June 26: Daily Recap

Breakfast: Oatmeal pancake (1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup egg white, pinch of baking powder, cinnamon, half of a mashed banana) cooked in olive oil and topped with fresh, organic peanut butter, sliced banana, and drizzled with maple syrup.

Exercise: Today was speed day. I used my interval timer and headed for a ride on my home to Hilliard route. I set a five minute warm-up followed by 10 intervals with 1 minute at high intensity followed by 2 minutes of recovery. After this 35 minute workout I turned my bike around and headed home, pedaling at a comfortable pace, enjoying the ride, the smooth road, the tail wind, and the slight downslope.

The Hilliard route might not be the *best* route for timed speed intervals, because the lights interfered with two of my high intensity intervals. I may either have to adapt it based on geographical markers or move the ride to the bike trail in the Metroparks and hope for less interruption. Otherwise, speed work may have to happen on my spin bike indoors.

The ride felt good. I used my usual "don't stop, get it, get it" mantra on the painful, fast portions. During recovery, I kept reminding myself that I needed to go out and get what I want. And I'm doing it. I'm not quitting.

Lunch: I wasn't up for my usual salad today. I also have social plans this evening, and I'm not sure what my options will be, food wise. I wanted something a little more substantial, and decided to focus my meal around these burgers that I discovered at Nature's Bin in Lakewood. The ingredients list is fantastic, and I was excited to try a convenience food that was not what I'd call a "processed food."

The burger was fantastic. I served it up with a side of roasted cauliflower and sweet potato (tossed in a little olive oil prior to roasting). I sprinkled some asiago cheese on the cauliflower, and put just a touch of salted butter on the potato. This was a fantastic and filling lunch that was a welcome break from the boring-ass salads that I've been eating every day.

I was able to snuggle some babies after work before heading to the 2 Wheels & Heels Ladies Bike Night sponsored by Crank Set Rides. A PTA friend joined me and we headed to ABC Tavern on W. 25th for a beer (Red Stripe, not pictured) before heading on a ride around Ohio City and ending downtown at Noodlecat. There, we had more beers (1 Black Label, not pictured) and some fantastic noodles. I chose the Szechuan Ramen (vegetarian) and loved every slurpy bite:

Afterwards, our group of ladies made the short ride over the Detroit-Superior bridge back to West 25th. The ride was absolutely beautiful, and had I not been with a group, I would have stopped to take pictures of the hustle downtown on and in Ohio City. I so love my city. Everyone was very friendly, and I look forward to more group rides in the future.

And...let me just add...people just love to see a group of women biking together in the city!