1/12th of 2024

Time for the lobster claw gloves

January is always a good for a reset. After a packed December with family and friends, including hosting a few gatherings -- and having both boys home at the same time, which meant more cooking and meals -- I was happy to get back on track with healthier eating and a regular workout routine. Donna and I did a juice cleanse, which was interesting. I'm not sure I felt cleansed when it was done, but it did help me mentally break away from the excess of the holidays. 

Coffeenurring '23 patch arrived!

The weather has been rather depressing, and I've only been out on the bike a handful of times since the new year started. Since I have a PMC Winter Cycle coming up in March (with my sister-in-law Kathy Grant), I've been getting on the trainer a few days a week just to get in some saddle time. The winter cycle is a spin event, so I don't need to train for it, but it's a good motivator to get on the trainer. 

It's been a month of ups and downs, but we're navigating through it. Fortunately, sprinkled in with the sad and frustrating moments was a University of Michigan WIN in the college football championships, (both boys are Michigan Wolverines); Last fall's Coffeeneuring 2023 patch arrived! So fun! (Always be Coffeeneuring!); Will accepted an offer at Tufts Medical School to pursue his DPT; and we completed a hardwood flooring project which disrupted the house for a while but wrapped up on Monday. It looks so awesome. 

It's been a long month. Im ready to flip the calendar to February.

It's good to be a Michigan Wolverine

Winter road riding

Cold January

Clear dry streets (last Sunday) gave me a good chance to take the bike off the trainer and hit the road. I played that game where I told myself if the temps hit 30, after being in the teens and twenties all week long, that I'd head out for a ride. It took me almost as long to find my winter riding gear as it did to actually ride a quick loop of the neck, but I got out the door, which is half my battle on any winter ride or run. (Minus shoe covers. Couldn't find them).

As I rode the mostly empty streets through Marblehead, my shoe cleats woefully worn to the point where I wasn't actually clipped in, I vowed to do better next time. I haven't done a lot of road riding the last two years, choosing the mountain bike instead, but it was a good ride. 

I just ordered new cleats -- and have been searching for those shoe covers. A blizzard is on tap for the weekend, so I have time to replace those cleats before my next road ride. It looks like I may be snowshoeing more than riding into February anyway. It's been a slow grind.

Photographers off Devereux.
There was nothing out there but ocean

Spring Melt, Finally

Aw geez, I feel weak! I'm back to doing weights and core work with Keli and Christine, but arm and shoulder soreness is holding me back. (It's been persistant since I landed on the pavement a few weeks ago.) This week I got out on the bike mid-week, (on the MTB), and also headed to the Y for a few workouts, but I took it kinda slow all week. A friend sent me an article about the inevitable decline in athletic performance after a certain age... and I'm at that age... so that was depressing.

On the plus side, we had spring-like weather early in the week and I got in a ride that didn't require bundling up like the kid in A Christmas Story. It was wet and messy, and the melting snow has uncovered massive potholes, (and I caught a glimpse of a curb!), but it was good to get out for a spin. Cold air is back, but at least we've had the promise of Spring.

The 5k I signed up for, The Nutty Irish 5K Cocoa Run, (which all of my girlfriends are ditching), is just 8 days away. I have not been running -- which is actually the least of my concerns, because I can always run/walk and that's fine -- but the race is on a golf course currently buried in snow. It's going to be a muddy mess and... OMG... I don't want to ruin my new running shoes!!! (For real.)

Gotta think long and hard about this one.

Sunday MTB, now a Single Speed

Another chilly ride today at 25 degrees on the coast. We had a bit of a stiff wind coming off the ocean across the causeway, but it didn't feel as bitter as some days have been. Maybe I'm getting used to it. I kept my ride short today and tried to follow Rebecca's advice and practiced riding in the snow and sand at Deveraux Beach before looping the Neck and heading home. It was good to get out before the next wave of snow hit. (Snowing now as I type this.) The boys are hoping for another snow day tomorrow. (We'll see...)

I need to spend a good chunk of time cleaning the bike tomorrow. I'm stuck on one gear at the moment, and despite Pete telling me not to invest any money in the bike, (OMG, the rusty chain!!), I'm anxious for a smoother ride. Hopefully a good solid cleaning will help.

Sunday Wipeout

Our Sunday started off like the last few Sunday's this month... with snow falling and gray skies... but by 2 pm, the pavement was showing, (with help from a snow plow), and the sun was out! 37 degrees felt WARM, so I bundled up and headed out for a ride.

At this time of year, gloves and mittens suddenly go missing. Mine, (and I have several pair), were no where to be found. Hmmmm. Not wanting to lose my momentum, and it not being that cold outside, I grabbed Mike's glove liners that were on the table and headed out the door.

Big mistake! About five miles into my ride on the mountain bike, I slid on an icy turn and wiped out in slush, sand and gravel -- shredding Mike's gloves. Argh. Just a little wipe-out, but I did end up with bloody hands and one scraped knee from the slide. (I slammed my shoulder down hard, too, but didn't really feel it until the next morning.) I dusted myself off and continued on my ride, just happy to be out in the sunshine.

