So I took my bike in to deal with a problem that's irked me to no end. I could NOT get out of my pedals. No matter how hard I twisted and turned, once locked in, it was almost a guarantee that I was going to fall since I couldn't get my feet down. If I went in accidently, I spend the next few minutes frantically pedaling and pausing while I tried to twist out. Eventually I'll get it with a supreme effort, but it shouldn't be hard at all. I can pop in and out of my road bike's clips without even thinking about it, so what's going on? I tried adjusting everything every which way, loosening the pedals to as easy as they can go, moving and realigning the cleat on my shoe... I was out of ideas so I went begging to the bike shop.
It turned out that it was a combination of the type of pedal I had with the type of shoe I was wearing. The pedal has a cage around it so I can ride without clipping in, but still have a place to put my foot instead of balancing on the tiny little clip. I figured this was a good thing as I'm still adjusting to mountain biking and would sometimes not want to be clipped in during particularly hairy sections. My shoe has tread so I have traction for the inevitable parts of getting off and walking up big nasty hills. This seemed like a great idea as my road bike shoes would slip and slide in the mud or dirt and it'd make the hills seem twice as long.
Anyway, the mechanic put my shoe on the pedal and had me hold the shoe and move it, you could feel the friction. It was the combination of the tread with the cage where the tread was in contact with the cage and putting upward pressure on the clip, in effect making it impossible for me to get out without pressing down while twisting. Go figure I could only get out when I stood on it at the bottom of a pedal stroke.
The mechanic shaved down a section of the tread (still leaving me plenty to work with) and had me go try things out. I was deliriously happy! I could get in and out like it was nothing, it was as I knew it should be, but had almost given up on. I'm sooo happy. DH is happy too as he's been having the same problem and now we know how to fix it.
I can't wait to go riding and try it out!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Trail Run: Round Top
It was 7:30AM on Sunday, and I forced myself out of my car at the park on Round Top. After a stretch and much complaining about the wind, we split up into groups and headed out. I again resisted going into the faster group as I keep rolling my ankle and I wanted to be able to focus on where I place my feet. I really don't want to get caught with a twisted ankle miles out on the trail.
We started with 7 people and the trail seemed decent enough at first, but about a half-hour in, we started encountering big pockets of mud and the pockets got soupier and bigger as we went along. One woman slipped and fell on her rear right in front of me, ick. At an hour out, one person turned around, I never suspected she was going to become my salvation later that day.
We hit a part of the trail where it was a weave of roots covering a sea of mud. The only way to stay out of the mud was to walk on the slippery roots. By this time, my new trail shoes were already so drenched that I could feel the mud squishing in my socks. We made a left onto Nuuanu trail and continued on. The leader had originally planned to do an out-and-back, but after discussion with the group, it was agreed to do a loop, at least that's the last I had heard.
We hit a section of really steep downhills, my favorite! Another woman and I just love these and went galloping down as fast as we can, eventually leaving the group behind. We eventually stopped to wait for everyone to catch up... crickets chirping... No one came. Thinking we must have missed a turn, we headed back up the big nasty hill. It's funny how my feelings about a hill change depending on the direction. We did spot a tiny trail to one side, but it didn't look used, so we were very confused. Did the others turn back?
Since neither of us had a map, or knew the trails, we figured our safest option was to go back the way we came. The problem with that was soon revealed in about 30 minutes when we hit a cross trail and weren't sure which way to go. Apparently neither of us were paying much attention at that point. We made a guess and headed on to see if any of it looked familiar, and then we hit another cross trail. I pointed it out to the other woman and she said she knew for sure that trail went to a road. I figured this was a good thing, far better than being lost in the forest, so we took it. Sure enough, we soon emerged out on a utility access road which took us down to what turned out to be near the top of Tantalus.
Once we hit Tantalus, it took us a minute to figure out where we were, but eventually we got oriented and started walking towards Round Top. Right about then, a car went by with a familiar face behind the wheel, it was the woman who had turned back early! She asked us how the heck we got over there and told us to get in the car, as we were way too far from the park. It turned out we were about five miles from where we needed to be. Granted that's going by the windy roads instead of over the direct trail route, but still, I was floored that we were so far away.
