The theory: Morning pedaling invigorates the body with fresh ram air intake reducing the physical complaints incurred from daily existence within the unnatural environment created by human culture named ‘office’.
Don’t misunderstand. Having been in my current employment only 3 months I don’t know enough to distinguish anything bad. Everyone is friendly. I have my own office and the co-workers are all intelligent active eccentric geeks. It’s great!
For plausible corroboration, I offer these 2 incidents. Yesterday I rode in a car to work. I also had a sinus headache All day. Last Thursday I also drove. The entire day I was slightly peaked and droopy wishing for a nap.
What do ya think? Is there correlation between sensations of general physical malaise and lack of pedaling? Do I subconsciously feel less then 100% because I know I am planning not to pedal? Or do I unintentionally elect to drive when subliminal precursors are predicative of an encroaching minor ailment? Do you notice differences in physical/mental abilities on the days you exercise vs off days?
Maybe I should simply expand this thought to any morning exercise…
I read a intersting article here written by an individual trying to have 50 car-free days this year. Changing a habit and planning instead of blindly leaning on convenience takes work and determination. This goal is cool for various raison d'êtres!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
My 5 K
Perhaps I am almost a duoathete( is this even a word??) now.
Friday at lunch I pedaled over to pick-up my ‘race packet’. Good thing for me that Brett was also picking up his half mary packet, so he could tell me I actually needed 4 of those safety pins I had been wondering about. On the way back I learned how to jump off curbs on my bike! But I didn’t quiet manage the popping up onto a curb and hill (Some one could have won a funny video contest taping my attempt!)
The ‘race packet’ contained 2 coupons for buy one get one or free smoothies, information for an upcoming 5 K, information to join training group for a fee, the photo company’s website, a number, and the T.
Sat night, I got my gear ready, just as if I was pedaling to work. I had mapped my route. It was actually less miles then I pedal to work so I planned to pedal there & back. I had an apple, string cheese & water along with a spare pair of new tevas.
The sun was up already when I woke up. This was wrong! Like a goober I had set my cell alarm for p.m. !! After I finished steaming at myself, I got dressed. I had paid for my 5K and T-shirt and I was going to earn them! Otherwise I wouldn’t really have the right to wear it.
I pedaled up to the Kroger grocery, looped back, tossed the bike into the doorway, then walked over to the jr high were I have been doing my walking. I walked 3.5 miles. Then I pulled the bike back out and recreated my earlier loop to the grocery store.
My knees and feet bottoms were sore when I got home, but I didn’t feel too bad. I guzzled some water, made corned beef hash whole wheat tacos for lunch with a glass of milk, and then I took a Long nap. At least I had a quiet social life until I started using all this time to exercise a little….
I am disappointed that I missed the excitement and people watching available at the actual event! Hopefully my solitary actions simulated the event well enough that I can wear the T shirt…. Let’s hope that next time I set the alarm correctly!
The next one is April 5th for the school of rural public health on tamu campus.
Friday at lunch I pedaled over to pick-up my ‘race packet’. Good thing for me that Brett was also picking up his half mary packet, so he could tell me I actually needed 4 of those safety pins I had been wondering about. On the way back I learned how to jump off curbs on my bike! But I didn’t quiet manage the popping up onto a curb and hill (Some one could have won a funny video contest taping my attempt!)
The ‘race packet’ contained 2 coupons for buy one get one or free smoothies, information for an upcoming 5 K, information to join training group for a fee, the photo company’s website, a number, and the T.
Sat night, I got my gear ready, just as if I was pedaling to work. I had mapped my route. It was actually less miles then I pedal to work so I planned to pedal there & back. I had an apple, string cheese & water along with a spare pair of new tevas.
The sun was up already when I woke up. This was wrong! Like a goober I had set my cell alarm for p.m. !! After I finished steaming at myself, I got dressed. I had paid for my 5K and T-shirt and I was going to earn them! Otherwise I wouldn’t really have the right to wear it.
I pedaled up to the Kroger grocery, looped back, tossed the bike into the doorway, then walked over to the jr high were I have been doing my walking. I walked 3.5 miles. Then I pulled the bike back out and recreated my earlier loop to the grocery store.
My knees and feet bottoms were sore when I got home, but I didn’t feel too bad. I guzzled some water, made corned beef hash whole wheat tacos for lunch with a glass of milk, and then I took a Long nap. At least I had a quiet social life until I started using all this time to exercise a little….
