Sunday, February 24, 2008
Condolences
My condolences to the family and friends of cyclist Matt M-L. who died today after being hit by a car while riding his bike in the alleycat tour da chicago. I didn't know him but did know others who were probably there in the pack this morning. I also feel badly for the driver, who, according to the evening news, was trying to avoid other cyclists in the pack and was not at fault in the accident. More info here.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Infl-eewww-enza
I feel like the flu took over a week's chunk out of my life, from last Monday to today. I am hoping to get back to the gym for cardio any day now. My cough has gone from a death-rattle to just a strangle. It sounds terrible, but at least I am no longer grabbing my stomach with each cough, trying to keep the intensely sore chest and tummy muscles from moving. I had days of chills, fever, and my skin hurt so much I didn't want to take a shower. I knew the water droplets hitting my skin would hurt. They did. My clothes felt like they were scraping against my skin. I am sure glad much of that is behind me.
Last weekend (a week ago) was fun. Friday night I went snowshoeing with New Zealand Wendy and Kristin. Turns out it was drizzling, but we stuck it out and had fun. Saturday I wanted to go try skiing at PETS for the first time, but I woke up with a headache and was really tired, so I stayed close to home. I heard lots of loud pounding going on, but kept going back to sleep, since I had stayed up late. I knew that my neighbors were taking down a wall that day. Later I went over to check out their progress. I saw a teammate's car parked behind mine, and knew that he must be over there too. I hadn't seen him in ages, it was great to catch up. I later found out that all four of the people in that room that day besides me were either sick or about to get sick! That's probably where I got my big dose of flu germs.
My friend Brian was having an impromptu party later and I realized I was running out of time to work out. I decided that it would take less time to go x-c ski for an hour on the lakefront than it would take to go to the gym for an hour on the eliptical. The ski expedition was horrible. It was dark and incredibly windy. The snow was covered with a layer of ice, kind of a crust. You could barely even see the indentations that the skiis made - it was more like sliding around sideways than settling into a groove. There really wasn't anywhere to settle - it was just slip n' slide, instead of glide. I tried going over to the campus lakefill, thinking that would have real snow and be better but instead I just worried about whether I could grab onto the fence cable in time if I slipped sideways on the ice and started to slide into the lake...it was all bumpy ice where people had walked and left behind icy footprints.
The party was fun. Brian made veggie gumbo and I got to see some people I hadn't seen in a while. Dan and Susan brought their new puppy, a Puggle. Cute. Somebody pulled out a game called CatchPhrase late in the evening. I was not in the mood for a game at all, but it turned out to be really fun.
That Sunday was the 'Cross Banquet for our local series. The turnout was smaller than I expected, but I had a great time. We had a lively table - my old teammate Tim, his wife Kim, and some other folks. We were in the room next to where the awards were announced - it was hard to hear what they were saying. I missed talking to some of the people at the other tables before they left. Congrats to all of the series prizewinners!! Great job.
It ended early enough that I was able to hit the gym after and get 1:20 in on the eliptical. That exercise session has had to last me for over a week - I got sick the next day.
After that, the long feverish week.
This past weekend I got up earlier than usual for me on a Saturday and went to a meeting out in the burbs. Some decisions to be made. Then stopped by a local shop that was having an event and saw a bunch of people I knew. NZ Wendy and John wanted to go snowshoeing at the end of the day so we went to the woods. I probably shouldn't have - I felt much worse on Sunday. But the river was pretty and it was nice to get out.
Last weekend (a week ago) was fun. Friday night I went snowshoeing with New Zealand Wendy and Kristin. Turns out it was drizzling, but we stuck it out and had fun. Saturday I wanted to go try skiing at PETS for the first time, but I woke up with a headache and was really tired, so I stayed close to home. I heard lots of loud pounding going on, but kept going back to sleep, since I had stayed up late. I knew that my neighbors were taking down a wall that day. Later I went over to check out their progress. I saw a teammate's car parked behind mine, and knew that he must be over there too. I hadn't seen him in ages, it was great to catch up. I later found out that all four of the people in that room that day besides me were either sick or about to get sick! That's probably where I got my big dose of flu germs.
