http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.asp?id=DDOORN DDOORN's Blog on SparkPeople, home of free diet plans and a healthy living community http://assets2.sparkpeople.com/assets/nav/logo_spark.gif http://www.sparkpeople.com/ http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5358995 How is a body with bicycle wheels thrumming through his soul NOT going to ride his bike to work on National Ride Your Bike To Work Day? Which ALSO happens to be the last day of National Ride Your Bike To Work Week? Which ALSO falls within May, which is National Bike Month?! <BR> <BR> Such a glorious & wonderful ride it was too! I quickly blew past the pre-ride jitters of preparation and mental checklist, remembering to take everything I needed for the long day ahead, including the tissues in... Fri, 17 May 2013 08:32:02 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5358727 Just a quickie here as pressed for time, but wanting to get this out while the Ride of Silence is fresh in our memories. <BR> <BR> VERY nice coverage from our local media: <BR> <BR> <link>www.wbng.com/news/local/Riding-for-D<BR>ottie-Rice-with-photos--207651901.html </link> <BR> <BR> <link>www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/<BR>gallery?Avis=CB&Dato=20130515&Kategori<BR>=NEWS01&Lopenr=305150802 </link> <BR> <BR> <link>www.pressconnects.com/article/201305<BR>15/NEWS01/305150086?so... Thu, 16 May 2013 15:26:30 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5346701 Another year, another 5K has come and gone. <BR> <BR> Yes I've committed to doing this one 5K a year for the past 3 years to "mix it up" and challenge myself in a way that is out of the ordinary for myself. <BR> <BR> While it IS a good idea to mix it up, I got to thinking about another reason this 5K feels like a worthwhile commitment to me: it reminds me of what I can physically DO now that I COULDN'T do at 300+, certainly not 400+ pounds...and that is WAY worthy of CELEBRATING! :-) <BR> ... Sun, 5 May 2013 21:56:04 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5341275 A sad day today as the senior member of our feline clan has passed away. Following my proper last rites in the back yard, marking his passing with a large stone, DW & I went to our jewel of the county: back to Dorchester Park to soak up the peace and serenity of Mother Earth and celebrate the ongoing life-death cycle: <BR> <BR> <img src="http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/9/9/l993108277.jpg"> <BR> <BR> I jogged up around the park to keep building up for my 5K on Sunday. Going up the hill ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:59:44 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5338784 Oh <BR> <BR> MY <BR> <BR> What a RIDE! <BR> <BR> Within the first mile I was all choked up, tearful and just filled to overflowing with pure JOY! I had forgotten, but then remembered: I've felt this way before. A time that seemed so long ago. No nattering inside the head, no distractions, just me, my bike, the road, sun, the big blue sky and a heart that was filled to overflowing. I was part of the world and the world was part of me. Although the intensity of this joy would ebb and flow w... Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:33:17 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5337388 My idea of a "functional workout" is one where I'm accomplishing something beyond working my body. You know, stuff like shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, moving a couple tons of 40# wood pellet bags, etc. One addition to the list in the past has been what I call "greencycling" which has been my strategy for bringing my car to the mechanic for servicing: bring the bike along, drop the car off, ride my bike to work and then back to pick up the car afterward. <BR> <BR> Well today another opportu... Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:28:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5327438 Too long no blog! <BR> <BR> In responding to someone else's blog I had some thoughts on hunger: Hunger is such a tricky thing...I can set myself up with BUSHELS of veggies for snacking and later still find myself "hungry" for calorie-dense foods of some sort. Yet, if I stop myself and reflect on whether or not I'm hungry I realize I'm stuffed to the gills with veggies! How can I be "hungry?" When I think it over I realize it's not true hunger, but a "mouth" hunger or "habit" hunger and with ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:15:27 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5284474 ...but it's a good-feeling fatigue! <BR> <BR> It was back to the fitness center today for my full cardio / ST routine. After being away for 3 weeks I knew I would have to scale back and I did...12 instead of 15 reps for each set and during my 30 mins. elliptical and 30 mins. spin bike I totally ignored the numbers and did what I felt I could do. <BR> <BR> ...and WOW am I wasted! It makes me better appreciate the level of fitness I had achieved in the past...and will again in short order! <B... Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:27:17 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5283077 Well, at least sorta... :-) <BR> <BR> I worked late tonight so I wouldn't have to take off time for my quickie update appt w my PCP tomorrow morning. But this was the last of our "spring preview" days of mild temps and I wasn't going to be denied one more walk outdoors! <BR> <BR> But I had a challenge on my hands: the setting sun! Just because we had our daylight savings change this past weekend doesn't mean I've been magically transported to the Land of the Midnight Sun! <BR> <BR> So if... Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:12:47 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5279580 Update time! <BR> <BR> Saw the cardiologist nurse practitioner earlier this week. And the news? Frustratingly less than conclusive. But in many ways it is pretty positive...even if it DID send me into a bit of a funk this week, struggling to see the glass as at least half full. I remind myself of the far more difficult medical conundrums others manage to navigate. I've seen clients who have neurological conditions which render them in excruciating pain 24 x 7 who would be elated to find that... Fri, 8 Mar 2013 23:44:15 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5254819 Well, I have certainly fared better than I feared and am back home, but there are some "kickers" I didn't know when I wrote my last blog which have been hard to deal with: <BR> <BR> Having to give myself belly injections of (forget what it's called) to prevent clots for the next 10 days. Me? Give myself injections? The guy who finally screwed up enough courage to go donate blood? Well...did it, will keep doing it. How ironic that getting up the courage for a single needle stick to donate blo... Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:07:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5252081 It all began last Friday with my decision that I've been a wuss long enough about needles and it was time for me to get over it and donate blood at our employer's blood drive. <BR> <BR> Well...? I flunked! Couldn't donate blood! Why? My pulse was only 36 and they didn't want me passing out on them. They didn't tell me to see a doc or anything they just said I'd be eligible to donate blood in two days if my heart rate was normal. <BR> <BR> Being a typical guy I ignored my son's advice (he's ... Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:17:27 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5243396 WAY long time no blog! <BR> <BR> And as usual, no news is rarely good news when it comes to me. Been back-pedaling badly on the food / tracking front. The lose/regain/lose/regain cycle isn't always very predictable. Thoughts like "oh, I've lost this much weight before, I'm up for this challenge!" runs into elusive walls and barriers that weren't there before and I find out that: No, it ain't necessarily SO that I can lose weight as I have in the past...! But I keep doing my best to put one f... Fri, 8 Feb 2013 22:48:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=5243394 WAY long time no blog! <BR> <BR> And as usual, no news is rarely good news when it comes to me. Been back-pedaling badly on the food / tracking front. The lose/regain/lose/regain cycle isn't always very predictable. Thoughts like "oh, I've lost this much weight before, I'm up for this challenge!" runs into elusive walls and barriers that weren't there before and I find out that: No, it ain't necessarily SO that I can lose weight as I have in the past...! But I keep doing my best to put one f... Fri, 8 Feb 2013 22:48:08 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4873612 Got the results on my 5K run: <BR> <BR> Nettime Guntime Pace Div/Tot Sex/Tot Div <BR> 34:22 34:54 11:14 34/43 265/327 538 out of 784 <BR> <BR> Last year I found a number which was called the "Overall Finish Time" of 35:03 <BR> <BR> So I'm not sure whether "Nettime" or "Guntime" is the right time to compare this to but it looks like I managed to shave a few seconds off the total. <BR> <BR> It strikes me as funny & odd how within ALL the variables that can transpire during the c... Wed, 9 May 2012 09:15:42 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4870767 Everything pulled together for a picture-perfect day during yesterday's Binghamton Bridge Run! <BR> <BR> I was still a little sore from that pull in my thigh from Friday's run, despite not running Saturday...but thankfully I had recovered well enough that it didn't feel like it held me back in the least! Got up, cycled 10 miles to Binghamton headed over to see if I could catch up with other local Sparkers, either to applaud the Half-Marathoners as they pulled in across the finish line or to ... Mon, 7 May 2012 15:00:24 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4868201 Wonderful time had by all today! <BR> <BR> Started off with a great breakfast at the Pickle Hill Bed & Breakfast with lots of home-prepared food, including freshly cut up fruit, mango smoothies, quiche, home-baked muffins, lots of strong black coffee with a big dose of friendly