I'm writing this post after returning from a 14 mile bike ride. One I've taken before. But this time I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew.
We will back up to my workouts. I had spent the prior 3 days utilizing the fitness center at my work. My aim is to be working "in the zone", or working up a good sweat at about a level 7. With several machines at my disposal, I could mix a variety of exercises, all designed to build up my legs and drop pounds along the way, that is if I can manage to eat right, and believe me I've also been working on that.
Yesterday I went in the fitness center about 7:15am. I wanted to get a good workout in before I started work at 9. I decided to reverse the order of machines used, and got on the treadmill first. I ended up spending 25 minutes on the treadmill, then after a rest, 30 on the stationary bike. Then after a shower, off to work. In my mind, a good workout.
Today is the first day of daylight savings time, and with a high in the 60's not a bad day here in Ohio. Considering I started the winter on crutches and had to transition back to walking, it wasn't a bad time to have a mild winter. I was going to go for the usual 1.7 mile walk I've been taking lately, but the bike path was calling my name.
Now for those unaware, the bike path I ride is also known as the County Line Trail, which makes no sense because the county line is a mile north of the trail. Where I get on the trail is 1/4 mile before the 1 mile marker. It's also about a mile from my house. My original intent was to turn around once I got to the town of Sterling, about half way into the trail. I got there, found a bench to sit on, then decided to go all the way to the end, which is in Creston.
Once in Creston, I decided to go to the Circle K convenience store. I bought me a Polar Pop, or a fountain Diet Coke, and a banana. I took my grandson on this trail last summer. Rested at the same place. When we got back to my house, he found some pizza coupons and said we could eat pizza while we rested the next time. I told him that would defeat the purpose. Good news is there is a Subway inside the Circle K, and I'm starting to like some of their salad possibilities.
On the way back to the trail, there was an accident with my water bottle and I lost about 2/3 of the water in it. I thought I would stop at a restaurant in Sterling and refill when I got there. No dice, restaurant closed. And I didn't have any money for the vending machine in front. So when I needed water, I could just take a sip. Good thing it was getting cooler. Was also a good thing that I could coast a lot along the way. My legs were starting to feel like lead. And I also need to get a wider seat for the bike.
And around the 2 mile marker is a shelter. And in the shelter is a bench. And once I got there, I entered the shelter and parked my butt on that bench. Stayed there awhile, probably wasn't a good idea since my legs felt heavier when I got back on the bike. Even though, it wasn't that far now, I thought I would never get back home. But let's take some inventory: I'm 56 years old, have an artificial left knee, and I'm 4-1/2 months removed from having a plate and 9 screws in my left ankle. All in all I'm not doing all that bad. And since the shelter had no wifi, you can see I made it home.
Now after a shower and granola bar, I'm sore but am feeling good about my accomplishment. And I intend on becoming more familiar with the County Line Trail.
We will back up to my workouts. I had spent the prior 3 days utilizing the fitness center at my work. My aim is to be working "in the zone", or working up a good sweat at about a level 7. With several machines at my disposal, I could mix a variety of exercises, all designed to build up my legs and drop pounds along the way, that is if I can manage to eat right, and believe me I've also been working on that.
Yesterday I went in the fitness center about 7:15am. I wanted to get a good workout in before I started work at 9. I decided to reverse the order of machines used, and got on the treadmill first. I ended up spending 25 minutes on the treadmill, then after a rest, 30 on the stationary bike. Then after a shower, off to work. In my mind, a good workout.
Today is the first day of daylight savings time, and with a high in the 60's not a bad day here in Ohio. Considering I started the winter on crutches and had to transition back to walking, it wasn't a bad time to have a mild winter. I was going to go for the usual 1.7 mile walk I've been taking lately, but the bike path was calling my name.
Now for those unaware, the bike path I ride is also known as the County Line Trail, which makes no sense because the county line is a mile north of the trail. Where I get on the trail is 1/4 mile before the 1 mile marker. It's also about a mile from my house. My original intent was to turn around once I got to the town of Sterling, about half way into the trail. I got there, found a bench to sit on, then decided to go all the way to the end, which is in Creston.
Once in Creston, I decided to go to the Circle K convenience store. I bought me a Polar Pop, or a fountain Diet Coke, and a banana. I took my grandson on this trail last summer. Rested at the same place. When we got back to my house, he found some pizza coupons and said we could eat pizza while we rested the next time. I told him that would defeat the purpose. Good news is there is a Subway inside the Circle K, and I'm starting to like some of their salad possibilities.
On the way back to the trail, there was an accident with my water bottle and I lost about 2/3 of the water in it. I thought I would stop at a restaurant in Sterling and refill when I got there. No dice, restaurant closed. And I didn't have any money for the vending machine in front. So when I needed water, I could just take a sip. Good thing it was getting cooler. Was also a good thing that I could coast a lot along the way. My legs were starting to feel like lead. And I also need to get a wider seat for the bike.
And around the 2 mile marker is a shelter. And in the shelter is a bench. And once I got there, I entered the shelter and parked my butt on that bench. Stayed there awhile, probably wasn't a good idea since my legs felt heavier when I got back on the bike. Even though, it wasn't that far now, I thought I would never get back home. But let's take some inventory: I'm 56 years old, have an artificial left knee, and I'm 4-1/2 months removed from having a plate and 9 screws in my left ankle. All in all I'm not doing all that bad. And since the shelter had no wifi, you can see I made it home.
Now after a shower and granola bar, I'm sore but am feeling good about my accomplishment. And I intend on becoming more familiar with the County Line Trail.
Comments
I'd say you are beating the odds here with all your new parts! {Bionic man?}
Val