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LIFE IS PRECIOUS
TAKING RISKS these days ain’t what it used to be. Most of us live close to civilization. If we were to take a tumble, emergency medical services…
… would be helping us, whisking us a away.
Within minutes.
I thought about that, plummeting down a lonely dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Life and death.
About 90 years ago, my relatives were working a sawmill they’d built (see pic).
A young cousin was manning a large log,
the timber bucked,
catching him.
His leg was gashed.
The others gathered to try and help…
- · 50 miles to town
- · horrendous dirt roads
- · no communications, no helicopters
… but there was nothing they could do.
He was dead in minutes.
Prior to stopping at the sawmill site,
I gotta ping on my cell phone.
Service is spotty at best out here.
Our daughter had gone into labor,
they’d easily made it to the nearby hospital,
doctors and nurses and all the supplies were ready.
===
Update: mother and baby are happy and healthy!
===
165ish lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
700ish anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/168/-2 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE DIFFERENCE
KNOWING THE ORIGIN of things can be empowering if we can tie it into who we are and how we operate. But, in today's connected world...
... it's easy to operate unconsciously.
Asleep.
Which is why I've sold my rather large extended family on the virtues of trekking...
- no cell service
- rustic cabins
- tents
... out to the homestead.
Land my great great grandpappy lived on for 3 years to secure the title...
- where my grampa rode out the Spanish flu epidemic
- where my dad spend his summers cowboying
- where I spent a few days every other year
... over 100 years ago.
Some of the distant cousins still ranch,
most of us are city slickers.
Soft.
Unacquainted with the land.
How it...
- feels
- smells
- sounds
... when we're living unplugged.
You know what I'm getting at right?
The feeling we have when rolling with a group,
talking and sharing...
... because plugging in would distract from the experience.
Living.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
171/193/-23 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
LOOKING BACK AT TRANSFORMATIONAL
[as I prep for my A race, I thought I'd look back how I felt the last time I did it, in 2022]
IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but it might be for you. I came across this concept a bunch of times over the years. It never really sunk in until I heard it stated like this...
... I increased my volume a lot.
Yeah, we've all heard that. However, what followed hit deeply into my thought process and ultimately my training...
... It has been transformational.
Who doesn't want to transform their training?
Let me pause right here.
It might not work for you. The main reason is the timing of life just isn't right. For me, it's working...
... because I now have the time.
When I had less time, and less focus, a big week for me was about 12 hours...
... an average week, about 8.
These days, in fact this year, my biggest week ever has been 20 hours...
... the last four build weeks have averaged nearly 15, and 12 the rest of the year.
That's nowhere the 20-30 hours most pros put in. In fact, it's a challenge during this build session before Leadville. Frankly, I'm happy in the 12 range. Plenty fit...
... by making my average week equal my formally biggest week.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
In the end, it's about doing all you can do...
... a topic I cover in the 2nd chapter of my book.
Which is free, just cover the shipping and handling.
https://pedalindustries.myshopify.com/products/the-way-of-the-r-a-c-e-r
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
700 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
no today Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
175/223/-49 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BAKING CAKES
HOW DO WE KNOW it's time to bring the high volume phase to an end, when preparing for the A race of the year? It's a lot like baking a cake...
... at some point we gotta put it the oven.
And, wait.
If we stretch out the build phase too long,
we run the very real possibility of over cookin' it...
... winding up burnt.
Crispy.
If we stop too far out from the A race,
well, then our training ingredients...
... might never rise.
Leaving us flat.
I'm sure there's some real science we could tap into,
or the wise voice of a trusted coach.
Barring those options, I lean toward...
- feeling exhausted
- not wanting to get outside
- residual, never-receding muskul pain
... as my top indicators.
I'm officially there.
Couldn't come at a better time.
I'll be spending an extended weekend...
- mainly talking
- hanging out
- relaxing
... at the family reunion.
Oh, that cake analogy...
... now is the time to give the training into deliciousness.
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
7.5ish hours sleep
750 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 15 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
170/201/-32 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE STRONG
THE TOUR DE FRANCE took a big tumble today. Jonas, running in 2nd place, a previous winner and excellent bike handler failed to navigate a very tricky turn...
... and broke his clavicle.
Sucks.
Before the news hit, enlightening us all to one potential factor in causing him to go down...
... I was already thinking about why some crashes happen.
More importantly, why some hit the deck and shatter, while others...
... pop back up and keep racing.
My thoughts were self-centered of course.
The effort to do hundreds of...
- pushups
- pullups
- squats
... building up my body's ability to handle what is thrown at me, late into a ride or race?
It feels like it is,
as I feel in complete control 5 hours into a stout offroad ride.
At the same time,
am I putting body in a state where it is more likely to bend vs break?
These thoughts were going through my head as the skin and bones Jonas was clearly in massive pain.
Then, I heard the unthinkable.
After traveling hundreds of kilometers from yesterday's race to today's,
arriving very late in the evening...
... he was awakened for a drug test at 2am.
No matter what we are doing to keep our bodies in top shape to handle the demands of racing...
... missing sleep when we are already exhausted is a formula for disaster.
===
164.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
174/228/-55 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHY, IT'S ROUTINE
IN THE QUEST TO SQUEEZE IT ALL IN, we learn to develop and rely on routines. Do something consistently, and it becomes rote. Boring in the sense that...
... we don't have to think about it.
Saving us all kinds of mental energy, as well.
Here are a few examples that made today's ride, much better.
20 minutes into my 2 hour sprint to meet Smiley, I felt my rear tire losing a ton of air...
- added air with CO2
- noticed a leak
- plugged it
... took less than 60 seconds to diagnose and repair.
Thought I'd better text him to confirm my ETA, and noticed I'd left my phone at home.
Doh!
But, I have a reputation for being on time and it's routine for me not to wait, so...
- I pressed on
- arrived at Cook's at 9
- didn't see him there, waited 2 minutes at the trailhead
... and we blasted the climb together.
Mostly together,
he always starts out hotter than me,
becoming my top rabbit to chase and pace.
When I rolled up to the general store for my Saturday fix, 4.5 hours into the ride, parched and empty, without my phone to pay...
- popcicle
- Mexican Coke
... I didn't have to beg, because they know my m.o. and that I'm good for it.
And, that's just a smidge of routine evidence for operational mastery.
Carry on.
Oh, and in case your wondering...
- a mini tool
- 2 CO2s + 1 nozzle
- Dynaplug RacerPro (4 plugs)
... what's in my mini raceday bag.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-industries-mini-raceday-bag-2-0-isd
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
178/263/-86 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
PRUNE, FOCUS, EXECUTE
HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPETENCY is a matter of choice. And, that's the challenge. In a world where we can do anything...
... it's easy to reach the end of the day having done nothing.
We know better.
Starting with pruning the options...
- uplifting
- challenging
- beneficial to others
... leaving only the good stuff.
Then, we focus...
- attracting
- believing
- feeling
... with the blinders on, seeing only our end goal.
Executing daily...
... continuously improving.
Very nice you say,
but make it practical.
Ok.
Here's an example.
I really enjoy racing and riding my XC mountain bike.
Knowing that, I've built up a race-ready rig...
... and taken it to the next level.
Most recently, that meant rebuilding the suspension...
- removing the Brain
- replacing a bunch of parts
- and all new lubes and fluids
... which now is supremely supple and plush, fork and shock.
When we are unwilling to prune, focus and execute...
... we are in our comfort zone.
The case there would be comfort with absolute crap vs...
... demanding the best performance we can aquire.
Got it?
===
165lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none todayLower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
161/169/-9 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY?
AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, the set up of our equipment is highly personal. The reason is simple, we are putting in a massive amount of time. And, the minutest adjustment...
... can muck it all up.
A lot.
Leading to anything from a niggle to a...
... Screw it, I'm done with this sport.
So it was with great care that a swapped out my cleats today.
They weren't completely warn out, but they were a little sloppy and replacing them now vs a week before my A race seemed prudent.
I scrubbed up...
- pictures had been taken of the current position
- the area around the cleats taped off
- tools and lube lay at the ready
... put on my operating apron.
The procedure went as expected,
no complication.
The patient was warned to take it easy the next few days,
and expect to feel some initial discomfort.
Physical therapy, in the form of bringing a torque wrench on the next few rides, was presribed.
Like the idiot I am, I promptly headed out for 90 minutes and a fair amount of climbing...
... stopping for many adjustments.
Got close to the old position,
gonna take a few more rides to reach nirvana.
PS... if this seems dramatic, or overkill, blame my dad burning this lesson into my young impressionable mind. his first lawyering job was as a malpractice attorney and the first case was defending a doctor who cut off the wrong leg.
===
163.6 lbs 12.7%
7ish hours sleep
6800 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
164/192/-28 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I SCREAM
DURING THE LARGEST BUILD PHASE, the miles and hours are waywayway bigger than our norm. It can be daunting, overwhelming...
... we need a reward.
Beyond kudos.
Something to see us through.
Which is exactly what I was thinking today,
halfway through what will like be my biggest week of the year.
Building for Leadville.
The route would be much longer than my usual Dirty Wednesday...
... and it hit my like a icy bolt from the Silver Surfer.
If I stayed on the pedals,
I'd have time to stop by the General Store.
A hundred year old building I usually only visit on Saturdays.
The point being...
... the always have the best selection of Mexican popsicles.
I was flooded with a memory of my dad, and his favorite saying...
... I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
And that was all I needed to get me through the summer heat.
Today.
What will it be tomorrow?
165.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
730 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 110 push ups, 22 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 110 ATG air squats and 24 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/217/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS 'A' SUPER COOL CAT
MOST OF US DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY of the famous group rides. I'm not talking about the one 5 locals started a couple of months back...
... I'm talkin' the legendary loops.
And, their morphing iterations over the years.
I was reminded of how our heralded TMWC...
... took it to the next level by adding some extra credit.
Called the A loop.
About 10 years ago, Super Dave Koesel made a great suggestion.
We should add on to the ride.
Why?
So we have something to do vs waiting for the guys at the regroup.
It took us a few iterations,
carving our way through a neighborhood,
adding on two punchysprinty climbs.
Finally, we had it perfected,
arriving just in time to meet the crew...
... and keep rolling full gas.
Plus, since we had just started cracking the hour on the original TMWC, back then...
... now we had an updated hour goal.
We've hit it on the A loop multiple times,
even got closer than we've been lately today, 1:02:54 (for me)...
... could it be because Super Dave was back in town, after years of being gone?
===
ICYMI... Super Dave is an aero genius... Remember when 3T came out with their aero gravel bike, years before that was a thing?... yeah, that was Dave's project.
Here's a link to his current company... look to see top secret versions of these bikes at the Olympics.
===
167 lbs 12.7% (I keep telling myself I'm 10lbs over goal because of all the strength work, but we all know it's because
7ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 10 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
166/216/-50 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT SONG!
WE AIN'T SERIOUS if we don't have a our own battle song. The one we can count on when...
... well, all the time.
Could be a playlist.
Mine, current fave for firing up...
... Born To Run, Frankie Goes To Hollywood version
On repeat.
Now Chuck shared a forgotten gem with me for raceday...
... Kickstart My Heart, by Motley Crew.
Surfergirl on vacation...
... Don't Disturb This Grove, by The System
To get pumped for motos in the desert the kids loved...
... Animals, by Nickleback
When I head off to the pearly gates, my beatbox will be humming...
... Low Rider, by War.
What's yours?
===
166.4 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
5900 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
159/181/-22 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS IT THE EFFORT THAT COUNTS?
WHEN TRAINING FOR THE 'A' RACE, if we're really all in, it's imperative that we prepare by doing the work demanded by the course. That means we have to nail the pace...
... we can sustain.
Or do we?
Lemme splainit.
Say, I'm training for a punchy event with lots of power climbs...
... short 1-5 minutes, repeating.
I could do intervals at a specified power output...
... or I could go for the burn I know I can barely handle for 1-5 minutes.
Or, take my upcoming Leadville MTB race, I know the pace I need to sustain to meet my goal finishing time.
Training the effort required...
... is part art and part science.
The science might say we need to put out an average of X watts...
- getting over a steep, short pitch
- hustling to catch a group
- tucking a long downhill
... the art is knowing when to go above or below the power needed.
Being intimately aware of the effort > callous commitment to pace.
===
165 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
163/209/-46 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THIS IS POLARZING
THE DEBATE RAGES ON, whether or not polarized training is valuable for the unwashed or is it just for the uber elites putting in bigbig hours. To really get a grasp on the argument...
... let's look at from other perspectives.
Take marketing.
In marketing, we tout what makes us special, unique, desirable...
... while pointing out the enemies of our awesomeness.
For example, when it comes to bags I might communicate dome bags with everything piled inside are just complete trash and chaos...
... where as our RaceDay bags make raceday smooth, easy and successful.
In politics, the party we align with makes the others out to be stupid, incompetent and evil...
... where our party is full of benevolent geniuses.
It's the same with...
- religion
- sports teams
- abortion, climate change, guns, borders, etc
... topics never to be brought up at Thanksgiving dinner.
What does this have to do with training and us?
I'm just trying to set the stage....
- too much time in tempo
- not enough aggregate training
- inadequate or non-existent recovery
... polarized training has enemies, too.
I was thinking about that today,
because I had a great day with the fellas.
Here's how I set it up...
- Monday Z1
- Tuesday romping group ride, all zones all out
- Wednesday high Z2
- Thursday low Z2
- Friday Z1, barely tapping the pedals
- Saturday, 6 hours at Leadville pace with nearly 2 hours at threshold or above
... finishing the final ride, feeling pretty darn good despite 9000' in 80 miles.
