Plan was to ride from my house to Wilhoit and back: 35 miles. Nothing special, just over the mountains and back. Got to Wilhoit and was tempted by the 7 mile downhill to Kirkland Junction on new pavement.
Current gearing is o.k. for the 4 - 9% grades along this route. But got totally squeezed almost empty with the 11 - 17% grades I ran into. Thats why the gearing changes needed.
P'cott to KJ an back
Note my observation about Garmin.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
I'm changing my gear setup for the hills and mountains
As a caveat, I am not a mountain bike owner or rider. No off-road dirt trails (yet) for me. So the gearing description that follows relates to recumbent road bike riding and racing.
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I'm changing my gearing setup to accommodate the hill training.
Currently I'm running a SRAM Force 53-39 130-BCD Q-Ring setup up front with an 11-28 ten speed cassette in the back.
I'll be switching to a SRAM Force compact crank 52-36 110-BCD Q-Ring upfront and not changing the rear cassette.
Essentially, I'm giving up one tooth (from 53 to 52) on the big ring to gain three (from 39 to 36) on the small ring. The smaller the `small' ring the more likely I'll be able to climb hills with inclines in the teen percentages (i.e., 13% - 18% incline) when needed (for example, switchbacks on mountain roads, i.e., Mingus Mountain and from Sedona to Flagstaff, etc).
As well, the smaller `small' ring may be helpful when grinding up mile after mile of 7% - 11% inclines. (Yarnell Grade, Iron Springs road to Prescott from Skull Valley).
I could opt for a long-cage RD that would permit an 11-34 cassette but ... I just don't want that pizza pan size ring back there.
A comment about (what I consider to be) the relatively small big ring.
In the past, when my training and racing terrain was mostly flat with a few short 6% inclines every now and then, I would want to keep my pedaling RPM lower (85 - 95) when I had a tailwind. This RPM range suits my weight to power ratio.
My front big chain ring had 60 teeth. This allowed me to frequently exceed 30 mph for extended periods of time. (On one race [Race Across the West - 2010] I found myself averaging 40+ mph on a flat and glass smooth road with an 18 mph tailwind. This went on for more than 15 miles).
Now that my training and racing terrain is mostly hills and mountains ... I don't need a 60 tooth big chain ring. When descending even 3% declines my speed approaches 40 mph with the smaller front big chain ring. Short of the TdF these descending speeds keep me well in the competitive range.
If and when I'm racing ultra distances and have a follow vehicle and a crew it might be smart to have two bikes to accommodate both flat terrain and mountainous terrain. One bike would be geared for the flats (big front chain ring). The other bike would be geared for long and steep inclines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm changing my gearing setup to accommodate the hill training.
Currently I'm running a SRAM Force 53-39 130-BCD Q-Ring setup up front with an 11-28 ten speed cassette in the back.
I'll be switching to a SRAM Force compact crank 52-36 110-BCD Q-Ring upfront and not changing the rear cassette.
Essentially, I'm giving up one tooth (from 53 to 52) on the big ring to gain three (from 39 to 36) on the small ring. The smaller the `small' ring the more likely I'll be able to climb hills with inclines in the teen percentages (i.e., 13% - 18% incline) when needed (for example, switchbacks on mountain roads, i.e., Mingus Mountain and from Sedona to Flagstaff, etc).
As well, the smaller `small' ring may be helpful when grinding up mile after mile of 7% - 11% inclines. (Yarnell Grade, Iron Springs road to Prescott from Skull Valley).
I could opt for a long-cage RD that would permit an 11-34 cassette but ... I just don't want that pizza pan size ring back there.
A comment about (what I consider to be) the relatively small big ring.
In the past, when my training and racing terrain was mostly flat with a few short 6% inclines every now and then, I would want to keep my pedaling RPM lower (85 - 95) when I had a tailwind. This RPM range suits my weight to power ratio.
My front big chain ring had 60 teeth. This allowed me to frequently exceed 30 mph for extended periods of time. (On one race [Race Across the West - 2010] I found myself averaging 40+ mph on a flat and glass smooth road with an 18 mph tailwind. This went on for more than 15 miles).
Now that my training and racing terrain is mostly hills and mountains ... I don't need a 60 tooth big chain ring. When descending even 3% declines my speed approaches 40 mph with the smaller front big chain ring. Short of the TdF these descending speeds keep me well in the competitive range.
If and when I'm racing ultra distances and have a follow vehicle and a crew it might be smart to have two bikes to accommodate both flat terrain and mountainous terrain. One bike would be geared for the flats (big front chain ring). The other bike would be geared for long and steep inclines.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Perspective thoughts ...
As I peck out these words I'm sitting in our home, looking out over a few dipping valleys and buttes toward the horizon filled with taller mountains. Sunsets are crimson along the rim of the full horizon. The temperature is around 81, humidity 30%. Rolling thunder in the distance though there is just a mild overcast. The `monsoon' months of July and August. Cools off and the humidity drops in September. Sweater season starts December for a few months. Some snow at times amounting to several inches but it all melts away in days. A few really cold nights (7 degrees) just to remind us that we're 5,625 feet high.
There could not be a more dramatic difference from Chicago just less than 10 days ago. Our Chicago friends report temps in the 98 degrees and humidity to match. "It's hard to even breathe here." Chicago reported the most rainfall in any 24 hour period in recorded history yesterday: as much as 7 inches in some places.
Here, `home' in Prescott, we're finding that the altitude adjustment is subtle but progressing nicely. Afternoon naps a must.
Taking off from our front door yesterday I rode just under 13 miles in 1:14:00. This works out to an average incline of 2%. But it doesn't reflect the fact that much of the route was comprised of 4 - 8% inclines, reaching into the double digit inclines on several occasions. On the way back I reached 41.3 mph on a slowly twisting downhill stretch. Friday Training Ride
THEN:
NOW:
Though this is a more substantial physical experience than I had anticipated ... it makes all the sense in the world. I have my body back all day, every day. And there is no time, mileage, urban barrier to keep me from doing what is needed or wanted.
There could not be a more dramatic difference from Chicago just less than 10 days ago. Our Chicago friends report temps in the 98 degrees and humidity to match. "It's hard to even breathe here." Chicago reported the most rainfall in any 24 hour period in recorded history yesterday: as much as 7 inches in some places.
Here, `home' in Prescott, we're finding that the altitude adjustment is subtle but progressing nicely. Afternoon naps a must.
Taking off from our front door yesterday I rode just under 13 miles in 1:14:00. This works out to an average incline of 2%. But it doesn't reflect the fact that much of the route was comprised of 4 - 8% inclines, reaching into the double digit inclines on several occasions. On the way back I reached 41.3 mph on a slowly twisting downhill stretch. Friday Training Ride
THEN:
- My `job' required me to be sitting 11 hours per day.
