My Bike Journal Pedal to Health: Slump?

Welcome!

It's a new year and time once again to give a new look to this blog. New graphics and colors. Same bike writer!

This blog is created not only to track my own progress on my biking journey but it is intended to also assist others who have either osteo or rheumatoid arthritis or both like I do. I hope as you read about the progress I have made that it gives you inspiration and hope that you can overcome the dibilitating effects of these conditions.

If your doctor agrees that you should be capable of expanding your limits read on and don't be afraid, just listen to your body and give it challenges. Biking is a great non-impact form of exercise and greatly enhances flexibility and range of motion.

It's not a substitute for Doctor visits, taking your meds or otherwise getting off your health plan but it auguments what your Doctor does for you and can give you a better quality of life. Go for it!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Slump?

It sure does not feel like I have been over-training, I've taken rest days in fact I had several days off a week ago for a short out of town trip accompanied by sporadic rain days here and there, so I'm not sure what ails me but I've lost my oomph. Legs feel like lead, it's hard to make the cranks go round and generally speaking I have little energy for riding. On Thursday I went out for a little bit of hill practice at Island Lake. What a s-l-o-w go it was out of the chute. I actually felt a bit nauseous for the first mile. By mile 7 I was happily cranking and hard too, but it was short lived, about 2-3 miles, and it was back to feeling difficult. I finished my route but it was so-so and not would I would call a strong finish. I certainly felt much better the last half of the ride than the first half. Could be mental fatigue is accompanying this too. Whatever it is I'm going to wait it out and at some point this will pass. If not, it might be off to the Doc. Come to think of it I have a general check up appointment in a couple of weeks. Good timing.

I spent a brief time riding Friday and today, just for very short errands around town. On Friday It was actually fun to be out with no specific biking goal, my task was to pass out event flyers for the 4th of July activities starting this weekend through the holiday. I had ample opportunity to chat with several people out and about in town and it was very nice to catch up with some folks I haven't seen in a while and have no time schedule. Today's ride had me piddling about in preparations for the 5 & 10 K run and Splash n Dash that is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club I belong to. Registration is at the Middle School which is about a half mile from home, after the racer go out there isn't much to do but prepare for the Splash n Dash that'll take place on their return. A short pedal back home to open the gates to the private lakefront that is used for it, ensure that the pontoon knows when the dashers are almost ready to leave and there was the short jaunt back to the school for my water bottle, left on the registration table. Back to my post and when the splashers were finished I pedaled back to the finish line to clap and cheer for the participants. We had a good turnout with over 180 runners/dashers and splashers. I had the privilege of passing out medals and trophies and that is fun!

So I couple of semi-rest days and tomorrow is a short 10 mile fun ride for the kickoff for the Fall Tour de Livingston. A few years ago they started to kick off an early registration for the event with a short ride at the Howell Balloon-fest. 6:45 am the riders will depart from the lawn of the courthouse, travel to the Howell High School where the balloons do a "fly-in" balloonist are given a bean bag to drop on a target on the ground so several come swooping in low for a grand show of balloons. After the fly-in the riders depart for a mini tour around Howell. I'm taking Andrew with me as he accompanied me the last time I participated. Should be more fun and a great way to pass time in this slump.