So, we’re on the way back from the Stoopid 50 in Stokesville, Va. what an awesome weekend!
6 of us went down for the race. Myself, @xc62701 , @Riggedfmx , @Santa , my teammate Phil, Mike Montelbano and my buddy Joe Cummings. Oh, @Joe J was there too. I’ll keep this one short.
I road gears on my vassago and ended up 12th open men in a time of 5:30. Monty got 5th overall behind Bishop, Thummell, some 16yo and Andrew Freye. Dom came in next and the Ryan, Phil and Tony(Tony did this on ss on minimal fitness but still pushed through. 8000 + feet of climbing in 50 miles is no joke...and neither are the descents. The last decent is an absolutely brutal 5 mile rock garden.
We’re on the way back now so this week will be some much needed recovery. Here’s some pics!
Fork. Very thankful Monty recommended it, even though I wanted rigid. The last section of trail is three miles or so of absolutely brutal rock garden. It makes Ringwood and Wayway look tame.
Fork. Very thankful Monty recommended it, even though I wanted rigid. The last section of trail is three miles or so of absolutely brutal rock garden. It makes Ringwood and Wayway look tame.
It's been a bit so I'll give an update. I am still planning to peak for Mohican 100 on June 1. I'll be racing Fair Hill XC next weekend and Iron Furnace the following. I had originally planned on Ringwood this week but going to my dad's was the original plan. Well that idea went to the side and I did too much during the week so I just kept training.
I did 3 early am zone 2 1 hour rides this week plus a 1.5 hour zone 2 ride with some efforts, the Chimney Rock thursday ride as well as a 5 mile run in there somewhere. Last weekend I did a 4 hour ride at my dad's as well as a slow ringwood preride. I finished this big training block off with a 4+ hour z2 ride yesterday as well as 4.5 hours z2 today. I'll recover this week and start with some z2 friday, race saturday and recovery sunday. Recover next week as well and hopefully come into Iron Furnace ready to rip. Iron Furnace will be part of my last big hour training block before Mohican. After IF it's 90% intervals until Mohican. I really haven’t done any structured intervals to this point so feeling this good now is hopefully a good sign.I fell good now, like I can ride forever. My base fitness has increased dramatically this year with a different type of training. It's easier to go faster longer now. I've been eating well, alcohol free and weighed in at 188lb today. With the racing and intervals coming up I'd like to see 183-185 for Mohican.
Well that's about it. See ya at the races! Oh, and Happy Easter!
It’s been some time. I’ll give a quick update. I’ve been feeling tireless on the bike which is a good thing but dead off the bike. This isn’t a cry for help but rather myself acknowledging that my bike is my vise and fuck sleep.
Nearly every weekend has been an abbreviated trip to my dad’s in Pa. He is on hospice with fulltime live in care. I typically ride 10-15 hours a week, mostly high recovery, low z2. I throw in an effort here and there as well as hour newest Sandy Hook Hour of Power unofficial circuit race on Saturday mornings. I love racing but really have no goals other than to keep getting PRs. The plateau stuff is for the birds.
I raced Mohican a few weeks back and got 7th ss and I think 31st overall in 8:31. That was a PR on a course not really suited to my style. Hoping for a better finish at Wilderness.
Anyways, I have been doing 90% solo riding/training and too much drinking. This is part of what I do when I am emotional I guess. I don’t usually show it but a mixed state of discontent and sadness tells me different. Mom, bro and now dad on the way out is a tough pill to swallow. My older bro has ptsd and I swear my sister has munchhausen syndrome. Oh well, life’s a bitch.
In closing this bit I will say I have the greatest family I can imagine. Despite all the sadness at the moment my wife and kids really support me and make me happy. Hopefully I’ll see you guys at LewMo or Challenger this weekend. Or maybe I’ll be at ringwood. Who knows. Life goes on. Here are some pics.
Writing from this awful recumbent gym bike in Myrtle Beach. The family and I have been on vacation since June 26th. It’s b en quite the week so far. From driving to Orlando with a teething 1 yr old to my father’s caretaker calling me at 3:30am the first night there to let me know dad passed away.
Anyways, we’ve had some atressful times but also many memorable ones down here. Lots of gym time and running plus Disney, Universal etc. Stopped to see an old buddy in Melbourne and taught the kids about chameleons. Lots of pool time, a decent amount of beer and relaxation. Thanks to my inlaws for allowing us to stay at their resort in Orlando.
We spent thw last two days at a resort in Myrtle Beach and will be heading back to Jersey today.
Tomorrow i get back to riding and training a bit. We’re gonna do our Firecracker 4th group drop ride at Bell Labs in Holmdel. I’m doing some recovery on friday and I’ll either be racing Fairhill Sunday or doing a long Hartshorne ride. Sunday brings an early am ride followed my my dad’s Celebration of Life at The Pottersville Fire House. Monday I am heading to do the Hillier Than Thou route hopefully and then drive to Pa to take care of my dad’s place.
Not sure what life has in store next but trying to go one say at a time and and enjoy it’s bittersweetness. Until next time...peace out.