a day in the life

Training Ride #1

// March 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Training ride 1 – Rode my first training ride today and I have to say that I am no where close to being ready for anything. I was winded, I was tired and my back started to hurt a little after about 11 miles of riding. My first rides of the year are never pretty, especially after long Chicago winters.

I suppose that’s why we train, huh?

This was also the first ride where I used the course feature of my Garmin Edge. I created a route using MapMyRide, exported as a Garmin course file and then imported into my device. The two-step process is a bit annoying but serviceable. While my device doesn’t provide turn-by-turn directions, the on-screen map was easy enough to follow to keep me on course. I will definitely use this feature for any organized rides I do where I can download the map in advance. Very handy.

My new friend Garmie

// March 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

As part of the purchase of my new bike, I picked up a new Garmin Edge 305 off of Craigslist (at around 60% off the retail) and I must say that, from what I’ve seen thus far, I’m glad I made the investment. The Garmin not only records my route, it also records the elevations of the route as well as the cadence while traveling the route.

Garmin’s web-based Connect portal provides a one-stop location for reviewing the recorded activity and displays the information in easy to understand graphs. It also integrates with Google Maps to give you a visual overview of your route. Connect looks like it will become an invaluable asset to my training, especially in combination with the HRM.

Project 52: Pt. Deux

// March 18th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Blogging

Back at the beginning of the year, I made the decision to participate in Project 52: a group of people committed to posting to their blogs once a week, for the entire year. However, life and many excuses have since interceded and I hadn’t updated my blog until earlier today.

A number of weeks ago, the originator of Project 52 decided a reboot was in order. Though I know my previous ‘commitment’ proved to be absolutely worthless, I still like the core idea. That said, I would like to give the project another go. I won’t say that I will be updating every week. But I would still like to share my thoughts outside of the instantaneous blurbs (and rants) offered by social media. Whether anyone but me will pay any attention, I don’t know.

Restart and reboot yourself

// March 18th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Cycling, Fitness

So I finally picked up my new bike yesterday and spent most of the evening last night getting it set up; installing the light set and Garmin Edge. The bike is my attempt to both get back in shape but to experience a new form of an exercise that I really enjoy. The last time I owned a road bike was a 10-speed I used to have when I was a kid. It was the same type of 10-speed every other kid in the neighborhood had: a manual-shifting Huffy that was heavy as hell.

While the Fuji isn’t the lightest out there, it’s certainly the lightest bike I’ve ever owned. And I hope it helps me to achieve my goal of being the lightest I’ve been in many a year.

I expect that the new girl and I will have a long, happy, healthy relationship. Cheers!

New year, new challenges

// January 3rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Blogging, Cycling, Health

Dropping off the tree for recycling today was the realization that Christmas and the holidays are over and the beginning of a new year is upon us. The worst thing about the holidays is that it seems that so many are so consumed with finding an purchasing the perfect gift that few take the time to savor the what’s really important. By the time they do, they’re back to the same old grind wondering where the break has gone. I’ve been guilty of doing this very thing myself in the past.

The holidays were pretty low-key for Meg and I but it was very enjoyable because of it. We had little obligation and much down time. We spent time together but also got to have our moments of alone time. Overall, I think that neither one of us would have changed a thing.

Of course part of the changing of the year is a chance for renewal. I’ve vowed to workout more (as countless others have also done). I’m in the process of paying for a new road bike to help with this process. I’ve also taken upon the responsibility of updating this blog weekly as part of Project 52, for which I have Christina Warren to thank for my introduction to the project. I would say that I will try to follow through with my contributions to this project but — with the words of a 900yr old Muppet echoing in my head — I will do, not do not.

Wish me luck.