Just received my USAC upgrade, leaping light years ahead from CAT5 to CAT3.
I am so hosed now! It's good, but will be hard. I hope I can help out some of the faster guys get some results - especially at the State RR championships coming up soon. Finally hit a level of fitness that allows me to go really hard during short and medium length intervals. Leg burning hard. Cross-eyed hard. Make you feel like you're about to explode hard!
It's cathartic, and it's been a long while. Threshold wattage is up to about 340, but my weight is only now starting to inch down. This morning, after the elastic snapped and I came off the rear on the 'A' Group (road) Ride, I tried, dug, fought, and clawed for a 22-24 minute effort WAY over FTP (right around P/W of 5), but still could not regain a wheel. The fellas let me back on at a major turn out to the west of town, and we pedaled a moderate tempo the rest of the way. I've been tossing myself into the pain locker in a big way on Tuesdays and Thursdays, riding anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours PRIOR to meeting up with these hammers. Today I got in about 1h 15m before the 6AM departure, and was worked - but not totally toasted from the steep hills work I had done prior.
What else?
My shoulder works! Last year, in May - I wrecked my left shoulder and did some minor rotator cuff damage that has taken 16-17 months to heal right. Upshot is I can once again start doing push-ups, which have been a sorely missed part of he workout regiment. This morning, when I got home, dropped, and did some - Victor thought it was great fun - slapping my back, putting his sippy-cup of milk by my face, and then he tried to do some of his own! These sort of moments make up for - WAY more than make up for - all those 'other' moment. Between some light upper body work, and some light jogging - I may be in shape for CX season after all.
Then there's the weight thing.
Irritatingly enough, my dang weight just keeps hovering at about 79kg (a tick under 175lbs). This has me around a paltry 4.3 Power / Weight ratio. Ech. Oddly, my Body Fat % number is dropping - so I guess I'm regaining a little muscle mass, which I know in the longer run helps metabolize more calories, which is good. In the meantime, I decided recently to cut out most all beer - but will enjoy a glass or two of wine here and there. Also tweaking the food/meal schedule at home, which was long overdue! It's in part due to wanting to be good role models for Victor - as opposed to the free-form grazing and snacking and meals-on-the-fly model we currently employ. The last dietary step is to reduce carbs to a minimum - taking in appropriate amounts for post-ride glycogen restoration (can you say fruit smoothies? YUM!), and general energy reserve topping-off. This is very difficult as an avowed cookies, chips, and bread J-U-N-K-I-E.
Will.
Try.
To.
Stay.
Strong.
Anyhow - a few weeks to go before back-to-back weekends of racing; First 'cedropalooza' - the NM State Championship Race outside of Albuquerque, and then the Oak Flats Road Race - the NM State Road Championships. Then what? Who knows! CX season should fire up in early October - so look for a bunch of those reports when the mayhem begins.
It's been about a year and a half since my last real race, and race report. All I can say is that I still like racing! Not much of a contender anymore, but that's OK. The 2008 version of the infamous (around here) Pajarito (pah-ha-REE-toe) Punishment' took place (and it's toll) this past Saturday at the Pajarito Ski Area. This race has a lot of history in the New Mexico Off-Road Series, and has evolved and morphed over the years. I've been fortunate to race a number of iterations of it; from multiple laps at the ski area, to various versions of an epic loop style event. The mountain backs up against a masive area that was devasted in 2000 by the Cerro Grande fire - which is why the race retreated to a smaller lap-style format at the ski area, as a number of the epic loop trails were destroyed by fire and post-fire erosion. After many years of hard work, we reclaimed some of the trails, mainly through the hard work of the Los Alamos Tuff Riders, and the 'Multi Agency Volunteer Task Force' headed up by Craig Martin. Untold hundereds (thousands?) of man-power hours and we reclaimed a pristine, technical trail along Guaje (wah-HEE) ridge. This connected the ski area to other trails that dropped you down into town, where the race used to loop back to the base of a long, brutal climb back up to the ski area. The race ran this way for a few seasons these last few years, but the fellow that had spearheaded the effort has become a new daddy recently, and had to pass the reins along.
In comes Gary and the Pajarito Ski Area folks - in a big way!
