Thursday, October 30, 2008

Cyclocross Nutrition

Looks like I left last Sunday's Spooky Cross, just in time. I departed right after my race, but below are a series of photos from the Cat 1,2,3 race later in the day. These were taken on one of the leg burning uphills. As, you can see, riders were offered a variety of nutrional hand-ups to help throughout the race....

The offerings at this event mainly included beer, beef jerky, pizza, boone's farm (some sort of cheap wine), and keg cups(filled with who knows what). Occassionaly, a water bottle hand-up was witnessed, but that was rare.

Of course, most of the riders don't accept these generous offerings, at least not until the very last lap or after the finish. But, ultimately, everyone succombs...

I am still tentative about racing this Saturday at the Iowa State Cyclocross Championships, but currently looking like a go. If I don't go, I will still keep on track with my training, as the next 5 cyclocross races are within 45 minutes of my home, one of which being my top-secret 'goal' event.

Sounds like a good race in any event, with more good weather, but I can predict that the competition will be the toughest of the season, as many riders are approaching their late season fitness peaks.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Naked guy in the woods... Spooky Cross.

Ooh, spooky, racing bikes in the woods of the Living History Farms of Des Moines Iowa.
First impressions were made early as the road into the race was actually a sort of single track mud course for automobiles, right up through a farming field.

You could run but you couldn't hide from having a good time at this race. As tricks and treats awaited riders around nearly every corner.


MUD - What was this strange phenomenon that was strewn about the course? I have raced quite a few cyclocross races, and never had to contend with mud, which was a welcomed challenge. Specifically, there was a long stretch of mud next to a bean field that was extremely awkward to pedal through. The lines in the dirt seemed to direct the bike at its will. As a reward for making it through the field a huge ditch puddle awaited. One guy flipped over his handle bars on the first lap on Saturday, oops.

Then riders tore through the living history farm area, right past some sort of native american village. I asked one of the inhabitants if he minded if I called him an 'indian', instead of native american. After exhaling from his peace pipe, he obliged, and dutifully cheered me on during subsequent laps.

Perhaps I shouldn't have imbibed with my new Indian friend, because no sooner had I made my way through the village I began to hallucinate... Though it had to be a delusion, I swore I came straight into the path of George W. Bush! He was naked and had money dangling from his g-string.

That was too much to handle. I was glad that it was a wet course, this concealed the mess I made in my shorts as a result of this visual. After slipping a George W into the wedge of his fault line, I resolved to take the edge off of my herbal buzz, and was gracious to have been offered a jello shot as I made it to the top of the steep incline.

Great, now I am drunk, somewhat stoned and exhausted trying to keep up with the grueling pace of this Cat 3/4 race. Could it get any 'spookier'?

Sure did, my delusions kicked in again, as I was positive that I saw a devil on the course. Now, it was trippy enough to merely SEE lucifer, but the demon had a voice as well. Lap after lap he pleaded with me to 'lay down my bike' at the top of the hill. He fervently suggested that 'greg' would want me to. I suppose he was talking about Greg Harper, fellow Muscatine racer, but how did Satan know of Greg? Perhaps cliche, but this seems to suggest that a 'pact with the devil' had transpired at an earlier time in his racing career.

Ok, on with the race. If psyclofest in Bettendorf is one of the 'fastest' cross courses in Iowa, then this had to be one of the slowest. There was always some sort of obstacle that reduced the speed. A lot of this had to do with the recent rains, but the venue lent itself well to making this a momentum stealing course.

I must have sweated out my toxins, because the rest of the course on Saturday was free from hallucinations. I put the hammer down the entire race, and ended up in 7th, out of a large field of 37 riders. I'll take it, considering there seemed to be some really good talent that lined up.

After I hosed down my bike, I watched the rest of the races. Kegs were strategically positioned to increase 'audience participation'. There was a lot of participating going on.

Spent the night in a hotel. The hot tub was set way hotter than what was probably safe, oh well. I noticed a bus load of female soccer players checking in earlier, so I planned on staying in the hot tub as long as I could stand, hoping to meet some of them....

