Be Happy

I wont be going to the Wednesday Night Race tonight. But I will be stopping by the gym later. Still wiped out from last week. Never got in that long ride I was looking forward to. And didn't sleep much last night with a garage burning down nearby in the wee hours of the morning. I might hit the group ride at Crystal Ridge tomorrow but it looks like rain. And we sure need rain.

Did some landscaping for someone yesterday and had to come back from the job on my road bike. Today I have a lot of work around the house and some bookkeeping to do for the business. Another odd job tomorrow. I'm hoping the renovation work might lead to some drafting jobs. Hoping Linkedin will pay off in my professional pursuits too. Of course my brother's could have given me a job in the family business sometime over these last four years. I certainly made it clear I could use the work and they know we need the money. Why didn't they? You ask them.

On my way home yesterday I rode through the Tosa Village and saw that the new Cafe Hollander was open. Lots of bikers, of the bicycle variety, hanging around on their bikes. Got home and took a shower. Slipped into some sweat pants and a golf shirt.

Later that night Misao looked at me, laughing, and said; "Your shirt is on inside out."

"That's how it was on the hanger." I answered incredulously.

Again... How am I supposed to know these things? I didn't hang the shirt.

I heard some guy on the radio say that if you hold a smile for 15 seconds you can change your mood.

Wait...

Damnit... It worked.

Sometimes it is easy and feels safe to stay where one is. Engulfed in some melodrama or tragic imagery. I know I've been there. But it is not a pretty or healthy place to be. Things always look gloomy and insurmountable but if you put on a smile, dare to be happy, everything works out.

Still not feeling it? Here's a little help.






I know I made you smile.

Beautiful

Here is a photo of the eggplant we have hanging upside down in our garden. I didn't know they had such nice flowers. I didn't know the Metro Mountain Bikers had a trail day Saturday either because they sent out the message Friday evening, we're working, and I didn't get up until noon Saturday, which isn't uncommon depending on how much I sleep during the week. If I knew I would have went. I certainly don't know everything and some things I do know people insist on lying to me about or keeping it to themselves. So what am I supposed to do! Been trying to get something to someone for a couple months now but no one will help me out.

Yahoo is ending their geocities pages. My first attempt to create something on the web will be gone this October. I don't know what will become of their group sites or flickr. I downloaded a free Sarif photo editor that has some features I didn't have with my other free software. Trying to find a good picture for a profile image but, with my fat face, my cheeks scrunch up when I smile and I look like a rabbit. Haven't had a good picture in years.

Hit a Wall

The Wednesday Night Race went well. Impelled to rest Tuesday I was surprised how strong I was riding Wednesday. 30 minutes or better each lap. I stopped at three laps and a run through O'Malley's Woods. It looked to be getting too dark but when I saw my times after the race was over I realized I could have made the forth lap easily. I was also weary of how my body would react because I was pushing hard. And I was right about that.

Got some renovation work, closer to my profession than landscaping, that hopefully will translate into something consistent, at least on a small scale. Got up early Thursday and started feeling nauseous while I was working on site. Went to an Alterra pre-ride for their upcoming race that evening and the hurting really started. And with all the mud (it hardly rained) I called it early and went home to wash my bike. Could hardly walk the dog that night either. Found the Alterra site linked to the corresponding WORS event page a while back and signed up for their group ride e-mail list.

Still feel good about how strong I've been recently. Didn't train nearly as much as I wanted to over the Winter but I did train. I had a strong finish last year and am 5 lbs lighter now than I was at the end of last year. I take several supplements, seldom on a consistent basis, but have been taking ginseng on a regular basis for a while. Also taking much longer rides than I did last year. Not necessarily pushing, but long rides mostly on MTB trial. Don't know how long I'll rest but my next ride will be one such ride. Lots of trail along the Menominee River all the way past Capital Drive.

I also hit a wall in my weight loss. Stuck at 247.5 lbs (not 147.5). Even riding more and eating less, Misao comments on how little I'm eating, the weight just wont budge. Still over 15 lbs down from the start of the season.

A bit of controversy in the endurance race world. May be going to Las Vegas.

I was Racing a Girl

The 'Sunburst Showdown' was a confidence builder. I was intimidated by the size of the ski hill and wondered how I would perform. Two good sits in the morning cleaning out the old insides, breakfast, plenty of Gatorade and my energy sport drink and a few warm up runs and I was prepared as best I could be.

I held with the group through the start, the lead out or prologue as Don would call it, and slowly the others began to pass me as we thinned out. When we hit the opening climbs I was passed by the rest of my starting wave but soon found myself passing others who faltered on the climbs. And there were lots of climbs as you can see on this helmet cam video from a citizen racer. All classes raced the same course.

