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Todd’s Journal
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Get RaceDay Ready
WHO KNEW WE WERE THAT BAD?
THE PROGRESS WE MAKE can be kind of embarrassing. We don't know it at the time. In fact, we're having so much fun those early pics and vids...
... can be kind of embarrassing.
There's hope.
Bad athletes,
can get good.
Good athletes,
can be great.
Great athletes...
... know the secret.
Keep doing it.
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
480 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/82/3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
THE OTHER 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
A LOT OF US plan to do some superspecialsecret training when nobody is looking in the coming days. Some are going so far as to...
... do the outrageous.
A gift to ourselves.
Which reminds me of one my pals who each year would ride a century 12 days in a row.
That was his goto way to start the year with a bunch of base miles.
Of course, the family and friends all thought that was...
... akin to getting coal for Christmas.
Personally, my overarching diabolical (counter season or counter intuitive?) plan is to...
- play around on jumps and technical stuff
- catch up with friends
- have fun
... make the training count.
What are you planning for 12/25 thru 1/6
While you're thinking about that...
... I'm sharing this kit with you in the off chance you're looking so spoil yourself with something outrageously sexy...
You can get it for full price here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dusty-shins-collection
Or, 50% savings here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
===
163.4 lbs/12.4%
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
7ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/84/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
IS IT TOO LATE TO GO PRO?
THE SALARIES of the tops pro seem fantastic. The lifestyle unbeatable. Who doesn't want to get...
... paid to train and travel the world?
Sign me up.
But...
... it's too late, you're too old, you lack talent, you don't have time, you're too young, your equipment sucks, your friends and family won't approve, you'll nevereverver freakin' make it...
... SILENCE!
Though we may not get paid,
our travel will be less exotic,
we can still focus on...
- a specified activity
- honing our craft
- doing our best
... it's never to late to be pro.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
8ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/89/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
WE WON THE LOTTERY!
WE DON'T DREAM enough. At least most of us. When we do, and I'm not talkin' 'bout shut eye...
... we change our state.
Great things are suddenly possible.
I was reminded of this yesterday...
... my son was going to buy a lottery ticket.
He does this when it's over a billion.
I told him how much...
- it allows us to dream
- things we'd change
- do or never do
... I love and hate the lottery.
Name one thing you'd do?
I'd never get up to an alarm clock again?
Later, I reflected on my greatest day on the bike.
In 2022.
The insane Leadville goal of...
- a PR
- sub-8 hrs
- at age 60
... and how I did it.
The dream of sub-9 at sixty started years prior.
Always in the back of my mind.
But, there.
How it would feel to be in that kind of shape.
The closer the date got,
the more real it became.
Until I believed I could not only go sub-9,
but shatter my 6 previous efforts.
We can win our own lottery...
- crystal clear
- detailed
- belief
... if we'll just start dreaming.
===
166lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/91/-4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
500 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
IS IT 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.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
7ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/93/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
YOU'RE GONNA SAY THIS IS IT
THINGS AREN'T GOING to go according to plan. Everything is going to go south. Everything. And you're going to say this is it..
... This is how I end.
You can accept that,
or you can get to work.
That's all it is.
You just begin.
Solve one problem.
And then the next.
If you solve enough problems...
... you get to cross the finish line.
Adapted from the closing scene of The Martian.
It's a long movie,
about solving problems,
which is what we do the moment...
... we register for a race or commit snagging that elusive PR.
(highly recommend the movie)
===
165.2 lbs/12.6%
8sh hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/95/-7 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
IF WE'RE REALLY LUCKY, and we (you n me) are, we'll stumble into something that keeps us endlessly fascinated. No matter how much we do it, or how long we put it on pause...
... it is always, ALWAYS, a ton a fun.
How can we do it forever?
At a high level?
Before I tell ya the answer...
- age
- friends
- failure to progress
... we gotta accept the challenges.
1. If we aren't on point with our health choices, age may ravish us...
... and not the sexy kind.
2. As the playground circles the sun...
... many of our friends will hang it up (see #1.)
3. Failure to progress...
... leads to boredom.
Today, I hooked my sassy grin...
- rode with younger cats
- picked up a new trick
- pushed my limits
... up to the firehose of youth.
1. Lucked into shredding a lot of single track with Steve and Brian...
... the schedules aligned, the conversations vibrant.
2. Coming in hot to a corner, Steve locked up the rear wheel...
... Why did you do that? To vector the turn and change trajectory.
3. Brian, did you launch off that rock?...
... Yeah, came around the turn so fast I had to.
The real secret to the fountain of youth...
... making and keeping young friends.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
7ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
THE HIDDEN ADVANTAGE
WE'RE BUSY. We work. Raise families. Participate in communities. Do our duties...
... what's our hidden advantage?
Just that.
We know how to...
- schedule
- pacify
- lead
... and we have perspective.
Which is what sets us apart,
keeps us in the hunt...
... 'till we cross the finish line.
===
164 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
>
DARE OR DARE NOT
SOMEWHERE AROUND 8 YEARS OLD, we learn of daring. Someone gets dared. We don't even know what the word means and, yet...
... we do.
Because there is tone.
An unsaid judgment.
I dare you.
Our response...
- bold
- calm
- weak
... means everything.
Later in life, that cat in the mirror still dares us...
... if we are lucky.
What are you daring yourself to do in 2026?
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
7.75 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHOW A FRIEND AROUND TOWN?
GETTING A LONG-DISTANCE FRIEND TO VISIT is mostly rare, for most of us. We post to Starva, talk up our locale...
... to the point of bragging.
Then, the friend shows up.
Suddenly, we're wondering...
- will they be impressed
- can they keep up
- will they crash
... how this is gonna go down>
There was a time when Surfergirl would take such visiting friends aside and whisper...
... Be careful, he's kinda crazy.
Couldn't blame her as more than a few returned bleeding,
one with a broken bone.
It wasn't on purpose.
- I'd just forget
- be in the zone
- having a blast
... thinking they were doing the same.
The local, me...
... could rip the trails blindfolded.
Everyone else was riding blind.
Anyway...
... Tim did great today.
(I knew he would, and didn't really back it down at all.)
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
7.75 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/91/-5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GOOD NEWS: THERE'S HOPE!
THIS TIME OF YEAR, the schedule gets crowded. The company parties, family get togethers, community events...
... we want to attend 'em all.
It eats into the training time.
And, that's good.
Just yesterdee, Surfergirl reminded me of our date to see Gentry.
Her favorite trio was in town for a Christmas concert.
Driving down, we wondered if we'd run into any friends,
walking in we saw my brother and sisterinlaw...
... seating, we were astonished.
We were exactly right behind them.
Couldn't have planned it better,
total surprise.
But, that's not the point.
We were carried away in the spirit of the night...
... all the world's nonsense, forgotten.
When we returned home, there was a package on the doorstep.
Incredible...
... a customer had hand made classic ornaments for each of our family members.
As a gift.
The real point is if we'll shut off the news, the pointless socials and get out to events and people we love we find...
... there's hope!
Hoping you'll find plenty of time to share your love for others in the coming weeks.
===
162.2 lbs/12.2%
7.5 hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/86/-1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE BEST FREE ADVICE YOU NEVER PAID FOR
WE ALL GET ACHES AND PAINS. Mostly, we just blow 'em off knowing in a few days things will right themselves. At least that's the idea. But, we are organic...
... our equipment is not.
It won't self heal,
like our miraculous bodies.
No matter how much positive energy we send it...
... those creaks won't go away on their own.
We gotta respect and inspect 'em.
I mean really figure it out.
Lemme splain it.
I've had an annoying creak for a couple of weeks.
Finally, last Friday...
- removed cranks
- checked, cleaned bottom bracket
- found a broken bolt on the chain ring spider
... thought that'd solve everything.
Mostly, kinda.
However, last steep climbs at end of Saturday's ride indicated problem not resolved.
Took into the shop for professional treatment.
Ace mechanic gives me a call.
It's not good.
How bad.
Axle in hub is cracked.
Yikes.
Yeah, it coulda been bad.
How bad?
Well, if it broke while riding it would have destroyed the hub innards, and...
And, what?
... and possibly locked up the wheel.
Now, I dunno how things are where you live, but on that ride I'd just finisihed...
... I hit 35 mph over a rocky, gravel fire road.
Had that wheel locked up...
... I'd be dead, at best.
Consider this the best free advice you Never paid for...
- bike
- bones
- muscles
... Fix thy creaks!
===
162.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/89/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
470 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HAVE YOU HAD A CLASSY SMOKE, LATELY?
CELEBRATING AN EPIC EFFORT is, can be, a powerful factor in repeatability. You know, whether or not we ever do it again and...
... gain the associated benefits.
Old time movies we so classy.
In black and white.
Couple meets,
goes to dinner and dancing,
the very next scene we see...
... they are covered up, smoking in bed!!!
Here's how we do it most Saturdays.
Meet up at the corner,
hit it hard for 3-4 hours,
the next thing we know...
... we're at the country store.
Cokes, RedBulls, chips, even had Zingers yesterday...
... our version of smoking in bed.
===
Now, here's the diabolical brainwashing science...
- guaranteeing many repeat performances
... celebrating with lots of sugar and caffeine burns those good feelings in.
===
165.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/92/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
APPRECIATING A ROUGH START
FOR SOME GETTING STARTED is easy, for other it's hard. Even messy. So, what's better...
... an easy start or a tricky start?
Take today.
We'd climbed 4141', 13.4 miles.
The start, though steep, was pretty smooth.
The final 4.5 miles, were quite a bit rougher.
Lots of rocks.
I really suffered that last 2ish miles.
After a bit of a break,
it was time to plummet back down.
We pushed the pace pretty good those first 4 1/2 miles...
... over terrain I've flatted on many times.
I knew the next 9 miles were smoother, but...
... after the previous beating they seemed like a freeway.
We screamed down.
Surprisingly, I posted my 3rd fastest time ever.
(In case you're wondering if that was my 3rd time down, it was my 44th since 2012, per Starva)
This served as a good reminder...
... if we push through a rough start, we gain the skills to go much faster.
===
Further update on the Conti Dubitals...
- they roll reallyreallyreally fast
- corner dependably at high speed
- seem to be pretty darn puncture resistant
... I'm loving 'em.
Looking forward to playing with pressures,
I think I can run lower than the 16 and 17 I ran today.
(that was in the cold garage, before the heated up on the actual ride which would increase the pressure by a few pounds)
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
0 PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/107/-18 (fitness/fatigue/form)
430 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE WE RIDING SATURDAY?
WE ALL HAVE A RHYTHM TO OUR TRAINING. We have a favorite rotation of workouts, training partners, intensity...
... just like the goto dinner schedule.
When all else fails, I know spaghetti and meat balls is a winner.
No matter what I have planned.
When it comes to Saturdays, the...
- crew
- pace
- route
... I have a few defaults.
