pull me out from inside. i am ready. i am fine.

Manor Ride

2007-03-04T22:15:00.000-06:00

About 35 miles? I really wish I had the computer on my bike set up properly... We took the ride to Manor, but took a wrong turn or two and figured the best way back would have to be along 290. We got back just in time, when it started getting dark around 7 PM.

Training Camp

2007-03-01T16:16:00.000-06:00

I believe the total from this past weekend was 27 miles the first day and perhaps 30-something miles the next day. I really should get my computer set up correctly, but i never seem to be able to angle it just right so that it actually registers.

Yesterday we took a quick "aerobic" ride around shoal creek, which ended up being and estimated 23 miles. I really do enjoy the shoal creek route, except when there is a ridiculous headwind as there was today. I was actually happy to have the crosswinds when we turned a different direction. Can't wait for the next ride!

2007-02-20T10:41:00.001-06:00

12.30 miles yesterday.
Maybe 22 or so today? We did the shoal creek route, with two loops of the lovely straight "sprinting" zone. It's actually a pretty good feeling to sprint for a decent way, even if I am the last one to the bridge. I dont feel discouraged about it because I know I'm trying my best and no one's going to make fun of me for being slow. Hey, we have a facebook group for our awesome slowpokes, and I couldn't be prouder to be one of them.

an ACTUAL bike ride

2007-02-15T22:09:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday, I took the plunge and experienced my first group ride with the team. In reality, it wasn't even just my first group ride... it was my first road ride EVER. Besides the few miles i did on the veloway (glorified sidewalk,) I hadn't had any other experience with my amazing new bicycle. I was thrown into some fantastic and sometimes frightening riding, which tested my limits as I hadn't tested them before. I'm sure my limits are wayyyyy far behind the limits of more experienced riders, but I guess that's what makes them more "experienced." I'm working on getting there.

We went an impressive (to me) 30 miles in about 3 hours. Not exactly speedy, true, but difficult at times. And cold. By the time I got back to my dorm, my fingers and toes were practically frozen. After sitting for a few minutes, my legs turned blue. It was weird.

Altogether, I am proud that I made it. There's a great feeling of achievement in this--doing something that I wasn't sure if I could do. Now I know that this summer with be very difficult, but I'll be able to get through it. I won't be the fastest, and I won't always be comfortable around cars (or downhill slopes, or uphill slopes, or stoplights, or curvy roads...), and I'm sure that no matter how much I learn about cycling, I'll never be an expert like some of my teammates. But I promise I will make it to Alaska. I'll meet people. I'll raise money. I'll make a difference.

Today, I went to the gym (since its about 40 degrees outside) and rode 10.3 miles. It's a small chip off my training miles, but a chip nonetheless. Also, I did some great ab-work, so I'm looking forward to feeling a little sore tomorrow.

I can't wait until it warms up a little, so I can bike without becoming a popsicle.

my little veloway

2007-02-06T17:29:00.000-06:00

Today I did three loops of the veloway, which totals about 9.51 miles. For those unfamiliar with said veloway, let me impart upon you my infinite knowledge on the subject.... it's a pretty sweet paved sidewalky thing for only cyclists and skaters (although I suppose that skateboards would also be allowed??). In other words, only wheeled traffic is allowed.

However, today alone (my first visit to the veloway) I nearly mowed down one of 4 or 5 high school joggers who were hanging around the track. The guy was standing in the middle of the road with his back towards oncoming traffic for at least 15 seconds before his friends told him to get to the side, since there was an obviously professional cyclist (training for the tour de france) coming right towards him.

Also, a roadrunner ran in front of my bike. That was a pretty neat moment.

I hope to return there soon and practice my shifting (which i still need help with), sitting properly, and not holding on to the handlebars with the death grip of a woman condemned. And, thankfully, no road rash yet...

2.5.2007

2007-02-05T23:11:00.000-06:00

9.05 miles tonight in 35 minutes, plus lots of ab stuff. I haven't really worked my abs consistently in a few months, so tomorrow morning might be interesting.

Why can't shoes just be comfortable?

2007-01-30T21:44:00.000-06:00

How is it possible that civilization has existed for thousands of years and wearing hot shoes still leads to the inevitable experience of pain? I mean, i understand that everyone's feet are different, but there are doctors devoted solely (hahaha) to feetology, as well as many billions of dollars that go from our pockets directly into the hands of greedy shoe-istas and shoe companies. You'd think some of that money could go towards making a product that is actually in the shape of a foot (unlike many shoes that seem to be in style with my amazing generation) or that might actually SUPPORT the foot when one might want to actually WALK somewhere. Gosh.

Ok... so maybe they do make shoes that do that. And I'm sure that some pretty shoes and dressy shoes and shoes that cost as much as your dignity really are comfortable. And maybe its really just my fault that I'm cheap and I dont like to spend more than... say, like 40 dollars on a nice pair of shoes. Blah blah blah. (Bob Loblaw?) I'll just suck it up and blame the republicans.

17.16 miles today on the stationary. I get my bike tomorrow! Maybe I can figure out how to... like.. actually ride a bike now.

1.24.2007

2007-01-25T21:36:00.000-06:00

16.61 miles in 65 minutes (same amount of time i did on tuesday.)

It's a really great feeling to be in those last five cool-down minutes, then to get off the bike and realize that walking feels unnatural. Then, noticing the drenched sweat marks on both my shirt and shorts was fantastic. Sweating is quite possibly the best feeling on Earth. :)

First Real Training Ride

2007-01-24T02:07:00.000-06:00

I finally found the time to go work out on the stationary bikes at gregory tonight and made a modest effort towards reaching our 1000 training mile goal with 15.91 miles! I will definitely be keeping this up.. the hour sitting on the bike went by quickly, despite having only my ipod and the people-watching potential of the greg weightlifting room to keep my mind occupied. I think knowing that i have a distinct goal and timeframe within which to complete it makes taking those first steps easier.

Also, even though the main reasons behind my involvement in T4K deal with cancer and the American Cancer Society, I will definitely enjoy the opportunity to get myself in better shape. It's not as if I'm dragging myself around campus or never take the stairs over the elevator, but I often wish that I had more determination to really get up and train. I guess what I'm really looking forward to this summer is to hopefully find the drive within myself that i always wished was there.

timely weekend

2006-11-09T15:32:00.000-06:00

Have the weeks been flying by, or is it just me? I've been dealing with way too much schoolwork recently and sometimes it feels like I'm stretched thin in every direction. I haven't been doing very well with acquiring donations and with the 1000 dollar deadline coming up quickly (december 1st) this is a problem that I can't afford to have. Hopefully this weekend i can get some more family addresses together so I can send out some letters, but I'm not sure how much good that will do in these next few weeks.

I've been on long and tiring trips for the past two weekends, so these 2 days of rest and relaxation (plus studying and, of course, insect collecting) will feel fantastic. Primary objective: conquer my sleep deprivation.

Right now I'm working the Kinsolving desk and i can hear emergency sirens getting closer. It's lovely knowing that those sirens are definitely headed in my direction. Emergencies in the dorms are scary things, and since so many types of people with so many different problems live here, you never know what to expect. I'm hoping this one won't be too serious. (Cross your fingers)

Bad=
0 Training miles. Why aren't there more hours in the day?

Good=
Bike fittings next week! I can't wait. :)

the rest of my life...

2006-10-30T21:49:00.000-06:00

The next 10 months will involve just about the biggest changes I've ever experienced in my life. Not only will I be graduating college and beginning to apply to medical schools, but soon after that I will be pedaling my sweet little feet 4500 miles from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK. ...Typing it still feels strange. I can't believe I'm going.

www.texas4000.org

Maybe I'll try to use this blog as a somewhat more personal account of my training, etc. surrounding the ride. This is going to be an insanely fantastic experience and I can't wait to share it.

Potential career path?

2006-02-09T17:08:00.000-06:00

Your results:
You are Supergirl

Supergirl		84%
Superman		80%
Spider-Man		70%
Hulk		65%
Robin		64%
Green Lantern		55%
Iron Man		55%
Batman		55%
Wonder Woman		54%
Catwoman		45%
The Flash		45%

Lean, muscular and feminine.
Honest and a defender of the innocent.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

So that's exciting... I'm lean and I have huge boobs! What more could I want from life?

