I learned a lot about myself this year. I never had a “real” structured training program in the past, so I started with a rough plan in the beginning and it gradually morphed into a decent routine. Definetely room for improvement, but overall not bad. Every year, like everyone else, I try to set achievable goals for myself. What I should do is set unachievable goals, so if I don’t make them, I still achieved my original achievable goals. Makes sense to me. I race the same venues year to year, with some new races thrown in when time allows. Every year my goals are to better my times from the previous years. Once you are in your 40’s, it doesnt get easier. Being 42, I have to face the facts that training will be a little more difficult. This year I really surprised myself with what I was able to accomplish. Not only was I able to better all of my times from last season, but crush them. I rode the singlespeed in all but 1 race. I was a little leary at first, just because last year I rode the geared bike in all but 1 race. So trying to reach my time goals were going to be a challenge.

What I found out was I was much more efficient and confident on the SS. You should know that efficiency is a comparison of the useful work energy provided by a machine or system to the work energy applied to the machine or system. You should know that the formula for efficiency is: Energy output/Energy input+100%. You should know that the parts of a machine or system and how they are connected together will affect the machine’s or system’s efficiency. You should know that other forces such as friction will affect an object’s movement. You should know that velocity ratio is a comparison of the distance a load moves to the distance travelled by the force needed to move it. Ok, my head is spinning, not my legs-movin on.  In all but 1 race, I had bettered my times by at least 2 minutes. I was more focused this year. I pretty much eliminated my cramping issues-thanks to a magnesium supplement. Last year I was plagued with them all season. My physical conditioning was the best it has been in quite some time too. I was 189 pounds in january and by april, I was down to 182. Still on the heavy side for “racing” standards, but that is my limit.

I had 6 podiums and 8 top 10’s and 2 firsts. I had 4 top 10’s for all of 2009. If I had to pick a race that really made a difference in me, I would have to say the AFC Sugar Hill Race at Patapsco in april. I finished 7th, but that race showed what I was capable of doing. Last year I finished 8th with a 1:54 time for 22 miles. I felt like crap at the end. I should say I felt like crap 10 miles from the end. I wasn’t prepared and didn’t really take the competition serious enough. Not that I didn’t respect them, I just didn’t have a strategy to use on them. I came into the race with a completely different attitude and goal. This year also saw a extremely stacked group. If you have never raced a SS open class before, you can pretty much bet that you are going to have a good mix of pro, elite and sport riders. This was certainly the case this year. Long story short, I finished with a 1:51:01. 3 minutes faster than last years time, but more importantly; I finished feeling better. I knew I was capable of having a good year. It was a good year.

Cross season is now on the horizon and this will be a new venture for me. I did a couple last year, but I am going to focus on more this year and really try to be competitive, not just another mud drenched face in the crowd. One issue will surely make me stand out-My Lemond Poprad with 29er Crew apparel. Training will be a little different from here on out. Days will get shorter. Field trip with the kids. The trainer will be my new best friend again. I will be 1 year older, but I will also be a better and smarter rider because of it. I like this 40+ thing. It’s a good look for me. I just wish I could grow some spiffy sideburns to make me look tough. Oh well, I guess I will just have to rely on my Clint Eastwood stare.

My post for Stage 5 of the Breck Epic is up on Mountain Bike. This is probably the last one. I’m not sure if they’ll publish my Stage 6 post, the one where I basically just talk about the pro-ness of peeing in my bibs.