My friend Brian was having an impromptu party later and I realized I was running out of time to work out. I decided that it would take less time to go x-c ski for an hour on the lakefront than it would take to go to the gym for an hour on the eliptical. The ski expedition was horrible. It was dark and incredibly windy. The snow was covered with a layer of ice, kind of a crust. You could barely even see the indentations that the skiis made - it was more like sliding around sideways than settling into a groove. There really wasn't anywhere to settle - it was just slip n' slide, instead of glide. I tried going over to the campus lakefill, thinking that would have real snow and be better but instead I just worried about whether I could grab onto the fence cable in time if I slipped sideways on the ice and started to slide into the lake...it was all bumpy ice where people had walked and left behind icy footprints.
The party was fun. Brian made veggie gumbo and I got to see some people I hadn't seen in a while. Dan and Susan brought their new puppy, a Puggle. Cute. Somebody pulled out a game called CatchPhrase late in the evening. I was not in the mood for a game at all, but it turned out to be really fun.
That Sunday was the 'Cross Banquet for our local series. The turnout was smaller than I expected, but I had a great time. We had a lively table - my old teammate Tim, his wife Kim, and some other folks. We were in the room next to where the awards were announced - it was hard to hear what they were saying. I missed talking to some of the people at the other tables before they left. Congrats to all of the series prizewinners!! Great job.
It ended early enough that I was able to hit the gym after and get 1:20 in on the eliptical. That exercise session has had to last me for over a week - I got sick the next day.
After that, the long feverish week.
This past weekend I got up earlier than usual for me on a Saturday and went to a meeting out in the burbs. Some decisions to be made. Then stopped by a local shop that was having an event and saw a bunch of people I knew. NZ Wendy and John wanted to go snowshoeing at the end of the day so we went to the woods. I probably shouldn't have - I felt much worse on Sunday. But the river was pretty and it was nice to get out.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Lunar Eclipse Wednesday the 20th
I got this email (below) today. Apparently the last two weeks have been very intense for a lot of people. Here is what the email suggested:
>> We are around midpoint between the 2 eclipses this month, the full moon/lunar eclipse being on Wednesday. This is a very intense time of deep healing, learning, changing, and stepping forward out of old patterns into new. It is crucial during this time to do whatever it takes to keep your vibrational level up. Use the sun, light, meditation, music, being around loved ones etc. Spiritual rewards come from the discipline of changing old habits and this is the best opportunity you will have. Put yourself first; above work or other responsibilities that have the illusion of being more important. <<
I have had the flu since last Monday. I am finally starting to feel human again, though I am still really tired. The death-rattle cough is slowly getting better. I hope to do a catch-up post later.
>> We are around midpoint between the 2 eclipses this month, the full moon/lunar eclipse being on Wednesday. This is a very intense time of deep healing, learning, changing, and stepping forward out of old patterns into new. It is crucial during this time to do whatever it takes to keep your vibrational level up. Use the sun, light, meditation, music, being around loved ones etc. Spiritual rewards come from the discipline of changing old habits and this is the best opportunity you will have. Put yourself first; above work or other responsibilities that have the illusion of being more important. <<
I have had the flu since last Monday. I am finally starting to feel human again, though I am still really tired. The death-rattle cough is slowly getting better. I hope to do a catch-up post later.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tour de Groundhog
Team Mack is having a cross race near Springfield, IL this Sunday the 17th, for those of you who have been training.
Go here to download the pdf for the race.
Go here to download the pdf for the race.
Free Book
You can get a free download of Suze Orman's financial planning book "Women and Money" if you do it before early evening Feb. 14th. I haven't read the book so I can't comment on it.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Happy Birthday
I hope Kim S. is having a great birthday today. Happy Birthday, Kim!
Reading Chris's blog just reminded me!
Reading Chris's blog just reminded me!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Midwest press
Our IL/WI cyclists are getting some press...
