Friday Brain Dump

I really really am having a hard time concentrating at work these days. So much random things on my mind.  Like for instance:

• The shape of our country  Woah there… this could be a hot button topic.  Actually, I am not talking about the current state of politics at all.  I am actually thinking about the shape of our states.  The ACTUAL SHAPE.  A few weeks ago NASA released what I consider to be a beautiful image. The folks at the Woods Hole Research Center, and others, used satellite imaging and ground surveys to create a map of forest biodensity (The National Biomass and Carbon Dataset).  What I think is the most amazing is that they broke up the map into 66 distinct ecoregions.  These ecoregions are generally created using natural features (mountains, rivers, etc.) as boundaries.  The shapes are so much more organic than the shapes of our current states.  Imagine if the country had been populated and broken up in a different way, and each of these ecoregions became a state.  It would totally change our country, politics, regional economies, population centers… everything!  It has consumed a lot of my mental space thinking of this.
• #fridaycoffeeclub  I almost went today, but then woke up at 730 and realized that not only did I super-snooze my alarm, but my only bike right now is my fixed-gear beater that has 2 flats and a rusty chain.  The LHT is at BicycleSpace right now getting some love.  I’ll pick it up tonight.
• Glen Echo 106K Populaire  I’m really nervous about this ride because not only is it the first DC Randonneurs ride that I am going to try, but also the course has more elevation gain than I am used to.  I want to “do good” on this ride, plus a few other weekend training rides so that I have confidence to start (and finish) the March 17th 200K dubbed the “Wilderness Campaign”.
• Photography.  I want to maybe take a class or two this year to get some skills and learn how to use my camera better.  But I am also looking for a new one.  Shopping for something you care about (camera, new bike, ???) can really suck you in and become an obsession.  I have it narrowed down to 3 options.  I may impulse shop tonight so I can have it for tomorrows ride.
• Job Things are good, things are bad.  When you work as a consultant, you don’t always get to pick the type of work you have.  I’ve just found out that I am going to be spending a lot of time in the next few months helping build a highway.  Boo.  Some potential good news may come from that, but I will wait and see before I say anything.  At the same time, I was able to meet and talk with a major developer in Tysons Corner yesterday.  I really dislike Tysons, it is a super auto-centric place with absolutely zero charm or character.  But after listening to this person, and seeing plans, I realize that people are trying to do the right thing in making it a walkable/livable space.  Of course, there are many different players, and all have different visions.  But I do think that things will get better (over the next 10-15 years anyways).
• But do I always want to do this?  Thats another one that keeps popping up in my head.  Parts of me are pulling me towards learning how to become a: farmer, brewer, or bicycle frame builder.  I think the concept of crafting something with care and passion is exciting.  Certainly I can do all of those things at home, but then they are hobbies, which take up already precious free time.  Why not do what you are passionate about for a living (this is not a pity story, I am often passionate about what I currently do).
• 2012 Goals!  I succeeded in meeting 2 goals last week.  Joining a gym (and the unstated goal of using it) and eating no cookies until Jan 25th.  Why was that a goal?  No specific reason, I like cookies, they are bad for me… so it was a willpower challenge.  Next up is vegetarian for 2 months.  I am amending this one for 2 reasons, a) I am trying to get myself to start a higher protein/lower carb diet compared to how I eat now, and b) it will be easier to succeed on that diet by allowing a limited (3-4 meals per week) amount of meat.  Also, the gym is hard when you actually try (compared to my old routine of 2-3 easier weight machines followed by 45 min on a stationary bike)  My muscles are sore!

So, there you go.

Goal:222 – Weeks 3&4 Update

Short and Sweet – these are really only for personal motivation anyways

Week 3 Weight: 241

Week 4 Weight 240.5

Goal: 222

Progress 1.5 down, 18.5 to go

Goal:222 – Week 2 Update

Better news to report after week 2 of my goal to shed 20 pounds before the wedding.

I lost 1 pound over the week, but an still up 1 overall.

Goal for next week is to eat healthier breakfasts and work out a few extra times.  We hopefully will be going for a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains this sunday – looking forward to that.

Current Weight: 243

Goal: 222

Progress +1

Goal:222 – Week 1 Update

Bad new to report after week 1 of my goal to shed 20 pounds before the wedding.

I gained 2 pounds.

For the week I had 2 resistance band workouts, 1 run of 2.75 miles and 1 bike ride of 45.5 miles.  I also had no will power when it came to eating healthy, and I think that is what killed me in the long run.  Parents are in town this weekend, but I should be able to avoid anything too bad.  Bike ride tonight and a run before they get here tomorrow should help too.

Current Weight: 244

Goal: 222

Progress +2

Goal:222

I’ll be the first to admit that I am not a slender dude – currently I am tipping the scales at about 242 pounds (though I have been up a few earlier this week due to vacation beer drinking).  I’ll also be the first to admit that I have struggled with weight for many years, rocketing up to probably an all time high of 280 lbs a few years ago, and only years before that being below 200 lbs. after dropping from another previous high.

Sitting on a 6’2″ frame I think I carry my current weight “mostly ok” – I’ll compare myself to my Surly Long Haul Trucker.  At a glance I don’t look too heavy, on closer inspection you can tell things are going to be heavier than a carbon fiber racer, and then you try to pick it up and realize the damn thing must be made of lead pipe.

For 2011 I had a number of goals, among them are weight loss, total miles run, total miles in the saddle, and a number of events (a few of which are upcoming and I will post them shortly).   So far I have:

• Missed the weight loss targets (but still down about 18 lbs. from Jan 1!)
• Hit the running target (6 miles over my 200 miles goal as of Sept 4)
• Am way under the cycling target (~520 of 1000 miles completed), but have some long rides planned
• And will do more cycling events than planned, but less running events

The cool thing is that I am getting married next May to the most wonderful person in the world – and we are going to team up together to shed some extra weight.  We were on a walk a few nights ago and settled on a percentage drop… which brings, as you may have figured out is 222 lbs.  It will drop me below a BMI of 30 (which is still bad, but I thing BMI is too simplistic anyways). Cool thing is… there are nearly 222 days until the wedding too!  Ideally I’ll hit the target before that day, I could even shoot for the 20 lbs. over 20 weeks – that’s only 1 lb a week!

I’m sure it will be tough, but I can’t wait to see how I feel running and on the bike when I am not only fit, but a lot leaner. I’m going to use the blog, a la Fat Cyclist, to keep myself honest about my progress.  Hopefully there will be more readers who will provide the shame factor as well.