it's become CHAM

Herb got his ear bitten off recently by yours truly. I wasn't mad at him (rarely ever am) but more just grumpy and being pugnacious over our CAM ride this Saturday, which, like I said to Herb with utter disdain, "It's become CHAM - a chore a month." It's CAM 11 and, after that, we have just one more to complete the challenge. As what happened in 2007, I am so utterly over the challenge at present, the thought of riding 100 miles yet again this Saturday has my worn-down chamois all crammed up in my you-know-what (figuratively speaking). This is the one and only downfall to this type of challenge - the monotony of having to pedal 100 miles come hell-or-high-water every two to three weeks, which just so happens to takes the fun out of the ride.

I've already been giving 2010 a great deal of thought. I turn (gulp) 40 next year. I'm not a big "milestone" kind of gal, so it doesn't truly bother me. I'd rather turn forty than be dead. I just see no reason to wax sentimental over it either, although I will ask for the week off from work around my birthday. I want to take a trip and ride my bike somewhere I've never ridden in my lifetime. That's as "celebrate turning 40" as I'm going to get. But I do believe the realization that I'm finally growing up (well, somewhat) and entering a new decade has me reevaluating my priorities.

So, for cycling - priority number one is to ride my bike. Priority number two is to have fun while riding my bike. Anything less (fun) than that, and I'm out. I've never been a hard-bodied athlete, the kind that is disciplined enough to win a race (any race) or even be considered a serious contender. So, as my friend, Francis, always says, "Why suffer?" Besides, I'm too busy chatting, stopping to eat, stretching, taking photos and petting llamas to be bothered with actually pushing myself to best my or anyone else's time. Well, that and...I don't care. My being soft around the middle is no coincidence, by the way, and likely, I will always be a work in progress and never a shining example of accomplishment.

I can live with that.

Now, back to C(H)AM this Saturday - Herbie saved the day. We were going to ride up in/around the same area (Ventura, Carpenteria, Santa Barbara) again, but Herb came up with a local option, one that really appeals to me. I like the idea of starting from The Hub, riding out to East Fork (up Highway 39) and back, hopefully finishing by 3pm. I know the roads and somehow the thought of riding urban is cool to me. I just couldn't stomach the same coastal roads we've ridden several months in a row! I know, huh? Sounds so not like me...well, this is what CHAM does to me!

On another topic - work. I'm settling in, and I decided today that I really, really like it. I also like my boss. He happens to be one of the nicest I've ever had. He's involved me on projects where I'm writing and that thrills me. I like his direct reports as well. All of them are genuine, bright folks. I finally feel I've found a work environment in which I really am going to thrive and be a part of a team.

Oh, and I'm getting my schedule back. I'm really pudgy right now (no, really) and it's a good thing that I have so many places to exercise and so many healthy choices to choose from at lunch. Now, if I can stay the course - I have promised myself that I am losing this weight before I turn 40. I have five months. I have to do it. I don't want to enter the next decade feeling like I do. I'm not going to ever be skinny, but I can be leaner, meaner and less soft around the middle. Notice, I did not say flat-tummied. I gave up the idea of having a six pack by the time I was 12! But I can (and will) be better bodied - I just have to truly want it.

Hmmm...maybe I should file that under my 2010 goal page for my next entry. I need to get the goals down on paper (in this blog) to stick with them. I have two for sure - have fun and ride more dirt trails, lots more! Of course, if you think about it, that's one and the same goal.