Recently, my blogs have been limited and short. There is not much to blog about other than training. Something tells me that not too many readers are sucked into my training routine.
My days consist of waking up at 5AM to swim, run, or ride my bike. Monday through Thursday I have been doing brick training. Brick training is back to back workouts of a run and bike ride to get your leg muscles used to the transition between the two sports.
Once this TRI is finished on August 28, I will never run again. Mark my words. I have taken a vow to never ever, never ever, ever, ever, ever again run another day in my life. My knees and feet hurt way too much. I have gotten this running stuff out of my system and it will be back to more dedicated time on my bike.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Ride In
Yes, I know that you are sitting on the edge of your seats with your face so close to your monitor that you many injure your eye sight long term, all in anticipation of reading about my commutes to work.
The things I love the most about riding to work are 1.) Getting miles in 2.) Two work outs a day 3.) The company 4.) My fan club along the way that consists of: nice honks, waves, and yells of “hello” by friends (as opposed to the mean honks and flips of the middle finger). 5.) Riding my bike.
After multiple tries of forgetting my Garmin or forgetting to turn it on I have finally accumulated the stats from the commute. Drum roll please….
Commute to work:
Miles- 8.98
Calories- 492
Average- 14.3
Total accent- 397
Time: 35 minutes. Plus or minus 5 minutes depending on the traffic and lights.
Hills include:
2- 2-4% climbs on Hueber Road
3% climb up the parking garage ramp
A few other bumps in the road that range from 2-3%, but nothing really note worthy.
Commute home:
Miles- 10.81
Calories- 510
Average- ummmm… Why didn’t I write this down???
Total accent- 413
Time: 45 minutes. Plus or minus 5 minutes depending on the traffic and lights.
Hills include:
2- 2-4% climbs up Vance Jackson
3-2-4% climbs on 1604 access road.
5-7% climb up to Blanco
Total commute:
Miles- 19.79
Calories- 1002
Average- 13.8
Total accent- 810
Total time: about 80 minutes
The things I love the most about riding to work are 1.) Getting miles in 2.) Two work outs a day 3.) The company 4.) My fan club along the way that consists of: nice honks, waves, and yells of “hello” by friends (as opposed to the mean honks and flips of the middle finger). 5.) Riding my bike.
After multiple tries of forgetting my Garmin or forgetting to turn it on I have finally accumulated the stats from the commute. Drum roll please….
Commute to work:
Miles- 8.98
Calories- 492
Average- 14.3
Total accent- 397
Time: 35 minutes. Plus or minus 5 minutes depending on the traffic and lights.
Hills include:
2- 2-4% climbs on Hueber Road
3% climb up the parking garage ramp
A few other bumps in the road that range from 2-3%, but nothing really note worthy.
Commute home:
Miles- 10.81
Calories- 510
Average- ummmm… Why didn’t I write this down???
Total accent- 413
Time: 45 minutes. Plus or minus 5 minutes depending on the traffic and lights.
Hills include:
2- 2-4% climbs up Vance Jackson
3-2-4% climbs on 1604 access road.
5-7% climb up to Blanco
Total commute:
Miles- 19.79
Calories- 1002
Average- 13.8
Total accent- 810
Total time: about 80 minutes
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Three Best Friends
As Bill, Brian and I rode in to work today I couldn’t help but sing the “Three Best Friends” song that Stu sings in the movie “The Hangover”.
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
And We'll Never ever ever ever
Leave Eachother
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
The three of us take the right lane. We ride in a triangle formation, rotating around. Bill does most of the talking. I am thankful for Bill being as alert as he is because at the ungodly hour of 5:45 in the morning, I am barley awake.
What topped off the ride is when Bill said, “I was drinking when I saw “The Hangover”. Maybe I need to watch it again.”
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
And We'll Never ever ever ever
Leave Eachother
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We're the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
The three of us take the right lane. We ride in a triangle formation, rotating around. Bill does most of the talking. I am thankful for Bill being as alert as he is because at the ungodly hour of 5:45 in the morning, I am barley awake.
What topped off the ride is when Bill said, “I was drinking when I saw “The Hangover”. Maybe I need to watch it again.”
Monday, July 26, 2010
Badge
If I haven’t already said so, now is a good time to say that I LOVE TO RIDE MY BIKE!
Commuting to work gets me really excited going to work. It leaves me happy ALL day and excited to ride my bike for the ride home.
