Just another manic Saturday

All week I had worried about Saturday morning and picking up donations for the youth fund raiser. Here was the case that the things I worry about, never happen. All my fears and apprehension was washed away with persistant calls and reinforce proper behavior. We got out there and for two hours, we picked up items for members homes and off of the street. We filled a two car garage almost to the ceiling with stuff for the garage sale next weekend. What fun it was!

The next activity was to run to Home Depot, with labor dispute and all, to pick up a lawn mower and pressure washer. Mission Accomplished.

I got home, ate some lunch, changed into my bike clothes, and headed out. My legs were talking to me after all the hills and intervals from the last two days so I headed South to run the flats. 50 more miles in the books. All told for the week, 132 - 8 short of the recommended mileage for one day STP riders. Good enough for me. At the end, I was starting to cramp up. Not a good feeling when riding alone. I must not have eaten right or enough the last few days for this to happen. It felt good to get it done.

After getting back, the work started. We mowed, trimmed, pulled weeds, and pressure washed for three hours. I lost track of time so I ordered a pizza for the boys and I. It tasted good after all that hard work. I still had to go to the store for dinner tomorrow. Finally, I am sitting on the couch doing nothing but typing. Finally, after a crazy day.

Next week - recommended mileage: 190. See ya...

Beer Bong and Genes

So I head out tonight for a 25 mile cruise, as I cross over the 99W I see a young man walking down the street with a back pack and a large funnel with a piece of surgical tube sticking off of it. He is walking nonchalantly down the street. No big deal - just heading to a party to use my beer bong at. Amazing! He couldn't have been older than 18.



Now to the Colinisms. I was taking Craig to school yesterday and we were talking about genes and how they decide your eye color, hair color, etc. He blurts out, " what are you talking about? Genes are what little babies wear after they start to walk." I just started to laugh. Amazing. Then he let me know that we are different. I asked him how we were different. He says, "well, I like the crust cut off and you don't. We like different shows. That's what makes us different." So, if you need to know if you are different than someone else, take a look at your crust and the shows you watch.



About the riding, I got off to a slow start this week, not riding till yesterday. I got in over 3 hours for 55 miles. I hit it again tonight for another 25. Tomorrow will be fun - picking up stuff for a fund raiser. After that, a few more miles to get at least 100 for the week if not more. I'd like to get closer to the 140 recommended mileage but I will see.

See ya on the road.

Rain or Shine

It was a difficult week to find time to ride. Every few months I have a week like this one. It wasn't work that was difficult or overly time consuming - it was the volunteer church work.

Side bar: Work is always a challenge. I remember the C telling my friend in Simi who is the GM that I needed to be challenged to stick at a job. I still remember the response. It was to the effect that everyday is a challenge at Milgard. Definitely! In a work place that stries to continually improve, challenge is part of the game.

Back to business: What was time consuming was the time spent involved in church activities. I got out on Monday night for 20. Then the fun began. Tuesday was Mutual/Scouts. I still managed to get in 19 but this was the last ride till Saturday. Wednesday was a Stake activity in McMinnville, Thursday was Stake Temple night, and Friday was a campout. For the campout, litte chilly got to come with me and hang out. He needed to sign off on several items for his 2nd class scout badge. He is only a few requirements away from getting it. By May, at the next Court of Honor, he will get it. I have no doubt that by his 12th birthday, he will get his first class and surpass me in my Scouting endeavors on his way to Eagle. I am so proud of him and his effort to progress in Scouting and get it done.

Saturday was an eventful day. At the campout, we got up early, cooked and ate breakfast, and decided to break camp. One of the boys had to be back by 9 AM so we all decided to go. The weather was not promising anyway. I got back, changed and headed to watch the fish swim in a water polo match. She did well, scored a goal, and played tough defense. From last year, she is much improved. I was amazed. It just goes to show the amount someone can improve with focus. I left after the game and came home, changed, and hit the road for a long spin. I knew I needed just a hair over 60 to get the century for the week. I had to keep the streak alive. I was cold, windy, and wet. I decided to head South - wet and hills don't go well together. I figured I'd ride the Champoeg loop twice. If on the first it was bad, I'd head back in. If it was good, another lap for the goal. The first half lap was cold, with a strong head wind and wet roads. The second half of the lap was much better as I had the tail wind, cruising at 20+ MPH. It was so windy that by the time I got back around on the second lap, the roads had went from puddles and standing water to bone dry. I rode 3 x 30 minutes Tempo intervals with 10 minute rest periods. After the second one, my legs ached bad. I had not eaten well the day before - remember the campout. Yeah! Not the ideal food to prep for a long ride. As I am riding back into Newberg, the black clouds had covered the city and hail began to fall. Glad I was wearing a helmet. I was running a little late so I headed right to the pool to catch the fish's last game. The tempo was a bit different from earlier in the day. Game 4 of 4 was a little slower. She had moved over to the sprinter position for the start of each half and won the ball for each one. They ended the tourney undefeated. Congrats!

