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TODD'S BLOG
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Get RaceDay Ready
SETBACKS, DO THEY REALLY SUCK?
TWO OF THE LAST THREE YEARS, have started with solid setbacks. In each case, I thought all was lost. Then I remembered the...
... advice of my dear ol' grampappy.
My boy...
... it's not the problem it's how you handle it.
Hard words for a love struck 14 yr old, getting nowhere with his puppy love.
The key to that wisdom it not so much handling the problem as...
... having faith and getting started.
Not running away.
Not giving up.
As I sit here completely wiped out by some sort of bug, coughing my brains out, I've come the realization...
- I will get better
- I will enjoy this slothful moment
- I will resist to bounce back too early
... it's early January f' cryin' outloud.
Take this setback for what it is...
... an opportunity to reset.
That's what racers do.
Reset.
Improve.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
158.3 lbs (not a good way lo lose wight.)
10ish hrs sleep (9:15pm-7:30am)
0 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BORN FOR THIS
THE REASON I LIKE TO READ FICTION is simply to imagine myself in impossible situations. The inner dialogue of the hero of my current book, Jericho Quinn, was spot on...
... to how I feel about racing.
Can you relate to this?
"He knew he was born for the rough stuff. His heart never truly beat until it was going full bore."
Exactly how I every time the gun goes.
It can get me in trouble though.
Like right now, with this nagging, awful cough and headache.
It's been going all week.
Have I rested?
No.
Just been doing all I can to keep going...
... totally idiotic.
===
158.1 lbs (not a good way lo lose wight.)
9ish hrs sleep (9:15pm-6:30am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GGGGGGGGGOALLLLLLLLLLLLLS
GOALS CAN BE GREAT. I say "can" because, let's be honest they usually aren't. I have a theory about that and it starts with...
.... easy.
It is so easy to set a goal.
Crud...
... set 100 goals.
And, that's the problem.
We set 'em like there's...
- the no other goals
- no current commitments
- we have limitless bandwidth
... no impact on our lives.
Having a million goals...
... is like having no goals.
I try and keep it to...
- physical
- business
- social
- spiritual
... one big goal per year.
It's a heckuvalot easier to accomplish one thing than twenty.
And guess what...
... if it's a big enough goal, it might take 5,10, 20 years.
===
159.2 lbs (yes, this bug I have has evaporated my appetite)
9ish hrs sleep (9:30pm-6:15am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
STYLE CUES
I THINK WE ALL HAVE A SENSE of cycling style. You know, what we think looks cool, and what we don't. At least, you should by now...
... unless you are brandspankingnew.
New kids are typically nervous and anxious...
- am I wearing the proper gear, 'cause I feel nearly naked
- do I look like Darth Vader with this helmet and glasses
- how tall should my socks be
... form and function questions.
Once acquainted with the options...
- looking cool
- being comfortable
- optimizing for speed
... start to take precedent.
Here's my general rules...
- gloves match shoes
- socks match jersey
- dark bibs
... all things being equal.
Which leaves the helmet, or helmets.
And this insane offer...
... buy a KASK helmet, get a FREE RaceDay Bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/a/bundles/kask-helmets-c5et
===
160.2 lbs
9ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-6:55am)
2 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE KILLER SNACK
HOW ABOUT THIS - a snack that needs no refrigeration, is a snap to prepare, gives an energy boost, and produces negative calories. How many
... would you consume per day?
Yes, there really is such a snack.
Proven by science...
- pull ups
- pushups
- deadlifts
- box jumps
are my go to's.
Personally, I like to enjoy one every 45-60 minutes...
- energy boost
- calorie burning
- improved cognitive function
... are legit benefits in less than 2 minutes.
I was reminded of this on Andrew Huberman's podcast...
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000682843685
... he's an actual scientist,
I'm just a dude who figures stuff out.
Note: not all scientists know what the heck they are talking about...
- study
- test it
- reject or incorporate
... it's called science for a reason - being 100% certain for all time ain't it.
===
160.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-555am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
>
PARTICIPATION AWARDS
THE LEGENDARY ATHLETE was returning to competition. It was to be a momentous year, documented professionally, all the world would know...
... he was back to bring them to heel.
What a dream.
After hiring a new..
- coach
- nutritionist
- top secret strength doctor
... there was one beautiful medal to show for all the effort.
Not bronze,
silver, or
gold.
A beautiful finisher's medal.
Not what he, his family or sponsors had hoped for.
Here's the dill...
... every time we battle, we have a chance to learn and improve.
Finishing,
is where
it starts.
===
161.4 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-555am)
3 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TOO EARLY?
WELL, TODAY WAS DEFINITELY the best ride of the year. Chilly start, dust down, trails open for blasting...
... the bar has been set.
It wasn't just the conditions.
The route entailed...
- fast gravel
- twisty single track
- plus, pack dynamics
... all the things I love.
And, of course, my pals.
- Love Watts and I rolled at 7am.
- Hooked up with CV, local group road ride, at 8:50 am.
- Back to dirt, with Chuckles, Zone 2, and Mrs. Smith, around 9:30ish.
The rig of choice...
... the Crux, with RaceKing 2.0s.
What could make this ride even better?
Oh, I have an answer.
A forgotten trail was bulldozed during fire season...
- it'll add another 1000' of climbing
- sneak through penal a colony
- miles of single track
... and will pour us out at my favorite country store, for a Coke and chips.
We have 360 days to find the perfect ride...
... 2025 is off to a heckuva start.
===
159.8 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-555am)
1 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts BoxJumps
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOOOOOO, NOT ZONE 1!
IF YOU'RE DRIVEN, and you probably are if you're a regular reader, seeing zone 1 on the training plan...
... is laughable.
We don't even know what that is.
We try to do it,
see the numbers.
Think, That's not going to help...
... awwwww, skrewit!
I have a solution.
It came to me on today's ride.
First, there was the absurdly long skid in the dirt...
- speed up
- back brake locked
- back wheel as unweighted as possible.
... just to see how long I could get it.
Then, the idea to jump onto and back off of every curb possible.
There was more.
My favorite was weaving the extensive traffic cones as long as possible without touching brakes or pedals.
90 minutes later, I coulda cared less about zone 1...
... I was in zone fun.
===
160.3 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:30pm-5:55am)
3 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
>
MY BIKE TOTALLY GOT AWAY FROM ME
CLEARING THE TOP OF THE CLIMB, I was leaning to initiate a turn back towards home. Not sure if I hit a rock, or what, but next thing I know...
... I'm on a different trajectory.
Was it meant to be?
I mean...
- not a cloud in the sky
- nobody on the trails
- crazy warm day
... geez.
Why such a hurry to get back?
Why not go straight up the the trail to the country store...
... for an ice cream bar?
Some turns really are for the better.
===
160.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9pm-530am)
3 rounds of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts BoxJumps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DO THE UNTHINKABLE
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO THE UNTHINKABLE, when it's unthinkable? Talk about a paradox. What it really means is...
... go way beyond the comfortable.
The great Wende Cragg captured the unthinkable...
- riding to a mountain top under a full-moon to watch the sunrise
- coaster brakes so hot they smoke after a downhill
- helmetlessly racing klunkers in jeans
... the birth of mountain biking.
50 years ago, her Pentax camera, snapped and preserved everything those...
... crazy pioneers were living.
The lifestyle.
Her documentary - click here - is as inspirational as it is mesmerizing.
Watch it.
It's got me thinking it might be a wholotta fun to get the hard training done M-F, and...
... use that fitness for adventure on the weekend.
===
162.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (1030pm-530am)
1 round of PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY I DID 100 PULLUPS, 190 PUSH UPS, 53 BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUATS TO CLOSE OUT THE YEAR
IF WE'RE GONNA BEGIN THE YEAR pretending we are committed to some outlandish new start, I figured I might as well end 2024 with...
... a ridiculous challenge.
I can look back and say If I could do that thing...
... I sure as heck can do this, too.
That's called stacking confidence.
At 6:45 this morning, I decided to do 100 pull ups today.
A first,
by a lot.
Since my normal m.o. 3x on the pushups, that'd 300.
And, I figured I might as well add 3-loaded Bulgarian split squats for every pull up, for 300 per leg.
Sounded doable at 6:45.
I'd just take a break every 30 minutes and bang out a round of the three moves.
It got hard,
the 30 minute goal drifted.
I learned...
- breaking up the day = hustle, productivity
- found my split squat limit to be 60 lb dumbell in each hand
- muscles felt awesome through 8 rotations
- posture is great
- these are better than smoke breaks
- got hungry, ate more than normal
- 30 min goes fast, aware of time waste
- required 12.5 hours to complete
... I can still do hard things.
PullUp 16,200 pounds
PushUp 30,780 pounds
Split Squat 2,029 pounds
Now, what to get done in 2025?
Happy New Year Y'all
===
162 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (1030pm-530am)
100 PullUps 190 PushUps 53 DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE SECRET SAUCE NOBODY TRIES
DID YOU PICK UP A TRAINING SECRET this year? From a book or podcast or YouTube? Accidentally overhear the local coach...
... whispering truth to an athlete?
I bet you did.
But, that's not the real question.
The real question is did you, yes you, or I, yes me...
... do anything about it?
Because what is the point to...
- look
- listen
- and learn
... if we're not going to at the very least give it a whirl?
After trying and testing...
- the Classified 2-speed hub
- even more calories when racing
- mountain bike tires on the gravel bike
... these are my top 3 secrets of the year.
What are yours?
===
164 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (11pm-7am)
PullUps PushUps DeadLifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
>
IF WE'RE GONNA GO BIG WE OUGHTA GO BIG
--- one of my favorites of the year ---
TODAY, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE TURNED THE CORNER. I'm mid-way through my experiment to train like Remco...
... 3 weeks of (for me) massive volume.
Last Saturday, end of week #1, I was pretty tired during the final miles of a 5 hour ride.
Exhaustion lasted through Sunday.
Monday the legs were oooof.
But, Tuesday, I felt pretty darn good...
... at the end of a hilly and peppy 60 miles.
With a cramped day, the only way I could stay on schedule Wednesday was to do two-a-days.
- Sunrise, 90 minutes of steepish climbs at moderate pace.
- PullUps, PushUps and Squats through the day.
- Evening, 2 hours of high Zone 2 rolling terrain.
... it was that second session on the bike where things were clicking.
I felt stong.
Even fresh.
3 days down,
9 hours saddle time.
Should be able to hit 18-20 hours by end of day Saturday.
It's a lot to juggle...
- solid days of work
- helping the kids with their kids
- and being present for Surfergirl
... wouldn't do this forever.
Fun to experiment.
Feeling might dawgawn fortunate.
===
162.4 lbs
15 hrs sleep (i really do have the flu)
No Strength
00 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RULES FOR FEELING SICK
HAVING COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS is always a tough one for me and begs the question should I exercise today? If I do, I might get worse or...
... I might speed up the process of getting better.
My general rules...
- above the neck, ride like heck.
- in the chest, better rest
... but, they didn't help me today.
Because I was just so determined that the fact I work up sweating was due to the heater was too high, and I wanted oh so badly to ride with the fellas...
... I headed out.
Instead of feeling a lot better post ride,
I cut the ride short.
The collapsed on the couch,
after paying my dues kneeling in the bathroom.
I guess I'll add to the rules above...
... running a fever, don't be an overachiever.
===
164.5 lbs
7Ish hrs sleep (10:30 pm-5:45am)
No Strength
00 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU ARE NOT A BODY BUILDER
FUN FACTOID, weight machines at the gym were developed by body builders for body building. Each machine can dial in a certain muscle to make it bigger...
... we are not body builders.
We do not want muscles that don't serve a purpose...
... might was well be a stack of tires around our gut.
You know what else we don't want..
... injuries.
I know what you're thinking.
What the heck does the Ol' Diesel know about strength?
Well, quite a bit...
- testing
- reading
- experience
... has proven to me what works.
Here's the dill...
- low reps (1-3)
- max weight (90-100% of max)
- almost every day of the week (4-5 days)
- lots of rest between sets (complete recovery)
- multiple joint movements (squats are 3 joints)
... on getting strong with minimal to no weight gain.
Take it easy.
Get a pro to help you with form, because you can do this...
... with minimal equipment from home.
===
Disclaimer - any and all advice is just stuff I've tried and worked for me and is not professional or medical.
===
162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU FAILING ENOUGH?
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE ACT LIKE there is a gigantic barrier between courage and discretion. There's not. It's a fine line. If we are to improve by any measurable amount...
... we must balance precariously and charge forth.
This is truth.
Failure is going to happen when...
- going for an impossible PR
- experimenting with new training
- carving the curves so hard we start to slide
... if we are going to improve.
Why?
Because failure gives us that needed feedback to...
... learn what we need to learn to improve.
Now don't go doing some idiotic Evilknevil stunt.
But, push.
Push a lot.
Every failure teaches us,
we adjust,
improve.
So push.
Push through...
- fear
- pain
- limits
... and reach our next impossible.
As the great Tom Watson, founder of IBM at the time the premier computing company on the planet, preached to his engineers...
... Fail faster.
===
We have 5 days to ride the New Year's Resolution madness, and all year to make it happen.
===
162.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps only
5 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHOSE WATTS ARE THOSE?
ON MY WAY HOME from the local ride of destruction, I was thinking about the amount of watts the fellows were putting out and how destroyed I felt...
... how could I quantify that?
I know my numbers,
I don't know theirs.
I know how I felt,
I don't know how they felt.
Back in the day...
... I'd visualize my head on my favorite pro's body.
Crushing all comers...
- What would be be like to put out Pojacar power and escape tens of miles from the finish?
- How about a Cav-like explosion sprinting for the line?
- Or, the surge and surf stomping of the bunch by the great Sagan?
... like a boss.
Playing that game of imaging what would Pogi or Cav or Peto do is...
... a great way to take on the unconquerable challenge,
and kinda sorta maybe put out some inspired watts of our own.
