ARE WE EATING TOO MUCH?
IN THE MAD DASH to fuel for, and the recovery from, the next heavy training session, is it possible we might overdoing it...
... to our detriment?
I mean, look around.
For a herd of endurance athletes...
... are we gazelles or elephants, or somewhere in between?
The reason I'm asking is today, after a fairly rigorous start...
- 5:30 am start, as always underslept, normal rise is around 6am.
- 60 miles, 5000' of vert, 225w Normalized (good for me)
- over an hour at threshold or above
... I felt unusually awesome.
What I did was...
- Ate light dinner vs a bunch of extra carbs
- Pre-ride skipped the oatmeal in favor of 3 Trader Joe's peanut butter cups.
- Got home, pounded a Fair Life chocolate milk vs. a pile of Kodiak cakes and a smoothie.
... not on purpose or as a test.
Just life.
Hanging out with one of the grands all evening before.
Getting home to a work crew taking over the downstairs and clearing out amidst the chaos so I could get some work done.
Results are in...
- slept amazing
- had awesome energy all morning
- and cranked out a buncha work before noon
... and I'm asking a legit question.
Am I eating too much?
===
163.8lbs/12.5%
7sh hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
89/109/-20 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT IS AN EVENT SO GOOD WE WOULD PAY TO HOST?
THE BEST EVENTS OFTEN START WITH NEED AND PASSION, or both. They grow organically from there until...
... they are famous and selling out.
What would be one so good we'd be willing to bankroll it ourselves?
Free entry.
That was the question on a recent Founders podcast.
It got me thinking the...
- lots of people I'd want to hang out with
- and be challenged and stimulated by
- share the experience with
- add in some killer eats
- outrageous awards
- swarm of vendors
... things that would be worth it.
That's the kind of event I'd be interested in putting together.
In the meantime...
- parting with our cash to help finance it
... isn't that what we are basically doing when we register for any event?
===
163.8lbs/12.5%
8sh hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
86/90/-5 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TWO NOTEBOOKS
DOCUMENTING OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS is something many of us do. Whether it's a framed race photo, or race numbers with medals on the mantle...
... if it matters, keep it memorable.
What about the future?
Do we document that?
Each morning I bust out two notebooks...
- just after reading something uplifting
- meditating on it
- before all else
... one for imaging the future, one for the todos.
The dumb ideas get axed,
the good ones have a shot at life.
The tasks get completed and crossed out,
the survivors either get done or killed.
What does that have to do with racing, life?
Everything.
===
Deeper Dive
To image the future is to deliberately build a picture of what has not happened yet so that picture can shape what you do now.
It is not fortune-telling and it is not daydreaming. It is the constructive work of taking pieces of memory, observation, values, and desire and assembling them into a scene, a feeling, or a story of a possible tomorrow.
How the mind actually does it
Your brain uses the same machinery for remembering the past and picturing the future. It pulls familiar people, places, objects, and emotions out of storage and rearranges them into events that have never occurred. Neuroscientists call this constructive episodic simulation. People who lose the ability to recall personal memories often also lose the ability to vividly imagine their own future.
There are at least four related modes:
- Simulation — constructing a specific scene (“I see myself finishing the climb, breathing steadily”).
- Prediction — estimating likelihood.
- Intention — deciding what you want.
- Planning — laying out the steps.
They usually operate together.
Why the pictures matter
Sociologist Fred Polak argued that the images a person or a culture holds of the future are a driving force of history. A living, attractive image of a better world pulls people forward; a decaying or purely catastrophic image produces paralysis or decline. The pictures are not just reflections of reality—they help create it by directing attention, effort, and courage.
That is why practices such as writing a “best possible self” letter, running scenario workshops, or simply sitting still and seeing a concrete good outcome in detail can change mood and behavior. The image becomes a reference point you can steer toward.
Two common mistakes
- Treating the image as a rigid prediction instead of a working sketch that can be revised.
- Only imaging disaster. A mind that rehearses only collapse has less material with which to invent alternatives.
Imaging the future, then, is the act of making the not-yet visible enough that you can start living toward it today.
===
162.6 lbs/12.4%
9ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
87/98/-12 per Strava Power & Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Black List, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SOMETIMES PRE-VIEWING IS JUST A HECKUVA A GOOD REMINDER
THE FIRST WE EVER RACE A COURSE, taking the time to recon from parking to finish, even if it's just the first 5 miles...
... can pay oodles and oodles.
If we have the time,
pay the dime.
Pre-view it all.
But, what if we've already raced it?
Trust me on this...
- the turns
- the sunlight angles
- how the herd responds over undulations
... we'll never have the course as dialed as the locals.
I was reminded of this today
- 36 miles
- 4500' of vert
- most of it off road
... pre-riding the first 33ish miles of our upcoming epic SurfNSummit.
The reminder wasn't the route so much as these specific issues...
- check your batteries - the one day I don't check the shifter batteries the night before and my casual spin to the start turns into sprinting home to replace a 2032 and then pin it to meet the crew - we don't wait, ever.
- respect the pre-ride like we'd expect the race day - I went low on my calories/bottle and extra gels in the pocket and really suffered for it on the way back
- if at all possible - have the cold/icy water if it's going to be hot vs the "room temperature" free water that was as warm as the outside air of 100º. this made eating the NutttrButtrs during the last 90 minutes impossible because my stomach wasn't loving the hot water
- have the bike in the finest working order - that fouled rear 2-speed unable to access my 3 lowest gears made the 50 minute climb unnecessarily challenging
- pace to race - in this case, while grateful to have 4 of the posse join us, they weren't doing the whole thing and rather than high zone 2, we were bouncing between tempo and threshold for the first 90 minutes, which is not the plan for the epic adventure
... that said, it was great to push the pace and be reminded of such idiocy.
Interestingly, while the big climb was a definite grind, and with the superlow cadence I couldn't put out as much power...
... my time was only 7 seconds slower than during the event last year.
Go figure.
No.
Go preview,
as much as possible.
And if we can't in person,
we try and dig up some YouTube intel.
===
165.4 lbs/12.4%
7ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
89/113/-24 per Strava Power &Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SHARPENING THE EDGES WITH ANGER
HAVING CONTROL OF OUR EMOTIONS on race day doesn't mean just playing it cool. Some emotions are better than others...
... for those who know how to harness them.
Like anger.
I'm not ashamed to admit, below that happy go lucky, come what may demeanor...
... is one hacked off dude.
If I have to/I've been known to...
... conjure up the most heinous reasons to crush the least deserving, most innocent competitors on the line.
Don't worry,
they never know.
Anger works for me.
I had a business partner say...
... you're so mellow
and
... dude, you have authority issues
... during the same meeting!
lol
Here's the real dill.
When I was younger it was uncontrollable and cost me a lot of points on the tennis court and life in general.
These days, if I'm rejected, disrespected, doubted, stomped on...
... that rocket flame of anger is powerful stuff.
Suddenly, I have this amazing laser focus combined with get outta my way energy.
I love that.
- heck no I don't want cookies
- heck yes I'm doing that work out
- heck no I'm not staying out late
- heck yes I need that upgrade
It's way better if I can get it going months, sometimes years in advance, but...
... making it up on the start line is a great way to lock in and race.
You might be askin' What the heck is wrong with you Diesel?...
... let's just say getting rejected on a home we were trying to buy has me pouring jet fuel on PEDAL industries.
Yeah,
harnessed anger is lit.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
155/138/17 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
REAL VISION
ALONG THE WAY to a glorious A race we face a lot of decisions. Some are micro, others macro. How we handle them...
... depends on our vision of how it will end.
What are we seeing?
I've long been fascinated with visualization techniques.
Once I learned of the concept via the great Denis Waitley's Psychology of Winning...
... the pieces began to fall into place.
Things I was underconciously aware of suddenly made sense.
The question that remained was...
... Could it be mastered and controlled?
From a practical standpoint, I can confirm that having a clear vision of how I want to cross the finish line...
- good food choices
- commitment to excellent sleep
- making time for and executing the critical workouts when desire is flat
... has given me the strength to accomplish the steps necessary along the way.
Which lends immense and undeniable confidence as the A race approaches…
… because we approach all the prep as if the finish has already happened.
We literally see everything with new eyes.
But, what if it works in all areas of life, not just racing?
What would that be worth,
what does it tell us about our present circumstances...
... what are we going to do about it?
===
162.8 lbs/12.4%
8ish hours sleep
480ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
158/156/2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SPRINTING FOR THE WIN
UNLESS WE ARE ACTUALLY sprinters, racing events on the track or crits, it's unlikely we'll ever sprint for the win. We might race our pals to the city limits sign or...
... bang bars with other pack fodder.
So, why practice sprinting?
Here are my top reasons...
- to maintain, increase strength
- as a supplement to weight training
- to cement in neuromuscular connections so I can harness said power
... I have one dedicated sprint day per week.
This is not an interval session,
with efforts lasting minutes.
Yuck!
This is all out getting after it,
in bursts of 5-15 seconds,
spaced with full recovery.
I like to do 'em offroad.
Tonights was particularly fun.
Yes fun!
On the downhill sections, any time I had a chance to get on the pedals hard and keep my speed up, I went for it.
Not only was I recruiting the sprint muscles...
- legs
- butt
- core
- back
- arms
- shoulders
... I was reinforcing how it all works together over rapidly changing terrain.
Which is, in a sense, sprinting for the win.
The win being staying strong and coordinated.
===
163.4 lbs/12.6%
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 60 push ups, 14 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 20 box jumps (24"), Bulgarian split squats with 25lb dumbells, nordic curls, heel and toe raises
161/170/-10 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE F-WORD NOBODY WANTS TO USE
IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE the amount of reasons we can come up with when we find ourselves OTB (off the back)...
... whether it's dropping anchor or slipsliding away.
Bring on the excuses.
Like today's TMWC stacked with visiting hitters...
... we were pinning it something vicious, all the way..
Until I started spinning the slowslide of shame,
with five miles to go.
Giving me plenty of time to think of all the reasons...
- haven't shaved legs since July
- got to bed to late
- creatine made me put on 5 lbs
- my Classified hub is dying and dragging
- upped my box jumps and other leg stuff Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday
- walked 3 miles in the sand Sunday (normally just 2)
- left a little late and had to hustle to meet group
- gravel pedals and shoes vs road
- unaero gravel frame
- somewhat shallow road wheels
- less than aero helmet
- extra weight from lights now that it's dark
... while gimping to the finish.
But.
We all know the truth...
... and it starts with F.
FATIGUE.
It's offseason fur cryin outloud!...
... what the heck am I doing?
Well, just the most lifechanging, epic adventure on SoCal...
- 120 miles
- 15k of vert
- around 12 hours (including stops)
... the SurfNSummit on 10.10.26
Sooooooooo... 1 more extralarge Saturday,
then two weeks to taper,
and feel fresh.
Might have to skip the legwork the week of,
or sooner?
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
7 hours sleep
630ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
162/179/-18 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SPY
WE LIKE TO SAY this is my escape, to ride/run/swim for an hour or few per day. Our happy place isn't a pain cave as much as it is...
... a world without staring at glass.
Is it novel?
There was a pithy post on X this week...
... I'm inviting a bunch of people over this weekend to doomscroll together.
My other non-scrolling/glass moments are reading.
Ingesting something uplifting in the wee morning hours has been a goto for years.
But, then this happened.
The wind down used to be watching "just a few minutes" of TV,
then onto binge watching...
... now it's a full-on addiction to reading spy novels.
They're all basically the same character...
- ex-special ops dude with skills his government needs
- always going off the range to get the job done
- while mixing in some lady-drama
... and I can't seem to get enough.
It started after my TBI,
as therapy.
Who knew staring and scrolling glass was bad juju for brain function and ocular wellness?
In about 30 months, I've read...
- all of Jack Carr (10)
- all of the Gray Man series (15)
- all of the Pike Logan series (20)
- and I'm on book 11 of 25 in the Scot Harvath (series)
... with no end in sight.
From a therapeutic standpoint, my ability to rip downhill on my MTB has returned to about 90% of where I was.
From Oh crap! every ride,
to Heckyeah! this is fun!
Is there any connection between being a spy and racing?
Well, yeah.
If being resourceful, able to adjust on the fly, and see the mission through to completion is how you like to rip on raceday...
... this is your genre.
===
166.2 lbs/12.6%
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
156/144/12 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOW FOR THE REST OF OUR SHOW
WE'RE WRAPPING UP THE 3RD QUARTER, heading into the final three months of the year...
... but not the end of the racing the calendar.
Am I right?
We aren't going to...
- hang it up for 2 months
- watch games
- eat chips
... because we know the truth.
Now is the time to...
- bank strength
- build base
- hone diet
... for springtime cometh.
That's what I'm doing.
Shoot, tonight I passed on cake an icecream.
It wasn't hard, once I gave up sugar, the cravings were gone.
In years past, I'd say Bring it on, it's offseason...
... to the point of friends saying It's good to see fatTodd is back.
Imagine that.
Actually, don't.
Imagine ripping it up next spring, right on through the summer.
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 20 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
159/163/-4 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TORQUE TRAINING... STILL?
SOME OF US ARE WILLING to take chance with our equipment. Opting to go with the yet to be tried and true...
... can lead to great advantages.
And, big challenges.
As I struggled mightily up a rather steep pitch today...
- 52/42 chainrings
- 13/26 6 speed cassette
... I remembered how tall the gearing was back in the day.
It was brutal.
But, one of the benefits we didn't realize back then was forced torque training...
- high power
- low cadence
- in place of gym time
... something coaches preach in today's era of super wide gearing.
So, why was I doing it today?
Because my super niche 2-speed rear hub from Classified, which replaced the front derailleur dual chain rings...
... has been acting up for the last 2 weeks.
And died today.
Leaving me with the lowest gear of a 46 in front x40 in back.
Manageable on most road climbs...
... swear-inducing on the dirt steeps I faced throughout today's epic URBN GRVL ride.
I've had the system for just over 2 years,
and it has been great.
Superior, I think, to traditional 1x most cats are running offroad.
Because the Surf N Summit is fast approaching...
... I'm in a real pickle.
Classified is based in the Netherlands...
... which is much father away than the hinterlands.
They have few dealers in the states.
Hopefully, they'll get back to me in time to get the system functioning like the racewinning force it has been.
It was a risk when I purchased it,
and I don't regret it at all.
It's that good.
===
166.2 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
630ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
163/186/-24 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Full Black, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS CHAING HURTS
STAYING ON TOP of the maintenance game never seems like it's gonna pay off. It's a constant steady drip on our time and wallets...
... until it's not.
Then, it's chunky.
I was reminded of this today by reader Roberto (not his real name).
Here's the chat transcript:
===
165.4 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
153/128/24 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
SHIFT I HATE
DO YOU KNOW WHY WE SAY If it was easy everyone would do it? It's not just because it's true, it's also because for those of us who are doing the hard stuff...
