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Todd’s Journal
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Get RaceDay Ready
HR TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE the joy of climbing with friends to a distant peak and poking through the clouds. Summiting is like having...
... the top of the world to ourselves.
All is calm.
Bombing down the mostly unfamiliar other side...
... not so calm.
Heaven forbid we'd let a gap open and get left behind.
Already on the edge of grip, I came into a sweeping lefthand turn...
... a negative radius, sloping downward.
I drifted all the way wide to the soft bulldozed berm.
Exiting, it was nothing but steep with ruts and rocks competing for my attention.
It wasn't looking good.
Somehow I managed to wiggle through the gauntlet.
My HR now sky high.
Only one thing to do, let out a huge...
... WOOOOHOOOOO!!!
Sheesh, my heart skipped a beat just reliving and writing this.
It.
Was.
Awesomeness.
Had I gone down,
I wouldn't have died.
But, it woulda been a bloody mess firshur.
Glad I kept my eyes open
and arms relaxed,
the tires held...
... just another reason to be grateful this time of year.
===
164.2 lbs/12.5%
480 Anti-Oxidant Score
7ish hours sleep
no PullUps, PushUps, Rows, Shoulder Presses, Dips
no Box Jumps, Dead Lifts, Nordic Curls, Heel Raises, Calf Raises
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
89/96/-8 (fitness/fatigue/form)
>
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...
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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
SPECIAL OFFER - 11.1-11.7 ONLY
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Order here: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ugly-sweater-collection-2025
===
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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
>
THE BEST LEGAL PERFORMANCE ENHANCER
Sep 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY I'VE FOUND to achieve maximum performance. It's not a drug, or a training regimen, or food strategy, or more rest, or anything else you can think of...
... but, oh boy!, does it work.
It's more than a deadline, more than vengeance.
For me, it's all the above and it starts working the moment I throw down some cash...
... and register for a race.
Not just any race.
An A race.
That's when all of the above, and a whole bunch more, combines into what is essentially...
... the best legal performance enhancer available.
Which is why when it comes to A races I like
- At least 1 per year
- No more than 3 per year
For me, I've gotta have at least 1 per year to keep my overall fitness and no more than 3 to keep from burning out.
This year, it was two A events. Leadville and the SurfNSummit. One down, one to go.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
I can hardly wait to pick one or two or three out for next year...
... and start building around them on The Giant RaceDay Calendar™.
How about you?
Got plans yet?
The calendar ships free.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
161.4 lbs
17.2%
60.4%
8 hrs
1 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
50 minutes reading + Journaling
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ON BIKE HANDLING
Sep 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ ON BIKE HANDLING, was a book on archery, written 74 years go, by a German, in Japan...
... just after WWII.
How can that be?
What, a German doing business in Japan a couple of years after the big one?
Or, a book on archery teaching bike handling?
Well, I'll tell you as briefly as I dare.
The German, was young and fit, and very proficient at using a compound bow...
... you know, the kind that have all the leverage to make pulling back easy.
He went to shoot with old monks, seemingly too old and feeble to shoot at all...
... let alone a massive long bow.
How could these small, ancient men pull back a bow so easily and shoot with such accuracy...
... when he could barely pull a long bow back at all.
The answer lay in the muscles used...
... and being relaxed.
For example, the triceps of the arm pulling back was loose and flaccid. Not tense. Not being used.
The monks engaged only the muscles necessary to pull back the bow...
... every other muscle was at rest.
What does that have to do with bike handling?
Everything.
What does it take to slow your bike?
Two fingers.
To hold your handle bars?
Two hands.
To pedal seated?
Legs, butt, core.
It took me a long time to learn to stay relaxed in all conditions...
to hold onto the bars with my hands while my arms are loose and relaxed,
to brake with 1 finger on each lever, without clinching every other muscle,
to pedal seated, uphill, while my upper body is calm,
to breathe easy vs holding my breath if it got scary,
... you feel me?
Can't say enough about the book. I've read it may times over the years. It is short, concise, beautiful...
... and taught me ton about holding onto things.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Ripping the local trails today, while holding on loosely to the bars...
... I realized my cleat needed adjusting.
Thankfully, I had a minitool stored in my Mini RaceDay Bag™.
You'd never know it though because this little bag is made from innertube and keeps everything...
... snug and quiet.
Use promo code ZEN to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
1614 lbs
17.4%
60.4%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
I GOTTA STOP SMOKIN'
Sep 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER GETTING WHACKED BY THE SHOWOFFS on our local group ride, I limped home. Tail between my bibs. Work was impossible. I took a phone call...
... a raspy, tired smoker.
That's what happens when you gasp and gulp air as quickly as possible...
... you sound like you been smokin'.
I was smoked.
It wasn't that the overall speed was outrageous.
Didn't even get one single PR.
The Old Diesel was smoked by showoffs relentlessly attacking...
Attack
Attack
Attack
... and attack some more.
The problem is, I love that shift...
... ain't quitting the habit any time soon.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tmwc
It was especially saucy today because the word is out...
... our unOFFICIAL world championships is going down in 3 week.
If you're local, come join us for a quick morning smoke.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/tmwc
161.6 lbs
17.1%
60.2%
7 hrs
1 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
WHY I'M RIDING LONGER RIDES
Sep 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ARE YOU ADDICTED TO GLASS? Is it tough to tear away from the computer screen, the phone, the watch, the TV...
... do you have a problem?
I do.
And, working from home hasn't helped.
It's worse.
The antidote, for me, is outside.
- on the bike
- in the water
- on the sand
Anything to break my addiction.
There are a few tricks to take advantage of this increased time.
1. Nevereverever bring headphones. Bring the phone if you must. But, only to take pics and pay for things.
2. Bring a friend. It's good to be physically connected for our social lives and having a friend to talk to will ensures I keep the pace conversational.
3. Keep the pace easy. Zone 1, Zone 2. This allows me to soak up my surroundings, to notice all the beauty in the real world.
And for Pete's sake (poor Pete), train outside as much as possible...
... on your bike,
... in the position you race in.
Consider this shameful admission a public service announcement. If not for you...
... for some poor, lost and drifting soul like me.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
When you go out, go out in style... PS I goofed, see below.
If you like it here's a promo code to save 20%, RETAILRACERS ...
... I goofed on the code the other day, it works now.
Expires 9/30.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
---
161.6
7 hrs
2 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
THE POWER OF A GOOD GRUDGE
Sep 25, 2022
by TODD BROWN
FEW THINGS ARE AS POWERFUL AS FEELING SLIGHTED. All great coaches know this, so do the bad ones...
... grudges are powerful.
How do us racers harness that?
Just watch Remco Evenepoel. You think he didn't have payback on his mind at the Vuelta...
... or today at the World's?
I've harbored my own grudges and gained surprising power.
Most, nearly all, are manufactured and made up nonsense. Stories I tell myself of being dissed by so and so...
... that just fire me up.
But, that's the danger with a grudge.
We do get fired up, and in the heat of the moment we say and do things we end up regretting.
Real grudges are for losers.
They are silent killers, cancers festering and ultimate destroying our powers and abilities to perform at all levels.
Fake grudges are for winners.
Fun stories we make up and...
... tack on the bulletin boards of our minds.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
I don't put on boxing gloves...
... but, I do love these superlight race gloves
We have lot of colors in stock.
And, it's Buy One Get One... no promo code need.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
161.6
8 hrs
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
RIPPING ON A BIKE WITH NO NAME
Sep 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IS THE HAYDAY OF RACE TEAMS GONE? Sometimes I wonder. Used to be you showed up to a group ride and the one weirdo wore off the rack clothing, while the cool cats...
... sported their team colors.
Not any more.
The hitters on today's ride were not only riding in retail clothes, but they were ripping it up, and here's the problem...
... you can't tell who's f'real.
And it gets worse.
Not only is everybody incognito...
... most of these demons don't even race.
So,
- no team colors
- no resume
- no bs
I like it,
and I don't like it.
I like seeing fresh colors and palettes,
I don't like not knowing who's gonna make it hurt.
After a few miles, things sorted out and it was easy to spot the players. But, how to identify them if not by team kit? I resorted to
- Beard
- Too tall
- Skinny tall
- Young asian
- Hairy blond kid
- Matchy couple
- ... and Hulk
Got a better idea?
