Teri's first mountain bike ride of the year!

Ten months ago, I dragged my good ol' Raleigh "mountain bike" (the sarcasm is because the only thing mountain-y about that bike was that it had knobby tires!) out of town and Derek and I rode Powderface trail in Kananaskis. I had used that bike the entire time I was in University to get to and from, but that was the last day I rode it. The next day I went out and bought a Norco Storm hardtail, as going down mountain slopes with no brakes and a bike that couldn't go in its lowest gear was fun, but not really!

So, yesterday, after much pestering of Derek to take me mountain biking (he often goes on the weekends when I'm at the market), we revisited Powderface. Just to keep things difficult, it was my first time riding with clipless pedals (which is the dumbest name for pedals with clips... REALLY.)
Anywho, it was also my first time riding a trail more than once, which was really neat and kinda nice to know what's coming. I think I did better on the ascents last year, when I didn't know the one spot where they went on forever, but it was nice to have a functioning low gear! Definitely felt better having brakes, and instead of marvelling on how I made it through something by just sheer will of hanging on, I actually had some control.

We laughed at the spot where I lost it last year, and we laughed even harder when, following Derek through some runoff dips, I watched him struggle through the final one which was really muddy, and then (not having much technical skill), I mired my front tire in the mud and flew over my handlebars! I was actually trapped by my bike, and Derek had to come lift it off of me, but I was unscathed!

Too bad we need to get more road riding in, because I would love to go mountain biking again today! That was likely the last one until July. :(

Hogging the bike trail in Glenmore Park

This family was hogging the entire trail on our bike ride today!

Kind words from Gran...

I always enjoy emails from my Grandma (a very technologically- savvy lady, who had a computer before I did!)-- And every now and again, she writes one that tops everything. I always print them off and tape them near my desk for inspiration.

Yesterday she wrote:

Time is running down on your Ride to Conquer Cancer program and I wonder if you are going to reach your goal. Moreover how much does that matter?

I think you have already met the most important aspects of your plan. You have raised an enormous amount of money for cancer research and honoured the memory of your cousin. You have alerted many to the need to concentrate on the cancer scourge. You have embarked on a dedicated fitness program. You have got a new bike! You have been part of the publicity events which would be fun.

Most importantly you have spent most of your life, and especially now at Blush Lane, promoting healthy eating which will probably do more to prevent cancer and other ills than all research done to eradicate same.

So I think you and Derek can enjoy many bike rides on your fitness program knowing you have made a difference - much more than most of us!

Thanks, Gran!

Glorious Mountain Biking!

I was up in Edmonton this past weekend for some family time and meeting some wee cousins. I was lucky to be able to get two great rides in.

I met my friend Michelle down in Terwillegar Park on Saturday morning just in time to miss a running race that surely would have put a damper on riding. As I rolled into the parking lot I could see that door prizes were getting tossed into the crowd so I knew the trails would be clear.

It was great to rip up trails that I rarely ride anymore but were a staple years ago when I lived up there. And even though I rarely find myself on these trails I still know most of them like the back of my hand: although there seemed to be quite a few new trails, so it was fun to explore those too.

I also took an hour on Monday to ride some river valley and Mill Creek ravine trails. I had another great ride even tough it was a very hot morning!

All and all it was a great trip.

Great Week!

We have both been doing our final fundraising push and it has met with great success! We should have worked this hard on it months ago and who knows where we could have gotten.

Speaking for myself (and I know Teri feels the same) we have really enjoyed our 6am boot camp experience. It is hard to roll out of bed that early but it feel pretty good to be coming home tired and energized.

10% to go!

Thanks to those of you who have so generously responded to our final pleas for cash, we only have $515 to go!

Thanks for putting your confidence in us completing this event. I am proud of us for having such supportive friends and family, for having the motivation to get ready for the big ride, and for undertaking something to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.

I'd like to take a moment to remember the first reason that I am doing this, which has nothing to do with fitness or fundraising. As most of you know, I am completing this ride in honour of my cousin Trevor Pascal, who passed away in October 2008. Trevor was a shy, reserved person, and I can honestly say that I knew him more through his wife Karrie, who was my hairdresser, than through our family bond. Anyone who knew Trevor could only say that he was a great guy. He was the kind of guy who would do anything for anyone, and loved his two little girls, and was never anything but honest.

At the time Trevor passed away, there was an obvious outpouring of support from family and friends to his family. I am completing this challenge a year and a half later, to let Karrie, Jordyn, Kaylee, Auntie Elsie, Uncle Roy, Colin, and Dale know that Trevor is still greatly missed and will always be fondly remembered.

SURVIVOR BOOT CAMP Day 4

(I truly think that the extra energy that I am getting from boot camp is making me giddy. This is what I did this morning after I got home!)

So, Friday was the true test of if I could make it through boot camp or not... We had to boot camp from 6 until 7 am and then I had to be at work as soon as possible following (I normally get there by 7:30 at the latest). Then, true Farmer's Market style, work until 5:30 at least.

Well, I made it through, though I started work a little later than usual, which was no harm done. (In fact, I have found I have so much more energy that I probably got more done in the time I was there anyhow!). I'm probably driving everyone at work nuts, demonstrating lunges while carrying apple boxes, doing dips off the sides of the carts, and flexing my biceps when holding the sample tray! Honestly though, I feel great, even though the workouts are hard and sometimes I just want it to be over!

Today was a lot different, as Derek is in Edmonton and I went all by my lonesome. It wasn't a big deal, but it did make me realize that I really do appreciate having a "buddy" in boot camp, and it would be a lot different if I was just doing this on my own (mainly in the fact that I probably wouldn't be doing it in the first place!)

Keep on truckin'!

Teri :)