I am disappointed that I missed the excitement and people watching available at the actual event! Hopefully my solitary actions simulated the event well enough that I can wear the T shirt…. Let’s hope that next time I set the alarm correctly!
The next one is April 5th for the school of rural public health on tamu campus.
Black Hole Bike, Black Hole Bike
Thursday I dropped The Beast off at the LBS. I was finally putting mountain bike slicks filled with slime on it. Practically since day one I had been hearing how this would ease my daily 16 mile commute and in turn increase my speed. Luckily I found a 10 % coupon online so instead of $70 it was $63. Thus Black Hole BIKE! Am I pouring $$ in a black hole, trying to improve the Yugo, when wishing for the engineering of a BMW or the useability of a Honda Element.
I did go back in and get my mountain bike tires from them… they are now hanging up high in my closet…Now I have random spare bike parts! Ha! Hopefully this is the last modify or maintenance needed until Dec when I am ready to get either a better commuter bike, or maybe some kind of bike that can be a commuter and a road bike.(used or new). Turns out the tires weren’t the slickest... and once again the service level is less, when I go in the shop alone rather then if I go with some established bike (tri) folks.
The tires are quieter! The ease of pedaling doesn’t seem significant how there are too many variables to really state this as complete truth. My pedal home on Friday was grueling, but I am usually tired by Friday And I didn’t even leave work until 5:26. Pedaling home my feet were hurting. Near the end, so badly that I was almost ready to cry! I was wearing the same Nikes I have been wearing for the majority of my pedaling and walk/running. Any ideas of the sore feet issue? They have been sore before, but this time they were so sore they felt as if they were Burning! I do have a pair of Teva river shoes.. I am going to try those. I also noticed that they hurt less when wearing any of my Vans. Any thoughts here?
I did go back in and get my mountain bike tires from them… they are now hanging up high in my closet…Now I have random spare bike parts! Ha! Hopefully this is the last modify or maintenance needed until Dec when I am ready to get either a better commuter bike, or maybe some kind of bike that can be a commuter and a road bike.(used or new). Turns out the tires weren’t the slickest... and once again the service level is less, when I go in the shop alone rather then if I go with some established bike (tri) folks.
The tires are quieter! The ease of pedaling doesn’t seem significant how there are too many variables to really state this as complete truth. My pedal home on Friday was grueling, but I am usually tired by Friday And I didn’t even leave work until 5:26. Pedaling home my feet were hurting. Near the end, so badly that I was almost ready to cry! I was wearing the same Nikes I have been wearing for the majority of my pedaling and walk/running. Any ideas of the sore feet issue? They have been sore before, but this time they were so sore they felt as if they were Burning! I do have a pair of Teva river shoes.. I am going to try those. I also noticed that they hurt less when wearing any of my Vans. Any thoughts here?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
What I've Learned
Participating in that social ride on Sunday gave my week some miles! Last week I pedaled a little over 80 miles. AND am still alive ready for more!
It’s been almost 2 months since I started bike commuting to work. Here’s what I have learned
- It’s not the pedaling that takes that much longer.. it’s the preparation and planning for the next day
- If I eat an oatmeal breakfast, I will burp the 8 miles to work, so I have a drink of milk.( then I have tea and fruit at work)
- Pump your bike tires at least once per week!
- Be BOLD. Know the traffic rules and hold yourself to them. No Sidewalk for me(if there was one… ha)
- There is No non-awkward method for pushing your bike & you out the office door!
- Leave a pair of skivvies (or an entire outfit) at work. There will be a day you go commando unplanned otherwise!!
- The guy slowing down to make comments really needs to get out More!
- Once the a.m. temp hits 42 degrees, it’s too warm to pedal in an Arron sweater.
- Co-Workers, Friends are going to think you are Nuts! But they already love me because of my quirky intelligence (or are waiting for my alien antennae to be exposed)! So I just tell them I Like it.. and smile into their astounded faces.
- Listen to everyone’s reasonable comments, try their advice! Settle into the combination that works for you.
- If I can pedal my lard-a** 16 miles per day. ANYONE CAN! Really! I am lugging enough extra around to basically make another one of me…. So Biking is an excellent low-impact aerobic activity, and by making the biking have a purpose (aside from reducing my lard a**) I will actually do it!
