Back to normal… Maybe!

I haven’t written anything in awhile because it has been a bit hectic. Last week I was in Madison WI for training. I couldn’t find any good food anywhere so I had to settle for typical restaurant stuff. I did get in a few hours of riding on a trainer they had at the hotel. I noticed my heart rate was about 10 – 15 beats slower there. To bad there weren’t any races. J So now that there is only one race left and I am 26 points a head of the number 2 guy I am planning for next season. I am already back in the weight room and trying to get down to the 170 pound range. If I can accomplish that and keep my strength it will be another good season. Next years ambition is to race more national events and try to make my impact on the track. If all goes well I hope to compete in the nation TT championships and track. We will see how that unfolds. Well back to work. Pedal Hard!

Schizophrenia or finding ones self?

During the last month or so I have been a little stressed out and whiney. I have a new job which is awesome. Finally I am back in the healthcare arena which makes me think my job helps people. Granted I deal with no patients since I am in IST. Knowing that I am a part of a hospital really warms my soul. My wife and family support my goals. My wife Lisa is my biggest fan. She is truly the epoxy that holds me steadfast to my dreams and goals. If you have ever been to a race you will see her. This week she was certain I would not miss the last lap bell since I have a few times now. She even recruited a photographer to yell at me “LAST LAP!” Kind of reminds me if the movie Forrest Gump. Stop Forrest! I have been trying to find myself and who I am as far as cycling. What are the things I like and what I dislike? One thing is for sure I love the suffering of the Time Trail. I have always been able to look past the pain or obstacle and suffer through it. Recently I found the track. I think everyone I know is tired of hearing it but the track is awesome. Imagine a crit with easy banked turns no idiots diving corners or slamming on brakes. Well the brake part is given since nobody has brakes. I would tell each of you right now the track builds power. I have been riding the track for a few weeks and my peak watts went from 1270 to 1480 this Friday. The biggest part is I have increased my 30 second and 1 minute power as well. This winter I am going back into the gym and trying to get to 170 pounds by next season. Honestly I am going after National TT and track. Let’s see how it shakes out. Race report. Today was the Federal Center Circuit race. I am in 3rd in the BAR race and I needed a top ten finish with Matt Swenson behind me. Part of finding myself was to find how I like to race. I like to bring out speed and pain early if possible so we can weed out the poor riders. I attacked where I said I would on the first hill but no one would let me go. If they were not going to let me go, I was going to make them work to hold the wheel. I was in the first slot on the first lap when they rung the prime bell. I let up slightly so I would be able to counter any attacks. Geoff Cooper came around and pulled me for a bit. This really helped me a lot and let me relax for a few. After Geoff pealed off a Vitamin cottage rider decided to pull for a bit. I stayed on his wheel when an unattached rider decided to pull. He went out hot but right in my view. I hopped on his wheel and the vitamin cottage guy was on my wheel. At 300m I dropped the hammer and took the 6 pack of beer prime. This was still part of my plan to win one prime and then sit in and not work. There was another prime bell for the next lap. At this time we had a little gap and we tried to hold it. I was not going to work hard anymore so I fell to about 3rd wheel. When we passed through for the second prime I watched the sprint and picked who my targets for the final lap would be. The sprint looked slow to me since we were gaining on the riders during the sprint. On this lap I looked back and could see that there were only 10 riders up. We were away. Come to find out there was a crash that caused the separation. I dropped behind a couple bigger guys and let them break the wind for me. On the last lap my wife and the photographer were yelling last lap (run Forrest) to me. I gave her the thumbs up since I had just basically coasted 3 laps. My heart rate was low 130’s and my legs were completely fresh. I let everyone pull and I stayed on the end of the 10 man break. On my left I saw movement. Matt Swenson had gapped us but he looked really tired. I was not about to let him get the nice benefit of my big body so I went for the gutter. He realized I wasn’t going to work for him so he went to the opposite side of the peloton. I moved up as the end was nearing. At this point in the last real corner the unattached rider decided to dive the corner. I could see it coming as the group was cutting to the corner. Quickly I yelled “diving the corner watch out!” I hit my brakes for a quick second and he flew in front of me barely missing me. I then had to get my lead out started. There was a little gap in front of me so I took it. I bumped my way through to get my position and laid on some power. I wanted to make sure that I enough in the tank for the sprint. I started my lead out at 1k and slowly increased the power. At 300m I let it fly. I looked back behind me and could see I was going to take my first Circuit race win. Sure enough I had it by a bike length and took home $50 and a case and a 6 pack of beer. I gave Geoff and Colm some beer for coming out and helping in the race. Thanks guys. Pedal Hard!