BEST RIDE EVER

I just rode the hardest, but best ride ever. It was twenty miles of the worst hills i have come across. The hills from my earlier blogs were nothing compared to some of these. I rode with a buddy of mine and his dad, and some of their friends, and well i now want a new bike like theirs. My friend went 50 mph on his bike! That is amazing, I went 35 which is my personal record and it was so much fun.

I can not describe the feeling of riding. When you are going up the huge hills, you just want to get off and walk. But you dig down for that strength to keep going and getting to the top is awesome, going down is even better. If you do not own a bike, get one, if you have one and do not ride it, go dust it off and put some grease on the chain. You will not regret it.

Well, i had to write something, that was too cool to not to.

Joliet visit

So on Saturday, my beautiful fiancee and I were doing a little shopping. While we were walking through old navy looking at baby clothes, we thought about how much we miss our (well her niece, my future niece) Rachel. We thought about how much fun it would be to see her, and Christi's brother Ryan, and sister in law Coryn. and Christi suggested that we just pack up and go over to their house for the rest of the weekend. So we called and they were happy to have us come. So we packed up in about 30 minutes and took spud to my parents house and three hours later we were in Joliet.

The next day we went to church in Minooka Illinois. Rachel was making some fun noises during the music and sermon so that made me laugh a little. After church Ryan made some awesome burgers, and then we went to Aurora to the outlet mall that they have. Christi and I found ties for the groomsmen for the wedding so that is nice to have out checked off of the wedding plan list.

It was a great get away, since school is finally out for the year. OH! I graduated! I have a degree, it sounds pretty cool to me, it isn't that cool but oh well. But anyway, it was a great spending time with family that we do not get to see often enough.

Cory if you read this, (since I have not updated it enough for you, you might not) Thanks for having us, it was great seeing you guys, and are really glad we made it out.

Running

The last couple of days, the weather has been under par for cycling. So I decided to give the treadmill some use. Some of you know that I am trying to become a police officer, and part of that is doing a physical test, this includes running a mile and a half in 12:51. I have not been into running since 8th grade when my shinsplints got really bad. Running has been almost unbearable. I ran yesterday and did 2 miles and today I ran 2.5 miles in 17:50 on 9.5 -10.5 mph, so I was very happy with the results. I have never ran more than one mile at a time in my life. So I am very pleased with myself. I hope to be able to do that 5k like my aunt here pretty soon.

Spud

This post is about my vizsla Spud.

As i am writing this, Spud is in the process of shredding up a plastic bag, making a huge mess, and he is absolutely loving it. Spud enjoys shredding up anything that shreds, pillows, plastic bottles, rugs, paper bags, tissues. If he gets a new toy, he does not just chew on it, he mangles it until it no longer resembles anything. He loves to sit right on your lap when you try to work on the computer. This morning after work i made a sandwich and sat on the couch to watch sportscenter, and there was spud sitting over my shoulder whining because he couldn't have any.

When he is bored he grabs a tennis ball and while chewing on it, he is letting you know how bored he is by letting out the most annoying sounds in the world. So the movie or show you are trying to watch is inaudible because of his boredom.

His favorite place in the house is up on the counters licking them, or licking the stuff that is sitting in the sink. I say no and down about 2 million times a day i think. He gets down and then two seconds later he is right back up there, and we go through that same routine about everyday.

If you do not understand vizslas, here is a little info for you, they have alot of energy, and they need a alot of exercise. So to keep Spud under control most days he goes on a 5 to 6 mile run while i ride my bike. Im sure we are quite a site to some people. When he has to relieve himself he just stops right where he is and does his business. There is no warning and so if i am not paying attention and he stops, i have to do all i can not to get yanked right off the bike. We ride at about 12 miles an hour and sometimes faster so stopping on a dime gives your arm a good jerk. Then when we get back he usually cuddles up on the couch and falls asleep.

Even with all the annoying or frustrating things Spud does I can't help but love him. When he is not destroying things or on the counters he is right by your side or wanting to curl up in your lap to take a nap. He just loves being near me and doing things with me. People who say that dogs do not understand us or that they cannot communicate with us are dead wrong. This dog will get right in my face and start barking at me when he is being ignored. He gets closer and closer until you acknowledge him and play ball with him. My favorite thing is when i am under a blanket and he wants under, so he comes up and starts scratching at the blanket until i lift it up so that he can get under it. Sometimes when the sun is shining just right into the house or if the front door is open he will just go sit in the sunshine and watch people go by.

