Sunday, January 30, 2011
Holly’s mom is pretty amazing. A little over a month ago, she fell and broke her hip. Surgery and therapy followed and now she’s back in her home and getting around quite well. She lives in a two-story condo and the TV room was on the second floor, so when she returned home, we moved the TV downstairs to the bedroom so she could stick to one-floor living. Nothing doing. A week after moving the beast of a set downstairs, I was bringing it back up because she wanted to go up the stairs! And there’s no stopping her. Naturally, while she’s going up or down, someone stands behind her, ready to make a saving catch. “Get out of there…I’m not going to fall,” she says to me, but…well…better safe than sorry. By the way…the one normally trailing her is my 90-year old father-in-law. I’m hoping to be in as good shape…if or when I hit that mile stone.
John and I went to the Metropark for our Sunday afternoon hike. I wore only a windbreaker over my t-shirt since it was close to 40 degrees. The snow was deep though, and we had a good hike. We were fortunate enough to see…and photograph…three deer on the run through the deep snow, far back in the woods. We slid down to the marsh and were able to walk out on it though it didn’t look too secure with the temperature where it was.
We put in about 90 minutes, which was a decent calorie burner, but after a dinner of chicken, potatoes, dressing, noodles and everything slathered in gravy, I figured I needed a little more. I jumped on the bike after everyone left and put in a hard 45 minutes. Later that night Holly and I attempted a walk around the neighborhood, but he sidewalks were so slippery from the earlier thawing and then refreezing, that we aborted after 10 minutes. Still…not a bad day.
Bike duration: 45 minutes. Hike duration: 90 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 600 biking. 500 hiking.
Monday, January 31, 2011
PR's are nice...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Kim texted me from State College, Pa., where she’d just run a 3,000 meter race, that she’d run a 4-second pr and finished in 9:43 – about 5:10 mile pace for almost two miles. It doesn’t seem like much of an improvement – 4 seconds – but at her level, it’s huge. I know the excitement she must have felt…even though she didn’t win the race.
Achievement in fitness seems to seldom be about beating someone else. I compete against myself…and mostly in the here and now. Let’s face it...I’m 55 and I’m definitely not going to get faster than I was in my 30’s. Yet…I measure and compare all the time on the courses I run, ride, hike and kayak. I can’t help it. I just want to know if I’m do a little better than I was a month ago…and when I find that I am, it makes me want to try even harder.
Mostly, I peg my improvement by seeing how I’m doing on a favorite running course and I make sure not to challenge myself every day. Sometimes though, it’s on the bike or maybe hiking with the pack on my back. I time myself and if I get back a little quicker or maybe if I’ve done 20 more step-ups than ever before, I congratulate myself…pat myself on the back…shake my hand…and tell myself what a good job I’ve done. Well…there’s no one else around and who am I doing it for anyway? Self-motivation and congratulation is what it’s all about…and it keeps me going.
I ran 32 minutes on snow packed trails, slipping and sliding, but breaking a great sweat and getting a tough workout. I headed home and jumped on the bike for a 48 minute ride – it’s just when the episode I was watching ended. I needed the extra calorie burn because Holly was making hot dogs wrapped in Anne Ann’s pretzel dough and I always overeat when she makes them.
Holly and I went for a walk around the block later that night and the conditions…slippery with a few inches of snow on the sidewalks…made our normal 25-minute walk another 40-minute endeavor. A little snow certainly does a great job making simple workouts so much more.
Bike duration: 48 minutes. Hike duration: 45 minutes. Run duration: 32 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 720 biking. 225 hiking. 540 running.
Kim texted me from State College, Pa., where she’d just run a 3,000 meter race, that she’d run a 4-second pr and finished in 9:43 – about 5:10 mile pace for almost two miles. It doesn’t seem like much of an improvement – 4 seconds – but at her level, it’s huge. I know the excitement she must have felt…even though she didn’t win the race.
Achievement in fitness seems to seldom be about beating someone else. I compete against myself…and mostly in the here and now. Let’s face it...I’m 55 and I’m definitely not going to get faster than I was in my 30’s. Yet…I measure and compare all the time on the courses I run, ride, hike and kayak. I can’t help it. I just want to know if I’m do a little better than I was a month ago…and when I find that I am, it makes me want to try even harder.
Mostly, I peg my improvement by seeing how I’m doing on a favorite running course and I make sure not to challenge myself every day. Sometimes though, it’s on the bike or maybe hiking with the pack on my back. I time myself and if I get back a little quicker or maybe if I’ve done 20 more step-ups than ever before, I congratulate myself…pat myself on the back…shake my hand…and tell myself what a good job I’ve done. Well…there’s no one else around and who am I doing it for anyway? Self-motivation and congratulation is what it’s all about…and it keeps me going.
I ran 32 minutes on snow packed trails, slipping and sliding, but breaking a great sweat and getting a tough workout. I headed home and jumped on the bike for a 48 minute ride – it’s just when the episode I was watching ended. I needed the extra calorie burn because Holly was making hot dogs wrapped in Anne Ann’s pretzel dough and I always overeat when she makes them.
Holly and I went for a walk around the block later that night and the conditions…slippery with a few inches of snow on the sidewalks…made our normal 25-minute walk another 40-minute endeavor. A little snow certainly does a great job making simple workouts so much more.
Bike duration: 48 minutes. Hike duration: 45 minutes. Run duration: 32 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 720 biking. 225 hiking. 540 running.
More doping in the Tour?
Friday, January 28, 2011
I’ve been riding my bike for fun and sport since I was very young. I suppose the first long-distance trip I took was around the age of 10 when my cousin Donnie and I rode our bikes from his home in Massena, NY to visit our grandparents in Potsdam – a trip of around 20 miles. That doesn’t seem like all that much, but one of us was riding a banana seat (and if you don’t know what that is…you’re lucky…because you’re young).
I kept riding throughout my high school years…even after getting my driver’s license…and never really stopped. I’ve done a number of century rides (100 miles or more) over the years and probably logged over 50,000 miles by now. With al that riding…and maybe because of it… I’m still blown away by the Tour de France. For those of you who do not follow the sport of road cycling (99% of all Americans likely), it is probably the most grueling event in the world of sports with the competitors racing over 2,000 miles over the course of three weeks and climbing mountain roads my car would struggle to ascend.
It is also a sport that has been decimated by the performance-enhancing drugs for reasons I don’t completely understand. I suppose even the non-cycling sports fan has heard of Lance Armstrong, the only man to win the Tour seven times. Though he passed hundreds of drug tests during his seven-year reign as the world’s greatest cyclist, speculation about doping and cheating surrounds him still. He was most recently accused of cheating by 2006 winner and former teammate, Al Landis, but only after Landis admitted that he had, in fact, used the performance enhancing drug he was accused of using when he had his title stripped away after the 2006 win.
And now, four years later, Tour winner Alberto Contador is having his 2010 title stripped for having trace amounts of the banned drug, clenbuterol, in his system during the Tour. He is claiming that he is a victim of a tainted steak and in fairness; the hormone is used in beef cattle to increase the amount of meat they can produce.
I don’t know the answer to the drug issue and only hope that the day can come when tests for their presence (or absence) will be infallible…or better yet…everyone will just play fair…on every playing field. Welcome…to Fantasy Island.
I’d had a long day at work and only a mild headache for company. I drove to pick Heidi up in Kent before coming home and then managed a 45-minute bike ride…without performance enhancing drugs…including Advil. I’m trying to stay clean because you never know when someone is going to ask you to pee in a bottle for testing...and I have my image to protect.
Bike duration: 45 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
I’ve been riding my bike for fun and sport since I was very young. I suppose the first long-distance trip I took was around the age of 10 when my cousin Donnie and I rode our bikes from his home in Massena, NY to visit our grandparents in Potsdam – a trip of around 20 miles. That doesn’t seem like all that much, but one of us was riding a banana seat (and if you don’t know what that is…you’re lucky…because you’re young).
I kept riding throughout my high school years…even after getting my driver’s license…and never really stopped. I’ve done a number of century rides (100 miles or more) over the years and probably logged over 50,000 miles by now. With al that riding…and maybe because of it… I’m still blown away by the Tour de France. For those of you who do not follow the sport of road cycling (99% of all Americans likely), it is probably the most grueling event in the world of sports with the competitors racing over 2,000 miles over the course of three weeks and climbing mountain roads my car would struggle to ascend.
It is also a sport that has been decimated by the performance-enhancing drugs for reasons I don’t completely understand. I suppose even the non-cycling sports fan has heard of Lance Armstrong, the only man to win the Tour seven times. Though he passed hundreds of drug tests during his seven-year reign as the world’s greatest cyclist, speculation about doping and cheating surrounds him still. He was most recently accused of cheating by 2006 winner and former teammate, Al Landis, but only after Landis admitted that he had, in fact, used the performance enhancing drug he was accused of using when he had his title stripped away after the 2006 win.
And now, four years later, Tour winner Alberto Contador is having his 2010 title stripped for having trace amounts of the banned drug, clenbuterol, in his system during the Tour. He is claiming that he is a victim of a tainted steak and in fairness; the hormone is used in beef cattle to increase the amount of meat they can produce.
I don’t know the answer to the drug issue and only hope that the day can come when tests for their presence (or absence) will be infallible…or better yet…everyone will just play fair…on every playing field. Welcome…to Fantasy Island.
I’d had a long day at work and only a mild headache for company. I drove to pick Heidi up in Kent before coming home and then managed a 45-minute bike ride…without performance enhancing drugs…including Advil. I’m trying to stay clean because you never know when someone is going to ask you to pee in a bottle for testing...and I have my image to protect.
Bike duration: 45 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
Friday, January 28, 2011
'Kid Kucinich' is back in the news...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
It must have been a slow news day since one of the stories in the Plain Dealer was about that crazy ‘Kid Kucinich’ (I remember him from his mayoral days and recall elections) and a $150,000 lawsuit. Apparently, he’d gone to a cafeteria in the House of Representative back in 2008 and ordered a veggie wrap…which he received, but also included an olive pit…at no extra charge. When he bit into the pit and caused some kind of damage to his teeth…and his serenity…he sued the cafeteria for serving him a meal “containing a dangerous substance, namely an olive pit.”
I’m not trying to make light of this…I’m sure he incurred some pain, discomfort, inconvenience and expense and deserves some remuneration. But $150,000? Really?? And he wanted to be president…of the country?
I rode 40 minutes while Holly was making dinner. It was some kind of rice concoction with spinach, acorn squash, garlic and other, unidentifiable but tasty stuff. Later that night, she asked me to go for a walk. She’s been skipping her walks because the cold plays havoc with her hands and feet…and the sidewalks, though plowed, are pretty slippery. We did our normal 20 minute route, but it took closer to 40 with the limited traction and about 2 inches of new snow in our path. Like any program…you just have to get started.
Bike duration: 40 minutes. Walk duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 65 walking.
Calories burned during workout: 600 biking. 200 walking.
It must have been a slow news day since one of the stories in the Plain Dealer was about that crazy ‘Kid Kucinich’ (I remember him from his mayoral days and recall elections) and a $150,000 lawsuit. Apparently, he’d gone to a cafeteria in the House of Representative back in 2008 and ordered a veggie wrap…which he received, but also included an olive pit…at no extra charge. When he bit into the pit and caused some kind of damage to his teeth…and his serenity…he sued the cafeteria for serving him a meal “containing a dangerous substance, namely an olive pit.”
I’m not trying to make light of this…I’m sure he incurred some pain, discomfort, inconvenience and expense and deserves some remuneration. But $150,000? Really?? And he wanted to be president…of the country?
I rode 40 minutes while Holly was making dinner. It was some kind of rice concoction with spinach, acorn squash, garlic and other, unidentifiable but tasty stuff. Later that night, she asked me to go for a walk. She’s been skipping her walks because the cold plays havoc with her hands and feet…and the sidewalks, though plowed, are pretty slippery. We did our normal 20 minute route, but it took closer to 40 with the limited traction and about 2 inches of new snow in our path. Like any program…you just have to get started.
Bike duration: 40 minutes. Walk duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 65 walking.
Calories burned during workout: 600 biking. 200 walking.
A beautiful run...
Wednesday, January 26
There was a light snow falling as I drove to the Metropark and maybe a fresh inch or so on the trails. Perfect weather for a run. The trails have been reasonably packed by skiers, hikers and runners and the fresh snow just makes it so pretty…covering up the yellow snow you shouldn’t eat.
I was planning on doing a 20-25 minute run and hoping for a pain-free calf. I’m figuring on getting the running back to a little over 30 minutes and holding it there for three weeks or so to be certain that I’m healthy before Spring gets here. I’m really getting tired of the running-related injuries and I believe that the best surface for me is the uneven, snow-covered trails. We’ll see.
I was in a t-shirt and shorts with socks on my hands, but not even a little cold. There weren’t many people around, but I got the ‘are you really that stupid?’ look from everyone I encountered. If I’d been running longer, I might have put on a long-sleeved t-shirt but why have the encumbrance for a shorty? No reason.
The run went well and was very enjoyable. Snow covered everything and the flakes falling against my skin made me feel more alive. I finished in 26 minutes, but felt that I could have run much further.
Alaska Paul stopped over later to meet visit with John and me. We convinced him that he needed to return next September to join us for a trip to the Adirondacks. He’s planning a 40-day canoe trip from Minnesota to Hudson Bay via the Red River this summer, but what’s another week in the back country? When he went to leave, he decided that, instead of asking Jason to move his car so that he could get out of the driveway, he’d maneuver around it. You’d think a guy from Alaska would have enough experience with snow to know that you can’t drive up and over snow banks without getting stuck…but apparently he spends more time on a snow machine than behind the wheel of a car…and it took three of us to get him off the lawn.
Run duration: 26 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 140
Calories burned during workout: 450.
There was a light snow falling as I drove to the Metropark and maybe a fresh inch or so on the trails. Perfect weather for a run. The trails have been reasonably packed by skiers, hikers and runners and the fresh snow just makes it so pretty…covering up the yellow snow you shouldn’t eat.
I was planning on doing a 20-25 minute run and hoping for a pain-free calf. I’m figuring on getting the running back to a little over 30 minutes and holding it there for three weeks or so to be certain that I’m healthy before Spring gets here. I’m really getting tired of the running-related injuries and I believe that the best surface for me is the uneven, snow-covered trails. We’ll see.
I was in a t-shirt and shorts with socks on my hands, but not even a little cold. There weren’t many people around, but I got the ‘are you really that stupid?’ look from everyone I encountered. If I’d been running longer, I might have put on a long-sleeved t-shirt but why have the encumbrance for a shorty? No reason.
The run went well and was very enjoyable. Snow covered everything and the flakes falling against my skin made me feel more alive. I finished in 26 minutes, but felt that I could have run much further.
Alaska Paul stopped over later to meet visit with John and me. We convinced him that he needed to return next September to join us for a trip to the Adirondacks. He’s planning a 40-day canoe trip from Minnesota to Hudson Bay via the Red River this summer, but what’s another week in the back country? When he went to leave, he decided that, instead of asking Jason to move his car so that he could get out of the driveway, he’d maneuver around it. You’d think a guy from Alaska would have enough experience with snow to know that you can’t drive up and over snow banks without getting stuck…but apparently he spends more time on a snow machine than behind the wheel of a car…and it took three of us to get him off the lawn.
Run duration: 26 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 140
Calories burned during workout: 450.
I made a typo?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
It was not a good day. I’ve been struggling with headaches over the past several months…something that starts in the back of the head and at the top of my neck. I could see a doctor, but that would be the smart thing to do. Instead, I take some Advil and wait for it to go away.
Well…I took the Advil and headed for the bike. I needed to get something short in and with the way I was feeling, short was good. I managed 30 minutes and called it a workout. Holly had gone to Kent to nurse Heidi, who was suffering through the flu, back to health, so there was no point in whining or lying around looking for sympathy…not that she’d have given me any. Still…I lay around pretty well, so I plugged in a movie and waited for the Advil to do its thing.
I went to my email and saw I had a comment on one of my postings…which I find rather exciting. I was struck by the fact that it was made on my posting from July 8, 2010…and it was about a spelling mistake! I’d written that I was ‘humping’ down the road…in my car…instead of humming. I suppose that was rather inappropriate and went back and fixed it. It got me to thinking though…why was the person reading a posting from July 8th of last year in January when it occurred to me…they probably enjoyed my writing so much that they were going through for a second or third time! Sure…that’s the ticket…
Bike duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 450 biking.
It was not a good day. I’ve been struggling with headaches over the past several months…something that starts in the back of the head and at the top of my neck. I could see a doctor, but that would be the smart thing to do. Instead, I take some Advil and wait for it to go away.
Well…I took the Advil and headed for the bike. I needed to get something short in and with the way I was feeling, short was good. I managed 30 minutes and called it a workout. Holly had gone to Kent to nurse Heidi, who was suffering through the flu, back to health, so there was no point in whining or lying around looking for sympathy…not that she’d have given me any. Still…I lay around pretty well, so I plugged in a movie and waited for the Advil to do its thing.
I went to my email and saw I had a comment on one of my postings…which I find rather exciting. I was struck by the fact that it was made on my posting from July 8, 2010…and it was about a spelling mistake! I’d written that I was ‘humping’ down the road…in my car…instead of humming. I suppose that was rather inappropriate and went back and fixed it. It got me to thinking though…why was the person reading a posting from July 8th of last year in January when it occurred to me…they probably enjoyed my writing so much that they were going through for a second or third time! Sure…that’s the ticket…
Bike duration: 30 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 450 biking.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The greatest man of fitness - Jack LaLanne
Monday, January 24, 2011
The first and greatest man of fitness, Jack LaLanne, died yesterday. He was 96 and still working out daily. I couldn’t have been more than six when I first tuned in his fitness show and got inspired. I was staying at my grandparents’ home just north of New York city, for an extended two-week visit…it was my turn…and they got – like – twelve or thirteen stations on their TV (we only had three at home and I wasn’t allowed to watch TV except on Saturday mornings and Sunday nights anyway), which was pretty much heaven. I was channel surfing (we called it ‘changing the channel’ back then and I had to stand in front of the set and do it manually) when I came across this really buff guy wearing some funny leotards and doing exercises with a chair and a towel. He was also telling me to go and get my mother and tell her to come and do the exercises with him…and me.
