Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Graduation was months ago. Unfortunately, I was never able to upload any pictures. My computer is being slow but here are a few.

We found these girls on a bar crawl. We thought it was hilarious that their shirts said "Erin" when we felt like it was my day.


We had sushi and a hot pot dinner downtown.





Mr. and Dr. Sheffield (I always wanted that combination in titles...didn't think it would ever really happen, though!). Don't worry, it is soon to be Dr. and Dr. Dr. Sheffield :) Confusing? Can you tell who is who?



Right after I received my degree. Erin Sheffield, DDS (doctor of dental surgery)

Yes, purple is the dental color! And the hoods (the long purple sashes) are quite heavy. They kind of choking, actually.
I was so happy to have my family there for the big event!



Saturday, September 26, 2009

Amana Harvest Bike Tour to Cure Cancer

This morning we woke up at 6 am in order to reach Kalona for the start of our bike ride for an early waffle breakfast and 7 am start. We signed up, received free socks, and stuffed our faces with waffles.

Then we were off with our friend Hank. The first leg of the trip was two 22 mile laps. Then, we were off to the next bigger lap. I was going strong until about mile 44 when I had incredible burning cramps in my thighs. I kept imagining the lactic acid sweeping through my thighs, eating up my muscles. I wondered how I could go another 56 miles. Thank you Ibuprofen! We kept going.

I was very happy to reach the lunch stop at mile 54 in Wellman, IA. They had so much food at all of the rest stops and some nice local musicians. I chose the veggie wrap. The guys chose brats and pork burgers (ugh...after 50 miles of riding).

Continuing on with a bit of a second wind, we got slowed up from about mile 60-70. Wind in our faces and typical Iowa countryside, rolling rolling hills between rows of corn and soybeans.

We hit North English and turned out of the wind. Thank goodness. We were finally able to get our speed up (to about 23 mph+) except for the huge hill about mile 70. Wow. Some rain at about mile 75, luckily very light but chilly.

We had one little loop left with about 15 miles to go, on our way to Fry Town. Hills hills hills (poor placement after 85 miles of riding). The last 10 miles were the most difficult as the time crawled slowly by. We made it back but were 2 miles short from our Century. So...of course, we headed back into some big hills before turning back for our 100 mile finale.

In 7 hours 2 minutes of riding (14.3 mph average--we held a very good pace the first half but slowed with the wind and the big hills at the end), we saw beautiful Iowa country side (5 counties) and sunrise, a weasel, cows, sheep, goats, baby calfs living in plastic pod houses (?), horses, many Amish families in horse and buggies, pigs (including some dead ones at a slaughterhouse), and ate lots of snacks (I really enjoyed the peanut butter filled pretzels, actually).

As for post-ride status: my biggest complaints are sore neck and tingly left pinky. I hope I didn't do permanent damage just to say I rode 100 miles (ha ha). We'll see if I an walk tomorrow (which is highly questionable).

Pretty good for my first 100 miles! I beat my last record ride by 45 miles. I think my next one should be in Nebraska instead of Iowa (anyone who has made the I-80 trek should know why). I am glad I did it and hope we helped support the cancer cause, as well.


Proof!

After 7 hours...

100 miles = Century

Wonder if I will have a thumbs up tomorrow? Don't watch me too closely at church!







Thursday, September 24, 2009

Bad idea?

It was a hard decision, but Abe and I decided we would ride the Amish Harvest Tour to Cure Cancer (is that right) this Saturday. They have multiple options for distance but I think we are going to do the full 100 miles. I am nervous: My max for one day was less than 60 and I am pretty out of shape. But, it is a good cause and I think will be pretty fun. Also, I had hoped to beat my mileage for last year (450) and am about 100 off (not too bad considering I took 2 months off this summer because of a busy work schedule). I guess this is my chance before the weather turns.

I hope I can finish it, that I can walk afterward, and that it doesn't rain (50% chance!).

Wish an exhausted and out of shape intern luck!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Doggie Discipline

This morning while riding bikes we passed a few women and their dogs (4 between them). One woman was crouching down, holding one dog's nuzzle in her cupped hands just inches from her face, staring the dog down. She kept saying the dog's name, "Tooty! Tooty! Tooty!" in the way you can imagine a mother grabbing her hysterical child, trying to get them to look them in the eyes as they try to free themselves, and calling them sternly by name to get their attention. I could just imagine this little pup had gotten too excited when he came upon the other dogs and did not mind his manners. Somehow, his owner thought she could talk some sense into him.

I don't know why I thought this was so hilarious! I am not a dog trainer so maybe I don't know for sure, but I was surprised this woman seemed to believe the dog could understand and would change its behavior after her heart to heart.

Besides, I thought German was the language dogs really understand.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Abe got me a Wii Fit for my birthday in June. It has been a fun way to spend some of my excessive free time (ha ha). However, I am frustrated by the lack of manners and loyalty that this "game" has programed into it.

For example, the Wii Fit, has asked Abe, "How is Erin looking? It has been awhile since I have seen her?" Then he gets to choose between options like, "looking a little heavy, the same, smaller, etc." Okay, a little nosy, don't you think, computer?

So, I was anxiously awaiting a similar question when Abe had not played the game for 45 days. Surely, it will ask me now and I can say how fat his favorite Abe is getting (yeah right). But no, I missed probably 2 days and it says to him, "Erin has not been exercising lately." What!

Abe says that it just likes him because it is his Wii. It is my game though. I was so annoyed with the apparent favoritism and lack of loyalty, I couldn't bear to take a turn that night.