I've been a total slacker when it comes to blogging. I promise to me more diligent in the future. Soooo, what's been happening?
Allergies
Just after my last post, I went to the allergy doctor because my seasonal water works turned on and the dreaded gagging cough that has plagued me the last few years since I moved to Seattle returned. The Doc did a variety of tests for common allergens in the Pacific NW. Grass -- positive. Trees -- Positive. Weeds -- Positive. Dust -- Positive. Pet Dander -- Positive. And, of course, all stinging insects -- MAJOR Positive. The nurse and doc watched the various test sites swell beyond their little measurement card could handle. With a furled brow, the doctor asked me: "Are you sure you don't want to take up an indoor sport? I hear speed skating is fun?" Sorry, no can do. He then prescribed an anti-allergy cocktail in hopes of combatting those pesky allergens. All the drugs were OK on the WADA and USADA banned substance lists.
Seatac Shuffle
Two days later I toed the start line for the Seatac Shuffle. I was breathing free and clear for the most part because of my new morning regimen of little pills and spraying stuff up my nose. The pack hit it hard from the start and the usual cast of characters moved to the front. I was tentative at the start and hit the singletrack around 5th place, but quickly realized I was on a good day. I had power on demand and was motoring. I started picking off the guys in front of me with ease. I was feeling so good I backed off a little because I was afraid that I would blow up and not be able to maintain such a high pace to the finish. On the last lap, I was in eye sight of first place but just couldn't close the gap down and I finished a close second less than 30 seconds back from the winner. A promising result, especially because Seatac is a power course with no climbs to speak of.
Fontana NORBA
Next up, was the first Norba National stop of the year in Fontana, CA outside LA. The course was in a city park that was smack between huge residential neighborhoods on all sides. The smog was so thick I didn't see blue sky the whole weekend even though there were no clouds. This area of CA is called the Inland Empire. I definitely felt like I was riding on another planet in a Star Wars movie with all the strange blown out foundations and big dump trucks on course. Although the course was pretty fun, with some good climbing and real loose technical descents. The course was 75% or so singletrack so I perceived a good start to be important. The group took off and I hit the gas immediately and was first into the singletrack. No dust and no slow traffic to worry about. I was riding strong, not as good as Seatac, but still really good. I was in the top-5 after the first lap and actually passed a couple guys on the big climb to start the second lap. I was just starting to think I was going to get on the box, when BAM, my tire blows up after hitting a rock that was buried in the sand in one of the chutes on the descent. My front wheel locked up sending me on an over the bar hop and tumble-run into the brush on the side of the trail. Stunned, I ran back to my bike and changed the tire as fast as possible. Riders streaming past me like a sand through an hour glass. I quickly realized I was now probably in last place. Nonetheless, I charged on picking off as many riders as I could in the remaining lap and half. I ended up finishing in 11th place out of 25 starters in my group. The guy who finished 5th was behind me when my tire incident occurred, so I have a feeling I would have made the podium. DAMN! Gotta give a shout out to the Parents that made the drive over from Lost Wages to see me flat. I'll try and redeem myself at Brian Head.
Motivation
I feel like I am on top of the fitness curve right now for the amount of time I have been training. It's really motivating to see the results of hardwork paying off, but really frustrating to have a flat ruin a chance at a big result. I'm chomping at the bit for a big result. Now that day-light savings time has hit, I hope to crank out some more training time and get even faster. Earning my semi-pro upgrade is my major objective this year. I probably could upgrade now with the results I have had, but I want to bust out some solid top-5's and even win a National before making the move.
Race Schedule Update
Unfortunately, the trip planning for this summer hasn't worked well. Mt. Snow isn't going to happen because of prohibitive flight costs. Plus, USAC cancelled the one-day at Mammoth and bumped it up a week and changed the venue to Sonoma. This move may bode well for me because the course will not be at altitude. However, they made the switch after I booked my tickets for Mammoth. I'm planning on re-finalizing the schedule this weekend and will post where I'll be over the summer.
New Truth
The new frame has arrived and is built. It is a work of art and comes in at 24.5 L bees. I will post some pics this weekend. I'm sure some folks on the MTBR board will want to have a peak.
