Training Log Archive: NadimIn the 31 days ending Jul 31, 2018:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « | » |
| » now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday Jul 30, 2018 #
8 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 13:26 1.46 mi (9:12 / mi) +35m 8:34 / mi
slept:5.5 weight:193.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., to Folkstone Rd., then back. Samantha scootered while I rode. When climbing hills, I could feel my left knee being a little sore from riding a lot last weekend.
Sunday Jul 29, 2018 #
2 PM
Bicycling (Road) 3:08:47 [3] 51.08 mi (3:42 / mi) +848m 3:31 / mi
slept:7.5 weight:194lbs (injured)
From Woodland Beach, MD (near Annapolis), I rode home after dropping Max off at a summer camp. This was fun! I used to ride these roads often when I lived in Greenbelt, and Bowie. It was also just good to go for a long ride again.
I rode from near the intersection of Rte. 214 and Rte. 2 on Rte. 214 toward Bowie, MD. Beards Point Rd. got me to Riva Rd., and Governor's Bridge Rd. I had been worried that the bridge over the Patuxent River, would be closed. It'd been closed and open on various occasions in the past so I pushed toward it. Sure enough there were some barricades but I could get around those and got across the bridge just fine. Immediately on the other side, the road dipped to the low point. There was drying mud ahead and I had to chose quickly. I went a little to the right and found it to be about 1 inch deep over the pavement. It was slick so my balancing skills came in handy as I got across about 25m of it without falling.
From Bowie, I got onto Rte. 197 and rode that all the way to Powder Mill Rd. Crossing the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), very near where I'd been yesterday was nice again--memories of the Washington's Birthday Marathon I did there in 1976 came to mind and it really is a nice rustic setting with wide views. I finally took a break about 28 miles into the ride with a cold Gatorade.
Getting onto Old Gunpowder Rd., Briggs Chaney Rd., and Fairland Rd., brought back memories of starting out my solo bike tour of MD, VA and WV--800 miles in 7 days. I got a bit confused after crossing Columbia Pike--that highway was much wider than it was when I used to ride there, and the Inter-County Connector (ICC) wasn't built back then. I ended up going north on Old Columbia Rd., when I should have kept going straight to get to Randolph Rd. I also tried to get onto the ICC hiker-biker trail when I crossed over, but there was no access ramp. I got back onto Briggs Chaney Rd. taking it to New Hampshire Ave., then south. I got the bright idea again when crossing the ICC to try to get onto the trail, and this time I was able to. My success lasted less than a mile as the trail suddenly ended at Notley Rd., Sherwood Forest Dr. got be back to Randolph Rd., I rode Kemp Mill Rd., past Wheaton Regional Park, using Arcola Ave. and Grandview Ave. to get to Rte. 193 (University Blvd). I stopped again for another Gatorade at 45 miles in Kennsington.
Taking Summit Ave./Cedar Ln. to Beach Dr., I realized I'd be under 50 miles if I went directly home, so I instead went up Grosvenor Rd., to get onto the Bethesda Trolley Trail, and Rte. 187 (Old Georgetown Rd.).
The weather was pretty good with it being in the mid to upper 80s F. I think the winds were primarily going SE as I was but there were some headwinds. This route started not being so hilly but it got more-so toward the end. I held up my energy level pretty well to the end. I got a bit tired at some hills but recovered. Though I didn't want to, I was feeling good enough to mow the lawn afterward--it was much needed.
I rode from near the intersection of Rte. 214 and Rte. 2 on Rte. 214 toward Bowie, MD. Beards Point Rd. got me to Riva Rd., and Governor's Bridge Rd. I had been worried that the bridge over the Patuxent River, would be closed. It'd been closed and open on various occasions in the past so I pushed toward it. Sure enough there were some barricades but I could get around those and got across the bridge just fine. Immediately on the other side, the road dipped to the low point. There was drying mud ahead and I had to chose quickly. I went a little to the right and found it to be about 1 inch deep over the pavement. It was slick so my balancing skills came in handy as I got across about 25m of it without falling.
From Bowie, I got onto Rte. 197 and rode that all the way to Powder Mill Rd. Crossing the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), very near where I'd been yesterday was nice again--memories of the Washington's Birthday Marathon I did there in 1976 came to mind and it really is a nice rustic setting with wide views. I finally took a break about 28 miles into the ride with a cold Gatorade.
Getting onto Old Gunpowder Rd., Briggs Chaney Rd., and Fairland Rd., brought back memories of starting out my solo bike tour of MD, VA and WV--800 miles in 7 days. I got a bit confused after crossing Columbia Pike--that highway was much wider than it was when I used to ride there, and the Inter-County Connector (ICC) wasn't built back then. I ended up going north on Old Columbia Rd., when I should have kept going straight to get to Randolph Rd. I also tried to get onto the ICC hiker-biker trail when I crossed over, but there was no access ramp. I got back onto Briggs Chaney Rd. taking it to New Hampshire Ave., then south. I got the bright idea again when crossing the ICC to try to get onto the trail, and this time I was able to. My success lasted less than a mile as the trail suddenly ended at Notley Rd., Sherwood Forest Dr. got be back to Randolph Rd., I rode Kemp Mill Rd., past Wheaton Regional Park, using Arcola Ave. and Grandview Ave. to get to Rte. 193 (University Blvd). I stopped again for another Gatorade at 45 miles in Kennsington.
