...where all my bike racing and blogging buddies are out slaying it on the bike in hopes that this year is better than last. It really does not matter if the previous year was great or not. The only thing that really matters to most is how can I be a little better than last year. Not that there is anything wrong with that, personally I fall in the same boat. The shit end of this is, The Law of Diminishing Returns. At some point in the future, you will be less good, effective, whatever, than you were in the past. Before you/we/I hit that point and inevitably have some sort of crisis, just take a little stock in the good moments and accomplishmentsthat you have been a part of.
It is an interesting phenomenon in that, people seem to not really enjoy the good things that they have accomplished. I am not saying to dwell on that touchdown run in the high school homecoming game 23 years ago. I am saying afford yourself the confidence and perspective that some of the things that you/I/we have done have been good accomplishments and/or significant. Moreso than just, "I can do better". We do not need to gloat or brag. Accountability is more than taking credit for the bad, it is also taking credit for the good.
I am not really sure how I ended up with this topic. It certainly was not planned. For my family's benefit, there is no need to interpret this into some sort of crisis. All is well. All is going very well. In fact I am taking stock as to what I have accomplished in my life and in the sport that I love. I am not afraid to say I am pretty proud of it. I am not throwing it in anyone's face either.
All this self-indulgent drivel has thrown me for a loop. I am not sure where to go, so I better stop.
I am definitely looking forward to doing some racing in about a month. I definitely lookforward to returning to my inner geek, sans Speedo, as well.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Feels like...
7
Last year this time I would be on the bike no worries. This year, yeah, a bit different. I have all of a sudden become averse to the three hour solo 24 degree 15mph wind training ride. Maybe I am smarter? Maybe I am more of a sissy? I guess I will do a little knobby tire MTB ride over to the local poaching locale and twirl for 90 minutes and slog home. As I write this, upstairs, I just heard K breathing hard on the trainer downstairs. I shudder to think what that effort was. She can suffer as much if not more than anyone I know. Yep, for numbers geeks she was rolling along at her race TT pace. Hay friggin' Zeus!
Enough on training.
I have the good fortune of having a pretty good job. One of the downsides of the job, downside if you actually give a shit about humanity, is that I spend a fair amount of time in community mental health centers. One of which is a facility for children. There are times when I leave that place and am so sad and disheartened. Thursday was one of those days. A major scientific premise, that has been proven, is that mental health disorders are hereditary. Your risk factors increase exponentially if your parents suffer from a mental health disorder. That being said, I was in this facility for about 30-40 minutes Thursday and 50% of the parents that brought their kids in, were definitely passing along some less than stellar genes. The other 50% were such derelicts that I felt so bad for the kids. Those poor kids do not stand a chance in their lifetime. What is your chance for a decent life if your point of reference is someone that has a hard time living their own life? It is moments like these that I hate doing what I do. Not because I am not of value, but because I see little kids that are destined for such an incredibly hard life. No matter what any doctor, nurse, therapist will do or say the unfortunate child is still going home to a parent/guardian that will only make matters worse.
Let me be clear that you do not need to be affluent to be a great parent. This has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with bad parenting and the unfortunate fact that children of parents with a mental health disorder are forever stuck behind life's eight ball.
So in tough economic times and you think you have it bad, take a field trip to your local community mental health center or MHMR facility and sit in the waiting room for thirty minutes. It will give you a new perspective of the gifts that we have, and take for granted.
Last year this time I would be on the bike no worries. This year, yeah, a bit different. I have all of a sudden become averse to the three hour solo 24 degree 15mph wind training ride. Maybe I am smarter? Maybe I am more of a sissy? I guess I will do a little knobby tire MTB ride over to the local poaching locale and twirl for 90 minutes and slog home. As I write this, upstairs, I just heard K breathing hard on the trainer downstairs. I shudder to think what that effort was. She can suffer as much if not more than anyone I know. Yep, for numbers geeks she was rolling along at her race TT pace. Hay friggin' Zeus!
Enough on training.
