What Bridget has been up to

Here is what I have been up too:

1) Looking for jobs in Graphic Design that do not exist right now. Trying to decide between going back to school or sticking it out. Starting a freelance gig on monday.

2) Running. A lot. Trail running is fun. I love to be able to just throw on some clothes and go. Still in love with my Montrail /Continental Divide™ GTX/ running shoes. Wish I could afford a new pair now as I have put a lot of miles on my current pair. No other shoe I have ever tried has kept my feet completely dry in the slush and snow. Man, I wish they made a cyclocross shoe.

3) Perfecting the chocolate chip cookie.

4) Reading the Omnivore's Dilemma. Certainly a good read for those interested in nutrition, farming, slow food, etc.

5) Dreaming of a Seven Cycles cyclocross frame. Dreaming of dry mountain bike trails and those warm summer days.

What Bridget has been up to

Here is what I have been up too:

1) Looking for jobs in Graphic Design that do not exist right now. Trying to decide between going back to school or sticking it out. Starting a freelance gig on monday.

2) Running. A lot. Trail running is fun. I love to be able to just throw on some clothes and go. Still in love with my Montrail /Continental Divide™ GTX/ running shoes. Wish I could afford a new pair now as I have put a lot of miles on my current pair. No other shoe I have ever tried has kept my feet completely dry in the slush and snow. Man, I wish they made a cyclocross shoe.

3) Perfecting the chocolate chip cookie.

4) Reading the Omnivore's Dilemma. Certainly a good read for those interested in nutrition, farming, slow food, etc.

5) Dreaming of a Seven Cycles cyclocross frame. Dreaming of dry mountain bike trails and those warm summer days.

Coach + Power Meter = Faster

Here is a great excerpt from a VeloNews article (I couldn't agree more!):

Having a coach helps: This is another no-brainer, but it was all new to me. The obvious benefit is the guidance of someone smarter than you — and I expected that. But the unexpected part was the motivation that came from the relationship. Even if your mom, dad, wife, kids, friends and dog don’t give a bleep about how you did in the Wednesday night office park crit, your coach will. This may sound corny, but it really meant something to me. We all need fans.

Power meters also really help: I know they’re a serious investment, especially when you’d rather get a new pair of Zipps — or just spend your money on something besides bike shit. But denying their usefulness is like longing for the days when phones had cords. Used properly, power meters can help maximize training time, provide data that a coach can use to design future workouts, and give you a very specific indication of what you’re doing on the bike. Ten years from now, they’ll be as common as water bottle cages.

Both investments have been great for me. If anyone needs a great coach shoot me an email (male athletes only! :0))

Coach + Power Meter = Faster

Here is a great excerpt from a VeloNews article (I couldn't agree more!):

Having a coach helps: This is another no-brainer, but it was all new to me. The obvious benefit is the guidance of someone smarter than you — and I expected that. But the unexpected part was the motivation that came from the relationship. Even if your mom, dad, wife, kids, friends and dog don’t give a bleep about how you did in the Wednesday night office park crit, your coach will. This may sound corny, but it really meant something to me. We all need fans.

Power meters also really help: I know they’re a serious investment, especially when you’d rather get a new pair of Zipps — or just spend your money on something besides bike shit. But denying their usefulness is like longing for the days when phones had cords. Used properly, power meters can help maximize training time, provide data that a coach can use to design future workouts, and give you a very specific indication of what you’re doing on the bike. Ten years from now, they’ll be as common as water bottle cages.

Both investments have been great for me. If anyone needs a great coach shoot me an email (male athletes only! :0))

CX Wrap-up

My season came to a close at the final Cap City race. When the weather gets cold I loose my motivation to race. I still like riding in the cold I just can't seem to muster up the motivation to push myself really hard. So, my season ended in my worst finish of the season 6/10. I made a pretty big mistake by not warming up enough and although I got the early "holeshot" my legs quickly filled with junk and I was spun off the back. Ouch. The rest of the race I rode like a big baby. My season overall went pretty good, I would have liked to have had a win but I'll take the upgrade as it will set me up to get even faster and stronger next year.

Big time kudos to Andy J for really putting together an awesome series. Putting on races is a somewhat thankless job and involves a lot of labor so thanks again Andy.

So, fast forward to 2009 and I am setting up my evil, secret, training plan. My plan for next year though is to travel a little more and hit some more 12 Hour / Marathon races. I seem to enjoy those races the most. In the meantime, my new powertap computer came back, (thanks Saris) and I'll be running and working the very neglected core muscles.

CX Wrap-up

My season came to a close at the final Cap City race. When the weather gets cold I loose my motivation to race. I still like riding in the cold I just can't seem to muster up the motivation to push myself really hard. So, my season ended in my worst finish of the season 6/10. I made a pretty big mistake by not warming up enough and although I got the early "holeshot" my legs quickly filled with junk and I was spun off the back. Ouch. The rest of the race I rode like a big baby. My season overall went pretty good, I would have liked to have had a win but I'll take the upgrade as it will set me up to get even faster and stronger next year.

Big time kudos to Andy J for really putting together an awesome series. Putting on races is a somewhat thankless job and involves a lot of labor so thanks again Andy.

So, fast forward to 2009 and I am setting up my evil, secret, training plan. My plan for next year though is to travel a little more and hit some more 12 Hour / Marathon races. I seem to enjoy those races the most. In the meantime, my new powertap computer came back, (thanks Saris) and I'll be running and working the very neglected core muscles.

Recuperación a Caribe

Bridget and I ended our Cyclocross season early to join family for a little recovery time in Cozumel, Mexico. The weather was really beautiful, averaging between 70 to 80 fahrenheit with the perfect amount of humidity.

It is a quirky little tourist island across from Cancun. I really wanted to rent a bike and ride around the island, which would make a really fun day trip and you could stop at some archaeological sites, fresh coconut stands and restaurants. It would also be fun to check out the back streets of downtown San Miguel. But we relaxed instead. Perhaps next time!