It’s important to note; when I initially began bike commuting the only ‘real’ cyclists I saw were the ones with all the fancy spandex, legs spinning madly, on a sleek skinny steed. Now I am realizing, I am simply a different breed of ‘cyclist’. Perhaps a more eco-friendly one. I am using the free 46lb bike, integrating pedaling into a lifestyle change. A Zen pedal path to work. My bike is a tool for daily simplification, contemplation and transportation.
Luckily for me, a really famous man, based a few hours away, feels commuter cycling is ‘real’ too. Lance Armstrong is opening a bike shop for urban & commuter bike gear, along with racing and mountain bikes. Check out the article here. Maybe I can buy my new bike there. in Dec(or pout it on layaway!!)
It’s been almost 2 months since I started bike commuting to work. Here’s what I have learned
- It’s not the pedaling that takes that much longer.. it’s the preparation and planning for the next day
- If I eat an oatmeal breakfast, I will burp the 8 miles to work, so I have a drink of milk.( then I have tea and fruit at work)
- Pump your bike tires at least once per week!
- Be BOLD. Know the traffic rules and hold yourself to them. No Sidewalk for me(if there was one… ha)
- There is No non-awkward method for pushing your bike & you out the office door!
- Leave a pair of skivvies (or an entire outfit) at work. There will be a day you go commando unplanned otherwise!!
- The guy slowing down to make comments really needs to get out More!
- Once the a.m. temp hits 42 degrees, it’s too warm to pedal in an Arron sweater.
- Co-Workers, Friends are going to think you are Nuts! But they already love me because of my quirky intelligence (or are waiting for my alien antennae to be exposed)! So I just tell them I Like it.. and smile into their astounded faces.
- Listen to everyone’s reasonable comments, try their advice! Settle into the combination that works for you.
- If I can pedal my lard-a** 16 miles per day. ANYONE CAN! Really! I am lugging enough extra around to basically make another one of me…. So Biking is an excellent low-impact aerobic activity, and by making the biking have a purpose (aside from reducing my lard a**) I will actually do it!
It’s important to note; when I initially began bike commuting the only ‘real’ cyclists I saw were the ones with all the fancy spandex, legs spinning madly, on a sleek skinny steed. Now I am realizing, I am simply a different breed of ‘cyclist’. Perhaps a more eco-friendly one. I am using the free 46lb bike, integrating pedaling into a lifestyle change. A Zen pedal path to work. My bike is a tool for daily simplification, contemplation and transportation.
Luckily for me, a really famous man, based a few hours away, feels commuter cycling is ‘real’ too. Lance Armstrong is opening a bike shop for urban & commuter bike gear, along with racing and mountain bikes. Check out the article here. Maybe I can buy my new bike there. in Dec(or pout it on layaway!!)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
It’s Official: I am a CYCLIST
Cyclist: Quirky individual that pedals a bicycle either alone or more commonly with a loosely organized group with no specific destination determined aside from the act of pedaling.
Sunday morning, I moaned my way to the edge of the bed at the same time I do for the weekly routine. After a shower & a gulp of soy(iccckk but I have to finish it!)milk I was ready. The Beast was already pointed towards the door. I pedaled off into the humid predawn murk going slow. I needed to conserve my energy the first 6 miles. 30 minutes later I was at destination 1.
At Coffee Station, I meet members of a local cycling club as they lounged about sipping gratuitous coffee preparing to pedal either the 10 mile urban route or the 40 mile county route. Aside from the ride organizer, his wife & myself… everyone was spandexed out in bike specific gear. I really admired a riders pink arm warmers! Oddly enough, I was the only one that pedaled to the ride (even the urban route folks drove their bikes to the meet-up). This was the unofficial inaugural for the BCS Worst Day Ride. Ironically the weather was perfect! I even won a door prize that no-one lese needed!. Our LBS had donated a blinky light! The 2 small groups collected their maps and people and peeled off.
With curiosity and trepidations, I hopped on my steed set to explore the alternate universe of companionable pedaling. Curious because I have never ridden with anyone else (unless you count when I was a kid with a dirt bike). Concerned that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, or would somehow make a grand fool of myself! After a brief review of urban biking we left the parking lot at a reasonable pace (for me).
So far so good. We stopped at every stop sign, we hit every red light. We streamed single file along the bike lanes. Conversation with other riders wasn’t improbable. Pedaling and speed was consistent regardless of slope. About 20 minutes into it I was beginning to breathe a little harder & my legs were aware that I was pedaling faster then usual. An individual training to be a ride marshal, laughed at my nemesis, hill #2.