When we got back and hopped out of the car, we got some very strange looks and the inevitable questioning of how we came to be in someone's car. We started telling the tale, when to my dismay, the other woman basically put all the blame on me. She said she thought I knew the trail (I've never been here before, and never claimed otherwise), and that she had said she once got lost before right at the part where we got lost (she had said she had gotten lost, but not specified where, and one would think she had learned from it). Basically, she went on disclaiming all responsibility. Now, while I'm perfectly willing to own up to my own stupidity, I figured I had an equal partner in all this. She made the exact same mistakes I did, yet she's trying to make it look like I dragged her into it. Very classy. Oh well, now I have her measure.
The rest of our group showed up a few minutes later, and were stunned to see us. We both asked what happened to the other. It turned out the group leader planned on turning around right at the start of the downhills. I don't know why neither of us were aware of that, but so be it. She said they called for us, but eventually headed back.
At the least, I learned some lessons for trail running:
1.) Bring a map
2.) Bring a cell phone (we did)
3.) Program the cell numbers of the other members of your group and other groups into the cell (we didn't)
4.) Don't leave the group (duh)
Next week is out at Kaena Point, which I think I'll skip. Four hours of driving round trip to go for a run seems a little silly and a waste of a day. I'm planning on joining some friends for a bike ride instead.
We started with 7 people and the trail seemed decent enough at first, but about a half-hour in, we started encountering big pockets of mud and the pockets got soupier and bigger as we went along. One woman slipped and fell on her rear right in front of me, ick. At an hour out, one person turned around, I never suspected she was going to become my salvation later that day.
We hit a part of the trail where it was a weave of roots covering a sea of mud. The only way to stay out of the mud was to walk on the slippery roots. By this time, my new trail shoes were already so drenched that I could feel the mud squishing in my socks. We made a left onto Nuuanu trail and continued on. The leader had originally planned to do an out-and-back, but after discussion with the group, it was agreed to do a loop, at least that's the last I had heard.
We hit a section of really steep downhills, my favorite! Another woman and I just love these and went galloping down as fast as we can, eventually leaving the group behind. We eventually stopped to wait for everyone to catch up... crickets chirping... No one came. Thinking we must have missed a turn, we headed back up the big nasty hill. It's funny how my feelings about a hill change depending on the direction. We did spot a tiny trail to one side, but it didn't look used, so we were very confused. Did the others turn back?
Since neither of us had a map, or knew the trails, we figured our safest option was to go back the way we came. The problem with that was soon revealed in about 30 minutes when we hit a cross trail and weren't sure which way to go. Apparently neither of us were paying much attention at that point. We made a guess and headed on to see if any of it looked familiar, and then we hit another cross trail. I pointed it out to the other woman and she said she knew for sure that trail went to a road. I figured this was a good thing, far better than being lost in the forest, so we took it. Sure enough, we soon emerged out on a utility access road which took us down to what turned out to be near the top of Tantalus.
Once we hit Tantalus, it took us a minute to figure out where we were, but eventually we got oriented and started walking towards Round Top. Right about then, a car went by with a familiar face behind the wheel, it was the woman who had turned back early! She asked us how the heck we got over there and told us to get in the car, as we were way too far from the park. It turned out we were about five miles from where we needed to be. Granted that's going by the windy roads instead of over the direct trail route, but still, I was floored that we were so far away.
When we got back and hopped out of the car, we got some very strange looks and the inevitable questioning of how we came to be in someone's car. We started telling the tale, when to my dismay, the other woman basically put all the blame on me. She said she thought I knew the trail (I've never been here before, and never claimed otherwise), and that she had said she once got lost before right at the part where we got lost (she had said she had gotten lost, but not specified where, and one would think she had learned from it). Basically, she went on disclaiming all responsibility. Now, while I'm perfectly willing to own up to my own stupidity, I figured I had an equal partner in all this. She made the exact same mistakes I did, yet she's trying to make it look like I dragged her into it. Very classy. Oh well, now I have her measure.
The rest of our group showed up a few minutes later, and were stunned to see us. We both asked what happened to the other. It turned out the group leader planned on turning around right at the start of the downhills. I don't know why neither of us were aware of that, but so be it. She said they called for us, but eventually headed back.
