Monday, December 31, 2012

End of Year Recap

When thinking about your accomplishments in fitness this season: What one word describes your 2012 fitness? I would say the word that best describes 2012 is: setbacks. As I get older, time limitations, and ganas play a part in these setbacks. I'm older and need to reassess how I train. Time limitations in relation to being older also impact training. Finally I don't have the ganas to train 24/7 - I don't want to wash my clothes that often! Ha!

Does it match what you said last December in anticipation of this year? Actually the last time I did this was in 2008, but I'm a very positive person - I'm sure I had big ideas of regaining lost training effect and rejoining the fast-guys in Chainreaction, and setting a PR in the 100 miler.

What one word comes to mind when you think about your 2012 season? I would say the word that best describes 2012 is challenging. Challenges in weigh loss, in training, and in health with heart issues.

Did you race any new distance this year or try any new type of racing or sport? I was boring; I did not try any new races or distances this year.

What was your greatest thrill or joy this year from training or racing? The greatest thrill and joy is still riding in a paceline at great speeds in training. I enjoy riding in groups. I can't leave this question without mentioning my PR at the 40K distance in training of 2:00 which I am still mystified as to how. I lolly-gagged for 3/4 of the distance and then burned rubber the last part and still set a PR. Go figure! It would seem that the new set-up on the Caloi Strada Pro TT Rig is what's doing the trick.

What was your biggest disappointment this year from training or racing? Not being able to ride with Chainreaction from being overweight and slow. Still am slow, but am working on the overweight bit by being 16.5 pounds less from 260! Ouch, it's difficult to see that number! Atkins is making a difference.

What was your favorite race in 2012? Pancakes in Paradise is still an awesome event and being there with Matt Little was epic. The Fiesta Wildflower is still such a large production and I guess I will keep attempting the long routes despite the DNF this year - although I still ended up with 92. The Tour de Gruene is still great fun despite all the trouble I had with the chain and flats.

How important was the social aspect of your sport in 2012? The social aspect is crucial to my enjoyment. Maintaining my weight through proper nutrition so that the training and speed can return is imperative or I will have to relegate myself to riding in a different manner.

If you had to name three people that made a difference in your training this year who would they be? The three people I would name are: Joe Montagna as I describe as a constant companion although of late we only ride together once in a while; Chris Groff for motivation I guess because I know I train to stay in shape for soccer with the kids and we always talk about training; and Jason Pronovost a new rider with CycleLogic with similar goals of achieving long-distances. I guess honorable mentions go out to Scott and Louie with Chainreaction - no matter what they're always supportive. I just wish I could keep up with them.

Season Goals for 2013:

Short-Term Goal: Concentrate on losing weight while building base miles. Thank you economy for the impetus.

Intermediate Goal: 200 Lbs - lean, massive, cycling machine! Top five on Thursday Night Bike Mojo Ride, Finish with the Chainreaction Racers, try establishing a Randonneurs group in South Texas.

Season: Race 100K beat 4:03 plan and complete a Brevet 200K distance event, and Support Cycle Logic Sponsors through referrals, participation and some racing (MTB Time-Trial) :-)

Training Objectives:

+Screw periodization ride when you can and lots in the Summer (Still got 4378 in 2012 so there)
+Hold/Concentrate on Long Ride (with weight loss speed will come)
+Less-structured speed play
+Maintain Nutrition with Atkins - lose it or lose the fun
+Explore on Rides combine Routes 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Fighting a Loosing Battle

4343 miles on the 29th and 355:36 hours and 36 minutes or rather about 14+ days It's like I rode to Billings Montana by way of Jacksonville Florida and Montreal Canada Ha! I'll probably add another 50-60 miles, but I'm thinking about it now.

As you know I've given up using my computers on my bikes because I was getting pretty obsessed with all the numbers. Part of the obsession is with the desire to regain lost training effect as I age. Sucks! I keep comparing myself to others who put in a tremendous amount of mileage. Everything I read talks about high intensity and low mileage yet people who are fast put in all kinds of miles. The work required to plan tempos, intervals, and hill work-outs with LT intervals with the proper ratio is work! I don't mind putting in the work, but if it takes away from the fun, then it is not good enough. So after a couple of years of trying desperately to regain lost training effect; I have given up on that in that manner!

Now at the same time I had given up on diets and found that subcutaneous fat gain was detrimental because my overall weight was affected.At the same time my heart doctor and gastric-entorologist said I needed to change my ways. So the decision above actually facilitates the solution in this realm because if I take up a diet such as Atkins or even Southbeach for that matter it allows me to give up carbs so that the diet is more effective. So far since Thanksgiving, I have lost 14 pounds. I did it for my doctors visit in December that never happened because my doctor had an "emergency." A week before Christmas, nah! Nevertheless, Atkins is working. Yes it's hard, yes it's no carbs from stuff I love like fries and bread.

The losing battle is frustrating because for two years I worked without anything to show for all the sacrifice. So I have decided to ride my bike and enjoy myself. I want to be fast, but I'm going to do it by losing weight then I'll work again to build speed with non-structured intervals so the fun remains. I'm looking forward to this experiment and hope for the best.

These are the numbers for 2012: 410.7-34:04
329-29:43
427.02-36:05
331.48-26:54
304-25:28
752.5-57:25
633-49:47
225-18=3413
426-35:21
253-21:26
251-21:23
=4343 TM355:36 14+ days It's like I rode to Billings Montana by way of Jacksonville, Florida and Montreal, Canada. Ha!

I didn't track Yoga, running, walking etc. I know walking will help me lose more, but I figured the Soccer addition once a week would help, but it really didn't make a huge difference.

So who in the heck do I ride with on long rides?! I can't hang with those with whom I used to be able to hang. I can't visualize riding by myself like the classic lonesome rider for the rest of my days. Perhaps concentrating on rides with Jason doing our own thing like we wish we could find from other groups in town.