This week has started off on a very bright note for me and it also means a tough decision has to be made now. I received confirmation from the event staff for the Bike Ride Across Florida that my entry fees are indeed carried over from last year for the 2008 event since I had knee issues this year and couldn't ride, so my training plans have just changed. Sort of...
I have 3 choices:
1- continue my training/ride schedule for next race season and hope my fitness level will be sufficient for completing the BRAF.
2- train only for the BRAF which means putting in progressively longer rides until I can average 18+ for nearly 200 miles. This one requires a lot of night riding.
3- combine the training for both and sacrifice my early race season goals in order to do well at the BRAF. This one requires some night riding but only in the early morning or late evening according to which way my schedule slides.
Considering the 2008 route will be similar in distance and time required to complete it, I'll have to average over 17 mph for 11 hours. That is the minimum speed and maximum time to complete the ride. Given that the course is run east to west and they like to put what hills Florida has near the end, it poses an interesting challenge for mind and body. Diana is going to drive the truck and be my personal SAG wagon for the event, so my stops will be minimal for nature breaks and a change of clothes. We'll have to work on her handing me bottles and food while I'm on the bike so I won't have to stop, but we've already got the communications requirements ready as well as all the support equipment needed. I even have a back-up bike, or two, this year.
I think option 3 will be the best choice for me at this point. What I'll have to do is ride as many Macon rides I can do on Saturdays, continue the WBL rides on Sundays, but at some point one day will have to be sacrificed to build specifically for the BRAF. When to do that and which ride will have to be cut is the tough decision I'll have to make soon.
I have the rest of the week to re-arrange my schedule so I'll hopefully be peaking on the endurance side of the equation for April 20th. Maybe its time to give Eddie-O and a few other endurance riders a call and gather a wealth of advice so the decisions I have to make along the way will be narrowed from the get-go.
On the current training of late, Saturday was a bust. Just not meant to be. Nuff-said 'bout that. Sunday..........well, it was a beautiful December day with very few clouds, a good bit of sunshine, and a slight breeze out of the WNW. And, only one brave soul joined me for the WBL ride. BK and I deviated from the planned route but managed to find ourselves pushing for nearly 20 miles into that slight breeze. When you look down and find you only have one gear left until "Granny", you're heart rate is nearing your personal red-line, you're on a flat, flat road, and your doing a whopping 12.5 mph -->you know you're having some fun!! So the wind is pushing 21+ all day with gusts nearing 30 at times, who wants to be on the couch watching TV and miss an opportunity like this? Put your hands down. BK wasn't happy that we didn't get in over 50 miles, however. On the way back to Perry I distinctly remember doing 27 mph easily and not feeling any wind on my face, and I was happy about it. I do enough riding during the week in the cold and wind to make up for missing a few miles on Sunday, so I don't feel bad about cutting that ride short.
But now those decisions are harder to make knowing I need every mile I can put into the bank at this point if I want to complete the BRAF in April.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Is that a soap-box he's standing on?
I've finally found my rhythm again for training and my motivation for improvement is back. Sleep is still allusive most nights, but that is the one variable to which I'm able to adapt easier than what life deals each day.
What training I've been able to accomplish this week has been perfect. I rode the trainer Tuesday night and did the Chris Carmichael climbing DVD, twice. It is a tough one due to all the cadence changes, but part of the training is focusing on your HR. Exactly what I need right now. Yesterday's ride with the Macon group was a wake up call for sure. I committed the error of not eating on the ride because I felt strong the entire time. When the alarm bells went off in my legs, it turned out to be a 10 minute countdown until detonation. I didn't simply fade and slip off the back of the group when I bonked............I nearly came to a complete stop. Those guys were great and waited on me, but I just couldn't keep the pace anymore and it was too late to try and eat gels to even try. Although I'd fallen behind a few times last year and was able to ride myself back on, this was pretty devastating for me. And, a big wake-up call.
One thing did occur when I reached the Macon group that was waiting on me and at first it offended me, but I took it in stride because there was truth in what was asked. One of the guys asked me, "do you guys in Warner Robins wait on folks when they get dropped?" Everyone looked at me for a response. And, the point was made. Touche. It meant a lot to me that these guys waited for me and drove the point home that I should be waiting on folks who get dropped on our CGC WBL rides. The point being made would come around again today when I logged in to update the CGC web page.
Today's CGC WBL ride was a good one even though only 3 other people showed up to join me. I was very worried that the 81 miles I put in Saturday would haunt my efforts today, and the first hour was excruciating. The legs came around after Ammo Hill, however. I began feeling stronger the longer we rode and only started feeling tired when we started climbing the rollers of Camp John Hope toward Hwy-127, which was nearly 56 miles into the ride. About 8 miles out from the finish we were all pretty much done, and I couldn't push more than 20 mph for long. It was a good ride with some great guys. Another 72 miles in the bank for next year.
