30 Miles of Hills

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Let’s take this Century (100 miles) training up a notch!

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Inside of going the easy way up Sugarloaf Mountain, my Dad and I tackled the hill the HARD way.  Let me tell you, this hill is SO intense.  I thought I was going to hyperventilate and pass out on the bike!

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Tips for making the climb easier:

 

  • Shift into the gear you want to use before getting on the incline or your chain might fall out if you shift on the hill.  Generally, a good gear for climbing is “little in the front, big in the back.”
  • If you’re going to get out of your seat, put your hands on the hood of your gear shifters and lean slightly forward.  Putting your hands on the hood will open your chest and make it easier to breathe.

 

Here are my other tips for cycling!

 

I climbed up the hill so quickly that I put more than 60 yards in between Dad and me… Woo hoo!  But  I was so relieved to get to the top.  There was even a finish line waiting for me!

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I hope there are no hills like this in Napa Valley during the Century!

 

Around Mile 15, Dad and I took a break and split a pack of Sports Beans.

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My shirt is the No Meat Athlete shirt!  I bike and run on plants. 🙂

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I got very tried near the end of the ride, which actually totally freaked me out.  I know hills are hard, but I’m riding a Metric Century (100K) in two weeks in the same area! Ahh!  Let’s hope I improve a lot before then!

 

Here are our final statistics:

 

  • Duration: 2:25
  • Distance: 30 miles

 

After the ride, I chowed down on a Protein Green Monster (1 cup almond breeze, 2 cups raw spinach, 1/2 a banana, 1 scoop whey protein) and 1/2 a donut my Dad brought me!  I brought the Green Monster in a cooler with ice, and it still tasted fresh and cold.

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I drove home and made a late lunch… I was so hungry!

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Two servings of naan bread with 2.5 serving of hummus.

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And a veggie mix of asparagus, butternut squash, and Brussel sprouts.

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And an orange!  Can you tell I’m craving fruit and veg?

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Back to work I go!

 

Random question:  Do you set the food on the conveyer belt at the grocery store in any particular order?  Or is it just me?  I put veg and fruit together, cold stuff, dry boxes and cans, and then chemicals and dog stuff.  I’m REALLY particular about it – I think it’s because I used to work at a grocery store!

{ 142 comments }

 

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 6, 2010, 3:24 pm

    Biiig congrats on the 30miler – girl you’re amazing!
    Haha, I always order my groceries! Fruit and veg, chemicals, cans, soft/delicate stuff goes at the back (bread, eggs, salad leaves) so that it can be packed last and so sit on top of all the heavy stuff in the trolley and not get crushed 😀
    My mum taught me well!!

  • Bethany @ Not Unless I'm Being Chased April 6, 2010, 3:25 pm

    I thought I was the only one with a grocery conveyor belt order! I do the same order you do and it irritates the heck out of me when the bagger totally ignores all the hard work I put into the order!
    I guess that just makes me a cranky old young lady (I’m only in my mid-20’s!).

  • Lauren April 6, 2010, 3:27 pm

    you heart Publix!

  • Ellen April 6, 2010, 3:27 pm

    Umm, I think it might just be you. WEIRDO! Kiiidding. But no, I don’t put my groceries in any particular order. Your brussel sprout intake just AMAZES me. I have only tried them once, but I really didn’t like the taste or texture. How many times do you try something before you decide you definitely don’t like it?

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 3:30 pm

      at least twice, and once at a restaurant 🙂

  • Dynamics April 6, 2010, 3:28 pm

    Yes, the baggers at my grocery stores are usually young kids and have no clue. If you put it on the conveyor belt in a specific order they will usually bag it that way. Nothing I hate worse if my food mixed with my non food items.

    Funny story, I had a cloth bag and a insulated bag. The kid put all my CANNED goods in the insulated bag and my milk and frozen foods in the cloth bags. Yikes.

  • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 3:30 pm

    I definitely sort my items as well.
    funny you mentioned this today, because I went to Target earlier and bought a few things. When I got out to my car to put my groceries in the trunk, I saw that the clerk put my 2 tank tops with a gallon of milk!! You would think they would separate the two! ahh

  • brittany April 6, 2010, 3:31 pm

    oh my god this is sooo funny! I ALWAYS have to put the stuff on the belt at the grocery store! heavy stuff together, cans together, cold stuff together, frozen together.. my boyfriend ALWAYS makes fun of me. haha I’m going to show him this post so he knows its not just me!

