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MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVE ME 10 WEEKS
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE to get into top shape for an A race is a question we'd all like answered. For an Olympian, it might be years. For us...
... we might have a few months.
Or less.
Depending on when we sign up, and the vagaries of life.
But, let's just say we are fitter than most,
not as fit as some.
Then our focus will be...
- long climbs or power climbs
- slogs into the wind or a million turns
- finishing in ones and two or a ripping bunch sprint
... more on race specific training.
Given a good baseline of fitness, my general rule is...
- our bodies
- our equipment
- our travel and logistics
... it takes 10 weeks to really sharpen the saw.
For me, aiming for Leadville on 8.15.26, I've got time...
... but, no time to waste.
And, so it begins.
===
164.6
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 60 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
81/72/9 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: The Search, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PREPARATION/EXPECTATION EQUATION
DECONSTRUCTING OUR RECENT PERFORMANCE is critical for improvement. The longer we wait, the foggier our recollection. Details we were sure of...
... become memories full of bias.
It's natural.
Who wants to remember what went wrong, when we can glory in all that went right?
Other than screwing up yet another sprint for the line, nothing really went sideways for me at BWR UT.
And, if I'm being honest, Billy tested my legs on the overpass coming into to town. Whether or not he knew it, and I stayed glued through the the pain...
... I was hurting.
There are a few things that went really right...
- The chef's pasta the night before at Chef Alfredo's, with Danny and Lisa, was delish and just what I needed.
- The AirBNB I found at the last minute - a 3-bedroom house was perfect and the beds wonderful.
- The 8:30 start was a little too late to skip breakfast, so I went with my gut and mowed down a couple of chocolate Entenmann's donuts, half an apple, and a couple of cups of my trusty mushroom hot chocolate.
- I picked up Skratch Super High Carb and ran 6 scoops in my 2-liter pack and another 3 in one bottle.
- To stay ahead of cramps, I ate a Salt Stick chews.
- For the bike set up,
- Ceramic Speed chain held up really well to all the dust, even after getting doused with cold water by Smitty at the final aid station.
- The tire pressure was pretty low, 22lbs in back 20lbs up front. I rimmed out a few times over the random chunky stuff while in a paceline. That's always risky. But, I also felt like I was much more comfortable than other competitors who dropped off the group over time.
... the last was mindset.
Preparation vs Expectation.
I came in pretty rested having spend the previous 2 weeks on my MTB in Park City.
Because of the altitude, it was difficult to put in hard efforts of any meaningful time. Hours in the saddle were solid, but even a lot of that was spent ripping down hill.
I'd give me preparation a B, which was fine for a B race.
Knowing that, my expectations were quite low.
Here's the point...
... poor preparation with high expectations is a formula for frustration and a crummy day on course.
Whereas...
... awesome preparation with low expectations always makes for a fun race and often surprising outcomes.
===
163.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 70 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
82/74/7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
IF THINGS AREN'T ENDING UP as we'd like them to, the obvious thing to do would be dong something different. But, that can be a hard pill to swallow because...
... we're comfy and don't wanna change.
Hope isn't a strategy.
Or, a tactic.
So, even though I was hoping I'd be able to fend off the change with a few hundred meters to go at BWR UT, the mofo I'd been working with for the last 30 miles...
... stuck a shiv in my back.
There was nothing I could do.
Had no answer.
Surfergirl, bless her little beating heart, could see I was frustrated with myself and...
... accidentally twisted the buried blade.
What are you going to do about it?
I think it was an innocent, honest, loving, caring question due to the fact that she's seen me frustrated with something...
... then, draw up a solution and make it happen.
Truthfully, does it really matter if close out a racing effort by taking some cat on the line who I may never see again?
Not even.
What matters, to me, is that I execute the plan.
In this case...
... having something left at the end, to rip a fast finish.
The kool kids call that durability.
I call it having your shift together when it counts, which means I'll be needing to...
... wrap up long rides with sprints that sting.
===
164ish no scale
7.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/86/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE RACE TOMORROW?
THE NIGHT BEFORE any race is not a normal night. No matter how practiced we are there's always something different to our routine. Sometimes...
... we just make it up.
Why not?
It might work,
or not.
Surfergirl keeps asking me are you excited?
I wanna say yes,
and I know I will be tomorrow...
... about a millisecond after we start.
Until then,
my energy tends to be low.
Not depressed low.
Hybernation low.
Lethargic.
Slothy.
Trying to amp me up, she asks...
... have you looked at reg to see who's going to be there?
That's the kind of thing that...
- if I glanced at it now
- the night before the race
- when I'm trying to chill and sleep early
... would def keep me up and tossing and turning.
No, that's not my agenda.
I prefer to...
- lose all hope
- ditch all desire
- punt all pretense
... and shut 'er down with my favorite pint.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/70/11 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOSTALGIA
WE ALL STARTED this endurance journey somewhere, likely not where we are today. Introduced by a friend, sometimes on purpose, others inadvertently. While we may change locales, and the friends become distanced…
… we’re still here.
In the game.
We may have the opportunity to go back to where it all started.
For me, it was…
- my roommate’s bike
- a finagled purchase of my own
- secrets of sprinting revealed by Bret, who raced track nationally for San Jose Bicycle Club
… in Provo, UT.
I rearranged my classes…
- to start as early as possible
- so I could ride every afternoon
- before cruising the library to cruise the cubicles in search of a “study” partner.
… because I had priorities to attend to.
Today I hit a climb I’d always wanted to check out, Cascade Springs, but it was a battered gravel road back in the day.
Now, it’s pristine pavement all the way up over 8000’
Followed by a plummeting descent that is as magical now as it was 40 years ago.
I’ve moved,
but, I never really moved on…
… and, I’m quite okay with that.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/68/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TRUE PRICE OF FREE ADVICE
A WHILE BACK, I connected with the COO of a well-known bike brand. We were working on a collaboration at the time. I asked him for some...
... advice on what we're doing over here.
Today, we met for lunch.
Looked at from now to the end of the year,
the objectives I want to accomplish,
what I think is possible.
No different than...
- capabilities
- weaknesses
- peak seasonal events
... planning the race season with a coach.
After some yummy tacos,
and back of napkin calculations...
... we came up with a solid methodology to implement.
Like any great coach,
my friend made it so simple to understand...
... and gave me the confidence to go for it.
I was prepared to pay a minimum of $1,000.
In the end it could be way more expensive than that...
... if I don't take action.
It could cost me 100s of 1000s.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/77/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE SUFFERING AND EPICCING TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?
WE ALL KNOW that group workouts are torturous by nature. It's not a secret. Yet, we continue to show up beating after beating because...
... suffering loves company.
Alone, for most of us, is no good.
We won't see it through,
we'll ease up when we should be hardening up.
The bonds we end up forming are often unbreakable...
... we're in agony together.
Suddenly people who barely knew each other are fist bumping and ready for the next one.
What's the opposite bondforming experience?...
... when we're pushing geographic boundaries together.
Like today.
It wasn't the 90 minute climb topping out at 9160'.
Nope.
It was the 60 minutes of downhill...
- ripping through the trees
- sliding around gorgeous berms
- jumping rocks and roots and stumps
... feeling like we were cheating life.
Epiccing, like suffering, loves company.
We set off in search of adventures that will push beyond the comforts or riding around the block...
... the unknown and undiscovered beckoning to be shared.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/71/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COOCOO FOR CLIMBING
IF WEIGHTED SQUATS are a lot better than air squats, is climbing a lot better than riding on the flats? And, if climbing is better...
... is climbing with a weighted vest mo' bettah?
Things one wonders.
And takes to extremes.
I remember backintheday, rolling out with 100oz hydration pack on my back and 2 large waterbottles filled with sand.
It seems so silly now,
almost as all the ruckers.
On a bike we can measure power.
So, we know.
We know we don't need to stress our backs with extra weight or stupid add ons...
... we can just pedal faster.
Velocity X Force - Power
Which taken a step further...
... climbing aint gonna train us any better than flats.
We gotta put out the power.
There is a caveat, if we like...
- climbing big mountains
- ripping punchy stuff
- pounding the flats
... our bodies will adapt and become more efficient at the one we love and gravitate towards.
Me personally?
I'm coocoo for climbing,
and bananas for bombing.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/63/17 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HEAR ME OUT
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN to make fun of Velo, "powered by Outisde". Whether it's their clickbaity titles, AI drivel, or soulselling advertorials...
... there's at least one good laugh a day.
Here's my current favorite.
Stop Complaining About Sound, These Are The Best Headphones for Cycling
Roight!
Because decreasing our ability to engage with our surroundings when traveling 20+ miles per hour in our underwear on...
- trails
- gravel
- pavement
... is a great idea.
Genius.
Next up...
... Stop Complaining About Night Vision, These Are The Best Sunglasses After Sunset.
There is no best.
At best, assuming it's not clickbait or advertorial would be...
... These Headphones Least Worsen Your Ability To React To Danger When Riding.
Or, for the trailrunners...
... These Earbuds Reduce Getting The Shift Scared Out of You When A Bike Rider Has Been Saying 'Hey There' For 5 Minutes and Finally Gives Up and Passes You.
Now for you in the back jumping up and down ready to tell me to not be so closeminded...
... I hear you.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
>
POP TART POWERED, BEE STUNG... ATHLETE unINTELLIGENCE
SOMETIMES, we just gotta change it up. Do something different just fer fun. Go against...
... conventional wisdom.
I thought it had been a good week...
- 177 miles
- 17:26 hours
- 20951' of vert
... given I'd been knocked down by a 24 hour bug.
Mostly in the dirt,
mostly with friends.
Yet, every single ride Strava's Athlete Intelligence...
... scored it as recovery or recovery and endurance.
Apparently, the AI couldn't account for the fact this sea leveler was suffering at 7000-10,000 elevation.
Rolling out this morning...
- a few scoops of Envy
- 4 pop tarts
- 1 Carbs gel
... I grabbed what I had + 100 ounces of water.
While I hoped to put down some power, since all I'd done was "recovery and endurance" rides...
... I knew the truth.
Leaving with a simple plan,
ride until I ran out of food and water.
It was an epic day in the mountains...
... topped off with a bee sting in the gut a few miles from home base.
Memorable.
===
164
9 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ADVENTURE
SOMETIMES, the road really is better than the inn. We realize that whatever we are aiming for may not be all that great, but...
... putting in the work gives outsized returns.
Gratitude blooms.
Like today.
My pal Charles charts out this loop...
- 32 miles
- 4700' of vert
- topping out at 10,000'
... which seems really cool.
Until we hit our first massive fallen tree and bushwhack around it.
Then, patches of snow,
too long to ride.
Followed Puke Hill.
The view...
- The Great Salt Lake to the west
- Park City to the East
- Not a soul around
... stunning.
Somehow the goals seem weak, lacking...
... when beauty abounds.
If we'll just stop to look.
===
165ish, no scale
7ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN TRAINING ISN'T ACCORDING TO PLAN
THE BEST LAID PLANS can go sideways for a variety of reasons. I'm not gonna list 'em since I don't want to poison your mind and have you...
... manifesting awfulness.
'Cause I'm questioning just that about myself.
Did I manifest...
- 3 days off at I Do Epic
- riding with friends short on time
- puking my guts out last night after a miserable 70 minute ride
... or, is it just life?
Doesn't matter too much,
except part of my GrandMasterRipOnRaceDay plan...
... was a massive training week this week to make up for last week
and leave me slightly buried for BWR next week.
I consulted AI all night...
- possibly caused by using pure table sugar on my rides
- hydration via room temp peppermint tea
- a few Tums
... while Surfergirl laughed at me and secured the remedy.
Arose after 10 hours, feeling a lot better.
Energy seems good enough to day...
... to meet up with the local slayers.
The prudent thing would be to skip the meet up,
spin at most, or sleep...
... a proper adjustment.
But, screw it...
... I've got plans, too.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/22 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HE'S A GENIUS
WE ALL HAVE, or should have, wish we had, that friend who can fix anything. Even though we've upped our skills over the years there's always that...
... next level repair.
We can't do it.
Like my SID fork, today...
- packing in on descents
- rebound slower than a sloth
- adjustment dials backing out and loose
... I was in a bind.
Turns out the great C Gonzer lives where I'm visiting,
racing pals from a decade ago.
Within about about 20 minutes,
he had it working nearly good as new.
How'd you learn how to do this?
I just really like working on my bikes.
That's it?
Well, I am a mechanical engineer by trade.
That's it...
- love what we do
- study the basics
- achieve mastery
... genius level work.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/23 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Feeling Is The Secret, by Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GETTING HIGH
TRAINING AT SEA LEVEL is no way to prepare for high elevation activities. Sure we have extra oxygen to go hard, which is always nice. But, it'd be even nicer...
... to be able to rip when high.
Which begs the question...
... why am I working so darn hard, putting out so little power?
Nah, that's obvious.
Kinda.
90 minutes into the ride today,
we'd been ripping up Big Mountain Pass (f'real).
Challenging?
Yes.
Wheezing?
Yes.
Gapped?
Indeed.
Here's the rill dill...
... even though the power is relatively low,
the breathing is labored.
Which presents a realhonesttogoodness truth...
- breathing too hard
- not thinking 100% clearly
- focusing on staying on pace
... it's hard to stay on top of the hydration and nutrition at altitude significantly above our normal.
