Hey.

Hey, All.

(SPOILER ALERT: for those of you who TIVO the Tour and are saving the stages for future viewing or who live in a cave and do not check the results, please don't read any further...Stage One victor is mentioned in following post.)

It's been a while. I hope that each of you are well and enjoying the season. My 2008 aspirations will need to be recalibrated for 2009 as I'm working through some health issues that have kept me off the bike and away from the MABRA scene. However, it was good to meet many of you at the Reston Town Center Grand Prix. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the race, and an extra special thanks to those who supported our fundraising efforts for Raisin Hope Foundation in honor of Craig Clark. We got the great news that Doc is back in the area and is being cared for locally.

Now, I am NOT a Pro Tour expert - or for that matter, even a wannabe - but there are some things that I have already noticed that I wanted to throw out there. Remember, this is from a relative newbie, so forgive any egregious errors or naive observations:

1. He was a nice guy, but Al Trautwig HAD to go. Jury still out on Craig Hummer.
2. Why can't it just be Liggett and Sherwen? Period.
3. Where was I when High Road became Columbia? Better kits, however.
4. I can already tell that SAAB will again be my most despised repeat commercial.
5. Tom Danielson appears bitter about not making Tour squad.
6. It was good to see Valverde take Stage One. But the yellow-clad bike from Day One is presumptive by a long stretch. Wonder how long before Fuentes shadow is recast over him.
7. The Versus commercial with all the tainted riders riding in reverse or having their jerseys removed just serves to remind the world of past (?) transgressions. Why hammer us over the head with the cheaters? Poor taste, if you ask me. That doesn't say "fresh start" by any stretch.
8. No Prologue? I actually liked that.
9. Hey, it's not just Cat IVs who crash.
10. There is still no other sport with the drama, pageantry, scenery and courage as the Tour de France. My two sons are transfixed while watching. As am I.

Hope to see you on the roads soon. And get well soon, Doc!

Thanks for reading,
Fish

Next time...

I don't feel like racing or training because of an ache, pain or mild illness...

Change of Plans.

My wife turned 40 this year. Late last year, she decided that she wanted to tackle a Half-Ironman distance Triathlon to mark the important birthday milestone. Her dedication to the training regimen has been nothing short of inspiring. I could learn quite a bit from her dedication and determination. Getting up at 3 am on a regular basis to get a run or bike ride (indoor trainer) in before heading off to open the local pool at 5 am has become part of her daily routine.

Somewhere between the time she informed me of her multi-sport aspiration for 2008 and last week, I lost sight of the importance of supporting her goals 100%. Case in point: I wanted to do at least two, maybe three, out-of-town stage races this season (Dutch County, Owasco and Green Mountain). However, she mentioned that me being away for several weekends during her heavy training months (the Tri is in September) would infringe on her most important training blocks. At first, I was disappointed that I'd have to potentially jettison some interesting and challenging events. Upon reflection a short time later, I realized that she was absolutely correct and that I was just being selfish.

Sooo...my racing plans have been altered somewhat. For the rest of this year, I'm going to simply enjoy riding my bike, train when I can (business travel has been heavier than normal this year...in fact, I'm fighting some bug that I picked up from the UK and won't be racing at Bike Jam later today), hit a few Time Trials, the occasional road race and perhaps take up Cross, since those races occur after the Triathlon. Also, a client of mine talked me into running in the Army 10-Miler in October. I am NOT a runner. I'm barely a cyclist, but definitely NOT a runner. Maybe this new discipline might help with the Cyclocross.

First priority for this year - as it should be - is to support my wife in her chosen endeavor, given all the selfless support she has shown me in my training and racing.

Thanks for reading.
Fish

Charity Ride.

Saturday was my company's third annual participation in the National Capital Chapter's Bike MS Ride to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Nationally, my firm is active in charity rides including fielding a team of just over one hundred for the Kansas City ride (where we're based), as well as in cities across the country.

The ride is a good wakeup call for me. Throughout the several hours spent pedaling in and around Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, I notice not only the fantastic scenery that we are fortunate to have available to us for our rides, but also the focused determination of hundreds of recreational cyclists who probably have never ridden this much in one day in their lives. Both things, I must admit, are taken for granted by yours truly.

