Thursday, January 31, 2008
Power Calculation Results
So, comparing the results of my calculations to Table 4.1 in my book (see prior post)indicated that I have a LOT of work to do. Comparing them to Table 4.2 gave a sharp "V-shape." The text says that this indicates someone who has a high/well-developed anaerobic and aerobic capacity and will make a good Pursuiter or whatever. OR...and what is probably my case, or I hope it is...it indicates the profile of an All-Rounder who has not worked on developing/raising his or her LT. I know the latter is true. Whether or not I can become an All-Rounder is another story. Only time will tell, right?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Today's Training and some GOSSIP!
I did 20 x 30" intervals at 210 Watts (really 220-230W) with 30" off (80-105 Watts). I chose 100 rpm because it felt comfortable (I had no assigned cadence).
I felt strong and fresh, though I am still on the carb kick, but I think it's toning down.
NUMBERS
12.5M
1:00
So, I'm gonna' check out this mountain bike Saturday. I guess I can find it on cyclingutah.com???
GOSSIP:
Guess who's lab is being asked to perform pre-competition tests for a certain "newish" Tour, possibly held in or not held in the 2nd month of the calendar year, in a country formally known as the "New World?"
Yup.
You guessed it.
Information will be leaked to the highest bidder...Mama needs a new bike...
The bidding starts NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
I felt strong and fresh, though I am still on the carb kick, but I think it's toning down.
NUMBERS
12.5M
1:00
So, I'm gonna' check out this mountain bike Saturday. I guess I can find it on cyclingutah.com???
GOSSIP:
Guess who's lab is being asked to perform pre-competition tests for a certain "newish" Tour, possibly held in or not held in the 2nd month of the calendar year, in a country formally known as the "New World?"
Yup.
You guessed it.
Information will be leaked to the highest bidder...Mama needs a new bike...
The bidding starts NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
'Cross talk, Some frustration and Yesterday's Training
What wonderful 'cross weather we are having! As you can tell, I CAN'T stop thinking about cyclocross, when I'll take a break from the road, when I'll start training again. Jeez! I think that the season should extend into Feb. A new series for the 4 weeks of Jan and the 4 of Feb.
I saw a guy communting yesterday at the side of Arapeen, far to the right in the snow and I though..."God, I'm such a whimp! I should be tailing his ass getting in some intervals and practicing bike-handling skills!" My excuse for NOT commuting on Alexander right now is that there is no place to put/lock my bike. If I was a PhD, I'd have an office and a place to store it. I can't put it in lab because of our inspections and I refuse to risk havnig it stolen by storing it in the stairwell.
I tried so hard to do my workout yesterday. It was supposed to be 2:00, with 40-60min. at 190-240W. Now, I just received my "Training with a Power Meter" or whatever book by the Coggan and some other guy and I read it for like an hour whilst falling asleep last night ~10:30pm (yes, I've actually been able to fall asleep for 2 nights now naturally!!!). It says that my FTP, threshold power, is the maximum number of Wasts I can sustain for 60minutes. Well, I have done repeats just above and below my Heart Rate threshold up Emigration Canyon and I was at 250Watts. In the race, we were doing 200W for a while and my burning legs "caused me" (I gave up, let's face it) to drop back. While this may seem laughable to you all, or some of you, because the numbers are low, this is where I'm at right now.
I looked at Table 4.1 at the Watts/kilogram produced by Excellent (International level), ? (Domestic Pros), ? (Cat 1), ? (Cat 2), ? (Cat 3), ? (Cat 4) and ? (beginner) cyclists based on this test they have for 5", 1' and 5'. I will do this test soon. I also looked at the next table that identifies you (estimations) as an All-Rounder, Sprinter, Time Trialist and whatever else based on the "shape" of your power values across the 5", 1' and 5' time points. I will figure this out for me soon. I want to/have to know!!! I think I have some Power values in Training Peaks, Friel and Coggan. I'm going to see if any of them are 5", 1' or 5' and analyze myself in these tables. (I'm probably setting myself up for a bitter bitter bitter disappointment bu I am a scientist and I HAVE to see data, numbers and make conclusions, etc.).
(10:04AM....this paragraph is coming after I wrote the above paragraph. According to Friel, my 1' = 269Watts. According to Coggan my 5" = 693 Watts, 1' = 269 Watts and 5' = 193 Watts. These are based on that Sprint Test I took last week. Calculations will be up soon..unless they are shitty. But I guess I should put them up anyway because if I don't you'll all know they are shitty.)
Anywho...I don't understand while Coach scheduled me to do this. I feel like he isn't looking at where I'm at right now. I usually do 30" intervals at ~210W with 30" spin recoveries, so what gives with 40-60 minutes??? I am frustrated right now.
So, I tried to maintain the wattage for as long as possible but I tired quickly. After trying about 10 times to maintain this wattage, I was so spent that I could barely hold my current estimated TP for a few minutes. I even warmed up for 1 HOUR!!! My legs had snap, I was doing intervals spinning at 120rpm and felt great, the power was just not there. I wan't able to grind at 85-95 rpm for very long at 200+ Watts. I figure I am still recovering from Sunday's race maybe???
TUESDAY'S NUMBERS
2:01
22.7M
Is this weird that I ordered that book by Chris Carmichael about the 5 keys to a winning life??? It was discounted on Amazon.com because I purchased the power meter book. Or maybe I just got it because it gave me a total such that I got free shipping.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
I can't stop eating carbs (from grains)!!! I haven't touched pasta, rice etc, since Sanpete RR last year (I gave up bread, but reintroduced it about a month ago, but only ate about a few slices a week after or before longer workouts). Ever since that night the Ski Utah team ate at that italian restaurant in Vegas (Fri night???) I can't stop eating pasta! I made a tofu stir-fry Monday night and I ate it then, and two bowls last night. This always happens to me. Right after a race, I am not hungry, but for a day or two or more after I am stuffing my face ad infinitum. I need to go home and toss it all in the garbage.
FOR THE LADIES.....
Kloden and the Astana Team are training in Albequerque, NM right now. ROCK!!! I should be down there riding 10 hrs. a day searching for them on the road so I can pick their brains about training and ogle their legs.
Here's a random pic because he's sooo frickin' hot! Smokin' hot!!!
I saw a guy communting yesterday at the side of Arapeen, far to the right in the snow and I though..."God, I'm such a whimp! I should be tailing his ass getting in some intervals and practicing bike-handling skills!" My excuse for NOT commuting on Alexander right now is that there is no place to put/lock my bike. If I was a PhD, I'd have an office and a place to store it. I can't put it in lab because of our inspections and I refuse to risk havnig it stolen by storing it in the stairwell.
I tried so hard to do my workout yesterday. It was supposed to be 2:00, with 40-60min. at 190-240W. Now, I just received my "Training with a Power Meter" or whatever book by the Coggan and some other guy and I read it for like an hour whilst falling asleep last night ~10:30pm (yes, I've actually been able to fall asleep for 2 nights now naturally!!!). It says that my FTP, threshold power, is the maximum number of Wasts I can sustain for 60minutes. Well, I have done repeats just above and below my Heart Rate threshold up Emigration Canyon and I was at 250Watts. In the race, we were doing 200W for a while and my burning legs "caused me" (I gave up, let's face it) to drop back. While this may seem laughable to you all, or some of you, because the numbers are low, this is where I'm at right now.
I looked at Table 4.1 at the Watts/kilogram produced by Excellent (International level), ? (Domestic Pros), ? (Cat 1), ? (Cat 2), ? (Cat 3), ? (Cat 4) and ? (beginner) cyclists based on this test they have for 5", 1' and 5'. I will do this test soon. I also looked at the next table that identifies you (estimations) as an All-Rounder, Sprinter, Time Trialist and whatever else based on the "shape" of your power values across the 5", 1' and 5' time points. I will figure this out for me soon. I want to/have to know!!! I think I have some Power values in Training Peaks, Friel and Coggan. I'm going to see if any of them are 5", 1' or 5' and analyze myself in these tables. (I'm probably setting myself up for a bitter bitter bitter disappointment bu I am a scientist and I HAVE to see data, numbers and make conclusions, etc.).
(10:04AM....this paragraph is coming after I wrote the above paragraph. According to Friel, my 1' = 269Watts. According to Coggan my 5" = 693 Watts, 1' = 269 Watts and 5' = 193 Watts. These are based on that Sprint Test I took last week. Calculations will be up soon..unless they are shitty. But I guess I should put them up anyway because if I don't you'll all know they are shitty.)
Anywho...I don't understand while Coach scheduled me to do this. I feel like he isn't looking at where I'm at right now. I usually do 30" intervals at ~210W with 30" spin recoveries, so what gives with 40-60 minutes??? I am frustrated right now.
So, I tried to maintain the wattage for as long as possible but I tired quickly. After trying about 10 times to maintain this wattage, I was so spent that I could barely hold my current estimated TP for a few minutes. I even warmed up for 1 HOUR!!! My legs had snap, I was doing intervals spinning at 120rpm and felt great, the power was just not there. I wan't able to grind at 85-95 rpm for very long at 200+ Watts. I figure I am still recovering from Sunday's race maybe???
TUESDAY'S NUMBERS
2:01
22.7M
Is this weird that I ordered that book by Chris Carmichael about the 5 keys to a winning life??? It was discounted on Amazon.com because I purchased the power meter book. Or maybe I just got it because it gave me a total such that I got free shipping.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
I can't stop eating carbs (from grains)!!! I haven't touched pasta, rice etc, since Sanpete RR last year (I gave up bread, but reintroduced it about a month ago, but only ate about a few slices a week after or before longer workouts). Ever since that night the Ski Utah team ate at that italian restaurant in Vegas (Fri night???) I can't stop eating pasta! I made a tofu stir-fry Monday night and I ate it then, and two bowls last night. This always happens to me. Right after a race, I am not hungry, but for a day or two or more after I am stuffing my face ad infinitum. I need to go home and toss it all in the garbage.
FOR THE LADIES.....
Kloden and the Astana Team are training in Albequerque, NM right now. ROCK!!! I should be down there riding 10 hrs. a day searching for them on the road so I can pick their brains about training and ogle their legs.
Here's a random pic because he's sooo frickin' hot! Smokin' hot!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Some pics from the SNVSR
Friday's TT
Wow. I like my thighs in this pic. I've never said that before.
Okay, now my ass looks fat, damn it! Who took this picture??? I need a publicist to stop unflattering photos from being circulated.
Saturday's Crit
Wow. I like my thighs in this pic. I've never said that before.
Okay, now my ass looks fat, damn it! Who took this picture??? I need a publicist to stop unflattering photos from being circulated.
Saturday's Crit
Monday, January 28, 2008
Race Report - Southern Nevada Stage Race - Road Race
FIRST OFF:
The Ski Utah Cycling Team was represented by:
NAME Category RR ranking (US overall) RR ranking (Utah)
Eric Thompson Cat 3 259th/949 13th/21
Spence DeBry Cat 3 368th/949 16th/21
Shane Dunleavy Cat 4 195th/1408 6th/29
Patrick Fasse Cat 3 1st/949 1st/21
Laura Patten Cat 3 6th/176 1st/3
Scott Patten Cat 2 844th/2213 (Masters) 24th/49 (Masters)
Cameron (* last name?) Cat 3 * *
Shana Matheson Cat 4 48th/221 3rd/9
and myself, BG Cat 4 119th/221 6th/9
The promoter of the race was very pleased with us. He asked me for our photos and asked about the team when I was on the backside of the crit course taking close up pics of the Cat 3 field diving into a corner. He spoke with Shane and commented that we seemed to be everywhere and asked if we had a pro team. Some men came up to him (Cat5s) and asked how they could join! Suffice to say we got plenty of exposure and mad props!
Road Race - Sunday, January 27th, 2008
(Pics are from the crit, I'll have TONS of great photos soon when they get downloaded from Patrick's camera and burned to a DVD.
THE WEATHER & IT'S EFFECTS:
What an apocalyptic day! It was ~40degrees (maybe 40-50), horrible wind and dangerous gusts, and rain. The Cat 4 men had hail at the top of the mountain and everyone suffered through fog. Low visibility for some groups on the descent, mentally defeating on the 9M climb back to the finish because you'd think you were at the top because it looked like the road ended, but, once you cleared through that patch of fog you saw that there was a butt load more climbing to go!!! At least this is how it happened to me! Plus there was water puddles all over the road, rain in your face, almost crazy curves, etc.
THE COURSE
Pro/Cat1/2 Men, Cat3 men & Pro/Cat1/2/3 ladies did 52M. I think they went out up the 8M climb, descended the 9M down the back side, came back up 9M, descended again, climbed it again and then descened 8M down to the finish. They had ~7000ft of climbing I believe. The Cat4 men, Cat 5 men and Cat3/4 women did 36M and had ~4600ft of climbing. 8M to the top of the climb, 9M down the backside and back up and 8M to the finish.
MY RACE:
I started with the group and felt good in terms of breathing. I wanted to go harder because I was capable of it. BUT, my knees on down were BURNING something awful! It passed after ~6M, so it's my fault for not warming up, but who wanted to ride more than they had to in those crappy conditions? Sorry, I am NOT that hardcore! ;) My teammate dropped back a bit from the group because her legs were lead. Probably because she went so hard during the crit and stayed in the pack. It was her first crit since her crash at RMR last year where she broke her arm and had her season taken. She came back during 'cross however.