If I've had two hard sessions during the week,
I'm leaning towards a longish sweetspot/tempo ride.
If the week only had one high intensity completed,
I'm gonna wring it out on Saturday.
This week's Wednesday Worlds was kinda hard, therefore...
... tomorrow I have a nasty 1ish hour uphill TT planned.
The younsters are gonna make me hurt.
Can't wait!
How do you do it?
===
165.6 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
440 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TACKY, TORQUEY TESTING... CONTI DUBNITALS
GETTING NEW EQUIPMENT is always fun. Usually, it is preceded by all kinds of Kool-Aid drinking. You know, the marketing team laying it on thick...
... and our friends laughing at our antiquated ways.
This week, I bit.
Finally jumped to wider tires.
From 2.2 RaceKing in back and 2.2 CrossKing in front to...
... 2.4 Dubnitals, front and rear.
My testing took place on our local single tracks...
... while doing low-cadence, torque climbing in Zone 2.
I'd rip down,
ponder performance on way back up.
Going from 2.2 to 2.4 doesn't appear to be much,
the tires are a bit lighter than the 2.2s
My initial...
- they go from edge to edge much quicker
- seem to roll very fast
- traction is great
... reactions.
I think they're gonna be a great upgrade,
will test on the smoking fast downhills, Saturday.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/93/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
450 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION
IF IT TAKES A VILLAGE to raise a child, then, for us, it obviously takes a group to train us up proper. The right gaggle...
... has countless benefits.
Number 1 being speed.
Which is why I did the Wednesday Worlds today, and rolled right into...
... Pain Cave.
When we're on form,
this is an hour segment of riding just below detonation.
Today was much easier...
- the group was slowish
- BBB and I cruised Pain Cave
- catching up and discussing next year's goals
... we were 5 minutes off the PRs.
That will come down because we committed to some rather outlandish goals.
Which means, we'll be pressing the pace on the WW ride,
then duking it out on Pain Cave.
Leading to our mutually assured destruction the rest of the work day...
... and, what we hope will be a massively successful 2026 campaign.
===
If we do it correctly, we'll sprout wings.
Deal below.
Use promo code: VELOBONES
To save 20% on any t-shirt in the collection.
Expires on 12.5.25
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/t-shirts-all
===
165.4 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/95/-9 (fitness/fatigue/form)
420 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
OTB OR OTB?
WE HAVE ALL THESE CODE WORDS and acronyms in our culture. The deeper we get into it...
... the cryptic they become.
Here's the mechanic's favorite...
... I was just riding along.
His eye's roll and he scribbles on the notes...
... JRA.
I heard another from a shop owner who was barely hanging on and his "loyal" patrons were constantly asking for discounts and free stuff...
... he called them Freetards.
I've been guilty of both of those and quickly cleaned up my evil ways once I got the hint.
But, this one...
... it's been hard to stay away from.
OTB.
This one is a two-fer,
I can't get it out of my mind lately.
Off the back...
... which is where I seem to be finding myself a little more than my liking.
Over the bars...
... luckily, my recent wipeouts have been on solo rides.
===
165.8 lbs/12.7%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
390 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU CHOPPING WOOD?
WE ALL HAVE A FAVORITE MOVIE, book or story. One that inspires us to be more than we currently are, or return to a place we once dominated. These myths are important because...
... they can lead and guide us to a better future.
Truly powerful.
One of my all time favorites is Rocky IV.
Rocky, seeing his once enemy, the great Apollo Creed, who became his friend and mentor, get crushed by a Russian giant...
... decides he must do something completely different.
He must go...
- runs
- pulls a sled
- carries logs
- throws boulders
- chops down a tree
... to snowy and freezing Siberia.
Maybe it's winter,
maybe it's cold...
... maybe they only way to get nasty fit is chopping wood like Rocky.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
00 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/88/-4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
390 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EARNING VS LEARNING
LIFE IS LIKE AN EPIC CARD GAME. We're dealt our genetic hand. As little children, we have no idea...
... we're just running around having fun.
Somewhere around the age of 8 or so we realize...
... we're not all created equal.
I can throw,
my aim is woeful.
I can run,
my friends are faster.
I can swim,
holding my breath is a struggle.
Most of us here, found we love to endure...
... persistence and suffering are out super powers.
We can't earn our way to a sub-4 minute mile, but...
... we can learn how to be faster and more efficient.
That's the journey we are on.
Learning how to be our best.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/93/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TRAINING BLOCKHEAD
FOR MANY OF US, this is the time to back things down. Pick up a sporty side hustle. Hit the weights...
... do something different.
Makes sense.
The next season is a long way off.
Just one problem.
Physics.
You can't shoot a cannon from a canoe.
Meaning, when the season does come around, we're going to need a good base from which to start launching our hard efforts.
So, whatawee 'posed ta do?
Personally, I'm gonna...
- have fun
- be more socisl
- challenge my skills
... while logging some solid base mile.
===
166 lbs/12.7%
6.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/107/-20 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU COMFY?
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT comfort zones. How we want to avoid them because they hold us back, lead us to settling for...
... more than we can be.
Who wants that?
Things I think about after a less frightful drop down one of my all time favorite descents.
I held the KOM at one point,
still top 11.
Back than, I was really, really at ease on that screamer...
... in a state of flow, relaxed.
Comfy.
The good kind.
Yesterday, on the same segment, I was a hot mess.
Smiley on my rear wheel, showing his front wheel, asking...
... Are you riding cautious?
I wanted to say...
... Heck no, and Screw you!
Things were not flowing,
I was gripping.
Hard.
It was very uncomfortable because I haven't been on my MTB much the last year or so.
Practice leads to comfy,
comfy leads to flow,
flow leads to ripping.
Effortlessly.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/94/-9 (fitness/fatigue/form)
290 Anti-Oxidant Score
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE'S A LEGENDARY CLIMB
SOARING 5600' ABOVE SEA LEVEL, we have access to a legendary climb. A gravel fire road. It's the kind of challenge we can sink our teeth into, get a baseline for our fitness...
... set legit goals.
The mountain ain't movin'...
- 9 miles
- 3000'
- 6.3%
... but, we are.
The KOM is held by current world tour pro Kevin Vermaerke,
which he probably set in the NICA days.
53:10
The next 9 are local legends...
... the legit kind, not the goofy Starva thing.
There are two ways to view...
- I'm slow, and I suck
- I'm slow, and I can improve
- I'm slow, and I'm dawgawn grateful to be ripping with my pals
... today's traditional Thanksgiving effort.
One more takeaway.
When I set my PR, we lived much closer to the mountain and I'd ride it 3-4 times a month.
It was a goto.
And, it got me thinking...
... if I wanna slay like that again, I gotta do it more.
Maybe every week for the rest of 2025,
and chop 18 minutes off today's time?
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
84/90/-6 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I NEVER LIFTED WEIGHTS UNTIL I GOT INTO THE NFL...
MOST OF US ARE PROBABLY HEADING OUT for the local turkey trot or some sort of holiday ride. It's tradition, followed by the traditional...
... Did you ride or run today?
Which deserves...
... Yes, and the sun also rose this morning.
Earning an...
... I bet your hungry!
Usually followed by a...
... I didn't know you could eat so much pie!
At some point someone will turn on "the game".
As full as we are,
as much as that lycra gonna be stressed tomorrow...
... we realize endurance training doesn't favor or create massive muscles.
Which brings me to one of my all time favorite athletes...
... the Great Hershel Walker.
Dude was devastating in college and NFL.
This quote must have been so humiliating to those left flattened on the field....
- 2000-3000 pushups/day
- 3000-5000 crunches/day
- hundreds of pullups/day
- hundreds of dips/day
- air squats and lunges thousands
- 20-50 yard sprints
... I never lifted weights until I got into the NFL.
Damn.
We may not be - ok, never will be - built like Hershel, but...
... kinda makes ya wonder how much stronger we could be.
Dedicating little time,
from home.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
20 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/82/0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
STRATEGY VS THE DREAM
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR yet? Maybe it's too early, I mean jeez it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But, almost...
... so, it might not be too soon.
There's no rule on that.
I was thinking about this on my ride yesterday.
What comes first...
... strategy or the dream.
Especially with all the InfooIncers on the socials.
You know which ones kill me....
... literally saw this one today...
... Download My 47 Points To Master Advertising Now!
hahahahahah
But, you get the idea.
We can get so hyped up on a new (to us) strategy...
- Single-legged box jumps while hula-hooping for explosive sprinting
- One million grams of carbohydrate from bonking to crushing
- Sleep like a grizzly and maul the group ride
... we start looking for a race to unleash.
I've done it,
still do it.
We can all be suckers,
the cons are as appealing as the conmen.
Anyway, what I concluded after zonetwoing my way around town was...
... The Field of Dream if we build it, they will come...
... is kinda right.
The players, errr strategies, don't show up until the field is built.
In other words, once we identify the...
- A race
- impossible PR
- unconquerable route
... then, and only then, will the strategies we need be apparent.
Let me say it differently.
We can quickly toss aside...
- techniques
- strategies
- hacks
... the worthless dross.
Because the really good stuff that works is easy to see...
... once we have our dream/goal/desire firm and clear in our minds.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
82/74/7 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
NOT AS GOOD?
JOURNALISTS ARE SO MUCH SMARTER than us fans, they have incredible insights we just can't fathom. Why it's a wonder we even...
... bother seeing with our own eyes.
This is gold.
A journo says...
... MVdP is nowhere near as good as Tadej.
On the heels of saying...
... MVdP beat Tadej on the races he wanted to win.
He being MVdP,
and he being Tadej.
Wait,
what?
He's not as good,
but he beats him?
Oh, journo.
Here's the dill, and...
... it's a good lesson for us lowly amachuros.
On certain courses...
... certain riders are unbeatable.
The challenge is to find our course.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/12 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
MY VICE IS TERRIBLE, MY CULT IS WORSE
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
165.4 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/70/11 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HOW WE 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!
===
165 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
0 PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
0 Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/81/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BECAUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL
WE ALL HAVE A WAY to perform. Whether it's vanquishing, showing off, sufferfesting, truly enjoying every moment, our individual efforts...
... leave a lasting impression.
On others,
on ourselves.
Is there a best way?
Right way?
Only way?
Let us not gaze into our own navel but...
- racers
- promoters
- business leaders
- matriarchs and patriarchs
- community and governments
... appreciate for better or worse.
It is what it is.
I was recently struck by a singer...
- unknown by most
- unwilling to submit to label demands
- who died without much fame or fortune at 33
... sold more than 10,000,000 records posthumously.
What?!... how? who?
The great Eve Cassidy sang as if every song was a gift to the listener,
with uncommon love and passion.
Nothing more.
May we all do our thing with such beauty.
