Stress? What Stress?

I am like anyone else - stress affects me. It makes me frustrated, cry, antsy and any other descriptive word you can think of - but what I have let it do to my health is not cool. Putting on 15+ pounds (no need to tell ALL my secrets), letting aches and pains go for months at a time, drinking too much coffee and just not being good to myself - all terrible things to do to my mind and body.

Well, here I am 37 - two EKGs, a physical, 2 blood tests, and a nuclear stress test later - my heart still hurts and now I am not allowed to train for the MS (or work out for that matter). This is the definition of letting yourself go. Now the question is - what am I going to do about it? Well, I am going to wait for the cardiologist to call me on Friday to tell me good news (staying positive is good) and then I am going to move forward - carving time out for myself along the way.

Everyone can tell you to relax, but the question I keep asking myself - is then who is doing the laundry or going to write that 1500 word paper or ..... and the list goes on. Like a wonderful friend said to me...it all works out - and it does. I have a great life, wonderful family and friends and a super place that I love to work at - that is what life is all about.

The little things....in the end, who really cares? Well, I will still care, but just try and let them not bother me so much...

If one person reads this and makes an appointment for a physical, then it was worth sharing.

Am I committed or should I be committed?

Well, sent a message to my fellow teammates about commitments and it was hard to read that back to myself. With all I have going on in my work and personal life taking on the MS150 each year gets harder and harder. I asked my husband today (thanks babe) to remind me exactly why I do this each year.


Simple enough: I do this for those that are fighting the crappy disease we call Multiple Sclerosis. I ride for Doris V, Peggy S and Andy's lovely wife Susan. I ride for those that can not....and those that can.


While I want to give up the riding part to focus on volunteering, I just wonder how I would feel in my heart. I would still take care of my team, be there every step of the way, but really - I signed up to take this on and I owe it to those that would love to be in my shoes. Training has taken a backseat to family, work, school and just because I don't want to put my fat arse in some stupid spandex. Are those really good reasons? What am I saying to my daughter (who is wavering as well)? Am I saying - it is OK to quit when it gets hard?

What can I say, but I am going to try really hard and not let myself down. I am counting on me.

February 22nd - Looking for our Team!!!

SAVE THE DATE
As a cycling team we need to ensure that we look after each other and get to La Grange and Austin safely. With this in mind we have organized a comprehensive class and training ride(s) for Sunday February 22nd commencing @ 0800 at Pavilion 8 in Bear Creek Park (see attached map). For those that attend the Cycling Series Kick Off – everyone will get a FREE T-Shirt!

Bike Safety 101
If you have not done so already, please take the time to review the following presentation link before the class. http://main.nationalmssociety.org/bikesafety08/bikesafety.html

Bike Barn – check this out!
Bike Barn will be on hand performing 30 minute bike maintenance clinics on the hour starting at 8AM. For a real incentive they will also be performing FREE bike inspections on site as well! The bike inspection is mandatory for free bike maintenance (labor only) during the MS150 ride. Bike Barn will also show you all the items you need to go in your maintenance kit.

Check out Paddy’s Website
The following is a link describing the events we have planned http://www.cycleheavenusa.com/BearCreekClass.html and the attachment shows a detailed map of the area. Always look to Paddy’s website for current information on team training events and locations!

Please RSVP (by replying to this message) by Wednesday, Feb. 11th.

ALL CYCLISTS MUST WEAR A HELMET!

What was I thinking?

Running the 1/2 marathon has always been a dream and on Saturday, January 18th that dream became a reality. Just a few highlights:

• Don't shout at the lady encouraging the walkers - hey I am not a freaking walker!! (did that in my head, not out loud)
• Maybe I should have trained more
• Maybe I should have trained even more
• Maybe, just maybe I should have trained WAY even more

Will I do this again, heck yes, BUT only if I train the proper way. Walking hurts so bad it brings tears to my eyes, bending makes me want to barf and just the thought of going up or even down stairs makes my head spin - literally.

What did I learn from this: I am so proud of myself and my husband for finishing - but I am not proud of how we got there. We will do this again, but the right way - training properly!

123 Cyclists and 106 Sizes?

Not sure how many team members are keeping up with the blog, but need to get the remaining sizes by Monday.....using the link only. No sizes will be accepted by email - need to make sure everyone is reading the emails (entirely).

If you are an employee/contractor and have guests riding on the team - make sure your guests have turned in their sizes via the link provided in the email.

Reason for the link is to reduce errors and save valuable time.....let's all work together to make this happen.

Hope this finds everyone well....pretty chilly today.

Also - if you have a facebook page - look me up!

Welcome to the New Year....

Hello everyone, hope this finds you well and cycling your buns off...

Waiting until everyone has put in their sizes so I can order the jerseys. Probably going to cut back on a few of the gimmies, but standards will remain. Need to keep things sensible - this is a charity ride after all.

Here is a where I am with personnal training and fitness: Joined "biggest loser" at work - need to shave 25lbs off my fat arse, haven't cycled since I rode with Paddy during the summer, run here and there....overall - fat and out of shape. My biggest obstacle: time. How can or do I fit it in? I am a Mom, wife, employee, student, captain.....not to mention daughter and sister....oh my and a friend! I need to get into the groove and carve out some time for my health. Need to put some thing first...and that is me. I don't seem to do that enough....plus I need to write my resolutions for 2009. Theme: reduction. While reduction can come off as negative, it can result in a positve. Like: reduce my BMI, which will increase my overall health. Not going to put numbers on things - less crying next year.

Anywhoooooo

I hope this finds you all back to work, happy and healthy. Continue to read here and at cycleheaveusa.com - take a peak at all of your cycling buddy blogs. We will be on here posting tips and tricks to make the ride easier, fun and most of all safe.

Wishing you the best for this and years to come....

Captain Crouch

Jerseys are done....and port-a-potties ordered

I am sure the team will be happy to hear that the jersey has been chosen - option 1 (kangaroo and bike) and now the all important port-a-potties have been ordered. Sink was an issue - was able to get the sanitizing stations (2) but on a wait list for the sinks. Not sure what happened there, I usually set the record for being one of the first (yes a bit annal like that)....hope I am not slipping. Nah...never.

Looking forward to a bit of a break - going to try and stay off the computer for the most part. I have a break from school (23rd - 6th of January) so I am really excited about that! Going to try and get together with Paddy during the holidays - he will be dragging his youngsters along with him and hoping to get Alyssa and Daniel out with me at some point.

If you are off during the holidays and want to hook up with us and ride - make sure to check back and check out the website: www.cycleheavenusa.com to see when Mr. Paddy is taking the bike out.

Wishing you all the best during the holiday season. An important number to have in your brain (other than 911) 713-236-1111 (Yellow Cab).

Stay safe,

Jennifer