  • Sarah April 6, 2010, 3:33 pm

    Good to know that order is important! I usually group like things together, but not so much in a particular order on the belt. My local grocery store, Rosauers, trains their baggers SO well, Safeway and Alberstons baggers generally SUCK. Anything I can do to help them out I’ll surely do!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 6, 2010, 3:35 pm

    that’s funny, i was just thinking about that at the store last night! i always group stuff together (produce with produce, frozen with frozen). i don’t know why but i feel like it makes it easier for the cashier?

    way to kill that hill! you’re going to do so well in Napa!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet April 6, 2010, 3:35 pm

    My mom always taught me to organize stuff like that! I never put the food and cleaning stuff together.

  • Sarah @ THE FOODIE DIARIES April 6, 2010, 3:35 pm

    i’m totally anal about the conveyor belt. especially with yogurt! and i get really mad if i find something at the bottom of my cart that i get to put in the right order. basically i’m weird.

  • Samantha April 6, 2010, 3:35 pm

    I always put the things on special offer at the front…so that way I can check the bill easily at the end to make sure all the discounts have gone through. Is that weird? Lol my mum always does it so I got it from her!

  • Wendy April 6, 2010, 3:35 pm

    I categorize my groceries, too, but I’m not nearly as particular as I used to be. Probably because I’m trying to keep on eye on my 3- and 5-year-olds at the same time. 😉

  • Carrie C. in VA April 6, 2010, 3:36 pm

    I am so glad you said that about the grocery lane. I am not alone! I put all my stuff in the order in which I want it bagged (cold stuff together, boxed stuff together, cans together etc etc etc) so that it’s easier to unpack and put away at home, and the cold stuff stays cold! It makes me crazy when the bagger totally ignores my system!

  • Michele April 6, 2010, 3:37 pm

    I definitely group things together on the belt… in hopes the cashier and/or bagger will bag like items together. I hate it when baggers put frozen things with unfrozen things, etc. The worst thing that ever happened was when a bagger put meat, fresh vegetables, and a box of rice in the same bag. I was too stunned to even comment. I just thought, “Is this really happening?!!!” It was.

  • Jacquie April 6, 2010, 3:37 pm

    I do the same thing. I’m very particular with the order and I also do it with the heaviest things first to the lightest because baggers sometimes don’t understand that no, you cannot put the meat on top of the lettuce or eggs.

  • Ashley April 6, 2010, 3:37 pm

    I don’t order mine, but I always make sure I put the bread last that way I can keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t get smooshed.

  • Christie {Honoring Health} April 6, 2010, 3:38 pm

    I am a complete freak about the grocery conveyor belt and I get all frustrated when I there is no one in line and I don’t have time to properly organize it all. I also always specifically tell them to put the frozen stuff together and to put my brown rice wraps under the frozen stuff. They are frozen and they thaw really quickly and if they thaw they turn to mush when they are all stuck together in the package! I have to protect my $3.00 bag of 6 wraps!

  • Chloe (Naturally Frugal) April 6, 2010, 3:39 pm

    Haha, I just kind of thrown mine wherever I decide to put it. Although sometimes I put the heavier items in front.
    You’ll get used to the hills if you keep dong them, training is key!

  • brandi April 6, 2010, 3:39 pm

    great job on the ride! and I think it’s so fun that you do that with your dad.

    I put my stuff in order ,too! I just try to help out the baggers by putting stuff together (cans, cold stuff/dairy, bags/boxed items, etc). It makes the bagging go faster if they’re not having to dig through all my stuff.

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 6, 2010, 3:39 pm

    I do the EXACT SAME THING at the grocery store for the exact same reason…….I too used to be a cashier back in highschool at Publix! I also do it as it is easier to put away that way too. Love the new “green bags”, they fit so much in and are easier to carry in the house.

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 3:42 pm

      did they make you watch the video on proper bagging style?

    • Paige April 6, 2010, 3:57 pm

      I’m SO glad I’m not the only one who does this! I used to be a bagger at a grocery store, and I know that it’s easier for them to bag things when like things are grouped together. Also, I make sure all my “soft” things like bread, chips, eggs, etc. are grouped together so they don’t get bagged with something that can smoosh/break them. My boyfriend always acts like I’m crazy when we’re at the store. 😀

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers April 6, 2010, 3:40 pm

    i definitely put my stuff in order on the conveyor belt. i like the baggers to keep certain things together!

  • Terri April 6, 2010, 3:42 pm

    Where do you buy the naan (it looks amazing) or do you make it yourself?

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 3:43 pm

      prepackaged kind from my grocery store!

  • Juli D. April 6, 2010, 3:43 pm

    Absolutely! Heavy cans and boxed items first, then dairy/frozen and last veg and fruit – hardiest first followed by the more sensitive. Bread would be at the end too, along with eggs!

