Thread Drift

[Crankin]

I haven't been riding as much, either, but I am not sure if it's really less than last year. Probably just one less longer type ride during the week. But, I am feeling like I am ready to wind down a bit. Getting the new bike at this time of year has ramped up my "mojo" a bit, but once I hit 2500 miles, my enthusiasm goes down. It's as regular as clockwork every year. I am not as close to 3,000K as I was last year at this point, and it's because I am working . My choice. I have to keep reminding myself what happened when I quit teaching. Bad for my mental health...
Problem is, all of a sudden, my weight is also creeping up. Really just a couple of pounds, but I know what will happen if I don't catch it now.
You will love snow shoeing, Catrin. Plus, you get to wear all of that merino wool and winter gear that you can also wear cycling or hiking.

[Catrin]

Thankfully I can wear my thermal tights under my jeans and be all toasty warm

My goal for this year was 3,000 miles. Of course, I made that goal before I discovered mountain biking - and I've spent so much time learning and ramping my skills in that area up that my weekends have revolved around that rather than long rides since say, July. My mileage for this year not counting the mountain bike is right at 2,000. I would be upset about that if last winter hadn't been so long/hard, and we lost much of the spring riding to rain...and I was coming back from last year's injuries.

I hear you about putting on a couple of extra pounds, I am about 5 pounds heavier than this time last year and that has got to change. Time to really clamp down on my diet (I've gotten a little lazy) and have a wider range of exercise.

I haven't been riding as much, either, but I am not sure if it's really less than last year. Probably just one less longer type ride during the week. But, I am feeling like I am ready to wind down a bit. Getting the new bike at this time of year has ramped up my "mojo" a bit, but once I hit 2500 miles, my enthusiasm goes down. It's as regular as clockwork every year. I am not as close to 3,000K as I was last year at this point, and it's because I am working . My choice. I have to keep reminding myself what happened when I quit teaching. Bad for my mental health...
Problem is, all of a sudden, my weight is also creeping up. Really just a couple of pounds, but I know what will happen if I don't catch it now.
You will love snow shoeing, Catrin. Plus, you get to wear all of that merino wool and winter gear that you can also wear cycling or hiking.

[Crankin]

Eating my words again.
Just came back from a step and conditioning class. Now, remember, I used to teach these kinds of classes. The instructor was one I had had in the strength class, so when she asked if anyone was new, I said, well, not "new, new," but I hadn't taken a step class in 5 years and I was embarrassed to say I used to be an instructor, because I was afraid I might trip and fall. She tried to recruit me! I quickly said, oh, well, I let my certification lapse... to which she replied," Oh we can fix that." Well, anyway, the class was crowded and HOT. They had the back door open and lots of fans. But, it still invoked my "Oh my God, I feel like crap state." I modified by not doing the arms as much when I was stepping, to bring the intensity down. I know it's the heat, because I have induced this state when I run at home on the treadmill, and I don't turn the extra room AC on in my loft. Happy to say that I had no trouble with the steps, as her routine was straight forward and not dance-like. My muscle memory for this must be really ingrained. The only time i missed a cue was when I couldn't hear her... no mikes here. There was a lot of strength work/intervals, and at one point, we had to sit down right after an intense step interval and I knew my HR was too high to plop down on the floor... I just went and got my water bottle and took a break for a minute. So, based on my experience from last week, if I keep going, it will get better. I hope it's not age or worse making me feel weird, but I guess it's more of "you're in shape for what you do." I can regulate my temperature much more outside.
I am not ready for the "senior fitness" class .

[Dogmama]

Eating my words again.

I am not ready for the "senior fitness" class .

You mean silver sneakers?

Crankin, you're doing good! Hang in there!

[indysteel]

I think we've found a home for our stray cats. A coworker's well-to-do in-laws own a horse farm just north of Indy. They usually have a handful of stable/barn cats that they care for. They keep their food and water in a heated tack room where the cats are free to hang out. Because the in-laws are retired and in and out of the stable most of the day, the cats end up getting a lot of attention. Plus, even when they travel, there are caretakers present for the horses who also take care of the cats. Plus, they're just animal people--which is nice.

My only concern (and it's a big one) is relocating the cats. The strays are not feral per se. They're too well socialized for that. I think with a readily available food source and lots of attention, they should adapt just fine. Frankly, it's a chance I think we're just going to have to take, especially with winter bearing down on us.

