Category: Blog Posts

Yesterday, I embarked on a journey that’s left my muscles screaming for mercy. Picture this: a normal day turns into a battlefield, me against the iron and grit of winter training. I got my hands on this killer workout regimen from none other than Lynda Wallenfels, a mountain bike coach extraordinaire. Let’s break down what this training involves and how it’s pushing me to the brink!

The Workout Rundown

It’s not just a workout; it’s a saga. Each step is meticulously crafted to push your limits, both mentally and physically. The session includes a mix of intense cardio, strength training, and endurance drills that are nothing short of brutal. Imagine cycling uphill, in the harshest of winter conditions, then coupling that with weights that laugh in the face of gravity.

My Experience

Let me tell you, it’s one thing to read about this routine, and a whole other ball game to actually do it. The moment I started, I knew I was in for a challenge. My muscles were on fire, my breaths short and sharp, and yet, there was this exhilarating rush. It’s like climbing a mountain with no peak in sight – grueling, but oh-so rewarding.

The Aftermath

Here I am, typing this out, and every keystroke feels like a marathon. Tomorrow, I predict a full-body rebellion. The kind where even lifting a cup of coffee will seem like a Herculean task. But, this pain? It’s a sweet reminder of pushing boundaries and conquering fears.

Why Do It?

You might ask, “Why put yourself through this?” The answer is simple – growth. It’s about testing your limits and seeing just how far your body and mind can go. Plus, the satisfaction of completing such a demanding workout is unparalleled.

The Road Ahead

This winter, I’m on a mission. A mission to transform, to overcome, and to emerge stronger. Will it be easy? Far from it. But the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, or in my case, a single pedal stroke.

1. Lynda Wallenfels’ Training Techniques – An in-depth guide on the training methods of Lynda Wallenfels, providing insights into how to prepare for intense physical challenges. Read more
2. Mountain Biking Fitness – Explore this comprehensive article detailing essential fitness tips and techniques for mountain biking enthusiasts. Learn More
3. Winter Training Gear Guide – A helpful resource for selecting the right gear for winter training, ensuring safety and efficiency. Check it out
4. Mind Over Muscle: Preparing Mentally for Physical Challenges – This guide offers strategies for mental preparation, crucial for tackling tough workouts. Discover here
5. Healthy Recovery After Intense Workouts – A valuable resource on the best practices for recovery after engaging in strenuous physical activity. Read here

Hello there! I’m currently tucked away in the cozy warmth of City Brew, right smack in the middle of a Missoula Montana blizzard. Now, this isn’t your everyday coffee shop scene. Picture this: snow swirling outside like a wild dance of winter fairies, and me, nestled with a hot cup of coffee, witnessing something you’d only see in a place like this.

So, in walks this couple. You know, the kind that you notice the moment they step in. Not because they’re outlandishly dressed or anything. No, it’s because they seem to have taken their love for perfume and cologne to a whole new level. I mean, I’m all for smelling nice, but this was like walking into a cloud of fragrance so thick, you could almost see it!

The door closes behind them, and whoosh, the entire coffee shop is engulfed in this perfume tsunami. People start looking around, wondering if we suddenly got transported to the fragrance section of a fancy department store. I take a deep breath and – bad idea. It’s like inhaling a bouquet of every flower known to humankind, mixed with hints of what I can only describe as ‘eau de overwhelming’.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to judge. Maybe they had a reason. Perhaps they were testers for a new perfume line? Or maybe they just really, REALLY wanted to make sure they smelled good for their coffee date. But in a small, cozy space like this, it’s like sitting in a sauna, but instead of steam, it’s just… perfume.

The barista, a tall, thin redhead with a look of mild amusement and bewilderment, tries to keep a straight face. He’s doing his best to act like this is just another normal day in the life of a coffee shop in Missoula. But you can tell, he’s struggling not to cough or wave his hand in front of his nose.

Meanwhile, I’m here, typing this out, and thinking about how life always has these little moments of unexpected comedy. It’s like nature’s own sitcom, and today, I got front row seats. The couple, blissfully unaware of the scented chaos they’ve unleashed, settle down with their drinks, chatting and laughing.

And me? I’m just going to sit back, enjoy my coffee, and maybe hold my breath a little. After all, it’s not every day you get to experience a blizzard outside and a perfume storm inside. Stay warm and scented, folks!

Your looking at my view as President Corey shares his vision for world domination.  Actually at this point most members had left and I stuck around for the after party with beer and Joe Joes.

