Big Climb Seattle

This isn't biking related, but consider it a form of cross training.

Sunday, March 24, 2013, I will be participating in my first Big Climb Seattle, a charity event benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The goal: climb 69 flights of stairs to the top of the Columbia Tower, the tallest building in downtown Seattle. This is my first time in this event, and I'm looking forward to it with a mix of excitement and trepidation. I know I'll survive, but doubt I'll set any speed records.

To be clear, the Columbia Tower is 73 floors high, but the race starts in the lobby on the 4th floor. We'll be climbing 69 flights to the top floor.

This being a fundraising event, part of the require preparation is, well, the raising of funds. Let's cut to the chase. Please donate to my Big Climb Seattle fundraising page. Do it now, then come back here. I'll wait.

My Triglyceride Story

So there I was, toiling away in my office at work, when the phone rings. It's my wife, Kasia.

Kasia: "The doctor called."
Me: "You mean someone from his office called?"
Kasia: "No, the doctor called himself."
Me: "This can't be good."
Kasia: "He wants to see you about your blood test results right away. ASAP. NOW!"

Me: "Uhh... OK, I'll make an appointment."

The day before the phone call, I had blood drawn at a local lab for my first-ever complete blood test, including full lipid panel. The day after the call, we're sitting in an exam room at the doctor's office, and he's explaining the test results. Needless to say, he didn't drag us in urgently to congratulate me on the wonderful numbers.

My Blood Pressure Story

I'm 6'2" (188cm), and I've always been a "big guy". During K-12 school, I was almost always the tallest guy in my class. In addition to being taller than average, I was also fatter than average. Dealing with weight has been a constant battle, sometimes successful, mostly not.

12 or 13 years ago, near my first of two "peak tonnage maxima", I weighed in at about 275 pounds (125kg). I worked crazy hours at Microsoft, lived mostly off vending machine crap and fast food, and was over-stressed at work & at home. It was a recipe for disaster.

One day I saw my general physician due to an ear infection. During the course of the check-in procedure, her assistant took my blood pressure: 150/100.

Coffeeneuring Challenge: Summary

I've completed the 2nd Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge is complete. My rides included:

Sunday, 10/07/2012, Leavenworth, WA

Sunday, 10/14/2012, Woodinville, WA

Saturday, 10/20/2012, Redmond, WA

Saturday, 10/27/2012, Snoqualmie, WA

Saturday, 11/03/2012, Redmond, WA

Sunday, 11/04/2012, Snohomish, WA

Sunday, 11/11/2012, Monroe, WA

Thanks, Chasing Mailboxes, for organizing this challenge! I'm looking forward to next time.

Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 7: Monroe, WA

Sunday, 11/11/2012

For the final ride this Coffeeneuring Challenge, I felt like cranking the weird-o-meter up a notch or two.

Yesterday's (Saturday's) weather was much better -- clear and cold -- but unfortunately the conditions were ripe for black ice, especially along the heavily wooded roads I intended to ride. Given the choice between Saturday's black ice and Sunday's warmer (but much wetter) conditions, I chose Sunday.

The plan:

• Bike from home
• Ride towards Monroe, with a detour along Ben Howard Road to Sultan
• Stop just outside Monroe for coffee & snakes at The Reptile Zoo

The ride went pretty much as planned.

Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 6: Snohomish, WA

Sunday, 11/04/2012

Kasia wanted to do some shopping at Flower World today, so I decided to make this a "coffeeneuring opportunity" and ride to the Snohomish Bakery in nearby Snohomish, WA.

I also took advantage of another opportunity: with very little forecast rain (allegedly 10% for most of the day) and temperatures near 60, this may be the last chance I get to ride without full-on rain gear for the rest of the year.

Thankfully, Mother Nature cooperated and I had a dry, pleasant ride. Well... pleasant from a meteorological perspective; more on this below.

Halloween Ride: Rattlesnake Lake to Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel

Wednesday, 10/31/2012

Halloween is a spooky holiday, so I thought a spooky ride was in order. The plan:

• Drive to Rattlesnake Lake
• Ride the Iron Horse Trail to Snoqualmie Pass
• Ride through the Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel to Hyak
• If time permits, explore the Hyak area a bit before returning

The reality:

• Drive to Rattlesnake Lake
• Ride the Iron Horse Trail to Snoqualmie Pass
• Ride only about 1/2 mile into the tunnel due to a maintenance crew working inside
• Head back

The tunnel closes officially November 1 to April 30, although the spring opening is often delayed due to snow conditions in the pass.

Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 5: Redmond, WA

Saturday, 11/03/2012

I wanted an easy ride today.

Wait, that's not 100% accurate.

I needed an easy ride today.

Lately I've been working out 3 to 5 times per week at the Redmond Athletic Club: a 30 minute "Metabolic Effect" style workout every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 1 hour of weight training with my trainer Stacie on Friday mornings, and (optionally) 45 minute spinning classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Yesterday Stacie unleashed her "Ultimate Sandbag" workout on me, and today my legs are cooked. Well-baked, even.

Today was a good day for an easy ride along the Sammamish River Trail. As it just so happens, there is a relatively new French bakery -- Le Rendez-Vous Café -- very near the trail. This just had "coffeeneuring" written all over it.

Coffeeneuring Challenge, Part 4: Snoqualmie, WA

Saturday, 10/27/2012

It wasn't a "three dog night", but it was definitely a "three+ coffee day". The plan for the day was to a) connect a number of trails together, and b) hit three separate coffee shops.

The trails:

• Tolt Pipeline Trail
• Snoqualmie Valley Trail
• Snoqualmie Ridge Trail
• Preston-Snoqualmie Trail
• Issaquah-Preston Trail
• East Lake Sammamish Trail
• Sammamish River Trail

The coffee shops:

• Sandy's Espresso in Carnation
• SnoValley Coffee in Snoqualmie
• Issaquah Coffee Company in Issaquah