We, me especially, gotta force it.
Another important consideration at high elevations...
... it's better to pace on HR than PWR.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/71/12 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Feeling Is The Secret, by Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SETTLING...
THE IDEA OF SETTLING, for most of us, is repulsive. We'd never do that because our standards are too high...
... or, so we think.
Because we don't know better.
Welp,
today I realized
I've totally been settling.
While we do have trails to ride near home...
- skinny single track with rain ruts
- weeds elbow high
- punch climbs
... it's nothing like Utah..
Today, outside of Kamas was incredible.
My pals, PViddy and TimmyV, had been telling me it was great up here.
But, c'mon...
- smooth, fast and flowy
- adorned with greenery and trees
- berms so perfect the suspension compresses as you no-brake it
... expertly engineered trials.
Waywaywaywayway better than my home trails.
Once we know we're settling the only question is...
... what are we gonna do about it?
===
165ish, no scale
8ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/61/21 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
A GOOD BREAK
TAKING TIME OFF can be restorative. Sometimes it's on purpose, other times its an unplanned forced situation. Either way...
... we're anxious to get back at it.
Like right now.
Being that I was committed to be all in at the biz conference...
... I skipped the last few days.
Including the typical epic Saturday.
Everything feels really good except my gut, which is feeling quite bloated...
... after lots of good food.
I suppose that's part of the anxiety, not...
- the drop in fitness
- the packed on pounds
- the connecting with the crew
... the sensation of being a caged animal.
Some might caution,
don't over do it.
A fair warning if working back from an injury.
But, this belly is yellin' at me,
get after it,
right now.
Can't wait to start shedding and shredding manana.
(I've got 10 days to turn it around before BWR UT)
===
165ish, no scale
78ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/63/20 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
>
AI DRIVEN?
AI could be all it's cracked up to be, if we can only learn how to use it to our benefit. But, new things can be...
... a challenge to learn.
Even scary.
One of the take aways on day 3 of I Do Epic was regarding AI,
and it got me thinking about racing...
... because as we say, Racing is life!.
My grand takeaway is AI's ability to deliver what we are looking for has much to do with regarding the prompts.
For example, knowing what you know about me...
... create a training program as if you were Javier Sola
Just like us at a race,
AI needs its head screwed on straight in order to deliver.
And a proper prompt is the starting point.
Making it human...
... what is the main prompt driving our training?
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/73/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WE CALL IT SPOOKED
THE UNMISTAKABLE ENERGY of the start line can be overwhelming for the uninitiated. We feel it the moment we arrive at an event, and when we line up the vibe can take us...
... from confident and courageous to literal shaking.
Plans melting.
Rather than the controlled missile launch we'd imagined, we are overcome by the complete chaos of undirected explosions.
And, that's okay,
until we want a different outcome.
On Day 2 of I Do Epic, we spent much the day in a massive barn learning how a master horse trainer teaches and guides the beasts with energy vs force.
Demonstrating the animal's sensitivity to each other in the herd as well as to us humans, as we approached and worked with the horses.
Thankfully, the inanimate endurance tools we depend on...
- bicycles
- helmets
- shoes
... cannot sense our moods or energy.
Can you imagine mounting a spooked bicycle?
I've often wondered how I am able to reach a place of calm and certainty with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of my "closest friends"...
... so close to losing it?
I don't have a good answer other than...
- a safe race
- an unleashing of the training put in
- finishing knowing there was nothing left in the tank
... experience and expectation.
But, the old cowboy did share one nugget that really resonated with me...
... We create what we anticipate.
===
165ish, no scale
8ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
87/84/3 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
START WHERE YOU ARE
TRAVEL BRINGS IT'S OWN CHALLENGES when it comes to maintaining our fitness. Will we have time, will there be space, do we have the equipment...
... will we even want to?
Have the energy?
When I signed up for I Do Epic Live in the hinterlands of Idaho, I figured we'd be starting early and ending late so...
- 27 hours
- 380 miles
- 27000' of vert
... I made sure I'd put in a large training block prior.
Taking a break made sense, but...
... a funny thing happened when I woke up.
I had two and half hours to kill,
while situated on the shore of the Snake river,
with a lovely and lonely gravel road echoing my vibe.
My original plan was out...
- a long walk
- a ton of push ups
- a million air squats
... a quick and glorious spin was in.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
89/97/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I WANTED TO STOP SO BAD
GETTING AFTER IT for a long period of time can be a beautiful thing, if we are in the right mindset and our bodies are prepared...
... and we're used to it.
Even addicting.
But, if our head's not into it,
our bodies not prepped,
it's been a while...
... quitting looks might tasty.
Like today.
There we were, riding up one of the most beautiful climbs in Utah, the Alpine Loop...
- few cars on the road
- perfect spring weather
- forever views up into the snowpack
... a coupla dudes riding a good fast tempo.
And, about 45 minutes in...
... I wanted to pull over.
Have a smoke, errr bite of my bar,
dip my toes in the stream.
It would have been so easy,
and lovely.
Which is why I didn't do it.
Because I know from experience pushing through these moments is...
... what it takes to finish anything strong.
Well, and the reward of a chocolate chip cookie at Sundance...
... would be that much sweeter.
===
165.8/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
91/107/-17 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE OTHER CROSSTRAINING
IF WE'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP of any kind we're most likely going to be exposed to activities which don't perfectly align with...
... our primary objective.
Got it?
Yeah, we get it.
The thingaboutitis...
... it's usually more than okay.
Surfergirl loves to hike.
Any time we're roadtripping and I'm in a hurry to get to the beddown...
... she's plotting a once in a life time hike.
Like today,
just after 6pm
3 hours from our destination...
... we absolutely had to hike Kolob canyon for no less than 2 hours!
Yes, that's an explanation point because...
... old diesels need their beauty sleep
Her "reward" for this detour is me stretching out while she drives, which I'm pretty sure...
... she purposely fakes like she's tired and unnecessarily jerks the wheel so I'll get behind it.
While I have to admit the hike was outstanding, and served to remind me that I should do some regular hiking to prepare for the potential to be hiking at Leadville...
...it's pretty clear I have not properly trained her on driving in a relaxing and soothing manner nor bowing down to the needs of her old man's sleep.
===
165.8/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
no Stretches
88/98/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: How To Fail At Almost Anything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams
>
BECAUSE I ASKED...
MEMORIAL DAY IS A BUSY ONE around here. All kinds of people out enjoying the day: runnin, bikin, swimmin, surfin, paddlin...
... things were chaotic.
I got a late start.
Preferring to get some work knocked and start prepping the van for our road trip...
... I slipped out just past noon.
There is a steep hill above a picturesque beach that attracts locals, nonlocals and everyone in between.
At the top, I saw an older woman lugging two chairs for her and her ancient father.
Normally, I'd just wiggle around them and the rest and go on about my day...
... but I remembered.
Hi there, can I help you with those chairs?
Oh, yes, please.
Leaned my bike on a palm tree.
Let's go down a little bit more, where it's a little flatter.
C'mon dad, over here.
This looks pretty good.
Thank you.
No problem.
How did you know we needed help, nobody else noticed?
Oh, I prayed I'd be useful today.
With that, I was off on a lovely tour of the southern part of our county...
... pavement, gravel roads and single track.
You're probably thinking Nice virtue signal Todd...
... to which I'll say, thinking of others is not my default or my strong suit.
I have to work at getting my heart to be fully functional.
===
165.8/12.7%
8.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
91/113/-22 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE RANDOMNESS OF PROGRESS
NICHING DOWN is a legit way to go about maximizing results. We study the experts, learn all we can, put it into practice. The goal is...
... supreme mastery.
But, is narrow and deep the only way to get it done?
The best way?
Personally, I think I've learned more studying endurance athletes and coaches from other sports than I have focusing on bike racing.
Maybe, probably, there is more literature and research available.
Here are a few of my favorites
- running - Born To Run, Christopher McDougall
- triathlon - anything by Phil Maffetone
- swimming - Total Immersion Method, Terry Laughlin
- natural fitness - Natural Born Heroes, Christopher McDougall
... because they introduced me to new ways of thinking about endurance and fitness.
Bringing in randomness to our experience...
- events
- people
- travel
... can deliver game-changing progress hacks.
If we'll just open our ears, eyes, hearts.
===
165.8/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
88/99/-11 per Strava
>
AFTER TAKING SEVERAL READINGS
SIMULATING OUR 'A' EVENTS months in advance can be quite revealing, in bad...
... and good ways.
Once, isn't enough.
Every weekend is too much.
It's not a damned if we do,
damned if we don't situation.
More like a...
- damn?
- damn!
- hot damn!
... outcome.
With that in mind I turned to Grok to help me assess today's simulation because...
- what happens if I cut ballast?
- what workouts would improve my time?
- are there supplements that aid lung function at altitude?
... AI is damn fine when it comes to crunching numbers.
Because I'm a true and proud supernerd...
- 2 previous attempts in last 7 years
- body weight on those days
- power numbers as well
... I have the data, going back years.
I put Grok to work...
- I can improve
- I'm in a pretty good place already
- This is gonna be a heckuva lotta fun
... and came out with what I already sensed.
Grok thinks I can beat my previous PR,
which seems absolutely ludicrous...
... mainly because I have a lot of higher value things I want to accomplish this summer.
This is a typical use of AI for me...
- confirm/test/explore what's possible
- learn how to do things I can't figure out
- assist in leveraging my tiny helmet covered bean's processing power
... are you using AI to evaluate and make moves?
As the great Wille Nelson sings...
... After taking several readings I'm surprised to find my mind's (and body) still fairly sound.
===
167/12.7% oof!
7.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
90/114/-24 per Strava went kinda deep today
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S A LONE WOLF'S WORLD
NO MATTER HOW MANY friends are planning to do the A event with us, regardless of how many weekends we link up to train together...
... the bulk of our efforts are alone.
Unseen.
By nearly everybody, except that neighbor who we pass by at the same...
... godforbidden time each dark morning.
We're on the hunt...
- miles
- skills
- fortitude
... for more.
And even when we do link up, if we're truly committed...
... we might breakup, or off.
For example, I'm committed to ride a spritely tempo between all the worthy climbs tomorrow...
... where I'll move into the bottom to mid-threshold.
Because that's gonna be my pace at the A race,
and I've really got to train it now,
to maintain it then.
So, yeah, 7 miles up the climb I'll probably be alone...
... just like I'll most likely be on raceday.
Which is why I'm working on this jersey to where in in Leadville.
Personally, I feel like an inspirational, personalized jersey is good for...
... a 1-2% increase in performance.
If you're of the same persuasion...
- super aero jersey
- amazing imported Italian fabrics
- no minimum order required, make just 1
... go here: https://pedalindustries.com/pages/start-a-project
===
165.6/12.7% (time to start trimming blubber)
8.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
85/82/2 per Strava (time to bump these numbers up)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
13 WEEKS SHOULD BE ENOUGH
AT SOME POINT, the training for the A event has gotta get real. Sure we have our base miles just because we are base-ically addicted, but...
... that's not gonna cut it.
Gotta get specific.
As of this moment, I'm 13 weeks out from starting the Leadville Trail 100.
It'll be my 8th time.
While I know the drill, I also know...
... I'm nowhere near ready.
Haven't done an hour long climb...
... since I don't know when.
Haven't ridden over 5 hours since October.
Haven't ridden my MTB more than twice a week in ages...
... haven't
haven't
haven't
haven't
haven't.
Equally overwhelming and energizing...
... the challenge is elephant-sized.
And, I'm gonna attack it one mile at a time.
===
164.6/12.5%
8.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
86/89/-4 per Strava
>
STRETCH GOALS
STRETCHING seems to go in and out of popularity. When, how long, which moves are a essential...
... and that's not counting yoga and pilates.
Where to start?
That's a good question.
I'm no expert, which is why I check in with my physical therapy pal, Scott, from time to time.
Mostly when I'm miserable
or injured.
Which got me thinking.
The last couple of days my bike fit felt like it had changed...
... which is impossible, right?
Then, I thought...
... could my body have changed somehow?
Thinking back on my many visits with Scott...
... and how stretches had fixed various aches and debilitating pains.
It hit me like a ton of lycra!
I haven't been stretching regularly,
at all.
Got back at it this morning...
... dang, I'm stiff!
But, guess what...
... the bike fit felt back to awesome.
Stretch goals are the kind that have us reaching to our limits to accomplish what seems nigh impossible...
... I like setting those.
New/old stretch goal...
... stretch every night as part of my shutdown sequence.
===
163.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
√ Stretches
86/91/-6 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT MASTERING THE BASICS LOOKS LIKE
THE VERY BEST PROS have mastered the basics. From techniques to tools, from sleeping to sprinting. They have it...
... all down cold.
How do we know?
Because at the very the very best are still practicing the basics...
... only the output is at a much higher level.
Duh!
Yeah, I know.
But, the real question is are we chasing...
- fads
- trends
- shiny objects
... or working diligently on mastering the basics?
===
163.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/83/1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FROM FLOOR TO CEILING
BUILDING FITNESS can appear to be a mystery to the uninitiated. For the reasons, holding onto it is illusive. And losing it...
... downright easy.
It's a shame.
If the unwashed simply established a floor...
- a minimum daily commitment
- built over weeks
- and months
... they'd find their ceiling to be nearly limitless.
