Such strange events these last few days...
Monday night we checked the weather report and found it was supposed to be a nice, sunny 63 on Tuesday--but overnight it was supposed to get down to freezing. So what would it be like in the morning for my ride? Probably still freezing.
I mentioned this to my husband, and asked, "So when would be the ideal time to ride my bike?" He said, "Noon." Well, that's an inconvenient time for me generally, but I decided to make an exception and move around my schedule so I could take advantage of the beautiful day.
I got up the next morning without intending to go out until later and got a few things done. Then it was time to get the kids up and ready for school, and I discovered that my son--usually the first one up in the house--was still sleeping. I thought this was very strange and I tried to wake him up. He was very lethargic--getting out of bed, but then resting his head on the dresser as he stood there.
I went downstairs to make breakfast and then came back upstairs to check on him. He was back in bed, barely awake. Now I was really worried.
I sent my daughter to the bus stop and called the school to tell them my son wouldn't be in in the morning. Then I putzed around, checking on him every 20 minutes to make sure he was still breathing, and grateful I had already decided to delay my ride.
After about an hour, my son bounded down the stairs full of energy as if nothing had ever happened and, for some reason, was totally focussed on collecting all his video games and putting them in one spot. As I watched him, I immediately understood what had caused his strange behavior earlier--his seasonal allergies had arrived.
So, I gave him some benedryl and brought him into school.
The weather was still chilly--only in the high 40s--so I decided to wait a little longer for my ride...finally heading out the door at about 11:45am.
Immediately I could tell a difference from yesterday's ride--good food has a powerful effect on strength and energy!
As I approached the "100 count" hill, which is about halfway through my ride--about 5 miles out--I was feeling good. I did my best to get some good speed to help with the momentum on the way up. I started to change gears, and that's when it happened...I lost control.
I don't know if it was because of the location of the gears (I have to take my hand off the handlebar to shift) or whether I hit some gravel, but I could tell I was going to crash, and the only thing I thought of was, "What is the best way to fall?"
I ended up doing a somersault over the handlebar and onto a patch of grass next to the sidewalk--it probably would have been theatrical if it wasn't so scary.
I felt OK, but I was pretty shaken up and not sure what to do--I was, it seemed, very far away from home. My husband was an hour away at work. My only thought was to call someone from church to come pick me up, but I didn't have any phone numbers, so I called my husband to have him look up some numbers on the online member directory.
While we were talking a very nice man in a pickup trucked stopped by to make sure I was OK. If I wasn't so far away from home, I would have had him take me there--but I just felt 5 miles was too far to ask. So I thanked him, told him I was on the phone with my husband, reassured him I would be fine, and let him go on his way. I felt bad that I wasn't able to offer him an opportunity to serve and asked God to bless him as if he had.
Anyway, as all this was going on, I was starting to settle down. I don't think I was really panicked, but I definitely felt the adrenaline rush of an emergency.
Once I was reoriented, I realized that I was near a cross street that could cut down the middle of my loop and take me directly home.
So, I told my husband I was going to ride home and that I would call him when I got here.
Once I got home, I took 1000mg of ibuprofen and showered--I figured I was in for some massive pain within the next few hours.
By dinnertime I was achy, and by about bedtime I was starting to feel a sharp pain in my upper abdomen, near my sternum--it felt like a bruise, but there was no bruise to be seen. I don't remember doing it, but I must have fallen on the handlebars. Having watched too much television and seen too many horror stories of internal bleeding and people who thought they were just fine dropping dead, I called the nurse for some reassurance.
She suggested that I see a doctor within 3 hours, but it was nighttime, and I did not want to go to the emergency room.
So, I decided to go ahead and go to sleep and told my husband to check on me.
This morning the abdominal pain was worse, so I went to see the doctor. She initially said she would order an xray, but said that if I had broken or fractured a rib there is nothing that could be done about it.
I told her it didn't feel like my ribs and so she pushed on it again and said she would order an ultrasound instead.
So...I went to the ultrasound clinic and told the technician what was going on. She asked me to point to where the pain was and I lifted up my shirt and pointed to it.
"Oh, you mean right there where that bruise is?" It seems a bruise had appeared!
Anyway, she first did all her checking around looking at the internal organs and seeing if there was any extra fluid in there and everything seemed to be fine. Then she switched probes and looked at the muscle. Everything was fine.
