Iron Pumping

We've still been going to the gym a few times a week to workout.  We've also got other brother-in-law Todd joining us when he can.  We're looking to get father-in-law Spence going to but his early work schedule doesn't work well with our late-night-after-the-kids-have-gone-to-bed schedule.  We typically go after 10:00pm and will usually spend about an hour working out.

Going to my Head

I haven't been out on the bike in a while. I took it with me when I went out of town for business and had it tuned up at Global Bikes in Mesa and had plans to take it out for a spin.  I woke up early before I had to be to my first meeting and got dressed in the whole get-up and couldn't find my shoes.  I looked all through the room and figured I must have left them in the suburban.  After checking in the car and not finding them there I went back to the room and even made a second trip out to the car.  I could not find them anywhere and concluded that they were stolen from the back seat while I was at Global Bikes.  That had to be the case, it was the only time I left the vehicle unlocked (with the purpose of being able to open the doors with my hands full of bike on my way out).  I was ticked and went to Facebook to voice my frustration.  After posting I stripped down and jumped in the shower to prepare for the day.  I got out of the shower and went to the suitcase to get my skivvies and low-and-behold there were the friggin shoes!  WTH!  I carried them in outside of the suitcase and at some point while there opened the suitcase and put them in and closed it back up!

Last week I spent some time on the spin bike and afterwards decided to have a photo shoot (the letting it go to my head part).  I can be in some cases pretty self absorbed (so says Ria).  It actually started by me looking at some of my 'before' pictures of me shirtless in disgust as shame-motivation to start eating better and recommit to this process.  It then turned into me taking pictures of myself for the purpose of updating my blogger profile picture (I was using a random picture I liked that I found online).  

I am embarrassed to admit that the photo shoot was complete with wardrobe changes, different poses, and some photo editing.  I am further embarrassed that out of all the pics with three different jerseys and a t-shirt that the ones me and Ria both agreed looked the best were me in the Spam Jersey.  

Original

Photo Shopped Background

Squat-A-Thon

Josh and I went to the high school weight room last night to 'pump some iron' - the last few times I have been less than enthusiastic to workout due to some stomach bug issues that I think are now resolved (been a rough winter on me).  On the way there Josh asked if I wanted a pre-workout drink and we stopped by his house and downed a shot.  The stuff is supposed to do all sorts of good things for the workout but it contains, for someone who does not drink much, a large amount of caffeine.  We got to the gym and started to workout and a couple of times I could feel my heart racing and even felt a bit lite-headed.  Needless to say, I can't hold my caffeine like I used to - so at least in one aspect of my life I am a lightweight.

Towards the end of the workout we decided to do a squat-off (I gave it this name, not sure how Josh feels about it).  We loaded the leg press machine with 135 pounds and did 25 reps.  We then reduced the reps by five and added 90 pounds.  When we got to the end - five reps at 495 pounds we decided to see who could do the most reps.  I wont go too far into the details but I will mention I won!!  I am certain though that my legs are the only area in which I am stronger than Josh and he quickly established this when he immediately afterwards challenged me to a burpee contest - I forfeited.

We finished up back at his house sipping back on a spinach and strawberry chocolate protein shake - at midnight!

Nope...

Well there is a Jacob and a Boyle but no Jacob Boyle...  I knew I had a long shot at it but as I said, I was hopeful.  Congrats to the 25 named below - apparently there were more than 1,800 who applied!! 

Today's the Day

Today is the day that Pactimo will be announcing their brand ambassadors.  I realize I have a pretty long chance at being selected but I am still hopeful.

I was at Cycle Mania in Show Low and spoke with someone there who asked if I knew someone from St. Johns - I had met the person but didn't really know them.  His wife works for the school district but I really don't know her all that well either.  The person at the shop told me this guy from St. Johns was big into cycling and a good guy.

Well weeks later his wife emails me for something and I mention my conversation at the bike shop.  She tells me that he is part of a cycling group in Apache County and that he'd add me to their mailing list if I was interested.  I was.  He did.  Now I am up to date on all things cycling in the county.

Also, at church on Sunday I ran into someone who I had heard was also into cycling.  We chatted for a while and learned that he was big into both road and mountain biking but had not done either in quite a while.  I am thinking that Josh and I will need to plan a group ride and see how many others we can get out of the wood works.

If selected as an ambassador, here's the cool gear I would get: