Hey, miamiballoonguy!
Just read your last few blog posts. Can't get my comment on the 47+ mile ride to take - don't know why - but wanted to tell you how great you're doing.
Way to go! That's a heck of a ride, especially considering you've only been working on the fitness for such a short time.
And, having seen your post about what's next, now that you've made it through the first month and 100+ miles, I'm looking forward to hearing about your next milestones.
On a side note, having seen the elevation for your long ride, I think I chose unwisely for my summer vacation / destination race. Miami would be so much kinder to my knees and ankles than Manitou Springs, CO.
Thanks
I had a setback last week with my foot (The top of my right foot has been giving me problems, but I figured out that it was the heel insert in my shoe which has been replaced) but I'm back on track.
Miami had almost no elevation, which is good, but street walking around the easter part of Miami, it turns out that the sidewalks are pretty bad down here. It seems like every 15 feet there is a driveway that causes the sidwalk to dip, and it is probably one of the reasons that I'm having problems with my foot. I ended up walking around the old Orange Bowl Stadium (.8 miles around) because of the lack of those driveway dips. hell, my foot is better but still hurts and I managed to walk my fastest mile yesterday in 17 M 29 Seconds. 6 weeks ago when I started, I was at 22 minutes per mile. I want to try out a triathlon next year, but since I can't run due to the back surgery, I will have to racewalk. I want to get my timing to about 13 to 15 minutes a mile just to be able to complete the triathlon. Then there's that swimming thing I have to start soon.
If you EVER were to ride down here, I am not sure that you could handle it without fearing for your life. You literally need to have balls of steel to ride on the streets down here. Don't get caught riding on the sidewalk, either... You can get a ticket. The drivers here have got to be in this country's top 3 for worst drivers. There are very few bike lanes, driver's could give a crap. Hell, I've almost been run over by cars on those driveway dips in the sidewalk. I've noticed that when people are pulling out of these driveways, and you are walking on the sidewalk against traffic, people won't even look to that side when they pull up and will hit you. It happened to me yesterday. The mutherfucker pulled up within an inch of me and I walked into the freaking thing. I was this close to jumping through the window and beating the crap out of the guy.
As far as the comments thing on the blog, thanks for letting me know. The problem is with one of my plugins. I disabled it for now until I can sit down and figure out what the heck is wrong, so if you feel like commenting, go for it!