tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20183092273919562522024-03-13T10:46:42.417-07:00Aramis1250, the workout journalA fat guy (working to be a formerly fat guy) sharing his personal experiences in losing about a hundred pounds.
My blog includes personal workout details, weight and body size (weigh-ins &c.), my experiences, and reviews of books, equipment, clothing, and more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-62841914706036215532012-10-27T18:55:00.000-07:002012-10-27T18:55:29.068-07:00Next week's scheduleAs I suspected, when I got up this morning I could feel that my legs and lungs were not recovered enough from yesterday's effort to do another ride. So, today became a rest day. I still feel like I'm getting back to where I was, when I was in the middle of riding on more days than I didn't ride, so I feel confident about getting the training where I need it to be for El Tour, and as a base, from Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-49195388611653695502012-10-26T18:48:00.001-07:002012-10-26T18:48:03.275-07:00Excess of ambitionI realized early yesterday that this week's schedule was too ambitious for just having come off of eight weeks of not riding due to injury and illness, and so I took yesterday as a rest day and moved that day's ride to today.
Which, it turns out, was a fantastic idea, because if I had done this ride yesterday I would be wiped out today (much as I am likely to be wiped out tomorrow, and may not Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-34377926049753530442012-10-24T18:36:00.003-07:002012-10-24T18:36:44.365-07:0024 OCT ride and notesSince I had missed Tuesday's ride due to a forgotten item on my calendar, I needed to make up that ride and do it early enough to be able to make the beginning of ACLS New Provider, day 2.
It's definitely fall here in Southern Arizona, seeing that the ambient air temperature to start the morning, pre-dawn, was about 60 ° F, and dropped to 54 ° F where I passed through low-lying washes and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-56373353002473368202012-10-23T19:48:00.001-07:002012-10-23T19:48:33.758-07:00Slight shiftI had scheduled myself to help teach an ACLS New Provider class today and tomorrow, and forgot until I woke up today, so I was unable to get my morning ride in as planned. Instead, I made today a rest day, took out the rest day scheduled for Thursday, and moved today's ride to Wednesday and Wednesday's ride to Thursday.
I did my Monday ride as scheduled, mostly, with one slight modification: Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-35597226389104682302012-10-20T20:04:00.005-07:002012-10-20T20:04:57.804-07:0020 OCT training ride listingFor Monday:
Oro Valley/Rancho Vistoso short route (just over 18 miles)
For Tuesday:
Broadway Bike Shop loop route (just about 16.5 miles)
For Wednesday:
Escalante to Old Spanish Trail to Pistol Hill out-and-back (about 27.5 miles)
For Friday:
Escalante to Old Spanish Trail to Pistol Hill and back to Broadway Bike Shop loop (just over 39.5 miles)
For Saturday:
Broadway Bike Shop loop route (Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-39003716388126344732012-10-20T19:47:00.003-07:002012-10-20T19:56:05.659-07:00el Tour de Tucson, and Tu NiditoI'm signed up with Tu Nidito, a non-profit organization here in Tucson that provides support to children affected by serious medical conditions and to their families, to "Ride for a Child" in El Tour de Tucson on 17 November 2012.
Now, what that means is that Tu Nidito has registered my name for el Tour, in exchange for me fund-raising for one of the kids in their program. I have to raise $500 Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-10163520205897112892012-08-16T21:23:00.000-07:002012-08-16T21:23:55.217-07:00There's a plan?Back again, after another long hiatus. As you can see from the strava entries, this time it's not just from the blog, but from the bike as well.
Lots of things have been going on in the background, but as far as the riding is concerned, I've been pretty unhappy with how some things have turned out (or, not, as in my weight loss).
I have been dropping calories galore, and my diet has changed (Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-16774581770233793012012-06-04T22:12:00.001-07:002012-06-04T22:12:43.513-07:00Just a little note ...When reviewing my dashboard and weekly summaries in Training Peaks, I noted that the week ending 03 JUN 2012 was the first week of the 2012 ATP that I was able to actually get as many hours on the bike as the ATP called for.
