The plan was so perfect. Take it easy in October and the start to slowly build the base in November, December and January. October became November and ski season started. Then the holidays rolled around and there were all the social committments.
It's the end of January and the base is just starting to be built. It's not like nothing happened. Fortunately at work the gym crew get going so I did get some exercise in. The volume is a little low but I don't think that will be an issue in another month or two. For now I'll keep skiing on weekends and training during the week.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Customer Service
I had thought that good customer service was a thing of the past until last weekend. A few weeks ago, I picked up my new P2C from BikeSource. I had a quick fit using the figures from last fall and everything seemed right. Since I was racing Boulder Peak and didn't feel like I would have enough time on the new bike, I kept training on my P2SL and the P2C sat in the corner.
Last week with Boulder Peak behind me and no races on the horizon, I decided to start training on the P2C. During my first ride, I noticed that I couldn't quite drop my heels at the bottom of my pedal stroke. I've had tight calves in the past and I can usually stretch them while riding but on the P2C I couldn't.
After the second day of riding I started to think the setup was wrong. Out came the tape measure and the P2SL. I started measuring everything on the two bikes and comparing them. Everything seemed to match. I looked at my road bike and just happned to notice the crank arm length. I looked at the new P2C at the cranks were 172.5 whie my road bike and the P2SL were both 170.
I called BikeSource, described the issue and they said come on in. I thought that I would have to leave my bike and come back later but 15 minutes later, the cranks were swapped and I was on my way. No hassle, no charge, just a thanks for coming in from the manager.
Last week with Boulder Peak behind me and no races on the horizon, I decided to start training on the P2C. During my first ride, I noticed that I couldn't quite drop my heels at the bottom of my pedal stroke. I've had tight calves in the past and I can usually stretch them while riding but on the P2C I couldn't.
After the second day of riding I started to think the setup was wrong. Out came the tape measure and the P2SL. I started measuring everything on the two bikes and comparing them. Everything seemed to match. I looked at my road bike and just happned to notice the crank arm length. I looked at the new P2C at the cranks were 172.5 whie my road bike and the P2SL were both 170.
I called BikeSource, described the issue and they said come on in. I thought that I would have to leave my bike and come back later but 15 minutes later, the cranks were swapped and I was on my way. No hassle, no charge, just a thanks for coming in from the manager.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Power of Yellow
It is said those who can't remember history are doomed to repeat it. With this year's Tour de France wrapping up, it appears that this saying holds true for sports as well as life.
In 2004, Thomas Voeckler grabbed the yellow jersey during a long break away. For days he carried the yellow jersey on his shoulders. When the race tipped upwards in the mountains everyone expected him to lose it to Lance Armstrong but to everyone's surprise, Voeckler rode better and faster than ever to hold onto the jersey. It took three mountain stages to finally dislodge his grasp on the jersey.
In 2007 on stage 14, Alberto Contador attacked on stage 14 climbing the Plateau-de-Beile. Cadel Evans didn't respond and allowed Contador a 1:50 cushion. Everyone assumed that Evans would grab the jersey on the penultimate day during the time trial after all, he was the best rider. Somehow Contador rode the time trial like he has never before. While Evans was faster, somehow Contador was quick enough to retain the jersey relegating Evans to second place.
Looking back on 2008, the same situation happened on stage 17 climbing Alpe d'Huez. Evans kept watching Frank Schlek and failed to notice Carlos Sastre. Sastre attacked at the base and rode his way to winning the stage and a 1:34 gap over Evans. Again everyone thought Evans would win the jersey during the time trial but again, powered by the yellow jersey, Sastre rode the time trial of his life. While Evans was faster it wasn't enough and again he wound up second.
Maybe next time, when someone attacks, Evans will cover it to make sure he retains yellow.
In 2004, Thomas Voeckler grabbed the yellow jersey during a long break away. For days he carried the yellow jersey on his shoulders. When the race tipped upwards in the mountains everyone expected him to lose it to Lance Armstrong but to everyone's surprise, Voeckler rode better and faster than ever to hold onto the jersey. It took three mountain stages to finally dislodge his grasp on the jersey.
