My life is much better today because of my ongoing commitment to fitness, but it wasn't always the case. There was a time(s) that my priorities were not in my best interest, and I found myself going down a less than favorable path. Fortunately, I decided to go down the road of self improvement by lacing up a pair of running shoes, and a bit later throwing my leg over the saddle of a bike. That decision has led to countless blessings, and a wonderful improvement in my life. Early on I had realized "my gift" was that of athletic ability. With commitment and a little effort, I was able to run and ride farther and faster than most of my friends. I also found I simply felt great after working out, and that's all it took. Running became a part of my life, and truth be told my best days are those that include a good workout.
 I remember when this all started, I learned of the holy grail of running - The Boston Marathon. It was much more than just a race, much more than a marathon. To enter it,  you had to qualify by running a marathon in a very respectable (FAST) time. Ask anybody that runs, regardless of the distance or their reason, to name a landmark race, and undoubtedly Boston will come up. If you are serious about running, then chances are at some point in your running career, running Boston was or is your dream. It certainly was for me, and by the grace of G_d, I had run fast enough to qualify for it back in the early 90's. I still have the entry form tucked safely away as a trophy of my proud accomplishment. I did not run it, instead I used the money we would have spent on the trip to buy my first road bike. No regrets...It has led to numerous great cycling memories and accomplishments, and a passion that burns strong to this day.
 Yesterday, when I heard of the devastating terrible tragedy that occurred at this years event, my heart sunk, and I had a sickened feeling inside. I ultimately decided not to watch the news on TV or the internet. Instead I reflected on how tragic this act was. It was unimaginable to think of running in such a great race, so proud, with family and friends there to support your wonderful accomplishment, only to experience such an unspeakable nightmare. So sad...
 My family life has always focused on going to races and supporting each other. Always hurrying to the finish to be there for, and congratulate each other on our accomplishments both big and small. So many early weekend mornings have been spent waking up at a ridiculously early hour and driving to each others "big race".  It has always been a way of life for us, and something we feel keeps us close, and hope will be many happy memories of a close and supportive family. There is the feeling you get when you have succeeded and crossed the finish line, overcoming all challenges and obstacles that brought you to where you are at that moment. More often than not breaking down in tears of joy. This is the feeling you are supposed to have, this is how it should be, but the tears of joy were replaced by tears of extreme sadness yesterday afternoon. What should have been a celebration of tremendous commitment, numerous sacrifices, and great accomplishment turned into something so terribly tragic and sad. I have read that a majority of those injured were spectators. Those same family members and friends who were there to share the experience, the early morning wake ups on a weekend, and the hours of standing around to see and encourage those we love. It was these wonderful people who experienced such a terrible fate. My heart goes out to all of them, my prayers and thoughts are with them and their families as they try to heal from such a terrible tragedy.
  I had signed up to run the Chicago Marathon this year, and I will be doing so to honor all of you, and to thank my family and supporters for always being there for me. You truly inspire us to be the best we can be, to do what we do, and overcome all obstacles to reach our goals. Each and every one of you on the sidelines, with signs, clapping, whistling cheering and supporting, are TRULY an inspiration...

Back in the Saddle

I guess to a point, all of us can change. This is especially true when it comes to habits we develop as the days, weeks, and years pass by. But the one thing that I believe remains a constant, is the core of who we are. Me for instance, I did develop some habits, that thankfully I have been able to work thru and replace with new, more positive ones. Habits that had kept me from being the true me. I love running, cycling, and things of that nature. I also enjoy the focus and determination that I have which allows my G_d given talents to be exercised to their highest potential. I truly believe these interests, and my way of approaching them is a fundamental part of who I am. When everything is on track in my little world, I have the ability to produce results better than your average athlete.This has been something missing in my life over the last few years. I'm nowhere near my potential and have been wasting my gifts, up until the last few months, when due to a variety of circumstances (which I AM greatful for),I have been slowly but surely able to get back on track. The one thing I have had to practice is reminding myself that results don't come overnight. It takes time, dedication, and perseverance to reach ones potential. I know this from past experiences both in sport and in real life. The good thing is I have all of these things available to me, and can see sucess returning thru a personal redemption. Even though free time and circumstances have changed, i have been doing what I can to prepare for an upcoming race, a race that a few months ago I was talking myself into not doing. So next week, regardless of my current fitness level, I am heading up north for a challenging long distance mountain bike race on some very challenging Birkbeiner trails. To do well? I hope, but quite honestly, the preparation I have done,and just showing up is a victory in itself. For that I've got to be satisfied with and greatful.Strangely enough, it's the same race my last post was about. Where does the time go??