I wanted to try and sprint back to the group, I tried it once, but I wanted to wait and try to bring her back up as far as I could because suddenly I felt rejuvinated. I am always VERY happy/excited to do teamwork. Even if I don't feel that strong. We rotated for a while and then the climbing got to me. I had to slow down even though my HR was low (zone 2, ~154bpm). My legs were just dying, no pain, no burning, but heavy and I couldn't hold a high cadence.
Shana pushed on and I took it at my own pace because I knew that once I reached the top, descended, and turned around, I'd have a hellish 9M climbing back up. I heard rumors from teammates that it was hard as hell as likened to the climb up the backside of East Canyon (like if you continued through the East Canyon RR FINISH line and climbed up to the top of Big Mountain, I've descended it, fast as hell, I can't imagine climbing up it!).
On the descent my fingers froze and were painfully numb. I was cold, feet soaked, but my Aspen Thermal jacket was keeping the wind and rain from my core what a GREAT purchase. I wished so hard that I had dry gloves because no matter how hard it got, I knew I could finish if I could ONLY have dry fingers.
At the turn around, Shana's boyfriend gave me dry gloves, I don't know if this was allowed (was he neutral support? I dunno), but it's not like I was going for the win and putting myself at a better advantage that the other women. I don't cheat during races, I don't draft behind vehicles or WORK WITH MEN ON MY TEAM TO PACE ME BACK UP TO THE PACK AFTER A CRASH IN ANOTHER FIELD THAT SPLITS THE CAT 4 WOMEN UP..eh hem...Bear Lake??? (If I see those women again I'm going teach them how to race fair! I want other ladies to finsh ahead of me because they were stronger, NOT because they cheated!).
Anyways, I told him I'd climb as far as I could then we'll see. He said he'd wait in a small town we passed through. I nodded and continued on. I pictured Gardie in my head telling me to get up the mountain! Just do it because I'm your coach and I'm telling you to! I pictured my teammates riding strong and fighting hard. What got me to continue after the small town was: 1) I didn't see his blue van, 2) I didn't want the men passing on the other side of the road to see me quit (especially teammates), 3) I knew I'd be upset the whole 6hr. drive home if I was the only one in the van who didn't finish, 4) I knew that this was TRAINING only, and if I didn't suffer through it I'd never get any better, 5) I felt like this was worse that climbing Traverse Ridge road to Suncrest, and I've climbed that a few times and survived when I wanted to stop. I even TT'd up it in a race, and 6) I was dreaming of the deli sliced turkey, oven roasted chicken, tomatoes and bread I had brought to make a sandwich!
So, flashes of other riders going harder than me up the climb passed though my vision and I had renewed respect for every rider in the race. The last 2M up the climb I had to stand practically the whole time to keep the pedals going. I admit, I stopped like 4 times for a few seconds and put my head on the handle bars. I wanted to abandon SO BADLY but there was no vehicle in site. Then I thought about Kloden and Michael Rogers and other riders abandoning the TdF because of injuries and I realized that I did NOT have a good excuse to give up.
I persevered to the top and as I crested, I saw the Cat 3 men standing and sprinting up the climb! Crazy! They had only gone 8M and there was a lot of climbing left! I don't know how they do it.
I spun out on the descent and tucked most of the way. I was going 40+ mph, awesome! Then, suddenly ~1M from the finish, a few wind gusts blew me to a 45 degress angle to the ground and I almost lost control of my bike 4 times! I was suddenly terrified. I've never felt like I was gonna crash EVER. But this time I did. I slowed down to ~20mph and sat up to the finish. I was happy.
MY NUMBERS:
~35M
3:05
4600ft. of climbing
TOTAL NUMBERS FOR THE WEEK:
160M
12:10
VERY happy, back to what I'm used to.
TEAM Stage and GC RESULTS:
NAME STAGE PLACING GC
Shane (Cat 4) 17th 16th
Spence(Cat 3) 17th 17th
Laura (Cat 3) 4th (she earned $25 bucks!!!)
The Ski Utah Cycling Team was represented by:
NAME Category RR ranking (US overall) RR ranking (Utah)
Eric Thompson Cat 3 259th/949 13th/21
Spence DeBry Cat 3 368th/949 16th/21
Shane Dunleavy Cat 4 195th/1408 6th/29
Patrick Fasse Cat 3 1st/949 1st/21
Laura Patten Cat 3 6th/176 1st/3
Scott Patten Cat 2 844th/2213 (Masters) 24th/49 (Masters)
Cameron (* last name?) Cat 3 * *
Shana Matheson Cat 4 48th/221 3rd/9
and myself, BG Cat 4 119th/221 6th/9
The promoter of the race was very pleased with us. He asked me for our photos and asked about the team when I was on the backside of the crit course taking close up pics of the Cat 3 field diving into a corner. He spoke with Shane and commented that we seemed to be everywhere and asked if we had a pro team. Some men came up to him (Cat5s) and asked how they could join! Suffice to say we got plenty of exposure and mad props!
Road Race - Sunday, January 27th, 2008
(Pics are from the crit, I'll have TONS of great photos soon when they get downloaded from Patrick's camera and burned to a DVD.
THE WEATHER & IT'S EFFECTS:
What an apocalyptic day! It was ~40degrees (maybe 40-50), horrible wind and dangerous gusts, and rain. The Cat 4 men had hail at the top of the mountain and everyone suffered through fog. Low visibility for some groups on the descent, mentally defeating on the 9M climb back to the finish because you'd think you were at the top because it looked like the road ended, but, once you cleared through that patch of fog you saw that there was a butt load more climbing to go!!! At least this is how it happened to me! Plus there was water puddles all over the road, rain in your face, almost crazy curves, etc.
THE COURSE
Pro/Cat1/2 Men, Cat3 men & Pro/Cat1/2/3 ladies did 52M. I think they went out up the 8M climb, descended the 9M down the back side, came back up 9M, descended again, climbed it again and then descened 8M down to the finish. They had ~7000ft of climbing I believe. The Cat4 men, Cat 5 men and Cat3/4 women did 36M and had ~4600ft of climbing. 8M to the top of the climb, 9M down the backside and back up and 8M to the finish.
MY RACE:
I started with the group and felt good in terms of breathing. I wanted to go harder because I was capable of it. BUT, my knees on down were BURNING something awful! It passed after ~6M, so it's my fault for not warming up, but who wanted to ride more than they had to in those crappy conditions? Sorry, I am NOT that hardcore! ;) My teammate dropped back a bit from the group because her legs were lead. Probably because she went so hard during the crit and stayed in the pack. It was her first crit since her crash at RMR last year where she broke her arm and had her season taken. She came back during 'cross however.
I wanted to try and sprint back to the group, I tried it once, but I wanted to wait and try to bring her back up as far as I could because suddenly I felt rejuvinated. I am always VERY happy/excited to do teamwork. Even if I don't feel that strong. We rotated for a while and then the climbing got to me. I had to slow down even though my HR was low (zone 2, ~154bpm). My legs were just dying, no pain, no burning, but heavy and I couldn't hold a high cadence.
Shana pushed on and I took it at my own pace because I knew that once I reached the top, descended, and turned around, I'd have a hellish 9M climbing back up. I heard rumors from teammates that it was hard as hell as likened to the climb up the backside of East Canyon (like if you continued through the East Canyon RR FINISH line and climbed up to the top of Big Mountain, I've descended it, fast as hell, I can't imagine climbing up it!).
On the descent my fingers froze and were painfully numb. I was cold, feet soaked, but my Aspen Thermal jacket was keeping the wind and rain from my core what a GREAT purchase. I wished so hard that I had dry gloves because no matter how hard it got, I knew I could finish if I could ONLY have dry fingers.
At the turn around, Shana's boyfriend gave me dry gloves, I don't know if this was allowed (was he neutral support? I dunno), but it's not like I was going for the win and putting myself at a better advantage that the other women. I don't cheat during races, I don't draft behind vehicles or WORK WITH MEN ON MY TEAM TO PACE ME BACK UP TO THE PACK AFTER A CRASH IN ANOTHER FIELD THAT SPLITS THE CAT 4 WOMEN UP..eh hem...Bear Lake??? (If I see those women again I'm going teach them how to race fair! I want other ladies to finsh ahead of me because they were stronger, NOT because they cheated!).
Anyways, I told him I'd climb as far as I could then we'll see. He said he'd wait in a small town we passed through. I nodded and continued on. I pictured Gardie in my head telling me to get up the mountain! Just do it because I'm your coach and I'm telling you to! I pictured my teammates riding strong and fighting hard. What got me to continue after the small town was: 1) I didn't see his blue van, 2) I didn't want the men passing on the other side of the road to see me quit (especially teammates), 3) I knew I'd be upset the whole 6hr. drive home if I was the only one in the van who didn't finish, 4) I knew that this was TRAINING only, and if I didn't suffer through it I'd never get any better, 5) I felt like this was worse that climbing Traverse Ridge road to Suncrest, and I've climbed that a few times and survived when I wanted to stop. I even TT'd up it in a race, and 6) I was dreaming of the deli sliced turkey, oven roasted chicken, tomatoes and bread I had brought to make a sandwich!
So, flashes of other riders going harder than me up the climb passed though my vision and I had renewed respect for every rider in the race. The last 2M up the climb I had to stand practically the whole time to keep the pedals going. I admit, I stopped like 4 times for a few seconds and put my head on the handle bars. I wanted to abandon SO BADLY but there was no vehicle in site. Then I thought about Kloden and Michael Rogers and other riders abandoning the TdF because of injuries and I realized that I did NOT have a good excuse to give up.
I persevered to the top and as I crested, I saw the Cat 3 men standing and sprinting up the climb! Crazy! They had only gone 8M and there was a lot of climbing left! I don't know how they do it.
I spun out on the descent and tucked most of the way. I was going 40+ mph, awesome! Then, suddenly ~1M from the finish, a few wind gusts blew me to a 45 degress angle to the ground and I almost lost control of my bike 4 times! I was suddenly terrified. I've never felt like I was gonna crash EVER. But this time I did. I slowed down to ~20mph and sat up to the finish. I was happy.
MY NUMBERS:
~35M
3:05
4600ft. of climbing
TOTAL NUMBERS FOR THE WEEK:
160M
12:10
VERY happy, back to what I'm used to.
TEAM Stage and GC RESULTS:
NAME STAGE PLACING GC
Shane (Cat 4) 17th 16th
Spence(Cat 3) 17th 17th
Laura (Cat 3) 4th (she earned $25 bucks!!!)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Southern Nevada Stage Race - Criterium
Today was a great day for the team, except me (in my opinion).
Everyone rode well and I learned that falling behind on the last corner up to the START/FINISH line and chasing to close a bit of a gap after a few laps burns you out. It sucks because I was riding with the ladies on the back side of the course and I felt like I was a part of things. Then I ALWAYS got spit out on the last right hand turn (I sucked at the first left too). So everyone basically saw me always off the back like I didn't know how to follow wheels and ride close. Why can't anyone see the times when I actually do things right?
I got some great pics with a digital camera and I hope to get those on my computer soon. I have some really good candid and race shots, good action.
All SKI UTAH CYCLING TEAM MEMBERS are ecstatic and I am happy to report that the ~50sec between Patrick and the #1GC Cat3 man has been obliterated! He went like a bat out of hell off the front as soon as the race began. 4 riders joined them but one fel away. He hammered with the others and the gap on the field exptended to 49sec t one point. He was beat in the finishing sprint by an inch maybe. It was so damn close. So, he won a time bonus in the crit and got a time bonus for second place, PLUS the ~40sec gap on the field. He is now leading in the GC by 6 seconds. ROCK!
We rode after everyone raced too. I had an asthma atack ~5M into the ride. Scary. My throat completely closed, I was swaying on the bike, seeing bursts of light. I put my head down and tried to draw breath but it was hard as hell. After trying to calm down, I caught up to the others and was almost in tears because I couldn't get enough air. I wanted to go back so bad to get my inhaler (I wish I hadn't forgottento use it before the crit!!!). I felt like an ass as I always do because I am so slow and such an inferior rider compared to the others. Like a wet blanket really. I calmed more and told them that I wanted to go on, I felt light-headed but I didn't say anything. I rode for a bit then felt eventually felt excellent. I held onto the group, maybe they eased up? I think I was a might squirrly because I was out of it, I hope not. Probably just me being paranoid.
So...so frustrating...I try and try and try so hard to be like them, to be good, great, but I am always, constantly, consistently dissapointed (even though I was told today by a teammie post race that there's NO WAY I can be disspointed). This keeps me up at night, haunts my thoughts during the day, it's the only thing really that make me tear up...a lot. Often. But, I suck it up and just get determined to train more, hit the gym more, eat less and drop some weight, etc. I now have a new eating regimen I got from questioning Shane and Patrick on the drive down here. More on that later.
NUMBERS:
00:34 (crit + cool down lap)
11M
POST RACE TRAINING RIDE:
1:37
24.7M
YESTERDAY'S NUMBERS:
PRE RACE TRAINING RIDE (cool down post TT included):
2:36
39.5M
TIME TRIAL:
00:35:26
10.7M (forgot to stop PT after I crossed, my offical time is 00:34:00)
Everyone rode well and I learned that falling behind on the last corner up to the START/FINISH line and chasing to close a bit of a gap after a few laps burns you out. It sucks because I was riding with the ladies on the back side of the course and I felt like I was a part of things. Then I ALWAYS got spit out on the last right hand turn (I sucked at the first left too). So everyone basically saw me always off the back like I didn't know how to follow wheels and ride close. Why can't anyone see the times when I actually do things right?
I got some great pics with a digital camera and I hope to get those on my computer soon. I have some really good candid and race shots, good action.
