First, let’s not hold me to any specific number of posts or anything. Structure is my enemy. Now that we’ve cleared that up.
My hand is dirty because I switched out the tires on the Diamondback ascent. The Nokian Extremes are back for winter 2010. I would like to bring to your attention that surprisingly, there is no blood in the above photo. I decided to go outside and bomb around the neighborhood. Here’s a photo of the new Franklin County Speedway (aka my backyard):
I did not make any resolutions or set any goals for 2010; see the first paragraph re structure. I am planning on doing the Warrior Dash as well, but that’s not a goal. There is beer, so no need to explain any further. Hmmm, maybe I’ll challenge Karen to double or nothing.
Ride stats
Distance: Several laps around the FC speedway
Temperature: 20˚ F
Ride category: First official run of 2010 for the Nokian Extremes
Fine. I’ll tell you what’s on my mind for 2010. I thought about doing this post, then not doing it, for a couple of weeks now. I think it was mostly because I was trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to accomplish in 2010 with regard to fitness & cycling. I think now I have a pretty good idea.
1.) 2500 miles on the bike. I did 2000 in 2008, and last year, only 1000. Time to kick it up.
2.) Participate in my 4th LIVESTRONG Challenge. I’m signed up and collecting donations here. I’m doing the 70 mile leg.
3.) Participate in at least 1 multisport event. I’m all but signed up for the Rockbuster Offroad Duathlon on April 25th in Ashland, MA. This is a repeat of the Mud, Sweat & Gears event I did last October. I’m hoping my brother & a few friends will join me this time.
4.) And this is the crowing jewel, the event I’m really primed for….participate in my first Warrior Dash. More on this event later, let’s just say if there’s a race involving barbed wire, hurdling open flames, and free beer, I’m there. The only thing preventing me from doing this is a work related conference that is historically scheduled at about this time of year annually–in September. My company bagged the conference last year because of the economy. I’m guessing they’ll need to see the 4th quarter results before deciding to do the conference in 2010.
I’ll need to keep up with the running in order to swing the duathlon and the Warrior Dash. How I’m going to log that many miles on the bike AND keep running with my schedule, I have no idea. But the thing about goals is that you may not meet them, but end up accomplishing equally great other things along the way. Last year I was intent on doing a century ride. I never did. But I did the duathlon and really had a blast. I also started a Ladies Mountain Biking Group Ride and met some great new friends. I plan to continue that in 2010 (email me at my About Karen page on this site for more info).
So there you have it. What do you plan to do with your year?
For Christmas, my brother & sister-in-law got me a gift card to Bike Nashbar’s online site. Gift cards by themselves aren’t sexy but they sure get the job done, and this evening I picked out brand new mountain biking pedals:I got the red to match the red on my mountain bike–something that I will be criticized for by Heather, who is anti-fashion. Now–I don’t consider myself a fashionista, certainly not in the cycling world or any other world for that matter–but I do like to match. And red is my favorite color.
Fashion aside, I’m eager to try this style of clipless pedal out, because I’ve been raised on Speedplays exclusively. I have Speedplay Frogs for my mountain bike and the cheapest version of the Speedplay for the road bike (I believe it’s the Speedplay X/5 Chrome-Moly). The worst case is that I hate the new pedal and go back to the frogs, which have worked splendidly for some time. But 2010 will be my 9th year with the frogs, so–time to evolve a little, and explore different equipment. These were reasonable too– only $34.99 marked down from $54.99. The reviews online were solid, and these weigh about 178g. The frogs I have are also the cheapest version and come in at 255g. I doubt I’ll notice a difference–I am not a finely tuned rider. But I’m anxious for the opportunity to try something new.
Even though I am injured, I was able to ride the Fuji today. Just around town, see if I remembered how to pedal one. I was wondering if the ride would even take place because of this:
This is the aftermath of the nerf gun battle I had last night with some of my younger relatives. Yes, I won but it was do or die because I lost the earlier battle of dodge ball played with an exercise ball and mini basketballs. I would like to take a brief moment to point out the dodge ball teams were them (4) vs me (1). After a professional bandaging job:
I was good to go. I figured I might as well post about the ride seeing that Karen has been good about my lack of presence here on the blog this past year. I think she’s only mentioned once that she’s been carrying us. So, Merry Christmas Karen…an actual post from me.
Heather
Ride stats
Distance: 11.6 miles
Temperature: 34˚ according to the bank
Ride category: Why the hell not ride one of ‘em.
