the laundry basket on my floor is filled with clean laundry, waiting to be folded
my power meter is sitting on my bed side table, waiting to be shipped
i have a stack of genetics paperwork on my desk, waiting to be memorized
and i do not feel like doing any of it
I rode 4 hrs today, vacuumed the house and made myself dinner
I am going to bed
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
As Summer Draws to a Close
With school starting in a few days my extended summer is coming to and end. Of the past three years of being in college these past few months have been the best time I have had. I made it through my break without sickness, injury or impending natural disaster on the horizon.
In terms of cycling this summer has rocked, three national championship podiums including one trip to the top step. I finally made a worlds team selection after 2 years of hard work and dedication, though this is second to the time I got to spend with my new friends made throughout this journey.
After riding nonstop throughout the winter, spring, and summer i took a much needed break and am quickly getting back into training mode. In my brief off season I took a trip home to babysit and remember what it is like to work a busy households and ranch. Towards the end I made the trip out to Colorado again, with three friends to the nicest wedding I have ever been to. I spent 4 days in Beaver Creek, riding, relaxing and celebrating the marriage of two close friends.
Last Thursday ended my summer on a new high. The UCSB cycling team got to ride and hang out with Benny Benassi as he rode into Santa Barbara. This easy ride downtown turned into a late night as we found ourselves on the guest list for a sold out event and danced until the club closed to one awesome DJ set. What was cooler was we got to meet the man himself, a down to earth artist who asked about our lives, what we do for entertainment. His crazy friends were awesome, especially his mechanic/bike builder, a guy from Modena who looked homeless, not European.
Looking back it was the people that made my summer, not the 10,000 miles spent in the car or the countless different beds slept in, but my old and new found friends along the way
In terms of cycling this summer has rocked, three national championship podiums including one trip to the top step. I finally made a worlds team selection after 2 years of hard work and dedication, though this is second to the time I got to spend with my new friends made throughout this journey.
After riding nonstop throughout the winter, spring, and summer i took a much needed break and am quickly getting back into training mode. In my brief off season I took a trip home to babysit and remember what it is like to work a busy households and ranch. Towards the end I made the trip out to Colorado again, with three friends to the nicest wedding I have ever been to. I spent 4 days in Beaver Creek, riding, relaxing and celebrating the marriage of two close friends.
Last Thursday ended my summer on a new high. The UCSB cycling team got to ride and hang out with Benny Benassi as he rode into Santa Barbara. This easy ride downtown turned into a late night as we found ourselves on the guest list for a sold out event and danced until the club closed to one awesome DJ set. What was cooler was we got to meet the man himself, a down to earth artist who asked about our lives, what we do for entertainment. His crazy friends were awesome, especially his mechanic/bike builder, a guy from Modena who looked homeless, not European.
Looking back it was the people that made my summer, not the 10,000 miles spent in the car or the countless different beds slept in, but my old and new found friends along the way
Sunday, September 5, 2010
a little bit of everything
It's been a month since I got back from racing and my life settled back into a normal pace again. After the build to nationals and the drive home I was spent. It was a struggle to get on the bike and every ride was painful and slow. After talking with my coaches I went began my off-season, tucked my bike in the corner of my garage and left it there for two weeks.
That break gave me time to work a bit, sleep in and do activities I normally skip due to training. I went to the beach and pool every day for a week, went downtown dancing with friends and in general remembered why it is so damn great living in coastal california.
At the end of the break I rolled home to manage the fort and occupants while my mom dragged my dad to Hawaii before he disappears into the grape harvest. At home i eased back into riding while waking up early to get kids to school, making dinner and checking math homework. After spending a week at home baby sitting I saw how much different my siblings lives are compared to how mine was in middle and high school.
One obvious difference is that my younger brother and sister are much the tech generation. While I rode my dirt bike and did chores when I got home from school they immediately go to the TV and computer to plug in and check out. While these actions aren't terrible I don't see the drive to work hard and an interest in the world.I believe these traits came along with growing up on a working farm, while spending my days going to high school like the majority of the teenage population.
I found it sad when i took them out to the ranch from our house in town and they were content to sit in the car listening to music while I picked vegetables, fed the animals and watered plants in the house. If they aren't curious they'll forget what its like to eat a white peach straight off the tree, have your hands stained black with berries or watch tomatoes turn green to red, things I have done nowhere else.
While I may have been sheltered and have forgotten high school since it was only a small part of my life, learning from living on the ranch has stayed with me, something I hope is not lost on my siblings
That break gave me time to work a bit, sleep in and do activities I normally skip due to training. I went to the beach and pool every day for a week, went downtown dancing with friends and in general remembered why it is so damn great living in coastal california.
At the end of the break I rolled home to manage the fort and occupants while my mom dragged my dad to Hawaii before he disappears into the grape harvest. At home i eased back into riding while waking up early to get kids to school, making dinner and checking math homework. After spending a week at home baby sitting I saw how much different my siblings lives are compared to how mine was in middle and high school.