Taking Summit Ave./Cedar Ln. to Beach Dr., I realized I'd be under 50 miles if I went directly home, so I instead went up Grosvenor Rd., to get onto the Bethesda Trolley Trail, and Rte. 187 (Old Georgetown Rd.).
The weather was pretty good with it being in the mid to upper 80s F. I think the winds were primarily going SE as I was but there were some headwinds. This route started not being so hilly but it got more-so toward the end. I held up my energy level pretty well to the end. I got a bit tired at some hills but recovered. Though I didn't want to, I was feeling good enough to mow the lawn afterward--it was much needed.
Saturday Jul 28, 2018 #
1 PM
Bicycling (Street & Trail) 2:06:32 [3] 33.43 mi (3:47 / mi) +341m 3:40 / mi
slept:7.0 weight:195.5lbs (injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Main Ave., to P Street SW, to the South Capital Street bridge, to Anacostia Dr., to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, to the Northeast Branch Trail, to Goodluck Rd., to Springfield Rd., to Beaverdam Rd., to Kenilworth Ave., to Cherrywood Ln., to Lake Artemesia, to the Paint Branch Trail, then across the University of Maryland campus to McKeldin Mall. This day started slowly with Peggy getting me to the metro station and taking the train downtown. I couldn't get into my building from usual front entrance and had to walk around. With a few other delays, I got to my bicycle and found it had a flat tire. I patched it and improved the front derailer too, by tightening up the cabling. Getting started I was surprised at all of the new waterfront development--all of that had been under construction the last time I'd come by. Once cross the South Capital Street Bridge, I was happy to see Anacostia Park being used by a lot of people and there being various picnics--that last time I'd been there under my own muscle, the place was empty. The paved trail was pretty nice though it curved about at times. Getting through Greenbelt and the Beltsville Agricultural was interesting and I was cruising steadily. Unfortunately, just as I was just getting to the home stretch on Kenilworth Ave., I could tell that I had another flat. I swapped out the inner-tube and eventually got to the University of Maryland.
4 PM
Orienteering (Foot) 41:49 [3] 3.0 km (13:56 / km) +110m 11:46 / km
(injured)
QOC Summer Short Series at College Park, MD. Boris G. and Ali B. setup a sprint relay of sorts. There were 4 courses and I did the first one. I was tired from cycling. The cycling probably loosened me up. My left leg didn't hurt much and I didn't feel like I was going to roll my ankle quite as much as at George Mason a while back. It was warm and I was dehydrated. I was tasting salt water like I do at the ocean and that hadn't happened so strongly before that I can remember. About 2/3 of the way through the course, I started walking because I was feeling a bit off balance. I had to pace myself walking up a 4 flight stairway to one control. This was a fairly fun event with good participation.
Friday Jul 27, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 51:17 13.45 mi (3:49 / mi) +60m 3:46 / mi
slept:6.5 weight:195.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, Folkstone Rd., then to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Samantha scootered to day care again and is getting more proficient at it. I rode steadily most of the time but did surge here and there to pass people in places that were safe. There was a bit of a headwind on Ohio Dr. along the water.
I planned to ride back home and knew I'd have to take my laptop but as it was time to leave, a front was moving through--that and carry a laptop don't go together. I didn't want to wait another half hour for the rain to pass, nor for me to be able to take my bike on the train--7pm. The funny thing was that in Bethesda it had hardly rained earlier, and wasn't raining at all when Peggy picked me up.
I planned to ride back home and knew I'd have to take my laptop but as it was time to leave, a front was moving through--that and carry a laptop don't go together. I didn't want to wait another half hour for the rain to pass, nor for me to be able to take my bike on the train--7pm. The funny thing was that in Bethesda it had hardly rained earlier, and wasn't raining at all when Peggy picked me up.
Thursday Jul 26, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 39:37 [3] 12.2 mi (3:15 / mi) +25m 3:14 / mi
slept:5.5 weight:197.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. The rains, about +10 inches worth over the last 5 days, finally let up. Things were damp when I rode but mostly not wet. I took it easier since I have been feeling weak on my left leg. The winds were calm. I rode alone and no one passed me. I stayed in my middle range front cog, since the cable got loose over the last week and I wasn't able to get it fixed right this morning. It didn't matter much as I was not able to hold the highest gear for long going downhill.
5 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 44:57 [3] 12.1 mi (3:43 / mi) +149m 3:35 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. It got sunny and about what a summer day in Washington, D.C. should be this time of year. I took a steady pace through the city and on the trail. I got passed at Massachusetts Ave., and rode the draft until on Falls Rd. I got ahead again for a while but was passed when the grade to steeper on Glenmont Ave.
