Well, I started this blog before we went on vacation to Colorado last week but forgot to post it so here is an edited version … hopefully it makes some sort of sense…
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| Ride with Joe the week after RAGBRAI |
I rode RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Great Bike/Buffet Ride Across Iowa) a couple of days last full week of July. Abby and I rode my folks tandem on Wednesday from the south shore of Clear Lake around to Ventura to meet my dad and then rode into Clear Lake for the party. It was an easy 16 mile day and Abby and I had a lot of fun with my folks and a mellow afternoon of hanging out. Thursday Joe, my dad (also Joe) and I rode from Mason City to Waverly. The weather was gorgeous, I had corn on the cob, chocolate covered bacon and blueberry pie for perfect RAGBRAI lunch. It was a 66 mile ride that day and I smiled all day long. I wore my “I Ride with MS” jersey and got a lot of positive shoutouts and had a couple nice conversations.
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| Joe and I chillin' at 9000+ |
The last week of July Joe and I started working through the Dave Ramsey financial peace university. This is going to be a hairy 9 weeks navigating the minefield to take us to fiscal responsibility. I gathered spending and income data all week in an attempt to pull together an actual budget. Now that the kids are both in school and the cars are paid off it is time to get serious because I want to travel and do some house updates without taking on debt.
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| Family selfie YMCA Rockies with RMNP behind |
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| The kids earning their junior ranger badges |
This past week we busted into our vacation fund and headed off to Colorado to spend some time in the mountains. After my idea of staying in a cabin got shot down we landed on staying in a bunkhouse at the YMCA of the Rockies. The camp is pretty neat and had just enough space for the four of us and all our gear in our little room.
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| Abby and I with my wonderful friend Lisa |
We didn’t spend much time there with Rocky Mountain National Park just outside the door. We enjoyed Estes Park in the evenings and even had a visit from an old friend who lives in Fort Collins. After a couple of days hiking and visiting interpretive centers and sites we said goodbye to the park and all the wonderful creatures. We spent a day driving through scenic byways, enjoying Beau Jos pizza (YUM!) and driving up to Mt Evens which is over 14000 feet high.
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| Abby and Joshua with Lisa's horse Dusty |
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| 2100 miles... 1/2 tank left... tired |
We managed to take in a Rockies vs. Cubs game and even though the good guys lost we had a great evening catching up with my friend and Abby’s Godmother Lisa. The next day Lisa and Abby did a trail ride through Garden of the Gods (they both love horses) and then the kids, Lisa and I went hiking in the red rocks and visited the Colorado Springs zoo. The last day was the 13 hour drive home through Kansas and Missouri back to home, the kids did great but I think Joe and I are still recovering.
Physically I feel decent despite another three weeks of headaches and migraines. Likely a combination of many things but triggered from my MS meds and struggling to stay hydrated. Still having some nagging low back pain and I have to really stay out of the heat and sun to keep my energy up. I started working with a personal trainer a couple of weeks ago so hopefully that will help balance out my body. I am also hoping it will help with my speed/strength in my next two races on the 10th and 31st which are longer tougher courses.
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| Part of the team that keeps me going and our AG place mugs |
I am going to ask for help now so listen up. I am looking for a couple of volunteers to be out on the course (especially for the run) to cheer me and give me bags of ice and water. I raced on Sunday my first Olympic distance race in a couple of years (1500yd swim, 25 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run). The swim and the bike went well but I imploded on the run and had my worst time in my 10k history. The heat and humidity just have me stymied. Despite Joe bringing me ice for the run course and my wearing my cooling sleeves I still struggled. I am sure it is combination of needing more run miles, only having one run last week while on vacation, and being a head case about all this but I am struggling to work through this road block. So if you are interested and available the Sunday of Labor Day and in the metro please come cheer me on. my favorite part about this weekend’s race was finishing and having a group of people cheering me across the line. I was the only one racing that length in my division so despite having a time that was 11 minutes slower than my slowest Olympic race time I still got first place in my age group. Guess sometimes it pays to show up and get things done no matter how much they challenge you.
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| Still smiling while I wrestle into my cooling sleeves. |
I met with my neurologist for a check up the Monday before I left on vacation. I had read several articles in the last week about how many autoimmune disease therapies aren't targeted enough and can do harm as a result.
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Still looking for my fire so won't stop going
through the motions until I find it. |
Despite that my Dr said this is the best time to have MS due to those therapies and was pleased that my side-effects are limited to mild headaches, bruising and low white blood count (I would add muddled brain and sporadic bladder control issues but is that MS, medication or adrenals?) Needless to say he was pleased I didn't have any new symptoms and proclaimed me to be moving into remission. He said 95% percent of his patients are doing well with these treatments and he thinks along with a healthy diet and exercise we can stay there. No brainer right. So I am in an internal struggle with all this but trying to be patient with myself.
The big excitement this week is playing catch up… oh that and my baby boy starting kindergarten. Where has the time gone. Have a great week and as always thanks for reading.
RIP RW
Photos provided by Lisa C. Katherine R, and Angie T plus those taken by JJ junior photographer. :) Thanks everyone.
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