Well, new for me. Remember how I had an equipment malfunction on last weekend’s 40 mile bike ride? When I got home from work on Monday Michael was swapping out my broken (and jerry-rigged) pedals for an old pair from one of his previous bikes.
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Yes, I plan on switching to clip-in pedals soon. In fact, I already have the clip-in pedals I just need to get the shoes that will fit with them. I had hoped that I would get the new shoes this winter so I could practice clipping in and out while I was on the bike trainer. But honestly, I think I just need to suck it up and do it already. I need to get over my fear and practice before the Portland Century.
I’d planned on biking to work Tuesday but woke up to rain so moved it to Wednesday. The morning was cool and very gray but dry.
The temperature was in that weird in-between where it was too cold to not wear warm clothes but once I warmed up I was too hot. I stopped by the river and took off my top jacket. I felt much better after that.
I continued on. The trail was pretty quiet and empty, not many cyclists out. The Hawthorne Bridge wasn’t crowded either.
I arrived at work in decent time, hot and sweaty. I’d parked the car a little further away to add some distance to my ride.
Morning Commute:
Time: 33 minutes
Calories Burned: 247
Distance: 6.1 Miles
AFTERNOON COMMUTE
As the day went on yesterday it got grayer, darker and colder. It was the first time I wore my long tights and cycling jacket on my commute home. I watched the weather turning gnarly and figured I would be riding home in the rain. Fortunately, it stayed dry.
Before I rode I ate my banana for a snack. I’ve decided to quit bananas. They are healthy and I like them yet every time I eat a banana I am HUNGRIER than ever. It’s NOT a good pre-workout fuel for me and I realized that yesterday when my stomach was growling angrily the entire ride home. Plus my energy was in the toilet. The whole ride was a struggle–and I hadn’t even gotten to any hills yet!
I got back to Michael’s car in Sellwood and the second I hopped off the bike I thought I was going to collapse. My legs were jello. Not good. I immediately ate my little Babybel cheese snack (70 calories) to try and take the edge off my gnawing hunger while I drove home.
Afternoon Commute:
Time: 29 minutes
Calories Burned: 226
Distance: 6.1 Miles
TOTALS:
Calories Burned: 473 | Distance: 12.2 miles
The moment I got home I ate a snack in a frenzy. I was so famished I couldn’t think straight. Not a good place to be. Michael got home shortly after that and he suggested we have turkey burgers for dinner instead of the salmon and scallops we’d planned on. I was so hungry I immediately agreed. We had an early dinner.
Grilled asparagus as the side. I devoured every bite and felt immediately better. I also had one glass of white wine.
Instead of doing chores and running errands like I planned on doing, I got into my PJ’s and Michael and I settled in to spend the rest of the evening catching up on TV shows (The Office specifically). It was nice to just totally veg out!
QUESTION: What is your favorite pre-workout food? And what’s up with bananas?!?
Lynne
That’s weird about the bananas-I have one every day for my mid-morning snack. Usually my stomach is growling by the time I have it, and it really satisfies me-no more growling! I go to the gym right after work, so every day at about 4:30 I have some fruit (usually fresh pineapple or cantaloupe) and a string cheese. It holds me until my 7:30-8:00 dinnertime!
Lisa Eirene
I don’t know why bananas just don’t work for me. But it was awful yesterday!
kalin
I know where that rock is in your first pic!
Bananas are super wonky on blood sugar (in my opinion at least!).
I try to eat an hour or so before I run-too close to running and I wanna puke the whole time. Long runs usually get a smoothie (protein powder, chia seeds, milk, and some form of sugar-bananas, chocolate syrup, etc)
But for me the biggest thing is having something to eat *after* long runs-otherwise I crash and burn. I got the little chocolate milks at costco, and I put one in the car (with an ice pack, but they’re shelf stable so I don’t have to worry so much) and drink it up when I’m done. Keeps me from crashing and it’s tasty!
Lisa Eirene
Maybe it was a blood sugar thing! I don’t know why the bananas made me crash but it was awful. I was SO hungry I wanted to eat my arm. 🙂
Usually I am okay with pre and post-workout fuel. The bananas have to go.
Lori
Bananas and apples I must consume with fat like nut butter or they just flame out leaving me too hungry! I dont’ have that problem with pears. Go figure.
Change to the clips asap. You will love them! I was totally paranoid about falling when I got them and while I rode I kept saying “clip pedals, clip pedals, clip pedals” when I would come to a stop so I would remember to undo them. However, I will say after a winter of riding the trainer with them – it is not even close to what it is like on the road.
I only fell once with the clips and it was coming to a complete stop and I just forgot to unclip and fell over to the side. I really felt like a dork.
Lisa Eirene
I think I’m getting shoes this weekend! I hope I don’t fall over. I’ll practice a bit on the trainer then try commuting. I hope I do ok.
Peanut butter and banana are good combos for me but I try not to eat too much peanut butter too often. It’s filling but so high in calories…
Carbzilla
It’s totally the sugar in the banana. I thought we covered this topic.
I thought of you today when our step instructor said she “boinked” and ran out of fuel. She got through the rest of the class just fine, I thought.
Yes, I went to the gym. Alert the media!!! And it’s done WONDERS for my mood the rest of the day. I feel so happy, like I can face anything. I’m dumb for not going sooner.
Lisa Eirene
I thought of you yesterday when I was cursing the banana! I think you are totally right. No more bananas.
I’m glad you exercised!!! As someone who has struggled with depression my whole life, exercise has worked WONDERS for my mood. It works a million times better than medication IMO.
Diane Fit to the Finish
I bet it was the sugar content in the banana. That’s so great that your boyfriend fixed your bike pedals! I only bike in my neighborhood as I’m a chicken and worry that someone will hit me. No bike paths around here.
steena
What a guy! 🙂 That’s so cool you’re about to take on clip-ins, I’m too scared to try it just yet. I know eventually I will, but ahhhh, so scary!
Cat
You are definitely ready for clip-ins! It’s amazing that you’ve done as much distance as you have without them! Once you do it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!
Lisa Eirene
Oooh now I’m curious about the clip ins! I hope that it does make things easier…
Melanie
I just got the clip pedals and shoes this week. I’ve gone out for 2 practice rides…very short distance and so far love them! I had the cages/baskets before and really hated them…..but like you I was a little timid about the clips. I use them in spin class and love them….but of course totally different on a road bike! I cannot wait until my first long distance ride next week…..I believe I’ll get a lot more power from my legs and certainly better stability! You’ve mastered incredible distances without them. I have no doubt you’ll wonder why you waited so long. I just took up cycling at age 50….hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a teenager. I belong to a women’s cycling group with members up to age 70+. That’s what motivates me to continue to try harder….they are amazing…cycling 25-40 miles with no problem! Keep up the good work!
Lisa Eirene
Let me know how the long ride goes with the clip ins. I think I’m buying clip in shoes today! I will definitely be doing short practice rides up and down my street…