Today was a good day. Hauled my arse out of bed and threw a leg over the roadie for the first time in about four months. Weather was awesome at 0530, overcast, a few spits of rain and warm enough not to need arm-warmers. After a short spin to get to the freeway bike path I was ready for my long slow warm up ride into town. I was feeling fantastic and couldn't believe that I'd gone without riding for so long. Hooting and hollering, laughing out loud like a crazy person, slipping into a fairly cruisy rhythm. Highlight of the ride in was keeping pace with a seagull as I crossed the Mt Henry bridge. So graceful and effortless that I had one of those moments that countless others have had over the centuries - "How cool would it be to be a bird?"
I'd allowed ninety minutes to get the 28km into South Perth, which was clearly an overcompensation for my lack of fitness, but it was nice to not have to time trial it in to make it to the start. I even had time for a coffee and chat at Atomic with Mark, SPR's reliable leadout man.
Rocking up to Coode St carpark and there was a big SPR crowd. Jordan did a double take upon seeing me there.... A decision was made to ride in the main group. The route for the day was a standard round-the-river loop and things were feeling ok for the first bit. It wasn't until we got to Claremont that I started to feel a little underdone but was able to keep it together. Managed to do Mosman hill and up to the water tower without too much trouble too. Things had started to become difficult approaching Fremantle however. I got caught at the lights just before the bridge which split the group and that was almost me done. I almost got back on after the bridge but not quite and when my quads cramped when I stood up for the short rise I knew that was it. My quads rarely cramp and this was a real indication of my fitness level. I was a bit disappointed because I reckon I may have been able to stay with the group if not for the unfortunate timing of the lights. Probably.
A solo ride ensued until I caught up with Nicole on Bourke Drive. We cruised back to South Perth, taking a few short cuts along the way.
The SPR breakfast was a fine affair with a spread of sausages, rolls, fruit and drink. Brilliant effort by the organising committee.
The ride home was a struggle. Needed a gel and some mental gymnastics to not stop. Legs were aching and it was difficult to turn over the pedals. Nothing that a recovery drink and half an hour sitting in the shower didn't fix though.
Looking forward to getting out again - probably for the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday ride on Friday. And maybe for a weekday ride in the not too distant future. Golden Spokes is less than two weeks away!!!
Must not let it be so long between rides ever again. Oh and for the record - Nathan was in the front group.
Ride details here.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Doing good but feeling bad
Driving to work this morning I saw a deceased cat by the side of the freeway. I always feel sad when I see animals that have come to an unfortunate end on the road, particularly as it looked like this was someones pet, not just a feral.
I wasn't in a position to do anything about it just then but I couldn't get the poor thing off my mind and resolved that if it was still there in the afternoon when I passed by again I'd do something about it. Hopefully it might have a collar or microchip then at least some there would be some closure for the unlucky owner. I confirmed with a vet that they could help me and put some bags and gloves in the car in preparation for the retrieval task.
As it turns out, when I drove by again in the afternoon, the cat had been removed. I was a little bit relieved and a lot sad. In fact I find it still distressing quite some time later. I had steeled myself for it and was determined to do something, but was glad that it had already been done. My actions today have hopefully made it easier for me to act next time. It's never a nice job but
Not that we let our furry friends free roam about the neighbourhood, we have a cat-run, but I'd like to think that if one of our guys did get out and find trouble that some kind soul would act appropriately and not just leave them there. Our pets mean everything to us and it upsets me that somewhere in suburbia today is a household that has lost a loved pet to an untimely end.
Not a good day for pets - I also became aware of a completely avoidable situation via Bengal Rescue Australia. Someone had a Bengal and for whatever reason it was going to be put down if a home couldn't be found for it shortly. Despite several offers of help and multiple options available - the owners rejected everything and put down the poor cat anyway. Absolutely fucking despicable. These people should be shot. I can't begin to describe how mad this makes me and how helpless I feel knowing that there are pricks like this getting about anonymously in our society. There are not enough bricks in the world to go through the windows of these poor excuses for human beings.
Look after your pets people.
I wasn't in a position to do anything about it just then but I couldn't get the poor thing off my mind and resolved that if it was still there in the afternoon when I passed by again I'd do something about it. Hopefully it might have a collar or microchip then at least some there would be some closure for the unlucky owner. I confirmed with a vet that they could help me and put some bags and gloves in the car in preparation for the retrieval task.
