Retail Therapy

Sunday night already? How does the weekend ALWAYS go so fast? I know this would never work in the field of education, but I could definitely go for one of those jobs where you work 10-12 hours a day four days a week, and then get three day weekends. I am definitely a buckle down and get it over with person. That's why I front loaded my parent conferences this week and even though this week is going to be terrible, next week will be a lot better :)

Yesterday I tried to recreate the failed quinoa cakes of Thursday. Well, recreate is probably the wrong word. I tried to completely change them and make them quinoa chocolate chip cookies. The idea was good in theory but...

Yeah...a cookie should not do that. I probably should've reduced the egg whites when I didn't have all the veggies in there, but I didn't. Oh well, lesson learned. Truthfully, I thought they did taste better than the original quinoa cakes, but that was probably the addition of Ghirardelli chocolate chips.

Today had the potential to be a bummer of a day. I was tired and it was dreary outside (for about the 100th day in a row) I started to get into wedding stress out mode early this morning and was agonizing about ceremony music (any suggestions?). Eric immediately suggested we go for a walk, which seemed like a weird suggestion since it wasn't a nice day but I agreed because when faced with a decision between wedding planning and anything else, I choose #2.

As often is the case, Eric was a genius. A few minutes into fresh air and exercise, wedding planning was forgotten. Guess what I changed my focus to...?

Yup, my new spinning shoes!!!

This morning I e-mailed back and forth with Madeline, who I was lucky enough to meet when I was in Arizona last week :) She works at a running/cycling store, so she was a wealth of information for me regarding whether or not I could get a pair of shoes for both spinning and my road bike. Plus, she pointed me to a really helpful post she wrote back in January about bike shoes. If you have ever considered getting shoes for your bike or your spin class, I definitely suggest reading this post. I felt a LOT more prepared at the store today than when I went to a different store a few weeks ago, just after talking to Madeline and reading this post!

Feeling a lot more prepared, I went to a bike store near my house this afternoon and asked for a budget-friendly shoe I could use for both spinning and outdoor biking. The guy at the store, Joseph, explained to me what I needed to know about bike shoes and helped me pick out a comfortable pair.

Also...look at my bike now.....!!!

Clipless pedals!!!

I was totally not planning to get these, but it was a way better deal to get everything together rather than buying just the shoes today like I was planning to. Obviously, I am all for a good deal so I took the plunge. I have to admit though, I am scared out of my mind to try these out on the road though. I practiced on the trainer at the store a bit today, but I am sure I am going to have some major falls until I get used to these. I can only hope that spinning class adequately prepares me :) Anyone have any good rookie clipless pedal stories to make me feel better?

Also, since yesterday I found another bike race so if you have a bike and live around Boston, let me know if you would want to do any of the following races, I am looking for biking friends :) I will probably do two of these, not all three.

Cycle for Autism Awareness- May 2nd, Milford MA (30 miles)

North to New Hampshire- May 16, Wakefield MA (Half or Metric Century- 50 or 62 miles)

Best Buddies Challenge- June 5th, ends in Hyannisport MA (20, 50 or 100 miles- I'd prob do 50)

I hope everyone has a good start to the week!