Let me start off with this little gem: no matter how good an idea it seems at the time, flying home Monday morning and hitting the ground running by arriving at work by noon is NOT a good idea. Please learn from my naive mistakes.
Weekend in FL was awesome - Michelle got a crash course in my family history (we did give her a little bit of alcohol to dull the shock), we visited with my grandfather and my uncle/aunt, watched the sun set on Clearwater Beach with an old friend after dinner, spent a day on the beach and spent an evening in Ybor City. All that in 3 1/2 days ! No wonder Monday was a drag.
Now, to the point of this post. Stick with what you know, or stick with what you're good at. Since we were sooo good and didn't bring bikes, we had to do SOMETHING in order to justify eating. Like any good cyclist, I'm sure that indicates some sort of eating disorder but we'll just gloss over that. Michelle has been running for weeks now and me? I haven't been running since I was in FL last December.
I remember distinctly feeling great about doing something different. I felt like I was really going good and I decided to keep going. The thing about that is that once you realize you're not doing so well, you're miles away from home. I got home but the next two days were not pretty. Nothing more sexy and appealing than a female hobbling around, unable to go up or down stairs and generally looking like a drunk trying to sit down or stand up. You'd think I would have remembered that hard lesson but no, I need continuous refresher lessons.
So on Saturday, I was bound and determined to keep up with Michelle. I'm certain she slowed down for me to prevent from having to carry me back, but I still felt like we went at a pretty good clip. We ran for 30 mins before I asked for a reprieve and we walked for about 5 mins. I got up my courage again and we ran for another 15 min before I finally called it. Things were starting to hurt - shins, the arch of my foot, my right knee. She patiently walked as I hobbled home. By the time we got cleaned up for our dinner out in Clearwater, I remembered my prior lesson, a little too late. We drove the 45min to the restaurant and I could barely get out of the car. The next morning, Michelle suggested the gym and I believe I whimpered out loud.
Thankfully we were in the water most of the day Sunday, so that took some of the stress away. We refined our nerf football throwing (not) and basically swam around and gossiped. Hey, we're girls, we're allowed. Walking up and down stairs in Ybor City was not pretty, but Michelle was kind enough not to mention that I looked like a penguin as I walked. She's a good friend.
First day on the bike yesterday and it was pretty ugly. Thankfully I missed the Davidsonville ride (didnt get out of work on time) because I would have been OTB in no time flat. Hopefully Greenbelt tonight will be a bit better.
Lessons learned: trail-running shoes are not appropriate for street/sidewalk running -stop being a cheapskate and buy a real set of running shoes. keeping up with a former track star and marathon runner when you haven't run in 6 months is not exactly smart. putting sunscreen on once in the morning doesn't do the job when you're in the water and on the beach for 5 hours (Miche, you should know better!). Bottom Line: stick with what you're good at - I ride a bike. I don't run. If I do run, its not pretty and I shouldn't pretend that it is.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
TGIF - 7/25/08
So, I'm what they have termed a "short-timer" at work today ... I'm leaving this afternoon for sunny Florida to visit my granddad. Teammate and good friend Miche is going with, so we're looking forward to a couple of days evening out bike tans, sipping fruity drinks and catching up on our summer reading.
Yes, we're perfectly aware that we will attract some stares. Because we look like svelte panda-bears in bathing suits. Only amongst bike-racers is that look hot. And sometimes not even then (see pic ... no, the tans don't automatically happen if you dope, no, chickens don't tan more or less than "normal" cyclists. Bad joke, sorry, Christina). The rest of the world thinks we must be rednecks with farmer-tans.
Yes, you can bet I turned off all accessible water pipes prior to leaving the house this morning.
And yes, I know they recommend never telling people that you're going away but I reference again my circa 1980 TV and say hey, if they really want it that bad.... besides, my attack-cat (Cassius) would protect his house. At least he'd look real tough and hiss before he ran away.
My OCD is kicking in pretty good, though - I was excited and even righteous about NOT taking the bike on my weekend getaway. It was all talk ... as I ran through the house grabbing last minute essentials (they don't sell q-tips in florida, do they ?) I thought more than a second about whether I still had time to pack my Seven as a stowaway. But you see, I'm smarter than the average bear - which sounds very cliche but better than "I'm smarter than me". I didnt leave enough time for me to backpedal (no pun intended) on the whole "I'm-not-bringing-a-bike-because-I-have-more-self-control-than-that" thing.
