Did you stop blogging?

Of course not!

I've renamed this blog to include a 2004 tag, and along with the new year, I have a new blog.

You can find my 2005 blog at denisegoldberg.blogspot.com, and this blog is at denisegoldberg2004.blogspot.com.

A walk along the ocean...

...seems like a good way to bid farewell to 2004.

The morning was cool and gray. I thought about riding - after all temperatures in the high 30s were plenty warm for wandering on my bike. But - it was gray, and the roads are still a bit wet - so I decided to drive up to the New Hampshire coast for a nice long walk. It was a good decision because on top of the somewhat messy roads there was also a pretty strong wind. That was a factor on the return leg of my walk, but much less of a factor than it would have been on my bike!

I headed to a spot north of Hampton Beach where I knew the road hugged the coastline. I wasn't the only person walking and absorbing the sound of the ocean crashing on the shore, and I even saw a coupld of people on bikes. It was a nice excursion for my feet and my camera, a good activity for a day off!

Why are you in the water? It's much warmer to walk on top of the water today!

I really wanted to get closer to this guy but I figured he'd depart quickly if I moved again.

Taking an exercise break keeps me less tired

I know this, and I proved it to myself again today. It's important both for my sanity and for my energy levels to take a break during the day - either for a session at the gym or for a walk outside.

I started the day today with an early morning walk even though the temperatures were in the mid-teens and there was lots of snow on the ground. I have the advantage of living next to a college campus, and even though the students are still on their mid-year break, the roads were cleared early in the morning. That was a good start to the day, and I planned a mid-day walk or workout. Somehow I didn't get out of the office during the day. I wanted to walk, but I let my assumption that sidewalks were probably still covered with lots of snow keep me inside - and rather than go to the gym during the day I figured I'd just keep working and leave for the gym right at 5. That almost didn't work, because when the end of the day rolled around I felt very tired. I almost went home, then I thought better of it and headed across the street to the gym at the Marriott. I felt much better after my workout. And my experience really cemented my feeling (or knowledge) that I need an exercise break in the middle of the day!

Tomorrow...

Brrr... a walking weekend

It was a bit too chilly for my bicycle this weekend, but I did manage to wander a bit by foot. Although I'm wandering by bike at a fairly slow speed, it's still faster than walking which means the wind chill factor plays a bit more into my comfort (or lack of comfort). Temperatures in the 20's yesterday and today meant my shoes got a workout instead of my bike.

A bit of frozen water makes for interesting puddles

They say this is just ocean-effect snow - the heavy stuff isn't supposed to come before tonight. I don't think I believe that...

This National Weather Service map of the area is normally not colored in, but today it has been a sea of color. The colors? Well the bright pink covering the area where I live is a winter storm warning. The purple? A gale warning. It's been snowing all day, and I suspect that it will be interesting to see what tomorrow morning brings.

A good day for a long walk

I had hoped to bike today, but I allowed the temperature to convince me that walking was a better choice. It was in the low 30's when I ventured out, so I could have pulled off a ride - but in the end I was happy with my decision. A bit chilly...

Ah, the Grinch and his dog! This holiday display definitely brings a smile to my face. I have to admit that I didn't realize until my walk last week that these fabric sculptures use power to keep them inflated (thanks Mom, for clueing me in!) - last Saturday morning was when I saw all the air-filled sculptures flat on the ground. Now how do parents explain that to their kids?

The temperature kept me moving quickly to keep my fingers and toes warm - but in spite of the chill I had to stop a few times to captures photos of the ice. There are a few more photos like this one in my Wandering near home - winter to spring photo gallery.

A season a day - from cold to snow to fog to warm

What season did you say this is?

It's been a crazy week from a temperature standpoint - from Saturday's chill that scared me away from going for a bike ride (yes, I know, it's not normal to expect to ride a bike in December in the Northeast - but who said I was normal?) to snow to freezing cold to a gray day with temperatures in the 50's. If I had any control I would vote for the temperature to be stuck in the 50's, but somehow the weather doesn't seem to be very interested in listening to me.

Saturday was cold and in the 20's, a very reasonable day for a long walk.

Signs of the season - bare branches and a bit of ice...

But there is still some green showing too!

Sunday was cold too, but temperatures in the 30's convinced me that it was a decent biking day. I was moving pretty slowly, but it was good to be out on a bike! Clothing-wise, I almost had it right... I started with cycling shorts and Pearl Izumi AmFib tights, a sleeveless long underwear top, two layers of Patagonia Regulator fleece (an R.5 shirt plus an R1 pullover) and a windbreaker. Heavy gloves, socks, cycling shoes, and shoe covers, and a Pearl Izumi microsensor skull cap under my helmet finished the layers. Almost warm enough - but my hands and feet were a bit cool. I should have worn my Lobster Mitts, and I should have used those stick-on warmers on my shoes. Next time...