For the unfamiliar, just a quick briefing. First, ATP is "Annual Training Plan," and is one of the really cool things about Training Peaks premium. Basically, what happens Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-91730805647854545132012-06-04T21:21:00.000-07:002012-06-04T21:21:00.589-07:00Hydration reviewYesterday, I mentioned that I'd post a review of the hydration drink mix I'd started using, that is probably the last and best and forever-est hydration mix I'll use.
The secret is out.
Yes, it's the drink mix formerly known as SDM (Secret Drink Mix), developed by Dr. Allen Lim (now of the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team) as a solution to "rot gut" experienced by pro cyclists during races. I'll Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-6244700776176930712012-06-03T11:01:00.000-07:002012-06-03T11:01:41.042-07:00Continued trainingSince abandoning the Tucson Bicycle Classic during the Road Race stage, I've been focusing my training efforts with two primary outcomes in mind: lose weight, and get faster.
The losing weight stuff is coming more slowly than I'd prefer, but it is coming along. Only a few pounds down (last measured at 223#) from where I was at the very beginning of this process, but my body shape has changed a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-5981501412554314442012-04-09T19:05:00.001-07:002012-04-09T19:05:45.429-07:00Thoughts and impressions several weeks after the second raceIn my last post, I had just finished my first ever road race (an individual time trial), and had alluded to another race here in Southern Arizona in mid-March.
Well, that race (the Tucson Bicycle Classic) has come and gone, and I did race in it.
And I sucked.
Before going into that, I'll go into the race generally. It's a three-day stage race, with an Individual Time Trial, a Road Race, and a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-43564819614419917722012-01-30T10:13:00.000-07:002012-01-30T10:13:34.023-07:00Thoughts and impressions from the first raceThe first cut is the deepest, according to the venerable Ms. Crow, and the cut(s) from yesterday are still fresh as well. Without rehashing too much, at my first ever cycling road race yesterday I learned several things about myself, road racing, and cycling in general.
Always give yourself more time than you think you need. I had plenty of time once I got to the site, that is until I got to theAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-47458334986116463022012-01-29T13:52:00.001-07:002012-01-29T13:52:47.471-07:00Finished !I did indeed finish the race, as can be seen here and here, and a little later on the BikeReg site. I completed in about 48 minutes (official results not ready yet), with an average speed of 15.16 mph (24.4 kph), and with an average HR of 177. Let's compare that to the goals.
First, did I finish? Yep. Finished and had fun!
Second, did my LT HR improve? Yep. Current estimated LT of 173 was Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-15265075105680145172012-01-28T10:17:00.003-07:002012-01-28T10:17:46.046-07:00Goals for tomorrowSo. As you already know, first race (of my life, and of this season) is tomorrow, the Race Against Time Time Trial out near Marana, AZ. So today, I thought I'd sit down and spell out what my specific goals and dreams are for tomorrow.
First, the goals:
1) Finish. It's a 20 km time trial, and I routinely ride 30+ on training rides, so finishing should definitely be attainable.
2) Show an Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-25347060408046598562012-01-27T10:11:00.001-07:002012-01-27T10:14:25.996-07:00Race prep and thoughtsSo today is Friday, race eve eve for my first ever bike race. Just so happens that the first race of the season down here is a time trial, the Race Against Time TT ( http://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2012-173 ), north of Marana, AZ.
I'm going over my list of things I need to do, and stuff I need to pack. I'm reorganizing race morning in my head, and I'm getting myself all Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-80722020415986691052012-01-03T12:36:00.000-07:002012-01-03T12:36:15.017-07:00My blood will paint the way to the future ...Well, maybe not blood as much as sweat. Sweat and tears.
This week is the first week of the new Annual Training Plan (ATP), and it started with a good weight workout and zone 1-2 spin at the gym. The current phase of weights is the Muscle Strength, so lots of weight, small number of reps, lots of sets.