  • Jessica April 6, 2010, 3:44 pm

    I put my groceries in order too! I thought I was the weird one! I’ll put my cold and/or frozen stuff together, then fruits and veggies, canned stuff, then boxed stuff, then miscellaneous

  • Christine @ Grub, sweat and cheers April 6, 2010, 3:45 pm

    Nice sounding spin!

    1/2 a donut? I didn’t think it was possible to eat them in that amount. 😉

    I don’t sort beyond putting frozen stuff together…but hate it when stuff like soap is put beside apples…gah.

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 3:53 pm

      its only possible to eat 1/2 a donut when your hangry dad is standing next to you and wants you to share. 🙂

  • Jenny April 6, 2010, 3:45 pm

    I was taught to order stuff and put the basket at the end! It’s so much easier when you unload it:)

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 6, 2010, 3:46 pm

    Wow that hill looks INTENSE!!!! Go you! I can’t even imagine…. Don’t worry, you are going to rock your Metric Century girl!!

  • jodie April 6, 2010, 3:47 pm

    I do the same thing, it’s easier to unpack when you get home, you are not going from the pantry to the freezer to the pantry…. Great ride.

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing April 6, 2010, 3:47 pm

    I like to put the frozen stuff together so something doesn’t accidentally get misplaced. Sometimes I leave dry goods in the car until the next day and I’ve had it happend where something got ruined ’cause I missed it.

  • Heather April 6, 2010, 3:48 pm

    I totally do that, and I get really peeved when they do not bag correctly! Heavy items go on the bottom people!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 6, 2010, 3:49 pm

    I always put my stuff in order on the grocery belt mostly because it makes unpacking it easier when I get home!

  • Super G April 6, 2010, 3:49 pm

    I thought I was weird! I do the same! I always get the nasty look at the registers. I put the canned items first, then veggies, then fruits, frozen items, then boxed items, then dairy products. LOL
    Glad to know I’m not the only one doing it!
    By the way, congrats on the 30 miler!!!
    You go girl!

  • Laura April 6, 2010, 3:50 pm

    I do that when I’m shopping it makes it all easier to bag too!

  • Mary April 6, 2010, 3:50 pm

    I always order my stuff on the grocery line. I put all the chemicals in the back and all the fruit and bread in the front when we’re shopping, if Brian( my boyfriend) wants to get meat, I wont let him put it anywhere NEAR the produce.

  • Katheryn April 6, 2010, 3:52 pm

    I always put my foods together on the belt. How can you not? The hills make remind me of biking in Wellington, New Zealand. Hubby and I lived there for 5 years and it is the most hilly place I’ve ever lived.

  • Megan @ Eat.Scrap.Run April 6, 2010, 3:52 pm

    I can’t believe I have never even considered ordering my food on the conveyor belt. That would totally fit my “organized” personality, but I never even thought about it!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) April 6, 2010, 3:53 pm

    We always load the conveyor in a way that makes sense for bagging – boxed goods with boxed goods, canned with canned, household items together, produce, etc. It drives me CRAZY when I get home and find my bananas in with the canned broth, or the household items bagged with the frozen items.

  • Christina April 6, 2010, 3:54 pm

    That is a bad ass hill!! Way to rock it girl!!

    I have a couple of other tips for climb hills, maybe you already do this but I thought I’d share because they’ve really helped me! The first one came from one of my spin instructors (who is a serious cyclist), he told me to always keep my heel down (don’t point your toe) when climbing, it will help you use your quads instead of you calves giving you more power and endurance. If I do nothing else, formwise, I always focus on this.

    The 2nd thing I try to remember is to push my hips back, over top of my legs, when I’m standing up and leaning over the handle bars or if I’m sitting to sit way back in the seat. This form is harder for me than my natural position but when I think about it I definitely gain more power.

    At the grocery store I totally organize my food in particular ways. I group similar products together but I also load heavy items first so they can go on the bottom of bags and anything I don’t want to get squished goes on last so it’s on top of the bag!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 3:55 pm

      these are amazing tips! thank you!

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) April 6, 2010, 3:54 pm

    always the heavier stuff first that is what my dad taught me! haha

  • laura dishes April 6, 2010, 3:55 pm

    HA yes! I always feel sort of neurotic when I do it, but I put things together the way I want them bagged. So, frozen food, refrigerated food, dry food, etc. 🙂

  • Katie @ Two Lives, One Lifestyle April 6, 2010, 3:55 pm

    Seems like everyone does it! I usually put the heaviest items at the front of the belt so they will be in the bottom of the bags and not damage the fresh produce. My aunt (way more outspoken than me) once asked a grocery bagger to unpack and repack everything when she noticed the girl was about to put a 10 lb bag of rice on top of everything else.