I wanted to share this site I discovered, at first via Twitter, then Facebook, and then the home website. Podium Insight is quite a jewel. Following Podium Insight via Twitter during the Cyclocross season was like getting a play-by play tweet feed of cross race action. The photos are fresh and crisp with great composition and the reporting is exciting to read. The focus is the pro-cycling scene in North America. If you want to feel “in the know,” then check them out. It’s well worth the click through.
Registration opened today for LIVESTRONG 2010. I regret deeply that I skipped last year, and won’t make that mistake in 2010. If you’ve never participated in this event, I can only tell you that I have never been so moved emotionally and physically challenged in my entire life. I will be signing up for the 70 mile ride.
This year, they added a triathlon option, which opens it up to even more athletes. Click here to join us, and live strong.
Fiske Independent Race Management has just posted their 2010 race schedule here. It’s actually only the first half of the season posted, with promise of the second half being posted in the next couple of weeks.
Right of the bat in April, there is a repeat of the Mud, Sweat and GearsDuathlonon April 25th, except it has a different name: the Rockbuster Offroad Duathlon. I think I’ll sign up for that one, and see if my brother makes good on his stated intention to do the race with me. I’m also going to try and rally some of my Mountain Biking Ladies to ride this one with me, too. I don’t mind doing it alone, but I love the camaraderie I’ve discovered in my mountain biking group. However it shakes out–my only goal will be to beat my time from last year, which mean more training on the run portion of the race (which is 66% of the whole race).
There are also some other fun races scheduled, duathlons in the spring, and triathlons in the summer when the water gets warmer. I’m curious about the experience of triathlon, but would need to commit to serious swim training–something I’m not sure if I can fit into my already crazy schedule.
I made it to Sunday’s race in Northampton and enjoyed a day of near 70 degrees, sunshine and great racing. All photos posted are of the Elite Women’s and Elite Men’s races on day 2.
The crowd was good and the talk was that the course changes made this day’s race a much faster one than Saturday. I had a great time snapping photos, watching crashes (there were a fair amount, one at the start of the men’s race that looked pretty serious and required medical personnel)and sipping free beer (what could really be better?). All and all, a great day to be a spectator at a cyclocross race.
November 7th and 8th are the dates for this years Cycle-Smart International Cyclocross race. Held at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts– I’ve been going to this race for about 5 years now. Last year they opened a beer garden, and I’m hoping they repeat that very appreciated service this year. I wrangled a day off for Sunday the 8th, and invited my Ladies Mountain Biking buddies along to enjoy a day at the races–just to watch. Last year I brought my Mom, and she had a blast.
They also have a kids race for the little ones. It’s a great way to enjoy an exciting, pro-level sport in a family-friendly atmosphere, along with some adult beverages. Bring your cowbell!
Today I did something sad, but necessary: I set up the trainer in the basement and rode my bike inside. It’s only mid October and we’ve already had our first snowfall. Insignificant in accumulation, but a huge psychological blow. Winter is coming early, and it rarely leaves as early as it comes.
I haven’t been in the saddle since my duathlon. Work is getting busy as it does every year at this time. I still have three vacation days left which I plan to use simply to keep my workouts going.
I’ve run only twice since the race as well, mostly because my opportunities are limited. I struck out in the cold (47 is cold for me) and ran 2 miles last Wednesday, and my lungs reacted badly. I have trouble in the cold. Getting used to it will help, but I’m just not cut out for big workouts outdoors in the cold.
So now–I transition to maintenance mode. I’ve ridden half the miles on the road bike this year than last year. I’ve logged far more mountain bike rides, which naturally cuts down on overall mileage. Additionally, I’ve taken up running. This has only been in the last 8 weeks but affects overall mileage . I feel stronger than this time last year. I’ve even made it out to do a little hiking, something I used to be serious about but all but stopped after I discovered mountain biking in 2000.
I did not do a century this year. I had every good intention but a bad cold, seriously ridiculous amounts of rain, and furthering my education just interfered with scheduling any real training for such an endeavor. I feel I redeemed myself by doing the duathlon, and can see doing that again next year. My brother wants to race it with me, and I think that would be fun.
So now, on to keeping motivated for training inside the next 5 or 6 months. Wow–that’s a long time! Here’s hoping for an Indian Summer to get me a shot in the arm before winter truly takes hold.
