Today's Ride

Decent ride today on the Cannondale.  Made a slight adjustment on a cleat last night that made a huge difference.  I think if I tweak the saddle just a bit it might compensate enough for the handle bar reach and it will be 100% dialed in.  Overall really liking that bike.  Maybe even more than like.  The wind today... that was another matter.  Bring on the 90 degree days, bring on the drought and water restrictions... but dear god, no more of this wind!

Rode for an hour and half mid day.  Glad to get it in before the weather moves in tonight.

Followed that up with a nice walk with Asia in the park and Cohiba Siglo II.  Made sure she got a long walk in today as well before the weather moves in...  I have a feeling we won't be going outside much tomorrow for anything except maybe to shovel snow.

Today I weeded in the front yard and tomorrow I will probably be shoveling snow... damn this spring has been manic as hell.

Melissa comes home tomorrow.  I am probably going to end up losing our challenge.  I didn't drop any weight really but managed to maintain so I guess that is still good.  We won't know until the final weigh in.  We talked today and both agreed these trips of her's get really old after a week.  She had White Castle today... I won't comment anymore on that...  But still, compared to the fall this has been a snap and after she gets back we have a really fun summer ahead of us starting with a Rockies game on the 18th after we get back from Mexico.  Nice.  

2013 Prelimary Training Numbers

Out curiosity tonight I decided to look at my overall training volume for 2013 compared to 2012 at this same time last year. 

By April 29, 2012 I had run 1054 miles.  Of course the bike was nowhere in play at this time nor was it on the scope at all.

This year...  April, 29, 2013, I have 897 miles on the bike and 730 miles running.  The miles on the bike isn't 100% accurate because there were many miles logged on the trainer and they don't show up but for the sake of argument this is close enough.

Since two miles of biking equals about one mile of running (maybe) that means the cycling added about 450 miles to the running volume which puts me above 1100 miles for the year... so the total is a lot like this time last year.  I guess that is the overall point that I am trying to make.

I slept a lot today.  Paul Doyle called me this morning and went for a quick ride over in Red Rocks. I broke off after an hour or so and headed home then went back to sleep again until right before my shift tonight.  I could not believe just how hot it was out today.  Not just warm... HOT!  Even more so I can't believe that it is going to snow again on Wednesday.

Rode the Cannondale today and damn... that thing loves to climb.  I still think the fit is a touch off but I am not going to worry about that until after we get back from Mexico.  That bike is fast, I will say that.

Easy week I think this week as I will be mostly riding before going to Mexico and I will be only running down there... I can't wait to run all around the island exploring everyday.  That is going to be a blast!  I plan to map my runs to go to specific Myan ruins on the island each time I go out.  It will be a great way to find all of the ruins and to see as much of the island as I can.

Stained glass work from Cozumel. It seemed like it would make a neat photo so I shot it.

That Was Fun

Coming in about mile eight.  Photo Courtesy of Pikes Peak Sports

Today was the Cheyenne Mountain 50K race here in Colorado Springs.  I had been really looking forward to this race as it was my first race of the year and hopefully the weather was going to be mild for a change.  It is a fun race, close to home and the course in my mind runs from deceptively easy to outright challenging depending where you are at the time.  As far as local races go it is one of my favorites.

Going into today I really didn't know what to expect.  I didn't know what I could do or how the run would turn out.  Since it had been so long since I had run a race that alone raised a lot of questions.  Anyway, it was going to be an adventure.

I'll save the mile by mile replay (you're welcome) and just discuss the day in terms of the two 25KM loops ran.  Let's just say that I really got my money's worth today.  I essentially had two runs or races in one.

The first 25K, I ran it in 2:25, a whole fifteen minute improvement over last year.  And in case you are wondering, yes that was too fast.  Too damn fast!  But it was FUN!  I ran it hard and it felt good and it was fun like I said.  I could definitely tell in that loop that I have indeed gotten stronger and that I am indeed a lot faster.  That alone today was a whole new experience for me.

But like I said, I went too fast.  As a second thought this morning I almost decided to take and wear my heart rate monitor just to keep my out of trouble.  I am sure it would have kept me reined in and that I might have had a better overall result if I had done that but I can't say for certain.  By not wearing it though, I got to have a very fun first 25K and I am just going to walk away happy with that.

Now for part two... the second 25K which is basically two 12 K's back to back, in two different sections... Well, this was a different run altogether.  While the first 25K was an all out sprint almost, this second 25K was pure unadulterated ultra training both mentally and physically.    On the first half of the second 25K at mile 16 I rolled my left ankle and that hurt pretty bad and that was with me the rest of the run but more than that I was just spent from the first 25K and going out too fast.  And bonus... it got WARM today.  Not miserable hot but warmer than we are used to this spring and I sort of got a little dehydrated too in this part.  Miles 16 - 26 were just an exercise in pushing to get it done.  Hike the steeps, run the flats and downs.

