Numbers

I am obsessed with numbers today. 6.46 - that's how many miles I rode this morning.  478 - that's how many miles I've ridden so far this year.  2012, 1534, 105, 14.6 These are the total miles I hope to ride this year, how many I have left, how many days are left and how many miles I have to average per day in order to meet that goal.  Looks like I really need to get riding!

You might wonder why the obsession with numbers today. 18,262 is why.  That's how many days I've been alive, or to put it in a more recognizable format 600 months, or 50 years.  Yes, today is my 50th birthday and I find it a day for reflection and a slight obsession with numbers.

Some other numbers I'm obsessed with today: 2500, 385, 20, 446.5.  2500 is my approximate base calorie burn per day.  385 is approximately how many more calories per day on average i must have consumed over the last 6 months.  20 is the number of pounds I've gained in the last 6 months and 446.5 is my current weight.

I have been avoiding the scale for the last 6 months.  I had hoped to get back into a rhythm of riding and eating better and shed some weight before getting on the scale, but realized this morning that obviously hasn't been the case.

2200, 850, 45, 15, 416.5 are my new numbers.  2200 will be my new target net calories per day.  850 will be my average calorie burn per day.  45 minutes per day is my new exercise target.  15 weeks until January 1st.   416.5 is my goal weight by 1/1/2013 losing a safe and sane 2 lbs. per week between now and then.

To that end we've found a new source for fruits and vegetables.  Its called Bountiful Baskets.  Its a food co-op.  We picked up our first basket last week and couldn't have been more pleased.  I'll got into more detail on them in a future post.

76, 12.  76 is the number of posts, including this one, I've published on this blog.  12 is the number of followers who are listed.  I think all of you for your support.

I started this blog 2 and a half years ago with the idea that it would be my chronicle of losing weight and getting healthy (hence the title) and I have had some great success, but I've also let that success slip away.  I am 26.5 lbs. heavier now than I was when I started this blog and I need to change that. Please stick with me and join me on this journey.  I will not quit.  I will get healthy.

Beautiful morning for a ride, sort of...

I got up this morning determined to ride.  The weather is a bit cooler since we had some thunderstorms yesterday, so that shouldn't be an issue.  I got the bike out, noticed the tire were soft, so I spent the next 10 minutes putting air in the tires.  Its amazing to me how quickly they loose air here.  In less than 2 weeks, they went for 75 lbs. of air down to 45.  That's just crazy to me.  I guess its the combination of heat and the low humidity which leave the rubber more porous or something.

Anyway, once it was all aired up, I head out on my usual morning route - West on my street to Quarterhorse, north on Quaterhorse to Pebble, East on Pebble to El Capitan and South on El Capitan to Mackanos.  The my street was fine, but as I made the turn onto Quaterhorse I found 3 to 4 inches of gravel, dirt and other larger stones on the road.  This lasted a good 75 feet up Quarterhorse.  I successfully navigated the obstacle, but decided I really didn't want to push my luck riding through the debris multiple times.

I continued on around the circuit, but when I got to Mackanos, I detoured to the street south of mine and commenced to riding around the block.  The streets were fairly clean and I was making pretty decent time. The drawback to riding this shorter course is that it becomes boring going around and around the same block.  I continued on making 9 circuits with little issue but as I was going around the 10th time I noticed that my back wheel had developed a significant wobble. Again.  The last time I rode I ended up cutting it short due to a wobble, which I had thought I had corrected, but alas, it seems the fix was but a temporary one.

I carefully completed the 10th lap and brought the bike into the garage and turned off its lights.  I wasn't ready to stop yet, so I grabbed my old bike and proceeded to ride another 2 laps around the block.  I only completed 2 laps for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that I had yet to mount the new lights on the Univega and it is still very dark at 5:00 in the morning.  The second reason was that I was running out of my allotted 1 hour exercise time.  I must say I enjoyed riding the Univega once again, but the riding position is so very different from the Diamondback.

