Exit171… it’s all about the journey

No, not temperatures in New Jersey (although I think this week will make it’s mark), but my exercise stats!

July 2006
Road Cycling - 521.81 miles
Walking - 58.90 miles, 158,737 steps

Not my highest total with walking, but definitely a personal best for my cycling. I finished the month with a great workout too — a 3:19 pace (per mile) and an average speed over 18 mph for my usual 10 mile loop. My goal is to do that loop in under 30 minutes (sometime in August). I think 9 hours sleep last night and a whole mess of carbs in the last 24 hours really helped. No doping here.

During my high school and college years I smoked cigarettes. Eventually I quit using “the patch” (thanks Chet!) and experienced a welcomed improvement to my health. However, all those years of smoking definitely impacted my lung capacity, which was very noticeable when exercising…

I recently started using POWERbreathe to help improve my breathing. After only two weeks I’ve noticed an improvement. My VO2 (as measured by my Suunto t6) has increased from ~35 ml/kg/min to ~47 ml/kg/min — over a 30% improvement! I’m a believer.

I hope Sample B turns out clean… for Floyd’s sake and the sport. Based on Floyd’s comments (that it was produced naturally), it looks like he’s expecting it to be the same result. Personally I don’t think he did it. We may never really know…

Congrats to Floyd Landis for winning the 2006 Tour de France! What an impressive win. If I ever think I’m down and out of anything, I just need to think about Floyd’s superhuman comeback in Stage 17 for some inspiration — that was truly a defining moment in sports history.

I thought I heard that Floyd’s contract with Phonak is done after this season. I’d love to see him join the Discovery Cycling Team next year.

I cycled more than 60 miles this past weekend on the Madone. Saturday was to Nyack Beach and Sunday was to Piermont/Alpine. Both were early morning rides to avoid the heat (yes, definitely summer time in Jersey). Sunday was supposed to be somewhat of a recovery ride, but after taking a different route home (via Route 9W), it quickly turned into a hill workout. Man, the hills kicked my butt! My legs were burning from the previous day’s ride, but it was very rewarding… especially the descent down Closter Dock Road — I almost got up to 50 mph. What a rush!

On Sunday I took my son to watch the 21st Annual North Jersey Cycling Classic in Park Ridge, NJ. It was hot and humid, but we had a great time. It’s great to see amateurs (kids and adults) and professionals compete for some cash. The race route was less than a mile, but the elevation changes were pretty tough. Even the pros were having a tough time. I took about 350 pictures of the event with my Nikon D100 and 80-200mm f/2.8 Nikkor zoom. The above pic is one of my favorites from the race (click on the thumbnail for a larger image). I need to find out who the rider is, so I can send him a copy. More pics coming soon in my Smugmug gallery (as soon as I catch up with the three family events before this one).

On a miscellaneous cycling note, I’m really liking Hammer Nutrition’s products, especially their gels. They’re not as sweet as GU2O or Power, but they seem to work better for me. I don’t think I could’ve climbed all those hills in Alpine without them. I’m also feeling pretty good after sampling their “Recoverite” recovery drink. Hammer also included a free booklet entitled “The Endurance Athlete’s Guide to Success” with my first order and it has really opened my eyes to proper hydration, electrolytes, complex carbs, protein, etc. Another plus is that Hammer sells their gels in bulk (jugs), which works great with those new Gel-Bot water bottles — Gel-Bots have an integrated flask for gels. No more fiddling with gel packets while riding. Great design!

UPDATE: Pictures from the 21st Annual North Jersey Cycling Classic are now posted on my Smugmug.

Also, if you’re interested in Hammer Nutrition products, please contact me for a discount code.

I was on vacation last week — fun times with family and friends. Sorry for the lack of updates, but I didn’t spend much time on the computer (I know, hard to believe).

I did have an opportunity to get some cycling in… almost 200 miles for the week (and I missed a day)! Found some new routes too (Nyack Beach on the Hudson River and a bike route/path near my house). Check out my Exercise page for details.

Some random cycling thoughts:

- I’m using my Suunto t6 again (I really missed the EPOC). Two HRM straps to wear (one for the Garmin Edge and one for the t6). No biggie.

- Suunto just announced some new watches and PODs (coming this fall). Is cycling cadence finally going to be available for the t6?!

- I rode my Trek 7.5 FX again (after a month with my Madone). Still a great bike.

- The Garmin Edge 305 and MotionBased really kick ass. What a great combo! Bought a cadence sensor for my Trek 7.5 FX, so now I can use the Edge with both bikes.

- I now prefer cycling bibs to regular cycling shorts (comfortable!!). Giordana makes some awesome cycling apparel.

- I’m used to riding on busy streets now, but still hate the exhaust fumes (buses are the worst). The latest issue of Mens Health magazine has an article on pollution and exercising in busy areas. Yup, not good for you.

- I saw most of the early stages of the Tour de France on OLN. I love cycling, but it can be difficult to watch (then again, I like to watch golf on TV too). It’s almost like a pro basketball game… you just need to tune in for the last few minutes for all the action. I’m sure the mountain stages will be more interesting to watch. It would be great to see Floyd Landis (Phonak) or George Hincapie (Discovery) win this year.

Not as high as I’d like, but I’m getting there:

Road Cycling - 156.27 miles
Stationary Bikes - 27.31 miles
Walking - 69.30 miles

I’ve lost ~20 lbs since I started exercising. Once again my kryptonite (fast food) is slowing me down. However, I am starting to reduce my portions at most meals. Business travel is tough with that — lots of calories at those customer dinners and corporate events.

Speaking of work, most of my work clothes don’t fit me anymore! I’m going to wait until I get closer to my target weight before I get things altered (or buy new stuff). I guess it’s a good problem to have.