I was actually doing a core workout when ERock Skyped me up and said that he hooked up his cam and I could join the meeting with a Skype call.  So I jumped in and participated as much as a digital signal could.

It was actually pretty cool.  It was like having everyone over in my front room. Sorry Ronnie, I know I was supposed to visit. Just got all caught up with the buds.

High on the docket was the finalization of the sponsorship packet and some ideas on who to spring it on.

I wonder what Sten is doing right now?

I have not been on the bike for over a week. It is not that I don’t want to it is just that I figure I needed a break from the old saddle before hitting it hard core for next years ultra endurance racing.

Tonight after work I could not work out because I had to wait on the Bridgemaxx tech to install my external antenna. Then after he got it in I had to test it out. A little faster and no jitter which means I now have a phone 322 DIRT.

I wanted to get on the trainer tonight but getting the winter training apparatuses from the closet I realized there was some working to do.

1. Mount slick on backup cross wheel for trainer.
2. Mount old cross tires on townie bike.
3. Find that damn skewer that is special for the trainer.
4. Give up of finding thee skewer and rig a make shift one.
5. Mount bike onto trainer.
6. Get out new bike computer (cadence and speed).
7. Realize that I need at least 5 zip ties.
8. Also realize I don’t have 5 zip ties.
9. Give up till tomorrow.

So as I picked up the phone to call mom and dad for tonight’s chat I sat on the couch to type up this blog. No workout tonight.

I wonder what Suzy is doing right now!

Today was about embracing the unusual: no goals, no races, no training regimen. Just a day off with absolutely no expectations.
This was a rarity for me, especially after a summer jam-packed with races and weekend rides with friends. The weekdays were all about work and training. So, this day wasn’t just a break from work, but a hiatus from my recent, bustling life.

My day kicked off with some serious loafing at the local coffee shop. I indulged in blueberry scones and decaf coffee until I was almost overdosing on coziness and caffeine-free bliss.

Feeling oddly inspired by my productive lounging, I sprinted home… for a nap. Yes, a nap! It was glorious, but I woke up just in time for a fantastic football game – Colorado vs. The Huskers. It turned out to be a real nail-biter.

But I couldn’t let athletes on the TV outdo me. So, in a surge of competitive spirit, I embarked on a hard workout: grocery shopping. That’s right, hardcore!
The day wrapped up perfectly as I settled down to watch a movie…

On Thanksgiving morn, ‘neath skies so wide,
Mount Marcy stands with stoic pride.
Amidst the hues of autumn’s flame,
It whispers to the wild, untamed.

With every step on trails we take,
The mountain’s breath in the cool air wakes.
A man with nature, quietly talks,
In the hush of woods, where the great peak walks.

No wagging tail, but peaks that soar,
Mount Marcy’s grace, the hiker’s lore.
Under the spell of November’s charm,
We find a bond, in the mountain’s arm.

Thanksgiving’s peace on this high crest,
In nature’s fold, we are truly blessed.
For in this climb, and paths we chart,
Mount Marcy finds its way to our heart.

I grilled some fish and had a salad, then approached the cupboard. Unsatisfied, I realized Seinfeld would be on in 30 minutes, and I needed a comfort item: a scone and coffee. So, I set to work on batch v2 of my scones.

I brewed some decaf (still good, made with my stove-top espresso maker). I took out some nut milk for the brew and found my recipe: almond butter, arrowroot, sea salt (Brad Keys style), an egg, honey, and said nut milk. I stirred it all together and folded in some blueberries.

The new cooking apparatus this time was a glass cooking bowl, about the size I wanted. I added some olive oil to it and heated it up. Scooping in the batter, I thought, “Voilà!”

Feeling better than yesterday, so I must be coming off that caffeine addiction. I’ve also been trying a new diet just to see what it’s all about. It’s the Paleo Diet for Athletes by Joe Friel. Despite expectations that I should feel terrible for two weeks, I actually feel much better today. In fact, I usually don’t have any energy to blog, but tonight, no problems.

One thing I can’t do without is my scones and coffee. Yesterday, a Twitter buddy told me about almond milk, and I tried it in my coffee… Yea!

