Doing what I did, so I will get what I got.

I stuck a pretty agressive 5 day training routine, and gained some ground towards my mental and physical preparation to begin the final fitness peak of 2008. Cyclocross.

I tried to run (literally) but I could not hide from this curious athletic endeavor. Training lost all purpose until I began to really commit to taking on the 2008 cross season.

I have up to 8 races on my calendar, with the first one being the 'cross out crohn's' race this sunday in Newton, Ia. Pictured to the left is a scene from last year's race. I won this race last year as a Cat 4, and subsequently upgraded to Cat 3 after getting a bronze medal in the state championships.

I really can't say I ended the season well, there is a huge jump in ability from the Cat 4 'B' races to the Cat 1, 2, 3 'A' race. However, I know I can hang, and at least enjoy trying, as all-out, time trial type efforts are my preference.

For my weekend 'training blitz', I entered the 'Miracle Ride' fundraiser in Wilton, Ia, and was able to finish the 100 mile route. Lots of pain and character building... perfect training. My mom was the one who talked me into doing this one, she did about 65 miles so we could finish at roughly the same time. I was even able to ride with her for the first 14 miles before I had to succomb to the urge to get in a 'steady state' work-out. I am amazed that people can actually ride their bikes purely for enjoyment... I will work on that later in life.

The next day I did a group ride century. I really didn't feel like going that morning, but this freaking blog was haunting me at 7:30am, as I was still in bed negotiating whether I would attend the 8am ride. I went, and was able to, then accomplish over 250 miles for the week. I realize that getting in 'base' or 'endurance' mileage doesn't make much sense with respect to cyclocross training, but I accomplished what I needed, a confidence boost, some fitness gains, and some weight loss. Let's roll!

Suicidal Grasshoppers.

Somebody really wanted me to enter the Harvest Hammer based on the comments from my previous blog... It didn't work out this year, maybe next year, seems like a great event. Based on the results, I believe I was looking at another second place, as John Grice posted a nice result.

Well, I am recovering from my 'mental injury', even thinking about training again. As I rode today, I enjoyed seeing grasshoppers on the road almost every few seconds. Some of them made an effort to get of my way, others just remained calm, and hoped for the best, but a few launched themselves directly into my wheels...

The weekday training rides are setting with the sun, so need to adjust things completely. I suppose I have to get my mountain bike out, I wonder if loud thunder's trails are finally open after that wind storm trashed the area.

I added Tyree William's blog to my list... he is a die hard cyclo-crosser, so good reading if you need some fall season motivation. He is, allegedly, on the same team as me, though I don't see him until the fall, as he has sworn off all other forms of competitive cycling.

I am planning on riding two centuries this weekend, one on saturday (Challenge ride in wilton, IA), and group club ride on Sunday. Going from 30 miles last week to 250 this week should get me back in some sort of shape to hang strong at a few Cat 1,2,3 cyclocross races. I will use this weekend to officially decide if I am going to 'cross it up' or just keep doing push-ups in the basement.

Lance Armstrong's Poison Ivy during Huricane Ike.

I have poison ivy BAD around my ankles, so haven't had the courage to strap on cycling or running shoes for over a week. The timing is actually pretty good, since my racing season was winding down and the days are too short to get any real weekly mileage in anyway. Otherwise I would be going out of my mind not being able to train.

I had a notion to gain 40 pounds to give some sort of a goal to work towards, as I have opted to aspire to other hobbies this fall other than cyclocross. I figure that if I become overweight, I can begin a 12 week diet plan, striving to lose 3 pounds a week. Without a goal, my motivation is low.

That is sort of retarded (similar to the story of how I got poison ivy), so perhaps I will come to my senses once I begin wearing shoes again (I have worn sandals to work the last few days to avoid irritating the weeping and oozing of the poisonous welts that are speckled across my body like boiling kernels of puss filled toxic bubbles).

I had planned to strap on my recreational riding sandles and ride the 100 mile heartland century with my mom, but hurricane Ike is seems to be creating a moist weekend forecast in the midwest, so we backed out.

Lance Armstrong is planning on competing in the 2009 tour de france? That is sort of inspirational. I liked that he has been quoted as saying that 'age is a myth' regarding the fact that he will 37 in 2009. Also, that when he prepares for a race, he 'lives a monk-like existence'. I can relate to this, for prior to serious goal events I abstain from many pleasurable activities. Unfortunately, he has his pick of chics (olsen twin, sheryl crow, etc.) whereas, I just sit at home by myself like a loser wishing (gasp!) that I was married or something so I had a partner to share in my self-imposed prison during the last two days before the event.

I remember he said he would never race again... well, I guess I am glad he lied about that. He also said he would ride all 7 days of RAGBRAI, 2007... well, he almost made it but left on saturday to see his team win the tour. He's still my hero, and will probably owe my winter indoor training success to his comeback.

Crossing Out Cross

Not a big surprise but the first cyclocross event in Iowa... the Village Cross in Davenport, IA has been cancelled. I let my fitness lapse a little after a four weekend race intensive month in august, so perhaps this would be a good thing, giving me more time to build up... except that was my favorite race of the cross season... close, warm, good course, etc. So, thinking about 'crossing out cross'.

Ok, I probably won't but definately not taking it too seriously... wait, I guess that is sort of the point of cross, something to have fun with, hang on to fitness as too avoid getting too fat in the winter. Any discipline that includes the concept of the 'beer hand-up' in it's hand book can't be all that bad.

Jingle Cross Rock... this is the year end grand finale, UCI event in Iowa City, very very well organized. Chris Horner was special guest last year, also Todd Wells, Jason McCartney of Team CSC has also competed before.

However, the race is sort of going in the wrong direction for me though, as I would be in the Cat 2/3 event instead of the cat 3/4 event of last year. I finished right in the middle along with many of the IA guys. The people that come to this event are from all over and they mean business. I was actually hoping they created a seperate Cat 3 only race to keep the numbers down.

If you don't get in the top few rows at starting, your are sunk, because over 100 riders will be trying to funnel up Mt. Krumpit with their bike's over their shoulders. Sort of reminds me of the Snake Alley Crit in burlington, IA. Well, the turnout is rumored to be already ahead of year's past, so more people in my way. You actually get hit in the face with the rider's tires ahead of you as you climb up this hill.

Actually, I sort of like that part, made it into a contact sport, not for the timid. Blood, guts and glory... or is it Mud, Butts and Blurry. (what?) Anyway, if you don't sign up soon, you will be starting in the back. Unless you are in better shape than those ahead, forget it. On the other hand, that was one of the most memorable races I have ever entered, worth a shot if you haven't done it.

This week of training is looking poor. I will have to resort to some treadmill work because I won't have complete freedom to ride my bike and the days' are getting short... I am thinking though, that many others are in similiar situations with school/work/burnout/Injury, etc, so no need to throw in the towel just yet.