Well, riding continues to be at a minimum but all is well. I am doing some stretching everyday and using the At the Desk Energizer workout. This weekend was busy with chores at home. I had hoped to get out yesterday with one of our dogs in the buggy on the back of the bike, but alas, I ran out of time.
I did have a very nice time last evening with our Bobbies Holiday party (www.luvbobbies.com). It is nice to try to recognize everyone not in lycra! I am sometimes not so successful, then I just envision them in a helmet and it usually comes to me! I am looking forward to my next CompuTrainer session tomorrow so I will give another update soon. In the meantime, safe riding and enjoy the holidays. I plan to ride across town to the family gathering so I will assuage my eating guilt that way! What creative ways does anyone else have to work off those turkey pounds?
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Get out of my head!!!
Tuesday I went for my first Computrainer class and I was pleased. For a baseline we did a 40 minute time trial. I have done one test on a computrainer and have my own Power Tap so I was not too overwhelmed by the info. There were 8 of us in class, 4 gents and 4 ladies. We warmed up and were off. I thought I started out a little too hard and was at 170 watts by 10 minutes. I gradually improved that to 175 watts at 30 minutes. The coach was really encouraging at my trend upward and said "You can get another 10 watts by the end". Here comes the part I would like to end- the voice in my head responded with "Yeah right, I will be happy with 5 more".
Negative self talk. I am working on a lot of self improvement but these nasty little gremlins pop up out of nowhere. Now, I would like to point out that at about 25 minutes or so I had started to feel pretty good, like I had really warmed up and was ready. But I still got that crap in my head. I did dig deep and worked hard to keep my watts as high as I could. The coach was great and I just concentrated on my wattage and doing what I could. I finished with 184 watts average for the 40 minutes and was very happy.
OK, for some of you guys out there that is nothing and don't even think of looking at the pros (Taylor Phinney just recorded a peak wattage of over 2000 watts in wind tunnel testing but he comes from gifted parents on both sides!). In fact two guys were over 200 watts average in this class. And I am competitive as most of us are- and I came in third! Which meant I did beat 2 of the gents. OK, OK, not really important, but what does matter is that I feel relatively untrained right now but this wattage is higher than the first time I ever did testing. So, I fully expect that my wattage will go up higher than it did before!
I am going to have to juggle my schedule for this in the next few weeks but I will let you know how things go.
Negative self talk. I am working on a lot of self improvement but these nasty little gremlins pop up out of nowhere. Now, I would like to point out that at about 25 minutes or so I had started to feel pretty good, like I had really warmed up and was ready. But I still got that crap in my head. I did dig deep and worked hard to keep my watts as high as I could. The coach was great and I just concentrated on my wattage and doing what I could. I finished with 184 watts average for the 40 minutes and was very happy.
OK, for some of you guys out there that is nothing and don't even think of looking at the pros (Taylor Phinney just recorded a peak wattage of over 2000 watts in wind tunnel testing but he comes from gifted parents on both sides!). In fact two guys were over 200 watts average in this class. And I am competitive as most of us are- and I came in third! Which meant I did beat 2 of the gents. OK, OK, not really important, but what does matter is that I feel relatively untrained right now but this wattage is higher than the first time I ever did testing. So, I fully expect that my wattage will go up higher than it did before!
I am going to have to juggle my schedule for this in the next few weeks but I will let you know how things go.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Just the tailwind
OK, I almost joined the ranks of the rest of the country by commuting this morning at 42 degrees! So, I overdressed and was sweating on the way to work. And everytime I think I am doing really well and having a great ride, I realized it was just the tailwind ;-). Until tonight when I turn around to go directly into the north wind. Life is like that isn't it?
Monday, November 3, 2008
Rain makes every ride epic
OK, sorry, life has gotten in the way as I was out of town for over a week. Here is an update from Saturday 11/2.
