Recall

It's been awhile since I rode, partly due to weather, partly to work travel last week and ... now I learned my bike may have a recall. So, it's back to the bike shop next week to get remedied and then onto the trainer.

And, coming soon, swimming.

Light week

I got two good rides in this week before the rain, cold and wind came back. Indian summer was nice while it lasted.

Next week, I'll be bike-less at the home office in NY, so I'll have to go out of my way to do some extra walking, stretching and watching what I eat. And then, apparently back on the trainer when I get home.

50.91 miles this week

'Nuff said.

I see progress

Did a 14-mile ride today at lunch in just under an hour. I noticed on my Map My Ride workouts summary that I am at 40.5 miles for the week, making this my first 40-mile week. I want to get out tomorrow for at least 10 now to make it my first 50-mile week too.

That's not my only progress though. I noticed today on the hill just east of my house that used to be a challenge was now just a slight adjustment, even at the end of a longer (for me) ride. I also notice that anything less than about eight miles doesn't feel like I really got a workout in.

All in all, heading into the weekend on a high note.

broken record

Another beautiful day. It's about 80 degrees out today and no clouds. Tackled an average difficulty 8.75-miler today in about 34 minutes and close to 15.2 mph average.

Other updates: Good news from the scale this week. Gotta capitalize on that before winter holidays set in.

Yuck

Another beautiful noontime ride, but the box-elder bugs and wasps tried to run me off the road in some areas. Ick.

Anyway, did a 7.25-mile ride in under 30 minutes, for a nice break in the day. And the weather looks like some great rides to come the rest of the week, too.

Blue skies

Today was a beautiful day for a lunchtime bike ride. About 68 degrees, light wind and blue skies in every direction. I turned in a 45-minute 10.5-mile ride with a nice selection of rolling terrain and a couple steep hills.

Slow ride

I didn't get the ride in I wanted to today. I wanted to do 18 miles to karate and back. I left with enough time to get there if I averaged about 14 mph, but hit strong headwinds when I turned north, which would have been the bulk of the ride. I continued on until I knew I wouldn't make class on time, then turned down some country roads and meandered home.

Total miles: 15.4. Avg: 11.5 mph.

Still a nice ride though.

Trainer

Not much to blog about when I use the trainer. There are no tough hills, headwinds, traffic, inclement weather ... just how many minutes I rode. It is nice to watch a movie on netflix while I ride though.

Today and tomorrow look like the rain will stay away for a bit, so I'm hoping to do a noon or afternoon ride today and maybe a ride to and from karate tomorrow (18 miles each way).

out of the wind

Lots of rain lately, but I now have the bike set up on a trainer in the office. Today was my first day on it; it's a bit awkward, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. And I'll still be riding outside on whatever sunny days are left this year before the cold really settles in.

into the wind

An 8-mile ride yesterday felt like more of a resistance workout than cardio. I was fighting strong headwinds and crosswinds for all but about 1.5 miles of it.

Then today loomed, windy and drizzling, and I'm catching a cold, so I stayed in. Maybe tomorrow lunch will be better. Definitely plan to ride Saturday and Sunday this week with no work travel looming.

*burrpp*

I hit moments of repetitive belching when I'm riding -- does that mean I need to pay more attention to my breathing, that I'm just gulping in air at times?

A good ride today, 8.5 miles at lunch. I was maintaining good speeds on some of the flat areas, between 18 and 20 mph. It felt great, especially after missing the past few days.

brr

My fingers have just warmed enough so I can type again. Cold one this morning. I cut the hour ride I was planning down to 15 minutes and a 3.5-mile route. I'll have to go out again at lunch after it gets out of the 40s and up into the 60s.

I may be down to my last few morning rides now when it's warm enough to do so, and going out after the sun's been out for at least a few hours.

Looks like the swimming portion of training is coming up, plus putting the Trek on a bike trainer in the office.

30 minutes

A 30-minute, 7.25-mile ride this morning. Beautiful morning, autumn just hit and it's only about 64 degrees out so far. I'm at half my distance for last week already, but I only get to ride two more mornings this week because of a work trip this weekend.