Do you like the trend?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
How about this look?
If you like it here's a promo code to save 20%, RETAILRACERS ...
... code will expire Sunday, 9/25 at midnight.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/all-marble-gear
---
160.7
7 hrs
0 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
FAKE NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
Sep 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
PERSONALLY, I LOVE FAKE NEWS. And, I love creating fake news. It's just so dang fun...
... to fake people out.
Let me give you an example of the kind of diabolical nonsense I'm capable of.
First, there's the immediate and sensational news.
This I like during a race, a road race, where the action is shoulder to shoulder. We can hear each other breathing, see how we're holding up. This is a perfect time for some fake news like:
- Faking I'm tire, gassed, can't pull through... when I'm feeling strong like bull.
- Faking I'm fresh, crazy fit... when I'm barely hanging on.
Then, there's the long game.
The great Bobby Fisher did something for 10 years before battling the Russians in chess. Don't hold me to it, but it was something like playing left handed and then all of the sudden playing right handed. It was so outrageous, if that was it, that it through them off their game and he became World Champion.
Here are a few I've pulled over the years:
- Purposely losing or getting dropped in races and rides leading up to the A race.
- Secretly training and not posting online.
- Training and racing on a markedly slower bike, then I race on.
Of course, that was long ago.
I'd never do that now.
But, you might...
... it's the kinda thing that can score a win, when brute force isn't enough.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
I'm more into PRs...
... no need to worry about me
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts
---
161ish
7 hrs
1 Strength Rotation
20 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
ONE THING I WISH I WOULD HAVE STARTED SOONER
Sep 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT TELL ME THEY ARE GOING TO START riding or lifting or the 10-Week Challenge is astounding to me, because they almost always have a reason to postpone. I get it, there is a lot to do in life, but...
... there is one thing I wish I would have started a lot sooner.
Because it gives huge benefits and takes little time, when done correctly.
- Posture
- Strength
- Confidence
- Ankle mobility
- and more
Strength work is gold.
And yeah, my ankles are firing again.
I notice a lot more action in my ankles when pedaling, and walking. It happened a few weeks after I added calf raises and it's cousin toe raises. All of the sudden, I'm pedaling like a kid again...
... especially out of the saddle.
There are all kinds of reasons to start a strength routine NOW...
... but, the biggest is you're gonna wish you started sooner.
I do.
If you don't know where to start, take my 10-Week Challenge. I layout a solid routine anybody can get going on...
... you can do anything for 10-weeks.
Plus, you probably establish new, lifechanging habits.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
It's free.
Get going!
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161 lbs
17.3%
60.4%
7.7 hrs
3 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE 100' RULE
Sep 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO CALCULATE HOW TOUGH A RIDE IS compared to other rides. One of my favorites is the one I use to determine if it was flat, rolling, climbing day, or worse...
... horrendous and hillacious amount of vert.
Sometimes, some routes seem really climby and they're not.
Other days, it feels like all we did was climb and we didn't.
I was thinking about my rule while riding my topsecret XC training loop - you can check it on Strava.
Here's my rule:
- 100'/mile or more is a climbing route/course.
Anything less, is rolling or flat.
I logged 19ish miles and 3600ish feet of vert this afternoon...
... almost 2x my rule.
Why is that important?
Because when I am looking at an upcoming race or ride or route, I can quickly see the amount of vert per mile and then get an idea of how rough it's gonna be it's always good to drill deeper and...
... see if the climbs are stacked or spread out.
But, that's my rule.
Check out your next couple of rides or your last couple.
Watch that ratio.
Let me know if you have a different rule.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
I'll use it as I start to look at next year's events I'm considering.
Yep, it's time for a new Giant Wall Callendar...
... so I can see everything all at once.
With Saturday and Sunday at the end of week...
... to grasp the race weekends.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/collections/raceday-calendars™
---
160.9 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW TO LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Sep 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
HEY, WE SHOULD STOP AND GET A BREAKFAST CONE. For sure. I'm jonesing for a Vanilla Bacon or a Chorizo Chocolate...
... such is the conversation as we return from our early morning leg ripper.
We didn't get the ice cream cones.
They don't exist, yet.
But, it got me thinking of how we take our loads off...
... because nobody can see what we are really carrying up the climbs.
- One young feller has 6 kids, a serious volunteer commitment and a bigboy corporate lawyer job.
- Another is struggling to keep his financial head above water.
- Then there's the cat who has it all together, but who's bestie is in a serious battle with cancer.
Sometimes that wheelsucking...
... is just lifesucking.
Which is why we keep our leg ripping rides regular, hard, and mostly social.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
We don't have secret handshakes, but we do have some snappy gloves with matching socks.
Which you can buy one pair, and get the second pair free.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
161.1 lbs
17.5%
60.2%
7 hrs
1 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling
THIS ONE THING WILL KILL YOUR TRAINING PLANS
Sep 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
TOMORROW I HAVE A HARD TRAINING RIDE PLANNED. It's already kinda bugging me, to the point I'm already thinking of excuses to put it off...
... so I'll have to make one very important decision.
A yes, and everything will fall into place and be easy.
A no, will be even easier.
A maybe...
When it's time to go, all I really need to do is put on my HR monitor...
... after that,
bibs
jersey
socks
shoes
gloves
helmet
glasses
... go on easy, and I'm out the door.
Once, I'm out the door...
... it's on!
If it's a no, I can go back to bed.
If it's a maybe,
if I'm foggy,
If I'm slow...
the time will pass,
I'll miss the workout,
and won't be able to go back to sleep.
Yes is good.
No is kinda good.
Maybe is definitely death.
To make it easier, I'll lay all my gear out and ready to go before I go to sleep...
... HR monitor, on top.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Which means my Mini RaceDay Bag™ will be on my road bike, ready to go...
- a nozzle
- 2 cannisters
- a mini tool
- dynaplug darts
Use promo code HATELOVE to save 20% on the bag and darts.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
160. lbs
17.7%
60%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
150 minutes reading + Journaling
I HATE RACING. I LOVE RACING.
Sep 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
RACING FOR ME IS A LOVEHATE RELATIONSHIP. I hate racing, everything about it. I love racing...
... everything about it.
I hate racing because it constrains my time
I love racing because there's a deadline.
I hate what competing brings out in me,
I love what competition brings out in me.
I hate feeling I could have done better.
I love knowing I left it all on the course.
I hate saying no to cake,
I love the feeling of a healthy body.
I hate paying to race,
I love the commitment when I lay down the cash.
I hate going to bed early,
I love waking up early to get it all done.
I hate the expense of a race bike,
I love the precise feeling of a race bike.
I hate lifting weights,
I love feeling strong.
I hate mechanical failure,
I love that I can now fix most racing mechanicals quickly.
I hate racers who take it seriously,
I love racers who take it seriously and show me what's possible.
I hate losing,
I love learning from my losses.
and...
I hate admitting all this,
I love that you can relate to most (all?) of it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
Racing or not, the mini RaceDay Bag™ is perrrrrrrrfect for carrying just what I need:
- a nozzle
- 2 cannisters
- a mini tool
- dynaplug darts
Use promo code HATELOVE to save 20% on the bag and darts.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
161.6 lbs
17.7%
60.1%
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
SMALL CHANGES FOR BIG RESULTS
Sep 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, I got back into bike racing and started having success after a few years by implementing a series of small changes. They were discoveries...
... it took time.
It always takes time, and a lot more than we want it to take.
Here are a few of the small changes
- No bread
- No sugar
- No soda
Not all at once, over years.
Little by little.
The good news, for racers, is that most competitors
- Try to do it all at once, get frustrated and quit
- Quit before they figure it out
- Are just lazy
Make small changes,
keep moving,
don't quit.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
You can find the rest of my small changes here.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
160.9 lbs
17%
60.6%
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE CHAMPIONS... OF THE WORLD.
Sep 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY FRIEND DAVE IS COMPETING in the UCI World Championships. Yep, he made the team. He's already there, and posting pictures and...
... we're expecting big things from our local boy.
Not in Australia, with the Pros.
Trento.
Italy.
With the age groupers.
There are all kinds of World Championships.
All kinds
Pro.