If we’d gotten this channel at home and I had gone and tried to get my mother up to come and work out with Jack…well…that wouldn’t have been a very good idea and I wouldn’t be writing this blog today. But grandma…now that’s another story. I think she kind of liked him and she tried to do some of the things he was doing. Somehow…the way he spoke so enthusiastically, moving his arms and flexing those biceps…he just made you want to try.
His show began in 1951 and for the next 35 years, he came into our homes every day. It was the longest running fitness show in the history of TV. I remember reading about his swimming exploits as he aged and it was his birthday antics that inspired me to try and do something challenging each year to celebrate getting older. For his 70th, while handcuffed, shackled, and fighting strong winds and currents, he towed 70 rowboats, one with several guests, from the Queen’s Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary, 1 mile. I’m not even in his league when it comes to fitness or nuttiness. He is truly a legend, though, and the world of fitness will miss their Founding Father.
I went to the Metropark for a short run and as I was getting ready to start, I noticed Marie across the parking lot. “I was wondering who the nut in the shorts was,” she said when she recognized me.
“You know how I sweat…so it’s no big deal. Besides, I’m only going a couple of miles.” I was wrong about that…the shorts thing, I mean. It was really, really cold though I have to admit that only my hands, covered in socks, were feeling it. The trails were passable…packed by hikers and skiers…and I managed to get in 16 minutes pain-free. I hurried home after the run and put another hour on the bike…so…not a bad workout day. It was the least I could do to honor Jack.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 16 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 250 running.
The first and greatest man of fitness, Jack LaLanne, died yesterday. He was 96 and still working out daily. I couldn’t have been more than six when I first tuned in his fitness show and got inspired. I was staying at my grandparents’ home just north of New York city, for an extended two-week visit…it was my turn…and they got – like – twelve or thirteen stations on their TV (we only had three at home and I wasn’t allowed to watch TV except on Saturday mornings and Sunday nights anyway), which was pretty much heaven. I was channel surfing (we called it ‘changing the channel’ back then and I had to stand in front of the set and do it manually) when I came across this really buff guy wearing some funny leotards and doing exercises with a chair and a towel. He was also telling me to go and get my mother and tell her to come and do the exercises with him…and me.
If we’d gotten this channel at home and I had gone and tried to get my mother up to come and work out with Jack…well…that wouldn’t have been a very good idea and I wouldn’t be writing this blog today. But grandma…now that’s another story. I think she kind of liked him and she tried to do some of the things he was doing. Somehow…the way he spoke so enthusiastically, moving his arms and flexing those biceps…he just made you want to try.
His show began in 1951 and for the next 35 years, he came into our homes every day. It was the longest running fitness show in the history of TV. I remember reading about his swimming exploits as he aged and it was his birthday antics that inspired me to try and do something challenging each year to celebrate getting older. For his 70th, while handcuffed, shackled, and fighting strong winds and currents, he towed 70 rowboats, one with several guests, from the Queen’s Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary, 1 mile. I’m not even in his league when it comes to fitness or nuttiness. He is truly a legend, though, and the world of fitness will miss their Founding Father.
I went to the Metropark for a short run and as I was getting ready to start, I noticed Marie across the parking lot. “I was wondering who the nut in the shorts was,” she said when she recognized me.
“You know how I sweat…so it’s no big deal. Besides, I’m only going a couple of miles.” I was wrong about that…the shorts thing, I mean. It was really, really cold though I have to admit that only my hands, covered in socks, were feeling it. The trails were passable…packed by hikers and skiers…and I managed to get in 16 minutes pain-free. I hurried home after the run and put another hour on the bike…so…not a bad workout day. It was the least I could do to honor Jack.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 16 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 running.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 250 running.
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Pack is Back
Sunday, January 23, 2011
To me, the best day for NFL football is League Championship Sunday…not the Super Bowl. There is such excitement and energy playing the game that gets you there that, for me, it exceeds the finale. I’ve spent my life as a Green Bay Packers fan. I not sure why, really, but have liked them since a very young age. I grew up in Connecticut where most folks rooted for the Red Sox, but for football…well…there were no Patriots yet. I liked they way they played in the coldest, harshest environment in the NFL. They were tough and they were for me. Anyway, they were in the Championship game against the Bears and I’d be watching.
It was brutally cold outside…around 8 degrees…but John and I were scheduled for a hike. He texted me though, saying his viral infection had returned and he was going to need a rain check. I did the only other thing I could do with the game looming…I hopped on the trainer for an hour ride.
The Packers won a pretty good game and will be meeting Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl in two weeks. I’m looking forward to the game…and the commercials. I particularly like the baby in the crib that’s all about stock trading, but he may be getting too old to make commercials. Jack and I spent time near the end of the game creating his running program for the remainder of the winter. He’s suddenly gotten the bug to be really good this year and wants to set the school record in the 800. I should have known something was up when he was going out for runs in the morning and the evening and watching ‘Without Limits’ the story of America’s greatest middle distance runner – Steve Prefontaine. He couldn’t have picked a better running role model.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
To me, the best day for NFL football is League Championship Sunday…not the Super Bowl. There is such excitement and energy playing the game that gets you there that, for me, it exceeds the finale. I’ve spent my life as a Green Bay Packers fan. I not sure why, really, but have liked them since a very young age. I grew up in Connecticut where most folks rooted for the Red Sox, but for football…well…there were no Patriots yet. I liked they way they played in the coldest, harshest environment in the NFL. They were tough and they were for me. Anyway, they were in the Championship game against the Bears and I’d be watching.
It was brutally cold outside…around 8 degrees…but John and I were scheduled for a hike. He texted me though, saying his viral infection had returned and he was going to need a rain check. I did the only other thing I could do with the game looming…I hopped on the trainer for an hour ride.
The Packers won a pretty good game and will be meeting Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl in two weeks. I’m looking forward to the game…and the commercials. I particularly like the baby in the crib that’s all about stock trading, but he may be getting too old to make commercials. Jack and I spent time near the end of the game creating his running program for the remainder of the winter. He’s suddenly gotten the bug to be really good this year and wants to set the school record in the 800. I should have known something was up when he was going out for runs in the morning and the evening and watching ‘Without Limits’ the story of America’s greatest middle distance runner – Steve Prefontaine. He couldn’t have picked a better running role model.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
Volunteering in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Saturday, January 22, 2011
I’d been looking forward to this morning for a couple of weeks. I was going to attend my orientation meeting to become a volunteer Park Ambassador for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I’ve wanted to get involved with CVNP or the Cleveland Metroparks for some time, but never seemed to make the effort to get it done. When I’d received a notification from CVNP recently about volunteering, I took some action.
It looks like they could use help in areas of particular interest to me…working with kids and teaching Leave No Trace camping and hiking skills. I believe pretty strongly that if you can get someone into the back country, not only will they enjoy the experience, but they too will become an advocate for conservation of wilderness areas…something of which there can never be too many. I also thinks it’s the simplest and most pure form of exercise…hiking the woods. It gives you a workout and offers serenity all at the same time. You just want to go back and do it again.
CVNP offers numerous opportunities to get a taste of the outdoors and fitness. It stretches from Cleveland to Akron along the Cuyahoga River and encompasses over 33,000 acres. Many know the Park from exposure to the Tow Path as a hiker or biker, but there are so many fantastic hiking trails, as well. It takes a little more for me to get there and will never be as convenient as the North Chagrin Reservation, but it so much bigger and has such diversity. I’m really looking forward to working there.
I spent an hour on the bike after the orientation and then picked up Paul and headed to the All-Ohio Collegiate Indoor Track Championships in Kent. Kim was running the 3K as another tune-up for the 5K qualifiers to the National Meet over the coming weeks. She took the lead on the 4th of ten laps and was looking strong until the 9th lap. She struggled over the last 300 meters and was nosed out for the win by her teammate – so Akron managed a one, two finish. She PR’d by 3 seconds and was happy with the outcome…losing to her roommate was okay with her…this time.
As we headed back to the car, I queried Paul about the gloves, hat, and warm coat he was wearing…all things he didn’t have when we’d gone on the hike the day before. “It was track meet. I figured we’d be standing outside for a couple of hours.” He must have thought they would just plow the track and shovel the stands. Maybe they do in Alaska.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
I’d been looking forward to this morning for a couple of weeks. I was going to attend my orientation meeting to become a volunteer Park Ambassador for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I’ve wanted to get involved with CVNP or the Cleveland Metroparks for some time, but never seemed to make the effort to get it done. When I’d received a notification from CVNP recently about volunteering, I took some action.
It looks like they could use help in areas of particular interest to me…working with kids and teaching Leave No Trace camping and hiking skills. I believe pretty strongly that if you can get someone into the back country, not only will they enjoy the experience, but they too will become an advocate for conservation of wilderness areas…something of which there can never be too many. I also thinks it’s the simplest and most pure form of exercise…hiking the woods. It gives you a workout and offers serenity all at the same time. You just want to go back and do it again.
CVNP offers numerous opportunities to get a taste of the outdoors and fitness. It stretches from Cleveland to Akron along the Cuyahoga River and encompasses over 33,000 acres. Many know the Park from exposure to the Tow Path as a hiker or biker, but there are so many fantastic hiking trails, as well. It takes a little more for me to get there and will never be as convenient as the North Chagrin Reservation, but it so much bigger and has such diversity. I’m really looking forward to working there.
I spent an hour on the bike after the orientation and then picked up Paul and headed to the All-Ohio Collegiate Indoor Track Championships in Kent. Kim was running the 3K as another tune-up for the 5K qualifiers to the National Meet over the coming weeks. She took the lead on the 4th of ten laps and was looking strong until the 9th lap. She struggled over the last 300 meters and was nosed out for the win by her teammate – so Akron managed a one, two finish. She PR’d by 3 seconds and was happy with the outcome…losing to her roommate was okay with her…this time.
As we headed back to the car, I queried Paul about the gloves, hat, and warm coat he was wearing…all things he didn’t have when we’d gone on the hike the day before. “It was track meet. I figured we’d be standing outside for a couple of hours.” He must have thought they would just plow the track and shovel the stands. Maybe they do in Alaska.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
Another Slyman's lunch
Friday, January 21, 2011
One of my co-workers, Tom, is a reasonably regular reader of the blog and so knows a little something about Slyman’s…mostly that he’s never been there and wanted to go. So we did. As we walked in, I recognized a high school classmate and former member of the Cleveland Athletic Club, Tom Frisina, sitting at a table.
After quick intros, Tom said, “hey…John…I’m not eating, like, this whole sandwich. Only half…I’m taking the rest home for later.” It was a reflexive response. I always hassled him about eating too much when I was the Athletic Director at the CAC.
It was great to know that I still had that effect on people. “Okay…hey…bullshit, Tommy,” I said, calling his bluff. Beside…I was going to eat one…without guilt or leftovers.
I went home later and rode the bike an hour, then called Paul and asked him to join me for a hike. There was about 8 inches of snow…and it was damned cold…but as we hiked, I noticed that Paul didn’t even have the decency to wear gloves. “Paul…where’s your gloves, man.”
“I didn’t bring any…it’s not really cold anyway,” he said. Oh…and he was right. I mean it was only 15 degrees…a balmy spring day in Anchorage. As we walked, I asked him about the coldest weather he’d ever camped out in.
“Maybe…30 below or so.” I mean…how does anyone sleep outside in 30 below? After walking, I returned home but found that I wasn’t the least bit hungry and skipped dinner. There is something to be said for a Slyman’s sandwich…you certainly won’t be hungry again for quite a while.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 350 hiking.
One of my co-workers, Tom, is a reasonably regular reader of the blog and so knows a little something about Slyman’s…mostly that he’s never been there and wanted to go. So we did. As we walked in, I recognized a high school classmate and former member of the Cleveland Athletic Club, Tom Frisina, sitting at a table.
After quick intros, Tom said, “hey…John…I’m not eating, like, this whole sandwich. Only half…I’m taking the rest home for later.” It was a reflexive response. I always hassled him about eating too much when I was the Athletic Director at the CAC.
It was great to know that I still had that effect on people. “Okay…hey…bullshit, Tommy,” I said, calling his bluff. Beside…I was going to eat one…without guilt or leftovers.
I went home later and rode the bike an hour, then called Paul and asked him to join me for a hike. There was about 8 inches of snow…and it was damned cold…but as we hiked, I noticed that Paul didn’t even have the decency to wear gloves. “Paul…where’s your gloves, man.”
“I didn’t bring any…it’s not really cold anyway,” he said. Oh…and he was right. I mean it was only 15 degrees…a balmy spring day in Anchorage. As we walked, I asked him about the coldest weather he’d ever camped out in.
“Maybe…30 below or so.” I mean…how does anyone sleep outside in 30 below? After walking, I returned home but found that I wasn’t the least bit hungry and skipped dinner. There is something to be said for a Slyman’s sandwich…you certainly won’t be hungry again for quite a while.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 350 hiking.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Eat fat and lose weight?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
My father-in-law handed me the February edition of ‘Reader’s Digest’. The cover featured a picture of a plate with two eggs over easy and a piece of bacon and the story line “Eat this, lose weight.” Well…I love eggs over easy and bacon, but I never eat it to lose weight…the bacon, that is. It certainly got my attention, though.
Turns out the story was about a new book by science journalist Gary Taubes called ‘Why We Get Fat – and What to Do About It’. I read the article and there is certainly some controversial information reported. I’m going to have to get the book, but it would appear that Gary is attacking the notion that cutting fat from your diet or following a diet low in fat will do any good in helping you lose weight. He says that public health authorities have been hammering home a message of less fat in the diet for forty years and in that time, obesity rates in America has risen from 13 to 33%.
He attacks diets that are high in carbohydrates and dieting in general. He actually makes some pretty good points, too...like eating a meal with fat fills you and keeps you from wanting to eat again anytime soon. I’m not a dieter and never have been. I’ve never believed in doing things completely unusual to what I consider ‘normal eating’ because I believe that once you return to your normal diet, whatever weight was lost during the dieting will return. Without a change in behavior, the weight is coming back. Eat early, eat often, and stop when you’re no longer hungry.
I’m also a big believer in moderation. I like to mix it up, but do attempt to avoid hollow calories...most of the time. I think Gary’s book spends a good deal of time discussing the pitfalls of simple sugar, its impact on the release of insulin in the body and the corresponding tendency of the body to turn carbohydrate calories into stored fat. Anyway, I’ll get it…read it…and report back.
I had another boring ride on the trainer. I don’t know what I’d do without my computer’s DVD player and the ability to re-watch five seasons of ‘Lost’. It’ll get me through the winter.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
My father-in-law handed me the February edition of ‘Reader’s Digest’. The cover featured a picture of a plate with two eggs over easy and a piece of bacon and the story line “Eat this, lose weight.” Well…I love eggs over easy and bacon, but I never eat it to lose weight…the bacon, that is. It certainly got my attention, though.
Turns out the story was about a new book by science journalist Gary Taubes called ‘Why We Get Fat – and What to Do About It’. I read the article and there is certainly some controversial information reported. I’m going to have to get the book, but it would appear that Gary is attacking the notion that cutting fat from your diet or following a diet low in fat will do any good in helping you lose weight. He says that public health authorities have been hammering home a message of less fat in the diet for forty years and in that time, obesity rates in America has risen from 13 to 33%.
He attacks diets that are high in carbohydrates and dieting in general. He actually makes some pretty good points, too...like eating a meal with fat fills you and keeps you from wanting to eat again anytime soon. I’m not a dieter and never have been. I’ve never believed in doing things completely unusual to what I consider ‘normal eating’ because I believe that once you return to your normal diet, whatever weight was lost during the dieting will return. Without a change in behavior, the weight is coming back. Eat early, eat often, and stop when you’re no longer hungry.
I’m also a big believer in moderation. I like to mix it up, but do attempt to avoid hollow calories...most of the time. I think Gary’s book spends a good deal of time discussing the pitfalls of simple sugar, its impact on the release of insulin in the body and the corresponding tendency of the body to turn carbohydrate calories into stored fat. Anyway, I’ll get it…read it…and report back.
I had another boring ride on the trainer. I don’t know what I’d do without my computer’s DVD player and the ability to re-watch five seasons of ‘Lost’. It’ll get me through the winter.
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
Paying through the nose...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I was driving to Alaska Paul’s parents place in Willoughby to pick him and was thinking about all the places he been and the things that he’s done. He’s certainly by back country hero, though having heard his tale of a trip to the Philippines…I can’t say that I want to match all of them.
We were driving to the Metropark for a walk in the rain…something I’m not crazy about. Once there, I proceeded to pull my boots from the back seat and put them on for a hike I figured would be rather sloppy. It had been in the high 30’s throughout the day and major melting was occurring. As I grabbed my boots, I noticed a flat tire…on my car.
“Shit. I’ve got a flat,” I said and opened the trunk to get the spare. I’ve never needed it since taking the Honda from my son and was pleased to see it was in the trunk and intact…but a little disappointed to see that the jack was missing.
“This could be tricky, Paul. No jack,” I said. We figured we’d better get in the car and drive to the nearest location for tire hole plugging before I was completely out of air. There’s a place in Willoughby Hills at the corner of Route 6 and Route 91, which is just outside the park and about as far as I could safely drive. We took it there and the lady at the desk said she could get me right in. I asked to have the oil changed and a lube since they had it on the rack, which they were all too happy to perform. Paul and I hiked back to the Metropark for a walk instead of waiting.
I received a call from the shop while we were walking. They’d done a safety inspection and found a couple of hundred things wrong with the car and thought that I should probably leave it there and walk home. When we returned to the shop, I explained to the guy that Dan did all my work, but thanks anyway. “Well…if you ever change your mind, we’d like to be your mechanic,” he said as he handed me the bill.
