The Wheels on my Bike

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Must Be A Running Week

I'm pretty sure I said something about being able to change up the workout schedule and it seems that's what's going on. Even though it's still been a muscle building week there's been more running than expected already. I have the feeling that my trainer's (my 3 year old and 1 year old) like the running since it ends with a trip to the park, so I think we'll be doing more of it. They like when I do squats too because I use them for weights.

Tuesday we were at the gym and we used the bike trainer then worked out our quads, glutes, and hamstrings with some machines then ran for 30 minutes. We also did a little upper body workout. I always try to do 3 sets of whatever amount of reps (usually depends how I feel) when I'm lifting free weights, increasing weight with each set and decreasing reps (like i said reps can change the most being anywhere from 10-20).

Wednesday it was more of a normal at home workout. I did jumping jacks, squats, reverse lunges, and calf raises. The whole workout was only 30 minutes, but you have to get in what you can. I did 3 sets of each. 100 jumping jacks, 20 squats, 20 reverse lunges (each leg), and 50 calf raises. I didn't lift the kids today but they joined in with the jumping jacks. Well... they kind of did jumping jacks. The one year old still doesn't get off the ground so it was more of a bouncing going on and the 3 year old just jumps. He can do jumping jacks, but it has to be his desire.
Had some water inbetween circuits and when I was done then sat on the couch a bit. I needed to stretch but I failed. Stretching is important and I need to do more of it since the difference is extremely noticable.

Thursday (today) I rounded up the young ones in the stroller and ran 5k then took a trip to the park where they probably ran a 5k.

The goal here is to do something everyday. So far 3 days in a row. Hopefully I'll keep it up. I am feeling bad about not being on my bike now for almost two and a half weeks but I have a feeling that's going to change with my coming weekend.

Here's a quick video on how to do reverse lunges. I started doing reverse lunges since my brother told me that his physical trainer (while doing rehab-having torn his acl again) said reverse lunges are easier on your knees.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Anti-Gym? Go to the Gym...or Not

So my wife and I had a day pass at the gym and we went and had fun together but... we also talked about how it's a rip-off. Before I start tearing into gyms and why I don't like them, I must say that for some people I'm sure gyms are very important. I can see that a gym is what is needed to get some people to workout. The classes that are held can be fun and inspiring. You are also given access to many different machines that you probably otherwise not use. That said, you probably don't need access to all of the machines that gyms possess. Infact the only thing that that would be nice to have at home are the free weights. If you live in colder climates the pools would also be nice (even though there's always an air of filthiness in gym pools - maybe it's just me since I grew up never swimming in a public or gym pool). The thing that gets me most is the bike trainers and the treadmills. Yes they have their pluses i.e. they are inside if it's cold, but would you really rather run here-

instead of here?

Or if you want to hop on a bike to workout do you want to drive to the gym to sit on a bike in a room (when you could do that at home pretty easily and with no monthly fee)?

or would you like to spin on through an area like this?

Maybe you don't have all of the trees and greenery around, but I argue that if you go to the gym to spin, your scenery is not very likely to change much. Alright I've had enough. I can't bicker long. Maybe some other time. The point is you can run pretty much anywhere and the same goes for cycling. Weather isn't really the issue. In fact it might fulfill a childhood dream to go and run in the rain.

Date Day!!

So today was an abnormal workout day! I got to workout/relax with my wife for about half of the day! Maybe it sounds a bit odd but we went to the gym for our date. My wife is lucky enough to be aquainted with the yoga director at this gym and she gave us some free day passes. So we decided to use them finally. We used the bike trainers, then worked out different muscles with the training machines, then ran for a half hour on the treadmills. After all of this we got into the pool and finished off with the sauna. Quite nice. We then went to the store together. Going to the store without kids when you have young'ns is like sitting on the couch and watching TV for those who don't have kids. We bought what we needed to make this

It's a grilled tofu sandwich. My wife had something like this at a restaurant and wanted to go back as part of our date but I said that we could make it at home for a quarter of the price. So we did. And it was good! It is toasted basil garlic parmesan sourdough bread with basil pesto spread, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, tofu marinated in nama shoyu sauce, jack cheese, caramelized red onion, and then after the pic we added some buffalo cheddar (which is a spicy hot cheese) since my wife said it needed some heat. We had already picked up the kids from Uncle and Aunties house, who (Thank You, Thank You) watched the kids while we were out playing, so the kids helped us eat the sandwiches. Great Day with the one I love! We of course missed our kids so we were happy to pick them up and go home. I think we're going to sing songs together when I'm done here. I was going to add my thoughts on gyms here but I think I'll make a separate post later. Hopefully this sandwich will inspire some good eats! I bet it would be good with some cold cuts or grilled chicken too, whatever floats your boat.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Maxxis RE-FUSE 700x23c red

So I got my second tire that I'm going to use for training. It is a Maxxis Re-Fuse. My Bro. has them on his bike for training and their fairly cheap and I could get them in red so I went for it. I only got one because I wanted to try out other tires too. If you haven't checked out an ealier post on the box of the continental tire that is what I got a continental grand prix 4 season. I honestly wanted something with red walls but whatever (beggars can't be choosers). The tire looks nice and is fairly thick. I simply want fewer flats. Both tires have gotten decent reviews but now i need to make a decision. Which one to put on the front and which one on the back? If anyone want's to chime in and give an opinion feel free. I've got a red tire and a black one. I've got my own opinion and my wife has given me the opposite opinion and I haven't put either tire on yet so it's still up in the air.

The packaging doesn't have the amazing women on it like the continental but I guess if you want to pay 20 bucks less for a tire you get less packaging and a tire made in Taiwan. This says nothing of the quality which I'm guessing is just about the same. We'll see which one gets a flat first.

On the back it shows that this might just be the tire for me that is that it is right there in the training area and... maybe someday for commuting. I'm pretty sure it tips the scale as you can see it's not a stat their flaunting, but I'm not sure and I don't care because the heavier the better. It's for training right!?!

Here's a close-up on the tread just incase tread is the deciding factor for you when choosing a tire. Haven't used it yet so I can't give my opinion and honestly don't think I'm experienced enough to notice that one tire is handling better than another. I'm excited anyway. I love getting new stuff for my bike. Now to make a decision. Which tire where?

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Training or... not

I haven't ridden my bike for over a week now, but... it is now time to get going again. Half the battle I've found is having a plan. The other half is following through with that plan. I have actually been "grounded" from riding (atleast outside) by my wife until I fill out some documents to get a loan to buy house, at least start seriously looking. I've found that any glitch in my workout reutine can throw me into a stupor as far as staying in-shape. I want to ride but... I... just don't really want to because sleeping or a movie (while sunken into the couch pillows) sounds much more appealing. So it is almost my work weekend and it is about time to pull myself from the dark and evil depths of training "vacation." To do this I must have a plan. I'd recommend planning out what you're going to do in almost any situation. It can only help. As of right now my plan is a work in progress but I will share it as it may give some ideas. I want a two week cycle. One week will be mostly weight training and building muscle strength off my bike with maybe one outside ride and a couple rides on my trainer and on the other week I would like to do mostly riding maybe 3 outside rides and trainer rides almost everyday. I've found that right now, at my level, that putting in time on my bike in anyform is the quickest way to make gains. So hopefully in the coming week or two I'll be able to give a more detailed account of what kind of training I'm doing to maybe inspire anyone else out there. And hopefully it will keep me accountable a bit.