- I sat another 2 hours commuting no less than 75 miles each day to and from my practice. Fuel for my pickup was rarely less than $450 each month.
- And when I needed to train for long hours I'd have to pack the bike into the pickup and drive 105 miles, round trip, to the flat and rural farmland roads.
- I rarely saw the front of our house because the garage was in the back and I had to drive everywhere.
- Shopping and going to stores required navigating heavy traffic almost all times of the day.
- Sitting in our back yard we couldn't hear one another speak because of the airline jets flying in and out of O'Hare Airport, the freight train and commuter train lines (2!) half block away, and two major interstate highways half a block away.
NOW:
- I don't commute at all.
- We can't move 10 yards from our home without going uphill or downhill.
- Everything is within 4 miles of our house (downhill).
- I ride from my front door to train on both hills and flats.
- Our second story porch faces the west and we sometimes whisper so as not to disturb the humming birds nearby.
- Cars and vehicles are quarantined/restricted to a nearby parking area, leaving the meandering road in front of our home free for people to walk, sit in the small park in front of our house, sometimes stop and chat with one another.
- My first night here I woke up because it was too quiet.
- We saw a handful of shooting stars last night.
- My body is adjusting to the reality of not sitting for half the day; I'm sometimes tired, even sore. But less and less each day.
- On days when I'm not training on the bike I'm doing errands and getting our house together, climbing hills, carrying things, walking to and from the city center, Farmer's Market, etc....
Though this is a more substantial physical experience than I had anticipated ... it makes all the sense in the world. I have my body back all day, every day. And there is no time, mileage, urban barrier to keep me from doing what is needed or wanted.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Modified my Training Plan - Next 5 weeks
Like everything I've done in my life I've set goals that are about 50% too big. I did that a few weeks ago with my AZ training program. Yesterday's experience (felt wiped out) helps me `inform' my thinking so that I don't overtrain (and miss out on the rest of life).
Because the terrain around Prescott is hilly to mountainous it requires some `grinding' up 6% - 9% hills for at least half of every training workout. Far less `gliding along' even though there are lots of downhills. (Interesting, the downhills really demand riding skill improvements ... essentially making them almost as difficult as the uphills).
So, I'm focusing less on Miles trained and more on Time and Intensity.
Next week I've got 11 hours scheduled, the next 12.5 hours, next 14.5, next 18 (which may be too demanding).
The temptation to take advantage of the wonderful training opportunities here requires real discipline.
There is that `balance' thing in life. Not to mention the fact that `overtraining' plays more havoc than `undertraining.'
And, though I hate to say it, being 65 yrs old may have some impact on my physical ability to recover one day to the next.
Because the terrain around Prescott is hilly to mountainous it requires some `grinding' up 6% - 9% hills for at least half of every training workout. Far less `gliding along' even though there are lots of downhills. (Interesting, the downhills really demand riding skill improvements ... essentially making them almost as difficult as the uphills).
So, I'm focusing less on Miles trained and more on Time and Intensity.
Next week I've got 11 hours scheduled, the next 12.5 hours, next 14.5, next 18 (which may be too demanding).
The temptation to take advantage of the wonderful training opportunities here requires real discipline.
There is that `balance' thing in life. Not to mention the fact that `overtraining' plays more havoc than `undertraining.'
And, though I hate to say it, being 65 yrs old may have some impact on my physical ability to recover one day to the next.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Attacked by tumbleweeds ...
After a few hours of shakedown and dialing in the gearing I managed to get out for 25 miles of gently rolling hills (max 3%), out and back today. First time on the bike in probably 3 weeks. Rode the high plateau road from Chino Valley to just past Paulden and into the northerly section of the Prescott National Forest. Great road, good shoulder. Still when out in the AZ high desert and heat I use tire liners between the tire and the tube to add that extra margin against flats.
I certainly need to get back into regular training because I was feeling a little tired at the end of the ride. Fortunately, it is very likely that this will be the most consistent and potentially challenging training I've ever been able to do in my life.
A pretty stiff westerly wind whipped up something I've never encountered before: an `attack' of tumbleweeds being blown across the road. Started looking for Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey ...
I certainly need to get back into regular training because I was feeling a little tired at the end of the ride. Fortunately, it is very likely that this will be the most consistent and potentially challenging training I've ever been able to do in my life.
A pretty stiff westerly wind whipped up something I've never encountered before: an `attack' of tumbleweeds being blown across the road. Started looking for Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey ...
Monday, July 18, 2011
Arrived
House in Chicago is now history to us. Arrived in our new home in Prescott yesterday in time to take a quick nap, enjoy a glass of wine with our neighbors and watch a brilliant, explosive sunset over the mountains.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Funny ....
When reviewing the dozens and dozens of posts I've written in this blog over the past 18 months this is the one that has gotten the most hits:
Use of External Catheter for Racing (or just convenience)...
Use of External Catheter for Racing (or just convenience)...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Arizona Mountains Training Plan: August to December 2011
My training plan for the next several months is shaping up. To accomplish the ultracycling speed and distance goals that I have will take between 12 - 18 months of focused and disciplined training. This is the first installment of the kind of training I expect to accomplish in the Arizona mountains.
The rural desert mountains and warmer southwestern climate provides me with at least ten months of the year of challenging terrain and `doable' outdoor weather. (Unlike the central midwest where big cities, snow, ice and blizzards for 5 months of the year destroy any possibility of consistency and growth of strength and endurance).
The Garmin links below provide examples of the mountainous terrain:
Prescott to Flagstaff - mountainous terrain to the north
Prescott to Congress - mountains to desert to the south
Skull Valley Loop - local mountain terrain
And below you will note the `work in progress' training plan I have to start with.
Training Plan and Schedule - Aug to Dec 2011
The current (short term) training plan is rooted in a near term event goal, i.e., el Tour de Tucson on November 19, 2011. You will notice that I've sketched out only 4 weeks of the four month training plan. I think it is prudent to apply the Periodization Method to training. And I am certain that the specific day-to-day training tasks will be varied but in keeping with the Periodization strategy.
Here are a few of the local training courses I have developed and plan to do as my fitness and endurance improve:
Local mountain and desert long distance encurance training courses
The rural desert mountains and warmer southwestern climate provides me with at least ten months of the year of challenging terrain and `doable' outdoor weather. (Unlike the central midwest where big cities, snow, ice and blizzards for 5 months of the year destroy any possibility of consistency and growth of strength and endurance).
The Garmin links below provide examples of the mountainous terrain:
Prescott to Flagstaff - mountainous terrain to the north
Prescott to Congress - mountains to desert to the south
Skull Valley Loop - local mountain terrain
And below you will note the `work in progress' training plan I have to start with.
