Yep, that time of the year. Time to sell my road bike. I’m selling the frame and fork. Here are the details:

– Isaac Kelvin: read about it here (this will download a PDF called isaac_press_release_kelvin to your computer)
– size: 52 cm
– color: royal blue
– price: $800

I raced this bike for two seasons. It has been well cared for and maintained at The Cyclery.

If you’re interested, drop me an email at vickith@yahoo.com.

Pretty darn quiet in this little blog space. Nothing going on with training. Still getting things sorted with my coach and taking some downtime. As luck would have it I’m now down and out with a wicked sore throat. You know the one – hurts to swallow, ear aches, scratchy throat, fever, chills. Yep that’s what I have. Suppose it is a sign from my body that I need a break. But I’ve got to say, this rest thing is hard to do.

I don’t know how some cyclists do it – taking 2 – 3 months off. I’d really go crazy. Plan is to start back with some yoga this weekend. Get my strength and conditioning program sorted out next week and then start riding hopefully on Monday (assuming I’m feeling good).

I don’t have any firm racing plans for the summer. I’ll be racing for The Cyclery (I raced for this team last year and it is the perfect fit). Hoping to do the Tour of PEI and there are some races in Quebec and Ontario that I’d like to do. But we’ll see what happens. The focus has really shifted to cyclo-cross so if a road race doesn’t make sense – then it won’t happen.

I will be hitting up the trails on my mountain bike and my ‘cross bike. So if you have the patience and want to show a newbie some “mad off-road skills”, let me know. I’m in the development phase right now – what needs to be developed to make it to Tabor? So far on the list I have: improved technical skills, improved acceleration and explosiveness, improved overall body strength, and a better mental state. This is a pretty big list already but there is room for more. I’m looking to improve and now is the time to try different things to see what works and what doesn’t.

Okay, I’m out. Think I might have a nap. (Yah, I can nap in the middle of the day now… My company shut down on Friday (nice welcome back from Belgium gift! So I’m on the job hunt – no job is too small for this writer/editor. You can check out my resume if you want.) Okay enough of a shameless plug. Have a good one. Keep on keeping on.

If you read one other thing today besides this post, read this profile of Svein Tuft.

I can’t really say much about this guy that hasn’t already been said. I’ve never met Svein but he is definitely one of the best role models, that wannabes like me can have.

Anyway, just go read the article. Then get on your bike or your skis and give it all you’ve got.

I’m in that glorious phase of training and racing. The almighty rest week. Okay, well longer than a week. More like two weeks. (Though I did squeeze in a couple of rides last week in Belgium.) But for all intents and purposes, I’m not training right now. Letting the batteries recharge. I’ve got to say I’m really struggling with jet lag. Normally I don’t have any issues. But this time I’m pretty much wiped out. Last night Marc and I watched the women’s World Champs race and I could barely keep my eyes open (it was 7 p.m.). Suppose this is normal considering I’ve just come off an intense season of racing, training, and traveling.

One thing about the rest period is the free time. I’ve got time on my hands. Loving it. Catching up on reading. Taking long leisurely baths. Getting the house organized. And really just generally enjoying the down time.

Had a super talk with Coach Steve yesterday. We hadn’t talked in a while so we had so much to catch up on. We talked a lot about my experiences in Europe. We both came to the same conclusion – although it was super tough at times – it was the best thing that could have happened to me. We’re going to be mixing things up this season with some different types of training and a switch in racing focus. (No, I’m not going to tell you everything. Not that I can – since we are still getting the plans sorted out.) Needless to say, I’m stoked. My fire is re-ignited. I want to go back to Europe and conquer the courses that gave me stress and headaches this past season.

Heading back to yoga on Saturday morning. So looking forward to it. I am missing the heat of the hot power yoga class. I need to feel that clarifying sweat and warming heat. I’m also looking forward to catching up with my yoga pals.

Okay, not much else really going on. Pretty much in that phase of just letting things roll and see how they play out. I do have to say this cold and snow is a brutal shock to the system. Funny to think that last week, I considered -1 to be a bit chilly!

It really is all about perspective.

I was in the bath, relaxing with a cup of tea and the latest issue of Cyclocross Magazine, when I realized that I neglected to post to this little site. Sorry about that. Lucky for you the best ‘cross magazine in the land sparked my memory.

So I’m back home. Back in Ottawa. There is snow. A lot of snow. And it is cold. No, Tim – I can’t ride outside. It is way too cold for that. So now what? 2008 – 2009 is in the books. Well, I’m looking forward. Planning. Thinking. Rejuvenating. Recovering.

Getting ready for an even better season of training and racing. Last year, I did a lot of road racing. Basically I tried to race every weekend. This might not sound challenging if you live in Belgium where there are two races every weekend for women less than two hours drive away. But here in Ottawa, it can be a challenge to find a race and get to it. Luckily the Quebec racing scene is very strong and there are races pretty much every Sunday. I love road racing. But this year I think I’ll be doing less. My big goals are with cyclo-cross, so if I have to sacrifice some road racing to achieve the ‘cross goals, so be it.

This being said, I’m hoping to find a team to race the Tour de PEI with (hint, hint, hint). I’d even be up for the Montreal-based stage race the week before Tour de PEI (hint, hint, hint). I had listed some road goals and sent them to my coach. But now, I think I need to re-evaluate the road goals and make sure they still fit in with my ‘cross goals.

Cyclo-cross goals. So what are they for 2009 – 2010? Well, the big one is: qualify for the Canadian National team and race at the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic. I’m working on a list of smaller, intermediary goals as well. I learned the hard way that the “all or nothing” goal system for me does not work – I set one big goal last season and then spent a lot of time floundering on the bike trying to find another goal. Already in this list of intermediary goals: win the Ontario Provincial Cyclo-Cross Championship title again and consistently place in the top 10 at every New England Verge Series race. I’ve got to work out some additional goals – these will come after speaking with coach Steve and with Nick from Summit Consulting.

I’m on a rest/recovery week. So far so good. Struggling a bit with fatigue today (we flew home on Tuesday). I’m feeling refreshed mentally and I’m looking forward to Monday and getting on the trainer. I’ve got my new yoga schedule worked out. I’m reviewing the Precision Nutrition material and will start the program fully on Monday.

I had a dream about cyclo-cross last night. It was so real and vivid, it was actually a bit disturbing. I won’t go into the nitty-gritty but the emotions I experienced in the dream I think were symoblic of the emotions I experienced this cyclo-cross season. I hit super highs and some very low points in my dream. To the point where when I woke up I actually thought I had been crying.

Not sure what this dream means. Never had a dream about cyclo-cross before. But I’m taking it as a positive sign: a sign that the lessons from last season are stored and recorded and that I’m ready. Ready for more hard work, challenges, success, and improvement.