---
162.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps Squats
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
>
I HEARD THE BELLS
RIDING ALONE IN THE FOREST can be dangerous. The low hanging branches, hidden roots and rocks, and...
... the occasional wild animal.
Not the bunnies,
squirrels
or deer.
No danger there.
I'm talkin'...
- bear
- moose
- cougars
... the big, mean and hungry ones.
So, we blissfully mount bells on are bikes.
Which reminds me of the great Ray Bradbury's book, Something Wicked Comes This Way.
One of the characters, Mr. Dark, is confronted with the carol I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.
My favorite verse:
God is not dead nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.
Ain't nothing like a peaceful ride through the forest.
---
162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-5:45am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ELVES ARE DONE
WELL, I'M TUCKERED. The machines are tuckered. The many hands that make the magic happen are worn and achy. We're shuttin' 'er down for a couple of days...
... even elves gotta have an off season.
But, here's the dill.
The things we really want...
- speed
- power
- time
... we can't purchase.
The things we can purchase...
- equipment
- apparel
- trips
... we'd be embarrassed to task to a loved one.
We gotta be our own elves.
So, pretend your tapped on the cash...
... how are you going to get more speed, power, time?
Imagine it's spring time,
you're toeing the line...
- fit
- taught
- relaxed
... what's it gonna take?
Write it down,
wrap it up.
Give yourself a real gift.
Better yet,
give it to a friend or family member.
---
162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-5:45am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HE'S MAKING HIS LIST
THE POWER OF A CHECK LIST is awesome. Not ticking the boxes, for that quick hit of dopamine, there is something even better than...
... getting it done.
Which is the point.
For me, the real power is in the creation of a list.
Exploring and considering...
- each and every angle
- what is needed
- what is fluff
... and building an empowering list.
It's harder than it looks.
But, done correctly...
... discipline is replaced with love and urgency.
Checking the box is dessert...
... one we can enjoy each and every day.
---
That pic is literally a page from the RaceDay Ready Journal.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/raceday-ready-100-day-journal
---
163.1 lbs
9ish hrs sleep (9:45 pm-7:20am)
PullUps PushUps Squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE WATTS WILL COME
ROLLED OUT WITH A DEVILISH PLAN for myself. After 3 months of goofin' around, it was time to warm up the glow plugs on the Ol' Diesel. Nothing like...
... tickling zone 5 with the ticker.
Here's how weak I am.
Never in a millionkazillion years could I will myself push over 175 bpm...
- not for fun
- not for a coach
- not doing intervals
... I need to set up something stupid.
Like mashing the mammoth 50mm MTB tires,
with 20 lbs of pressure,
on the gravel bike...
... out to the local throwdown.
It was 25 minutes of pure, paved ecstasy.
Sandwiched in between 90 minutes of dirt, before and after.
Not much.
But, a start.
Time to begin upping the saddle time,
and sprinkling in a dash of intensity.
No need to hurry,
just stay consistent.
Keep doing the strength stuff.
If you build it...
... the watts will come.
---
163.9 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-5:30am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
OUR BEAST OF BURDEN
A FRIEND WAS GOING ON AN ON about how his brother had totally failed. The brother had committed to take his lifestyle to the next level. It wasn't going to be enough to get by...
... he wanted to live at the highest levels possible.
Did he make it?
You be the judge.
From where I was sitting, the brother truly had committed.
The results were easy to see...
- health firing
- family thriving
- business providing
- relationship with God and man aligned
... what more is there?
The friend could only see the missteps and shortcomings of his brother.
I think the point of putting ourselves out there, is to...
- be an example
- be held accountable
- show how we deal with failure
... and hopefully inspire others along the way.
Haters think it is an I'm better than you thing instead of the more simple...
... I'm doing my best, and appreciate your encouragement.
Truth is, commitment...
... is our beast of burden.
---
Every day builds on the next...
... this hat is a good reminder.
Ships FREE, order by 12.24
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/every-day-is-raceday-trucker-curved-bill-adjustable-hat
---
163.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps Squats n Such
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DESCEND LIKE A PRO
MY FRIEND MIKE has gotten the bug. Not wanting to deal with cars the went the dirt route, in the form of an MTB. He loves it, but...
... is legitimately concerned with crashing.
Legitimate in the form of...
... what we think about we bring about.
Fancying myself as somewhat of an expert,
I gave him this advice...
- Firm grip on the bars
- Arms looseygoosey
- Eyes/head up
... plus, have fun, confidence will follow.
The thing is,
we can apply that advice to literally anything.
Raising kids...
- Firm grip on getting them pointed in the right direction
- Arms ready to guide if needed or asked for
- Eyes/head monitoring their surroundings
Business/work...
- Firm grip on goals/objectives
- Loose on the how it gets done
- Eyes/head focused on where we're headed
Our next race...
- Get registered
- Plan the training
- Visualize the finish line
Come to think about it,
I wrote a book about that.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
---
166 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO RIDE?
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO RIDE? There are a million factors. At least we aren't too weather dependent, and we have the great outdoors as our playground. Compared to other activities...
... we got options.
My favorite is late morning...
- warmer
- sunshine
- break up the work day
... it's almost always alone.
Which is fine, but it can be risky...
... out in the wild.
Take today.
I didn't line up the turn up quite right,
took a stick to the face,
nearly in the eye!
Coulda been way worse.
Way.
Dusted myself off and rode on
decided to chill on the lovely
middle of nowhere
lawn chairs.
And count my lucky stars.
Which reminds me of the wonderful Christmas movie, The Shining...
... all workout and no reflection makes Jack a dull boy.
A good break in the action,
keeps us sharp.
---
164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps Squats & stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN YOU CAN'T DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE
WE THINK WE'LL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE LOVE. I remember specifically thinking after one particularly surprising race result...
... I could do this forever.
How does the saying go?
If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.
He must have been dying on Monday.
There I was...
- in a beautiful part of the country
- hero dirt from the recent rain
- expansive, gorgeous views
... and I was battling double-vision.
For whatever reason, I took a huge step backwards in my recovery from my brain injury.
I couldn't dive bomb the downhills.
I couldn't do what I've always done.
Did it suck?
Yeah, totally.
Did I quit?
Not even.
I slowed down, and did what I could do.
Which turned out to be an echo from an elderly spiritual leader who was assessing his final year or two of life, who said those exact words.
Doing what he could do.
Am I freaked out?
Not yet.
First off, I called my friend Rick the behavioral ophthalmologist (think PT for you eyes).
We talked about how I'd laid off doing the exercises he'd given me when I was first injured.
In fact, I did the most basic one right away, because I only have the most basic tool on me, and almost immediately noticed an improvement.
Next, I called my surgeon's office. The NP called me back and suggested I go on a steroid for 5 days to ease any post-surgery swelling that can occur, even months later.
Tomorrow, I'll get back to the more vigorous eye exercises.
Doing what I can do, and hopefully...
... back to what I've always done.
---
166.8 lbs (not really sure, on a trip)
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-6am)
Push Ups (doing all I could do while vanning it)
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
>
re: IS IT WORTH THE SACRIFICE?
Dear Ol' Diesel,
I'm still trying to figure it out Todd. I check in on one thing for a few years and then I'll switch gears, etc.
2025 I've got no endurance plans...biggest focus is strength training 5/6 days per week.
Is this lack of dedication?
Is this why i never quite seem to get my goals?
Is it enough that I attempt which is more than 99.9999% of folks can say?
I dunno man, still in search of answers. But I will tell you my want for endurance is absent.
I don't want to get up early for a ride
I don't want to get up early for a run
Heck I don't really want to do any of those things right now.
I do want to spend a little extra time with the better half
I do want to slow down a moment and enjoy or take in this new reality of empty nesters...
Does this make me lazy? I worry I'm losing my edge.
Thank you for always sharing your thoughts,
I Just Wanna Be Strong In LA.
---
Dear I Just Wanna Be Strong In LA,
Haha… no, you are doing great. Take a break. Spend time with your wife. We love our kids, and we love being emptynesters. Super fun, lots of flexibility.
I’d say this, don’t train unless it sounds fun.
We are on a quick trip up the coast. Just the two of us. Rode with Susie until she was ready to rest, then rode a bit on my own. No hurry, no rush, no care to do X work out.
Now, I’m in the hotel room catching up and she is in the Jacuzzi.
Life is short, wives are more important than miles… and besides, they like us with a little muscle.
IMHO, you're on the right track.
Love ya!
The Ol' Diesel
---
166.8 lbs (not really sure, on a trip)
9ish hrs sleep 830pm-5:30am)
Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT WORTH THE SACRIFICE?
WHY DO SOME OF US stick with the endurance thing year after year after year and others check in for a season or two then check out...
... never to return?
There is something unseen happening.
I think I know what it is.
Sacrifice.
For better or worse...
- could be skipping a new car for a better bike
- an hour later out at night for an early run
- a quick swim instead of a tv binge
... we've sacrificed something.
That sacrifice produces the faith necessary to really go for it,
go for that insane physical goal we've set.
It gives us hope.
And, we love that...
... in everything we do.
---
Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.
Use this promo code: TRIRUN
To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags - code expires Monday, 12.26.24
---
166.8 lbs (too much recovery fuel?)
8ish hrs sleep 10pm-6:04am)
Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
>
GETTING HIGH
NEARLY 6000' IN 32 MILES represents a good amount of climbing. Mostly straight up or straight down, on dirt. At about the 2 hour mark...
... I hit the highest point.
A few miles prior, a thought occurred to me.
If something bad happens,
I'm a long, long, long way from help.
The tires are new,
sealant fresh,
new chain,
cassette.
And, I was feeling pretty good...
... check, check, check and more checks.
Carry on,
enjoy the views,
and lack of humanity.
A bobcat appeared on the trail about 20 yards ahead of me,
it made a quick u-turn and loped along as I closed in,
before lunging over the side into the brush.
The red-tailed hawk surfed the gusty ridge,
searching for pray.
Chipmunks sprinted up and down the ancient pines.
Nature really does rock my world.
This mountain range is about a 35 minute drive from home.
I used to live closer,
and spent almost every Saturday up there, alone.
Looks like I've started the new year's resolution to adventure something new or different at least once a quarter...
... resolutions are kinda dumb.
Why wait?
As the great Yoda said...
... Do, or do not.
---
Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.
Use this promo code: TRIRUN
To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags - code expires Monday, 12.26.24
---
164.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep 10pm-5am)
PullUps Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
>
I CHOSE THIS?!
THE BROCHURE PROMISED A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE, everything would be tested. Yeah, all the mind, body, spirt stuff. Plus...
... every ounce of perseverence.
I salivated.
Months of prep were stacked,
when the date came,
I was ready...
... I thought.
But, then shift got real.
Way harder than I expected.
The sections with the group were hard,
we encouraged each other.
When it got really difficult,
nature split us up.
The loneliness was brutal.
I knew, hoped, we'd regroup when the elements eased.
Work together.
Get 'er done.
Crazy as it sounds,
getting towards the end,
I thought I'd gladly do it again.
Winning didn't matter,
completing the mission did...
... and, yeah, those hands were gonna be raised regardless of place.
Crossing the finish line,
to my surprise and delight...
... was my dad,
my creator.
---
Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.
Use this promo code: TRIRUN
To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags.
---
163.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-6:27am)
PullUps Push Ups
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE BEST ON BIKE WORKOUT EVER?
THERE ARE A LOT WAYS to get stronger and off the bike. Routines, fads, and trends come and go. For my money...
... nothing beats a singlespeed mountain bike.
I built one up because it was fashionable.
Little did I know how addicting the workout would be,
how much I would love riding it.
It was like battling a bipolar bull...
- docile spinning along the flats
- UFC cage fighting any time it got steep
... and it worked perfectly.
At the time, cycling had been quarantined to a few days during the week because weekends were family time in the desert riding motorcycles.
My spin stayed smooth due to the fixed gear range - it wasn't a fixed gear, I could coast.
In order to get up the constantly changing elevations...
- legs
- arms
- lats
- back
... were all recruited and magnificently engaged.
No need for weights or any kind of resistance training.
It was basically going from one interval to the next, with luxurious spinning in between.
As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the ol' Trek hardtail.
Dusty.
In the garage.
Maybe it's time to spend the least dollars possible and...
... make strength training fun and sexy again.
---
164 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-6:20am)
PullUps Push Ups Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU BORING YOURSELF?
IS NEXT YEAR GONNA BE BETTER THAN THIS YEAR? It'll be different, for sure. Better is subjective, only you can determine...
... if it will be a year to remember.
We need new...
- locations
- friends
- events
- skills
... experiences that will change us.
Memorable,
forever.
As I start to fill in my calendar for next year,
it's tempting to play small,
safe...
... instead I do this.
First, I have to have one giant, unreasonable physical goal each year. (spiritual, mental, and social, too).
2024 it was Gravel Nats.
Next year (2025) hasn't crystalized yet, but it will.
Second, I think it's imperative to try a new event once a quarter.
Right now, it's looking like...
- March BWR AZ
- April Highlands Gravel (UCI)
- June BWR MT
- 4th Qtr is TBD
... it doesn't have to be fancy, could just be a weekend adventure someplace new.
Third, master something new, and have a plan to track progress.
For 2025, that is going to be bicycle mechanicing.
By the end of the year, I want to be able to do everything at a level that I could bail myself out if I was nowhere near a competent mechanic.
I'll be adding milestones to the calendar for that, and purchasing the proper tools.
There lots of other stuff on the calendar...
- date nights
- family activities
- work objectives
- service projects
... gotta make it all work cohesively.
Back in 2020 I set about getting out to the Cactus Cup for the first time.
I met a bunch of cool people, and made new friends.
Rode some fantastic and unusual terrain.
Found an outstanding Italian joint.
Cactus Cup stays in the rotation...
... I never would have found it if I hadn't ventured out.
They're having the 12 Days of Giveaways starting 12.12...
