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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Blanton's Balance

Who says you can't drink one bourbon on the rocks the night before a hard ride?  After reading this, you'll notice that I've done so.   

In all honesty, as the tooth lengthens, it seems much more important to introduce/collate the vices within my life. Getting to sleep at 10 o'clock, hydrating to the appropriate levels, and having fifteen hours on the bike a week are much more of a secondary focus as I age. Funny how the years have re-shaped my psyche.

Don't misunderstand me.  There is still a very concerted effort taking place with work and some of my more healthy, extracurricular interests.  Yet, life's just too damn short. Tonight was one of those evenings which grounded me to that thought process; taking a breath and relaxing into what's truly important in life. Our friends, family, a very nice glass of bourbon, a well made meal, and intimate conversation all seem lost at times when mired in the mundane...but I digress.  As I sit here, chipping away at my Lake Champlain Dark Chocolate and listening to Badly Drawn Boy's The Hour Of The Wilderbeast, I'm gently reminded that one of my most highly regarded activities is quickly approaching. The first competition is called Go Fast, Turn Left on February 20th at Southside Speedway.


Care of Rogues Racing Team


It's a wonderful venue, albeit small.  Athough just a training race in stature, the seating allows spectators to see all aspects of the race unfold.    

After mixing bourbon, chocolate and good music with fantasies of my upcoming racing adventures, a barrage of foreboding thoughts creep inward.  These tend to consist of the pain involved with training, how much needs to be accomplished, etc...  Unfortunately, inclimate weather has placed a damper on my outdoor riding lately.  When the winter storms tend to grace us racing folk with snow, ice, et. al., there's the inevitable necessity of riding the trainer. This is especially so when one must somehow fit their training into a work day.  During my initial competitive endeavors, never did I imagine spending so much time on something as ridiculous as an indoor trainer. Unfortunately, I must become intimately acquainted with that beast again early tomorrow morning. I do not like it, not for a moment, but am aware of the necessity. 

For a brief glimpse of the experience, please review the attached video example of an indoor trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6spExLfn4vY

My approach tomorrow morning will be as follows:

  • Eat light.
  • Drink copious amounts of strong coffee.
  • Place European Spring classics race into DVD player (probably 03 Paris-Roubaix).
  • Expend approximately 2 minutes of energy placing mind on exactly what type of structured efforts will be conducted while watching the race.
  • An example~A 15-30 minute spin warm-up, then begin pyramid sub threshold efforts at around 160-ish heart rate at 95 RPM cadence, which will include a 1 minute effort in conjunction with 1 minute at 125-130 heart rate of rest, then a 2 minute effort, then a 2 minute rest period at above rest rates, etc..until a 6 or 7 minute effort is reached.  Once the peak of the pyramid is acheived, then decline will begin back down in length of efforts until 1 minute is finalized.  Top it off with a 10-20 minute cool down.
  • Drink protein shake.
  • Pretend that I am a working professional the rest of the day.

There are many variations of this particular workout, not discounting the part where I am a working professional.  A perfect segue into the subject of balance.  I'm reminded of the picture below and when I had little of it.  Below are some wonderful memories that I very much enjoy revisiting.  However, I'm even happier of late standing atop the fulcrum. 



Seigler Racing Team-Circa 2006
From left to right: Mason Haymes, Tim Powell, Keck Baker, Jon Gaudio, Tony Hall, Shawn Tunstall,
Pete Whitlock and The Blogger