When I wrote my book and told the story of my near heart attack, I said, "It's funny how your mind works in an emergency--obviously, you don't want any thing to be wrong, but then again, you hate to go through all that for nothing."
And that's exactly how I feel now.
So, here I sit--very achy, tired, and miserable, but with nothing seriously wrong with me. So tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, I'll be out in the saddle again, doing another 10 miler, and hoping I have all the wipe outs out of my system.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
What a Mistake
I have felt terrible all day--this weekend's food choices were DEFINITELY A BIG MISTAKE. Ugh... I tried to make up for it today. I plan to be even better as time goes on!
9:00am - Access shake
11:30am - paradise blend/banana protein shake
2:30pm - small, 100 calorie bag of pretzels
6:00pm - giant salad with thousand island dressing
7:30pm - macaroni and cheese
10:30pm - pineapple
Weighed in today at 170lbs. That's two pounds MORE than last week. But I'm not worried about it--with better food choices, that should turn around fairly quickly.
9:00am - Access shake
11:30am - paradise blend/banana protein shake
2:30pm - small, 100 calorie bag of pretzels
6:00pm - giant salad with thousand island dressing
7:30pm - macaroni and cheese
10:30pm - pineapple
Weighed in today at 170lbs. That's two pounds MORE than last week. But I'm not worried about it--with better food choices, that should turn around fairly quickly.
Tough, Windy Ride
I got up later than I had hoped this morning--7am, which isn't bad, but not enough time to go for my ride and be back in time to get the kids off to school, which is my goal.
So I got some other things done in the morning, got the kids dressed and fed, and was SHOCKED when we walked out to the bus stop at how cold it was. 48 degrees--not much colder than it was over the weekend, but what a difference! It's very windy...perhaps that's what it is...
Anyway, I was glad I had had the opportunity to experience the cold before I went out, because I came back in and bundled up!
Today's ride was VERY difficult. I did the regular 10 mile loop around my neighborhood, but my legs and body were so tired, I often felt like giving up. At the bottom of my "100" count hill, I honestly considered walking. I really didn't think I would be able to make it!
But then I remembered a quote from Arnold Schwartzenegger that I read recently. He said, "The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That's what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they'll go through the pain no matter what happens."
I thought about how many times in my life I had quit or given up because I was too tired, and I found the determination to push forward.
It took me 78 counts, but I did it!
So what made today so difficult? Though it may have something to do with the wind (you work harder and don't go as fast when the wind keeps pushing you back!), I believe that the number one determining factor was my poor eating choices over the weekend.
I won't make that mistake again.
Now it's off to do my yoga...
So I got some other things done in the morning, got the kids dressed and fed, and was SHOCKED when we walked out to the bus stop at how cold it was. 48 degrees--not much colder than it was over the weekend, but what a difference! It's very windy...perhaps that's what it is...
Anyway, I was glad I had had the opportunity to experience the cold before I went out, because I came back in and bundled up!
Today's ride was VERY difficult. I did the regular 10 mile loop around my neighborhood, but my legs and body were so tired, I often felt like giving up. At the bottom of my "100" count hill, I honestly considered walking. I really didn't think I would be able to make it!
But then I remembered a quote from Arnold Schwartzenegger that I read recently. He said, "The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That's what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they'll go through the pain no matter what happens."
I thought about how many times in my life I had quit or given up because I was too tired, and I found the determination to push forward.
It took me 78 counts, but I did it!
So what made today so difficult? Though it may have something to do with the wind (you work harder and don't go as fast when the wind keeps pushing you back!), I believe that the number one determining factor was my poor eating choices over the weekend.
I won't make that mistake again.
Now it's off to do my yoga...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A Day of Rest
So, Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. Unfortunately for me, it is often jam packed with activities, and today was no exception. My food choices were not the best, which is especially bad since it followed ice cream on Friday, a "hot food" binge and party food on Saturday--and tomorrow is weigh in day. Ack!
The good news is that I can really tell a difference in my body when I don't eat right--if I can remember how bad it makes me feel, then I'll be less likely to make poor choices in the future.
Anyway...
