FROM THE STUDS

NOTHING MAKES A SPOUSE GIDIER THAN THE WORD REMODEL.  I'm not sure it even matters what is being upgraded, I just know... 

... work, investment and upgrade are magic words.

There's a...

• start date,
• an end date
• and blueprints

... then the work begins.

A complete remodel means stripping everything down the to studs.

I think I'm there...

• pneumonia
• double vision
• associated weight loss

... it could be worse, but, the studs do seem exposed.

It's time to rebuild.

Start date is now.

Pneumonia will hopefully clear in a week or so.

Vision therapy starts this week.

Any remaining vision complications from October's brain surgery should clear no later than April.

The blueprint, my calendar, is looking like this.

I think I can be somewhat ready for action when Sea Otter rolls around in April.  

Seems like a worthy goal to be ready,
and a super stretch goal to get a coin for Unbound.

The next step, would be to roll into the last 3 BWR races - CA, UT and MT,
the super stretch goal would be to get on the series podium.

How do I plan to get that done...

... follow my RaceDay Ready program.

So, what's the end date... 

... the big reveal?

Septemer.

First, Gravel Nats,
with the super stretch goal of winning.

(major imposter syndrome kicking in that)

Second, break my PR on SurfNSummit,
with the super stretch goal of breaking 10 hours.

(this I REALLY want to accomplish)

DETAILS HERE: https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-california-may-2025?_kx=

123.23 miles

15,177 feet

DOG DAZE

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THE WIND ripping through the helmet, pushing ears flat, creeping past our fancy glasses that is indescribable...

... impossible for most people to understand.

We're dogs.

Dogs with their...

• head out a speeding car window
• tongue flapping in the wind
• goofy smiles

... that's the answer to the question.

Why do you ride?

Pure.

Joy.

No need to explain...

• the challenges
• camaraderie
• adventure

... the priceless benefits.

---

160.
8.5 hrs sleep
3 pullups 9 pushup
0 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

OUR FIRST HEIST

THERE IS SO MUCH TO FIGURE OUT on the first race. Sure we know how ride, run and swim, that ain't nearly enough.  No matter how much we study up, have a friend help us, we are...

... quite sure there is a code.

And, we don't know it!

Even if we did.

From start to finish...

... it feels like a big-time bank heist.

We are...

• rushing
• sweating
• on the verge of panicking

... trying to remember everything we were supposed to have memorized.

In all likelihood we'll be...

• taken away
• exposed
• busted

... and that is what makes it so dern fun!

The self-imposed pressure is tremendous.

We freakin' love it.

Live for it.

We commit to crack the code...

... till we get away scot-free.

---

160.6
8 hrs sleep
1 pullup 1 pushup
0 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

YOU GOTTA BE FLIPPIN' KIDDING ME!

SO, A MAN WALKS INTO A BAR... I mean, what I've gone through the last month is...

... the kinda thing you can only laugh about.

I'm sharing it with you because...

• I love you
• Want you to avoid this
• Believe you would come through fine

... for the simple reason we're in pretty damn fine shape.

Just over a month ago, my vision went double from one moment to the next.  Not a great thing...

... when ripping a steep and rutted single track.

It got progressively worse.

Called the neurosurgeon.

Got on a steroid.

They warned me my immune system would be compromised.

Apparently, it's a common side-effect of the gamma surgery I had in October.

Vision got better.

Steroid treatment ended.

Next day double vision starts back.

The following Saturday, it was so bad Singing Andy forced me to ride straight to his home, so he could drive me.

Drive of shame, I tell ya!

Go home.

Collapse.

Vomit

Sleep.

Sunday, it's so bad kids and wife are bugging the crud outta me to go to ER, since surgeon's office closed for holiday.

We go.

8 hours later, we got a new MRI and new steroid prescription...

... and a positive test for influenza.

I rest.

But, you know for dang sure, Ima gonna do the NYD ride.

Felt good on ride.

Came home, collapsed.

Vision kept improving.

I kept riding.

"Easy".

Started feeling progressively worse Monday.

I'd ride easy.

Come home completely annihilated.

Finally on Friday, I cave.

I gotta rest.

Horrible, sick weekend.

Little improvement.

Yesterday, met with nuero and confirmed double vision caused by tumor.  Tumor not growing, likely dying.

Damn fine news.

Today met with visual therapist and explained eyes have been jacked since TBI year ago.

She was impressed with what I could do, and quite confident we can improve and possible restore my vision.

More good news.

This afternoon, I decided it was time to get this cough figured out.

Freakin' pneumonia!

Sheesh.

But, actually, good news.  

I'm really glad I quite riding last week.

Wish I'd quit a few days earlier.

Takeaways...

• should have been more on top of the vision therapy a year ago
• should have quarantined myself and skipped family parties
• should have started resting way way way sooner

... this will be fun to come back from.

Bring it on 2025!

---

160
80 hrs sleep
no strength work
0 minutes recovery 
60 minutes reading + Journaling 

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

DON'T DISCOUNT BRAINDURANCE

I LIKE DOING EPIC RIDES AND RACES.  Bunch of miles, lots of time, long periods between reloading nutrition and hydration, throw in some dirt or crazy climb...

... and voila, me happy.

It wasn't always that way, it took...

... a special kind of training.

Where you wrap your head around the idea of going longer than you ever thought possible.

My first real bike ride was 6 miles.

The next day, I got crazy and went 12 miles.

Six weeks later, my roommate and I rode 125 miles and about 10,000' of climbing.

It was so hard.

Our nutrition strategy consisted of water and whatever we could find at the country store...

... mainly Snickers and popsicles.

We...

• bonked
• cramped
• sunburned

... and decades later, were still charging.

Over time, I cracked the code to doing epic rides mainly by...

... doing a lot of epic rides.

Ludicrously long,
turned into that sounds fun.

Normal.

The mysteries were solved...

• rest
• pacing
• nutrition
• hydration

... and my brain, which controls my body, adjusted to the demands of the effort vs. freakin' out.

Sure, we gotta do the miles to do the miles, but...

... don't discount the mental gains being made.

Braindurance is real.

---

159.6
10 hrs sleep
no strength work
0 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 
 
Strava

DOG MILES

MILES JUST AREN'T THE SAME as in a car.  Whether we are running or riding, they are almost... 