... we need to know there's a reason.
We do things we hate to do.
Here's a few of mine..
- pullups
- pushups
- box jumps
- stretching
- going to work after a glorious morning riding
- hanging on the back of the group until I literally see stars
- skipping the cookies and cake and ice cream
... and I could go on.
If we are doing things like the above so much,
if it really is that hard to be consistent...
... what is driving us?
A couple of things.
One, it gets easier once we get started.
Two, it becomes habitual, part of operating system.
Three, the really big one...
... we know.
We know this is the path to mastery...
... and few are we, the willing and committed.
To arrive at our stated destiny.
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 55 push ups, 11 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 20 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
157/148/8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
THIS ONE CHANGE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
WE ALL HAVE THAT FRIEND who we train with, who is about the speed, or even a little slower. Then, all of the sudden, seemingly out of the blue...
... they are a lot faster.
Leaving us in the dust.
What gives?
Just yesterday I was on the war path with one of these cats.
We'd opted to take a gravel route of the usual group ride, and if we reallyreally got after it...
... we'd meet/beat the group at the finish.
And romp we did.
I knew we had a shot because of his newly found powers.
And, I knew how he got them.
Because I asked.
Bro, your a lot faster and leaner.
It's my wife's fault.
Howso?
Well, she changed up her diet and she does most of the cooking and we're eating a lot cleaner.
If it's that easy then...
... why aren't we all doing it?
Maybe we don't know what eating clean is?
Here's my super simple rule...
... If I can identify the ingredients it's clean.
Steak,
easy.
Mr. Bachan's Japanese Teriyaki Sauce Surfergirl wants to smother it with,
not so much - probs not clean.
Corn on the cob,
easy.
Dorito's corn chips,
impossible - def not clean.
What is the one change we can make today that would make a huge difference in our performance?
Do it.
Then, stack it...
... with the next change.
Yes, it's that easy.
It just takes a bit of time for the results to show...
... fortunately, most of our competitors don't have time for that.
===
165.8 lbs/12.7%
8 hours sleep
790 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 105 push ups, 21 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 40 box jumps (24"), nordic curls, heel and toe raises
160/168/-8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE ARE SOME DOOZIES OUT THERE
THERE ARE SO MANY INFOOLENCERS yaking for our attention on myriad platforms. It creates all kinds of noise and...
... makes discerning the truth challenging.
Impossible even.
I was reminded of the dangers of expert opinions today listening to The Marketing School podcast titled...
... How McKinsey Helped Nike Lose $223 Billion.
With a B.
TLDL: they hired a guy who didn't understand the business, and he leaned into all the new fangled, cool kid ideas, in the process destroying the brand.
Some were so stupid it was stunning.
Which reminded me of the Time-Crunched Cyclist podcast I'd listened to the day before...
... The Five Self=Coached Cycling Mistakes That Keep You Stuck.
TLDL: he states we're too unenlightened to coach ourselves, hire his firm.
Along the way apologizing for being so harsh. Except I didn't find it as harsh as it was condescending and self-serving.
I shared the above, so I could share this...
- we need to expose ourselves to new ideas
- test them out well before it matters
- implement the best
... using our common sense, listening to our inner voice, for the win.
Are there good coaches and consultants.
Absolutely.
As the great Charlie Munger said...
... Show me the incentive, and I'll show you the outcome.
===
166.4 lbs/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 0 box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/172/-12 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FAMILY FIRST. REALLY?
LOOKING AROUND AMONGST OUR FRIENDS we often see what really drives them. It's not at the races or the slaying rides where this shows up...
... it's at the events they miss.
Huh?
Yeah.
You know, we have this epic ride coming up.
It's not race, it's a social adventure.
From the beach to the mountains...
... the kind of thing you wanna do for the pure challenge.
And.
To blow your friends' minds...
... Yeah, I rode from Dana Point to Big Bear last Saturday.
WHAT?!
Yep, really fun.
No way!
Here's the dill.
A few have shared...
- planning Xterra with daughter
- family half marathon with most of family in Long Beach
- flying to Chicago to support daughter at Chicago marathon
... their reasons for missing this year.
Here's what I can tell ya about each one of these cats...
... they have grown awesome, loving families.
Nothing better.
In case weekend of 10.10 is open for you...
... it's an open invite: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit-collection
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 105 push ups, 21 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 50 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/168/-8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ANY SYSTEMS READY TO GO?
WE ALL WANNA BE BETTER, at least that's what we tell ourselves. Anybody listening to us drone on about the initiatives we're gonna take...
... might possibly be convinced we really want the prize.
But, do we?
Could our actions convict us?
Better question.
What's it gonna take?
Not the big crazy actions,
that's for sure.
We'll never get those done,
because they are big and crazy.
The real secret...
... having a system to be a little better every day.
And, sticking to it.
One of my systems is to weigh myself each morning. I get instant feedback on the previous day(s) nutrition choices. It's a simple way to stay in tune with any changes I may have/have not made...
... like I'm thinking my adding 5lbs in the last month is a direct result of the predicted 2-3% gain predicted by consistent creatine intake.
Worth it?
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 105 push ups, 21 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 50 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/168/-8 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SIRMIXALOTS GRAND MASTER GRAVEL
DEPENDING ON THE LOCALE, there can be a lot of ways to get out and cover some ground. Some areas are all paved, others all single track, others lots of gravel...
... they're all a blast.
Which is best?
I dunno.
But, I can tell you this, where we are, mixing it up on a gravel bike is a great way to get out...
... and skip most of the lights, and traffic.
Like today.
The first 90 minutes were mostly dirt...
... with nearly 30 minutes at threshold or above.
Meeting up with a slaying group ride on the road...
... pushed me to my limits and stacked on the intensity.
From there it was a JRA road, gravel and single track.
I love rides that...
- mix up the surfaces
- skip most high traffic areas
- and traverse lots of interesting terrain
... for the pure adventure.
The biggest and best one of the year is just 4 weeks away...
- Sunrise to sunset
- from Dana Point
- to Big Bear
... and you're invited.
All the details are here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit-collection 
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit-collection
===
166.8 lbs/12.8%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 0 box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-29 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Foreign Influence, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
JRA
BEING THE DEDICATED ADDICTS that we are, we eventually learn the jargon that sets us apart from the commoners who consider themselves in the know, but...
... are actually far from it.
Neophytes.
Anybody who's worked in a bike shop, particularly the service area has heard the phrase...
... I was just riding along.
And, said to themselves under muffled breath, while inconspicuously rolling their eyes...
... JRA.
What follows JRA...
- my X broke
- my Y stopped working
- my Z fell off and disappeared
... is always entertaining.
Not that it hasn't been heard before,
but the way it is camouflaged...
... as if it is somehow the shop's/mechanic's fault.
Yet, I digress.
Because what I really wanted to point out is how much fun it is to move about the country...
- breathtaking sunrises
- quiet, forgotten roads and trails
- daylight giving way to a moonless, star-filled sky
... and see so many amazing sites.
While we are...
... JRA.
===
167.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 0 box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/144/11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostle, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT FEELING
SOMETIMES when we're out riding, the feeling is just right. Like we could just keep going forever...
... and never stop.
Why is that?
I honestly don't know.
It just happens.
And, when it does it's magical.
Like this evening.
There I was, about an hour in.
On my gravel bike, connecting the...
- trails
- roads
- single tracks
... and missing all the traffic stops and lights.
Slipping into the zone...
- HR 130ish
- PWR 220ish
... slicing through town with nary a stop.
And loving it.
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 30 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/175/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IF I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY TIME THINGS LOOKED HOPELESS...
FOR BETTER OR WORSE, as athletes we are really, really good at enduring. When things look absolutely hopeless...
... we press on.
Is that a good thing?
That's an honest question...
... with an unknowable answer.
Because choices stack.
Accumulate.
Tangent: when I had my pager business, my landlord, an old sage and jeweler by trade, told me the worst thing he ever did was keep switching careers. That it was best to lock in, and go in search of mastery.
Welp, I could see the writing on the wall and sold the pager business.
After that, I took his advice,
and can honestly say:
If I had a dollar for every time things looked hopeless and gave up...
... I'd be broke.
In sports...
... we be _____?
In relationships...
... we be _____?
As students...
... we be _____?
There is, of course, a point where things are hopeless, and we gotta/outta sell, but, if there's anything most of us can bank on it's that...
... there is such a thing as a second wind.
Reaching the finish/the goal usually just takes a little more than we initially thought we could give.
And, so, we endure.
===
166.2 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 30 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/175/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT PERSONAL, IT'S...
SOMEHOW WE FEEL IT'S OKAY to do whatever it takes to win, even if it means clobbering our friends. Ok, not all of us, but...
... definitely some of us.
We might feel, think, say...
... It's not personal, it's racing.
Shoot, one of my frenemies said this to me after a recent race post sucking my wheel for miles...
... Sorry about doing you dirty back there.
All that to say, It's okay to make things personal.
Not all things.
But, I'm definitely making The Wall personal.
It's the next to last climb...
- .88 miles
- 7.1% average grade
- my PR is 4:16, Kevin Vermaerke (yeah, the UAE one) owns the KOM, 3:06
... on our Tuesday Morning World Championships.
While I'm not sure I'll ever best my current PR, set 8 years ago on a perfect day...
- weight down in the 150s
- great pace set by Zach Lloyd
- amazing road bike I shouldn't have sold
... I do wanna get back to regularly hitting 4:40ish vs the 5:24 I did today.
When we set personal challenges like this,
it's motivating only to ourselves,
but pays off everywhere else.
It's fitness and mental fortitude we can tap into on demand.
===
166.6 lbs/12.6%
6ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 00 box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/176/-16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S TOO HARD TO EXPLAIN
DO WE KNOW WHY we do really hard stuff? I mean, really? We keep doing them. Like a young mother who, during the midst of labor, swears she'll never go through childbirth another time...
... and choosing to do it again.
There's something we know,
but can't put our fingers on.
As the great Carl Jung put it...
... Man needs difficulties. They are necessary for health.
It's not the difficulty that repeatedly pulls us back...
... it's the joy we experience on the other side.
Like the insanity of starting a gravel ride at Dana Point, in predawn hours...
- pavement
- to gravel
- to singletrack
- to gravel
- to pavement
- to single track
- to gravel
... and clearing the final summit above Big Bear, as the sun drifts away.
If we did alone, it would be courageous...
... if we did it with friends, it would be the memory of a lifetime.
As the great Terry from Mesa told me today...
- it's your 6th year
- I'm feeling fit
- I'm coming
... I'm always busy.
I'm in.
Are you?
===
Do you know any of these cats?
Previous Finishers
Henri Kavaja (1)
Michael Gould (1)
Richard Brown (3)
Mike Maderos (1)
Richard Ramsey (3) <12 (1)
Josh Wolff (2)
Chris Hill (1) <12 (1)
Spencer Roundy (3)
Michael Foster (4)
Ron Barrett (1)
Todd Brown (4) <12 (1)
Terry Butler (1)
Brennan Sizemore (1)
(times finished)
<12 - completions under 12 hours elapsed time.
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 00 box jumps, heel and toe raises
154/139/15 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
AN ADVENTUROUS PACE
A TRUE ADVENTURE requires a pace that is fast enough to get to the destination, yet slow enough that all can...
... make it to the finish.
It's a fine line.
Shackleton had is crew on a boat.
Pacing wasn't the issue...
- hazardous journey
- low wages
- bitter cold
- long hours of complete darkness
- honor and recognition in event of succeess
... so much as outright danger.
In this case,
all the men needed was the hope of success.
Which is what a proper pace should be...
... given an adventure of epic proportions.
The Surf N Summit may not be a novel exploration of the Antarctic, but it does require...
- manageable heart rate, low power
- lots of food and drink
- solid equipment
... because, it's a legit journey from the sands of Dana Point to the peaks of the San Bernardino mountains above Big Bear.
If you're in, go here now: https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-california-10-10-26
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, 30 box jumps, heel and toe raises
156/153/3 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SELLING ADVENTURE
WE SHOULDN'T NEED TO BE SOLD on adventure. It's in our DNA. Yet, often we are distracted and timechallenged and thinking...
... we are way too busy.
But,
life is short.
And,
as the great Ferris Bueller said...
... it comes at you fast.
Adventures, however...
- can be daunting
- involve the unknown
- create lasting memories
... which is why we go for them.
Especially, if we are/have...
... enlisted our posse.
On October 10th, we'll be riding the Surf N Summit for the sixth time this year.
The first two times...
- massive heatwave
- crazy early snowstorm
... we failed.
Last year, for the first time, everyone made the summit before sunset.
it's not for the timid,
those afraid to fail,
the unprepared...
... it's for the adventurous souls who dare what others fear to dream.
https://www.strava.com/activities/16111728104
===
165.2 lbs
7.8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
1560175/-15 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE RING LEADER
EVERY COMMUNITY has a ringleader. The cat who's constantly inviting to do some ride or run or adventure or race. They're usually mostly fun...
... and sometimes absolute slayers.
Even that's fun.
Why does the ringleader lead?
Because, literally, the more the merrier.
Who appoints the ringleader?
Nobody, it's more of an inner calling.
Who supports the ringleader?
Those looking for a good time.
Who pays the ringleader?
Everyone,
just by showing up.
Somecommunities don't have a ringleader...
... they're waiting for us to show up.
And lead.
===
164.8 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 30 push ups, 6 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
151/122/28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
WHEN IT GETS ROUGH
IT DOESN'T TAKE A GENIUS to know we can go faster over a smooth surface than we can over rough terrain. That's why the most powerful sprinters...
... race on the track.
Indoors at the highest levels.
The rest of us get it done over...
- new tarmac
- gravel roads
- rowdy single track
... whatever we get served up.
Where we still need to put down the power,
whether sprinting or just plain ol' racing.
Here's the dill.
If we only ever train our sprinting on the most perfectist of surfaces...
... we're probably gonna stink it up, when it gets rough.
Practicing stomping on the pedals when it's...
- chunky
- slippery
- torn to pieces
... is a skill worth honing.
We've got to be able to perform excellently over all conditions.
When it gets challenging lower pressure in the tires is better...
- roll faster
- better grip
- faster cornering
... just like is in our souls when life gets topsy turvy.
Lower the pressure.
Which reminds me of a dear friend, the great Fritz Tomasello. who insisted we add backpack straps to the RaceDay bag...
... so he could carry his bike from the car to the track.
That's how pristine the indoor tracks are.
===
164.8 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 55 push ups, 11 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/138/16 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CHALLENGES CALL
THAT MONUMENTAL CHALLENGE calls to us, challenging us to prepare and be ready and we answer the call with all we've got. Not just going through the motions...
... this time.
Willing to do the impossible.
We've tried before.
Many times.
Only to fail.
Shattered.
We reconstitute.
To vanquish.
Yet again.
Not trying, doing...
.. the impossible.