“Um…this says $55 under the labor column. Didn’t you just plug a wheel and change the oil?” The total bill was $93 and they’d only had the car for 30 minutes. I suppose since they’re in Willoughby Hills, they think everyone that comes there has money. Clearly…I didn’t…and now I had even less. I think I’ll keep going to Dan.
Bike duration: 72 minutes. Hike duration: 45 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1,000 biking. 225 hiking.
I was driving to Alaska Paul’s parents place in Willoughby to pick him and was thinking about all the places he been and the things that he’s done. He’s certainly by back country hero, though having heard his tale of a trip to the Philippines…I can’t say that I want to match all of them.
We were driving to the Metropark for a walk in the rain…something I’m not crazy about. Once there, I proceeded to pull my boots from the back seat and put them on for a hike I figured would be rather sloppy. It had been in the high 30’s throughout the day and major melting was occurring. As I grabbed my boots, I noticed a flat tire…on my car.
“Shit. I’ve got a flat,” I said and opened the trunk to get the spare. I’ve never needed it since taking the Honda from my son and was pleased to see it was in the trunk and intact…but a little disappointed to see that the jack was missing.
“This could be tricky, Paul. No jack,” I said. We figured we’d better get in the car and drive to the nearest location for tire hole plugging before I was completely out of air. There’s a place in Willoughby Hills at the corner of Route 6 and Route 91, which is just outside the park and about as far as I could safely drive. We took it there and the lady at the desk said she could get me right in. I asked to have the oil changed and a lube since they had it on the rack, which they were all too happy to perform. Paul and I hiked back to the Metropark for a walk instead of waiting.
I received a call from the shop while we were walking. They’d done a safety inspection and found a couple of hundred things wrong with the car and thought that I should probably leave it there and walk home. When we returned to the shop, I explained to the guy that Dan did all my work, but thanks anyway. “Well…if you ever change your mind, we’d like to be your mechanic,” he said as he handed me the bill.
“Um…this says $55 under the labor column. Didn’t you just plug a wheel and change the oil?” The total bill was $93 and they’d only had the car for 30 minutes. I suppose since they’re in Willoughby Hills, they think everyone that comes there has money. Clearly…I didn’t…and now I had even less. I think I’ll keep going to Dan.
Bike duration: 72 minutes. Hike duration: 45 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1,000 biking. 225 hiking.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Getting old...but kicking and scream on the way.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
There are many things that I used to give no notice which now catch my attention. One of those things would be the ‘AARP Bulletin’, which is a publication with stories of interest for old people…like me. I took notice of this particular issue because the cover features the picture of a man, aged 59, sitting on his Trek road bike and with the caption “Terry Schleede finds the fountain of youth”. Turns out Terry was a guy who three years ago weighed 263 pounds and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Apparently, he had a diet that including a lot of soda, and, I’m guessing, other rather unhealthy items. He replaced them with a lot of fruits and vegetables and began to walk for exercise. He eventually entered a mini-triathlon (swim/bike/run competition) and has now dropped 80 pounds and continues to compete.
James Fries, M.D., a pioneer researcher on healthy aging at Stanford University, says “if you had to pick on thing that comes closest to the fountain of youth, it would be exercise.” I don’t suppose this surprises too many people, but it still bears mentioning what research has proven on the topic. I won’t go into all the statistics, but the data shows people who exercise live longer, have a reduced chance of suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancers, depression, and a lessening of mental decline.
Like so many of us, I have watched loved ones get old and die. It’s going to happen to me, too, but what I’m fighting for with all that I do is to maintain as much quality as I can for as long as I can. I want to still be hiking the back country of the Adirondacks into my 80’s if I can, but that’s not happening unless I stay active, which I intend to do. I’ve seen too many people struggle to get up out of a chair as they age because they ignored exercise, ate and drank poorly and let their bodies age without a struggle. There was no excuse for them and there is none for me.
Okay…having said all that, I took a day off. I had a massive headache and succumbed to the comfort of over-the-counter drugs and the couch. I’m still not eating as well as I could, but I’m no saint and don’t profess to be one. I hope to get back out running in the next two days and I’m going to come back to it slowly. It’s my best defense against weight gain and I miss it.
There are many things that I used to give no notice which now catch my attention. One of those things would be the ‘AARP Bulletin’, which is a publication with stories of interest for old people…like me. I took notice of this particular issue because the cover features the picture of a man, aged 59, sitting on his Trek road bike and with the caption “Terry Schleede finds the fountain of youth”. Turns out Terry was a guy who three years ago weighed 263 pounds and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Apparently, he had a diet that including a lot of soda, and, I’m guessing, other rather unhealthy items. He replaced them with a lot of fruits and vegetables and began to walk for exercise. He eventually entered a mini-triathlon (swim/bike/run competition) and has now dropped 80 pounds and continues to compete.
James Fries, M.D., a pioneer researcher on healthy aging at Stanford University, says “if you had to pick on thing that comes closest to the fountain of youth, it would be exercise.” I don’t suppose this surprises too many people, but it still bears mentioning what research has proven on the topic. I won’t go into all the statistics, but the data shows people who exercise live longer, have a reduced chance of suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancers, depression, and a lessening of mental decline.
Like so many of us, I have watched loved ones get old and die. It’s going to happen to me, too, but what I’m fighting for with all that I do is to maintain as much quality as I can for as long as I can. I want to still be hiking the back country of the Adirondacks into my 80’s if I can, but that’s not happening unless I stay active, which I intend to do. I’ve seen too many people struggle to get up out of a chair as they age because they ignored exercise, ate and drank poorly and let their bodies age without a struggle. There was no excuse for them and there is none for me.
Okay…having said all that, I took a day off. I had a massive headache and succumbed to the comfort of over-the-counter drugs and the couch. I’m still not eating as well as I could, but I’m no saint and don’t profess to be one. I hope to get back out running in the next two days and I’m going to come back to it slowly. It’s my best defense against weight gain and I miss it.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Stick with the basics...
Monday, January 17, 2011
I met with an old friend today that I’d coached when he was a high school runner over 20 years ago. I like to bounce ideas off him and was discussing the blog and helping folks with their fitness-related goals. “John – remember to keep it basic. That’s your best message and you do it well.”
I thought about that after I left and considered how simple getting and staying fit really is. Eat stuff from the outside areas of the grocery store…then you don’t get the processed foods. Drink a lot of water…then you’re too full to drink calorie drinks…or overeat. Get enough sleep each night. Do something…anything active…instead of a sitting activity. He suggested trying one different thing at a time…doing it for a couple of weeks and seeing what impact it made.
I’m thinking that if, for two weeks, I decided not to use the remote controls to operate the TV and DVD player, one of a couple of things would happen. First…nothing…because I can’t find the remote I need. Second…after channel surfing during the first couple of commercials, I’d get so tired from getting up and down and walking to the TV that I’d turn the thing off and find something else to do…which could be good.
I’m also terrible about drinking water. I suppose if I drank 6-8 glasses a day for two weeks, I’d lose some weight because I’d be nauseous and full and not want to eat. I’d also spend a lot of time flushing toilets…which is something like exercise.
I think I have the basic exercise attitude down pat. I don’t need a club or fancy equipment, though I do use a trainer with my bike. Still…I head into the park and carry a backpack and get a terrific workout. Simple…basic…effective. There are so many things like this and I think I’m going to do some others of those and see what affects it has and report back.
Oh…and John – I used ‘effective’ and ‘affect’ in the same story. Did I do it correctly?
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
I met with an old friend today that I’d coached when he was a high school runner over 20 years ago. I like to bounce ideas off him and was discussing the blog and helping folks with their fitness-related goals. “John – remember to keep it basic. That’s your best message and you do it well.”
I thought about that after I left and considered how simple getting and staying fit really is. Eat stuff from the outside areas of the grocery store…then you don’t get the processed foods. Drink a lot of water…then you’re too full to drink calorie drinks…or overeat. Get enough sleep each night. Do something…anything active…instead of a sitting activity. He suggested trying one different thing at a time…doing it for a couple of weeks and seeing what impact it made.
I’m thinking that if, for two weeks, I decided not to use the remote controls to operate the TV and DVD player, one of a couple of things would happen. First…nothing…because I can’t find the remote I need. Second…after channel surfing during the first couple of commercials, I’d get so tired from getting up and down and walking to the TV that I’d turn the thing off and find something else to do…which could be good.
I’m also terrible about drinking water. I suppose if I drank 6-8 glasses a day for two weeks, I’d lose some weight because I’d be nauseous and full and not want to eat. I’d also spend a lot of time flushing toilets…which is something like exercise.
I think I have the basic exercise attitude down pat. I don’t need a club or fancy equipment, though I do use a trainer with my bike. Still…I head into the park and carry a backpack and get a terrific workout. Simple…basic…effective. There are so many things like this and I think I’m going to do some others of those and see what affects it has and report back.
Oh…and John – I used ‘effective’ and ‘affect’ in the same story. Did I do it correctly?
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking.
That's not a dog!"
Sunday, January 16, 2011
John arrived in the early afternoon for a Metropark hike. It was damned cold and there was still plenty of snow on the ground, so I knew we’d get in a good workout if we hiked off-trail…which we did. I tried parking at the bottom of Ox Lane, but once again the Park personnel failed to read their memo to have my parking spot cleared out. “I think we can get back out of that snow…don’t you?” I asked John as we pulled off the road and into MY spot.
“Um…maybe…no,” he responded as I came to a halt in six inches of snow. I tried some forward movement, but the tires were just spinning. “You’re going to have to rock it,” John offered. Fortunately he was in the car because in forty years of driving…I’ve never been stuck in snow.
I rocked it out and we went and found a real parking lot…plowed for common folk who use my park. We began our hike by crossing a field with at least eight inches of snow and I was sweating five minutes into the hike. By the time we had slid down our first ravine and climbed up the other side, I was pouring sweat and forced to carry my manly man Carhartt coat. John found it rather entertaining that it was 15 degrees and I was hiking in a t-shirt and jeans and took my picture. What can I say? I drip.
We walked for around 90 minutes and near the end of the hike, I queried John about the puppy they were picking up on Friday. “It’s a Bernese Mountain Dog. They get pretty big…up to 150 pounds,” he said.
I looked at cute, forty-pound Dakota and said, “that’s not a dog, John. It’s something that should be hooked to the Budweiser beer wagon. You’re going to have to get the kids working to pay for its food.” He said they were cute and cuddly and crap like that and I love dogs, but I don’t think I want one that I have to stable every time we get home.
Dinner was great and something I don’t remember ever eating before. Holly called it Hungarian Goulash…I called it ‘calories in’. She made her wonderful cinnamon sweet rolls and I managed to limit myself to one…giving the leftovers to my father-in-law for him to take home. Slick calorie-saving move.
We finished the day by going to see ‘Social Network’ at the cheap theatre. I’m a facebooker and I thought it was a great story about putting money and/or power in front of friendship. I thought the last line Mark Zuckerberg’s attorney says to him was classic. “You’re not an asshole, but you’re trying so hard to be one.” Geez…I’ve known a couple of folks like that in my lifetime, though none of them had founded Facebook and were worth over a billion dollars... which includes me.
Hike duration: 90 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 85 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 550.
John arrived in the early afternoon for a Metropark hike. It was damned cold and there was still plenty of snow on the ground, so I knew we’d get in a good workout if we hiked off-trail…which we did. I tried parking at the bottom of Ox Lane, but once again the Park personnel failed to read their memo to have my parking spot cleared out. “I think we can get back out of that snow…don’t you?” I asked John as we pulled off the road and into MY spot.
“Um…maybe…no,” he responded as I came to a halt in six inches of snow. I tried some forward movement, but the tires were just spinning. “You’re going to have to rock it,” John offered. Fortunately he was in the car because in forty years of driving…I’ve never been stuck in snow.
I rocked it out and we went and found a real parking lot…plowed for common folk who use my park. We began our hike by crossing a field with at least eight inches of snow and I was sweating five minutes into the hike. By the time we had slid down our first ravine and climbed up the other side, I was pouring sweat and forced to carry my manly man Carhartt coat. John found it rather entertaining that it was 15 degrees and I was hiking in a t-shirt and jeans and took my picture. What can I say? I drip.
We walked for around 90 minutes and near the end of the hike, I queried John about the puppy they were picking up on Friday. “It’s a Bernese Mountain Dog. They get pretty big…up to 150 pounds,” he said.
I looked at cute, forty-pound Dakota and said, “that’s not a dog, John. It’s something that should be hooked to the Budweiser beer wagon. You’re going to have to get the kids working to pay for its food.” He said they were cute and cuddly and crap like that and I love dogs, but I don’t think I want one that I have to stable every time we get home.
Dinner was great and something I don’t remember ever eating before. Holly called it Hungarian Goulash…I called it ‘calories in’. She made her wonderful cinnamon sweet rolls and I managed to limit myself to one…giving the leftovers to my father-in-law for him to take home. Slick calorie-saving move.
We finished the day by going to see ‘Social Network’ at the cheap theatre. I’m a facebooker and I thought it was a great story about putting money and/or power in front of friendship. I thought the last line Mark Zuckerberg’s attorney says to him was classic. “You’re not an asshole, but you’re trying so hard to be one.” Geez…I’ve known a couple of folks like that in my lifetime, though none of them had founded Facebook and were worth over a billion dollars... which includes me.
Hike duration: 90 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 85 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 550.
Monday, January 17, 2011
I should have been a mechanic...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
I started the day with an hour on the trainer. I had some running around to do and had scheduled time to walk with Holly later in the day and wanted to make sure I didn’t run out of time for the ride. Savannah was home for the long weekend and I needed to take the Jeep to see Dan since the windshield washer pump was on the blink again. I figured he’d take a quick look, make some simple adjustment and that would be that. It was new after all…he’d installed it two weeks ago. When he got out his jack and started putting the Jeep in the air, I started to think it was going to take a little longer.
“The windshield washer fluid comes out up here,” I said, pointing to a spot just in front of the windshield. He’s supposed to know everything about cars, but he was crawling under the left front wheel.
“Thanks, John…I know that. The pump plugs into the engine behind this panel, though.” He was removing something from the inner wall of the wheel well. Seems like a dumb place to plug it in…but what do I know? Little. Turns out it had come loose and I asked him if we should duct tape it on so it didn’t happen again. He didn’t think much of my suggestion, but now I’d know what to do if it happened again.
Now that the fluid was working, I noticed how bad her wiper blades were and that she didn’t have a one on the rear window. I made a stop at Auto Zone and picked them up, thanking the clerk for his offer to help install them. Did he think I was an incompetent boob? Well…I am and after struggling with trying to remove the old ones for 10 minutes, walked back into the store to take him up on his offer. He came out, pushed some invisible button and they slipped away. I thanked him…just before strangling him to death for making it look so easy…the bastard!
I also stopped at Patterson’s Fruit Farm to pick up a bag of apples. That’s all I wanted…but then…the smell of the bake shop assaulted me. I’m worthless and weak when I’m there…and succumbed to an apple fritter the size of a basketball. I wolfed it down on the car ride home.
Holly and I made it to the park a little before dark. We did some off-trail hiking into the marsh though not my longer trek. She was huffing up the hills and lamenting how out of shape she was. We made it to the edge of the marsh and I could see someone had been walking on the frozen surface. It could have been an 80-pound kid I was following, which meant I could be going straight through…but nothing ventured, nothing gained…and I wanted to get Holly to come out and share in the experience. She came reluctantly, but couldn’t see the value of standing on frozen water that might not be all that frozen. We returned quickly in near-dark.
Without the fritter, it would have been a good day. With the 8,000 calorie fritter…not so much.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 300 hiking.
I started the day with an hour on the trainer. I had some running around to do and had scheduled time to walk with Holly later in the day and wanted to make sure I didn’t run out of time for the ride. Savannah was home for the long weekend and I needed to take the Jeep to see Dan since the windshield washer pump was on the blink again. I figured he’d take a quick look, make some simple adjustment and that would be that. It was new after all…he’d installed it two weeks ago. When he got out his jack and started putting the Jeep in the air, I started to think it was going to take a little longer.
“The windshield washer fluid comes out up here,” I said, pointing to a spot just in front of the windshield. He’s supposed to know everything about cars, but he was crawling under the left front wheel.
“Thanks, John…I know that. The pump plugs into the engine behind this panel, though.” He was removing something from the inner wall of the wheel well. Seems like a dumb place to plug it in…but what do I know? Little. Turns out it had come loose and I asked him if we should duct tape it on so it didn’t happen again. He didn’t think much of my suggestion, but now I’d know what to do if it happened again.
Now that the fluid was working, I noticed how bad her wiper blades were and that she didn’t have a one on the rear window. I made a stop at Auto Zone and picked them up, thanking the clerk for his offer to help install them. Did he think I was an incompetent boob? Well…I am and after struggling with trying to remove the old ones for 10 minutes, walked back into the store to take him up on his offer. He came out, pushed some invisible button and they slipped away. I thanked him…just before strangling him to death for making it look so easy…the bastard!
I also stopped at Patterson’s Fruit Farm to pick up a bag of apples. That’s all I wanted…but then…the smell of the bake shop assaulted me. I’m worthless and weak when I’m there…and succumbed to an apple fritter the size of a basketball. I wolfed it down on the car ride home.
Holly and I made it to the park a little before dark. We did some off-trail hiking into the marsh though not my longer trek. She was huffing up the hills and lamenting how out of shape she was. We made it to the edge of the marsh and I could see someone had been walking on the frozen surface. It could have been an 80-pound kid I was following, which meant I could be going straight through…but nothing ventured, nothing gained…and I wanted to get Holly to come out and share in the experience. She came reluctantly, but couldn’t see the value of standing on frozen water that might not be all that frozen. We returned quickly in near-dark.
Without the fritter, it would have been a good day. With the 8,000 calorie fritter…not so much.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 300 hiking.
Alaska Paul is coming to town...
Friday, January 14, 2011
I felt my phone vibrating in my shirt pocket and pulled it out. I could see the name ‘Paul’ on the display and that could only be one person – Alaska Paul.