I have the good fortune of having a pretty good job. One of the downsides of the job, downside if you actually give a shit about humanity, is that I spend a fair amount of time in community mental health centers. One of which is a facility for children. There are times when I leave that place and am so sad and disheartened. Thursday was one of those days. A major scientific premise, that has been proven, is that mental health disorders are hereditary. Your risk factors increase exponentially if your parents suffer from a mental health disorder. That being said, I was in this facility for about 30-40 minutes Thursday and 50% of the parents that brought their kids in, were definitely passing along some less than stellar genes. The other 50% were such derelicts that I felt so bad for the kids. Those poor kids do not stand a chance in their lifetime. What is your chance for a decent life if your point of reference is someone that has a hard time living their own life? It is moments like these that I hate doing what I do. Not because I am not of value, but because I see little kids that are destined for such an incredibly hard life. No matter what any doctor, nurse, therapist will do or say the unfortunate child is still going home to a parent/guardian that will only make matters worse.
Let me be clear that you do not need to be affluent to be a great parent. This has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with bad parenting and the unfortunate fact that children of parents with a mental health disorder are forever stuck behind life's eight ball.
So in tough economic times and you think you have it bad, take a field trip to your local community mental health center or MHMR facility and sit in the waiting room for thirty minutes. It will give you a new perspective of the gifts that we have, and take for granted.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Humble pie
Yep, had my fair share on Saturday. We went climbing at Earth Treks in Timonium on Saturday. One of K's friends has been after her to go climbing for a while, and Saturday finally worked out. We set off to experience something different and try a new challenge.
Well, challenge it was. Holy handholds, Batman. As I type this my forearms are still tight and my grip strength, what little there is, is finally returning. Climbing was fun, and incredibly humbling. We both went through the 5.6/7 beginner routes with ease. Then it was on to some tougher stuff, with more incline. I tried a route that absolutely paralyzed my forearms for the rest of the day. I "completed" the route eventually. To make an analogy, it would be like McEwen hanging on to the window of the team car up the Ventoux and contesting a sprint. Yeah, I "completed" it. K's friends were such amazing climbers, and even better people. The maneuvered the wall with a crazy combination of power and grace. They took their climbing time to coach us and belay us, as we hung off the wall trying to shake some feeling into our forearms.
Climbing was fun and I can only imagine how much satisfaction you would get climbing outdoors. Listening to Ross explain climbs he did was so cool. I am definitely looking forward to the next time. Next time I will set aside my athletic ego. Hey I can pedal a bike fast, therefore I MUST be able to climb a wall. Right?
I have always had a great deal of respect for those who can do something that is so physically demanding. Saturday just proved that point again. I was amazed at the skill I witnessed Saturday. Maybe next time I will eat some humble pie before hand and work my way through the challenges, commensurate to my skill level.
I wonder what Steve Rice is doing these days?
Well, challenge it was. Holy handholds, Batman. As I type this my forearms are still tight and my grip strength, what little there is, is finally returning. Climbing was fun, and incredibly humbling. We both went through the 5.6/7 beginner routes with ease. Then it was on to some tougher stuff, with more incline. I tried a route that absolutely paralyzed my forearms for the rest of the day. I "completed" the route eventually. To make an analogy, it would be like McEwen hanging on to the window of the team car up the Ventoux and contesting a sprint. Yeah, I "completed" it. K's friends were such amazing climbers, and even better people. The maneuvered the wall with a crazy combination of power and grace. They took their climbing time to coach us and belay us, as we hung off the wall trying to shake some feeling into our forearms.
Climbing was fun and I can only imagine how much satisfaction you would get climbing outdoors. Listening to Ross explain climbs he did was so cool. I am definitely looking forward to the next time. Next time I will set aside my athletic ego. Hey I can pedal a bike fast, therefore I MUST be able to climb a wall. Right?
I have always had a great deal of respect for those who can do something that is so physically demanding. Saturday just proved that point again. I was amazed at the skill I witnessed Saturday. Maybe next time I will eat some humble pie before hand and work my way through the challenges, commensurate to my skill level.