Adventures with Chip: MTB in the snow

The snow is really becoming a joke at this point. We've had over 75" of it here on the North Shore, just within the last 15 days -- with more storms headed this way at the end of the week. We've had quite an impressive winter. Most, (but not all), of my riding has been indoors, either on the trainer at home, or on the computrainer at the B&S Fitness Facilities, (aka P2). Fortunately for me, Pete's mountain bike has allowed me to get out on the road this winter, even in the snow. (I'm not going to want to give it back at the end of the winter!!!)

The boys have used up all five of their snow days at school, but today's day-off was a pre-planned professional day, so it's a freebie. (Very convenient for the schools, who are digging out from yesterday's snowstorm.) Since Chip is always willing to head out on an adventure -- especially if it involves food -- I asked him if he wanted to join me for a snow ride. He of course said, "Yes". So we headed off down snowy roads towards the Salem DD's. Funnnnn!!!

Weekend Championship Fun

It's World Championship weekend, with both CX Worlds and the Super Bowl. Yesterday I watched our girl Carolina Gomez Villafane race for her home country Argentina in the Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor. We were thrilled to be one of Caro's sponsors as she headed to Tabor, and sooooo proud of her finish. World Cup points placement put her at the back of the pack to start, but she moved up to 25th place during the race until another rider's crash held her back. She finished the race in 39th place -- sooooo happy for her! (Also competing at the World Cup was Vanderkitten's Elle Anderson (now on the BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental Group team) finishing 40th, (I could hear Jono cheering from California); and local racer Crystal Anthony placing 25th. (GREAT finish for her. She should be thrilled.)

The women's race was really exciting. Edge-of-your-seat racing. OMG. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot getting past Sanne Cant for the win. OMG. Really exciting race. Why women's cycling doesn't get more attention is a mystery. It's so rad.

The men's race earlier today was not nearly as exciting to watch. Perhaps because I have a less vested interest in the men? Let's face it, women rock. But I was cheering for Jonathan Page today, and felt a tug in my heart seeing him cross the finish line at 23rd. He had a heartbreaking week.

We're on to the Super Bowl. Cheering for the New England Patriots, of course. I bundled up for my ride in Patriots gear today, (nineteen degrees), and set off to look for the Snowy owls down at Goldthwaite Reservation. Sadly I didn't find any... but I'll keep looking.

Go Patriots!

Blizzard of 2015

Snow Day!!! I'll be riding on the indoor trainer for a few days, as Swampscott was nailed with 30.4 inches of snowwwww. OMG. So much shoveling! I sure miss the days when my dad would have his construction crew come plow us out. Hahaha. Love this pic of Will, dressed like he's ready to go skiing, not shoveling. He takes his blizzard-wear seriously.

I was actually excited to do more mountain biking in the snow, but I'm afraid this kind of snow is waaay too deep. Rebecca texted me a ton of advice on how to approach certain riding conditions, and I need to practice!! Awww that Rebecca. She's the best.

(Haha, that's technically true. Rebecca is the 2012 Masters Cyclocross World Champion and 2014 Masters National Champion. So pro...)

I'm going to practice the "three rules" she sent me while I'm on the trainer this week, (she's an awesome coach), and hopefully hit the trails when some of this snow melts. Loving the MTB.

Quick ride before the storm

Riding in the snow is harder than it looks! Chippy and I headed out for a trail ride this afternoon -- though he had a difficult time in the snow and slush with his 24" tires. We managed to take the trail into Marblehead for about a mile and a half miles before returning home to exchange a pair of gloves. He asked me as we approached our street, "How many miles have we gone?" I had to take a guess at three. While he got a pair of warmer gloves, I grabbed the Garmin, because he really likes stats. He'll be a Strava addict one day.

We headed back out for Part 2 of our ride, deciding to stay on paved roads for a quick loop down to the beach. It was good to get out before the storm, and it was fun catching up with him. The kiddo talks a lot when we're on the bike -- I love that.

Cold? Just a little

I've been taking full advantage of the mountain bike these last two weeks, checking out trails and riding on the beach. I like riding with the wider tires on the icy roads and trails, which are definitely safer than my road bike! Until you're riding in an area you've never been before... following some footprints in fresh snow... and realize you've biked onto a sheet of ice flowing along the river. OMG. Heartstopping moment there. Pleeeeaaassse don't break through the ice.

Ya. I was lucky.

Forest River Conservation Area is my new playground. I just need to watch where I'm going.

Bundle up, Sixteen Degrees

Cold chilly days this week, with temps in the upper teens, lower 20s throughout the week. I had originally planned to get in a run on the treadmill today, but instead hopped on the mountain bike for a quick trail ride -- 16 degrees -- before getting Will to his swim meet. (Really, I just wanted to be outside.) The trail was quiet, and I saw several Northern Cardinals on my ride -- their bright red feathers really stood out against the snow and the bare trees. So pretty! The air was cold and still, and the sound of cracking ice under my tires, as I hit a few frozen puddles, echoed around me.

Just a short ride, under 7 miles, but good to get out.