The Dimples are coming! The Dimples are coming!

So...we've just completed our fifth week of riding and are still enjoying it!! It's getting more fun each trip out!! Today we did our longest ride; 35.20 miles!!! I bombed out about 10 miles from home, but got another burst and made it home! Our average speed on this trip was 12.2 miles per hour, which I have to admit, I'm pretty stinkin' proud of, considering the headwinds we hit down toward the beach, and the length of the ride. Tomorrow is Sunday; therefore a rest day, but then we're back at it Monday!

We stopped weighing ourselves after the second week because I got really discouraged that I hadn't dropped a significant amount of weight!! John told me not to get obsessed with the scale, yet I wanted it to show some loss! Of course I understand that muscle weighs more than fat; however, after having been basically sedentary for over a year, I thought for sure I'd have a significant loss; oh, well...didn't happen! So basically, we've decided to weigh like once a month or so...whatever; right? It's not necessarily all about the weight-loss, but about the health issues and the goal of the 5,000-foot, 104-mile ride in March!

I do have to say, though, I look at myself in the mirror these days and notice several things. One, I can't believe how heavy I am when I feel soooooo good! I feel like a much smaller woman than I truly am because I'm working out so hard and just feel so much healthier...I'm sure my body will get there in time, but I'm glad my brain is recognizing how great I feel! Two, I notice my legs looking much more tone and the cellulite on the thighs is getting less noticeable! Three, I have the funniest tan line on my hands from where I am wearing my gloves...my hands are 5 shades lighter than my arms! Four, my dimples are coming back!! Wow...used to hate them, now I'm loving to see that they're coming back again!!! Nope, it's not necessarily about the weight loss...I've got noticeable changes and I'm lovin' it!

Well, that's our update...5 weeks of riding, 357.37 miles ridden! Tomorrow we rest! Thanks for your continued prayers and support! I love how loved we both are and how encouraging each of you have been! Thanks!

Solvang Century-2009!

Solvang Century-2009-104 miles!!!
Well, John threw down a challenge to me a few weeks back...after our physical fiasco with Grandma's Great Adventure! John explained that we had 10 months to go from couch sloths to bicyclists and complete the grueling 104-mile Solvang Century that takes a beautiful ride through the beautiful mountains and beaches of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and the beautiful wine country area outside of Solvang. The key to that last sentence is "mountains." We've driven around the area on our scooters and there are some wicked steep hills, but, with my new bike, which I've named "Holly," I can do it! Why "Holly," you may be asking...for several reasons; namely, the salesgirl, who was AWESOME was named Holley. Also, I figured "Holly" is gonna' "haul" my buns for this encounter. But most importantly, because when I finish that 104-mile ride, if I have the strength, I'll be praising God for helping me through it, with a "Hallelujah!"

Now keep in mind, John is the ex-bicyclist that held the record in California for a bit for the 500-mile qualifying race for the Race Across America. John used to do the 100-mile century rides just as warm-ups, some of the times he even did them twice in the day, what the heck; right?? A Double Century?????? Yikes!

I truly feel as though God has been preparing both of us to do this in so many ways. It's as if, seriously, once a week for the past year somebody that has either rode with John in the past, or has just picked up riding, or was thinking about doing some major riding, you name it, God has had them cross our path...all the time, I'm panicking! But I could see it in John's eyes...he just has to get back on that bike! Everything has pointed us to extra time and the necessity to get in shape! Even changing churches, has allowed us the extra time to put into the training. With the new church only a few miles from the house, there's an extra 45 minutes each way to church! That travel time adds up!

Well, that's what's new for the Turners! Please keep us in your prayers that our rides would be productive and safe! We're currently riding between 18-25 miles during the week 3 or 4 times, with longer rides on either Saturday or Sunday...we've got to push those weekend rides up to 125 miles or so, integrating hill work into the workout. Our Wednesday rides are 10 miles because we want to keep them short to assure our timely attendance at Bible study, so Wednesdays will be our power days where we push it physically. Last week it took us 53 minutes to do the 10 miles, obviously we've got to really cut that time down!!!

Funniest thing, though, when talking with our buddy Darrin. He was saying what a great cardiovascular workout we're getting, without the pounding...well, that's true in a sense; however, as evidenced by the picture below, there is some pounding the pavement involved too...those darn shoes clips...I'm getting better, but sometimes I just can't get out of the clips, or into the clips as smoothly as I need to! So, there have been four "poundings" onto the ground so far...but, that too will get better! If you look closely you'll see bruises from the first fall, scraping on the left of the knee from the second fall, and then the larger scrape and road rash from Fall No. 3! Fall No. 4 was into the grass, so that just got grass in my hair and twinges to my ego! But, hey, swelling and pain go away; right!

STAY TUNED...I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED!