In A Downward Cycle

...since my last two visits with T3.

We had a house guest/intern in the form of my niece Brigit. That had Nifi and me playing host, tour guide and boss. She said it was fun but I have to think she was pretty bored with the whole thing. We did however get to know her much better now than we had some six years ago -- the last time we spent any significant time together. She managed to find several types of vodka cocktails she liked and how to induce sleep with melatonin. What a good uncle, huh?

But week one I did a Saturday Spin Class and a 30 mile ride that Sunday. I felt pretty good but the heat was becoming nearly unbearable and I noticed it most in my heart-rate, which felt like it was pounding. I managed a Wednesday night Spin Class that felt a little short but good to shake out the legs. My first real intense session with T3 was the next day. We started with a little core routine -- mine is admittedly weak. I must have not looked great because he asked if I was tired. "Yes, stressful day." He wanted to know how my legs were holding up. He had me lay on my side and proceeded to roll, push and jab a medicine ball into my left thigh. I thought I would black out. The muscles were so knotted it felt like a baseball was rolling over my femur! The pain was systemic and I was sweating like a hard ride. All I could think about was what a Civil War field amputee must have felt like... seriously, it hurt. Right leg -- not as bad thankfully.

Then we hit the weights. The leg presses had my heart up like I had just climbed Hoover (19% grade.) I tried desperately not to make excused but T3 told me I looked like a deer in the headlights. Then we did a series of standing and sitting from a one leg stance. As we walked to the next machine I swear my torso went left and my legs detached and went right.

After the final machine he asked if I felt nauseous. I nodded yes. He made sure I downed a smoothie while we talked some nutrition and preparedness for my next visit.

My legs were pretty toasted for two plus days, but it was most certainly the Ball of Pain not the weights. I did Spin the following Saturday, rendering me basically useless that night. My niece was surly baffled on why I would do this to myself. But, the dogs need our help... it's for the dogs.

Next, a sure fire way to make Nifi laugh.

Spin On

How Fat Am I...?

That was pretty much the thought I had when I met with the trainer, Tony for the first time.

T3 (Tony The Toner) got me in the system, talked about goals and diet. I of course, lied about my beer and wine consumption. Then it was time to measure body fat. They have this contraption the looks like something out of Woody Allen's "Sleeper" a machine called The Orgasmatron. It is supposed to measure your BMI by air rather than in a water tank. Basically, I think it is BS because as I sat in this pod contraption in my chamois and swim cap... eeew... basically nothing happened -- just a couple clunks. The machine told T3 that I was 31.8% body fat. Now, if it had said 31.8% bloated liver I would have believed it. None the less, by diet and exercise I should trim down to 14% body fat and replace it with lean muscle. Great. The indicated diet calls for 1800 calories a day. One good ride burns 1600. That leaves me a handful of granola and a peek at a glass of water a day. I may not be Kate Moss, then again I don't have her cocaine addiction either.

Next visit -- the ball of pain.

Spin On

I Am Not Sure

...if I bought a used car or a gym membership. Either way I feel the pain.

I went in to check out a large local gym, got the tour and explained my goals of better cycling and hill climbing -- since we have none here. It is a nice facility, lots of equipment, clean, and a little elegant. The people seem more serious than my last gym and more "beautiful." Me? I slog in with my Crocs and a backpack. I look more ready to attend a campfire than work out.

Anyway, we get down to brass tacks and the guy starts writing all sorts of numbers down and crossing them out passing it back and forth to me saying he could do this amount "if I sign up today." He super low-balled me as a litmus test when I told him I was not going to sign up that day, I needed to discuss it with my financial planner (aka Nifi). I walked.

Thinking it over and doing some research, I went back a couple days later. Of course the deal was off -- but I got it for the price he had quoted before the "low-ball" which when challenged he had no good answer -- he "just said that" was the reply. Alas, I am am member for the next year+. I also signed up with a trainer for specific toning and weights that I felt I was missing. More on the next post.

So, I go to my first Spin Class that next Saturday morning. Lots of bikes were already reserved but I was pretty early and found a good spot, sort of out of the way, stowed my gear and bottles and started warming up. Just before class starts, people are filing in and out. The instructor looks at me and asks "Did you sign up for this class?" Um, no, Mr. Used Cordova never explained that to me. So, all the bikes are reserved. I have to collect my stuff and leave. Of course I slip in my cleats, spill water out of my bottles and look like a dork with my hands full of loose crap. Instant flash back to Junior High.