I wonder what Steve Rice is doing these days?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Cold Turkey
I put the road bike away somewhere around the beginning of September. I have not been on a "road" bike since then. Granted it is somewhat semantics, as I rode my cross rigs on the road during CX season. In fact I do not even have a road steed built up at the present time. My last roadie started to crack at the chainstay so I am patiently awaiting the warranty replacement and my fixie is apart since I switched some cranks around for K.
I am going to break down and actually build the fixie back into a road steed this weekend. The fixie has just become an ornament in the garage, so I might as well build up a rain bike with soem older road parts. Hopefully the new steed arrives soon so I can build up yet another white bike, with some fancy schmancy Red shifters. Who knows maybe I will even race it? Prolly not. Better chance racing the TT bike than a pure road bike this year.
Funny how things can be cyclic. I lived and died for the road a few years back. Now, I could honestly care less if I ever race on the road again. I am quite sure that the road scene could honestly care less if I ever came back as well. MTB and cross are much more fun, at least for me. I guess you just get to a point where you want to do some different things. I remember speaking with Ry a few years back before Lower Providence crit. Your prototypical four corner mind-numbing 40 laps. Ry asked if I was doing an MTB race that day. I said that I was doing LP crit, his reply has always stuck with me. "Woo hoo 160 right hand turns, that should be fun." Crit racing was fun, but it just pales in comparison right now. With all the good road events around Lancaster I should check some out. I am sure they will be quality events.
I wonder if Mike Miller is counting his pretzel intake yet?
I am going to break down and actually build the fixie back into a road steed this weekend. The fixie has just become an ornament in the garage, so I might as well build up a rain bike with soem older road parts. Hopefully the new steed arrives soon so I can build up yet another white bike, with some fancy schmancy Red shifters. Who knows maybe I will even race it? Prolly not. Better chance racing the TT bike than a pure road bike this year.
Funny how things can be cyclic. I lived and died for the road a few years back. Now, I could honestly care less if I ever race on the road again. I am quite sure that the road scene could honestly care less if I ever came back as well. MTB and cross are much more fun, at least for me. I guess you just get to a point where you want to do some different things. I remember speaking with Ry a few years back before Lower Providence crit. Your prototypical four corner mind-numbing 40 laps. Ry asked if I was doing an MTB race that day. I said that I was doing LP crit, his reply has always stuck with me. "Woo hoo 160 right hand turns, that should be fun." Crit racing was fun, but it just pales in comparison right now. With all the good road events around Lancaster I should check some out. I am sure they will be quality events.
I wonder if Mike Miller is counting his pretzel intake yet?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
New year, new leaf
Obviously my last post alluding to more literary prowess went by the wayside. With so many things to pontificate upon maybe I was just overwhelmed?
After a much needed two week hiatus from work, I have hit the new year fresh, relaxed and in better spirits than I have seen for years. Which segues into part of the new leaf for '09.
I am going back to my roots, so to speak. I entered the bike game as a geek, and I am returning to geekdom. Well, at least off-road geekdom. In search of something different than just turning circles, I am going to compete in XTerra races this summer. The end goal has not changed from the past few seasons, National Champion. Legit National Champion this year. No gravity hucking, pure endurance for '09. Maybe this is even more legit than any two wheeled only national Championship I have been striving for? Maybe not, just more work.
So yes, the bike leaf has changed, at least somewhat.
The personal leaf, now that will make any success or lack thereof in 2009 pretty insignificant. No matter what happens on the bike, it is only a bike. I go to bed and wake up a happy, fortunate man.
Time to ride some virgin snow.
After a much needed two week hiatus from work, I have hit the new year fresh, relaxed and in better spirits than I have seen for years. Which segues into part of the new leaf for '09.
I am going back to my roots, so to speak. I entered the bike game as a geek, and I am returning to geekdom. Well, at least off-road geekdom. In search of something different than just turning circles, I am going to compete in XTerra races this summer. The end goal has not changed from the past few seasons, National Champion. Legit National Champion this year. No gravity hucking, pure endurance for '09. Maybe this is even more legit than any two wheeled only national Championship I have been striving for? Maybe not, just more work.
