Percent vs. actual heart rate- it matters!

So i used my new heart monitor yesterday evening in spin class, programmed in my age, weight etc and hit the start button when the wheels started spinning. I know my range for a moderate to heavy workout is about 160 to 185 but I kept spinning and spinning and getting really out of breath and tired but I couldn't get above 90. During a couple of climbs I got up to 94 and was completely shocked because I was really out of breath and getting really tired and really feeling like I was working hard.

So I brought this up with my friend and wondered why I would feel so tired but couldn't get my heart rate above 94. As it turns out, what I was seeing was percentage points, not the actual heart rate and for the bulk of my workout I was operating at about 90 percent! (180, not 94) so there you have it. I burned off 512 calories (in addition to the 174 during the killer ab class) and now I am clear on the percentage/vs heart rate stuff.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. having my freedom
2. a good warm coat on a day like today
3. excellent scenery.
4. being able to multi-task
5. those who understand my humor.

Sushi for lunch

This is not my actual lunch. I did not take a picture of that- instead I ate it- with pleasure-- lots of sushimi- my favorite.

anyway- it's cold and rainy out. I am looking forward to warm weather.

I finally finished my feature on self-fulfilling prophecies and recessions-- or the "animal spirits" theory in the Keynesian model.-- as you can tell this topic was not that driving for me so I dragged this project out for many many many days- in fact like two weeks I think-- I really have to improve my attitude.

So to celebrate I bought the sushi/sashimi platter at the little place that wants to buy some of my sushi art- (no discount offered for my lunch obviously) and now I am sitting here just enjoying the thought of that lunch. I will be heading out soon to go lift weights and do some cardio. after the sushi is a bit more settled- sushi salad all over the treadmill is not a good thought.

after this weekend's long bike ride I am still suffering a bit- triathlon shorts are not to be worn for long rides- let's just keep it at that--

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS
1. today's lunch
2. finishing that horrible story assignment
3. trips to sunny places
4. diaper rash cream
5. email filters-that direct certain emails into my JUNK EMAIL folder so I don't have to read them.

More Sushi

More Pictures

Furthermore

This is how much of a loser I am-- All weekend long I've been putting off working on a feature I need to have out on the wire on Monday by noon and instead last night I painted this ridiculous thing-- It's a business card from a restaurant I went to once- I just felt like doing something red and shiny- oh well.

tri-shorts are not a good thing for long rides

So I ended up doing a rather long ride today- I started out at 6 am and it was very very cold. I rode from colesville, maryland (which is north of silver spring) through Spencerville, Sunshine, Unity and then into Mt. Airy in Howard County toward frederick over South Mountain and then back.

I'm exausted and I have no voice and I'm hurting in a bad sort of way because I wore triathlon shorts that are little too big instead of my bike shorts under my biking tights- and now there is a bit of a chafing issue- needless to say all the times I told my friend Leslie that the Chamois butter stuff was unnecessary I am now paying dearly. It's not fun- but I can tell you I had a great ride

According to my heart monitor I burned almost 900 calories while maintaining a heart rate in the 160 to 180 range- (it was a bit higher on south mountain!) anyway I seem to have lost my voice after all this-- I don't know why exactly- it's not like I was yelling- but I don't have a voice.

It was very very cold- i didn't warm up till about mile 24 for some reason and then I stayed pretty warm until I got back to my car. With all the bike gear on- toe warmers, hoods, tightfitted layers of biking jerseyes, and jackets- I looked like something out of a star wars movie-- i never in my life imagined I'd be looking like that! anyway- I had a great ride- Nothing beats blue skies, clean air, your thoughts and making a dream happen.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. the hot tea I enjoyed after a long ride
2. getting over south mountain without dying
3. the bath i just took
4. being able to feel my toes
5. a voice, when i eventually get mine back.

Hamster funerals, snow and ice is gone, animal spirits

Wow, if this isn't the dog's breakfast of a posting. Well, we had a loss in our family. Truman has gone on to better things. He (she) was a nice hamster and very good at escaping from the cage, liked to be held, ate a lot of food etc. Ben was a bit more understanding of the concept that Truman ain't coming back but Jack is just full of questions-- It's about 10 degrees outside so we couldn't really have a proper funeral and therefore had to do a little memorial service at the trash can outside.

I tried to explain to Jack that Truman was headed for a happier place, and he just didn't understand- "How will he get there from the trash can?" "Will he climb out?" "The Trash can is the happy place?"

It's all very complicated but we are working on this.

It's been very nasty here. Luckily it the snow and ice are gone. I have a big bike ride planned tomorrow so I'm glad the weather is better.

I had sushi last night with a friend who is a professional bike racer- built like a solid little racing rock- and crazy into cycling. I'm hoping i will learn some technique and be inspired to ride more. I'm certainly inspired so far!

