Vergence Ranges

A Little Family History

2012-01-24T11:24:00.004-05:00

My husband has NY Giants season tickets. Originally, these were his father's tickets, when the Giants played at Yankee Stadium. My husband bleeds blue. He went to Pasadena to see the Giants win Super Bowl XXI (1986 season).

When the Giants played the (undefeated) Patriots in the Super Bowl 4 years ago, we actually got 2 tickets in the lottery. They cost $700 each. After considering the options, we decided to send our 2 boys to the game in Arizona. They were 16 and 19 years old at the time. They appreciated the magnitude of that gift and they will have those memories forever. DH and I never regretted that decision.

Fast forward a few years and the Giants build a new stadium. DH was ready to give up his tickets. He felt that selling "Personal Seat Licenses" was essentially blackmail and it was an awful big chunk of money for the 4 seats. But the boys really wanted to keep the tickets so he made a deal with them. He bought the seats (but downgraded to less expensive ones) and the boys agreed that they would pay him back at some point....... (I'm not holding my breath).

So DH and sons #1 and #2 all have blue blood. They have remained true Giants fans through the good times and the bad. Right now they are pumped up and slightly insane as the Giants get ready to face the Patriots again in the Super Bowl.

Yesterday we received an email from the Giants, informing us that we will not be receiving tickets to the Super Bowl. My kids are disappointed. I think they must be a little spoiled since they seemed to be expecting that 1) we would be selected to receive tickets 2) we would purchase the tickets at whatever astronomical cost and 3) we would send them again! Well, obviously their dream has been dashed. So just like most folks, they will be at big Super Bowl parties eating and drinking and hopefully watching the Giants CRUSH the Patriots.

Go Big Blue!

2012-01-24T10:58:00.001-05:00

Super Bowl Bound......All In!

Hiking Bear Mountain

2012-01-14T21:21:00.008-05:00

If there was snow, we would be out there on snowshoes.... but why let the lack of snow keep us off the trails? Today a bunch of us hiked up Bear Mountain. We went up on the Major Welch Trail, which is very steep, and came down on the Appalachian Trail (AT). The part of the AT that crosses over Bear Mountain was rebuilt and reopened in June 2010. Over 5 years, 800 hand-hewn granite steps were installed and stone retaining walls were built. It's very beautiful and I can appreciate what a huge feat this was! Now as many as 100,000 hikers travel over those steps every year.

It wasn't one of those absolutely beautiful winter days. It was cloudy and cold and windy, especially on the top of the mountain! But it wasn't raining and it wasn't too cold to be outdoors, so why not get out there, enjoy the company of some friends and spend some time in the woods. As always, I tucked my little Canon into one of my pockets.

Perkins Tower atop Bear Mountain

Overlooking the Hudson River

Resting on the way Up

Cycling Couples

2012-01-12T20:24:00.002-05:00

One of my friends is writing an article about "cycling couples" for the February (Valentine's Day) edition of the club's newsletter. She asked 5 or 6 cycling couples to write something about how we came to be a cycling couple, the pros and cons, maybe a little humor, etc. So this is what DH and I wrote. I know she will only use little pieces of it, but it was fun to write. Brought back many wonderful memories. And made me appreciate our lives together.

When Shelly and Lew met (on a blind date but that is a story for another day), Lew was primarily into basketball and running- 5 and 10K’s, with occasional soccer and softball. Shelly and her friends were cycling on weekends and taking mini-cycling vacations together. Lew decided it was time to purchase a bike and Shelly bought some new running shoes. Shelly had been a lifeguard at a summer camp and Lew was under the mistaken impression that she was a good swimmer. When their relationship began to get “serious,” Lew decided Shelly should become a triathlete. For some reason, Shelly decided being incredibly slow in 3 sports might be fun but insisted that Lew join the fun, so Lew forced himself to become a swimmer. And so began the Triathlon Adventures, V1. Clearly Lew was the more serious triathlete and he competed in many Olympic Tris between 1985 and 1991.
Then the babies arrived. Over the next 15+ years, they both tried to stay in shape. Let’s just say it wasn’t easy. But eventually son #1 had a driver’s license, then son #2 had a driver’s license and the Parental Taxi Service was no longer in business. Shelly and Lew were also facing some BIG Birthdays and decided a BIG Hawaiian vacation was in order. Once the trip was booked, Shelly realized she had a few months to get ready for this “multi-sport active vacation.” She remembers some of those short rides around the neighborhood……but thinking about riding in Hawaii kept her going. The Hawaiian vacation was wonderful. Shelly realized how much she missed cycling, and Lew realized how much he missed triathlons.
With their athletic batteries recharged, Shelly joined WCC and they both resolved to compete in another Triathlon. And so began the Triathlon Adventures, V2. Shelly began to ride with the club most weekends, and Lew was doing his thing, mostly solo. They both competed in the Pawling triathlon in 2008. Lew is still pursuing goals as a triathlete; Shelly has started listening to her knees and has decided to pursue being incredibly slow in only one sport…. cycling.
Shelly’s involvement with WCC grew and so did her friendships. At some point she realized that Lew was also a “member,” whether he liked it or not! She would point out rides to him and he soon found his place with the B riders. He still rides solo, but enjoys the longer rides with the club.
There are so many positives to sharing our love of cycling. It’s never a problem when either one of us wants to do something cycling related. It’s never difficult to think of a great gift. Club events appear on both of our social calendars. Probably the greatest “gift” that cycling has given us is the opportunity to travel and share these cycling adventures together. There have been many awesome cycling vacations, most recently to Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge.
The only downside is that we don’t often ride together because we ride at different levels. But even this has its advantages. Sometimes we go on separate rides and if the timing works out, we will meet somewhere for lunch. We’ve both gotten to know each other’s riding buddies so we have twice as many WCC friends. Multi-level club events are awesome. This past summer we loved the Wednesday Night Fling. When we do ride together, Lew tries to gently push Shelly to ride a little faster and Shelly aggressively tries to slow Lew down (Shelly is more successful so these rides are slow), but it’s always a sweet time. We’ve talked about a tandem and that still might happen. It would be yet another way to share our passion for cycling.

Food

2012-01-03T15:07:00.004-05:00

I've been thinking about food, probably very typical of many people as we start a new year and resolve to "eat healthier" and lose some weight. I came across a very short "piece" written by Mark Bittman in the New York Times, acknowledging that while weight loss has become an obsession, most Americans do need to eat better. Whatever path you choose to eat better, they share a universal truth: eat more plants. And the corollary of that is to eat no meat and no dairy..... well, how about eating less meat and dairy to make room for more plants.
The "eat more plants" part made me think of Michael Pollan and I was able to find this article also published in the New York Times in which he lays out some basic rules for "eating better." There are 9 rules (which were expanded to 64 rules in his book, Food Rules) but they can be summarized in 7 words. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

I was a vegetarian for about 5 years. I went back to eating meat for several reasons, mostly because 1) I wasn't necessarily eating better as a vegetarian and 2) I was spending too much time in the kitchen because I was also preparing carnivorous meals for the rest of my family. But thinking about this over the last few days, maybe Bittman has the right idea, semi-vegan, just shifting away from carnivore and toward vegetarian. That would certainly be a shift in the right direction, a better balance.

The thinking about it part is easy, its the doing part that's tough. More to think about when I watch the season opener of The Biggest Loser this evening.

Just Do It

2012-01-02T09:07:00.002-05:00

I'm not big on new year resolutions. I do think about the year past and about keeping some guiding principles in play. It's more like a reaffirmation of what is important to me followed by a little pep talk with myself. I know what I need to do, now I need to just do it.

The year past certainly had many high points, most notably watching our children spread their wings and turn big corners in their lives. But the last 6 weeks of the year were rough..... Shelly v Truck sent me into a dark corner both physically and mentally. So one of my themes for 2012 will be getting out of that corner and being more active in many aspects of my life.

Yesterday I met a bunch of friends at the Rockies (the Rockefeller Preserve) for a nice walk. What a beautiful day, it certainly felt more like spring than January 1st. The we had a lovely brunch at Pat's house. The day was capped off by the Giants defeating the Cowboys. It was a good start, hopefully more good days ahead.

A Walk in the Winter Woods

2011-12-16T18:09:00.004-05:00

For On My Mind, on Rhonda's Down to Earth blog.

Better

2011-12-15T21:37:00.002-05:00

Getting better, getting back into synch, making better choices.

I still have some "issues," most notably my left hand. I probably injured the ligament that runs between the wrist and the thumb. Just about everything makes it hurt, still taking 2 advil every morning. It's going to take a long time to heal. Last week I had the giant butt hematoma "aspirated." I will spare you the details, but it involved lidocaine and a needle. The hematoma is much smaller and I am able to move about much more without any discomfort..... but I'm beginning to think my butt may never return to its pre-smash dimensions.

I have been more active, both indoors and outdoors. Some of my friends have been hiking, but I worry about keeping up for 7 or 8 miles, so I have been doing my own walking thing. I contemplated taking Nirvana (my hybrid bike) to the bike path, but it was a little too cold to be riding that slow! So I opted for a spin class. I haven't done any weight lifting because of my hand, but I think I might try using stretchy strength bands.

Being more active has definitely made want to make better food choices as well. It's still difficult to avoid all the holiday "extras" but at least I'm not having pumpkin pie for breakfast. I've been putting more time into cooking and food prep.

So things are getting better. My body is healing and my mind is thinking better thoughts. Looking forward to the next 2 weeks, visiting with friends and family, getting ready to move into the new year.

Two Weeks Out

2011-12-04T17:52:00.003-05:00

Its been 2 weeks since Shelly v. Truck. Overall I am doing well. The black and blues are receding, as are the scabs. The extra ass on my ass is definitely smaller, but still worthy of an identity (I wonder if the left half of my butt will ever return to pre-truck dimensions). The soreness and pain is much less, but I still have some issues, mostly my left thumb and hand. Luckily, I am right-handed, but there are so many "activities of daily living" that require use of both hands. These hurt. I can walk, but even little jumps send shock waves that seem to end at that left butt place of pain. I also have some difficulty sleeping.

I only took a half day off from work. But I have been doing some heavy duty resting. I have been spending most of my time at home, watching TV, reading, writing.....I think it was time well-spent. My body definitely needed and benefited from that down time. But I think it is time to start getting back in the game. I'm not ready to get back on my bike, or even spin. I can't do yoga, and I'm not sure if I can lift weights. It is time to start figuring out what I can do, because I'm sure I can do something, and something is way better than what I have been doing.

My spaceship is about to reenter the atmosphere. Time to get off the couch.

A Whole Lot of Nothing Going On

2011-11-27T22:11:00.004-05:00

It's been a tough week in our house. On Wednesday, DH went to LaGuardia Airport to pick up son #2. He called from the Bronx..... he drove over a big chunk of something and ripped out his transmission. So while he got towed, I drove to the airport and then picked up DH. His car spent Thanksgiving weekend in the Bronx. Tomorrow, DH will figure out the logistics of getting the transmission replaced.

Like DH's Mistubishi, I spent most of Thanksgiving weekend doing nothing. Unless giving yourself time to heal counts as something. Well, I did a few things, but nothing active.

Yesterday my cycling friends celebrated a birthday with a bunch of rides that all started at a nearby park.. After the rides, we gathered in the "pavilion," where they have a fireplace, electric outlets and picnic tables. I didn't ride, but I did make guacamole and get the fire started. We plugged in a couple of crockpots and had a giant pot luck after Thanksgiving party. At least I can participate in partying.

Today I did some cooking, and it wore me out. My left thumb/hand is still quite sore and all the food prep really made my hand (and some other body parts) hurt. Advil. I do feel like I am healing.....now I am getting impatient. The scabs, the bruises, the discomfort.....I know I need to cut myself some slack and just give my body the time it's going to need, however long that might be. I keep having to remind myself that I got hit by a truck a week ago. I will re-evaluate next weekend. Maybe I can start doing something, even if it's just going for a walk.

I did enjoy spending time with friends and family. My mom came up from Florida and we went to lunch and the movies together on Tuesday. Son #2 flew home from North Dakota. How wonderful to see him beaming and sharing his adventures as a student pilot. So proud of him. He exudes professionalism and responsibility for the lifestyle he has chosen. Son #1 met us at my brother's house on Thanksgiving. So proud of him, my working boy, also a responsible professional. And now its just DH and I. Trying to stay awake through the football game. Trying not to think about going back to work tomorrow after the long weekend. Business as usual in the empty nest.

The Atercrash Aftermath

2011-11-23T07:51:00.004-05:00

I'm doing well, all things considered. I am moving slower, but I went to work on Monday. I have had some interesting conversations with friends and colleagues. "Hi Shelly, how was your weekend.". "Uh, I got hit by a truck on Saturday and spent a few hours in the ER but nothing is broken.". A few friends are encouraging me to rethink this whole cycling thing. One suggested sticking to the bike trails, another suggested hiking as an alternative. I reminded her that I was attacked by bees while hiking. Son #2 suggested spinning classes. I know several others were thinking similar thoughts but didn't verbalized them. On the other hand, my DH went for a ride on Sunday, alone (after I assured him that I didn't need him to stay home with me).

I expected this. After all, I have had 2 serious accidents in the past 1.5 years. I've never thought about cycling as a dangerous sport, despite numerous accidents to club members every year. Most of those people are back on their bikes as soon as they are able. Right now I feel like one of those people. If I had a body and a bike in working order, I would be out there this weekend. Am I crazy?

