Orthotics, Dream Interpretation & Doubt

There is a title worthy of Jason at The Soiled Chamois...

It was a weird night last night. Had a good weight workout at the gym, felt relatively strong and fresh. Headed home, caught the TdF coverage until it got too late. I was hopeful of getting up and walking the girls, as Nifi had instituted earlier in the week. Friday was my day. It still gave me extra sleep time with less self-imposed pressure to get into the office. I failed on all three counts.

2:31 a.m. the LabAlarm™ went off. Must have been lots of creatures stirring under the full moon because Shilo was up, barking and at the back door. Like and idiot I let her out. I have never seen that dog move so fast! She tore back and forth across the yard, then around the side, huffing and barking. Emily immediately followed suit. Then so did the dog two doors down. I sheepishly called the girls in while they yelled at their dog to be quiet as well.

From there it was tossing and turning for over an hour. When I did fall asleep I had nightmares about Mountain Mama. Spenghali left me to ride alone, it was raining and we kept taking a bus between climbs. One rider was pissed because we fed his dog too much and he had to leave. Before the final ascent (Hoover 19% grade) I lost my rain jacket and cleats so Spenghali left several minutes before I could locate them. When I did find the cleats, I had several layers of old, broken orthotics in them... very strange. Time to wake up with feelings of doubt creeping in to my subconscious, looking dangerously for excuses.

Tonight is 24, Spin Saturday and a scheduled 65 Sunday. Wish me luck!

Spin On

Saddle Up

Resting After A Big Day Spent With Friends

Finally the skies stopped pissing rain long enough to get out on the road! Felt great too. I made a slight seat angle adjustment after the AlVelo fitting and it was damn near perfect -- minimal to no hand numbness and good speeds. I cranked out 22 miles. The new Polar F11 HR monitor is cool, it registered me at Max 181, Avg 150 and 1222 calories (which were soon vanquished with a Doghead Fish Ale).

Read Juneau Jill's Arctic Glass and she is back on the road bike -- kicking some serious continual speeds in my book. I wish I could push higher speeds, but I guess I will have to contend with a flat-lander's 46+ year old capabilities. Goals.

Spin On

Rain Rain Go Away

Not much news in the way of cycling. About time to consider taking up rafting. 7-10 inches of rain in our area in two days. More on the way. Might have to be riding the trainer tonight.

Sunday was a recovery day from the 15 bags of yard trimming and extreme heat. Monday was a scheduled rest day and Tuesday was to be weights but I had nothing in me at the day's end. Home to watch rest day re-cap of the TdF and walk the girls.

Time for MM training is running out and it has been an a** kicker at work -- both workload and lots of emotions. It is bringing me down. I will have to dig deep to get back in the proper frame of mind.

Spin On

News of Greatness

Not much riding this weekend -- too many chores and work to catch up on. I did try out the bike for 20 Friday, first time since the fitting. Felt good over-all. No residual pain anywhere aside from a little fatigue on my lower, left side back. My feet ached a little, probably due to the new cleat positions.

Saturday was Spin. The instructor had some surgery and could not coach from the bike. I think it was worse! We did some hefty jumps and pushes from the saddle. I went sans-heart monitor so I could really only focus on the pain:) I thought a lot about what the MM climbs would be like -- a little troubling if a Spin instructor had me down!

From there it was home for seven hours of vag__a hot yard work. Hot and humid, I changed clothes five times! I hope that counts in lieu of doing 65 on Sunday -- felt like it should -- since I had to spend some "quality" weekend time in office. "Yeah. that would be great." No riding Sunday, just another dose of yard work to finish up what the rain ended Saturday.

So, what is so great you ask? Well I have a great sister (three actually). One has three great daughters of her own (and one son of same caliber). One married a great guy and now I am a Great Uncle (again).

Meet Logan Michael -- perhaps the newest Team R2R member. Note to self -- order x-small jersey next year.



In other great news, I have a healthy heart! The Holter monitor results show no abnormalities. 42 bpm resting, 67 bpm average and a max of 172 bpm during my workout. Plus one spike on the chart at 2:00 a.m. when the smoke alarm went off! You can actually see one huge spike -- humor. A new Polar F11 HR monitor is on the way.

Spin On

Good Touch. Bad Touch.

Before Fitting
Stolen from BRAIN Web Site

Okay, it is probably title blocks like that which cause me to get spammed by German teenage girl porn sites, but I can't help myself. So, that is why I have changed some of the security preferences for those of you who leave replies. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Alternate Title: Normally I Don't Let Men Touch Me...

I went in for a bike fitting yesterday and it was apparently long over due. Bike Route Al took some initial measurements, checked the bike and said "Dude, it's like you are riding a Townie!" Way off. He later likened my riding geometry to a recumbent -- nice. Anyway, I should be in the proper riding position now. Seat raised over an inch, (another) new stem, seat and pedal adjustments. It does feel more comfortable and I hope to test it out tonight on the road. I need to make a little note for the stem reminding me to unlock my elbows -- probably the cause of my hands going numb.

I hope to get back to Spin Class tomorrow and then long over-due yard work. Sunday should be and attempted 65 again, but I need to get back into the office. Plus, the heat of last week kicked my butt and left me weak for the week. I think fewer is better this weekend, then I have two more to go until MM.

I am caught in Medical Records Hell now. Holter test over a week ago and my Doc keeps telling me to call the Cardio Doc and visa-versa. I just want to get some answers -- guess I will spend some quality phone time this morning.

Spin On

Waiting It Out

First, Happy Birthday, Jacamo! Congrats on the Half Century Mark! Many more, my friend.


Venice Back Alley


Venice Grand Canal

The above pics from Venice. Although the day was a bit cool and cloudy, we got in a great gondola ride. Amazing that the city was built on a marsh, supported by over a million (now petrified pilings) and consists of 118 islands with over 430 connecting bridges.

Today was the day I was to get my Holter results. It is of course the day my docs office is closed. So I wait.

Feeling a bit weary today. I upped the weights and added some new machines last night at the gym. Could be the red wine and late night TdF coverage too. I can't bare another Saab commercial. What is worse than a repetitive, repetitive ad? I'm in the business and it is killing me!

Spin On

Troll Booth Keeper

Lots of events this weekend, from July 4th to rides. But the thing that "got my goat" was the Sanibel "Troll" Booth again. I was again flagged down trying to go over the bridge. "She" insisted I use the sidewalk they put in. I told her it was too slow and dangerous to use. "I don't care" was the reply. I insisted (as I used the sidewalk) that the slowdown and position was not safe. "I don't care, complain to the County" was the reply. I stated that I thought it was ridiculous. PING! The magic words "Bikes are taking money away". Aaah, money, the root of all evil. For years -- decades actually, you could ride the bridge at no cost as a cyclist. The new bridge opened less than a year ago. Now a month ago they make us use a slow and dangerous sidewalk to go through the Troll area. I felt like shouting "Same rules, same rights" but realized I would then be subject to the $6 toll. I will be seeking some support and information from the local clubs and shops before contacting the County.

Rides: Friday was a casual neighborhood spin on the 6K. Should have been 24 but I felt lazy and tight after weights Thursday. Saturday I did 24. Felt good despite the heat. I was pretty worried about what the vet would tell us after checking Emily, she had been having a rough week. Fortunately she said she noted no more deterioration and changed from aspirin to Rimadyl. Emily seems be feeling better which, in turn gave me a little more spänk in my legs.

Sunday I set out for 65. I only managed 61+ because it was so f**king hot! I was feeling weak after the last climb home and my HR was climbing slowly. I knew it was more important to cool down then hit the mileage. I needed shade, AC and hydration. I was able to watch the end of Wimbledon, TdF and Olympic trials. It was a TV Tri-fecta!

Spin On