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?

Around.

It’s gotta be the shoes

What a difference a real pair of cycling shoes will do for your performance. I picked up a pair of Sidi Genius 5 last weekend on sale and finally got to try them out in Matt’s class today. My women’s Nike Spin shoes wasn’t quite doing the job. Now I think I’m going to retire Nike and stick with the Sidi. I sound like I’m the last person to figure out that what I was using wasn’t transferring the power efficiently. I knew that, but now I appreciate the enhancement. What I also found is once you get a better pair of shoes you need better cleats and petals. SPDs are not cutting it anymore. Then I’ll need a better something else, the list goes on and on. No wonder cycling has surpassed golf on the most expensive sport. But what a fun sport it is!

This week has been a wash. I came down with a cold and have been trying to shake it for a week. I blame two things, a project that came in on Friday at 4:35pm with a tight timeline and children. Not mine - since I don’t have any.

I was able to make it to Jody’s class last Saturday. I started with a 2 mile run around the track then her crazy first hour class. Surprisingly, I had enough energy for her second hour class, which was what I think is her hardest course – The Velodrome Ride.

Sunday evening I met up with Carol, Holly, Diane, and Pam for dinner. It’s always nice to meet up with the girls during the off-season and find out what everyone has been doing. My way home was another story.

I got about five blocks from home and my jeep died in the middle of the road at a stop sign. I just got it back from the shop five days earlier and I knew something wasn’t right. As the week progressed, it was taking up to 6 tries to get the thing started. As I sat there waiting for the tow truck to come two police officers showed up and pushed me with their truck to a safer location. Turns out my starter needed to be replaced due to the accident. I was sporting a Blue PT Cruiser for the week. I’m back in my Jeep now!

Matt’s class today was a hot one. Physically hot! They really need to turn the heat up in that room a bit more. I think I’m ready to do a race in those 100+ degree temps. Today was my first day back working out in a week. Bill got a good chuckle today when my tall friend got on the bike in front of me. He is so tall that he pulls the seat up to the last notch…that’s about 1.5 feet taller than mine! I’m thankful that he pushed the bike up so his seat wasn’t so close to my handlebars like last time. No matter how much he blocked me I still didn’t get away with talking in class. Hey…my new shoes make it easier to do the work and still have a nice conversation with my neighbors.

What’s next?

My first Duathlon. I just signed up for the Apple Duathlon in Sartell, MN on May 24th. The distance is 5k Run/33k Bike/5k Run (3 mile run/20 mile bike/3 mile run). I used to live on one of the roads that the run takes place on, so I know the terrain and have ran it before. The only thing that scares me is the unknown - since I've never done one before, and that it’s a qualifier for some other big Duathlon which means there are going to be a lot of elite athletes there! Oh well, I’m not doing this to compete against them. I’m doing this for myself. I hope I don’t come in last. That would suck! I should be fine. I’m running somewhere between 6-10 miles at one given time and 20 mile bike ride…that’s just a warm up!

My other plans are still TBD. I would like to do a bike race in ND (home state), I’m still looking for one the first week of August around the Harrisburg, PA area, and the rest will be around the twin cities. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Yesterday I took the day off from working out. This morning was Matt’s class. We did rolling hills today. First one seated, second one standing, third one a mix. I felt great aside from the fact that I saw stars a few times. It didn’t help that the spin studio felt like a steam room.

Tomorrow is Jody’s two class. I haven’t had a good Jody butt kicking for a couple of weeks.

Found My Mo-Jo (on Tuesday)

For the past week I’ve been hanging low, all I could seem to do is complain about the weather. Then I was sent a article that said if you seem to be bitching more than normal it’s due to overtraining. Especially for us common folks who work a 9-5 job, or for me 8-6. So I sucked it up and came to terms with the fact that we live in the tundra and some day the weather will turn for the better. I question that statement this morning when it said -14 without windchill.

