A Long, Cold Winter
My last post talked about how much I have admired the scenery around me when I ride and how I vowed to stop and enjoy the scenery even more. Sadly, I have not been able to do this because my riding was put on hiatus in early December.
For many months prior to December, I have awakened at 5:00 a.m. and gone out for a 24-mile ride before work. I had every intention of keeping this ritual going throughout the Winter. However, one early December morning, despite bundling up as best I could in thermal tights, wool socks, and multiple thermal jerseys and pairs of gloves, I suffered what I believed was a mild case of frostbite on my hands and feet. Later that day, my riding partner and I made the decision that we would only ride in the morning if it was higher than 35-degrees. We never seemed to have too many of those days for the rest of winter.
However, the Winter was not a total loss. I did complete my 4th century ride of the year (and my life) a couple of days before Christmas. I also logged my 4,000th mile of the year (and my adult life) on New Year's Eve. Also, several pick-up rides held in December introduced me to more local riders with whom I greatly enjoyed getting to know. I logged only 68 miles for January and 227 miles for February. And my longest ride, so far this year, has only been 56 miles.
A couple of other achievements that happened this Winter include: I raced in my first 5K on my 40th birthday - the Rudolph Run in Huntsville - and I have been able to sustain the weight loss I worked so hard for last year. I have worried that less riding, and thus less calorie burn, would lead to weight gain, but I have tried to diligently adhere to making smart eating decisions. While I haven't done as good with eating as I did last year when I was trying to lose weight, I have been able to solidify the loss of two more inches in my waist. I have now gone from a 44-inch waist to a 32-inch waist. My final weight loss for the year was 120 pounds. I am not trying to lose any more weight, but am dedicated to eating healthy and not abusing myself with the emotional and comfort eating that dominated my habits for so many years.
The mornings are beginning to warm up and Daylight Savings Time starts in less than 2 weeks. Both of these factors should lead to more riding time. I sure hope so, especially because I have named two goals - 6,000 miles and 6 centuries. I look forward to making many more friends through cycling (and possibly running) and hitting my goals. And, as discussed in my last post, taking time to enjoy the world around me.
For many months prior to December, I have awakened at 5:00 a.m. and gone out for a 24-mile ride before work. I had every intention of keeping this ritual going throughout the Winter. However, one early December morning, despite bundling up as best I could in thermal tights, wool socks, and multiple thermal jerseys and pairs of gloves, I suffered what I believed was a mild case of frostbite on my hands and feet. Later that day, my riding partner and I made the decision that we would only ride in the morning if it was higher than 35-degrees. We never seemed to have too many of those days for the rest of winter.
However, the Winter was not a total loss. I did complete my 4th century ride of the year (and my life) a couple of days before Christmas. I also logged my 4,000th mile of the year (and my adult life) on New Year's Eve. Also, several pick-up rides held in December introduced me to more local riders with whom I greatly enjoyed getting to know. I logged only 68 miles for January and 227 miles for February. And my longest ride, so far this year, has only been 56 miles.
A couple of other achievements that happened this Winter include: I raced in my first 5K on my 40th birthday - the Rudolph Run in Huntsville - and I have been able to sustain the weight loss I worked so hard for last year. I have worried that less riding, and thus less calorie burn, would lead to weight gain, but I have tried to diligently adhere to making smart eating decisions. While I haven't done as good with eating as I did last year when I was trying to lose weight, I have been able to solidify the loss of two more inches in my waist. I have now gone from a 44-inch waist to a 32-inch waist. My final weight loss for the year was 120 pounds. I am not trying to lose any more weight, but am dedicated to eating healthy and not abusing myself with the emotional and comfort eating that dominated my habits for so many years.
The mornings are beginning to warm up and Daylight Savings Time starts in less than 2 weeks. Both of these factors should lead to more riding time. I sure hope so, especially because I have named two goals - 6,000 miles and 6 centuries. I look forward to making many more friends through cycling (and possibly running) and hitting my goals. And, as discussed in my last post, taking time to enjoy the world around me.
posted by Jason at
9:24 PM
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