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Ride 49: Nearly Halfway to My Goal
Jul. 31st, 2011 07:11 pmI made an apple pie today. The crust was terrible. We all picked at the insides.
My folks were still visiting, and we went to the local park, at which The Wilds has installed American Bison. We walked the mile to the bison compound, my father, Dino, Irish and I, and a bit around the path winding around the enclosure. My darling husband and my mom stayed back at the shady playground and watched Sparkle on the play structures. In the heat of the day, we saw no bison. I think the shoulder-height grasses and wildflowers did not help us find anything, because there could have been deer, bison, people or velociraptors hidden in that grass. We walked the mile back. My legs feel it more than riding the bike.
Early this evening, I rode my bike to the first trail, being sore from the walk. I did the there and back three miles in fifteen minutes. My darling husband thought I'd turned around early because something was wrong.
Sparkle, seeing me come in with my bike helmet, wanted to go around the block on her little bike. Three quarters the way down the first side of the block, the chain came off her bike. I was unable to get it back on. Bringing it home, my darling husband could get it back on, but any time you try to pedal, it falls off again. We don't know how to fix it. It seems like the chain is too loose now, but that doesn't make sense...
I hope I can get my neighbor to look at it. He taught his son to fix his own bike, so perhaps he can teach me some bike mechanics, too.
In the meantime, my bike is at the shop, and the rear tire on the car is flat, and goes flat when re-pumped. I wish things did not break down! In good news, I did not get a sunburn today, having worn a serviceable straw hat.
My folks were still visiting, and we went to the local park, at which The Wilds has installed American Bison. We walked the mile to the bison compound, my father, Dino, Irish and I, and a bit around the path winding around the enclosure. My darling husband and my mom stayed back at the shady playground and watched Sparkle on the play structures. In the heat of the day, we saw no bison. I think the shoulder-height grasses and wildflowers did not help us find anything, because there could have been deer, bison, people or velociraptors hidden in that grass. We walked the mile back. My legs feel it more than riding the bike.
Early this evening, I rode my bike to the first trail, being sore from the walk. I did the there and back three miles in fifteen minutes. My darling husband thought I'd turned around early because something was wrong.
Sparkle, seeing me come in with my bike helmet, wanted to go around the block on her little bike. Three quarters the way down the first side of the block, the chain came off her bike. I was unable to get it back on. Bringing it home, my darling husband could get it back on, but any time you try to pedal, it falls off again. We don't know how to fix it. It seems like the chain is too loose now, but that doesn't make sense...
I hope I can get my neighbor to look at it. He taught his son to fix his own bike, so perhaps he can teach me some bike mechanics, too.
In the meantime, my bike is at the shop, and the rear tire on the car is flat, and goes flat when re-pumped. I wish things did not break down! In good news, I did not get a sunburn today, having worn a serviceable straw hat.
Ride 48: Still Going Great!
Jul. 30th, 2011 09:25 pm( Another Triathalon-like day, with walking, wading and biking )My neighbor complimented me on keeping with the biking, and said she could see a difference in how fit I was.
44th bike ride: Tuesday
Jul. 28th, 2011 03:39 pm Rode quite late; well after nine. It was a short ride, given the time. Met the kitty lying in the road again, still limp against the ground, but in a different position from yesterday. It may have twitched an ear when I rode past, but was seriously unconcerned.
It was very buggy, and insects pinged off my helmet, arms, legs and face. It was humid, and as the temperature dropped, dew collected on my limbs and clothes.
I heard, but did not see the bats. I also heard crickets, but my mental math answer of the temperature did not match the thermometer back home on the porch.
Had an around the block stroll with Sparkle, with her biking and braking. She goes around the short block, and says she wants to avoid the dogs.
It was very buggy, and insects pinged off my helmet, arms, legs and face. It was humid, and as the temperature dropped, dew collected on my limbs and clothes.
I heard, but did not see the bats. I also heard crickets, but my mental math answer of the temperature did not match the thermometer back home on the porch.
Had an around the block stroll with Sparkle, with her biking and braking. She goes around the short block, and says she wants to avoid the dogs.
( Health, my health, Sparkle, the ride )
I know the con has a pool, so I will attempt to do a few laps Friday and Saturday. We'll see if I keep that goal.
I know the con has a pool, so I will attempt to do a few laps Friday and Saturday. We'll see if I keep that goal.
Only a Swim
Jul. 20th, 2011 09:51 pm Only a swim today; got back too late for a bike ride. Still it was an hour and forty minutes worth of swim, which is something. Sparkle got in a swim at the YMCA today, too.
Earlier, the heat index in Columbus, Ohio was well over 100 degrees, with an air quality alert, so I didn't go out in the heat of the day, either. Still in the upper eighties at bedtime, high humidity.
