July 1-6: Running in AL & SC + Cycling in Demopolis, AL

I bought a bike! A Giant OCR1. Naturally, I had to get all kinds of accessories: gloves, shoes, helmet, shorts, shirt, tire repair kit, bag, and air pump. So, here I am after my first ride (see statistics below). I am extremely pleased with the ride and it was very fun. I rode an out-and-back course in Dempolis. I rode the first 1/2 with my cousin-in-law, Don. He has traditional roadster bike (read as heavy, big tires, very durable, etc.). So, the pace was leisurely and we had a good chin-way (conversation) on the way. I did forget to put on the GPS watch, so I don't have precise timings or mapping. I did ride more full out on the way back, but discovered very late in the last 1/2 that I had not put the front derailer such that the chain was on the largest sprocket which was my intent. I may not have been able to handle it! Boy, those bike outfits don't leave much to the imagination. I'm glad I don't have much of a stomach.

I listened to This American Life this week which included a story about a 12 year old kid losing his bike on his very first ride! He thought it had been stolen. After contemplating what to tell his father as he walked home, he discovered that it was his dad that stole it to teach him a lesson. He learned a lesson other than that which the father meant to teach and the father held regrets that... well, you should go listen. I don't want to give the story away. But, it was fitting given my new purchase.

I listened to several podcasts this week that I found particularly noteworthy.

• A robotic lawnmower (think Roomba). A toy I need!
• Amazon's web scale computing architecture. Learn more...
• I.M. Wright's blog via a podcast from .Net Rocks! I can't wait to read some entries from the blog after listening to this gem.

So, a great week. And, I am looking forward to working up my exercise schedule to include cycling now.

Data

July 6, 2008: Birmingham, AL Brownell-Shades Creek Running
Distance:	11.16 Miles
Time:	1:49:57
Heart Rate:	142
Pace:	9:51
Weather:	Clear Temperature-74° Humidity-85%
Route

July 5, 2008: Demopolis, AL Camp House Cycling
Distance:	21.27 Miles
Time:	Not recorded
Heart Rate:	Not recorded
Speed:	Not recorded
Weather:	Clear Temperature-73° Humidity-78%
Route

July 4, 2008: Birmingham, AL Peavine Falls Run Running
	Distance:	8.44 Miles
	Time:	1:09:29
	Heart Rate:	164
	Pace:	8:13
	Weather:	Clear Temperature-77° Humidity-74%
	Route

July 2, 2008: Blythewood, SC Frontage Road Running
Distance:	6.11 Miles
Time:	54:51
Heart Rate:	142
Pace:	8:58
Weather:	Clear Temperature-63° Humidity-90%
Route

July 1, 2008: Blythewood, SC Frontage Road Running
Distance:	3.07 Miles
Time:	26:58
Heart Rate:	140
Pace:	8:47
Weather:	Clear Temperature-68° Humidity-65%
Route