... always impossibly enjoyable.

We plie 'em up to embarrassing amounts.

Who far'd you ride?

I dunno, 4 or 5 hours.

Yeah, but how far?

Hmmm, 60, 80, maybe a hundred.

I don't know about you, but all I ever get after that type of exchange is the...

... you're f'ing crazy, dude.

Therefore, I propose a code.

Since 70 miles, feels like driving 10 trapped in the confines of a car...

... let's divide by 7.

Kinda like multiplying by 7 to calculate a dog's age.

How far'd you ride?

Oh, about 10 miles.

Wow, that's great.

Thanks.

RACE SPECIFIC TRAINING

IT IS ESSENTIAL to be intentional with our training for a particular race.  It can mean all the difference in the world to how we perform...

... specificity is king.

It took me a long time to crack the code to epic distance racing.

More than one person, this year, heck this week!, has asked me how to go fast at Leadville.

I've told every single one of them, some for months...

... You've got to develop the capacity to ride Tempo for long periods of time.

There's more to it.

Developing the discipline to stay out of Threshold and VO2 max...

... is critical to success.

Funny thing is,
nobody, apparently, wants to hear this.

How do I know?

Because I keep getting the same calls from the same people asking me what to do.

lol

In 2012, I did an 8:32.

Here's the chart of my HR.

In 2019, I PR'd at 8:15

In 2022, I PR'd again at 7:57

Does anything stand out there to you?

Look at the time spent at Threshold with each effort.

Would this work for a...

• track racer
• crit racer
• XC racer
• road racer

... not for max performance.

Why it works is a story for another day.

===

160.1
11 hrs sleep 
No strength work
0 minutes recovery 
180 minutes reading + Journaling 
101
Strava

THE 5 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF FITNESS

IN WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS their own truth, it's hard to tell what is really the truth.  And, it matters.  Truth...

... makes everything clear and easy.

So, let me be as clear as I can be.

These are the 5 laws,
commandments if you will.

1. REST.  Get plenty of rest.  Sleep a lot.  Doing less and resting may not make sense to a beginner, but we get it.  Right?  Sleep is critical.
2. GOOD FOOD.  Keep it simple.  Don't eat sugar or drink alcohol or do drugs.  Do eat whole foods, meals where we can identify the ingredients.  For example, a steak salad vs a protein bar.
3. GO HARD SPARINGLY.  We need to have the brutally hard efforts, once or twice a week. That's it.  Not every day.
4. GO EASY ABUNDANTLY.  The rest of our endurance training should be easy and fun and rejuvenating.
5. LIFT WEIGHTS.  Resistance exercise, heavy weight and low reps, builds power and makes bones strong.  I like large muscle groups, primarily pull ups, pushups, and squats.

That's it.

Okay, that's not it.

But, that is the truth and when we get that right...

... we're 95% there.

There, being extremely fit and healthy.

Notice, doing that is practically free...

... just takes some dedication.

---

160.8
12 hrs sleep
No strength work
0 minutes recovery 
90 minutes reading + Journaling

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

FREE SPEED

WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING FASTER, it's easy to go down the free speed rabbit hole.  So many variables, so hard to prove valid...

... we can be such suckers for marketing.

Then, there's the flippin' placebo effect.

Sheesh...

... what's a credit card wheelin', lycra-clad, speed junkie to do?

There are sites like Zero Friction,
YouTubers like Dylan Johnson,
the local speed freak.

Plus, e-zines and sites gettin' us (am I the only one?) all hyped up to buy some free speed.

Which brings up the truth.

It ain't free.

In many cases, think...

... arm and a leg pricing.

If I had to rank 'em, assuming the frame is appropriate...

• Wheels, Bearings & Tires
• Drivetrain - BB, chain, wax
• Helmet
• Apparel
• Shoes

... on the equipment side.

Nutrition is essential, and there are some neat on the bike eating and fueling secrets and products to be had.

Don't forget or neglect recovery: sleep, massage, nutrition, etc.

The good stuff can be startlingly better.

Do thy research...

... and spend wisely (cash only, no cc's).

===

159.8
12 hrs sleep (still fighting this bug)
0 strength work
0 minutes recovery 
120 minutes reading + Journaling 

Strava

SETBACKS, DO THEY REALLY SUCK?

TWO OF THE LAST THREE YEARS, have started with solid setbacks. In each case, I thought all was lost.  Then I remembered the...

... advice of my dear ol' grampappy.

My boy...

... it's not the problem it's how you handle it.

Hard words for a love struck 14 yr old, getting nowhere with his puppy love.

The key to that wisdom it not so much handling the problem as...

... having faith and getting started.

Not running away.
Not giving up.

As I sit here completely wiped out by some sort of bug, coughing my brains out,  I've come the realization...

• I will get better
• I will enjoy this slothful moment
• I will resist to bounce back too early

... it's early January f' cryin' outloud.

Take this setback for what it is...

... an opportunity to reset.

That's what racers do.

Reset.
Improve.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r

===

158.3 lbs (not a good way lo lose wight.)

10ish hrs sleep (9:15pm-7:30am)
0 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

BORN FOR THIS

THE REASON I LIKE TO READ FICTION is simply to imagine myself in impossible situations.  The inner dialogue of the hero of my current book, Jericho Quinn, was spot on...

... to how I feel about racing.

Can you relate to this?

"He knew he was born for the rough stuff.  His heart never truly beat until it was going full bore."

Exactly how I every time the gun goes.

It can get me in trouble though.

Like right now, with this nagging, awful cough and headache.

It's been going all week.

Have I rested?

No.

Just been doing all I can to keep going...

... totally idiotic.

===

158.1 lbs (not a good way lo lose wight.)

9ish hrs sleep (9:15pm-6:30am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

GGGGGGGGGOALLLLLLLLLLLLLS

GOALS CAN BE GREAT.  I say "can" because, let's be honest they usually aren't.  I have a theory about that and it starts with...

.... easy.

It is so easy to set a goal.

Crud...

... set 100 goals.

And, that's the problem.

We set 'em like there's...

• the no other goals
• no current commitments
• we have limitless bandwidth

... no impact on our lives.

Having a million goals...

... is like having no goals.

