Post Turkey Day

Well, I thought Turkey day I would gain some weight! I was really surprised when I got on the scale and it read, drum roll please, 182 lbs. I almost feel on the floor and broke a hip. I even checked the scale to see if the settings were correct. Final verdict. 182lbs.

I credit the weight loss to my Insane workout, hard working wife for helping plan the meals (hiding the bags of chips and chocolates) and a killer 40 mile ride yesterday with Summit Freewheelers.

Let me tell you about the 40 mile ride. Started the morning off with half a bagel w/ cream cheese and a cup of coffee. Ok, 2 cups of coffee. Meet up with the Rich, George, Jim and Aaron at Barlow Trail Head and hit the road with 2 water bottles. We blasted the first 20-25 miles with an average of 19 -20 mph. I was feeling really good. We turned into the wind at about mile 30. I looked away for a moment and I got dropped. I sucked it up and fought back. Actually they waited for me at the next light. We waited for Jim who was about a mile behind. We stayed as a group for the rest of the way home. These were 10 tough miles. Some where along the way I hit the wall. I hit it hard but I suffered along the way. George dropped back to pick me up and talked about his new T.T. bike he is thinking of building. Then my saddle slipped. I have never had that happen before in my entire cycling career. It slipped bad! It was pointing to the 1 o'clock position. I rode about 6 miles with the saddle that way. The boys are very sore to say the least. Big thanks to George for pulling me home!

Post ride, I felt it. I was starving. I need the sugar bad. I had the shacks. When I get really low on sugar I begin to shack, break out in a hot sweat and get very disoriented. Thankfully Pulp was open. Tag the owner was working Turkey Day and he made me a power smoothie. It was awesome! Big thanks to Tag!

I finally got home and crashed. I feel asleep before I hit the pillow. Slept for 1/2 hour, showered and joined the cooking frenzy in the kitchen. The feast was a blaze. Food was every where and the table was set. All we were waiting for was the timer on the turkey to pop.

The only real reason I didn't gain weight on Turkey Day is... I really don't like turkey. I eat it, but i gorge on the sides. After a big bonk, my stomach is in knots so I don't eat much.

So, 182 lbs.

Lessons learned...

1. Eat more before a big ride.
2. Have recovery food in the jersey.
3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Now, it is time to do some Black Friday shopping!


 

Damn, that hurt!

Some people that are close to me know I suffer from pain continuously. I have had back pain for over 15 years. I herniated multiple discs in my back in my early 20's which led me to be very slothy (if that isn't a word I get the credit). I gained weight, smoked a lot and took to lots of pain meds. There were days that I couldn't even pick myself off the floor. I had succomed to the pain and led my life by it. After several years of crawling on my hands and knees, looking like a question mark when I walked, and threatened with serious back surgery, I changed. I bet my close friend that I could run a 4 minute mile. He laughed and I took it as a challenge. I needed that challenge to change my life. I litarally stopped smoking that day and began running. I began running every day no matter the pain. I also stopped taking the pain meds. Was that a harsh withdrawal.

As the days of running went on I dropped a lot of weight, kicked the smoking habit and under went some personality changes. I didn't know how the pain and the pain meds had changed my personality. I wasn't any fun to be around. I am surpised by how many people stuck by me and still are my friends today.

After Race Across America, I didn't feel like my old self. I was tired, in pain and I noticed that I wasn't me! I knew what it was and didn't want to admit it. The pain was bad again and I wasn't me again. For the first time I went to see a Chiropactor. They took the xrays before they would proceed with treatment. Then I got the news I really wasn't ready for. I had lost a disc. The disc had disintagrated over time and the ones that were herniated above that disc where also going to be gone soon. Then there was more. My neck, yes, my neck. I had herniated a few discs in my neck.

So, now I am bone on bone with future discs to desolve away. I will probably look like one of those old men who perpetually looks on the ground as I walk.

So, why the flash back. I had a set back last week. Yes, back pain. It was hard to stand it was hard to sit. It was just pain. So, I stopped training for a couple of days, actually 3 days. I am back at it this week and yes the pain is still there. It is less. But it is still there it will never go away.

Now, I am at a cross roads. Do I give into the pain or do I carry on.

Carry on. I can't change my spine. I can't make it better. What I can do is stay fit and not carry any extra weight then I should. I also need to keep my core strong.