Til next time,
Blue Star
Allergies
Just after my last post, I went to the allergy doctor because my seasonal water works turned on and the dreaded gagging cough that has plagued me the last few years since I moved to Seattle returned. The Doc did a variety of tests for common allergens in the Pacific NW. Grass -- positive. Trees -- Positive. Weeds -- Positive. Dust -- Positive. Pet Dander -- Positive. And, of course, all stinging insects -- MAJOR Positive. The nurse and doc watched the various test sites swell beyond their little measurement card could handle. With a furled brow, the doctor asked me: "Are you sure you don't want to take up an indoor sport? I hear speed skating is fun?" Sorry, no can do. He then prescribed an anti-allergy cocktail in hopes of combatting those pesky allergens. All the drugs were OK on the WADA and USADA banned substance lists.
Seatac Shuffle
Two days later I toed the start line for the Seatac Shuffle. I was breathing free and clear for the most part because of my new morning regimen of little pills and spraying stuff up my nose. The pack hit it hard from the start and the usual cast of characters moved to the front. I was tentative at the start and hit the singletrack around 5th place, but quickly realized I was on a good day. I had power on demand and was motoring. I started picking off the guys in front of me with ease. I was feeling so good I backed off a little because I was afraid that I would blow up and not be able to maintain such a high pace to the finish. On the last lap, I was in eye sight of first place but just couldn't close the gap down and I finished a close second less than 30 seconds back from the winner. A promising result, especially because Seatac is a power course with no climbs to speak of.
Fontana NORBA
Next up, was the first Norba National stop of the year in Fontana, CA outside LA. The course was in a city park that was smack between huge residential neighborhoods on all sides. The smog was so thick I didn't see blue sky the whole weekend even though there were no clouds. This area of CA is called the Inland Empire. I definitely felt like I was riding on another planet in a Star Wars movie with all the strange blown out foundations and big dump trucks on course. Although the course was pretty fun, with some good climbing and real loose technical descents. The course was 75% or so singletrack so I perceived a good start to be important. The group took off and I hit the gas immediately and was first into the singletrack. No dust and no slow traffic to worry about. I was riding strong, not as good as Seatac, but still really good. I was in the top-5 after the first lap and actually passed a couple guys on the big climb to start the second lap. I was just starting to think I was going to get on the box, when BAM, my tire blows up after hitting a rock that was buried in the sand in one of the chutes on the descent. My front wheel locked up sending me on an over the bar hop and tumble-run into the brush on the side of the trail. Stunned, I ran back to my bike and changed the tire as fast as possible. Riders streaming past me like a sand through an hour glass. I quickly realized I was now probably in last place. Nonetheless, I charged on picking off as many riders as I could in the remaining lap and half. I ended up finishing in 11th place out of 25 starters in my group. The guy who finished 5th was behind me when my tire incident occurred, so I have a feeling I would have made the podium. DAMN! Gotta give a shout out to the Parents that made the drive over from Lost Wages to see me flat. I'll try and redeem myself at Brian Head.
Motivation
I feel like I am on top of the fitness curve right now for the amount of time I have been training. It's really motivating to see the results of hardwork paying off, but really frustrating to have a flat ruin a chance at a big result. I'm chomping at the bit for a big result. Now that day-light savings time has hit, I hope to crank out some more training time and get even faster. Earning my semi-pro upgrade is my major objective this year. I probably could upgrade now with the results I have had, but I want to bust out some solid top-5's and even win a National before making the move.
Race Schedule Update
Unfortunately, the trip planning for this summer hasn't worked well. Mt. Snow isn't going to happen because of prohibitive flight costs. Plus, USAC cancelled the one-day at Mammoth and bumped it up a week and changed the venue to Sonoma. This move may bode well for me because the course will not be at altitude. However, they made the switch after I booked my tickets for Mammoth. I'm planning on re-finalizing the schedule this weekend and will post where I'll be over the summer.
New Truth
The new frame has arrived and is built. It is a work of art and comes in at 24.5 L bees. I will post some pics this weekend. I'm sure some folks on the MTBR board will want to have a peak.
Til next time,
Blue Star
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