6 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 12:18 [2] 2.05 mi (6:00 / mi) +32m 5:43 / mi
(injured)
From Northfield Rd., I had to get a pre-op physical with a blood test, and then dinner. I went to an urgent care since I couldn't get in to see my regular doctor before a trip next week. I don't think many people ride up to this place on a bicycle. I also got lunch for everyone but poor Peggy who's rather sick and was in bed. Max had his friend Devon at our house for a sleepover.
Wednesday Jul 25, 2018 #
8 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 6:20 [3] 1.41 mi (4:30 / mi) +19m 4:18 / mi
slept:4.5 weight:198lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., to the Bethesda Metro Station. Though rain was in the forecast, I took advantage of it not raining in the morning.
7 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 9:15 [2] 1.41 mi (6:34 / mi) +22m 6:16 / mi
(injured)
From the Bethesda Metro Station, to Northfield Rd. As I got to the Bethesda station, it was pouring rain. I waited about 15 minutes, and let it slow down. I was in my work clothes. I opened up a sizeable umbrella and rode slowly through the rain to home. I managed to stay fairly dry except for my ankles.
Earlier in the day, and the day before, my back was affecting my walking more than it had been for a while. I also in the last couple of days started getting some pain on my right calf. Since January, everything had been on my left leg and foot. I waited a day after seeing my orthopedist on Monday, and have decided to go through with an almost identical discectomy at the same vertebrae level, but on my left side. That's probably going to happen in 2 weeks. Meanwhile, I'll continue on trying to exercise, etc. It's been very busy and often stressful at work.
Earlier in the day, and the day before, my back was affecting my walking more than it had been for a while. I also in the last couple of days started getting some pain on my right calf. Since January, everything had been on my left leg and foot. I waited a day after seeing my orthopedist on Monday, and have decided to go through with an almost identical discectomy at the same vertebrae level, but on my left side. That's probably going to happen in 2 weeks. Meanwhile, I'll continue on trying to exercise, etc. It's been very busy and often stressful at work.
Monday Jul 23, 2018 #
Note
weight:196lbs (injured)
I saw my orthopedist today. The results of the MRI I tool show another broken piece of cartilage at the same vertebrae as 3 years ago but on my left side. I worked from home this day. It was too rainy to do much outside and I was too busy working late anyway.
Sunday Jul 22, 2018 #
3 PM
Bicycling (Road) 1:24:45 [3] 23.1 mi (3:40 / mi) +423m 3:28 / mi
slept:8.0 weight:196lbs (injured)
Poolsville, MD. From Fischer Ave.just across the street from the elementary school, I took Fisher Ave., to Sugarland Rd., to Whites Ferry Rd., to White Ground Rd., to Clarksburg Rd., to Barnesville Rd., to Slidell Rd., to Comus Rd., to Peach Tree Rd., to Darnestown Rd., to Catail Rd., to Fischer Ave. With the remnant rains what they were in the aftermath of 5 inches the day before, I was wary of starting out. I saw a window of opportunity but still got a slowish start with eating lunch then realizing I forgot my gloves--I got more and some nice shorts from a nearby store. By the time I was starting out across the county's agricultural preserve, it was well after 3pm and raining moderately. My front derailleur cable was slipping so I rode the whole ride in the 53 ring. Radar showed that the rain would pass and it did after about 35 minutes. I still rode through occasional puddles and overflow from ditches and fields. I had to keep a good eye out for debris. Through all of that, I really enjoyed seeing this countryside again. I'd feared suburban growth would have taken over a lot of it but except for 2-3 places, much of it was intact. The high point and mental turnaround point was near Sugarloaf Mountain. Riding the Peach Tree Rd. ridgeline back, I got a few nice views of that mountain which I used to nickname Mt. Pipsqueak. The best view was across a large open grassy field with clouds rising off the top. At the end of the field was an iconic Victorian house with yellow, blue, and red floors and a nice porch with a metal roof. I didn't feel that fast finishing up on the downslopes toward Poolsville. There was a headwind that dried-off the roads where it was sunny. While I'm not running I hope to do more long rides. I just have to make a point of getting out earlier.
After the ride, I had to drive to Virginia to pickup Samantha, who'd slept the night at my mother's house. White's Ferry was my initial plan, but that was closed due to the high water on the river. I drove through Point of Rocks, recalling other bicycling I'd done decades back. It was a pretty drive, though a little busier than it used to be.
After the ride, I had to drive to Virginia to pickup Samantha, who'd slept the night at my mother's house. White's Ferry was my initial plan, but that was closed due to the high water on the river. I drove through Point of Rocks, recalling other bicycling I'd done decades back. It was a pretty drive, though a little busier than it used to be.
