In Search of My Body - Not the One I Ate... Vol. 6: Goddesses just want to have fun

[3DisneyKids]

Paula kicked A$$! I will let her come in and tell all about, but WOW! Way to go!

Now, when's the next one???

 

[lisaviolet]

Paula kicked A$$!

Now, when's the next one???

Argh! Don't tease the race junkie!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

In MB. Already thinking about flying home, who would pick me up, etc, so I don't have to do that drive again! Best thing about being an adult? Not having to travel with your parents. Love them, but...


Paula DID kick a$$!!!


Thank God for wireless internet. Must find booze. ASAP.

 

[3DisneyKids]

OMG, booze is a MUST after a long road trip like that!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

On my second glass of wine. I think, to survive, I might have to just drink and give up the diet thing right now.

My MIL is charming when I'm drinking. My mom is just quirky.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I think, to survive, I might have to just drink and give up the diet thing right now.

WORD.

OMG, you are my hero just for vacation with both your parents and in-laws all at the same time!

 

[lisaviolet]

WORD.

OMG, you are my hero just for vacation with both your parents and in-laws all at the same time!

So true.

Erika - can't you just give me a little hint on Ms. Paula. So curious.

I've been stuck inside most of the day waiting for a delivery.

 

[goofyfan-12]

Hi gang....

The race this morning totally rocked!!! Felt great and a full report with pics is coming - I promise... Just need to get to typing it up, but it will be posted shortly so I am going to keep you all in suspense for a little longer....

Spent the day relaxing at my parents' camp and the afternoon nap was just heavenly...

OK - off to upload pics and start that report.

Paula

 

[3DisneyKids]

Better hurry, Paula. Lisa might spontaneously combust!

 

[goofyfan-12]

OK – here is the much awaited race report…

Last night, I had my bag packed and was heading for bed. All was on schedule except for one thing, I woke up every two hours like clockwork. Not too excited was I? So the morning roles around and I finally get up, eat a yummy breakfast of yogurt, fruit and oatmeal and get ready. My sister arrives, we load up my bike and my gear and are then off to meet my parents and then head for the race.

The race is happening at a local ski resort about an hour north of here. So we get there and I go register. I am so excited because I get my first officially race bib and number #127. The parking lot is busy with other bikers getting their gear ready and I just start doing my thing. My neighbors show up to support me which was awesome. Always nice to have a cheering section behind you.

I make a few notes on my bib:

And then it is time to start moving over towards the start. So here I am in my full gear:

Next thing you know we are getting our pre-ride instructions and then we are off…

So I am trucking down the main road with the 30 miler group and the 10 miler group. I have no idea how many were in each section other than I think the 30 miler outnumbered us 3:1. The route is pretty straight forward and thankfully somewhat flat. The 30 miler group hang a right and I keep going straight. At this point, it is me and the road. Nice… I hit one difficult hill (that I thought I was going to die on) and next thing you know it, I am at the turn around where there is a nice couple manning a rest area. I chat with them for a little bit while I refuel with a banana and some Gatorade. They were really nice and told me that I was the first person to arrive - WHAT??? How did that happen? Oh well, it is what it is and it is time for me to start pedaling back to the ski resort. As I take off, there are three kids sitting in chairs in front of one of the neighboring houses and they are clapping and cheering me on. They were just too cute. I shout out a big thanks to them and I am off.

Shortly after the rest area, is a decent climb. I am downshifting gears to make things a bit easier and then Houston – we have a problem....

 

[goofyfan-12]

So I left off with me climbing a hill and then trouble….

The chain falls off the front spoke thing (I don’t know the name of it sorry). Crap… now what. I did not come this far to stop because of a stupid chain, so I hop off, flip the bike over and see if I can get the chain back on its track. Thankfully, this bike mechanic no nothing was able to get it back on so the bike is working again. I walk it up to the top of the hill (it really wasn’t that far, but I wasn’t about to start my ride back up 2/3rds of the way into a climb) and I am off. No more gear shifting for me because now I am paranoid that something is wrong. So I settle in for the easy downhill ride back to the resort.

I am cruising along and am now starting to pass some of the 30 milers. There are shouts of hello and good jobs going back and forth which is nice. I then see a sign that says “You are almost there” and I immediately think – really, that was fast. I keep chugging along and then I see the flags that marked the parking lot to the ski resort and I think holy cr@p, I did it. I actually am going to finish this. I was not anywhere near prepared for that flush of emotions that came over me at that point. I tried fighting back tears, but a few came out. All I could think of was how far I had come and that I am about to complete this huge milestone in my journey towards this new me. Flashes of the many conversations held with my family and local friends, with all of you on this thread, with my JC consultant and with Jesse started to overwhelm me and for the first time, I actually believed that yes, I can do anything I set my mind to. While it took ten miles on a bike with a race bib for me to finally believe that, the fact is that I do believe it and I will accomplish my goals. I won’t accept anything less.

As all of this is running through my mind, I turn into the parking lot and head for the finish. I have to admit, the finish was a little disappointing because the volunteers running the event hadn’t finished setting it up yet. As I pulled in, I guess I surprised everyone. You see, I was the first one back! What the hell? How did that happen? My family and friends are cheering me on and the volunteers come running over to me with congratulations, t-shirts, goody bags and some bling! I got my first medal!!!!! I’ll have to post a picture of that when I get it off of my sister’s camera – the batteries on mine died just as that was happening. Guess I need to add those to the list for next time.

