Last night, I flew JetBlue from Oakland to Dulles. The flight was delayed taking off about an hour, but I really didn't mind that much. It just meant the flight would get in at around 7 am, instead of 6.
I dosed myself with Benadryl and miracle of miracles, I slept for a solid four hours. My two seatmates were in awe and were envious. The plane had not one empty seat, so that made it even more of a miracle that I slept so well. I brought a little pillow with me and had a window seat. I think those were the two deciding factors. Having a comfy perch for my head made all the difference.
When I woke up at around 6 am, the young man in the middle seat told me of his admiration, and jealousy. He said he'd look over at me periodically, and wished he were the one sleeping so soundly. We both talked about how we were not all that fond of the travel part of traveling, though we both loved to go places. He then mentioned how he had recently driven to LA from Oakland, and kind of enjoyed it. That was my entree into saying how I hated driving to LA but loved riding my bike there. His eyes got wide and the talk moved to ALC.
Talk about someone who was intrigued, I have a feeling I may see this young dreadlocked man on either training rides, or maybe as a roadie on next year's ride. The thought of raising $3,000 seemed a bit intimidating, but I assured him, no matter how he became a part of ALC, he was in for the experience of a lifetime, and that no matter how many times one participates, the thrill never dissipates. I didn't get contact information to follow up, but my hope is, he will do that on his own.
So, now, I am comfortably ensconced at Len and Lisa's house in Silver Spring. Lisa is home sick today. She wasn't feeling all that well last night, and needed to catch up on sleep today. I too, caught up on even more sleep, and then she made us quesadillas for lunch. Lisa is now on the computer, caching up on work emails. Lisa works for Search for Common Ground, an amazing NGO that has offices all over the world promoting peaceful dialogue and interaction. She's just back from a recent trip to their offices in Morocco and Guinea, to help them with offices practices== filing, record keeping and the like. Those things sound so mundane to an organisation like "Search," but is honestly the backbone to keep them going and successful. People like Lisa are the unsung heroes of NGOs.
Alas, I won't be riding for the next couple of weeks, but the ride is never far from me. I hope to finally finish up all my thank-you notes for my donations from this year's ride, and have brought all my ALC t-shirts with the hopes of striking up conversation about the importance of what we do when we ride from San Francisco to LA.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A Week of Sausage and China Camp
I ate sausage three times this week. One chicken and two pork. That's three more times than I usually eat sausage in a month and about a gazillion more times than I ever eat pork of any kind.
What possessed me? Well, the sandwich special at Theresa and Johnny's Comfort Food Cafe sounded too good to pass up. Crumbled spicy sausage, a couple different kinds of greens, mushrooms, a smattering of good parmigiana on an Italian roll. The second time I ordered it I got smart and cut it in half and had the second part for dinner.
Does this mean my eating habits are changing? I don't think so, and I certainly hope not. I'm normally a chicken and fish-atarian. Other than skim milk in my cappuccino and some occasional feta in my salad I don't eat much in the way of dairy, and I'm heavy on the fruit and vegetables. And, oh yes, bread. If it were nutritionally sound I could live on good bread, olive oil and red wine. But it isn't so I don't.
But it was an odd week, I suppose. I made a really wonderful pasta sauce with crumbled chicken sausage, lots of onion and garlic, oregano, tomatoes, and a bit of red wine. Cooked it slow and easy for a good while and it was delicious.
Jerry had some leftover pasta with sauce for breakfast yesterday so he wouldn't bonk on our 45-mile ride that meandered around our neighborhood and out to Fairfax. A small group started at Mike's Bikes in Sausalito. We rode through San Rafael, around China Camp and then out to Fairfax and back. We were both in not great moods (so what else is new?) and the ride made us feel much better. A little of the strength I had seen waning last week returned yesterday. We're still dragging up hills, but we are starting really fly on the flats, and, of course, on the downhills. As I've thought before, the only thing that's going to help us on climbs in losing weight. And eating sausage isn't going to do much for that.
But yesterday, I didn't really overeat, though I'm not sure what is is they put on movie-theater popcorn, even with no butter added. Why does it taste so good? I'm sure it's full of some sort of hideous artificial flavoring full of calories and carcinogens. And it's what I had for dinner.