We left the streets for paved bike paths thru parks. Pedaling thru the park was pretty! Even if I did almost take out a light pole that jumped in front of me!! Close to the end we encountered a steady slope and a short ugly hill. I huffed up it! Cofffee Station back in sight, we coasted down hill across my scary intersection and into the parking lot.
We averaged a speed of 9 mph (according to the ride marshal’s computer). The speed seemed consistent to me throughout the ride. I learned: that consistency makes you work harder! On my commute to and from work, my speed is Not consistent. I pedal faster/harder on level ground/downhill. I slow down going up those sneaky gradual inclines. I coast when I need to breathe. I like riding in groups for no reason at all aside from enjoying a nice day!
After a brief rest and a snack inside, everyone loaded their bikes and turned for home. I pointed The Beast north and started slowly pedaling the 6 miles home. After passing some turtles basking in the sun I pulled into my drive around 11:20. I had pedaled 22 miles!
I didn’t even feel too bad. After an hour off the bike my legs felt normal. I did have some bad coughing for about 20 minutes. It’s like my lungs get annoyed from doing all that breathing.
Thanks to Coffee Station for providing the meet-up & free coffee (for the caffeine addicts!) Thanks to Aggieland Cycling for providing door prizes. Thanks to Brett for pulling the idea from KBoo. Thanks for the cyclists I meet for not commenting on The Beast!!
So while I may not yet have all the gear…. It seems I have morphed into a cyclist. (ok, it's a lousy picture of me after the ride, but in the other one I am headless yet pedaling!)
On the ugly side I still have that 5K on the 24th… I still can’t run 3 miles but my goal is finishing and surviving.
Monday morning found me pedaling in my normal commute.
Last week I bike commuted to work 56 miles.
Sunday morning, I moaned my way to the edge of the bed at the same time I do for the weekly routine. After a shower & a gulp of soy(iccckk but I have to finish it!)milk I was ready. The Beast was already pointed towards the door. I pedaled off into the humid predawn murk going slow. I needed to conserve my energy the first 6 miles. 30 minutes later I was at destination 1.
At Coffee Station, I meet members of a local cycling club as they lounged about sipping gratuitous coffee preparing to pedal either the 10 mile urban route or the 40 mile county route. Aside from the ride organizer, his wife & myself… everyone was spandexed out in bike specific gear. I really admired a riders pink arm warmers! Oddly enough, I was the only one that pedaled to the ride (even the urban route folks drove their bikes to the meet-up). This was the unofficial inaugural for the BCS Worst Day Ride. Ironically the weather was perfect! I even won a door prize that no-one lese needed!. Our LBS had donated a blinky light! The 2 small groups collected their maps and people and peeled off.
With curiosity and trepidations, I hopped on my steed set to explore the alternate universe of companionable pedaling. Curious because I have never ridden with anyone else (unless you count when I was a kid with a dirt bike). Concerned that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, or would somehow make a grand fool of myself! After a brief review of urban biking we left the parking lot at a reasonable pace (for me).
So far so good. We stopped at every stop sign, we hit every red light. We streamed single file along the bike lanes. Conversation with other riders wasn’t improbable. Pedaling and speed was consistent regardless of slope. About 20 minutes into it I was beginning to breathe a little harder & my legs were aware that I was pedaling faster then usual. An individual training to be a ride marshal, laughed at my nemesis, hill #2.
We left the streets for paved bike paths thru parks. Pedaling thru the park was pretty! Even if I did almost take out a light pole that jumped in front of me!! Close to the end we encountered a steady slope and a short ugly hill. I huffed up it! Cofffee Station back in sight, we coasted down hill across my scary intersection and into the parking lot.
We averaged a speed of 9 mph (according to the ride marshal’s computer). The speed seemed consistent to me throughout the ride. I learned: that consistency makes you work harder! On my commute to and from work, my speed is Not consistent. I pedal faster/harder on level ground/downhill. I slow down going up those sneaky gradual inclines. I coast when I need to breathe. I like riding in groups for no reason at all aside from enjoying a nice day!
After a brief rest and a snack inside, everyone loaded their bikes and turned for home. I pointed The Beast north and started slowly pedaling the 6 miles home. After passing some turtles basking in the sun I pulled into my drive around 11:20. I had pedaled 22 miles!I didn’t even feel too bad. After an hour off the bike my legs felt normal. I did have some bad coughing for about 20 minutes. It’s like my lungs get annoyed from doing all that breathing.