Saturday Jul 21, 2018 #
8 AM
Hiking (Street & Trail Commute) 36:00 [2] 1.2 mi (30:00 / mi)
slept:7.0 weight:196.5lbs (injured)
Rockville, MD. From Parklawn Dr., Randolph Rd. to Bou Ave., then back. I had an appointment to get a hitch installed on my van this morning. While I was waiting, I walked in the rain to Target to do some shopping, and then returned. The walking felt much better than it had been 2 weeks back. The U-Haul company had messed up after I left my keys with them. It was busy and there was a miscommunication about my van and another that didn't have an appointment. The other got a hitch installed in my appointment. They sorted it out but I lost another 40 minutes waiting. I was glad I could sit on some packing boxes that they were selling, since my leg was starting to hurt a bit.
Afterward, I got home and did a lot of cleaning up and cooking. We had a cookout--it was my sister Rubina's birthday wish to do that before she knew it'd be raining a lot. I felt stronger walking around and bending over than I had in a long time. Perhaps the steroids were taking effect. There was so much rain that we ended up cooking under the porch and getting late. My sister and mom watched some of the old home movies I'd converted to MP4s. Max helped with the cooking a good bit. It all tasted good!
Afterward, I got home and did a lot of cleaning up and cooking. We had a cookout--it was my sister Rubina's birthday wish to do that before she knew it'd be raining a lot. I felt stronger walking around and bending over than I had in a long time. Perhaps the steroids were taking effect. There was so much rain that we ended up cooking under the porch and getting late. My sister and mom watched some of the old home movies I'd converted to MP4s. Max helped with the cooking a good bit. It all tasted good!
Friday Jul 20, 2018 #
8 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 14:59 1.57 mi (9:33 / mi) +31m 9:00 / mi
slept:6.0 weight:192.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., to Folkstone Rd., and then back. Samantha had decided to ride her scooter to school--she'd wanted to walk but I told her we'd drive if she didn't ride. She must have been tired and ended up walking a fair part of the way.
10 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 5:06 [3] 1.06 mi (4:49 / mi) +22m 4:31 / mi
(injured)
From Northfield Rd., to Auburn Ave. I rode to my MRI appointment--probably not a lot of patients do that! The last time I'd been there for one, I could barely walk.
1 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 4:25 [3] 0.86 mi (5:08 / mi) +8m 5:00 / mi
(injured)
From Auburn Ave. to Northfield Rd. After my MRI I had lunch and rode home.
Thursday Jul 19, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 51:44 13.45 mi (3:51 / mi) +54m 3:48 / mi
slept:5.5 weight:194lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, Folkstone Rd., then to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Samantha wanted to ride her scooter to day care again. I felt like I had a tailwind and pulled some people for some people for a while before losing them. I slowed a little finishing up. I got behind a big group getting onto 15th St., in DC, and cranked up the hill. When it was time to turn onto Independence Ave., I suddenly cramped hard on my left calf. I pulled over for a little then limped in. At least it was another very nice low humidity and cool morning for July!
Later this evening, just before going to bed I again had severe muscle cramps. It sometimes happens as my blood shifts from laying down on the couch, to my feet hitting the floor. It also might be related to the sudden weight loss--not sure why that happened. I've had similar sudden weight loss experiences around this time of year before. On the one hand I'd been busy enough and circumstances were just right for me to eat a little less. I'd also focused on drinking more water. Strange too that I had been cramping after taking complete daily requirement vitamins--not something I've been doing consistently this year.
Later this evening, just before going to bed I again had severe muscle cramps. It sometimes happens as my blood shifts from laying down on the couch, to my feet hitting the floor. It also might be related to the sudden weight loss--not sure why that happened. I've had similar sudden weight loss experiences around this time of year before. On the one hand I'd been busy enough and circumstances were just right for me to eat a little less. I'd also focused on drinking more water. Strange too that I had been cramping after taking complete daily requirement vitamins--not something I've been doing consistently this year.
7 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 44:29 [3] 12.1 mi (3:41 / mi) +138m 3:33 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. Leaving late, there was not a lot of traffic. I had unexpected tailwinds getting to Georgetown. I didn't push very much--yup, dogging-it a bit.
Wednesday Jul 18, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 51:08 13.45 mi (3:48 / mi) +56m 3:45 / mi
weight:196.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, Folkstone Rd., then to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Samantha wanted to ride her scooter to day care again. That went pretty well. Afterward, as I got to Bradley Rd. and was waiting at a traffic light to turn onto it, another cyclist went by. I thought I'd catch him. He was going the way I was, via Kennedy Rd., to the Capital Crescent Trail. I sometimes seemed to gain ground but he slowly pulled away. He had however, gotten me moving pretty fast. I kept that up, passing a lot of other cyclists in the process. I slowed down some finishing up.
6 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 45:38 [3] 11.67 mi (3:55 / mi) +135m 3:46 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Battery Ln., Bethesda, MD. I rode pretty well getting to Georgetown. I guess I was in the zone going up the Capital Crescent Trail. It seemed to go fast. I met Peggy and Samantha for an appointment.
