2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #8

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 72°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: NW 5 mph G 18
  3. Humidity: 38%
  4. Miles: 11.06
  5. Time: 00:45:11
  6. Max Speed: 19.3 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.6 mph
  8. iPhone: Cinderella; Long Cold Winter – The Eagles; The Eagles Greatest Hits Vol 1.
  9. Temperature: 72°F
  10. Wind: N 7 mph
  11. Humidity: 36%

Just a bit cloudy when I set out at 5:00. By the time I’d gone 13 minutes North up the trail the clouds were gone. Also, the gusts were mellowing out. At 24 minutes North, just past the yet to be finished Sturgeon Lake city sign, the wind was pretty much steady out of the North. I had to push myself into the wind just to manage 14 mph and managed 16 to 17 mph on the way back South to Willow River. All and all a good ride.

2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #7

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 72°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: SW 9 mph
  3. Humidity: 74%
  4. Miles: 10.84
  5. Time: 00:46:09
  6. Max Speed: 19.3 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.0 mph
  8. iPod: Didn’t take either my iPhone or my iPod for fear of getting caught in a thunderstorm.
  9. Temperature: 73°F
  10. Wind: SW 8 mph
  11. Humidity: 74%

Just to the north were dark clouds. Plus the National Weather Service was saying a thunderstorm was in the vicinity of Willow River. Hence my decision to not take either my phone or mp3 player. Of course, that meant the storm stayed to the north. Now, had I taken either of my electronic devices, I’d have gotten caught in a torrential down pour. Oh well, it really isn’t important.

In addition, several horoscopes warned  about pushing too hard and causing injury. So, when heading south into the wind, I made a conscious effort to not push for a high average speed. Thankfully, the way back was with good wind to my back. So, I still maintained a good average speed, got a solid aerobic workout, and do not feel exhausted or on the edge of cramping. Now it’s time for breakfast/lunch. I’ve some Malt-O-Meal in the cupboard, and some biscuits in the fridge I made last night.

2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #6

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 77°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: E 12 mph G 16
  3. Humidity: 61%
  4. Miles: 11.21
  5. Time: 00:45:14
  6. Max Speed: 18.3 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.8 mph
  8. iPod: Matchbox Twenty – Exile On Mainstream
  9. Temperature: 75°F
  10. Wind: SE 7 mph
  11. Humidity: 69%

There was a local pollen alert for Willow River. I could feel it! Especially in my bronchial tubes. Even now I’m coughing pretty good. However! Yes, I’m very happy with my stats. Despite the heavy pollen I increased my average from last leg by four tenths! Unfortunately my calves are letting me know that I pushed them to the limit – they keep threatening to cramp.

2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #5

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 79°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: W 7 mph
  3. Humidity: 54%
  4. Miles: 10.91
  5. Time: 00:45:04
  6. Max Speed: 18 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.4 mph
  8. iPod: Led Zeppelin II & Ruins (IV) up to the start of “The Battle of Evermore.”
  9. Temperature: 77°F
  10. Wind: W 8 mph
  11. Humidity: 57%

Wow! I’m surprised I increased my average speed by 2 tenths. I actually had to slow down for a side ache. You’ll note I switched to the iPod today. I was worried I might get caught in the rain so I wrapped my iPhone in a plastic Ziploc bag just in case. I wasn’t so worried about my iPod. I learned I didn’t need to worry so much as the chance for rain dropped to 20%. Go figure.

2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #4

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 81°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: SE 6 mph
  3. Humidity: 65%
  4. Miles: 10.65
  5. Time: 00:44:52
  6. Max Speed: 19 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.2 mph
  8. iPhone: Eagles – Hotel California and Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
  9. Temperature: 79°F
  10. Wind: SSE 5 mph
  11. Humidity: 61%

I’d go on more about the ride, but it was really unremarkable. I went about 3 or 4 miles north, then turned around and headed south. I don’t really know how far south of Willow River I went. I just turned around so that it would be about 45 minutes into the run when I returned to Willow.

I’m sure you noticed a long stretch of time between the third and fourth legs. I made the mistake of playing horse shoes on the 31st. I ended up doing something really nasty to my back. I ended up going to my medical doctor to get muscle relaxers, then started back up with my chiropractor. And then, when I was starting to feel better, the weather decided not to cooperate. So, finally! Today was a good day.

 

Morning!

