The weekly log of ups and downs with Greg and his trusty Giant Iguana mountain, aka Big Lizard, as together we embrace the grind. No excuses. Do the work. You can’t bullshit your way up a mountain.
THURSDAY, Sept 1
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir, San Diego
MILES: 5
TIME: 24:50
SPEED: 12.1 mph (avg), 12.7 mph (max)
OVERALL: We came. We saw. we kicked its ass.
Good run. Really good run.
This was supposed to be a rest day,but I Big Lizard kept whispering seductively from the trunk of the car.
“C’mon, you know you want to. Let’s do the damn thing!”
So glad we did.
And yes, anyone hooked on cycling will tell, bicycles can talk!
It will be another few weeks, but steadily creeping up on the magical 15 mpg average time. Then I’ll be ready to join club rides.
Might’ve gone even faster were it not for the headwinds.
For the record, I hate headwinds, even more than hills. If I knew where headwinds lived, I might do a drive-by on their house (well, probably not, but you get the idea!).
By the end of this run, though, I started to view headwinds in a different light. They make me work, and anything that makes me work ultimately makes me stronger and faster on the bike, and healthier in my life.
So instead of viewing it as an evil, abusive, silently snarky antagonist, I’m trying to see headinwds more as an invisible personal trainer.
Meanwhile, have grown so comfortable now on the 5-mile loop that I’m seriously considering doing two loops mandatory, one as a warm-up and the second for speed work.
And it may be time to start doing intervals, short stretches in a training ride in which you do periodic sprints, as hard and fast as you can, balls to the wall.
Intervals help you get stronger faster, but they’re not fun, especially on a machine as heavy as Big Lizard.
Doesn’t matter. The Lizard and I are on a mission. No excuses. Do the work.
2-4 Sept
No riding this Labor Day weekend. Spent it with family up in Los Angeles. Great time, except for the uninvited roaches in one room.
Also, never got a chance to use the Jacuzzi because it was completely taken over by a 21st century incarnation of BéBé’s Kids.
Hotel was right next to LAX. Watched the jumbo jets take off, envisioned myself going wheels-up for West Africa — with Big Lizard resting comfortably in the cargo bay.
Jeff brought down a load of his famous BBQ ribs and world-beating mac-and-cheese. I hath sinned against thee, my diet! *sob*
Repentance starts on Labor Day.
TUESDAY, Sept 6
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir
MILES: 5
STATS: NONE
OVERALL: Mother Nature was in charge of the 5-mile loop today…and she was hot!
QUESTION: What’s worse than a headwind in your face for five miles?
ANSWER: A headwind at a temperature of 90-plus degrees Fahrenheit in your face for five miles.
This was not a day for pushing the pace. Work on form, burn a few calories and get off the loop without flirting with heat prostration.
Back in the day, I might’ve challenged the conditions on a day like this. I’m older and slower now, but also a wee bit smarter.
I did see some other riders on the loop, 30 and 40somethings, pushing big gears in the blistering heat. They were lagging, elbows and knees every which-way, chests heaving, tongues literally hanging pout while they sucked in hot air.
They looked like Labrador Retrievers with their heads out the rear window, the difference being that the dogs usually look like they’re having fun.
Tomorrow’s forecast: More of the same.
Can’t be helped, though. The Major Taylor Cycling Club of San Diego is holding its annual picnic Saturday, Sept. 24, preceded by a ride.
It would be my first time out with the club — and probably as good a way as any to celebrate my 60th birthday, four days hence.
WEDNESDAY, Sept 7
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir, San Diego
MILES: 5
TIME: 24:05
SPEED: 12.45 mph (avg), 13.1 mph (max)
OVERALL: Feeling good. Almost feeling fast.
Another day of hellish heat, but it was breaking by the time Big Lizard and I hit the loop.
Time to push the pace.
Result: The best one-lap loop time yet. Had to slow down for cross traffic near the finish or might’ve come in under 24 minutes.
Form felt good. Pedal stroke is round and smooth and soaking up the bumps. Saddle position’s getting better, too, more stable, less sliding forward. That means that, slowly but surely, a muscle is starting to form under the beer belly fat. Wooohooo!
When I started this (sporadically) back in May, any time under 30 minutes felt impossible. If I can keep working, 20 minutes by October seems really possible. That’ll mean I’m averaging 15 mph instead of 10.
