TGIF - 10/23/08

Seems like all I blog about is how hard the week was, how busy I've been and how GLAD I am that it's FRIDAY. Well, I do have something of great import to blog about ...

SUCCESS !! (in baby steps)



So, I finally took my mountain bike to my LBS (Avalon Cycles - Donald is great!) to make sure everything was in working order. Recall that two years ago I had a little ... mishap ... on the mtb. A mishap that involved a cast up to my bicep so I looked like a cartoon character. And it really put a damper on my "I want to enjoy fall riding" that year. Anyhoo. The bike was quarantined for a year. Then it sat in my basement for another year. I kept saying that I should get back in the saddle but it was always bad timing - ie, if I break something now, I won't be able to race Nationals. If I fall and hurt myself now, I won't be able to enjoy Coach Slavedriver's bump and grind drills. These were really excuses, but they were viable excuses.

So, Donald and crew hooked my bike up and sent me on my way. I was invited to take part in a "shop" mtb ride in the park but decided that maybe I should get used to the awkward shifting (in comparison to my road bike!)first.

The old adage goes "it's just like riding a bike" ... and it was-shifting came back to me quickly, the trails at Rockburn Park were in good shape and there weren't too many other bikers out there so I didnt have to worry about accidentally running someone over. My goal for the day: don't fall, but if you do fall, don't break anything. I did not set the bar high.

I managed to stay upright and, I'm happy to report, I am still in one piece. I will admit to dismounting and walking over a couple of spots ... those of you that mtb would have pointed at me and laughed, I'm sure, but we're taking baby steps here. I judge this 2hr outing as a success.

In other news, cross training is going well. I had one of my best ever times on the rower this week for 5000m. Made a spin class. Actually did some honest-to-goodness intervals on the rollers. Even got out for a quick 4 or 5 miles (running) in the city one day for lunch. Tomorrow looks like either a quick run in between rain showers or an indoor workout. Boo.

On Sundays I've kind of gotten in the habit of starting my ride at Glenelg High School. I've spent bunches of time on the roads out there and absolutely love the riding - now I have to actually drive to the ride start, which isn't ideal, but it's such a great ride I'm okay with it. Besides, there's a Starbucks on the way. What can I say ... will travel for Starbucks.
I am always looking for good company to occupy the time over the miles ... otherwise its just me and my ipod. Thank goodness for Apple/iPod. I know some people don't like to ride/run with music but I dont know if I could do it without my music. As I explained to Coach Slavedriver, who asked me if I always ride with music: its like having a soundtrack to my life. Hmm ... wouldn't it be revealing to say what song is playing right now ?

TGIF - 10/17/08

I have been uninspired with regard to blog postings in the recent weeks. I'm fairly certain that the cycling community has no interest in my running escapades. My plain-jane accounting job does not hold any appeal to readers. I've been biting my tongue as far as politics - which is nearly killing me, as anyone who knows me will attest to. So, if I'm not racing, one must wonder: what else is worthy of blogging ? What indeed - how about some random ramblings:

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Oliver Stone movie about "W" (it's released today, I think)... even if you're still a Bush fan (one of few), you have to admit the movie looks intriguing. I think I can say that without ruffling political feathers, can't I? Trailer is below, courtesy of youtube.



Speaking of ruffling political feathers, I have had several debates with my grandfather about the election. We have agreed to disagree, but it got pretty heated. We went from politics to religion to money, so it was a doozy of a conversation. The great thing is that while we did get into it, he understands that I enjoy a good debate - I learn from it, I enjoy the sparring and I find it to be quite interesting. Some think that the second you disagree, you should shut it down. I dated a guy like that once - anti-conflict, wouldn't even approach a subject that MIGHT cause disagreement. That didn't last long !

Update: the good news is that my basement is back in order. Without the half-bath that I had hoped to put in. At the risk of alienating anyone who deems themselves a "contractor", my recent experiences with contractors leaves me with one word to describe them. I'll leave that to your imagination. Suffice it to say, the Great Flood occurred in early July, I literally just got carpet put in last week. Sigh. I wish I could do MY job that way ... it'd be a helluva lot easier than these 12 hour days I've been putting in.

