Watch Dave Lose It

T-Minus 5 days and counting

Until the STP ride (Seattle to portland).

We did our longest training ride yesterday.  70 miles.  I made it in 4:59.  Right at my average pace of 14 mph that I am targeting for the ride.  These long rides do start to show you the weak spots.  I wasn't too sore after the ride, but my fingers were numb.  And that lasted over 24 hours.

So today I bought some new gloves.  I think the old ones were too tight.  I also read some tips online about changing hand positions etc. 

I took today off but plan to ride tomorrow and Wednesday.  Then take Thursday and Friday off.  So my legs should be strong and rested for Saturday. 

Picking Up Hitchhikers

I know it isn't recommended to pick up hitchhikers on your bike, but I just couldn't resist this little guy.

OK he wasn't really hitchiking, he hasn't even got thumbs.

 

I was riding through the gravel pit and I saw a adult killdeer and 2 babies.  They were in the road near the curb.  The babies couldn't get over the curb so they were stuck.

I stopped and got off my bike. I was able to trap one of the little fuzzballs against the curb and pick him up.  I put him on the sidewalk and the parents went after the other one (he ran across the road but I don't know why).

Here is my buddy safe on the sidewalk. 

Training and more Training

Today's weight:  262

I did the 50 mile ride today and three commutes this week for a total of 134 miles.  I also was setting record times on my ride to work.  I really like this part of the process.  When the improvements is coming really fast. 

On my training ride I set my Garmin for a "Quick Workout" of 50 miles at 14 mph.  So that helps me pace myself.  I actually beat the time by a little.  And finished in 3:33.  That is 0.7 mph better than I did the 40 mile ride.  I am just trying to find a pace that I can do long distance.  I don't want to burn myself out early and suffer on the second half of the day (and the second day)

On these training rides I am trying things out.  Today I tried out frozen Gatorade.  It stays frozen about 3 hours and is nice and cold.  I also am trying out the food I plan to take.

Plus my Belly Buster partner finally bought his bike.  Now he should be ready.  He still needs to rack up a bunch of miles in the next 3 weeks.

BTW the STP is already sold out so me and 9500 others have a date.

ps I saw Jane's post.  Cute.  Who knew that wiener dogs were such natural campers?

Ready for STP

Figured it was time for me to lurk in my husband's site.  I set the tent up today to make sure it was in tact and to see if the inflatable bed would fit in and it does.  The dogs of course think this has all be set up just for them. I'm sure Dave will appreciate not sleeping on the ground after he had ridden the first leg of the STP. Couldn't resist a photo.

So Dave?  How is that training coming?  are you up to 100 miles a day yet, or is it a week?

I smell a rat

Not a dirty sewer rat, but the cute white lab rat with the pink nose.  That knows exactly how to get through the maze to get the cheese.

Most of my posts barely get a single comment and then suddenly my last post gets 10.  And they all happen to be my friends and family.

I think a little bird might have tipped them off that I was looking for support.  Well mission accomplished. 

Pretty cool really.  The whole point of this blog is to keep me motivated. 

I didn't get my long training ride in last weekend, but Monday I set a season record for my ride home, 49:45.  Not bad.  I was really flying on the river road.  Keeping it over 20 mph for most of the way.

So this weekend I will try to get the 50 miler done. 

Uh-oh I've done it now

I have gone and signed up for the STP (Seattle To Portland).  You know how you kind of avoid something and then once you are committed you know you have to step up.  (like setting a date for your wedding) Well I have really done it this time.  I have even cajoled 2 other guys to ride it with me.

So now I have no excuses.  Wish me luck.

Big Goal, Little Goals, Goals That Climb On Rocks

If you get the reference in the title, fine, if not it is really too lame to explain.  The point is I need goals to keep me going.  The Belly Busters was good.  But you can see that is over (we start again soon though).  So what is my next goal.

I would put this one in the Big category.  I am planning on riding the STP.  For those of you not from around here that is the Seattle To Portland.  This is a ride with about 10,000 people riding 200 miles in one or two days.  I think for my first time I will just do the two day.

So today I did my first training ride.  I only have 6 weeks to get ready so I am way behind.  Everything I have done up to now should count as training.  I have been riding the hills to work and I did 35 miles 2 weeks ago on the Yakima ride.