I'm back to being righteous about all that. So there.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Teamwork - A Rambling Definition
Teamwork in racing is a fickle thing. Only one person can win, so the whole thing is a bit of a dichotomy. I've found that teams that work have a few common characteristics, and teams that REALLY work have a couple extra ones. So here goes:
1. Common goals. ie win the BAR, win a jersey... or to manage to show up with a full kit and a working bike. It's all relative.
2. Firepower. To fulfill said goals. Having a team of sprinters does no good (you'll all be sprinting each other for the line). Having a team of leadouts does no good (leading out someone else's team of sprinters?).
3. Knowledge and honesty. If your teammates don't know that a leadout means sacrificing your finish for the team, you're in trouble. If your teammates fulfill their domestique role by sucking wheel all race while you chase down everything that moves until you keel over, unable to breathe, much less curse at them, you're in trouble. If your teammates constantly lament that their gloves were too tight, they got behind the wrong wheel, their brakes felt funny, their chain dropped and/or they are still hungover from last night, you're in trouble. Although the hangover bit is probably honest. The rest is BS because they couldn't close gap, hold onto the wheel or close the race.
4. Communication. This doesn't mean yelling at teammates to cover everything while you, the non-designated, non-sprinter, sit in. It does include yelling at non-teammates to cover everything while you sit in. It does mean communicating when your individual goal (say, to win) doesn't agree with the team plan (say, you're supposed to do the leadout).
5. Support. Not just $$ - although that certainly helps. I mean when a teammate drops back to bring your sorry butt back to the field because you're so cheap that you're running old tires with a thousand patches and, surprise, landed a pinch-flat at poolesville. I mean when a teammate gives you his/her bike from the sidelines so you can finish the race after you cook a turn (that was awesome!!). I mean when I show up at the line, no waterbottles, unpinned with my saddle bag still on the bike and my teammates smile as they help me pull together. Yes, they will talk about me later, but right now they're supporting me. Volunteering your significant other to feed and otherwise entertain your team is uber support. Thanks, Robin.
6. Share in the good, share in the bad. When the team succeeds, party together. When things go poorly, you resolve the issue together. Usually without violence. Usually.
7. A common disdain for mediocre performances. Or, a common acceptance of mediocre performances. Hey, as long as you're on the same page.
"Extra" characteristics for "Extra" success:
1. Dedication. Every weekend, every race, every team ride ... you know the drill ... you're there come rain or shine. Because your teammates depend on you. And/or because you have no other life.
2. Friendship. You actually know the people you ride with. And like them anyway. Showing up at a race in the same kit and introducing yourself to "teammates" doesn't qualify.
3. Passing the 10-hr car ride test. This is a deal breaker. If you wind up dropping your teammate off in North Carolina (I'll be right back, I'm just going to run to the gas station for some coffee), that is a big, red flag. First off, you wouldn't be getting coffee from a gas station unless you were desperate. Second, North Carolina is only about 5 hours into the ride. You're racing solo by the time you get to GA for the Twilight Crit.
Its getting to be that time of year (Silly Season) where teammates are quietly jockeying for other options, spreading rumors about other teams, doctoring up their palmares (5th is 5th, right ? whether it was a 3/4 race or a 1-2-3 race. no one needs to know) and searching for the few people they have not yet pissed off that might still be open to welcoming them as a new teammate.
Admit it - some of you are running out of options. I suggest that you re-read the above to determine where you've gone wrong. Or become president of a team so they can't get rid of you. I'm not saying anything, I'm just sayin'.
1. Common goals. ie win the BAR, win a jersey... or to manage to show up with a full kit and a working bike. It's all relative.
2. Firepower. To fulfill said goals. Having a team of sprinters does no good (you'll all be sprinting each other for the line). Having a team of leadouts does no good (leading out someone else's team of sprinters?).
3. Knowledge and honesty. If your teammates don't know that a leadout means sacrificing your finish for the team, you're in trouble. If your teammates fulfill their domestique role by sucking wheel all race while you chase down everything that moves until you keel over, unable to breathe, much less curse at them, you're in trouble. If your teammates constantly lament that their gloves were too tight, they got behind the wrong wheel, their brakes felt funny, their chain dropped and/or they are still hungover from last night, you're in trouble. Although the hangover bit is probably honest. The rest is BS because they couldn't close gap, hold onto the wheel or close the race.