If you disagree...
... then, I have succeeded in providing you some polarizing thoughts on polarization.
===
165.4 lbs 12.7% <- this blubber has got to go!
7.5ish hours sleep
600 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
167/241/-74 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IT'S GOING TO BE HIDDI
TRAINING FOR AN EPIC ride or race is always tricky. It's so easy to over do it on the preparation when we want to be confident that we are ready...
... to go the distance.
Battle hardened.
So, when I put together tomorrow's route and added...
... It's going to be hideous.
I had to ask myself...
... What the heck are you thinking?!
This goes against my plan to prepare for Leadville this year by staying under
- 5 hrs
- 8000'
- 80 miles
... fresh and not torched.
Aiming for more power,
and efficiency.
We're going to over every one of those metrics tomorrow,
plus it's a group of hitters and we'll be hitting it.
Yes, I could pull the plug,
or just not show.
But, who are we kidding when we say stuff like that?
(Hideous rides call to my soul. How 'bout you?)
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
152/152/-1 per Strava Relative Effort (whatever that means)
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT WE ARE
LOOKING WHERE WE WANT TO GO takes great discipline. Not to be distracted by the lady in the red dress is...
... a skill that deserves mastery.
It's not easy.
Time and time again, ripping the course, we have to ignore the obvious perils and...
... stay focused on our goal.
Going as fast as possible,
error free.
Oddly,
limiting our vision to the best path forward is relaxing.
Calming.
Requiring less energy.
Ultimately, a heckuvalot faster.
So, we practice the skill all the time and when we have those Oh shift! moments...
... we forgive ourselves, and reset.
Perhaps the great Emerson said it best...
... What we are, that only can we see.
===
164.4 lbs 12.5%
7.5ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 10 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 20 ATG air squats and 10 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/98/-8 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
>
THE SLIGHT EDGE
BECAUSE WE USE OUR GEAR every day, we don't always notice the performance is degrading. It's gradual, and we are...
... more concerned with our own numbers.
But, the gear matters.
If we remember anything from the dominance of Team Sky it's...
... marginal gains.
They matter.
Not necessarily individually,
collectively they stack and become game changers.
So are the marginal losses.
I share this as a cautionary tale.
While in Park City a few weeks back,
bombing miles and miles of sweet single track...
... my fork went from finicky to very funked up
My pal Chad helped me get it working enough to enjoy the trip.
As soon as I returned, I rang up the local suspension whiz Mike and gave him the situation.
He ordered parts from Sram to rebuild and improve the fork by replacing the Brain.
Simple enough,
and 7 weeks before Leadville.
Dropped off the bike Monday, planning to have it back for the weekend and continue to perfect my oneness with my steed.
Hey Todd.
Hi Mike.
We gotta small problem.
Uh-oh.
Sram sent the wrong parts.
Dang.
Yeah, it's gonna be another 10 days.
Is the suspension torn to pieces?
Yes.
Ok, I understand.
Now, here's the part we all need to understand...
- we need to stay on top of the maintenance
- allow plenty of time for parts to arrive
- and for the mechanic's schedule
... in order to have the slight edge we need on raceday.
===
165.8 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 125 push ups, 25 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 125 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/103/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: State of The Union, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
2026 TUESDAY MORNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE LIT
ABOUT THE MOST FUN we can have is upping our game for the weekly group ride. The good ones all have memorable names. Just saying them sparks...
... anything from fear to fun.
Like The TMWC.
A ride we started 24 years ago...
- 30+ riders every Tuesday at 630
- most wearing the ride's kit
- with an annual throwdown
... and is still ripping today.
Today wasn't any ol Tuuzdee...
- the regulars
- the outta towners
- the first timers hoping to hang on
... it was the unOFFICIAL 2026 Championships.
4 categories...
- Women
- U35
- U50
- U100
... racing for glory.
Bragging rights for a year.
The course has never changed, but...
- fullgas from the start
- even paced 'till The Wall
- saving it all for the Corkscrew finish
... the raceday never plays out the same.
Today unfolded with bouts of massive power,
dropping to conversational,
and back at it.
The only thing that was the same was Alessandro...
... pulling off the first Threepeat.
He was so far off the front the camera crew mistook him as some cat who happened upon the course...
... except he raced up The Wall with god-like speed.
Put over a minute on lil' ol' me,
and nearly everyone else.
Insane.
Priscilla crushed the women's field,
snatching longstanding, legit QOMs.
It's not all about the wins, though.
Juan was voted most-improved,
and Eric picked up rookie of the year.
These aren't participation trophies ...
... they represent outstanding effort, week after week.
Congrats to these cats....
Overall
Alessandro
Kody
Andrew
Women
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Still reading?
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===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
640 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/100/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHO HAS THE BEST TdF ANALYSIS?
THERE ARE A LOT of professional pundits pontificating the particulars of each stage of the Tour de Frants. Then, there's the amachurs. Us handlebar hams...
... handing out our homemade takes.
Who's best?
Certainly it's not Velo's...
Jonas Vingegaard was left choking in Pogi's exhaust and came to the line two seconds back after the 1.7km hilltop kick to Les Angles.
... latest retarded hyperbole.
Cycling News' take...
A devastatingly-long and sustained acceleration by Tadej... with a two-second advantage.
... wasn't much of an improvement.
Jonas said it better...
It's a shame, of course. But when we started the Tour, we expected to lose time... so it's a good starting point that I'm tied on time with Tadej.
... and more accurately.
But, he's not selling ads for eyeballs.
My eyeballs and ears like to take in...
- Chris Horner for pointing out the knucklehead moves of the day
- Lance's podcast for the entertainment
- GCN's breathy and breasty euroness
... if I have the time.
And then there's NBC's crew...
- I do feel for Brent and TJ having to educate the unwashed with silly cartoons and goofy bets
- No way I could ride the sissybar like Christian or do the man on the course stuff like Steve
- Amid correcting, Bobke does a good job as the straight man
-
Phil may miss a few deets, but that voice is still gold to me
... collecting a solid paycheck.
Nothing wrong with that.
For actual, pure analysis...
- concise
- relatable
- insightful
... I think Tom Danielson does it best.
He delivers it via blog, vlog and podcast.
You're probably thinking Nice job taking potshots at people just trying to do their jobs...
... to which I'll counter, I'm grateful we have so many real human points of view vs the AI slop sure to come our way.
Links to Tom's work:
https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/tour-de-france-stage-3-tadejs-boxing-match
===
166 lbs 12.7%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 18 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/81/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING
MOST OF US have a test course, a segment that is our fitness barometer, where we lay down a valiant effort, then upload it...
... to see where we're at.
Sometimes years of data points.
When we're prepping for the A race we'll hit it hard.
The results are instructive...
- PR'd it
- on track
- woefully wanting
... from elation to devastation.
Gratefully, it's usually good and confirming info.
But, what about when it isn't?
Like my Leadville prep test up a similar climb to Columbine...
- 1:10 in May
- 1:14 in June
- 1:15 in July
... which is honestly, quite discouraging?
The May effort I was waiting for my friends,
in June I was chasing all the way,
in July I went alone.
July's effort was the shortest
June's was much longer,
May's the longest.
Big takeaway...
... my fitness is going backwards.
So, find the positives...
- I'm descending better than I have since the TBI
- the nutrition plan seems to be on point
- the bike is nearly complete
... and make adjust ments.
I still have 7 weeks to turn it around...
- stop shredding my legs with weight training
- get back to throttling Saturdays
- stack the Zone 2 miles
... and I have some definite ideas on how to do that.
Will it work?
I dunno.
What won't work is quitting.
Thoughtful, calculated perseverance is always the right answer.
===
165.6 lbs 12.6%
7.5ish hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/87/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HALF THE FREEDOM
WE KNOW where the 50% mark is on the course. The distance. The estimated time it takes to get there. The food we'll need to arrive and...
... finish with good energy.
But, is that enough?
Knowing vs doing,
totally different things.
The first half of 2026 is gone.
For some, it flew right by.
Others...
- bored
- unengaged
- beset by challenges
... had a different experience.
We are free to stay the course, or...
- 10x goals
- Committed mindset work
- Severing whatever is holding us back
... recalibrate and blow everyone's minds (ours included).
God, bless America.
===
Nowza good time to crack that journal open and document the amazing things we've accomplished to date.
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
Let's rip!
===
164 lbs 12.6%
8ish hours sleep
530 anti-oxidant level
none today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/88/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GUITY AS CHARGED
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING, there is no defense for the flagrant violations of society's norm...
... we've got a problem.
And, we don't care.
It's who we are...
- city limit sign? let's race
- KOM within reach? let's race
- event 700 miles away? let's race
... we're constantly on the lookout for our tribe.
We rarely watch sportsball,
we'll watch a TdF stage start to finish.
We do find comfort in the couch,
after an absurdly long day outside ripping.
We do devour ice cream and cookies,
but only when the calorie deficit is irredeamable.
We aren't normal...
... we're race junkies.
===
If that resonates,
you might want this shirt,
which I'm pretty sure we priced wrong at $20.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
I'll fix the price after the holiday.
https://pedalindustries.com/products/race-junky-classic-t-shirt-fe
===
165 lbs 12.6%
7ish hours sleep
680 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 60 push ups, 12 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 112 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/96/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BROKE OR BROKEN?
IT'S AMAZING what we're willing to put up with. I suspect it's just in our nature and probably why...
... we thrive at the endurance game.
We tune it out.
And, here's the dill.
Pretending things aren't the way they are...
... can be demoralizing.
Yesterday, I had my cracked front windshield replaced on the van.
It wasn't huge,
but it was slowly growing,
ever since our trip to Sea Otter.
Neighbor Rick came out to chat and asked me why I replaced it.
Honestly?
Yeah.
It was making me feel poor.
The thingaboutitis, if I'd had the rock chip fixed immediately...
... the cost would have been minimal.
Which begs the question...
... what are we allowing to languish and bring us (our performance) down?
===
166.4 lbs 12.4%
8ish hours sleep
610 anti-oxidant level
√ today Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 50lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON PEPTIDES
THE TEMPTATION to tap the pharmacy is getting realer every day. Call it the effects of the human genome project or clever marketing...
... lotsa people on the train.
I've been surprised.
Just in the last month or so, some of my much younger (30s and 40s) and generally healthy friends...
- trimmer
- slimmer
- sexier?
... have let me know their results from peptides.
They aren't athletes who compete,
just dudes wanting a better bod.
My response is always the same.
Dang...
... I can't do that because I'm a racer.
I know...
- the likelihood of getting tested is practically nil
- the evidence of peptides disappears quickly
- the help they deliver is real
... but, I'll know.
So I push on in the land of...
- working hard
- eating clean
- getting rest
... and I'm quite okay with that.
===
165.8 lbs
7 hours sleep
540 anti-oxidant level
not today Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
90/104/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
RIDE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU WOULD RIDE WITH YOURSELF
EVERY NOW AND AGAIN we get an insight that touches our hearts and when we try and explain it to others they just don't get it. Not their fault. We just need an analogy...
... we can all relate to.
Try this one.
I'll do my best to share the change of heart I had recently...
- a homeless woman sitting on the corner of a busy sidewalk in front of a food court
- people, me included, waiting for the light to change
- ignoring her sad, red eyes like they didn't exist.
... it wasn't my finest moment.
We're all rich.
I'm on a stupidly expensive bike,
but no cash on me,
gazing ahead.
Ignoring the obvious hurt and loneliness.
I was ashamed...
... of my inability to see the once beautiful baby at my feet.
What would it have cost to acknowledge her?
And it hit my heart so hard...
... Love they neighbor as thyself.
Finally I got it,
and I'll do my best to share it with you.
If we really loved our neighbors as ourselves we might...
- be a little nicer, kinder more patient
- genuinely ask how they are, if they need a hand
- we might hold the bar a little lower or a little higher, out of love
... not the awkward, stumbling empathy that paralyzes us.
Genuine desire to help others as ourselves out knowing that...
- if we were raised differently
- made regrettable choices
- had terrible experiences
... but for the grace of God go I.
It reminds me of my good friend Todd Darley, a better Todd than I, who always rolls out with food.
One day we're ripping up Mulholland with a spicy group, gonna PR it...
... and Todd disappears.
Where'd you go?
Stopped to talk to the homeless hiker?
What?
Yeah, wanted to make sure he was okay. Gave him a bagel I had.
Last Saturday, a dude in a pick up with a trailer full of tools pulled up to me and Chad and flipped us the bird...
... I laughed and asked myself Now why would I do that? Having a bad day? PTSD from cyclists?
I'll never know that dude's literal problem...
... just hoping this change of heart stays with me forever.
===
165.4 lbs
8 hours sleep
630 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 50 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
not today Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/91/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IS THIS CODDLING?
WE'VE ALL HAD to face the unbearable hot situations. Sometimes in training, others in a race. But, that's the thing...
... we've all had to face them.
That's life.
So, when the geniuses at Velo led with Extreme Heat Could Force Radical Rethink of the Tour de France...
... I sighed.
Stop the coddling.
They're professionals.
Then Surfergirl chimed in...
- 2013 Tour of California
- 4pm finish
- 114º
... But, remember Palms Springs.
We started early and rode the stage ahead of the pros.
Dropping down into the desert floor was like riding into a giant hair dryer.
Oppressive and awful.
My son and I staggered into a 7-11 and chugged giant Slurpees...
