Nov 27, 2011
First, let's just have a moment to check out my little life helper - Charlie.
Ok, he's no help.
I have been dealing with some stress, so, it was a nice reminder to pay attention to my body and cortisol levels. Low levels are no fun. Adrenal Fatigue is no fun.
I can report that the pain/twitching in my feet is almost completely gone. I seem to be able to move, stretch or step in certain ways that cause pain or spasms, but, I think the vitamin regime has made a difference. I try to stretch my feet, but, I'm out of other things to do with them. I also changed to my running sneakers which are a size larger maybe than my Sketcher sneakers I normally ride with. I think maybe my feet could have been smooshed.
Monday
First ride of the week was an experiment in interval training. I wanted to do 6 cycles of riding as fast as I could for 60 seconds, then resting for 75 per this informative info-graphic I found called the Complete Guide to Interval Training.
It took me a little while to find the perfect stretch of ground and I couldn't really get a stopwatch thing to work on my phone with ease in the dark. I ended up speeding around and having to stop to go around a turn or when I came to a car-filled intersection. I ended up doing about 6 cycles of going as fast as I could for about 20-30 seconds and then resting while I rode back to the same spot to start over again.
However, I do like the interval thing. I felt pretty good, pretty jazzed and it only took, well, about 20 minutes.
I think I found a good spot to ride. I also toyed with the idea of running, but, my feet-pain issues have been holding me back from trying - even if I can run in a field and not on the street.
Thursday
I crawled out of bed on Thursday - because I could just sleep all day. Normally, this wouldn't have been a big deal if it was a normal day off, but, it was Thanksgiving and I had to be at the Estate House (that's what I call my parent's house) at around 10:30am or so.
I like to arrive early to help. .and get my pre-eating on without competition.
This ride ended at about the time I felt my eye lids close. Yep, low cortisol means that right in the middle of whatever you are doing your eyes close. And sometimes you dry heave. Both are signs for me to head back home. However, it was a lovely day to be out with all the other pre-feasting walkers/runners. I even spyed a family getting pumped for a football game in the park.
Saturday
I got together with my bike buddy for a Saturday ride around our area - not the bike trail we normally do. I wasn't feeling too strong when we planned this and I didn't want to be too far from home.
I will say, I was going to lock Charlie out of my bedroom because he had been meowing and loving on me at all hours of the night and not letting me sleep. I, actually, told him about this and he didn't even come into my room between 10pm Friday and 7am Saturday. I slept like the dead and felt much better about life.
My bike-buddy and I had our first crash-ish. There was some type of fun-run 5k going on our local trail with the runners turning around at some random point on the trail. I was riding in front and stopped short without warning when I saw a mother-daughter about to cross right in front of me as they turned to head back with the other runners. My bike-buddy crashed into the back of me (I have a bruise where her handle went) and she strained her ankle when trying to yank her feel from her clips.
We rode a bit, checked ourselves and reviewed how it wasn't the best situation then took to the rode. It was a beautiful day and I was happy we almost did 10 miles.
Keep in mind, I ate about two Thanksgiving meals between actual Thanksgiving and all the food I carted to my friend's house where we played Mystery Case Files: Escape From Ravenhearst for 8 hours straight until we beat it.
This is a tradition we have and this is the 8th installment of the Mystery Case Files series. Love it. Only 364 days until the next one.
Sunday
When I bike-buddy and I finished up on Saturday, we both got a text from my bike-buddy's cousin and my friend from high school about going for a ride. We decided we could all go out on Sunday. I had my thoughts about a back-to-back ride, but. . .what the hey-who! Honey badger don't care.
We brought another friend along, Melissa, who hadn't been out for a while which was fun! Of course, at about the 11th mile, I started having trouble breathing and I felt my eyes getting heavy. The fatigue was winning. I told everyone I needed to turn around and everyone came back with me. Even Melissa thought it was a good idea.
It was still a great ride and one the final warmish days.
Lessons Learned
From my little accident on Saturday, I know I have to work on being more vocal and probably better on reaction time for things.