===
165.6 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 80 push ups, 16 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
157/151/5 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN
MIND CONTROL is a thing. Especially on the start line when the energy is sky high due to...
... a cocktail of tapering and caffeine.
It
takes
real focus.
Just look at your "resting heart rate"...
... pumping like an outta shape donut eater on an outta control treadmill.
We aren't even moving,
because we are thinking about everything.
How do we calm that down,
achieve serenity?
This is important because if we don't get control our emotions we're going to be leaking all kinds of energy we're going to need later on.
Here are my top 5...
5. breathe deep, breathe slow
4. take in the craziness in the competitors' faces and just laugh - cuz it is funny
3. sit on the top tube, rest on the bars
2. close your eyes and trust your training
... and drumroll
... 1. race more so these feelings are welcomed
Oh, one more.
For hecksakes...
... get to the venue early.
Like 2 hours early so we can go through our launch sequence calmly.
Which brings up the ohso obvious.
Have your raceday bag loaded the night before, with everything you (could) possibly need.
Ok.
There's a lot more,
but those are the basics...
... before we unleash our mighty fury.
===
165.6 lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
158/157/0 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Apostles, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THERE REALLY AN OFFSEASON?
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN FITNESS if there are offseaons? It's a fair question and one that deserves...
... a fair answer.
I have my theory.
And it goes like this...
- get after it 2x/week
- keep stacking the base
- never get out of our routine
... there is no offseason.
But, there is an onseason.
What's the difference?
Look, we have to have a baseline of fitness.
For me, that means being somewhat respectable on the group rides.
If I let my fitness drop the point where I'm getting dropped quick,
that's dialed back too much.
When it's onseason, that means...
- I'll be charging the group rides
- stacking more endurance miles
- perfecting the every aspect of the routine
... everything gets dialed up.
Yeah, I thought of this as I yanked the gravel wheels off,
and mounted the road wheels.
Sticking with my commitment to hit the Tuesday Morning World Championships tomorrow...
... and shoot for a respectable sub-5 minute up The Wall.
===
166.2 lbs
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 20 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
153/123/29 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT'S NEXT?
THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL. Things haven't changed much. Some sit in back semicheckedout...
... others up front and eager.
Just like a new race season.
As we head into fall...
- there's still a mess of events calling out to us
- bombarding our inboxes
- popping in the socials
... we still have choices.
Before we choose what's next...
- goals accomplished
- unforgettable memories
- regrets of missed or untaken opportunites
... reflecting/celebrating/acknowledging might be the best next event.
===
165.2 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 60 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
156/142/14 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MORE AI SLOP?
UNDERSTANDING AI QUERIES, for most of us, is like understanding pig latin. If we don't have the key...
... it's meaningless.
Want proof?
Ok.
Rider X is a fast,
and uncoached.
Prepping for an upcoming, highly competitive gravel race...
... he had a sit down with Coach ChatGPT.
The recommended protocol?
Mostly endurance, but per ChatGPT I should as some higher zone work at the end of the ride to simulate race conditions.
Am I the only one who sees a problem with that?
Other than the fact that every romping gravel race I've ever done has started out like an XC race...
- completely pinned until the selections are made
- threatening to settle in before hitting it hard, again
- to the eventual war of attrition where riders finish mostly alone
... I'd say it's spot on.
lol.
So, yeah, as long as everyone agrees to save it to the last 30 mins then Coach Chat has it nailed.
In training...
- most of roll out,
- then, gradually warm up
- finally put in some good efforts
... which is probably why things unfold as they do.
Look, there are certain people I ping for their opinion knowing that whatever they suggest...
... the opposite is the best course of action.
With Coach Chat, it's not Be careful what you ask for as much as its...
... Be careful how you ask.
===
164.6 lbs
7.5ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
160/163/-3 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GETTING DESTROYED FOR THE WIN
SINCE IT'S SO TEMPTING to sandbag, we should never be surprised that it goes on. At all competitive levels...
... it's a thing.
But,
why?
To get an easy V.
Where's the victory in that?
For the day to day group rides and non-A races...
... we should be lining up the monsters.
Who are going to push to our very limits...
... destroy us.
That's winning.
Ya know what else it is?...
... putting ourselves in position to win the ones that matter.
===
164 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
153/120/33 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
>
WHY DO BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS to get stronger on the bike. Whether we want to climb better, fly on the flats or lay down obscene sprints...
... we need more power.
How do we get it?
Akshully go to a gym,
lift heavy at home,
body weight.
They all work.
Lately, I've been in love with the body weight stuff.
Not just the pullup an pushup stuff...
... but, high rep leg work.
Till.
It.
Burns.
Yeah, it produces the same I can barely walk feeling...
... after rattling 'em off.
And, I'm rightly winded to prove it.
The reason I'm really digging these is...
- plain ol' grinding up a long climb
- pushing hard the final minute to the top
- poking my nose in the wind for way longer than normal
... the fatigue resistance it seems to be building.
I feel the fatigue building,
and I seem to be able to deal with it better than high weight, low rep.
It feels so good,
I love it.
===
163.8 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 50 split squats, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/128/27 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING
MOST OF US, all of us, learned to run, swim and ride a bike at an early age. It came naturally to run, the bike a little coaxing, swimming a few pointers...
... and we were off.
Am I missing something?
Oh, yes.
Faith.
It took faith to put the coaxing and pointers into play and...
... realize we weren't gonna drown or fall over.
If, we'd just keep moving.
===
Designed this t-shirt, and realized why I love it so much.
Every successful racer begins with...
- 0 Starts
- 0 Wins
- 0 Fans
... the only difference between them and everyone else is they keep showing up.
Moving.
===
164.6 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 30 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
158/138/19 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DOORS BLOWN OFF?
OCASSIONALLY, after an A race we might back it down for a few days. Then, think to ourselves...
... we really outta do something with this fitness and rest.
But, usually there's a problem.
Most of us, especially me, think we are resting and therefore recovered and hence ready to slay it.
I mean, if the metric are indicating it like mine were this morning...
... by golly let's get after it.
Welllllll, a funny thing happened on the final seven mile stretch.
Rather than romping like a renegade,
I limped like a lost loner.
It hurt,
I pulled the plug.
How could I have so misjudged my freshness...
- 81 mi
- 11 hrs
- 9,665'
... because last week 4 rides were far from restful.
I should been spinning the flats rather than grinding the climbs.
When I finally managed to make it home,
I thought might as well upload and see how badly my doors were blown off...
... Your highest power output for 30 seconds in 2026!
Oh...
... now what if we actually rested?
===
164.6 lbs
7 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/97/54 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CAUSING EFFECT
MAKING PLANS for the upcoming event can be nerve-racking because there is so much unknown. There are really only...
... two paths forward.
It's gonna tricky,
it's gonna be awesome.
I was thinking about this, watching the highlights of Leadville.
There was our PEDALindustries flag,
right on the course,
where I imagined it.
Not just any part of the course, but a part of the course which was only open to racers who qualified much faster than me.
But, I really wanted to be there, too.
At Lost Canyon.
In my mind, it was a superior location for my feed zone.
So, made the 12' flags weeks prior to traveling.
Figuring it was gonna happen,
seeing them on course in my mind.
How'd we get the flag there?
First, I applied for a lottery to gain access.
Next, a blog reader and customer reached out and invited me to use his access to the area.
Then, I was informed I'd lotteried in to the zone myself.
That my friends is a magical way to live called...
... causing effect.
===
164.8 lbs
8 hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 50 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/97/54 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ONE REASON EATING HEALTHY MATTERS
SOMETIMES WE'RE ON POINT with our food choices, other times, for a variety of reasos...
... we fall off the wagon.
What's the damage?
Over the course of a lifetime,
probably nothing.
If it's occasional.
As the great Tim Ferriss advocated in The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman...
... having a cheat day once a week won't kill us.
Might be helpful.
Honestly, I'm not 100% sure about that.
Here's what I do know.
If my cheat day is Sunday, and I go all in on the cheating...
... I'm likely to wake up a few pounds heavier on Monday, than I was on Friday.
Which is not really the point I wanted to share.
When I whipped up a salad today, with fresh veggies and Safe Catch tuna...
... all I could think about was how good this was going to be for my body.
That kind of thinking matters,
more than some might think.
===
165ish lbs
9sh hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 50 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
155/108/46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The Last Patriot, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The entire works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE IMPORTANT THINGS
RETURNING HOME after a weekend or week(s) away on an adventure is usually awesome. The trip may have been amazing...
... but, not as much as what we left behind.
I was reminded of this today.
On a sweltering summer day,
we pushed through LA traffic...
... in time for a little family get together.
There really is nothing that compares.
===
164ish lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/125/34 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THREESY DOES IT
DESTINATION RACES AND RIDES always bring their own challenges. One of them can be altitude, and the big question there is...
... how soon do we need to go up?
Give us a rule.
Oldtimers have a saying...
... three weeks or three minutes.
Anything else is subpar.
On the extremes, the very best I ever felt was after 6 weeks.
The worst was driving 15 hours from sea level on a Thursday,
then racing on Saturday.
Which got me thinking after yesterday's final ride above 10,000'...
- sprinting
- climbing
- bombing
... I finally felt pretty darn good.
Confirming the broscience...
... threesy does it.
===
164ish lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/125/34 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BE STILL MY BEATING HEART
OH, THE TRAINING METRICS! They overwhelm, underencourage, lead us like a ring through our nose, promise us magic, and...
... and in the end distract us.
Potentially.
But, what about HR?
What does it really tell us?
For me, racing anything over 90ish minutes, heart rate is key.
Representing a pace I can hang onto...
- elevation
- weather
- terrain
... how I will perform regardless of the conditions.
Which reminds me of one of my favorite passages...
... As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
===
163.8 lbs
8ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/151/13 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing, Old Testament
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S EASY TO FORGET
WHEN WE HIT REALLY HIGH LEVELS OF FITNESS, we are able to do so much more. We can climb, descend, go for miles...
... with relative ease.
It's really fun.
Sometimes, with all the focus of being our best we neglect to unzip a bit and go with the flow.
I was thinking about that today,
rolling into a well-deserved recovery week.
Starting at 10,600'...
- picking my way through the rocks
- negotiating switchbacks
- searching for traction
... and riding straight up for 30ish minutes.
Taking it easy,
in no hurry.
Thoroughly enjoying the low speed challenges going up...
... while testing my willingness to keep my fingers off the brake levers going down.
The other thing we/I forget is hardly anybody on the planet can do this and...
... find it relaxing and rejuvenating.
But, we can.
'Cause we're fit,
fortunate,
blessed.
===
163.6 lbs9ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 50 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
165/156/9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PARDON THE BRAIN DAMAGE
GETTING OVER AN INJURY is a process. If we're fortunate, every day we see progress. Sometimes it's inpercptible and frustating, other times it's...
... so rapid we think we're better.
Overdoingit often follows.
Not realizing we have a ways to go.
I'm not sure this falls in that category, but I did have a TBI 2 1/2 years ago...
... and I forgot I already wrote The Leadville Letters.
How I get it done at the race across the sky.
Here are a few snippets:
Intro
ONCE UPON A TIME, A FRIEND ASKED IF I'D COACH HIM TO RACE THE LEADVILLE 100. So, I fired off an email every day... with homework.
Some of the information is tactical for Leadville... like the actual secret shtuff that's helped me go sub 9 hours on all 7 attempts and snagging a PR 20 years after the first go...
... the going 7:57 at 60 y/o in 2022.
But, more importantly, the letters reveal concepts which may be applied to any ride or race likely to leave nothing but the residue of who you are when it's over.
If you're planning to get your head handed to you at Unbound or BWR... or, just want to do an epic attack on your local mountains you love the Leadville Letters.
===
No. 1 Well, HI THERE!
Are you ready to get started?
Each day you're going to get an email from me that will likely be extremely entertaining and motivational... don't let that blind you into skipping the homework.
It's going to seem easy at first and you're going to be asking yourself what the heck did I pay for?
Don't fret.
The goal is to win Leadville (more on what that means) and Leadville wasn't conquered in a day.
Stay tuned, I'm counting on you to follow through.
XOXO, tb
===
from No. 5
HOMEWORK
How and when do you start your taper – what is a taper?
What do you eat the day before, the race morning breakfast, and while you’re racing?
What does work look like for you most Fridays and how do you hack your way out of doing too much work?
What do you wear so the support team can see you?
Do you have a RaceDay Bag?
Email me the answers along with your calendar.
There’s a lot to figure out, and having it dialed early will make each and every race more and more successful.
No. 14 NEGATIVE SPLIT
IF YOU'VE PACED YOURSELF CORRECTLY, you will do a negative split at Leadville.
By negative split, I mean you will cover the second 52 miles faster than the first.
Huh?
What?
I will?
Heck yes you will!
But only if you do your pacing right.
from NO. 18 CREATURE COMFORTS
I never wrote this email... this is the point John dropped out. In fact, I’m not really sure what it was going to be about. I only wrote the headline...
===
There's a taste... I'm going to update all 30 letters, put it in book form, and include massive margins so you can make all kinds of notes. It'll be rad.
===
163.6 lbs9ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 25 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 25 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
165/15411 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN IT DOESN'T GO RIGHT, THEN WHAT?
WHEN THINGS GO SIDEWAYS, and it's not what we planned, had on the agenda, or would wish on our worst enemy...
... then what do we do?
It's easy to advise from the sidelines.
Harder when it's happening.
Think about what a few of my friends faced...
- Body not responding to altitude to the point of barely being able to move.
- Being taken out when the rider ahead crossed wheels, crashing and suffering an AC separation and road rash on the face
- Having a major need to go number two at 12,000' and not porta potty nor trees in sight
- Realizing your shifter batter is dead at the bottom of the first major climb, 8 miles from the start
... at Leadville 2026.
Half were able to finish,
half pulled the plug...
... none logged a time they were capable of had things gone perfectly.
And that's the dill.
Thangs always be changin.
Ideally, we...
- review
- apply
- learn
... come out better for it.
We grab onto that hope,
refuse to let go,
regroup...
... and charge forward to the next challenge.
===
163.4 lbs
9ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 75 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 75 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/156/9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
BUCKLE UP!
ONCE WE FIGURE OUT how to survive and thrive at anything we have two choices...
... share it, or keep it to ourselves.
Neither one is necessarily wrong.
In fact, it might be necessary ...
- the family treasure
- the hidden path to beauty
- the knowledge we use to provide
...to safeguard our survival.
If it's not,
or if we're feeling generous,
or we're just super excited to share what we've discovered...
... what are we to do?
Personally, I've already written one book.
In fact, I ran into a customer in Leadville who shared his sister bought him the book, and he read it several times.
It's short,
and to the point.
This morning my friend Kevi pinged me...
- how many times have you started Leadville?
- how many times have you finished?
- how many big buckles?
... 8, 8, 8.
I've been very committed,
and very fortunate.
Which got me thinking...