One obvious difference is that my younger brother and sister are much the tech generation. While I rode my dirt bike and did chores when I got home from school they immediately go to the TV and computer to plug in and check out. While these actions aren't terrible I don't see the drive to work hard and an interest in the world.I believe these traits came along with growing up on a working farm, while spending my days going to high school like the majority of the teenage population.
I found it sad when i took them out to the ranch from our house in town and they were content to sit in the car listening to music while I picked vegetables, fed the animals and watered plants in the house. If they aren't curious they'll forget what its like to eat a white peach straight off the tree, have your hands stained black with berries or watch tomatoes turn green to red, things I have done nowhere else.
While I may have been sheltered and have forgotten high school since it was only a small part of my life, learning from living on the ranch has stayed with me, something I hope is not lost on my siblings
Friday, August 6, 2010
Far West velodrome championship
A few days after I got back from Colorado I drove down to the Encino velodrome to the local qualifier for elite track nationals. I raced the kilo and pursuit, did pretty terrible in comparison to my previous weekend but had a great time. After training at ADT for the past few months I have made a lot of friends at the velodrome, most of whom had shown up to race as well. It was great to see every one to thank them for their support in the past few months as I gutted out my workouts on the track in preparation for nationals. In addition on the schedule was a full olympic omnium which was awesome to watch with plenty of exciting races in the program. Especially awesome was the presence of the current women's omnium world champion Tara Whitten in a proper world champion kit, who put on a clinic on how to dominate an event. It was fun to be partly on the other side of the event and watch my friends have awesome rides instead of having to focus on every detail of my preparation. I can't wait to watch some great racing come October at ADT.
Sunday of Track nationals
Day 2 of nationals came like a slap in the face, not too kindly. After finishing up late and going out to get food my eight hours of sleep seemed insufficient preparation for the kilometer time trial and team sprint.
Along with Clark and Matt I had the most apathetic warm up for the kilo. All year I have had problems with the kilo, mostly from falling off the rollers during warm up. My race started off well, first lap good, second lap-controlled chaos, third lap-carnage. The lights went out in in turn 2 on my final lap, I started drifting up track and it took all my strength to get across the finish line.
While cooling down and prepping for the team sprint my Usada chaperone cam by to inform me of a random doping test, meaning my day just got even longer. Before I went to fill a cup I had a job to do, get my team sprint team through the first lap. This one lap is what I had been working on since the beginning of the year, and i came through, with Sam and Aaron absolutely blasting past me as we crossed the start line to take me us to the top step of the podium 2 laps later.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A day worth remembering
My gamble to arrive in colorado two weeks before track nationals paid of in a big way. Slightly accustomed to the altitude I blitzed my 3 kilometer pursuit in a personal best of 4:05, good enough to seed me 2nd going into the final the evening of day 1. My morning ride scared me a bit, i didn't know i could push myself so hard, finding myself unable to walk and talk after being helped off my bike by my coach Adam.
It was two weeks of solid prep to get to that point. after driving across the west I got to the Springs and stayed at my aunt and uncles house for a week before moving into the OTC for prep camp. That week included two track sessions, and road rides to maintain my fitness and adjust to the lack of oxygen in the air.
Camp was great, productive sessions on the track led to my discovery that in addition to a decent start lap I can hold a tough schedule in the pursuit, with no word on why i can't ride a decent kilo. As with all camps it was a chance to catch up with friends i don't see enough, exchange stories and see who talks the most shit.
It was a new experience racing twice in a day, with one good ride on paper my goal was to repeat it in the final. After warming up on the motor I chilled out and waited for the go ahead to start the final leg of my warm up. After blowing out my legs I went to sit on deck for my ride. All evening the wind was calm and the women were destroying their times from the morning. As soon as Anthony started his ride the wind kicked up and never settled down. I watched Anthony battle the wind and even Sam, the strong man fight it as he completed 4 kilometers. I was remarkably calm going into my race knowing I had pretty much done my job to make the team, all that was left was the execution of the final. My start went well, the months of work at ADT have made their mark, but i felt the effort almost immediately. As I came out of turn 4 the wind kicked me hard, like single jack to the face hard, promising a painful 8 final laps. As I finished I was beat, I rolled 6 seconds slower, and it was 6 times harder than the morning's ride. While I failed to best my qualifying time I still took silver, and my most meaningful result in these past 3 years of racing.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
2010 road nationals
I am still so new at this whole game of bike racing. After a successful early season of racing and training i packed up last week to head to road nationals in Bend Oregon. I was feeling fit and recovered, the sensations were quite excellent as some might say.
After a couple easy days of driving I turned up at the house in bend a group of para athletes had rented for the week. The first two days included easy preview rides and group dinners, connecting with friends and teammates seen rarely throughout the year. This year nationals included a road race and criterium before the worlds qualifying time trial.
