It’s Here!

Warmer weather that is.

This weekend was fun. I went to spin class on Saturday, for a much needed 2-hour Jody butt kicking. We did mostly hill work simulating road then mtb riding. Half the class knows each other so a random shout out across the room or a good belly laugh is common. A friend of mine, who doesn’t come that often, said “This is just like a party!” Jody had to leave the last 15 minutes of the second class so “Dan the Man” was the instructor for those last 15 minutes. He did pretty well due to the short notice. Bill and I couldn’t stop laughing.

After class I ran 2 miles. My heart rate was over my AT that entire time. I needed it.

Somehow I got talked into running Sunday morning with the LRP (Long Run and Pancake) group. What I didn’t know was that it was trail running on the ski trails at Elm Creek—thought it would be on the bike path. We did about 5 miles starting at the nature center, up the “death defying hill” and down the backside then turned around and came back. The only time I’ve done a off-road-like-trail-run was this winter when the sidewalks were covered in snow.

At this point, I would like to reiterated I am not a runner and do not call myself a runner.

Then somehow I got talked into a bike ride with Holly and Carol for Sunday afternoon. I admit, it didn’t take much. It went something like this: “Want to go for a bike ride?” “Sure. What time?” The weather looked a little deceiving. The sun was shining, but the wind was a cold north wind. We hit all of the major hills in the Baker Park area except rollercoaster road (201). After 5 miles of running and 30 miles of hills on the bike, the last “tough” hill was completed purely on determination, the fear of falling over, and a good loud scream.

I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while, but I’m going to do it. I’m going to start commuting to work via my bike a few days a week. This will be good for a few reasons. 1. More miles on the legs. 2. Burn more calories. 3. Less gas used—although the $$ saved will probably go towards body fuel. 4. Motivation to work harder and to go faster to meet groups for group rides. 5. Last but not least—I get to ride my bike more! Seems the facilities in my building are more accommodating then I’ve been told. I just need to figure out the logistics now (route, time to leave, what to pack).

Happy 50th Birthday to Bill—or Vino on the blogs (or Pantani in the emails, or Beta Blocker Bill on the bike). I hope when I turn 50 that I’m as athletic as him. Bill has said he has done some crazy things on his milestone birthdays in the past. This weekend he took one step closer towards becoming a Fat Tire junkie—he got his ear pierced. Shock and Ahh is ramped in the emails, and what I hear, at his work today. I’m immune to this type of activity—my Mother got her nose pierced when she turned 56. So…good for you Bill!

Welcome Holly to the world of blogging!

Shot of Spring

This past Saturday was absolutely beautiful. I got out on a 66 mile ride with a few friends. Erika came over to my place and we headed out to meet Matt and Joe in the Medina/Wayzata area. Not sure how I got added to the morning group, but by 7:15am we were on our bikes. Poor Joe, he had no idea that keeping with Matt meant you were going to chase down every casual rider you came upon. I on the other hand knew that was going to happen, so I opted to stick back and ride with Erika since it was her first hard ride of the season. She did great!

After we realized there was no way we were going to meet up with Bob, Kenny, Bill, and Eric. Matt and I showed Joe and Erika the rollercoaster neighborhood—one square block of rolling hills. I guess Erika didn’t hear me when I said you take all right turns because she took a left on the second turn. Oh well, we ended doing that loop a second time to find her. Joe thought Matt and I were nuts after we got to the end of the loop each time and said “What a great area!”

I was feeling pretty good so once we parted I headed down to the Opus area to check out the terrain since I plan to do a few Opus crit races. What a fun place to ride on the weekend! I didn’t know it was only 10 miles from my place. No cars, corners are not sharp, clean roads, all the roads are one way so you only needed to watch one direction. I was flying around the corners!

Sunday was a wash (it rained all day)—no workouts or riding for me. Instead, I did what other women do…I went for a much needed shopping trip. How do they do it? I can spend 5 hours on a bike and feel great, but 3 hours of shopping…I needed a nap after I was done. Next time I’m going to wear my heart rate monitor to see what my average heart rate and calories burned verses working out.

This is a great photo. Bill didn't know Kenny took this picture of him. He "claimed” he was adjusting his water bottle. As all of us know...he's full of crap! He found a speck of dirt and was rubbing it off. Take a glance at Bill’s blog he likes to keep things neat and clean at all times. Especially his bikes.

The Family Is Coming Around

I talked with my brother last night and I’m excited to report that I am not the only one over the age of ten in my family who has logged a few miles on their bike this year. Yep, the big-little brother is in! Now I have someone to ride with this summer when I go to our family reunion in Pennsylvania without getting the “that’s ridiculous” comments from everyone. Some of you know what I mean. The best part is, I don’t have to worry about bringing my bike. One of his patients owns a bike shop and will let me use their high end bikes while I’m out there. Now…here is the BUT part. He lives in the Lancaster area. Home of the Amish, Mennonite, Landis, and the Appalachian Mountains—i.e. I will be schooled by 5th grade girls in a dress on a bike built in 1962. I’m up for the challenge.

He also made sure to rub it in that it is 67 degrees today and that he has been out riding for three weeks.

Spring is in the air

View from my window at work. Photo taken on March 31, 2008

I got out on my bike twice this weekend. I knew the Loons where going to be in the Medina area on Saturday, but most of them have been braving this cold winter and have more miles on their legs the I do. I caught up with a couple of them but was dropped quickly. Instead, I did my own route and climbed all of what I would call a MN category 2 hills. I quickly realized that I need a new cassette—I was told mine was fine, but I was skipping up every hill. Made things a bit more interesting, but I knew that if I lost control during a skip I was going down.

Between the lack of road miles and 16-20 mile/hr winds my average speed was very low. I’ve ridden those hills in that type of wind many times so I understand where I should be. I have a lot of work ahead of me to feel like I’m back up to par.

After 3 hours I headed home, exhausted, legs cramping. When it was a nice surprise to see a few guys I know enjoying a day on the bike. Blazen’ Bob, Grasshopper Matt, and Ken the Cook flew past me like it was a race. Beta Bill was no were in sight. Bob never even looked back! He said Hi and was gone. Matt made fun of my clothing—at least I was out there. Kenny yelled that I made the blog. And that was it.

Sunday I went out for a quick loop around Baker Park. Again the wind was strong going west, but was very well welcomed on the way home.

Saturday: 44.1 miles, average 14.7 miles/hr, time 3.03—Medina, Maple Plain area. Worked on hills, the wind was about 16-20 miles per hour.
Sunday: 21.7 miles, average 16 miles/hour, time 1.21—Medina road to 19 up 24 to home.

I’ve had it.

I’m not going to sugar coat it any longer. This weather sucks! It’s March 25th and I had to drive in blizzard-like conditions yesterday on my way back from Grand Forks, ND. Before you make any snide comments about North Dakota the blizzard was in Minnesota. The winds where so strong that it blew snow from the fields over the road causing the snow to melt then freeze. There were three spinouts within a 10 mile stretch. Why is it when you’re in those conditions it can’t be just you? I had a semi to the right and a minivan riding my tail. I apologize to those who drive a minivan, but those things are so hard to control I don’t trust them on ice. You can understand my apprehension since I just finished dealing with my car from the last accident.

Easter weekend went well. I had full intentions to get up Sunday morning before church and go for a run. I decided against it since it was so icy not to mention I didn’t get home until 3:30am the night before. My younger sister came up from Missouri we called my 23 year old nephew who works at a local bar and grill to go out with him. My sister invited her high school friend, her friend’s husband, and her twin brother. My nephew invited his roommate and their friends.

Now, I don’t drink that much—two beers these days can send me over the edge. I have no idea what my nephew mixed for me to start the night, but it was strong. Then came a couple of vodka cokes, a few martinis, and I think there was even a shot in there somewhere in that line-up. Kenny I did you proud!

Now all that said, I’m glad to know that my bar experience has not changed (thus why I don’t go anymore). Ran into a friend who looked like Yosemite Sam. Got forced to take a phone number from a guy that was missing his two front teeth and who said he was from a part of Chicago that doesn’t exist. I talked my nephew’s roommate, who is a pilot, into flying us down to Cancun next week. And I tried to put together a bike race. Hell if it wasn’t 3am and the tires were not flat I would have done it in heels.

The next morning was a challenge. Church was at 10am, note this was a Catholic Church so it was hard to stay awake. We went out to my brother’s for a late lunch that was more like Thanksgiving. My sister and I ended up taking a “power nap” on my brother’s couch. He sure did give us hell - his late-20 year old sisters can’t take it anymore when my nephew was just fine and he was with us the entire night.

From my performance this weekend I would have to say that I will have to do some serious training for REGBRAI in July.

Cheers.

First Ride of the Season

I was happier than a kid in a candy store to be on my bike yesterday. After work I was on my way to the gym to run on the treadmill and thought What the heck am I doing? It’s gorgeous outside! So I did what we all would do in this situation. I pulled the bike off the trainer found the gloves and helmet that was shoved in a corner of the garage and headed out for what I would call the greatest hill ride I’ve ever taken in the Medina area! For me to say that…trust me, I was happier then a kid in a candy store.

It was tough. My average heart rate was 153, but I didn’t care. A few times I caught myself thinking: What the heck have I been doing this winter why isn’t this easier? Then reminded myself that this was my first ride since early October. Wow I can’t believe how much fitness we lose over the winter.

Here are the stats: 24 miles, avg speed 17.4, highest speed reached 33.1 (that was fun!), time on bike 1.5 hours.

Update on the Medina area road condition: Roads are clear of snow and glass. Some new potholes but not too bad. Corners are cleaner than in the summer (sup with that?) but the roads with the larger shoulders still have sand on them—not too bad since you are not taking a sharp turn during that time. The rollers on 201 by Baker Park Entry have some extra rolls to them so take the downhill’s at your own risk. All in all, the same houses are still on the market and the farm smells have not gone away (I wished they would also), and the A-hole with the big truck still is a A-hole in a big truck.

Now I hope we don’t get that mid-March snow storm. I know, I know, it's Minnesota we will.

Where have you been?

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