The ATP that I have is a straight progressive periodization plan, with progressive Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-25140574403272517122011-12-21T21:24:00.000-07:002011-12-22T15:53:31.947-07:00Yes, it's the season ...... for illnesses. I've been sick twice in the past two weeks, first with a sore throat and now with a swollen/drippy nose and headache. Because of that, no workouts since my last attempt at my own personal Pistol Hill ride.
I do have some big plans though. I believe that I should be able to feel well enough Friday to do a couple of repeats of Escalante, though three or four would be better. I Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-24191736692925893852011-12-17T16:56:00.000-07:002013-08-09T14:50:28.800-07:00Review: Bellwether Axiom bike shortsToday's review is of the bike shorts I've been using for a while now, the Bellwether Men's Axiom Short
First, I will start by saying that I now own two pairs of these shorts; since I bought the original pair in July 2010 I have lost a decent amount of weight and some thickness, in my legs and backside among other places, and so the XLs that I bought then don't quite fit right anymore. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-41827598338037255432011-12-12T18:46:00.001-07:002011-12-12T18:46:44.593-07:00Tentative 2012 racing scheduleYes, I know I owe you some reviews, and they are coming. First, I wanted to announce the tentative 2012 road racing schedule for Quixotic Raindrop Cycling (which is just me ... for now!).
Please note that some of these dates are estimated and based on last year's dates (in most cases they appear to be based less on specific dates, and more on which weekend). Also, these are primarily events in Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-51025382412252669122011-12-04T09:40:00.001-07:002011-12-04T09:40:27.030-07:00Weigh-inAs of 0540 on 04 December 2011, 225.8 pounds. That's up 2.0 pounds since the previous recorded weigh-in on 18 November. Which overall isn't as bad as it could have been, but still moved in the wrong direction. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-58504008780420538092011-12-03T19:22:00.001-07:002011-12-03T21:08:48.672-07:00Recent activityOf late, I've been backing off just a touch, trying to lower my training score a little bit week to week in an effort to "true the blade" so to speak. My rides on the river path have been at a lower HR range, while I've been cutting back on the road rides off Old Spanish Trail and points nearby.
The most curious thing happened as a result of that. When I went off to my river park ride last Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-35614288777472872962011-11-18T05:50:00.000-07:002011-11-18T05:50:00.420-07:00Donovan's TrekTrek 3500 (2012 model year), of course.Having been waiting for many years to finally plunk down a large amount of money and buy a decent quality bike, and having gone back and forth about which model to get, what kind (road vs. mtb), and etc., I finally decided to go ahead and drop the hammer on a mountain bike. Specifically, this one:Ain't she a beaut?First, the pros: This is a real bike. It's Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-12620327900877051502011-11-17T17:52:00.001-07:002011-11-17T18:02:05.199-07:00Back in ... red and black!It's been so long, I'm glad to be back.Yes, I've been gone a while, and yes it's been eventful and there have been things I probably ought to have been blogging about but just couldn't sit down and get done! So let me catch you up a little bit.First, as mentioned, I went and bought a decent bike. It's a Trek, Mountain Bike, model 3500, and I really like it. I will post a separate review of the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-32513044196490170602011-10-10T19:49:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:49:13.162-07:00Yeah, yeah ... I know, darn itIt's been a while, I know. And it's kind of ironic that I haven't been posting, because I've actually been working out more often, more productively, and with more focus than I have in a decade. It's even more ironic that I am posting today, after I've been sick for a week with a cold and couldn't workout at all.
My friend and I joined the nearest LA Fitness as members (which basically just Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018309227391956252.post-55390511906716463182011-08-19T06:13:00.000-07:002011-08-19T06:13:01.908-07:00Quick weigh-in resultsCurrent weight: 226.2 (+2.5#)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16565997550206049449noreply@blogger.com0