8:30a - mango, pineapple, 1/2 banana, vitamins
12:30p - giant salad with spray on ranch, 2 bean burritos on whole wheat tortillas with lettuce and tomato
5:00p - a little bit of leftover holuski, 2 pierogie, bread and butter
10:10p - mozzarella stick, bruschetta, and fried zucchini; O'Doul's (went out after a show for a late night snack)
I'm noticing a trend that I tend to eat well in the morning and then blow it in the evening. Well, the first step to recovery is acknowledging you have a problem! ;o)
Back on the bike tomorrow...
The good news is that I can really tell a difference in my body when I don't eat right--if I can remember how bad it makes me feel, then I'll be less likely to make poor choices in the future.
Anyway...
8:30a - mango, pineapple, 1/2 banana, vitamins
12:30p - giant salad with spray on ranch, 2 bean burritos on whole wheat tortillas with lettuce and tomato
5:00p - a little bit of leftover holuski, 2 pierogie, bread and butter
10:10p - mozzarella stick, bruschetta, and fried zucchini; O'Doul's (went out after a show for a late night snack)
I'm noticing a trend that I tend to eat well in the morning and then blow it in the evening. Well, the first step to recovery is acknowledging you have a problem! ;o)
Back on the bike tomorrow...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
My First Long Ride of the Season
No rain....yea!!!!
I was excited to head out this morning for my first long distance ride. I had seen in the weather forecast that it was supposed to rain, but had planned to go out anyway. I was thrilled to learned that it wasn't actually supposed to rain until the afternoon. As it was, it was cool and misty--it reminded me of the Oregon Coast, which I love.
So it was a good ride.
It started out a little rocky, though...
My plan was to ride 15 miles along the Mt. Vernon Trail, starting at mile 1, riding to about 8 1/2 and heading back.
Unfortunately, when I was about halfway there, I realized I had forgotten a snot rag. I knew that with the weather the way it was, I would definitely need to blow my nose more than once, so my mind raced for a solution.
I remembered that there was a grocery store not far from mile 7, so I decided to stop there and pick something up.
I don't use tissue, because it just falls apart, so I was hoping to find a cleaning rag or something--even a small dishcloth. Anyway, I spent an inordinate amount of time looking around the store and finally saw a package of Kleenex brand Viva Towels. It said, "Soft and Strong Like a Cloth" on the outside. Perfect!
They lived up to their name and were excellent at the job. I've decided to keep them in my car in case I forget for future rides. :o)
But now I was at mile 7, so I had to either drive back to mile 1 or change my plans. I decided to start at 7 and ride up to 8 1/2, then back to mile 1, and back to mile 7. Actually, it turned quite well--so well, I think I might keep doing it. Heading backwards, there are some pretty steep hills...better to tackle them in the first half of the ride than the second! :o)
Speaking of hills, this route has one very steep hill that I had tried my "100 count" strategy on in the fall. It only took counting to 12, but it is VERY steep, and there is a hairpin turn leading up to it, so you can't get any momentum before tackling it.
Today when I approached it, I downshifted, headed up and--wow! I went up lickety split! Woo hoo! Again, more evidence that my fall training paid off! (Of course, there is the possibility that it was so easy because it was in the first part of my ride, rather than in the last part...)
Anyway, despite all the craziness, it was a good ride. I was suprised how tired my legs were when I first got on the bike (as a result of yesterday's ride), but as I warmed up, that went away. It was nice and cool--not too cold, and like I said it reminded me of the Oregon Coast. I saw a lot of nature riding along the river, and I was just so grateful that I have this ride to "force" me out. I think my natural inclination would be to just stay home.
When I was done with the ride, and the bike was back on the rack, it suddenly hit me--I was SOAKED AND FREEZING! I guess the exercise was keeping me warm and the scenery was keeping me distracted. When I got home, all I wanted to was hot food and a hot shower. After that, I plopped down on the bed and promptly fell asleep. I guess I hadn't realized how tired I was, either! But I know from experience that that recovery--how you feel after the ride--gets significantly better the more you work out.
So, my eating wasn't that great--in fact, it was pretty awful. I was just so cold when I got home!!!! I definitely was not in the mood for a fruit and protein shake...
10:30a - Access shake
12:15p - Access bar
2:00p - multibean soup, piergie, holuski
6:30p - went to a party and ate a variety of snacks into the evening: chips and bean dip (with lettuce and tomato), artichoke bites, fresh vegetables with dip, hummus and pita, chips and spinach/artichoke dip, strawberries & grapes; drank lots of sparking lemonade and sparkling apple cider.
