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TODD'S BLOG
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Get RaceDay Ready
IS IT WORTH THE SACRIFICE?
WHY DO SOME OF US stick with the endurance thing year after year after year and others check in for a season or two then check out...
... never to return?
There is something unseen happening.
I think I know what it is.
Sacrifice.
For better or worse...
- could be skipping a new car for a better bike
- an hour later out at night for an early run
- a quick swim instead of a tv binge
... we've sacrificed something.
That sacrifice produces the faith necessary to really go for it,
go for that insane physical goal we've set.
It gives us hope.
And, we love that...
... in everything we do.
---
Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.
Use this promo code: TRIRUN
To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags - code expires Monday, 12.26.24
---
166.8 lbs (too much recovery fuel?)
8ish hrs sleep 10pm-6:04am)
Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
>
GETTING HIGH
NEARLY 6000' IN 32 MILES represents a good amount of climbing. Mostly straight up or straight down, on dirt. At about the 2 hour mark...
... I hit the highest point.
A few miles prior, a thought occurred to me.
If something bad happens,
I'm a long, long, long way from help.
The tires are new,
sealant fresh,
new chain,
cassette.
And, I was feeling pretty good...
... check, check, check and more checks.
Carry on,
enjoy the views,
and lack of humanity.
A bobcat appeared on the trail about 20 yards ahead of me,
it made a quick u-turn and loped along as I closed in,
before lunging over the side into the brush.
The red-tailed hawk surfed the gusty ridge,
searching for pray.
Chipmunks sprinted up and down the ancient pines.
Nature really does rock my world.
This mountain range is about a 35 minute drive from home.
I used to live closer,
and spent almost every Saturday up there, alone.
Looks like I've started the new year's resolution to adventure something new or different at least once a quarter...
... resolutions are kinda dumb.
Why wait?
As the great Yoda said...
... Do, or do not.
---
Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.
Use this promo code: TRIRUN
To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags - code expires Monday, 12.26.24
---
164.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep 10pm-5am)
PullUps Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
>
I CHOSE THIS?!
THE BROCHURE PROMISED A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE, everything would be tested. Yeah, all the mind, body, spirt stuff. Plus...
... every ounce of perseverence.
I salivated.
Months of prep were stacked,
when the date came,
I was ready...
... I thought.
But, then shift got real.
Way harder than I expected.
The sections with the group were hard,
we encouraged each other.
When it got really difficult,
nature split us up.
The loneliness was brutal.
I knew, hoped, we'd regroup when the elements eased.
Work together.
Get 'er done.
Crazy as it sounds,
getting towards the end,
I thought I'd gladly do it again.
Winning didn't matter,
completing the mission did...
... and, yeah, those hands were gonna be raised regardless of place.
Crossing the finish line,
to my surprise and delight...
... was my dad,
my creator.
---
Thrill a Runner or Triathlete in your life with a RaceDay Bag just for their sport.
Use this promo code: TRIRUN
To save 20% on ISD Running and Triathlon sport specific bags.
---
163.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-6:27am)
PullUps Push Ups
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE BEST ON BIKE WORKOUT EVER?
THERE ARE A LOT WAYS to get stronger and off the bike. Routines, fads, and trends come and go. For my money...
... nothing beats a singlespeed mountain bike.
I built one up because it was fashionable.
Little did I know how addicting the workout would be,
how much I would love riding it.
It was like battling a bipolar bull...
- docile spinning along the flats
- UFC cage fighting any time it got steep
... and it worked perfectly.
At the time, cycling had been quarantined to a few days during the week because weekends were family time in the desert riding motorcycles.
My spin stayed smooth due to the fixed gear range - it wasn't a fixed gear, I could coast.
In order to get up the constantly changing elevations...
- legs
- arms
- lats
- back
... were all recruited and magnificently engaged.
No need for weights or any kind of resistance training.
It was basically going from one interval to the next, with luxurious spinning in between.
As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the ol' Trek hardtail.
Dusty.
In the garage.
Maybe it's time to spend the least dollars possible and...
... make strength training fun and sexy again.
---
164 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-6:20am)
PullUps Push Ups Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU BORING YOURSELF?
IS NEXT YEAR GONNA BE BETTER THAN THIS YEAR? It'll be different, for sure. Better is subjective, only you can determine...
... if it will be a year to remember.
We need new...
- locations
- friends
- events
- skills
... experiences that will change us.
Memorable,
forever.
As I start to fill in my calendar for next year,
it's tempting to play small,
safe...
... instead I do this.
First, I have to have one giant, unreasonable physical goal each year. (spiritual, mental, and social, too).
2024 it was Gravel Nats.
Next year (2025) hasn't crystalized yet, but it will.
Second, I think it's imperative to try a new event once a quarter.
Right now, it's looking like...
- March BWR AZ
- April Highlands Gravel (UCI)
- June BWR MT
- 4th Qtr is TBD
... it doesn't have to be fancy, could just be a weekend adventure someplace new.
Third, master something new, and have a plan to track progress.
For 2025, that is going to be bicycle mechanicing.
By the end of the year, I want to be able to do everything at a level that I could bail myself out if I was nowhere near a competent mechanic.
I'll be adding milestones to the calendar for that, and purchasing the proper tools.
There lots of other stuff on the calendar...
- date nights
- family activities
- work objectives
- service projects
... gotta make it all work cohesively.
Back in 2020 I set about getting out to the Cactus Cup for the first time.
I met a bunch of cool people, and made new friends.
Rode some fantastic and unusual terrain.
Found an outstanding Italian joint.
Cactus Cup stays in the rotation...
... I never would have found it if I hadn't ventured out.
They're having the 12 Days of Giveaways starting 12.12...
... I hope you'll win this bag, and join me out there.
---
Side note:
- I'm planning to do BWR AZ and stay the week in the desert for Cactus Cup the following weekend. If ya get out there for either one, let's meet up for sure.
- I'm also planning BWR UT, in May, and heading to Fruita/Moab the days following for some epic MTB. Lemme know if you're interested in joining.
---
164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-5:55am)
PullUps Push Ups Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE THUNDER
LOOKING FOR SOME BACKGROUND VIBES, I loaded up a Goettl Media raw file of BWR Arizona 2024. It was supposed to be my first A race of last year, but..
... life had other plans.
It's never too early to start doing recon.
I like Joe's videos because...
- the POV is always really good
- his comments teach a lot
- he's super respectful
.... in other words, he's a good dude.
Turning away from the big screen to get some work done it struck me how much...
... a race at speed sounds like thunder.
Especially the gravel sections.
I got so electrified,
I ditched the project,
and dug into examining the terrain.
Joe raced the long version, the Waffle.
I'll most likely do the shorter Wafer.
From the looks of it,
I think this terrain will call for the Race King 2.0s...
- lots of sand
- some rocks
- whoops
... means it's gonna be a hoot.
Can't wait for my next thunder storm.
---
164.7 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-5am)
PullUps Push Ups
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EASY DAYS AND HARD DAYS ALWAYS
I WAS LISTENING TO A PODCAST with the superfamous coach of an ultrafamous racer, and the host, trying to dumb it down for us dummies, asked...
... What's the one piece of advice you'd give an amateur racer?
He had me on bearings and spokes.
Train easier.
What do you mean?
I mean most amateurs are doing too much.
Isn't that the way to get better?
No. I mean Yes, but no.
Explain.
If an athlete is training too hard all the time, and by too hard I don't mean to exhaustion, but, at a level that will not allow them recover, really recover, then they can't...
... go really hard, and get the big gains.
I thought about that today as...
- miles rolled by
- watts low
- h.r. lower
... my mind open and free.
That advice is easy to understand, hard to thoroughly absorb.
It feels wasteful.
Useless.
And so we ignore it,
to our detriment.
Being that it's a Monday, I tweaked the great Karen Carpenter's song...
... Easy days and hard days always get me fit.
This works for work, too.
There are days I'm resting, prepping, organizing...
... and days I'm slaying it with back to back to back appointments.
---
165.8 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:55pm-6:20am)
PullUps Push Ups & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COASTING IN
AS WE WIND DOWN THE YEAR, few of us are racing. Personally, having backed down the miles I'm feeling really fresh and spunky, which reminds me about...
... what I love about tapering.
Sure, there's the reduced miles and training and all the good feelings that come with that, but there's something else and if we're doing it right...
... is a huge benefit.
Because all the fatigue is leaving our bodies we not only start to feel really good, we have time to reflect on how we got here...
... all the work we've put in.
The result is where once we were tired, questioning out motivations and our capabilities....
... now we are confident.
Confidence is key to...
... ripping on raceday.
===
Now it's time to party!!
I wish I'd come up for this idea of this collection in time for New Year's...
... but, Hey! let's party like it's twenty twenty-five!
Here's the deal...
... order by 12.9, save 25%.
Use code PARTY25.
Most likely ships just after the New Year, if we can get it out early, we will.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-party-collection
---
164.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:30am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DRIVIN' THAT TRAIN
THE PROBLEM WITH CORROSION isn't the corrosiveness itself. That's bad, for sure. But, I find the real problem is...
... it comes on so slowly.
Then, catastrophic failure.
Because I've been neglecting my trusty MTB all year, well, basically for two all years...
... I was caught out, bad.
"All of the sudden",
my shifting was shift.
It wasn't really sudden.
For months the shifting had been off, but...
... just good enough to put away and forget about.
It had reached the point of no return.
Irreparable damage had been done.
Rather than simply replacing the chain in a timely manner,
an easy home repair,
at little cost...
... I had to get a divorce,
and a hot, new, young,
complete drivetrain.
Costly.
It's just a drivetrain,
not something that really matters...
... those things deserve immediate, constant loving maintenance.
===
Now it's time to party!!
I wish I'd come up for this idea of this collection in time for New Year's...
... but, Hey! let's party like it's twenty twenty-five!
Here's the deal...
... order by 12.9, save 25%.
Use code PARTY25.
Most likely ships just after the New Year, if we can get it out early, we will.
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/pedal-party-collection
---
164.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:30am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THERE IS LITERALLY NO SCHOOL FOR THIS
WE'RE ALL OUT THERE ENDURING, and it's like we have no compass, no gps, no no map, no field manual. There is no associates, four year, masters, or doctorate degree...
... and yet, somehow experts evolve.
Oh, there's the occasional book.
Usually so filled with jargon and graphs they are worthless, but boy...
... the authors sure look smart.
So, we rely on our...
- inner voice
- experience
- friends
... and get to work like mad scientists.
We can and do glean much from...
- watching races
- podcasts
- youtube
... then, we do our best to put it into practice on the next ride, run, swim.
Kinda makes ya wonder if...
- Jobs
- Ford
- Edison
... were just having fun, fascinated with figuring out what was possible?
---
Got a friend who's a Triathlete or Runner?
Blow their minds with a sport specific RaceDay Bag.
Use this code and save 20%: TRIRUN
Good ONLY on in stock Tri and Run bags.
---
165.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:45am)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE WORST GOAL EVER
ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, I set two lofty goals. One I accomplished, one I fell far short of. What was the difference between...
... success and failure?
Both seemed outrageous at the time.
They still do.
I each case, I knew everything would have to go perfectly in order to get anywhere near what I wanted to accomplish.
The one I attained, everything did go perfectly.
I went about my business,
mission accomplished.
The one I muffed, a massive unforeseeable mountain in the road popped up.
It was such a kick in the front of my bib shorts where my legs come together,
that it was mentally and physically debilitating.
Months later, unforeseeable mountain turned to gopher mound, I'm back on track.
There's all the fancy platitudes of goals...
- goal unwritten is a hope
- goals must be believable
- goals should be realistic
... we could go on and on.
But, I'm not sure that's the point.
Really.
Having the guts to...
- set an outlandish goal
- share it with real allies, not punks who puke on our dreams
- and take massive action
... is the lifeblood of everything I do.
Failure.
Success.
They matter, but not nearly as much what occurs...
... in the process of going after personal excellence.
===
We could wait until 1.1.25 to think, start, plan...
... or, we could grab a calendar and get down to business.
https://pedalindustries.com/calendar
---
166.4 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:55am)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
DECEMBER'S FOCUS AND AN EXPERIMENT
THIS MONTH'S FOCUS ISN'T FOR BABIES. Babies crawl, make a mess of their food, and are on a quest to get fat. I'm not. Are you? I'm looking to...
... start the year on fire.
For December...
- LSD, not tripping, long slow distance
- Strength work
- Weight loss
... this is my focus.
That should have me in prime shape to hit it hard in Jan and Feb.
Two months to prep for the first races,
BWR AZ and Cactus Cup.
For Jan and Feb, I'm planning an experiment...
- Tues/Wed back to back intensity days, with long tempo on Saturday
- Tues/Sat intensity, with zone 1/2 days in between
... for alternating weeks to build race specific fitness.
The intensity for BWR's start and dynamic surges,
the tempo for Cactus Cup's old school XC race.
Should be fun.
No,
really,
it should be fun.
Just gotta nail December to be hammering in March.
---
167.2 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45pm-5:55am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE RULE OF 3
NEW AND FIRED UP, I jumped full speed into the road scene. Since all I'd done was road race, I was one hundred million percent sure...
... I was born to race road.
While I shamelessly slobbered, the old wise man at the bike shop tried to duck.
When I stopped to breathe, he said...
... Sonny you don't know you lycra covered butt from a pothole!.
Huh?
Listen up, buttercup.
Gulp.
It takes three full years...
... to know what you're good at.
But...
But nothing, now get outta here and go to work.
He was right.
By the end of that first year, I realized I was a much better crit racer.
So, I focused on crits for the next two years.
When I found mountain biking,
I was sure I'd be a cross country racer.