  • BethT April 6, 2010, 3:56 pm

    I am so anal about how I put my groceries on the belt, and I STRONGLY prefer to bag them myself. Back in my day (hehe) as a grocery cashier I was trained in how to bag. People today clearly are NOT and throw everything in one bag at random!

  • Jessica April 6, 2010, 3:57 pm

    You aren’t crazy! I do the same thing. I also worked at a grocery store and had countless lessons on proper bagging. To this day, I won’t let anyone else bag for me because I’m convinced they’ll mess it up. I’m that person that politely tells the kid bagging that, “I’ve got this.”

    My belt always looks the same way:
    Meats (to make sure they get bagged alone)
    Cold (dairy/frozen)
    Cans (to be put at the bottoms of bags)
    Boxes and other dry goods
    Produce
    Breads and eggs and anything else damageable
    Liquor (the grocery store I use has a liquor license)

    It never strays. I won’t even let someone help me unload things out of a cart! I guess that’s what 6 years of grocery store working does to a girl!

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete April 6, 2010, 3:57 pm

    I’m not particular, but my husband is a freak about it. If we go shopping together, I’m not allowed to empty the cart. He puts up with my OCD and I put up with his! haha

  • Morgan April 6, 2010, 4:02 pm

    I put things on the belt in a very particular order. I learned that from my mom. I also prefer to pack my own groceries. I bring my own bags, and like them done a certain way-cold things together, produce together, etc.

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner April 6, 2010, 4:02 pm

    Awesome 30 miler!! I just throw it all on there…I never knew there was a method!

  • Terri April 6, 2010, 4:03 pm

    Hi, 2 totally unrelated questions: (1) how do you roast veggies/what are the best ones to roast?? and (2) your hair is awesome, how do you get it to grow so long and look so healthy??
    Can’t wait to get your book! You are so inspirational and I look forward to reading your blog(s) every morning over my cup of coffee 🙂 THANKS!!!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 4:06 pm

      1) i like to roast carrots, brussel sprouts, parsnips, potatoes, squash, mushrooms. for everything except mushrooms, just coat in olive oil and salt and pepper and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or so. mushrooms require less time (15 minutes)

      2) thank you! i used to have a lot of split ends but i tried to stop using the blowdryer and straightener as much, and its made a huge difference. i never put any product in my hair at all. a healthy diet doesnt hurt either! 🙂

  • Julie @SavvyEats April 6, 2010, 4:05 pm

    I do that with my groceries too, but in the opposite order. The things that should go on the bottom of the bags goes on first!

  • Anna @ Oats N Boats April 6, 2010, 4:05 pm

    Things always go on the conveyor belt in “packing order.” I was trained to do that so young that I’ve always assumed that everyone who regularly shops does that. I have been giving my husband lessons though… and while he gets that cold should go to cold, it’s harder for him to understand why I don’t unload the cart in the easiest order, but instead get the stuff on the bottom out first (or leave a gap on the belt to fill in with the boxes and cans that are at the bottom of the cart later).
    Packing order is super important – regardless of how your bag is packed, your produce or bread could get smushed as everything goes down the second conveyor belt waiting to be packed.
    But I’m not a freak about it or anything… there’s just a right way to do things 😉 jk

  • Kate April 6, 2010, 4:07 pm

    OMG, I put myself on the belt the same way! It drives my husband crazy, in fact I never let him put anything on it…he just gets to load the cart for me. LOL!

  • Hedda April 6, 2010, 4:07 pm

    Haha, this made me feel like a mess. I have never thought that much about how I put things on the belt, I just make sure that I don’t damage any products. And that my female products are not too obvious, hahaha- such a stupid thing 🙂

    It is amazing that you and your father are able to share great experiences like that. My father can’t wait till the day we can go for long walks again and have our debates, haha. We start out as the best friends, then get into a hot debate, then we usually end as friends again.

  • Diana April 6, 2010, 4:07 pm

    I don’t put things in a particular order but I do put all of them together in groups. Fruit with fruit, veggie with veggie, canned goods, bathroom stuff, etc etc. :p

  • Ashley April 6, 2010, 4:10 pm

    Is your dad wearing a Bondi Band??

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 4:11 pm

      hahah yes.

      • Ashley April 6, 2010, 4:13 pm

        That’s awesome!!!!!

        • MegaNerd April 6, 2010, 8:23 pm

          I was just about to ask this question… lol

  • Tracey @ TropicalHappiness April 6, 2010, 4:15 pm

    I always do that at the grocery store. I try to group all of my frozen products together, my produce, my cleaning products, etc etc. The worst is when I put them on the conveyor belt in a certain order, and then the bagger has a weird way of bagging and mixes everything up. the other day, he would put one item in the bag, and then bypass eight more items, grab the ninth, and put it in the bag. Grrr! 😉

  • Laura Georgina April 6, 2010, 4:19 pm

    I have the exact same order! It must be the grocery store training 🙂 It makes me crazy that here a) you get looked at like you’re a headless chicken for bagging your own, b) you get stares for using reusable bags, and c) baggers will put two cans in a bag, knot it shut, and then DOUBLE BAG IT.