So, fingers crossed. I'm sure going to miss them, but this is for the best. While we have shelter for them for the winter, a heated environment would be better. I'd rather they were indoor cats, but so far, I don't have any takers for that.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Crankin, I am noticing a definite slow trend in myself as I get older- I get exhausted more quickly if I'm hot. The heat in summer is more debilitating for me than it used to be. I also notice I can balance a little less well. I'm fairly active and I'm healthy, so I'm guessing it's one of those little things about getting older.

[OakLeaf]

y'know, in the Silver Sneakers classes they make a big deal about training the sense organs and muscles that provide balance.

Seriously, if you're not doing any specific stabilization exercises, those are more and more important as we all get older ...

[Crankin]

Actually, my balance is better than it has ever been. It's not good, but before I started seriously exercising and riding, it was awful. For me, it's fine. I mean, I didn't learn to ride until I was 10 and I couldn't skip until I was 12 or so.
I've never been to a gym where they have a class called "silver sneakers." Seriously, I'd rather die. When I went to sign up at this place, it was around 4:30 in the afternoon and there was a core/strength class going on, that's a bit less intensive than the one I've been doing. It was all older women, but they *looked* old. I can't go at that time, anyway, but I guess I'm one of those people who is just like in the song; I think I'll die before I get old.
Rest day tomorrow; usually I would go to the strength class, but there was so much of that in the step class today, I've had 2 days in a row of weights and no rest. And, I rode yesterday, too.

[marni]

Actually, my balance is better than it has ever been. It's not good, but before I started seriously exercising and riding, it was awful. For me, it's fine. I mean, I didn't learn to ride until I was 10 and I couldn't skip until I was 12 or so.
I've never been to a gym where they have a class called "silver sneakers." Seriously, I'd rather die. When I went to sign up at this place, it was around 4:30 in the afternoon and there was a core/strength class going on, that's a bit less intensive than the one I've been doing. It was all older women, but they *looked* old. I can't go at that time, anyway, but I guess I'm one of those people who is just like in the song; I think I'll die before I get old.
Rest day tomorrow; usually I would go to the strength class, but there was so much of that in the step class today, I've had 2 days in a row of weights and no rest. And, I rode yesterday, too.

ah crankin,past the age of 25 or so being young and perky, nobody save the the diva queen of the gym looks good or young if they are truely working out. Then there is the "getting older exercise induced rhinitis" that affects all of us.

Getting old is not for cowards.

marni

[Crankin]

Exercise induced rhinitis?
First time I've heard of that. Now I know why Flonase is my friend.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Seriously, if you're not doing any specific stabilization exercises, those are more and more important as we all get older ...

My essential stabilization exercises usually involve playing a banjo.
At least I'm helping to prevent Alzheimers that way, right?
Seriously though- I have a real hard time fitting everything into my schedule these days, and I always have to give up one thing to fit in another. I confess I never can do all the things i 'should' be doing....but it all keeps me active for sure.

[OakLeaf]

I'm sure playing a banjo standing on one foot, swinging the banjo all around, is very difficult and great for your ankles and hips!


That's actually a really easy way to incorporate stability work into daily activities. Anything you'd be doing standing, from washing dishes to brushing your teeth, stand on one foot. Extra credit for hanging laundry standing on one foot.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm sure playing a banjo standing on one foot, swinging the banjo all around, is very difficult and great for your ankles and hips!
That's actually a really easy way to incorporate stability work into daily activities. Anything you'd be doing standing, from washing dishes to brushing your teeth, stand on one foot. Extra credit for hanging laundry standing on one foot.

lol! Well I can't play the banjo while doing that.... but I forgot to mention that I also do some very energetic contra dancing about twice a month for 3 hours each time. Lots of twirling, dodging, stomping, weaving, and hopping around....so I guess that counts as good balance practice. But still...my sense of balance is not as good as it was 15 years ago. sigh....

[Crankin]

Wow, I am not sure I could do that dancing.
I was happy I could do the steps in the step class and there were other, much younger people than me who were not able to follow.
Thankfully, that muscle memory seems to be well ingrained. And now , 3 days later, my calves are still screaming.

[Trek420]

Still recovering from the bug but good enough to take an extra long walk with the mutt. We stopped and took pictures of nearby parks, tennis courts, baseball field. I have to compete with condos which may have pools, a gym. I want the proerty manager to put those in the ad that tennis etc is right next door.