With our friends Sha and Lora, we saw (500) Days of Summer last night. It was my kind of movie, quirky, sweet, with a bit of an edge. Not a profound movie, but fun and not entirely predictable, though perhaps partially so. But that's not altogether bad.
After the movie we went to Aroma cafe and I had a ginger biscotti (or would that be biscotto?) and yet another cappuccino.
Today, maybe a little ride on our singles and more coffee and the Sunday Times crossword puzzle.
What possessed me? Well, the sandwich special at Theresa and Johnny's Comfort Food Cafe sounded too good to pass up. Crumbled spicy sausage, a couple different kinds of greens, mushrooms, a smattering of good parmigiana on an Italian roll. The second time I ordered it I got smart and cut it in half and had the second part for dinner.
Does this mean my eating habits are changing? I don't think so, and I certainly hope not. I'm normally a chicken and fish-atarian. Other than skim milk in my cappuccino and some occasional feta in my salad I don't eat much in the way of dairy, and I'm heavy on the fruit and vegetables. And, oh yes, bread. If it were nutritionally sound I could live on good bread, olive oil and red wine. But it isn't so I don't.
But it was an odd week, I suppose. I made a really wonderful pasta sauce with crumbled chicken sausage, lots of onion and garlic, oregano, tomatoes, and a bit of red wine. Cooked it slow and easy for a good while and it was delicious.
Jerry had some leftover pasta with sauce for breakfast yesterday so he wouldn't bonk on our 45-mile ride that meandered around our neighborhood and out to Fairfax. A small group started at Mike's Bikes in Sausalito. We rode through San Rafael, around China Camp and then out to Fairfax and back. We were both in not great moods (so what else is new?) and the ride made us feel much better. A little of the strength I had seen waning last week returned yesterday. We're still dragging up hills, but we are starting really fly on the flats, and, of course, on the downhills. As I've thought before, the only thing that's going to help us on climbs in losing weight. And eating sausage isn't going to do much for that.
But yesterday, I didn't really overeat, though I'm not sure what is is they put on movie-theater popcorn, even with no butter added. Why does it taste so good? I'm sure it's full of some sort of hideous artificial flavoring full of calories and carcinogens. And it's what I had for dinner.
With our friends Sha and Lora, we saw (500) Days of Summer last night. It was my kind of movie, quirky, sweet, with a bit of an edge. Not a profound movie, but fun and not entirely predictable, though perhaps partially so. But that's not altogether bad.
After the movie we went to Aroma cafe and I had a ginger biscotti (or would that be biscotto?) and yet another cappuccino.
Today, maybe a little ride on our singles and more coffee and the Sunday Times crossword puzzle.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tough riding; Too Much Eating
Though the scale hasn't changed, I am feeling really blobby lately. Could it be all those fresh blueberries. Probably not, but it could be the homemade ice cream beneath those fresh blueberries. And that tuna melt I needed after having a really crummy day.
By and large, I eat a very healthy diet, but of late I know I have been eating a bit too much of those healthy foods. Life, and the stuff that goes with it, has not been all that cheery, so to make up for that, I seek comfort in comfort foods. I haven't gotten out the blow torch to make the top of macaroni and cheese crisp yet, but believe me, I've been thinking about it. I haven't said no to fries at lunch, though I split the order with Jerry and we always have fruit at Comfort Food Cafe. But we've been eating too much cheese and I haven't resisted the tortilla chips (albeit with no salt) at Trader Joe's.
Something's got to change. We rode out of the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday and headed up to Woodacre Market, just the other side of White's Hill. The ride there was not too bad, though I was far more short of breath than I can remember being in a long time. I blame part of that on "that damn trike." (Its official name.) I never got winded on the trike because I didn't use my whole body to ride. Just my legs, pumping and pumping and pumping. Back on the upright, I'm getting a much better workout, which is great, but I'm feeling it.
And Jerry and I were both feeling it on the way back to the bridge. Though I felt as if I had eaten enough, I really felt like I was bonking at a couple of points. I also ran out of water, which didn't help, though I did still have some Nuun solution in my bottle. I ate some dried fruit and nuts and we kept going. But neither of us was our perky selves. I partially blamed it for not having done a real ride in two weeks. But there's more to it. Other than cycling once a week, I'm doing not much more than sitting at a computer all week. The little jaunts around the neighborhood on a half bike don't count.