    Yep. Must be the grocery store training!

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 6, 2010, 4:20 pm

    haha yes! I try to make it easier for the person packing since I use cloth bags, so of course, the box/can stuff goes first, so it goes on the bottom. however, some of the baggers really do not get this lol. My first job ever was cashiering at Kash-n-Karry (sweetbay), MAN, it sucked!!

  • Kara April 6, 2010, 4:22 pm

    hey caitlin, i know a couple people have mentioned other random cycling things — but I remember the “lightbulb moment” I had after a couple weeks of cycling was to not hunch over much (like you said), but on seated climbs too. the more you engage your core and the lighter your hands are on the handlebars the easier it ends up being (I so wish I had realized this when I first started training!)

    good luck with your metric century later this month!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 9:21 pm

      good tip! thank you kara!

  • Lauren April 6, 2010, 4:22 pm

    Thats impressive…I am way too impatient to put my groceries in an organized order! I throw them on there and organize them in the fridge when I get home. I feel like I’m the weird one now though, because it looks like you and all your commenters ALL put your groceries in order. Haha i hope the cashiers don’t hate me.

  • Sarah April 6, 2010, 4:25 pm

    I do the same thing at the grocery store. I feel that if I put it up there in that order, that hopefully they will bag it in that order. It’s really annoying when the baggers place cold foods with room temp ect.

  • Renee April 6, 2010, 4:26 pm

    haha! Caitlin that is hilarious! I am also very picky about the way my groceries are lined up (must be in groups of similar items) and bagged. Every time we shop I insist on using my recyclable bags and baggin my own groceries:) my b.f. always laughs at my peculiar habits like this!

  • Mama Pea April 6, 2010, 4:27 pm

    No way! I used to work at a grocery store too! So much better than working fast food through HS/college, right?

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 9:23 pm

      definitely! and publix paid well!

  • Di April 6, 2010, 4:28 pm

    I also do the grocery store thing and I also used to work at a grocery store!

  • Marie April 6, 2010, 4:28 pm

    it is SO great you get to work out with your dad. he looks like an awesome guy!

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story April 6, 2010, 4:29 pm

    I worked at a grocery store once and lay mine on the belt the same way. I’m super picky about it too.

  • Katie April 6, 2010, 4:30 pm

    I absolutely group things together on the conveyor: produce, dairy, meats, dry goods, then chemicals or non-food items. I like to think that it helps the bagger which in turn helps me when I get home and have like things in the same bag.

  • Courtney April 6, 2010, 4:33 pm

    The self checkout line at the grocery store is my fave. My hubby and I fight over who gets to scan the items and he always wins so I end up bagging. I’ve gotten very good at it!!!
    Courtney
    adventures in tri-ing

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 6, 2010, 4:35 pm

    Gosh, I’ve never even thought about that grocery store ordering. Now I feel bad!!

    Good job on those hills! They look intense!

  • Rose April 6, 2010, 4:35 pm

    I totally put cold foods together and boxes together on the belt. It makes me feel better when I get home for some reason.

  • Corinne April 6, 2010, 4:37 pm

    Caitlin, look at you go! you are going to DOMINATE the metric century 🙂

  • Tina April 6, 2010, 4:39 pm

    That hill looks painful!

    Im also very particular about how I put my groceries on the belt. And I HATE when they don’t package it like I had it.

  • Macrae April 6, 2010, 4:44 pm

    Haha- I LOVE your question! I always put stuff in the order I want it packed. Bread being crushed, or chicken in the same bag as produce makes me cringe!
    And, you’ll do GREAT in your bike race. You had a huge race this weekend and still conquered 30 miles of hills! Go girl!

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter April 6, 2010, 4:45 pm

    I’m also very particular about the order of the groceries. Specifically I put the cans first so they will surely be in the reusable bags, since safeway’s paper bags don’t have handles. It’s a nice walk from my car to my apartment, so I’m very, very particular about this. I think I just need to invest in a few more bags…

  • Samantha April 6, 2010, 4:51 pm

    I do that too at the store. 🙂

    So wonderful that you and your dad have this to share. Congrats on a great tough ride.

  • Stina @ Girl Can April 6, 2010, 4:53 pm

    I am really particular about how I put the groceries on the belt! I would also much rather bag my own groceries! I understand that for the most part the baggers are teenagers who have no desire to actually be there, but c’mon now! It’s like they’re incapable of bagging in any sort of logical system.

