Well, sort of. I got on the trainer last night for half an hour. It is the first time since before vacation that I did anything bike related. My vacation is the topic for a whole other blog entry, suffice to say it was less than spectacular due to illness and horrific airline travel. Anyway, it felt good to spin the meat-sticks.
Today I have a follow-up with the cardiologist. My stress test results showed "an appropriate response" to the physical effort. Not sure what they will say about the ultra-sound. Then Friday it is back to my doc to find out why my elbow has hurt for 3 months now... arthritis, bursitis, amputation...?
The stress of traveling, work and loads of little stuff have me in a gastric and twitching tizzy. I never realized how much the cycling took away many of my "quirks." I have not slept soundly for a week now and have to writhe my legs at night to get any comfort.
I'm a mess! To top it off Marcia Brady IS a whore... WTF?
Spin On
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Sea Gull Has Landed ...
Spenghali Reporting...
Salisbury, MD, 4:37 PM, October 4, 2008
Team R2R crosses the finish line of the season's final marquis event, The Seagull Century.
Six hours after our start, we completed the 101 mile tour of the Eastern Shore in glorious riding conditions; low 70's, Fall sunshine and gentle breezes to match the gentle terrain.
"Flat Bastard" a.k.a. James Thomson a.k.a "Great Scot" was neither flat nor fat! Most impressive was his overall accomplishment and bursts of pace despite virtually no training, lending credibility to the "being fresh" theory of event preparation. Highlights for me personally were completing the century with no soreness or real fatigue. Lowlights included a calf cramp at mile 40 that I stretched, supplemented and spun my way through ... and then tipping over 6" from the finishing line when the rider directly in front of me locked up his brakes precisely upon his completion of the ride, bringing me right into his back wheel and right onto the ground, after bouncing off the edge of the finishing gate inflatable, all while clipped in of course(funny/sad) ... collar bone intact though so all is well that ends (well. almost ends) well.
Thanks to Steve for setting up this year's event logistics and encouraging James and I to participate. The event is well organized and attended (6,400 + riders).
The road report is that this is a fun and very "do-able" century. The enormous volume of riders just sort of sweeps one along and the well-staged rest stops are perfectly placed to break up the distance. The beer paddock at the event finale are Scottish-Soccer-Hooligan-Approved as well!
Thank you to all R2R ride sponsors ... we appreciate the added incentive during these long hauls. Please contact us to see about having your logo or name included on next year's team jersey.
Salisbury, MD, 4:37 PM, October 4, 2008
Team R2R crosses the finish line of the season's final marquis event, The Seagull Century.
Six hours after our start, we completed the 101 mile tour of the Eastern Shore in glorious riding conditions; low 70's, Fall sunshine and gentle breezes to match the gentle terrain.
"Flat Bastard" a.k.a. James Thomson a.k.a "Great Scot" was neither flat nor fat! Most impressive was his overall accomplishment and bursts of pace despite virtually no training, lending credibility to the "being fresh" theory of event preparation. Highlights for me personally were completing the century with no soreness or real fatigue. Lowlights included a calf cramp at mile 40 that I stretched, supplemented and spun my way through ... and then tipping over 6" from the finishing line when the rider directly in front of me locked up his brakes precisely upon his completion of the ride, bringing me right into his back wheel and right onto the ground, after bouncing off the edge of the finishing gate inflatable, all while clipped in of course(funny/sad) ... collar bone intact though so all is well that ends (well. almost ends) well.
Thanks to Steve for setting up this year's event logistics and encouraging James and I to participate. The event is well organized and attended (6,400 + riders).
The road report is that this is a fun and very "do-able" century. The enormous volume of riders just sort of sweeps one along and the well-staged rest stops are perfectly placed to break up the distance. The beer paddock at the event finale are Scottish-Soccer-Hooligan-Approved as well!
Thank you to all R2R ride sponsors ... we appreciate the added incentive during these long hauls. Please contact us to see about having your logo or name included on next year's team jersey.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Smokin' Slack
I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception. GM
I noted, looking in the mirror as I got ready for work, between the shaved torso and legs, my front looked a lot like Grouch Marx peeking out of a ghostly white curtain (smoking a VERY large cigar:)
Glad I trimmed up for the cardio tests, lots of sticky electrodes and gels. The treadmill test went fine. I got up to 182 BPM and had more in me but I hate running, I was thirsty and dripping sweat. The attendant said the readings looked fine. The ultra-sound tech gave no indications (other than she loved to run). Aside from one odd scowl at the screen she was non-partisan. When she did turn on the sound there was either The Blue Man Group performing with PVC pipes or a small barking dog. Hmmm.