What I really need to add is distance and time in the saddle.  I set my Garmin for a quick training ride, 30 miles and 2 hours.  I rode the trail.  But averaging 15 miles an hour was a little ambitious at this point.  It took me 2:13 so I averaged about 13.5 mph.

My plan for the ride is to go a little past the halfway point so the second day is shorter.  That is my plan anyway.

I would also like to lose about 15 pounds before the ride.  Gradually increase my training rides to 70 miles and log about 750 miles in the next 6 weeks.

Belly Buster Final Weigh In

Today's Weight:  265

Total Loss in 12 weeks for the Belly Busters = 15.5

It is good to be on a winning team.  I have to say my Belly Buster partner pulled us through on this one.  He lost 22 pounds so together we lost about 38 pounds.  Enough for the team win.  He came in 3rd overall and I was 4th.  I am really happy with my progress.  It is slow but steady.  Steady is good.

We may start again soon.  I plan to keep riding the bike and doing the McKenna plan.

Pretty smug for a guy who came in 4th.  I used my prize to get a micro fiber head band for my bike riding.  When I go up the hills the sweat gets in my eyes and stings.

I'm not spoiled

I'm not, I'm not, I'm Not!!!! To get me prepared to ride my bike to work is an operation in logistics that the Marines would appreciate. I may not have mentioned it before but I get a little help now and then from my wife, the lovely and talented, Jane.

My plan is to work up to riding three days a week, that gives me two off days.  On those days I can bring in the clothes and towels for my ride days.  I also bring in my lunches and snacks.  Jane does a little to help get that stuff all ready.  (Ok she pretty much does all of it).

I would have a hard time getting out the door without her help.  Also there is support along the way.  With my cell phone I can call if I have a flat (usually a second flat, I will fix the first one but after that I will be late to work). 

Jane also worries about me if I don't appear at the normal time or call when I get to work. We worked out a simple system.  I give her 3 times.  In the morning it is 7:00 - Wonder, 7:15 Worry, 7:30 leave.  So if I haven't called her by 7:00 it is Ok at that point for her to wonder.  At 7:15 she can begin to worry and at 7:30 she should be heading out the door.  The whole point is to limit the time she spends worrying.  But also if I am having a real problem I know she will be coming (even if I don't call, like the time I dropped my cell phone in a puddle).

So I ride with a little help from my friends.  May you be lucky enough to get a little spoiling too. 

Yakima Ride Data

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5713400

For you data geeks out there here is a sample of the data you can get out of the Garmin Edge 305.  So this is the ride from yeasterday..  The Garmin comes with software you load on your computer.  Then you download your data and can view the results in several different ways.  But you also can uplaod the data to motionbased.com and see even more information.  You can also share your routes and data with others.

The picture above overlays the route on a google map.  The chart below shows the elevation.  Keep in mind that this was an out and back route so it is symetrical (the left side is the opposite of the right side).  You can also see the speed.  Notice how the right side is higher than the left.  That is how much difference the wind made.

Elevation Chart

Chart link

I see they now have a Garmin Edge 605/705 with a lighted color display.....oh Honey I really need one if these.  It will help me lose weight, really it will....

Yakima Canyon Ride

I did the Yakima River Canyon Ride today.  My friends Dick and Maggie invited me.  This is a 35 mile ride to benefit Crime Stoppers.  They close this beuatiful stretch of road along the Yakima River and let the bikes run wild.

The course was an out and back course.  The scenery is lovely as you can see from this picture of the river bend.  We have had some warm weather lately so the river was high and brown from the snow run-off.

The aid stops were nicely spaced.  Right about when it seemed a good time to stop and regroup there would be a stop.  They did run out of water early since there were a lot more people than last year.

There were two hills early in the ride (about 7% grade).  But the real challenge for the day was the wind.  There was one stretch where we were going down a 4% grade at 8 mph becasue of the wind.  It really did make it tough to get to the turn around point.  Then after a couple of Peanut butter sandwiches it was all downwind.  Then the fun began. 

This guy also had a Trek Portland.  He has racked up 5,000 miles on his Portland in 15 months.  He also had a camera mount right in the middle of the handlebars.  So he was riding and snapping pictures.

With the heat and the sun I finished tired, a little sun and wind burned but I still felt good.  For my first organized ride it was a really good experience.   

Bike to Work Day

Today was a great day for Ride Your Bike To Work Day.  This is my third year.  I also started a bike challenge team so we got the t-shirts and everything.

