well, since you asked...

I did a Body Pump class at the gym tonight. It kicked my butt... big time. I needed that.

here's a little insight to the dream, or goal that I've been hinting at.

I love to travel... my parents were never big on family vacations or travelling growing up; they were far too concerned with keeping their unhappy marriage under control, pretending everything was ok in front of my brother and I.   

I finished high school, went to college, started working and had my son at the early age of 21. I wouldn't change it for anything, but I never gave myself the chance to travel, see the world, do the backpack thing around Europe, etc.  The first time I saw an ocean... yes, any ocean, was at the age of 25!  I wish I was kidding, it's really very pathetic. I went to LA in 2003 for work, and finally stepped foot in the Pacific Ocean.  I called my mom crying, I had never seen anything like it, and I was finally seeing it!

There is so much in the world I want to see, so many things to experience.  I don't want to have this second chance at life and take it for granted and have regrets.

We were having dinner at a friend's place a few weeks ago, and they were telling us and showing us pictures of cycling group tours that they did when they were younger, while living in Europe.  The stories they told about the group rides, the tours and the experience sounded incredible and I was so awestruck and totally inspired.  It really got me thinking -- how amazing would it be to incorporate my desire/love of travelling and sightseeing with cycling. It would be such a great vacation!  Marlene, do you remember the conversation?  I won't get the same cycling outfit!!! I PROMISE! LOL

Here's the ironic thing.  I had a business card on my computer desk, having never really paid any attention to it, was just there one day; not sure when, by who or from where.  I spoke to a colleague of mine who lives in the US, but came up to Quebec with his wife to do some cycling in late August.  We discussed his trip, along "La Route Verte" and it sounded great; I had never heard of it, but he highly recommended it.  A few days after the conversation, I picked up that business card to use as a bookmark... looking at it for the first time, and it was for La Route Verte!  How weird!

Anyway, I could drive out to Quebec or somewhere in Northern Ontario even and take a chance at doing something like this on my own for the ultimate adventure... but I'm not sure I'm that crazy, and I have a child that I absolutely want to come home to... in once piece.

I started researching group tours (here's one as an example), and there are plenty.  From what I've been reading so far, the group rides cater to many skill levels, include most meals except for lunches which you'd get on your own while out for the day, van support for snacks and drinks, transfers from place to place, accommodations, and experienced group leaders to take you on a pre-planned itinerary, hopefully knowing the best sights, places to stop, roads etc. Mileage ranges from 30-75+ miles/day depending on the tours.

The tours are not cheap however, which is why this will have to be a long-term dream/goal. When I started thinking about the prices, calculating each night in a hotel, each meal, gas, etc. it adds up... quickly.

I want to also give myself more time with the biking thing, allow myself to get more mileage under my belt... longish rides on consecutive days, even if it means on the trainer during the winter months.  

When I'm back to running, I want to fit this in somehow along with my running.  Possible? Hell ya.  If you don't know me by now, here's a hint.  When I have my mind set on something, it consumes me till it happens.  I don't wait for it to maybe-someday-materialize-somehow, I make it happen.  As I mentioned in my first post about this, I'd like to accomplish this before I'm 35.  

That gives me 1429 days, 10 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds.  Time to get to work.  Btw, it anyone has any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas, I'm all ears.