I try and keep it to...

• physical
• business
• social
• spiritual

... one big goal per year.

It's a heckuvalot easier to accomplish one thing than twenty.

And guess what...

... if it's a big enough goal, it might take 5,10, 20 years.

===

159.2 lbs (yes, this bug I have has evaporated my appetite)

9ish hrs sleep (9:30pm-6:15am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

STYLE CUES

I THINK WE ALL HAVE A SENSE of cycling style.  You know, what we think looks cool, and what we don't.  At least, you should by now...

... unless you are brandspankingnew.

New kids are typically nervous and anxious...

• am I wearing the proper gear, 'cause I feel nearly naked
• do I look like Darth Vader with this helmet and glasses
• how tall should my socks be

... form and function questions.

Once acquainted with the options...

• looking cool
• being comfortable
• optimizing for speed

... start to take precedent.

Here's my general rules...

• gloves match shoes
• socks match jersey
• dark bibs

... all things being equal.

 Which leaves the helmet, or helmets.

And this insane offer...

... buy a KASK helmet, get a FREE RaceDay Bag.

https://pedalindustries.com/a/bundles/kask-helmets-c5et

===

160.2 lbs 

9ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-6:55am)
2 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE KILLER SNACK

HOW ABOUT THIS - a snack that needs no refrigeration, is a snap to prepare, gives an energy boost, and produces negative calories.  How many

... would you consume per day?

Yes, there really is such a snack.

Proven by science...

• pull ups
• pushups
• deadlifts
• box jumps

are my go to's.

Personally, I like to enjoy one every 45-60 minutes...

• energy boost
• calorie burning
• improved cognitive function

... are legit benefits in less than 2 minutes.

I was reminded of this on Andrew Huberman's podcast... 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000682843685

... he's an actual scientist, 
I'm just a dude who figures stuff out.

Note: not all scientists know what the heck they are talking about...

• study
• test it
• reject or incorporate

... it's called science for a reason - being 100% certain for all time ain't it.

PARTICIPATION AWARDS

THE LEGENDARY ATHLETE was returning to competition.  It was to be a momentous year, documented professionally, all the world would know...

... he was back to bring them to heel.

What a dream.

After hiring a new..

• coach
• nutritionist
• top secret strength doctor

... there was one beautiful medal to show for all the effort.

Not bronze,
silver, or
gold.

A beautiful finisher's medal.

Not what he, his family or sponsors had hoped for.

Here's the dill...

...  every time we battle, we have a chance to learn and improve.

Finishing,
is where
it starts.

===

161.4 lbs 

8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-555am)
3 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

TOO EARLY?

WELL, TODAY WAS DEFINITELY the best ride of the year.  Chilly start, dust down, trails open for blasting...

... the bar has been set.

It wasn't just the conditions.

The route entailed...

• fast gravel
• twisty single track
• plus, pack dynamics

... all the things I love.

And, of course, my pals.

• Love Watts and I rolled at 7am.
• Hooked up with CV, local group road ride, at 8:50 am.
• Back to dirt, with Chuckles, Zone 2, and Mrs. Smith, around 9:30ish.

The rig of choice...

... the Crux, with RaceKing 2.0s.

What could make this ride even better?

Oh, I have an answer.

A forgotten trail was bulldozed during fire season...

• it'll add another 1000' of climbing
• sneak through penal a colony
• miles of single track

... and will pour us out at my favorite country store, for a Coke and chips.

We have 360 days to find the perfect ride...

... 2025 is off to a heckuva start.

===

159.8 lbs 

8ish hrs sleep (10pm-555am)
1 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts BoxJumps
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

NOOOOOO, NOT ZONE 1!

IF YOU'RE DRIVEN, and you probably are if you're a regular reader, seeing zone 1 on the training plan...

... is laughable.

We don't even know what that is.

We try to do it,
see the numbers.

Think, That's not going to help...

... awwwww, skrewit!

I have a solution.

It came to me on today's ride.

First, there was the absurdly long skid in the dirt...

• speed up
• back brake locked
• back wheel as unweighted as possible.

... just to see how long I could get it.

Then, the idea to jump onto and back off of every curb possible.

There was more.

My favorite was weaving the extensive traffic cones as long as possible without touching brakes or pedals.

90 minutes later, I coulda cared less about zone 1...

... I was in zone fun.

MY BIKE TOTALLY GOT AWAY FROM ME

CLEARING THE TOP OF THE CLIMB, I was leaning to initiate a turn back towards home.  Not sure if I hit a rock, or what, but next thing I know...

... I'm on a different trajectory.

Was it meant to be?

I mean...

• not a cloud in the sky
• nobody on the trails
• crazy warm day

... geez.

Why such a hurry to get back?

Why not go straight up the the trail to the country store...

... for an ice cream bar?

Some turns really are for the better.

===

160.5 lbs 

8ish hrs sleep (9pm-530am)
3 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts BoxJumps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

DO THE UNTHINKABLE

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO THE UNTHINKABLE, when it's unthinkable? Talk about a paradox.  What it really means is...

... go way beyond the comfortable.

The great Wende Cragg captured the unthinkable...

• riding to a mountain top under a full-moon to watch the sunrise
• coaster brakes so hot they smoke after a downhill
• helmetlessly racing klunkers in jeans

... the birth of mountain biking.

50 years ago, her Pentax camera, snapped and preserved everything those...

... crazy pioneers were living.

The lifestyle.

Her documentary - click here -  is as inspirational as it is mesmerizing.

Watch it. 

It's got me thinking it might be a wholotta fun to get the hard training done M-F, and...

... use that fitness for adventure on the weekend.

===

162.7 lbs 

7ish hrs sleep (1030pm-530am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHY I DID 100 PULLUPS, 190 PUSH UPS, 53 BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUATS TO CLOSE OUT THE YEAR

IF WE'RE GONNA BEGIN THE YEAR pretending we are committed to some outlandish new start, I figured I might as well end 2024 with...

... a ridiculous challenge.

I can look back and say If I could do that thing...

... I sure as heck can do this, too.

That's called stacking confidence.

At 6:45 this morning, I decided to do 100 pull ups today.  

A first,
by a lot.

Since my normal m.o. 3x on the pushups, that'd 300.