Training Plan and Schedule - Aug to Dec 2011
The current (short term) training plan is rooted in a near term event goal, i.e., el Tour de Tucson on November 19, 2011. You will notice that I've sketched out only 4 weeks of the four month training plan. I think it is prudent to apply the Periodization Method to training. And I am certain that the specific day-to-day training tasks will be varied but in keeping with the Periodization strategy.
Here are a few of the local training courses I have developed and plan to do as my fitness and endurance improve:
Local mountain and desert long distance encurance training courses
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The deed is done
Retired today. Lots of memories. Lots of sadness. Will miss soooo many good people.
The King is dead.
Long live the King.
The King is dead.
Long live the King.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Just figured this out
Today is Tuesday. For the past six months I've been working 3 day weeks: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
Long about on Tuesdays I'd go to the weather website to gander what the weather will be for my days off: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now that the warm(ish) weather has arrived I'd be wanting to plan my cycling on the days off.
So, today I went to the weather site. Mixed forecast for the days off this week. Then I noticed that on Monday the forecast was warm and sunny. DRAT! I said to myself.
"But wait! There's more!"
Then I recollected that ... I don't work next Monday. Nor next Tuesday. Nor Wednesday. In fact ... I don't have a job to go to forever and ever and ever.
Yikes! I'm retiring tomorrow.
I like that.
Nice to `like' things.
Long about on Tuesdays I'd go to the weather website to gander what the weather will be for my days off: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now that the warm(ish) weather has arrived I'd be wanting to plan my cycling on the days off.
So, today I went to the weather site. Mixed forecast for the days off this week. Then I noticed that on Monday the forecast was warm and sunny. DRAT! I said to myself.
"But wait! There's more!"
Then I recollected that ... I don't work next Monday. Nor next Tuesday. Nor Wednesday. In fact ... I don't have a job to go to forever and ever and ever.
Yikes! I'm retiring tomorrow.
I like that.
Nice to `like' things.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Entropy
I don't really have anything of import (as far as `training' is concerned) to say in this post but I guess I just wanted to emphasize and/or record this for posterity.
I'm in `crap' shape!
Last year at this time I was doing back to back 140 mile training rides for the Race Across the West. Now, after doing 55, 25 and 18 miles over the past three days I'm shakey in the hand afterwords. This is the consequence of not training over the past seven months.
I don't know to what to attribute the stark contrast in level of fitness. Some people say that it is a natural consequence of being and older athlete. We're less resilient. But I really don't have much to compare it with. When I was in my late twenties and thirties I did lots and lots of miles as a runner, completing more than 8 marathons.
I'm inclined to conclude that it is less `age' than it is not training.
I do know that this has been one of the most inclement winters in my memory for Chicago. And I've been much more conservative with my time and effort, not wanting to haul the bike 100 miles round trip in order to get out on the open road.
It will be good to have the time, weather and terrain that will offer no excuse for not getting out there to train.
I just HATE that steep climb into some mid-level of fitness every spring.
I'm in `crap' shape!
Last year at this time I was doing back to back 140 mile training rides for the Race Across the West. Now, after doing 55, 25 and 18 miles over the past three days I'm shakey in the hand afterwords. This is the consequence of not training over the past seven months.
I don't know to what to attribute the stark contrast in level of fitness. Some people say that it is a natural consequence of being and older athlete. We're less resilient. But I really don't have much to compare it with. When I was in my late twenties and thirties I did lots and lots of miles as a runner, completing more than 8 marathons.
I'm inclined to conclude that it is less `age' than it is not training.
I do know that this has been one of the most inclement winters in my memory for Chicago. And I've been much more conservative with my time and effort, not wanting to haul the bike 100 miles round trip in order to get out on the open road.
It will be good to have the time, weather and terrain that will offer no excuse for not getting out there to train.
I just HATE that steep climb into some mid-level of fitness every spring.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I'm Lucky
Five weeks ago I went for my annual check up with my doc. We've known eachother for the past 25 yearrs and we've always enjoyed keeping one another current about events in our lives: kids, work, vacations, etc. My doc as tight as a drum when it comes to being both `professional' and personable. Exceptionally thorough.
So, the doc finds I got a lump on my prostate. WHAT!!?!!! Me?!!! I'm an ultra endurance bulletproof pain machine athlete!!
Doc has that `serious' look on his face. A week later my doc's concern is confirmed by a top notch urologist. I'm scheduled for a biopsy.
In the meantime I'm talking very confidentialy to a few others while on a laser-focused information gathering process. All of them confirm that early diagnosis is the key to successful outcome. All of them praise my doc for being so diligent in literally pestering me to come in every year.
Went in for the biopsy last week. Took all of 15 minutes and was utterly and completely painless. Half way through the procedure the urologist says "How you doing, Dan?" I reply: "Fine. You?" He looks up and says: "Well, I'm a little behind right now." Me: "Is that supposed to be a `pun.'" And we share a little grave humor.
Today the urologist calls me. I see his name on my phone caller ID and gird myself for `whatever.' He starts out with: "Good news, Dan. No cancer!"
I was less impressed with the fact that the biopsy was negative for cancer than I was with the urologist's sensitivity to what must be going through his patient's mind when he gets such a call. He didn't beat around the bush, give me a 5 minute preamble about medical this and medical that. No. First words out of his mouth: "GOOD NEWS, DAN. NO CANCER."
My advice to all reading this.
So, the doc finds I got a lump on my prostate. WHAT!!?!!! Me?!!! I'm an ultra endurance bulletproof pain machine athlete!!
Doc has that `serious' look on his face. A week later my doc's concern is confirmed by a top notch urologist. I'm scheduled for a biopsy.
In the meantime I'm talking very confidentialy to a few others while on a laser-focused information gathering process. All of them confirm that early diagnosis is the key to successful outcome. All of them praise my doc for being so diligent in literally pestering me to come in every year.
Went in for the biopsy last week. Took all of 15 minutes and was utterly and completely painless. Half way through the procedure the urologist says "How you doing, Dan?" I reply: "Fine. You?" He looks up and says: "Well, I'm a little behind right now." Me: "Is that supposed to be a `pun.'" And we share a little grave humor.
Today the urologist calls me. I see his name on my phone caller ID and gird myself for `whatever.' He starts out with: "Good news, Dan. No cancer!"
I was less impressed with the fact that the biopsy was negative for cancer than I was with the urologist's sensitivity to what must be going through his patient's mind when he gets such a call. He didn't beat around the bush, give me a 5 minute preamble about medical this and medical that. No. First words out of his mouth: "GOOD NEWS, DAN. NO CANCER."
My advice to all reading this.
- Avoid the typical meat and potatoes, high fat western diet;
- Don't do what I did and eat the worst of everything in the deluded belief that `if I'm a monster cyclist I must not be subject to any of the laws of mortality.'
