Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Weekly Cycling Log: Jan 22 - Jan 28

Sorry that I didn't get a chance to post anything "exciting" last week but I had some training to prepare that occupied my time (as well as a track meet thrown in). For excitement and a person who shares many of my views on life, head over to MinusCar's Blog. He's been stirring the pot pretty good as of late! For now, the ever boring Weekly Cycling Log which is still plugging away with at least 20 miles a day.

22-Jan24.33Spin Class(10) + Commuting(3.11) + Indoor-Trainer(11.22)
23-Jan28.86Indoor-Dome(14.51) + Commuting(3.64) + Indoor-Trainer(10.71)
24-Jan26.78Spin Class(10) + Commuting(6.57) + Indoor-Trainer(10.21)
25-Jan22.78Indoor-Dome(13.51) + Commuting(3.12) + Indoor-Trainer(6.15)
26-Jan26.78Spin Class(10) + Commuting(3.11) + Indoor-Trainer(13.77)
27-Jan21.22Commuting(2.76) + Indoor-Trainer(18.46)
28-Jan20.65Indoor-Trainer


 Weekly Totals:YTD Totals
Training/Recreation149.19579.94
Commuting/Errands22.31101.32
Total Miles:171.50681.26
Projected Miles-20078880.71

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Weekly Cycling Log: Jan 15 - Jan 21

15-Jan22.96Indoor-Dome
16-Jan26.44Commuting(4.84) + Indoor-Trainer(21.60)
17-Jan30.48Spin Class(10) + Commuting(9.50) + Indoor-Trainer(10.98)
18-Jan26.02Commuting(1.98) + Indoor-Trainer(24.04)
19-Jan23.88Spin Class(10) + Commuting(5.40) + Indoor-Trainer(8.48)
20-Jan20.54Indoor-Trainer
21-Jan21.29Indoor-Trainer


 Weekly Totals:YTD Totals
Training/Recreation149.89430.75
Commuting/Errands21.7279.01
Total Miles:171.61509.76
Projected Miles-20078860.11

Friday, January 19, 2007

And It All Makes Sense Now

It was a warm humid day (I believe in May) a few years ago. I was taking my friend Joe on his first century bike ride to prepare for his first BRAN. We were traversing from Vermillion to Lennox and then to Tea and back.

When we hit Lennox we both needed a break and some liquids. Joe grabbed a sports drink of some sort. Normally I would follow suit but something was pulling me away from the sports drink to something much more magical: Chocolate Milk.

I seriously thought Joe was going to gag as I downed a whole quart of chocolate milk that day. He thought for sure that I'd be the one suffering afterwards. However, my system held it down and I completed the 100 miles with ease. It was actually Joe who struggled over the last twenty miles and not I.

Although I haven't done it that many times, it wasn't the last time that I have put down some chocolate milk on a long ride. I never could understand why it went down so good or why it never seemed to have adverse effects. Of course, NOW it all makes sense thanks to a recent study.

I'm sure that you can Google "Chocolate Milk as a Sports Drink" and read until your hearts content, but below is an excerpt from WebMd. Problem is, now my secret weapon is out there for all to know. Chocolate milk is my weapon of choice! Drink up!

The study, published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, was small in scale; it was partially funded by the dairy industry. But dietitians say the study should help to counter the notion that high-tech, expensive supplements are better than whole foods when it comes to athletic performance. They also note that milk contains key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, in quantities that sports drinks can't match.

"[Milk] is a sports drink 'plus,'" Keith Ayoob, EdD, a registered dietitian and associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, tells WebMD. "It will supply you with things you need whether or not you're working out."

The study builds on findings that intense endurance exercise reduces the muscles' supply of stored glucose, or glycogen, a key source of fuel for exercise. To maximize glycogen replacement, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Dietetic Association recommend taking in a serving of carbohydrates within 30 minutes after a long and vigorous workout.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Gone Fishin' & Raptor Wars

This post is a little late in coming, but one of my youngests favorite presents this last Christmas was the old classic fishing game. He became a pro in no time.
Here is a shot of all the kids together for one big photo op with their Roboraptors and Baby Alive, and no, they are not all mine. Pictured are my three, my two nephews, and my niece.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

-16


That's right ladies and gentlemen. I did it. I layered up, wore my Head Sokz and rode to work this morning. Other than the fact I really could have used my glove liners, it really wasn't that bad.