Instead, they get the bug or come clean with their naked selves...
... and progress rapidly for a short season.
Get thrown off track,
and start over.
We know different.
Our floor maybe is simple as getting outta bed and kitting up...
... knowing it's easy to get out the front door at that point.
After that, it's just a matter of raising the floor...
... to see how high we can fly.
Things I think about while riding zone two for 2 hours...
... because that was my floor today.
And, I always ride on Mondays.
===
165.6/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
86/90/-4 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PRISONS WE CHOOSE TO LIVE INSIDE
>
HOW FAR SHOULD WE TAKE OUR BRO-SCIENCE?
ONCE WE FIGURE OUT the gear and products that work for our bodies, it's, honestly, just amazing. It fits. It works. And we stick with it...
... because we rip.
Easy.
We don't want to change.
That can be a problem if what we love goes out of stock or worse...
... out of production all together.
A few years back, when Wahoo acquired Speedplay they dumped my tried and MTB pedals.
The Frogs.
Had I known, I'd have purchased at least 10 pair of pedals and probably 100 sets of cleats.
To my horror, I logged on and learned the sadsad news.
No mas.
When I woke and realized I was out of my favorite carb mix today...
- water
- plain ol' sugar
- and Liquid IV for flavor and electrolytes
... well, yeah, I took a stab a making my own.
You should witnessed the...
- disgust
- concern
- warnings
... from the crew when we stopped to refill our bottles midride.
I shared my mix was 4 tablespoons of sugar...
- you're gonna get diabetes
- go into a coma
- die early
... I could only laugh.
Just what exactly do you think is in your favorite powder or gel?
I got the idea from an ultra-trail runner I follow on YouTube.
He'd wanted to experiment and discovered how sucrose...
- quickly absorbed glucose
- more slowly absorbed fructose
... breaks down in the small intestine.
It's a 1:1 ration,
most high end mixes are 1:.8.
Ever look at the ingredients of what you're drinking?
My 4 very level tablespoons = 50 grams of carbohydrate.
But, isn't that gonna kill ya?
It's about the same as a can of Coke,
or a couple of candy bars.
So, yes, it will absolutely...
- crush our health
- give us that orange with 4 toothpicks look
- and lead to all kinds of degenerative diseases
... unless we are ripping and burning it up.
That 50 grams is about 50% of what I consume per hour...
... when getting after it.
How'd it work over 3 bottles?
Flawlessly.
Gonna test full strength this week.
This is bro-science...
... so take it with a literal and proverbial grain of salt.
===
166/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
660 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/88/-3 per Strava
>
FIRST (TASTE OF) BLOOD
WE'RE LIKE WILD ANIMALS. Once we get the first taste of adrenalin, charging through the countryside...
... with reckless abandon.
We're hooked.
The thingaboutitis...
... we gotta get that first taste.
16 years ago, my pal Dr. Jeff couldn't keep from...
... slobbering all over me.
About gravel riding.
You would love it.
Seems kinda lame.
Trust me.
Tell me why.
Well, it'a a combination of two things you love: road and mtb.
And it's fun?
Oh yes!
It took me 5 years to finally see a signal...
- steel
- heavy
- leather bags
... a lonely gravel bike on sale at the local bike shop.
I thought it was radical to ride the tires at such low pressure...
- 38mm
- 60 lbs
- with tubes
... now I'm on tubeless carbon hoops, rolling 18 up front 20 in the back.
So much has improved!
For the first year or more I rode gravel alone...
... like a lunatic in the wild.
It took 5 more years till a few of us were getting together...
... and another 3ish to do what we did today.
Ruckus URBN GRVL group rides.
In town for the weekend, Jeff joined us for today's masterpiece...
... I'm not sure he made the connection on the impact he's had on us.
===
165.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
6200 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
88/101/-14 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
STOP BEING MEDIUM
THERE'S A REASON so many of us struggle to improve. Especially the newest of us...
... doing all we can to hang on.
Never improving.
I heard it said so well and succinctly today by one of my fave running coaches, the great Fred Duncan.
The question how much work we can survive in one session, it's...
- hard
- easy
- hard, again
... how many high quality outputs can we stack over weeks and months and years?
If we aren't resting, active-recovering we can't go hard enough on our hard days to see any improvement...
... we become really excellent at medium.
And, stay there.
Which is fine, if you're into that sorta thing.
But, I know you're not.
Which brings up today's ride...
- 23 miles
- ave HR 93
- ave PWR 102
... we did the impossible.
I say impossible because it's nearly impossible to get a group of athletes together and not start pushing...
... we pulled it off by setting the tone ahead of time.
The BRO ride is a super easy conversational cruiser...
... because bros need bro time.
Before slaying it on the weekend.
If you want to do a deeper dive on Fred's post it's here: https://x.com/Fred__Duncan/status/2055274916199502322?s=20
===
164.6/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/75/8 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ZONE TWO MUCH
ANYBODY CAN RIDE ZONE 2. It's easy. Zone 1 is easy. Coasting is easier. The trick is...
... to stay there.
For a long time.
The past few months I've been doing my Z2 on the mountain bike,
on kinda steep trails.
Not spinning,
a lot of torque...
... then completely off when descending.
Which is somewhat easier than what I did today...
- keeping on the pedals
- with high cadence
- limited coasting
... Zone 2 on mainly flat, with a few rollers.
Turns out 2:80 spend doing...
- 90 minutes Z2
- 31 min Z1
- 9 min z3
... is it's own kinda hard.
1261 calories burned ain't nothing.
The mental game to stay at a given pace and basically never stop pedaling...
... regardless of the terrain.
I know you zwifties are wanting to mock me,
and I'm totally down with how much harder
it can be on a trainer.
I get it.
The real point is this kind of training...
... is extremely effective at building physical and mental endurance.
===
165.2/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/83/1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER OF MID-WEEK RACING
MID-WEEK RACING has been around for ages and continues to endure because it's great training, fun to bring the community together...
... and get in some ripping intensity.
400 showed up to race Over The Hump last night.
A very healthy number of age group competitors...
... ready to battle.
I've missed the last two seasons,
so it was exciting to finally make it out.
I entered Elite 45+ looking to see how I'd rate.
Warming up,
I saw a lot of friends.
But, I was missing one.
My pal Eric was senselessly killed last year while riding his bike early in the morning, by a druggy.
After a decade of racing together...
- bro hugging each week
- seeing his babies grow up
- and turn into fine little racers
... there was a hole in my heart.
On the start line,
the energy was high,
the confidence eager.
We shot out.
I maneuvered leading into the first single track,
thinking okay this feels right.
There was only one solid climb,
20 minutes of redlining.
From leading,
to wheezing,
to 7th.
Ouch!
The downhill was a couple of miles long,
and it felt good - even PRd it.
Sliding out onto the double track,
I could see 5th and 6th,
and closed the gap.
Two of the three of us were pulling hard back to the finish line.
Just as we're about to hit the final single track before the finish,
we're caught by some of the guys we'd dropped.
At the same time,
we enter the tight turns we merge with the Beginners and Sport racers.
It's not pretty.
Some of us give the slower riders space,
others mob through.
I go from 5th to 8th.
Frustrated.
Upset about getting beat by the dude who wasn't pulling with us.
Finishing,
I stormed off.
Not my finest moment.
After a recovery drink and some spinning...
- reveling in my anger
- knowing it would motivate me
- looking forward to some specific training
... I realized how great it is to be racing.
Once I'd changed into my tshirt and jeans, I had time to reflect...
- we live in a free and prosperous country
- have the time and energy for mid-week racing
- I'm feeling 100% recovered from my TBI, while Eric is riding in the heavens and his family navigates life without him.
... and be extremely grateful.
===
165.2/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
590 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/83/1 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CONSISTENCY IS BORING AND...
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHATTER on the interwebs regarding what happens by simply being consistent. What is often left out is the biggest battle...
... which must be won.
Boredom.
That's what the naysayers are thinking as we head out into the morning sunrise doing the unfathomable.
Sure, it can be monotonous to do the same workout over and over.
But, we aren't newbs or drones and know how to counter that by mixing it up, and socializing with likeminded beasts.
With unholy motivation we focus...
... on the rewards.
Months and years later,
we're nothing like the person we started out as.
Consistency might look boring to an outsider, but...
... we know it's lethal.
===
165.6/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/-4 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS
THERE'S DANGER just crossing the street. But, people do it and a lot more because it's part of life. We, on the other hand...
... like to raise the stakes.
Ignoring the warnings.
For years, I have casually read the signs regarding mountain lions and rattle snakes on our local trails and all over the western US.
In the process I've...
- a close up encounter with a big cat
- run over many sunbathing snakes
- stared down coyotes
... had one real scare and many thrills.
The cat was the most shocking.
I thought I was seeing a large loping coyote way up the gravel road.
Not uncommon.
Keep going.
Kept seeing as elevation changed.
Rounded a corner only to see a giant cat perpendicular to the road.
Staring at me.
Didn't do what you're supposed to do...
- stand your ground
- make yourself look bigger
... back pedaled and ripped up a single track, braking to make the turn at the top.
Went back to that spot many, many times,
raced up that hill as fast as possible...
... never came close to needing to brake to make the turn at the top.
That my friends is living.
===
165.6/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/4 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TIMING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING, and there is so much to be timed when it comes to racing. To time anything to perfection necessitates...
... starting very early.
Ultimately, requiring less energy.
We saw this today at the Giro.
The winning sprinter producing fewer watts than 2nd or 3rd place...
- 1480w
- 1870w
- 1580w
... making it look easy(er).
Because he timed his acceleration perfectly.
Not unlike sprinting for the line, the great Scott Adams stated...
... the secret to success is energy management.
Which helped me lean into doing my best and most important work early in the day when I'm most alert and creative.
What else...
- workouts
- relationships
- spiritual exploits
... can we improve with better timing?
===
165.2/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/87/-2 per Strava
>
BLAME IT ON THE DONUT
STAYING ON TOP OF THE RECOVERY is super easy to skip. Especially, if we are really on top of it...
... day after day.
We're rested.
When the opportunity presents itself to overdo it...
... we do it.
We think we'll be fine.
We aren't going to do die, but...
... we will be less than fine.
Like today.
After shortchanging myself on sleep two nights in a row,
getting talked into more than easy spinning,
skipping the hyper-ice sessions...
... all variables I couldashoulda controlled,
I suffered today.
The sting of ripping,
felt stale and suffocating.
When looked back on the data...
- on trails I've ridden
- raced up
- stomped
... I actually set some PRs.
The difference when between being fatigued vs fresh is stark...
... longfaced-droopy vs JUBILANT.
Eventually, I succumbed to the efforts,
pulling the plug halfway up a steepytechy...
... and limped to the donut shop.
Where, after a few moments and calories and water I miraculously...
... felt very fauxfresh!
===
165.2/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
6500 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
87/100/-13 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BRO!
ALL RACING AND TRAINING ain't the way to do it. The ubersuccessful connect with others on a deeper level, it's the glue we need...
... to help us hold it all together.
Not the training and racing.
Life.
Some say getting out and getting after is...
... cheap therapy.
I won't argue with that.
Getting out, and away, for a conversational workout...
... can be life changing.
Lifesaving.
But, we already know that.
Most of our friends don't,
or don't make the time,
or have the friendship.
Which got me out on the road way earlier than I wanted to today,
because I knew my pal had been traveling a ton,
and could squeeze in a ride.
And got me thinking...
- early start
- easy terrain
- all bikes welcome
... why not create a BRO ride?
Details in the image.
(Surfergirl has had this going with the Trail Angels for decades).
===
165.6/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/84/0 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BEST EFFORTS OSCILLATE
DOING OUR BEST. We hear from the time we take our first steps, through our teens, into adulthood. Then we preach it...
... to anyone who will listen.
Because it works.
As the great Tony Horton used to say on the P90X videos...
.. do your best, and forget the rest.
It's a legit way to live, except...
... our best oscillates.
We can get better at our best...
... is there anything more exciting than knowing that?
I found a fun features on Strava today.
The Best Efforts Power Curve has a little box we can check and...
... Show Estimated FTP.
The last 6 weeks I've been pretty dialed.
According to the app I've raced FTP 10 watts.
The feedback is helpful.
Knowing we can improve...
... is a devine gift.
===
165.6/12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
86/91/-5 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GO BIG, PUNK!
THROWING THE GEARS TO THE BIG RING used to be much more of a thing. With the advent of 13-speed, not so much. Lot's of 1x drivetrains...
... making things simpler.
Better...
- lighter
- more aero
- cleaner look
... depends on the use case.
MTB started it all,
can't even buy one with 2x.
Gravel bikes are mostly there,
some 2x systems.
Road and TT have special use for 1x.
Track and BMX have always kept it clean and simple.
Anyway, there I was this morning doing my dawgawn bestest to try and recapture my PR from Jan 2026 on a segment called Pain Cave because...
... who wants to just cruse home after hammerin'?
And it dawned on me...
... back in Jan I forced myself to stay in the big ring all the way up the steeps.
Did it work?
Kinda.
Knocked 2:47 off of last week's tepid attempt...
... still 48 seconds off the PR.
I looked back at my scale logs...
... I'm 2 lbs heavier, .5% higher in body fat.
Then my weight training...
... I'm doing a lot more leg work Sunday and Monday.