So yes, the bike leaf has changed, at least somewhat.
The personal leaf, now that will make any success or lack thereof in 2009 pretty insignificant. No matter what happens on the bike, it is only a bike. I go to bed and wake up a happy, fortunate man.
Time to ride some virgin snow.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
It is not like you missed me
When, you have Hoovis, The Angry Laotian, and The Blogger Laureate of Lancaster County you really have some good reading options. Far better than this drivel.
Lots has happened, lots going on.
Maybe I will try to update a bit more often.
I will try to pick a daily topic to skewer with my oh so relevant wisdom.
Until we meet again.
Lots has happened, lots going on.
Maybe I will try to update a bit more often.
I will try to pick a daily topic to skewer with my oh so relevant wisdom.
Until we meet again.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Clearwater 70.3 Ironman, or the moral flexibility of the elite athlete
Kara & I just returned from an epic vacation. Lots of driving, lots of fun with family, friends new and old, and a new perspective on competition for me.
Our vacation was to go to Clearwater, FL so Kara could compete in the Half Ironman World Championships. After tons of training and prep she was so fit and ready that it just came down to the race. Kara knew going into the event that it is notorious for drafting. Both of us thought that maybe the rep was a bit overstated and people would respect the fact the event is a World Champs event.
I must state that after twenty years of racing I have never seen such a well organized event. This event is top-notch. From check-in to a personal concierge to help with your gear & bike transition storage, to removal of the athletes wetsuit, the list goes on. I have never seen so many volunteers that are organized so incredibly well. Jimmy Riccitello, race director, should be given some kind of an award for the superhuman effort that went into this event.
That being said, I will now give the perspective of an outsider watching the event. Keep in mind I have competed in Tri's where there were 2,000 athletes before. I know what it is like. I spent most of race day on my bike riding on the actual course watching and actually riding in race traffic. I have NEVER seen such blatant drafting/CHEATING in my life. Groups of riders rolled through in packs and pacelines. So many times I witnessed solo riders trying to race legit get swallowed by groups. I was blown away by the absolute disrespect the athletes showed to the event, their fellow competitors and themselves. I am not sure how people can sleep with themselves knowing that that cheated so blatantly. I also followed the race online real time. I watched as certain athletes splits stayed consistently fast throughout the day, as other athletes splits increase by 2-3 mph during the last half of the event.
So that leads me back to my lovely Kara. Yes, I am a little biased. However, I know her well to know that she has zero moral flexibility when it comes to cheating. During the event a group of twentyish men caught her. While they were riding in a pack, Kara and another girl tried to get out of the pack and away from them. With some success they could get out, but the CHEATING group caught back up. Then it happened, Kara tried to pass again. There is a rule in tri's that you must pass in twenty seconds or you are drafting. Kara could not pass the men in twenty seconds and got called. Shit thing is the CHEATING drafters were not warned or called for riding in a pack! FOUR MINUTES PENALTY! Even though extremely bummed she flew on. At the finish her split was 24.5mph for 56 miles, her two previous mid-race splits were 24.4 and 24.3. Hmmm, yeah that reeks of solo effort to me. I checked splits of some of her competitors that went from 22 at mile 20, to 23.5 at mile 56. That means that CHEATER needed to ride at 26 mph the last half of the race. Riiiight. Kara was fifth off the bike and waited out her penalty. Falling 12-13 spots she went out and killed the run and moved all the way up to 10th. There was a three way battle with 200 meters to go and she gave it her all and ended up 11th. I was and am so proud!
If you take away the 4 minute penalty Kara was 7th, one second from 6th. 6th place was the first American.
After a week of thinking about this. My thoughts are these.
Jimmy Riccitello is one of the classiest people around. He spoke with Kara for a total of forty minutes on two separate occasions. He called the ref who stole Kara's dream to figure out why the penalty. Jimmy is top-notch.
The race organization is THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!
