Finally, on last Monday I felt somewhat back to normal. I did a long bike ride on Sunday, 50 miles in the beautiful Wisconsin countryside, only got lost once, and felt fine after the ride. I feel I can think critically again and I have some of my stamina back. I even felt good enough to go on the Robbie ride on Tuesday, which is always a 10+ ride. I did well but was exhausted after the ride because I rode at LT for 15mn then a 2mn break then at LT for 15 again. When I checked my numbers my average HR was 173 during peak times and that is over my LT and at 1 time my HR was 183 which is max. These numbers mean I worked way too hard. So I asked myself why did I work so hard?
I think the answer is buried within my experience in France and the ETape. The ETape has given me a ton of confidence. I now feel I can do anything. However I am learning I can not do anything at the speed I think I should be going. My tendency has been to ride too hard and blow-up rather that ration my resources over a period of time, this is called burning too many matches too soon. I need to relearn and remember what my limits are and then not burn those matches all at once.
I am a little disappointed I am not as fast as I want to be. Yet I am a ton faster then I was and I am riding a ton better then I have ever thought I could. I am not sure if my expectations are not reasonable or I am not riding smart. After Tuesdays ride I know I am not riding as smart as I could be, so I am going to concentrate on being a smarter rider. The coaches at VQ said follow the plan and you will get faster. I just need to make sure I stay within my ability and be a good tactical rider. Being tactical will allow be to be fast and efficient. That is my ultimate goal.
Hope to see you on the road. JAM
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Major jet lag & safty first
I have been home for 3 days, (this was written earlier) and I am still totally jet lagged. I am tired when I should be awake and I want to be awake when I should be sleeping. I am getting about 5 hours of sleep a night and I am drinking coffee and tea until it coming out of my ears. Japan is 14 hours ahead of Chicago and my body is totally confused. I will have to drift, muddle through, the rest of the week and hope and pray that I will recover by Monday. Right now I would settle for 6 hours of solid uninterrupted sleep.
Needless to say work and cycling have been a chore. What did the 2 weeks off do to my aerobic capacity? Physiologically I should have been able to maintain my edge for 1 week and only loose a little aerobic capacity the second week. However, I am 54 and I have only been working out at my current level for 3 years so I feel my body lost its edge quickly. I did cross training Wednesday like lunges, stretching, upper-body and I am totally sore. When I hopped on the bike this morning my legs were screaming for mercy, my shoulders said go back to sleep and my brain felt it was in a bath of molasses. All in all I am a wreck. I feel so out of it and my reactions feel so slow that I do not feel safe riding in a group. Because I am a good group rider I have been riding solo and staying out of the fray. Its hard not to join a group but having an accident or causing an accident is much worse. The moral of the day. If you don't feel that you can ride in a group comfortably and safely, ride solo.
So look for me by myself. JAM
Needless to say work and cycling have been a chore. What did the 2 weeks off do to my aerobic capacity? Physiologically I should have been able to maintain my edge for 1 week and only loose a little aerobic capacity the second week. However, I am 54 and I have only been working out at my current level for 3 years so I feel my body lost its edge quickly. I did cross training Wednesday like lunges, stretching, upper-body and I am totally sore. When I hopped on the bike this morning my legs were screaming for mercy, my shoulders said go back to sleep and my brain felt it was in a bath of molasses. All in all I am a wreck. I feel so out of it and my reactions feel so slow that I do not feel safe riding in a group. Because I am a good group rider I have been riding solo and staying out of the fray. Its hard not to join a group but having an accident or causing an accident is much worse. The moral of the day. If you don't feel that you can ride in a group comfortably and safely, ride solo.
So look for me by myself. JAM
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Travel log
I tried to post this from Japan last week but was unable to. Sorry for the delay.
This weeks blog is a travel-log and not a biking blog. I have been in Tokyo and Kyoto the past week. This is my first trip to the orient and it has been both very familiar and very different. I enjoy traveling and have just returned from France but obviously Japan is not France. We have been traveling for a week so I am sorry if this blog is a bit uneven and I am a bit goofy
My first impression of Japan was that Tokyo feels like New York. The women dress finely, the men are wearing suits and everyone is rushing about. At night couples go to dinner or the club. However the similarities end at the feel. In Tokyo there are people everywhere, there is definitely more room in NY. Plus in NY things are closer. We had a guide in Tokyo and if it were not for the guide we would have spent a ton of time negotiating the 15 train lines.