Thanks to Coffee Station for providing the meet-up & free coffee (for the caffeine addicts!) Thanks to Aggieland Cycling for providing door prizes. Thanks to Brett for pulling the idea from KBoo. Thanks for the cyclists I meet for not commenting on The Beast!!
So while I may not yet have all the gear…. It seems I have morphed into a cyclist. (ok, it's a lousy picture of me after the ride, but in the other one I am headless yet pedaling!)
On the ugly side I still have that 5K on the 24th… I still can’t run 3 miles but my goal is finishing and surviving.
Monday morning found me pedaling in my normal commute.
Last week I bike commuted to work 56 miles.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Dark & Bamboo
Yesterday, I stayed late after work to learn a little more regarding servers & reboots… Pedaling in full dark in the morning is very different from pedaling in full dark at 6:40 in the evening!
In the morning when I set out, it is dark. Quiet, peaceful cozy homes cocooned warmly in the shadows. The train whistles convivially in the distance. I can hear birds beginning to stir and chirp over the hum of my extra knobby tires. Dawn either coasts thru the steely grey clouds, or glimmers pinkly with gradually increasing luminosity.
Evening dark is scary! Filled with the sinister sound of dually trucks careening down the road while the driver is arguing on a cell phone. My familiarity with the route evaporated with the last gleam of daylight. It felt like cars were breathing right against my legs. At almost halfway, my front lights dimmed then went out! I kept pedaling as I was going thru mostly student housing apartments. Then I realized my county style road was ahead! No Shoulders. No Sidewalk. No Streetlamps. Curvy, twisty, bumpy tar & gravel (it sure doesn’t feel like sealcoat!) I chickened out. At the next streetlamp, I called a friend & asked for a ride the rest of the way home… Its a true friend that will pick you up, bike & all!
By Thursday.. I am feeling a little tired & slow on the pedal, but I made it! I have to be ready after all. I am doing the Worst Day urban ride this Sunday!
The car analogy regarding bikes must continue…
Look at this Bamboo Bike that the rider made for himself! Pretty awesome! Bamboo is sustainable thus I admire innovative uses of it. But how to add some retro or functional art to it so it might be more like an old 40-50s beautiful car. The bamboo can sub for a burl dash… With chrome brackets (lugs I think they are called) subbing for curvy chrome. Then how about metal fenders primered for paint then paint an impressionistic flowerery design or a random eclectic image on them myself (I am no artist!! or get a friend who it to paint them!!) And as I am not up to a fixey or a single speed bike yet… Somehow I will need brakes, 7-10 gears, and baskets or a system for lugging my work clothes/grocery around! And get a bike helmet to paint to match the fenders!! I wonder how difficult it would be to get the frame together??? OK I am almost finished daydreaming.
At lunch I tagged along to one of the LBS. Have you ever noticed the distinct aromas of a bike shop? It’s a nice smell. Very different then an auto shop, yet related. The scent of new rubber, grease… some other flavours that I don’t know the name of. Like an auto shop, or a feed store; it is a happy smell. I got on & pedaled the Electra Daisy Orange (the air-cooled vw of bikes!). In a skirt & low heels. The bike shop guy hopped on & spun around the parking lot tempting me!!
Pedal home should be tough as I am tired & the wind is against me 10mph NNW but the weather is perfect!. AND I am going back to mooo juice.. World herd size be darned.... organic milk is Amazing Maybe I will try the 1%.. I can’t stand drinking the light vanilla soy! If women need soy protein I will have to get mine some other way.
Evening dark is scary! Filled with the sinister sound of dually trucks careening down the road while the driver is arguing on a cell phone. My familiarity with the route evaporated with the last gleam of daylight. It felt like cars were breathing right against my legs. At almost halfway, my front lights dimmed then went out! I kept pedaling as I was going thru mostly student housing apartments. Then I realized my county style road was ahead! No Shoulders. No Sidewalk. No Streetlamps. Curvy, twisty, bumpy tar & gravel (it sure doesn’t feel like sealcoat!) I chickened out. At the next streetlamp, I called a friend & asked for a ride the rest of the way home… Its a true friend that will pick you up, bike & all!
By Thursday.. I am feeling a little tired & slow on the pedal, but I made it! I have to be ready after all. I am doing the Worst Day urban ride this Sunday!