Coming in for the big finish:

Its finished:

I am thrilled that it is over, stunned at the results and am already looking forward to the next one. After sending out some important text messages to let my peeps know that I finished, my family and I headed out for lunch at a local BBQ place and then head up to my parents’ camp for some much needed rest.

So that’s it… my little bike race of the big girl - while not so big anymore – who could and did exactly what she set her mind to do.

Thanks to you all for all of the encouragement and support you have given me. I know you were with me when I crossed that finish line!

 

[goofyfan-12]

Now Lisa won't burst....

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Hi all! Hope you had (are still having!) a fabulous Saturday!

We spent the day with the goats - at a show. Not too shabby of a day. Becca came home with 4 Reserve Champions today!

Lyz - hope the girls had a great time at the swine event!

Paula - can't wait to hear about your bike race. How was it? Super fun? Would you do it again? Please tell! I've been anxious all day!

LisaV- what kind of delivery were you waiting for?

Liz- a nice drink or two. I should say so! I love my mother and my MIL but couldn't imagine vacationing with them both at the same time!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

OMG! Paula! YOU WON? You WON the BIKE RACE


HOLY AMAZING WOMAN YOU ARE.

I'm bursting here. So, so, so proud. So proud.

WOW.


ummm.....so when's the next event?

 

[lisaviolet]

Better hurry, Paula. Lisa might spontaneously combust!

Watch it smart a$$!!!!

Now I'm going to read. I ran Paula. Ran to the computer when I got home.

 

[lisaviolet]

I don't know how many effing swear words I can fit into this effing reply. I have no idea why I have the urge to swear. Thank God we don't have strict mods here. Or maybe they just keep up with us.


Unflippin'believable!!!! Well, that's the wrong word cause I believe it. It's you Paula. Of course it's you Paula. Look at you go all this time. OMG Paula. OMG! OMG!

I'm so overwhelmed with emotions. Crying. Yes Paula - you have inspired tears of joy!!!!

I'm so thrilled for you.

And thanks for the pictures Paula. Your face and body look totally different. Even more cute. Just don't tell cutie.

So happy for you - did I tell you?

 

[SunnyB1066]

So I left off with me climbing a hill and then trouble….

The chain falls off the front spoke thing (I don’t know the name of it sorry). Crap… now what. I did not come this far to stop because of a stupid chain, so I hop off, flip the bike over and see if I can get the chain back on its track. Thankfully, this bike mechanic no nothing was able to get it back on so the bike is working again. I walk it up to the top of the hill (it really wasn’t that far, but I wasn’t about to start my ride back up 2/3rds of the way into a climb) and I am off. No more gear shifting for me because now I am paranoid that something is wrong. So I settle in for the easy downhill ride back to the resort.

I am cruising along and am now starting to pass some of the 30 milers. There are shouts of hello and good jobs going back and forth which is nice. I then see a sign that says “You are almost there” and I immediately think – really, that was fast. I keep chugging along and then I see the flags that marked the parking lot to the ski resort and I think holy cr@p, I did it. I actually am going to finish this. I was not anywhere near prepared for that flush of emotions that came over me at that point. I tried fighting back tears, but a few came out. All I could think of was how far I had come and that I am about to complete this huge milestone in my journey towards this new me. Flashes of the many conversations held with my family and local friends, with all of you on this thread, with my JC consultant and with Jesse started to overwhelm me and for the first time, I actually believed that yes, I can do anything I set my mind to. While it took ten miles on a bike with a race bib for me to finally believe that, the fact is that I do believe it and I will accomplish my goals. I won’t accept anything less.

As all of this is running through my mind, I turn into the parking lot and head for the finish. I have to admit, the finish was a little disappointing because the volunteers running the event hadn’t finished setting it up yet. As I pulled in, I guess I surprised everyone. You see, I was the first one back! What the hell? How did that happen? My family and friends are cheering me on and the volunteers come running over to me with congratulations, t-shirts, goody bags and some bling! I got my first medal!!!!! I’ll have to post a picture of that when I get it off of my sister’s camera – the batteries on mine died just as that was happening. Guess I need to add those to the list for next time.

Coming in for the big finish:

Its finished:

I am thrilled that it is over, stunned at the results and am already looking forward to the next one. After sending out some important text messages to let my peeps know that I finished, my family and I headed out for lunch at a local BBQ place and then head up to my parents’ camp for some much needed rest.

So that’s it… my little bike race of the big girl - while not so big anymore – who could and did exactly what she set her mind to do.

Thanks to you all for all of the encouragement and support you have given me. I know you were with me when I crossed that finish line!

YEAH PAULA!!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

LisaV- what kind of delivery were you waiting for?

A mail order groom.

 

[lisaviolet]

Now Lisa won't burst....

Oh Lisa bursted all right. You can't pull in that kind of finish and not expect bursting there sweetheart.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi all! Hope you had (are still having!) a fabulous Saturday!

We spent the day with the goats - at a show. Not too shabby of a day. Becca came home with 4 Reserve Champions today!

]

Okay the goats. Oh the guilt.


Becca - fantastic Nancy.