- Big Bikes

Last Saturday I raced the first annual XTERRA Illinois Wilds, an off-road triathlon that I helped design and organize. The 3.8 miles of mountain bike trails were super fresh- I mean the last Rogue hoe was put away 3 days before the race. These are just the beginning miles of some super fun trails that Wildlife Prairie State Park will host. PAMBA – Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association and their expert IMBA trained trail builders did fine work. They have very unique land to design with- this being abandoned strip mine area-before it was required to be put back the way it was. So there’s plenty of a rock upheaval, sink holes, and spoil banks to work with, along with some old hardwood forest to slalom in.  A new bridge, built in 1 morning, spanned ‘Orange Creek’. It’s really orange..The iron in intense.  I worked the hoe and clippers on the trails a few hours on my training ‘rest’ days. Volunteering to build trails that you will ride has a lasting personal touch. Every time I ride my sections, I smile. There are trails the likes of Beaver Lake, Cedar Ridge, Z-trail, and Serengeti 

I worked on the design of the swim and run courses, while mentoring the new race director about volunteers, registration, awards, etc.  On race morning I was moving buoys by way of kayak, and – first time ever- I dumped my kayak…complete with cell phone. I knew it could be hopeless but no harm in trying the ‘take it apart and put it all in a vat of dry rice’ trick.  (Post note - 2 days later I put it back together, and it works, although my battery has a shorter life now. This may not work for everyone –since I don’t have an uber-phone. It’s a phone..and a camera) 

After checking the swim, I rode the run course to be sure that the directional arrows that I put up yesterday in the thunderstorm were still up.  (I’m not usually too worried about being out in Midwest thunderstorms, since there’s a lot of taller stuff than me. But this time I was a little spooked as I was standing under high power lines when a bolt of lightening was way-too-immediately followed by shattering thunder. Thank goodness, after that, my route took me into the woods and ravines.)

Well, the arrows stayed up. So back to the venue to switch to my ‘racer’ hat.  I’d picked mud tires for the bike, knowing what yesterday’s thunderstorms can do in fresh exposed clay. I was pleased with my choice. I did okay-placing 2^nd female, but I was pooped and felt like I slowed to a crawl on the run.

WPSP put on a good spread of food after the race. That helped me get started on my recovery before tomorrows mountain bike race. Race venue cleanup was all done, thanks to the volunteers. 

Sunday morning I was able to sleep in a bit before heading 2.5 hours north to the Chicago suburb of Palos Hills for my 1:30PM race. I was standing on a hilltop at registration, overlooking a valley of open prairie and lakes, and was amazed that I could not see any evidence that I was in a metropolis. No houses, no freeways, no tall buildings.  Like Dorothy knew that she wasn’t in Kansas anymore, I knew I wasn’t in downstate Illinois. There were over 500 mountain bikers of all varieties, music rocking, and a frenzied festival atmosphere. (I think that downstate we are a bit more subdued). Still, not any larger women’s field than I’ve had all year….we counted 8. Not knowing the course, and having 3 laps to perfect it, I fell in behind for the first downhill open field slalom. Near the bottom, just before dumping into the single track, a bee managed to bullseye the miniscule space between my helmet an sunglasses, and began flopping around behind the right lens. I’m trying to manage a frenic pace, a bee, and a trail that I don’t know. Of course, before I could whip off my glasses, the bee stung me just below my right eye. Now, I’m riding a course I don’t know, trying to put my glasses back on, and using only my left eye, since my right one is watering, and will continue to do so for about 16 of the 24 miles.  I managed to move myself into 2^nd on an uphill segment and never caught sight of 1^st place. She was gone in the blink of an eye.  Yea, really.  I rode hard to keep the gap widening behind me while controlling my meltdown in the August heat and humidity. Palos has some fun trails, and I did have a blast.

getting all the medals

Six days passed and I was off to another mountain bike race….Kickapoo Bash in Danville IL. This 11 mile loop has plenty-o-roots and some subtle climbing- some rocky, some not, some jumping (not me!) and some fast descents.  It is another hot August day, and a similar field of 5 girls this week. My closest challenger and closest friend is Betsy. She is very talented in the single track and I’m better at uphill and roadie sections. This course is fairly even between the 2 trail types. So we played cat and mouse for 22 miles and I came out on top because she ran out of twisty real estate before the last road section to the finish line.  We shared stories on the cool down spin. Another gal in the race that is Betsys size offered up her 29er for a ride. Betsy was quite impressed by the easy rolling of those big wheels…another convert?

