Productive Day

Wow! I just about posted this blog entry onto my work group's blog. That could have been bad. I've GOT to pay better attention in the future. The work blog is brand new, and I didn't realize it was on my dashboard when I started writing this.

Anyway, as always on Thursday, I have been up since 4:50 a.m. But today seems more productive.

I taught an early morning Spinning class. It was supposed to have been an endurance class, but since I was playing my Halloween music, I opted (and the class voted and agreed) to turn the class into an interval class instead. We spun, climbed, and sprinted to the likes of Ghostbusters, Thriller, Tarantula, Werewolf in London, Feed My Frankenstein, Witchy Woman, and Boris the Spider.

After class, I hurried to shower, then I was off to a doctor's appointment, where I used the waiting room time to study for a test.

After getting two shots at the doctor (for allergies, in case you're curious), I headed over to the testing center and successfully BSed my way through six pages of essay question answers about the Cheyenne Indian history.

After the test, I hustled to the store and picked up a package of brownies to go take to a friend. Sadly, she hasn't been talking to me for the last month due to false assumptions and rumors, so I needed to go make things right with her again. Hopefully things will be better between us from here on out, but only time will tell.

Then, I had a quick lunch and was to work by noon. I really need to add a visit to the chiropractor in to today's schedule, but I am out of funds. So the pain in the neck will continue for the time being.

In thumb news, I am finding myself using my thumb more and more lately. It is feeling lots better, but is still not perfect. I don't know that it will ever be perfect again. Sigh. Such is life.

That's all I've got for now. Have a Happy Halloween!

My Weekend

I had a great weekend! And it started early this week.

• Road riding on Thursday (see previous post),
• Bombay House on Friday,
• taught an interval class in the Spinning studio on Saturday morning (I know it's my job - but I love it!),
• went to dinner and dancing with friends in Salt Lake on Saturday night,
• and rode the mountain bike on Sunday.

I found that it is MUCH easier to brake with my right hand on a mountain bike.

I didn't go too far from home for the mountain bike ride. I live across the street from an awesome place to practice cyclocross. It has got grass, pavement, gravel, and a descent-sized run up. I just need to add some barriers, and I would have it made!

So that's what I did. I practiced 'cross on the mountain bike. It was fun! But I seriously need to figure out how to off my bike without stopping. Getting off while moving is a concept my brain just won't wrap around. Maybe when my thumb is completely healed and I'm not being such a total chicken.

Autumn (NOT FALL!) Ride

I know I already posted these pictures on Facebook, but since I took the time and effort to load them onto the computer, I might as well put them on the old blog as well, right?

What fabulous riding weather we had today. The rainstorm passed in the early morning hours and the roads were drying out by noon. In the valley, I considered going without a jacket because it felt so nice, but once into the canyon, I was glad I had brought the jacket along.

Pretty much, I met a group at the mouth of the canyon, they rode away, and the pregnant, injured, and otherwise pokey people rode way behind them. That last group would include me. I felt like I could have pushed it harder, but why, when the people you are riding at the back with are some of the best people around. We got laughing so hard climbing South Fork that I thought I better stop or I'd fall off my bike. But, only the leaves were falling today - not me! Yay!

The group reconvened at Bridal Veil Falls for a quick picture:

I was surprised that eleven people could sneak away for a mid-week lunch ride.

After that, it was just the three of us:

I am super jealous of Ragla's skill. She can wave and ride at the same time. I have crashed doing just that. But then, I am accident prone.

This was as far as we rode before Ragla determined that she shouldn't keep pushing her heart rate beyond her doc's suggested zone. I wish I could have come here a couple of weeks ago while the leaves were still brilliant, but it was still gorgeous.

Nothing Much to Report

I don't really have much to report, but I guess since I've been put on top of the official Turbo blogroll, I should blog something.

Thankfully, I have no new accidents to report.

Last Sunday, I got back on my bike again for the first time in six weeks. Strangely, it was like learning to ride all over again. As I started off down the driveway and into the street I was literally screaming, "I don't think this is a good idea!" and "This is going to hurt." and "I've forgotten how to clip in." But mostly just a lot of "AAAAaaaaa!!! I'm gonna die!" My thumb didn't even fall off like I was expecting it to.

That lasted about all of about two blocks, then I was okay. Except that I couldn't brake with my right hand. I have lost grip strength. I am going to hand therapy every week now, and I have noticed a huge improvement already.

Off topic paragraph: It didn't take me very long to train myself to not use my thumb. It still takes me some serious concentration to do things like hold a comb or a pencil or zip a zipper normally, or use the space bar on the keyboard with my thumb. But, my thumb is beginning to be a part of my body again.

Back to the ride: at one point I decided to see if I could max out one of those speed clocks the police put out to control driver's speed. I ramped it up to 29 mph before it occurred to me that I couldn't easily stop with just my front brake (remember... my previous accident was an endo - I didn't really want a repeat of that one). Panic! But I got it slowed down just fine. I really need to give myself more credit. I'm pretty sure I have better skillz than I dare to admit. I've just been living high anxiety for the last six week - I'm in protective mode from all my accidents.

I'm excited to go out for a lunch ride with a group of friends tomorrow. I hope this rain clears out by then.

In other news, there is NO relation between me and the sandbagger who raced 'cross last week. Okay there is, but (hopefully) I've convinced her not to pull any more of that crap in the future. I'm hoping to make a showing at the later races this weekend after I kick some indoor cycling butt in the morning. I love being at the races, even though it's hard for me to watch and not participate.

That's all for now. Ride hard!

Cyclocross Weber Fairgrounds - Oct. 3, 2009

I went an cheered at the 'cross race last Saturday. It was a little hard to watch and not participate, but it also confirmed to me that I'm not ready to be back on the bike yet. Just being out in the chilly air made my thumb ache like crazy. At five weeks post-accident, the broken bone should be healed, but the nerves are still regenerating.

Here are some pics I took on my camera phone:

Todd going over the log barrier in the men's C race

One of the UVU Cycling guys, Dan

Teammate Kara jumping a log barrier in the men's C race

Teammate Shanna ripping it up in the Women's B race (sorry my finger's in the pic - I still can't hold my camera right)

Junior racer, Tanner, bunny hopping the log barrier in his first ever 'cross race.

Happy Fall...

Bam! You just got hit by the pumpkin master!

For Your Entertainment

I've been pretty down lately, and feel like it's showing. This is likely due to the fact that several people have told me to cheer up. So, anyway, here's something lighthearted: