They Are Ironmen!!!

Huge congratulations to Seiler, Stufly and IM pro John Hirsch. Amazing performance at the Ford IronMan today. Doug and I got to see them at the bike to run transition and all looked amazingly strong for what they'd been thru. I can't personally imagine such a thing. You'll have to pardon my temporary departure from snark, I'm just too impressed. Thanks to Tallgirl for the twitter updates, txt messages and calls.

there is no way to watch this kind of event, interact with the athletes and not be inspired. Im not about to go multisport, but the commitment and deication is unbelieveable.
chapeau gentlemen.

job well done and when you become ambulatory again, beers are on me.

WOW!

undies, and ironmen and new caps!!

Just a subtle reminder about the Underpants Run, 2 mi in your briefest to help the family of fallen triathlete John Carr. Come out for an easy run in something.....uncomplicated.

------------------------------


IronMan weekend!!!!

I'll avoid the obvious Ozzy quotes, mainly because TallGirl beat me to it. I can't wait to see this amazing event. Good luck to all our friends torturing themselves this weekend. Talk about love the pain. Crikey!
Looking fwd to celebrating with Seiler and the reverend blackwell and Stufly after this craziness.

-----------------------------

Did he mention cycling caps? Indeed he did, if I can go third person for a moment.

I'll post up details later, but look for your chance to own a limited edition
LTP/rogueracingproject cycling cap.

Just in time for cx season, we'll have these tech caps available in just a few weeks.
More to come.

For God's Sake Man, Cover Yourself!!!

What:? 1st Annual Louisville Underpants Charity Run
Date and Time - Saturday, August 29 at 11am
Location:? Parking lot at Belle of Louisville (4th Street & River Road)
What:? Easy 2 mile run to honor John Carr, fallen triathlete

Everyone knows the story of John Carr, triathlete killed by a drunk driver here in Louisville while competing in an event. This is your chance to help put some money in the direction of the family AND run around in your underwear. Really.

Doug was going to be running that way anyhow.

C'mon out in your skivvies.

We wont look.....much.

here's the story, and really let's try to help these folks out.

On August 1, 47-year old John Carr was tragically killed during a local sprint triathlon by a drunk driver. John leaves behind a beautiful wife, Sunni and four children, the youngest a 6-year old.
We decided to DO SOMETHING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. In the spirit of the annual UNDERPANTS RUN held at the Kona World Ironman Championships each year, we decided to create an event to honor John Carr and support his family.Bring whatever donation (large or small) you would like to make (cash or checks accepted). Checks should be made out to “Sunni Carr”. Let’s have a little fun and show the spirit of this community.

Help us show that triathletes and cyclists not only are in great shape, but have great big hearts

why old people always curse at me

I don't know why old people feel the need to yell at me. But it happens a lot. I'm sure I have it coming, not like DrOnedood who puts himself in the line of fire by going to work, but I'm sure I've done something. Guilt becomes me.

I try to make "good choices" as we tell my 5 year old. Today for example, I choose to take my oldest son to his first day of school instead of going on the "pastry ride" that Zack was hosting on a perfect morning.

It was nice, really. I tied his tie, we had a grt conversation. Nice.
So I dropped him off and at the next stop sign, I got cursed out by an old man who was power walking. Read the riot act. Up one side and down the other. Cursed a blue streak. And he's kissing grandchildren with that mouth.(Hopefully his own)

I'm actually a little jealous. I think the program is that once you reach an age where you have no fear of repraisals, you get to say whatevers on your mind.
I'm stopping the next one to ask for tips, this gives me something to look forward to.

Fatty's New Ride Starring in "What Does JMF Stand for Again?"

Some of you may remember the journey Fatty and I took to Indy for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show and Droolfest. I was drooling and considering assets I could sell, plasma, organs that I could blackmarket. Fatty was slowly taking notes and checking out what would work for him. As you can see, he went with the De Rosa Primato....and drilled us out with his new sweet ride at JMF.

This thing is more than a pretty steel steed. The Chris King Wheels and Challenge tires just ooze class and the SRAM shifters are the bomb. And from Fatty's first day out on it impression, it rode like a dream. We rode with Oli and relocated HUP-ster Zach. 3 big climbs, and the guy on the steel bike was still smiling. Maybe there's something to that. I'm not complaining about mine, but of course now I think a steel bike may "one day" join the herd. Im banned from additional purchases for quite a while yet.

After the ride we parted ways for a host of diverse activities.

Oli went to eat Lasagna
Fatty went to hang with the fam
I went to help clean up the cyclocross course
and Zach went to play with cadavers(claims to be in med school, could be a cover story)

So 50 ish miles of JMF later, I was ggood to my word and got the implements of grass destruction and worked on the course. For a nice change the were more than 3 of us. Normally its me, bobrow and robbie with the big mower. Today it was RedZone kids, Calistoga folks and the lonely Rogue representaive.

I believe I've earned some calories, liquid style at Nachbar. My beer sommelier recommends the Duchess du Borgogne. A full reports awaits.

Anybody know if Seiler survived his swim in the Ohio? Thats dedication, cause thats a dirty, dirty river.

the big cat gets gold @ track nats!

Congratulations to Curtis on his gold medal at track nationals, and his silver from yesterday. This the same week as Anna Seiler kicks booty in her first tri? Maybe its in the water.

Here's what the toaster had to say.
Curtis won a gold medal tonight only moments ago in the points race at track nationals. His team mate, Steve Carrell, got 2nd! Curtis also got some help from a friend, Johnnie Walsh, from CA who rides on the Amgen team (he won the crit at road nats).
__._,_.___

Reach out to Curtis if you get the chnace and pass on the high five.

take me to the river, drop me at the cross course

everytime I start to feel like all the training and hours spent away from, well everything else, starts to mound in a big pile in front of me I end up at a moment where you reconnect. I really didn't plan to make it to RRCC for the Wednesday night testoterone festival. I left the house before the sun to be in early cases in Lex and had a trainee with me. In other words I had to be "on" for too many hours in a row and wasn't feeling the whole thing.

Nevertheless, I had the big in the trunk(stealthlike) and when I dropped the new hire back at his hotel, it was 5:55 and I was down the street from the park. Now for those of you who don't know me and need this warning, I am an incurable car-changer. I've been married a really long time and someone accidentally seeing me naked isnt really going to be a problem. so, you know. Tan saab, wait for me to pop out of the car, for your protection.

So off I go and ride up with Aaron from the mtn bike depot/cx supply/tubie house and fell in for the first lap, which thank god was a warm up lap.
The usual 2x20 hot laps followed(its only August right? my calender says August). I know the one thing Im learning this year is how to pass the redzone kid that cuts the course and soft pedals in front of you. In negotiations with Bo King it was either pass or teach the kid the "f word" and Im letting Zanne do that.(you knew that was coming back up right?)

It amazes me that I can go from pissy and tired to well just really really tired after these practices, but its a really happy tired. Maybe its reconnecting with the cycling community. Work and other obligations have had me doing most of my training solo this spring/summer so getting out and seeing Marcus, the cafe boys, all the bikeclicks.com folks like Nevitt and even Ike!! yeah roadie/trackie and now cx master Ike!! (he actually did really well and mastered crashing and passing redzone kids this week so Cheers!)

We also had a Hup United sighting. Really. Here in the village. Whats next, cell phones? Welcome Zack if you see him. Good dude who'll probably be passing you at the time.

So a cross practice as a reset button? Maybe so. Hopefully I'll even be nice to the new hire tomorrow, although I'll probably have him doing multiple product demos on the drive to work. A sales 2x20 if you will.

Practice? What's Practice? (doug)

Wow, two posts in the same week? 'Cross season must be getting close. Don't have much time to ramble (lucky readers), but I finally made it out to a 'cross practice last night. Man is that fun! Each summer, with all of my running and multi-sport stuff, I lock that cx bike away in the basement and forget about it, and each time I get it out in the late summer and finally get on it again, I remember how great the sport is. It is just simply fun. We didn't do a whole lot last night, but I had a ball. We did a few drills and worked on some bike handling skills with D-Wayne and Steven the Web Dude (and even our awesome Cat 2 friend Nevitt showed for some laps). Both are still sort of healing from some recent injury, so the work wasn't full effort by any means, but plenty for me. Between the different groups there, I was able to get in about 9 or 10 laps (some repeating the barriers 3x each), mostly at medium speed or so - but at least 1 at full effort for me. It was a good 2.5 hour workout, and most importantly, fun as can be. I felt surprisingly good, too. After these triathlons, with all the running, and then the 18-24 mile bike rides, I mentioned that I felt pretty spent (and I still do), but 'cross seems to use just slightly different muscles (due to the different bike setup), and is just such a short, adrenaline filled race, that I may just be able to muster up the strength and energy to get around these courses for 30-40 minutes and still hold my own this season. We shall see...but I'll bet you I have a freakin' blast doing it either way.

Hello Nasty, New in Town?

Sweet stuff from our friends at Mtn Bike Depot & Cross Supply/Tubie Heaven/Embrocation Location!! Now Im assuming you're gonna bring your A game if youre showing up with the Belgian colors on your G&T. Really cool stuff. Go bug Aaron to build you one....so I can ride it.

Also, can you believe the USGP-Derby City Cup registration is open? Okay I've pimped too many things at once.....where's my stuff? Im gonna need my pimphat, and my cape, and my pimpstick......dammit! I'll have to go to the store for new stuff!

go ahead...you know you want to follow that link.

Uh, Oh...are they riding 'cross bikes? (doug)

So it may have been even longer this time between posts than normal, so grab a Fat Tire, and block off a few minutes for this post. Last I remember, I was begging for a buck or two to help get us to Portland for the Gentlemen's Race, an idea which seems to have been trashed quite some time ago. Lately, I've been about as motivated to post as I have been to do anything even remotely athletic. Not at all. I'm in that post-"big" race funk, it seems. After Muncie, I really haven't done crap as far as exercise or training, and it's finally starting to catch up with me. I mean, I got a slow solo 25 mile ride in a few weeks ago, a couple CRIT classes (mostly), and I've run a few miles once or twice, but other than that, not much at all in the way of "training" (or even exercising).

I did go up to Columbus, Indiana, for the Columbus Sprint Challenge last wknd. It's a race I fell in love with last year and swore I'd do every year....So far, so good. Considering I hadn't done any training since Muncie, the race went pretty well, I suppose. In my twisted perception, I feel like I'm in much better overall shape that I was last year, so I figured I'd be able to beat last year's time handily, despite the training "situation" (both physical and mental), but I think a number of factors got in the way of that. I MAY actually be in better overall condition than last year (from a VO2 Max perspective), but I am clearly not in the place I need to be to perform well in a race. We're a month from Muncie, and I can still feel it in my legs, shoulders, and just overall. I'm just really tired, and maybe a little burned out. I'm ok with that, I think. I've just sort of accepted that I need a little rest, and I'm enjoying it. The pizza, burgers, potato chips, hot dogs, beer, bourbon, sleeping in, and laying on the couch watching golf, NASCAR, and Big Brother has been kind of nice these past few weeks.

So, back to the race itself -- as opposed to the excuses. No, wait, I've got more excuses after all...or are they just realizations? So, in addition to just plain wearing me out, all the Nashville Marathon and Muncie run and swim training have really cut into my cycling strength, ability, desire, etc., and that really showed in Columbus. After a strange swim leg that SEEMED to go very well (I'll get to that in a bit), I had what I thought was an excellent bike leg. It was only 17.5 miles, and I felt like I went pretty hard. I wanted to save something for the run, especially after the muscle collapse during the run in Muncie, but with this being a Sprint, I tried to keep it going the entire ride, and pushed harder when I caught myself lapsing or zoning out, riding an easy pace for a few minutes. The run seemed to go pretty well, too. So, when they posted the results on a signboard where we were eating, I was a little surprised to see that my time was 12 minutes slower than last year. Eek. Last year's race was one of my first races ever, and I'd been training for an additional year just to lose 12 minutes? Wow. Well, the first issue was that the bike leg took me about 4 more minutes this year than last, with an 19 mph average, vs. 20 last year. I suppose I deserve that. I essentially worked solely on cycling all last summer, including a century, and really have only ridden a handful of times this year at all, which has clearly made a difference in my cycling endurance and power. Not a good sign with cx season approaching.

So that's 4 minutes...what about the other 8, you ask? We'll, chalk a couple of minutes up to the transitions, since I wore cycling shoes this year instead of just wearing running shoes with cages on the pedals (good thing that paid off), so there was some extra time there. The other 6 or so minutes was lost, of all places, on the swim (I ran the same time in the run portion; 8:05 minute miles). Now, I thought the swim portion of the little sprint in Columbus went "pretty well". For me, that means for me that I swam consistently, at a pace I feel comfortable with, without issues, without getting swam over too much, and without panicking or drowning. It's just an 800m swim, and the year before, it being my first open water swim, I had panicked a bit and had to stop, tread water, and hang on to a boat for a minute or two. So last year, with the panic and the resting, I finished the swim in 21 minutes and change. Not bad, considering I typically swim about a 9 minute 400m in a controlled environment (pool). So this year, I figured I could get under the 20 minute mark, and after the swim leg ended, I felt like I'd come close to that. This year was different due to the fact there were so many more entries. There were swim "waves" which went off in groups separated by 3 minutes each. My age group was in the 3rd wave, and left 6 minutes behind the first swimmers. I had a good solid swim, with no issues, and felt good getting out of the water. When they posted the results, my swim time was 27 minutes and change. Oof. That puts me about 5th out of the 6 kids in my 7 year-old son's swim lesson class. I mentioned to someone that MAYBE they forgot to subtract the 6 minutes from the start, but they were pretty busy finishing up results of people still finishing the race, so I didn't pursue it any further. I'm hoping (and sort of confident) that's what happened, but I suppose I have no way to be sure. I was not paying that much attention coming out of the water and getting to/on my bike. Had I really taken 27 minutes, I think I would've been close to the last one in the water, especially after starting 6 minutes later, but I wasn't. I did see plenty of folks behind me. It just seems strange that I could've become 20 minutes slower/mile in the past year. Heck, in the past month, actually. I mean, I swam 1.2 miles (more like 1.3 considering I was wildly off course twice) in Muncie, in a crazy choppy/windy lake, in 50 minutes, so a 27+ minute 800m seems unlikely, but again, I have no way to really know, so that was that. All in all, I left the race feeling pretty good about how I did, considering the way I've been feeling/training, but also feeling a bit concerned about how I'm going to finish up the recovery and get back active again.

So, what am I going to do about it? Well, I do have one more tri planned this season, and I'm going to go ahead and do it, because it's a distance I want to try. It's an Olympic distance race next weekend, and I want to do it b/c it's near Dayton, OH, where my folks/brother/sister are, so it's an excuse to go up there and see them. I'm pretty sure, however, with the way I'm feeling, and not training, that it has been relegated to a 3 hour workout, and just a way to experience the Olympic distance, as opposed to any sort of competitive race. I'll just go out there and enjoy the exercise. I've heard it's a great race, in a beautiful setting. I do also want to confirm/deny some concerns with the swimming time. I'd like to get out there and at least have a good swim, to make sure I really haven't lost 20 minutes/mile off my already pathetic swim pace.

As for Cross Season, I'm sticking with my plan from last year, but still need this overall tiredness and soreness to go away (I think it will). I couldn't even imagine getting out there and pounding away on those pedals for 30-40 minutes right now, but I think it'll all come back to me come that first wknd. I do not expect any improvement from last year, and in fact can only expect a backward slide right now, but if I finish 10th or 12th instead of 6th or 8th in most of the races this fall, I think things will be just fine. I mean, I'd like to know what kind of improvement I could make with a summer of focused training and hard work, but we're not going to find that out this year, I promise. I'm really just hoping that with a month to go before cx season starts, I'll be able to rest enough and get over this funk in time to race. There are some folks out there starting cx practices already, but that is not in the cards for me this year (nor does it really interest me...it's too hot for cx). I really didn't do much of that last year either, and it went well enough for a recreational "competitor". I really just enjoy the race days, and not the training so much, so however I can manage to place in the OVCX w/o training too hard is where I'll be.

I do think you'll get a nice "tale of two 'crossers" this year on the blog, though. B and I are different in many ways, and our training "plan" is no different. As he's alluded to in many a post, Brian has spent the entire summer just killing it on and off the road, and really focusing on a cx specific training plan with Curtis. I think it's going to pay off, and will be a nice ying to my yang. He eased up on the road racing, and really turned it up a notch for cx, while I chose other goals, met them, but may have burned most of my matches in the process. I am going to finish up this last triathlon, take it easy for a bit, and then probably ease my way back into my normal routine of spinning classes, treadmills, CRIT, and Bodypump classes at the YMCA (with the occasional cx practice if/when I can get away). I don't think it's a plan that's going to earn me as much success as last year in the OVCX, but I'm guaranteed to have fun again, and who knows, with the reorganized category system, we might both still do alright. I just have no reservations about getting out there and getting "Brian-ed" this year...in fact, I expect to regularly.