If you have ever seen Marley and me you will understand a little Spud a little better. While he may doe some crazy things, at the end of the day he makes me happy and i can never be mad at him for more than a few minutes. As i finish up, Spud came over and laid right on top of my feet to keep them warm. He is the best dog in the world.

I love my parents

So, yesterday we went over to my parents house for mother's day. It was a great day. Dad made some great food, mom was feeling pretty good for most of they day, and dad gave Christi and I a computer. I was not expecting it at all, and we are really grateful for it. Christi will have a better place to study now in her condo, and since we will not have cable, it will be nice to be able to watch shows on a desktop instead of our laptops.

So, Thank you mom and dad, we are very happy for the gift.

Also, i wrapped up my week at a total of 85 miles. Today i start again and i am aiming for 95-100. Wish me luck.

On another note, I have two more finals and then i am done with my associates degree!!!

80 miles

So this week i have done 80 miles on my bike. Yesterday I did the biggest hill of my riding career. This is different than the one i did 3 days ago. This was one that i came across and decided to tackle it right then and there. It kicked my butt. Today i did 13 miles and it seemed like the wind was blowing 20 miles an hour in both directions. It was miserable and very challenging. Now i have to go to work.

Official challenge

So let this be known that i am challenging my aunt kristi to a duel in weight loss (just in fun).

She recently ran a 5k which is more than i can do. So aunty if you are reading this, you and i are going to kick some butt together.

We both have about the same amount to still lose, and are both inspired by the biggest loser. She has also been a big inspiration to me. If you want to see something amazing in real life and not on t.v. go check out her blog. She is amazing and i am very proud of her.

So now, instead of sitting at home because it is raining outside i think i am going to still go try to conquer the big hill that i have been dreading on my bike. I have ridden 47.1 miles so far this week and if i ride about 13 more i will be at 60 and i usually do 10 a day. But since my aunt tackled her run i think will go tackle my ride.

Lata.

My first time

So world,
First let me introduce myself. My name is Justin I am 21 and live in Iowa. I am getting married in August to the love of my life Christi. Christi and I have got engaged in December after dating for over three years. I am currently pursuing the career of a police officer. This summer i will be finished with my associates in criminal justice. If you know of any jobs i would appreciate the leads. For now I am working at two jobs, one is shoe store, and one is a grocery store. They get the bills paid and that is about it.

The Office is my favorite show of all time, and Christi and I get together with my friend and his wife every thursday to watch it. I am also a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. They won 4-2 tonight in case you wanted to know. They are also in the lead of the NL central by 3 games over the Completely Useless BY September C.U.B.S. GO CARDS.

I recently have taken up the sport of cycling. I am a beginner, but i am taking it pretty seriously and am loving it. It has been a great way to get in shape, and i am working on getting Christi as hooked as I am. Starting out i have been trying to do at least 10 miles a day. Some days i do more, it just depends on how much time i have to ride. This summer i plan to ride everywhere and avoid using my car as much as possible. I wouldn't say that this is me trying to be "green" but just trying to save money. I am getting married in three months so saving money any way i can, helps. Anyway, Iowa has a annual bike race called RAGBRAI and i hope to participate in it next year. I would this year but i have a lot going on already. Getting married is enough in itself. The race is starts at one end of Iowa and goes to the other. So this summer i hope to get up to riding 20 - 25 miles a day.

Riding has also helped me lose weight. These last 18 weeks i have been watching Biggest Loser. If you do not watch this show you should. It is amazing how these people transform their lives. I saw people who weighed at least two times what i do run a half a marathon. It is just so inspirational. My aunt also has been inspired by the show and started losing weight on her own as well. She has lost 40 lbs.

So I have set my own weight loss goal and so far i have lost 11 lbs. I have about 15 more lbs to go until i get to my goal. The first two weeks i lost a lot and it has been a little harder to shed the lbs since then but i am getting there. I also hope to be at my goal by my wedding day. I do understand that this might be a little challenging when trying to get a tux but oh well, i will be in shape.

Well world, or friends, family, whoever reads this, I am signing off because i have to be up at 5:30 tom. to go unload a shipment truck. Goodnight.