What's the old saying? "Stop and smell the roses?"
Life can be such a whirlwind. Sometimes I (and I'm guessing actually most of us) get so wrapped up in everything that goes wrong in life, all of the stresses, all of the uncontrollable things that drive me crazy, that I forget to stop and appreciate all of the wonderful things.
A person that I love very very much has been dealt a very bad card. It is something that is on my mind constantly, something that is so completely unfair and infuriating and I nearly always forget to see beyond the pain and sadness and realize that there is world out there moving forward in-spite of the cancer killing my best friend.
I used to ride my cruiser bike to work just for fun, fitness and to leave my car in the garage for a while. Since I've been triathlon training my beautiful orange cruiser has been collecting dust in the garage and I've been finding my exercise elsewhere in the pool or on the trails. My orange trek only has 3 gears. It is a slow, heavy beast of a bike, but those things provide me with a slow, purposeful ride to work that allows me to "stop and smell the roses." On this bike I am more likely to notice the gaggle of geese in the river making a racket as I ride by, the beautiful blossoms on the trees that blow in the wind like confetti and I tip my helmet to my cohorts on the trail with a smile. It makes me feel better. It brings me life.
I dusted her off today and tacked those additional 15 minutes onto my ride so that I could gain a little more perspective and feel just a little bit better.
Showing posts with label bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
A little push
My son began his spring break last Friday, so my daily schedule is a bit messed up. I wasn't able to squeeze a workout in on Friday or all day Saturday and by 8pm I was really feeling lousy because I needed to move! I posted this on Facebook:
That's my sister-in-law there commenting on my status update (names and faces have been deleted to protect the innocent, haha). This is the important part: "(I have you to thank!!)" Yikes! Right there I felt like I had an expectation to set and it really kicked my butt into gear. By 8:38pm I was in the garage grabbing my bike and heading downstairs to set it up on the trainer. I had two new episodes on the DVR of New Girl and I biked through both of them. I biked hard, like I had something to prove. It was great! Note: I did have a little trouble with the trainer set up. I missed a key part and when I got on my bike I was convinced there was something seriously wrong with my gears. Nope - I just forgot to tighten up the resistance wheel on the back tire. Doh!
I also made it to my regular Sunday evening swim at the gym. The pool was surprisingly full for that time of day and I shared a lane with two separate people. Sharing a lane made me once again feel like I had something to prove because, my goodness, STRANGERS were watching me! I swam hard. I got overheated easily and although I got in just over 500 yards in a fairly short time, I was hot and felt icky afterward. I was so hot that I had to skip my usual 5 minute dip in the hot tub post swim. :-(
My son is staying with my parents for a few days, so we took advantage of having only one child who is easily transportable in a stroller and Sunday evening my husband and I busted out an invigorating 3 mile walk! It was awesome.
That's my sister-in-law there commenting on my status update (names and faces have been deleted to protect the innocent, haha). This is the important part: "(I have you to thank!!)" Yikes! Right there I felt like I had an expectation to set and it really kicked my butt into gear. By 8:38pm I was in the garage grabbing my bike and heading downstairs to set it up on the trainer. I had two new episodes on the DVR of New Girl and I biked through both of them. I biked hard, like I had something to prove. It was great! Note: I did have a little trouble with the trainer set up. I missed a key part and when I got on my bike I was convinced there was something seriously wrong with my gears. Nope - I just forgot to tighten up the resistance wheel on the back tire. Doh!
I also made it to my regular Sunday evening swim at the gym. The pool was surprisingly full for that time of day and I shared a lane with two separate people. Sharing a lane made me once again feel like I had something to prove because, my goodness, STRANGERS were watching me! I swam hard. I got overheated easily and although I got in just over 500 yards in a fairly short time, I was hot and felt icky afterward. I was so hot that I had to skip my usual 5 minute dip in the hot tub post swim. :-(
My son is staying with my parents for a few days, so we took advantage of having only one child who is easily transportable in a stroller and Sunday evening my husband and I busted out an invigorating 3 mile walk! It was awesome.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Food, drink and more food
I ate my way through the weekend, but I did also manage to get some really great training in, so hopefully it all evens out in the end.
