My Daily Ground

Week in review: A bust.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Epic fail.

That was the theme of this week and getting out on the bike, logging miles, and....oh that thing called training, yeah, didn't happen. Monday came and went before I even knew it began; between being locked out of my apartment for the entire day, running errands after being out of town for YET another weekend, and the stresses of life I failed to get in a SAYG ride or even make the team meeting. The one productive thing I accomplished Monday was receiving an email from a friend that she had taken two pictures of me from the race weekend, very productive.

Pictures by: Janet Rost

Tuesday I managed slightly better than Monday, attempting my first brick workout in preparation for this weekends triathlon, "Man, Am I in trouble." So the entire time I've been saying to myself: "how hard could it be; I ride pretty often and I've been a runner for a long time, I mean how hard could it be to do one after the other." Well Tuesdays workout shut me up pretty quickly. I began with a nice warm-up on the bike simply because I figured if I was going to do an extended effort I probably shouldn't just go right into it. After my warm-up I rode around 200 Watts for 20 minutes. I'm hoping the ride takes me less than 27 minutes, but we'll see how things unfold.

Riding on the trainer, pre-beard-shave.

My silly PowerTap head unit was being funny, so I only have data from the Garmin 310XT, which I finally figured out how to use in multi-sport mode just in time for this weekend.

Silly PowerTap head unit. The next day, it turned on. What Gives?

Garmin PowerData with heart rate.

After I finished my effort on the trainer I hopped directly off my bike, threw on my running clothes (tights and a long sleeve pullover since it was cold out) and out the door for a run. At first I thought to myself, this isn't so bad my legs feel great, and then about a half mile into my run there is a nice long gradual hill that made my legs HURT. After I recovered from the intense burning sensation that was controlling my lower body, I picked up the pace and pushed hard completing a nearly 3 mile loop.

Trying to push it a little.

In the pain cave.

Mile splits from Garmin 310XT, so this weekends run may be...interesting.

One thing that frustrates me with the 310XT is the fact that it take's a good while for the satelites to acquire, which generally means the first part of my run isn't recorded. So even though it shows 2.3 miles, it's really more like 2.65 says this run.

Wednesday I woke up early and practiced transitions at the track on campus. This was my first and only transition practice for the triathlon, so hopefully I have the kinks worked out, otherwise Saturday morning may not go smoothly. I practiced over and over running up to my bike, goggle and cap down. Next glasses and helmet w/ buckle on, grab my bike and hop on. I can't decide whether or not I'm going to leave my shoes clipped in or simply put them on before getting on the bike. I really don't want to risk eating it leaving the transition area because I was trying to look cool.

My Mock transition area.

Mock transition area - I'm open to suggestions.

Wednesday Afternoon Reid Beloni's weekly ACC race weekend recap was posted on VeloNews.com and another one of my photo's was used. Read the full article Here.

My photo on VeloNews

I did have an opportunity Wednesday evening to ride out to Blacksburg Airport (the reason I have been so busy all week, VT Motorsports FSAE) and hung out with some cows and snagged this awesome shot.

Thursday followed suit with the rest of the week, not enough time in the day to get a decent ride in.

Farm near Airport Rd. in Blacksburg.

Tomorrow a race weekend preview for my Smithfield Sprint!

Oh yeah...pre and post shave.

Not as many 180's or Wazoo's - UVA/VCU Day 2

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Another lesson learned today:

Don't go too early... but you'll never know what you have in the tank if you don't try.

Today began early with an unwelcome alarm at 6:15 that was snoozed again and again finally pulling myself off the floor (host housing) at 6:30ish. Another light breakfast with bagel and cereal and the team headed north for another day of parking lot criterium racing. I love getting up early and being on the road before the rest of the world, which is especially easy on Sunday's when most folks are sleeping in. A quiet and peaceful morning drive with a gorgeous sunrise set an awesome tone for the day.

My favorite picture of the weekend.

More of the sun from this mornings drive.

King Dominion, well sortof we were pretty close.

One nice thing about racing the same location/course is that you know what to expect and the nerves were calmed allowing me to have a more relaxed morning. The course was changed slightly from yesterday with two U-turn's or 180's (6 turns total) compared to yesterday's 4-180's (total of 8 turns). To mix up the course even more the direction of the race was reversed in a counter-clockwise fashion.

Men's D field, it was tid-bit-nipply this morning during their race.

After watching our Men's D field be splintered by several hard attacks I was feeling very confident about today's race and my ability to do well. Around 10 I began getting dressed and had adequate time today to get in a full warm-up with about 30 minutes on the trainer. After my warm-up I rode the course once more before grabbing a spot on the line at the start. The race began faster then yesterday with the field strung out single file for the first 5 or so laps before finally settling into a more managable pace before primes began. I sat close to the front for most of the race and found great lines that allowed me to pass gain several places through the corners. One thing I learned from this weekend is that I'm comforatable leaning my bike ALOT further than most of the guys in my field, maybe this is a bad thing but I think cyclocross vastly improved my bike handling and cornering.

