Yep, you read that correctly - I want to be more selfish! Ok, maybe not selfish but I want to take more time for me. I want to make that time a priority! Yes, I'm a husband, and I have responsibilities I need to meet for my wife. And Yes I'm a father (and stay at home dad) and I have those responsibilities as well. And, I'm employed, and need to perform those duties as well. Life is full of responsibilities and I absolutely plan on fulfilling them. What I'm talking about thinking about what is best for me. I have needs that need to met too. No, not those needs! Stuff that makes me happy, things I like to do! For instance today I had a dilemma - my brother was coming into town to see us but I also had 1 more ride I needed to complete this week and today was the last day to do so. The old me would have said "I want my guests to feel welcome in my home, I'll skip today's ride." But today I felt it was important to stand up for me, my health, and the commitments I made for the year! I didn't want to go down the path of least resistance by giving up on my wants. I've spent most of adult life giving to others, I was a very dedicated high school teacher, I've volunteered in several organizations, I've given of my time and money to others. Don't get me wrong, those things are great to do. Usually when something has to give it's my wants that get tossed aside. No, I'm not saying this is someone else's fault - IT"S MINE and mine alone. I seem to always relent and do whats easy. I all to easily make excusses that prevent me from doing what I should. I have a very supportive wife, and she wants me to ride (because otherwise I can be a real pain in the A$$)! YES, I know how lucky I am to have her supporting me in my endeavours!
Back to my story - All morning I played it over and over in my head what was going to happen today - I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG! It didn't go how I was expecting - not at all! My brother basically said "Yea, Go ride! And have fun!" ............................ And I did!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Butterflies for Breakfast?
It's a cold Sunday morning in November. I try to follow my regular morning routine - coffee, Greek yogurt, English muffin with honey. I pack up the Truck load up the bike, change of clothes and of course chocolate milk! Driving with a weird sense of excitement , determination and self doubt. "What the hell am I doing here?" "You don't belong here!" I'm headed to my first Cyclocross race in over a year. I put on some rocking music to silence the voices in my head. I know it's going to hurt! I get registered and do my warm up laps. By now the coffee I had earlier is running through like a faucet. I head to bathroom one more time. Guys are all ready starting to line up - I'm last to line up in a field of 60+ racers. I get lined up and I'm feeling the butterflies dancing in my stomach along with a slight taste vomit.
The race starts and all that goes away as I settle into the race as it gets strung out. I'm thinking about 1,000 different thoughts now. Catch that guy in front of you, Hit that line, Miss that root, Downshift here comes a hill, brake, pour on the GAS, take this corner wide, more speed, SAND!, stay away from the guy behind, push, push, push. I push harder and harder on the pedals pushing too big of a gear up the hills. My legs are straining, my lungs are burning even though air is a piecing cold 40 degrees, I cant feel my toes, and my hands are numb from the cold and vibration, my mouth is wide open gasping for air, eyes watering, and my nose is running! My race is 30 minutes and after 10 I'm wanting to quit! I push on and try to recover before the heart rate redlines again. I finish the race - There is no other option!
Why would I put myself into that kind of position? You should be waking up late, relaxing, drinking coffee, reading the morning paper in my bathrobe on a Sunday morning! I've done a 5+ hour charity ride but a 30 minute cx race is way tougher! Yes, life would be easier laying in bed. Sure, I would also be fatter! I'll be honest I SUCK at racing, so again WHY? I love racing. Don't get me wrong IT SUCKS DURING THE RACE but after I feel so good! Endorphins are flowing, and I have an overflowing of emotions. I've most of my adult life doing the easy thing. But I long for the days of adventure (and/or stupidity) of my youth. I want to feel alive and not just exist. Suffering during a race makes the relaxing after so much more ...... relaxing. I want to test myself. I want to feel the pain and suffering and over come it! I want a challenge!
The race starts and all that goes away as I settle into the race as it gets strung out. I'm thinking about 1,000 different thoughts now. Catch that guy in front of you, Hit that line, Miss that root, Downshift here comes a hill, brake, pour on the GAS, take this corner wide, more speed, SAND!, stay away from the guy behind, push, push, push. I push harder and harder on the pedals pushing too big of a gear up the hills. My legs are straining, my lungs are burning even though air is a piecing cold 40 degrees, I cant feel my toes, and my hands are numb from the cold and vibration, my mouth is wide open gasping for air, eyes watering, and my nose is running! My race is 30 minutes and after 10 I'm wanting to quit! I push on and try to recover before the heart rate redlines again. I finish the race - There is no other option!