So time for a change. I love my new ice cream maker and I love ice cream, so I'm going to look for recipes that are lower in fat and calories. And on warm days I'm going to hit the pool. I'm not much of a swimmer, but it's something. And gotta work that core.
I'll start baking with more chocolate and giving it away as well. I love to bake too much to give it up.
By and large, I eat a very healthy diet, but of late I know I have been eating a bit too much of those healthy foods. Life, and the stuff that goes with it, has not been all that cheery, so to make up for that, I seek comfort in comfort foods. I haven't gotten out the blow torch to make the top of macaroni and cheese crisp yet, but believe me, I've been thinking about it. I haven't said no to fries at lunch, though I split the order with Jerry and we always have fruit at Comfort Food Cafe. But we've been eating too much cheese and I haven't resisted the tortilla chips (albeit with no salt) at Trader Joe's.
Something's got to change. We rode out of the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday and headed up to Woodacre Market, just the other side of White's Hill. The ride there was not too bad, though I was far more short of breath than I can remember being in a long time. I blame part of that on "that damn trike." (Its official name.) I never got winded on the trike because I didn't use my whole body to ride. Just my legs, pumping and pumping and pumping. Back on the upright, I'm getting a much better workout, which is great, but I'm feeling it.
And Jerry and I were both feeling it on the way back to the bridge. Though I felt as if I had eaten enough, I really felt like I was bonking at a couple of points. I also ran out of water, which didn't help, though I did still have some Nuun solution in my bottle. I ate some dried fruit and nuts and we kept going. But neither of us was our perky selves. I partially blamed it for not having done a real ride in two weeks. But there's more to it. Other than cycling once a week, I'm doing not much more than sitting at a computer all week. The little jaunts around the neighborhood on a half bike don't count.
So time for a change. I love my new ice cream maker and I love ice cream, so I'm going to look for recipes that are lower in fat and calories. And on warm days I'm going to hit the pool. I'm not much of a swimmer, but it's something. And gotta work that core.
I'll start baking with more chocolate and giving it away as well. I love to bake too much to give it up.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Confidence and Ice Cream
The How to Ride a Bike class I took from REI on Saturday did wonders for my confidence, if not my riding.
They started the class by taking the pedals off our bikes and lowering the seat. We duck walked around a loop at the Corte Madera DMV, then slalomed in and out of mini traffic cones. They took us around front and we coasted down a small incline and learned to slow our selves down feathering our brakes.
After I'm not sure how many times going down that incline, I was able to do it without touching the ground, propelling myself about halfway back up on the other side. I was ready for pedals.
The pedals went on and we made rode a small circuit; our seats still low and our concentration as steadfast as a neurosurgeon's. Finally, the seat was lifted in increments and I knew I was ready for the incline.
For the next-- oh I don't know-- maybe hour, I rode around the parking lot, gaining speed and confidence as I went. I felt great.
When Jerry got home from his ride to Lagunitas, I couldn't wait to share my excitement. We decided that on Sunday we'd ride around the neighborhood.
We crawled into bed fairly early and watched the film of the stage version of Rent. It was so wonderful, but trying not to cry too hard gave me a headache. That show will never cease to make me cry.
Sunday started with going out to brunch at Comfort Food Cafe and a trip to the Goodwill, where I got a Krups ice cream maker. I don't think it had ever been used. Thought it was a pretty good $9 investment. I made ice cream with it today and while it probably costs more to make ice cream at home, who cares! It was fun.
But back to yesterday. When we got home, Jerry and I took our bikes out for a little jaunt around the neighborhood. He said he could see a real difference in my skill and confidence. I didn't start out so slowly that I was in danger of falling over, and I kept up my speed. I even signaled for turns and for slowing down. I still have a ways to go, but at least now I feel that I'm on my way.
Yesterday was Jerry's birthday and we went to Katia's Russian Tea Room in the City. It was our first time there and I think we'll return. Jerry loved his pelmeni and my blini were very good. When the server heard it was Jerry's birthday my espresso was free and Jerry got poured another glass of wine. Needless to say, I drove home.
So right now, homemade vanilla ice cream is in the freezer getting firmer, and there is aged gouda I bought as a birthday treat for Jerry. That, and a bottle of Cabernet Franc is on the counter. I think I know what's for dinner.