We saw some cultural sites but mostly we visited the neighborhoods. We stayed in the Ginza area where high-end shops abound. Tokyo is very expensive; here are some highlights. Breakfast was $30 per person. A good sushi meal was $45+, beers were $8, the subway charged by distance and it was about $2.50 to $4.00 per trip, and temples etc were about $10. Now for the high end; we saw 1 cantaloupe for $100, no kidding, kimonos were about $125 and a truly fine dining experience was about $150 plus wine per person. Meat was expensive but the kolbe beef was outrageous. We went out for a kolbe beef dinner and it started at $120 per. We saw the beef at a store for $30 per 7 ounces and Kolbe beef is mostly fat. It was too rich for us.
Japan is a very western country. The old religions and behaviors are dying with the older generation. However some behaviors are holding fast. It is not unusual for the younger generation to go out in traditional dress on dates. Both young men and woman will wear the summer weight kimonos with gorgeous obis and wooden shoes. It was really fun to watch. (I did not take pictures because I wanted to respect their privacy.)
Now for some facts. The average Japanese male worker works 60 hour weeks, 5 days, 12 hours. Most men only see their children on Saturdays. Sunday is reserved for the company golf outing. Workers get 2 weeks off and receive 2 bonuses, 2 weeks pay in June and 3 weeks pay in December. The average salary is 60K. Because prices are so high both parents work; the mom usually returning to the workforce after the kids enter 1st grade. There is a huge glass ceiling in Japan with women getting significantly less then men and have to work longer to get a promotion. The average person does not want to practice the older religions and usually does not go out much. It seems the Japanese work hard and are boring.
Now for the sights: Tokyo is mostly shopping and Kyoto is the cultural center of Japan. Kyoto was not bombed during the war so many of the cultural sites remain intact. However, because the buildings are wooden they have burned at one time or another and have been rebuilt. We saw the famous Shogun castle that was not used because the Shogun moved his headquarters to Tokyo. The most impressive temple was the longest wooden building in Japan that housed 1000 buddhas and the protector gods. The other side of the temple housed the archery contest that was started in the 900s. The current record holder is a 16 year old boy who hit 11,200 targets in 24 hours in 1216. Now that’s a record. Another 9 year old had 90% accuracy in the 1500s. These records mean the Cubs have a long way to go before they win a world series.
Kyoto also had great food. Most shops made their own soba and buckwheat noodles, and they were great. The sushi was excellent but was a tad expensive. The only problem was that I was not always sure what I was eating. I am an adventurous eater but I do have limits. At 1 shop the waitress asked if I would like to try some American sushi. I said sure; it was sushi with ketchup.
There were 2 notable events I need to mention before I sign off. We were having dinner at a nice restaurant when everything began to shake. It was the 7.1 earthquake that hit Tokyo. Amazingly no one panicked. We have been experiencing aftershocks ever since the most recent coming today as we were leaving for Hong Kong. After we felt the earthquake we learned that a typhoon was expected to hit the day we left for Kyoto. I had only 1 thought, Cue Godzilla. The second is the heat and humidity. 90 is hot but 90 and 92% humidity is unreal; you sweat just standing around. I was able to get use to the climate but Ruth and Ben wilted in the summer heat.
Japan was great and a fantastic place to visit. The people were nice but we did not really meet or get to know anyone. The cultural sites are fascinating and uniquely different. Being from the West has not prepared me for the Orient.
While on vacation I have missed biking but I have had a chance to workout. We all must make some sacrifices.
So until next week: See you in Hong Kong.
This weeks blog is a travel-log and not a biking blog. I have been in Tokyo and Kyoto the past week. This is my first trip to the orient and it has been both very familiar and very different. I enjoy traveling and have just returned from France but obviously Japan is not France. We have been traveling for a week so I am sorry if this blog is a bit uneven and I am a bit goofy
My first impression of Japan was that Tokyo feels like New York. The women dress finely, the men are wearing suits and everyone is rushing about. At night couples go to dinner or the club. However the similarities end at the feel. In Tokyo there are people everywhere, there is definitely more room in NY. Plus in NY things are closer. We had a guide in Tokyo and if it were not for the guide we would have spent a ton of time negotiating the 15 train lines.
We saw some cultural sites but mostly we visited the neighborhoods. We stayed in the Ginza area where high-end shops abound. Tokyo is very expensive; here are some highlights. Breakfast was $30 per person. A good sushi meal was $45+, beers were $8, the subway charged by distance and it was about $2.50 to $4.00 per trip, and temples etc were about $10. Now for the high end; we saw 1 cantaloupe for $100, no kidding, kimonos were about $125 and a truly fine dining experience was about $150 plus wine per person. Meat was expensive but the kolbe beef was outrageous. We went out for a kolbe beef dinner and it started at $120 per. We saw the beef at a store for $30 per 7 ounces and Kolbe beef is mostly fat. It was too rich for us.