Bicycling 8:27 [3] 1.54 mi (5:29 / mi) +20m 5:16 / mi
Tuesday Jul 17, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 53:17 13.45 mi (3:58 / mi) +47m 3:55 / mi
slept:6.5 weight:197lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, Folkstone Rd., then to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Samantha wanted to ride her scooter to day care. She'd never don't it before and even going downhill had been hard for her. She did pretty well and was enthusiastic. We took a shorter route but that did involve getting over some steep hills. She had to walk a little and did get tired but persevered.
After this, I rode to the CCT using a slightly different route. On the CCT, I pulled for a guy for a while before losing him when passing others. The winds were from the west so mostly not impeding me. I didn't feel it in the trees, before Georgetown. It was pretty humid and I sweat a lot but that didn't bother me.
After this, I rode to the CCT using a slightly different route. On the CCT, I pulled for a guy for a while before losing him when passing others. The winds were from the west so mostly not impeding me. I didn't feel it in the trees, before Georgetown. It was pretty humid and I sweat a lot but that didn't bother me.
6 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 43:58 [3] 12.1 mi (3:38 / mi) +142m 3:30 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. It had rained earlier and I didn't even notice until I'd gotten outside. I left late so there were few people on the trail and it was easy to get through Georgetown. There was a slight tailwind getting to Georgetown but not much after that. I felt a little stronger, having not ridden much the previous 2 days.
Monday Jul 16, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 38:27 [3] 12.2 mi (3:09 / mi) +19m 3:08 / mi
weight:198.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I had favorable winds. I rode in with my laptop.
7 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 43:33 [3] 12.1 mi (3:36 / mi) +141m 3:28 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. It had rained again before I rode. This time it was wet in a lot of places. It was also even more humid than the previous day. I had mixed winds. After Georgetown, I caught a guy and did a long pull for him. He returned the favor. I passed him back at River Rd. and finished pouring off sweat.
Sunday Jul 15, 2018 #
5 PM
Bicycling 12:16 [3] 2.46 mi (4:59 / mi) +39m 4:45 / mi
slept:7.0 weight:198.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., to Wisconsin Ave., and then back. I rode to the pharmacy to pickup prescriptions for my back. They only had one of the two--an anti-inflammatory and a steroid. I stayed in taking it easy most of the day. I should have gotten out for a long bicycle ride but thunderstorms were threatening when I got motivated, and with Peggy doing some shopping after that, I stayed with Samantha.
Saturday Jul 14, 2018 #
1 PM
Orienteering (Control Pickup) 53:06 [3] 1.7 mi (31:14 / mi) +27m 29:47 / mi
weight:200lbs (injured)
Wheaton Regional Park. I provided beginner instruction for QOC's event. Heidi and David Onkst had organized it as they've done the past several years. The instruction included walking through a very short model course a few times. Near the end, one late participant came so I walked the first 5 controls with her, while picking them up. Along the way, I found a minor new trail. It was a pretty nice day with plenty of participants. Perhaps the heat and humidity helped my back; it didn't hurt to walk much. I didn't try running but think I could have. Afterward several of us (Maces, Daniel Heimgartner, Peggy, Samantha) ate lunch but Heidi had signs to pickup.
Friday Jul 13, 2018 #
12 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 5:56 [3] 1.01 mi (5:53 / mi) +15m 5:37 / mi
slept:6.5 weight:198lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., to the intersection of Rugby Ave. and Auburn Ave. I had a doctor appointment this morning so I worked the rest of the day at home. There's more to come regarding my back but I'll start with a steroid and go from there. With some simple tests the doctor confirmed weaknesses in my left foot; he called it a "drop" of some sort. After I got home, Max got home from his camp so we rode over into Bethesda together for lunch.
Bicycling (Commute) 5:32 [3] 1.04 mi (5:19 / mi) +8m 5:11 / mi
(injured)
From the intersection of Rugby Ave. and Auburn Ave., to Northfield Rd. After lunch, Max went off on his own to hang out with a friend. I rode home slowly, being full from lunch and tired. As I was going up a small grade, I heard "passing on your left" and a guy on a long board went whizzing by. It was motorized and he controlled the speed and braking with a hand remote. I passed him back at the next intersection on the downgrade.
Thursday Jul 12, 2018 #
8 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 40:21 [3] 12.2 mi (3:18 / mi) +31m 3:17 / mi
slept:4.5 weight:197.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. The winds were more from the east this day so I had some headwinds. I was more tired. I rode alone.
5 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 44:59 [3] 12.1 mi (3:43 / mi) +144m 3:35 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. My leg wasn't hurting when walking about as much again today. However, while walking back with Mark Mace from lunch, I did stumble and almost fall from an uneven crack in the sidewalk. It was the weakness in my left ankle that I'd been feeling since Sunday more than the slight unevenness in the sidewalk. Riding back, there were slight headwinds similar to the previous day. I had my laptop in my backpack so I had a little extra weight. I kept spinning and felt a bit weak but my time was okay, all considering.