Yes, I will cycle on! I need something to keep me in shape. It is a love of mine and it's my addiction. When I ride I feel no pain. The world is stripped away and the pains of life are no longer there. Stress is gone.

God has given me a new life in Him.  I have a second chance because of Him. I know He has something He wants me to do. The greatest joy is being in His will. I know he will use my 2 wheels for something awesome. I know He will use this pain for His purpose. I thank Him for all my days with pain and without.

Did I ever run that 4 minute mile? No, I feel short. My fastest mile is a 5:45.

Credit to Big G. He carries me! I am because He is.

Day 8, Ouch!

Another workout done and more to go. This one kicked my butt. I left a puddle of sweat on the floor that I have never left before. I don't even sweat that much when I ride the trainer for an hour or more.

Today's meals...

Meal 1: Breakfast: Kashi Lean Granola 1 cup w/ 1/2 cup Almound Milk.
Meal 2: Meal replacement bar. CliffBar
Meal 3: Sugar, Sugar and more Sugar. What was I thinking

Couldn't go without coffee. I need a way to fix my coffee habit.

more to come.......

 

Week One Done!

Week One of an Insane workout done. You know I don't usually buy into an infomercial. I usually take what they promise with a grain of salt. This program is a home run. I have followed the workout program the first week to the best of my ability. I only missed one workout. I have followed the nutrition portion well.

The results, well I can really say that the workouts really test you. they work you hard! The harder you work out the better the result obviously. Let me say this, I can't keep up! I keep plugging away. By the end of the first week I was doing much better. The first three days I really hurt!!! I really could tell that I pushed myself and that there would be some muscle made. As for weight lose, I have dropped about 1lb. I think this is a great result. I know I have replaced fat for muscle. I look to drop another 1lb this week. If I drop more I will do the happy dance!

This weeks goals...

1. Decrease coffee and sugar intake. Major weight loss barriers.
2. Focus on meal prep and logging my nutrition.
3. Doing morning workouts.
4. Cycling at night! 

I will start daily logs this Monday.

You may not want to see this!

The Before. 185 lbs, Yikes!

Well, after cycling all year and logging in more miles then I ever thought possible, I took a break. I took about 2 months off. I enjoyed not being on the bike and eating food. Boy, did I enjoy eating food. It is time to get the motor running and work out. Training has begun. I am posting a before picture. This is the heaviest I have ever been. I have started one of those weight loss programs and I will keep you posted.

Today's Weight: 185 lbs

Fitness Test

Switch Kicks             41
Power Jacks               40
Power Knees              55
Power Jumps              27
Globe Jumps                7
Suicide Jumps            15
Push-Up Jacks            14
Low Plank Oblique     13

Goal 165 lbs

I am not looking to be ripped, not looking to be a stud muffin but to be healthier. Also, I just want to carry less weight up the mountains I plan to ride this coming summer.

I hope all my friends and family will cheer me on. Hide the wings and beer.


Frankensteiner

I am building a winter training bike from my old Raleigh M-60 mountain bike. I love this bike. It just has the geometry I could ride all day. It was a 26" mountain bike. I am converting it into a 700c road/cross/commuter. The bike will get a new fork, rear brake adapter and drop bars. It will be 1 x 10. That is a single chain ring up front and a 10 speed cassette in the rear. Joe Darwal of Akron Bicycle Club has donated a new crank set for me. Andrew Miller of SnakeBite Racing Team donated some road shifters. Parts are starting to come in. If you know anyone with a wheel set they can donate or for minimal cost have them contact me.

 

Tart Cherry Juice

The day after I turned 43 it was time to see the doctor. After a summer full of cycling. I was tired and sore. I logged almost 10,000 miles since last January. A combination of spinning, indoor training and hitting the bike. I actually took some time off, gained weight and thought time would heal th soreness. However, the doctor thought the aging process was catching up with me and told me about Tart Cherry. Some old lady recommended it. She said that after she drank it her pain level was much better. So, the doctor inturn thought it might help me. Okay, I am drinking old lady juice. Tart Cherry Juice. Today began the training process. Man it hurt. Thought I would vomit at least three times during spin class. I tasted it and carried on. Well 26 miles logged. Back to training. And yes, old lady juice.

Keep watching as I build my winter training bike.