===
Pull down her tracks on your music app... good wrenching vibes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C1_oNzhU7U
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
20 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/65/16 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ON THE GAS
A LITTLE KNOWN SECRET to not falling over is going faster. It's counterintuitive. But, it's the first thing we taught the kids when they started riding motos in the desert...
... speed is our friend.
Then why did I suffer so badly last weekend in a desert-bound gravel race?
You didn't have a motor Dingdong!
No, it's more than that...
... and I've thought about it a lot this week.
The 92-mile race
- low gradient climbs and descents
- long, long straight roads
- mostly flat
... provided very little coasting.
We had to stay on the gas.
It's not like the terrain here,
most of my ride profiles look like a lumberjack's saw blade.
Anyway, I'm thinking about that this week because I'm starting to do sweetspot training...
... 90% of FTP, without coasting.
I've got to stay on the gas (the pedals).
It's hard to do when we have so many punchy climbs and lots of turns.
But, I'm a committed fool when it comes to this stuff.
===
By the way, you might be one of the horde who loved this jersey...
... which means you'll probably love the kit.
If you wanna rock this awesomeness click here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
There's an insane offer, so don't forget to click here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedalindustries-r-riders-collection
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
82/67/14 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
>
TAKE TWO, AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING
GETTING A COLD is annoying. Can't train like we want to, can't sleep well, hard to be productive. If we get near our lover fingers are raised in an X...
... so, what do we do?
To speed it up.
There are my goto...
- Zicam at first hint
- Pollo Loco tortilla soup
- Insanely hot and long showers
... rider's tales.
Then there's what I did today...
... which could massively backfire, tomorrow.
I woke up,
it was cold.
I had a cold,
and hemmed and hawed.
I consulted my alter ego Dr. Goforit, who said...
- raise your body temperature
- the nose will start to flow
- blow that gunk out
... Put on a kit and get on two wheels.
Torture.
I've had mixed success over the years.
I'll either be on my way to pneumonia...
... or good as new tomorrow.
===
165 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/23 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE GODLY CONNECTION IS STRONG IN THIS ONE
BEING OUTSIDE and unplugged is more than just an escape from "the real world". Most people in "modern society" rarely experience what that is like. We do because...
... that's where we thrive.
And, we're moving fast.
Even if we're practicing our craft daily,
and the whether is good,
we could use more.
Not less.
I experienced a snippet of much more on our road trip.
We took time to visit the land my greatgreatgrandfather homesteaded 100 years ago.
No one else was there but us.
Access is via a gravel road,
10 miles from a 2-lane highway.
No cell service.
The only inputs,
each other and nature.
The peace and solitude remarkable.
Over night, the temps dipped low enough to freeze the rain puddles from the prior evening.
We were cozy,
the van has a heater.
Still, when we rose to stretch and visit this hallowed land filled with childhood and parenthood memories...
... we were shocked by the reality of nature.
Not in a negative way,
one that makes you feel alive,
connected to more than a paycheck and bills.
To God.
To acquire the land...
- the extreme temps at 7000'
- the distance by horse or wagon to town
- the loneliness during the months no one came to visit
... E. M. Whiting had to stay on it and not leave, for two years.
How else could he make such a sacrifice if not feeling a closeness to his creator?
I feel it when I'm...
- there
- in the surf
- on our local trails
... and love it.
Need it.
And so...
- walk
- hike
- ride
- run
- surf
- swim
- camp
... we keep inviting and encouraging our friends to join us.
Outside.
===
164.2 lbs/12.6%
9ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
81/58/23 (fitness/fatigue/form) time to raise these numbers
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE...
DISNEY CREATED AN EMPIRE animating fairytales. Because the appeal is so strong, with little to no cultural barriers we have to ask ourselves not just why, but...
... which is our favorite.
Then, why?
Personally, Cinderella is my top choice.
Not just the story arc,
the snappy dances,
or catchy songs.
There's an orphan in all of us.
Often we don't see who we really are,
out talents lying dormant.
Could be naysayers,
could be something else.
It's nice that Price Charming is a price,
it's charming that he sees Cinderella as she really is.
The point isn't...
- Where's my prince charming?
- Who will save the day for me?
- Why am I not picked?
... to wallow in our sorrows.
The point is for whom are we Prince Charming?
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
9ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/67/16 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT’S IN OUR DNA
TOO FEW OF US know our family history. Some barely know cousins. Great-grandparents? Forget about it. It’s just not a thing. And, yet…
… what could be more important?
To know their stories,
is to know ourselves.
Which is why we drove hours out of our way after the bike race.
Here in eastern Arizona, to soak of our roots.
Surfergirl’s great-grandfather helped settle Snowflake,
my great-great grandfather helped settle Saint Johns.
They are neighboring towns,
about 20 miles apart.
And the communities were quite friendly with each other.
You’d think we grew up out here,
and that’s how we met and married.
Not so.
I was born and raised in SoCal,
she was raised in Hawaii.
Maybe somethings are meant to be.
But, that’s not really the point.
This is hard country,
the high desert.
To carve a life and community out of nothing took strength, smarts, and massive cooperation…
… the same qualities it takes to complete very challenging endurance events.
Who is an ancestor that inspires you?
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
86/87/-0 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I WANNA PUT A DENT IN THAT GIRL
IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE we can say and do the craziest things. You know things we might not normally say or do. And, at the time...
... they sound/seem totally normal.
Like today.
I had the awesome opportunity to flat 15 minutes into the 92 mile race...
... suddenly I'm swearing like a sailor.
It wasn't horrific,
still, glad no one was around.
Spent the next 50 miles basically riding by myself.
Doing my best.
Jumping from group to group.
I roll up on one of the female leaders,
bridge across to another badass Barbie.
And, I hear her say the funniest thing...
... I wanna put a dent in that girl.
Speaking of the other racer.
I visualize a halloween scene,
hatchet stuck in the helmet.
Hahaha.
Then the crass, neanderthal in me thinks...
... that sounds like something I'd like to do on date night.
Not the hatchet...
... if you know what I mean.
These crazy thoughts are birthed in our very depleted states, as we...
... do our best to stay upright and moving forward.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/89/-2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY WOULD ANYBODY GO TO DOUGLASS, AZ?
RACING VENUES ARE HARD TO COME BY, especially in big cities. Almost impossible. The result is the bigger the race, the more likely we are to travel...
... someplace we've never been.
Would never go.
Here I am,
two hours south of Tucson,
on the Mexican border, in Douglass, AZ.
This gravel race has the same vibe as my first Leadville,
back in '99.
Small town,
somewhat forgotten.
Which makes it a perfect place to stage a gravel race...
... surrounded my endless gravel roads.
I decided to sponsor the race for three reasons...
- Mike, the promoter, is hella nice and persistent.
- He's a huge fan of our products
- I'm a huge fan of gravel races
... which are the only reasons to sponsor anything.
Passion and admiration for what each other are doing.
Funny story.
I have actually been here before.
Back in the 80's.
I was doing missionary work in Mexico and our visas needed to be renewed. Five us youngsters piled in a van and hit to Agua Prieto, MX. The plan was to walk across to Douglass, wait five minutes and walk back with new visas.
We were greeted with...
... No, no gringo. No se puede asi. (Not so fast whitey, you can't do it like that.)
So we...
- spent the night in Motel 6
- chomped Pizza Hut
- watched ESPN
... forgot all our Spanish.
And crossed back the next day.
I'm guessing Borderlands gravel will be slightly more challenging.
Good night now.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6% (not sure, traveling)
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
83/64/18 (fitness/fatigue/form) ... somebody is tapered!
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HURRY UP
IN OUR EFFORTS TO GET FASTER, we often think of the many benefits. Mainly health, youthfulness. And truth is...
... we are better than most, not as good as some.
Who's better?
By that, do you mean...
... how could anybody be better???
We are aerobic machines, and that is a key to longevity.
Mostly.
Here are...
- Sprints
- Weights
... the missing ingredients.
I know, I know...
- sprinting sucks
- weights can be dangerous
- and, for the weenies in the back, who wants to gain weight?
... what you're thinking.
According to research, when we lift weights not only do our bones get denser but there are intra-muscular gains to be made that we cannot get any other way.
You know what else is weird, most people in our culture never sprint again after their early twenties.
So, here's the main takeaway from all scientific facts do 'em and...
... move faster, age slower.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
85/71/13 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVERS
THERE ARE THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER selflessly and those who volunteer selfishly. Both are admirable. In fact, when I was a race promoter it blew my mind that...
... people just reach out and offer their assistance.
Just giving where there's an obvious need.
I ran into a selfish one tonight.
The sun had set,
my headlight was on.
I was making my way cautiously because the ruts on this particular trail are bad and...
... there's an enormous sinkhole that might kill ya.
As a get there...
... did I say it was pitch dark?...
... a man is standing with a shovel in one hand and a trowel in the other.
Creepy?
Scary?
Nope, I knew what he was up to.
Not burying bodies...
... prepping the trail so when it rains this weekend the ruts will fill in.
I stopped.
Introduced myself.
Thanked him profusely.
No need, I just moved here and can't believe how lucky we are to have these trails right here. Just wanna make 'em perfect for my kids and me to ride on.
To which I could only say...
... Bro, you gotta let me make you a custom RaceDay Bag.
Is there a better gift?
===
165.8 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/5 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I THINK I VOIDED THE WARRANTY
LIVING IN THE ACTION SPORTS MECCA of the world, I'm surrounded and influenced by all manner of creative, ingenious athletes. We all feed off each other. My friend Kody...
... started making super aero computer mounts.
3D printed gloriousness.
My new MTB was in need.
I reached out.
Got a mount for Roval bars?
Yes.
Cool, I'll get one.
We haven't tested for lights yet.
He thought I was asking for my road bike.
So yeah...
- the road mount is super aero
- looks freakin' awesome
- supports a light
... survived and thrived on first MTB ride.
Did my evil test void the warranty?
I dunno.
But, this is...
- come up product ideas
- make it
- test it
... what we do around here.
Here's a ink to his site: https://nanoworx.shop
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/85/2 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOLDILOCKS NUMBER?
WE ARE ALL SEARCHING for that magic number of hours to maximize our training. You know, the Goldilocks amount. Not too little. Not too much...
... the perfect amount of work.
I know where it is.
You do to.
Look back over the year.
Find the week that didn't wreck you, the...
- hours
- distance
- intensity
... I can do this every week.
Bonus/verification if you had any...
- Segments
- PWR
- HR
... PRs the following week(s)?
That's your Goldilocks number.
Mine's about...
- saddle time
- bit of strength work
- some sort of other fun
... 13 hours/week.
What's yours?
===
164.8 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
88/86/1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU GET 1 WISH
2026 WILL BE HERE soon enough. Many of us are already planning work, vacations, family time...
... and, yes, races.
You get 1 wish.
Here it is...
- lay out your Giant RaceDay Calendar
- scour the interwebs for races
- pick one, and do it
... no limitations.
Imagine it...
