So because I've been out with this pneumonia thing and my lungs are half the useless bags they used to be, I have started doing other things on the bike. I've picked MTB'ing up again, I started racing the track, and I picked up surfing again.
Losing my track cherry.
I decided that I should do a track class before I just started racing. Let someone take me on the wall and learn about the lines and the races and the etiquette. Everything. I took the class from Meg. She does an awesome job. She gives the history of the track, and goes over everything you need to know to be on the track safely and to have fun. She answers questions brilliantly and she is way under paid.
After the "classroom" time she said lets get on our bikes (which by the way I rented mine) she said "Don't worry we won't go on the wall, just yet" She must have read the fear in all of our eyes. We rolled around on the apron and up on the track then off then on it was pretty awesome. We did a little more talking then, "You guys ready to go up the wall?" There wasn't one person jumping up and down but we had to do it sometime. Off we went, we rolled around on the apron got up on the track and we played follow the leader. As we were heading toward that wall man everything in your mind is telling you it's a bad idea at the slow speed we were going. We kept approaching and bam we are on the thing and the giggling ensued. Giggling from fear of sliding off the wall and giggling from elation and be on there and not sliding off, giggling and swearing. Good times. It took several passes on the wall for the "OH FUCK"s to stop and the giggling to subside. What a frickin' trip. I was hooked. I've been racing the track since. I went the following Friday.
In fact we had a ridiculous field in the beginners. There was a pro on the road in our field and some cat 1's and 2's on the road as well. Not fair. That pro was tough for sure! I tried staying on his wheel in the scratch race and evidently he is a surgeon 'cause he ripped my knee caps off, I lasted a little while but was no match for a guy who gets paid to ride a bike. I'm definitly looking forward to more time on the track.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Pneumonia
After I finished 23 minutes back in the 3 field at Cherry Blossom I took a day off and got back into racing and training again. I wasn't going to do Eugene Roubaix but I figured the legs were doing ok and I was feeling somewhat recovered. I just kept on the bike that week and tried to flush the legs out.
The Friday night before my race I decided to go out with a friend and have a nice evening of trying to stay off my feet and drinking water. I didn't get to bed till 2 and I had to be up at 7 to get to the race. I didn't end up sleeping in my own bed that night and I didn't sleep very well because of it along with waking up with a stiff neck.
But I headed down to the race anyway. 2 hours in the car for a 2.5 hour race. Great. I still wasn't feel horrible, a little tired maybe but not horrible. The profile was supposed to be mostly flat with a gravel section that was a little tenuous. I think we were supposed to do 4 laps on this circuit and do this little bump in the road four times. It seemed easy enough. My plan was to just stay in the pack and hang out for the day.
But if you have read this blog before you know that's always the plan and I never stick to it. Eugene was no exception. I went out on the first and second lap just playing around trying to be active and have fun. What I should have been doing is staying put and just getting through the race. The third time up the hill I buried myself to get over that little bump with the group. When I was seeing double the stars on that tiny climb that sealed the deal for me. I wouldn't finish the race the next time through the gravel section I was going to pull off and miss the sprint and just head back to the car. I sat in the car and even fell asleep after getting my recovery food in me.
That evening and the evenings to follow I would develop pneumonia and bronchitis that would handcuff me. I haven't been able to do much racing or train like I would like because I've been recovering from pneumonia. The worst possible thing to happen to an endurance athlete. Ok maybe there are worse things, but it was shitty. The entire winter negated by one illness.
The Friday night before my race I decided to go out with a friend and have a nice evening of trying to stay off my feet and drinking water. I didn't get to bed till 2 and I had to be up at 7 to get to the race. I didn't end up sleeping in my own bed that night and I didn't sleep very well because of it along with waking up with a stiff neck.
