JOSH MILLER
The Principal Chronicles continue ...
Just like that, we are another month into school and into what are some of the best times of the school year. There are so many fun holidays coming up, and for many people, this is the best time of the year. Personally, I love to see all of the lights up and around, getting into the holiday spirit. Here at school, we just finished with Halloween, which is one of the wildest days of the year, but our kids had fun, and we all survived the sugar rush. The next two big milestones we have are Thanksgiving break and our Winter Diagnostic. The diagnostic is a great way to see the progress our students have made through half the year.
On the home front, I usually talk about my daughter but there is really nothing happening in her world. She has her initiation into her sorority this Thursday but I can't write about that yet because it hasn't happened. The only other news she has said she wants to work over her breaks. Hallelujah, that is the best news my bank account has heard from her in a while.
On a different note, since the weather was so nice this weekend I decided to go for a long bike ride. For those of you who know me, know that I tend to get these ideas in my head about something really hard just to see if I can do it. On Sunday, my idea was to knock out a 65 miles bike ride that I heard about. Basically, I was going to bike from Lone Tree to 285 to Littleton and back to Lone Tree. I left the house around 8:45 and was on my way.
Mistake number 1: I didn't eat anything before I left. I typically don't eat before I exercise but I didn't think about how long this might take me.
Mistake number 2: I only brought my small water bottle. I don't know what I was thinking on this one.
The bike ride was beautiful for the whole first part. All the way up C470 to 285 was gorgeous despite riding right next to the highway. When I got to 285 is where things got a little sideways. It started to get hot and I realized I was a long way from home and needed to conserve water. Luckily for me, my ride went right through a golf course so I snagged some water out of the coolers and continued on my way. By this time, I was about 30 miles in and all was well. Once I got into Littleton, I was about half way through my water and I was starting to get really really hungry. A short time later, I was back at Chatfield reservoir and my gas tank was about empty. I got off my back and laid down on a park bench for about 5 minutes. I felt better and started my journey home. At this point I was about 48 miles in and the hills which were easy before felt like giant mountains and I started to feel really weird. I was wearing out, going really slow, and was now out of water. I made it to the top of a hill and decided to lay down again in the parking lot of Target off of C470 and University. I literally collapsed under a tree and laid down in this gross greasy parking space. I laid there for about 15 minutes before I sucked it up and got back on my bike. I didn't really have a choice since I didn't bring my wallet. All I had was my phone so I couldn't go into Target and get some food and water. I made it about another three miles before I was officially done. Luckily for me, my gym is right off of C470 so I biked there, left my bike in the back and called an uber.
I cannot even begin to tell you how embarrassing it is to have an uber pick you up in your bike gear complete with helmet and explain to him that you are an idiot and bonked on the bike and now he has to take me home like I am in third grade so I can get some food and water and then drive back to get my bike that I just left behind the gym. You know what he said to me when he dropped me off at my house? "Hope you get some rest." Yep, full dose of ineptitude and embarrassment. I probably should have worn the cone of shame the rest of the day. When I got home, I ate two tortillas, an apple, and a full bottle of strawberry lemonade. Then I got in my car and went to get my bike, which luckily was still there. You all know what happened next. Yep, I made plans to do that exact same bike ride again but bring food and water.
That is it for this weeks episode, stay tuned for next time when the Principal Chronicles continues....