I need to glue my helmet mirror on - it's tapped on now - because I keep having to adjust every time I drop my helmet or it falls. It's annoying
Charlie is a great napping companion.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
 |
| What are you doing? Why doesn't it involve me? |
I have been dealing with some stress, so, it was a nice reminder to pay attention to my body and cortisol levels. Low levels are no fun. Adrenal Fatigue is no fun.
I can report that the pain/twitching in my feet is almost completely gone. I seem to be able to move, stretch or step in certain ways that cause pain or spasms, but, I think the vitamin regime has made a difference. I try to stretch my feet, but, I'm out of other things to do with them. I also changed to my running sneakers which are a size larger maybe than my Sketcher sneakers I normally ride with. I think maybe my feet could have been smooshed.
Monday
First ride of the week was an experiment in interval training. I wanted to do 6 cycles of riding as fast as I could for 60 seconds, then resting for 75 per this informative info-graphic I found called the Complete Guide to Interval Training.
 |
| Zoom-ish |
However, I do like the interval thing. I felt pretty good, pretty jazzed and it only took, well, about 20 minutes.
I think I found a good spot to ride. I also toyed with the idea of running, but, my feet-pain issues have been holding me back from trying - even if I can run in a field and not on the street.
Thursday
I like to arrive early to help. .and get my pre-eating on without competition.
 |
| Turkey ride! |
Saturday
I got together with my bike buddy for a Saturday ride around our area - not the bike trail we normally do. I wasn't feeling too strong when we planned this and I didn't want to be too far from home.
I will say, I was going to lock Charlie out of my bedroom because he had been meowing and loving on me at all hours of the night and not letting me sleep. I, actually, told him about this and he didn't even come into my room between 10pm Friday and 7am Saturday. I slept like the dead and felt much better about life.
 |
| Building up |
We rode a bit, checked ourselves and reviewed how it wasn't the best situation then took to the rode. It was a beautiful day and I was happy we almost did 10 miles.
Keep in mind, I ate about two Thanksgiving meals between actual Thanksgiving and all the food I carted to my friend's house where we played Mystery Case Files: Escape From Ravenhearst for 8 hours straight until we beat it.
 |
| Winning!! |
Sunday
When I bike-buddy and I finished up on Saturday, we both got a text from my bike-buddy's cousin and my friend from high school about going for a ride. We decided we could all go out on Sunday. I had my thoughts about a back-to-back ride, but. . .what the hey-who! Honey badger don't care.
 |
| Getting there |
We brought another friend along, Melissa, who hadn't been out for a while which was fun! Of course, at about the 11th mile, I started having trouble breathing and I felt my eyes getting heavy. The fatigue was winning. I told everyone I needed to turn around and everyone came back with me. Even Melissa thought it was a good idea.
It was still a great ride and one the final warmish days.
 |
| Two out of three bikers have horseface! |
From my little accident on Saturday, I know I have to work on being more vocal and probably better on reaction time for things.
I need to glue my helmet mirror on - it's tapped on now - because I keep having to adjust every time I drop my helmet or it falls. It's annoying
Charlie is a great napping companion.
 |
| He likes a cuddle |
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Nov 20, 2011
It's been a week - let me explain.
First, on Monday I went to look at some cats. You know, see this lady about a cat and about 3 hours later. . .
This is Charlie, the new guy in my life. Yes, I took that first step toward becoming the crazy cat lady. Charlie is about 8 months, he has Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) but is doing just fine. FeLV in cats isn't like leukemia in people. I found this fact sheet from Cornell University which was also helpful.
Second, on Wednesday, it was the year anniversary of Dr. Burke passing away. He was the man who saved my life. He was probably one of the most caring, gentle and intelligent people I have ever met. He was really a true gentleman - just happened to never, ever be on time. His death was very sudden and sad and the world is a little less without him.
Third, I took Friday off so I could drive my friend Karen to get a treatment for her Lyme and/or other related illnesses. She is dependent on other people to drive her for treatments and, seriously, I'm going to pick someone's life over going to work any day.
