Whoa, That Was Different
I worked out twice this weekend. I’m sore all over, and of course now I have concern with the long-term state of my knees as well.
Life Has Changed
I’m still suffering from last week’s break in. I’m not scared to be in the house, mostly because it seems that the MO of these thieves is to strike when homes are empty.
What’s really gotten to me is an interruption of my routine. In case you haven’t figured it out I am a comfortable slave to my assembled routine, especially when it comes to my music, video, photos, and data backups — all of which were handled by the computer which was stolen. I’ve be trying to reassemble my routine using my ancient iBook because thanks to a high insurance deductible I have no plans to replace the stolen computer and graphics tablet.
Stone Mountain Is No Mont Ventoux
And I am no Lance Armstrong.
On Saturday morning I did something I hadn’t done in approximately eleven months — I got on my bicycle and rode. The ride was almost nixed by a phone call which woke me at 4am that caused me to sleep until 7:30am. I was hoping to be on the road no later than 7:00am in order to beat the heat.
I was determined (read “stubborn”) to ride the ride I used to ride when I used to ride often. I struck out on my thirty-eight mile (round trip) course to Stone Mountain and quickly realized that my knees will never be the same again (I suppose surgery might be the answer) but pressed on with more of a bothersome feeling, not a painful feeling. A little more than 2.5 hours later I returned to my driveway, dripping wet (sweat) and quite tired.
Saturday’s ride was quite the eye-opener. I was proud that I was able to ride the entire course, but it reminded me that taking eleven months off was a bad idea and that I have a lot of work to do before riding longer distances. However, it felt good to be back on the road, and it’ll feel better when I’m better at it again.
ITP Flickr Pic
It’s been a few days since I’ve picked up a camera. Consider this the fallout from spending time exercising as well as losing my main photo editing computer in the robbery.
This is a shot that I took with my iPhone a week ago. I’m trying hard to get my mojo back.
Black Sheep Hash 500 Minus 1 : The Lyons’ Run
Yesterday was the fourteenth running of the Black Sheep Hash Lyons’ Run. And if you weren’t there, why not? As I promised I brought a case of PBR with me as penance for my five-snare hash two weeks ago. Yesterday the hares were much smarter than I was as they started laying trail thirty minutes before they were supposed to in order avoid getting snared. And to complete my penance I played substitute-hare and took the beer blessing at the hash’s start.
The trail, which started at a location that I was eying as the potential start to my trail two weeks ago, was a good mix of real and surreal. We hashed through many downed trees that were no doubt taken down in order to build new subdivisions. We then hashed through an abandoned golf course as well by an abandoned club house and partially-completed tennis courts. In many ways this hash further cemented my desire to get out and see this country before completely destroy it.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – uncertain about my future
Current Music – listening to “The Tech Guy” podcast
Website Of The Day – I dream of a day when I can attempt projects like Alinea At Home. I find myself dreaming a lot more these days.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – 198 pounds
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~4 miles, Wheel Mileage – 38 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 3 (3)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 2
Marta Rides – 0
August Goals
- Not get fired from my job
- Restart work on house, actually making progress this time
2009 Goals
- Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
- Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
- Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalapeño Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
- Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
- Attend at least one professional photography workshop
The Unmeasurable
- Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
- Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
- Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Congrats on exercising twice this weekend, that is 2 times more than me.
We had plans to go ride Sunday morning, but Allan got home from work & felt like sleeping, so I decided that sounded like a better idea as well.
BUT – tonight we will go for a ride, and it will kill me, because it involves riding up Kennesaw Mtn.
My biggest regret is that I waited until August 1st to ride for the first time in 2009. My second biggest regret is that I have aging knees; I also think I identified one possible solution to this on Saturday, I think I need to adjust my pedals.
Good luck on your ride. I’m sure that I wouldn’t be able to climb Kennesaw Mountain yet.
Kudos on the physical exertions! I played softball on Sunday, which was fun, but the most exercise that I got was running the bases, then way too many 12 ounce curls at the Midway after the game!
No BSH for me, as I spent more time at the K-wood home painting and landscaping (I have new tenants as of Sep. 1st, this is good!) than I wanted to… over 20 hours in 3 days, but it is looking good finally! New paint inside and out and clean… wished my own house looked so good!
Good job Paulie…just keep with it. I was going to suggest that you might just need to adjust the bike to help with the knee issue….they really shouldn’t bother you to ride. Running is another story….try different shoes…and yes…sorry but less weight on the knees will help. Surgery isn’t a guarantee when it comes to the knees. Running in the pool is always a good alternative.
I volunteered at the 8 hour Hot to Trot……..all day. I did manage to run several loops. Ran at the river on Sunday but then went out for breakfast afterwards and was totally lazy the rest of the day. Tonight I’ll be running the pool.