Probably not a great way to prep for Wednesday.
Lastly I looked at time spent in Zone 4 or above...
... 48 min in Jan vs 49 min today.
I'll take another cracky at it...
- come in lighter
- more rested
- caffeinated
... attacking with punk blazing style.
Check 'em out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-punk-collection
===
165.6/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
710 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
86/92/-7 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE SUPER SUCCESSFUL DIET THAT IS POTENTIALLY KILLING OUR POTENTIAL
THERE ARE A LOT OF SUCCESSFUL plans to decrease our extra ballast. Perhaps the most powerful is one that we rarely actually apply to getting lean...
... yet allow to dictate our ultimate potential.
Case in point.
Eat the same meal, day after day...
... we'll get sick of it.
Eat less.
Waste away.
Lose muscle.
It's just a fact.
Yet, we do that same thing...
- same group rides
- same strength work
- same A race targeted
... with so much of our activities.
The inertia against improvement is overwhelming.
We can't do more,
become more.
We stall,
or worse,
we give it all up.
And why not?
It's become boring.
However, who can blame even the most monk-like amongst us who pack on the pounds because...
... there are so many amazing food choices to be had.
These days, living in any kind of a city, even the smallest, there can be found really creative and fun dining experiences.
We can eat more,
yes, become more.
Maybe not the more we are looking for.
If we're really going to reach new heights...
- new groups
- new strength work
- new A races targeted
... we must mix it up.
PS this applies to everything: love, family, business, sprituality.
===
164.6/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
720 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/3 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY COACHING IS MAGICAL?
REACHING OUT TO THOSE we think are in the know is pretty common practice. We can glean a lot. Getting serious about outcomes and...
... hiring a coach is next level.
#worth-it
I was thinking about this because last week I had two different people reach out to me about training questions.
Asking for my input.
Here's the dill.
For the most part a coach...
... isn't going to wave a wand and fix us.
What we're really paying a coach to do is...
... to tell us what we don't want to hear and hold us accountable.
It's rarely a question of knowing what to do.
Much more a question of willingness to do it.
And, ya know, when you're payin' for it...
... it does magically work.
(and, I heckuvalot faster than wingin' it)
===
166/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
85/87/-2 per Strava
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE GREAT LIE OF RACING
Jul 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WELL, MTB NATIONALS HAVE CONCLUDED. I went there with two objectives: get in a really hard ride as I prep for the summer's quest...
... and see how I stacked up against my peers.
One of those is a great reason, one of them notsogreat.
How did I stack up?
I got a Silver medal.
It's cool.
But, ultimately meaningless. I mean, I'm not gonna throw it in the river. I'm also not gonna cry about being first loser. I'm gonna keep it as a reminder of how I stacked up...
... on that day, against those racers.
The quest for the summer is to see if I can do the ridiculous: go sub-8 at Leadville.
To me, PRs are and always will be the measuring stick.
What am I capable of?
That's the question that spurs me, inspires me, haunts me...
... in everything I do.
The only one that matters.
A Gold medal doesn't mean I'm my best...
... only that on that day, against those guys, I was the best.
So why race at all?
Because racing shows me what's possible...
... there's always somebody better, faster.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Part of answering that question is searching out great products.
I would never go for a PR or start a race without PR Lotion on my legs and UFO on my chain.
Save 10% when you buy the bundle and another 15% with promo code: FRESH.
The code will expire Monday.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
156.5
8.4 hrs
Body Water 60.8%
0 strength work
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
TAKING TIME
Jul 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO TAKE TIME ON YOUR COMPETITORS is to take time for yourself. Not on the bike. Off. Not active recovery...
... a different kind of activity.
One of my favorites, is to put my bike in the stand.
And just look at it...
... with no schedule, no hurry.
Shine this.
Tighten that.
Check pressures.
Check for unusual wear.
Clean and lube the chain.
Look for ways to perfect the ride.
Here's another.
Return from a solid ride and do nothing.
Relax.
Eat.
Read a book,
and fall asleep.
It's okay to rest...
... sometimes knowing you are fresh as a new kit is all ya need.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I love the UFO lube for my chain, and clean it with WEND.
Of course, nothing will make your legs feel magical like PR Lotion.
Save 10% when you buy the bundle and another 15% with promo code: FRESH.
The code will expire Monday.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
156.9
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61.2%
Just pushups today.
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
(DIS)RESPECT
Jul 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO GET FIRED UP FOR A RACE. Energy drinks, music mix, mantras, a wise coach...
... my all time favorite is disrespect.
But, it takes work.
Just a little.
Because most people are really nice, and good natured...
... which means I have to manufacture something.
Just this week, I was standing on the start line for Nationals. The announcer calls up the racers with the most points and the get their choice of where to start - not me. But, before that happens, a guy with teammates iin the race is telling the guy right next to me who to watch, who's fast, who's the best descender he's ever seen...
... bro, I'm standing right here.
He didn't mean anything by it, but I take that stuff and...
... it's like gasoline on my already fireduptorace spirit.
Trust me, you have no idea the amount of things I can conjure up...
the way you size me up out of the corner of your eye
your friend's innocent comments
the colors you're wearing
your tattoos
your hair
helmet
you
your smile
your fan section
the way you snaked me in parking
your humble and meek and kind demeanor
... I'll find something.
I always do.
I'm not sure if it's any less healthy than a giant jolt of caffeine, but I like it. It's free. Surfergirl and I laugh about it...
... it's all in fun, part of the prep.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
You might hate my matching gloves and socks, but you'd be crazy. Just today, John and his daugher Addie stopped me at the races.
We'd never met in person, but they are fans of what we do.
John - Best gloves ever, I have 5 pair and 2 freshies ready to go.
Addie (she got 5th in XC!) - I love your gloves because I never think about them once they are on.
I'm partial to red... maybe because it helps me to see red!!
There are lots of options.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
159.5
6.1 hrs (campfire stories and early race)
Body Water 61.3%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
FIRED UP.
Jul 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE QUITE A SCENE. I like it. I haven't been to national since '05 when I was racing Super D...
... but, something has changed.
There are lots of racers. We've take over the Winter Park resort.
But, that's not it.
Nobody travels across the country for a race without putting in a lot of time and money and energy. Everybody seems fierce and ready to get after it.
That's not it, either.
I thought maybe it was the thick forest, overwhelming our senses with immense beauty.
Nope.
The thing that is different about MTB racing, from my perspective, is...
... families.
There are just a lot of families here. Many with everybody racing. Some XC, some DH, some Enduro...
... maybe MTB is a more family friendly sport?
Whether or not that's creating the vibe I'm not sure. I just know there is a really down to earth feeling here...
... and it has me fired up for the future.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
In fact, I wasn't even bummed out when I sprung a leak in my rear tire.
Just grabbed my Dynaplug system from my Mini RaceDay Bag.
Use this promo code and save 20%: FIRED UP : it will work on all the products on this link.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
159.1
7.8 hrs
Body Water 61.7%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WHAT I FORGOT ABOUT THE GERMAN SHEPARD THAT BIT ME IN THE BUTT
Jul 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YEARS AGO, WALKING THE DUSTY STREETS OF MEXICO two dogs lay in the shade. The little mutt jumped up, yapping and pretending to nip our ankles...
... the old German Shepard waited.
Next thing I know, my butt is on fire, in the painful grip of the sneaky beast.
I run.
He hangs on.
I hit with my pack.
He's not letting go.
My butt was bruised, with slightly broken skin. But, my confidence around dogs was scarred for years.
That's the point of latching on and not letting go...
... to destroy the confidence of your foe.
It ain't easy...
... just effective.
But somehow I forgot that lesson today.
We charged up the opening climb, which was a gravel road. I was 10 back, then 5, then 2, then leading into the first single track. We were still climbing, but now i could control the pace...
... until the guy from Flow went by me.
He cleared the top about 10 seconds ahead of me. I wasn't too worried about it, figuring I'd catch him.
I did.
He was as nice as I was about the pass.
By the time we reached the bottom, I had about 10-15 seconds on him. He caught back up and we diced through the rolling single track back to the start.
He gapped me on the second a lap, a little earlier this time. I could see him, but I couldn't quite hold on. At the top, I figured I could catch again. In fact, I passed him (or so I thought) in about the same spot.
This time, he was way, way behind and I figured he must have flatted or crashed...
... and when Bryson yelled "He's really hurt" that's all I needed.
There was one problem...
... it wasn't him that I passed.
He was ahead, and what Bryson really yelled was "He's hurting."
So, while I'm thinking I've got this wrapped up and taking it a little easy over the rock sections so as not have have any mechanical issues...
... he's up ahead, winning..
That's why, you've got to sink your teeth in deep. And, not let go. Ride till you bleed if you must...
... be the German Shepherd, latched on and unshakeable.
Otherwise, you might do what I did and pull the full dork move and raise your hands up like you won when you cross the finish line...
... in second place.
Could I have won. gone 1 measly minute and 25 seconds faster?
We'll never know, will we...
... all we know for sure is, I let go.
Which meant I couldn't keep track of him? Who was it that I passed? His twin? A teammate?...
... doesn't matter.
We always feel like we could have gone faster when it's all said and done. Always...
... which kinda fires me up!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
You could say, I'm seeing red.
And, I'll definitely keep wearing the matching red socks and gloves.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
158.5
8.1 hrs
Body Water 61.5%
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
PREPARATION, WHERE TO START?
Jul 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING. As my friend, and Olympic Gold Medalist P Viddy says...
... luck is for the unprepared.
So, where to start?
Bike?
Body?
Logistics?
Diet?
Coach?
No
No
No
No
No
For me, it starts in the mind.
Understanding what I can control, adjusting to what I can't.
Figuring out how to accomplish what I need to do.
Learning from mistakes and moving forward.
Focusing on my PRs, my best efforts.
When my head is right, everything else falls into place.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Believe it or not, looking sharp is good for my head...
... and I love matching socks and gloves.
Plus, these gloves are so thin and light...
... they provide superior control.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
159
7.2 hrs
Body Water 61.6%
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHEN POSSIBLE, BE THE SLOWEST
Jul 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I RODE WITH CHAMPIONS TODAY. My good friends from UT, Bryson and his son Myles. Both already have earned Stars and Stripes on the MTB...
... but, that's not what impressed me the most.
I already knew about that, and Bryson had warned me that 13 y/o Myles is an official untouchable ripper now.
What I loved, was following their lines.
Different from my lines.
Smoother.
Faster.
Better.
Which is why I always try and be the slowest in the group...
... it's the best way to learn.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Which reminds me, if you can't be the fastest...
... be the best looking.
Frankly, I love having my socks match my gloves now...
... especially when they are accents for the entire kit.
That's how I roll now, always.
Did you know, if you purchase the gloves and the socks together, the socks are free when you check out?
No promo code needed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
158.5
7 hrs
Body Water 61.4%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO BE HUNGRY?
Jul 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YOU SHOULD NEVER BONK. Ever. Bonking can take weeks to recover from, let alone ruin your race - like it appears to have done for Tadej at the Tour...
... but, what about fasting?
Around the world, people use fasting for physical and spiritual benefits. You can do your own research...
... here's how and why I use intermittent fasting.
I fast most Sundays.
Skipping breakfast and eating a very late lunch, I experience hunger pangs...
... it's good to feel hungry.
Our ancestors were hungry often. Much of the planet still deals with hunger. I don't love it...
... it helps me to be grateful.
Sunday is a rest day for me. No work, no riding, time for family and reflection...
... with rare exception.
Because I'm not burning calories, fasting is a good way to keep the weight in check...
... it allows me to wake up the next day in good shape.
On weeks when I've reduced my training days...
... I might also employ this strategy midweek.
A few years back, I tried intermittent fasting for weight loss.
Doing it every day. It didn't work for me, at all. In fact, it was quite bad...
... I wound up at urgent care, seeing double.
For me, I just don't carry enough fat stores and I burn too many calories with training. Which means, the rest of the week...
... I avoid feeling hungry.
Especially leading up to any kind of racing...
... I don't mind at all being a couple of pounds heavy on a big raceday.
Bottom line:
- Never bonk.
- Fast for maintenance
- and spiritual life, if you're into that sort of thing.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Is this making you hungry?
I've added some food bundles to the list of RaceDay Ready™ products I love and trust.
You can save even more by using this code at check out: RDRrocks!
Code expires in a couple of days.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.8
8.5 hrs
Body Water 61.8%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ANOTHER REASON TO WHERE A HELMET
Jul 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE RACE COURSE HAS MULTIPLE ROCK GARDENS, one with water running through it. There's a sign warning danger. Riders are sessioning to figure it out...
... which makes it all just terrible.
Too much to think about.
Too many people pointing out all the dangers.
It's so hard to have the discipline...
... to look where you want to go.
If you have it, it's like a superpower.
Why?
Because...
... the body always follows the head.
Whatever our head is focused on, it's a lock our body is going there.
Think about that.
Do you see the rocks, ruts and roots...
... or the clean line?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I talk about this in my book, The Way of The RACER, in the chapter titled Expect Good Things To Happen.
It's free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.3
7.25 hrs
Body Water 61.5%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
LOSE CHANGE
Jul 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOME OF US WOULD RATHER LOSE THAN CHANGE. We've given up before the race even started...
... forgotten who we are.
We are born athletes.
All of us.
