Block 1 and a trip to Anniston

Well, training for this year got off to a flying start.  Besides getting on the bike about 2 weeks earlier than I had thought, I was actually able to stay pretty consistent with my days.  I knew this year I wanted to put in about 50-60hrs of base miles (something I really didn’t do last year) with some good Tempo, Hill work, and group rides.  Just trying to apply as many layers of base paint as I could, to develop the strength I didn’t get last year. 

Things went pretty well, despite a head cold that took out half of my third week.  After the first three weeks, it was time for a rest week that was leading in to my first race of the season; the Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, AL (Masters B).  This would be a return of sorts for me as I last raced here as a Cat 2 in 1994 (I believe, hard to remember that far back).  So we packed up the car and started the long drive from Idaho to Alabama where we would be splitting the next two or so weeks between my mother’s house in Dothan, and my bother-in-laws fishing camp in Georgia.  

The drive went well, and finding myself just outside Kansas City, MO on Wed., I decided to get out on the bike to stretch my legs.  It was a great day to ride and would be the first ride of the year in shorts and a short sleeve jersey (time to work on the tan!).  The riding in Missouri is good; decent roads, well behaved motorists, and good weather, but after an hour of riding I felt like I was at a catholic wedding…stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down…repeat!  I’m not sure there is any flat ground in the whole state.  I remember reading about Christian Vandevelde being super frustrated one day at the Tour of Missouri due to the endless little hills; I get what he means.  The other exciting thing about riding in Missouri (and everywhere in the South I would learn) are the dogs.  On practically every ride I did after that, I would end up trying to out run or squirt one of our rabid four-legged friends.  It got a bit comical after a week or two as I was basically bringing three water bottles with me on rides; one to spray the dogs, one to spray on me, and one to drink.

On the morning of Anniston, things were moving along smoothly.  My race wasn’t until 1.20p, so we met up with some old friends of Mel’s that lived in the area during the morning and let Zoe play in the Kids's Zone area.  Anniston is an NRC race and the beginning of Speedweek, which is the biggest batch of races for Criterium riders all season.


The course is a 1k rectangle of slightly dusty, older, bumpy cement, that rises 33 feet on the front stretch and back down on the back side.  I had prepared myself and warmed up well, but looking around at all the tanned and very fit legs, I wasn't sure this was going to be a pleasant return to big time crit racing for me.  


And I was right. 


The gun went off, and I got a good start...then immediately went on the limit.   I was a bit timid as we screamed down the backstretch and I lost a few places, beginning the climb in around tenth place.  This where I deployed a age old tactic used by heavier riders when confronted with a hill...The Fat-Man Fade.  The idea being to bomb the decent to gain places, starting the climb at the front and gradually slide back to the back of the field by the top of the climb, still within contact, and repeat.


This worked for a few laps, but due to the fact I was still a bit rusty on my pack surfing, I wasn't able to get to the front at one point and once I had to start the climb from the back, it was all over.  So, I started training, instead of racing.  I don't like to pull out of crits unless they pull me, so I sat up, waited till they came back around, and got back on.


I would repeat this process 2 more times, eventually finishing at the tail end of he field.  Not the most glamours start to the season, but necessary.  I need these shocks to the system to get it ready for the real racing that lies ahead.  My time will come.  


It was really cool to line up at a big race, feel the flow, and begin to fell that I belong a bit.
Gonna be a good season folks, I can feel it.

Back to the 'Base'ics

Sorry for the delays.  It was a very busy season for us at the mountain, requiring a lot of finish work to get everything done before the closing and vacation.  Ended up being the busiest year ever for F&B, even with less than stellar snow this winter.

Oh, and the less than stellar snow?  Well that's the other reason I haven't been writing...I've actually been riding.  As you saw on my last post, we were able to start riding the roads up here March 5th and were able to keep riding pretty much all spring.  Now, that doesn't mean its all tulips and hummingbirds.  It means the roads aren't frozen, and that's about it.  You still look like the Michelin Man due to the absurd amount of clothes you are wearing; it still snows on you while your riding; and 50F is a nice warm ride.

Despite all the un-comforts, I still managed to get 18+ hours of training in March and 27+hours of training in April.  All for the most part base miles and lower LT type work, but riding none the less.  My approach this year is a bit more patient than last year, and I will be posting my Training Blocks with these posts.  Everything has been going to plan so far, minus a few missed days with a cold in the beginning of April.

