FLASH-POINT BLOGGER: JIM DOUGLAS

So, I've clearly been slacking as of late in keeping up with this blog. The thing about it is that I've been slacking in general with riding. I've not been on the bike but a handful of times truthfully since my last post. Granted, I've all but given up on running lately as it just causes me way too much pain and agony, but I'm starting to try and ride more and more often.

Part of this emphasis for getting back on the bike I'm faulting to two of my good friends, Tom and his girlfriend Lauren. Both of their cycling accolades clearly outweigh my own personal 10 fold (which is quite easy, as I don't really have any anymore). We'll just say that they are both considerably faster than I am. But last night one of them jokingly asked if I was going on a ride with them and I accepted. I have a feeling that they were nice to me and didn't plan on hurting me too badly.

That being said, I survived the ride and managed not to complain too much. I'm not overly sore today and will try and get out this afternoon or evening for another quick spin to stretch out the legs.. Will keep you posted as to how it all shakes out.

~over and out...

As of right now, we only ride out of the office on Wednesdays & Thursdays. We also try to catch up on the weekends for at least one ride of a bit greater distance (see last blog for pain and agony report). I unfortunately, either lack the time or fortitude to go and ride solo after work on the other days, or I just get caught up doing a dozen other things that take "precedence" to riding for what ever reason. So, what genius idea do I come up with to get some exercise, go running with my dog.

This doesn't sound like such a bad idea, except the fact that my dog is a 7 month old chocolate lab named Dagny. My little girl is, well, special. Not like in your normal, puppy way, but in the crazy, A.D.D. sort of way. (not unlike her father, so we are two pees in a pod to say the least).

What my new found fondness for running has given me, besides good old fashion quality time with my dog is sore legs! Don't get me wrong, I'm nowhere close to peak physical condition right now, but good God, i'm sore from this whole thing. We've been at this for a few weeks now, slowly building the base and mileage. We aren't running for more than 3 or 4 miles at a time, as she gets tired around mile marker 3.25 and decides to sit down (you dog owners know the defiant little dig heels into the ground, dead weight sort of sit). At that point we stop for a short minute, have a drink of water and then gingerly mosey home.

We get back home and I try and get a stretch in while she gulps down a gallon of water. The only thing is that while I'm just shattered after the run, she's back and ready to rock and roll in an hour...

I'm ready for Wednesday to come so I can get back on the bike..... :)

What a fantastic weekend in Indy! Beautiful weather finally for a couple of days straight.

So, I'm still in the single digits as far as total ride count is concerned, following the whole 9 months off the bike, and somehow, I found my way Sunday morning leaving Andy's house with 11 or 12 others, embarking on a "three hour tour". Nothing serious, a casual ride to say the least, but none the less, likely going to be more than I could really handle. Armed with two bottles and a couple of Cliff Bars, I lit out with the boys. 40 or so miles deep, and a good solid headwind for a third of it, I'm close to cooked and trying to gauge my ability to get home at any decent speed with the group. Lucky for me, a couple of the guys were making a turn towards home at that point, cutting about 10 or 15 off the total loop. "Perfect!" I think, so I jump on with Michael and Nic and suck wheel the entire way home.

52 miles after we started, I was still standing and quite happy to have gone out that morning for a ride. I even feel pretty stellar today. Can't wait for another long ride this week......