Turned out,
I was a much better descender than climber.
When I finally got a gravel bike,
I was sure I'd just use it to mix up the training.
Turns out,
it's actually pretty darn fun to race gravel.
There's nothing magical about the three years...
... it's the three years of working at getting better that matters.
Oh, and before you quote the 10,000 hour rule, think on this.
There are 26,297.46 hours in 3 years, which is kinda like saying...
... if you live, eat and breathe anything for 3 years, magic happens.
Now get to work!
---
168.2 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10pm-5am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S THE DATA DUMMY
I DO LOVE ME SOME DATA. In this vast digital world, there's plenty of it to access, crunch, and geek out on. The only question I have is...
... why? what? how? when?
It's more than what the Garwahoo is delivering.
That little screen can be divided so small the numbers become trivial, useless.
Then we can dissect it all on Starva, Training Peaks, etc.
Which brings up the question?
Do we.
And, if we do, what are we to make of it?
It is so tempting to wing it.
And, why wouldn't it be? That's how it was done from Adam till now.
Gut feel.
But, I had some sense knocked into me today.
Realizing inventory was running low on our gloves and socks, I was about to wing it on a replenishment production run.
Wait, why not pull a report?
Takes a few seconds.
Data don't lie.
And, whadaya know...
... winging it was not the way to go.
The thing about all the Garwahoo data is there's just a heckuva lot of it. We could...
- read a ton
- take some classes
- pester the nerd that rides
... or hire a coach, let a pro figure it out and tell us what to do.
I'm not for winging it,
and I'm not for outsourcing it...
... I'm more for figuring out what the data means.
Empowering myself.
---
167.2 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10:30pm-6am)
PullUps PushUps & more
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BECAUSE IT SUITS US
ARE RUNNERS BETTER WRITERS or are there just more runners and therefore more writers that run...
... leading to a larger talent pool?
Christopher McDougall's Born To Run is probably my favorite running book.
Inspiring.
It got me to run.
Trail running for miles.
His book, Natural Born Heroes, got me totally into strength work because...
... the heroes were so naturally strong and lethal.
Jesse Itzler is a runner.
His book Living With A Seal is hilarious, and wildly challenges our limited beliefs about what we can accomplish.
Here are a few gems from my latest find...
- The most important thing we ever learn in school is that the most important things can't be learned at school.
- With my mind elsewhere I'm able to run for a long while, keeping up a natural speed that doesn't tire me out.
- There are three reasons I failed. Not enough training. Not enough training. And not enough training.
... from What I Think About When I Talk About Running.
For me, it's not so much the running that is compelling, but the book's ability to help me understand...
... why I love riding, and enduring.
How about you...
... got any faves?
---
166.4 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (11pm-6:05am)
PullUps PushUps
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I'LL RACE YOU TO THE CORNER
AT SOME POINT, and it doesn't have to be now, but it will happen soon enough, we wake from our hibernation. Something stirs, and in disgust with our gluttony and laziness...
... we show our puffy faces.
It happened for me today.
I thought I could postpone it a few more weeks,
but there I was meeting at the start
of a ferocious ride.
The ride down was lovely.
Seeing the fellas, charming.
Even the first little climb
showed some promise.
It ended there.
My ballast keeping me grounded.
Basically, I made it to the first corner.
Now, I have a baseline.
And, it wasn't all bad.
I was only two seconds off my PR on that 6ish minute effort.
Things quickly went downhill after that.
Like, really fast...
... errrr, really sluggish.
On the next section I was 3 minutes off the pace.
20, TWENTY!, % slower.
I pulled the plug at that point,
proudly did the lonely ride of shame back to the van.
This Thanksgiving weekend, I am darn...
... thankful to have the desire to improve.
'Cause when desire goes,
when there's no more fire,
then what do we really have?
Gonna make to the second corner next time!
===
In between Black Friday and Cyber Monday are...
... Get your overstretched lycra in gear Saturday and Sunday.
Since some of ya pointed out the code wasn't working perfectly, I extended through Sunday.
TNX24 will save ya 20%.
That is if you're relating to my admission of bottoming out and still reading.
Which thrills the heck outta me.
---
166.4 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (10:15pm-5:55am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SATURDAY TRADITIONS
AT DINNER WITH THE FAM, I asked What was your most memorable Christmas gift? The kids are adults now, I was curious what they'd answer. I knew exactly what mine was...
... the moment the words left my mouth.
What surprised me however,
was Surfergirl's answer.
My bike, it definitely wasn't new, and I didn't care. It was freedom, we'd roam the streets of Kailua, and all to go the donut shop on Saturday mornings.
That surprised me.
Not the donuts.
Not the pre-ownedness.
I've asked myself a million times...
What did Surfergirl see in me way back when,
What does she see in me now,
... maybe she saw a kindred roamer?
Because, I was doing the exact same thing on my Stingray...
... roaming the streets and dirt lots with my pals on Saturday mornings.
Still am.
Oh, my favorite Christmas gift?
The red Schwinn Le Tour I drooled over when my mom's boyfriend took me to Fullerton bikes. I imagined myself flying up the hills and traveling great distances...
... shocked me to see it with a bow.
Wish I'd kept it.
---
166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-6:10am)
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE KNOWLEDGE CHEAT CODE
MOST PEOPLE don't know this. Some do, like the great Steve Jobs. Meanwhile, we have this amazing cheat code...
... for insider knowledge.
Take today's ride.
Love Watts brought his wife's best friend's husband, and let me know he's a triathlete.
Here's the beauty of riding with someone.
Because when his wife's best friend's husband told me he was brand new to the gravel scene, I thought...
... Oh boy! This cat is gonna get wrecked once we hit the dirt.
Nope.
Dude can shred.
Guess what else?
My friend's wife's best friend's husband, who had been to our town many times, had no idea how amazing the gravel riding could be here in "suburbia".
Quite canyons.
Canopied trees.
Miles of single track.
What Steve Job's knew is if he went on a long walk with someone he could really get to know them.
It's the same with us.
While humanity zips around in cars...
... we go for ride, run or swim and get to know humans
and the places they live.
===
Black Friday.
I see all the unbelievable sales and savings, and sometimes I wonder..
- is it something a company does when the import gear made with slave labor in China?
- are my competitors that desperate?
- if it's such a great strategy, why don't the greatest brands like Apple, Cervelo, Tesla, Belgian Waffle Ride, Luis Vuitton, Kask, Tiffany, do it?
... seems like a good way to cheapen, destroy a brand.
But, what if it's a way to reward the loyal, cult following we have developed..
... for example my friend's wife's best friend's husband has three of our RaceDay bags.
How cool is that?
So, here's the deal.
Since you passed the test,
since you know me.
Use this code, TNX24, to save 20%.
It is only good through the 29th of November 2024.
Yes, I know it's not a mind blowing discount, but you know...
... we make our bags and apparel right here in the USA.
Quality.
===
166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10pm-555am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS SO OVER THE TOP
DO SOMETHING ENOUGH TIMES and we start to pick up on the littlest things. Trust me, I've done this twisty country road decent at least 1000 times, when it comes to going fast...
... the littlest things matter.
On Tuesday, I hit 46.2 mph.
Not bad.
Not my best.
The PR is 50.2 mph.
A few of the little things...
√ Aero helmet
√ Tight tuck
√ Winter blubber
√ Fast wheels
... I had most of it right for top speed.
But, there was one massive ingredient.
It's not enough to make it to the top...
... gotta be sprinting past the goal to reach escape velocity.
===
166 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (930-530am)
PullUps PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SLOWVEMBER, DEEPSLUMBER AND JAMUARY
IT'S MORE THAN OKAY TO CELEBRATE the holidays. In fact, it's mandatory. Will we sneak out for a turkey trot or social ride? Heckyes! Will we pile on the food?...
... it'd be a shame not to.
Nothing better than the 3 F's...
- Food
- Family
- Friends
... for our slow-thudding hearts.
Bring on Deepslumber...
- More parties
- more events
- less time
... soak it up.
Jamuary will soon be to the rescue.
It's so dang easy to get carried away and spend the entire first quarter trying to...
... undo what we done did.
Honest question,
asking for a friend...
... you planning to wake up on 1.1.25 ready to jam?
===
166.4 lbs
7ish hrs sleep (9:30-5am)
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
A PAIR OF 45s MADE ME OPEN MY EYES!
LEAVE IT TO HOLLIES to set things right. I'm not sure when it heppened, but it's pretty dawgawn clear my sprint is dead and...
... we gotta do some resurrectin'.
A veil of dust and yuck has been yanked open.
I couldn't put my finger on it,
but on today's MTB ride I could sense it.
Something I love, is missing.
The shackles of endurance were weighing me down...
... the chains getting longer and heavier.
It's my sprint, my freakin' sprint.I used to love to sprint...
... not the fastest, but cagey and wiley.
That was it.
Somehow, the singular focus on long endurance races had killed the speeding spirit...
- That fire.
- The angst.
- Thunder and lightning
... slumbered like a middle-earth Tolkien forest.
Doing the dishes an old tune came into my mind...
... What's the name of that?
Next thing I know, Long Tall Woman...
... is cranked up to 11.
Dishes, instantly done..
I'm jamming, alternating between...
- Squats
- PullUps
- PushUps
- Bent Rows, BENT ROWS!!!
... reactivating those muskulls.
Can't freakin' wait to get on my bike, and sprint!
===
166.7 lbs (starting to wonder if my scale is stuck)
8ish hrs sleep (10:15-6:30am)
PullUps PushUps Squats Rows
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PUTTING A RACING SUPERPOWER TO GOOD USE
RACE LONG ENOUGH, and you can eye a competitor and know, pretty quickly, if they are suffering. And, if we're feeling good...
... this is when we pounce to distance ourselves.
But, should we,
always?
Some of the tells are...
- heavy breathing
- sloppy form
- hanging on
... they are mostly easy to note.
Though there can be fakery...
... for the worse and the better.
But, what about out of competition?
Can we use this highly-honed superpower for good...
... when neighbors, friends and family are struggling?
Even faking All is well.
Rather than pounce...
... can we embrace and lift up?
===
166.7 lbs (starting to wonder if my scale is stuck)
8ish hrs sleep (10-6:30am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE SEXIEST HELMET HACK EVER?
IT'S NOT OFTEN someone eyes us over and says we look sexy all kitted up. Maybe that's why it worked this time, 'cause there I was with my helmet on, and she said...
... you look sexy!
It never would have happened if I wasn't...
... on my way to my new sexy helmet hack.
When I get home...
- I put away the bike
- stow the shoes and glasses
- strip and head to the shower
... head into the house.
So there I was...
... buck naked.
Helmet on my head.
Normally, this would merit a head shake.
Another silly idea.
Here me out.
Step into the shower post ride and pop out...
... helmet and body, fresh as can be.
===
Do you think it has anything to do with penning in Date Night on the RaceDay Calendar?
Right now, the miracle working deal includes...
- the Calendar
- the Annual Plan Masterclass
- plus, one month of the Be True & Rip Alliance
... a magical way to rule the year.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/giant-raceday-calendar-2025-bundle
===
166.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (10-5:50am)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
SOME PROBLEMS ARE HARDER than others to solve. It can be frustrating when the answers just aren't coming. This is...
... how I solve my problems.
It's a question of time, right?
The truly unsolvable problems need marinating...
- clearly identify what needs to be solved
- set aside time
- get outside
... during a very lazy ride, run or swim.
The only goal is to solve the problem.
A stop for a pastry and drink is often required...
... I carry a journal and a pen to help me flush out ideas.
The best problems take require more...
- miles
- creativity
- "fuel" stops
... 3 or 4 or a lot more sessions.
Just today I was trying to figure out what to focus on...
- goals
- events
- milestones
... for next year.
Went for a ride,
had a brainstorm,
came home to the Giant calendar.
And they think we ride just for fun and fitness!
===
Right now, the Giant calendar includes...
- the Calendar
- the Annual Plan Masterclass
- plus, one month of the Be True & Rip Alliance
... a magical way to bring on the year.
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/giant-raceday-calendar-2025-bundle
===
166.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:45-6:30am)
PullUps, PushUps
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY I LOVE COACH PRIME
THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS to love Deion Sanders. Just imagine all that incredible speed and power sprinting for the win at Roubaix, at least that's what I used to do...
... when the euros would strut and think their chamois don't stink.
That was then.
Three things I love about Deion now.
- He's not living in the past, pining about how great he was. In fact, he has a noticeable limp because he's had toes and muscles amputated. Can you imagine being great, then hobbled like that?
- He's turned around 2 different college football programs, from absolute trash into winners. Can you imagine making something great out of nothing?
- He's mission is a calling, not to win games or score a big payday, but to impact young men and turn them into winners. Can you imagine being driven like that?
What epic race or insanely long event have we ever done where at some point we weren't...
- hobbled
- down and out
- driven to get it done
... like life itself.
Inspiration is everywhere,
even in lil' ol' us.
Be great.
===
166.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:30-5:30am)
PullUps, PushUps & Other Stuff
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SOME PEOPLE ARE SO GOOD AT SHAMING
THERE IS A PLACE AND TIME for an honest conversation that might hurt. Done right, people can say something completely offensive, grab our attention, and we still take action because...
... shaming can be loving and effective.
Just yesterday, effing Michael F had the nuts to say...
... You stayed warm because you are fat.
Ouch.
True,
but ouch.
Early this morning, I was on a...
... "fat burning" ride.
See, shaming works.
I got to thinking a measly letter is...
... the only difference between F A T and F A S T.
Words came to mind...
- Speed
- Strength
- Stretch
- Sleep
- Sprints
- Salad
- Sculpt
- Strict
- Smart
- Start
- Sticktoitivenes
... things I could do.