Japan is a very western country. The old religions and behaviors are dying with the older generation. However some behaviors are holding fast. It is not unusual for the younger generation to go out in traditional dress on dates. Both young men and woman will wear the summer weight kimonos with gorgeous obis and wooden shoes. It was really fun to watch. (I did not take pictures because I wanted to respect their privacy.)
Now for some facts. The average Japanese male worker works 60 hour weeks, 5 days, 12 hours. Most men only see their children on Saturdays. Sunday is reserved for the company golf outing. Workers get 2 weeks off and receive 2 bonuses, 2 weeks pay in June and 3 weeks pay in December. The average salary is 60K. Because prices are so high both parents work; the mom usually returning to the workforce after the kids enter 1st grade. There is a huge glass ceiling in Japan with women getting significantly less then men and have to work longer to get a promotion. The average person does not want to practice the older religions and usually does not go out much. It seems the Japanese work hard and are boring.
Now for the sights: Tokyo is mostly shopping and Kyoto is the cultural center of Japan. Kyoto was not bombed during the war so many of the cultural sites remain intact. However, because the buildings are wooden they have burned at one time or another and have been rebuilt. We saw the famous Shogun castle that was not used because the Shogun moved his headquarters to Tokyo. The most impressive temple was the longest wooden building in Japan that housed 1000 buddhas and the protector gods. The other side of the temple housed the archery contest that was started in the 900s. The current record holder is a 16 year old boy who hit 11,200 targets in 24 hours in 1216. Now that’s a record. Another 9 year old had 90% accuracy in the 1500s. These records mean the Cubs have a long way to go before they win a world series.
Kyoto also had great food. Most shops made their own soba and buckwheat noodles, and they were great. The sushi was excellent but was a tad expensive. The only problem was that I was not always sure what I was eating. I am an adventurous eater but I do have limits. At 1 shop the waitress asked if I would like to try some American sushi. I said sure; it was sushi with ketchup.
There were 2 notable events I need to mention before I sign off. We were having dinner at a nice restaurant when everything began to shake. It was the 7.1 earthquake that hit Tokyo. Amazingly no one panicked. We have been experiencing aftershocks ever since the most recent coming today as we were leaving for Hong Kong. After we felt the earthquake we learned that a typhoon was expected to hit the day we left for Kyoto. I had only 1 thought, Cue Godzilla. The second is the heat and humidity. 90 is hot but 90 and 92% humidity is unreal; you sweat just standing around. I was able to get use to the climate but Ruth and Ben wilted in the summer heat.
Japan was great and a fantastic place to visit. The people were nice but we did not really meet or get to know anyone. The cultural sites are fascinating and uniquely different. Being from the West has not prepared me for the Orient.
While on vacation I have missed biking but I have had a chance to workout. We all must make some sacrifices.
So until next week: See you in Hong Kong.
Japan
This weeks blog is a travel-log and not a biking blog. I have been in Tokyo and Kyoto the past week. This is my first trip to the orient and it has been both very familiar and very different. I enjoy traveling and have just returned from France but obviously Japan is not France. We have been traveling for a week so I am sorry if this blog is a bit uneven.
My first impression of Japan was that Tokyo feels like New York. The women dress finely, the men are wearing suits and everyone is rushing about. At night couples go to dinner or the club. However the similarities end at the feel. In Tokyo there are people everywhere and there is definitely more room in NY. Plus in NY things are closer. We had a guide in Tokyo and if it were not for the guide we would have spent a ton of time negotiating the 15 train lines.
We saw some cultural sites but mostly we visited the neighborhoods. We stayed in the Ginza area where high-end shops abound. Tokyo is very expensive and here are some highlights. Breakfast was $30 per person. A good sushi meal was $45+, beers were $8, the subway charged by distance and it was about $2.50 to $4:00 per trip, and temples etc were about $10. Now for the high end; we saw 1 cantaloupe for $100, no kidding, kimonos were about $125 and a truly fine dining experience was about $150 plus wine. Meat was expensive but the kolbe beef was outrageous. We went out for a kolbe beef dinner and it started at $120 per. We saw the beef at a store for $30 per 7 ounces and Kolbe beef is mostly fat. It was too rich for us.
Japan is a very western country. The old religions and behaviors are dying with the older generation. However some behaviors are holding fast. It is not unusual for the younger generation to go out in traditional dress on dates. Both young men and woman will wear the summer weight kimonos with gorgeous obis and wooden shoes. It was really fun to watch. (I did not take pictures because I wanted to respect their privacy.)