So many people rode their bikes that the bike racks at work were full.  On the way home there were so many new riders it was like shooting fish in a barrel.  I caught 5 people in one day.  I think that is like bagging my limit of fish.  I also did the ride home in 52 minutes.  That is 4 minutes faster than Wednesday.

It was hot out and I was pretty dehydrated afterwards.  I was drinking lots too.

One Way Is Better Than No Way

OK I am still a little bit of a weather wienie.  I was all ready to go this morning and then when I went out it was raining a tad harder than I like and I called the pit crew (who was watching me from the window).  So I got a ride in.  I cleverly had her drop me off around the corner (at the top of the last big hill)  so I could ride in looking cool and everyone would think, "hey he is good he made it up that hill without breaking a sweat". 

Anyway I made it, on time showered and changed and started looking forward to the ride home.  The weather forecast for today was sprinkles in the morning and clearing later.  It was supposed to be 65 this afternoon and warmer every day for the next 3 days.

I got ready to ride home and at the first light there were two other bikers.  The first guy left us in the dust.  The second guy pulled ahead of me and then I caught up to him on the hill.  I passed him, but at the light he caught me and had more speed so passed me easily.  But then we made the turn back up the hill.

Now this guy is wearing street clothes and riding a comfort bike.  I am set on passing him and he isn't even trying.  But he is my fish and I am going to reel him in.  Here fish.  So we start up the hill.  I am just trying to keep contact.  I am about 30 feet back and he is going up smoothly.  He is standing I am not.  Finally about 2/3 of the way up the hill he cracks.  Like Jan Ulrich on one of those mountain stages.  I wait to make sure he doesn't catch his breath.  Then I make my move.

I pass him on the left, politely but decisively.  I keep up the pace but he is still back there.  Then I get caught at the light and know that he will catch up.  But he doesn't appear.  So I am counting that as a pass.  Oh yeah 3 rides and passed 2 people.  One was a teenager on a mountain bike and this guy who wasn't even trying.  but I am counting it.  And now I am going to start counting my caught fish with this little logo.  So one   

for today and two for the season.  This started me off at a good pace.  Then I used the virtual partner on my Garmin and cruised to home in a time of 57 minutes.  Third ride and already under an hour.  I took advantage of having fresh legs, since I didn't ride in.  I kept in the middle chain ring even on the climbs and just used my powerful Clydesdale legs to power up the hills.

I beat Yesterdave by .18 miles.  Coming from behind to paste his virtual butt.

Total Fish so far:

Second Ride to Work

Ok it took me a week after my first ride to work to do my second.  And that brings me to a delicate subject related to bike riding: chafing.  The whole topic just rubs me the wrong way.  (Can you believe I waited until the third sentence to make that pun?)

I didn't take all the right precautions on my first ride and I paid the price.  I actually tried to ride on Wednesday and made it about 100 feet before turning back.

So what did I do wrong?  Like one of the quickie lube place uses the slogan "lube it or lose it", well that goes double for bike riding.  There are products out there, about the consistency of stick deodorant and you just rub that on any parts that you are particularly fond of.

It took me all week to recover.  You would think I would remember something like that during the off-season.

The second important issue is padding.   I have padded underwear, shorts, a one-piece.  But somehow it didn't really seem to work out this time.  So my wife bought me some new padded pants and a padded bike seat.  I usually go with two layers of padding.  Today seemed much better.  I was a little cold with just the spandex type pants.   So I might add some layers there too.  Right now the one-piece is a little too small.  If I put that on I would be hunched over like a guy in a bike outfit that is too small.

So learn from my mistakes and lube up and pad up and hit the road.  (and if you actually hit the road you won't even feel it).

First Ride to Work

Today's Weight:  269.5

So I have lost 12 pounds since starting the Paul McKenna method I talk about below.   And I have to tell you it has been very easy.  But with only 4 weeks left in the Belly Busters I want to drop some weight in a hurry.

So after dragging my feet a little (this has been a cold spring) I rode to work today for the first time this year.  I have been working out all winter to stay in shape for this day.  But the gym work out is no substitute for the real thing.  I really struggled to get up Lowell Hill.

But my time wasn't all that bad.  One bright spot was that when I got back to my bike after work I checked the rear tire and it was low (like 30 psi).  So that gives me hope for Wednesday that it won't be as bad.