Paul and I have been friends since high school. Shortly after his senior year, he was in Colorado going to school and then on to Oregon. He eventually made his way to Alaska where he worked as a teacher and principal for the next 30 years or so. He’s worked in Inuit villages so remote that he had to be flown in and would live there for the entire school year. He was dedicated to his profession and his love of travel and the great outdoors. He’s been on every continent (except Antarctica) and sailed every ocean. He’s biked across Europe and Africa and visited places I’ve only dreamed about. There are times when I’m very jealous of him and his lifestyle.
“When will you be in town?” I asked.
“Be in Sunday. Just got back from a 30-day trip down the Colorado River and it was pretty awesome,” he replied.
He doesn’t rub my nose in it because he knows how much I’d love to have been on the trip. We decided we’d meet up on Monday and take a hike in the Metroparks. He’s always in peak form and never wants to sit still for long. He’s gone to the Adirondacks with me on a couple of occasions and I always figured for a guy who’s seen the places he has…it must be almost boring there. When I asked him on our last trip what was the best place he’d been for hiking, camping and views, he said, “I think the Adirondacks are my favorite. You’re above the trees in under 5,000 feet, they’re easy to get to and the trails are great. What more could you want?” Little else, I suppose.
Kim texted me later that night that she’d run a 4:56 mile…another PR for her. An hour later she broke her 800 record with a 2:17…both good set-ups for the All-Ohio 5K she’s scheduled to run this coming Friday.
Me? I just did a boring one-hour ride on the bike and took another deep snow hike in the Metroparks with Dakota. Holly said she’s going to join me over the weekend on one of those hikes, but I think I’ll keep her to the trails. She hasn’t been exercising in some time and the off-trail stuff really is quite tiring. We’ll find out tomorrow.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 300 hiking.
I felt my phone vibrating in my shirt pocket and pulled it out. I could see the name ‘Paul’ on the display and that could only be one person – Alaska Paul.
Paul and I have been friends since high school. Shortly after his senior year, he was in Colorado going to school and then on to Oregon. He eventually made his way to Alaska where he worked as a teacher and principal for the next 30 years or so. He’s worked in Inuit villages so remote that he had to be flown in and would live there for the entire school year. He was dedicated to his profession and his love of travel and the great outdoors. He’s been on every continent (except Antarctica) and sailed every ocean. He’s biked across Europe and Africa and visited places I’ve only dreamed about. There are times when I’m very jealous of him and his lifestyle.
“When will you be in town?” I asked.
“Be in Sunday. Just got back from a 30-day trip down the Colorado River and it was pretty awesome,” he replied.
He doesn’t rub my nose in it because he knows how much I’d love to have been on the trip. We decided we’d meet up on Monday and take a hike in the Metroparks. He’s always in peak form and never wants to sit still for long. He’s gone to the Adirondacks with me on a couple of occasions and I always figured for a guy who’s seen the places he has…it must be almost boring there. When I asked him on our last trip what was the best place he’d been for hiking, camping and views, he said, “I think the Adirondacks are my favorite. You’re above the trees in under 5,000 feet, they’re easy to get to and the trails are great. What more could you want?” Little else, I suppose.
Kim texted me later that night that she’d run a 4:56 mile…another PR for her. An hour later she broke her 800 record with a 2:17…both good set-ups for the All-Ohio 5K she’s scheduled to run this coming Friday.
Me? I just did a boring one-hour ride on the bike and took another deep snow hike in the Metroparks with Dakota. Holly said she’s going to join me over the weekend on one of those hikes, but I think I’ll keep her to the trails. She hasn’t been exercising in some time and the off-trail stuff really is quite tiring. We’ll find out tomorrow.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 300 hiking.
Friday, January 14, 2011
First Lady of Ohio has nice arms...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Apparently Karen Kasich, Ohio’s new First Lady, is quite a fitness buff. I wasn’t watching her on TV, but the PD did a story on her toned arms and delts she exhibited at the new Governor’s swearing-in ceremony. She was wearing a sleeveless dress, which showed he arms and shoulders and revealed a person dedicated to exercise.
She’s a swimmer, runner and spends time with the free weights, as well and I think it’s a sign of the times that more office holders and their spouses are walking the talk of health and fitness. An accompanying article talks about the ways to achieve the kind of tone Karen is sporting and does it correctly. Too often the emphasis is placed on the kinds of weight training exercises necessary to develop a muscle group or groups without mentioning that no matter the amount of toning exercises you do, none of it will show if you’re carrying excess body fat. The article goes on to say that to reduce the body fat and show off the tome, you need to be doing the aerobic exercise that burns up the excess calories…and probably monitor the diet, too.
My calf was still quite sore from yesterday’s run. I think I may be back to square one and have to take time off. Never again will on run on hard surfaces since it seems to be the common denominator to my running-related injuries. I’ll probably be able to start back in a week, but I’ll probably do less for the remainder of the winter – sticking to runs of around 30 minutes and adding in the bike to finish the workout.
I had a sore back, as well…probably from all the shoveling and the combination of hiking and running. I decided that a day of complete rest was in the cards and so, with some guilt for not riding at least, did nothing. Tomorrow…back on the bike and probably more shoveling. I’d like to hike in the snow, as well, since I know it’s going to continue to fall and I want the extra work.
Apparently Karen Kasich, Ohio’s new First Lady, is quite a fitness buff. I wasn’t watching her on TV, but the PD did a story on her toned arms and delts she exhibited at the new Governor’s swearing-in ceremony. She was wearing a sleeveless dress, which showed he arms and shoulders and revealed a person dedicated to exercise.
She’s a swimmer, runner and spends time with the free weights, as well and I think it’s a sign of the times that more office holders and their spouses are walking the talk of health and fitness. An accompanying article talks about the ways to achieve the kind of tone Karen is sporting and does it correctly. Too often the emphasis is placed on the kinds of weight training exercises necessary to develop a muscle group or groups without mentioning that no matter the amount of toning exercises you do, none of it will show if you’re carrying excess body fat. The article goes on to say that to reduce the body fat and show off the tome, you need to be doing the aerobic exercise that burns up the excess calories…and probably monitor the diet, too.
My calf was still quite sore from yesterday’s run. I think I may be back to square one and have to take time off. Never again will on run on hard surfaces since it seems to be the common denominator to my running-related injuries. I’ll probably be able to start back in a week, but I’ll probably do less for the remainder of the winter – sticking to runs of around 30 minutes and adding in the bike to finish the workout.
I had a sore back, as well…probably from all the shoveling and the combination of hiking and running. I decided that a day of complete rest was in the cards and so, with some guilt for not riding at least, did nothing. Tomorrow…back on the bike and probably more shoveling. I’d like to hike in the snow, as well, since I know it’s going to continue to fall and I want the extra work.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Four workouts...one day.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The day started with a calorie-burning snow shoveling…and never let up. I had to move about three inches that had fallen overnight, which wasn’t a big deal, but took about 20 minutes and had me sweating a little.
I went to the Metropark for a run, planning on doing 50 minutes, but was forced to the bike path because there was just too much snow on the trails to run. They plow the bike path, but I am reluctant to run on such a hard surface…it’s paved…but it was that or the road. I made it to the 39-minute mark when I felt a sharp pain in my right calf and stopped immediately. Damn…injured again. I returned to the car and figured I’d be off running a few days and would have to ride later.
I had a good six inches in the driveway when I got home and pushed that, which took 45 minutes. I was thinking how beautiful it was in the park and decided to take Dakota and head up there to walk the marsh trail.
My calf was hurting slightly as I began the hike, but it was manageable. The snow was quite deep…coming up to Dakota’s chest and making the hike more of a workout for her than me. Still…we were off-trail and since no one had preceded us, every step through eight inches of snow was a labor. We made our way down to the marsh and when I stopped to check my pulse, was happy to find that it was up to 90 – not a bad level for walking without a pack.
We saw only one person on our hike, which wasn’t too surprising considering the road conditions and the snow on the trails. Yet for anyone trying to get a workout, the conditions were perfect. Anyway, I returned home and decided I needed a little more aerobic work so I hopped on the bike and watched an episode of ‘Lost’.
I suppose I could consider it four separate workouts, but however it’s catalogued, I burned a ton of calories. Had I made it through the run pain-free, it would have been the perfect workout day.
Bike duration: 40 minutes. Hike duration: 70 minutes Run duration: 39 minutes.
Shoveling duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking. Running: 140. Shoveling: 100.
Calories burned during workout: 600 biking. 450 hiking. 650 running. 400 shoveling.
The day started with a calorie-burning snow shoveling…and never let up. I had to move about three inches that had fallen overnight, which wasn’t a big deal, but took about 20 minutes and had me sweating a little.
I went to the Metropark for a run, planning on doing 50 minutes, but was forced to the bike path because there was just too much snow on the trails to run. They plow the bike path, but I am reluctant to run on such a hard surface…it’s paved…but it was that or the road. I made it to the 39-minute mark when I felt a sharp pain in my right calf and stopped immediately. Damn…injured again. I returned to the car and figured I’d be off running a few days and would have to ride later.
I had a good six inches in the driveway when I got home and pushed that, which took 45 minutes. I was thinking how beautiful it was in the park and decided to take Dakota and head up there to walk the marsh trail.
My calf was hurting slightly as I began the hike, but it was manageable. The snow was quite deep…coming up to Dakota’s chest and making the hike more of a workout for her than me. Still…we were off-trail and since no one had preceded us, every step through eight inches of snow was a labor. We made our way down to the marsh and when I stopped to check my pulse, was happy to find that it was up to 90 – not a bad level for walking without a pack.
We saw only one person on our hike, which wasn’t too surprising considering the road conditions and the snow on the trails. Yet for anyone trying to get a workout, the conditions were perfect. Anyway, I returned home and decided I needed a little more aerobic work so I hopped on the bike and watched an episode of ‘Lost’.
I suppose I could consider it four separate workouts, but however it’s catalogued, I burned a ton of calories. Had I made it through the run pain-free, it would have been the perfect workout day.
Bike duration: 40 minutes. Hike duration: 70 minutes Run duration: 39 minutes.
Shoveling duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking. Running: 140. Shoveling: 100.
Calories burned during workout: 600 biking. 450 hiking. 650 running. 400 shoveling.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"How'd those brownies taste, Dakota?"
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I spend some time perusing web sites regarding health and fitness hoping to pick up tidbits of truth that I can weave into one of my fabricated stories to give it at least some credibility. I’m still trying…for that ‘credibility’ thing…and saw something about eating the right foods and weight loss. What a concept…maybe I’ll try it some time. Anyway, Heather Jones, a nutrition expert that writes for ‘Good Housekeeping’ had an article that promoted three simple dietary changes which could help drop 5 pounds. The first was sipping vegetable juice throughout the day. I’m pretty sure she meant in place of coffee with cream and sugar…but the vegetable juice actually has qualities that suppress the appetite. I don’t drink it because it makes me want to puke…which is an appetite suppressant, as well.
Her second suggestion was to have a meatless lunch once a week. The only time I have meat for lunch is when I go to Slyman’s where they serve enough corned beef in a sandwich to meet the monthly requirement for protein and fat.
The third suggestion was to include fish in any diet where you’re trying to lose weight. I love fish, but Holly doesn’t…which pretty much means we don’t eat fish. I must admit that I was looking at fresh Salmon at Heinen’s recently and was shocked at the price per pound. I don’t eat steak, but the prices were higher than strip steaks or filet mignon. Okay…so I’m sure that was a big help and yes, I’ll keep you posted on other great ideas.
I made my way to the Metropark after picking up Dakota from the vet. She’d been there throwing up her New Year’s diet from earlier that morning. Holly had made a delicious pan of brownies complete with peanuts and Jack had decided one for breakfast was the Champion’s way to start the day. Unfortunately, he’d left the pan within Dakota’s reach, and she’d finished the pan shortly after he left for school. The vet told Holly over the phone that she should induce Dakota to vomit or “bring her in and we’ll do it here.” Since seeing vomit makes Holly vomit…she took her to the vet.
Anyway, the snow had been falling hard and I knew there was plenty on the ground, which always made for a more challenging hike…and it was. It was also the most serene hike I’ve had in some time. We were alone and it was almost dark as we made our way towards the marsh. We observed a buck moving slowly through the woods only 30 feet from where we were standing. At first I thought it was sick…it seemed to be off balance as it moved and paid us no mind. Then it occurred to me that it hadn’t seen or sensed our presence so when I finally began to walk, it looked our way and gave us that ‘deer’ stare that says “come any closer and I’m out of here.”
Our footsteps were almost completely muffled as, it seems, was all sound. There was a deathly silence every time we stopped walking and the snow hung so heavily on the branches of the pines that they were constantly in our path. It was truly a winter wonderland.
The trek took a little longer than usual…about 70 minutes…and by the time I returned home had decided that it was all I was going to do. Though I hadn’t really gotten the heart rate that high and could have done a ride, I decided that it was good enough and that maybe I could use a little break from the intense workouts I’d been performing over the last two weeks…with many days doing doubles. Besides, I’d shoveled the driveway twice and that counted for something, as well. Tomorrow…back to running.
Hike duration: 70 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 75 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 400.
I spend some time perusing web sites regarding health and fitness hoping to pick up tidbits of truth that I can weave into one of my fabricated stories to give it at least some credibility. I’m still trying…for that ‘credibility’ thing…and saw something about eating the right foods and weight loss. What a concept…maybe I’ll try it some time. Anyway, Heather Jones, a nutrition expert that writes for ‘Good Housekeeping’ had an article that promoted three simple dietary changes which could help drop 5 pounds. The first was sipping vegetable juice throughout the day. I’m pretty sure she meant in place of coffee with cream and sugar…but the vegetable juice actually has qualities that suppress the appetite. I don’t drink it because it makes me want to puke…which is an appetite suppressant, as well.
Her second suggestion was to have a meatless lunch once a week. The only time I have meat for lunch is when I go to Slyman’s where they serve enough corned beef in a sandwich to meet the monthly requirement for protein and fat.
The third suggestion was to include fish in any diet where you’re trying to lose weight. I love fish, but Holly doesn’t…which pretty much means we don’t eat fish. I must admit that I was looking at fresh Salmon at Heinen’s recently and was shocked at the price per pound. I don’t eat steak, but the prices were higher than strip steaks or filet mignon. Okay…so I’m sure that was a big help and yes, I’ll keep you posted on other great ideas.
I made my way to the Metropark after picking up Dakota from the vet. She’d been there throwing up her New Year’s diet from earlier that morning. Holly had made a delicious pan of brownies complete with peanuts and Jack had decided one for breakfast was the Champion’s way to start the day. Unfortunately, he’d left the pan within Dakota’s reach, and she’d finished the pan shortly after he left for school. The vet told Holly over the phone that she should induce Dakota to vomit or “bring her in and we’ll do it here.” Since seeing vomit makes Holly vomit…she took her to the vet.
Anyway, the snow had been falling hard and I knew there was plenty on the ground, which always made for a more challenging hike…and it was. It was also the most serene hike I’ve had in some time. We were alone and it was almost dark as we made our way towards the marsh. We observed a buck moving slowly through the woods only 30 feet from where we were standing. At first I thought it was sick…it seemed to be off balance as it moved and paid us no mind. Then it occurred to me that it hadn’t seen or sensed our presence so when I finally began to walk, it looked our way and gave us that ‘deer’ stare that says “come any closer and I’m out of here.”
Our footsteps were almost completely muffled as, it seems, was all sound. There was a deathly silence every time we stopped walking and the snow hung so heavily on the branches of the pines that they were constantly in our path. It was truly a winter wonderland.
The trek took a little longer than usual…about 70 minutes…and by the time I returned home had decided that it was all I was going to do. Though I hadn’t really gotten the heart rate that high and could have done a ride, I decided that it was good enough and that maybe I could use a little break from the intense workouts I’d been performing over the last two weeks…with many days doing doubles. Besides, I’d shoveled the driveway twice and that counted for something, as well. Tomorrow…back to running.
Hike duration: 70 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 75 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 400.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
No pain...
Monday, January 10, 2011
I spent the day walking normally and not thinking about any pains in my body. That’s because for the first time in a few months…I didn’t have any. I can hear Kim saying “nice story, grandpaw”, and it is a nice story. Oh sure…I remember how my grandparents used to get together with their old people friends and talk about who had what removed and how much they were aching. I didn’t pay it much mind then…that’s what old people did…but now it’s me and I’m not old…much.
Anyway, I felt good as I drove to the park. The trails were snow covered, but pretty well packed and I thought I’d be able to get in a decent distance run if I could avoid falling on my ass again. My first issue in this kind of weather is parking my little Honda. Since there are certain courses I prefer on a particular day…none of which begin from a parking lot…I’m normally pulling off on the side of the road. Well…someone forgot to notify the Park snow plow about my personal parking locations. When I parked in one of them at the bottom of Oxbow with John, I figured we could push it out after the hike if we got stuck. No John for this run.
Still…I couldn’t let the snow dictate my course, so I parked at the bottom of Oxbow anyway. I started my run along the same course I’d dumped on last week, but found the icy parts were now covered in enough hard packed snow to keep me upright. I reached Clear Creek shortly after and saw that it was icing over. I wondered if it would support me, so I stepped on…and in…to the creek. I only got a little wet and kept going. I looped past the sledding hill and noted that it looked good for sleds…my vehicle of choice…and vowed to return later in the week. By the time I’d circled Squires and was feeling completely fine, I figured I could go beyond the 40-minute mark I’d run the day I fell. I made it back to the car in around 38 minutes, but added a loop that took it up to 47 minutes….and pain-free.
Good news for now. We ate leftover turkey stew for dinner and I had the rest of the peach cobbler slathered in whipped cream for my fruit course. Holly had also made a platter of brownies, but I figured I really didn’t need any of those…yet.
Run duration: 47 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 800.
I spent the day walking normally and not thinking about any pains in my body. That’s because for the first time in a few months…I didn’t have any. I can hear Kim saying “nice story, grandpaw”, and it is a nice story. Oh sure…I remember how my grandparents used to get together with their old people friends and talk about who had what removed and how much they were aching. I didn’t pay it much mind then…that’s what old people did…but now it’s me and I’m not old…much.