The road race was solid, ending up with me being worked over and spit out by the winner on the last lap, leaving me on the podium but slightly frustrated. The crit was a race I would like to forget and remember as a few laps on a course where I got my openers done for the next day's effort.
After a restless night's sleep the big day came around. My bike was dialed, skinsuit pinned, body ready for the herculean effort that would be required to break the top 5 and make the world championship team. warm up and bike check came and went and i found myself flying out the gate. 40 odd minutes later i flew across the finish line, exhausted and hardly able to breathe. Knowing my abilities and past efforts i knew i did not have a stellar day, ending up in 8th place on the day.
The day continued with a random drug test that impeded my food consumption and did not improve my apathetic mood toward my race. The week end on a good note with a good meal accompanied by wine i dragged north, with all my teammates and friends who went through the same miserable experience that day.
While the race did not go according to plan it was an important stepping stone in my development as a racer. I see how far i have to go to reach the top, and that I will improve as time goes on.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
never gone so hard so slowly
With may coming to a close the final prep for road nats has begun. Just like before Defi I find myself on my TT bike close to every day, and if its not the TT then its the track bike. My rides consist of longer rides and efforts on the aggressive torture device or I find myself at the track in LA, looking for tenths of a second with my standing start.
Friday brought excitement in that I hit the deck at the track once again. This time it was equipment failure and I walked away missing little skin but a large part of my ego. I love the track more and more. It hurts a lot, but we're not in this sport to have a pain free experience. Plus, track days mean an easy spin on the road bike in the morning and a day off from the TT machine.
I got back on the TT the past few days for my least favorite workout ever, race simulation. This workout involves riding my bike as fast as possible up the highway 33 outside of ojai, then flipping it and racing back to the start. I love the 33, pretty empty, good pavement, high speed descents, except when climbing it in my aero bars. Last week i wanted to die as i blew up early on an early pitch of the climb and suffered through to the end. Today my effort was more controlled as i rode hard into the steep section an used it to catch another gear as i clawed my way to the turn around. The way back was another story as i attempted to ride flat out, not get killed by gravel trucks barreling down the hill, and not puke on myself at the same time.
I made it down, faster than last week, with more time spent cranking a huge gear on the descents in my aero bars.
Friday brought excitement in that I hit the deck at the track once again. This time it was equipment failure and I walked away missing little skin but a large part of my ego. I love the track more and more. It hurts a lot, but we're not in this sport to have a pain free experience. Plus, track days mean an easy spin on the road bike in the morning and a day off from the TT machine.
I got back on the TT the past few days for my least favorite workout ever, race simulation. This workout involves riding my bike as fast as possible up the highway 33 outside of ojai, then flipping it and racing back to the start. I love the 33, pretty empty, good pavement, high speed descents, except when climbing it in my aero bars. Last week i wanted to die as i blew up early on an early pitch of the climb and suffered through to the end. Today my effort was more controlled as i rode hard into the steep section an used it to catch another gear as i clawed my way to the turn around. The way back was another story as i attempted to ride flat out, not get killed by gravel trucks barreling down the hill, and not puke on myself at the same time.
I made it down, faster than last week, with more time spent cranking a huge gear on the descents in my aero bars.
Monday, May 24, 2010
High time to quit messing around
The Brea criterium yesterday was my first race since returning from Canada. With a few good weeks of training under my belt i was confident in my form. With the Dannies in tow I headed south the evening before. Last minute bike was in order, race wheels adjusted, frames scrubbed clean.
My goal for the race was not to win, but to finish in a high position, one in which I would eventually achieve. With crosswinds and slight rises people weren't willing to bury themselves in a breakaway but willing to wait for the finish. As six laps to go approached I found myself slipping backwards in the turns, every time I reached for my breaks. Flipping my brakes open forced me to ride faster, allowing me to hold position and advance past the more timid cat 4's.
With one to go i found myself fifth wheel as we flew through the finish, controlling my effort and thinking about my chances in a sprint. Turns one and two were golden, the pace quick enough to discourage people from moving up the sides. The uphill section was where it went wrong, i felt the surge coming around me and was powerless, my body already in full sprint mode trying to hold the wheel ahead of mine. we came around the last 2 turns and I was scrambling to hold position, thrashing my legs trying to find one more match to burn. I crawled through the finish in nineteenth, my best cat 4 result to date, but far from where I want to be.
My goal for the race was not to win, but to finish in a high position, one in which I would eventually achieve. With crosswinds and slight rises people weren't willing to bury themselves in a breakaway but willing to wait for the finish. As six laps to go approached I found myself slipping backwards in the turns, every time I reached for my breaks. Flipping my brakes open forced me to ride faster, allowing me to hold position and advance past the more timid cat 4's.
