1 Week After Crash - Ready To Race Again!

It is hard to believe that it has been a week already since I was hit by the car and forced out of my race. Even though it has been a week, I am still pissed about not being able to finish the race. I know it was out of my control but not finishing is not something I handle easily regardless the reason. I also realize how lucky I am that I have been able to get back on the bike and ride every day this week. I have been able to get on the bike and do some really good spinning this week. The road rash is slowly healing and the bruises are turning green but the lower back is still stiff. It prevents me from being able to jump out of the saddle for and extended period. I also know I am truly lucky to even be alive given the speed I hit the car (close to 30mph) and how far I flew and skidded from the car (60 feet). But trust me, I am going to spare you from the life changing epiphany story as I am not sure I had one. I am just going to get back on my bike and do what I do best!!!

Training this week was solid but nothing spectacular. To be on the safe side, I spent the first 4 days on my indoor trainer. I wanted to make sure my back could handle riding. Each day I felt better on the bike but the back never fully loosened up. I really need it to loosen up so I can race this weekend. If things workout, this Saturday will be my first USA Cycling certified race. Since I need to compete in Cat 5, my race will be a short 37KM or 4 loops of a 5.7 mile circuit. Coming off the performance at the Mon Tour, I feel very confident to be able to hammer this course it what should be under an hour of racing. I have several other races in mind after this one.

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11716

New training totals:
Week - 7 rides/ 199 miles/ 9hours 21minutes/ 21.40mph
Month - 31 rides/ 1009 miles/ 47hours 55minutes/ 21.30mph
Year - 151 rides/ 5006 miles/ 230hours 01minute/21.90mph

Yesterday, one of my athletes, Nate Wineland began his trek across country with 4K for Cancer. He and his group will be biking from Baltimore to Portland. I will keep you informed of his progress. Prior to his departure, he was able to raise $5000 for the cause. The 4K for Cancer is a national non-profit organization dedicated to uniting communities across the country in the fight against cancer by spreading awareness, raising funds, and fostering hope. He will also blog from the road and I will post the link as soon as I have it. Here is a link to the group 4K for Cancer:

http://4kforcancer.org/follow-us/2011-baltimore-to-portland/

Till the next time......

TdO 2011!!! It will be Epic!!

ALMOST RACE REPORT AND DAY OFF (NOT BY CHOICE)

What better motivation to write the "almost" race report than sitting here watching the final stage of the Tour of California. With the start of the Giro d'Italia and Tour of California, I have had even more motivation in my training everyday. Following these two races leading up to my race I anxiously could not wait for my race. As confident as I was with my training, I had no idea what to expect for this race. In running, I kind of know who the competition would be locally but since it was my first bicycle race I had no idea of the competition. The race itself is called the Mont Tour 75 but the exact distance is 77 miles when you look at the maps but I guess it is easier the say or write 75 in the information regarding the race. I also know they put a huge emphasis on the team competition as they were offering prize money and a huge trophy for the winning team. I would be competing solo in the 75.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/26741348

Now for the 'almost" race report and I'll explain that in a little. I had a good but relaxing week of training leading up to the race and even slept very soundly the night before. I awoke race morning to a nice temperature but a very thick fog. The race official informed everyone that several of the challenging descents and climbs would be wet and to watch ourselves. He was not kidding as one rider slid out in front of me 4-5 miles into the race. The first 3 miles of the course were a flat route through town then we hit the first of 6 major hills on the course. On the first climb, you could get a feel for how some of the riders handled climbs but it did not separate the peloton completely. I led a lot of the way up the hill and the new picture on here is me leading the pack through the fog at the top of the hill. Throughout the many climbs on the course the peloton stretched out and thinned. We had several sections of gravel roads also which gave it the feel of some of the one day classics in Europe, which is what the race director was trying to replicate. In all there were 6 major hills on the course and there was a combined elevation gain of 5940 feet throughout the course. Going into the final 3 hills, the lead group was down to about 20 riders including me. Then on a climb around 56 miles that group split in half and we were down to about 10. I was gaining confidence in that I could have a top 5-6 finish in my first race as a cyclist. I was riding solo among members of several cycling teams. Regardless I did my share of pulls and setting the pace uphills. On the descent from that hill that split the group I slid back a little but on the next major climb I gained major time and moved myself back to around 5th or 6th when I reached the top of that monster. On the descent, I was flying down the hill (30+mph) with another rider and we were gaining on the group in front of us. There is where the "almost" race report comes in....at an intersection at mile 69 a car going up the hill decided to turn left into my lane and I had know where to go but into them. I was able to angle myself and slow slightly before impact. On impact, I was thrown from my bike over the car and I flew/skidded into somebody's front yard. I ended up face down 60 feet from the car. I did exact some revenge in taking her mirror off the car and leaving a dent in her door! Amazingly, I walked away from this with a lot road rash and no broken bones. The bike took minimal damage as I had a small ding in the frame and my handle bar tape was torn. I will need to inspect it closer to make sure nothing else was done to bike. I did have some nice scratches on my helmet also. I never lost consciousness and remember flipping in the air and the impact of the ground. I had two immediate thoughts upon stopping on the lawn: How is bike? and How could she be so stupid to ruin my race? The driver was cited by the police and trust me I will make sure I get everything deserve from them. I just can"t believe she was that dumb given two cyclist went by about 100 meters in front of us. And she ruined my brand new Team IQC kit!!! Bastard!!!

