Jeff

TCTP and H1N1

What do Carmichael's Time Crunched Training Plan (TCTP) and H1N1 have in common.  In my life one ended when the other started.

TCTP:
I was supposed to start week 5 of the TCTP last week and had been feeling great.  It definitely works well with a tight schedule.  The program focus is in an area I need improvement so it is a double benefit.  I would recommend it for sure at this point.

H1N1:
So I can not remember when I have felt this bad for this long.  Last week I missed 3 days of work and spent most of the time in bed.  I even called my wife home from work to take care of me (I know pathetic!!!)  The only redeeming part about calling her home is that she called the ambulance once she saw me.  It was a little surreal having a policeman and paramedics in your bedroom talking to your wife about you, all while you lay motionless in the bed.  In the end I did not get my first ride in an ambulance as they are telling people to stay home, but my wife did pamper me the rest of the week.  What happened was 18 straight hours of sweating and not taking in fluids making me very dehydrated.  Ooops!  Since then I have not been able to get better going from the flu to a general cold.  Unfortunatly the cold is in my chest making riding hard.  I tried to ride yesterday and only made it 15 min before stopped due to caughing.

Plan forward:
I am not going to race this weekend, which I only mentally accepted after yesterday's "ride".  I am going to try and get some riding in and start back to training.  I would like to get a few more cross races in before the end of the year.  It looks like I will be able do the NE state cross race weekend, as it coincides with our Thanksgiving trip home.  That will be fun as my brother can come with me to the race.  I have been trying to get my brother into cross as I think he would enjoy it, he was a high school cross country stud back in the day.

Time to get to bed, I have been pushing myself to get at least 9-10 hours of sleep everynight to try and kick this sickness.

I hope everyone can stay away from the flu as I would wish it on no one.

Jeff

Upgrades and Cross

Upgrade:
In the end I did achieve one of my goals for the road season, which was an upgrade to Cat 3.  I could have stayed in Cat 4 for a little longer, but I feel that I will progress quicker if I move up.  Plus the guys on the team have stated that I would be able to hold my own as a 3.  This will be good motivation for the winter.

Cross!!!!
I did my first cross race last weekend and it was AWESOME!!!!!!  I am hooked it was such a painfully great time.  I ended up 8th out of the 30 Cat 4's, with plenty of opportunity for improvement.  I fell on the first lap in a corner that transitioned from gravel to grass and could not clip my right shoe in for the rest of the race.  Unfortunately when I fell I lost contact with the lead group and pushed solo for the rest of the race not able to close on the lead group.  I can definitely improve my start and dismount/mounting technique.  I think I am going to be able to get in a few more races before the end of the year, which I am very excited about.

More to come soon....

Jeff