My armor for this trip:
T-shirt, Sweatshirt, Hooded Sweatshirt, Parka
Pearl Izumi Fleece Legwarmers, Lined Sweatpants, Jeans
Head Sokz, two pairs of socks, tennis shoes, gloves, helmet (of course).

**Late edit** It never did come anywhere close to the high that day. I think it hit 7 or 8 degrees, and slightly windy. It was brrrr cold.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Weekly Cycling Log - Jan 8 - Jan 14

8-Jan23.76Commuting (3.25) + Indoor-Trainer (20.51)
9-Jan21.03Commuting (3.60) + Indoor-Trainer (17.43)
10-Jan25.22Commuting (4.59) + Spin Class(10) + Mtn. Bike(10.63)
11-Jan22.29Indoor-Dome (17.02) + Commuting (5.27)
12-Jan22.24Commuting (2.01) + Indoor-Trainer (20.23)
13-Jan23.80Indoor-Trainer (21.12) + Commuting ( 2.68 )
14-Jan20.92 Indoor-Trainer


 Weekly Totals:YTD Totals
Training/Recreation137.86280.86
Commuting/Errands21.4057.29
Total Miles:159.26338.15
Projected Miles-20078816.05

Friday, January 12, 2007

Lane Hogs Serve The Welcome Table

You know what I truly love about being a member of The Lane Hogs Cycling Club here in Vermillion? I love their willingness to help others. Any follower of the Lane Hogs know our dedication to the MS Bike Tour to help stamp out Multiple Sclerosis. This is without a doubt our "pet" charity and for the most part the only one that our group as a whole had supported...until now.

I threw out an email to the group a while back asking if they would be willing to serve at The Welcome Table, which is a free meal to anybody who wants to come and join in. The response was great! We had plenty of people willing to serve or donate to make the meal.

We made chili, which is never a bad idea in January in South Dakota, and many people also made desserts which worked out great. According to head counts, we served 141 people and it was a busy but awesome time. All agreed that it was a very rewarding experience and I couldn't have been prouder to be a Lane Hog than when the night was over.

The Lane Hogs will have many rides in the future, some which will undoubtedly bring memories that will last a lifetime. While we need those fond memories, I don't foresee any memories meaning more to me than the benevolent work that we did together. Helping feed those in need of a meal or helping finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis, or whatever good reason we find to put our talents to use, I will always be proud of our cyclists.

Thanks to ALL who helped in any part with this endeavor, whether you live in Vermillion, Wakonda, Beresford, or Sioux Falls. I hope you know what it means to me and I hope that it meant something for you as well.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Weekly Cycling Log: Jan 1 - Jan 7

1-Jan23.79Indoor-Trainer
2-Jan24.19Indoor-Dome (18.53) + Commuting (5.66)
3-Jan25.11Spin Class(10) + Commuting(3.93) + Indoor-Trainer(11.18)
4-Jan33.92Indoor-Trainer (7.39) + Indoor-Dome(15.34) + Commuting(11.19)
5-Jan30.02Indoor-Trainer(10.84) + Spin Class(10) + Commuting(9.18)
6-Jan21.81Mtn. Bike (19.13) + Commuting (2.68)
7-Jan20.05Indoor-Trainer


 Weekly Totals:YTD Totals
Training/Recreation143.00143.00
Commuting/Errands35.8935.89
Total Miles:178.89178.89
Projected Miles-2007 9327.84

Friday, January 05, 2007

A Heart to Heart About Helmets

Some parents reading this probably will dislike me. I don't really care. If they are brave enough to read it, something is drawing them to continue on. Maybe they want to be mad at me; maybe they are mad, but realize I'm right. Either way, I hope it sinks in.

Let me preface the upcoming blog by saying that I probably am not the poster child of wearing helmets. I am now, but I haven't always been. I've only been wearing one while riding to work for approximately 3-4 years now (full time). I've always worn one on training rides or mountain bike rides or any group/club rides. Unfortunately it probably was the realization that I couldn't be a full time helmet-wearing role model for my children if I skipped a day here and there. I didn't want to be the hypocritical parent that says one thing and does the other.