conversation and learning all about this historic building which had been restored and received guests from around the globe. Oh, and the price? $5 in the basket. <BR> <BR> Off we went to burn up our breakfast on two... Sat, 5 May 2012 21:49:00 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4866966 Well I went and probably overdid it...nailed a 5K each day this week and 3/4 of the way through tonight's jog a muscle along my inner thigh hurt in a way that it didn't seem wise to push it...so walked to the end...long strides to stretch that muscle. Lots of stretching afterward. <BR> <BR> Have noticed a HUGE spike in runners around, imagine many are gearing up for Sunday. <BR> <BR> No jog tomorrow, but around 40 miles of cycling. Will take it easy and not push myself. Can't miss breakfas... Fri, 4 May 2012 22:06:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4862082 After a mighty fine weekend of cycling 'round some of my favorite hills & valleys in our beautiful Southern Tier of New York I decided that with less than a week to go before our Binghamton Bridge Run I'd better get going on some more trial 5Ks so I'm not a TOTAL wreck come Sunday...lol! <BR> <BR> Switching it up to running (well, okay...jogging...well, okay...fast walking...! :-) ) has been wringing me out! I really don't take well to running, but I figure mixing it up does a body good, ri... Tue, 1 May 2012 22:01:36 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4847338 Okay so it was a dark, dreary, cold and drippy day filled with lots of big batch cooking, catching up on housework and of course noodling around on the pc and before you know it I oughta get the heck to bed...BUT! <BR> <BR> I hadn't done any workout! I'd been "thinking about" the treadmill up in my SparkHaven workout room...but dragging my feet all day to take care of business. After all the Binghamton Bridge Run is only a couple weeks away and I have what I regard as my single obligatory 5K... Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:23:25 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4831634 WAY overdue for a blog here...! <BR> <BR> March was pretty awesome with opportunities for getting out on my bike and am up close to 300 miles so far this season. Here are some pics of my travels throughout our beautiful Southern Tier: <BR> <BR> I tried to capture the Chenango River reflecting in the rising sun while cycling my way to work one morning: <BR> <img src="http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/3/8/l380236569.jpg"> <BR> <BR> Here is the Chenango River as I'm coming down the Cheri ... Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:06:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4782624 Picture perfect day! Rode 12 miles into town to catch up with 8 other bike club members and did the River Road loop which I've traveled many times. Then back into town through Otsiningo park which was JAMMED with people EVERYWHERE soaking up the sun under a cloudless blue sky! Not sure how warm it got (probably well over 60), but at quarter of 9 it's still 52 degrees! Shed the windbreaker after a while early on and back to my favorite way to travel: shorts & t-shirt! <BR> <BR> On my way loop... Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:58:59 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4776119 Most people think that 2012 began back on Jan. 1st. <BR> <BR> But for me? Today being my 1st day back on the road with my bike? I can now truly say that I've kicked off 2012 with a BLAST! :-) <BR> <BR> It just doesn't get any better than today: loads of sunshine, wispy clouds and a jaw-dropping 68-72 degrees on the various bank thermometers I saw! <BR> <BR> I was so excited looking forward to hitting the roads this afternoon! I couldn't make up my mind where I wanted to GO! So many routes ... Wed, 7 Mar 2012 18:27:38 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4771357 Since getting my stereo up & running in my workout room upstairs (what I like to refer to as my SparkHaven!) I've SO enjoyed my music while on my treadmill. Sundays seem to be my treadmill days lately as I want to save gas by not going back & forth to the fitness center. <BR> <BR> Yesterday the snow was coming down in such huge flakes it was mesmerizing during my 'millwork to watch them blowing and swirling about. <BR> <BR> Toward the end of my 60 minutes on the treadmill one of my favorite... Mon, 5 Mar 2012 08:47:49 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4758735 With gas prices rising so I've been cutting back a bit by passing up on the fitness center occasionally...especially on Sundays when I'd have to drive both ways. During the week the fitness center is less than a mile from where I work. <BR> <BR> So...that means I've been reacquainting myself with my treadmill again. Dusting it off, getting a new stereo to replace my old receiver which blew a fuse ($85 just to bring the old one into the repair shop!) and clearing out more of the clutter which... Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:52:00 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4724004 Most folks who know me know that I can be a bit of of music snob. I love music and a wide range of music, but: if it doesn't grab me I make no bones about music that leaves me, well..."meh." There is music around that people can be raving about and I can listen to it and even appreciate what has gone into it, the musicianship, the heart & soul of the writer, performer...but in the end if it doesn't grab me I cannot react with anything but..."meh." A few artists out there I can really apprecia... Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:37:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4722614 Great day today! Up & at 'em, off to the fitness center, there by 9 a.m. and got my 1/2 hour of strength training in before my hour-long Spinning Class. <BR> <BR> Spinning was even MORE awesome than usual as it seemed the instructor's playlist of songs were lifted right from my own mp3 player! At least from the classic rock portion of my mp3 player. Great tunes from Queen, Led Zeppelin, the Doors, others and Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run which almost ALWAYS pushes me up a notch or two or t... Sat, 4 Feb 2012 22:03:22 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4711200 I've been on and off the nutrition tracker and of course paying for this by muddling along with my weight. Feeling a bit down on myself today, but somewhat more motivated after meeting with my fellow bike club members at today's annual meeting as so MANY of them are looking SO slim & trim here in the dead of winter! Fellas with bellies-no-more! And here I am doing same-old, same-old...argh! <BR> <BR> Here I am chatting with everybody about my plans to do a multi-day cycling tour...yet feeli... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:33:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4706660 Just wondered if folks out there have any suggestions as although I've been really dedicated to my workouts I seem to have hit a wall over the past several months which has been frustrating. <BR> <BR> My wall: I use the same amount of weights on my upper body / core strength training. I use most of the upper body / core exercises which are part of the Cybex VR-1 system at our fitness center: <BR> <BR> <link>media.cybexintl.com/brochures/VR1_br<BR>ochure.pdf </link> <BR> <BR> I typically... Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:14:03 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4695676 Today turned out to be a pretty decent day! <BR> <BR> Yesterday I was a bit gnarly and snarly when I was a little late calling in to reserve my spot for today's spinning class and by 11 am I was already shut out of the class and put on the alternate list! Sheesh! <BR> <BR> But then Mother Nature came along and helped in more ways than one by dumping a few inches of snow on us and shaking loose enough from the spinning class that I was IN! <BR> <BR> So that was the start of my day...nice to... Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:00:45 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4688743 As I near my first year of membership at the Riverwalk Athletic Center I've come to realize something: since I began last February I missed out on all the "fun" of dealing with the busiest month of the year at the fitness center: JANUARY! <BR> <BR> The place has been SWARMING with new & old members and it's been a challenge to get on my favorite equipment (stationary bikes) and into my Spinning classes. Last winter I could just show up for Spinning class...no problem! NOW? I learned the hard... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:03:14 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4655527 If you haven't seen this article yet, I highly recommend you check it out: The Fat Trap, by Tara Parker-Pope. She outlines some hard truths about weight loss and maintenance which COULD be taken negatively (i.e. a "why try?" attitude) however I found the information to be SO helpful! <BR> <BR> <link>www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/<BR>tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html </link> <BR> <BR> ...along with interesting comments posted at this link: <BR> <BR> <link>well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/... Tue, 3 Jan 2012 22:15:39 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4626103 So I've been feeling WAY less than satisfied with the fitness center over the past few days...feeling more & more like a "grind" in which even my hand-picked tunes on my mp3 player weren't much help...might as well have been elevator music! Montavanni or some such...! <BR> <BR> Plus today I was cooped up with a conference / workshop which was an attempt to provide some reassurance of the onslaught of Medicaid changes that awaits us community mental health providers...all the while a gorgeous... Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:38:22 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4609319 Bikely ( <link>www.bikely.com </link> ) is a terrific resource for cyclists of all levels! <BR> <BR> If you're new to cycling you can check out Bikely for routes which other cyclists have already scoped out in your local area. This can give you an idea of what other cyclists have found to be "do-able" routes. You'll find rides of all lengths and levels of challenges. You can double-check a route by driving it in your car first to get an idea of how it might "ride" on your bike. <BR> <BR> ... Fri, 2 Dec 2011 11:56:37 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4607426 Lately I've come across some additional articles about cycling in New York City and urban cycling in general which I thought were worth passing along. I'm finding some of the comments posted on the articles very interesting also. <BR> <BR> Here are some experiences shared on cycling the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway: <BR> <BR> A Cyclist Discovers a Country Edge To the City: <BR> <BR> <link>www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/arts/cycl<BR>ing-the-manhattan-waterfront-greenway.<BR>html </link> <B... Thu, 1 Dec 2011 09:49:52 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4599200 Adbusters, the originators of the Occupy movement, started Buy Nothing Day twenty years ago as the antidote to Black Friday: <BR> <BR> <link>www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd </link> <BR> <BR> When I reflect on all the "stuff" I already have I just *KNOW* that there is really nothing that I need or HAVE to get. There is so much to be said for simplifying our lives. <BR> <BR> I and six other bike club members all got out for a glorious bike ride today, leaving all that commercial garbage in... Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:53:13 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4595781 Listening to my public radio station before going into the dentist's to have my molar pulled what should come up but Jonathan Groubert's Radio Netherland's "The State We're In." Today's show featured: "Tita Begashaw loves to laugh. In fact, she teaches people how to laugh till their sides ache." <BR> <BR> This, she does despite (or perhaps because?) tragedy which struck within her family: <BR> <BR> <link>www.prx.org/pieces/70465-the-state-w<BR>e-re-in-story-of-the-week-part-27 </link> ... Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:12:03 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4593084 Yesterday I got out bright & early to deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to my clients. This is my kick-off event for the holiday season...always feels good to spread some good cheer! <BR> <BR> Later yesterday afternoon I got out with the bike club having sent out an impromptu e-mail invitation for others to join me. Three folks did and we met downtown Binghamton at Confluence Park and set out southward for a flat 20 miles. As I started from home 10 miles north I wrapped up another 40 miles ... Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:07:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4582530 I've been hearing talk from some SparkFamily that I may be needing a root canal. Ugh! Doubt I'm going to go there. I've heard so many trials & tribs with root canals and if it IS this molar that has been crowned I'm going to become skeptical of that path as well! Odds are I'll just have 'er yanked and call it good. <BR> <BR> Enjoyed a nice ride around our local parks with the bike club today. 30 miles with around 2200 feet of climb...some surprising climbs! I unfortunately departed a tad ear... Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:37:14 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4581549 It began yesterday: a throbbing centered above an upper left molar. One that had been capped years ago with no prob. I'm not one to get dental troubles. Have all my teeth with a few molars crowned. The throbbing has grown in intensity and spread a bit, although pretty centered above that molar. <BR> <BR> I knew I needed to get an antibiotic started to head off this infection of some sort that is growing with no room to expand...yeouch! Taking ibuprofen...helps a smidgen...still pretty unple... Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:57:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4577228 I have always wanted to dance. Even as a teenage wallflower. Perhaps ESPECIALLY as a teenage wallflower! <BR> <BR> But I've always been too self-conscious to ever tackle dancing in any serious way. Just the <BR> <BR> "dance-like-no-one-is-looking-because-no<BR>-one-is-THERE" approach! <BR> <BR> Music has been such a vital love of mine throughout my life. Now it's time to at long last make it a PHYSICAL enjoyment as well!! <BR> <BR> Yes, I know Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers did this age... Wed, 9 Nov 2011 23:04:36 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4571813 You know those beetles that swarm like crazy in your home when it warms up? That was our bike club today: we had 35 members joining the fun today in what felt like the "last hurrah" of autumn! *Perhaps* we'll get another weekend with some decent, "bike-able" weather...but those odds are getting increasingly