Training Log Archive: vmeyer

Wanted to do a longer ride, but without the difficulties associated with using the area bike trails, so I drove down to Prince William, stopping at McD's on the way for breakfast. Parked at Lot D, at the start of the one way traffic.

Good thing I left the home area because I was ready to quit within the first mile - struggling up the little bit of incline in the outbound direction, sure that the wind was huge and in my face. But, I couldn't quit because I had driven 30+ miles to ride, so I toughed it out, telling myself that I would do one full loop at least.

As usual, it always gets better once past the turn off to Oak Ridge Campground, and I enjoyed the part down to parking lot H, where I turned around. Not too bad getting back to the campground road, and then so much fun riding to the car.

Lots of squirrels, sadly 6 of them squashed on the road. When Sarah was little, she would ask why the squirrels were sleeping in the road.

Anyway, back at the car, I drank some diet coke, gatorade, and had a GU.

C • what motivation! 3

OK, I was pretty sure that I had a second loop in me, so I headed out again. Felt equally as tough going for the first part, but the first 3+ went by, and I was looking forward to the rest of the loop. [Edit - deleted all of the repetitive "again" thingees.]

Lots more cyclist out on this loop, as well as a guy playing the bagpipes in one of the parking lots.

More squirrel sightings, no new ones sleeping in the road.

Got back to the car and was ready to bail on home. Near my car, hanging in the shade, I chatted with a young mother with her child who was waiting on her husband to return for her turn to ride. I commented that I wasn't sure if I had another loop in me, and she stated that I did, and that was enough encouragement to get me going again after another GU, diet coke, and gatorade.

Last loop. I started obsessing with how hard the first part was feeling, and whether I could do this or not, so I turned the garmin over to a screen where I couldn't see the pace and decided to do what I could to get it done.

Again, the bagpiper. I almost called out a request - God save the Queen, perhaps.

Park personnel must have gone through collecting bodies, since the road was now clear of dead squirrels. More squirrels taking the chances though, so the body count will likely rise again by the end of the day.

Kept cranking the pedals around and was back to the parking lot eventually. Though, surprise! It was the same as the second loop. Yeah!

Thanked the woman, who was now on her way out for her bike ride, for her encouragement.

Topping off a fine effort was the fact that there was no traffic backup on the way back up I95. A very good start to the day.

Aches and pains update:
left ankle - good
knees - left - OK, right - iffy when walking up steps
hips - good enough
hammies - sore from yesterday, but not injured

Saw a beautiful red fox on the way into the park.

Beautiful morning to test the ankle with some running.

Dead garmin. Must have turned it on when I thought I was turning it off. So total time is from car clock and run time is estimated...

From boat parking lot to trail in counter clockwise direction. Ran to 3.0 mile post (~.8 miles), walked .5, ran .5, walked 1 mile, ran back .5, walked .5, ran .8.

Lungs during the first run section were so painful! So happy to walk after that. Considered quitting but since I was already at the park, I decided to do whatever I could do, and it did get easier.

Staggering near the end.

Ankle, both knees and right hip are pretty sore. Iced ankle.

Rode to work today. Lazy streak broken in a shorter time than usual!

Not sure if it was the two advil or the change of bike shoes to a new pair of sandals, but my knee did not cramp up on the way in today like it was been. Sandals about two sizes smaller, and I am clipping in closer to the front of my feet, so maybe that put my knee back in the right place.

Path under 395 was still littered with flood debris, both coming and going.

Thought I would run through the core dvd at lunchtime. Too out of shape, so I had to stop after the first couple of sets. Bummer. First time I have started and not gotten all of the way through. Hope to get further the next time.

Ride home into a headwind was brutal. AP thought I was walking!! Not discouraged, but I would not want to take this beating on a regular basis. Supposed to have big storms tonight and into tomorrow. Glad I got this in today.

Not sure about the new shoes after all. I had a heck of a time getting clipped in with the cleats in the forward position. Need to adjust and reevaluate.

PT with Mike, and then an exercise fail. Did not bike to work on what turned out to be a pretty nice day. Disappointed in myself, so I was going to do it after work, but I got sidetracked taking apart the ice maker to rule out what was wrong with it. Settled on needing to order the ice making unit, and then after putting it all back together hit the test button. Unit cycled through correctly, and it is working. So, no ride, but there is ice once again in the Meyer house.

Another rainy day. Just when you think it wasn't going to rain any more, it would.

Knee a bit sore today walking downstairs. Not sure if it was from yesterday or from the biking on Saturday. I may need to restart the gluco supplements that I stopped about six+ months ago and thought I didn't need any longer.

Considered doing the core dvd, but another fail. If I think about it enough, I may get it done, perhaps.