- Anywhere on this giant blue marble.
- Any time of the year
- Dream equipment
- Fantastic lodging
- Clear schedule
... and ask yourself.
If not this year...
... when?
'Cause here's the deal, if we only did one race next year...
... we could probably make it happen.
It's just a mental game, play it out, and let me know...
... where, when and why.
Me personally, my top choices...
- Gravel Burn, South Africa
- Oregon Trail
- Rebecca's Private Idaho
... are gravel stage races.
Gravel Burn looks insane.
===
You do have a Giant RaceDay Calendar, right?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2
===
164.4 lbs/12.5%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/91/-3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE REBEL ALLIANCE IS GROWING
EVERY NOW AND THEN a new format or race or course or piece of equipment comes along with promises to change everything. Except hardly anything changes...
... until something sparks.
How does that work?
Like this.
About 10 years ago, I purchased my first gravel bike.
My friends, like me, were roadies and mountain bikers.
A gravel bike seemed like the worst of both worlds.
I got it,
understood where they were coming from.
Except, I was having so dang much fun...
... I didn't care.
I just kept riding gravel,
inviting my friends,
enduring their
mockery.
It wasn't overnight,
more like overdecade.
The last two Saturdays, most telling.
Eight days ago, an absolute shredder on a mountain bike shows up on a spanking new gravel bike.
30 minutes in, he's grinning and shouting...
... This looks so wrong, but gadang it's fun!
Today, another pal shows up for his first group gravel ride.
He's gifted off road, we spent years riding motos in the desert...
... We're going 30+ miles an hour, I can't believe how much ground we can cover!
Does that mean you should be riding gravel, too?
Maybe.
But, really, it's just a lesson in how things that are worthwhile spread.
Then again...
... What did the gravel bike say to the road bike?
I am your father.
===
165.6 lbs/12.6%
8ish hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
0 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
90/105/-15 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FAMOUS COACHES ARE GETTING FIRED RIGHT AND LEFT
IN PRO SPORTS, or high level amateur, there is always a spot light on the coaches. At some point, blame or credit lands...
... squarely on their shoulders.
Should it?
I do love to follow college football...
- the emotional swings
- the athleticism
- the stadiums
... so much energy and unpredictablity.
Who would have thought so many megamilliondollar...
... coaches would be punted this year.
Mid-season.
The great Seth Godin wrote The Gap.
The idea behind the book is when we find ourselves unable to close the gap to our goal...
... the sooner we decide to quit and move on, the better.
It might be a pro gambling tactic as well...
... but, the only gambling I do is putting my heart, soul and cash into this business.
Anyway, would you have/have you had the guts...
... to change directions, and how quickly would you do it?
===
163.6 lbs/12.4%
7.5 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CHOOSE WORTHY ADVERSARIES
WHAT IS IT ABOUT LOVING UNDERDOGS? It's so uniquely American. Is it our origin story, the DNA of our culture...
... to cheer for the fighter with no chance?
Honestly.
Who can't feel a bit of their own soul being crushed with every blow the awesome Apollo Creed delivers to a...
... bloodied, bruised, crushed Rocky Balboa?
We've all been in that arena.
Had the bell ring.
Still standing.
Somehow.
We humans thrive against overwhelming adversaries...
- inspiration
- desperation
- exasperation
... oozing with confidence and power.
When our all is required,
we discover who we really are.
As the great Kierkegaard said...
... What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.
===
164.6 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/88/-1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY TOP 5 SPEED HACKS
FOR MOST OF US, going faster, getting better, has less to do with a fancy new gizmo or the latest training fad. We know that...
... but, what are doing about it?
Like the Mastercard ad says...
... some things are priceless.
Here are five...
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Strength
- Maintenance
- Consistency
... anybody can do.
These are my hacks.
Sleep.
Figure out when we want to wake up. Get in bed 8 hours prior to that. Stay there until it's time. Eventually, our bodies get the hang of it, and boom... we're sleep doping.
Nutrition.
Eat clean. No packaged foods. If we can't identify the ingredients, we don't consume it.
Strength.
Do the basics, at home. We don't have time to drive to the gym. No need to do all the sets at once, break 'em up throughout the day. Hardly any equipment is needed: pull up bar, a few dumbbells (adjustables for the win).
Maintenance.
New equipment is so nice because it is all tight and precise. Flawless maintenance will keep that new equipment performance for years, and we'll always be race ready.
Consistency.
If we always train at the same time magic happens. Those around us learn and appreciate our commitment. We get it done. Always.
A final word.
I was never the best athlete. Not among my friends, and certainly not at school or among the general population.
I was never picked first, couldn't aim or hit anything regularity.
I wasn't the bravest or most daringist.
I did have one thing going for me...
... I freakin' loved being outside and being challenged by nature.
Today, I'm probably better than almost all my contemporaries.
That's not a flex, it's just happens.
They quit.
Which brings us to the top two hacks of all time...
... commitment and passion.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
√ Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Split Squats
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3(fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU'VE LOST THAT AWESOME FEELING... GET IT BACK!
THERE'S A CERTAIN SOMETHING we feel during the early days of picking up our passion. It's tangible. We can taste it. We love it...
... that's how we got here.
I'd lost it.
Over the last couple of years, drunk with stupid stats from Training Peaks and Starva...
- more time
- more miles
- more climbing
... I found myself wallowing in fatigue.
Don't get me wrong.
I'd line up, or roll out with the pals, and, though I might be quick to drift back...
... the ability to endure for hours was ridiculous.
Something snapped.
Or, lightning struck.
I dunno.
But, a few weeks ago, I woke up and said...
Screw it!
I'm cutting down the long slogs...
... and bringing back sprint days.
2-3 hours became 90 minutes.
With 10-15 VO2 max efforts,
lasting 10 seconds to 5 minutes.
I'm super fortunate to live close to trails with a lot of straight up and straight down...
... I let the terrain dictate how long the sprint lasts.
Then, focus on my DH skills...
... coasting, staying off the brakes, carving and carrying speed.
The upshot, after 90 minutes and 10+ solid efforts?
I feel amazing,
not pooped.
Sprinting engages all our muscles and focus...
... a total mind, body soul work out.
Soul?
Yeah, trust me.
Do 'em right, and you'll see stars and feel God's presence could be imminent.
===
164.3 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
No PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
No Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
90 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/83/3(fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU CAN'T GROW A BEARD OVERNIGHT
WE WANNA BE FASTER. Right now. Not this season, not this month, not this week, not today. Right now...
... 300 meters from the finish line.
Houston, we have a problem.
Go ahead.
We forgot to add fuel to the return booster.
Sucks to be you.
Yeah.
We can't grow a beard overnight.
A good one, for some of us...
... can take months.
If we wanna be fast in the final sprint,
if we wanna negative split the course...
... we gotta put in the work before we need the result.
===
164.3 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CULTURE WARS
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF TRAINING groups. Both extend invitations...
... the similarities stop there.
One culture assures...
- everyone is ready to start together
- there are plenty of stops
- nobody gets left behind
... fairness and concern.
The other demands...
- leaving on time
- no stopping
- no waiting
... rugged individuals.
The group we...
- join
- create
- help grow
... depends on the result we are looking for.
===
165.2 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
180 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/86/1 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DIRT WORLD PROBLEMS
EVERY SURFACE HAS it's challenges. Add in the weather, how we approach things...
... changes quickly.
Super mist.
The normally grippy sidewalk we were slaying to meet the rest of the crew, was not only glazed with moisture...
... bright green moss screamed Slow down and do not lean over.
We ain't rookies,
not a problem.
It was so misty, the glasses were tucked away.
The late Fall moon dust covering most of our trails and roads...
- forks
- shins
- lenses
... quickly 3D prints on to everything.
Bombing the first downhill...
- nearly 40mph
- no brakes
- 1 minute
... the dust and pebbles flying up stinging our eyes.
Two choices:
Wear the glasses,
blurry, smudgy vision.
Wear no protection,
smoke your corneas or contacts.
When the sun finally burned through,
I grabbed my glasses from my jersey pocket...
... they were covered in sweat.
lol
Truly, dirt world challenges.
===
These Ugly Sweater jerseys woulda worked well today - which include matching gloves and socks
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===
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===
164.4 lbs/12.5%
8 hours sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
90/99/-10 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT FREAKED ME OUT!
IN THE HURRY to get the miles in, sometimes we find ourselves willing to risk a potential short cut to get home early. Which is exactly what I did...
... just before halloween.
Hustling down a new trail.
The night's shadows suffocating the daylight.
A long ladder bridge spans steep canyon walls and the trail...
... whips around and under the bridge!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I was going too fast to even think about it.
Leaned on the tires.
Ducked my head.
Stopped.
Went back up and mastered it at even more speed.
I'd discovered a great way to freak my friends out...
... like finding a killer haunted house.
Gonna be good scare on the next weekly MTB ride.
===
Not as scary as these Ugly Sweaters - which include matching gloves and socks
SPECIAL OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
When you Purchase an UGLY Pro Jersey, we'll include a gloves and socks. (we'll email you for your sock and glove size)
Order here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ugly-sweater-collection-2025
===
EXTRA SPECIAL CUSTOM UGLY SWEATER OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
Same offer as above, but custom ugly in your team colors and graphics
Go here to get started: https://bookdesign.pedalindustries.com/
===
164 lbs/12.3%
8 hours sleep
√ PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Heel Raises, Calf Raises, Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls
10 minutes stretching
60 minutes Reading/Journaling
87/82/4 (fitness/fatigue/form)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IF YOU KNEW
Jan 09, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I THINK THE HARDEST PART ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER AN ANNUAL PLAN is not picking the events or blocking out the weekends or...
... lining up the training blocks.
The hardest part is believing what we have planned will work, and then working that plan.
In the beginning, it's really hard to tell if any progress is being made.
It's even easier to wait a day or a week to get started because...
... the weather, work, illness, vacation, celebration
If we really believed in our plans, if we were absolutely certain in the outcome, if victory - however we define it - was certain...
... we get to work right now.
That's the plan.
Work it.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
164.3
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
65 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF MODERATION?
Jan 08, 2023
by TODD BROWN
FOR SOME PEOPLE MODERATION IS RELIGION. All things in moderation they say.. Not me. If you asked me how to spell moderation, I'd say...
... M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y.
It's the opposite of moderation that yields results.
The best don't do any of this in moderation:
- Sleep
- Eat
- Drink
- Train
- Stretch
- Lift
- Recover
- Skill drills
Can you imagine a pro telling the team director, Not too worry, I've trained moderately? Slept Moderately? Eaten moderately?
Of course not.
Pros do the opposite of moderation.
They know exactly what it takes, and get it done...
... nothing more, nothing less.
Precision,
that's the opposite of moderation.
How do spell winning?
P-R-E-C-I-S-I-O-N.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
164.7
8 hrs Sleep (rookie move!)