Why would I put myself into that kind of position? You should be waking up late, relaxing, drinking coffee, reading the morning paper in my bathrobe on a Sunday morning! I've done a 5+ hour charity ride but a 30 minute cx race is way tougher! Yes, life would be easier laying in bed. Sure, I would also be fatter! I'll be honest I SUCK at racing, so again WHY? I love racing. Don't get me wrong IT SUCKS DURING THE RACE but after I feel so good! Endorphins are flowing, and I have an overflowing of emotions. I've most of my adult life doing the easy thing. But I long for the days of adventure (and/or stupidity) of my youth. I want to feel alive and not just exist. Suffering during a race makes the relaxing after so much more ...... relaxing. I want to test myself. I want to feel the pain and suffering and over come it! I want a challenge!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The "Plan"
Back in High school every Friday/Saturday night my mom would ask me "What's the Plan?" as I was walking out of the house for that evenings festivities. I would turn to her, put my hand on her shoulder and say "Mom, The Plan is......... to NOT have a plan". Mom never really like that "plan". And that worked when I was much younger and life was just about having fun. But now, I have goals and that "plan" just hasn't worked for me in the world of bike racing. Battling NOT to finish DFL is getting a little old! So here it is, enjoy.
First things first, I bought a heart Rate Monitor, A Garmin Edge 500 to be exact. This thing is amazing y the way! Next a friend and successful mountain bike racer put together a training plan for me - a mix of Tempo, Endurance, Power, Intervals, and fun rides.
I stopped racing CX for the season so I could train a little better for the upcoming Winter short track series in January and February. It's very similar to CX racing but on mountain bikes - Basically, who can finish the most laps within a given time. Still unsure what Short track is click here. I'm planing on completing all 5 races as long as the weather is descent. Snow would be fine but not rain - I really don't want to get sick. The races will be part of the training. I'm not expecting to win or even come close. They will be more a way for me to push myself, gain racing experience, race some slow guys (like me), meet some people, and have fun!
Next, will be the start of the Maxxis Southern Classics Series which are regional events spread throughout North and South Carolina. I'm planing on doing the Tsali, Riverfront Classic, and maybe Uwharrie. I'm going to try to work in a night Cx race at the Mountain Sports Festival in Late April. At the same time I will be competing in the Local Wednesday night series at different venues in the Charlotte area. I'm thinking of just doing the Whitewater center, Renaissance, and maybe Anne Springs - North Meck and Fisher Farm are too far away. So that's going to add another 8-12 races. All of this should be leading up to a big finish - The Jerdon Mountain Challenge (a warm up to ORAMM) in July - 30 miles and 4000' of climbing.
Hopefully after JMC I'll be ready for a break. YES, resting is going to be part of the "Plan". Maye take a couple weeks off then on to CX training. I want to do at least 8 races (I competed in 4 this year) but thinking if I'm doing well, having fun, this could easily see myself doing 12ish.
Another goal is finally losing the weight, This shouldn't be to difficult IF I follow the plan. Earlier this year I was up near 300lbs. Now I'm down in the 250's. Still losing weight well into winter and the holiday season is huge for me - that never happens! By Tsali(April 7) I'm hoping to be down to 230.
I know it sounds like a lot and it absolutely is a lot! I just need to follow the plan!
First things first, I bought a heart Rate Monitor, A Garmin Edge 500 to be exact. This thing is amazing y the way! Next a friend and successful mountain bike racer put together a training plan for me - a mix of Tempo, Endurance, Power, Intervals, and fun rides.
I stopped racing CX for the season so I could train a little better for the upcoming Winter short track series in January and February. It's very similar to CX racing but on mountain bikes - Basically, who can finish the most laps within a given time. Still unsure what Short track is click here. I'm planing on completing all 5 races as long as the weather is descent. Snow would be fine but not rain - I really don't want to get sick. The races will be part of the training. I'm not expecting to win or even come close. They will be more a way for me to push myself, gain racing experience, race some slow guys (like me), meet some people, and have fun!
Next, will be the start of the Maxxis Southern Classics Series which are regional events spread throughout North and South Carolina. I'm planing on doing the Tsali, Riverfront Classic, and maybe Uwharrie. I'm going to try to work in a night Cx race at the Mountain Sports Festival in Late April. At the same time I will be competing in the Local Wednesday night series at different venues in the Charlotte area. I'm thinking of just doing the Whitewater center, Renaissance, and maybe Anne Springs - North Meck and Fisher Farm are too far away. So that's going to add another 8-12 races. All of this should be leading up to a big finish - The Jerdon Mountain Challenge (a warm up to ORAMM) in July - 30 miles and 4000' of climbing.
