Other Activities

Winter break was filled with some fun activities with friends. I love getting the kids outdoors and keeping them active. We had a fun time hiking with Jodi and her girls. Julia and Sadie hit it off and had a blast together.

Emily loves to climb to the highest point of rocks and scare me.

Jodi getting grouchy with Oscar.

The day we first discovered the beautiful little Needle Pointe on one of our rides. Attempting to skip a rock here.

We loved Needle Point so much we went back with our kids. They loved it too. Such a fun little find nestled off of some back roads headed nowhere.

A couple different hikes in the Usery Mountains with the kids and friends. I probably shouldn't be hiking with a stress fracture but my need to be in the mountains doesn't help me make the best choices. Plus it's a great thing to do with the kids and it's at a much slower pace than I would go if I were doing what I really wanted to be doing and trail running in those mountains.

Emily had a great time at her mommy/daughter party for activity days. They had a lite dinner and nail painting.

We had a nice dinner out with just the girls while Daniel had a blast at a parent's night out at the gym.

More Running Injuries

It's been a long time since I've posted running pictures on what started out to be a running blog. Unfortunately, injuries have taken me out of the running game once again. I've had achilles tendonitis for months on my left foot. I spent a fortune going to therapy for it and continued to run no more than 9 miles at a time. Then my right foot started to hurt but I kept on running and even went on to be as stupid as doing jumping jacks with kettle bells, jumping rope and other ridiculous high impact exercise. It was fun but I am paying the price. I'm now the proud owner (not really so proud) of not one but two stress fractures on my right foot. And like a dummy, I continued to run through that pain until I could barely walk. I finally got an x-ray to verify that something was indeed wrong and that perhaps I should take a running break. The Dr. said that not only should I not run but that I also could not do the stair master, eliptical, hike or any other sport that would put more stress on my foot. With previous injuries (and there have been many) I was able to continue everything but running and get back to running fairly quickly. This time he said I could cycle and swim only. I've also taken up rowing which I like but don't love. However, if I could ever get out on a lake and do some real rowing, I would probably like it much more. So I cheated a bit when the kids were off for Christmas and I couldn't get out to cycle during the warmth of the day. I walked on the treadmill at an incline, used the stair master and climbed back onto that eliptical. Today, seven weeks since I've run, the xrays say I have a long ways to go until these stress fractures are healed. Ugh!!! I want to run...I need to run....I'm dying to get out on the trails and run. It feels like my oxygen has been taken away. I'm so thankful that I can get out in the mountains and cycle and still get that little buzz you get from being in the great outdoors. I'm also thankful that I can swim which makes my body feel relaxed and less sore. But I'm kind of over these dang injuries and I'm feeling a little whiney. I want to run and hike and get out on the trails and train for the half-marathon with my friends that I'm supposed to train for. I know there are many worse things in life but this is big to me. My knees are starting to ache more from going around in circles on my bike, my skin smells like chlorine from swimming for so long each day, my ears are getting irritated from all the water and my swim suit is falling apart. With that said, I still have a great time out cycling with these fabulous women. Here are a few pictures of our continuous good times.

Still having fun with cycling, especially when we end up with a good lunch out at the end. I always bring my tortillas home for my kids from my salad. It's pretty funny riding a bike with two big tortillas sticking out of your back pocket.

We have different stopping/snack points for each ride where we get off, stretch and take fun pictures.

We discovered this beautiful little place called Needle Point beyond one of our snack points.

More of us at Needle Point (Fountain Hills area).

Rachel is always a hoot to be around. I love these socks and she had strangers commenting on them as they rode by us. We've had some seriously cold rides these past few months. I never thought I would miss the summer but I do.

Four more weeks until I get another xray. I will behave better and stay off the extra gym machines. I don't just love doing the stair master or eliptical or tread mill but it helps keep up endurance. I've started taking glucosamine for my achy knees and hope that by the time my stress fracture is healed that my knees and achilles will feel better as well.

El Tour de Tucson - November 19, 2011

Packing our bikes to head down to Tucson.

Picking up our packets at the Expo.

Getting ready the night before in our room.

Rhonda and Jodi

Showing our team name on the back of our jerseys.

Rhonda, Rachel, Sheryl

The starting line for the 111 mile had 4,000 cyclist.  They were as far ahead of you and behind you as you could see.

The first of two washes that we had to carry our bikes across.  This was about 1/4 mile and the 2nd one was around 1/2 mile.  This part of the race completely trashed my cletes.