Then the snow came, and then it got very cold. Monday morning I somehow convinced myself to walk before work. The temperature was in the high teens, and it got lower as the day progressed. My morning selection of a time to walk outside was probably the only time of the day when I could have pulled that off! I was very glad to have a place to exercise indoors for the first couple of days of the week.

On Wednesday I almost got myself into one of those exercise nightmares. I didn't walk in the morning, and I got tied up in meetings during the day so I didn't walk at lunchtime either. When I left the office I was tired. Too tired to exercise? Well, I decided that I was tired because I hadn't done anything. So to not do anything in the realm of exercise that evening would probably only make things worse. A good brisk hour-long walk (outside of course, who needs a treadmill?!) really did make me feel better.

Friday was destined to be the day I thought should stick around for the winter. It was very foggy in the morning, but the day ended up being a real December treat with a high of 57 degrees. Too bad there probably won't be too many days of that temperature for a long time. And too bad it was a work day as opposed to a play day - it would have been a good day to wander around on a bicycle. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with chilly bike rides for now though.

The disappearing snow as viewed in the morning fog

It's time to get ready...

...for touring (by bike, of course) in 2005!

It's hard to believe that it is mid-December. Winter hasn't officially started yet, and I'm already dreaming of summer. I'm determined that those circumstances beyond my control that canceled my 2004 tours won't happen again, and I'm focused on training now so that I'm in top touring shape come the spring. I've come a long way since that day in May. I started by simply walking short distances. By July when I headed back to work part-time (which admittedly didn't last too long - full-time jumped in there within a couple of weeks) I tried to walk for 20 to 30 minutes 3 times a day, and I rode my bike on the weekends. My bike rides started out as short ones - in the 15 mile range - and I worked up to 28 mile rides by the end of the reasonable riding season. That's a far cry from my normal distances, but all things considered I should probably consider it to be more than a reasonable accomplishment. I kept up the biking and walking pretty consistently through my October trip to Hawaii, but when I got home it was time to deal with both the lack of daylight and relatively cold temperatures.

I have to admit that it's much easier to train when I can play outdoors. I'm trying not to let the cold get to me, but the fact remains that it is pure luck that I get any cycling in during the winter. I'm limited to weekends because of the lack of daylight, and to short rides because of low temperatures. I can happily ride if the temperatures are in the 40s. 30s with sunshine, low wind, and dry roads work too. But that's certainly not enough to get back into the kind of shape I need to be in!

So what's on the agenda? First, I'm trying to continue to do some walking outside. Then I need to do some focused aerobic exercise, plus weight training. I have some exercise abilities at home - I can ride my bike on a fluid trainer, I have a Concept 2 rowing ergometer, and a Fitball and some weights helps too. I also have memberships in not one, but two gyms - the YMCA a mile up the road from my house, and the gym at the Marriott Hotel across the street from my office. I've been trying to walk for 30 to 45 minutes every afternoon, but if the weather doesn't permit I can pop over to the Marriott for an afternoon workout. If I walk in the afternoon, I've been trying to work out right after work. That seems to work better if I head over to the Marriott than if I try to get to the Y. That's because I have to drive by my house to get to the Y, and at the end of a long day it's really easy to turn into my driveway instead of continuing on to the Y. The Y works for me better on the weekends...

A mix of activities will keep me interested, and I'm planning to work up to higher intensity indoor workouts to add to my outdoors - face to the sky - walking. No, I'm not a runner, but walking fast does work too. It's just not enough.

Focus, Denise! It's time to focus on getting back in shape for two-wheeled travel. I want to be in decent riding shape by mid- to late April, and in excellent shape by June. There's enough time, and I want it enough - definitely a reachable goal.

Brrr... can't let the temp scare me inside

I've been finding it too easy to decide to skip outdoor walks in these cold temperatures, but I really need to get over it!

This morning it was 22 degrees out. Cold, and what a difference from yesterday... I had to convince myself it was still a good thing to get outside. This morning I managed with my normal walking clothes plus a light fleece jacket, a fleece hat, and running shoes with socks that were heavier than normal. That worked!

I'm slowly putting trips to the gym back in my days, but I still want to keep walking. I think that getting some exercise in outdoors helps to keep me sane through this cold season, the season I'd like to see disappear (in less than the normal amount of time)!

What's that I hear?

...that howling sound? I think it's the wind...