Anyway, I felt good as I drove to the park. The trails were snow covered, but pretty well packed and I thought I’d be able to get in a decent distance run if I could avoid falling on my ass again. My first issue in this kind of weather is parking my little Honda. Since there are certain courses I prefer on a particular day…none of which begin from a parking lot…I’m normally pulling off on the side of the road. Well…someone forgot to notify the Park snow plow about my personal parking locations. When I parked in one of them at the bottom of Oxbow with John, I figured we could push it out after the hike if we got stuck. No John for this run.
Still…I couldn’t let the snow dictate my course, so I parked at the bottom of Oxbow anyway. I started my run along the same course I’d dumped on last week, but found the icy parts were now covered in enough hard packed snow to keep me upright. I reached Clear Creek shortly after and saw that it was icing over. I wondered if it would support me, so I stepped on…and in…to the creek. I only got a little wet and kept going. I looped past the sledding hill and noted that it looked good for sleds…my vehicle of choice…and vowed to return later in the week. By the time I’d circled Squires and was feeling completely fine, I figured I could go beyond the 40-minute mark I’d run the day I fell. I made it back to the car in around 38 minutes, but added a loop that took it up to 47 minutes….and pain-free.
Good news for now. We ate leftover turkey stew for dinner and I had the rest of the peach cobbler slathered in whipped cream for my fruit course. Holly had also made a platter of brownies, but I figured I really didn’t need any of those…yet.
Run duration: 47 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 800.
Monday, January 10, 2011
"What's the difference between a Catholic and a Christian, dad?"
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Last winter I burned a considerable amount of calories with my snow shovel in hand. We received about 6 inches in Highland Heights, but it was really easy to push and I feel guilty entering it in my calorie burning log. Still…at least I am pushing it when it does come and the winter is young…
I dropped Jack at church and instead of going in myself…I had taken my resting pulse the night before…decided instead to get my serenity by hiking in the snow in the Metropark with Dakota. Jack quizzed me on the ride home about the difference between Catholics and Christians (I went to 8 years of Catholic school, was an altar boy, and regular pain to the nuns of the school…so I’m qualified). We attend an Episcopalian church now…since that was Holly’s denomination when we married. Anyway, Jack said he didn’t mind listening to the sermon, but thought the rest of the service, which is the same week in and week out…was boring.
“Hate to say this…but I agree,” I said. I told him about the Catholic faith coming first in Christianity and how, after Martin Luther started the Lutherans in Germany as a breakaway, many others followed creating other branches of Christianity. “No one is better than any other…as far as I’m concerned,” I commented, “…and it’s all about how you live your life the other 167 hours of the week, anyway.” I finished by telling him that I felt much closer to my creator in the Adirondacks than any church I had ever visited. Maybe it’s blasphemy, but it is the way I feel.
I got home and put in an our on the bike before finally coming to Holly’s aid with house and kitchen clean-up. She was making turkey stew from the leftovers of our Christmas dinner…and the smell was making me wild. I was glad I’d already put in two workouts when I saw her thawing peaches which could only be headed for her wonderful peach cobbler. I may have burned over a 1,000 calories, but I could see a ten-minute time span at the dinner table in my immediate future where I would be reversing that. Now…if there is only some Breyer’s…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 300 hiking.
Last winter I burned a considerable amount of calories with my snow shovel in hand. We received about 6 inches in Highland Heights, but it was really easy to push and I feel guilty entering it in my calorie burning log. Still…at least I am pushing it when it does come and the winter is young…
I dropped Jack at church and instead of going in myself…I had taken my resting pulse the night before…decided instead to get my serenity by hiking in the snow in the Metropark with Dakota. Jack quizzed me on the ride home about the difference between Catholics and Christians (I went to 8 years of Catholic school, was an altar boy, and regular pain to the nuns of the school…so I’m qualified). We attend an Episcopalian church now…since that was Holly’s denomination when we married. Anyway, Jack said he didn’t mind listening to the sermon, but thought the rest of the service, which is the same week in and week out…was boring.
“Hate to say this…but I agree,” I said. I told him about the Catholic faith coming first in Christianity and how, after Martin Luther started the Lutherans in Germany as a breakaway, many others followed creating other branches of Christianity. “No one is better than any other…as far as I’m concerned,” I commented, “…and it’s all about how you live your life the other 167 hours of the week, anyway.” I finished by telling him that I felt much closer to my creator in the Adirondacks than any church I had ever visited. Maybe it’s blasphemy, but it is the way I feel.
I got home and put in an our on the bike before finally coming to Holly’s aid with house and kitchen clean-up. She was making turkey stew from the leftovers of our Christmas dinner…and the smell was making me wild. I was glad I’d already put in two workouts when I saw her thawing peaches which could only be headed for her wonderful peach cobbler. I may have burned over a 1,000 calories, but I could see a ten-minute time span at the dinner table in my immediate future where I would be reversing that. Now…if there is only some Breyer’s…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 300 hiking.
Slip, sliding...into ravines
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Kids these days. Now…when I was just a wee tot and was given the choice between hanging at home and playing video games with a couple of friends or going to the Metroparks to hike in the woods and throw snowballs at my dad…well…okay…they not only didn’t have video games when I was little…but had just invented TV. Still…
John came over with Teri’s two sons, Alex and Scott. They’d brought an Ipod and Playstation III…or something like that. Jack already had every cool video game known to man, so they were going to hang out while John and I did a severe workout hike in the Metropark. We did ask them to go along and Jack did inquire as to the packability of the snow…but it was only halfhearted.
I’d already ridden 60 minutes that morning, so this would be my bonus workout. We’d done the marsh hike last weekend, so I wanted to show him something different and angled instead towards the Chagrin River lookout hike. It’s a great hike because it’s in an area visited by few and offering a fine view of the river from a bluff about 100 feet above. I often stop when reaching the observation point to watch the fishermen working the currents and pools far below me. A short distance beyond is a sledding hill and it was in full operation. Dakota would have liked nothing better than to chase a few sledders down the hill, so we needed to skirt the area through the woods to its side.
We made our way to the ridge overlooking Squires Castle and followed some trails along that ridge heading south. “We need to get back down there,” I said, indicating the valley below us, “and I don’t mean on a trail.”
“Let’s go,” John said.
The slope between the ridges was quite steep, but there would be all kinds of saplings to grab as we made our way down. It’s more like skiing in boots than walking and the ascent went rather quickly…for me. I heard John bringing up the rear. “ Wait a min…ohhhhh…shitttt,” By the time I turned to look, he was sliding on his butt grabbing at saplings and downed logs as he went…rather ungracefully. I reached for my camera to catch the action…but he came to a sudden stop when he hooked a tree. Too bad. I love getting pictures of John doing ridiculous things, though I’m sure I’ll have more chances soon.
We reached bottom without further incident where I gave him a choice. “We could climb back up this hill…it’s the one we use for the Back to Basic workout…and then slide down the other side to the girl scout cabins…or take the wuss way and just walk over there on that path,” I indicated the easy way with a disdainful wave of my hand.
He thought about it for about as long as it had taken him to fall on his ass on the previous hill and said, “I vote for the ‘wuss’ way.” Reluctantly, I did what he asked.
I managed to break a sweat on the hike since there was 6 inches of snow and we did a lot of off-trail hiking. I don’t know as I’d go so far as to call it a workout, but since we walked for 90 minutes, I did burn a lot of calories. Even without a pack, the way I dress and with the heavy boots, I can manage to get my heart rate up to between 70-80 beats a minute and keep it there. Walking with John passes the time even faster since we have so much about which we can disagree…being right can be a curse. Going off-trail always makes it more challenging…and beautiful. Challenging because no one has packed down the snow and there are so many obstacles to go over and around, and beautiful because we’re normally the only ones that have been there to see the virgin snow before us on the ground. Hopefully, the snow will continue to fall and keep my secondary workout courses in fine shape. Next week: new ravines for John to fall into…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 90 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 450 hiking.
Kids these days. Now…when I was just a wee tot and was given the choice between hanging at home and playing video games with a couple of friends or going to the Metroparks to hike in the woods and throw snowballs at my dad…well…okay…they not only didn’t have video games when I was little…but had just invented TV. Still…
John came over with Teri’s two sons, Alex and Scott. They’d brought an Ipod and Playstation III…or something like that. Jack already had every cool video game known to man, so they were going to hang out while John and I did a severe workout hike in the Metropark. We did ask them to go along and Jack did inquire as to the packability of the snow…but it was only halfhearted.
I’d already ridden 60 minutes that morning, so this would be my bonus workout. We’d done the marsh hike last weekend, so I wanted to show him something different and angled instead towards the Chagrin River lookout hike. It’s a great hike because it’s in an area visited by few and offering a fine view of the river from a bluff about 100 feet above. I often stop when reaching the observation point to watch the fishermen working the currents and pools far below me. A short distance beyond is a sledding hill and it was in full operation. Dakota would have liked nothing better than to chase a few sledders down the hill, so we needed to skirt the area through the woods to its side.
We made our way to the ridge overlooking Squires Castle and followed some trails along that ridge heading south. “We need to get back down there,” I said, indicating the valley below us, “and I don’t mean on a trail.”
“Let’s go,” John said.
The slope between the ridges was quite steep, but there would be all kinds of saplings to grab as we made our way down. It’s more like skiing in boots than walking and the ascent went rather quickly…for me. I heard John bringing up the rear. “ Wait a min…ohhhhh…shitttt,” By the time I turned to look, he was sliding on his butt grabbing at saplings and downed logs as he went…rather ungracefully. I reached for my camera to catch the action…but he came to a sudden stop when he hooked a tree. Too bad. I love getting pictures of John doing ridiculous things, though I’m sure I’ll have more chances soon.
We reached bottom without further incident where I gave him a choice. “We could climb back up this hill…it’s the one we use for the Back to Basic workout…and then slide down the other side to the girl scout cabins…or take the wuss way and just walk over there on that path,” I indicated the easy way with a disdainful wave of my hand.
He thought about it for about as long as it had taken him to fall on his ass on the previous hill and said, “I vote for the ‘wuss’ way.” Reluctantly, I did what he asked.
I managed to break a sweat on the hike since there was 6 inches of snow and we did a lot of off-trail hiking. I don’t know as I’d go so far as to call it a workout, but since we walked for 90 minutes, I did burn a lot of calories. Even without a pack, the way I dress and with the heavy boots, I can manage to get my heart rate up to between 70-80 beats a minute and keep it there. Walking with John passes the time even faster since we have so much about which we can disagree…being right can be a curse. Going off-trail always makes it more challenging…and beautiful. Challenging because no one has packed down the snow and there are so many obstacles to go over and around, and beautiful because we’re normally the only ones that have been there to see the virgin snow before us on the ground. Hopefully, the snow will continue to fall and keep my secondary workout courses in fine shape. Next week: new ravines for John to fall into…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 90 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 75 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 450 hiking.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Can't be reached? Really?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Well…it’s been awhile…but looks like we’ve got some more corruption with government officials lining their pockets at the expense of local tax payers. I won’t bore you with the details…the PD did a good job telling the story of road-salt vendors playing games, schmoozing government officials and overcharging for their product….at our expense. The part that I like so much is how many of the folks suspected of wrongdoing can’t be reached.
There was a time when I could understand that. Remember when there were no cell phones, email, Blackberries and other such things that made us available instamatic ally? I do…and I miss it. One of the great things about going to the Adirondacks is that I can’t be reached. No cell reception unless you’re on top of a mountain…and even then its spotty. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. You can ALWAYS be reached…right?
So anyway, the PD tried to reach some folks who received free stuff…like Browns tickets (gotta wonder what they were thinking here) to ask they a couple of questions, but the paper says they “could not be reached for comment”. I’m thinking the PD is pretty good at getting a hold of people…probably knew their phone numbers, where they lived and worked…that kind of stuff, but couldn’t reach them? Another official “did not return telephone calls for a comment”. So what I’m thinking is…well…they could have been reached…but they need to have a word…or twenty…with their attorney first.
I went to see Kim compete in an indoor meet at the University of Akron. Very sweet 300 meter track, though I hate that they won’t let you anywhere near the track. I like to get down at street level for good pictures. Anyway, she won the mile in 5:01 and ran a pr in the 800. She’s a distance runner…hoping for a shot at the nationals in the 5K, but doing the smart thing early in the season by running shorter distances to make herself faster. She’s already got the endurance from off-season base building, but you can only get speed like she’ll need by running the shorter distances. Marie will be doing the same thing next weekend, running an 800 at the GaReat indoor track in Ashtabula.
I elected not to run a fourth day in a row. I was pretty sore from yesterday’s meeting of rock hard ice, ass and elbow. I did put in 60 minutes on the trainer though…and I didn’t eat any crap. Not a bad day…
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 900.
Well…it’s been awhile…but looks like we’ve got some more corruption with government officials lining their pockets at the expense of local tax payers. I won’t bore you with the details…the PD did a good job telling the story of road-salt vendors playing games, schmoozing government officials and overcharging for their product….at our expense. The part that I like so much is how many of the folks suspected of wrongdoing can’t be reached.
There was a time when I could understand that. Remember when there were no cell phones, email, Blackberries and other such things that made us available instamatic ally? I do…and I miss it. One of the great things about going to the Adirondacks is that I can’t be reached. No cell reception unless you’re on top of a mountain…and even then its spotty. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. You can ALWAYS be reached…right?
So anyway, the PD tried to reach some folks who received free stuff…like Browns tickets (gotta wonder what they were thinking here) to ask they a couple of questions, but the paper says they “could not be reached for comment”. I’m thinking the PD is pretty good at getting a hold of people…probably knew their phone numbers, where they lived and worked…that kind of stuff, but couldn’t reach them? Another official “did not return telephone calls for a comment”. So what I’m thinking is…well…they could have been reached…but they need to have a word…or twenty…with their attorney first.
I went to see Kim compete in an indoor meet at the University of Akron. Very sweet 300 meter track, though I hate that they won’t let you anywhere near the track. I like to get down at street level for good pictures. Anyway, she won the mile in 5:01 and ran a pr in the 800. She’s a distance runner…hoping for a shot at the nationals in the 5K, but doing the smart thing early in the season by running shorter distances to make herself faster. She’s already got the endurance from off-season base building, but you can only get speed like she’ll need by running the shorter distances. Marie will be doing the same thing next weekend, running an 800 at the GaReat indoor track in Ashtabula.
I elected not to run a fourth day in a row. I was pretty sore from yesterday’s meeting of rock hard ice, ass and elbow. I did put in 60 minutes on the trainer though…and I didn’t eat any crap. Not a bad day…
Bike duration: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 900.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Appointment book verses cell phone...no contest, Tom
Thursday, January 06, 2011
So I’m standing at the copy machine this morning and a fellow employee and friend (we’ll call him Tom to protect his anonymity…and because that’s his name and he likes to see it in print) starts jabbering away about how wonderful his cell phone is as an appointment book. Now…we’d already debated the merits of my hard copy ‘weekly minder’ I use verses his cell phone thing. I’d told him I liked mine better because I could open it up and view a week easily…seeing all options at one time.
“My phone calendar can do that,” he said. Okay…so I’m thinking he’s going to try and convince me that his phone with a screen the size of a big match book cover is as easy to see as my open appointment book…which measures 16” by 12”.
“Tom…how could it be? You’re saying the screen on that silly, little phone is the size of this appointment book…opened to the week I’m scheduling?” I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to dispute the dimensional thing…but he did.
Well…when we met at the copier and continued the discussion, another human with a real brain walked up. I told her what we were discussing and after Tom pulled out his phone and started pushing buttons…about 8 moves to cover the week…she said, “I kinda have to go with John here, Tom. I think it would be easier to just look at the whole week in an open book.”
And that brings to mind the whole reason he was looking at his calendar…which was that he wanted to go out to lunch and talk baseball. When he did, I suggested Slyman’s. “They’ve got the best corned beef sandwiches…in the world,” I said.
Now Tom is kind of like me….he always wants to be right…which is different since I always am right. Anyway he says, “the best corned beef sandwich was made by that place that closed on St. Clair.”
“Tom…think about it. If it was the best at anything…wouldn’t it still be open?” He sputtered some answer that wasn’t clever…something I’d never do. I’ll take him there…he’s never been…and then he’ll understand the ‘Slyman’s’ thing.
I was thinking about another double when I arrived at the Metroparks for a run. There was a light snow falling and a little over an inch on the ground already. I thought I’d go for 30 minutes then head home for a ride. I began the run feeling better than I had in a couple of months…nothing was hurting, though I was worried about overdoing the calf/achilles. I was running comfortably on the bridle trails when I hit a patch of ice…covered in a dusting of snow. I went down so fast that I only had time to utter “oh…” of the phrase “oh shit”. I landed hard on my left elbow and butt cheek. The cheek is well protected, but the elbow hurt like a mamma. I got quickly to my feet and began running more cautiously and to the side of the trail where there was no ice.
I suppose the cold was numbing the body parts upon which I’d landed because it didn’t really hurt as the run continued. I hit my turn-around and realized I’d have at least a 35-minute run if all went well. By the time I neared the car, I was still feeling great and decided to continue to the 40-minute mark and bag the ride back home.
It worked out. I’ve been patient in returning to running…having laid off for over 3 weeks since my achilles flared on December 10th. I don’t know that I’m completely healed, so I’ll continue to take it easy. As discouraged as I was when it happened, I’m happy that I took the break from running and moved to the cross training combination of hiking and biking. It may be what did the healing. Anyway, its been a long time since I ran 40 minutes…almost 2 months.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
So I’m standing at the copy machine this morning and a fellow employee and friend (we’ll call him Tom to protect his anonymity…and because that’s his name and he likes to see it in print) starts jabbering away about how wonderful his cell phone is as an appointment book. Now…we’d already debated the merits of my hard copy ‘weekly minder’ I use verses his cell phone thing. I’d told him I liked mine better because I could open it up and view a week easily…seeing all options at one time.
“My phone calendar can do that,” he said. Okay…so I’m thinking he’s going to try and convince me that his phone with a screen the size of a big match book cover is as easy to see as my open appointment book…which measures 16” by 12”.
