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I hate running! It hurts, it gets my heart rate up much higher than cycling ever does, it’s jarring. I hate it.
So, today I ran three miles. Three painful, slow miles. But, I did it.
Feeling like I do about running (HATE it), you might be wondering why I did it – good question.
Here’s why:
Running is supposed to be great cross-training for a cyclist.
Running is a relatively quick way (compared to cycling) to get an intense workout in.
Running builds bone density which at my age I need.
I’m considering doing the Redman Half Ironman next September, which unlike the Aquabike event will require me to run.
It’s cold outside and I’m too big of a wimp to ride.
I’m looking into Chi running and Pose running? Anyone know anything about it or any other method that turns a non-runner into a passable runner?
Tomorrow I’ll ride the trainer. Dislike that slightly less than running. Sigh.
Today brought a bike ride and leaf raking. Wow, it just doesn’t get much better than that.
Another beautiful day in the low 60’s (is it really December 1st?) although with a little wind. It’s December though so no complaining.
Riding along I saw quite a few people putting up Christmas decorations or raking leaves (why should we have all the fun) in shirt sleeves. What a treat!
I’ve never been to this particular store on my bike so I didn’t know if there was parking or not. Parking as in something to lock my bike to.
This is what I found.
It was a tight fit getting my cable around the post but it worked. As long as the postal worker didn’t come by I thought I was in good shape – and they didn’t. One thing I like about shopping on the bike is it restricts the amount of stuff I can buy which makes me prioritize my shopping. Save $$ by using my legs instead of gas and by buying less. Win-win.
Once again my belief that drivers are more respectful to you as a cyclist because of what you’re wearing (or riding) was reconfirmed. Wearing street clothes you look like a person riding a bike. You look like a person riding your bike somewhere – i.e., engaging in the same behavior they are – transportation – albeit different modes. This makes you seem like them and they treat you accordingly.
On the other hand wearing bike shorts and a jersey you look like an athlete riding where you don’t belong. It amazes me how different drivers are when I’m riding my bike to run errands. It is a different bike than I ride when I’m training and that’s probably part of it too. Whatever the reason or reasons I love the civility!
Personally, I think one of the best things we can do to get more people riding is to blur the line between people riding bikes and cyclists.
Not really.
My afternoon was spent dealing with leaves rather than taking the bike ride I had planned. I’m not complaining, raking leaves on a day like today isn’t a bad way to enjoy it. The sun was shining and illuminating the grass, the birds were singing. It actually was pretty nice.
Must admit though it’s never occurred to me that a perfect fall day for biking might be a perfect fall day for raking leaves. Turns out it (sort of) is.
Getting the leaves off the grass isn’t something we typically rush to do, but we had beaucoup work done earlier this year (pictures) to take care of major erosion from an 11 inch rain we had in 2010. (Drought in 2011, monsoon in 2010. That’s Oklahoma for you.)
Anyway, with all the blood, sweat and bucks we put into repairing it, including getting fescue grass to grow, it was important to get the leaves off of the fescue so it wouldn’t die back over the winter. We actually had to have a little patch work done today because of a heavy rain we had a month or so ago (feast or famine with rainfall) and new erosion it created. They laid new matting to hopefully prevent any future problems.