  • Jenna April 6, 2010, 4:55 pm

    Nice job on the ride, lady! Way to rock it.

    And does that happen to be a bismark donut with jelly in the middle? Those are my favorite!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 5:00 pm

      it had a creme center!

  • Julie April 6, 2010, 5:02 pm

    I do the same thing for the same reason. Sometimes I bag them myself, or re bag them, because baggers these days don’t do it right!

  • alexe @ soyaetchocolat April 6, 2010, 5:03 pm

    Your training is an inspiration for me! My new boyfriend is in pretty good shape and likes training with me so it’s pushing me to train even harder. I’ve never thought about biking as an exercice (more like a mode of transportation) but he would like to do a 250 km bike ride this summer (maybe in two days, we’ll see) so I better get started on the training. 🙂 Do you think it would be possible for me to do that distance even though I have no experience?

    To anwser your question about the conveyer belt, I don’t put my stuff in any particular order but I ask the bagger (when there is one, which is not often) to divide the weight between my two reusable bags because I have to carry them on my shoulders for 30 minutes… It’s a really good workout because I’m a big eater so I buy A LOT of food! I should go twice and carry smaller bags but I’m too lazy…

    Have a nice evening!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 9:25 pm

      If you have a good level of fitness right now, and the race isn’t until like august, probably! i would say it takes three months for someone in good shape (like half marathon shape) to transition to a century. maybe you could get there faster! i’m not super experienced with training for cycling events.

  • kdbaker April 6, 2010, 5:06 pm

    I just wanted to congratulate you on getting through the tough hills! I am training for a 50k trail race and did my first long trail run (actually my first trail run EVER) last weekend. It was SO HARD! I hear you on hoping to improve A LOT with further training. It was humbling but I am excited because I think it is going to push me to a whole new level of fitness and mental toughness. Keep up the good (hard) work!

  • Katharine April 6, 2010, 5:09 pm

    I actually DO put stuff together on the conveyer belt – I think I picked up that habit from my dad. Produce and fragile things go up front, then frozen and other refrigerated items, then boxes (cereal, crackers, etc.) then any sort of cartons (i.e. – milk, juice). Weird, I know. 🙂

  • ida April 6, 2010, 5:16 pm

    I totally order my groceries at check out. It makes it easier to unpack once I get home!
    Does century ride have an elevation profile posted? it might help you decide what hills to train on…

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 9:27 pm

      yes, see comment 82! 🙂

  • Sean April 6, 2010, 5:16 pm

    The century has a pretty big climb! Quite a chunk of the route is actually the same as stage 2 of the Tour of California (which happens the Monday before the century even!) It will be televised on Versus too.

    There’s a elevation profile at :
    http://www.echelongranfondo.org/napa/images/NAPA-MAP.pdf

    That being said – you’ll kick it’s ass! I’m interested in seeing your Dad’s recumbent make the climb though. I’ve never actually seen one do any of our local climbs around here, so it will be interesting/cool to see.

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 9:31 pm

      ohmigod i am going to throw up just looking at the elevation profile!

      go team awesome!

      • ida April 7, 2010, 12:01 am

        eek! that is a gnarly hill, and at mile 60… but it looks like you found a good training spot. I’m sure you’ll take it down, no problem.

  • Jennifer April 6, 2010, 5:20 pm

    That’s great that you did 30 miles! I love to bike ride for fun and for the intensity of it. I need to look for some races around my area. As far as groceries go, I do a lot like you. I always put my cold items together because the store I prefer to shop at is 30 minutes from my house so I don’t want any of my cold items to go bad on the trip home.

  • Katie April 6, 2010, 5:34 pm

    I always group like things together too. But I’ve never worked in a grocery store.

  • Tania Engels April 6, 2010, 5:45 pm

    I totally put the food on the conveyor belt in order too! I do it so that it’s easier to unpack when I get home, though. Lol.

  • John April 6, 2010, 5:45 pm

    I just group multiples of the same item but I don’t know why because they still scan every item instead of counting say 6 and scanning one. Now that you mention it I’m probably going to mix up my stuff now as I use to work in a grocery store too. I walk on floors being mopped because folks did it to me when I worked there. Guess I have issues,eh?

  • Krista April 6, 2010, 5:54 pm

    That hill looks tough! What a fun time to be able to spend with your dad!

  • Kait April 6, 2010, 5:55 pm

    I do the same thing at the grocery store, and I also get peeved when they mix certain things inside my bags that I don’t think should be together…Congrats on the Hilly ride!

  • Jessica April 6, 2010, 6:20 pm

    TOTALLY do the same thing, that way its bagged correctly…who wouldnt???

