Friday, October 01, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
My Morning Commute
I live 16 miles away from where I work. There's a connection of bike paths that can lead me directly to work. It's so wonderful. A 16 mile ride in the morning is a bit hefty, however, keep in mind that only about 2 miles of that are on an actual road.
I leave my house, and bike maybe 5 blocks to the greenway (bicycle highway). I take that all the way to the Cedar Lake Trail, which leads me through Theodore Wirth Park. At this point, I've been biking beside a lake and a forest for about 10 minutes. Relaxing. Not usually any cars on these roads anyway.
In Theodore Wirth, I face a choice. Do I want to take Glenwood, which would make me bike along a roadway for about 1.5 miles, or do I want to take the Luce Line from 55 and Theodore Wirth Parkway?
In the end, I just look forward to getting past Winnetka. Once I pass Winnetka (and go under highway 169), I feel free. From then on, it's all trails through Plymouth. Fox Forest is a beautiful ride, despite them never cleaning up the leaves. They have wonderful bridges going along Plymouth Swamp (I don't know what the real name is of it).
Finally, I make it to Parkers Lake. There, I take my last little relaxing bit of the ride before an uphill climb to work. That hill is one of two potential spots on the whole ride where I might shift.
So my morning commute on my bike? It's fantastic. I absolutely love it. When I get to just glide along bike paths for almost 16 miles, having to deal with traffic rarely, it brings a smile to my face. And it makes me supremely sexy.
I leave my house, and bike maybe 5 blocks to the greenway (bicycle highway). I take that all the way to the Cedar Lake Trail, which leads me through Theodore Wirth Park. At this point, I've been biking beside a lake and a forest for about 10 minutes. Relaxing. Not usually any cars on these roads anyway.
In Theodore Wirth, I face a choice. Do I want to take Glenwood, which would make me bike along a roadway for about 1.5 miles, or do I want to take the Luce Line from 55 and Theodore Wirth Parkway?
In the end, I just look forward to getting past Winnetka. Once I pass Winnetka (and go under highway 169), I feel free. From then on, it's all trails through Plymouth. Fox Forest is a beautiful ride, despite them never cleaning up the leaves. They have wonderful bridges going along Plymouth Swamp (I don't know what the real name is of it).
Finally, I make it to Parkers Lake. There, I take my last little relaxing bit of the ride before an uphill climb to work. That hill is one of two potential spots on the whole ride where I might shift.
So my morning commute on my bike? It's fantastic. I absolutely love it. When I get to just glide along bike paths for almost 16 miles, having to deal with traffic rarely, it brings a smile to my face. And it makes me supremely sexy.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Cut Your Coffee With Draino and Cream
Another 40 miles of bike riding yesterday. An hour of bouldering, and I've almost got the roof route I've been working on done. I can feel my fingers getting stronger every day. Feels good, baby. Feels REAL good.
But yesterday was a weird day. I made a decision. A decision I've never made before. "Hey, take it easy. Don't push yourself TOO hard." I decided not to bike home from a friend's house. I could've done it, I know. I could have added another 4 miles onto my day. But I didn't. I told myself, "What greek god was known for biking everyday? None." I had to remind myself, "You're Achilles. You're a runner. At heart, you run. Don't forget that."
Fitting. I had given up on running for a while. This year's Grandma's Marathon was supposed to be my last. I keep telling myself that over and over. It never works. My sister convinced me to sign up for the Mardi Gras Rock and Roll Marathon in February.
That's right. A marathon in February. So I will be up in Minnesota, during the heart of winter and the height of cross country ski season, running. Running. Being one of those redunkulous looking people wearing tights under super short shorts, and a vest over a poly-pro shirt. Sweating so bad that steam rises from my body.
But, to make things worse, I signed up for a 10 mile race at the end of October. A 10 miler? Ugh. Why can't I just do 5k's again? They're over before they even start! That's what's awesome about them.
But yesterday was a weird day. I made a decision. A decision I've never made before. "Hey, take it easy. Don't push yourself TOO hard." I decided not to bike home from a friend's house. I could've done it, I know. I could have added another 4 miles onto my day. But I didn't. I told myself, "What greek god was known for biking everyday? None." I had to remind myself, "You're Achilles. You're a runner. At heart, you run. Don't forget that."