With one to go i found myself fifth wheel as we flew through the finish, controlling my effort and thinking about my chances in a sprint. Turns one and two were golden, the pace quick enough to discourage people from moving up the sides. The uphill section was where it went wrong, i felt the surge coming around me and was powerless, my body already in full sprint mode trying to hold the wheel ahead of mine. we came around the last 2 turns and I was scrambling to hold position, thrashing my legs trying to find one more match to burn. I crawled through the finish in nineteenth, my best cat 4 result to date, but far from where I want to be.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
a quick glance back
It's been a week since I got back from Canada and only in the past few days have I realized really what happened. As a naturally excitable person i tried to forget what I was really doing and where I was to focus on the task at hand. Looking back I realize how well I rode, and it still amazes me. While I told myself I could ride standard in the time trial I didn't think I could get as close as I did, being just 3 seconds off the pace.
My victory in the circuit race was awesome but I couldn't have done it without Meg and Matt, we rode as a team and that is what I remember, us all working until the end. More than anything my races at defi made my time off from school has been worth it, and truly showed my transformation into a bike racer. Coming off the weekend I realized what is possible and have started thinking about the next few years leading into qualification for London.
A big step is my move home in a few weeks. While I love life in Santa Barbara, It's an expensive place to live while not in school and paying to race my bike. I'm moving home into the "Tuscan Villa", or the pool house at my family's home in Carmel Valley. I won't be there much in the first months, nationals prep and racing look to occupy much of June and July.
While I am there I look forward to great food and training, as well as maybe reconnecting with all my friends i left as I went to college, as a kid unsure with what he wanted to do with his life to maybe a slightly wiser one with a slightly stronger grip on his future.
My victory in the circuit race was awesome but I couldn't have done it without Meg and Matt, we rode as a team and that is what I remember, us all working until the end. More than anything my races at defi made my time off from school has been worth it, and truly showed my transformation into a bike racer. Coming off the weekend I realized what is possible and have started thinking about the next few years leading into qualification for London.
A big step is my move home in a few weeks. While I love life in Santa Barbara, It's an expensive place to live while not in school and paying to race my bike. I'm moving home into the "Tuscan Villa", or the pool house at my family's home in Carmel Valley. I won't be there much in the first months, nationals prep and racing look to occupy much of June and July.
While I am there I look forward to great food and training, as well as maybe reconnecting with all my friends i left as I went to college, as a kid unsure with what he wanted to do with his life to maybe a slightly wiser one with a slightly stronger grip on his future.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A little trip to French Canada
My trip to Defi started a bit rocky, with the absence of a front wheels and enough bike boxes a few days before my flight. My friends had it covered, boxes and equipment were in my hands with plenty of time to spare.
The day before my flight found me wrestling bikes into boxes, packing enough cycling clothing to cover weather from the arctic to the sahara. Craig was awesome enough to over night me a skinsuit from Colorado. Nick lent me his beloved edge wheel and Sarah and John hooked it up with the pair of hard cases.
My flights found me going SB to LA to Chicago to meet the rest of the squad. I tried the trick used my para athletes and called my bikes "wheelchairs", saving a good chunk of change and leaving a good feeling in my gut.
After a late meal we all boarded to fly to Montreal, missing Meg due to a missed flight. it was almost midnight when we landed, caught a awesome crippled tram to customs and collected our luggage, feeling blessed as all our bikes rolled out onto the carousel.
A midnight snack was in order when we arrived at our hotel downtown famished. Delivery was ordered and we fell into bed exhausted at about 1:30 in the morning.
I looked and felt like death in the morning, though my personal caraf of coffee at breakfast helped my tired mind stir. Bikes were soon assembled and 4 disabed cyclists were released onto the streets of the city. After many consultations with the doorman we determined our route to the race course.
Our opener ride took us past a huge molson brewery, over the saint lawerence river and onto the circuit gille ve nueve. Corners were scouted, winds examined and lines determined on our recon ride around the blazing fast car track.
With our ride out of the way massages arranged by the organizers were well welcomed. With one last check of equipment, clothes were laid out for the task ahead we all welcomed an early bedtime.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The day before my flight found me wrestling bikes into boxes, packing enough cycling clothing to cover weather from the arctic to the sahara. Craig was awesome enough to over night me a skinsuit from Colorado. Nick lent me his beloved edge wheel and Sarah and John hooked it up with the pair of hard cases.
My flights found me going SB to LA to Chicago to meet the rest of the squad. I tried the trick used my para athletes and called my bikes "wheelchairs", saving a good chunk of change and leaving a good feeling in my gut.
After a late meal we all boarded to fly to Montreal, missing Meg due to a missed flight. it was almost midnight when we landed, caught a awesome crippled tram to customs and collected our luggage, feeling blessed as all our bikes rolled out onto the carousel.
A midnight snack was in order when we arrived at our hotel downtown famished. Delivery was ordered and we fell into bed exhausted at about 1:30 in the morning.
I looked and felt like death in the morning, though my personal caraf of coffee at breakfast helped my tired mind stir. Bikes were soon assembled and 4 disabed cyclists were released onto the streets of the city. After many consultations with the doorman we determined our route to the race course.