... finally lowering our body temps to be able to ride to the finish.
The pros came in and literally collapsed on the sizzling black and gooey tarmac.
She had a point.
It was horrific.
After wading through the Velo clickbait I discovered the "radical rethink" just meant considering starting the races at 9:30 vs the typical much later starts that finish in the hottest time of the afternoon.
You know the real tragedy isn't the coddling, it's that...
... I won't be able to go for an early spin and watch the race finish live.
I'm sure I'll find a "radical rethink" of my entertainment consumption.
===
163.4 lbs
9 hours sleep
690 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 150 ATG air squats and 36 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/99/-10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of the Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MOVING THE COMFORT ZONE
IT CAN BE PERPLEXING to know a truth from personal experience, to share it because we care, and see it not be received...
... because it's scary.
Like ripping downhill.
I have a few friends who are training for a big event with me.
There will be a fair amount of climbing,
followed by a fair amount of descending.
None of it...
- steep double-track
- wide open hardpack
- a bit of chunky rocky stuff
... will give most mountain bikers any trouble.
Unless we're racing,
really going for it.
Even then, most will be fine...
... but, they could be so much better.
And here's the headscratcher...
... I can't get them to ride much harder trails in preparation.
They protest,
avoid,
skip.
Because I'm absolutely failing to ride home the point that learning to rip more challenging trails now...
- steeper
- chunkier
- twistier and slicker
... will move the comfort zone.
Moving the comfort zone means we are...
- more efficient
- relaxed
- calm
... saving all kinds of physical and emotional energy.
While others bog down with Oh shift! moments, we can turn those sections into...
- recovery
- relaxation
- moments of bliss
... something to look forward to, and potentially gain/make up time.
If we're into that.
I am.
You?
(Where else are we too fraidy catty to move the comfort zone?)
===
163.6 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
91/114/-23 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all kinds of marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
BUT, DOES HE REALLY CARE (NOW)?
ON RACEDAY it's fair to say nothing else matters but the race. The training, the fine-tuning, the sacrifices...
... they're all coming together.
We need to rip.
But, when it's all said and done...
... should anybody, ourselves included, really care?
Take a dude I heard about...
- inspired and helped millions of cancer patients to believe they had a chance
- single-handedly lifted a dying sport getting legions to pedal
- operator of a massively popular podcast
- successful investor and businessman
- father of five children
... does he really care that he's not recognized as winning 7 TdFs?
For all you haters that are now triggered, the unsubscribe button is above and below.
For the open minded, contemplating our own mortality and personal achievements...
- family
- race wins
- inspiring and helping others
... what would you prefer?
===
164 lbs
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
none Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
87/93/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Path of The Assassin, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard, all things marketing
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
INNOVATION THROUGH IGNORANCE
IGNORANCE AND IGNORANT are such ugly words. And don't even speak ignoramus. Referring to anybody with those words...
... is just plain mean spirited.
Ain't gonna make ya friends.
Yet, the truth is, many of personal innovations come from ideas...
- never heard of
- never thought of
- never been exposed to
... we were completely ignorant to.
Here are a few of mine...
- swimming to control breathing
- lift heavy, low reps
- sprints for power
... that have helped improve over the years.
The swimming one I came up with on my own when training for Leadville in the early days. I wanted to control my breathing and keep my breaths deep.
The lift heavy, low reps I learned from one of the great Phil Mafetone books. He only pioneered Zone 2 training coaching Mark Allen to become the most complete and dominating triathlete of his era.
Lift heavy, low reps was also heavily preached in the fascinating book Underground Secrets To Faster Running, by Barry Ross.
Sprints for power came from the awesome Fred Duncan, a premiere track coach.
The idea that we are born to be athletic and should treat our bodies as such came through loud and clear in Christopher McDougall's book Natural Born Heroes.
I could go on...
- crusty old curmudgeons calling me out
- lessons learned through experience
- defeats whose sting was wicked
... but that's not the point.
The point is we've got to continually expose ourselves to new ideas and concepts and experiences in order to...
... keep innovating and growing.
Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Socially.
===
1664 lbs
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 75 push ups, 15 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
none today Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
88/102/-14 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE VISION BORED
VISION WHILE RACING isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen. We gotta breathe, we gotta see...
... to move forward.
I was thinking about that today while zipping down a twisty trail.
If I let my eyes start to focus on what's up close...
... my speed drops and I become much more reactive.
When I'm focused far ahead...
... I go much faster, slipping into a state of flow and things are magically easier.
The thing I was thinking about was my vision board.
Mulling over the things already accomplished, as well as what is in the works.
The vision board seems to work the same way...
... focusing on the outcome, not how I'm going to get there.
Some of you may be thinking Dude is nuts,
others nodding your heads That's right.
Either way, I'll leave you with this thought from King Salomon...
... Where there is no vision, the people perish.
===
166.2 lbs
8 hours sleep
620 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, shoulder press, curls
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs, nordic curls, box jumps, heel and toe raises
89/108/-19 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: The works of Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TUCK AND ROLL!
AERO. The term is like a science fiction blob that oozes it's way into everything, eventually killing everything in sight and taking over the world...
... with no end of it's pervasiveness in site.
Can we escape the creepiness?
The thingaboutitis, once we go slip down the aero tube...
- positioning
- equipment
- apparel
... it's almost impossible to stop.
That list falls short of the whackiness...
- hands on the mtb fork crowns at Leadville
- hydration bladders stuffed in front of jersey
- dropper seat post for bombing road descents
... which actually works.
I was thinking about that this morning as I crested The Wall, about 15 seconds behind the leaders.
Pedaling till I was spun out...
- butt hooked on end of saddle
- hands next to the stem
- chin on the Wahoo
- elbows in
- knees in
... I assumed the position (I'm not a butt on seat tube believer).
Would I, could I catch before the bottom?
Being on my lessthanaero gravel bike...
- spun out with gravel gears
- rolling shallow depth road wheels
- rockin' a well ventilated KASK helmet
... I needed every aero advantage I could get.
After rolling up on the 3 in between the two leaders...
... we rotated, taking short and speedy pulls.
It took forever to catch,
all the way to the final curve.
I'm already thinking about next week...
- actual aero helmet
- clean shave on the legs, face, arms(?)
- and, yeah, gonna bust out the Speedsuit
... what else I can do to improve my aeroness.
On my previous road bike, I clocked 51 mph...
... today's set up shows 47.4 mph.
Tuesday can't some soon enough.
===
168 lbs
7 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
no Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 70lbs
89/113/-24 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
CUI BONO?
THERE ARE A LOT OF DEALS that get cut on the race course. Some are obvious, some hidden. Many between competitors...
... for money, glory and pride.
The worst deal of all?
Well, that depends on Cui bono?...
... Who benefits?
Deals between competitors kindasuck, but...
- hang on for camera glory
- work to stay in break
- straight cash
... we can usually tell who benefits,
and who pays.
No, the most insidious deals...
- staying up late
- backing off the finishing sprint
- starting the new diet "tomorrow"
... are the ones we cut with ourselves.
Because nobody benefits,
'cepting our competitors.
===
167.4 (Happy Fatter's Day - sheesh!)
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 150 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: 100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
85/90/-6 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
MY INSANE CULT
FEW OF US HAVE BEEN TO AN AA MEETING, but we've seen TV/movie version many times. Hi, I'm Todd and...
... I'm an endurance junkie.
Hi Todd.
When we come clean with the general population, Today I...
- swam 10,000 yards
- rode for 5 hours
- ran 20 miles
... they think we're crazy.
We're not.
The adrenaline rush of ...
- 60 miles an hour in nothing but lycra
- the swimmers blue mind
- the runner's high
... we need that hit.
Regularly.
This risks we take...
- sending it down the mountain
- running along into the cold, dark night
- impossibly holding our breath one more length
... would freakout any life insurance company.
These sensations of pushing well beyond normal, reasonable, safe...
... are often all that's keeping us stable.
In all sincerity, because the allure of the lottery and dulling our senses with substances is so very tempting and tragically treacherous...
... stay dangerous my friends.
The sane kind.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `100 ATG air squats and 20 split squats with 60lbs
86/98/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
TODAY WAS A ROUGHIE
SOME BIG TRAINING DAYS are better than others. The reasons are myriad. Which means when it goes sideways...
... it's up to us to figure it out.
Like today.
I knew it was going to be a big day...
- 7 hrs
- 87 miles
- 10,500' of vert
... on Monday.
There are only 8 weeks to get our Leadville legs, and me and Let's Go need(ed) to do some simulation.
For me,
today,
I just never got comfortable.
Never felt that feeling of being on top of the pedals and...
... smoothly moving like a Singer sewing machine.
It was much more like a broke down pumpjack one might see in the hot and dusty oil fields of Bakersfield...
... in desperate need of lube and love.
Clunk.
Clunk.
Clunk.
I've narrowed it down to a few things...
- going too deep on Thursday after solid Tuesday and Wednesday
- rolling the gravel wheels vs road wheels on Friday's BRO ride
- hitting the legs with resistance Sunday-Thursday
... and I should know better.
I'm gonna add to that...
- probs too much tire pressure
- def hotter today than our last attempt
- carrying a third bottle to be safe on hydration
... some I can control, some I can't.
In the end, I think it really comes down to not being sufficiently recovered.
On a positive note, given the fatigue level...
... we averaged 12.7 mph with zero drafting over a similar profile to Leadville.
Not bad.
Not great.
But, we can work with that.
Oh, and I'm feeling quite extra speedy on the downhills.
Time for...
- In-N-Out burger, fries and shake
- some good sleep
- and a day off
... to set the pins up to be knocked down next week.
===
164.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 0 push ups, 0 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
89/113/-25 per Strava (someone's tired!)
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THAT TOPSECRET SECRET
THE IDEA OF A PUBLIC DECLARATION is not new. Lots of people have proclaimed they will accomplish X goal and gone on to do just that...
... because it works.
There is a hitch.
The haters,
the perceived haters,
hating the idea of haters.
There are plenty of famous athletes who have made the call and fallen flat on their face...
... sometimes by knockout.
Which is why most of keep our plans secret,
denying ourselves the power therein.
I'm onboard with that.
There is also power in keeping our intentions unknown.
Wherein lies another hitch.
If we're posting our stats with the Strava lords,
that might be considered a passive-aggressive statement.
Which begs the question...
... if we're keeping our mouths shut, do we keep our training private?
Personally, I'm open book on that, except for my top secret racing agenda which scrawled in code...
... on my vision board.
===
164.6
7iah hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: `0 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
83/84/1 per Strava
What I'm reading: Lions of Lucerne, Brad Thor
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
IMAGINE THAT!
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, can ya even remember that?, we had tremendous imaginative powers. From games to friends to travel to faraway places...
... our lives were boundless.
What happened?
Did reality set in?
Did we set conditions on our dreams?
Did some kind old bag of wind tell us not to have our heads in the clouds?
The thingaboutitis...
... when we register for an event or race, all bets are off.
We've already imagined...
- the trainging
- the equipement
- the travel and accomodations
... to start.
More importantly, if we're really on our A game, and you and I are!...
... we can see the finish line, and exactly how we'll be at that moment.
Which isn't child's play.
It's actually...
- life
- business
- relationships
... how doers get it done!
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of the gloves I wore today...
and the shirt I'm wearing right now
This is gonna be a total marketing faux pas because we're neverever supposed to make too many offers, but...
... I imagine more than a few of you will want this reminder to Rip!
Order the Gloves, get the Shirt for FREE.
Use this code: LET'SRIP
https://pedalindustries.com/collections/lets-rip-buy-t-get-gloves-for-free
===
162.6
8 hours sleep
670 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
85/91/-7 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Imagination, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
EMBRACING THE BURN, DAILY/OFTEN
WE'VE ALL FELT THE BURN. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. No matter where we are on the spectrum...
... the burn is coming for us.
Is it minimizable?
Maybe.
If yesterday is any indicator, I may have stumbled upon something.
For the last few weeks, I've been steadily increasing my ATG air squats.
From reps of 10 to reps of 30.
If you haven't done them lately, or ever...
- standing
- to full "ass to grass"
- to standing
... it's quite a shock to learn our trusty bottom half may not be as durable as we think.
When I started 10 burned,
then 20 really burned...
... the last 5 of 30 were a massive struggle.
Back to yesterday's hammerfest, when the burn came on it was like my body saying...
... Oh, we're gonna burn now. Buckle up buttercup, I've got this.
Rather than pulling the plug at the onset of burn, I embraced it and powered on.
Best I've felt in weeks/months.
Now, I'll be the first to admit it could just be that I was supertapered going into last weekend's BWR UT and I might just be having a good response to the taper followed by the 3.5 hours of racing across the high desert.
But, even if that's the case...
... the burn of 30 ATGs feels so good.
Gonna keep upping it,
apparently 100 is a thing.
(yes, on top of split squats and probably bringing back box jumps)
===
165.2
8 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 90 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 90 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
85/96/-12 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE TOOK ME BACK
IT'S REALLY HARD TO LET GO of something we love. The fear we won't get it back is legit. Yet, the opportunity of enjoying something new...
... is real, and tantalizing.
The known vs the unknown.
Once we move on, that thing we left behind might...
- forget about us
- reject our return
- change and move on
... it's risky.
No, Surfergirl didn't leave me or vice versa.
But!...
... I did leave my beloved TMWC (Tuesday Morning World Championships) for another ride: Wednesday Worlds.
The main reason, and it's very valid, waking up at 5am and rolling out in the cold, dark, pre-dawn was leaving me almost worthless for work the rest of the day.