Despite that mishap I still manged a great week of training totals. I did take today off (not my choice) even though I think I could have done and easy spin to loosen up.

Week - 6 rides/ 227 miles/ 10hours 52minutes/ 21.20mph
Month - 24 rides/ 810 miles/ 38hours 34minutes/ 21.30mph
Year - 144 rides/ 4807 miles/ 220hours 40minutes/ 21.90mph

Today, as I relaxed on the couch I was checking race schedules because I need to get back out there ASAP! Now this weekend is out as I will be in Ohio for NCAA D3 Track & Field National Championships. My top 5K runner on the woman's team qualified with a time of 17:14.76.

Here are possible races: (short because of having to compete in CAT 5 but USA Cycling sponsored)
June 4th - Mt Joy Road Race - 37KM
June 11th - Tour of Mt Nebo - 27 Miles
June 12th - Luzerne Criterium - 21 Miles
June 19th - Gretna Bikes Race Avenue Criterium - 20 Miles
June 26th - Emrick Boulevard Criterium - 25 miles

I will not do them all but I need to get at least two of them but I also want to find a longer road race as I had some much fun over the long course this past weekend.

Of course this schedule would not be complete with the TdO 11!!!!

It is so on!!!

5 Days To Go - Taper Is On!!

It seems like it was so long ago when I first started talking about the race this weekend. With 5 days to go till the race, I feel very confident in my ability to do extremely well in this hilly race! I am not sure what the competition will be like, so I will continue to look at this race in terms of my goals of a certain finishing time versus place. Given the strangeness of the weather this spring, I think I will wait till Thursday to actually see what the forecast might be.

Last week's training leaves me very confident for this race. I had my biggest and best week of training to date. I did manage 2 days of doubles as well as a great group ride. On Tuesday evening of last week, my friend Eric, took me over to Mifflinburg to ride the Big Ring Velo group ride. It is a collection of cyclist from this area including many members of the Bucknell University Cycling Team. It was my first group ride since my triathlon days. It was also the most fun I have had on a bike it quite some time. It was an hour and half of attacks, sprints, hills and surges. In the end, it was me and three other riders in the lead pack. I finished the ride with several Cat 3 riders from the Bucknell Team. I even made a bunch of the attacks and never felt like I could not answer any of the attacks. The course was fun as it included some nice flats but also a good amount of rollers and several good climbs. I do know I still need to gain some comfort in riding with a group again. I believe a few of the guys from the ride will be participating in the Mont Tour this Saturday. I have also included a tremendous amount of hills in my training. Wednesday, I completed a ride that totaled over 2500 feet of climbing in a 38 mile ride.

http://web.me.com/earthscapes66/75_miles_/Home.html

Newest training totals:
Week - 9 rides/ 300 miles/ 14hours 31minutes/ 21.00mph
Month - 18 rides/ 583 miles/ 27hours 42minutes/ 21.30mph
Year - 138 rides/ 4580 miles/ 209 miles 48minutes/ 21.90mph

After this race on Saturday, my focus will turn to USA Cycling races so I can start to maneuver my way up the rankings. I don't want to stay a Cat 5 rider too long!!! With the track & field season almost over, I can commit even more time to training and get some longer rides. I am looking forward to those 3-4 hour rides through the hills of Central PA. Training out here will make any ride in South Jersey feel so easy!!! I am pretty sure no hills around here that even come close to here.

TdO '11!!!

