Dude! Something other than cycling!

Posted on by lindsay
While this blog might lead you to believe otherwise, once in a while I stop riding a bicycle. Some long overdue updates: The Dogs. To make a long story short, Scout got cancer, Scout got cured of cancer but brought home fleas, the fleas made me lose my mind for a little while, I got the furniture cleaned and banished the pets to the floor, and felt guilty for kicking Scout out of his armchair so I bought him a fancy bed. Then Kobe refused to get out of the bed, so I got another one and now both dogs have taken up permanent residence in the beds. As in, I have to physically peel Kobe out of the bed to get him to go outside. The good news is that Scout made it through the first November in three years without developing any serious health problems, which would be ...continue reading.

I’d Write More, But That Might Keep Me From Resting More Aggressively

Posted on by lindsay
I started a new job a few weeks ago at a small IT company in Reston. [No, the teaser photo was not me signing the offer letter.] I like the gig well enough and the people seem to be my kind of people. Sharp-witted, irreverent, firmly against early morning meetings. They already make comments about how I’m a dictator and, when a subcontractor said in a meeting today, “people in [Lindsay’s] role can’t be too nice,” my coworker immediately replied, “oh that’s not a problem for her.” So things are going well, if not a bit busy while I juggle managing two proposals simultaneously. It’s fine; better now in my off month than when I’m trying to ride six days a week, lift weights, and sleep more than six hours a night. As usual, rest month is not smooth sailing. On one hand, there is something sinfully delicious about having ...continue reading.

The Juice: Undetermined As To Whether It Is Indeed Worth The Squeeze

Posted on by lindsay
Whenever I think about making a plan, I immediately think "a man a plan a canal Panama" because it involves the word 'plan' and is a fascinating palindrome. It bothers me that "palindrome" is not a palindrome itself. Also, whenever anybody says "15 minutes" in any context, I can't help but parrot, "15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance." It used to be something I would do impulsively, but now I do it because I've been doing it impulsively for so long that to stop would feel like breaking tradition. Whatever Geico is paying The Martin Agency, it's probably not enough. This is my brain on stress. My life is currently a series of what we popularly call "first world problems". (Add to that list an apparent inability to generate a thought that did not come from the Internet.) I want a pro cycling contract. To ...continue reading.

Life in a Day

Posted on by lindsay
7:00am: My iPhone alarm goes off, bringing to a screeching halt a disturbing dream in which I try to ride my bike through neck-deep mud. Excessive post-ride hydration from previous night means I have to pee, pangs of hunger are starting, and yet...snooze button. 7:09am: Why nine minutes, Apple? Why not an even number?? I am awake. Time to roll out of bed and hit the floor, literally, for the thrice-weekly core work routine of push-ups, back extensions, and some Pilates. 7:38am: Words With Friends, Facebook, Twitter...an exercise routine that would take 15 minutes of uninterrupted effort stretches out impressively with the distractions of an iPhone and a healthy dose of avoidance. 7:54am: I have packed the refrigerator into a plastic bag under the guise of 'lunch' and am sitting down to eat the same breakfast I have eaten every day for years. Two eggs, whole wheat toast, homemade latte, ...continue reading.

Last weekend, brought to you in part by not racing

Posted on by lindsay
The weekend started in a haze, with a recovery ride on Friday evening that came on the heels of an all-nighter at work. Riding on no sleep after 27 hours at the office and a hard set of intervals from the previous day (does it even count as a separate day if you haven't gone to bed yet?) was like being high (not that I've had the experience of knowing what that's like, of course, innocent flower that I am). Music sounded incredible, cars speeding by were surprising and terrifying even though I was riding on the road where cars are sort of the norm, and at one point I was pretty sure large animals were peering out at me from the bushes. Then I stayed up late to watch Dance Academy, because I need Australian teenagers more than sleep. Saturday was a blur of still being very tired. I ...continue reading.

City Limits

Posted on by lindsay
This week has been exhausting. A huge project at work is due tomorrow and I've been working until late in the night each day. Training doesn't take a break for work, though, so every morning I get up, eat, ride, shower, go to work, and stay there until it's time to go home to sleep. I'm tired. My interval workouts have gone well over the last few days, but I'm running out of steam fast. When I get really tired and overwhelmed, I cry easily; earlier today, a sad picture of a pit bull sitting next to its dead companion had me in tears. Also, this happened while I was in a coworker's office. He had to hand me a roll of paper towels to mop off my face. I often believe in training and racing that it's just a matter of wanting it enough. If you want to ride faster, ...continue reading.