The lesser reason, I was thinking the blazing intensity of WW would be a better work out.
Well, a funny thing happened when a downloaded the Tuesday vs WW data...
- significantly more time above threshold and VO2 max
- much higher average and normalized power
- and, the best, all my pals were there
... to smack me in the face!
For sure, it helped that the sun was up when I rolled out.
And, I was putting down power on the road vs battling dust, rocks and terrain.
The fellas were all welcoming...
... probably because they knew they'd dump me up The Wall and send me home with a good lycra whipping.
Gawd, I've missed this ride and these awesome cats.
===
165.2
7 hours sleep
480 anti-oxidant level
√ Upper Body: 30 push ups, 10 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 30 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
84/83/-9 per Strava
What I'm reading: 7 Powers, The Foundations of Business Strategy, Hamilton Helmer
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
GIVE ME 10 WEEKS
HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE to get into top shape for an A race is a question we'd all like answered. For an Olympian, it might be years. For us...
... we might have a few months.
Or less.
Depending on when we sign up, and the vagaries of life.
But, let's just say we are fitter than most,
not as fit as some.
Then our focus will be...
- long climbs or power climbs
- slogs into the wind or a million turns
- finishing in ones and two or a ripping bunch sprint
... more on race specific training.
Given a good baseline of fitness, my general rule is...
- our bodies
- our equipment
- our travel and logistics
... it takes 10 weeks to really sharpen the saw.
For me, aiming for Leadville on 8.15.26, I've got time...
... but, no time to waste.
And, so it begins.
===
164.6
8 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 60 push ups, 30 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 60 ATG air squats and 0 split squats with 50lbs
81/72/9 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: The Search, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE PREPARATION/EXPECTATION EQUATION
DECONSTRUCTING OUR RECENT PERFORMANCE is critical for improvement. The longer we wait, the foggier our recollection. Details we were sure of...
... become memories full of bias.
It's natural.
Who wants to remember what went wrong, when we can glory in all that went right?
Other than screwing up yet another sprint for the line, nothing really went sideways for me at BWR UT.
And, if I'm being honest, Billy tested my legs on the overpass coming into to town. Whether or not he knew it, and I stayed glued through the the pain...
... I was hurting.
There are a few things that went really right...
- The chef's pasta the night before at Chef Alfredo's, with Danny and Lisa, was delish and just what I needed.
- The AirBNB I found at the last minute - a 3-bedroom house was perfect and the beds wonderful.
- The 8:30 start was a little too late to skip breakfast, so I went with my gut and mowed down a couple of chocolate Entenmann's donuts, half an apple, and a couple of cups of my trusty mushroom hot chocolate.
- I picked up Skratch Super High Carb and ran 6 scoops in my 2-liter pack and another 3 in one bottle.
- To stay ahead of cramps, I ate a Salt Stick chews.
- For the bike set up,
- Ceramic Speed chain held up really well to all the dust, even after getting doused with cold water by Smitty at the final aid station.
- The tire pressure was pretty low, 22lbs in back 20lbs up front. I rimmed out a few times over the random chunky stuff while in a paceline. That's always risky. But, I also felt like I was much more comfortable than other competitors who dropped off the group over time.
... the last was mindset.
Preparation vs Expectation.
I came in pretty rested having spend the previous 2 weeks on my MTB in Park City.
Because of the altitude, it was difficult to put in hard efforts of any meaningful time. Hours in the saddle were solid, but even a lot of that was spent ripping down hill.
I'd give me preparation a B, which was fine for a B race.
Knowing that, my expectations were quite low.
Here's the point...
... poor preparation with high expectations is a formula for frustration and a crummy day on course.
Whereas...
... awesome preparation with low expectations always makes for a fun race and often surprising outcomes.
===
163.6
7.5 hours sleep
580 anti-oxidant level,
√ Upper Body: 100 push ups, 20 pull ups, hand gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: 70 ATG air squats and 18 split squats with 50lbs
82/74/7 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
IF THINGS AREN'T ENDING UP as we'd like them to, the obvious thing to do would be dong something different. But, that can be a hard pill to swallow because...
... we're comfy and don't wanna change.
Hope isn't a strategy.
Or, a tactic.
So, even though I was hoping I'd be able to fend off the change with a few hundred meters to go at BWR UT, the mofo I'd been working with for the last 30 miles...
... stuck a shiv in my back.
There was nothing I could do.
Had no answer.
Surfergirl, bless her little beating heart, could see I was frustrated with myself and...
... accidentally twisted the buried blade.
What are you going to do about it?
I think it was an innocent, honest, loving, caring question due to the fact that she's seen me frustrated with something...
... then, draw up a solution and make it happen.
Truthfully, does it really matter if close out a racing effort by taking some cat on the line who I may never see again?
Not even.
What matters, to me, is that I execute the plan.
In this case...
... having something left at the end, to rip a fast finish.
The kool kids call that durability.
I call it having your shift together when it counts, which means I'll be needing to...
... wrap up long rides with sprints that sting.
===
164ish no scale
7.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/86/-3 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE RACE TOMORROW?
THE NIGHT BEFORE any race is not a normal night. No matter how practiced we are there's always something different to our routine. Sometimes...
... we just make it up.
Why not?
It might work,
or not.
Surfergirl keeps asking me are you excited?
I wanna say yes,
and I know I will be tomorrow...
... about a millisecond after we start.
Until then,
my energy tends to be low.
Not depressed low.
Hybernation low.
Lethargic.
Slothy.
Trying to amp me up, she asks...
... have you looked at reg to see who's going to be there?
That's the kind of thing that...
- if I glanced at it now
- the night before the race
- when I'm trying to chill and sleep early
... would def keep me up and tossing and turning.
No, that's not my agenda.
I prefer to...
- lose all hope
- ditch all desire
- punt all pretense
... and shut 'er down with my favorite pint.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/70/11 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
NOSTALGIA
WE ALL STARTED this endurance journey somewhere, likely not where we are today. Introduced by a friend, sometimes on purpose, others inadvertently. While we may change locales, and the friends become distanced…
… we’re still here.
In the game.
We may have the opportunity to go back to where it all started.
For me, it was…
- my roommate’s bike
- a finagled purchase of my own
- secrets of sprinting revealed by Bret, who raced track nationally for San Jose Bicycle Club
… in Provo, UT.
I rearranged my classes…
- to start as early as possible
- so I could ride every afternoon
- before cruising the library to cruise the cubicles in search of a “study” partner.
… because I had priorities to attend to.
Today I hit a climb I’d always wanted to check out, Cascade Springs, but it was a battered gravel road back in the day.
Now, it’s pristine pavement all the way up over 8000’
Followed by a plummeting descent that is as magical now as it was 40 years ago.
I’ve moved,
but, I never really moved on…
… and, I’m quite okay with that.
===
164ish no scale
8.5 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
81/68/12 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
What I'm studying: Prayer, Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TRUE PRICE OF FREE ADVICE
A WHILE BACK, I connected with the COO of a well-known bike brand. We were working on a collaboration at the time. I asked him for some...
... advice on what we're doing over here.
Today, we met for lunch.
Looked at from now to the end of the year,
the objectives I want to accomplish,
what I think is possible.
No different than...
- capabilities
- weaknesses
- peak seasonal events
... planning the race season with a coach.
After some yummy tacos,
and back of napkin calculations...
... we came up with a solid methodology to implement.
Like any great coach,
my friend made it so simple to understand...
... and gave me the confidence to go for it.
I was prepared to pay a minimum of $1,000.
In the end it could be way more expensive than that...
... if I don't take action.
It could cost me 100s of 1000s.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/77/5 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
ARE SUFFERING AND EPICCING TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?
WE ALL KNOW that group workouts are torturous by nature. It's not a secret. Yet, we continue to show up beating after beating because...
... suffering loves company.
Alone, for most of us, is no good.
We won't see it through,
we'll ease up when we should be hardening up.
The bonds we end up forming are often unbreakable...
... we're in agony together.
Suddenly people who barely knew each other are fist bumping and ready for the next one.
What's the opposite bondforming experience?...
... when we're pushing geographic boundaries together.
Like today.
It wasn't the 90 minute climb topping out at 9160'.
Nope.
It was the 60 minutes of downhill...
- ripping through the trees
- sliding around gorgeous berms
- jumping rocks and roots and stumps
... feeling like we were cheating life.
Epiccing, like suffering, loves company.
We set off in search of adventures that will push beyond the comforts or riding around the block...
... the unknown and undiscovered beckoning to be shared.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/71/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
COOCOO FOR CLIMBING
IF WEIGHTED SQUATS are a lot better than air squats, is climbing a lot better than riding on the flats? And, if climbing is better...
... is climbing with a weighted vest mo' bettah?
Things one wonders.
And takes to extremes.
I remember backintheday, rolling out with 100oz hydration pack on my back and 2 large waterbottles filled with sand.
It seems so silly now,
almost as all the ruckers.
On a bike we can measure power.
So, we know.
We know we don't need to stress our backs with extra weight or stupid add ons...
... we can just pedal faster.
Velocity X Force - Power
Which taken a step further...
... climbing aint gonna train us any better than flats.
We gotta put out the power.
There is a caveat, if we like...
- climbing big mountains
- ripping punchy stuff
- pounding the flats
... our bodies will adapt and become more efficient at the one we love and gravitate towards.
Me personally?
I'm coocoo for climbing,
and bananas for bombing.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/63/17 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HEAR ME OUT
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN to make fun of Velo, "powered by Outisde". Whether it's their clickbaity titles, AI drivel, or soulselling advertorials...
... there's at least one good laugh a day.
Here's my current favorite.
Stop Complaining About Sound, These Are The Best Headphones for Cycling
Roight!
Because decreasing our ability to engage with our surroundings when traveling 20+ miles per hour in our underwear on...
- trails
- gravel
- pavement
... is a great idea.
Genius.
Next up...
... Stop Complaining About Night Vision, These Are The Best Sunglasses After Sunset.
There is no best.
At best, assuming it's not clickbait or advertorial would be...
... These Headphones Least Worsen Your Ability To React To Danger When Riding.
Or, for the trailrunners...
... These Earbuds Reduce Getting The Shift Scared Out of You When A Bike Rider Has Been Saying 'Hey There' For 5 Minutes and Finally Gives Up and Passes You.
Now for you in the back jumping up and down ready to tell me to not be so closeminded...
... I hear you.
===
164ish no scale
8 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
82/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
>
POP TART POWERED, BEE STUNG... ATHLETE unINTELLIGENCE
SOMETIMES, we just gotta change it up. Do something different just fer fun. Go against...
... conventional wisdom.
I thought it had been a good week...
- 177 miles
- 17:26 hours
- 20951' of vert
... given I'd been knocked down by a 24 hour bug.
Mostly in the dirt,
mostly with friends.
Yet, every single ride Strava's Athlete Intelligence...
... scored it as recovery or recovery and endurance.
Apparently, the AI couldn't account for the fact this sea leveler was suffering at 7000-10,000 elevation.
Rolling out this morning...
- a few scoops of Envy
- 4 pop tarts
- 1 Carbs gel
... I grabbed what I had + 100 ounces of water.
While I hoped to put down some power, since all I'd done was "recovery and endurance" rides...
... I knew the truth.
Leaving with a simple plan,
ride until I ran out of food and water.
It was an epic day in the mountains...
... topped off with a bee sting in the gut a few miles from home base.
Memorable.
===
164
9 hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
84/80/0 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE ADVENTURE
SOMETIMES, the road really is better than the inn. We realize that whatever we are aiming for may not be all that great, but...
... putting in the work gives outsized returns.
Gratitude blooms.
Like today.
My pal Charles charts out this loop...
- 32 miles
- 4700' of vert
- topping out at 10,000'
... which seems really cool.
Until we hit our first massive fallen tree and bushwhack around it.
Then, patches of snow,
too long to ride.
Followed Puke Hill.
The view...
- The Great Salt Lake to the west
- Park City to the East
- Not a soul around
... stunning.
Somehow the goals seem weak, lacking...
... when beauty abounds.
If we'll just stop to look.
===
165ish, no scale
7ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
no Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
no Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
83/72/10 per Strava
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
WHEN TRAINING ISN'T ACCORDING TO PLAN
THE BEST LAID PLANS can go sideways for a variety of reasons. I'm not gonna list 'em since I don't want to poison your mind and have you...
... manifesting awfulness.
'Cause I'm questioning just that about myself.
Did I manifest...
- 3 days off at I Do Epic
- riding with friends short on time
- puking my guts out last night after a miserable 70 minute ride
... or, is it just life?
Doesn't matter too much,
except part of my GrandMasterRipOnRaceDay plan...
... was a massive training week this week to make up for last week
and leave me slightly buried for BWR next week.
I consulted AI all night...
- possibly caused by using pure table sugar on my rides
- hydration via room temp peppermint tea
- a few Tums
... while Surfergirl laughed at me and secured the remedy.
Arose after 10 hours, feeling a lot better.
Energy seems good enough to day...
... to meet up with the local slayers.
The prudent thing would be to skip the meet up,
spin at most, or sleep...
... a proper adjustment.
But, screw it...
... I've got plans, too.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/22 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Cry Havoc, Jack Carr
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
HE'S A GENIUS
WE ALL HAVE, or should have, wish we had, that friend who can fix anything. Even though we've upped our skills over the years there's always that...
... next level repair.
We can't do it.
Like my SID fork, today...
- packing in on descents
- rebound slower than a sloth
- adjustment dials backing out and loose
... I was in a bind.