At the least, I learned some lessons for trail running:
1.) Bring a map
2.) Bring a cell phone (we did)
3.) Program the cell numbers of the other members of your group and other groups into the cell (we didn't)
4.) Don't leave the group (duh)
Next week is out at Kaena Point, which I think I'll skip. Four hours of driving round trip to go for a run seems a little silly and a waste of a day. I'm planning on joining some friends for a bike ride instead.
Hash run #9: Manoa
While I didn't go to the Hash this week, I apparently didn't write about last week. We started at the UH Astronomy Center on Woodlawn, with the pack off at 5:45. The route meandered through Manoa Valley streets, taking us past various points of interest: the Waioli Tea Room (where a big chunk of the pack went the wrong way at a trail check), lots of houses with unusual architecture, and a Chinese Cemetery. I had no idea that Cemetery was there, and it's pretty cool with unique headstones and monuments, it even has statues of the animals of the Chinese calendar.
Coming out of the cemetery, we had to cut through a hedge where there was a break in the bushes, and some guy on the other side yelled at us saying we couldn't go through there. We were already through, did he want us to go back? We just said sorry and ran on.
I'd guess we ran about 4 or 5 miles, with lots and lots of hills. You would think I'd be used to those by now, but they don't seem to be getting any easier. Had the on-afters on the Center's lawn, but I didn't stick around for long, it was just too windy and cold and I only had a t-shirt and shorts. I liked this hash, for a road run it was visually scenic and had challenging terrain.
Coming out of the cemetery, we had to cut through a hedge where there was a break in the bushes, and some guy on the other side yelled at us saying we couldn't go through there. We were already through, did he want us to go back? We just said sorry and ran on.
I'd guess we ran about 4 or 5 miles, with lots and lots of hills. You would think I'd be used to those by now, but they don't seem to be getting any easier. Had the on-afters on the Center's lawn, but I didn't stick around for long, it was just too windy and cold and I only had a t-shirt and shorts. I liked this hash, for a road run it was visually scenic and had challenging terrain.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Trail Run #2
Early Sunday morning, I met the group at the Waimanalo Trail head where we broke up into groups and headed out. I went with the medium group after successfully fending off an attempt to put me with the fast group. Thank heavens for that, because the medium group kicked me around as it was.
I blame the Camelbak I was wearing. I've used it for Mountain Biking without a problem, but apparently it doesn't translate into running so well. I don't know why, but I couldn't seem to catch my breath. It could be the fact that going out on that trail means a constant uphill and I suck on uphills, or it could be lingering tiredness from yesterday evening's beach run, but I blame the evil CamelBak. I could use some suggestions as to what my excuse will be next week now that I'm kicking the CamelBak to the curb.
You know how I said I did the beach run to prepare for the Swamp Romp? What a waste. Today's run would have been sufficient. The entire trail was a huge slime pit. I don't think we got very far in the two hours we were out, but by the time I got back to the car, my legs were encased in mud clear up to my knees. Why is it that being covered in mud fills me with a sense of pride? It's twisted, I know.
I blame the Camelbak I was wearing. I've used it for Mountain Biking without a problem, but apparently it doesn't translate into running so well. I don't know why, but I couldn't seem to catch my breath. It could be the fact that going out on that trail means a constant uphill and I suck on uphills, or it could be lingering tiredness from yesterday evening's beach run, but I blame the evil CamelBak. I could use some suggestions as to what my excuse will be next week now that I'm kicking the CamelBak to the curb.
You know how I said I did the beach run to prepare for the Swamp Romp? What a waste. Today's run would have been sufficient. The entire trail was a huge slime pit. I don't think we got very far in the two hours we were out, but by the time I got back to the car, my legs were encased in mud clear up to my knees. Why is it that being covered in mud fills me with a sense of pride? It's twisted, I know.
Another Monk seal and sore legs
DH and I have a "bet" to motivate us to work out more. Here it is in a nutshell. "Whoever works out less during the week has to make a "nice" dinner sometime the following week." There are "sub-rules" but I won't bore you with the details except that for the purposes of the bet, the week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.
So it was Saturday, we had plans to workout together on Sunday, and I was already down one day. To avoid making dinner, I went for a run along the beach. I've been doing a good bit of running, but I feel ill-prepared for Swamp Romp. Since running in the sand is supposed to be a good simulation for all the mud, so I'm told, it seemed a good thing to try out.
