They cycle, they run, they hike, they camp, they laugh. They have many adventures on their own, but even many more together. Weekend mornings just aren't complete without a pancake breakfast after a snuggle session with the kid and the 2 dogs watching morning cartoons.
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So the last couple of months, with guidance from my friend and Kelli, I have been running. That’s all going to start to change. I’m going to still run but now i get to start training at home after work. I also plan to start lifting weights at least twice a week. I hope to be in good form by the time the season starts.
Feeling down about things in life? Think you have it bad or that things just aren’t going right? Desperately looking for something to give you a sense of inspiration? I have the answer for you…
Watch the Paralympics.
These athletes, I think, are stronger than their non-physically challenged counterparts, and they are just amazing to watch. Not only do they have to build up other parts of their body to make up for what may challenge them physically, there is the mental battle too. I am at a loss for words, I just know that when I think I am suffering and complaining I just need to remember them. They don’t complain, they just do. That is the example I need to follow…I just need to do.
It was a perfect day…for a ride that is. Today I dusted my bike off for the 2nd time in 2.5 months for a 30 mile adventure with Rita, Dave and Margie. While my ride with Shannon was clear, it was cold since it was so early in the morning. Today, well, today was just gorgeous. It was still chilly - it was low 50’s when we left - and there was a chill in the breeze that blew, but boy was it sunny. It was super bright, and clear like it can only be after a good rain the day before. We went from our house through Oakmont, up and over Lawndale, to Warm Springs Road, meandered our way to Sonoma Mountain Road (the one in Glen Ellen), back down Sonoma Mountain Road to Enterprise, and finished on Bennett Valley road back to our house. The only reason why we had to go to Enterprise was because the road at the very top of Sonoma Mountain had been torn out. So I suppose all of these road names mean nothing to most of you, but they are significant for 2 reasons…
1 - I have never done that part of Sonoma Mountain Road because of how tough the climb is
2 - It was absolutely gorgeous out there today!
The vineyards are all turning and the yellow and red with some light green and brown was just gorgeous. Mix that in with the beautiful views at the top of the climbs, the redwood trees and then the sunshine…wow! The climbs really hurt and took A LOT out of me, but if that is how I am starting my comeback to cycling I am all over it. It is just going to get colder and I will have to battle rain more often, but with views like today’s…well…it is all well worth it. Time on my bike is good in so many ways.
As for football…well…
- The Titans (not my team but still worth mentioning) are 9-0. Yes UNDEFEATED still…it’s crazy! But they look good
- The Packers…oh the Packers! They lost by 1 to the Vikes…ugh
- While I have not seen the score, I am sure the Raiders lost. Sigh…so tired of it! I will be a fan through good and bad, but I am allowed to be frustrated!
- But…drum roll please…what up COLTS?!?!?!? They looked pretty good today in their defeat of the Steelers. Everyone thought they would lose, but nope! They’re finding their rhythm…finally. Hopefully they can turn it around and make a decent run this year.
- Oh and - although once again not my team - the Chiefs were SOOOO close today! Poor Herm…he just can’t get things going down there. They battled back to within 1 and decide to go for 2 after the touchdown. Yes…they went for the win instead of the tie…sigh…but it was an exciting finish
Needless to say my record is not good this year…it’s really not. But all I can do is hope that Aaron Rodgers can get things working (and get healthy) so the Packers come out of this little slump and that the Colts can keep this little upswing going! As for the Raiders…well….I have nothing to say there.
In the end I suppose you can say it was the perfect day for a ride, for watching some football, AND having a another great dinner with some friends! Thanks to Gabe and Jeneen for coming out for dinner…it had been so long. And to my sister too! We were so happy to see you last night and glad we could share our North Bay family with you.
What’s next? Well…I get over my bitterness about Cal vs USC (bunch of cheaters down there in SoCal), get passed my aches and pains from today’s ride, and I enjoy MNF!!
Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness)
broad: something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements
— ox·y·mo·ron·ic\-mə-ˈrä-nik, -mȯ-\ adjective
— ox·y·mo·ron·i·cal·ly\-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Thank you Merriam-Webster for the term that I think now sums up the state of California. How can you on one hand vote in a president that is all about change, embracing differences, hope, rights and dreams of all people, and yet, in the same breath, take away someone’s basic civil liberties? I don’t think California can be considered a “liberal” state anymore - not after this.