Growing up (I love you Mom) but I'm pretty sure that my Mom and Dad had no clue about helmets. I'm pretty sure that everybody in the thriving metropolis of Wakonda, SD (population 393 - SALLLLUTE!) was pretty much in the same boat as me. I don't remember anybody with helmets. Some of the stuff we did on bikes...well...let's just say I'm somehow still here on God's green earth. I'd like to say that I've suffered no brain damage, but there are those who would disagree.

I'm thoroughly convinced that parents who don't make their kids wear helmets are, in a word, STUPID. There I said it. And I mean it. Hey, you know, I've been looking for people who read my blog to actually post comments. If THIS doesn't do it, not much will. I know, I know: "My kid is safe", "It won't happen to me", "Helmets are expensive", "Helmets mess up my hair (a personal fav)". Guess what? It happens, more often than you think. So, as I sit here calling many people that I call friend "STUPID" I do so with the intentions of making you see in the following paragraphs to see the error of your ways. I feel strongly about this. You can still be stupid and be my friend, but chances are you WILL know about my passion about helmets. What you choose to do about that is up to you.

Well, that was quite a preface before getting to the meat of my story now wasn't it. This morning, Austin (child #1) and Marissa (child #2) were preparing to go to school as I was preparing to leave for work. I noticed Austin didn't have a helmet on and I asked for an explanation. The first part of the excuse, however weak, was still better than part two. "Dad, Marissa's helmet doesn't fit over her hat so I gave her mine. And her other one is kind of falling apart." Okay, excuse number one has plausibility, Dad now realizes that he needs to buy a helmet for Marissa. THEN, he had to open his mouth again. Bad move. Really bad move. "...and I don't crash so I don't really need a helmet." Realizing the error of his ways by the simple look on my face, I uttered the phrase that every child fears: "We'll be talking about this when I get home from work." And so we did....

After a REAL quick Google search on "wear a helmet" it only took two sites before I had more than enough ammo. The sites?: 10 Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Excuses for Not Wearing a Helmet! and Wear A Helmet.org. I made Austin sit next to me on the couch and read the "excuses" site followed by the "wear a helmet.org" site. It had it's effect. There are nothing like the very unfortunate events of young people dying or getting seriously hurt to make a kid think. You know that it has an effect when you see a little moisture under the eye of a ten year old boy. I also showed him a pdf file that I had saved from a 17 year old from Sioux Falls O'Gorman that was killed when the bike he was riding hit a car at a stop sign.

We talked for a bit after that. I wanted him to know that these rules I'm setting are not without reason. I don't want to lose a child, period. I definitely don't want to lose a child due to something I know that I could have prevented. He took my hint and said that he promises to always wear a helmet. Good kid...I love him very much...he needs to be reminded of that from time to time. He was tonight.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Respect During the National Anthem

171. Conduct during playing

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.


I am at MANY sporting events since I help run the Daktronics Venus 7000 system for all USD Coyote sporting events (and a few high school events as well). One thing that has always irked me is people who do not take off their hats. Overall, I would give South Dakotans an "above average" ranking in this area, but they can still use some work. Even when I have to display the flag on both Daktronics boards, I still have my hand over my heart in respect. While I would love to see more people with their hands over their hearts (it's the Veteran/Patriot in me), the hat has to come off at least.

For those of you who watched the Oklahoma/Boise State football bowl game (yes, I know, it was a painful game for us OU faithful) and happened to catch the National Anthem, and have an ounce of patriotic respect, you should be appalled. They scanned the crowd frequently and I simply could not believe the number of people with their hats on. This included, my personal favorite, a guy with his hat on while talking on the cell phone.

Maybe I'm getting old, maybe it's the war vet in me, but I'm just not happy to see this kind of blatant disrespect for our National Anthem. I'm proud when Greg Merrigan, our local PA guy at USD games and high school activities reminds people that 'proper etiquette is to face the flag, remove your hats, and stand at attention with your hand over your heart' but should we REALLY need that reminder? Okay, end of rant...for now...