So, biking has suffered a bit.
This minor ride was horrible. Horrible. I started dry heaving - poor sleep, poor eating and missing some meds really added up this week. I turned around to head home thinking I was wussing out and dry heaved some more on the way back. Monday will be better.
Lessons Learned
Look, sometimes life gets in the way. I know it is super important to eat right and, you know, take my medications, but one of those two things has been a little difficult lately.
I am going to try to ride in the corporate parking lot this week to ramp up my miles. If not, I am going to have to get more accustom to riding the streets at night. Maybe it would be worth hitting the path - which is safer for riding, but, against the law.
Weird.
The local government would prefer me to ride in the dark with the cars than in the dark on a public trail. I understand they don't want "dem kids" drinking and whatnot on the path, but, also limits any other activity.
Blah!
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
First, on Monday I went to look at some cats. You know, see this lady about a cat and about 3 hours later. . .
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| Love me |
Second, on Wednesday, it was the year anniversary of Dr. Burke passing away. He was the man who saved my life. He was probably one of the most caring, gentle and intelligent people I have ever met. He was really a true gentleman - just happened to never, ever be on time. His death was very sudden and sad and the world is a little less without him.
 |
| Dr. Burke |
So, biking has suffered a bit.
This minor ride was horrible. Horrible. I started dry heaving - poor sleep, poor eating and missing some meds really added up this week. I turned around to head home thinking I was wussing out and dry heaved some more on the way back. Monday will be better.
Lessons Learned
Look, sometimes life gets in the way. I know it is super important to eat right and, you know, take my medications, but one of those two things has been a little difficult lately.
I am going to try to ride in the corporate parking lot this week to ramp up my miles. If not, I am going to have to get more accustom to riding the streets at night. Maybe it would be worth hitting the path - which is safer for riding, but, against the law.
Weird.
The local government would prefer me to ride in the dark with the cars than in the dark on a public trail. I understand they don't want "dem kids" drinking and whatnot on the path, but, also limits any other activity.
Blah!
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Nov 13, 2011
This week was more about discovery than actually booking miles. In spite the general aches and pains (ghosts) and the difficulties I am having getting out with daylight savings time (darkness), I have pleanty of spunk left for my Cheesey Smile and Thumbs Up™.
While I love winter, and darkness - the cozy way I feel in my apartment when it is dark outside or the slightly naughty feeling I get when I'm running errands in the dark - it's not really helping me with biking.
I engaged in my first night ride. Most people were telling me to be careful and carry a light. Well, I found quickly the two real problems with riding at night:
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| 80% of pictures of me look like this |
While I love winter, and darkness - the cozy way I feel in my apartment when it is dark outside or the slightly naughty feeling I get when I'm running errands in the dark - it's not really helping me with biking.
I engaged in my first night ride. Most people were telling me to be careful and carry a light. Well, I found quickly the two real problems with riding at night:
- Even with a headlamp, it's hard to see road debris and potholes.
- Car headlights are absolutely blinding.
I was either in total dark (no real street lights) or unable to see because a car was coming and until they were past me, I couldn't see.
I, of course, am well-lit. I have the Cateye EL-135 and TL-LD130R Bicycle Headlight and Tail Light Combination as well as a Fiber Flare that looks really cool. And my headlamp (link to a one close to what I have).
Anyhow, this first night ride was pretty stressful. I kept having to pull over or have my brain burned out of my skull by passing cars.
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| I didn't die |
I didn't get out again that week because it was too dark. However, my bike buddy had a great idea about doing laps in the well-lit, mostly abandon corporate parking lot not that far from me. I can image being pulled over by security and told to get off the private property. But, it's worth a shot. I can't go on the public path at night, I can't ride on the street without being killed - what's a girl to do?
The weekend ride was better. My bike buddy and I did the "Rocky Ride" which is what I call the ride from Conshohocken to the Philadelphia Museum of Art where the world-famous Rocky statue is.