Earlier, the heat index in Columbus, Ohio was well over 100 degrees, with an air quality alert, so I didn't go out in the heat of the day, either. Still in the upper eighties at bedtime, high humidity.
40: On the Hill, and it Was Oppressive.
Jul. 18th, 2011 07:56 pmHid out in the air conditioning a lot today, as it was beastly hot out. On the way to J's, driving towards Columbus, it was so hot and hazy, you could not see the Columbus skyline through the haze, a distance of less than 14 miles straight.
( 40 )
My town neighbors were all out, battening down their yards for the oncoming storm. I chatted with my next-door neighbor before coming in. I call 40 like it is on the hill, like I'm aging, but I shan't be on the downhill side of this campaign until after 50, the half-way mark. But even though it was hot and sticky, I was able to ride and return without wiping myself out.
( 40 )
My town neighbors were all out, battening down their yards for the oncoming storm. I chatted with my next-door neighbor before coming in. I call 40 like it is on the hill, like I'm aging, but I shan't be on the downhill side of this campaign until after 50, the half-way mark. But even though it was hot and sticky, I was able to ride and return without wiping myself out.
( A hot Sunday )
Home, I noticed that there were red cardinals and blue jays circling around one another in my yard. Happy sighs, although I am tuckered out.
37: Flat Out Determined
Jul. 15th, 2011 10:20 pm( The news in brief, or rather in full... )
Never give up; never surrender! And full props up to my darling husband for dropping everything in fading light to get us back rolling, somehow.
Today started out with me losing time on my alarm, hitting snooze while I was asleep, so I had to rush my morning routine.
Still, I was happy, and sing-y. I burbled my way over to J's house, and we struck out on our swimming. My darling husband, finished with a doctor's appointment surprised us by coming in to deliver my cell phone, which I'd forgotten. It was a delightful surprise! I actually swam freestyle back a quarter length of the pool toward the locker room, which is my least favorite stroke, as it means I have to put my face in the water.
( Read more... )
My ride back was very lazy, taking full advantage of the downhill slope. Sparkle's empty trailer "ticked" behind me like a clock.
Still, I was happy, and sing-y. I burbled my way over to J's house, and we struck out on our swimming. My darling husband, finished with a doctor's appointment surprised us by coming in to deliver my cell phone, which I'd forgotten. It was a delightful surprise! I actually swam freestyle back a quarter length of the pool toward the locker room, which is my least favorite stroke, as it means I have to put my face in the water.
( Read more... )
My ride back was very lazy, taking full advantage of the downhill slope. Sparkle's empty trailer "ticked" behind me like a clock.
34: Seven Miles to the Towers and Back
Jul. 12th, 2011 09:00 pm( Sounding like a Hobbit's journey... )
I was gone a very long time, an hour and a half. I still am a bit hollow inside, but pleased I cycled so far without collapsing, even though it was warm.
I was gone a very long time, an hour and a half. I still am a bit hollow inside, but pleased I cycled so far without collapsing, even though it was warm.
Today, at eight-thirty, I set out for my daily ride. I asked my daughter whether she would like to come, but she said it was too dark. It was, in fact, mostly blue sky, with a few gray clouds. It looked quite nice as I tooled out of the driveway, and while it was humid, it was pleasantly cool. It seemed like the perfect start and timing for a lovely ride.
( If I'd known the weather, I'd've skipped this ride... )
My bike tire was in the garage before I could stop. I parked, and ran inside, and just crawled up my husband's back as he sat at the computer, and held him hard. I was so scared still!
I'm okay now, although the thunder outside still bugs me tonight. Sparkle is unfazed. My smart girl for not coming.
( If I'd known the weather, I'd've skipped this ride... )
My bike tire was in the garage before I could stop. I parked, and ran inside, and just crawled up my husband's back as he sat at the computer, and held him hard. I was so scared still!
I'm okay now, although the thunder outside still bugs me tonight. Sparkle is unfazed. My smart girl for not coming.
32: a kindle of cats, fiery heat
Jul. 10th, 2011 11:23 pm I got back from BaCon (combine bacon and geeks, get a wonderful relaxacon) to late yesterday to cycle with Sparkle. More on BaCon after I get my Contata report done.
( Sunday is a Fun Day! )
Coming down the walkway, one of our kitties was in the window, watching us come home. She meowed and pawed at the glass, and was waiting for us at the door when we came in. The air conditioning felt wonderful.
( Sunday is a Fun Day! )
Coming down the walkway, one of our kitties was in the window, watching us come home. She meowed and pawed at the glass, and was waiting for us at the door when we came in. The air conditioning felt wonderful.