Now, if someone could point out my impatience...
... and shame me!
===
166.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep (9:15-5:10am)
PullUps, PushUps & Other Stuff
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
PULLS NOT PILLS
THERE ARE PET PEAVES and then are things that make you go hmmm. This isn't going to be about either those because some things make me shake my head so much...
... my helmet might fly off.
I just don't get it.
Take today...
- it's dark
- f'ing freez'ing
- and early as heck
... I thought we all got out on the road to be pushed.
But, no...
- jokers are gonna sit it
- get to the front
- not pull thru
... it's embarrassing.
I used to boast about how vicious this ride was.
Like, come out...
... and cry all the way home.
This is how pill pushers work,
attacking the weakminded,
for a quick fix.
You're probably like me, almost every ride that starts like this...
- cold
- dark
- earlisimo
... I'd way way way rather be in my pj's reading a book,
or sleeping.
"Feeling like it",
ain't the determiner of if we're going.
Yes,
I know it's offseason.
Yes,
I know not everybody can take a pull
No,
it's never cool to clog the front of a dawgawn training ride.
Pull the heck through!
===
167 lbs
8+ hrs sleep (9:15-5:19am)
PullUps, PushUps & Other Stuff
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
>
I TOLD MY DR. TO TAKE THIS PILL AND SHOVE IT!
SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO BE AN ATHLETE. Okay, all the time it's hard to be a committed athlete. It's simply not enough to have...
... drive, discipline and determination.
Sometimes, the indomitable spirit gets dominated.
My doctor reminded me of this during a check up last Friday (referring to bloodwork we did after my injury, back in April).
Old timer, your testosterone is muy low.
I'm old.
We can increase it.
How?
Take this magic pill or inject this secret elixir.
Ugh, No. And, don't even suggest it in the future.
Why?
It's not permitted for competition.
And, you compete?
Hellyeah, I compete.
So, my lycraloving friends what do the internets tell us...
- lift weights
- be lean (proper body weight)
- get plenty of sleep
- don't drink, smoke or do drugs
- no sugar
- eat fruits & vegetables
- Brazil nuts
- fiber
- flax seed
- lots of protein
- sunshine (Vitamin D)
- spinach
- pomegranates
- zinc
... without too much effort, cost or danger?
I'm not saying, don't get the shot, I'm just saying it's not for me at this stage.
Here's a weird one, some say...
... cold plunge can help.
If there's a common thread here, I think it's...
... doing manly things creates manly bodies.
Probably an oversimplification.
I don't mean to be a selfpromoting, Itoldyousoing knowitall, but...
... all this has been covered in the RaceDay Ready Challenge.
If you're into challenges,
if you're into going for it
if ya need a little help...
===
167 lbs
8+ hrs sleep (9:15-5:19am)
PullUps, PushUps & Other Stuff
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TALIBAN CHUCK GETS HIS CHERRY POPPED
YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF THE BEST RIDES OF THE YEAR. We rolled out with no planned route, no ambitions to train, just the friends...
... out for an adventure.
Here's the problem,
when you're riding from home,
it can be hard to be truly adventurous.
We already know everything, right?
Kinda.
Collectively, yes.
Individually, no.
Even if we did actually know it all from experience...
... time changes everything.
Thought experiment:
If we went back in time, for exactly one year, where would we be?
Right where we are?
Nope.
Earth ain't just moving around the Sun...
... the entire solar system is on the move.
We'd be lost in space.
Which is why yesterday was such a great adventure, we...
- hit trails we hadn't been on for a few years
- tested latent water crossing skills (I failed)
- shared secret areas only some of us knew
... with the sole directive: let's check it out.
After a virgin run on a trail new to him, my friend with the amazing beard said...
... you popped my cherry...
... he instantly regretting giving me blog fodder.
Bowie was right...
... Time may change us, but we can't help having a good time on an adventure.
===
167 lbs
8+ hrs sleep (10-6:30)
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GEN - ET - ICKS, WHAT ARE THEY GOOD FOR?
THE OL' BORN ON THIRD BASE ANALOGY is an easy copout. It's almost as good as winning the genetic lottery. But, my favorite is...
... beginner's luck.
These are the things we say to ourselves when we are struggling.
At least,
I do.
For example...
- my dad once scored double-digits in a church basketball game
- his dad, and all my uncles struggled with diabetes
- as I look at my shirtless self, I can see the beginnings of his Buddha belly
... on the other side...
- my mom once ran a marathon
- her dad, also had diabetes
- like her, I have one knee that ain't great
... this is what I was given to start off with.
Don't misunderstand, I'm well aware of all the blessing of a sound body and mind (though many question that), of living in a free country, and being surrounded with incredible family and friends.
I'm just sayin'...
- pops didn't play pro basketball
- mom wasn't an olympian.
... would that matter?
There's more...
- my dad loved sailing the ocean, and mastering the elements
- that marathon my mom ran, was on a wrecked knee and required limping the last 12 miles
... that I can draw from.
I'm naturally pulled to activities that feed my need for...
- Adventure
- Endurance
- Persistance
... and help fight off modern society's penchant for all things sugar and couch.
If we put in the work...
... all the things we think lack, make us extra-ordinary.
(Trust me, our neighbors don't think are normal... ain't that great!)
===
167 lbs
8 hrs sleep (10-6)
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CAN WE CHANGE?
THERE WAS A TIME when our oldest was a certified speedster on bikes. He'd been bit by the bug, chucked his other pursuits, and...
... gone all in.
My favorite training rides ever were during this period.
Eventually,
he moved on.
Sold everything
One day, he got the bug again and purchased a bike to just ride and get some physical activity going.
Was there a chance he'd be back killing me?
I was reminded of all of that as I helped him move this week and saw that glimmer of hope of a bike.
It's dusty.
Tires are pretty much flat.
He's busy pursuing his career,
and hitting the gym 6 days a week.
People change,
passions change,
pursuits change, too.
How do they change?
I'm asking, because I'm wanting to change a few things.
For example, since my injury, I've become this insane sleeper.
Not insane insane.
But, a year ago 8 hours of sleep would be a miracle,
now it's normal.
A while back, I was having lunch with the great Joe Friel.
We were talking about sleep, and he said...
... If you need an alarm clock to wake up, you're not getting enough sleep."
After the injury, I ditched the alarm clock.
My challenge is I want to start my day earlier, around 5 or 530am vs 6 or 630am,...
... so I can get more done in the morning when my brain works best.
The obvious reset is to go to bed earlier,
which should be easy for an emptynester.
Which route do I choose...
- Forcing myself to bed at 9
- Forcing myself up at 5-530
... is change that is forced even good?
Just for fun, I'm going to start posting my wake up time...
... there's a chance it will work.
===
165.8 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
6:30 am
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PROBLEM WITH BEING OBSESSED
I'M OBSESSED, and it's a problem. Everything I do, everything I think about, even my dreams, all revolve around...
... my obsessions.
It's good, in the fact that I'm extremely focused.
But, it leaves me not well-rounded.
Imagine being focused solely on my ...
- Babe
- Babies
- Business
- Books
- Bikes
- Big guy in the sky
- Best friends
... who cares about the order?
Honestly, the priority of each varies, constantly.
But, the focus doesn't.
I'm such a mess.
It leaves me no time for anything else...
... maybe that's not such a bad thing.
===
166 lbs
7.75 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
6:30 am
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
QUICK LEG WORKOUT
TODAY WAS JAMMED PACKED. It started early with Zoom calls, and ended late helping my son load up the moving van. Like any committed nutjob...
... I found time to hit the legs.
When I say I do squats almost every day, here's what I really do:
- Deadlifts
- Weighted Bulgarian Split Squats
- Nordic Hamstring Curls
- Box Jumps
... one set of each with sets of PullUps and PushUps in between.
Takes like no time,
definitely cooks the legs.
As the shadows got long, I thought...
... Dang, I got time for a quick hour.
So, hit my very local hills on the gravel bike...
- 2070' of vertical
- 256 Normalized Power
- 704 kj
... in 61 minutes of glorious pain.
The results?
Well, I'm dang glad I regularly do this workout so that when called upon I can actually lift something and be useful.
I'm also dang glad we were moving boxes and stuff down stairs...
... legs are officially jello.
===
165.3 bs
7.75 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
>
THE HOLIDAY PACE AND DECEMBER LOSERS
LOVE WATTS SHOWED UP WITH A NEW KID. This isn't the easiest ride for a virgin. They left early to make the ride over easier. What could go wrong...
... when riding holiday pace?
Oh, so many lessons and reminders.
New kid is so new,
he's riding tubes.
Poor lil' fella...
... after a flat,
and another flat,
he had to make the call of shame.
Newlywed to boot.
Back to the holiday pace...
... and its potential folly.
Jovial as the ride was,
things still got semi-serious on Up & Up and The Wall.
For some riders...
... this is the danger zone.
Take a poor slob like me who has spent a good chunk of the year gettin' his lycra kicked.
It's tempting, dang tempting to ramp up...
- training
- intensity
- commitment
... and stick to these easy going turkeys.
A little pay back.
But, here's the oh-so-sad truth...
... December Hero = Summertime Zero.
We must resist.
A great way to do that is to invite a new kid.
===
165.9 bs
6.5 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
SHOW ME THE LIGHT!
ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT DARK MORNINGS, is it means I have to show up with lights. Front, and rear. Simply because...
... I'm committed and I get up early.
What's so great about that?
Well, ya see, it takes me about an hour to get to the start of tomorrow's ride.
While those who live close, leave home after the sun is up.
I don't.
Which means...
- extra work
- extra weight
- extra resistance
... I'm getting some secret training.
But, wait, there's more!
I'm less of a secret on the road...
... those lights are lightin' me up.
So, it's the win-win-win...
... extra lights = extra visible = extra fast in the summertime.
PS I often run lights during the day, too.
===
166.1 bs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps & PushUPs
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ROOTS OF THE MATTER
IF YOU'VE EVER CLIPPED A TREE while careening through the forest, you know one thing for sure...
... the tree always wins.
Why?
The roots...
- the wind my howl
- the weather punish
- fire char and burn
... healthy trees live to fight another day.
What are the roots of fitness?
Here's what they aren't...
- stunning locations
- fancy equipment
- snazzy labels
... those are leaves.
The roots...
- power
- strength
- flexibility
- endurance
... cannot be bought.
Got calluses?
===
166.3 bs
7 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COULD YOU RIDE FOR PONY EXPRESS?
THERE IS SOMETHING INSANELY APPEALING to an opportunity that is literally death defying. It calls to some of us, like...
... a beguiling lover.
Is it a massive challenge to our bravery?
The Pony Express put out this ad (image above)...
YOUNG, SKINNY, WIRY FELLOWS
not over eighteen. Must be expert
riders, willing to risk death daily.
Orpans prferred.
Wages $25 per week.
... the job was to ride a horse, form MO. to CA,
in 10 days or less, in 1861.
Interested?
How about this one from Shackleton...
MEN WANTED
hazardous journey, small wages
bitter cold, long months of complete
darkness, constant danger. Safe
return doubtful, honor and recognition
in the event of success
... the job was reach the South Pole, in 1909.
Would you dare?
Modern life is so figured out now, so coddled, few of us can imagine ever attempting these adventures.
And there's no need.
But, and here's the challenge, we can be...
- skinny
- wiry
- expert riders
... able to
- withstand brutal weather
- attempt risky adventures
- accept total failure
... it's literally in our DNA.
I was thinking about this today, while suffering during a pretty climby MTB race.
Dropped early,
getting demolished,
there was time to reflect on the truth...
... I need one ridiculous goal a year.
Unlike the qualifications listed above, I'm not..
- young
- an orphan
- willing to die
... it's not the
- honor
- money
- recognition
... that calls to me.
It's the challenge...
... to find out what is possible.
What's on your calendar?
===
166 bs
7 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR, RIGHT?!
AT THE TOP OF A NASTLY CLIMB, two athletes stopped. Gasping for air, heads down, sweat pouring, and sharing...
... that all knowing smile.
A rider,
and a runner.
They'd never met.
It didn't matter...
- gender
- color
- age
... because they know what it is.
Bound by the ties of adrenalin,
and fitness,
and fun.
What it is...
- runs
- rides
- swims
... in our blood.
It's who we are.
As the great Sly Stone sang...
You see, it's in the blood
Both kids are good
Blood's thicker than mud
... it's a family affair.
===
165.6 bs
8 hrs sleep
No Strength
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CHANGING UP THE BREAKFAST ROUTINE
WITH TIME CHANGE, I switched over to riding early in the morning. Which means when I roll in, I'm pretty dang hungry and need to...
... get in some good calories.
Not donuts,
though the do sound awfully dang good.
After a few days in a row, I'm wondering why I ever stopped...
... concocting these yummy shakes.
This weeks beaker project included...
- L-Glutamine powder
- Frozen blueberries
- Kachava
- Water
- Ice
... and I can't get enough.
The only reason I'm not doubling up is my throat is frozen when I'm done.
I scramble up...
- butter
- bacon
- eggs
... and warm my throat right back to normal.
My functional health doctor prescribed L-Glutamine when I was coming back from my TBI. It's know to help muscle recovery. I have still have some, so in it goes.
Kachava is pretty nuts, in terms of what it contains. All kinds of good stuff. My son got me onto a subscription and I ended up with surplus, so in it goes.
The frozen blueberries? I just love 'em, and they're great for thickening the shake.
I'm pretty sure you know what butter, bacon and eggs are good for.
What's your go to post ride breaky?
===
167.1 bs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS SECOND WIND A REAL THING?