The bike is fine, the back wheel needed to be trued, and she has a few new scratches. My favorite outdoor fitness jacket got a bit ripped up, I think I can patch it. I was wearing a pair of nice (unpadded) bike shorts over my very nice (padded) tights. The shorts are ripped up but the tights are fine. I may try to sew the shorts up with some bright colored embroidery thread, and make them my good luck bike shorts. As for me, it is going to take time. The bruising on my arm and butt are extreme. I hurt. The soreness has actually gotten a little worse over the last few days. It is the end of the season, so I don't feel like I am missing out on very much. This could take several months to really heal. So I will have time to think it all through but come spring, I hope Dolce and I are back on the road.

Truck 1, Shelly 0

2011-11-20T15:03:00.004-05:00

I have attended 4 meetings in the last 5 weeks: Boston, White Plains, Las Vegas, and Washington DC. It's been tough to do the right thing, with much less control over food and limited opportunities to work out. Plus I seemed to remain in sloth-mode even when I was home and had choices...... I was having difficulty getting turned around; I was not making good decisions.

This weekend was a good opportunity to make good things happen. Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful November day, and I went on a club ride, riding past many beautiful horse farms and reservoirs in northern Westchester County. I was having some difficulty keeping up (use it or lose it) and found myself at the very back of the ride with my friend Rick. We were at mile 21 of a 26 mile ride when I got hit by a truck. I got hit by a big fu*&^%n truck! As soon as he started to pass me, I realized he wasn't leaving me a lot of room. Then BAM, I got slammed on my left side. My next thought included the words violent and die. I really don't know what I looked like as I bounced off the truck into the woods. Luckily no guardrail or rocks. I landed hard on my butt and saw Rick riding toward me. At this point cars stopped in both directions and people were getting out to help me. I realized I was alive and although there was pain, I wasn't broken in half and my head hadn't hit the road. I was able to stand, legs and pelvis intact. I didn't need an ambulance. A very nice man named Tom offered to put me and Rick and our bikes in his truck and take me the remaining 5 miles to my car. When we got back and talked with our friends, we realized this asshole almost hit 4 or 5 other riders. Unfortunately, nobody got a plate number or even a good description of the truck.

My left arm was starting to really swell and it really hurt so I called my husband and he picked me up and took me to the emergency room. By the time I got into a treatment room and took off my clothes, I had a bruise on the left side of my butt the size of a dinner plate. Left arm wasn't looking too good either. Luckily I was totally covered in multiple layers so the abrasions/road rash were not too bad. The x-rays were negative, nothing is broken.

I am very bruised and very sore. I am very grateful that I am alive and not seriously hurt. A big thank you to my club friends who took care of me. The truck won, but I am not planning on a rematch. One close encounter with a truck per lifetime is one more than anyone should endure.

Big Day for My Boys

2011-09-30T18:12:00.002-04:00

I got a phone call from son #2 this morning. He flew solo today. Yes, my son is studying aviation at the University of North Dakota, and today he took off and landed an airplane all by himself. He had told us a week or so ago that this day was coming, and I told him not to tell me when it was going to happen until it was done (I really didn't want to sit around and worry about it). Very exciting. That's my flyboy.

This afternoon we packed up 2 cars. Son #1 is moving to Arlington VA tomorrow. He graduated from the University of Delaware in May and he has a job with Ernst and Young. Also very exciting.

My boys are all grown up..... when did that happen? It seems like just yesterday that I was walking with them to the bus stop...... And now they are flying airplanes and furnishing an apartment.

I am a proud mom.

Riding on An Autumn Summer Day

2011-09-27T20:50:00.002-04:00

I feel like I have been neglecting my bike for the past 2 weeks, so I made a promise to myself by posting a ride on the club's ride board. I have to show up if I'm the ride leader! During the week, the club's ride board belongs to the retired and self-, un-, under- and part-time employed. Today I had Mary Ellen (self-employed) and Elliott (retired) join me (part-time employed). It was surprisingly hot, it certainly felt like a summer day, but the leaves are starting to change and line the sides of the road. Halloween decorations are starting to show up and the cider mill is open. But I will take a summer day any time of the year. It sure felt good to be rolling down those roads, climbing those hills, and getting a good sweat going. It made me happy!

DH and I are helping son #1 move down to Arlington VA this weekend, so there will be no time-on-bike. Might have to get out there again on Friday.

Body Pump

2011-09-20T20:20:00.006-04:00

Since my personal trainer got fired, I haven't been focusing on my strength with any kind of consistency. Menopause is associated with muscle loss and I'm really noticing this.... I need to lift weights on a regular basis if I have any hope of reversing this trend. So today I took my first ever Body Pump class.

Body Pump is a weight lifting program done as a group exercise class. In 1 hour, we worked through most of the major muscle groups. The class is broken into several segments, each with its own music. Between segments I was able to change the amount of weight on my barbell to get ready for the next segment. I used very low weights and focused on keeping proper form to avoid injury. I've been lifting weights for years, and there was nothing new or different in Body Pump, other than the group exercise vibe (but I've done that too). The bottom line is that I did a strength workout today, it was tough even though I used very light weights, and I didn't have to pay a personal trainer to get it done. And it was fun.

I'm feeling the soreness setting in..... can't wait to do it again!

Vacation part 3

2011-09-18T21:51:00.006-04:00

Cycling along the Columbia River Gorge was definitely the hilight of our vacation. The old highway, built in the early 1900, was designed to take advantage of the beautiful landscape. The road makes elegant curves and the grsde never exceeds 5%. The roads climbs to beautiful vistas and overlooks that are 700-800 feet above the river. Although never steep, these ascents (and descents) are 4-5 miles long. I was ready for this! The 2 days we spent riding on the Highway along the gorge was probably the best cycling I have ever experienced. Climbing to those vistas and looking out over the river and the gorge...... it was just awesome.

And when you're done riding, microbreweries are abundant.

Vacation Part 2

2011-09-13T09:05:00.008-04:00

After gorging ourselves on pad thai and books, we were picked up by Phil, our Lifecycle Adventures guide/chauffeur/Sherpa. A few thoughts about Lifecycle Adventures. DH and I had a window of opportunity to take this vacation. I found this travel company by googling "Oregon cycling vacation" and they had a guided tour that fit our time frame. I found some favorable reviews about them online, but this was a bit of a leap of faith. When we booked it, we were told that 1 other couple had signed up, and they required a minimum of 6 people to have someone riding with you. With just the 4 of us, we would have only van support. Our biggest concern (fear?) was having to spend 6 days with 2 people that we really disliked or 25 year old hammerheads that ride 100 miles before breakfast. So we waited and hoped some more people would book this tour, but in the end it was just the 4 of us. As soon as we got in the van and met Kim and Deb, we knew we didn't have to worry. Roughly the same age, fairly close in cycling abilities, looking for the same kind of experience, friendly, warm...... We lucked out and had a great time sharing our vacation with them. As for not having someone riding with us, that was not a problem either. The van was always close by. We always had access to food, water, tools, guidance, first aid, anything that we needed. We actually did have someone riding with us for 2 of the 6 days, but that was a bonus. That gave us a little more flexibility and another friendly person to chat with, but van support was perfectly fine.

Now, about the cycling......
we got in the van and headed to Carlton where we geared up and began our explorations of the Willamette Valley, the land of pinot noir, where all the hills are covered with vineyards, and blackberry bushes in full bloom, and farms with giant blocks of hay that look like they fell out of the sky in a giant game of tetris. The sun was shining and we rode up and down hills, over country roads, to various tasting rooms and eventually making our way to a beautiful B&B in McMinville. Then of course there was dinner at a fabulous french restaurant with more wine and good company. The next day was more of the same, with more miles down more beautiful country roads with more tasting rooms and a tapas restaurant when we returned to McMinville for dinner. We spent 2 days around Mt. Hood, but it was cool, cloudy and misty. We finally made our way to Hood River, on the Columbia River Gorge. But first enjoy the Willamette Valley.

The Vacation Part 1

2011-09-11T22:19:00.002-04:00

DH and I have returned from a wonderful vacation in Oregon and Colorado. We built this vacation around a cycling tour in Oregon and a party in Denver. The timing worked perfectly, the cycling tour was awesome and we had time around the edges to explore and visit. Everything came together (except for our luggage which was MIA for the first couple of days).

We started in Bend Oregon because we heard it was a really nice place to visit and potentially live. Bend is in central Oregon, in the high desert. The whole town has an outdoor fitness vibe that I loved, and a vibrant community of retirees that I would probably learn to love. All roads in Bend lead to Mt. Bachelor. We took the chair lift to the summit and spent an hour or two admiring the beautiful mountains. We visited the local bike shop and bookstore and the stuffed french toast at the Alpenglow Cafe was awesome! French toast stuffed with fresh strawberries and crema cheese......... now that's serious breakfast food.

Our luggage arrived just in time to drag it back to the airport for a quick flight over the mountains to Portland. We only had 1 day in Portland but we made the best of it. First we walked a few blocks to a giant collection of food trucks. We finally ordered a giant mountain of pad thai and devoured it! Then we descended upon the bibliophiles place of worship in Portland..... Powell's Books. We managed to spend a few hours there and could have easily spent several more hours there. What an awesome place.

The next morning we were picked up by Lifecycle Adventures and our 6 day/5 night Oregon Cycling Adventure began.

Dirt

2011-08-21T15:11:00.012-04:00

Yesterday I went for a ride in Dutchess County. It was a spectacular summer day and the 40 mile ride took us to the lovely town of Millbrook, where we stopped for lunch at Babette's Kitchen. Everything happened according to plan and it was just about perfect.

So today I opted for imperfection, for the unplanned and the unknown. I put on my purple Keens with orange socks. I pumped up the tires on Nirvana, my hybrid, and headed for the Old Croton Aqueduct. I rode dirt.

Construction of the Croton Aqueduct began in 1837 to bring water to NYC. From 1842-1955, the tunnel carried water from the Croton Dam to NYC's reservoirs. Eventually, as NYC's population grew, the aqueduct was inadequate and was replaced by the New Croton Aqueduct. But the 26 miles footpath atop the old aqueduct, from the Croton Dam to the NYC line has remained, and it became a state historic park in 1968.

This was only my second adventure on the aqueduct. I know where it starts, and that it is one trail, not a network of trails on which you can get lost. But here's the thing-- even though it is one trail, it is not a complete 26 mile straight run. There are places where it runs through private property, so you end up on local streets and you have to wiggle around to get back onto the aqueduct. Hence the map.... and the cue sheet from my friend Deb who rides on the aqueduct much more often and knows how to do these wiggling around parts.

The first time I tried this, I navigated about 5 or 6 miles and got lost twice, even with the map and the cue sheet! Today I made it about 7 miles before I decided to turn around because a big storm seemed imminent (I actually called DH and had him pick me up when I saw the big lightening streaks).

I really enjoyed this adventure but it was VERY HARD WORK. First the machine-- fat tires and much more weight really slow you down. I could not believe how I was huffing and puffing going up even little hills. Then the terrain-- tire sucking mud plus the dirt and rocks and you're going nowhere fast. And this wasn't even difficult terrain. Luckily it was mostly really flat (actually the aqueduct was constructed to drop 13 inches per mile). I did have to push my bike up one short but very steep hill. The trail crosses many roads and I had to dismount often, that was a little annoying. Nirvana's little computer has needed a new battery for quite a while, so I have no idea how fast I was traveling, how long I was out there, or more than a general idea of how far I got. But that suited me just fine.... I was rolling along, taking photos, and contemplating anything that came into my head as long as it wasn't important.

The aqueduct trail is surprisingly diverse. There are parts that are very wide,

other parts are single track,

and even sections that are more like a suggestion of an indentation in the grass.

There are stone structures that are the vents and weir chambers, and big signs that explain what a weir chamber is.

In one of the more urban sections, I traveled over some pavement. I even had to carry my bike down a flight of stairs.

I am determined to navigate the entire 26 miles of the aqueduct. I may have to enlist my friend Deb in this effort. She recently led a ride for the club that traveled down through the Bronx on the aqueduct and came back up on the bike path. But of course it was on a day that I couldn't make it. I may try to do it in sections (kinda like people hiking the entire Appalachian Trail). In fact, I'm already considering where to start further south for my third exploration of the Old Croton Aqueduct.

I Ride For Pie

2011-08-16T22:21:00.009-04:00

This past weekend was The Farm Ride, in western Massachusetts. The ride "headquarters" was the North Dorm at U Mass Amherst. About 45 cyclists from my club made the trip, and we all stayed at a crappy HoJos, because the hotel had a pool.

Saturday was the main event, and on an absolutely perfect day, all participants (henceforth referred to as Farmers) had a choice of 27, 77, or 100 miles. I opted for the 27 miler, due to recent back issues. Although I had ridden the day before with no pain, I did not want to take a chance. (I wish there had been an option for something between 27 and 77). It was nice to slow down and appreciate the world we were rolling through. And the pie. The routes were fairly flat, and the roads were beautiful, through the farmlands of western Mass. We rolled into the first rest stop and there were fresh fruit pies, with whipped cream! as well as Oreos, Larabar bites, Fig Newtons, mixed nuts, fresh peaches, bananas, peanut butter jelly snadwiches, and other goodies that I just can't remember. But pie works for me. Eventually we were able to separate ourselves from the snacks and we continued on our journey to the site of the feast. This was the real deal.... grilled burgers, sausage and hotdogs, salads, corn on the cob, and pie... ala mode! and free massages!!!!