When I logged into the CGC web page to change the ride details for the next WBL ride, I saw that someone has commented on the "CGC WBL Rides Purpose and Expectations" posting. I appreciate opinions and criticism and it was an honest opinion from someone who had something they needed to say. And, I don't care what he said since his whine came from sour grapes. Not very appetizing for my palate.
Some folks wanted to know just what in the world was our focus, our goals, and the guidelines for the rides, so I stepped up to the plate, gave it my best shot, and thought it was straight forward statements/recommendations of what needs to occur, even though some of the statements were a bit "brash" perhaps. Can't please'em all. Funnier is the fact that 100% of the stated guidelines came from fellow riders' recommendations. The only point I was making in the guidelines is that I will be the bad guy and enforce them. Someone has to and no-one else wanted the job or had a clue of who was going to lead our efforts. Yeah, that's a target on my chest so fire away.
It is times like these that make me want to throw in the towel on this whole CGC WBL thing and let the nay-sayers have their cake. I can do my own training rides on Sundays and get the same results anyway. But, I've already put to rest my own doubts on this endeavour of a winter bike league and I'm committed to see it through regardless. I've talked to Chad at length about whether or not it is worth it, and he's been more than a sounding board for my questions and has given great advice and encouragement for these rides to continue. Given the level he rides at I'm sure he knows what he's talking about since the cyclists that ride according to his guidance are continuing to improve beyond what each thought was possible.
I've always been good at putting puzzles together, not the jigsaw types, but the puzzles I encounter in life such as the post made on the CGC site. And there are only a few possibilities of whom it could be. There are surely more comments to be made, and not always on the CGC site, so the game will continue to be played. Either way, I understand why the statements were made.
What training I've been able to accomplish this week has been perfect. I rode the trainer Tuesday night and did the Chris Carmichael climbing DVD, twice. It is a tough one due to all the cadence changes, but part of the training is focusing on your HR. Exactly what I need right now. Yesterday's ride with the Macon group was a wake up call for sure. I committed the error of not eating on the ride because I felt strong the entire time. When the alarm bells went off in my legs, it turned out to be a 10 minute countdown until detonation. I didn't simply fade and slip off the back of the group when I bonked............I nearly came to a complete stop. Those guys were great and waited on me, but I just couldn't keep the pace anymore and it was too late to try and eat gels to even try. Although I'd fallen behind a few times last year and was able to ride myself back on, this was pretty devastating for me. And, a big wake-up call.
One thing did occur when I reached the Macon group that was waiting on me and at first it offended me, but I took it in stride because there was truth in what was asked. One of the guys asked me, "do you guys in Warner Robins wait on folks when they get dropped?" Everyone looked at me for a response. And, the point was made. Touche. It meant a lot to me that these guys waited for me and drove the point home that I should be waiting on folks who get dropped on our CGC WBL rides. The point being made would come around again today when I logged in to update the CGC web page.
Today's CGC WBL ride was a good one even though only 3 other people showed up to join me. I was very worried that the 81 miles I put in Saturday would haunt my efforts today, and the first hour was excruciating. The legs came around after Ammo Hill, however. I began feeling stronger the longer we rode and only started feeling tired when we started climbing the rollers of Camp John Hope toward Hwy-127, which was nearly 56 miles into the ride. About 8 miles out from the finish we were all pretty much done, and I couldn't push more than 20 mph for long. It was a good ride with some great guys. Another 72 miles in the bank for next year.
When I logged into the CGC web page to change the ride details for the next WBL ride, I saw that someone has commented on the "CGC WBL Rides Purpose and Expectations" posting. I appreciate opinions and criticism and it was an honest opinion from someone who had something they needed to say. And, I don't care what he said since his whine came from sour grapes. Not very appetizing for my palate.
Some folks wanted to know just what in the world was our focus, our goals, and the guidelines for the rides, so I stepped up to the plate, gave it my best shot, and thought it was straight forward statements/recommendations of what needs to occur, even though some of the statements were a bit "brash" perhaps. Can't please'em all. Funnier is the fact that 100% of the stated guidelines came from fellow riders' recommendations. The only point I was making in the guidelines is that I will be the bad guy and enforce them. Someone has to and no-one else wanted the job or had a clue of who was going to lead our efforts. Yeah, that's a target on my chest so fire away.
