Well it's been about a week, I know... "[I] suck", since I last posted here. I have been posting along with the brewer Thomas at The Art Of Brew somewhat more regularly, and as things settle in life a bit I will be hammering away at both Cycling Phun and The Art Of Brew. Then again, it is the winter in Ohio, really quite cold, and kinda crappy. Not a whole lot of riding going on right now to report. The weather has been just cold enough to suck, but just warm enough to be slushy snow and ground that won't freeze. Soft ground+cold rain=no bueno por ciclismo.
Luckily I have been getting back into core workouts (which, honestly, is a part of the reason the posts have been sparse), eating better and less, drinking less beer (surprisingly! I've really been writing about it more than I've been drinking it) and such, and it really is paying off. I can't promise once we get the brewery sculpture built I'll fair so well on the drinking part, but... Regardless of what might happen, right now I'm back on my way to some sort of fitness. I'm back down into the 180's, high 180's, but 180's nonetheless. I can already see the fat bump going away, and feel my abs tightening. The core exercises that were killing me just a week ago, now feel "good". I say "good", because I mean they've transitioned from the pain that lingers, to the lighter pain that turns to a really sweet-ass burn when resting.
I am actually at a point now, where I am SO anxious for the weather to break so I could start turning cranks again outdoors. Likewise, still looking to trade a set of rollers or sell a set of rollers so I can acquire a trainer. If you know of anyone who might be interested, use the "you can contact me by clicking here" button in the upper right hand corner of the sidebar on the right. Hope y'all are doing well, and thanks as always for your readership!
28 January 2010
19 January 2010
Positive Trending
OK, so it has been fifteen days since my last post, once again I will apologize and ask (nay, beg) that you please bear with me while I try to put my life in order. I have seen the official demise of the only cool bike shop within a forty minute drive, I have had countless issues with time, work has been so stagnant that algae is officially starting to grow on it, and there is nearly NOTHING keeping me motivated for shit! I know, I usually do my best to not use vulgarity in my posting but this is the real me. The real pissed off me. The one real advantage to this, is I have had some of the best motivation through my anger.
Example, some of my hardest riding has been right after a blow up over something, or generally bad event in my life getting me so hot that I just go out, put my head down and turn cranks. Arguably one of my best rides turned out like this. I got so zoned that I was staring in front of me, turning cranks, forgot where I was, looked down and I was pacing at about 20 MPH on a flat. I NEVER get up to 20, I usually hit the high end of my comfort zone at 17. Irregardless (Yes I know... I meant it... As an inside joke. It's a pet peeve of mine), anger motivates me.
I do have some positives going on right now. Like the trending down from a high of 195 right after the new year. I had a week of craziness with one of the kids in the hospital for emergency surgery (It's OK... problem solved, everyone is healthy!), and a crazy work schedule (both jobs) that lead to what I'd like to call "convenience eating". You know, when you eat what is convenient, not really what's good. Example, in the part-time job we had Wendy's. So, while we were locked out of the truck, we were sitting in Wendy's... and got a round of Frosty's. At the hospital, a place of health, a Chipotle-esque burrito, not wholly unhealthy, but then again it could be worse.
Bottom line is in the last two weeks, I have dropped back down five pounds, to an even 190. Not nearly as cool as the 179 all time low, but far better than continuing upward. One of the things I have learned is to pick my battles. I'm not going for getting back to perfect shape in a month, I'm going for slow and steady, and to be back as close to my optimal health by the time the snow melts and I'm on the road bike. For now, that means eating better again, and getting back into core workouts, strength workouts, adding in aerobic workouts and intervals, and rebuilding.
So, for now, there you have it! 190 and dropping. Hopefully this will become a trend.
Example, some of my hardest riding has been right after a blow up over something, or generally bad event in my life getting me so hot that I just go out, put my head down and turn cranks. Arguably one of my best rides turned out like this. I got so zoned that I was staring in front of me, turning cranks, forgot where I was, looked down and I was pacing at about 20 MPH on a flat. I NEVER get up to 20, I usually hit the high end of my comfort zone at 17. Irregardless (Yes I know... I meant it... As an inside joke. It's a pet peeve of mine), anger motivates me.
I do have some positives going on right now. Like the trending down from a high of 195 right after the new year. I had a week of craziness with one of the kids in the hospital for emergency surgery (It's OK... problem solved, everyone is healthy!), and a crazy work schedule (both jobs) that lead to what I'd like to call "convenience eating". You know, when you eat what is convenient, not really what's good. Example, in the part-time job we had Wendy's. So, while we were locked out of the truck, we were sitting in Wendy's... and got a round of Frosty's. At the hospital, a place of health, a Chipotle-esque burrito, not wholly unhealthy, but then again it could be worse.