All SKI UTAH CYCLING TEAM MEMBERS are ecstatic and I am happy to report that the ~50sec between Patrick and the #1GC Cat3 man has been obliterated! He went like a bat out of hell off the front as soon as the race began. 4 riders joined them but one fel away. He hammered with the others and the gap on the field exptended to 49sec t one point. He was beat in the finishing sprint by an inch maybe. It was so damn close. So, he won a time bonus in the crit and got a time bonus for second place, PLUS the ~40sec gap on the field. He is now leading in the GC by 6 seconds. ROCK!
We rode after everyone raced too. I had an asthma atack ~5M into the ride. Scary. My throat completely closed, I was swaying on the bike, seeing bursts of light. I put my head down and tried to draw breath but it was hard as hell. After trying to calm down, I caught up to the others and was almost in tears because I couldn't get enough air. I wanted to go back so bad to get my inhaler (I wish I hadn't forgottento use it before the crit!!!). I felt like an ass as I always do because I am so slow and such an inferior rider compared to the others. Like a wet blanket really. I calmed more and told them that I wanted to go on, I felt light-headed but I didn't say anything. I rode for a bit then felt eventually felt excellent. I held onto the group, maybe they eased up? I think I was a might squirrly because I was out of it, I hope not. Probably just me being paranoid.
So...so frustrating...I try and try and try so hard to be like them, to be good, great, but I am always, constantly, consistently dissapointed (even though I was told today by a teammie post race that there's NO WAY I can be disspointed). This keeps me up at night, haunts my thoughts during the day, it's the only thing really that make me tear up...a lot. Often. But, I suck it up and just get determined to train more, hit the gym more, eat less and drop some weight, etc. I now have a new eating regimen I got from questioning Shane and Patrick on the drive down here. More on that later.
NUMBERS:
00:34 (crit + cool down lap)
11M
POST RACE TRAINING RIDE:
1:37
24.7M
YESTERDAY'S NUMBERS:
PRE RACE TRAINING RIDE (cool down post TT included):
2:36
39.5M
TIME TRIAL:
00:35:26
10.7M (forgot to stop PT after I crossed, my offical time is 00:34:00)
The Ski Utah Cycling Team survived the TT!
We woke up and met at 7am for b-fast at the Casa Blanca casio/hotel. Very cool. The waitress thought we were SO COOL that we MUST be filming a movie, right? How sweet of her. I sure felt special.
Here's our van (Better pic to come)! Sweet huh? We all drove down together like a proper team. Very exciting for me!!! I couldn't beleive it when they offered to haul me and my crap with them. Very cool!
Here's Shane warming up. This is a great pic! My camera phone is not so bad today. Supposedly there is a cool digital camera for me to use. I need to get up on that for our crits tomorrow.
Patrick's Trek TT bike. I LOVE this bike. I want a Trek TT bike so bad. I've been eyeing a yellow and a red Trek at Contender forever. They aren't there anymore, I think. I kind of had to stop ogling the bikes because that's how I ended up with my 3rd bike.
This is Patrick post TT where he whooped everyone's ass. He's now ~50s off of the lead man on GC.
Shane (Cat 4) 10th
Patrick (Cat 3) 5th
Laura P (Cat 3) 4th or 5th
Shana (Cat 4) right before me...11th?
Me (Cat 4) 12th? Last as usual. Bad. Sucky. But oh well. As P said, "Remember why we are here!" "Yes, you're right." grumble grumble grumble I need to get more serious and sacrifice more. I dont know how much more blood I can squeeze out of me for my cycling dreams. It's so damn hard. But I do love it. Despite the slump I am now in.
I need to check on the others' results (ET, Spence and Scott)
We dined together at a fancy Italian place. It was awesome! I felt so ghetto with my black hat on because of my helmet hair. Not proper attire for such a place.
I'd better try to sleep now. Gotta grab b-fast at 7am with everyone.
Here's our van (Better pic to come)! Sweet huh? We all drove down together like a proper team. Very exciting for me!!! I couldn't beleive it when they offered to haul me and my crap with them. Very cool!
Here's Shane warming up. This is a great pic! My camera phone is not so bad today. Supposedly there is a cool digital camera for me to use. I need to get up on that for our crits tomorrow.
Patrick's Trek TT bike. I LOVE this bike. I want a Trek TT bike so bad. I've been eyeing a yellow and a red Trek at Contender forever. They aren't there anymore, I think. I kind of had to stop ogling the bikes because that's how I ended up with my 3rd bike.
This is Patrick post TT where he whooped everyone's ass. He's now ~50s off of the lead man on GC.
Shane (Cat 4) 10th
Patrick (Cat 3) 5th
Laura P (Cat 3) 4th or 5th
Shana (Cat 4) right before me...11th?
Me (Cat 4) 12th? Last as usual. Bad. Sucky. But oh well. As P said, "Remember why we are here!" "Yes, you're right." grumble grumble grumble I need to get more serious and sacrifice more. I dont know how much more blood I can squeeze out of me for my cycling dreams. It's so damn hard. But I do love it. Despite the slump I am now in.
I need to check on the others' results (ET, Spence and Scott)
We dined together at a fancy Italian place. It was awesome! I felt so ghetto with my black hat on because of my helmet hair. Not proper attire for such a place.
I'd better try to sleep now. Gotta grab b-fast at 7am with everyone.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Pro Race Results
10th Tour Down Under
Stage 2 - Wednesday, January 23: Stirling to Hahndorf, 150 km
Andrei Greipel won stage 2! Whoa, and I thought his legs looked great up close in '06! Jeez! That black looks hot as hell.
Stage 2 - Wednesday, January 23: Stirling to Hahndorf, 150 km
Andrei Greipel won stage 2! Whoa, and I thought his legs looked great up close in '06! Jeez! That black looks hot as hell.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Today's Training
WORKOUT: 1:30 Strength Endurance (yes, more)
instructions = 15-20' intervals @ 85% threshold power, 50-60rpm
goal = increase cycling-specfic muscle strength & movemet patterns
I usually do 3 x 15' intervals so this time I wanted to either do more intervals or increase the time.
I ended up pulling off 4 x 18' ones. I was happy. I was watching Rammstein's Volkerball for a bit too. Its amazing how easy it is to hold power, pedal, breathe when I'm watching them play. I TOALLY should've been watching this yesterday during the test...or rather, listening to it. I couldn't see much of anything except spots!
I finished off by riding easy as long as I could to make up for missing time yesterday. I have 0:50 left to make up now.
NUMBERS:
2:20
30.6M
instructions = 15-20' intervals @ 85% threshold power, 50-60rpm
goal = increase cycling-specfic muscle strength & movemet patterns
I usually do 3 x 15' intervals so this time I wanted to either do more intervals or increase the time.
I ended up pulling off 4 x 18' ones. I was happy. I was watching Rammstein's Volkerball for a bit too. Its amazing how easy it is to hold power, pedal, breathe when I'm watching them play. I TOALLY should've been watching this yesterday during the test...or rather, listening to it. I couldn't see much of anything except spots!
I finished off by riding easy as long as I could to make up for missing time yesterday. I have 0:50 left to make up now.
NUMBERS:
2:20
30.6M
What the deuce???
I love that my teammates boost me psychologically. I am such a drama queen! Not only do I have a coach to sift through my BS and psychotic middle of the night emails, but I have teammies that ROCK!
So, do you ever have one of those days where you are wondering why you even gotup int he AM???
I got to lab and found that the samples i put on Friday PM DID NOT EVEN RUN!!! Every time I do NOT come in on a weekend (3 day weekend I had) something fucks up. BUT, when I DO come in, it's all good and I am kicking myself for wasting time coming in to work.
SO what went wrong? he stupid as hell Robot arm thingy dropped a vial and jsut paused!!! Damn robots, damn machines! I wish it'd blow the F up. I want to beat the heck out of it a la the Office Space printer.
So as soon as I got to lab, of course the loud mouth new chick has to tell me as soon as I set foot in lab "Oh, I don't think your stuff worked!" BITCH! I'd love to set my bags down, get coffee and figure it out for myself, ass clown!
...
So, I promptly left work, seeing red, and went straight to Contender. I walked in and said that I ran away from work to come there and cheer up. It ALWAYS works. Yapping with Patrick, Reed and John was good. Also, they had the 1998 TdF on. I had no idea there was so much Jan action. After one of the TTs he was like heaving so much I thought he'd pass out. ROCK!
Now, I am wasting time doing nothing when I should be working, but, alas there's nothing to do.
TRAINING UPDATE:
Well, Gardie called this AM while walking to Coffee Garden before I hit Contender. The first thing he said was, "BG..." yeah I say, "What's going on?" LOOOOOOONG silence. "C'mon, what's up?" Have you seen my numbers??? I said, "I'm trying REAL hard to resist the urge to shoot myself in the face." 'Ut oh, do we need to change your program a bit?" I screamed (in the middle of the street, 9th & 9th) "NO! it's not training it's life and work!" I had to shout this a few times and he finally gave in thank goodness. He did remind me, however, that Wednesday is COMPLETE REST, no bike no nothing! And, Thursday is recovery at 50% threshold power. I agreed and said I got it. Also, we discussed my upcoming test, the 20K TT Friday. I am to go between 240-260W. Is this a lot? He seems to think that I am going to go 30mph. I told him last week that I am NOT a male pro! The fastest I have TTd is ~22mph. I thought that I should start a bit easy (167W) and build to the turnaround and then suffer my ass off and hold a high power for the rest of the ride. He disagreed. He wants me to haul ass off of the line and suffer like "there's no tomorrow" to quote his exact words. Jeesh.
I also bought some good race tires. Open tubulars they are, what this means, I dunno. Patrick swore by them and professed his undying love for them. That's good enough for me. (Why? My current tires are clunky old ghetto-ie winter training tires.)
So, do you ever have one of those days where you are wondering why you even gotup int he AM???
I got to lab and found that the samples i put on Friday PM DID NOT EVEN RUN!!! Every time I do NOT come in on a weekend (3 day weekend I had) something fucks up. BUT, when I DO come in, it's all good and I am kicking myself for wasting time coming in to work.
SO what went wrong? he stupid as hell Robot arm thingy dropped a vial and jsut paused!!! Damn robots, damn machines! I wish it'd blow the F up. I want to beat the heck out of it a la the Office Space printer.
So as soon as I got to lab, of course the loud mouth new chick has to tell me as soon as I set foot in lab "Oh, I don't think your stuff worked!" BITCH! I'd love to set my bags down, get coffee and figure it out for myself, ass clown!
...
So, I promptly left work, seeing red, and went straight to Contender. I walked in and said that I ran away from work to come there and cheer up. It ALWAYS works. Yapping with Patrick, Reed and John was good. Also, they had the 1998 TdF on. I had no idea there was so much Jan action. After one of the TTs he was like heaving so much I thought he'd pass out. ROCK!
Now, I am wasting time doing nothing when I should be working, but, alas there's nothing to do.
TRAINING UPDATE:
Well, Gardie called this AM while walking to Coffee Garden before I hit Contender. The first thing he said was, "BG..." yeah I say, "What's going on?" LOOOOOOONG silence. "C'mon, what's up?" Have you seen my numbers??? I said, "I'm trying REAL hard to resist the urge to shoot myself in the face." 'Ut oh, do we need to change your program a bit?" I screamed (in the middle of the street, 9th & 9th) "NO! it's not training it's life and work!" I had to shout this a few times and he finally gave in thank goodness. He did remind me, however, that Wednesday is COMPLETE REST, no bike no nothing! And, Thursday is recovery at 50% threshold power. I agreed and said I got it. Also, we discussed my upcoming test, the 20K TT Friday. I am to go between 240-260W. Is this a lot? He seems to think that I am going to go 30mph. I told him last week that I am NOT a male pro! The fastest I have TTd is ~22mph. I thought that I should start a bit easy (167W) and build to the turnaround and then suffer my ass off and hold a high power for the rest of the ride. He disagreed. He wants me to haul ass off of the line and suffer like "there's no tomorrow" to quote his exact words. Jeesh.
I also bought some good race tires. Open tubulars they are, what this means, I dunno. Patrick swore by them and professed his undying love for them. That's good enough for me. (Why? My current tires are clunky old ghetto-ie winter training tires.)
Ok, I'm done complaining
I feel better now. I've been watching Vino during the Vuelta '06. I watched all of the stages with him winning, attacking, etc. since last night until an inappropriate hour (should've been sleeping). I've been studying his face, breathing, gearing, cadence, etc. I feel more positive about cycling.
I guess I was mainly so upset because I've been riding a bike since August 2003...
(FLASHBACK)
...Anyone who knows me knows that I bought my bike because of the 2003 TdF. I was talked into watching the stage where Lance snagged that bag by a friend (who got me into running years earlier) with the promise of a fat as hell Willy's burrito. Of course I went. (God, I wonder what would've happened if I had NOT watched that race at that moment???). I noticed Lance, of course, as a naive American (in my opinion) I only knew of this "Lance." Then, I remember man in sea green, face focused and studied, not very attractive to me while suffering, and I remember a guy in magenta with a slightly more attractive face, also focused and studied. I watched them hang with Lance, shadowing him. Everyone looked like it hurt, every pedal stroke, every breath.
This is when I decided that I had to race bikes. I was a mid to back of the pack marathoner at the time (I've done Grandma's, Twin Cities, Honolulu and Walt Disney World if you're interested, best time uber slow at 5:23 at the latter, I'm planning on two more, Berlin and Antarctica...I' obsessed with ice, ice bergs, glaciers and deserts of whipping winds and snow...I'm hoping for 4:00-4:30 based on my '05 5K time of 26:59, a 8:41 mile).
