Sunday, September 7, 2008

Music, Cycling and Onion Rings

Don't those go together well? Okay, maybe not but they were all present in my weekend. Miguel has realized that he now has the best excuse to make me get rid of some of our stuff my junk, "we need to make room for the baby." He doesn't understand why I need to own so many books, especially ones I've already read. And I do have a tendency toward things in a frame - art, photos, artistic photos. We have stuff tucked under the bed, hiding under the coffee table. Anyway, we spent Saturday going through the living room book shelves and hiding spots and throwing out stuff we don't need. Admittedly I didn't get rid of many books - I'd already purged when we moved here and what's left are my favorites. But we got rid of lots of other junk. Why did I even have 4 boxes of pencil lead? I don't even use mechanical pencils.

Saturday evening rolled around and we had tickets to see Dave Matthews Band at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. I bought these way back when and honestly admit I wasn't as excited to go. A late night, lots of smoke in the air (which, not being cigarette smoke it really isn't that bad), general admission seating. Ugh. I wish the concert had made up for all that but sadly, we weren't thrilled. We were sitting on a slope all evening and our butts kept going numb. Granted it was our fault for not getting there sooner to get seats but I also didn't want to arrive 2 hours early. The music was good but they tend toward long, jammish versions of their songs so we often didn't recognize what we were listening to. And, and I'll admit this really peeved me, they didn't play Crash Into Me, my favorite DMB song. So I went home a little disappointed and really tired with a sore backside.

When I woke up this morning I felt pretty tired and seriously considered canceling my planned bike ride. But I thought, "What will I have done this weekend if I skip this ride?" and, "What am I going to do all day, sit on my ass?". So those two thoughts got me out of bed. On the way there I started to get really nervous about my ability to keep up. I kept reminding myself I could turn around if it got to be too much. We met up at a diner next to a wharf along the Napa River.

We got riding and I was in the middle of the group, with some ahead of me and some behind me. Things were going smooth and I was feeling good. The weather was gorgeous and the surrounds of rolling hills and vineyards can't be beat. Around mile 10 I decided to slow down to ride with a friend that I enjoy chatting with. She was the last rider and was happy for the company. We arrived at Sonoma Plaza and took a little rest. Here's a picture of some of our group during the break.

We headed back and some of the riders decided to do a side route that included a big climb. I passed on that one. I rode back with the same woman that I was chatting with and by about Mile 23 I was feeling really pooped! Good thing I rode with her at the slower pace because I don't think I would have had enough gas in the tank to make it back if I'd kept up that middle of the pack pace. I felt a little shaky and it was getting pretty hot out so I just took it easy, ate my ShotBlox, drank a lot of water and enjoyed the scenery. I posted the route to mapmyride, click here to check it out.

When we got back to the diner we went in for lunch. I did some stretching and then sat down to a patty melt and onion rings. Shhh! The view of the river was peaceful and there was a nice breeze. We sat around chatting for a bit and I admit, I was happy I made myself get out of bed. This 30 mile ride really got me thinking about the 26 mile bike leg of the tri in October. I don't think I'll know until mid October how doable it will be for me.

I will consider this weekend a success. My eating still leaves a lot to be desired but the good thing is I am thinking a lot about the changes I need to make. That's usually the first step in my change process. And I'll be making a healthy dinner to balance out the fatty lunch.

I'll close with a picture of some grapes. Everywhere the vines were heavy with them and they were just gorgeous with the sun shining on them. And given my status this is as close as I can get to wine at the moment :) I hope you all had a great weekend too!!


Update: I just got emailed a picture another rider took. It's so cute I want to share it too!!

21 comments:

  1. I am so jealous of your vineyard rides. Nice job, especially considering how early pregnancy can really tucker you out.

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  2. That looks like such an awesome ride.

    I agree with you. You'll get the eating thing in order. Having a few onion rings after a 30 mile ride is better than a few onion rings and no ride. Good for you for getting out there!

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  3. You're doing great, Michelle. You finished, right? And, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the idea to balance out the calorie intake and the calories burned? So, by my calculations you burned between 1300 and 1700 calories on the bike ride, and combined with your BMR, I am sure that that yummy patty melt and rings were cancelled out.