Amateur.
... and my favorite, TMWC.
Yes, the most important championship in these parts...
... the Tuesday Morning World Championships.
You might think you have something similar in your area, but does yours have
- A 19th annual showdown?
- Awards?
- Ca$h?
If it doesn't, why not?
Have some fun.
We do.
Past champions include Pro Tour DSM athlete Kevin Vermaerke... he was like 15. Plus Andrew Vollmer and other youngster who went to pro contracts.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/unofficial-tmwc-2022-19th-year
It's free, unless. you want the SuperTech T
If you do, use this promo code: TMWC22
If want do something like this for your ride, I gotta guy.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/unofficial-tmwc-2022-19th-year
HOW BAD WAS THAT RACE?
Sep 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT RACING, is the not knowing. Not knowing who is going to show up, what teams will be there, how the weather will be, how I'll be...
... the further out the race the more mystery involved.
As it closer, somethings are more clear but there's always a big question...
... will it all go well?
Hopefully, yes.
But, shift does happen.
When it does, it's easy to get derailled,
want to quit,
give up.
By labeling it bad, is bad.
doesn't help at all,
makes it worse.
Now, when things don't go according to plans I have supercharge for good:
- This will make for a much better story
- I won't make that mistake again.
- That saved from something
I got a million responses...
... they're rarely bad.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
The bigger the ride, the more possibilities for better stores.
We're gonna have some doozies after this...
... registration closes 9/18.
The adventure of the year for us...
... are you coming?
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.9 lbs
17.6%
60.1%
7.5 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
BUT, WOULD YOU DO IT?
Sep 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
OUT AND ABOUT ON THE TRAILS TONIGHT, I came across two young lads. I'd followed them up the easy route, back to the top. As I closed in...
... I could see they had stopped to look at something.
Their heads were perched above the grass, and I could tell they were investigating something.
What could it be?
Dead animal?
Fallen rider?
Oh, I see.
You guys gonna ride that?
Well, you could take this line but it's a little rutted out from the rain.
You gonna ride it?
I think it would be better over on the left.
Are you gonna ride it?
If I do it, I'll def drop in slow and land to the side before I try and hit the huge step up.
Are you gonna ride it?
Oh, no way man. We're just checking it out.
I know that feeling.
Vertical entry for first 30 feet, another 60 slightly less steep, then straight up the other side into the air, hoping you clear the 20' gap to the landing that is 10' higher than the top of the jump.
I don't actually know the feeling of jumping something like that, but I'm very familiar with analyzing the crud out of something well beyond my capabilities and...
... simply living with the thought, What would the be like?
Makes my hands sweat just thinking about a jump like that.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
Just another reason to wear these superlight race gloves, with real leather palms.
I wear 'em year round, rain or shine, hot or cold.
You can wear 2 pair for the price of one.
Just add to your shopping cart and the discount will be automatically applied.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
159.8 lbs
17.7%
60.8%
7 hrs
1 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
THE BIGGEST TEMPTATION
Sep 13, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OVER and I'm facing the biggest temptation. It's one that could ruin everything next year. It's not that delicious chocolate twist I ate last Friday...
... something far worse and sinister.
You, of course, are far wiser and more disciplined.
I'm trying to be...
... my friends aren't helping at all.
Todd, you're so fit right now let's go do Barnburner.
Can't.
Bro, Masters Crit Champs this weekend. You're going right?
Negative.
Grizzly 100 is coming up, you're gonna slay it.
Nope.
Those are pretty easy to say no to.
- They cost money
- Involve travel
But, it's never the big temptation that gets ya.
The Devil leads ya slowly down to hell...
... one pedal stroke at a time.
It's the group rides, that can get carried away,
and the months away race where I want redemption, that can make we want to train,
or a PR I wanna get after one more time.
These little innocent efforts can add up and instead of rolling into 2023 chomping at the bit like the thoroughbreds we are...
... we could up old nags searching for the oat bag.
The difference between excellence and prettydarngood, in my opinion, is how fresh we are...
... not just physically, but mentally.
As the great Bon Scot said...
... It's a long way to the top, if ya wanna rock n roll.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
Part of getting to the top is mental, a big part.
Gotta stay fresh and organized so as not to waste any mental bandwidth.
Did you know we have Triathlon Specific RaceDay Bags™?...
... talk about a group with a lot of gear.
The pockets are specially marked for out Tri brothers and sisters.
Check 'em out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
---
159.9 lbs
17.6%
60.1%
7.5 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I HAVE AN INHERITANCE PROPOSAL FOR YOU
Sep 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WOW, I'M SO FLATTERED! I've been waiting my whole life for an offer like this. Finally, all the blogging and vlogging and fbing and youtubing has paid off...
... with an inheritance from Princess Roselinda.
Got the email today!
It is so dawgawn tempting, but if there's one thing I've learned racing and pr-ing...
... we make our own fortune.
Sure, we might inherit some good DNA, but DNA...
... ain't nothing without TNA.
Not that T 'n A, get your mind outta my gutter.
This one...
... Time 'n Aspiration.
Put in the time,
stay focused on what we want.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Do it in chunks.
I like 10 weeks.
Have you taken the challenge?
It's free, so it's easy to start and quit.
Which you won't do, because you're not a LOOOOOOOOOZER.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
162.1 lbs
16.6%
60.9%
8 hrs
2 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW STRONG DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Sep 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT WAS A HARD RIDE, but not insanely hard. We were working hard, but not breathing too hard. It is a ride with a reputation for being hard...
... because the riders are hard.
But, one guy is the hardest of the all.
By far.
When he's there, everybody is very conservative because when he attacks its all most can do to simply hang on...
... the ride is actually easier.
When he's not there, everybody is frisky and feeling like that got a shot...
... making the ride harder.
Which begs the question how strong do you want to be?
Strong enough to sniff the front when the hardest riders are absent or strong enough...
... to dish it out under all conditions.
You gotta risk it, to get the biscuit.
And, lathering up with PR Lotion is a good way to increase the odds of success.
Here's a crazy deal for you nonbelievers
Use this promo code to save 25%: PRsMadeEz
---
163 uh oh
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
THERE WILL BE FLATS TODAY
Sep 10, 2022
by TODD BROWN
JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, I stumbled into the garage anxious to divert a potential disaster. It was raining for the first time in months and would continue to do so, which meant only one thing...
... there will be flats today!
I unscrewed the valve cores,
poured sealant like chemist,
aired back up.
The first time I messed around with tubeless I felt like I was handling radioactive material. The whole concept...
... was laced with suspicion and superstition.
It took about an hour to do two tires,
last night it took 10 minutes,
tops.
Was it worth it, adding an ounce of sealant?
Yep.
Sprung a leak a half mile from the start of the ride.
Sprayed sealant all over my leg and bike.
Sealed and rode 50 more miles.
No prob.
Meanwhile, I saw multiple guys stopping with flats. Such were the road conditions.
Do I miss tubes?
Nope.
Do I carry tubes?
Nope.
I carry darts and cartridges.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
If the hole is too big, or the sealant is dry...
These are easy to use and work most of the time, unless it's a huge tire slice.
Use promo code: FlatsStink
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/dynaplug
---
161
6 hrs
0 strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
IF YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DO THIS
Sep 09, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE A FEW TOPTOPTOP LEVEL PROS who have displayed remarkable crossover talent. They snag gold medals and win big stages...
... it is tempting to think we should do the same.
But, I don't think it's the way to be the absolute best.
It's refreshing to mix in a lot of different styles of riding and racing. It's fun and challenging to mix things up...
... and comes with a cost.
Pidcock raced some road last year and won a Olympic Gold Medal in MTB,
he raced a lot of road this year and finished off the podium at MTB World's.
Van der Poel raced a lot of road last year and was a favorite for Olympic Gold MTB,
he crashed badly in practice and really hasn't been the same since.
Unfortunately, to be the best...
... we might have to be boring.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets/products/custom-name-raceday-wallet
You know what's not boring...
... what's really daring?
Nothing says I'm committed like a wallet with your goal on it.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-wallets/products/custom-name-raceday-wallet
---
160.3
7.5 hrs
0 strength rotation
0 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
PEOPLE I RESPECT
Sep 08, 2022
by TODD BROWN
ITS HARD TO EARN RESPECT IN THE PELOTON. If you're new to town, new to sport, clothes aren't cool, body a different shape, helmet askew, legs unshaven...
