A New Adventure!! REAL Mountain Biking!

One of the BEST things about living in Colorado is that there are a TON of outdoor activities to participate in. The sun is almost always shining so from Skiing, Snowboarding, Sledding, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, etc. in the Winter, to Hiking, Boating, Canoeing, River Rafting, Running and Mountain Biking, etc. in the Summer, there is always something to do! I am sooooo lucky to have friends who LOVE the outdoors and staying fit and since I am somewhat of an athlete (or I like to think I am anyway) I am enjoying all the new outdoor adventures my friends take me on. Last year they got me into running--Adam and I both ran (along with our friends) in the Moab 1/2 Marathon in March-- and I actually fell in love with running. I continue to run every so often but have a tear in my meniscus (sp?) so have had to take a break for a while. While on running hiatus, I have started Mountain Biking. (Or so I thought until today!!) Adam and the kids bought me a bike for Mother's Day and I have used it at least 3 times a week ever since. I ride with the kids to the park, I ride in the mornings with friends up a pretty tough trail called the Bluffs and most recently have been riding a fun single track loop that is about 2 minutes from my house. This recent loop is a tough little ride but is more of the "mountain biking" type trail with loose dirt, rocks, trees, uphills and downhills!! I am usually dripping with sweat by the end but LOVE the downhills and have been feeling pretty accomplished with my Biking skills as I have gotten faster and faster riding the loop.......

And then there was today!! Erin, Tanya, Jocelyn and Brecken decided it was time for a REAL ride...I thought, well I've been doing REAL rides and am getting pretty good so yeah...I'm coming, I'm doin' it!! I ROCK!!! Well my poor little ego was humbled today as I realized I have a LONG way to go before I can appropriately tell myself that I ROCK!!! Erin, Tanya and Jocelyn are AMAZING riders (THEY rock!), and Brecken (who doesn't ride as much as they do) is pretty awesome herself (she's pretty close to ROCKIN') ....and then there was me! Can we say sucking wind? hyperventalating? throw my bike down the mountain side and walk home? Well that was me today!! At one point I honestly thought I would die, right there on the trail...and this from a person who works out almost everyday! I thought I was in good shape but learned that I certainly have a long way to go to call myself "in shape". But....today was a start, a new adventure, doing something I've never done before and I honestly, despite the wanting to throw my bike over a cliff moment, LOVED it!! I can't wait to get better, learn the techniques of going fast, or turning sharp or yes, even taking my first MAJOR wipe out. (I know it will happen, the question is when?) It was a blast and I am so lucky that my friends are so patient and understanding...they waited for me and at one point Tanya even came back for me so I didn't have to ride with the fear of a Mountain Lion attacking me (ha ha ha- just kidding Mom).
Anyway, here's to new adventures and GREAT friends!!!

Jocelyn, Erin, Brecken Tanya and Me


Tanya-putting her bike up on the rack. See Bill-she did it!! The step stool was ingenious (sp?)


Jocelyn, Tanya, Me, Erin- Before the ride!


Strike a Pose!!