So, with the help of grad student loans, I bought my Cannondale R600 a fter testing the R800 and R1000 (which I wanted). I love the top tube, straight, I can hover above it, sit on it, and clutch it on fast descents for stability and aerodynamics. The frame feels sturdy and stiff. I'll never race another road bike unless forced by a team, which I'd happily accept...
(BACK TO REALITY)
I've been training with the Cyclist's Training Bible since 2004. I've been racing since 2006. The book Bike Racing 101 by the Wenzel's says that it take 5-7 years (I think, 5-10?) of cumulative training and racing to reach one's potential in cycling. I guess I have 4 years down, that last 2 spent as a Cat 4. Does this mean that in 2009 (30yrs. old) I'll be approaching my peak? Does this mean that in 2011 (32 yrs.) I'll finally be kick ass and hold it for a long time (like Jeannie Longo, 49? who has signed AGAIN with a French team I think). Has any female cyclist won a medal or joined a pro team at 32 or is this too old? Will I finally be the kick ass time-trialist and slammin' crit racer I yearn to be when I'm 32?
Maybe. Being patient is hard. I am just SO worried that I'll be too old, BUT, if I'm good, no, great, does it matter? Will anyone want me? I'd love to be just like the Goble Knee guys and ride for an elite team (Cat 1s and 2s I guess). If only we could create one. A team of kick ass women competing in races like Redlands!
I've also decided to post my mile, times etc. for my season (stole the idea from "irideiwrite."
I guess I was mainly so upset because I've been riding a bike since August 2003...
(FLASHBACK)
...Anyone who knows me knows that I bought my bike because of the 2003 TdF. I was talked into watching the stage where Lance snagged that bag by a friend (who got me into running years earlier) with the promise of a fat as hell Willy's burrito. Of course I went. (God, I wonder what would've happened if I had NOT watched that race at that moment???). I noticed Lance, of course, as a naive American (in my opinion) I only knew of this "Lance." Then, I remember man in sea green, face focused and studied, not very attractive to me while suffering, and I remember a guy in magenta with a slightly more attractive face, also focused and studied. I watched them hang with Lance, shadowing him. Everyone looked like it hurt, every pedal stroke, every breath.
This is when I decided that I had to race bikes. I was a mid to back of the pack marathoner at the time (I've done Grandma's, Twin Cities, Honolulu and Walt Disney World if you're interested, best time uber slow at 5:23 at the latter, I'm planning on two more, Berlin and Antarctica...I' obsessed with ice, ice bergs, glaciers and deserts of whipping winds and snow...I'm hoping for 4:00-4:30 based on my '05 5K time of 26:59, a 8:41 mile).
So, with the help of grad student loans, I bought my Cannondale R600 a fter testing the R800 and R1000 (which I wanted). I love the top tube, straight, I can hover above it, sit on it, and clutch it on fast descents for stability and aerodynamics. The frame feels sturdy and stiff. I'll never race another road bike unless forced by a team, which I'd happily accept...
(BACK TO REALITY)
I've been training with the Cyclist's Training Bible since 2004. I've been racing since 2006. The book Bike Racing 101 by the Wenzel's says that it take 5-7 years (I think, 5-10?) of cumulative training and racing to reach one's potential in cycling. I guess I have 4 years down, that last 2 spent as a Cat 4. Does this mean that in 2009 (30yrs. old) I'll be approaching my peak? Does this mean that in 2011 (32 yrs.) I'll finally be kick ass and hold it for a long time (like Jeannie Longo, 49? who has signed AGAIN with a French team I think). Has any female cyclist won a medal or joined a pro team at 32 or is this too old? Will I finally be the kick ass time-trialist and slammin' crit racer I yearn to be when I'm 32?
Maybe. Being patient is hard. I am just SO worried that I'll be too old, BUT, if I'm good, no, great, does it matter? Will anyone want me? I'd love to be just like the Goble Knee guys and ride for an elite team (Cat 1s and 2s I guess). If only we could create one. A team of kick ass women competing in races like Redlands!
I've also decided to post my mile, times etc. for my season (stole the idea from "irideiwrite."
Monday, January 21, 2008
...
maximum power...average (low end)
average power...fair (middle)
My mental stress skyrocketed and I didn't give a shit about the rest of the workout. I decided to stop and go to bed, that was 2 hours ago. Let's see what Gardie has to say about that. I'm in for a howler, I know.
NUMBERS:
15M
1:20
I'll have to make up the remaining 1:40 later this week. I may run tomorrow.
average power...fair (middle)
My mental stress skyrocketed and I didn't give a shit about the rest of the workout. I decided to stop and go to bed, that was 2 hours ago. Let's see what Gardie has to say about that. I'm in for a howler, I know.
NUMBERS:
15M
1:20
I'll have to make up the remaining 1:40 later this week. I may run tomorrow.
Today's Training
I am REALLY nervous today, and excited. It is a TEST day. A self-requested (is this a word?) TEST day. In the "Testing" section of the Cyclist's Training Bible by Joes Friel you will find a Sprint Power Test (pg. 54 & 55 with a section on applying the test results on pg.62).
Details of the test for a Computrainer or indoor trainer with a Power Meter:
Warm up
Do 2 or 3 x 8-12" increasingly powerful practice starts to find out what gear to be in for the test
Stop your back wheel and begin test
(I am not sure if I should press the lap button, or stop, walk away and then start the test so that my Power Tap sees it as a whole different workout, so that the numbers for it are separated from my warm up, and then my cool down should I completely stop and hop off after the test)
Sprint for a stage win at the TdF as if Tom Boonen is on your ass for 0.2M (322m)...should take 25-40" (try to get the highest possible average power).
Record your maximum power achieved and your average power.
Analyzing the results:
For senior women
MAXIMUM POWER (Watts)
1000+ excellent
850 - 999 good
720 - 849 average
585 - 719 fair
< 585 poor...you suck balls, give up on your cycling dream
AVERAGE POWER
675+ excellent
600 - 674 good
500 - 599 average
410 - 499 fair
< 499...quit cycling, sell your bike and invest the money more wisely
I'm going to work in a little bit at the condominium complex, I'm hydrating well, eating and thinking positively. I also slept 9-10 hrs the past 3 nights! The first 2 nights without help!!!
I have a feeling if I score well, my cycling-related self-esteem with will skyrocket and my mental skills will improve. I've been told that my mind is holding me back because I have too much self-doubt. How can I not when women as awesome as Jamie Leake come out of the woodwork (last season was her 1st racing year) and slam my ass after a winter of long miles, tons of weight room stuff and focusing, praying, hoping that I am a better Cat4 than the previous year???
God, my dream is to be a Cat3. Please God please! Yes, help the refugees in warm torn countries, grant world peace, make everyone nicer to each other, but can you also please help me become a 3??? I don't care if I get the smack down put on my ass at every race by the 2s and 1s! I just want it damn it!
My results should be up ~ 9pm tonight.
(And, yes, I know that I shouldn't put so much emphasis on this test. It is winter, I'm not in race shape, this is only a baseline to use to compare the results of more testing throught the season to gague my improvement.)
Details of the test for a Computrainer or indoor trainer with a Power Meter:
Warm up
Do 2 or 3 x 8-12" increasingly powerful practice starts to find out what gear to be in for the test
Stop your back wheel and begin test
(I am not sure if I should press the lap button, or stop, walk away and then start the test so that my Power Tap sees it as a whole different workout, so that the numbers for it are separated from my warm up, and then my cool down should I completely stop and hop off after the test)
Sprint for a stage win at the TdF as if Tom Boonen is on your ass for 0.2M (322m)...should take 25-40" (try to get the highest possible average power).
Record your maximum power achieved and your average power.
Analyzing the results:
For senior women
MAXIMUM POWER (Watts)
1000+ excellent
850 - 999 good
720 - 849 average
585 - 719 fair
< 585 poor...you suck balls, give up on your cycling dream
AVERAGE POWER
675+ excellent
600 - 674 good
500 - 599 average
410 - 499 fair
< 499...quit cycling, sell your bike and invest the money more wisely
I'm going to work in a little bit at the condominium complex, I'm hydrating well, eating and thinking positively. I also slept 9-10 hrs the past 3 nights! The first 2 nights without help!!!
I have a feeling if I score well, my cycling-related self-esteem with will skyrocket and my mental skills will improve. I've been told that my mind is holding me back because I have too much self-doubt. How can I not when women as awesome as Jamie Leake come out of the woodwork (last season was her 1st racing year) and slam my ass after a winter of long miles, tons of weight room stuff and focusing, praying, hoping that I am a better Cat4 than the previous year???
God, my dream is to be a Cat3. Please God please! Yes, help the refugees in warm torn countries, grant world peace, make everyone nicer to each other, but can you also please help me become a 3??? I don't care if I get the smack down put on my ass at every race by the 2s and 1s! I just want it damn it!
My results should be up ~ 9pm tonight.
(And, yes, I know that I shouldn't put so much emphasis on this test. It is winter, I'm not in race shape, this is only a baseline to use to compare the results of more testing throught the season to gague my improvement.)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday's Training
TODAY'S WORKOUT: 30" MAX intervals (2:30)
Instructions = 30" @ threshold power (92-102%) with 30" off
I warmed up for 30'.
Did the 30" on (95-100rpm) then 30" off (one gear lower 80-85rpm) for 10'.
I repeated this 4 more times with 10' spinning in between each set.
Cooled down till 2.5 hrs. dragged by.
NUMBERS:
30M
2:30
The only thing that got me through this session was lots and lots and lots and lots of Megadeth, AC/DC and Rammstein.
God, what a great fucking band...
I was checking out another blog and saw that I am not the only one getting on/off the trainer after 10pm. I feel comforted by this fact.
Instructions = 30" @ threshold power (92-102%) with 30" off
I warmed up for 30'.
Did the 30" on (95-100rpm) then 30" off (one gear lower 80-85rpm) for 10'.
I repeated this 4 more times with 10' spinning in between each set.
Cooled down till 2.5 hrs. dragged by.
NUMBERS:
30M
2:30
The only thing that got me through this session was lots and lots and lots and lots of Megadeth, AC/DC and Rammstein.
God, what a great fucking band...
I was checking out another blog and saw that I am not the only one getting on/off the trainer after 10pm. I feel comforted by this fact.
Starving and Training
Nothing too exciting today. I cleaned an old lady's condo today for $15/hr. Made $50. Not too shabby.
I made my usual rounds of Blockbuster after Blockbuster looking for movies. Pretty uninteresting. Yes I ate Dots. But, I'm okay with that. Reed said I was lookin' thin so I'll coast off of that compliment for a while. The highlight of my day was definintely going to Contender to pick up my road bike. I got a huge overhaul tuneup. I had to get a chain replaced and 2 somethings or anothers. Whatever Alex said. I don't remember. This is why I choose to have guys work on my bikes. They know stuff that I am too lazy to learn for myself. Eye candy is nice too. Being single rocks!
Anyhow, I had a pretty boring workout today.
SATURDAY'S WORKOUT: Strength Intervals
3 minute intervals at 33% Maximum Power
NUMBERS:
1:30
17.3M
I am sick to death of my damn Cycleops Fluid Trainer. At least I know that others are suffering too. Alex said that he's doing the same, so, I feel like it will pay off. I keep wanting to ask him how he became a Cat 1. How badass do you have to be and for how long before you achieve this?
In the words of some guy whose blog I stumbled across the other day...
"Time to starve and train!"
It's nice to know you're not suffering alone.
I made my usual rounds of Blockbuster after Blockbuster looking for movies. Pretty uninteresting. Yes I ate Dots. But, I'm okay with that. Reed said I was lookin' thin so I'll coast off of that compliment for a while. The highlight of my day was definintely going to Contender to pick up my road bike. I got a huge overhaul tuneup. I had to get a chain replaced and 2 somethings or anothers. Whatever Alex said. I don't remember. This is why I choose to have guys work on my bikes. They know stuff that I am too lazy to learn for myself. Eye candy is nice too. Being single rocks!
Anyhow, I had a pretty boring workout today.
SATURDAY'S WORKOUT: Strength Intervals
3 minute intervals at 33% Maximum Power
NUMBERS:
1:30
17.3M
I am sick to death of my damn Cycleops Fluid Trainer. At least I know that others are suffering too. Alex said that he's doing the same, so, I feel like it will pay off. I keep wanting to ask him how he became a Cat 1. How badass do you have to be and for how long before you achieve this?
In the words of some guy whose blog I stumbled across the other day...
"Time to starve and train!"
It's nice to know you're not suffering alone.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Today's Training
WORKOUT: RUN 1:00
Instuctions = 5 x 1M repeats @ 10s slower than 10K pace with 0.25M recovery walk/jog then 4 x 400m(~0.25M) at 5K pace with the same recovery.
So.....I haven't run in over a year, not counting 'cross. I thought I'd hit this workout hard since my emotions were high and my sleep was SO deep last night even though it was ~6hrs.
So, my best 5K is 26:59 (8:41 pace). My projected 10K pace + 10s is ~9:36 by one calculator and 9:10 by another. I warmed up but could only do a 10:00 pace for the interval AND I could only do 0.5M! My HR was 162bpm.
I was able to hit my target pace for the last 4 intervals, thought, I could only do 0.19-0.2M. My HR for these was 172bpm.
So, I feel like my legs were fine, but, and my breathing rate was fine, but, I felt like I couldn't fully expand my lungs (a la climbing Bald Mountain past the 9000ft mark). So, the solution to this would've to bring my inhaler. I'll remember next time!
