I had finished or that I was so grateful to not be passed out unconscious on the side of the road ten miles back- bc it almost happened...twice.

I’m so glad that I signed up for the ride, it was a really.. err.. I wouldn’t say FUN.. but enjoyable. I’m really happy that mom decided to come after all. If she hadn’t the ride would have been kind of boring. I did hold her back though, I’m a wimp on hills. The weather was perfect for a first timer. It was cloudy, had a cool breeze, and drizzled just a little. Here are some pictures:

This (above) is the trail map. We were on the yellow highlighted route. Where my grubby index finger (sorry guys, my bike chain kept falling off) is pointing- yah that’s where we thought we were currently standing. Im Pretty sure we were being generous..

This is me about halfway to the halfway stop. My face turns bright red when I’m flushed, or tired, or doing anything that makes me work my muscles. I was all three. The helmet makes me look sporty and awesome, I know.

This is a pic off a hill I had conquered.
And thats pretty much all the pictures i took. Mom was waiting for me at the top of the next hill and I was scared I was taking too long.

Support

I know i've already mentioned that I signed up for a 26 mile bicycle ride on saturday. Ive been practicing every day and preparing myself mentally for the ride. At first, I didnt realize just how long 26 miles would be. I figured i'd pack plenty of snacks and water and stop whenever I felt too winded, sit down, read a little (I kid) and continue riding when I felt up to it. As the days grew near and people's reactions went from amusement, to shock, and then doubt that I would actually finish the ride, I started feeling like it was a personal challenge to myself. I had to finish. I'm a lightweight when it comes to pushing myself to continue something once I tire of it, but i really want to do this. On Sunday I checked the weather reports and guess what? Its supposed to rain. Not only rain, but thunderstorm on Saturday. What the heck?? Why is it that each day that seems significant to me (please remember the mind numbingly cold December 5th day I chose for my wedding) always turn out to be horrible weather that tries to inhibit my plans? Monday passed, then Tuesday and as Wednsday snuck upon me I recieved word that it would, indeed, be rainy and wet and my fellow 26mile riders wouldnt be up to riding in the rain- which makes complete sense. But is it nuts that I still want to go on with my plans? I contacted the coordinator of the ride. He said rain or shine the ride would still be on. I just feel like its another negative situation trying to stop me from getting to my goal. I really want to do this for me. I know that if I finish, ill be so proud that I did it despite all the people who didnt think I would, and despite the challenges that were thrown at me (darn rain). So.. I decided to do it. Im getting some sporty sunglasses (repels the water and will hide my tears as my muscles/fat rolls scream for me to stop and replinish their cheeto supply) and im going to peddle my butt off to make it 26 miles to the finish marker. Then eat me a darn good lunch.

Please bring me some soup on Sunday- im sure ill either be passed out on the couch, unable to move, or suffering from a severe cold from being wet, cold, and exhausted for several hours.

Empty Head

I keep trying to think of something to blog about.. but everything that is interesting to me has already been heard from by most of you.. mainly my mom- sorry mom, youre one of my vomit friends.

Jerrys mom had to do an emergency hysterectomy (sp?) last week. The doctors in mexico refused to see her at first because they wanted the money upfront, so she was sent home hemorrhaging. We sent her money, Manuel sent her money, and jerrys father went and borrowed money from friends/family in their hometown. She had the procedure done, then they refused to give her pain meds for the same reason.. so we sent more money. I just don't understand how you could refuse to help someone who is in desperate need of help. Shes doing fine now, but we're having to send her more money this week to pay for more hospital bills/medicine/ who knows what.

Hayden is talking nonstop. Yesterday, as we played on the couch, he tooted and giggled. I said "ew, stinkybutt" then he leaned over, cupped his hands next to his mouth and whispered "Dada.. stinky butt" with a big smile and giggled some more. It was very funny, but you had to be there. Now I'm rethinking my word choice and hope that a classmate isn't being called stinky butt today because of me. If so, I'm sorry.

I want to go on a cruise.. Ive researched it, and for a four day trip with Carnival that stops in Cozumel its around $70 bucks per night per person for three people in one room (two twin beds with pullout couch )with an ocean view. That's not bad, huh? I thought it would be so fun to do a girls retreat and all us girls of the family go and enjoy four days without kids, or diapers, or poop in their shoes(im scarred for life). Beki and I are ready to hop on, not sure jerry would be able to handle hayden though. Anyone else interested? We would leave from Galveston, TX

Ive signed up for the bike ride that mom's doing. Im nervous.. mainly about how much my thighs and buttocks will hurt the next day. I busted out my bike from the garage.. and was not impressed. :( I haven't seen it since 2006. It was.. slightly.. ugly. I dont know what i was thinking when i picked it out. Bright purple, pink handlebars and lime green cable coverings. Like.. 80's style. I was going to just sport it and not care, but after riding around the gear shift wont work and i was wiping off the round plastic guard behind the back tire's chain thing, and it like.. broke into a million pieces. So.. i'm thinking we might go look at some cheap bikes this weekend. So 26 miles with my madre and jennifer. Im excited, scared, and need to download Eye of The Tiger and start practicing. Wish me luck.