"Look: I’m not one of those people who names my bikes, or believes they
have souls. I know a bicycle isn’t going to miss me. I don’t cotton to
totems. What memories I cherish tend toward experience rather than
possession. I know we’re not talking here about life or death or war or
crime or love or family or truth or faith or any such thing fundamental
to who and what we as a species are. I know all we’re talking about is
bicycles."
by Bill Strickland, Editor-at-large Bicycling Magazine quote from FB post.
Actually it is apparent that I do name my bikes, Litespeed: Goat because of the tripple on it, the Black Caloi Strada Pro: Black Knight, MTB: MuddyFox but then it is named the MuddyFox Limited Edition. But I love what this quote says after about souls. I agree bikes don't have souls, but they do have personality characteristics :-) Litespeed nimble and quick, the Caloi built for the long run, and the MuddyFox indistructible. The experience is more important than the posession. Experience attained on a certain machine to a certain level perhaps not to be attained again in the near future. No it's not life and death or war or crime or love or family or truth or faith or these important priorities in our lives, but to me it is about what we can attain in order to maintain health and living
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Rider!
Eliane and I met at college when we were both working towards arts degrees, we love our pets, but no children except for the ones my parents let me borrow for a year at a time as an English teacher, I grew-up in Brazil with my parents working as missionaries, and that is where I fell in love with the sense of adventure that I recapture every-time I ride a bicycle out in God's green Earth! I hope to inspire my students to appreciate nature.
Every school I've worked at, I have started a running group or a cycling group. At my church we started a Hike and Bike Group that produced many a good athlete as well. Most recently, I've been working with the soccer club coach. I've run websites and FB sites to promote these groups since I started. I've attempted newsletters and such to help instruct others since I've been riding for thirty some-odd years.
As a kid I rode an old beater that must have weighed a hundred pounds with big balloon tires with white walls while all my friends rode Monarks or Calois. When I first came to the states, I bought a no-name Italian bike (I guess it could have been a name-brand, but I simply don't remember). When I first got some money I bought a $500 Takara with a tange frame. I built up a classic Peugeot for my wife as a birthday gift, but it went to a friend instead. The process was really cool and have since been in love with vintage bikes. I had the tange frame way into the eighties. I wish I had known more at the time because it had Ultegra parts on it, but as soon as I had a chromolly frame I gave up on the old tange frame. The Centurion DLX seemed to be so powerful. Eventually, I had to upgrade to another Centurion, a Dave Scott - Ironman autographed frame. Both Centurions broke due to my size, when I'm at my fighting weight I'm at two-hundred pounds. My wife kindly purchased me a Caloi road frame - it was beautiful, but in two years the welds gave out at the bottom bracket. It was an enlightening experience having a brand new bike, but I needed something more permanent. At about that time a friend joined my church and became part of the Hike and Bike at church that had a ten year old Litespeed Titanium frame with Mavic wheels. Again we were building up frames the Litespeed and a new Caloi frame imported from Brazil that I got as an upgrade on the waranty on the new Caloi frame I broke. My wife and I decided to make the Caloi frame a TT rig with the parts from the other Caloi plus some new time-trial stuff added on for good measure. The Litespeed frame got all the old centurion parts again with some upgrades. On one of the wheelmen rides, the one up around Lackey, I bottom out on the lowest gear and still couldn't make it up the 17% grade without zig-zagging my way up. Since then I have had a tripple on my Litespeed and although it's a Classic, I call it the Goat. I can climb anything now without having to stand-up. All these bikes give an appreciation for something new.
I would love to ride a Cervelo TT rig and a Litespeed carbon frame so I could be the lightest little feather going up the big hills around Comfort.
My favorite ride is the Old Number Nine out of Comfort towards Fredericksburgh. At first the easy rollers are a great warm-up to get one prepped for the massive hill that comes right before you get to Fredericksburgh where you get to pass this old rail-road tunnel (where bats come out nightly) with spectacular views of the Hill Country. The beauty out in creation was utterly appealing and one of the reasons I wanted to get a bike out on the trails.
When I first got back into riding after college I got a Trek 900 Mountain Bike. The plan was to get into triathlon so I spent ten years mostly running with a little swimming and cycling thrown in to keep my skills not sharp, but existent. Since then it has been mostly road riding. I did finish a tri a few years ago. The swim was awful and the run was more of a walk.
Besides being a bike rider, marathoner, swimmer, mountain-climber, I'm also a professional singer, as well as an elder in my church.
Every school I've worked at, I have started a running group or a cycling group. At my church we started a Hike and Bike Group that produced many a good athlete as well. Most recently, I've been working with the soccer club coach. I've run websites and FB sites to promote these groups since I started. I've attempted newsletters and such to help instruct others since I've been riding for thirty some-odd years.
As a kid I rode an old beater that must have weighed a hundred pounds with big balloon tires with white walls while all my friends rode Monarks or Calois. When I first came to the states, I bought a no-name Italian bike (I guess it could have been a name-brand, but I simply don't remember). When I first got some money I bought a $500 Takara with a tange frame. I built up a classic Peugeot for my wife as a birthday gift, but it went to a friend instead. The process was really cool and have since been in love with vintage bikes. I had the tange frame way into the eighties. I wish I had known more at the time because it had Ultegra parts on it, but as soon as I had a chromolly frame I gave up on the old tange frame. The Centurion DLX seemed to be so powerful. Eventually, I had to upgrade to another Centurion, a Dave Scott - Ironman autographed frame. Both Centurions broke due to my size, when I'm at my fighting weight I'm at two-hundred pounds. My wife kindly purchased me a Caloi road frame - it was beautiful, but in two years the welds gave out at the bottom bracket. It was an enlightening experience having a brand new bike, but I needed something more permanent. At about that time a friend joined my church and became part of the Hike and Bike at church that had a ten year old Litespeed Titanium frame with Mavic wheels. Again we were building up frames the Litespeed and a new Caloi frame imported from Brazil that I got as an upgrade on the waranty on the new Caloi frame I broke. My wife and I decided to make the Caloi frame a TT rig with the parts from the other Caloi plus some new time-trial stuff added on for good measure. The Litespeed frame got all the old centurion parts again with some upgrades. On one of the wheelmen rides, the one up around Lackey, I bottom out on the lowest gear and still couldn't make it up the 17% grade without zig-zagging my way up. Since then I have had a tripple on my Litespeed and although it's a Classic, I call it the Goat. I can climb anything now without having to stand-up. All these bikes give an appreciation for something new.
I would love to ride a Cervelo TT rig and a Litespeed carbon frame so I could be the lightest little feather going up the big hills around Comfort.
My favorite ride is the Old Number Nine out of Comfort towards Fredericksburgh. At first the easy rollers are a great warm-up to get one prepped for the massive hill that comes right before you get to Fredericksburgh where you get to pass this old rail-road tunnel (where bats come out nightly) with spectacular views of the Hill Country. The beauty out in creation was utterly appealing and one of the reasons I wanted to get a bike out on the trails.
When I first got back into riding after college I got a Trek 900 Mountain Bike. The plan was to get into triathlon so I spent ten years mostly running with a little swimming and cycling thrown in to keep my skills not sharp, but existent. Since then it has been mostly road riding. I did finish a tri a few years ago. The swim was awful and the run was more of a walk.
Besides being a bike rider, marathoner, swimmer, mountain-climber, I'm also a professional singer, as well as an elder in my church.
Monday, December 31, 2012
End of Year Recap
When thinking about your accomplishments in fitness this season: What
one word describes your 2012 fitness? I would say the word that best describes 2012 is: setbacks. As I get older, time limitations, and ganas play a part in these setbacks. I'm older and need to reassess how I train. Time limitations in relation to being older also impact training. Finally I don't have the ganas to train 24/7 - I don't want to wash my clothes that often! Ha!
