I'm back! Not in the physical sense, although I was up in Colorado for the last week, but in the mental sense! My “temporary” once a week workout schedule that I started back in May due to business plan has somehow stretched into August, but I’m drawing the line in the sand today with my renewed resolution to get in shape. I went to the gym this morning and spent some time on both the treadmill and the stationary bike, doing what some of us triathletes like to call a “brick.” Fortunately for me, bricks come in all shapes and sizes, so I chose one of the small, squishy ones. It’s not much in the way of foundation-building material, but it will have to do for now.
Although I didn’t work out while I was in Colorado, I did come to a very important conclusion. Altitude is a HUGE factor! I would get out of breath just walking along the side of the road or going up slight inclines to look at rocks. It was ridiculous. I didn’t think altitude would affect me as dramatically as it did since I grew up in the mountains of Utah, but the change was incredible. We have nice thick air down here with lots of oxygen for out of shape Joes like me, but this Spudman deal takes place at an elevation slightly lower than that of Everest. How do you even train for that? I can run a mile or two down here if I really push it, but I would get winded in Colorado after a 200 yard walk up a slight hill. Seriously! Can you get oxygen tanks for your bike instead of water bottles? Beware you Ohioans! You’re not much better off than I am.
Although I didn’t work out while I was in Colorado, I did come to a very important conclusion. Altitude is a HUGE factor! I would get out of breath just walking along the side of the road or going up slight inclines to look at rocks. It was ridiculous. I didn’t think altitude would affect me as dramatically as it did since I grew up in the mountains of Utah, but the change was incredible. We have nice thick air down here with lots of oxygen for out of shape Joes like me, but this Spudman deal takes place at an elevation slightly lower than that of Everest. How do you even train for that? I can run a mile or two down here if I really push it, but I would get winded in Colorado after a 200 yard walk up a slight hill. Seriously! Can you get oxygen tanks for your bike instead of water bottles? Beware you Ohioans! You’re not much better off than I am.
Along the lines of the theme of today's post, let me tell you about a couple of other problems I've been thinking about. Most importantly, I have no equipment. The shoes I have been running in are circa 1998, the shorts I wear are old basketball shorts, the "under gear" I sport does little to prevent riding and chaffing, and my swimsuit is the same one I’ve used for the past decade, complete with a broken waistband and inflatable pockets. I don’t own a bike; I don’t own fancy biking shoes (which, admittedly, would be silly without the bike); I don’t own a single article of spandex clothing (which some people would commend); I don’t have snazzy running shoes; and the only physical activity I have done outdoors in the past 6 years results in either a shorter lawn or a tan line on my left hand. It’s not a pretty outlook, but as I mentioned earlier, I’m recommitting myself regardless. Well, at least until Wednesday. I’ll let you know where my mental fortitude stands after my first swim in over 3 months.
TTFN,
1 comment:
I always laugh when I read your posts. You should write short stories. Start saving your quarters for the "equipment." If we lived closer I could let you borrow my speandex. It may fit perfectly, or perhaps look like a creepy mid-drift spandex shirt and short short bike shorts. I am not quite sure.
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