The week that was II

Well, I said I would, but do I have to? I mean, I did night shift last week and that always knocks me around a bit (yep, I’m starting with excuses). Besides, the weather was crap. Oh well, I might as well get it over with so you can get stuck in and tell me I’m slack.

It’s one of those things isn’t it? The opposite to that serendipity thing I was talking about in Introspection. Sort of an anti-serendipity with all the happy bits taken out. Why am I banging on about this stuff? Well firstly, I was just thinking “The sooner it’s done, the sooner it’s over” which of course provided me with a nice little side-track to head down for a minute. Secondly, I’ve been slack. So there…

Ok… Here we go… Fess-up time… I figured I was doing night shift and probably wasn’t going to get much done. I know, starting with a defeatist attitude won’t get me anywhere, but night shift is a time when all motivation leaves you. We start at 19:00 (7:00pm) and work until 7:00am. Occasionally there is scope for a little shut eye during that time, but not much. Besides, overnight is when they play the groovy documentaries where I see things like UFO hunts and people extolling the virtues of charlatans like Sylvia Browne. Most of my material comes to me on night shift, so sleeping isn’t really an option.

Anyway, all that being the case, I thought I’d best make sure that I commute on my bike for the whole week. That’s about as motivated as I can get during night shift and I actually managed to do it. I guess it didn’t turn out to badly though, now that I’ve tallied my km’s for the week. Now I want you to bear in mind that I really don’t have that far to go commuting. 5km to the station and back and another 6 or so to ride from work up to see mum. That’s going to double soon when she moves to rehab (yep, things are looking up, but she probably won’t be anywhere near as mobile, so care will probably be required. That sucks, but arthritis will do that to you.)

I guess it’s time for the figures eh? Before you get upset with me about the first figure for average speed, please bear in mind that there are places where you have to walk with your bike. Not good for the average and annoying, but in the interests of not running anyone over and all that, I do it dutifully…

Commuting: 58.67km at an average of 18.8km/h

One single training ride on Saturday… Yeah, yeah, I know…

Distance 50.29 at an average of 25.3km/h

Total: 108.96km at an average of 22.5km/h…

That’s it… Ouch… Well I said I’d been slack, now you know just how slack.

This week will be different though. Day shift’s coming and as it gets closer, my motivation levels increase. I’ve got my ride planned for tonight and tomorrow, and I’m thinking about getting a “Mag Trainer” this week so I can turn my bike into an exercise bike and at least do something when it’s raining out there.  Maybe I should get one and wrap a coil around the magnet and generate the electricity I’ll need to run a fan and the radio or tele while I’m peddling. That way, if there’s no peddling, there’s no relief or entertainment. That might work. I could sell the excess back to the grid too. Let’s face it, with the work I’ve been doing, there’d be plenty to spare…Not…:(

5:45 PM - 29/1/2007 - post comment

I'm impressed, Plonka....sort of....

I thought you'd have chucked it completely by now. Give it another week...

There, that should motivate you. ;o)

snowy - 6:02 PM - 29/1/2007

Red Rag

You playing the ol' "red rag to a bull" trick Snowy? Well it's working. Mr's Plonka has said I need to get a mag trainer and I'm on my way out now for 35k...

So ta...:)

plonka - 6:26 PM - 29/1/2007

Slacker!!

... but I can't talk. I found out when we went to Blackdown Tablelands just how unfit I've become lately. 6.5 k knocked me up pretty well... a 2.5 k hike in the morning (which was a lot longer, I'm sure), then a 2 k (mostly downhill) walk to the waterfall in the arv, and back up. I was so disappointed in myself... considering that 6 months ago 5 k was just a quick walk to find some interesting photo opportunities. We'd do this every couple of days or so... just to break the boredom... and not even break a sweat.

But anyway... that just goes to show how quick you can fall from perfection, Plonka. Don't lose motivation now, man.
:o)

tinacee - 7:55 AM - 30/1/2007

Knocked up?

A walk knocked you up? Sheesh Tina, you wanna be more careful...lol...;o)

Perfection eh? Well, you can comment here as much as you like...:) Seriously though, your fitness level is static for only 72 hours. If you don't do any work after that, it starts to drop off quite dramatically.

Thanks Tina. You can tell I need the push, can't you...:)

plonka - 11:18 AM - 30/1/2007

Knocked up...

No, not knocked up (you little boy). I've been to the vet! Perhaps I should have used the words 'puffed out'? What about 'tired' or 'buggered'? Ok, maybe not...

Seriously though, I was surprised at how quickly my fitness deteriorated. And yes, I could see that you're losing motivation (not to mention whinging a lot :o) ).

So... *push, push, push*

tinacee - 1:03 PM - 30/1/2007

Yeah well...:)

I coudn't help myself...:)

I'm pushing, I'm pushing.... Although, it looks a bit grey and blustery out there today. Still, the bureau says "easing tonight". Hopefully that means around 9:00-ish. Either way, I have to ride...

plonka - 1:34 PM - 30/1/2007