Why is your future uncertain?
Gentri: Good on ya. I *need* to start working (or perhaps paying someone to work) on my house.
Sal: I’m working on the weight issue because I know it will help with my knees and performance. I plan to get exercise every day, although no grand schedule is in place. There are many tasks which need to get done this week, so I’ll have to fit my workouts in between them. I have new running shoes which I purchased earlier in the year but have yet to be used; they may be employed soon though since yesterday’s hash was the last for the shoes that I was using for hashing and need to transition in a new (old) pair.
In some sense all of our futures are uncertain. Specifically I keep thinking about last week’s Bucket List and break in and wondering if I’ll have the cajones do do something about each.
Great job Paulie, sounds like you were far more successful this weekend than I. Both of my runs were slow and cut short, I wasn’t feeling well and had no energy. We will try again this week, I’m going for a run at lunch and a swim tonight (if you ever want to try out MLK, just let me know).
I spent most of the weekend OTP, so little got done around the house. The Birthday Bash is postponed, so I’ve got a little more time to get the back yard ready, maybe this weekend (if it isn’t raining again).
I missed BS, I’ll consider the beer I had at your place my down-down for the snare. Have you replaced the window yet?
I can completely understand why your runs were tough. It was hella-humid this weekend. I drank a ton of water on my ride and hiked most of the hash yesterday while wearing my camelbak.
The window has not been repaired yet and probably won’t be considered until next week. In case the asshats return I want them to see that the window still has plywood screwed to it, therefore there is no possibility that the computer has been replaced. I can live with the ghetto window for a little while, shit I’ve lived without using my kitchen for nearly nine months now.
Paulie – if I can climb Kennesaw, you can climb Kennesaw. I go sooooo sloooowwww.
We thought about going to Black Sheep, but the weather looked iffy, we were feeling very lazy, and I made Allan go furniture shopping. I’ve decided it is time for a new couch & loveseat. I hate furniture shopping, too many choices, and whatever I decide on, I’m stuck with forever (Allan’s words).
Paulie, I have to concur with you on the ‘surreal’ trail yesterday. The failed golf/swim community with the “for sale, bank owned” sign were sad and must’ve been a real bummer for the few folks who built homes there. The tons of downed trees wore me out, but I attribute that to not having done a trail for ages.
The dogs were absolutely beat when we got home and didn’t wake us up at 5:15a as usual, which was nice. They both got baths last night and there was a lot of mud that went down the drain.
I have to agree with Sal on biking — when I adjusted my seat and the cleats in my pedals my knees felt much better. I have to admit that my knees were sore for a few weeks after I started cycling and got better the more I got on the bike.
Barb — I didn’t ride this weekend either. Finished painting the front door on Saturday and then went to check out the folks at Hot To Trot; on Saturday I did Black Sheep. I think I might bring the bike to work tomorrow if anyone wants to ride out at Silver Comet.
Michelle – Tomorrow night at Silver Comet sounds like a great idea.
Good on ya for riding 38 Paulie, I have been lazy. I have been off the bike for 6 days, thankfully I was able to ride in to work today. 6 gap training has slacked a bit but I’m still in it. Anytime you want to ride the Roswell hills just let me know and I’ll give you the tour.
What’s the distance on that Roswell hill ride, Bob?
Related: Saddle sores hurt more than they should. Surprisingly, my legs are fine.
The entire thing is 41 miles but there are 20 and 27 mile options.
As they say in Alabama “I might could do the 27.” I’m not sure I’m ready for the 41 just yet.
I’m planning on riding something tomorrow, and if all goes to plan something else on Thursday/Friday night.
BTW who is calling you at 4am???
There are only a few reason for calls at that time of day/night
Ladies, as usual, I’m a maybe for the Comet. I just need to see how I’m feeling. I normally ride with Kevin Tuesday mornings but I haven’t heard from him yet.
The tri is less than 3 weeks away and I feel completely unprepared!!
4am call came from a friend who lives on the west coast, who may or may not have had too much to drink on Friday night.
Let me know if you want to ride tomorrow night. I usually start at Riverside park which is only about 3 miles from your office.
Okay Bob, I’ll bite. I’ll put my bike on the car tomorrow (note to self: don’t park in parking garage) and meet you at Riverside park at whatever time you want. I won’t do more than the 27 though as I’m sure that I’ll be struggling big time.
I hope you ladies are not offended by my choice of rides — I know that I can’t keep up with you and don’t want to have to title Wednesday’s blog “Beaten By The Girls.”
Besides, I might go nuts trying to drive to the Silver Comet from my office.
