Reset to Day Zero again

Drats, got all my stuff laid out the night before and ready to go and woke up Monday with a sore throat. Wednesday is set for the new kick off date.

Day Zero

Haven't started swimming or spinning yet but I am prepared to take the plunge on Monday. Pun intended! Our high school offers adult lap swim on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It's going to be an early morning for me on Monday.

Trip to Dick's sporting goods landed me a new swim cap and goggles, can't imagine I'll need anything else right off.

The begining goal is to get two swims in a week for 20 min each. Let's see how doable that is to start. I'll be checking into the spin class this week two and get the details. WoHoo!

I'm looking forward to getting back into some physical activity, I have already noticed that with two weeks of not biking that I am stiffining up somewhat. Not good. Gotta keep moving.

Riding season is over till Spring of 2011

Saturday November 20, 2010 Not a single ride since last week. I was tempted today because the sun was so strong but it was quite chilly. I'm thinking I have my winter fitness picked out. Here is a new training facility that offers spin classes and our High School has a pool with lap swimming. I just need to synch times with my exercise buddy.

I haven't had a Humira shot since June for my RA, dare I say that this is in remission right now?

I suppose I'll never know what the effects my fitness plan had on it.

I can spend some of the winter months researching new routes, parks and pathways and putting together a spring/summer fitness plan with goals and objectives. That actually sounds like fun!

Day 110

Saturday November 13, 2010 Returned to the "scene of the crime" and went for a short 6.7 mile ride today. Wanted to accomplish a few things

1) wanted to look over the area where I fell
2) didn't want to end my riding season on a short bad note (weather is supposed to turn wintery next week and this is in all likelihood my last ride of the year)
3) wanted to do an easy ride due to the tenderness from yesterday and a respritory cold that is gaining a foothold and this path is dead flat with no bumps or hills.
4) did not want to let fear gain a foothill, sorta like getting thrown from a horse and climbing back on.

Took it very easy and didn't watch my speed, avg MPH or whatever, just wanted a little fresh air, stretch out the kinks from yesterday and go at a very moderate pace. Mission accomplished.

Day 109

Friday November 12, 2010 worst tumble yet on the bike. Fell while approaching a lighted intersection and thought I was closer to a stop than I was, tipped over into a grassy depression and my elbow met the ground but the momentum continued to carry me, the result was a jammed shoulder accompanied by shooting pain in the shoulder and neck. I stayed on the soft ground for a while to gather my wits. I was in no hurry whatsoever to get up. A jogger stopped, a car, another bicyclist, I waved an OK to them and finally thought about getting up when another jogger stopped, I accepted help in getting my bike off the ground and promptly decided to end my ride for the evening. The jogger offered to wheel or ride my bike back to my car but I said I was ok with pushing it. After a couple of blocks on got back on and pedaled back to my car. Ouch. Bummer.

I had hoped to ride the Huron Valley Rail Trail, parked at McHattie Park in South Lyon and pedaled out of town, the accident happened by the intersection and the RR tracks near the mill where the trail proper begins. 3 miles a limping along...

Day 107 & 108

November 10, 2010 No riding, taking care of tasks and chores

November 11, 2010 11.5 miles today, day off work and rode at Hudson Mills, 1 trip on the outer loop and 2 trips on the inner loop, chain hopped off my bike and I just couldn't get it back on, it as all kinked up.

Walked 2 miles back to my car. Hooray for the bike shop, they had me back up and rolling in no time. Rode my bike up to work and back for an evening meeting. Happy day.

WEEK #16 Total Miles for the week 49. Who would think that a person could get so much riding in during November!

Day 106

November 9, 2010 three laps at Independance Lake for a quick 6 mile ride and the weather continues in Indian Summer mode. Yay!

Day 105

November 8, 2010 Who would think we would have 60 + degrees this time in November? Great bike ride through Island Lake from behind the mall all the way into Kensington and back with my friend Deb A. It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful ride. The first 300 ft of the trail is in dirt then it turns to pavement. A much better path than riding right along the rail bed.

Photos are of our starting point, looking back, stop at Kent Lake along the way the the I-96 bridge over Kent Lake near the entrance to Kensington.

A tad bit over 15 miles today of an exhilirating ride! And another fun component was running into fellow biking friend Jim G. and his biking pal. How fun!

Day 104

November 7, 2010 Can't believe how nice it was again today, we are in an Indian Summer trend with tomorrow through Wednesday with mild temps in the 60's, no wind and loads of sunshine. Rode from behind the mall to Island Lake, I was on a bit of a timetable and got in just over 7 miles. Had a wreck and broke my rear brake lever, I was three miles out from my car but made it back just fine with front brakes. Ordered a new one from the bike shop so I'll be single break the rest of the week and I do plan on riding with this last gasp of autumn. I got off with a scraped elbow, not bad.

Yesterday I was really feeling it in my knee from so many days off of riding, today after yesterday's ride I was all limbered up again and really felt ready to roll. I was feeling in a real grove and climbed a few hills that I had previously had to walk up, my stamina has been much improved from the few days off also.

Truly beautiful day!

Day 102 & 103

November 5, 2010 no rides

November 6, 2010 Temp 43 but abundant sunshine and no wind made for a good riding day 9.5 miles at Hudson Mills inner loop 2 x and outer loop 1 x. Still plenty of others out enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

Day 100 and 101

November 3, 2010 cold, drizzly and cloudy with temps in the low 40's. No bike riding

November 4, 2010 for all intents and purposes biking season is over for 2010 in Michigan, at least for me it is. I imagine one or maybe two days warm enough to hop on for a ride before the snow sets in but it's time to turn to another form of exercise to help out my knee and arthritis in general.

I'm researching swimming options at our local school and also a therapy complex nearby that has an underwater treadmill, both options will be no to low impact physical activity that will blend quite nicely with limiting stress on the joints.

There''ll be an occasional post now and again but not much till spring time again when I can get back on my wheels!

Week #15 35.5 miles. Good daily average

Day 99

November 2, 2010 One (1) little tiny mile today, kinda laughable but it was election day and had my eyes dilated for an exam and my car ended up getting left at work so I had to pedal up there to get it. Me and my long one mile commute!

Day 98

November 1, 2010 It's the first of November and I'm still bike riding. Very short ride tonight, not too cold out at all, I was just feeling out of sync with my bike and could not find a groove. I'll need to have a better ride than that to end my season on. It's sure winding down, next week it'll be dark by 5:30 or thereabouts. 4 little miles for the day

I've been scouting out other forms of fitness that is non-impact and swimming is looking attractive, hmmmm.