Now for some facts. The average Japanese worker works 60 hour weeks, 5 days, 12 hours. Most men only see their children on Saturdays. Sunday is reserved for the company golf outing. Workers get 2 weeks off and receive 2 bonuses, 2 weeks pay in June and 3 weeks pay in December. The average salary is 60K. Because prices are so high both parents work; the mom usually returning to the workforce after the kids enter 1st grade. There is a huge glass ceiling in Japan with women getting significantly less then men and have to work longer to get a promotion. The average person does not want to practice the older religions and usually does not go out much. It seems the Japanese work hard and are boring.
Now for the sights: Tokyo is mostly shopping and Kyoto is the cultural center of Japan. Kyoto was not bombed during the war so many of the cultural sites remain intact. However, because the buildings are wooden they have burned at one time or another and have been rebuilt. We saw the famous Shogun castle that was not used because the Shogun moved his headquarters to Tokyo. The most impressive temple was the longest wooden building in Japan that housed 1000 buddhas and the protector gods. The other side of the temple housed the archery contest that was started in the 900s. The current record holder is a 16 year old boy who hit 11,200 targets in 24 hours in 1216. Now that’s a record. Another 9 year old had 90% accuracy in the 1500s. These records mean the Cubs have a long way to go before they win a world series.
Kyoto also had great food. Most shops made their own soba, buckwheat noodles, and they were great. The sushi was excellent but was a tad expensive. The only problem was that I was not always sure what I was eating. I am an adventurous eater but I do have limits. At 1 shop the waitress asked if I would like to try some American sushi. I said sure; it was sushi with ketchup.
There were 2 notable events I need to mention before I sign off. We were having dinner at a nice restaurant when everything began to shake. It was the 7.1 earthquake that hit Tokyo. Amazingly no one panicked. We have been experiencing aftershocks ever since the most recent coming today as we were leaving for Hong Kong. After we felt the earthquake we learned that a typhoon was expected to hit the day we left for Kyoto. I had only 1 thought, Cue Godzilla. The second is the heat and humidity. 90 is hot but 90 and 80% humidity is unreal; you sweat just standing around. I was able to get use to the climate but Ruth and Ben wilted in the summer heat.
Japan was great and a fantastic place to visit. The people are nice but we did not really meet or get to know anyone. The cultural sites are fascinating and uniquely different. Being from the West has not prepared me for the Orient. I Have missed biking but I have had a chance to workout. We all must make some sacrifices.
So until next week: See you in Hong Kong.
My first impression of Japan was that Tokyo feels like New York. The women dress finely, the men are wearing suits and everyone is rushing about. At night couples go to dinner or the club. However the similarities end at the feel. In Tokyo there are people everywhere and there is definitely more room in NY. Plus in NY things are closer. We had a guide in Tokyo and if it were not for the guide we would have spent a ton of time negotiating the 15 train lines.
We saw some cultural sites but mostly we visited the neighborhoods. We stayed in the Ginza area where high-end shops abound. Tokyo is very expensive and here are some highlights. Breakfast was $30 per person. A good sushi meal was $45+, beers were $8, the subway charged by distance and it was about $2.50 to $4:00 per trip, and temples etc were about $10. Now for the high end; we saw 1 cantaloupe for $100, no kidding, kimonos were about $125 and a truly fine dining experience was about $150 plus wine. Meat was expensive but the kolbe beef was outrageous. We went out for a kolbe beef dinner and it started at $120 per. We saw the beef at a store for $30 per 7 ounces and Kolbe beef is mostly fat. It was too rich for us.
Japan is a very western country. The old religions and behaviors are dying with the older generation. However some behaviors are holding fast. It is not unusual for the younger generation to go out in traditional dress on dates. Both young men and woman will wear the summer weight kimonos with gorgeous obis and wooden shoes. It was really fun to watch. (I did not take pictures because I wanted to respect their privacy.)
Now for some facts. The average Japanese worker works 60 hour weeks, 5 days, 12 hours. Most men only see their children on Saturdays. Sunday is reserved for the company golf outing. Workers get 2 weeks off and receive 2 bonuses, 2 weeks pay in June and 3 weeks pay in December. The average salary is 60K. Because prices are so high both parents work; the mom usually returning to the workforce after the kids enter 1st grade. There is a huge glass ceiling in Japan with women getting significantly less then men and have to work longer to get a promotion. The average person does not want to practice the older religions and usually does not go out much. It seems the Japanese work hard and are boring.