- Be vigilant about medical attention and care; especially if you've got a genetic (family hx) vulnerability and/or if you're an older person.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Lance v Goldman Sachs
The government dithers over whether or not cycling is dirty (grand juries, subpoenas, etc) and whether Lance doped. Of course, nobody likes cheaters.
But when the Secretary of the Treasury (Paulson) gave banks $700 billion without any direction as to what they were to do with it ... where are the grand juries, subpoenas and indictments for the Wall Street thieves who took the money and gave themselves millions of dollars of bonuses?!
One percent of Americans own 95% of American wealth. Predatory mortgage lenders, supported by impossible to understand derivatives traders, remain employed, well paid and have happy future prospects. The rest of Americans think that they can be Wall Street investment bankers and consider critics of Wall Street `socialists.'
Democracy is `on the books' in America. But `Capitalism' impoverishes all but the few oligarchs.
Lance, please keep doing what you do for cancer research. If I got caught every time I broke the speed limit I'd be in a prison ... receiving socialized medicine until my last day.
But when the Secretary of the Treasury (Paulson) gave banks $700 billion without any direction as to what they were to do with it ... where are the grand juries, subpoenas and indictments for the Wall Street thieves who took the money and gave themselves millions of dollars of bonuses?!
One percent of Americans own 95% of American wealth. Predatory mortgage lenders, supported by impossible to understand derivatives traders, remain employed, well paid and have happy future prospects. The rest of Americans think that they can be Wall Street investment bankers and consider critics of Wall Street `socialists.'
Democracy is `on the books' in America. But `Capitalism' impoverishes all but the few oligarchs.
Lance, please keep doing what you do for cancer research. If I got caught every time I broke the speed limit I'd be in a prison ... receiving socialized medicine until my last day.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
10 Minutes of Terror
Stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia - Saturday, May 21, 2011
As it turned out the Race Organizers concluded that this section of Stage 14 was too dangerous and they developed a less dangerous and more safe route. Wise decision.
As it turned out the Race Organizers concluded that this section of Stage 14 was too dangerous and they developed a less dangerous and more safe route. Wise decision.
Our new location ...
Starting in the early '80s my wife and I were drawn to the idea of living among a community of people sharing our values. Knowing, however, the dismal history of `utopian communities' we were cognizant of the dangers of cultism. (Look it up).
The cohousing experiences in Denmark really appealed to us. Read more about cohousing at this link: Cohousing
Returing, in 2002, from a week long conference in Seattle we took a side trip to a location we'd visited in the '80s in Arizona. We found a fledgling cohousing community in Prescott that really appealed to us. We were there for a day and a half. Just before we left to fly back to Chicago from Phoenix we had coffee with a few cohousing residents. In 15 minutes we decided to purchase a house in the community and get serious about moving there as soon as possible.
As it turned out on our return to Chicago I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to join a community based group private practice of psychologists ( Hoover & Associates ). My `dream job.' My wife's enjoyment of her own work as a geriatric social worker ( CJE Senior Life ) would have been a major loss, too. And then there was the fact of our boys, grandchildren, family and friends. We decided to stay in Chicago and rent out our place in Prescott.
Now that we're both retired (wife last year, me this June) we're making the move to the remarkable community of people in Manzanita Village ( Link ).
We will sorely miss our children, grandkids and friends in Chicago. And we are intent on having them come and stay with us often, frequently, for long periods of time and lots and lots and lots more :)
I'm chomping on the bit to have more time to train on the bikes. There are so many new and interesting people, couples and families who have moved to the Village that we're both excited to have more time to socialize, share and work towards the values of `community.'
I will not miss the misery of Chicago traffic, congestion and weather. My wife, though, has a capacity for appreciating Chicago that I simply can't match. We will both miss our family.
Another page in life to turn.
The cohousing experiences in Denmark really appealed to us. Read more about cohousing at this link: Cohousing
Returing, in 2002, from a week long conference in Seattle we took a side trip to a location we'd visited in the '80s in Arizona. We found a fledgling cohousing community in Prescott that really appealed to us. We were there for a day and a half. Just before we left to fly back to Chicago from Phoenix we had coffee with a few cohousing residents. In 15 minutes we decided to purchase a house in the community and get serious about moving there as soon as possible.
As it turned out on our return to Chicago I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to join a community based group private practice of psychologists ( Hoover & Associates ). My `dream job.' My wife's enjoyment of her own work as a geriatric social worker ( CJE Senior Life ) would have been a major loss, too. And then there was the fact of our boys, grandchildren, family and friends. We decided to stay in Chicago and rent out our place in Prescott.
Now that we're both retired (wife last year, me this June) we're making the move to the remarkable community of people in Manzanita Village ( Link ).
We will sorely miss our children, grandkids and friends in Chicago. And we are intent on having them come and stay with us often, frequently, for long periods of time and lots and lots and lots more :)
I'm chomping on the bit to have more time to train on the bikes. There are so many new and interesting people, couples and families who have moved to the Village that we're both excited to have more time to socialize, share and work towards the values of `community.'
I will not miss the misery of Chicago traffic, congestion and weather. My wife, though, has a capacity for appreciating Chicago that I simply can't match. We will both miss our family.
Another page in life to turn.
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Athlete's Delusion
One of the delusions that ultra athletes typically entertain is that of being `bullet proof' because of the intensity of our physical training. We delude ourselves into assuming that we `burn up' anything that can negatively affect us. We conclude that we generate untouchable health benefits with our activity. We compare one another's `resting heart rate' or `recovery time to lowest heart rate' after an all-out effort. Some of that is accurate. But some of us purposely try to push the limit, caring little about what we eat and drink.
I'm one of the latter. Or, at least I was until last month.
My taste buds have always been pretty much non existent. That is, I really don't care what I ingest as long as I'm not hungry and have energy. The things that I would eat would make Annie and our kids roll their eyes and shake their heads. The only criterion I had with regard to food is that it didn't try to eat me back.
My genetic heritage predisposes me to atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. As the intensity of my summer training falls off the Chicago winters see me gaining 20 - 30 lbs, with all the associated risks. My eating, drinking, work schedule, exercise and sleeping habits are completely erratic 6 - 7 months of every year.
Some good friends related to me the wisdom of changing my eating habits:
One thing that has made a dramatic difference to us in the past couple of years is learning of the need for greens in our diet. In reality we should be eating about 1-2 lbs. of greens a day but we can't eat that much salad, so we make and drink two fruit/green smoothies a day. We learned this from reading the book GREEN FOR LIFE and THE GREEN SMOOTHIE REVOLUTION by Victoria Boutenko.