Eventually all the Farmers made it back to our hotel and gathered around the pool for cocktails.... but that was just to get us in the mood for the dorm party and the Vertigo Martini Lounge. Since most of the Farmers stay in the dorm, that is the logical place for folks to gather and party. Farmers are invited to suggest a theme for a party room in the dorm, and if approved, you receive a "party grant" to fund your extravaganza. My club sponsored the Vertigo Martini Lounge. This is the sign at the door:

Yeah, pants optional. That's why I wore a dress. I can't post any pictures from INSIDE the Vertigo Martini Lounge because most of these people have respectable and high-powered jobs! Besides, what happens in the Vertigo Martini Lounge, stays in the Vertigo Martini Lounge.

When we considered riding on Sunday morning, it was raining. No decisions to be made, other than where to have breakfast before heading home. Since there were no pie options at 9 am on a Sunday at the crappy HoJos, we drove into Northampton to Sylvesters for pancakes. Because if you can't have pie, pancakes are a fantastic 2nd choice, especially with real maple syrup.

Driving home in the torrential downpours was a drag, but it wasn't that far and it was worth it. For the pie.... and the martinis...... and the company of friends.... and even for the 27 mile ride.

Come Ride With Us

2011-08-11T21:10:00.002-04:00

This is my first photobook. I was very pleased at how easy this was to put together. Might have to find more reasons to create photobooks, other than laying low because of ouchy back.
p.s back is much better today. I think I will be able to ride on Saturday, although I may have to downgrade to 30 miles. I will take lots of pictures to get started on Vol 2 of Come Ride With Us.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Ouch! This Really Sucks

2011-08-10T22:23:00.004-04:00

I was at work yesterday. I was sitting. I stood up and had pain in my lower back on the right side. The pain got worse over the next few hours, whenever I stood up and tried to walk.
I have no idea what might have angered my lower back. Is this inflammation or injury?
I have never ever had back pain or back problems.
Having back pain whenever you stand and walk around really sucks. Ouchy!

Chiropractor Naproxen Ice Rest.

This weekend is the Farm Ride in Amherst MA. I'm supposed to be riding 66 miles on Saturday. This really sucks.

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about the need to do other things, like swimming and yoga. Even if it means less time on my bike? That really sucks.

Solo Photo Safari

2011-08-07T21:33:00.003-04:00

I spend a good amount of time on Flickr. One of the many groups I have joined is the "100 Possibilities Project." You take 100 photographs of the same object. I am taking 100 photos of Dolce, my bike.

The weather this morning was drizzly wet yucky. But the skies started to brighten and I decided to take Dolce for a leisurely ride at about 11:00. Although it wasn't raining, it felt like it should have been, because the humidity was at least 100%. Took the elph and my journey turned into a little photo safari, with Dolce as my model. We made stops along the way, whenever the scenery invited a photo. It was fun. I got a few good picturtes that I will add to the Dolce collection. Only need 86 more photos to get to 100.

Rolling in the Deep

2011-08-06T16:01:00.006-04:00

The bike club has 6 levels of rides -- A, B+, B, C+, C and D (A is the fastest and D is the slowest). Each level has a ride coordinator. I am the D ride coordinator. That is the level for which it is most difficult to get rides posted because many D riders -- aka D(ivas), without regard to gender-- don't feel secure enough in their skills to lead a ride. Many of them cannot change a flat, and they worry about that, among other things. If nobody else steps up to lead a D ride, then I will usually post one. All my rides are named with song titles (That also gives me the option of posting a link to a music video in the ride description, which is always kinda fun).

Most D ride leaders try to find "easy" rides, relatively flat (which is very difficult in Westchester County), and usually less than 25 miles. My philosophy is different. I find a ride that is challenging for D riders (and there's alot to choose from) and then I just go slow. I try to push my D(ivas) to ride stronger and longer. Last week I did a hill ride for the D(ivas)-- Hot Fun in the Summertime-- 25 miles with 1800 ft elevation (73 ft/mile is hilly), and today I did a long ride, 41 miles but kept it as flat as I could (54 ft/mile). Today's ride was Rolling in the Deep. Many of us had to dig a little deep to get through the last 5 miles, which was more uphill than down.

Not everyone wants to be pushed to ride stronger and longer. I was glad that 9 D(ivas) came out for the challenge today. The speed of the group did vary quite a bit, which means I often had to wait for the slower people, but I promised 41 slow miles, and I was happy to see them complete the ride.

The only way you are going to get stronger is by pushing yourself. After today's ride, I hope these D(ivas) will not be afraid to take on the challenge of a longer or more difficult (hillier) ride. It's worked for me, although I am still "slow twitch."

Another Unique NYC Adventure

2011-07-27T15:53:00.006-04:00

This adventure did not involve a bicycle! I took the subway to 23rd St. and 8th Ave and visited the High Line. The High Line is an urban park on the west side of Manhattan that used to be an elevated freight train line. It was abandoned many years ago and was going to be demolished until some community activists began a campaign to "save the High Line." The first section of the park was opened in 2009, and the 2nd section was opened this spring. When completed, the High Line will be 1.5 miles long.

It is beautiful. The gardens that flow along the rails are very lush and wild. They definitely evoke a sense of what the High Line looked like before it was "reclaimed." Being above the streets is a unique way to experience the city. There are all kinds of interesting buildings, old and new that are above and alongside the park. The design includes benches and alcoves and even wooden chaise lounges built into the park.

Notably, there are only a few vendors within the park. I did not see 1 Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts for the entire 2 hours I spent there. I did enjoy a delicious blackberry ice pop, perfect on a hot summer day. Chic new cafes and eateries are flourishing beneath the High Line and a "food court" of food trucks can be found at the northern end.

The High Line is a photographic playground. Between the gardens, the people, the buildings, and the juxtaposition of NYC, it would be easy to take 100 photos while visiting. But I have been experiencing bad camera karma over the past few days..... make that weeks. Yesterday was the pinnacle of bad karma. I could not find my DSLR, so I grabbed my little Elph. I took about 5 photos before the battery ran out of juice. I always bring an extra battery, but not this time.....I was SO frustrated. I will have to return to the High Line with a fully loaded camera bag! DH really wants to get there too, so I will definitely be back, probably more than once.

A Little of This, a Little of That

2011-07-25T08:46:00.006-04:00

Son #2 saw something about "an afternoon of vintage baseball" that was happening in Hawley PA, a town near the summer camp where he and son #1 are working. DH and I decided to go visit with the kids and watch some vintage baseball-- a great combination for a hot summer Saturday.

The vintage baseball was so interesting. We saw them play with 1898 rules. The most obvious difference is no gloves (the least obvious difference is no steroids). It is MUCH more difficult to field the ball when you don't have a big old glove! Many of their bats were homemade, and they wore vintage uniforms. It was a fun way to spend a few hours, even if the game was a blow out---Brooklyn Atlantics 21, Roxbury Nine 2.

On Sunday, we celebrated the marriage of our friends from the cycling club, Katie and Victor. (These (lunatics) friends were married last month atop Whiteface Mt. after racing to the top. Katie wore a veil under her helmet and a sash that said "The Bride"... Victor wore his best spandex.) Of course the celebration for all their club friends had to include cycling, so.... we scheduled a bunch of rides nearby Katie's parents' home on Roaring Brook Lake (the big hills of Putnam), and when we were done, we gathered there for the party. We do love to find excuses to have parties in conjunction with our rides, but this was no excuse, this was bona fide. It was a great way to spend a good chunk of Sunday.

Somehow we managed to get through the heat wave without too much difficulty. We'll see how we do as the weather heats up again over the next few days.

A Unique Cycling Adventure on a Perfect Day

2011-07-16T19:12:00.011-04:00

We drove to Palisades Park in Englewood Cliffs and got on our bikes. We rode over the George Washington Bridge

and after a little confusion and a lecture from an NYPD officer (we made a left in front of the no left turn sign, against traffic, and rode up on the sidewalk-- other that we were fine), we found our way to the Greenway which runs along the entire west side of Manhattan.

We rode along the Hudson, and I got a sense of the urban summer, people coming over to the parks along the river to picnic, read, walk their dogs, play tennis and basketball, run. I saw lots of people carrying cargo of all types on their bikes, from lawn chairs to groceries to dogs. We had to navigate through and around the crowds especially in lower Manhattan, and staying on the Greenway/bikepath was tricky. We had to detour around the site of the tower rising at One World Trade Center. We finally arrived at the ferry to take us to Governor's Island...... about 3 minutes too late for the once every hour on the hour ferry. So.... we got ourselves some refreshments and got on the next ferry..... with every school-aged child attending a day camp in the borough of Manhattan. There were hundreds of camp kids on that ferry! The island is only 1/2 mile away, so ferry ride takes about 7 minutes. When we disembarked, we explored the island. As we circumnavigated the island, we had photo ops galore, with fantastic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan.

After about an hour or so, we got back on the ferry and rode back to and over the GW Bridge.

What a unique adventure that can only be done on a bike. I would have liked to spend more time on the island with my camera. I probably would have liked to spend more time taking photos along the river, too. My husband wasn't able to come on this adventure, and he would like to get to Governor's Island, so maybe I will have another chance on another day...... perhaps after the summer when the crowds thin out.

Da Bomb

2011-07-14T09:41:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, my friend Bob invited me to a BBQ at 2:00, knowing that we both wanted to join the Wednesday Night Fling (the Fling is a series of rides of various lengths—11, 14, 22, or 25 miles) that all begin at the same place at 5:30 or 6:00). Yesterday evening was perfect for a beautiful ride through the back roads of Greenwich CT, and I knew many of my riding peeps would be there, ready to roll.

I got to Bob’s place at 2:30, and he announced that he was just about ready to go buy the food!! WTF?? When he returned from the A&P, he lit the charcoals, and we had to wait for the grill to heat up (as much as I appreciate charcoal, I am a propane girl). I didn't want to be rude, after my friend went to all this trouble to have us over for lunch, and by this time I was pretty hungry..... so I finally ate my hamburger at 4:30. And it was delicious. But it was a mistake.

When I got on my bike at 5:30, I realized that the hamburger bomb in my gut was going to explode if I put any effort into turning the cranks. I watched my peeps disappear down Riversville Road and considered my options. I could try to stay with them on tired legs (did I mention I had already ridden 25 miles that morning) and hope I would feel better after throwing up. I could just do what I could do and avoid vomiting and feel sorry for myself for being so slow. I could cut the ride short, sit around and wait for my friends to get back while letting the hamburger digest. I opted for the last option, no sufferfest or pity party. I rode 10 miles and that was that. From now on, the hamburgers will be eaten AFTER the ride.

Just Call Me Slow Twitch

2011-07-12T15:38:00.001-04:00

One day last week I left work a little early and when I got home, I jumped on my bike. DH and I are very lucky (and probably a little spoiled). We can open the garage door and go, “where the hills are abundant and all roads lead to the Croton Dam.” That is how I describe riding in our corner of Westchester County. And I have finally taken my husband’s advice and stopped worrying about the hills. It’s futile, anyway. It doesn’t matter which way you go, there will be hills. In fact, I am learning to love the hills…. because if doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. And I’m still here blogging about the hills, so they haven’t killed me.
I have ridden consistently over the last 3 months and I’m definitely stronger, especially when climbing, but stronger has not translated into faster. I can ride longer and it feels easier, but similar to my recent experience in the pool, I have 1 speed—SLOW. I guess I am all slow twitch fibers.

I suppose if I really wanted to I could get myself a coach, start riding intervals and hill repeats, drink protein shakes, and buy a $5,000 bike. That combination might increase my average speed by 1 or 2 mph……But I don’t want to do any of those things.

So I am stuck at slow, slow but strong! I will push myself to ride further and faster, because that’s how you get stronger. I will climb those hills, and take photos when I get to the top. I will ride fewer miles than my faster friends, but we will all meet up at the end for the party. I might even catch them on the way up some of those hills.

Missing Elph and Loving Flowers

2011-07-03T09:40:00.009-04:00

My addiction to pocket-sized cameras goes way back. In the early 80s I bought an Olympus XA, which has become a classic camera. That camera was in my pocket on many adventures. I remember being somewhere and thinking, I wish I had my BIG camera, instead of just the XA. Well, when I got the pictures DEVELOPED (remember film? you had to pay to get the pictures developed) I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderfulness of the pictures I had taken with the simplest little Olympus XA that I pulled out of my pocket at perfect photo ops.

Now fast forward to the digital era and the XA has been replaced by a Canon 850, aka the Elph. I love my Elph and take it just about everywhere. One of my new year resolutions was to always have Elph in my pocket. Well, maybe not always, but almost always. I may not always take it out, but I do have it with me. I even have a special "pocket" for it on my bike.

Last weekend, when I packed to go to my niece's wedding, I put the Elph, and an extra battery and the battery charger in my bag. I never saw the extra battery and the charger again. I have no idea what happened to them. But when the I wanted to replace the battery 5 minutes into the wedding, I didn't have it.

I thought about just going into the nearest Best Buy and replacing them...... $40. Then I found the charger and the battery at Overstock.com for under $10 (including shipping). So I am sitting out a few days without my Elph. Actually, I am looking at a very sad powerless Elph and waiting for the magic Elph Juice to revive my pocket wonder.

Not having the Elph has given me the opportunity to share the love. On Friday DH and I went to the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx. The NYBG is my home turf... I grew up nearby and I have spent a decent amount of time there over the years. DH, on the other hand, doesn't ever remember being there, even though he too grew up in the Bronx. We spent a good part of the day there, exploring the Enid Haupt Conservatory, the perennial garden and the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. Out came the Canon Rebel and the macro lens. I took 140 photos! Enjoy a few flowers.

One Speed

2011-07-01T21:54:00.003-04:00

Today I did something I haven't done in many months......
I got in the pool.