Does it match what you said last December in anticipation of this year? Actually the last time I did this was in 2008, but I'm a very positive person - I'm sure I had big ideas of regaining lost training effect and rejoining the fast-guys in Chainreaction, and setting a PR in the 100 miler.
What one word comes to mind when you think about your 2012 season? I would say the word that best describes 2012 is challenging. Challenges in weigh loss, in training, and in health with heart issues.
Did you race any new distance this year or try any new type of racing or sport? I was boring; I did not try any new races or distances this year.
What was your greatest thrill or joy this year from training or racing? The greatest thrill and joy is still riding in a paceline at great speeds in training. I enjoy riding in groups. I can't leave this question without mentioning my PR at the 40K distance in training of 2:00 which I am still mystified as to how. I lolly-gagged for 3/4 of the distance and then burned rubber the last part and still set a PR. Go figure! It would seem that the new set-up on the Caloi Strada Pro TT Rig is what's doing the trick.
What was your biggest disappointment this year from training or racing? Not being able to ride with Chainreaction from being overweight and slow. Still am slow, but am working on the overweight bit by being 16.5 pounds less from 260! Ouch, it's difficult to see that number! Atkins is making a difference.
What was your favorite race in 2012? Pancakes in Paradise is still an awesome event and being there with Matt Little was epic. The Fiesta Wildflower is still such a large production and I guess I will keep attempting the long routes despite the DNF this year - although I still ended up with 92. The Tour de Gruene is still great fun despite all the trouble I had with the chain and flats.
How important was the social aspect of your sport in 2012? The social aspect is crucial to my enjoyment. Maintaining my weight through proper nutrition so that the training and speed can return is imperative or I will have to relegate myself to riding in a different manner.
If you had to name three people that made a difference in your training this year who would they be? The three people I would name are: Joe Montagna as I describe as a constant companion although of late we only ride together once in a while; Chris Groff for motivation I guess because I know I train to stay in shape for soccer with the kids and we always talk about training; and Jason Pronovost a new rider with CycleLogic with similar goals of achieving long-distances. I guess honorable mentions go out to Scott and Louie with Chainreaction - no matter what they're always supportive. I just wish I could keep up with them.
Season Goals for 2013:
Short-Term Goal: Concentrate on losing weight while building base miles. Thank you economy for the impetus.
Intermediate Goal: 200 Lbs - lean, massive, cycling machine! Top five on Thursday Night Bike Mojo Ride, Finish with the Chainreaction Racers, try establishing a Randonneurs group in South Texas.
Season: Race 100K beat 4:03 plan and complete a Brevet 200K distance event, and Support Cycle Logic Sponsors through referrals, participation and some racing (MTB Time-Trial) :-)
Training Objectives:
+Screw periodization ride when you can and lots in the Summer (Still got 4378 in 2012 so there)
+Hold/Concentrate on Long Ride (with weight loss speed will come)
+Less-structured speed play
+Maintain Nutrition with Atkins - lose it or lose the fun
+Explore on Rides combine Routes
Does it match what you said last December in anticipation of this year? Actually the last time I did this was in 2008, but I'm a very positive person - I'm sure I had big ideas of regaining lost training effect and rejoining the fast-guys in Chainreaction, and setting a PR in the 100 miler.
What one word comes to mind when you think about your 2012 season? I would say the word that best describes 2012 is challenging. Challenges in weigh loss, in training, and in health with heart issues.
Did you race any new distance this year or try any new type of racing or sport? I was boring; I did not try any new races or distances this year.
What was your greatest thrill or joy this year from training or racing? The greatest thrill and joy is still riding in a paceline at great speeds in training. I enjoy riding in groups. I can't leave this question without mentioning my PR at the 40K distance in training of 2:00 which I am still mystified as to how. I lolly-gagged for 3/4 of the distance and then burned rubber the last part and still set a PR. Go figure! It would seem that the new set-up on the Caloi Strada Pro TT Rig is what's doing the trick.
What was your biggest disappointment this year from training or racing? Not being able to ride with Chainreaction from being overweight and slow. Still am slow, but am working on the overweight bit by being 16.5 pounds less from 260! Ouch, it's difficult to see that number! Atkins is making a difference.
What was your favorite race in 2012? Pancakes in Paradise is still an awesome event and being there with Matt Little was epic. The Fiesta Wildflower is still such a large production and I guess I will keep attempting the long routes despite the DNF this year - although I still ended up with 92. The Tour de Gruene is still great fun despite all the trouble I had with the chain and flats.
How important was the social aspect of your sport in 2012? The social aspect is crucial to my enjoyment. Maintaining my weight through proper nutrition so that the training and speed can return is imperative or I will have to relegate myself to riding in a different manner.
If you had to name three people that made a difference in your training this year who would they be? The three people I would name are: Joe Montagna as I describe as a constant companion although of late we only ride together once in a while; Chris Groff for motivation I guess because I know I train to stay in shape for soccer with the kids and we always talk about training; and Jason Pronovost a new rider with CycleLogic with similar goals of achieving long-distances. I guess honorable mentions go out to Scott and Louie with Chainreaction - no matter what they're always supportive. I just wish I could keep up with them.
Season Goals for 2013:
Short-Term Goal: Concentrate on losing weight while building base miles. Thank you economy for the impetus.
Intermediate Goal: 200 Lbs - lean, massive, cycling machine! Top five on Thursday Night Bike Mojo Ride, Finish with the Chainreaction Racers, try establishing a Randonneurs group in South Texas.
Season: Race 100K beat 4:03 plan and complete a Brevet 200K distance event, and Support Cycle Logic Sponsors through referrals, participation and some racing (MTB Time-Trial) :-)
Training Objectives:
+Screw periodization ride when you can and lots in the Summer (Still got 4378 in 2012 so there)
+Hold/Concentrate on Long Ride (with weight loss speed will come)
+Less-structured speed play
+Maintain Nutrition with Atkins - lose it or lose the fun
+Explore on Rides combine Routes
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Fighting a Loosing Battle
4343 miles on the 29th and 355:36 hours and 36 minutes or rather about 14+ days It's like I rode to Billings Montana by way of Jacksonville Florida and Montreal Canada Ha! I'll probably add another 50-60 miles, but I'm thinking about it now.
As you know I've given up using my computers on my bikes because I was getting pretty obsessed with all the numbers. Part of the obsession is with the desire to regain lost training effect as I age. Sucks! I keep comparing myself to others who put in a tremendous amount of mileage. Everything I read talks about high intensity and low mileage yet people who are fast put in all kinds of miles. The work required to plan tempos, intervals, and hill work-outs with LT intervals with the proper ratio is work! I don't mind putting in the work, but if it takes away from the fun, then it is not good enough. So after a couple of years of trying desperately to regain lost training effect; I have given up on that in that manner!
Now at the same time I had given up on diets and found that subcutaneous fat gain was detrimental because my overall weight was affected.At the same time my heart doctor and gastric-entorologist said I needed to change my ways. So the decision above actually facilitates the solution in this realm because if I take up a diet such as Atkins or even Southbeach for that matter it allows me to give up carbs so that the diet is more effective. So far since Thanksgiving, I have lost 14 pounds. I did it for my doctors visit in December that never happened because my doctor had an "emergency." A week before Christmas, nah! Nevertheless, Atkins is working. Yes it's hard, yes it's no carbs from stuff I love like fries and bread.
The losing battle is frustrating because for two years I worked without anything to show for all the sacrifice. So I have decided to ride my bike and enjoy myself. I want to be fast, but I'm going to do it by losing weight then I'll work again to build speed with non-structured intervals so the fun remains. I'm looking forward to this experiment and hope for the best.
These are the numbers for 2012: 410.7-34:04
329-29:43
427.02-36:05
331.48-26:54
304-25:28
752.5-57:25
633-49:47
225-18=3413
426-35:21
253-21:26
251-21:23
=4343 TM355:36 14+ days It's like I rode to Billings Montana by way of Jacksonville, Florida and Montreal, Canada. Ha!