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 6, 2010, 6:26 pm

    I always set the stuff on belt how I want it bagged…i want all the boxes together, the produce together, etc…but somehow it still doesn’t happen that way! haha!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat April 6, 2010, 6:26 pm

    I used to work at a grocery store too and I do the same thing! The peeps at my store are somewhat “bagging challenged” so I figure it helps them out too, haha 🙂

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble April 6, 2010, 6:27 pm

    I like to put mine in the order I would like them to pack my (reusable) bags! I put the cans and heavy things first, then the lighter in between stuff, and then I put the light stuff and delicate fruit and veggies last. It really bothers me to when they don’t know how to pack the bags correctly! That’s just a little bit of my type A coming out.

  • Midgetkeeper April 6, 2010, 6:31 pm

    Wow that’s quite a hill.

    I sort my groceries too, it’s the only way.

  • Sammi April 6, 2010, 6:34 pm

    How did your smoothie stay fresh even in a cooler? My smoothies seem to taste bad after 15-20 minutes I make them. I have to gulp them down quick or they start tasting pretty weird!

    30 miles is FAR! you must be one ravenous girl!

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 9:34 pm

      i put a LOT of ice in!

  • Lee April 6, 2010, 6:37 pm

    I group stuff together but don’t really put it in an order.

    Does it seem like there is a Sugarloaf Mountain in every state? I swear there is one in Maryland and one in Georgia too.

  • Alyssa April 6, 2010, 7:01 pm

    That was the first thing my mom taught me when I was young and helped her bag groceries: ALWAYS put food on the conveyor in groups, that way you can bag it together. Frozen goes first, then canned/bagged stuff, fruits, and veggies. Produce and soft/squishy things get saved for last so they don’t get squished on the bottom of bags.

    My mom (and I) are very picky when it comes to groceries are bagged. It’s always a bad sign when a local school sports team/cheerleading team/marching band bags groceries for a fundraiser because they never do it the way she wants it, with everything bagged randomly in twice as many bags than you need. But they have good intentions 🙂

    • Lacey @ Lake Life April 6, 2010, 7:12 pm

      Good call! I put everything in order but usually have to rearrange it before I load it into my car 🙂

  • Brigid April 6, 2010, 7:08 pm

    I put the stuff in order as well with all cans, and heavy stuff first, boxes next, and then produce, bread and eggs. This way the heavy stuff goes on the bottom when they load up my cart. Unfortunately, the baggers don’t get it most of the time and do what they want. I prefer to bag myself.

  • Lacey @ Lake Life April 6, 2010, 7:11 pm

    I am so anal about the order my groceries go in. My fave grocery store is 40 miles from my house, so having my “cold stuff” all together to put in an insulated bag really helps!. I used to be a cashier at a grocery store and having all the cans and heavy stuff in order really makes bagging easier!

  • Emily April 6, 2010, 7:34 pm

    I, too, worked at a grocery store, so I definitely put my things in a very specific order onto the conveyor belt. I also truly admire good baggers and thank them for their efforts.

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) April 6, 2010, 7:35 pm

    I ALWAYS use the self check out because I hate when other people pack my bags. I swear, cashiers throw my apples around like they’re rocks! Nothing makes me angrier than getting my apples tossed. (sounds pervy.)

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers April 6, 2010, 7:38 pm

    Impressive ride!! Two weeks is a long time for training improvements, plus you will have all that extra adrenaline from event-day excitement– you’ll do great!!

    My grocery store doesn’t have conveyor belts! I usually end up using the self check out though, and I always do the heaviest items first. 🙂

  • Joanne April 6, 2010, 7:52 pm

    You’ll be fine come race time. You’ll be with a lot of other riders and you’ll give each other the motivation and determination to tackle every hill. You’ll be so psyched, there will be energy in reserves.

    As for the grocery conveyor…which ever way it comes out of the cart. I just want to get it DONE and get home.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 6, 2010, 7:53 pm

    You’ll be fine on race day. Now you are a little more prepared for the idea of it.

    I put the stuff on the belt in the same way you do. Make packing my bags easier and the way I want it.

  • Lex @ sweettoothlex April 6, 2010, 7:53 pm

    I STILL say your dad is the coolest ever! I mean, just look at him!

    My bf likes to just toss things onto the belt in any random order, but i group like-foods together. Boxes with boxes, cans with cans, meat needs to be in its own separate bag, same with household cleaner items, and then fruit on its own.
    He had I have gotten into some “tiffs” because I don’t think he makes ANY sense the way he does it? Bread with cans? hello squishy bread!

  • Janelle April 6, 2010, 8:22 pm

    You crack me up. I totally put all my “fridge stuff,” “freezer stuff,” and “cupboard stuff” together, and keep anything non-food separate. More efficient for unpacking!