1. The BridgeMaXX Debacle – I signed up for high-speed internet through BridgeMaXX, but what a ripoff! Their service is practically non-existent. I’ve been on the phone with tech support so often they’re practically family. And get this, since my phone service is also through them, I’m stuck in a loop of poor connectivity. I was supposed to get an external antenna, but they bungled the coordination with my landlord. Despite her being on board, BridgeMaXX won’t follow through. Even the installer, who keeps promising to call back, never does.
2. The Case of the Missing Debit Card – With my internet and phone being a bust, I headed to GFS, only to discover my debit card missing. Swiped right from my wallet at the cyclocross race! Oddly, the thief left everything else. Lesson learned: never leave your bag unattended. Now, I’m juggling legal action against an IT company and dealing with lost/stolen card procedures at the bank.
3. Work Woes and Unpaid Holidays – Amidst this chaos, my boss decides to question my qualifications, adding to my stress. The cherry on top? Learning we have Thursday and Friday off, but Friday’s a no-pay day. Yet, I’m asked to come in anyway, to an empty, closed office. How’s that for absurdity?

That’s my trifecta of getting screwed over. Tomorrow’s mission? Tackle these issues head-on and show them I’m not someone to be messed with. Watch this space!

I am sitting here watching Sunday Night Football. I haven’t moved in like three hours, just lying here without a thought on my mind. An ice cream container sits on the floor, empty. The apartment is a mess, but I don’t care. Tomorrow is a new day with nothing to do. My 2008 racing season came to a close today with the finish of the Montana State Cyclocross Championships.A far cry from last year, I came in about three places from last place. The men’s A field was huge, with a Redline pro taking the race easily. I didn’t get to do my usual start modestly and power forward because on the initial compression, I flattened my rear tire. I rode around and ran to the team van to find a replacement wheel.Sten’s wheel was good, and I did finish the season by riding fast and strong. Unfortunately, losing around three to four minutes running to the van and back for repairs was too much to overcome for even an attempt at a mid-pack finish. I find it miraculous that I did not get lapped.Soon after today’s race, we gathered at Higgins Alley Pizza place for the annual MBRA awards party, where I was fortunate enough to take home second place for the MORS Series. Everyone knows that Frank Gonzales deserves the plaque, but unfortunately, he did not sign up for the series.Well, goodbyes were made, and I pedaled home to plant myself exactly where I am now. Enjoying a well-deserved rest. I am making no plans for future racing. Just catching up on life, reading some books, and hooking up with friends.

I am sitting at work, refusing to be productive. It is sunny outside, and all I can think about is going cycling. Finally, I give in and walk out of work, telling the boss that I can no longer work and I have to go outside to play. The sun was shining its golden warmth on the hillsides of Sentinel as I climbed out of town and into Pattee Canyon. The singletrack was so nice, and my old friend beneath me seemed to be stretching its knobs into the Montana soil just like a cat does at 6 am on your chest. It was good, very good.

Tonight, I did my Pattee Wagon Loop, and I plan on getting up bright and early tomorrow morning and going to the coffee shop to post the map and details. Good night, and see everyone at Fort Missoula tomorrow at 3 PM! (Please incorporate images when they enhance the content.)

Well, the beginning of winter is one step closer as we all gathered at Ed and Laurie’s house to see each other one last time for this year. The Thursday Night Ride Group had its year-end party tonight, and it was a good time of fun, food, photos, movies, and stories of yore.

I used the opportunity to gather party supplies to work out, so I rode my townie bike all around town gathering what I thought would be great food for great friends. Olive oil, a pound of coffee, rosemary, garlic, baguettes, and veno.

I arrived and settled into a great little party. Later on, as the hard-core crowd gathered in the secret underground, we enjoyed getting to know each other, our wishes, dreams, and what makes symbols great (sorry, you had to be there).

I just arrived home for some sack time and must prepare to accept my other friends and teammates this weekend for the cyclocross state championships. Next week this time, I will have nothing to do. Can you imagine that?

Sitting here at the coffee shop, I’m completely brain dead. I have to come here to call mom and dad for our weekly talk. My home internet is unreliable, thanks to last weekend’s debacle with my landlady. So, as my conversation nears its end, I find myself staring at six photos for over an hour, wondering what to blog about. Heck, I don’t even know what to blog about.

Tonight started with me dropping off the laundry at the Green Hanger. I took a walk and ended up at the Bridge Pizza for a slice, where I posted a tweet.

When I got back to put the laundry in the dryer, one load hadn’t drained the water. I pulled out all these dripping wet clothes and tossed them into the dryer, adding more time. So what if it shorts out? I couldn’t deal with waiting and paying for another spin.

While the clothes dried, I went to the Orange Street Trail for my usual day-off hike. I posted my best time and walked in the dark. It still amazes me how well you can see while hiking in the middle of the night under the Big Sky.

Now the laundry is done, and I’ve stopped in to call my parents. The chores are done, well, almost. I think I’ll go home and just plop myself right into bed.

