Click...

Redemption through practice. After my stint at Buck Hill two weeks past, I found my confidence vacillating like the Wisconsin temps. You rip off day after day, feeding the addiction and telling yourself the soul of one wins out in the end. So you tell yourself...

The Pre Fat race is just that. Its a well timed race that leaves driveling for the big one or cramming more practice just to revel in the finish. I needed a good pre fat so to permanently file away the Buck Hill as just one bad day on the bike.

From the horn at the start to rubber time pad at the finish the legs were clicking like legs that have six months of practice in them. The roll out was smooth and controlled. When we hit the gravel rode I was surprisingly 5 seconds back of the leader. Lap one through the single track was hard but by lap two I punched it a bit and the legs responded.

I would have to say that a majority of the race I found myself in no mans land with no man, or woman, around. Being alone can be good but can get lonely as quick as the pace. With four miles left I jumped on to Ryan Lee's wheel and with a group of about three we rode to a pretty solid finish.

This years Pre Fat was my best by far. I took ten minutes off from my last years ride and I jumped twenty some spots to a 33rd finish. The legs feel ready and the weeks to come are meant for perfecting the psych and the condition. Thanks to my family and Nikole for the support and pre race food. Ya keep me wanting....

I'm off to meet Nikole for our 20 week sonic gram thingy at the doctor' office today. You know, he thing that takes pictures and takes a look at the little human growing in your wife's belly. We are not going to find out but I'm going to try myself to look for a little weenie. As the weeks move forward we get more excited for this! Thanks for all your support as well!

Single Swizzle

Sturgie

Who's Cup

After my previous race excursion, A bike diet was in order. Sleep, weddings, and hockey was in order for the weekend.
Pre-Fat this weekend. A roll of the dice and lets see how my legs respond!

Single Swizzle

Sturgie

Buck Hill Birch Bump

This past week I decided to try my luck racing one of the Minnesota State Series races that was held in Burnsville, MN. I don't know if it was a mid summer slump or just one bad race, but lets just say it didn't go very well from the start. The race was 5 laps of 2.7 miles. The first half of the race we climbed up the ski hill while the second half we zig-zaged back down the hill through tight single track, sandy switchbacks, and bumpy downhills. Mix a bad race from the get go and scorching sun baking us in the prairie grasses and you have a long day.

Its been well over a month since my last race and so my legs were rusty and my focus was off. The first two laps I was in the red, heart racing, seeing cross-eyed, and no place to recover. It sucked. By lap three I finally found a recovery pace and started to settle into a pace that would get me to the finish. The sandy sections sucked all the life out of my legs and the heat took the rest of my energies. Hard part was we hit these parts five different times.

Lap four I realized I couldn't ride fast and found it very demotivating so I put my body on cruise so I could finish for those who to watch.

All alone (photos - skinnyski.com)

Somewhat feeling better

Climbing up to the backside of the hill.

Anyhew, not sure what to make of this race. I'm going to right it off as a bad race in August. Got some time to regroup and find my game face for the upcoming Pre-Fat in two wee

Maybe I need to start commuting on the pedal bike again. That's it for now...

Single Swizzle

Sturgie

Bike'n the Break'n

Last night a confidant reminded me that my last post was sometime ago. It brought to my attention two important things 1) I've been lazy and C) people actually read this! Who would of thought.

Mid-July I took a much needed break from the bike for a week and took 27 high school kids out to Boston for some mission work. I had no time to think about my absence on my bike as we hurried all week from location to location. Great kids, great times, and great work.

The following week found me on Lake Prairie with 68 kids from church. I had my share of journeys with children ranging from five to eighteen. Great adventures but by week two I needed some time away. I did escape camp and made it back to EC town for the Tuesday night ride and a Wednesday MTB ride with Nate.

The little furlough did me some good but I was concerned about what it did on my conditioning and psych. I do know that it feel during a good time as there were no important races missed and it gave me plenty of time to recover from the slack.

I've hit the trails and road during the course of the last two weeks and seem to be getting back into the swing of things. Sunday I'm heading over to this race and we will see how the comp is in MN. Hopefully the legs will respond to the efforts I will demand.

Nikole and I officially passed the first trimester mark a couple of weeks back. We heard the heart beat for the second time on Monday and continue to breath a sigh of relief. Things are continuing to grow smoothly including Nikole's belly. We went for a ride the other day and noticed that bike outfits are not meant for prego woman. Spandex and baby bellies don't go together. It was great.

I'm back now and will definitely post with frequency. I will let you know how the race went on Monday!

Single Swizzle

Sturgie