... I hope you'll win this bag, and join me out there.
---
Side note:
- I'm planning to do BWR AZ and stay the week in the desert for Cactus Cup the following weekend. If ya get out there for either one, let's meet up for sure.
- I'm also planning BWR UT, in May, and heading to Fruita/Moab the days following for some epic MTB. Lemme know if you're interested in joining.
---
164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-5:55am)
PullUps Push Ups Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE THUNDER
LOOKING FOR SOME BACKGROUND VIBES, I loaded up a Goettl Media raw file of BWR Arizona 2024. It was supposed to be my first A race of last year, but..
... life had other plans.
It's never too early to start doing recon.
I like Joe's videos because...
- the POV is always really good
- his comments teach a lot
- he's super respectful
.... in other words, he's a good dude.
Turning away from the big screen to get some work done it struck me how much...
... a race at speed sounds like thunder.
Especially the gravel sections.
I got so electrified,
I ditched the project,
and dug into examining the terrain.
Joe raced the long version, the Waffle.
I'll most likely do the shorter Wafer.
From the looks of it,
I think this terrain will call for the Race King 2.0s...
- lots of sand
- some rocks
- whoops
... means it's gonna be a hoot.
Can't wait for my next thunder storm.
---
164.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-5am)
PullUps Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EASY DAYS AND HARD DAYS ALWAYS
I WAS LISTENING TO A PODCAST with the superfamous coach of an ultrafamous racer, and the host, trying to dumb it down for us dummies, asked...
... What's the one piece of advice you'd give an amateur racer?
He had me on bearings and spokes.
Train easier.
What do you mean?
I mean most amateurs are doing too much.
Isn't that the way to get better?
No. I mean Yes, but no.
Explain.
If an athlete is training too hard all the time, and by too hard I don't mean to exhaustion, but, at a level that will not allow them recover, really recover, then they can't...
... go really hard, and get the big gains.
I thought about that today as...
- miles rolled by
- watts low
- h.r. lower
... my mind open and free.
That advice is easy to understand, hard to thoroughly absorb.
It feels wasteful.
Useless.
And so we ignore it,
to our detriment.
Being that it's a Monday, I tweaked the great Karen Carpenter's song...
... Easy days and hard days always get me fit.
This works for work, too.
There are days I'm resting, prepping, organizing...
... and days I'm slaying it with back to back to back appointments.
---
165.8 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-6:20am)
PullUps Push Ups & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COASTING IN
AS WE WIND DOWN THE YEAR, few of us are racing. Personally, having backed down the miles I'm feeling really fresh and spunky, which reminds me about...
... what I love about tapering.
Sure, there's the reduced miles and training and all the good feelings that come with that, but there's something else and if we're doing it right...
... is a huge benefit.
Because all the fatigue is leaving our bodies we not only start to feel really good, we have time to reflect on how we got here...
... all the work we've put in.
The result is where once we were tired, questioning out motivations and our capabilities....
... now we are confident.
Confidence is key to...
... ripping on raceday.
===
Now it's time to party!!
I wish I'd come up for this idea of this collection in time for New Year's...
... but, Hey! let's party like it's twenty twenty-five!
Here's the deal...
... order by 12.9, save 25%.
Use code PARTY25.
Most likely ships just after the New Year, if we can get it out early, we will.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-party-collection
---
164.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:30am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DRIVIN' THAT TRAIN
THE PROBLEM WITH CORROSION isn't the corrosiveness itself. That's bad, for sure. But, I find the real problem is...
... it comes on so slowly.
Then, catastrophic failure.
Because I've been neglecting my trusty MTB all year, well, basically for two all years...
... I was caught out, bad.
"All of the sudden",
my shifting was shift.
It wasn't really sudden.
For months the shifting had been off, but...
... just good enough to put away and forget about.
It had reached the point of no return.
Irreparable damage had been done.
Rather than simply replacing the chain in a timely manner,
an easy home repair,
at little cost...
... I had to get a divorce,
and a hot, new, young,
complete drivetrain.
Costly.
It's just a drivetrain,
not something that really matters...
... those things deserve immediate, constant loving maintenance.
===
Now it's time to party!!
I wish I'd come up for this idea of this collection in time for New Year's...
... but, Hey! let's party like it's twenty twenty-five!
Here's the deal...
... order by 12.9, save 25%.
Use code PARTY25.
Most likely ships just after the New Year, if we can get it out early, we will.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-party-collection
---
164.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:30am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE IS LITERALLY NO SCHOOL FOR THIS
WE'RE ALL OUT THERE ENDURING, and it's like we have no compass, no gps, no no map, no field manual. There is no associates, four year, masters, or doctorate degree...
... and yet, somehow experts evolve.
Oh, there's the occasional book.
Usually so filled with jargon and graphs they are worthless, but boy...
... the authors sure look smart.
So, we rely on our...
- inner voice
- experience
- friends
... and get to work like mad scientists.
We can and do glean much from...
- watching races
- podcasts
- youtube
... then, we do our best to put it into practice on the next ride, run, swim.
Kinda makes ya wonder if...
- Jobs
- Ford
- Edison
... were just having fun, fascinated with figuring out what was possible?
---
Got a friend who's a Triathlete or Runner?
Blow their minds with a sport specific RaceDay Bag.
Use this code and save 20%: TRIRUN
Good ONLY on in stock Tri and Run bags.
---
165.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:45am)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE WORST GOAL EVER
ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, I set two lofty goals. One I accomplished, one I fell far short of. What was the difference between...
... success and failure?
Both seemed outrageous at the time.
They still do.
I each case, I knew everything would have to go perfectly in order to get anywhere near what I wanted to accomplish.
The one I attained, everything did go perfectly.
I went about my business,
mission accomplished.
The one I muffed, a massive unforeseeable mountain in the road popped up.
It was such a kick in the front of my bib shorts where my legs come together,
that it was mentally and physically debilitating.
Months later, unforeseeable mountain turned to gopher mound, I'm back on track.
There's all the fancy platitudes of goals...
- goal unwritten is a hope
- goals must be believable
- goals should be realistic
... we could go on and on.
But, I'm not sure that's the point.
Really.
Having the guts to...
- set an outlandish goal
- share it with real allies, not punks who puke on our dreams
- and take massive action
... is the lifeblood of everything I do.
Failure.
Success.
They matter, but not nearly as much what occurs...
... in the process of going after personal excellence.
===
We could wait until 1.1.25 to think, start, plan...
... or, we could grab a calendar and get down to business.
https://pedalindustries.com/calendar
---
166.4 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:55am)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DECEMBER'S FOCUS AND AN EXPERIMENT
THIS MONTH'S FOCUS ISN'T FOR BABIES. Babies crawl, make a mess of their food, and are on a quest to get fat. I'm not. Are you? I'm looking to...
... start the year on fire.
For December...
- LSD, not tripping, long slow distance
- Strength work
- Weight loss
... this is my focus.
That should have me in prime shape to hit it hard in Jan and Feb.
Two months to prep for the first races,
BWR AZ and Cactus Cup.
For Jan and Feb, I'm planning an experiment...
- Tues/Wed back to back intensity days, with long tempo on Saturday
- Tues/Sat intensity, with zone 1/2 days in between
... for alternating weeks to build race specific fitness.
The intensity for BWR's start and dynamic surges,
the tempo for Cactus Cup's old school XC race.
Should be fun.
No,
really,
it should be fun.
Just gotta nail December to be hammering in March.
---
167.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:55am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE RULE OF 3
NEW AND FIRED UP, I jumped full speed into the road scene. Since all I'd done was road race, I was one hundred million percent sure...
... I was born to race road.
While I shamelessly slobbered, the old wise man at the bike shop tried to duck.
When I stopped to breathe, he said...
... Sonny you don't know you lycra covered butt from a pothole!.
Huh?
Listen up, buttercup.
Gulp.
It takes three full years...
... to know what you're good at.
But...
But nothing, now get outta here and go to work.
He was right.
By the end of that first year, I realized I was a much better crit racer.
So, I focused on crits for the next two years.
When I found mountain biking,
I was sure I'd be a cross country racer.
Turned out,
I was a much better descender than climber.
When I finally got a gravel bike,
I was sure I'd just use it to mix up the training.
Turns out,
it's actually pretty darn fun to race gravel.
There's nothing magical about the three years...
... it's the three years of working at getting better that matters.
Oh, and before you quote the 10,000 hour rule, think on this.
There are 26,297.46 hours in 3 years, which is kinda like saying...
... if you live, eat and breathe anything for 3 years, magic happens.
Now get to work!
---
168.2 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10pm-5am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S THE DATA DUMMY
I DO LOVE ME SOME DATA. In this vast digital world, there's plenty of it to access, crunch, and geek out on. The only question I have is...
... why? what? how? when?
It's more than what the Garwahoo is delivering.
That little screen can be divided so small the numbers become trivial, useless.
Then we can dissect it all on Starva, Training Peaks, etc.
Which brings up the question?
Do we.
And, if we do, what are we to make of it?
It is so tempting to wing it.
And, why wouldn't it be? That's how it was done from Adam till now.
Gut feel.
But, I had some sense knocked into me today.
Realizing inventory was running low on our gloves and socks, I was about to wing it on a replenishment production run.
Wait, why not pull a report?
Takes a few seconds.
Data don't lie.
And, whadaya know...
... winging it was not the way to go.
The thing about all the Garwahoo data is there's just a heckuva lot of it. We could...
- read a ton
- take some classes
- pester the nerd that rides
... or hire a coach, let a pro figure it out and tell us what to do.
I'm not for winging it,
and I'm not for outsourcing it...
... I'm more for figuring out what the data means.
Empowering myself.
---
167.2 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps & more
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BECAUSE IT SUITS US
ARE RUNNERS BETTER WRITERS or are there just more runners and therefore more writers that run...
... leading to a larger talent pool?
Christopher McDougall's Born To Run is probably my favorite running book.
Inspiring.
It got me to run.
Trail running for miles.
His book, Natural Born Heroes, got me totally into strength work because...
... the heroes were so naturally strong and lethal.
Jesse Itzler is a runner.
His book Living With A Seal is hilarious, and wildly challenges our limited beliefs about what we can accomplish.
Here are a few gems from my latest find...
- The most important thing we ever learn in school is that the most important things can't be learned at school.
- With my mind elsewhere I'm able to run for a long while, keeping up a natural speed that doesn't tire me out.
- There are three reasons I failed. Not enough training. Not enough training. And not enough training.
... from What I Think About When I Talk About Running.
For me, it's not so much the running that is compelling, but the book's ability to help me understand...
... why I love riding, and enduring.
How about you...
... got any faves?
---
166.4 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (11pm-6:05am)
PullUps PushUps
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I'LL RACE YOU TO THE CORNER
AT SOME POINT, and it doesn't have to be now, but it will happen soon enough, we wake from our hibernation. Something stirs, and in disgust with our gluttony and laziness...
... we show our puffy faces.
It happened for me today.
I thought I could postpone it a few more weeks,
but there I was meeting at the start
of a ferocious ride.
The ride down was lovely.
Seeing the fellas, charming.
Even the first little climb
showed some promise.
It ended there.
My ballast keeping me grounded.
Basically, I made it to the first corner.
Now, I have a baseline.
And, it wasn't all bad.
I was only two seconds off my PR on that 6ish minute effort.
Things quickly went downhill after that.
Like, really fast...
... errrr, really sluggish.
On the next section I was 3 minutes off the pace.
20, TWENTY!, % slower.
I pulled the plug at that point,
proudly did the lonely ride of shame back to the van.
This Thanksgiving weekend, I am darn...
... thankful to have the desire to improve.
'Cause when desire goes,
when there's no more fire,
then what do we really have?
Gonna make to the second corner next time!
===
In between Black Friday and Cyber Monday are...
... Get your overstretched lycra in gear Saturday and Sunday.
Since some of ya pointed out the code wasn't working perfectly, I extended through Sunday.
TNX24 will save ya 20%.
That is if you're relating to my admission of bottoming out and still reading.
Which thrills the heck outta me.
---
166.4 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10:15pm-5:55am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SATURDAY TRADITIONS
AT DINNER WITH THE FAM, I asked What was your most memorable Christmas gift? The kids are adults now, I was curious what they'd answer. I knew exactly what mine was...
... the moment the words left my mouth.
What surprised me however,
was Surfergirl's answer.
My bike, it definitely wasn't new, and I didn't care. It was freedom, we'd roam the streets of Kailua, and all to go the donut shop on Saturday mornings.
That surprised me.
Not the donuts.
Not the pre-ownedness.
I've asked myself a million times...
What did Surfergirl see in me way back when,
What does she see in me now,
... maybe she saw a kindred roamer?
Because, I was doing the exact same thing on my Stingray...
... roaming the streets and dirt lots with my pals on Saturday mornings.
Still am.
Oh, my favorite Christmas gift?
The red Schwinn Le Tour I drooled over when my mom's boyfriend took me to Fullerton bikes. I imagined myself flying up the hills and traveling great distances...
... shocked me to see it with a bow.
Wish I'd kept it.
---
166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-6:10am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE KNOWLEDGE CHEAT CODE
MOST PEOPLE don't know this. Some do, like the great Steve Jobs. Meanwhile, we have this amazing cheat code...
... for insider knowledge.
Take today's ride.
Love Watts brought his wife's best friend's husband, and let me know he's a triathlete.
Here's the beauty of riding with someone.
Because when his wife's best friend's husband told me he was brand new to the gravel scene, I thought...
... Oh boy! This cat is gonna get wrecked once we hit the dirt.
Nope.
Dude can shred.
Guess what else?
My friend's wife's best friend's husband, who had been to our town many times, had no idea how amazing the gravel riding could be here in "suburbia".
Quite canyons.
Canopied trees.
Miles of single track.
What Steve Job's knew is if he went on a long walk with someone he could really get to know them.
It's the same with us.
While humanity zips around in cars...