In addition to raising money and awareness for a good cause, the annual Bike MS ride reminds me that we're blessed to be healthy and able to ride our bikes in a very nice part of the country.

Thanks for reading.
Fish

I Give Up.

Not literally, of course. Although my recent absence from the MABRA Blogosphere would lead you to believe otherwise. A recent outbreak of cyclists hitting the deck (e.g., Timmy Duggan, Dave Zabriskie, Tom Zirbel, Brad McGee, RayMan) had given this 42 year-old father of two some pause.

However, during a commute home this week on the ole' W&OD Trail I came across a multi-cyclist crash westbound right before Hunter Mill Road. WTF? One guy was sitting on the ground, bleeding in several places, one Good Samaritan was on the cell phone calling an ambulance, and a few bystanders (including the likely instigators) were gathered 'round. It was then that I realized that crap can happen anywhere. Even somewhere "safe" like the pedestrian bike trail you just have to be aware of what's going on around you. It's no different than when you're driving your car and there's just a yellow line between you and that oncoming Suburban operated by a multi-tasking soccer mom on the cell phone.

Thanks for reading.
Fish

Opposite.

If every instinct that I've ever had when it comes to racing or training has gotten me to where I am, perhaps I should consider doing the opposite. For example, instead of being complacent and sitting at the back, maybe consider sticking my nose in it and moving up to the front. Instead of agreeing with that annoying little voice in the head that says I can't possibly go with that break, dig in and head out. Instead of sticking to the Trail, find some hills (Wintergreen is fast approaching). "If every instinct you have is wrong. Then the opposite, would have to be right." - Jerry Seinfeld.

A big congrats to Junk who took 2nd at the Mount Joy RR in the 3/4, and to Brick for 5th in the same. From what I read, EVO was a factor in the race. Good work!

No racing for me until Wintergreen. More opportunity to enjoy just riding my bike.

Thanks for reading,
Fish

Commitment.

"Excellence in performance and in life begins with a vision of where you want to go and a commitment to do what it takes to get there." So begins Terry Orlick's book, "In Pursuit of Excellence," required reading for anyone interested in sports psychology.

I am where I am at the moment due to a complete lack of vision on my part (i.e., no real plan for the season, despite talking about it over the past few months), as well as a wavering commitment to training, diet and mental preparation. Sure, I've got a couple of physical excuses for not being in the kind of shape that would have me competitive at Jeff Cup and Walkersville. But that's just what they are...excuses.

Orlick refers to his "Wheel of Excellence," or the seven critical elements of excellence that should provide some direction: commitment, focused concentration, confidence, positive images, mental readiness, distraction control and ongoing learning. It's the first element, commitment, that I seem to be having difficulty moving beyond.

The seven key points to commitment include:

1) Pursue your dreams or make a meaningful contribution;
2) be the best you can be (Jeff Cup and Walkersville proved I'm not there yet);
3) do everything required to excel (this is where I fall woefully short);
4) develop the mental, physical and technical links to excellence;
5) set clear personal goals and RELENTLESSLY pursue them (not half-assed like me);
6) persist through the obstacles-even when they appear insurmountable; and
7) continue to learn, nurture your passion, and find joy in your pursuit.

It's obvious to me that the rest of the MABRA/VA Cycling Cat IV field have gotten the memo and have heeded Orlick's advice. The fast pace at Jeff Cup and the strong group of 30 or so Cat IVs and Vs at Walkersville in the 35+ field are testament to the dedication a good number of racers have invested over these past few months. Hats off to you. Thank you for kicking my butt and for showing me that if I want to half-ass my training and preparation I will get exactly what I deserve: half-ass results.

Today is a good place to start. VO2 intervals (6 x 4 min at 275 watts) are the order of the day. If I'm not hurting, I'm not working hard enough. If I give myself a free pass on my diet and forego my core workout, I have no right to bemoan my 10 extra pounds and sore back at Wintergreen.

Thanks for reading,
Fish