I didn't track Yoga, running, walking etc. I know walking will help me lose more, but I figured the Soccer addition once a week would help, but it really didn't make a huge difference.
So who in the heck do I ride with on long rides?! I can't hang with those with whom I used to be able to hang. I can't visualize riding by myself like the classic lonesome rider for the rest of my days. Perhaps concentrating on rides with Jason doing our own thing like we wish we could find from other groups in town.
As you know I've given up using my computers on my bikes because I was getting pretty obsessed with all the numbers. Part of the obsession is with the desire to regain lost training effect as I age. Sucks! I keep comparing myself to others who put in a tremendous amount of mileage. Everything I read talks about high intensity and low mileage yet people who are fast put in all kinds of miles. The work required to plan tempos, intervals, and hill work-outs with LT intervals with the proper ratio is work! I don't mind putting in the work, but if it takes away from the fun, then it is not good enough. So after a couple of years of trying desperately to regain lost training effect; I have given up on that in that manner!
Now at the same time I had given up on diets and found that subcutaneous fat gain was detrimental because my overall weight was affected.At the same time my heart doctor and gastric-entorologist said I needed to change my ways. So the decision above actually facilitates the solution in this realm because if I take up a diet such as Atkins or even Southbeach for that matter it allows me to give up carbs so that the diet is more effective. So far since Thanksgiving, I have lost 14 pounds. I did it for my doctors visit in December that never happened because my doctor had an "emergency." A week before Christmas, nah! Nevertheless, Atkins is working. Yes it's hard, yes it's no carbs from stuff I love like fries and bread.
The losing battle is frustrating because for two years I worked without anything to show for all the sacrifice. So I have decided to ride my bike and enjoy myself. I want to be fast, but I'm going to do it by losing weight then I'll work again to build speed with non-structured intervals so the fun remains. I'm looking forward to this experiment and hope for the best.
These are the numbers for 2012: 410.7-34:04
329-29:43
427.02-36:05
331.48-26:54
304-25:28
752.5-57:25
633-49:47
225-18=3413
426-35:21
253-21:26
251-21:23
=4343 TM355:36 14+ days It's like I rode to Billings Montana by way of Jacksonville, Florida and Montreal, Canada. Ha!
I didn't track Yoga, running, walking etc. I know walking will help me lose more, but I figured the Soccer addition once a week would help, but it really didn't make a huge difference.
So who in the heck do I ride with on long rides?! I can't hang with those with whom I used to be able to hang. I can't visualize riding by myself like the classic lonesome rider for the rest of my days. Perhaps concentrating on rides with Jason doing our own thing like we wish we could find from other groups in town.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Consistency
Consistency
Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 1:06 PM [General]
Second week in a row that I've managed my tempo ride (40K TT Distance-26 Miles) with consistency finishing the distance 13 minutes better than my best time three years ago.
I've been working a lot with my gearing so that I'm makin' circles or spinning. I picked a gear that keeps my rpm (revolutions per minute) up, but it is not too hard or too easy. My best time from three years ago was achieved mashing the biggest I could handle for the given distance.
I've been reading a lot about maintaining a consistent tempo. Starting easy enough so that at the end you have something left, plus if you really want to race it in you have that option. Both these past two weeks I've bumped it up at the end, in essence, racing it in. I've been listening to the Everyday Cyclist with Graeme Street and getting some tips as well as reading my Active.com posts that come across facebook.
I've gotten these results on my road bike and I wonder how improved I would be on the TT bike. (Unfortunately I flatted recently and was going too fast to recover - haven't had the guts to take it in to the LBS Local Bike Shop in my case Cycle Logic Bike Shop for fear of the cost of a new carbon fork).
It has been exciting to work on this over the 1400 miles that I put in this Summer. It puts me at 3400 for the year and should be able to reach my goals by the end of the season. I just don't know if I will be able to try out the new strategy and technique with my current training on my time trial bike.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 1:06 PM [General]
Second week in a row that I've managed my tempo ride (40K TT Distance-26 Miles) with consistency finishing the distance 13 minutes better than my best time three years ago.
I've been working a lot with my gearing so that I'm makin' circles or spinning. I picked a gear that keeps my rpm (revolutions per minute) up, but it is not too hard or too easy. My best time from three years ago was achieved mashing the biggest I could handle for the given distance.
I've been reading a lot about maintaining a consistent tempo. Starting easy enough so that at the end you have something left, plus if you really want to race it in you have that option. Both these past two weeks I've bumped it up at the end, in essence, racing it in. I've been listening to the Everyday Cyclist with Graeme Street and getting some tips as well as reading my Active.com posts that come across facebook.
I've gotten these results on my road bike and I wonder how improved I would be on the TT bike. (Unfortunately I flatted recently and was going too fast to recover - haven't had the guts to take it in to the LBS Local Bike Shop in my case Cycle Logic Bike Shop for fear of the cost of a new carbon fork).
It has been exciting to work on this over the 1400 miles that I put in this Summer. It puts me at 3400 for the year and should be able to reach my goals by the end of the season. I just don't know if I will be able to try out the new strategy and technique with my current training on my time trial bike.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Almost Two Weeks Since the Crash
Everytime I've crashed and hurt my soft-tissue or broken a bone I've used Glucosamine with Chondroitin to aid in repair. As soon as I crashed I started using the pills. Here two weeks later my chest/ribs hurt only every-once in a while. My hand only hurts when I try to stretch it further than where it normally rests. Yesterday I was able to type a lengthy translation without much problem.
The cycle training has not stopped and that is good! Yesterday I did one of the harder rides in the area Toutant-Beauregard with many hills with good results. At about a quarter of the way through the ride after overcoming the hills on Scenic Loop I was in no man's land between the front pack and the chase group. All was well and good until I hit the highest hills on T-B! I was even able to do some work with the more challenging gears on the false flats after the first hill and overcoming some of the challenges and almost reaching the cast-offs from the fast group. Again it was the mental aspect that bore the greater challenge.
Various fifty milers last week have me thinking of taking friends on the adventure to conquer the 100 again! Winds are out of the SSE so we go out towards La Vernia to get the 100! We shall see...
The cycle training has not stopped and that is good! Yesterday I did one of the harder rides in the area Toutant-Beauregard with many hills with good results. At about a quarter of the way through the ride after overcoming the hills on Scenic Loop I was in no man's land between the front pack and the chase group. All was well and good until I hit the highest hills on T-B! I was even able to do some work with the more challenging gears on the false flats after the first hill and overcoming some of the challenges and almost reaching the cast-offs from the fast group. Again it was the mental aspect that bore the greater challenge.
Various fifty milers last week have me thinking of taking friends on the adventure to conquer the 100 again! Winds are out of the SSE so we go out towards La Vernia to get the 100! We shall see...
Cycling Prayer
Ride by my side;
Live in my heartbeat;
Give strength to my lungs.
As the cold surrounds,
As the wind punishes me,
I know you surround me.
As the sun warms me,
I know you are touching me,
Challenging me, loving me.
And so I give you this ride.
Thank you for being by my side.
Amen
Rewritten from Debbie Garcia's Run Prayer
Live in my heartbeat;
Give strength to my lungs.
As the cold surrounds,
As the wind punishes me,
I know you surround me.
As the sun warms me,
I know you are touching me,
Challenging me, loving me.
And so I give you this ride.
Thank you for being by my side.
