Time keeps on tickin, tickin....

I have not rode all week and I sure can tell it. I just don't feel myself. Those 6 miles last weekend does not count either. I don't like rollers or trainers, but I really need to make it a point to use mine at least twice a week. I guess I could start running again at lunch. That would be better then nothing. I want to try and work in a ride early Saturday morning or I just might not get a ride in. I don't want to try and make it up for a ride Sunday since I am going to a b-day party Saturday night and have a strange feeling I might drink too much. Go figure....

Bowling went well this week. I actually raised my average up one pin. I rolled a 192, 234 and a 205 for a 631 series. This brings me up to a 206 average for the year. Not too bad, but I just hope that I can hold it. I have been asked to sub next week at Washington, so I will get a good idea of how well I am rolling since I will be at a different house.

Too many projects, not enough time!! Will that ever change?? Some how I don't think so.

running around in circles

Well another busy but short weekend. It seems like there is something going on every night and I don't think this week is going to be any better. I am starting to wear down with the list of things I need/want to do and little time to do it. I am wanting to get in a lot better shape then I currently am and be able to ride stronger then I currently do or well, even then I could a few months ago.

I am still not loosing any weight, not even a pound. The good thing is I am not gaining any weight either. My miles are going down per week and when I do get out I feel like a tub of lard. I was camping this last weekend with the Cub Scouts, so when I saw there was a little trail at the park I figured it would be my old time to sneak away and get any riding in. This statement was true. With out taking my bike I would not have rode any miles, not that it really mattered since I ended up only riding 6 miles. No, I did not have a problem, I just didn't feel like riding. We had been there all day and did a lot of walking and hiking. I had to carry my youngest son for most of the hike. We did check out a neat cave, but it did not take that long. I went out while they were fixing supper. I felt free as I cruised through the campground. But, that did not last long. I started up the trail that was only 2 miles in length. Not much to get me excited about. Not really singletrack and not really dirt. Mostly gravel with only one good climb on each lap. The problem is my legs were weak and I could not talk myself in to riding around that loop very many times. I did see they had a interesting "jump" park. It was more like a pump track that didn't have a lot of flow. I messed around on that a little bit, but didn't stay long because I didn't want to get hurt. I didn't have a tool on me to lower my seat. So, if I would have had a bmx bike it would have been more fun.

What do I have to do to get out of this rut? If feels like July or August burn out in my legs, but I really have not been riding enough to get burned out. I should be much stronger then I have rode. Of course it could be that I have been on my 1x1 and not a geared bike, but I don't think that is all of it since I am climbing good. I can't believe that I really want to try a 50 mile ride on my SS. I must have had a few to many to drink that day.

I did have a good note on the weekend. I put one more piece of my puzzle together for getting the Proflex back together. I traded my old road bike for a good set of mtb wheels and some pedals too. So, I am getting closer to getting all the stuff I need. I need to pick up that other shock that a guy is holding for me and then I am down to needing some brakes and could use some shifters/derailler, but what I have would work if they need to. The problem now is the funding to pick up these pieces. I have a set of Magura HS-22 hydrolic rim brakes to sell on ebay, but I have not messed with trying to sell them yet.

I would like to be able to make some plans for next year and see what kind of races I want to do. I don't know if I want to try more road races, normal xc races, ss xc races, or longer endurance events. Either way I really need to get in some better shape or just say the heck with all of it and drink more beer.

Dedication/Motivation

I don't understand why I am having so much trouble completing what I want to do. My goal for the year was to ride a lot more and loose some weight. I guess I have done both to a point, but not to where I am happy about it.

Let's start with my weight, at one point I as 13 lbs down from last December. Right now I am closer to 6 lbs down. I know there are things that contribute to the change, but I have been having some trouble to get the trend to start dropping. I had a few weeks of being out of town for the weekend or whole week and I did not get to ride or eat well. I knew it would not help, but I never thought after a month later I am still not dropping anything I put back on. I break down every now and then with my eating, but I don't think I am that far from what I was doing when I was loosing weight.

My riding total is up from earlier this year. Although it is a little different types of riding, more road then mtb. I am already over 800 miles for the year and that is a lot more then last year, so I am up, but I don't feel like I am riding often enough to keep me happy. Things are always going on and I never seem to have time. I really need to be better about making some time and either do night rides or hit the rollers in the morning, lunch or before bed.