It wasn't easy, but that's the price I have to pay for staying away so long. I tried not to overthink it, instead I just got in and kept going. I realized I only have 1 speed in the pool-- SLOW. It wasn't pathetically slow, but I really couldn't modify it very much. Try to go faster, start huffing and puffing, try to go slower and sink. But it felt great to be moving through the water. I need to do this more often.

I tried to do some kicking but I didn't bring my fins. The fins that the club has are really in bad shape and none of them really fit so that didn't work too well. Time to throw the fins in my car, along with my helmet and bike gear. Next time I will be ready. Remind me that I need to do this more often.

Pushups, Squats, and Planks Oh My!

2011-06-24T21:54:00.004-04:00

I've been working with my new trainer, whose mantra is "Pushups, Squats and Planks, Always." Whatever else she has me doing, I'm doing pushups, squats and planks. You can imagine how many variations there are of these 3 classic exercises. Today's variations involved the TRX. And I can already feel the soreness settling into my back, shoulders and abs.

The weather has been crappy. Wednesday night's ride was cancelled, Thursday brought scary storms, and today the threat of big storms kept me off my bike. Tomorrow morning DH and I are each going to ride solo.

The reason we are not going on club rides tomorrow is because my niece is getting married tomorrow evening, and we will be heading out in the afternoon. I don't want to get sucked into the time warp of a club ride. I want to have the time to make sure I have everything I need to get all gussied up, don't want to be rushed! Another chance to visit family..... the week started with the sadness of a funeral and will end with the happiness of a wedding..... the circle of life.

I bought my husband a new cycling jersey for Father's Day. It arrived and he loves it:

Visiting Family

2011-06-22T21:19:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I went to a funeral for my cousin Barbara. She lost her battle with lung cancer at 65 years young. I really didn't know her very well, in fact, I barely knew her. The combination of her having grown up in Ohio and the 10 years difference in our ages probably accounts for that. But after hearing her husband and her sons talk about her, I feel like I really missed out. I think I would have enjoyed getting to know her and spending time with her.

Barbara was buried in the same cemetery as the rest of my family, so I was able to visit with all four of my grandparents and my father. Being at their graves with no other family members around gave me the chance to think about my special relationships with each of them. I saw myself as a young child with my grandmother in the kitchen, driving my other grandmother to the doctor, learning how to hammer nails with one grandfather and going to the beach with my other grandfather. Of course my memories of my father were a giant mishmash of good times and bad times, of places and people, and feelings of sadness that he he wasn't there for so many celebrations in the 9 years that he's been gone.

In Judaism,when someone dies, we say, "may his memory be a blessing." And that is a perfect description of what I was feeling when all these memories washed over me as I stood at their graves. How blessed I am that I had these people in my life for so many years, so much love, so many life lessons. I left the cemetery to go home to my loving husband, to conversations with my mom and my sons.... I had such a wonderful time visiting my family. In time, I am sure that Barbara's immediate family will have those same feelings when they visit her. Her memory will be a blessing, too.

Crossroads

2011-06-19T20:58:00.004-04:00

There is a lovely cafe in Somers that is owned by a member of the bike club. As much as we like the bagel shop in Somers, we always make Tazza Cafe our rest stop when our rides take us through that part of the cycling universe. Ed, the owner purchased a bike rack for the parking lot and he usually has a big box of Clif bars which he offers gratis. We are happy to give him our business. Yesterday 3 rides stopped at Tazza. Thats about 50 riders-- lots of iced coffee and muffins! Luckily our arrivals were somewhat staggered.

Tazza was at the crossroads, with meetups as the 3 rides rolled in and out. There are many couples in the club who, like DH and I ride at different levels. Joel and David were on the D ride, and met up with wives Amy and Cathy when the C ride showed up. I had slowed down to lead a D ride, and I was happy to see my faster friends. It was also a chance for anyone who pushed the pace to fall back with a slower group and take it easier on the way back.

It was a great weekend for riding and celebrating. One of my cycling club friends celebrated her 60th birthday on Saturday. On a beautiful evening, we feasted, drank champagne, and enjoyed a great big carrot cake! It doesn't get much better-- a big party sandwiched between 2 beautiful days of riding.

Happy Fathers Day to my DH and all the other dads out there. Nothing fancy here. Our kids are not home, so we did what we usually do on Sundays. I spent a little extra time preparing a nice dinner-- Cuban spiced pork tenderloin, Moroccan carrot salad with fresh mint, and artichokes with spicy peanut sauce. Of course I thought about my dad and all the things he did with me and for me. But I also realized that I think those thoughts often, I don't need Fathers Day to turn my thoughts in that direction. But thinking about my dad has definitely increased my happy quotient for this weekend.

Thacher State Park

2011-06-17T17:09:00.006-04:00

On Thursday morning, I got up real early to drive to Thacher State Park. I didnt remember how long the Indian Ladder Trail is, so I left myself plenty of time so I wouldn't be rushed. The trail is fairly short, maybe a half mile. Its not really strenuous either (except for the stairs at the beginning and end of the trail). It is more a walk that should be savored for the beauty of the cliffs and vistas of the valley. I'm so glad I made the time to visit. I was there for about an hour, took about 50 photos with my little Canon, and then finished my journey to Rensselaerville (only 18 miles away).

I was going to visit the Huyck Preserve today on my way home, but it's a foggy rainy day, not a good day for the great outdoors. Oh well. So I downloaded and edited the photos from Thacher. Here's a few:

Planning a Minor Adventure

2011-06-15T12:28:00.003-04:00

As a member of SUNY's (State University of New York) faculty and significant involvement with the University Faculty Senate, I travel to many out-of-the-way places throughout New York State. Whenever I make these excursions (typically 3 days/2 nights), I try to fit in a little adventure or sightseeing, if I am traveling by car. I have brought my bike on several of these trips. Tomorrow I am going to a meeting in Rensselaerville, only for 1 night. Our meeting starts with lunch and ends in the late afternoon on Friday. I scouted out bike routes using Ridewithgps, and all the routes anywhere near Rensselaerville have very substantial climbs (of course with corresponding hair raising descents). I try not to let the hills scare me, but I don't like riding on roads that I've never ridden before with very hilly terrain, especially solo. So I am planning a different adventure.

When I was an undergrad at SUNY Albany, one of my favorite places to visit was Thacher State Park. The park is atop the Helderberg Escarpment (fancy word for big cliff) and the most popular trail travels along the bottom of this cliff.

Tomorrow morning I am going to get up really early to drive up to Thacher and spend a couple of hours there, before finishing my journey to Rensselaerville (which is less than 20 miles away). Its supposed to be a beautiful day and I am looking forward to this little hiking adventure on the Indian Ladder Trail. Hope to bring back some nice photos too.

The Roads

2011-06-04T21:51:00.011-04:00

Change Is Good

2011-06-03T22:03:00.003-04:00

I've been working with a personal trainer for a few years. It gets me to the gym and lifting weights at least once a week. My trainer is very traditional. Although we did work with free weights, she usually had me using the full assortment of weight machines. Sometimes I felt her workouts weren't dynamic, but whatever she was asking me to do, it was working. The day after I was always sore in very many places, and I had muscles! Besides, it was awkward to try to work with a different trainer since I didn't really have other days or times to get to the gym.

Then, last week, my trainer called me to tell me that she got fired! She's been arguing with the boss man for the past few months, and she pushed him a bit too far and was shown the door.

So I kinda got my wish. I had purchased a 12 pack of trainer sessions and I still had six left, so I started working with one of the other trainers yesterday. Yes, change is good. I told her I want to work more on core and balance as well as more traditional strength training. Today I woke up sore in new places, especially the smaller muscles all around my core. Be careful what you wish for!

Riding with the B Boys

2011-05-22T20:36:00.003-04:00

Today was the Bloomin' Metric, a ride sponsored by the Sound Cyclists (a neighboring bike club), that starts on the beach in Norwalk and travels beautiful roads ion Fairfield CT. They offer several mileage options including a metric century. I'm not sure why I've never done the Bloomin' Metric, especially since it's a favorite of so many members of my club. But this year there was no "day of" registration, and by the time I thought about it, it was sold out.

I decided to have breakfast with some of my girlfriends and ride in the afternoon, for a change. So I posted a C ride, knowing that I would probably only get a handful of folks to join me, since most of my peeps would be doing the Bloomin' Metric. To make my ride even less attractive, today was not a nice day. It was drizzly in the mroning, and the sun never came out. I had to put on an extra layer, since the temperature barely made it to 60 degrees, even during the warmest part of the day.

The Rider Formerly Known as Slow Rider Bob showed up. He had already taken a spin class, so he didn't mind going slow. Then Nick showed up. He had to work in the morning, and he decided he didn't want to ride alone. Then Peter rolled into the parking lot quite by accident. He didn't even know my ride was on the schedule, but why ride fast but solo when you can ride slow with some of your buddies. It was me and the fast boys. Uh oh. I was feeling a little intimidated because they are all way faster than me. Well, it turned out to be a great ride. Having them with me certainly pushed me to push to ride a little faster, but they always stayed with me. Bob made sure to stay behind me, letting me set the pace, for the entire 32 miles. Nick pulled me up some of the hills, and when we stopped at our favorite cafe, he bought me an iced coffee. When we finished, my final speed was definitely higher than my usual. It was also a chance to get to know these people a little better and they are all good people. It was a great ride, a great opportunity to challenge myself, and fun to connect with the B boys.

16 on Friday, 20 on Saturday and 32 on Sunday. Not too bad for a weekend when it was either raining or always looking like it was going to rain.

Pay it Forward

2011-05-21T17:17:00.005-04:00

I have a few friends in the bike club that are doing their first triathlon in 2 weeks. When they asked for some advice, I told them they have to do an open water swim before the race. And I promised them I would take them to a nearby pond with my little inflatable boat to get this done.

Three years ago, a few friends from the bike club who are also triathletes took me on my first open water swim before my return to triathlon after about 20 years. I had never worn a wet suit before and when I hit the cold water, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I freaked out. I was able to slay my open water demons the next week, but if my friends hadn't taken me for that swim, I never would have made it through the swim during the race. So today was my chance to pay it forward.

The Weather Gods, who have been very grumpy this past week, smiled upon us today. It was actually a lovely day, and the water was a little cold, but not as shockingly cold as I expected it to be. Three out of four of them had no problem. Rachelle quite enjoyed it-- she would have stayed in the water for a nice long swim if we could have worked it out. One of them struggled, just as I did 3 years ago. But she did get through it. Hope she will be okay at her race, because getting through the swim is all mental.

Speaking of mental, this past week in the NY metro area has been tough on the psyche. We had over 5 inches of rain. Between the downpours, we had never ending drizzle, fog, impending storms and consistent gloom. Wednesday ride canceled, Thursday ride canceled. I finally got out for a short ride yesterday evening. That was nice. And the world did not end so tomorrow I will ride again!

p.s. My husband went to his college reunion. I did not go with him because I promised to do this OWS today. But I did give him my little camera for the occasion. I miss my little Canon! I would have liked to take a picture of my friends today in their wetsuits.

Rainy Days and Mondays

2011-05-16T22:11:00.002-04:00

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.......and today was both, a double downer.
Monday is my "long day." I work morning, afternoon, and evening, which is considered 1.5 days. It can be a tough day, especially since Mondays tend to be very busy. But the time does go very quickly and before you have time to really think about it, the day is over and you're really hungry and on your way home.

Today was tougher than usual. We were short staffed, and overbooked, a bad combination. When I finally had a few minutes to step out to get something to eat, it was drizzly cloudy ugly. And the forecast is for rainy cloudy ugly for the next 4 or 5 days! Rainy days on Monday through Friday-- that can really get you down.

On My Mind...Quail Eggs

2011-05-14T21:20:00.002-04:00

I'm lucky enough to live just a few miles from a real working farm. Now, some of you might not think that is a really big deal, but I live in Westchester County, which is a fairly wealthy suburb of NYC. Just about every farm in Westchester has been sold to developers to build McMansions. But the family that has owned the farm since 1939 has fought mightily to keep the farm and sell their products directly to the community. Their organic meat is fabulous. Today I stopped in and I bought these quail eggs. I placed a "regular" chicken egg in the photo so you can appreciate how tiny the quail eggs are. I've never eaten quail eggs, but they are so beautiful that I can only imagine how beautiful they must taste. I'm thinking of just boiling them and then putting them in a salad. Anybody have any other ideas on other ways to prepare quail eggs?

This blogpost is inspired by Rhonda's Friday Photo Feature on her Down-to-Earth blog.

Most Things Good

2011-05-13T21:50:00.003-04:00

Busy busy busy. But most things good.
Work, ride, party, repeat.
Finding the time in between to make 2 trips to Florida, ponder the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, test drive some cars, contemplate Derek Jeter's decline, help son #2 decide that he needs to go to the University of North Dakota to become a pilot, and accept an offer from my employer to cut down from 4 to 3 days a week for the summer!

Oh, I was so excited when I was asked if I would like to reduce my time commitment during the summer. Someone asked me, what will you do with the extra day off? The answer is I will ride my bike! It's amazing how many folks are around during the week and ready to ride. Some are retired, some are unemployed, and some work part-time (Some are even lucky enough not to have to work). So the summer of cycling has started.

Major Change

2011-04-01T22:29:00.002-04:00

Not for me, the major change is for son #2. He is presently finishing his sophomore year at Northeastern University, in Boston, majoring in Communications. About 2 months ago he called us to tell us that even though he loves the school, and he loves Boston, he decided that he wants to transfer. He wants to be a pilot.

