Let the season begin!

Yeah, I know...the season began unofficially in January at Copperas Cove, then in reality in New Braunfels. I got dropped 5 miles into the first and didn't bother to go to the second (too far)...

My goals for the year:

• Pack finish in the B race at the Plano crits
• Upgrade to Cat 3 on the track by season-end
• Others, but I'm not telling.

Tomorrow is the first event of the FDM Crit series, and I'm as ready as I can be thanks to OnTrack Coaching. I've been on his training plans for 2 months and have worked really hard to abide by them. Did my test warmup at the crit course this afternoon and felt great.

Of ourse, with all the prep and God's sense of humor I'll probably get a flat on the Start line :) Just for humility's sake...

Results tomorrow or Wednesday.

Cyclist to pray for: 99% for John Ryan for continued recovery, 1% for me to not crash and hurt myself tomorrow...

DB

Well that was cool!

The kick-off event of the Horse Country Time Trial Series was this past Saturday. It was part of a three-races in 2 days weekend, as well as bring the opener for the Texas Cup North Region competition and the Texas High School season.

This was the perfect storm of factors that brought about our largest attendance in the (now) 8 times we have run this event. 200 racers came out to go fast, turn around, then go fast some more. Previous best: 89.

We are a Christian Club, and we start each race with a prayer before we even set up registration. Scripture tells us that God will never ask us to do something without providing the tools to do it. Likewise, when He is included everything works for the best. We have seen this proven many times over in our club.

We had exactly the number of volunteers, officials, etc. to run an event this size. Even despite some of them pulling out due to illness (Get well Kolton and Gary!).

I stand in awe, but not suprised at the blessings that have been heaped upon our club.

3 of the standing course records were broken (Juniors, Women, Elite men):
http://www.ic3-ntx.org/March2009_Results.pdf

No injuries, despite one of our youngest competitors literally being knocked over by the wind. Tough little dude got up and kept on going.

I was supposed to race later in the afternoon, but the HCTT process was not finished in time to allow for a proper warmup, so I skipped it. This makes March 17 in Plano my next race.

Training is going well....legs strength up, weight down, attitude good.

Cyclist to pray for: John Ryan. Junior racer that did a faceplant after a bike vs. Great Dane incident yesterday. Lots of damage, looks like the concussion/broken nose may be the worst of it.

DB

I'm back! Sort of...

Its been a busy two weeks since I last posted...

In addition to the training, I've been focusing on getting everything ready for the 3rd season of the Horse Country Time Trial as well as ongoing stuff for the Cooper Crit at Craig Ranch.

I love promoting races. Its truly fascinating to see all the pieces come together when everyone kicks in their labor and ideas. Nothing sweeter that seeing an event go off with little to few hitches. The TT should be easy this year, as we have lots of volunteers. The crit is the first one we have run, so who knows?

In the middle of all this, I've been suffering from fit/fitness issues on the bike. My saddle keeps sliding back when I'm not looking, and I keep forgetting I no longer live in the days where I could just jump on the bike and go. If I don't stretch the hamstrings, the back screams at me within the hour.

But train I must, as the Plano crit series opens in less than 2 weeks. As a warmup I am doing the 4/5 crit in Denton on Saturday.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Cyclist to pray for: John S.

DB

MS150...

Cooper Fitness Center and IC3 North Texas are combining to ride the DFW MS150 for 2009.

Please join us if you ride, or donate a few dollars if you do not.

Join team Cooper:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?pg=team&fr_id=10662&team_id=140430

Donate to any individual member by clicking on their name. Each rider is required to raise $300 in pledges. If you see someone has not made that goal...can you help them and MS?

If you are thinking about joining but not sure if you can ride that far, let us help you! As of now, over 2 months remain to the ride...we can accomplish much by then.

Email me or post a comment if you need training help! Kevin@DallasDBAs.com

Thanks!

DB

Recovery week...do what?

Hello again dear reader(s)....

