Sunday, December 14, 2008
Challenge Update
The first two weeks of The 1000 Mile Challenge are complete, and I'm (finally) winning! It was rough riding for a while there though, especially since I had to miss a number of riding days:
Days 2 and 3 I spent looking very charitable but very insane. First I had to run around like a madwoman and coordinate the department's sponsorship of a family in need for the holidays. Initially it was enjoyable and put me in the holiday spirit... until I had a minor breakdown caused by sleep deprivation, traffic jams, stressful miscommunications, and my dinner scattered all over the carpet. I must admit that this breakdown included 5 seconds of dramatic weeping, not because I couldn't help it or because there was anyone around to hear it but simply because it seemed like the most rational response at the time. I also needed to tutor my ESL student and catch part of the Literacy Center Volunteers party. I walked into the latter during an award presentation accompanied by a string quartet, which was definitely not the relaxed and boisterous festival atmosphere that I expected (the invite highlighted the presence of a balloon man after all). It was worth it though, since I later won a raffle prize and had my choice of a lovely potted poinsettia or a barrel of monkeys (which may have been left over from the children's raffle now that I think about it). Since I only pretend to be an adult I of course went with the monkeys. I'm thinking of stringing them around Kyle's Christmas tree. Monkeys or no monkeys though, they were exhausting days and I didn't find the time or energy to ride.
Day 6 Kyle and I both missed our rides when he visited me in Charlottesville. I think he must have hit his head on the way because he was willing to attend the semi-formal english grad student holiday party AND to go dress shopping with me beforehand. What a trooper. The party wasn't as packed or entertaining as last year's soiree but it was still a nice time with fantastic food.
Day 8 I spent at my desk from 9AM until 2AM the next morning, studying for and then taking a 4 hour essay test that pretty much punched me in the face. I probably should have gone to the gym for a bit and read my notes while riding - if nothing else it would have dragged my tired eyes away from the hypnotizing glow of my computer screen - but I instead sat there like a zombie in my pjs all day.
Day 11 I spent saying goodbye to my friends before leaving for break. We enjoyed a leisurely post-work lunch, coffee at Starbucks, a performance of Santaland Diaries in Staunton, and dinner and dessert at a tapas restaurant. It was entirely worth the lost miles.
Because Kyle was a more regular rider he led for most of the first week and a half, but I held on and eventually surpassed him by getting in a number of 20-25 mile days, which may not sound impressive, but trust me it's no small thing on a stationary bike where the scenery never changes and there are no coasting breaks. I did ride outside once but that was an experience that I will probably not repeat until April. I don't own any winter weather gear but I figured if I was willing to look a little silly I could create my own; hence the mismatched soccer socks and ear-warmers made out of the arm-warmers from my Halloween costume (my hat doesn't fit comfortably under the helmet). When Kyle rides outside with his specialized, expensive gear he looks like a ninja. Apparently I prefer to look like a fool and to get very, very cold on sprints and downhills. But the ride wasn't entirely unpleasant and it reminded me that I enjoy cycling outside...in nice weather, anyway.
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| posted at: 04:40 |
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