The new promoter announced (to the dismay of some) the race format would return to a more intimate, family-friendly 'laps style' course that utilized the base area lodge as an expo / staging area. Seemed wise as a new promoter to not try and tackle all the in-town police, marshaling, and other logistical headaches that came with the monster loop route. I know a lot of the trails at the ski area made for some wicked, brutal, 'real' XC mountain bike racing that would heavily favor technically capable riders who had some lungs too! Plus, the crew at the ski area have been hard at work for years adding both XC and DH trails all over the place - so I was curious to see what evil concoction of a course Gary had in mind. He did not let down! Somehow he designed a course that felt very different, and a lot of it very new - so it kept even experienced locals guessing - and working. I perceived the climb as 3 distinct parts - lower (hard) middle (harder / technical) and upper (harder, technical, and at 10k feet!). Pre-riding was very wise, and my buddy and I did (2) laps the week before - and were impressed. The mix of familiar and new was great - and they ran the course in the opposite direction I'm used to. All in all it felt almost entirely new! And harder. The nay-sayers should be put at ease, as this race was indeed going to punish despite not having the "epic loop" format. To spread things out at the beginning, we race out of a big dirt parkig lot, onto some two-track, then out some moderate XC ski trails which were about the size of ATV two-track - so there was ample time to 'spread things out'. This initial loop took perhaps 20 - 25 minutes at race pace, and had some faster sections that were tricky due to tall grass obscuring boulders (aka pedal/tire land mines!). Then we came back out the dirt road and up into the ski area, and single-track trails 'proper'. From there, it got serious mighty quick.
Weeks prior, I talked to my wife Dana about trying to make a family outing out of the event - and so race day morning we piled my little dude, herself, my buddy Rich (also racing) and his wife, our friend Tanya into the Outback and headed north to the venue. Nice having an awesome event less than an hour from home! Seems between work and family pressures, I'm just not inclined to drive the endless hours, all alone - that I used to to go race anywhere and everywhere. Phoenix for a Marathon Nationals? Sure, why not.. it's only 8 hours away... Steamboat Springs, CO? Well OK! Also about 8 hours. Perhaps the crescendo was in 2005, right after Hurricane Katrina drove gas prices up to near $5 a gallon - I showed how addicted I was, when I drove the 16 hours to Mammoth, CA for the NORBA Nationals - where I got sick and tanked anyhow. Let's just say that over the years I've had a few races... Fast forward to NOV 2006 and life changed dramatically with the arrival of our son, Victor.
Life shifted abruptly not only with a new kiddo, bit three weeks prior, I was also laid off. Fun times! I was very fortunate to land a job at perhaps the most solid firm in Santa Fe - which pays great, is secure, and has some decent benefits. Stability comes at a price when you work for someone else - and I now had much less time (previous job was a 4-day work week) with a new, intense job, and a new, more intense kid! Training and racing took a back seat mighty quick. Through May 2007 I tried to train, and raced at Angel FIre - at a huge Mountain States Cup event, where I utterly wrecked myself. With the lack of fitness, and some serious injuries resulting from a botched Super-D race - I went into early race retirement. I did emerge in the fall with a new found Cyclocross addiction and raced a few of the NMCX series races - and had a blast! This was all because Rich started talking it up, and racing them himself too. Short, intense, fun - and my wife and kid could see me the whole race! I owe Rich an awful lot for motivating me to try a number of things. It was his fault I started the XC Racing Odyssey in 2003 that led to a whole lot of mania, and fitness. This season, I felt so out of shape and slow - I never really motivated to train/race - until these last few weeks. I raced a few road events and felt like I wasn't totally washed up just yet, and so felt like I'd at least not be DFL at Pajarito!
Or so I hoped...
So off we head, across the Rio Grande valley, down then up to the high desert mesa government hide-out and birthplace of the Atom Bomb. Los Alamos sits at about 7,000 ft. elevation - and the Pajarito base area is up at about 9,000 feet. I was surprised at the large turnout so early - as we rolled into the parking lot at about 7:45AM. This was going to be GOOD!
Security:
Rich and I headed up to registration, and as race promoters ourselves, were curious to se how these rookies would do. All I can say is they had there program together far more than a lot of very experienced promoters. We were greeted by a gal screening folks for pre-reg, category, and license info. Then we were directed to a very organized staff that pulled our waivers, packets, and bib numbers out - and presto! We were done. Wow. Gary nailed it. We'll see about course marking and results and all - but shoot, A+ effort for registration set-up! Surely they screwed something up.... Back to the car and start prepping, and discussed bottle hand up plans with Tanya - who made me practice so we had it 100% nailed. Cool! Dana and Victor started scoping out a place to hang out - which meant a place where Victor could run himself silly without getting in the way, or hurt. Things were rolling.
