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.

Plug-ins are fun

// September 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Now that I’ve found out what the problem is with the remnants from the old template (too many active widgets), I’m having fun searching for and adding new plug-ins to the page. Now maybe I should write something profound… nah!

Here come the Hawks…

// December 5th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

I have to give it John John McDonough and Rocky Wertz. The Hawks are fun again!

Old man Wetrz, nearly killed the team by driving away even the most loyal fan. The younger Wertz is doing a wonderful job to reverse that. Imagine: people actually watch hockey when you can actually see the games on TV, something Bill never seemed to understand.

The team is competitive, young and a heck of a lot of fun to watch. With a little more consistency, they may actually be a competitor in the playoffs. Only time will tell.

Movin’ on Up

// April 15th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Meg has been in the process of interviewing with a number of firms in advance of our move and yesterday, something finally paid off. Meg has accepted a position at a bank in Arlington Heights. She will be working for the temp agency from where she received the offer for the first three months and then would be brought on by the bank after that. She spent most of the day worrying in anticipation over the position and finally received word late yesterday afternoon. She starts 2 weeks from Monday and couldn’t be happier with her decision.

Congratulations babe!