Run For Red

I went to an abs class. (p.s. abs class = suck.) Apparently I went to a bad class but we were doing all kinds of weird movements that hurt everywhere but my abs. Maybe I'll try again, maybe not. But I need to find something to fill this empty void left by my cycling class absence.

In another attempt to fill the void, Lauren, my roommate, and I have decided to run a 5k!

Well, we'll probably power walk most of it. She claims she hates running and she's bad at it but just yesterday I witnessed her 8 minute mile at the gym and am now convinced that she is a dirty rotten liar.

The run is for the American Red Cross and cancer awareness. Sounds like a pretty good cause. Plus, it marks one "to-do" from my life's to-do list. Next on the list is finding the cure for cancer. They're kind of related so it seems like a good transition.

One of these days I'll get back on a bike (stationary at first, don't rush me) and then this blog won't be me just complaining about the gym... one of these days...

Back in the saddle

Maddie has a bike. A pretty nice one at that. Clippy pedals and all. She also has a windtrainer, or something like that. It's this high-fangled metal contraption that holds up the back tire and lets you ride in the confort of your own living room.

Welp... I got on it today! I've got it on video, too and I wasn't very good at it. Soon, the video will be uploaded and we can all enjoy the embarrassment. It was a good work out, too. So, thanks Maddie!

On a completely different note, my dad is getting into shape as well.

Hot stuff. Just wait until you see him in his bike shorts!
As soon as I get my bike shirt, I'll take a matching picture.

Failed attempt

Look! Miley cycles too.

Lessons learned so far: don't try to go to a cycling class if you have a cold. It just doesn't work. You do the two warm up songs, the mountain climb, and then halfway through sprints a hyper speed rendition of "Party in the USA" has you dry heaving. We'll try cycling later on this week when I can breath through both nostrils equally well.

The First

My dad and I have made a goal to cycle across our home state of Virginia this summer. Mostly as a way to get healthy, but also for some quality bonding time as I will be graduating from college next spring and this is hopefully* and probably my last summer at home.

We're not in the best of shape and I haven't actually been on a moving bike in over ten years. My dad is a pretty good bike-rider and is not unaccustomed to riding 20 miles is a day. I, however, am scared to death of not being able to control my bike at all and am sometimes plagued at night by nightmares of rolling down a hill, quickly gaining speed and running into a brick wall or a large body of water or a really pointy fence.

Since I live in Utah now for school, we are unable to train together until May. Also, I don't actually have a bike out here. My only form of preparation, therefore, is cycling/spinning classes at the gym and trying to eat healthier. Anyone who has lived in a tiny apartment with five other girls sharing one teeny tiny fridge and working twelve hours a week getting paid minimum wage and taking a horrible schedule of classes, you understand that this is no small task.

This is the reason for the blog. Maybe no one will read this but my mom**, but being accountable to this blog I will get the motivation to continue trying to get ready for this daunting task. As I go I'll tell you things I've learned from my preparations and new developments to the plan.

Wish me luck and Happy Cycling!
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* Because hopefully I'll be employed somewhere
** Even that is a stretch