I did something i haven't done in two year: pulled the trainer out and started to warm up! At Angel Fire all I did was ride around to warm up, which meant getting blood flowing to massive contusions at the time. This time, I felt like an actual, structured warm-up would be prudent. Despite feeling pretty good - I was a little sluggish. I learned (the day after the race in fact) that even pretty tame over the counter sleep aids like the Tylenol PM I took - would likely lead to pronounced grogginess the next day. Doh! I did sleep well - a rarity with a high maintenance almost two year old - but was not 'peppy'. Ah well - hind sight is always 20/20.
Photo of Rich by James Rickman
Mountain Flyer Article LINK.
Anyhow - I cranked through the efforts I had done dozens of times in years past, and felt as ready as could be. I saw they started staging folks up, so off I went. Lining up with some of the sick-fastest racers I know, I felt pretty silly, I was cool and calm - but felt like a poser for some reason. To my left, Mike McCalla - recent FireCracker 50 2nd place pro mens finisher. Next to him, the incredible Damian 'D-Rock' Calvert, a guy who has beaten Travis Brown and Ned Overend at regional races! Next to him, a fellow local hammer and much fitter friend, my pre-ride buddy known affectionately as Chappy. WTF am I doing here? Well, racing - that's what!
Off we go. I hit the wide-ish single-track in 7th or 8th place - but hold no illusions as to how long I can stay here. Sure enough before we exit the XC ski trails loop, it seems like all the Pro/Expert men have gone by, and the Pro/Expert ladies are storming not too far behind - as well as a few VERY fast Sport Class racers (there were 15 second waves). I'm OK with it all, as I know how hard the course is, how hard I can go, and how to pace myself. As we head up the first climb, I come back by a few folks, but generally stay at a sustainable pace and grind away. Powering through the steeper technical terrain I do better - but don't have the punch to ride a harder tempo on the less technical sustained climbs. I did crest the top faster than I thought - but no one was in sight. Well, aside from the Hammer Nutrition / Elete neutral support guys! Awesome - cold, fresh HEED in paper cups made a perfect topping to he first lap climb. I take my time and have some gel from my flask, drink some water, slug some HEED and prepare to descend. Some dude passes me just before the descent begins in earnest but realizes his mistake as I easily end up on his wheel as he struggles with the fast, technical descents.
He lets me by, I drop him.
I still go down fast! At the base, I see the best thing in the whole world (not the heinous 2nd lap climb / finish line) - my little dude clapping for me! Well, to be fair, he was clapping for all the racers... must have picked it up from the Tour de France coverage I subjected him to. Then, on cue Tanya hands me an icy cold drink and life is good. But god, the climb hurts like a mofo, and I start thinking "what the hell am I doing here?". Bah. Racing! That's what. After a bit I start feeling pretty good and climb away. Now I start passing the odd straggler - bonking, fixing flats, or otherwise in worse shape than I. Cresting the top, I thank the Hammer guys, drink some more HEED and hit the descent.
About a mile and a half from the finish, the course rolls up and down in sort of false flat power section, and I goose it through here. Maybe I'll reel in one or two others - but am just stoked to be out racing and (as yet) not having flatted, crashed, or otherwise screwed up. Alas, I see no one as I hit the fast dirt road to the ski lodge - and turn up the last kick to the finish and THEN see a guy in my group - 15 seconds too late. He is utterly cracked, but only 10 meters from the finish line. I stand and hammer, "fly" under the Finish banner - then pass him. Ah well. Just reinforces the fact one should race the whole race, until the very end - as there is always the chance someone else will be in worse trouble...
I find the rest of the crew and check the preliminary results - and off we go to pack up. Rich fought hard for a great 5th place finish in an insanely fast, stacked 30-39 sport mens group. I too ended up 5th - in the 30-39 expert group, just behind my racer acquaintance - Marty. Change, pile into car, and off we go. Victor falls asleep almost immediately - and all is good. Rolling back through Los Alamos, we get through the military check points, and head 'down the hill' back to Santa Fe. All I can say is don't take sleeping pills before a race, and thanks to all the Pajarito folks for putting on a great race. They even had a pro timer guy who was cranking out results as fast they happened. Anyone interested in riding some incredible, high alpine XC or DH / AM trails - check out otherwise sleepy little Los Alamos.
Work has been 100% manic lately.
Not one moment to breath.
Not one.
