I rode to grandma's house and back a couple of times with my 4yo. Once hauling him in the tyke trailer and once with him on his little bike. By the time I went for my ride I wasn't sure if I was going to ride very far. I wasn't sure I was up to going as far as last solo ride really. I was thinking more like 1.5 miles.
By the time I got to the 3/4 mile mark I was thinking, "If I don't push myself how am I going to ever get in shape enough to ride 20 miles to work?" So I figured I'd at least go for 2.5 miles or 3.
My son was pretty upset that I didn't let him come with me. (He had run to the end of our long driveway and I had to send him back to mom.) Around 1-1/4 miles a car passes me and it's DW giving him a ride to go with dad.
She tailed me and it was kind of nice having company even if I couldn't actually see and talk to them. As with my last longer ride, by the time I hit the final corner on our road I could see the stop sign and it it was just too close to stop.
By the time I hit the sign I was still feeling good so I headed down the county highway until my chain slipped off while shifting to a lower gear. DW had stopped but drove up to check what was wrong. She said it was 2.3 miles at that point and asked if I wanted her to wait at 2.5. Sounded good to me so tonight I did 5 miles finally.
I managed to stay out of the lowest gear (barely) and if I had bothered tracking time the other rides I'm pretty sure I averaged a bit better mph than other rides. Guess my lesson tonight is even when I don't think I can do the ride I should I need to just get out and try.
I did have an ice cream cone tonight but I don't feel guilty about it. Even less so now that I hit 5 miles.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Chickens Are Running My Life
Or at the least they are interfering with my cycling schedule. After DW got off work at 3pm we took a 200 mile trip to swap and sell chickens. Returning around 10pm and it was way too late to bike. Plus I really just wanted to go to bed.
Good news is that I did well on the eating front. Well within my calorie limits (2700 for 2lbs/week loss according to several health sites.)
Also the biking is starting to pay off in other areas as well. My 4yo wanted me to play with his Thomas the Train set on the floor yesterday. I was able to play much more actively and much more comfortably (nothing falling asleep and easier to move around) than just a month ago. If you are seriously overweight and unfit you probably know how much effort it is to do stuff down on your hands and knees.
Good news is that I did well on the eating front. Well within my calorie limits (2700 for 2lbs/week loss according to several health sites.)
Also the biking is starting to pay off in other areas as well. My 4yo wanted me to play with his Thomas the Train set on the floor yesterday. I was able to play much more actively and much more comfortably (nothing falling asleep and easier to move around) than just a month ago. If you are seriously overweight and unfit you probably know how much effort it is to do stuff down on your hands and knees.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Eating Out
We ate out at a Chinese buffet today. Not exactly health food. I did eat more veggies than anything else and had hot tea instead of soda. I also had about 1/3 less to eat over all than I would have usually eaten. Due to eating more appropriate portions lately (not small but not "fat guy" size either) I was was much fuller afterwards today too.
I got home just before dark again tonight. I worked late last night too and I didn't want to put off taking a ride again for a 2nd day in a row. So I went in, changed and headed out.
I only went about 1.9 miles today to a nearby stream and back. BUT, that was towing my 4 year old in the bicycle child "trailer" (who names these things?)
When you are in the lowest gear and pushing to get up a hill I'm not sure if its motivating or depressing to hear a small voice behind you ask, "Why are we going so slow?" I guess motivating. After all good dads don't want to let their kids down. I know I sure broke a sweat on that short trip.
BTW, the cut on my leg looks like it's going to clear up. At least it looks better and is starting to scab over decently now. No more snot consistency "goo" under the band-aid when I take it off. (Gross)
I got home just before dark again tonight. I worked late last night too and I didn't want to put off taking a ride again for a 2nd day in a row. So I went in, changed and headed out.
I only went about 1.9 miles today to a nearby stream and back. BUT, that was towing my 4 year old in the bicycle child "trailer" (who names these things?)
When you are in the lowest gear and pushing to get up a hill I'm not sure if its motivating or depressing to hear a small voice behind you ask, "Why are we going so slow?" I guess motivating. After all good dads don't want to let their kids down. I know I sure broke a sweat on that short trip.
BTW, the cut on my leg looks like it's going to clear up. At least it looks better and is starting to scab over decently now. No more snot consistency "goo" under the band-aid when I take it off. (Gross)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
I go to the Doctor
Dr. appointment was today. Everything except my weight checked out ok. Well everything that doesn't require blood work. I'll find out about that stuff in about a week.
I have a new weight now too. I had them check it twice because I thought the scale was off. My new weight is 354. 12 pounds in 15 days.
I've lost weight often enough in the past to know that a loss of nearly a pound a day won't keep going. But it was still nice to see.
After I got back I rode my same route but went to the next corner. As I was coming up to the corner I could see the stop sign at the end of the next stretch and I was feeling pretty good so I decided to ride the next leg.
Total for today was just under 4 miles. I get that a 4 mile ride is what most cyclers would do for a warm up ride. But considering where I was one week ago it felt pretty good.
The cut on my leg is a bit infected. The Doc told me to clean it and put some anti-biotic gel on it twice a day and watch for redness to spread.
I have a new weight now too. I had them check it twice because I thought the scale was off. My new weight is 354. 12 pounds in 15 days.
I've lost weight often enough in the past to know that a loss of nearly a pound a day won't keep going. But it was still nice to see.
After I got back I rode my same route but went to the next corner. As I was coming up to the corner I could see the stop sign at the end of the next stretch and I was feeling pretty good so I decided to ride the next leg.
Total for today was just under 4 miles. I get that a 4 mile ride is what most cyclers would do for a warm up ride. But considering where I was one week ago it felt pretty good.
The cut on my leg is a bit infected. The Doc told me to clean it and put some anti-biotic gel on it twice a day and watch for redness to spread.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Bad News/Good News
This weekend was a bust as far as health and exercise. A good friend came for a visit and spent the night Saturday. Diet included great things like a pint of premium ice cream and chips.
Possibly worse, my wife got coupons for two free burritos at a new restaurant from her work. So that's what we ate on Sunday. The things were HUGE! In hindsight I should have eaten only 1/2 and saved half. They actually had pretty healthy ingredients. Just too much of them.
The good news is that I rode 2-1/2 miles tonight after work. We also hooked up the kid-cart to the bike and I took my 4 year old for a ride. This is the first time we've had the thing connected to a bike even though we bought it at a rummage sale maybe 5 years ago. It's been a good stroller at least.
Possibly worse, my wife got coupons for two free burritos at a new restaurant from her work. So that's what we ate on Sunday. The things were HUGE! In hindsight I should have eaten only 1/2 and saved half. They actually had pretty healthy ingredients. Just too much of them.
The good news is that I rode 2-1/2 miles tonight after work. We also hooked up the kid-cart to the bike and I took my 4 year old for a ride. This is the first time we've had the thing connected to a bike even though we bought it at a rummage sale maybe 5 years ago. It's been a good stroller at least.
Friday, May 15, 2009
1.5 Miles
Went 1-1/2 miles after work today. My speed improved a bit and I spent more time in higher gears. My knees are a bit sore and I was breathing pretty hard when I got home but my legs still don't feel as wobbly as they did that first 1/2 mile trip.
Had my first injury today. Nothing big but the gears slipped and I ended up slamming the peddle into my right shin. Took off a patch of skin about the size of half a dime. Probably not the last time something like that will happen.
Had my first injury today. Nothing big but the gears slipped and I ended up slamming the peddle into my right shin. Took off a patch of skin about the size of half a dime. Probably not the last time something like that will happen.
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