Maybe I'll get inspired and take a quick ride at lunch too. But I don't want to overdo it and cause injury either. ...

Good start

A great 11-mile ride this morning, in about 45 minutes. A good way to start the work week, breaking a sweat before eight in the morning.

Feeling good

Got a 14-mile ride in this morning, and it felt good. I was never too winded, and I didn't feel especially slow at any point either. Some decent hills mixed in with rolling terrain, and made it in 58 minutes. The mileage also put me a couple miles over last week's total, into the upper 30s for the week. Next goal: try for a 50-plus mile week.

Good ride today

I did a new route today at lunch, 8.5 miles in 35 minutes (14.5 mph avg.) Overall it was mostly flat, but with one killer hill just past the midway point. In case I don't get to pedal out tomorrow, this was a good one to finish the week on. When I was on some flats in headwinds, I was able to pace at about 13 mph. Once I got away from the headwinds, I was keeping closer to a 16 mph pace. Some days out there, I even impress myself.

Just saw there is an official Ford Ironman tri in Madison on Sunday. Hopefully I can work out a way to go cheer on some of the racers at some point during the day and get inspired.

Distracted

This week has been hard to keep my head on the task at hand whether at home or work. I also haven't ridden since Sunday. I went out for a 7-mile ride today at lunch, and now let's see how well I focus this afternoon.

Discouraged

I went for a nice long 15-mile bike ride yesterday, from my local bike shop in Whitewater back to home. There were a couple of tough hills along the way, and it was hot and muggy out. My water went from refreshing to warm awful quick. I completed the ride in 1:04 and felt pretty good when I got home.

Then I got on the scale this morning. Last results were pretty good on Monday, about a 2.4 lbs. loss over the previous eight days. Then today was a 2.6 gain, negating that entirely. It makes me want to chuck the whole thing. It feels like this is the body I'm stuck with no matter what I do.

I know it's not all going to change overnight, but the lbs. ups are extremely discouraging and the lbs. downs seem few and far between. Overall I'm still lighter than when I started this whole thing almost two months ago and I guess I need to use that as the big picture.

7.5 miles

Finished the week with a 7.5-mile morning ride in 30 minutes (14.9 mph avg), to bring me up 3 miles past last week's total. 26 miles and change this week, and tomorrow starts with a 20-mile ride with Dad I can't get out of.

Next week will be tough to get miles in though, as I have to go to KC Tues-Wed, and I'm going to Auburn, Ind., Fri-Sat. Getting that 20 in on Sunday will be good, and I'll have to be disciplined enough to get morning rides in on Mon-Th-Fri so I don't lazy out of 'em.

After work

Did not want to ride this morning. Did not want to ride at lunch. Did not want to ride this evening.

But ...

Once I got my butt in gear (with help) and pedaling tonight, I lapped my fastest times yet. 6.1 miles at an average of 14.2 mph.

It feels pretty good.

8-mile

I seem to rarely do the same ride two days in a row. There are enough country roads and little shortcuts around here to make any regular ride a bit longer or shorter on a whim. I think that's a benefit to keeping my mind occupied during the ride and keep my body from adjusting to any kind of regular plateau.

Today was a slightly modified noon ride that got me to 8 miles on the nose, in just over 35 minutes. I've got a nice sweat going now, so I'll get a quick shower and light lunch and back to work with a renewed vigor.

Today's workouts also include 30 minutes of yoga/stretching this morning and an hour of karate yet to go tonight.

And I forgot to mention yesterday that after 8 days away from the scale, I recorded a 2.9-lbs. loss. Huzzah -

I'm back

A quick road trip to Ohio for a long weekend, and now back on it. Did a short 4.8-mile ride this morning and got back about 5 minutes before the rain started, and 10 minutes ahead of the lightning.

Looking at my past rides this month, it looks like I'm getting into a groove where I average about 13.5+ mph. I've been told that 10-12 mph is a leisure ride, and 12-14 is a workout, 14-16 is a strong workout and above 16 mph is getting into "really booking."