I decided to stay reserved today and not bother with primes keeping my mind on the important lap, the last one. With three laps to go a Maryland rider, who's a huge dude...atleast 6' 3", made a big move after the prime and Justin and I followed, we had a decent gap and I gave everything I had to stay away, but fell apart on the with a few hundred meters to go. On the last lap I sat up hoping the field would stay behind me and give Justin more room alone with Maryland rider, after several riders went around me I decided to kick it to the finish with a sprint passing another riding edging him out of the top ten, securing 10th for myself.

Men's C results, two top ten finishes this week for me.

In conclusion, I learned what I had left and that it may be better for me in the future to stay with the group, seeing as the winner didn't follow the attack with 3 to go and came from behind the field.

Power Data from the race, including warm-up and warm-down.

On a side note, a sweet photo emerged from yesterday on photo stream by the ex-conference director.

Photo courtesy of Ruth Stornetta.
Kinda sweet to have a photo of all three of us together in the race.

I went out on a nice long cool down today totaling 25 miles for the warm-up, race, and warm-down. Not a bad day and end to a decent week on the bike. As for the rest of the team, we didn't do as well as yesterday but one highlight is that Justin Crawford went for it all with about 5 laps to go in the Men's A race behind John Crow from NC State who CRUSHED the field, Justin held off the field finishing second.

Justin crossing the line for second place throwing up a modest salute.

No race weekend would be complete without a stop at Chipotle, after all we cyclist burn alot of calories and love us some burritos.

Chipotle, the fuel of cyclists!

The results from the rest of the fields (minus Men's A) are below:

Men's D results.

Women's B results.

Men's B results.

I have now completed 7 of 10 mass start races for my category 4 upgrade. I think I may do a few races as a 5 and then upgrade after I begin my new job and move. This week will be dedicated to preparing for my triathlon, Stoked!

180's out the Wazooo! - UVA/VCU Day 1

Saturday, March 20, 2010

I wanted to share my fortune from Thursday night, I believe my blog is taking care of this particular one.

My fortune from Thursday's Chinese.

Today was Day-1 of UVA/VCU's crit. weekend which went surprisingly well...but before I give away the results I have to build it up.

First, I need to comment on Tech's very strong presence this weekend with what seems to be one of the largest groups we've brought to a race weekend, including family/gfs/friends, today we were the large obnoxious group.

Justin's presence was most noted, the combination of a megaphone and Justin made for a hilarious afternoon.

We awoke early and ate breakfast at our host house in Midloathian, VA and headed north for an hour to Doswell, where the races were being held at the Virginia State Fairgrounds.

Kings Dominion in the background. Nice setting for a bike race.

Today's temperatures had a very large range, beginning the day by warming up the car in the morning, by the end of the day we were putting on sunscreen trying to not get burnt.

I had the opportunity to watch the Men's D field race before I began suiting up, watching the lines and the crashes (only 1). We had 3 of the 4 VT Men's D finish in the top 10, the 4th finish 11th. The results below:

Men's D results.

After the Men's D race I got ready and hopped on the trainer. I was a running a bit late but figured I'd be okay since the first race was delayed, WRONG! I got about two-thirds through my warm-up realized I had two minutes to my race start, hopped off, strapped my helmet, and headed towards the start line making it just a minute before we were supposed to begin. The race started a few minutes later and it was a quick start from the gun. A break formed and had a decent gap for the first two laps, but was caught after a few laps of work from the field. I moved up positions in the corners and found myself in the front but decided to ease off so I didn't blow up. I rode a smart race and came into the sprint strong finishing 8th, holding off the guys jockeying for my position.

Justin took 4th, I managed 8th and points form the first prime.

Power file from today's race.

I took a nice cool down after the race, changed and enjoyed a few amazing bowls of chili from the Aber's and then watched the end of the Men's B race and the Men's A races.

Some pictures from the day:

The start of the Men's A race.

Men's A field.

Justin getting some around a corner.

Mr. Ben Warren.

Tomorrow is another day of the same course, hopefully they'll be more exciting news tomorrow but for today I was happy with how I rode and my performance.

Return from training hiatus + VCU/UVA Race Weekend Preview

Thursday, March 18, 2010

I'm not positive if it's the most miles I've logged in a week since this past summer, which is pretty embarrassing if it is, but this week was a pretty decent week for me training wise. Monday I continued my binge eating without repercussions mentality as I readjusted to my school schedule of not having classes (man do I love senior year). Tuesday I had a gorgeous ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway beginning and ending at Mill Mountain just outside Roanoke.