On Saturday afternoon it was 63 degrees in the Twin Cities, which was where we were spending our weekend. My husband and I bought a brand new bike rack for the car before leaving home. We packed up my road bike and his brand new tri-bike for what would be its first time off of the indoor trainer. We brought the bikes out to Harriet Island in St. Paul and got ready to enjoy a great ride in beautiful weather. About one minute on the trail and we realized that the extra snow storm that the Cities had (that missed us in Rochester) left extra snow on the trails that had turned to ice and had not melted yet. We both nearly wiped out going through two patches of slush. It was an easy decision to stick to the streets after that. We managed just over 12 miles and it was so fun and such a beautiful day. Admittedly I did have some trouble getting up a very steep, large hill, but Mike was there to "push" me up. Considering my training schedule only required 4 miles on the bike this weekend, I think I can safely say my weekend bike training was successful.
On Sunday I met up with two of my sisters-in-law for some swimming. They are both excellent swimmers as they swam on teams in high school, so I was certainly the newbie there. They gave me some great tips and help with my stroke and we even practiced some flip turns. We burned off some calories swimming and gabbing and then ate all of those calories back (and then some) with a brunch later that afternoon.
I am back to clean eating and onto a day of running on this wet Monday...
On Saturday afternoon it was 63 degrees in the Twin Cities, which was where we were spending our weekend. My husband and I bought a brand new bike rack for the car before leaving home. We packed up my road bike and his brand new tri-bike for what would be its first time off of the indoor trainer. We brought the bikes out to Harriet Island in St. Paul and got ready to enjoy a great ride in beautiful weather. About one minute on the trail and we realized that the extra snow storm that the Cities had (that missed us in Rochester) left extra snow on the trails that had turned to ice and had not melted yet. We both nearly wiped out going through two patches of slush. It was an easy decision to stick to the streets after that. We managed just over 12 miles and it was so fun and such a beautiful day. Admittedly I did have some trouble getting up a very steep, large hill, but Mike was there to "push" me up. Considering my training schedule only required 4 miles on the bike this weekend, I think I can safely say my weekend bike training was successful.
On Sunday I met up with two of my sisters-in-law for some swimming. They are both excellent swimmers as they swam on teams in high school, so I was certainly the newbie there. They gave me some great tips and help with my stroke and we even practiced some flip turns. We burned off some calories swimming and gabbing and then ate all of those calories back (and then some) with a brunch later that afternoon.
I am back to clean eating and onto a day of running on this wet Monday...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
BRICK.
I'm still coming off the high of completing my first brick workout (bike + run) today, so I figured I'd blog while the happy cells are still alive in my body.
The Expresso bikes that I had used earlier this week were all occupied, so I tried out the LifeFitness bikes. I liked it, didn't like how comfortable the seat was. I want to try to mimic my road bike as much as I can on these training rides and if the seat doesn't have me in pain for days, it isn't like my road bike! Otherwise, the program was kind of similar. I just did a flat course for 4 miles at a pretty moderate to hard resistance. I don't know the technical terms for these things, so hopefully I'm making sense. I pushed it today, much more than I did on Monday. Did my 4 miles in just under 15 minutes. My goal for my 11 mile race course is 50 minutes, so it seems as though I'm right on track. Of course, this wasn't after swimming, but I am at the beginning of my training. I have room to improve.
During my ride, I was feeling the burn in the old legs and this song came on:
Gave me just the push of energy I needed! Love Walk the Moon.
Now...
Running...
Oh running, you jerk.
We've met many times before and I didn't like you then. I think for me, running is like that one (or more than one if you're particularly unlucky) family member who you just cannot be in the same room with, but who sometimes you just have to put up with for the sake of your other family members - at birthday parties, graduations, weddings, etc. Running eyes me up from across the room, I see him, he sees me and we both pretend the other is invisible. For the sake of my beloved biking and my new friend swimming, I will allow running to join the party. But I'm not ready to speak to him.
I did about a mile and a half on the treadmill at 5-6 mph run and 3.5-4 mph walk. I walked more than I ran. Here's my problem...I know I can do better. I KNOW I can. But I am much much too easy on myself. I need to find my inner Dolvett Quince (anyone watch Biggest Loser? I don't. I just happened to catch last night's episode while folding laundry) and kick my butt into running more. But how? Any suggestions??
During my ride, I was feeling the burn in the old legs and this song came on:
Gave me just the push of energy I needed! Love Walk the Moon.
Now...
Running...
Oh running, you jerk.
We've met many times before and I didn't like you then. I think for me, running is like that one (or more than one if you're particularly unlucky) family member who you just cannot be in the same room with, but who sometimes you just have to put up with for the sake of your other family members - at birthday parties, graduations, weddings, etc. Running eyes me up from across the room, I see him, he sees me and we both pretend the other is invisible. For the sake of my beloved biking and my new friend swimming, I will allow running to join the party. But I'm not ready to speak to him.
I did about a mile and a half on the treadmill at 5-6 mph run and 3.5-4 mph walk. I walked more than I ran. Here's my problem...I know I can do better. I KNOW I can. But I am much much too easy on myself. I need to find my inner Dolvett Quince (anyone watch Biggest Loser? I don't. I just happened to catch last night's episode while folding laundry) and kick my butt into running more. But how? Any suggestions??
Feeling Good
Exercise and eating well give me a natural high. Even in knowing this I still don't always find it easy to keep it up. There are good days/weeks and there are bad days/weeks...months. January was a very bad month.
Once late fall came and my schedule forced me to hang my commuter bike up, I lost all of my motivation. Last spring and summer were momentous for me. I started working with a Wellness Coach at my gym sometime in April 2011. Jason worked with me to create goals, both short-term and very long-term. I met with him weekly and through this process I reintroduced myself back into exercise. First I took some intro classes, then I started "running" again, I began biking to work almost daily and I participated in a nine week women's strength training class. By seeing my coach, I had accountability because every single week I set goals and when we met the following week, I needed to tell him which goals I met and which I didn't. I hate admitting failure, so I just did whatever I could to make sure that I met those goals each week. With his guidance I began to also change my eating habits for the better and I eventually rejoined Weight Watchers. Between April and September I had lost about 30 lbs and I was keeping up momentum very nicely. I did the Saint Paul Classic Bike Ride (26 miles) in September and then the Mankato River Ramble Bike Ride (42 miles) in October, but once October was into full swing, I stopped. I was having back pain from carrying my daughter and from weight lifting, so I saw a physical therapist who was no help at all. I was so afraid of the holiday season and what it could potentially do to all of the progress I had made so far. My coaching had ended in September, but when I told him how scared I was for winter to come, he said that maybe I should look at winter as a maintenance time. He said long as I wasn't gaining weight, I would still be meeting my goals. So, I took on this mindset. I made it through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years without gaining more than a pound. I was really happy with myself, but then somehow January began taking its toll. I was back to my old eating habits (not horrible, but not great) and I wasn't exercising AT ALL. Every time I stepped on the scale, the number was creeping up and up and up. In total, by the time I snapped myself out of my funk, I had gained 8 pounds. 8 pounds of stupidity, basically. Now I have to lose those 8 again. I have 4 left. It sucks.
I woke up this morning excited for both my swim lesson yesterday, which went very well and for the workout I have planned for today. I feel good. I am happy to be in this place, but I know that there could be a bad day just around the corner and that's hard.
Yesterday's swim lesson was so good for me. Amy gave me a few things to work on with my front crawl and suggested I work on flutter kicking and bilateral breathing. I'm excited to get some practice in on these two things tomorrow. Today's workout includes a 4 mile bike ride and 20 minutes of running. Last time I biked at the gym, I used an Expresso bike, which was pretty neat. There are treadmills right across from the bikes, so I plan to dismount the bike and immediately get onto the treadmill. Hello "brick" workout! Here I come, jelly legs!