Wednesday Jul 11, 2018 #
8 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 38:48 [3] 12.2 mi (3:11 / mi) +31m 3:09 / mi
weight:197.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. The winds were coming from the NE. That is rare but it seemed favorable much of the time. I also carried my work laptop in my backpack. I passed a guy who had just gotten on the trail ahead of me. He passed me a mile later and led me a few miles. However when we hit the flats near Fletchertown Boathouse, he slowed and I went ahead. The trail was busy.
5 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 45:03 [3] 11.84 mi (3:48 / mi) +141m 3:40 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. It was a little easier when walking and standing this day. The pain in my leg comes and goes. On the ride back home, there were some headwinds but it wasn't bad. Getting through Georgetown with traffic, I got ahead of a guy who passed me back pretty quickly. He slowly pulled ahead and I slowly caught up again. Eventually, when passing others we broke apart again, only for me to catch him again and pass him just before Falls Rd. I got home and over to pickup Samantha just as she was getting concerned about being the last one in daycare.
Tuesday Jul 10, 2018 #
Note
weight:197lbs (injured)
Similar to Monday, I had little time to workout and was not walking well.
Monday Jul 9, 2018 #
Note
weight:195.5lbs (injured)
I didn't bicycle since I had an offsite training class. With Peggy out of town for work I didn't try to run either. I was limping about throughout the day, and feeling like my left ankle was still weak and would roll over easily.
Sunday Jul 8, 2018 #
4 PM
Orienteering (Foot) 1:02:55 5.35 mi (11:46 / mi) +129m 10:57 / mi
slept:8.25 weight:196.5lbs (injured)
QOC Summer Short Series at George Mason University, VA. The Lennon's setup a sprinty score-o with a few variations. The map was 1:6250, so a little hard to read at times. It had been updated by Tom Strat so it was pretty good (a few times trails seemed a little off but it was hard to be sure not stopping to check. First, there were 30 controls. 10 of them were connected pairs--dog bones. Individual controls were 5 points, but dog bones were 20. The dog bones made people do more route planning and longer distances. To make it even more interesting, at one end of the dog bones were several Mardi Gras necklace beads. The first few people doing a dog bone leg were to take and wear the beads for extra points. I didn't realize there were more than one necklace at the dog bones so I started out doing one of them that was the furthest away. Dave Pruden passed me on that. I made a mistake going from #56 to #60. I went a long way around a construction site to correct it. Going to the start of my second dog bone, I saw Max who was already on it. I caught up to him a couple of controls later and we ran a few controls close together or with him following. I fit in a few single controls when Max decided not to go for them, and later we met up again. I made another error at #33, being confused by the wall--I ran to the correct area and didn't see it so I went around up to the top only to not find it there either. Down below I was convinced it wasn't there, but Max had found it misplaced a little. We were overtime at that point so we headed in. I never got to the dense area of controls in the middle of the map, nor the ones in the south. I was just running too slowly. I got all 5 dog bones and 9 other controls for 145 points. Max said he got 120.
I was lucky to have been running at all. At times when I started feeling some more pain, I thought I was being fairly stupid for just being out there. The longer I went, the more I loosened up or something. I worried less about it. I did however worry throughout the run since my left toes were numb and I kept feeling like I was going to twist my left ankle. I took it easy or walked on steep ground.
After the running and cleaning-up, most of the attendees went to Tom Strat's High Side Craft Beer Restaurant. I didn't sample the beers--that would have all been wasted on me, not knowing a good beer from a bad one. I happily never acquired the taste. The food was pretty good, and unusual. Some things like popcorn chicken were easily consumed by the kids. Others like a fried shrimp tofu didn't sit well with them but I liked it all. Max did get adventurous enough to try a Carmel Flan and he liked that. Nicole Lennon drove the kids home and treated them to ice cream.
I was lucky to have been running at all. At times when I started feeling some more pain, I thought I was being fairly stupid for just being out there. The longer I went, the more I loosened up or something. I worried less about it. I did however worry throughout the run since my left toes were numb and I kept feeling like I was going to twist my left ankle. I took it easy or walked on steep ground.
After the running and cleaning-up, most of the attendees went to Tom Strat's High Side Craft Beer Restaurant. I didn't sample the beers--that would have all been wasted on me, not knowing a good beer from a bad one. I happily never acquired the taste. The food was pretty good, and unusual. Some things like popcorn chicken were easily consumed by the kids. Others like a fried shrimp tofu didn't sit well with them but I liked it all. Max did get adventurous enough to try a Carmel Flan and he liked that. Nicole Lennon drove the kids home and treated them to ice cream.