And, I figured I might as well add 3-loaded Bulgarian split squats for every pull up, for 300 per leg. 

Sounded doable at 6:45.

I'd just take a break every 30 minutes and bang out a round of the three moves.

It got hard,
the 30 minute goal drifted.

I learned...

• breaking up the day = hustle, productivity
• found my split squat limit to be 60 lb dumbell in each hand
• muscles felt awesome through 8 rotations
• posture is great
• these are better than smoke breaks
• got hungry, ate more than normal
• 30 min goes fast, aware of time waste
• required 12.5 hours to complete

... I can still do hard things.

Now, what to get done in 2025?

Happy New Year Y'all

===

162 lbs 

7ish hrs sleep (1030pm-530am)
100 PullUps 190 PushUps 53 DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE SECRET SAUCE NOBODY TRIES

DID YOU PICK UP A TRAINING SECRET this year?  From a book or podcast or YouTube?  Accidentally overhear the local coach...

... whispering truth to an athlete?

I bet you did.

But, that's not the real question.

The real question is did you, yes you, or I, yes me...

... do anything about it?

Because what is the point to...

• look
• listen
• and learn

... if we're not going to at the very least give it a whirl?

After trying and testing...

1. the Classified 2-speed hub
2. even more calories when racing
3. mountain bike tires on the gravel bike

... these are my top 3 secrets of the year.

What are yours?

IF WE'RE GONNA GO BIG WE OUGHTA GO BIG

--- one of my favorites of the year ---

TODAY, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE TURNED THE CORNER.  I'm mid-way through my experiment to train like Remco... 

... 3 weeks of (for me) massive volume.

Last Saturday, end of week #1, I was pretty tired during the final miles of a 5 hour ride.

Exhaustion lasted through Sunday.

Monday the legs were oooof.

But, Tuesday, I felt pretty darn good...

... at the end of a hilly and peppy 60 miles.

With a cramped day, the only way I could stay on schedule Wednesday was to do two-a-days.

• Sunrise, 90 minutes of steepish climbs at moderate pace.
• PullUps, PushUps and Squats through the day.
• Evening, 2 hours of high Zone 2 rolling terrain.

... it was that second session on the bike where things were clicking.

I felt stong.

Even fresh.

3 days down,
9 hours saddle time.

Should be able to hit 18-20 hours by end of day Saturday.

It's a lot to juggle...

• solid days of work
• helping the kids with their kids
• and being present for Surfergirl

... wouldn't do this forever.

Fun to experiment.

Feeling might dawgawn fortunate.

===

162.4 lbs 

15 hrs sleep (i really do have the flu)
No Strength
00 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

RULES FOR FEELING SICK

HAVING COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS is always a tough one for me and begs the question should I exercise today?  If I do, I might get worse or...

... I might speed up the process of getting better.

My general rules...

• above the neck, ride like heck.
• in the chest, better rest

... but, they didn't help me today.

Because I was just so determined that the fact I work up sweating was due to the heater was too high, and I wanted oh so badly to ride with the fellas...

... I headed out.

Instead of feeling a lot better post ride,
I cut the ride short.

The collapsed on the couch,
after paying my dues kneeling in the bathroom.

I guess I'll add to the rules above...

... running a fever, don't be an overachiever.

===

164.5 lbs 

7Ish hrs sleep (10:30 pm-5:45am)
No Strength
00 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

YOU ARE NOT A BODY BUILDER

FUN FACTOID, weight machines at the gym were developed by body builders for body building.  Each machine can dial in a certain muscle to make it bigger...

... we are not body builders.

We do not want muscles that don't serve a purpose...

... might was well be a stack of tires around our gut.

You know what else we don't want..

... injuries.

I know what you're thinking.

What the heck does the Ol' Diesel know about strength?

Well, quite a bit...

• testing
• reading
• experience

... has proven to me what works.

Here's the dill...

• low reps (1-3)
• max weight (90-100% of max)
• almost every day of the week (4-5 days)
• lots of rest between sets (complete recovery)
• multiple joint movements (squats are 3 joints)

... on getting strong with minimal to no weight gain.

Take it easy.

Get a pro to help you with form, because you can do this...

... with minimal equipment from home.

===

Disclaimer - any and all advice is just stuff I've tried and worked for me and is not professional or medical.

===

162.7 lbs 

8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

ARE YOU FAILING ENOUGH?

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE ACT LIKE there is a gigantic barrier between courage and discretion.  There's not.  It's a fine line.  If we are to improve by any measurable amount...

... we must balance precariously and charge forth.

This is truth.

Failure is going to happen when...

• going for an impossible PR
• experimenting with new training
• carving the curves so hard we start to slide

... if we are going to improve.

Why?

Because failure gives us that needed feedback to...

... learn what we need to learn to improve.

Now don't go doing some idiotic Evilknevil stunt.

But, push.

Push a lot.

Every failure teaches us,
we adjust,
improve.

So push.

Push through...

• fear
• pain
• limits

... and reach our next impossible.

As the great Tom Watson, founder of IBM at the time the premier computing company on the planet, preached to his engineers...

... Fail faster.

===

We have 5 days to ride the New Year's Resolution madness, and all year to make it happen.

===

162.9 lbs 

8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps only
5 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHOSE WATTS ARE THOSE?

ON MY WAY HOME from the local ride of destruction, I was thinking about the amount of watts the fellows were putting out and how destroyed I felt...

... how could I quantify that?

I know my numbers,
I don't know theirs.

I know how I felt,
I don't know how they felt.

Back in the day...

... I'd visualize my head on my favorite pro's body.

Crushing all comers...

• What would be be like to put out Pojacar power and escape tens of miles from the finish?
• How about a Cav-like explosion sprinting for the line?
• Or, the surge and surf stomping of the bunch by the great Sagan?

... like a boss.

Playing that game of imaging what would Pogi or Cav or Peto do is...

... a great way to take on the unconquerable challenge,
and kinda sorta maybe put out some inspired watts of our own.

View Details

I HEARD THE BELLS

RIDING ALONE IN THE FOREST can be dangerous.  The low hanging branches, hidden roots and rocks, and...

... the occasional wild animal.

Not the bunnies,
squirrels
or deer.

No danger there.

I'm talkin'...