THE SANTA ANAS ARE BLOWING TODAY, a seasonal wind phenomenon in this area. I ignored the weather warning and hit out for a second day in a row of Hill Fest...
... with gusts and dust.
Half way in,
I wanted to quit.
It wasn't that my lungs were struggling,
they were.
On the heels of last week's climbing focus,
and this week's Hill Fest rides...
... I was runnin' outta steam.
I pressed on.
Why?
The plan was to climb for two hours...
... and I wanted to see if the legs would come back around.
Up the final climb, I looked down...
... 400+ watts.
Not my best,
not bad.
The only guaranteed way to get a second wind is to keep chugging along...
... and have some faith things will improve.
===
PS... That's Love Watts in the pic, he rode straight into the dust storm for over an hour. I'm guessing the tailwind on the way back, felt a lot like a second wind.
===
165.3 bs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
POSITIONS OF POWER
TODAY I RODE HILLFEST, a diabolical route through my sleepy little town. Covering a mere 32 miles, I got in 4200' of elevation, in just over 2 hours...
... without killing myself.
In fact, it was fun.
There is something infinitely easier, for me, to hold a decent Normalized Power while climbing vs. on flat terrain.
What could it be...
- the position
- undulating pitches
- opportunity to stand on the pedals
... that makes it feel easier?
Another position where it appears easier to put out more power is the faux time-trial, where the forearms are on the bars, and hands cupping the Wahoo.
Why does...
- the position
- resting vs grabbing bars
- increased speed from aero
... make me want to stomp on the pedals a little more?
Is it just boredom with...
- flat terrain
- upright position
- hands on the hoods
... the usual, the common, the comfortable.
I think it's fair to say, in my case anyway...
... greater challenges inspire and deliver greater power.
===
166.2 bs
7.5 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
YOU DO NOT GET A VOTE
I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. A simple question, asked kindly and thoughtfully at the dinner table, when we were all together on Sunday...
... would I like the answer?
Why did I even ask it?
Will we ever eat together again, as a family?
It was stupid,
I should have let it go.
But, when your kid's are making decisions for their kids, and their kids' kids...
... you've got to know why they are voting that way.
What are you voting for...
- giant orange rolls
- or
- green beans and bacon
... on Thanksgiving?
Little did I know they are split...
- carb-free always
- blow off the diet on holidays
... evenly.
It's a toss up over here.
How is it at your place?
===
166.2 bs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
>
PROPER FUELING
WHAT WE USE FOR FUEL MATTERS because it propels us. We study it, we buy it, we consume it. But...
... is it consuming us?
Why am I in bed early,
out the door before the sunrises?
Is it...
- to win the trinket?
- prove the doubters wrong?
... that will be fulfilling?
Or, do I define success on my terms,
with metrics that matter to me,
that endless fascinate,
and captivate...
... what is possible?
===
165.9 bs
8 hrs sleep
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY GETTING DESTROYED IS AWESOME
OUR LOCAL FOREST BURNED DOWN last month. Not all of it, but over 23.000 acres of beautiful mountains. Along with it, we lost...
... some of our best trails.
Trails that had made many magazine covers.
They're gone,
destroyed,
closed.
Today, I rode up to where the fire had burned.
Branchless sticks replaced our lovely scrub brush and ancient oak and pine trees.
Everything was charred and naked.
And, then I saw it.
In the pic above, there is a little tiny green plant pushing through the blackened soil.
It's so vibrant,
valiant.
Isn't that a perfect representation of racing, of life?
We train,
we enter,
we battle...
... we resist everything that is fighting against us.
When we cross the line,
we collapse.
There is nothing left to give.
We swear will never do such insanity again, and a month later...
... there is a little bit of yearning starting to sprout.
It's not recreation we are after...
... it's re-creation.
And, it's good.
===
166 bs
8 hrs sleep
No strength work
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WE ACTUALLY BELIEVE THIS
WHY DO WE BELIEVE SOME THINGS AND NOT OTHERS? Pretty simple, we've found them to be true through our own experiences. Sometimes good, sometimes bad...
... always teaching us something.
Every Day Is RaceDay.
That's a truth.
It doesn't mean we actually pin on a number and throw down every day of our lives...
... it means what we do every day matters.
Every thing matters.
Every action.
They all combine and build on each other...
... whether we like it or not.
That's why having a plan is so important.
The plan could be to...
- take it easy
- be lazy
- rest
... but, it's planned.
Just like...
- do base miles
- lift weights
- intervals
... is planned.
Good Plans = Good Results
===
166 bs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats & Stuff
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GOING THE DISTANCE
YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO RACE, it's on the calendar. It is so far into the future, you don't really care about it. But, you should because...
... starting early matters.
Whether the course is the same ever year, or changes every year, getting acquainted with it can make a big difference in success.
Still, we don't.
At least, most don't.
And, if we do, we just look at the distance and think...
... Oh, I've gone that far before.
Or, maybe...
... I'll start training tomorrow.
But, do we?
No,
not even.
The route,
the passage of time,
and, our ability to overcome obstacles..
... never winds up according to our plans.
We can either plan early,
plan well...
... and make minor course corrections along the way.
Or, we can skip the planning,
wing it...
... and wonder What the heck happened?
Either way,
we will line up and race...
... how we finish is on us.
===
165.3 bs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats & Stuff
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I NEVER GET COLD FEET
A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, I quit wearing shoes for anything other than riding, running and hiking. One of the many benefits is...
... I never get cold feet.
I mean I do,
but not like I used to.
Back in day of shoes, as soon as the temperature dipped I'd throw on the toe covers or booties.
Not any more.
So, when my kid called to complain about the cold sand during his sunrise walks...
... I had to shame him.
Suck it up!... it's good for your circulation, getting blood movement down in your feet, and good to connect with the earth, and good to feel some discomfort. : )
Did I walk our daughter down the aisle in flipflops?
Yep.
What about a nice dinner with Surfergirl?
Yep.
On the way to the slopes for a day of skiing?
For sure.
Not church?!
Yep.
Why Todd... why would you do such a thing?
Well, my feet starting hurting in regular shoes.
I probably rode them into the ground,
and destroyed them.
Not only am I...
- quick to ditch the shoes walking into a home
- infinitely more comfortable every day
- using my lower leg muscles
... I get to shock everyone else on those cold morning!
Before you say, Bro you live where the weather is great all the time, trust me...
... 39 degrees with humidity is very C O L D.
Never getting cold feet maybe...
... the secret to signing up for hard stuff?
===
166 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats & Stuff
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
>
IS IT WHAT'S INSIDE THAT COUNTS?
AERO FRAMES ARE SO SEXY. Just one look, and t's hard to imagine anything but going fast on them. Unfortunately...
... looks aren't everything.
What about the things we can't see?
Here's a short list...
- Bearings - wheels, bottom brackets, pulleys, pedals
- Teeth wear - cassette, chain rings
- Lubes - chain, pulley
- Tire pressure
... of things we don't see or notice.
There's all kinds of speed to be gained or lost on those four things.
So while we might be intimated by the fancy aero bike, and aero does matter, there's a whole bunch we can't see or don't notice or neglect that matter. A lot.
And, what about the bodies of other athletes?
You know the racer who is lean,
or has great muscle tone?
That can be intimidating, too.
But, wouldn't it be much more telling to know their...
- power to weight ratio
- nutrition strategy
- VO2 Max
- readiness
... before we make a judgement?
My pal Pete and I were training a lot years ago.
We were decently fast on bikes.
So, we decided to do a 10k.
What could be so hard about a 6 mile jaunt?
We figured we'd crush it.
Around mile 4, I was dying.
My body hurt, and I was barely moving.
Suddenly I'm being passed by...
- on ol' lady in a Juicy Courtier sweatshirt
- a chubby dude with rubbing thighs
- and some cat in flipflops
... it was very humbling.
The point is,
we can be awed by the sexy and shiny stuff, or...
... we can focus on improving what we have.
===
As I'm typing this, Surfergirl stops by for a goodnight kiss with a Hagen Daz bar in hand.
Where did you get that?
The freezer.
Did you hide it from me?
You told me not to let you be tempted.
Ugh!
===
165.3 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats & Stuff
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS WOULD BE A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
MY DENTIST IS SO ANNOYING. The dentistry is great, but he's a sadist when I'm in the chair. One of these days...
... I'm going to get even with him!
He's like your worst training partner.
You know the type...
- We're doing all we can to relax
- keep a grip on our emotions
- our hearts are pounding
- our lungs exploding
... and Mr. I'm In Control is talking.
Talking!
As if it's nothing to be doing 400 watts up a hill.
That's how he is with his diabolical drill in hand...
- Chatting away,
- asking about the family,
- sharing some juicy gossip.
... and all I can do is grunt.
Well, I'll tell ya,
if I ever get him out on a bike...
... I'm going to yak it up and half-wheel him until he pukes.
That's the kind of friend I am,
and I've been friends with this Dr. Day since we were wee lads.
===
165.8 lbs
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Squats & Stuff
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
FIGHTING DEMONS
AT SOME POINT, the race always gets tough. Could be a blistering rush for the single track, missing out on a powerful break, dust so thick it chokes and blinds. In all cases...
... there's a demon to be fought.
How do we prepare for that?
As the great Mike Tyson said...
... Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the nose.
First off, our plan needs to go beyond the initial encounter.
You know...
... getting punched has to be part of our plan.
It's gonna happen.
And, it's not so much preparing to be hit that matters,
as knowing what it feels like, that it will pass,
that we can and will recover.
As the great Paul Simon lyrics from The Boxer reminds us...
And he carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains
... we are fighters.
The great Pat Benatar sang...
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I'll get right back on my feet again
... Hit me with your best shot.
===
Last Call
The Ugly Sweater Jersey offer ends 10.28.
When you purchase an Ugly Sweater Jersey, we'll include:
- Matching Skull Cap $32
- Matching Socks........... $20
- Giant RaceDay Calendar ............ $37
... $89 dollars in product for FREE.
Check 'em out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ugly-sweater-collection
Check 'em out: https://pedalindustries.com/collections/ugly-sweater-collection
===
166.2 lbs
8 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
How To Build Volume 101
Feb 15, 2024 TODD BROWN
IMAGINE YOU'RE STARTING FROM ZERO. How do you build volume? Are there rules of thumb? When do you introduce intensity? Does it matter?...
... can you wing it?
Good questions.
Short answers:
- Build volume as fast as you can, which isn't going to be very fast if you are starting from zero.
- There are no rules of thumb, it's ruled by legs and lungs. Do what you can.
- Introduce intensity as soon as you want, it ain't going to be much.
- Yes, it matters.
Long answer.
There are a number of good books on the subject. Anything by Joe Friel will give you a good plan.
You don't need a power meter, mainly because you're will not be putting out much power early on.
But, you do need a heart rate monitor.
In the beginning of the first rides, the heart rate monitor will be exciting. Then after a few miles, it will dim. Reality will set in as that heart rate gets lower and lower because you have no stamina built up. After a few weeks or months, the HR monitor will serve as a governor...
... holding you back.
This is good.
Because if you're tired, you can't do intensity properly.
Introduce the intensity one day per week.
Don't look at the HR monitor too much, instead get after it. Could be a group ride you want to desperately hang on to, a Zwift session with same obsession, or simply chasing that mystical PR you want to breatk.
Check the HR data when the ride is over.
Important answer:
- Pick an event far in the future - you need time.
- Set an insane goal.
- Get registered.
Nothing exceptional will come with your training without a date with destiny...
... that's paid for!
---
164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
Do I Really Love It This Much?
Feb 14, 2024 TODD BROWN
SO, IT'S GONNA WIND UP BEING 8 WEEKS OFF THE BIKE since the noggin took a hit. If I do the ol' traditional math, that's 8 X 3 (weeks to get back the fitness for every 1 week off the bike)...
... 24 weeks, errrr 6 months?
That's hella long time.
The big question is...
... do I love it that much?
And by it, I do not mean the obvious...
... riding my bike.
I mean being in shape and the...
... feeling of being fast.
If I'm being honest, and I always am with you...
... I've forgotten what that feels like.
Surfgirl said Let's go on a ride today...
... and I jumped at the chance to ride with her support.
How'd it go?
Well, even though I was on my MTB...
... I still easily dropped her.
Nothing new there.
What was new was how hard I had to work to catch her,
huffing and puffing and legs burning...
... at a pace I recall doing for hours, endlessly.
This time it was for about 2 minutes.
Was I surprised?
Disappointed?
Let's just say I laughed out loud when I saw what Training Peaks was showing for my fitness.
37.
Yep, nearly 100 points lower than my all time max fitness just 18 months ago.
Lesson: fitness disappears, fast.
Lesson: I'm gonna bring it back, patiently (not my superpower, but a lesson to learn).
Who's in?
---
164.8lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
TOP REASONS NOT TO LIFT WEIGHTS
Feb 13, 2024 TODD BROWN
THERE IS A LOT OF BANTER about weight training. We should do it in the off-season, shy away from in the race season. Frankly...
... I couldn't disagree more.
Weight training is for those who want:
- stronger bones
- to build muscle
- put out more power
- improved core strength
- better grip strength
Who want's that?
Year round?
Oh,
well,
me.
You?
Top 3 exercises we should all be doing?
- Pull Ups or bent rows to build up strength for pull ups
- Push Ups
- Squats - I like Bulgarian Split Squats
Takes just a few minutes to do a set.
Very little equipment needed: pull up bar, some dumbbells...
... or skip the minor investment.
- have weak bones
- look like a T-Rex
- less power
- weaker core
- pathetic grip
It's your body...
... and I'm just a dude, not a doctor!