I am not too happy to be a Californian today…
This is going to be quick…
First to football…
-Thank goodness the Colts finally won a home game in their new stadium. And they took down the Pats to boot…woohoo! BUT it seems as if the team to beat is shifting to the Titans this year. Who would have thought? At the end of week 9 they are 8-0 and the only undefeated team. Oh…and they had to take down 2 of my teams in back to back weeks to get to this point…brats!
-And one big old sob fest to how sucky the Raiders are this year. UGH! I can’t say anymore than that. I wish the winds of change would sweep over the Raider organization and make a GOOD impact
Next to the home-front
-Out goes the purple velvet couch and in comes a more functional and modern couch and chair. Thank goodness! This little house needs lots of updates, and this furniture switch is a good thing. Next thing on the list? THE STAIRS!
-Speaking of out…Jeremy finally lost one of his big teeth…thank goodness!! He cost me $5…I mean the tooth fairy $5 and he still has 2 more loose teeth. I’ll have to get a pic of him up soon though - his toothless grin is quite funny.
OK lastly…
- Wow! We as a Nation have voted for change and it’s amazing! I am relieved and hopeful…there’s not much I can say beyond that.
- Ugh! Are we that stupid of a state? I can only hope that the numbers change as more of the ballots are counted, but as of right now CA is on it’s way to being an oxymoron. I hope it changes, but til then I am sorely disappointed in the voters of CA.
It’s Halloween and we have Jeremy tonight so that meant one thing…TRICK OR TREATING! It has been a few years since I have taken Jeremy out and, apparently, Dave has been out trick or treating in years. So Jeremy suited up in his Storm Trooper costume, Dave and I coffee’d up, and then we all headed over to the Talbots’ for some Trick or Treating fun. While we may not have been out for long we: saw some good spooks, got some good candy, and had a great time! I love how some people really get into the spirit and take their houses to different levels from those around them. Maybe next year we’ll stay home and decorate our house, but then again, we are kind of secluded and I think all of the neighborhood kids head out to other areas much like we did tonight.
But now that Halloween is done we have to batten down the hatches because we have nothing but a whole heck of a lot of rain coming our way. When all is said and done this weekend we should have 3″ of rain…3 inches! I wish all that rain was translating into lots and lots of snow, but I don’t think it is. I just hope that this winter is a bit wetter than the past couple of years. Not only do we need the rain to avoid a drought, I want snow for snowshoeing!
It’s definitely fall here in Sonoma County. It’s not just the brisk mornings and cool evenings, it’s the vines in the numerous vineyards turning colors now that that their jobs are done for the year. While the leaves and colors may not be as vibrant here as they are on the East Coast (I have never seen it myself, but that is what I have been told), we have quite a few beautiful sights as well. I took a break from the football watching today (mostly because the Raiders were getting stomped on and I didn’t want to watch the 49ers) and took a few shots of scenery around my house. What will be coming in a few days are the pics of some of the vineyards we are close to. Right now there is a lot of yellow mixed in to what is usually a sea of green. Pretty soon there will be large splashes of red as well. But for now…
This weekend I decided to hang up my shoes to put on my cleats. Well my cycling cleats. It turned out to be a bad idea.
Starting with Saturday, I went on a ride with the Norcal team. 3.5 hours of easy pace. Well its was more like 4 hours and it was not easy. 70 miles in 3 hours and 50 mins. My legs were killing me by the time I got to the car. This is supposed to be off season not a hammer fest. I know this can make me stronger but it’s a little earlier for next year and late for this year. Which bring me to today.
Sunday was the “Ride with Champions” put on by team swift. Which was going to be 50 miles. That brought the likes of Tony Cruz (BMC), Mike Sayers (BMC), Gavin Chilcott (BMC), Scott Nydam (BMC), Tim Farnham (Bissell) and Levi Leipheimer (Astana). We were cruising on the flats at 20-23 mph. We had a bunch of surges starting at mile 10. I killed myself to catch the first one. Which I was just chilling in the back of the pack. That was a bad idea. I did notice when i hit a climb Mike Sayers and Gavin sitting on my wheel. I should have been sitting on their wheel. We regrouped and than started again. This time I was at the front. Keeping myself in striking distance. As we rolled down dry creek road we accelerated again. I was at the front keeping my cool. A sudden confusion cause the field to sit up and then re-accelerate. That I couldn’t take. I stayed as long as I could and than back it off. I really didn’t want to pop that early. We hit the rest stop for way too long. Legs didn’t like that. We headed down the road and I was staying at the front again. even took a turn pulling. I was still pulling as we started to climb up windsor road. And I decided to keep the pressure on. Going up hill at 20+ mph. Some one said there was no sprint up again. So i backed it off and the group accelerated and I just didn’t have anything left. I cruised back to the start of the ride with Gavin pulling me. I didn’t feel so bad. I left like crap. I go beat up and I loved ever minute of it. My only regret was doing the ride on Saturday. Shouldn’t have done it.
