May I Toot MY Own Horn?

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07-31-2007, 08:52 PM
makbike

May I Toot MY Own Horn?

My summer has officially come to close and I must head back to my teaching duties tomorrow. It has not been the summer vacation I anticipated (surgery and major relationship issues) but I survived. My saving grace this summer was my bike and I am grateful I was able to ride for it helped me keep my sanity.

July started off rocky but I decided I would ride and ride I did. I found a great group of ladies to ride with in the club and they did not think twice about welcoming me into their group and so we rode together a lot. Last July I set a personal best of 903 miles for the month and really I never thought about breaking it until a week or so ago. I knew it was very possible to exceed the 903 but I was not sure how many more miles I would add to my new personal best but I was willing and able to keep riding and so I did just that - I rode and rode some more. I finished the month with - drum roll please............1103.81 miles:) I'm just so amazed and the best part is I enjoyed every mile I logged. So July 2007 was a great month for me on my bike - a personal best for miles for the month, a personal best for average speed on a century and a personal best for average speed - WOW is all I can say. So I'm going to pat myself on the back and enjoy my accomplishments. It was great to end my awful summer vacation on such a high note - just proves there is a silver lining in every gray cloud.
07-31-2007, 08:58 PM
Grog

Awesome!
07-31-2007, 09:02 PM
silver

woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome! Always look for the SILVER linings!

I'm pedaling my buns off and haven't ever come close to that kind of monthly mileage. I'd noticed that you jumped up on the club board!
07-31-2007, 09:02 PM
KnottedYet

Very cool!:D
07-31-2007, 09:04 PM
SadieKate

Just a whole slew of PBs! Congratulations!
07-31-2007, 09:08 PM
Lifesgreat

Way to go!

:)
07-31-2007, 09:23 PM
Zen

Wow.
somebody is always raising the bar around here, this time it's you.
way to go,jack.
07-31-2007, 09:43 PM
crazycanuck

behind

:eek: :eek: I'm so far behind..:(

Congrats makbike..now we can play virtual tag!:( :o

C
07-31-2007, 09:58 PM
smilingcat

congratulation for all the miles you've logged and rewarded with whole bunch of PB's. Bike nirvana or darn close I say. ;)

smilingcat
07-31-2007, 11:07 PM
Starfish

Wow! Congrats on making it through a tough summer, and with some spectacular personal achievements, to boot! Nice job! :D
08-01-2007, 03:40 AM
Mr. Bloom

Quote:

Originally Posted by makbike

I finished the month with - drum roll please............1103.81 miles:)

Marcie, that's GGGGGRRRRREEEEEAAAATTTTT! and unbelievable too!:D :D Wow!

Thanks for talking us into the Horsey (and now it seems the OKHT as well).

It looks like you just gave Silver an idea for a new goal:eek: :eek:
08-01-2007, 05:49 AM
Chile Pepper

That is simply amazing! Congratulations!
08-01-2007, 06:11 AM
jeannierides

Toot Away!

Marcie, that's wonderful! Congratulations on a great summer's end! :p
08-01-2007, 06:19 AM
li10up

Wow, that's awesome. And here I was feeling good about my measly 2000 miles for the year....
08-01-2007, 06:19 AM
LBTC

Marcie, that is fantastic! Those are some amazing PBs, and after such a difficult summer for you! YAY!!!

Hugs and cheering celebratory butterflies,
~T~
08-01-2007, 07:30 AM
indysteel

Marcie, that's a whole lotta miles. Amazing; I'm so impressed. Dare I ask how many miles you have for the year?

:D :D :D :D :D
08-01-2007, 07:37 AM
short cut sally

congrats

woooo hoooo to you..that is really great...keep up the good work!
08-01-2007, 09:38 AM
Duck on Wheels

Congratulations, MB, on turning such a downer Summer around!!! I hope that's got you set up for a Fall full of all good things!
08-01-2007, 10:22 AM
IFjane

From someone who never leaves the school setting, even in summer, congratulations, Makbike & have a wonderful school year. Here's hoping you have a classroom full of little angels this year!
08-01-2007, 10:41 AM
bikerchick68

holy moly! that's a lot of miles in a month :eek: :D way to go! definitely an accomplishment to be proud of... :)
08-01-2007, 11:39 AM
mtbdarby

Great job Marcy!! What an accomplishment despite all the hurdles this summer. It takes time to get back on track after major life changes but we're here for you girl:p

Maybe some chocolate or bike gadget is in order to celebrate? Or BOTH!!
08-01-2007, 01:04 PM
makbike

Quote:

Originally Posted by indysteel

Marcie, that's a whole lotta miles. Amazing; I'm so impressed. Dare I ask how many miles you have for the year?

Indysteel I've logged 4270.57 miles thus far this year. Of these miles 3363.32 have been road miles and the rest were logged on my trainer.
08-01-2007, 03:40 PM
sundial

That's FANTASTIC!! So, on average, how many miles would you put in per ride? I'm, um, a little math challenged. :o
08-01-2007, 03:57 PM
makbike

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundial

That's FANTASTIC!! So, on average, how many miles would you put in per ride? I'm, um, a little math challenged. :o

Thanks!

If I just use my road miles I'm averaging 24.5 miles/ride. If I add in the trainer miles the average is 22.12 miles. Finally, on the trainer I averaged 16.4 miles/ride.
08-01-2007, 04:00 PM
sbctwin

Yes you may toot your own horn, pat yourself on the back and celebrate :D :D :D Your accomplishments this summer say a lot about the person your are. Congratulations.
08-01-2007, 04:37 PM
onimity

That is so impressive!!!