Amen
Rewritten from Debbie Garcia's Run Prayer
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Crash - Time Trial Season in the Toilet
Crashed the TT Caloi Rig today on the Salado Greenway after a blow-out going 24+ mph, front wheel taco/potato chip, carbon fork steerer tube bent, all the aero stuff on the profile design front end all banged up, derailleur hanger bent/bolt stressed, pride bruised, ribs bruised, legs bruised, right-hand bruised and hurting! Riding buddy Jens (the guy with all the tatoos-used to be a wrench) comes by on his mtb offers to get his car to drive me home. Then proceeded to do a 22 miler recovery/fart around ride on the Litespeed Goat! So no Time Trial Season because fixing all that stuff is going to cost! But this year I was on track to beat my accomplishments in TT from two years ago! Thanks be to God that I'm fine just bruised up a bit and for getting me to where I am this year! God bless you!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Season what Season and the Wildflower 100!
So last week I did very well in a short distance time trial being that I was the first one back and averaged 19.6 on the way out then dropped to 18.9 on the way back. Thinking that I would have an awesome result like last week this week was a mistake because I totally blew out, blew up then dissolved with a brief come back at the end. So I resolve to reassess this whole cycling mess!
I blew out my back somewhere around thirty working too hard on the hills between Retama and Bulverde/46 then was hanging on the hills at 1863, but with some cramping issues then hung on after the 50 then from 70 to 90 I totally blew up - the wind was just more than I could handle! In fact I was the lanterne rouge from 70 to 90. Yes I admit it I blew off the hills on Schertz pkwy in liu of the flats on the back road to Selma. Then rejoined the route at 99 and finished with 101+
I always said that family, faith and friends come first! So why in the hell am I busting my butt for 7+ hours! This has gotta stop! I will go back to Family Faith and Friends and ride with the Hill Country Touring group until something amazing happens with my training. So if nothing happens not much will be reported here, unfortunately not like it has been a whole lot of posting anyway! Thanks for listening/reading! Have a great week!
I blew out my back somewhere around thirty working too hard on the hills between Retama and Bulverde/46 then was hanging on the hills at 1863, but with some cramping issues then hung on after the 50 then from 70 to 90 I totally blew up - the wind was just more than I could handle! In fact I was the lanterne rouge from 70 to 90. Yes I admit it I blew off the hills on Schertz pkwy in liu of the flats on the back road to Selma. Then rejoined the route at 99 and finished with 101+
I always said that family, faith and friends come first! So why in the hell am I busting my butt for 7+ hours! This has gotta stop! I will go back to Family Faith and Friends and ride with the Hill Country Touring group until something amazing happens with my training. So if nothing happens not much will be reported here, unfortunately not like it has been a whole lot of posting anyway! Thanks for listening/reading! Have a great week!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
End Of Year Stats
These stats are maintained on Active Trainer for free. At times you luck in to free coaching. I've been coached through a walking program and recently downloaded a running program. It will track everything including blood pressure and shoe wear for free. Please click the title above if you'd like to track your own activity!
Jan Bike 298.7 tm 20:10.24
Feb Bike 102 tm 07:35.42
Mar Bike 220.52 tm 14:45.13
Apr Bike 163.26 tm 11:22.46
May Bike 271.43 tm 20:45.17
Jun Bike 234.68 tm 17:56.57
Jul Bike 586.4 tm 44:32.57
Aug Bike 535.6 tm 38:31.36
Sep Bike 260.25 tm 16:53.40
Oct Bike 241.02 tm 16:29.06
Nov Bike 184.55 tm 16:37.05
Dec Bike 170.55 tm 12:13.52
Total 3268.95 tm223:40.26
I also tracked my Bike/Run Combinations (Bricks), my walking and my running. No swimming this year, but that will change. No Triathlons this year. Figuring out my swimming routine in my area is imperative. Favorite events of the year continue to be the Fiesta Wildflower Ride and the Tour de Gruene. Favorite Time Trial route is still the Road from Castroville to Helotes despite the fact the Bruehler couple was killed out there. Their sacrifice has changed the law in our area where vehicles must give at least a three foot clearance to any vulnerable road-user and of course the bike is included.
From what you can see in July I really do enjoy cycling and the heat of the Summer does not limit me. Although all those miles in Jul/Aug makes for a tired bike rider in Sep/Oct when the final races of the season are run. I don't know if that can be helped. Most months I got over 200 miles and then less once the season was over. That's ok I'm supposed to be doing some cross-training at that point anyway. I don't know what happened in February. I'd be interested to know if Feb. was an exceptional wet month. That would affect me since I no longer ride on wet pavement.
I hope your active year went well and I thank you for going on the journey with me. Peace be with you in the new year!
Jan Bike 298.7 tm 20:10.24
Feb Bike 102 tm 07:35.42
Mar Bike 220.52 tm 14:45.13
Apr Bike 163.26 tm 11:22.46
May Bike 271.43 tm 20:45.17
Jun Bike 234.68 tm 17:56.57
Jul Bike 586.4 tm 44:32.57
Aug Bike 535.6 tm 38:31.36
Sep Bike 260.25 tm 16:53.40
Oct Bike 241.02 tm 16:29.06
Nov Bike 184.55 tm 16:37.05
Dec Bike 170.55 tm 12:13.52
Total 3268.95 tm223:40.26
I also tracked my Bike/Run Combinations (Bricks), my walking and my running. No swimming this year, but that will change. No Triathlons this year. Figuring out my swimming routine in my area is imperative. Favorite events of the year continue to be the Fiesta Wildflower Ride and the Tour de Gruene. Favorite Time Trial route is still the Road from Castroville to Helotes despite the fact the Bruehler couple was killed out there. Their sacrifice has changed the law in our area where vehicles must give at least a three foot clearance to any vulnerable road-user and of course the bike is included.
From what you can see in July I really do enjoy cycling and the heat of the Summer does not limit me. Although all those miles in Jul/Aug makes for a tired bike rider in Sep/Oct when the final races of the season are run. I don't know if that can be helped. Most months I got over 200 miles and then less once the season was over. That's ok I'm supposed to be doing some cross-training at that point anyway. I don't know what happened in February. I'd be interested to know if Feb. was an exceptional wet month. That would affect me since I no longer ride on wet pavement.
I hope your active year went well and I thank you for going on the journey with me. Peace be with you in the new year!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Kind Souls
(Note this is a repost of a post in 2006 due to mindless commenters on this blog)
Are cyclists not the kindest folks on God's green Earth?
Here's why I say this, today on a moderate length ride at an easy speed to nurse my knee through lots of spinning I broke two spokes. I was pitchin' and moanin' about how my wrench wants me to buy a tandem rear wheel from Velocity (http://www.velocityusa.inc) at darn near $200 Dawlurs!!! This of course would rid me of all my spoke problems. Even though I hear through the grapevine that this set of Alex wheels were built with a batch of bad spokes that break at the drop of a hat. First spoke break was on a flat, spinning like a big dog. Why? Je ne sais pas!
So this buddy o mine Charlie was like, "hey I've got a couple of old wheels at the house you can have. Yeah, they're seven years old, but you can have 'em."
So by the end of the ride the wind has picked up and Charlie wants a ride in to the house since he still had 10 miles to go. We just finished 46. Hum, possibilities!
So I take Charlie in and no he doesn't give me the shirt off his back, but he does give me his Mavic Cosmic off his bike and friends, Romans, countrymen that is why cyclists are the nicest lot! Problem solved!!!
Are cyclists not the kindest folks on God's green Earth?
Here's why I say this, today on a moderate length ride at an easy speed to nurse my knee through lots of spinning I broke two spokes. I was pitchin' and moanin' about how my wrench wants me to buy a tandem rear wheel from Velocity (http://www.velocityusa.inc) at darn near $200 Dawlurs!!! This of course would rid me of all my spoke problems. Even though I hear through the grapevine that this set of Alex wheels were built with a batch of bad spokes that break at the drop of a hat. First spoke break was on a flat, spinning like a big dog. Why? Je ne sais pas!
So this buddy o mine Charlie was like, "hey I've got a couple of old wheels at the house you can have. Yeah, they're seven years old, but you can have 'em."
So by the end of the ride the wind has picked up and Charlie wants a ride in to the house since he still had 10 miles to go. We just finished 46. Hum, possibilities!