It was a usual Monday at the bike shop until you called wanting to trade in your girlfriend’s and your bikes. I anxiously awaited your expected arrival. When you came in later you asked for me and then I helped you grab your 2 Madone road bikes out of you 2 door older model Mercedes Kompressor. As Matt checked over the bikes in the back for value we talked about possibly a new Trek Speed Concept that these bikes could go towards. You fancied yourself quite the triathlete and proudly proclaimed your 9 hour time at Ironman WI the year before. As we talked at the counter the front door opened. You looked over for a second and back at me with a little worry in your eye. It was a fully clothed police officer.

And I, with pride and cockiness in my voice, said “Yep, he’s here for you”.

You see Paul, you know those bikes were stolen in Wabasha. I don’t know if you did it or a friend. What you didn’t know is that your victims had bought the bikes at our shop. So when you called about trading “your” bikes in I got your name and number. Then I convinced you to come in. When you walked through those doors I already knew that you were from Arkansaw, WI, ran track in high school, you were about 20 years old, and had in your possession 2 expensive probably stolen bikes. Google and being attentive to people calling can get lots of info.

Now, I don’t know if people trusted you before. But when the officer told me that the cost of the bikes meant you would be charged with a felony, I figured it couldn’t be good for your reputation. As I went home to enjoy my night with my daughter, you were handcuffed in the back of the police car on your way to jail. Funny how life is when you have to pay for your actions.

I guess what I am saying, Paul B., is don’t steal bikes. Oh, and I found no result for you Ironman time. How could you have lied to me, I thought we had a lot of trust going on? Have fun dealing with the mess you created, you moron.

Hugs and Kisses,
Charly

I have been able to put in a few more hours on the bike lately since this cold/flu has been dwindling. Mentally I have been preparing for my first solo 6 Hour event, the 6 Hours of Dauset. (My shop is one of the main sponsors) Physically I should be there come Sept 18. My Hifi is ready.

I put in a good 3.5 hours on the road bike yesterday with one of my good friends, Larry. He sported his Fisher road bike and old school 29er jersey that I gave him, sharing the love!
The route we chose was a local favorite, Rolling to Roberta, for this area it has some good rollers, hence the name. Towards the end after battling a steady headwind for 20+ miles my legs were to toast.

My only experience with anything this duration was competing on a very fast 4 man 18hour team a few years back. We all raced singlespeeds and we won in a commanding fashion. So I agreed and hoped I had the legs to go all night long. Start list was intimidating as every team in the duo category seemed composed of that ‘guy who is right on your heels all through the season’ from two or three seasons past. Figures. Nonetheless I was stoked to start the pain train on an epic scale. Here I am lining up next to my good gal pal and teammate Denelle Grant:

Thats my serious face. After a blistering fast first lap where I made it to the front for a few miles then missed a turn, corrected, and grabbed back on to the front (nothing like wasting a little effort early on in an enduro event eh?) and came in just behind the lead. My team mate made up the little time I had lost and we started into a long 18 hours of an ever increasing lead. Time ticked by, and ticked by, and ticked by, funny how time does that. I dear soigneurita fixed me up some rice for supper and after chowing like a starved Somalian I went back out. Fortunately I am too fast for cameras to catch at night, it comes out like those apparition you see on Ghosthunters or other SciFi channel shows. But this is what I look like when I am in the zone:

"The Zone"

Science has yet to establish which zone this is exactly, I like to think this is me focusing on something. I may be asleep. But our lead kept growing. the 10.5 mile course was unusual in that the first half continued to get slower and more technical with every lap while the second half became faster and faster. Funny how a couple hundred racers riding one trail all night allows you to see very visible changes in the track. Well, visible until my bike mounted light went out half way into a lap, fortunately my headlamp stayed strong. AS it always does, daylight came mercifully, although I never really felt totally drained and tired I nearly tanked it into my powdered eggs at breakfast. I imagine it looked a lot like “the zone” discussed above.