... there's always gonna be a reason to be disrespected.
I respect the riders and racers who:
- race a challenging category vs the easy win
- back down their pace to keep to their plan
- stop to help fix a flat
- teach others etiquette
- have long range plans
- pull through
- stay in the back when the front is too much
- plan a group adventure
- work on their skills
- fix their own bikes
- ride bikes they can easily afford
- keep the original bike that got them going
- bring enough food
- head up a team
- start a group ride
- help the youth
- teach how to handle a bike
- get up early, stay up late to get it all done
- keep their cool while racing
- hold their line
- pull a straggler up to the group ride
... chase their own PRs.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
The thing I like about this shirt is it's only for those who get it...
... outsiders won't get it, but you do.
Use this code: TODDSFAVET
to save 20%...
... this code won't last forever.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/prs-over-koms-supertech-t
---
160.2
7.75 hrs
1 strength rotation
25 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
SOME COACHES TALK ABOUT LIMITERS
Sep 07, 2022
by TODD BROWN
LIMITERS IN COACHSPEAK are the things we're not great at. If you're not good at sprinting, power to surface area could be a limiter. Not a good climber, power to weight...
... these aren't bad things.
They are just things we have to deal with as racers and people getting after our PRs:
- Gravity
- Aerodynamics
Are two of the biggest.
Don't wish they didn't exist, they are what makes it all so fun and challenging...
... the ultimate rules of the game.
As the great Jim Rohn said...
... Don't wish things were easier, wish you were better.
Of course, sometimes being better is really easy...
... there's no way I would ever show up to a race without PR Lotion.
It's that good.
Here's a crazy deal for you nonbelievers
Use this promo code to save 25%: PRsMadeEz
---
160 lbs.
7/5 hrs
59.5% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE?
Sep 06, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE REASON THE RACEDAY READY 10-WEEK CHALLENGE™ works is simple. It is not a goal. Goals are not the secret sauce, neither are affirmations...
... they've never gotten me to where I want to go.
It took me a long time to figure this out, and I don't want you to waste all that time if you can avoid it.
So, here goes.
The 10- week challenge is all about doing:
- the right activities
- consistently
- over time
That's it.
The goal is to do the work, every day, for 10-weeks.
That we can control.
Winning?
Can't control that.
Can't control the competition.
Can't control the weather pattern.
Can't control countless things on RaceDay...
... but, we can control what we do ever day to get ready.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
I'm starting another round of the challenge myself..
... getting ready for the Surf N Summit.
There's always something on the horizon.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/raceday-ready™-10-week-challenge
---
160.2 lbs.
8 hrs
59.6% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU STILL CHEATING?
Sep 05, 2022
by TODD BROWN
NOBODY LIKES A CHEAT. But, many of us cheat. Too many. I used to be big into it, regularly cheating because I'd read somewhere it was a good idea...
... to have a cheat day.
That was then, this is now.
One of the takeaways of this summer's epic quest was the value of not having a nutritional cheat day, a day of gluttony, a day zero discipline...
... was taking 4-5 days to drop the gained weight.
Here's what happened when I stopped cheating myself:
- Sugar cravings never activated
- Weight stabilized a few pounds lower
- Not having the slothful feeling from binge eating
A cheat meal,
a dessert,
a treat.
Sure, occasionally.
Like today,
with family and friends...
... better after a good ride or workout.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
Days like today, can be like a triathlon. A ride, a long walk, maybe a swim.
Might have to bust out the TRIATHLON Specific RaceDay Bag™.
The pockets on this bag flow with marking specific for Triathletes...
... one of my favorite new products of '22.
If you have triathlete friends they'll love it, if you have triathletes on your team let me know and we'll add the bag to your team store.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/triathlon-raceday-bags™
---
160 lbs.
8.5 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IS IT OKAY TO LET YOUR FITNESS SLIP?
Sep 04, 2022
by TODD BROWN
MY FITNESS IS SLIPPING. This summer, just before my A race I saw an all time high, according to Starva. I had shot it to the moon...
... just in time to taper and rip at the race.
I learned how to do that last summer.
It's a secret combination of workouts, intensity and duration.
They say you can't maintain top fitness year round, and I agree...
... but, not because of the physical demands.
Those are hard, but they are also fun. A lot of fun. It's bike riding for hecksakes.
So, why can't we maintain high fitness year round?
Me personally, it's the mental game.
To balance the secret workouts with running a company and being involved with family and friends takes extreme efficiency.
- No time can be wasted.
- Every second must be planned.
If not, the wheel of life becomes untrue at which point I ask myself...
... what that heck am I doing this for?
So, there you have it. I'm letting my fitness slip a few notches because I want to and...
... I think it's healthier in the long term.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
Which means, more than ever the principles of RaceDay Ready must be adhered to...
... so when I do ramp up the riding, I'm strong like bull.
The second I see my weight creeping up too far, I get right back to obeying the 4 Don'ts of the challenge.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161.8 lbs. (probably gonna be this week)
8.5 hrs
60.1% Body Water
0 Strength rotation
0 minutes recovery
115 minutes reading + Journaling
RESULTS FROM THE $20 TRIATHLON
Sep 03, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SOMETIMES YA JUST GOTTA BEAT UP THE KIDS. Today I won a bet placed 14 years ago. I love betting long range...
... especially when it's with my kids.
It all started after my then 15 y/o son Shane smoked me in a 5k. That bet was for $30...
... each time he lost, the amount we reduced by $1.
It cost me 29 bucks...
... you can't buy entertainment like that.
As we walked home after my beating, I plotted my revenge. It would have to be a long way out, get him past his prime, busy with career and family...
... put us on equal footing.
Well, it went down today.
Trevor, Spencer and Surfergirl joined in.
At precisely 945, we rode out to the local mtb trails. They were all on MTBs, I rode what was left. My gravel bike.
It wasn't close.
Stage 1 goes to Old Diesel.
Stage 2 was at the beach.
A short run up and down the coast followed by a swim out to a buoy and back.
First, I warned the lifeguard that a bunch of yahoos were gonna running then swimming farther out than most...
... You're all good swimmers right?
Yes.
Truth be told, neither Shane or I had swum in years. But, Trevor and Surfergirl we looking forward to the stage. So was the runner, Spencer.
While the kids lit out, the Wile E. Coyote in me set a sensible pace...
... the secret is to be able to breathe when the swim starts.
As I rounded the buoy, everyone was behind but Trevor was gaining fast...
... nooooooooo.
All my planning with zero training was about to sink...
... $20 more dollars to these punks?!
But, ya know it'll be a wet day in helk before before the Old Diesel stops chugging.
The only question now is...
... how long until the grands think they have a shot?
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
Not only did I give up my racewinning MTB...
... but I shared this goodness to there would be no excuses.
Use promo code FUELMEUP to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
159.4 lbs.
8 hrs
59.9% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
80 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU WATCHING THE RETURN?
Sep 02, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IMAGINE RIDING YOUR BIKE FOR THREE WEEKS through beautiful country, on ribbon-like roads cascading through glorious mountains, and regularly bouncing down to startling coastlines...
.... would you return?
La Vuelta, translated The Return, is my favorite race to watch and this year is better than ever in terms of viewing and racing action.
Remco should win it.
He looks unbeatable.
Which means, if he does, next summer's Tour de France will be off the charts.
But, that does not explain why I love La Vuelta so much...
... I love it because the riding is more explosive.
Shorter stages
Steeper climbs
Riders with something to prove
When you think about it, that's a great reason to return to a race or race at all...
... prove to yourself, and everybody else, you've got what it takes.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
Which is exactly what I'll be doing tomorrow at the showdown...
... aka Brown family triathlon.
Question is, will I share this goodness with my competition?
Use promo code FUELMEUP to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
1588 lbs.
7.5 hrs
59.8% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
SHOULD WE BE COUNTING CALORIES
Sep 01, 2022
by TODD BROWN
A WHILE BACK I WAS RIDING WITH A FRIEND new to the endurance/epic adventure game. He loves it. He's addicted. He's hungry to know more...