Another actual bright spot was when I got down to the flats I was just getting ready to take a break, stop, drink some water when I saw another biker ahead of me.  The idea that I might pass someone kept me going.  I reeled him in.  It turned out to be a teenager on a mountain bike.  I have only passed 2-3 people in the entire time I have been riding. I don't care if he was a one-legged man on a unicycle, I am counting it.

Oh yeah first day riding and I passed a guy.

The non-diet diet

OK I have been watching this "I can make you thin" program on TLC.  There have only been two episodes so far and already I am finding it very interesting.

This guy, Paul McKenna, has a very simple system (I won't call it a diet) and it is so simple it just might work. 

The first show gave you these simple 4 rules:

1)  Eat when you are hungry

2) Eat what you want

3)  Eat consciously

4)  Stop when you are full

That is it.  I can have whatever I want (as long as I am hungry).  I could go have some cookies or whatever.  But guess what I am not hungry.

So the system takes a lot of pressure off.  If I stop eating before I clean my plate, not to worry if I get hungry later I can eat.

So here is a link to his book.  Check it out, and I will let you know how it works for me.

I have read enough about Mr. McKenna to know that his technique involves hypnosis.  And I think his system will be introducing some self-hypnosis methods.  I am willing to try anything at this point.   I would eat my breakfast wearing a thong in front of a full length mirror if it would help.

Fitness challenge ends/Belly Busters begins

So the company sponsored fitness challenge is over.  I didn't really lose any weight but I ate lots of veggies.  My wife asked me if I could tell the effect of the fruits and veggies.  I told her I had been remarkably scurvy free.

The challenge was about geting people moving and thinking about fitness.  We topped it off with a 5K run/walk around greenlake.  And there were prizes.  I got a shirt and pedometer.

So now the Belly Busters starts.  We are going to do 12 weeks.  I would like to lose 36 pounds in that time.  That is a pretty tough goal but I need to drop some LBs in time for summer.

My current weight is 279.  Yes I am up to my full hibernation weight.

So wish me luck.

Kalaloch trip

Last weekend we took the best tripout to the Washington coast.  We are still sorting through the 1000+ photos we took with Jane's new camera.  But I just wanted to sneak in a post a couple of pictures before Jane did.  We really got some great shots.

This is the full moon setting over the Pacific.  I love this picture.

We had great weather and a couple of amazing sunsets.  This ws such incredible weather for January in Washington.  We stayed at the Kalaloch lodge on their storm watcher two night package.  We shold have gotten a refund becuase we didn't have any storms.

   Jane posted a bunch of the best pictures here:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=td9l1yy.75gsw30a&x=0&h=1&y=ekf7k2

Fitness Challenge

OK I am getting into the swing of things now.  Of course I made all the usual NYE resolutions.  I hope I am at my peak weight and ready to head back down.  (278).  I am holding the line at 42 inch jeans (the waistline that is) and really I am down to about my last 2 pairs of denial jeans (relaxed fit for boomers who can't deal with reality).

At work my group has started a fitness challenge.  We are given points for exercising up to 1 hour a day and eating up to 6 servings of fruits and vegetables.  So far I have maximum points.  There are over 300 people in the contest and I am in 5th place.  I can also get 10 points per pound that I lose.  So I hope to drop a few over the next 8 weeks.

Wish me luck.

I don't want to be one of those guys

Who starts a blog, posts a few times and then is never heard from again.

i checked my stats and nobody has been reading my blog.  I wonder if that is becasue I haven't been posting.  I am not that surprised, and I am sure you won't be surprised to learn the reason why.  It is hard to post to Watch Dave Lose It. when Dave aint losing it.  I am right in the middle of my winter hibernation weight gain season. 

I officially survived the holidays but not without problems.  I hurt my knee when I tried to take the short way down a flight of stairs.  That has really set me back.

The only bright spot was that even though I did my best to pack on the pounds by eating everything in sight and drinking all kinds of spirited spirits, I actaully lost 0.75 pounds.  Not bad, but purley luck.

So for the year I was up 5 pounds but that is after about a 30 pound swing.  I spent most of the year in the 250's and right now I am 278.75.  I am still down from my all time high but I really have to get off this roller coaster.

So I am getting serious again.  Diet, exercise, blog, the whole deal.  I really need you my loyal reader to keep me honest.

First thing is I have to get this knee healed.

I did it!!

Uh-huh, Uh-huh, I did it.