With about three to four miles to go the trail was descending and it opened up a bit to allow for a smoother pace.  Believe it or not I was able to capitalize on this and pick it up there at the end and hold it till the finish.   So as much as the second part sucked it was a good feeling to be able to rally at the and finish strongly.  But I got to tell you.... When I was done,  I was done!

So a mixed bag for the day.  A solid 50K run that goes into the training volume.  Overall time slower than last year but I can live with it and throw in the education that I need to be little more conservative yet in my starts, regardless of how much fun I am having, and that will go a long way in serving me well the rest of this season.

Lastly though I have to say there were many moments today that I was definitely looking forward to my bike ride on Sunday!

Me (In black) following JT (green shirt and bucket hat) at the start.  Photo courtesy of Patrick Garcia.

Eight weeks till the Leadville Marathon.  Wow.

The Cannondale is Done

Finished working on the Cannondale tonight.  I think... maybe, maybe one more adjustment and that will be a shorter handlebar stem.  The current stock stem is 100mm and I might actually need a 90mm.  Right now it sort of feels like I am too far forward but I will know for certain after a few rides.  I think I have the bike pretty dialed in fit wise so it might just be as small difference in frame geometry between the Cannondale and the Trek that I am feeling. 

The bike comes in right at 23 pounds even.  I was shooting for 22 and change I think this is about it.  It feels super light and I have to say that just from riding it around the bit that I was this evening that I really enjoy the responsiveness of the hardtail frame.  I know it is not the best for all terrains and types of riding but when I get out of the saddle and start torquing on the bike it gets up and goes!

I will take on it's first solid outing on Sunday when I am on my recovery ride after the Cheyenne Mountain 50K which is on Saturday.

I am really looking forward to the 50K in two days.  Today was my last run for the week, a short and easy three miler.  Tomorrow I will rest, help with the packet pickup at CRC and then race Saturday.  The weather should be perfect and I guess the trails will be clear by then.  It's going to be fun.

Big Money

Melissa is on travel for work as spring travel season is here.  After Fall Travel, Fall Open Houses one and two, then reading season and then Spring Open Houses... Spring travel is nothing to deal with.  It is definitely easier to work around than fall travel as the trips are limited in both frequency and duration.

But when Melissa is gone on travel there is a huge challenge for both of us and that is diet of course.  She is constantly surrounded by nothing but "road food" and I tend to very easily, quickly, and readily slip into bachelor mode when it comes to meals and meal choices.  For me and I hate to admit this, when she is gone I really get sloppy when it comes to my dietary decisions and I do pay the price in the form an almost instant five to ten pound weight gain.  (see last fall for proof)

So before Melissa left left we were giving each other a hard time and came up with a contest idea to see who would lose the most (or gain the least maybe) over the duration of her trip.  We both officially weighed in on Saturday morning and we will both weigh in when she gets home on the first.

The stakes are high. If she wins, meaning loses the most weight, I have to pay for her SCUBA diving outings in Cozumel in two weeks.  If I win/lose the most weight, then she has to pay the house/dog sitter instead of me having to do it.  Loser also has to buy the winner dinner at Joseph's at some point in the near future.

This could be an expensive bet. 

It helps me as I really want to keep a few pounds off before the Cheyenne Mountain 50K.  And secondly... I don't mind being strict right now for a week or two cause I know it will all be blown to hell when I am in Mexico anyway, so it all works out.  I am seriously craving some decent tacos.

I know Melissa is really working hard on her end to win... She's way competitive so I can't slack or it's gonna cost me!  We will see how it goes.

Had a decent week training last week even with the weather.  Sunday was a treat with a long ride and I got to do some fun technical riding in Ute Valley for a bit.  Still working on the Cannondale and am now waiting on a torque wrench to install the new carbon handlebars.  I spent most of last night applying the Frame Skin to protect the frame.  It came out okay but nothing special.

Progression run Tuesday, easy bike on Wednesday and an easy run on Thursday before the race.  I am looking forward to going into the race rested and seeing how I do.  It is supposed to be sunny and warm on Saturday so regardless it will be awesome to be out in decent weather.

Going up to have dinner with Annie on Wednesday and that is always a treat.  Can't wait!

Survivial Mode

The weather patterns of the past three weeks, and next week will make four has had a major impact on my training motivation, numbers, enthusiasm and just overall outlook.  Each training week, starting on Tuesday (the day after having Monday as a rest day) is greeted with some storm or the other.  The weather does tend to improve through the week but it is majorly cumbersome to work around. And dear god, the wind last weekend through Wednesday was it?