Our opener ride took us past a huge molson brewery, over the saint lawerence river and onto the circuit gille ve nueve. Corners were scouted, winds examined and lines determined on our recon ride around the blazing fast car track.
With our ride out of the way massages arranged by the organizers were well welcomed. With one last check of equipment, clothes were laid out for the task ahead we all welcomed an early bedtime.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
An international victory
After 3 years of racing, today was the day I got a win. I was happy with my 6th in the TT yesterday, but knew I was a favorite for the flat, straightforward 50 kilometer circuit race.
My teammates were with me as we covered breaks, split the field, and out rode the heavily Canadian field.
With 500 meters to go I was 3rd wheel, and as we went under a bridge there was the screeching of carbon wheels as the field went down. It was just me and a Canadian national team member who led it out. coming into the final meters my crit racing days kicked in, and I was able to slip around him for the win.
I still can't believe I won, having never experienced crossing the finish line with a clear view of the course ahead. I head home tomorrow, full of hope for the next few months.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My teammates were with me as we covered breaks, split the field, and out rode the heavily Canadian field.
With 500 meters to go I was 3rd wheel, and as we went under a bridge there was the screeching of carbon wheels as the field went down. It was just me and a Canadian national team member who led it out. coming into the final meters my crit racing days kicked in, and I was able to slip around him for the win.
I still can't believe I won, having never experienced crossing the finish line with a clear view of the course ahead. I head home tomorrow, full of hope for the next few months.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, April 16, 2010
two in a row
This last weekend was the final prep before heading to camp at the OTC in Chula Vista. I had 2 time trials over the weekend, Santiago Canyon in mission viejo, and the UCLA time trial in Palmdale.
Saturday was an early wake up to get to orange county on time. With a long solid warm up I was ready as I rolled to to the start line. the race was to the halfway point and I turned the screws as i drilled it up the hill. As the hill turned down I was glad of my effort. My big gears proved too small as i spun out at 44 MPH, racing toward my best TT effort yet.
3 hrs later i found myself at another race course, the UCLA RR. After a wonderful night at the super 8 palmdale, the necessary starbucks stop, it off to the races again. Sunday's TT was a windblown 20km course in the high desert antelope valley. After freezing on the training with lots of clothes on i suffered through the TT, made worse by the cross winds that threatened to knock me over. I was able to stop the clock at 34:18, 42 seconds off last year's time, a ride done in cold but still conditions. With these performances in hand there was a stop at the vallarta supermarket in order, and hopes of a great camp and race in Canada in the coming weeks.
Saturday was an early wake up to get to orange county on time. With a long solid warm up I was ready as I rolled to to the start line. the race was to the halfway point and I turned the screws as i drilled it up the hill. As the hill turned down I was glad of my effort. My big gears proved too small as i spun out at 44 MPH, racing toward my best TT effort yet.
3 hrs later i found myself at another race course, the UCLA RR. After a wonderful night at the super 8 palmdale, the necessary starbucks stop, it off to the races again. Sunday's TT was a windblown 20km course in the high desert antelope valley. After freezing on the training with lots of clothes on i suffered through the TT, made worse by the cross winds that threatened to knock me over. I was able to stop the clock at 34:18, 42 seconds off last year's time, a ride done in cold but still conditions. With these performances in hand there was a stop at the vallarta supermarket in order, and hopes of a great camp and race in Canada in the coming weeks.
Monday, March 29, 2010
carmel valley training camp
After my last final and track session i booked it for monterey. after a recovery day on monday i launched into a hard few days. Being home allows me to training, rest, repeat. I wake up early to fight for coffee from our undersized coffee maker and eat before heading out towards the mountains. The weather cooperated great during my trip, allowing me to set a good tempo in awesome weather on my solo rides through the canyons.
I did minimal chores around my afternoon naps, baked, and ate my parents great food, leg of lamb grown on our farm as well as rib eyes from a cow we raised last year. Being home offers me access to a fully stocked shop, which allowed me to fabricate an arm holder for my left arm pad on my TT bike, rotate my tires and in general screw around with heavy power tools. This rest is a prototype for a custom one my dad and I plan on building when we get a hold of the material comprising my old orthodics.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Getting there
The past few days have given me a glimpse of the work the next few months will bring. After finishing class and finals I drove to LA to work on my track skills with Adam Duvendeck.
One of my greatest weaknesses on the bike is my inability to coordinate my pedal strokes between my left and right legs. In an effort to utilize my left leg my body tends to forget about my right leg, leaving it to turn a blocky, inefficient pedal stroke.
After working on starts with my power meter on my road bike, I tried a start on the track, only focusing on turning a perfect circle with my right leg as I drove off the line. I was able to drop my one lap
time below 24 sec, the first time I've seen a time that low. After driving home I packed for a week at home.
My training did not break for my trip as I stopped in the farmland south of my family's ranch to wring out some intervals on my TT bike. I've felt great the past few days, not having school
on my mind has allowed me to recover well, even with several long car trips.
