Yesterday was the first day that I almost didn't go outside. I DID NOT want to. It was cold (high 20's, windy, and blah). Deep down I knew that I would eventually be going out, so I don't know why I even went through the process of coming up with excuses. Prolonging the inevitable, I guess! Sure enough, two hours later I finally got over my severe case of wimp-itis, layered up, and stepped into the cold.
And of course it wasn't that bad. But it also wasn't great. I don't think that I will ever really enjoy (or even remotely like) riding in cold weather. There are too many layers to bog me down. I hate feeling like I can't bend my legs because I have so much on them!
If you have any extra money, I suggest investing in the company that makes hotties :-) Seriously, I go through boxes of these things in the winter, but they are the only way that I can stay outside.
I stayed pretty warm during the entire ride except for my face. One would think that I was pretty covered from the top picture, but I still got some pretty nasty wind burn. Even a day later I look like I had a chemical peel or something. Ugh! And it hurts too....like a sun burn without the sun. I guess that's why they call it wind burn, eh? I'm going to try and order this mask, it looks promising!
It's starting to snow today and is expected to do so for the next couple of days. I finally have a seat post for my cross bike (thanks Joe #3) so I'm going to take that out today and practice getting on and off it. That should keep me pretty warm.
I'm a little worried about racing this weekend. I think I might collapse when I try to jump over the barriers. I'm in week 2 of Lynda's core workouts and I can't believe how sore I am. Seriously, I don't think that there is a muscle in my body that isn't sore. It's the good kind of sore though because I know that I'm working muscles in my body that have been dormant all summer long.
The hardest workout for me so far is trying to do push-ups on a physio ball. I suck at push-ups to begin with, and trying to do them on an unstable ball requires skills that I currently don't possess. It's a great exercise though because it requires core and upper body strength. It will definitely keep me occupied over the winter!!
13 comments:
When you come down for some spring training, I challenge you to a physioball push-up duel!
Hi! I came across your blog from another racers blog...nice blog by the way!
Here is mine:
http://bridget-the-mtb-cx-girl.blogspot.com/
I feel your pain. I'm in Ohio and we are having the same crap weather. I can't ride w/out those heat packs either.
Bridget - from Cincinnati, Ohio
Danielle,
Not to sound like a GORE whore, but I'd highly recommend that face mask.
yes, i've been doing those pushups too..they are finally getting "easier"!
Your tougher than me. Might get out tonight but work is getting in the way.
See you on Sunday!
Take a tip from the Belgian 'crossers -- put Blistex on your cheeks before you go out. It makes a huge difference!
I hate the cold, too, and have already moved to the trainer and a set of rollers. I just have no motivation whatsoever to pile all that stuff on and go outside other than to race. Besides, I find when I'm not dealing with cold, I can focus on my workouts more closely.
you're CrAZy to go out in that weather and ride.
said the wimpy californian.
The face mask looks a little Silence of the Lambs-ish, but it's probably warm. :)
push-ups on a physio ball is tough....but it comes along fine after a few weeks
Wow! I hope we don't have to get out all that winter crap for tomorrow - I can't even find my bavaclava...
At least we will be in the woods so the wind won't be as bad. We just have to worry about the hunters :-) At least we will be together-there is power in numbers, right?
I too will soon be hella sore from all the 'shuppin! Danielle, you are a super trooper to go out and ride in that stuff. You are ultra tough. :)
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