So a 37 minute lap followed by another of the same and a 35 minute final lap. In the second lap I noticed one of the female competitors closing in on me. In the third as we passed through the same spot I noticed she was the same distance behind. Then she started closing a bit more. I pushed myself and then I dropped my chain on a climb. The only climb in the race where I had to push my bike because I had to stop. She was closing as i put my chain back on, but after I noticed I was actually going faster pushing my bike up the hill than she was riding. A few big drops sent me flying down the course. I kept fighting to stay ahead. I'm sure she had many opportunities to catch me and pass but kept changing her mind. I had a good lead but when we crested the final small hill I didn't look back but put it in the big ring and rushed the finish line. Starting a minute or more behind me she had the better time but you have to take your victories where you can find them.

Climbing, climbing, climbing without dismounting except when I dropped my chain. Very satisfying. The female competitor pushed me for my best lap. I have to push more in the first two laps but with little to no competitors to challenge it is easy to hold back a bit. I try to hold onto the tail of groups that start to lap me in the second lap. I couldn't imagine myself finishing much better than I did.

Looking forward to the Alterra Classic. Resting today, not going to the novice ride in Hoyt Park. My recovery ride yesterday was doing my errands on my road bike and hitting the gym. I felt it afterwards. Tomorrow, Wednesday Night Racing and than looking to get in some long rides and another Wednesday Night Race and then taking it easy until Alterra.

Don't know if my results are counting towards team Cyclopath. It is a pretty informal loose group but I gave the best finishes I will be getting this year with a 7th place in my class Sunday and four laps, due to a slightly shorter than typical course, in the Crystal Ridge WEMS race. My fantasy Tour de France team, 'Cyclopak,' has dropped way behind after showing promise in some early stages.

Today, writing and prep for my next major house repair. Also going to revamp the vegetable bed in the garden. Don't know if it is the soil or the weather, but almost nothing has been growing. Taking out the topsoil, putting it in buckets, and then taking out the gravel and junk underneath to be put in buckets and disposed of. Putting back the questionable soil and then buying some new garden soil at Menard's to put on top. Will put in spinach, radishes and lettuces. Cool weather plants that harvest quickly for the rest of the year.

Just came back from Sunburst and will give the details later. Of course WORS did a great job as always.

Pasta Tonight

Yes tomorrow is 'Sunburst'. Not pre-riding today, saving some fuel coin. Today I will have to stretch my legs out on the bike at least. Two years ago I broke my chain and walked or coasted most of the course. Still finished. I'm looking forward to the challenge. Feeling in better shape and have my sport drink mix restocked. Hope I feel as good tomorrow. It will be nice not to be rushed, the race being just an hour away. Tweaked the bike earlier in the week and will give it a quick wash and lube. 'Squirt' is still a sponsor of WORS and one bottle lasted me nearly a year, though I have not found a brush with bristles long and stiff enough to get all the excess residue off easily. Something that needs to be done from time to time. I like the product.

Misao will make kagiagi soba tonight in preparation. Really a cross between kagiagi and zaru soba. Or zaru soba with tempura. No camera still (no pictures), so she sees no reason to come along to take pictures or just sit around while I race. Wrote another poem today... and found this soba video from a show "Cooking with Dog". Not sure what happens to the dog on the final episode. To my fellow eaters of pasta, enjoy! And good racing tomorrow.



Hope Alois will have something for us from Germany soon.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yes, the dreaded day is here.

Three laps at the Wednesday night race. I had ridden my road bike to the gym in the afternoon and did a basic quick shoulder workout. I didn't want to push myself too far or keep everyone waiting so I didn't do the fourth. And I really felt it when I walked the dog in the middle of the night. I had also spent the day putzing in the yard and tweaking my bike.

Climbing the switchbacks were tougher than I remember from last year. Acceptable consistent times and points for three laps. Yes, Coop suggested last meeting that we go WEMS style and give points if one finishes one lap short. Something I suggested last year.

Looking to have a good outing at Sunburst and then build more for the Alterra Classic. Have to start getting out for 30-40 mile rides but don't want to put that kind of wear on my mountain bike. Misao got me a new seat pack for my birthday, or wedge as some call it. A big one. The last one was too small and the straps wore through recently. If I could get a wedge, not to mention a new saddle (and a pump and clipless peddles), for my road bike I'd use it much more; getting in a lot of long rides.

Yesterday, besides staying up late hoping I may sleep through the entire day today, I was also on the Internet. Trying to network on Lnkedin and writing a few poems on one of my other blogs. Another Haiku (Haiku's don't have titles I've noticed) and a couple of Cinquains titled "Daughter" and "Mother". Studying and looking to build up to more complex forms.

My Tour De France Team, Cyclopak, has had some good days but is not doing well overall. Following the WSOP on twitter has kept me on the edge of my seat. Phil Ivey has made the 'November 9' final table. Misao also got me a book on Omaha High-Low Poker for my birthday. A table I thought of moving up to if I ever hit it big at the limit hold'em table. May go to the casino tonight. Will tweet if I do.

Added this old picture to my profile, though it doesn't show in the sidebar because we have multiple contributors. Hope Alois will have something soon. That jersey really makes me look thin.

Our home phone line is fixed. We were actually on another number completely, for maybe a couple weeks. I'm not sure where our incoming calls were going. I'm sure all good phone calls go to heaven.