Chequamegon do do do do do

Saturday was the Chequamegon 40 mountain bike race WAY up north in Hayward Wisconsin. I spent about 3 solid weeks getting in as much off road riding as I could to prepare for this challenge. This coming after a forced 3 week layoff due to a stress fracture and plantar fasciitis. My plans for running the Chicago marathon were scrapped but this was my one shot at getting in a great race to end the summer. a great race it was! Aside from an 8 hour drive to get there, the weather was perfect, temps in the low 60s for race day. Trail conditions were wonderful. Dry and fast... This year I raced a 29 inch hard tail, last year it was a 26" full suspension. I was curious how the 2 bikes would compare. My condition was not where I wanted it to be due to the injuries and a few other circumstances, but all you can do is show up and do your best, and that's what I did.
I am normally pretty stressed before a race but thanks to our car experiencing a breakdown a block from the start, my focus changed from race stress to how the hell are we going to be able to drive back home in the car stress. In the end it all worked out, and the car was fixed when I returned to the Telemark lodge finish area. KUDOS go out to my long time personal manager Anne for playing it cool and taking care of that mess, leaving me to do what I came to do - RACE.
I weighed more than what I wanted to be at, I had done no bike races this whole season, and my running was ground to a halt for the 6 weeks leading up to the race so cross training was ground to a halt.
So away we go, the typical tense first 3 miles thru the packed streets with about 2000 other mountain bikers, praying to god that you dont get taken out by streets PACKED shoulder to shoulder with mountain bikers racing for the trails. Unfortunately I did hear and see carnage on the streets but luckily I made it to the trail unscathed, and then we hit the trails. I've done the race about 4 times over the last 20 years and can visualize it pretty accurately at this point.
Highlights
People love my candid sense of humor.
The pirates on pirate Hill ROCK Ride to the right , Rum to the left (I rode to the right)
The birkbiener trail system is epic (as in hard) If you know anyone who has done the cross country ski race on the birky, they totally deserve your admiration because they are hardcore!
The Seely fire tower climb is brutal and this year I had a glimmer of hope to climb it but was stopped by walking riders about 200 feet into it, climbed back on and climbed till the last part of the climb, and was stopped once again by walking riders. Maybe next time. That hill is epic, and it will break you unless your a pro, or in AWESOME shape with good luck thrown in.
The last 10 miles are probably the hardest when your put back on the birky trails. The riders go silent, the walking and cramping begin to take its toll on a good amount of riders, and the inevitable throwing up occurs. I'm glad to say I rode the entire course except that damn evil Seely hill.
I got very emotional at the finish (just like last year).I think I do because i look back at the season, wish training (and he rest of my life) would have been perfect,  and realize that is it for the year.
The interesting thing is during the race I felt as though my time was slower than last year, and assumed the full suspension may have been better, or I was faster last year. But NOOO This year I finished 10 minutes faster, so was it the 29'er, or was it me? I'm thinking a little bit of both :)
Ray

10ks and stuff

I did my 1st 10k yesterday. Funny I've done EVERY other distance a number of times but the 10k never interested me. 5K you almost red line the whole event, a marathon you run forever at a more relaxed pace, but the 10k is different. You can't go all out like a 5k, you need to learn the art of backing off ever so slightly from the 5k pace to do well. I've been out running a few times with some neighborhood runners, and managed to beat them in the last 2 longer distance events, but I was getting tired of the competition that was created. I was not liking the idea that every race I see them at will be a cat and mouse game, so during the 10k I let them stay ahead by a close distance and did not chase them down. I simply wanted to run my own race and was not interested in racing them. I seen them in the finish area and knew they came in right in front of me. Chasing them down and nabbing them at the end of the race would have been throwing down the gauntlet for the rest of the year and kind of bogus. PLUS I really think they brought their "A game" to do what it took to beat me... All in good competition :)
So here I am with a break in training which starts for the Chicago marathon beginning the 2nd week of June.
Beverly Ridge Run Memorial day 10k 2011 unofficial time 48:07

A WINNING, Duh! soccer season

WE DID IT! The soccer team I co-coached this spring has gone the season undefeated, and won the championship game. We literally has a storybook season that both coaches and players dream about. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! My younger guy is on the team and I'm not saying this as a parent, more as an observer, he is phenomenal. He's found his God given talent and it was a thrill and pleasure to coach his team, and watch him play. Time sacrificed for my kids has always been worth it, TOTALLY...As time passes and they grow older, I find it  becomes a challenge to be actively involved with my kids, they, like all of us did, eventually begin to need their space and the coolness factor of me being around diminishes regardless of how much they love you. So I'm always looking for ways to continue to be a part of my kids lives, and it may become more challenging but I will always be looking for my in.  They will appreciate it later in life, or at least I've come to when I think back of what my parents did as I was growing up.
I wrapped up the experience by going to see another  phenomenal (at the World Cup level) team play our local soccer team  It was Manchester United against the Chicago Fire. What an exciting experience. I managed to score us 3rd row center seats,and we walked out of there with all the Manchester merchandise we could get our hands on LOL. A perfect ending to a perfect 2011 soccer experience. So heres to my son who can "Bend it Like Baniewicz" , and a great fatherhood memory.

So far so good so what!?

Well I've made it thru the 2 weekends of long running events relatively unscathed. The left heel was tender at the end of the hilly 10 miler, but an 8 mile trail run Thursday was fine. The interesting thing I've noticed is I do pretty well on climbs, but lose time running downhills. I guess it would be rougher the other way but never the less I need to work on that. Today I got a good 2+ hours on the mountain bike this morning out near swallow cliff. Did the whole loop in the big ring and then continued on with extra miles. Gotta tell you, the zoot compression wear is showing to be really nice to have. Recovery is simply quicker after wearing them :) The last thing to drop on all of you is my times for these last 2 events are minutes faster than the last time I did them :) 6 minutes better on the 1/2 marathon, and 3 minutes better on the crazy hilly Quarryman challenge 10 miler. So yeah, the training mix of riding and running is going ok. Soccer playoffs are in full swing with my team undefeated and it wraps up first week of June. After that it's vacation time then I begin to train for the Chicago marathon. Good stuff.

runners high continued

That was the phrase that pays this past weekend. Saturday I did the Quarryman challenge in Lemont. The 10 mile race is advertised as the Chicago land areas hilliest running event, and it certainly is. I did it last year and knew what to expect but the only difference is this year I did not train in the hills prior to the event, and although I have been riding hills on the bike, was a bit concerned. The group of  friends I see regularly were there as first timers, and just like last week, this race looked like another edition of cat and mouse. Turns out we went back and forth during the run which kept  our competitive juices flowing the entire time. Races like that keep everyone honest, and bring out the best in all of us. This event was no exception. By mile 7 I decided that if I was going to shake everyone off, I would need to do it following an extended climb, and I did just that. I took a guess that my friends are not used to digging into the pain cave and hurt for extended periods of time, and since I do have that experience, I decided to try and put the hurt on and see how it went. The plan worked, and I stayed away down to the last mile in which I dug deep and really took an extended charge at the finish leaving everyone a good distance behind. Don't get me wrong, I like these guys, but who totes the line not wanting to win? It's all in the spirit of good honest competition, and I'm VERY greatful to have been provided the ability to score my own personal victory once again. The ZOOTS compression wear ROCKED post race, and I was able to go out for an easy ride in the evening and a recovery run on Sunday. I do have heel pain probably brought on by 2 weeks of big milage races, but with no immediate running events on the calendar I can now retreat to the bike for some much anticipated time on the bike. So 2 races in the bag and a very good start to the year. Runners high once again.
10 mile quarryman challenge 1:18:29 11th place in age group 7:51 pace

Runners High

Sunday was the first race of the season. The Southwest Half Marathon in Palos, and the results are in.
I was hoping to hit 1:45 or better.
Official time 1:43:44 :) That's a 7:56 pace.
Top 30 in my age group (by one ;) ) and 220th overall.
 I'd like to thank my brother for pulling me around by my hair in the pain cave during a forest preserve run late winter. I put myself back in that HR zone on a number of occasions during the race to  try and hit 1:45. I was at 1:20:03 at mile 10, and decided to move back into that zone and focus for a "3 mile run". It went well, and I'm happy with my results.Considering I have spent a majority of the time avaialble on the bike and not so much time running..
 I  used my new ZOOT recovery compression tights for the first time after a long race and bottom line, they work. I was not sore at all in the evening and the following day (yesterday), I actually went out for a recovery ride on the mountain bike for about an hour and a half. Wouldn't of done that previously. Money well spent :)
during the race I seen a long time friend "Johnny B"at the turn around and he finished well as expected, I beat everyone else I know who was there. YES I am out to beat everyone I know, its competition right? It is Duh, Winning!  Next comes the Quarryman challenge on Saturday. 10 miles of ridiculous hills That one is gonna be fun?!

Run Like Hell

This weekend starts the road to Chicago 2011. I'm running the Palos 1/2 marathon on Sunday, and am looking forward to a very nearby race and the opportunity to add 13.1 miles to the running bank. I've been spending more time on the bike than actually running, but have been smart enough to get in a few 8 to 10 milers over the last couple of months, and the weekly 3 mile runs have begun to include fartlek sessions in preparation for the harder efforts and eventual track workouts. I don't anticipate a fast race, but am confident that the recent weekly 3 hour rides are good for the endurance part of the race. Might not be the best training method to prepare for a half marathon, but I'm thinking more long term - October. Next weekend I'm doing a very HILLY 10 mile race in Lemont, The Quarryman Challenge . This one's got me a bit more concerned, because it is the hilliest race in the Chicago land area, and I have not been running hills. Although, I have been riding the hills of Lemont a number of times this spring, (anyone see a pattern?!), and again, I won't be PRing or anything like that, but am thinking long term - October. So hurRAY for spring, and away we go.
 RUN Like Hell!