C • Max 2
Saturday Jul 7, 2018 #
5 PM
Bicycling (Road) 1:09:00 [3] 17.94 mi (3:51 / mi)
slept:7.0 weight:197.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Custer Rd. to Huntington Pkwy., to Old Georgetown Rd., to Maple Ridge Rd., to the Bethesda Trolley Trail to Jones Bridge Rd., to Jones Mill Rd., to Beech Dr. to Garret Park Rd., to the Rock Creek Trail, to Baltimore Ave., to Edmonston Rd., to Wooton Pkwy, to Seven Locks Rd., to Cadbury Ave., to Park Potomac Ave. I sat most of the day with it not feeling good to stand or walk for long. Max helped out by mowing the lawn for me. I did vacation planning. I got a late start and had just enough time to fit in a short ride before meeting the Lennon's for dinner. When riding, I felt much okay--that's a form of sitting. The dinner was brief chance to do that before Nicole left for college. It was a wonderful day for any time of the year, but for July in the DC area, it was really delightful. It was in the upper 70s F. with low humidity and not much wind. I also enjoyed not having a backpack on while I rode. Most of my rides are commuting these days. I did a good job spinning. It might have helped weight out again at the lightest in months---still very overweight. Some of the roads were bumpy from repaving in-progress. Beech Dr. was really nice. I moved up the light grade pretty smoothly. The Rock Creek Trail was bumpy and the steep spots were where I felt my tired legs, but once back on the roads, even on steep hills on Baltimore Ave., I rode competently. I should do this more often.
Friday Jul 6, 2018 #
Note
(injured)
I wasn't feeling so well today. I might have ridden a little but I had a doctor appointment that took up my usual riding time.
Thursday Jul 5, 2018 #
8 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 41:32 [3] 12.2 mi (3:24 / mi) +31m 3:23 / mi
weight:199lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I was pretty close to not biking in this morning. The weather was okay and ended up being a little cooler than earlier in the week. The wind seemed to be in front of me but along the river on Ohio Dr., the blow of the boats anchored from the night before for firework viewing, appeared to reveal a west or neutral wind. I almost failed to ride since my leg was still hurting and I'd stayed-up late putting together a video from 1967 family home movies. I was doing that for my brother who's birthday it is. Being seated, my left leg didn't hurt (from my back problem) while riding. My right leg actually was feeling tired, perhaps from overcompensation. I took it extra easy, opting not to stick with the one guy who'd passed me at a pace I think I could have held.
6 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 44:41 [3] 12.1 mi (3:42 / mi) +132m 3:34 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. I started slowly but on 15th St., I passed several at a traffic light and rounded the Jefferson Memorial fast with a tailwind. One of the other guys passed me on Ohio Dr. where I took it easier but I caught him just after the Lincoln Memorial where a fence setup for the 4th of July was still partially blocking the trail--it had been completely blocking it this morning and I had to make a risky move around it using a busy street then. I thought I was moving pretty well after that. There were a few slow downs getting to/through Georgetown and outside of it I passed an electric assisted cyclist who never caught me. I figured I'd be faster but I'm not complaining. At least I was still able to get in a workout.
Wednesday Jul 4, 2018 #
9 PM
Hiking (Street & Trail) 30:00 [3] 1.3 mi (23:05 / mi) +47m 20:44 / mi
slept:6.0 weight:197.5lbs (injured)
From Redland Blvd., to Picard. Dr., to Mattie JT Stepanek Park to watch Rockville's concert and fireworks show with Peggy, Max, and Samantha, then back. The show was pretty nice. We hadn't been up as close to the fireworks as that in a long time.
I had been looking for a change from our frequent viewing (from the National Cathedral) of the show happening downtown in DC. That was partly because of the obstructed views and primarily standing room only. The other part was because I wanted to avoid a long walk and to be able to sit in a chair--walking around earlier in the day to visit my mom and sister Rubina at my sister Sameena's (would have been her 60th birthday) and my father's grave sites had been painful on my left leg.
Going to Rockville gave great me great seated views of the shows from the field hilltop, but didn't let me avoid the walking or the leg pain. We had to park our van far away. Getting out for the drive home was not too bad despite Montgomery County's standard street layout planning which leaves few ways in or out of residential areas. We got some breaks in the car lines.
I had been looking for a change from our frequent viewing (from the National Cathedral) of the show happening downtown in DC. That was partly because of the obstructed views and primarily standing room only. The other part was because I wanted to avoid a long walk and to be able to sit in a chair--walking around earlier in the day to visit my mom and sister Rubina at my sister Sameena's (would have been her 60th birthday) and my father's grave sites had been painful on my left leg.
Going to Rockville gave great me great seated views of the shows from the field hilltop, but didn't let me avoid the walking or the leg pain. We had to park our van far away. Getting out for the drive home was not too bad despite Montgomery County's standard street layout planning which leaves few ways in or out of residential areas. We got some breaks in the car lines.
Tuesday Jul 3, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 40:11 [3] 12.2 mi (3:18 / mi) +27m 3:16 / mi
slept:5.9 weight:198lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I had a tailwind. Like the day before, it was around 80 F starting out. It was 89 F when I finished. I rode alone passing some others but no one passed me. There was some traffic at the end.
12 PM
Note
Walking to get lunch was painful again.
5 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 43:42 [3] 12.1 mi (3:37 / mi) +137m 3:29 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. There were some light headwinds. Earlier rains had mostly dried up and made it slightly cooler than it would have been. Along Washington Palisades, I got passed by a trio. I tucked-in behind. Two in the group split and I stayed behind the third up until Wilson Ln.