... maybe it's time to write another book?
===
icymi
===
163.4 lbs
9ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/180/-11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: The First Commandment, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FASTER AND SHORTER DOESN'T MEAN...
RACING LEADVILLE WASN'T ON THE CALENDAR in January. I had my sights on a few other events, one of them was Sea Otter with the friends...
... then I qualified.
Uh oh.
The last time I raced it I started planning a year out, this time I had four months to put my plan together.
I was already testing a new training program...
- more strength work
- more intensity
- more sprints
... and it was going to be fun to see how it would translate.
The impetus was to try and hang on to my dwindling power as I age, because my real long rangl Leadville goal is go sub-9 at 70.
Here's how it went down.
Last fall, I scored a nearly new Epic World cup on Pink Bike.
The perfect bike for me on this course - a little slower downhill, faster uphill.
Fueling was 100% liquid...
- USWE 2L to bottom of Columbine - I kinda regretted that because the pack is so tight when full I felt it restricted my breathing
- Camelback up Columbine is just easy to drink than bottles
- bottles the rest of the way
... CarboRocket, 333 calories/hour.
40 degrees on start line, dawned our Fly Vest, fleece arm warmers, and skull cap. Dumped it all before Columbine.
Tires.
Ugh!
The stress.
Chatted up the Conti crew about my recent punctures on Friday.
Yeah, running the Race Rapid Dubnital is a bit risky. I'd go with Trail version.
Oh, can I buy some.
No, we don't sell at events.
(Come on Conti - make some money and help a brother out.)
Would you run inserts?
They aren't really going to help with the punctures you're experienced, and I think they might make things worse because of tension created on the sidewall.
Crank up the pressure?
Mmmm, not gonna do much.
Bummer.
What are your athletes running?
Oh, they're all running Race Rapids, same as you.
With that, I left the inserts in. No time to remove the . Ran 20lbs up front, 22 in back.
A little bouncy, but I planned to send it on the DHs.
Leadville sends waves of riders off, based on how your time at one of their qualifiers.
I was in green.
Most of my friends and competitors started in the waves ahead.
Which meant, they rolled out either 5 minutes ahead of me or 2 1/2 minutes ahead of me.
Note: in 2022, I qualified for Silver and was beat by a guy who started behind me.
I took solace in that, hope that if I could catch up I technically had the lead.
Gotta have something to prod us on.
Halfway up the first 30ish minute climb we connected with the wave ahead.
Ok.
That's cool.
Here the course changed, due to the Willow fire.
At the top, we popped out onto pavement. Rather than going right, and racing over to the hardest and most technical part of the course, we went left and rode pavement all the way around.
Here, the goal was to plummet like a demon at latch onto the faster climbers.
The long game is to work together.
Back on the dirt, we had some punchy climbs.
It's so tempting to hit it for 1-3 minutes,
better to ease off and save it for the torture to come.
Course knowledge helped me here, I was able to pick my moments and scoot ahead when things to technical.
Even leap up to the next group.
Surfgirl was easy to spot next to the 12' PEDALindustries flag we had on course.
Packs swapped out, it was time to grind.
There is always a point at races like this where I/we say...
... What the heck am I doing? This is stupid, and it hurts.
Usually it's because we are barely moving due to fatigue or conditions.
In this case, it was being alone with riders strung across the mountain ahead of me.
I settled in.
My plan to keep HR in the 150s wasn't working,
it was in the 140s.
Power seemed okay, so whatevs press on.
I yelled at the photog, Here's your chance to get some good slowmo shots!
Humor helps in these sitchyashuns.
Because I started behind, and because we're now all just doing what we can to get up this 90 min climb, over 12,600'...
... we really have no idea where we are in comparison to others or how or when we'll actually finish.
It's terrible.
Lonely.
The top of this years course was back to the originally route, which meant rather than simply turning around we went a little further then down 150 yards...
... climbing out of that I always find heartbreaking.
Now here's the fun part.
Bombing back down the narrowish top, not only are we skirting around lots of rocks, but thousands of riders are still coming up.
Sometimes single file,
sometimes four abreast.
They're barely moving,
I'm doing anywhere from 20-40 mph,
on steep, loose gravel with morning light strobing through the aspens.
It's gnarly,
and I love it.
From the bottom on back to the finish,
it's pretty much the same as every other year.
No one can really help or pace together,
we're all just doing our thing and hope it works.
There's no moto riding up to give you updates on how it's going.
It's just going.
That paved descent we bombed down, was relentless and eternal on the return.
Finally, back on the last legit dirt section, I decided to just have fun.
I was alone in the mountains, it was beautiful, I felt pretty good.
Even stopped to pee.
I never do this, but man I really had to go.
It takes forever.
And, I'm thinking...
... I wonder if I'm screwing up my finishing time in comparison to others.
Feeling a lot better, I pedal on.
When all of the sudden a rider blows by me.
Crap.
Is that who I think it is?
He's uncorked going down the very descent that has sent more than one rider to hospital..
Gotta go.
We link up at the bottom.
Yep.
Good thing I got on it.
We test each other all the way back to town,
up the long and dusty dirt road called the Boulevard.
At the final turn,
he turns on the afterburners and puts a big gap between us.
I'm cool with that...
... cuz it ain't 2 1/2 minutes.
I didn't mail it in, I still went as hard as I could, barely able to stay upright as I crossed the line.
This year's course may have been shorter and faster, but...
... I was as smoked as ever.
It was fun to meet Roy in person, I'd supported his LUX team with raceday bags for a number of years.
===
164.3 lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/180/-11 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Takedown, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
TRAVELING TO AN EVENT can feel lonely. Especially, if we are going alone. Or, even if we know a few people...
... it's not like being at home.
Where we have our stuff,
and our friends to bail us out.
Here I am, 10,000' above mi casa, in need of some mechanical assistance, and who do I see in the Shimano booth?...
... none other than the great Robert Plumb.
He's from home,
repping and supporting Shimano in Colorado.
In no time, he's got things figured out for me.
It was a shock thing, but I was still sheepish about handing him over my SRAM XX clad bike.
Being the pro he is...
- the new Shimano XTR wireless set up
- the down country brake levers
- the XC calipers
... he educated me on the latest and greatest.
And, I gotta tell ya...
... Mrs Santa better quit blowin' her money on bikinis and surfwax.
===
161.8 lbs
7ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
156/111/46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Blowback, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PREDICTIONS
DEPENDING ON OUR LEVEL, the type of event, and a whole host of other factors, we may or may not be shooting for the podium. Let's be honest...
... most of the time we're going for the challenge.
But, the pros aren't.
They're going for...
- money
- glory
- fame
... the win.
The rest of us are shooting for some sort of PR and/or bragging rights over our friends and frenemies.
All good.
Here's my prediction for Leadville 2026...
- Quinn
- Keegan
- Cam
... for the Pro men.
And...
- Sofia
- Melisa
- Rosa
... for the Pro women.
And, lil' ol' me..
... my palms are sweating...
... break 7:30.
Seems fast, given my current fitfatness.
But, like I said, few plan on winning.
PS... yes, I do have a few other targets besides time for the race... will report on that later, don't wanna jinx it.
===
162 lbs
9ish hours sleep
540ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 25 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 5 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/113/46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Blowback, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOST AND FOUND
TAPERING ISN'T A RELIEF, quite the opposite. It's stressful in that we aren't doing what we're used to doing. Instead, we're doing...
... less, different and/or none.
Our routine is broken.
We try and hang onto it, but being disciplined creates an inharmonious tension with rest and recovery.
That was the path I was on as I rolled out this morning.
Strava maps said it would take 36 minutes,
I planned to go so easy it would stretch out to an hour.
Oh...
... the best laid plans.
Not so suddenly, I find myself in an enchanted forest...
- climbing
- winding around
- wiggling over rocks and roots
... more than I anticipated.
An hour in, the town is nowhere in sight, maps shows I'm miles from where I want to be.
I'm lost.
I come to a fork in the trail, and choose right because...
... it's going straight down.
The next five miles ...
- fast
- paralleling a stream
- bridges and jumps and berms
... some of the funnest single track I've ridden years.
I drop into Frisco, miles from where I'm staying in Breckinridge.
And realize...
... I've found my mojo.
Tapering is overrated,
having fun, the original motivation,
is what it's all about.
===
161. lbs
9ish hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/133/33 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Blowback, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GETTING REAL
THE CLOSER THE START LINE, the more real the event becomes. The visions of glory, the angst of readiness, maybe some travel or some distraction...
... there is stress and relief.
Then there's the finish.
But, before all that...
... there was a spark of ingenuity to create the what we are all eagerly anticipating.
In the case of Leadville, the town, the spark came from an explosion in the mine.
Or, should I say implosion?
Where the mine that employed the entire town, provided every job, all the tax revenue for schools and a hospital...
... shut down.
In a day.
No warning.
No jobs.
No money.
Anywhere.
From the darkest hours and days and months was born the Leadville Trail 100 running race.
As the founder said...
... We'll run 'em a hundred miles from the highest city in North America and by golly they'll have to spend at least one night in town.
That's how we'll save this town we love.
I could leave this post there...
... but, really, it begs the question...
... why are we motivated to put ourselves through the many truly insane events we pursue so passionately?
It's not Kirkegaard's What doesn't kill me makes me stronger...
- grit
- determination
- being unstoppable
... it's the lessons we learn along the way.
(That pic up there is of Ken and Merilee, this evening at a frontyard bbq, the dynamic duo who grew an event from nothing and in the process saved a town, raised millions of dollars for the local kids to attend college, and gave many thousands of us an unforgettable experience to race at over 10,000'.)
===
161.6 lbs
8ish hours sleep
550ish anti-oxidant level
Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/144/22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: Blowback, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SAW SOMETHING AMAZING TODAY
I'D HEARD ABOUT IT, and looked forward to seeing it in person. The race director had kindly nudged and nudged and nudged me, until I drove
... 500 miles to see it for myself.
A miracle?
Close.
Why?
Because of this people.
How do you gather two thousand five hundred teenage racers, plus their coaches, family and friends in the foothills...
... for a mountain bike race?
Love.
Love for riding mountain bikes,
Love the kids who are racing
their hearts out,
Love for the volunteers...
... thousands of them.
Then, I pre-rode the 6 mile course.
It was tough.
Rocky.
Uh oh,
maybe they don't love these kids after all?
During practice racers were stacked up waiting to take a crack at the rocky climb.
Following that was some fast, flowy single track,
broken up with sections of razor sharp lava,
followed by low speed, large
granite boulder riding.
Tires would be shredded,
wheels ruined.
The evidence rolled by throughout the day,
plenty of banged up limbs
bikes being pushed...
... nearly all smiles.
A different kind of love,
that of being tested,
showing mastery.
Tough.
Love.
Credit Dallin Atack, the brains behind it all, for making it happen
What did I learn from this?
- Clear vision of what is going to happen
- Plenty of volunteers who care
- Excellent training
- Community
The secret is good feelings for each other.
Teams of 100 or more kids all lined up in neat rows,
lots of chairs and shade to hang out,
plenty of food being cooked.
This isn't just a race,
it's a lifestyle.
And, I love it.
---
163ish
7 hrs
no strength training
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
THE INCREDIBLE BEING OF WEIGHTLESSNESS
THERE IS A FEELING that most people never experience. I had it today. Many times. If only we felt this, not just once, but often...
... maybe there'd be a little more hope.
Weightlessness.
Not the kind during an Oh shift! moment.
Or, the butt puckering kind.
The kind that brings joy.
With the proper speed,
just right amount of lift in the whoops,
we are airborne, flying without a concern in the world.
It's a physical experience,
with a spiritual counterpart.
No matter what kind of pressures
I'm feeling or dealing with...
... they are gone when I'm weightless.
I learned of a tragedy that struck a friends' familiy,
the weight had become too much to handle for a young soul...
... how do we become whoops to those who need to take a load off?
That's not the right question,
everybody needs a whoop from time to time...
... how can we be better whoops to those we love?
---
161.7
6 hrs (early start to UT)
no strength training
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
ARE YOU HEAD STRONG?
WHAT IF ALL THE TIME WE PUT IN, in the saddle, could be improved by spending a few minutes a day doing mental work? Would it be worth it? Would you do it, or...
... are you too headstrong?
Some people are saying...
... If there isn't a scientific study, can't be worthy of my time.
Ok.
But, for those who are open to new ideas...
... I think there are neuromuscular connections we often over look.
For example, pedaling with one leg clipped in using a very easy gear on flat or nearly flat ground will quickly identify any dead spots in our pedal stroke. If we have one...
... doing that exercise several times a week reaps huge rewards.
There was a time, when I'd do that for the first minute or so of each ride. 30 seconds, each leg.
I've blogged ad nauseam about the amazing results I'm having with these 4 exercises:
- Sled
- Nordic Curls
- Toe Raise
- Calf Raise
And, I can't overemphasize developing the discipline of looking only where you want to go, which I screwed up tonight and followed the wrong line into the bushes - pic above.
Here's the dill, to be head strong...
... we must allow time to do its thing and cement in the good practices.
---
162.3
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT A D-1 ATHLETE ON A BIKE?
IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. D-! athlete decides to get a bike. Goes for a ride. Likes it. Quickly advances to the fast group...
... and burns out.
And, I think I know why.
Maybe.
Today, G, who I met out gravel riding joined our peppy morning ride.
On his gravel bike with big knobbies,
finished with the bunch.
It was his very first group ride,
and this ain't an easy one.
On the way back to the start, he let out that he'd played college sports.
Figures.
What should I do to get faster?
Log a lot of easy miles.
Really, sounds counterintuitive. That's not how we did things in college, it was hard, hard, then harder.
Yep, my experience is most people ride too hard, so they can never ride truly hard on the hard days.
Was today hard?
Not really.
I'm gonna get a lot faster.
I have no doubt.
High level athletes are very competitive.
It's in their nature.
Easy to see.
The key is, and I hope I can be helpful, is to make sure it's fun. That's where the Zone 2, easy riding, comes in. Sure, there's immense cardiovascular benefits, but I think the mental side is every bit as important.
The advice I gave him, is no different than any other fit athlete
- Ride hard twice a week
- Zone 2 the rest of the days
Those are the big rocks,
we can get a lot more granular.
There's no need now, he's a busy dad and entrepreneur.
All work and no play,
makes Jonny a dull boy.
I'm sure G is going to redrum me soon (see pic above)...
... just hope it goes on for years.
---
162
7 hrs
No strength training
60 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
SHOULD WE SHIFT GEARS MORE OFTEN?
NOW THAT I'M TRAINING WITH POWER, I find myself shifting gears all the time. Off road, where the terrain is constantly undulating, is when it happens the most and the new SRAM rear derailleur that can be shifted under a load...
... looks like a great upgrade.
Being in the right gear makes all the difference in the world.
We really see this over time, longer races, where efficiency can put our competitors in our dust, or so far back the dust has settled.