Two things giving me a lot of motivation lately are Strava and the Fitzy Group Rides.  We got our first group ride going on March 11th and things have been rolling from there.  The group rides have been great way to get to know the rest of the team as we have a lot of new faces this year (me included).

And then there was Strava...  This little gadget is awesome.  And even better, its free.  All you have to do is go to the website, have a smart phone or Garmin device, and your off and running.  Now, I've never been a real nerd when it came to bike stuff.  To me, if the wheels were round, I couldn't break it, and I could go reasonable fast; I would ride it.  Strava however, has me totally geeking out over my data.  It lets me look at what I've done and get a look at everyone else as well.  Kinda cool.  If you don't have it, check it out.  So that's enough for today.  I will be getting my Anniston Race Report out next.

Things I've learned from my dog...

Karma is a supreme being.

Doesn't sound much like me, huh?  I know by now, you are used to my cinical way of looking at things (mainly myself), and talk of karma and supreme beings isn't really jivving with the nature of these posts.

Karma is my German Shepard.  The most tenacious, ferice, loyal creature to roam the earth.  This dog would follow me to the ends of the earth and back if meant he could stay by my side.  Whether it be hiking, mtn biking, canoeing...whatever, he would turn himself inside out to keep up.

 It used to scare me sometimes.  I remember him collapsing under a tree after a paticularly fast decent of the Putt-Putt trail in Cache Creek one time.  Or the time he swam half of Slide Lake and nearly drown, simply because I was in a canoe without him.  One time I even hiked to the top of Mt. Taylor with him, giving him two peanut butter sandwiches and the rest of my water at the top for fear he would run out of gas.  This dog one time locked himself in our truck and proceeded to try to eat his way out, cause he was on the inside, and we on the out.

This dog simply has no fear, and a total disregard for himself when it comes to something he wants. 

God, I envy him.

Unfortunatly, it isn't until now I realize the things he has taught me.  I want nothing more than to be fearless to the point of stupidity.  I want nothing more to be tenacious in the face of futility.  I want nothing more than to attack everything I do with the ferocity of my dog Karma.

Karma died this morning.

After 11 years together, I have finally learned the lesson he was trying to teach me all this time.

Karma suffered through 2 months of discomfort and 2 days of relenless pain...all cause he wouldn't let go.

I took my first ride of the new year outdoors today.  It was a beautifully sunny, 47F degree day.  I  rode for 1:20, all the while thinking about what I had learned.

This year...I wanna be like Karma.

Yup...little sore

Hello Kids and Kittens,

Yup, I'm back.  I realize my last post for 2011 was a bit hasty, but that's kinda how the season ended for me.  I finished that epic race in Rexburg in the cold and snow, and got right back to my real job as a cook getting ready for the ski season.  I have only recently been able to come up for air to try to get some workouts in.

So looking forward, the good news is...

1. I'm super amped for next season.
2. I'm back with the boys in green and orange, flying the Fitzgerald's Bicycles colors for the 2012.
3. I haven't really gained too much winter weight and stand at a reasonable 232lbs.
4. I've already started training for next season indoors with the rest of the team at Fitzy's new Headquarters here in Victor, ID, while also getting in some strength training and hockey each week.
5. I've mapped out my training program (pending approval of Jedi Master Dave Byers) for the year that should be a bit more realistic for a guy like me.

Bad news is...

1. I still weigh 232lbs...
2. I really didn't get started on any off-season training until Jan 18th
3. After each workout, I can barely get out of bed in the morning.

The first indoor training session (which is way cool by the way), didn't go as well as I had hoped.  I was so far behind the leaders, I ended up not finishing our 17.34 mile simulated time trial for fear the rest of the guys would have to wait late into the night for me to finish.

The second night went better, as I was able to finish only a few minutes behind the next to last finisher in a respectable 1:07 with a good bit of hills.  The Computrainer System at Fitzy's is actually really cool and provides a very realistic ride, regardless of how much I may not like the results.  After you put in your weight and calibrate the machine, it gives you some great feedback by way of wattage, rpm, average speed, calories burned, etc.  I have another 8 sessions over the next 8 weeks before I should be able to get out on the road for some base training.  With this I will be doing 2hrs of Hockey and a Strength Training routine each week till the end of March.  Already alot more than I did last year, so hopefully we will see some gains before April.

I'm really hoping I can improve upon the gains of last season and keep moving forward.

Cause remember...If your not moving forward, your going backward...and that sucks!