Rana July 26th, 2008
Well, the Tour de France ends tomorrow. (I’m pulling for Cadel Evans from Australia.) And I’m glad to say that telling myself, “Come on, nothing you’re doing hurts that much,” has gotten my distances back up to where I know I’m making progress.
This is day 81 since we started this blog, by my count, and I’m at 2523.6. Overall, toward my 10,000 mile goal, I’m at 5184. That’s actually a little behind where I need to be, but by less than 200 miles, so I’m still feeling good about it.
In the last 12 days I’ve ridden 400 miles, which is 33 miles a day — dead on for what you’d need for an easy 12,000 a year (which I’m actually thinking will be next year’s goal.)
I’ve only been out twice on the road bike in the last couple of weeks. It’s just been too danged hot and R. is too erratic in the evenings. Afternoons are going to be much easier for me come fall. But this last ride, night before last, was just fantastic. In part it was because I’ve finally gotten a handle on keeping the bike’s high pressure tires inflated properly, but I also felt powerful. I’ve been riding at levels 12-14 on the exercise bike (of 16), which is a conscious decision to work harder and I can feel the difference in my legs.
The other area of improvement was confidence in steering. None of those little awful frissons of adrenaline. I was pedaling along at 16 mph+, which is a much better clip than I’ve done before, which means I’m starting to get over my apprehension about speed. (I think I was making the Wookie crazy being a granny slow rider.)
Rana July 16th, 2008
Well, now that we’ve decided to break out of our role playing and just encourage one another, I do have a few thoughts that have been rolling around in my head. First, I just realized I managed to ride the distance of the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which, in true nerd fashion, I find pretty darn cool.
Second, I am finding a great deal of inspiration in the Tour de France, much the same way I did when I was cheering Ali on to win Biggest Loser. I know I’ll never ride at the level these guys have attained, but I now have a real appreciation for what they’re doing.
My riding fell off last month by 200 miles for no good reason and I’m determined to get my distances back up to 30+ miles a day. I still haven’t reached all my physical goals — burning off the belly fat (which is much better!) and bringing my hips and thighs down another inch at minimum. (I want to achieve that inch before we make our Little Town visit for my Mother’s birthday.)
So, to that end, I’m happy to report:
7/12 - 28 miles
7/13 - 30.2 miles
7/14 - 30.2 miles
7/15 - 32 miles
7/16 - 31 miles
Including what I’ve done today, I’m at 2200.6 since we started this blog, and I’ve done 4861 toward my goal of 10,000 miles in one year.
I haven’t been out on my road bike in 11 days. After R. tried to get up out of her chair while I was gone, I figured I’d better slack off for awhile. It was nothing but a passive aggressive protest about my absence. I’ll be really glad when the weather cools off enough that I can go out at 2 or 3 in the afternoon while she’s occupied with the paper. I’m rarely gone an hour, but she doesn’t like that in the evening.
Rana July 13th, 2008
Day: Day 51 thru Mid-Day 68
Miles: 435.5
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 544.2
Miles to Lothlorien: 458
Miles in Lothlorien: 59
Miles to Rauros: 389
Miles in Rauros: 138.8
Total Miles: 2100.4 miles
I have been camped on the lawn of Parth Galen below Amon Hen for several days now, riding in the area, resting, and planning the next leg of my journey in this Tour de Middle Earth. Next I will retrace Merry and Pippin’s path to Isengard, a leg of 355 miles. I’ll set out in the morning for some of the most isolated territory I have as yet traveled. The weather has turned hot, but I press on, longing for the cool breezes of autumn.
Erin July 12th, 2008
Day 67: 8.5 miles (I have NO idea if I have the right day!)
Total: 125 miles
Location: Past former boundary of Cardolan
My riding schedule was beset by travels, house guests, and overtime; however, I did get to ride a little this week, and now I am two miles past the boundary of Cardolan.
So… my question is… does the fellowship still continue, or would it be more practical to go back to our solitary schedule of bike rides going nowhere? I’m fine either way… I know my participation goes at a snail’s pace, at best.
Let me know what y’all are doing? I don’t want to be updating solo! :-)