... so, I invited for a little 80 miles of gravel.
It was going pretty good at the start.
His handling skills have come along way since our first ride a few years ago
His position on the bike is finally set up by a pro
His bike is in good working order
His fitness is much higher...
... but, two and half hours in he was fading, hurting, dragging.
You eating?
Oh yeah.
How much?
Oh I had oatmeal before I left.
What have you had since then?
Nothing.
Well are you drinking calories?
Oh yeah.
How much?
A scoop of Skratch in each bottle?
And, there's the problem. He's bonking. Not enough calories...
... yes, we should definitely count calories.
Depending on the intensity and the duration I'll do from 0 to 400 calories/hour.
Here's a basic look at what I do:
One hour recover ride,
just water, unless I'm hungry. If I'm hungry I'll grab a handful of nuts or maybe a scoop of Skatch.
Two hour endurance,
for sure a scoop in two bottles, and some food in the pocket in case I get hungry.
If it's race pace,
I'm doing 2-300 for an hour event,
3-400 for 2 hours,
400 for 3+ hours.
We stopped and downed a soda, some chips and he loves Skittles...
... ain't nothing better than sugar when bonking.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
Here are some of my go to calories
Use promo code FUELMEUP to save 20%.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/nutrition
---
158.9 lbs.
7.5 hrs
59.9% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW DO YOU SPELL CONFIDENCE?
Aug 31, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WHETHER CHASING A PR OR GOING FOR THE RACE WINNING MOVE, it comes down to confidence. Do you believe? A friend told of an epic race and battle that came down to 6" at the finish...
... he finished 6" behind the winner.
Proudly he told me the other day...
... I lost that race because I didn't believe I belonged there.
Imagine that.
Battling for hours
Culling the herd
Not believing...
... not having the confidence to finish it off.
So, here's how I spell confidence...
... P-R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N.
But, it's more than that because we've got to recognize...
... and remember all the work we've put in.
He's going back to that race soon.
Not only prepared, but confident like a shark among prey...
... I wish I could be there to watch him feed.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/all-marble-supertech-t
I'd be wearing one of these killer SuperTech T's...
... they are so good for this time of year.
On and off the bike.
Use promo code TODDSFAVET to save 20%
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/supertech-ts/products/all-marble-supertech-t
---
159 lbs.
7 hrs
59.7% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
MY KNEE HURTS
Aug 30, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I KINKED MY KNEE TONIGHT. Happened during the last sprint of the local leg ripper. It's an out and back, and we set a vicious pace heading out. With a tailwind pushing us...
... it was fast and brutal to hang on.
Pro tip: if you attack into a tail wind, it's hardashell for the chasers to catch because there's not much of a draft to work with.
On the way back, the headwind was akin to getting clubbed in the helmet each time we pulled through...
... and when I say we, I mean the seven or so actually working.
Everyone else was hiding, saving it for the sprint or just shot from the roost down to the turn around.
About a mile to go, things started to take shape.
It would be foolish to be anywhere near the front if one had intentions to sprint.
A half mile to go it's straight as straight can be. A downhill spilling onto the final...
... flat and always fast and always with wind from the left side finish.
Manuevering up to what I figured would be a good position, I was waiting for the front to implode and following last week's winner...
... perfect position.
Except that sneakybastard Rramsey comes flying by...
... pegged to the fence on the right with no way to latch on and get any draft.
Plus, he's going sodang fast!
And, that's where I think the kinking happened...
... because like a dog chasing a car, I just had to give it a shot.
Pray he would fade.
I passed a couple of cats who blew...
... and felt my own blowing coming on.
I should pulled up.
I haven't been sprinting since waywayback in early March.
Which is a problem.
Because if you haven't been sprinting regularly, and you really getting after it on a long one...
... it can really jack you up.
Good thing I have a bike so i can rehab.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
There won't be an sprinting on an adventure like the SurfNSummit...
... riding from San Clemente to Big Bear and back.
130ish miles and 15000ish feet of vert to get there, then recover for a day, and return.
The code below expires on 8/31, are you going to use it?
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 8 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160 lbs.
7.7 hrs
59.8% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE BEST RACES ARE FREE
Aug 29, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE BEST RACES ARE FREE. Well, that's mostly true, at least for me. Because I've had far more fun setting ridiculous challenges for myself than..
... paying to be challenged.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE racing. But, chasing PRs has always been more satisfying to me.
The pay off, of course, is multifaceted.
- The satisfaction
- The confidence
- The fitness
My all time favorite goes back decades to the first time I discovered Harding Truck Trail.
It's a 9 mile gravel road, that climbs 3000'.
My PR is 1:03.
A good time, but not outrageous. Most of my friends have gone faster...
... in fact, most have gone under an hour.
Which was always my goal.
I think that's why I like Harding so much...
... because it's just not my thing.
Because it's not my thing, when I train for it and really focus on long sustained climbing...
... I push way beyond what comes natural to me.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Another benefit of chasing PRs is always being fit enough to take on an adventure like the SurfNSummit...
... riding from San Clemente to Big Bear and back.
130ish miles and 15000ish feet of vert to get there, then recover for a day, and return.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 9 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160 lbs.
7.7 hrs
59.8% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW HARD ARE 'A RACES?
Aug 28, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S PRETTY FUNNY ISN'T IT? You've just finished your big A race of the year, your friends and family are equally congratulatory and astonished. You just rode your bike farther than manyt have driven in the past 6 months...
... and they think that was hard.
Did you ever consider the shape of the letter A?
Two lines, meeting at the top...
... like us training to meet our destiny.
The line across the middle, that is what nobody else can see: the plateaus, the breakdowns, the illness, the fatigue or the fatigue...
... we blasted through, sometimes patiently, to get to the top.
Yeah, the race was hard.
But, you should have seen what I did to make it happen...
... that was monumentally difficult.
Done right, the A is dessert.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
That's because we have a good grip on our goals...
... like the good grip on our bars with the Superlight Race Gloves.
Have you jumped on the BOGO?
Right now, you can buy gloves and matching socks...
... and the socks are free.
No promo code needed, it's calculated at check out.
Just be sure to put both items in your cart.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/socks-and-gloves
---
161.8 lbs.
7ish hrs
60.3% Body Water
0 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
But nowhere near how hard we pushed prepping.
INDOCTRINATING A FRIEND INTO MY EVIL WAYS
Aug 27, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IF YOU'RE FRIENDS AREN'T BLEEDING you're not pushing them hard enough. Really? Well, maybe. But is it really that bad...
... if you're still smiling at the end?
Today I took a friend on a little recon of our SurfNSummit ride.
I bill SurfNSummit as a gravel ride, but it's really a Frankenride:
- Road
- Gravel
- Singletrack
If you can ride a road bike, you can ride a gravel bike on the the road no prob, on gravel slight prob, and on singletrack...
... big prob.
Unless you're an MTBr.
Even then, the skinnish tires, lack of suspension and drop bars take some getting used to.
It's so easy to grab a ton of front brake on dusty, steepish trail...
... go bibs over bars.
Which happened today, with minor abrasions with lotsandlots of dust.
The thing I appreciate about all my friends is their attitude...
... It's only a flesh wound!
Dude, you're bleeding.
I'm ok.
I'm sorry.
Don't be, it was my fault.
Yes, I'm evil...
... I'm gonna push you to the limit, sometimes beyond.
At the 100plusyearold, outoftheway General Store, my scraped up pal called me out on my hypocrisy. Not the...
... We'll take an easy route, one.
Worse, he thought.
I thought you don't drink soda?
I do.
And Reece's Peanut Butter Cups?
Yep.
BBQ chips?
Love 'em
But, you preach against all that.
Not on a 5 hour adventure.
Oh, my Padawans have so much to learn.
On the way back, I really got my hooks into him.
His heart rate was waywayway higher than mine. It was bumming him out. I knew I had him...
... and I pounced.
Are you ready to take your fitness to a new level?
Yes!
Ok, you gotta do my 10-week challenge. Can you handle 10 weeks?
Yeah, I think i need to do it.
It's gonna be hard.
That's okay.
We'll see.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
I hopepray he does it, because I know what it will do for him.
Plus, he's doing the SurfNSummit and donning this sexy jersey...
The ride Frankenride from Dana Point to Big Bear...
