Today is the Nifi's birthday. Being a good husband, I will not disclose how old she is, but suffice to say there is less emphasis placed on celebrating them the past few years:) I'm just glad that she is excited about her birthday this year and hopefully I will not disappoint in the gift giving department!
Being that it is a special day today, I felt it was best to do a longer ride last night and stay in tonight even though Thursday was a scheduled rest day. I did 20+ miles and kept a good clip going, upping my average speed again. I kept in the big chain-ring despite some hefty headwinds. I was amazed at how just a little more cadence or upping one free-wheel gear translated into instant speed. I am much more of a cadence rider, but pushing a big gear was fun last night.
The unknown cloud of Emily's prognosis hangs over my head like an annoying little drizzle. We are to hear back no sooner than Monday. I promised Nifi not to tell her on her birthday if we get bad news so I am hoping for no news today. She seems very active and happy so I am going with that and prayerful we will get a treatable diagnosis. Thanks to those who have wished us well and to those who visited Fat Cyclist. Fortunately, Susan is seeing some relief now.
It occurred to me last night as I rode into the wind, for the third time trying (successfully) to beat my last lap. One of my goals for Mountain Mama (and cycling in general) is not to give myself a mental "out". I think I have a stronger "flight" versus "fight" reaction. Mine comes in the form of seeking that little nagging rationalization to stop just short. It is also a creative minds excersize in finding alternative solutions, I believe. So, along with building muscle, I will continue to endeavor to build character.
Spin On
Friday, May 9, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Weight
Weight: As in mine and increase in lifting.
Last night was time at the gym with the trainer. We upped the leg weight a little and used more machines in faster succession. It was fun and better cardio. The most painful thing? My sunburn, still tender to the touch. Still can't seem to lose that extra 5-7 LBS despite my efforts.
Nifi is out tonight so it's me and the girls. I hope to pull the 6000 in and accomplish what I did not get done on it last night. Took all my might to remove one grip! But hey, i'm a roadie and we are not known for upper body strength.
Thanks to all those visiting the Ride2TheRescue site, pledging and bolgging. This little grass roots effort has legs!
Spin On.
Last night was time at the gym with the trainer. We upped the leg weight a little and used more machines in faster succession. It was fun and better cardio. The most painful thing? My sunburn, still tender to the touch. Still can't seem to lose that extra 5-7 LBS despite my efforts.
Nifi is out tonight so it's me and the girls. I hope to pull the 6000 in and accomplish what I did not get done on it last night. Took all my might to remove one grip! But hey, i'm a roadie and we are not known for upper body strength.
Thanks to all those visiting the Ride2TheRescue site, pledging and bolgging. This little grass roots effort has legs!
Spin On.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
How Cool
How cool is this:
Win Susan!
Got my Fat Cyclist socks today and my Ergon grips for the 6000 -- very comfy. I had hoped to put them on last night but put on layers of aloe instead to sooth the skin.
Hope to weight train tonight.
Spin On
Win Susan!
Got my Fat Cyclist socks today and my Ergon grips for the 6000 -- very comfy. I had hoped to put them on last night but put on layers of aloe instead to sooth the skin.
Hope to weight train tonight.
Spin On
Monday, May 5, 2008
Weakend
So, Friday pretty much sucked. My emotions were zapped all day long. I typically love to start my day reading various cycling blogs, but the news of Elden and Susan at Fat Cyclist came from out of the blue to me, and I am sure hundreds of other readers. The part that struck me as odd is the heartfelt connection I had to someone I have never met, nor even spoken to. I felt a little helpless in the fact I could only send a reply with words that can do little. Susan has been diagnosed as terminal now. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If you can, send them a note of support and encouragement, he shares them with Susan and I am sure it is good medicine, too.
I had to say goodbye to an eight year employee at the days end. He is a friend too who really got me psyched to bike again a few years back -- we even rode over our lunch hour for a spell. Here I am optimistic for both our journey's as we move forward, hopeful we can still connect as friends.
On the way home I collected Emily from the vet. News there is inconclusive to bad. She has a bad left hip and bad right hock joint. They sent xrays out to be read by a radiologist (7-10 day wait) but there is a chance she has a tumor in the hock joint. The options are not good for treatment and make our choices quite clear. We are hopeful that it might be soft tissue damage from arthritis which we can treat. Seven plus days is a long time for us -- a gift for others.
Finally the AC went out that night. Fortunately it was cool out and dry so we were comfortable and it was fixed first thing in the morning.