So I take Charlie in and no he doesn't give me the shirt off his back, but he does give me his Mavic Cosmic off his bike and friends, Romans, countrymen that is why cyclists are the nicest lot! Problem solved!!!
Friday, January 01, 2010
End of Year Briefs
Month Totals:
Dec: Bike 180.7 Hours 12:30.32
Nov: Bike 349.3 Hours 22:55.18 Cross Training=Yoga 45min Walking 5.5 miles 5:05 Hours
Oct: Bike 362.3 Hours 23:00.56
Sep: Bike 125.47Hours 8:05.29
Aug: Bike 508.8 Hours 36:30.55
July:Bike 541.6 Hours 35:24.11 Cross Training=Yoga Zip Running=2 miles 40 min Walking 9 miles 3 Hrs Swim 200 meters 30 min
June:Bike 583.33Hours 44:59 Cross Training=Yoga 1:00 Walking=.25 miles
May: Bike 495.1 Hours 90:24 Cross Training=Move 4:00 Running=3 miles 36min
Walking 1.25 miles 25min
April:Bike345.2 Hours 78:08 Cross Training=Yoga Zip
March:Bike315.46 Hours18:22 Cross Training=Yoga 2:00
Feb: Bike 82.5 Hours 6:11 Cross Training=Yoga Zip
Jan: Bike 411.63 Time 28:39.58 Cross Training=Yoga 2:50
Year:Bike 4299.23 Time410:34.12Cross Training=Yoga 10:35 running=5 miles 1:16min Walking 16 miles 8:55min
Dec: Bike 180.7 Hours 12:30.32
Nov: Bike 349.3 Hours 22:55.18 Cross Training=Yoga 45min Walking 5.5 miles 5:05 Hours
Oct: Bike 362.3 Hours 23:00.56
Sep: Bike 125.47Hours 8:05.29
Aug: Bike 508.8 Hours 36:30.55
July:Bike 541.6 Hours 35:24.11 Cross Training=Yoga Zip Running=2 miles 40 min Walking 9 miles 3 Hrs Swim 200 meters 30 min
June:Bike 583.33Hours 44:59 Cross Training=Yoga 1:00 Walking=.25 miles
May: Bike 495.1 Hours 90:24 Cross Training=Move 4:00 Running=3 miles 36min
Walking 1.25 miles 25min
April:Bike345.2 Hours 78:08 Cross Training=Yoga Zip
March:Bike315.46 Hours18:22 Cross Training=Yoga 2:00
Feb: Bike 82.5 Hours 6:11 Cross Training=Yoga Zip
Jan: Bike 411.63 Time 28:39.58 Cross Training=Yoga 2:50
Year:Bike 4299.23 Time410:34.12Cross Training=Yoga 10:35 running=5 miles 1:16min Walking 16 miles 8:55min
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Summer Briefs
* Since I didn't do very well posting, here are some Summer briefs:
- I raced for Cycle Logic in the Ironhouse Time Trial put on by Britton's Bikes. Finished in 1:22 and I was not last!
- I completed over 1500 miles of hard riding in the intense Hellacious Heat and Humiditiy.
- I had heart issues that were resolved favorably. I was not limited by my doctor in any way after the chemical stress test although after my first visit with him I limited my efforts based on what my Dead Runner and Clydesdale Virtual Racing Team member friend did when he had some heart issues a long time ago.
- I raced for Cycle Logic in the Ironhouse Time Trial put on by Britton's Bikes. Finished in 1:22 and I was not last!
- I completed over 1500 miles of hard riding in the intense Hellacious Heat and Humiditiy.
- I had heart issues that were resolved favorably. I was not limited by my doctor in any way after the chemical stress test although after my first visit with him I limited my efforts based on what my Dead Runner and Clydesdale Virtual Racing Team member friend did when he had some heart issues a long time ago.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Stress Powered Riding
UIL stress powered riding has benefits and the downside also. Two weeks ago I rode an amazing ride where all kinds of PRs were broken a nice benefit to the stress I was dealing with for UIL competition.
Time to the railroad tracks by division south of town PR by 3 minutes in 31. Then PR by 5 minutes to San Jose in 42. Then I got to Espada or 17 miles by 58 PR by two minutes I think. Made it to the 21 spot by 1:15 or 1:16. Took some salt at 30 then turned around at the Valero on 181. Back at the Missions I hit 50 in 2:55 and then hit 52 in 3:00. Finished 64.5 in 3:48 Nice! Final average including cooldown 16.9. Maximum average out to San Jose 18.6 Dainnngguh. Average to 17 or Espada 18.3. All this with a bit of a strained calf from Thursday nights speed fest. All benefits to the stress I was feeling!
I get home feeling good, but trouble starts at the restaurant, couldn't get my HR down. 95 and 98 while eating a sandwich. I was shaking and couldn't figure out what was going on. Gayle drives us home. I rest and take an extra blood pressure pill. By 5 or 6 my heart rate is still up at 95 or so. My blood pressure is way up 20 to 30 points higher than normal. It wasn't till the next day after taking an extra sleep session before church by blowing off the ride!
This weekend again PRs are broken and feeling good and strong - just not strong enough to ride with the racers of Chainreaction. I redlined a couple of times too many early on in the ride and faded off the back big time. All of off the back regrouped and reorganized about the time we were getting to Somerset. We knew exactly who needed to stay together on the way back but also get some miles in. Beautiful smooth route that I didn't know existed so close to my Pleasanton route. I PRd again to the RR tracks south of town at Divison this time by 6 minutes to 26 and then today I repeated that.
Yesterday was 78 miles at 4:54 maximum average of 18.3 and ending average of 16.6. Today I had an awesome pull to Espada. The average at turnaround was 19.3 which is faster than ever. I got to Espada in 48 minutes a full 12 minutes than what I could do last year and 10 minutes faster than what I did last week. So I turn around thinking cool I'm going to get back home so quickly, but no! The wind was a bear! I was struggling like I was when we were going 23 miles an hour yesterday. By the time I got home I was at 15 so much less than the 19.3 that I had going to the halfway point.
This weekend, no problems with heart rate or blood pressure, but then UIL finished Wednesday and now we are working on what we need to finish the year.
Time to the railroad tracks by division south of town PR by 3 minutes in 31. Then PR by 5 minutes to San Jose in 42. Then I got to Espada or 17 miles by 58 PR by two minutes I think. Made it to the 21 spot by 1:15 or 1:16. Took some salt at 30 then turned around at the Valero on 181. Back at the Missions I hit 50 in 2:55 and then hit 52 in 3:00. Finished 64.5 in 3:48 Nice! Final average including cooldown 16.9. Maximum average out to San Jose 18.6 Dainnngguh. Average to 17 or Espada 18.3. All this with a bit of a strained calf from Thursday nights speed fest. All benefits to the stress I was feeling!
I get home feeling good, but trouble starts at the restaurant, couldn't get my HR down. 95 and 98 while eating a sandwich. I was shaking and couldn't figure out what was going on. Gayle drives us home. I rest and take an extra blood pressure pill. By 5 or 6 my heart rate is still up at 95 or so. My blood pressure is way up 20 to 30 points higher than normal. It wasn't till the next day after taking an extra sleep session before church by blowing off the ride!
This weekend again PRs are broken and feeling good and strong - just not strong enough to ride with the racers of Chainreaction. I redlined a couple of times too many early on in the ride and faded off the back big time. All of off the back regrouped and reorganized about the time we were getting to Somerset. We knew exactly who needed to stay together on the way back but also get some miles in. Beautiful smooth route that I didn't know existed so close to my Pleasanton route. I PRd again to the RR tracks south of town at Divison this time by 6 minutes to 26 and then today I repeated that.