Today's ride almost didn't happen. I almost let the sound of the wind scare me off, but luckily I walked outside before I made the decision to skip my ride. Yes, that was the wind howling, but no, it wasn't really cold out. When I left the house the temperature was 49 degrees, so I chose relatively light clothing for this time of year - my biking shorts, leg warmers, toe warmers (not full foot warmers), a long underwear tank top, a Patagonia R1 fleece top, a windbreaker, and of course my helmet. It wasn't cold enough for a hat, but I did wear Earbags to keep my ears warm. Not quite total winter cycling attire, and for the most part it worked for me.

It was very windy out - windy enough that I only got blown off of my bike once. I managed to stay upright though. And the temperature dropped quite a bit in the hour and a half that I was out - from 49 degrees at the start to 42 degrees when I returned home. Unfortunately I think that's a sign of things to come.

Funny...

...driving from California to Hawaii?

One of the travel discussion sites that I often visit is Lonely Planet's
Thorntree. This morning one of the exchanges on the United States branch really made me laugh. A woman from Scotland says "I am planning a road trip from San Francisco to Pearl city in Oahu to visit some friends". Based on a continuation of her trip description I think she is looking for a travel (driving) companion for the part of her trip between San Diego and San Francisco, but the way the entry is worded gives the strong impression that she plans to drive from the West Coast to Oahu. Even the response to direct questions is a bit off!

Here's the part of the discussion that really made me smile:

reader from Washington state: You're driving from California to Hawaii, then?

author of the initial post (who sounds like she is very young): Yeah I know the distances are long but hey that why I want to travel with someone... Do you know of anyone who interested? ...Pics would be nice but would anyone want to see them though?

reader from Washington state: Of your drive from California to Oahu? No question about it, we want to see those pictures... Oh, and in exchange for those pictures I will be more than happy for pay for your petrol.

response from the original author: I am not planning on maps - I am just going west I guess I end up in Pearl city somehow. I don't believe you. My bf says that you can drive any where in the USA on the highways. Hawaii is in the US - Go figure.

Do you think she's kidding? I actually think this was a troll, meant to cause reactions. At least it was a troll that caused laughter; I've seen many that were absolutely biased and rude.

Time for a family visit

There's a reason for Thanksgiving beyond the reason defined by the pilgrims - it's a good time for a family get-together, and for funny pictures...

My somewhat crazy brother demonstrating a good off-label use of a rubber glove

Suze & Mom in a crazy dance moment

Dad, in one of his crazy but temporary get-ups. I think he said these turquoise polyester pants are at least 30 years old!

The disappearing sun

I find that I'm still amazed at how early the sun disappears on these fall days. And we still have another full month before the winter solstice, another month of ever shorter days. It was still daylight when I headed out on a long walk this afternoon, but by the time I returned home the moon was sneaking out from behind it's cloud cover.

Ah... the moon has shed most of its clouds!

Winter? It can't be!

It is mid-November, but it still seems pretty early for our Friday into Saturday snowfall, and I'm really not (mentally) ready for this. I may be boring everyone to tears with my thoughts on the subject, but each year it becomes harder to face the New England winter. I'd really like to be in a place where I have access to snow but where the ground around me stays free of the white stuff. Temperature? I'd prefer no lower than 50's, but I think 40's would probably work too.

The bad thing is that I didn't want to brave the 34 degree temperature on my bike today. The good thing - I did get a good walk in, and I pretty much guessed the right clothing layers. I could have used a warmer pair of gloves at the start of my walk, but the light ones I chose were perfect at the end. And since it didn't feel like a hat day to me, I headed out wearing my earbags, which look like an earmuff without the connecting band. The bags snap over your ears - very comfortable, and just the right amount of warmth for the day. Hmmm... my earbags are a very conservative black. I think I'll order a second pair in purple!

It's possible that this tree is as surprised as I am by the early season snowfall - after all it is still holding onto some green leaves!

I have a feeling that this seat might be a bit cold.

Just as I was trying to capture this bird sitting high in a tree, it decided to take off. Amazing!

Bruises?

What bruises? Seriously, although my face still has a few bruises left from my crash, they are definitely getting smaller. It's hard for me to notice the changes, but looking at a series of photos together made me realize that my healing is definitely progressing.

June 4th, just over two weeks after my flip over the handlebars. It's funny, but that bruised and swollen area over my right eye is still a little swollen on November 9th, but it's only visible to me!

July 3rd, after my first post-crash bike ride. Isn't it nice of my helmet and sunglasses to (somewhat) hide the red spots?

September 19th, still fading...

October 26th, in Hawaii. Yup, they're still there, but I honestly believe they are getting smaller.