The car analogy regarding bikes must continue…
Look at this Bamboo Bike that the rider made for himself! Pretty awesome! Bamboo is sustainable thus I admire innovative uses of it. But how to add some retro or functional art to it so it might be more like an old 40-50s beautiful car. The bamboo can sub for a burl dash… With chrome brackets (lugs I think they are called) subbing for curvy chrome. Then how about metal fenders primered for paint then paint an impressionistic flowerery design or a random eclectic image on them myself (I am no artist!! or get a friend who it to paint them!!) And as I am not up to a fixey or a single speed bike yet… Somehow I will need brakes, 7-10 gears, and baskets or a system for lugging my work clothes/grocery around! And get a bike helmet to paint to match the fenders!! I wonder how difficult it would be to get the frame together??? OK I am almost finished daydreaming.At lunch I tagged along to one of the LBS. Have you ever noticed the distinct aromas of a bike shop? It’s a nice smell. Very different then an auto shop, yet related. The scent of new rubber, grease… some other flavours that I don’t know the name of. Like an auto shop, or a feed store; it is a happy smell. I got on & pedaled the Electra Daisy Orange (the air-cooled vw of bikes!). In a skirt & low heels. The bike shop guy hopped on & spun around the parking lot tempting me!!
Pedal home should be tough as I am tired & the wind is against me 10mph NNW but the weather is perfect!. AND I am going back to mooo juice.. World herd size be darned.... organic milk is Amazing Maybe I will try the 1%.. I can’t stand drinking the light vanilla soy! If women need soy protein I will have to get mine some other way.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Soy or Moo Milk?
It appears I have lost the interest of the few readers whom have been offering me encouragement & tips from their own experiences. I’ll just have to keep plugging on.
I pedaled in today. The air was a moist & slimy damp morning with temp at 68 degrees, humidity 89% and the winds half way against me at 12 mph SSW. I left 10 minutes earlier then usual, on purpose, planning pedal slow (hoping not to arrive dripping wet). Left at 6:42, arrived at 7:27.
I used my new sports bra!! Its almost a shame to spend so much on something that is ugly... and no one will see! While it will do for biking, it is in no way capable of handling the job for jogging! DANG. Well I guess I will be ordering a $$ affair I saw on TitleNineSports web page. They called it a 5 barbell Bra, "The Last Resort".
I hope to pedal home. It might rain. Of course the Wind is going to flip... so it will be against me going home too! Forecast is 75, 50% humidity, Winds either 16 mph SSW, or 13 mph NW.
I HAVE to walk/run tonight too! It is only 2.5 weeks till that 5K! It seemed like such a good idea when I was paying for it online…
SOY or COW milk?? What do you drink? I LOVE cow milk. (Well, actually I would be drinking half & half… if it wasn’t incredibly bad for me! (This may originate from getting milk delivered daily in the glass bottles with thick cream on the top, when I was overseas.) I manage to drink the 2%. I do use real cream in my 1 cuppa tea.
This weekend I purchased the light vanilla Soy milk I figured it was closest to 2% .No creamy consistency eixists. I guess it’s not bad. Some articles I have read discuss that women need X grams of soy protein per day… Other things discuss how moo milk is the ultimate after workout drink… If you look at it environmentally; reducing consumption of any cow associated product, may overall diminish the need for cows, thus shrinking the world herd, reducing bovine contribution to the ozone issue. On the other hand, the majority of the soy milks I looked at were Not organically produced (the labels did say ‘natural’.) I know that if I have soy milk in the house…I probably won’t drink as much milk as I have yet to adjust to the texture/flavour. So what do you drink Soy or Moo & why?
And what’s the deal with the selection of 8 thousand “power/protein/sports bars….? I walked down that aisle at the grocery store And could not believe it! Now I know why I stick to the little organic section. There can be such a thing as too much choice!
I pedaled in today. The air was a moist & slimy damp morning with temp at 68 degrees, humidity 89% and the winds half way against me at 12 mph SSW. I left 10 minutes earlier then usual, on purpose, planning pedal slow (hoping not to arrive dripping wet). Left at 6:42, arrived at 7:27.
I used my new sports bra!! Its almost a shame to spend so much on something that is ugly... and no one will see! While it will do for biking, it is in no way capable of handling the job for jogging! DANG. Well I guess I will be ordering a $$ affair I saw on TitleNineSports web page. They called it a 5 barbell Bra, "The Last Resort".
I hope to pedal home. It might rain. Of course the Wind is going to flip... so it will be against me going home too! Forecast is 75, 50% humidity, Winds either 16 mph SSW, or 13 mph NW.
