Racing means stories. No matter how hard, how bad or how great. Each pedal stroke spins the legends and laughter that no doubt will follow. Miss out and you have missed everything. The glory and the results will fade,but the the stories will grow.
As a result I have been back in the fire. Seeking out bigger races and ridding the horn of the saddle trying hard not to come unglued.Digging deep and racing better than logic can explain. Some might think I have I stumbled onto some secret well of fitness that I have been hiding or that I am out to prove something, but the reality of it is my 6 to 1 training plan sometimes is more than I can do.
But being down on fitness is no problem.I race head on into the stories that await; racing with a willingness to open the throttle just to see what happens.Wondering how long or how far can I hold it. Running it hot until the tale starts weaving itself in plan view while others observe to add colour commentary later in the car ride home.
I was going to write about the races. Had the intention of writing the big race report. The " I did his, they did this" kinda recount that would have you riveted to your seat. But then , it all sounded the same. For now I going to go race. I am sure a more entertaining store will surface.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Bank
I was drunk on the Olympics but now my post Olympic hang over reminds me that I need to ride.Every success and triumph triggered some strings and helped me to realize that the dream is not dead...now let's see where it will take me. No delusions of grander, simply put, I want to ride.
The key to training is to find a distractions, or to more importantly, to find a target. Be it something or someone, use it properly and positively and you are on your way to the greatest story every written...well at least you will think so. My problem was I didn't really have one until an idea took hold and without even thinking, gravel roads and head winds suddenly became my classic.
Images of the hard rides and the hard men that rode them push me , make me smile, and turn every pedal stroke . I can see the likes of Van Petegem, Museeuw and Taffi all toughing it out, glancing over with a knowing smile and a silent nod to this madness.
Each time out my tires sink and the wind holds me back . I finish the ride busted but not broken.Cranked but not cracked ,my first thought are of food , then to sleep.
I hear banter and back slapping of 190km+ rides and I could go crazy thinking that I am behind if I take that approach but I don't. Each rider, each person has their different approach and I feel good. The simple truth is I have ridden more 3hr rides this Feb/march than I did all last summer. My 6to1 bank account growing ever so slowly and I can't wait for the next ride.
The key to training is to find a distractions, or to more importantly, to find a target. Be it something or someone, use it properly and positively and you are on your way to the greatest story every written...well at least you will think so. My problem was I didn't really have one until an idea took hold and without even thinking, gravel roads and head winds suddenly became my classic.
Images of the hard rides and the hard men that rode them push me , make me smile, and turn every pedal stroke . I can see the likes of Van Petegem, Museeuw and Taffi all toughing it out, glancing over with a knowing smile and a silent nod to this madness.
Each time out my tires sink and the wind holds me back . I finish the ride busted but not broken.Cranked but not cracked ,my first thought are of food , then to sleep.
I hear banter and back slapping of 190km+ rides and I could go crazy thinking that I am behind if I take that approach but I don't. Each rider, each person has their different approach and I feel good. The simple truth is I have ridden more 3hr rides this Feb/march than I did all last summer. My 6to1 bank account growing ever so slowly and I can't wait for the next ride.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Ground zero
Funny how you forget things...or rather, funny how things come back. The last few weeks I have been trying to get of the ground. Zero to hero doesn't come easy when you haven't been doing much. I am not sure what alarm bell went off, or what was the catalyst was, but suddenly the need, or more importantly the desire to train is back. 2010 is finally underway so I am back into the fire. Two weeks and counting. Here are the highlights.
Week one.
I went skiing, two thoughts ensued.
1. Did I ever know how to ski?
2. DID I ever know how to ski?
I rode the computrainer. Time stood still so I ushered each second along personally by keeping an eye on the count. Churned out 1.5hrs and needed to sleep 3. Surprised that the nap seemed to last half the time.
Rode outside. Fought the fist of a cold headwind for more time than I should. Down for the count afterwards, I needed to sleep again.
Get up, Get up. The shouts of encouragement from my corner, my entourage lift my legs onto the pedals when all that is left is an amber of where I want to be. Bring on week two.
week two.
Went skiing with my brother. Skiing in his wake silently hoping that his effortless strides would rub off. Remembering,and feeling like I know what I am doing. If for only 2hrs, I was a skier.My answer to the questions the week before being yes, I think can ski. Better wax my skis again.
Round two with the heavy weight. Armed with 950g (each) studded tires and a little bit of sunshine. The wind threw a punch but I ducked into some trails. Bob and weave. Back on the road after some off road excitement. 2.5hrs later and I was still awake. Awake dreaming of the next foolish ride outside. Waiting for the next sucker punch that the wind has to offer, I will be ready.
week three
One day down. Bring on the next.
Trainer ride. One week I am suffering, the next week I AM THE CHAMP.Holding the reigns in to 1.5hrs by ignoring the seconds and minutes that passed....but I think I need to sleep.
Funny how you forget things...or rather, funny how things come back. Ground zero is just a starting point.
Week one.
I went skiing, two thoughts ensued.
1. Did I ever know how to ski?
2. DID I ever know how to ski?
I rode the computrainer. Time stood still so I ushered each second along personally by keeping an eye on the count. Churned out 1.5hrs and needed to sleep 3. Surprised that the nap seemed to last half the time.
Rode outside. Fought the fist of a cold headwind for more time than I should. Down for the count afterwards, I needed to sleep again.
Get up, Get up. The shouts of encouragement from my corner, my entourage lift my legs onto the pedals when all that is left is an amber of where I want to be. Bring on week two.
week two.
Went skiing with my brother. Skiing in his wake silently hoping that his effortless strides would rub off. Remembering,and feeling like I know what I am doing. If for only 2hrs, I was a skier.My answer to the questions the week before being yes, I think can ski. Better wax my skis again.
Round two with the heavy weight. Armed with 950g (each) studded tires and a little bit of sunshine. The wind threw a punch but I ducked into some trails. Bob and weave. Back on the road after some off road excitement. 2.5hrs later and I was still awake. Awake dreaming of the next foolish ride outside. Waiting for the next sucker punch that the wind has to offer, I will be ready.
week three
One day down. Bring on the next.
Trainer ride. One week I am suffering, the next week I AM THE CHAMP.Holding the reigns in to 1.5hrs by ignoring the seconds and minutes that passed....but I think I need to sleep.
Funny how you forget things...or rather, funny how things come back. Ground zero is just a starting point.
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