But I headed down to the race anyway. 2 hours in the car for a 2.5 hour race. Great. I still wasn't feel horrible, a little tired maybe but not horrible. The profile was supposed to be mostly flat with a gravel section that was a little tenuous. I think we were supposed to do 4 laps on this circuit and do this little bump in the road four times. It seemed easy enough. My plan was to just stay in the pack and hang out for the day.
But if you have read this blog before you know that's always the plan and I never stick to it. Eugene was no exception. I went out on the first and second lap just playing around trying to be active and have fun. What I should have been doing is staying put and just getting through the race. The third time up the hill I buried myself to get over that little bump with the group. When I was seeing double the stars on that tiny climb that sealed the deal for me. I wouldn't finish the race the next time through the gravel section I was going to pull off and miss the sprint and just head back to the car. I sat in the car and even fell asleep after getting my recovery food in me.
That evening and the evenings to follow I would develop pneumonia and bronchitis that would handcuff me. I haven't been able to do much racing or train like I would like because I've been recovering from pneumonia. The worst possible thing to happen to an endurance athlete. Ok maybe there are worse things, but it was shitty. The entire winter negated by one illness.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Cherry Blossom Day 3 Stage 3 and 4
This day was pretty uneventful. Time trials tend to be boring to recall and write about. I showed up on time and went about as hard as I possibly could and didn’t come in last or get passed.
The crit was uneventful too. Thank gawd! I executed my plan perfectly. I was going to make that announcer say my name. I knew it wouldn’t be because I won the race. Not with the two noodles I was working with. So I was going to go out for as many laps as it took to make him call out our team and my name and then get shelled directly.
I went out on the third lap. I didn’t know that there was a guy up the road already. That SOB was taking my glory and I would have to catch him to get the announcer to say our team name. But as we passed the start/finish line for the 4th time I heard the announcer say it and I went back to the pack. I was planning on getting shelled but I stayed on to the finish. Just trying to keep the rubber side down and get to the beer tent with all my skin. Mission accomplished.
The crit was uneventful too. Thank gawd! I executed my plan perfectly. I was going to make that announcer say my name. I knew it wouldn’t be because I won the race. Not with the two noodles I was working with. So I was going to go out for as many laps as it took to make him call out our team and my name and then get shelled directly.
I went out on the third lap. I didn’t know that there was a guy up the road already. That SOB was taking my glory and I would have to catch him to get the announcer to say our team name. But as we passed the start/finish line for the 4th time I heard the announcer say it and I went back to the pack. I was planning on getting shelled but I stayed on to the finish. Just trying to keep the rubber side down and get to the beer tent with all my skin. Mission accomplished.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Cherry Blossom Stage 2
Todays stage was 54 miles of climbing, if there was a downhill section of that road I don't recall it. And not just because I blacked out more times than I care to share.
The race started out ok just like the rest we did the two small loops with punchy little climbs that softened up the legs that were already mush. The group stayed together just fine through those little loops. Then we made a left and up we went, again. That's when the screws were turned and I lost contact. I was cross eyed trying to stay in contact and inside the cars that couldn't see straight and was weaving all over the road. To make matters worse the back stretch had a false flat to a climb with a headwind, oh and the headwind by the way no matter which way you went today was there. Brutal! Demoralizing! We got to the next up hill bit, about a mile and half of dirt road that was a true tempo climb. That went on for 3 laps. Did it sound like it was all up hill? That's cause it was!
The last lap a group of us had formed out side the cars just trying to limit our damage, and save some face. When we got to the final climb, on the dirt stretch, I started to lose consciousness, no kidding, I dipped so far into the tank that I was seeing twice as many stars and begging for my mamma. That climb turned me into a little kid. The lights started to go and I grabbed everything I could find to eat, I even got a little nibble of my right index finger. Poured some water down my throat and finished the climb. Just as we topped out some pros went by me like I was standing still. Hell I thought, in my not so lucid state, that I was actually going downhill and wobbled a little in fright. Then I do remember one descent that I suppose we must have done before but couldn't tell ya. I was so out of it that I think my body was trying to crash the bike on the descent so that I wouldn't have do this anymore.