... in 10 weeks.
My diabolical drive knows no bounds.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
161 lbs.
7.2 hrs
60.1% Body Water
0 Strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Aug 26, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE CLOCK IS TICKING, but do you hear it? Probably not, because it's digital. I know I don't hear my stop watch when I'm working my legs over wtih the Hypervolt, 3 minutes per leg until pain subsides...
... that might be part of the problem.
Its easy wind up at the end of the week wondering where the time went?
Didn't get all the work finished.
Didn't get the rides in.
Didn't get it done.
This is gonna hurt some of ya...
... great athletes are great time managers.
Especially, the amateurs.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
It's definitely a focus of RaceDay Ready For Life.
The details aren't final, but you can get a hint of what we'll be working on in '23.
Check it out here:
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
158.9 lbs.
7.7 hrs
60.3% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW TO RUIN YOUR OFF SEASON
Aug 25, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT THE NEXT TRAINING BLOCK. For a lot of us, the next training block is going to be the offseason. I'm already in it...
... here's how to really screw it up.
- Stop riding
- Give up the spartan diet and gorge baby gorge
- Go back to staying up super late
- Follow that up with caffeine all day long
- Reacquaint yourself with the donut shop crew
- Watch football and eat and drink and sit and sit and sit
- Stop stretching
- Do not go to the gym
- Do not cross train
- Do not run
- Do not hike
- Put all your cycling gear away, out of site.
- Do not think about next season
- Do not set goals for next season
- Do not look at next season's events
- Do not associate with cyclists
- Do not weigh yourself.
- Do not watch bike races
- Do not visit bike sites
- Do not go to bike shops
- Do not go to bike club socials...
- ... and for hecksakes, DO NOT REVIEW THIS PAST YEAR AND THINK OF WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE BETTER.
I know, it's a little early...
... but, I wanted to plant the seed just in case you have a moment of weakness.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
One thing I'm doing is planning some adventures, play time.
The prime one being the SurfNSummit...
... riding from San Clemente to Big Bear and back.
130ish miles and 15000ish feet of vert to get there, then recover for a day, and return.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 9 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.8 lbs.
7 hrs
60.6% Body Water
2 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
DR. PETER ATTIA'S LATEST POST, I DISAGREE
Aug 24, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I FOLLOW PETER ATTIA. He's a longevity expert, ex-time trial racer. A good dude, with a good heart, and some good info. But, when I saw the latest post on Overcoming Depression, I had to disagree...
... because I've battled depression.
Oh there's the little things, all my friends are faster and have better bikes. The medium things, work is hardashell and everyone else is making money in their sleep. And the big stuff...
... disharmony at home being chief.
Riding can and does certainly help...
... but, it's not enough.
The very best thing I've found to cure depression...
... is to help someone else.
My friend Todd D carries a bar or bagel or $20 on every ride, and hands out to those in need.
I saw him do this on the Nosco charity ride once.
There we are, ripping in this fantastic paceline heading into a formidable climb...
... and he pulls over.
I pulled up and soft pedaled.
What happened?
I saw a hungry man.
What did you do?
Gave him my food.
I'll never forget that. There was no show, no big announcement...
... just a human helping a human.
Then he told me it's something he is prepared for on every ride...
... and it always lifts his spirits.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Riding with my friends and being challenged physically is also a go to activity to cure any wo-is-me's...
... and the Surf-N-Summit is sure to be challenging.
That's why the finishers get one of these supertech-t's
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 10 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.6 lbs.
7 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
SHOULD I RETURN MY BARS?
Aug 23, 2022
by TODD BROWN
WELL, I HAVE SOME NEW BARS. I love 'em. I'm clearly a lot faster. The only problem I'm having is they cost me a lot. So, I'm thinking about returning them, because...
... I'm not sure I can afford them.
In particular, I got really used to weighing less than 160lbs.
Previously, it was a miracle to be under 165.
But, the reason I'm thinking about keeping this bar is...
... I remember when sub-170
... and sub-175
... and sub-180
... and, yes, sub-185
... was challenging.
Truth is, I like my new bars.
Truth is also, now that I'm home and the A race is behind me and I'm in my old haunts that produced the old bars...
... it's hard to hang onto.
Like the squat bar.
It's really dumbbells, but the old bar was 60lbs. Then I ramped up to 60lbs per hand. In fact, I purchased a new set to squat my weight. 80lbs per hand...
... might actually need a bar to go beyond that.
A bar, like these, that I'll keep.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
The bar to get one of these super cool tech t's is pretty high too...
... ride your bike from San Clemente to Big Bear.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 10 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.6 lbs.
8 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength Rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
DON'T EVER STOP LIFTING WEIGHTS
Aug 22, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER TWO WEEKS, I'm back lifting. I cut it way back, then stopped all together a week before my big A race. Then took the following week off. Predictably...
... I'm sore.
And weak.
I shouldn't have stopped, and I won't ever again.
Of my 3 critical moves, here's what I could have done:
- Squats to air squats
- Sets of 25 pushups to one of 5 or 10
- Pullups/Bent rows, reduce quantity or weight
Rather than daily, I could have reduced to 3 days/week.
Starting a strength training program is challenging...
... maintaining strength is much easier.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Keep training, especially if you have some adventures on the calendar...
... ya gotta be strong.
Otherwise you won't finish...
... check out the SuperTech T finishers of the Surf N Summit will get.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 10 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.6 lbs.
7.5 hrs
60% Body Water
1 Strength rotation
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU'RE NOT GETTING PAID TO RIDE YOUR BIKE YET?
Aug 21, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SO, WE'RE NOT GETTING PAID TO RIDE AND RACE OUR BIKES. Then, why do it? Why put so much into it? Because...
... there is a payoff.
We know it, thought we may not be able to identify just what it is.
But, it's there.
For sure.
It's moving meditation we practice,
resulting in better energy,
clearer thinking.
That's the payoff...
... and it makes everything we do better.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Make it a great week!
And, if you're in need of a major break in your day in day out cycle...
... this ride is gonna be amazing, just based on who's in so far.
Use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 12 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
161.9 lbs.
7.5 hrs
60.9% Body Water
no weights
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Aug 20, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'D FORGOTTEN THE FANTASTIC FEELING OF A ROAD RACING MACHINE. The effortlessness of a clutchless drivetrain, the suave push through the air, the direct connection from cleat to power...
... roads here are like glass.
It was so easy.
And, so nice to be back with my posse.
Rolling up the coast with an unusual tailwind, all smiles and giggles...
... until we mixed in with the tough roadies from up north.
Then it hit me.
Hard.
Jumpiness, surginess...
... hanging on to the last wheel busting through the sound barrier.
No talking.
Gasping.
Soon, much too soon...
... I was jettisoned.
It's gonna take a while to get the road legs back.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
I'm in no hurry.
No races anytime soon.
Only thing I'm looking forward to is the adventure of the year...
... where we're riding from the coast to the mountains.
Part of which is on an unbelievable 35 mile, protected bike trail from Corona to Redlands.
If you're done racing and looking for a memory you'll share time and time again...
... use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 14 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
161.4 lbs.
7ish hrs
60.5% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW MUCH DID IT COST ME TO SHAVE 18 MINUTES OFF MY PR AT LEADVILLE?
Aug 19, 2022
by TODD BROWN
SO, HOW MUCH DID IT COST? After being asked how I did it, how I shaved 18 minutes off my PR, going 7:57, and logging the 3rd fastest time ever for my age group...
... I had to dissect the numbers.
Was it worth it?
Yes.
Definitely a Hellyeah!
If you want the same results, do this:
- Lose 8 lbs (down from my PR in '19 - 20lbs down from '99)
- Double your saddle time (biggest week was 24 hrs ride time)
- Spend an obscene amount of $ on your bike and upgrades
- Lift weights every single day
- Stretch and recover every single day
- Qualify for Silver Corral previous season (start training 18 months out)
- Increase sleep 10-20%
- Eat only whole foods
- No soda
- Refine bike fit with a professional over months
- Purchase second set of race wheels
- Take wife to Mexico for a week of surf
- Use Hypervolt daily
- Remove stresss
- Move to Colorado mountains for the summer
I'm sure I'm missing little things, like Skratch Superfuel, top of the line Fizik shoes, badass Selle Italia saddle...