• bear
• moose
• cougars

... the big, mean and hungry ones.

So, we blissfully mount bells on are bikes.

Which reminds me of the great Ray Bradbury's book, Something Wicked Comes This Way.

One of the characters, Mr. Dark, is confronted with the carol I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.

My favorite verse:

God is not dead nor doth He sleep;
  The Wrong shall fail,
  The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.

Ain't nothing like a peaceful ride through the forest.

---

162.7 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-5:45am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE ELVES ARE DONE

WELL, I'M TUCKERED.  The machines are tuckered.  The many hands that make the magic happen are worn and achy.  We're shuttin' 'er down for a couple of days...

... even elves gotta have an off season.

But, here's the dill.

The things we really want...

• speed
• power
• time

... we can't purchase.

The things we can purchase...

• equipment
• apparel
• trips

... we'd be embarrassed to task to a loved one.

We gotta be our own elves.

So, pretend your tapped on the cash...

... how are you going to get more speed, power, time?

Imagine it's spring time,
you're toeing the line...

• fit
• taught
• relaxed

... what's it gonna take?

Write it down,
wrap it up.

Give yourself a real gift.

Better yet,
give it to a friend or family member.

---

162.7 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-5:45am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

HE'S MAKING HIS LIST

THE POWER OF A CHECK LIST is awesome.  Not ticking the boxes, for that quick hit of dopamine, there is something even better than...

... getting it done.

Which is the point.

For me, the real power is in the creation of a list.

Exploring and considering...

• each and every angle
• what is needed
• what is fluff

... and building an empowering list.

It's harder than it looks.

But, done correctly...

... discipline is replaced with love and urgency.

Checking the box is dessert...

... one we can enjoy each and every day.

---

That pic is literally a page from the RaceDay Ready Journal.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/raceday-ready-100-day-journal

---

163.1 lbs 
9ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-7:20am)
PullUps PushUps Squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE WATTS WILL COME

ROLLED OUT WITH A DEVILISH PLAN for myself.  After 3 months of goofin' around, it was time to warm up the glow plugs on the Ol' Diesel.  Nothing like...

... tickling zone 5 with the ticker.

Here's how weak I am.

Never in a millionkazillion years could I will myself push over 175 bpm...

• not for fun
• not for a coach
• not doing intervals

... I need to set up something stupid.

Like mashing the mammoth 50mm MTB tires,
with 20 lbs of pressure,
on the gravel bike...

... out to the local throwdown.

It was 25 minutes of pure, paved ecstasy.

Sandwiched in between 90 minutes of dirt, before and after.

Not much.
But, a start.

Time to begin upping the saddle time, 
and sprinkling in a dash of intensity.

No need to hurry,
just stay consistent.

Keep doing the strength stuff.

If you build it...

... the watts will come.

---

163.9 lbs 
7ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-5:30am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

OUR BEAST OF BURDEN

A FRIEND WAS GOING ON AN ON about how his brother had totally failed.  The brother had committed to take his lifestyle to the next level.  It wasn't going to be enough to get by...

... he wanted to live at the highest levels possible.

Did he make it?

You be the judge.

From where I was sitting, the brother truly had committed.  

The results were easy to see...

• health firing
• family thriving
• business providing
• relationship with God and man aligned

... what more is there?

The friend could only see the missteps and shortcomings of his brother.

I think the point of putting ourselves out there, is to...

• be an example
• be held accountable
• show how we deal with failure

... and hopefully inspire others along the way.

Haters think it is an I'm better than you thing instead of the more simple...

... I'm doing my best, and appreciate your encouragement.

Truth is, commitment...

... is our beast of burden.

---

Every day builds on the next...

... this hat is a good reminder.

Ships FREE, order by 12.24

---

163.9 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps Squats n Such
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

DESCEND LIKE A PRO

MY FRIEND MIKE has gotten the bug.  Not wanting to deal with cars the went the dirt route, in the form of an MTB.  He loves it, but...

... is legitimately concerned with crashing.

Legitimate in the form of...

... what we think about we bring about.

Fancying myself as somewhat of an expert,
I gave him this advice...

1. Firm grip on the bars
2. Arms looseygoosey
3. Eyes/head up

... plus, have fun, confidence will follow.

The thing is,
we can apply that advice to literally anything.

Raising kids...

1. Firm grip on getting them pointed in the right direction
2. Arms ready to guide if needed or asked for
3. Eyes/head monitoring their surroundings

Business/work...

1. Firm grip on goals/objectives
2. Loose on the how it gets done
3. Eyes/head focused on where we're headed

Our next race...

1. Get registered
2. Plan the training
3. Visualize the finish line

Come to think about it,
I wrote a book about that.

https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r

---

166 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO RIDE?

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO RIDE?  There are a million factors.  At least we aren't too weather dependent, and we have the great outdoors as our playground.  Compared to other activities...

... we got options.

My favorite is late morning... 

• warmer
• sunshine
• break up the work day

... it's almost always alone.

Which is fine, but it can be risky...

... out in the wild.

Take today.

I didn't line up the turn up quite right,
took a stick to the face,
nearly in the eye!

Coulda been way worse.
Way.

Dusted myself off and rode on
decided to chill on the lovely 
middle of nowhere
lawn chairs.

And count my lucky stars.

Which reminds me of the wonderful Christmas movie, The Shining...

... all workout and no reflection makes Jack a dull boy.

A good break in the action,
keeps us sharp.

---

164.9 lbs 
8ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps Squats & stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

WHEN YOU CAN'T DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE

WE THINK WE'LL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE LOVE.  I remember specifically thinking after one particularly surprising race result...

... I could do this forever.

How does the saying go?

If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.

He must have been dying on Monday.

There I was...

• in a beautiful part of the country
• hero dirt from the recent rain
• expansive, gorgeous views

... and I was battling double-vision.

For whatever reason, I took a huge step backwards in my recovery from my brain injury.

I couldn't dive bomb the downhills.

I couldn't do what I've always done.

Did it suck?
Yeah, totally.

Did I quit?
Not even.

I slowed down, and did what I could do.

Which turned out to be an echo from an elderly spiritual leader who was assessing his final year or two of life, who said those exact words.

Doing what he could do.

Am I freaked out?
Not yet.