End of the story, time for a new one...

The end of 2010 is quickly approaching both in and out of sport. With it, comes reflection, closure, and a moving on. It's also a time for setting new, goals, attitudes, outlooks, training plans, hopes and maybe even dreams to be realized. So with that being said, I've found it inspiring and ultimately necessary to move on to hopefully something new and or better without a need to "scroll back" so to speak thru the struggles and YES some accomplishments of the past year.As far as the past year is concerned I've had a lot in the back of my complicated mind regarding an experience I had gone thru regarding my joining a racing team. An experience that ultimately caused a lot of strife, aggrevation, and even misdirected resentment and frustration... An interesting and worthwhile note is thru this entire year, I NEVER once slammed the team  by name, and I'm happy I didn't. It would have been shallow, juvenille,and petty, and in all honesty, it wasn't the team per se, but "the fit" that didn't work. They are an incredible group, and one of the members is someone I've known since suspension forks were invented LOL, and I think incredibly highly of him. In and out of the sport. So as far as the team experience is concerned, live and learn, and YES I did. I've learned a good deal about myself over this last year, made some mistakes along the way, and fell into a couple mindtraps that really messed me up...With that being said, I'm ending this blog, (and currently considering wordpress or blog.com for added features) and since the new year falls on 1/1/11 feels like a very fitting time for a much needed for sport and personal reasons - restart. I  hope some if not all of you follow me over to my new blog,when it goes live! So now its time for me to ultimately wrap up all loose ends, get my house organized both "upstairs" and downstairs and move forward. Time to get "Stoned on Endorphins" I'm excited, and hopeful.
thanks to all
Ray

DING! I have it figured out

Well like I mentioned a number of weeks ago, I would be reflecting on this past year, and plotting my course for the next one. So now that the dust has settled and I have had some (not done yet) time to look around, I've realized something/things.
* If it were not for this past years experiences, I would not have learned anything. Only thru trial and error am I able to improve.
* There's no faking it when you want results, your either completely in, or your not.
* A training regimen with all the focus and dedication equal to that of something like Lindsey Lohan's quest for straightening out her life, or Scott Weiland trying to stay straight doesn't cut it.
* Diet when your in your 20s and 30s does not equal diet when your in your 40's. The 40's are cruel but fair...
* Family will always come first, and I simply don't have it in me to short change them, or ever want to.
* My love of the sport can't be altered. My LPM pointed out a simple truth. You can take the man (me) out of the race, but you cant take the race out of the man.
* Dedication along the lines of obsession make it happen.
* There is no pressure when you have a redo, and are honest with yourself as to where you are.
* Today matters....

I am still getting things sorted out, but am happy to know that I am starting to make sense of it all. The frustration is gone because of a change in perspective. Now it's all about putting the pieces together in the puzzle that makes me who I am and seeing what I can do.

drinkin the kool-aid AKA one of the cool kids

UGH, gone are the days I could be hitting the road or trail for a 7am ride. I am sitting here temporarily delayed, looking out at a dark (and brisk!) morning waiting for the sun to come up. A sobering reminder that winter is right around the corner. So since the time changes this weekend, I made every attempt to get out for a late afternoon ride a few days this past week. I recently picked up a new hard tail mountain bike or more appropriately a 29'er, and HAD to get out on that beautiful new machine to spend the required and tedious amount of time adjusting seat height, bar height, and I even swapped 3 different lengths of stems, and bars to get to a place I feel was dialed in(at least initially...) I suffer from a bit of O.C.D. (ala Eddy Merckx) when it comes to bike setup, but it's totally worth it in the long run, or should I say ride. First impressions? At first the big wheels made me feel like I was on a circus bike, and the fact that I spent the last year on a full suspension bike makes the ride even more noticeably different. Aside from that, NO complaints. I come from a simplistic back in the day hard tail rigid bike world, and way back then I even balked and didn't ride with a suspension fork. I have always preferred simple, so the hard tail is where I like to be. The riding feels different, but I am pretty convinced it is faster. The future of the sport? Maybe, but it IS for me. I'm digging it, and I'm digging the insane deal I got it for. NOTE Some situations work out in the end, case in point the bike purchase. I rebuilt my full suspension bike for my LPM ;) and I'm sure she will reap the benefits of a high quality full suspension ride and all the comfort and control it provides her. Not a bad bike to be given, but she is my "A" number 1 supporter, fan and the love of my life so of course I'm going to set her up big time.
The other notable thing I did is pick up some compression wear. I've been toying with the idea for a while and a vendor was at a race expo I was at last night so out comes the VISA, and off I go with the latest performance wear.I actually bought my LPM ;) a pair of the tights in my never ending quest to assist her in staying a healthy, faster, and less injury prone athlete.
 So now it's time to get on the arm and leg warmers, wind jacket, and anything else I may need to hit the trails on that WAY cool 29er that all the cool kids ride, and then I can follow that up with a stroll around the village in some cutting edge recovery compression wearr.
ALLEZ
Ray

Its the end of the world as I know it..