---
164.8lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull Ups Pushups Squats Presses
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
CONFIDENCE, WHO'S RESPONSIBILITY IS IT ANYWAY?
Feb 12, 2024 TODD BROWN
IN GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH THE LATEST BREAKING CYCLNG NEWS, I saw an article title and it's bugged me ever since. Maybe I'm heartless, from a different generation...
... or maybe this guy is just weak.
The title of the article is, They Lost Faith In Me.
Honestly, I can't believe I even bothered to read it.
But, after a week of it percolating as a top article...
... it got me like a slow moving train wreck.
As expected, featured racer blamed his lack of success on the team losing faith in him.
Bro, it's not the team's job to have faith in you.
They are paying you.
Faith is there.
That's my first reaction.
Bro, them's fighting words.
Now go prove 'em wrong.
Create the failth.
Earn it.
That's my second reaction.
What happened to good ol'...
... if it's to be, it's up to me!?
Or...
... fake it, 'till ya make it!?
In the end, I couldn't decide if I should feel sorry for a grown man having such a pathetic excuse...
... or be ticked off that such lameness made the front page.
Bottom line,
like it or not...
... it's our responsibility to be confident,
and to infect all those around us with such assuredness.
Life,
racing,
everything...
... is more fun, and, oh, ah, successful!
---
162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT HAPPENS IN SIN CITY...
Feb 11, 2024 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE SINS, and then there are things we personally consider sins. Either way, 'Vegas promise that what happens in 'Vegas stays in 'Vegas...
... is a big fat lie.
Not a big deal.
We are only letting ourselves,
and those we committed to...
... down.
For example, the second Friday in January is known as Quitter's Day because by then...
... most people have thrown in the towel on their resolutions.
Like I said,
not a big deal...
... unless you want to
improve,
make changes,
stay true to what matters.
If that's on the line,
we can't afford to sin,
and if we do we've got to...
... repent right away,
and keep moving forward.
So,
how are those resolutions doing?
I had two:
- Get to bed around 9,
start day before 6. - Get back to race weight,
under 163.
The only reason I'm mostly on track is due to putting myself in the hospital on Jan 8th...
- appetite disappeared
- needed a lot more sleep
... otherwise, I'd be struggling.
Which is better than quitting.
A lot better.
Struggling,
good.
Repenting,
good.
Never quitting,
Best.
Keep up the good fight.
---
162.7 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
THE RACERS CREED
Feb 09, 2024 TODD BROWN
WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT, we stand for a few things. And, it matters. Because this is...
... how we roll.
The Racer's Creed
- Access to bicycles - and anything that makes you stronger and better - should be unlimited.
- Always yield to the In Real Life Imperative.
- All racing should be free.
- Mistrust tradition, government recommendations - promote bro-science.
- Racers should be judged by their racing, not by bogus criteria like KOMs, USAC Category, age, color or gender.
- You can be free and forever young on a bicycle.
- Bicycles change your life for the better.
Agree or Disagree?
Lemmeknow.
---
165.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups, presses, squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
IT AIN'T EVERY DAY YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THIS
Feb 08, 2024 TODD BROWN
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED RIDING? For most of us, it was a magical time. Each ride a little further, a little faster. Each effort...
... a little easier.
No wonder we got hooked.
Still,
some wonder off.
Is it because the day comes when going further, faster, with less effort is no longer predictable?
Shoot, forget predictable...
... sometimes those days have months between them.
Even years.
I can tell you this, as I impatiently wait for clearance to get back on my bike and start riding again...
... knowing I'll get better every ride keeps me hanging on.
Can you relate?
---
164.9 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups, presses, squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
IT'S SO MIXED UP
Feb 07, 2024 TODD BROWN
ROAD BIKES use road tires. Most of us find a favorite, and that's what we run day, night, rain, shine. For MTB, it's basically the same formula. Find a tire we like, run it regardless. For gravel...
... ugh.
First off, gravel ain't just gravel.
It's gravel and asphalt and single track and rocky terrain.
So, a gravel tire needs to be fast on asphalt, tacky on gravel turns, nimble on techy stuff and rugged on the rockies.
What's the ol' saying?
There's fast, cheap and quality...
... you can only pick two.
But, we're racing.
We want fast, light and rugged...
... and we want all three.
Not gonna happen.
Me?
I'll take fast and light, banking on my handling skills to get me safely through the rugged stuff.
Is that enough?
Probably not.
If it really matters,
gotta pre-run the course,
then pick the very best option...
... not easy,
but, that's what make it fun.
---
164.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Pull ups, push ups & squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
I TRIPLE THAT EMOTION
Feb 06, 2024 TODD BROWN
ON THE START LINE there is always a lot of emotion. Some are scared, some are anxious, some are seething, some are just happy to be there. And...
... it's all good.
Well, kinda.
Facts are facts.
The more emotion we have the more productive we will be.
There's just one problem.
It might not be positive productivity.
Personally, I prefer to make up some story in my head regarding an innocent competitor...
... that ticks me off.
Take that manufactured angst,
turn it up all the way to 11...
... and let emotion do it's thing.
It is nearly a lock that I will race better,
be more and better calculating...
... and not give a hoot about what others think.
So, yeah...
... I triple that emotion.
---
163.9 lbs
8 hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
WEATHER OR NOT YOU LIKE IT
Feb 05, 2024 TODD BROWN
ROCK COBBLER 11 IS THIS WEEKEND. With all the rain we've had, and a little more forecast this week, it's all set up for an epic adventure...
... for at least 50% of the riders.
We are at deer in the headlinghts point.
Some are wondering if they should go at all.
Others are relishing the epicality.
Whether racers ride through someone's house,
see some knucklehead get skewed by a bull,
need ropes to make it up the hikeabike,
have mud so thick they grind to a halt...
... one thing is for sure.
The weather just makes it so much more of a quest.
Here's the mantra, whatever the weather...
... it's going to be perfect for me,
and rotten for everyone else.
It's selfish,
I know.
But,
it works.
Which is why I prefer riding outdoors to indoors...
... weather I like it or not.
---
162.9 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
ARE YOU SOMEBODY?
Feb 03, 2024 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE LEGENDS, and then there's the rest of us. The difference isn't obvious if we're walking down the street or eating an ice cream cone...
.. it's clear when nobody is looking.
As hard as we may be struggling to regain our health,
or to reach a new level of performance,
you'd never know...
... just by looking at us.
To really know if we are a
nobody,
anybody,
or somebody...
... we'd have to be followed 24/7.
This quote hit me hard today.
"No matter how hard you train,
Somebody will train harder.
No matter how hard you run,
Somebody will run harder.
No matter how much you want it,
Somebody will want it more.
I am Somebody."
—Steve Prefontaine
Are we going to be Somebody?
---
162.8 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
No strength work.
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE TALENT REVOLUTION
Feb 01, 2024 TODD BROWN
WHAT COMES AROUND, goes around. Some call it karma, others call it fate, maybe it's just...
... wages earned.
We can have all the talent in the world,
but, if we aren't spinning the pedals around who'll ever know?
Not us.
Not anybody else.
Talented racers are spinning more,
a lot more.
The spinning brings up the talent,
the talent doesn't make the racers spin.
The old timers knew it.
AEddy Merckx, Piles of miles.
The current crop knows it.
Dr Stephen Seiler, 80% of your training is to be easy, and only 20% hard.
We know it.
Want more talent, spin (ride) more...
... a lot more,
talent will increase.
---
162. lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Push Ups, Pull Ups, Squats, Nordics, Shoulder Presses - a little more every day.
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH
Jan 31, 2024 TODD BROWN
WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, too few of us can handle the truth. Our flabby arms, soft as a baby'sbutt hands, round shoulders and bent necks...
... belie the truth.
We were born for more.
Proof...
- Do pullups, grow calluses
- Do pushups, grow muscle
- Do squats, improve stature
- Ride far and easy, drop resting heartrate
... is what we easily observe given just a short amount of time.
When nurses rushed in to my room during my lovely stay in the ICU...
... they scared the crud out of me.
Are you okay?
Yeah, why?
Your heartrate dropped into the 30's.
Oh, it's finally getting back to normal.
What?
Yep, that's normal for me.
And that's the freaky thing.
We, the fit, are a rare breed.
The pros aren't quite sure what to do with us.
It shouldn't be that way,
but, it is.
In A Few Good Men, Col. Jessup is badgered and cornered into exclaiming the famous line...
... You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!
The truth about our bodies' capabilities is all around us...
... yet, is it rarely explained or shamed.
With just a little effort, in a short amount of time,
we can easily see that not only can we dramatically improve things...
... we were born to do such,
the life force is stronger than we think.
This is the way.
---
162.6 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Push Ups Pull Ups Squats Shoulder Presses - a little more every day.
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
MY FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD THAT STARTS WITH 'F'
Jan 30, 2024 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE LOTS OF FOUR LETTER WORDS. Just saying that connotes negativity and degeneracy. Clarifying the ones that start with 'f' and...
... you've got to cover your ears.
But, really...
... is F-E-A-R all that bad?
Yes,
and no.
Depends on how we use it.
One of the reasons a public declaration is so powerful is the fear that...
... we will F-A-I-L.
Which, is why most of us never make public declarations.
Too scary.
Too much commitment.
and way too much chance for ostracization.
Nobody wants that,
so we skip the declarations.
But, what if we didn't?
What if we tapped into that power?
Besides...
... who gives a shiFt what others think?
I ain't a FEAR to FAIL..
... I'm way more a FEAR to not FIND out what's possible.
---
161.6 lbs
9ish hrs sleep
Push Ups Pull Ups Squats Shoulder Presses - a little more every day.
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
IF THERE REALLY WAS JUST ONE THING HOLDING US BACK?
Jan 29, 2024 TODD BROWN
I JUST FINISHED, for the third or fourth time, The ONE Thing. The joke of the book (ie: the main point) is that there is1 thing above all others that we need to focus on...
... to get results quickly and easily.
If that's true,
there is just 1 question...
... what is the 1 thing when it comes to ripping on raceday?
I can think of 100 things,
or more...
- Ride
- Polarized training
- Diet
- Sleep
- Recovery
- Stretch
- Intervals
- Race simulation
- Bike maintenance
- Rest
- Race logistics
- Team game plan
- Travel plans
- Pick an A race/event
... there's a few.
Once the 1 thing is figured out...
... where is it time blocked?
- Early morning
- Lunch time
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Which days of week
If it ain't protected,
treated as sacred...
... it will likely be sacrificed.
This year, I planned on testing out a new work schedule. Which is why I picked this book up again.
The schedule, once I'm cleared medically, that I want to test is...
- 7-11 my ONE Thing for work
- 11-2 Go for a ride, get some lunch
- 2-5 return calls and emails
... just need to get back to 100%.
Today's trial was hit and miss. It was my first day trying to work. Not easy. The most challenging thing is to mentally hold and concentrate on fairly complex projects.
I'll get there.
In the meantime...
... what's your ONE Thing?
---
160.5 lbs
8ish hrs sleep
Push Ups Pull Ups Squats Shoulder Presses
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
DID YOU PICK THE RIGHT PATH?
Jan 28, 2024 TODD BROWN
WE HAVE A CHOICE. A quick and easy win. A long-range, outrageous goal. Most of the time...
... we make the wrong choice.
The quick win feels good,
it's easy to snag.
And that's the problem.
The quick and easy wins usually lead us off the path to long-range and outrageous goals.
But, why?
Because the long-range goal is so far off in the distance, it looks small...
We forget,
get discouraged,
grow too impatient.
... it's actually massive, just a long ways off.
---
162.3 lbs
8.5 hrs sleep
0 strength work
20 minutes recovery
240 minutes reading + Journaling
NURSE RATCHET IS TICKED OFF!
Jan 27, 2024 TODD BROWN
WHEN PEOPLE STOP BY TO VISIT they inevitably want to check out the garage. Oddly, they aren't impressed by the stacks of surfboards, or the quiver of bicycles...
... there is one thing that sticks out.
Over in the corner is a somewhat rusty, cobwebby and neglected unicycle.
Can you ride it?
Maybe, it's been quite a while.
This is just me goofing on them. I know perfectly well, that even if it's been over a year, I can get on the uni and...
... make it look easy.
But, first I pretend to really struggle.
Several fake and shaky starts.
It's like riding a bike,
put in the time and you'll always be able to do it.
Which is probably why Nurse Ratchet is so pissed at me today.
Bored out of my mind,
easily skipping down the stairs in the house,
doing lunges and walking backwards with zero issue...
... I couldn't wait until she left.
The second the garage door shut, I hustled upstairs and threw on a kit for the first time in 3 weeks.
I'd secretly lubed and checked out the MTB the night before.
It was go time.
Kitted up,
aired up...
... there was only one thing left to do.
Throw my leg over the saddle, and pedal.
Gotta be honest,
I was a little scared to clip in and go.
But, I couldn't take another day of lethargy indoors.
The first few strokes were glorious.
I was free,
at last.
There was no need to hurry, she'd be gone at least 2 hours.
I chose the MTB because of the fat tires and full suspension, figuring it was the bike least likely to jostle my noggin.
My balance was fine.
My ability to process information was still slow, and dull.
After 20ish minutes, I reached the top of the local trail system.
I stopped.
Gave thanks.
Took in the view.
It felt so good to...
- hear my breathing
- feel the sweat
- be outside
... things we think we are grateful for, but have no clue until we can't access them on demand.
I stood and coasted ever so slowly down the trail.
An hour later I was home, after more stops and moments of appreciation.
Refreshed,
encouraged.
I knew my recovering brain needed oxygen flow,
my body need to be taxed,
balance tested.
A quick shower,
change of clothes,
Nurse Ratchet would never know.