Now, my DH has relatives who live along the beach and as I approached their house I saw caution tape and a crowd of people. Seeing an Aunt, I went over to say hi. She said "You've come to see the seal!" More a statement than a question, and I was completely lost. She pointed, I looked over, and Whoa, there was a Monk Seal! Nobody tells us anything.
Apparently he's been hanging out there since New Year's Day. I've been here my whole life, and I'd never seen a seal up close until that hash run a month or so ago, and now here's another one. Cool.
After talking story a while, I ran back to the car, pausing for a quick dip in water that was warmer than the air. It all sounds idyllic, I know. The beach, the sky changing colors as the sun goes down, a seal, warm water... But I woke up this morning and my calves are so tight I can't walk without hobbling unless I wear my tallest high heels. Argh!
So it was Saturday, we had plans to workout together on Sunday, and I was already down one day. To avoid making dinner, I went for a run along the beach. I've been doing a good bit of running, but I feel ill-prepared for Swamp Romp. Since running in the sand is supposed to be a good simulation for all the mud, so I'm told, it seemed a good thing to try out.
Now, my DH has relatives who live along the beach and as I approached their house I saw caution tape and a crowd of people. Seeing an Aunt, I went over to say hi. She said "You've come to see the seal!" More a statement than a question, and I was completely lost. She pointed, I looked over, and Whoa, there was a Monk Seal! Nobody tells us anything.
Apparently he's been hanging out there since New Year's Day. I've been here my whole life, and I'd never seen a seal up close until that hash run a month or so ago, and now here's another one. Cool.
After talking story a while, I ran back to the car, pausing for a quick dip in water that was warmer than the air. It all sounds idyllic, I know. The beach, the sky changing colors as the sun goes down, a seal, warm water... But I woke up this morning and my calves are so tight I can't walk without hobbling unless I wear my tallest high heels. Argh!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Mountain Biking
After work yesterday, DH met me at the top of St. Louis Heights with the bikes. We got our bikes in October/November, but with all the rain we've been having we've hardly gotten to go out at all. There's been no rain for two days in a row, and we decided that's as good as it's going to get for now, so best take advantage of it. Good thing, too, because today? It rained.
We just rode two loops around, and I was surprised at how hard a workout it was. All the roots are exposed, making for a very bumpy ride. I fell a few times going up on the first loop. I swear that bush I fell into attacked me. On the second loop, I stayed out of my clips, avoided the ill-tempered bush, and all was well.
The downhill was rough with all the roots. I realized at the end of the second downhill that I was all tensed up and this caused my upper body to feel like it was over a jackhammer. I need to remember to loosen up and relax the upper body.
I have a few new scrapes and bruises, but it was great to be out again. Hopefully more days of sunshine will happen soon.
Tonight? A pickup soccer game. Possibly in mud. It's going to be fun!
We just rode two loops around, and I was surprised at how hard a workout it was. All the roots are exposed, making for a very bumpy ride. I fell a few times going up on the first loop. I swear that bush I fell into attacked me. On the second loop, I stayed out of my clips, avoided the ill-tempered bush, and all was well.
The downhill was rough with all the roots. I realized at the end of the second downhill that I was all tensed up and this caused my upper body to feel like it was over a jackhammer. I need to remember to loosen up and relax the upper body.
I have a few new scrapes and bruises, but it was great to be out again. Hopefully more days of sunshine will happen soon.
Tonight? A pickup soccer game. Possibly in mud. It's going to be fun!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Hash run #8: UH and Saint Louis Heights
This was my favorite trail so far. It started at the park next to the Hawaiian Studies building. We went onto campus, through the Japanese garden, over (or into in some cases) Manoa Stream, and from then on we saw no more pavement until the on-home. We went up the Saint Louis Heights trails for what seemed like forever.
We hiked up and up, eventually I stopped and looked behind me to see the sun setting. I have got to get a camera phone to take with me on these. The sun was a huge dark orange ball hanging right over the water and the sky had so many colors. I wanted to stop and watch it go down, but the pack was moving and I didn't want to get left behind.
