Athlete Blogs
December 26th, 2009Where have you been? (warning, some non-cycling content)
Man it has been quiet in the blog-o-sphere lately. Typical for this time of year, but still.It has been business as usual here for the last few weeks. Training wise thing are going well, my knee that was bothering me doesn't seem to be getting worse. I have been riding outside mostly, except for a few wet mornings like the last few days. I've spent quite a bit less time on the emotions this year, not really sure why, but the workouts are harder than they used to be for me. Hopefully a quick adaptation will happen, but no matter, if I can happily ride outside in 25 degree darkness, I don't really have to ride inside except for rain or snow days.
Now for some non-cycling stuff:
We spend this past weekend in NYC for a visit, during the "blizzard of 2009" as it was called. Amazingly we had zero travel troubles and got to enjoy the city with some really pretty snow. We flew up from RDU on a 6AM flight (who booked THAT?!?) and were walking around the city by 10. We stayed at the hilton times square, a very central location. We walked ALOT. Up to central park, down to gramercy, everywhere in between. I love walking around the city, even more so early or late the there are less people out.
We did plenty of window shopping, playing in central park in the snow, etc. We are not big shoppers though, it's a pain to haul stuff back and I can just as easily get whatever I might need online. But its fun to look.
One of my favorite places to visit shopping wise is Tourneau - a big watch retailer in the city. Lots of wonderful pieces all in one place. I was chatting it up with one of the salesmen, he happened to be wearing the same watch I had on and said I had good taste in watches - which I thought was cool until Kristy reminded me they are paid to say stuff like that! Sadly I did not return with the platinum Lange that I stupidly lust after.
So after 2.5 days of walking, eating great food and drink and being in general close quarters with lots of people, we were quite happy to return to mebane. I like to travel, sometimes, but I LOVE to be home. The morning after we got back I was so excited to go ride I was out the door before 5AM and it was 24 degrees. Sure beats walking as exercise!
One really cold morning I had to stop mid-interval to adjust my ipod and the steam coming off my entire body was amazing looking - I've seen that before, but nothing like this. I guess 340w when the air temp is 25 will do that.
In other training news, the last month or two I've been doing some really basic upper body stuff like pushups, pullups, that kind of thing. Note this is NOT to improve my cycling, because of course it will not. Mainly to look a little better, less sickly. I got on the scale the other day and holy crap, I have put on a solid 5 or 6 lbs of muscle. Upper body. How the hell that happened so fast I'll never know - but Kristy has really noticed and keeps telling I look much better. Of course that freaks me out and makes me want to drop weight. But since I have little intention of doing hilly road races or hill climb TTs, who cares.
Diet wise things are much the same - I have been consciously hitting the greens+ powder and bars every day, that stuff is simply awesome nutrition. I feel good about using it every day - who knows if it really makes a difference, but it can't possibly hurt and I like their products. Go greens+.
The holidays are a time when many athletes have to test their fork control, and this year has been no different. Christmas even we spend lunch and dinner with Kristy's family. I was packing my usual enourmous post-interval appetite but I held the line. I actually left that night after dinner hungry. Kristy is the same way, she eats so little when she isn't working out that day, I have no idea how she does it, but it's impressive.
I tweeted a quote the other day I thought was funny from kate moss I think, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". Wow, that aught to send plenty of teenage girls into full on eating disorders. Not to mention cyclists. Maybe our quote should be something like, "Nothing tastes as good as 3.8% body fat looks" or something.
It's kind of scary that the first races of the year are only 6, 8 weeks away in some parts.
Still plenty of holiday fun to come, today my mom and stepfather and coming to Mebane, we are hosting a get together tomorrow with more of my family (catered by costco of course!) and before we know it new years will be hear.
Cheers and happy holidays to all!
-Pete