Want proof?
Watch a child move.
That is the ideal. But, too many of us have forgotten the joy of moving naturally, gracefully, confidently.
This was on my mind when I wrote the following mantra for RaceDay Ready.
I am an athlete.
I eat, sleep, do what will maximize my potential.
This is my nature.
I am fit,
able to respond to any challenge that comes my way.
I am fast,
moving efficiently and accurately.
I am fierce,
confident in my abilities and committed to my goals.
I am RaceDay Ready.
Then I condensed it.
I am an athlete,
this is my nature.
I am fit, fast and fierce.
I am ready.
And, condensed it again.
I am an athlete,
I am ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Mat decided to make a change, now he's going to Gran Fondo World's!
As you can see, he's big on visualization and got himself a RaceDay Wallet™ with his goal on it.
This shift is working for me and people like Mat.
I promise.
You can join the challenge and get your own wallet here:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158.4
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61.2%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
EQUIPMENT OR COMMITMENT?
Jul 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT OR COMMITMENT? Without training the speediest steed is a sloth, without a decent rig the fittest racer won't stand a chance...
... so where do we focus?
On neither one.
We focus on the result we are looking for and then do the absolute minimum amount required to obtain it...
... anything more is waste.
... anything less is neglect.
... the minimum is most efficient.
For example, I want to be strong.
- It feels good
- Increases control on the bike
- Burns fat
Do I need a gym membership or a tricked out facility at home?
I don't think so.
I'm doing just fine with adjustable dumbbells and a piece of webbing. It's so simple, I can do almost all my exercises on the road.
Click here to watch this: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf_4c-Hg4XH/
Too often, we hesitate or don't start at all because we feel we lack just the right equipment when all we really need is...
... commitment to do the minimum amount required for success.
That's exactly what my 10-week challenge is all about, doing the minimum...
... to get you the maximum results.
Are you ready to take the challenge?
10-weeks is all it takes to get you RaceDay Ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.8
8 hrs
Body Water 60.3%
3 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
WAS IT BAD LUCK OR BAG PLANNING?
Jul 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I GOT SECOND TONIGHT, by less than a second. In fact, the podium girl stopped us before letting us ascend because the computer showed the exact same time...
... 30 minutes earlier I showed some poor sportsmanship.
Arriving late to the race, I'd grabbed my bike and not even checked my tire pressure...
... anxious to warmup, I'd made a mistake.
Off we went.
After swapping the lead 4 times over a challenging course, I'd finally maneuvered into the lead with 4 miles to go. The singletrack was so skinny it would be impossible to pass.
I had about 10 seconds.
Just after I wiggled past a younger racer I'd been battling with I could feel sprinkles on the backs of my calves.
Nooooooooooooooooooo.
Rounding a turn with speed, the back tire splashed around.
I hoped it wasn't so, but the next turn confirmed...
... I was losing pressure fast.
There was no choice but to lean forward transferring my weight to the front wheel, and slow down.
Through the trees, I could see the finish line was so close...
... too close to stop and plug the leak.
Three of us exited the forest wheeltowheel and sprinted for the the line a 100 yeards away....
... missed it by this much.
The congratulation was brief.
I was pissed.
It's true.
Not my best moment.
After I cooled down I sought out the winner and gave him a proper congratulations.
In truth, we'd had a great battle. Him besting me on the climbs, me passing on the descents...
... there really isn't anything more fun than that.
As the great Joe Walsh said...
... 'cause the Rocky Mountain way ya better pump your tires up.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets
I didn't need it today, the clouds only drizzled a bit and we were going all out, but the KOM Jacket is definitely one of my all time favorite pieces.
It's wind and water proof, yet so thin and lightweight you can easily put it in your back pocket.
This might be my all time favorite piece I've created.
We have black in stock in most sizes.
Use promo code PoorToddy to save 20% and cheer me up.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/kom-jackets
---
158.7
8 hrs
Body Water 61.1%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
CAUTION: RACE IN PROGRESS
Jul 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE DISCARDED SIGN SAID IT ALL. CAUTION: RACE IN PROGRESS. It's probably my favorite sign to see. It means...
... the course is clear, let it rip
I was about to do just that.
After the elation of cleaning the steep, rocky section of a climb topping out at 12,500', I was looking forward to barreling back down.
Within 30 seconds that changed.
I was cold.
Had no jacket.
Limited repair tools.
It was nearing sunset.
I was eleven miles from camp.
I hadn't seen a human for over an hour.
Maybe I should use some caution?
Ya think!
The whole way down I was thinking...
oh. I'll take this much faster during the race
oh, these tires can handle these rocks no problem
oh, I can gain a lot of speed off the brakes when it counts...
... it's important to have confidence in our equipment.
I don't go with the lightest tires,
or the lowest pressure,
or without a few tools.
I do ride the bike
set up for the big event
as far in advance as possible.
It's not worth the emotional energy to wonder if the equipment is going to perform. Or, how it will perform.
Managing our emotional energy on RaceDay, and the days leading up to a big event is just as important time in the saddle.
The reason the Caution Sign means go in our brains is because...
... we've already taken the precautions that lead to success.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
That means tying things out in advance like Rip, and making sure you're stocked up.
So, here's the Ethan Hunt offer...
Use promo code MAGIC and save 20%... and get free shipping!
... offer expires e.o.d. 7/13/22
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
159.8
8 hrs
Body Water 61.7%
3 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling (van life)
MOCK MY WORDS
Jul 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE REASON I MOCK PEOPLE WHO DON'T REGISTER FOR EVENTS in my book The Way of The R.A.C.E.R. is because I know how powerful visualization can be...
... if harnessed correctly.
Nothing is more compelling than throwing down hardearned cash on the registration fee.
Frankly, I think it's lame to talk about doing an event without having signed up.
- It might be sold out when you get around to it.
- The magic is lost.
Part of the magic is the way things fall into place once we commit. We find the time, get the support, discover nifty secrets.
When we don't commit by registering, nothing is urgent. Everything outweighs the idea of maybe doing an event...
... resulting in a weak performance.
Are you going for weak or strong?
I was reminded of all this by an email I received earlier today. A customer had purchased a RaceDay Bag because he'd signed up for an event and wanted to be organized...
... then, I took him to the next level.
Check this out:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
That's some good magic, don't ya think?
So, here's the Ethan Hunt offer...
Use promo code MAGIC and save 20%... and get free shipping!
... offer expires e.o.d. 7/13/22
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158
7.5 hrs
Body Water 61.5%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE SIMPLEST DIET EVER
Jul 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A MILLION DIETS OUT THERE. I've tried a lot, made up a lot, and found them all to be unsustainable or unhealthy for me or plain ridiculous...
... until I settled on the See Food diet.
It's very easy to follow.
Easier to explain.
Hard to do.
It works.
Easy, hard, works.
The only question at this point is...
... Do you want the results?
When I explain it to people, they frown. Like it's some unrealisatic ask I've laid out...
... It's not.
At least it's no more unrealistic than asking your body to perform at it's best with improper fuel.
So, here it is...
... if you can see the ingredients of what you're eating, eat it.
Take that dinner plate above, other than the bread - which I set aside - I could identify everything on the plate. Therefore, I ate it.
Fruits, eat 'em.
Veggies, eat 'em.
Meats of all kinds, eat 'em.
Do you see what I mean?
Or course, this eliminates all packaged foods, all baked goods, all traditional desserts.
It's hard at first. It took me a long time to get on the rhythym of it all...
... and then the suprising happened.
My cravings went away.
Poof.
Well, they didn't go away because now I crave whole foods...
... whose ingredients I can see.
You know what else went away?...
... a lot of blubber.
Easily.
Over time.
A word about cheat days.
They are popular, and I believe they are stupid. All they do is restart the cravings.
Do I cheat?
No, sometimes I'll say Ice cream sounds good today.. But, Instead of pounding a pint I have a few bites. It just doesn't taste as good as it once did.
In it's place, I currently crave greek yogurt with frozen fruit mixed in.
Don't stress about it.
It's a lifestyle change, and once you start seeing your food through this athlete's filter...
... you'll notice you have a lot of places where you can improve.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Diet is a big part of being RaceDay Ready™
Can you handle my 10-week challenge?
Are you committed enough?
It's free, and lots of people across the country are going for it.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
160.9
8.2 hrs
Body Water 61%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
60 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling
IT NEVER WAS ABOUT RACING
Jul 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TODAY WAS THE KIND OF DAY WE ALL DREAM OF. No commitments, uncharted route, perfect weather, riding until we are done...
... in a land committed to cycling.
I downloaded the Stravacreated route onto the Wahoo and set off for an old ghost town.
20 minutes in I realized I'd forgotten my wallet, and my miniRaceDay Bag™. I slowed, gave it some thought...
... and banked on ApplePay and my mechanical good luck.
Climbing cathedral mountains is cleansing.
Nothing better.
But, you've got to be fit to ride in quiet solitude, the forest and streams.
I came across some fit kids with snowboards!?
What are ya doin'?
We're gonna hike up to a glacier and ride it.
Fit + Adventurous = Fun!
Cresting the top at 11,500' I found a winter ski hut that was once the location for the crew boss who maintained the rail line. Turns out this gravel road was originally built for train travel.
Different times, hardy people.
Ride down the other side was a hoot. Rough, but not too rough to rip.
I passed a few cars taking it easy...
... clearly unaware that it's smoother at speed.
At the bottom is the remnants of a small mining town that is being restored, called Como. Settled by Italians, 150ish years ago.
I blew through, heading to the paved highway and Fairway, the ghost town I'd chosen for my turnaround.
One problem.
I had 10 miles to go on a major highway with cars speeding along. That sounded awful...
... I headed back, there was no agenda here.
This time I checked out Como.
The building, the post office.
It was 12 miles back up to the summit.
The heatwave plaguing the country was alive and well here. Nothing like a searing sun at altitude...
... with horseflies for company!
Fortunately, there was a good breeze to keep me cool and battle the flies...
... and the views.
Heading back to Breckinridge, was a bit dodgy. Lots of sightseers, walkers, dogs, riders...
... I loved it, seeing all these fit people.
Colorado has some amazing bike trails between towns. Plenty wide, far from traffic.
This trail was just what I needed because I'd planned to ride 6 hours, and was back in Frisco in 4.25.
There was nothing magical about 6 hours except I wanted to do it.
- It's a good number prepping for Leadville.
- It would give me 20 hours and change for the week.
I've never ridden that much in a week, at least not since we road every stage of Tour of California one year. Seemed like a good idea...
... but, I was lagging.
Nearly pulled the plug as I road passed the van and on to Copper Mountain...
... a blended drink and a ham and cheese croissant saved me.
There is, in my opinion, only one way to live. The only way I've been able to stay fit is to have at least 1 race a year...
... it's never about the race, it's about the lifestyle and what it allows us to do.
The race is merely a check in.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
That is the mindset I've written about in my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161
8 hrs
Body Water 61% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
FREAKIN' LEGS RECOVERED!
Jul 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YESTERDAY MORNING I COULD BARELY WALK DOWN A SET OF STAIRS. Today, totally different. Why, you ask? How is this possible?...
... I even PR'd a healthy chunk of mountain.
Yep.
First off, that section I PR'd included the nasty Powerline climb.
I've only cleaned it twice.
Never in the race.
It's so heinous, when you see it in front of you...
... you just want to dump you bike, and cry.
Even fresh.
I geared down and took it in sections like the Gentleman told me to do.
I tell you that in the hopes you'll up your recovery game. It's so important, at any age.
There are 3 things I do for recovery..
- A Recovery Drink, or food.
- Stretch
- Extras like rolling, massage, etc.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I cover How and when I do my recovery as part of the very free RaceDay Ready Challenge.
If you're wanting to be Fitter, Faster and More Fierce.
PS, this will only add to whatever coaching program you are following.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
162
8.3 hrs
Body Water 61% (maybe)
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW TO RIDE YOUNGER
Jul 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
DO YOU WANT TO LOOK YOUNGER? FEEL YOUNGER? RIDE YOUNGER? Too bad. Just kidding. After PRing the fast and feared Powerline descent today...
... I have a few ideas.
First, people of a certain age (me!) should...
... nevereverever look in the mirror.
Never.
So disappointing.
Second, put on your shinybitchin helmet and your spiffyracy glasses and a jersey sure to draw attention...
... then look in the mirror, again.
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
Same warrior/warrioress...
... kitted up for killing it.
But, don't get too fancy.
Leave the gray, if you're lucky enough to have experienced life. You want to give your competitors every false hope you can.
Check out what I did today.
Ripped a downhill segment I've ridden a total of 6 times in 12 years.
Fastest in my age group, ever.
106 out of 6300 all time.
Felt amazing.
Tthere's no way I'd dare do it if I hadn't had the...
... proper mental image of who I am.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I'm not going to tell you I'm the greatest coach ever, or that this plan will turn you into Tadej...
... but, I will promise you this.
This program I've developed over the last 10 years is legit. It's much more than an assignment to ride X miles at Y pace...
... 10 Weeks.
And it's free.
If you're wanting to be Fitter, Faster and More Fierce.
PS, this will only add to whatever coaching program you are following.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161.8
8 hrs
Body Water 60.1% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
60 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
SORE LEGS!
Jul 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU. I'd like to say learn from me, but I've yet to figure it out. Tonight's experiment might help...