4. Communication. This doesn't mean yelling at teammates to cover everything while you, the non-designated, non-sprinter, sit in. It does include yelling at non-teammates to cover everything while you sit in. It does mean communicating when your individual goal (say, to win) doesn't agree with the team plan (say, you're supposed to do the leadout).
5. Support. Not just $$ - although that certainly helps. I mean when a teammate drops back to bring your sorry butt back to the field because you're so cheap that you're running old tires with a thousand patches and, surprise, landed a pinch-flat at poolesville. I mean when a teammate gives you his/her bike from the sidelines so you can finish the race after you cook a turn (that was awesome!!). I mean when I show up at the line, no waterbottles, unpinned with my saddle bag still on the bike and my teammates smile as they help me pull together. Yes, they will talk about me later, but right now they're supporting me. Volunteering your significant other to feed and otherwise entertain your team is uber support. Thanks, Robin.
6. Share in the good, share in the bad. When the team succeeds, party together. When things go poorly, you resolve the issue together. Usually without violence. Usually.
7. A common disdain for mediocre performances. Or, a common acceptance of mediocre performances. Hey, as long as you're on the same page.
"Extra" characteristics for "Extra" success:
1. Dedication. Every weekend, every race, every team ride ... you know the drill ... you're there come rain or shine. Because your teammates depend on you. And/or because you have no other life.
2. Friendship. You actually know the people you ride with. And like them anyway. Showing up at a race in the same kit and introducing yourself to "teammates" doesn't qualify.
3. Passing the 10-hr car ride test. This is a deal breaker. If you wind up dropping your teammate off in North Carolina (I'll be right back, I'm just going to run to the gas station for some coffee), that is a big, red flag. First off, you wouldn't be getting coffee from a gas station unless you were desperate. Second, North Carolina is only about 5 hours into the ride. You're racing solo by the time you get to GA for the Twilight Crit.
Its getting to be that time of year (Silly Season) where teammates are quietly jockeying for other options, spreading rumors about other teams, doctoring up their palmares (5th is 5th, right ? whether it was a 3/4 race or a 1-2-3 race. no one needs to know) and searching for the few people they have not yet pissed off that might still be open to welcoming them as a new teammate.
Admit it - some of you are running out of options. I suggest that you re-read the above to determine where you've gone wrong. Or become president of a team so they can't get rid of you. I'm not saying anything, I'm just sayin'.
Friday, July 18, 2008
TGIF - 7/18/08
So I did something totally uncharacteristic of me last night ... I sacrificed sleep for a movie. Those that know me know that I am no good without my 8 hrs of beauty sleep. No comments, just go with it. Anyhoo, I somehow got involved with a plan to go see The Dark Knight on opening night ... at the 12:02am showing. Today has gone well, considering I got to sleep just before 4am. But I am going to need some caffeine here shortly.
I normally judge a movie by whether it was a waste of 2hrs of my life (much less the $10 ticket) ... The movie was awesome. Seriously - the fact that I'm not whining about sacrificing sleep to see the movie is essentially a ringing endorsement. It amazed me how many people were at the theater to see the show - Sara and I pulled into the parking lot and saw BUSES. Really.
Greenbelt this week was good fun as usual. Good to see Sonja and HvT (C3) out there in the B race - Sara and I get lonely being the only estrogen out there. With daylight being what it is this time of year, we're up to about 18 laps on the course, which makes for interesting times at the end when everyone gets antsy for the finish and that hill seems like a mountain. It was either pretty fast or I am still reeling from a week off the bike (excuses, excuses) but we're gluttons for punishment so it still qualifies as "fun".
Giro di Coppi- hoping it will be rescheduled but also dreading having to stay in race shape through the end of Sept ... I've been looking forward to some MTB rides - I live so close to Patapsco State Park that its a shame I don't MTB more often. My poor bike hasn't been touched since I broke my wrist in an unfortunate lapse of judgment at Patapsco almost 2 years ago. Needless to say, it'll be babysteps for me to get back in the saddle again (pun intended).
That's about all I've got for today. I know, I know - its not up to my usual standards, but its all I can do with about 3hrs of sleep. In need of caffeine or sleep. Or both.
