Getting Back On The Wagon

My work blocked all access to social networking sites, so my ability to update my blog over lunch has been seriously restricted, and I try not to bring my computer home, because I end up surfing the web all night.

Okay. The last two week have been a slip for me. I haven't followed the workout program. I decided to take Week Seven off, basically, because I felt I needed to take a breather and recuperate. I didn't completely stop working out, but I cut my workouts to two or three a week. This week I intended to get back into things, but I was depressed and unmotivated. Part of it's the end of the semester, and I'm worn out physically and mentally. Part of it's spring, and I just want to relax in the warmth.

Whatever. Point of the matter, I'm not eating well enough and I need to get more sleep, and get back on schedule. I want to finish this program, even if I have some major mistakes along the way. Four weeks to go.

I'm going to the gym tonight and I'm going to go for a run tomorrow. Sunday I'll probably go for a bike, and if the weather holds, I'll bike to work on Monday.

Two weeks of classes, and summer officially starts for me. I need to pay special attention these two weeks and guard against slacking off. Once classes are done, I'll free up skads of time.

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Biking Into Work

I finally biked to work! I started at 6:45 and went sixteen miles, per Google. I did it in a little over an hour, and I feel great. I didn’t push myself, and I was dealing with a lot of stoplights because my morning route takes me through downtown Minneapolis, so I could probably have done it in under an hour if I had a more-ideal course. I’m no longer worried about the MS150, however. As long as I get a good amount of training in beforehand, if I keep it slow and steady, I don’t think I’m going to have a problem with the trip. Looks like my Body for Life training has helped me out more than I anticipated. Last year, I remember the first ride of the year being torturous.

Although I feel fine now, miles one and two this morning were cold! I took it down to a lower gear to warm up: in a lower gear, your bike moves slower (less wind!) and your legs move faster. After that first few miles, I was fine, but I was seriously wondering about the wisdom of the trip prior to that.

Ideally, I would bike into work 2-3 times a week for training, but I don’t know how realistic this would be. We’ll see. I’ll try to pedal in on Friday.

I need to purchase a few items for this years biking season, and bike equipment is pricey! Things I need include:

– Bike Shorts: ($70) I’m using tri-shorts now, and I need more padding!
– Gel Gloves: ($30) I want to go a little pricey on these as I’m getting wrist problems
– New Shoes: ($150?) I have a set of Sidi shoes I bought used, which a tiny-bit big on me. New shoes are EXPENSIVE. I’ll have to do some research on them.
– Panniers(?): ($50-$80) I’m thinking of doing this. I do a lot of commuting, but I’m hesitant to add the weight and I’d have to install a rack ($30-$50), which I just think looks lame.
– Wedge Pack: ($20) the little pack that goes under the seat, good for repair kits, which I also don’t have.
– Repair Kit: ($20) I’ll definitely want this for the MS150. They have bike mechanics, but I could easily get stuck in a bad spot between stations

This is around $350 worth of equipment, which is more than I want to purchase right now. I’ll check online to see what I can get as a deal.

I have a friend who I was going to use as ride if I wasn’t feeling up for the bike home, but I’m not going to have to pull that lever. I’ll be fine.

Cheers!

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Friday Update - End of Week 6!

I looked online to see if their might be adverse affects to using protein supplements, and found some studies that link over-consumption to kidney issues, which made me paranoid. I’d been having side pains which could be associated with kidneys. I’ve decided to drink a lot of water and cranberry juice for a couple of days, stay off the protein powders until next week, and then cut back the amount that I’m taking. I was taking around 80-100g/day, and I don’t think I need more than 40-60g/day protein powder. The “pain” was actually more like “mild awareness of kidneys,” but I don’t think I should be “aware” of any of my internal organs.

I’m pretty happy with the results of Body for Life so far. I haven’t been tackling the diet like I should, so I haven’t slimmed down as I would like to, but we’re finally seeing some warmer weather in Minnesota, so getting outdoors is getting easier and easier. I wanted to bike to work this week, but morning temperatures of 30 degrees kept me from venturing out. Next week looks like the temps will warm up to the upper 30s in the early morning and the upper 50s for the ride home, and that’s a much more comfortable ride.

I have a rest day tomorrow! Thank God. I need one.

I keep thinking that school is almost done, but I have four weeks left. I need to use my weekend efficiently so that I’m not working all week to get my homework done. I’m dog-tired these days. When I’m finished with the semester, I have a lot of writing to do, so I’m going to rent space at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. It will be nice to have a writing routine uninterrupted by class. My schedule is, hopefully, clearing up soon, but for real, I need to find a way to go part time next year, because this is killing me.

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Wednesday

I'm having a tired, funked-out day today. No energy or motivation. I haven't been eating enough or drinking enough water. Or eating the right things. Grrr...

Good workout today, at least; I wanted to bike into work this morning, but it still seemed too cold, so I jumped on the exercise bike and did 30 minutes, which is as good as I get, on a stationary bike.

That's all.

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