With rides like this morning, when I head out before breakfast, I wonder how long/hard I need to pedal before my body starts burning fat for fuel...

Evening sweat

I didn't ride yesterday -- my legs were still protesting a bit from the long Sunday ride and I gave in. (I did still get a good sweat at karate last night though.)

This morning I didn't get out, then I did errands at lunch. By the time I walked away from my desk I did not want to ride tonight. I sat down and started berating myself for not riding until I bullied myself into one. It turned out to be a good one. Seven miles at a good 14 mph pace. Now I've got a good sweat going and I feel much better.

I might even smile.

juiced

Today I planned to go for a nice long ride, but I felt worn out after about 10 miles. I stopped to take a rest, then wound my way home over about another 6 miles. All told, it was about 16.5 miles in 1h 15m of actual saddle time, which doesn't seem terrible.

Lesson learned though, that I should maybe bring a couple fig newtons anytime I plan on a long ride. Not a lot of convenience stores in the middle of nowhere, which actually would be quite convenient.

I guess I'm not quite ready for a 50-mile Sunday pleasure ride.

meh

A very short 3.5-mile ride this morning. My knee was aching when I woke up (I tweaked it slightly at karate last night). Maybe I'll go out for another ride at lunch. I will be getting some walking and stair climbing tonight at the Brewers game. I'll have to watch my caloric intake though. It's easy to skip the beers available there, but the food is another matter.

Noon 2

Another lunchtime quick ride today. Just under 5 miles in about 21 minutes. Enough to get a good sweat going and launch my productivity for this afternoon.

Nooner

No enthusiasm to ride right away today, so I started with a half-hour of yoga and stretching with Wii Fit.

Then I looked longingly all morning at my Trek next to my desk, waiting to ride at lunch. Did a quick 6.25-mile up-and-back ride. It took 26 minutes and change, and I hit a new top speed at 26.7 mph. That feels a lot faster when it is self-powered.

Huffing and puffing

I'm disappointed (not surprised, just disappointed) that I've lost so much cardio endurance in just a week away. Well, 10 days actually from my last ride due to the bike's time in the shop. But as hard as I had to keep breathing throughout the quick ride this morning, I could tell my legs hadn't lost much as far as consistently pedaling.

So, according to the new CatEye computer, I reached a high of 23.8 mph, averaged 11.1 mph and went 4.01 miles in 20:51. Now that I can track cadence, I tried to keep my cadence around 90 (a number I've found recommended several times for beginner bike training). Watching the cadence actually affected my riding a lot, as I had to upshift more on the downhills to keep up, and downshift (way more) on the uphills to keep pace.

It felt great to be riding again after the short break.

Back in the saddle - tomorrow

Picked my Trek back up today, looking very much forward to going for a ride again tomorrow. It was a long week without.

And now the bike has a computer to track my cadence, mph, distance, etc.; it will be so much more fun. And hydrating with the new water bottle won't hurt either.

A week without biking

Day three without riding. Ugh. I really miss it. I have been walking each day and doing stretching and some exercise, and eating even better (better choices, more vegetables, smaller portion sizes overall).

When I do get back, the bike will have been through its post-break-in re-adjustments where it is receiving a computer so I can better track my miles, time and especially cadence while riding. Definitely looking forward to that.

Not likely to post again until I'm home and get to take a ride out again.

Headwinds

Did a new route today, 10-and-change miles, in about 45 minutes. A couple long hills that were challenging, and then a turn north onto my 3-mile homestretch and ... Bang. Smack into a headwind that made me feel like I was pulling an anchor behind me.

But I finished. Now I've got to watch my calories all day because I'm going to the Brewers game tonight with my brothers.

Yesterday

The skies cleared for a bit in the late morning, enough that I went for a quick ride at lunch. I did 6 miles in 25 minutes, and kept my feet pedaling the entire ride which was new.

Not much else right now, but I want to get in some more good miles before I leave for NY on Sunday morning.

T-storms

Weather out there is preventing me from riding this morning -- perhaps it will be dry at lunch or after work. If not, I still have karate tonight and can go back to more Wii Fit, which I've slowed down on since starting up with more riding.