Awesome ride yesterday- I got up stinking early to meet a group riding up to do a Century. OK, I was not going to do the century but wound up with almost that by riding to and from the event. It was a perfect morning, cool but not chilly, slight winds from the north, and a great looking large group of ladies all in pink (www.luvbobbies.com). We rode up to Sanford and joined the Boys and Girls ride. Great time with some new roads and old ones. My now significantly smaller group peeled off and headed back to home and cars. A few miles down the road it opened up and rained. Of course, this is Florida so it was not too cold, just enough to get good and wet and soak the shoes and the bike (no I was not on the brevet bike with fenders!). There is nothing like riding in the rain to make it feel like it was an adventure.
A couple of days later I left for a personal development seminar and was out of town for over a week. I rode to work on the day we left to eliminate dealing with 2 cars - I just love that, win/win all the way around, I got to ride and saved the logistics of otherwise having a car there or someone to drive me to work. The seminar had some really long days- the first was from 7:30am at registration until past midnight. I was able to fit in a morning of the Fix the back strength and stretch as well as a quick 8 minute power routine one morning.
One of the speakers was a woman named Valerie Waugaman probably best known as Siren on American Gladiators. She was really awesome, had great info, took us through a short exercise routine as well that left my legs sore the next day (unaccustomed movements!), and best of all, had suggestions for "the world is your gym". Along the lines of Graeme's workouts that do not require lots of equipment or machines. She just used simple suggestions for use at the airport or at the grocery store, or standing in line. It was great.
So, I am finally back in town, having to forgo another local century (The Horrible Hundred) with catch up at home and with the family. However, I plan on commuting this week to work and on Tuesday I start my new 6 week program of power training with Vision Quest Coaching at LBS David's World Cycle. It should be tough but great. Updates should be more regular, but I have to go fix a faucet right now!
Awesome ride yesterday- I got up stinking early to meet a group riding up to do a Century. OK, I was not going to do the century but wound up with almost that by riding to and from the event. It was a perfect morning, cool but not chilly, slight winds from the north, and a great looking large group of ladies all in pink (www.luvbobbies.com). We rode up to Sanford and joined the Boys and Girls ride. Great time with some new roads and old ones. My now significantly smaller group peeled off and headed back to home and cars. A few miles down the road it opened up and rained. Of course, this is Florida so it was not too cold, just enough to get good and wet and soak the shoes and the bike (no I was not on the brevet bike with fenders!). There is nothing like riding in the rain to make it feel like it was an adventure.
A couple of days later I left for a personal development seminar and was out of town for over a week. I rode to work on the day we left to eliminate dealing with 2 cars - I just love that, win/win all the way around, I got to ride and saved the logistics of otherwise having a car there or someone to drive me to work. The seminar had some really long days- the first was from 7:30am at registration until past midnight. I was able to fit in a morning of the Fix the back strength and stretch as well as a quick 8 minute power routine one morning.
One of the speakers was a woman named Valerie Waugaman probably best known as Siren on American Gladiators. She was really awesome, had great info, took us through a short exercise routine as well that left my legs sore the next day (unaccustomed movements!), and best of all, had suggestions for "the world is your gym". Along the lines of Graeme's workouts that do not require lots of equipment or machines. She just used simple suggestions for use at the airport or at the grocery store, or standing in line. It was great.
So, I am finally back in town, having to forgo another local century (The Horrible Hundred) with catch up at home and with the family. However, I plan on commuting this week to work and on Tuesday I start my new 6 week program of power training with Vision Quest Coaching at LBS David's World Cycle. It should be tough but great. Updates should be more regular, but I have to go fix a faucet right now!
Monday, October 27, 2008
aaahhhhhh, we are getting to the time of year when I really appreciate living in FL- the about 9 months when I look at the rest of the country and am grateful. I was just asked at work the other day about some training- seemed nice except it is in Wisconsin in Feb- umm, nope thanks, I'm good, think I will just stay here!