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
100 minutes reading + Journaling
I FINALLY CELEBRATED BOXING DAY
Jan 07, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I LOVE BOXING DAY CELEBRATIONS. Especially the kind where I don't have much to donate, but receive all kinds of gifts...
... like punches in the gut.
Today was exceptional, finally dry and beautiful after what seemed like a month of straight rain.
LoveWatts and I rode over to let the Lords of Winter Fitness enjoy their reign by raining down...
... attack after attack.
I'm not even sure they were trying all that hard, such is our state of readiness after wet and cold weather, travel, work, holidays and some wisely backed down months.
Officially, it is exactly 10 weeks until Cactus Cup, where I've sworn to snatch a PR on the long course...
... age be damned.
It
is
time.
What's an interval loathing, powermeter hating, crusty old diesel gonna do?
Obviously, take the 10-Week Challenge in earnest.
Less obviously, use and be abused at the local group rides...
... building my fitness one week at a time.
When will I stop the RaceDay Ready strength circuits? Tapering off of them 2 weeks out.
It's a lot like pulling back an arrow.
The string maybe sloppy and lax now, but it will get tighter and tighter...
... until I let it fly.
That's my plan.
What's yours?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
165.1 (the horror!)
6.8 hrs Sleep (rookie move!)
0 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
20 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
ROAD, DIRT AND FRANKENSTEIN
Jan 06, 2023
by TODD BROWN
GRAVEL RIDING IS HERE and it is killing off road racing in these parts. The turn out is bigger, the energy greater...
... it is fun and new.
Promoters don't know what to do.
Some are threatened, some are on the band wagon,
Racers don't know what to do.
Stick with the small fields or head on over to larger fields.
But, there is a problem as I see it.
Several.
First gravel racing isn't really racing.
Hear me out.
Gravel racing is more like a gran fondo, a mass start adventure served with caviar and wine. Nobody is really there to win, but a few pros. The rest are there to ride fast, bump bars, maybe shed some skin...
... and pedal for an absurd amount of time.
There is nothing wrong with that, but it's not racing. This is racing:
- Lining up with riders of similar talents.
- Getting after it with power,
- and guile.
Gravel is a lot of fun, and it drew me in a few years back...
... I think it could be even more funner.
My typical gravel ride around here is limited. We just don't have endless dirt roads.
We have some dirt,
and some single track,
and all kinds of horse trails,
plus back alleys and sidewalks and curbs,
and of course lots and lots of concrete and tarmac.
Which means my gravel rides aren't really gravel at all...
... they are a helluvalot more fun.
Each time I roll out on my gravel bike, I'm like Dr. Frankenstein building the parts from each terrain...
- jumping
- sliding
- climbing
- hammering
- carving
... I'm not a gravel rider,
I'm a Frankenrider.
What would make gravel racing more fun?
- Shorter courses
- Requiring more skill
- With categorized riders
Or maybe it would ruin it all together when the angry step dad, UCI, found out we were having fun and came in to make it "legit".
Speaking of legit, I have determined that for me the right tool for Frankenriding is an old hard tail.
- Party up front
- Business in the back
- No fretting if things get messy on course
Maybe it's just more representative of who I am as a person?
I dunno.
I do know this.
I'm planning to race more MTB this year, and being as close to my MTB position on all rides is going to be helpful...
... Frankenriding is the only way to log the Zone 1 and Zone 2 miles.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
Frankenriding also requires more upper body strength.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
164
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strength Circuit
0 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
THE REAL REASON THE 10-WEEK CHALLENGE WORKS
Jan 05, 2023
by TODD BROWN
MORE OFTEN THAN YOU'D THINK, I get a thank you note or text or even a phone call from someone who took the 10-week challenge...
... they've all been grateful and pumped.
Curiously, while they all have a favorite aspect, there isn't one aspect that they all laser in on.
Which got me wondering...
... what is it about the challenge that works?
I haven't ask them, but I will tell why I think it works.
No matter who you are, how good you are, hDow much you know...
... I guarantee change is going to be required.
That is because the RaceDay Ready 10-Week Challenge is a comprehensive program...
- physical
- mental
- spiritual
- social
... at the end you'll have so much proof of improvement in each area you'll be...
... Ready to rip on RaceDay.
It took me forever to figure it out.
For example, I once paid to Joe Friel to come and speak to a group of us. He and I had a long lunch and talked about all kinds of aspects of training. If you want to see his current thinking, which is exactly what we cover in the challenge go here: https://joefrieltraining.com/my-5-2-training-routine/
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
163.4
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 minutes of strength
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHICH IS A BETTER USE OF YOUR TIME?
Jan 04, 2023
by TODD BROWN
THE LARGELY ONE-DIMENSION APPROACH most riders use to get faster cracks me up. So much time spent mindlessly riding...
... vs time spent riding with purpose.
Which is better...
- Pedal stroke smoothing drills or riding more?
- Learning to carry speed through turns or riding more?
- Dialing in race nutrition or riding more?
- Clean and pristine drivetrain or riding more?
- Strength training for 15 minutes or riding more?
- Tire set up or riding more?
- and so on
... perfecting the little things or riding more?
Yes, we do need piles of miles.
But, we can get a helluvalot faster with a little effort.
I wrote a new book about that, kind of.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-100-day-journal
I say kind of because the book really is just a healthy nudge in the right direction and will require a lot from you...
... it comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
Check it out.
Ships free, too.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-100-day-journal
----
163.4
8 hrs Sleep
1 minutes of strength
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DON'T BE A PARASITE
Jan 03, 2023
by TODD BROWN
YOU CAN ALWAYS SKIP A PULL. Fake breathlessness, creep in the back. There are lots of ways to do it...
... but, we know what you're up to.
You're being selfish, saving your powder and trading something awesome for something now.
The peloton doesn't forget.
The trust is gone, and so will be the next break...
... without you in it.
Do the work.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Are you in the calendar club?
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https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162.4
7 hrs Sleep
1 minutes of strength
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU AT WAR?
Jan 02, 2023
by TODD BROWN
I'M AT WAR. Nobody knows it. Instead my friends and neighbors say things like You're so dedicated or You're an inspiration. Maybe I am, and that's cool...
... but, it's not about them or what they think.
It's my fight.
When I look at the pull up bar strategically placed in my bathroom door jam, I'm reminded of the battle. It is there because I committed to do pull ups and pushups...
... every dawgawn day.
The first few are never fun, never, which is why it is so difficult to get started...
... I grab that dern bar and hang.
Up.
Down.
Then, it's 3 pushups for every pull up completed...
... I grudgingly assume the plank position.
Down.
Up.
In a few minutes, it is all over. My muscles are full of blood and it feels so flipping good...
... that's why I go to war with myself.
Because I like it,
the challenge,
overcoming.
It's the reason I am going to go alone today and do intervals on a 10 mile rocky singletrack climb...
... nobody will know, but me.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Just like nobody will see all the work I put in before the A races on my calendar.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
166
7 hrs Sleep
0 minutes of strength
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW GOOD COULD WE BE?
Jan 01, 2023
by TODD BROWN
FOR THE LAST 3ISH YEARS I have been riding 3 bikes. Gravel, road, mtb. 40%, 30%, 30%, respectively. It's been a lot of fun...
... but, I think it's made me worser.
There's just no way to reach maximum potential performance training on three different bikes, in three different disciplines, because the...
- fit
- handing
- strategies
... though similar, are different.
Is that really true?
While I just completed a breakout year, and while three of the most exciting road pros are battling it out in Cyclocross right now, and two of them compete on MTB as well, one the Olympic Champ...
... yes, I still think that could be true.
For me.
Friday, while going up a somewhat technical 6 mile singletrack climb, I just didn't have it...
... dismounting where I should be charging with power.
Not a good indication.
A few weeks back, on a challenging road ride, the group was frisky and I suffered with every acceleration.
Time to experiment.
There is nothing but MTB races and a road stage race between now and April...
... I just might have to go all in on 2 of the 3.
Any thoughts?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Have you watched this?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
166
7 hrs Sleep
0 minutes of strength
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW TO STAY SHARP
Dec 31, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I READ A LOT. I buy a lot of books. I like paper, I like to dog-ear the pages and underline the passages that are most meaningful...
... most of that is done when the house is quiet.
The best part is going for a long ride alone and considering the thoughts the authors were trying to convey.
Somehow a jarring trail or screaming descent or maximum effort on a long climb...
... will bring forth an epiphany.
An insight.
Or change my mind.
But, I don't think I've been going deep enough.
I say that because not in the stack above are the my trusty religious texts which always seem to give more with each reading.
This year, I'm going to limit myself to a handful of books.
I'll probably still buy a lot, but as the great George Raveling says sometimes you don't need to read the whole book. Or, as the great Seth Godin says most books you get the joke quickly and the rest is filler...
... if it's boring or long winded, I'll move on quickly.
The good ones I'll read and reread.
The most impactful book of the year in that stack?
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron.
I recommend it a long with others as part of the 10-Week Challenge because...
... all riding and no reading makes Toddy a dull boy.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
163.4
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 minutes of strength
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WIPE OUT YOUR COMPETITION LIKE ROCKY WIPED OUT DRAGO
Dec 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TODAY'S CLIMB IS 6 MILES. Straight up. It's singletrack, mostly too narrow to pass...
... with a fair amount of challenging rocks and features.
I picked it for one reason.
It's time to chop wood.
What I mean by that is it's time to train solo, on terrain that might make me bleed.
The great Rocky Balboa came to mind, in Rocky IV. He's up against Ivan Drago...
... a Russian killer.
He killed Rocky's bestie, Apollo Creed.
He'd nearly killed Rocky.
But, not this time. While Drago is training with scientists in a gym, our hero is in the freezing Russian winter...
... chopping wood.
I cruised up San Juan Trail in Zone 2. Keeping it mellow. It was surprising how degraded my skills are right now. Multiple dismounts. It's the perfect place to train for...
... the blows that are sure to come next season.
How do you chop wood?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
Along with the 10-week challenge, I'll be going back to ride that trail often.
It's a longer climb and more technical than any of the races on my calendar.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162
7 hrs Sleep
19 minutes of strength
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
MY TWO BIGGEST TROLLS
Dec 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AS I ENJOY A BIT OF MICROFAME, I have had to deal with a number of trolls. It's flattering, and kinda fun to have a few haters who just don't get..
... who I am.
The two biggest trolls are of my own making, and they are constantly on my case.
In fact, they stalk me on most of my rides. Someone must have doxed me on Strava...
... it's super annoying!
The first is this young punk. Always making fun of me, and egging me on.
Jump that gap!
Get off the brakes!
Stop sitting in, attack!
(Have you seen either of these troublemakers?)
There other is an old coot couch rider. He yells I shouldn't be attempting any of my quests.
Slow down for hecksakes!
Give it a rest, grampa!
You can't do that!