This wasn't totally out of left field. He has always had an interest in aviation, and when he was considering colleges, he thought about the aviation option. I think he lacked the self-confidence to really say, "this is what I want to do with my life," but now has some regret about that decision. So he has decided to follow his dream! It's actually very exciting to see him make this huge decision and then do all the work to try to make it happen.

He has been accepted to 3 schools and it looks like we are going to have to make a trip in the next week or two to visit 2 of them-- Utah State and the University of North Dakota. It looks like it really is going to happen. I am very happy!

O.M.G. P.E.P.

2011-03-31T11:29:00.005-04:00

PEP stands for "Performance Enhancement Program." Last night was my first PEP class. We went down to the gym with towels and water bottles and 2 crazy trainers spend about an hour trying to make us cry or puke. No weights, bars, bands, or any other equipment. All cardio and body weight. It was based on intervals. After a good 15 minutes of cardio to get warmed up and some stretching, we did 2 minutes of cardio followed by 2 minutes of strength. Lunges, squats, planks, pushups with all sorts of variations to make them more difficult. About 3 minutes into the warm-up my heart rate was already at the upper limit of my "zone of YES I CAN." The 2 minute intervals sent my heart rate into the "zone of OMG." The strength intervals had me in the pain cave. But I did not cry or puke (might have been close on the puking option). I survived and if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger, so I guess I am stronger today! I am certainly sore today and my knees are a little unhappy, but I am ready to do it again. The only problem is they need 12 people to run the program and only 4 signed up. So last night was probably my one and only PEP class. But as crazy trainer Sal pointed out, this is all stuff you can do on your own. You don't need a gym or a trainer to do this kind of work-out. Just some determination, and maybe a vomit bag.

Discombobulated

2011-03-27T19:35:00.004-04:00

Discombobulated, what a great word, and that describes this past week. Just when I thought it was safe to take my bike and get back out on the road, a snowstorm shows up, delivering icy roads, and cranky commuters (me included). Add to that the need to get some things done at work that haven't been getting done, and before you know it, Friday rolls around and I realize I have been eating crappy food all week and I never got to the gym. I was totally discombobulated. On Friday, the anti-discombobulation began, and it continued through the weekend with some success. The discombobulating weather has temps hovering just above freezing for good portions of the day. On Saturday I gave in to Mother Nature and took a spin class, but ironically, it wasn't much different than riding outside. The temp in the spinning studio was 41 degrees when we started (someone turned off the heat, obviously) and then we climbed up and down some big hills. I also decided that since I wasn't going to spend a good chunk of the day on a bike, that it would be a good opportunity to spend most of the day at the mall. That worked out well, but today I decided to be bold and I went for a ride. It wasn't my idea, it was Diane's but I was glad somebody else was just as crazy as me. Chris showed up too. The temp was a balmy 31 when we set off. It really wasn't that bad, but you couldn't stop moving. We were happy we picked a hilly route-- the hills kept us warm. We cut it short when the wind started to pick up, just 20 miles, but we definitely felt like warrior princesses. The hot shower when I got home was fantastic! And now I am pondering how I am going to do the right things this coming week..... Antonyms for discombobulated (and synonyms for anti-discombobulated) .... do well, succeed.

Martha

2011-03-20T20:00:00.003-04:00

Today I met Martha on my D ride (that's the slowest category, average speed from 9-11 mph, usually between 20 and 30 miles). She is not new to the club, I think she joined last year. She is an older woman (that means older than me), a little plump, with a wonderful European (Dutch) accent. She arrived at the Millwood A&P this morning with her son's mountain bike (because its a little better than her mountain bike), with no biking clothes or gear other than a helmet. As soon as we rolled out, she realized both her tires were flat. I had a floor pump in my car, so we pumped up her tires and they were fine for the entire ride. She was very slow, but she made it up every hill without walking. She would wave to us as soon as she came into view. She arrived at the top of every hill with a big smile, saying, "here I am! I'm a little slow on the hills, ok, off we go!" She never whined, or complained. She was having the best time and her spirit was contagious. Even though we had to wait for her, most of the other riders were happy to have her with us.

When we were done with the ride, we had a snack at the cafe and she told me this story.
Last year, not really understanding what the different levels meant, she showed up for an A ride (A rides average 17-20 mph, over challenging terrain for 40-50 miles). Nobody said a word to her or asked her a question or suggested that maybe she wasn't up for an A ride. They signed her in, gave her a cue sheet and dropped her in the first quarter mile. She never saw any of them again. But she really wanted to ride and she didn't mind being alone. She had the cue sheet so she FINISHED THE ENTIRE RIDE BY HERSELF. Growing up in the Netherlands, I think she can probably ride that mountain bike all day long.

This could have been a disaster, but this story has a happy ending. She is still showing up for rides, and she is still having the best time. She's my hero! I wish more people could have a little bit of Martha inside them!

A New Season

2011-03-19T20:23:00.007-04:00

A new tradition-- haiku for today's ride......

To Greenwich Point Park
Rode the hills, wind in my face
Springtime, here at last.

The club's season officially began on March 15. On this first Saturday of the season, the club put up a full roster of rides, something for everyone. I'm sure it's still a little cold for many of our members, but I enjoy riding in this weather (unless it gets windy). Other than full length bike tights, a headband that fits under my helmet, and a pair of full-length gloves, I don't need any special gear. I love riding in the early spring. Trees are budding and their colors are rising on the hillsides. The willow trees are really starting to bloom. Little flowers are beginning to peek out along the roads. Early in the season it's okay to feel slow, and yet I feel like anything is possible, with the whole season ahead. Today I rode with my friends out to Greenwich Point Park. It was great to reconnect, to welcome new members, to push up and then fly down the hills, to visit a new coffee shop, and to finish up knowing I had a workout. Tomorrow I get to do it again. Yay me!

Two More

2011-03-18T21:35:00.001-04:00

Today I had 2 new tires put on Dolce, my bike.
Hopefully I am done buying tires!

Bah Humbug

2011-03-17T18:19:00.002-04:00

I know it's not Christmas.... Can I be a St. Patrick's Day Grinch. I have grown to really dislike St. Patrick's Day. I have nothing against the Irish. It's about all the people who use St. Patrick's Day as an excuse for behaving badly. I work on 42ns St. Between 5th and 6th Avenues, which is prime parade territory, especially for all the folks who come into Grand Central Terminal. When I stepped out at lunch time to grab a sandwich, the sidewalks were jam-packed with Green People, most of whom were just behaving loudly, not necessarily badly. The really bad behavior was much more evident on the train ride home. The train was jam-packed with drunk Green People, and one of them decided to smash a glass bottle over the head of another. There was blood, vomiting, and a prolonged wait at the next station until the police could take the badly behaving people off the train and an ambulance could take the bloody bottle smashed person to the hospital.

My bah humbug kinda day continued when I arrived at Mavis Tires because I got a flat yesterday, probably from driving over one too many potholes. Tis the season for flats.... The roads around here are in BAD shape from all the plowing this winter. Now I knew I was going to need 2 new tires because the 2 front tires needed to be replaced anyway, but that morphed into 4 new tires. Ouch! It's going to take them about 2 hours to get to my car and get this done...... so here I sit at the nearby Panera's, sucking on their free wi-fi, for which I am grateful. Even the grinch can find something for which to be grateful.

To Greenwich Point Park

2011-03-13T21:30:00.010-04:00

One of the classic club rides is from SUNY Purchase to Greenwich Point Park. Purchase NY is on the NY/CT border, and the back roads of Greenwich are our backyard. Greenwich Point Park is open to Greenwich residents only during the season, and the season starts on April 1. So the ride to Greenwich Point with a stop at the Arcadia Coffee shop is a staple of the club's members who ride through the winter. I don't ride much during the winter, and I can't keep up with those winter riders anyway, so I have never ridden out there. I really wanted to do this ride, but I don't know the roads that well, so I asked my husband to ride with me.

My husband does not enjoy riding in cold weather, and yesterday was probably on the cusp of his comfort level. The ride out to the point wasn't too difficult and the park is really beautiful. I didn't really stop to take photos. It would be nice to spend some time there with a camera. We were very surprised to see so many people in the park and out on the beach. They don't allow dogs in the park after April 1 either, so everyone was there with their dog. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the great outdoors.

It was windy day, and the wind was really whipping around when we got closer to the water and especially when we got into the park. DH got chilled, and he couldn't get warm for the entire ride back to Purchase. Plus I slowed him down when we hit some hills in the last 5 miles of the ride. I offered to buy him a hot beverages at Starbucks and he accepted.

We don't ride together often, but I do enjoy these opportunities. I know he didn't love being out there on a not very warm March day, but he loves me, so that made him happy. Me too.

Go For It

2011-03-05T20:55:00.003-05:00

The morning was misty and the roads were wet. Two riders decided not to come, another called with concerns. But I was confident that the weather was going to improve and I won't have a chance to ride tomorrow. Besides, tomorrow's weather will probably be much worse than today. So I decided to try to make it happen. Worse case scenario, if the weather deteriorated, we could all just go have brunch. But by the time we got rolling, the drizzling had stopped and there were a few patches of blue sky. Six of us set off on another adventure! About 7 miles down the road, Paula got a flat. The others rode ahead and I helped her change the tube. We got rolling again, only to have the same tire go flat again. Changed it again, this time trying to sweep away anything that was causing the flat. Well, she went flat for a third time. Uggh! I left her with her patch kit and a cell phone (in case the patch kit didn't work). By this time my companions were a good ways ahead of me (or so I thought) so I took a shortcut to our rest stop at Tazza Cafe. But when I got there, they hadnt arrived yet. Turns out they had 2 more flats that required multiple tube changes as well. 6 riders, 3 flats, 5 tubes, and a patch. It was just one of those days. We had some refreshments at the cafe and then rode the hills back to our starting place. It felt great to ride these roads with my cycling buddies. Now my knees and legs are a little tired, just enough to know I was out there today doing what I love to do!

Obsessing

2011-03-04T21:11:00.002-05:00

Hi Shelly, what's new with you?
BIKE ME
What's that, what you been up to?
BIKE ME
How are the kids?
BIKE ME
And your husband?
BIKE ME
Still working in the same place?
BIKE ME
How's your mom?
BIKE ME
Planning any vacations?
BIKE ME
Read any good books lately?
BIKE ME
Hey, lets do lunch next week!
BIKE ME
Nice to see you, see you next week. We can talk some more!
BIKE ME

I seem to have a one track mind lately. Tomorrow I ride.

YakTrakking

2011-02-26T21:59:00.007-05:00

Today's adventure was an epic winter hike in Fahnstock State Park. Not realizing how much snow there really is in the woods and on the trails, we decided we would leave the snowshoes home and just go with yaktraks on our boots. Yaktraks are like chains or cleats that strap onto your boots. We also brought poles. Well, it wasn't too long before we started punching holes through the snow, which was about a foot deep. You would take a few steps and then plunge down into the snow up to your knees. We would have been better off on snowshoes. We had to concentrate on where we were walking so intently, that I had to make sure I took the time to look around to appreciate the beautiful winter woods. And so we marched on, and on, and on....... We had chosen a 7 mile hike, which would have been a breeze under normal conditions. But with the snow pack and the hole punching, it took us 4 1/2 hours! All I had to eat was a Larabar. We were all exhausted and HUNGRY when we finally found our way back to our cars. The bottoms of my feet are sore probably from the pressure of the cleats. But I have no regrets. It was a great way to spend the better part of a beautiful winter day. And I'm sure I burned at least 1,000 calories!

Frustrating

2011-02-24T12:06:00.002-05:00

the past few weeks have been frustrating. My right IT band has been bothering me off and on for several weeks, and last week it really flared up. I don't know why it is bothering me, I don't think it's from an injury. I can't remember doing anything that might have set it off. It does respond well to NSAIDs, but even when it's better, it's still "there," and I'm afraid to do anything that's going to make it angry. So, I have been taking it easy. I've also found myself spending more time at work, which is good and bad. Good that I am getting things done that need to get done, but bad that it becomes easy to decide not to get to the gym. It's the perfect excuse for not working out, especially when you are "recovering from an injury." Well, my schedule has more free time in the next 2 weeks, so I should be able to get things done, both at home and in the gym. My cycling friends are starting to think more seriously about getting out on two wheels and I am so ready. Do you know that we change the clocks on March 13? Trying to look forward to good things, and get over this little hump.

On My Mind -- Teacups

2011-02-18T21:28:00.006-05:00

My mother-in-law collected these beautiful teacup sets. Each set has a cup, saucer and small plate. At one point in time, she decided it was time to pass them on. There were about a dozen sets. She gave half of them to me and half to her daughter. My sister-in-law doesn't have room to display them, so eventually she gave hers to me as well. Right now those are put away. Today I was just looking at the tea cups. They are so pretty and they remind me of my mother-in-law. She's been gone for 3 years now. She was a wonderful lady and I am so lucky that I had such a great relationship with her.

Two Wheels

2011-02-18T18:26:00.003-05:00

Things have really warmed up here in the northeast, if only for a few days. Not having to work today, I went out for a ride. Three of my cycling friends joined me for a somewhat leisurely 24 mile ride. We chose a route that travels on roads with numbers instead of names because they were more likely to have cleared shoulders. That seemed to be a good strategy. The roads had a little more traffic, but we had plenty of room to ride most of the way. We stopped at one of the more bicycle-friendly cafes along the way, for beverages. When we hit the road again, the sun was coming out and we really warmed up as we climbed some good hills. Overall, it was just great to be out there on 2 wheels. I'm left with a bad case of spring fever, as the temps are supposed to drop tonight. Tomorrow's forecast includes winds up to 50 mph. Not a good day for 2 wheels.