As for cycling... I was too drained to do Spin Class and had to prep for a Client event that morning anyway. I did manage to get some supplies for the 6000 though and ride 27 miles that afternoon. I felt sort of slow and not much fight in me against the wind, but had to do the distance.
Sunday Nifi and I went boating with Todawgz. I wanted to ride, she wanted to garden and clean house but these opportunities don't come up often. The weather was fantastic, the beer was cold and the company was gracious. Now I have a nasty burn on my chest, stomach and tops of my feet! How long have I lived here?? What a rookie. I have some degree of sun poisoning and a massive peel to come. I might not ever eat lobster again.
Spin On
I had to say goodbye to an eight year employee at the days end. He is a friend too who really got me psyched to bike again a few years back -- we even rode over our lunch hour for a spell. Here I am optimistic for both our journey's as we move forward, hopeful we can still connect as friends.
On the way home I collected Emily from the vet. News there is inconclusive to bad. She has a bad left hip and bad right hock joint. They sent xrays out to be read by a radiologist (7-10 day wait) but there is a chance she has a tumor in the hock joint. The options are not good for treatment and make our choices quite clear. We are hopeful that it might be soft tissue damage from arthritis which we can treat. Seven plus days is a long time for us -- a gift for others.
Finally the AC went out that night. Fortunately it was cool out and dry so we were comfortable and it was fixed first thing in the morning.
As for cycling... I was too drained to do Spin Class and had to prep for a Client event that morning anyway. I did manage to get some supplies for the 6000 though and ride 27 miles that afternoon. I felt sort of slow and not much fight in me against the wind, but had to do the distance.
Sunday Nifi and I went boating with Todawgz. I wanted to ride, she wanted to garden and clean house but these opportunities don't come up often. The weather was fantastic, the beer was cold and the company was gracious. Now I have a nasty burn on my chest, stomach and tops of my feet! How long have I lived here?? What a rookie. I have some degree of sun poisoning and a massive peel to come. I might not ever eat lobster again.
Spin On
Friday, May 2, 2008
A different Perspective
I came in this morning concerned about what the surgeon will tell us about Emily. It is going to be a long day because she got moved to end of the day. I am hopeful we can be proactive with her care and resolve Emily's joint problems.
Then I read the Fat Cyclist blog. I nearly wept. His latest post "Like Dandelion Seeds" is heart wrenching. His wife has been battling cancer for some time now and just recovering from hip replacement. If you have some time, send his family some words of encouragement -- they need it more than ever.
Then I got a call from a friend who is going through some family issues and facing heavy decisions. Best of luck, dear friends.
So, I had to think hard about my own feelings. My perspectives are certainly different, as are my motivations. I'm not a big fan of "could be worse" but, I am a proponent of "be thankful for what you have". And I am.
Going to try and get in another series of rides and some distance this weekend.
Spin On.
Then I read the Fat Cyclist blog. I nearly wept. His latest post "Like Dandelion Seeds" is heart wrenching. His wife has been battling cancer for some time now and just recovering from hip replacement. If you have some time, send his family some words of encouragement -- they need it more than ever.
Then I got a call from a friend who is going through some family issues and facing heavy decisions. Best of luck, dear friends.
So, I had to think hard about my own feelings. My perspectives are certainly different, as are my motivations. I'm not a big fan of "could be worse" but, I am a proponent of "be thankful for what you have". And I am.
Going to try and get in another series of rides and some distance this weekend.
Spin On.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Lift & Spin
Spent Tuesday evening at the gym with the trainer. Worked the legs pretty well with a 2 minute spin between machines. Some upper body and lots of core -- which is cool because I can do that at home, laying down, which is positive in my lazy-a** book.
Last night I got in a faster than normal 16 miles. Despite some wind, mostly cross, I upped the average speed a little which had more of a mental boost than anything else. My HR has been much lower lately. I can honestly say it has to be from less conflict/drama/pressure at work. We have slowed some due to the economy but it puts us at a more comfortable rate of production. It puts me at an uncomfortable level of "bike porn" however.
Tonight is a rest night with an ale or two. Alvaro is stopping by (again) to see the new ride and make adjustments on the 5000. I still can't shift on the fly to the big chain-ring...
Anxious for tomorrow, Emily goes in for another surgical consult. She has become a bit more chronic in her discomfort. Fingers crossed for better than expected news. Of course, can surgery ever be good news?
