Author Archives: Vicki Thomas

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February 25, 2011

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Friday Afternoon Inspiration

Each one of us needs some inspiration once-in-awhile. With large parts of Canada and the U.S. being blanketed with snow today and this weekend, it can be hard to keep up the motivation to hit up the trainer or the rollers. This is when a bit of inspiration is useful.

This article sent to me by Ken Hoppner is an example of such inspiration: Back In Racing Form After Dropping The Fork. This article tells of João Correia’s return to professional racing after many years of working an office job. It is an interesting story and one that reminds us that really anything is possible – it is all up to you.

Perhaps you’d like your inspiration to be more of the visual sort? Well, the classics season kicks off on Saturday with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (Omloop Het Volk) race. Check out cyclingfans.com for the live feed of this race. And if you still need more, tune in on Sunday for Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on Sunday. Watching these races will make your trainer/roller rides feel a little less bumpy and bone rattling.

If you’re still not inspired, there are lots of excellent cycling blogs to read or perhaps you’d like to read something longer like a book? First off we have a personal favorite of many cyclists: The Rider by Tim Krabbe – a short and easy ride about the clutches of a road race. And of course, there is always my book: An Unlikely Elite. I’ve received a few comments from readers who have said it is “motivating” and “an emotional roller coaster”. My book is available for free (though a donation to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada is deeply appreciated) and is in two formats: EPUB or PDF. Download the PDF here and the EPUB here.

As for me and my inspiration? Well, to be honest I don’t really need any inspiration these days. Having my 2010-2011 season end early due to sickness is all the inspiration and motivation I need. Not being able to ride, train or race showed me how much I value it. So I’ll be up with birds on Saturday morning for a 30 minute trail run followed by a 60 minute ride on the trainer.

Keep on keeping on – spring will be here soon…

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February 24, 2011

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Living The Life?

Now, I may get myself into some hot water with this post… But I can’t hold back any longer. I’ve been seeing this tagline all over cycling blogs/Twitter feeds/Facebook posts/etc the last few weeks and it really is making my eyes crossed. Yes, the offending tagline is: Living The Life.

What the heck? What is exactly Living The Life? I really don’t know where this tagline/motto/slogan came from but I would like it to return to the rock from which it come out from under. Harsh, I know. But seriously…

What do these three seemingly innocent words exactly mean? By using them are you trying to make others jealous? Are you attempting to belittle the work and effort you put into your training and racing?

The fascinating aspect to the use of this slogan/tagline/motto is that I haven’t seen any ProTour or top North American pros using it. Nope, it seems to be coming from those who are along for the ride (so to speak). Now, some of you might hesitate to suggest that I’m one of those along for the ride…

Well, bite your tongue on that thought young man. Yes, I bill myself as a pro cyclo-cross racer. Essentially this is what I am – I don’t really work much, I have sponsors who support my racing efforts, and I do earn some money from start contracts. I suppose, I’m a candidate to use the “Living The Life” tagline/slogan/motto. Heck, I might as well get it tattooed on my bulging quads. But I digress….

Really, there is nothing awesome or spectacular about choosing to ride and not work much. It is a choice. Is it a glorified existence? No.

From the full-time pro road racers I’ve spoken to, the life of a professional ProTour or top North American bike racer really isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Having no control over when and where you race. Literally racing to save your job, lest a poor day on your bike puts an end to your contract. Living out of a suitcase. Being away from family and friends. Crashing hard and still being expected to get out there and race again the next day. Having no control over the equipment you have to use – forget the fact that the team pedals/shoe combination inflames your ITB or that the saddle you have to ride really just doesn’t fit your “you know what”.

Living The Life? Gee, I’m really not so sure.

But for someone like me things are a bit different. I choose my racing schedule and arrange my own travel plans. If I’m sick or simply not having a good day on the bike, not to worry, there are plenty of other races. I have two homes: Ottawa and Blauberg (thanks Tim and Jos) and don’t have to worry about less then spectacular hotels and hotel food. I race and ride with the equipment and clothing I like. Simply put, I have control over my bike racing life.

So maybe, I’m Living The Life? I still don’t think so. Since I still have concerns like mortgage payments, arranging sponsorships, and living a normal life.

I guess this all leads me to one big question: can someone please explain to me what Living The Life is? I’m so darn curious. I’m thinking that if I could just crack this nut, I’d really and truly have it made. On the other hand, I can stick with what I have and be damn happy and lucky that at the age of 38 (soon to be 39) I’ve got an amazing husband who helps me keep the dream alive.

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February 22, 2011

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Is It Spring Yet?

I’ve been home for two weeks now and I’d like it to be spring. Now. Not tomorrow or next week. Now. This white stuff is nice to look at but it makes riding outside hard. The trainer is okay but my brain is slowly turning to mush watching the television and pedaling to nowhere. Sure I have the rollers to keep me occupied and to give me something to work on. But still… I could skip all of the excitement the rollers bring and the guilt-free television watching for an early spring, dry roads, and an end to the snow.