Yesterday was 78 miles at 4:54 maximum average of 18.3 and ending average of 16.6. Today I had an awesome pull to Espada. The average at turnaround was 19.3 which is faster than ever. I got to Espada in 48 minutes a full 12 minutes than what I could do last year and 10 minutes faster than what I did last week. So I turn around thinking cool I'm going to get back home so quickly, but no! The wind was a bear! I was struggling like I was when we were going 23 miles an hour yesterday. By the time I got home I was at 15 so much less than the 19.3 that I had going to the halfway point.
This weekend, no problems with heart rate or blood pressure, but then UIL finished Wednesday and now we are working on what we need to finish the year.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Broken PRs - "Can Youuu Dig It?"
Multiple PRs broken today! Woo hoo, let's see if I can remember 'em all. First to the railroad tracks by division south of town PR by 3 minutes in 31. Then PR by 5 minutes to San Jose in 42. Then I got to Espada or 17 miles by 58 PR by two minutes I think. Made it to the 21 spot by 1:15 or 1:16. Took some salt at 30 then turned around at the Valero on 181. Back at the Missions I hit 50 in 2:55 and then hit 52 in 3:00. Finished 64.5 in 3:48 Nice! Final average including cooldown 16.9. Maximum average out to San Jose 18.6 Dainnngguh. Average to 17 or Espada 18.3. All this with a bit of a strained calf from Thursday nights speed fest.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
So Where the Heck Am I
Well, I'm further than I was during February! I knew I hadn't ridden a whole lot during February because of church, family and school obligations, but dainguh! Ok here I am in the second week of March and I've already ridden twice as much as I did in Feb! Hilarious how life just has its own way of reorganizing what we've planned. For March right now I'm at 176+ and my total for Feb. was 82.5.
Jan/Feb Totals: Bike 493.13 Miles in 34:50.58 Cross-Training Yoga 2:50
You're probably asking what's up with the Yoga. Well Yoga is good for the core and I needed help with that aspect of my training. My back had been giving me problems since before Christmas when I tweaked it moving decorations. Immediately after starting this Yoga program, in other words, three days my back was better. Oddly enough I had no trouble putting miles in on the bike. The stress on my back from the bike was different and not a problem.
I finally went with a computerized/online log! I'm using Active Trainer from the Active Network where one can sign up for races and events it's also endorsed by Cool Running http://www.coolrunning.com. Sorry, but I'm cheap! Hey I teach for a living so I try to give myself a break whenever I can. With the help of Active Trainer, see the link in the title of this article, I have been able to plan and track my workouts including cross training.
Very nice, but then I'm not coming from any other program except about twenty years ago I knew the guy who invented The Athlete's Diary, it was called, from http://www.stevenscreek.com (a guy that was one of the first members of the DRS see the link below and a friend - Steve Patt), but back then my computing capability was crap so I've been using hard copies. {Ok, I just have to give Steve some props - He has made it big and congratulations he has taken a little spreadsheet program from the 80s to the best computing tool for handhelds in the industry here in the 21st Century. His program is used by the likes of George Hincapie and Frankie Andreu since the late 90s and this is it "I knew Steve Patt when!" he was just running the trails around Stephen's Creek!}. One of these days I'm going to buy everything he sells for my iPhone or Palm. I just need to upgrade my phone first! Amazing athletic calculators and race timing software. No longer a program that fits on a computer in your Volkswagen Combi, but an app on your iPhone or palm and for less than a hundred bucks! Please!
This past year I spent quite a bit of time tracking my workouts on a few sites: FitDay http://www.fitday.com/ (great diet help with the food log to help you become aware of all the crap we ingest); The President's Challenge http://thepresidentschallenge.org/ (great source of motivation - I got the Gold by the time October came around and the president's sig on a certificate); and besides my blogs I used an application in Facebook called Fit-Ify http://www.facebook.com/ (Can you say top-ten world-wide from all the users on FB amazing motivation). Some records were still kept in some other form of storage because of limitations of the programs used.
So I had been reading up on tri-drs (Dead Runners Society - Triathlon) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Runners_Society since it is Spring Break and there is TIME! Well, it got me thinking about my totals, plus if my friend Kathy Morgan comes to my site to read I wanted to have something for her to read.
Jan/Feb Totals: Bike 493.13 Miles in 34:50.58 Cross-Training Yoga 2:50
You're probably asking what's up with the Yoga. Well Yoga is good for the core and I needed help with that aspect of my training. My back had been giving me problems since before Christmas when I tweaked it moving decorations. Immediately after starting this Yoga program, in other words, three days my back was better. Oddly enough I had no trouble putting miles in on the bike. The stress on my back from the bike was different and not a problem.
I finally went with a computerized/online log! I'm using Active Trainer from the Active Network where one can sign up for races and events it's also endorsed by Cool Running http://www.coolrunning.com. Sorry, but I'm cheap! Hey I teach for a living so I try to give myself a break whenever I can. With the help of Active Trainer, see the link in the title of this article, I have been able to plan and track my workouts including cross training.
Very nice, but then I'm not coming from any other program except about twenty years ago I knew the guy who invented The Athlete's Diary, it was called, from http://www.stevenscreek.com (a guy that was one of the first members of the DRS see the link below and a friend - Steve Patt), but back then my computing capability was crap so I've been using hard copies. {Ok, I just have to give Steve some props - He has made it big and congratulations he has taken a little spreadsheet program from the 80s to the best computing tool for handhelds in the industry here in the 21st Century. His program is used by the likes of George Hincapie and Frankie Andreu since the late 90s and this is it "I knew Steve Patt when!" he was just running the trails around Stephen's Creek!}. One of these days I'm going to buy everything he sells for my iPhone or Palm. I just need to upgrade my phone first! Amazing athletic calculators and race timing software. No longer a program that fits on a computer in your Volkswagen Combi, but an app on your iPhone or palm and for less than a hundred bucks! Please!
This past year I spent quite a bit of time tracking my workouts on a few sites: FitDay http://www.fitday.com/ (great diet help with the food log to help you become aware of all the crap we ingest); The President's Challenge http://thepresidentschallenge.org/ (great source of motivation - I got the Gold by the time October came around and the president's sig on a certificate); and besides my blogs I used an application in Facebook called Fit-Ify http://www.facebook.com/ (Can you say top-ten world-wide from all the users on FB amazing motivation). Some records were still kept in some other form of storage because of limitations of the programs used.
So I had been reading up on tri-drs (Dead Runners Society - Triathlon) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Runners_Society since it is Spring Break and there is TIME! Well, it got me thinking about my totals, plus if my friend Kathy Morgan comes to my site to read I wanted to have something for her to read.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Venuto's 8 reasons you fall off the wagon and my thoughts on them :-)
I post this not to just rationalize, but to try to figure out why I gained 13 pounds and blew weight and shape goals. Cycling goals were all achieved and then some! (Italics indicate what I typed to come to the conclusions that I did).
--- On Tue, 1/27/09, Burn The Fat Newsletter tomvenuto@burnthefat.net; wrote:
From: Burn The Fat Newsletter tomvenuto@burnthefat.net;
Subject: 8 reasons you fall off the wagon
==============================================
BURN THE FAT - Fat Burning Tips Newsletter
Brought to you by Tom Venuto & www.burnthefat.com
=============================================
THE 8 REASONS:
1. NO FOCUS: you didn't set goals, you didn't put
your goals in writing, and or you didn't stay focused on your goals
daily (by reading them, affirming them, looking at a vision board, etc.)
I did all of the above - the way my log book was organized the goals are in your face every week and everyday. Log by Joe Friel.
2. NO PRIORITIES: you may have set a goal, but you didn't put
it on or near the top of your priorities list. For example,
your goal is six pack abs, but drinking beer and eating
fast food on the weekend is higher on your priorities list than
having a flat stomach.
This is probably it my goal stated eat appropriately to recover, but then I kept on eating like that. Turbulence Training says don't worry how you eat during the workout or immediately after and even the first meal after the workout, but then after that you go back to eating nutritiously. I have incorporated more fish and seafood for more Omega 3s and such - but there were still times when I ate to endulge! Crap!