Hiking (Street & Trail) 14:00 [2] 0.45 mi (31:07 / mi) +45m 23:45 / mi
(injured)
Samantha and I did some more work on her learning to bicycle. Peggy came along to see. That distracted Samantha so she seemed not to do much better than the day before; even a little worse to start. She got better. I weighed-out after this at 196.5.
Monday Jul 2, 2018 #
7 AM
Bicycling (Commute) 40:30 [3] 12.2 mi (3:19 / mi) +35m 3:17 / mi
slept:5.5 weight:198.5lbs (injured)
From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. It was around 79 F starting out and 88 F when I finished. There were some headwinds but they weren't bad. I rode calmly so as not to jar my back. Given how I'm walking, it's amazing that I'm able to ride as smoothly as I am. I let one guy pass me without trying to hang on. He was within catching distance for several miles. I did however, pickup a drafter who stayed with until the end of Georgetown. Street parking is getting blocked-off in places for the Independence Day holiday. I'd stopped my watch in Bethesda but apparently didn't get it started again as I took off from a traffic light at Bradley Blvd. The time is estimated from GPS tracking, which I restarted in DC.
12 PM
Note
(injured)
Walking to get lunch is getting exceedingly painful. Radiculopathy in my left leg hurts more, the longer I stand or walk. So far, sitting is okay and that's how I'm able to still bicycle. Moving does often help it get better like when I jogged and orienteered on Saturday. Taking a break helps. I'm over a week out from seeing my orthopedist.
6 PM
Bicycling (Commute) 42:49 [3] 12.1 mi (3:32 / mi) +139m 3:25 / mi
(injured)
From 13th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. Leaving late from work on a holiday week, the roads and trail were fairly quiet. I felt fortunate to have a tailwind. Once in Georgetown, I hit the new trail on Water St. right when another guy was coming through. Because parked cars and some special trucks were blocking the new trail, I left it to use the road. I road parallel to the other guy who stayed on the trail. We exited Georgetwon with him sprinting to get ahead. That was fine with me. I drafted within about a wheel length behind all the way up to Dorsett Rd., where he turned-off. He had been setting a good smooth pace and had a much better cadence than I. After we split, I cruised in the rest of the way.
Hiking (Street & Trail) 22:06 [2] 0.98 mi (22:33 / mi) +48m 19:33 / mi
(injured)
From Bradley Hills ES, I walked and jogged with Samantha on Heampstead Ave., as she continued to learn how to ride her new bicycle. I was surprised at being able to do this with as much as my left leg was hurting during the day. I guess that cycling home loosened me up enough. I actually felt better after working with Samantha.
Samantha made really good progress from just the day before. Her new bike was not only motivating but with it riding smoothly and easily, she had better control. Starting out, she breathed quickly, nervously. She calmed herself, eventually taking a deep breath. Then she started talking to herself. Unlike the previous day when she argued between two consciousnesses, today she started with repetitive statements about focusing. I didn't prompt her for any of this. In the first try, she got to where she moved herself along for about 40m, with me only having my hand above the handlebars, ready to catch her. She repeated that a few times for up to 100m at a time. She still hasn't got the hang of starting and stopping so we'll work on that. Her smiles were great to see! I was proud of her working to get past her fears and hope it will give her confidence for other ventures.
Samantha made really good progress from just the day before. Her new bike was not only motivating but with it riding smoothly and easily, she had better control. Starting out, she breathed quickly, nervously. She calmed herself, eventually taking a deep breath. Then she started talking to herself. Unlike the previous day when she argued between two consciousnesses, today she started with repetitive statements about focusing. I didn't prompt her for any of this. In the first try, she got to where she moved herself along for about 40m, with me only having my hand above the handlebars, ready to catch her. She repeated that a few times for up to 100m at a time. She still hasn't got the hang of starting and stopping so we'll work on that. Her smiles were great to see! I was proud of her working to get past her fears and hope it will give her confidence for other ventures.
Sunday Jul 1, 2018 #
6 PM
Hiking (Street & Trail) 30:00 [2] 0.85 mi (35:18 / mi)
slept:7.5 (injured)
My back was hurting throughout the day whenever I walked or stood for a while. I thought it best not to try to run. However, I did take Samantha to near her old school, where it's flatter so that she could get some practice riding her new bicycle. The new bike fits her but it is too big for training wheels. I walked along side of her loosely holding the handlebars. This let her get some practice with balancing without falling. It was hot. She was scared enough to get off the bike a few times but sometimes she got to rolling without me holding on. She stopped and gave me a hug and called me the best daddy. Of course still on the street later on she said other things about that. We hope Samantha learns to ride before we go on vacation. Peggy and I did more planning for that this day. This outing made me sweat and I did have to ease into it. It but some strain on me too but that was seemingly more to the upper parts of the back where muscles and tendons not used so much were involved in keeping Samantha from falling side to side. At home, my back tightened in the cooler house again.