5 minutes later I went back to my room... Oh well. The tub was too hot so that is all the longer I could soak. In the morning I realized that the bus of female soccer players was actually a load of elderly tourists. Old people really do get into their breakfast. I grabbed some hard boiled eggs and got the heck out dodge, as their crabbing about the buffet was starting to become a buzz kill.

Buzz kill? Yes, you guessed it... that Indian guy ended up checking into the hotel room next to mine. I guess they don't actually sleep on the living history farm, rather return to modern civilization each night. After a 'wake and bake' I headed back to the course for Sunday's race.

WIND - Ok, the mud had dried a bit, but the wind was treacherous and cold. Less than ideal, but just added to the challenge.

Sunday's course was different than Saturday, and seemed to favor some of my strengths while exposing other of my weaknesses. I was aiming at try and re-coup some of my travel expenses by placing in the money (top 5), so I lined up in the front row and put the hammer down.

Great, more delusions. First, I thought that I saw a girl in our race. I looked around to make sure I hadn't entered the wrong event, nope I was good. Maybe my Indian friend had hooked her up as well, or perhaps I was just seeing things again. Whatever the case, she was pretty fast.

It took me a couple of laps to get up the nerve to ask for her digits. That went over like a fart in church, as she dropped back to avoid the awkwardness of racing side by side next to a guy she just shot down. (She ended up finishing 9th in the men's race and then won the women's open, despite my unwanted advances, great job).

I was able to stay within sight of everyone but the leader most of the race, so today was intense. Usually, you end up in some sort of solo ZEN zone, but today there was always opportunity to advance my placing just seconds up the road. I kept my eye on the fifth spot and vowed to do everything I could not to lose contact.

Ok, was this guy real? Not sure, so I picked up my cadence, as he began to run after me, suggesting that I should have bought a Rav 4 instead of a Honda.

Towards the end of the race I was just behind Pete Basso and carl buchanan of Rasmussen's Death Squad. I actually traded places with Carl a couple of times and was breathing right down Pete's neck. I was fast on the road, and turtle time slow on the hills. Turtle time? Well, I better move on, I will figure out what that even means in a later blog.

There was a head wind section that reduced the racers to a virtual crawl, however a good portion of the race was in the woods, so wind was a non-factor in many portions.

Instead of going up George W.'s squirrel hill, sunday went across a bridge and headed up past a 1900's historical village. It looked a little something like this:

M. Night Shyamalan was there working on his sequel to 'The Village'.


This was quite a coincidence, considering some guy named 'Shrek' was already on the course and several spots ahead of me.

I gave the bell a couple of gongs and then tore off down a super speedy tailwind section of hard surface. I always made up ground on the road, and then relinquised it on the uphills. I don't ride my cyclocross bike except at races, and haven't done any mountain biking since loud thunder is closed, so I guess this isn't really a surprising physical weakness.

I finished 7th again today, against another strong field. Carl Buchanan was able to slip just ahead of me towards the end, and Pete and Geoff Perril were just up ahead of him , so potentially could have placed as high as 4th if I would have had just a little bit better fitness.

I would highly recommend this race, as it was well put on, a great course, and good audience support. The best in the region showed up to race making for a great contest. Results at http://www.spookycross.org/.

(NOTE: Certain portions of the above report may or may not be true.)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Cross Pics

I found some action shots on Moritz's site from the Newton Cross. Might as well post them...
My calf injury improves each day despite opting to continue training. I have decided not to run outside anymore until march of 2009 since I believe the miles of hard pavement thumping caused the situation. Ordered some RUNerVALS so I can do some treadmill workouts, which are much less prone to injury causing.

Since I will be off of the disabled list, I am currently planning on going up to spooky cross in Des Moines Iowa this weekend, because I have absolutely nothing better to do. Guess I will rent a room by myself, though that sounds sort of lame.
Maybe I can just be a tough guy and sleep in my new ride... 2008 Honda Element, the auto industry's gift to Roadies. Yeah, there are a lot of Elements in the parking lot of bike races... there is a reason for that. So, my stylin mini-van is gone. Good riddance to that babe magnet.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Devil's Cross

Raced in Bettendorf Sunday at the first DICE cyclocross event of the season. Great day, great course, but I was definately injured going in. I paid my $25 registration fee, hopped on my bike, and upon rehearsing the first dismount section, I nearly turned around and tried to get my money back because I was only able to 'hobble' over the hurdles.

