new direction

thanks for reading

Go easy

photo taken by Andrew Yeoman.

You will be greatly missed

CROSS II The Hecklers from Paul Michna on Vimeo.

Good Things

1. This Sunday: http://chicrosscup.com/2009/11/06/northbrook-preview/


2. Next weekend:

do yourselves a favor and read this as well:

SUPER-GIRL APPROVED

cheers

Nervous Breakdown (A la Keith Morris)

What a great song to start the day with - pretty much on any day too! Getting prepped for the course set-up this Saturday/Sunday, and pretty stoked to hear what the racers will have to say about it. A few changes from last year's design, but the changes only add to the sweetness that is lung-busting, switch-backed, run-up, goodness.

The shit thing: I will not be racing. Not just this weekend, but at all this season. I picked up a cast for my right hand while chasing my dog around the house. Puppies are quick, and better skilled at cornering (which is my weakness to begin with!). Hand + bannister = 30 days in a cast, up to 90 days no hard cycling. Side note: sitting on a training for 15 minutes at an easy pace is somewhat embarrassing, but it is what it is.

So I am trying to figure out next season planning already. There is only so much reading about cycling I can do before I want to put in a good long road ride or tinker around the local trails on my cross bike. It's like being in a small red, fiberglass cage that smells like a wet gym sock you found in your hall locker on the last day of school. Thank Walgreens for scented hand sanitizer.

See ya at Northbrook CX this weekend hopefully. And a few other local races. If I can't lose racing, I'll win spectating.

(photo by NikkiCyp ) USGP Madison, WI

"Belgian Face Warmer"

I had a lot more going on outside of racing than I thought this weekend, but it was just as awesome. Maria and I headed up to a casino for our wedding party and hit the blackjack tables. Anyone who knows me knows that I have never been to a Casino.

We sat down at a $10 dollar table around 12am and walked away with 150% of what we sat down with around 2am. Pretty cool. That should help with the last minute wedding needs and a few other things.

I heard that the 'Cross race in Madison's Angell Park was once again sweet. Haven't seen many pictures outside the one of fellow teammate Jason above decked out in his lastest Belgium Face Warmer. Inspiring to say the least.

I am kind of burnt out on trying to stay in a cycling regimen at this time - I probably should have been more honest with myself regarding this once we decided to get a house. There is always something to do, and by the time we get back home each day, it is just too easy to lay on the floor and hang out with Fritz. I don't even have my tires glued up, or my frame re-built. I am mentally and physically shelled. Cycling has become a process for me, and a process that is being pushed farther and farther back. It has developed a nagging voice that I can hear right before I grab my bibs and shoes, and a discouraging one at that.

I will have Dog in a Hat (reading it again) along with me this trip for some motivation.

the odd thing: I am starting to enjoy running more. Maybe I should hop on the Stepplechase bandwagon before it becomes so popular it demands its own snarky internet forum.

Looking forward to:

Our Wedding. After a year of decisions, planning, travel arrangements, stress, a new house, a new pup, more planning, a change here or there - our wedding is coming up fast. We have learned a lot about the process, the frustrations, the challenges, and the happiness that comes bundled with getting a wedding organized. Maria's parents have been awesome, as have mine, at making sure we are set and sane. Maria and I attended her Mom's family reunion this past weekend - it was a glimpse of the amount of people we will see Oct 3. Her mom is one of 12 siblings, whose father was one of 16 siblings. My pops has a sister; my mom was an only child. I continue to be amazed at how large Maria's family truly is.

I hope this needs no explanation. My favorite book as a kid. Do it justice, Jonez.

and of course, Cyclocross. I have completely fallen off the wagon as far as a training plan. The wedding/dog/house trifecta has taken its toll, but those are far from bad things. Works has ramped up as well for Fiscal Year End, and I have found myself just wanting to lay down next to my bike instead of pounding out a daily program when I get home. More rides on the road have given me a boost in attitude. Building the workbench for bikes/fly tying has helped a bit as well. Each year I tell myself "there is next season," and it is repeated like some annual mantra. Setting realistic goals when you have a full-time job, a wedding, a house, family, etc - I really need to do better. My goals are like dreams - totally floating in this ether of "there is always a chance that the 15-20 riders in front of you will all flat simultaneously." Time to shift my focus. No one but me races my bike or pays my bills...