“Tom…how could it be? You’re saying the screen on that silly, little phone is the size of this appointment book…opened to the week I’m scheduling?” I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to dispute the dimensional thing…but he did.
Well…when we met at the copier and continued the discussion, another human with a real brain walked up. I told her what we were discussing and after Tom pulled out his phone and started pushing buttons…about 8 moves to cover the week…she said, “I kinda have to go with John here, Tom. I think it would be easier to just look at the whole week in an open book.”
And that brings to mind the whole reason he was looking at his calendar…which was that he wanted to go out to lunch and talk baseball. When he did, I suggested Slyman’s. “They’ve got the best corned beef sandwiches…in the world,” I said.
Now Tom is kind of like me….he always wants to be right…which is different since I always am right. Anyway he says, “the best corned beef sandwich was made by that place that closed on St. Clair.”
“Tom…think about it. If it was the best at anything…wouldn’t it still be open?” He sputtered some answer that wasn’t clever…something I’d never do. I’ll take him there…he’s never been…and then he’ll understand the ‘Slyman’s’ thing.
I was thinking about another double when I arrived at the Metroparks for a run. There was a light snow falling and a little over an inch on the ground already. I thought I’d go for 30 minutes then head home for a ride. I began the run feeling better than I had in a couple of months…nothing was hurting, though I was worried about overdoing the calf/achilles. I was running comfortably on the bridle trails when I hit a patch of ice…covered in a dusting of snow. I went down so fast that I only had time to utter “oh…” of the phrase “oh shit”. I landed hard on my left elbow and butt cheek. The cheek is well protected, but the elbow hurt like a mamma. I got quickly to my feet and began running more cautiously and to the side of the trail where there was no ice.
I suppose the cold was numbing the body parts upon which I’d landed because it didn’t really hurt as the run continued. I hit my turn-around and realized I’d have at least a 35-minute run if all went well. By the time I neared the car, I was still feeling great and decided to continue to the 40-minute mark and bag the ride back home.
It worked out. I’ve been patient in returning to running…having laid off for over 3 weeks since my achilles flared on December 10th. I don’t know that I’m completely healed, so I’ll continue to take it easy. As discouraged as I was when it happened, I’m happy that I took the break from running and moved to the cross training combination of hiking and biking. It may be what did the healing. Anyway, its been a long time since I ran 40 minutes…almost 2 months.
Run duration: 40 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm.
Calories burned during workout: 675.
"Dump Your Plump"
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
“No man or woman is an island in the world of effective weight loss” are the words written to begin the PD article describing the “Dump Your Plump” competition, which kicks off its 18th year this January 25th. The competition was created and is sponsored by the nonprofit organization, Wellness Council of Northeast Ohio, which promotes wellness in the workplace.
The program was designed to get people to work as a team to meet their fitness/weight loss goals and lasts for 10 weeks. There are prizes for exercising and pounds lost, which is funded by the $25-per-person entry fee. Teams are made up of co-workers or friends and the idea…a good one…is that people stay committed longer when they’re responsible to more than themselves. If you’re interested in getting in on it, check out the rules at www.healthyohio.org.
Personally, I’ve always done better working out alone, though you can work out alone in the program. I used the concept of being on a team by writing the blog. I feel like anyone reading is kind of counting on me to keep doing what I’ve said I was going to do…and that has clearly kept me honest. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating that if you’re going to start a program, set achievable goals…but then let someone know what you’re doing…as a way of keeping you committed. It works.
I hit my fifth double in a row and am proud of the way I’ve begun the New Year. I started with a run…thinking I’d go 15 minutes and see how I felt. I ran the hiking trails in the Metropark, which is again frozen, but not snow-covered. Footing was a little treacherous with the foot tracks left in the mud now frozen with unforgiving ridges looking to twist my ankles. Still…I plodded on and felt pretty good over the first 10 minutes. At that point, I decided to lengthen the run and added a loop that had me going 25 minutes instead of 15. There was some mild discomfort in the right calf towards the end…which is what kept me from trying to make it 30 minutes.
I headed home and climbed on the bike for a 60-minute ride. I’m really getting tired of the trainer every day and hoping the running is coming back and I’ll actually be able to take a couple of days away from stationary riding soon. I know I’ve got to be careful with the running…its been one injury after the other for several months now…and I struggle with prudence.
Jason stopped over after the ride and I showed him my secrets to making pinole. He likes it and thinks it will help him have the energy he needs in his new found commitment to getting fit. My last batch seemed to be lacking something and as we were making his, it dawned on me that I’d forgotten the cinnamon in my last batch. It makes a big difference.
I suspect tomorrow will be a day for only one workout. I am getting a little fatigued…and that’s when the injuries come. We’ll see…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 25 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 145 running.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 425 running.
“No man or woman is an island in the world of effective weight loss” are the words written to begin the PD article describing the “Dump Your Plump” competition, which kicks off its 18th year this January 25th. The competition was created and is sponsored by the nonprofit organization, Wellness Council of Northeast Ohio, which promotes wellness in the workplace.
The program was designed to get people to work as a team to meet their fitness/weight loss goals and lasts for 10 weeks. There are prizes for exercising and pounds lost, which is funded by the $25-per-person entry fee. Teams are made up of co-workers or friends and the idea…a good one…is that people stay committed longer when they’re responsible to more than themselves. If you’re interested in getting in on it, check out the rules at www.healthyohio.org.
Personally, I’ve always done better working out alone, though you can work out alone in the program. I used the concept of being on a team by writing the blog. I feel like anyone reading is kind of counting on me to keep doing what I’ve said I was going to do…and that has clearly kept me honest. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating that if you’re going to start a program, set achievable goals…but then let someone know what you’re doing…as a way of keeping you committed. It works.
I hit my fifth double in a row and am proud of the way I’ve begun the New Year. I started with a run…thinking I’d go 15 minutes and see how I felt. I ran the hiking trails in the Metropark, which is again frozen, but not snow-covered. Footing was a little treacherous with the foot tracks left in the mud now frozen with unforgiving ridges looking to twist my ankles. Still…I plodded on and felt pretty good over the first 10 minutes. At that point, I decided to lengthen the run and added a loop that had me going 25 minutes instead of 15. There was some mild discomfort in the right calf towards the end…which is what kept me from trying to make it 30 minutes.
I headed home and climbed on the bike for a 60-minute ride. I’m really getting tired of the trainer every day and hoping the running is coming back and I’ll actually be able to take a couple of days away from stationary riding soon. I know I’ve got to be careful with the running…its been one injury after the other for several months now…and I struggle with prudence.
Jason stopped over after the ride and I showed him my secrets to making pinole. He likes it and thinks it will help him have the energy he needs in his new found commitment to getting fit. My last batch seemed to be lacking something and as we were making his, it dawned on me that I’d forgotten the cinnamon in my last batch. It makes a big difference.
I suspect tomorrow will be a day for only one workout. I am getting a little fatigued…and that’s when the injuries come. We’ll see…
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Run duration: 25 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 145 running.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 425 running.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A little running...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I loved the time away from work, but it was kind of nice getting back. For one thing, I’ll be around food temptations less…not that I’d ever succumb. I started the day with a couple of apples and threw two more in my car for later. It would be all I ate until after working out that evening.
I pulled my fourth double in a row beginning with a run of 11 minutes. I went very easily on a hiking trail in the park with Dakota on my heels. I had some tightness in my calf while running, but nothing so serious as to have me stop. I did a small loop and returned to the car…completely demoralizing Dakota…until she realized I was just stopping long enough to outfit myself with a windbreaker, gloves and my backpack…all things I didn’t need for the short run.
We did a loop on the trails that for me included 300 step-ups. Having only the 30-pound pack is quite different than doing the same loop with 60 pounds. It took about 54 minutes to complete the loop and we finished in total darkness. We had the woods to ourselves and the crunch of our footsteps on the frozen leaf bed echoed around us…probably scaring away any wildlife.
I drove home and immediately climbed on the bike, which I’d set up before leaving. My legs were pretty tired and I decided that one episode of ‘Lost’ or about 43 minutes of riding, would suffice.
Holly was working late and after a shower, the urge to eat junk was becoming overwhelming. To distract myself, I whipped together a batch of pinole and had a bar with some skim milk. I went through the kitchen and refrigerator and disposed of…without eating…the last piece of peanut butter cream pie and some cookies and candy.
Bike duration: 43 minutes. Hike/run duration: 64 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 100-145 hiking and running.
Calories burned during workout: 825 biking. 700 hiking and running.
I loved the time away from work, but it was kind of nice getting back. For one thing, I’ll be around food temptations less…not that I’d ever succumb. I started the day with a couple of apples and threw two more in my car for later. It would be all I ate until after working out that evening.
I pulled my fourth double in a row beginning with a run of 11 minutes. I went very easily on a hiking trail in the park with Dakota on my heels. I had some tightness in my calf while running, but nothing so serious as to have me stop. I did a small loop and returned to the car…completely demoralizing Dakota…until she realized I was just stopping long enough to outfit myself with a windbreaker, gloves and my backpack…all things I didn’t need for the short run.
We did a loop on the trails that for me included 300 step-ups. Having only the 30-pound pack is quite different than doing the same loop with 60 pounds. It took about 54 minutes to complete the loop and we finished in total darkness. We had the woods to ourselves and the crunch of our footsteps on the frozen leaf bed echoed around us…probably scaring away any wildlife.
I drove home and immediately climbed on the bike, which I’d set up before leaving. My legs were pretty tired and I decided that one episode of ‘Lost’ or about 43 minutes of riding, would suffice.
Holly was working late and after a shower, the urge to eat junk was becoming overwhelming. To distract myself, I whipped together a batch of pinole and had a bar with some skim milk. I went through the kitchen and refrigerator and disposed of…without eating…the last piece of peanut butter cream pie and some cookies and candy.
Bike duration: 43 minutes. Hike/run duration: 64 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 100-145 hiking and running.
Calories burned during workout: 825 biking. 700 hiking and running.
What a prickly tree...
Monday, January 03, 2011
This was to be my last day off. I hate going back to work on a Monday after a vacation, so I took the extra day, which proved pretty useful for Christmas clean-up and for exercising.
I began by tackling the tree. It was prickly as hell and I continually stabbed my fingers while removing ornaments. I’d purchased one of those tree bags when I bought the tree, but had twisted it somehow when putting it under the tree and now it wasn’t covering the branches.
“How tough can it be? It’s nothing more than a giant garbage bag…how did you screw it up so badly?” Holly asked as we struggled to pull it over the branches.
“Have you ever seen me pack up the garbage? Screwing this up was child’s play,” I said as I tore a gaping hole in the side I was wrestling with. We finally had a semblance of coverage, but when I pulled it from the stand and started to drag it from the family room, the bag caught on the arm of a chair and tore open completely, spilling needles on the floor for the rest of the trek out of the house.
I tried to return ornaments to their proper specialty boxes…which since they come in packing that kind of matches the ornament…and Holly writes on the inside of each box a description of the ornament that goes there…should have been pretty easy. It wasn’t. “Do you have some kind of learning disability? These ornaments match up with specific boxes,” she explained.
“Um…maybe? I suppose you’d rather I didn’t help anymore?”
She was good with that and I headed for the trainer where I managed to complete two more episodes of ‘Lost’ while riding 87 minutes. I showered, put away some more Christmas stuff and headed with Dakota for the Metroparks and another off-trail hike. It was close to dark when we began and completely so by the time we finished. We managed to scare up a coyote, which I suspect was trying to lead us away from her den…I’ll have to check that out on another night. I managed to break a good sweat and it was eerily serene as we made our way through a briar patch towards the end of the hike where I scared up more than one animal that wasn’t expecting us.
The hikes aren’t the calorie burners I will be getting later in the year when I have to get really serious about training for the triathlon, but they’re better than a kick in the head…or an old Christmas cookie. I’ll take what I can get for now…
Bike duration: 87 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1300 biking. 350 hiking.
This was to be my last day off. I hate going back to work on a Monday after a vacation, so I took the extra day, which proved pretty useful for Christmas clean-up and for exercising.
I began by tackling the tree. It was prickly as hell and I continually stabbed my fingers while removing ornaments. I’d purchased one of those tree bags when I bought the tree, but had twisted it somehow when putting it under the tree and now it wasn’t covering the branches.
“How tough can it be? It’s nothing more than a giant garbage bag…how did you screw it up so badly?” Holly asked as we struggled to pull it over the branches.
“Have you ever seen me pack up the garbage? Screwing this up was child’s play,” I said as I tore a gaping hole in the side I was wrestling with. We finally had a semblance of coverage, but when I pulled it from the stand and started to drag it from the family room, the bag caught on the arm of a chair and tore open completely, spilling needles on the floor for the rest of the trek out of the house.
I tried to return ornaments to their proper specialty boxes…which since they come in packing that kind of matches the ornament…and Holly writes on the inside of each box a description of the ornament that goes there…should have been pretty easy. It wasn’t. “Do you have some kind of learning disability? These ornaments match up with specific boxes,” she explained.
“Um…maybe? I suppose you’d rather I didn’t help anymore?”
She was good with that and I headed for the trainer where I managed to complete two more episodes of ‘Lost’ while riding 87 minutes. I showered, put away some more Christmas stuff and headed with Dakota for the Metroparks and another off-trail hike. It was close to dark when we began and completely so by the time we finished. We managed to scare up a coyote, which I suspect was trying to lead us away from her den…I’ll have to check that out on another night. I managed to break a good sweat and it was eerily serene as we made our way through a briar patch towards the end of the hike where I scared up more than one animal that wasn’t expecting us.
The hikes aren’t the calorie burners I will be getting later in the year when I have to get really serious about training for the triathlon, but they’re better than a kick in the head…or an old Christmas cookie. I’ll take what I can get for now…
Bike duration: 87 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1300 biking. 350 hiking.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Two days...two doubles...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The day started well with Holly waking me early to ask if I wanted to walk the block with her and Dakota. This is a casual, talking pace and not something that I classify as a workout…thus relieving me of something later. In fact, I returned home after and hopped on the bike for a ride. I was planning on at least an hour, but received a text from John while riding asking if I wanted to go for a hike. Well…sure. I told him to give me the time I needed to finish the ride…but he’s always early and arrived with me at the 55-minute mark. I figured that was good enough…I don’t like to keep him waiting…and headed for the shower while he kept Holly company.
We parked at the bottom of Ox Lane in the North Chagrin Reservation and I took him on my special, off-trail, through instead of around ravines – hike. It was somewhat muddy and the footing was treacherous and we found ourselves sliding backwards on occasion. The trek we took though really increases the heart rate beyond the normal trail stuff and that’s what we’re both looking for. John has had some difficulty getting in his workouts of late, but has re-committed himself to being in peak form for the coming summer months of hiking. In fact, he is planning one trip to the Adirondacks with his wife, Teri, with the intent of taking her up one of the 46 high peaks.
“Giant would be a great one…but she’s got to be ready, John,” I said…like he didn’t know. It’s easily one of, if not the best peak in the Adirondacks if you’re looking for a trailhead that’s easy to access and spectacular vistas for most of the trek. It was the climb John and I did on our last day the previous September and the one I’ll return to over and over, knowing it never gets boring. I’m hoping to get Holly to try it some day.
“I could write something up to have her ready, but it’ll include some time with a pack and bleacher work if she’s going to handle it. Very doable, though…you gotta push it on her,” I added.
We hiked down into and out of a couple of decent ravines before arriving at the marsh overlook. It’s a beautiful spot that few know about since there are no trails leading there and we stood there taking it in and discussing a trip to the Rockies. “I think I’d like to pack in to an area where there’s more than one species that could eat me. They’ve got mountain lions, grizzlies, and wolves. Some how it heightens the experience…living with that tension,” I said. There’s some of that in the Adirondacks, but black bears just aren’t the same as grizzlies.
We finished the hike in a little over an hour and I felt like I’d put in two workouts for the day. I have to break a good sweat and get the heart rate up over 100 for at least some part of it to consider it…and I had. When we returned home, John dove into the cookies and other Christmas sweets, but I managed to satisfy myself with pinole. It’s only day two, but I’m starting to focus in again…
Bike duration: 55 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 825 biking. 350 hiking.
The day started well with Holly waking me early to ask if I wanted to walk the block with her and Dakota. This is a casual, talking pace and not something that I classify as a workout…thus relieving me of something later. In fact, I returned home after and hopped on the bike for a ride. I was planning on at least an hour, but received a text from John while riding asking if I wanted to go for a hike. Well…sure. I told him to give me the time I needed to finish the ride…but he’s always early and arrived with me at the 55-minute mark. I figured that was good enough…I don’t like to keep him waiting…and headed for the shower while he kept Holly company.
We parked at the bottom of Ox Lane in the North Chagrin Reservation and I took him on my special, off-trail, through instead of around ravines – hike. It was somewhat muddy and the footing was treacherous and we found ourselves sliding backwards on occasion. The trek we took though really increases the heart rate beyond the normal trail stuff and that’s what we’re both looking for. John has had some difficulty getting in his workouts of late, but has re-committed himself to being in peak form for the coming summer months of hiking. In fact, he is planning one trip to the Adirondacks with his wife, Teri, with the intent of taking her up one of the 46 high peaks.
“Giant would be a great one…but she’s got to be ready, John,” I said…like he didn’t know. It’s easily one of, if not the best peak in the Adirondacks if you’re looking for a trailhead that’s easy to access and spectacular vistas for most of the trek. It was the climb John and I did on our last day the previous September and the one I’ll return to over and over, knowing it never gets boring. I’m hoping to get Holly to try it some day.
“I could write something up to have her ready, but it’ll include some time with a pack and bleacher work if she’s going to handle it. Very doable, though…you gotta push it on her,” I added.
We hiked down into and out of a couple of decent ravines before arriving at the marsh overlook. It’s a beautiful spot that few know about since there are no trails leading there and we stood there taking it in and discussing a trip to the Rockies. “I think I’d like to pack in to an area where there’s more than one species that could eat me. They’ve got mountain lions, grizzlies, and wolves. Some how it heightens the experience…living with that tension,” I said. There’s some of that in the Adirondacks, but black bears just aren’t the same as grizzlies.