Spin On
Last night I got in a faster than normal 16 miles. Despite some wind, mostly cross, I upped the average speed a little which had more of a mental boost than anything else. My HR has been much lower lately. I can honestly say it has to be from less conflict/drama/pressure at work. We have slowed some due to the economy but it puts us at a more comfortable rate of production. It puts me at an uncomfortable level of "bike porn" however.
Tonight is a rest night with an ale or two. Alvaro is stopping by (again) to see the new ride and make adjustments on the 5000. I still can't shift on the fly to the big chain-ring...
Anxious for tomorrow, Emily goes in for another surgical consult. She has become a bit more chronic in her discomfort. Fingers crossed for better than expected news. Of course, can surgery ever be good news?
Spin On
Monday, April 28, 2008
That's A Wrap
The weekend is over and it is back to work. Monday is a recovery day -- in name only, usually a flurry of meetings and deadlines for me. But it was a good biking weekend.
Got in a short burst Friday night around the neighborhood, just enough to spin out the week. I did not feel great on the bike though, everything seemed a little off. Knowing I had an evening of projects ahead I folded it up after about 10 miles.
Saturday was spin class. There is a lot of construction at the gym and even more employee drama. I guess Edmund the Inhaler has quit now too. That really limits the number of instructors left to teach classes. Plus many of the regulars are not showing up because of the changes I imagine. I missed the week before an only ONE person showed. We had nine this week. It's a start to rebuilding.
After wrapping up the community garage sale, I headed out with Twodawgz to get some Belgian ales and the new Trek. It is a sweet ride. I already know I want to dress it up with some Ergon grips and a rear fender. My only hope is that my maiden voyage is not foreboding of rides to come... one wheel revolution and I rode right through a dog pile on the side yard! I had to laugh and hose it off. Dog eats too much fiber.
I also got the Carbon Suppository cleaned, lubed and the old Cateye computer back on. It was like having an old friend come back after being away too long. I really like this set-up. And, it works!!
Sunday I rode 40+ out to the Islands. I knew it was going to be a challenge when I was thirsty 3 miles into the ride. I was never able to fully hydrate. I did forty miles in 2:34:43. That was few minutes off my goal. I has tailwind for about 15 miles and flew. Of course that comes with 15 miles of headwind home and a 6+ m.p.h. drop in speed. I really try to focus on cadence not speed for these long rides, keeping it about 80. I was pretty uncomfortable at mile 27 so I pulled over at 30, drank some water, stretched a little and that took away the aches.
Congrats to Spenghali who cranked out 35 miles with a 19 mph average! Fantastic spring effort. Don't drop me at Cheers & Gears, please!
Meeting prep awaits.
Spin On
Got in a short burst Friday night around the neighborhood, just enough to spin out the week. I did not feel great on the bike though, everything seemed a little off. Knowing I had an evening of projects ahead I folded it up after about 10 miles.
Saturday was spin class. There is a lot of construction at the gym and even more employee drama. I guess Edmund the Inhaler has quit now too. That really limits the number of instructors left to teach classes. Plus many of the regulars are not showing up because of the changes I imagine. I missed the week before an only ONE person showed. We had nine this week. It's a start to rebuilding.
After wrapping up the community garage sale, I headed out with Twodawgz to get some Belgian ales and the new Trek. It is a sweet ride. I already know I want to dress it up with some Ergon grips and a rear fender. My only hope is that my maiden voyage is not foreboding of rides to come... one wheel revolution and I rode right through a dog pile on the side yard! I had to laugh and hose it off. Dog eats too much fiber.
I also got the Carbon Suppository cleaned, lubed and the old Cateye computer back on. It was like having an old friend come back after being away too long. I really like this set-up. And, it works!!
Sunday I rode 40+ out to the Islands. I knew it was going to be a challenge when I was thirsty 3 miles into the ride. I was never able to fully hydrate. I did forty miles in 2:34:43. That was few minutes off my goal. I has tailwind for about 15 miles and flew. Of course that comes with 15 miles of headwind home and a 6+ m.p.h. drop in speed. I really try to focus on cadence not speed for these long rides, keeping it about 80. I was pretty uncomfortable at mile 27 so I pulled over at 30, drank some water, stretched a little and that took away the aches.
Congrats to Spenghali who cranked out 35 miles with a 19 mph average! Fantastic spring effort. Don't drop me at Cheers & Gears, please!
Meeting prep awaits.
Spin On
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