Tuesday, September 20, 2005

To Triathlon?

Devil Spammers. I'm turning on word verification for comments, sorry y'all. Not that I get that many comments, but I do love them anyway!

Things are okay here, I seriously doubt I'm losing anything this week. In fact I'm not really losing weight right now. I'm okay with it sometimes, and sometimes I'm just flat out annoyed. I'm exercising a ton still, but as fall and winter approach, I'm getting nervous. What happens when it gets cold outside and I can't ride my bike as much? I'm so dedicated to my bike. I just love that feeling I have after I get off my bike and I've burned a zillion calories and I've smashed my fastest time ever. I'm going to get myself some cutesy tights and arm warmers, but there's only so much you can do when there's snow on the ground. I'm sort of dreading it. I love the snow, but I hate those winter blues. Short, dreary days just aren't good for my psyche.

On the other side of things though, I know winter will be a great chance for me to excel in some other sports. If I really do want to do a sprint distance triathlon next summer, I HAVE to figure out how to run. Right now I just kind of waddle along for about a minute at a time. I've thought about doing the couch to 5k program a lot, but running just does not appeal to me the way that cycling does. But strangely, completing a triathlon does appeal to me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not thrilled about hundreds of people who are all faster and stronger and thinner than I am kicking my butt in a race. But after doing the Buffalo Bicycle Classic last week, I know how awesome it feels to finish an organized athletic event.

So I could just stick to cycling, and I'm sure that would be fine. I can concentrate on strength training and elliptical workouts and things of that nature when its too cold to be outside. Or I could try to run. And join a gym with a pool. And I could work toward completing a triathlon. I guess I'm just hesitant to say I'm going to do it, because what if I don't? What if I slack on training and I'm not ready come race time? What if I'm still too fat to run? What if I'm still embarrassed to be seen in public in shorts. These are serious concerns. Things I need to think about.

Friday, September 16, 2005

Blue

Up and down up and down. Back up two pounds this week to 187. I'm bouncing. No doubt this week's gain is due to my total lack of activity. After the long ride this weekend I guess I just didn't feel the need to workout. Or I didn't have time. HONESTLY!

I did get up this morning and do a Firm workout, but by then it was too late. I'm 30 points in the hole flexwise. It wouldn't be that bad if I was overeating healthy food. But I ate pizza twice this week. And I'm contemplating some leftovers right now, even though I'm due to leave for dinner in an hour. I won't eat them. But I want to.

I'm not caring about it all that much right now. I'm tired. Work is really busy. I miss hanging out with my dogger. I miss my boy. I'm going to try to get a good night's sleep tonight and see if that helps. I need to get back on the bike. That'll help too. Have a good Friday all.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

The Ride

The Buffalo Bicycle Classic was today. It was tough, but it was awesome! I feel so great! We did the 35 mile ride, and after doing that, I am in just in complete awe of those people that do century rides. Thirty five miles was seriously hard, so I can't imagine what doing a century is like. Maybe next year.

We woke up around 6 and after a breakfast of whole wheat English muffins with peanut butter and honey, we were on the road before 7. We were in the third wave of riders, so we had plenty of time to warm up and mill around after we got up to Boulder. It was so nice to see campus again; I forget how beautiful it is. I loved going to school there.

As this was my first organized ride, I was slightly nervous and didn't sleep very well last night, so I was pretty tired this morning. Once we got on the road though; I was pumped. We started with a gradual uphill that lasted about 5 miles, and by the time we got to the top I was terrified that I wouldn't make it the whole way. My heart rate was up there and I was struggling. Luckily we had a downhill and a nice rest stop coming up, so that helped a lot.

The aid stations were great on the ride, there was tons of fruit and energy drinks and lots of water and sports drink to choose from. The middle part of the ride was awesome; I felt good and I was cruising along. There were lots of uphill climbs, but lots of coasting on the way down too. On one downhill I even hit 38 mph, which for me on a bike is absolutely insane. I was repeating "Please don't die, please don't die" over and over again. Oh yeah, like that's gonna help when I crash my bike at that speed. Luckily (or maybe not) it didn't last very long and we were going back uphill soon enough.

The last 10 miles of the ride were killer. Mostly uphill and in 90 degree heat. By the last mile, I was cranky and snapping at the boy, but luckily he remained calm and my mood didn't ruin it for us. We got to the finish in about 2 hours and 47 minutes, for an average speed of 13.8 mph. Not as fast as I usually ride, but we had a lot of hills to deal with so that's my excuse. I'm just proud that I did it! I love feeling the strength in my legs and knowing how athletic my body is. Finding cycling has been such a blessing for me; it's a sport that I absolutely love and I continually want to do better. I have miles to go, literally!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

No Need For Sugar Around Here!

