Thankfully, today started off much better than yesterday. Amazing how a good night’s sleep improves the mood. I woke up this morning ready to tackle the day. Despite the fact the bathroom scale read the same damn number as yesterday.
My main goal for this year (aside from losing 25 pounds) is to ride my first century (100 miles). I received a great book for Christmas (thanks, Linda and Jim!) called “Complete Guide to Long Distance Cycling: Build the Strength, Skills and Confidence to Ride as Far as You Want” by Edmund R. Burke and Ed Pavelka. I’m on page 50 or so and it’s already been very helpful. In addition to providing tips, nutrition information, strength training, injury prevention tips and much more, it also contains training schedules to get you ready for your first century. Since I’ve not done much riding since early October, in the next several weeks I’m working up to following one of the training plans in the book.
Tonight after dinner I got on the bike rollers. 2.5 miles. I’m still getting used to using the rollers. Since there’s nothing keeping me from falling off, I have to have something to hold onto while I get on the bike and start moving. Once I’m rolling, I can let go of the wall or whatever it is I’m holding onto. Tonight it was our cat’s ladder that he uses to sharpen his claws. But at least I no longer have to hold on with one hand for the entire ride. Ahh, progress!
My girlfriend Carrick gave me a Bike-o-Vision cycling DVD that includes video of “rides” through North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and other areas. It was a nice way to pass the time while riding when it’s 10 degrees outside (which is way too cold for this wimpy rider). Much better than just staring at a clock or my cyclecomputer waiting for the miles to tick by. Thanks Carrick!
On that note, I’m signing off for tonight to go watch “The Biggest Loser.” While I eat my fat free pudding. (Why do I always want to eat while I watch that show?) Ok, who am I kidding . . . I always want to eat. No matter what I’m watching.
Here’s today’s food journal:
Breakfast:
— fat free organic yogurt = 140 cal.
— 1 cup granola = 280 cal.
Lunch:
— Gnocchi with olive oil, garlic, spinach, onion and green peppers (leftover from last night’s dinner)
— Diet Coke
Dinner @ Third Avenue Cafe (again, no idea on how many calories, but it should be fairly healthy):
— Chicken quesadilla on a spinach tortilla.
— Diet Coke
Exercise: bike rollers = 2.5 miles; 15 minutes.
Cyclingproject365 