Two Wheels for Sister Cheryl.

Cheryl's New Bike.

With all of her problems,  Cheryl finally conceded and bought herself a bike.  I have been trying to get her to bike with me for a very long time...  especially whenever she hurts herself.    But she refuses.   I can only imagine it is to punish  me for that one thing I did that I can't remember.  Oh, sure!  She says it is because she does not want the bike to take away from her running.... But I know better.  She just wants to be mean!

Note the civilian pants. 

Past Biking Memories. Ouch! 

But she DID buy the bike.  (A Trek!) And took it for a short spin around the driveway.   The last time she rode a bike was when we went to Alaska almost 17 years ago!  And a that time,  we were riding in the mountains and she was thrown off her bike and cracked her Melon!   So she is now a little gun shy about extreme riding.  

It's a TREK!

She makes it look easy.

But she was having fun and wanted to head to the trail for a little longer of a ride.  How could I refuse?  She jumped on he bike and zipped ahead bragging on how she felt she was not getting a workout.   "It was SOOOO  easy!"  I actually felt a little miffed because I usually don't try to exert myself that much.  Was I really That out of shape?

She looks very motivated.

Whoa!  How far are we going here?

With Cheryl... everything is Extreme! Her maiden voyage was 14 MILES!   Not really a problem for me; but not really a Stroll in the park either!  ...  Neither of us were wearing our biking active wear.  In otherwords:  Civilian casual shoes and clothes.  You simply have no idea how much the biking tights and breathable jackets mean... until you ride 14 MILES without them.  

All the way to WASHINGTON?  Seriously?

The pain and fatigue are catching up. 

We rode to Washington.   For those people who might know the distance...  it is about 7 miles from our usual running spot. But then we had to head back!  The air was really cold, the Sun was setting, and our hands and feet were frozen.  Add in the small technicality of how the saddle of the bike begins to cut into rather sensitive areas of your body.   Cheryl was no longer enjoying her ride. The once "easy" distance suddenly became more difficult.  

Will these pants protect my ass? 

Yes!  Yes they will. 

We survived.   And Cheryl now has a better understanding of how things are on the bike.  ( I hope!)  She was forced to use different muscle groups than she does when she runs.  (That IS the point! After all.) Also,  she now understands the importance  of bike tights... Or as she calls them:  "Ass Pants!"   That little bit of padding helps keep much of that saddle soreness away. Especially after 14 MILES!

Don't be afraid of the Bike....

With a little luck,   Cheryl will get over her phobia of biking and the riding will help her cross train for her runs.   I'm looking forward to taking on longer rides without worrying about running injuries.  Hopefully we will both find something we will enjoy in all of this. 

Cheryl's Successful Tunnel Run... Underground... Like a Mole or Miner or Something like that...

A reference to Miller and Armstrong.
So Cheryl ran the Groundhog run.   Like a Mole or Miner or this that and the other thing.   ( Funny,  Her former name was Miner.  The In-Laws might find that funny.)

But who cares about what I have to say.    Here are some pictures.   Enjoy!

Leaving Kansas.

Entering the Caves!

Sponsored by Hallmark!   Cheryl's mother would be Proud.

Also sponsored by KFC. But why the Scrambled letters?   

Packet Pickup.   Easy, Sneezy!

Cheryl pins on her bib to her Bib holder.... Or as she calls it:  Chub cover.  

Cheryl looks at the Finish Line  longingly. 

She is on her tippy toes to see above the wall.  

At least one guy was doing the wave.  And I noticed...

Cheryl needs as much luck as she can get!

Entering the gate. 

Finding her position. 

Last time she was in the "Toddler and Old Lady with Walker" section.  This time she is placed in the front wave. 

Cheryl runs by at the start!

Cheryl sees me!  Yeah! 

Second lap!  She is doing well!  

Time to Kick up the Pace!

Cheryl at the Finish!    Not a PR  but pretty good. 

She finishes 24th female over all.  Second in her age group.!

Time to see if She won anything. 

Cheryl shows off her Medal.   She won an additional Jacket because she placed second in her age group.   

Cheryl's medal.  They just Blinged this Geezer well up. 

