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Talbot’s Syndrome
11 months ago
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Ouch
Yea, so I can't really move very well today. Maybe I should have started out a little slower on the running crap? Going to try and roll around and take the longer way into work tonight, if I can get moving. Blah.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Almost cross season
I'm starting to get excited for cross season finally. Or maybe I'm ready to wrap up mountain bike season? Skipping out on the WVMBA series championship in the am because I am stuck at work tonight. It's looking like my last mountain race of the season will be Revenge of the Rattlesnake in Davis, WV.
I went to cross practice for a bit on Tuesday for the first time this year, and from the small amount of running that I did, I am still feeling it 4 days later. I think that I am going to try and run maybe 2 or 3 days a week. I started today before work, and it really wasn't too bad. Only meant to go out for about 2 mikes or so, but ended up with about 4. I have very hesitant about running, ever since I had some knee issues a few years ago. That probably didn't have anything to do with the issues I had them, I just partially blamed the running, because it sucks!! The real reason that I was having problems then, I think, is that I was riding way too much, in freezing cold weather, without warming up or stretching properly. Ever since, I have shied away from running, but if I'm going to race cross this year, I'm going to have to suck it up a little bit.
It's looking like my first cross race is going to be Iron Cross. Hah, way to start out the season!!
I went to cross practice for a bit on Tuesday for the first time this year, and from the small amount of running that I did, I am still feeling it 4 days later. I think that I am going to try and run maybe 2 or 3 days a week. I started today before work, and it really wasn't too bad. Only meant to go out for about 2 mikes or so, but ended up with about 4. I have very hesitant about running, ever since I had some knee issues a few years ago. That probably didn't have anything to do with the issues I had them, I just partially blamed the running, because it sucks!! The real reason that I was having problems then, I think, is that I was riding way too much, in freezing cold weather, without warming up or stretching properly. Ever since, I have shied away from running, but if I'm going to race cross this year, I'm going to have to suck it up a little bit.
It's looking like my first cross race is going to be Iron Cross. Hah, way to start out the season!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Back to reality
So, I'm now back from the Shenandoah 100, and a few days in Asheville, NC. The race was fun, the vacation was wet. I wish that we could have spent a few more nice days there. Maybe we have to do a little bit of a better job planning next time. It was definately nice to sleep in a bunch of days in a row. The 5 hours of sleep every night is going to take some getting used to again.
I'm pretty happy with my time at the race, with a 9:09. Almost cracked the top 50 ish, I think. Definately getting a lot better at these races. I got stuck for a bit going up one of the singletrack climbs, and waited a little too long to pass. If not for that, I could have cracked 9 hours. At least now I have a goal for next year.
Totally skipped out on racing altogether this weekend, and I feel bad about it, because I know that Chrissy wanted to race, but just didn't feel like spending 4 hours in a car each way to the race. We ended up going kayaking on the river instead, and enjoyed the day.
Still trying to figure out how to race in Morgantown this weekend, since I have to work till 5 am Sunday morning, and be back to work at 5 pm. Blah. Pack fodder once again?? We'll see.
I'm pretty happy with my time at the race, with a 9:09. Almost cracked the top 50 ish, I think. Definately getting a lot better at these races. I got stuck for a bit going up one of the singletrack climbs, and waited a little too long to pass. If not for that, I could have cracked 9 hours. At least now I have a goal for next year.
Totally skipped out on racing altogether this weekend, and I feel bad about it, because I know that Chrissy wanted to race, but just didn't feel like spending 4 hours in a car each way to the race. We ended up going kayaking on the river instead, and enjoyed the day.
Still trying to figure out how to race in Morgantown this weekend, since I have to work till 5 am Sunday morning, and be back to work at 5 pm. Blah. Pack fodder once again?? We'll see.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Black Bear 40 k
This weekend we went down to Charleston, WV, for the Black Bear 40 k, one of the "Scariest races in America" or something like that. I can't remember right now, as I don't have the awesome shirt in front of me.