I was excited to head out this morning for my first long distance ride. I had seen in the weather forecast that it was supposed to rain, but had planned to go out anyway. I was thrilled to learned that it wasn't actually supposed to rain until the afternoon. As it was, it was cool and misty--it reminded me of the Oregon Coast, which I love.
So it was a good ride.
It started out a little rocky, though...
My plan was to ride 15 miles along the Mt. Vernon Trail, starting at mile 1, riding to about 8 1/2 and heading back.
Unfortunately, when I was about halfway there, I realized I had forgotten a snot rag. I knew that with the weather the way it was, I would definitely need to blow my nose more than once, so my mind raced for a solution.
I remembered that there was a grocery store not far from mile 7, so I decided to stop there and pick something up.
I don't use tissue, because it just falls apart, so I was hoping to find a cleaning rag or something--even a small dishcloth. Anyway, I spent an inordinate amount of time looking around the store and finally saw a package of Kleenex brand Viva Towels. It said, "Soft and Strong Like a Cloth" on the outside. Perfect!
They lived up to their name and were excellent at the job. I've decided to keep them in my car in case I forget for future rides. :o)
But now I was at mile 7, so I had to either drive back to mile 1 or change my plans. I decided to start at 7 and ride up to 8 1/2, then back to mile 1, and back to mile 7. Actually, it turned quite well--so well, I think I might keep doing it. Heading backwards, there are some pretty steep hills...better to tackle them in the first half of the ride than the second! :o)
Speaking of hills, this route has one very steep hill that I had tried my "100 count" strategy on in the fall. It only took counting to 12, but it is VERY steep, and there is a hairpin turn leading up to it, so you can't get any momentum before tackling it.
Today when I approached it, I downshifted, headed up and--wow! I went up lickety split! Woo hoo! Again, more evidence that my fall training paid off! (Of course, there is the possibility that it was so easy because it was in the first part of my ride, rather than in the last part...)
Anyway, despite all the craziness, it was a good ride. I was suprised how tired my legs were when I first got on the bike (as a result of yesterday's ride), but as I warmed up, that went away. It was nice and cool--not too cold, and like I said it reminded me of the Oregon Coast. I saw a lot of nature riding along the river, and I was just so grateful that I have this ride to "force" me out. I think my natural inclination would be to just stay home.
When I was done with the ride, and the bike was back on the rack, it suddenly hit me--I was SOAKED AND FREEZING! I guess the exercise was keeping me warm and the scenery was keeping me distracted. When I got home, all I wanted to was hot food and a hot shower. After that, I plopped down on the bed and promptly fell asleep. I guess I hadn't realized how tired I was, either! But I know from experience that that recovery--how you feel after the ride--gets significantly better the more you work out.
So, my eating wasn't that great--in fact, it was pretty awful. I was just so cold when I got home!!!! I definitely was not in the mood for a fruit and protein shake...
10:30a - Access shake
12:15p - Access bar
2:00p - multibean soup, piergie, holuski
6:30p - went to a party and ate a variety of snacks into the evening: chips and bean dip (with lettuce and tomato), artichoke bites, fresh vegetables with dip, hummus and pita, chips and spinach/artichoke dip, strawberries & grapes; drank lots of sparking lemonade and sparkling apple cider.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Today's Eats
9:30a - Access (I've been getting a late start--this has to stop!)
11:30a - Dreamsicle protein shake, vitamins
2:00p - giant salad with spray on ranch dressing (getting tired of thousand island!), two slices of bread with butter, a little bit of leftover pasta from yesterday
6:00p - Long story here, but I scrapped my original dinner plans and went to get some Ukranian food from a local church--perogie (potato & cheese, encased in dough, served with butter and onions), holuski (pasta with cabbage and onions), and two different kinds of soup (multibean and sauerkraut/mushroom). Not very healthy, but oh so yummy!
10:30p - Speaking of not very healthy, I indulged in some Cold Stone after seeing a show with my friend. I got the Cookie Doughn't You Want Some™.