Bottom line is in the last two weeks, I have dropped back down five pounds, to an even 190. Not nearly as cool as the 179 all time low, but far better than continuing upward. One of the things I have learned is to pick my battles. I'm not going for getting back to perfect shape in a month, I'm going for slow and steady, and to be back as close to my optimal health by the time the snow melts and I'm on the road bike. For now, that means eating better again, and getting back into core workouts, strength workouts, adding in aerobic workouts and intervals, and rebuilding.
So, for now, there you have it! 190 and dropping. Hopefully this will become a trend.
04 January 2010
Finally A Ride!
My only regret is that my camera officially took it's last proverbial breath. Sunday I got out in the 20ºf (3ºf with windchill), 30 MPH wind, with snow squalls weather that is a "beautiful" January day in Cleveland. I dropped the pressure in the Rockhopper to about 25 - 30 PSI and hit the trails. No worries, the trails are crushed lime, so there's no chance of tearing them up.
I was only out about an hour, and only got a couple miles at best, but in about a foot or so of fresh snow it was a little bit more of a challenge from what I remember last year. That is to say, by the time all was said and done I felt cooked! My legs were both frozen to the bone, and muscles burning at the same time. My lungs hurt from the cold, even with wearing a bandana, and every bit of me was as tense as I've felt in years. I actually wondered if it is the slip in fitness, the fact that I haven't been getting to the chiropractor, or a combination of the two.
I realize now, that I really need to get back to stepping up my game. I dread the thought of how crappy I'm going to be on hills, after I was getting so used to climbing. Sad part is, I have no one to blame but myself. Hopefully, I can find a few people in the Cleveland area in 2010 that will actually want to consistently ride. Only a couple people did Monday night rides with me consistently last year. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but you don't ride nearly as hard by yourself as you do with a person or persons.
Well, that's it for now. Hope everyone had a great new year, and I'll catch you soon.
I was only out about an hour, and only got a couple miles at best, but in about a foot or so of fresh snow it was a little bit more of a challenge from what I remember last year. That is to say, by the time all was said and done I felt cooked! My legs were both frozen to the bone, and muscles burning at the same time. My lungs hurt from the cold, even with wearing a bandana, and every bit of me was as tense as I've felt in years. I actually wondered if it is the slip in fitness, the fact that I haven't been getting to the chiropractor, or a combination of the two.
I realize now, that I really need to get back to stepping up my game. I dread the thought of how crappy I'm going to be on hills, after I was getting so used to climbing. Sad part is, I have no one to blame but myself. Hopefully, I can find a few people in the Cleveland area in 2010 that will actually want to consistently ride. Only a couple people did Monday night rides with me consistently last year. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but you don't ride nearly as hard by yourself as you do with a person or persons.
Well, that's it for now. Hope everyone had a great new year, and I'll catch you soon.
02 January 2010
A New Year And (Hopefully) A New Don?!
The idea of losing weight might just be the end of me! I haven't worked out now in a while, and life's chaos is taking its toll mentally. Because of said mental toll combined with time constraints I have not worked out, much less had a serious ride since, like, July. Let me ask this: ever notice that it's so easy to fall out of fitness and become a total lardass, but when it comes to losing the weight and getting heathy it's bloody murder?! I wish someone could tell me why you could put on ten pounds over a weekend, but it takes two to three weeks to take it back off? Bottom line; I am at 193 now, still, and have a goal weight of 170 lbs. With that I have a little more than six months to get into better physical shape, that is to say toned. I'm not asking for miracles, I don't expect to be the ripped centerfold in Mens Health (as an aside, why the hell is that there? I don't want to see some dude who is so ripped that he could easily kick my ass. Furthermore, I don't really want to see him shirtless and oiled while I'm sitting on the porcelain throne), but I'd like to get back to where I was a year ago, and then some. Some solid muscle tone. After all, that is what the The Lean Look is all about, and is what I was striving for.
Ugh... it's going to be a rough 2010, isn't it? Back to some regular type training. Intervals, strength, etc. 2009 was a bitch. Had to drop the YMCA membership, working two jobs, the wife picking up a part-time gig... My time was non-existent. Now I just need to hope for time to train in the 2010, and the people to motivate and hold me accountable. I had TWO friends who were serious about riding with me and keeping me accountable last year. I hope I could find the time to really get with some people, and the people to get with to make a difference in 2010.
Ugh... it's going to be a rough 2010, isn't it? Back to some regular type training. Intervals, strength, etc. 2009 was a bitch. Had to drop the YMCA membership, working two jobs, the wife picking up a part-time gig... My time was non-existent. Now I just need to hope for time to train in the 2010, and the people to motivate and hold me accountable. I had TWO friends who were serious about riding with me and keeping me accountable last year. I hope I could find the time to really get with some people, and the people to get with to make a difference in 2010.
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