I am at a loss on what I need to do to increase my motivation to be more dedicated on my goals. The year is not over, but I am running out of time. I have even loftier goals for next year, but how I finish this year will make a huge difference how my ability to accomplish next years goal.

Back in the saddle again!!

After only riding on the road the last few months and a long grueling day in the saddle last weekend at the Tour de London, I knew it was time to get back in the woods. The weather broke this week and it was fall like temps, just the way we like it. I didn't just want to get back in the woods, I wanted to get back on the 1x1. It has been even longer since I rode that. The problem is that there are some hills that just kill me on the only trail around.

So, I got up early this morning and headed out to the trail head. It was 45 degrees when I started my ride. Not exactly what I had in mind for fall temps, but it had to work. I tried to warm up a little and then took off. A little down the trail, I began to think that I picked the wrong bike!! But, the good news was I climbed a few sections that I don't normally climb all the way, but I did have to walk 3 times in the first 3 miles or so. That sounds bad, but actually with all things considering, it is not as bad as it sounds. Most of the 3 sections are hard to clean on a geared bike. From there I continued on and things went a little better. There was an over abundance of spider webs out. I was getting covered almost non-stop. As I was cruising down one of the fire lanes, I noticed a guy walking up the way. That is when it crossed my mind that maybe squirrel season might have started, the obvious thing might have been the gun slung over his shoulders. I was hoping that he was not mad at me and would fire a shot my way.
Things were rolling smooth as I came to the road crossing and before I was thinking that when I got there I would make a right and go to the car. But, I was feeling a little better and figured that since I am out there, I might as well do a full lap. The back side of the lake is normally even harder then the first section of trail when I start at Foxey Hollow. This time I was actually doing good and rode several sections that I normally have trouble with.

Over all, I rode 10 miles with about 1500 ft of elevation gain. I only had to walk 5 different sections. Not too bad for the condition I am in and now little I have been on the SS. I am tired, but looking forward to the next time I can make it out. Not sure when that will be since I am booked up most of the week and next weekend too. This is not good for riding!!

Back to normal

Last night was back to normal on the lanes. I went into the night carrying a 212 average, but I did not hit it one time. I started off fairly good. The second game was not bad, but not as many strikes. Then came the third game and I started off is a pocket 7-10 and three frames later I get the same thing!! I could not get much to strike, but most of the hits did not look too bad. Oh well, I knew there would be nights like this. I figure part of my problem is still being tired from the weekend.
I rolled a 206, 194, and 160 for a 560 series. That dropped my average down to a 205.

Speaking of this last weekend, the results are now posted and I finished 18th. Right in the middle of where I figured. Just another slap in the face that I need to be in much better shape for the next one. I sure hope I start to feel better soon!!!

I am off to play some golf. Nothing like some free golf with some free food and drinks!! I will see just how bad I hit the ball, but if we do well, there are always good prizes too!!

Tour de London

I have now raced in my first road race, well I guess you can say raced but it was more like entered. Looking at the profile leading up to the race I knew there would be a few good hills. I was not overly worried about them since I have some routes that are similar in elevation gain. I was going in to the weekend not sure how well I would ride because it was two weeks since I could really get on the bike. I did spend 20 min. on the rollers a week ago, but that was not near what I wanted to do.
So, I didn't expect to be running up front at all, but I thought I would maybe stay with the second group or so. The start was going along ok, I was in the lead pack and not working any harder then I wanted to. We were moving at a fair pace, but I expected that. Well along came the first big climb. Half way up the climb my hear rate decided to peak out and render me just about shot. I slowed to a crawl and could have fell over at any minute. I finally made it to the top and settled in to a decent pace. Looking around I could not see any riders in front or behind me. I knew there were some riders behind me, but not sure how many. My legs were starting to hurt on a long flat section. My calf muscles were feeling like they were going to cramp!! I look down to see how far I had gone only to see 5.5 miles. How the heck can I be cramping already?? It felt like I hit a brick wall and really struggled for a little bit. Time seemed to stand still for a while, but that is because my trip showed 5.5 miles for a real long time. I knew I went farther then that so after a little checking I figured out that it stopped recording so I hit the start button again and everything was back to normal. Except I was feeling shot and had no idea just how far I was.
At one point I could see another section of road and could tell there was a group of four riders in front of me, but they were a long was up there. When I reached where they were, I could see one rider behind me just about as far back as I am of the riders in front of me. I pushed it as hard as I could to try and catch up to the other riders, but I could not get any closer. It didn't help with the strong head wind I was getting and they were working as a group.
Right before the half way point I reached an all time low. I was thinking that my seat was a little low for some reason. I began to think that might be part of my problem with my leg strength so on a hill that was just about to kill me, I decided to get off and walk. I hate to admit it, but I did. This was the first time I had ever had to walk my road bike. Almost at the top there was a section painted in the road that said half way. That made my computer almost 4 miles off, but at least I now had an idea of where I was. At the top I took this moment to catch my breath and raise me seat a little. Shortly after I took off, I downed my gel packet that I was wanting to wait till I was closer to the big hill but I could not wait any more.
I was feeling a little better for awhile, but I was still far from feeling good. I did alright until I hit the big hill that I knew would be a problem. I almost made it to the top and could not go any more, so I had to hold my head down and do a little more walking. At this point the rider behind me caught me and made it up the hill. I got back on and climbed the next little hill and managed to catch the other rider. This was the first positive thing in my ride. I had been so lonely and hurting it was really nice to ride with someone else. I road with them for a while and then some time after the 10k to go sign, I some how dropped the rider on a climb. I just tried to ride the best I could for the remainder of the race and ended up finishing where I was. I actually don't know where that was, but I think it is between 15th and 20th. I will not be sure until some results are posted. We waited around for probably 3 hours to see the results, but it was still not figured and I was ready to be home and still had a 4+ hour drive.
Over all it was a great race and had some great volunteers. The sad part is it was the absolute worst day of riding I had ever had on my road bike. I have not made up my mind if I want to come back next year, but I need to figure out why I had one of my weakest rides of the year on that day!

