Well, today was another cold day, propably the coldest so far this fall. I was able to go out and play for three hours out in the hills. It wasn't cold enough for my jacket, but I did wear two vests and my armwarmers. I also broke out the leg warmers for the first time this fall. This is the second time I've been duped by the mother nature. I looked out the door and checked the radar before I left and it didn't show any signs of rain, but yet I did get drizzled on a few times, nothing major though. Back in Indiana, I'd say 99% of the time I could look out my front door and tell if the rain was coming, here my forecasting skills have not been so great. Anyways, it was a good ride with a lot of ups and downs. Today my legs felt really good. I don't know I manage to have my legs feel this good, but I wish I new. One thing I will try to start doing next season is tapering before a big race. That's the one thing I didn't do enough of this year and it hurt me a few times going into race day. Sometimes I just gotta get those miles in every week and don't know how to just take it easy before a race. Well, now that I've eaten I think I'll take a little break and then head to the pool to work on my swimming. On tap for the rest of the weekend may be another ride tomorrow, still debating between road and mt. bike though. I was just told that there is going to be a big running race this Saturday that Ghisallo is putting on called the Pumpkin race. I thought I might do the 5k and then go out for a ride right after that. We'll see, but as for now I better end this so I can watch Cavemen online and then get to the pool.

Sticks and stones may break your bones.....

.....but a stick will definetly rip your rear derailleur right off. After a hard 50 in the wind yesterday I decided to go out for an easy 40 or so today. Well, after making it through just about all the hills I was on pretty much the last major hill of the day. I was just taking it nice and easy enjoying the scenery when all of a sudden I rode over a stick. I wasn't going very fast and thought it was harmless until .83 seconds later I'm looking down only to find my rear derailleur hanging there. It wasn't a pretty sight. Well, after scratching my head for a second wondering what the hell to do I decided the best route would be to make it a singlespeed. I proceeded to use my multitool and started breaking my chain when all of a sudden the tool just explodes and disintegrates. I've got allen wrenches, washers, and flat bladed screwdrivers laying all over the place. I guess it just came apart on me. I put it back together as best I could and finally got it back in working order. It was kind of funny, two 30 something women came riding past on mt. bikes and they had that look on there face like, sucks to be him as I've got grease all over my hands and a chain, rear der., and cables laying all over the place. It's kind of comical now thinking about it, don't know if I'd be saying that if I was sitting on the side of the road or waiting for a ride. Anyways, no worries, it was all back together and just spun the last 25 miles with a stop and my trusty Ghisallo bike shop to wash up...........I'm wondering if I cleaned the sink over there, my hands were pretty greasy and can't remember. Well, Anthony and Tim, if I left you a mess I owe you a cleaning. I'll have pictures posted soon.

slacking on here...

well, it's been a week now since i've written on here. although i didn't do the spanish lake mt. bike race last week, i did get some miles in and some running. i even got a little swimming in with my good friend. i've learned that i'm not much of a swimmer. i have absolutely no form or endurance. i did however make it 200m's without stopping, although i must've looked like kid drowning just trying to stay afloat. hey, it was quite an accomplishment for a nonswimmer like myself. the last time i had to do any swimming was in the marine corps and that was with a full backpack and combat boots on. i think i was better at that because that was all about survival. this weekend i think i'll be heading back to the pool to work on my form, it should be pretty easy to make improvements because right now i have absolutely none. this weekend calls for more riding, swimming, and a little running. i know i want to try a few short triathlons for next year, but my goal is to do one half ironman for next year. i don't want to change my focus to triathlons, but i definetly do want to do a few and maybe a couple duathlons just to keep things interesting. more to come....

finally feels like fall...

well, went out yesterday for a ride in what finally feels like fall. it was a little chilly and windy. i did about 40 miles yesterday after working all night. i didn't feel all that great, but it was still a good ride. today i plan on either doing another 45 or riding out at lost valley and a run later tonight. i should propably ride lost valley so i can get my legs and off road handling back. we'll see, i have to finish my pot of coffee first.

Well, it's been a few days since I've written on here. I had a pretty productive weekend last week getting in 50 on Thursday and 105 on Saturday. I've also gotten a little more running in as I've been adding that to my weekly routine. I think I may start adding a few triathlons to my race schedule for next year. I'm still trying to get my running legs though, and the swim, well that's a whole other story. Next up is the Spanish Lake mt. bike race, as of right now I'm about 50/50, just not sure if I'm feeling up for it. See ya soon.