Alas podium came and we were on top by three laps and 20 minutes above the closest duo team and a lap + a few minutes over the next closest anybody else. Great victory for the Trek 29er Crew and Bike Factory Racing. Other really great races were had by Denelle Grant who took the womens solo and Shawn Tevendale of Trek Co-Op who took the mens solo podium. If we had our act together we would have scored a really sweet family photo. I imaging our family photo would have looked a lot like this:

Im the one with the sweet “one-zie.” Final results from the Trek assault on the Farm can be perused here

The Breck Epic has just come to a close. I survived and now it’s time to drink beer for a few hours and sleep for a few days. While I take care of those things, you can check out my Stage 4 post on Mountain Bike if you feel like it.

I instead joined 29er Crew teammates Chris Beck and Travis Saeler, stayed in town and raced the Mid Atlantic Super Series Rattling Creek MTB Marathon in Weiser State Forest.   Like Sue, I was looking for a long hard effort to prepare for the Shenandoah Mountain 100 early September. Since my 2010 results have been lacking and I was looking for a win, I opted for my geared Superfly and the Masters 45+ division rather than duking it out with what looked to be a pretty competitive Single Speed category.

We stage at the bottom of a hill on a short road section. I line up next to 2009 NUE Masters Series champion John Williams who rides for Bike Line. I also see Mike Laub in the 2nd row on the other side of the road. Since we’re doing a mass-start, other than John and Mike, I have no idea who the 22 other registered Masters racers are.

Bang!  we’re off on the short road section before a long three mile double-track climb to the top of the ridge.  Since this is a mass-start with 100 riders and there’s a gate at the beginning of the double-track climb that forces riders down to single file, I gunned it on the road.  I was through the gate in 5th place. Mission accomplished.  Ahead of me was at least Beck and PaValleys.com riders Brandon Draugelis and Rob Lictenwalner.  We stayed tight for a short while, but I needed to settle down a bit for the climb and so I let the leaders slip away.  3 or 4 riders went by and I did not chase.  I glance back and see the line of 90 followers.  After ten minutes of climbing I’m passed by eventual single speed winner Mark the Elk Elsasser. He’s running what looks like 32×18 which is a huge gear for the climb we’re on.  Elk is known for being hard on equipment and I’m sure is considered to be his sponsor’s (Independent Fabrications) most valuable rider because of his extreme product testing ability.  He just breaks stuff… kind of a lot.  I’m thinking Mark is going to be tough in two weeks at SM100 with legs like that! After another 10 minutes, I’m caught and passed by my good friend Jed Prentice, a Bike Doctor rider who turned pro last year.

We’re close to the top of the climb, so I gas it a little to stay with Jed. We stay together on the road section after the climb but once in the single track, Jed gets around a guy who I think is moving at a fine pace and he’s gone. The Rattling 50 is mostly single track and the single track that’s there ranges from medium rocky to full-on rock gardens. There’s nothing buff about this race which is why it’s so fun. If you’re good in rocky single-track, you’re going to do well at the Rattling 50. Since there’s really only the one major climb in the very beginning of the race, I fully expect to be caught and passed a few more times by riders who’s technical rock riding skills outweigh their climbing ability.

About 15 minutes into single track, I stab-n-dab a couple of the nastier rock gardens and I notice the rider behind me is voicing words of encouragement. It’s Trek Mountain Coop rider Jon the Poz Posner. Wow, he’s made it up the climb in good time and this boy and ride the rocks. I let him go by because I know he can crush it on the nasty stuff. We ride together for awhile till he drops me after one of my more major goof-ups.