In the mean time, reading lots about running tris, training for them and about the Kona Ironman. Assuming I become addicted to running these like many say is probable, I might make Kona my 10-year goal (i.e. before I'm 50). That would be a pretty cool accomplishment to have in my obituary.

So, first run a tri sprint or two next year, get addicted, start adding Olympic and Half Ironman events over the next few years after and then set sights on Kona.

A quick one

Quickest ride yet this morning, 4.5 miles in about 20-25 minutes. The bike is going in next week for break-in adjustments and getting a cyclo-computer, so I'll be able to better track time, mileage and cadence. I'll continue to do routes/mileage on MapMYRide as well, which does a nice job showing elevation in its routes.

A couple long climbs though, and I was close to pedaling the whole time instead of resting on the declines. That is a definite improvement.

12 miles this morning

I got out for a 12-mile ride this morning before work (so easy to do this without a commute). It took about an hour. I'm noticing that hills I know are coming up are much bigger in my head before I get to them. When I'm on them, I'm usually looking pretty much straight at the ground in front of the front tire, so the hill disappears (though the pedaling does get harder).

The great thing mentally about riding before work is now I have all day to think "I've worked out today," vs. "I've still got to work out today." And I still have karate tonight and time for some stretching/yoga throughout the day.

Right now I'm a bit sore, but really glad I started this whole triathlon/training thing.

Two good rides

I did end up getting out for a ride yesterday after all. The roads were nice and dry, and the weather not too humid, so I went for a ride in the afternoon after work. I went for an 11-mile ride in about 45 minutes and it felt great. The Trek 7.3 and I are really getting to know each other.

Then tonight, I did an evening ride of about 80 minutes and 17 miles. I didn't intend to be out that long time-wise or mileage-wise, but I guess meandering will do that to a ride. I'm sweaty and tired and ready to relax for awhile.

Tomorrow, I have to drive to Indianapolis and back, starting out at 8 a.m. Not sure if I'll get up at 6 for a ride before I go, but I know if I don't that I won't go out when I get back late. We'll see.

T-storms

Day three on the bike derailed by weather; woke up groggily today to the delicate sound of thunder.

Good news is my legs and butt were not sore and I was ready/willing to ride. I'll have to put in some extra Wii Fit time at lunch, and/or possibly do a later ride if it dries up out there.

I am noticing that the bike is easy on my knees, which is great. As I keep shedding weight, I'll make 250 lbs. my goal weight to add in regular running or jogging days. That's not likely to be here real soon, but maybe in time for some cool late autumn runs.

Hopefully, come Monday, I can say I've added at least 30-40 miles to my time in saddle.

Bike: Day two

Today was easier pedaling than yesterday. I went roughly the same distance for 30 minutes, but on a different route which had more quick, steep hills than the longer rolling hills of yesterday.

Also had a good sweaty workout at karate last night. Results on the scale this morning were minor, but still down instead of up (my meals yesterday were a little off, so I need to watch myself and make sure I don't think I can eat more just because I'm adding a new exercise routine with the bike.)

Aside from weight, I am starting to feel a little more overall toning with my body thanks to the strength and yoga exercises the Wii Fit is running me through.

Now is the time to really stay focused and get a good start on the bike, because I have a work trip the first week of August and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get on a bike while I'm out there. I'll have to make a concentrated effort to get out and walk or jog extra, and watch calories out there.

First day on the road

I picked up my new Trek last night, but, aside from a quick test ride at the bike shop for quick adjustments, couldn't go for a longer ride last night due to the scorching heat and oppressive humidity in the area.

So I set my alarm for 6:20 a.m. and got out for a ride this morning before the sun came up too high. The original plan for an hour ride was scrapped, as my legs, butt and current level of cardio health protested. It is, after all, day one, I thought, and came back in at roughly 6 miles and a 30 minute ride.

The Trek FX 7.3 is a lovely bike. It shifts cleanly, weighs very little and looks pretty next to my desk.

I discovered that it does not like to be pedaled from a standing position, so I'm using all 24 gears on the hills planted in the saddle. The only time I stand is to give my butt a brief respite.