Turns out the great C Gonzer lives where I'm visiting,
racing pals from a decade ago.
Within about about 20 minutes,
he had it working nearly good as new.
How'd you learn how to do this?
I just really like working on my bikes.
That's it?
Well, I am a mechanical engineer by trade.
That's it...
- love what we do
- study the basics
- achieve mastery
... genius level work.
===
165ish, no scale
7.5ish hours sleep
690ish anti-oxidant level, no scanner
√ Upper Body: push ups, pull ups, gripper, heel and toe raises
√ Lower Body: ATG squats and split squats
80/57/23 per Strava - very rested
What I'm reading: Feeling Is The Secret, by Neville Goddard
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
>
THE TT PARADOX
Mar 07, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE WAS A BRIEF BREAK in the rain. After a 1 hour delay, lucky me got to speedsuit up. The course was wet, slightly muddy, shortened...
... we'd be flyin'.
Fortunately, it started to rain again about 10 mins before my start time.
It was a TT.
4, 3, 2, 1, GO!
I've never raced a TT, crossed the finish line, and thought...
... I could have gone faster.
I've never seen the results of a TT, after recovering, and not thought...
... I could have gone faster.
Metaphor for life.
Amiright?
---
Does that deserve a deconstruction?
- Warm up was pretty good, 35 minutes with varied efforts
- Got to start with 2 mins to spare, in other words late.
- Ditched my jacket.
- Didn't have my Wahoo on the correct screen, fumbled with it rolling out.
- I race better with computer in my pocket for these efforts, go on feel, check the data later.
- The cold, even though I was quite warm, was still discouraging. It was hard to be "up" for it.
- Tire pressure seemed good, 18 front/20 back.
- Rode the sides of the trail to stay out of the middle's little stream
- On the back half I rode the stream, it was faster.
- There is so much sand and decomposed granite, very little mud.
- Glasses were fogging on warm up, clear at race pace.
- Wore my speedsuit,base layer, arm warmers.
- Felt really good.
---
Update on my back, 48hrs after Dr. Su's torture chamber...
... better than yesterday.
I'm honestly stunned.
Check out this video.
Planning to document daily, through her 7 day promise of all better.
... and, yes, I'd love it if you followed what we're doing over there so you can see us IRL.
===
? lbs - no scale
8.5 hrs sleep
PushUps
10 minutes stretching
81(fitness per training peaks)
25 min vision therapy
IT'S RAINING, IS THAT GOOD?
Mar 06, 2025
by TODD BROWN
NOT LONG AGO, I was humblebragging about what a ninja I was for training in the rain. Because, ya know, it's just going to make me that much more of a...
... bada$$ in a race with rain.
Then, tomorrow's TT happened.
47°, raining, and windy is just a lot more than a ninja like me could hope for.
A lot more.
Pretty sure warming up will be useless,
cause who can warm up...
... and stay warm in that, in a skinsuit?!
Good thing my rain riding heroics where on pavement, so...
... I'm extra unprepared for dirt, mud, rock ledges.
Can any good come from this...
... or do I just stay warm and toasty in the van?
What would you do?
Be honest.
Inspire me.
Tell me I suck, and you'd thrive in those conditions...
... c'mon I need a good swift kick in the lycra.
===
? lbs - no scale
8.5 hrs sleep
PushUps
10 minutes stretching
84(fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
FIXING BACK PAIN
Mar 05, 2025
by TODD BROWN
MY BACK HAS BEEN REALLY BOTHERING ME, for years. The last 8 months or so, I get home from a long ride and I can barely walk. So, when the Chinese doctor said...
... I make you cry.
I was in.
Because she promised to pull the scar tissue out.
I show you, you see.
The price was so high,
I figured it's going to work...
... even if it's a placebo.
Today I submitted to the pain...
- standing on my back
- poking me with needles
- cupping out the scar tissue
... hurt like hell.
I didn't cry,
but I sure cried out.
She found places in my ...
- butt
- back
- spine
... I didn't even know I had.
What I do know is, as promised...
... she pulled tissue out of my back.
Bloody.
Chunky.
My back wasn't bleeding.
Weird stuff,
for sure.
Did it work?
I feel good.
She said...
- tomorrow, sore
- three days, feel better
- one week, pain all gone
... just in time for Cactus Cup's 40 mile XC race, on Saturday.
Hopefully, the only flaring up will be from...
... my after burners on the short, punchy climbs.
===
? lbs - no scale
8.5 hrs sleep
PushUps
10 minutes stretching
84(fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
OBVIOUS AND NON-OBVIOUS REASONS TO PRE-RUN A COURSE
Mar 04, 2025
by TODD BROWN
IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO BEAT THE LOCALS. Doesn't matter if it's road, dirt or a mix. If you're from outta town, and it's you're first time...
... local knowledge is gonna kill ya.
Not the locals,
they're nice,
until not.
They're going to...
- enter and exit the corners
- roll the blind drops
- ride the surges
... faster and better.
They've mastered the course,
and they will spend considerably less energy,
conserving to stick it to us when we make the slightest error.
So, we pre-ride and do our best to...
- relax
- recon
- remember
... to close the gap.
While I was pre-running Saturday's race course...
- how much nutrition and liquid to carry
- should I carry bottles, a pack, both
- how low to run tire pressure
... thinking of ways to be efficient.
But there were other considerations.
Will it be windy like today?
If it's cold at the start, vest or no vest?
Will Friday's predicted rain change conditions?
How to figure out who are the locals on the start line?
===
? lbs - no scale
8 hrs sleep
PushUps
10 minutes stretching
84(fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
WHAT TO CARE ABOUT?
Mar 03, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF PRESSURE to perform. We put it on ourselves, others put it on us...
... high expectations can kill.
The joy.
I've had a pretty darn successful month...
- family
- business
- and that racing thing
... but the results don't reflect the focus.
How can I share this without sounding like a kook?
I'll just tell ya.
Yeah, I ripped at the race...
... I was more concerned with how my eyes would function after all the vision therapy, and my how complete my recovery is from pneumonia in January.
Yeah, we had a good month of overall sales...
... I'm focused on how many bags did we sell because bag sales always lead to apparel and all the other products we make.
Yeah, we have a new granddaughter...
... I'm focused on caring for each member of our family, literally praying for inspiration.
Don't get me wrong here.
It's cool to win the prize.
Totally.
Weirdly, when I really want _______, and I focus on that vs what needs to happen, things don't seem to workout as I hope.
When I'm focused on the inputs, planting the seeds...
... I know the outputs the harvest is gonna happen.
It's just a matter of time...
... when it does, it's so gratifying.
===
I think this is where the "influencers" ask...
... What are your inputs?...
... hoping for a reply.
Not looking for that.
I know this will hit home for a lot of us.
Peace, out.
===
? lbs - no scale
8 hrs sleep
PushUps, Jumps
10 minutes stretching
82(fitness per training peaks)
20 min vision therapy
THE RUT AND THE ROUTE
Mar 02, 2025
by TODD BROWN
RACING ALONG, it's easy to find ourselves in a rut. Wheels sucked in, rocketing forward, but...
... we're beginning to lose control.
Ruts take us where they want to.
Routes are different we...
- know where we want to go,
- plot the course.
- get moving.
... the destination is up to us.
I like road trips.
Getting out of my routines gives me a different perspective.
See the life ruts I'm in.
Toss out the bad ones, and...
... stay on my righteous route.
(yes, that's righteous in hippy talk - like, righteous wave dude.)
===
? lbs - no scale
10 hrs sleep
PushUps, Jumps
10 minutes stretching
82(fitness per training peaks)
20 min vision therapy
WHAT I LEARNED AT BWR AZ
Mar 01, 2025
by TODD BROWN
DOWNLOADING THE KNOWLEDGE after a race can be super helpful. We always learn something we didn't foresee, that could...
... help us go faster, have more fun, next time.
What mapmyride didn't tell me...
- there would be miles of whoops
- those whoops would suck the life out of my legs on the return
- divebombing into the first single track would make or break a race
... I see why it's not called scout my ride.
Smart things I did...
- Camelbak was perfect for drinking over the raucous opening terrain
- Lowish pressure in the tires, 22 front and 26 rear
- Fastest rolling gravel tires vs mtb tires
Dumb things I did...
- Only 32 oz in the Camelbak, 44 (2 bottles worth) woulda been better
- Letting my mind wander for a split second and washing out in a turn
- Didn't bring a mini-tool, got lucky and didn't need
Nice surprises...
- Best bathrooms of all time at a race - air con, sink, soap, private
- Water handups on course, came in super handy
- My pal Kristen caught me and we teamed up
What worked...
- road shoes with MTB cleats very comfy
- Classified hub bailed me out with the super quick shifts
- the Ergon seatpost over the washboard was Cadillac smooth
What failed...
- when I crashed the derailleur hanger bent, and next time I need granny gear it through chain into spokes
- my arms were so bloody from snagging them on "cats claw" bushes
- the dang helmet needed a good wash before, I would have avoided eye-searing sweat
... those are pretty much all me failing.
Next time...
- run new tires, these were too worn for all the sand
- drive out Thursday vs Friday and be more relaxed
- more liquid in Camelbak
Overall, super fun riding and racing.
The weather was perfect,
hi 70's.
BWR team and volunteers put on a very classy event.
===
? lbs - no scale
8 hrs sleep
No lifting
10 minutes stretching
84(fitness per training peaks)
20 min vision therapy
I'M HUNGRY, AND IT'S A SIGN
Feb 28, 2025
by TODD BROWN
DAYS LIKE THIS and I swear my body has a mind of it's own. Somehow, it knows tomorrow is going to be big. No matter how much I eat...
... my body wants more.
So, I obey...
- Applefritter.
- 10" Mad Dog Pizza
- Chipotle 2X Steak Salad
... plus, nuts, apples, oranges, berries, and a protein bar.
I'm still hungry,
and you know what?
My body is right...
... I'm going to reward it tonight with a Haagen-Daz bar.
But, first, more blueberries.
===
162
7 hrs sleep
No lifting
10 minutes stretching
80 (fitness per training peaks)
0 min vision therapy
CAN YOU TOLERATE THAT?
Feb 27, 2025
by TODD BROWN
GOING FROM RIM BRAKES TO DISC BRAKES was a game changer for me. Bombing a long, fast descent no longer meant alternating between front and rear...
... simply to save my hand strength, keep the rims cool.
But, there were costs.
Not just cash.
We had...
- rotors
- brake pads
- brake fluid
... much tighter tolerances.
We could roll with a slightly bent rim,
not gonna happen with a bent rotor.
We could adjust the brake's cable tension on the fly,
not happening out in the wilderness.
Tighter tolerances...
... bring us increased performance.
Increased performance...
... requires tighter tolerances.
Example.
After my TBI, my vision was really off.
It was a struggle to go fast over tricky, twisty terrain.
12 months later,
I'm still doing vision therapy.
It's a lot better,
but that is not the point.
The point is,
if I wasn't pushing my body to perform beyond the trivial tasks of getting by...
... I'd never know how off my vision was.
Which got me thinking...
... what am else I tolerating that is holding me back?
===
162.7
8 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
83 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WHY I LIKE UNROAD
Feb 26, 2025
by TODD BROWN
BWR AZ IS THIS WEEKEND. I'm going. I'm excited. Bike is ready. Friends are texting. AIRbnb is ready for us. The reason for all this anxiousness is simple...
... I know what I'm getting into.
The Hell of The North Desert...
- brutal
- sun-scortched
- survival test
- fever dream
... no one - pros or pretenders - get off easy.
That's the promise BWR makes.
I've done UT twice...
... this is my first AZ.
I'm counting on being...
- wrecked
- wasted
- elated
... getting my money's worth.
I know what you're thinking...
... Now hold on Mr FancyLycra, are you sure you've got the goods to execute?
No, quite honestly, I'm not.
But, I'm sure they do.
It's called...
- trust
- confidence
- dependability
... it's earned through consistency and quality of experience.
===
163.1
8 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
83 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
THE 3 MAJOR FOOD GROUPS
Feb 25, 2025
by TODD BROWN
KEEP IT STUPID SIMPLE, that's about as complex as I go when it comes to eating habits. So, when I was challenged over the weekend, by a caring friend, I had to state...
... my governing rules for eating.
Here's the latest update.
Protein.
Shoot for eating 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight.
Veggies & Fruit
Unlimited veggies, and most of my fruit is berries.
Carbs & Sugar
Got to keep this in check, not much, except for the big days, then load up, before, during and after the big rides, runs and swims.
It's been said...
... if we stay on top of the protein goal, the rest is pretty easy to control.
How'd I do that today?
| shake | 22 | |
| kodiak cakes | 20 | 42 |
| bacon | 10 | 52 |
| protein burger | 30 | 82 |
| chicken | 60 | 142 |
| greek yogurt | 17 | 159 |
Tallying throughout the day, is a super helpful practice to stay on track.
Do you have a system?
===
162.7
7.5 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
84 (fitness per training peaks)
0 min vision therapy
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF HAVING AN 'A' RACE
Feb 24, 2025
by TODD BROWN
ONCE WE GET THE 'A' RACE on the calendar, things become clearer. We get a sense of when we need to do what we know needs doing, and...
... what we need to cut out for a season, or longer.
But, there's more.
It takes a while,
which is why it's valuable
to put the calendar to use asap.
With time, our brains magically serve us with...
... ideas and inspirations.
New stuff,
that can help
and make a difference in our prep.
Moms call it nesting,
before the baby arrives.