... but you get the idea.
I left nothing to chance, and it cost 10s of 1000s of $.
I say Hellyeah! to that because I just had to know what I was capable of...
... there is nothing more satisfying than knowing I did my best.
Did it sting to wind up second place?
Not even a little bit.
Sub-8 was the goal.
Competition with others is always a losing game.
There is always somebody better, and I'm always grateful for that...
... because it shows what is possible.
Admittedly, I have been fuming immediately after being beaten on more than one occasion. And, been wanting revenge when the winner is a tool about the victory But that passes quickly. As it should...
... it's always better to be gracious in winning and losing.
Wanna know something crazy?
I have identified two major mistakes, two things I can definitely improve...
... just might have to try it again.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
A minor thing I could have done was get a few massages...
... a good massage is most excellent for recovery.
Which is why the amazing Ivette will be taking care of us on Friday at the Surf N Summit: with massage, Bemer and compression boots.
And, use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31.
Only 16 spots left.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.4 lbs.
8 hrs
60.2% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
INTERVALS THAT MATTER
Aug 18, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT INTERVALS LATELY. Do they matter? Which is best? Would they have been beneficial at my last race? Same things we all think about...
... and I realized my success this year had everything to do with intervals.
But, probably not the ones you are thinking of.
Do we need another interval workout or do we need to work out the intervals of our lives...
... to ride better and faster?
I mentioned in my book, there's no racing trinket or kudo that outweighs the important things in life.
And, I applied that to my RaceDay Calendar.
First, I blocked out all the family and friend activities for the year or as far forward as I could.
Then, I added crucial work commitments and deadlines.
Next, was my A races in Red.
And, I let everyone know that I was sticking to the calendar.
Which meant, when the family reunion changed to a week before my A race I bailed on it. It was not a popular decision (at least they claimed they'd miss me), but everyone was completely supportive and sent me all kinds of good messages.
It also required me to put in processes and systems I hadn't thought of so work could continue smoothly and productively. The result has been our most successful summer to date.
What about the B and C races and rides?
They get pushed around and cancelled all the time, but not the training required to make the A race as good as possible. That happens, but I'm flexible on how the week flows and mostly flexible on how the month flows.
I fear too often we chase gizmos and tactics to "hack" our fitness, when...
... most of the time it's a question of planning.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Part of that planning includes making time for adventures with amazing people.
At this point, we are 30% full on the Surf N Summit...
... with some of the best humans I know and cherish.
If you can't make time for this adventure, make time for something.
This the jersey we'll all be wearing... I'd love to make you one, too... even if it's for a different adventure.
I added in a bunch of details on what you'll be getting if you join us...
... be sure to check out link below.
And, use this code, 22SRFnSMMT, it will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31 or whenever the first 10 people have registered.
We'll have 20 max.
I hope you can make it.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
160.9 lbs.
7.5 hrs
60.2% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE JACK OF ALL BIKES
Aug 17, 2022
by TODD BROWN
THE JACK OF ALL TRADES IS MASTER OF NONE. Same goes for the bike that does it all, none of it spectacular. But, what about the rider...
... with a stable of ponies?
If all you ride is MTB, can you rip on road?
If all you ride is road, can you shred on dirt?
If all you ride is gravel, do your kill it at all else?
The answer is obviously yes...
... and no.
By riding everything, you will have a much better set of bike handling skills. And, probably a better physique because of the requirements to have upper body strength on dirt...
... particularly MTB.
But, when it comes down to racing ya gotta specialize. Unless, of course, you're like Keegan Swenson, Peter Sagan or...
... other pros of unworldly talent.
Personally, I love it all.
Ride it all.
I think it's good to mix it up. Bring on different challenges.
However, the closer I get to an A race the more I ride the bike I'll be racing and the more I ride...
... the way I'll be racing.
I'm not racing now, no more A races this year...
... which means its gravel time.
The jack of all riding.
And, if I had my way we'd call it Frankenriding...
... bolting different sections of terrain into one killer ride.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
The only other event to make my A list on my RaceDay Calendar is the Surf N Summit
I've wanted to do this ride, from the coast to Big Bear, for years.
It's going to be amazing.
This code will save you 20%, and will expire on 8/31 or whenever the first 10 peopel have registered.
We'll have 20 max.
Are you joining...
... the adventure of the year awaits.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
161.3 lbs.
7.75 hrs
61.4% Body Water
no weights
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
BREAKING AND BACKSLIDING FOR DUMMIES
Aug 16, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AFTER A BIG MAC AND MCFLURRY ON SUNDAY, a Double-Double and fries yesterday, and a giant apple fritter today from SC Donuts, I remember what is so great about being RaceDay Ready...
... not feeling like shift.
Does that mean I'm back at it?
Nope.
But, as the great Levi Peterson's protagonist, Frank, said to Cowboy Jesus in The Backslider...
You shouldn't be smoking.
To which he replied, I know.
Sometimes we just need a break, a brief ride on the wild side.
In April, I discovered something to be true that I'd resisted for many years.
A break is good.
A real one.
Off the bike.
I'd done a few races and put in some big training blocks Jan-Mar, then took Surfergirl to Mex to surf for 5 days...
... it turned out to be one of the best things I've done.
Obviously, she was primed to be the exceptional lucky charm she is at my A race...
... and, I was refreshed and ready to really build for Leadville.
I can't eat this poorly any longer, it really is terrible.
Will I ride again?
Obvi.
When I'm ready.
In the meantime, I'll be doing the other things I love and have neglected.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
Then, it'll be time for the adventure of the year...
... something I've always wanted to do.
And, you should do too.
The SurfNSummit.
130 miles of mixed surfaces, 13,000 vert.
An adventure, not a race.
Check out pics and details here:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
159.9 lbs.
8 hrs
61.9% Body Water
no weights
0 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT'S NEXT ON YOUR CALENDAR?
Aug 15, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I GET ASKED THIS A LOT. As if I'm not thoroughly exhausted and satisfied for this summer's accomplishments. First at Firecracker 50, second at Nationals, PR at Leadville...
... you'd think that was enough.
It is, kind of.
Along with a few races I sponsor, I've got one more adventure planned.
A ride.
Not a race.
But, it's far.
Really far.
So outrageous, only a few are willing to attempt it with me.
The first time we tried it this year a heat wave rolled through and we had to quite with 30 miles to go.
I call it the Surf N Summit.
Ride from San Clemente to Big Bear. About 130 or so miles and 10-15k of vert.
I've wanted to do it for years, and we're going to make it even crazier.
Ride up Thursday Nov 3, recover at a bitchin' house with a masseuse, good food, and an easy spin around the lake on Friday Nov 4, ride back to San Clement on Saturday Nov 5.
Details are here:
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
It ain't all about racing all the time...
... sometimes, most of the time, a good challenge is where it's at.
Join me, if you're into outrageous adventure.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-fall-22
---
Who cares lbs.
7 hrs
Body Water ?
no weights
0 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO AFTER A RACE
Aug 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
DURING A RACE, we are often already thinking about after the race. Sometimes way too soon, and not about the right things. Here's what I do...
... right after a race.
First, replenish the body with good stuff.
Obvious.
The other two things I do are to write down everything...
- that went great
- that could have gone better
There's no need to repeat the same mistakes or to keep doing a few things correctly.
As the great Tony Robbins teaches.
CANI
Constant And Neverending Improvement.
That's how to make racing endlessly fascinating.
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https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos
---
Who cares lbs.
8 hrs
Body Water ?
no weights
0 minutes recovery
15 minutes reading + Journaling
EVERYTHING HAD TO GO PERFECT.
Aug 14, 2022
by TODD BROWN
I PINKY SWEAR I'LL NEVER MOCK RACERS WHO CRY AT THE FINISH. 'Cause I did. It was all good until I saw Surfergirl. The last thing I snapped at her was...
.... Where's my bottle!
It was the final pit stop, I was in a group of pro women and fast dudes. I had to stay with them for the long and windy transition to the most challenging climb of the day, Powerline.
Also in the group was Mark Wallace, who beat me at Nationals last month.
Let's just say I had to catch that group...
... and I had to have all my nutrition for the final 2.5 hours.
