Cardio | Look At My Muscles
Nov 2
Focusing On the Core
icon1 admin | icon2 Abs, Cardio | icon4 11 2nd, 2008| icon32 Comments »

My workouts have been a bit all over the place lately. I try to get in at least 2 strong major muscle group workouts (back/tri & chest/bi) with Eric in each week, and by myself I’ve been going almost every day, focusing on muscle groups I’ve been neglecting.

The biggest areas that I’d like to improve are my legs and my midsection. I’ve been spending the most time working on the abs, obliques and lower back and while I’m seeing some good results, core workouts really are the worst. I don’t know if its that the ab muscles produce more lactic acid or what, but they hurt like hell when I work them, and I’m sore and hunched over when they’re recovering.  Legs are also just unpleasant to workout (and recover from) and this is obviously why they’ve been neglected. But hopefully the extra time I’ve been putting in at the gym will pay off.

Like I’ve mentioned in previous posts, you need to have a low body fat percentage to notice even well developed abs. So along with keeping an eye on calories (particularly fat), I’ve been running on the treadmill for 1-2 miles every other day. Like ab and leg workouts, I hate running (and I have knee problems), but as its become a more regular part of my routine I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve found that the treadmill is one of the best ways to do cardio, because the belt is gonna move at the speed you set it at, and unlike the elyptical or bicycle machines, if you stop running you’re gonna get fucked up. Maybe next Spring I’ll have those ripped abs I’ve always wanted.

Sep 6

September 27th will be the final Rosarito to Ensenda bike tour, seemingly bringing an end to yet another mark of my youth. I’ve rode in the event now 6 or 7 times, and I’m going to be sad to know that this will be the last one.

The event has been getting smaller and smaller over the years, and the last event this Spring was almost too small for the San Diego company that hosts the event to cover its costs. Drug cartel activity in Baja California and new passport requirements are the main reasons, and I’m sure the slowing economy hasn’t helped.

Rosarito to Ensenada is a great ride. It’s 50 miles along the coast of Baja California, which has great views and a friendly tailwind. The only stretch of the ride that requires some real flexing is the el tigre, an 800ft climb in less than 2 miles. But the finish line fiesta in Ensenada always makes it worth it, replacing spent calories with $1 tacos and beers.

The event will mark not only the end of an era in cycling fun for me, my wife and my friends, but an end to a Summer that saw far fewer bike rides and wakeboarding trips than summers passed. The bike tour accommodates all types of riders on every kind of bike, so if you have any interest in it, check out their site that has all the information: http://rosaritoensenada.com/