... we go for ride, run or swim and get to know humans
and the places they live.
===
Black Friday.
I see all the unbelievable sales and savings, and sometimes I wonder..
- is it something a company does when the import gear made with slave labor in China?
- are my competitors that desperate?
- if it's such a great strategy, why don't the greatest brands like Apple, Cervelo, Tesla, Belgian Waffle Ride, Luis Vuitton, Kask, Tiffany, do it?
... seems like a good way to cheapen, destroy a brand.
But, what if it's a way to reward the loyal, cult following we have developed..
... for example my friend's wife's best friend's husband has three of our RaceDay bags.
How cool is that?
So, here's the deal.
Since you passed the test,
since you know me.
Use this code, TNX24, to save 20%.
It is only good through the 29th of November 2024.
Yes, I know it's not a mind blowing discount, but you know...
... we make our bags and apparel right here in the USA.
Quality.
===
166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-555am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS SO OVER THE TOP
DO SOMETHING ENOUGH TIMES and we start to pick up on the littlest things. Trust me, I've done this twisty country road decent at least 1000 times, when it comes to going fast...
... the littlest things matter.
On Tuesday, I hit 46.2 mph.
Not bad.
Not my best.
The PR is 50.2 mph.
A few of the little things...
√ Aero helmet
√ Tight tuck
√ Winter blubber
√ Fast wheels
... I had most of it right for top speed.
But, there was one massive ingredient.
It's not enough to make it to the top...
... gotta be sprinting past the goal to reach escape velocity.
===
166 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (930-530am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SLOWVEMBER, DEEPSLUMBER AND JAMUARY
IT'S MORE THAN OKAY TO CELEBRATE the holidays. In fact, it's mandatory. Will we sneak out for a turkey trot or social ride? Heckyes! Will we pile on the food?...
... it'd be a shame not to.
Nothing better than the 3 F's...
- Food
- Family
- Friends
... for our slow-thudding hearts.
Bring on Deepslumber...
- More parties
- more events
- less time
... soak it up.
Jamuary will soon be to the rescue.
It's so dang easy to get carried away and spend the entire first quarter trying to...
... undo what we done did.
Honest question,
asking for a friend...
... you planning to wake up on 1.1.25 ready to jam?
===
166.4 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (9:30-5am)
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
A PAIR OF 45s MADE ME OPEN MY EYES!
LEAVE IT TO HOLLIES to set things right. I'm not sure when it heppened, but it's pretty dawgawn clear my sprint is dead and...
... we gotta do some resurrectin'.
A veil of dust and yuck has been yanked open.
I couldn't put my finger on it,
but on today's MTB ride I could sense it.
Something I love, is missing.
The shackles of endurance were weighing me down...
... the chains getting longer and heavier.
It's my sprint, my freakin' sprint.I used to love to sprint...
... not the fastest, but cagey and wiley.
That was it.
Somehow, the singular focus on long endurance races had killed the speeding spirit...
- That fire.
- The angst.
- Thunder and lightning
... slumbered like a middle-earth Tolkien forest.
Doing the dishes an old tune came into my mind...
... What's the name of that?
Next thing I know, Long Tall Woman...
... is cranked up to 11.
Dishes, instantly done..
I'm jamming, alternating between...
- Squats
- PullUps
- PushUps
- Bent Rows, BENT ROWS!!!
... reactivating those muskulls.
Can't freakin' wait to get on my bike, and sprint!
===
166.7 lbs (starting to wonder if my scale is stuck)
8ish hrs sleep (10:15-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps Squats Rows
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PUTTING A RACING SUPERPOWER TO GOOD USE
RACE LONG ENOUGH, and you can eye a competitor and know, pretty quickly, if they are suffering. And, if we're feeling good...
... this is when we pounce to distance ourselves.
But, should we,
always?
Some of the tells are...
- heavy breathing
- sloppy form
- hanging on
... they are mostly easy to note.
Though there can be fakery...
... for the worse and the better.
But, what about out of competition?
Can we use this highly-honed superpower for good...
... when neighbors, friends and family are struggling?
Even faking All is well.
Rather than pounce...
... can we embrace and lift up?
===
166.7 lbs (starting to wonder if my scale is stuck)
8ish hrs sleep (10-6:30am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE SEXIEST HELMET HACK EVER?
IT'S NOT OFTEN someone eyes us over and says we look sexy all kitted up. Maybe that's why it worked this time, 'cause there I was with my helmet on, and she said...
... you look sexy!
It never would have happened if I wasn't...
... on my way to my new sexy helmet hack.
When I get home...
- I put away the bike
- stow the shoes and glasses
- strip and head to the shower
... head into the house.
So there I was...
... buck naked.
Helmet on my head.
Normally, this would merit a head shake.
Another silly idea.
Here me out.
Step into the shower post ride and pop out...
... helmet and body, fresh as can be.
===
Do you think it has anything to do with penning in Date Night on the RaceDay Calendar?
Right now, the miracle working deal includes...
- the Calendar
- the Annual Plan Masterclass
- plus, one month of the Be True & Rip Alliance
... a magical way to rule the year.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/giant-raceday-calendar-2025-bundle
===
166.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10-5:50am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
SOME PROBLEMS ARE HARDER than others to solve. It can be frustrating when the answers just aren't coming. This is...
... how I solve my problems.
It's a question of time, right?
The truly unsolvable problems need marinating...
- clearly identify what needs to be solved
- set aside time
- get outside
... during a very lazy ride, run or swim.
The only goal is to solve the problem.
A stop for a pastry and drink is often required...
... I carry a journal and a pen to help me flush out ideas.
The best problems take require more...
- miles
- creativity
- "fuel" stops
... 3 or 4 or a lot more sessions.
Just today I was trying to figure out what to focus on...
- goals
- events
- milestones
... for next year.
Went for a ride,
had a brainstorm,
came home to the Giant calendar.
And they think we ride just for fun and fitness!
===
Right now, the Giant calendar includes...
- the Calendar
- the Annual Plan Masterclass
- plus, one month of the Be True & Rip Alliance
... a magical way to bring on the year.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/giant-raceday-calendar-2025-bundle
===
166.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45-6:30am)
PullUps, PushUps
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GET YOUR @$$ IN GEAR
Nov 29, 2022 TODD BROWN
GOT A BUNCH OF PROVOCATIVE EMAIL TODAY. First, the incredible Hugh. Anybody who completes the Everest Challenge is amazing in my book. One problem, in his own words...
... he's covered his studliness in blubber.
I thought about sending a kind and gentle email, relating to how hard it is to keep fit and juggle life.
But, he's a stud.
So, I wrote him back...
... Get off your @$$!
Thanks for the motivation, Todd! Not having scheduled races/events over the past two years is exactly why I gained the weight and retained it: No goals, no competition, with just nominal effort, has kept me from the ‘eyes on the prize’ focus, thus yielding its own outcome. Time to get my @$$ in gear.
There is so much magic in signing up for an event, even one of our own making like Everesting.
What this stud really needs is to commit for 10 weeks. My brother did that 4 weeks ago and according to dear ol' mom over turkey dinner...
... Matt looks great. I asked him what he's doing and he said your program.
---
Then Brian has the juevos to send this contrary opinion:
Hey there: my opinion?
PR’s are worthless or at best, not worth much at all.
Why?
Way too many variables that significantly influence any given performance. They include, equipment, weather, riding conditions (solo, in a group? etc), sleep, diet, physical health, and on and on and on.
Without isolating and controlling for any particular variable, a PR doesn’t meaningfully inform me of much at all.
Just my two cents….
Which I think actually proves my point.
What we are after is our PERSONAL RECORD, regardless of what the Strava Lords say...
... only you know if it was your best effort.
---
On a related note, when we set about going for a PR often we find the universe conspires to make it happen...
... it's almost scary how often that has happened to me.
We can, and do, bend reality.
---
Frank's email of the custom shirt we made him (pic above) really say it best...
PRs - you gotta risk it, to get the biscuit.
---
Where was I...
... some will wait until Jan 1 to start
others have already started and will be 5 weeks ahead...
... what are you going to do?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
160.7
8.25 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY PRs ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN KOMs
Nov 28, 2022 TODD BROWN
Have you got the hang of being RaceDay Ready™ yet?
Have you found a rhythm?
If not, you will soon.
I promise.
It gets a lot easier and the faster you can go all in the better.
That picture up there represents my results for the Leadville 100 MTB race in 2022.
Notice, I finished in 2nd place.
What are the odds?
My finishing time of 7:57 was the 2nd fastest time ever posted by someone in my age group. The previous best was set by an ex-pro who won the race overall the first time I did it. That day he beat me by over an hour. His best at 60, 7:54. And that was 3 years prior.
The next best time for our age group was 8:40ish.
I should have won my age group, and there is the important lesson I want you to consider as you transform your body, mind and soul...
... there is always someone better, always.
There is great power in chasing our PRs, and potentially great poison in chasing a victory or a KOM.
Was I disappointed?
Nope.
I crushed my previous PR, destroyed it.
And, that was my goal.
Do I like to win?
Hellyeah!
It's super cool, and fun.
But, there is nothing better than a PR...
... knowing I couldn't have gone any faster, done any better is the best feeling in the world.
There are going to be days when you will want to quit or skip.
I know.
I face 'em.
You'll face 'em, too.
The only question is...
... how badly do you want to perform your best?
When you're feeling weak, disappointed, there is only one thing to remember and that is everybody feels that...
... people who want it push through, day by day.
Keep Challenging Yourself!
----
161.4
8.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU CHALLENGING ME?
Nov 27, 2022 TODD BROWN
SOMEONE HAD THE GALL TO CHALLENGE ME. Can you believe that? It wasn't a direct challenge, but a challenge to one of my readers...
... How can you believe what that guy says?
It's a legit question:
How can some dude (me) possibly have any good advice when he's not a doctor and has never gone to school for what he's telling you to do?
Well, other than the fact that I have read countless books, listened to hours of podcasts, studied the fastest and toughest athletes, and put it into practice to bust my PRs...
... you've got a good point.
Except,
I'm not telling you what to do, and I'm warning you that I'm not a doctor, all I'm saying is...
... this is working miracles for me
you should try it out for 10 weeks.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
161
9 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
DETUNING MY FITNESS
Nov 26, 2022 TODD BROWN
I'M A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR, but there is still plenty of time to detune my body. Gaining physical fitness is a lot like taking a car to a tuner and...
... removing the factory settings for increased performance.
There are two ways to undo that:
- Reduce training
- Stop training
But, why should we detune our fitness?
For me, there are two outcomes I'm looking for and they both revolve around feeling fresh:
- Physically
- Mentally
I can't say one is more important than the other, because they go hand in hand. Fortunately, they respond together in detuning...
... as well as fine-tuning fitness.
Nowhere was this brought home more clearly than in April of this year. I wouldn't normally take a big break midseason, but I really wanted to take Surfgirl to a secret surf spot in Mexico.
To be honest, I'd already raced a lot by then and wasn't completely looking forward to the big ramp up for Leadville.
Still, I was concerned it would throw my fitness off.
Quite the opposite.
After nearly a week off the bike, doing nothing but surfing a few hours and sleeping in and a little work as a keyboard cowboy...
... I felt amazing.
So, since I'm just a passionate dude and not a doctor let me give you this link to the science.
Along with this summation:
The athletes who took time off at the end of the season - reduced or completely off - started the season slower than those who trained year round but...
... had much higher output and results during the meat of the season.
Personally, I like the reduced approach.
Fewer days on the bike.
More days on the board.
And...
... no structure whatsoever,
for about a month.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
It is kind of like tapering for a big race, the same effect but in a much bigger way.
Tapering is definitely part of being RaceDay Ready.
----
161.6
8 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
GRAVELICIOUS
Nov 25, 2022 TODD BROWN
I GET A LOT OF JOY CREATING COURSES. Some, like TMWC, have been in use for 20 years. Others, like HUNKR, were rad but too costly promote...
... today, I nailed a classic.
It's not solely gravel.
There's road.
Single track.
I took a previously very challenging course and lopped off the rocky, steep stuff.
Now, it's flowy and fast.
The real joy isn't so much in the creation as it is in the...
... sharing and riding with good friends.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
On the ride we were talking about what we could have done better this year.
I need to lose a few pounds and get back in the gym.
Bro, just gimme 10 weeks...
----
161.9
7 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
10 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
SURVIVING THE FOOD AVALANCHE
Nov 24, 2022 TODD BROWN
IT'S COMING, HECK IT'S HERE! Started today, and it's just gonna keep coming until it sweeps even the most dedicated...
... off their fitness mountain.
But, I have the antidote.
Arm yourself with this excerpt from RaceDay Ready:
There are two important concepts I want to share with you:
- Eat like an athlete
- Eat what you can identify
The biggest shift I had regarding what I put into my body came through a conversation with my son, Shane.
Want to grab a donut?
Nope.
Why not?
Because I'm an athlete.
It's a simple shift in our thinking, to think of ourselves as athletes first.
What would an athlete eat?
That's a loaded question, but let me give you a simple rule of thumb for eating.
If you can identify it, eat it.
There are all kinds of strategies you can employ around that:
- Intermittent fasting
- Low carb, high fat
- More protein
- Fruit until noon
- Carnivore diet
- Atkins.
It takes some experimenting to figure out what works best for your body...
... just eat whole foods!
Nuts, eat 'em.
Fruits, eat 'em.
Veggies, eat 'em.
Meats of a kinds, eat 'em.
Do you see what I mean?
No factory food.
No packaged goods.
No traditional desserts.
It's hard at first. It took me a long time to get on the rythym of it all...
... and then the surprising happened.
My cravings went away.
Poof.
Well, not totally because now I crave whole foods...
... whose ingredients I can see.
You know what else went away?...
... a lot of blubber.
Easily.
Over time.
A word about cheat days.
They are popular, and I believe they are stupid. All they do is restart the cravings.
Do I cheat?