Jodi, Rhonda and Sheryl at one of the snack/bathroom stations.

Me

Jodi and Andrea

Rhonda and Rachel (who is pretty funny and goofy)

Another aid station where we had our bikes checked.  The roads were incredibly rough and our bikes were taking a beating.

Sheryl, Rhonda, Andrea, Jodi, Rachel



We finished the race with huge smiles on our faces.  We had to do a lot of zig zagging around people to keep our pack of five together for the whole race but we managed to cross the finish line all together.  What an amazing time with incredible women that I'm so blessed to call my friends.  You girls are the best!
Andrea, Jodi, Rachel, Sheryl, Rhonda

When we weren't racing we were shopping, eating out and we also went to see Breaking Dawn on the opening weekend. 

Rachel, Andrea, Jodi, Rhonda

A beautiful little house that Rachel would like to call her own. 

Another fabulous race weekend with amazing friends. 

Training Completed

  In training for El Tour De Tucson,  we have have ridden until our legs can ride no more, been chased by a few dogs that luckily didn't take the chase too serious,  taken a few early early morning moonlight rides, fought the wind, basked in the sun and continued riding through the light rain as well as the freezing cold and hot weather. We have laughed until we nearly crashed and climbed hills bigger than we thought possible.   We have biked for hours and ended with lunch out in full bike gear and helmet heads.  We have all learned to change our tires and use our co2 cartridges to fill the new tube up.  I have personally crashed more than once due to not being able to unclip quickly enough but angels were watching over me each time as well as Rachel being there to take my foot out of my shoe when I couldn't unclip.  I have to say, this has been the best couple of months training with these women and now we have done all we can to train for our bike race next week.  This week is the hardest in training for me and that is because now it's time to try to taper.  I don't love to taper but I'm really feeling the exhaustion from how hard I have pushed myself over the last year and I think I would do well to take the advice of many smart people and relax (at least a little) this last week. 

 Rachel, Rhonda, Jodi, Sheryl (Andrea taking the picture) on a midweek 50 mile ride.

 Rhonda, Jodi, Andrea, Rachel, Sheryl on a Saturday morning 80 ride to Fountain Hills with 4 others.  A freezing morning to start off but a beautiful day by the time we finished.

 Rachel, Sheryl, Rhonda, Jodi and Andrea trying to squeeze into a self-portrait.

Unfortunately Andrea got sick this last week or more of heavy final training and she and Jodi were not able to complete the 100 mile training ride with us.  We missed them greatly but the three of us were able to get out and get that last long ride in.  We were pretty stoked to do our first century ride and we can't wait until El Tour De Tucson next week.  So grateful for husbands that support us and take care of kids while we get to be out experiencing so much. 

Rides, Rides and more Rides

Training for Tour de Tucson

October 2011

Our cycling group has grown and we are training for the Tour de Tucson in November.  In the last month we jumped from our longest ride being 50 miles, to 65, then 71 and then 85.  We plan to get in at least one 100 mile ride in before the tour which is 111 miles.  Unlike training for a marathon, I can still walk without limping as long as I don't crash.  While ultimately cycling is much more dangerous than running, it is much easier on my body. I still love running, no doubt about it.  I've just had to cut back due to so many injuries.  Currently nursing achilles tendenosis but I can still run, just not more than about 8 or 9 miles at a time.  For now, cycling has taken over our Saturdays and we are having an amazing time seeing sights we wouldn't otherwise see.  We watch the sunrise over the mountains, see wild horses cross the roads, hear the coyotes howling to one another, and see other small animals on a regular basis.  We see other packs of cycling groups which is always fun and we are getting better at drafting as we increase our milage. 

 

Rachel and I about to go down "King Kong".   Depending on the wind, we get up to 35 mph going down this hill.  Getting back up is another story.

Sheryl and I on our 85 mile ride where we took Bush Hwy to the Beeline, over to Fountain Hills where we looped around a bit and back home.  There are five girls doing the Tour but we don't always all manage to get out together due to schedules.  Rachel, Sheryl and I did the 85 miles.   We are eager to hopefully all do the 100 mile training ride together. 

Rachel and I on going from Bush Highway to the Beeline. 

 Above: 30 mile ride in Fountain Hills. 

Matt, Sheryl, Sam, Rhonda, Andrea, Marla, Rachel

 Below: 50 mile ride in Fountain Hills

Rhonda, Sam, Sheryl, Andrea, Tiffany

 Andrea and Jodi

I am pretty stinkin excited about the Tour de Tucson and the fun experiences it will bring.