They started the class by taking the pedals off our bikes and lowering the seat. We duck walked around a loop at the Corte Madera DMV, then slalomed in and out of mini traffic cones. They took us around front and we coasted down a small incline and learned to slow our selves down feathering our brakes.
After I'm not sure how many times going down that incline, I was able to do it without touching the ground, propelling myself about halfway back up on the other side. I was ready for pedals.
The pedals went on and we made rode a small circuit; our seats still low and our concentration as steadfast as a neurosurgeon's. Finally, the seat was lifted in increments and I knew I was ready for the incline.
For the next-- oh I don't know-- maybe hour, I rode around the parking lot, gaining speed and confidence as I went. I felt great.
When Jerry got home from his ride to Lagunitas, I couldn't wait to share my excitement. We decided that on Sunday we'd ride around the neighborhood.
We crawled into bed fairly early and watched the film of the stage version of Rent. It was so wonderful, but trying not to cry too hard gave me a headache. That show will never cease to make me cry.
Sunday started with going out to brunch at Comfort Food Cafe and a trip to the Goodwill, where I got a Krups ice cream maker. I don't think it had ever been used. Thought it was a pretty good $9 investment. I made ice cream with it today and while it probably costs more to make ice cream at home, who cares! It was fun.
But back to yesterday. When we got home, Jerry and I took our bikes out for a little jaunt around the neighborhood. He said he could see a real difference in my skill and confidence. I didn't start out so slowly that I was in danger of falling over, and I kept up my speed. I even signaled for turns and for slowing down. I still have a ways to go, but at least now I feel that I'm on my way.
Yesterday was Jerry's birthday and we went to Katia's Russian Tea Room in the City. It was our first time there and I think we'll return. Jerry loved his pelmeni and my blini were very good. When the server heard it was Jerry's birthday my espresso was free and Jerry got poured another glass of wine. Needless to say, I drove home.
So right now, homemade vanilla ice cream is in the freezer getting firmer, and there is aged gouda I bought as a birthday treat for Jerry. That, and a bottle of Cabernet Franc is on the counter. I think I know what's for dinner.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Fear, Trepidation and Fruit
Tomorrow I get on a single bike for the first time in more than a year. I am taking a How to Ride a Bike Class at REI in Corte Madera. Intellectually, and probably physically, I know how to ride a bike. So what is keeping me from riding? Mostly fear.
I took a bike skills class from Velogirls more than a year ago and did really well. But then I didn't get on the single for more than a week and all the fear and unsteadiness came right back.
It's been two years since I crashed, but it's still fresh, somehow. I ended up at Marin General with stitches and a damaged cranial nerve that left me seeing double for six months. I have no idea what happened. I don't remember being put in an ambulance and taken to the Emergency Department. I don't remember giving them Jerry's cell number. I don't remember being taken to a room. The first thing I remember is seeing Jerry hovering over me, asking me if I was okay.
So, yes, I'm scared. But I rode a bike when I was a kid, and when I lived in Montana, I took hail storm money and bought a really great Trek. We had a killer hail storm in 1980, or maybe 81. My little Honda looked like someone had gone beserk with a ballpeen hammer. I got insurance money, paid off some bills and plopped down $400 for a really great bike. That was a lot of money for a bike in 1980. But it was a great bike. I rode all over Helena, and then when I moved to Missoula to go back to school, I didn't get a parking permit for campus. I either rode my bike, or if there was too much snow or ice, I walked.
It's true I was younger than, but in reality I wasn't a kid. So why is riding a bike so scary now? Besides the crash, it's becoming accustomed to being a stoker on a tandem. All I have to do is pedal. I look around, side to side. I don't have to steer; I don't have to shift gears; I just pedal. It's mindless. I joke and say Jerry's the brains and I'm the brawn. He, in reality is both, but I kick in as much as I can. And I love it. But it would be great to get out there on a single every now and then, if for no other reason than to see what I can do on my own.
Along with cycling on my mind, so is the abundance of wonderful fruit this season brings. I have yet to overdose on strawberries, blueberries and cherries, though it seems I have been eating them nonstop. I bought a large container of blueberries the other day, thinking I would bake a gallette or pie with them. But I'm enjoying them so much just as they are. I can always bake a blueberry something with frozen ones after the season is over. For now, I just want to enjoy their unadulterated goodness.