It's the same thing...
- date with destiny
- start prepping
- get ideas
... Rip On RaceDay!
Shout out to Samir who just signed up for his first race, ever, at 52.
===
164
8.5 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
81 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
WORKING IN HARMONY
Feb 23, 2025
by TODD BROWN
SEEING THE FLOCK OF PELICANS glide overhead, reminded me of the beauty of a peloton. Riders moving in harmony, rotating through...
... sharing the load.
Making it easy,
to go fast.
It sparked me to be a bit of a mad scientist today.
How could I improve my drivetrain for the upcoming BWR AZ?
I cracked open...
- a new KMC chain
- stripped with Ceramic Speed UFO cleaner
- drenched it in a mason jar of WEND Wax-On Dry Lube
... measured it, cut it, mounted it on my bike.
The chain ring and cassette look pretty good still,
a benefit to replacing chains often.
I'll test it in the morning and make sure...
... the entire drivetrain is working in harmony.
===
161.4
8 hrs sleep
PullUps PushUps Box Jumps
10 minutes stretching
81 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
ARE YOU CONNECTED, OR MERELY POWERFUL?
Feb 22, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS to transfer more power to the pedals. I only thought of it because my knee started to bug me, and...
... I was pretty sure what I needed to fix.
An inexpensive part.
Easy to neglect.
Often forgotten.
My knee was buggin' because my cleat was worn out.
In my case, it was more than just the cleat...
... I run a Shimano adapter on my road shoes, so I can run MTB pedals on my gravel/road bike.
Parts replaced.
I went from feeling like i was ice skating on a walnut to...
- superconnected
- powerful
- locked in
... the way we all want to feel when stomping on the pedals.
This, for me, is vastly superior...
- stiffer sole
- better breathability
- better strapping system
... road shoes for the win.
There is one BIG negative.
If I ever need to dismount and hike up a steep hill,
there is almost no traction,
compared to MTB shoe.
Some of my pals run road shoes and pedals, gravel and MTB.
Big drawback there is,
contaminate those road cleats,
and you might never get them to reengage.
Anyway,
we can have all the power in the world...
... gotta be connected to put it to good use.
Because we are, 2W4L
https://pedalindustries.com/products/2w4l-classic-t-shirt
https://pedalindustries.com/products/2w4l-classic-t-shirt
Delivered, for $20.
Use code: PDLTS
You'll see discount and free shipping at check out.
===
159.8
7.5 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
80 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
ARE YOU INSPIRED?
Feb 21, 2025
by TODD BROWN
INSPIRATION CAN BE WONDERFUL, if it's the right kind. The positive stuff gives us hope, something to aspire to. The negative is debilitating, at best. But, I'm
... interested in something better.
Ideas.
Where do we get the ideas to make our racing, training, lives better?
Here are some of my inspirations.
When I was a surfer, we'd go weeks with little to no waves.
A swell hits, and we'd paddle 'till our arms fell off, for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days in a row.
What if we ...
... recovered for weeks, then all out, every day, for up to a week?
When I played tennis as a kid, I took lessons every Tuesday.
I was very weak, physically, so we worked on technique to maximize what I was able to do.
What if we...
... spent one day a week focused solely on technique?
When I raced motorcycles, long distance vision was imperative.
We were going so fast, I had to keep my head up much more than on a bicycle.
What if we...
... regularly pushed ourselves to go as quickly as possible over tricky terrain?
I love reading and learning.
It allows me to focus on my inner thoughts and reflect on my outer actions.
What if we...
... consistently dove into thoughtful literature?
We're all cooking on something,
the ingredients in our minds matter...
... when we are Two Wheels For Life.
Get this t-shirt
Delivered, for $25.
Use code: PDLTS
You'll see discount and free shipping at check out.
===
159.8
7.5 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
80 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
INTERMITTENT HAMMERING
Feb 20, 2025
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL (?) KNOW ABOUT INTERMITTENT FASTING. For those trying to shed pounds or be more lean it can be quite effective. But, what about...
... intermittent hammering?
Not intervals.
I hate intervals.
I'm sure some of you love them, which is great, but...
... when was the last time a race went hard for 3 minutes,
then easy for 3,
then hard for 3,
then easy for 3.
Don't shoot the blogger.
On my MTB ride last night, I thought...
... what if I trained 1 or 2 days a week with intermittent hammering?
So, here's how it went down.
Zone 2 everywhere,
for the most part.
The trails here are mainly straight up,
then straight down.
So, Zone 2 requires some real finessing from a heart rate stand point.
It's easy to get right up the upper limit,
hard to stay out of tempo.
Any time I came to a steep section that 5-30 seconds, sometimes up to a minute...
... I put down 500-600+ watts.
Here's the deal.
Do that for 3 minutes, and the heart rate sky rockets.
Do it for a few seconds, and it barely has time to respond.
Which means, from a heart rate perspective I'm popping out of Zone 2 ever so briefly.
But, from a power perspective it is much higher.
Check the data:
Ave Pwr 144 vs Max Pwr 844
Ave HR 126 vs Max HR 160 (nowhere near my max)
28% in Z1 - 64% in Z2 - 9% in Z3 ... I never reached threshold or beyond.
My thinking is that I can...
- increase my strength
- keep the legs and brain fresh
- turn the training into more of practice
... and make all the neuromuscular connections associate with putting down the power.
Based on this trial run last night...
... I'll get in 15-20 legit bursts.
Does it have to be done on an MTB?
No, but the payoff of a fun downhill between the mini efforts is pretty sweet.
I'm going to practice this through Sea Otter and see if...
... I can post higher power numbers on the longer tempo/threshold rides.
That's the idea anyway.
===
161.4
8.5 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
82 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
BREAKLIFTING FOR THE WIN
Feb 19, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THE LADY WAS YELLING AT ME, window down. Stopped at a light. Kept repeating, I kept cupping my ear. Finally, I understood...
... Looking good!
Well, I'll be dawgawned.
Was it all the breaklifting I've been doing?
This is breaklifting...
- set a timer
- work really focused
- go do a quick set of ____
... and I love it.
30 minute sprints works really well for me.
The breaks are energizing,
a micro adrenaline rush...
... keeping work fresh and fun.
My sets rotate between...
- PullUps
- PushUps
- Box Jumps
- Dead Lifts or Split Squats
- Toe Raises and Calf Raises
- Grippers
... takes a whopping 2 minutes to do one set.
Most days I get in 2 rotations.
Is there science to back it up...
- Phil Mafetone dot com, his book Get Strong! (you have to go to his site)
- Barry Ross, his book Underground Secrets To Faster Running
- Pavel Tsatsouline who was just on Andrew Huberman's podcast
... get the source material and take a deeper dive.
We aren't body builders,
we don't want useless bulk...
... we want strength.
Keep it simple.
Keep it consistent.
Breaklifting for the win.
===
161.6
8.5 hrs sleep
Breaklifting
10 minutes stretching
82 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
DON VS. JOE, POGI VS. JONAS
Feb 18, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO WIN A RACE. We've seen them played out in recent, big time battles. While I appreciate each...
... I definitely prefer one over the other.
Not just to watch,
but to execute.
How about you?
Oh, wait, forgot tell ya...
- technical precision
- unpredictable
... are the choices.
One,
has a plan for every single moment.
The other,
performs on feel.
You know who I'm talking about, right?
Don Felder vs Joe Walsh
errr...
Tadej vs Jonas
What makes their clashes so mesmerizing...
- approaches
- personalties
- countenances
... is their very beings.
I can't imagine one taking the on the other's ways.
It would be ridiculous,
ineffective.
If you want to put it to music,
just watch the final guitar solo to Hotel California.
Don is cool and precise and wonderful.
Joe is freakin wild and just feelin' it.
Precision vs Wild?
They're both work,
deliver results.
Which to deploy,
depends on who we are,
and who we are up against.
My default?
Let me ride and race on feel,
or give me death.
Check it -> https://youtu.be/09839DpTctU?si=jmUmYvSMw10zFQvP
===
162
7.5 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes stretching
82 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
WHEN I WANNA GIVE UP
Feb 17, 2025
by TODD BROWN
WHAT IF I JUST QUIT? I mean, sometimes it's just so damn hard and confusing, it feels hopeless...
... the challenges just keep coming.
Why not pull the plug?
The hills seem like mountains,
insurmountable ...
... we crest and zoom down the other side.
The crosswinds grinding our powers,
clawing to stay in the group...
... a bend in the road and we sit in with ease.
The brutal cold and darkness,
begging us to say in bed...
... roll out into the rising, warming sun.
Reminds me of the great Led Zepplin...
Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
I get dropped and foiled
On the training rides
But, I still don't seem to care
... that classic and electric opening.
Gimme those first 14 seconds and I can do anything.
Check it -> https://youtu.be/TA9Rec1qAFQ?si=DtFAGCr8LEn3o87Y===
162.4
8 hrs sleep
PullUps PushUps BoxJumps
10 minutes stretching
78 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
THAT'S NOT AERO, THIS IS AERO
Feb 16, 2025
by TODD BROWN
AERO HAS BEEN A THING for quite a while. With the invention of the wheel, came speed. With speed came wind. With wind came...
... drop bars.
140 years ago!
And, we've been working on...
- positions
- clothing
- helmets
- tubing
- bars
... it ever since.
We are slipperyer.
No doubt.
Which got me thinking yesterday as I was slipping off the back of the group...
- drop the stack height
- ride closer to wheel in front
- grabbed my most aero helmet
- donned the amazing Speedsuit we make
.... could I be more aero?
Probably.
Would it have mattered yesterday?
No.
I came off on a 1-mile power climb that demands 400 watts...
... I was 70 shy.
No amount of aero is gonna fix that.
Or, would it make a difference...
- stay off the front
- keep in the drops
- aero helmet
- Speedsuit
... if arrived at the climb slightly fresher.
To be honest, for me, it's probably more about handling marginal pains, than stressing over...
... marginal gains.
Let's find out next week!
Nothing to lose, but...
... time and effort.
===
The Mini RaceDay Bag snugs up tight under the saddle.
... holds your CO2, nozzle, plugs and a mini-tool under compression so it's silent,
... use this code: DRAMALAMA
... to save 20% and get FREE shipping at check out.
===
161.6
89 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes stretching
79 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
THAT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT, WHAT IF I'M ALLERGIC?
Feb 15, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH MY ALLERGY, is it keeps me from doing intervals. So, I have come to rely on the blistering group rides...
... and chasing my much faster friends.
Which explains today's poor showing.
I didn't realize the problem until I dove into my Training Peaks data.
There it was.
My last pretty good power numbers were on 12.10.24.
Took a minute to remember,
what the heck I was doing on that particular day.
TMWC,
our Tuesday morning throw down.
I've skipped it for two months.
And before December...
... only hit TMWC sporadically.
My peak fitness for 2024 was back in September,
and TMWC was almost every week for the 4-5 months prior.
Having the data is helpful that way.
If we want to start with the end in mind...
- having a stellar day on _________.
... we can dig into our previous data.
It's not enough to see what has worked.
Sometimes, every time?...
- do intervals we aren't used to
- hit different group rides
- add in gym work
... we hit plateaus and need to mix things up.
Am I really allergic to intervals?
Of course not.
I just really really hate 'em, and prefer...
- incessant
- unpredictable
- burning surges
... only a sinister group of frenemies can inflict.
===
Which means... I've got to be very aero, and carry only the essentials.
The Mini RaceDay bag is perfect for holding: CO2, plugs, and a mini-tool.
... if you're into an aero bag, that holds you gear under compression so it's silent,
... use this code: DRAMALAMA
... to save 20% and get FREE shipping at check out.
===
161.6
7.5 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
0 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
81 (fitness per training peaks)
10 min vision therapy
6 DAYS OF PAIN!
Feb 14, 2025
by TODD BROWN
IT'S BEEN SIX DAYS since the Rock Cobbler wiped me out. Ev er ee thingggg hurt so bag. It took me over...
... an hour just to change my clothes.
Click here to witness the dramalama.
The rainy week kept me off my bike.
A very good thing...
- I need the rest
- my body needed the break
- the trusty bike needed a bath
... but, is 6 days enough?
My legs have felt...
- sore
- dead
- rotten
... all stinkin' week.
One of two things is gonna happen...
- feel amazing and spritely
- get dropped, crushed and left behind
... on tomorrow's hammerfest.
I love surprises.
Do you?
I'll be wearing this hat tomorrow for massive brainwashing on myself.
If you're into brainwashing yourself, and like this hat as much as I do...
... use this code: DRAMALAMA
... to save 20% and get FREE shipping at check out.
===
162.4
7.5 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Box Jumps
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
77 (fitness per training peaks)
50 min vision therapy
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
MISS THE ROCK MEANS...
Feb 13, 2025
by TODD BROWN
BACK IN THE BEGINNING, before tubeless tires, suspension, carbon hoops, we'd pump our MTB tires up to 55 lbs because...
... missing the rocks f'real, f'survival
Hitting 'em meant certain trouble,
if not disaster.
Modern tech makes it better, but Make sure you miss the rock is...
... the worst advice we could ever give.
You know why, right?
Because...
- our minds cannot see a negative
- the body always follows the eyes
... there is only one way to navigate the treacherous terrain.
Look where you want to go.
This is the way.
===
I wrote in detail about this top in my book, The Way of The R.A.C.E.R
===
161
7 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Deadlifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
77 (fitness per training peaks)
40 min vision therapy
EXTREME WHETHER
Feb 12, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THE FORECAST SAID there'd be a break in the rain. Whether.com is never wrong, right? I got grinding early so I could...