Sincerely (your friend), Existentialism

2005-12-06T02:24:00.000-06:00

Do you ever think about the morning and ask yourself if you were really there? I realized that I have been up for 18 straight hours today (which really isn't much different than a normal day) from 6:30 to the current 12:30 AM. Four quality-rific hours of sleep last night helps the situation, too. And I am blogging... when did that become a verb, anyway?

So, hopefully my sentences will be coherent.

...what was I writing about?

So my physics practical went pretty well this morning, I think. It was the type of practical that the TA warns the class about in the first five minutes on the very first day of class--I believe his words were "everyone fails" and "impossible" with a little "freaking hard" thrown in. Taking that into account, I think I did well enough. But, yes, I was studying last night (after a continuous 3 hour TV watching session with Taylor of Grey's Anatomy, a break to talk about how much I needed to study, The Skeleton Key on the movie channel, and random comedy segments of stereotypical white boys and black women on comedy central) until about 2 in the morning when I gave up and decided to get up at 6:30 to study some more before my 8 AM lab section.

Honestly, signing up for the 8 AM lab was an interesting experience this semester. It worked out well because I always got it over with in those early morning hours where you find yourself swaying on top of the little lab stools with your eyes closed, thinking you are nonchalantly dozing when really you're doing that annoying head bob-and-weave dance that we all laugh at when we see the guy in front of us do it in our afternoon classes. I like trying to guess how long they'll let their head fall forward before jerking it up and looking around to see if anyone saw their social faux paus. I might start taking bets from the people next to me.

Anyway, so then I had to walk in the frigid Austin weather all the way to Jester where i proceed to order a hot tea and promptly spill the burning goodness all over my hand.

Had to finish a paper on the conservation potential of Ocelots in the western hemisphere by five pm and I actually succeeded in using webspace for the first time. It's magic!

RA inservice was a great time for all. Who doesn't enjoy throwing balls at people and having to answer random questions in front of your peers? Plus, we got to dance to some super hip music... best day of my life.

2005-12-04T20:22:00.000-06:00

So I haven't been feeling very well lately. Not just "not well" but "completely depressed." Yeah, that about sums it up.

I don't ever feel like studying. I have a huge physics practical tomorrow and a biology paper due and I don't seem to care since I am here, writing this entry. I am so much more willing to sit on my butt and watch completely pointless television than devote time to my grades and any hope I have for a future. I won't fail any of my classes unless I totally screw up or dont show up for a test without at least a little bit of an idea of what's going on, but I really wonder if it's hit me that I could potentially not end up with a grade that i would be happy with.

I hate it, but I'm a person who regrets things. I regret not studying when I dont make the grade i want. I regret not speaking up. I regret being socially awkward when I really dont want to be. I regret not making all the friends I could and I regret the fact that I feel lonely when I dont. I will most likely regret writing this and delete it as soon as I put it up.

I had all these dreams for my life that I know won't happen. I'm never going to be good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or outgoing enough or comfortable enough with myself to accept any of it.

Most people probably think one of two things about me: either I have so many crazy things to do and people to see and classes to study for that I have no time for them (and therefore they don't ask me to do things with them) or they just dont really think about me at all. I think I've come to the conclusion that most people I know fall into the last category.

A friend once reminded me that everyone deals with being bored and lonely at times. Lately, I've been sure that those times for me are a whole lot more frequent than everyone elses.

Well, anyway, that was some of what I had to get out there. I will most likely be embarrassed about this in a day or two and want to delete, but I won't. I'll attempt to stay true to my mood swings for once.

Back to feeling stupid and failing my physics lab.

halfway to dawn

2005-11-29T23:54:00.000-06:00

i've spent the last half hour setting up a xanga solely to comment on a friend's entry then randomly deciding that a real blog seemed so much more sophisticated (and pretty.) Therefore, here I am--midnight before my test tomorrow with half a book to read and at least ten million online articles to analyze--spending time trying to sound witty and intellectual on a blog that i won't care about in ten minutes, much less in five years.

But I know I'm lying. In five years, i'll be lounging around in neiman marcus bathrobes with harry winston diamonds around my disgustingly small dog's neck due to the amazing fame this blog will bring to me.