Push

This is part 4 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today’s inductee and now a resident in my “People” photo album is “Push“. I took this photo April 12th, 2009 at 6:01 AM as I was driving up from Idaho Falls and heading to Pipestone for a ride with some friends.

I had just spent the night at a rest stop just north of Idaho Falls. The day before that was Saturday and the Barking Spider Mountain Bike Race where I took top honors. Really it was the first road trip of the season and I can remember loving being all alone out on the road. I found it relaxing.

Last night was anything but relaxing and fun until I sat my cheeks down at the Bridge Pizza with a couple TNR buddies. What great tasting pizza at the ‘Bridge’. It was my last blood letting 3 week block of threshold intervals. I found last night stressful for the following reasons: 1) I was mentally and physically a little burned from all the training. 2) For some odd reason I cant raise my heart rate when I run. Full out on a flat surface I can barely get into zone three and maintain it. Its like zone 5 on the bike. 3) Trail conditions were the worst. Sixty five feet of slush had me doing the backstroke to the climb. Once on the climb ninety eight thousand feet of crusty post hole to face plant snow had to be overcome. It sucked.

Today more than most I really wish I were out on the road, pushing my shadow across the great plains.

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On this day in history:

2008: Cyclist v.s. Mother Nature – Oh, today’s the day for a beastly two-hour spin! Who’s up for the challenge?

2006: Geeze … Gotta Get Get Going – G5 – I guess you have to be there … in my mind. Too many coffees!

2006: Blackfoot Ride To Potomac – Hey there, friends! Bill checking in after a fantastic day that ended with me glued to the closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

2005: Lolo Peak Area Today – My friend Alden Wright and I have teamed up this weekend to snowshoe up a East ridge of Lolo Peak.

2004: JOB UPDATE – As you all know the government has canceled comanche. Sikorsky aircraft along with UTC has no clue what to do with us.

2003: Computer Funnies – At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry.

2002: Me Fat – Today is blue. I am blue because my body fat reduction and/or weight are not where I want it to be. I seem to be gaining weight with muscle mass.

From the latest outdoor misadventures back to a time of personal reflections and career uncertainties, this list offers a chronological reverse journey through the captivating and varied experiences shared in blog form.