NUMBERS:
00:50
I would have the distance, but I kept pushing buttons and reseting my workout because the treadmill was so cool and high tech!
Instuctions = 5 x 1M repeats @ 10s slower than 10K pace with 0.25M recovery walk/jog then 4 x 400m(~0.25M) at 5K pace with the same recovery.
So.....I haven't run in over a year, not counting 'cross. I thought I'd hit this workout hard since my emotions were high and my sleep was SO deep last night even though it was ~6hrs.
So, my best 5K is 26:59 (8:41 pace). My projected 10K pace + 10s is ~9:36 by one calculator and 9:10 by another. I warmed up but could only do a 10:00 pace for the interval AND I could only do 0.5M! My HR was 162bpm.
I was able to hit my target pace for the last 4 intervals, thought, I could only do 0.19-0.2M. My HR for these was 172bpm.
So, I feel like my legs were fine, but, and my breathing rate was fine, but, I felt like I couldn't fully expand my lungs (a la climbing Bald Mountain past the 9000ft mark). So, the solution to this would've to bring my inhaler. I'll remember next time!
NUMBERS:
00:50
I would have the distance, but I kept pushing buttons and reseting my workout because the treadmill was so cool and high tech!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Today Training - Workout #2
STRENGTH:
I did more AA from the Cyclist's Training Bible
1. walking lunges
2. monster lunges
3. lat pulldown (50) 20/20/20 (50lbs. 3 sets of 20 reps)
4. leg press (90) 40 (warm up), (100) 30/30/30
5. bench press...nope! All the meatheads were dominating the benches!!! I'm gonna do a butt load of pushups in the AM post run
6. upright row, with barbell (30) 22/22/22..then for a few mintes I raised the bar and held it for 10-20s then slowly lowered it. I'm REALLY into getting back the delts I had in 2004/5.
I dropped muscle in my upper body by the beginning of 2006 in order to drop weight to race. I have gained 1 lb. (oooh, yeah I know, bug f-in' deal) but I think it's muscle as my BF is still 19% (too high). I can't believe I've said this! My BF was 17% during the summer of 2005, my first year in the SLC. I was training for a duathlon with a 5K run, 60M bike ride, then a 10K run to finish. I rode like 4 centuries that year (I didn't race) and ran after each one. God, I wish I was still doing that. At least I am running again now. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
NUMBERS:
00:40 (short yeah)
Notice the time??? It's "early" for me. I'm gonna curl up in bed with my new copy of The Tour. I went to the Ski Utah Team's sponsor bike shop for a team meeting and bought it. It was awesome to see everyone again, plus our new member Kris (aka Rio's Rider)!!! (Girl, we totally have to go out...ha ha haaa!)
It feels like vacation. I left the mtg ~8:30 and felt like a kid in a candy store because I wasn't going home to train OR back to work. I love it!
Also, I met the coolest guy in Canyon today. I've met him before, but this time I actually talked to him. His name is Brad. He took a break from college to RACE BIKES! What a dream, to work in a bike shop and race at a high level! I wish I could do that. Work in a shop, still afford my bills, and race like mad! He's one working towards being a Cat2. Sweet! I hope he and I will ride together someday so I can feel what kind of a hurtin' an "almost" Cat 1 rider can put on me. ;)
Time to get a shot of growth hormone...naturally, kids!
(Through sleep!)
I did more AA from the Cyclist's Training Bible
1. walking lunges
2. monster lunges
3. lat pulldown (50) 20/20/20 (50lbs. 3 sets of 20 reps)
4. leg press (90) 40 (warm up), (100) 30/30/30
5. bench press...nope! All the meatheads were dominating the benches!!! I'm gonna do a butt load of pushups in the AM post run
6. upright row, with barbell (30) 22/22/22..then for a few mintes I raised the bar and held it for 10-20s then slowly lowered it. I'm REALLY into getting back the delts I had in 2004/5.
I dropped muscle in my upper body by the beginning of 2006 in order to drop weight to race. I have gained 1 lb. (oooh, yeah I know, bug f-in' deal) but I think it's muscle as my BF is still 19% (too high). I can't believe I've said this! My BF was 17% during the summer of 2005, my first year in the SLC. I was training for a duathlon with a 5K run, 60M bike ride, then a 10K run to finish. I rode like 4 centuries that year (I didn't race) and ran after each one. God, I wish I was still doing that. At least I am running again now. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
NUMBERS:
00:40 (short yeah)
Notice the time??? It's "early" for me. I'm gonna curl up in bed with my new copy of The Tour. I went to the Ski Utah Team's sponsor bike shop for a team meeting and bought it. It was awesome to see everyone again, plus our new member Kris (aka Rio's Rider)!!! (Girl, we totally have to go out...ha ha haaa!)
It feels like vacation. I left the mtg ~8:30 and felt like a kid in a candy store because I wasn't going home to train OR back to work. I love it!
Also, I met the coolest guy in Canyon today. I've met him before, but this time I actually talked to him. His name is Brad. He took a break from college to RACE BIKES! What a dream, to work in a bike shop and race at a high level! I wish I could do that. Work in a shop, still afford my bills, and race like mad! He's one working towards being a Cat2. Sweet! I hope he and I will ride together someday so I can feel what kind of a hurtin' an "almost" Cat 1 rider can put on me. ;)
Time to get a shot of growth hormone...naturally, kids!
(Through sleep!)
Thursday's Training - Workout #1
RECOVERY RIDE
@ 50% Threshold Power
NUMBERS:
2:00
23.0M
VERY boring. My legs were great, not heavy, not sore. My stress level is 2/7, my sleep # is 4/7 (I got 5hrs....from 12AM to 5AM).
I had to get my ride in early because I have to drop my bike off at Contender for a yearly overhaul (since I run tomorrow I can afford to wait on it until Sat. PM if necessary). I also have a STRENGTH session this PM 1-1:30.
@ 50% Threshold Power
NUMBERS:
2:00
23.0M
VERY boring. My legs were great, not heavy, not sore. My stress level is 2/7, my sleep # is 4/7 (I got 5hrs....from 12AM to 5AM).
I had to get my ride in early because I have to drop my bike off at Contender for a yearly overhaul (since I run tomorrow I can afford to wait on it until Sat. PM if necessary). I also have a STRENGTH session this PM 1-1:30.
Wednesday's Training
TODAY'S WORKOUT: Bike 1:30
Coach's orders = 15-20 min. intervals @ 85% threshold power
Goal = increase cycling-specific muscle strength and movement patterns
Warmed up for 20min.
I was just a BIT tired after the 1st interval (15'). I was convinced that I could only do 2 intervals, but I pulled off 3 x 15'!
Cooled down for 15min.
I had some trouble breathing during my cool down, like I was biking at over 9000ft. of elevation. My inhaler didn't help that much.
NUMBERS:
19.3M
1:30
I'm going to TRY to get up and do my 2:00 recovery ride in the AM so I can take my road bike to Contender for a yearly overhaul ~10AM. I should be able to get out of work for a bit. Then, I'm going to the gym after lab. Friday, as you know, is now my running day, so, as long as I get my bike back by Sat. day I'll be cool!
I also am getting some good racing tires, good for crits (for my Reynolds Race Lite Aeros I'm sporting now with my PT hub) and another pair of tires, less expensive, for my spares (My fabulous Mavic Cosmic Elites that I'll NEVER part with. They're the sexiest wheels I've ever seen, ridden, experienced. They'll be my spares forever!). After my epic ride out West a bit ago (when I chewed up a bar and used it and the wrapper to patch my tire???) my tires are both shredded. So, more money to spend...
Actually, I'll use both wheels equally thoughout the season. Sometimes I'll race with power on Gardie's orders, and the rest I'll race without. In the latter case I'll use my Mavics.
Coach's orders = 15-20 min. intervals @ 85% threshold power
Goal = increase cycling-specific muscle strength and movement patterns
Warmed up for 20min.
I was just a BIT tired after the 1st interval (15'). I was convinced that I could only do 2 intervals, but I pulled off 3 x 15'!
Cooled down for 15min.
I had some trouble breathing during my cool down, like I was biking at over 9000ft. of elevation. My inhaler didn't help that much.
NUMBERS:
19.3M
1:30
I'm going to TRY to get up and do my 2:00 recovery ride in the AM so I can take my road bike to Contender for a yearly overhaul ~10AM. I should be able to get out of work for a bit. Then, I'm going to the gym after lab. Friday, as you know, is now my running day, so, as long as I get my bike back by Sat. day I'll be cool!
I also am getting some good racing tires, good for crits (for my Reynolds Race Lite Aeros I'm sporting now with my PT hub) and another pair of tires, less expensive, for my spares (My fabulous Mavic Cosmic Elites that I'll NEVER part with. They're the sexiest wheels I've ever seen, ridden, experienced. They'll be my spares forever!). After my epic ride out West a bit ago (when I chewed up a bar and used it and the wrapper to patch my tire???) my tires are both shredded. So, more money to spend...
Actually, I'll use both wheels equally thoughout the season. Sometimes I'll race with power on Gardie's orders, and the rest I'll race without. In the latter case I'll use my Mavics.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
6 Degrees of Separation
This fabulous plaque just arrived! Official word that we are internationally recognized by WADA for doping testing. Why is this "cool?" Because, look at who's signature is at the bottom...frickin' Richard ("Dick") Pound (gotta' be the WORST name in the history of names.) So, I am THIS close to actually having met him and bitch slapped him. ;)
An explanation and Today's Training...
So, now that I've receieved a few emails and one post about my "no atheists" qualification for my next torrid affair...
I am not saying that this "mystery man" needs to be a Jesus-Freak. Nor does he need to go to church on an irregular/regular basis. I am a scientist, and I believe that a higher power exists (these 2 things are NOT mutually exclusive in my opinion). What is this "higher power?" Is it the the force that causes all matter to transform and become other matter, or that transfers various forms of energy from one place to another, or into other forms of energy, or that which caused the Cambrian explosion or the birth of our universe? Is it the being or "essence" that created the "primordial soup" that evolved into us and all the other animals we see? I dunno.
Bottom line = Open-mindedness. I am open to the possibility of ANYTHING (in every way you can think of..oooh!). I'd just like some evidence so I can sift through it all and make up my own mind. Or, if I can't decide on a "side," I remain open to all sides.
So, that's that. An individual who doesn't exclude the possibility that God exists, whatever he/she or it is.
Thanks for the interest in that post! It was a joke at first (slamming my ex who was too much of a coward to communicate during the last 5 mos. of our "relationship", stopped putting out, was obsessed with trying to marry me and tie me down, and was too much of a mama's boy to leave the teet and let his parents take care of him monetarily, etc.), but now....?
WORKOUT #1: STRENGTH
3-4 sets of 20-30 reps
I did his usual torture, walking lunges down theb-ball court, monster lunges,...etc.
Then lots of upper body, abs and more leg work.
WORKOUT #2: BT Bike workout
15-20 x 30" at 210W with 30" spin recoveries at 105W
Stop if power drops below 150W
I warmed up for 20', and did 20 intervals at ~90 rpms (HR at threshold, a bit above and below), then cooled down 20'. (I baked chicken while I worked out, yummy! I haven't cooked in a while because I've been trying not to eat much, really, now that Coach is having me add a run to my week so I can "lean out" as he calls it.)
After 15 intervals I thought I was done. But, as I was watching Vino rip the shit out of the Col de Peresourde, I looked into his face and decided that I could do one more interval. Once I hit 19, I felt reborn! I wanted to hammer the shit out of the last one so I maintained 230W.
These numbers are probably not impressive, but this is where I am right now and I'm cool with it!
I've been on the phone with a friend ever since I started this post. It's 1AM now, so...I'm gonna' try and hit the hay to dream about how awesome it would be to see Rammstein live and tell them how much I want them to hit me hard with their music and never let up! (New album out end of this year maybe????)
I am not saying that this "mystery man" needs to be a Jesus-Freak. Nor does he need to go to church on an irregular/regular basis. I am a scientist, and I believe that a higher power exists (these 2 things are NOT mutually exclusive in my opinion). What is this "higher power?" Is it the the force that causes all matter to transform and become other matter, or that transfers various forms of energy from one place to another, or into other forms of energy, or that which caused the Cambrian explosion or the birth of our universe? Is it the being or "essence" that created the "primordial soup" that evolved into us and all the other animals we see? I dunno.
Bottom line = Open-mindedness. I am open to the possibility of ANYTHING (in every way you can think of..oooh!). I'd just like some evidence so I can sift through it all and make up my own mind. Or, if I can't decide on a "side," I remain open to all sides.
So, that's that. An individual who doesn't exclude the possibility that God exists, whatever he/she or it is.
Thanks for the interest in that post! It was a joke at first (slamming my ex who was too much of a coward to communicate during the last 5 mos. of our "relationship", stopped putting out, was obsessed with trying to marry me and tie me down, and was too much of a mama's boy to leave the teet and let his parents take care of him monetarily, etc.), but now....?
WORKOUT #1: STRENGTH
3-4 sets of 20-30 reps
I did his usual torture, walking lunges down theb-ball court, monster lunges,...etc.
Then lots of upper body, abs and more leg work.
WORKOUT #2: BT Bike workout
15-20 x 30" at 210W with 30" spin recoveries at 105W
Stop if power drops below 150W
I warmed up for 20', and did 20 intervals at ~90 rpms (HR at threshold, a bit above and below), then cooled down 20'. (I baked chicken while I worked out, yummy! I haven't cooked in a while because I've been trying not to eat much, really, now that Coach is having me add a run to my week so I can "lean out" as he calls it.)
