Resolutions and dirty houses

Call me ridiculous, but I totally buy into the whole concept of "New Year, new start," so I make new year resolutions. I, unlike most though, tend to keep them. I kept my resolutions in both 2006 and 2007: train for an endurance athletic event and get my financial house in order. The 2007 resolution is definitely a long term thing, but I made the substantial start I needed in 2007 for longterm financial stability and happiness. (I sound like an infomercial)

Today I made a major trip to the grocery, went to the dry cleaner, put a chicken in slow cooker, made a loaf of french bread, and started a major cleaning of my house. Considering the state of my house, the cleaning is a three day process at least. Anyway, I'm already feeling like I'm off to a good start.

So, as for the 2008 resolutions, here they are:

1. Continue the good work on 2007's resolution. Make good financial decisions. Continue a credit card free lifestyle, pay off debts, and save, save, save.

2. Complete another century ride and embrace a healthy lifestyle for good! 2007 was a good financial year, but a bad health year. Unlike the 2006 resolution, this one requires me to do more than just complete an event. I need to be in overall tip-top shape and health. Not only will this help me perform well on the ride, but it will make me a happier and healthier human being.

So there they are, for all to see. I'm ready.

Building my biker gang

Lately I've been feeling pretty pitiful, from a personal health and fitness perspective. I'm sluggish, tired, up quite a few pounds, and antsy to have that awesome feeling that comes from being in shape again. Lest you forget, a little over a year ago I was in the best shape of my life, having completed my first century ride with the Team in Training program. If you've never tried Team in Training and want to have the best training and motivational experience out there, I really encourage you to give it a shot.

Anyway, I'm the type of person who works from goals. This summer, I wanted to complete a duathlon, but the damage I did to my poor feet during my famous century wouldn't let me train for several months. So, I just slowly turned into an out-of-shape pile of mush. Don't get me wrong, since the century I've done some decent 30-mile rides, but not enough to feel good about.

So, here's the new goal:

One major ride each month from May to September, culminating with a century ride. Yep, that's right -- I want to be back in century condition. So how am I going to do this? With my bike gang of course (accepting applications).

I'm actively recruiting my friends and their friends to join up. After all, everything is more fun with a group. Training will start in March. The starting ride will be on May 4, 2008 -- 50 miles of the Cincinnati Chili Ride sponsored by the Cincinnati Cycle Club

I'm pretty excited about this idea and encourage anyone who loves to bike to join up. We may even have special bike gang jerseys if enough people are interested.

Maybe This Will Get Me To Exercise...

I'm super-excited about the new Wii Fit. It kind of reminds me of the old-school Nintendo Power Pad. Too bad it's not coming out for awhile....