Feeling Like Crap

For some reason my legs have gone on vacation. I have no idea why. Maybe lack of miles 2 weekends ago after my Sylvan street sweeping incident, maybe too much intensity during the week, maybe bad nutrition. Went on the Ghisallo ride saturday plus riding there and back. I was at my limit on the two climbs and totally pooped out on the way back. Felt totally bonked riding back home. Maybe a fluke? Went for another 3 hrs yesterday with 2x20min threshold plus several 3 min VO2max. Unable to maintain my normal 310W on the second 20 min effort. Did 2 of the VO2 intervals and was hardly able to keep 340W on the second. Again, totally bonked. Limped home. Now my hamstring is sore down by the knee and my legs are cramping occasionally even 18 hours later. I was looking forward to getting my ass kicked at Tues worlds this week, but I think I better give it a rest. It's my best friend's wife's birthday too and they want to go to Tony's that night. Hmmmm, Tony's or ass kicking?

Froze Toes

The time everyone looks forward to - how do you stack up to the rest of the winter warriors?

I knew I had decent form going into the spring. I have bumped my threshold power from 300 to around 310W. Riding around with Justin will do that to you. Actually I have only done a few long rides with Justin, but it has been enough to mentally reset my base pace from a more leisurely endurance to a brisk tempo. I have noticed that I am going faster and with higher average watts on my standard routes. Plus I was recently able to complete 10x repeats on Ladue hill at 405W (about 2min each) with no significant power drop. Now power to weight is another issue. I find myself stuck at 180-185 lbs. If I try to decrease calories, I end up ravenously hungry and blow the whole thing. I love food too much and at 40 years old and in a position of some means, and with a serious foodie best friend... well, I can complain but I'm also not going to give up dinners at The Crossing!

Anyway, the race. Bad starting position, stuck in mid pack first 1/3 of race, no space to advance, surge-brake-surge-break etc. Got better on the back stretch, but then Austin and Klages had already gotten a good gap. I have no sprint and no teamates, so I knew I had to make a move with some space to go. This I did with about 3 miles to go and had a decent gap. I thought I might just make it, but two guys (Patrick Hawley and some Trek store dude) had too strong of a sprint and nipped me about 10 meters from the line. I would have to be happy with 5th. Partially successful move? Probably would not have finished as well if I had waited for the sprint. I'm cooling down afterward and several people complimented my move. Then some guy rails me saying I went way too early, no chance, why did you kill yourself, etc. WTF!?? I fucking beat you, you moron! I like my plan, it's my strength and I'm sticking to it. One of these days it's going to work.