I took a bike skills class from Velogirls more than a year ago and did really well. But then I didn't get on the single for more than a week and all the fear and unsteadiness came right back.
It's been two years since I crashed, but it's still fresh, somehow. I ended up at Marin General with stitches and a damaged cranial nerve that left me seeing double for six months. I have no idea what happened. I don't remember being put in an ambulance and taken to the Emergency Department. I don't remember giving them Jerry's cell number. I don't remember being taken to a room. The first thing I remember is seeing Jerry hovering over me, asking me if I was okay.
So, yes, I'm scared. But I rode a bike when I was a kid, and when I lived in Montana, I took hail storm money and bought a really great Trek. We had a killer hail storm in 1980, or maybe 81. My little Honda looked like someone had gone beserk with a ballpeen hammer. I got insurance money, paid off some bills and plopped down $400 for a really great bike. That was a lot of money for a bike in 1980. But it was a great bike. I rode all over Helena, and then when I moved to Missoula to go back to school, I didn't get a parking permit for campus. I either rode my bike, or if there was too much snow or ice, I walked.
It's true I was younger than, but in reality I wasn't a kid. So why is riding a bike so scary now? Besides the crash, it's becoming accustomed to being a stoker on a tandem. All I have to do is pedal. I look around, side to side. I don't have to steer; I don't have to shift gears; I just pedal. It's mindless. I joke and say Jerry's the brains and I'm the brawn. He, in reality is both, but I kick in as much as I can. And I love it. But it would be great to get out there on a single every now and then, if for no other reason than to see what I can do on my own.
Along with cycling on my mind, so is the abundance of wonderful fruit this season brings. I have yet to overdose on strawberries, blueberries and cherries, though it seems I have been eating them nonstop. I bought a large container of blueberries the other day, thinking I would bake a gallette or pie with them. But I'm enjoying them so much just as they are. I can always bake a blueberry something with frozen ones after the season is over. For now, I just want to enjoy their unadulterated goodness.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Fairfax, Tiburon Loop and Meat Loaf
Seismic Challenge is beginning its training rides, and Jerry and I have been riding with them. Today we did a 45-mile ride-- first out to Fairfax, and then Tiburon Loop on the way back.
The quads are still strong and our speed is still up, though we started to drag on the way back. We lost a lot of our zip on Sausalito Hill. Jerry jokes that we should have kept the trike to ride a month before AIDS Lifecycle. It did get us in great shape.
I hope the couple that bought it really enjoys it. I, for one, was not sorry to see it go.
But, as far as today's ride went, it was great to do, but we were both happy when it was over. It did tire us out. At our stop in Tiburon, I wasn't really hungry, but I had a Luna Bar. That being said, when I got home, I was ready to eat.
I had made a turkey meatloaf the other day, so I had leftovers for lunch. To the turkey, I added an egg, garlic some matzoh meal and some pinjur, which is similar to ajvar. It gave the meatloaf some zip. I heated the leftovers in the microwave and wrapped it in a tortilla. I had some tortilla chips with it, and I ate too many. There wasn't enough to save but I really ate too many. I'm feeling it now.
I hope Jerry and I can keep riding at least once a week. Our quads are strong and I'd like to keep them that way.
The quads are still strong and our speed is still up, though we started to drag on the way back. We lost a lot of our zip on Sausalito Hill. Jerry jokes that we should have kept the trike to ride a month before AIDS Lifecycle. It did get us in great shape.
I hope the couple that bought it really enjoys it. I, for one, was not sorry to see it go.
But, as far as today's ride went, it was great to do, but we were both happy when it was over. It did tire us out. At our stop in Tiburon, I wasn't really hungry, but I had a Luna Bar. That being said, when I got home, I was ready to eat.
I had made a turkey meatloaf the other day, so I had leftovers for lunch. To the turkey, I added an egg, garlic some matzoh meal and some pinjur, which is similar to ajvar. It gave the meatloaf some zip. I heated the leftovers in the microwave and wrapped it in a tortilla. I had some tortilla chips with it, and I ate too many. There wasn't enough to save but I really ate too many. I'm feeling it now.
I hope Jerry and I can keep riding at least once a week. Our quads are strong and I'd like to keep them that way.
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