First off, I called my friend Rick the behavioral ophthalmologist (think PT for you eyes).  

We talked about how I'd laid off doing the exercises he'd given me when I was first injured.

In fact, I did the most basic one right away, because I only have the most basic tool on me, and almost immediately noticed an improvement.

Next, I called my surgeon's office.  The NP called me back and suggested I go on a steroid for 5 days to ease any post-surgery swelling that can occur, even months later.

Tomorrow, I'll get back to the more vigorous eye exercises.

Doing what I can do, and hopefully...

... back to what I've always done.

re: IS IT WORTH THE SACRIFICE?

Dear Ol' Diesel,

I'm still trying to figure it out Todd.  I check in on one thing for a few years and then I'll switch gears, etc.  

2025 I've got no endurance plans...biggest focus is strength training 5/6 days per week.

Is this lack of dedication?

Is this why i never quite seem to get my goals?

Is it enough that I attempt which is more than 99.9999% of folks can say?

I dunno man, still in search of answers.  But I will tell you my want for endurance is absent.

I don't want to get up early for a ride

I don't want to get up early for a run

Heck I don't really want to do any of those things right now.

I do want to spend a little extra time with the better half

I do want to slow down a moment and enjoy or take in this new reality of empty nesters...

Does this make me lazy?  I worry I'm losing my edge.

Thank you for always sharing your thoughts,

I Just Wanna Be Strong In LA.

---

Dear I Just Wanna Be Strong In LA,

Haha… no, you are doing great.  Take a break.  Spend time with your wife.  We love our kids, and we love being emptynesters.  Super fun, lots of flexibility. 

I’d say this, don’t train unless it sounds fun.

We are on a quick trip up the coast.  Just the two of us.  Rode with Susie until she was ready to rest, then rode a bit on my own.  No hurry, no rush, no care to do X work out. 

Now, I’m in the hotel room catching up and she is in the Jacuzzi.

Life is short, wives are more important than miles… and besides, they like us with a little muscle.

IMHO, you're on the right track.

Love ya!

The Ol' Diesel

---

166.8 lbs (not really sure, on a trip)
9ish hrs sleep 830pm-5:30am)
Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

IS IT WORTH THE SACRIFICE?

WHY DO SOME OF US stick with the endurance thing year after year after year and others check in for a season or two then check out...

... never to return?

There is something unseen happening.

I think I know what it is.

Sacrifice.

For better or worse...

• could be skipping a new car for a better bike
• an hour later out at night for an early run
• a quick swim instead of a tv binge

... we've sacrificed something.

That sacrifice produces the faith necessary to really go for it,
go for that insane physical goal we've set.

It gives us hope.

And, we love that...

... in everything we do.

---

Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.

Use this promo code: TRIRUN

To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags - code expires Monday, 12.26.24

---

166.8 lbs (too much recovery fuel?)
8ish hrs sleep 10pm-6:04am)
Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling  

GETTING HIGH

NEARLY 6000' IN 32 MILES represents a good amount of climbing.  Mostly straight up or straight down, on dirt.  At about the 2 hour mark...

... I hit the highest point.

A few miles prior, a thought occurred to me.

If something bad happens, 
I'm a long, long, long way from help.

The tires are new,
sealant fresh,
new chain,
cassette.

And, I was feeling pretty good...

... check, check, check and more checks.

Carry on,
enjoy the views,
and lack of humanity.

A bobcat appeared on the trail about 20 yards ahead of me,
it made a quick u-turn and loped along as I closed in,
before lunging over the side into the brush.

The red-tailed hawk surfed the gusty ridge,
searching for pray.

Chipmunks sprinted up and down the ancient pines.

Nature really does rock my world.

This mountain range is about a 35 minute drive from home.

I used to live closer,
and spent almost every Saturday up there, alone.

Looks like I've started the new year's resolution to adventure something new or different at least once a quarter...

... resolutions are kinda dumb.

Why wait?

As the great Yoda said...

... Do, or do not.

---

Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.

Use this promo code: TRIRUN

To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags - code expires Monday, 12.26.24

---

164.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep 10pm-5am)
PullUps Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

I CHOSE THIS?!

THE BROCHURE PROMISED A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE, everything would be tested.  Yeah, all the mind, body, spirt stuff. Plus...

... every ounce of perseverence.

I salivated.

Months of prep were stacked,
when the date came,
I was ready...

... I thought.

But, then shift got real.

Way harder than I expected.

The sections with the group were hard,
we encouraged each other.

When it got really difficult,
nature split us up.

The loneliness was brutal.

I knew, hoped, we'd regroup when the elements eased.

Work together.
Get 'er done.

Crazy as it sounds,
getting towards the end,
I thought I'd gladly do it again.

Winning didn't matter,
completing the mission did...

... and, yeah, those hands were gonna be raised regardless of place.

Crossing the finish line,
to my surprise and delight...

... was my dad,
my creator.

---

Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.

Use this promo code: TRIRUN

To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags.

---

163.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-6:27am)
PullUps Push Ups
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE BEST ON BIKE WORKOUT EVER?

THERE ARE A LOT WAYS to get stronger and off the bike.  Routines, fads, and trends come and go.  For my money...

... nothing beats a singlespeed mountain bike.

I built one up because it was fashionable.

Little did I know how addicting the workout would be,
how much I would love riding it.

It was like battling a bipolar bull...

• docile spinning along the flats
• UFC cage fighting any time it got steep

... and it worked perfectly.

At the time, cycling had been quarantined to a few days during the week because weekends were family time in the desert riding motorcycles.

My spin stayed smooth due to the fixed gear range - it wasn't a fixed gear, I could coast.

In order to get up the constantly changing elevations...

• legs
• arms
• lats
• back

... were all recruited and magnificently engaged.

No need for weights or any kind of resistance training.

It was basically going from one interval to the next, with luxurious spinning in between.

As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the ol' Trek hardtail.

Dusty.
In the garage.

Maybe it's time to spend the least dollars possible and...

... make strength training fun and sexy again.

---

164 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-6:20am)
PullUps Push Ups Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

ARE YOU BORING YOURSELF?

IS NEXT YEAR GONNA BE BETTER THAN THIS YEAR?  It'll be different, for sure.  Better is subjective, only you can determine...