Since we've been eating this way, we've both had more energy, lost weight, no longer suffer from constipation, have clearer skin, sleep better, feel lighter and have lowered our cholesterol significantly. Mine dropped from 230 to 189 in a matter of months, with the other numbers falling into place as well. (Husband's) is even lower, having dropped about 40 points as well and he is now off virtually all his heart and blood pressure medication! Doc says he doesn't need it.
We take a few supplements: B12 (to make up for lack of meat), D3 for sunshine, Calcium Citrate for bone strength, Fish Oil to help keep cholesterol down, 1 baby aspirin for heart health, and a multi-vitamin. We used to take more, but have cut back as we've learned which whole foods give us what we need.
Since getting some borderline blood test results last month and finally being scared into recognizing my mortality - in spite of my athletic `prowess' - I've elected to eliminate meat and dairy products from my diet. It's been almost a month since I've been all vegetarian (with some tuna fish in water) and I've not missed it at all. NOT AT ALL.
Being the cheap Scot that I am it is also gratifying to note that our food bill has been cut almost in half.
Just sayin'.
I'm one of the latter. Or, at least I was until last month.
My taste buds have always been pretty much non existent. That is, I really don't care what I ingest as long as I'm not hungry and have energy. The things that I would eat would make Annie and our kids roll their eyes and shake their heads. The only criterion I had with regard to food is that it didn't try to eat me back.
My genetic heritage predisposes me to atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. As the intensity of my summer training falls off the Chicago winters see me gaining 20 - 30 lbs, with all the associated risks. My eating, drinking, work schedule, exercise and sleeping habits are completely erratic 6 - 7 months of every year.
Some good friends related to me the wisdom of changing my eating habits:
One thing that has made a dramatic difference to us in the past couple of years is learning of the need for greens in our diet. In reality we should be eating about 1-2 lbs. of greens a day but we can't eat that much salad, so we make and drink two fruit/green smoothies a day. We learned this from reading the book GREEN FOR LIFE and THE GREEN SMOOTHIE REVOLUTION by Victoria Boutenko.
We start with 3 cups of water, 3 cups of any kind of greens (kale, chard, spinach, leaf lettuce, beet greens, etc.) pushed down into the water in the Vita Mix blender. Then add 2-3 pieces of cut up fruit (Usually banana, apple, pear, orange, melon, etc.) Top off with a cup or so of frozen berries (black, blue, straw, rasp, etc.) to fill the blender to the top. I sometimes add a little Agave sweetener or some dried raisins, cranberries, prunes or apricots. Blend until smooth.
We drink one smoothie in the morning before breakfast and another before lunch or mid afternoon. Because it contains so much fruit, it should not be mixed with grains like cereal or toast as fruit digests much more rapidly than grains. If you mix them, it ferments and causes gas. Because the smoothie is liquefied it can move almost directly into the blood stream for quick energy. Then, a half hour or hour later, your system will be ready to digest something else. The color of the smoothie changes depending on the kind of fruit you use. Sometimes they're light pale green, sometimes darker green, sometimes tan, sometimes red or plum or purple depending on the berries. Awesome. When we're traveling, we pick up quarts of Naked Juice or an equivalent from a grocery story. Our kids now know to have them in the refrigerator for us.
Since we've been eating this way, we've both had more energy, lost weight, no longer suffer from constipation, have clearer skin, sleep better, feel lighter and have lowered our cholesterol significantly. Mine dropped from 230 to 189 in a matter of months, with the other numbers falling into place as well. (Husband's) is even lower, having dropped about 40 points as well and he is now off virtually all his heart and blood pressure medication! Doc says he doesn't need it.
We take a few supplements: B12 (to make up for lack of meat), D3 for sunshine, Calcium Citrate for bone strength, Fish Oil to help keep cholesterol down, 1 baby aspirin for heart health, and a multi-vitamin. We used to take more, but have cut back as we've learned which whole foods give us what we need.
Since getting some borderline blood test results last month and finally being scared into recognizing my mortality - in spite of my athletic `prowess' - I've elected to eliminate meat and dairy products from my diet. It's been almost a month since I've been all vegetarian (with some tuna fish in water) and I've not missed it at all. NOT AT ALL.
Being the cheap Scot that I am it is also gratifying to note that our food bill has been cut almost in half.
Just sayin'.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Three Weeks off the Bike
Today was the first day in more than 3 weeks that I've been outdoors on the bike. A series of things that interferred and/or took priority.
I'm struck at the literal sadness I feel leaving the patients constituting my private practice. My sense of admiration and respect for others has literally blossomed over the past decade. Perhaps that is one of the dividends of living through one's own troubles; so that it increases empathy towards others' with their own troubles.
At the same time, there is that phenomenon referred to as `compassion fatigue.' When the `helper' finds that he is too ready to step in and do the hard work that the `helpee' needs to do in order to build stamina and resilience ... it is time to take a break.
I was taking a `power nap' at my granddaughter's birthday party yesterday and was awakened by her giving me a hasty little kiss on the cheek. Then she ran off with half a dozen of her little birthday friends screaming like the happy and fortunate little children they are. Are all little children exploding with joy in the present moment of one another's mischievous presence? That giggly little peck on the cheek seemed to sum up my grattitude to be alive now.
Do people much younger than me experience the warm fulfillment that I feel in my family? My wife, sons, grandchildren, daughters-in-law? I've never felt this before. Is it time, experience? Age?
Perhaps my experiences at this point in my life are tangible proof that one can screw things up, make stupid decisions, behave with blind impulsivity ... and still be graced with simple satisfaction in the love of others. I believe it. But I find it hard to `accept.' Pinch myself awake.
Oh! And it was warm and sunny today when I rode my bike.
I'm struck at the literal sadness I feel leaving the patients constituting my private practice. My sense of admiration and respect for others has literally blossomed over the past decade. Perhaps that is one of the dividends of living through one's own troubles; so that it increases empathy towards others' with their own troubles.
At the same time, there is that phenomenon referred to as `compassion fatigue.' When the `helper' finds that he is too ready to step in and do the hard work that the `helpee' needs to do in order to build stamina and resilience ... it is time to take a break.
I was taking a `power nap' at my granddaughter's birthday party yesterday and was awakened by her giving me a hasty little kiss on the cheek. Then she ran off with half a dozen of her little birthday friends screaming like the happy and fortunate little children they are. Are all little children exploding with joy in the present moment of one another's mischievous presence? That giggly little peck on the cheek seemed to sum up my grattitude to be alive now.
Do people much younger than me experience the warm fulfillment that I feel in my family? My wife, sons, grandchildren, daughters-in-law? I've never felt this before. Is it time, experience? Age?
Perhaps my experiences at this point in my life are tangible proof that one can screw things up, make stupid decisions, behave with blind impulsivity ... and still be graced with simple satisfaction in the love of others. I believe it. But I find it hard to `accept.' Pinch myself awake.