The amount of CHEATING is horrendous.
This race does NOT deserve a World Champs level based on the cheating rep, and the lack of open roads to limit drafting.
The moral flexibility of the Elite athlete is alive and well.
Bring back Texas Hill Country as the National Champs event. Hard course and open roads. If a race can not guarantee two totally open lanes for a race it should not be a National or World Champs event.
The good thing is we met some great people, we had good times together and I think Kara finally realizes just how good she is. Now it is time for some rest.
Great job babe!
I wonder if the CHEATERS are practicing riding in a paceline right now?
Our vacation was to go to Clearwater, FL so Kara could compete in the Half Ironman World Championships. After tons of training and prep she was so fit and ready that it just came down to the race. Kara knew going into the event that it is notorious for drafting. Both of us thought that maybe the rep was a bit overstated and people would respect the fact the event is a World Champs event.
I must state that after twenty years of racing I have never seen such a well organized event. This event is top-notch. From check-in to a personal concierge to help with your gear & bike transition storage, to removal of the athletes wetsuit, the list goes on. I have never seen so many volunteers that are organized so incredibly well. Jimmy Riccitello, race director, should be given some kind of an award for the superhuman effort that went into this event.
That being said, I will now give the perspective of an outsider watching the event. Keep in mind I have competed in Tri's where there were 2,000 athletes before. I know what it is like. I spent most of race day on my bike riding on the actual course watching and actually riding in race traffic. I have NEVER seen such blatant drafting/CHEATING in my life. Groups of riders rolled through in packs and pacelines. So many times I witnessed solo riders trying to race legit get swallowed by groups. I was blown away by the absolute disrespect the athletes showed to the event, their fellow competitors and themselves. I am not sure how people can sleep with themselves knowing that that cheated so blatantly. I also followed the race online real time. I watched as certain athletes splits stayed consistently fast throughout the day, as other athletes splits increase by 2-3 mph during the last half of the event.
So that leads me back to my lovely Kara. Yes, I am a little biased. However, I know her well to know that she has zero moral flexibility when it comes to cheating. During the event a group of twentyish men caught her. While they were riding in a pack, Kara and another girl tried to get out of the pack and away from them. With some success they could get out, but the CHEATING group caught back up. Then it happened, Kara tried to pass again. There is a rule in tri's that you must pass in twenty seconds or you are drafting. Kara could not pass the men in twenty seconds and got called. Shit thing is the CHEATING drafters were not warned or called for riding in a pack! FOUR MINUTES PENALTY! Even though extremely bummed she flew on. At the finish her split was 24.5mph for 56 miles, her two previous mid-race splits were 24.4 and 24.3. Hmmm, yeah that reeks of solo effort to me. I checked splits of some of her competitors that went from 22 at mile 20, to 23.5 at mile 56. That means that CHEATER needed to ride at 26 mph the last half of the race. Riiiight. Kara was fifth off the bike and waited out her penalty. Falling 12-13 spots she went out and killed the run and moved all the way up to 10th. There was a three way battle with 200 meters to go and she gave it her all and ended up 11th. I was and am so proud!
If you take away the 4 minute penalty Kara was 7th, one second from 6th. 6th place was the first American.
After a week of thinking about this. My thoughts are these.
Jimmy Riccitello is one of the classiest people around. He spoke with Kara for a total of forty minutes on two separate occasions. He called the ref who stole Kara's dream to figure out why the penalty. Jimmy is top-notch.
The race organization is THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!
The amount of CHEATING is horrendous.
This race does NOT deserve a World Champs level based on the cheating rep, and the lack of open roads to limit drafting.
The moral flexibility of the Elite athlete is alive and well.
Bring back Texas Hill Country as the National Champs event. Hard course and open roads. If a race can not guarantee two totally open lanes for a race it should not be a National or World Champs event.
The good thing is we met some great people, we had good times together and I think Kara finally realizes just how good she is. Now it is time for some rest.
Great job babe!
I wonder if the CHEATERS are practicing riding in a paceline right now?
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