Steady Riding Diet

Riding is supposed to be a hobby, right? I have to keep reminding myself that this is for fun and not to stress when I can't hit the road "on schedule". My trusty steed is in the shop getting the afore mentioned problems fixed -- minor adjustment they tell me. Work has been very busy and taken the forefront over many things -- including training. I hope to hit it again tonight. I think the rest may be good for my knee in any event.

Bob, thanks for the "sugar" research. Unfortunately science was never my strong suit. I thought the periodic table was well designed from a graphic stand point but it defied me mentally. My only concern about extra weight comes from a long-haul perspective. While I am within my BMI range, I could be a little lighter. I figure 5 pounds multiplied by 100 miles is a quarter ton of weight I do not need to lug up hills. I have leveled out now and think that is where I will land for the MM.

Thanks again for the research!!

Motivational No-Show

Sunday. I was scheduled to get up and do 40. My body said "Whoa Big Fella, you need sleep! Remember getting up at 4:00 to train during the week? Remember that one extra glass of red wine and piece of cheese cake after dinner?" Okay, still two weekends to do long rides and decent distances during the week until I taper down to the MM. The sleep felt great, I have to admit. I can still get on the trainer this afternoon for a good spin.

Equipment problems are popping up now. For on is my left knee. It is feeling a little "wonkey". It gave out one morning standing. Not pain, just weakness. My bike is acting up too. The headset is loose as a goose! I have about .25 - .5 back and forth play in it. I broke it down and noted a retaing ring is broken, that might be the problem. Also the lower end has a tiny bit of side-to-side play which might get worse as I crank harder. Might have to shoot it. I'll start by getting it in to the shop ASAP Monday. Reason to buy that new bike...Hmmm.

The chemistry experiment was very usefull -- glad I did it this far out. Tried the HEED Electrolyte powder Friday. It went right to my gut (now, it could have been the ruben and 6 doughnut holes -- I have issues:) but didn't sit right. Worked well for the energy portion though. I found Accelerade (at the grocery store by our house) and tried that Saturday. It worked fine too, a bit tastier (un-natural colors and all. Can you say Ridalyn Smoothie?) and left me less thirsty and more refreshed. I followed both by FRS concentrate as a recovery drink -- I think that is a good part of either routine. Today I'll try some Hammer Gel.

Bob, can you give me a little lesson on sugar Vs. sucrose? Gatorade has sucrose, Accelerade ahs sugar. Will one help keep weight off better?

Gotta go, Sunday at the office.

Intestinal Chemistry Set

The goal of this weekend, aside from actually riding outside instead of on a trainer reading bad Closed Captioning, will be to try some of the new suppliments provided by our Director of Doping, Bob B. The temps will be brutal this weekend so I imagine the long ride will be abreviated somewhat. In any event with a counter full of powders and liquids that looks like some high school chemistry lab, I will have the chance to see what works best. I noted the MM temps later next week will hit the 100º mark.

Enjoy the weekend and Le Tour as they hit the mountains!

Non-Scripted Banter

Getting up at 4:30 and hitting the trainer you learn a lot about Closed Captioning and crappy local news. The weather comes on about every two and a half minutes, the anchors repeat the same stories every 12 minutes and CC is riddled with typo's. But I was up and spinning for 16 miles. I remembered the fan this time. It will be an odd couple of weeks training due to my work schedule.

Today's search will be for Accelerade and a creative idea for yet another presentation.

Cheers!

Oh yeah, I have a job

Yesterday was a full day of meetings which kept me working late so I missed the Tour and had to do the afore mentioned short spin yesterday morning. As my buddy Mark H. says though "at least you got on the bike". I am enjoying the banter and the nutritional learning curve though. I am trying to get back on the road tonight with my repositioned bars.

Donations are rolling in -- thank you to all who have helped out. It is great motivation.

Pedal & Paddle

Tuesday Moaning

Due to a number of meetings today I got up extra early and hit the trainer for an easy recovery spin. Morning exercise routines are not my favorite! Seemed to take a long time to warm up -- despite the fact I forgot to plug in the fan. Next time I'm bringing a bar of soap so I can multi-task. My goal now is to stay healthy despite a number of flu cases at work. Anti-bacterial hand gel for everyone!

Let's start formulating a menu. I can help shop when I hit G'sboro.

Best to all. Keep spinning.

Lot of riding this weekend. I have been following the Carb-boom century training schedule which has worked out pretty well. 24 Friday night, 24 Saturday morning followed by a yardwork cool-down. Up Sunday and cranked out 67. 3080 calories, 10' of elevation. Actually felt pretty good, only a slight melt down about 50 miles in, but I pushed through it. That is the hardest part of solo rides, all the encouragement is internal. Some clouds and a little rain helped keep the temps down.

I am dialing in on nutrition and bike fit. Quaker Oats are king in the morning -- like a coal fire burning steadily in you furnace. Hands were a problem so I brought a wrench and made some adjustments along the way. Figured I'd flip the stem upside down last night to see if that helped. I flipped it right side up...DOH! I had it wrong since I replaced it. I couldn't have a Canondale stem on my Trek bike. See what I get for being a purist! Anxious to try it out -- the right way.

Thanks for all the online activity!