Reflecting

on life and contemplating how it can be so turbulent and calm one into the other or all at the same time.

I have this training plan that I "follow" when the body allows. Making conscious decisions about how I react to that. Not thinking it's a resignation, rather taking what comes and working with it. The plan was written by Hunter Allen for MTBing athletes over 50. There is a lot of good stuff in there and plenty of recovery built on for the "mature" athlete. Auto immune issues interfere. That's ok. 

Doubt I will seriously "race" much this year. Going to go to a women's MTB skills camp this summer. It's at a new trail I've not ridden and that's always a plus. There's this style of racing called Enduro. I did one last year. The atmosphere is great and it's a fun test of skills. Maybe I'll do more of that. Most don't require a USAC license which is great. 

The final Snake Creek TT of 2014 is this Saturday. I'm undecided on whether I'll race. Might ride other trails in Chattanooga and if weather looks like it'll get wet head further east for Sunday. Right now DuPont is in good shape I read. 

Had a fun day this past Sunday. Got up at 3:45 am, ate loaded up in a friend's van and left at 4:30 for Chattanooga. Rode two new trails to me, ate Mexican and arrived back home at 11:30 pm. Didn't even have a beer, but had the best day. Temps rose to 70F and the sun shone brightly. This made the 10 hours of driving worth it. 

I'm pretty lucky. Staying grateful and optimistic as much as I can. Good friends and loving family keep me going. I may not be rich with money but I am very wealthy in many other ways that truly count. 

Old Man Winter and Mother Nature have teamed up this year. That's ok. We are almost to March and the crocuses will be breaking ground before you know. Then people will be complaining of allergies. haha never happy. Well I am dad-blast-it

peace

Snake 2014 - quick and dirty

Drove down in January and got sick with fever and chills overnight Friday, wound up driving home without getting on my bike. 

Drove down last Friday. Left town early enough to check in to The Crash Pad and then drive to Dalton and sign in and get my bib #, t-shirt and growler. Slept well, ate oatmeal with an egg and drove to venue. Decided to remove layers at the van in parking lot. Good decision. Goal was to he faster than March 13. Well I was out there longer. not a great effort on paper. Asthma early on slowed me down, so I slowed down. Took a while but got that under control. Was very happy to see low levels in the creeks so my feet stayed dry. Got to the SAG and they remembered me! Gotta love volunteers. These guys rock. Once I left the sag I seemed to be ok. But once I arrived at The Wall and climbed to the top cramps arrived fast and furious. I just kept pulling off so people could get past. The rock gardens would be fun I think if I rode this in reverse. Maybe one day. I was thrilled to see the cell towers. Finally burned more than 1,500 calories and earned my beers later Ssturday night. Had a lovely dinner with Karen. Received an amazing compliment before bed. Drove home in the rain all the way and arrived just on time for mix of snow and sleet and ice. 

The plan is to follow the training plan. Hope to have a better result in March. If I don't then so be it. Working hard to relax and enjoy. Let go of the bitterness of disappointment. If nothing else Saturday was a beautiful day in the woods with 400 like-minded mountain bikers. I am fortunate and damned lucky and very grateful. 

peace