Dreams for a Dollar

You know who they are, that person that buys a lottery ticket every Wednesday and Saturday. That person that then fantasizes about what they will do with all the money they win. You politely listen to them go on about how everything will be so much better once they take the lump sum payout and the whole time you're thinking to yourself, "do you know you could of bought yourself lunch with that five dollars you wasted on a piece of paper the size of a post it note?"

Yesterday, for the first time since we've had the Oklahoma Lottery, I stopped and bought a ticket. I spent a whopping three dollars on it knowing I had little chance of winning. My odds of actually winning the grand prize were 1 in 195,249,054, so the odds were definitely stacked against me and like I figured, I didn't win. I threw three days worth of my morning 7-11 coffee into the OK Lottery.

I wasn't disappointed with my purchase though. In the short time I had my ticket, after work until I went to bed, I was excited and couldn't help but to dream of what I could do with all the money I'm going to win. It was exciting, it was uplifting and most of all just the thought of the possibilities put a smile on my face. The thought of paying off our car and credit card, vacations, less work and more play. Taking that trip to France like Amie always talks about. Taking my girls to Disney World once a month instead of once every three years. Riding my bike for 6 hours a day. Helping out some friends and family. College funds for my girls. I mean the list goes on and on. There were so many things I would want to do if I had the opportunity.

Maybe, the reason people buy a lottery ticket isn't because they think they will win but just for the chance to dream. To smile on their trip home from a hard days work and imagine the possibilities.

I have to admit, to me, it was three dollars well spent. Don't worry, I won't be investing a whole pay check into this any time soon.

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The Heat Is On

This morning it was back on the trainer. After my nice little siesta it was time to get motivated and get to spinning. It was nice and cold this morning and since it was below freezing outside I had both my heaters on...for a little bit anyway. Trainer time kind of sucks right now because my resistance unit is jacked up. I've already contacted my POC at Kinetic and they are sending me another one. That will make my third resistance unit. It's like half way siezed up and the wheel doesn't freely spin. It still works but is like ten times the normal resistance. So, this mornings ride, with an average cadence of 101 my average speed was 15.2 mph and my average wattage was 211. That sucks. I can't wait until my new one gets here. This mornings workout was more like a strength workout than anything. The people at Kinetic are great. Never any fuss or questions. I send them some photos of what's going on and a description and they get right back with me and within a day or so a replacement unit is on it's way.

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Give Thanks

In ten minutes it will be 8 o'clock which means that Diego is almost over, it's about time to brush Addi's teeth and say her prayers and my long Thanksgiving weekend has almost come to an end. It's been a great weekend. I finally got some quality time with all three of my girls, something that's been lacking over the last few weeks. We also got to spend some time with each of our families. I'm already looking forward to Christmas weekend so we can do it all again.

Somehow on Friday I manages to start feeling like I was coming down with a cold. It amazes me, I've worked 80+ hour weeks the last three weeks, taken time off my bike just so I could be rested enough to work and not fall asleep as soon as I get home and manage to stay healthy. But as soon as a long weekend hits I get sick and in four days only manage to get two hours in on the road. Now I'm sick and when I really need to rest I can't because I've already taken too much time off. So, tomorrow it's back on the trainer bright and early.

Tomorrow I also start back tracking every calorie of every piece of food I even think about eating. I stopped doing that when I took my little break off the bike. I know, that was the wrong time to stop watching what I was eating and I should of been watching it more closely. It's kind of a package deal to me though I guess. It's been kind of a rough month or so for me and I guess I just didn't want to bother with it.

Tomorrow morning I hit the trainer, track calories, get a little closer to closing this job out and the whole time I'll be missing my girls. It's always hard for me to go back to work after a long weekend or vacation because I get attached to my girls and look forward to seeing them each morning. Back to the 5:30-8:30 daddy, I guess. That's another topic though.

Time to say our prayers.

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Have A Little Heart

It seems like I get in these phases where I have time to blog and I make several entries and then things get busy again. I look forward to blogging and hope things start to get a little more balanced in the near future.

If my life were like a bike race, we'd be hitting about the 500 meter mark. Meaning, everyone is starting to fight for position, you're rubbing shoulders with the guys around you hoping everyone can hold a line and you don't lock handlebars and the rubber stays on the road. It's a very hectic and exciting time, it's a time when you make friends and you lose them just as fast.

One of my current projects, the OK Heart Hospital-South Campus is five days away from final punch. We have been working 60 hour weeks and last week I had over 80. For the most part this has been a great experience for me. I've learned a lot of lessons, some good and some bad. I feel like this job, at this point, consumes my life. There isn't a moment of the day that I'm not in some way thinking about this project. Whether be who to put where, how to layout the days schedule, what materials to order, who isn't carrying their load, the list goes on and on. From the time I wake up, to the time I go to bed. It's all part of the job, I guess, and will be wrapping up shortly and once completed it will all be worth it.