Wednesday marked the return of Blacksburg Wednesday Worlds, a weekly race ride put on by most of the locals that includes a pre-determined route and a group of B's who are chased by A riders with a slight time advantage, needless to say we don't last very long. The ride was very difficult for me because it's much different than most race scenarios where we're riding 40 deep and everyone just kinda sits there. This ride is much different with a blistering fast pace, rotating pacelines, and open roads at high speed which somewhat scares me. The ride ended with a 3-mile climb of Harding Ave., a pretty narly climb here in town that the man, Lance Armstrong himself, averaged some ridiculous pace up like 15 or 17 MPH, or something ridiculous. The power file for the Wednesday Worlds is below:

Power Data from Wednesday Worlds.

Today I only managed to get out for a short ride at the end of the day and ran out of sunlight towards the end but still managed to get about 15 miles in or so. I enjoy being out on the bike especially on a day like today, even for an hour it's great to simply get away from it all. Power from today below and the details from on Garmin Connect Here.

Power Data from tonights ride.

My Thursday night ride made, just a quick loop around Blacksburg.

Tomorrow the team leaves for a race weekend hosted by both UVA and VCU. The race will be in Richmond on Saturday and Sunday, both races being criteriums with a slight change in course. One goal for me this season is to upgrade from a Category 5 to a Cat. 4, which can be accomplished by completing 10 mass start races (with a minimum start field...details...details). This weekends races will put me at 7 races for the season, only three short of the ten I need and may allow me to race up for the last race weekend of the season.

I've embedded two videos from previous race weekends which Nick Shoemaker has put together.

VT Cycling Presents: NC State 2010 from nick shoemaker on Vimeo.

VT Cycling Presents: Wake Forest 2010 from nick shoemaker on Vimeo.

The race flyer can be found here, and below the course preview for both crits.

Stoked for crits. this weekend!

Few small other notes:

T-minus 9 days until Smithfield triathlon, Oh Boy! (Be expecting a sweet pic. of my outfit and transition practice soon)

Return to Hot Yoga tomorrow!

Thats all for now more to come post weekend, hopefully sooner than the W&M-sketchy-sketchy-crashfest post which took me nealry 2 weeks to right, better late than never though.

Blue Ridge Parkway training ride

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tuesday morning after my team meeting I headed north on I-81 to complete some mandatory lab work for my new job which begins June 14th. To put it politely, I peed in a cup, but with the lab work taking all of 5 minutes to complete I found myself in Roanoke and a perfect opportunity to get an afternoon ride in. Mill Mountain looms above Roanoke with a towering star that serves as a bright red beacon at night. I drove to the top of Mill Mountain where there's a zoo and park as well as an access road to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I asked the local park staff for recommendations on which way to go and any construction concerns to be aware of, they suggested a common ride that I decided to take advantage of riding north on the parkway and taking 24 back. The short 3-mile access road to the parkway has an awesome decent at the beginning and then a nice little climb before you hit the parkway.

Following the advice of the park employee I headed north on the parkway for a soon to be determined distance based on how I was feeling. This was my first "ride" back on the bike since the W&M sketchy-sketchy-crashfest and my C&O adventures with Michelle which don't really count as training. The weather for the day was pretty decent warming up significantly throughout my ride. One important note about the ride was that I had a guy ride up on my wheel and try to catch a draft not bothering to ask if it was okay to ride on my wheel. I usually wouldn't have a problem with this issue, but just ask, I've been there too when you're exhausted... but you don't just hop on to someones wheel without letting them know you're there. On the next significant climb I just pushed it a little and he was gone, better luck next time!

At the turn around I decided to stop and take some photos of my ride and grab some water and food.

The parkway was pretty dead all day and has a speed limit of 40MPH.

I took this self portrait by just holding my cellphone, but the image looks really fake to me?

About halfway back I decided that a long sleeve jersey and legwarmers was way to much, so I ditched the warmers and gloves.

I rode about halfway back on the parkway and then took Rt. 24 through Vinton into DT Roanoke which was alright but heavily trafficked with folks who apparently don't like cyclist, twice I was almost clipped by mirrors.

The Garmin Connect details Here:

The parkway has a good bit of elevation change, with almost 3,000ft. of climb in 37 miles.

Tried to snag a shot of DT Roanoke as I was headed back into town at a light, silly truck got in my picture.

The Star is where my car was parked, just one long climb until I was back.

The star is pretty massive up close!

The view from the Star, totally worth it!

Power Data from the ride.

It's nice to escape from Blacksburg every now and then and the routine of Mt. Tabor Rd. and Ellet Rd. It felt great to get back on the bike and I'm really excited about the upcoming weekend of cycling at UVA/VCU with two crits.

Headers

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

So I got this idea from DCRainmaker of changing the header image every couple ~~weeks~~ months or so when I feel an image is worthy of the location. In order from most recent to the original: