VO2 to the Max

Thanks to the Mad Dog Team we are working with Peak Performance and Fitness to get VO2 testing done.  I was so excited when I found out this was available.  The only testing I knew about was up at the University of Utah. I knew they did some at BYU, but was not sure if it was open to the public.  I have always wanted this done (okay not always, only since I started riding a bike), and when I found out (thanks to the team) Peak Performance offers this and many other services I contacted Aaron and made an appointment to get tested.

Today was the day of my test.  I was somewhat tenative about going, because I have gone so far backwards from last year I was wondering if it would be a waste of time.  I know that all of us getting ready for race season say we have gone backwards, but I have gone really far backwards-- I will share the whys and hows at a later date.  Anyway, facing the harsh realities of where you are can sometimes be hard to take, but I felt this would be a good opportunity to gage my progress throughout the season, and give me something tangible to show the improvement.  Luckily the cost is very reasonable, so getting tested mid-season will be well worth it.

The test started with Aaron going over a little bit of my history, weighing me (ugh I hate sharing this), getting my body fat percentage (ouch that really hurt) and my bmi (apparently I am overweight not obese--I already knew this.)  After all of this I got on the bike and warmed up.  After the warm up came the test.  Aaron put this mask with a tube connected to it on you and you start riding. 

At first I felt somewhat enclosed in the mask, but I pushed aside the enclosed thoughts, relaxed and began pedaling.  While I pedaled I watched the dvd "Off Road to Athens" and Aaron gave instructions to increase the tension.  I pedaled, increased the tension, pedaled increased the tension and eventually it was over.

Results much better than I expected....okay way better than I expected.  I may be overweight, but still in pretty good shape!  This makes me happy as it gives me encouragement I am on the road back to being fit.  The other cool thing about the test, I learned my heart rate zones.  They are slightly different than what I thought, which is great, because now I have a better idea of exactly where I should be when I ride.  Aaron gave a lot more beneficial information, and I left very excited about where the upcoming year is going to take me.

I am learning the more information you have the better rider or better fit you can become.  Instead of just riding, there is riding with direction and still having fun while you ride.  All of this information is going to help on my way back to recovery!  Oh, another great thing, I am getting my resting metabolic rate tested next week.  Very excited about all of this new information I am learning!!!
The beautiful mask--just finished riding.

Side view--do you like the rack on the back of the bike!

Beating the Next Snowfall

My office has a view of outside, which makes me long to be out mountain biking on sunny days.  Today, knowing it is supposed to snow tomorrow, I couldn't resist the sunny day, as soon as I got off work I raced down to Racers to get my bike (of course it was not at home on such a beautiful day), and then hurried home.

I decided I would ride water tower since I was pretty sure the snow was probably melted.  And it was!  The good part was the dirt was rideable, the bad part is horses and people have been going in the mud, and near the top I couldn't clear the hill due to to many divits and my lack of technique.  Luckily is was on the last part of the ride.

I went up the hill twice and end up soaking wet.  Lucky for me I took my baclava off while riding, and put it on just before my final descent.  I don't know if I would have lasted had it not been for that--by the time I got home I was fairly cold.  But it was worth it!  So much fun riding outside, I don't think Spring is going to get here soon enough.
Pictures from then end of my final climb.

Locks of Love

I have been bored with my hair lately and decided I needed a change.  I went in with plans of a different hair color, but then started playing around with the idea it was time to donate my hair again (this would be my 3rd time).  After much contemplating, squinching my eyes closed, and holding my breathe, my hair was chopped off.

I don't have any good before pictures since it was unplanned.  The most current is the one below from this weekend (cropped of course).  This is with my hair pulled in to puppy dog ears, but it might give you an idea of how long it was--oh, ignore the funny face, I was going over a couple of rocks.

This is the only after right now.  I come home with helmet head, so I won't let my husband take any pics.  Over the weekend I will get some pics.

My Ride to Work

This morning I took the long, scenic route to work.  I wish I had a video camera to capture everything I say, but I don't usually take my camera with me to work, and alas I did not for this ride.

On my ride I saw two ducks come out of a large ditch, quacking as they flew ahead of me.  I then saw a convoy of tree cutting trucks riding past me in the opposite direction.  There was a group of road workers preparing to do work by the railroad tracks.  It must be an ongoing project as there was an outhouse close by.  I went by where they keep the school buses, and for the first time saw many of the drivers pulling out to go and pick up kids.  I saw 3 deer under some trees in a field, watching me closely as I rode by.  And finally the fog over the vast fields--I love the fog.

I don't think there is any better way to go to work.

Pride

I haven't written forever, and was going to write about my trip this last weekend, and I will, but I wanted to write about today.