I figure that the 12hr days this time of year are much less painful than they would be, say, in July, when race season is peaking. Brownie points are a good thing !

Team stuff - a couple of teammates have put together some great photos and summaries of the season for Team CycleLife ... after reading it and looking through the pics, I'm motivated to ride again !!!




I've actually been on the bike quite a bit these past two weeks - more than I expected and much more than Coach SlaveDriver called for. I've been trying to get my running-miles in during the day (as a self-imposed break from work) but have been missing out on outdoor cycling miles. I LOVE my new rollers - they're super-awesome-cool. I prefer to ride outdoors, as we all do, but if you have to train indoors, you gotta get yourself on some e-motion rollers. I don't get paid to say this, they aren't a sponsor etc etc ... they just make indoor training a little less painful.

Not surprised but still disappointed by all the new positive tests for doping amongst the pros. Don't mistake me for a pessimist, I much rather the phrase "a realist". I have often said that the riders who succeed w/o being caught for doping are the ones who have the best doctors. The issue now is that the best doctors might be ahead of technology THIS MINUTE, but now we can go back to race samples and test with newer technology.

I've always said that hey, we know they're doing it. We know they're going to keep doing it (although the proposed 4yr suspension MIGHT discourage a few - 4yrs is a long time in this sport). We know they're usually a few steps ahead of the testing. Without absolutely destroying the sport's image (we're pretty close right now) what can we do realistically about it ?

It's a well known fact that cycling is the most self-tested/regulated sport as far as doping. Lets not get into the argument that pro-football players/baseball players are tested from time to time - their player unions require notice AHEAD of the testing (thereby eliminating the surprise element) and their suspensions are nearly non-existent, even when a player is found guilty. It is a well known fact that the size and weight of NFL players today is exponentially higher than those players back in the early days of the sport. Is it because they're just training harder ? I think not. They still have plenty of time to get themselves in the news for a suspected rape, murder, beating etc. I digress.

Went for a fabulous ride this morning before work - I had forgotten what a great way to start the day it was. The weather these past two weeks has been fabulous ... perfect for any outdoor activity. This weekend looks like a great weekend for some long miles - break out the light underlayers and the long-sleeve jerseys, highs are in the low 60s but sunshine is abound. The leaves are starting to fall so get out to enjoy the views, if nothing else. See you on the road !

TGIF - 10/3/08

Wow - political debates, controversial legislature, bank failures .... I think that in a few years we'll look back on this time and say - that was a crossroad. Things changed after that. In a few weeks' time we will either elect the first female VP or the first african-american President. The controversial "bailout" will either succeed in some small way or it will fail miserably. The American way of life - banks, lines of credit, loans and mortgaging away your life ... it will change one way or the other. Its exciting and scary at the same time - you can feel it in the air - things are going to change.

It is killing me not to espouse my opinion, make my case for the issues that matter to me, say why I think that one candidate is a better choice than the other (I dont think either of them are the perfect solution), what got us to this place in the first place ... but given the drama that my race reports have caused at times it seems an irresponsible thing to do.

On to another, lighter discussion. My good friend and teammate Michelle came up with this gem while running this morning - she sent me an email describing her thought process that ended with a nice thought for all of us to take home ... our perceptions of ourselves are never quite accurate, and in reality, we are our worst critics instead of our best cheerleaders. Since we tend to surround ourselves with competitive athletes (and we are, by nature of doing this silly sport, competitive ourselves) we are always striving for perfection - which I agree with Michelle that perfection is nearly impossible to achieve. Despite our own criticisms of ourselves - our weight, our musculature, being slower than we want to be, not having the ability to break the hour on the in the TT ... in reality, just being a part of this sport and being a part of something that is so competitive and demands so much dedication - we are truly much better people - inside and out- than we comprehend.

Despite the fact that the philosophical thought was a bit much before coffee, it was a nice moment to take a deep breath, smile at the accomplishments and goals I have achieved and re-motivate to keep at it ... a good reminder to to do it for the right reasons. Don't do it so that when you look in the mirror you can validate yourself, dont do it because you want to beat so-and-so, don't do it to show up your ex ... Do it for your health, the adrenaline, the rush, the release, the love of the sport, and the love of your body.

Thanks Michelle - it was a much needed moment of pause for me. TGIF.