The broil is on, having already hit 101 last week, and I don't mind one bit. Yes, it's warm; no, it's not unbearable, and I would even venture to say that I'm perfectly comfortable passing time on the patio, where I can lounge perspiration-free, an action never successful in Louisiana where the humidity keeps me drenched in sweat and the mosquitos keep me swatting.
Two drawbacks:
1. The air conditioned (dis-)comfort of my workplace. As I sit typing, there are goosebumps popping up all over my arms and legs, and I'm nearly shivering from the cold. In addition to posing too drastic a contrast from the outside tempurature, thereby making entering and exiting buildings shocking to my delicate system, it further compels me to over-consume the coffee in an effort to warm-up throughout the day.
2. Warm Accelerade. Unable to locate my insulated water bottle for our Sunday long(-ish) ride, I filled my regular bottles with Accelerade and ice cubes, but even before the mid-point of our ride, the 99-degree temp had rendered my bottle contents a nearly odd-tasting, lukewarm liquid.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Tai Chi
Sadly enough, our Tai Chi class has come to an end, and there are no upcoming courses for which we can register because Jerry, our teacher, is moving to DC. I believe that most of us in the class would happily continue studying with Jerry, course after course. So much to learn.
The Wednesday evening classes offered such a welcome and, quite frankly, necessary, respite from the work week and our exercise regimen. A time to relax and let go while re-discovering balance, both physical and mental. Departure from class always found me remarkably relaxed yet energized; calmed yet invigorated.
The Wednesday evening classes offered such a welcome and, quite frankly, necessary, respite from the work week and our exercise regimen. A time to relax and let go while re-discovering balance, both physical and mental. Departure from class always found me remarkably relaxed yet energized; calmed yet invigorated.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
We Done Did the 'Dillo!
The Armadillo Hill Country Classic: our first organized ride since the LIVESTRONG Challenge waaay back in October!
To keep in mind:
Saturday mornings and any accompanying physical activity tend to be painful for us for several reasons:
1. Always fatigued after a full week of rolling out of bed at a far-too-inhumane hour...our bodies resist repeating this on the weekends!
2. Ricky typically has a gig on Friday night, so for him, a later-than-usual night combined with above reason #1 complicates what is always already a tricky affair
3. Being the morning exercise slackers we are, we rarely get our HR above resting level before 9am, tending to get our exercise in in the late afternoons/evenings (during the week) and the late mornings/afternoons on the weekend
HOWEVER, despite these seemingly insurmountable odds, we rose, didn't exactly shine, and made the drive to Liberty Hill with plenty of time to spare before the ride commenced. In our awful caffeine-deprived state, we began our pedal. Q-Tip and Ricky were aiming for the 14-mile ride, while I was pushing for the 28-mile ride. With all of us suffering some form of knee complaint, none of us were exactly certain what we would be capable of accomplishing!
)
After fueling up at Rest Stop #1 on peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter pretzels, Accelerade, orange wedges and banana slices, Ricky headed out, not back, an action which both puzzled and excited me (puzzled because this was the turnaround for the 14-mile option; excited because I thought he had truly decided to push on)...
With Ricky out ahead and Charlene behind, I happily pedaled along, enjoying the scenery. A mile or two later, Ricky passed me going the other direction -- he hadn't intended to push on, as it turns out; he had forgotten to turn around back at that first rest stop! I pedaled on, determined to do the 28-miler. I reached Rest Stop #2 and was helping a woman with her ride bib, when there appeared Ricky and Charlene! How 'bout that!?! We were all doing the 28 mile ride after all!
)
Back at the finish, I felt pretty good. Some tendon inflammation around my knee, but otherwise I believe would have been ok doing the 42 mile ride...next time! :))
Kudos to Q-Tip for completing the longest ride of her life! Kudos to Ricky for overcoming a difficult Friday evening and early Saturday morning! Kudos to the Austin Cycling Association for putting together such a nice event!
North Loop Bike Gang anxiously awaits more cycling fun!
To keep in mind:
Saturday mornings and any accompanying physical activity tend to be painful for us for several reasons:
1. Always fatigued after a full week of rolling out of bed at a far-too-inhumane hour...our bodies resist repeating this on the weekends!
2. Ricky typically has a gig on Friday night, so for him, a later-than-usual night combined with above reason #1 complicates what is always already a tricky affair
3. Being the morning exercise slackers we are, we rarely get our HR above resting level before 9am, tending to get our exercise in in the late afternoons/evenings (during the week) and the late mornings/afternoons on the weekend
HOWEVER, despite these seemingly insurmountable odds, we rose, didn't exactly shine, and made the drive to Liberty Hill with plenty of time to spare before the ride commenced. In our awful caffeine-deprived state, we began our pedal. Q-Tip and Ricky were aiming for the 14-mile ride, while I was pushing for the 28-mile ride. With all of us suffering some form of knee complaint, none of us were exactly certain what we would be capable of accomplishing!
After fueling up at Rest Stop #1 on peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter pretzels, Accelerade, orange wedges and banana slices, Ricky headed out, not back, an action which both puzzled and excited me (puzzled because this was the turnaround for the 14-mile option; excited because I thought he had truly decided to push on)...
With Ricky out ahead and Charlene behind, I happily pedaled along, enjoying the scenery. A mile or two later, Ricky passed me going the other direction -- he hadn't intended to push on, as it turns out; he had forgotten to turn around back at that first rest stop! I pedaled on, determined to do the 28-miler. I reached Rest Stop #2 and was helping a woman with her ride bib, when there appeared Ricky and Charlene! How 'bout that!?! We were all doing the 28 mile ride after all!
Back at the finish, I felt pretty good. Some tendon inflammation around my knee, but otherwise I believe would have been ok doing the 42 mile ride...next time! :)
Kudos to Q-Tip for completing the longest ride of her life! Kudos to Ricky for overcoming a difficult Friday evening and early Saturday morning! Kudos to the Austin Cycling Association for putting together such a nice event!
North Loop Bike Gang anxiously awaits more cycling fun!
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