The first weekend after the fall cyclocross campaign is upon this cycling family.
Some random Sunday evening reflections…
A perusal of the usual health news sites result in boredom. The only mildly interesting story, but not yet ready for this newbie blogger, detailed Pfizer’s quest for a new drugs addressing the latest scourge that is PE. Ask the average 40 plus year old women if this PE thing is a problem. Enough said, a huge grin.
On exercise…
The tale of two families: This week, many of Will’s cycling teammates and selfless parents traveled across the country to Bend OR to race bikes- exercise, indeed. 2500 miles one way through snow storms. An epic adventure for sure. We on the other hand traversed 4 miles to Will’s BB tourney on Shelbyville Rd. Now, lest you think I poke fun, we had to drive through the mall traffic 2 Saturdays before Christmas.
On rest…
A determination not to exercise for 2 weeks so as to accomplish an athlete’s holy grail, a rested body, resulted in failure, of course. To those who deny that walking with one’s spouse, an experienced pedestrian, is exercise, think again. Nonsense say you elite cyclists; a dare then, to take the challenge and walk fast on pavement alongside a “half-wheeling” experienced walker. Note the sensations in the lower limbs on the following day – it does not feel like rest.
As failure in the rest challenge was readily apparent, as any good “adjuster” of deals, would do, I changed my goals to no riding for 2 weeks. Failure again, an email arrives, my good buds call and despite 44 degree cloudy skies and wet roads, we are off on a “ride with your buds” adventure. Nice.
What is wrong? What is the reason for this inability to not stir for just a week. Is it innate or a learned behaviour? Don’t know, a test taker would guess C for both of the above. Really, it was a solid effort. Reading, writing, sitting and finally -“Staci, I have to do something.”
On the eating habits of the idle…
Another eye opener about weight gain. Here it is Wednesday afternoon this week, and the usual routine entails a very vigorous bike ride of one sort or another, but this week is rest. So rest it is, but, and a very surprising but, a hunger knock approaches while sitting at the laptop in a near sleep like state of metabolism. A gaze over the rim of the laptop reveals the bags of chips. Had lunch already, not exercising so why would there be the need for more food? A churning of the stomach says munch and my patient’s battles come to the fore. At work the next day in the cubicle arena that is my office comes the proclamation to co-workers, like Archimedes, “I understand why patients are fat, oops, I meant to say, “people of size.” Yesterday, even with 2000 fewer calories expended, there is still this strong urge to eat or munch or graze. Eureka.
Failure again as the bag of chips open, just a few is the thought.
JMM