As it turns out, when I drove by again in the afternoon, the cat had been removed. I was a little bit relieved and a lot sad. In fact I find it still distressing quite some time later. I had steeled myself for it and was determined to do something, but was glad that it had already been done. My actions today have hopefully made it easier for me to act next time. It's never a nice job but
Not that we let our furry friends free roam about the neighbourhood, we have a cat-run, but I'd like to think that if one of our guys did get out and find trouble that some kind soul would act appropriately and not just leave them there. Our pets mean everything to us and it upsets me that somewhere in suburbia today is a household that has lost a loved pet to an untimely end.
Not a good day for pets - I also became aware of a completely avoidable situation via Bengal Rescue Australia. Someone had a Bengal and for whatever reason it was going to be put down if a home couldn't be found for it shortly. Despite several offers of help and multiple options available - the owners rejected everything and put down the poor cat anyway. Absolutely fucking despicable. These people should be shot. I can't begin to describe how mad this makes me and how helpless I feel knowing that there are pricks like this getting about anonymously in our society. There are not enough bricks in the world to go through the windows of these poor excuses for human beings.
Look after your pets people.
Spin it to win it
Managed to find time to do two spin classes between clients today! Tried out the new RIDE program with my fave RPM instructor Bec at 0930. Found it to be pretty tough with very few recovery opportunities.
A client cancelling in the afternoon allowed me to sneak in another spin session at 1740. Typical RPM class this time. But all contributing hopefully to becoming fit enough to be able to complete Golden Spokes in under two weeks.
Felt pretty good despite yesterdays antics. Sweated like a fat person and probably didn't eat enough.
A client cancelling in the afternoon allowed me to sneak in another spin session at 1740. Typical RPM class this time. But all contributing hopefully to becoming fit enough to be able to complete Golden Spokes in under two weeks.
Felt pretty good despite yesterdays antics. Sweated like a fat person and probably didn't eat enough.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Random thoughts
Yeah, yeah. I know. It's been a while. Always have lots to write to about but never have the time to do it. Same old story.
Today at work I saw this fat chick waddling along with a pack of smokes in her hand. I'm not talking slightly overweight here, I mean 130kg plus, sign me up to the next series of Biggest Loser kind of size. My first instinct was to mention that if she was smoking to keep her weight down then she had better ramp it up a bit. It's just the sort of cold, heartless bastard I am. But a funny thing happened. I checked myself and said nothing. I actually felt sorry for her and even more so when I saw her pigging out on some fatty food and wedges a bit later on. I started wondering how I could approach her and do something about it. The way this woman is going she wont see fifty or maybe even forty-five. But how does one approach a total stranger about this? Yes, I have an ulterior motive (personal trainer always on the hunt for new clients) but clearly this woman needs help regardless of my motives?
A little bit unsure about how I feel about this. I mean first I'm becoming more compassionate about the asylum seekers arriving on boats, now feeling pity for smoking fat chicks.... what next? Before too long I wont be complaining about parents with prams, old people or dickheads who drive in the right-hand lane for no reason. That scares me.
Today at work I saw this fat chick waddling along with a pack of smokes in her hand. I'm not talking slightly overweight here, I mean 130kg plus, sign me up to the next series of Biggest Loser kind of size. My first instinct was to mention that if she was smoking to keep her weight down then she had better ramp it up a bit. It's just the sort of cold, heartless bastard I am. But a funny thing happened. I checked myself and said nothing. I actually felt sorry for her and even more so when I saw her pigging out on some fatty food and wedges a bit later on. I started wondering how I could approach her and do something about it. The way this woman is going she wont see fifty or maybe even forty-five. But how does one approach a total stranger about this? Yes, I have an ulterior motive (personal trainer always on the hunt for new clients) but clearly this woman needs help regardless of my motives?
A little bit unsure about how I feel about this. I mean first I'm becoming more compassionate about the asylum seekers arriving on boats, now feeling pity for smoking fat chicks.... what next? Before too long I wont be complaining about parents with prams, old people or dickheads who drive in the right-hand lane for no reason. That scares me.
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