Oh! And it was warm and sunny today when I rode my bike.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Update: Training and Events
It's 80% `time' and 20% 'cheap Scot.'
I've just had to bite the bullet and recognize that I'm not willing to take the time away from other areas of my life for the purposeof training for the spring schedule of events I've lined up.
I prepared a spreadsheet of cycling training, events, miles travelled, time spent driving, cost of food, etc., for the 6 weeks of training and events from April 17 to May 22nd and came up with a cost of $ 1,427, 2,823 miles travelled, consuming 62.1 hours of driving time and 249 hours of time training and racing on the bike. None of this includes the many, many hours of reduced energy and sharpness I need for my family and work.
So, I'm going to ride from my house in Chicago on the least dangerous roads as often as possible. I may participate in the Balltown Classic.
With the rest of my time I'll devote to family, my work, getting the house ready to sell, showing the house to prospective buyers, packing up to move to AZ no later than July 15th, and finalizing the renovation plans for our house in AZ.
Better to do important things well than to do them poorly.
I've just had to bite the bullet and recognize that I'm not willing to take the time away from other areas of my life for the purposeof training for the spring schedule of events I've lined up.
I prepared a spreadsheet of cycling training, events, miles travelled, time spent driving, cost of food, etc., for the 6 weeks of training and events from April 17 to May 22nd and came up with a cost of $ 1,427, 2,823 miles travelled, consuming 62.1 hours of driving time and 249 hours of time training and racing on the bike. None of this includes the many, many hours of reduced energy and sharpness I need for my family and work.
So, I'm going to ride from my house in Chicago on the least dangerous roads as often as possible. I may participate in the Balltown Classic.
With the rest of my time I'll devote to family, my work, getting the house ready to sell, showing the house to prospective buyers, packing up to move to AZ no later than July 15th, and finalizing the renovation plans for our house in AZ.
Better to do important things well than to do them poorly.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Talktalktalktalktalktalktalk. And more talk.
I used to belong to several bike listserve discussion groups. I quit a few and got kicked off a few. From one precious list I both quit and was later banned. Sort of proud of myself for that.
Its been months since I surfed these groups so I just finished checking them out again.
Vapid.
Empty.
Nothing there.
The same few guys arguing the dimensions of the head of a pin and willing to sell their mothers to prove it.
I was bored, I guess.
I guess they are, too.
Its been months since I surfed these groups so I just finished checking them out again.
Vapid.
Empty.
Nothing there.
The same few guys arguing the dimensions of the head of a pin and willing to sell their mothers to prove it.
I was bored, I guess.
I guess they are, too.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Angry
After a long cold winter, and committed to not making things even more depressing with insane indoor training ... along comes the slow start of spring's warm and agreeable weather.
Last September I rode 360 miles in 24 hours and felt great afterwords. Today I rode 61 miles in 4:40 and feel twitchy, deeply fatigued and ... angry. Angry that I have to climb this painful wall of getting fit again. Takes months just to approximate the fitness I had last year.
City - Silvio
Getting out of Chicago, the grim isolation of winters.
Anger is a good source of motivation.
I'm very, very motivated!
Last September I rode 360 miles in 24 hours and felt great afterwords. Today I rode 61 miles in 4:40 and feel twitchy, deeply fatigued and ... angry. Angry that I have to climb this painful wall of getting fit again. Takes months just to approximate the fitness I had last year.
City - Silvio
Getting out of Chicago, the grim isolation of winters.
Anger is a good source of motivation.
I'm very, very motivated!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Pacing, restraint, planning, no-small-goals ...
This blog is called the `Training Blog' for a reason. I'm fortunate to be associated with a group of cyclists known as the Big Dogs Ultra Cycling, who, in turn, are part of the Ultra Midwest, LLC. Ultramidwest Link.
If you've gone to the websites above you'll note a member log of daily mileage, etc. You'll see names of some of the worlds most accomplished and motivated cyclists. At the Ultra Midwest website you'll note the impressive series of endurance and racing events organized and directed by Joe Jamison and Dave Parker (and many, many volunteers).
Many of us Big Dogs are `aspirational.' That is, we aspire to accomplish our best results while we balance life's other demands and passions. Many of us are `inspirational.' That is, we've individually accomplished exceptional cycling feats. And then the majority of us keep a healthy discipline of doing our best to stay fit and use Joe and Dave's Ultra Midwest events as goals and benchmarks.
Ultracycling is an addiction. Certainly there are articles and psychological profiles that describe the `driven' commonalities of ultracyclists. As a psychologist the best I can come up with is `they're very different, one from another; and they're very similar in that they are kind of crazy.'
I am ramping up my training now that the weather has broken and returned home today after a windy 40 miles in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Entering my home my wife said "And how was it?" I was aware of a sense of grave mischief in my response, with a restrained intense smile "Very, very real!"
And I think that that sense of `real' is the source of our driven motivation to ride for hour after hour, in all sorts of weather, alone most of the time, aware of fatigue, pain, and myriad other perfectly good reasons to stop!
All day and every day, just beneath my focus on work, finances and family, there is that smoldering consciousness of the bike, the road, training. These are anchors around which I allocate my energy, my daily chronology. Everything becomes linear as I move the pieces of the `plan' for this or that cycling event and challenge.
If you've gone to the websites above you'll note a member log of daily mileage, etc. You'll see names of some of the worlds most accomplished and motivated cyclists. At the Ultra Midwest website you'll note the impressive series of endurance and racing events organized and directed by Joe Jamison and Dave Parker (and many, many volunteers).
Many of us Big Dogs are `aspirational.' That is, we aspire to accomplish our best results while we balance life's other demands and passions. Many of us are `inspirational.' That is, we've individually accomplished exceptional cycling feats. And then the majority of us keep a healthy discipline of doing our best to stay fit and use Joe and Dave's Ultra Midwest events as goals and benchmarks.
Ultracycling is an addiction. Certainly there are articles and psychological profiles that describe the `driven' commonalities of ultracyclists. As a psychologist the best I can come up with is `they're very different, one from another; and they're very similar in that they are kind of crazy.'
I am ramping up my training now that the weather has broken and returned home today after a windy 40 miles in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Entering my home my wife said "And how was it?" I was aware of a sense of grave mischief in my response, with a restrained intense smile "Very, very real!"
And I think that that sense of `real' is the source of our driven motivation to ride for hour after hour, in all sorts of weather, alone most of the time, aware of fatigue, pain, and myriad other perfectly good reasons to stop!
All day and every day, just beneath my focus on work, finances and family, there is that smoldering consciousness of the bike, the road, training. These are anchors around which I allocate my energy, my daily chronology. Everything becomes linear as I move the pieces of the `plan' for this or that cycling event and challenge.
- Three months and counting before I can ride the bike out my front door and into mountains, deserts and plateaus.