I'm not very good with going up hills yet, but the whole time we were climbing I just kept thinking of the reward of the downhill. The downhill was a blast, as always, but over far too quickly. There were two Eagle/Turkey splits, and both times I took the Eagle. While I always doubt the wisdom of those decisions at the time, I've haven't regretted it yet.
It was a great trail which left me in a good mood for the rest of the night. I'm also happy that I wasn't one of the people who had the wild pig run right in front of them. This one just ran by, but I hear that some of them can get mean. I wouldn't have had a clue as to what to do. Take its picture, maybe?
We hiked up and up, eventually I stopped and looked behind me to see the sun setting. I have got to get a camera phone to take with me on these. The sun was a huge dark orange ball hanging right over the water and the sky had so many colors. I wanted to stop and watch it go down, but the pack was moving and I didn't want to get left behind.
I'm not very good with going up hills yet, but the whole time we were climbing I just kept thinking of the reward of the downhill. The downhill was a blast, as always, but over far too quickly. There were two Eagle/Turkey splits, and both times I took the Eagle. While I always doubt the wisdom of those decisions at the time, I've haven't regretted it yet.
It was a great trail which left me in a good mood for the rest of the night. I'm also happy that I wasn't one of the people who had the wild pig run right in front of them. This one just ran by, but I hear that some of them can get mean. I wouldn't have had a clue as to what to do. Take its picture, maybe?
Monday, January 07, 2008
Hash name
Well I finally got a hash name. They kept delaying giving me one as they were unable to dig up much dirt and I didn't do anything terribly distinguishing on any of the runs... That is until the last one. It was a Christmas hash where the trail leads through downtown past all the Christmas lights, eventually finishing up with going through Honolulu Hale (City Hall where they have a big display of trees every year) and then back for the on-afters Christmas party, completed with pu-pus and a grab-bag gift exchange.
While stopped at a light, waiting to cross, a fire truck went by. I knew my husband was driving it as he was working and it was his truck. I waved, knowing he wouldn't see me anyway, and thought no more about it. As we ran towards the State Capitol building I saw flashing lights, and looking ahead, saw a firefighter standing on the sidewalk looking in our direction. It was DH. So, I ran ahead of the group, up to DH, and gave him a kiss. They had finished their call and were about to go when another hasher ran by and told him I was just behind.
Apparently, kissing someone on a hash run is enough to get you named. I knew I was in trouble given the reaction of the hashers at the site. I got some good-natured teasing on the run, and it didn't take long for the story to circulate at the on-after.
I am now "Fire Extinguisher." There was some dissent on the name, with some voting for "Fire Starter" and others rooting for "Burning Bush." I actually kind of like the other two better, but I'm perfectly content with what I got. From what I gather, it's an unusually mild name, and compared to many others I've heard, I won't be complaining.
While stopped at a light, waiting to cross, a fire truck went by. I knew my husband was driving it as he was working and it was his truck. I waved, knowing he wouldn't see me anyway, and thought no more about it. As we ran towards the State Capitol building I saw flashing lights, and looking ahead, saw a firefighter standing on the sidewalk looking in our direction. It was DH. So, I ran ahead of the group, up to DH, and gave him a kiss. They had finished their call and were about to go when another hasher ran by and told him I was just behind.
Apparently, kissing someone on a hash run is enough to get you named. I knew I was in trouble given the reaction of the hashers at the site. I got some good-natured teasing on the run, and it didn't take long for the story to circulate at the on-after.
I am now "Fire Extinguisher." There was some dissent on the name, with some voting for "Fire Starter" and others rooting for "Burning Bush." I actually kind of like the other two better, but I'm perfectly content with what I got. From what I gather, it's an unusually mild name, and compared to many others I've heard, I won't be complaining.
New things
So this past Saturday I went on the first of a series of Trail runs. It's part of a trail running clinic, each weekend we meet at different trails around the island. This one started at the Pali lookout. We met at 7AM and I was seriously questioning my sanity as I sat in my parked car looking at the howling wind and driven rain. It really was only a light misting, but at 7am things look worse than they are. Still, eventually I got out of the car and joined the group.
We headed down the road which eventually connects to Maunawili trail. I haven't been down the road in about 10 years, and the last time I saw it, it was wide open with very little overgrowth. It was unrecognizable now. You can see how civilizations become lost to history once they're abandoned. The plants had taken over, leaving little more than a narrow footpath through the growth. It's odd walking along and seeing pavement under your feet while surrounded by vegetation that's grown over your head.