No more BMX

I just finished packing up my cruiser frame to ship out tomorrow. That leaves me with my cruiser wheels if anyone is interested. I hated to sell it since it was my second favorite bmx bike, but I just can't see letting it sit there and not be used. I did not want to race it anymore and selling it would be the easiest way for me to not get the urge to race again. Don't get me wrong, I loved racing bmx. I just can not justify the cost for the return on my investment. I was never racing to make any money, but it is not like I would have ever made it to where I could. Even if I race the expert class and finish in first place, you only get something like $11 nbl bucks. Not even cash!! I can get a cash payout if I raced my mtb. It takes just as much dedication to training to be at the level to compete.

The other big cost issue is, for a National race you drop down $90 to race both days. That does not include the long drive and a place to stay. If there were not enough riders who showed up, I might get as few as 4 laps on the track for that $90. That is what I don't see as a good return on my investment. Heck, if I would get in to this endurance racing it would cost me the same price to race a 100 mile race and be on the bike for 8-10 hours!!

The thing I miss most about racing is the people. Such great people at every race. I have so many friends that I would only see racing bmx. For that I really hate not racing. I also miss riding a smooth section or busting a sweet jump, but I do not miss eating dirt! Two broken collar bones in 9 months will make you a little cautious about that new section!! For now I will keep off the kids bikes.

Down a step, but not much

Well, tonight was the last night before our new averages would be established. I have been holding the bar way to high for the beginning of a new season. I thought tonight my true self would show up and tank it when I needed it most. Well, that happened a little, but not too bad. I actually was fairly happy with my performance tonight. I was not all crazy like the last two weeks, but I actually held my own when the strikes were not falling. I held on for a 193, 204, and a 207 to pull out a 604 series. That should drop my starting average down a little from where I had it, but two weeks of 217 will keep it from dropping below 212. Now we will just have to see how long I can hold it.

This weekend is the Tour de London race. I sure hope I am ready. I am not going about this the correct way. I didn't get any real riding in over the holiday weekend. Instead I hung out at Prides Creek and did a little fishing. Not the best thing to do before a race, but that is what I did. I did manage to get on the rollers Saturday morning for 22 min., but I don't think that will be enough.

The plan is to get on the rollers again tomorrow to keep the legs moving since I will not be able to ride again until the race. I guess it really does not matter since I was just testing the water to see what this road racing thing is about. I just hope to not make a fool out of myself any more then I normally do. The main goal is to hang with the front group as long as I can and see what happens.

After this weekend, I think it is time to get back in the woods. It has been way too long!! I am feeling the need to get back on the SS and really make it hurt!! I need to put some miles in and get strong since I have penciled in a 50 mile race next year. I know it is a long way off, but it will not be easy. The goal is to do one or more 50 mile next year and then try a full 100 the following year. I need to get it in before I get too close to turning the big 40. Not sure how long I will be able to keep that up. That is if I ever get there!! LOL