Kale Chips

2011-02-15T21:44:00.003-05:00

Easy and delicious. I'll be making these again very nice. Next time I might sprinkle some chili powder on them

1 bunch (about 6 ounces) kale (I used Dinosaur kale but you can use the curly kale too).
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt, to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F.
Rinse and dry the kale, then remove the stems and tough center ribs.
Cut into large pieces, toss with olive oil in a bowl then sprinkle with salt. Arrange leaves in a single layer on a large baking sheet

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crisp.
Place baking sheet on a rack to cool.

Mountain to Screaming Pigeon

2011-02-12T22:22:00.005-05:00

After spending too much time and energy deciding whether to try to do something outdoors today, I opted for the gym. Nothing fancy or special, just some good old fashioned cardio. I timed it so i could follow that up with a yoga class. In 60 minutes, we went through many poses: mountains and trees, warriors 1, 2 and 3, cobras, up dogs, down dogs, and laughing baby. Then we came to....... Screaming pigeon!

I watched the instructor, Melissa, do this, and I still don't believe it's anatomically possible unless you have no bones. Well, maybe there is a reason they call it screaming pigeon.

On My Mind....Cookbooks

2011-02-11T21:19:00.004-05:00

This is a Friday photo feature that links back to Rhonda's Down-to-Earth blog. Post a photo on your blog that shows something at home that you're thinking about TODAY.

I consider myself a good cook. I enjoy cooking, when I have enough time and I don't feel rushed. But I am not an intuitive cook, I cook almost entirely from cookbooks. I love cookbooks. They allow me to travel all over the world and experiment with different foods. I never have to prepare chicken the same way twice if I don't want to. Sometimes I will cook something and then when I want to prepare it again, I cant find the recipe! But I do try to keep track of my favorites. I write in my cookbooks. I will note when a recipe is really good (or really bad) and any modifications I might make. I usually make a list of my favorite recipes and the associated page number inside the front cover. I borrow cookbooks from the library, too. Sometimes I will copy of few recipes and sometimes I will purchase the cookbook. I think cookbooks are a good investment. Especially when the alternative is eating mediocre food or depending on someone else to prepare your food.

On My Mind

2011-02-03T20:32:00.004-05:00

This is a Friday photo feature that links back to Rhonda's Down-to-Earth blog. Post a photo on your blog that shows something at home that you're thinking about TODAY.

Today (okay, really yesterday) I turned my kitchen into a chemistry lab and concocted some homemade household cleaners. For me, it's not about saving money, although that is certainly appreciated. It's about reducing the toxic load to which I and my family are exposed on a daily basis. The last time the house was cleaned, DH and I came home and we were both overwhelmed by the smell of chemicals. We decided it was time to make a change. I did some online research, including Rhonda's fabulous recipes and insights. I decided I would make laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all purpose cleaner, wood floor cleaner, window cleaner and furniture polish. I made a shopping list and set off in search of the necessary ingredients. The only one I had difficulty finding was washing soda. I found it online at Alice.com, where shipping is always free. Yesterday I was home because of the ice storm that descended upon the northeast, and chemistry lab was my first task of the day. Then I made a big pot of split pea soup and cleaned up my kitchen with my new all-purpose cleaner!

Thank you, Rhonda and all the other folks that have inspired me to do this and given me the information to get it done.

2.5 Weeks of Elimination

2011-02-02T19:20:00.004-05:00

So it's been 2.5 weeks on the elimination diet. And it's going well. DH and I are focusing on what we CAN eat, instead of what we cannot eat. We've been eating high quality, nutrient dense foods and we both feel good. Happily,we have both lost weight. Just by changing what I eat, those last pounds from "the change" are starting to come off. I am surprised by how not hungry I am, but when I think about that, it makes sense. I have eliminated all the processed carbs from my diet, and replaced them with fresh foods that require my body to do all the processing. It takes longer, and blood sugar levels don't spike and plunge. There have been times when it has been hard to not stray, but the key to staying on course has been really focusing on food prep and making sure I have the right foods with me. In a way, this has been empowering. Good choices beget more good choices. I was home today because of the ice storm, and I made a big pot of split pea soup. But I must admit, I was really craving a big piece of crusty bread.

Romp On!

2011-01-31T21:41:00.006-05:00

The snow adventures have continued. We have had a snow storm every week, and the weekends have been glorious with wonderful snow romps across Westchester County. The forecast for the next 2 days is for a mixture of snow, rain, frozen rain, sleet, better known as a "wintry mix." This could be an end to our successive weeks of perfect conditions for romping in the snow. If the wintry mix ruins the current snow, we can hope for another real snowstorm sometime soon. Either that or we will have to get back on our bikes!

You're Going Out in This Weather?

2011-01-22T18:15:00.004-05:00

Thursday night brought another 4 or 5 inches of snow, which covered up the layer of icy slush from Tuesdays storm. And so the snowshoe army was ready for another adventure. The only problem -- the arctic blast. Today's weather forecast was for a sunny day with a high of 20 degrees. But I haven't felt cold at all on any of the other days we were out there, so I figured I would make a few "wardrobe adjustments" and give it a try. When I pulled my car out of the garage, the thermometer read 30 degrees. I wondered how low it would go as I drove across the county to Ward Pound Ridge reservation. I was pleasantly surprised when it was a balmy 18 degrees when I parked my car. And 9 other crazy outdoor people showed up. Off we went on the red and green trails and what a glorious day it was! If anything I (and a few of my companions) was overdressed. Spending 2 hours on the trails with a bunch of great people followed by lunch at the local coffee shop....... priceless.

Yoga

2011-01-17T21:56:00.003-05:00

I don't think you can suck at yoga, because the whole yoga-thing is about the individual and finding your own way to harmony, balance, and inner peace. It's one of the few activities where comparisons to other people is discouraged. You just do what you can do and if you keep doing it, you get better at it. At least I hope you get better at it because I have significant "room for improvement." Taking a yoga class makes my realize how inflexible I am! All the repetitive motion of cycling (or any other activity) can really lock you up. I have never been a big fan of stretching and I never stretch enough. Well, as I get older, that lack of flexibility has the potential to become more "embedded" and to even have impact on my quality of life. So I am trying to get to yoga class a little more consistently, at least once per week. It's hard for me. Not only is it physically challenging, but its also mentally challenging. Yoga is not something you can rush, you have to be very patient with yourself. I find it difficult to be patient, even forgiving, when my ability to get into a certain position or balance is limited. I start to tell myself "you suck at yoga," but then I find the other voice telling me, "be patient, just do what you can do." At this point I know yoga is good for me, and I need to do it, and I enjoy it, but I don't love it. Maybe if I didn't have that voice telling me that I suck at yoga......

Snow Adventures Continue

2011-01-15T19:18:00.006-05:00

I don't work on Fridays, so off I went to Ward Pound Ridge on a snowshoeing adventure with Geanne. I had never been there.... and I can't wait to get back there! The trails through the hills are beautiful and the snow was deep and soft. Today, Saturday, was an opportunity for everyone to get in on the fun, and we did. Off to the Rockies for a few hours of blasting through the open fields on snowshoes and skis. I came home, took a shower and fell asleep. I'm loving the time outdoors.

On My Mind

2011-01-14T20:41:00.004-05:00

Today DH and I started the elimination diet. Last night I prepared for that by cleaning out the frig and removing all the eliminated foods from the pantry. It was not a bad idea to clean out the pantry. I threw out items that have been around much too long. I filled 2 big boxes with all the eliminated foods. Bye bye lasagna, rice noodles, brown sugar, soy crisps, raisins, I could go on and on. Between the purge and the elimination, my pantry is about 75% empty! Once this experiment is over (in 4 weeks) we will be able to slowly reintroduce foods into our diets. I'm sure we will return many of the eliminated foods to the pantry, but I have a feeling I will be donating a big pile to the food bank.

We are going to be preparing the vast majority of our meals at home. We do a decent job of that now, so that won't be a big change. Tonight's dinner was sesame tuna, roasted cauliflower and carrots, and kale sauteed with onions with pine nuts. Not too shabby! I also roasted some chickpeas to take with me tomorrow as a snack when I go snowshoeing.

Clean Part 1

2011-01-13T11:29:00.004-05:00

DH and I both read this story in Outside Magazine about Dr. Alejandro Junger's Detox Program. My husband bought and read the book, and decided that he is going to do the total 28 day detox/cleanse program, starting tomorrow. I am reading the book and have not decided if I am doing the whole thing, but I have decided to embark on the elimination diet for at least 1 week. At that point, I may stay on the elimination diet for another 2 weeks, or dive into the 3 week cleanse/detox program with DH.
I do believe in the basic premise underlying Junger's detox program. We are surrounded by toxins in our environment-- pesticides, plastics, air pollutants, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products. Add to that the preservatives, sugar, alcohol and nutrient depleted foods that we eat, and the result is a shell-shocked immune system, a leaky gut, chronic inflammation, and an inability to rid our bodies of all these toxins. The symptoms range from irritable bowels to depression to fatigue. I won't delineate them here, but I definitely have symptoms that can be attributed to chronic inflammation. I also want to support DH through this as much as possible, so I'm ready to jump in with at least 1 foot if not both feet!
The first step in the process of resetting your body's ability to heal itself is elimination of foods that are more problematic and/or more likely to cause allergic responses. So starting tomorrow, DH and I will be eliminating these foods from our diets:
FRUITS: oranges, grapefruits, bananas, strawberries
DAIRY: eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese
GRAINS: wheat, corn, barley, couscous, oats
ANIMAL PROTEIN: pork, beef, veal, shellfish
VEGETABLE PROTEIN: all soy
NUTS AND SEEDS: peanuts, peanut butter
VEGETABLES: corn, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant
OILS: butter, mayonnaise, canola oil
DRINKS: alcohol, coffee, caffeinated beverages, soda
SWEETENERS: refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners
CONDIMENTS: ketchup, relish, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, relish

What can we eat? Well, more about that in the days to come. DH is going shopping today and I will clean out the pantry this evening. I think I'm going to need a fairly large box for all the foods we cannot eat!

Burn Baby Burn

2011-01-12T19:25:00.003-05:00

The snowstorm brought a foot of beautiful snow. It all happened overnight. I knew I wasn't going to work today, so I slept a little late, and when I awoke, the roads were clear and the driveway was plowed. NICE!! A couple of phone calls and by noon 7 of us descended upon Rockefeller State Preserve for an afternoon of cross country skiing through the fresh powdery snow. It was awesome. We worked hard. Once we got away from the lake (the most popular trail in the park), we had to set tracks through the deep snow. Nick was the only one on snowshoes and his track helped establish a path. We were out there for several hours, burning up the calories. When we were done, we hit the Wobble Cafe, for some delicious refueling. I have to work tomorrow, but I am psyched to get out there on Friday, hopefully on snowshoes to switch it up.

Outdoors

2011-01-09T21:46:00.005-05:00

I remember riding my bike past a very popular gym on a beautiful Saturday morning during the summer. The parking lot was jam-packed. All those people, riding exercycles and running on hamster wheels on such a perfect day for being outdoors, it was hard to believe. I felt the same way this weekend. I had so much fun with my bike club friends this weekend, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. I spent a few hours on both Saturday and Sunday taking photos, chatting it up, teaching and learning, exploring, laughing at each other, sharing gear and equipment, making new friends, and being physically active. The sky was blue, the air was crisp and it felt great. We have all figured out how to dress for these outings, since its not much different from going out on a bike ride in March or November. It only took 5 minutes to get our engines revved up and we were never cold. And when we were done with our outdoor adventure, we went out for lunch. There may be more snow coming this week..... we are keeping our fingers crossed so we can repeat the entire experience next weekend, at a different park or golf course.

Snow Romp on the Golf Course

2011-01-08T18:51:00.006-05:00

Fresh snow + cross country skis + sunshine + friends + camera = snow romp
There was a dog too, but he didnt make it into a photo, he didn't stop running and jumping long enough to get a photo!

On My Mind...

2011-01-07T12:53:00.004-05:00

The view out my backdoor. I don't work on Fridays, and I usually take care of all my errands. I did get out this morning, but now as I watch the snow come down, I am considering how to spend my day indoors. I think I will make a big pot of soup and then clean up my desk. Today is a gift wrapped in snowflakes. And tomorrow I am planning a snow romp, a chance to take out the cross country skis and/or snowshoes.

Mom's Personal Shopper

2011-01-04T22:55:00.002-05:00

My mom does not have a computer. After my dad died, my brother and I made several attempts to get her online, but she never got the hang of it and didn't really seem all that interested. She knows that she would have another way to keep in contact with her grandchildren, but even that was not enough of an incentive to get her online. But one of the consequences of her non-internetness is that I have become her personal online shopper. She now calls me about once per week to do some retail research for her. This week she has me shopping for silk underwear. That's right, I had to research petite silk underwear for my mom. She plans to wear it in April when she comes up to New York for Passover. Silk longjohns in April? Well, maybe we will be able to turn the heat down to 75 if she's wearing them.

22 Miles

2011-01-01T19:52:00.004-05:00

What a BEAUTIFUL winter day, with temps here well into the 40s. I rode today, my first ride of 2011, nothing very ambitious, just 20ish miles, with a stop at the bagel shop for a cup of coffee and a snack. It felt great to be out there, feeling the cool air moving over the snow pack, rolling down the quiet roads, enjoying the company of 2 other riders who chose to come out today. When I got home, I had some lunch, a shower and a little cat nap. Eventually I got around to preparing a delicious dinner for my family. I'm hoping today's adventure will set the tone for the year to come. Get out there, enjoy yourself, and the rest will fall into place.
Happy New Year!