No, sometimes I'll say Ice cream sounds good today. But, instead of pounding a pint I have a few bites. It just doesn't taste as good.
In it's place, I currently crave greek yogurt with frozen fruit mixed in.
Which brings us to the 4 Don'ts of RaceDay Ready
- No Alcohol
- No bread
- No soda
- No sugar
For some of you this is easy peasy, for others you might really struggle...
... are you an athlete?
Do you want to be your best?
Should you go cold turkey or ease off? That's your call.
Don't stress about it.
It is a lifestyle change, and once you start seeing your food through this athlete's filter...
... you'll notice you have a lot of places where you can improve.
It's a process.
Start now.
For those of you in need of accountability, we have RaceDay Ready For Life...
... use this promo code to save 20% RDR20.
The code will expire.
----
161
8 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
15 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
STOP AND SMELL THE GRATITUDE
Nov 23, 2022 TODD BROWN
ON MY HOME LAST NIGHT I HAD TO LAY MY BIKE DOWN. There were things to do, places to be. Instead, I stopped. Or, I was stopped...
... it was too beautiful to keep riding.
Who created all of this?
Why am I so lucky to witness it?
How did I wind up with the health to get up here?
When will the the sun and sky ever be like this again?
Moments like these are common, but I tend to ride right on through them...
... in a hurry to get on to the next thing.
At dawn, I rose and began my morning writing. Reflecting on the previous sunset a steady stream started to flow...
... line upon line of gratitude.
Calling out each person who has made a tremendous impact in my life this year by name, and their specific contribution.
Detailing the changes I've made for the better in my mental, physical, social and spiritual life.
It's been a great year...
Demanding.
Rough.
... the kind that makes me better.
Do you know why I'm so passionate about RaceDay Ready 2023?
Why it's free?
Because I feel called to share everything I've learned this year.
There is no other reason.
I'm simply grateful and looking for a way to give it forward.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
161.3
7.2 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
10 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
MAKING INTERVALS FUN AGAIN + Black Friday All Year Long
Nov 22, 2022 TODD BROWN
WERE INTERVALS EVER FUN? I am sure there are many of you who just love to do intervals. Indoor, outdoor. 1 minute. 5 minute. 20 minute...
... I'm envious of you.
We all know that intervals are they way to go to get battle hardened and prepped to rip on raceday, or any day.
I'm probably in the minority, there are just a handful of who refuse to do them. Not out of religious protest or fear of hurling...
... simply because we don't like 'em.
What's an enduramaniac to do?
I was thinking about that today on a most glorious ride...
The fall weather, perfect.
Shadows, lengthening.
Energy, high.
... because it was one of those days where I'd see a climb, or a straightaway or a g-pressing berm and just uncork it for a bit.
These are my kinda intervals.
They hurt plenty.
But, it's fun.
The moment passes, and I get back to smelling the dead leaves and setting sun.
Is it as good as real intervals?
Maybe.
I did quite a few of them.
Had a ton of fun.
But, more importantly, these types of intervals tend to be the same places a galloping peloton would do the same thing...
... and isn't the point to be raceday ready?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-pedal-posse/products/pedal-posse-2023-membership
I get asked a lot, Will there by any Black Friday deals?...
... yes, when you join the PEDAL Posse you save 25% all year long.
Check it out.https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-pedal-posse/products/pedal-posse-2023-membership
----
160.1
8 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU AS BUFF AS MY DAUGHTER?
Nov 21, 2022 TODD BROWN
MY SASSY DAUGHTER IS VISITING US for a few days. I couldn't resist having her mock my workout and at the same time...
... seeing how tough the little fitness queen is.
First up was the sled, which she shot video of me getting set up to share in the family text where the brothers could pile on the mockery. This video does look a little dorky, but I'm telling ya...
... the workout is legit.
I drag my body weight, and when I was through we lightened up for her to do the same. She did just fine, which I expected.
She was good on the squat, 40lbs in each hand. And the shoulder press with 15lbs in each hand.
Knowing she hits the gym regularly, I wasn't too surprised at how well she was doing.
But, that was the end of normal for her...
... it was time to do the exercises that have vastly improved my pedal stroke.
Starting with the nordic for hamstrings.
It was fun to take her through the RaceDay Ready routine.
By the end, she was no longer selling me on joining a gym.
She got it.
Dad, you can do this and not get sweaty.
Yep, just strong.
Do you do it more than once a day?
Sometimes, only takes 15 minutes.
I like that.
And just like that, my sassy daughter had some respect for the old guy for a brief few moments.
I'm working on a new video of the basic RaceDay Ready strength routine for the 2023 version...
... so you'll be able to get a dash of respect from your detractors, too.
Click on the logo to check it out...
... get signed up and you'll start receiving the new material as I have it ready to go.
----
160.3
7.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
15 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
SWEET NEWS
Nov 20, 2022 TODD BROWN
I DELIVERED A SPEECH TODAY. The group comprised all ages. Some, I knew were in tremendous shape, others battling age and illness, the rest indifferent or not concerned...
... about maximum health.
Part of my text covered my PR crushing time at Leadville last summer.
There was no time to go into the details, so I want to share with you some sweet news.
- what's happened to my vision since ditching sugar
- why it's not enough to ditch sugar
Since I really clamped down on my sugar intake one of the many benefits has been improved vision. This is not scientific, I haven't had my vision checked to confirm. I can only tell you this, it's better.
Recently I read an article confirming the damage too much sugar can do to vision. Then, found a YouTube video discussing the benefits of berries to our vision...
... which is why it's not enough to ditch sugar.
It needs to be replaced.
Anybody who has tried to quit anything knows quitting is nearly impossible, replacing is much easier and more likely to be permanent.
For example, I use to enjoy ice cream at night. I've replaced that with Fage Greek Yogut (brand of choice), with frozen berries mixed in. The berries freeze the yogurt. I think it's amazing.
That afternoon snack I used to grab during the week, which was typically sugar/carb based, has been replaced with nuts. Currently, it's mainly Macadamia nuts. I love them chilled, in the freezer. Their benefits are many. Look 'em up.
Part of my prep for RaceDay Ready 2023 will be more details on what I'm actually doing with diet. Remember, I'm not a dietician or a doctor...
... I'm just your biggest fan, sharing what is working for me.
Take it with a grain of salt.
Stay tuned for the 2023 version of RaceDay Ready, it's on the way.
----
157.8 (probably dehydrated)
7.5 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
NEITHER DR FRENCH OR MR BULL COULD HELP THIS TIME
Nov 19, 2022 TODD BROWN
A BUNCH OF US ROLLED OUT to the Temecula 8 hours of endurance today. Most were racing 2, 3, and 4 person teams...
... it's always a lot of fun.
Unless you're racing solo.
Then, it's 5 hours of a lot of fun, followed by a lot of questioning...
... What was I thinking? How stupid is this?
There is a reason for this questioning, because unlike a race of an epic distance this is a timed race. In a distance race you can just speed up and get it over with. In a timed race, you speed up and you still have lots of time to go.
Personally, I was thinking it'd be fun to see everybody, ride some new single track, get miles in with Easy E and Speedy Steve...
... I even planned to pull the plug at 5 hours.
What I didn't plan on was cramping up with an hour to go, plus I was just plain tired...
... I had to bring in the heavy equipment.
French's Mustard for the cramps, and Red Bull for the energy.
Didn't help much, and when I rolled up and saw Steve chillin at the 5 hour mark, I knew it would be wise to stick with the plan...
... then I remember how sick I was 72 houra prior.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-travel-bags
The campground seems to have unlimited hot water, and it felt great to wash all the dirt and salt of my body.
The Travel bag had my toiletries, towel, clothes, shoes, etc...
... because I followed the checklist on the pockets.
And yes, of course we can make these in your team colors.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-travel-bags
----
160ish
7.5 hrs
0 Strength Circuits
0 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
I THOUGHT THE RACING SEASON WAS OVER?
Nov 18, 2022 TODD BROWN
I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT TOMORROW’S RACE. Not because the venue has cut an entirely new network of single track, not to see all my pals, and certainly not because I decided to race the 8 hours solo division…
… because it’s going to be so darn cold tonight.
Previously, I’d be okay with that. I’d sleep great in my Costco down mummy. Everything would be great until I got out of that protective barrier because come morning…
… the van morphs into a giant icebox.
No longer, I hope.
The great Steve, master of all things mechanical, installed a tiny diesel heater for me. In true Steve fashion, he performed all kinds of upgrades and customization, vastly improving the out of the box set up. He also installed the seat swivels that I’ve had waiting for way too long.
Just now, I noted the thermometer inside was reading 60 degrees. That’s normal. I had my big parka on and my feet were cold. Also normal. Then I thought, let’s test that heater out.
15 minutes later, we at 68.
That’s the lowest setting.
It’s a pretty low-tech unit, pulling diesel from the van's tank. No thermostat.
With much colder temps coming through the night, it should be just right inside my little cave on wheels.
You know what they say...
... warm hands, ready to rip heart.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
Speaking of ready to rip...
... I'm rolling out the 2023 program.
It's in a bit of a test mode, but you can get started on it and the pieces will be all together by month's end.
Just click the READY logo.
----
160.1 (weight is back to normal)
7 hrs
1 Strength Circuits
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I FEEL LIKE I COULD FIGHT A LION
Nov 17, 2022 TODD BROWN
YESTERDAY WAS ROUGH, had me crawling on my knees and praying to a porcelain god. Add in the sweating and chills and you've got a recipe...
... for weight loss.
Not the good kind, but a kind never the less.
By the end of the day, I was on the mend.
I weighed myself just to get a smile.
Yep, a lot lighter.
Maybe 24 hour flu should be called 24 HR FAST + (the plus being purging.)
But, here is the really good news, my appreciation for a healthy body is dramatically renewed as well as my empathy for those who aren't feeling 100%...
... plus, I feel like I could fight a lion!
__________________________________________
Started the day with a solid round of the RaceDay Ready Strength circuit...
... stay tuned for the 2023 version, it's on the way.
----
158.3
12 hrs (felt so good to sleep so much)
1 Strength Circuits
15 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
A DUMB THING CAN BE A GOOD THING
Nov 15, 2022 TODD BROWN
I STUPIDLY HELD OFF PUTTING ON THE NEW TIRE until late last night. It looked good, seemed to have sealed and be holding air...
... flat as can be at 5:15am.
Not a good thing to discover 20 minutes before I needed to roll, so I grabbed the gravel bike and figured why not...
... it'll be harder.
Harder is better.
Harder it was.
Permanently ejected on the penultimate climb, I had 2 choices:
- Chase and hope they wait
- Take the dirty way back
Being well-trained in not waiting, the idea of chasing only to be gassed and gapped again wasn't a top choice...
... dirt it is.
Gotta be honest here, this was the best Tuesday morning ride I've had all year.
- Warming up with the posse
- Pummeled by the posse
- Ditching the posse
The dirty way was free of cars, and nearly all people.
Too cold, too early.
Dumb to wait until late the night before to replace tire...
... good to get out anyway.
__________________________________________
It's coming, updated for 2023, with all kinds of new information and tools.
Stay tuned.
----
159.4
7 hrs
0 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
TRY NOT TO OVERTHINK IT
Nov 13, 2022 TODD BROWN
HERE'S THE DEALIO, we are humans and humans love new stuff. We are always looking far into the horizon...
... because there might be danger out there.
Or food. Or friends. Or, in modern terms, a new and better way to do things.
Consequently, it is extremely easy to overthink our training.
Consider this, from an old book called Bike Racing 101, which a friend showed me today...
In February 1998 American Fred Rodriguez scored a stunning three stage wins and top 10 overall place in the grueling Le Tour de Langkawi, beating out many top European road pros.
This performance got him noticed and picked up by the strongest squad in the world at the time, the Mapei team.
How did he prepare for this astonishing feat?
Freddie had already been riding for many years with his coach, René Wenzel. Wenzel knew Freddie could handle a tough program. He started out with one hour per day of endurance-paced riding in early October and continued to add 20 minutes per day each week until he was doing six hours per day, all at an endurance pace. By the time he left for the Malaysia event, he had only very briefly been above 80 percent of his maximum heart rate on one occasion during team training camp.
At 80 percent of his MHR, Fred was averaging approximately 25 MPH (40 KPH)
on flat sections of his training rides. The rest is history.
To be honest, none of us has 6 hours a day to ride in zone 2. Even if we wanted to our bodies probably couldn't handle it.
There's a lesson in there somewhere...
... use it.
__________________________________________
It's coming, updated for 2023, with all kinds of new information and tools.
Stay tuned.
----
160.6
8 hrs
0 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW SOON IS TOO SOON FOR THE FIRST GROUP RIDE?
Nov 12, 2022 TODD BROWN
I DRAGGED A NEWISH RIDER TO HIS FIRST GROUP RIDE. Not just any group ride, one with serious talent which...
... has destroyed many an ego.
It's November, and I was thinkinghoping it would be somewhat tame.
The 30 mile ride to the start might have been a tall ask but...
... I look at it as an extra thorough warmup.
The ride itself is about 30 miles with countless rollers and turns. I wondered how long he would last.
- Mile 1, flat and casual.
- Mile 2, a number of stop lights to catch up.
- Mile 3, he was through the roundabout onto the first riser...
... and out the back.
Which turned about to be a great thing.
- Mile 4, I had a catastrophic gash in the front tire 3 darts wouldn't seal.
- Mile 4, he had a tube I definitely needed.
Back riding, it was fun the rehash the start of the ride.
How'd you like that?
Is it always that fast?
Yep.
The whole ride?
That was the start, it just gets faster and harder from there.
I'll never be able to keep up.
You will, just keep coming.
Where was he keeping his 2 canisters, nozzle, tire irons and spare tube?
Same place I should have had a tube.
The amazing MiniRace Day bag, made of innertube so everything is tight and quiet.