It is times like these that make me want to throw in the towel on this whole CGC WBL thing and let the nay-sayers have their cake. I can do my own training rides on Sundays and get the same results anyway. But, I've already put to rest my own doubts on this endeavour of a winter bike league and I'm committed to see it through regardless. I've talked to Chad at length about whether or not it is worth it, and he's been more than a sounding board for my questions and has given great advice and encouragement for these rides to continue. Given the level he rides at I'm sure he knows what he's talking about since the cyclists that ride according to his guidance are continuing to improve beyond what each thought was possible.
I've always been good at putting puzzles together, not the jigsaw types, but the puzzles I encounter in life such as the post made on the CGC site. And there are only a few possibilities of whom it could be. There are surely more comments to be made, and not always on the CGC site, so the game will continue to be played. Either way, I understand why the statements were made.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Insomnia Cycling
The first rule of Winter Bike League is..........
Winter brings more than just a changing of season with leaves falling and grass fading. The crisp snap of a cold morning livens the senses to a new day. Refreshing. Life. Well, it is something not quiet that invigorating that arrives with winter for me. Winter brings the sleepless nights of insomnia that have been a part of my life since childhood.
My mother as well as our family doctor were convinced that it was hyper activity when I was a child entering my early teens. Something that is treated with Ritalin or some other exotic parenting drug nowadays, but back then it was a tad different: the Thorazine shuffle. But, the drugs had about the same effect. I would ride my bike until dark and sometimes past just to expend the energy I had so I could sleep. It never worked and still doesn't.
When I worked at Amoco Fabrics just after high school, it was a swing shift. Nothing like throwing the old circadian rhythm out of wack like that kind of schedule. Being eager to make money and advance quicker than my fellow sloths, I worked whatever shift was asked if a position needed to be covered. It took its toll after a few months. I'd lost over 35 pounds and looked like a raccoon............but worse at a ragged 14o pounds. I'd also been going without sleep for days on end. The final straw was when the day shift super asked me to come with him to get my yearly physical and I agreed. Hell, I didn't even know what day it was. I thought it was a random drug test, but knew deep down I was in trouble and needing rest and was the reason why. After a few days rest and help from a doctor that specialized in sleep disorders, basically he gave me drugs to make me sleep, I realized just how far out over the edge I'd gone. 11 days in a row without sleep. 11 days............... Someone looked at the hours I'd been working and realized there was a problem that needed a resolution. I remembered everything of each day. Even the things that weren't exactly .......well.........real. Funny things happens when you push yourself too far naturally or not.
Last night I was asleep by 11pm, but by 2:15 my mind was awake and racing through various ideas, worries, and concerns for the coming days, weeks, and months. Not stressful worry, however. Body is tired. Mind is tireless. This is the 8th day in a row of less than 5 hours of sleep. At 3:15 I listened to the first rain drops pitter-pattering down on the roof. I remembered back to my childhood when my family would gather at the farm house that pre-dated the Civil War, and we would be soothed into slumber at night by the pelting rain on the tin roof.....and sleep would come as comforting as your mother's gentle touch feeling your forehead at night to make sure you were not running a fever. By 4:20 the rain was like a thousand squirrels playing leap frog while wearing steel soled shoes. It sounded similar to a very complex piece of classical music having too many instruments to fathom, and yet each note was as clear to me as if each musician was playing solo.
I thought back through yesterday's events and recalled that it seemed like a fuzzy dream while I was out on the bike. Complete relaxation was what I remembered about the day. Even our bike ride was not stressful too me. I felt strong at the end physically but mental clarity was lacking. I do recall being a little punchy before the ride and being a little brash about the way we should all conduct ourselves during the winter bike league rides. I hope the guys didn't take it personal, but the emphasis is needed that I intend to take charge of these rides to ensure safety most importantly but also to keep the focus on how we (I) need to be training. It may piss a few folks off, but I know what worked for me in the past that resulted in tremendous advances in fitness so I'll follow those general guidelines again this year. Sleep is an integral part of the equation, however.
I began teaching the Physics class today and struggled to stay sharp on explanations of formulas, standards, and applications. I didn't make any mistakes today, however, as I slowed down a bit to think things through more so than usual. Nothing like making a mistake, having to "un-teach" the topic, and then "re-teach" the correct method. You'll always lose a couple and push a few more into the gray zone of misunderstanding if that happens. After all, I'm shoving a 50 hour class at them in 9 days so its like drinking from a fire hose for the students. My lack of sleep is causing a lack of learning for my students. They don't see it, but my passion for the subject was lacking today and that is unacceptable. I want them to enjoy learning as much as I enjoy seeing them learn and that takes more energy than I had today.