Hopefully after JMC I'll be ready for a break. YES, resting is going to be part of the "Plan". Maye take a couple weeks off then on to CX training. I want to do at least 8 races (I competed in 4 this year) but thinking if I'm doing well, having fun, this could easily see myself doing 12ish.
Another goal is finally losing the weight, This shouldn't be to difficult IF I follow the plan. Earlier this year I was up near 300lbs. Now I'm down in the 250's. Still losing weight well into winter and the holiday season is huge for me - that never happens! By Tsali(April 7) I'm hoping to be down to 230.
I know it sounds like a lot and it absolutely is a lot! I just need to follow the plan!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Other Ladies in my life
As promised Pics of Bikes. More importantly MY BIKES!
Road/ Trainer Bike: The first is a 2009 Specialized Roubaix. Upgrades include SRAM Force Shifters, SRAM Rival Rear Derailleur, Easton EA70 Wheels, Speedplay pedals, and Lizard Skin Tape (my favorite!). A great bike with a SEXY Carbon weave. Extremely Comfortable on a long country farm road!
Cyclocross Bike: A 2009 Redline Conquest Pro - my absolute favorite bike. Why? It's fast, quick and agile! And FUN t ride - It gets a lot of looks at my son school waiting to pick him with a sea of other parents on Huffy, Magna's, and Diamondbacks. Upgraded Brakes to Avid Ultimates and the tires - Schwalbe Racing Ralphs - Both are AMAZING!
*If you aren't sure what Cyclocross is check out this video - click here. It's also the fastest growing of all the cycling disciplines. It's also refereed to as "Psycho-cross" for good reason.
Mountain bike: My newest bike is a 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 930! a 29er' and Full Suspension! Seems like overkill I know but my back thanks me after every ride. And the Smile on my face after a ride says it all. like I said pretty new so the only upgrades have been Ergon Race grips and a Carbon low rise bar is on the way. This bike may soon surpass the Redline!
Whats coming next .... I'm really thinking a Niner SS is in the near future- Hopefully this Spring. Also, A buddy has a Specialized Epic that my lusting after.... maybe further down the road. And maybe up grading the CX bike to Disk, maybe a Van Dessel Gin and Trombones?
Road/ Trainer Bike: The first is a 2009 Specialized Roubaix. Upgrades include SRAM Force Shifters, SRAM Rival Rear Derailleur, Easton EA70 Wheels, Speedplay pedals, and Lizard Skin Tape (my favorite!). A great bike with a SEXY Carbon weave. Extremely Comfortable on a long country farm road!
Cyclocross Bike: A 2009 Redline Conquest Pro - my absolute favorite bike. Why? It's fast, quick and agile! And FUN t ride - It gets a lot of looks at my son school waiting to pick him with a sea of other parents on Huffy, Magna's, and Diamondbacks. Upgraded Brakes to Avid Ultimates and the tires - Schwalbe Racing Ralphs - Both are AMAZING! *If you aren't sure what Cyclocross is check out this video - click here. It's also the fastest growing of all the cycling disciplines. It's also refereed to as "Psycho-cross" for good reason.
Mountain bike: My newest bike is a 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 930! a 29er' and Full Suspension! Seems like overkill I know but my back thanks me after every ride. And the Smile on my face after a ride says it all. like I said pretty new so the only upgrades have been Ergon Race grips and a Carbon low rise bar is on the way. This bike may soon surpass the Redline!Whats coming next .... I'm really thinking a Niner SS is in the near future- Hopefully this Spring. Also, A buddy has a Specialized Epic that my lusting after.... maybe further down the road. And maybe up grading the CX bike to Disk, maybe a Van Dessel Gin and Trombones?
Saturday, December 8, 2012
OH, BOY another Blog - Please tell me MORE!
So here's what I'm thinking for this blog. as the title suggests this is going to be about bikes, bike shops, trails, losing weight, racing, training, diet. My 6th grade English teacher, Mrs. Hoffman, I'm sure would be very disappointed in my title but I'm going to worry to much about Punctuation, spelling, etc.
Next blog post will be: Introduction to my bikes! Afterall it's all about the BIKES!
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