Use promo code TOOSOON and save 20%
----
159.6
7 hrs
0 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
WHO DOESN'T LIKE A BIG BUMP?
Nov 11, 2022 TODD BROWN
I PROMISED THE GUYS WHO WENT ON OUR 230 MILE ADVENTURE last weekend that things were gonna change. That this week would be amazing...
... because of the big fitness bump.
I could make that promise for 2 reasons:
- Nearly all of them had never ridden that far in 3 days
- We kept a steady zone 2 to zone 3 pace.
Specifically I promised them that not only wouldn't they be sore, but they would gain a massive fitness bump.
Heard from the first one today...
You were right?
About what?
The fitness bump.
Howso?
Well, I'm cruising effortlessly at 24 mph.
... how could I make such a promise?
Been there, done that...
... it's the secret sauce few tap into.
But, why does it work?
Why does zone 2 work?
Well, I think gravel bikes are particularly wellsuited to fooling around and adventure. By their very nature gravelbikes aren't meant to go fast on the road, nor are they much good over rough terrain.
What happens is I wind up riding slower, taking in more of the beautiful scenery and serenity.
It's refreshing.
All the hurrying and hustling that race bikes for road and mountain inspire ends up producing, for some, a lot of stress vs stress free riding...
... when what most of us need is a simple endurance adventure.
The fitness bump is the cherry on top.
__________________________________________
It's coming, updated for 2023, with all kinds of new information and tools.
Stay tuned.
----
161.2
7 hrs
1 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THERE ARE JUST 2 TYPES OF ATHLETES
Nov 10, 2022 TODD BROWN
I USED TO BE THAT GUY, and you might have been too. It all changed for me when I had a conversation with my superfit son who said...
... I'm not on a diet, I'm athlete.
Which got me thinking there are just two types of athletes in the world:
- Those who view food as a reward
- Those who view food as fuel
The first one is almost always battling weight gain, shifting moods, and gravity. For me, that was a fact. But, I didn't realize what the problem was until that conversation with my son...
... then everything started to shift.
It was a process, and it took time...
... mainly because I didn't know what I was doing and kept dragging it out.
I'm looking forward to all the holiday hoopla, and eating with friends and fmaily. It's such a wonderful way to spend time together.
I just ask myself, is this fuel or fun...
... and will it be fun tomorrow?
__________________________________________
It's coming, updated for 2023, with all kinds of new information and tools.
Stay tuned.
----
159.5
8 hrs
1 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT IS THE POINT OF AN FKT?
Nov 09, 2022 TODD BROWN
IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE, pros posting a blistering time on a Strava segment and calling it the FKT...
... aka the Fastest Known Time.
And, it's got me thinking.
Why is it called FKT and not KOM?
To avoid Strava conflicts?
But, if not on Strava then where...
... I think that's the only place for people to care because it's public and everybody sees it.
In reality it's a great marketing ploy by these pros and their sponsors
- FKT sounds cool and is intriguing
- Somehow it shines brighter than KOM
- Anything that starts with F these days will get looked at
I could be wrong, but I bet Strava wishes they'd thought up that name...
... it's F'ing brilliant.
Who doesn't want to say I've got the FKT on ______?
Me...
... PR > FKT > KOM.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
Check these LKPs...
... $10 for pair of $35 gloves?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
----
159.2
7.5 hrs
1 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
DON'T FALL FOR THIS!
Nov 08, 2022 TODD BROWN
THERE IS A REASON I AM CONSTANTLY REPEATING Keep Challenging Yourself and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that...
... you're not being challenged every day.
We all are.
Life is truly hard.
What I'm really saying is Don't fall for the I'll be happy when I...
- win the big A race
- beat my friends
- snag a PR
- a KOM
... you'll never be happy with those accomplishments, because there is always someone faster, something harder, just out of reach.
Just be happy now,
with the things that really matter.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
I go into greaert detail in the chapter called All You Can Do of my book, The Way of The RACER...
... the book is free, just cover the shipping.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
----
159
7.5 hrs
17.3% b.f.
60.4% h2o
2 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
SHOULD WE BE RUNNING IN THE OFF-SEASON?
Nov 07, 2022 TODD BROWN
WHEN WE REALLY GET INTO CYCLING we tend to get really out of everything else, because time in the saddle always equals...
... time saved on raceday.
I often wonder if it's worth it.
While my watch alerts me nightly that my h.r. has fallen below 40 bpm...
... should we pursue more than a superefficient cardiovascular system?
There are sacrifices.
Have you tried...
- running
- tennis
- volleyball
- basketball
- jogging
- rucking
... lately?
Sure, we can go all day doing almost anything...
... but, we often find ourselves pounding Advil the next day.
Over the weekend, Singing Andy started selling me hard on an Xterra Triathlon. I once again thought this over.
- We should be able to easily run a couple of miles, and not be in traction the next day.
- Same goes for a basic 1/2 hour swim.
C'mon do it.
I dunno.
It'll be fun!
Ugh.
Surfergirl, do you wanna do it?
Sure, why not?
Todd?
Alright, alright. I'm in.
Today was my first run.
15 minutes for the first mile of halfwalking and halfrunning...
... lots of room for improvement.
Funny thing is I don't really hurt, yet.
Maybe tomorrow or maybe there's more to RaceDay Ready™...
... than meets the Oakleycovered eye.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
I did go all Rocky on the first run, singing Take It Back, with the beanie on.
$20, free shipping, available in 4 different colors
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
----
159
7 hrs
17.2% b.f.
60.5% h2o
2 Strength Circuits
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER?
Nov 06, 2022 TODD BROWN
I DON'T LIKE THE EASY WAY, as much as I love the way that makes everything easier. Does that mean it's harder?...
... you tell me.
The easy way generally...
- gives immediate satisfaction
- provides a quick pleasure
- requires little effort
The way that makes everything easier...
- is an everflowing fountain of fulfillment
- supplying long lasting happiness
- requires discipline
Of course, the most interesting part of the above is that discipline becomes very easy...
... with time and commitment.
Just look at what we accomplished over the last 3 days and how few would be willing to attempt such a feat, let alone be able finish it.
Not only did we finish it, we were all smiles.
Maybe it is best summed up in a conversation I over heard at the table Friday morning, our recovery day.
I don't know if I could give up sugar.
It's not that hard.
Really?
Really, just takes a few days to not miss it... and a week or so to wonder why I ever loved it. Now so much sugar seems weird.
Isn't it interesting?
Discipline looks weird and hard to outsiders and...
... normal and good to insiders?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
Since we are disciplined in constantly improving our gear, you might want to scoop up a few of these closeout.
Save at least 50%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
----
160.1ish
10 hrs
17ish% b.f.
60.2% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
30 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
SURF N SUMMIT DAY 3 - BACK TO THE SURF
Nov 05, 2022 TODD BROWN
TODAY CAPPED OFF ONE OF THE BEST ADVENTURES I've ever had on a bike. It wasn't just the epicness of riding back to the coast in perfect fall weather...
... that's the side show.
Lots of rides have epic terrain, and challenges.
What made this stand were two things:
- The fact that for the majority of the riders, these 3 days were by far the greatest distance they had ever ridden, ever.
- The geography.
I've come to the conclusion that it's one thing to ride a 100+ miles or do the (insert name) ride...
... to make the ride outstanding requires context.
And, when you realize you just rode from a far away mountain resort to the coast...
... it blows your mind.
Trust me, I just did it and I can't stop thinking about it.
From frigid, freezing snow covered grounds...
... to a beautiful sunny afternoon at the beach.
Rides like these, for me, only happen because I use the magic of a giant calendar.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
The calendar is GIANT...
... and MAGICAL
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
159ish
6 hrs
17.5ish% b.f.
60ish% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
0 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
SURF N SUMMIT DAY 2
Nov 04, 2022 TODD BROWN
AFTER YESTERDAYS FORCED TURNAROUND 2000' from the summit, we were still pretty pumped. We'd covered 113 miles and 13000' of climbing...
... for half the group that was farther than they'd ridden, ever.
We all slept great,
and slept late.
We had big recovery plans.
Ivette was on her way with her
- massage table
- Bemer PMF pad
- Infrared light device
- and the most gifted hands on the planet
Plus, a recovery ride...
... that turned into a 2 1/2 hour adventure.
The idea was to spin over to where we had planned to descent last night in the dark and see how much snow remained after melting all day.
A lot.
3-5".
Enough to make riding up very challenging, and require multiple dismounts.
It was comforting to confirm we'd made a wise choice in pulling the plug the day before...
... and blast to ride back down through the snow.
This could be the best recovery day of all times.
Since even after today's warm temps there is no way we can ride over the summit we will start where we left off, at Angelus Oaks and ride back with a goal to get to the ocean before sunset.
Gonna be a fun one.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
One of the very best parts about being RaceDay Ready™ is being able to easily do adventures like these.
My cousin Rich is proof... at close to 60 y/o, purchased his first "real" bike 8 months ago.
Todd, I want to do these long rides you do.
Ok, you've got 6 month, start with my challenge.
What's that?
He's lost 20 lbs, improved his tennis game, and just rode 100+ miles with over 10000' of elevation...
... and we're gonna do it again tomorrow, in reverse.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
159ish
8.5 hrs
17.5ish% b.f.
60ish% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GOOD FAILURE
Nov 03, 2022 TODD BROWN
WE FAILED AGAIN. We started early, we were making good time. Six riders, trained and committed to ride from the coast to the Big Bear...
... there was just one problem.
Clearly we were high on adventure.
Who wouldn't be?
It was a Thursday morning and we were riding gravel bikes on dirt, pavement and some rippable singletrack.
Briefly passing through the busyness of the city, students at their desks, commuters hustling to get in to work, it's the kind of feeling...
... where you feel like your cheating at life just a little.
But, as I said, we were clearly in denial because 70 miles away the towering mountains were covered in white...
... it was obvious there was too much snow, but we were in denial.
We'd trained too much,
prepped too much,
worked too clear schedules too much.
We rode on, determined to conquer this ride, even through the snow depth would be unridable and we were prepared for 40 degrees, not 20.
Just 6 months prior, we'd melted during a major 120° heatwave and quit at mile 100.
Today, we were frozen.
A little closer, 113 miles and 13000' of vert, but the danger was even worse than the oppressive heat. The possibility of dying was chilling.
With 7 miles and 2000' to climb, on a good day we'd make sunset. On this day there was no way, it was too slippery and we were already suffering frozen...
... we failed.
While we didn't make it to Big Bear...
... we did see a brown bear.
Worth it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
For much of the ride I wore my favorite KOM jacket...
... it is very wind and water resistant, and packs up super small.
We are closing out the remaining inventory because we are redesigning the back pocket.
Trust me, this will be your favorite jacket... and we might have on in your size at 50% savings.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
---
159ish
5.5 hrs
17.5ish% b.f.
60ish% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
HOTTER 'N HELL, COLDER 'N HELL... WE'RE STILL DOING IT!
Nov 02, 2022 TODD BROWN
SIX MONTHS AGO WE ATTEMPTED A MASSIVE RIDE, from the coast to the faraway mountains of Big Bear. We'd planned it well in advance, with out of towners joining, and couldn't change the date...
... we rode in 120° heat wave, and failed at mile 100.
We're going for it again tomorrow, predicted low is 14°.
It won't be bad at the start, and during the day should be wonderful. But, again around mile 100...
... weather is going to be a factor.
If all is on track, we should hit the final climb about 1pm. That leaves us 4-5 hours to cover 30ish miles and 5000ish feet of climbing. We should be warm climbing up the steep gravel road...
... that summit is gonna be very cold.
It's a quickish drop to town from the top, and a short ride to a killer AirBnB with a spa and hot food waiting.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
I'll for sure be using layers for warmth, and wearing my all time favorite KOM jacket...
... it is very wind and water resistant, and packs up super small.
We are closing out the remaining inventory because we are redesigning the back pocket.
Trust me, this will be your favorite jacket... and we might have on in your size at 50% savings.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
---
159.3
9 hrs
17.9% b.f.
60% h2o
1 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE DELICATE ART OF NOT SUCKING
Nov 01, 2022 TODD BROWN
MOUNTAIN BIKERS, TRIATHLETES you have mastered this fine art. Because MTB racing is basically a mass start time trial, and triathlon is a time trial...
... you don't suck.
But, I fear for my road and gravel peoples.
So many you have not yet mastered...
... the art of not sucking.
I must let you in on a little secret.
If you'll just get your lycracovered posterior to the front and roll through you'll be insanely rewarded with
- respect
- better fitness
- ... and less effort
Just use this little trick for those overwhelming benefits.
- Be smooth
- Do a short pull
When you find yourself up front, and you nose is in the wind...
... don't be a hero and bury yourself.
- Pull through
- Pull over
- Recover
Rather than yoyoing off the back with the gaggle of geese, chasing after every corner, wasting all kinds of energy...
... you'll smoothly pull through like the majestic eagle were born to be.
Get out of the gaggle,
you're not a goose.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
It's always a good time for flashy lights...
... alone, in the group, or off the front.
Check out these gems
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
---
160.2
6.5 hrs
17.3% b.f.
60.4% h2o
1 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING
Oct 31, 2022 TODD BROWN
FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, it's been struggle and worry every day. I work so hard and I put in all my hours...
... just to gain a few watts every day.
But then one night you came along.
And every little thing is gonna be all right.
The great Tom Jones mostly sang those words about girls and lonely nights...
... it's just as true with my longing for a food strategy.
Low-carb is a strategy I just might be falling in love with, as I've really commited to it.
- Not no carb
- Not low-cal
Tried those.
No bueno for me.
The result of low-carb?
Way, way, way better energy throughout the day.
Shocking really.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
Not as shocking as some of these deals...
... save at least 50%.
No promo code need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
---
160.7
8 hrs
17.5% b.f.
60.2% h2o
2 Strength Circuits
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY DID THE TORTOISE REALLY WIN THE RACE?