One last pic before finding the car. 

Time for waffles!

The waffle house brings back such fond memories.  I fold an Origami  in appreciation. 

Cheryl shows off the comfort food that only a Historic Diner can provide.

Meanwhile,  I show off the origami Tip. 

Cheryl says my tip is not enough.  Time to add some value. 

Sun setting in Iowa on the way Home. 

A better view. 

Cheryl drives.   I try to be Supportive. 

Cheryl is not the best driver.   Just my opinion.  

Sometimes her methods frighten me.

Nothing embodies the end of a successful run better than a beer.  

An Origami Hop is really just what is required.  How could I refuse?

And finally,   Cheryl with the Race shirt.   She selected MY size.  So I could wear it.  Otherwise it simply would go to goodwill.

So there it is.   Cheryl had FUN!   Cheryl did not Break.  Ethan survived Cheryl's driving.    Cheryl won an additional Jacket for placing 2nd in her age group.  Here are the stats!

Time 50:55
Age group 2 of 86
women 24 of 590
Overall: 151 of 1045 total people running.

Not  too bad.
And that is why they Blinged her well Up... Isn't it?

Running With the Rodents!

How could I forget about this?

With the all of the Ant Invasions, Winter Mushrooms and Dead Deer pictures, it totally slipped my mind that Cheryl is running underground this weekend!    The groundhog run is tomorrow,  and we are currently in Kansas city on the Kansas side.   Surprise!

Kansas City here I come.  It's a song!

What is there to say about the trip?  Well,  it was uneventful.  And that is usually a good thing.  No freak weather, traffic delays, or natural disasters to speak of.   Cheryl even commented about how I kept my cool the entire ride here.   (I guess that is a big deal or something.)  We did not make the Packet pickup for the run, but decided that picking it up tomorrow would be easier.   And having done this run once before,  we are familiar with the process and know what to expect. 

Ah the Memories.  2015 let's repeat!

It has been several years since Cheryl first ran this. She is a little concerned about her injury and her recent recovery from the flu bug.   But the idea is to get back in the saddle and have some fun.   She missed this race back in 2016 because of an injury.   And last year it conflicted with the IceBreaker run.  So what better time to revisit familiar territory.

Leave your gun at home though. 

Our hotel is right next to the Mall.   So we decided to stretch our legs a bit and see what Kansas malls look like.   I'm reminded that Kansas is part of the west.   And the Western folks still do things here that many of us only read about in history books.   I like it.

Open Air Mall in Kansas.

Rilakkuma Overload.

My guess is that the evolution of the "Mall" is that Malls of the future will be open air walkways with stores facing the center.   This is great on pleasant days, (like today)   but can be a little inconvenient when it rains or snows or is ridiculously hot outside.   Still,  I enjoy the fresh air and open sky.   It is much lest claustrophobic.

Almost as good as a mascot.

Waffles.   A southern tradition.

Cheryl found a book store with all her favorite temptations available. I was impressed we did not have to buy any of them.

Cheryl finds the RIGHT maple syrup.

I smother mine with a local Beer.

So now we are back in our room, waiting for tomorrow's run. I purchases some Local beer (brewed here in Kansas City.) that I have a fondness for.   I particularly like the Boulevard Wheat Beer.   Very smooth and yeasty. (No!  I did not pour any on my waffles. That would be weird.)

Not bad.  Whole Grain and Hoppy!

I'll finish with a small footnote:   We had to go to Target three times today...  getting me a new mouse for my computer.  I simply hate myself sometimes because I'm so frustratingly frugal.  First we go there and buy nothing. ( yeah!)   Then we find out my mouse is not working.  I blame the battery.   Battery run finished.  (yeah again!  But we spent money.)

Mouse Breakage.  If only I was responsible. 

 Then I discover that the battery was not the issue.  The mouse simply will not work.  I try everything short of hitting it with a hammer.   So... Back to Target or a third time.  I barely manage to keep my cool... but at least I was able to blog before the race.   And that means a lot.

Hope the cool weather and sunshine will continue.  And that Cheryl has a good run.   And by "good"  I mean FUN!   We can't wait.