... cure these aching legs.
Yesterday's spin didn't help.
Today's all downhill start felt great, and the 90 minutes uphill return didn't bother me much at all.
But, tonight I grabbed the Hypervolt. Cranked it up to the highest level, like always...
... and nearly dropped it.
Such was the pain.
I dialed it back.
20 minutes later, it's remotely better.
Yes... I did skip yesterday's recovery session
No... I didn't drink enough post race.
Gonna stretch and Hypervolt more this evening and watch the racers attack the cobbles at the Tour...
... that should be relaxing.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts/products/local-legeng-t-shirt
I'll enjoying this legendary ache in this t-shirt
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts/products/local-legeng-t-shirt
---
162.2
7 hrs
Body Water 59.9% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
60 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE HANGOVER
Jul 05, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE FUNNIEST CONVERSATION I EVER OVERHEARD while visiting a customer involved being hungover. Not me. A key employee stumbled in to work looking terrible and the owner, knowing the situation, asked...
... Why do you give yourself the flu?
I'm thinking about that today, because I'm feeling the effects of the epic 50 miler we raced yesterday...
... achey body and moving slow.
Of course, we all know why we do it.
But, do we all know the cure?
The famous RinseRide.
That's the best way to describe it, and I prescribe it once a week or after something like yesterday...
... massive distance, huge effort, with cramps and a crash thrown in.
It's Zone 1,
lightly touching the pedals,
coasting whenever possible,
rinsing all the bad out of our legs.
Just an hour or so...
... does the trick every time.
I always bring my mini RaceDay bag. I'm showing you this pic, post race for a reason.
- it's filthy
- inside everything is pristine
- even better is below...
... I received this from a customer this morning and thought you'd appreciate his research and candor.
I gotta give you props for the mini raceday saddle bag. I tried 2 others from big brands for my mtn bike that wouldn't interfere with the dropper operation and would stay on - to no avail. Back when you were still doing the monthly subscription thing you sent one out and it sat in my spare parts bin for a while cause I had just given up and resorted to a fanny pack, but I had a race and didn't want to deal with the pack. As I was fishing through options I saw it and decided I'd try it out. So much simpler than the other ones I used and it was perfectly solid. I've never felt it loosen up. Holds exactly what I need. I keep moving it between my mtn and gravel. I should just get another one.
Anyway - it's a pretty simple design and they often say the simplest solution is often the best.
Silca mini seat roll - has a Boa. I figured this was gonna be the solution. It's a great concept and would work great for road, but on mtn it's undone itself (not the Boa, literally the bag slips out of the boa and then flips over). Expensive bag. Useless for MTB. $50 wasted.
SciCon - several options. Broken them all. Little piece goes under your saddle and stays there and then the bag twists on and off. Again, would work amazing on a road bike. MTB is too rough
Lezyne Road Caddy was gonna be my next trial. Probably the most similar to yours, and as such might have worked.
Thanks for making awesome products!
If you're looking for the perfect mini bag to hold: 2 canisters, a nozzle, a Dynaplug, and a mini-tool this is it.
Use promo code: RINSERIDE to save 20%
---
162.3
9 hrs
Body Water 59.8% (maybe)
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
MAKE AN EFFORT
Jul 04, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY LEVEL OF INSECURITY ON THE START LINE never ceases to amaze me. It starts building an hour or so before. Punctuated by multiple trips to the bathroom...
... today was no different.
It always goes away within the first mile or so.
There's some sort of feral switch that is activated once a competitor lays down the power. I can't do this melts into Why do I do this into...
... Let's do this!
We are staying with my sis and bro-in-law who live here, and he's got a saying that served me well all day...
... Make and effort.
It's really that simple.
Heading up the 6 mile opening climb I was pleased to be with the everfast Tim Z, from home. Also with us was one a racer in my age group. In fact, it was just the two of us from our group. It's nice to know where your competitors are in these mass start events. It can be pretty nutty trying to keep track of everyone.
The four of us, 2 50s and 2 60s, cleared the first climb together. There were about 8-10 50s head. Didn't matter to me, but I could see Tim was throttling his pace for a blistering second lap.
Sis and bro, walked up several miles from their place to hand me up a bottle... everyone was making an effort!
Little French, the mile long, rock strewn, 20% grade separated the four of us. Tim rode on, I walked. It's a beast of a climb. The other 60, slid back a bit.
I spent the next hour chasing Tim's Simple Green Jersey, and looking over my shoulder for my competitor's Groove Subaru jersey. Nearing the end of the first lap, I caught up to Tim as we ripped down to town.
Now, do it again.
Ugh!
I was beat.
Surfergirl handed up a bottle and a Red Bull, she's just the best. My good luck charm.
Right then I could feel the nasty cramps rumbling around my legs. Tim disappeared up the road, on the hunt. I would spend the next 30ish min by myself. Back aching and legs cramping any time I stood.
Make and effort!
Once I cleared the top, the legs started to settle down. I was popping Salt Stick tabs. Drinking. Sipping some fine maple syrup. I started to regain some confidence, too much...
... front wheel lost grip on a gravel rode.
Down I went.
Not bad.
Except, my left quad cramped so hard I couldn't stand up. Took me forever to get mounted and coasting. Fortunately, it was a long decent and the quad relaxed and i was able to soft pedal it back to working condition.
The second time up Little French I decided to walk a lot vs smoking my legs. I wanted to be strong and fast for the miles and miles of fast, fun and techy single track.
It was a good choice.
I finished strong with some amazing pro women.
I'd made my effort and was thrilled with the result.
I want to tell you about another effort, which meant so much to me. In all the nuttiness I missed the podium.
Craig (the other 60) found me and introduced himself. He grabbed third place, and we got a proper podium shot. That was a really cool effort...
... damn I love competing.
I meet the coolest people.
In fact, had a number of people come up and tell me how much they love their RaceDay Bags™...
... another nice effort made.
I hope your 4th is/was wonderful.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
My effort to take the fitness to a new level has paid off...
... are you up for the challenge?
It's 10 weeks...
... exactly what I'm doing.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
My pal Tim Z, finished 3rd!
Jeff from Texas, who outfitted his family with bags... and is sporting some proper gloves.
I think this Rob, but I might have the name wrong. He stopped me and thanked me for making it easy for his girlfriend to always be ready for the next ride : )
---
161ish (the scale is in the van, I just didn't want to look before racing)
8 hrs (altitude is brutal)
Body Water 60.8% (maybe)
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
30 minutes recovery
10 minutes reading + Journaling
SMELLS LIKE RACE SPIRIT
Jul 03, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IN ORDER TO BE OUR BEST ON RACEREADY WE'VE GOT TO STINK. Not on the start line, week(s) before. As the great Kurt Cobain said...
... become worse at what we do best.
We load up the saddle time,
load up the weights,
load up the legs.
Our fitness score skyrockets,
our freshness score plummets.
At the end of the training block we stink.
Tapering should be like tossing the muddy and salty kit into the washer, then hanging in the sun with a light breeze...
... we are Fit, Fast, and Fierce.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
I'm taperedish for tomorrow's race,
the next 10 days are going to stink...
... two more biggies comping up: XC Nats and Leadville.
It's July, half a year still ahead of us.
Use this promo code to score an InStockDesign RaceDay Calendar™ at 50% off...
... only while supplies last.
Code is RACESPIRIT
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
161ish (no scale today)
8 hrs (altitude is brutal)
Body Water 60.8% (maybe)
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
30 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
THE RULE OF 3 FOR RACING AT ALTITUDE
Jul 02, 2022
by TODD BROWN
HAVE YOU EVER RACED AT ALTITUDE? If you're a sea leveler like me, it's quite a blow. There are some things you can do to counteract the effects of the thin air...
... and one thing you're gonna love.
Monday I'll be racing the Firecracker 50 MTB race in Breckinridge, topping out at just over 11,200' above my hometown.
Today I pre-rode the course.
Last night I was gassed...
... climbing the flight of stairs to bed.
I woke up with a moderate banger of a headache.
So, here's the deal.
It's high. I'm struggling a bit. Can't put down the power like I'd like to without feeling like my lungs my blow right out my mouth when I exhale.
There's this turd of a 1 mile climb called Little French with 20% gradient...
... nearly passed out before dropping straight down across a rocky stream.
Anyway, I promised you the rule of 3...
... either get high 3 weeks before or 3 minutes before the race starts, and whatever you do don't get there 3 days before.
- 3 days before very bad, body is at it's worst.
- 3 minutes, you still have oxygen in your system.
- 3 weeks, you're fully aclimated.
So, why would I arrive 3 days before this race?
Obviously because my sister and bro-in-law live here, and we want to hang out and watch the parade on the 4th.
But, surely there must be something more sinister?
Well, yeah. XC Nationals is in 3 weeks, just a couple of mountain passes away...
... and Leadville is 6 weeks out.
Oh, I promised you one thing you are going to love if you're coming from sea level...
... the air is so thin, you fly on the flats.
It's an amazing feeling.
You've read about world records set at altitude and thought Oh yeah, makes sense.. It doesn't. Not until you actually experience it for yourself.
One more thing, we are stairstepping it. Before this 2milehighcity, we were in UT at 5000' for a week...
... which, if you can swing it is a good way to go.
Something else I've noticed up here, is I'm not thinking the best. And I left my Mini RaceDay Bag on my gravel bike...
... I need to get a 2nd, you might too.
It's really cool, fits snug under the saddle. Holds 2 cartridges, a small multi-took, darts and a nozzle.
Just for fun, use promo code: GETHIGH and save 20%
---
161ish (no scale today)
6.5 hrs (altitude is brutal)
Body Water 60.8% (maybe)
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit (tepering)
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
MOST PEOPLE JUST DON'T WANNA DO THE WORK
Jul 01, 2022
by TODD BROWN
EVERYWHERE I GO, PEOPLE WANNA KNOW what I'm doing to be so lean and riding so well. We're on a road trip, and these are all friends and family I haven't seen for a year or more...
... and it's really weird.
Not that they notice a difference.
I notice it, why wouldn't they?
But, the moment I explain the simplicity of my methods their eyes shut and their ears close...
... they just don't wanna hear the naked truth.
That!, is, weird.
Why ask then?
Oh, I know why...
... they were hoping it was a magic pill or a miracle diet.
It's not.
It's just too simple to grasp.
I start with the 4 No's:
- No Alcohol
- No Bread
- No Soda
- No Sugar
And then...
Oh, I can't do that.
I know.
I mean I could.
I know.
It sounds so hard.
I know.
I just leave it there. They don't really want it. If they did they'd take the 10-Week Challenge they would radically improve themselves...
... and realize it really isn't hard at all.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
The idea is to be Fit, Fast and Fierce...
... every day of our lives.
Do you want it?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
160.9
8 hrs
Body Water 60.8%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO JUST GET STARTED
Jun 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL START SOMEWHERE. That's the good news, because without that we are just bystanders. Who wants that...
... when you could be riding?
But, it's even better if we can get started right.
I was reminded of that this morning reading a book. The author had laid out all the steps to perfection. Unfortunately...
... the first step's assumption and information was just plain wrong.
Like the ol' climbing the latter analogy, only to find it's on the wrong wall.
Here are 3 things that make a huge difference when starting out:
- A proper bike fit, from a pro.
- Adequate nutrition and hydration.
- A good fitting short, with an excellent pad.
- A friend to show you how to brake and corner
That last one is key...
... ya gotta have a friend, or hire a coach, to speed things along.
Wait, there's one more thing...
... be the friend who gets the next new rider started right.
Of course, proper hydration without a proper leakproof bottle isn't exactly proper.
I like the clear bottles for 2 big reasons:
First, you call see how much liquid is remaining.
Second, you know that your bottle is squeaky clean.
Third, these bottles ship free.
Use promo code BUYBOTTLES to get 2 free bottles when you purchase 2 bottles.
---
163.3
7.5 hrs
Body Water 61.1%
2 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
LUCK OR HARD WORK?
Jun 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AT THE END OF THE RACE, we've answered one question. But, not the other. Which is the one we really want to know. Not who...
... but how?
Who won is always good to know, more so if it's us!
Which leaves us really wanting to know How?
If it was luck...
- competitors making big mistakes
- flatting just after the finish line
- genes
- etc
Or hard work...
- more time
- better discipline
- relentless racing
How is what we want to know...
... but, that is also a false god.
There's only one thing we can control, that really matters...
... how hard we work.
Aren't we lucky!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
Just don't forget your changing poncho. Because, even though you're looking great...
... we still don't want to see all of ya.
Use this promo code to save 20% through the 4th -> HARDWORK
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
---
163.
7.7 hrs
Body Water 60.8%
1 Rounds of Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU ARE WORTHY, YOU ARE DEVINE, YOU ARE...
Jun 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY DAY WAS BOOKENDED BY RIPPING, and I've just got to tell you about it. Because when things like this happen they gotta be shared...
... ya just never know who needs to hear it.
At early o'clock my nephew had me huffin' up what has to be the greatest trail network of any city this side of the Wasatch. Draper UT took their ball and stick money...
... and poured into miles and miles of eversosweet single track.
The kind that is easy to climb if you want to go easy, and a burner if you wanna burn...
... the lungs we searing.
Which was totally worth it because whoever is building these trails is extra genius...
... flowy, bermy and fastfastfast.
