Throwback Thursday
On August 18, 2012 I posted on Facebook that I had started walking and would start riding soon. I'd lost 61 pounds at that point. I got some positive feedback but I said it then and I said it now, I wanted to make it harder to quit. I was halfway to the spot I got to a year later but I hit a wall and even though I feel better than I ever have I want to finish this journey so here I go again ...Help wanted
I signed up for the pace group at the Hotter than Hell Hundred this year. It's a group that rides the rally in less than 5 hours, non-stop 100 miles at over 20 miles an hour the whole way. The thing that stands in between me and that goal is the last 20 or so pounds I've been dragging along since I hit this level in 2013. I'm asking Paul Mossa to help me with this challenge. All the years of excess weight has created a condition called spinal stenosis in my lower back. Oddly enough, I can ride for hours but can barely walk to the kitchen every morning. I am much more comfortable leaning over than I am standing up.The only cure that isn't surgery is to strengthen my core, lose these last 20 plus pounds and by doing that, I will also be able to ride faster and further so the Pace Group made sense, I am signed up so I am all in. I'm also telling my friends on Facebook about it so it will be harder to quit, or sneak lemonade into my green tea or to grab a cookie instead of a banana.
Added incentive
Plus Craig Hodges said he'd tattoo my name on his ... fanny over 25 years ago if I ever got my weight under 200 pounds and everyone knows there is no statute of limitations on stupid dares so I've got that out there. I'm not sure I want my name on another dude's buttocks but if it's got to go on anybody's it might as well be his. Paul and I are looking forward to making him squirm.
The Usual Suspects
I've also got Doug, Jeff, Jim and Ozzie out there riding with me. Oddly enough Jeff was one of the guys that commented it was awesome that I had started walking, three years later he borrowed a bike and started riding with us, I'm picking him up at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Circle of life.
Most of all I have my incredible family, Katie, Will, Andrew, the AshMan and most of all my bride, Linda, there with me. When I quit drinking, so did she, when I quit cheeseburgers so did she and when I decided to take on this challenge I knew she would be there, picking me up, helping me find something I set down, sacrificing something tasty so I won't be tempted.
So here I go again, looking forward to the journey with you.