Now for the sights: Tokyo is mostly shopping and Kyoto is the cultural center of Japan. Kyoto was not bombed during the war so many of the cultural sites remain intact. However, because the buildings are wooden they have burned at one time or another and have been rebuilt. We saw the famous Shogun castle that was not used because the Shogun moved his headquarters to Tokyo. The most impressive temple was the longest wooden building in Japan that housed 1000 buddhas and the protector gods. The other side of the temple housed the archery contest that was started in the 900s. The current record holder is a 16 year old boy who hit 11,200 targets in 24 hours in 1216. Now that’s a record. Another 9 year old had 90% accuracy in the 1500s. These records mean the Cubs have a long way to go before they win a world series.
Kyoto also had great food. Most shops made their own soba, buckwheat noodles, and they were great. The sushi was excellent but was a tad expensive. The only problem was that I was not always sure what I was eating. I am an adventurous eater but I do have limits. At 1 shop the waitress asked if I would like to try some American sushi. I said sure; it was sushi with ketchup.
There were 2 notable events I need to mention before I sign off. We were having dinner at a nice restaurant when everything began to shake. It was the 7.1 earthquake that hit Tokyo. Amazingly no one panicked. We have been experiencing aftershocks ever since the most recent coming today as we were leaving for Hong Kong. After we felt the earthquake we learned that a typhoon was expected to hit the day we left for Kyoto. I had only 1 thought, Cue Godzilla. The second is the heat and humidity. 90 is hot but 90 and 80% humidity is unreal; you sweat just standing around. I was able to get use to the climate but Ruth and Ben wilted in the summer heat.
Japan was great and a fantastic place to visit. The people are nice but we did not really meet or get to know anyone. The cultural sites are fascinating and uniquely different. Being from the West has not prepared me for the Orient. I Have missed biking but I have had a chance to workout. We all must make some sacrifices.
So until next week: See you in Hong Kong.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Life After ETape
I am continuing my recovery since France. The only problem is that I am traveling a ton. Since France and the ETape I have been to New York for 2 days then back home for a day, then off to Madison, WI for a nieces wedding, then back home for 2 days and now I am in Tokyo. The travel is as hard as the ETape.
Because of all the travel my body has not been responding to the biking workload too well, or more accurately I have shown uneven power and workout progress. I have done some hard workouts but I have not been able to sustain power out-puts at pre-ETape levels. The other day my goal was ride 5, 4-minute intervals at LT. I was able to do the 1st 2 intervals with no trouble but I was unable to complete the next 3. However, 200 watts has never been easier and I have a new found inner confidence and peace while cycling. I know it sounds odd that doing a hard ride would make me mentally calmer on the bike but that has been a side consequence. If anything I expect my body to do more, I may even have unreasonable expectations. Joe W, my coach, always said that life interferes with cycling and consistency so I will have to wait to see where my fitness lies before I can evaluate my cycling progress. That is where I am now: great fitness, uneven practice time and uneven performances. “What is a mother to do?”
I am going to do the only logical thing, I am going to enjoy my trip to Japan and Hong Kong and worry about improving when I return. Life is truly short so I might as well sit back, sip some cold Saki and enjoy, and that is exactly what I am doing while contemplating a 5 hour delay waiting to take off.
So think of me while you do your intervals, I’ll being doing progressive Saki Bombs and heavy touring. See you on the road and at the sights.
Because of all the travel my body has not been responding to the biking workload too well, or more accurately I have shown uneven power and workout progress. I have done some hard workouts but I have not been able to sustain power out-puts at pre-ETape levels. The other day my goal was ride 5, 4-minute intervals at LT. I was able to do the 1st 2 intervals with no trouble but I was unable to complete the next 3. However, 200 watts has never been easier and I have a new found inner confidence and peace while cycling. I know it sounds odd that doing a hard ride would make me mentally calmer on the bike but that has been a side consequence. If anything I expect my body to do more, I may even have unreasonable expectations. Joe W, my coach, always said that life interferes with cycling and consistency so I will have to wait to see where my fitness lies before I can evaluate my cycling progress. That is where I am now: great fitness, uneven practice time and uneven performances. “What is a mother to do?”
I am going to do the only logical thing, I am going to enjoy my trip to Japan and Hong Kong and worry about improving when I return. Life is truly short so I might as well sit back, sip some cold Saki and enjoy, and that is exactly what I am doing while contemplating a 5 hour delay waiting to take off.
So think of me while you do your intervals, I’ll being doing progressive Saki Bombs and heavy touring. See you on the road and at the sights.
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