There is no way I could have predicted I'd be able to shred like this at this age. But here I am, an ol' grampa...
... hitting the berms so hard my tires were compressing to the rims.
But, then again who could have predicted 40 years ago that the great Carlos Santana would be headlining an outdoor concert playing old standards...
... and ripping the collabs with current artists.
At SeventyFreakinFive!!
It was incredible.
The best line he said all night, talking to the audience was...
... You are worthy, you are divine, you are badass!
Don't ever forget it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets
A great way to remember, of course, is the RaceDay Wallet™...
... maybe a custom one, to remind you of your goals
These are fun.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets
---
163.1
7.2 hrs
Body Water 61%
3 Rounds of Strength Circuit
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU DOING ENOUGH?
Jun 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY FIRST ROAD RIDE WAS 6 MILES. The next day, 12. 6 weeks later, 125, sunrise to sunset. That turned out to be my longest ride for nearly 3 decades. There's something to be said for the adage...
... Piles of Miles.
Why is that?
What is magical about doing a lot?
TRADITIONS.
Jun 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TRADITIONS ARE LIKE CEMENT. Some make a lot of sense and bring outsized honor, like the Yellow Jersey at the Tour. Others, not so much...
... so be careful.
Strong traditions bring us together, give us a common language, keep us going when it's tough, provide consistency when we're getting pulled at all ends...
... can be the foundation for healthy, productive living.
The group ride that meets at the corner.
That one race a year we all train for.
The "training camp" we love.
They take effort to start, but they keep going if done right. New people will join, the baton will get tossed, and...
... everyone enjoys an elevated experience.
Some of the best ones are more personal, like 3 from today:
- Climb the incredible Alpine Loop in Utah
- Ride with a local friend/customer
- Get my bike tuned by the best
I hope you have, and/or are developing, some great ones, too.
Yeah, the stop at Sundance for a giant cookie and Coke is another.
Love this guy's vibe and professionalism... making him a new bag, poncho, supertech-t
Rocking these gloves and sock on the patriotic holidays is another.
For the moment, so is buy the gloves and the socks are free
---
163.3
7 hrs 81%
Body Water 61.1.%
3 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
THE SCARIEST THING I'VE LEARNED FROM STRAVA
Jun 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
LOOKING AT THE DATA FROM STRAVA, I'm sure of one thing. It's so clear, it's scary. So, I'm wondering if you've noticed it...
... and found it frightening?
Here's what I'm talking about.
Take a segment of 5 minutes or more. Check it out. Relive the last time you rode it, and you know for a fact...
... you could shave a second off of it.
Maybe more.
In no time, we can name 3 things we could do to get a new PR.
That's scary to a lot of people, me for sure,...
... to realize we are so far from our maxing out potential.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Maybe you're ready for my 10-Week RaceDay Ready Challenge
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161.7
8.5 hrs 90%
Body Water 61.2.%
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit
10 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
ABOVE THE NOISE AND CONFUSION
Jun 25, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO DETOX and the benefits are unmistakable. Every time I do it, I wonder why it's even a thing...
... shouldn't we always be clean?
It started last night.
After exploring some new single track around Grampa's cabin, we lit some logs, grilled some kabobs, eased back into the zero gravity chairs...
... the Milky Way whispering What's the hurry?
This morning, on a long, twisty single track climb above Brianhead, I found myself confronting the same call from nature...
... What's the hurry?
This is a challenging climb, just steep enough to burn, to want to dismount, to quit. A cold front was massing on the peaks to the west, dark purple skies..
... didn't help.
I was hoping the predicted rain would bring thunder and lightening and give me an excuse to pull the plug...
... to hurry back.
The forest dead silent...
... listening to me?
A spooked deer...
... watching me?
Bird song echoes...
... calling me?
I gave in.
Slowed down.
Snuggled in Mother Nature...
... continuing the 2 hour climb,gliding to the top of gusty, cold summit.
I knew why I was there.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
After a few big raindrops exploded at my feet, it was time to...
... grip it and rip it.
Right now, it's buy the amazing gloves and get the badass socks for free.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
Want to go faster on RaceDay? Click here.
---
162
8 hrs 72%
Body Water 601.%
0 Rounds of Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
THE ABC'S OF THE RACING PYRAMID
Jun 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS A HIDDEN BENEFIT TO RACING OFTEN. It ain't fitness, ain't knowing your competition, ain't skill improvement, ain't none of that. You'll see it...
... as soon as I say it.
At least you will if you race a lot. If you don't race a lot, it's invisible to you...
... you also see it, but you don't know what it is.
Those who race a lot are anxious, but not like those who don't.
Those who don't race a lot have all kinds of anxiety. They are at a huge disadvantage because their emotional energy is leaking, spouting out all over the place...
... and they haven't even crossed the start line.
Racers use a pyramid strategy to avoid all the above.
Think of the A race on top.
Two B races below.
Three C races at the base.
Got it?
I don't taper for my C races. They are just part of the year, with the added benefit of going through the raceday rituals. I have no stress, no need to accomplish X. These are a great place to try different tactics.
B races, I'll taper a bit for those. And I'll have definite tactics to implement and do all I can do to see if they work.
With the base of many C's and some B's I arrive at my A races...
... calm, a sense of serenity.
I've been here before, I know what to do, I'm anxious to execute my plan...
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
... and just like every other race I pull on the best gloves and socks in the world.
I like the red, to match my helmet and pull the red accents of my race kit.
We have lots and lots of colors
Right now, it's buy the amazing gloves and get the badass socks for free.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
Got a question, ask it here where all the racers hang out: https://www.strava.com/clubs/RaceDayReady
---
161.5
5.75hrs 72%
Body Water 601.%
4 Rounds of Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
ZONING OUT IN NUMERO DOS
Jun 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ZONE 2 TRAINING HAS BECOME ESSENTIAL TO ME. There is nothing better to build a huge cardio engine...
... but that is only the half of it.
Nearly all of my zone 2 training is alone.
Like most, my schedule can get hectic, and it is a challenge to meet others for a session more than once or twice a week...
... so, it's just me.
Not only am I riding in solitude, but the majority of the rides are off-road, in nature. Or, off the highway on a bike path.
Here is where I tap into the superpower of zone 2...
... and maybe you do the same.
I noticed it long ago, when a certain infamous champion dominated cycling's collective consciousness. As I rode along, I imagined I was him. My posture changed, my cadence changed, my thoughts were elevated to those of a champion.
Years later, I realize zone 2 can be a meditative workout.
Far from the distractions of life, I am with my thoughts. Sometimes, for sure, I am envisioning a great outcome on the bike. Reviewing what I'll do in preparation, and how I will perform at a given time...
..., but, that's not all.
I take this time to imagine all areas of life having the outcomes I desire. My marriage, our kids and grandkids. Our long-term physical and spiritual health. The people I serve. And, most definitely, where PEDALindustries is headed.
That is how I do zone 2 training...
... how about you?
When I'm out for a really, really, really long zone 2 sesh, I like to have a little lotion for my bits and pieces...
... and this is my favorite.
Lasts longer and requires less than other brands.
Use promo code: ZTWO
---
163.5
7.6 hrs
0 Pull Ups + 24 Power PushUps + 24 Heavy Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IT ONLY TOOK ME 10 YEARS
Jun 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WHEN THE PROMOTER OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MID-WEEK MTB RACE came over to say Hi last night he jumped on my lap. Then, noticing I had the Race Leader jersey...
... Did you win the series?
Yep.
I'm the same age as you were when you began coming out here.
No way!
Yeah, it was then that you started to get back into racing.
He's got a good memory.
So do I...
... years of getting whacked by the fastest cats in the county.
Malcom Gladwell famously said it takes 10,000 hours to be great at something. Others have said 10 years...
... I'd have to agree, at this point.
But, what is interesting to me is along the way, through all the learning, struggling and juggling, it doesn't seem like much progress is being made. Here a little there a little, 'till one day we wake up...
... hardly recognizable to our previous self.
To outsiders it seems like overnight,
so all of the sudden,
outta nowhere.
But, those who travel the lonely road to explore their potential know different...
... they know what it took.
The victories are nice, the journey getting there is better...
... whether or not a podium is climbed.
PRs > KOMs
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Until I write the book, I'll keep encouraging you to take my 10-Week Challenge...
... it only took me 10 years to figure it out.
What are you waiting for?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Sparky Sprocket made my night... came over to introduce himself and thank me for writing The Way of The RACER because it inspired him to come out and race, and do a triathlon... nothing better than that : )
160.7
6.25hrs 78% (always hard to sleep after an evening race)
Body Water 60.%
4 Rounds of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
MY MONEY IS ON THE VAMPIRE
Jun 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I DON'T KNOW IF HE'LL WIN THE TOUR DE FRANCE FOR SURE, but I'm pretty confident he'll do better than his lauded teammate. I mean, he smoked him last year...
... so why not back him for the overall win?
He climbs like he has wings, and he looks like a vampire.
He's awfully young, you say?
I say... Whotheheck cares, he's got vampire strength!!
... and, his team is going all in on climbing, leaving Dennis and bringing Kuss.
Plus, everyone's gonna have to watch the Slovenians.
All, he has to do is act like No One Of Consequence, and be patient...
... like a heartless, bloodsucking vampire.
Who are you backing for the win?
Tadej is the obvious choice, but gimme your best 2nd choice.
---
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
Speaking of the obvious choice...
... have you added these superlight and airy gloves to your wardrobe for the Fourth?
You are going to be properly patriotic that day aren't you?
Buy the gloves and socks... socks are free at checkout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
---
Want to go faster? Click here.
161.d
8 hrs 87%
Body Water 60.8%
1 Round of Strength Circuit
30 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
NO ONE OF CONSEQUENCE
Jun 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN at a race amongst strangers. Some go The Hulk route, dancing and prancing menacingly loudly during the warm up and on the start line...
... I prefer the tact used by Dread Pirate Roberts.
In fact, I even had my favorite line from the pirate printed on my special one-off kit a few years ago...
... No One Of Consequence.
That's exactly what you want the competition thinking when they look over at you.
If you are friendly, humble, meek,
If you point things out and ignore the Hulks,
If you pull through at the correct pace vs gapping everyone,
If you ham it up on the hard efforts with your tongue hanging out...
... competitors will automatically take you off the predator list.
Then, you move in for the kill.
---
The thing about the Dread Pirate Roberts was he had all kinds of skills and tricks...
... if you're up for a challenge to learn some of mine Click here.
---
163.9 (Fatter's Day)
7 hrs 81%
Body Water 60.9%
Pull Ups + Power PushUps + Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
NO POWER METER NEEDED
Jun 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
YOU DON'T NEED A POWER METER. You don't need a coach. It's June, the days are long, kids out of school...
... and something great is on your calendar.
Everything is getting easier.
Right?
No.
Not really..
Actually, not one bit.
It only seems easier because you have developed a super power...
... persistence.
A power meter can be helpful,
a good coach transformative,
as long as you persist...
... in carving your own personal greatness.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
Isn't it great to live in a country where you can do that?
Buy the gloves and socks... socks are free at checkout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
---
Want to go faster? Click here.
162.3
9.5 hrs 88%
Body Water 60.8%
0 Pull Ups + 0 Power PushUps +0 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
L' GO MY LEGO
Jun 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
HE DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING BY IT. Was just trying to be nice, helpful. I've done the same thing, and met the same response...
... Get your hand off my back!
It happened while the group was charging up an 8 minuteish climb, culminating with The Wall. And it's a wall.
But this was a bit earlier, when the speeds were still in the high teens...
... and I was quickly moving backwards.
I didn't want the help, not because it's kinda humiliating (yeah, I'm proud that way) but because it's the end of a big building block week. Lots of miles, lots of lifting...
... the legs are heavy and I wanted to enjoy all the pain.
Not be ripped off from a push,
by a guy,
on an
ebike!
That's part of the big week experience, big heavy, big pain...
... big push through it.
Sounds like I'm having a baby.
But, that's kinda what a big build period is...
... giving birth to a shiny new you.
Each week is a like a lego piece, a block to build on. Another one next week, then the real racing starts on 7/4...
... can't wait!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
Speaking of 7/4...
... you know what gloves and socks I'll be rocking at the Firecracker 50!
You are going to be properly patriotic that day aren't you?
Buy the gloves and socks... socks are free at checkout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
---
Want to go faster? Click here.
162.8
7 hrs 73%
Body Water 61%
0 Pull Ups + 0 Power PushUps +0 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
NOTHING LAST FOREVER
Jun 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
NOTHING LAST FOREVER. Why is that so hard to remember, especially when racing. Not the tallwind blowing us up the road, not the highhigh climb pounding us into submission...
... it all will change.
I was going over race strategies with a friend today who was mentally rehearsing his planned training ride tomorrow. He's prepping for Leadville.
I'm gonna charge every hill as hard as I can.
You shouldn't do that.
But, I want to.
Yeah, you and every other sparklypuppy with fresh legs on raceday. You do that and you'll be blown to pieces on the second half of the race.
.... hmmm....
Not hmmm, you want to be humming because that freshness is gonna fade into superstaleawfulness.
What should I do?
The first thing we should do is remember nothing lasts forever.
Not the pleasures,
nor the pains,
of racing.
We need to embrace the pain and grind through it...
... and embrace the pleasure and make it last.