Fav Fotos

2010-12-31T16:06:00.016-05:00

I wasn't as committed to my camera this year as in years past. Instead of doing a photo a month, here are just a dozen of my favorites, in no particular order. Some are just really nice photos and some are relevant to my life in 2010.

Shout Out to the Huskies

2010-12-31T11:22:00.006-05:00

The UConn Huskies Women's Basketball Team lost to Stanford last night, ending their winning streak at 90 games. The last game they lost was to Stanford in the NCAA Finals, on April 6, 2008. And so, Stanford has become the "bookends" of their record-breaking win streak.
Their 89th win broke the record for consecutive wins in Division I Basketball. For a few moments, the sports world focused on women's sports, largely because they broke the record that had been set by a men's team. Their amazing feat was the result of hard work, perseverance, great coaching, and of course, talent. And Title IX. The 1972 law forbids discrimination in funding of athletic programs in public schools. Since then, there has been a tenfold increase in the number of girls playing high school sports. The number of women athletes receiving college scholarships has increased dramatically. I love to see girls and women involved in sports, being athletic and strong. It wasn't that way when I was growing up, and I think women of my generation reflect that in their overall health and fitness and their attitudes.
Maya Moore and her teammates inspire me to work harder and do more, and not only at the gym. I hope they inspire many more girls and women to reach higher, in sports and in life.

In Search of Endorphins

2010-12-29T12:43:00.003-05:00

I am looking forward to the end of 2010. I feel like I have been marching in place for the past 6 months, ever since my bike crash. A body at rest tends to stay at rest. I have really been struggling to get moving, and have had little motivation to do much of anything. I have come up with some wonderful excuses for why I can't do this or that. Enough. I have been thinking about it and trying to find "something" to get my engine into gear. Do I need another triathlon or other event on my calendar? What about getting rid of the extra 10 pounds The Change has brought? And yes, while I want these things to happen, the bottom line is I just need to be healthy. I know what I have to do and I know that if I do it, I will feel better, look better and be happier. I need those endorphins! That's my goal for 2011, to flood myself with endorphins by getting all the pieces to fall into place. I found this on this website: The journey is all. The destination is beside the point.

On My Mind

2010-12-18T23:10:00.006-05:00

My boys are home from college. That means buying and preparing large quantities of food. Often their friends are in the house as well. I love having my children home and I love seeing their friends. My secret (its really not a secret) to keeping them and their friends coming through the house is to feed them well! So I have been spending more time in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning up. The boys are pretty good about helping with the clean up part too. Today I made 2 large trays of ziti, tomorrow it will be ribs and a couple of chickens. I try to freeze portions, so I can send them back to school with good home-cooked meals.

Since they left for college, I appreciate the holidays more when we can spend time together. I love preparing a dinner so we can all sit down around the table and share that time together. It's the simple things that bring so much happiness.

Brought To My Knees

2010-12-03T18:13:00.003-05:00

About a month ago, I went for a beautiful bike ride with some friends. We rode about 30 miles, then we had lunch at this very fancy garden/interior design center. Very funky. They set up a big table for us in the greenhouse. A few people couldn't ride but they met up with us for lunch. Lynne was one of them. We had a wonderful time, just talking and looking around at the beautiful plants and flowers and art. We were all sharing stories, laughing, and just enjoying the afternoon. I felt so alive, so connected to the world, after spending the morning rolling up and down the hills on my bike and then shmoozing with this wonderful family of friends.

On Tuesday afternoon, Lynne took her life, jumping off the Tappen Zee bridge. No one saw it coming, no one knew she was in this dark place, so dark that she couldn't see any light and chose to end all the pain. We have been brought to our knees, wondering how we could have missed it, why didn't she ask for help......... so many questions for which there are no answers.

I called my children and told them I loved them. I called my mom to tell her I love her. I gave my husband a big hug and a kiss. I love my life and the people that surround me. I am so grateful for everything.

Rest in peace, Lynne.

Cupcakes and Bare Trees

2010-11-23T17:11:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, a big group of my cycling friends helped Katie celebrate
her birthday. She always plans a bike ride and a party for her
birthday. This year she planned a ride from SUNY Purchase, followed
by a tailgate party. She brought cupcakes and a cooler filled with
beer. She invited others to post rides from the same location, trying
to coordinate the rides so they all got back at about the same time.
So on a breezy cool November day, small groups of cyclists rode off in
different directions, and when we returned, about 60 of us pulled an
assortment of food and beverages out of our cars, gathered around
Katie and danced around the parking lot drinking beer and eating
cupcakes and lots of other goodies. It was more than a birthday
celebration. It was a celebration of the beauty that can be found in
all the seasons; the joy of sharing the experience with good people.
We decided we need to celebrate more often. It's always somebody's
birthday!

Whenever I lead rides for the club, I name them using song titles.
This ride was Bare Trees, the title song from the Fleetwood Mac album
released in 1972. We rode to Usonia, a community of about 40 homes in
Pleasantville NY designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. He designed the
community, planned the roads and the building lots. He also designed
three of the homes; the rest were designed by his students. They are
all built into the hills and the ridges, blending into the landscape.
It is much easier to see them and appreciate them when the leaves have
fallen and the trees are bare. I had a group of 15 riders -- quite
unexpected on a November day. None of them had ever been to Usonia --
also unexpected. As we rode through, we stopped to have a chat with a
man who has lived there his entire life. The houses are very unique
and very different when compared to your typical Westchester
subdivision! Everyone enjoyed riding through there and having a
chance to consider the creative genius of Wright. Nobody seemed to
even notice some of the crappy rodes we had to navigate to get to and
from Usonia. Or maybe it was the promise of cupcakes and beer. If
you promise them cupcakes they will come.

Puerto Rico Adventures

2010-10-15T23:00:00.005-04:00

Negative to Positive

2010-10-05T08:18:00.001-04:00

Yesterday’s post is filled with negative words-- off, difficult, sad, tough, without, missed out. And it’s really not all bad. Yes, I fell down and that had a negative impact on my life. But I got up, I made a full recovery, I have a tiny scar to prove how brave I am, and I am back on my bike and enjoying moving through these beautiful autumnal days. Thinking about life in general, DH and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary next month, we have 2 great kids, we have a beautiful home, we both have careers and jobs that challenge us and remind us to be good people, and next week we will be in Puerto Rico for a business meeting extended into a vacation. Life is GOOD. I want it to be a little better, but it’s easy to get caught in a downward spiral. It helps to focus on all the positives, all the bright moments on the journey.

On Saturday I went for a bike ride up in lower Dutchess County. The 5 of us rode down beautiful roads to Sprout Creek Farm, where they produce fabulous artisanal cheese. We were able to taste all the cheeses and they were deeeelicious! When we got back, the chicken and hotdogs were already on the barbeque. On Sunday DH and I both led rides that started at the middle school, about a mile from our home. Most of our cycling friends are not familiar with the beautiful roads in our northwest corner of the county, so we like to lead a few rides to share them. DH commented that Bob called and he was coming. It never crossed my mind to ask which Bob. What a great surprise when Bob showed up, an old friend that I haven’t seen in at least 10 years! We didn’t really have much time to get caught up, but we promised each other that we will get together soon. My ride flowed down to the reservoir, across the Croton Dam, and made a stop at Thompson’s Cider Mill. There we shared a quart of just-pressed cider and some yummy muffins and donuts. We continued on our journey up and down many hills, including a beautiful road along the Hudson River. What great bicycle adventures with friends old and new on these bright autumn days. Yes, life is good, very good.

Flip Flop Seasons

2010-10-04T12:06:00.004-04:00

Although I may not have realized it at the time, my crash back in June initiated my off-season. I did nothing or almost nothing related to fitness for 5 weeks. Over the last 2 months I have been consistently inconsistent. That has made it very difficult to get anywhere other than where I am, which is fat and slow. I now understand why it is important to build that mileage base-- it becomes the fuel or a reserve tank that you can draw upon when you need to push yourself to go further or harder. Without that base, I am finding it difficult to keep up with my cycling friends on rides longer than 30 miles. Sad, considering last year I rode the RI Century in September.

Without a specific goal, I often find it difficult to motivate myself to stay with "the program." I'm also having a tough time on identifying a goal other than getting back to where I was and keep moving forward. I do know I have to turn it up a notch, and so my seasons have flip-flopped. October 1 marked the beginning of my off-season in-season. For the next 8 weeks, I am going to focus on getting back to those good basic habits. I also hope to stay outside as much as possible, stretching the cycling season, especially since I missed out on a big chunk of it. Its what I enjoy the most, even though I feel really slow. Somebody has to be last, and lately that is me.

Recalibration

2010-08-23T12:58:00.002-04:00

My 2010 “racing season” is over. I am not sure that it really involved any “racing” or that I would call it a “season” anyway. The reason I enter these races is to have a goal to work towards, to push myself to stay in shape. If I have a “race” on my schedule, I then have a “training program,” and I am less likely to find excuses to go home and sit on the couch. I am incredibly slow in any athletic event I have ever undertaken, so I usually think about “participating” in these events and not racing or competing. With no competitive events on the horizon, I have been spending time doing what I love to do – riding my bike -- without regard to mileage or speed. I have been emancipated! This has me rethinking my whole "fitness" philosophy. Perhaps it is time to recalibrate. How can I keep myself motivated to maintain an athletic lifestyle? do I need an event to keep moving forward? what if training starts to feel more like medicine than fun? While I think this through, I will continue to spend time on my bike and smile! I might even take a few pictures along the way.

Where were you in 1969?

2010-08-15T21:35:00.004-04:00

On Friday, DH and I went up to Bethel NY to visit the "Woodstock" museum. We made sure to go on a day there was no show so we could spend time there without any crowds or difficulty getting in and out on the infamous Rt 17B. It was fabulous. The museum does a great job balancing the culture of the '60s that paved the way for Woodstock, the multiple story lines from those magical days in 1969, and the impact on the world. The photos and video are awesome. We drove up and back listening to the soundtrack and bought a copy of the original movie. Neither DH nor I were there, but we still both felt the energy when we walked across that field. Peace and music. What a great concept.
Staying true to the "where were you in 1969" theme, the next day I drove up to Sylvan Lake to a reunion of my childhood summer friends. We spent summers at the same bungalow colony complete with day camp, color wars, talent shows, musical theatre, boyfriends and girlfriends, little brothers and sisters, pinball machines, kickball, rowboats, etc. There were about 10 of us. Some of these people I have not seen for 35-40 years. There was alot of catching up to do! We sat under the same tree that shaded our mothers. We look like our mothers! It was strange-- we are becoming our mothers and yet we could see ourselves doing what we did as kids as if it was yesterday. But it was wonderful to reconnect and make new memories.

Drop Tail Bibs

2010-08-07T19:59:00.004-04:00

A couple of months ago the bicycle club had a fashion show. One of the women modeled her Pearl Izumi drop-tail bibs. Folks who do wear bibs have told me that they are much more comfortable than plain shorts, especially on longer rides because you don't have a waistband cutting into your middle. I have never worn cycling bibs, because you have to get almost naked if you have to pee. But these "designed for women" cycling bibs feature a "trap door." The bib is hinged in the back, with a tail that tucks in to make sure you are covered while riding. I decided to purchase a pair and I wore them today. And I am going to wear them tomorrow. And I might have to buy another pair. They are super comfortable and my trips to the ladies room were accomplished as easily as advertised. The bib straps are super stretchy so I hardly noticed them on my shoulders or across my sports bra. Not having a waistband is more comfortable, and the elastic gripper legs have "just right" tension. They are a little pricey, but I'm very glad I bought them. My sisters (of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bike Shorts) are going to be jealous!

Today was a beautiful summer day and I enjoyed a beautiful bike ride. So glad to be back on my bike.

Let the Good Times Roll

2010-08-02T21:13:00.005-04:00

DH and I are home after spending a long weekend in Lancaster County PA with a group of our cycling club friends. This is what we did: eat, ride, drink, eat some more, sleep, then repeat this sequence. It was gobs of fun. Flori's shirt says it all: let the good times roll indeed! This marked my return to the saddle and it was just about perfect. Lancaster County is the heart of Amish country, so we were riding on roads through beautiful farmlands and small towns. Yesterday DH offered to ride with me since most of the slower riders either had to head home or decided to find something else to do. Our hotel was in Paradise and we rode to Intercourse. So, you would think Amish dogs would be very mellow, kinda trot around bark at the chickens, take a nap. DH was riding ahead of me, and we pass this Amish farmhouse with 2 small dogs in the front yard. The dogs kinda watched DH ride by, and when I rode past them, they both start barking and coming for me at full speed! One of those Amish dogs wouldn't quit, and I kept thinking about sharp little teeth. The little fucker finally gave up. When were a safe distance away, I looked at DH, and asked him why they ignored him and came after me. "It's because they could tell you are weak." I reminded him that the plan was to return to Paradise from Intercourse. He quickly changed his mind and admitted that the dogs must have been attracted to my shiny new silver cycling shoes.

10 Miles

2010-07-23T10:29:00.003-04:00

New helmet.... $55
Bike repairs and new handle bar tape...... $180
New bike gloves....... $25
New prescription protective eyewear..... $320 (and that's with my 42% discount since I'm in the business!)
Getting back on the bike, going for a ride with DH on a really beautiful summer evening..... PRICELESS !!