Tonight brings opportunities to dream and hopefully the resting of a weary mind. I'll try to reset my internal clock with a man-made Zeitgeber before bed ~ a very bright light ~ and perhaps spend some time outside in the sun tomorrow showing my students parts of an aircraft while discussing aerodynamics. Natural, bright light usually does the trick........ for a while.
"Day is desire and night is sleep. There are no shadows anywhere."~Wallace Stevens
Winter brings more than just a changing of season with leaves falling and grass fading. The crisp snap of a cold morning livens the senses to a new day. Refreshing. Life. Well, it is something not quiet that invigorating that arrives with winter for me. Winter brings the sleepless nights of insomnia that have been a part of my life since childhood.
My mother as well as our family doctor were convinced that it was hyper activity when I was a child entering my early teens. Something that is treated with Ritalin or some other exotic parenting drug nowadays, but back then it was a tad different: the Thorazine shuffle. But, the drugs had about the same effect. I would ride my bike until dark and sometimes past just to expend the energy I had so I could sleep. It never worked and still doesn't.
When I worked at Amoco Fabrics just after high school, it was a swing shift. Nothing like throwing the old circadian rhythm out of wack like that kind of schedule. Being eager to make money and advance quicker than my fellow sloths, I worked whatever shift was asked if a position needed to be covered. It took its toll after a few months. I'd lost over 35 pounds and looked like a raccoon............but worse at a ragged 14o pounds. I'd also been going without sleep for days on end. The final straw was when the day shift super asked me to come with him to get my yearly physical and I agreed. Hell, I didn't even know what day it was. I thought it was a random drug test, but knew deep down I was in trouble and needing rest and was the reason why. After a few days rest and help from a doctor that specialized in sleep disorders, basically he gave me drugs to make me sleep, I realized just how far out over the edge I'd gone. 11 days in a row without sleep. 11 days............... Someone looked at the hours I'd been working and realized there was a problem that needed a resolution. I remembered everything of each day. Even the things that weren't exactly .......well.........real. Funny things happens when you push yourself too far naturally or not.
Last night I was asleep by 11pm, but by 2:15 my mind was awake and racing through various ideas, worries, and concerns for the coming days, weeks, and months. Not stressful worry, however. Body is tired. Mind is tireless. This is the 8th day in a row of less than 5 hours of sleep. At 3:15 I listened to the first rain drops pitter-pattering down on the roof. I remembered back to my childhood when my family would gather at the farm house that pre-dated the Civil War, and we would be soothed into slumber at night by the pelting rain on the tin roof.....and sleep would come as comforting as your mother's gentle touch feeling your forehead at night to make sure you were not running a fever. By 4:20 the rain was like a thousand squirrels playing leap frog while wearing steel soled shoes. It sounded similar to a very complex piece of classical music having too many instruments to fathom, and yet each note was as clear to me as if each musician was playing solo.
I thought back through yesterday's events and recalled that it seemed like a fuzzy dream while I was out on the bike. Complete relaxation was what I remembered about the day. Even our bike ride was not stressful too me. I felt strong at the end physically but mental clarity was lacking. I do recall being a little punchy before the ride and being a little brash about the way we should all conduct ourselves during the winter bike league rides. I hope the guys didn't take it personal, but the emphasis is needed that I intend to take charge of these rides to ensure safety most importantly but also to keep the focus on how we (I) need to be training. It may piss a few folks off, but I know what worked for me in the past that resulted in tremendous advances in fitness so I'll follow those general guidelines again this year. Sleep is an integral part of the equation, however.
I began teaching the Physics class today and struggled to stay sharp on explanations of formulas, standards, and applications. I didn't make any mistakes today, however, as I slowed down a bit to think things through more so than usual. Nothing like making a mistake, having to "un-teach" the topic, and then "re-teach" the correct method. You'll always lose a couple and push a few more into the gray zone of misunderstanding if that happens. After all, I'm shoving a 50 hour class at them in 9 days so its like drinking from a fire hose for the students. My lack of sleep is causing a lack of learning for my students. They don't see it, but my passion for the subject was lacking today and that is unacceptable. I want them to enjoy learning as much as I enjoy seeing them learn and that takes more energy than I had today.
Tonight brings opportunities to dream and hopefully the resting of a weary mind. I'll try to reset my internal clock with a man-made Zeitgeber before bed ~ a very bright light ~ and perhaps spend some time outside in the sun tomorrow showing my students parts of an aircraft while discussing aerodynamics. Natural, bright light usually does the trick........ for a while.
"Day is desire and night is sleep. There are no shadows anywhere."~Wallace Stevens
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