long! <BR> <BR> So we all got out to savor the sun and the albeit gray terrain, tucked between brilliant blue skies and the deep, lapis lazuli hues of the lakes and ponds. <BR> <BR> Her... Sun, 6 Nov 2011 21:09:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4568940 I've been getting back into the habit of walking / jogging from my daytime office to my evening private practice office and back to my car afterward as a way of working in some activity on Thurs. / Fri. I figure it's a great way to keep up at least a baseline of jogging so that come next May when the Binghamton Bridge Run comes along <link>www.binghamtonbridgerun.org/ </link> I won't have TOO much work to get ready for the 5K. <BR> <BR> Nice sunny, brisk sunset on my there...BUT: was FRE... Fri, 4 Nov 2011 21:57:03 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4562160 The Riverwalk Athletic Center <link>www.riverwalkac.com/ </link> is BACK in business. They had their grand re-opening today and while it's still a bit rough around the edges it's great to have at all their strength training and cardio equipment! <BR> <BR> To their credit they've made a concession of not only freezing our membership during the two months they spent rehabilitating and renovating the facilities but they added another month on TOP of that. Keeping the customer satisfied! <BR>... Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:47:09 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4548558 I admit since returning to the treadmill I've been babying myself with only 35 mins. at a time on the treadmill. I excuse it as I'm usually on the treadmill before going to work and I can't drag my sorry behind onto the 'mill any earlier. BUT: on the weekend my time is a lot more flexible. <BR> <BR> I decided tonight I wouldn't look at the clock and just go until I felt tired. I was feeling better on the 'mill than I had been in a while. Well I kept going and going and finally stopped at 52 ... Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:02:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4548557 I admit since returning to the treadmill I've been babying myself with only 35 mins. at a time on the treadmill. I excuse it as I'm usually on the treadmill before going to work and I can't drag my sorry behind onto the 'mill any earlier. BUT: on the weekend my time is a lot more flexible. <BR> <BR> I decided tonight I wouldn't look at the clock and just go until I felt tired. I was feeling better on the 'mill than I had been in a while. Well I kept going and going and finally stopped at 52 ... Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:02:17 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4538668 Eleven of us bike club members cut loose today after being denied our Skaneateles Lake ride yesterday due to the weather. Today was questionable too, although you wouldn't know it by the beautiful blue skies when we set sail at 10 a.m.! <BR> <BR> I did this ride with the club last October on a much more pleasant day with pictures that turned out much better than today: <BR> <link>www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo<BR>urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=3704697 </link> ...includes a fun "re-ta... Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:11:16 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4532204 Just had to share my latest "find"...One of the recent issues of Adventure Cycling <link>www.adventurecycling.org/mag/ </link> featured an article by Willie Weir titled "Uncomfortable." It was very inspirational in sharing the message that there is much GOLD to be mined when one pushes outside one's comfort zone and is willing to risk some discomfort. <BR> <BR> Unfortunately his article is not available online and my copy of it has disappeared. <BR> <BR> BUT: I e-mailed Willie and he s... Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:35:14 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4527772 Well we pulled it off! 4-A-HEALTHY-BMI and I nailed 60 miles with a ride that had FOUR big climbs for a total climb of 3,500 feet (if you go by my map: <link>ridewithgps.com/routes/750935 </link> ) or over 7,000 feet (WOW!) (if you go by 4-A-HEALTHY-BMI's map: <link>ridewithgps.com/trips/414778 </link> ) Don't ask me how there could be such a differential, GPS n00b that I am...! <BR> <BR> I knew that this would be a challenge for me, to nail a ride with such a degree of climbing. But th... Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:11:14 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4520443 I know the drill. Been there, done that WAY too many times. Got it down to a science. Been back to basics and doing what I know *WORKS* for me this past week: <BR> <BR> Daily Cardio: minimum of 35 mins. on treadmill every day (throw more on the fire if I wake up earlier...lol!), ideally 1st thing in the morning...which I did every day but one and made up for that later in the evening. <BR> <BR> Daily tracking of my food: Nailed that too! Noticing my carb intake has been nice & low...about h... Wed, 5 Oct 2011 09:38:34 EST