Today I rode by bike to work (for those who didn't know I got a new job and it is close to home--yeah!  Also, yeah for the new job, I really like it.).  According to Coach Dan I am supposed to keep my heart rate down on these rides.  In the morning this is not hard, I am tired and really don't need to arrive at work sweating and hot.  Going home is a whole different story.

Riding home I just want to pound the pedals.  I have been in an office all day long and need to just ride hard.  There is something that feels so good when you ride hard.  Going home I ride up 2 small hills, and one long, steep hill.  It takes all the self control I have to gear down and spin up these hills.  I know this may seem crazy, but it takes everything I have to not go up as fast as I can and as hard as I can.  I would say I am somewhat prideful.  I know I can make it up these hills in my large and middle cog, and I want to do it in these hard gears.  Part of it is because I like making it hard and I can, the other is what if someone were to pass me!  I hate being passed!

In the past I have allowed this thinking to mess up my recovery rides.  Someone rides by and begins to pass, and I just can't take it.  I let them go, and then eventually I have to hit into high gear, catch them and pass them back, and then not let them pass me back.  Sometimes I am too horribly competive, or perhaps insecure--who knows.

However, this year I am not going to let that happen.  I am going to be secure in my riding, recovery days are recovery and anyone can pass....now if I can just get my mental state to be as secure.

I Touched Dirt

I can't remember the last time my bike touched dirt.    I had surgery, was sick, the weather isn't good, there was always a reason I couldn't get out for a ride.  Today there was no reason other than I am supposed to be working on  base miles and keeping at a low heart rate.  But what does that matter, the dirt was calling and I had to answer.

When I left it was brisk out, but warm enough.  The ride up water tower was perfect. Great snow pack, the sun was out, and it got warmer and warmer as I got to the top--probably the only time an inversion is a good thing when you are above the inversion.  When I got to the top I decided I needed to ride further, I kept riding further and further and finally decided I would ride all the way to roller coaster road. 

The snow was packed most of the ride with only a couple of spots that were not so good, but all of it was rideable.  When I got to roller coaster I saw nothing but deep snow and no packing.  I looked at it for a long time debating whether to ride or not.  I finally decided to turn around--I didn't want to ride up the hills in unpacked snow, more than likely I would have ended up pushing up the hill instead of riding.

The way back the snow started to melt a little bit, but luckily it never got mushy.  The ride back was fun, andn going downhill was great, no ice spots--at least I didn't find any!  I am so glad I got to ride the dirt, I don't think Spring will get here soon enough.

Top of Water Tower, great snow pack.

The view--gotta love it.

A runner passed by and offered to take my pic--I love the chubby cheeks with the baclave on.

Worst part of the whole ride--not too bad.

Homework!

My daughter is very lucky, and so am I.  Her teacher does not believe in homework--how awesome is that.  He gives the students every opportunity to complete their assignments in class, they can stay in at recess and complete their work if they would like.  I have liked this as Mandy has only come home a few times from school with homework and when she does, she is able to get it done.  One would think this would not cause any problems.

I guess not so.  Today I received a phone call from the teacher.  Apparently Mandy had a 2 week assignment she was to read 4 different books (all very slender in size) and write a 15 line report on the book.  She was even allowed to take notes on the book as she read them.  So for 2 weeks the entire class has been reading and writing, and what has Mandy been doing?  That is a very good question.  What she wasn't doing were the reports.  Apparently she was reading, but not writing. 

So needless to say Mandy is home now doing her schoolwork.  There is no playing with friends, getting on the computer, or wii until the reports are done.  Oh, she can watch tv, but only after 6 pm and only mom or dad shows--you know news and fun stuff that only mom's and dad's like to watch.  One other catch she cannot do this homework at school it has to be completed at home.

I received 14 missed phone calls at work when this news was given.  When I finally was able to answer my phone, being the great kid she is she tried to negotiate the homework.  You see the teacher is giving her until Friday to finish the reports--nice teacher.  Her idea, write one report today, one tomorrow and two on Thursday, and each day when she finishes she can play, have computer, wii or tv privileges (we never allow all 3 in the same day, only playing with friends).  I wasn't up for negotiating, so now she is working on the reports.  Oh, and guess what it is almost 7 pm and Mandy has finished 2 reports and is partially done with the 3rd.  Nothing like a little incentive to get things done.  Hopefully this will never happen again.

The Trainer

Last year I rode outside most of the  winter and did not need to spend much time on my trainer.  This year has been different.  My cold tolerance has changed with my broken nose, so I have been riding mostly on my trainer.  It's not so bad.  I have discovered the series Heroes, there are 23 episodes in the first season!  I also love to watch Biggest Loser while on the trainer, it is very motivating.  But I have my fingers cross that soon it will be over 30 in the morning and I can start riding outside again.