Why shift?
Efficiency.
When to shift?
When we are bogging down or spinning out.
Apply that everywhere...
The measure of intelligence is the ability to change (shift) - Albert Einstein
If that's true, and I believe it is, and you are feeling bogged down or spun out, then...
... I have 1 question for you.
When are you going to shift?
---
162
9 hrs
No strength training
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
I'LL DO THE RACE OR RIDE NEXT YEAR
I'VE SAID IT, and I've heard it. We all have, at one time or another. Mostly, the sentiments are genuine, logical, sensible. We want to do something, but we put it off. It is, after all, ...
... just a bike ride or race.
There will be next year.
That's what these guys said.
MG was hit by a car this week,
he'll be fine, the bike not so much.
AS, went to Xterra Worlds,
got food poising and couldn't start.
WH, made it into Kona,
2 months later diagnosed with cancer.
What if it wasn't a bike race, but...
- A phone call to a dormant friendship
- A conversation to say sorry
- A chance to do good
... someone who needed us?
Last week, I got an amazing meal at Chipotle. I can be a kinda high maintenance when I order, so I like to go in person. But, I was pressed for time and ordered online.
Someone made it with passion and care.
I thought I'd try it again the next day, see if the same lady was making magic for the to go orders...
... there she was.
Were you working to go orders yesterday?
Yes.
It was great!
She smiled, I grabbed my food and headed out the door.
Go back and do better.
Huh?
Go back... get your wallet out.
Really?
Really.
Who has cash these days? Seems I have less and less in my raceday wallet, but the night before I'd been impressed to get some cash when checking out at the grocery store.
Just a $20.
Miss?
Yes.
Thank you.
I have no idea if she needed the cash, I only knew...
... sometimes there isn't another race or ride or opportunity.
---
161.2
6 hrs
No strength training
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
WHEN AND HOW WILL YOU RIDE YOUR LONGEST RIDE EVER?
WE ALL KNOW OUR LONGEST RIDE. Might have been last week, last year or decades ago. Might have wrecked us, might have opened our eyes. Bottom line...
... it was memorable.
Epically unforgettable, like it was yesterday.
Part of that, for me, is I couldn't and wouldn't have done any of my longest rides without a friend.
Some one to hatch the plan with,
no matter how stupid it sounds.
My first longest ride was with Tally, my roommate, 6 weeks after purchasing my first road bike. A 125 mile loop, sunrise to sunset through the mountains of Utah.
30 years later, after much shaming from countless friends who'd done it, my next longest ride was LoToJa. 212 miles, just over 9 hours.
Yesterday was the latest. San Clemente to Big Bear. After two failed attempts in 2022, we made it:
- 122 miles,
- 15000' of vert,
- over pavement, gravel and single track.
It started in the dark, (photos below)
a balmy, coastal fall morning.
It ended in the dark.
I'm just gonna say right now, we could easily have died up there.
Sweaty
8000'
35°
But, we didn't.
Josh, Michael and I clocked 14 hours, just under 12 on the bike.
Richard and Terry amazingly finished 3 hours later,
Met at the summit by angels Kevin and Marrissa,
After Kevin's irreparable tire escapade.
Post a hot shower,
Trevor, my son, showed up with hot pizza.
Wrapped in blanket, still shivering I couldn't help but ask...
... Would you do it again?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
We could make a few changes...
- Go when the days a longer
- Streamline Doheny to O'Neill a touch
- Skip the extra miles and 1700' of Grafton (I love)
- Get more people for a stronger paceline across the I.E.
Logistically, we nailed it pretty good.
- Stop in Corona at Speedway minimart
- Stop in Redlands at 7-11
- Hamburger and fries at Angelus Oaks.
Bike choices, it's def a gravel bike ride.
Emergency prep, could have been better:
- Space blanket
- Arm warmers
- Skull cap
Major mistakes on my part:
- Left my bottles at home, turned around and got 'em
- Left them again at Angelus Oaks, pressed on
- Back up batteries for Wahoo and head light
... yeah, we could change a few things.
But, we can't change this.
We made it,
together...
... and it changed us,
for the better.
---
A few stats:
- 300+ calories/hour, mostly carbs
- Average power 179
- Average HR 129
Terry got a "lift" back to OC from Richard.
---
Targeting 6.14.24... put it on your calendar
---
161.3
6.5 hrs
No strength training
0 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
TOMORROW IS D'DAY
SIX OF US GATHERED FOR DINNER. Introductions were made, and I fully expect the niceties of the evening to deepen into bonds of friendship, doing...
... a ride that's never been will do that.
We've got a solid plan, a good route, above average fitness.
But, as the great Mike Tyson said...
... Everybody has a plan until the get punched in the mouth.
I try to think of all the potential punches...
- Flats
- Broken chains
- Dead batteries
- Distracted drivers
- Inclement weather
Over this terrain, anything is possible.
130 miles.
15,000' of climbing.
Road, gravel, single track.
The most likely, of course, is bonking.
We're all fit enough to do it...
... are we wise enough to fuel it?
---
160.3
7.5 hrs
No strength training
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
WHY PILES OF MILES BRINGS SMILES ON RACEDAY
PROS HAVE ALL THE KNOWLEDGE and rarely share it during their careers. If they do, it often lacks relatable context. But, sometimes they drop gold...
... like the famous Eddy Merckx method.
Eddy, how do you dominate every race you enter?
Piles of miles.
The follow up question I would have asked...
... How does that work?
Here are some reasons why piles of miles create smiles.
Implicit in Eddy's quip is repetition.
Repetition makes hard look easy...
.. because our skills increase with more reps.
Where a novice struggles with...
- bonking
- a paceline
- a smooth pedal stroke
- cleaning a techy single track
- carve a swooping turn at max speed
... an experienced racer does it all with ease and grace.
It's not so much genetics,
or being lucky...
... as the reps.
Overtime, it's practically a lock we will become proficient.
Even, expert.
Then there's the endurance component.
If we are riding piles of miles, we can't be full out day after day. That would lead to burnout, and massive fatigue...
... intensity just isn't sustainable in large quantities.
However, we can ride what we moderns call Zone 2.
According to Stephen Seiler, Inigo San Millan and other cutting edge thinkers, we can ride Zone 2 almost endlessly...
... and continue to see gains.
And there's a bonus,
when the opportunity arises,
we can easily ride almost any distance.
Because we've put in the time,
piles of miles,
the reps.
---
160.7
7.75 hrs
Push Ups, Pull Ups, Squats, Nordic Curls
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
SKINNY FAT. WATTS THAT?
IN THE QUEST FOR MAXIMUM FITNESS, it's easy to look for the quick fix. The hack. My pal recently sauntered down this path, and...
... he has transformed his body.
He no longer giggles when he walks,
he's skinny fat.
And, that's a problem.
Not because he has lost a few chins...
... because he is weaker than before,
lost so much muscle.
We don't want to get there,
we run from such evil...
... we want to increase our power to weight ratio.
Where did he go wrong?
It wasn't the magic pill that fooled my pal into eating less,
or the serious surgery others opt for,
those can be a good jump start,
it is the intoxicating effects....
... You weigh less. Yippee! Hoorah! You made it!
Lies.
What would have been significantly better, and be absolutely amazing, is if someone came up with a pill to reframe his thinking...
... I'm an athlete. I fuel my body with sufficient good food and lift weights, to be hella strong!
Which is why you're reading this...
... your daily dose of reframing.
---
162.7
8.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
GOT AN INSANE COMPLIMENT TODAY
IT'S NOT EVERYDAY I get an insane compliment like this. We'd just finished the weekly showdown. It was a rough one, and I finished 3rd. Rare for me...
... and here came the insanity.
Dude rides up to me and pinches my skin,
just above my bent knee,
legs loaded with blood.
Your skin is tight.
Yeah...
You're on testosterone.
Really?
Oh, for sure.
Your background in software sales has come up with this analysis?
Funny.
Well, do explain.
That's the sign, tight skin.
Really, you actually believe that?
Yep.
Ok, let's take a test and find out. I'll pay you $1000 if you're right and you pay me $1000 if you're wrong.
Uh....
End of conversation.
How insane is that experience/compliment?
Who does that????
I'm riding fast,
eating a ton of protein,
adding collagen to my diet,
and lifting weights almost daily...
... so good they think I'm doping.
LOL
I wish he would have taken me up on the bet,
I could use some Christmas money.
Side Note: A dear friend got into body building late in life and slid down the doctor enhanced slope...
... He died two years ago from breast cancer.
... stay away from that $#!7!
Bonus Side Note: I'm open book, if want to know exactly what I'm doing and ask me anything, click here:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/30-day-rip-on-raceday-transformation
Double Bonus: Yes, that is my "tight" skin up there, 8 hours after the most awesome compliment ever... click that link if you want to be so good they call you fake.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/30-day-rip-on-raceday-transformation
---
163
7ish hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Circuit
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS
ON SATURDAY, 10.14, WE ARE RIDING THE SURF N SUMMIT. It's not too late for you to join us. In redoing the routes, I noticed some really good news...
... it's less than 100 miles.
I mean anybody can do that, right?
Just eat enough.
Well....
50% of it is off-road,
some it single track.
And...
There is some climbing,
4600' on the first 38 miles,
and a mere 9000', after that.
Don't forget...
It's gonna be hottish,
in the 80s,
no shade.
Bottom line is, we've attempted this twice and been foiled each time due to insane weather.
How have I prepared?
Lots of Zone 2 miles.
What will I eat?
Honey Stinger Waffles and Costco Crepes.
What will I drink?
Carborocket 'till I run out, then Gatorade.
Any other nutrition?
I love Salt Tabs.
Whatever I can score at a minimart.
Gear?
Lights for the 530am start, hopefully not needed for the finish.
Bug netting for my helmet.
KOM jacket.
Who's going?
The few, the brave, the nutty.
Who's finishing?
All of us...
... it's only 98 miles.
Wanna go? Click Here.
---
164
8ish hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Circuit
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
THE GUARANTEED FORMULA FOR RAPID IMPROVEMENT
WE HAVE THE ANSWER for rapid improvement. It's guaranteed to work. We can show you exactly what to do, but there's a hitch...
... we can't do it for you.
All you have to do is take 2 elements,
add them together,
and get results.
First, FAITH.
Have faith that your plan will work,
and that you can accomplish your dream.
Second, LOVE.
Do it,
because you love it.
Improve it,
because you love it.
Share it with others,
because you love seeing them enjoy it.
Act In Faith,
Do With Love.
Want to...
Set a PR?
Win a race?
Improve your fitness?
Fix things up on the home front?
Act In Faith,
Do With Love.
... make it a great week.
---
163
8ish hrs
No strength work today
10 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
CRACKING THE CODE EVEN MORE
I'M STILL THIRSTY. 80 miles and 6000+ feet of climbing will do that, especially with the Wahoo-exaggerated 111* max temp. We could have turned around early...
... before climbing 2000' up Blackstar.
Not our style.
We wanted to hit the gravel climb on gravel bikes and see what kind of times we could show vs our MTB times.
Before I get to that,
I think I've cracked the code to gravel's popularity.
At least part of it.
On this ride were a bunch of my friends.
Road friends who know each other,
mixing with MTB friends...
... and all of us making new friends.
Where roadies would rarely ride dirt
and MTBrs rarely get on the road...
... gravel is a convergent.
A place to learn new skills,
and more importantly,
make new friends.
So, how'd that big climb go?
I PR'd all the steep stuff, and would have easily PR'd the entire climb if we weren't taking it so easy the first 2 miles.
Was it just the bike?
Youtellme.
We'd already ridden 2 hours when we got to the climb, not at a blistering pace just a good endurance clip.
I'd been up it before on a gravel bike, but under different conditions and with a little different set up.
I can't say enough about the 45s with 30ish pounds of pressure.
They are just really fast, and shock absorbing.
But, my training is also a lot different.
The last 18 months I've really committed to Zone 2 almost all the time, with some explosive group riding twice a week.
Lots and lots of endurance miles.
Plus, all the leg workouts I do, almost daily, for strength.
I don't care about muscle size...
... strength, wirydude strength, comes from near daily resistance training.
Not blowing the legs out twice a week in the weight room, which is so typical and traditional for body builders and "lets get strong this offseason" bike racers.
Bro, Why don't you want to be strong year round?
Right?!
Check it out, I'm updating my 10-Week Challenge for 2024, and creating...
... The 30-Day Rip On RaceDay Transformational Sprint.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/30-day-rip-on-raceday-transformation
---
163.6
7ish hrs
Pull Ups, Push Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THE OTHER TIME NOT TO USE A BIKE COMPUTER
SO MUCH DATA, so many screens. We think it's not a big deal, because they have crept into our lives, like ivy growing up a wall, then covering the house...
... until we can't imagine a screenfree life.
Or, imagine at all.
That is one of the reasons I sometimes race with my computer in my jersey pocket...
... so I can visualize all the options as the race unfolds.
There is another time,
perhaps more important.
When I have a problem I want to solve,
need an answer from on high.
Then, I roll out with no agenda...
... slow and unhurried.
I find dirt delivers more consistently,
a quite slice of nature,
accessed by few.
No screen.
No music or
distractions.
Me.
Nature.
The possibility of lightening.
Lightening of burdens.
Ideas born in a flash of magic.
But, yeah, that computer is still in my pocket...
... because if it ain't on Starva it didn't happen.
---
162
8ish hrs
Pull Ups, Push Ups and Squats
10 minutes recovery
00 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THIS 3 MINUTE ROUTINE IS A RACEDAY GAME CHANGER
LET'S BE HONEST, we're the only ones who might possibly aspire to the starving waif look of a Euro pro. Not our friends, neighbors or lovers. Because most of those cats...
... look like they'd snap in two with a little nudge.
Not strong.
Not resilient.
Here's the thing.
We really can change the way we look and feel in just a few minutes a day.
I timed it during a break,
and the answer is yes.
In a mere 3 minutes, I did 1 set of
- Pull Ups
- Push Ups
- Squats
The Core 3, which I easily do
without sweating,
at home.
Details.
- The first round is always palms out pull ups until I start to lose my form.
- 3 times as many push ups as pull ups, hands about mtb handle bar width.
- Bulgarian split squats are my current favorite, enough weight to max out at 5-6 reps.
That's it.
Trust me,
takes no time...
... is a raceday game changer.
---
162.5
7ish hrs
Pull Ups, Push Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THE BEST NEWS IN GRAVEL, I MEAN UNROAD
I LOVE RIDING MY GRAVEL BIKE. Everywhere. Over everything. As far as I'm concerned, a course with some pavement and a healthy dose of gravel, doubletrack and singletrack...
... show's who is the best rider.
Ya gotta surf the group like a bee,
and glide the dirt and rocks like a butterfly.
If you're a roadie, you have a pretty good idea of how to surf the group.