Saturday I did what I prefer to call cross training, others may call it shoveling dirt but I like cross training better. As I was moving stuff from one place to another I was pondering how many machines at the gym I would have to use. As I don't have a gym membership this kept me occupied for a while. So, I figured I did bent over rows, throw the medicine ball, leg press, and I don't know what translates to walking behind a fully loaded wheelbarrow and keeping it from tipping over until you want it to be empty and then it seems to all want to just stay in the bucket. Whatever, a good couple of hours of work accomplished.
Sunday all my buddies bailed- if you are reading this you know who you are- so I got a leisurely start and rolled out for just over 60 miles of rolling country. It was a beautiful day, stayed in the upper 70's with a steady wind out of the north, northwest. I headed north from home taking a new road I recently found and kept winding my way up to Eustis where I turned around and had a great trip home. After 3 hours I finally made a store stop and realized sadly that I am still going to have to figure out saddle issues.
I have several bikes, a carbon trek with a Terry Falcon saddle. This is the light bike and the one I will most likely use for my 24 hour event. I will install my aero bars soon to start to incorporate that position into training. I also have a Bianchi Volpe, a great steel touring bike that is my brevet/long distance bike. It has a triple and I have put on a Brooks leather saddle to give that a try. I also have a single speed with another Brooks to break in that I use for commuting, as well as a fixed gear that needs to have some things swapped out and right now is a short distance bike.
I attempted the grand daddy of all brevets last year, the 1200km Paris Brest Paris but I only did the PB part as I abandoned in Brest. I had a few problems- not enough training in the hills and not enough time in the saddle- but my biggest challenge is finding a saddle I can go more than 600k on. As soon as I can figure that out I will have solved my biggest limiting factor.
So, after the ride, though my butt was a little tired, I had a nice recovery session at home doing the Fix the Back stretching and myofacial release sessions. Felt good as after my cross training on Saturday I felt tight on the bike Sunday. Maybe I will schedule a massage for this week. I have to get ready for the Boys and Girls Club Century next Sunday!
Saturday I did what I prefer to call cross training, others may call it shoveling dirt but I like cross training better. As I was moving stuff from one place to another I was pondering how many machines at the gym I would have to use. As I don't have a gym membership this kept me occupied for a while. So, I figured I did bent over rows, throw the medicine ball, leg press, and I don't know what translates to walking behind a fully loaded wheelbarrow and keeping it from tipping over until you want it to be empty and then it seems to all want to just stay in the bucket. Whatever, a good couple of hours of work accomplished.
Sunday all my buddies bailed- if you are reading this you know who you are- so I got a leisurely start and rolled out for just over 60 miles of rolling country. It was a beautiful day, stayed in the upper 70's with a steady wind out of the north, northwest. I headed north from home taking a new road I recently found and kept winding my way up to Eustis where I turned around and had a great trip home. After 3 hours I finally made a store stop and realized sadly that I am still going to have to figure out saddle issues.
I have several bikes, a carbon trek with a Terry Falcon saddle. This is the light bike and the one I will most likely use for my 24 hour event. I will install my aero bars soon to start to incorporate that position into training. I also have a Bianchi Volpe, a great steel touring bike that is my brevet/long distance bike. It has a triple and I have put on a Brooks leather saddle to give that a try. I also have a single speed with another Brooks to break in that I use for commuting, as well as a fixed gear that needs to have some things swapped out and right now is a short distance bike.
I attempted the grand daddy of all brevets last year, the 1200km Paris Brest Paris but I only did the PB part as I abandoned in Brest. I had a few problems- not enough training in the hills and not enough time in the saddle- but my biggest challenge is finding a saddle I can go more than 600k on. As soon as I can figure that out I will have solved my biggest limiting factor.
So, after the ride, though my butt was a little tired, I had a nice recovery session at home doing the Fix the Back stretching and myofacial release sessions. Felt good as after my cross training on Saturday I felt tight on the bike Sunday. Maybe I will schedule a massage for this week. I have to get ready for the Boys and Girls Club Century next Sunday!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Upping the mileage
Sunday was a great ride 80 miles, a little cooler, and a whacking great tailwind on the way back. I keep feeling better than I think I should as I rode strong. I need to do the core work as I feel my form slipping when I get longer into the ride. I think the commuting even though it has dropped off a little lately must be helping.