Well, this one is going to be short- I have to head to the gym and then I need to start making Chicken Sate for Ben's Blue and Gold Cub scout banquet tonight.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. sushi with a bike racer
2. dry bike-riding roads
3. this very warm down comforter
4. emails
5. the coffee I will soon be drinking

Will it rub off onto me?

Ok, so this is the question- If I spend time with an avid bike racer- will those skills rub off on me? hmmm.? good question. well either way I am certain I will gain something from the experience.

All week long I've spent time at this desk trying to look busy, but I just can't bring myself to focus on the economy this week- too much asskissing stuff going with people here. Also, I'm just really tired. Oh and how many times can we write that the economy is headed for recession?

So much of my day is filled with heading back to the kitchen with hopes that the tv crew has left some good fruit or leftover lunch stuff. There were some fresh berries in there this morning that i enjoyed for breakfast. Had lunch with my ex today- a salad at the local brewery place near here- it's nice to get out and away from here.

Our family Hamster is nearing his final days. so it's a matter of time- poor thing- he's sick with something and we've tried to nurse him back to health but I think his day is soon here. We are doing our best to make him as comfortable as possible.

So anyway, that's it-- I'm going to take some pics of ben and jack-

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:

1. lots of sunshine, which is very important on cold cold days
2. good scenery in places where you don't expect to see it
3. finally completing all of my laundry
4. not having to get up for an early econmic report on friday morning
5. 4 yr old little boys running around in space man pajamas.

It's where you are going that matters

I meet these people in life and they are so accomplished. And of course then I made the assumption that they must indeed be the best and kindest and most honest people on the planet. It all makes sense doesn't it? if you spend so much energy getting away from bad stuff, there can't be any bad in you.

Sometimes you meet people who have risen from such poverty or hardship and you just want to hold onto them and hope their strength will pour off onto you.

But an old friend points out that from where a person came is only half the story. Where that person is headed is the other half, in fact probably more important than anything else.

We tend to meet people in life and idealize them and hope and expect the best from them but if they are not on a good path then it's likely not such good stuff will be coming from them. Well, I suppose this is all obvious to everyone on the planet but me right? Ok, so be it.

Anyway, I don't have any biking news to give you today- my two red beauties are gathering dust- I just can't bring myself to brave the cold.

I did happen to meet briefly last week with someone who races professionally (very very cute too) and it was humbling but fascinating to hear about. He suggested we go out for a ride at some point and while I'd love to do that- the thought also is a bit intimidating- It's been suggested I pull out my trainer and spend HOURS on it every day to get up to speed. too funny. I'm wondering if I spend the next two weeks on the trainer if it will make my legs shrink to about half their size?

well either way, I will be doing the killer spin class tomorrow at noon and if i'm energetic enough tomorrow evening i will do the class with the crazy pregnant bike racer instructor. (she's a killer)

Sorry to punish all of you with two postings, particularly the freakish self portrait-- Just use your imagination and then it looks a little better.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS

1. having finished all my laundry
2. completing a good run on my treadmill
3. resisting the temptation to write exactly what I feel- the mean stuff - and then sending it in an email
4. singing Jack to sleep- he likes what he calls the "God song" it actually doesnt mention the deity at all but rather is a carole king song- "Love Makes the World Go Round" -- jack has good taste- I can't wait for him to crawl in bed next to me tomorrow morning-
5. getting beaten by Ben in a close backgammon game. My little guy is getting so big and smart. I remember the first time I got to spend time alone with him in the hospital and he fell asleep on my chest and at that moment I knew I had just begun to understand what life is all about.

Small steps, sometimes living life in 15 minute segments.

She paints herself

Okay, I will admit, as of late, the painting is grabbing my interest more so than the cycling- that doesn't mean i'm giving any of that up, I'm just having a bit of a renaissance right now and I'm going to go with it.

One is a very stylized self-portrait- one is beach legs (not mine clearly) and another sushi painting- more poster-like- I'm experimenting with texture, colour and depth. Painting people is really really hard, but what is interesting is that I guess I perceive myself as strong and muscular- anyway. there it is. I like it only because it was a big challenge and I need much more work but i will continue to do so.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. really good coffee
2. hearing my little jack sing to himself while he plays
3. a good game of backgammon with my benjamin
4. thinking about my beach visit in san diego in march
5. silly ridiculous friends who like me no matter what.

Lots of Painting Going on Here

I have been just a little busy this weekend as you can see. I'm really liking doing the landscapes. I have a few more sushi pictures to finish and then I'm going to focus on landscapes for a while.

It's been a good weekend, lots of work done, my computer is finally back together. UGH! I'm going to lovely St. Louis tomorrow for a night to cover a Fed Bank President, should be fun to get away for a while.

Ben and Jack did some painting too this weekend. We've had a good time together. Ben is getting very good on the piano too. I'm so proud of him. Geez, well I don't have much else to say.

"It is better to be 80 years young than to be 40 years old."

