One week at a time

I failed last week. I came close, but not close enough. I ended up with one can of soda, coke actually. At least it wasn't Mt. Dew. I didn't bike in the gym at all, I walked a bunch, brisk walking with hills and stairs, mostly with the dogs. This week has been a bit depressing, not the worst week on record, but a hard one. This upcoming week will be better, here is my week's goal starting tomorrow:

• No soda
• Walk the dogs each day in the morning
• Bike at the gym twice this week for 45 mins each time
• Track caloric intake on myfitnesspal each day

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday morning, pray for me. I am pretty negative and am pretty sure it's not healing. It still hurts now and again. It doesn't feel like it's healing. Surgery will mean a way long recovery. Grrr.

Time to get in shape...

A biking injury has left me fat and flabby. Who would have thought you could break your scapula, well, you can. Not only do I weigh more, but all the biking muscle have wasted away to cobbly flubber.

I cannot bike, I cannot run, I cannot do a lot of things, but I can sit on a stationary at the gym and I can go for long walks on the beach. I can do crunches and lunges, so it begins. I am going to try to write once a week about the plan for the up coming week and how last week went. This week I am building motivation.

Week #1

Intake: No soda this week.

Expending: Spin at the gym at least 4 times, 45 minutes each. (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat)

First Century of the year...Flying Wheels

What a great ride. I have found a new love for riding with lots of people. The thrill of the road bike is the fast passing, the drafting, the stuff that makes you focus hard because you're a bit freaked out. I have such a hard time focusing in my real life, it's cool to do something that demands focus, not paying attention for a split second can mean road rash and broken bones.

Today's ride was fast, the fastest we have done so far. 100 miles in 6 hrs and 11 mins, about 5.5 hours of actual ride time, 17.7 ave mph. 4000 vertical feet with a brutal and long climb about mile 80. And at the end I felt great. I started with sore thighs and hamstrings from the Monday ride, but after mile 20 they loosened up and all was well. I ate plenty and drank maybe too much (if that's possible), I had to pee way too often. I feel like we could have done another 50 for sure, maybe not another 100. We will have to slow the pace down a little for the STP, but we will make it. :)

First Cascade Cycling Club group ride - MUMPS

I just showed up, no idea how far we were going to go, no idea who was going to be there, just showed up. We started with 17 people I think, the first group to get in was 4, the second group (I was in this group) was 3, we lost 1 to mechanical issues, 2 went their own way home and I have no idea what happened to the other guys. Either way, I kept up with the head group most of the way, I lost them in the last 18 miles. There was a lot of climbing, 2838 vertical, phew. Needless to say, by the end I had good energy, but my muscles were saying NO! Different then last week for sure. I could have kept riding if there were no more hills. :)

I got a sunburn too, it's finally sunny around here, has been for four days. I hope it keeps this way, but chances are...rain soon. Thanks MUMPS for letting me tag along.

Winner of the #1 ride of the year, so far.

No one passed the test...now I know how many people actually read my blog. No one said a word about the embarrassing and disgusting article that has been up for weeks now. HA! I thought it was a good idea when I posted it then forgot all about it. I came back to post some rides and thought, "yuck, what was I thinking?" Ah well, if people do actually read this blog, at least you got a small kick of yick.

Tiff and I did an awesome ride Saturday, check it out...I recommend this one to anyone and everyone, it was fantastic!

This ride took us around bright green river bottom farms one of which was a white picket fenced, fancy dressage arena thing that dreams are made of and a few other barns that I wouldn't mind inheriting form someone's rich uncle. The ride followed swelling rivers that were almost giving up their banks, past the west side of Mt. Si's steep cliffs and hidden water falls. We saw long horn cattle, lamas, cows, and full or part Friesian horses. We did 2000+ feet of climbing and mostly avoided busy roads. The weather was overcast, but mostly dry and perfect cool temps. Tiffany wins the Coolest ride prize, she was also a great ride leader, we only got lost once. :)