So, I have decided that I need to have a professional look at the spoke situation on the rear wheel of the Diamondback, and that I need to get the lights mounted on the Univega so I can ride - NO EXCUSES.  I really do have to thank Fizzhog for his most recent post as that is what was the last bit of motivation I needed to get my butt out there and riding this morning.  His line "Ride your bike. Never put off any length of ride for any reason ever." is what did it.

Get out there and ride!

Now I've done it

I am now officially registered for the VIVA Bike VEGAS event on September 22. I choose the 17 mile option that focuses on a trip up the Strip.

Of course after I paid my money I read the details including the 5:00 AM start time. I had been wondering how we would "see the lights on the world famous Las Vegas Strip" and now I know since sunrise isn't until 6:30 or so.

So who is going to support some great causes and join me on this ride?

BTW Thank you to Lisa at BikingLasVegas.com for the promo code bikininglv12 which saved me $21 off the $105 registration fee.

So Much Technology

It hit me this morning, after my ride, that I'm using way to much technology to tell me I'm slow.  I know I'm slow, but I still feel this need to measure and quantify that slowness.  Here's  why I decided I'm way too "connected."

I got up this morning and put on my cycling clothes, went downstairs and grabbed my Garmin Forerunner 305.  I then proceeded out to the garage and got ready to ride.  I turned my Garmin on and had to wait about 60 seconds while it acquired the satellites so it knew where I was and could track my movements.

I then rode my bike (only 6.22 miles but that's another (short)story).

When I got home, I pulled out the laptop and my Garmin connector and commenced to uploading my ride to various sites.

When I first connected the Garmin, Training Center opened and automatically imported my ride data.  It has a map of the ride as well as my speed and timing and elevation profile.

Next I opened my internet browser, went to my favorites and opened My Daily Mile.  This was one of the first sites I found when I started training 2 1/2 years ago and I have been uploading everything there since.  This site definitely has my most complete workout history.

Next I went back to my favorites and opened My Fitness Pal.  This site is great for counting calories consumed as well as calories burned.  I selected my activity (bike riding 12-14 mph) and entered my time of 29 minutes and its magic calculator said I had burned 740 calories.  Not bad for a quick, early morning work out.

After that I fired up and logged into the Plus 3 Network site,  This was a site that Fatty turned me on to last year while we were raising funds for World Bicycle Relief.  I love the site because through its sponsors I can help others by doing nothing more than logging my activities.  So far I've earned them $15.75.  Sure its not much in and of itself, but it was donated for my doing nothing more than uploading my workouts.  Everyone really should be doing this!

The next site I went to to log in what I had done was Map My Ride.  I had been using this off and on to track my rides, but that was more so before I got the Garmin.  I did find out a couple of people I follow on the web use this site, so I have been uploading my activities here as well.

Lastly I log into Garmin Connect and upload my activity there.  I'm not really sharing the data here with anyone, it serves more as a back up.

I have also gotten a new phone and downloaded the Map My Ride and Strava apps to it to use in case I happen to ride without my Garmin.

That makes 6 different places that the details of my slow rides are preserved.  Each one has its one or two unique features or reasons I use it, but what it really boils down to for me is a bit of accountability.  By putting my rides out there, I am showing the world how often, long and hard I am riding.  It gives me just a little more motivation to actually get out there and ride somewhere that day and that helps.

Easy or Hard????

How should I push myself - Easy or Hard?

I am looking ahead to a couple of organized rides this fall.  The first is put together by our Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) and is called Viva Bike Vegas.  In the past it has been held in October, but this year they moved it up to the Middle of September to coincide with the Gran Fondo Pinarello and Interbike, and it is being held on September 22.  What attracts me to this ride is the opportunity to actually ride the Las Vegas Strip.

The second organized ride is BIKE:MS Vegas Challenge  which will be held November 10 & 11.  Thee are ride options on both Saturday and Sunday and the proceeds of the fundraising go to the National MS society.