While writing up my quick take on how my teams did during week 7 of the NFL I forgot to touch on a topic. Well, maybe I didn’t forget because I was hoping that it wasn’t true, but apparently it is. Whether a long in-depth conversation or just a 20 minute chat, apparently Brett Favre called the Lions to give them the low down on the Packers. My only question to that is…WHY? I know the departure was ugly, I know Brett Favre was bitter, but why in the world would you ever sink so low? Sigh…it’s just another black mark on his career and another sad chapter in what should be a glowing novel about his football adventures. I know he is human and humans are not perfect and make mistakes a plenty, but still. To me, that is just as low and stupid as the whole Bill Belichick-Jets taping scandal. You must remember that Jets were struggling and the Pats were dominant. My question back then was why anyone would do such a stupid thing when his team is at their prime? And if you know me you know that I despise the Pats through and through (and yes it stems from the no fumble call in the snow all those years ago), so comparing Brett to Bill Belichick is a pretty bad thing in my world.
So as all the pregame shows are on tap as we head into the midway point of the NFL regular season I am a bit confused by the uncertainty and craziness of yet another season. There was a point and time when things were a bit more predictable, but these years you never know which end will be up. I suppose there are some consistencies…the Raiders sucking since that horrible defeat in the 2003 Super Bowl, an endless rotation of coaches at Oakland, and of course Al Davis making a mockery of the organization. Wait, all of those are things about the Raiders! Anyway… Seasons are crazy from year to year and it’s exciting for some and frustrating for others. This year we have Arizona - yes the Cardinals - leading their division (which includes the 49ers, the Seahawks and one more team so not a huge feat), you have Buffalo doing well after so many years of pain (and a lot of it has to do with Cal Alum Marshawn Lynch), and you have the Cowboys in a downward spiral after starting the season as one of the teams expected to make a run all the way to the Super Bowl this season. After this week’s games I think we will know the fate of certain teams for the rest of the year.
So we’re off on yet another exciting Sunday adventure. And I am off for a 20 mile ride and a run to the store for some good football eats before I settle in to cheer, cry and yell while the games unfold.
…is how I feel. I am not quite sure where the mass fatigue is coming from, but I am feeling it nonetheless. It could be that I am still trying to recover from the craziness of regionals that led straight to the new work schedule (really, 6:30 am departure times just aren’t nice), it could be the flu shot I got on Thursday at work, or it could be a combination of both. Either way, this weekend has not been very productive for me…sigh.
But this first weekend of “freedom” (as I will call it) has led to some football watching, relaxing and time with family - all of which are good. Sometimes I guess both your body and your mind just need to take a little break. And as I wrap up my “break” to get to dinner making and some chores I will close by writing up my football summary for week 7.
Ick is what I think Peyton Manning is saying right now. It’s tough when 2 of the 3 times you like play each other because one of them has to lose. But I think the way in which the Pack took down the Colts equates to an…ouch! Losing 34-14 just cannot sit well when you (being Peyton Manning that is) are picked twice - once of which was on the 1 yard line where your opponent then ran it back 99 yards for a TD. Although the Colts got trounced by another one of my favs, the Raiders managed to pull out a win. Yes that is right - the Raiders WON! Granted they had to do it in OT against the Jets because the waste of a first round draft pick all those years ago missed a FG, they won it in the end (and yes that stupid first round draft pick kicked a 57 yarder but they would not have been in that situation had he not missed the other one). So a tear for Peyton Manning, a “woohoo” for Aaron Rodgers (let’s not forget he is playing with a bad shoulder), and a [insert some surprised superlative here] for the Raiders! And although I usually just comment on my NFL teams…a big old crying fest for the Cal Bears who just could not stay on top of the Pac-10 nor keep a BCS ranking because they felt it would be good to let Arizona score all those points in the 4th quarter. Ugh!