One problem.
She has Strava,
she follows me,
I was busted.
She stormed in pissed,
didn't want to talk about it.
Said I'd been stupid and reckless.
As usual,
she's right.
But, you know what they say...
... it's like riding a bike,
you never forget.
How do I feel?
Well, I took a catnap. So it musta been challenging.
My head seems fine.
Will I ride again?
Def.
How soon?
Unsure.
How long?
Lesssure.
Am I all better?
Not even close.
Because my ability to process information is diminished, I'm riding very slow. Another reason to stay on MTB and off the roads.
It's gonna be a minute, I'm predicting 3-6 more weeks to restore confidence. I'm cool with that. Spring goals have been tabled. Time is on my side.
Am I getting better?
Fo sho.
Will she forgive me?
Yeah, in a few days or weeks.
Am I upset about that?
Not even.
She cares,
and that's all I care about.
---
162.3 lbs
8 hrs sleep
A few pullups, pushups and air squats
20 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
SLIVERS ARE GOOD
Jan 26, 2024 TODD BROWN
WE HAVE A HIGH SPEED TRAIL NEARBY. It's lined with cactus, lovingly waiting to give the uncontrolled a great big bear hug. Most escape...
... a few get a gentle reminder.
But, it often doesn't show up for weeks.
One day, you wake and think...
... dawgawnit, my knuckle really hurts.
We can't remember why until a few days later...
... a sliver of cactus prickly starts to surface.
Oh yeah, I musta brushed some cactus a while back.
Here's the real lesson in that...
- not to slow down and scrub some speed
- not to wear hard plastic knuckle savers
- not to change a thing
... to remember slivers count, too.
In fact, sometimes they're downright painful.
Most of the time, forgettable.
Unimpactful...
... or so we think,
until they resurface.
If we're smart,
and I know you are...
... we realize the real gains
more often than not...
... come in slivers.
Unnoticable,
unmemorable,
unremarkable, too...
... so we think they don't count,
that no progress is being made.
But, they do.
And, we stack 'em.
Gather 'em, store 'em...
... unleash 'em when it matters.
Competitors be thinking,
How the heck did he/she do that?!
We be thinking the same thing,
How the heck'd I do that?!
Then we be rememberin'...
... one sliver at a time.
---
162.4 lbs
8 hrs sleep
Got in a few more pullups, pushups and air squats
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
OUR BUCKET LISTS ARE KILLING US
Jan 25, 2024 TODD BROWN
UP UNTIL WE ARE ABOUT 18 YEARS OLD, we don't have bucket lists. We have something quite different and significantly more powerful and dangerous. Cover your ears kids...
... this is about the less famous, Phucket List.
You know the one.
You're, 13, at the top of a big hill and challenged to go brakeless and see if you can not only make the corner at the bottom, but carry enough speed to clear the 15' jump across the stream.
Or, you're 15, on the shore watching huge, mountainous waves wipe out every surfer in the water and challenged to not just paddle out, but get beyond the breakers and then somehow catch one of the monsters back to shore.
The young don't say, Oh, I can't make it today but it's definitely on my bucket list to do...
... there's too much shame in that.
Instead, the young say Phucket...
... and go for it.
Why?
Because the young know two things:
- They will live forever
- They can't get permanently hurt
Of course, neither is true.
The only thing that is true is that not going for it is despicable.
Around 20, we aren't verbalizing bucket list, but we are assembling it with thoughts like these:
- I'm gonna find my soulmate
- Have some kids
- Build a cool career
- Travel to exotic places
- Do back flips off bridges
Of course, making those things happen requires, again, two things:
- Living forever
- Not getting permanently hurt
Neither one of which is true, or likely.
Which is why bucket lists are for losers.
They allow us to dream, and put things off for Some Day I'll...
... slowly killing us in the process.
Then, one day, we do something really stupid, like I did...
- Cause my pull up bar to fail
- Knock myself out
- Spend days in ICU
... and just like that, life changes in seconds.
Which is why we need to kill the Bucket List and...
... live with a phucket list.
- Any question of what is possible
- Any criticism of how we are doing things
- Any doubts about our plans
- Any postponing of what we want to do
We need to have one, and only one, response...
... phucket..
I'm doing it,
now!!
---
161.4 lbs
10 hrs sleep
Snuck in a few pullups, pushups and air squats
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
FIRST, I WANTED TO CRY
Jan 24, 2024 TODD BROWN
WHEN I FINALLY WOKE UP, 3 days after the accident, I wanted to cry. Not because I was alone in a cold, dark hospital room. Not because my head was pounding. I ached...
... for the less fortunate.
Regardless of how I got there, I still had everything going for me.
Family,
friends,
children.
Visiting,
praying,
buoying me.
Incredible medical facilities,
wonderful, caring
staff.
I felt, and feel, overwhelmingly blessed and looked after.
How did I merit such goodness in my life?
How could I do better supporting those in need?
Even though my brain had been scrambled,
as difficult as it is to process information quickly...
... I never doubted I'd recover.
I'm so grateful to be alive...
... taking courage from the Grateful Dead's Touch Of Grey.
I will get by,
I will survive,
We will get by,
We will survive.
Because my brain is broken and there are little to no visual cues, it's hard to appreciate what thinking and doing and conversation feels like to me.
I look mostly fine.
This is the best I could come up with...
... asking me to engage is like asking me to run a 5k two to three weeks after breaking my leg.
Where I'm at now.
Starting last week, 8ish days post accident, my body started to hurt a lot. Way, way worse than my head ever did.
When the pull up bar broke loose and cracked me in the forehead it must have knocked me out. My buns and upper hamstrings and lower back were tremendously painful, indicating to me I had probably just had fallen straight backward on my tush then smacked my back of my head.
That body pain is mostly behind me.
My secret?
Taking a very hot shower 5-6-7 times a day, loosens everything up.
I'm off all meds during the day, and only taking Tylenol 2-3 times during the night.
This is great.
I had been really nervous to take the heavy stuff for a prolonged period of time. I'd done that 30 years ago, and subsequently suffered migraines for almost 10 years.
Fortunately, the PEDALindustries crew is awesome. Things are flowing as they should. Just wonderful.
Your messages, and kindness, and support have been a great lesson to me...
... it's okay to cry tears of gratitude.
---
159.4 lbs
10 hrs sleep
0 strength
40 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DEFEND YOUR LIFE
Jan 15, 2024 TODD BROWN
THE LAST WORDS OUT OF MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN'S MOUTH were shocking and memorable. Once I had caught him up on my situation, he said...
... Defend your life.
- Todd
---
Hey everyone, this is Shane, Todd's son. On January 8th, Todd had an accident at home, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and multiple skull fractures. He spent 5 days in the ICU.
We happily welcomed him home on Saturday and he's in good care with Surfer Girl. He's on track for a great recovery! For an athlete like Todd, we know he'll be (RaceDay) ready to rip as soon as he can.
First, he'll spend 10 more days in a dark room being the most boring person on earth. Then he'll slowly, very slowly, return to his passion: writing the blog, developing cool new gear, and shredding the local trails.
Stay tuned!
Shane
P.S. Yes, it was his idea to share the photo :)
---
159
1,000 hrs
0 strength
1,000,000 minutes recovery
0 minutes reading + Journaling
NEW TERRITORY
Jan 07, 2024 TODD BROWN
I'M GOING DOWN THE INTERVALS RABBIT HOLE, and I'm not sure I like it. There are a number of reasons, not the least of which...
... the social angle.
Committing to a structured interval program is for losers...
... I mean loners.
And that's not all.
It hurts.
It's one thing to be on the group ride, going all out, and tell myself...
- Well, I'm just not feeling it today
- or, It's ok those guys are faster
- oh, if only I was lighter
... pull the plug, and drift off the back.
It's quite another to be hitting high power numbers easily on this first go...
... and watch those numbers sink as the efforts repeat.
Why?
Because the numbers don't lie.
I saw this last week.
4 efforts, 8 minutes long.
The first time, I ran out of road and had to take a turn to keep going...
... by the end, there was plenty of road left.
Just not enough Todd.
Do I like intervals?
No.
Do I like training hard efforts alone?
No.
Am I going to quit?
No.
I'm intrigued.
I want to see what I've got...
... and how fitness changes with new methods.
New Year,
New Methods.
---
164.5
7.5 hrs
No strength
0 minutes recovery
180 minutes reading + Journaling
THE POTENTIAL DANGER WITH HERO DIRT
Jan 06, 2024 TODD BROWN
SO FUN TODAY. I thought it would be a lot dryer, hadn't rained since Wednesday. No puddles. Definitely extra friction, that velcro feeling of...
... sticky lugs.
Hero dirt.
It's called hero dirt because we can carve the turns with confidence
just like our heroes.
Those tires aren't slippin',
they're grippin'.
The longer we ride it,
the more we lean and defy gravity.
The result?
Sometimes,
over confidence.
You know what comes with rain, right?
Ruts.
Towards the end of today's adventure, about 3 hours in, we were really feelin' it.
Laying down PRs.
Naturally, we'd need to hit the steepest,
and less well known trail...
... last.
What do they say about the last run?
Don't take it!
The segment is fittingly titled,
Dragon's Back Proper.
I'm not going to say it's the gnarliest trail ever,
still, there's a 0% chance I'm taking Surfergirl down it.
Anyway, with 30+ miles of hero dirt fresh in our minds we hit it.
Like any good friend, I neglected to tell Love Watts about what we'd face...
... knowing he'd be fine.
Butttt!, when we came around one of the turns which lead to a steep, straight shot of about 50 yards...
... there was a new and nifty rut straight down the middle of the trail.
Like a dragon,
waiting to gobble our tires...
... and pitch us down its throat.
Here's the beauty of hero dirt...
... normally this would be a controlled skid section at best,
instead we were on the binders hard,
easily avoiding the doom...
... and snagging yet another PR.
Heroes for a day.
---
163.8
8 hrs
No strength
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WELL, THAT'S A STRETCH
Jan 05, 2024 TODD BROWN
ARE YOU AS FIRED UP ABOUT 2024 AS ME? Five days in and I'm still holding strong on all 520 of my New Year's Resolutions. I got more than a good feeling about this...
... I got one word.
This year's word for the RaceDay Rippers: S-T-R-E-T-C-H.
Yeah, it's good to stretch.
Be limber.
Flexible.
That's part of it,
but there's so much more...
... when we stretch regularly.
In everything.
And, here's what I'm talking about...
... forget the resolutions.
They seem static.
What can we stretch...
- athletically
- mentally
- spiritually
- socially
- financially
... because if we ain't stretching,
it's hellalikely things are gonna tighten up.
Take another look at your calendar.
What can you do by the end of this year...
... that is such a stretch,
it would blow your mind?
I know what I'm going for,
can't wait to share it here.
---
162.4
7 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
WHO IS THE GREATEST ATHLETE?
Jan 04, 2024 TODD BROWN
GREATNESS IS ONE OF THOSE HARD TO DEFINE characteristics. Like beauty or skill or talent we often have differing opinions and struggle to explain the why leaving us with the simple...
... I know it when I see it.
Here's my definition of a great athlete.
Someone who knows what the are capable of achieving...
... and then wringing every ounce of their being to achieve it.
Sometimes they win something, but for most the greatest athletes...
... the ones who inspire me...
... winning is rare.
It's the daring to dream,
the untold hours of solo training,
the battle to overcome the impossible...
... and finish with nothing left and no regrets.
That is greatness.
It takes planning,
and dedication,
and courage.
The highest VO2 max or most ridiculous powertoweight output in the world won't make us great...
... commitment,
persistence,
focus
will.
Nobody's watching you can skip the workout, eat the donut, stay up partying...
... be common.
Nobody's watching you can do an extra set, up the protein, hit the sack early...
... be great.
Nobody's watching,
but you.
---
162.5
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
LACTIC LYCRA
Jan 03, 2024 TODD BROWN
LACTIC LYCRA will be served at 815am on Saturday, per my pal Doug's text message. I can't wait. It's been too long since I've had a...
... really good beat down.
The first one always hurts the most.
There's the shock to the system when we hit the first climb.
I know it well.
About 30 seconds at 8%,
followed by 2 1/2 minutes of rolling up a false flat...
... all out.
If I make that,
it only gets more vicious.
Of course, the route can change from time to time, which means I might have no idea whatsoever of what's coming up.
Sometimes that's better,
often it's worse.
Why would I do this to myself?
Because, we are 8 weeks out from the first A race of the triple crown.
It's time,
to clear the cobwebs.
---
163.6
8.25 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
20 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
THOUGHT FOR FOOD
Jan 02, 2024 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO FUEL the training. We can go from all water and solid foods to no solids and all sugared up liquid, with a million combinations in between...
... racing I'm a little more sciency.
The special mixes and hi-tech prepackaged foods can be a challenge...
- Sometimes hard to acquire
- Often hard on the budget
... so, what's your answer?
Me,
as long
as I'm logging miles,
I don't care too much.
My favorite find of last year is an imported treat from France...
- Easy to find at Costco
- Inexpensive 20 for $8
- Super yummy
- Burns up fast in the gut
... individually-wrapped chocolate crepes.
Sometimes, I go with just water. Others, longer rides, I'll put CarboRocket in the bottles.
Speaking of CarboRocket, you can get 25% off your first order here: https://racedayripper.com/posts/special-offers-carbo-rocket
---
163.8
7.5 hrs
2 Rip On RaceDay Circuits
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW MANY RACE SEASONS ARE THERE?
Jan 01, 2024 TODD BROWN
Read Online And Post Comments Here >>
BIKE RACING IS YEAR ROUND. No matter where you live, with the means, you can jump on a plane on in a car and be racing tomorrow. The pros, have one discipline...