- Three months and counting before I can schedule a typical training day as being 60 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing.
- Three months and counting before the `Training Blog' spawns a `Performance Blog.'
Thursday, March 31, 2011
15% grades, bright blue sky and standard upright bike faults
This past week of training in Prescott, AZ, was just this side of blissful. Makes returning home to Chicago feel like punishment for having done something sinful. But, if that is the equation I'm all up for a future of wanton sin and wickedness!
I"m adding links to some of the Garmin data for three of my training rides. What a delight to ride right out my front door, climbing three or four 15% grades and just as many 9% grades just to get to the open mountain and desert roads with sedate 6% - 8% grades as common.
Although I enjoyed the chance to ride the Airborne Ti Zeppelin upright road bike and confirm that I'm no less fit or capable on it than I have been for so many years in the past ... the difference between it and the recumbents was emphatic.
After two or three days of scrunching over the handlebars, craning my neck to see ahead of me, having a death grip on the handlebars lest I hit a bump and go flying off a mountain road ... no comparison. I missed my recumbents. Also, I noticed that I was slower on the upright bike. Slower going UP the hills and much, much slower going DOWN the hills.
I'm glad I can endure hours and mile after mile of pain and suffering that the road bike permits me. But my ego no longer requires proof that I have veritable world class capacity for self-abuse. Hell! I learned that countless times over the course of my life.
Agreed! Confirmed! I'm head and shoulders above all of mankind in terms of capacity for agonizing self torture. My conclusion? I'm a blockheaded slow learner who needed multiple demonstrations that I'm expert at pain and suffering and better than every other soul on earth at it. (Thank you, orthodox religious indoctrination institutions in my youth!!!)
If I lived in the middle ages I'd aspire to becoming a saint by being burned at the stake just to show others I could do it. For that matter, I'd try to survive being burned at the stake just so they'd give me a wack at the `rack.' Or, a chance to be hung upside down and shot through and through with arrows. Or, nailed to a cross and left on a hill to die a slow agonizing death. Or, ... or.... or.....
So, here are some of the Garmin links.
Just so's you all know ... if I were on the bent I could have doubled and tripled the mileage! Easily.
March 25
March 27
March 28
I"m adding links to some of the Garmin data for three of my training rides. What a delight to ride right out my front door, climbing three or four 15% grades and just as many 9% grades just to get to the open mountain and desert roads with sedate 6% - 8% grades as common.
Although I enjoyed the chance to ride the Airborne Ti Zeppelin upright road bike and confirm that I'm no less fit or capable on it than I have been for so many years in the past ... the difference between it and the recumbents was emphatic.
After two or three days of scrunching over the handlebars, craning my neck to see ahead of me, having a death grip on the handlebars lest I hit a bump and go flying off a mountain road ... no comparison. I missed my recumbents. Also, I noticed that I was slower on the upright bike. Slower going UP the hills and much, much slower going DOWN the hills.
I'm glad I can endure hours and mile after mile of pain and suffering that the road bike permits me. But my ego no longer requires proof that I have veritable world class capacity for self-abuse. Hell! I learned that countless times over the course of my life.
Agreed! Confirmed! I'm head and shoulders above all of mankind in terms of capacity for agonizing self torture. My conclusion? I'm a blockheaded slow learner who needed multiple demonstrations that I'm expert at pain and suffering and better than every other soul on earth at it. (Thank you, orthodox religious indoctrination institutions in my youth!!!)
If I lived in the middle ages I'd aspire to becoming a saint by being burned at the stake just to show others I could do it. For that matter, I'd try to survive being burned at the stake just so they'd give me a wack at the `rack.' Or, a chance to be hung upside down and shot through and through with arrows. Or, nailed to a cross and left on a hill to die a slow agonizing death. Or, ... or.... or.....
So, here are some of the Garmin links.
Just so's you all know ... if I were on the bent I could have doubled and tripled the mileage! Easily.
March 25
March 27
March 28
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ha! And people think endurance cycling is masochistic!!
I'll tell you what is masochistic! Being a passenger on a commercial airline for 3 hours is masochistic.
I once had the opportunity to spend more time than you would believe in a maximum custody federal penitentiary (in my early 20's). (Graduate school was worse, by the way) I'd do it again do it all over again to avoid last year's commercial flights to and from Italy. On the way back I was wishing I had followed in Savonarola's footsteps in Florence!
I several times have raced on a bike for 24+ hours through the broiling southwest deserts and the teeth chattering freezing cold, up 15% grade mountains and down death-defying mountain switchbacks. I'd do FIVE such events in order to avoide being a passenger on a commercial airline for 3 hours.
The round trip this past week from Chicago and Phoenix and back had me so scrunched up that at one time I had the tray in front of me down and my legs crossed over it just to get them stretched a little ... and I'm not a short guy with skinny legs. I must have looked like Mahatma Gandhi if he had done weight training. Lucky I didn't get arrested by TSA for suspicious behavior.
In my profession I have access to the kind of pharmaceuticals that could render me the consciousness of a celery stalk for 3 or 4 hours without any long term detriment. For THAT I don't have the (choose one:) a) courage; b) stupidity; c) self-hatred; d) intelligence; e) forgiving self-love.
I guess I could write myself a `letter from a doctor' that informs the airline staff that I have an `anxiety disorder' about flying so that they assign me a spacier bulkhead seat lest I erupt into an extended panic-induced screaming jag at 35,000 feet. But ...
I guess I could pop to pay for a first class seat. Though I'm certain that my blue collar class consciousness would probably have me eating a few cans of beans and a box of prunes a few hours before the flight just to make my fellow first class aristocrats gag every time they take a breath for 3 hours. It'd almost be worth the criminally high airfare just to commit a high altitude revolutionary act. WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT A FEW HOURS OF SLEEP WHILE LAUGHING YOUR ASS OFF.
I once had the opportunity to spend more time than you would believe in a maximum custody federal penitentiary (in my early 20's). (Graduate school was worse, by the way) I'd do it again do it all over again to avoid last year's commercial flights to and from Italy. On the way back I was wishing I had followed in Savonarola's footsteps in Florence!
I several times have raced on a bike for 24+ hours through the broiling southwest deserts and the teeth chattering freezing cold, up 15% grade mountains and down death-defying mountain switchbacks. I'd do FIVE such events in order to avoide being a passenger on a commercial airline for 3 hours.
The round trip this past week from Chicago and Phoenix and back had me so scrunched up that at one time I had the tray in front of me down and my legs crossed over it just to get them stretched a little ... and I'm not a short guy with skinny legs. I must have looked like Mahatma Gandhi if he had done weight training. Lucky I didn't get arrested by TSA for suspicious behavior.
