I decided to follow a friend's cue and try to travel the same number of miles as trips around the sun for my birthday present to myself. I turned 36 on Thursday, so I decided to ride 36 miles this week.
If the weather had held, I had hoped to try to ride 60 miles in honor of my friend's 60th birthday, which was also this week. I still might try that for next week. Maybe it will become my default goal!
It wouldn't have been hard if the weather had held out a bit longer. I managed 14 miles Monday, then it snowed and rained for three days. Friday was sunny enough and the trails clear enough that I managed another 10.6 miles. Sat I tried to fit in the remaining 10 but only manages 7.2, so Sunday I rode to tai chi (7.2 miles) for a total of 39 miles this week.
Anyway, I couldn't help but notice that it's getting easier to make these rides and the distance seems shorter. I also noticed that tai chi felt much easier this Sunday- holding positions well was pleasant. Might I be finally starting to have my stamina improve?
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Ce n'est pas un velo a.k.a. This is not a cycling blog
I know this blog is not a cycling blog, but utilitarian biking is now a part of my journey to overall fitness for the Big Race. Note I did not call it cycling. That because there's a difference.
Cycling implies a road bike, like Lance Armstrong rides. Skinny tires. Shaved Legs. Lycra body suits. I have neither the free time or money to explore that colorful, speedy world.
My new lifestyle includes trying to go from point A to point B on a bike- for running errands. Hence, Utilitarian Biking.
I drop off and retrieve my daughter from preschool by bike by pulling a Chariot kid carrier behind me. Her little brother can't get enough of it, thankfully, so he tags along (I got a double-wide). We go to the grocery store, library, farmer's market, and Rec Center all by bike. This is possible only because a determined acquaintance decided to educate me on the merits of biking, and bribed me with his paniers.
Paniers are not panties. So stop. They're saddle bags for bikes. And his happen to be water proof, so I have no excuse not to keep on peddling all winter. Other than being a wimp, which is true enough. My goal is to eliminate almost all local driving, with the exception of sickness or extreme snow conditions.
To that effect I am now, unexpectedly, the neighborhood coordinator for our Neighborhood ECO bus pass, which should allow us to pool our resources and get a nice big discount on buying a family pass. I'll add bus to my list of transport and just have to walk a bit to bus stops. Dragging the kiddos. They'll adapt.
So essentially what I've discovered is that it is doggone impossible for me right now to carve out traditional exercise time on a consistent basis (one limiting factor is not being able to afford a gym membership with childcare). So I'm building it into our lifestyle instead. I go to tai chi twice a week still, and now I ride 40-60 miles a week on the bike, too. It's not much, but it will add up over time. Did I mention that I'm pulling about 90 pounds of kid-carrier, kids, and gear behind me when I ride? Uphill? It's a pretty good workout.
I haven't lost sight of The Race. I will make it.
Cycling implies a road bike, like Lance Armstrong rides. Skinny tires. Shaved Legs. Lycra body suits. I have neither the free time or money to explore that colorful, speedy world.
My new lifestyle includes trying to go from point A to point B on a bike- for running errands. Hence, Utilitarian Biking.
I drop off and retrieve my daughter from preschool by bike by pulling a Chariot kid carrier behind me. Her little brother can't get enough of it, thankfully, so he tags along (I got a double-wide). We go to the grocery store, library, farmer's market, and Rec Center all by bike. This is possible only because a determined acquaintance decided to educate me on the merits of biking, and bribed me with his paniers.
Paniers are not panties. So stop. They're saddle bags for bikes. And his happen to be water proof, so I have no excuse not to keep on peddling all winter. Other than being a wimp, which is true enough. My goal is to eliminate almost all local driving, with the exception of sickness or extreme snow conditions.
To that effect I am now, unexpectedly, the neighborhood coordinator for our Neighborhood ECO bus pass, which should allow us to pool our resources and get a nice big discount on buying a family pass. I'll add bus to my list of transport and just have to walk a bit to bus stops. Dragging the kiddos. They'll adapt.
So essentially what I've discovered is that it is doggone impossible for me right now to carve out traditional exercise time on a consistent basis (one limiting factor is not being able to afford a gym membership with childcare). So I'm building it into our lifestyle instead. I go to tai chi twice a week still, and now I ride 40-60 miles a week on the bike, too. It's not much, but it will add up over time. Did I mention that I'm pulling about 90 pounds of kid-carrier, kids, and gear behind me when I ride? Uphill? It's a pretty good workout.
I haven't lost sight of The Race. I will make it.
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