I HAVE to walk/run tonight too! It is only 2.5 weeks till that 5K! It seemed like such a good idea when I was paying for it online…
SOY or COW milk?? What do you drink? I LOVE cow milk. (Well, actually I would be drinking half & half… if it wasn’t incredibly bad for me! (This may originate from getting milk delivered daily in the glass bottles with thick cream on the top, when I was overseas.) I manage to drink the 2%. I do use real cream in my 1 cuppa tea.
This weekend I purchased the light vanilla Soy milk I figured it was closest to 2% .No creamy consistency eixists. I guess it’s not bad. Some articles I have read discuss that women need X grams of soy protein per day… Other things discuss how moo milk is the ultimate after workout drink… If you look at it environmentally; reducing consumption of any cow associated product, may overall diminish the need for cows, thus shrinking the world herd, reducing bovine contribution to the ozone issue. On the other hand, the majority of the soy milks I looked at were Not organically produced (the labels did say ‘natural’.) I know that if I have soy milk in the house…I probably won’t drink as much milk as I have yet to adjust to the texture/flavour. So what do you drink Soy or Moo & why?
And what’s the deal with the selection of 8 thousand “power/protein/sports bars….? I walked down that aisle at the grocery store And could not believe it! Now I know why I stick to the little organic section. There can be such a thing as too much choice!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Fell Off the Wagon (eerrrrr bicycle) This Weekend
My almost routine…. went right out the window this weekend. And food and chocolate went in.
Something occurred that unexpectedly upset me. Something didn’t occur that I was curiously anticipating. (Nothing major which makes me feel even sillier) Something I thought I could avoid snuck up on me anyway.
After a surprising disappointment and a silly disappointment, I wished my granny was around to talk with. She was a tough Ukrainian émigré, raised in the Yukon, till she meet my Air Force grandpa & married him. By the time I was around, she was running an East Texas farm, full of down-to-earth hard earned wisdom. We didn’t always understand or agree, but we always loved one another. The last few years of her life, I was lucky enough to live a couple of miles around the corner from her.
This week is the anniversary of her murder. The subconscious never forgets, even if your conscious is letting you pretend. I thought I was going to sneak by it. Be completely over it… Traumatic memories don’t loose clarity with time. When you are home alone, one can’t maintain illusion, if no one is there to observe. The most celerity way I can cope is to set a time limit and allow myself to immerse into the depths of poignant katzenjammer.
I wallowed. I napped (had nightmares really), cried, only spoke to one person(for less then 1 minute) on Sun. I ate pizza, tapioca, toast, home made hot chocolate full marshmallows, Baileys, Guinness.
What do you do to force yourself out to exercise when your heart is heavy? Do you work thru it or allow yourself the day to wallow?
Nothing for it but to develop a deeper understanding of self and to get back on the wagon (or bike in this case!)! This ought to be proof that I can be an emotional eater… And that emotion plays a huge part in ability. Success in my case will have to stem from completing an action (like exercise or refraining from eating/overeating) in spite of poor emotions. After all I did pay for that 5K, so I AM going to complete it!
Tomorrow’s another day. Opportunity for another beginning at my new routine.
Something occurred that unexpectedly upset me. Something didn’t occur that I was curiously anticipating. (Nothing major which makes me feel even sillier) Something I thought I could avoid snuck up on me anyway.
After a surprising disappointment and a silly disappointment, I wished my granny was around to talk with. She was a tough Ukrainian émigré, raised in the Yukon, till she meet my Air Force grandpa & married him. By the time I was around, she was running an East Texas farm, full of down-to-earth hard earned wisdom. We didn’t always understand or agree, but we always loved one another. The last few years of her life, I was lucky enough to live a couple of miles around the corner from her.
This week is the anniversary of her murder. The subconscious never forgets, even if your conscious is letting you pretend. I thought I was going to sneak by it. Be completely over it… Traumatic memories don’t loose clarity with time. When you are home alone, one can’t maintain illusion, if no one is there to observe. The most celerity way I can cope is to set a time limit and allow myself to immerse into the depths of poignant katzenjammer.
I wallowed. I napped (had nightmares really), cried, only spoke to one person(for less then 1 minute) on Sun. I ate pizza, tapioca, toast, home made hot chocolate full marshmallows, Baileys, Guinness.
What do you do to force yourself out to exercise when your heart is heavy? Do you work thru it or allow yourself the day to wallow?