Like I said, trolls are pretty funny and generally quite pathetic. I just laugh it off, and stick my plan...
... that's who I am.
What do you do with your trolls?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
I don't think any of them could take the challenge...
... trolls are all talk.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162.5
7.5 hrs Sleep
18 minutes of strength
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
RACEDAY PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF HOW FAST YOU ARE.
Dec 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
RACEDAY PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF HOW FAST YOU ARE. If you're looking at it that way, you're bound to fall short of the mark. Instead, how well we do...
... shows how hard we worked leading up to the start line.
No amount of want can make up for a lack of prep.
Ever.
I was thinking about that yesterday. It was my first day of laying base mileage down.
Base mileage is like laying tile. It's slow work, demanding exactness in terms of effort. When I do it right, when I throttle back my efforts for a few weeks...
... I can feel the energy of a hungry, caged animal.
But, I keep holding back.
I keep laying down the miles.
Keep lifting the weights.
Keep stretching.
In time, I'll join a group ride (mine are analog, digital is great if weather is a hinderance) and allow myself to hang on without out getting after it.
The animal paces back and forth, angry purring.
Miles.
Weights.
Stretching.
Laying that tile, with a beautiful mosaic...
... unleashing a little bit more each group ride.
If you want to check out my current weight regimen, click here.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
There's a lot more revealed in the 10-Week Challenge.
Which is free... insane value, free.
Because I love you, and hope nothing but the best for you.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162.4
7.75 hrs Sleep
189 minutes of strength
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY TERRIBLE FRIEND
Dec 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I LIKE ROAD TRIPS because they give me time to think. Just before leaving, I downloaded David Goggins new book, Never Finished. This is his second book...
... and I have one big takeaway.
Goggins reminded me who I am on raceday, with an entire chapter on alter ego.
Bruce Bannon or The Hulk
Jessica Drew or Spiderwoman
Do you have an alter ego?
I do.
Surfergirl reminds me of it often. I like that. She gets into it...
... I don't get into it until the start line.
That 3-5 minutes before the gun sounds.
There might be a million people around, all kinds of wanker energy.
Not me.
I go quiet.
Dark.
I already have my cape on, a kit that I have chosen or designed just for said A race...
.... now it's time to summon the superpowers.
And, have some freakin' fun.
My alter ego name goes all the way back to the largely idiot college days. Only a handful of people know the name.
Once, Surfergirl gave a love note to JR to give to me before Barnburner, where I was trying to qualify for Leadville. He read it.
Who's T F'n B?
You're lookin' at him.
What's the F stand for?
Whatever you freakin' want it to stand for!
So, if you try and chat me up before an A race don't be offended if you get your freakin' helmet ripped off...
... it ain't me, it's T F'n B.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
We're making these calendars all the time, if it says pre-order, if will ship in about a week.
For free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162.4
7.75 hrs Sleep
189 minutes of strength
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
10 DAYS OFF THE BIKE
Dec 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I WAS READY TO TAKE A BREAK FROM RIDING before we left. During the 10 days I took off the bike, while enjoying a snowy Christmas, I found time to hike, ski and crossfit..
... I came away convinced I could do just fine living up there.
If I had to guess, I'd mainly back country ski and ride a fat bike. There just isn't a good adrenalin payoff with skate skiing and cross country skiing...
... oddly, I found my old love of riding the lifts a bit boring and confining.
With that in mind, freedom to roam the wilderness with an adrenalin payoff, I shouldn't have been surprised when all I could think about while driving home was making it in time to get on the MTB.
No urge to gravel.
No call to road.
What does that mean for racing next year?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
We're making these calendars all the time, if it says pre-order, if will ship in about a week.
For free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162ish
6.5 hrs Sleep
4 minutes of strength
15 minutes recovery
00 minutes reading + Journaling
MY HOPES AND FEARS
Dec 25, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE THINK WE HAVE 6 DAYS to get the resolutions finalized. Those calendars are longing for ink, our brains for direction, because...
... Next year I'm gonna!
Here is how I'd grade 2022.
Did I do all I could do last year in the four areas of a well-rounded square?
- Physical
- Mental
- Spiritual
- Social
Physical, off the charts. The PR at Leadville, breaking 8 hours was at the very limit of my wildest dreams. Add in the big upgrade in RaceDay Ready, and I'd have to give myself an A there.
Mental, the way I measure this is how the business is doing. I made a lot of changes, but the biggest were: closing down the retail location to focus on ecommerce; cutting my ad spend by 80% to focus on referrals and direct sales. I'm giving my self a B+ here because the direction was correct, but I'm still working on the execution.
Spiritual, this is tough to measure. I think it has to do with harmony in the relationships that matter, and having a charitable heart vs my natural default - which can be embarrassing at times. The biggest breakthrough came via the 30 minutes I spend first thing each morning journaling. This has been by far the most fulfilling personal journey in years. Another B+, good progress but I want to do so much better.
Social, or just being friendly and reaching out. This might surprise you, but I'm an introvert by nature. When Surfergirl goes out of town, she knows I'll be just fine. I'm completely happy to be alone. So, we made it a goal (me, because she is loving and social by nature), to go out and see friends or do something in public at least once a week. Here, I've got a long way to go. Just a C+ on this one.
The next 6 days are a great time to reflect.
In chapter 2 of my book, The Way of The RACER, I cover doing all we can do. Because, as the great Art Williams said...
... All you can do, is all you can do.
What did you do in '22?
What will you do in '23?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
We're making these calendars all the time, if it says pre-order, if will ship in about a week.
For free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
10 minutes strength
10 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
JUST MERRY
Dec 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THIS IS MY THIRD TRY AT A POST FOR YOU to read tomorrow morning. The first was a weak attempt to be pithy about ChristmasChanukahKwanzaFestivus. The second touched on being...
... young at heart.
What I'm really trying to say is, regardless of faith, I hope the 25th is joyous and merry for you.
----
162ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 minutes strength
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE REAL MEANING OF ZONE 1
Dec 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I WALK A LOT. I also ride a lot. Walks are always Zone 1 for me. Some rides are, too. This morning, surrounded in mountains and snow, I realized...
... I was walking with purpose.
What is the real purpose of Zone 1?
One of my early coaches called Zone 1 a Rinse Ride, because the legs feel clean and ready to go afterwards.
There is a mental rinsing which always accompanies the physical rinsing and today I realized...
... I didn't have to be lazy about it.
Once the wandering legs and thoughts subside, it is a wonderful time to consider all I have to be grateful for.
Sometimes the list is rapid and unending, other times I struggle to have any gratitude in my heart...
... it's a signal to extend the walk or ride.
On my way back, I came up with an acronym for my zone focus:
- Gratitude is Zone 1
- Efficiency is zone 2 - pedal stroke, speed, aero
- Long is Zone 3 - much of my 1.5+ hours racing is done in this zone
- Short is Zone 4 - up to 90 mins of racing is typically here
- Sprint is Zone 5 - finish of a race, get up a hill, technical climbs
I hope that GELSS with you...
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
... because gratitude is a gift.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/gift-card
----
162ish
8 hrs Sleep
0 minutes strength
10 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
IF YOU CAN DO THIS YOU CAN DO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING
Dec 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS A SKILL MOST OF US HAVE which makes it a lot easier to pick up new sports, or get right back into activities we haven't done for a while. In fact, without it...
... things might have gone very badly today.
Nine inches of snow fell last night, and in some places it was as deep as 18-20".
Within the first couple of hours most of the powder was tracked out, meaning packed down.
Skiing the fluffy stuff is so delightful we headed off the runs and into the trees...
... we wanted more.
Trees can be deadly.
To ski powder the slope has to be steep, and you have to be moving fairly fast otherwise you sink and stop.
We did fine, had a blast, because we have this skill...
... which is really a discipline.
You know Dad, I have to give you some props.
I looked that good?
No, not really, but you did teach me to look where I want to go.
Simple as that.
I probably beat that into our children more than anything else. With bicycles, motorcycles, surfing...
... the body always follows the eyes.
What I've been most impressed with, however, is how the kids remember it and teach it to their friends and companions.
Not only does it work with most sports, but it is...
... true for anything you want to accomplish.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
I cover it in my book. It's a critical skill for success.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/books-n-such/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
----
162ish
8.5 hrs Sleep
o minutes strength
15 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY CROSS TRAINING IS SO WIERD?
Dec 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
CONTINUING THE THEME OF HOW I PREFER FRIENDS WHO TRY TO KILL ME, my sassy daughter took her best swing at me today. It was her chance to...
... try and put me to shame.
We met at TrainInsane, and yes they had some insane moves.
This is what makes cross training so weird. We are fit and strong...
... until we do something super awkward, that we'd never do in real life.
Like one foot in a stirrup while doing a single leg squat.
This was a DaddyDaughter Challenge and I gotta say, if we are going on form she killed me here.
On the cardio it was Dad for the win.
The rest of the exercises were straight forward and awesome.
- 30" box jump (pretty stoked about this one)
- Running while dragging partner tethered with a band
- Squats
- Sled
- PushUps
- Punching bag
- Kneel on Bosu doing dumbbell curls
- Romanian squat with tricep extension
The big takeaways for me?
- My daughter is a badass
- Riding, running and RaceDay Ready have me set to take on any challenge.
Ave HR 122 - including stretching
Max HR 165 - I was legit gassed at one point
Plus it was fun to see the besties get their dads to the gym.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
The ladycoaches were impressed...
... if you have any doubts about your ability, take the challenge.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162ish
8 hrs Sleep
55 minutes strength
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SYMPATHY AND MERCY?
Dec 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I CHOOSE MY FRIENDS BASED ON WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO KILL ME. A true friendship is transactional. We give, and we get. It's not harsh...
... it's reality.
Today, at 9300', I got a lot of payback.
It started at 5000'.
Friendly.
Nice.
You can use my boots and skis. It should all fit.
Got any bandages, these nasty blisters from skate skiing yesterday are catching?
Sure.
And duct tape, my broken baby toe is snagging on this very tight boot?
Yep.
Got a bigger boot, my feet are in a vice?
No, that's my biggest.
Okay... let's do it.
I'm cycling fit, and the recent running helped too, so it wasn't too bad for the first hour of climbing. The going was gentlemanly, up a road, then a somewhat easy single track.
Didn't really need the poles, except for stability.
Then it got very steep, with lots of switch backs. The arms, shoulders and core much more engaged. It reminded me of doing dips. 1000s of dips.
It took about 3 hours, with a few stops, to get to the top. Talley's PR is half that time. This was not a beginner's route. The views were amazing...
... I was so glad to be fit enough to do this.
I brought Josh, my soninlaw, along. He rented a split snowboard. Smart kid. I should have rented, my feet were barking hard. Miserable would be an understatement.
We were both so excited to get to the top, and give our bodies a break before attacking all the fresh snow.
It was a windy at the peak.