Of course, I had to turn off RunKeeper, so I got two reads for one day. And probably about a mile off because I forgot to re-record. But, it was a beautiful day, lovely ride and I guess they close down part of the road so we had less cars to deal with. How lovely! There was one point, for a couple miles, that there wasn't another soul on the road - just me, my awesome bike buddy, the pavement and sky (and a lot of wind!)
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| Ride - Part 1 |
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| Ride - Part 2 |
So, I did about 25 miles. Which is about 10-15 miles less than my normal long-ride.
Let's not forget, you got to get your picture taken with Rocky. I saw a newly engaged couple, Asian business men and a family from Germany all take their pictures with Rocky (and run up the Rocky stairs). It's just something you have to do.
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| If a little guy from Philly can do it. . . |
Thoughts
Of course, the whole night-time riding things needs to be worked out.
I also have been having a lot of foot problems. Just feels like all the bones in my feet are broken. Also my fingers. And my wrists. Maybe this is from riding, but, I don't think I am a serious enough rider to have any complaints. We'll see if it just goes away on its own. I think the fact that my feet hurt might be neurological since my toes twitch and generally seem to be spazing out.
I also have been having a lot of foot problems. Just feels like all the bones in my feet are broken. Also my fingers. And my wrists. Maybe this is from riding, but, I don't think I am a serious enough rider to have any complaints. We'll see if it just goes away on its own. I think the fact that my feet hurt might be neurological since my toes twitch and generally seem to be spazing out.
My first fix was to just take more minerals and vitamins to make sure it's not due to malnutrition. It seemed to help. I take the following supplements:
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
- Adrene-Vive: 2 a day.
- Vitamin D 5000IU: 2 a day (use to have a script).
- Trace Minerals: 2 a day.
- B-12: (use to have injections of this).
- Calcium Citrate: 4 a day.
- MultiVites: 4 a day.
- Artemisinin: 2 a day (I have a lot).
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Manda's Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Nov 5, 2011
I got to say, I'm feeling a little more wary of upping my short-ride. I had some hip pain, finger pain and rib pain reminiscent of my Bartonella infection. My general tiredness was more profound and I know it's my body saying, "Hey. Take it easy on me. I've been though some stuff."
With that said, this week I decided to aim for just under 10 miles rather than sticking to my 10+ short rides. I still have to get out of bed and be a productive (yet snarky) person.
My Halloween run was chilly! My winter gear works great but I need a face mask because my face was really, really cold!
My first ride in November proved was far less chilly - I also scared a whole Asian family who was taking up the whole path. And two little puppies who got scared. And possibly a son and Dad combo having a heart-to-heart. . .Man, I'm a jerk.
I did surprise myself with the long ride, I hadn't thought I would be perky for much more than 20 miles. Of course, the last ride, I did not use one of my energy gels around the 10 mile mark - I happen to like the Cliff brand gel shots mostly anything coffee flavored, not fruit flavored.
I slightly question my mileage because RunKeeper said my bike-buddy and I did about 65 miles due to my GPS being off. But, at home, I easily edited out the map because you could see the red lines right before our start area. It was an easy edit.
I love RunKeeper, but, sometimes it is a pain to edit. I suppose I can blame a "slow computer" but I also blame RunKeeper for tracking your route based on a million zillion little dots. If your GPS screwed up, you go in to manual edit your route and suddenly, 5 hours later, you want to kill someone. Plus, the map is slow. They need a better, sleeker interface. At least, I think.
Lessons Learned
I was running some of my fears and thoughts about my biking journey on the long-ride with my bike buddy and got some really good advice. She wisely pointed out, it's harder to book miles in the winter. The cold can be brutal. She was so right. Not that it's that cold. It's like when we did 20 miles in at high-noon in 104 degree heat and it felt like we did 500 miles - the cold does impact you.
I live in this world where the only thing limiting me is myself. That what I do anyone could do in a heartbeat with a hangover at anytime.
She was very right and I felt better.
Personal Thoughts
I holding back a little on my training for another important reason; with a bought of pretty painful rib-hip-finger pain, chronically twitching eye and newly (they use to twitch a lot, then they stopped) twitching toes, I found myself worrying about relapse.
