With the winter upon us, I’ve taken to either ride my bike on the indoor trainer, or to hit the fitness center and run the tread mill. Yesterday it was the tread mill. I expect it to be the tread mill again tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have a membership with a fitness center that is half an hour away. Not that that’s all bad, since I’m in Pine City for shopping and laundry often enough to make using the fitness center worthwhile.
2014 Tour De Rook
Running
With the winter upon us, I’ve taken to either ride my bike on the indoor trainer, or to hit the fitness center and run the tread mill. Yesterday it was the tread mill. I expect it to be the tread mill again tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have a membership with a fitness center that is half an hour away. Not that that’s all bad, since I’m in Pine City for shopping and laundry often enough to make using the fitness center worthwhile.
2014 Tour De Rook – Winter Leg 1
Okay, I’ve got the bike on the indoor trainer. I also rigged my odometer to the back tire so that I can get miles, speed, etc., etc., etc. So, without further todo:
To the stats;
- Miles: 6.89
- Time: 0:28:40
- Max Speed: 61%
- Average Speed: 14.4
So, I am watching my Blu-Ray Battlestar Galactica set. I’m on Season Three, where I left off when I stopped indoor training last winter. I haven’t ridden for a while, so I just didn’t have the leg strength for more than the 28 minutes. Plus I did exercises before riding. I am back up to 60 push ups and 30 4 count crunches. However, I’m hoping to increase my time on the bike.
Also, I’m planning on running again soon. I just need an orange vest so some hunter doesn’t mistake me for a deer.
2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #12
To the stats!
- Temperature: 77°F
- Wind: Calm
- Humidity: 61%
- Miles: 10.87
- Time: 00:43:48
- Max Speed: 19.0 mph
- Average Speed: 14.8 mph
- iPhone: Fleetwood Mac – Rumours | Melissa Etheridge – Brave & Crazy
- Temperature: 79°F
- Wind: Calm
- Humidity: 58%
All things considered, not a bad run. I had to stop once to walk off a side ache. Of course, the side ache showed I was pushing myself just past my limit. It also shows I’m pitifully out of shape. But, considering the shape of many my age, I still consider myself lucky.
Alright, enough of this; it’s time for me to go do laundry.
2014 Tour De Rook – Leg # 11
To the stats!
- Temperature: 64°F
- Wind: N 10
- Humidity: 83%
- Miles: 14.10
- Time: 00:56:02
- Max Speed: 19.2 mph
- Average Speed: 15.0 mph
- iPhone: None
- Temperature: 68°F
- Wind: NW 15 G 25 mph
- Humidity: 78%
Okay, that was surprising. I guess the jogging/running made a difference in my cardiovascular conditioning because I found I could push myself harder and feel the burn in my legs before the burn in my lungs. So, alternating between jogging and biking is going to continue. Seriously, 15 mph average with an additional 3 to 4 miles! That’s way cool.
2014 Tour De Rook – Hiatus Over!
So, I repaired my rear tire, and think I might have found the culprit that kept causing the flats. I believe I’ve a fix that should keep the inter-tube from getting a hole puncture. That means I’m going to hit the trail and see how things go. No music though, today, as there is the threat of storms. So, I’ll simply wrap my phone in a plastic baggie in case of emergencies.
2014 Tour De Rook – Hiatus
Yeah, so, I’ve put the bike aside and I’ve taken to jogging/walking. Honestly, it’s more walking than jogging, I can assure you. But the biking thing was just not getting my heart rate up. Nor was it helping me to lose weight. So, I’ve done a few things. One, obviously, is take up jogging. The second thing I’ve started is doing push up and crunches.
For the record; I’m miserably out of shape! Seriously. My form is good doing push ups, but I’m embarrassed to say I can’t do many. Crunches? Oh hell, I can’t get my damn shoulder blades off the ground I’m so miserable. I will admit, thought, that I’m feeling a better burn from jogging and doing push ups/crunches than from biking.
Don’t despair, though, for I shall return to biking soon enough. Indeed, once I get the flat fixed I’ll start working my bike back into the workout routine. I figure jog, rest, bike, rest, jog, rest, etc., etc., etc. Oh, but with push ups and crunches with both jogging and biking.
Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
2014 Tour De Rook – Leg # 10
To the stats!
- Temperature: 86°F
- Wind: W 14 G 23
- Humidity: 49%
- Miles: 11.23
- Time: 00:46:20
- Max Speed: 17.3 mph
- Average Speed: 14.5 mph
- iPhone: Beethoven; Symphonies #2; Op. 36 – 3. Scherz0 through #4 in B Flat, Op 60 1. Allegro Vivace
- Temperature: 86°F
- Wind: NW 10 G 22 mph
- Humidity: 49%
Tough leg. The wind was killer. With the various changes in trees, breaks, and open fields, the wind shifted around into various directions, not just west. However, the trip north put the wind mostly into my face. On the way back it was mostly to my back.
Also, I feel something in my lungs. Especially when I cough. It’s actually hard to cough, like there is some congestion on the outer, top edges of my lungs. It doesn’t hurt to cough, but it sure feels as if I can’t cough. I’m wondering if it’s an adverse reaction to the bee sting of Friday. If I still feel the congestion on Monday I’m going to the doctor.
2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #9
To the stats!
- Temperature: 70°F
- Wind: S 5 mph
- Humidity: 60%
- Miles: 8.33
- Time: 00:34:59
- Max Speed: 19.8 mph
- Average Speed: 14.2 mph
- iPhone: Beethoven; Symphonies #1 and #2 – Almost through Op. 36 – 3. Scherz0
- Temperature: 72°F
- Wind: SW 7 mph
- Humidity: 57%
I cut this leg short. I planned on going all the way to Finlayson, MN but was stung by a bee at the bench on the trail at the north side of Rutledge, MN. I’m not allergic, thankfully. However, it hurt just enough I thought I’d better head home and maybe ice the sting. I’m breathing fine, and am not feeling any constriction in my throat, so I know I’m okay. The sting aches, but very tolerable. So, yeah, I’ll live.
Hitting The Trail
Okay, I’m heading out to do leg #9. You all enjoy the 4th in whatever best suits your mood.