-they both look ridiculous.
-each has a unique flavor.
-after too much you have an uneasy stomach.
-you wouldn't want to have it all year round.
-Andy Shleck once ate a deep fried turkey. I'm sure he would have no problem with a deep fried cyclocross race.
-I had some of each today.
-As it turns out turkeys and cyclocross also share the letter "W". Turkies are happen to be an excellent source of the amino acid Tryptophan.
The internationally recognized symbol for Tryptophan is W. Today I scored a cyclocross W! The second cyclocross win of the season. So, cyclocross W and Turkey W all in the same day. Mmmmm, sooo good.
-One more thing that cyclocross shares with the turkey. There is always leftovers! That's right turkey sandwiches and cylcocross for the rest of the week.
Yesterday I ran in a cross country race for the first time in 3 years the U of S Huskie Open . Having not run in a race for so long I was eager, excited and nervous. My race form was yet unknown to me, though I knew I would be no superman. My strategy was to focus on myself, to stay in control off the start and then to try to wind things up in the last kms. A sound tactic if I do say so myself. To bad I could not pull it off.
When the race started I was in control and found my rhythm. I felt strong for 2 laps, then in the 3rd lap I was feeling "it" feeling maxed. It was in this lap that I made extra effort to stay with a group of ten runners. Unfortunately when we came to the hill I began to crumple. The next two laps were damage control. I fought to hold my pace and to finish the race. I finished exhausted, I finished. And I loved it. You have to love that feeling of shattered self mastery.
I finished a distant 48th in 26,11. Underwhelming no doubt. But I intend to make improvements. If nothing else I hear running keeps you thin. The Huskie Mens team placed 3rd overall. In the future I will be glad if I can contribute to team successes.
My training for Cross country continues to be full on. This will no doubt improve my running and keep a basic level of fitness. Unfortunately this has led to a disgusting lack of cycling. I have spent far too much time off the bike. Somehow I need to find a way to continue to ride while re-learning how to run. In all ways that I train my focus is to cycling.
Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.
As a full time student, I am mostly on top of my academic game. The trade of here is that I have become "fat, and slow". Currently this is not a huge tragedy. It is the beginnings of the "off" season, I am studying full time, and I feel entitled to pumpkin pie. Yet as an elite athlete I know that an "off" season is somewhat of a fallacy. So in order to compensate for being a slow, fat, pie chomping bookworm I will begin an athletic program of Generic Tough Guy Conditioning.
One may ask, what constitutes Generic Tough Guy Conditioning. In order to properly explain we must first define the terms.
Generic - non specific. Zefram Chochrane once said, "Don't try to be a great man, just be a man." This quote can be modified for Generic conditioning. "Don't try to be a cyclist, just be an athlete." The off season is the perfect time for this. Workouts needn't be specific to cycling, they need only improve your fitness in a well rounded manner.
Conditioning - to prepare for a desired state of being. To build the tallest pyramid one must have the broadest base. an athlete must also have a broad base. A cyclist requires a specific skill set, but an elite athlete requires a wide range of tools to develop their abilities. Conditioning will develop the bases for strength, power, flexibility, speed, endurance, kinetic awareness and reaction timing.
Tough Guy - Workouts will be inspired by Rocky Balboa and Corey Borolien.
Rocky Balboa
Corey Borolien
No footage available. Corey is far too intense. You can't handle it.
principles of the Generic Tough Guy Conditioning program.
- Cardio is key. I will be training with the Huskies Cross Country and Track teams. However all forms of cardio are acceptable.
Running (in sand, in snow, up mountains)
swimming (butterfly is preferred)
cycling (in all forms, duh)
skipping
escaping KGB
chasing chickens
- Core Training. This cannot be under estimated. To be a tough guy is to do more sit-ups than is humanly possible. To be truly tough one should receive gut punches while working the abdominal muscles and/or perform all exercises inverted.
- Flexibility, Tough guys understand the importance of YOGA. But to a tough guy it is simply called stretching and there is no need to pay for it.
-Strength, tough guys are strong. You know this. Endorsed activities include,
Weight Lifting (Free weights only)
Lifting in general
Logs, rocks, chains, people, The more unconventional the better.
pulling things, tires, sleds, cars, farm equipment.
-power. Strength is nothing without speed.
See Strength building activities, then do them faster.
Also include, chopping wood, cutting down trees, throwing large rocks.
Once the condition is established specific preparation can begin. Then fight the Russian, take the title, go ten rounds, be a rock. Whatever, be tough.
Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.
I believe that everyone out there is familiar with the 14 day work week. I think that at some Point everyone experiences this Phenomenon. You know the case. It's crunch time, and you find yourself working long days everyday for 2 weeks. Well the last two weeks have been my 14 day Work week.
I have been working "crunch time" help at the University Bookstore. This amounts to 40 hours a week until September 17th. (I still have 2 full days remaining.) On it's own this is not so bad. However, two weeks ago Fall Term classes have started of which I have five this semester. I have begun life-guarding as well. To tally this up I am working full time at the bookstore, we can agree that 5 classes is a full time job, and I am life-guarding part time. This is the equivalent of double and a half. Needless to say I am attempting to train for the Huskies X-country running team.
perhaps I do too much. C'est la vie.
Aside from the general disorganization, stack of loose paper on my desk, to do list, laundry, lack of hygiene, and lack of sleepit seems to be going all right. I only have two days left of this.
Although this weekend the $-17 is gonna hit the fan, I think I can pull out on top. By Sunday night pulling out on top will constitute having a fatter wallet, being on par with course work, eliminating the above disorganization, not getting fat, and having a good night sleep. I will let you know how it goes.
Well I was at the lake. No internet. No TV. No mobile. It was Great! And surprisingly easy to go cold turkey.
While I was at the lake I was unable to Post Pics. However I was able to take Pics. I have now completed my ten day Photo challenge. Success! And a lesson learned.
Media is meant to be shaken not stirred. Enjoy.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
my schedule for the next 4 months. On the back is a list of my fears.
Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.
I am off to Waskasui Tomoz. I am sooo stoked. Time for some Beach action! I will be taking my bike of course. But this weekends training is to balance out the various shades of white and brown on my body.
Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.
