Ignoreland...

I should know better. 99.989999% of the time the biggest hurdle is simply doing it. I was freakin about the weather, and last night I ran. It was great. While I was out I reminded myself how often that inner voice will put a spin on things making them scarier, harder etc than what they are in reality. JUST SHOW UP and DO IT.
I guess that inner voice is not good at putting a positive spin on things.

Bring ON the winter.

Daunting...

This last week has me a bit freaked with my decision to train for a spring marathon. I'm definetly NOT backing out, but too many times this week left me with an ill feeling as to things to come. Monday we had painfully cold weather - a cold that went right thru me in the short time I was out and about, a cold that had me chilled the entire day. Tuesday found me driving 3 hours (normally about 40 minutes) in terrible snow covered roads - the first snow of the season. I actually seen a cyclist out in this - stupid... So I spent more than a few minutes of my long slow drive wondering how many of days like this are going to F up my plans? I've never been a winter person and I've been reminded why.

So last week and this one are my down time weeks before formally hitting the roads. Funny but no workouts make Ray an unhappy camper. I see why it's hard for athletes to take some downtime ya know? Think I'm gonna run tonight...

Yo EDWARD!!

Out of all the music I love, the ONE person responsible for making me want to pick up a guitar, build one , and chase "the tone" is Edward Van Halen. I've been lucky enough to see him live a good number of times, and EVERY time I've been left amazed. "Eddie is god"!

steep in European tradition

If you know me you know that an argument can be made that I am the inspiration for the kid in the movie "Breaking Away". I AM a died in the Wool Euro Trash -WANNABE LOL
So on this uneventful cold Friday morning, I figured I would share one of my favorite photos. I took this at a Gratto in a nearby town that I visit for moments of prayer, solitude, and inspiration. Anytime my ride brings me close by, I make it a point to stop there. An interesting thing - My last "big" ride of the year found me there where I met up with the Arch Bishop (a hard core Italian) and I took the opportunity to have him bless my Madonna Del Ghisallo medallion. The photo captures the Madonna Gratto along with the road bike quite nicely....

Allez!
Ray

brave new world (or at least training program)

This winter will be a first as far as preparation is concerned. Historically when beginning training for the new year, I've focused on rollers during the week and lsd rides on the weekends when the roads permitted. I suplemented these workouts with runs mostly because of there aerobic efficiency and to mix things up a bit as well. This year finds me doing just the opposite. I'm beginning my training for an April marathon which requires me to focus on the running with the rides thrown in for variety. I know from experience that Marathon training will keep my weight down, and my aerobic system fine tuned. My hopes is this will get me on the bike lean and fit. YES it's a challenge to be training for a marathon in the dead of winter but the good news is I will then have spring and all of the summer to put the hammer down on the bike as opposed to training for your typical fall marathon. SO.... let's see how this goes :)

the wind the rain and bike porn...

Today was another one of my Advanced Runners led runs at work. Windy, wet, sleet with just a hint of what was becoming ice. Really surprised anybody went out with me. Funny but today was my bosses day to join me and I knew they wouldn't back out..

So what can ya do when the day is done and you don't want to stare at the TV? You surf and look at "bike porn" LOL Every so often I find myself lookin over ride galleries at sites like RoadBikereview.com, and most recently I found this one http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PHOTO_GALLERY&BRAND.ID Some cool rides there. Ya gotta check out the Pegoretti framesets or more importantly some of their paint jobs. Wild!! If I was ever to get a steel frameset again, which I really doubt with the magical ride and light weight of carbon, and more importantly because my new ride's a C40 :), I would consider a Peg but more than likely would buy Tommassini. The true steel artisan. I think I've been inspired to start a beautiful rides thread. I'll start with this one for good measure :)

Ray

Finding a Purpose

How many times have you read an article, listened to an inspirational speech, or simply wondered what your purpose in life is? Well, as the years pass I find myself revisiting that question more and more - sometimes at a painful level. A funny thing happened this past weekend. I was out on a run with temps in the single digits and no one else on the streets. It's not an altogether new situation for me to be in, - just last week I found myself doing my first long slow distance single-speed road ride in snow and sleet (daydreaming about Roubaix ;) . As I ran, the topic at hand came to mind, and the answer hit me square between the eyes, - my purpose in life is to continue challenging myself in sport and using my God given talents of riding and running to better myself on every level. To continue my journey of athleticism. It made perfect sense... An epiphany of sorts! It puts meaning behind the passion. It explains why I would train in the frigid off season for a spring marathon. It's the smile on my face as I come home from a run in the rain, or the pleasure in seeing I'm the only one out on such a day. It justifies why I love the pain brought about by an epic ride. It's the complete enjoyment (maybe not during the ride but definetly afterward) of seeing my monthly "performance test" ride continue to increase in AVG speed and lower times, it's all that and more. It's the reason why I subject myself to the pains of pushing myself physically and mentally. My mission is simply to keep moving....
My physical talents are my gift, and my life purpose is to use them.
Allez
Ray