Allan & I will be in for a ride on Wed. &/or Thursday night in Roswell.
Bob, can you get the 41 in by dark????
Paulie – it would be 20 or 27 on a weeknight.
Bob can show you the other hearth too.
Yes, the drive from my office to the Comet is a nightmare (I’ve been thinking about that commute a bit lately).
I wont speak for the other ladies but (on a bike) I don’t think you have much to worry about from me.
Don’t forget Sunday is a chance for some trail running at Sweetwater, that will be easier on the knees as well, only wish I didn’t have to do 9.
Can’t do Sweetwater this time around. I have an undisclosed previous engagement that day which will be revealed next Monday.
Cool!! I’ll ping you tomorrow and we’ll nail down a time.
We will do the 27, anything more than that is better to do on weekends when you have more time.
And wait till you see that hearth, it’s pretty cool how they are keeping it and making some green space around it.
Bob, there is also that partially covered in kudzu hearth on the hill by the rowing house. I htink that one is cool, I try to imagine what the house looked like way back when.
As for Silver Comet – I don’t think there will be any racing, we are girls, and we have to chat. That keeps the speed down.
Barb, for me the only thing that will be racing is my heartbeat as I try to keep up.
When we run together Jerry is always behind me and breathing heavy, I just assumed he was checking out my backside, maybe he’s trying to keep up
off topic. My shuffle didn’t survive a(nother) trip through the washing machine, thinking about upgrading to a nano, any options on a refurbished one from Apple? or another model?
I love my (older) Nano. It’s the iPod I take when exercising. I bought mine, as well as other Apple stuff, refurbished from Apple. I’ll admit that it occasionally locks up when I try to start playing a podcast, but a quick reboot fixes it.
I’m trying to think of where the Blacksheep trail might have been. I know of an abandoned GC south of Arbor Place Mall.
Good for you to get so many miles in. Your knees are probably complaining from disuse rather than something out of alignment, so DON’T GO MUCKING AROUND WITH CLEAT POSITION.
I, like Sally, gave up my Saturday for the Hot to Trot, but unlike Sally, kept my arse planted in a chair for almost the entire 8 hour run. The winner managed to complete 48 laps of a little over a mile each. He looked to me like he needed a beer and a sandwich- skinny little freak
-FP
This is the same knee I injured last year. Saturday it felt as if my foot was really loose in the cleat and that my leg was wobbling all over the place as I pedaled. Sure, my technique was probably worse due to the layoff, but I really think that the cleat needs to be tightened.
Black Sheep started at S. Fulton Pkwy / Campelton-Fayetteville Rd. There was a partially built golf and tennis community (“South Wind” if I remember correctly) which contained the abandoned golf course. Look! There’s a house for sale for a mere $280k!
Paulie – Today’s Moonlight Coast Guard day hash would be a great way to break in (please excuse the indelicate, unintended reference to your house) those new running shoes. If they have been sitting around the house that long, you shouldn’t even have to drink a down-down out of them!! …and for your Friday night hashing pleasure, there are two odd looking stone arches with adjoining chimneys in a field near the start. I would have called them hearths, but they are more like walk-way arches with chimneys; no other structures. If you can’t make SoCo and are interested in the location, let me know.
B-Bob, if not for a previously arranged commitment I might consider hashing tonight just to see you in the Coast Guard hat (is that the proper CG term?) again.
I am interested in the SoCo location but for completely different reasons won’t be able to attend.
Don’t let the break in rattle you. I know, it’s hard. I still jump a little when I hear strange noises when I’m in the shower (since they broke in through my back bathroom window), but I’ve had to let it go.
I have, however, spent A LOT of time in court. If they catch they asshats who did this to you, this is in your future as well. It’s frustrating and time consuming, but you have to do it. So far, all 3 defendants are STILL incarcerated with no bail allowed (mainly due to the fact that one sent his sister over to “talk” to me and I show up for EVERY court date). I intend for it to stay that way. No matter how much time it takes me away from work, etc.
I don’t know if there’s a neighborhood association in EA, but if there is, get involved. Talk to your neighbors. Agree to look out for each other. It seems to be the only safe way to exist in the city. Stay in touch with the lead detective on the case. Victim’s services will be sending you a letter in the mail soon. Respond to them. Call the captain of your precinct often. If they took fingerprints, I guarantee they will be connected to other robberies in your area. Find out what they are. Fairly soon, the douchebags will fuck up and get caught. When that happens, you will be eligible for restitution for your losses, including repairing the broken window and a cleaning service to clean up all the fingerprint dust, if you so choose.
Don’t let it sour you on your neighborhood or your city. You live there. You are productive there. THEY are not.