Sunday was a different matter. When I picked up my number at reg the field size of twelve was a bit worrying. A wide open 1 km course, there would be few places to hide until the end. As I rolled around my opponents were sweating on trainers, talking of breakways and people to watch.
The race started off well enough, I easily matched the accelerations, watched people make digs off the front. My problem arose as I found myself on the front, chasing a few guys off the front. I was able to bring them back but flew off the back as multiple guys lit some sizable matches in an attempt to get off the front. The move proved successful several laps later as I rolled off the course toward home.
I came away frustrated, at myself and my inability to match the speed of the field. I made up for my race by flogging myself on the ride home. I dug deep on the climbs, didn't grab gears but instead muscled through the steeper pitches.
My race yesterday was my first and my intended last DNF of the year. I found myself in unfamiliar territory, no teammates, and no large field to hide in when in trouble. While unsuccessful, the race was another stepping stone on my way towards the top.
- using BlogPress from my iPhone
One of my greatest weaknesses on the bike is my inability to coordinate my pedal strokes between my left and right legs. In an effort to utilize my left leg my body tends to forget about my right leg, leaving it to turn a blocky, inefficient pedal stroke.
After working on starts with my power meter on my road bike, I tried a start on the track, only focusing on turning a perfect circle with my right leg as I drove off the line. I was able to drop my one lap
time below 24 sec, the first time I've seen a time that low. After driving home I packed for a week at home.
My training did not break for my trip as I stopped in the farmland south of my family's ranch to wring out some intervals on my TT bike. I've felt great the past few days, not having school
on my mind has allowed me to recover well, even with several long car trips.
Sunday was a different matter. When I picked up my number at reg the field size of twelve was a bit worrying. A wide open 1 km course, there would be few places to hide until the end. As I rolled around my opponents were sweating on trainers, talking of breakways and people to watch.
The race started off well enough, I easily matched the accelerations, watched people make digs off the front. My problem arose as I found myself on the front, chasing a few guys off the front. I was able to bring them back but flew off the back as multiple guys lit some sizable matches in an attempt to get off the front. The move proved successful several laps later as I rolled off the course toward home.
I came away frustrated, at myself and my inability to match the speed of the field. I made up for my race by flogging myself on the ride home. I dug deep on the climbs, didn't grab gears but instead muscled through the steeper pitches.
My race yesterday was my first and my intended last DNF of the year. I found myself in unfamiliar territory, no teammates, and no large field to hide in when in trouble. While unsuccessful, the race was another stepping stone on my way towards the top.
- using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Almost Free
After logging five solid days in thr library I'm almost free. Only a Greek mythology final stands between me and twelve weeks of freedom from classes.
While I'm looking forward to the training and work that will accompany my break from school I think I will miss the schedule that school keeps me on, allowing me to stay focused.
But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. From Thursday till I leave in april my focus is crushing myself at Defi Sportif.
While I'm looking forward to the training and work that will accompany my break from school I think I will miss the schedule that school keeps me on, allowing me to stay focused.
But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. From Thursday till I leave in april my focus is crushing myself at Defi Sportif.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
wasting time
Like any college student i'm great at putting off studying for finals. Add in thinking about being fit, traveling, and racing, nothing is getting done. My days consist of rides, some class, and making up excuses of why i am not at work regularly. I have had some success, trance podcasts and forced study hours have allowed me a few productive hours. Here goes nothing.....
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thanks
Thank you to all that have helped me out in the past year with racing, life, and general survival. My family, coaches, and friends are the reason why I'm charging forward.
par le vous français?
That was the text i got shortly before my invitation to Defi Sportif (http://www.defisportif.com/en/) arrived friday morning from US Paralympics. Defi Sportif a two day competition in Montreal in April, and I see it as a sign that something is going right with my training. After two years of working my ass off, spending time in doctors offices and in bed with illness and injury i have a chance to prove myself on an appropriate stage. With this awesome news in my head i dove head first into our home collegiate weekend.
I planned on racing twice on saturday, in both the Men's C race and the category 4 race in the afternoon. With my experience of collegiate races starting off slow i decided to make my race count for training as i rolled to the line. After working on my clip in from the line in the past few months I nailed my clip in as I drilled it to the first corner. I think i surprised the field as i lasted about a lap off the front as i railed the 1 km course in kilo mode, no holding back as I knew the field would never let a break roll. After i blew up spectacularly I sat in the field and recovered until the last laps when i patrolled the front with my teammates sitting on my wheel. after this 25 min of us all riding pretty easy looking at each other people decided they would sprint and i slid to the back, saving my legs for my race in the afternoon.
The afternoon race was a simple 45 min crit, sat in, opened my legs up, closed some gaps. My main regret was dropping off the back on the last lap and missing my friend John's domination of the finish.