It is times like this when I hear Tim’s voice in my head “But why do people live in such a cold place?”. Good question Tim. Wish I could answer it.

Complaining and moaning aside, I did get in a very good training session this morning. I waited until it was a balmy minus 11 (minus 18 with the windchill) and set out on a 30 minute run. This was my longest run of the season. Happy to say I ran farther than I expected and my legs and lungs felt pretty darn good. This slow and steady approach is paying off. When I got inside I did a quick change of the clothes and hopped on the trainer for 45 minutes of easy/moderate paced pedaling. Chased all this with some rolling out on the foam roller and some stretching.

Definitely a good training session. I’m nearing the end of my three-week training block of getting my body reacquainted with structured training. I’m looking forward to what is next. I’m expecting it will be a mix of more moderately paced rides/runs with some longer efforts combined with a bit more intensity. Whatever it is, I know that coach Steve has a good plan sorted out for me.

So my parents were here on the weekend and they saw the big box of Clif products we have in our kitchen… So of course, I let them sample the tasty goods. I think my dad is hooked on the Clif Kid ZBars (even though they’re made for kids, they make the perfect light snack) and my mom was intrigued by the idea of the Luna Caramel Nut Brownie bar (yes, mom a bar that tastes good and is good for you). All this to say, that I think we’ve got a couple more converts to eating natural and organic bars instead of the overly-processed stuff found in on the grocery store shelves. I couldn’t get them to try the Clif Shot Bloks or Clif Shot Energy Gels though… Next visit I guess… (I heard through the grapevine that Luna Protein bars will be gluten free in 2011 – yay!)

Well, that’s all I’ve got for today. I think I’ll go look out the window to see if spring is here yet…

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February 19, 2011

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What’s Up?

I have to admit that it can be hard to come up with something to write on a cycling-focused web site in February. Like most of you, I’m busy with training and looking forward to warm days. Really not much else is going on. There are no spring or late-winter training camps or trips “down south” in my horizons.

I guess I should start looking at race calendars and get myself organized for some spring and summer racing. Last season I didn’t do any racing, I realized that I missed the racing. Besides the fun that comes with racing it has a pretty good training effect (I think). Yes, I know that racing doesn’t build fitness but you can often go deeper in a race than you can do alone out on a quiet road with only your power meeter as your measuring stick. There are also all the intangibles that come with the racing experience: pack riding skills, learning your limits, forcing your limits, taking risks, and simply having a good time. For these reasons, I’ll be out racing on the road this year.

I’m not planning on doing a lot of races. Yes, I know, famous last words… Really I’m hoping to get in a few road races and some criteriums. I think the bulk of this racing will happen in the May – June/mid-July timeframe. Then I’ll have to change my focus and really get down to business fine-tuning my cyclo-cross fitness. Of course, as has become the norm for me, I’ll be getting out on my ‘cross bike regularly to work on my skills.

One event I’m definitely doing this year is the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour. I had a blast last year and I’m looking forward to doing it again. Yep, even with the crazy rain on the second day, I still had a good time. So to get ready for this ride I’ll once again be putting in lots of long rides. Really, these are my favorite rides. I really enjoy getting out for four or five hours on the bike. I wonder how early I can get a ride to Merickville in this season? That peanut butter bar is so very tempting…

Today I hit a big milestone with my training… I rode the rollers for one hour! Yes, my second roller ride in over ten years and I lasted for an hour. It is not the effort that I have trouble with, it is the wobbly factor. I haven’t found that roller riding groove that allows me to move my head around, move my hands around, and generally relax. I know will soon enough since back in the day, (1995ish) I used to attend roller riding sessions in local area shopping malls with the Sportable cycling team. We’d set up the rollers in a busy spot, for example in front of Eaton’s in the Rideau Centre and put up a few signs and place some boxes out and then we’d ride the rollers all day – people would stare at us and sometimes give us money (portion of which went to CHEO). I remember once I was riding and a woman walked by and took my front wheel out with her shopping bags… Miraculously I stayed up. I don’t plan on doing any roller riding demos in malls anytime soon, but I would like to be able to take my hands off the bars soon.

Training this weekend should be pretty good. I’ve got the run and ride thing happening on Saturday. A little trail run followed by 30 minutes or so on the trainer. Sunday I’ve got another 2 hours of hiking planned with a some trainer time first. It is a nice change this winter to be able to get outside and really “enjoy” the weather. Of course on the days when it is super cold and I’m supposed to be training outside, I’ve done a bit of switcheroo with the training days…

Well, I best get off this computer and get myself outside for that run. Thanks for downloading and reading my book. I hope you’re enjoying it. Please send me any comments or feedback you have on it – I’d really like to find out what you think of it. And if you haven’t downloaded and read my book? Well, what are you waiting for? Go check it out over here: An Unlikely Elite. Or click to the link in the sidebar to download the PDF version.