... get out and ride between storm fronts.
At 9am, I rolled out.
40 degrees.
Raining.
These are the crazy things we do.
We train in uncomfortable...
- rain
- mud
- dust
- heat
- cold
- wind
- snow
- terrain
... knowing not every race is perfect weather.
We practice our skills,
our gear and apparel set up,
everything needed to succeed...
... because every one else is on the couch.
Whether or not the weather is great...
... we are extremely committed.
(unless it's reallyreallyreally terrible)
===
161.4
8 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Deadlifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
79 (fitness per training peaks)
40 min vision therapy
MY THOUGHTS ON HARD DRINKING
Feb 11, 2025
by TODD BROWN
HAD A FRIEND SAY Beer after MTBing is required. For sure it's a ritual and bonding experience for all kinds of riders. Plus, all those sponsor dollars are so easy to come by...
... plenty of profit margin and residual sales.
But, what about hard drinking?
You know the truly hard stuff.
And, I'm not talking about fire water.
Just water.
Seems it's so hard to drink the stuff.
Even though...
- fridge door
- gas stations
- grocery stores
... it's everywhere.
But, when was the last time you had plain old water...
... and plenty of it?
Personally, I'm downing about 100 ounces a day.
Can you drink too much?
Yes.
And, if you want to get freaked out about it, I review the book Waterlogged here: https://pedalindustries.com/blogs/feed/trust-science-or-not
A good rule of thumb for those who...
- pee dark yellow
- hardly need to pee
- can ride or run for hours without peeing (yes, swimmers, no one is fooled by your never needing to pee)
... start with, don't feel thirsty.
===
162
8.5 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Deadlifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
79 (fitness per training peaks)
40 min vision therapy
SO YOU WANT TO BE A RACER
Feb 10, 2025
by TODD BROWN
DROPPING DOWN THE GRAPEVINE, into the Central Valley, I was blinded by dense fog. The famvan in front hit the brakes, I started slow down, too...
... was this a good idea?
I passed them going 40, to get in front, just in case someone came barreling along at 65.
Breaking the speed limit wasn't necessary...
... first, I had to get to the start line.
Racing is that way.
We take risks,
high on adrenaline...
... relishing in the Oh shift! moments.
Living to race another day,
forgetting...
... to win, we simply need to get to the finish line ahead of the others.
===
I can tell you this...
- faith
- practice
- commitment
... are key to dominating the risks we take.
===
163.1
8 hrs sleep
Pullups Pushups Deadlifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
78 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT HACKS FOR THE SLEEP DEPRIVED ATHLETE
Feb 09, 2025
by TODD BROWN
SLEEP IS A CRAZY THING. We need it, we know we need, we figure we can wing it if don't get enough. One would think if we're awake for more hours...
... we'd burn more calories.
Kinda true.
Here's the problem, at least for me, when I don't get enough sleep...
... I crave calories.
You know...
- sugar
- donuts
- cookies
... a sugar hit to rev me up.
What's the anti-dote?
- Crank up the protein intake,
crowd out the carbs. - Get in the easy workouts,
pushups, pullups, air squats - Be a cat,
take a nap
That, and a little extra caffeine helps me get through those rough days.
The better choice,
get to bed early,
same time,
each day...
... proper sleep is key.
===
161.4
7 hrs sleep
No strength training.
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
78 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
MULLET RACING AT ROCK COBBLER
Feb 08, 2025
by TODD BROWN
YOU KNOW WHAT A MULLET IS RIGHT? Going against decades of wisdom, I changed my bike set up 12 hours before a huge gravel race. I was tempted to do more, but kept it...
... this wacky set up.
Why?
Because...
- smooth asphalt
- chunky asphalt
- rotten asphalt
- smooth dirt
- rocky dirt
- awful dirt
... this route has it all.
At the last second, I swapped out my 45mm upfront for...
... a massive 2.2 mtb tire.
So glad I did.
Aint' nothing like 40 mph down a rough gravel road...
... with a chicane in the middle.
Almost, and I mean almost, didn't make it.
One guy went full Isle of Man over edge...
... and was heard yelling Medic! Medic! Medic!
My mtb tire was all business,
the rear end was full party mode,
slipping, sliding and drifting to keep...
... and keep upright.
There was a trade off.
While very fast on the rough stuff,
the mtb tire with 20 lbs of pressure...
... was sluggish and slow on the road.
It was helpful on the tarmac to have the 45 in the back,
even at 26 lbs of pressure.
The only thing I really would have changed on my set up was the front ring...
... should have mounted the 42 tooth instead keeping the 46 on.
For two reasons...
- the course has some serious 20%+ pitches and they were killing me
- the 46 might be a little worn, I dropped the chain twice
... so dumb, I knew better.
Oh, here's another change up for raceday without proving in testing...
... I loaded my bottles with 4 scoops of CarboRocket evil - 444 calories.
This worked great.
Had great power until the last hour or so...
- pneumonia last month
- and that tall gearing
... is to blame.
Easy fix.
I'd rate the day...
- incredible course
- perfect weather
- seeing friends
... a freakin' 10!
===
160.9 (guessing no scale this morning)
7.5 hrs sleep
No strength training.
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
80 (fitness per training peaks)
10 min vision therapy
PLANT THESE SEEDS NOW!
Feb 07, 2025
by TODD BROWN
SPRING IS COMING, if you're a farmer, you're thinking about all the work to be done prepping fields, then planting seeds. Soon, it'll be time to...
... mothball the trainers.
We're planting seeds now,
in winter.
And, it's definitely a volume thing.
The more we plant,
the bigger the harvest.
But, here's the dill,
the kinds of seeds we plant matters.
Base miles.
Strength training.
Eating like an Olympian.
or
Gorging on junk food,
skipping the gym,
tiny miles.
What we plant matters,
it's going to grow.
What
When
How much...
... are we going to reap?
===
160.9
8 hrs sleep
No strength training.
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
74 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
WHICH TIRES TO RUN AT ROCK COBBLER?
Feb 06, 2025
by TODD BROWN
36 HOURS TILL THE RACE STARTS. I'm packing up the van with clothes, blankets and snacks and stuff. That's easy...
... it's the tire choice i'm freakin' on.
I've been running Conti RaceKings on my gravel bike for months,
same tires I race on my MTB.
They're cushy,
fast over rough terrain,
extra trustworthy when it comes to flats.
Perfect for Rock Cobbler's technical sections,
and the miles of horse hoof scarred dirt roads.
But, they are super slow on the paved sections.
I looked at the route on Map My Ride.
Near as I can tell, about half the course is paved.
So I mounted up my fave TerraSpeed 45 tires for a shake down ride today.
Gadzooks!...
... they're waaaaaaaaay faster on paved, and smooth gravel.
Forgot about that.
It could be muddy,
and the TerraSpeeds have much better clearance.
Time spent in each type of terrain...
- Paved and smooth TerraSpeeds get the vote
- Rough n rocky it's RaceKing all the way
- Climbing it's about equal
... is what's gonna matter.
We'll probably spend more time on dirt.
Dirts my natural habitat,
opting to give up a little there,
for the efficiency and speed on the smooth...
... TerraSpeeds for the win.
Which is kinda funny,
I'm not in racing shape,
planning to use it as a big training ride...
... what everybody says until the gun goes off.
===
This is a super rad event. If you're going, look for the PEDALindustries tent.
===
160.9
8 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, no dead lifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
76 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
HOW DO WE STACK UP?
Feb 05, 2025
by TODD BROWN
WE ALL KNOW COMPARING OURSELVES TO OTHERS is losing game. Yet, we do it. We're addicted to it, and...
... it's plain evil.
WHAT THE HECK TRAINING PEAKS?!
Look, every now and again, I get bored,
sitting upon my porcelain thrown.
This morning, I'm poking around the TP app geeking out on data and I see this insidious link...
... See how I stack up.
What good can come of that...
- I see good numbers and my head swells necessitating a new Kask Helmet?
- I see bad numbers and my soul shrivels
- I see I'm average
... the horror.
I resisted clicking on the link for at least a nanosecond,
maybe two.
And there it was...
... how little ol' me rates in the world.
Per the data, I stacked up a lot better in 2023 than today in 2025...
... not surprising, 2024 was a health dumpster.
Ugh.
It was barely motivating,
maybe I could get my numbers back.
As the great Desiderata reminds us...
... If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
===
160.7
8.5 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, dead lifts
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
76 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
WHEN TO ADD SEALANT
Feb 04, 2025
by TODD BROWN
CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I PURCHASED A TUBE, not sure I could find one in the garage if I wanted to...
... tubes are dead to me.
Sure, there's the super rare and impossible to plug tire failure.
I think my last one was 3 years ago,
maybe longer.
Buddy had a tube,
yeah, I was that guy.
I think I carried one at Leadville 3 years ago,
but I'm not sure.
Think about it...
- rarely flat
- faster rollling
- little nicks self-seal
... that's a sample how good tubeless is.
But, here's the dill, we have to...
... add sealant before we puncture.
Life's weird that way.
===
160.1
8.5 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, dead lifts
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
74 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
THE SCARS TO PROVE IT
Feb 03, 2025
by TODD BROWN
I REMEMBER THE FIRST REALLY GOOD CRASH on the road. I'd bombed down the steep asphalt with no chance of making the turn...
... I thought I'd burned a hole right through the knee cap.
Palms were bleeding.
I was five.
Blasting a 12 hour MTB race, I wanted to turn in the hot lap at night.
The front end washed out and I hit hard.
Tore up the bibs,
a bleeding cherry the size of my palm on my hip.
Hustling up a steep rocky section, my cleat pulled out of my pedal,
then spun around like an ice cream scooper,
taking a chunk of my shin.
Two of us were vying for the cleanest line over a rocky drop off.
I lost,
urgent care revealed my cracked ribs.
Pre-running a Super-D course I misjudged the angle of a drop,
and augured in on my collar bone.
Broke off one inch of the end.
Everyone of these injuries left a...
- mark
- lesson
- memory
... proof I was pushing the boundaries of my capabilities.
From there it was...
... improve or back down.
That's the choice.
===
160.5
8.5 hrs sleep
Pullups, pushups, dead lifts
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
74 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
HOW I CALM MY NERVES ON THE START LINE
Feb 02, 2025
by TODD BROWN
READER RICK ASKED HOW I CALM MY NERVES on raceday. I gave it no thought, just riffed on what I do...
... during those final moments before the gun goes off.
I shared it with Surfergirl,
she had a very different take.
My riff was about gratitude...
- for being on the line
- having the luxury to race
- the health and stamina necessary
... all while my eyes are closed.
A private moment of silence.
The importance of knowing I'd done all I could do.
It is time to go for it, and let the chips fall where they may.
Winning is nice,
knowing I'd left it all on the course is better.
She looked at me and said..
... I thought you just like to get pissed off?!
Oh, that, too.
TBH, the angst is often...
- training alone
- warming up for the race
- maybe a dis that got back to me
.... she's right, there's always something to fire me up.
Then, the aforementioned calm before the flag drops.
===
160.6
8 hrs sleep
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
74 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
JACK OF ALL TRADES, MASTER OF FUN
Feb 01, 2025
by TODD BROWN
IT SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS, but it is. It's hard to explain the joy, but I'll try. Because, I got home today...
... with the biggest goofy grin.
Check it out...
- I went from a nice paved warm up
- To a legit dirt road climb
- Poached single tracks
- Jumped in the group
... all on the same darn bike.
Imagine that.
The hardest part was steamrolling with the group.
According to Dylan Johonson's latest sciency research, those MTB tires were costing me an extra 50 watts at speed.
The thrills...
- seeing those power numbers
- hearing my lungs wail
- feeling the burn
... when we're healthy, there's nothing better.
The gravel portions are an escape from the roads and cars and suburbia.
A great way to break up the paved sectors.
The single track, well...
- is technically challenging
- requires picking good lines
- brings the playfulness into the ride
... it's like old school mountain biking.
The Crux with brake hoods,
handles a lot like the Rock Hopper with bar ends.
It ain't a crime,
but it sure feels like I'm getting away with something.
These T's...
- 8 different color options
- superduper soft cotton
- includes the sticker
-
ship FREE
... if you order by 2.3.25
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-not-a-crime-short-sleeve-crew-t-shirt-isd?variant=46145944846571
===
160.6
7 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
76 (fitness per training peaks - big bump today, still 20% down from pre-pneumonia)
30 min vision therapy
BIKE RIDING IS NOT A CRIME
Jan 31, 2025
by TODD BROWN
WE SHOT THIS VIDEO 8 YEARS AGO, it's made it's way around the interwebs about 10,000,000 times. Our peaceful group of kinda-law-abiding citizens...
... getting the full riot act from the local motorbike cop.
It's classic.
He's blocks traffic...
- dismounts
- dropping F bombs
- ready to throw all 50 of us in the slammer
... very wound up.
After about 10 minutes of insults and threats, he suddenly gives up and rides on.
So do we.
Did we really blow the stop sign?
Uh, maybe.
Have we ever let a distracted driver know our true feelings?
Perhaps.
Was a good experience for anybody?
Not really.
Could we do better?
Def.
You can see it on our Instagram channel - https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries/
Have a monstrous laugh, and remember...
... Bike riding isn't a crime.
These T's...
- 8 different color options
- superduper soft cotton
- includes the sticker
-
ships FREE
... if you order by 2.3.25
https://pedalindustries.com/products/pedal-not-a-crime-short-sleeve-crew-t-shirt-isd?variant=46145944846571
===
161.6
7 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
70 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
YOU ACTUALLY WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED
Jan 30, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S A REASON most of keep our commitment to fitness on the downlow. We know people would be absolutely startled. Which is weird, 'cause...
... no one bats an eye at our dedication to our careers.
Would they be amazed at our...
- ho-hum 100-mile ride, 20-mile run
- 5000' climb up a mountain
- resting HR in the 40s
... if they knew how hard we work at it?
Probably not.
Put in the work,
whatever it is...
... reap the rewards.
===
162.3
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
72 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
PROGRESS, NOT...
Jan 29, 2025
by TODD BROWN
WHAT IF WE KNEW ABSOLUTELY FOR CERTAIN that all our present efforts would 100% lead us to the promised land. If we could know...
... the training was guaranteed to pay off.
A day like today,
gives hope to the Grandmasterflashy plan.
And, I have one.
Because as Richard reminded me on the vicious ride today...
... The last 12 months your health has been a dumpster fire
Thanks, man.
The problem we face with long range plans is it feels like we're going nowhere because...
... real, lasting progress can be slow.
It looks and feels like nothing is happening.
That's where the data can be so important.
This morning, I felt good for the first time in months.
The numbers weren't outstanding in the overall scheme...
... but, improvement was recorded.
As the old saying goes...
... what gets measured, gets managed.
Measure what matters,
manage for long-term excellence.
===
161.6
7.5 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
72 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
YOUR DAILY REMINDER TO EAT...
Jan 28, 2025
by TODD BROWN
FOOD IS SO PLENTIFUL, marketed so well, with fabulous supply chains serving our needs seemingly on demand, and many many many of our fellow citizens are making up...
... a rather fleshy republic.
What to do...
- real food
- trusted preparation
- ingredients we can identify
... is how to eat.
Not starving.
Not gorging.
And, sure as heck...
... not bonking.
It ain't complicated.
Until we get down to the business of performance and hard training.
Currently, I'm all in on...
- 100 grams of carbs/hour
- proper hydration
- recovery meal
... when I'm getting after it.
If we simply commit to one thing, we are winning...
... EAT REAL FOOD.
===
(Note: I'm well aware of the individual and real challenges suffered by our friends and family. One of mine had an issue with the stomach that caused all kinds of bloating and weight gain and after meeting with a functional health doctor, going on a special diet, taking meds, got it sorted it. Took months, totally worth it.)
===
161.6
8 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
71 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
CON - SISTENT
Jan 27, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO GET REALLY GOOD at this thing we call endurance, and it ain't learning how to suffer or any other...
... method of torture.
It's real simple.
If we wanna be great,
we gotta be consistent.
But, here's what I mean by that.
Sure, we can train a bunch this week and not so much the next.
In fact, it usually starts with I'm gonna skip tomorrow...
... it's not convenient.
A consistent person, bent on seeing how good they can be would more likely say...
... I'm super busy tomorrow, gonna get up early and get it done, even if it's just 15 minutes.
We can always adjust the allotted time.
===
161.6
7.25 hrs sleep
PullUps, PushUps, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
70 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
DO YOU HAVE A MANTRA LIKE THIS?
Jan 26, 2025
by TODD BROWN
PUSH THE LIMITS ENOUGH and we'll find out just where they lie. In the exhilarating process, it's likely we'll...
... earn a few permanent tattoos.
Sometimes...
- broken bones
- nasty gashes
- flesh wounds
... mostly leaving marks and memories.
The rehab can challenge our pain threshold,
as well as our patience.
We want to get back at it.
The progress is slow.
Disheartening.
In these moments...
... I have a go to song.
Rocky Raccoon, with it's hero's invincible belief...
... No Doc, it's only a scratch and I'll be better as soon as I am able.
Shift gonna happen,
so the heck is our response!
===
This Lucky offer ends Jan 27th.
The 4-clover leaf kind.
$100 gets you a $120 PRO jersey and matching $20 sublimated socks.
https://pedalindustries.com/a/bundles/buy-jersey-get-socks-c9vv
===
161.0
8.25 hrs sleep
No Strength Work
10 minutes recovery
30 minutes reading + Journaling
70 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
SHOCKING EVIDENCE LIGHTER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
Jan 25, 2025
by TODD BROWN
iF YOU WEIGH YOURSELF FULLY DRESSED, after gorging on a heavy meal hoping you've put on a few, you might, and I mean might, get away with unobtanium gear...
... that's a really big if.
Most of us aren't so willowy,
and most of us like get on the gas any time we can.
We happened across a guy who I know is an absolute ripper off road.
I also know his rig always makes mine feel like a lead balloon.
Wheel literally exploded while charging a rock garden,
one we've all done a million times.
(No, I'm not gonna tell ya who... that's not the point.)
First coherent words out of my pal's mouth...
... I'm done with those cheap wheels from China.
This is not a
Told you so post.
More like a
Coulda happened to any of us.
We need to invest in gear that's gonna last and neverever let us down.
It might,
but, probably not if properly maintained.
Do I spend a few extra bucks on brands i trust?
Yep.
Even when we do all we can, we do need luck to be on our side.
Speaking of luck...
... you're in luck.
The 4-clover leaf kind.
$100 gets you a $120 PRO jersey and matching $20 sublimated socks.
https://pedalindustries.com/a/bundles/buy-jersey-get-socks-c9vv
===
159.0
8.25 hrs sleep
Pullups, Pushups, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
68 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
DO YOU TRUST YOUR HEART (RATE)
Jan 24, 2025
by TODD BROWN
AS SOON AS I SAW A HEART RATE MONITOR, I knew I had to have one. The idea that I could tell how hard my body was working was...
... too compelling to ignore.
It's the best metric.
Don't get me wrong,
I'm a power dork, too.
But, I believe hr is superior in many ways.
For example, gearing up to go for a ride today I looked at the monitor and saw an hr indicative of...
... a healthy body.
58 bpm.
That's my normal before getting going.
I hadn't seen that for nearly 3 weeks.
Having the flu and then pneumonia will do that to us, and keep doing it...
... until we are recovered.
Power alone would never tell me that, but...
... X power with Y heart rate is a good indicator of what's going on inside our wonderful bodies.
I don't race with power.
It's irrelevant.
I'm either making the break or not.
The only time I watched power in a race was at Leadville since racing at over 10,000', when I live at sea level will never allow to put out the power I'm used to at a given heart rate.
Because heart rate lags, checking to make sure I wasn't going over the appropriate power at the start of a climb is helpful.
Mostly, for racing, I keep HR and Cadence on the screen.
Sometimes distance,
it's nice to know where we are relation to the finish line.
Short MTB races,
I usually just toss the monitor in the jersey pocket and review the data later.
Anyway, it's flu season...
... if in doubt, check HR out.
Hopefully, you'll get lucky and skip all that...
... this Lucky Jersey might ward it off.
$100 gets you a $120 PRO jersey and matching $20 sublimated socks.
https://pedalindustries.com/a/bundles/buy-jersey-get-socks-c9vv
===
159.0
8.25 hrs sleep
Pullups, Pushups, Split Squats
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
68 (fitness per training peaks)
45 min vision therapy
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE REALLY COMMIT TO OUR 'A' RACE?
Jan 23, 2025
by TODD BROWN
COMMITTING TO AN 'A' RACE or event or personal challenge, is like committing to a quest. It's freeing, and limiting. Suddenly, our free will is put to the test and we are faced with...
... the reality of who we are.
The quest becomes our north star.
We are free to chose how we will show up when we toe the line.
On our Accountability call last night the question came up...
... How do I lean out?
An answer was offered.
When I got off diet soda my body changed, I dropped my race weight significantly with that one simple adjustment in what I drank.
We are free to choose to commit to a quest...
... we are free to make appropriate decisions along the way.
That is the beauty of an impossibly giant aspiration...
... it guides us to make good, better choices.
Choose wisely...
... and commit.
---
Sometimes we all need a little luck... and if you love this design, you're in luck.
$100 gets you a $120 PRO jersey and matching $20 sublimated socks.
https://pedalindustries.com/a/bundles/buy-jersey-get-socks-c9vv
===
159.4
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay rotation
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
68 (fitness per training peaks)
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT ATHLETE MENTALITY
Jan 22, 2025
by TODD BROWN
WHEN AN ATHLETE GOES FOR a ride, run, swim, they're in the zone. Some have music or a podcast going. Me personally...
... unplugged, it's meditation time.
We know it's going to eventually end.
It's okay.
We enjoy the endorphin high,
totally immersed the the present...
... fully aware there are many more rides, runs and swims to come.
Probably tomorrow.
===
160.3
9 hrs sleep
2 Rip On RaceDay rotation
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
69 (fitness per training peaks)
THIS ISN'T MAGIC, IT'S DILIGENCE
Jan 21, 2025
by TODD BROWN
Working on my next book... let me know what you think.
Normally, this would come at the end of a book or sales pitch. The ol’ One more thing thing.
But, we don’t know if you’re going to finish. We don’t know if you are weak, if you’re the kind of person that talks and doesn’t do, if you’re easily distracted, if you’re a wishy-washy whimster.
What you are going to be required to do will take less time than you think, require you to give up some wasteful vices, and change your life.
However, because it is simple and at times doesn’t seem relative you will be tempted to discount and skip certain steps. Do so and you will get a cheapened version of yourself. You will be RaceDay Mostly-Ready, RaceDay Kinda-Ready.
I don’t want that for you.
Do you?
What I do want from you is a 10-Week Commitment to make lasting changes in how you function and have you be RaceDay Ready every day for the rest of your life.
In summary, here’s the plan:
· Pick an A race
· Commit to complete the 10-Week RaceDay Ready Challenge
· Remain RaceDay Ready forever
===
160.3
9 hrs sleep
2 Rip On RaceDay rotation
10 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
69 (fitness per training peaks)
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
ARE YOU .XL FAST?
Jan 20, 2025
by TODD BROWN
IT'S PRETTY COOL TO PLOT OUT THE YEAR, plan the different phases. Plug in all the numbers, miles, data points into a spreadsheet...
... and see how amazing we'll be come summer.
I call that .xl fast.
Being fast as heck on a spreadsheet...
... is intoxicating.
But, there's a problem...
- it's fake
- it's just paper
- it's doesn't prepare
... the variables of competition.
Speed.
Tactics.
Handling.
We must face competitors who are...
- prepared
- devious
- sneaky
... there is no way to program reality.
If we're going to excel,
we've got to race.
===
160.3
8.5 hrs sleep
1 Rip On RaceDay rotation
0 minutes recovery
90 minutes reading + Journaling
FROM THE STUDS
Jan 19, 2025
by TODD BROWN
NOTHING MAKES A SPOUSE GIDIER THAN THE WORD REMODEL. I'm not sure it even matters what is being upgraded, I just know...
... work, investment and upgrade are magic words.
There's a...
- start date,
- an end date
- and blueprints
... then the work begins.
A complete remodel means stripping everything down the to studs.
I think I'm there...
- pneumonia
- double vision
- associated weight loss
... it could be worse, but, the studs do seem exposed.
It's time to rebuild.
Start date is now.
Pneumonia will hopefully clear in a week or so.
Vision therapy starts this week.
Any remaining vision complications from October's brain surgery should clear no later than April.
The blueprint, my calendar, is looking like this.
I think I can be somewhat ready for action when Sea Otter rolls around in April.
Seems like a worthy goal to be ready,
and a super stretch goal to get a coin for Unbound.
The next step, would be to roll into the last 3 BWR races - CA, UT and MT,
the super stretch goal would be to get on the series podium.
How do I plan to get that done...
... follow my RaceDay Ready program.
So, what's the end date...
... the big reveal?
Septemer.
First, Gravel Nats,
with the super stretch goal of winning.
(major imposter syndrome kicking in that)
Second, break my PR on SurfNSummit,
with the super stretch goal of breaking 10 hours.
(this I REALLY want to accomplish)
DETAILS HERE: https://pedalindustries.com/products/surf-n-summit-california-may-2025?_kx=
123.23 miles
15,177 feet
Time to get to work.
===
159.4
9 hrs sleep
0 strength work
0 minutes recovery
120 minutes reading + Journaling
DOG DAZE
Jan 18, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THE WIND ripping through the helmet, pushing ears flat, creeping past our fancy glasses that is indescribable...
... impossible for most people to understand.
We're dogs.
Dogs with their...
- head out a speeding car window
- tongue flapping in the wind
- goofy smiles
... that's the answer to the question.
Why do you ride?
Pure.
Joy.
No need to explain...
- the challenges
- camaraderie
- adventure
... the priceless benefits.
---
160.
8.5 hrs sleep
3 pullups 9 pushup
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
OUR FIRST HEIST
Jan 17, 2025
by TODD BROWN
THERE IS SO MUCH TO FIGURE OUT on the first race. Sure we know how ride, run and swim, that ain't nearly enough. No matter how much we study up, have a friend help us, we are...
... quite sure there is a code.
And, we don't know it!
Even if we did.
From start to finish...
... it feels like a big-time bank heist.
We are...
- rushing
- sweating
- on the verge of panicking
... trying to remember everything we were supposed to have memorized.
In all likelihood we'll be...
- taken away
- exposed
- busted
... and that is what makes it so dern fun!
The self-imposed pressure is tremendous.
We freakin' love it.
Live for it.
We commit to crack the code...
... till we get away scot-free.
---
160.6
8 hrs sleep
1 pullup 1 pushup
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
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