Both rides look to be well organized and well run.  They both offer options as to length of ride as well.  Viva Bike Vegas has 4 options 17, 75, 102and 122 miles.  BIKE:MS has 3 options on day 1: Century, Metric Century or 30 miler, and 2 options on day 2: 50 and 30 miles.

This is where the question comes in:  Do I go the easy route and look at the shorter options, or do I really push myself and try for a longer option?  My first instinct has been to ride the 17 mile route for Viva Bike Vegas and the 30 mile on Day 2 of the BIKE:MS. Of course that was before I read some of the recent blog posts by Fatty, Sarah, Fizzhog and Steve.  Now I am starting to question if I should push myself harder.

One huge consideration is my current fitness level, likely quantity of riding to prepare for the events.  Another is whether or not anyone is going to be accompanying me on the ride(s).  I would love to have some company!

OK, I’ve made up my mind and will shortly be putting my money where my mouth is as I actually register for these 2 events.  I am going to do the 17 mile route for Viva Bike Vegas.  If they had a 50 mile route, I would be tempted to do it as it is just after my 50^th birthday, but I think the 17 miler will do nicely.  I’ve also decided to do the 30 mile ride on both days of the BIKE:MS event. (watch for more information so you can donate to help support this great cause)

So, I now have a plan and will ride fairly easy, but tending towards hard as I get more miles under my belt.  Anyone want to join me at either event????

Are you a solo or a group rider?

Watching the Men's and Women's Road Race in this year's Olympics got me to thinking about how hard it has to be to ride in the middle of a peloton.  I watched as the main peloton in both races lost to a small breakaway group.  It became very apparent that the larger group had issues with organization and working together, where the small group(s) at the front did not and that helped them to win the race.

I am not a gorup rider.  I have been on a grand total of 4 rides which have involved other people and I realize, now, that I was not a good member of the group on most of those occasions.  The reason for this, I believe is my lack of experience in riding with others.

Now that I think about it, when I rode with Robin and Cyn 2 years ago, I chose to follow Robin's lead, letting her "pull" me along.  I really wasn't being selfish about it, I just didn't want to go too fast and drop her, so I let her set the pace.  Since we really weren't riding that close together nor at any appreciable speed, there really was no benefit for me in the trailing position.

I did the same thing a couple of months later when I rode with Mary but for the opposite reason.  I was as slow as a slug and didn't want to hold her up as much as I was, so I told her to go on ahead.  She did, but without getting too far ahead and maintaining contact with me.

I've never really beenon a ride where we were going a significant distance, nor at a fast enough speed where it would benefit us working together, taking turns pulling each other along.  I've ridden over 1300 miles in the last 2 years and all but 25 or so of those miles have been as a solo rider.  I think I need to find otherriders of a comparable skill level and speed to work on my group riding skills.

So, are you a group or solo rider?  Which do you prefer and why?

Short Term Goals

I'm looking back at my almost non-existent riding history for the month of July and I'm realizing that goals are important.  Not just the big goals like riding 2012 in 2012, but smaller, short-term goals like riding so many days in a week, or month.

I knew when I had bike problems at the beginning of the month that my total for the month was going to be low, but not quite as low as it is.  Between mechanical issues, the heat and humidity, a minor injury and various late nights, the mileage has not been there this month.  In fact, as of today, my mileage for the month of July is only 17.6 miles in 2 rides!

I could make excuses and dwell on the fact that I'm falling further and further behind my initial pace to reach my goal, but I know that is unproductive.  Instead I am looking ahead.  Since it is still very warm, I don't want to overstate my goal or over commit myself for the month of August, but I do want to make sure that I am making progress towards my big goal for the year.

With that in mind, I have come up with some mini goals for the month:

First I am planning on riding at least 17 of the 31 days in August.  That averages out to 4 per week for the next 4 weeks plus an extra day for the extra half week of the month.

