Since I am back into posting full time :)..... I thought I would just take an opportunity to catch up on everything I have missed.
1. The Cyclery in Edwardsville is going to have a team next year and I will be on it. The kits are getting finalized as I type...(they are gonna be cool)
2. I have done two power tests. One in February this year and one last weekend. I havent seen my overall comparison yet but my coach says that I improved across the board by about 20 watts. Thats decent, and I will test again in 3 weeks or so with the coach,,,,with coaching through the test which should improve the numbers.
3. I have bought a new mountain bike for next years race....2011 Trek Superfly 100....This is a carbon full suspension bike and will have a post dedicated specifically to it soon.
4. My fitness level has improved dramatically this year.
5. I have been doing a lot of strength training lately and getting strong (for me). I have been incorporating Pride Fitness's Saturday Circuit into my week when I can. It is awesome and is great for the core.
6. I have converted my old mountain bike into a single speed.
7. I went shopping with DFlack and he just purchased a Trek Madone 5.1.....Hope he's ready to ride!
8. I went mountain bike riding with Mr. Ironman Butler a couple of weeks ago....me on my new ride and him on his 20 year old Specialized that he not ridden in years......He now has a new mountain bike....Sorry Rene. He is ready to ride and we have already had his new machine out on the trails. He was fast for his second trip on the trails in 15 years.... Pretty soon he will be pulling me around the trails like he pulls me on the road rides.
9. I bettered my Tour de Doughnut time by more than 1/2 hour from last years time. I was 54th out of 1500 or so riders. I was very pleased with that. 32ish miles in 1:17. My last years time was close to 1:50. I guess my coach and the training has helped a little. These times are approximate and from memory, I just did not want to take the time to look them up Im on a roll....
Other unrelated personal items..
7. We sold our house and moved to town and I have a great computrainer/weight room in our new place!
8. Hudson is in IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy) Program.
9. Madison is a blue belt in TKD.
10. Darla quit her job (So she can do all the house stuff and I will have more time to ride).
11. Madison got braces.
Go Big or Stay Home
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Berryman Trail Epic
So, the other other big race this year......the Berryman Trail Epic.... roughly 56 miles in the Steelville, MO area.
I drove down with my coach (Andy Gibbs) and another buddy of his Skip (that's not his name nor do I know his name). We stayed at a cabin at the campground that hosted the race. It was pretty primitive but not a tent. However, when I retrieved my sleeping bag from the car, it was soaking wet.....made for a cold night.
We prepped everything the night before - bikes, nutrition, clothing - and then got up at 6am to put some fuel in the tank. Andy and Skip had their oatmeal with additives pre-made and all they had to do was add water and nuke it. I went to the shop at the campground for some oatmeal but guess what, they did not open till 8. So, I sponged left overs from Andy and Skip and ate a protein bar or two and a bagel.
As we lined up for the race, I noticed the people at the start line did not have the diversity of a normal race. What I mean is they all looked Ironman Triathlete fit (shout out to Rick and Tracy my IM buddies here!). I found out later that was because this race is long and hard. This was the first time I had ridden down there and my first time on this trail was this race (not recommended).
The first 25 miles were glorious. I was flying, average speed was very high....then, all of a sudden....OW, MY HAMSTRING!!! the cramps started. What I didn't tell you was that I thought I would try this one without a camelpak. A camelpak is a hydration pack that holds 80 ounces of water or so. It also holds other nutrition and salt tabs. Guess what, I needed it....not that fit yet....well, the pros do it! But without a crew at the aid stations it is a little tough without a pack. Anyway, the next 30 miles were excruciating. I cramped early and often. At one point I was on the trail and couldn't move and sent everyone around me through the woods. The thought of throwing in the towel actually did float through my head for a couple of minutes, and I had to play mind games with myself to keep going. With about 5 miles left the course opened up to a fire road and I started to feel good. I opened her up and started hammering, and passing racer after racer and then,,,,,, BOTH HAMSTRINGS about 2 miles from finish. All those racers passed me back and they all were saying "Do you need anything?"......"Yes, not to be so stupid not bring a pack on a 56 mile race with no crew!"
All in all, it was a great learning experience as I had felt great all year and not cramped in any race but it re-emphasized how important nutrition is before and during a race. I can't wait to go back and ride the Berryman as they are some of the best trails in the Midwest. And if anyone is looking for a great race to train for next year, these guys know how to do it.... Berryman Epic
Also, my buddy Andy finished 8th out of 300 or so.... With some pros in the race and in the top ten, this is a very impressive performance! Way to go coach! Yours truly was 154th in 7 hours and 5 minutes...
Well, I finished....