2x20's

It sounds so simple when it gets posted on the message board. CX Wednesday Night practice starts tonight!! 2 20 min efforts with no crazy jack leg race pace tom follery. Its August right?

I had a little heavier load on my schedule so I rode to the park and did a few warm up laps with the veep. Feeling good, ready to have some crossy fun and then we broke into groups. We are getting sooo PC, that we dont have A, B, C groups. That somehow hurts someones feelings. Now we have fast, faster and blazing, just like at the wing place(adam-wings are what we protein lovers snack on during football season, which is...oh forget it).

So Oli and I jumped into the B group or faster. Good idea? probably not but it seemed like we were with people we had raced with so, why not. then they handed out lap leader duties. And we were fucked. Just. Plain. Fucked.

First lap lead by Tim(nice guy but a pro 1/2??), next was someone a shade slower and then another shade slower. We took off in the mid 20's and the entire group groaned. Oli and I were stuck behind a slower rider who wasn't down with the whole passing thing. She got by and then I got by and attempted to chase back on. They were MOVING. They caught the "blazing fast" group by the second of 3 laps. I burned way too many matches, but learned not to get stuck behind the guy on the bmc. hey wasn't that me last year? I'll mark that down as progress.

A slow parade lap to keep everyone in it and then off again, I immediately made sure we were past the b'mer guy who was having mechanical difficulties. and pinned it as best I could. Again the b group blew up and fell into packs. I finished 2 laps and bailed, burned, shattered and blown out.

A cool down lap followed but lost people as it went.

Glad its only August. A quick stop for co'cola at the gas station and the ride home.

I am so done..

Carolina Afternoon

after dropping child #1 at camp I got to spend a couple of hours on the mountain bike with the domestic goddess/fearless downhiller exploring a mix of gravel roads and single track. I figured we needed a way to take our mind off of leaving our child with strangers in the woods(it got a little hansel and gretel, even though its an amazing camp)
We left the pavement before we even parked the car, always a good sign. We started by climbing as I was informed, quite a lot. Then it was a fast, flowy ride through the mountains. We stopped during a quick rainshower under some trees and watched the rain move through.I was glad that we were forced to stop and look around. Streams and trees and spectacular views.
I've already informed tallgirl that she's taking the mtn bike with her next year when they go.

We followed that with pizza at the Mellow Mushroom in Asheville(everyone's favorite hippy town) and a stop at an amazing beer and wine store for some Allagash and Brother Thelonious ales for me and a six of Yuengling for Dug.(thank goodness we get Fat Tire locally now)

We did find out too late that Myerson was racing in Charlotte, We're going to coordinate these schedules better next time.

Now its time to get back to regular training and my new toy, the dailyplate. Yeah counting calories. Big fun.

And Then My Dog Tried To Commit Suicide

Unless you're Michael Vick, this probably isn't that funny.

Okay, if you've met my dog its mildly humorous.

My dog has been diagnosed by a certified trainer as "a spaz". Apparently Brittany Spaniels get really calm, right before they die.

So, to back up a step or two, last week the domestic goddess/total enabler took the kids to visit her folks in Birmingham. Being a weekday visit, I stayed behind with plans to work, ride, run and stay out of trouble. And take care of the dog.

Friday rolled around and after a fairly full day at work, I came home with the intention of taking the dog for a run. We both needed it. As a special treat, I thought it would be grand to take her to the park for the run. A drive and a park run. Dog heaven so to speak.

Off we go in the family truckster, windows down. Both of us catching a breeze. She ran from one window to the other.
Happy dog.
Until we got to the park.
And she jumped out.
At 25 mph.
Really.
It was an impressive dive. 3/4 turn. Nice form.