Secondly, I am planning on riding at least one 20 mile ride and one 25 mile ride during the month.

Third,  My total miles for the month should be at least 200.

I think these are very doable goals for the next month and will help to propel me towards the 2012 in 2012 larger goal.

Looking ahead to September, there is a ride up the Las Vegas Strip on September 22 as part of Viva Bike Vegas which I am hoping to do.  The short ride option is only 17 miles, which I know I can do, but there are some longer options which I might attempt.  I'll wait until the beginning of September to see how well I'm doing, before I make that decision.

Anyone want to join me?

What are your goals for August?

Dan

I'm rolling again

I'm finally back on my bike and rolling along.  I realized this morning that its been 4 weeks since I last rode and that is just too long of a break.  Not only did I lose some fitness, but it certainly dug a hole in terms of meeting my 2012 in 2012 goal for this year.

I actually have both of my bikes back up and rolling along.  Some bearings and a good tightening of the bottom bracket on the Univega and a new Shimano crankset on the Diamondback were just what the bike doctor ordered. :)  I was figuring a cost between $125 and $150 for the repairs and was quite pleased with a bill for $62.

I rode 8 miles this morning and felt the 4 week layoff.  I did lose some fitness as my legs were gone at 5 miles, but I know I can quickly gain it back.  I don't think I'll make 5 days riding this week, but I should make 4. 

Keep rolling along!

Not a happy camper...

Last Monday I only rode 8 miles because my right pedal started having issues again.  Tuesday through Thursday I had to be into work early so I could teach early classes.  Over the weekend I thought I was able to correct the issue with the pedal, but this morning it proved to not be the case.  Within three turns of the crank the issue was back.  Looks like I need a new crank arm as the threads for the pedal are shot on this one.

What sucks about this is first, the bike is only 2 months old.  Secondly, there is apparently no way to order one online, which means I have to find an authorized dealer and get them to order it for me.  There are several dealers around, including Sport Chalet, its just the hassle of having to actually go in there that I dislike.  I've tried going to the Diamondback Corporate site, but their focus is on selling bikes and not on service.

The third part that sucks is that since I self assembled the bike, any warranty is null and void.  Apparently it doesn't matter that I bought the bike online and had it shipped to me directly, I was still supposed to take it to one of their dealers and pay them $80 to assemble the bike.  Based upon the wheel issues, the pedal/warranty issues and my overall feeling of abandonment by the company, I will not be buying another Diamondback bicycle, nor will I recommend them to anyone else.

So, now I'm probably down for at least another week while I get to a dealer and have them order the part for me.  My goal of 2012 in 2012 just got significantly harder to obtain, but we'll make it.

Not only am I going to get the crank arm for the Diamondback, I'm also going to see about getting the crank bearings taken care of on the Univega so I have a back-up steed as well.

Weekly goal met

I met my weekly goal of riding 6 of 7 days this week.  If I hadn't set the goal for myself I probably would not have ridden this morning, but I am glad I did!  My stats are:

Weekly Miles ridden:  72.55 miles
Time for week:  5 hours 38 minutes
Monthly miles:  102 miles
YTD miles:  388 Miles
Miles to go to hit 2012:  1624 miles

I am slightly behind on my pace of 56 miles per week, but it did improve with this week's miles.

On the calorie front I will be over my weekly total for allowed calories.  I never made up last Sunday's extra calories and was even over a bit yesterday with a trip to CiCi's pizza buffet.

I've read so many inspiring stories from the 100 miles of Nowhere and Fatty's Race report this week.  People truly suffering on their bikes for a good cause that I am motivated to keep pushing myself and improving.  I will ride that event next year.

I also watched my all time favorite movie again yesterday: Meet The Robinsons.  I can't help but get a little choked up every time I see it because it is all about the importance of family and has the best motto: KEEP MOVING FORWARD.  No matter what life throws at you, just keep moving forward.  Seems like some great advice.

Dan