I collapsed at the finish! I am 22 min back
The race started out ok just like the rest we did the two small loops with punchy little climbs that softened up the legs that were already mush. The group stayed together just fine through those little loops. Then we made a left and up we went, again. That's when the screws were turned and I lost contact. I was cross eyed trying to stay in contact and inside the cars that couldn't see straight and was weaving all over the road. To make matters worse the back stretch had a false flat to a climb with a headwind, oh and the headwind by the way no matter which way you went today was there. Brutal! Demoralizing! We got to the next up hill bit, about a mile and half of dirt road that was a true tempo climb. That went on for 3 laps. Did it sound like it was all up hill? That's cause it was!
The last lap a group of us had formed out side the cars just trying to limit our damage, and save some face. When we got to the final climb, on the dirt stretch, I started to lose consciousness, no kidding, I dipped so far into the tank that I was seeing twice as many stars and begging for my mamma. That climb turned me into a little kid. The lights started to go and I grabbed everything I could find to eat, I even got a little nibble of my right index finger. Poured some water down my throat and finished the climb. Just as we topped out some pros went by me like I was standing still. Hell I thought, in my not so lucid state, that I was actually going downhill and wobbled a little in fright. Then I do remember one descent that I suppose we must have done before but couldn't tell ya. I was so out of it that I think my body was trying to crash the bike on the descent so that I wouldn't have do this anymore.
I collapsed at the finish! I am 22 min back
Cherry Blossom Pre Stage 2
I wake up to early! I had a good night sleep though. I went out and hung with some friends. One of which made some Strawberry/Chocolate/Mint/fat/fat/fat pie. I housed the thing. I couldn't stop eating last night. This morning wasn't much different. Woke up hungry and having to piss. The worst feeling, which one do you battle first.
I hit the foam roller and took a look at the weather. Although no need to look at a computer, it's staring me in the face from the big picture window. The worst combo for today. Hurricane force winds, raining and cool. Perfect! A hilly Belgium race in The Dalles. This race can only go wrong for mediocre rider like myself.
We will see how cross eyed I get today. I suspect I will need smelling salts after the stage today. Chad didn't do us any favors by taking 7 mile hill out of the line up. I think today will have people begging for 7 mile to come back. There is a 10 min sustained steep climb (shit it's really comin' down now!). There is going to be a mud bath on that climb today. I just hope I come out alive!
Ok I need to find my testicles and get to the race!
I hit the foam roller and took a look at the weather. Although no need to look at a computer, it's staring me in the face from the big picture window. The worst combo for today. Hurricane force winds, raining and cool. Perfect! A hilly Belgium race in The Dalles. This race can only go wrong for mediocre rider like myself.
We will see how cross eyed I get today. I suspect I will need smelling salts after the stage today. Chad didn't do us any favors by taking 7 mile hill out of the line up. I think today will have people begging for 7 mile to come back. There is a 10 min sustained steep climb (shit it's really comin' down now!). There is going to be a mud bath on that climb today. I just hope I come out alive!
Ok I need to find my testicles and get to the race!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Cherry Blossom Stage 1
It was a gorgeous start to the day. A little breeze, about 60 degrees and sunny. Some high clouds. We got to reconnect with friends and chatter a little and shit talk with some rivals. We got placed right next to the Team O guys in the lot and jive talk a bit.
I do like stage racing though. You really get to test your legs and lungs. Here is where you find out if you've done things right over the past few months, and if it was worth alienating all those relationships during the winter. It's just a different atmosphere joking and relaxing, all I do for three days is ride my bike at a blistering pace, eat and sleep. I love it.
The race started out reasonable enough. A little wind, and little casual conversation, and then we hit the first climb. People shut up and turned the screws. The first time up that climb wasn't horrible but you could tell that it wasn't going to get any easy with every time up.