I normally judge a movie by whether it was a waste of 2hrs of my life (much less the $10 ticket) ... The movie was awesome. Seriously - the fact that I'm not whining about sacrificing sleep to see the movie is essentially a ringing endorsement. It amazed me how many people were at the theater to see the show - Sara and I pulled into the parking lot and saw BUSES. Really.Greenbelt this week was good fun as usual. Good to see Sonja and HvT (C3) out there in the B race - Sara and I get lonely being the only estrogen out there. With daylight being what it is this time of year, we're up to about 18 laps on the course, which makes for interesting times at the end when everyone gets antsy for the finish and that hill seems like a mountain. It was either pretty fast or I am still reeling from a week off the bike (excuses, excuses) but we're gluttons for punishment so it still qualifies as "fun".
Giro di Coppi- hoping it will be rescheduled but also dreading having to stay in race shape through the end of Sept ... I've been looking forward to some MTB rides - I live so close to Patapsco State Park that its a shame I don't MTB more often. My poor bike hasn't been touched since I broke my wrist in an unfortunate lapse of judgment at Patapsco almost 2 years ago. Needless to say, it'll be babysteps for me to get back in the saddle again (pun intended).
That's about all I've got for today. I know, I know - its not up to my usual standards, but its all I can do with about 3hrs of sleep. In need of caffeine or sleep. Or both.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Random Ramblings
About halfway through my ride yesterday, I thought to myself that it must be a full moon right now. 
Drivers were more irate, impatient and distracted than usual. I lost count of the number of times I thought to myself "hang up the phone and drive!" I admit, I forgot to use the more PC acronyms and threw out a few expletives during my 2hr jaunt through and around Ellicott City. At one point I was cruising on 108 through a green light and this 16 year old female decides to make a left turn from the opposite direction. She didnt stop until I had locked up my brakes and prepared for impact. We stopped close enough that I could slam my hand on her hood and tell her to hang up the eff'n phone. She didn't even apologize.
I went out last Friday night with a couple of friends and we talked a bit about drivers and cyclists. It is pretty indicative when our friends/neighbors/family members have a negative and/or aggressive attitude toward cyclists - these people actually LIKE and KNOW us as people. This does not bode well for those that don't know/aren't related to a cyclist. I remember not too long ago having to lecture my mom that the cyclist that she complains and whines about might be ME !
After the first decent ride since my "break" from the bike, I hopped in the car to run some errands. Okay, the ultimate goal in my errand-running was to stop by Rita's for an italian ice. Anyhoo, I realized that EVERYONE is driving like a jerk-face - I think I was more frustrated in the car than I was on the bike.
Lo and behold, it IS a full moon over the next couple of days. I'm still not going to check my horoscope on a daily basis because I have never been a huge believer in astrology but I swear there must be something to the phases of the moon and its effect on people.
I know a bunch of people are bummed that the Giro di Coppi is postponed but I have to say I'm relieved - after a week off the bike and I'm not going uphill that well right now, this gives me time to get back into the swing of things. Love the course and I'm glad they didnt have to change it. I didnt get to do it last year b/c they didnt have a field for me (only 3/4 women), so I am looking forward to the race when it does happen.
The season is winding down, though - I made a quick list of upcoming races that I plan to attend and realized how few there are ... Hunny Bop, Tour of Millersburg, Page Valley, Turkey Day, Giro. I've decided I'm going to lay off the TTs ... they're just not being friendly to me so until I figure out the issue, I'm not going to keep banging my head against the wall. One of the house-mates from Louisville generously offered to put my TT bike in their car for the trip home - I advised him that my feelings wouldn't be hurt if he pushed it out of the car on the highway ... yeah, I need a break from TTs.
Drivers were more irate, impatient and distracted than usual. I lost count of the number of times I thought to myself "hang up the phone and drive!" I admit, I forgot to use the more PC acronyms and threw out a few expletives during my 2hr jaunt through and around Ellicott City. At one point I was cruising on 108 through a green light and this 16 year old female decides to make a left turn from the opposite direction. She didnt stop until I had locked up my brakes and prepared for impact. We stopped close enough that I could slam my hand on her hood and tell her to hang up the eff'n phone. She didn't even apologize.I went out last Friday night with a couple of friends and we talked a bit about drivers and cyclists. It is pretty indicative when our friends/neighbors/family members have a negative and/or aggressive attitude toward cyclists - these people actually LIKE and KNOW us as people. This does not bode well for those that don't know/aren't related to a cyclist. I remember not too long ago having to lecture my mom that the cyclist that she complains and whines about might be ME !