A Thirty One-derful ride!
Jul. 8th, 2011 10:23 pm Did not go swimming with J this morning after dropping off Sparkle. Instead, we went shopping. ( But it still was a productive day, including a bike ride with Sparkle! )
I can say that while Sparkle does pedal on our rides, it is certainly a greater effort for me when she's along for the trip. Hills are much harder, and changes in speed longer. But the trip was so much more satisfying! I remember when I was a little girl, I would jog or skate along with my father sometimes when he ran. He'd ask me every day to come along, and sometimes I would, and sometimes I wouldn't. I now really, really grok the disappointed look on his face when I turned him down. I didn't get it back when I was nine or ten, but I sure do now that I'm all grown up and love my time with my little girl.
I can say that while Sparkle does pedal on our rides, it is certainly a greater effort for me when she's along for the trip. Hills are much harder, and changes in speed longer. But the trip was so much more satisfying! I remember when I was a little girl, I would jog or skate along with my father sometimes when he ran. He'd ask me every day to come along, and sometimes I would, and sometimes I wouldn't. I now really, really grok the disappointed look on his face when I turned him down. I didn't get it back when I was nine or ten, but I sure do now that I'm all grown up and love my time with my little girl.
Swam as usual with J. Had ice cream and watermelon for lunch, which was a bit naughty, but worth it!
( This seems like a big number, an accomplishment. )
I may try getting Sparkle back on the bike tomorrow, by changing up what time we set out to right after her school is over, when we've driven back home for forty five minutes and she's more willing to get the wiggles out. It may have to be only to the first road, because it's likely to be hot.
( This seems like a big number, an accomplishment. )
I may try getting Sparkle back on the bike tomorrow, by changing up what time we set out to right after her school is over, when we've driven back home for forty five minutes and she's more willing to get the wiggles out. It may have to be only to the first road, because it's likely to be hot.
Ride 29: Too Quiet
Jul. 6th, 2011 09:14 pm Today, I had my usual swim with J, and it was nice to stretch, although I am feeling strong twinges from my left foot - the one I hurt last spring at ConSonance. I may have been standing more than usual at Contata, I think.
( So... )
I hope Sparkle will want to ride tomorrow or later this week.
( So... )
I hope Sparkle will want to ride tomorrow or later this week.
Whilst I was away over the weekend, my darling husband attempted a bike ride with Sparkle. A short ride, it went well until the home gravel drive, in which DH discovered that his feet do not touch the ground from the seat, and that trying to stop and dismount at the same time a daughter keeps pedaling results in a crash. He was wrenched up a bit, and re-strained himself today, and will be checking in with the doctor tomorrow.
So, while Sparkle had a bike ride on Thursday night, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday were not riding days, although DH did take her for walks and scooter rides around the block.
( 28 the long list of grievances )
She came in, took a bath, and is now out like a light. I am glad that tonight ended on a happy note for her. I think also that my DH handling the going to bed routine helped, too, as I was a bit raw. (He is my rock.)
So, while Sparkle had a bike ride on Thursday night, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday were not riding days, although DH did take her for walks and scooter rides around the block.
( 28 the long list of grievances )
She came in, took a bath, and is now out like a light. I am glad that tonight ended on a happy note for her. I think also that my DH handling the going to bed routine helped, too, as I was a bit raw. (He is my rock.)
Leveling Up on ride 27
Jun. 29th, 2011 09:47 pm The 3^3rd ride was notable in that I was able to shift gears up to the next level, thanks to advice from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
pondside during our swim today.
( Does changing gears make me a CYCLIST or a BICYCLIST? )
We made it home on our five mile trip in record time. While I am looking forward to my con trip, I shall miss my nightly rides with my girl. I don't know whether I shall be able to get online and post while I am at the con. Happy LJing!
pondside during our swim today. ( Does changing gears make me a CYCLIST or a BICYCLIST? )
We made it home on our five mile trip in record time. While I am looking forward to my con trip, I shall miss my nightly rides with my girl. I don't know whether I shall be able to get online and post while I am at the con. Happy LJing!
OMG, so tired, but so proud of myself!
( Happy Trails, to Me! )
( Happy Trails, to Me! )
I am chuffed, and puffed. I really felt like we really worked hard as a team to go a goodly distance (at least a goodly distance for me) and that distance was an effort enough that doing it again might have to wait a bit. When it becomes easy, I can look at the trail in the other direction, towards town. That park trail goes about eleven miles out, past Bison and along wetland restoration areas. I figure eleven miles out and back is far enough in my future to not have to worry about running out of bike trail any time soon! Three point five three miles out and back are enough of an accomplishment for me today!
