Focus!

He's got an uncanny ability to focus for long periods of time...

 

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Sunday Funday

After church, the kids got out for a little drive...

Then we went down by the river for a picnic and so Cayle could throw rocks. The afternoon was spent lounging in the yard enjoying the sunshine and family time. Natalie also got some flowers planted. It was a beautiful day!

Cayle having some lemonade in his new cool aide cup from Aunt Lindsey

 

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Ridgeline Rampage Recap

Every race is a learning experience. Longer races present more "learning time." This past Saturday I had a 60 mile mountain bike race in Castle Rock, CO. Going in things were looking pretty good. My weight was close to what I wanted, training has been good, and bike is working great! The only thing really obvious missing was training miles. I've been getting some good intensity, but only 2 rides this year so far over 60 miles, with the longest being about 80 miles. So the distance was going to be a concern.

I ended up quitting after 50 miles. Just got tired... Didn't want to do one more 10 mile lap.

What went right-

* I felt super strong for 2 laps and was riding with the leaders most of the first lap.

* great training!

* nutrition was good, and eliminated some of my cramping issues.

* bike was fantastic!

* bought some new glasses. My first ever Oakley's! They have a wind jacket rubber eye piece that seals wind/dirt out , and prevents eye irritation. Big issue since I have some sort of dry eye syndrome. They worked unbelievably well! It was amazing being able to see and not having sweat and wind in my eyes!

What went wrong-

* put in a HUGE effort half way thru first lap to catch the leaders, burning too much needed energy...

* downhills were terrible! This has never been an issue for me before, and now every time I go downhill fast my crash from last summer flashes into my mind. No confidence descending at full speed. Hope that goes away soon... Flat sections and uphill I would catch and often pass people, only to get passed/dropped on the downhills.

* lack of training miles may have hurt a bit

* sun! Finally the sun came out! It was only 70 degrees, but I was baking! By the 5th lap all I wanted was a cool shady rock to crawl under and hide... Hit with some kind of heat exhaustion

Even though I didn't finish, and didn't have the race I was hoping for, it was still a great learning experience! Great training! Great motivation to keep training hard! I got lots to improve on! There were other people at the race that I ride and race with on a regular basis, and it was so nice having them offer encouragement and advice when I was struggling. Couple more short track races then it will be time for the town series!

 

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Ridgeline Rampage

Cancelled last Saturday and rescheduled for today. 6-10 mile laps. Should be fun! Going to hurt! Going to be hot! Haven't said that in a while...

 

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Clean bikes

If there's one thing with bikes I wish I did a better job of, it would be keeping my bikes clean. I'm terrible with it. Basically the only time I ever clean them is after a really muddy ride (which rarely happens) and before a race. I hate showing up to a race with a dirty bike!

I'm hoping Cayle does a better job of keeping his bikes clean. Judging by his personality, I'm just guessing he will do a MUCH better job.

 

 

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Deer pics

A few pics of deer I got while warming up for my bike race this evening. Taken with my phone, some into the sun.

 

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Big changes coming...

http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/5243-unit-40-board-says-thanks-to-altman-meinhart

 

Board members hired Debbie Sciaroni as a three-hour cook at the junior high school. Several teachers were hired including Becky Schumacher as a Special Education teacher at South Side, Kathryn Koester as a Special Education teacher at the Early Learning Center, Shanna Ambuehl as a Special Education teacher at the high school, Abra Woomer as an elementary teacher at South Side, Mindy Pals as an elementary teacher at Central Grade School, Andrew Glosser as an elementary teacher at Central, and Natalie Brummer as a Math teacher at the junior high school.

 

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Golden

My dad and sister were in Golden for WOOFER recertification (wilderness first responder). My dad rented a house for our family, him, my sister, youngest brother, and mom. It was in a great location, being 2 blocks from downtown, and our favorite pizza place, Woody's Original Wood Fired Pizza!!!

Grandpa rocking Lindy Leighn to sleep

Waiting for something...

It's uncle Michael! Cayle just wants to go throw rocks. The city of Golden has it figured out when it comes to showcasing the downtown area and river.

One day I got out to ride Lookout Mountain. Something I've been wanting to do since we moved to Colorado. It was amazing! Crazy to think this road is a top long boarding destination.

 

City of Golden far below

The switchbacks on the climb are amazing!

One of my childhood heroes graves. Buffalo Bill! The hero of so many of the Wild West novels I enjoyed in my teenage years. What a beautiful burial site!

 

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Lindy's Celebrations

Lindy celebrating her birthday...

at aunt Michelle's house on her birthday morning

super-cute glasses

celebrating with g and g hammers via facetime for her birthday supper

celebrating with g and g brummer in golden

cupcake party in gypsum :)

Ethan Turns 4

Ethan's birthday was on Monday, and we had one fun activity after the other!  The day started with a stop at Trampoline World...

cayle did not actually enjoy the swing like this picture conveys...he spent about 25 seconds in the harness, just long enough for us to get pictures :)

Then was followed by lunch at PB and Jellies...

lindy's first ever peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

After nap time, we had pizza and cake at the house...and a balloon artist!

cayle asked for a sword, no idea why since he's never played with one before (to my knowledge??)

lindy's (backwards) number one for her upcoming birthday

Spring Break Family Time!

Over my spring break, we had a family reunion of sorts in Colorado Springs.  Lindsey, Michael, Finley, and Shay flew in to Denver and we all headed down to Ronnie's house for a few days.  The little cousins all got to play together and had lots of fun! 

a few extras in there (Lindsey and Michelle's friends came to visit)