June 29, 2011

I did it!

After pussing out yesterday at the bike shop, I decided to go back today (thank you, Sarasael, for your comment--that pushed me into going back!)  I was still super nervous, but I went in and a super nice guy helped me out.

He asked what kind of riding I wanted to do, and I just told him that I'm a runner and I want to cross-train a couple of times a week. No racing or huge mileage or anything, and only on the road (no trails). He introduced me to some hybrid bikes, which (from what I read online) sounded like the way to go for me. He asked if I wanted to test ride a couple bikes, which I was nervous to do, but I figured I probably should before I drop hundreds of dollars on a bike.

I loved the first one I tried. It felt so much better than any other bike I've ever ridden--very smooth. He suggested a bike with a longer length, which I tried, but I still went back to the first one. And $487 later, it's now mine :) 


When I got it home, I was excited to ride it right away. I was thinking I'd do about 6-8 miles, but good LORD--my thighs were burning! I have a tempo run scheduled tomorrow, so I decided to call it quits after 3.5 miles. Hopefully I won't be TOO sore tomorrow. It was so much fun though--I felt like I was flying. Now, I know that 13 mph is on the slow side for biking, but that was my average speed (I took the Garmin, of course!)  I probably should get a helmet (and maybe not wear flip flops next time, lol).  I also have no clue what different gears are for. This has 21 gears, but I've no clue what to do with them. I'll have to read up on it.


The only thing that really sucks about owning a bike now is that I don't have a garage to put it in. So I'll have to keep it in the house. I also don't have a hitch for bikes on my Jeep, so I'll have to get one or I'll be sticking around my house to ride.  I felt kind of guilty spending so much money, but I justified it by telling myself that it's a present to myself for maintaining 100 pounds lost for an entire year.

Shortly after that, Jerry glanced out the window and went flying outside. I heard him yell, "Phoebe!" kind of sternly (Phoebe is one of my cats) and immediately I knew she had a bird or something in her mouth.

I ran outside and sure enough, she had a DUCKLING. It was alive and unhurt, thank God, but the poor thing's mother was nowhere to be found. I live right across from the woods, as you can see in the pictures, and there is some swamp there, so I'm guessing that's where she got it. But I looked and looked, and there was no sign of a duck or more ducklings.

See how tiny it is? Poor thing!
Jerry called the vet to see if they knew of someone that would take it in, and got the number to a guy who specializes in wildlife. He didn't answer the phone, so desperately, I told Jerry of this house that I pass on my runs who takes care of the wild ducks there.

They have a fence set up with shelter and everything, but it's open to where the ducks can come and go as they please. I told Jerry to bring the duck there, knock on the door, and ask if they know what to do with it. The guy actually took it in, and said that he cares for the abandoned ducks and other animals until he can let them go. What luck is that?!  So now the sweet little duckling has a home.

Oh, I seriously had the BEST breakfast today. I just chopped up a peach and dumped a packet of Emerald Breakfast On The Go on top. Then I nuked it for 1 minute in the microwave. The peaches got hot and melty, and the granola topping stuff was so yummy.


I picked out the yogurt-covered raisins (and ate them separately) because I didn't think they'd fit in with the peaches. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but sadly, I cannot trust myself to have ice cream in the house.  I've made this dozens of times with apples, but I never thought to use peaches! It was SO good. I'll definitely be making it again.  I'm sure it would be good with any kind of granola or crunchy cereal. I love a nut and dried fruit combo.

This was 222 calories.


Have you ever taken in a wild animal or just a stray animal? I seem to be doing it a lot lately! First Estelle, then Paolo (both cats), and today the duckling. Thank goodness we found someone else to take the duckling, otherwise I'd be nursing it here until it was big enough to go back in the wild.


20 comments:

  1. Glad you went back to the bike shop and were able to find one you liked! And that you found a good home for the ducks. :)

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  2. I've tried the bikes at the gym and don't like them. I don't know if it's the weird angle I'm all crouched over in, or if it's the tiny seat crammed into my butt... The recumbant(spelling) bike is nice, but I'd like a real bike. You've just given me more incentive to look for a good one, thanks!

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  3. Congrats on the new bike! It does take a few rides to get used to ... I hope you enjoy it!

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  4. AnonymousJune 29, 2011

    WOO HOO for getting a bike. I love to bike ride. I also have roller blades. I dont take in strays. I would of totally taken in this little black kitten that followed me last year though. I already have two kids to take care of and clean up after. I am a clean freak it doesnt work out having a animal.-- vanillamama

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  5. AnonymousJune 29, 2011

    You are most definitely NOT boring! I love your posts! I'm extremely proud of you for going back and getting the bike!

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  6. AnonymousJune 29, 2011

    you have been introducing me to some cool blogs lately in your posts. have you ever thought about doing a post on some of the helpful/inspirational blogs you read? i'm always on the hunt for new exciting blogs to read.

    congrats on the bike!

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  7. AnonymousJune 29, 2011

    You must seriously have an amazing husband! My husband would throw a fit if I tried to spend $487 on a bike randomly! You are lucky to have him supporting you 100% during your weight loss!