Up to this point, everything had gone according to plan.
She gave me the Camelbak first, then ran next to me as I'm yelling with a bottle and shoved it in the cage...
... she's a pro, I'm an idiot.
The bike was working perfectly. Even though I did some full rookie moves yesterday.
- Andrew from BMC, replaced my dropper post for me.
- Thomas from Industry 9, rebuilt my hubs and gave me new bearings.
Don't ever do these things the day before. I did, because they were generous and I've been out in the middle of nowhere and unable to take care of before.
My food strategy also was a roll of the dice. I reverted back to my all liquid diet. 4 scoops Skratch Superfuel and 2 scoops of Skratch hydation per bottle, per hour. 400 Calories. That's a hundred more than I'm used to consuming.
The weather was perfect. Mid 40's at the start, overcast after 12. I shoved a newspaper up my jersey for the first 45 minutes to keep the cold off my chest.
Cody and Paul Iverson handled the other pit stop - we hit each stop twice, it's an out and back course. They were also great... and I also yelled at them. Apparently, I mismarked bottles. I wanted 2 for the way out and 1 for the return. Cody gave me one, I'm yelling for the 2nd. He runs grabs one and runs uphill to jam in my back pocket...
... he's a pro, I'm an idiot.
But, even an idiot can have a great day.
On the way to the final climb, Mark was dropped.
I started to think I just might win this thing, which would be a major bonus on top of reaching my goal to go sub-8.
But, he's a real competitor.
Somehow, he rallied and caught and passed me on Powerline.
Then I rallied on the downhill and blew on by.
Then he rallied on the paved climb...
... and I started looking at my clock.
Calculating.
Will I make it?
I was hurting.
Everywhere.
The idea of quitting, soft pedaling, sightseeing the final 12 miles was so tempting.
It would be close.
Singlespeed guy and I battled the whole way. He'd spin out, I'd go by. He'd get in a good gear and pull us.
I think we're gonna make sub-8.
That's all I want.
Me too.
All the way up the neverending dirt road, we traded pulls and encouraged each other.
7:52.
Onto pavement.
The right hand turn on to 6th Street.
I was hyperventilating.
There's the finish line.
7:55
Shift! We're gonna make it.
7:57
There's more to this story - which is why I'm late on posting.
Three years ago, when I did the race knowing my date with a 20 year goal was coming up, I set my sites on a PR. It seemed outrageous at the time. PR, at 57? My written, stated and proclaimed focus was 8:15.
I crossed the line at day at 8:15:37.
The picture on the front of my book, The Way of the RACER, is from that day.
Here's the scary part.
I remember distinctly asking...
... What if we are putting limitations on ourselves? What if it's possible to do more than we've ever thought possible?
What if?
Yes, I believe affirmations work.
More than ever, now.
But, not without work.
The great Scott Adams, in his book How to Fail At Almost Everything and Still Win, says affirmations put what we are looking for on our radar.
3.5 years ago I made a RaceDay Wallet with Leadville 8:15 on it. You have something like that on your wallet and see it everyday you and things start to change.
Since then, I came up with the Giant Race Day Calendar.
For 22, I wrote in red Sharpie Leadville Sub-8.
What about the work?
Outrageous goals take outrageous planning and work to accomplish.
This year's effort started last year, when I wrote on the giant calendar, Qualify for Silver Corral. That meant, go fast enough at the Leadville Stage Race to get into the second fastest group, right behind the pros. It required a combined time of under 7:30. I did 7:27.
Meaning, this year's goal prep started 18 months ago.
During that time, I perfected my RaceDay Ready program.
Is this a blatant pitch to sell you something?
No, there's nothing to buy.
It's a blatant pitch to share with you what is working for me.
Which brings me to Nate's 20 year celebration last night. He completed 20 Leadville 100s in a row.
During his speech to a small gathering of friends and family he harkened back to the day we met and he had no clue what he was doing. He thanked me for the advice I gave him, and the positivity that a chubby, broken soccer player in a long sleeve soccer shirt on a barely ridden bike could get it done.
Neither of us had any idea he'd go on to 20 in a row, win it on 7 occasions and had blistering times.
He did the work!
The thing is, nobody does it alone.
We need support.
Which brings me to my pal Chris.
He did an 8:06 last year, and was determined to bust 8 this year. We trained a ton together, and worked through our strategies. From what to eat to tire pressure to training to altitude acclimation to how to take care of the ladies...
... in the middle of all that he found his soulmate.
It's not easy to ride your bike when you're smitten.
Who would want to do that?
We lined up in Silver, matching Jailbreak jerseys so we'd be easy to spot on course.
He and Tim dropped me on the first climb. I caught and passed on the fast and tricky Powerline downhill. Eventually we linked up on the way to Columbine, We reached the turnaround within seconds of each other, behind schedule at 4;11. I wasn't worried, because if you do it right you return faster than you go out.
We got separated on the way down.
It happens.
It's a long day.
He finished in 8:00:00.
For me, that it'd be a win. But, I know this tiger and that second is going to keep him hungry and thirsty for more.
Which brings me to my chin resting on my stem, bombing the pavement on the way back.
I was so tired.
Wallace was on my wheel, and unshakeable.
We were an hour out, and I wanted to badly to pull over and take a nap and never wake up.
I started thinking about all the work.
All the support.
Surfergirl's patience with me.
The outlaw cowboy song She's a good-hearted woman in love with a good timing man, by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
I started thinking about you, and your well wishes and encouragement.
Then I started thinking about Leif and Zach. Two gents who rang me up at the start of the year and asked me to help them get ready for this very race. They were out on course and they'd be out a helluvalot longer than me and face helluvalot of adversity.
Almost all of us reached our goals today.
Some didn't.
Their bodies didn't respond.
Others of my pals, crashed and went to hospital. Prayers for them.
There are a thousand other stories I could share. Eric's first time 7:40sh, Coach Brian's 7:17 Kristen going 9:04 on her first attempt. The McGee brothers riding together. Brian doing it on way less than normal training. Tim getting knocked out, bleeding and still ripping an 8:10. Leif going from zero racing ever to an 11:30. Zach having a battle with bad food. Vanessa blasting 10:30. Jorge, overcoming his descending nightmares with a 9:20, Todd heaving after crossing the line, Jesse's first sub-9, Kentucky Tom's adventure...
... what's your story?
What are you going to work for?
What is your outrageous?
How can I help?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
Who cares lbs.
6ish hrs (terrible hotel choice)
Body Water ?
no weights
0 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
THANKS FOR SOMETHING!
Aug 12, 2022
by TODD BROWN
IT'S FRIDAY MORNING, EARLY. Tomorrow is the big day, what I trained all year for.. It's quiet in the house, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude...
... for you.
Yes, you, my dear reader.
You have all been so kind and encouraging, helpful, and generous with your time and knowledge.
My original, 20 year goal, of going sub-9 hours seems easily doable. And the outrageous goal of sub-8 has a glimmer of hope if everything goes perfect.
I'm reminded there are always two lanes to every goal.
- What we are going for
- What is our minimum
In between the two is comfortable.
It's so easy to fall back on the minimum and coast in.
Going for the outrageous brings all kinds of dangers.
- Mechanical
- Lose control
- Foul up food
- etc
But, isn't that where the juiciest part of life lies? In the outrageous.
And, if we are truly outrageous the minimum can suddenly become a serious challenge.
I'm lifting my bottle to you...
... Here's to being outrageous!
Let's get 'er done.
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156.4
7ish hrs
Body Water 61
no weights
30 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU A RIPPER?
Aug 11, 2022
by TODD BROWN
AS THE GREAT FREDDIE PRINZ SAID, No time for losers. As the sage Forest Gump said, Losers are as losers do. With that in mind...
... are you a Ripper?
A ripper...
- Rips on a bike
- Rips up traditional ways of doing things
- Has a ripping good time
- Rips what works in other areas and applies to ripping on a bike
- Wins
- Strives for excellence
- Is ripped.
If you're not quite there, may I suggest you challenge yourself to get there.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
We are having too much success not to share, encourage, persuade you to take the 10-Week Challenge.
I'm looking forward to see your transformation.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready-how-and-what
---
157.8
8ish hrs
Body Water 61.1
No lifting
30 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
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