  • Kayla April 6, 2010, 8:34 pm

    You’ll totally be fine for your race 🙂
    I put my stuff on the conveyor belt the same way, I hate it if something is hiding – like a yogurt – and doesn’t get put with the right group.

  • Mary April 6, 2010, 8:35 pm

    Sounds like a fun ride! I know it sounds a little weird, but I love it when you get to the end of your ride and you feel like you can’t pedal one more mile.
    I live where there arn’t many hills either… Hills scare me!
    -Mary

  • Becky April 6, 2010, 8:40 pm

    Great ride! I’m still a little scared of biking, so your skills are impressive! Glad I’m not the only person that totally organizes groceries on the conveyor belt. I am pretty particular about bagging, too 🙂

  • Julie @ Pickley Pear April 6, 2010, 9:04 pm

    Woah tough ride! I stick to Spin class – no real cycling yet for me. I am not picky about my groceries – except I request the least number of bags – so pack as many groceries in each as possible, obv no breaking the bag. I’ll arrange when I get home.

  • Dominique April 6, 2010, 9:33 pm

    I don’t put my groceries in a certain order but I do like grouping them together because I want them bagged together. I don’t like it when my meat gets bagged with produce or household cleansers–that’s actually happened to me before! It weirds me out. When I’m out grocery shopping with the BF though, all rules are thrown out the window because he just starts putting everything onto the conveyor belt and then I try to group things together before the cashier can get to scanning them. Sometimes I’ll get a cashier who understands and will purposely reach for all the boxed items/fruits/veggies/etc to scan together, even though BF has mixed everything up. A cashier like that totally makes my day. When I used to work in retail I scanned/bagged things in order too.

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] April 6, 2010, 10:00 pm

    Haha…no I have never heard of anyone doing that with their groceries – how funny. Does it make it easier for the checker?

    • Caitlin April 6, 2010, 10:05 pm

      nope – for the bagger!

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 6, 2010, 11:33 pm

    I pretty much toss in a random order. Although it’s not too random as everything stays pretty much together considering it ended up that way in the cart.

    And where my husband and I grocery shop you bag your own groceries so I don’t have to worry about anything getting squished.

  • Christine April 7, 2010, 9:06 am

    I definitely sort my groceries. I like to keep the cold stuff together so that on the way home they can keep each other cold.

    Just wondering, do you ever indulge in chips (other than tortilla chips)?

    • Caitlin April 7, 2010, 9:59 am

      i’m not really a salty indulgence kind of person… i’d rather eat ice cream or drink a beer. i’ll have chips if i’m at a restaurant and they come with my meal but i really cant remember the last time i bought non tortilla chips. id rather buy candy! are you a salty kind of a treats person? 🙂 people are usually one or the other!

  • Kelly April 7, 2010, 10:16 am

    Wow- so glad to hear I am not the only type A person here that organizes my grocery items on the belt! I put them the way I want them bagged, cold stuff together, boxes and cans together, and anything crushable absolutely goes on the belt LAST! 🙂

  • Susan April 7, 2010, 11:21 am

    Omg, THAT HILL!! I am such a wuss when it comes to hills. There’s this one in my neighbourhood that I literally have to grunt as I push my way up it. I’ve gone so slow at times that I thought my bike was going to fall sideways 😛 The only thing that ever gets me up it, is knowing that I would probably fall off trying to clip out of my pedals on such a steep incline 😛

    Conveyor belts – I never put the heavy stuff like cans together. Otherwise I’m left with one bag that’s waaaaay heavier than the rest.

  • Heather April 7, 2010, 12:30 pm

    Sugarloaf Mountain Rd. is INTENSE! GO YOU!!! 🙂 I have family that lives up there and every time I drive on it, I think “goodness, it’d be amazing to bike this!” — there’s another one in Lake County up in Eustis called Thrill Hill which is also crazy.

    As for grocery trips and the conveyor belt, I used to work at a SuperTarget and I became a super amazing grocery bagger, so I’ve gotten into the habit of organizing things in the same way I want them bagged. It’s easier for the cashier/bagger, and it’s also easier for me when I unpack things once home.

  • charise April 7, 2010, 2:00 pm

    I definitely organize my groceries at the register. I hate when there are idiot cashiers who crush things by putting my bread in with canned goods or something, for one. And for two, it is easier to put groceries away when, say, all the produce is together, the meat, the pantry (boxed/canned) stuff, etc., when you get home

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 9, 2010, 5:01 pm

    We put food that will be bagged together together on the conveyor belt all the time. I always put heavy stuff first because it will go on the bottom of the cart or bag, and then lighter stuff so it can sit on top.

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