Boy, REM sure makes a lot of good music...

Yesterday morning I completed the last event I signed up for this year. A halloween 1/2 marathon called the Monster dash http://www.chicagomonster.org/. Lots of costumes - note (I was going to dress up in a running singlet from the team I'm on(in theory only) as a crafty artistic move but decided against it at the last minute), plenty of scary halloween music Thriller, Time Warp, LOL,overall a fun event. The course was along Chicago's beautiful lakefront and we never once were running in the streets.All lakefront path... It was cool and windy on the first leg of the out and back course, and aside from the winds was perfect for a running event. I did well. I set a goal of completing it in under 2 hours and finished in 1:50. The most ironic part of this is aside from about 3 runs over the last month with the longest being 9 a month or so ago, I did not prepare for this AT ALL or minimally at best. I went into it with no pressure (aside from getting from start to finish), and it was a pretty strange feeling. I am ALWAYS stressed going into a race, and it was a welcomed frame of mind. I need to work on the prerace stress next year. This proved that stressing out does not do you any good. Easier said than done, but totally worth working on. The family is still amazed how I can still pull this type of results off with no training. What I'm thinking is hmm, just imagine if I trained for it...

 So there it is I'm done. I learned, or better yet realized, a LOT this year, some good, some bad. If anything over the next month or so I'm taking the time to reevaluate what I want or more appropriately what I can do next year. I need to take everything into account. Time constraints, current abilities, current weaknesses, family and work (ugh) obligations. What I want to give up (time, interests, etc) and what I'm willing and able to do. 

So this past year I somewhat foolishly dove into racing(mostly the racing team) without having a solid plan or anything to realistically base my goals and limiters on.I based it mostly on where I left off 10 years ago, and a LOT has changed. To the benefit of this past years experience, I now know (realistically) where I'm at, and what I can and can't do with regards to life and how to live it. Even though it was frustrating, and at times heartbreaking, I can learn from the experience I guess if I hadn't of jumped in, I wouldn't have the answers that I have now. There's still one thing that remains true after all these years. I'm not willing to be absent from ANY of the kids activities, or take away from quality time from my wife. I  realize though that I need to be somewhat selfish with my training time if I plan to excel but there's only so much time and so many things you can do in a day... So it's going to take some reflection to get it all figured out, but I'l be back next year, better than I was this year based on what I've learned, and isn't that what it's all about?? It's the end of the world as I know it -and I FEEL Fine :)

Monster Dash half marathon race photos

Ray

Thats me in the corner...

Yep, another sly reference to a song by a brilliant band, REM...
So it's interesting how God talks to me (you) when you need it most, and the creative way God does it. This past Sunday was one of those days. It started out with being asked to take up the offeratory gifts at mass with my 2 "little people", and a couple things that were said during mass. Later that day I was out doing my training RUN for this weeks 1/2 marathon, and I looked down and found this little rubber flourescent cross. I stopped, picked it up, and put it in the pouch I had on that I was carrying my car key in. I was thinking I found it for a reason, and will make a point of keeping it with me fore subsequent events. As an aside, later in the run,a full grown deer with a huge rack proceeded to come out of the forest and gallop for a good 1/2 mile slightly ahead of me because it could not veer off the trail due to the canal blocking it's escape. It was sureal. I had not see a deer that majestic in a long time and to have it run along with me was sureal, of course it was on a day I did not bring my camera/phone with... Anyway, when I finished the run, I went to get the cross out of the pouch and although the key was still in there, the cross was gone. It had worked it's way out of a hole in the mesh. hmmm... And to think I did NOT lose the car key. Fast forward thru the week and my most recent "conversation with God" came about because I've really started to get hung up on the thought that based on my age, I'm past my prime, and should seriously reconsider my athletic endeavors, and where I'm at in life.Hate to say it's all the trappings of crazy mid life thinking, and it has been REALLY fcuking with my head. I actually had somewhat of a meltdown over it last night.
So this morning the first thing I see is a FB post from a friend who just won silver at the World championships in his age group for the 2000 meter pursuit. Did I say he is at least 10 years OLDER, and he took a silver medal at the WORLD Championships?! It struck me like an eighteen pound sledge, it's NEVER too late, UNLESS I give up, and I've been contemplating that lately. Silly me.Realistically I will probably never get to the world championship arena, but I AM gifted with talent above and beyond your typical athlete,so TODAY matters, and age is irrelevant!So yes God I'm listening and thanks for the bit of hope, inspiration, and Divine Intervention (no doubt) .....
Ray

So what's really happening?!

