DRESS UP TIME!

Sunday night Mel and I attended the Patron's party at the McNay Museum. It was a black tie affair, so we had to get dolled up right. We had a good time and still were able to get to work Monday morning!

NEW TRAIL

Hopkins and I have been trying to expand the number of trails we ride on a regular basis. Having ridden Madrone last Sunday and McAllister on Thursday, we decided to try Guadalupe River State Park today.

I found one website that described it as a tough ride with rocks that could rip your derailleur hanger off your bike. Finding that hard to believe, we decided to try it any way. Even the lady at the park office told us there were rough parts on the trail, but we decided to "manup" and try it anyway.

The trail itself is not that long, maybe 6 miles total. But it is a BITCH. No extra long climbs like Government Canyon or exposed ledges like Madrone, but tons and tons of rocks! If you lose momentum and have to stop, it is hard to get started again because the rocks just go on and on.

I literally had to lockout my front shock because the rebound was causing problems. At one point, my front wheel hit a rock that didn't budge and I was thrown out of my seat. Luckily I was able to step on a rock to lessen the impact on my nether region.

Halfway through the ride, the trail comes to the lip of a canyon, with the Guadalupe River barely visible several dozen feet below. Once we completed the trails, we decided to ride the paved park road down to the riverside.

At one point, we hit a top speed of almost 29 mph on the downhill, which was great until we remembered we would have to climb it on our way back. Nonetheless, we rode down to the river's edge where we took pictures and Hopkins splashed some water on his head.

As tough as the rock gardens are, this trail is good training for our next attempt at Government Canyon. Not only that, but it is half as far as Madrone Trail is from San Antonio, so it makes for a quicker ride. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with my recliner and TV. Later, Mel and I have to go to a black tie Patrons party at the museum, so I need all the recovery and rest I can get...

DON'T LISTEN TO THE VOICES

After not riding at all last week because (insert excuse here), my body was starting to complain about my inactivity over the last several days. My ankles were hurting and my left hamstring was so tight I had Mel stretch me last night before bedtime.

Overall I knew that stress had a lot to do with it because my bike riding helps me keep my stress in check. The last couple of days have been cool, Fall-like temperatures, so I hoped to ride after work today.

I left work a little early to beat traffic and get my gear ready to ride. On the way home, I was starting to get real sleepy. So much so, that I was starting to talk myself out of going to ride. Boy, my recliner sure would be comfy enough for a quick nap before Mel got home.....

When I got home, I forced myself to dress in my riding clothes and pack my Camelbak Mule for the ride. I promised myself that I would start with a leisurely ride and quit if my legs started hurting.

I arrived at McAllister Park and unloaded my bike and gear. Begrudgingly I mounted the bike and began to ride. My asthma was bothering my breathing a little bit, but I wasn't as winded as I expected I would be after a week layoff from riding.

By the time I decided to stop, I had ridden over 8 miles in a little over an hour. I had a decent sweat going and my legs were starting to feel the effects of the ride. Feeling satisfied that I at least got a good workout, I packed my bike & gear and went home.

Sometimes you have to overcome your own little voices in your head telling you to take the easy way out, there's always tomorrow, your body hurts, etc. When you hear those voices, you need to be even more determined to do what you know is best for you, your body, and your psyche.

I hope to ride again later this week as well as on Sunday. I am thinking about trying a new trail at Guadalupe River State Park in Bulverde. I'll keep you posted. Until then, keep doing what you know is right for you. Don't talk yourself out of it....

SAN ANTONIO DODGED A BULLET NAMED IKE

Whew! We were very fortunate here in San Antonio not to have experienced any ill effects from Hurricane Ike. We were told to expect 4 to 6 inches of rain and wind gusts to 65 mph, but it never happened. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.

It was very sad and disheartening to see all of the damage Ike caused the residents of the Houston and Galveston areas. San Antonio is housing some 5,000 or so evacuees, plus countless others in area hotels. I can't begin to imagine having your life turned upside down from something like that.

As I mentioned, our weather was nice, but very hot yesterday. Today was very cloudy and gloomy. I didn't ride my bike today because I tweaked my knee this weekend. I think it was when we were pulling stuff off the deck in anticipation of the storm. Anyway, I didn't want to push it and maybe hurt it more.

Hopefully all the weather drama is over with this year; I don't need that much excitement in my life. Tomorrow night is MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL - Dallas vs Philly. GO COWBOYS!!!

HUNKER DOWN

Texas' third major storm of the season is bearing down on the Coastal Bend. At this point, most of the computer models have the storm making landfall Saturday morning, then coming inland towards San Antonio. The forecast here is for sustained winds from 40 to 60 miles per hour, with gusts around 80mph.

Today at lunch I went to Walmart to buy extra bottled water, batteries, and another lantern. Mel and the dogs freak out when the electricity goes out, and here in our neighborhood it goes out if somebody farts too hard.

San Antonio is also prone to flooding, as it is very hilly, with many low water crossings around the city. With low water crossings, come idiots who drive around the barricades in the road instead of turning around.

Tomorrow night we'll pull all the furniture and plants off the deck just in case, and I'll also download some podcasts to watch on my iPod if the lights go out. Until then, we'll just have to wait and see....

AHHHH...THE DOG'S LIFE!

WHAT A LIFE!

YOU PLAY...



YOU SUN...

YOU EAT...

YOU TAKE A LEAK...

YOU TAKE A DUMP...

YOU SLEEP...

REPEAT!!!

AWESOME BIRTHDAY!

This has been an AWESOME birthday weekend for me. Yesterday I started the day with my usual coffee and paper, then Mel and I went to a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant for a great breakfast.

After breakfast, Mel took me to buy some new mountain biking shorts as the ones Bert bought me last year are showing some wear. She also bought me a new Halo sweatband at Cycle Logic. After that, we hit some of the local consignment shops looking for something to wear for next month's McNay Second Chance Prom.

Then we both went to have manicures and pedicures (I am no longer a pedi-virgin). We wrapped it up by having dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant, Tong's Thai, where Cindy joined us for dinner. The girls surprised me by giving me a new Fujifilm SLR digital camera! They got me good, as I usually can guess what they buy me.

During the day, I received many calls and texts from Mom, the Boys, Michelle, Roberta, and Bert. I also got a couple of emails from my sister Luz Marie and my Aunt Corina in California. My staff celebrated my birthday Friday by decorating my office, getting me a nice card, and buying a decadent chocolate on chocolate cake.

Today, I went for a nice two hour ride at OP Schnabel, where Hopkins and I rode 7 or 8 miles and had a good workout. After the ride, I helped Mel wash her car, I washed my bike, now I'm settling in to watch the Cowboys play the Browns. All of my favorite football teams won this weekend, so it's been nice.

Now to get back on track with Weight Watchers this week and continue my bike rides during the week. Best wishes and thanks to everyone!