Saturday was a crazy day busy at home and running errands. We went down to Ft. Wilderness at Disneyworld with the family and I brought the single speed just to do a little riding- out to the cabin and around with the nephews. Today I had to get up early and drive out to the west coast of FL. I wound up having to stay overnight.
Traveling for work is tough and makes it challenging to stay on track fitness and eating-wise. I sat down to get a take out dinner and had a beer while I was waiting. I succumbed to the chips and salsa too. The beer put me about over the edge as I walked back with dinner. I decided that I had to do something and I put dinner in my room and did at least 15 minutes of stair climbing.
I have been thinking about how to make things simple. I love watching people people cruise the parking lot of the gym to get the closest parking spot so they can go in and use these expensive machines. I realized after I worked on a construction site and climbed stairs every day that my climbing stamina on the bike had gotten much better. That is why I like Graeme's workouts using body weight and challenging your own stability. So, I will keep looking for ways to do the simple things even on the road to keep active a little, if only to work off the beer at dinner! Salut.
Saturday was a crazy day busy at home and running errands. We went down to Ft. Wilderness at Disneyworld with the family and I brought the single speed just to do a little riding- out to the cabin and around with the nephews. Today I had to get up early and drive out to the west coast of FL. I wound up having to stay overnight.
Traveling for work is tough and makes it challenging to stay on track fitness and eating-wise. I sat down to get a take out dinner and had a beer while I was waiting. I succumbed to the chips and salsa too. The beer put me about over the edge as I walked back with dinner. I decided that I had to do something and I put dinner in my room and did at least 15 minutes of stair climbing.
I have been thinking about how to make things simple. I love watching people people cruise the parking lot of the gym to get the closest parking spot so they can go in and use these expensive machines. I realized after I worked on a construction site and climbed stairs every day that my climbing stamina on the bike had gotten much better. That is why I like Graeme's workouts using body weight and challenging your own stability. So, I will keep looking for ways to do the simple things even on the road to keep active a little, if only to work off the beer at dinner! Salut.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Best Laid Plans
So, um on the commuting front. Not so much lately! I lost last week to stomach problems. I am still taking things a little gingerly with my stomach but there is great improvement. No, this time it is outside forces but I am still happy. My partner runs an animal rescue out of the house. One of the feral cats who does not let us touch her got pregnant. Last week she had 5 babies but is so shy that she has not been feeding them. We took over feedings every 2 hours round the clock but we have lost 3 of the litter of 5. Then while at another county animal shelter there were 3 more kittens, about the same age but much stronger that were going to be put down. So, if you are already feeding 3 or 4, what is the difference to add 3 more!
What does this have to do with my commuting? Well, in exchange for only having to get up once or so in the middle of the night I take the babies in to work and take the day shift. So, driving to work it is. I hope to negotiate maybe one day a week to ride to work, but hey- how often do you get to hand feed less than week old kittens and give them the best chance to thrive? I am grateful for the opportunity to help out so I have been doing some Quicong exercises and core work in the evenings. They should be weaned in about 3 more weeks, so I will give up a little commuting time for a short while. I am looking forward to riding this weekend and going up to Gainesville Sunday.
What does this have to do with my commuting? Well, in exchange for only having to get up once or so in the middle of the night I take the babies in to work and take the day shift. So, driving to work it is. I hope to negotiate maybe one day a week to ride to work, but hey- how often do you get to hand feed less than week old kittens and give them the best chance to thrive? I am grateful for the opportunity to help out so I have been doing some Quicong exercises and core work in the evenings. They should be weaned in about 3 more weeks, so I will give up a little commuting time for a short while. I am looking forward to riding this weekend and going up to Gainesville Sunday.
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