Here's a bit of personal trivia, if my blog goes silent, it more than likely means I'm in a state of personal turmoil. This has been the case as of late. Work has been hellish, and taking it's toll. I've been so stressed and overwhelmed, that I totally got off track with everything other than surviving in my job, and foolishly trying to stay ahead and on top of everything. The end result is I'm burnt, overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, and simply confused. That's what happens to perfectionists working for perfectionists, and add to that type A personality, and a few other traits that can go either way as well. Without going into great detail, all I can say is I'm getting to a place where some dust is settling on a few decisions I made. It has been rough, but I ultimately learned what I'm willing to do to cope and more importantly what I can't do. Not having a good time right now, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't both scared, and hopeful at the same time.

My workouts have been reduced to about once a week over the last 3 or so weeks, and I have a half Marathon to do this Sunday. LOL As all of you know, I won't back out, and will be standing on the startline regardless of my current shape (or lack of). Which brings me to an important thought that has been in my head over the last couple of days. I'm blessed, lucky, fortunate, etc for my physical abilities, and have taken them for granted. My brother and my LPM ( ;) ) made a comment at breakfast yesterday how only I could pull off a half marathon with 3 runs in 3 weeks. It's like they write it off as a given. The reason that has been resonating so much is my LPM is struggling thru another injury not from overtraining but "other". I feel so bad for her, she wants to run so much, and yearns to run injury free and accomplish a few different race distance goals, but has experienced setback after setback. I've been fully supportive and most recently decided to build her up the full suspension mountain bike I rode this past summer for her to cross train on. YEAH I did get a 29er hard tail to take it's place so everyone wins :) BUT, the fact remains, I can go out and(insert event here) run a half marathon etc with little to no training, and she can't get her body to cooperate to get her thru a seasons worth of running uninjured that SUCKS! I did offer advice to her last night. I was hesitant because NOBODY wants to be told they can't do something they really want to do, but I hope it helps. I mentioned that she may want to cross train or ultimately focus on riding (and even swimming) for awhile. Change her direction... If running is bringing on so much injury she might benefit from riding, and trust me I've set her up REAL good with some great riding equipment. That's the benefit of marrying a cyclist ;) I'm sure if she gave it a chance she would probably totally enjoy cycling, YES I'm talking to you ;). There's a reason there are so many silent sports to choose from, and having a kick ass ride is much more exciting than having a nice pair of running shoes....
So yeah, I've realized how fortunate I am, and appreciate that more so than ever lately. It's ultimately influenced some of my recent choices on life and how to live it....
Ray

Take me x2 out to the ball game

 It's my dads birthday today, and I landed up scoring two great seats for the White Sox game yesterday (last game of the year) and he and I went for his birthday. The weather has been cold lately, but the seats were sheltered from the winds and we were actually warm basking in the sun during the game. nice...

  I got the tickets for free, and decided to get a birthday wish put up on the scoteboard for him. The cool thing is the cost to do that equaled what I would have paid for the tickets, so it was totally worth it, a few innings before it was up there my dad commented that the White Sox have the best scoreboard in the major leagues. He was thrilled to see it! nicer...



And to make the day even BETTER a foul ball was hit, bounced off the upper deck and landed right in our row, a dive across a few seats and I had it in my hands. Dad, Happy Birthday! Priceless....

:)
Ray

Run like Hell!

YEP, that's a great Pink Floyd tune (and the current image you see on my blogsite) Riding for the year as far as goals are concerned, is behind me, and I have switched into running mode. Over the last week or so I have transitioned to building running fitness which at this point is almost like starting from step one as far as endurance and speed are concerned. Outside of a run each week there hadn't been much if any of it done over the summer. That has officially changed. I'm now making it a priority over riding mostly because of a Halloween half marathon I'm signed up for, and to help shed some pounds I've put on. Along the lines of running, I've been TOTALLY digging a couple apps I have for my new smartphone which KICKS ASS! How have I been able to live witrhout this killer EVO phone?? It's taking over my life LOL Couple programs I'm digging are Cardio, and IMapmyrun (and ride). The cool thing is these programs layout your route when your done, thanks to GPS tracking, and upload all the stats of your workouts for later review. It should be cool to follow the improvements as time passes. The only thing I don't like is I cant track my runs when I'm in the trails, and I REALLY dig running in the forest. I also have to find a good solution to carrying mty phone without it feeling like it's in the way...But oh well, the coolness and wow factor outweigh the current shortcomings.
Last night, I ran on Argonne Labs trails to get in a 10 mile run, crushed limestone, rolling terrain, and a "woodsy" feel. It was reassuring to see my "base fitness" can get me thru a 10 miler with little preparation, but I felt heavy and sluggish mostly because running outside of 1 day a week with the running club I started late in the summer, or not at all = where I'm at. I'm sure with focus, persistence, and (unfortunately) being self centered with my training time, I should be able to get things together and make some decent improvements over the next month. Like the recent change in seasons, I am appreciating the change in activities but will miss riding (like missing summer). I guess you need to change things up a bit to appreciate what you really like.
Run on....
Ray

