The prior week has been somewhat dedicated to working out, two spin classes and a session with T3.
I was feeling pretty sure of myself for the Wednesday Spin Class, it is shorter and not well attended. Well, never judge a skinny b***h by her cover. She was feeling spanky and kicked our butts in a very intense session. At one point this almost happened!
Saturday Spin was okay, seemed long but I did not have the afore mentioned episode. What did get under my chamois was the lady who rode a bike like this. Her Native American name would be Spins Like Humping Dog. I am a rule follower. Okay, I am just a follower. But, when an instructor builds a program -- follow it! She kept going counter to all his cues. Even more irritating was her incessant need to yell "Whoooo!" during the class and every musical change. Just as I was wallowing deeper into my Pain Cave, there she'd go "Whooo!" Like that gets us all fired up!
What did get me fired up was my ride Saturday morning. Instead of going to Spin for their Open House day, I hit the road. Invigorated by watching the Tour assault of Mont Ventux and a Coke I attacked my only climb -- fastest ever in the big gear. Most everyone would laugh at my conquest, but it was a first for me. I was definitely the hound on the way out -- catching at least four rabbits. The way back proved different -- I was the rabbit and was cooked for dinner. I got in some good base mileage though.
Nifi and I have had some real emotional days lately in the adoption of a younger dog and it has sacked my desire and energy to ride. Sadly, she is going back to her foster. Just not in the cards for us to have a younger dog. It is painful how you can so quickly become attached. But, we lead with our hearts and not our gut feeling. I feel confident we are the only ones paying the price for a freely given love. Bree will keep a place in our hearts even though she was with us a short time.
The Cycle Continues.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday is a day of rest...
...and that is just what I intend to do.
I did some sort of training every day this week, core, riding, spin and a Friday session with T3. I had hoped to get in 40 miles this morning but my arms are toast -- from my last T3 session -- and absolutely no mojo. Plus I dreamt of work all night so I just went in and started some projects that will be hot tomorrow. My arms were so dead that I caught myself bending my head down to reach my coffee mug this morning!
Training has been going better -- more weight, longer reps but my roadie arms are terribly week. I was like a little girl at the gym. I was being out done by two chickies who cranked out bigger reps and weight than I was able to do -- my ego is a little weaker now too! So, the afternoon calls for FRS and the TdF recap.
I did get new shoes that come in narrow:
And I am lusting after these for some fixie and retro rides:
As for more Bike Porn and in prep for the upcoming rides I got a steal on a new Giro Ionos helmet. My current Atmos has a crack (from being dropped) right on the front which makes me feel that it might fail if stressed. Hope I never have to find out, but better to be covered up and ride secure.
More later, this is days late.
The Cycle Continues
I did some sort of training every day this week, core, riding, spin and a Friday session with T3. I had hoped to get in 40 miles this morning but my arms are toast -- from my last T3 session -- and absolutely no mojo. Plus I dreamt of work all night so I just went in and started some projects that will be hot tomorrow. My arms were so dead that I caught myself bending my head down to reach my coffee mug this morning!
Training has been going better -- more weight, longer reps but my roadie arms are terribly week. I was like a little girl at the gym. I was being out done by two chickies who cranked out bigger reps and weight than I was able to do -- my ego is a little weaker now too! So, the afternoon calls for FRS and the TdF recap.
I did get new shoes that come in narrow:
And I am lusting after these for some fixie and retro rides:
As for more Bike Porn and in prep for the upcoming rides I got a steal on a new Giro Ionos helmet. My current Atmos has a crack (from being dropped) right on the front which makes me feel that it might fail if stressed. Hope I never have to find out, but better to be covered up and ride secure.
More later, this is days late.
The Cycle Continues
Monday, July 13, 2009
For Sale?
Long story tolerable I built this as a bike for Spengahli to ride when he came to town. It was too big for me, so I know it will be too big for him. Then, I offered it to my nephew who was looking for a city bike to get around the Twin Cities. Dog ate my homework, sun got in my eyes, bla, bla, bla it took much longer to finish than anticipated. Add more time trying to fit modern components to vintage parts is never a perfect fit without some creative purchasing/modifications.
So, if you know an intereted party for a 1984 Raleigh SS/Fixed 53Cm, drop me a note!
So, if you know an intereted party for a 1984 Raleigh SS/Fixed 53Cm, drop me a note!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I Found A Way
...that is sure fire to make the Nifi laugh, nearly uncontrollably.