After the first decent ride since my "break" from the bike, I hopped in the car to run some errands. Okay, the ultimate goal in my errand-running was to stop by Rita's for an italian ice. Anyhoo, I realized that EVERYONE is driving like a jerk-face - I think I was more frustrated in the car than I was on the bike.
I know a bunch of people are bummed that the Giro di Coppi is postponed but I have to say I'm relieved - after a week off the bike and I'm not going uphill that well right now, this gives me time to get back into the swing of things. Love the course and I'm glad they didnt have to change it. I didnt get to do it last year b/c they didnt have a field for me (only 3/4 women), so I am looking forward to the race when it does happen.
The season is winding down, though - I made a quick list of upcoming races that I plan to attend and realized how few there are ... Hunny Bop, Tour of Millersburg, Page Valley, Turkey Day, Giro. I've decided I'm going to lay off the TTs ... they're just not being friendly to me so until I figure out the issue, I'm not going to keep banging my head against the wall. One of the house-mates from Louisville generously offered to put my TT bike in their car for the trip home - I advised him that my feelings wouldn't be hurt if he pushed it out of the car on the highway ... yeah, I need a break from TTs.
Friday, July 11, 2008
TGIF 7/11/08
TGIF, indeed ! Ever notice that when you take a week off of work, it takes at least two weeks to catch back up and get back to good ?
This week has been a whirlwind for various reasons, not the least of which was me coming back to a flooded basement (thank you, Sara and Mitch, for helping out while I was gone). This is a new experience for me - I've always PAID homeowners insurance but never actually used it. The most amusing part of this story was that the police/fire dept had to break down my front door to turn off the water (a hose to the washing machine burst) since no one was home. My front door wouldn't close for about a week - thank goodness that my TV is circa 1980 and no one would steal it if I tried to give it to them.
So, to make lemonade out of lemons, I think I'm going to take this opportunity to revamp the basement into an entertainment room. Once the walls are torn out/replaced/repainted and the carpet is replaced, I think I'm going to put in a half-bath and fit out the room with a TV from THIS century and a nice surround system. We'll see - big plans but it seems like a good project for fall/winter. If anyone knows a good contractor (for the bathroom installation), let me know.
To quote another cliche, things tend to happen for a reason. This week was a planned week off the bike - thankfully, because I dont think I would have had time to train between catching up at work and handling the basement drama. I do feel like a slug after 5 days off the bike, though. I finally broke down and hopped on the rower last night - that nearly killed me. Maybe I ought to do that more often. Back on the bike tonight and we'll see what I can bring to Hagerstown - I'll either be rested and fresh or rested and stale. Here's hoping for the former.
Happy Friday !
This week has been a whirlwind for various reasons, not the least of which was me coming back to a flooded basement (thank you, Sara and Mitch, for helping out while I was gone). This is a new experience for me - I've always PAID homeowners insurance but never actually used it. The most amusing part of this story was that the police/fire dept had to break down my front door to turn off the water (a hose to the washing machine burst) since no one was home. My front door wouldn't close for about a week - thank goodness that my TV is circa 1980 and no one would steal it if I tried to give it to them.
So, to make lemonade out of lemons, I think I'm going to take this opportunity to revamp the basement into an entertainment room. Once the walls are torn out/replaced/repainted and the carpet is replaced, I think I'm going to put in a half-bath and fit out the room with a TV from THIS century and a nice surround system. We'll see - big plans but it seems like a good project for fall/winter. If anyone knows a good contractor (for the bathroom installation), let me know.
To quote another cliche, things tend to happen for a reason. This week was a planned week off the bike - thankfully, because I dont think I would have had time to train between catching up at work and handling the basement drama. I do feel like a slug after 5 days off the bike, though. I finally broke down and hopped on the rower last night - that nearly killed me. Maybe I ought to do that more often. Back on the bike tonight and we'll see what I can bring to Hagerstown - I'll either be rested and fresh or rested and stale. Here's hoping for the former.
Happy Friday !
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