The Next Stage

This last week was big; in fact it was huge in terms of my future. Only weeks prior have I decided that my chances at attending graduate school this year were slim at best and I was losing faith. I decided that my best career choice during my year off would be to study for the board examination to become a personal trainer and work at a gym that I used to work out at in the summers of high school. So I ordered some study materials and started the process. Finishing up at work I headed home to study a bit before going riding later in the day with a few friends. I really wasn't feeling the whole studying process and a bit tired so I decided to take a little nap; go figure! I easily passed out within 5 minutes and low and behold was woken up by my obnoxious ring tone only 30 minutes into my nap. Now if you know my sleeping habits at all you know exactly how hard it is to wake me up so the fact that the phone ringing woke me up is a miracle in itself. I rolled over and grabbed my phone and didn't recognize the number. I throw my phone back on my nightstand and was just going to ignore the call being the screen er that I am. For some reason that I still don't know myself I reached for the phone again and answered. It was a sweet lady on the other side and I immediately thought it was one of the Red Cross people calling again asking, or better yet, begging for me to give blood even though I've repeatedly asked to be taken off the list. (Note: I support giving blood but while training for bike racing its a terrible idea that I found out the bad way) Then she introduced herself as Dixie Scott and the lights went off in my head because I recognized that name from my interview about a month ago for grad school. "Zachary, I've got some news that may be of interest. We'd like to offer you admission into the Doctoral Physical Therapy program here at Andrews University." I about hit the ceiling with excitement!
   
Now that I've got a plan in place for the final stage in my journey toward becoming a real adult I feel like my life is finally taking shape in the direction it was suppose to go. To say I wasn't worried before this phone call would be a drastic understatement. For now just trying to figure out some financials as I see lots of dollars accumulating in the red (debtcity) and enjoying the last month here in Bloomington before I leave this great town back to the grassroots before starting class on August 22nd.

Back at It

It's been a while since I've blogged or for that matter done much of anything. To put it simply, riding and exercise in general has taken a back seat the last few weeks to the finer things in life: eating fast food, hanging out with buddies, going to the bars, and hanging out with a lady. The point at which I really realized that I was horribly out of shape was when Pilling somehow talked me into competing in the Hummel Park circuit race a few weeks ago on my way home to see me baby sister graduate. Needless to say I lasted about 6 laps and that's putting it generously. I felt like death right from the start and wasn't too surprised to find that my Little 5 fitness was completely gone. Instead of getting back on the bike and doing something about it I kept the downward spiral going with the exception of a few quick runs with Caitlin and running in the Sunburst 5k back at home. That really sucked too! I finished right at 20:00 which I was pretty happy about since I've ran about 5 times in the last 3 years. Caitlin actually won the overall women's title for the 5k as her and my old man battled it out to the end with her edging out the personal victory over Big Al by mere seconds.

After riding a quick and easy ride to shake the legs back into form on Monday and see if I still remembered how to clip in and such I decided to test the waters in the Forest Time Trial. Ouch! I was actually pretty satisfied with my time (24:34) due to the severe lack of riding. Riding is making it's way back into the regular daily schedule and I also plan on jumping into a few races before the finale being the Scholars Inn Cycling Festival here in Bloomington.

Promise I'll keep this thing updated a bit more...until then keep fighting the good fight!

Summer Time

Heading into the Summer months the weather is finally starting to cooperate and the sun has actually been shining a bit which is nice so everyone isn't depressed. In other news it seems as though everyone is moving; Kristen is taking off to Arizona to teach America's youth, Clayton and Caroline are off to Colorado, and I'm still waiting to see what the hell I'm going to do next year. I'm getting to the point where it's looking like I'll be joining the work force for a short stint before re-applying to schools next year. It shouldn't be all bad getting a job but I'd like to get the ball rolling on finishing this PT stuff because that's ultimately what I want to be doing with my life. Should have applied earlier and now I'm kicking myself because of it. I guess I could always pull a Van Wilder and just be a professional student.

Went with some friends to dinner and to see The Hangover 2 last night. Pretty decent follow-up to the first movie! Even better was the 80 year old woman that sat next to me! Other than that I've been eating a lot of fast food and not riding my bike. Excited to head home for the next few weekends to celebrate my lovely sister, Grace's graduation. She'll be heading to Valparaiso University next year and I wish her nothing but the best! Proud of you Gracie!