Nothing for it but to develop a deeper understanding of self and to get back on the wagon (or bike in this case!)! This ought to be proof that I can be an emotional eater… And that emotion plays a huge part in ability. Success in my case will have to stem from completing an action (like exercise or refraining from eating/overeating) in spite of poor emotions. After all I did pay for that 5K, so I AM going to complete it!
Tomorrow’s another day. Opportunity for another beginning at my new routine.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Almost Routine
A few degrees is a difference you can feel. When I rolled out of the drive this morning, air temp was 30, humidity 45%, wind was less then 5 mph. That was the coldest I have pedaled yet. I still wore the usual get –up, however I could feel prickly fingers of cold getting into the aaron sweater & renewed my wish to find ear warmers. I left @ 6:52 & was in the office @ 7:28.
Sun-up is starting a bit sooner; I almost don’t need lights when leaving in the mornings. Since it was clear, I expected to see some of the people I normally do, yet I saw no one. Frost on the ground must have kept them in. My chain came off on the second hill, so I walked the rest of the way to the top, and then pulled it back on. This morning I rode like a car thru the one intersection that I have been pushing the walk button to light on! This intersection has scared me because it isn’t a straight across. You have to turn off the road you are into the intersecting road for about 15 truck lengths, and then turn back onto the road you are really on. It is messy with multiple lanes, both directions and curving low barriers. The structural flow and traffic density is actually worse on the way home.. so we shall see If I am brave enough to try it! All in all bike commuting is almost routine.
I will have bike commuted 56 miles this week after I ride home thos afternoon!(got a ride home T, & both ways on R). I have been bike commuting 1 month!
I am trying to come up with an easy 20 mile bike ride for tomorrow… but me being me .. I am trying to find a place I want/need to go that is 10 miles away as I tend do things better when I have a reason…(maybe I will try pedaling to academy/gander mountain to look for ear warmers/sports bras.) One reason I need to do this is I don’t think I am getting any better dealing with my 2 hills, the other is a non-official 10 mile worst day urban bike ride I am doing next week.( I am kinda excited about this.. asI dont know anyone aside from Brett that rides a bike. plus I have never ridden with any other people, so I will get to eyeball their bikes.)
On a large side note. I heard NPR announce that Exxon has posted its largest earning Ever! (Here’s a link from CNN) This is the same company that still owes money for the Valdez spill in Alaska, and for the fires in western Louisiana few years ago. So a hidden benefit to bike commuting is less of my money to the petroleum industry. (Even if I have always avoided fueling at Exxon, you can’t always tell as facilities selling ‘store brand’ fuel can contract their purchases from any where.)
Sun-up is starting a bit sooner; I almost don’t need lights when leaving in the mornings. Since it was clear, I expected to see some of the people I normally do, yet I saw no one. Frost on the ground must have kept them in. My chain came off on the second hill, so I walked the rest of the way to the top, and then pulled it back on. This morning I rode like a car thru the one intersection that I have been pushing the walk button to light on! This intersection has scared me because it isn’t a straight across. You have to turn off the road you are into the intersecting road for about 15 truck lengths, and then turn back onto the road you are really on. It is messy with multiple lanes, both directions and curving low barriers. The structural flow and traffic density is actually worse on the way home.. so we shall see If I am brave enough to try it! All in all bike commuting is almost routine.
I will have bike commuted 56 miles this week after I ride home thos afternoon!(got a ride home T, & both ways on R). I have been bike commuting 1 month!
I am trying to come up with an easy 20 mile bike ride for tomorrow… but me being me .. I am trying to find a place I want/need to go that is 10 miles away as I tend do things better when I have a reason…(maybe I will try pedaling to academy/gander mountain to look for ear warmers/sports bras.) One reason I need to do this is I don’t think I am getting any better dealing with my 2 hills, the other is a non-official 10 mile worst day urban bike ride I am doing next week.( I am kinda excited about this.. asI dont know anyone aside from Brett that rides a bike. plus I have never ridden with any other people, so I will get to eyeball their bikes.)
On a large side note. I heard NPR announce that Exxon has posted its largest earning Ever! (Here’s a link from CNN) This is the same company that still owes money for the Valdez spill in Alaska, and for the fires in western Louisiana few years ago. So a hidden benefit to bike commuting is less of my money to the petroleum industry. (Even if I have always avoided fueling at Exxon, you can’t always tell as facilities selling ‘store brand’ fuel can contract their purchases from any where.)
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