This week I am supposed to be "recovering" from hard efforts the last 3 weeks (averaging 9 hours/140+ miles) by doing a 6 hour week. I'm told that this is necessary to allow both body and mind to recuperate, and I know this to be true. But...given the agreeable weather we've been having here in DFW, that doesn't make it any easier to go ride slowly for short amounts of time.

But I will. :)

Because I want to improve this year in noticeable ways. My conditioning is up, my weight is down and my reliance on the inhaler is less (EIA is a real drag...).

My first real test will come on March 7 at the Denton Rhapsody Criterium. I'll be in the Cat 4/5 category at 4pm, after having gotten up at 5:30 am to run the Horse Country TT for my club. I'm using the crit to practice the new warmup procedure I've been given and see how I do. I don't care whether I win or DNF...this is only a fitness/process test for me.

Hopefully, some other aging cyclists/dads are getting something out of this blog...feel free to drop me a note/comment if you are (or if you'd rather I just hush!)

Thanks!

Cyclist to pray for: JM. Family stuff.

DB

Starting to feel it...

I've been following (pretty closely) a training plan provided by my coach that is targeted at getting me ready for the weekly criterium series that starts mid-March in Plano, TX. This series has been going on in one way or another for at least 20 years. My goal for the year is simple: Get a pack finish in the B race. When I meet that goal, I'll set a new one.

On the new training regimen, I'm more focused on (of all things) proper warmup, long intervals and legitimate recovery. I'm actually riding more, but a lot less tired/fatigued. I like it!

Got out yesterday for 1.5 hour ride on the rolling hills of Horse Country USA (Denton County, TX). Once I was past my warmup slots, I started a 30 minute interval that fit perfectly with the route I had chosen. Some moderate rolling hills, one light, and two stop signs. I was able to cruise this section in Zone 3 pretty much straight through and focus on consistency and pacing. Even the dogs stayed away...very unusual.

Felt great, went home got a shower and took an impromptu nap during President Obama's prime time news conference. Not a commentary on him, but taking advantage of the chance to doze...

I may be old, but I'm riding younger lately.

Cyclist to pray for: Todd K. Continuing (but improving) back issues

DB

Best ride in how many years?!!?

I'm a coach. I have hired a coach. He has a coach of his own...

Everybody can improve.

I went to the local Saturday morning hammerfest at Richardson BikeMart this weekend and promptly missed the start of the 36 mile no-stop, drop you if you can't keep up ride.

I was on a mission to keep my HR right at 160, per my training plan.

So I'm at 140 before I leave the parking lot to try and catch the group. So much for proper 10 minute warmup...

I get on the route at a place that should put me just a little behind the group and I see a few stragglers. I pass two of them and ask if the 36 milers are ahead or behind me (just in case I jumped too far ahead). "Way ahead...they took off like a shot" is what I got back.

Great.

And then I hit 5 red lights in a row. No chance I'm catching the pack without blowing up.

Next thing I know, the 27 mile group is right behind me. ok. fine. I'll hang out at the front of this group and just leave when they turn earlier than the 36 mile route does.

Do you see it coming? I didn't.

So we roll along for probably 5 miles, me cruising at the front, sometimes taking a pull, sometimes rolling away. You see, I have a HR to maintain here. And I've lead this 27 mile ride before, several times.

After the big nasty hill that I usually suffer up my friend Woody rolls up beside me suggesting I should be checked for banned substances. "Why?" I ask. Then..smack.

Woody leads the 36 mile group. I was ahead of them the whole time and have been dragging this group for the last 5 miles. Previously, I would have been at the back half-dead.

So, it occurs to me the three things were at work for me to that point:

Race wheels instead of training hoops (Coach's orders)
Training plan for a week (Coach's orders)
Ignorance of what group I was in.

I lost number 3, but the other 2 stayed with me the rest of the ride and I rolled in with the lead bunch. NEVER have done that before in 2 years of trying.

Coaching works, even for old geezers.

And Woody (who I have known since 1984) tells me that is the strongest he has seen me ride in 15 years.

Want to improve? Hire a coach, get a consult, buy a training plan...and stick to it.

See you Saturday!

Cyclist to pray for: Michael.

DB