Trying to avoid catching the Nifi's cold... so rides this weekend will be dedicated to not getting sick. That probably means being a ride-slacker.
Spin On
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Borat Has Noting On Me
Today is my scheduled stress test and ultra-sound to confirm that my cardio system is in working order. I could have saved a lot of time and insurance money if someone would just say "that's normal." But I am a small cog in the medical systems need to turn a profit.
No pictures here, but let me tell you -- hair covers up a lot of sins. Rather than go through the "dry-shave" experience again (as detailed in a previous entry) I opted to trim down and "bare all" myself. Borat would be proud of the softball sized wad of hair that now resides in the bottom of the bathroom trash can. And yikes! I look like a McDonald's fed 14 year old, pre-pubescent boy! I sure hope the matting grows back fast -- and not curly.
Rode in the RankRoom Tuesday and did 16 on the road yesterday fighting some big winds. Rest day today and on to the weekend.
Spin On
No pictures here, but let me tell you -- hair covers up a lot of sins. Rather than go through the "dry-shave" experience again (as detailed in a previous entry) I opted to trim down and "bare all" myself. Borat would be proud of the softball sized wad of hair that now resides in the bottom of the bathroom trash can. And yikes! I look like a McDonald's fed 14 year old, pre-pubescent boy! I sure hope the matting grows back fast -- and not curly.
Rode in the RankRoom Tuesday and did 16 on the road yesterday fighting some big winds. Rest day today and on to the weekend.
Spin On
Monday, September 22, 2008
What Was I Thinking
Well for starters, I was thinking that the end of cycling season (really never ends here) will give me some time to catch up on a variety of projects. I have been considering the Turkey Leg Century in November so I wanted to get some miles in after my disappointing efforts the last week or so. Actually, I did pretty good. I rode 18 Friday, spun Saturday (which based on time, heart-rate and calories is about equivalent to 25 miles) and rode 60+ on Sunday. My split times on Sunday were pretty good, better than my average (not including the spank my ass club ride) and I finished strong. I think the club ride actually did help me up my game a little. I suppose once a year is fine:)
Since I had so much time to think as I lumbered down familiar roads, I began developing names for various ass-pects of my cycling regime. For instance, Glute, Glute and Toot were very sore yesterday. I think the only treatment to prepare your anatomy for such rigors is to spend more saddle time. It is not natural for your pelvic bones to try and force their way free of your butt muscles, mine however did try for about 35 miles.
Many cyclists have names for their machines. I finally decided on "Bonk" for my Trek 5200. No matter how I coax and cajole, Bonk will just not go faster. Not sure what to do about that.
I did see a Gopher Tortoise (dead heat sprint, which I eventually won) and managed not to get pulled over by another golf cart. Good times. Good times.
Spin On
Since I had so much time to think as I lumbered down familiar roads, I began developing names for various ass-pects of my cycling regime. For instance, Glute, Glute and Toot were very sore yesterday. I think the only treatment to prepare your anatomy for such rigors is to spend more saddle time. It is not natural for your pelvic bones to try and force their way free of your butt muscles, mine however did try for about 35 miles.
Many cyclists have names for their machines. I finally decided on "Bonk" for my Trek 5200. No matter how I coax and cajole, Bonk will just not go faster. Not sure what to do about that.
I did see a Gopher Tortoise (dead heat sprint, which I eventually won) and managed not to get pulled over by another golf cart. Good times. Good times.
Spin On
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tick or Tock
So I met with the cardiologist yesterday and I guess I am fine. He asked me a bunch of questions and lead me to the conclusion that my new doctor was being over cautious -- as was I. The EKG they took looked like a "young, athletic heart" to him. The EKG's are apparently read by a computer at the doctor's office and my spike sent up caution flag. His experience tells him it is nothing to be concerned about. That being said, any doubts need to be eliminated so I return for an ultrasound and a stress test. While I wish this was all over, better safe than sorry. I guess getting BPMs over 200 is okay for some folks, I just wish someone would definitively tell me that.
