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Official Chris Abraham Blog

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Chris has had a web presence since 1993 and started blogging in 1999. Here Chris Abraham's official blog.
Primitive by Sharon Olds

Primitive by Sharon Olds

The only thing that separates us Americans in 2019 from men 50,000 years ago is the hubris of modernity. We are all primitive and Sharon Old gets it. And it's beautiful and meaningful, both.

Primitive by Sharon Olds - Read More…

Sex Without Love by Sharon Olds

Sex Without Love by Sharon Olds

Maybe I have been hobbled by growing up Catholic or putting women on pedestals because of all-boys school. But I have never swiped left or right on Tinder. I am no choir boy. I have had more than my fair share. But going through lovers has never been the way I have ever passed my time. It's neither sport nor a source of story or content. I feel like Sharon Olds gets my feelings perfectly right.

Sex Without Love by Sharon Olds - Read More…

The Unborn by Sharon Olds

The Unborn by Sharon Olds

I don't know if I will ever have children. If I will ever be a parent. Sometimes a feel a longing. Sometimes I feel a lack. I probab;ly won't. It's not looking good.

The Unborn by Sharon Olds - Read More…

Topography by Sharon Olds

Topography by Sharon Olds

I've had a couple amazing long distance relationships in my life and they were always so passionate. Sharon Olds is the best when it comes to passionate. She gets me.

Topography by Sharon Olds - Read More…

Almost a Week of Riding Every Day

Almost a Week of Riding Every Day

Well, I have had so much fun going to indoor cycling class every day since Monday—even in all of this freezing Polar Vortex weather. I have taken a variety of classes, I have made friends, I have hopefully gotten stronger, but I can also feel a certain level of diminishing return from riding every day.

Almost a Week of Riding Every Day - Read More…

Oatmeal by Galway Kinnell

Oatmeal by Galway Kinnell

I believe that Oatmeal is my first poem by Galway Kinnell and I think of it and him every time I cook up my Bob's Red Mill stone ground oats with milk and maple syrup.

Oatmeal by Galway Kinnell - Read More…

St. Francis And The Sow by Galway Kinnell

St. Francis And The Sow by Galway Kinnell

This may very well be my favorite favorite poem by poet Galway Kinnell. It encompasses the heart of what I feel the poet was. His poetry elevates the base as divine, something with which I both agree and appreciate.

St. Francis And The Sow by Galway Kinnell - Read More…

After Making Love We Hear Footsteps by Galway Kinnell

After Making Love We Hear Footsteps by Galway Kinnell

I don't have much of an instinct for marrying or having children. The only time I really felt a deep desire to become a husband and a father is after reading this beautiful poem by Galway Kinnell

After Making Love We Hear Footsteps by Galway Kinnell - Read More…

Blackberry Eating by Galway Kinnell

Blackberry Eating by Galway Kinnell

I blame Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Sharon Olds, and Galway Kinnell for my love of poetry. Here's one of Kinnell's most famous and most lovely poems.

Blackberry Eating by Galway Kinnell - Read More…

Everything about SEO in one infographic skyscraper tower

Hristina Nikolovska, Head of Marketing at SEO Tribunal, sent me this extremely comprehensive infographic about search engine optimization.

Everything about SEO in one infographic skyscraper tower - Read More…

What I think the wall that Trump built is for

What I think the wall that Trump built is for

To me, this wall has nothing to do with the illegal border crossings that are happening now, it's in preparation for a flood of immigrants that will result if (when) we start military actions in Latin America.

What I think the wall that Trump built is for - Read More…

It's the Intensity, Stupid

It's the Intensity, Stupid

Any exercise, either with or without equipment or machine, can give you the workout of your life. It all comes down to intensity.

It's the Intensity, Stupid - Read More…

Failed but won't fall

Failed but won't fall

The pledge I made in my last post lasted only a couple hours until I both drank and ate chicken! Oy vey!

Failed but won't fall - Read More…

End of week report: overeating, missing spin, returning to 19:5 diet

End of week report: overeating, missing spin, returning to 19:5 diet

The biggest news this week is that I am going to rededicate myself to restricting my diet by both tracking calories on MyFitnessPal and by following a strict 19:5 IF diet—intermittent fasting!

End of week report: overeating, missing spin, returning to 19:5 diet - Read More…

Spin Instructors are Cycling Coxswains

Spin Instructors are Cycling Coxswains

I know we call them spin instructors, indoor cycling instructors, or even CYCLESTARS, like we do at CYCLEBAR, to me, they'll be forever known as my Cycling Coxswains.