Go Big or Stay Home
I drove down with my coach (Andy Gibbs) and another buddy of his Skip (that's not his name nor do I know his name). We stayed at a cabin at the campground that hosted the race. It was pretty primitive but not a tent. However, when I retrieved my sleeping bag from the car, it was soaking wet.....made for a cold night.
We prepped everything the night before - bikes, nutrition, clothing - and then got up at 6am to put some fuel in the tank. Andy and Skip had their oatmeal with additives pre-made and all they had to do was add water and nuke it. I went to the shop at the campground for some oatmeal but guess what, they did not open till 8. So, I sponged left overs from Andy and Skip and ate a protein bar or two and a bagel.
As we lined up for the race, I noticed the people at the start line did not have the diversity of a normal race. What I mean is they all looked Ironman Triathlete fit (shout out to Rick and Tracy my IM buddies here!). I found out later that was because this race is long and hard. This was the first time I had ridden down there and my first time on this trail was this race (not recommended).
The first 25 miles were glorious. I was flying, average speed was very high....then, all of a sudden....OW, MY HAMSTRING!!! the cramps started. What I didn't tell you was that I thought I would try this one without a camelpak. A camelpak is a hydration pack that holds 80 ounces of water or so. It also holds other nutrition and salt tabs. Guess what, I needed it....not that fit yet....well, the pros do it! But without a crew at the aid stations it is a little tough without a pack. Anyway, the next 30 miles were excruciating. I cramped early and often. At one point I was on the trail and couldn't move and sent everyone around me through the woods. The thought of throwing in the towel actually did float through my head for a couple of minutes, and I had to play mind games with myself to keep going. With about 5 miles left the course opened up to a fire road and I started to feel good. I opened her up and started hammering, and passing racer after racer and then,,,,,, BOTH HAMSTRINGS about 2 miles from finish. All those racers passed me back and they all were saying "Do you need anything?"......"Yes, not to be so stupid not bring a pack on a 56 mile race with no crew!"
All in all, it was a great learning experience as I had felt great all year and not cramped in any race but it re-emphasized how important nutrition is before and during a race. I can't wait to go back and ride the Berryman as they are some of the best trails in the Midwest. And if anyone is looking for a great race to train for next year, these guys know how to do it.... Berryman Epic
Also, my buddy Andy finished 8th out of 300 or so.... With some pros in the race and in the top ten, this is a very impressive performance! Way to go coach! Yours truly was 154th in 7 hours and 5 minutes...
Well, I finished....
Go Big or Stay Home
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
12 Hours of Canal Loop
OK!! I mean it!! I will start posting regularly!
So much has happened that I have not captured on here related to racing and training. I am so mad at myself for not keeping up but it starts....today. I have instructed my wife to not let me "wind down" in the evenings until I post. So settle in and buckle up until August 11, 2012.....The day I
"Race Across The Sky"
After the Leadville 50 I did two more EPIC races this season. The first was the 12 hours of the canal loop in Western KY. This is the same race that I did in 2009. In 2009 I did the 12 hour solo (by myself) and rode 5 laps for 55 miles. In 2011, I did the 6 hour solo because my coach said he wanted me to go all out and not pace myself. Well, in 6 hours I did 5 loops for 55 miles....sound familiar...yes, same result 6 fewer hours. I would say that the training is paying off! It was a great race and my wife and kids went with me, which made it even better!
To the right, both the boys on their Gary Fisher machines.....yes if you have read previous posts this is a new bike.....ssshhhhh don't tell my wife...more to come on my purchase in a future post.
To the left, goin' out for another lap.
BTW, I have entered the lottery for the Race Across The Sky and will be sending in my volunteer forms that have my documented volunteer hours from this year. This should ensure I get in....if not, the race director lied!
Go Big or Stay Home
"Race Across The Sky"
After the Leadville 50 I did two more EPIC races this season. The first was the 12 hours of the canal loop in Western KY. This is the same race that I did in 2009. In 2009 I did the 12 hour solo (by myself) and rode 5 laps for 55 miles. In 2011, I did the 6 hour solo because my coach said he wanted me to go all out and not pace myself. Well, in 6 hours I did 5 loops for 55 miles....sound familiar...yes, same result 6 fewer hours. I would say that the training is paying off! It was a great race and my wife and kids went with me, which made it even better!
To the right, both the boys on their Gary Fisher machines.....yes if you have read previous posts this is a new bike.....ssshhhhh don't tell my wife...more to come on my purchase in a future post.To the left, goin' out for another lap.
BTW, I have entered the lottery for the Race Across The Sky and will be sending in my volunteer forms that have my documented volunteer hours from this year. This should ensure I get in....if not, the race director lied!
Go Big or Stay Home
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