Life, deadlines and commitments have left me feeling rather low and tired this week and off the bike or gym. Tonight I will try and hit Spin class with Ginger Snap and her one second jumps. I now refuse to do them since my "boyz" cannot take the seat slapping. Every 4 seconds is fine. It's about the anatomy, not the pulmonary.
Spin On
Life, deadlines and commitments have left me feeling rather low and tired this week and off the bike or gym. Tonight I will try and hit Spin class with Ginger Snap and her one second jumps. I now refuse to do them since my "boyz" cannot take the seat slapping. Every 4 seconds is fine. It's about the anatomy, not the pulmonary.
Spin On
Monday, September 15, 2008
Beat Me With A Club Ride
I was eager to get out on the bike Friday night, thought it would be a good idea to dust off the legs in anticipation of Al and I heading out for my first "club ride" Saturday morning. I pushed myself a bit knowing Saturday would be a challenge for me. I did about 16 miles and settled in for a Hennepin ale.
Saturday came early... Al was early to fetch me and we were late to the start. I was mentally prepared for the 60 miles he said they would be doing -- turns out it was 29 with a 7:00 a.m. start. We scrambled to gear up as the group buzzed around the parking lot like a swarm of angry bees. We took off at about 16+ miles an hour. Then we left the parking lot. Speeds accelerated quickly to 21 - 23. I was able to catch up and get in the draft for a time. Another rider said this was his fourth ride with this group and they will hit 28 MPH sprints... Well, I gave it what I could but five miles in they accelerated out after a stop light. I lost the wheel in front of me and couldn't make it back. I eventually lost sight of the group but Al hung back to fetch me. We did a brisk (for me) 21 miles total. We hung, chatted over coffee as the other 15 riders came in at various times.
I was pissed to have fallen short, but this was not my style of riding -- not sure I want it to be my style. They said, oh in about 6 months you'll be able to keep up. Well, getting dropped for 24 weeks is not something I think I would enjoy -- I already went to high school. The group was going for 80 miles Sunday morning.
Me, I went for a casual 10 miles with Nifi Sunday morning in great weather. I cleaned and tweaked bikes, did chores and rode 21 miles late Sunday afternoon. Put me 30 miles short of the Century schedule but Saturday was an a** kicker.
I am also a bit hesitant to push super hard until I visit the cardiologist Tuesday. My HR for Saturday was an average of 171... that is near my suggested max. The max I hit Saturday was 181. I might have some "wiring" issues. I hope to know more tomorrow.
Monday calls...
Spin On
Saturday came early... Al was early to fetch me and we were late to the start. I was mentally prepared for the 60 miles he said they would be doing -- turns out it was 29 with a 7:00 a.m. start. We scrambled to gear up as the group buzzed around the parking lot like a swarm of angry bees. We took off at about 16+ miles an hour. Then we left the parking lot. Speeds accelerated quickly to 21 - 23. I was able to catch up and get in the draft for a time. Another rider said this was his fourth ride with this group and they will hit 28 MPH sprints... Well, I gave it what I could but five miles in they accelerated out after a stop light. I lost the wheel in front of me and couldn't make it back. I eventually lost sight of the group but Al hung back to fetch me. We did a brisk (for me) 21 miles total. We hung, chatted over coffee as the other 15 riders came in at various times.
I was pissed to have fallen short, but this was not my style of riding -- not sure I want it to be my style. They said, oh in about 6 months you'll be able to keep up. Well, getting dropped for 24 weeks is not something I think I would enjoy -- I already went to high school. The group was going for 80 miles Sunday morning.
Me, I went for a casual 10 miles with Nifi Sunday morning in great weather. I cleaned and tweaked bikes, did chores and rode 21 miles late Sunday afternoon. Put me 30 miles short of the Century schedule but Saturday was an a** kicker.
I am also a bit hesitant to push super hard until I visit the cardiologist Tuesday. My HR for Saturday was an average of 171... that is near my suggested max. The max I hit Saturday was 181. I might have some "wiring" issues. I hope to know more tomorrow.
Monday calls...
Spin On
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