Going from wheel to wheel putting out the least amount of energy possible and always being in a good position is a musthave skill to successfully race on the road.
If you're not a roadie, and you're planning to gravel race, find a group to start training with. You don't need a road bike, your gravel bike is close enough in speed...
... and will make you even more proficient at surfing the group.
If you're a competent mountain biker, you know how to glide over rocks...
... especially those who started off on a hardtail.
If you're not a dirt ninja, go find some dirt. The gnarly the better. If you don't have your gravel bike yet, your road bike is surprisingly competent in dirt and can do way more than you think is possible.
It'll be fine.
There is one place where both the roadies and the mtbrs are going to need to up their skills.
Cornering.
At speed.
On gravel, it is very common to have your tires drifting in turns. Roadies never do this on purpose, and mtbrs will find it a new game on the skinnier tires.
Which brings up tires and tire pressure.
Personally, I prefer to find a tire I like in nearly all conditions and just ride it all the time. There is so much speed to be gained in knowing what your tires can do.
For example, a couple of seasons ago my friend Eric put on a race at a gocart track and had us go off into the dirt for a short section.
It was a lot of fun.
Tight, banked turns,
Smoothsmooth tarmac.
Most everybody opted for a road bike since 80% of the time we were on pavement.
I chose my gravel bike.
Here's what I learned.
- I could cruise and relax on the dirt.
- If I stayed in the draft I was just fine in the group.
- I could take the corners muchmuch faster with my fatter, lower pressure tires.
How did it go down?
Once I figured this out, I would let a gap open between me and the rider ahead into all the tight turns...
... then go much faster due to superior grip.
I'd latch on again,
and draft.
Riders behind me had to work really hard to get back on.
It was a war of attrition.
On the last lap we were down to 3 racers.
I came in third.
Way better than I'd have guessed at the start of the race.
Lesson:
Master your tires, and tire pressure.
Which bring me back to the title...
... the best news in gravel, for me, is the BWR Triple Crown next year.
Can't wait to test my skills and bike set up across three very unique courses.
https://www.belgianwaffleride.bike
---
162.3
7ish hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
CRACK THAT WHIP!
WHEN A PROBLEM COMES ALONG, you must whip it. And, boy do we have a problem on our local group ride. Today was hard, blowing all kinds of riders off the back...
... and not that fast.
Nowhere near what we were doing 5 years ago.
I detect a problem,
and we need to whip it good.
This ride used to be the bar by which all rides were measured...
... and sadly, still is.
What happened?
We got soft.
Friendly.
Social.
Now, I'm all for being friendly and social...
... I'm also for holding the bar high.
For me,
and, my friends.
Those are the friendships I cherish.
Who the heck really wants a friend that will let us slide,
let our standards drop, or even worse,
lead us away from our greatness?
Not me.
Lead me,
guide me,
ride beside me...
... teach me all I must do,
to rip on raceday!
That is what we are all about.
Not to win "the" race,
to win "our" race and
maximize our potential.
As the great Devo sang,
Now whip it into shape
Shape it up, get straight
Go forward, move ahead
Try to detect it, it's not too late
To whip it, into shape...
... to whip it, well, whip it good!
For you locals...
... get your buns out to TheTMWC.com for our unOFFICIAL World Championships on 11.7.23
The new jersey is an homage to Cafe de Columbia... since there isn't more than about 100' of pancake flat on this ride.
---
162.3
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
AVOID TRIGGERING THIS HEART PROBLEM
FROM THE ANALS OF HEART MEDICINE, I bring you a serious issue. I've seen this in more than a few racers...
... myself included.
It's kinda scary,
and I don't like the feeling.
Maybe you've experienced it.
Last week, it really flared up...
... at first, the amount of hate mail was amusing.
From long, long, long unpuncuated and emotion laden communiques to my favorite from Joe, short and concise...
... You're an idiot!
I responded to everyone and shared several key points which had been overlooked. Most of us had a good laugh and got on with the day.
Why did this happen at all?
They were triggered.
By the post title.
Why does this matter?
Because being unable to control our emotions is the fastest way to lose a race...
- a winner would laugh it off and get the gold
- a loser gets offended and blows it
For example, I was told in no uncertain terms all the products some had purchased and enjoyed were going in the trash.
Now, imagine you had a major heart problem. You are of a certain political persuasion, the specialist who is uniquely qualified to save your life belongs to the opposite party...
... so you refuse the help you need.
You die,
over a difference of opinion.
Sad.
But, what if we are all dying of heart disease?
My favorite song in the wholewideworld was written by Longfellow, during the Civil War when his son was killed.
These chilling lyrics are still so true...
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
... fortunately, those lines are at the beginning not the end.
A few verses later, is hope...
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, good will to men
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
when the car gets too close,
the rider doesn't pull through,
a neighbor has a different opinion...
in love,
---
162.3
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
DO WE NEED A POWER METER AND/OR A HR MONITOR FOR RACING?
I DIDN'T HAVE A POWER METER FOR A LONG TIME. Then, I had one on my MTB for about 18 months. Followed by 3 years without, until this summer...
... now I have 3 giving me all kinds of intel.
But, do we need one?
No.
Long answer,
maybe.
Reasons not to use a power meter:
- Cost
- Focus on wrong data
- Potentially useless training
Reasons to use a power meter:
- Training alone
- Immediate feedback vs the lag of a HR monitor
- Ability to know if we are actually improving our output.
Endurance racing situations where a power meter would be almost pointless?
Cross Country MTB, Cyclocross, Crit racing. These races almost always have such rapid changes of pace as to make the power meter useless.
- There is little to no time to be looking at the data screen.
- The efforts are often so violent that setting a power ceiling would be counter productive.
Endurance racing situations where a power meter could be gold?
- Time trialing
- Solo or small group break away...
... ideally, over very steady terrain.
Is a HR monitor helpful at all in racing?
Yes.
During the races with rapid changes in power needed, a HR monitor is great to give overall feedback on the amount of work being done by our bodies.
Do we really need the devices at all?
For training alone, I think they can be quite helpful for analyzing our efforts in terms of power and stress on the body.
- Low power, high HR could indicate illness or overall fatigue.
- High power, low HR could indicate superior fitness.
For racing, they are most useful for
- In race feedback
- Post race analysis
- Typically highest numbers are recorded and used for future training markers.
Are they absolutely necessary?
No.
Often, during the really intense XC and crit races, I'll put my computer in my back pocket to give 100% focus on the race dynamics. This requires racing on feel, a skill honed over time...
... which means a lot of our training must be race simulation.
It's not all about how our bodies feel.
But, the feel of the race.
- The energy of the mass of competitors
- Who the players are that day
- Which moves will work
- Who will get dropped
- Poor bike handlers
- Under fuelers
If we miss the key move, or get taken out...
... what point is of all that data?
---
Or, as the great Jim Morrison (kinda) sang Roadhouse Blues...
... Keep your hands on the bars and your eyes upon the race!
---
162.3
6.5 hrs
No Weights today
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THE HEROES OF THE SPORT, EVEN AN E-BIKER?
I CONNECTED WITH A LOT OF MY HEROES TODAY. All of them much braver than your average racer, scratch that...
... braver than 99% of riders.
Some blaze the trails with astonishing feats,
others give until there's no more to give.
Who are they, and what do they all have in common?
A few shoutouts from today...
- OG Doug Grant for founding the Good Dirt ride, a fantastic 50 mile XC untimed ride through our local trails that has raised 100s of 1000s of dollars for transportation starved Africans.
- The incredible Kurt Weimann who has masterfully taken over the reigns of said fundraising adventure.
- The Girlz Gone Riding group which consistently recruits, trains, assists, teaches, encourages, friendships girls who want to get into bike riding.
- Sir David Browning's efforts to coalesce all the local trail advocacy and maintenance groups via OCMTBA have been transformational in our county.
- Ross Bennet heads up what I believe is by far the largest high school mtb team in the county, and has done so for at least 10 years. Long after his kids graduated.
... and this knucklehead, who I love...
... the great Andrew Kemp, who introduced me to the insanity of Leadville 25 years ago, and had this to say about my stupidlight XC MTB race bike...
That's for exercise, this is for the party...
... pointing to his spiffy e-bike.
Every single one of these boys and girls loves to ride, and more importantly...
... will do whatever it takes to make sure you have fun on two wheels.
We all feel that way,
these cats just do it at a super high level...
... give way, way, way more than they take.
---
163.1
6.5 hrs
No Weights today
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
WHY I LOVE LEADING A QUIET LIFE OF....
I'VE READ WALDEN POND numerous times. More than any quote, I remember the raw feeling of wanting to be alone with nature, and few visitors. It didn't inspire me, as much as...
... tug at my core.
Thoreau's observed horror of living like the masses...
... a quiet life of desperation...
terrified me.
I would venture on my own.
Against the grain,
my path.
Work.
Nature.
Solitude.
It is easy to see the allure of a long bike ride, with a few core friends...
... and the call of a solo ascent up a long, desolate single track.
To summit,
with the sun as companion.
We are the few...
... living a life of silent perspiration.
I was thinking about that today as I quickly staged and shot numerous photos for our website.
All the time and thought that went into the first products...
... and the beauty and craftsmanship we produce right here in the USA.
That's also my kind of perspiration.
For example, these special bags for Triathletes to set up at each transition area. My dear friend Will Howard was an exceptional Ironman competitor and helped me with these bags and the labeling. Then Noel and I worked on beautiful color options... this is Brick.
Before you skip away, you should know something...
... I'm also sweating something else.
For this first time in 5 years, our costs have risen to the point where we are going to have some price adjustments starting 10/9...
... so, you're thinking about getting something for someone awesome for the holidays, now's a great time.
---
162.3
7 hrs
No Weights today
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
DO YOU HATE THE HOLIDAYS AS MUCH AS I DO?
LET'S BE HONEST, blubber season is fast approaching. It kicks off with Halloween, builds up steam with Thanksgiving, and the Holiday Season...
... just steamrolls most of us.
And, why not?
- The sugar addiction is reignited, rendering us powerless
- The food is so deliciously comfy
- Jan 1 we'll be good again
I'll tell you why not...
... Because it's a bunch of bs we don't need!
Look, my fine lycracovered athlete, I don't really hate the holidays...
... I hate how it ruins so many of my friends and family.
What are we gonna do about it?
- Cut out all sugar now, crush that wicked addiction
- Dress warm so your body doesn't need blubber
- Ingrain the twoaday workout
- Eat more protein
But, I can't live without sugar?
Suck it up and give it up, for good!
Does dressing warm really help?
Yes. On the bike, should be easy. Off the bike, is where it's easy to underdress. Don't worry, all your fans will still know your athletic freak you are without seeing your shinyshaven legs.
Twoaday workouts?
Yes, definitely. And, easy to do. Take 15-20 minutes, the time you spend on the toilet play games (I like chess.com), and do your pull ups, push ups, squats etc.
More protein?
Probably, a lot more than you think. Shoot for 1 gram for every pound you weigh.
Do you promise it will work?
Heck yes!
Here's why.
- You are going to enter the blubber season a lean, mean fatburning machine.
- You will get your protein knocked out by dinner time.
- Enjoy a few "guilty" calories without blubbering up.
Andddddddddd... drumroll please.....
... you'll enter Jan 1 at or close to your race weight.
Want a little extra motivation?
Start planning 2024 like a pro, now.
---
164
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THIS WILL NOT MAKE YOU FASTER
ON THE LONG LIST OF THINGS that will not make you faster is one of my favorites. I'm such a sucker for marketing that I fall for these things...
... all the time.
Here's the thing...
... they also might make you faster.
Looking back, I can only laugh at the silliness.
Bro, you really need a ti bolt kit.
Really?
Oh yeah, so much lighter.
The idea that something that saves about as much weight as...
... a well baked booger.
Is.
Ludicrous.
You'd never fall for that, right?
But, I do.
Here's why?
- If it makes me feel faster, I'm probably gonna ride faster.
- Marginal gains, is actually a thing.
- See #1.
I could have just said, The placebo effect.
However, it's the compounding of the effect in tandem with marginal gains...
... where things can multiply.
If I believe the...
- bolt kit
- toe straps
- sock height
... and all the other incremental nonsense.
It's gonna work.
My potential hasn't really changed but my belief...
... will have me accessing every milligram of what I've got.
---
164
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
WHY E-BIKES SUCK
E-BIKES. What are they good for? Nothing. Absolutely, nothing. Really? I'm really gonna go there?
Oh, yes!
As if we aren't already slothful enough...
... as a people, we outsource everything.
Even our workouts.
Why pedal when you can have a motor do it for you?
Why create when AI can do it for you?
Why do anything for that matter?
But, it's not the bikes' fault.
Like annoying dogs...
... the owners are to blame.
E-bikes could be great tools for transportation,
and a lot of fun.
But, like the clueless dog owners, e-bike riders...
- destroy the local dirt trails
- obliterate the normal pace of a paved trail
- are ridden no-hands, while owner stares at phone
- have a huge chunk of huge people out thinking they are exercising
... if that bothers you,
if you're mad about this...
... you just might be an overdressed,
underexercized,
e-biker.
(Unless your body is somehow broken.)
---
162.3
7 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
THE MYSTERY OF MASSIVE
IT'S NOT A MYSTERY. In fact, it is so painfully obvious that sometimes I wonder why any of it is surprising at all...
... the results are just math.
The formula is simple.
Time X Effort = Results
No secret there.
What is secret,
is our dedication...
... how much time and how strong of an effort we are willing to put in.
The answer shows up on raceday,
at the big group ride,
or a stab at a PR.
Where most people get it completely wrong is by...
... wildly underestimating what it takes to be great.
===
Can you believe I've spent over 200 hours on this already?
---
163.4 (I seem to have plateaued)
7 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
SO MANY VOTERS TO CONTEND WITH
BATTLING THROUGH ANY RACECOURSE, there are seemingly endless barriers. It all starts when the gun goes off and our meticulous plans are...
... almost immediately trashed.
The stinking voters!
Who?
The...
- weather
- competitors
- terrain
- equipment
- our bodies
- our minds
... and more, all get a vote in how it's going to go down.
As any leader can attest,
it's hard to keep the voters in line...
... which is what makes it so rewarding,
when things go as we'd hoped.
I heard a great observation today...
Our losses don't define us,
they refine us.
...
By the way, one of the reasons I love stage races is there are more opportunities...
... with each stage generally favoring a slightly different type of racer.
My friends at The Cactus Cup, a 3-day mountain bike stage race, which is one of my all time favorites, extended us all a promo code to save 10%.
The code is pedalposse10.
I hope to see ya out there.
---
163.4
7 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
HOW WE DO THE OFF SEASON
AS WE GLIDE INTO FALL, things are winding down around here. There are still races. More often they turn into get togethers and parties...
... like today.
We can be a little nuts around here during the season.
My pals all work bigboy careers, raise families...
... and train alone most days.
Time is short,
precious.