I kicked butt on the no sugar thing today! Of course right now, sitting on the couch watching TV just vegging, is prime sugar time, but I will refrain. It was definitely hard, but not impossible. I'm sure I can do it again. Now if I could only drop five pounds immediately. Wouldn't it be nice?

It is amazing just how much I crave sugar after a meal though. Especially this afternoon after my turkey sandwich and baby carrots; all I wanted was a damn cookie or something. I mean I REALLY wanted a cookie. But I stuck with my banana and I was all good. I made it through. And tonight I'm making some tea and I'll just go to bed early if the cravings get too bad.

Tomorrow is another day, and I'm not going to be so strict with myself but I'll probably try it again. It is of course, the season premiere of The O.C., so we're having people over for Mexican food and to watch. I know, I know, I'm a total dork, but it's just so fabulous. I also can't wait for The Biggest Loser next week. Talk about motivation!

Tonight I did a basic ten mile ride, but I really pushed it on the speed. I averaged 16.2 mph in 10 miles, which for me is absolutely awesome. I think I need to do short speed rides like that once in a while to get me out of my comfort zone. I'm riding the Buffalo Bicycle Classic this weekend, only the 35 mile route, but I'm still sort of nervous about it. I've never participated in an organized bike ride like this before, and I think its probably going to be sort of tough. After all, as much as I've progressed over the past couple of months, I'm not exactly Lance Armstrong. But I'm going to do my best. I just got around to registering, but I'll post my donation page tomorrow in case anyone wants to support the University of Colorado Arts and Sciences scholarship fund.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Sugar

I rode to the reservoir yesterday, which means I rode over 60 miles in a Friday to Monday period. Go me! Unfortunately, I probably ate every single calorie that I burned this weekend. Holidays always get me like that.

Today I'm taking the day off from exercise, but I did stick to points all day so that feels good. I even cut down on the Chewy Peps. I still had a few, but I'm making progress. Tomorrow I'm going to try a day without any sugar. I think its going to be hard because I know that even though I keep my calories fairly low most of the time, I'm still completely addicted to sugar.

I've tried low carb diets like Atkins before and I know how hard the initial sugar withdrawal can be, and I always fall off of the wagon if I restrict myself too much. So I'm not going to do that, but I am going to work on cutting out the sugar. It's just wasted calories that I don't really need. I can have a piece of fruit instead.

I do need to keep carbs in my diet, especially with all of the riding I've been doing. I even need some simple sugars sometimes in the middle of a ride. This does not mean ice cream after dinner. Nope. A little treat once in a while is fine. But I've become accustomed to dessert after dinner and that is just not going to work.

So tomorrow is just one day without sugar. Wish me luck.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Things I Know

I am obsessed with Chewy Peps. Have you ever had one? They these hard peppermint candies that slowly become chewy as you suck on them. They are delicious and I eat way too many of them. I think for some reason I don't think of mints as candy. But all they really are is sugar. So I need to chill on the Chewy Peps.

This weekend has gone quite well so far aside from the fact that I've eaten more food than I should have. I've ridden almost 40 miles so far, I've avoided alcohol, and I'm sleeping well. The food thing is a struggle (what is it with me and nachos?), but today I'm feeling optimistic about my future. I like to look back on the positive changes I've made when I'm feeling guilty about this or that; it helps me remember that although I'm not perfect I've come a long way.

I've probably written some other version of this post before, but it helps me out so I'm going to do it again.

I now know what a proper portion size is, and my portion sizes are consistently smaller than they once were. I now crave exercise, where before I used to dread it. I know my body. I know my body like I know the back of my hand if that isn't too cliche for you. I'm extremely in tune with how I feel if I've eaten too much sugar, or too much fat, or pushed myself too hard or not hard enough in my workouts.

Good nutrition and healthy eating; they are part of my life now. And although sometimes I want to drop to the floor and kick and scream rather than eat one single vegetable, I've moved beyond that. Things are good. I'm not perfect. I may never be. But I'm doing okay.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Once again...

186.5. Wow. This sucks. Gained two weeks in a row. And lost a big fat nada for Renee's challenge.

Was I really committed? Probably not. But I'm not beating myself up. I'm just going to keep doing what I can do and hope it kicks in at some point.

My life is good right now. I have an awesome bike which provides a kick-ass workout. I have a nice hot shower. I have a couch and snacks and college football. I have the luxury of knowing that all of my friends and family are okay.

I know I have all of these things, and I cherish them even more as the news about Katrina's devastation grows ever worse. I feel so awful for everyone affected. I just can't imagine how difficult it must be.

My thoughts are with you right now.