That was the fortune I got in my fortune cookie last night.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1. ben and jack
2. really tasty salads with hot wing sauce
3. getting all the paint off of me
4. fly paper
5. life

Sun on my cheeks

I actually have a bit of a little sunburn today from riding on such a sunny day. Ben and Jack were with their father all weekend so I've been keeping myself busy with the things that make me happy when I am not with them, (being with them makes me the happiest).

I know I've said this but I've had a hard hard week, and I made it through and I'm going to be fine. I feel at peace, I am working on forgiving (which is hard when a person isn't even sorry or clearly is not in the know of the damage or hurt he/she has caused)

The art of forgiving is a good one to develop though. I think, ultimately it is better to share your grace then it is to walk around with a grudge and resentment. It is a better exercise for the soul and character and it brings you peace. It's the right thing to do.

Anyway, I got in a nice long ride today. I started out later than expected, but I still managed to race out to the mountains and I felt really strong as the air filled my lungs and made my blood strong as it pumped through every inch of me.

Sometimes we get some bad stuff thrown our way, that happens- What finishes the story is how we handle the bad stuff. Can we look at ourselves in the mirror and be at peace? I also think, together with forgiving those who harm us, is the absolute necessity to be kind to ourselves. I've really tried to be kind to myself this week. I spent a few days not being able to eat or sleep and that was not a good thing. Now I'm sleeping, eating and even have had a couple of laughs with a dear friend.

Life goes on- that's the good part.

Ok- confession- I'm a little sore in the bike seat area- I have a good friend in Arizona who is amazed I don't have to use this stuff called "Chamois Butter" I sure wish i had some now, i'm having a bit of an issue. 70 miles on that bike this weekend has had its toll.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS

1. family
2. friends
3. foregiving (ok- working on it- i'm not there yet)
4. strong girls on bikes
5. the sun that left it's kiss on my cheeks.

MORE PICTURES

MORE PICTURES

EVERY TIME YOU CLIMB UP A MOUNTAIN, YOU SOAR DOWN THE OTHER SIDE

Well, here I am, today on a road I always wanted to ride with my bike. I remember years ago, weighing nearly twice what I do now and thinking how nice it would be to be healthy enough to get out and ride this road on a bike.

This is the last of what is not developed near me and it is gradually disappearing. It was so quiet and at times all you can hear is your breathing, the wind and the only spoken word for miles is “moo”.

It’s been a really tough year for me, actually a really tough couple of years, well even longer really, but here I am, and this today was my road called life. My life is probably half over, and I plan to live the second half to its best.

I only road 24 miles today because I stopped many times, to touch the worn trunks of ancient trees, to look at the dancing craggy branches in apple orchards and to look ahead on the horizon at blue skies and crisp barns and grain silos. There were worn houses with sloping porches and rusty mailboxes. It all seemed so perfectly balanced to be in a world where most people probably only need to read the small town weekly paper to know who was born, who died, which farm was sold etc. In this life, people probably see more of the world than we ever give ourselves time to enjoy.

I stopped at a little farm and there was this baby sheep next to its mother, it must have just been born because its fur was wet and it still had its umbilical cord connected- it would wobble, then fall down on its little knees and then mother would gently nose it back up and he would fall backward. He kept on trying though and she stayed by him so protectively.

I saw horses, unbridled and so splendid, gallop in groups through wide pastures and then give me a watchful eye wondering if I would stay or leave.

This is my life, mountains to climb, challenges to face and I’ve decided that I’m going to ride into the sun as long as I can, and when I can’t ride, then I will walk, and when I can’t walk I will look, and when I can’t look I will feel the sun warm my face and when I can’t feel, then I will sleep and I will have lived a full life.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS:
1.new days
2.being strong
3. finding hope
4.stopping to see and touch and smell all the details in life
5. finally getting it again.

BREATHE IN THROUGH YOUR NOSE, EXHALE THROUGH YOUR MOUTH

Yesterday, It was pretty cold out but the sun was shining and the sky was so very blue and as I walked across Lafayette Square from the White House, this calm came over me as I remembered to breathe in through my nose and exhale through my mouth. This is what I do when I am powering up a big mountain on my bike and it gets me in this calm, smooth rythm, legs moving, arms relaxed, neck shoulders back straight but relaxed, breathe in, exhale out, you become part of the mountain and reaching the end becomes less of an issue. This is what I have to keep reminding myself about in life, there will always be mountains, and bumps, and challenges but you have to just get into the pace of things and if, for some chance, the best thing that happens to you in a given day is you had a great apple, or the sun warmed your face for a few moments, that is a good thing.

I think it is important to forgive, move on and share your strength with the world. I think forgiving is more a gift for the forgiver than anything else.

FIVE FAVORITE THINGS
1. getting through a really hard week
2. seared tuna in a cilantro, ginger, soy, lime marinade with fresh avocado
3. eating crunchy apple slices with peanut butter and not having a bad pain in my heart.
4. taking any challenge on
5. a full night's sleep.