I did 43 miles today. I couldn't keep up with the main group, because I decided to take the mountain bike, and it's a bit slower, though a better bike for dicey conditions. One rider was getting over the flu and hung back, so we rode together.

In the end, the mountain bike was a good choice. Rain was approaching and we took a nasty short cut. For the mountain bike, the water crossing, mud puddles, potholes, and loose cows were not a problem. (Club members refer to this shortcut as "the goat path.")

We didn't miss the rain entirely though. A squall hit the two of us just as we were beginning the last major climb, but the ferocity didn't last long. (And it wasn't really that cold since the temps were in the high 50's.) For the last few miles we were fortunate enough to have a strong tailwind that pushed us up to 42 mph on one of the short downhills.

We got back to our cars just as it started to rain again. Instead of trying to change into dry clothes, I just got in the car and drove home. When I got home the power was out, but I decided not to wait to take a shower. Then the power came back on as I was getting undressed.

I'm a little sore, but I will go out and ride tomorrow if it's not raining. I'll pop a few ibuprofen before going to bed, and I will be fine in the morning.

Now that I'm home from Disneyland, I'm back to a more normal eating pattern, and the 2-3 pounds I gained have already started to disappear.

What's going on with everyone else? Have I convinced anyone to get out on their bikes? ;)

Now that I'm home from Disneyland, I'm back to a more normal eating pattern, and the 2-3 pounds I gained have already started to disappear.

What's going on with everyone else? Have I convinced anyone to get out on their bikes? ;)

umm...no for bike riding. it sounds like it would be way to much for me. I was good until you mentioned hill and rain. LOL. I'm not an outdoorsy girl.

You have convinced me I need to go to DL more. I always loose weight when I'm on vacation. :)

umm...no for bike riding. it sounds like it would be way to much for me. I was good until you mentioned hill and rain. LOL. I'm not an outdoorsy girl.
It's not as bad as it sounds. That's the kind of ride you work up to. Today's ride was a little milder. More later.

You have convinced me I need to go to DL more. I always loose weight when I'm on vacation. :)
Too bad it doesn't work that way for the rest of us. :(

We lucked out. We did a nice 41 mile bike ride with just a few hills leading up to our coffee break at 20 miles. Then it was mostly downhill on the way back.

Upside: though the weather looked threatening at first, it got better. We even had some sunshine.

Downside: headwind on the way back.

Downside: headwind on the way back.

That reminds me of when we went on a night dive and the tide was going back out on our way in. It made for a long tiring swim...:(

i've eaten very healthily this month :D

breakfast has been hot whole grain cereals each morning with non-fat yogurt instead of milk, plus usually a whole grapefruit.

i've snacked on lots of fruit and have done my best to minimize the junk food.

on the tea front, i finally made it to the store that sells loose leaf green tea in bulk, so i've cut my costs way, way down, but as i only have a ball infuser right now, its much more inconvenient and messier. the one thing i want to buy in Israel for a souvenir is a samovar, which will take care of both issues.

alas, my weight has stayed the same as i haven't exercised with any frequency. i'm sure to do a lot of walking in Israel, but if i want these last 5 lbs to drop off, i'm going to have to get with a regular routine once i get back.

Well I am down a couple of pounds finally, YEAH, and I think that is from helping my friend doing housekeeping a couple of days a week at the local hotel...she is in bind so I am helping her out...I may continue to do this as long as I am needed so that I can get the exercise! I have also finally made the switch to diet pop and am trying to do low fat/ moderate carbs. I do not believe in low carb diets personally. I know they work for some, but not for me. So it looks like I am finally moving in the right direction. I need to get myself doing Taebo again and all that now that I am healthy. I finally feel happy now that I have seen actual results...and the best news of all is that due to my slightly improved diet...it appears that my insulin resistence is gone...it looks like I have got my sugars under control...now, I just need to lose a lot more weight :)

Today's ride was about 34 miles, with 2200' of climbing with the steepest pitch at 12%. A few members of a local race team joined us, so the ride stayed on the brisk side. About 10 miles out we were hit with a light shower that barely dampened the road, but since temps were in the mid 60's, it didn't feel bad at all. We got sprinkled on again for the last couple of miles.

Okay here's the stats for the 3-day weekend: Saturday 43 mi, 2700', 15%; Sunday 41 mi, 1600', 10%; Monday 34 mi, 2200', 12%. Total 118 mi, 6500'.

I've got about 750 miles in for the year so far. The smell of spring is in the air, and the riding will get better. :)

Yay everyone!

I am amazed that I stayed at a stable weight these past two weeks. Tooooooo much candy in toooooo little time! ;)
I've been back off the "stuff" and having fruit to keep my sweet tooth satiated. I hope that it will show on the scales this week.

I've been consistent in my workouts, though! Doing strength training 4-5 days per week and cardio every day.

Happy Wednesday all.
~kisroo:)

During the bike riding "off season" (if there is such a thing here), cyclists refer to "putting on base miles." These are the rides that keep us in condition for the longer, harder rides that we like to do when the weather is more pleasant. Base miles are routine rides often done alone or with one or two friends. Some may be at training pace; others are more mellow.

When spring rolls around, the riders who have "put on a base" are more energetic and struggle less on the longer rides that inevitably come.

I can smell spring in the air. I put on 16 base miles (alone) in just under an hour after work. I plan to lay on more base over the next two days, as I am attending a conference all day Saturday.

I've got about 750 miles in for the year so far.
I haven't even put this much mileage on my car! Way to go, TrekkieDad!

my first post here...

My reference point is January 26. It is the day I left for a week long trip to Phoenix for work. I stepped on the scale at 5 that morning and was horrified to see 159 (I'm only 4'9").

Here it is February 26, exactly one month later. I have lost 14 pounds and 3 pant sizes :D . I am absolutely thrilled!

I have taken controll of my eating habits. I haven't really changed what I eat so much as how much and when I eat. Before, I would serve my husband and myself the same amount of food. He's well over a foot taller than me, and has a much larger build. There is no way a girl my size should eat as much as a 5'10" man. So now, I serve myself less than half of what I give him. I don't miss gorging myself, and haven't felt deprived because I still eat all my favorite stuff, just in WAY smaller portions. I also do not eat anything heavy after 7pm.

About 2 weeks ago I finally started using my gym membership that I've had for almost a year. I've been going every 3 days. I'm starting slowly and will work my way up to 3-4 times a week. I've also joined the yoga class that meets once a week at the gym.

My goal? To be a size 4 and around 110 lbs by July-ish. That may sound really small to you guys, but remember I'm under 5'. My 8 year old son is almost as tall as me.

I had to go to a school-related conference all day Saturday, and boy was I missing the bike ride! Perfect weather (for February), and rain predicted for Sunday. I was not a happy camper.

So I took a chance on today. A few spritzes on the windshield and only three other hardy souls at first, but during the ride the sun came out and our numbers swelled to nine riders. The original four finished together with just under 50 miles for the day. That should bring this year's total miles to over 800 so far. Life is good!