Saturday was an early morning. we got up at 4:30 to get to santa maria at 6:15. I got stuck ar reg when I should have been warming up for my time trial. After a truncated warmup i rolled to the start line, ready to bury myself. I felt terrible the first half of the race, my sore legs having a hard time pushing my big gear around. Thankfully I was in a groove when i hit the final climb before the finish, and crushed it up the 2km ascent before sprinting down to the finish line. After the race i felt terrible but knew that i did all i could. I really don't think I could have gone any faster. My pain was evident with my inability to breathe and answer people's questions as i cooled down.
This weekend showed my head is in the right place for racing this season. I had some tough moments where I wanted to quit, slow down. But I didn't, couldn't, not with the fact I'm going to be racing against some of the best in the world in a few short months.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
a crackin good start to the season
while this weekend was not my first race weekend of the season it felt like the proper start to the 2010 season. Sat was a 12 hr day at the track and Sunday was was the CBR criterium in Compton. I was able to stay with my teammate and awesome guy Danny Heeley at his house in Hermosa Beach. So instead of a pre 5 am call on sat morning we rolled out at 7 am to get to the track before it opened for warm up. This race was my second ride on my new fuji track pro. after getting in some opening work on the black line, i hate to recall my race at nats where i could never seem to find that pesky line.
My race ended up being 5 hrs later as the TT's before me dragged on. Warm up, sit around, repeat was the deal. When i lined up i felt good, legs open, heart pumping. Then, my start. My chosen gear for the day was just a tad too big. While i got it up to speed and had negative splits heading into the final last laps i never felt on top of the gear. When i got my time it showed. I dropped a half a second off my previous time but failed to hit talent pool standard by 8 tenths of a second. That's what kills me, it's less than a second! But i was able to see my improvement and move on, something i have been trying to do more often these days. after watching everyone kill each other in the omnium and madison the day was finally over. The best part of the weekend was having a bed to sleep in and home cooked meals, oh, and my personal favorite, a dining table. Call me old fashioned but i like sitting down to eat dinner.
Sunday dawned early and clear, the pygmy, or Les Morales, and I set off for the CBR crit. A new course for myself i was too lazy to pull the rollers out of the cart and my warm up consisted of 5 min of riding and a few sprints. The crit turned out ok, which was surprising considering how wrecked i felt from the day before. I think something has clicked as i see gaps, opportunities to gain a few places now. Coming into the last laps i found myself in the top ten, having no problems maintaining the pace. Then came the last time up the hill, into the headwind. I exploded. After rolling across the line towards the back i went to find Les, who in typical fashion had destroyed the field in the sprint. As i headed home that night i realized how fortunate i am to have these friends, these teammates, and this opportunities to further myself through sport.
My race ended up being 5 hrs later as the TT's before me dragged on. Warm up, sit around, repeat was the deal. When i lined up i felt good, legs open, heart pumping. Then, my start. My chosen gear for the day was just a tad too big. While i got it up to speed and had negative splits heading into the final last laps i never felt on top of the gear. When i got my time it showed. I dropped a half a second off my previous time but failed to hit talent pool standard by 8 tenths of a second. That's what kills me, it's less than a second! But i was able to see my improvement and move on, something i have been trying to do more often these days. after watching everyone kill each other in the omnium and madison the day was finally over. The best part of the weekend was having a bed to sleep in and home cooked meals, oh, and my personal favorite, a dining table. Call me old fashioned but i like sitting down to eat dinner.
Sunday dawned early and clear, the pygmy, or Les Morales, and I set off for the CBR crit. A new course for myself i was too lazy to pull the rollers out of the cart and my warm up consisted of 5 min of riding and a few sprints. The crit turned out ok, which was surprising considering how wrecked i felt from the day before. I think something has clicked as i see gaps, opportunities to gain a few places now. Coming into the last laps i found myself in the top ten, having no problems maintaining the pace. Then came the last time up the hill, into the headwind. I exploded. After rolling across the line towards the back i went to find Les, who in typical fashion had destroyed the field in the sprint. As i headed home that night i realized how fortunate i am to have these friends, these teammates, and this opportunities to further myself through sport.
Monday, February 22, 2010
I'm not good at stop signs
This past weekend I dont think I ever sat down and took a breath. From leaving SB to returning I was always doing something. I met a lot of people, raced some bikes and learned more about myself and this whole racing thing. First, warming up for a race for five hours doesn't help the performance, see dismal kilo. Second, I need to accept my success, how ever small it may be, a half second off my kilo? I can live with that. Third, warming up makes racing less painful. I spent the first third of my crit on sunday feeling terrible due to rolling to the line with heavy, cold legs. Lastly, the people I have supporting me make this all happen. Because now it's not just me thinking I can go all the way to the top, but my friends, teammates, and family who want me to succeed.