Fitting. I had given up on running for a while. This year's Grandma's Marathon was supposed to be my last. I keep telling myself that over and over. It never works. My sister convinced me to sign up for the Mardi Gras Rock and Roll Marathon in February.
That's right. A marathon in February. So I will be up in Minnesota, during the heart of winter and the height of cross country ski season, running. Running. Being one of those redunkulous looking people wearing tights under super short shorts, and a vest over a poly-pro shirt. Sweating so bad that steam rises from my body.
But, to make things worse, I signed up for a 10 mile race at the end of October. A 10 miler? Ugh. Why can't I just do 5k's again? They're over before they even start! That's what's awesome about them.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Smeegathack is Back
Today. Good day. Well, actually, I think it was one of those terrible days that was strangely wonderful.
I decided to finally bike into work today, rain or shine. It was shine, and I was overdressed and biking too hard. Sweat sweat sweat. Ended up taking a couple wrong turns. Long story short, I biked 20 miles to get to work. After getting there (it still only took me an hour and 15 minutes), I ate loads of food and memorized the route home, street by street.
On the way home, I mistakenly followed the signs instead of the streets or the path I had memorized. Poor decision. Got lost again. Figured it out faster this time. "Highway 100? I hate this crap." 18 miles on the way back.
Still have to boulder tonight too. So, total mileage on bike today will be more than 40 miles.
If the biking continues, I will definitely be ready for the 10 mile race at the end of October.
If the biking continues, I will also be eating 4000 calories a day. Time to make more food for a week than most people make in a trimester.
I decided to finally bike into work today, rain or shine. It was shine, and I was overdressed and biking too hard. Sweat sweat sweat. Ended up taking a couple wrong turns. Long story short, I biked 20 miles to get to work. After getting there (it still only took me an hour and 15 minutes), I ate loads of food and memorized the route home, street by street.
On the way home, I mistakenly followed the signs instead of the streets or the path I had memorized. Poor decision. Got lost again. Figured it out faster this time. "Highway 100? I hate this crap." 18 miles on the way back.
Still have to boulder tonight too. So, total mileage on bike today will be more than 40 miles.
If the biking continues, I will definitely be ready for the 10 mile race at the end of October.
If the biking continues, I will also be eating 4000 calories a day. Time to make more food for a week than most people make in a trimester.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Time Is Now
Yesterday marked the first day I didn't ride a bike in August. Well, I made it 15 days at least.
My sister is trying to convince me to sign up for the St. Jude's Marathon in Memphis. It's December 4th. That would mean I'd have 3 months to train. Should I do it?
Hells yeah.
Went for a run on Saturday morning. 6.5 miles in a little less than an hour (including stoplights, not including giving directions). That means I'm still in pretty good shape, I suppose.
However I am developing a blister on the back of my left foot. I've been running for 14 years now, and have never had blisters before. I haven't gotten a new pair of shoes or anything like that. The blister is only on one foot. Strange. Well, nip it in the bud.
Monday, I went rock climbing for 2.5 hours. Good stuff. Made me feel a lot healthier and schtuff. I also registered for Oktboulderfest. It's a fun competition at Vertical Endeavors. Only issue I have with it, is the fact that it's misleading. With a name like Oktboulderfest, it should have beer. Not so.
My sister is trying to convince me to sign up for the St. Jude's Marathon in Memphis. It's December 4th. That would mean I'd have 3 months to train. Should I do it?
Hells yeah.
Went for a run on Saturday morning. 6.5 miles in a little less than an hour (including stoplights, not including giving directions). That means I'm still in pretty good shape, I suppose.
However I am developing a blister on the back of my left foot. I've been running for 14 years now, and have never had blisters before. I haven't gotten a new pair of shoes or anything like that. The blister is only on one foot. Strange. Well, nip it in the bud.
Monday, I went rock climbing for 2.5 hours. Good stuff. Made me feel a lot healthier and schtuff. I also registered for Oktboulderfest. It's a fun competition at Vertical Endeavors. Only issue I have with it, is the fact that it's misleading. With a name like Oktboulderfest, it should have beer. Not so.
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