A genius twist in Regina's tentative plans to (maybe) give up visiting the People.com site for lent - the site actully mentioned her plans! You said "maybe" on your blog, but now it looks like you are committed, Regina! Everyone knows and People.com is watching you! The credit for noticing that belongs to Amelia, who pointed it out in a comment on Regina's blog.
Ben was the first to notice that Jason M.'s picture (red Flatlandia jersey) from K.C. Cross Nationals in December is in the new issue of Dirt Rag, on page 13. Congrats to Jason! The article also mentions Marko LaLonde.
A genius twist in Regina's tentative plans to (maybe) give up visiting the People.com site for lent - the site actully mentioned her plans! You said "maybe" on your blog, but now it looks like you are committed, Regina! Everyone knows and People.com is watching you! The credit for noticing that belongs to Amelia, who pointed it out in a comment on Regina's blog.
Ben was the first to notice that Jason M.'s picture (red Flatlandia jersey) from K.C. Cross Nationals in December is in the new issue of Dirt Rag, on page 13. Congrats to Jason! The article also mentions Marko LaLonde.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tips for Becoming a Roadie
I enjoyed this article by the Fat Cyclist for mtn. bikers on "Tips for Becoming a Roadie".
And in the "Related Articles" in the box to the right, is another one titled "How to get Rid of Unwanted Fitness." I was going to read that one too, but I realized I don't need to. I already have accomplished that over the last couple of months, without reading any articles ....
And in the "Related Articles" in the box to the right, is another one titled "How to get Rid of Unwanted Fitness." I was going to read that one too, but I realized I don't need to. I already have accomplished that over the last couple of months, without reading any articles ....
Monday, February 04, 2008
Skijoring?
The Chicago Tribune's Sunday Travel section (print edition) had an article about Skijoring, which I had never heard of. The online article can be found here. The print version has a picture of a dog pulling his owner on skiis! Who do I know who could try it? I thought of Julie and the miles that she and Molly have been putting in running, then I realized that that would be cheating herself out of the marathon workouts she needs. There's no way that, say, 10 miles of skijoring could possibly replace 10 miles of marathon training. But that shouldn't stop others of you with dogs over 35 lbs. from trying it! The dog pulls the skier, who also x-c skiis at the same time. The dog is trained to obey commands that allow the pair to start and stop (well, maybe slow down, not sure they can stop!) and turn, etc. The article claims that the dogs love it and that it gives them a workout.
Who is going to give it a try and then tell us about it?
I signed up for the cross banquet. I hope some of you other bloggers are going? Should be fun.
Friday night I went for a really short snowshoe before going out. I saw this sign, which for some reason seems more ominous at night in the wintertime, even though I have no intention of going swimming! I don't think I have ever really noticed it during the day or in the summer.
Saturday I went for my second x-c ski in years, for two hours. I thought I burned lots of calories but my garmin only says 600. In two hours? On the bike setting I feel like it tells me I burned more than I did (compared with what my old garmin, an older model, used to tell me), so why on the ski setting, would it be so low? I am wondering if the little skiier on the menu is a downhill skiier and maybe I should use the "running" setting for x-c skiing, like I use for snowshoeing?
Today (Sunday) I went to a new place and did an hour of snowshoeing. It said I only burned 190 calories! I got a late start, and I wanted to stay longer - I had brought a headlamp in case it got dark when I was on the trail. It was a gray day to start with. But this was a forest preserve, not a park, and they closed the parking lots at "sunset". Apparently it is very literal - the police car was in the lot with his lights flashing and his loudspeaker long before it was what I would consider "dark". So I guess they distinguish between 'sunset" and "dark", or else the guy wanted to put up the chain and the Closed sign and go home to watch the Super Bowl! I couldn't hear what the loudspeaker was saying but could guess. He came back twice more before I left, he was making the rounds of the lots. I hope the guy on skiis that asked me which direction is north found his way back to wherever he was parked! It makes me really appreciate the lakefront park I have been going to where you can park until 10:30, and which also has lights so you can go at night. There is a well lit outdoor skating rink, and enough other lights here and there that make it a pretty good nighttime experience. The new place was a welcome change though, tromping through the snow in the woods along a river. I turned off my ipod because I felt like it was more fun without it, I had a better sense of being in the woods. It was just nice to be out there. Tranquility.
