Things have been very busy since the arrival of our newest. Especially, given he's been pretty fussy. As always, my wife has been amazing with him. I do what I can but, certainly don't have the stamina or maternal instinct to make me Super Dad. Certainly an area I need to improve in. It's been a realy joy. It's already hard for me to remember life without 3 kids.
What’s up with this weather? There seems to be no end to the rain and cold. Despite the cold, Spring seems to have powered through and started making an appearance. Things are beginning to green up and before I know it, there may even be leaves on the trees. But, what did all these April showers bring my lawn? Big giant dandelions. Hundreds of them. Huge ones. Even after I treated the lawn. I didn’t notice until my Grandfather commented on them the last time he was over. So, now we have bare spots from lack of watering, areas of dead grass due to grubs and weeds galore. I need to take some pictures of these beasts. Not only do I have some work pulling weeds ahead of me, I think it’s time I hire a professional to battle these lawn issues before things get even more out of control.
I mailed in our team’s GLR entry yesterday. Team name is officially “End of Days.” I am pretty excited. In preparation for the race in July, I’ve been trying to run 3-4 times a week the past two weeks. At least 45 min at a time. I still have a loooong way to go. However, my 45-50+ min loop is becoming a 43-45 min loop pretty consistently. I am sure it’s in part, due to the weather and lack of snow on the ground. But, I am hoping it’s partially due to my conditioning improving.
I haven’t ridden a bike since Yankee. Not good. There has just been too much rain and no chance to hit the windows when it’s let up. I hear the trails aren’t terrible but, they still have to be pretty muddy. I am hoping to get in a ride early tomorrow am before the kid’s karate class. It’s going to have to early. It looks like it’ll be chilly and I am doubting Maybury, the only chance in close enough vicinity to me, is going to be in good enough shape. So, I’ll likely be Hines and hills in Northville.
April 29, 2011
April 23, 2011
Excuses Are Simply A Lack Of Preparation
Well, if excuses are simply a lack of preparation, I've got a lot of preparation in front of me.
So, let's get these out of the way. Last weekend was the Yankee Springs TT. And let's say, my results were less than I would have hoped for.
Excuses:
#1 - Wore old contacts: Lost one late in lap one, the other early in lap 2. Rode most of Lap 2 with severely impaired vision.
#2 - Did not go over bike prior to riding it: Chain was not tensioned enough. A mis-hap with a stick easily dismounted it early in Lap 2. I nearly called it quits after multiple attempts to get it back on and thinking I'd need to loosen and re-tighten the bottom bracket with my multi-tool to get it on.
#3 - Wrong gear ratio: I need to admit I am not the crank mashing beast I tell myself I am. 36/17 with 180m cranks is just too much for me to pedal. I am going back to 2:1. Even 2:1 with the 180m cranks may prove a little stout. Pretty sure this was a major contributor in my less than pleasant Iceman performance last year.
#5 - First Single Track of the Year: Athough, I seemed to hold my own, I was pretty rusty in the turns. Something, I am admittingly not that great at. Even when I'm in my grove.
#6 - (The obvious) Lack of conditioning: Not going to lie. I was gased the last 1/2 of the second lap. I was wishing gears towards the end. I've been trying to run a bit. With a little weight loss, I hope to be tearing it up soon.
In the end my performance was only good enough for 16th out of 21 that finished in Expert 30-39. A far cry from last year. I would have faired about the same in the Expert/Elite SS category. Which I would have signed up for if I had known they were riding 2 laps. Given I did ride a single speed.
Good Points:
#1 - The weather held out. I have to admit. I am pretty much the definition of a fair weather rider. I dressed right and the re-gained feeling in my fingers shortly into the first lap.
#2 - Great to see the team after the long Winter and non-existent Spring.
#3 - Great to finally get on the bike. I think once my conditioning gets a little better, it may actually be fun again.
#4 - When I was riding, I was constantly catching people throughout the race. Not that people didn't blow by me like I was riding with training wheels but, certainly a good feeling and evidence things should get better as I get some time in the saddle.
#5 - Taco Bell. Sure seems to tast the best after a hard race.
Elite/Expert Results
Looking forward to Mud, Sweat and Beers. I read there will be a mud pit at the finish this year.
So, let's get these out of the way. Last weekend was the Yankee Springs TT. And let's say, my results were less than I would have hoped for.
Excuses:
#1 - Wore old contacts: Lost one late in lap one, the other early in lap 2. Rode most of Lap 2 with severely impaired vision.
#2 - Did not go over bike prior to riding it: Chain was not tensioned enough. A mis-hap with a stick easily dismounted it early in Lap 2. I nearly called it quits after multiple attempts to get it back on and thinking I'd need to loosen and re-tighten the bottom bracket with my multi-tool to get it on.
#3 - Wrong gear ratio: I need to admit I am not the crank mashing beast I tell myself I am. 36/17 with 180m cranks is just too much for me to pedal. I am going back to 2:1. Even 2:1 with the 180m cranks may prove a little stout. Pretty sure this was a major contributor in my less than pleasant Iceman performance last year.
#5 - First Single Track of the Year: Athough, I seemed to hold my own, I was pretty rusty in the turns. Something, I am admittingly not that great at. Even when I'm in my grove.
#6 - (The obvious) Lack of conditioning: Not going to lie. I was gased the last 1/2 of the second lap. I was wishing gears towards the end. I've been trying to run a bit. With a little weight loss, I hope to be tearing it up soon.
In the end my performance was only good enough for 16th out of 21 that finished in Expert 30-39. A far cry from last year. I would have faired about the same in the Expert/Elite SS category. Which I would have signed up for if I had known they were riding 2 laps. Given I did ride a single speed.
Good Points:
#1 - The weather held out. I have to admit. I am pretty much the definition of a fair weather rider. I dressed right and the re-gained feeling in my fingers shortly into the first lap.
#2 - Great to see the team after the long Winter and non-existent Spring.
#3 - Great to finally get on the bike. I think once my conditioning gets a little better, it may actually be fun again.
#4 - When I was riding, I was constantly catching people throughout the race. Not that people didn't blow by me like I was riding with training wheels but, certainly a good feeling and evidence things should get better as I get some time in the saddle.
#5 - Taco Bell. Sure seems to tast the best after a hard race.
Elite/Expert Results
Looking forward to Mud, Sweat and Beers. I read there will be a mud pit at the finish this year.
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