The Birkie Fever

Well, survived another Birkie yesterday - always an adventure. A 51 km pilgrimage through the Chequamegon national forest in Northern Wisconsin. It was a huge race this year, over 10,000 racers for the events i heard. It was shaping up to be a fast "gliding" race, perfect for me since i have tons of leg strength now with all my huge rides in recent weeks...but i was foiled. A fresh inch of snow and a bit cooler temps turned the snow into sandpaper - it was work. It really turned into a race of high-end threshold ski fitness, not really my forte at this point in my RAAM training.

The gun went off and it quick became evident it was going to be a tough day. I was struggeling to stay with the front group and we hit the early climbs and belw up - i was quickly in like 75th place. i composed myslef, setteled into a compfy pace and continued on the trek. I was moving up and at about 15km, caught up to my buddie and new daddie Chad Giese. We continued to collect folks and by aobut "OO" it was evident there was no "getting away" from the huge group that had formed behind so i settled in for a little train ride to Hayward. It seemed to be a bit of an inexperienced group as we were like and accordian and the hills were really tough as the pace was always changing....a bike racing 101 class would have helped out a bunch of them and made our race much smoother.

We got to Hayward and believe it or not, i was starting to feel better. We were finally starting to chatch more folks in front of us...and if it were another 10km, all up hill, i'd have been set!! No upper end, but plenty of base cruising speed to keep ball rolling for some time it seemed.

A fun event, a good hard workout, but now it is time to hit the bike full time. The skiing has really helped my core and general strength, but now it is saddle time. In less than a month, i'll be back in Cali for my last training trip and plan to ride 36 hrs straight from San Diego, then a short rest and contine on the rest of the first 800 miles of the race to Durango. I'm hoping to try out a few race support pieces and gear choices (no chamois shorts??). Inside 4 months now...wow!

Photos from www.skinnyski.com

Motivation

This will motivate me to train hard for the next 5 months....the start line of an epic adventure. Stopped by today on my 12 hr ride. The best part is now i'm staying up all night for a little sleep deprivation. Will be back on the bike at 6am, ride, then catch a plane and go home. Long way to go yet, but i feel like i'm inching closer in my training and preparation. I know what i need to work on and where i need to go....and knowledge is half he battle.
Finally, about 1/2 way through my ride today i wanted to quit- was tired and questioning what i'm doing and it is only February. Then i remembered a quote from a good buddy-

"enjoy yourself" my man...because the only way you are going to get through this is if you really love what your doing...even in the challenging moments. BELIEVE THAT!!!

I think that is applicable here and in every day life. I do love this...so I'll keep on.

Vacation

So, today i decided i needed a vacation in the desert....

I hit a quick 9 in Borrego Springs,

stopped by the zoo,

picked some oranges,

and finally went for a swim in the Salton Sea,
and as you can see, i didn't get stuck in traffic trying to get anywhere.
The 8+ hr ride in the desert was fun too.

Up, Up, Up and Up

8.0 hrs, 20,000ft, 80 degrees, 4x Palomar...toast.

(Snow, even in SoCal- top of Palomar)
(Totally toast, on top the last time)

Ramp'n Up

Well, i find myself back in Cali for RAAM training camp #2 of the winter. After a great talk with Lon the night before i left, the game plan has changed this time around - i need more miles. Some say the big miles aren't necessary, and that intensity is a better use of time...well there is a reason no one is coming close to the crossing times of Lon, Pete and the records set years ago- no one does the miles they did.....so, i'm hitting the big miles while i can. Since Minnesota doesn't have the big climbs either, tomorrow i'm going to hit Palomar 4 times for a 8ish hour ride with 20,000 feet of up. Then big miles 18ish hrs on Sunday and again Monday. i was hoping to ride out to Congress, the first 350 miles and get a 30+hr ride in, but circumstances won't allow, so it will be more of a local 300...but 300 never the less (i'll get to congress at 36hr ride when i get back in March). So, it may be a few days before i'm back to the post as it is time to train like a RAAM racer and that means living on the bike. Off to bed.

Status Quo

Well, it has been a bit since i've updated here, but alas, the last few weeks have just kind of gone. Training has been very solid and i'm excited about finishing up a little rest period before heading to my second camp in San Diego later this week. The time out there will again be very valuable as i'll get to ride on the race course, hit the desert for some quality riding and do some serious climbing (shooting for a 20,000 foot day on Palomar). Later this week i have a conf. call scheduled with the best RAAM racer ever, Lon Haldeman. He is an awesome dude and is willing to dole out some advice to me the rookie - i can't wait to pick his brain as i think he can sheld some needed light on a few subjects that will be cirtical to my success...sleep, nutrition to name a few.
Due to some time constraints and family illness, i was bummed to not get a chance to race this past weekend at Ripley or Marine...but as luck would have it, there was a 1st running of the Highland Championships in St. Paul. Only two racers were man enough to belly up, my neighbor Chad Giese and myself. The 3 lap, 10KM race started promplty at high noon and was run at a blistering pace throughout. In the end, Saab Factory skier Chad Giese pulled out the win, and i was lucky enought to hold on for second.
Ok, really it was just one hell of a good workout.

Uncle!!

It has been some time since it happened, but i cried UNCLE yesterday. I got up at 5am for my usual ride to the Anytime to lift, and with a -16 temp and -35 windchill, i decided on the trainer.

Today:
Cold
Hi -6°F

I have to admit, i was feeling a bit soft skipping my usual outside ride, but in hind sight I realize the quality of bundling up like a marshmallow and trying to pedal is not real high. Better off just taking the lumps on the trainer. I did get out for a ski as a lesson i had canceled- and it wasn't that bad. The snow was actually faster than I'd have guessed....wow. It is awesome to have quality skiing for the first time in some years- thanks old man winter. Even though i'd like to have some better outside riding conditions, i'm always amazed how good skiing is for core strength, balance, aerobic fitness...it always seems to translate well to summer success on the bike.
I will admit however, i'm getting excited about my next trip to San Diego. Got my cooling vest yesterday from Cool Vest, and i'm starting to get dialed in on my nutrition and hydration for the race. PICC line?? With just 6 months left, this is getting closer and closer by the second. My wife Megan has agreed to come along and crew now as well which is huge for me. She has crewed RAAM, knows me best and will be an amazing crutch for me over the 10 days of hell. Well, time for an OD ski and lessons in -6 with -30 windchills...is it groundhog day? California Dreaming...