She took off across the soccer field at full four legged speed. I gave chase and was joined by a young(comparatively) guy on a mtn bike. Horns honked and tires screeched as she went flying thru a busy Cannons Lane. Mtn bike guy stayed with her as I ran back to the car to try and catch up.
I was wandering St Matthews asking random people "have you seen a guy on a mtb chasing an orange and white dog?"
Following sketchy directions(and the occasional honking of horns)
I finally saw them. Crouched in a yard. Whew!! Don't have to explain the missing dog to the kids.
I thanked mtn bike guy profusely and wished I had some cash to give as a reward. I stated that and he responded
"Oh no, I'm a Christian"
Pause. Uh oh.
Now I'm not a hater, but I know where this usually goes. It normally ends with me acting somewhat inappropriate.
But not this time. The guy had just saved my dog.
I was stuck.
He handed me the pamphlet and all I could do was to say
"Hmmm, why this Jeebus does sound interesting"
Payback for all the jehovas witnesses I've chased off the lawn.
We finally got back in the car after a thorough(very) discussion on the benefits of accepting JC as my personal savior(duly noted).
The dog was exhausted after her sprint thru the neighborhood.
So we ran 5 miles.
Fast.
Maybe that's why she jumped?

A Little Motivation for Cross Season

As everyone is getting into a crossy state of mind, I thought I'd revisit a great cyclocross book that came out this past spring. It's less about technique(or not at all about technique) and all about the sport, the lifestyle and the racers. Its a fun read and definitely gets you into the right frame of mind.

Beer, Cupcake, Mustache

The book - Beer. Cupcake. Mustache. - is an illustrated exploration of human nature in
the most demanding and yet the most fun cycling discipline, cyclo-cross (aka cyclocross,
aka cx, aka 'cross). Alongside with 45-minute (on the average) suffering and
questioning the meaning of life there go beer hand-outs to fellow racers, cupcake feeds
and growing of ironic mustaches, well, for those who can.

The book contains interviews and b/w photographs of 50 cyclocross racers, categories
4-Elite (read: beginners through pro's); featuring interview with Richard Fries, Hannah
Kirshner (Elite racer and a famous cupcake maker) and the North Star of the 'Cross Style
- Yash Katsumi.
An illustrated glossary of basic cyclocross phenomenae is included to make sure that
non-racing audience feels comfortable flipping through the book.

More info at Pedal Power Photography

LTP Behind The Music- The Return of Dr Teeth

Some groups need no introduction: The Stones, The Clash, The Beatles you get the picture. The Electric Mayhem really wasn't one of those bands, and yet they played such a huge , underapreciated role in shaping millions of young opinions about how rock and roll should look, sound and interact with Miss Piggy. Who didn't rock their young butt off to classics like "Can You Picture That" or "Mr Bass Man"?

Of course every talented group has to be led by a visionary, a muse that guides them in the right direction, and Dr Teeth fit that bill to a bright gold T.

From his feathered hat and gold teeth, to his gravelly voiced lyrics, Teeth embodied his era like no one else. The band soared to new heights with every hit. However, internal pressure came from the workload of Janice(lead guitar) and Animal(drums) doing double duty in the Muppet Show Pit band.

Eventually, the stress became too much and Dr Teeth disbanded the Mayhem and faded into the background. Until now. During a recent scouting mission/training ride with the Papist, we heard a familiar voice in the distance. Downtown Louisville hides its prizes sometimes. Next to the order board at the Market Street White Castle, There he was.

Dr Teeth. A little older, maybe a little worse for wear and tear, but it was him.

We couldn't believe it at first. This was the sociological find of the century, of the week! We rode up, and with the deference due an icon like Teeth, we implored him. Just one song? Like the old days?

And wow did he oblige. This new unplugged Dr Teeth was rootsy and earthy and ...well more real and in your face(really really in your face actually) than the old Mayhem era music. But it was classic. Soulful heartfelt lyrics with a funk that you could really sense.

Teeth confided that not all the reviews had been positive, "that lady said I got rythmn, but I got no malady". She's wrong Teeth, you've got plenty.

With well wishes and a few bucks to help "seed" his comeback, we rode off feeling richer for the experience. How often does one of your idols literally stop you on a training ride?

We should all be so lucky.

Special thanks goes to the Papist for this LTP Behind the Music, for his expert knowledge of Muppet lore, mythology, tantric practices and history, and without whom this post would be highly improbable.