After 15 intervals I thought I was done. But, as I was watching Vino rip the shit out of the Col de Peresourde, I looked into his face and decided that I could do one more interval. Once I hit 19, I felt reborn! I wanted to hammer the shit out of the last one so I maintained 230W.
These numbers are probably not impressive, but this is where I am right now and I'm cool with it!
I've been on the phone with a friend ever since I started this post. It's 1AM now, so...I'm gonna' try and hit the hay to dream about how awesome it would be to see Rammstein live and tell them how much I want them to hit me hard with their music and never let up! (New album out end of this year maybe????)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sunday's Training
I don't remember much of my day because I've been dead on my feet. I edited all "morning" (from noon when I awoke to ~5:30pm), went to Smith's to get cash for laundry, did laundry from 6-8pm, came home and trained from 9-11:30pm. I would've done my stuff earlier, but I could not for the life of me wake up!!! My head was like detached from reality, yet my body was still here. Odd.
Yesterday was so damn perfect! Lot's of sleep, happy, pain free, felt strong, and today has become shit. I was asleep in line at Smith's and some chick was trying ot get my attention because she agreed with my flavor choice of Emergen'C packets.
Gardie's already gotten on me about working out late. I wonder what he'll say about last night's romp at the gym at 8:30 and my bike session at 10:30pm. Today will probably make his week! I promised him Sat that I'd start taking sleep more seriously, and I will! Just as soon as...
TODAY'S WORKOUT:
Coach's Instructions = 15-20' intervals @ 85% Threshold power, 50-60rpm (in big gear)
Normally not a crazy/too challenging workout, but I was only able to do 4 x 15' intervals while watching Klöden and the guys climbing the stage finishing at Plateau de' Beille in the '07 tour. God, I LOVE to watch him ride! It's cool when you've studied someone's riding style on flats, climbs, in TTs, their face (grimaces, and the like), behaviors/mannerisms on the bike so much that you can tell when they are gonna pop, ride strongly, hang in there, etc. I can spot Klöden, Jens, and countless other riders from an aerial shot looking down on the peloton just by watching their riding style: head bob, rhythmic ticking of the legs, shoulder movement, upper body rocking, etc. Some riders ride so powerfully, you'd swear that they were chewing rocks, tearing their bikes new a-holes and contemplating whether or not to absorb the guy next to them in order to harness his strength to go faster. Others look like their bikes are riding them. Not very amusing.
Okay, this is either cool, or REALLY REALLY scary.
Or REALLY REALLY sad.
Either way, I am amused.
NUMBERS:
2:30
31M
Okay, a show of hands...who thinks that today's odd sleep cycle, bottomless fatigue and late working out is gonna lay my ass out later this week??? Anybody? Anybody? (My hand would be up but I'm busy typing).
Yesterday was so damn perfect! Lot's of sleep, happy, pain free, felt strong, and today has become shit. I was asleep in line at Smith's and some chick was trying ot get my attention because she agreed with my flavor choice of Emergen'C packets.
Gardie's already gotten on me about working out late. I wonder what he'll say about last night's romp at the gym at 8:30 and my bike session at 10:30pm. Today will probably make his week! I promised him Sat that I'd start taking sleep more seriously, and I will! Just as soon as...
TODAY'S WORKOUT:
Coach's Instructions = 15-20' intervals @ 85% Threshold power, 50-60rpm (in big gear)
Normally not a crazy/too challenging workout, but I was only able to do 4 x 15' intervals while watching Klöden and the guys climbing the stage finishing at Plateau de' Beille in the '07 tour. God, I LOVE to watch him ride! It's cool when you've studied someone's riding style on flats, climbs, in TTs, their face (grimaces, and the like), behaviors/mannerisms on the bike so much that you can tell when they are gonna pop, ride strongly, hang in there, etc. I can spot Klöden, Jens, and countless other riders from an aerial shot looking down on the peloton just by watching their riding style: head bob, rhythmic ticking of the legs, shoulder movement, upper body rocking, etc. Some riders ride so powerfully, you'd swear that they were chewing rocks, tearing their bikes new a-holes and contemplating whether or not to absorb the guy next to them in order to harness his strength to go faster. Others look like their bikes are riding them. Not very amusing.Okay, this is either cool, or REALLY REALLY scary.
Or REALLY REALLY sad.
Either way, I am amused.
NUMBERS:
2:30
31M
Okay, a show of hands...who thinks that today's odd sleep cycle, bottomless fatigue and late working out is gonna lay my ass out later this week??? Anybody? Anybody? (My hand would be up but I'm busy typing).
Sunday, January 13, 2008
I'm totally draggin' this AM...wait, no it's PM!
So I didn't go to bed until after 4AM. BUT, I had the most bad ass zombie dreams EVER! It ended in everyone being bitten/eaten and converted into zombies/food for zombies. BUT, the last man remaining was turned, yes, but he was like a hybrid between a human and zombified human. He still had his faculties about him and was able to communicate/control/influence the millions of zombies all over the beach (for some reason I was standing on a beach with a million zombies all around). He got the barrage of the undead to leave the humans alone, any who may be left in the world. At least for the time being...
Anyone who hasn't read the Zombie Survival Guide (yes it exists and yes it's for real) should! It's kick ass!
I am having trouble getting onto my allthingszombie.com site, which blows, because I wanted to post some rad pics and check out some new comics. I'm hankering to draw another Rammstein/Zombie comic. I won a contest with my first one, it was cool. I won a shirt, key chain, ear plugs and stickers from the Ramstein Fanarea folks (doesn't exist anymore). It was nice because I'm one of those losers who never winds anything in life ever. Not even at fucking BINGO, of the Game of Life, don't get me started on Monopoly!
So, I am still trying to wake up. I have to do 2hrs. of laundry today at the Laundromat full of crazies and I HAVE to train for 2.5 hrs. It sucks because I am so fatigued that I wish I had stayed up all night. At least I wouldn't be missing half of my day.
I am also on an editing kick and totally into my first book again. I have such a love hate, hate hate, hate like, love sort of but mostly hate-relationship with it. I really want to talk to Art about website nerd-dom-stuff. ;) I have always wondered how folks get their own site. I just need a guy that I can occasionally poke with a stick to prompt him to do stuff for me. I really want my own website so I can put my comics, poems and some writing up. My psychotic, disturbing and twisted short stories, art work, etc. may entertain people. Or, it may frighten people and my hopes of bagging a super bad ass, possibly European, loaded, cyclist who can buy me bikes, do maintenance, let me feed him copius amounts of home cookin' and wash his hair while he bathes in the tub may fall by the wayside!!!
God I feel so insane today, yet oddly euphoric.....
Anyone who hasn't read the Zombie Survival Guide (yes it exists and yes it's for real) should! It's kick ass!
I am having trouble getting onto my allthingszombie.com site, which blows, because I wanted to post some rad pics and check out some new comics. I'm hankering to draw another Rammstein/Zombie comic. I won a contest with my first one, it was cool. I won a shirt, key chain, ear plugs and stickers from the Ramstein Fanarea folks (doesn't exist anymore). It was nice because I'm one of those losers who never winds anything in life ever. Not even at fucking BINGO, of the Game of Life, don't get me started on Monopoly!
So, I am still trying to wake up. I have to do 2hrs. of laundry today at the Laundromat full of crazies and I HAVE to train for 2.5 hrs. It sucks because I am so fatigued that I wish I had stayed up all night. At least I wouldn't be missing half of my day.
I am also on an editing kick and totally into my first book again. I have such a love hate, hate hate, hate like, love sort of but mostly hate-relationship with it. I really want to talk to Art about website nerd-dom-stuff. ;) I have always wondered how folks get their own site. I just need a guy that I can occasionally poke with a stick to prompt him to do stuff for me. I really want my own website so I can put my comics, poems and some writing up. My psychotic, disturbing and twisted short stories, art work, etc. may entertain people. Or, it may frighten people and my hopes of bagging a super bad ass, possibly European, loaded, cyclist who can buy me bikes, do maintenance, let me feed him copius amounts of home cookin' and wash his hair while he bathes in the tub may fall by the wayside!!!
God I feel so insane today, yet oddly euphoric.....
Saturday's Training
Workout #1: STRENGTH (8:20PM at 24hr Fitness)
AA from Joe Friel's Training Bible
Coach's infamous floor exercises to warm up...walking lunges, monsters lunges, etc. down and back on basketball court...ouch! At least there's no damn weighted vest!!! HA! Take that Gardie! :P
20-30 reps of everything 3-5 sets
lat pull down
seated row
leg press
bench press
upright row
Yeah, I should've done one personal weakness exercise. In my case that'd be hamstring curls, bench press, or ab stuff.
NUMBERS:
1:03
No ab work because it's "that time" and it's not very comfortable for me. (Yeah yeah too much info.)
The gym ROCKS this late at night. No waiting for the damn leg press machine. I can't believe how many people workout this late too. I felt like I had space to breathe! (Though the scary guys in the pool were still there. God, someone should fucking wall up that see-through glass. Why should I have to stare at and be stared at by those gross, blubbery, patchy-back-haired seal-folk while I walk to the ladies locker room?)
Workout #2: BIKE 3' MAX (10:30PM)
Coach's instructions = 3' intervals at threshold power with 3' recovery
I did:
20' warm up
4 intevals
10' extended recovery (legs were feeling heavy, maybe 'cause I ate a box of Dots for dinner)
4 more intervals
18' cool down
This workout was challenging and felt great. It was hard to maintain my power because I was tired and my mind wanted to drift. I kept focused and was able to pull through each interval. I don't think I could've done longer intervals at that power or could have done any more.
My legs feel so much better than they did this AM (Now it's 2 hours post workout completion).
NUMBERS:
17.2M
1:30
It's 2AM, great. I guess I should sleep soon. I am avoiding a dose of NyQuil (it plays havoc with your intestines if you take too much). There's gotta be a better way to get some rest.
At least lab went well. Sort of. Tinkering with instruments that are smarter than me sucks. But, at least my drug chromatograms looked beautiful!!! (NERD-SPEAK oh my God!)
Nighty-night!
Totally gonna' watch some Rammstein now. Not sleeping...yet...
AA from Joe Friel's Training Bible
Coach's infamous floor exercises to warm up...walking lunges, monsters lunges, etc. down and back on basketball court...ouch! At least there's no damn weighted vest!!! HA! Take that Gardie! :P
20-30 reps of everything 3-5 sets
lat pull down
seated row
leg press
bench press
upright row
Yeah, I should've done one personal weakness exercise. In my case that'd be hamstring curls, bench press, or ab stuff.
NUMBERS:
1:03
No ab work because it's "that time" and it's not very comfortable for me. (Yeah yeah too much info.)
The gym ROCKS this late at night. No waiting for the damn leg press machine. I can't believe how many people workout this late too. I felt like I had space to breathe! (Though the scary guys in the pool were still there. God, someone should fucking wall up that see-through glass. Why should I have to stare at and be stared at by those gross, blubbery, patchy-back-haired seal-folk while I walk to the ladies locker room?)
Workout #2: BIKE 3' MAX (10:30PM)
Coach's instructions = 3' intervals at threshold power with 3' recovery
I did:
20' warm up
4 intevals
10' extended recovery (legs were feeling heavy, maybe 'cause I ate a box of Dots for dinner)
4 more intervals
18' cool down
This workout was challenging and felt great. It was hard to maintain my power because I was tired and my mind wanted to drift. I kept focused and was able to pull through each interval. I don't think I could've done longer intervals at that power or could have done any more.
My legs feel so much better than they did this AM (Now it's 2 hours post workout completion).
NUMBERS:
17.2M
1:30
It's 2AM, great. I guess I should sleep soon. I am avoiding a dose of NyQuil (it plays havoc with your intestines if you take too much). There's gotta be a better way to get some rest.
At least lab went well. Sort of. Tinkering with instruments that are smarter than me sucks. But, at least my drug chromatograms looked beautiful!!! (NERD-SPEAK oh my God!)
Nighty-night!
Totally gonna' watch some Rammstein now. Not sleeping...yet...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Oh my god
I am STILL at lab. I've been here since 3pm. What should've taken 2 hours MAX, still has me pinned. My only saving grace, while I wait to see if any of my drugs show up on the instrument, is youtube. God bless youtube. I can never get enough Ramsmtein. Interviews, videos, crazy backstage behind the scenes nakedness, anarchy, and other disturbing behaviors.
My legs are at 100% and my mind is at 80%
I slept for 9 hours and 40 minutes. I woke up before the sun was up and knew that 5-6 hours had passed. I check my cell phone and saw that it was 6:00AM and I was wide awake (I hit the sack at midnight). It seems that my body is now used to ~ 6 hours of rest at night since I have been bouncing between 4 and 6 hours wach night this week.
I forced myself to go back to bed as hard as it was. When I awoke next, it was 9:00AM. I closed my eyes AGAIN and then awoke at 9:40AM. I got up, happily and began my day.
My legs felt rejuvinated. I felt as if I had injected a liter of growth hormone. Sleep rocks!
I texted Gardie and told him of my great accompishment and discussed some season goals. He is stoked about my progress and my enthusiasm.
Today I have to work in lab for a few hours, then go to the gym (1:00-1:30), and then complete a 3' MAX interval session (1:30). I am looking forward to these sessions, although I wish it was a bit earlier. It's my fault for dragging my feet today. I spent the past few hours calculating various power values, going over my schedule for the next two weeks, phantasizing about the Southern NV Stage Race, wondering what power values I should be attempting to hold and watching the 2007 TdF in the background. I still cannot get over what befell Michael Rogers. I cannot wait to see his performance this year in all of his races.
