Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

The Workout: Biking
Time: 90 minutes
Distance: approximately 15 miles (didn't use my Garmin)
Route: home - Lake Harriet - home - Lake Nokomis - home
Calories burned: approximately 745
Avg heart rate: 138
Max heart rate: 160 (up a long incline between Lake Harriet and Home)
Theme of the ride: STRONGER by Kanye West

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When I woke up this morning, my entire body was screaming at me -- sore sore sore. I didn't do a good enough job of stretching after yesterday's run, then spent the remainder of the day on the sofa before putting on HEELS and going out for dinner. My left knee, in particular, still smarting from a spill down the steps about a month ago, was particularly angry. In fact, when I rolled over in bed, I would almost describe the pain as "searing." It really only hurts when I've been stiff and still for a long time -- ie, mornings -- but this morning was particuarly bad.

Once I got back from a morning picnic, I decided it was time to do some non-running exercise. The day is too beautiful to waste, but I knew running wasn't an option. So I threw on my helmet, iPod and shades and hopped on my bike. I was feeling full of energy and ambition (despite being SORE, I'd slept really well and made exceptionally healthy food choices the day before), so not only did I go for a bike ride, but went for my longest bike ride.. well, EVER, quite honestly. I wasn't wearing my Garmin, so I can only really estimate the distance, but from my marathon training days, I remember a lot of the lake routes and parkway paths between -- I'm estimating somewhere between 14-15 miles. When I got to the natural "end" of the ride -- to Harriet, around Harriet, home... I suddenly just got a second wind and didn't want to be done.

Trust me -- days like this in Minneapolis are few and far between, and we loyal Minneapolitans like to take advantage of them. IN a month, when I'm buried beneath snow and ice, I want to remember the beauty of this day and how amazing I feel right now.

NOT BAD for my fourth bike ride in adulthood. ;-)

Here's what I love about biking -- it's a pretty tough cardio workout, but without the impact of running. When I'm done -- I'm invigororated and shaky, but in a great way -- My entire body has worked, but my joints aren't screaming at me. I feel... "well used," if that makes sense. The best part... the knee that was hating life this morning is now pleasantly loosened up and comfortable.

I'm guzzling a nalgene full of very cold water (yum), and have a pretty nice little Saturday planned: nap, shower, sushi, wine, bed!

Off and STRETCHING,

~JessiferSeabs

Stronger by Kanye West

Work it, make it, do it,
Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger

Work it harder,
make it better,
do it faster,
makes us stronger,
more than ever, never over,
Our work here is never over.

N- n- now th- that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
'cause I can't wait much longer