    - Mandy

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  8. I'm catching up on your posts right now, but yay for the bike!! If you're ever up in the Traverse City area let me know and we'll go for a ride :)

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  9. Yay!! Glad you got one!

    To help your thighs and knees out, make sure your seat is up high enough. That reallllly made the difference with my bike and how well I felt while riding! There's lots of resources out there on The Internets that can explain proper seat height (here is a good one: http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html).

    Most importantly, ENJOY!

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  10. That breakfast looked really good. I may have to try that one. I usually have a shake for breakfast, but gets old after awhile.

    Cool bike! I have not rode a bike since I was in middle school (too many years ago to think about LOL)!

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  11. AnonymousJune 29, 2011

    BusyMommy--I'm so proud of you, not just that you've maintained the loss but that you are couragous enough to step out of your comfort zone. You look so happy. And check out the definition in your triceps in the picture of you on your bike. I read always but rarely note. I'm still here though, cheering for you!!

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  12. SO not boring. There are blog posts in my google reader that I have been ignoring for weeks. I get excited when I see that you posted a new one. :) Now if only I would get off of my arse and start running.

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  13. Not boring at all! I was excited to see a second blog for today. I've been putting off getting a new bike for a few months now, I think I'll be going out tomorrow to look for one now. :)

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  14. I love your blog :) It gives me a lot of encouragement to lose the last 30 pounds! I am definitely going to try your peach/granola combo next week!
    A few weeks ago my dog would NOT come in the house. She kept staring at the steps and finally I relented and looked to see what was on the steps. It was a baby blue jay! It was so cute!! I was incredibly surprised that she didn't kill it (she is part jack russell). I grabbed some gloves and yelled for my husband to help me. I tried to put it back in the tree and then the parents showed up and started yelling at me. I left it and assumed the parents took it :)

    Enjoy your bike!!

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  15. AnonymousJune 30, 2011

    Katie, I think it's great that you got a bike...it will help keep things interesting for you. And I LOVE your blogs! Keep them coming!

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  16. AnonymousJune 30, 2011

    My sister took in a dog that was hit on the side of the road. Completely malnourished and was just the saddest thing I've ever seen. At first she called a local shelter and they wanted to immediately put him down because of how old he was. She was like no, I'd like to adopt him. So, against their better judgement they fixed the dog all up and allowed her to adopt him. They told her not to get too attached because he only had one year max to live. She has had him for 2 years now and he's still going strong. The shelter said it looked like he hadn't had a home in a couple of years. Now he is happier than ever! I really admire people who fight so hard for the animals because they don't have a voice and cannot fight for themselves! You're a wonderful person Katie!

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  17. AnonymousJune 30, 2011

    I once watched someone literally throw a kitten out their car window! Just left her for dead. Immediately I took her to the vet. She cost me close to $600 in vet bills. I even had to wake up every 2 hours to feed her with an eye dropper. I have an amazing vet and she even took her home for a night because of her breathing and feeding problems. I fought so hard, but she didn't make it. She was just simply wayyyy to young to be taken from her mom. It was the most heartbreaking thing ever!

    Kimberly

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  18. You're welcome! And you look AWESOME on that bike! That is a sweet bike!

    I love the feeling of flying.

    The gears will come in handy if you ever ride hills (and you can road-ride on a hybrid, if you are so inclined!)... but you could use them to go faster... eventually as you get stronger/conditioned, the lower gears won't allow you to go even faster... so you can go up in gear and go faster! This is good for if you are maintaining a good clip, but then want to sprint. In the lower gears, you'll hit a point where you are spinning as fast as possible, but it isn't propelling you further. Switching up a gear will allow you to keep that cadence!

    You'll figure it out! Have fun! (and get a helmet - LOL).

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  19. Your bike looks so cool--you're gonna love it. I'm riding my dad's bike (he died 4 years ago), my son and I share it. I think you should shift to a lower gear when going up hills. At least that's what I have sorta figured out. I too need to get a helmet. After I crash landed when I got home the other night I haven't been back out on the bike, but I know I need to get right back on SOON. It's been SO HOT here. That's my excuse.

    I LOVE the coasting part of the ride. You work so hard to get up those hills, but going down them is glorious, the wind in your hair and you can go so fast. It's like you're a kid again!

    Your breakfast looks delicious. I have never heard of that breakfast on the go stuff, I'll have to see if I can find it in stores here. Keep writing Katie, LOVE to read your blogs!

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  20. @Amanda

    I just have to say I am so excited for you to have your surgery you really do deserve it!! I must say that your blog is not boring I look forward to it every day!! You have inspiried me to do my first
    5k and I am very excited.!! I even have tried some of your recipes and they are terrific!! Thanks for being an ispiration to me and very real... I found your blog through reading Krista's which I enjoy every day as well. Real people doing this on their own bring real hope to me. I have struggled my whole life with my weight and have just lost 40lbs and am continuing to be encouraged to keep it up and keep on my new found journey to living healthy... :)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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