These are superpowers only those on the edge of personal paramount performance learn to harness.
---
You know what else doesn't last forever? Riding buddies. The great Chris is moving away in a few weeks, today was our last ride together...
... cherish your friends, they will eventually move on too.
---
Want to go faster? Click here.
162.3
7.8 hrs 88%
Body Water 61%
Pull Ups + Power PushUps + Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
AIMLESS MAN MAKES DISCOVERY!
Jun 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE RIDING with no particular place to go. While aimlessness is looked down upon in general...
... on a bike, it's the best.
Like today.
My only objective was to find the roughest trails around so i could further refine my suspension set up. The goal is to max out the travel once on every ride...
... that's the full party mode.
Best tracking through corners,
smoothest ride,
max speeds.
So, when I came across a sign for a new2me trail that read Everything's Getting Worse...
... I couldn't resist.
It's newish,
quite skinny,
carved into a steep hillside,
with very tight switch backs,
culminating in controlled skid through a slot canyon...
... perfect.
Aimlessness wins the day, yet again.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
You know who wasn't aimless? Benjamin Franklyn, maybe the best autobiography I ever read.
Just another reason to rock the red, white and blue next month...
... are you ready?
Buy the gloves and socks... socks are free at checkout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
---
Want to go faster? Click here.
160.7
7.75 hrs 83%
Body Water 60%
Pull Ups + Power PushUps + Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
THE 3 Ps OF REAL ATHLETES
Jun 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'D BE LYING IF I DIDN'T TELL YOU I LOVE ATHLETES MORE than non-athletes. We are kin. I get you, no matter your sport...
... I just do.
But, something has changed these past few years.
It's not the same.
I still enjoy watching pro athletes perform, but not nearly as much as I have enjoyed probing...
... the very edges of personal potential with my comrades.
Out here, on the edges, time is precious.
More precious.
Limited.
Cutting the fluff, time spent watching (anything but our closest family and friends), has been instrumental...
... to learning what is possible and what works.
That's why I love the real athletes, why I connect with them at the dinner party, why we bond while waiting in line...
... we are on the same path to paramount personal potential.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
Isn't it wonderful to be free to pursue this path...
... and the positivity that spills into everything else we do?!
I cherish their vision and bravery, and look forward each year to feel the spirit of the 4th.
Buy the gloves and socks... socks are free at checkout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
---
Want to go faster? Click here.
160.2
7 hrs 78%
Body Water 60.2%
Pull Ups + Power PushUps + Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
COMPELLING STORIES.
Jun 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOME PEOPLE ARE SO COMPELLING. My friend Alex, after making tens of millions gives away all his secrets for free. My friend Mike, on a deep and expansive personal spiritual journey, shares everything he's discovering...
... and then there's ThinkMTB Dave.
He fell in love with mountain biking later in life, while running a crazy enterprise.
Just like that, the entire company got free kits and entries into all the local races...
... he could see the benefits of healthy recreation.
Now Dave is rounding up all the local mountain bike clubs so we have a unified voice in government and stewardship over the lands.
What is compelling about these three friends is their zeal to improve the lives of as many people as possible because...
... they feel compelled.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
It reminds me of a group of people in the late 1700s till the mid 1800s-ish.
Who felt compelled.
I cherish their vision and bravery, and look forward each year to feel the spirit of the 4th.
Buy the gloves and socks... socks are free at checkout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/patriotic
---
162
7.3 hrs 75%
Body Water 59.8%
Pull Ups + Power PushUps + Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
POWER TO WAIT
Jun 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT POWER RATIOS. The ever popular power to weight, and the less well known power to surface area...
... the both take time to develop.
Let's cover power to surface area first.
The more upright you are, the more shift you have flapping around in the wind...
... the more surface area you have ssssslooooooowwwwiiinng youuuuuu dooooooooowwwwwnnnnn.
You've got to reduce that, while increasing your power by:
- getting a proper bike fit to maximize your power and position
- getting aero apparel
- getting an aero helmet
- shaving that forest on your legs you were so pubecently proud of
- testing positions by timing yourself freewheeling a local hill
... and that's just the surface, and only regarding your body in terms of aero.
As for power to weight, thou must weigh thyself daily.
- first thing in the morning
- after you potty, trim your nails and strip
It is the only way to get a grasp on your diet and how it effects your weight. It's immediate feedback...
... you'll either smile or have a little chat with yourself about how you can and will! do better.
And, don't be spouting off about how light you are after you just finished a hundy and didn't drink or eat enough...
... that's cheatin' yourself.
Reduce your surface area,
reduce your weight...
... you are instantly faster.
Well, not instantly. It takes time, so get after it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-ready/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
Want a kickyourbutt challenge?
Do what I do.
I know it works.
This is exactly what I do.
And, you can upgrade for a whopping $7 and I'll send you a Customizer you can use to create the workouts for the next 10 weeks...
... all you have to do is enter how much you can ride and how many pushups you can do, the Customizer will do the rest.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-ready/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
163.3
7.5 hrs 80%
Body Water 60.3%
Pull Ups + Power PushUps + Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
IT'S BETTER TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS
Jun 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY BETTER HALF BUSTED ME. Perfectly angled on the couch, feet up, reclined, eyes half open...
... The Daufine drama unfolding.
Another bike race is on?
Uh, yeah.
And you're just gonna lie there and watch it?
There was a lot I could say at this point.
Such as the rule of if standing, sit
if sitting, lie down,
if lying, sleep.
I sure as shift wasn't gonna tell her I already knew who won!...
... though she probably suspected as much.
It's true.
While it's nice to be surprised and on the edge of our saddles...
... I prefer to know how it ends in advance.
Then, I can watch exactly what the winner did to get it done. For me, that is more interesting...
... because that's how I like to race.
If it's actually an A race, that rare beast that comes along once or twice a year, I've often visualized every single thing that's going to happen...
... from Monday of the week before until crossing the finish line.
I have found that makes all the difference, and the sooner I start that process the better.
It's why I created the RaceDay Calendar. That giant year-at-a-glance tool I use to plan the year's races, vacation, and work.
It's why I love the Reminder Wallet, printed with my A race goal.
It's how I developed the RaceDay Bag™.
Everything we do at PEDAL Industries is about supporting your vision for RaceDay.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-body-mind-soul™-10-week-challenge
It's why I'm sharing the RaceDay Ready Body, Mind, Soul Challenge™...
It's the general plan I've used and perfected over the years.
Are you ready for the challenge?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-body-mind-soul™-10-week-challenge
---
163.4
8.2 hrs 100%
Body Water 60.5%
0 Pull Ups + 0 Power PushUps + 0 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
THE SHORTCUTS CAN BE GOOD
Jun 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
HAVING PREVIOUSLY LAID OUT A GREAT XC COURSE, I was looking forward to ripping it up this morning. It took me just over 2:20 the first time in Zone 2...
... how much faster could I go unmuzzled today?
20 minutes faster. But, there's one small problem.
In my haste to get back early, I'd skipped downloading the route and exactly where to go and wound up deviating off course.
That's why I hate shortcuts...
... we don't realize the true win.
It doesn't matter if we cut the
- course
- gym time
- ride time
- maintenance
- sleep
- diet
- intervals
- ...
... cut any of it and we rob ourselves of ultimate victory. Either by not completing the goal, or missing the goal be not being completely ready.
Here's the good news, we can do it again...
... and do it right.
By repeating the course many times we'll get faster through as we memorize the course and experiment with set up, pacing, nutrition, etc.
Memorizing and experimenting are paramount for personal greatness...
... there's no shortcut for that.
Actually, there is one way to compress the time needed for mastery...
... hire a coach.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-body-mind-soul™-10-week-challenge
I'm not a coach.
But, I have prepared a pathway anybody can follow with my RaceDay Body, Mind Soul™ 10 Week Challenge...
... and for most, it's gonna be a helluva shortcut.
It's the general plan I've used and perfected over the years.
Are you ready for the challenge?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-body-mind-soul™-10-week-challenge
---
162.3
7.2 hrs 83%
Body Water 60.8%
0 Pull Ups + 10 Power PushUps + 5 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?
Jun 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER BOMBING A LONG, ROCKY HILLSIDE TRAIL ABOUT 18" WIDE we came to a stop. What a charge! I'd had so much fun...
... my friend was panting and pale.
That cliff was so steep!
I guess.
Did you see that jagged boulder?
Maybe.
What about that crazy cactus?
I think so.
Same trail, entirely different experience.
But why?
Simple.
Vision.
I'd focused on where I wanted to go, he'd focused on where he didn't want to go.
There's a lesson there.
I hope you see it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-ready/products/raceday-ready-checklists
Did you see the 3 checklists I made for you?
- The RaceDay Bag™ is a checklist with it's labeled pockets.
- The RaceDay Bike Checklist™ starts counting down a week or so out.
- The RaceDay Body, Mind Soul™ is my daily checklist.
You can download them here, for free:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-ready/products/raceday-ready-checklists
---
162
7.5 hrs 80%
Body Water 60.4%
0 Pull Ups + 20 Power PushUps + 10 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHEN TO WAKE UP, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Jun 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
A FEW YEARS AGO, I was having lunch with the great Joe Friel. I'd paid to fly him out and have him speak to a select group...
... and I learned a lot.
Probably more than anyone, because I had him to myself.
How much sleep should we get Joe?
As much as you need.
How much do I need?
Well, let me make it simple for ya.
Ok.
I don't use an alarm clock, I get up when I'm done sleeping.
Dang. Simple. Advice.
But, what about raceday? Then we do need to set an alarm, we do need to be up and going through our routine.
Here's how I do it:
- Saturday is my mock raceday.
- Friday I go through the motions of prepping bike and gear.
- Friday night I experiment with different foods.
- Saturday I wake up at the same time I'll be waking up on raceday.
- Test out what I'm planning to eat on raceday.
- Start riding when I plan to start riding on raceday.
The rest of the week, I'm mostly following Joe's advice.
If anything...
... we need an alarm for when to hit the hay.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-ready/products/raceday-ready-checklists
I have 3 checklists:
- The RaceDay Bag™ is a checklist with it's labeled pockets.
- The RaceDay Bike Checklist™ starts counting down a week or so out.
- The RaceDay Body, Mind Soul™ is my daily checklist.
You can download them here, for free:
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-ready/products/raceday-ready-checklists
---
160.8
7 hrs 78%
Body Water 60.3%
0 Pull Ups + 30 Power PushUps + 30 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BE YOU.
Jun 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE'VE ALL DONE IT. Maybe not you smartypants. But, we have been mid-ride, or worse mid-race...
... and shift happens (or doesn't).
Unbelievably, I received 2 shocking race reports in the last 24 hours...
... freakin' rookies didn't charge their batteries.
One of them was racing Unbound and had miles and miles to go.
I can't let this happen to you.
So, here's my solution.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-checklists
A checklist for your Bike...
... yeah, you're gonna love it.
Heck, I got so inspired I created one for your Body too!
It's free...
... for now.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-checklists
---
162.2
5.75 hrs 78%
Body Water 60.4%
0 Pull Ups + 40 Power PushUps + 40 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE WHITE JERSEY IS A BOOBY PRIZE??
Jun 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER FURTHER THOUGHT, maybe I'm not such a fan of the White Jersey awarded to the best young rider. I suspect it represents the old heirachy...
... and the kids have figured it out.
Tired of banging on the door when they saw there power numbers were just as good as the established pros, they have been bursting through for a few years now...
... making road racing much more exciting.
Much, much, more.
Retrospectively, it looks like the White Jersey was given to placate the youngsters with talent...
... telling them to wait their turn.
They ain't having none of it.
Freakin' kids are awesome!
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-raceday-ready-kit-2022
They are ready.
Are you?
- The beautiful PEDAL R kit, made from imported Italian fabrics. So good you'll thank me after the first ride.
- A customized for you 10-week RaceDay Ready Plan
- 20% savings on everything we make and sell.
- Early access to our famous and challenging rides.
- Entry into our RaceDay Ready Strava Club where you can ask Todd anything.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-raceday-ready-kit-2022
---
162.2
7.25 hrs 85%
Body Water 60.6%
0 Pull Ups + 10 Power PushUps + 5 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
BETTER TO WON AND LOST THAT NOT WON AT ALL
Jun 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. There he was front and center on the VeloNews home page. Young Kevin, who used to ride with us. Except he's a man now, pulling a paycheck...
... racing bikes in Europe.
He's extremely disappointed because he lost today.
And, I love that.
He was in the winning break at the Dauphine, narrowly missing the victory...
... which is gonna sting for a bit.
But, he won...
- by being in the winning break
- by taking the White jersey
- by racing pro in Europe
He lost a chance to win his first pro race, but it's just a matter of time because...
... he's put himself in a position to win.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-raceday-ready-kit-2022
You can't win if you you're not in a winning position.
- The beautiful PEDAL R kit, made from imported Italian fabrics. So good you'll thank me after the first ride.
- A customized for you 10-week RaceDay Ready Plan
- 20% savings on everything we make and sell.
- Early access to our famous and challenging rides.
- Entry into our RaceDay Ready Strava Club where you can ask Todd anything.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedalindustries-raceday-ready-kit-2022
---
162
7.5 hrs 87%
Body Water 60.4%
0 Pull Ups + 30 Power PushUps + 10 Heavy Squats
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
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