The ride to CP1 is relatively uneventful. A couple more riders get by but I’m holding my own somewhere between 10th and 15th overall. I stop at CP1 to fill a bottle and notice super strong single speeder Dan Bonara working on his bike with a mechanic from the aid station. As I’m filling, two riders go right on by including Mike Laub. I jump on that train not wanting to loose the wheel of Laub. Mike stops for some unknown reason and lets me by. I say hello but don’t ask any questions.

Two other geared riders catch us over the next mile or two. We change positions a few times through the rock gardens but end up riding together in the rocky single track. On the climbs, I try to get clear and do but end up being caught by tall skinny single speeder Tim Dickson from Guy’s Racing. Tim has a Ti Moots with a Carbon Lefty fork… very gucci setup. Tim and I ride together for a long while on the fire roads. He’s dropping me on the climbs and I pass him on the flats and downhills. Because I’m a single speed racer sometimes too, I don’t try to drop him when I’m ahead. We were riding so long together, I asked him the standard single speeder question: What gear you running? 30×18 was the answer. Eventually he gets tired on one of the climbs and I pass. Shortly after that, I catch back up with Elk. Since I helped the 2nd place single speeder nearly catch up with Elk, I try to help Elk in the same way by offering a wheel in the faster sections… gotta keep it fair. It works till we get to the non-checkpoint aid station between CP1 and CP2. I ride right through and suddenly our group is smaller.

The new smaller train eventually jumps back into single track and passes Poz on the side of the trail eating some food. He jumps on. I again let him by …hey I might learn something! I ride probably the best I do all day on the wheel of Poz… It certainly was the most fun, till we hit a double track section. Everybody kindof sits up. I take that as my queue to hit the gas and to try to form a gap that might stick. It is a race after all and in racing, all alliances are temporary.

Riding alone, I blow through CP3 and do the 4 mile loop solo. I fill another bottle at CP4 and ride the last 15 miles alone. I try to keep the effort high, but it’s difficult with nobody around. The last 15 miles are the first 15 miles backwards. So the first climb becomes a long fast descent to the finish. I cross the line just under 5 hours. Good enough for first place in Masters, my first win of the year! John Williams comes across the line 4 minutes later running with his bike having flatted on the final descent… yikes! I didn’t see him all day, but he must have been pretty close before the flat. Nice riding John! Talking with the normally strong Mike Laub afterwards, he said tire problems kept him from riding as fast as he could have.

In the men’s open, Chris Beck and Branden Draugelis rode together and swapped positions all day, Chris being stronger on the climbs and Brandon stronger in the single track.  Chris got a small gap near the end and apparently Brandon somehow got off-course.  While it would have been great to see a real finish-line shootout with these two titans, I’m psyched my rock star teammate Chris Beck was able to win the overall with a time of 4:08.  Wow, that’s fast!  Les Leach, Dustin Manotti, Rob Lichtenwalner and Jed Prentice all crossed the line within 10 minutes of each other starting at 4:28 to round out the top-5. 29er Crew teammate Travis Saeler just missed the open podium by 1 minute in 6th.  Elk crossed at 5:03 to win the single speed followed by Tim Dickson in 2nd at 5:07.  Staying true-to-form, Elk showed me two broken spokes on his rear wheel.  Travis Coldsmith, Chris Fallon, Nick Mccormick and Nate big air Shearer rounded out single speed 3rd through 6th all crossing within 1:40 of each other…. pretty close after 5 hours of racing.  Super kid Dan Bonara apparently led the single speed for a good while before bending his surly stainless steel chainring which led to the lengthly repair at CP1.  I noticed the bent chainring was being worn as jewelry during the post-race feast.

Big thanks to Mike Kuhn, Zach Adams and all of the race volunteers for putting together a great race and making the 2010 Rattling 50 a success. It was a good day for 29er Crew with Chris Beck and I winning our respective categories. I’m surprised there weren’t more people there. There aren’t that many long races in the mid-atlantic and this is a really good one. It’s a solid technical course that has well supported aid stations.  With complimentary food and beer available afterwards, It’s definitely on my todo list for 2011.