Oh, I remembered something to blog about! MBRA posted the cyclocross standings today, and the results are up for last weekend’s races. The big news is that I finally cracked the top 5 in a cyclocross race this weekend. Last year, it was no problem, but this year, my ultra-endurance training has made my top-end performance somewhat impotent.

Just rolling out of my makeshift couch-bed. I’ve been lounging here in Missoula, battling some mysterious abdominal pain and intense sweats. I’m half-convinced I’ve got scurvy, or maybe I was nabbed by aliens for some extraterrestrial experiment.

Anyway, as I shuffle off to bed, I figured I’d keep my promise of a nightly blog post to channel my inner madness and let off some steam. So, here’s my midnight musing: Have you ever noticed when you see those heartbreaking fire ruins in California, it’s always trailer parks, not swanky mansions? Am I tuning into the wrong channel, or is my perception off? It makes me wonder if there’s a pecking order even in disaster, extending all the way to human life.

But hey, let’s flip to something positive. Big shoutout to Missoula for adding newbie-friendly trails to our local mountain biking scene. Kudos, Dave, for highlighting this fantastic addition to the Three Larch area.

Alright, back to my horizontal life pondering. How long should I wait before seeing a doctor? I’m aiming for a personal record here. Longer than anyone, because that’s a win in my book!

I’m finally home and attempting to blog. Hmm, what to say? First, you must understand why I was as grouchy as a bear with a thorn in its paw today. Yes, I was irritable, but with good reasons.

The main culprit is abdominal pain that developed after Saturday’s race. When I arrived at my friend’s house, I started having these attacks that nearly doubled me over in pain and gave me chills. I had persistent pain in my lower stomach throughout the evening. The result? A restless night with hardly any sleep.

So there I was on a perfect day (when I should have been mountain biking) with my friends. But things started to feel off. I noticed, heard, and got reports that some of my friends were being treated disrespectfully at the MVC race venue. We non-road riders need the same respect as everyone else. If it seems we’re not taking things seriously, it’s because we’re just having fun. But I’ll stop there.

Despite the pain and the negative attitudes, good friends and fellow racers outnumbered the few unpleasant ones. So, just start the race, have a good ride, and enjoy a great cross course, right?

Oh yes, the course… It was another fantastic creation by Geoff. It featured a long pavement section for the power users, but that was the only flat part. The loop began with a dive around a corner through a short sand section, then zigzagged around the Helena High parking lot. The fun parts were the short, tough grassy climbs, great off-camber grassy corners, and two sets of long stair run-ups. This course brought a new kind of pain to the race, but it was a good kind.

I started slow, given the sharp pain I felt when running. Although I was suffering, I heard supportive comments from friends, which I initially misunderstood as criticism. They encouraged me, and I tried to ramp up my efforts, but soon I hit my limit and began to slow down. Despite my struggles, everyone’s shouts of encouragement kept me going.

On the last lap, I wanted to give my best effort, but my new shifters broke, leaving me with a poorly functioning single-speed bike. The finish line was on the flats, and I had to pedal furiously to maintain my position.

That was the last straw, and I was furious. I tried to fix my bike for a cooldown ride but to no avail. I packed it up and headed home, stopping for burgers with the team. On the way, I listened to the Two Johns Podcasts, reflecting on the beautiful day despite the bad luck.

Now, I’m here, drained and achy, ready for bed. If I can’t sleep, I’ll see a doctor tomorrow. With the State Championships next weekend, and my health and bike in question, I might resort to mountain biking.

Just finished the cross race here in Bozeman and fell in love with the course. It started out the usual way, but before long, you were getting sprayed with mud and dismounting for a thick clay-like mud run-up. Once remounted, you navigate a slippery side-hill section before a power climb. Some wiggle-waggles in an upper parking lot then down to a mud crossing at high speed. Now that you have a big grin on your face, you double barrier hop and start pedaling for a long stretch back to the central area that was ultra-fun for spectation (is that a word?). Then, the inner section includes a grassy power climb and a grassy corner run-up. Ultra-cool course.

It was so cool I continued on from the finish to do two more laps (and everyone was like “WTF?”). So how did the race go? I started modestly, in fact, I waved goodbye to the entire field. Eventually, I did start progressing my way to the usual mid-pack position to do battle with like-minded folk.

I dueled it out with a couple of dudes and paused for a moment in the end to let one get away. But I kept it low-key and fun. I told someone before I started that it would be better to race the course clean and hard rather than get caught up in placing well and the included battles. And I did… good times.

I wonder what everyone did in Missoula today? Mules to Helena tomorrow! See you there.