And now with all of the bullshit spring snow getting out to ride is going to be really tough and probably won't be happening until after I get back from Mexico in three weeks.  It is disheartening to look up and see where I want to be with the bikes in the mountains and to see all of the snow that JUST got there instead of JUST left there.  Fucking April. 

Let me put it this way.  I loathe running inside and I think that treadmills are the work of the devil and everyone knows I have run in some pretty nasty shit in my days but Wednesday I more or less BEGGED to be able to run inside.  Thankfully I was able to run in the new sports center at CC and had an awesome workout.  Winter might not be done yet, but I am definitely done training in the winter weather this year.  Done.

Anyway, all of this has really pushed me into survival mode.  The work schedule adds to it all too.  I am struggling with my diet and the numbers are going up.  Something has to give and I admit to bit of comfort eating the past month just to get by.   It is all really making me reevaluate my life, priorities, where I am, and where I want to be.  Right now I have to say that my priorities are my life and health which includes my relationship with Melissa as my number one priority... me.  Second... my training and Leadman as that sort of goes back to number one.  Third my job.  I can't and will not devote my life to that company in a manner that causes me discomfort or threatens priority number one, my health.

And then there is sleep... I sleep when I have to and can anymore.  I try to keep a schedule but it isn't always consistent.  I have no shame if I fall asleep at my desk working at 4:00 a.m.  I don't.  Getting by day to day anymore is tough enough in survival mode without having to constantly battle sleeping too.

But my shoulders have been backed into the turnbuckles long enough... time to start swinging back and get into the middle of the ring and retake control of the situation.  Melissa leaves on Saturday for work so I really need to refocus next week, especially on diet to get ready for the Cheyenne Mountain 50K.  I don't want to go into that race heavy.   Get through the weekend and the weather and snow at the beginning of next week and just hope that is the the last of it.

As a side note I am scaling back my participation in Facebook in a very large way.  I am not going to go into all of the whys and wherefores but I think that overall it has turned into a toxic environment for me (not intentional or anyone being particularly nasty just the overall tones of it all) and I think that Facebook has really missed the boat, jumped the shark, etc... I am seeing it as more and more symptomatic of what is wrong with us as a society as opposed to what is good... I see it as part of the problem and not the solution and I just don't want to play anymore.  (Of course I will link my blog pages there but that will be about it.)

Don't ask... it really has been tough in the ring the past couple of weeks... no shit!

Here Comes the Change Up…

One of my favorite teachers at Oak Hill High School was Mr. Larry Coleman.  I had him for two or three classes, I don't exactly remember but one of them was economics and it was in his class that I learned one the greatest rules to life that I apply in just about every major decision making process, without fail.

"With risk comes reward."

There ya have it... play it safe and you might get ahead, marginally...  Go for broke and you may end up just that, flast-assed busted... safety and a comfortable profit is usually found somewhere in the middle.

I bring this up because as of today, in regards to my bid for a solid Leadman finish, I have decided to take a big risk.   I now have confirmation from the Leadville Race directors that my entry for the 50 mile run has now been changed to the 50 mile MTB race.

I have run this race 2x in the past and have done okay.  A few months ago I would have never considered racing it on a bike.  With my upswing in confidence these past few weeks the MTB race became more and more appealing.  But here is the deal... I could play it safe and we can all pretty much guarantee that I could do well enough in the run.  And given my performances on the bike the past few weeks it is pretty safe to say that I can ride that 50 mile course in Leadville on a regular day.  But can I race it?

Can I actually be in that race and not wreck or not get a nasty mechanical that puts me out of the series?  These are the risks... and while overall not the most daunting challenges, it is still all new to me and a touch scary and exciting.  Okay, a lot exciting.

The rewards?  I am on the bike for about five to six hours instead of running for ten or so.  My racing that weekend is done on Saturday then.  I can be pretty much recovered and back to training come Monday or Tuesday no problem.

If all goes well...

Do I feel like I am pussing out by doing the ride and not the run?  No.  Do I feel like I am doing less than by not doing BOTH races that weekend?  No. The old me might have but my view today is that when I finish Leadman and I am standing in the gym with that finisher's trophy, my standing whatever it may be will not be affected by which event in particular I do, only my performance in that event.  So in short, no.  And to be honest, by taking on the MTB which will probably be my second MTB race in my entire life, with all of the unknowns, my lack of experience and the series of risks... in a way is almost the more courageous of the moves.  I am excited to say the least.

So... this is what I have to look forward to.  I hope that I can be close to the front and not sitting around so much on top of the hill.  I intend to race the Trek in this one.