A bit sore and tired due to last night’s leg of the 2014 Tour De Rook. So, now I’m slowly working up the gumption to hop into the shower. Just not moving all that fast. Meanwhile the cats are all whiny and demanding. I guess they want food. It’s always something with them; food, water, attention. So damn demanding!

2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #3

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 79°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: calm
  3. Humidity: 37%
  4. Miles: 10.42
  5. Time: 00:42:59
  6. Max Speed: 18.2 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.2 mph
  8. iPhone: Beethoven’s Symphonies; the rest of #6 in F, OP 68 “Pastoral” – 2. Andante Molto Mosso to the first half of #7 in A, Op. 92 – 5. Allegro Con Brio.
  9. Temperature: 79°F
  10. Wind: calm
  11. Humidity: 32%

Took it easy – no pushing myself. Nothing much really to say beyond that.

2014 Tour De Rook – Leg #2

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 73°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: calm
  3. Humidity: 74%
  4. Miles: 14.92
  5. Time: 01:03:28
  6. Max Speed: 26.9 mph
  7. Average Speed: 14.1 mph
  8. iPhone: Beethoven’s Symphonies; from #3 3. Scherzo, through #4 and #5, and into #6 – halfway through 2. Andante Molto Mosso.
  9. Temperature: 79°F
  10. Wind: calm
  11. Humidity: 61%

So, yes, I’m insane. Another leg right after the first one. And I can definitely feel the burn in my thighs. But I needed the exercise and I want to build up my stamina. Like yesterday, I hit the 45 minute mark and lost all my energy. Actually, I worked a little harder today than yesterday because I headed south today instead of north. That meant the hills between Rutledge and Finlayson. As I’ve said before, they’re not the bluffs in Hastings along the Mississippi River, but they do still have moments of steep inclines. In fact, considering I hit the hills, I’m lucky I only lost 1 mph off my average speed.

Tour De Rook 2014 – Leg #1

To the stats!

  1. Temperature: 64°FTour_Rook
  2. Wind: S 3 mph
  3. Humidity: 64%
  4. Miles: 16.51
  5. Time: 01:05:41
  6. Max Speed: 20.1 mph
  7. Average Speed: 15.0 mph
  8. iPhone: Beethoven’s Symphonies #1, #2, and into #3 – through 2. Marci Fenebre.
  9. Temperature: 70°F
  10. Wind: S 7 mph
  11. Humidity: 60%

It would seem I left off right where I started with my average speed still at 15 mph! Not bad for the first leg of the 2014 Tour De Rook! Oh, and you’ll notice it now says iPhone, not iPod. It sure was nice to be listening to music and know that if a call came through I could answer it without missing a beat. No calls came in, but still.

So, More About The Bad Day

Yesterday was just not a good day. First, I discovered that someone had managed to get my debit card numbers and purchased a few things. I can consider myself lucky, they only managed one purchase that got through. Their attempt at a hotel room somewhere in Kentucky was too over the top and caused my card to get shut down. And the one that managed to get through is actually still on hold at my credit union, which I plan on calling first thing Monday morning.

Then, after returning from Duluth, I decided, it being such a wonderful day (weather wise) that it was time to start the 2014 Tour De Rook. Well, my previous post described that debacle. At least I had a pleasant walk back to my apartment.

However, all things considered, I did have quite a few positive and surprising experiences. My old Nokia (their first attempt at a smart phone), which never really worked all that well, showed signs of dying. As it was 3 years old, I decided to purchase an iPhone a few days ago. An iPhone 5s with 16 GB of memory. I loaded it with music and popped in the ear buds (which are better than I expected). The ear buds have a volume control and play/pause button that if you hold it down when the music is paused brings up Siri. Instead of having to fumble with the touch screen and keypad, I simply spoke “Call Tina, Mobile” and next thing you know, I’m talking to Tina Rife, my girlfriend.

Actually, I was looking at buying some Blue Tooth ear buds and an arm strap for holding the iPhone when I discovered the stolen debit card numbers. However, I listened to them and decided the sound was awful. Apple actually did a good job on the ear buds! The old ones that came with the iPods I bought in the past sucked. Glad to see they finally improved the quality. The only problem with the buds supplied with the iPhone is the cord is too short. It could use at least another 6 or 8 inches.

Anyway, despite some set backs, i.e., my debit card being cancelled and the flat tire, I did have some good things happen. To be honest, the 2.5 mile walk back was really enjoyable. So to was learning more about the capabilities of the iPhone, which I am seriously glad I bought.