Doggie Downer

Well we are having some problems with our Emily (she bears a striking resemblance to the Team R2R Lab). Her usually happy-go-lucky demeanor changed suddenly, she had an accident (or two) in the house and stopped eating and drinking. Not eating for a Lab is serious -- they are four-legged vacuums! Ran home to check on her and she was getting a swelling on her head. Of course our vet closes on Wednesdays... off the the 24 Hour Doggie ER we went. Four+ hours later she seems to have some infections in her digestive tract. By the way, the swelling went down by the time we got to the ER. We suspect the irritation may have been caused by her raid and subsequent consumption of a rabbit warren in our back yard. Antibiotics and a pat on the head and home we went. Both Emily and I were exhausted, but thankfully hungry. No training that night.

Today she woke up and would not stand on a rear leg! It did not stop -- we thought maybe it fell asleep and freaked her out a little, she is a worrier (gets it from her old man). Off to our vet. Blood work and x-rays indicate GI infection and most surprising to us "Horrible" hips. That may have spawned the bad leg. Now it is time to weigh options. We have to get a surgeon consultation to know just what to do but she can't loose more muscle mass. Poor baby.

All the anxiety an missed work means no Core Class for me tonight, maybe a spin on the trainer. This is very troubling for me because of the waiting an inability to be pro-active.

Thanks "Long Goat" for the updates on your health and training -- don't over-due!

Spin On

Diet-tribe

Man -- have I been off the diet wagon! With company in town my diet has gone out with the bath water and I am feeling it! Too many Belgians, carbs and red wine. I spiked to an all time weight high but have managed to work it back down some. My company has headed out -- great to see you Molly & Dan!! and now it is back to reality.

I did Spin Class on Saturday and eased off a little on the pressure. My left knee has been a tad sore -- manageable but I wanted to be cautious none the less. I think the impact of training classes and not the continual motion (and caloric burn) are irritating the area around the joint. I cannot spin tonight so I will gain another rest day (and probably another pound).

I know I sound like a broken recored, but I hope to get back to a riding routine within the week.

Hope you are recovering Brother Bob!

Spin on.

Mommy I'm Shakin'... slap me.

The title is a tribute to the old Minneapolis bar band The Flamin' Oh's. I'm sure Spengahli and I crossed paths and never even knew it "back in the day". Aah the '80s...I digress. 

Well, I guess I lucked out at Core Class last night... Edmund The Terrible could not make it in to coach so it was instructed by Joyce The Just (as in "just one more"). I still find it a challenge, mainly to keep my legs from shaking during upper body weight workouts. Doesn't say much for me being only one of two males who consistently attend and probably the youngest. Wussie! The class is effective though for good core tuning. I should go twice a week but there just isn't enough time. I will be scaling back the gym a bit more after daylight savings time to get out on the road.

I am continuing to tune nutrition. I am trying to have an FRS for breakfast instead of the Atkins shake. It is lighter, has better energy vitamins and reminds me of growing up on Tang for breakfast. What the hell was my Mom thinking? Loading me full of sugar and artificial flavors for breakfast because "the astronauts drank it" then sending me off to school with an un-refrigerated  sandwich with mayo! God it is a wonder we survived.

Happy Weekend, 

Spin on.

Nutrition

As the month winds down it is time to wind back up towards spring/summer training efforts. Nutrition is going to play a big part. Aside from what our DOD has told us Jason at http://www.thesoiledchamois.com/ has done a ton of research and experimenting. His latest post compares a lot of electrolyte supplements -- a big deal for me in the FL heat.

Short post today.

Spin on.

Race To Nowhere

Last night's spin class was a bit more challenging on two levels. First, the instructor (who can be a little lax) decided that SHE needed a good work out so she pushed harder -- lots of short 2 and 4 second jumps. Secondly there was a vacationing young couple from Colorado in the class, both cyclists and geared up. Oh, and about 10 -12 years younger. Of course that lays down the gauntlet of challenge to compete. Frankly, I think I did pretty well to match them stroke for stroke considering the 10,000 foot altitude they were used to (I'd need some serious EPO to match that) and age. The guy and I even stayed even on heart rate. They were nice but had that "Bring it on" (actual quote) attitude. Me? I was about ready to puke my banana when we were done:).

Tonight should be a ride/trainer but I have a work requirement so I will have to pass. Thursday brings on Core Class and new challenges!

Spin on.

Geek On

For some reason I am "getting my Geek on". Probably prompted by some home redecorating and minimizing "stuff" in every room. Note the new blog headder -- hope you like it as it speaks more to what we are about. I am dipping a toe into the Web world ever so cautiously and enjoying it. So far I have not f**ked anything up too badly yet.

Last night was spent connecting my new iPod Nano and hanging out. Tonight is Cycling Class -- less impact than Spin but a hard cardio routine -- especially the 2 second jumps! The instructor tends to put on one song and do a session the entire song. I pray she does not put on some long a** Pink Floyd. I'll take the Ramones any day.

Spin On!

Seriously

Okay, January is almost over and the training has taken a back seat. Now, I am not a pro, semi-pro or really much more than an avid rider, but I do have goals to achieve. Slogging Belgian ales and pasta on Friday nights makes for a rough spin class on Saturday...

Goal one: Diet. I have to get back to watching what I consume and consume in moderation. Lose some lbs and increase the PTW ratio.

Goal two: Ride the freakin' bike! Classes are one thing but actually riding is going to be key. Due to work, daylight and a host of other excuses I have not gotten on the bike in a long time now. It felt great when Spenghali and I rode the Captiva Coffee Cruise and that may have been the last saddle time I had. My bike is perfectly tuned now, equipped and ready to do more than collect dust. I sent the team links for a cycling camp in Alabama...? Three guys, bikes, a banjo in the deep south, could be fun.

Goal three: Plan some trips/rides 2 the rescue. I hope to get the word out via our Web sites and beef up our wearables. All the foundations are in place.

Hope to share the year with the team in good riding stead!

See you at the finish.