Preparing for the pain

I am in the mode to prepare for pain and train.

TransIowa will keep me training hard over the winter.

I have started to make the shift and get back into my running. Took a short run this morning, it was 29 degrees and the thought of cycling wasn't that appealing.

December's Plan: Rest and build solid base
Weights: Increase reps and add new exercises
Bike: 100 to 200 miles mainly on the mountain bike
Run: Increase to 1 hour three times a week
Ski: 2 to 4 days of Tele
Snowshoeing: ?
Diet: maintain current weight

All for now...

Tuesday blahs

Just back from lifting. I just felt weary as I do not think the day off gave me much recovery and the body is just physically beat. Will load up on carbs over the next few days to get the body ready for the last race.
I am beginning to think of the off season and doing some serious skiing. The mountains are getting good snow and I am ready for a change.
I can't believe the holidays are almost here.

Finishing Strong

All I can say is that the season is almost over and I am riding at my best. Rode really strong this weekend and knocked out some respectable results. 8th on Saturday and 6th on Sunday! Things didn't go well on Sunday as I dropped my chain twice and had troubles shifting but I still pulled out a great finish. The only other race I have placed 6th in was a crit around Mile High.

I need to keep the intensity up for one more week and then I will take a week of forced rest.

Peace!

Weekend of Racing

Spent most of the weekend racing.
Saturday I decided to make the long haul from Lakewood to Longmont to catch some Boulder CX racing action. I was feeling a little under the weather, so I no grand expectations. The course rocked and was just plain fun to race. Bolted after the race to head to Boulder to pick up brewing supplies - I got the makings for a Bock.

Sunday the legs felt weary but the race was one I could get a few more points toward my overall goal of staying in the top ten in the state series. I started off bad going into the first corner almost dead last, then I crashed in a muddy section, then I hooked a pedal on the barrior fencing. I completely lost mental and physical momentum. I realized that I needed to relax and tap out a hard tempo to start reeling riders back in. I was able to salvage 8th.

All this is great training for TransIowa. Only two more weeks of racing before I can even think about putting in base miles. The next three races for me all have points so I will try to remain focused and not eat to much.

The date is set!

TransIowa is set to take place on April 29-30.
I will have to miss the Fruita Fat Tire Fest this year because of it, no bikes and beer for me next year. I will make the trek out in March maybe to log some long grueling miles.

I made my TI room reservations already in the town of Hawarden, IA at the Soo Motel. I hope it will be okay for the few hours I will be using it. Of course I will bring a sleeping bag just in case.

Short run this morning to loosen up the legs for racing this weekend. I could travel up to Longmont on Saturday and to Golden on Sunday. Will have to see how motivated I am to drive this weekend. Sunday, I can garner points and it is close to the house so that may be the only race.

Peace!

Snowy Day

Today it snowed again. Good for me as I have been feeling a tad sick for the past day and needed some down time. My first day off in over a week. Should do some sit-ups and other core work before drinking tea.

I have been researching material and patterns for making my own cycling clothing/gear. There is a lot of stuff out there, even some stores in Colorado. I am hoping to find a good wool supplier that I can make knickers and jerseys out of. The search continues for what I may do when the kids are both in school. I dread the idea of working for the man.

The race schedule is heating up for the next three weekends. Four out of five races count toward the overall BAR series. Currently I am ninth in the old slow guy division, but I am happy with that.

TransIowa

It is now beginning. A winter full of hard base training to prepare myself for the potentially hardest thing I have ever done.

I will try and keep up and document my training.

November Training
Continue to race cross and log many miles before December.
Monday - Run or ride my mountain bike.
Tuesdays - Weights along with some minimal cardio
Wednesdays - Run or ride with a minimum of 5 hill repeats
Thurdays - Easy day on the rollers or pulling my son in the trailer
Friday - Ride easy on my SS
Saturday - Race (ride to it if weather is good)
Sunday - Race

December Training
Plan is to focus on weights and getting to a point I can run 8-10 miles twice a week.
Time off the bike will be brief.

January and February
Lots of tele skiing
A peak a week (plan on snowshoeing or skinning up)

March and April
Ride

More details to come.
Thanks for your support.

Morning energy boost

Woke up this morning tired and not really wanting to go ride. It was 37 degrees out! I downed some coffee and trudged out the door. Once I saw the sunrise my energy level lifted and I pedaled with ease.

Came home to fresh baked muffins, scrambled eggs, and more hot coffee. Drank all the coffee and now it is time to go wrench on my 'cross bike. The sun is shining and it is about 65 degrees on the back deck.

Enjoy your day.

Mid-week blahs

It has been a long week and it is only Thursday. The kids are sick and I have been trying to keep my own illness at bay. Lots of Emergen'C and other assorted vitamins. Needless to say I am staying away from the bike until tommorrow in hopes of feeling great for the weekend.

I will be heading up to see Walt about my new frame today. I am excited and a little nervous.
Also, my training for TransIowa is beginning. They are still working on the date.

More to come - off to down more Emergen'C

Peace,
Mike