Spin Instructors are Cycling Coxswains - Read More…

Libertadores del Sur South American Wars of Independence Wargame by Keith Hafner and Matt Shirley

Libertadores del Sur South American Wars of Independence Wargame by Keith Hafner and Matt Shirley

Discussion with the designers of the new board wargame Libertadores Del Sur (1810-1824) by Legion Wargames on the inspiration and challenges behind the project

Libertadores del Sur South American Wars of Independence Wargame by Keith Hafner and Matt Shirley - Read More…

The results of three days of inactive recovery and some motivational words from my best friend

The results of three days of inactive recovery and some motivational words from my best friend

I canceled my Friday ride last week and took the weekend off. No spinning or CYCLEBAR for me until last night. And, despite what everyone said, I didn't do any amount of active recovery (though I do consider that to be a mistake I don't regret but will try to learn from).

The results of three days of inactive recovery and some motivational words from my best friend - Read More…

Overtraining is real and requires sufficient recovery

Overtraining is real and requires sufficient recovery

I rode every weekday last week and through Thursday of this week. My friends have been so motivational that I almost kept my 6:30 pm ride this evening—but I just can't! 

Overtraining is real and requires sufficient recovery - Read More…

My messy CBreeze hack on my Model C Concept2 rowing ergometer to make it work best for me

My messy CBreeze hack on my Model C Concept2 rowing ergometer to make it work best for me

I was having a terrible time keeping my CBreeze on the fan so I glued sloppy please rails on either side of my Concept2 Model C's fan. Really messy. Used a silicon glue. The paracord rails aren't going anywhere. No more struggling with the placement of the elastic cords. 

My messy CBreeze hack on my Model C Concept2 rowing ergometer to make it work best for me - Read More…

Spin is a spoon full of sugar to help the high intensity workout go down

Spin is a spoon full of sugar to help the high intensity workout go down

Most indoor cycling spin classes like my home studio CYCLEBAR on Columbia Pike are a spoon full of sugar. They help the medicine go down. If you don't get the workout you need, you aren't pushing herself hard enough.

Spin is a spoon full of sugar to help the high intensity workout go down - Read More…

The 7 things I don't do at indoor cycling class at my spin studio

The 7 things I don't do at indoor cycling class at my spin studio

I am a very non-compliant rider. I really take the spinning ethos of "ride your own ride" very seriously.

The 7 things I don't do at indoor cycling class at my spin studio - Read More…

My new Garmin HRM-Dual heart rate monitor chest strap review

My new Garmin HRM-Dual heart rate monitor chest strap review

I just received my new Garmin HRM-Dual heart rate monitor chest strap from Amazon today and took it directly to spin class at CYCLEBAR Columbia Pike. I love it! It's exactly what I needed.

My new Garmin HRM-Dual heart rate monitor chest strap review - Read More…

The 12 things I've learned indoor cycling at a spin studio

The 12 things I've learned indoor cycling at a spin studio

I have personally learned quite a lot of things over the course of the months I have committed to riding at Biker Barre and, now, at CYCLEBAR, Columbia Pike, though I am still a neophyte and am neither an expert nor am I remotely fit and trim.

The 12 things I've learned indoor cycling at a spin studio - Read More…

Spinning every weekday

Spinning every weekday

How in the world can just 45-minutes of pedaling a stationary bike take my body to its physical limits?

Spinning every weekday - Read More…

Starting the Tour de SkiErg Challenge Today

Starting the Tour de SkiErg Challenge Today

I spent the last month cycling at Spin class at CYCLEBAR on Columbia Pike instead of indoor rowing for either Team Blue Wave or the Potomac Boat Club (only put in a paltry 35,424m out of the amazing 641,820m that the rest of the team rowed).

Starting the Tour de SkiErg Challenge Today - Read More…

Trying Riding Everyday at CYCLEBAR

Trying Riding Everyday at CYCLEBAR

After an awesome ride at CYCLEBAR Columbia Pike over the weekend, the co-owner, John Ryan, mentioned that some riders at the studio ride three sequential rides—three rides in a row—and I thought, "maybe I can ride every day."

Trying Riding Everyday at CYCLEBAR - Read More…

The Airex Balance Pad Elite is Perfect for Standing Desks

The Airex Balance Pad Elite is Perfect for Standing Desks

Sometimes you are barefoot and don't want to walk on your treadmill desk. Standing at a desk all day can be hell on your knees and feet. There's a solution to this. 

The Airex Balance Pad Elite is Perfect for Standing Desks - Read More…

My Week at Cyclebar Columbia Pike

My Week at Cyclebar Columbia Pike

Today's my spin day. Tonight at 7:15--15-minutes early, as I always try to be--I'll be joining a new instructor, Sam, for a 7:30 ride called The After Party.

My Week at Cyclebar Columbia Pike - Read More…

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