Spin

In an effort to get myself in shape, I have decided to immerse myself into spinning. I have had alot of luck using spin classes to get myself into decent riding shape over the years. Some would argue that the only way to really train for cycling would be via a true indoor trainer. I beg to differ. I'll admit that maybe the spin bike doesnt offer quite the same training benefits as riding one's own bike on an indoor trainer. However, there are some trade offs I'm willing to accept.

• Having used an indoor trainer in the past, there's a certain level of solitude one must accept. Essentially, the rider is sitting in an empty room with perhaps a TV. Sitting on a trainer for two hours with some movies to watch might be fine for some, but I'd go postal eventually
• I need and like the social aspect of the gym. I like eye candy. I like being in a room with thirty (30) other knuckleads working their asses off.
• I like the competition. I like looking around the room at the people who arent breaking a sweat, while I am leaving a puddle of water on the floor, and know that I am the hardest working man in that room.
  

I'll probably have close to three (3) hours of spin time this week (an hour per class). Eventually I am going to step that up to four (4) classes. In some cases I'll go a half hour early and ride on my own before class.

This week, I ran twice. 3.4 miles and then a 1.25 miler. Nothing crazy, but pain free. No side pain, no calf pain. I am not going to go crazy. I view running as a secondary method of cross-training at this point. Cycling is and will be the primary training.

Donuts

I got my fat ass into the gym tonight to a spin class. I finally realized how grossly out of shape I am. I was in agony. At one point I think my heart was going to jump out of my chest and heckle me. Additionally, I had to put on fancy clothes today for a trip to Boston (that never happened) and I couldn't button the top button of my dress shirt. Not good.

New bike this Friday. I'd like to take her in for a break-in ride this weekend. I love doughnuts

Hide the Pickle

I didnt get into the gym once this week. That's horrible. However, I did get a tattoo, as most of you might have seen on Facebook. I get a new bike this weekend, so I got that going for me. If I can get the derailleur cable on my Y bike fixed, I'll go a ride later. No one cares. I am boring myself just talking about it.

But what is important is the running of the 1st Run of the 2011 Winter Pickle Running Series. We had 300+ knuckleheads running around Ridley Creek State Park and I think everyone had a ton of fun. The trail conditions were perfect - 2" to 4" of fresh powder with no ice, and yesterday was a crystal clear day.

We had one injury that actually required medical attention. One of the 5k runners lost his footing and went ass over teacups coming around the turn-around point. He fucked himself up good. I dont know how he got back to the start, but when I caught up to him, he was lying in the back of Tim's truck and he wasnt in good shape. There was a Dr. on site who had wrapped his arm up and by all appearances, it looks like he popped out his shoulder.

When the first responders arrived, they came in full force - an ambulance, a volunteer's truck, and one of those fast response firetrucks, complete an actual fireman in full get. Big thanks to those guys.

Check out the Pickle Facebook page - do a search for "The Pickle Run" and become one of our friends. We have no friends. Where do you think we find the time to put on this stupid event?

Snow Ride

I killed two birds with one stone day - the first mountain bike ride of the year and first Snow Ride of 2011. However, not being in shape, coupled with riding in snow - which is like riding in sand - knocked the shit out of me. And I broke a chain, which doesnt surprise me because there is an unspoken but generally accepted rule that states whenever three (3) or more Drexel Alumni are riding together, something will break. The other part of that rule states that the odds are very good that the person breaking something will be me.

This is the part where I lost all feeling my fingers

Out of shape. Riding in snow. Broken chain. It could be worse - I could have been running. Rat bastard running...

I Hate Running

I hate running. That sounds a little dramatic but I had a run last night that just re-affirms my decision to quit running for a bit. My back hurt and I was miserable. Granted, I checked it in mentally, so that wasn't helping - aka I didn't want to be out there in the first place.

I'm bike shopping, mountain bike to be specific. Shopping is probably too strong a word for what I am doing since I already know what I want and I don't have to physically shop for it. The crew that I ride with, we have a hookup that shall remain nameless, but lets just say that its no coincidence that most of us ride Jamis bikes. So I think I am picking up a Jamis 650B. That means nothing too most people. Just know that it goes fast. And it looks fast.




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Location:Camelot Dr,Brookhaven,United States

Strep Steady Diet of Nothing

I got the strep. Throat is on fire. I went to one of those mini-clinic jawns this morning and they gave me some roids and amoxicilin. This is awesome. My diet has consisted of nothing but ice cream and popsicles - a steady diet of nothing (which is also the name of DC based punk band from way back. Can you name it?)

The Midnight 5k went off without a - hitch. They had two-hundred sixty registered runners and two hundred twenty finishers. I wish I could have stayed for more of the post race festivities, but I just wanted to go home and go home and go to bed. Once I got home, I didnt actually to bed until 5 am because 1) my throat was on fire and 2) I wasnt tired. So I popped two unisoms and an ambien. You would think that after that dosage of meds, it would have been "goodnight Irene" but I still rolled around until 5:30 am.