Oct 30, 2022 TODD BROWN
PROGRESS IS A WEIRD THING, especially in endurance sports. I grew up surfing, if I took a month off and paddled out I could still catch waves and have a blast...
... endurance sports are different.
Time is a key ingredient for any endeavor, but there is something even more important.
The rabbit lost to the tortoise because he was all over the freakin' map.
Starting,
stopping,
changing direction,
going way off course.
The tortoise had a superpower beyond the simple goal of reaching a set destination...
... and that is the key to success in endurance sports.
Consistency.
The workouts don't have to be magnificent, just consistent.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
Because we are consistently improving our product and adding new designs it's time to clear out some gear...
... save at least 50%.
No promo code need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/close-outs
---
161.2
8.5 hrs
16.8% b.f.
60.9% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I LOVE IT, BUT I HATE THE TASTE
Oct 29, 2022 TODD BROWN
XC MTB RACES ALWAYS START OUT HARD, but the Filthy 50 is ridiculous. 500 yards after the start on a wide service road, there is a narrow gate leading to a narrower path...
... you must go 100% for the first 5 miles or be gapped out the back.
Then climb Raptor Ridge, all out.
Make it down the other side with a lead group and you're set up for the first 20 miles of racing...
... flying across long sections of double track and techytwisty stuff.
I love it.
The challenge is immense.
But, we must choose the wheels to follow carefully in the rotation or bad things can happen.
I had an early good spot until the guy two ahead missed a turn and cut hard jumping off a ledge, he was going to land on me, forcing me to a dead stop...
... took me 3 minutes of ripping to catch back up only to have him look back and say Pull through, I can't do all the work..
I could only laugh....
... oh, and blow by after I recovered.
Not a trustworthy wheel.
Next up was a 2' slab, edged by boulders, that would normally be easy to ride up, but not in a fast moving paceline...
... first guy makes it
second guy slows and makes it
third dude slower, makes it
fourth just slammed into the slab and unclipped
I was fifth in line and I hustled by...
... never seeing that lead 3 again, even after chasing hard for 5 minutes.
That fourth guy had no chance.
Took him 20ish minutes to catch me, he promptly apologized and introduced himself as Ty... I told him no big deal because in these long races allies are key.
Ty then sat on my wheel to recover, which was totally cool until we hit some very steep terrain and he came around and rode on by...
... I couldn't close the gap to him.
I was gapped out.
It was mile 26, nearly half way (it's actually 53 miles).
At this point I made a strategic decision, choosing to switch from Threshold on the climbs to Tempo the rest of the way back to the finish...
... and see if all those cats in front of me could sustain their pace.
I'd opted to race the Expert Open vs my age group, because my main objective for the day was a PR, it really wasn't a tough decision to switch to Tempo.
I was alone anyway.
Then, as often happens, I started to see jerseys ahead of me get closer.
Each rider I caught I encouraged to jump on and recover and help...
... but, they were done.
With 16 miles to go Ty comes back by me. He'd taken a wrong turn. This was a good thing. We could work together...
... see how allies can help?
We rotated along the flats 'till the Raptor Ridge return. I thought he'd drop me, but he was cooked, and allowed me to wiggle by...
... and snag a PR.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/chroma-cycling-raceday-bag™
Of course, I packed PR Lotion in the Lotions pocket of my RaceDay Bag.
As most of you know, the bags rarely go on sale.
But, since this is a new color and we have zero inventory at the moment you can use this promo code through the end of the month to save 15%.
The code is PREPARED
The bags can be personalized and will ship in about 3 weeks.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/chroma-cycling-raceday-bag™
---
161.8
6.5 hrs
16.8% b.f.
60.8% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
30 minutes recovery
10 minutes reading + Journaling
THERE ARE ONLY 2 KINDS OF RACERS IN THE WORLD
Oct 28, 2022 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF RACERS WORLD, and I've had conversations with both types today. Phone calls...
... can you spot the difference?
You ready for tomorrow?
Oh hellyeah, are you ready to see the back of my jersey?
... and...
I'm not sure what to do next week before the race. Should I ride hard a couple of more time? How much should I rest? Do I ned a few days off? What would you do?
Well, here's what I'd do...
I've had similar conversations, many times, with all kinds of racers. New and seasoned. Doesn't seem to matter...
... the closer that start line gets the more they settle in.
Fiercely Confident vs. Haltingly Tentative
Really it all comes down to one question...
... Am I prepared?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/chroma-cycling-raceday-bag™
That's the main benefit of the RaceDay Bag...
... feeling prepared gives confidence and save energy.
Check out these new colors.
As most of you know, the bags rarely go on sale.
But, since this is a new color and we have zero inventory at the moment you can use this promo code through the end of the month to save 15%.
The code is PREPARED
The bags can be personalized and will ship in about 3 weeks.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/chroma-cycling-raceday-bag™
---
159.4
7.5 hrs
17.8% b.f.
60.4% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
0 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
BIG AND SMALL RIDERS
Oct 27, 2022 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE BIG AND SMALL RIDERS, and all kinds in between. Where we fit on that scale largely determines how we will fare in competition...
... but, it's not all about the physics.
Sure,
- the large and powerful dominate MTB Downhill racing, and road time trialing
- the lithe and diminutive scoot upwards leaving all others in their jetstream
But it is always
- the big stars. visionaries and personalities at the top
- while small thinkers, dreamers and characters are at the bottom
Big,
Small,
or in between...
... something to think about as the year winds down.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Which is why I love having a monstrous cycling goal each year on my Giant RaceDay Calendar.
I prefer the biggest version to keep my vision front and center.
They ship free.
Happy to make one with your team graphics.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
159.6
7.5 hrs
18.2% b.f.
59.7% h2o
0 Strength Circuits
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
THE B RACE BLUES
Oct 26, 2022 TODD BROWN
I HAVE A RACE THIS WEEKEND. Not an A race, a B race. Quite honestly, it might be a C race. Why go then? I dunno...
... except for the obvious.
- I'll see my pals
- Get out of town
- Ride trails I rarely ride
- Dress up in a costume for Halloween
- ... and the ol', it's already paid for.
The problem with B and C races is I never respect them.
Don't taper.
Don't prep too well.
Don't take it seriously at all.
Which leads to the other problem...
... everything potentially becomes a lot more difficult.
No prep.
No prosper.
Which leads to a lasting benefit as I wrap up the year...
... there's nothing like a good beat down to motivate through the winter.
We'll C what happens.
It's a 50-miler...
... gonna be needing these to products for sure.
Use yesterday's code PRme30%
Works on the Butt'r and the PR Lotion, you need to purchase at least 2 bottles to save 30%.
And definitely expires on Thursday, 10/27
---
160.1
6.5ish hrs
18% b.f.
59.9% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW I'M IMPROVING MY PEDAL STROKE
Oct 25, 2022 TODD BROWN
IF YOU'RE IN RACEDAY READY, you know about the 6 exercises I do for leg strength. They're all good, but the four weird ones...
... are rapidly improving my pedal stroke.
I didn't notice it at first, it took a few months to really feel the effects.
Why?
Frankly, I think I was so pathetically weak it took a while to get strong enough to notice a difference.
Here are the six exercises:
- Squat
- Box or Stair Jumps
- Nordic
- Reverse Nordic
- Heel Raise
- Toe Raise
The first two, I'm sure you know about and might have even tried. I'm sure they are helping...
... well, after months, I'm squatting a lot more.
Another weird thing is stair jumps are more explosive after the squats.
Anyway, I'm sure you know what a heel raise and a toe raise are. If you're like me, I completely neglected my lower leg. After steady practice my ankles are much more flexible and the top and bottom of my pedal stroke are fire better.
The Nordics are the strangest of all in terms of something I'd never done before. I'd done leg curls, but this is a whole other level...
... my hamstrings are firing.
It feels amazing.
The reverse Nordics are odd as well. I can't put my finger on exactly where they help with pedal stroke yet, but there is no doubt they are greatly improving my core strength.
I sent this video out to the RaceDay Ready crew, if you haven't seen it it's a quick tour of what I'm doing.
Click pic to check it out.
Still with me?
Good...
... because you might want to take advantage of this.
I like Chamois Butt'r... so does the area around my special purpose.
Use yesterday's code PRme30%
Works on the Butt'r and the PR Lotion
And definitely expires on Thursday, 10/27
---
159.4
8ish hrs
18.2% b.f.
59.7% h2o
2 Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THIS IS HUMILIATING
Oct 24, 2022 TODD BROWN
ONE OF THE VERY BEST MOTIVATORS is probably the one we all hate the most. It strikes right to the core of our egos, but can be...
... by far the key to our greatest success.
I'm not talking about a loss,
or a good whipping,
or goof we made.
This much more devastating...
... a complete humiliation.
The kind of thing that destroys our ego to the point we either quit or are...
... humbled enough to become teachable.
Then, we can build something new, and potentially much better than anything we had ever built before.
Until we reach that point, and I'm ohsoguilty of this...
... we stubbornly cling to old thinking.
We aren't ready to receive new information and help,
incorporate new methods of operation,
rise like a phoenix from defeated ash,
to soar like never before.
As the great David Goggins says, Embrace the suck!
Something else to embrace is this crazy offer on this insane product...
... which I will not race or train hard without applying.
This offer is only good through end of day 10/25.
No promo code needed, all you have to do is add 2 or more bottles to your order and you will save 33%.
---
161
8ish hrs
17.1% b.f.
60.5% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
TODD'S LAW
Oct 23, 2022 TODD BROWN
ABOUT 60 YEARS AGO, the great Gordon Moore predicted silicon chips would decrease in size and price by 50% every 24 months. The critics said, No way!...
... the critics are still wrong..
If they same were true of my of my childhood fancy...
... today a new fleet of Schwinn Sting-rays would cost less than a penny.
It won't go on forever, but will TODD's Law.
Todd's Law states that much of what we "know" about aging is total bullony because most of what we "know" assumes...
... we won't keep pushing our limits.
That we'll give up.
Believe that bs,
that were old,
and useless
We may not go on forever, but we sure as helk...
... aren't gonna give a chainlink to the critics.
Ride on!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
When I'm pushing it hard I prefer the firm connection of these real leather, superlight race gloves...
... which come in a ton of colors.
And, it's Buy One Get One... no promo code need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
163
8.2 hrs
16.9% b.f.
60.6% h2o
0 Strength Rotation
0 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
FACING MONSTERS
Oct 22, 2022 TODD BROWN
WHAT IS IT THAT CALLS US TO DO THE THINGS WE DO? I could have slept in today. Gone for an easy spin along the coast. Instead, we met up...
... with the monsters from down south.
I'd coaxed TViddy and a friend to join me. They bailed as soon as the group turned towards the hills.
90 minutes and a million PRs later...
... I was shot out the back of a 2hr horror show.
That's what monsters do.
Crush us.
And, we like it.
But why?
- The distraction they provide to other real world monsters
- The satisfaction on the days we slay the beasts
- The illumination of our weakness
- The fascination with what's possible
I like to think it's a mix of the above that drives me, but the real fear...
... is it's a the distraction, I crave and need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Which is why I love having a monstrous cycling goal each year on my Giant RaceDay Calendar.
I prefer the biggest version to keep my vision front and center.
They ship free.
Happy to make one with your team graphics.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
160.3
7.7 hrs
17.1% b.f.
60.5% h2o
2 Strength Circuits
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHERE DO I FIND MY CYCLING SECRETS?
Oct 21, 2022 TODD BROWN
I LOVE DRAFTING OFF OF GIANTS. The broad shoulders, punishing power on the flats and rollers, pedaling is effortless when they're leading....
... is there anything better?
As the great Sir Isaac Newton said, If I've smashed a PR it's by drafting off of giants.
So who are some of the giants I follow?
Only one of the 7 is an actual cycling coach! because I have personally studied most of the latest and greatest already.
More importantly is how do I find time to digest their teachings?...
... every night, that 30 minutes of recovery I do.
All of them are alive and generous with their specific expertise and practices, except the last one. I came across Terry Laughlin when training for a few triathlons a while back.
His techniques revolutionized my swimming, and more applicably...
... improved my breathing under stress.
More than once I used swimming as a way to improve my breathing for high-altitude racing.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-co-2022-plush-towel-35-60-blue-splash
Which reminds me, not only do we make RaceDay Bags™ that are triathlon specific, we also super plush towels to match.
Yes, of course we can make them custom for your team.
Use promo code SPLASH
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-co-2022-plush-towel-35-60-blue-splash
---
162ish
7.5ish hrs
17% b.f.
60.3% h2o
1 lite RaceDay Ready™ Circuits
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
MY NORMAL KICKS ARSE
Oct 20, 2022 TODD BROWN
WHEN I FIRST GOT ON A REAL ROAD BIKE, as an adult, I rode 6 miles. The next day, I borrowed it again, and rode 12. Within a week...
... I raced my first crit.
That's not normal.
What seemed insane to my college roommates quickly became...
... completely normal for me.
30 miles a day.
no prob.
125 on a Saturday.
ho hum.
2 hours on a trainer,
yawn.
But, my new normal is a completely different thing. It's taken my riding to a whole new level...
... and it's not the saddle time.
The biggest gains are doing the things my riding pals think are nuts.
Sound familiar?
They are only nuts, I think, because they are not normal.
But, check it out.
It is now normal for me to squat my body weight every day. Multiple times, multiple sets.
It's normal, it's not a strain.
I'm just a helluvalot stronger...
... like when 30 miles a day became normal.
Not a big deal.
But, a big deal when it comes to laying down the power.
What else that seemed insane is now normal?
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
There are no secrets...
... unless you don't take the challenge.
I'm always adding to this body of knowledge.
It's free.
It's not normal.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
161.8
6ish hrs (heatwave, no a/c)
16.8% b.f.
60.7% h2o
2 RaceDay Ready™ Circuits
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW I GOT 10X BETTER
Oct 19, 2022 TODD BROWN
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, my oldest got the racing bug. It rekindled my desire to rip again. A lot has happened since then...