Let the Epic Cycle begin!!!

Down to Under 2 Weeks Until First Race!!!

With every passing day, I get more excited for what will be my first bicycle race! And with every workout, I get more confident in the goal I have set for myself! My coaching schedule still gets a little crazy at times with it being "Last Chance Meet" season. That pretty much entails chasing meets around the Middle Atlantic states to give my athletes a chance to qualify for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Currently, I have 3 athletes who are provisionally qualified for the championships.

I am now down to 12 days until the Mont Tour. I have yet to get on any parts of the course but it looks more and more likely that I will be able to within the next 3 days. I also know a group that might ride the course on Sunday. I really just want to be able to ride a few of the hills to get an idea for gearing during the race. I have been getting plenty of hills in my rides but always good to be familiar with the course, even if only a little bit.

Training continues to go amazingly well and I am getting to ride with a few people at times. Tomorrow night, I am supposed go to a group ride in Mifflinburg, PA - Big Ring Velo. One of the guys from the group we have here at Susquehanna was telling me about it and we are headed there. He said it would really help me. It will also be helpful to get some more group rides and learn some different routes. And when you tack on a decent morning ride, it makes for a very good double workout! I did get my first double last Friday and felt very good after it was all done.

New training totals:
Week - 8 rides/253 miles/ 11hours 38minutes/ 21.90mph
Month - 9 rides/ 283 miles/ 13hours 11minutes/ 21.40mph
Year - 129 rides/ 4280 miles/ 195hours 17 minutes/ 21.90mph

This also one of the best times of the year in cycling as the Grand Tours got started this weekend with the start of Giro d'Italia. Tragedy struck the Giro today with the crash and death of Wouter Weylandt, a rider for the newly formed Leopard Trek team.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/weylandt-dies-in-giro-ditalia-crash


With the weather improving and my schedule getting less hectic, I can't wait to get so many more longer rides (2.5-3+ hours). The only problem there is finding routes around here long enough for that......ugh!! I guess I will have my own mini Tour de Central PA throughout the summer. But in the long run it all leads to the epic event of the summer......

TdO 2011!!! The Epic Cycle continues......

LESS THAN 3 WEEKS TO GO!

Here I am just 19 days till my first race on the bike. Training continues to go very well despite my crazy coaching schedule this past week with Penn Relays and Landmark Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. At Penn Relays, Paul Thistle (post-collegiate) lost his show during the steeplechase in the first water pit, yet continued to run 6 laps with one shoe and still place 10th in the Olympic Development race (video link - he is the one in the yellow singlet): http://youtu.be/n2UTdg_s-ZA

Both the men & women's track & field teams finished 2nd at the Landmark Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. We had strong performances from all disciplines as both teams surprised a lot of people this weekend by exceeding what the performance list would have predicted. But that is why you have the meet. The team walked away with the Landmark Male Field Athlete of the Year (Ken Schetroma) and Male Rookie of the Year (Seth Landgraf); 7 individual championship performances; 2 new conference records (Alycia Woodruff - steeplechase/David Haklar 10K) and 1 NCAA Provisional Qualifier (Braden Klingler - javelin). It is now last chance meet season so let the traveling begin. We have 3 athletes currently who are provisionally qualified.

Training is awesome as each ride makes the hills easier. It is really tough to find a ride in Central PA that does not include some decent hills. Yesterday, I climbed my biggest hill to date as I rode from the hotel in State College and pedaled to Juniata College. It included a 770 foot climb in 2.72 miles.
Course profile: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/32952710 . The teams and the coaches from the other teams could not believe I was going to ride the route especially after the bus struggled to climb it the day before. Each day, when mapping routes, I am always looking for that new challenging hill. New training totals:

Week - 7 rides/ 228 miles/ 10hours 59minutes/ 21.00mph
April - 30 rides/ 1017 miles/47hours 43 minutes/ 21.60mph
Year - 121 rides/ 4027 miles/ 183hours 38minutes/ 21.80mph

I am getting excited for this race and the summer of racing. I am now getting a little bit more free time and can take a closer look at race schedules and start to put some on my calendar. Of course it goes without saying, we need to start to plan the bike race to end all bike races - TdO '11.

I am hoping that my schedule this week and into next week will allow for me to get a few training rides on the Mont Tour Race Course. It does have some good hills but I believe my training will have me prepared for it. Course profile for Mont Tour Race: http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/road-cycling-map/pennsylvania/danville/26741348