12:00a - vitamins
11:30a - Dreamsicle protein shake, vitamins
2:00p - giant salad with spray on ranch dressing (getting tired of thousand island!), two slices of bread with butter, a little bit of leftover pasta from yesterday
6:00p - Long story here, but I scrapped my original dinner plans and went to get some Ukranian food from a local church--perogie (potato & cheese, encased in dough, served with butter and onions), holuski (pasta with cabbage and onions), and two different kinds of soup (multibean and sauerkraut/mushroom). Not very healthy, but oh so yummy!
10:30p - Speaking of not very healthy, I indulged in some Cold Stone after seeing a show with my friend. I got the Cookie Doughn't You Want Some™.
12:00a - vitamins
I Rode Outside!!!
Woo hoo!!!!
It was around 50 degrees and beautiful. I wore my hat and bundled up, but found I didn't need to--I got a little overheated and took off my sweatshirt about halfway through. I did wear my bike gloves instead of my regular gloves and at first wished that I had picked the warmer ones. Later, though, as I got warmed up, I was happy with my choice. Still, I'm going to add the warm ones to my list. It may be chilly in the mornings and maybe I'll want to have them and then switch.
I followed the 10 mile course I had used during my fall training, and found that it was somewhat easier than it was 6 months ago. That means that my indoor training was helpful!
I was curious to see how well I would do on the "100" hill. When I was in the triathlon, there was this big hill, and I really didn't think I would be able to make it. I told myself to count to 100 and that after that, if I wanted to get off the bike, I could. So I counted to 100, and when I was done, the hill had leveled out and I was able to stay on. It was a triumphant moment!
Anyway, when I mapped out the 10 mile course by my house, I discovered that there is also a big hill, and when I first encountered it, I decided to use the same strategy--count to 100 before you give yourself permission to get off the bike. I found that I got to the top of the hill around 65.
As I was working out in the fall, I kept hoping to lower that number, but I never could get under 60.
Well, this morning, I made it to the top by 54! Woo hoo!!!!! Yes, the indoor training really did help.
So now that I'm outside, my plan is to ride 10 miles Monday-Friday and then do a long ride on Saturdays...starting at 15 miles and then increasing 10% until I am riding 50 miles consistently. I will probably increase the daily ride, too--maybe to 12, 15, and eventually 20, but I'll stick with 10 for now.
I really need to get to the bike shop and get an odometer...that will make my route planning much easier. And when I go to the shop, I'm going to ask what to do about my hands/wrists. They hurt more than any other place on my body.
And I REALLY need a new bike. This old thing is on its last leg...
It was around 50 degrees and beautiful. I wore my hat and bundled up, but found I didn't need to--I got a little overheated and took off my sweatshirt about halfway through. I did wear my bike gloves instead of my regular gloves and at first wished that I had picked the warmer ones. Later, though, as I got warmed up, I was happy with my choice. Still, I'm going to add the warm ones to my list. It may be chilly in the mornings and maybe I'll want to have them and then switch.
I followed the 10 mile course I had used during my fall training, and found that it was somewhat easier than it was 6 months ago. That means that my indoor training was helpful!
I was curious to see how well I would do on the "100" hill. When I was in the triathlon, there was this big hill, and I really didn't think I would be able to make it. I told myself to count to 100 and that after that, if I wanted to get off the bike, I could. So I counted to 100, and when I was done, the hill had leveled out and I was able to stay on. It was a triumphant moment!
Anyway, when I mapped out the 10 mile course by my house, I discovered that there is also a big hill, and when I first encountered it, I decided to use the same strategy--count to 100 before you give yourself permission to get off the bike. I found that I got to the top of the hill around 65.
As I was working out in the fall, I kept hoping to lower that number, but I never could get under 60.
Well, this morning, I made it to the top by 54! Woo hoo!!!!! Yes, the indoor training really did help.
So now that I'm outside, my plan is to ride 10 miles Monday-Friday and then do a long ride on Saturdays...starting at 15 miles and then increasing 10% until I am riding 50 miles consistently. I will probably increase the daily ride, too--maybe to 12, 15, and eventually 20, but I'll stick with 10 for now.
I really need to get to the bike shop and get an odometer...that will make my route planning much easier. And when I go to the shop, I'm going to ask what to do about my hands/wrists. They hurt more than any other place on my body.
And I REALLY need a new bike. This old thing is on its last leg...
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