The top layer of snow a crusty from yesterday's sun.
Everybody was ripping the knee deep powder on the way down, except me. It'd been too long. I was more like a circus clown, crossing tips, hitting trees...
... a lot of Oh shift! moments.
Still, no way to wipe that smile off my face or anybody else's.
It was too good.
Talley had the line of the day, as he laughed at my clown show...
... I have sympathy, not mercy.
And that my friends, is what friends are for.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
Talley is prepping for a back country ski race and using the RaceDay Ready challenge. He was telling Tom about it, who is going to PR Leadville in 2024.
I'm not all in yet, it takes a while to incorporate it. But, I've given up soda and I notice a difference.
Do you just do it for 10 weeks?
For me, it's a lifestyle. I just challenge people for 10 weeks because it's doable. And they'll incorporate some if not all of it.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 strength
20 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
DON'T BE CAREFUL...
Dec 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'VE SEEN THIS SO MANY TIMES, I can predict who is going to kiss the rocks/dirt/asphalt and who is going to fly on by. It's easy because one is careful...
... and one is confident.
Being careful, when it comes to going fast on a bike, is very dangerous.
There is so much going on a careful rider quickly becomes overwhelmed with all the variables. Inevitably, the rider will hone in on the biggest perceived danger...
... and follow their eyes to their doom.
Being careful is akin to worrying. People that worry about getting sick, get sick. People that worry about never finding love, never find it. People that worry, always...
... get what they worry about.
Confident people approach it all differently.
That was very obvious today, my first attempt at skate skiing.
I thought it would be easy.
I've ice skated.
I've skied.
We clipped in.
Jeff skated away.
I took a push and fell on my @$$.
Ouch.
Instantly, I switched to careful mode.
Taking baby swipes, moving like a drunk robot.
Not pretty.
Very out of breath...
... while he glided confidently into the distance.
My falls got further apart, but I was a mess. Skis going this way and that, arms on fire. I was being way too careful.
The fastest way to move confidently:
- Hire a coach
- Practice 'till perfect.
Which is exactly what I'd do if I lived up here...
... don't be careful, be confident.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162ish
8 hrs Sleep
0 strength
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU DOUBTING YOUR DOUBTS?
Dec 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IF YOUR RACE GOALS ARE HUGE you'll have two times when your doubts are equally large. When you write them in Sharpie on your calendar...
... and immediately after you cross the start line.
Doubting our doubts is crucial.
Our doubts get knocked down as we prepare to race. Day after day of consistent, disciplined action...
... replace our doubts with assurances we can succeed.
But, the days just prior, and the night before the showdown with destiny, can be filled by confidence killing conversations with ourselves. Give them no heed. Reflect on your preparation...
... what you know to be true.
Doubt your doubts.
Trust your training.
This is the way.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Trust me, I have all kinds of doubts in my ability to swim and run effectively.
The Giant Calendars are shipping free.
Get one.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
162ish
7.75 hrs Sleep
RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
MY LEGS ARE BURNING!
Dec 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE FEW THINGS THAT GIVE A PARENT MORE PLEASURE than teaching a skill or sport to be shared and enjoyed together. The best is when the parent is surpassed...
... but, there is something right up there next to that.
I had the second best experience today skiing with our snowbound daughter and son in law...
... and it's all because of dad's dang biker legs.
Little Pants has certainly improved since she began chasing Josh around the mountains. She was enjoying so much more of the available terrain, and keeping right up.
Impressive.
Black Diamond stuff.
Our grand day got even better when I heard...
... My legs are burning.
And that is the best thing next to being surpassed by your child...
... knowing you've still got one on 'em, for a little longer.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/all-cycling-raceday-bags
If you're looking for an outstanding gift to give to a child, parent, friend, lover, competitor...
... check out this email I just received.
We can ship anything that is in stock right away.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/all-cycling-raceday-bags
----
162ish
8 hrs Sleep
No strength training
20 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
TIME TO PUT IT TO THE TEST
Dec 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WE AREN'T JUST TRAINING FOR RACING, we're training for life. To be fit, able to do any physical activity we want...
... at a level that is fun.
Tomorrow, and next week I'm putting that to the test.
Alpine skiing for first time in a few years, cross country and back country skiing for first time ever.
I'd say Wish me luck, but a friend once told me...
... luck is for the unprepared.
Which brings me back to just what it is we want to accomplish when we put in the miles.
- Fun
- Sanity
- Fitness
In that order for me...
... how about you, got anything fun planned for the holidays?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
162ish
6 hrs Sleep
Just pushups
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW I MADE MY BIKE SUPER QUIET
Dec 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THIS USE TO DRIVE ME CRAZY, the constant clanging of most saddle packs. I'd be ripping through the wilderness, or full gallop sprint on the road and I could hear was...
... that loose, sloshing.
Mine was relatively quiet, some cats sounded like a tweaker who got ahold of a tambourine.
- It's annoying on the road,
- and a buzz kill on the dirt.
One day, pre-tubeless, I had an inspiration. What if we made a pack...
... out of a thick MTB innertube?
The result is in the pic above, The Mini RaceDay Bag™.
- Holds everything tight with compression
- Deadens any sound
I keep 2 air cartridges, a nozzle, 2 levers, and a mini tool in there.
Silent.
Does not move.
Easy to access.
Does not move.
Easy to access.
Plus, everything is protected from the elements.
Use promo code SUPERQUIET to save 20%
Use promo code SUPERQUIET to save 20%
----
161
7.75 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
IS THIS WHAT I WAS CREATED FOR?
Dec 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT HAD BEEN A LONG DAY. I'd risen and started working at 5am. Pushed the pedals hard for 50 miles. Battled traffic for 2 hours. Returned at 7pm...
... there was no way I was getting off the couch.
But, I'd made a commitment.
But, I didn't care.
That is the major problem of the afternoon workout.
The flesh is weak,
and the spirit is weaker.
I asked myself if this is what I was created for...
to mindlessly watch motocross and surfing videos on YouTube?
to whither into weakness, tempted by Surfergirl's HagenDaaz?
to scroll myself to sleep?
Then, Twitter pounded me with countless posts on the power of strength training...
... and I got off my ass and got it done.
15 minutes.
- Squats
- Shoulder press
- Nordic hamstring curls
- Reverse Nordics
- Toe raise
- Calf raise
- Box jump
- Pullups
- Pushup
My energy shot right back up with the sexy feeling of blood pumping through my body...
... now, I'm ready to write.
Then, I'll go back downstairs. Pull up YouTube, stretch and Hypervolt while I learn something...
... and, yes, sink back into that couch.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
Because in 10 weeks, I'll be doing my first triathlon in 15 years...
... and it's on my Giant Calendar, reminding me every day.
This is without a doubt, the most motivational thing I do...
... write in Sharpie for all the world to see.
If I really had the balls... I'd put qualify for Worlds on there.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
----
161
7.75 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
CHECK, PLEASE.
Dec 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I CAN TELL WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WITHIN SECONDS. It's easy. Possibly incriminating. Definitely...
... 100% accurate.
All I need to do is monitor what you do when you first wake up.
What are you checking when those eyelids snap into action?
Me?
Sleep
Sales.
Weight.
In that order.
Why does it matter?
Because we get what we measure.
Want more or less of something...
... measure it DAILY.
The great Scott Adams in his book How To Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big claims we are simply moist computers and easily programmed.
Measuring is a simple example of that truth.
I cover this in detail in The RaceDay Ready 10-Week Challenge. Now that I think about it...
... the challenge is all about programming for success.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
161.9
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
40 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU CAN SKIP SOME WORKOUTS SOME TIMES
Dec 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT POURED ALL DAY YESTERDAY, right on through this morning. The sun broke out around noon and I set to grinding out the work as fast as possible...
... for quick loop before sunset.
Sunlight streamed through all the windows as I geared up, and was still streaming when I opened the door to leave...
... nooooooooo, more rainfall on a bright sunny afternoon.
Rats!
All I could think of was the great Bob Marley's Get Up Stand Up. ...
... and my version...
You can skip some workouts some time,
But, you can't skip all the workouts all the time.
Why didn't I skip today's?
Well...
- It rains in races, so it's good to have a feel for wet roads and clothes
- I'm taking off 10 days this month, gotta get the rides in that I can
- I applied Pelli Bike Care's ceramic coating to my bike and wanted to test it
- I also applied Wend Wax' new ceramic lube to my chain and wanted to test that.
... I had to get out there, conditions were perfect for testing.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/layers-vests-jackets-warmers/products/pedal-kom-jacket-isd
What I didn't have to test out is the KOM jacket, because I already know how awesome it is for just such a day.
40 degrees and raining.
We still have a few small and large available in the old style, on close out. $70 for $140 jacket.
It's one of my most favorite creations.
Cuts the wind and water like no other, yet breathable.
If it's super cold, add arm warmers and a 2nd jersey for layers... probably what I'll wear for tomorrow's 38 degree start.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/layers-vests-jackets-warmers/products/pedal-kom-jacket-isd
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163.4 (nooooo, the xmas parties got me)
8 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHO WANTS A NEW CHALLENGE?
Dec 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'M READY FOR SOMETHING NEW. I don't know what it is. But, I can tell it's time to change things up...
... find a new outrageous goal.
I thought it could be triathlon, so I started running.
Why not?... everybody should be able to run a 10k and swim 1k.
Which got me thinking about other basic things we should all be able to do easily...
- 10 pullups
- 30 pushups
- Squat our body weight
- Ride tempo for 2 hours
- Bunnyhop a curb
... but, that's basic and not outrageous.
Candidates for outrageous:
- Xterra Nationals
- MTB Marathon Nationals
- MTB Marathon Worlds
- Best of Both
- Downieville Classic All Mountain
- Moab Rocks
Let me qualify outrageous. For me, that means making one of these events my A race for the year and going all in. Going for the win.
I haven't settled on one yet. Some are hard to get into. Some dates still unknown.
All I know at this point is, it's going to be something new and it's not going to be an 8-10 hour deathmarch.
What about you?
Same old races you've done year after year or are you looking for something different?
I'd love to know.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
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162.2
8 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
VAGUE, RANT!
Dec 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I LIKE TO RIDE ALONE THIS TIME OF YEAR. It feels good to roll out with a vague idea for the ride. More important is...
... time to reflect on the year behind, and the year ahead.
Where have we been?
What have we accomplished?
What's in store for the year ahead?
For me, crushing my PR at Leadville was for sure the highlight of the year because it...
... proved the power of focus.
While the nonchalant training of this season is pleasant and rejuvenating, it must end if excellence is to be accomplished.
Vagueness gets us nothing.
Clarity gets us everything.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
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161.3
7 hrs Sleep
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE ART OF RIDING
Dec 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MANY GREAT THINGS HAVE RESULTED FROM CLOSING OUR RETAIL LOCATION. For example, meeting Leah, the lovely artist who took over the space...
