Nifty Tools Make Training More Interesting

So, The VitaGuru has been using this cool toy on his Android phone called SportyPal Pro to track his running routes. It will track your route via GPS, and based on your time and distance, will calculate how many calories you've burned, and will even calculate your elevation. And if you're brave - or foolish, or both - you can take all this info and Tweet it, Facebook it...and apparently embed it in your blog: How cool is that, I ask you? Isn't living in the future just the awesomest thing? And you can click on the buttons up there and see all kinds of cool stuff. If you click the 3D button, frex, you can get a tour of my route, via Google's Street View. The question mark button will explain what the different line colors mean, and also what the rest of the buttons mean. Nifty, no?

So, you can see the route I rode today, which is a slight departure from my usual route, as the VitaGuru rode with me, and we got to yapping, and I got all distracted by what we were yapping about and forgot to turn down East Benalex on the trip back home. And, we only did one lap around today, because my hands were all cramped up and I couldn't tolerate another lap with Arthritis Claw(TM) making life miserable. Pity, that, because I'm finally starting to get my saddle! In fact, all I had to say about my ass was "My bits are burning!". 'Cause, well, THEY WERE!

What? No, I am NOT going to pretend that I haven't got delicate bits getting all smashed up. I did say I was gonna let it all hang out. Well, figuratively, anyway. The point is, they were burning, I was bitching, and Elder Monster's girlfriend thought it was the funniest thing ever. And in the in-between, well, my sit-bones are a little achy, but that's it. I don't feel like I want to die, so I'm assuming progress is being made!

Anyway, according to this lovely bit of tracking, today's ride was 5 miles, completed in 44 minutes and 13 seconds, at an average speed 6.8mph (I'm still a bit of a slowpoke). And I burned off 346 calories! I typically go twice around the neighborhood, and I typically don't skip East Benalex, so my usual ride around the neighborhood is a solid 10 miles.

Starting next week, I want to see if I can make it three times around the neighborhood. When I can do that consistently without falling off my bike and dying, The VitaGuru says we'll go out to Oak Openings to ride the 18 mile trail. And when I can do that one consistently, we'll probably be starting road work.

Admittedly, I've been taking it a little easier this week, what with having to deal with breathing through a rather tender and sore nose. Until around Thursday, any jump in blood pressure, however slight, made itself known by making my poor, fractured nose throb. As of today, though, the pain has settled to a dull, intermittent ache, and it's not so distracting.

 Elder Monster has promised to be my biking buddy after he gets home from work tomorrow, not that he really needed an arm twisting, since he bought a shiny new bike to show off. It's nice having someone to ride with from time to time, and I'm looking forward to some road time with my Monster! Who's up for a ride around the 'hood tomorrow?

--Missy, the Fat Bottomed Girl

I know, I know. I suck.

My darlings!

I know I was supposed to start training back on the 21st.  I KNOW!  But here's the thing:  The Vita Guru and I had our 21st wedding anniversary that week.  AND I had a "Girl's Night In" scheduled with one of my bestest girlfriends.  So I would have trained on Tuesday, then slacked off the rest of the week, having Wednesday overnight at Lizzie's, hanging out in the hot tub, drinking wine, and eating Girl Food (read here: phenomenal chicken salad and sausage and cheese omelets!), and from thence getting up to no good with my husband.

We got up to no good, too!  We went to Ann Arbor and walked and walked and walked (so I did get exercise!).  We hit the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail!  That's right.  I ate REAL FOOD!  And I drank BOOZE!  Well, mostly wine, but I had a glorious Elder Flower concoction at Mancy's Italian one night, and an Old Fashioned at Vinology on another.  I know.  I was super bad.  But if you can't celebrate your anniversary with food and booze, why bother celebrating at all?

Then I got home, and found myself completely overwhelmed with work.  Ugh.  I tried so hard to get everything caught up, and it was just miserable.  I guess there will be weeks like that?  I do hope that was the last one for a while, though, because Ms. Fat Bottom needs to get her ass in gear.  (Hah, gear!)

Today, I went to the gym to discuss my training plan with one of the trainers.  I will be using the National MS Society's bike training plan, which starts on page 13, but I also want some solid weight routines to help me build muscle and stamina.  I told him what I wanted to accomplish and why, and after he managed to shut his mouth (it fell ALLLLLLL the way open), he said he would put a plan together tonight, and we'd talk about it in the morning.  So I have an appointment with Jay at SuperFitness at 10AM tomorrow.

He'll have me weigh in (oh gods), take measurements (OH GODS), and get me set on a good routine that will complement the bike training plan.  And then will commence to whupping my ass into obedience and shape.  Good luck with the obedience part, dude.

In the in-between, I'm still working on my playlist and still appreciate any and all suggestions.

What's the most brutal part of your fitness routine?  I think mine is just going to be getting out of bed!

--Missy, the Fat Bottomed Girl