We finished the hike in a little over an hour and I felt like I’d put in two workouts for the day. I have to break a good sweat and get the heart rate up over 100 for at least some part of it to consider it…and I had. When we returned home, John dove into the cookies and other Christmas sweets, but I managed to satisfy myself with pinole. It’s only day two, but I’m starting to focus in again…
Bike duration: 55 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 825 biking. 350 hiking.
The first day of 2011...
Saturday, January 01, 2011
You know…in all of my philosophizing yesterday, I forgot something very important…to thank those who have read along during the past 10 months. So many of you have told me that you enjoy the writing, others of you do it because I bug you to, and some even write notes, which always inspires me. I’ve truly enjoyed it and hope that, in some small measure, I’ve added some value to those who have read.
Now…what will I do in the coming year? It was my intention to complete a self-designed triathlon which would include kayaking across Lake Erie, riding around the same body of water, and running/hiking the Towpath and the Emerald Necklace. I was targeting this not only for my own health and wellness, but as an opportunity to bring my message of fitness to a wider audience through media coverage. I still have this as an ambition, but the timing is important and this may or may not be the summer I tackle the undertaking. Those of you who know me personally may understand this better.
Still…it might happen and there is no way to be ready unless I begin preparations now. It means a lot of two-a-days…there is no other way to be ready…and so I am breaking down my commitments to a month by month scenario. January…I’m looking at no less than forty workouts. By picking this number, I know I’ll have to do something every day and, at least ten times, do a double. Should I miss a day, I’ll be forced into more doubles. I take these commitments with myself pretty seriously and sharing them with others…like I just have…helps to keep me honest and on track.
I suppose that’s my single most important message to share. Decide what you want to do…what’s the goal…and break it down into its smaller increments. Weekly and monthly goals give you more ample opportunities to gauge the progress and stay focused. By the way…many of you know that I do fitness testing and program design…so don’t hesitate to request help in this all-important step to achieving you goals.
So my first day of the rest of my life started with a 60-minute ride. I was hoping to get in something outside, but the rain was falling into the early afternoon and it wasn’t looking too good. We were planning a trip to my sister’s for a dinner party and I knew that the calories would be everywhere. Finally…a break in the rain, so I headed outside to do dog clean-up. I figured with all the snow gone, I needed to attack this job before it began to snow again. It took about 45 minutes…Dakota is a prolific shitter…but I got every bit and made the yard safe for tossing the football again.
I changed into my running outfit and headed for the Mayfield track. I wanted to see if I could do any running and figured the forgiving track surface was the best place to try out the achilles. I began though with bleacher work and a 30-pound pack strapped to my back. After ten sets, I shed the pack and jogged an easy mile. After three-quarters though, I was noticing some discomfort in my right calf, but finished anyway. I put the pack on and headed into the bleachers for 10 more repeats and finished with a walking cool down of half a mile. The entire workout lasted 40 minutes and was a perfect start to a year that would require multiple double workouts.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Track/bleacher duration: 40 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 track/bleacher.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 750 track/bleacher.
You know…in all of my philosophizing yesterday, I forgot something very important…to thank those who have read along during the past 10 months. So many of you have told me that you enjoy the writing, others of you do it because I bug you to, and some even write notes, which always inspires me. I’ve truly enjoyed it and hope that, in some small measure, I’ve added some value to those who have read.
Now…what will I do in the coming year? It was my intention to complete a self-designed triathlon which would include kayaking across Lake Erie, riding around the same body of water, and running/hiking the Towpath and the Emerald Necklace. I was targeting this not only for my own health and wellness, but as an opportunity to bring my message of fitness to a wider audience through media coverage. I still have this as an ambition, but the timing is important and this may or may not be the summer I tackle the undertaking. Those of you who know me personally may understand this better.
Still…it might happen and there is no way to be ready unless I begin preparations now. It means a lot of two-a-days…there is no other way to be ready…and so I am breaking down my commitments to a month by month scenario. January…I’m looking at no less than forty workouts. By picking this number, I know I’ll have to do something every day and, at least ten times, do a double. Should I miss a day, I’ll be forced into more doubles. I take these commitments with myself pretty seriously and sharing them with others…like I just have…helps to keep me honest and on track.
I suppose that’s my single most important message to share. Decide what you want to do…what’s the goal…and break it down into its smaller increments. Weekly and monthly goals give you more ample opportunities to gauge the progress and stay focused. By the way…many of you know that I do fitness testing and program design…so don’t hesitate to request help in this all-important step to achieving you goals.
So my first day of the rest of my life started with a 60-minute ride. I was hoping to get in something outside, but the rain was falling into the early afternoon and it wasn’t looking too good. We were planning a trip to my sister’s for a dinner party and I knew that the calories would be everywhere. Finally…a break in the rain, so I headed outside to do dog clean-up. I figured with all the snow gone, I needed to attack this job before it began to snow again. It took about 45 minutes…Dakota is a prolific shitter…but I got every bit and made the yard safe for tossing the football again.
I changed into my running outfit and headed for the Mayfield track. I wanted to see if I could do any running and figured the forgiving track surface was the best place to try out the achilles. I began though with bleacher work and a 30-pound pack strapped to my back. After ten sets, I shed the pack and jogged an easy mile. After three-quarters though, I was noticing some discomfort in my right calf, but finished anyway. I put the pack on and headed into the bleachers for 10 more repeats and finished with a walking cool down of half a mile. The entire workout lasted 40 minutes and was a perfect start to a year that would require multiple double workouts.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Track/bleacher duration: 40 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 140 track/bleacher.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 750 track/bleacher.
The last day of 2010...
Friday, December 31, 2010
So this is it…the last day of the year. I suppose…in hard reflection…it was a good year for me. Though I lost my brother and Holly’s mom had a bad fall, some very positive things happened.
First and foremost…I began writing this blog with the intention of getting myself back in shape and, more importantly, back in the frame of mind that I am and will always be…dedicated to health and fitness. I had slipped away from that commitment over a number of years and I needed something to lock me in. Writing this blog has done that for me. I’ve worked out for most of my adult life…sometimes even harder than I have this past year…but never with the commitment level I currently have when I wasn’t training for a specific event. I don’t really know how many people read this or for those that do, if it helps them with their own fitness commitments…but it sure helps me and I’m never going to stop.
I suppose the other reason I believe it was a good year is that, relatively speaking, I’m quite healthy and am still surrounded by a pretty incredible wife and family. Losing Jim and Bob reaffirmed what I already knew…relationships matter so much more than stuff…and I’ve got some really wonderful relationships in my life. I also remind myself constantly that no matter what is happening to me…plenty of people are suffering more and that when I work to help those people, my problems melt away.
I had a tired ride on the bike. I suppose I was still feeling yesterday’s effort…but it was extremely tough and I was regularly looking at the stop watch…trying to hurry the time, which, of course only makes it longer. A former student stopped over and we made pinole before heading with Dakota to the park for a hike. He loves the woods and so I took him off-trail and down through the marsh. The going was sloppy and added to the workout, which made me feel good about the last day of the year…doing another double.
I worked many years in the hospitality business and spent numerous New Years working a party while Holly sat at home. I hated it then and when I no longer had to spend the evening that way, determined that I’d just stay home and not worry about the amateurs on the road…so that’s what we did. After a dinner of Anne Ann’s dough wrapped around hot dogs and chased with chocolate milkshakes, we watched ‘Michael’ until midnight, switching to Dick Clark for the final countdown.
Attitude shapes experience for the coming year and I believe mine is good. Let’s see what I can do about 2011.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 350 hiking.
So this is it…the last day of the year. I suppose…in hard reflection…it was a good year for me. Though I lost my brother and Holly’s mom had a bad fall, some very positive things happened.
First and foremost…I began writing this blog with the intention of getting myself back in shape and, more importantly, back in the frame of mind that I am and will always be…dedicated to health and fitness. I had slipped away from that commitment over a number of years and I needed something to lock me in. Writing this blog has done that for me. I’ve worked out for most of my adult life…sometimes even harder than I have this past year…but never with the commitment level I currently have when I wasn’t training for a specific event. I don’t really know how many people read this or for those that do, if it helps them with their own fitness commitments…but it sure helps me and I’m never going to stop.
I suppose the other reason I believe it was a good year is that, relatively speaking, I’m quite healthy and am still surrounded by a pretty incredible wife and family. Losing Jim and Bob reaffirmed what I already knew…relationships matter so much more than stuff…and I’ve got some really wonderful relationships in my life. I also remind myself constantly that no matter what is happening to me…plenty of people are suffering more and that when I work to help those people, my problems melt away.
I had a tired ride on the bike. I suppose I was still feeling yesterday’s effort…but it was extremely tough and I was regularly looking at the stop watch…trying to hurry the time, which, of course only makes it longer. A former student stopped over and we made pinole before heading with Dakota to the park for a hike. He loves the woods and so I took him off-trail and down through the marsh. The going was sloppy and added to the workout, which made me feel good about the last day of the year…doing another double.
I worked many years in the hospitality business and spent numerous New Years working a party while Holly sat at home. I hated it then and when I no longer had to spend the evening that way, determined that I’d just stay home and not worry about the amateurs on the road…so that’s what we did. After a dinner of Anne Ann’s dough wrapped around hot dogs and chased with chocolate milkshakes, we watched ‘Michael’ until midnight, switching to Dick Clark for the final countdown.
Attitude shapes experience for the coming year and I believe mine is good. Let’s see what I can do about 2011.
Bike duration: 60 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 900 biking. 350 hiking.
There's no defense against peanut butter cookies...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Holly and I made our way to the continental breakfast with about 10 minutes to spare. For me…this is no problem. I can load a plate with food with the speed and accuracy that defies logic. I had eggs, bacon, English muffins and yogurt loaded with fruit. We spent some time just sitting, drinking coffee and talking, which gave me some time to start considering my New Year’s resolution. I’m still working on it, but I’ll have it ready in a couple of days.
After checking out of the hotel, we returned home and I found myself in the kitchen cleaning a few of the dishes no one had gotten to that morning. I also did some clean-up of old desserts…starting with the pumpkin pie. To my dismay, it had started molding and I reluctantly pitched it. The apple pie, on the other hand, was still edible…and so I finished it. Now…time to work out. I made my way to the trainer for a 2-episode ‘Lost’ ride, which lasted 83 minutes. I was into the ride about 20 minutes when I started to smell something with peanut butter. I yelled to Holly to stop…and found out she was baking peanut butter cookies and making peanut clusters for Savannah to take back to Ohio State. Savannah wouldn’t be leaving for a few hours and there was no way she was getting out of the house with the entire supply. I’m bigger, stronger, sneakier and more determined. Come to think of it…she’d be lucky to be leaving with any of them.
I finished the ride and deposited my t-shirt, soaking wet from the ride, in the utility sink before heading for the kitchen. There…on a cooling rack…were the peanut butter cookies. I moved quickly to the refrigerator and poured a tall, cold glass of skim milk. Three cookies later, I was headed for my shower, lamenting that I’d put back so many calories before cleaning up from the workout. Where’s the will power? It’s out there…I think somewhere in January and only after Holly stops baking, Christmas treats stop arriving, and I’ve eaten everything in the frig that even vaguely resembles a hollow calorie and isn’t growing green, furry stuff on it.
Bike duration: 83 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 1245.
Holly and I made our way to the continental breakfast with about 10 minutes to spare. For me…this is no problem. I can load a plate with food with the speed and accuracy that defies logic. I had eggs, bacon, English muffins and yogurt loaded with fruit. We spent some time just sitting, drinking coffee and talking, which gave me some time to start considering my New Year’s resolution. I’m still working on it, but I’ll have it ready in a couple of days.
After checking out of the hotel, we returned home and I found myself in the kitchen cleaning a few of the dishes no one had gotten to that morning. I also did some clean-up of old desserts…starting with the pumpkin pie. To my dismay, it had started molding and I reluctantly pitched it. The apple pie, on the other hand, was still edible…and so I finished it. Now…time to work out. I made my way to the trainer for a 2-episode ‘Lost’ ride, which lasted 83 minutes. I was into the ride about 20 minutes when I started to smell something with peanut butter. I yelled to Holly to stop…and found out she was baking peanut butter cookies and making peanut clusters for Savannah to take back to Ohio State. Savannah wouldn’t be leaving for a few hours and there was no way she was getting out of the house with the entire supply. I’m bigger, stronger, sneakier and more determined. Come to think of it…she’d be lucky to be leaving with any of them.
I finished the ride and deposited my t-shirt, soaking wet from the ride, in the utility sink before heading for the kitchen. There…on a cooling rack…were the peanut butter cookies. I moved quickly to the refrigerator and poured a tall, cold glass of skim milk. Three cookies later, I was headed for my shower, lamenting that I’d put back so many calories before cleaning up from the workout. Where’s the will power? It’s out there…I think somewhere in January and only after Holly stops baking, Christmas treats stop arriving, and I’ve eaten everything in the frig that even vaguely resembles a hollow calorie and isn’t growing green, furry stuff on it.
Bike duration: 83 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 1245.
Monday, January 3, 2011
More eating and no exercise...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Whenever we go to the Red Maple Inn, we are the last ones down for breakfast. It’s buffet style and includes scrambled eggs and a meat, cold and hot cereal, yogurt, fruits and all kinds of things to stick in a toaster. It’s offered from 7-10 a.m. and we arrived at 9:50 a.m. I mean…we’re on a vacation and we stayed up late to watch a movie and then there’s the whole getting out of the bed in the morning thing…which I hate. Then Holly has to clean the room before the housekeeping department can come in and see that we’re slobs. It all take a while.
It was going to be a day the revolved around the places we would eat. We went to an antique mall in Parkman and some other Amish shops before finding ourselves at Mary Yoder’s in Middlefield for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy plate, which was good but fatty. They serve a very healthy portion there and the only thin people in the place were the Amish waitresses.
We made our way back to the hotel and watched another movie…with Holly nodding off. I keep her riveted. Around 8 p.m., I suggested we walk over to Joel’s, which is a pizza/grille place that serves ice cream and is located on Burton Square. We needed dessert and I had a waffle cone with one scoop of some kind of peppermint ice cream. I was watching a guy with a cell phone to his ear sitting with a lady eating a sandwich. I noticed that for the 30 minutes we were there, he never put the thing down. I said to Holly, “what did we do to be that rude before cell phones?”
“You read the paper while I was sitting at the table,” she said. Now…I don’t think I really did that, but I suppose that would be the equivalent.
After the ice cream, we walked around the entire square and looked into the shops…all of which were closed. We ran into a few people out walking their dogs, but other than that the town was deserted. Holly was thinking we’d walked enough to consider it a workout until I informed her we’d probably only covered about a mile. “But we walked through the entire town! She complained.
“It’s Burton…from one end to the other is less than half a mile,” I said.
We grabbed some more popcorn…they always have it waiting in the dining room popcorn machine…and took it back to our room. Holly managed to stay awake for most of the movie ‘Witness’ which I’d brought along because of the Amish connection. Though I was getting hungry around midnight, I fought the urge to raid the breakfast bar again. It was definitely an excess calorie in day.
Whenever we go to the Red Maple Inn, we are the last ones down for breakfast. It’s buffet style and includes scrambled eggs and a meat, cold and hot cereal, yogurt, fruits and all kinds of things to stick in a toaster. It’s offered from 7-10 a.m. and we arrived at 9:50 a.m. I mean…we’re on a vacation and we stayed up late to watch a movie and then there’s the whole getting out of the bed in the morning thing…which I hate. Then Holly has to clean the room before the housekeeping department can come in and see that we’re slobs. It all take a while.
It was going to be a day the revolved around the places we would eat. We went to an antique mall in Parkman and some other Amish shops before finding ourselves at Mary Yoder’s in Middlefield for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy plate, which was good but fatty. They serve a very healthy portion there and the only thin people in the place were the Amish waitresses.
We made our way back to the hotel and watched another movie…with Holly nodding off. I keep her riveted. Around 8 p.m., I suggested we walk over to Joel’s, which is a pizza/grille place that serves ice cream and is located on Burton Square. We needed dessert and I had a waffle cone with one scoop of some kind of peppermint ice cream. I was watching a guy with a cell phone to his ear sitting with a lady eating a sandwich. I noticed that for the 30 minutes we were there, he never put the thing down. I said to Holly, “what did we do to be that rude before cell phones?”
“You read the paper while I was sitting at the table,” she said. Now…I don’t think I really did that, but I suppose that would be the equivalent.
After the ice cream, we walked around the entire square and looked into the shops…all of which were closed. We ran into a few people out walking their dogs, but other than that the town was deserted. Holly was thinking we’d walked enough to consider it a workout until I informed her we’d probably only covered about a mile. “But we walked through the entire town! She complained.
“It’s Burton…from one end to the other is less than half a mile,” I said.
We grabbed some more popcorn…they always have it waiting in the dining room popcorn machine…and took it back to our room. Holly managed to stay awake for most of the movie ‘Witness’ which I’d brought along because of the Amish connection. Though I was getting hungry around midnight, I fought the urge to raid the breakfast bar again. It was definitely an excess calorie in day.
Vacationing at the Red Maple Inn
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Holly and I had decided to give ourselves a two-day stay at the Red Maple Inn in Burton for Christmas. We’ve stayed there on numerous occasions and always enjoy the opportunity to get away to some place extremely relaxing without having to travel half a day. The Inn is beautiful, with tastefully appointed, comfortable rooms, excellent amenities, and a perfect location for exploring the shops of Amish country…something we both enjoy. It only offers breakfast though, and so we have to look in the community for our other meals…which usually means Mary Yoder’s and more overeating. Oh well…
Knowing what was coming, I put in 71 minutes on the bike. I figured I’d have trouble getting in a workout while there…walking would be the only good option…so I had to do a little extra. Then my buddy Todd called. Todd is the friend with whom I did the 1,100 mile bike hike back when we were in high school. He was in town for the holidays and so we decided to catch up while hiking in the Metroparks. He’s retired from the Navy now, but still is a fitness fanatic and particularly likes to ride. He did half a dozen centuries last summer and rode some extremely difficult mountain courses, as well. He told me that he wants me to consider riding with him in Colorado this summer where he will be doing a particularly tough 80-mile ride that goes up and over some wicked passes near Leadville. I’m guessing that means 12,000 feet plus, which would have me sucking for oxygen under the best of conditions. I’ll have to think about that one.