The "Chequamegon 40" 2010

Fun weekend. An 8 hour drive up to the northern woods of Wisconsin for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. The race takes place on the famous birkbiener cross country ski trails as well as the phenomenal trail system in that area. 2500 racer limit, fills up by lottery, and for the 1st time in "aboot" LOL 15 years I returned there for the fesivities. This was my last race, and my emotions were all over the place going up there because I am nowhere close to where I wanted to be physically and unfortunately mentally. I was reminded by the single greatest person to ever enter my life (the LPM) that I should go up there and have "fun". No need to have it turn in to an end all event. So that's what I did. GOD she has no idea how her little comments can make such a difference sometimes...Cool weather, the leaves have already turned colors, and a total vibe of a small woods town was totally great. That and the fact that NOTHING beats Wisconsin fish frys, and I made the best of it binging on all the fish I could find the entire time we were out there. The hotel had the indoor pool right outside our room, and a hot tub right there as well, so everybody had the opprotunity to have fun, and the one thing that's been most important to me is making sure everybody had fun when we would venture off on my race excursions. Race morning I found this small diner in town (the only one open at 6AM) - race started at 10..., and I enjoyed a hearty lumberjack  breakfast in a real small place that everyone knew each other, it was actually pretty cool.Reminded me of something out of that show Northern Exposure from a number of years ago. I TOTALLY dig finding those types of authentic and "unique to the area" places.  

I headed back to the room gathered my bike and gear and off we went to the start area 20 or so miles away. The weather was in the 40s  in the morning, with a forecast for sun and mid 50s. PERFECT for a long distance bike race on some challenging trails with aboot 2500 other riders. Like I said this is or at least was the biggest off road festival in the US.So I decided to wear part of the team kit (minus the jersey) that I belonged to this year, as well as some sweet Rock Racing arm warmers that totally had me lookin good LOL. I chose the kit since this was my last race, so out of respect there I went. Anyway, on to the race. The course simply kicks ass. Anyone you know who has done the Birkebeiner cross country ski race should be RESPECTED because that trail system is simply punishing. I like Xcountry skiing but couldn't even fathom doing that on skis.The race highlights included rolling thru Hayward with a couple thousand mountain bikers and listening to the rumbling sound generated by all those knobby tires on asphalt for a couple miles - imagine a mountain bike on a windtrainer x1500! Then there was the spectators, the coolest being Pirate Hill. Didn't know what to expect when I saw the sign warning of the hill and low and behold it was full of people dressed as pirates, firing off a homemade PVC cannon, as well as offering rum shots to anyone interested (after all they ARE pirates lol. Then there was the Seeley Fire tower climb. There is nothing I know of that I can compare it to, it comes in at "aboot" 30 miles into the race. I dreaded it and looked forward to it the entire race. I had no problem riding any of the races endless hills thrown my way, something I've always had a natural ability to do, and I was wondering what that climb had in store for me. A quick right turn and there it was, and it's so damn long and tall you simply can't see the top, and it really looks like it goes on forever - your best served not looking up. So there I went up, up, up, up, riders walking EVERYWHERE. I had one guy in front of me who also managed to continue riding the climb and he had been calling out his presence, and the others would part the trail and offer shouts of encouragement. I was riding the "redline" and so deep in the pain cave that I had nothing in me that wanted to give up any energy or concentration by yelling out or distracting myself from the task at hand, so I silently pedalled behind him. He ultimately dropped aboot half way up, and then it was me, and I am so grateful for all the encouragement directed my way. If your one of the thousands reading this ;) and you were cheering for me "THANK YOU"!  I would have responded, but it was me against the climb, and there was nothing extra. I made it to the last stretch before the jump in grade 20 or 30 yards yards from the top, and 2 guys bumped into each other while pushing their bikes and stopped me dead in my tracks. and the foot went down to the ground. There was no way I could get back on and continue riding so I pushed it up and over, jumped back on, and away I rode away DELIRIOUSLY lol I ALMOST conquered that climb... I made a comment to someone a bit later that there was nothing they could throw at us now that we were over that climb, but YES there was, they seemed to save the most hills from the Birkbeiner trails for the end. It was killin people left and right. Nobody was making jokes anymore, everyone was riding silent with the occasional groan and slew of  dismounts on the pushes op the climbs. I made every climb ;)   I rode a good race. I told those close to me I was hoping to do it in 4 hours, and landed up finishing in 3:23 which put me in the very middle of finishers among men. 856 0f 1602 to be exact. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel after the race was over, I did hold back some tears (for the most part), good and bad ones, but ultimately felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment considering how much(read little) training time I've had, and the current shape I'm in. I finished better than everyone I know that also came out to race and one victory over an acquaintance was a bit sweeter than the others, but that's the essence of competitiveness, and I don't doubt for a minute his goal was to beat me... He landed up coming in a minute behind me. That one small victory was indeed sweet...