Once I can do that comfortably, I’ll be ready for the next training challenge: The One-Mile Hill.
I live at the bottom of a hill. The road to the top is a mile long. I’ve never been able to push the Lizard higher than about a third of the way up.
THURSDAY, Sept 8
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir, San Diego
MILES: 5
TIME: 31:49
SPEED: 9.5 mph (avg), 10.0 mph (max)
CALORIES: 1,137
OVERALL: Nice and easy in the heat.
Thought about doing a double this morning. One blast of the 90-plus degree headwind killed that notion quick. Took it nice and easy, worked on form, which is still getting better in tiny increments.
As usual, the left foot is stronger than the right, need to work on that. The elbows need to be tucked in more. The stomach muscles? A work in progress.
At least I’m burning off the residual effects of Jeff’s mac and cheese.
For the first time, noticed stands of spiny cactus growing near the path. Very near.
Mental note to self: Do NOT crash here.
FRIDAY, Sept 9 (AM)
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir, San Diego
MILES: 10
TIME: 55:46
SPEED: 10.8 mph (avg), 16.0 mph (max)
CALORIES: 2,250
OVERALL: Two laps. First interval work. HATED it!
Missed yesterday’s planned PM loop after getting caught up in The Great Blackout, made up for it this AM. Was doing fine until I decided to do my first interval across the top of the dam, full-on sprint.
Pretty poor, got gassed early on. There’s work to do.
Had periodic escorts of blue-green dragonflies. Very cool. Big Lizard showed good manners and didn’t try to eat any of them.
The portable toilets scattered along the loop have signs: “CAUTION: WATCH FOR RATTLESNAKES”
Venomous snakes that use Porta Potties…how civilized!
Okay, time for Round 2.
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir, San Diego
MILES: 5
TIME: 29:55
SPEED: 10.8 mph (avg), 13.7 mph (max)
CALORIES: 1,137
OVERALL: Is it bad luck when a black tarantula crosses your path?
This was supposed to be my first 3-lap run, just a cruise, but coming out of the first lap, noticed numbness in my left foot, so I broke it off after the first lap.
Just before that, our path was crossed by the first tarantula I’ve seen in years. Mostly black with a patch of gray on his back. He easily would’ve filled the palm of my hand.
Okay, so far, it’s been dragonflies, squirrels and now, a tarantula. At this rate, a rattlesnake may be inevitable.
Disappointed that I wasn’t able to carry through the day’s plan, my first 25-mile day. But a 15-mile day isn’t bad. Next week, I should be able to start doing 20-mile days — two laps in the morning and two in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Saturday is definitely going to be a rest day.
SUNDAY, Sept 11 (AM)
PLACE: Miramar Reservoir, San Diego
MILES: 15
STATS: None
OVERALL: A really good first half.
The first-ever 3-lap session at the res. Took no stats, just wanted to see if I could do it. Fifteen miles, non-stop, and hammered the last five.
The Lizard, meanwhile, is handling it all with aplomb, shifting smoothly, braking cleanly. I love this reptile!
And another barrier falls.
The day was glorious. Temperatures in the 70s, not a cloud in the sky. Nice, firm, cooling headwind to make me work.
Even if I don’t go back for a PM run, this has already been a very successful day. More important, it’s already a 50-mile week, my first in many, many moons!
Other milestones:
- My “fat jeans” have been retired.
- Had to punch two holes in my “fat belt,” and have al;ready overtaken both of those.
- Heart rate is down to around 60 beats per minutes resting.
I do wish the stomach muscles were developing faster, though. Lord, don’t make me have to do sit-ups and crunches up in here!
That’s one of the reasons I am going back for a PM loop.
MILES: 5 (PM)
TIME: 23:29
SPEED: 12.7 mph (avg.), 14.5 mph (max)
CALORIES: 500
OVERALL: Fastest one-lap time to date.
Best. Time. Ever.
The next target: 20 minutes.
Getting there will take awhile. Maybe after dropping another ten pounds.
WEEK’S SUMMARY
Gained and lost 10 pounds. Gained a little strength and confidence, shaved almost 1:30 off my best lap time, logged 55 miles.
Great.
The real work begins now.