Saturday night I went to see Debbie P.'s band in Highwood, and hung with the cyclists who were there. I have only ridden my bike through Highwood, I have never seen it at night. I imagine that is the case with most of you who know where I am talking about. It is quite the hopping place - a contrast driving up dark, suburban Sheridan Road, seeing hardly any cars, then cutting over to Green Bay Road and hitting this little lively pocket where you can't even find a place to park. I made it for the last set - it was fun. I like going out to see live music and I don't get to do it nearly as much as I would like.
Oh, I went to the Lane Bryant website briefly after hearing about the tragic shootings in one of their area stores on Saturday. I'm not sure why I went, I guess I saw an ad and clicked it because it had just been in the news. Since then my email inbox page has had various banner ads for that store chain, all day Sunday. I have to think there's a connection there, between visiting the site and having the ads on my email page. They are still there.
Who is going to give it a try and then tell us about it?
I signed up for the cross banquet. I hope some of you other bloggers are going? Should be fun.
Friday night I went for a really short snowshoe before going out. I saw this sign, which for some reason seems more ominous at night in the wintertime, even though I have no intention of going swimming! I don't think I have ever really noticed it during the day or in the summer.
Saturday I went for my second x-c ski in years, for two hours. I thought I burned lots of calories but my garmin only says 600. In two hours? On the bike setting I feel like it tells me I burned more than I did (compared with what my old garmin, an older model, used to tell me), so why on the ski setting, would it be so low? I am wondering if the little skiier on the menu is a downhill skiier and maybe I should use the "running" setting for x-c skiing, like I use for snowshoeing?
Today (Sunday) I went to a new place and did an hour of snowshoeing. It said I only burned 190 calories! I got a late start, and I wanted to stay longer - I had brought a headlamp in case it got dark when I was on the trail. It was a gray day to start with. But this was a forest preserve, not a park, and they closed the parking lots at "sunset". Apparently it is very literal - the police car was in the lot with his lights flashing and his loudspeaker long before it was what I would consider "dark". So I guess they distinguish between 'sunset" and "dark", or else the guy wanted to put up the chain and the Closed sign and go home to watch the Super Bowl! I couldn't hear what the loudspeaker was saying but could guess. He came back twice more before I left, he was making the rounds of the lots. I hope the guy on skiis that asked me which direction is north found his way back to wherever he was parked! It makes me really appreciate the lakefront park I have been going to where you can park until 10:30, and which also has lights so you can go at night. There is a well lit outdoor skating rink, and enough other lights here and there that make it a pretty good nighttime experience. The new place was a welcome change though, tromping through the snow in the woods along a river. I turned off my ipod because I felt like it was more fun without it, I had a better sense of being in the woods. It was just nice to be out there. Tranquility.
Saturday night I went to see Debbie P.'s band in Highwood, and hung with the cyclists who were there. I have only ridden my bike through Highwood, I have never seen it at night. I imagine that is the case with most of you who know where I am talking about. It is quite the hopping place - a contrast driving up dark, suburban Sheridan Road, seeing hardly any cars, then cutting over to Green Bay Road and hitting this little lively pocket where you can't even find a place to park. I made it for the last set - it was fun. I like going out to see live music and I don't get to do it nearly as much as I would like.
Oh, I went to the Lane Bryant website briefly after hearing about the tragic shootings in one of their area stores on Saturday. I'm not sure why I went, I guess I saw an ad and clicked it because it had just been in the news. Since then my email inbox page has had various banner ads for that store chain, all day Sunday. I have to think there's a connection there, between visiting the site and having the ads on my email page. They are still there.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Snowwwwww
You know there must be alot of snow when you stick your head out the door in the morning to get the papers and you can't see them! They were buried, in spite of there being a roof over the porch to deflect some of the snow. Then I saw a tiny piece of blue plastic Tribune sleeve peeking out, so I found them without too much digging.
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