... coincidentally, a founding member of the Sisterhood Of Cycling.
I'm always amazed at vastness of the small word of bike lovers.
Tonight at her gallery's art show, we met all kinds of of riders who live here in town, ride the same trails and surf the same waves.
Wait, do you know...
Oh, you ride with the Motley Crew
Haven't I seen you in the water at Sano..
While were having this lovefest and bondathon it comes up that one of the couples has a mountain bike tandem...
... and that's where I have to bite my tongue.
But, Surfergirl lets it out that we have one too.
We rode the crud out of our Ibis Cousin It during the 90's. Us. The kids on the back. All over the local mountains...
... until that fateful day I said No more.
It was hot. We were grinding up a steep tail. I was out of breath and she's talking about dinner plans and where to go on vacation the next summer. I was out of breath! Suffering!...
... she's painting her nails with her feet up on the top tube.
I snapped.
Silly I know.
The tandem sat in the garage for the next 20 years. Saved by memories of good times. Collecting dust. Resting on flat tires...
... until I restored it last summer.
We've ridden it once.
I gotta feeling we'll be back on it soon with our new fast friends.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
Might have to get Surfergirl to take the challenge.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
161
17.4% bf
60.6% h2o
7 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU GETTING COMPOUND INTEREST?
Dec 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
FOR YEARS I WOULD LET MY FITNESS GO at the end of the season. Correctly, I'd plan to get it back the following year. Incorrectly...
... I was missing a chance to have my fitness compound.
With the nest empty, I've take an interest in the CANI approach.
Can I have Constant And Neverending Improvement?
Yes, kind of.
The supreme fitness reached during a season cannot be held onto forever, but we don't have to let it all go to helk...
... we can enter the next season fitter than we entered the previous season.
How?
- Don't pack on a winter coat
- Do strength train more
- Do cross train
- Do keep stretching
- Do back off the volume
- Do keep doing intervals 2x/week
- ...
If I'd done that I'd have a Gold Medal by now, LOL.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
It's all revealed in the challenge.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
160
17.3% bf
60.5% h2o
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
3 TRAITS ALL WINNERS HAVE
Dec 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WINNERS HAVE THESE THREE TRAITS, and losers are generally lacking in at least one, but not the first one...
... everybody on the start line has ambition.
That's a given.
Who will win?
Who will put down their best time?
They'll have ambition,
and a laser focus on their goal.
But, lots of competitors have that.
There is a legend of a triathlete who in his mid-40s decided his goal would be to become a world champion, to win Kona. At the time, he was fast and finished in the top 20% of his age group...
... but he wanted to win the big prize.
He noticed that many athletes would train with pain and ultimately they would permanently injure themselves, or simply burn out.
His plan was to outlast them all. He made sure to rest, to take time off, and to address any pains or discomforts immediately.
At age 70, he became an Ironman World Champion...
... because he was patient.
Ambitious.
Focused.
Patient.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
My patience has garnered me all kinds of knowledge this year, and you can have it all for free.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
160.9
16.5% bf
60.9% h2o
7.5 hrs Sleep
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
THE HARDEST THING YOU MIGHT DO NEXT YEAR
Dec 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ABOVE IS A PICTURE OF A CUSTOMER'S WALL OF FAME. It's hard to miss the Giant RaceDay Calendar, and while I'm thrilled to see it in action it's living proof...
... how hard it is to commit.
There's a HUGE miss on it.
Do you see it?
It's easy to fill in the dates of races, maybe start with pencil or a fine ball point pen. As things gel, take out a Sharpie and mark up the events we really care about.
But, even as impressive as this calendar is...
... and results garnered over the year were incredible...
... it's missing the most powerful component.
Here's a hint.
Do you see it now?
It's not the red vs black, though I will say there is a certain amount of badassery with red.
It's the top.
THIS YEAR I WILL...
His is blank!
This is not the first time I have seen the most powerful portion neglected, and I think I know why...
... it's scary has heck to make a commitment like that.
- Big
- For all to see
- The absolute glory or complete failure
In Sharpie!
What can we do about that?
Well...
- Realize there is tremendous power performing this written ritual.
- Meet with a group who are equally engaged in their own mythic quest.
- Master the calendar of our life.
... and, Get. It. Done!
How?
May I suggest a tiny investment with massive potential.
For a mere $11.53 a week you can...
- Jump on a quick, WEEKLY call with us and a few other amazing athletes to check in and be held accountable to your goals throughout all 2023
- Be part of a group where you can ask the coaches anything
PLUS...
- Get a Giant RaceDay Calendar ($30)
- A reminder wallet with YOUR major race goal ($38)
- RaceDay Ready SuperTech T ($75)
- A RaceDay Journal to document your progress ($20)
- I'M READY socks ($20)
- READY retro trucker hat ($30)
AND...
- Meal plans
- Strength and stretching videos
YES, THIS TOO...
- 25% saving code for ALL PEDAL Industries products - stock or custom
- Early Access and 25% savings to our events like SurfNSummit
DON'T FORGET...
The PR-SMASHING Guarantee:
If you aren't smashing PRs and blowing yourself away...
If you aren't learning things you never even considered...
If you aren't stoked out of your gourd about life in general...
... I don't want your money, none of it.
I'll give it back at the end of the year as long as you've done the work...
... and you can keep the RaceDay Ready 2023 gear.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life
I can't believe I'm doing this on top of all of the above...
... use this promo code to save 20% on RaceDay Ready For Life:
RDR20
Code will expire 12/31/22
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready-2023-for-life
----
160.9
7.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, SO WHAT!
Dec 05, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOME OF US HAD GREAT SPORTING YEARS, some of us fell short of our goals, and some didn't even come close. Wherever you fall, be sure of this...
... it ain't about where we've been.
It never was.
Never will be.
Nevever.
There are only two things that matter.
- Where we're headed
- How badly we want to get there
That's it.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
If you ain't getting there,
want to try something different,
take the 10-week challenge.
----
161.2
6.5 hrs (thought it was 630, it was 5... got going anyway)
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
THE MEANS FORTIFY THE ENDS
Dec 04, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I STRUGGLED TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS FOR DECADES. As a kid, bouncing back and forth between parents' homes, the excess trying to make up for the suckiness...
... I dreaded the holiday season.
Fortunately, there were bikes from time to time and I could ride away from it all...
... ride and ride and ride.
Thank God for liberation via the Schwinn Stingray.
One year, a mermaid tricked me into visiting her home in the islands for the holidays. It was there that I finally found Christmas music that healed my wounded soul...
I'm listening to this amazing music as we prepare for a white Christmas in the mountains with our children, their spouses and the grands.
What does this have to do with training and racing?
Often it's the bad race, the disappointing result, the ugly moments...
... which lead us to be great.
Hang in there.
I don't know who you are, but hang in there, and know that I'd love to go for a ride with you...
... on Stingrays if we can find 'em.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
This is my gift to you.
----
160.1
8 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THIS AIN'T THE LOTTERY, YOU GOTTA EARN IT
Dec 03, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF THE BEST PARTS ABOUT RACING FOR YEARS is watching people progress. From that first race, getting the helmet straps blown off...
... to sticking with it and getting on the podium.
If you're reading this, you've been to that first race when you are confronted with cold hard facts...
... there's a lot more to racing than riding your bike.
- Arriving early
- Bike prep
- Training
- Course pre-riding
- What to wear
- How to eat before, during, after
- How much to drink
- Whether to join a team
It really is endless, and it all starts...
... with the end of the first race.
Commit, or quit.
I was thinking about that today when the 55+ podium was announced.
At the top was the sly fox Ken W (for winning). He's been around forever, and we've had some good battles. In 3rd and 5th were two guys I've been watching. Reggie and Jiri...
... they are committed and improving.
I don't know if they really care about the podium as much as they care about figuring out racing, battling the best guys around...
... and the high we get when we master something new.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
----
159.4ish
7 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHYI DON'T CARE HOW MUCH I WEIGH ON RACEDAY
Dec 02, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'M RACING TOMORROW and I don't care how much I weigh when I wake up. Do you? Should I? I mean, I'll be racing...
... and it's all about power to weight ratio.
Yeah, but.
Let's take a step back.
First, most people confuse hunger with thirst. They should actually be drinking vs eating.
Second, most people are so addicted to food they can't handle the feeling of hungry...
... especially the sugar addicts.
Third, we aren't most people.
- we drink plenty
- aren't addicted to sugar
- can handle the feeling of hunger
Which has a lot to do with being lean and strong.
Okay, the table is set.
Here's what I mean.
Because the day before I'm focused on fueling all systems, instead of being lighter than the day before, or the same weight...
... we might be a pound or 3 heavier.
I don't care about that.
The previous months were already spent getting down to my race weight...
... on RaceDay I'm topped off on calories and liquids.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
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159.4
7.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
70 minutes reading + Journaling
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE STEEL
Dec 01, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY VIDEOGRAPHER CAME OVER TODAY TO SHOOT the RaceDay Ready work out. We shot it start to finish...
... it takes about 15 minutes.
Unlike what every other gooroo is telling you to do...
- get to the gym
- 2x per week
- 6-10 reps
- 3 sets
... we spend 15 minutes a day.
I followed the gurus.
When I followed the gooroos, my legs were smoked so I couldn't to an effective riding...
... and by the time I started to see results the gooroos said to back it way down or stop.
Cameraguy isn't a rider or runner, so he didn't totally understand when I explained the benefit of each exercise in regards to developing power on the bike.
When we were done, 14ish minutes later I asked him...
Whadaya think?
I wanna do it.
Mission accomplished.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
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159.4
7 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT DO YOU HATE MORE?
Nov 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE REASON I RACE IS SIMPLE. I lose. Often. Sanctioned or underground or racing friends to the city limits...
... I almost always lose.
And, it ticks me off!
A lot.
So, when...
It's way too ffffffreezing and wet
I'm too tired for big miles
I want the damn donut
I loathe pull up bar
... I revel in how much I hate losing, being dropped, failing a personal quest.
Embracing the hate is one way...
... to start winning the battle of the mind.
It's all mental.
Or, as the Sultan says, we create it all spiritually first.
The Sultan's Seven Secrets is one of the excellent books I recommend in the RaceDay Ready 10-Week Challenge.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-2023-ala-todd
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159.8
7.75 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
GET YOUR @$$ IN GEAR
Nov 29, 2022
by 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
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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
by 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!
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161.4
8.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU CHALLENGING ME?
Nov 27, 2022
by 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
by 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.
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161.6
8 hrs
0 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
GRAVELICIOUS
Nov 25, 2022
by 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...
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161.9
7 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
10 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
SURVIVING THE FOOD AVALANCHE
Nov 24, 2022
by 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
by 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
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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
by 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
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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
by 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.
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160.3
7.5 hrs
1 RaceDay Ready Strenght Circuits
15 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
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