It's rest day. At least a rest from riding. My mind and my mouth are still running at 140 mph.
Remember that nutrition plan I started yesterday? It invoked a mild panic attack/freak out moment this morning.
HOT PINK URINE, you guys. Not blush pink, not rose pink. HOT, Nicky Minaj colored pink. Um, do I need to go to the emergency room? Have I met the end of life already?
I abhor Web, MD. I never go to it anymore. They pretty much tell you all symptoms are due to a brain tumor, lupus or that you have about 10 minutes to get to the ER before your life is over. Ain't nobody got time for that. I quickly started thinking about what I'd done the past 24 hours to try and figure out what the problem could be. AH…..BEETS. I've eaten quite a few of them in the past 24 hours. And they're reddish/pink. Could that be it?
Thank you Google.com. You confirmed my suspicions. Beets can cause hot pink urine in some people who consume them. Moment of panic over. Those suckers are the culprit! Thank goodness. On with my day.
My bosses are in town this week. They arrived today. I like it when they're here - or I'm in North Carolina. Makes me feel a little more connected to the work I'm doing. We were all sitting in a meeting room talking today when the topic of my cycling came up. We started talking about my new nutrition plan when I shared my panic moment from earlier this morning with them. Then we started talking about how much I'm riding, training plan, etc. One of my bosses asked me: "What HAS your coach done to you?!" I just had to smile. My coach has inspired me. Made me want to get on my bike. Made me want to push myself harder than I ever have before. His love of cycling is rubbing off on me too.
I told them about having to order a bunch of stuff for my new obsession. My other boss asked me, "well, you just don't do anything half-assed, do you?" I had to laugh at that one. And then, after we were done chatting and I had gone back to my desk, that conversation made its way into my mind again.
I don't do anything half-assed or halfway. It's 150% for me in so many areas of my life. I work hard - I'm very anal and a Type-A personality when it comes to accomplishing tasks and deadlines. Hey, I even make a list of daily things to do because I get BIG gratification from being able to put a check mark next to things that are done. I love hard and fierce. Family, friends, relationships. All of them. If I want to spend time with you and be around you, you know you have my attention and my heart. I will spend my time, resources, and emotions to show you your value to me. I'm now starting to eat, sleep and breathe cycling. (Look no further than these silly blogs and my activities to see that!).
My energy goes to what has the most value for me. My time, my resources, my money. If I want it, it will be done. It may take me longer than some people and I might not get it right the first time - but never underestimate my intentions or dedication to something I want. Of course, once I'm done with something, I tend to move on just as quickly. I don't tend to dwell, either. Onto the next project.
I was tweeted this article this morning:
Dangit. My coach was right. (I wonder how many times I'm going to be saying that…). This article really just discusses the negative impacts alcohol consumption can have on an athletes body and performance. Moderation is key, of course. But - it's all there in written form. I'm sure if I google the consumption of Diet Coke or other soda and performance I will find the same, if not similar, results. Water it is. Lesson being learned. My performance is not only dependent on the fitness I complete and the trainings I undertake but what "fuel" I'm putting into my body.
And, you know what? It MUST be working. Ok, the alcohol and diet coke being cut out is still in the beginning phases but I've been working on the other part of nutrition for a few months already: the food part.
I GOT INTO A SIZE 6 AGAIN TODAY!! Yowza! I haven't been in a size 6 for four years. Even though my closet has WAY too many clothes for one normal girl, I'm certainly glad I didn't throw out those smaller sizes. I guess it also means that I can go shopping again pretty soon. Oh, I'm so disappointed. (Can you sense the sarcasm?) With the purchase of new clothes comes the need to purchase shoes too. That's my most favorite part. Don't judge me on the number of shoes that I own. I love shoes. LOVE.
Writing this blog has already had its benefits. Not only am I able to write and share my new crazy cycling adventures (and have you read it), it's forming new connections for me - and reconnecting me with old ones too. A friend sent me a message last night letting me know that she had been reading my blog (YAY!) and that she had a bike trainer that she's not using anymore and wanted to know if I wanted it. Seriously?! YES! Something that I don't have to spend money on that I'm missing for my training plan? Woot!
Bike trainers aren't cheap. They can range anywhere from $150 to over $600. Whoa. So, I'm very thankful for this hand-me-down. THANK YOU CARMEN!
I just have to figure out how to use it now. Where's my coach when I need him?! I just need my heart monitor and I'm all set to start SUFFERFEST. (That word still sends chills up and down my spine).
I found this song on YouTube tonight. I can't help but get excited when I hear it. I imagine this song when I think about tomorrow's ride. Biking in the city. Tomorrow night I have an Urban Bike Ride around mid-town and Westport with my new group of cycling friends. I'm sure it's going to be awesome - what's not to love about that area, especially seeing it while on a bike? STOKED!
Okay, I've kept you long enough. And my Half Man, Half Bike book about Eddie Mercx needs some attention tonight. It's really been interesting to read about Mercx and his early cycling days. People didn't believe much in him until he started kicking everyone's ass. The proof is in the results, people.
Hard work, determination, dedication. PASSION.
Recipe for success. Happy cycling!
Ah... you are so welcome!!! I'm glad it will get some use and not just gather dust in my too full storage room.
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