2 weeks to go...

30 miles today! It took me just over two hours and 638 calories - according to the Cateye. I did the home-Forest Park-home loop again, but did multiple laps around the park once I got there, switching directions every now and then so I covered all of the hills every way possible. The park was very empty for a Saturday (I'll blame the 90 degree heat), which meant that trail traffic was light so I could get in some good sprints.

Because I was looping around inside the park so much, I ended up passing a man in a Barnes-Jewish jersey multiple times. On about our fifth pass, he said, "You must be training for the Bike MS ride," which started a brief rolling conversation about how both of us were just trying desperately to get as many miles in before the event. It was relieving to know that someone out there is struggling just as much as I am. Is that sick?

I can only hope that it's a bit cooler on the weekend of the event. The heat radiating off of the black pavement sure is a killer. Anyway, If I was truly dedicated, I'd probably get up a do a long ride tomorrow, too, to prepare myself for the back-to-back rides on the 6th and 7th. But, the idea of relaxing tonight over some beverages and sleeping in tomorrow sounds much more pleasant.

For now, though, it's off to the Festival of Nations! Delicious international food and highland games, here I come!

Spinning my wheels

Well, the bike is in the shop for it's pre-event tune up. Looking forward to getting it back and ramping up the training these last 2.5 weeks (yikes!).

T-minus 29 days!

It's August 8, which means it's Olympic Friday. It also means that the Bike MS ride is ominously less than one month away! These things combined suggest that I should put some miles behind me today, which is exactly what I intend to do. I reckon that if I can leave the office early and hit the park by 3:30, I'll have plenty of time to get in a few laps before the TV broadcast of the opening ceremonies.

Despite my lack of publishing, you can rest assured that I have, in fact, been riding when I can. I feel confident that I can - at the very least - bang out 40 miles on the first day (the hills day), and do the full 75 on the second day (flats) of the ride. I'm out of town the next two weekends though, so I've really got to be diligent about hitting the road, or the trainer, between now and September.

I plan to chock this weekend full of aerobic activity in an effort to rev up my training. I'll get those miles in tonight with moderate hills. Tomorrow afternoon, the husband and the dog and I plan to get our hiking boots dirty at Castlewood State Park. And with this Sunday all to myself, I hope to participate in the Tour of the Little Hills ride hosted by Trailnet. It'd be a nice confidence booster to get through the moderate 44-mile route. There may be some scheduling conflicts there though, so I'll have to report back re: whether or not I make it out for that event.

In parting, I'll let you know that the proofs for the jersey designs have come in and have been approved. They are pretty slick. When mine come in, I'll post a picture, if you promise not to be too jealous.

Hot Town

Having Fridays off is a great thing, and I'm fortunate enough to work for a company where the summer schedules allow for us to have every other Friday off.  Of course, this comes with the caveat of having to work 10-hour days on those weeks where our Fridays are free.  The real trick is to avoid the temptation of sleeping in all day to make up for how hard you've worked the rest of the week.

I somehow was able to drag myself out of bed this past Friday morning and get a nice ride under my wheels well before the summer heat sunk in.  I did the home-Forest Park-home loop again, although this time I did two trips around the park path before heading back home.  Felt great, and I probably could have gone around again, but I had to get home to let the pooch out. I'm sure he appreciated it.

In other cycling news, Pat and I put the final touches on the jersey design for the Bike MS ride.  Should be pretty boss.  Once we get the proof from the jersey company, I'll have to find a way to post it on here.  In the meantime, you'll most likely find me on the trainer tonight.  That 103F heat index has me craving an air-conditioned ride.

07/18 Ride Wrap-Up:

Dist: 14.51

Avg: 12.3

Mx: 23.3

Time: 1:10:17

So I've been busy...

Maybe my last post was in May. Maybe it was even nearly 2 months ago to the day. The point is, I've been a busy bee. And by busy, I do mean just that, but I also mean that I've been a horrible trainee. Sure, I've gotten in a training ride here and there, as well as some work on the stationary trainer, but I'm not 150 mile-ready - yet. It's never to0 late to turn over a new leaf of discipline. Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, here's some documentation of the nonsense I've been up to as of late:

training ride in St. Jacob, IL

campin' with the dog

Katy Trail with Mom and Dad

and...

killer storm in Omaha, NE!

Speaking of nonsense, Iwas also up to some of that this evening. I actually hopped on the bike, and did an urban ride that took me through Forest Park, and ended up at the happiest of places - the Maplewood Dog Park, with both husband and dog awaiting my arrival. It wasn't a long ride, but at least it was something.

07/16 Ride Wrap-Up:
Dist: 10.20 miles
Avg: 12.5 mph
Mx: 22.9
Time: 48.49

"Crusty Jugglers"

Something I saw on my ride yesterday deserves mention.  You'll be happy to know that I did make it out to Grant's Trail - which was surprisingly unpopulated for how nice of an evening it was.  It made for a beautiful ride, but that's not what what I'm here about.

Off in the distance coming down the other side of the path was a jogger - that much I could tell.  But there seemed to be a lot of, oh, miscellaneous movement around him that I couldn't put my finger on from as far away as I was.  Luckily, with my pace I was able to close the gap quickly.

All that miscellaneous movement?  Juggling clubs!  No joke.  This guy was jogging at an admirable stride, while juggling 3 clubs - like it was nothing!  I don't know who jogs and juggles, but, sir, whoever you are, you certainly give all those Bud Light Real American Geniuses a run for their money.  I am impressed.

(For the kids keeping track at home, here's the wrap-up:)

Dist: 16.14 miles

Avg: 14.5 mph

Mx: 22.5

Time: 1:06.39

Now that's a little less embarrassing that my previous Grant's Trail ride.

It's been a "berry" long time...

Oh, this is embarassing, folks. I have not been on the bike since the Spring Kick Off ride. Yup, do the math and that's a full 2 weeks since I've ridden. I'm going to go ahead and be soft on myself, and say that because of the non-stop torrential rain we've been having combined with my lack of any rain gear whatsoever (despite a co-worker's recommendation that I just use a garbage bag in place of a rain-proof windbreaker), I can't really be blamed. It makes me feel better about myself - don't judge me.

The lack of riding means not much to report. I have every intention to bang out a few miles tonight after work, and posting that intention publicly means that I have that much more motivation to follow through with it. What also looks appealing is the Berry Bicycle Ride in St. Jacob, IL, this Sunday. Come on, who doesn't like "free" strawberry shortcake at the end of a ride? We've got some friends coming over on Saturday night, so if I can stay responsible this looks like a "go" for sure.

P.S. For those of you who are wondering, I did not participate in Bike to Work Week this week. The portion of Big Bend in between our house and work is a bit too trecherous for my taste.