The strong guys were all marking each other and I was marking them just trying not to lose time and still trying to test if I am strong enough to hang with them. There are a group of guys, about 12 strong, that are all going to upgrade after this race and I am going to see where I fit with them before they leave.
The back stretch was casual each time, the group was getting smaller each time as the big climb became selective every time up it. The third time up the climb, I didn't think I was going to be able to make up with the lead group. Lap two had hurt me badly enough that I was in danger of getting dropped on that third climb. I redefined how deep into the pain cave I can really go today. And I guess once your fitness is there that really is what racing is about. How much can you hurt. I have realized that I have levels of pain to reach that I didn't know existed. I am sure there are layers still left to peel away.
I finished with the lead group of about 50 guys. It was a sprint finish and I didn't lose any time. Beautiful day, great race, tomorrow will likely be a different story.
I do like stage racing though. You really get to test your legs and lungs. Here is where you find out if you've done things right over the past few months, and if it was worth alienating all those relationships during the winter. It's just a different atmosphere joking and relaxing, all I do for three days is ride my bike at a blistering pace, eat and sleep. I love it.
The race started out reasonable enough. A little wind, and little casual conversation, and then we hit the first climb. People shut up and turned the screws. The first time up that climb wasn't horrible but you could tell that it wasn't going to get any easy with every time up.
The strong guys were all marking each other and I was marking them just trying not to lose time and still trying to test if I am strong enough to hang with them. There are a group of guys, about 12 strong, that are all going to upgrade after this race and I am going to see where I fit with them before they leave.
The back stretch was casual each time, the group was getting smaller each time as the big climb became selective every time up it. The third time up the climb, I didn't think I was going to be able to make up with the lead group. Lap two had hurt me badly enough that I was in danger of getting dropped on that third climb. I redefined how deep into the pain cave I can really go today. And I guess once your fitness is there that really is what racing is about. How much can you hurt. I have realized that I have levels of pain to reach that I didn't know existed. I am sure there are layers still left to peel away.
I finished with the lead group of about 50 guys. It was a sprint finish and I didn't lose any time. Beautiful day, great race, tomorrow will likely be a different story.
Cherry Blossom Pre Stage 1
5:30 alarm, "I'm a Beggar in the morning" by The Barr Brothers. And I kinda am. I am begging for more sleep. I roll out of bed to make coffee and spew some words on this page before the big first stage of the weekend. Today appears to be a bit windy and that doesn't help matters. It looks to be an easterly which means that not only will we have a climb today but it will have a nasty headwind on the climb and on the descent. Perfect. Beautiful day though. It is awesome that the Fieldings let me stay here for this race. Guy, the Fieldings son, and I joked over email about me mowing the lawn whether it needs it or not because his dad has a sign up that says so. His dad didn't take at as a joke, he said the lawnmower's in the garage... So I guess I am mowing the lawn after stage one today. The life of an amateur bike racer just isn't as glamorous as we'd like. When was the last time Hincapie mowed his own lawn after a stage race? Or at all! Then there is the fact that I'm going to work on Monday, or at least I'm showing up.
Let's hope I show up at the race today. I don't feel so confident this morning about how this is going to go. I know there are some guys that are coming that plan on tearing me apart and everyone else for that matter. It's not personal, they're just stronger than me... for now. I'm just trying not to lose time today. But I am as tapered, tuned, and as thin as I can be. So what races today is what I am no excuses. This is one test that I did study for, unlike the PE, and today we find out if I am bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Let's hope I show up at the race today. I don't feel so confident this morning about how this is going to go. I know there are some guys that are coming that plan on tearing me apart and everyone else for that matter. It's not personal, they're just stronger than me... for now. I'm just trying not to lose time today. But I am as tapered, tuned, and as thin as I can be. So what races today is what I am no excuses. This is one test that I did study for, unlike the PE, and today we find out if I am bringing a knife to a gunfight.
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