Shift

2010-07-17T13:15:00.000-04:00

My Road to Recovery has made a paradigm shift. Instead of thinking about what I cannot do, I am now focusing on what I can do. The shift started in the gym a few days ago, with 30 minutes on the elliptical to see what would happen when I raised my heart rate. Neither my heart nor my head exploded, I stayed upright, and I felt good if not great. The next day I took a spin class with similar results, except that I felt great! After 4 weeks of no exercise I did notice that my heart rate did not recover as quickly as I would like, but I am sure that will come back with a little effort. But I felt comfortable enough to contemplate getting back on my bike this week. Now about getting back on my bike, many people have asked me if I am afraid to get back on my bike, especially since it has been 4 weeks since my crash. The answer is I don’t think so, but the truth is I really haven’t had to answer that question truthfully because I cannot even consider getting back on my bike until all the dizziness is completely gone. In the last few days I seem to have turned that corner, and if the dizziness does not return, then I plan to get back on my bike this weekend. But here’s the shift part. Even if I cannot get back on my bike (whether it’s physical or mental), there is so much that I can do to get back in the game. I am going to start lifting again, and throwing in an assortment of cardio, etc. I have shifted out of couch potato into active lifestyle person of great worth. I have also discovered that once I made that shift, turned off the TV and packed my gym bag, I also started thinking more about good food. The good karma is cascading! It will take more time to get back to where I was, but I’m on my way.

Thank you RecSpec

2010-07-07T21:27:00.003-04:00

Cyclists love eyewear, whether or not they wear glasses and/or contact lenses. I don' t know if many of my cycling friends would describe their eyewear as "protective." Most of them wear them to keep bugs and dirt out of their eyes. I had been content to just wear my everyday glasses until about a year ago. For whatever reason, I decided to invest in a pair of prescription sunglasses that would provide more protection and look good. I was wearing them when I crashed and I am sure glad I was. I was so thankful that I was wearing my helmet, that I wasn't really thinking about the glasses. A few days ago I took a good look at them and once again I realized that the outcome would have been far worse if I wasn't wearing them. The frame isn't even bent, but most of the paint has been scraped off the frame and the lenses are deeply gouged. Thank you Liberty Optical for the RecSpec! Today I ordered not 1 but 2 replacement pair; one pair has dark grey lenses, real sunglasses for the bright sunny days and the other has transition lenses that get darker in the sun, for all the other days when the sunglasses are too dark. Please consider whether you need protective eyewear! Your vision is worth the investment!

Whole Lotta Nuthin Going On

2010-07-05T17:35:00.004-04:00

It's been 2.5 weeks since my crash, and I have spent most of my time doing..... not much. I did go back to work this past week, and while it was mostly okay, it did wear me down. I still get dizzy at times, nothing terrible, but enough to keep me in low gear. I am learning that brains need sleep, and given the opportunity, I sleep a little bit more than I would normally, and I have been sleeping well. I am trying to slowly decrease the degree of nothingness in my daily life without overdoing the amount of somethingness. This holiday weekend also gave me the chance to get out and about and interact with some friends and that made me happy!
I have not worked out at all since the crash. My goal for this week is to see what happens when I elevate my heart rate. Obviously I need to do that in a safe environment, where I won't hit the pavement or drown if I start to feel like I am doing cartwheels. Slowly but surely, I am on the road to recovery.

My NFL Career

2010-06-25T22:59:00.003-04:00

The new NFL policy on concussions means I cannot return to active play until I am totally asymptomatic and cleared by an independent physician. I am being encouraged to be completely candid with my team medical staff and fully disclose any signs or symptoms that may be associated with a concussion. I have been honest and I have spent most of the past week sitting in a chair in front of a TV watching World Cup soccer, assorted reruns and The People's Court. But I am getting bored and impatient. And I am starting to worry. Nobody is irreplaceable. If I don't get back in the game, I may loser my spot on the team. I should be thankful that the new policy gave me this week off!

I have no doubt that this is really the way NFL players think about concussions, even with the new policy. And I don't know how those guys go back a week after suffering this type of injury. My concussion was probably less severe than anything suffered by an NFL player, and yesterday I needed a nap after sitting in a chair for 3 hours. Its no surprise that these men have so many issues later in life.

I had a good day yesterday. DH and I went out for breakfast and then to the local farmers market. Then he dropped me off at the nail salon for some manicure therapy. We watched the soccer game, which was really exciting even though the US team lost. In the evening we went to a graduation party for a couple of hours. Tomorrow I am going back to work. I'm actually looking forward to it.

Road to Recovery

2010-06-24T18:57:00.005-04:00

The Road to Redemption has been replaced by the Road to Recovery. I am getting better, but I now realize that this is going to take time. I wouldn't be fair to myself if I didn't give myself a chance to heal. Now is not the time to push the envelope.
Today I went down to the dental clinic at the hospital to have my stitches removed (I was stitched up by an oral surgeon). This 10 minute procedure was accompanied by 2 hours 50 minutes of waiting. When I returned home after holding my head up for 3 hours without the support of a big comfy chair, I had to take a nap. I still get dizzy when changing from horizontal to vertical positions or moving too fast. It is becoming obvious, even to me, that I need to be more patient. And so for the next few weeks, its all about me, and healing. On the positive side, all the lacerations and road rash are healing, and my physical appearance has been upgraded from horrible to awful to terrible.
I took my bike in today for an evaluation and Dolce will be fine. Like me, she may have a few scars, but nothing is broken!

Dear Bell Helmets,

2010-06-18T20:10:00.002-04:00

Dear Bell Helmets,
Thank you! Today I crashed and my helmet cracked but my head did not. I'm not sure why I crashed. I remember some rough road and then the realization that I was going down. My friends got me off the road and called 911. Although my first thought was "I don't need to go to the hospital," I soon realized that not only was resistance futile (that's what friends are for), but I needed to go get checked out. I have bad road rash all along the left side of my body, multiple lacerations all over my face, 9 stitches along the right side of my nose, a goose egg on my forehead, a soreness along the left side of my head that corresponds with the part of my helmet that cracked, and a dull headache. I had a CT scan which was negative, but the ER doctor did use the word "concussion." I will heal. I may have some "battle scars," but I will be fine. I am resting comfortably, after popping a couple of Advils. During the whole event, I kept thinking about how grateful I am. I thanked everyone that helped me; my friends who were with me; the EMTs who immobilized my head and neck (because that is protocol); the nurse who very gently washed all the sand and grit off my road rash; the technician who did the CT scan; the ER doctor; the plastic surgeon; and my husband who stayed calm and kept me calm. And thank you, Bell Helmets. I am thankful that I was wearing your helmet. I am thankful that my friends from the Westchester Cycling Club are very safety-conscious and I always stress wearing your helmet appropriately tight. I don't like to think about what would have happened to me if I was not wearing a helmet. I just know it would have been much worse. I will be back on my bike. But not before I replace my Bell Helmet; with a blue and silver model to match my bike!

Sincerely,

Nosocomial Car Infection

2010-06-15T12:52:00.002-04:00

A nosocomial infection is an infection that results from treatment in a hospital or other health care setting. Take a patient, free of infectious disease, stick him/her in the hospital for a couple of days, and the patient comes down with a bad bug which makes the patient sicker than when they entered the hospital. That's what happened to my Subaru. I took it to the dealer for a minor recall and an inspection. There was nothing wrong with the car. When I picked it up, the "check engine" light was flashing. Of course I picked it up after hours on Friday evening and I was not able to talk to anyone in the service department until Monday morning. I was told by the service agent, "OMG!! Do NOT drive the vehicle!! Go home immediately!! Where are you? How far away are you? Do you need a tow truck??!!" Translation: DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!
I didn't have the heart to tell him that I had been driving it all weekend because one of their nosocomial infecting technicians forgot to hit the reset button, or something equally ridiculous. I bet you didn't know that I am capable of providing automotive diagnoses and treatment plans for Japanese-born vehicles.
So this afternoon I have to bring the nosocomial infected Subaru back to the dealer for what I hope will be a very short visit so they can disinfect it. And of course, that is the time that I had planned to work out. I'm still on the merry-go-round of an ordinary life.

Bumps in the Road

2010-06-14T12:42:00.003-04:00

I hit a couple of bumps on the Road to Redemption this week, but most of it was good bumps. On Saturday, I drove out to Newark airport to pick up son #2, who has been in Croatia for the last 4 weeks. Son #1 has been home for the past 2 weeks but left for his summer job in Pennsylvania last night, so for 24 hours, I had both of my kids home. DH returned home from the Bresnan Bike Ride for Special Olympics last night, and the 4 of us had dinner together! This only happens on holidays and special occasions, so it was nice to have the empty nest not be empty. Of course son #2 had many wonderful stories to tell us about his volunteer/service mission in Croatia followed by the adventure tour. It was a great big joyful bump in the road and I am so glad i embraced it instead of obsessing about getting ready for upcoming triathlon.

One of the adventures of son #2 was an opportunity to go hydrospeeding. Its white-water rafting on a kickboard instead of a raft. You wear a full wetsuit and fins (and a helmet) and navigate down a freezing cold river. This looks so fun! I would totally do this given the chance. Might even be worth a trip to Croatia!

Road to Redemption

2010-06-09T08:15:00.001-04:00

July 11-- Tri N Du Putnam. Over the next 30 days, I am going to do my best to prepare for my second sprint triathlon. The Road to Redemption will be physical, mental and nutritional. There will be more mileage, more consistency, and less crappy food. I am bringing back Dab the Wussy. Dab the Wussy is an acronym for “Once A Week, Do What Sucks, At The Body Shop, Until Your Eyeballs Hurt.” So once a week, probably over the weekend, I will totally annihilate my body, empty the tank completely, doing what needs to be done. Sounds like bricks to me.

Yesterday was Day 2 on the Road to Redemption. I did a strength workout (something that I have not been doing consistently for several months) and then I got in the pool for Masters Swim (also something I have not been doing consistently for several months). The staff let us know that the coach would be late because he got on the wrong train, but he never made it. So we improvised with a “People’s Choice” workout. Each team member designed a 400 yard portion of the workout. It might have been a little choppy, but it got the job done and we all worked hard. We spent the last 10 minutes sitting in the hot tub. That was my favorite choice!

A Fight to the Finish--Pawling Traithlon

2010-06-05T20:42:00.005-04:00

Today was the Pawling Triathlon, and I finished, but it was a tough one, from start to finish. I know I should be incredibly proud of what I did today, and I guess I am, but I must admit I am also a little disappointed. I know I could have been better prepared, but it just felt too hard, from beginning to end.
I really struggled with the swim. I couldn't get a rhythm going, I swallowed a bunch of water, and I found myself in a downward spiral of negative thinking..... and this is like 5 minutes into the race! I can't do this. I shouldn't be here. That buoy is so far away. I can barely breathe in this wetsuit. I realized that swimming real slow would be much better than whatever it was that I was doing (which was sucking up gobs of energy), so I forced myself into a very slow rhythm and I started to feel much better. The second half of the swim was much easier.
The bike ride was fine, except ridiculously slow.
The run was tough. I really struggled to keep moving. I couldn't slow down because then I would have been moving backwards. Somehow I got through it. I probably set a PR for my slowest 3 miles.
I made it to the finish line, and there was DH with the camera. Just to add insult to injury, he took a picture of me finishing FROM THE BACK. Just what I needed-- a picture of my ass crossing the finish line. You won't see that one on this blog.

After the race, I had 2 voices in my head. Voice #1: you suck! It's supposed to be a sprint--how can you be that slow? Voice #2: you are awesome! you just finished a triathlon. How many women your age can finish even 1 of the 3 events that you did today? why are you beating yourself up for being slow? But I soon realized its not the slow part that is bothering me-- its that it felt so hard!! Slow is supposed to be beautiful, and this one was kinda ugly.

Having fallen off my horse today, I decided I need to get back on. So I signed up for another sprint triathlon on July 11. What do I need to to do to get ready? I need to do a few open water swims, I need to ride harder, and I need to do a few more bricks. Onward and upward.

I Want to Be Yoshimi

2010-06-02T22:17:00.009-04:00

Her name is Yoshimi, she's a black belt in karate
working for the city she has to discipline her body
'Cause she knows that it's demanding
to defeat those evil machines
I know she can beat them

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots eat me
Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots defeat me

Those evil-natured robots, they're programmed to destroy us
she's gotta be strong to fight them, so she's taking lots of vitamins
'Cause she knows that it'd be tragic
if those evil robots win
I know she can beat them

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots defeat me
Yoshimi, they don't believe me
but you won't let those robots eat me

Yoshimi

Random Thoughts From West Palm Beach

2010-06-02T08:57:00.000-04:00

Four nights on the pullout bed is more than enough.

Swimming in 80 degree water sucks all the energy out of you very quickly.

You can wear anything (or close to nothing) on a Sunday evening in South Beach.

On Sunday evening in South Beach, I had the most unusual Bat Mitzvah party diiner-- pizza, sushi and chicken wings.

Having a daughter that rides horses competitively is VERY expensive.

Having a mom that enjoys shopping and occasionally buys you clothes is a great treat!

Having a mom that lives far away when you sense that she is a little lonely is hard.

A good foreign film is like opening a present. You are not sure what is inside, but you’re confident you are going to like it.

Spending a few days with my mom renews my commitment to use the telephone to reach out to people I love and don’t speak to often enough.

Spending time with family members you don’t see very often is a gift to be treasured.

Southern Florida has a vibrant triathlon community, and the Wellington Mall has a great running/triathlon store. But I don’t know how they do anything in that unrelenting summer heat.

It might be time to think about having surgery on my foot to get rid of the bone spur. Besides the pain (which is not terrible), I am really having a shoe problem.

I really want an iPad. But that has nothing to do with West Palm Beach. Other than having extra time to think about it.