Saturday started out well enough, got there early afternoon-ish, and made the 15 minute drive from Brad's place to go on a nice little leisurely pre-ride.
Yea. We were shown what happens when you get a little TOO far back behind the saddle on a rocky descent: sometimes the trail likes to slam you in the ribs to remind you who's boss. The trail also likes to punish you when you skip a section and take the beginner section back.
Had a cooling downpour, climbed some more hills, rode past what sounded like the entire population of Charleston exercising their right to bear arms at ye olde shooting gallery, and climbed some more. Eventually we found our way back to the car, and moved on to food and beer preparations for the night. Grilled meat, beer, football, and Rocky IV, wrapped up the night. "If he dies, he dies."
Onto race day... To be perfectly honest, I just wasn't feeling it today. I absoubtely had no motivation to go up this first hill! Oh well, here we go. Started out quick as usual, and I was in my normal mid to rear of the pack. Keep going up for a while, and somehow I am not getting dropped... What's going on?? Decide to turn on the gas a bit, and was surprised to see myself passing Don, and then Brad.... That didn't stick for very long. The double track turned it up a little more, and I popped. Oh boy, this is going to be a long day. Lost all of the ground that I did manage to gain, and now I was dead. Oh well, at the top tried to catch my breath for a second, and into the awesome swoopy singletrack.
The rest of the race, for me at least, was pretty uneventful. Crazy stupid steep downhills that I couldn't ride fast enough to gain any ground on, then right back up to the top again, etc. Didn't crash, although I did kind of hip check a tree early on, but it only resulted in a little scrape.
Didn't finish as far back as I thought I did, but still disappointed with 5th. I think I am just a little worn out from putting some serious miles in last week in preparation for the Shenandoah 100. Also, after this race, I switched my gearing to 34x21, and it seems to be much better for me. I may spin out on the road a little quicker, but I am a faster climber, and I'm nowhere near as fatigued at the top of the climbs. Hopefully it will work out for me this weekend....
Saturday started out well enough, got there early afternoon-ish, and made the 15 minute drive from Brad's place to go on a nice little leisurely pre-ride.
Yea. We were shown what happens when you get a little TOO far back behind the saddle on a rocky descent: sometimes the trail likes to slam you in the ribs to remind you who's boss. The trail also likes to punish you when you skip a section and take the beginner section back.
Had a cooling downpour, climbed some more hills, rode past what sounded like the entire population of Charleston exercising their right to bear arms at ye olde shooting gallery, and climbed some more. Eventually we found our way back to the car, and moved on to food and beer preparations for the night. Grilled meat, beer, football, and Rocky IV, wrapped up the night. "If he dies, he dies."
Onto race day... To be perfectly honest, I just wasn't feeling it today. I absoubtely had no motivation to go up this first hill! Oh well, here we go. Started out quick as usual, and I was in my normal mid to rear of the pack. Keep going up for a while, and somehow I am not getting dropped... What's going on?? Decide to turn on the gas a bit, and was surprised to see myself passing Don, and then Brad.... That didn't stick for very long. The double track turned it up a little more, and I popped. Oh boy, this is going to be a long day. Lost all of the ground that I did manage to gain, and now I was dead. Oh well, at the top tried to catch my breath for a second, and into the awesome swoopy singletrack.
The rest of the race, for me at least, was pretty uneventful. Crazy stupid steep downhills that I couldn't ride fast enough to gain any ground on, then right back up to the top again, etc. Didn't crash, although I did kind of hip check a tree early on, but it only resulted in a little scrape.
Didn't finish as far back as I thought I did, but still disappointed with 5th. I think I am just a little worn out from putting some serious miles in last week in preparation for the Shenandoah 100. Also, after this race, I switched my gearing to 34x21, and it seems to be much better for me. I may spin out on the road a little quicker, but I am a faster climber, and I'm nowhere near as fatigued at the top of the climbs. Hopefully it will work out for me this weekend....
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