Time to for the next challenge...

I am adding a little more challenge to my 2009 racing calendar by becoming a grad student. Initially, I thought I would have to cut back on my racing, or at least start sandbagging more by reminding everyone that I can't train as much with all of my homework... but after getting a handle on my first syllabus, no worries. Western Illinois is my chosen school.. they were excited to have me...Now back to my regularly scheduled blogging...

-BIKES 2 U ROLLER RACE - JAN. 25TH, 2009-

Well, not too much to say about this one... I went up, rode hard and then went home. I enjoyed seeing the B2U headquarters, and socializing with various Iowa racers.

For my race I didn't do as well as in my first three races, but did manage to score the second fastest time of the day at 5:21.1. There were a total of 9 competitors in the senior 1,2,3 category, including Tracy Thompson who split the day by winning the Cat 1,2,3 event but then conceding victory to Shawn Loomis by less than a second in the Master's race.

Results: http://www.muscatinecycling.com/ResultsArchive.html

All of the Bikes 2 U team is now a Cat 1 or 2. Just a note for any fellow midwest racers, because this should be another great year from them. Team mentor Sean Walker explained that the team was already building some serious base miles and expects the newly upgraded Cat 2's to have a great early season start.

For me personally, completing this race marks the transition that now begins as my roller season is basically over. To acknowledge this, I am vowing to refrain from my monday night 9-10 mile treadmill routine, and opt instead to do some sort of cycling specific workout. Even though I may be 4 or 5 weeks from even thinking about riding outside, the spring racing season is just around the corner.

I will most likely race the last roller race of the year, but that isn't until march 1st in Cedar Falls. I won't be as specifically 'training' for it, but hope to keep my form and maybe even nudge my PR up a bit. Barring any late roller phenoms emerging, I should have the silver medal in the Iowa Cat 3 roller championship locked up based on my first three times. However, currently I am 'the leader on the road' with an average of about 5:18, with the next Cat 3, Shawn Loomis, currently averaging about 5:22.5.

Maybe I can start off my first racing endeavor of 2009 with a Gold Medal? Check back later to find out if I pulled off the 'miracle', in the meantime I will struggle to find something interesting to write about during the next few weeks of 'off-season' workouts.

Rollin the Rapids - Review

The roller race held on Sunday, Jan. 18th, in Cedar Rapids Iowa at the Gold Pointe Fitness Center, had a great turnout (a total of 35). More importantly, there were 9 competitors in my Cat 1,2,3 field. It seemed that the 2009 Roller Race Series competition was finally going to take form, as most of the contenders were present.

Namely of note, Bikes2U was in almost full force, most likely to get a little roller time before their race Jan. 25th in Grinnel Iowa. All of the various clubs formed little warm-up camps, through out the exercise room of the event.

As the day played out, the room became more and more stinky. I began regretting my late arrival, because I was realizing the relative heat and humidity was increasing minute by minute, which would cause my heart rate to rise more rapidly.

I had a general idea that I could get a time under 5:20, so I kept an eye on the competitors to see who was challenging. All of the Cat 1,2, 3's were posting good times, but it wasn't until shawn loomis put down a 5:21.9 that I began to feel some pressure. Tracy Thomson then really turned up the heat by posting a 5:16.8. This time was a possibility for me, but just out of my comfort range, so I proceeded to prepare for a very painful endeavor.

As the beings in the room continued to suck all of the oxygen out of the room, I began taking 'pulls' from the outside air supply, made available due to a slightly opened window. Next up, I began clearing my head of negativity and reminded myself of all the reasons I should be able to get a great time today.

All right, I hopped up and began the race. Actually, everything was going according to plan throughout the effort, in that my legs, heart rate, etc. were all performing as usual. I found a fortunate advantage halfway through the race...

Because the race was at a fitness center, there was a glass window we could look out and observe the machine weight/cardio room and it's inhabitants. As you may be able to understand, when trying to get through a painful event, it can be helpful to shift the focus off of the pain, and onto something more pleasant... Bingo, there just happened to be a good looking girl out in the weight room doing some presses/pulls, etc, what a perfect focal point.

Unfortunately, my body wasn't up for any happy thoughts, so that little mental shifting to the left side of my brain was short lived, as the right side quickly regained control, and insisted on making my effort grueling. I painfully hammered out a 5:17.5. This was actually a new PR by .4 of a second, however just shy of Tracy's time. Later in the day, Loomis spoiled the party even more by getting the fastest time of the day at 5:14.5. For three people to finish within three seconds, however, did make for a close battle.

Third place is still 'in the money', and good considering the talent and strength of all in attendance. Expect much of the same next week in Grinnel as I plan to compete there as well, before a four week break from competing in february to transition to spring training in March.

Muscatine Roller Race

Well, as the snow began to fall Saturday morning, I realized the turnout at the Rollerhead Killer 2 Mile Race would be affected. None-the-less, it is always nice to be able to attend a cycling event that occurs right within your hometown.

