Yesterday’s ride was slippery. Wet and slippery leaves. Slick tree roots. Very slippery innocent looking apples hiding in the leaves. But heck – I was outside riding my bike and having fun. An excellent ride and work-out. 90 minutes endurance with 4 cyclo-cross starts. The type of work-out that has you working a bit harder with some intense moments but doesn’t leave that bad taste in your mouth. Just what I needed after a rest week.
I admit the weather was not that welcoming. It was raining. Cold. Gloomy. I was alone. But then a quote from “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell (mixed martial arts fighter) popped in my brain: “A coward is someone who is not willing to put in the hard work when no one is watching”.
This is so true. Think of this the next time you don’t feel like getting out there. Sure it won’t be fun at the beginning, but the pay-off at the end will be massive.
On deck for today – tempo work-out followed by a ‘cross work-out. Oh yeah, it is a biggie today. Love it. Tempo work-outs are fun – I feel like I’m flying and the effort is one that just puts a slight dull ache in your legs. No lung burning. Just a subtle ache – reminds you that you’re alive.
As for racing – racing at home this weekend. Mooney’s Bay. I haven’t raced at Mooney’s Bay in a long time. Hope those geese are gone by Sunday…
November is jam-packed with racing and traveling. We are home for only one weekend in November (this is when we get ourselves organized for Belgium), then we head to RI for some racing. We get home from RI on the 7th (after racing and then driving 8 hours) – we have the 8th to clean and pack bikes – then on the plane on the 9th. Yes, a bit insane. But totally worth it.
Remember, Ride with Rendall training tonight. Also, I posted a link on the Photos page to more Kingston photos.
It is raining. Drat. I had planned to do my ‘cross work-out this morning. Now I’m waiting until this afternoon. Yes, I know that I’ll be racing in the rain. But I don’t find the need to train in the rain if there is a chance it will be dry later. I really don’t mind the rain once I get out there. But today, I’d like it to not be dark and raining when I’m out ripping it up.
So, this afternoon it is. Got a solid ‘cross ride planned – going to work on taking corners and obstacles at race speed and work on the all important starts. Got to work on my starts. I’ve figured out the problem (okay Marc and Steve figured out the problem) – slow leg speed – I don’t turn my legs over quickly and I pause after clipping in. So this is what I’ll focus on today. I’ve actually been paying attention to the leg speed on my road bike. Yesterday I noticed that when I have to stop (light, stop sign, whatever) – I’m slow to get my legs turning over – like a slow-motion sprint. So yesterday I focused on turning the legs over fast – amazing how quickly the wattage numbers jump!
Kingston Photos are up. I’ve also put a link on the Photos page.
Remember that the Ride with Rendall ‘cross training is still on for Wednesday night. Don’t be shy – come on out. All skill levels and club affiliations are welcome. It is a good fun time. I’ve learned a lot from these sessions. Great way to wind down after the work day as well – zooming around flags, jumping over barriers, and sharing some laughs.
Yeesh, it is 7:33 a.m. and still rather dark out there. More later.
Just in from a great ride on the road. Monday for me is all about recovery. I don’t really have much to recover from, since I didn’t race yesterday. But, I’m anticipating a heavy week of intervals so I did the recovery anyway. Smooth little 90 minute spin on some of my favorite roads in the south end of the city.
My mood definitely perked up once I was on my bike and getting away from it all. No computer. No deadlines. Just me, my bike, some tunes and the crisp air. Pretty lucky. Typically when I’m out riding, I write. That’s correct. I write. In my head. I write blog posts. I write magazine articles. I write emails. I write technical documentation. Guess this is what writers do. I presume that if I was a song writer, I’d be writing songs in my head.
But sadly, by the time I’m in the door, had some glutamine, hopped in the shower and sat down in front of the computer, I’ve forgotten it all. Sigh. This is endemic I suppose of a busy brain. But, today is different. Today I’ve remembered a few things I wanted to write about on this here web site.
Kalmthout, Belgium – World Cup. The first world cup of the season was yesterday. Canada only had one rider in the race. Wendy Simms. And she rode super well – to finish 8th. Pretty darn impressive. I’ve got to say that Wendy is one of the most approachable and friendly racers out there. She is always smiling and has time for everyone. I’m sure there are times when she’d just like to crank up the tunes and pretend that people aren’t staring at her while she is spinning out her legs after a race. Definitely an excellent role model for all us racers out there. What I find most impressive is that she always wants to know how “your race went”. Smooth. Classy. Also have to send a shout out to Sue Butler. I met Sue briefly last year in Belgium. She is super inspiring to me. She is doing it. Pro. Living the dream. Setting big goals and chasing them. Sue wrote about her race in Kalmthout on her blog. She had a solid ride to finish 14th.
To read a report from Kalmthout, filed by Christine Vardaros (who was the victim of some bad luck but rallied to finish 30th), check out CX Magazine.
So, that’s what I wanted to write about. Glad I remembered it.
As soon as photos are available from the Kingston race, I’ll be sure to post them on the Photos page.
Not much else to report on right now. Sorry – just a quiet Monday here at the Ottawa Cross headquarters. November will be busy – lots of travel. Lots of great racing. I’m enjoying this little travel break. Gives me time to hang out at home, re-connect with friends, chase Murphy (grey cat) around the house, and just chill. Though, this being said – I can’t wait to get on the plane on Dec. 9 and fly to Belgium. Sweet!
What a day! A beautiful day to be outside ripping around in the grass and leaves on a cyclo-cross bike. Today was the meeting of the Southern and Eastern Ontario cyclo-cross series of races. Two large fields raced all over Lake Ontario Park. There were also lots of fans out there cheering on the racers.
I didn’t race today. Had planned to but an innocent knock of my knee (yes, that knee) on my handlebar and I opened up the cut on my knee. I’m just getting over the infection and decided that it would not be wise to race with a now open and bleeding knee. Bit of a drag. I must admit I felt a bit “wimpy” deciding not to race but I have to consider the road ahead and the decisions I need to make to ensure I’m ready for the next phase of my cyclo-cross season.
I had a blast watching the race and cheering on the riders. It was also nice to chat with people and catch up. Thanks for the kind words about my ride at nationals and about my knee – definitely appreciated.
Marc rode super well today. He fought back hard after a late race crash. Dug even deeper after dropping his chain. He finished first in the Masters A race. Congrats Marc! Inspiring to see you fight back after a couple of setbacks. Shout out to Steve for a supreme ride and a fourth place finish in the elite race. Super hero of the day award goes to Glen for his spectacular crash and even more impressive recovery.
So goals for the rest of the 2008 – 2009 cyclo-cross season:
– to double the number of UCI points I have now before leaving for Belgium on Dec. 9. I currently have seven points. I want a minimum of 14 before I get on the plane. I have a chance to get points at Northampton, Toronto, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
– to finish on the lead lap in every race I enter in Belgium. This includes World Cups, elite women’s races, junior races, and the odd masters’ men’s race. I was not able to do this last year.
So there you have it. Two new goals. Two big goals. Challenging, but I think attainable. These goals are two-fold – to keep me motivated through the rest of the domestic ‘cross season and to give me something to aim for while in Europe. Not to mention that more UCI points will help me gain a better start position in Europe. If I can finish on the lead lap in every race I enter in Europe, then I know I have a realistic chance of making the team for 2010.
That’s right – the team for 2010. (My fire has been re-ignited. Thanks to a great conversation with Marc in the car on the way home from Kingston.)
I don’t want any should haves or could haves in my life.
Ottawa Cross 