So, when we all meet up,
on the the weekends,
things heat up fast.
Not today.
Well, mostly not today.
We gathered,
we rode fairly easy and talked,
then let it all hang out on the downhills.
Which means we had a lot of fun,
and all smashed a ton of PRs,
ripping the descents.
You can take the race
out of the ride...
... but, it's hard to avoid the joy
of snagging PRs.
PRs > KOMs
If you get that...
... and wanna help us share the message...
... use this promo code: LOVE2RACE,
and save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/among-the-wolves-collection
Code expires in 5 days.
---
162.4
7 hrs
No weights today
10 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
HATERS AND LOVERS
ON A PLEASANT SATURDAY MORNING, a week ago, I was enjoying an easy ride with Surfergirl. Matching her pace up a rather challenging climb...
... minding my own business.
We passed a dude...
... Racing is for losers!
Is he joking?
A friend?
Or...
... was it the very sexy Among The Wolves kit, which is smattered with a few of our favorite phrases.
Should I engage?
Yes, it sure is.
No really, racing is totally for losers. Everybody loses, except one person.
Okay...
Nope, not joking.
Just hating.
We rode on.
But, it bugged me a bit.
Is racing for losers?
Yes,
for sure.
If you're there solely to win,
if you just gotta have that golden trinket.
However, if you are there to be pushed,
be inspired by other great athletes,
see how deep you can dig,
you're a winner.
Every time.
And...
... if you dig this kit,
and wanna help me share that message...
... use this promo code: LOVE2RACE,
and save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/among-the-wolves-collection
Code expires in 5 days.
---
161.8
8 hrs
Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra stuff
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
WHERE IS DOES GRAVEL GO FROM HERE?
I ONLY HAVE ONE QUESTION REGARDING GRAVEL RACING. It's not where does it go from here, it's just gonna keep getting more and more pro. Which is fine, I'm actually excited...
... because it's real racing now.
But, that's not how we got here.
And, not how we got MTB racing going.
Or, BMX for that matter.
MTB racing exploded because it was fun,
and different,
and new.
Then, it got kinda organized and whole ton of money poured in. When that happened...
... USAC scooped it up.
NORBA, the golden goose, was killed.
Today, MTB racing is a shell of what it was. It's still super fun. Still requires superior fitness, and insane bike handling skills...
... but, it ain't NORBA.
So, Gravel... what's it gonna be?
- Standardization
- Championships
- Medals
- Rules
Can we have that, and still keep it fun and fresh and...
... most importantly,
inviting and socially vibrant?
I don't know.
When the real racers show up,
breathing fire,
elbows out...
... I just don't know.
My question isn't where is gravel going, but...
... are we at the high water mark for participation?
Will the racers
push the riders and enthusiasts
onto the next, new, greatest thing ever?
Probably if...
- It stays mass start
- Racers staged by ability
- Everybody rides the same route
... the after party rocks.
Besides, gravel bikes are just a lot more fun to ride than road bikes.
---
163.4
7 hrs
Pull Ups, Push Ups, Split Squats, Nordics
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
ARE YOU A MINIMALIST?
IT'S HARD NOT TO BE A MINIMALIST. Minimalism is everywhere. It's popular, trending, and threatening to take over its opposite. The scream for the least...
... is a siren song.
Heck, I hired a coach once because I wanted to train less.
Loser
thinking.
Like cramming for a test,
and learning nothing.
Speeding,
the least amount of law breaking to not get caught.
Minimum wage thinking,
do the least amount of work and not get fired.
The opposite is Essentialism,
giving and doing everything for what is important.
There is the gold,
the podium,
PRs.
Funnily enough,
my coach is constantly throttling me back...
... asking me to do less.
We aren't minimalists,
we are essentialists.
Hanging out with our kind...
- Eating
- Training
- Sleeping
- Studying
- Meditating
... like champions.
All in,
on all that matters...
... asking, What is the most I can do?
---
163.6
8 hrs
Full Rip On RaceDay Circuit + Extra Pull Ups and Push UPs
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
C'MON ROOKIE episode 1 + BONUS: P = F x V
AT 8:00PM, I started getting the gear together the 5:35 roll out. Going over the bike, I noticed the rear tire tread was shot. Time to replace it. Off with the old, on with the new...
... bike is ready.
Right?
I mean, if a new tire is on...
... everything else must be good.
Just as we're showing up to meet the group for our weekly social ride my shifting is weird.
Unresponsive.
Then, responsive.
Hmmmmmm
Mind you, I always check all of my batteries the night before each ride.
- Computer
- Shifters
- Derailleurs
Always.
It's so easy.
Tap 'em,
they light up.
Green for go.
Red for replace.
Except this time,
when I was rushing to swap the tire.
You'll never need to know this, because you are smarter than me, but if you are ever on a ride and your SRAM shifting starts misbehaving it is probably because your shifter or derailleur batteries are dying...
- Tap the shifters, check the lights.
- If red, acknowledge the issue on your computer - my Wahoo asked me to confirm I knew they were low.
- You have a lot of shifts left.
... that was all new to me.
At first, I panicked a bit and just tried to shift a lot less so I could finish the ride. This left me grinding and spinning a lot.
However, once I confirmed, the shifting returned to normal and I rode hard for 2 more hours.
No prob.
BONUS -> P = F x V
Reader, and smart dude, John Jonas, had a comment on my post regarding cadence.
It's simple physics dude.
How so?
Power is a function of Force multiplied by Velocity. If you spin faster (Velocity) with the same pedal Force you generate more Power.
Ahhhhh
So, it's not just my Broscience intuition...
... it's actually science.
In fact, today, once I got the battery/shifting sorted out I noticed on the hardest parts of the ride...
... my sweetspot RPMs were closer to 110.
John also confirms this.
Most people can't produce power because they don't have a smooth pedal stroke. They aren't applying force all the way around. You probably do that becuase of so many years of riding.
If at any point you feel like your'e pushing on the pedals, you're doing it wrong... pushing against the crank vs with the complete pedal stroke.
I use to push harder when I wanted to go faster. Now I often think...
... efficient, efficient, efficient.
To which I'll add...
... The updated Rip On RaceDay Challenge dramatically improves pedal stroke.
Key exercises:
- The sled
- Nordics
- Heel raise
- Toe raise
---
164
8.25 hrs
Full Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
HOW TO SURVIVE THE SLOW SEASON
SEPTEMBER IS MY SLOWEST MONTH. And this one is a doozie. From bailing on my own A race plans, to slogging through setting up the 4th quarter promotional calendar...
... this has been such a battle.
Then, today I remembered the cure.
Measure backwards,
as outlined in 10x is Easier Than 2x.
Rather than focus on the predictable sales drop,
the missed A race opportunity...
... and the accompanying Chicken Little blues,
I scanned the year to date.
- YTD Sales up 7%
- My work team, insanely better
- Our apparel offering, about to launch beautiful updates
- Our children all moved back to within a 35 minute drive
- The racing results have been outstanding, best year ever
Am I bugged...
we haven't 10x'd the biz?
gone to the last A race of my season?
navigating the cash crunch of the sales cycle, again?
... yes, 100%.
Glass halfempty is my kryptonite.
But,
measuring backwards,
seeing how much has been accomplished,
is an amazing way to kick myself in the lycra.
---
164
8.25 hrs
Full Rip On RaceDay Circuit + extra pushups and pullups
20 minutes recovery
600 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
REAL POWER MAKING IS MADE WITH...
AS I DIVE DEEPER into power meter training I'm noticing a piece of data I haven't paid attention to for years. I figured my cadence is about 85-90...
... and didn't care much about it.
All that has changed.
Because now I have a data point,
and the accompanying insight.
The higher my cadence, the better my power.
It makes sense,
and I'll prove my case in a moment.
First, here's my discovery.
When putting out a certain amount of power, say 250 watts. It is much easier around 98-104 RPMs. My heart rate is lower, too.
I never would have figured this out with out watching my power and my rpms.
Is this true for everybody?
I don't know, but consider this...
... how much faster can you sprint when your cadence is high vs low?
Is that proof?
I think it is.
Here's a thing that bugs me...
... Greg LeMond poopooing the modern generation's high cadence riding.
We never rode like that, they must be on something.
Yeah Greg, they have learned way more about their bodies because they have massive amounts of data unavailable 40+ years ago.
Which brings up the Todcast I did with Tom Danielson.
Tom, I'm guessing you learn all kinds of cutting-edge training when you join a big pro team.
Not really, the teams don't really offer all that much in terms of training. Each racer has to have their own coach and program.
What does that mean for us enthusiasts?
Same thing as always...
... if it's to be, it's up to me...
... to figure it out.
Read the books,
watch the videos,
hire the top coaches,
join the groups and forums.
The next step in this RPM breakthrough is setting up the perfect gearing so I can be in my sweetspot all the time.
Stay tuned,
I definitely have something I'm going to be working on.
---
163.4
8ish hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
REMCO IS A BAD ACTOR
THE BIGGEST WEAKNESS REMCO HAS is that it has all come so fast, and so easy. He goes from teenage soccer phenom, to pro cyclist in a season...
... and punking the best in the world in short order.
But, he missed something grand today even though he unwittingly set it up perfectly a few days prior.
He should have won another stage win,
after another day dragging a bunch of riders around the course.
He's won twice at this year's Vuelta doing just that,
dropping everybody and soloing in.
He also lost twice,
pulling too much and paying for it.
So, everybody knows he's a beast,
they also know he can over do it and be beaten.
Which brings up the acting,
something he's never had to do because he's so darn good.
IMHO, today was a day to bring out the acting skills.
For mortals and pros,
acting is just another skill in our quiver.
Think of the great Mohammed Ali's
rope-a-dop.
Our version...
I'd pull if I could...
Oh, I'm cramping...
Sorry guys, I'm gassed...
All of that can be communicated...
verbally
facial expressions
and the all power body language
... it's easy,
should be practiced
and used judiciously.
Unfortunately, Remco is probably still too proud,
overconfident.
I can't blame him.
But, that's what I woulda done.
---
162.8
8.2 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Todcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
TIME FOR SECRET TRAINING
I LIKE THE IDEA OF SECRET TRAINING. A lot. Like Rocky pounding sides of beef in a giant meat freezer, doing the training solo...
... the weird stuff few are willing to do.
If you have 3 things...
... It's romantic,
and can lead to massive performance gains.
First.
A chip on your shoulder,
considered a chump,
not a champ.
Second.
A shot at the title,
at setting things right,
knocking out the feared competitor.
Third.
Hope.
That's the magic formula:
- A chip on the shoulder
- A shot at the title
- And, hope.
But, who has that?
Sure, maybe a wish to wreak revenge on some rando racer can be conjured up. Given enough time, we can all gain some hope...
... but a title?
So, how do we do it?
How do we tap into that 3-step formula to being insanely ready to Rip On RaceDay?
Here's my plan.
I'm going to shoot for PRing a local climb. It's a big one, and takes me just over an hour...
... can I crack an hour?
Most of the fast guys around here can go, or have gone, sub-60 minutes...
... that's the chip on my shoulder.
Setting the PR would be beyond epic...
... that's the title I want.
Knowing I'm about to start doing the weird stuff, like actually using a power meter in my training...
... that's the hope.
Oh, there's one more thing...
... a date.
I'm shooting for late February, right before my A races.
This Week's Featured Product
- Doesn't leak
- Surprisingly light
- Massive flow when squeezed
$12 for 2 bottles,
free shipping,
click here.
---
162.2
8.2 hrs
Pull Ups Push Ups Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
FAILURE TURNS ME ON
IF WE HADN'T ALREADY FAILED TWICE LAST YEAR, I wouldn't be nearly as fired up as I am about next month's adventure. Will we fail again...
... is it just an impossible ride?
Should you do it?
No.
It's way too hard, way too long.
You probably wouldn't make it.
You think you can ride 130 miles in a day...
... over mixed surfaces?
15000+ feet of climbing should shock you into reality...
... the final 2000' up a steep and sandy jeep trail.
Seems doable still?
What about a narrow ribbon of single track cut into the side of a cliff?
Leaving in the dark is easy,
does finishing after dark freak you out?
How will you carry all the food and water needed between only 2 stops?
Where are you going to find someone crazy enough to do it with you?
You'll definitely want, and probably need a buddy. We leave on time, and we don't wait.
Are you good at navigating unknown territory?
Can you fix a likely broken bike?
Still in?
Well, don't say I didn't warn you!
We are a month out.
October 14, 2023
Starting at the shoreline of Dana Point...
... riding on paved roads, gravel roads, degraded and abandoned roads, miles and miles of paved bike trail, a good chunk of single track...
... finishing in the mountains at Big Bear.
Check it out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/surf-n-summit
---
162.8
8 hrs
Pull Ups Push Ups Squats Nordics
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
DROP ANCHOR OR DROP BALLAST?
IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE. Somewhere up ahead is the finish line, in the mist and the clouds. I'm so close to smashing my PR...
... the legs and lungs are burrrrrrrning!
I've done this climb many times.
9 miles up.
3300' of elevation gain
There is only one choice to make...
- drop anchor, and quit trying
- drop ballast, and get better
... and it's not an easy decision to make.
Because, the goal has haunted me for years.
To break 1 hour,
up.
To break 1.5 hours,
up and down.
Which begs the questions...
- What is holding me back?
- What can I eliminate?
... there is always something we can ditch to go further,
faster.
---
162.8
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
... FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
I HAD AN EXCITING CALL TODAY. A first-timer, who had just completed his longest ride ever, The MS Ride. He'd done 30 miles...
... and was already looking forward to next year.
What could I tell this oakley-eyed young buck?
I could quote a wise man who spoke the truth about how to be a successful rider and racer.
So I will.
But, before I share the quote let's give it some context because this enlightened being first laid out all the do's and don'ts for his followers on a mountain top...
... commandments, if you will.
Thou shalt:
- Ride hard twice a week, easy the rest of days
- Eat whole foods
- Lift heavy weights daily
- Get plenty of sleep
- Do 1-legged drills
- Weigh in every morning
- Read wisdom daily
- Journal daily
- Drink enough
Thou shalt avoid:
- Bonking
- Alcohol
- Bread
- Soda
- Sugar
What the teacher was laying out for the wouldbe racers was how to build a strong foundation, on rock vs sand.
He summed it all up with this...
Wide is the road which leads to destruction and narrow is the way which leads to PRs and Podiums.
Few understood the advice, or heeded the commandments.
Instead, they did their own thing.
- Trained as hard as they wanted, whenever they wanted
- Ate good some days, cheated the diet like mad other days
- Had good lungs, but zero strength and weak bones
- Lived in a sleep-deprived fog and poor recovery haze
- Pedaled in squares
- Continually expanded their spandex
- Atrophied their brains and spirits with social media
- Failed to explore their inner genius
- Were constantly dehydrated
We can wander the broad roads...
... or we can take the sage advice of the narrow path...