As I mentioned in the previous entry, I was wondering if maybe racing on an injury is the smartest thing, but ultimately, no worries, I am no more or less injured then before the event, and I have a result that I can be proud of, and use as momentum as the season progresses.

Actually, as the adrenaline took over, I was able to reduce the hopping a bit, however I still looked extremely rough through the dismounts. Ironically, this injury wouldn't even be a factor during any other time of the year, because only my running is affected, oh well.

So, not sure if I was going to make it past the first lap, I lined up in the second row, and planned on going through the first dismount section towards the rear of the pack, just to avoid the embarasment of potentially stopping dead in my tracks. If you have ever raced cyclocross, you should know that this strategy all but gaurantees that you won't win... Well, at least the pressure was off, I was only hoping to finish and get some points in the DICE cyclocross series Cat 3/4 division.

Ok, after the first lap, I knew I was going to finish, even though I was losing ground each time I got off of the bike, so I began to enjoy the prospect of actually trying to get into the top three (podium, sort of).

Adam Price, Carl Buchanan, Will Greenwood, Chris Reed, a single speed guy and myself emerged as the leading group, as I was beginning to feel a top five finish. At some point I heard Chris Reed hit the ground hard ... hmm, ok... top four finish. (he ended up being alright and even clawed his way back up to a respectable finish).

Adam and Carl slowly created a gap leaving me and Will to chase. He was stonger on the running portions but I was stronger on the bike as we exchanged leads a couple of times before I gradually left him behind.

No shot in hell of catching the two leaders, so mainly looking over my back from time to time to make sure I wasn't losing any ground to the two guys behind me. I was content to finish third. However, in cyclocross crashing, losing a chain, etc are always just a pedal stroke away, so I began to exert extra focus on effective execution through the technical portions of the course.

Cool, third place, won my entry fee fack and I don't think I have to amputate my leg, as it is sore but somewhat functional.

I can't say that I would have placed any higher without the injury, but I do believe I would have led some of the initial laps, and had a much less stressful experience.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Bone pain.

Osteoporosis... one in four men will break a bone due to this disease... Maybe I have it, or maybe I simply have Hypochondriacism. Stress fracture, bone cancer, torn muscle, tape worm, muscle atrophy, spur, shin splint, dimentia...? Not sure, but regardless of the exact diagnosis, my lower leg hurts when I run or walk. This injury was from running too much last week. (it is ok to smirk if you are a pure cyclist, though sort of rude to find happiness from my pain).

So no running for awhile... maybe that is a good thing since these Iowa cross races don't seem to have much running in them. (actually, a true USCF race is supposed to be something like 10% running, we aren't even coming close). Also, running is good for the cardio, but cyclocross is still basically a cycling event, so training needs to be basically cycling.

I will compete this sunday at the Devil's cross in Bettendorf, even with the aformentioned physical affliction. Either it will be a non issue, or my calf will crack open, and splinter into pieces, leaving a trail of blood and muscle fragments... food for the squirrels and/or homeless peeps who have seen the movie 'alive'.

Looking at my race calendar, I don't have to race 60 plus minutes anymore like I did in newton, I am entering cat 3/4 races or masters races from here on out, which aren't as long (usually 45 minutes). That will be a huge advantage, I like to get in and get out. Sure that is what my last girlfriend cited as reasoning to break up with me, but in the case of short format racing, it is actually a good thing.

This fall, I am going to be experimenting with some very different training tactics. One of which is pliometrics. Go ahead, look it up, I know you don't know what it means... I'll wait...

Ok, got it? Good! Do you want to fight about it? I wouldn't mess with me. With my new pliometric training, I should be able to give you a quick chop to the throat before you are even able to get your mullet tucked under your Nascar hat.