Sure enough, the attendance was extremely poor. Thankfully, Chris Reed of the Hawkeye Bike Racing Team (Cedar Rapids) showed up, or I would have gotten first and last place in the Cat 1,2,3 division. Below Vern and Chris warmed the rollers up by racing first...

Of course, the Iowa Roller Racing Championships are composed of a series of results. So, basically we are all competing over the course of 7 events, with the top 3 being averaged to yield our actual State Time submission. With that in mind, it was still important to put out a solid effort. And, though the payout is modest, it still is fun to get paid to race...

Greg Harper celebrated his 50 year B-day, by providing cake for all in attendance. Below he is pictured partaking in a peice of cake while coaching team mate Bill Ford...

These races are great training for the upcoming outdoor Road Racing season in Iowa/Illinois. Bascially, they serve as weekly fitness assessments, that help guide my pre-season preparations. Additionally, they give me something (sort of) to post on this blog. Unfortunately, it is still winter in Iowa, so forgive me for the lack of exciting/interesting entries over the next couple of months.

I guess the comment sections of this blog are sort of interesting. I believe this is one of the few midwest cycling blogs that allows anonymous comments. I can see why bloggers would opt not to allow anonymous comments, as they can tend to be a bit obscene, sort of insulting, a tad ridiculous, etc. However, I get a kick out of reading some of the entries and have even found myself chuckling from time to time, even though some of the comments really make little sense and have nothing to do with what I posted.

I write this blog to stay motivated within the sport and lifestyle of competitive amateur cycling. I appreciate the readership over this blog's first 12 months (about 10,000 hits) and can say 2009 is going to be an even bigger and better season for me, so stay tuned.

2009 Racing Begins... Valley West Wipeout

Yes, it was one year ago, that I started this blog, and one of the first entries was 'First Race/First Win'. I am happy to announce that I can report that 2009 has started even better than 2008, as I won 1st place overall at the Valley West Wipeout Roller Race held in Des Moines, IA, Jan. 4th.

This race took place in a mall... which made the experience sort of 'wierd'...

I quickly hit up the GNC, that was upstairs for some 'secret' nutrional supplements to help powercharge my efforts. Although, there were countless temptations including chocolate shops & pubs that I needed to avoid. Something I couldn't avoid was the color 'orange' as the DMOS team was there in full force hosting and participating in the race...

One consideration for the warm-up, it is important to keep balanced on the rollers, which was sometimes difficult considering the wide array of visual stimulation that was parading around the mall atrium. As evident, Jon Sulzberger put on his sunglasses to conceal his 'wandering eyes'...

I entered the Senior 1,2,3 division of the race. This was my first time Roller Racing as a Cat 3, and I felt a sense of accomplishment, seeing my name listed in this elite category. Initially, however, I was the only one who entered that race, as most of the entrants were from the DMOS team, and cat 5's, women or Masters.

Then, I spotted the competition... two members of Bikes 2 U made the trek to Des Moines, to spin it up... Tracy Thompson and Bryan Moritz. Tracy is notoriously invincible on the rollers, and has been breaking hearts in the discipline for many years. I was definately the underdog.

I stepped up to race with teammate Greg Harper...

I pedalled up to 100rpm and was surpised how easy it felt, so I held it. My 'spotter' indicated that I was at a 4 minute 50 second pace. That would have been huge, however, I always start fast, so not really an indication of much. At .5 miles in, however I was still pacing a sub 5 minute race...

Slowly, the lactic acid built up, and the RPM's dropped and I was able to post a 5:17:7 time. This was actually my PR, as I had gotten a 5:18 last year in Cedar Falls.

It would be quite awhile before the T-man stepped up to the rollers. From past races, I now that he usually just marks the 'time to beat' and then paces himself to beat that time, no more, no less.

I peaked over his shoulder from time to time as he raced, as he hovered initially at around 5:15,then dropped to around 5:20 toward the second half.

Well, you know how this ends, he ended up with a time around 5:20, meaning I got the first place in the cat 1,2,3 race as well as fastest time of the day. Tracy was disappointed and already planning to ride at home later that night, most likely in hopes of winning 1st overall in future races.

The other teammates faired well... Greg Harper got third in the Master's 40+ race and Jon Sulzberger got 4th in the Cat 5 race.

This week, we have the home court advantage, as the race is in Muscatine. This should be a good race, as the quest for gold in the IA Roller Race Championship Series heats up in all divisions.

Here is a listing of the top 10 (all categories) from last years series and their average from three races in 2008:

1) 05:09.133331 Shawn Loomis

2) 05:11.06668 Tracy Thompson

3) 05:23.70001 Chad Bishop

4) 05:30.56668 Lee Venteicher

5) 05:32.93335 Andrew Lear

6) 05:38.03333 Bill Ford

7) 05:40.43335 Joshua Madsen

8) 05:42.76666 Steve Lauber

9) 05:46.70001 Greg Harper

10) 05:47.33334 John Baldwin

As you can see, Tracy and Shawn were top contenders last year. I anticipate much of the same for 2009.