The Job-Need Help

I haven't been writing much about riding or mountain biking much lately, because I still have 2 more weeks before I can mountain bike, and well riding outside has been somewhat limited.  I have a lot of ideas of what to write about, but well, obviously they have not made it in the blog.  But today I have something to write about.  Mostly to reach out and see if anyone out there can help or give some good direction.

As some of you know last year I worked for for a company that was okay, but I had a boss that was the devils wife, no that is being nice, more like the devils mom (and I don't mean this lightly).  She had to be the meanest, most horrible person I ever met, and loved making people miserable.  I watched her demoralize many an employee, and personally attack them--the worse part was they let her.  My problem, I wouldn't let her, and was constantly standing up (in a professional way) to her tactics--which meant there was no love loss from either of us when eventually I lost my job (my position was conviently eliminated).

Two weeks after I lost my job, I got a great job.  It was a job with lots of promotion opportunity
mid-level pay, and the opportunity to help others.  The only drawback at the time was commuting 45-60 minutes one way.  No big deal, I have commuted before.  Unfortunately things did not turn out how I hoped.

The day before I started my job, the guy who was supposed to be my boss was let go, and I started with no boss.  For the next month I basically trained myself, learned what I needed to and waited for a new boss to be appointed.  No big deal, because the job is good and I love working with the students.  But there were some changes that I was not expecting.

The biggest change was my hours.  Originally I was told I would only work 1 out of every Saturday.  Although not the most desirable thing to work on a Saturday, the hours are only 9am - 1pm, and once in a while that is not so bad.  Well it turns out I have worked almost every Saturday since starting, plus some holiday weekends--actually had to cancel some travel plans.  The other challenge my daily work hours.  I work M, W 11am-8pm, T, TH, Fr 8am-5pm.  Now these hours wouldn't be so bad if they were my actual hours, but they're not.  Add the commute time, the extra hour I tend to work, because I would never leave a student mid-advising, I typically don't get home until 7pm and 10 pm at night.  For some this is okay, but for me it is not.  I have a family that needs me at home, helping them, putting them to bed, and just being there for them--plus my husband works the night shift, so someone needs to be at home.

This week the school announced they are going to change their hours and by the end of February my hours are going to change where I will need to work late some Friday nights and I still will need to work more Saturdays than I was originally told.  I approached my boss about the hours, my concerns and how it is affecting my family.  She was very understanding, but of course will not be able to make any accomidations--which I completely understand.  She did let me know she would be happy to be a reference for me if I decide to search for another job.

So what does this mean to me.  It means I need to find a new job by the end of February.  The nice thing is my boss knows I need to look for a new job, and she will gladly give anybody a reference if they need it, and I get to keep my job while I look.  My concerns are I haven't been at this job very long, and how is it going to look to a perspective employer I am changing jobs so soon--especially in the type of economy we have right now. 

My other concern is what is out there, and what can I get.  I do not have any technical experience with computers, so that is out.  I have a degree in psychology, which does not mean much other than I can do a lot of different things, but nothing specific like market analyst. In a nutshell, I have a lot of advising, consulting, marketing, advertising, sales experience; as well as I have been a caseworker and kick butt when it comes to clerical work, and creating reports or systems to help companies run more efficently.  The biggest thing, I love helping people and helping them make a difference in their life.  Anyway, if you know of something out there, would like to see my resume or can forward it on I would appreciate it.  Thanks.

Inaugural Ride

For Christmas we got Royce a road bike.  He was very surprised - I hid it in the downstairs closet and then he had clues with each present he opened up.  I think by the time he got to the road shoes for a gift he knew something was up.

Royce getting his Christams present out of the closet.  I think he likes it.
Since getting the gift he has not had the chance to ride it due to taking care of Mandy over Christmas break, and then taking care of me for the last 2 weeks.  Today I was feeling like I could ride my bike, so we went for a very mild ride.

Before we went on our ride I helped Royce get outfitted for a cold ride.  I think I had him wearing close to 4 layers top and bottom--better too warm in this kind of weather.  After getting  completely ready we took off.  At first the going was a little tough, you know new bike, different shifting.  Before long though we were heading towards Utah Lake (we live fairly close). 

When we left the temp was 31 degrees, but once we got closer to the lake I could feel the temperature drop, and noticed the frostcicles on the trees, bushes and other shubery.  We stopped for a minute for a photo op and then continued on.
Royce riding by the lake.

Posing for the camera.

A view of the lake--it is out there.

From the lake the ride is relatively short to home.  I was feeling pretty good, so Royce and I parted ways.  He went home and I continued on riding.  It felt so good to be out after being cooped up in the house for such a long time.  My ride took me out towards the farmlands in Lehi and then back.  I am a little tired, but it was a great ride and I can't wait to go out again.
There is blue sky!

I love how the snow is still around the water.