... if it will be a year to remember.

We need new...

• locations
• friends
• events
• skills

... experiences that will change us.

Memorable,
forever.

As I start to fill in my calendar for next year,
it's tempting to play small,
safe...

... instead I do this.

First, I have to have one giant, unreasonable physical goal each year. (spiritual, mental, and social, too).

2024 it was Gravel Nats.

Next year (2025) hasn't crystalized yet, but it will.

Second, I think it's imperative to try a new event once a quarter.

Right now, it's looking like...

• March BWR AZ
• April Highlands Gravel (UCI)
• June BWR MT 
• 4th Qtr is TBD

... it doesn't have to be fancy, could just be a weekend adventure someplace new.

Third, master something new, and have a plan to track progress.

For 2025, that is going to be bicycle mechanicing. 

By the end of the year, I want to be able to do everything at a level that I could bail myself out if I was nowhere near a competent mechanic.

I'll be adding milestones to the calendar for that, and purchasing the proper tools.

There lots of other stuff on the calendar...

• date nights
• family activities
• work objectives
• service projects

... gotta make it all work cohesively.

Back in 2020 I set about getting out to the Cactus Cup for the first time.

I met a bunch of cool people, and made new friends.
Rode some fantastic and unusual terrain.
Found an outstanding Italian joint.

Cactus Cup stays in the rotation...

... I never would have found it if I hadn't ventured out.

They're having the 12 Days of Giveaways starting 12.12...

... I hope you'll win this bag, and join me out there.

---

Side note: 

• I'm planning to do BWR AZ and stay the week in the desert for Cactus Cup the following weekend.  If ya get out there for either one, let's meet up for sure.
• I'm also planning BWR UT, in May, and heading to Fruita/Moab the days following for some epic MTB.  Lemme know if you're interested in joining.

---

164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-5:55am)
PullUps Push Ups Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE THUNDER

LOOKING FOR SOME BACKGROUND VIBES, I loaded up a Goettl Media raw file of BWR Arizona 2024.  It was supposed to be my first A race of last year, but..

... life had other plans.

It's never too early to start doing recon.

I like Joe's videos because...

• the POV is always really good
• his comments teach a lot
• he's super respectful

.... in other words, he's a good dude.

Turning away from the big screen to get some work done it struck me how much...

... a race at speed sounds like thunder.

Especially the gravel sections.

I got so electrified, 
I ditched the project,
and dug into examining the terrain.

Joe raced the long version, the Waffle.
I'll most likely do the shorter Wafer.

From the looks of it,
I think this terrain will call for the Race King 2.0s...

• lots of sand
• some rocks
• whoops

... means it's gonna be a hoot.

Can't wait for my next thunder storm.

---

164.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-5am)
PullUps Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

EASY DAYS AND HARD DAYS ALWAYS

I WAS LISTENING TO A PODCAST with the superfamous coach of an ultrafamous racer, and the host, trying to dumb it down for us dummies, asked...

... What's the one piece of advice you'd give an amateur racer?

He had me on bearings and spokes.

Train easier.

What do you mean?

I mean most amateurs are doing too much.

Isn't that the way to get better?

No.  I mean Yes, but no.

Explain.

If an athlete is training too hard all the time, and by too hard I don't mean to exhaustion, but, at a level that will not allow them recover, really recover, then they can't...

... go really hard, and get the big gains.

I thought about that today as...

• miles rolled by
• watts low
• h.r. lower

... my mind open and free.

That advice is easy to understand, hard to thoroughly absorb.

It feels wasteful.
Useless.

And so we ignore it,
to our detriment.

Being that it's a Monday, I tweaked the great Karen Carpenter's song...

... Easy days and hard days always get me fit.

This works for work, too.

There are days I'm resting, prepping, organizing...

... and days I'm slaying it with back to back to back appointments.

---

165.8 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-6:20am)
PullUps Push Ups & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

COASTING IN

AS WE WIND DOWN THE YEAR, few of us are racing.  Personally, having backed down the miles I'm feeling really fresh and spunky, which reminds me about...

... what I love about tapering.

Sure, there's the reduced miles and training and all the good feelings that come with that, but there's something else and if we're doing it right...

... is a huge benefit.

Because all the fatigue is leaving our bodies we not only start to feel really good, we have time to reflect on how we got here...

... all the work we've put in.

The result is where once we were tired, questioning out motivations and our capabilities....

... now we are confident.

Confidence is key to...

... ripping on raceday.

===

Now it's time to party!!

I wish I'd come up for this idea of this collection in time for New Year's... 

... but, Hey! let's party like it's twenty twenty-five!

Here's the deal... 

... order by 12.9, save 25%.

Use code PARTY25.

Most likely ships just after the New Year, if we can get it out early, we will.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-party-collection

---

164.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:30am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

DRIVIN' THAT TRAIN

THE PROBLEM WITH CORROSION isn't the corrosiveness itself.  That's bad, for sure.  But, I find the real problem is...

... it comes on so slowly.

Then, catastrophic failure.

Because I've been neglecting my trusty MTB all year, well, basically for two all years... 

... I was caught out, bad.

"All of the sudden", 
my shifting was shift.

It wasn't really sudden.

For months the shifting had been off, but...

... just good enough to put away and forget about.

It had reached the point of no return.

Irreparable damage had been done.

Rather than simply replacing the chain in a timely manner,
an easy home repair,
at little cost...

... I had to get a divorce,
and a hot, new, young,
complete drivetrain.

Costly.

It's just a drivetrain,
not something that really matters...

... those things deserve immediate, constant loving maintenance.

===

Now it's time to party!!

I wish I'd come up for this idea of this collection in time for New Year's... 

... but, Hey! let's party like it's twenty twenty-five!

Here's the deal... 

... order by 12.9, save 25%.

Use code PARTY25.

Most likely ships just after the New Year, if we can get it out early, we will.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-party-collection

---

164.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:30am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THERE IS LITERALLY NO SCHOOL FOR THIS

WE'RE ALL OUT THERE ENDURING, and it's like we have no compass, no gps, no no map, no field manual.  There is no associates, four year, masters, or doctorate degree...

... and yet, somehow experts evolve.

Oh, there's the occasional book.

Usually so filled with jargon and graphs they are worthless, but boy...