Monday I skipped Don’s class. I chose to do 90 minutes on my trainer. For those of you that are on your trainers more than spin bikes this time of year…I commend you for your dedication. I don’t know what it is about sitting on that trainer. I can do a 5.5 hour ride outside and feel great, but 1.5 hours on the trainer makes me what to cry. I’ll suck it up and continue to jump on the trainer from time to time.

Tuesday night I went to the gym and ran for 90 minutes. I think someone slipped me Bill’s beta blocker. I was feeling great my heart rate stayed low and I never went over my AT until the last 2 minutes. I stayed at a comfortable speed for the first 30 minutes then bumped it up every five. After 60 minutes I dropped it back down but then kept bumping it up again until I was in full sprint mode for the last 2 minutes.

This morning I went to spin thinking that Tina was teaching. Ugh, no it was Kristen. Eric and Bill put their iPods on and just did their own thing. I tried to tough it out. I don’t believe there is a mute or volume control button on that women. The music was good, but I couldn’t hear it since she was screamed at the class instead of instructing. We were doing rolling hills, when we sat to do the downhill her voice volume went up. With the speakers only feet away I had to drop down and cover my ears. After 45 minutes of this I jumped off the bike and grabbed my iPod. No matter how high I turned my volume up I couldn’t seem to hear my music. Aside from all that, I felt great. Surprisingly my legs didn’t fatigue spite my run last night.

On a side note, have you checked out Neil’s blog? His double century looks intense.

P.S. I finally got my Jeep back after three weeks!

Winter Blues

I wrote this blog this past weekend and didn't get around to posting it. Note: there is quite a bit of complaining in this entry.

Remember that first snow storm back in November? Remember how excited you where that it was snowing? Why is it that it turns from bliss to bust within a couple of months and what is it about the sun that brings a bounce to your step? I’ve been shuffling along this past week.

Thursday I went to the weight lifting class in the morning with a co-worker. I learned my lesson the week before – don’t try to do too much, ease into it but do it quickly! I went back to the gym after work and ran for 60 minutes. I haven’t run for about a week so I took it easy and brought up the speed. I stayed in a comfortable heart rate zone and was able to bring up my HR slowly hitting and going over my AT the last 5 minutes. 833 calories burned.

Friday was Matt’s class. We worked on Endurance, it was the same profile as last Sunday’s class, but this time I kept my head down and just focused on my cadence. I figured it out – Eric needs hearing aids. He’ll ask me a question during class. I’ll answer it, but after my response EVERY time, he’ll say’s “What?” It drives me crazy! 550 calories burned

Jody wasn’t able to teach this weekend so we had a couple of subs. Tina taught the first class. Once you get past the fact that she is an aerobic instructor then a cyclist teaching the class she isn’t that bad. Her music had me singing karaoke the whole hour. Dan taught the second hour. I don’t know what was up with him during that class because it was inconsistent. Good thing I already decided that I was going to do my own thing before it even started. I thought I might go for a run later that afternoon so I wanted to save a bit for later. 1056 calories burned

I didn’t run on Saturday, so on Sunday I had to get out there and do the run that I’ve wanted to do since last Tuesday. It was a different path, one that I know very well on my bike, but also one that would not be safe to do at night. After much negotiation with myself (I wasn’t in the mood) I headed out. I got two miles into the 10 mile run when I stopped turned around and walked back home. I wasn’t feeling it, I wasn’t enjoying one step of that run. That entire walk home I kept thinking about a century Carol, Paul, and I did this summer. I bonked, gave up at mile 102, got off the bike on a hill and wanted to walk the 6 miles back to the shop. I didn’t even know what I did until Paul yelled at me like he was a drill sergeant. I’ve bonked before, but I’ve never given up. I gave up then and I gave up on my run today. I don’t feel good when I give up. I come home, put on my shorts and jumped on my trainer for an hour. It was something, but not enough. 729 calories burned.

On a brighter note, the Tour of California started. For a tour that’s only 3 years old they have a lot of pros and fans that are attending the race to watch. I’m glad Verses is airing more of it then just highlights on Sunday.

Tonight is Don’s class.