I did almost bonk, I was there, on the brink of complete energy depletion. By the time we hit the parking lot, my body was done. I was not smart in my calorie intake, I didn't bring enough food. The ride was actually about 75 miles, not sure what I missed when I mapped it, but our on bike computers said so. :) Anyway, we rode for about 6 hours and I had one chocolate chip cookie, one banana, two gels and half a fruit and nut bar. Not enough. We burned 3500 calories and I probably took in 1200, totally guessing on my intake calories, all I know is it wasn't enough. I need to just pack more. I did well on water, drank about 4 full bottles, three water and one gatorade. Next ride I will bring way more, more gels and more real food, maybe a pb&j.

What we don't want to talk about...

For all the men out there, this is your warning, read on at your own risk, but girls, listen up. I don't know how many of you have experienced a yeast infection, but most of us have at one time or another, they are nasty. I did some research, I wanted to know if there was a connected between cycling and yeast infections. I found a lot of women who have had this issue and fought it in different ways. This article was the best I found and wraps the info all up pretty nicely. Thanks to LIVESTRONG.com, hope you don't mind I post your article here. :)

Overview

At some point in their lives, most women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection. WomensHealth.gov estimates that 75 percent of women will have one at some point in their lives, and most will have two or more. For women who ride -- either bicycles or motorcycles -- this problem can become even peskier. Sweaty workout clothes and the lack of air circulation between the body and seat create the perfect breeding ground for a fungus called Candida.

Definition

According to "Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary," a vaginal yeast infection happens when Candida multiplies and grows in the vagina and vulva. Most people know the condition by the uncomfortable itchy-burning feeling that comes with it, and the cottage-cheese-like discharge. Some people also have pain during sex. Although there are scads of home remedies out there, yeast infections usually require some kind of medical intervention.

Causes

Even the healthiest vagina has some amount of yeast peacefully existing and causing no trouble. The problem begins when the yeast multiplies out of control. "The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook" explains that these infections often result when we give the yeast a happy breeding ground --- this includes a moist environment created by tight, non-absorbent underwear and clothing. Other contributing factors include stress, lack of sleep, hormones, poor diet, some medicines and certain contraceptives.

Biking

A 2003 Italian study published in the "European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology" showed that the most common factors associated with yeast infections were lifestyle traits, which included wearing synthetic underwear, biking and motorcycling.
When biking, many women wear tight, synthetic bike shorts with added padding in the seat. This combination creates an excellent environment for the yeast to thrive. Weather can make the situation worse --- a hot, humid climate will allow a lot of sweat to accumulate in your seat.

Treatment

Talk to your physician if you think you have a yeast infection; this is important because it is possible for a more serious condition to look like a yeast infection. Your doctor might have you take a course of antibiotics or use a cream until the infection goes away.
Some women experience repeated and frequent yeast infections. If you find yourself in this uncomfortable situation, make sure you are taking the best possible care of yourself and not creating a happy breeding ground for the yeast.

Prevention

If you bike often and suffer from yeast infections, focus on staying dry. Change out of your bike shorts as soon as possible after you get off the bike. Shower with baby soap after your workout. Wear cotton underwear. When biking, try breathable cotton shorts instead of synthetic fibers. If your seat is uncomfortable without padded shorts, then it could be time to upgrade to a cushier saddle specifically designed for a woman. Some have anatomical cutouts to allow for better circulation in this critical area.

Everyone is different. Consult with your physician about your individual situation and risk factors.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/283953-bicycle-riding-yeast-infections/#ixzz1MLQUFvB7

The figure 8

Quicker ride today, I have family in town so Tiffany met me at my house and Doug came with us this time. We did two loops I'm relatively familiar with so it went faster. We only had to stop twice in order to double check directions. :) A GPS would sure be rad on a bike ride. Overall it was a good ride, I wore rain gear and didn't need it, the sun actually peaked out for the last 2 hours of the ride. I felt good, but need to ride longer this week. With family in town I'm not sure how to do it, but I will figure it out somehow.