... they take the same amount of time
and render dramatically different results.
---
162.8
6.5 (back to morning rides, gonna be painful transistion)
Push Ups Pull Ups and Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
... KNOW WHEN TO FOLD 'EM
IT WAS AN 'A' RACE. I'd planned it for months, years actually. Racing Marathon Nats was, and still is, something I've always wanted to do...
... then why was I depressed?
From the moment I paid for the AirBNB and race registration, a dark cloud blocked my normally sunny disposition.
Something wasn't right,
and I knew it.
Once I made the decision to cancel,
the cloud lifted.
Why?
Because I was forcing it. (see below)
Truth be told,
the timing was not good,
the travel and time away daunting.
On top of that, there are other pressing issues that are significantly more important in my personal life that I want to care for.
Was I afraid to race Tinker Juarez and the rest of the ageless studs who line up?
Were the challenges of racing over roots and ruts vs rocks and dust too much?
Did the prospect of not overcoming a cold in time concern me?
Heck no!
I love that stuff.
Give me the best, most difficult...
... so I can be schooled!
So, what now?
It's early September,
a third of the year is left to play...
... and I'm in great shape.
Nothing is next.
The whole point of racing is...
... being in great shape, for life.
---
A note about Forcing It. One of my many grandfathers (bonus of divorced parents) taught me something. He was a gentle and kind human, who was also a lion in business.
The crescent wrench I was cranking on had slipped and started to strip a bolt.
Todd, don't force it.
But, I want it off (my bike wheel).
Well, step back. Get the right tool. Be smooth and gradual with your effort, and the bolt should loosen right up... might need a little WD-40.
---
163
7.5
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more pull ups and push ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THE RACER WE FEED
THERE IS A BATTLE GOING ON INSIDE OF ME. A terrible fight between two racers. One is evil and weak and lazy, one is good and strong and determined. My grandson asked me who will win...
... The one I feed.
Is this true...?
The battle, yes.
The convo, not yet.
On the surface, I could tell you how this weekend I skipped the cookies, muffins, ice cream, and most of the chips. That's easy, because...
... I don't crave that junk any more.
I wasn't surprised to jump on the scale tonight and see things are where they should be, even after a funfilled 3 days with the whole family.
Which isn't really the point of my ripped off version of the Cherokee legend, about feeding the wolf.
The point is the racer we pay attention to will get stronger.
A long time ago,
over about a decade,
I'd packed on 30 lbs of blubber,
I was feeding an ex-racer who I hardly recognized.
When I decided it was time to course correct,
I cut out a picture of a favorite racer,
and pasted my head over his,
and taped to my mirror.
That simple act
was so powerful.
Everyday,
I'd see future me...
... and feed the good racer, accordingly.
---
164ish
7ish hrs
No strength training
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT?
TODAY'S VUELTA STAGE WAS NUTS. Remco make the break, and then goes off the front for hours. Hours! Before...
... crying?
Yesterday, he lost 30 minutes.
He lost his chance to be a repeat winner...
... total humiliation.
Some would have packed their bags,
come up with a faux illness.
Shift happens.
Plans go completely awry.
Remco's quote on twitter echoed my grandpappy's oft repeated advice...
... It's not the problem, it's how you handle it.
Why did he cry at the finish?
I can only guess...
- the pain of the massive effort
- the salvaging of the Vuelta by winning another stage
... but, I think it was really this.
To know, he had it in him to ride nearly solo for hours and claim 8 minutes back on the leaders, while everyone else is getting shelled out the back...
... that would truly hurt.
When tires are low,
the headwind strong,
and the plan totally fubar...
... we get up,
put our bibs on one leg at a time,
and ride like the wind, till we are free again.
Thanks for the reminder Remco,
I needed that.
---
164ish
7ish hrs
Push Ups, Squats
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THE 3 WAYS TO RIDE OUT OF A RUT
WHAT IS IT WITH RUTS? Some say they are graves with the ends kicked out. I'll tell ya this, when ripping some single track...
... a rut can put you on your lycra in not time.
Which brings up today's ride.
Surfergirl and I got up to Big Bear early, before the rest of the family.
After unloading, I shot out for a structured work out...
... at least that was the plan.
But, then I found myself on Skyline a beautiful fast and flowy trail that traces the highest ridge between Big Bear and the greater LA Basin.
Not a soul out there.
Just me.
Riding where I hadn't ridden for at least 5 years...
... the whole time I'm asking myself...
... Why aren't we up here once a month in when it's warm?
Ruts,
that's why.
Here's how people try to ride out of ruts:
- Ride in the rut and hope for the best
- Trying to ride up the side and out
- Bounce out
For me, the best solution is to bounce out.
If I want to exit on the left side of the rut, I will steer into the right side...
... to bounce off it and out the left side.
Which is what we are doing this weekend.
Bouncing out of our rut,
doing different.
---
163.9
7.5 ish hrs
Pull Ups Push UPs Squats
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
IT'S TRADITION, BUT IT KINDA STINKS
ARE YOU WATCHING LA VUELTA A ESPANA? The three bicycle race around Spain has an American in the lead, and I'm think thinking...
... it's just such a shame.
Not that Sepp Kuss is leading.
That's super cool.
But, pro cycling kinda lags because there are only trade teams.
Not teams like we have in every other sport.
Therefore, there are no mega-dynasties like the...
- Yankees
- Celtics
- Patriots
... a team to root for year after year.
Now, that would be cool.
Right now, Sepp rides for the trade team Jumbo-Visma.
A super team,
born from Rabobank.
The previous sponsor.
It would just be so much cooler if these teams had decades and decades of history.
It's way cooler for Michael Jordan to play all his years with Da' Bulls.
To build a legacy there.
The history,
legacy.
We can't change that now,
probably never.
But, we sure as heck can cheer for Sepp!
---
163.7
7.5 ish hrs
Pull Ups Push UPs Squats
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
DEFLATION AND INFLATION
THERE IS AN OLD JOKE, about how many Masters racers it takes to fix a flat tire. And, no, it's not a joke about being old. It has to do with being...
... something entirely different.
On our ride yesterday, we experienced the rare flat.
It had been so long, we had to chip the rust off the old group protocol for when a flat happens.
- Do we stop?
- All of us?
- Do we help?
- How much?
- Do we wait?
- If so, how long?
- Can we ride super slow?
Concurrently, I was feeling quite flat yesterday...
... as well as the day before, and the day before that.
It happens.
From time to time, I get to deal with the old depression demon. Feeling like there is no air in my life.
Which brings me back to the joke.
How many masters racers does it take to fix a flat?
One, and the rest to watch and mock and laugh.
At least that's how it feels when you're trying to be efficient and quickly change a flat and too proud to ask for help.
The thing is,
just having one friend
do something as simple as...
- hold your bike
- fish out your tube or patch
- check inside the tire for glass
- get the pump or inflator ready to air up
- take your wheel off and help put it back on
... makes all the difference in the world.
Even if you don't want the help,
want to show how proficient you are...
... It is best to receive and to give help graciously ...
... if you want to inflate things back and get going.
---
163.9
7.2ish hrs
Full RaceDay circuit + short jog
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
SPY MOVES
THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF BOOKS I ENJOY: business, spy fiction, and wisdom literature. Often, I'll read two or three simultaneously. However, one of them is more...
... applicable to racing.
For me, that's the spy novel.
They're all pretty much the same story...
- Smart spy
- Mission prep
- Dangerous situation
- Axe to grind with the enemy(s)
- Things look really bad until the tables turn
- Throw in some sort of romance for good measure
... and I am a sucker for a good page turner.
It's probably why I enjoy racing so much...
- Register
- Race prep
- Gun goes off
- Competitors self-identify
- Things get rowdy as miles go by
- A hill at the finish needs conquering
- Throw in some sort of podium or PR for good measure
... it's always astonishing how time is palpably different when racing.
It's all stats with Registration.
The bigger the race,
the more unsure the outcome,
the more likely to be beaten into submission,
the better the stories we can tell and the memories to last a lifetime.
Are you planning an A race for the Fall,
or already looking at next year?
---
163.5
7.5 hrs
Full RaceDay circuit + short jog
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
WE DON'T SHARPEN THE SAW, WE...
FROM WHAT I CAN TELL FROM THE COURSE MAP and satellite view, the upcoming A race needs some specific training. No intervals, no huffinpuffin, no long climbs...
... something I haven't done enough of lately.
Off I went,
busting spider webs,
enjoying the sun rise across the hills.
I was in search of turns.
Lot's of 'em.
Sure, I've been riding off road a lot lately. However, much of that has been on the gravel bike and...
... railing turns with flat bars requires a different approach.
It is so easy to lose time in twistyturny single track.
We'll be racing two 19 mile laps, with an infinite amount of turns. Let's say there are 300 turns per lap. If I lose a half a second per turn, that's 150 seconds...
... well over 2 minutes each lap.
That's hard to make up.
What if I gain 150 seconds/lap?
Also, hard to make up...
... but not for me.
Fortunately, there is a great playground not too far from home.
Take a look.
Here are a few of the tricks to taking the turns fast...
- lean the bike early
- get on the side lugs
- play with tire pressure
- play with suspension settings
... these little things add up.
Because I was focused on the turns and riding at a low effort endurance pace, I also focused on my pedal stroke.
For racing offroad, especially MTB racing, keep the power down throughout the pedal stroke is key to cleaning the steep, loose, and rocky sections.
The great Stephen Covey, preached sharpening the saw before starting to cut.
For us, that means...
... sharpening the skills before starting to rip.
---
This is my favorite MTB cornering video
---
163.5
7 hrs
Quick RaceDay circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
THE AWKWARD PRICE OF GETTING GOOD
HAVE YOU GOT A REPUTATION YET? Have you put in enough time, spent enough cash, dedicated the energy to stand out? Do friends and family introduce you as...
... Oh, this is the bike rider, triathlete, runner who...
... accomplished a feat they can't fathom doing, ever.
Something we think of as easy, normal and a good sign of physical health...
... not a big deal, just fun and enjoyable.
Or, maybe it's the evergreen question...
Are you still riding, running, swimming?
... you'd think they'd know by now.
But, here's the question I really have,
Is it that we are out of balance?
Because, when I look back on the last 20 years, I'm significantly more satisfied with other accomplishments...
- We've raised a family
- Become grandparents
- Started a business from scratch
- Built a following of 11,000+ readers
- Taken care of aging parents
- Devoted time teaching youth
- Served those in need
- Put on the last legit road race in the county
... yet, somehow I'm still that nut who likes to ride and race bikes.
Which is exactly how I was introduced multiple times at a get together last night...
... awkward.
---
164.5
7.75 hrs
No strength training
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
THE TRAINING IS DONE, THE STRATEGY ISN'T
A FEW IN THE ALLIANCE ARE DOING LOTOJA next weekend. The training is done, nothing to do now but taper, recover, travel, and...
... go over the strategy.
Here's how I did it,
and what I'd do different.
At just over 200 miles,
it is the longest sanctioned USAC race in the country.
Fueling is the biggest issue.
I'd have something solid for breakfast. Back in 2017, I started my day off with a can of sardines and half a can of black beans. Whatever you choose, I'd get some protein and fat in, along with calories.
Because of the altitude, I would stick with a 1 bottle/hour strategy. In that bottle, I've have 250-300 calories. Plus, I would eat something solid for another 150 calories. I'd stay away from gels, mainly because they don't do me right.
That's 400 calories an hour.
How to get the fuel in, and when.
You'll want a disposable feed bag with supplies to get you from stop to stop...
... toss your bottles and trash, and grab you bag without stopping (assuming you have support).
Beware.
There are multiple sections at each feed zone. Coordinate with your team, and be vigilant of knuckleheads coming in and out. Stupid place to crash, and it will happen...
... but not to you!
Load your bottles and pockets, toss bag responsibly.
My team met me at Montpelier, Afton and Alpine. I took neutral support at Wilson - liquid, I had food.
Now for pacing.
Ideally, you will never touch the front of the group until the finish line.
That's the dream,
it's not gonna happen.
Here's how it will likely go down.
Everyone will be all geeked up, and roll out fairly fast. Nobody will be feeling pain, because they are all ready and rested. Let the bunnies do their thing, stay in the top 15 riders...
... only go to the front if you are simply rolling through.
Spend no time up there.
Bunnies, bunnies, bunnies will do the work.
The first climb around Preston, will hurt a bit...
... because bunnies still be fresh.
Hang on, without killing yourself.
You'll want to be drafting over to the start of the Strawberry climb.
It's a long climb,
not as hard as it looks on the map.
Bunnies will blow,
go your pace,
push the top.
The drop to Montpelier is fun and fast,
you won't want to be alone and you
won't want to wait for slow climbers.
At this point, you pretty much know who you'll be riding with the rest of the day...
... except for one thing.
Those who skip the early calories are gonna start to suffer.
Not you!
Right?
With luck, you'll be with a good group,
have a working pace line,
and maybe a bunny.
Let that bunny work.
Clothing.
The start can be cold.
Tubesocks with toes cut out for your arms,
newspaper inside the jersey for chest,
are likely all you need.
Dispose of responsibly - Preston.
Make sure your team is carrying rain and cold weather gear.
It's high altitude and things change fast,
stay warm.
The only thing I would do different,
is familiarize myself with the competitors,
and not foul up the finish like I did here: https://pedalindustries.com/blogs/feed/lotoja-mocha-choca-lata-yaya
LoToJa is truly a oneofakind experience.
Highly recommend.
If you win this year, you'll be getting one of these RaceDay wallets... with a top secret code for a special RaceDay Bag™.
- 400 calories an hour
- Stay off the front
- Know thy enemy
---
163.8
7 hrs
PushUps, PullUps, Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
https://www.youtube.com/@pedalindustries/featured
EVERYBODY WANTS TO QUIT?!
DOES THIS HAPPEN TO YOU? It happens to me. A race is getting close, training volume is up, schedule is crammed, body is tired...
... and I want to pull the plug.
Happened just this week.
Here I am 3 weeks out from my A race,
a bucket lister I've had for a longlong time,
and I'm thinking about potentially pulling the plug.
Why is that?
Better question...
... How often are we close to achieving the dream and we quit?
We're tired.
Unsure of the outcome.
Doubting we can pull it all together.
Another better question...
... When and why and how do we push forward?
Me.
I thought of you,
because I made a public declaration.
I looked at my giant calendar,
and saw the goal I'd written in red sharpie.
I palmed my custom raceday wallet,
considering all I'd put into making this happen.
I met up with the Alliance on zoom,
and the shame of even considering quitting gutted me.
If you're like me...
... I need reminders, accountability and support.
But, here's the thing.
It's normal to want to quit, have doubts, feel overwhelmed...
... which is why most people quit before,
right before, the breakthrough.
Don't be normal.
Be true!
---
163.9
7.5 hrs
PushUps, PullUps, Squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
Podcast:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries