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June 27, 2005
My Bike and Other Ramblings
Even though I don’t ride my bike much, I still learned all about it this weekend. Not only did I learn how to take the tire off (from the internet) and fix a flat (from the tri clinic), I also learned how to put the tire back on (bike store), how to hold my arms (bike store), and got my bike adjusted for me (bike store). And, because I bought my bike years ago from this bike store, they did it for free which was a nice surprise.
There was a mini crisis involved (of course). After I woke from my extensive sleep I decided to bring my bike down to the store-but didn’t have my front tire on and couldn’t figure out how to put it back on. So even though the store is maybe 1.5 miles away, I had to put my bike on my car and drive it down to the store where they informed me you have to reattach the brakes BEFORE putting the quick release mechanism back in (which I was also doing incorrectly). Then the guy at the store basically just looked at me and immediately raised the seat on my bike two inches. Then he put my bike and I on the trainer in the store and angled the seat farther forward. I need to point out that I JUST raised the seat a few months ago-before that it was even lower. No wonder biking didn’t feel great for my knee. The guy also watched me on the trainer and told me I needed to bend my elbows to avoid joint problems. Now that my bike is all fixed up I am very excited to go biking.
However, I am not excited enough to cut back on running, which is what I did this morning for 40 minutes. It was a nice run. There was no sun, but it was extraordinarily humid. It was nice to be out though. The exorcist stairs (from the movie) were a part of my run.
At work I found myself with two hours of downtime to kill this afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a full complement of workout clothes with me so I went on a scavenger hunt (well, a scavenger hunt where I had to pay for things). I bought a sports bra and shorts and then headed over to CVS to buy deodorant. I had sneakers (albeit mismatched-they are the same shoe, but I accidentally brought a current running shoe and shoe that has been relegated to gym/walking use). Luckily they were for different feet. I also managed to scrounge up a t-shirt from one of my various bags/lockers. AND, I had USED socks with me that I used b/c I didn’t have any clean socks left this morning. I didn’t have a lock, so I was THAT girl dragging her bag all over the gym. I was a workout disaster. I did lift upper body though.
I had to stay late at work tonight (unplanned) so ended up hurrying to the pool and managed to swim for 20 minutes. Now I am doing laundry and reading e-mail and planning my social life. The night could be a lot worse! Seriously though, my heroes are the people who train who have families, kids, and more rigorous jobs than my current one. You are all truly truly amazing and I can only imagine the organization and discipline that takes.
Oh yes, I think Leilani hit the nail on the head with her suggestion about iron in her comment from yesterday's post. I haven't been taking my multi-vitamin (before this morning) and I noticed another leg bruise at the pool tonight. I also ate a roast beef sandwich for lunch today in my effort to infuse iron into my body!
Posted by Audrey at June 27, 2005 10:40 PM
Comments
Wow, that is pretty hard core. I had to do something similar the other night (go shopping for things I already had, but not with me) for a work dinner. It's good when it turns out to be an excuse to buy things you already like, but it's a pain when you end up with things you don't love and don't really need.
I like to think that we're all capable of being as organized as we'll need to be if/when we have kids and more high-power jobs, but we won't rise to the occasion until we need to. I have to believe that, otherwise I'll never have kids.
Thanks, as always, for the entertaining entry!
Posted by: Alison at June 28, 2005 12:41 PM
Heh, heh. What makes you think the people with kids who exercise are organized? Its choas! :D
This bike sounds very complicated. I take it the racing bikes are not the ordinary Schwinn are they?
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at June 28, 2005 01:23 PM
Hey there, I was anemic for a while so here's a tip: make sure when you take your iron (be it in pill form or meat, fish, beans, whole grains, spinach...) to combine it with vitamin C because that helps the body to absorb it properly.
Posted by: Nanda at June 29, 2005 10:27 AM