... and one season.
Except for a select few who just can't get enough of wreaking havoc on two wheels.
For the rest of us,
we need the rest.
But, I was thinking about the upcoming year.
As usual, I've got a packed March through early May.
Not as usual, I have nothing after that until September.
I'm thinking this year will be my first two season year.
Take a solid break at the end of May,
keep it pretty chill in June,
on it July/August.
Put me down for 2 seasons this year.
___________________________________________
Did you know?
All active PEDALindustries/Riders:
- Save 30% On All Purchases
- Have access to Race Reimbursement
- Unlock all Exclusive Courses and content
Click Here For Details_______________________
---
164.4
7 hrs
No Strength Training
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE RESOLUTION
Dec 31, 2023 TODD BROWN
Read Online And Post Comments Here >>
IT'S TIME FOR 2024, another turn around the sun. Most of us have been warming down, as we should. Thinking about how the last lap went...
... we've got questions.
Could we improve?- What went well?
- What went wrong?
- Where did we shock even ourselves?
- Where did we miss the mark?
- How could we be smoother?
- How could we have made such blunders?
- When can we hit our next high?
- When can we do less?
- Why were we able to accomplish X?
- Why did we fail so miserably a Y?
- Who helped us the most?
- Who kept us back?
Answering those questions answers the first question...
... Could we improve?...
... only
if we commit
to make changes.
What's the most exciting change you plan to make in 2024?
- Gear?
- Training?
- Nutrition?
- Recovery?
- Type of racing?
When the road ahead
seems hard and long...
seems hard and long...
... look back to see how
far you have come.
far you have come.
- LinesByLoes
___________________________________________
All active PEDALindustries/Riders:
- Save 30% On All Purchases
- Have access to Race Reimbursement
- Unlock all Exclusive Courses and content
Click Here For Details_______________________
---
164
8 hrs
No Strength Training
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
NEVER SAY THIS IN PUBLIC
Dec 30, 2023 TODD BROWN
DURING THE METEOR SHOWER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I heard one of my friends lamenting the exceptionalism he was brought up believing. I can't think of anything dumber than...
... thinking we are average, unexceptional.
Do you think for one second any champion of any sport, OR CAUSE, thought he or she was average, unexceptional?
Here's the tricky part, and a new meaning of an old word.
The tricky part:
- Never, ever say in public you are exceptional or better than everybody else
- Always think it
- Believe it
- Own it
Can you imagine telling a child...
You really aren't anything special.
... talk about a way to shut down each individual's unique talents and abilities.
We each have different talents when it comes to physical performance, if that weren't the case...
- the same person would win over and over
- the sports prognosticators would always be right
... but, that's not how it works.
We know that inherently.
The new meaning of an old word:
I recently discovered the original meaning of the word meek, which is important because some dude once said the meek shall inherit the earth...
... how can the meek win anything?
Because meek comes from the greek word praus, which means...
... strength under control.
Now that,
is my kind of exceptional.
---
164.4
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
WHAT SHOULD A ZONE 2 RIDE LOOK LIKE?
Dec 29, 2023 TODD BROWN
TODAY WAS MY FIFTH BIG RIDE IN A ROW. Seventeen hours in the saddle, 210 miles, 22,000' of vertical...
... and my legs feel great.
How is that possible?
All Zone 2 + Good Sleep + Good Nutrition
Take today's ride.
Nearly 5 hours,
60 miles
6329'..
... Strava called it a Massive Relative Effort.
I called it a fun adventure.
Never did any heavy breathing.
- Ave HR 131
- Normalized Power 212 Watts
Above you can see the HR is very steady, so are Watts dropping down mainly due to rough terrain and stop lights.
The key...
... to pulling that off is starting out easy, which means going based on power more than HR because it takes (for me) a while for the HR to rise. About 30 minutes in I start looking at HR and Power...
... riding as fast as I can without letting the HR go out of zone.
The benefits...
- ride all day, as long as nutrition is on point
- push upper limit of Zone 2 higher
- develop insane endurance
... easily recover and do it again the next day.
The reason most people don't do it...
- they start out too hard
- under eat because effort seems easy
- ride with friends and get caught up in keeping up
- fail to recognize the hidden benefits for those with limited power
- rather than back down cadence and power they blast up the short stuff
... is because they don't have the discipline.
If you don't generate a lot of power, and I don't,
then the next best thing is to be able to deliver the power you have
for longer than your competitors and recover faster than those around you.
Skip or skimp on Zone 2 rides...
... or feast on them.
---
164.2
7.5 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU HAVE A TAGLINE?
Dec 28, 2023 TODD BROWN
AS AN ECOM MARKETER, I love studying the greatest brands. One thing they have in common is a great tagline, like Nike's...
... Just Do It!
Why?
They are designed to create an emotional response for the consumers...
... to make us identify with what they're selling.
In the heat of race or chasing a PR or just plain ol' dying to finish the impossible...
... it's good to have a tagline of our own.
Because sometimes we have to sell ourselves on getting it done...
... usually,
right before we quit
and go on to conquering the impossible.
---
163.8
7.75 hrs
No Strength Training
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
THIS AIN'T JUST FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Dec 27, 2023 TODD BROWN
WHAT A DEMONSTRATION of how to do it well. If you missed it, if you don't follow it, if you listened to the prognosticators, then you didn't witness...
... what happens with preparation.
I'm down to following one sportsball team, and it's been a dismal year for the fans of SC football.
When things aren't going according to plan, it is so easy to give up.
To quit.
24 players did just that,
either sat out the game
or transferred to a new team.
The rest kept practicing,
and kept preparing,
for their chance.
The quarter back had never started a game,
had only played a handful of minutes...
... came in prepared.
Confidence oozing.
He left with...
70% pass completion
372 yards
6 TDs
... a record setting night.
Because he knew how good he was and kept preparing for his date with history...
... that is the Preparation H we should all aspire to accomplish.
---
162.9
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DATA DON'T CARE 'BOUT YOUR FEELINGS
Dec 26, 2023 TODD BROWN
MY SON IS A PROFESSIONAL FINANCE NERD. He constantly reminds me to know my numbers vs the ol' gut feeling. It's a good practice and reveals the truth...
... sometimes confirming what I thought to be true,
others showing how off I can be by winging it.
We all have a lot of data available now.
So, while I was feeling discouraged this week regarding...
- my current weight
- the lingering cough
- the drifting fitness score
... I decided to look at the data.
2 years ago...
- same weight
- 3% better fitness
- and got covid just after Christmas
- hadn't perfected my strength routine
... had my best year ever on the bike.
1 year ago...
- slightly lighter
- same exact fitness
- battled a similar cold
- had just added the sled and nordic curl
... had a great spring racing campaign
In other words, it's quite normal for me to be at my lowest fitness this time of year,
and you know what they say...
... December hero = race season zero.
Am I still apprehensive?
Yep.
But, that's the point of the data...
... to kick the feelings to the curb.
They aren't helping.
Instead,
by looking at the numbers
I can relax and stick with my plan...
... I'm right where I want to be.
---
164.8
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
WOULD YOU SAY THIS?
Dec 25, 2023 TODD BROWN
ONLY OUR OLDEST WAS IN TOWN, so we met midway. At the bay. Unloaded paddle boards. Set out for some mansion gawking, and sunshine...
... and paddled for 6 miles, 2ish hours.
Not the traditional Christmas morning for most,
on par for us..
Something weird happened all day,
never seen it before.
When we got home, there was still enough sunlight
for me to spin the pedals
and Mrs Claus to walk.
Every single person I saw,
on the water and on the dirt,
had the exact same thing to say.
We live in an area with lots of people from around the country, and around the world, representing all kinds of cultures and beliefs.
Which is why I thought this was odd.
The last person I talked to was a kid in his 20's from Michoacan, Mexico.
New bike?
No speak english.
No problemo.
I learned Spanish a long time ago, and can still get along pretty good. I asked where he was from, told him how much I loved the famous ice cream sticks La Michoacana, from his state.
He was on a really sweet Giant Trance. Said he'd just picked it up on FB marketplace, and how much he loved it.
A common language, we all understand.
We talked about how long he was here and his main objective to learn English.
It was time to part ways before sunset, and say the thing I'd over and over today.
Merry Christmas.
Feliz Navidad.
---
165.1
8 hrs
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IGNORING THIS CHRISTMASY MESSAGE WILL MAKE YOU CRASH
Dec 24, 2023 TODD BROWN
I CAN'T STOP THINKING of the silliness I've practiced over the years. Not the Christmasy stuff, which was personally a tough season for many years, but...
... ignoring the real point of it all.
Whether you're a belieber or not, doesn't matter, the principle is true...
... you can't ride your bicycle while looking backward.
Oh, you can go a ways, however the penalty of not facing forward will be paid.
Which is the message that little babe came to deliver...
... look forward with hope and faith that good things await.
He gave instructions on how to live.
He knew all would falter from time to time.
He gave a simple formula to get back on track.
Repent.
Start anew.
Don't look back,
focus on forward.
I don't know why that is so easy to practice on a bike,
and so difficult when life's blunders serve up a shouldawouldacoulda sandwich.
Pedal on.
---
163.8
7.5 hrs
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
THE RIDING ART OF LOST
Dec 23, 2023 TODD BROWN
I WOKE WITH A FROG IN MY THROAT. Not surprising, Surfergirl has been coughing for a week. There was only one thing to do, and it wasn't going to be easy...
... with all the rain this week.
No, I wouldn't be meeting up with the fellas.
However, since the onset of my cold was above the neck...
... I could ride long as heck.
Most people don't do this,
and decline my invites.
Where are we riding today?
I don't know.
You have no plan.
Nope.
Okay, I'm gonna do a group ride.
See ya next time.
The idea of getting lost,
aimlessly wandering,
is too vague.
I get it,
I also get this.
Every great adventure,
the ones we tell over and over,
are epic because at some point...
... the unexpected happened.
- We got lost
- Found a new trail
- Discovered a forgotten road
- Ignored the Private Property sign
- Had a massive mishap and lived to tell the tale
None of this happens on the group ride,
or in the man cave zwifting,
or at the races.
For me, It's almost a lock
I will discover something worthy
nearly every single time my objective is big zone 2.
It's an art,
to get lost and enjoy it.
Nothing new is ever discovered
on the road most traveled
---
166.2 lbs (more lost rides needed)
7.25 hrs
Push Ups and Pull Ups.
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL SIGNAL?
Dec 22, 2023 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF WAYS to signal to your mind that it's time to shift gears. Gurus, like Tony Robbins, might call it shifting states or moods...
... and this shift matters.
Because if we don't get our helmet in the race,
we're destined to get shelled.
For racing, I cycle through till I find the right jam on my...
... special a playlist.
Sometimes the pump up music isn't getting it done for me and I have to...
... wait until the first cat cuts me off or won't let me through.
Other times...
... simply seeing a frenemy can raise the HR.
Another one I like for racing or hard training is ...
... lathering up with PR lotion.
For work, I turn the volume super low and hit repeat for...
... one goto song.
Butttttttttttt...
... what's the signal for a new season
or legit off-season
or mini-break?
Before I get there,
why does this work?
Why do preachers and motivators play music before the message is delivered?
Why do bands drop the lights before electrifying the audience?
It's all signals,
that things are changing,
and we mentally shift and become a different person...
... and love it.
The opposite is also true,
no definitive signal,
no change...
... and before we know it,
the race is over,
the day done...
... and nothing accomplished.
So, what's the signal for a new season?
Mine,
shave my legs.
---
166.1 lbs (might be time for the razor)
7.25 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more.
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU CAN SPRINT SOME PEOPLE SOME TIMES
Dec 21, 2023 TODD BROWN
SPRINTING IS SO FUN, especially alone. Down clear road with a tail wind, out of a turn and into the next, up a short hill...
... It's so energizing.
Then why not sprint all the time?
The answer's obvious,
because we can't.
It's not physically possible.
The next best thing is...
... if we do it right.
The great John Wooden preached...
... Be quick, don't hurry.
Quick is
- precise
- error free
- looks effortless
Hurrying is
- looks atrocious
- mistake laden
- sloppy
We sweat with both...
... we win, PR, achieve greatness with one.
The difference?
- Practice
- Planning
- Routines
So, when the shift goes off the trails on the bike, in life...
... slow down,
be quick.
Oh, I almost forgot,
if you're hurrying to get a gift for your favorite cyclist, triathlete or runner...
... here's a quick and awesome idea.
---
164.9 lbs
8 hrs
PushUps and PullUps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
IF I COULD RACE EVERY RACE
Dec 20, 2023 TODD BROWN
APPARENTLY, POSTING ALL THE RACE PLANS is a bigger thing than ever for the pros. Imagine being paid to race, then telling your sponsors and team...
... which races you'll do.
It's one thing to say I'm going to X, Y and Z races, it's quite another to say...
... and I'm going to win.
For some racers, it's probably a requirement. For sure...
- the team wants to know
- the journalists want to know
- the competitors want to know
... if they're going to be there.
It gives everybody a chance to promote and hype and draw in the eyeballs and the money...
... which is exactly not what most amateurs do.
Most of us...
- no plan
- no calendar
- can be easily swayed
- find committing can be tough
... because, well, we are amateurs.
Or,,,,, are we amateurs because we...
- find committing to be tough
- are too easily swayed
- have no calendar
- and no plan
... not that there's anything wrong with that.
It's just the difference between pro and amateur...
... getting results,
and the ability to call our own shots (wins, PRs, quests).
It starts here.
