Valentine’s Day Gift to Us Both
(Reposted in total from Geek Habitat.)
No, we don't customarily exchange Valentine's Day gifts (hello, 19 years together!). This year, however, it is fitting that our newest exercise gear--gear that we both anticipate getting a lot of use out of to help us achieve our respective health and fitness goals--is scheduled to be delivered February 14-19th. For our money, it's one of the best gifts we could get one another, yielding both a healthier, fitter spouse and an equally healthier and fitter self.
What did we buy?
1.
2.
#1 is an indoor bicycle trainer (what you attach your favorite bike to so you can ride it indoors, as a stationary bicycle,)
#2 is a climbing block (what you use to raise your bike's front wheel when it's attached to the trainer, either to make it level or set the bike at an inline.)
In an earlier post, I'd mentioned some of my challenges at getting into a road cycling routine like Justin and, more recently (October 2007), my brother-in-law (BIL) have. When I posted that entry, I was sick and wouldn't have been in any shape to ride indoors any more than I was to do so outdoors; however, the more common scenario is that I have an opportunity to hop on the bike but can't join Justin and my BIL because I need to stay with Sara. (We don't always have someone conveniently available to watch her.)
Anyway, I cashed in my entire collection of Amazon.com gift certs so we could purchase the trainer early (before hubby's performance bonus deposits to our account), in part because it's killing me that I've had to miss two of the past three weekends of rides. I've had a rockin' new road bike since late December '07, and have only been able to take it out twice. Sad, right? At least with it on a trainer, I can put some mileage on it (and, more importantly, my cardiovascular system) any time I want.
Can't wait for it to arrive and set it up!
Comments
I'm actually really enjoying my indoor workouts this year. I really hated them last year, but I believe that was due to lack of structure, and because of unclear goals. This year I know what kind of workout I'm doing, how long it's going to go, and all the other details before I even get on the bike. This way, I can work in blocks... X minutes for this interval, Y minutes for recovery, etc., till I'm done. Without a plan, it was always, hey, how much longer do I have to put up with this? ;-)
I'm considering buying a set of rollers for the basement workouts, too. Look for pictures of me all bruised up after riding into the basement wall.
Aaron and I have gift policies: for Valentines and anniversaries, we buy a gift that is for us (you know, something romantic like a joint brokerage acct) and leave buying things for the individual on birthdays and Christmas. We have, however, no room for exercise equipment and technically some gifts overlap, as in the beer-making kit I gave him for Christmas happens to benefit us both.
And I'll drink to that.
I know for a fact that since I've already proven to be a total knucklehead in adapting to clipless pedals, I would not be a good candidate for riding on rollers anytime soon! My brain apparently can only handle two tasks at a time -- either balance + power (pedal) outdoors or pedal + form indoors. If I add a third variable, like clipping in and out or using rollers, I'm fresh ground meat. In physical therapy after my ACL reconstruction 3 years ago, my physical therapist branded me a "motor moron," and she was totally accurate in doing so. Some of my fine motor skills leave something to be desired, apparently. Hehehe