The factors stacked against fitness:
Weather -- way too much trainer time
Schedule -- trainer time is almost mandatory when the schedule conflicts with good-weather days
Back -- yeah, it's not so good.
The first two items are probably the key ones. When my schedule is clear to ride, it's crappy outside. And, while I don't mind putting my in my work on the trainer, this winter's been a bit thick on the trainer. Waaaay too much. I'm pretty much at the end of the rope there.
So I don't want to ride the trainer anymore. I probably will, at least for structured workouts, but ... yeah. I really just want it to be 70 and sunny.
I'd settle for 45, really.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Read into this if you like
What the ... MTB shoes? In a roadie house?True story. Now, what should I do with them? Whatever it is, it'll have to wait a while. Like July, maybe.
Back to work!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Soon. Pain arrives soon.
Daylight Saving Time will be here in a few weeks. The shop schedule goes back to normal -- or at least what I consider normal. The sun will stick around a bit longer in the evening.
And Wednesday night rides will start.
I'm pretty sure that's a good thing, because it means spring isn't far away. But, man, am I ready for that? Is anybody, really?
I was looking back at older blog posts earlier this morning, trying to figure out how strange this winter has been. In 2007, I rode outside a few times a week -- same in 2008. Last year would have been OK, if not for a broken finger throughout February.
So yeah, this is strange. I count four or five outdoor rides since the snow came down in December. There's a good chance that the first Wednesday night ride could happen with less than a dozen outdoor rides since fall.
Man, that's strange.
But there's nothing like being thrown to the wolves. Hope I can remember how to get home.
And Wednesday night rides will start.
I'm pretty sure that's a good thing, because it means spring isn't far away. But, man, am I ready for that? Is anybody, really?
I was looking back at older blog posts earlier this morning, trying to figure out how strange this winter has been. In 2007, I rode outside a few times a week -- same in 2008. Last year would have been OK, if not for a broken finger throughout February.
So yeah, this is strange. I count four or five outdoor rides since the snow came down in December. There's a good chance that the first Wednesday night ride could happen with less than a dozen outdoor rides since fall.
Man, that's strange.
But there's nothing like being thrown to the wolves. Hope I can remember how to get home.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Piece by piece
Like I mentioned last week, I'm trying to get stuff lined up for what promises to be a very interesting 2010 season. New team, new bikes, new kit, new ... well, pretty much everything. I think the only carryovers of any significance are my pedals, shoes, HRM and TT helmet. Yeah, pretty much everything is new — or at least different. And some of it is starting to show up.
It starts at the top with the Bell Volt. I had a blue and white one that finally found a new home last week. Put simply, it's the best-fitting helmet I've ever worn. And when you have a big, dumb alien head like me, you stick with what works.
The new license arrived a couple of days ago, too. The blurry camera-phone photo makes it look like a spy shot, but really it's just not that great of a camera phone. Lots of fun info there. No, there's no mountain license. Seriously, do you want to see me on a MTB, and in a race? Yikes.
Added some new (to me) pedals to the TT bike the other day. The problem with bike proliferation is outfitting them accordingly. I'd been using some old Shimano R540 pedals. They've since been upgraded to Ultegra SL, so they're basically the same thing as the Dura-Ace pedals on the Madone.
And I think that's it for now. Baby steps, you know? After a couple of smaller things, these are next on the list. Gonna take a lot of extra writing to get that done, though.
It starts at the top with the Bell Volt. I had a blue and white one that finally found a new home last week. Put simply, it's the best-fitting helmet I've ever worn. And when you have a big, dumb alien head like me, you stick with what works.
The new license arrived a couple of days ago, too. The blurry camera-phone photo makes it look like a spy shot, but really it's just not that great of a camera phone. Lots of fun info there. No, there's no mountain license. Seriously, do you want to see me on a MTB, and in a race? Yikes.Added some new (to me) pedals to the TT bike the other day. The problem with bike proliferation is outfitting them accordingly. I'd been using some old Shimano R540 pedals. They've since been upgraded to Ultegra SL, so they're basically the same thing as the Dura-Ace pedals on the Madone.
And I think that's it for now. Baby steps, you know? After a couple of smaller things, these are next on the list. Gonna take a lot of extra writing to get that done, though.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Back of the pack
We're getting on the end of February -- nearing the point last year where I was getting pretty fast. Despite a broken finger and double-wrapping the bar to protect it, I was still working out pretty hard.
I'm still working hard this year, but I feel like I'm behind. Progress is being made, but I have a feeling I'm not going to hit my stride until summer. I was aiming for an early season peak around the end of April -- there are lots of good races at the end of April -- and then another in July.
The more I look at the numbers, I'm guessing this early peak will be pretty mild. The good stuff will likely happen after that, on the way to the second peak.
All of this, of course, is pretty much a guess. A lot of the weather this year has been pretty much a guess, too. Usually by now there are at least three or four Saturday/Sunday road group rides in the books. It was in the low 50s last year on the weekend I broke my finger.
Right now, I can't even fathom low 50s. My mind cannot understand the concept. I'll start working on that, and hopefully my legs remember, too.
I'm still working hard this year, but I feel like I'm behind. Progress is being made, but I have a feeling I'm not going to hit my stride until summer. I was aiming for an early season peak around the end of April -- there are lots of good races at the end of April -- and then another in July.
The more I look at the numbers, I'm guessing this early peak will be pretty mild. The good stuff will likely happen after that, on the way to the second peak.