Sneak a ride in, sneak a race in. It's good when it's good, and sad when it ain't. Last few weeks have been a blur. Pre-rode the Pajarito Punishment course - should be suitably brutally hard. Raced the 'Bonanza Creek Classic as a CAT4/5 wanker - and did pretty lousy. Raced the Santa Fe Hill Climb as a CAT 4/5 wanker and did pretty good. For some reason, I just don't have the oompf needed to really push in training - which means I have few matches, or hard efforts - at the races. Had a few daytime rides, as the mornings are getting dark WAY too quick.
Bonanza Creek (BC) Classic
As a fresh USAC licensed racer with less than 10 mass-start road races under my belt, I'm relegated to the CAT 5 group, despite being an expert mountain bike racer, and having the good fortune to regularly ride with - and get stomped by - CAT1/2/3 guys. I mention it as most of my peers race in the higher CAT's, so I'm stuck making alliances at the start line. BC was put on by the Pedal Queens out of Santa Fe - and they did a fantastic job! The course is an 18 ile loop south of town, and typically favors a "power guy" like myself. No sustained climbs or steep spots - just a lot of open, rolling, road. Thankfully, I'd have (1) ally in the group - my good buddy Rich. We tried to convince each other to NOT pull at the front, but the best laid plans lay waste sometimes, as do the hastily made ones!
Off we go for 3 laps. It's a wobbly, feisty, twitchy group indeed. 2 or 3 teams are represented with more than 3 racers, so we watch them. On the second lap (the first was entirely uneventful, and no one crashed, thankfully) a rider attacks off the front. Naturally, he's got some team mates in the peloton who immediately try and control the field with downright lousy race tactics. Myself and a few others - who are aware of what is happening - aren't buying this load of crap. Of course, it means we have to work harder to counter the poor riding by these guys. Of the 25 pr so racers, only a handful seemed to know 'what was up' and so those of us 'in the know' watched the lone attacker flail about a minute up the road.
He did that for a whole lap!
In the meantime, there were a number of accelerations, and I seemed compelled to go chase them ALL down. I figured I'd have to get in ONE that would stick - but instead ground myself to a pulp needlessly, and turned onto the last stretch of road feeling cooked. We reeled in the attack, then the fun began. I responded to one, then another pre-finish launch, then I was done. I sat up and watched the 10-12 surivors (who had ridden smart and not pulled) duke it out on the uphill finish, then came through myself.
Ah well. Lesson learned? Stick to the plan!
Santa Fe Hill Climb
Why oh why would I do THIS race? A big doofus like me, as adept at climbing on a road bike as a penguin is at climbing trees? Because I can ride to the start from my house - all of 2 miles away, and I wanted to see if I could actually make a plan and stick to it in a race this time. Oh yes - I had a plan!
'Ride' at a sustainable pace up through the steepest section, then see what's left and ride hard.
This would be after 9+/- miles, above 'Hyde State Park' - with about 7 miles to go. The course is straight up from town, at 7,000 ft. elevation - to 10,200 ft. elevation at the Santa Fe Ski Basin parking lot. There are two short descents, and the rest is climbing. Typically moderate - at 4.5 - 5.5 percent grade - but with a nasty 1.5 miles or so of 8% grade in the middle. We call it 'the wall'.
The race started en masse - everyone at once - probably 110 - 120 riders sorted by category. Thankfully no one punched it on the initial steep kick, and so the group was pretty orderly through the first 6 miles - up to the local landmark known as 'Nuns Corner', the first quick descent (named after a van load of nuns swerved off the road years ago). Once the road went up again, it got interesting. Immediately the pack split into two, with dozens of stragglers in between, and off the back. I stayed in the second group, but it blew apart in a mile. I could care less. I was pedaling at my prescribed rate and output.
Hyde Park came and went, so I upped the pace some - reeling in a fast masters buddy and riding with him for a while. Then we picked up 1-2 more, and had a little group. Al I would do (while pulling mostly) was stand and hammer on the steep kicks - usually at switchbacking corners - and we'd be strung out. I'd ease off and we'd regroup. We did this for a while. Towards the end, I realized I conserved a bit too much - and punched it on the last pat of the main climb, past a CAT 1/2 guy, and down a slight descent. Mr. CAT1/2 came around and pulled me a mile up the road, working too hard for a skinny guy - and just as the road kicked up for the last few hundred meters to the finish - I mashed my big ring and came around him - finishing in a solid solo sprint.
Time must have been 1:11 or 1:12. Not bad for a slacker!
