Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...

I believe that energy will be the biggest growth sector over the next twenty years. In that time there are going to be many innovations in the types of fuels that we use and the fundamental design of electronic equipment. The environment will grow as a sector that is related to sustainable business practices and the incorporation of alternative energies. This is part of the paradigm shift away from carbon based fuels.

As I currently work in the environmental sector, it is interesting to see the drift away from conventional engineering consulting services and the movement toward renewables. Most of the solid waste engineering is to capture methane from decomposing waste, scrub impurities and sell that gas as a commodity. Most of the air permitting work is for ethanol plants. Alternative wastewater treatment is done through natural treatment systems. Decomposing solids from wastewater generate methane which is captured and fired to lessen the energy demand for operation.

That being said, the growth of environmental business is transforming and the boom-growth area is alternative energy. As I was updating my resume for my employer I could not help but think of the changes in this industry. Now the question is: What is more lucrative: The tranformation of a mature industry like Environmental Consulting; or the emerging alternative energy sector?

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...

www.FitDay.com

I can not stop raving about FitDay.com. It is so easy to use and very useful to estimate calories taken in and calories expended in a day.

If anyone is seriously interested in losing weight, this is a critical tool. My friend John mentioned that he was able to love seven pounds in three weeks by using it! I have shed 40lbs by using for the past 3 months.

It is free and easy to use.

Commuting and Brisk Air

I took the new CDale cyclocross disc on its maiden voyage today, and how sweet it is. The frame is 54cm vs. 56cm of a typcial road bike which makes handling really nice. The disc brakes are a huge improvement over dual-pivot calipers for commuting. I only had two emergency braking moments today that would have been controlled swerves without discs to avoid objects (e.g. cars). The cyclocross also has shorter cranks which can make accelerating from a stop quicker. The only drawback to cyclocross is the somewhat knobby tires that are 700x32 vs. 700x23 of a typical road bike.

I held onto mad speed coming into work. I averaged approximately 23mph (with stops) over the first five miles and much less over the remining three miles due to stop lights. Spinning has really been great for getting in shape. The reserve power in my legs is great for pushing hills and sprints. I am so excited to continue with my weight loss and get even faster and stronger as the year progresses.

Current weight is 233lbs. I anticpate a weight of under 230 and the end of next week...let us see how that goes

Ft. Myers, FL

I spent the last week in Ft. Myers Florida with my wife, mother-, father-, and brother in-law. My brother in-law plays baseball for Southwest Minnesota State University and during that week he plays about 2 games per day. Kat and I watched two games and did a lot of activities on our own.

Vacation put a damper on my weight loss. I ate and drank far too much, although Kat and I stayed active. We rented a waverunner on one day, went kayaking on another, and rented bikes on another day. We went to the beach almost every day and I swam in the ocean each time for about 15-30 minutes. The cold-to-the-bone feeling from the midwest winter diappeared, and I hope that it warms up in Chicago before that horrible feeling returns.

I rode to work yesterday and the feeling was great! I had a lot of reserve power for sprints when I needed it, and I held a pretty good speed. The air temp was about 30 degrees F, so my breathing was a little labored, but the road feel was great. Riding indoors is pure mental anguish compare to outdoor riding.

I hope to take time over Easter weeekend to pound out at least 60 miles. My philosophy is that the first ride of the year should be punishing because it sets the pace for the year. The pain that you endure the first day in 60 miles is typically the most pain all year because of increased strength, speed, and endurance.

Planning for the Future, Executing in the Present, and Recalling the past

Lately, I have not had too much to say. I have been continuing with my training, and have maintained continued weight loss. Although, two weekends ago, I treated my body rather poorly. I went to a Ski Party in Wisconsin that is billed as "...kindergarten with alcohol". Needless to say, the lifestyle of health and fitness was put on hold for a few days. Those few days off of the bike were good for recovery (of muscles and saddle pain)

I think that I am going to have to get the cyclocross bike I mentioned earlier, and probably a nice gift for my wife for her understanding of my cycling needs! (I love you Kat! You are the best!)

My six13 is almost fully built. It is the lightest bicycle that I have ever felt. On that point, I must say that it is pretty ridiculous considering the bike is one of the lightest manufactured, and I am by no means a featherlight rider. I intend to break it in softly (nothing too agressive) while I continue to lose weight. I hope to be under 200 before I really take the bike to task.

After a head-on collision with a car and the theft of my cyclocross bike involved in the accident, it is time to return to commuting. (I believe that the bike was cursed given its history. I can only hope the curse remains for whoever possesses the bike now.)

--By the way, bike thieves are one of the lowest forms of human life. For me cycling embodies the freedom, adventure, and imagination of childhood. Bike theft invades the innocence embodied in cycling.

That fatty is going to do what?!?

Some "scum of the earth" stole my cyclocross bike that I had pitured here in December. I have been considering a new cyclocross bike because they are the perfect commuting bike. I have my eye on a Cannondale Cyclocross Disc- a very sexy bicycle. Also, I have been slowly acquiring all of the bits and pieces for my new road frame. My grand cycling plan is this:

Cyclocross Bike - Year-round commuter, Touring
Old Road Bike - All conditions training, Centuries, Criterium Racing
New Road Bike - Good weather training, Centuries, time trials, All other racing (no crits)

Did you all catch that? I balloned up to 265+lbs over the winter and I am planning to race this year. I am down to 236lbs currently and the weight is still falling off nicely. My body fat percentage is dropping while my lean body mass is increasing.

I have joined a cycling group that I will begin riding with as the daylight increases and I have been contemplating joining xXx Racing.

I hope to enter a few races before my Mpls-Chicago trip. Following the trip I hope to enter many more.