3. NO SUPPORT SYSTEM: you tried to go at it alone; no buddy
system, training partners, family, spouse, friends, mentors
or coaches to turn to for information and emotional support
when the going got tough.
Plenty of Buddies, plenty of clubs I regularly workout with, family, friends, mentors and coaches.
4. NO ACCOUNTABILITY - you didn't keep score for your
own accountability - with a progress chart, weight record,
measurements, food journal, training journal, and you
didn't set up external accountability (ie, report to someone else
or show your results to someone else).
Ehnnn! FitDay.com did the food log and weight record, had my training journal, my blog, shared my results with others although not specifically about weight except for Joe - though.
5. NO PATIENCE: you were only thinking short term and had
unrealistic expectations. You expected 10 pounds a week or
5 pounds a week or 3 pounds a week, so the first week you
lost "only" 1 or 2 pounds or hit a plateau, you gave up.
Nah, I was trying to eat to recover and to stay out of starvation mode though. Getting used to eating enough without going overboard is a fine art that I'm yet to succeed in doing.
6. NO PLANNING: you winged it. You walked into the gym
without having a workout in hand, on paper, you didn't
plan your workouts into your weekly schedule; you
didn't have a menu on paper, you didn't make time (so instead
you made excuses, like "I'm too busy").
Ehnn! I had the whole year planned, just didn't race as much as I wanted because that costs money and I already spend a bunch on the bikes.
7. NO BALANCE: your diet or training program was too
extreme. You went the all or nothing, "I want it now"
route instead of the moderate, slow-and-steady wins the race route.
This could be part of it in the Summer because I did some intense training at the time. But I sure enjoyed all those high numbers and getting to second place on the top ten on FaceBook world wide is something I'll remember forever!
8. NO PERSONALIZATION: your nutrition or training program
was the wrong one for you. It might have worked for someone
else, but it didn't suit your schedule, personality,
lifestyle, disposition or body type.
I did eat for my Body Type, it did suit my schedule, it did suit my type "a"ness, it did suit my lifestyle and I'm a little confused on my disposition. My training program has worked for me for a long time since it's a combo of Triathlon and cycling training with components from Joe Friel, Rod Cedaro, Tom Venuto, Graeme at Cyclo-Club, Coach Levi and Dr. Gabe Mirkin with stuff from RoadbikeRider.com thrown in.
I ate enough to recover well, but kept on eating like that as if I had a license to eat to my heart's (belly's) content! I fell short on weight-accountability although I may be living a self-fulfilling prophecy for my General Practitioner Dr. Franks since he says people my age don't lose weight and aren't able to succeed again on a previous weight-loss. Balance was also a shortcoming balance in nutrition and training load during the Summer and then again the same in the fall when training is reduced. Turbulence Training says be more active and then look at some more ways to be more active. I do need to do more weight-bearing exercise to counter-act the effect of the low-impact of cycling on my bones and soft-tissue. Bring back the nightly walk with my Bride and Brinks the Dog and do a run here and there for good measure. "And that's all I'm gonna say about that!" Forrest Gump
So there you have it - 8 reasons why most people to fall
off the wagon! Have you been making these mistakes? If so, the
solutions are clear and simple:
focus, prioritize, get support, be accountable, be patient,
plan, balance and personalize.
PS Feedback or comments about this weeks newsletter? Post
on the blog at: http://www.BurnTheFatBlog.com
--- On Tue, 1/27/09, Burn The Fat Newsletter tomvenuto@burnthefat.net; wrote:
From: Burn The Fat Newsletter tomvenuto@burnthefat.net;
Subject: 8 reasons you fall off the wagon
==============================================
BURN THE FAT - Fat Burning Tips Newsletter
Brought to you by Tom Venuto & www.burnthefat.com
=============================================
THE 8 REASONS:
1. NO FOCUS: you didn't set goals, you didn't put
your goals in writing, and or you didn't stay focused on your goals
daily (by reading them, affirming them, looking at a vision board, etc.)
I did all of the above - the way my log book was organized the goals are in your face every week and everyday. Log by Joe Friel.
2. NO PRIORITIES: you may have set a goal, but you didn't put
it on or near the top of your priorities list. For example,
your goal is six pack abs, but drinking beer and eating
fast food on the weekend is higher on your priorities list than
having a flat stomach.
This is probably it my goal stated eat appropriately to recover, but then I kept on eating like that. Turbulence Training says don't worry how you eat during the workout or immediately after and even the first meal after the workout, but then after that you go back to eating nutritiously. I have incorporated more fish and seafood for more Omega 3s and such - but there were still times when I ate to endulge! Crap!
3. NO SUPPORT SYSTEM: you tried to go at it alone; no buddy
system, training partners, family, spouse, friends, mentors
or coaches to turn to for information and emotional support
when the going got tough.
Plenty of Buddies, plenty of clubs I regularly workout with, family, friends, mentors and coaches.
4. NO ACCOUNTABILITY - you didn't keep score for your
own accountability - with a progress chart, weight record,
measurements, food journal, training journal, and you
didn't set up external accountability (ie, report to someone else
or show your results to someone else).
Ehnnn! FitDay.com did the food log and weight record, had my training journal, my blog, shared my results with others although not specifically about weight except for Joe - though.
5. NO PATIENCE: you were only thinking short term and had
unrealistic expectations. You expected 10 pounds a week or
5 pounds a week or 3 pounds a week, so the first week you
lost "only" 1 or 2 pounds or hit a plateau, you gave up.
Nah, I was trying to eat to recover and to stay out of starvation mode though. Getting used to eating enough without going overboard is a fine art that I'm yet to succeed in doing.
6. NO PLANNING: you winged it. You walked into the gym
without having a workout in hand, on paper, you didn't
plan your workouts into your weekly schedule; you
didn't have a menu on paper, you didn't make time (so instead
you made excuses, like "I'm too busy").
Ehnn! I had the whole year planned, just didn't race as much as I wanted because that costs money and I already spend a bunch on the bikes.
7. NO BALANCE: your diet or training program was too
extreme. You went the all or nothing, "I want it now"
route instead of the moderate, slow-and-steady wins the race route.
This could be part of it in the Summer because I did some intense training at the time. But I sure enjoyed all those high numbers and getting to second place on the top ten on FaceBook world wide is something I'll remember forever!
8. NO PERSONALIZATION: your nutrition or training program
was the wrong one for you. It might have worked for someone
else, but it didn't suit your schedule, personality,
lifestyle, disposition or body type.
I did eat for my Body Type, it did suit my schedule, it did suit my type "a"ness, it did suit my lifestyle and I'm a little confused on my disposition. My training program has worked for me for a long time since it's a combo of Triathlon and cycling training with components from Joe Friel, Rod Cedaro, Tom Venuto, Graeme at Cyclo-Club, Coach Levi and Dr. Gabe Mirkin with stuff from RoadbikeRider.com thrown in.
I ate enough to recover well, but kept on eating like that as if I had a license to eat to my heart's (belly's) content! I fell short on weight-accountability although I may be living a self-fulfilling prophecy for my General Practitioner Dr. Franks since he says people my age don't lose weight and aren't able to succeed again on a previous weight-loss. Balance was also a shortcoming balance in nutrition and training load during the Summer and then again the same in the fall when training is reduced. Turbulence Training says be more active and then look at some more ways to be more active. I do need to do more weight-bearing exercise to counter-act the effect of the low-impact of cycling on my bones and soft-tissue. Bring back the nightly walk with my Bride and Brinks the Dog and do a run here and there for good measure. "And that's all I'm gonna say about that!" Forrest Gump
So there you have it - 8 reasons why most people to fall
off the wagon! Have you been making these mistakes? If so, the
solutions are clear and simple:
focus, prioritize, get support, be accountable, be patient,
plan, balance and personalize.