Once late fall came and my schedule forced me to hang my commuter bike up, I lost all of my motivation. Last spring and summer were momentous for me. I started working with a Wellness Coach at my gym sometime in April 2011. Jason worked with me to create goals, both short-term and very long-term. I met with him weekly and through this process I reintroduced myself back into exercise. First I took some intro classes, then I started "running" again, I began biking to work almost daily and I participated in a nine week women's strength training class. By seeing my coach, I had accountability because every single week I set goals and when we met the following week, I needed to tell him which goals I met and which I didn't. I hate admitting failure, so I just did whatever I could to make sure that I met those goals each week. With his guidance I began to also change my eating habits for the better and I eventually rejoined Weight Watchers. Between April and September I had lost about 30 lbs and I was keeping up momentum very nicely. I did the Saint Paul Classic Bike Ride (26 miles) in September and then the Mankato River Ramble Bike Ride (42 miles) in October, but once October was into full swing, I stopped. I was having back pain from carrying my daughter and from weight lifting, so I saw a physical therapist who was no help at all. I was so afraid of the holiday season and what it could potentially do to all of the progress I had made so far. My coaching had ended in September, but when I told him how scared I was for winter to come, he said that maybe I should look at winter as a maintenance time. He said long as I wasn't gaining weight, I would still be meeting my goals. So, I took on this mindset. I made it through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years without gaining more than a pound. I was really happy with myself, but then somehow January began taking its toll. I was back to my old eating habits (not horrible, but not great) and I wasn't exercising AT ALL. Every time I stepped on the scale, the number was creeping up and up and up. In total, by the time I snapped myself out of my funk, I had gained 8 pounds. 8 pounds of stupidity, basically. Now I have to lose those 8 again. I have 4 left. It sucks.
I woke up this morning excited for both my swim lesson yesterday, which went very well and for the workout I have planned for today. I feel good. I am happy to be in this place, but I know that there could be a bad day just around the corner and that's hard.
Yesterday's swim lesson was so good for me. Amy gave me a few things to work on with my front crawl and suggested I work on flutter kicking and bilateral breathing. I'm excited to get some practice in on these two things tomorrow. Today's workout includes a 4 mile bike ride and 20 minutes of running. Last time I biked at the gym, I used an Expresso bike, which was pretty neat. There are treadmills right across from the bikes, so I plan to dismount the bike and immediately get onto the treadmill. Hello "brick" workout! Here I come, jelly legs!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I am still waiting to hear from the cycling store about the bicycle that I ordered. Of the two options in my previous post, I ordered the orange Electra Townie 7D, I am SO excited!! They told me it would take a week and I ordered it last Wednesday - so they better call soon!
I am getting increasingly nervous about my 4 mile Women's Race this Saturday. My running has suffered due to our busy summer schedule and the recent heat/humidity we've been having. I know I can do the 4 miles, but what I am nervous about is the fact that - once again - I will be coming in last. It isn't that I am embarassed about my slow speed, it is just hard to know that everyone is waiting on you. Luckily, what makes me feel better is that the women runners in this town (and most of the males as well) are UBER supportive!
My husband is a member of the local running club and is even a member of their board. So he knows just about everyone that runs locally and through him I've met a lot of runners myself. I feel so priviledged to know these women - who are older, faster, smarter, nicer runners than me! They're my heros and mentors and they serve to encourage me through every single step of my running. So it is difficult when I know that I am going to be SO slow, I don't want to disappoint them. Yes, yes - I know - they're probably just happy to see me out there running, no matter the speed. I know that. It is just hard to believe - which is why these women are SO amazing to me.
I am getting increasingly nervous about my 4 mile Women's Race this Saturday. My running has suffered due to our busy summer schedule and the recent heat/humidity we've been having. I know I can do the 4 miles, but what I am nervous about is the fact that - once again - I will be coming in last. It isn't that I am embarassed about my slow speed, it is just hard to know that everyone is waiting on you. Luckily, what makes me feel better is that the women runners in this town (and most of the males as well) are UBER supportive!