Yes, I still forget my bike socks and I have stopped getting upset about it and figured its one less thing to take on and off while getting ready for the ride. I should just stop wearing them all together just like my gloves.
In my sleepiness, I rode off without my helmet. Luckily, we had only ridden a block away before Bill noticed and brought it to my attention. No harm no foul.
The worst is forgetting the work badge. All USAA employees are required to show a badge to get on campus and get through the door. Without it, you get an escort in from your manager and you must pay $50 to have the badge replaced.
There was a time that I got all the way to work and had to ride back to my car to retrieve my badge. At that point, I drove back into work.
Or, there was the time when I dropped my badge on the road, in a high traffic spot. Luckily, my brave friend Maurice weaved back into traffic and saved my badge. Now my badge sits in the “Twin Peaks Bank” or otherwise known as my cleavage, for the duration of the commute, until I flash my badge to the security guard as we pass through the gate.
Commuting to work gets me really excited going to work. It leaves me happy ALL day and excited to ride my bike for the ride home.
Yes, I still forget my bike socks and I have stopped getting upset about it and figured its one less thing to take on and off while getting ready for the ride. I should just stop wearing them all together just like my gloves.
In my sleepiness, I rode off without my helmet. Luckily, we had only ridden a block away before Bill noticed and brought it to my attention. No harm no foul.
The worst is forgetting the work badge. All USAA employees are required to show a badge to get on campus and get through the door. Without it, you get an escort in from your manager and you must pay $50 to have the badge replaced.
There was a time that I got all the way to work and had to ride back to my car to retrieve my badge. At that point, I drove back into work.
Or, there was the time when I dropped my badge on the road, in a high traffic spot. Luckily, my brave friend Maurice weaved back into traffic and saved my badge. Now my badge sits in the “Twin Peaks Bank” or otherwise known as my cleavage, for the duration of the commute, until I flash my badge to the security guard as we pass through the gate.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
TRI Training
Mom says that I should slow down. Guys stay back because most can’t keep up with me. Maybe that is why the line at the door has dwindled to nothing. Between work and training I do not time for much else. I often think about going to a bar but then I remind myself that I am going to wake up at 5AM to ride. Riding sounds like more fun than dancing in a sloppy sweaty smoke filled room.
I did not believe Mom until I decided to start training for a TRI (scheduled for August 28). It is hard to have a life outside of riding, running, and swimming. Not to mention the training and the preparation involved with each.
The first week of training is always the hardest. Waking up so early and getting my body used to the routine takes a toll by day 3. If I make it to day 4, then it’s all downhill from there. Today is a red bull AND coffee kind of day. By this afternoon, I may need some toothpicks to keep my eye lids open.
It was very recently that I thought I was sacrificing “my life” to train. These days training is so much my life that I am not giving anything up. This is me and this is my life. This is where I want to be. I would love it for someone to join me on the journey but until then, I am enjoying my training time. Even more, I love the recovery time resting with Roxy.
Thanks Jim for your offer. On a beach somewhere at sunset, I may take you up on that.
I did not believe Mom until I decided to start training for a TRI (scheduled for August 28). It is hard to have a life outside of riding, running, and swimming. Not to mention the training and the preparation involved with each.
The first week of training is always the hardest. Waking up so early and getting my body used to the routine takes a toll by day 3. If I make it to day 4, then it’s all downhill from there. Today is a red bull AND coffee kind of day. By this afternoon, I may need some toothpicks to keep my eye lids open.
It was very recently that I thought I was sacrificing “my life” to train. These days training is so much my life that I am not giving anything up. This is me and this is my life. This is where I want to be. I would love it for someone to join me on the journey but until then, I am enjoying my training time. Even more, I love the recovery time resting with Roxy.
Thanks Jim for your offer. On a beach somewhere at sunset, I may take you up on that.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
My Next Wedding
The topic of a spouse and a wedding has been high in conversation only because I realize how ill my mother is. I want her to see me at this monumental moment in my life. At times it can be annoying to have the consent questions but I am getting wittier with my responses.
While at my parents house one of those prescription commercials came on and it showed a daughter trying on wedding dresses while the Mom was nearby watching.
Mom says: You know what Barbie; I never got to pick out your wedding dress with you. You picked it out and didn’t even let me see it.
Barbie says nothing and rolls her eyes.
