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.