Pat

Where's my Silver Lining?

This weekend was “The Tour of the Depot”. It was going to be my first Road Race, Circuit Race and first real Time Trial of the year. I'd arranged work so I'd be able to race in the morning and than go into work later in the day. I'd also timed everything with my family so the girls were taken care of and I could concentrate on the races. As I got closer to race weekend things were looking pretty good, I was happy with my training. Then the day before the race, I came down with the stomach flu. Needless to say, I got up race morning and it just wasn't going to happen. I was completely sick! I couldn't leave the house more or less race. And ended up calling in sick to work on top of everything else. All things considered, my boss probably doesn't want me giving what I had to all the people I work with.

So, as I'm sitting here reflecting on the weekend, I'm looking for a silver lining in it all.

I guess one thing could be that when most people have a bout with the stomach flu they loose a little weight. Not me! I'm up a couple of pounds?

I know that my wife has an aversion to certain foods that she has eaten prior to getting ill. The bad news is I tried my favorite Moose Tracks ice cream last night and I have no such aversion. No silver lining there.

I guess some would say taking some time away from training and racing would give the body some time to recover. But my body has been spending most of it's energies fighting off the stomach flu, so that's not it either.

So where is the silver lining? In truth, my silver lining is...I get to spend three extra days with my family. I called in sick for work, and legitimately so, and truthfully I don't feel too horrible any more. My wife and girls have -mostly- recovered from their flu's. So I get to spend a few extra days with them at their Grandparent's house in Seattle. (yes I brought my bike).

I spend a lot of time talking about how training with power will make you a better, faster bike racer, and it will. But there is more to it than that. You see, I'm the kind of guy who needs my exercise, I always have. And having this goal of the State Time Trial gets me to go down into the basement and exercise, train hard and push myself. When I do that, it makes me a better father and husband. Because, I'm a happier, less stressed out guy. So even if, after all this training, I can't get out and race and I don't have anything to “show” for my effort. It doesn't matter, because I reaped the benefits along the way.

So yes, it's disappointing to miss a race you've been looking forward to for several weeks. And some of the friends you've riding with are out there doing it. Oh, and by the way, it's a beautiful day in Utah for a bike race. But, all in all, the most important thing is getting to spend time with my wife and kids and enjoying life together.

That being said, the State Time Trial is only 53 days away and there is training to be done.

Train Hard and Smart,

Pat

Spring is here! Or maybe not!

Two weeks ago you would have thought spring was here. The snow was melting, the birds were singing and I was riding outside. It was beautiful a beautiful thing. After several months on the trainer riding outside was a welcome change. But then, as often happens, the weather changed and the snow came back with a vengeance.

Looking on the bright side, I did get to put on my finest spandex and do some testing outdoors while the weather was still nice. The results? In a 20min TT my average wattage went from 227 watts to 252 watts. Same road, same bike, about a 10% improvement in 3 months. I guess all that time spent on the trainer is paying off. Which is good because I'm going to need the motivation to get back on the trainer and keep working. Only 63 days till the State Time Trial and I need more watts!

In other news, I've started running again. It turns out I got in to the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon this year. Which is precisely 8 days after the State Time Trial. I can run while I'm on layovers with work, but I'll have to shoehorn some swimming into my training schedule while I'm at home.

Then once the Time Trial and Alcatraz are over, training changes again as I start stretching my endurance to get ready for the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race in mid August.

So, it should be a fun year. I know the snow wont last forever. And once all the skiers are gone, I'll have over a hundred miles of some of the best mountain biking there is, just out my back door. I wonder if my tax refund will cover a PowerTap for the mountain bike?

Any way, for now it's back on the trainer on the TT bike.

Train Hard and Smart

Pat