Holly and I arrived at the Inn around 6 p.m. after dropping the jeep off with Dan. We walked to Belle’s …it’s under a quarter mile…for dinner, which is on Burton Square and were a little disappointed. I suppose you shouldn’t expect too much when you’re the only one eating in a restaurant, but there isn’t much to choose from in Burton.
When we got back to the hotel, we went to the basement where they have their exercise and play room. One game of ping pong and a few minutes on the treadmill and we were back to our room where Holly tried to stay awake through a viewing of the movie ‘Elf’. She was unsuccessful. We were both getting hungry around 11 p.m., so we made our way down to the dining room where they had some fruit and cereal set out for breakfast. I grabbed a couple of bananas and a cup of yogurt for myself and Holly had some oatmeal and popcorn. There’s no staff around in the evenings and the kitchen was wide open…but I controlled myself. Between the hike and the ride, I think I managed to burn more than I ate…finally.
Bike duration: 71 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1065 biking. 350 hiking.
Holly and I had decided to give ourselves a two-day stay at the Red Maple Inn in Burton for Christmas. We’ve stayed there on numerous occasions and always enjoy the opportunity to get away to some place extremely relaxing without having to travel half a day. The Inn is beautiful, with tastefully appointed, comfortable rooms, excellent amenities, and a perfect location for exploring the shops of Amish country…something we both enjoy. It only offers breakfast though, and so we have to look in the community for our other meals…which usually means Mary Yoder’s and more overeating. Oh well…
Knowing what was coming, I put in 71 minutes on the bike. I figured I’d have trouble getting in a workout while there…walking would be the only good option…so I had to do a little extra. Then my buddy Todd called. Todd is the friend with whom I did the 1,100 mile bike hike back when we were in high school. He was in town for the holidays and so we decided to catch up while hiking in the Metroparks. He’s retired from the Navy now, but still is a fitness fanatic and particularly likes to ride. He did half a dozen centuries last summer and rode some extremely difficult mountain courses, as well. He told me that he wants me to consider riding with him in Colorado this summer where he will be doing a particularly tough 80-mile ride that goes up and over some wicked passes near Leadville. I’m guessing that means 12,000 feet plus, which would have me sucking for oxygen under the best of conditions. I’ll have to think about that one.
Holly and I arrived at the Inn around 6 p.m. after dropping the jeep off with Dan. We walked to Belle’s …it’s under a quarter mile…for dinner, which is on Burton Square and were a little disappointed. I suppose you shouldn’t expect too much when you’re the only one eating in a restaurant, but there isn’t much to choose from in Burton.
When we got back to the hotel, we went to the basement where they have their exercise and play room. One game of ping pong and a few minutes on the treadmill and we were back to our room where Holly tried to stay awake through a viewing of the movie ‘Elf’. She was unsuccessful. We were both getting hungry around 11 p.m., so we made our way down to the dining room where they had some fruit and cereal set out for breakfast. I grabbed a couple of bananas and a cup of yogurt for myself and Holly had some oatmeal and popcorn. There’s no staff around in the evenings and the kitchen was wide open…but I controlled myself. Between the hike and the ride, I think I managed to burn more than I ate…finally.
Bike duration: 71 minutes. Hike duration: 65 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 70 hiking.
Calories burned during workout: 1065 biking. 350 hiking.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Seriously...what do car flashers mean to you?
Monday, December 27, 2010
I don’t think that I’m the sharpest knife in the drawer, but there are some things that I think are so basic that everyone would know them. For instance…if I’m driving and approaching a vehicle stopped in the road with its hazard flashers on, I figure something is wrong and that I shouldn’t pull up behind it because it isn’t likely to be moving anytime soon.
Savannah called me shortly after we’d jumped her jeep. It had died in the driveway and after getting it started, I suggested she drive it some to recharge the battery. It was only a year old, but we’ve found that if she leaves the vehicle parked for a number of days and has her GPS plugged in, it drains the battery. Anyway, it started right up and I figured it would be okay. It wasn’t. She stalled and died a couple of miles from the house and said the flashers wouldn’t even come on. Not good. I arrived on the scene and pulled up behind her and put my flashers on. It was dark and they could be seen for a good distance…and still cars pulled up right behind me…even with me waving them around. Maybe I am a genius.
Anyway, I managed to push her off the road and into a parking lot over the next 20 minutes. I was a little surprised that no on offered to help even though a couple of young, strong bucks came out and got in their cars as I was pushing. I guess the feelings of wanting to help our fellow man had passed on Christmas Day. I did manage to get it jumped and home and put a charger on it over night. I figured I’d take it to Dan and see if the alternator was acting up.
It was another poor eating day. I had a huge bowl of sweet potatoes…I’m so glad no one else likes them re-heated…and a load of turkey. We spent some time at a neighbors’ party and I managed to nibble my way through a bunch more hollow calories. At least I’d spent 60 minutes on the bike earlier in the day, but it was clearly another of those ‘more calories in than out’ days. My only consolation continues to be that I’m maintaining the exercise habit. I know the holidays will end and so the random grazing of hollow calories…and I’ll still be exercising when it does.
Bike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 900
I don’t think that I’m the sharpest knife in the drawer, but there are some things that I think are so basic that everyone would know them. For instance…if I’m driving and approaching a vehicle stopped in the road with its hazard flashers on, I figure something is wrong and that I shouldn’t pull up behind it because it isn’t likely to be moving anytime soon.
Savannah called me shortly after we’d jumped her jeep. It had died in the driveway and after getting it started, I suggested she drive it some to recharge the battery. It was only a year old, but we’ve found that if she leaves the vehicle parked for a number of days and has her GPS plugged in, it drains the battery. Anyway, it started right up and I figured it would be okay. It wasn’t. She stalled and died a couple of miles from the house and said the flashers wouldn’t even come on. Not good. I arrived on the scene and pulled up behind her and put my flashers on. It was dark and they could be seen for a good distance…and still cars pulled up right behind me…even with me waving them around. Maybe I am a genius.
Anyway, I managed to push her off the road and into a parking lot over the next 20 minutes. I was a little surprised that no on offered to help even though a couple of young, strong bucks came out and got in their cars as I was pushing. I guess the feelings of wanting to help our fellow man had passed on Christmas Day. I did manage to get it jumped and home and put a charger on it over night. I figured I’d take it to Dan and see if the alternator was acting up.
It was another poor eating day. I had a huge bowl of sweet potatoes…I’m so glad no one else likes them re-heated…and a load of turkey. We spent some time at a neighbors’ party and I managed to nibble my way through a bunch more hollow calories. At least I’d spent 60 minutes on the bike earlier in the day, but it was clearly another of those ‘more calories in than out’ days. My only consolation continues to be that I’m maintaining the exercise habit. I know the holidays will end and so the random grazing of hollow calories…and I’ll still be exercising when it does.
Bike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 900
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A good double...
Sunday, December 26, 2010
I knew I had some work to do if I was to have a chance against the army of advancing calories…leftovers in the refrigerator. I started aggressively…putting in 83 minutes on the bike, which is the time it takes me to ride for two episodes of ‘Lost’. Drenched and exhausted, I showered and got dressed for church. On the drive there, Heidi called from home and asked if I could take her to work. I dropped Holly off and returned home to take her to Golf Galaxy before returning to church in time to get a couple of good readings on my resting pulse. It was only 47.
After church, I gathered Dakota in the car and headed for the park. I pulled out my 30 pound pack…no more with the 60-pounder after the bad hip…and headed off-trail. We worked our way through the woods and down to the marsh through about 6 inches of snow. No one had passed on my trail since I’d been there last, which is the way I like it. I was breaking a good sweat, though the footing going down the hill to the marsh was a little dicey with the pack and clumpy boots. We trudged on back to the car taking 67 minutes in all to cover the distance. It wasn’t as tough as with the heavier pack and I excluded any step-ups, but I still managed to get my heart rate up over 90 and keep it there…and Dakota had a blast.
Dinner was leftovers and since I hadn’t eaten any pie the day before, rewarded myself by having a slice of pumpkin, apple and banana cream. I suppose I was close to break even with the double workout, but I really wish the desserts would disappear.
Bike duration: 83 minutes. Hike duration: 67 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking
I knew I had some work to do if I was to have a chance against the army of advancing calories…leftovers in the refrigerator. I started aggressively…putting in 83 minutes on the bike, which is the time it takes me to ride for two episodes of ‘Lost’. Drenched and exhausted, I showered and got dressed for church. On the drive there, Heidi called from home and asked if I could take her to work. I dropped Holly off and returned home to take her to Golf Galaxy before returning to church in time to get a couple of good readings on my resting pulse. It was only 47.
After church, I gathered Dakota in the car and headed for the park. I pulled out my 30 pound pack…no more with the 60-pounder after the bad hip…and headed off-trail. We worked our way through the woods and down to the marsh through about 6 inches of snow. No one had passed on my trail since I’d been there last, which is the way I like it. I was breaking a good sweat, though the footing going down the hill to the marsh was a little dicey with the pack and clumpy boots. We trudged on back to the car taking 67 minutes in all to cover the distance. It wasn’t as tough as with the heavier pack and I excluded any step-ups, but I still managed to get my heart rate up over 90 and keep it there…and Dakota had a blast.
Dinner was leftovers and since I hadn’t eaten any pie the day before, rewarded myself by having a slice of pumpkin, apple and banana cream. I suppose I was close to break even with the double workout, but I really wish the desserts would disappear.
Bike duration: 83 minutes. Hike duration: 67 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 130 biking. 90 hiking
Calories burned during workout: 1245 biking. 500 hiking.
Christmas Day...
Saturday, December 25, 2010
I’m always ready to go so much earlier than Holly on Christmas morning. I suppose it would have something to do with the fact that it’s usually around 5 a.m. when she comes to bed…having put the finishing touches on all the things that will make Christmas day so special for me and the kids. Still…lame excuse…
I was up at 8 a.m. and found Jack pacing at the top of the stairs. There’s a hard and fast rule…if you go downstairs ahead of mom and dad…you’ll be killed. He knew it and honored the code. “Can I go down in the kitchen and eat? I’m starved,” he asked.
Now…Holly was asleep and the big decision was on me. I mean…he is 16 and we weren’t worried about what he’d see so I said ‘yes’. We waited together for about an hour and decided we needed to take some action to get the rest of the house stirring. More importantly, we had to get Jason over since nothing was going to start without him. The way it’s supposed to work is that the kids sit with Dakota on the stairs for the traditional family picture before being allowed to come down and open presents. Well…I’d already screwed that up by allowing Jack to eat, but I still needed to maintain some semblance of order. I called Jason and he was still sleeping…in Kent. He promised to hurry, but I knew we still had at least an hour.
When he finally did arrive, we gave him his birthday presents and then began opening our Christmas presents to each other. I love how this has become the highlight of the season. No longer do my children care so much about what they are receiving, but are more interested in the giving. It’s a wonderful transition to experience in one’s self and even better to witness in them.
Holly’s dad and brother and wife would be joining us for Christmas dinner later in the afternoon and I used that time to get in a ride. Sixty minutes on the bike would be equivalent to the snacking I would do throughout the day…which is better than nothing. Holly was making a turkey dinner again…something over which I exhibit no will power.
When the time came to eat though, I put only turkey, sweet potatoes and green beans on my plate…and not gravy. I did manage to drink a eggnog milkshake after dinner, though.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I was hungry…but I think it was early October. One more week of holiday eating and then it’s back to serious training and modified caloric intake…seriously.
Bike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 900
I’m always ready to go so much earlier than Holly on Christmas morning. I suppose it would have something to do with the fact that it’s usually around 5 a.m. when she comes to bed…having put the finishing touches on all the things that will make Christmas day so special for me and the kids. Still…lame excuse…
I was up at 8 a.m. and found Jack pacing at the top of the stairs. There’s a hard and fast rule…if you go downstairs ahead of mom and dad…you’ll be killed. He knew it and honored the code. “Can I go down in the kitchen and eat? I’m starved,” he asked.
Now…Holly was asleep and the big decision was on me. I mean…he is 16 and we weren’t worried about what he’d see so I said ‘yes’. We waited together for about an hour and decided we needed to take some action to get the rest of the house stirring. More importantly, we had to get Jason over since nothing was going to start without him. The way it’s supposed to work is that the kids sit with Dakota on the stairs for the traditional family picture before being allowed to come down and open presents. Well…I’d already screwed that up by allowing Jack to eat, but I still needed to maintain some semblance of order. I called Jason and he was still sleeping…in Kent. He promised to hurry, but I knew we still had at least an hour.
When he finally did arrive, we gave him his birthday presents and then began opening our Christmas presents to each other. I love how this has become the highlight of the season. No longer do my children care so much about what they are receiving, but are more interested in the giving. It’s a wonderful transition to experience in one’s self and even better to witness in them.
Holly’s dad and brother and wife would be joining us for Christmas dinner later in the afternoon and I used that time to get in a ride. Sixty minutes on the bike would be equivalent to the snacking I would do throughout the day…which is better than nothing. Holly was making a turkey dinner again…something over which I exhibit no will power.
When the time came to eat though, I put only turkey, sweet potatoes and green beans on my plate…and not gravy. I did manage to drink a eggnog milkshake after dinner, though.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I was hungry…but I think it was early October. One more week of holiday eating and then it’s back to serious training and modified caloric intake…seriously.
Bike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 900
Christmas Eve...
Friday, December 24, 2010
I have always loved Christmas Eve. As a child, it was the day that passed the slowest but held the greatest hope for what was about to happen. How good had I been? Did Santa really keep a ‘naughty’ list and if so, how closely had I been monitored? Would I be getting my version of the ‘bee bee gun’ or would I have to wait another year before I would be allowed to shoot my eye out?
As I grew into my teens and started working, Christmas Eve became something more. It was the day that my family would share presents we had gotten for each other…reserving Christmas Day for presents from Santa. Then I started dating and was able to bring Holly over on Christmas Eve to join in those wonderful family festivities.
Holly and I married and for the next nine years, we continued this pattern…until Jason was born…on Christmas Eve. He was born very early in the morning and after spending some time with him and Holly, I went home and passed out. I awoke in time to stop at my parents’ house and tell everyone about the new addition to the family before heading back to the hospital.
Christmas Eve would never be the same for me. Yes…we would still gather with my family on that day, but now my own family was more important. We had to figure ways to make Jason’s birthday seem special before moving into the whole Christmas thing…and I think we’ve succeeded over the last 26 years.
This Christmas Eve was a time for another big shift, though. Two years ago, my dad passed and the family house was sold. We no longer gathered in the only place I’d been on Christmas Eve for the previous forty years, but instead met at my sisters’ house, though not everyone came. And this past October, Jim passed and for the first time in my life, I would go through a Christmas Eve without my big brother. This thought plagued me throughout the day…no matter how many times I reminded myself of all the good things I still had in my life. Some things cannot be replaced…I know that now…and so I will just honor his memory and make the best of it.
I put 60 minutes on the bike first thing in the morning, though I should have ridden 3 hours if I had any hope of a negative calorie day. Holly had baked my grandmother’s famous himmerschnitzen Christmas cookies and there was no stopping once I started eating them. We went to my sister’s, where I packed in many more non-essential calories before returning home to more snacking before church.
Though Jason was with us for most of the morning and through the party at my sister’s, we never did get to give him his birthday presents and make it a special birthday. I regret that, but he’s a good guy and understood. He’d be over first thing Christmas morning and we’d just have to do it then. Merry Christmas Eve, big brother.
Bike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 900
I have always loved Christmas Eve. As a child, it was the day that passed the slowest but held the greatest hope for what was about to happen. How good had I been? Did Santa really keep a ‘naughty’ list and if so, how closely had I been monitored? Would I be getting my version of the ‘bee bee gun’ or would I have to wait another year before I would be allowed to shoot my eye out?
As I grew into my teens and started working, Christmas Eve became something more. It was the day that my family would share presents we had gotten for each other…reserving Christmas Day for presents from Santa. Then I started dating and was able to bring Holly over on Christmas Eve to join in those wonderful family festivities.
Holly and I married and for the next nine years, we continued this pattern…until Jason was born…on Christmas Eve. He was born very early in the morning and after spending some time with him and Holly, I went home and passed out. I awoke in time to stop at my parents’ house and tell everyone about the new addition to the family before heading back to the hospital.
Christmas Eve would never be the same for me. Yes…we would still gather with my family on that day, but now my own family was more important. We had to figure ways to make Jason’s birthday seem special before moving into the whole Christmas thing…and I think we’ve succeeded over the last 26 years.
This Christmas Eve was a time for another big shift, though. Two years ago, my dad passed and the family house was sold. We no longer gathered in the only place I’d been on Christmas Eve for the previous forty years, but instead met at my sisters’ house, though not everyone came. And this past October, Jim passed and for the first time in my life, I would go through a Christmas Eve without my big brother. This thought plagued me throughout the day…no matter how many times I reminded myself of all the good things I still had in my life. Some things cannot be replaced…I know that now…and so I will just honor his memory and make the best of it.
I put 60 minutes on the bike first thing in the morning, though I should have ridden 3 hours if I had any hope of a negative calorie day. Holly had baked my grandmother’s famous himmerschnitzen Christmas cookies and there was no stopping once I started eating them. We went to my sister’s, where I packed in many more non-essential calories before returning home to more snacking before church.
Though Jason was with us for most of the morning and through the party at my sister’s, we never did get to give him his birthday presents and make it a special birthday. I regret that, but he’s a good guy and understood. He’d be over first thing Christmas morning and we’d just have to do it then. Merry Christmas Eve, big brother.
Bike duration: 60 minutes
Training Heart Rate: 130
Calories burned during workout: 900
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