Once we got into the proper trail, the wind was blocked and it was a lovely morning. Since the trail was rather muddy and slick in a number of areas, we walked more than ran, but we did about 7 miles, and I had a good time. The scenery is stunning and I find trail running to be a lot more fun than road running. Part of it is the view and lack of cars, but I think it's because your mind is so engaged on where your foot is going to land that you don't really ponder how tired you are. I don't know if I'll make a good trail runner, as so often I wanted to stop to look at the view. You just can't look up very much without risk of falling.
I ended up with some really muddy shoes and splatters all over my legs, but I just loved it. There's something about being covered in mud by 9AM that's oddly satisfying. Maybe because you know that even if you spend the rest of the day doing nothing at all, you can still consider the day a success. Still, because of the mud I went and bought a pair of trail shoes the very next day. I can't wait to get them dirty.
In other news, about two weeks ago I went for one of my favorite runs where I go from our place to the Lanikai pillbox and back (maybe about 4 miles with a short but intense off-road hike in the middle). On the way home, passing the beach park, I saw a bunch of people playing soccer. I asked if it was a pickup game, the response was in the affirmative, combined with the question "You want to play?" Sure! I wish I hadn't already done my run, because I was already tired, but I had a blast. It's been ages since I last played, but the skills come back fairly quickly. The hardest part was that I was in my running shoes and the ground was a little slick, so I slipped a lot.
I found out that they play every week. I just added another event to my calendar! I quit playing soccer when I realized I wasn't enjoying it. I wasn't getting a lot out of the practices (my fault, I'm sure), and people were taking things too seriously in the games. I just wanted to play and I was in a situation where it just wasn't any fun anymore. A pickup game is just what I needed to remember why I liked soccer in the first place.
Between soccer, trail running, hashing, and mountain biking, I think I've finally realized that exercise can be fun. It's about darn time.
We headed down the road which eventually connects to Maunawili trail. I haven't been down the road in about 10 years, and the last time I saw it, it was wide open with very little overgrowth. It was unrecognizable now. You can see how civilizations become lost to history once they're abandoned. The plants had taken over, leaving little more than a narrow footpath through the growth. It's odd walking along and seeing pavement under your feet while surrounded by vegetation that's grown over your head.
Once we got into the proper trail, the wind was blocked and it was a lovely morning. Since the trail was rather muddy and slick in a number of areas, we walked more than ran, but we did about 7 miles, and I had a good time. The scenery is stunning and I find trail running to be a lot more fun than road running. Part of it is the view and lack of cars, but I think it's because your mind is so engaged on where your foot is going to land that you don't really ponder how tired you are. I don't know if I'll make a good trail runner, as so often I wanted to stop to look at the view. You just can't look up very much without risk of falling.
I ended up with some really muddy shoes and splatters all over my legs, but I just loved it. There's something about being covered in mud by 9AM that's oddly satisfying. Maybe because you know that even if you spend the rest of the day doing nothing at all, you can still consider the day a success. Still, because of the mud I went and bought a pair of trail shoes the very next day. I can't wait to get them dirty.
In other news, about two weeks ago I went for one of my favorite runs where I go from our place to the Lanikai pillbox and back (maybe about 4 miles with a short but intense off-road hike in the middle). On the way home, passing the beach park, I saw a bunch of people playing soccer. I asked if it was a pickup game, the response was in the affirmative, combined with the question "You want to play?" Sure! I wish I hadn't already done my run, because I was already tired, but I had a blast. It's been ages since I last played, but the skills come back fairly quickly. The hardest part was that I was in my running shoes and the ground was a little slick, so I slipped a lot.
I found out that they play every week. I just added another event to my calendar! I quit playing soccer when I realized I wasn't enjoying it. I wasn't getting a lot out of the practices (my fault, I'm sure), and people were taking things too seriously in the games. I just wanted to play and I was in a situation where it just wasn't any fun anymore. A pickup game is just what I needed to remember why I liked soccer in the first place.
Between soccer, trail running, hashing, and mountain biking, I think I've finally realized that exercise can be fun. It's about darn time.
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