So yes I had fun.. Not sure what comes next, but I figure I'll let the good feelings of riding a successful race to the best of my current ability sink in, after all, it's been a long bumpy road this year, and a "feel good" has been long overdue. Driving home my LPM told me to tell her she's right, and I did, but asked about what? She said "You can take the man out of the race but you can't take the race out of the man" She IS right.... and for that I love her.

So who knows what happens next, but this chapter is closed, and after a bit of reflection we'll figure out what to do. I'm moving on to running for a while to clear out the head and gain a new perspective, as well as get myself in shape for a Halloween 1/2 marathon,

Allez

Ray

the flow...

Yesterday I got out for my last off road ride before my last race. Went out to Palos and off I went. I simply wanted to spin my legs out because by the 3rd ride of the week my body feels good. I rode Sunday, yesterday was day two, and the race will be day 3 do I should be feeling good. The ride was a good one. I for  whatever reason became one with the bike and everything was effortless. I experienced "the flow".If you've ever experienced it you know what I mean, and when it happens it's magical...I rode a LOT of singletrack and ultimately landed up on the longest single track trail I know of in Palos. It winds itself completely around a lake and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to ride. A cool thing I came across was a pair of wolves halfway thru the trail. They basically turned and bolted into the thicket, but not before I got a good look at them and their full greyish while tails standing upright as they took off. Never seen that before. Trails were in great shape, andg ranted I wasn't hammering , but the pace was good, and like I said, it was effortless.Did a few intensity jumps, tuned into how I was feeling while I was riding, and it all felt good. I still question the need for full suspension, but the machine simply rides well, and aside from a weight penalty and more than needed complexity it doesn't give me much to complain about. I'm still considering giving it to my LPM for all her dedication and support, but not sure what I'l do. Boy #1 has been out with me on my hardtail(lighter ;) ), but like any teenager, regardless of how thrilled I am to have him along, I may be taken for a ride and this may be a phase, so I have options. No need to figure that out now....

The reoccuring theme here.
  Theres something about the escape of the woods, be it running or riding, that really takes you away from EVERYTHING. It's like Calgon(take me away) times 10 lol. So yeah, things aren't peachy right now, but there's no doubt I appreciate the times such as these when one of the benefits of silent sport shines brightly. That and "the flow"
Here's hoping I feel this way this weekend...
Allez
Ray

Long Live Fignon

Everyone has a favorite. Favorite color (purple), favorite food (Mexican), favorite band (hmm, Van Halen? Judas Priest? REM? Prince? - that's a tough one). Favorite cyclist - Laurent Fignon.... I was saddened over the weekend to read that he had passed away from cancer recently. I'm even more disappointed (don't know why) that I didn't learn about it when it happened on August 31st. I think I've been so wrapped up in my "cycling/ racing situation" that I had turned away from the sites I usually keep on top of like PEZ cycling news , Velonews etc, and simply missed the sad news. So yesterday I rode the road in honor of "Le Professeur" He has been my idol since I discovered the beautiful world of bike racing back in the mid 80s. So thank you Laurent (or more appropriately "Merci") for the years of inspiration you have provided, both in eyeglass wear, the often tried but never successful plan of having my own ponytail, and the years and miles of road riding I did  pretending to be you gracefully riding down many a road as Eurotrash cool as I could be. I had the opportunity to see Laurent when the Gatorade team came to Chicago for a International Criterium race a number of years ago. I had visions and aspirations of getting his autograph,or better yet a picture with my idol, but all I could muster was a number of  pics of him racing and photos of him all but ignoring me when I cornered him (so to speak) in the Gatorade press tent prior to the race. Not one opportunity for a pic making any sort of eye contact even as I was pleading with my eurotrash wannabe broken french phrases... The memorable moment came when a french security guard finally looked at me and uttered in broken English "Do not bother him". My L.P.M. and I use that phrase to this day LOL
Parisan - yes, beloved still? absolutely.
The most interesting trivia is I actually tried to name our first son Laurent, but "she" ;) didn't go for it. Something about kids making fun of him when he was growing up because of his name or some other nonsense.
At any rate he will be missed.

"Remembering Laurent" in PEZ cycling news
To the man who gave definition to the the phrase "8 seconds" and has and always will inspire me to ride.
Allez Laurent, I rode for you yesterday....
Ray