Mom says: And then I didn’t have a ride to the church. Your Dad drove everyone around and I was stuck at the house.
Barbie says nothing as steam begins to boil, all the while trying to keep her composure.
Mom says: I see you wearing a suite for your next wedding.
Barbie says in a nice but firm tone: Mom, first I have to find a guy that wants to get married. Then I can wear a fitted floor length dress. I do NOT want another big wedding. The last wedding was ALL for you and I do NOT want to do that again.
(Slight pause to wait for reaction.) In the silence Barbie continues, I want to be married on the beach.
This was a much easier conversation than expected. She seems more willing to step back and let me live my life. After all, it will be MY wedding and there isn’t even a groom yet.
While at my parents house one of those prescription commercials came on and it showed a daughter trying on wedding dresses while the Mom was nearby watching.
Mom says: You know what Barbie; I never got to pick out your wedding dress with you. You picked it out and didn’t even let me see it.
Barbie says nothing and rolls her eyes.
Mom says: And then I didn’t have a ride to the church. Your Dad drove everyone around and I was stuck at the house.
Barbie says nothing as steam begins to boil, all the while trying to keep her composure.
Mom says: I see you wearing a suite for your next wedding.
Barbie says in a nice but firm tone: Mom, first I have to find a guy that wants to get married. Then I can wear a fitted floor length dress. I do NOT want another big wedding. The last wedding was ALL for you and I do NOT want to do that again.
(Slight pause to wait for reaction.) In the silence Barbie continues, I want to be married on the beach.
This was a much easier conversation than expected. She seems more willing to step back and let me live my life. After all, it will be MY wedding and there isn’t even a groom yet.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Single Ladies
Maybe you have heard Beyonce’s song, “Single Ladies”. It is my current work ring tone and I loooovvvveeee it. When everyone at work is in serious mode, my phone will ring and break the mood.
I had a spontaneous weekend of craziness, one day after another. Friday was First Friday in downtown San Antonio. Saturday, a gay pride parade (not that there is anything wrong with that) and drinking like a twenty year old. Monday, I took my mother gambling after she cancelled her doctor’s appointment.
Friday night was dancing at the Friday hot spot Azuka’s. It was the usual; bartenders come over the bar with hugs, the band throwing waves, and the regular hard core salsa dancers. We danced for hours at a time.
First Friday brings out the Pub Runners. They run 4.5 miles and stop at 5 bars in between. They write their name on their appendages and mark lines, boxes, or circles, with permanent markers, to indicate how many beverages they had for the night.
This is where the song popped into my head again. Specifically, this part:
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup
I can care less what you think
And this is where the fun began…
A runner proceeded to mark up my arm with three squares to represent my drink consumption. Once the three squares were drawn on my arm, he wrote him number on my hand- in green permanent marker. Even with a “man on my hip”, this did not stop an inebriated, over the top PA student from the UTHSC.
Sure, I am in the school of thought that says, dance with the one that brought you, but hey, “If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it”. Until then, a little wink and shake never hurt anyone.
And just in case you were wondering, I scrubbed his number off shortly after. I somehow think he would have no recollection of me or giving me his number.
I had a spontaneous weekend of craziness, one day after another. Friday was First Friday in downtown San Antonio. Saturday, a gay pride parade (not that there is anything wrong with that) and drinking like a twenty year old. Monday, I took my mother gambling after she cancelled her doctor’s appointment.
Friday night was dancing at the Friday hot spot Azuka’s. It was the usual; bartenders come over the bar with hugs, the band throwing waves, and the regular hard core salsa dancers. We danced for hours at a time.
First Friday brings out the Pub Runners. They run 4.5 miles and stop at 5 bars in between. They write their name on their appendages and mark lines, boxes, or circles, with permanent markers, to indicate how many beverages they had for the night.
This is where the song popped into my head again. Specifically, this part:
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup
I can care less what you think
And this is where the fun began…
A runner proceeded to mark up my arm with three squares to represent my drink consumption. Once the three squares were drawn on my arm, he wrote him number on my hand- in green permanent marker. Even with a “man on my hip”, this did not stop an inebriated, over the top PA student from the UTHSC.
Sure, I am in the school of thought that says, dance with the one that brought you, but hey, “If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it”. Until then, a little wink and shake never hurt anyone.
And just in case you were wondering, I scrubbed his number off shortly after. I somehow think he would have no recollection of me or giving me his number.
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