It wasn't the full workout I hoped for today, but I do still have an hour of karate to do tonight.

Steady weight loss

My weight is down just over 7 lbs. in the past 10 days. This has been hugely encouraging for me and a great incentive to staying on track with thinking differently about what I eat. I know that I won't lose 5 lbs. every week over the next 51 weeks, but it sure is a nice way to get started. Many thanks to karate and the Wii Fit+ also.

I ordered my Trek FX 7.3 and it should be in this week. I can't wait to add the formal bike training to my daily routine.

Week 1 results, and a Trek

Checking in with my Wii Fit profile this morning marked seven consecutive days of weigh-ins and exercise. The Wii FIt has been great to not only help me keep thinking about moving more throughout the day, but snacking less and eating smarter (generally) so that the animated balance board/scale doesn't scold me.

I'm down 5 lbs., since last Saturday. I know that's a lot of water weight etc., etc., but still it's gone. I've done karate 3x this week and worked up a good sweat there twice, in addition to roughly 30-plus minutes of Wii Fit cardio, balance and yoga-type activity every day. It's been a good start. Only 51 more weeks until I'm 40.

Last night, I spent some time at my local bike shop in Whitewater at Quiet Hut Sports and talked with the owner about bikes and what I need, want and can afford right now. As of now, I'm looking at the Trek FX 7.3 or 7.5. The main difference between the two is sturdier derailleurs and a carbon-fiber fork on the 7.5. I'm weighing whether the $250 jump will significantly change the ride that I'd notice.

Hybrid bike?

The sea change in thinking has arrived. With a consensus from a bike shop owner, my wife and my dad, I am now looking at hybrid bikes vs. road bikes for my new bike.

They will be sturdier for my (current) weight, allow me to train heartily and compete OK. And the price point is a lot lower for decent entry-level options.

Maybe a set of clip-on aero bars can help me get over my dislike for the straight bars.

Getting a road bike

I've been looking for a road bike this summer, and was thinking used and watching craigslist and local bike shops. It's hard to find used at any of the bikes shops within 20 miles of here, though. And I've been warned off buying used not from a bike shop unless I really know the minutiae of bicycle engineering, otherwise I might add another $300 onto a $125 'steal.'

So I started looking new as well. Turns out drop-bar road bikes like I like are entry-level at about $500-$600 for Trek, Raleigh, etc. Or about $200 for non-branded Schwinns and the like that get sold through Amazon, Target and Walmart.

So the question became: Buy the cheaper bike, use it to train for this first triathlon and consider an upgrade as a reward for finishing next year, or put more money in now on the nicer entry-level bike and count on it being better for training and keeping me motivated?

Still torn, have advice from both sides and want to be riding now. I'm going to Milwaukee on Saturday, and hope to check out just a few more bike shops, and maybe find a used or closeout deal. I would love to be formally bike training by Monday.

Pewaukee Sprint

I've decided I'm training for the Pewaukee Triathlon Sprint, which is run annually around my birthday. The Sprint distance for this race is roughly a 440-yard swim, 16-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. No Ironmans for me ... yet. Maybe for when I turn 45.

So far in my training, I've found some good resources at beginnertriathlete.com on schedules and training plans. I'm showing some improvements in my weight/BMI according to the Wii Fit Plus and am looking for a road bike.

Actually, I've been shopping for a decent road bike for about a month -- the triathlon thing came later. But the plan is to get the bike and do lots of bike training from now until the snow flies, and then transition to swim training at the Whitewater Aquatics Center over the winter. All the while for both, I will continue doing karate 3-4x week.

So to sum up, I'm now searching for the right bike and eating better as my main daily goals, and using the Wii Fit daily to keep myself accountable on weight/BMI.

I'm 39 now ...

... and not happy with my physical health. I decided on my birthday a few days ago that I will run a triathlon by the time I'm 40.

I knew that setting the goal was important. Thus the triathlon declaration.

Even more important is involving others to hold me to it. Thus the blog. Over the course of the next year, I will update often on my training progress, weight loss and anything else as it relates.

This, then, is step 1.