... but not all at once.
That's the funny thing, of course, because to an outsider it can look like overnight success.
That's not the way it really works.
Think about this, if you could buy one thing for yourself this year to make sure you were faster what would it be?
Doesn't have to require cash,
could be time
or discipline
or sacrifice
or time.
Yes, time is in there twice because I generally waste shift loads of time and that is certainly something I'm still working on.
Now, to that every year for 10 years and watch the improvements compound like interest.
As the great Ed Latimore says...
... Be so good they think you are cheating.
Side note: latest data says average American wastes 11.1 hours per day looking at screens.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
For me, that means gaining control of my calendar and having at least 1 event that is going to push me to a new level.
I prefer the biggest version to keep my vision front and center.
They ship free.
Happy to make one with your team graphics.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
160.3
7.7 hrs
17.1% b.f.
60.5% h2o
2 Strength Circuits
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
OUR unOFFICIAL WORLD CHAMPION
Oct 18, 2022 TODD BROWN
THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE YEAR we had a repeat winner at The unOFFICIAL Tuesday Morning World Championships. Not only didn't we have a repeat winner...
... the winner careened off course more than once.
Put that in your tubeless tires and smoke it.
It's the kind of thing that could bug a lesser racer. A newb, neverseenit laying waste to all comers, after losing chunks of road and time...
... while the rest of us are latched like chihuahuas on a charging bull.
It's actually worse.
Sir Luke is a Brit...
... barely rides on the right side of the road.
Though we all finished within a few seconds or minutes of the lead pack, few of us were in contention.
There's a big difference between race speed and ride speed.
Our ride speed was ho-hum as far as overall finishing time.
The race was won by
- The punishing pace Nick set up the first climb
- The daring stab David took on the bike path
- The constant attacks of Jorge and Michael
- The launch on The Wall by Eric
- The ferocious finish by Luke
All told, around 8 minutes of the 59 minutes required to cover 20 mi and 1800' of vert determined the winner...
... or 9ish minutes for Luke.
Yeah, that bugs me enough get fired up for next year...
... we're all coming for yer Red Coat!
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-tmwc
I sported next year's 20th Anniversary kit this morning.
I'll be making a special Winner's version for Luke.
You can use this code to save 20% on next year's kit: TMWC20TH
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/the-tmwc
---
160.7
7 hrs
17.1% b.f.
60.5% h2o
2 lite Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
CONFRONTING MY FEARS
Oct 17, 2022 TODD BROWN
WHEN IT COMES TO RACING, there are all kinds of fear to face. Which is why I recommend all aspiring racers to race as often as possible...
... because it's easy to waste our limited energy.
As the great Luke Skywalker said, Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi.
Ever feel this?
- Don't fit in
- Don't know anybody
- Don't know course
- Don't want to lose
- Don't want to stand out
- Don't want to mess up
- Aren't fast enough
- No teammates
- No leadout
- Not cool enough gear
- Never raced that far
- Treacherous terrain
- Too high of altitude
No need to give you ideas you don't have, so I'll stop...
... that's just a few of mine.
There are some of us who claim to never be afraid. As the great Yoda said...
... You will be.
Fear always brings to life what it is we are afraid of.
To have Jedi-like racing skills, we must confront our fears and slay them...
... by racing hard and often.
---
162.2
8.5 hrs
17.0% b.f.
60.6% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I'M NOT THAT FAST
Oct 16, 2022 TODD BROWN
THE FASTEST NONPRO I EVER RODE WITH, isn't fast anymore. He's slow now. I miss him pushing me...
... but, it doesn't bum me out.
What bums me out is when I hear someone say I'm not that fast.
Whatever that means.
Or, I can't ride that far,
be that lite,
sleep that much,
lift that often,
take time to journal and read...
... most of us can do all of the above.
And, still have a balanced life.
The correct answer is...
... I don't care enough.
All that might be true...
... but, you're almost certainly fast enough.
Normally, I'd call that a complete post, but I'm going to add a few applicable thoughts inspired by yesterday's most excellent ride.
LoveWatts and I had planned to meet up at 7am and hit the trails at a good pace. At 9pm, the night before I was about to text him...
Bro, I'm gonna sleep in.
But, he beat me to it.
I'm going to sleep in with my beautiful wife.
Haha!
Perfect.
Each of us slept in. Later, we lazily poached some hero dirt.
Thinking about it, I realized how much of a grind training had become.
It shouldn't be like that.
Everybody needs an offseason, traditionally that is now for me.
It doesn't mean off the bike
off the intensity
off the diet
off plan...
... it does mean it's
okay to not care,
be slower,
freer.
Oh, and offseason I've found should happen throughout the year. I had my best summer ever after heading to Mexico for a week of surf, sand and tacos in April.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-travel-bags
For offseason, anyseason travel we have a brand new bag...
... the Travel Bag.
With handy pockets set up for organization and ease when traveling.
1. TOILETRIES/TOWEL/LIGHT JACKET
2. TOPS
3. BOTTOMS
4. UNDERWEAR/SLEEP AIDS/HEADWEAR
5. SHOES ON THE RIGHT SIDE
6. DIRTY CLOTHES ON THE LEFT SIDE
7. BOOKS/LAPTOP/DEVICES ON THE BOTTOM
8. SLEEVE FOR WATERBOTTLES
Use promo code TRAVEL to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-travel-bags
---
161.5
8.5 hrs
17.2% b.f.
60.5% h2o
1 lite Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
DRESSING FOR SHREDDING
Oct 15, 2022 TODD BROWN
WINTER IS A COMING. Even here, along the coast it gets cold. The humidity gets right into your bones...
... it's so tempting to overbundle up.
But, I don't do that any more and sometimes it gets a reaction.
Aren't you going to freeze?
(I love it that she still worries.)
No, not gonna freeze. I dress for the riiiiide...
... not the rollout.
I've seen many a rookie kitted up for a polar express only to wonder where to stash the parka and mittens 20 minutes into the ride.
Been there done that?
Hopefully not lately.
I get it.
It's so tempting.
First, we have to escape the grips of our covers.
Then strip and put on cold lycra.
Stumble to the garage.
Cold helmet.
Cold shoes.
Cold gloves.
Wo. Wo. Wo. WO!
You don't do that last part do ya? Hellmet no!... the lid, shoes and gloves are in the house... and even if you're as chincy as me with the thermostat set low, it's still a lot warmer than the gair-auge.
Sometimes, when she's not looking, the bike is even in the house.
Yep.
Anyway, it takes practice and guts to dress for the ride vs the rollout.
Part of my practice is the Weather Channel app, the hourly updates for the coldest parts of the ride I plan to hit...
... the guts is just toughing out the first 5-10 minutes.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
Off the bike, I like to keep warm with this stylish beanie.
We have these available in 4 colors,
and they ship free.
$20, delivered to you.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
---
161.1
7.5 hrs
17.1% b.f.
60.5% h2o
1 lite Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU'LL NEVER LOSE AGAIN
Oct 14, 2022 TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND'S LICENSE PLATE IS EPIC. It spells out his mantra, and something he's ingrained into everyone he works with, even his wife and kids...
... it's NVR DNF.
Never Do Not Finish.
As long as we finish the race, we will always win.
Always.
Maybe not the top of the podium,
Or a PR shattering time.
But, the lessons we learn,
and strength we develop,
through perseverance,
will always lead to,
winning.
Or, as the great Jacob Riis said
When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two...
... and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
That's the crazy thing about PRs...
... the more I hammer on cracking my own PRs, the more likely I am to hammer the competition.
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
---
159.9
8 hrs
17.8% b.f.
60.0% h2o
1 lite Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
MYTHINFORMATION
Oct 13, 2022 TODD BROWN
CONTINUING FROM YESTERDAY'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of how easy it is to get fast these day, I got to thinking how often we buy into...
... massive mythinformation.
And, what to do about it.
Just think about it...
- Soda is healthy - early 1900s
- Cigarets are good for us - '50's
- Slapping fat-free on everything - 90's
- "Smart" phones make us more productive - 00's
But, the thing that is really bugging me now is...
... you can't put on muscle after a certain age.
I've found that to be utter nonsense.
It's right up there with the idea we should give up on being active as we get older.
Look at the picture above.
The evidence is in.
Get going.
Now...
... and keep going 'til we're 6' under.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
Now, more than ever, I'm chasing PRs.
When I'm doing my strength rotations I love wearing the new Supertech T.
Made with the same incredible, Italian fabric we use on our jerseys.
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
---
161.3
8 hrs
17.7% b.f.
60.1% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IT'S TOO EASY TO GET FAST
Oct 12, 2022 TODD BROWN
IT'S TOO EASY TO GET FAST NOW, and it bothers me. Before the interwebs, before Eddie B, there was really only one piece of top secret training advice which came from the great Eddie Merckx...
... Piles of miles.
Who the heck knows how that managed to make it to my little college town in the middle of nowhere.
Now look at us.
We can dive into...
YouTube's myriad free tutorials
Instagram's briefs
Twitter's tweets and links
Amazon's hundreds of books
Podcasts that go deep into every aspect of performance
Plus, the coaching industry pioneered and legitimized by Chris Carmichael, spawning thousands of quality coaches.
And don't forget, the many media companies broadcasting all the major and many of the minor races with quality, entertaining and educating commentators.
It's become too darn easy to get fast...
... and I love it!
After decades of racing and riding, It's crazy to think of all that...
... I have learned and implemented in the last 3 years.
There is no end in site, and no reason not to radically improve.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
The 10-Week Challenge just keeps getting better and better.
I'm adding to that knowledge and updating things all the time.
In the next couple of weeks I'll start testing out a new piece of equipment.
We had a saying in our fraternity...
... there's always a better way.
Keep Challenging Yourself
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
161.9
7.5 hrs
16.8% b.f.
60.7% h2o
3 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HARD TIMES ARE BEHIND US
Oct 11, 2022 TODD BROWN
I HAD DINNER TONIGHT WITH MY MTB OGs. Let me just give you a taste of the shenanigans we we're up to...
... back when things were hard.
Not those things.
The suspensions and tires and materials we used.
Think of a 35 lb bike made with galvanized steel plumbing pipe,
skinny tires pumped up to 60 lbs to avoid pinching,
bars as wide as your shoulders,
and no chamois.
We didn't care.
We didn't know better.
There was nothing better than finding a new stream of dirt that cut across a perilous hillside with some logs and giant boulders...
... and riding it over and over till it was mastered.
Then, and only then, would we invite the rest of the crew out for a ride and pretend to discover said new trail.
Never seen this before.
Let's check it out
Oh, shift!
That's the best entertainment I ever had.
... making it look easy, while the others ghost rode their bikes off 8' drops.
It wasn't one-sided.
Everyone had a just discovered, must ride trail,
everyone came home bloodied and bruised,
bikes broken...
... huge smiles.
Stupid?
Yeah.
Bonded for life?
Yeah.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
A lot of times we didn't wear helmets...
... a beanie would have offered better protection.
We have these available in 4 colors,
and they ship free.
$20, delivered to you.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/hats-1/products/pedal-beanie-available-in-4-colors-instock
---
163.9
7 hrs
17% b.f.
60.6% h2o
2 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I GUESS I HAVE A BAD REPUTATION
Oct 10, 2022 TODD BROWN
IT'S FUNNY HOW MANY PEOPLE I INVITE TO RIDE WITH ME who turn me down. There are two main reasons...
... one of them is legit.
The most common reason comes from people who never ride with me, are newer to the sport and who are certain I'm way too fast.
But, let's just take a look at a typical week and see if this group is justified.
Typical week for me is 2 hard days and 3-4 ez daze.
They are so certain, Your easy days are too hard for me, they won't even join me for jaunt around down. The best part is, when they do...
... they halfwheel and wanna drag race the entire time.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to have a casual conversation and knock out some recovery Zone 1 miles or lay down some Zone 2 base.
When they do join, if I can get 'em to behave, we end up having a great ride getting to know each other better. Occasionally, this type of rider will get sucked into my evil ways and venture out on a hard ride...
... and wind up shellacking me over time.
I'm down with that most of the time, except for when they get into the second group that turns me down for a ride...
... the SOBs that are too fast, and unwilling to let The Old Diesel tag along.
Like all bad reputations...
... what comes around goes around.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
One of the fun things I get to do is deliver on a customer's suggestion, like JIm L's...
Can you make me a calendar that is a little smaller than the Giant size?
Sure.
So, we did that, then for fun I added it as an option...
... and turns other people like that size and are purchasing it as well.
Got any ideas?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
162.6
7.6hrs
16.5% b.f.
61% h2o
1 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US
Oct 09, 2022 TODD BROWN
AT A LARGE FAMILY GATHERING TODAY I was stalked. Two different guys separately pulled me aside and started grilling me...
... really, they rescued me.
Rather than being my awkward and introverted self, we got down to the nittygritty of training and riding and fall colors and local roads and do you know so and so's...
... because they'd heard what I'd been up to this past summer.
What they wanted to know is what can they do to be better on the bike. Same thing I'm always wanting to know. We checked out of the family chitchat and it made for a fun afternoon.
It got me thinking...
... about Elvis Costello's What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding?
As I walk through this wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darnkess of insantiy
I ask myself, is all hope lost?
...
So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
People are watching us, yes, they wanna be fit and fast...
... but, really, we all want to know who we can trust and where we can find harmony.
Too much for a cycling blog post?
Maybe.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
But, it's definitely woven into the fabric of being RaceDay Ready™.
When you take the challenge, you'll receive daily emails for the first 10ish days... and yes, we cover more than lycra and sugar water.
I'll be detailing exactly what I'm doing to shatter PRs and ride faster than I ever thought was possible.
After that, I add an email any time I think I've found a breakthrough that needs to be shared.
It's free.
Try it.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
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161.6
7.8hrs
17.5% b.f.
60.2% h2o
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
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