In 2007 on stage 14, Alberto Contador attacked on stage 14 climbing the Plateau-de-Beile. Cadel Evans didn't respond and allowed Contador a 1:50 cushion. Everyone assumed that Evans would grab the jersey on the penultimate day during the time trial after all, he was the best rider. Somehow Contador rode the time trial like he has never before. While Evans was faster, somehow Contador was quick enough to retain the jersey relegating Evans to second place.
Looking back on 2008, the same situation happened on stage 17 climbing Alpe d'Huez. Evans kept watching Frank Schlek and failed to notice Carlos Sastre. Sastre attacked at the base and rode his way to winning the stage and a 1:34 gap over Evans. Again everyone thought Evans would win the jersey during the time trial but again, powered by the yellow jersey, Sastre rode the time trial of his life. While Evans was faster it wasn't enough and again he wound up second.
Maybe next time, when someone attacks, Evans will cover it to make sure he retains yellow.
2008 Boulder Peak - Epilogue
I was the twelfth person to cross the line but that meant little considering the number of athletes in later waves. I quickly found Brad and Ben to congratulate them on great performances and then went searching for shade. At Boulder Res, shade is always in short supply and high demand. After a quick massage, I set out to find Bruce waiting for Holly near the top of the hill. She was on pace at the start of the run but the heat finally caught up with her.
As I write this a few days later I only now realize how good by bike was. I didn't hear the whoosh-whoosh sound of any disc wheels passing me. I passed a few disc but none caught me.
I'm also pleased with my run. It wasn't my fastest but it was one of my smartest. Last year I caught and passed a runner with about a mile to go. I didn't catch and recover, I just went straight to the front. Last year my pass didn't stick. This year when I caught Ben, I settled in and recovered for a couple minutes. When I finally made my move with a mile to go, I had recovered enough to make it stand up.
All in all, a great race and a fabulous PR.
Total time: 2:16:35, 32 overall, 3rd AG M 40 - 44
As I write this a few days later I only now realize how good by bike was. I didn't hear the whoosh-whoosh sound of any disc wheels passing me. I passed a few disc but none caught me.
I'm also pleased with my run. It wasn't my fastest but it was one of my smartest. Last year I caught and passed a runner with about a mile to go. I didn't catch and recover, I just went straight to the front. Last year my pass didn't stick. This year when I caught Ben, I settled in and recovered for a couple minutes. When I finally made my move with a mile to go, I had recovered enough to make it stand up.
All in all, a great race and a fabulous PR.
Total time: 2:16:35, 32 overall, 3rd AG M 40 - 44
2008 Boulder Peak - The Run
Grab the hat, number belt and dash out of T2. It's early, the temp hasn't climbed much and it's time to put some time on the run and see if I can hold off the rest of the wave. I pass a few runners from the first two waves on the hill and when I head out on the first part of the dam, Brad catches and passes me. I know I can't match his speed over 10k so I'm content to let him go and hold my pass.
On the way to the turn around there aren't many people going out and fewer people coming back. I start to count runners to the turn and there are only fifteen people in front of me. I saw Brad and Ben so I know there are at least two people in my AG. I set my sights on Ben but it's a long way to go. Remembering the lessons of the Taos marathon, I know I don't have to catch him right away. Working consistently I slowly close on Ben and finally catch him on the north portion of the dam.
Knowing how I passed and couldn't escape from a runner last year, I settle in behind Ben for a little while to recover. I decide to use the last aid station to make my move and by quickly grabbing a cup I'm able to open a small gap but Ben is able to close the distance. I keep pushing hard on the last section of the dam until I can't hear Ben's footsteps. All I have to do is hold the pace to the downhill and I'm able to hold off Ben.
10k - 41:06. 6:38/mile
On the way to the turn around there aren't many people going out and fewer people coming back. I start to count runners to the turn and there are only fifteen people in front of me. I saw Brad and Ben so I know there are at least two people in my AG. I set my sights on Ben but it's a long way to go. Remembering the lessons of the Taos marathon, I know I don't have to catch him right away. Working consistently I slowly close on Ben and finally catch him on the north portion of the dam.
Knowing how I passed and couldn't escape from a runner last year, I settle in behind Ben for a little while to recover. I decide to use the last aid station to make my move and by quickly grabbing a cup I'm able to open a small gap but Ben is able to close the distance. I keep pushing hard on the last section of the dam until I can't hear Ben's footsteps. All I have to do is hold the pace to the downhill and I'm able to hold off Ben.
10k - 41:06. 6:38/mile
Thursday, July 24, 2008
2008 Boulder Peak - The Bike
This is probably the last race for the P2SL and I'm really interested to see how much it will help on the bike leg. The results on the P2SL have been great so far so there should be a good improvement here.
Out of the reservoir, down on the aerobars and off to Jay Road and another bout with Old Stage. At Loveland there weren't many people ahead of me and there aren't a whole lot out there at Boulder. Having two waves in front help with the focus. I get passed by BC on the way to Old Stage but at the time I didn't know that. I caught and passed him near the top but on the descent he passed me.
The P2SL handled the climb quite well and on the Left Hand Canyon run out, I was maxed out on the gears. I think the P2C will do better on the run out with the 53 tooth chain ring.
Focus is key and I try to keep catching people in front of me. It gives me a target to fix on and keeps my mind from wandering which would cause my pace to drop. On the road back to the reservoir, I catch BC again and roll into T2 with a small gap.
42k - 1:09:45, 22.4 mph
On my way to my rack, I do a quick bike count and there aren't any in my row and only a few in the rest of my wave. That's a good sign.
T2 - :57
Out of the reservoir, down on the aerobars and off to Jay Road and another bout with Old Stage. At Loveland there weren't many people ahead of me and there aren't a whole lot out there at Boulder. Having two waves in front help with the focus. I get passed by BC on the way to Old Stage but at the time I didn't know that. I caught and passed him near the top but on the descent he passed me.
The P2SL handled the climb quite well and on the Left Hand Canyon run out, I was maxed out on the gears. I think the P2C will do better on the run out with the 53 tooth chain ring.
Focus is key and I try to keep catching people in front of me. It gives me a target to fix on and keeps my mind from wandering which would cause my pace to drop. On the road back to the reservoir, I catch BC again and roll into T2 with a small gap.
42k - 1:09:45, 22.4 mph
On my way to my rack, I do a quick bike count and there aren't any in my row and only a few in the rest of my wave. That's a good sign.
T2 - :57
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
2008 Boulder Peak - The Swim
Originally I was supposed to start in the third wave at 6:45 wave but with the long lines, the race director decided to postpone the start about 15 minutes. After zipping up and warming up, I scooted over to the start arch. Last year, I started near the front in the middle and had a terrible time. This year I was going to start at the front off to one side but no one was lined up at the front. With everyone hanging back a yard or two, I lined up front and center.
At the horn, I take off and try to put in a hard 100 and it pays off. When I take my second or third sighting, there are a few swimmers in front of me but not too many. I look for some feet but I'm sort of in no mans land behind the leaders but in front of the chasers. At the first buoy, I pull the pace back and settle in for the swim. At the home turn, everything feels pretty good and the sighting is pretty good with the big inflatible Clif Bar arch.
1500 meters - 23:58, 1:35/100
On the run into T1, I notice a lot of bikes still racked in my wave which is always a good sign. Drop the wetsuit, sunglasses, Carb Boom gels, helmet, bike and out running. I pass a few people walking out of T1 and a couple more with the flying mount.
T1 - :51
At the horn, I take off and try to put in a hard 100 and it pays off. When I take my second or third sighting, there are a few swimmers in front of me but not too many. I look for some feet but I'm sort of in no mans land behind the leaders but in front of the chasers. At the first buoy, I pull the pace back and settle in for the swim. At the home turn, everything feels pretty good and the sighting is pretty good with the big inflatible Clif Bar arch.
1500 meters - 23:58, 1:35/100
On the run into T1, I notice a lot of bikes still racked in my wave which is always a good sign. Drop the wetsuit, sunglasses, Carb Boom gels, helmet, bike and out running. I pass a few people walking out of T1 and a couple more with the flying mount.
T1 - :51
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