Dr. Holter, I Presume

Above is a picture of Florence overlooking the Arno River. Florence is a beautiful, historic city home to Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Venus. I highly recommend the trip if you can.

Yesterday I went in for my Holter monitor. I didn't really know what to expect (other than I would be getting a shave:). That was the worst part I guess, dry razor, alcohol rub down and an emery board scuffing of the afore mentioned areas. Seven paddles attached and connected to a recorder about the size of a cigarette pack. I asked if I could work out and the nurse was surprised, no one had ever asked that -- mainly because the typically see octogenarians. Anyway, it was not too bad aside from the itching!

Weather did not comply and I did an hour+ on the trainer. It felt good actually, listening to music, dry and reading bad closed-captioning on the news. I ramped it up pretty good, even did a couple sets of jumps just to ensure my Holter got a workout too. Hard not to get it wet with all the sweat -- hope I'm no buying this unit!

The rest of the night was typical, quietish, walking the girls, watching Olympic swim trials. I still get nervous when the competitions starts, a left-over from my seven years of competing I suppose.

All was well until 2:00 a.m. when the smoke alarms went off! There is something that triggers one (dust, moisture, etc) and they all synch to go off together. Why is it always in the dead of the night!? I have to do some investigating into that next. At the least, should give the cardiologist a good read.

Weights tonight, hopefully and some good rides over the 4th.

Happy Independence Day to all and enjoy the start of TdF!

Spin On

The Bike Gods Were Angry...

After my spin class HR issues I was a little anxious about attempting 60 miles on Sunday. I got up and began prepping. I was actually feeling nervous, like I was riding an event. But I felt I had to ride the distance, it needed to be accomplished and act as a turning point before Mountain Mama.

I had spent Saturday afternoon cleaning The Carbon Suppository (Trek 5200) and putting the seat bottle cages -- I knew I would be needing all the access to fluids I could get. So I was ready. I told myself not to over-do, just finish. The temps were going to be 95º plus. Add in the humidity and it had to feel over 100º. Things seemed to be moving along. I managed to slip in behind a giant motor coach at the toll booth and was able to avoid the "sidewalk" set up for bikers. Cool. On the first decent one back bottle pops out. Crap. Off the bike, hike back up the bridge, fetch and secure said bottle. Next bridge a weird rubbing sound starts. I had just gone over the entire bike. Thought it was the front brake. Stop, check it out -- nothing. Continue on. Suddenly it gets worse, way worse. I stop again and could find no problems with the bike and brakes. Then I notice the same offending bottle had slipped down out the cage and was rubbing the tire. Re-secure both bottles and head out again. Next causeway, the other bottle pops out and flies into the middle of the road. Stop, wait for traffic to clear, fetch, re-secure bottle and head out. Again.

At the four-way stop I balance and wait my turn. Unlike the guy in the rented SUV who pulls out and notices me right when I am in front of his grill. No collision. I guess it is Karma repaying me for splitting some pedestrians like an Italian scooter the other day. Of course they had right of way, but they NEVER even looked while crossing the road. Their kid never stopped texting!

As I had hopped (or more professionally "predicted" the headwinds shifted during the course of my ride. I had some good tailwind out, cross on the way back and tailwind at the finish. Sweet. Of course the Ride Gods threw down at me one more time as I was feeling week. I pass some guy, no helmet, ipod, on a balloon tire bike with a white plastic basket. I breeze by him and keep on going. I was fidgeting with my hand position and I note he is right on my tail! He drafts on me for a while. Now that's just insulting -- balloon tires and a basket riding me! That gave me a little more mojo.

I did the complete 60 with decent HR levels. I told myself if it went over 200 and stayed up I would call Nifi and bag the ride, but it was pretty good. Curious about the Holter monitor Wednesday.

Settled in for the afternoon and stayed cool inside.

Spin On