Ups and downs

                                             This pic makes me happy.  Summer is close!
Today was a beautiful day.  Sunny, high forties, and I was stuck inside all day.  It can be very rewarding to work with kids.  It can also be extremely taxing.  This week was the latter.  Too many things happening that aren't good.  Lots of stress for me with a ridiculously busy week coming up, and then a trip to Europe when I should be on vacation.  Not much fun.  To make matters worse, I didn't do anything yesterday, after a jarring encounter in the freshman dorm.  Today was just skating, on top of duty, and a long, drawn out day in the academic building.  Oh well, either way in one week I will be on "sort of" spring break, and then on the 16th it starts for real.  

Over the hill

Today is it.  I can no longer call myself 20 something.  I know that 30 isn't usually the age that people start to freak out about their midlife crisis, but it is a bit unsettling to know that I am no longer "young."  I guess I just have to start hanging out with older people.  

Training has been consistent.  Sunday was a 2 hour run, which I suffered for afterwards.  Too many hills and not enough stretching/water afterwards.  Yesterday was an hour on the rollers, to keep things moving.  Today was two hours, with 3 one foot pedalling drills (3x5x70 each foot) and some skating with the kids at practice.  

I hope that this year goes well for me, race wise.  I have been pretty focused on the training and I haven't even been able to ride outside much.  I don't want to feel old, and I certainly don't feel mature, so this year is important to me and I hope I perform well.  

On that note, I also registered for 24 hours of Great Glen, a race where I am going to give'er, and the Gravel Grinder, led by the local bike savant George at www.bike29.com

Should be fun. 

GOALS

So, after reading Friel's "Mountain biker's bible" I have decided that this was my first week of base building.  12 hours of training, with work and dog walking is not bad.  One week from today the winter season is over, and then it is on.  Like the monkey game.  I guess now would be a good time to write some goals for this year, and put them someplace I can see them.  

1.  Be more focused!!!!!  I need to continue to train over the summer, not tail off like last year.  Hopefully I can keep up the training through cross season and actually do some races.  

2.  24hr race podium.  I know this is a lofty goal, but I think it is achievable.  I think if I train and race smart, a local 24 podium spot is within reach.  Maybe more than one? 

3.  Represent at the VT 5o.  I love the race, as do 800 other people, but I want to set my sights on the 50 as my "graceland."  And I don't mean the Elvis one, but the Paul Simon album.  I like that one a lot better.  

4.  Not race related, but I want to ride A LOT this summer.  I think this will help with the other goals.  Bike touring, consecutive multi hour days, just a lot of time in the saddle.  Or, saddles, of several different bikes.  

Well, I guess now is the part where I work towards these goals.  Wish me luck. 

I hate.......

Waiting for warm weather, not being able to ski, rollers, not having enough time, rollers, being busy all the time, rollers, and not having enough time.

A bit repetitive, I know, but I am sick of being in "limbo." I always get impatient when one season is winding down, and I can't do either of the activities that I like to do because of work, or weather or any number of reasons. Oh well, I guess I will have to wait for summer and then I will have lots of time to bike.

Yesterday was a quick (not really, 15 minute miles) snowshoe run for 45 minutes. 6 inches of fresh, HEAVY snow, and the dogs running behind.
Today was a roller session, one hour, 3 sets of 5x70 one footers. My right leg was dying.

Maybe the weather will be nice in two weeks and I can get out and do something fun.

Inside out.

Yesterday was a beautiful day, even if it was chilly. 30 degrees with a stiff North wind chilly. I got to ride outside for 2 hours and 2o minutes. Nice, dry roads, not too much ice and a relatively clean bike for a February ride. I rode up to the 45 degree car on River road, mostly 39t with some big ring on the way back.
Today was back to the rollers. Not much fun, but riding outside is a lot more work, and I felt like I could fly on the rollers. 3 sets of one footers, first two were 70x5 each, last set was 50x5 because I only wanted to roll for an hour as a rest day. Maybe slowshoe running tomorrow.

A not so long weekend.

4 days off from work.  It felt like 4 hours.  Friday was running, and the lazy day for the weekend.  Saturday was an intro to ice climbing.  Lots of ice and lots of fun.  My father-in-law and a friend (our guide) spent the entire day climbing in the notch.  Lots of fun, hopefully next time I can avoid the bleeding. 

Sunday was two hours skiing with the dog.  He had fun, I was still beat from the day before.  It was good to be out, though.  

Monday, did some running with the wife.  10 miles, with 8x2 minute hill repeats.  Soooo much fun.  

Then, Jason called, and we went for a nice fixie ride.  2 hours at a pretty good pace.  Fun day to be outside.  I am going to be tired tomorrow. 

Out of doors....

I rode outside for the first time today!!!! Warm weather, lots of water and salt. I am going to have to clean my bike pretty well. It was good to be outside, pedalling on something that wasn't dead flat. I felt dogged at first, but then felt some form coming back, and then slipping away, and then coming back again. I hope that this weekend I get to ride a bit more, should be fun with the fixie and the Vermont roads.
Last night I got to ride the rollers, after duty. I hope I get to ride outside a bit more, but I know there is a lot more skiing to be had.

Funky fresh

Yup.  Funky fresh rollers.  I am really hoping that I get to ride outside when we go home.  4 hours on rollers this week.  Not bad, but I am sure there are more exciting things to do.  

I watched Saturday Night Fever while I was rolling.  It is really funny.  I wish I had tight polyester pants and could dance.  Then I would be famous.  And rich.  And that would be sooooo cool.  

I think I like where I am now.  

The streak is over...........

I exercised last night, breaking my one week streak of being a sicko. I rode the rollers for one hour, and this morning I feel like I raced yesterday. I slept for 11 hours, and I feel fine going slowly this morning. I was hoping I might get to do the Rando race next weekend, but at this rate, I think that touring with friends will be the best choice.
At any rate, I am happy that I getting better and I can exercise again.

This Sucks

Sick for week.  Went to the doctor's office, and they told me I have a sinus infection, that started to spread to my lungs.  Any sort of activity in cold weather makes me cough uncontrollably.  I haven't exercised since last Friday.  

Oh well.  At least I get to watch Commando on Tv.  Arnold was a very entertaining actor back in the day.  California is so lucky to have him.