Jimmy's 2009 Mileage and Statistics Report

Sorry, I'm a bit stat obsessed sometimes and like to take stock of a year and look back at my numbers (I try to balance having fun riding while also recording numbers as a way of tracking performances because I get a thrill of competing against myself).

2009

Cycling:

— 23 Races (27 Cyclocross, 5 Mountain Bike and 1 Road)

— 6,182mi,
— averaged 515 miles per month
— most miles in a month: 723
— longest ride 100 mi (avg 18.28 mph).
— averaged about 10 training hours per week

— 455:54 total hours of training (avg 13.55 mph).
— most hours trained in a week 20:15
— Max recorded watts 826W

— Max average watts up Kuglar Mill: 283W (16mph/7:24)

— 30 minute average watts: 216W

— 60 minute average watts: 189W
Running:
Heart Mini Marathon and 2 Relay legs of the Flying Pig!
— 223 mi
— 9.4 mi/mo avg
— longest run 12.8 mi

2009 Lessons:

I should probably be more aware of training hours per week instead of mileage. This year I also want to train "smarter" and take more advantage of training time by working drills into workouts.

Here is a look back at previous years spent as a "bike path bunny":
2008
Cycling:
— 6 Cyclocross Races
— 3563mi,
— averaged 296 miles per month
— most miles in a month: 478
— longest ride 71.5 mi (avg 17.09 mph).
— averaged 6 hours per week
— most hours trained in a week 11.5
Running:
— 73.67mi
— averaged running 6.1 miles per month
— longest run: 6.4mi

2007
Cycling:
— 1139mi (began cycling in July),
— averaged 189.27 miles per month
— most miles in a month: 262
— longest ride 52.5mi (avg 16.36 mph)
Running:
— 432mi
— 36 miles per month
— longest run 8.3 mi

Races #33 & 34: CapCity 2009 Finale! Dreaming of a White Cross-mas

Sometimes when I explain cross I say it's like human nascar. Then the other person laughs... But I'm serious. Going as fast as possible in little loops, week after week for three months, battling out for points.

So somehow this Jimmy is like Jimmy Johnson! I didn't expect it but I got a couple wins and held on for the overall in points. I was really scared I would blow it in the last couple of races and crash or wreck and blow my points. But my luck held out!

So it snowed like crazy in Columbus. Like 2-3 inches of wet sloppy snow with mud underneath. The race was really crazy. I got a horrible start! Then slid off the singletrack and some thorns cut my chin. I only wiped out once but at times I wasn't riding my best due to exhaustion. Other sections I was really pround of my handling and felt like I made up time, like a crazy sidewinder rollercoaster section through some icey slush. But I worked my way up from the teens to finish 6th.

Bridget and I stayed in Columbus and had a great weekend trip. We went to the Elevator Brewery and got hammered for dinner and Northstar for breakfast. We met up with Farmer (my new BFF or Bike Friend Forever) and his wife Jen.

The CapCity Party at Tip Top was a blast. I ate a yummy pot roast and drank a lot, got hooked on these framboise lambics like some Belgian schoolgirl.'

It's a CapCity Christmas Vacation!!!

I got a little down in the dumps a few weeks ago and decided I needed a little vacation for some inspiration. So we decided to race on Saturday and hang with friends; then stay for the CapCity party at Tip Top Sunday night!

Saturday night may include a dinner with Amanda and Joe and any other new cross homies who want to come.

Options for Saturday night's dinner:

Columbus Brewery Co in the Brewery District

Nida's Thai on High in the Short North

Press Grill

Surly Girl Saloon

Graffiti Burger in Dublin

Sage in Clintonville

Gordon Biersch Brewery Downtown

Mac's is always on old standby.

Brunch and Lunches for Sunday or Monday:

Nibble at North Market?

A little people watching at North Star?

Afternoon tea at Zen Cha

Bodega Café

Sunday afternoon Inspiration & Entertainment:

Buy a book for Bjet?

Wexner Center for the Arts

Columbus Museum of Art

Races #31 & 32: ‘Tis the Season to be Sloppy

I watched way too many cyclocross videos and really built myself up. I was watching the 2002 Worlds where three Belgians hammered on the front and took turns destroying the race. I also have been watching "The Nine Ball Diaries" where Tim Johnson is at his best in the mud. I have been worshipping at the alter of the cross gods dreaming of being a flahute.

But then there's reality...

Saturday I hammered on the front in a sub-30 degree race at Smith Farms in Columbus. I looked awesome for about two or three laps. Then I blew up! My lungs hurt like a wimp and the deals I make with my legs fell through. I began to make sloppy mistakes that cost me a podium. Lesson: Jimmy does best when riding conservatively and coming from behind.

Sunday my lucky season ran out. I barely made my race. No warm up, Bridget ran my wheels to the pit. Rode backwards with the plan of laying down the hammer halfway through the race. Then I slid out and somehow the valve stem sheared off my back tire! Ran into the pit and had no idea where my wheels were! Butch, Jeff and Jason from CORA started helping me in the pit. It took forever and I put on a grin, chugged some of Butch's Whiskey Eggnog and set out to some in last place.

I rode like total shit. I felt really uncoordinated and like every turn was a potential crash. I swear I dismounted my bike worse than a rookie, I would have looked more graceful climbing over the handlebars. Some chick heckled me and told me to "race or go home!" Geez. DFL! I had to laugh.

But I got some points and ended my first incomplete Cat 3 season 17th place in the OVCX overall.

Race #30: Freakin' Stars and Stripes Forever

I did it again! Somehow I held off the wolves or at least most of them.

I made had a great Thankgiving Break taking my Jamis road bike off-road tokyo driftin' through muddy park paths and hammering myself for hours. Evidently this was pretty stupid and my legs felt like total garbage before the "biggest" race of the year.

I knew I wouldn't get it but I dreamt about snuggling with that Ohio Champions jersey... It's so sexy.

So race goes like this: Whistle. Oh shit. Flying. Hit the hole in about 6th place. Let my bro Gerz get my place and held onto his wheel with my pinkie nail for a lap. Let CycleSport Dan have Gerz's wheel as I was about to puke. Then I fell off like Leonard DiCaprio in "Titanic." Peddled backwards... Tried to hold B1 Michael's wheel after he passed me but I promptly fell off and chased him for the rest of the race. Taunted Mark Farmer with jeers just so I wouldn't get bored and rolled across the line in 10th.

But somehow, even though my race wasn't inspiring or incredible I still held off like 30+ dudes behind me. Some of these guys would have had me for breakfast two months ago.

So this Thanksgiving I am extremely thankful for this silly hobby I do for fun. My cross season has surprised me and lifted my spirits with my three top 10 finishes in the crazy OVCX series and two wins in Capcity.

I raise my turkey leg to my homies Teri Meek (THE 2009 ELITE WOMEN OHIO CX CHAMP) who tore my legs off just the day before, Michael Chewning who bore is hairy ass chest as he crossed the line as CAT 3 OHIO CX CHAMP and to my new associate John Markstein who rode like he had wings.

And to Joe Bellante, because this is the second race he hasn't rode by me. Na na na na na na.