Holy shit, I just checked my desktop weather and it's 37 degrees outside. I should totally be out there riding. My team headed to Salt Air at 11AM today. I wish I had been there, but, I have specific goals and can't deviate or Gardie will have my ass in a sling. ;) I am trying my best to behave.
RAMMSTEIN NEWS:
By the way, if you check the Rammstein News side bar on the right, you'll see that there's an interview with the rhythym guitarist (and my FAVORITE), Paul Landers from Friday. It is AWESOME! He says that they will begin recording the next albumn this spring and it will come out at the end of this year. YES!!!! I cannot wait for their next tour. I want to see the songs from Rosenrot and from the new albumn performed! I wonder if they'll play "Mann Gegen Mann" naked like in the video?
I forced myself to go back to bed as hard as it was. When I awoke next, it was 9:00AM. I closed my eyes AGAIN and then awoke at 9:40AM. I got up, happily and began my day.
My legs felt rejuvinated. I felt as if I had injected a liter of growth hormone. Sleep rocks!
I texted Gardie and told him of my great accompishment and discussed some season goals. He is stoked about my progress and my enthusiasm.
Today I have to work in lab for a few hours, then go to the gym (1:00-1:30), and then complete a 3' MAX interval session (1:30). I am looking forward to these sessions, although I wish it was a bit earlier. It's my fault for dragging my feet today. I spent the past few hours calculating various power values, going over my schedule for the next two weeks, phantasizing about the Southern NV Stage Race, wondering what power values I should be attempting to hold and watching the 2007 TdF in the background. I still cannot get over what befell Michael Rogers. I cannot wait to see his performance this year in all of his races.
Holy shit, I just checked my desktop weather and it's 37 degrees outside. I should totally be out there riding. My team headed to Salt Air at 11AM today. I wish I had been there, but, I have specific goals and can't deviate or Gardie will have my ass in a sling. ;) I am trying my best to behave.
RAMMSTEIN NEWS:
By the way, if you check the Rammstein News side bar on the right, you'll see that there's an interview with the rhythym guitarist (and my FAVORITE), Paul Landers from Friday. It is AWESOME! He says that they will begin recording the next albumn this spring and it will come out at the end of this year. YES!!!! I cannot wait for their next tour. I want to see the songs from Rosenrot and from the new albumn performed! I wonder if they'll play "Mann Gegen Mann" naked like in the video?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Yesterday and Today's Training
THURSDAY'S NUMBERS:
Recovery ride
2:00
22M
Thoughts...boring. I watched stages 7 & 8 of the '07 TdF. Poor Michael Rogers.
I sort of dragged-and-dropped my ST session today to Saturday because my legs were sore (walking like the Duke again). Maybe Gardie won't notice...?
FRIDAY'S WORKOUT:
Running easy
00:38
I left at 7:20AM and jogged up 1700E from my house to Sugarhouse Park. Ran a bit in the park and then came home. I wanted to do more, because Coach had me doing an hour today of repeats, but, he said 35min. He was VERY stern about it. Which is good because I am hard-headed.
Oh yeah, let me just say that our Aspen Thermal team jackets F-ing ROCK!!! I wore just a sports bra, a thin layer and the jacket and I was fine in 30deg weather, 25 with wind chill. It was definitely worth the price tag!
Recovery ride
2:00
22M
Thoughts...boring. I watched stages 7 & 8 of the '07 TdF. Poor Michael Rogers.
I sort of dragged-and-dropped my ST session today to Saturday because my legs were sore (walking like the Duke again). Maybe Gardie won't notice...?
FRIDAY'S WORKOUT:
Running easy
00:38
I left at 7:20AM and jogged up 1700E from my house to Sugarhouse Park. Ran a bit in the park and then came home. I wanted to do more, because Coach had me doing an hour today of repeats, but, he said 35min. He was VERY stern about it. Which is good because I am hard-headed.
Oh yeah, let me just say that our Aspen Thermal team jackets F-ing ROCK!!! I wore just a sports bra, a thin layer and the jacket and I was fine in 30deg weather, 25 with wind chill. It was definitely worth the price tag!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wednesday's Training
BT workout!
Coach's instructions =
15-10 x 30" intervals @ ___W (super-threshold power)
30" recoveries
Warm up well!
Stretch after cool down!
I warmed up for 30min while attempting to watch the 2007 TdF...WHY IS THERE NO KLOEDEN OR VINO COVEREAGE IN THE PROLOGUE??? (Bastards!)
I then did 20 x 30" intervals. Challenging, but I could have done 10-30 more watts above the value I was told to maintain, or, I could've done 30 instead of only 20. I, or I could've lengthened the interval.
I cooled down for like 5-10min.
This was not taxing aerobically, even though my HR was in zone 4. I felt it in my legs, which was good. My legs stiffened today ~5pm so I was ecstatic to that this made them supple. Coach seemed to have the same idea as if he knew I'd get stiff and he planned this strategically. He called to check up on me when I had 5min. left to my warm up and mentioned that this workout would "awaken my legs."
It was ~8:45pm and he was like, "Why are you working out so late?" I was thinking, I TOLD you that I've done my workouts as late as 10pm when I had to! I mentioned that I had a 12-hour work day and even though I got up at 5AM, it took me sitting on my couch with coffee in hand staring at the news until 6AM to wake up. I went to lab early hoping that I could leave ~3:30 and go clean till 6:30, then workout ~7pm. Yeah right! Of course nothing even works out as one plans!
So, he decided that it was fine, once I told him I was working on getting my training done in the AM. He decided to cancel my hard run on Friday and replace it with a low intensity jog. I was supposed to do mile repeats a bit below 10K pace and then some 400m repeats at 5K pace. I was wary that I hadn't run all season, save for 'cross. He decided that I should just get out there and move with low impact.
Cool.
NUMBERS:
1:00
12M
Coach's instructions =
15-10 x 30" intervals @ ___W (super-threshold power)
30" recoveries
Warm up well!
Stretch after cool down!
I warmed up for 30min while attempting to watch the 2007 TdF...WHY IS THERE NO KLOEDEN OR VINO COVEREAGE IN THE PROLOGUE??? (Bastards!)
I then did 20 x 30" intervals. Challenging, but I could have done 10-30 more watts above the value I was told to maintain, or, I could've done 30 instead of only 20. I, or I could've lengthened the interval.
I cooled down for like 5-10min.
This was not taxing aerobically, even though my HR was in zone 4. I felt it in my legs, which was good. My legs stiffened today ~5pm so I was ecstatic to that this made them supple. Coach seemed to have the same idea as if he knew I'd get stiff and he planned this strategically. He called to check up on me when I had 5min. left to my warm up and mentioned that this workout would "awaken my legs."
It was ~8:45pm and he was like, "Why are you working out so late?" I was thinking, I TOLD you that I've done my workouts as late as 10pm when I had to! I mentioned that I had a 12-hour work day and even though I got up at 5AM, it took me sitting on my couch with coffee in hand staring at the news until 6AM to wake up. I went to lab early hoping that I could leave ~3:30 and go clean till 6:30, then workout ~7pm. Yeah right! Of course nothing even works out as one plans!
So, he decided that it was fine, once I told him I was working on getting my training done in the AM. He decided to cancel my hard run on Friday and replace it with a low intensity jog. I was supposed to do mile repeats a bit below 10K pace and then some 400m repeats at 5K pace. I was wary that I hadn't run all season, save for 'cross. He decided that I should just get out there and move with low impact.
Cool.
NUMBERS:
1:00
12M
Tuesday's Training
WORKOUT 1: Strength
Similar to Anatomical Adaptation from Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel
0:57 at 24-hr. fitness
Someone remind me NEVER to go to the gym at 5:45PM. Eeeew! Is all I have to say.
Workout 2: BIKE SE
Coach's instructions = 15-20min. intervals @ 85% 10mile Supermax Power in big gear allowing only 50-60rpm to build cycling-specific muscles & movement patterns.
I did a 20min. warm up
3 x 15min. intervals with 5min. easy spinning between the first 2
15min. cool down
This workout was moderately hard. My HR was mostly top of zone 3 (Tempo) so my breathing was deep, but controlled. I felt like I was climbing Emigration at a steady pace ~2mph. short of when I TT up it.
NUMBERS:
1:30
19.5M
I felt instantly renewed once I left work and headed to the gym. It's like I just need training to look forward to and then everything seems alright. Does this mean I am addicted/obsessed in a bad way? I mean think about this for a second (shoot, I am too) I get irrationally upset, sulk and am in an extended funk when I don't/am told not to train and when I DO train, I am happy as a clam. Weird, huh? Maybe there is a cyclist "AA" meeting in the SLC?!?! ;)
For the NV SR, I may be staying with some friends for FREE! Wow, huh?!?!?! We'll se how it goes. This would be AWESOME if it worked out.
I'm going to be now, thank goodness, so I can wake up at 5AM and do my workout by ~6-6:30AM. It's a BT session, so, I need to focus! If can't get up, that's okay. I'll train after work ~8pm. It's only an hour.
Similar to Anatomical Adaptation from Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel
0:57 at 24-hr. fitness
Someone remind me NEVER to go to the gym at 5:45PM. Eeeew! Is all I have to say.
Workout 2: BIKE SE
Coach's instructions = 15-20min. intervals @ 85% 10mile Supermax Power in big gear allowing only 50-60rpm to build cycling-specific muscles & movement patterns.
I did a 20min. warm up
3 x 15min. intervals with 5min. easy spinning between the first 2
15min. cool down
This workout was moderately hard. My HR was mostly top of zone 3 (Tempo) so my breathing was deep, but controlled. I felt like I was climbing Emigration at a steady pace ~2mph. short of when I TT up it.
NUMBERS:
1:30
19.5M
I felt instantly renewed once I left work and headed to the gym. It's like I just need training to look forward to and then everything seems alright. Does this mean I am addicted/obsessed in a bad way? I mean think about this for a second (shoot, I am too) I get irrationally upset, sulk and am in an extended funk when I don't/am told not to train and when I DO train, I am happy as a clam. Weird, huh? Maybe there is a cyclist "AA" meeting in the SLC?!?! ;)
For the NV SR, I may be staying with some friends for FREE! Wow, huh?!?!?! We'll se how it goes. This would be AWESOME if it worked out.
I'm going to be now, thank goodness, so I can wake up at 5AM and do my workout by ~6-6:30AM. It's a BT session, so, I need to focus! If can't get up, that's okay. I'll train after work ~8pm. It's only an hour.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The Drama Princess is back and ready to switch her tiara for a bike helmet
So, I had a loooooooooooong talk with Coach while I was cleaning those old folk condos this evening. I had conveyed (via email Fri and Sat ~3AM) how upset I was over not being able to race, party or workout Fri, Sun and Mon and how mad it was driving me. He was a tad upset because he thought that I was not doing what he instructed. I ensured him that I ALWAYS do as he asks, even if it pisses me off because I don't agree or understand.
I have seen the beneficial results of his training (specifically during my last 'cross race when I averaged my highest HR in a race, 178, and it did not even feel that hard and when I hit my highest HR in life so far, 197!). Also, I have reached my 2006 race weight, so I DO trust his plans. (Still have 6 lbs to go FYI!) He was happy to hear this. So, all miscommunications have now been resolved.
He also noticed/commented on/was shocked by how insane I was being and I apologized because I REALLY can't help it sometimes. This weekend, god it's embarrassing to admit, but, I was SO DAMN depressed and felt so hopeless. I couldn't feel pleasure in anything. I stared at the freakin' walls, cleaned, tried to write, watched movies (as Coach instructed) but nothing worked. I also ate way too much! I had no idea how I was going to start my week because I felt just so mentally "gone" and "separated" from normal me. (Getting better...)
Anyhow, Coach was like "Help me help you, BG." I was like, "Okay, Jerry McGuire." He asked me not to give up on him and I said sure, but you have to promise that you wont give up on me! He agreed. (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!)
So, sappiness aside, I am now training again as of today (it's 12:00AM already???). He now wants me to start running one day a week, Friday. I actually have some intervals! Kind of hardcore and a bit too soon I think, but we'll see how it all goes. I'm sure I'll have shin splints this weekend. Not cool. I'll try and warm up really well.
Also....YAY! I am a GO for the Southern Nevada Stage Race! Yippeee! AND, I just got paid, and all the OT hours and $$$ from my 2nd job have given me some $$$ to use for the race fee, hotel, gas and food (and I can still put a dent in the debt I am trying to pay down)! I am so happy that I can use REAL money. I can't wait to see my teammates and myself decked out in our kits at the race and training afterwards on the roads.
Shana: If you're going to this race and want to stay with me you are welcome to. You don't have to though, I like staying by myself in a hotel room mainly because I don't want to disturb people. If you need to save cash let me know. I'm gonna' try to book the race hotel in the AM.
Training numbers and actual cycling-related stuff coming soon...
I have seen the beneficial results of his training (specifically during my last 'cross race when I averaged my highest HR in a race, 178, and it did not even feel that hard and when I hit my highest HR in life so far, 197!). Also, I have reached my 2006 race weight, so I DO trust his plans. (Still have 6 lbs to go FYI!) He was happy to hear this. So, all miscommunications have now been resolved.
He also noticed/commented on/was shocked by how insane I was being and I apologized because I REALLY can't help it sometimes. This weekend, god it's embarrassing to admit, but, I was SO DAMN depressed and felt so hopeless. I couldn't feel pleasure in anything. I stared at the freakin' walls, cleaned, tried to write, watched movies (as Coach instructed) but nothing worked. I also ate way too much! I had no idea how I was going to start my week because I felt just so mentally "gone" and "separated" from normal me. (Getting better...)