I caught myself asking, "Is that all I get? One year?"
Just as a reminder, it was in December 2010 I got my all-clear.
If all I got was one year, it would have been a Hell of a year. I would have biked about 700 miles. I would have gotten out and dated. I would have mourned the death of the doctor who saved my life. I would have started this blog. I would have made an awesome bike-buddy (and totally awesome off-the-bike) friend. I would have organized my bathroom. I would have found out I have food sensitives. I would have been able to love and support two little ratties until the end. I would have learned how easy and delicious making popcorn on the stove top is. I would have been a flawed by good friend to those I care about.
Logic states I probably am just working on figuring out my own limits with my Adrenal Fatigue and system recovery. It also states I have gone through this five times before - I'm like a pro.
You know - you can do a lot in a year. If this was the year I got, I would be pretty happy with it.
Of course, if I got more than a year - that would be awesome because I got a lot of stuff I got to do! Like do a Century Ride.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Mandas Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
With that said, this week I decided to aim for just under 10 miles rather than sticking to my 10+ short rides. I still have to get out of bed and be a productive (yet snarky) person.
My Halloween run was chilly! My winter gear works great but I need a face mask because my face was really, really cold!
My first ride in November proved was far less chilly - I also scared a whole Asian family who was taking up the whole path. And two little puppies who got scared. And possibly a son and Dad combo having a heart-to-heart. . .Man, I'm a jerk.
I did surprise myself with the long ride, I hadn't thought I would be perky for much more than 20 miles. Of course, the last ride, I did not use one of my energy gels around the 10 mile mark - I happen to like the Cliff brand gel shots mostly anything coffee flavored, not fruit flavored.
I slightly question my mileage because RunKeeper said my bike-buddy and I did about 65 miles due to my GPS being off. But, at home, I easily edited out the map because you could see the red lines right before our start area. It was an easy edit.
I love RunKeeper, but, sometimes it is a pain to edit. I suppose I can blame a "slow computer" but I also blame RunKeeper for tracking your route based on a million zillion little dots. If your GPS screwed up, you go in to manual edit your route and suddenly, 5 hours later, you want to kill someone. Plus, the map is slow. They need a better, sleeker interface. At least, I think.
Lessons Learned
I was running some of my fears and thoughts about my biking journey on the long-ride with my bike buddy and got some really good advice. She wisely pointed out, it's harder to book miles in the winter. The cold can be brutal. She was so right. Not that it's that cold. It's like when we did 20 miles in at high-noon in 104 degree heat and it felt like we did 500 miles - the cold does impact you.
I live in this world where the only thing limiting me is myself. That what I do anyone could do in a heartbeat with a hangover at anytime.
She was very right and I felt better.
Personal Thoughts
I holding back a little on my training for another important reason; with a bought of pretty painful rib-hip-finger pain, chronically twitching eye and newly (they use to twitch a lot, then they stopped) twitching toes, I found myself worrying about relapse.
I caught myself asking, "Is that all I get? One year?"
Just as a reminder, it was in December 2010 I got my all-clear.
If all I got was one year, it would have been a Hell of a year. I would have biked about 700 miles. I would have gotten out and dated. I would have mourned the death of the doctor who saved my life. I would have started this blog. I would have made an awesome bike-buddy (and totally awesome off-the-bike) friend. I would have organized my bathroom. I would have found out I have food sensitives. I would have been able to love and support two little ratties until the end. I would have learned how easy and delicious making popcorn on the stove top is. I would have been a flawed by good friend to those I care about.
Logic states I probably am just working on figuring out my own limits with my Adrenal Fatigue and system recovery. It also states I have gone through this five times before - I'm like a pro.
You know - you can do a lot in a year. If this was the year I got, I would be pretty happy with it.
Of course, if I got more than a year - that would be awesome because I got a lot of stuff I got to do! Like do a Century Ride.
Manda's Century
You can follow my biking adventures by checking out my Mandas Century Ride page. It lists (in convenient bullet form) the lessons I have learned and has links to each of my biking related posts.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
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