I've been strutting around all week since I broke 600 for the month! :eek:

I didn't ever respond to your earlier posts about your summer but I read them and found them eerily similar to a rather nasty winter I had a few years back. It was a really rough time but I learned a lot about myself and gained a lot of confidence in the bounce back. I'm so glad to see that you are doing so well.

Rock on, girl.

Anne
08-01-2007, 04:41 PM
sundial

Quote:

Originally Posted by makbike

Thanks!

If I just use my road miles I'm averaging 24.5 miles/ride. If I add in the trainer miles the average is 22.12 miles. Finally, on the trainer I averaged 16.4 miles/ride.

Wow!! I think you should do a commercial for Tour de France next year! :eek: :D

Do you ride every day? I've been riding 3-4 days/week and would like to ride more, but I'm afraid of overdoing it. Any tips for this newbie?
08-01-2007, 04:41 PM
sundial

Oh, and I love your kitty's eyes. Such a sweet face!
08-01-2007, 07:05 PM
makbike

Thanks ladies for all the kind words and support. It has been a rough summer but I'm moving forward with my head held high. I'm fully recovered from my surgery and I'm working hard to put exBF behind me as best I can. Some days are better than others but I continue to look for the good and I just know good things await me.

Sundial, I try to ride at least 6 days each week but I will confess sometimes I just keep riding. I listen to my legs for they are not shy and will quickly tell me when I need to give them a day or two of relaxation. I took 4 days off in July and a on a few of those it took everything I had not to pull a bike out and go for a spin.

My goal each month is 500 miles which is not hard for me to reach when the weather is warm/hot but is a bit of challenge when I'm on the trainer.

The kitten in my picture is Penelope. She turned 1 year old back in April and is a devil of a child. She looks very innocent but she is not. I love her to pieces but she has issues.
08-01-2007, 07:22 PM
uforgot

Personally, I don't think you should toot your horn. Nope, a simple toot won't do at all in this situation. I think you need to lean on it with your entire arm and let it rip for a good long time. All I can say is WOW!!!! GOOD GOING!!!
08-02-2007, 06:19 AM
indysteel

Quote:

Originally Posted by makbike

Indysteel I've logged 4270.57 miles thus far this year. Of these miles 3363.32 have been road miles and the rest were logged on my trainer.

Equally impressive. Great job. I'm sorry that you've gone through some tough things this summer, but it sounds like your bike has been a source of comfort. I can relate.....

Keep on pedaling. I hope you, the Silvers and I can meet at the Horsey next year so that I can congratulate you in person!

K-
08-02-2007, 06:42 AM
Tri Girl

TOOT TOOT TOOT

There- I helped toot your horn for you. Congrats on an AMAZING accomplishment. I just can't imagine riding so much. You must have "bits of steel" (hmmm... I just thought of a new workout series). :p

You should be VERY proud of yourself- and even more proud because your life is moving on and you're along for the ride. You've chosen to be positive, and for that good things will come your way!!!! :D

On a side note-sorry to hear that summer is over. :( I go back on Monday- but no kids until the 14th. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job- but that downtime in the summer is exactly what I need to refresh myself after the insanity/madness of spring testing and all the hormones that make teaching almost impossible after Spring Break. :)
08-02-2007, 07:56 PM
makbike

Tri Girl thanks so much for the multiple toots! I had a great time last month on my bike and enjoyed every mile I rode. I just know good things are coming my way. Yes the game of life is filled with twist and turns and some are much worse than others but I'm plugging along, trying to stay busy, trying to keep positive and enjoying myself. Blessing come in many different shapes and sizes and I'm showered in them each day. Life is good and I've learned it is okay to be sad.

I've survived two days of professional development this week. Yesterday's was painful. Today's session was great for the teachers leading it gave us lots of time to work in our classrooms. Tomorrow is opening day (no students) and Monday the buses roll. I'm looking forward to meeting my new group of kids, all 130+. I'm sad to see my summer come to an end for I was finally starting to relax. I know that going back to school will be good for me for it will keep me very busy and greatly reduce my "pondering time." It is going to be a good year. Enjoy your final days and more importantly have a great year with your new students.
08-02-2007, 08:17 PM
teigyr

To all you teachers headed back, I am so sorry! Must be rough to have the free time then give it up at the end of summer.

Marcie, I can't believe how many miles you rode! I just checked that out and that is impressive...the year isn't even done yet. I'd say this horn is louder than just a normal "toot", it's probably one of those loud truck horns. Or maybe a festive one :D Yeah, it's ok to be sad but I think you have so much going for you - life IS good. You got through this summer so incredibly too.

Tri Girl, I think you are on to a new workout DVD. Bits 'o Steel. I can only imagine the isometric exercises :eek: :o
08-02-2007, 08:44 PM
makbike

Teigyr thanks for all your support this summer! I think I'm going to make my goal of 5,500 miles for the year (knock on wood).

Tomorrow is a rest day for I'm giving some thought (not a lot) to riding a century on Saturday. It is suppose to be a very hilly ride and the heat index is predicted to be 100 F - this nasty combination may convince me to ride the 50 mile route on Saturday and the 60 mile route on Sunday. I just want to ride and have fun.