Boot Camp Weekend

As I was cooking my lunch for the week tonight, I thought about my weekend and how to put into words the craziness of it all! I'm not sure I have time to write it all or if there is anyone out there who even wants to read it. So here is my best shot at a reader's digest version!

Friday night I hung out with one of my favorite families- Pam, Duane and the kids! We laughed so hard! I found a kindred spirit in the "gas" business! Saturday morning showed up way too soon and I sat around pondering attending Kiernen's new 8:30am spin class. While I know it's a good workout, I also knew what the day ahead held for me. A text from Pam informing me she was going sealed the deal and off I went to the Rush! After an awkward "good morning" start (that could be a whole another blog), we pushed ourselves for 45 minutes.

I headed home to fuel up for the day ahead. At noon, I met Alex at the pool for a quick swim. We were doing 200m x 5. I felt good and off I went. When we got to the last set, Alex told me that if I could complete the first 100m in less then 2:20, I didn't have to do the second 100m. I was determined. I swam like Nemo!! I completed the 100m in 1:51 much to my and Alex's amazement. I'm like a kid, I just need incentives!!

After dragging our bodies into the locker room for a quick change, we headed out to iCoffee for the flat 47 mile bike ride. At this point, I was already tired. But I was determined to keep up with my rockstar hero- Alex, so off I went. I couldn't get my grove. I was slow. But I managed to climb some hills in amazing time. We passed a fire truck parked in the middle of the road (a first) and almost passed a tractor but I think the driver saw us and his pride wouldn't allow it!

About halfway through the ride, I told Alex just to blow it out and that I would catch her in the end. I put in my bud and tried to enjoy the rest of the ride. My parents started blowing up my phone right before I was to get back on 150 so I stopped to see what was wrong. Nothing major- Mom wanted to know what color skull cap I wanted!! REALLY? LOL! Dad wanted to talk and all I kept saying is- I'm on highway 150 on the back of a bike. I have to go!!

I finally hit my stride in the last 8 miles (figures) but it was nice to be back on the bike for a long ride. It's been months. My body reminded me of that later. I spent Saturday night with Casey's son- Jordyn. We had fun! We hung out with Pam and the kids. The kids enjoyed Chick-fil-A's playground and we engaged in some good conversation (could be another blog). Jordyn and I headed back to the house where we played Super Mario! That game is STRESSFUL! Good times!

I woke up Sunday morning to another busy day! I had to be at church at 9am to help setup for the Bring a Friend to Church brunch. I was super excited! Collete and Kathy (swim buddy) came for church! Kathy brought her dad. It was a fun time to hang out with them outside of the gym and worship together. After brunch, I was on the clean-up committee so I stayed to make sure everything was good. You know you are now "part" of the church when the women's circle lets you take home the good tablecovers to wash them! :)

I rushed home to change and get my stuff together for another afternoon with Alex. We were meeting at her Grandparents in Colfax. I was tired and sore from Saturday but still determined to keep up! I got to meet Alex's grandparents. They were wonderful. I wished I had more time to hear the stories her grandmother referred to about her dolls. Maybe another time! We got on our bikes and off we went.

Alex was in charge of the route and she is sooo fired!!! LOL! The first 8 miles were hills and we were both tired. I just kept pushing but was getting frustrated because my time sucked. We ended up on this road-66 and it was horrible. Traffic, lights, and we were even stopped by a train! On the way back, there was one final BIG hill. I was determined and hit it hard. I made it at almost 18mph for the first half and then realised that I was fading. I climbed the hill but had to stop and get my breath at the top. My lungs from the cold had given out.

We got back after 18 miles and I stored my bike, donned my running shoes and headed out with Alex on a 5mile run. I didn't believe I would make it but I was determined not to cry, quit, or whine (too much). We started slow and before I knew it, we were halfway done! Craziness! We made it back and I was only over my average per mile by 2 minutes. I fell apart the last quarter mile. 5 miles- 62 minutes. Not bad. A first for me.

This has been a crazy weekend. I'm not sure I did it justice here. I had a good time. Alex is amazing and continues to push and challenge me. I learned a lesson on the bike today. I need to remember that while I am training for White Lake and speed is important, I do this because I love the ride. I need to focus on the ride itself and not my speed or the time. I love being on the back of the bike no matter how slow I go. For me, its about the ride, the good company and not the training. I need to be careful not to turn something I love into a chore.

My life is better on the back of the bike. It's all about the ride.