---
164.8 lbs
8.5 hrs
Push Ups Pull Ups
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I HEARD SOMETHING RIDICULOUS TODAY
Dec 19, 2023 TODD BROWN
ON THE RIDE THIS MORNING I was assured that pedaling in circles is wasted energy and that the studies of one bike fitter in England done on pros are conclusive...
... I sprint to differ.
While it may be true that mashers have just as much power in certain situations, I'm 100% certain that is not true of all situations.
For example, any mountain bike rider can you tell you that on technical climbs it is critical that the power you put down is even and steady.
Why?
Because mashing will likely cause 2 problems...
- slipping the rear tire
- stalling out and falling over
... mountain bikers are generally really good at putting power down all the way through the pedal stroke.
You know who else?
Track sprinters.
I learned this from the great Gibby Hatton when I went to him for a bike fit.
After watching me spin warming up...
Have you raced on the track?
No, mostly MTB.
Oh, that explains it... trackies and offroaders are the most efficient at putting out power.
Why, is the question.
And I think I know why, because when traction is required and when explosive power is required the hamstrings are engaged.
I learned this a long time ago when sprinting with my friend who easily beat me. He taught me to extend my stride and pull myself forward. Sure enough, I got a little faster.
Sprinters of all types spend time developing their hamstrings for this very reason.
Which brings me to my next thought. The reason most cyclists don't have any power on the upstroke is because they are pathetically weak.
If they weren't, they'd engage the hammies more in certain situations: sprinting, climbing loose terrain and...
... cruising on the flat.
Lately, with all my Nordic Curl work, I've noticed I can cruise faster on flats and let my quads rest a bet by more fully engaging my hamstrings.
I'm just practicing bro-science, so take it or leave it...
... but, Joe Friel practices real science.
When I flew him out to speak to us a few years back he pulled up charts which definitively demonstrated the small gains to be made by learning how to pedal correctly.
Yes, mashers can go fast.
Yes, there are times to mash.
Yes, you should experiment with this in the off-season.
---
165.5 lbs
7 hrs
PushUps and PullUps
20 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
OLD GUYS RULES
Dec 18, 2023 TODD BROWN
YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THE SHIRTS AND HATS, usually on old guys who are kinda pudgy and unreasonably confident. I get it, but don't done it...
... more about that later.
I bring this up because lately the interwebs be chiming that old guys shouldn't be advising young guys...
... according to medium guys.
And really Peter Sagan brought it home on the latest The Move podcast discussing today's racing...
... versus how they used to race.
I tell them young guys, why going so fast. No need.
Whatever old man.
We go down hill and young guys crashing, all for nothing.
Another GenXer on X, was even harsher on old guys trying to help young guys.
Old guys are irrelevant.
I thought about it all day...
... probably because I'm of a certain age.
I think when it comes to tactics, yes, the old guys' rules are probably outdated and useless.
But!,
when it comes to strategy I'll take the age-old wisdom of the old-age guys every time.
In business, a tactic would be knocking doors. I did that. Almost pointless to do these days...
... the wisdom is to hustle and get out there and be seen.
In training, a tactic is use a heart monitor. I did that. But, there's a lot more tech to be learned and mastered for improvement...
... the wisdom is to ride piles of miles.
Anyway, if you're into improving...
- old guys have the strategies
- young guys have the tactics
... those are the rules.
I love looking for the timeless ones...
... and ladies still love flowers.
---
165.3 lbs
8 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
HOW DO YOU SPELL FAST?
Dec 17, 2023 TODD BROWN
THERE ARE COUNTLESS WAYS to get faster on the bike, which is why it is endlessly fascinating. They range from physical to mechanical to mental to social to spiritual and...
... help us on our quest to get fast.
Some think that the best way to get better is to fail faster, which sounds great until...
- we come up short on a jump
- or, slide out in a high speed turn
... mmmmmaybe we ought to temper that a bit.
So, I don't spell fast F-A-I-L.
The fastest people I know are relentless and pay attention to all areas where speed can be gained.
They experiment,
practice,
tinker,
study,
train,
... they do the W-O-R-K.
Usually, a lot more work than most are willing to do.
---
We're getting pretty low on Cycling bag inventory, but still have a good amount we can ship for Triathletes & Runners
---
164.9 lbs
8 hrs
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
I THOUGHT I WAS SO SMART
Dec 16, 2023 TODD BROWN
A BEAUTIFUL DAY WAS ON TAP, and I was meeting two of my fave riding pals. Always good and uplifting conversation, plenty of shredding on the downhills...
... and Love Watts had planned a fun route.
After the first segment of goodness we had a problem.
Sure, I'd...
- checked all the batteries
- pumped up the tires
- adjusted shock pressures
- lubed the chain
... what could go wrong?
Uh, what about them brake pads bro?
There we were 47 minutes in to a 4ish our ride and my rear wheel was not spinning...
... which explained why I'd struggled on the first climb.
This is how good my friends are.
Rather than let me slog home with my chamois between my legs...
... we got to wrenching.
The calipers were all kindsa messed up.
The pads were smoked.
Again, I tried to wo-is-me my way home...
... no dice.
Construction Kev...
My house is nearby, and I have a set of new pads.
... les go!
Never seen this before, look at the retention clip in pic above.
It is destroyed.
15 minutes later,
we're back on track,
hootin' and hollerin' and PRin'.
I love these guys.
On the suspension set up, I aired up a little higher than my normal, which is still lower than factory setting...
... 90lbs up front, 180lbs out back.
Perfect,
much cushier,
still tracking the corners really well.
When Love Watts started charging a long, twisty and steepish singletrack I cut loose...
... figuring he'd clear the way.
Normally, with so many blind turns and a stunning day, there is just too much traffic to go for it.
I'm cautious that way.
It was a gamble,
total blast.
---
I have too much PR Lotion inventory.
This promo code: FRENS
It is buy one, get one free. You MUST purchase TWO bottles, discount will be applied when you check out.
Code can be used 15 times, so use it new before it sells out.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/amp-pr-lotion
---
164.5 lbs
7 hrs
No strength work today
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
YOU KNOW WHY THE BANNED TURNING IN THE BRAKE LEVERS, RIGHT?
Dec 15, 2023 TODD BROWN
THIS JUST IN, UCI figures out how to squash another innovation and has the innovators crying foul. Was it for safety reasons? Worry over racers suffering carpel-braking syndrome...
... or, something much darker?
In these cases, as in all news...
... it pays to follow the money.
Now, just who really cares?
You and I, the fans, who have seen these micro adjustments...
- levers
- socks
- rider position
... to name a few, burst onto the scene then be smothered?
We don't care because...
- It's cool to sees these clever, committed racers explore the fringes of speed
- and, escape into a breakaway that is never caught
... we like that, because we dream of doing the same thing.
Follow the money...
- Fewer sponsors logos being flashed during hours long races, when a handful of racers are off on their own.
... and we get the only logical reason.
Money,
nearly always the #1 reason.
The conspiracylover in me says the big component manufacturers have already begun developing a brake lever/shifting system that is designed to give these aero benefits while leaving the levers inline with the bars.
Nahhhh,
they wouldn't be involved, too?
Personally, never tried it.
I'm also still running "standard" width bars.
I've seen the set up on local rides,
as well as the very short bar widths.
Looks cool,
seems faster.
What's wrong with that?
---
163.8 lbs
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
20 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
I LOVE IT WHEN THINGS BREAK
Dec 14, 2023 TODD BROWN
When making a purchase I always go for the best quality available. I like things that last a long time and are extremely reliable. Given enough time and wear and tear...
... nearly everything breaks.
Here's the truth I've discovered, and it's not just bike parts...
... the replacement is almost always way better.
I was reminded this on a ride recently with a heartbroken friend. The love of his life...
... had left.
Having had my own share of love gone wrong, I could relate. I could also share the big picture, everyone of those girlfriends was replaced with someone better...
... and finally with Surfergirl.
Just this week my bookkeeper let me know she was retiring. If you're looked for a good one, reasonably priced bookkeeper lately, you know they are hard to find. I asked my CPA for a referral...
... not only does he offer that now, but at a much better rate than I was paying..
My chief designer moved on 2 years ago, best thing that happened to the business in a long time. Forced me to rethink the entire process and put what is now, I believe...
... the finest experience in the industry.
Of course, we've all hit a nail, had the tire go flat, and realize there's just no way to proceed without getting...
... and brand new bike.
The real question is...
... should we wait until things break?
---
164.5 lbs
5 hrs (Surfergirl had to watch meteor shower until 2am)
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit
0 minutes recovery
20 minutes reading + Journaling
HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TODAY?
Dec 13, 2023 TODD BROWN
I (ALMOST) ALWAYS SCAN THE RACE PHOTOS when the promoter sends out the link. Yes, I like to see myself in action. Who doesn't? The thing is...
... they aren't always outstanding.
Which makes it even more important to purchase the pretty good ones.
Take last Saturday's race.
There were photographers all over the place, and I was really hoping one of the guys on the downhill would post his pics.
Instead, I got this one.
I like it, but for something you might not notice.
Before I get there, I'm just making a public service announcement...
- Buy the pics, unless they just muffed the shot
- Do NOT lift the pics and post without paying
... we gotta support 'em for the days they nail the shot.
Like this one...
Now, about that shot at the top.
The thing I like is it looks to me like the weight training is paying dividends...
... which gets me kind of excited for next season,
and hitting the weights a lot more.
---
164.9 lbs
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Circuit + more
0 minutes recovery
75 minutes reading + Journaling
DO CYCLISTS REALLY NEED TO COLD PLUNGE?
Dec 12, 2023 TODD BROWN
COLD PLUNGE IS ALL THE RAGE, and I've yet to do it. But, I'm wondering if today's ride counts as a cold plunge, which was prognosticated to be in the high 40's, yet on some devices...
... registered in the low 30's.
I'm still cold.
Because I dressed like a rookie...
- Decided my summer gloves would be sufficient
- Left my awesome KOM jacket at home
- Couldn't find my toe warmers
... I froze like a rookie.
Which gets us back to the original question:
Does not feeling anything in my hands for at least 20 minutes, wondering if I still had toes, and being cold 12 hours later count as a cold plunge?
Another bonus was we recorded very slow times on the main segments even though we were giving it everything to get home as quickly as possible...
... low hr,
low power,
complete exhaustion.
Now I know this is the point where all the armchair zwifties chime in on how dumb it is to ride in the cold, and the snowbound chide me for wearing arm and knee warmers, a base layer and skull cap in such balmy weather, so before you go there...
... can some heat me up so cocoa?
---
165.1 lbs
7.5 hrs
No strength
10 minutes recovery
45 minutes reading + Journaling
FAVORITE NEW TECH OF THE YEAR?
Dec 11, 2023 TODD BROWN
DID YOU FIND SOME CRAZY NEW TECH in 2023, or something you want to try out in 2024? I did, and it's not on my Christmas list because....
... it's priiiiii-ceeeeey.
In this case,
it's way better to give to myself
than to receive a look of shock and awe.
Oh, I'm gonna get it because...
... I think it will be a game changer for me.
First, my gravel bike will get it since that's my focus for 2024.
Here's the problem it solves.
If you run a 1x drivetrain, like I do, you either have to run a mullet cassette (10-52) so you have a wide range or run a smaller range of gears so you have narrower jumps.
The obvious solution is to run a 2x with a front derailleur, but that's not possible because of tire clearance.
Is it really a problem?
Well, it sure was last weekend at the Hardman Classic. I really wanted a few in between gears on the climb for maximum efficiency...
... and then on the return with 30 mph gusts blowing me at top speed.
The solution?
The Classified Hub which has a planetary gearing system in the rear hub effectively turning the drive train into a 2x system.
The result...
- Wider range of gears
- Narrower jumps between shifts
... a minor weight gain, with big efficiency gains.
You can read more about here: https://www.classified-cycling.cc/en_us/
Once I get one, I'll report it.
Anyway, that's best product leap I've seen this year.
How about you?
---
166 lbs
7.5 hrs
1 Rip On RaceDay Ciruit + more
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
DO WE HAVE AN OPERATING SYSTEM?
Dec 10, 2023 TODD BROWN
I'M FASCINATED WITH AI, not that I'm using it much, more with the implications of what it means to be human. And the question...
... do we have an operating system?
For example, just yesterday bombing Coal Canyon, a rough and tumble dirt road, on gravel bikes it was clear....
... some of saw a playground, others saw a torture chamber.
From an OS perspective, I think it's pretty clear we see what we want to see.
- I wanted to see clean lines and the fastest way down
- Others, moving much slower, could only see the jagged rocks and harsh terrain
Can we control that or are we born with it?
Consider the Troxler Effect.
Stare at the red + sign above, and you'll see blue dot's randomly disappear and reappear.
Why?
Some say it's our Operating System no longer rendering them because they aren't novel.
I suspect something like this is happening when we bomb a mountain.
Some of us can focus on the red + sign - the clean line down the mountain - while others are trying to take it all in and remember all the danger points instead of editing them out like the blue dots.
If we are focused on the red +, the clean line, we don't need to render all the blue dots, the dangers...
... which frees up processing speed for us to go faster, and safer.
If this is true, that it is just an OS issue, can we improve that...
... rewrite our code and go faster?
I think we can, especially when we are young. And, I think the best way to do that is not to go as fast as possible all the time but to go slow and be playful and assess the options and pitfalls in slow motion...
... then speed that up.
Which brings up the question of what is happening as we age?
Why do we slow down over time?
I don't think it's the OS as much as it is the hardware, the gray matter, not being able to process as quickly and efficiently as it once could...
... take in the data and send signals to the body.
What does this really have to do with ripping on raceday...
... I'm not sure.
But, I never thought about this before observing AI.
---
164.9 lbs
7 hrs
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
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