notelaine's Journal

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31 August 2016

Well, failed my goal of sticking to my pre-planned meal plan yesterday, because I ended up getting antsy at work and going home to get a 25 mile bike ride in. Which of course makes me way hungrier. At some less-healthy food, but didn't go too overboard.

Also, I've been 'gently' reminded that I haven't posted updates from my 500 mile ride, lol! So, I've posted my favorite highlights below. It was an incredible week, and was one of the most challenging things I've done. I'm so glad I didn't listen to the people who told me I would never be able to complete it (looking at you, snooty bike shop man).

The ride consisted of days from 40 miles to 100 miles, with little towns to stop at during the day. But by far the best part was the people I met. On the ride, I met people from all over the world, and made a friend who lives close-ish to me in Chicago. Him and I are actually meeting up next weekend for a century ride in Door County!

The second best part was the food. Oh, good god the food. I have never eaten so much pie. Little old church ladies were selling it along the road the whole week. Gooseberry pie made with a lard crust is just incredible. Then, when you got close to each overnight town, there would be signs for where you could get food. Downtown, they would always have the food trucks and vendors set up, but many local churches or clubs would have dinners. My absolute favorite night was at this local church. The dinner cost a mere $6, and included an enormous plate of pasta with homemade Italian meat sauce, homemade rolls, and this Philippino pork dish with homemade egg rolls and these insane pastries for dessert. I have never eaten so much food in one sitting in my life, lol! And, with all the riding, I miraculously didn't gain a pound that week.

And the third best part was all of the beer. Along the route, when you got close to the overnight towns, there was a free craft beer truck. So of course we always had to stop there! And exploring the small town bars each night was a ton of fun. Also, fun fact, cycling is a surprisingly excellent hangover cure.

Stopping at a town on the second day

The best pie I've ever eaten in my life

An early stop in a town. I think at like 8 am? This was taken shortly after me saying "hold my beer, watch this"

A super cool bike sculpture coming into town

Coming out of the corn for free beer

(11 comments)

30 August 2016

Time to get back to routine and get my focus on. Haven't been calorie counting, but have maintained my weight while having too-frequent splurges. It's been very difficult now that I've started grad school. I'm taking two online courses this semester, and averaging about 20 hours a week in coursework. So trying to be extra focused in meal planning so that I don't fall back on fast food or junk. Also working on saving up for a down payment on a house, so there's another reason to stay on track with meal planning. So much cheaper than going out.

Goals for Today: Stick to outlined meal plan
Goals for the week: Get to the gym 4 days and go for a run/bike ride 1 day

(6 comments)

01 August 2016

Back to the real world today :( Last week was so much fun. 501 miles across Iowa. Can't wait until next year. Thought I wouldn't even want to look at my bike after last week, but I really miss it already. Going to look for other events around me in the meantime.

(6 comments)

14 July 2016

Man, this summer is flying by. My weight is staying constant, but I can't bring myself to care too much. Having too much fun and doing too much stuff. Working out every morning, biking every afternoon. Finally tipped the odometer on my new bike to over 1000 miles! Feeling prepared for my 500 mile ride that's coming up in less than two weeks now.

Had to ditch the last guy I was dating. He got crazy. Freaked out on me when I didn’t respond to his texts while I was out with friends and my phone died. Woke up to about 15 texts and 5 missed calls from him. Calling me all sorts of lovely names... Some men, I swear to god... Did meet another new guy though, literally the next day, lol. Friend of a friend. Very sweet guy. Same interests, he’s an engineer too, and we are going to go to a renaissance fair when I get back from my cycling vacation. Although he prefers Kirk to Picard, so we'll see how this works out... :D

After I get back, I plan on going back to more strict tracking and reducing my cycling miles. I love cycling, but these long rides just make me so ravenous. Going to mix it up with short jogs, sprint rides, and just walking in general.

(34 comments)

05 July 2016

Haven't been on much lately, life is nuts. Traveled last week for work to the Fluno Center at UW Madison. If you get an opportunity to take a course there, DO NOT. The food is so good and so plentiful. Oh my goodness. Although I took advantage of all of the fresh fruit. I probably ate like $50 in fresh berries while I was there. Along with way more bacon than anyone should ever eat. Oh well.

Staying on track with my training schedule though. Weightlifting in the AM, bike rides in the PM, and gentle yoga before bed. And protein for dayyyys.

Got all my grad school applications in, applied for student loans (ugh it kills my soul, even though it will get reimbursed, assuming I get good grades), and have my big work projects on track.

And I met a guy! Ran into him at the store when shopping for cycling gear. Went on a date to watch fireworks in the park last night. I like this one :) He's not taller than me, but he's got the build of a guy who looks like he could wrestle bears, and he's a police officer, so there's that whole man-in-uniform thing going on, lol! But he's got a crazy work schedule, so we'll see how this goes. I already warned him that I'm not going to compromise my training schedule to see him though. I gotta schlep my big butt across 500 miles at the end of this month, so I need to stay focused.

(15 comments)

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