So many things to catch up on, but first and foremost - Gabe and Dante are now accomplished riders of their two-wheelers! No more training wheels!!!!!
We worked on it with Gabe a little bit this past Fall, but it didn't go well, and his heart was clearly not in it. So we backed off. But this weekend, I asked him if he wanted to try again, and at first he said no, but then he changed his mind and said he did want to try, so we got to work.
We had him riding down a very slight incline in the yard (not quite as painful to fall on the grass), and I could see immediately that he was doing much better than he had the last time. He was still wobbly, and fell a lot, but he was staying upright a lot more, and seemed a little more confident.
And once Gabe started getting it, Dante wanted to get in on the action, too, so we took the training wheels off of his bike and got him going in the same spot as Gabe.
After about an hour, they were both riding around like pros! It was amazing to see them put it all together and really get it. And so, so cool to see them riding their bikes like big kids! There's nothing quite like seeing your kids learn a new skill like that.
I had them stay on the grass for a little longer, but they were really doing so well, I told them to go ahead and ride around the cul-de-sac, and that's what they did ALL AFTERNOON. They rode around and around in circles, and had the time of their lives : ) This morning they were both complaining that their butts were sore from sitting on the bike seat for so long. I can relate to that feeling!
I can definitely relate today, since I got out for my first bike ride of the season yesterday morning. Sad that this was my first ride of the season, and it's June, but hopefully I can be more consistent with it going forward. I was out on the road by 6am, and it was a chilly start, but a beautiful morning. I rode 25 miles, and averaged 17.5 mph - not too bad, considering I hadn't been on my bike since September! The hills were challenging, but aside from that, I felt great, and it was really good to be back out there.
And after skipping my swim last week, I was determined to get a swim in this week, so I got in the pool today. I think I'm better off going on Mondays, because as the week goes on, I'm less and less motivated to do it. I felt tired and 'off' at first, but about halfway through, I was nicely warmed up, and the second half felt great.
I did just over a mile in about 40 minutes - standard for me. I know I should focus on drills and improving my speed, but my heart and head are too wrapped up in running right now, and I'm just going to accept that swimming will remain my weakest link for another year or so. I do ok, and that's good enough for me for now. The time will come when I'm ready to devote more time and energy to it, and I'm excited to see how much I can improve when that time comes, but it just isn't now.
Saturday's run was awesome, too. 14 miles, average 8:40 pace, and I felt wonderful the whole time. It was a relatively cool morning, which helped. And it's a good thing it wasn't too hot, because when I stopped for a bathroom break and refilled my water bottle, I dropped the cap on the floor of the bathroom. Ew. So that was it for water for me. But since it wasn't hot, and I had already had a lot of water to drink, I was fine.
We're in for a few super hot and humid days this week, but luckily it's supposed to cool off a bit just in time for our race on Saturday morning. It'll be warm, but not brutally hot and uncomfortable. I'm not hoping for a PR this time, since the weather is warmer, and I know I'm going to be a little slower because of that. But I am hoping to place in my age group, since this will be my last race ever in the 30 - 39 age group - I turn the big 4-0 on Sunday!!!!!
I'm not sure exactly what we're doing to celebrate. I know Scott has something planned, but I like surprises, so I'm not pestering him to find out what it is : ) I know he'll make the day special for me - he's really good at that kind of stuff : )
And I might as well close, like I always do, with some of the boys' one-liners.
Yesterday Scott asked Gabe to turn off the outdoor faucet for him (he had just finished watering something), and Gabe tried to turn it off, but got confused and forgot which way to turn it, and started getting all frustrated, and yelled "Daddy, I can't do this! I'm not a plumber!"
Dante told me the other day that he and his friend Sara would have very cute babies. I'm ok with them talking about getting married, but talking about how cute their babies would be is going a wee bit too far!!! : )
We were also talking in the car last week about how the calendar works, and what a month and a year are, and Scott asked Dante if he knew what year it was. Dante thought for a minute, then answered "Um.... the 4th of July?"
I give him an 'A' for effort.
Little triathletes in the making :-) Keep up the good work, momma!
Posted by: Wes | June 07, 2011 at 03:33 PM