Kensington Recap

So another race is in the books. What a difference two weeks makes. At Cone I felt unstoppable to some extent. Kensington is a different story. I did not mind the wet and little bit of chill. At the start line I realized I still had my cycling cap under my helmet and did not want to race with it on, so I took a few extra seconds to take the cap off and departed shortly after the rest of the racers left. Once I got up to the group I realized that a break was already up the road. Well I didnt even see it go and they were gone all day. Once things got going and I got a little warmed up I decided to start making some moves to see if anyone would go with me. Well I got clear with en elite mtb'er for half a lap, then 3 guiys bridged up. I was constantly being told to chill and pull through less aggressive. I had a feeling that this move would not last, so as soon as the field was on our back I took off again and spent a lap solo. Needless to say I got brought back and the race from there was negative. Everytime I went I got marked, but when other guys went it was an instant gap for them. Oh well, that is bike racing. Not satisfied at all with the race, but will move on and try my best at the next one.
On another note, why is it so hard for people to admit they made a mistake or did something wrong. I always admit my flaws and errors in what I do. I guess it speaks to the kind of person you are dealing with when they do not want to even acknowledge that they did something to hurt you. All I can say is those people will get what they have coming to them. Karma works in mysterious ways.

Cone Azalia and life

So I guess I have been away for a little bit from this thing. Well I finished up school with a 3.89 again and started the summer training rather shortly there after. I did do the Wednesday night ride and felt better on the bike than I have really ever. I went a little hard, but I was hoping I would be alright for Cone today. So I woke up today and did not do anything specific this time for Cone. Its always a crapshoot anyway. I knew I just wanted to make it as hard as I could for everyone else. I literally tried to get away 10 times and got some freedom for a while, but no one really wanted to put in some hard miles. After a crash and losing a bottle, which was all the water I had left, I decided it would probably come down to a field sprint....which I suck at! I stayed attentive, but not enough to watch fellow Kalamazoo buddy Mike Jones sneak away in the last 5 miles. His efforts paid off as he won. I was left getting brought back with 2K to go and then weaving in and out of traffic for the field sprint. I ended up handling myself rather well in the sprint and got 4th, less than .3 seconds from 2nd place. Not too shabby for a little fella like myself. Kensington is up next and I can not wait for that race. Kudos to all!

realizing things

Looking back on this past weekend, I realize I did not really give a full race report. Here is how it went from a first person perspective. Warmed up and never really got "warm", yea it was cold out. Decided to go skinsuit with armwarmers only, which in hindsight was a bad decision. Got to the start line with 3 minutes to spare. As I was being held to start I realized I was in a HUGE gear, but thought I could turn it over...... nope. I actually had to unclip and the clip back in after starting, which was embarassing. Anyhow, I got underway and the first 5-6 miles was downhill and tailwindish. This is the only place I did not feel like I was in a rythym on the rolling hills. At the first turn I decided to take it rather easy, as the roads were wet and I did not want to take a chance of dropping it in a corner. As I started the middle third of the course I got into a rythym, the kind where you arent really hurting, but also not comfortable.... On the back section of the course I picked off 4-5 people who started 3-4 minutes ahead of me at least and could not see anyone else up the road. I knew coming home it would be hard, but my manhood was starting to freeze and I decided protecting that for about 2 minutes was better than having frostbite. I probably lost 15-20 seconds in that time, but it was worth it. Turning for the final stretch I was greeted by a nasty headwind and an uphill battering to the finish. I was still in the rythym and I felt good. I cruised over the rollers rather easily trying to save something for the finish. I arrived at the final corner to an even nastier headwind and just soldiered on. I got to the climb to the finish and gutted my way up it....it is really hard to shift when you are out of the saddle on a TT rig. I got done and a teammate told me I looked like hell. Not because of the effort, but because of my frozen manhood, can you say sick to your stomach??? I decided I wasnt gonna wait for the prizes I may have won and chose to go home and warm up in the truck. I spent 30 minutes of the drive home with gloves, and 4 layers on top with the heat on full blast. You learn something from every race no matter how long you do it for. Lesson learned this time is dress warmer than you think you will need, it may come back to bite you. Luckily everything in my nether regions is ok :)!!! I bid you all adieu!

Fisk Knob

Race Report #1 for 2009. I did Fisk Knob earlier today and it went rather well. Despite the 33 degree weather and wind and snow while racing it was pretty decent. I decided to go skinsuit and armwarmers, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. All I will say is in that weather with that much wind, one should protect their manhood at all costs. It got so cold in my lower regions that I felt sick to my stomach. I got done and Dave Baar asked me if I was feeling alright. The answer was all over my face. Anyhow, I cruised through the first half and knew I had to save something for the harder second half. I did not really feel pain or over extended at any point. It was a good rythym ride and I felt rather at ease for the first effort of the year. We will say that the times were much slower this year, but yet I was faster than last year. It was a good day and hopefully I will have some pics to post soon. Remember keep your manhood warm and you will do a much better Individual Time Trial :)!!!!

Spring Break ......ending

So my Spring break is all but over for another year. Really did not do much that warrants a posting. I took from Thursday to Tuesday away from the bike and just had zero motivation to go out and freeze my ass off. Also got a bit of a cold that jumped up and bit me for a few days, so I really just slept 13 hours a day and then worked 5-6 hours at night. Then Wednesday I said the hell with it and went out for a ride. The past two days have been amazing for this time of year. I actually was riding in just bibs and a jersey on both days (for an extended period of time that I can not disclose) and it was phenomenal. New tan line is already in progress for the new season. Not to mention the tan line I still have from last year. Other than that I am just looking forward to starting the racing season and finishing up this batch of classes. I am not worried about the classes to be honest. Afterall, if you put in the work the rewards will come. On the racing side, I am opening up with Fisk Knob on March 29th and then some STS races just to get back in the flow of racing. Then I am headed down to Florida and Arizona to visit my sister and some friends and do some good racing and training. All I have to do now is get the TT bike put back together and things will be all systems go..... Good day!!!

Spring Break

I am officially on my Spring Break...... After 3 midterms in 6 hours my break has begun. Today I had a proofs midterm, a statistics midterm and a geosciences midterm. All went rather well and I am expecting 85% or better on all of them. In between the statistics exam and the geosciences exam, I had what I would rate the best ride in about 6 months. The kind of ride where I was hammering the entire time and felt no pain. Hincapie calls it "no chain". I literally felt like I was sitting in an easy chair. After all my midterms, I then went to the library to help the misses study for her discrete structures exam tomorrow. I wasn't much of a help though, because I was just BEAT. I didn't tell her though, because I hate bringing her down. So for the nest 10-12 days I am riding, working, and going away with Emily to a secluded place for 2 days just to get away from everything and everyone. Keep it rubber side down.

Relaxation

So I had my first proofs test today and I am thinking it went rather well. It dealt with set variance and mathematical logic. I just hope my grade comes out nicely. Other than that I have been plugging away on the trainer and have even gotten out a few days in the past week. It sucks though when you get home and can not move your fingers for an hour afterwards. Anyhow, things are definitely looking up and I can not wait to have the semester be over with already. 4 weeks down and only 10 to go, not including spring break.