2010 Bike Commute Summary

One of the things I wish I did more of in 2010 is ride my bike to work. Here's how 2010 ended up for me (I'm on vacation next week, so no opportunity to change these numbers).

• Bike Commute Days: 46
• Miles: ~ 550
• Gallons of Gas Saved: ~ 27
• Gas Money Saved: ~ $70

46 days is ok, but I would have liked to have done better. In 2009, I set a goal of riding 90 days. I rode 34 days in 2008. Despite the much higher goal for 2009, I only slightly increased my number of commute days to 39. This year, without really trying, I increased to 46 days, so I am happy about that.

But I still want to do better.

Here is where I go wrong: I don't really start riding until March, and I pretty much quit in November. Hmmm... Could it be the winter weather that keeps me in?

We had a lot of snow and ice winter of 2009/2010. And so far for the end of 2010, it has been the cold weather and wind.

Seems like I need to gear up!

Some things on my dream list I need to turn my LeMond Poprad cyclocross bike into the ultimate year-round commuter:

• Full length fenders, front and back
• 38c Knobby or Semi-slick tires for potential winter weather
• Better pants for cold weather riding, perhaps rain pants too
  
• Comfortable Balaclava that will fit under helmet
• Reflective tape to make me more visible

What else? Is it too late for me to go see Santa?


Run hard out there...

Thankful

Thankful that, for now at least, I am blessed with the ability to run. Thankful that sometimes I can even run fast and/or long. Thankful for a family that lets me get out and run, even if, for now, it is not their thing. Thankful for a job that allows me to get out on some trails on my lunch hour and a city that gives me places to do it. Especially thankful for friends and co-workers who keep me company out there.

Of course I am thankful for a lot more than just that. But it's a start.

What are you thankful for?

Run hard out there...

This is why I wrote the book...

To inspire others. I love it when I hear people say that it was my book that got them to start running trails or running ultras. That's why I did it.

Run hard out there...

Mobility exercises for Plantar Fasciitis

Great Mobility WOD for the dreaded Plantar Fasciitis.

Check it out here.
http://mobilitywod.blogspot.com/2010/11/episode-77365-plantar-fasciitis.html

Thanks Kelly for another great set of exercises.

I'm definitely going to remember this one.

Run hard out there...

My other book

It's interesting that Running Through the Wall sells pretty well while my other book, almost the exact same format, but about adventure racing, is not selling at all.

Does this say something about the two sports?

If you are not familiar with my other book, Google Books has a large portion of it online. Check it out.

Run hard out there...

Good Company on Amazon.com

Mobility vs. Injury

Long time no post. Anyone who knows me personally or follows this blog knows that the only time I ever stop talking about running is when I am injured. Well, it's that time of year again. Some things crept up on me, then a hard descent down Mt. Mitchell in the wrong shoes along with a couple hours of ultimate frisbee in the wrong shoes have introduced me to the wonderful world of ankle tendinitis. I've never felt one like this before.

Along the way, however, I have discovered that working on mobility is the way to keep things like this from happening. The injuries of my past and present: ITBS, foot and ankle tendinitis, and low back pain can all be cured, that's right cured, by introducing some mobility exercises into your daily routine.

This guy, Kelly Starrett, or KStar, is here to show us the way. Runners start with this post, and work your way around his blog and around you body. Regain your youth in 10 minutes per day. While I cannot run, this is what I will be working on.


Run hard out there...