Earth Day
Yesterday was Earth Day . . . there was also an air quality advisory in Madison and other areas. I think we can expect even more air advisories this year than last. Clearly we need to make some big changes in this town and across the nation. Are people aware of Earth Day . . . do they do anything because of it? I'm not going to point any fingers as I have a long way to go myself and there are a lot of life changes I need to make which I haven't. However, I would urge you to think about what you can do and then I would urge you to try and do it. And while you're at it read this article from Salon.
In other news, I started ski school this week. That's a tough transition from doing nothing to working my butt off. Monday we roller skied and it was technique night. I felt like my main technique goal was to not fall down and be injured the first night. I did accomplish that. I also did get to work on my weight transfer (which went a lot better when I relaxed). We also did strength work . . . core and upper body. The upper body we did by double poling which gave us the double fun of a strength workout and a technique exercise. Ouch!
Then last night we went out to Blackhawk Ski Club to do our workout. It was pre-season testing night for strength. Good times for a stick armed cyclist gal like me. I did mediocre in the vertical jump which tests our explosive power. I did horrible in the push ups . . . it was so bad I spent most of my time laying on the ground laughing uncontrollably. The problem is that they are very strict about what is counted as a push up. If you don't lower yourself down low enough that your chest hits a waterbottle laying on its side then it doesn't count. I did okay but not great in the sit up test but I know that I can do better as I used to be the star of that kind of stuff in my yoga class (not that yoga was a competition). Then was the dips. Amazingly I rocked the dips so I guess I have better triceps than I realized. Maybe that's a painting/home remodeling muscle!
I rode out to Blackhawk on my commuter bike and it felt like a long ride home after the strength tests. I think I'm going to put some slicks on my cross bike and use that for the ride out and back in the future. The commuter bike is a little heavy with the fenders and all to haul up the hills. However, I did enjoy the funny looks I got once I got out to the edge of town as I don't think they've seen too many cool bikes like mine that far outside of the downtown.
In other news, I started ski school this week. That's a tough transition from doing nothing to working my butt off. Monday we roller skied and it was technique night. I felt like my main technique goal was to not fall down and be injured the first night. I did accomplish that. I also did get to work on my weight transfer (which went a lot better when I relaxed). We also did strength work . . . core and upper body. The upper body we did by double poling which gave us the double fun of a strength workout and a technique exercise. Ouch!
Then last night we went out to Blackhawk Ski Club to do our workout. It was pre-season testing night for strength. Good times for a stick armed cyclist gal like me. I did mediocre in the vertical jump which tests our explosive power. I did horrible in the push ups . . . it was so bad I spent most of my time laying on the ground laughing uncontrollably. The problem is that they are very strict about what is counted as a push up. If you don't lower yourself down low enough that your chest hits a waterbottle laying on its side then it doesn't count. I did okay but not great in the sit up test but I know that I can do better as I used to be the star of that kind of stuff in my yoga class (not that yoga was a competition). Then was the dips. Amazingly I rocked the dips so I guess I have better triceps than I realized. Maybe that's a painting/home remodeling muscle!
I rode out to Blackhawk on my commuter bike and it felt like a long ride home after the strength tests. I think I'm going to put some slicks on my cross bike and use that for the ride out and back in the future. The commuter bike is a little heavy with the fenders and all to haul up the hills. However, I did enjoy the funny looks I got once I got out to the edge of town as I don't think they've seen too many cool bikes like mine that far outside of the downtown.
posted by MadCross at 10:51 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home