My husband is a member of the local running club and is even a member of their board. So he knows just about everyone that runs locally and through him I've met a lot of runners myself. I feel so priviledged to know these women - who are older, faster, smarter, nicer runners than me! They're my heros and mentors and they serve to encourage me through every single step of my running. So it is difficult when I know that I am going to be SO slow, I don't want to disappoint them. Yes, yes - I know - they're probably just happy to see me out there running, no matter the speed. I know that. It is just hard to believe - which is why these women are SO amazing to me.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
What?!? Fans??
Woah. I've been absent for a while, I know. But somehow I stumbled back onto my blog today, I'm not sure why. Lo and behold, I see that I've racked up a few comments from people during my absence! Woah. It looks like I have some fans, haha. Who knew?! Well, after seeing that discovery, I've been inspired to write again and dare I say it...maybe even RUN again! Oh the shock!
So thank you to megan hall, wendy, pamela ann and runmomma - thank you for kicking me in the ass today!! :-)
Oookay, down to business. I have 2 races coming up and I have not run (not even one mile) in weeks! EEEK!!! I am signed up to do a 4 mile women's race on July 19th, so that's in um, 10 days. Then I am also registered to do a 10 mile race the following weekend on July 26th. What the hell was I thinking when I mailed in those registration forms?! Oh, I know...I was thinking that I better sign up for races this summer so that I wouldn't lose my motivation to run! HA! So much for that plan. Well, now it is dangerously close to these dates and I really need to get my neglected butt out the door.
After dark (and after the humidity subsides) tonight I am going to do a 2 mile run. No excuses. I know that I am going to come in last in both of these races and I'd atleast like to do it with some dignity, haha.
In other news, I am on a new kick lately: buying a bicycle. I haven't had a working bike for about 6 years and I really miss the freedom of hopping on one to just go short distances. Also, I feel a little (okay, A LOT) guilty about driving my fat ass to work everyday for 2.5 miles and then paying $10 for parking. I know, I know. If you want to blame someone for gas prices or global warming or whatever - I'll take it. Totally deserve it.
So anyway, these are the bikes I've been looking at:
Trek Pure Lowstep
Electra Women's Townie 7D
Aren't they so adorable!? I am headed over to the bike shop tonight to give them a spin. I figure that the extra exercise of riding to work 3 days a week couldn't hurt my sorry state. I am very excited!! Hey who knows - maybe next I'll try swimming and before you know it, I will be doing an Ironman!!! AHHHH HAHAHAHAAA.
So thank you to megan hall, wendy, pamela ann and runmomma - thank you for kicking me in the ass today!! :-)
Oookay, down to business. I have 2 races coming up and I have not run (not even one mile) in weeks! EEEK!!! I am signed up to do a 4 mile women's race on July 19th, so that's in um, 10 days. Then I am also registered to do a 10 mile race the following weekend on July 26th. What the hell was I thinking when I mailed in those registration forms?! Oh, I know...I was thinking that I better sign up for races this summer so that I wouldn't lose my motivation to run! HA! So much for that plan. Well, now it is dangerously close to these dates and I really need to get my neglected butt out the door.
After dark (and after the humidity subsides) tonight I am going to do a 2 mile run. No excuses. I know that I am going to come in last in both of these races and I'd atleast like to do it with some dignity, haha.
In other news, I am on a new kick lately: buying a bicycle. I haven't had a working bike for about 6 years and I really miss the freedom of hopping on one to just go short distances. Also, I feel a little (okay, A LOT) guilty about driving my fat ass to work everyday for 2.5 miles and then paying $10 for parking. I know, I know. If you want to blame someone for gas prices or global warming or whatever - I'll take it. Totally deserve it.
So anyway, these are the bikes I've been looking at:
Trek Pure Lowstep
Electra Women's Townie 7D
Aren't they so adorable!? I am headed over to the bike shop tonight to give them a spin. I figure that the extra exercise of riding to work 3 days a week couldn't hurt my sorry state. I am very excited!! Hey who knows - maybe next I'll try swimming and before you know it, I will be doing an Ironman!!! AHHHH HAHAHAHAAA.
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