Basically no cycling took place the week after the Ball of Pain, aside from the Saturday Spin Class. Looking for help here, but work and obligations seemingly manage to sabotage any training. Any suggestions/practices anyone can lend would be much appreciated. I am by nature a terrible procrastinator and with rides being delayed until September/October, I put off the bike time and miles. Nothing like a deadline to motivate me. In fact, if I did not have my current deadline driven job I am certain I would be working for FedEx or in a watch shop!
Anyway, my back had been holding tension all day last Thursday. I went in to the gym and warmed up a little on a spin bike before meeting with T3 -- felt good. Then we hit the floor and started doing some squats and lunges. He is challenged by my balance (or lack there of) and had me doing lunges without touching a machine for support. (Start genetic complaint) I have ZERO arch, B width feet that barely support me for waking, let alone lunging (End genetic complaint). That tightened the back a little more. Then machines, racing heart and sweating like a whore in church. Tried one legged stands with 40 pounds of weight, no go, then 20, then just my body weight. The rubber-band tightened like a balsa airplane's. We finished with some Ball of Pain and a severely tight back.
By the time I go home, I thought I was going to have to call Nifi to get me out the the car! But I managed and began a regiment of ice and ibuprofen. Seemed to help. The night and next day were a little restless, but moving it felt good and I tried not to overdo anything. Then some heat and beer -- whalla! much better.
Relaxing Saturday morning, all set for spin, just finishing a cup of java -- then it happened. I sneezed, not huge, just sneezed, which I would do for the next three mornings about 9:18 a.m. Anyway, a searing, stabbing pain hit me in the back, like a knife wound! I clipped and f-bomb and shot up from my chair and proclaimed "Good God!" I literally staggered to the bedroom door, now just reacting not thinking -- I needed sanctuary from the pain. I held on to the door jab and asked Nifi to come help me. Then I heard it... that near tearing-up laughter she gets. A laughter so deep hardly a sound comes out. Finally, she laughed her way over, shouldered me to bed, lifted my legs carefully up into bed and got an ice-pack for me. Nice. I hope I never choke in front of her, the humor in the situation might put her in a coma.
Back to T3 tonight... what malady will befall me now?
Spin On
Basically no cycling took place the week after the Ball of Pain, aside from the Saturday Spin Class. Looking for help here, but work and obligations seemingly manage to sabotage any training. Any suggestions/practices anyone can lend would be much appreciated. I am by nature a terrible procrastinator and with rides being delayed until September/October, I put off the bike time and miles. Nothing like a deadline to motivate me. In fact, if I did not have my current deadline driven job I am certain I would be working for FedEx or in a watch shop!
Anyway, my back had been holding tension all day last Thursday. I went in to the gym and warmed up a little on a spin bike before meeting with T3 -- felt good. Then we hit the floor and started doing some squats and lunges. He is challenged by my balance (or lack there of) and had me doing lunges without touching a machine for support. (Start genetic complaint) I have ZERO arch, B width feet that barely support me for waking, let alone lunging (End genetic complaint). That tightened the back a little more. Then machines, racing heart and sweating like a whore in church. Tried one legged stands with 40 pounds of weight, no go, then 20, then just my body weight. The rubber-band tightened like a balsa airplane's. We finished with some Ball of Pain and a severely tight back.
By the time I go home, I thought I was going to have to call Nifi to get me out the the car! But I managed and began a regiment of ice and ibuprofen. Seemed to help. The night and next day were a little restless, but moving it felt good and I tried not to overdo anything. Then some heat and beer -- whalla! much better.
Relaxing Saturday morning, all set for spin, just finishing a cup of java -- then it happened. I sneezed, not huge, just sneezed, which I would do for the next three mornings about 9:18 a.m. Anyway, a searing, stabbing pain hit me in the back, like a knife wound! I clipped and f-bomb and shot up from my chair and proclaimed "Good God!" I literally staggered to the bedroom door, now just reacting not thinking -- I needed sanctuary from the pain. I held on to the door jab and asked Nifi to come help me. Then I heard it... that near tearing-up laughter she gets. A laughter so deep hardly a sound comes out. Finally, she laughed her way over, shouldered me to bed, lifted my legs carefully up into bed and got an ice-pack for me. Nice. I hope I never choke in front of her, the humor in the situation might put her in a coma.
Back to T3 tonight... what malady will befall me now?
Spin On
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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
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
Monday, June 29, 2009
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
Monday, June 22, 2009
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
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
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