Monday, February 15, 2010
recent problems
1. Calvin Harris. I can't stop listening to him and the pandora station.
2. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2re9uILtc
2. this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2re9uILtc
Sunday, February 14, 2010
sunday 2-14-2010
woke up
espresso
work clothes
java
group ride
went hard, sat in, got dropped
endurance miles back to java
freebirds
home
shower
nap
cereal
olympics
dinner
olympics
Hesiod
1 physics problem
bed
decent day if you ask me
espresso
work clothes
java
group ride
went hard, sat in, got dropped
endurance miles back to java
freebirds
home
shower
nap
cereal
olympics
dinner
olympics
Hesiod
1 physics problem
bed
decent day if you ask me
Saturday, February 13, 2010
a great day
yesterday turned out to be a great one. After crushing a midterm i rolled my TT bike out of the garage for my workout. After a week break i killed my TT at fiesta Island, rolling a PR for 20 km and going right at the talent pool time for my expected C3 category. This was encouraging as it shows i can go well at distance as well as the short, intense efforts on the track. My efforts went well, hit the intensity required and held it all the way through. The highlight was going almost 40 miles an hour on an almost flat stretch with a light tailwind as a big truck passed me. After lounging all afternoon the opening ceremonies were a great end to the evening. Up until last year the games were cool but in the past year they have become something even more special. A place to represent your country and sport under the eye of the entire world. I find that pretty cool
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
growing old ain't for sissies
This weekend i was fortunate to be able to take a day trip with my grandfather to go hunting. While i have spent quite a bit of time traveling with him in the past this excursion was the first in a year or so. My first trip was when i was 10, my first ride alone on a plane. Over the years we have hunted around the state, fished some of the best trout streams the west has to offer, and the summer before my freshman year of college we spent three weeks driving from Santa Barbara to Idaho and back, with stops in Utah to look at amazing rock formations and a few days in Montana spent fishing the beaverhead and one day spent driving across the state to look at Lewis and Clark monuments and famous battlegrounds of the west.
One thing that has amazed me over the years is how strong he is. While he has gotten a little bit slower, he can still move. While a bad knee laid him up for a while, the replacement has allowed him to keep getting up at 5:30 to go for a swim, exercise, eat breakfast, and read 2 newspapers before nine! When we went out to the blinds on sat he chose the better, difficult to enter blind over the more accessible blinds. And he was the first to hop into the hole in the ground as i attempted to get in without hurting myself. 8 hrs later i struggled behind him on our walk out from the ponds, his step way stronger and more fluid than my own. It was then i fully comprehended how much i have learned from my grandfather, and how much i value the wisdom and strength i take away from out time together.
One thing that has amazed me over the years is how strong he is. While he has gotten a little bit slower, he can still move. While a bad knee laid him up for a while, the replacement has allowed him to keep getting up at 5:30 to go for a swim, exercise, eat breakfast, and read 2 newspapers before nine! When we went out to the blinds on sat he chose the better, difficult to enter blind over the more accessible blinds. And he was the first to hop into the hole in the ground as i attempted to get in without hurting myself. 8 hrs later i struggled behind him on our walk out from the ponds, his step way stronger and more fluid than my own. It was then i fully comprehended how much i have learned from my grandfather, and how much i value the wisdom and strength i take away from out time together.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
my friday
so friday may have been my hardest training day of 2010 so far. The day looked ok, circuit training at platinum fitness and then an hour trainer ride with 6 high rpm spin-ups. I got an idea of how much pain i was in store for as i completed our warm up with Eric from foundation roots. several times in our 20 min session i had to shake out my left leg as it threatened to spasm and lock up. With burning quads i joined the rest of our group in our fast paced core curcuit. Frazer and peter have been great at getting the most out of me during our twice weekly workouts. While some exercises are impossible due to my weak leg arm and leg, the two of them have found the limits of my range and flexibility with exercises that continually challenge my ability to withstand the pain and keep up with the terribly fit athletes that are my training partners. After almost 2 hours of activity, there was not a single person in the room who was not sweating out through their eyeballs and grimacing with fatigue. With the deadly smile and laugh i have come to associate with much suffering on my part, a line of kettleballs was positioned across the room. With instructions of 30 sec on and 30 sec off, the timer counted down from 9 min. While i have done kettleball swings before, i have not had a work out like this at the end of a session thus far. I barely survived. The 10 min after were pretty fuzzy, i do remember putting on warm clothes to allow my body sufficient time to cool down. When i got home it was a struggle to get on the trainer. I must have gone and looked at it and my workout on training peaks 10 times before i had a cup of espresso, put bibs on and mounted up. during my warm up i was how brutal just finishing the efforts would be. I managed through the first few but come numbers 4, 5, and 6 i wanted to die. All i could think of was that there is a reason i am here, on the trainer, suffering like this. It isn't collegiate season, not a so-cal crit, but nationals, world cups, worlds, and the ultimate, the paralympics. It may not be this week, month, or even year, but later down the line, when im older, stronger, these days of putting it all out there will be the days that let me achieve my goals. And with my last interval done i collapsed on my handlebars, having given my all through my workouts that day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