I rode my bike home from work.  I have to tell you I was kind of dreading it.  This is much later in the year than I was planning on riding.  I had to adjust my plan after I got sick.  So I decided to try taking the bus to work and riding my bike home.

I rode the bus last week to learn the route.  check.  I pumped up my tires last night.  Check.  Jane helped me get my bike clothes ready.  Check.  I was all set.  Then when I got up the tire was flat.  Drat.  So I decided to take my old bike.  I was running a little late.  Just a little late as I was right behind the bus as I was getting close to the park and ride.  There was no one else at the stop so the bus went right on through. 

So I just kept driving.  I have an old beater truck that I can leave anywhere and nobody will mess with it.  So I drove in and pedaled my bike in from the parking lot.  (I am sure people were impressed).

Then I rode home without major incident.  I didn't have my computer or even a speedometer.  So it was just a casual ride.  It was really nice. 

I am really glad to get that first one out of the way.  I have a hard time getting excited about riding when it is cold outside but really it is just a matter of having the right clothes.  It was 45 degrees when I rode home.  But it was nice and dry.  So to keep going for a good portion of the winter I want to be able to ride with temperatures down to about 35 and a light drizzle. 

That shouldn't be too hard.  But I have to have a bias towards riding.  Getting my rides in when I can and being flexible.  If I can ride 1-3 times a week between now and spring then Lowell Hill will not be so scary come March.  (look at that speed)

So one down and many more to go.

A nice fall ride down my drive.

Building Up Steam

I am getting back into my workout routine.  It is discouraging to have lost all of my aerobic conditioning.  So I have enjoyed working the weights and feeling the old muscles respond.  It may not look like it to anybody but me, but I have put on a good bit of muscle over the last 2 years.  I think I would have to get below 240 to really show much definition but my arms are banging.  Oh yeah I got the gun show going on.

I am doing my morning workouts which means getting up early (but it makes it easier for me to start riding to work again because I will already be used to the time).  I am also trying to do the afternoon aerobics classes three times a week.  I am just starting and I can't do everything but I can do the full hour.

And today I rode my bike on the trail.  The weather was just amazing.  So I really had no excuse.   I even got Jane out for the first time this year.

Friday I plan to take the bus to work just to learn the route, fare, time etc.  That is the first step towards my plan to ride the bus to work and bike home.

Oh and the Belly Busters is getting ready to start again.  Me and my BB partner need the extra motivation.  This is the time of year where I really pack on the weight.  I think at some level I am a grizzly getting ready to hibernate for the winter.  But I am so tired of the seasonal yo-yo.  I want to stop it now before it is too late.

(If I really want some motivation I will post more of my before pictures)

Slowly getting going again

I am not back to riding to work yet.  (my bike commuting season is over for the year unless I start to do the bus/bike thing).  But I am getting back into my workout routine.

A huge part of this, let me repeat, HUGE, is the time factor.  I have really gotten spoiled coming straight home from work.  And sleeping in all the way up to 5:30, luxury, shear luxury.  So now I am back to getting up at 4:45 and doing my morning workouts.  Although they are pretty low intensity right now it is getting used to the getting up early that is important.  I also went to aerobics yesterday.  Same thing.  I didn't push myself too hard but I was pretty excited that I made it all the way through the class. 

Also I was wearing a tank top and although I have put on a few pounds I am happy with the definition in my arms.  Oh yeah, the gun show was on full display.  It is those little positive things that help me keep going.

It is all about time, folks.  No way around it.  You can't do it if you don't budget the time.

Road to recovery

Ok I am feeling back to normal except for one little thing.  I tire easily.  So I have lost all of my hard earned conditioning.  But I haven't given up.

My weight is up but not horribly so.  This week I plan to restart my diet and start to gradually get back into exercise mode.  I don't know if I will manage to ride my bike to work for the rest of the year.  I might try to work back up to riding bike home from work (bus to work). 

I have had a little break so hopefully at least I have reset my metabolism a little and can get off the plateau that I have been stuck on.  (on the downward slope!!)

So I hope to post some good results here soon.  I will let you know what my diet plan is (whatever diet of the month Jane is excited about).  I will pretty much eat what is in front of me.

From bad to worse

My bronchitis has been upgraded to pneumonia (is that an upgrade or a downgrade).  Either way it is going to be a while before I will face Lowell hill.  I really will have to see where I am at when this has run its course and reset my goals.

I won't let this get me down.  (I have already given up on the triathlon and am hoping I can still do the 10K in October).