Anyhow, Coach was like "Help me help you, BG." I was like, "Okay, Jerry McGuire." He asked me not to give up on him and I said sure, but you have to promise that you wont give up on me! He agreed. (AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!)
So, sappiness aside, I am now training again as of today (it's 12:00AM already???). He now wants me to start running one day a week, Friday. I actually have some intervals! Kind of hardcore and a bit too soon I think, but we'll see how it all goes. I'm sure I'll have shin splints this weekend. Not cool. I'll try and warm up really well.
Also....YAY! I am a GO for the Southern Nevada Stage Race! Yippeee! AND, I just got paid, and all the OT hours and $$$ from my 2nd job have given me some $$$ to use for the race fee, hotel, gas and food (and I can still put a dent in the debt I am trying to pay down)! I am so happy that I can use REAL money. I can't wait to see my teammates and myself decked out in our kits at the race and training afterwards on the roads.
Shana: If you're going to this race and want to stay with me you are welcome to. You don't have to though, I like staying by myself in a hotel room mainly because I don't want to disturb people. If you need to save cash let me know. I'm gonna' try to book the race hotel in the AM.
Training numbers and actual cycling-related stuff coming soon...
Friday, January 4, 2008
Rant rant rant rant...are ya missin' those yet???
No training today, tomorrow or Sunday.
No fucking 'cross race tomorrow AM.
No spectating at the 'cross race (because Coach knows it will make me sad).
No damn dinner, awards ceremony, or dressing up.
But, what really gets me is not any of the above.
I was SO EXCITED to see everyone. I don't give a shit if I don't know you. If you race, then I like you and I want to see you even if from a great distance. I just wanted to see people, fellow racers, racing then in a normal setting. Talking, eating, laughing. Looking stupid in our '80s outfits. Music the works.
I am not to do anything cycling related. NOTHING. No thinking about cycling.
I am supposed to get my stuff together over the next 2 days.
I am pissed that I even told Coach I was ill and feeling mentally "blah." Today I told him that I wasn't even going to tell him about how I felt. He was not happy with that statement. I told him I waited 2 days to confess. He was also not happy about that. I tried so hard to bargain with him, to make deals about how I could ride because physically I was fine.
I don't think he and MANY people understand what it's like to be bipolar. I have denied it since I was first diagnosed in 11th grade. I have argued with Drs., refused meds, all of it. Once I became a scientist and learned about neurobiology, I realized that the statement "chemical imbalance" is not a blanket term, or hand-waving, trying to explain things. It actually is. Imbalances in neurotransmitters affect all kinds of mental and physical functions. This is one reason why I have never been tempted to try Ecstasy. It causes all of your serotonin stores to be released from the neurons in your brain, thus you feel AWESOME...for a while. Then, while your body tries to re-equilibrate, you are depressed and down for a long time.
Point being, a "normal" athlete who is happy-go-lucky all the fucking time and only depressed/sad/mad when something actually happens to make him or her that way, may be overdoing it when he or she is suddenly and MAGICALLY depressed/mentally "blah." For me, it means that I am just down for NO REASON! The cure for this for the past 4+ years has been cycling. Riding makes me feel great! Post-riding I'm always like "God, why was I bitching earlier? I feel great!"
I am not overdoing it. I did every single BT workout Coach assigned me while he was gone PERFECTLY. I felt strong as hell. I was content. I was proud of myself. Now, I feel like I am being misunderstood.
Then again...He puts up with SO MUCH from me, I am amazed. I don't know how many times I have wigged out and been completely irrational and he just takes it and then sets me back in my place! I say the craziest shit to him sometimes and he doesn't judge me. He is a great listener. AND a great "Filterer of my Bullshit."
So, anyone who sees Coach tomorrow AM, tell him that I am BEHAVING!
No fucking 'cross race tomorrow AM.
No spectating at the 'cross race (because Coach knows it will make me sad).
No damn dinner, awards ceremony, or dressing up.
But, what really gets me is not any of the above.
I was SO EXCITED to see everyone. I don't give a shit if I don't know you. If you race, then I like you and I want to see you even if from a great distance. I just wanted to see people, fellow racers, racing then in a normal setting. Talking, eating, laughing. Looking stupid in our '80s outfits. Music the works.
I am not to do anything cycling related. NOTHING. No thinking about cycling.
I am supposed to get my stuff together over the next 2 days.
I am pissed that I even told Coach I was ill and feeling mentally "blah." Today I told him that I wasn't even going to tell him about how I felt. He was not happy with that statement. I told him I waited 2 days to confess. He was also not happy about that. I tried so hard to bargain with him, to make deals about how I could ride because physically I was fine.
I don't think he and MANY people understand what it's like to be bipolar. I have denied it since I was first diagnosed in 11th grade. I have argued with Drs., refused meds, all of it. Once I became a scientist and learned about neurobiology, I realized that the statement "chemical imbalance" is not a blanket term, or hand-waving, trying to explain things. It actually is. Imbalances in neurotransmitters affect all kinds of mental and physical functions. This is one reason why I have never been tempted to try Ecstasy. It causes all of your serotonin stores to be released from the neurons in your brain, thus you feel AWESOME...for a while. Then, while your body tries to re-equilibrate, you are depressed and down for a long time.
Point being, a "normal" athlete who is happy-go-lucky all the fucking time and only depressed/sad/mad when something actually happens to make him or her that way, may be overdoing it when he or she is suddenly and MAGICALLY depressed/mentally "blah." For me, it means that I am just down for NO REASON! The cure for this for the past 4+ years has been cycling. Riding makes me feel great! Post-riding I'm always like "God, why was I bitching earlier? I feel great!"
I am not overdoing it. I did every single BT workout Coach assigned me while he was gone PERFECTLY. I felt strong as hell. I was content. I was proud of myself. Now, I feel like I am being misunderstood.
Then again...He puts up with SO MUCH from me, I am amazed. I don't know how many times I have wigged out and been completely irrational and he just takes it and then sets me back in my place! I say the craziest shit to him sometimes and he doesn't judge me. He is a great listener. AND a great "Filterer of my Bullshit."
So, anyone who sees Coach tomorrow AM, tell him that I am BEHAVING!
What's up?
Yes, today I feel better. My stomach is just a bit "jumpy." This is the only way to describe it. Coach has given me my instructions for tomorrow and I am kind of half-pissed/half-okay with them. I am to go all out because this is a test for me to see how my form is coming along. What kind of form does he think a I have after being off the bike for 3 days and being "ill?" Maybe he is just being positive since I am the pessimist right now. I think I am just upset because I know that tomorrow's performance will be subpar. I HATE feeling like I disappoint him. It drives me insane. Maybe I am accepting defeat before I even give myself a chance. I can't help but feel that right now. I was just hoping tomorrow could just be FUN, not serious.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Ut oh
Today I feel dizzy, my intestines are churning, I'm a bit naseaus, I'm repulsed by food.
I'm sitting at work writing and it hurts my head to think.
The damn intercom lady is WAY too frickin' loud today. I want to punch her.
No, I'm not knocked up.
If I have a virus someone will pay. Somehow.
I NEVER get sick darn it!
1:20pm: Now I'm convinced it's food poisoning. Could be, right?
I'm sitting at work writing and it hurts my head to think.
The damn intercom lady is WAY too frickin' loud today. I want to punch her.
No, I'm not knocked up.
If I have a virus someone will pay. Somehow.
I NEVER get sick darn it!
1:20pm: Now I'm convinced it's food poisoning. Could be, right?
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Here we go again (or...Yes, I AM insane)
It's weird, I'm not tired (slept 9.5hrs. last night) and nothing crazy or dramatic has happened to me today. Everything is peachy-keen! I got my first paycheck from the 2nd job and I am ecstatic! But, for some reason I can't bring myself to hop on my trainer. I don't know how I'm going to explain this to Coach. He called me today asking about my workouts while he was away and I could barely justify not riding yesterday. Okay, I couldn't. I sort of glossed over saying that I "took a day off" while coughing and muffling my voice. Then I rambled on and on about things non-training-related stuff hoping he'd get tired of listening to chick talk. It worked. I think. Thank goodness he "pretended not to hear" my pathetic excuse.
Anywho, I'd say that my weird day feeding into my current insanity started with a dream, a nightmare that I had last night...
Has anyone read Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None? also published as Ten Little Indians. If you've seen the old school black and white version, then you know what I was experiencing last night. I dreamt, SO VIVIDLY that I was in that book, that movie! I saw footsteps under doors, heard odd things, heard voices, saw the characters and ESPECIALLY the one who was responsible for all the murders! I was trying to avoid that woman or man (don't want to ruin it for whoever wants to read it). It was freaky as hell. The book rocks FYI. Quick read and gives you chills.
Usually when I dream of some stuff like this, aka my zombie dreams that I have oft documented here (plug for www.allthingszombie.com), I can make a katana blade (my zombie-killer weapon of choice) and I go at it like mad. I love fighting dreams! But this time I was not in control of anything.
I awoke at 3:00am on the dot. The WITHCING HOUR!!!!!! AAAAAH, freaky! My chest was all fuzzy and I was scared for the first time in ages to get outta' bed. How sad is that? I think I need a rotweiler (sp?) or a pitt bull or something. Minus the poo. And the slobber.
I will be holding my machete very close tonight...
Back to reality, so, where am I now? I am sitting on my ass not training. I have no idea why. I just don't feel it. I want to but it's just not in me.
At least I am looking forward to the race on Saturday. I am planning my '80s costume. I'm probably dressing like a dude.
In addition to feeding us dinner and giving us booze, it looks like they are letting us bring music for the DJ to play. Swank!
Someone bring Billy Idol!
Anywho, I'd say that my weird day feeding into my current insanity started with a dream, a nightmare that I had last night...
Has anyone read Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None? also published as Ten Little Indians. If you've seen the old school black and white version, then you know what I was experiencing last night. I dreamt, SO VIVIDLY that I was in that book, that movie! I saw footsteps under doors, heard odd things, heard voices, saw the characters and ESPECIALLY the one who was responsible for all the murders! I was trying to avoid that woman or man (don't want to ruin it for whoever wants to read it). It was freaky as hell. The book rocks FYI. Quick read and gives you chills.
Usually when I dream of some stuff like this, aka my zombie dreams that I have oft documented here (plug for www.allthingszombie.com), I can make a katana blade (my zombie-killer weapon of choice) and I go at it like mad. I love fighting dreams! But this time I was not in control of anything.
I awoke at 3:00am on the dot. The WITHCING HOUR!!!!!! AAAAAH, freaky! My chest was all fuzzy and I was scared for the first time in ages to get outta' bed. How sad is that? I think I need a rotweiler (sp?) or a pitt bull or something. Minus the poo. And the slobber.
I will be holding my machete very close tonight...
Back to reality, so, where am I now? I am sitting on my ass not training. I have no idea why. I just don't feel it. I want to but it's just not in me.
At least I am looking forward to the race on Saturday. I am planning my '80s costume. I'm probably dressing like a dude.
In addition to feeding us dinner and giving us booze, it looks like they are letting us bring music for the DJ to play. Swank!
Someone bring Billy Idol!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Today's Training
NUMBERS:
3.5 hours shopping for jeans and thongs...bit too much info? Maybe.
1 box of Dots devoured (God, I have a problem)
3 hrs watching tv and Resident Evil - Extinction
7 egg whites, 5 whole eggs, 3 green peppers, 2 roma tomatoes, 1 package of mushrooms & 1/2 onion => 1/3 of the best scrambled eggs ever consumed
1 hr day dreaming on bean bag couch
1 more chapter of The Race read
This was my day.
Coach is going to F-ing flip!!!
3.5 hours shopping for jeans and thongs...bit too much info? Maybe.
1 box of Dots devoured (God, I have a problem)
3 hrs watching tv and Resident Evil - Extinction
7 egg whites, 5 whole eggs, 3 green peppers, 2 roma tomatoes, 1 package of mushrooms & 1/2 onion => 1/3 of the best scrambled eggs ever consumed
1 hr day dreaming on bean bag couch
1 more chapter of The Race read
This was my day.
Coach is going to F-ing flip!!!
Training
SUNDAY'S WORKOUT: Recovery
7.4M
0:45
A painfully, mind numbing and boring session in zone 1 on my trainer.
TODAY'S WORKOUT: Rolling Hills
1:45
22M
Coach's instructions: ride hills in the saddle in zones 1 & 2 to build hip strength
I ground up 5 simulated climbs of varying lengths and "grades."
I finished the Bourne Ultimatum...um, I expected more. No real action until about 1hr & 25min in when there was a cool shoot 'em up car chase. No real plot. No story. I didn't care about any of the characters except Jason Bourne. Nothing made sense. Oh well. The first one rocked and the 2nd one was good because of the fights and the car chase and CRASH in the underground tunnel.
Oh yeah...Happy Freakin' New Year...or whatever....
7.4M
0:45
A painfully, mind numbing and boring session in zone 1 on my trainer.
TODAY'S WORKOUT: Rolling Hills
1:45
22M
Coach's instructions: ride hills in the saddle in zones 1 & 2 to build hip strength
I ground up 5 simulated climbs of varying lengths and "grades."
I finished the Bourne Ultimatum...um, I expected more. No real action until about 1hr & 25min in when there was a cool shoot 'em up car chase. No real plot. No story. I didn't care about any of the characters except Jason Bourne. Nothing made sense. Oh well. The first one rocked and the 2nd one was good because of the fights and the car chase and CRASH in the underground tunnel.
Oh yeah...Happy Freakin' New Year...or whatever....
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