Recovering Plantarfasciitis

When we started dating 2 years ago I was suffering with Plantar fasciitis in both feet. I could not walk the mall without pain and differing in my feet. I had been suffering with this for well over a year. Took me entirely out of tennis my bi-weekly tennis games and other sport activities. Soon after our first few dates we had started planning our vacations together with great concern that I could walk the distance and steps required for an Italy vacation. Alice did all she could do to help cure my feet woes. Visits to podiatrist, orthoditcs, massive amount of nutrition pills, collagen, just to name a few. Nearly 2 years later my feet are much better thanks to Alice! Both feet are still numb and or tingly at times.

Pelotom - My effort to be 35 again

November of last year I purchased a Peloton stationary bike because biking seemed to be one of the only exercises my feet and knees could take. Burning nearly 1,000 calories a day for the last month on my peloton before our trip I had hoped to get in shape, not only to look better but to be able to walk miles and miles each day.

When I met Alice during the beginning of covid she was walking 5-6 miles a day in her old neighborhood of Riverwalk.

We both love the health application in the apple phone applications as tethered to our apple watch. Every night we compare stats to determine the "winner" in each category. We look closely at heart rate, miles walked, trends, blood oxygen and others.

Our nightly routine

Every day we get home, turn the air conditioning on and check our health numbers on the iPhone. We were patting ourselves on the back with an average step count of about 15,000 steps per day until we read a post from someone who is averaging 30,000. Reminded me of competing with the Peloton studs I somehow can't compete with. Never to forget there is always someone way better than you.

OUr competition. actually only mine

Alice beats me in step count every day by an average of 1,000+ steps…. makes no sense to me

Alice beats me on step length every day, again what?

My blood oxygen numbers are normally better than Alices, averaging more than 95%

Resting heat rate, I will give Alice a tie

Calories burned, I win, because I am a man and Alice says men burn more calories than women.

Apple Technology discrepancy. Steve Jobs where are you?

We have noticed a major discrepancy in steps taken between us. Alice seems to walk 1,000 or more steps a day even though she is always at my side walking. It also notes her stride is longer. I believe both statistics are erroneous. I have a long gate being 6'1" tall. I just think the devices are not calibrated correctly. We will do our own calibration tests soon by putting both phones in my pocket.

There are other challenges walking the streets of Florence. They are very narrow with a small walking path that normally fits no more than one person. Watch out for speeding scooters, bike riders and taxi cabs. They would rather run you over than give you a chance to get out of the way.

This blog will be about my experiences with the Peloton exercise bike and their classes. This is a fun read and should tell you a lot about my life!

In preface to my commentary on the Peloton experiences I must give a bit of a background. I have been riding bicycles since I was a toddler. A 10 speed bicycle was my main mode of transportation in high school, in college and certainly on my mission for the Mormon church.

Riding a bike on my Mormon Mission

You have seen the missionaries riding two by two canvassing the neighborhoods in their white shirt, tie and dark pants. Yes, that was me when I was 19-21 years old. I remember riding a bike with my companion in Northern California when a car load of HOODS hurled beer bottles at us while we were riding…..screaming “FAGOTS.” Yes, I was very scared. Lucky they missed and we were off to our next meeting … out to save the world. I always loved riding a bike.

Elder Schmuki riding his bike on his mission in Northern California

I have also been riding road bikes off and on in Florida for nearly 35 years now. I wore the tight biker shorts and colorful jerseys along with the other riders. I have ridden alone, with groups and even on the Maroone 150. Yes, 150 miles. It was during that ride a young teenage rider was run over by a drunk and killed. It was so very sad.

Road biker Tom Schmuki preparing for a long hard ride with a group of 20-30 riders

Spinning was always one of my favorite classes to take at the GYM… LA Fitness. I went to spin class 2-3 times a week. Some front desk people always thought I was a teacher because I looked so fit. There was nothing like “clipping in” and pushing yourself to the limit in a 1 hour LA Fitness spin class along with a teacher and 30-60 other riders.

So there you have it, I have been riding and spinning nearly my whole life. It is the one exercise I can still do that does NOT hurt my knees. It has been decades since I was able to run, before my ACL knee surgeries.

On a bike ride with my kids Allison and Ryan

I purchased a Peloton bike November of 2021 a little more than 6 months ago. The bike was “on sale” about $3-400 less than their normal price. There was no convincing me that spinning was an exercise that I love and would and could do on a moderately consistent basis.

PeloTom, bike in my office calling me every day

Time to get it done on Peloton

After 6 months of riding I have finally reached my milestone of 100 classes. Just today, I rode for just over 1 hour and burned a record 1,200 calories. I measure my success by calories burned and the big puddles of sweat accumulated at the base of the bike. The sweat puddles were never bigger than today.

The Peloton on line class experience

The peloton experience is unique with their on line classes with a gaggle of different instructors who all have their own schtick. I understand many of the original Peloton instructors are paid well in excess of $100,000 for their teaching. No wonder Peloton stock has been tanking! They put together their own music play lists, with all genres of music. Unfortunately I see no opera or classical. The on line classes are either “live” or playback from a previous live session. You can view your competition and see how you are measuring up. I think the whole thing is rigged. I diligently follow the instructors advise on cadence and power, and often times pushing the upper boundaries of their recommendations. When the class is almost over, I find myself in the 40-45% percentile of all participants which can be as many as 60-70,000 spinners. I wonder how my numbers can be so bad? I figure it is rigged. First you have to lop off all the professional riders who use Peloton to practice for their racing, then of course I need to mentally bifurcate all riders who are younger than 50. I am 66 years old. Who am I really competing with? I wonder what my percentiles would be competing with those over 50, or 60 or even my age of 66?

Instructors bring their personal baggage

The instructors sometime come with their verbal baggage. Negative conversations from them including 30 minutes about grief of a passing friend. How about a 30 minute ride announcing their own pregnancy? Come on peloton, we are there to ride and be inspired. I challenge you my 66 year old comrades, burn 1,200 calories tomorrow in 85 minutes. Return and report!

Time to get in shape for Italy

So why the push right now with Peloton? I am trying very hard to get in the best shape I can before our trip to Italy. I want to look good, and be healthy. I want to be able to hold Alice’s hand and walk 10-15 miles each day.

Sample of a class and my stats taken today

A challenge

If you are 50, 60 or even my age 66 years old, I challenge you to burn 1,200+ calories tomorrow in under 85 minutes. Return and report.

A bucker of sweat

Maybe I should be a Peloton instructor? I may be the first 66 year old man to do so. What do you think? I will let you know how many gallons of sweat I donated at the base of my peloton tomorrow morning.

A long walk in Florence