PS Feedback or comments about this weeks newsletter? Post
on the blog at: http://www.BurnTheFatBlog.com
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Cut It's a Wrap
Well, by the Monday the Kiddos were back I had amassed 2000 miles for the Summer since the day after they were gone. I attempted seven 100 milers this Summer and was successful in about five. I was extremely succesful in my last two in which I burned up the asphalt on the way down to Pleasanton. Both were all time PRs and Season's Best for 100 miles. The first was a PR by 40 minutes or so finishing the 100 in 6:20. I was encouraged and attempted it again the day before I went back to work and knocked off another 34 minutes finishing the 100 in 5:46 Ouch I broke 6 hours! Felt really good about those accomplishments and intend to try a randonee next Summer. Anyone want to sponsor me?
So I finished my mileage by the end of October plus the bikes are in dire need of a mechanic so the log book says to work out at something else and I am and will till the bikes are out of the shop and see if I can continue those run workouts during the regular cycling season. I hope so, cuz I need something to get the fat off! I'm running big - so I started another blog called Trifathlete del Sur. Check it out! http://trifathletedelsur.blogspot.com
For the Record I earned a National Presidential Champions award in Bronze, Silver and Gold. Currently working on the Platinum, but that's not going to happen since it takes about ten times the point totals needed for gold. Crazy, yes, but not that crazy! I love my wife and want to keep it that way! Peace out!
So I finished my mileage by the end of October plus the bikes are in dire need of a mechanic so the log book says to work out at something else and I am and will till the bikes are out of the shop and see if I can continue those run workouts during the regular cycling season. I hope so, cuz I need something to get the fat off! I'm running big - so I started another blog called Trifathlete del Sur. Check it out! http://trifathletedelsur.blogspot.com
For the Record I earned a National Presidential Champions award in Bronze, Silver and Gold. Currently working on the Platinum, but that's not going to happen since it takes about ten times the point totals needed for gold. Crazy, yes, but not that crazy! I love my wife and want to keep it that way! Peace out!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
"In the Year Two Thousand" Falsetto from C. O'Brien
So before I get back to work full-time I'm checking out the log to see where I'm at for the Summer and come to find out that I'm less than 200 miles away from 2000 miles since May a little over two months.
By the time Sunday is done I'm down to 120 something left to hit Dos Mil Millas! So like a big dog I'm telling everyone that I know that I'm really close to 2000 miles for the Summer.
Right then the skies drop out. Major downpour for our area with no let-down in sight! First ride of the week, actually first rides are Thursday. I hit it hard in the AM, but end up with less than 20 at 16.6. So then that evening after working all day I go easy and just chill for 22 something at a sleazy-easy pace. (Ha! but I still managed to pass a couple of the slow groups on the group ride that I was thirty minutes late for but did not go faster than 13.3).
So now on Friday I realize I have 80 something to log to reach the goal when during the afternoon meeting again the bottom falls out of the sky. One of my buddies after the meeting says, "How you gonna do 80 something in this? and I'm like, "Very carefully!" Knowing fully that I'll probably be late for the 2000 miles. So the ground is saturated and I still have to log fifty plus on Saturday, but that is doubtfull and also 30 on Sunday which is totally doable, but I have no idea what the weather is going to do. Pahn Pahn Pahn! Tune in next to see if he accomplishes his 2000 mile Goal before the Chillin' come back to school.
Speaking of school I don't know when I can do the bike club with the kids because M,T,W,TH are all taken with other stuff and I don't want to do Friday because it is sacred between my wife and I and the date must go on!
By the time Sunday is done I'm down to 120 something left to hit Dos Mil Millas! So like a big dog I'm telling everyone that I know that I'm really close to 2000 miles for the Summer.
Right then the skies drop out. Major downpour for our area with no let-down in sight! First ride of the week, actually first rides are Thursday. I hit it hard in the AM, but end up with less than 20 at 16.6. So then that evening after working all day I go easy and just chill for 22 something at a sleazy-easy pace. (Ha! but I still managed to pass a couple of the slow groups on the group ride that I was thirty minutes late for but did not go faster than 13.3).
So now on Friday I realize I have 80 something to log to reach the goal when during the afternoon meeting again the bottom falls out of the sky. One of my buddies after the meeting says, "How you gonna do 80 something in this? and I'm like, "Very carefully!" Knowing fully that I'll probably be late for the 2000 miles. So the ground is saturated and I still have to log fifty plus on Saturday, but that is doubtfull and also 30 on Sunday which is totally doable, but I have no idea what the weather is going to do. Pahn Pahn Pahn! Tune in next to see if he accomplishes his 2000 mile Goal before the Chillin' come back to school.
Speaking of school I don't know when I can do the bike club with the kids because M,T,W,TH are all taken with other stuff and I don't want to do Friday because it is sacred between my wife and I and the date must go on!
100 On a lark part Deux
So I go out Sunday with my original club riders, the cycle logic gang, am as confident as I can possibly be, but unfortunately get dropped like a hot potato. Mind you with these guys this had never happened so I was not accustomed to telling the guys y'all go ahead without me I'll do my own ride. Ha! When we got to the wall it was all I could do to get up the darn thing. But there were the guys and all of a sudden I'm in front because they took the longer scenic route. At the time I turned off from their ride I was third in the group, but that didn't mean much because I was the one that got dropped earlier. So I'm feeling totally dejected and go ahead and do the Sunday church thing and get charged up.
The next day, Monday the lark visits again and I decide to go to Pleasanton again and take a different route that is less traveled, but should still give me 100 miles with less time spent on the chip seal shoulder that 281 offers.
Weather conditions are different than last time when the wind was 25 MPH. This time the wind was at 5 to 12 MPH from the South. I take a different tack than last time also. Rather than busting my butt going South I decide to just keep a decent pace not too hard and not too easy. I actually was going by feel rather than by sprocket.
I still get down there in about three hours which is alright, but I'm not wasted like I was last time. The portion of chip seal shoulder was still a pain in the butt, but it seemed to go a lot faster. I still only stopped three times and drenched myself for the cooling effect every time.
I basically fly home even better than the time before. I ended up doing 17.3 MPH with a maximum average of 20 MPH. Like I said I was flying! Total time for my best 100 PR and season PR 5:46 minutes.
What this tells me is that yes I may get dropped in the short ride going really fast, but I can sustain in the long ride going a moderate pace in comparison. Yes it's still a hard core pace for me, but it got me there and back in the least amount of time.
This was three days before I had to be back at work and served as a dedication to school starting up and I did it my way and ended the Summer on a positive.
Speaking of positive another PR for the Summer is in the works.
The next day, Monday the lark visits again and I decide to go to Pleasanton again and take a different route that is less traveled, but should still give me 100 miles with less time spent on the chip seal shoulder that 281 offers.
Weather conditions are different than last time when the wind was 25 MPH. This time the wind was at 5 to 12 MPH from the South. I take a different tack than last time also. Rather than busting my butt going South I decide to just keep a decent pace not too hard and not too easy. I actually was going by feel rather than by sprocket.
I still get down there in about three hours which is alright, but I'm not wasted like I was last time. The portion of chip seal shoulder was still a pain in the butt, but it seemed to go a lot faster. I still only stopped three times and drenched myself for the cooling effect every time.
I basically fly home even better than the time before. I ended up doing 17.3 MPH with a maximum average of 20 MPH. Like I said I was flying! Total time for my best 100 PR and season PR 5:46 minutes.
What this tells me is that yes I may get dropped in the short ride going really fast, but I can sustain in the long ride going a moderate pace in comparison. Yes it's still a hard core pace for me, but it got me there and back in the least amount of time.
This was three days before I had to be back at work and served as a dedication to school starting up and I did it my way and ended the Summer on a positive.
Speaking of positive another PR for the Summer is in the works.
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