In my profession I have access to the kind of pharmaceuticals that could render me the consciousness of a celery stalk for 3 or 4 hours without any long term detriment. For THAT I don't have the (choose one:) a) courage; b) stupidity; c) self-hatred; d) intelligence; e) forgiving self-love.
I guess I could write myself a `letter from a doctor' that informs the airline staff that I have an `anxiety disorder' about flying so that they assign me a spacier bulkhead seat lest I erupt into an extended panic-induced screaming jag at 35,000 feet. But ...
I guess I could pop to pay for a first class seat. Though I'm certain that my blue collar class consciousness would probably have me eating a few cans of beans and a box of prunes a few hours before the flight just to make my fellow first class aristocrats gag every time they take a breath for 3 hours. It'd almost be worth the criminally high airfare just to commit a high altitude revolutionary act. WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT A FEW HOURS OF SLEEP WHILE LAUGHING YOUR ASS OFF.
Friday, March 25, 2011
pleasant surprise
Out in Prescott, AZ, for the past few days. Though it is a bit on the chilly side for Prescott the 60 degree daytime temps are perfect for cycling. I have two bikes here. One is a somewhat bizarre road bike frame that I bought from Nashbar about 4 years ago. Aluminum with odd dimensions. Outfitted it with Ultegra gruppo and some good cyclocross wheels. Brooks saddle. The other I just shipped out here. Airborne Ti Zeppelin with similar Ultegra setup. Compact crank (39/50) upfront with a 9 ring 11/34 cogset in the back. Mavic Kysirium Equipe wheels.
I haven't ridden a road bike in about 2 years. But I've put many miles on the road bikes in this area in the past. So yesterday I assembled the Airborne and took off for a mighty hilly 20 miles in the mountain roads south of Prescott. 20 miles and 1800 feet of climbing.
At first I felt unsure and lacking in confidence for two reasons. First, because I've not put in a lot of miles on the indoor trainer this winter (attending to other matters). Second, I've been focused on recumbent platforms in the past two years and have pretty much let the upright road bikes collect dust.
To my pleasant surprise I found my riding power and road bike handling skills have not diminished much, if any. Certainly the endurance is not there, but that is to be expected.
Today, on my second 20 miler I returned feeling the old road bike rocking and out of the saddle accelerations come back to me with a vengeance. I still had to feather the brakes on some of the more exciting downhills, but I recognized the old realization that climbing hills requires leg strength and power ... which I am happy to accept continues to be with me.
Looking forward to some good training over the next few days. Tomorrow an early morning 20 - 30 miles and then a trip to Jerome, AZ, for a get together over mid-day dinner with lots of good AZ friends.
All in all it's nice to feel better than competent on the several platforms I enjoy: upright road bike, rear wheel drive recumbent, front wheel drive recumbent. I feel, happily, `at home' on the bike and am looking forward to much more performance related accomplishments and lots of variety.
I haven't ridden a road bike in about 2 years. But I've put many miles on the road bikes in this area in the past. So yesterday I assembled the Airborne and took off for a mighty hilly 20 miles in the mountain roads south of Prescott. 20 miles and 1800 feet of climbing.
At first I felt unsure and lacking in confidence for two reasons. First, because I've not put in a lot of miles on the indoor trainer this winter (attending to other matters). Second, I've been focused on recumbent platforms in the past two years and have pretty much let the upright road bikes collect dust.
To my pleasant surprise I found my riding power and road bike handling skills have not diminished much, if any. Certainly the endurance is not there, but that is to be expected.
Today, on my second 20 miler I returned feeling the old road bike rocking and out of the saddle accelerations come back to me with a vengeance. I still had to feather the brakes on some of the more exciting downhills, but I recognized the old realization that climbing hills requires leg strength and power ... which I am happy to accept continues to be with me.
Looking forward to some good training over the next few days. Tomorrow an early morning 20 - 30 miles and then a trip to Jerome, AZ, for a get together over mid-day dinner with lots of good AZ friends.
All in all it's nice to feel better than competent on the several platforms I enjoy: upright road bike, rear wheel drive recumbent, front wheel drive recumbent. I feel, happily, `at home' on the bike and am looking forward to much more performance related accomplishments and lots of variety.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Extinction is in my future
Honestly! If the baby jeezuz offered me the option of choosing between eternal hell or eternal life in Chicago in perpetual winter it would be a no brainer: HELL!!
The winter of 09/10 saw me spending enormous amounts of time and money to train outdoors no matter what the weather. Crazy insane preparation for RAW 2010. I seriously neglected many other areas in my life to get ready for RAW.
This past winter, though, I have been compelled to attend to other priorities. Though I did do some indoor training of moderate quality it was not something to be proud of. And I'm o.k. with that. I did very well with the other priorities.
So today was a sunny Saturday. Temp was in the 40's. Prairie winds always in the high teens. Drove the 107.5 round trip distance to train on the open prairie farm roads.
Though I did fine I'm not remotely in as good a fitness (endurance, strength) as I was this time last year. And THAT is what has really got me irritated.
Living in the frigging tundra where you have to dress like the Michelin man, drive for hours, spend $30 on gas and tolls just to attempt a quality outdoor training experience ... and THEN contend with the loss of fitness due to the cold and snow!
Climbing the late winter, early spring training wall ... year after year after year after year. Anybody ever heard of Sisyphus?!!!
G'bye Chicago!! G'bye tundra!!
And good riddance.
BTW: oftentimes the reason a species goes extinct has to do with that species' inability to accomodate climate change. Hence my reference to becoming extinct. If I had to stay in Chicago I'd take up single malt sport drinking.
The winter of 09/10 saw me spending enormous amounts of time and money to train outdoors no matter what the weather. Crazy insane preparation for RAW 2010. I seriously neglected many other areas in my life to get ready for RAW.
This past winter, though, I have been compelled to attend to other priorities. Though I did do some indoor training of moderate quality it was not something to be proud of. And I'm o.k. with that. I did very well with the other priorities.
So today was a sunny Saturday. Temp was in the 40's. Prairie winds always in the high teens. Drove the 107.5 round trip distance to train on the open prairie farm roads.
Though I did fine I'm not remotely in as good a fitness (endurance, strength) as I was this time last year. And THAT is what has really got me irritated.
Living in the frigging tundra where you have to dress like the Michelin man, drive for hours, spend $30 on gas and tolls just to attempt a quality outdoor training experience ... and THEN contend with the loss of fitness due to the cold and snow!
Climbing the late winter, early spring training wall ... year after year after year after year. Anybody ever heard of Sisyphus?!!!
G'bye Chicago!! G'bye tundra!!
And good riddance.
BTW: oftentimes the reason a species goes extinct has to do with that species' inability to accomodate climate change. Hence my reference to becoming extinct. If I had to stay in Chicago I'd take up single malt sport drinking.
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