... the authors sure look smart.

So, we rely on our...

• inner voice
• experience
• friends

... and get to work like mad scientists.

We can and do glean much from...

• watching races
• podcasts
• youtube

... then, we do our best to put it into practice on the next ride, run, swim.

Kinda makes ya wonder if...

• Jobs
• Ford
• Edison

... were just having fun, fascinated with figuring out what was possible?

---

Got a friend who's a Triathlete or Runner?

Blow their minds with a sport specific RaceDay Bag.

Use this code and save 20%: TRIRUN

• Running Bags
  
• Triathlon Bags

Good ONLY on in stock Tri and Run bags.

---

165.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:45am)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE WORST GOAL EVER

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, I set two lofty goals.  One I accomplished, one I fell far short of.  What was the difference between...

... success and failure?

Both seemed outrageous at the time.

They still do.

I each case, I knew everything would have to go perfectly in order to get anywhere near what I wanted to accomplish.

The one I attained, everything did go perfectly.
I went about my business,
mission accomplished.

The one I muffed, a massive unforeseeable mountain in the road popped up.
It was such a kick in the front of my bib shorts where my legs come together,
that it was mentally and physically debilitating.

Months later, unforeseeable mountain turned to gopher mound, I'm back on track.

There's all the fancy platitudes of goals...

• goal unwritten is a hope
• goals must be believable
• goals should be realistic

... we could go on and on.

But, I'm not sure that's the point.

Really.

Having the guts to...

• set an outlandish goal
• share it with real allies, not punks who puke on our dreams
• and take massive action

... is the lifeblood of everything I do.

Failure.
Success.

They matter, but not nearly as much what occurs...

... in the process of going after personal excellence.

===

We could wait until 1.1.25 to think, start, plan...

... or, we could grab a calendar and get down to business.

https://pedalindustries.com/calendar

---

166.4 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:55am)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

DECEMBER'S FOCUS AND AN EXPERIMENT

THIS MONTH'S FOCUS ISN'T FOR BABIES.  Babies crawl, make a mess of their food, and are on a quest to get fat.  I'm not.  Are you?  I'm looking to...

... start the year on fire.

For December...

• LSD, not tripping, long slow distance
• Strength work
• Weight loss

... this is my focus.

That should have me in prime shape to hit it hard in Jan and Feb.

Two months to prep for the first races, 
BWR AZ and Cactus Cup.

For Jan and Feb, I'm planning an experiment...

• Tues/Wed back to back intensity days, with long tempo on Saturday
• Tues/Sat intensity, with zone 1/2 days in between

... for alternating weeks to build race specific fitness.

The intensity for BWR's start and dynamic surges,
the tempo for Cactus Cup's old school XC race.

Should be fun.

No,
really,
it should be fun.

Just gotta nail December to be hammering in March.

---

167.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:55am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

THE RULE OF 3

NEW AND FIRED UP, I jumped full speed into the road scene.  Since all I'd done was road race, I was one hundred million percent sure...

... I was born to race road.

While I shamelessly slobbered, the old wise man at the bike shop tried to duck.

When I stopped to breathe, he said...

... Sonny you don't know you lycra covered butt from a pothole!.

Huh?

Listen up, buttercup.

Gulp.

It takes three full years...

... to know what you're good at.

But...

But nothing, now get outta here and go to work.

He was right.

By the end of that first year, I realized I was a much better crit racer.

So, I focused on crits for the next two years.

When I found mountain biking,
I was sure I'd be a cross country racer.

Turned out,
I was a much better descender than climber.

When I finally got a gravel bike,
I was sure I'd just use it to mix up the training.

Turns out,
it's actually pretty darn fun to race gravel.

There's nothing magical about the three years...

... it's the three years of working at getting better that matters.

Oh, and before you quote the 10,000 hour rule, think on this.

There are 26,297.46 hours in 3 years, which is kinda like saying...

... if you live, eat and breathe anything for 3 years, magic happens.

Now get to work!

---

168.2 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10pm-5am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

IT'S THE DATA DUMMY

I DO LOVE ME SOME DATA.  In this vast digital world, there's plenty of it to access, crunch, and geek out on.  The only question I have is...

... why? what? how? when?

It's more than what the Garwahoo is delivering.

That little screen can be divided so small the numbers become trivial, useless.

Then we can dissect it all on Starva, Training Peaks, etc.

Which brings up the question?

Do we.

And, if we do, what are we to make of it?

It is so tempting to wing it.

And, why wouldn't it be?  That's how it was done from Adam till now.

Gut feel.

But, I had some sense knocked into me today.

Realizing inventory was running low on our gloves and socks, I was about to wing it on a replenishment production run.

Wait, why not pull a report?
Takes a few seconds.
Data don't lie.

And, whadaya know...

... winging it was not the way to go.

The thing about all the Garwahoo data is there's just a heckuva lot of it.  We could...

• read a ton
• take some classes
• pester the nerd that rides

... or hire a coach, let a pro figure it out and tell us what to do.

I'm not for winging it,
and I'm not for outsourcing it...

... I'm more for figuring out what the data means.

Empowering myself.

---

167.2 lbs 
7ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps & more
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248

BECAUSE IT SUITS US

ARE RUNNERS BETTER WRITERS or are there just more runners and therefore more writers that run...

... leading to a larger talent pool?

Christopher McDougall's Born To Run is probably my favorite running book.

Inspiring.
It got me to run.
Trail running for miles.

His book, Natural Born Heroes, got me totally into strength work because...

... the heroes were so naturally strong and lethal.

Jesse Itzler is a runner.

His book Living With A Seal is hilarious, and wildly challenges our limited beliefs about what we can accomplish.

Here are a few gems from my latest find...

• The most important thing we ever learn in school is that the most important things can't be learned at school.
• With my mind elsewhere I'm able to run for a long while, keeping up a natural speed that doesn't tire me out.
• There are three reasons I failed.  Not enough training. Not enough training. And not enough training.

... from What I Think About When I Talk About Running.

For me, it's not so much the running that is compelling, but the book's ability to help me understand...

... why I love riding, and enduring.

How about you...

... got any faves?

---

166.4 lbs 
7ish hrs sleep (11pm-6:05am)
PullUps PushUps
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling  

https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248