Also trying some indoor cycling at the Y. The first workout was great, and as an added bonus, there were some attractive females in the class. This always seems to inspire a few extra 'watts' of 'Man Power' as inpiration to be fit is peddaling along with me in the same room. Doing Spinervals in my basement with Coach Troy is great and all, but I really do need to mix in some social elements to this healthy lifestyle thing.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Cross Country Running

I entered the Muscatine High School's fundraiser 5k Cross Country running race this morning. It was held in the Discovery Park, which, by the way, would make an excellent Cyclo-cross course. Basically running through single track, over bridges, up and down hills, etc.

My reasoning is that the race very closely simulated a cyclo-cross race, but without a bike... so pure cardio and leg burning. Sure, I didn't have to carry a bike on the 'run-ups', but I just went that much faster, so got the same intense feeling of agony, as follows a cyclo-cross run-up.

I ran the course in 21minutes, (6min 45sec/mile), which I was told wouldn't quite qualify me to be on the MHS varsity cross country team (assuming I was still in high school). I guess their top guys can do it in around 18 minutes.

Well, I think I have a solid training strategy, as I am hoping to have some success in the DICE cyclocross Cat 3 series, in which the top 3 finishers over the course of 4 events get a trophy and some cash. I will admit, I am not too sure how, or if, I can get a state cyclocross medal in this discipline, but that is still a consideration, as I may opt to head to altoona in nov. for the championships, either as a Cat 3, or a master.

Sunday, I have a high tempo-paced group ride scheduled as well. I am hoping the local racers can summon up some more latent fitness.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Newton Cross Results





What a fine day for some cross racing in Newton's Maytag Park. This race was a 'necessary evil' for my fall season. I wasn't ready, but needed to compete in this race as a means of getting ready for later efforts. So, check my ego at the line, and dig in for a good workout.

I entered the Cat 1,2,3 race along with 16 others, some of the top cyclocross riders in the state ( Brian Eppen, Tony Nichols, Cam Kirkpatrick, John Olney, JJ Bailey, etc.) These top guys were definately ready to roll, and I really didn't see them much until they lapped me (along with everyone else) late in the race.

I can't really say my result of 14th out 0f 17 is a success, but then again, this is the 'A' race, so really doesn't dampen my spirits any (worst of the best).

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/bikeiowa/message/8193

It should be noted that I was planning a nice 'attack' on the two guys ahead of me, midway into the race, until I wiped out hard, taking a corner too fast. Bloody elbow, and shin, not too mention finishing the last 5 laps with a bent brake lever and mis-aligned steering column, (ah, the fun of cyclocross).

So, in my world I could have possibly pulled off a 12th place, which I believe would have been the 3rd or 4th Cat 3 finisher. I am only going to get stronger, faster and lighter from here on out, aiming for a nice peak sometime in November.

This weekend I will be doing a 5k cross-country run, combining that with some cycling later in the day and on sunday should make for a good fitness builder. Then looking forward to racing with the guys from the Quad City area. Not sure if they are in as good of shape as these Des Moines area guys, so will be an intersting day.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Dirty Days

Dusted off the cross bike wednesday and took a spin around town (ok, I actually didn't even bother to dust it off, or even oil the chain). I figured I better have at least ridden it once before I race on it.

I am sure that I freak people out when I am on this bike, because I end up riding through ditches, running up hills, jumping curbs, etc. I try and stay off of the cement as much as is possible in an urban setting.

Below is a picture of some 'dirt stainage' resulting from wiping out taking a corner to aggressively in Muscatine's Discovery Park.

My helmeted head hit the ground, I slid several feet...but dirt is soft, forgiving, absorbant, acutally sort of a delightful experience. I recommend it. Time stood still as I slid across the grass... I pondered what I was having for dinner, whether or not I was getting any training benefits from this ride, how Lance Armstrong finished mid-pack at a recent cyclo-cross race, wondered why I wasn't trying to protect my head, and then, just as I was beginning to formulate answers to these questions, the crash was over... bummer. Hop back on, do a quick physical inventory for any serious injury... nope, dang, more dirty days ahead.