    Such a beautiful day!

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  4. wow what an amzing place to ride!!! You are so lucky!

    Sorry DMB wasn't better! I love them and missed them when they came to LA-work got in the way, sometimes his concerts are good and sometimes they arent!! But nothing worse than being uncomfortable for hours-hate that!!

    Looks like you had a great day!!

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  5. Ooooh, grapes sound really good right now! It looked like a wonderful ride.

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  6. and youre in that GREAT PLACE---it seems---of thinking about the changes while NOT obsessing or fraught with selfloathing!

    awesome ride to boot.

    Miz.

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  7. Looks like a gorgeous place to ride and you should congratulation yourself big time for taking on the challenge. There aren't too many "expecting" women I know that have ant kind of plan when it comes to eating and exercise during their pregnancy. I enjoy hearing about your challenges and LOVE the ticker! I am so excited for you and wish you the best in the days ahead. Keep up the good work!

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  8. Good for you getting out on that ride! I have to say seeing pics of the river and grapes makes me miss that area, but not enough to move back LOL.

    You're doing great and you're going to have a healthy happy baby with his own room. :-)

    Keep it up.

    xox From NY

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  9. Yay for you! I think you did fantastic (and way better than me this weekend...gulp)

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  10. Good for you for getting in that ride this past weekend! As for the onion rings...not worried, you had just gone on a long ride AND you talked about having a super healthy dinner to balanc it out. THAT's what eating healthy is about!

    Sorry to hear about the disappointment in the concert! To be uncomfortable AND not enjoy the show..that's a double whammy!

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  11. Wow what a ride!! You did so amazing!! Good for you for getting out of bed and getting there!

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  12. You are a total ROCK STAR! Great job! Boy are you lucky you live near the best wine region in the US. Lucky, lucky, lucky girl.

    Keep up the good work and please don't sweat the onion rings, you probably craved the fat because you needed it!

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  13. It sounds like it was a good decision to stick with your friend, and she probably really appreciated the company and not having to ride by herself.

    When I'm at the back of the pack I always feel like the runt of the litter. Like a car is going to drive up behind me and pick off the weak one! Crazy...I know. I have a wild imagination.

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  14. Looks like you had a great weekend and I bet it felt good to get out there! You really do have the best scenery to ride through.

    You worked hard for those onion rings (and hey aren't onions a vegetable anyway)!

    Have a great week - I also love the ticker, isn't it amazing what our bodies are capable of!

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  15. You live in such a beautiful place. I don't think there is anything like that here. Or maybe there is and I just haven't sought it out. Hmmmm.....inspiration perhaps?

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  16. What a beautiful part of the country and what a treat to ride around! The grapes are so cool. I am glad that you felt good about getting out and enjoying the ride. Looks like a nice bunch of people!

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  17. My wife and I have a difficult time throwing stuff away, too. Earlier this summer we purged about 4 years worth of books. And we kept a ton of other books, too. It's not like we want to get rid of all of them.

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  18. You have beautiful country to ride through. I'm envious!

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  19. Michelle,
    Your bike ride inspired me – today I rode my bike to the bus stop and rode the bus to work, tonight on my way home I’ll get in 5-6 miles (with a big hill). Thanks for always being so inspiring! And what a great photos!
    Have you started baby jogger stroller shopping yet – it all seems so exciting – maybe all the ‘junk’ that you are getting rid of can contribute $ to the stroller fund.
    Have a great day!
    Jessica

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  20. Patty melt and onion rings.... I'm drooling on my keyboard!

    That ride sounds great and what views you have...fantastic!

    Love the last picture!

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  21. I can't believe you did these 30 mile rides! There is a 50 mile ride from Rosarito to Ensenada in September that Jeremiah wants to do...but I don't know if I could get into that kind of shape in 6 months (or ever). They have it every year in April and September...so maybe we'll make it eventually...and you guys should come too! =)

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If you don't want to login, use the Name/URL option (just type in your name...or any name for that matter). If you use the "Anonymous" option your comment won't get posted. - Michelle