I'm already looking forward to my next project and the opportunity to use what I've learned here there. But I'm also looking forward to a little less stress, spending some time with my girls and not saying, "sweetie daddy's too tired for a piggy back ride", and riding my bike.

Lunch is over now, so back to work I go.

Sent from Chad's iPhone

Changes

It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes - TuPac

You might have noticed a few changes on my blog, most notably for now would be the sponsors listed on the right hand side of the page. It's that time of the year again, time to start recruiting sponsorships for next season. We have got some great new sponsors on board for next season and few devoted current sponsors that have decided to stick around. I'm excited to get to represent both new and old sponsors next season. I plan on keeping everyone up to date on what each of our sponsors offer and also if they might be offering any type of specials throughout the year. It's the least I can do for the support they bring to the team. So, please check out my sponsor list and if you see anything of interest to you there, give them or me a shout. I'd be happy to put a call in for you to any of them. Look for additional sponsors within the next few weeks.

Within the next few days you'll also notice some other huge changes. I've got a new team name to unveil along with all kinds of other juicy stuff.

Time Life

A few days back this quote popped up on my facebook, "growing old is natural, growing up is optional." This quote totally tied into what had been on my mind the last few weeks and I knew it was something that I wouldn't soon forget.

Everyone knows that they grow older each day, each month and each year. You realize that from the first birthday you celebrate to the last. For me personally, I've never really felt like I was getting older. I don't feel thirty one, heck I don't even think I look thirty one and most of the time I don't act thirty one. Time just slowly passed and I got older, despite it happening right before my eyes I never really noticed or paid much attention to it. I like to think that I'm young at heart, look at the world and still see the good in it, and can relate to my baby girls and still to someone three times my age. Age really isn't anything more than a number and life is only what you make of it whether you're 5, 25, or 50.

What really made me realize that I am getting older is watching my girls grow up right before my eyes. It is amazing. Addi is fast approaching four years old and it seems like just yesterday that we brought her home. Em will be 8 months tomorrow and it really was yesterday that we brought her home. They grow and learn so fast. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I was looking at Addi and how big she is and how smart she is when I realized that at the same time she has gotten older, so have I. The physical or mental changes weren't as drastic but I was getting older also. I know it's common sense but for some reason it just never really occurred to me as much as it did that day. Time seems so precious when you look at it from that perspective. In less than a year, Addi will be in Pre-K, then kindergarten and it's going to go by so fast and we have absolutely no control over it.

I do agree 100% with the quote above. When the situation calls for the grown up me, I'll be that person, but the rest of the time I'll be where a kid can be a kid.

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Here's a little write up on my boy Ryan Lenhart. On top of being a kick tale racer he is also one of the top bicycle fitters in the country.

Oklahoma Bicycle Fit Specialist Receives International Invitation

Bicycle Alley is a small shop in downtown OKC with big ambition.
By Connie Franklin

Ryan Lenhart of Bicycle Alley has been personally invited to join Specialized in Spain to assist with the fitting of the SAXO BANK Cycling Team to their 2010 Specialized bikes!

“His impressive skill has earned him this recognition.”
-Terry Enos, Owner of Bicycle Alley

In addition to being the store manager and a member of Bicycle Alley Racing, 28-year old Ryan Lenhart of Norman is a certified Body Geometry FIT Technician. He enjoys helping people and after earning his first two certifications he knew he wanted to follow the progression of bike fitting. “Bicycle fitting is my favorite part of working in the cycling industry. I feel I gain a lot from this as far as advancing my career and the sense of general satisfaction you get from meeting and helping individuals. It is truly a neat process that allows me to use cutting edge procedures to help people have the best time they possibly can on a bicycle. Although I enjoy other aspects of my job, doing the BG fits is by far the most fulfilling.”

He earned his third fitting certification and is one of twelve in the world (referred to as “The Dirty Dozen”) to have the industry's highest level certificate. According to Specialized and the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, he is now the authority for bicycle fitting in our region. The science behind fitting is making progress and everyone from professional racers to hobby cyclists are reaping the benefits. Every small adjustment can relieve pain or discomfort for a rider and enable them to ride longer. Ryan has the education and skill to determine those adjustments. The pro’s rely on the perfect fit to get them through strenuous events such as the Tour de France, a 21 day stage race covering 2,200 miles. In December when Ryan goes to Spain he will be using his expert knowledge to assist in fitting the likes of Andy Schleck, who got 2nd place at The Tour de France and Fabian Cancellara who won the Time Trial stage on day 3.
YOU too can ride longer and more comfortably. Call today to make an appointment!

“It’s exciting for a small Oklahoma business to draw this kind of attention and obtain such a unique opportunity. We are lucky that Ryan has the drive and dedication to what he loves. “
-Terry Enos, Owner of Bicycle Alley

You can click the pic to link to the actual article.