So I DO sign up for the following class an hour or so later. Man it was like Bikram Spin. The room was all hot from the first class and full of dankness. But, the teacher was good and so was the workout. No jumps, which I have mentioned do not play well with my anatomy.

Bottom line I am at a serious gym where people take more for fitness then socializing. I suppose that is why I am going, right?

The next morning I got in 30 miles on the road before it go too hot, but I sure felt the heat in my chest and level of fatigue. I did finish strong with a good average speed.

Next meet Tony The Toner

Spin On

So, What's New?

Well, a bunch, starting with the Blog banner and the updated Ride web site. I owe a BIG thank you to Jim at EMCC for his part in donating time against the cause in managing and updating the site.

The training to ride events for Lab Rescue/Shelters means even more to me this year. Sadly, on May 2 we lost our sweet chocolate girl, Emily. It was a long, tragic night that I will not soon forget with her seizures, dementia and fear. The most touching moment is when she drifted off and out of our world, she smiled. Her discomfort and long suffering had ended. I still miss her every day.

One dog, being Shilo, means twice as much love and attention and three times the walks! We are trying to get her weight down and it is working a little but it tends to be offset by extra "cookies."

A recent trip to Minnesota has me on a new cycling quest: The Three-Speed Tour next May. This group rides, eats and toasts their way around a 72 mile route along Lake Pepin riding vintage English 3-speeds and wearing vintage garb. Looked like a hoot and I hope I can make join in next year, possibly with a teammate or two!

My return to FL made me realize that I was REALLY belated in training for our late summer fall events. Yes, our "season" starts very late, I train at the worst possible time of year, in the most unbearable climate. Never said I was smart, just dedicated. My first plan of action was to join a new gym (more on that later) and get our new jersey's done. Gratefully, we had many business sponsors this year, enough to cover the cost of the production. Even during a difficult economy, friends and animal lovers have come through with much appreciated support.



Rather than continue on blathering about my weight training experience -- I will save that for the next post -- I will sign off for today. The heat index's are in the triple digits and dangerous. Even lawn work seems to be life threatening! Being Father's Day I want to wish all the GREAT dad's I know a happy day: Leonard, Larry, Mike, Eric, Chris, Kevin, Bob and David in Heaven. Shilo managed a great gift for me too, the request for a new sister! Look out Lab Rescue, here we come!

Spin On

Measure Twice...

and cut the check once.

Alas, my initial fixie build is complete but I cannot ride it. After careful consideration, searching and loads of time and parts investigation, it is too big for me! You might say "Ebayer Beware" but I was very careful with the selection of my '79 Raleigh Grand Prix frame. I researched, measured, even got caught with a book between my legs against a wall. Long story. Anyway, best I can figure the vintage geometry is taller than todays sizing. Or I am shrinking. In any event 53cm on the old Raleigh versus today equates to about an inch difference. Or ruptured gonads. Either way, it won't work.

So, I hope you enjoy the attache pictures as much as I enjoyed the build and the research. All the bits will be saved and used on my next build. The search is on for a 50cm frame of similar linage. Drop me a note if you have any leads on one, I have left over paint:)

Spin On

Long Time...

no post. Actually it has been a long time since I did any training/riding of significance at all. I plan to change all that soon.

I felt compelled to post today because of a sad but funny meeting we had today. We are working for a series of retirement communities. They are lovely, filled with caring, happy people. One part of our tour was to the Assisted Living units, specifically people with memory problems, like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Terrible, terrible illnesses.

In one living room setting were about a dozen elderly ladies listening to vintage music. Very bucolic. Later on the trip home, one of my team asked "Why were they listening to that old music?" We explained that it took them back to a time they could remember and that they lived that life now.

The funny part? When I'm that age I will be sitting with a bunch of other old folks listening to the Violent Femms and The Ramone's.

Gabba Gabba Hey!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Posts have been limited due to limited training/riding. It hit me today that I have not been on a serious ride since October. I would say that my "recovery period" has officially run it's course.

I am pretty certain that the gym I attend is on a death-roll now. I showed up to a locked door early Saturday with two waiting classmates leaving. I was certain there would be no class so I headed back home to begin a long day of errands and projects. No exercise. Add to that a bountiful dinner with Two Dawgz (thanks to Nifi and her spicy shrimp risotto:) nothing much happened Sunday either.

I am hopeful to pull the team together in June for the Tour du Pepin in MN. We'll see, but I at least have to start training for something.

I can also add to my regiment riding a fixie! Raleigh number one is done (practically:) Thanks to Sir Wooly it is ready to roll. Took a lot of parts bin searching to fit everything together. Again, eBayer beware when it comes to buying parts from strangers.

Spin On