Beautiful weather for riding, though I haven't put in a lot of miles. I went out intending miles today but my heart wasn't in it. Been down with that most dreaded of days coming. Even thought of going to a movie alone, something I've never done.

Busted a cleat off one of my riding shoes. A small inconvenience, if that, especially compared to the fates treatment of the Shed Master. His van stolen with his custom built beauty in the back. I'll answer your question again Shed Master; 'No, I am not psychic.' I wish I were. Perhaps I could tune in on the culprit and some biker justice could be imposed. Keenly perceptive while woefully unaware at the same time, but not psychic.

Starving to death for attention I've opened the comments to anonymousouses. Or how ever you would call them. Also on twitter now. Not many tweets, just following Conservatives and poker greats. Ivey is doing better than Hellmuth at the WSOP.

GO PHILS!

Next WORS race is close.

Hope You had a Happy 4th

Finally got a shot from a race. You can't fault a jersey that makes one look stout rather than fat (the camera adds 20lbs). The difference is subtle yet profound at the same time. My expression? ... Obviously my mind was somewhere else as usual these days. That and the lack of proper preparation in two important areas. One being not having a good nights sleep the night before, three hours is sufficient if it's a deep sleep, and second not having a good bowel movement in the morning.
The 'Crappy Bike Ride' was just that. My wife showed interest in attending, so we decided to go and exercise our social skills. We need a lot more exercise. While PBR was the standard, we split an ale of the ginger variety before the ride commenced. Riding as a pack is always a pleasure. And the destination, high in the State Fair park grandstands, can't be beat for the 4th of July as you can see fireworks going off all over the county. We decided to hold to some standards of maturity and didn't continue with the group to Gille's afterwards. We left the children to frolic in their childish ways and went home early and caught the new 'Dr Who' on TV. The general consensus was the ride wasn't crappy enough. The lack of crappiness something both Misao and I contributed to.

Thinking of going all cellular (or broadband) with our phone and Internet. May lose our old number but that line is on the fritz again after the storms a while back. "I hear neighbors." Can save a bit of cash. Even changing my number I don't think I'm a hard man to reach.

Thanks for sharing to those who don't copyright their photos on Flikr.

Tour De France

It's that time of year again and now you can join the tour via fantasy sports. Or you can join the Tour De Crap live. Misao says we are not working the 4th cause everyone is at the fireworks. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I don't qualify for the Tour, not being a drinker (or under 12 or pregnant).

My weight is now under 250lbs. Obvious as I climbed the hills at Crystal Ridge this last Wednesday night. Another 4 laps but I still got lip mixed in with the encouragement. I'll just have to DNF if I can't finish the last lap under 2 hours. People whine if you don't finish but they whine if you keep them waiting too long. I'll have to bring some cheese along next time.

Took a typical basic ride Sunday after the Saturday WEMS race. Had felt surprisingly good after the three hour competition then my body went into a kind of shock an hour after my Sunday ride. Long ride doing errands on my antique road bike Monday and then the Tuesday group ride which was a bit light. The same yesterday as I took a break, after the Wednesday night race, and worked on the yard among other things; suddenly boom!

But I am excited to pump up the training. I couldn't break the 250lb barrier last year but have new found motivation... somewhere. Hopefully I can get rid of this weight problem for good. Though my sleep apnea is not directly associated with my weight. Had to cancel a doctors appointment yesterday. They wanted to do some tests for my CPAP settings. Sometimes Misao starts talking to me after I put my mask on or in the morning and I have to turn the machine off and remove my mask lest I literally sound like Darth Vader.

Here is one of the dreaded hills at Crystal Ridge. This is last years WORS Alterra Classic. An event fast approaching. Looks like I can make 7 WORS races this year. All chosen based on distance. Fees, fuel, miscellaneous accessories and yearly costs to keep the bicycle maintained will run me less than $100 a race this year, even with my gym fees thrown in. The nearby WEMS races were scheduled early in the season and those in WORS late. It would have worked better for me if it was the other way around. Bluemounds, where I nearly bled out last year, is tempting.

I was happy to get back to the gym, finding my weight lifting belt fitting two notches smaller. Had been busy and neglecting my strength training. It is good just to get out with other people during the week as working at home, and on the home, is a fairly solitary endeavor weekdays. Got myself Linkedin.

I've been posting a lot, setting a new high last month, but have to get to my other blogs. I have two other contributors who haven't been pulling their weight. Have to give them a chance to post.

Reckless Abandon

In my ever increasing pursuit of a life of reckless abandon I've come to walk the dog in the middle of the night, work on house renovations in sandals and drink coffee after 12 noon. And to top it all off have turned to a life of poetry.

I've started some new blogs and here is a short Haiku... wait... all Haiku's are short, that I published online fitting the 5-7-5 parameters depending on how you define 'on' (moras).

BBG

Haight Summer

Obvious Oblivious

To Be Same Is Is

So you think I have a problem with baby boomers? ... Don't we all?

Were expecting something mushy? ... Sorry!