After getting home, I showered, changed, and the C and I headed to a Passover Seder. I enjoyed my first Seder and learning a bit more about Jewish traditions. At a little after 7 PM, we rolled into the house, tired and ready to relax.

All told, a little over 100 miles on the week. This next week isn't as "scheduled" so time will be more available. STP recommended training miles for this week - 140 miles.

See ya on the road...

We have a winner!

It has been a fun week on the bike. Four rides this week for about 123 plus miles (9 weeks at 100 plus miles) and the legs are feeling it today. Monday was the hello day - just and easy ride to loosen the legs up. Wednesday and Friday were interval work in the flat lands around Champoeg park. On Wednesday, we loaded up the bikes and headed over. The C took Craig and Colin down the trail while I fought the wind for 22 miles. This was a high cadence, high intensity type interval day, staying right below my lactate threshold for almost the entire time. I took a break right in the middle of the ride for 3 minutes and then went back at it. It was a bit cold during the ride so I was worried about the C and the kids getting back before me and sitting in the car wanting to go home. Now you can understand my motivation to get back. As I am pulling into the parking lot in the park, they are just getting back to the car - freezing. Colin had rode the entire 7 miles on the trail but with some enticements. I was so proud of him and Craig for working together. Thanks to the C for taking them on the ride!

Friday was another day at Champoeg. The C and Cassie went over this time to run and workout. I rode a bit different flat route but changed the interval to a tempo ride - low cadence, moderate intensity, pushing a big gear. I was able to push out another mile in the same time but my legs were screaming. The difference between Wednesday and Friday was about 20 degrees. Friday was Oregon warm and sunny. The legs felt loose and strong, not the "tight and need to warm up forever" feeling that I usually have.

Saturday was all about a new route and area to explore. I hooked up with a guy from work and we rode up one of my favorite rides - Bald Peak. I got up the climb in one of my fastest times while not trying to push hard. I didn't want to ruin myself in the first 10 miles of the ride, knowing there were 50 more miles to come. We rode down the 18% steep grade of Laurelwood Road. My hands hurt tugging on the brakes for the mile and a half. It was better than climbing up it though. We then went out to Gaston and around Haag Lake. Yesterday was the nicest day of the year so far. Sunny, almost no cloudest, 55 degrees when we started (ended around 70 degress), and dry. The lake was beautiful. From the top of Bald Peak, you could see the lake to the West and all 5 peaks to the East. There were snow capped mountains and hills, lush green valleys, and tall firs and pines throughout. What a sight! Then to ride through it, inspiring. JD - this will have to be on our list of rides this summer, early in the week obviously. The only downside was my legs were aching from the ride less than 12 hours earlier. Other than the low average speed during the climb, I averaged 17 MPH over rollers. All told it was 58 miles with 3200 feet of climbing - 1600 feet for Bald Peak alone. It was a nice day on the bike.

By the way, here it is mapped out at www.mapmyride.com - http://www.mapmyfitness.com/view_route?r=819718975.

This week - per the STP one-day rider training guide: 90 miles.

Stuck in Palm Springs

This week has been the National Sales Meeting in Palm Springs. A plant guy at a sales meeting? Yeah, I know - doesn't make a lot of sense on the surface. As I have been here, attending the meetings, the training classes, and spending time with the sales group, I understand why. I need to understand their challenges and I need to know them, both as a sales professional and as an individual. Our business model is based upon our sales group building relationships. Similarly, I need to build a relationship with them in order for them to feel comfortable with me and I with them. I believe we have accomplished both these last few days.

With that being said, I miss being at home with the C and the family. They are such a big part of my life that being away from them is hard. I appreciate their support and love. I will be back home tomorrow and it will be good.

I did get in six hours of riding this week. Even though it was all inside, it was just as painful if I had done it outside. The miles are being racked up this year. Speaking of miles, JD was out riding in the Tour of Phoenix today - 72 miles of fun in the sun. I caught up with the time on the Perimeter Bicycling website but await the ride report on the blog.

The time is ticking down to the STP - per the ride schedule for suggested training miles on the STP website this week should be 110 miles. I was close. Next week, 120 miles. No problem. See ya out on the road...