All of this, of course, is pretty much a guess. A lot of the weather this year has been pretty much a guess, too. Usually by now there are at least three or four Saturday/Sunday road group rides in the books. It was in the low 50s last year on the weekend I broke my finger.
Right now, I can't even fathom low 50s. My mind cannot understand the concept. I'll start working on that, and hopefully my legs remember, too.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Which one will be faster?
July 2008
January 2010Lots of talk about bike fit lately in these parts, so I figured this was the time for a comparison. Formerly TT-bikeless, the above position was how the Felt looked in TT setup. Basically, it was about making the most of the situation. Get as many aero bits as possible without the bike and call it ... well, better than it could be.
This year's setup, obviously, is built around an actual TT bike. I spent 2-plus hours in mid-January with Kent getting this thing dialed in. It took a bit of work, but that's the result above.
Without going too crazy with details, there are a couple of notable items about the switch. The first is comfort in the position. I did a TT interval workout in mid-December and struggled mightily to stay put for six minutes of a hard effort (5x 6 minutes in HR z4/5).
After the fit, and after a little breaking-in period, I'm doing 5x 12 minutes in z4/5.
But here's the best part: a 35-watt increase (for the average) from December to now ... for an interval twice as long.
It's going to be a good year.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
This is me, being a grown-up
As the guy in charge of a fairly successful bike shop, I get a lot of email. A lot. And I'm pretty sure this is just the tip of the iceberg (I'm right, aren't I, Mark?). And, since I like to know what's going on in that fairly successful bike shop -- especially when I'm not there -- I got my email to go.You know all of the annoying things you see Blackberry users doing? Playing with it all the time, checking it, etc? I turned off everything except the ringer for phone calls and the LED that lets me know I have emails. There are no chirps, beeps, squawks or anything. Just a quiet, simple blink.
It's blinking right now, actually. But rather than jump for it and stop what I'm doing, I'm going to finish this post.
Ohh ... it's still blinking. I'll be right back.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Proliferation returns
Once I got my Madone last fall, followed shortly thereafter by the completion of the TT bike, I figured I was pretty much set for 2010 (minus team kit, of course).
I have sweet shoes, pedals, glasses, helmets ... whoops. Nevermind. It's time for the build up. Again. Like every year.
My blue-and-white Bell Volt helmet is gone, soon to be replaced by a black model. I still have the white Giro Ionos, so I can mix and match -- and therefore look good all the time.
Oh, and I'm adding pedals for the TT bike, so the old Shimano R540 pedals can go back on the Bianchi. Oh, and neither one of the bikes has a computer. I'd like it if at least one of them did.
And I had buy a license. And I have not nearly enough nutrition (gels, drink mix, etc.) to get me through, oh, April.
And then there's the issue of that poor, poor Dura-Ace wheel that sacrificed its life so I could spend a month in excruciating pain. It's still broken. Miraculously, by the way, it's still holding air, too. Nice.
And after all of that is taken care of, I still have no team kit.
Hell.
I have sweet shoes, pedals, glasses, helmets ... whoops. Nevermind. It's time for the build up. Again. Like every year.
My blue-and-white Bell Volt helmet is gone, soon to be replaced by a black model. I still have the white Giro Ionos, so I can mix and match -- and therefore look good all the time.
Oh, and I'm adding pedals for the TT bike, so the old Shimano R540 pedals can go back on the Bianchi. Oh, and neither one of the bikes has a computer. I'd like it if at least one of them did.
And I had buy a license. And I have not nearly enough nutrition (gels, drink mix, etc.) to get me through, oh, April.
And then there's the issue of that poor, poor Dura-Ace wheel that sacrificed its life so I could spend a month in excruciating pain. It's still broken. Miraculously, by the way, it's still holding air, too. Nice.
And after all of that is taken care of, I still have no team kit.
Hell.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
This sums up Michigan
This picture was taken from the fifth floor of the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Ann Arbor last week. Dark, gray, kinda blurry -- and thoroughly depressing.The sun was shining when we left Omaha, but with the exception of a few times on Sunday, it hasn't been seen since. Throughout our stay in Michigan, it looked exactly like this. Dark, cold, gray, depressing.
Why is that noteworthy? Well, Omaha has been the same way for a long, long time. I'm kind of starting to wonder about early-season races. I mean, the roads will probably be clear in late March/early April, but what about all of the areas off the road?
And by areas off the road, I mean parking lots -- grass ones, especially. I'm not really looking forward to slogging around in the muck when preparing for races. That part sucks to begin with, and I can't imagine doing it in the slop.
The only saving grace is that spring is coming. It always comes. Sometimes later than others, but it always comes. Soon(ish), the roads will be dry, the sun will be warm and we won't need to preface ride plans with, "Well, depending on how the roads are ... ."
Soon. It will happen soon.
Monday, February 15, 2010
I'm using my degree ... finally
Hey, don't worry. I'm not dead. I'm not closing the blog. I was just busy for a few days ... in Michigan.
Since taking over at the Trek Store, all sorts of fun responsibilities have been coming my way. Chris was tickled to find out I do, indeed, check to see if the shop toilet is clean, and that I clean it if it's not. There's a bunch of other stuff, too, like administrative, managerial stuff, but it's really not that exciting.
Also not exciting -- but certainly interesting -- is bicycle fitting. From the outside looking in, it seems like a good deal of dark magic. Angles, measurements, "looking about right" ... it was baffling to watch.
But then, after being shipped to Trek Fit School for a few days last week, it all made sense. It's based on anatomy, physiology, flexibility and a little bit of physics. Minus the physics, that's pretty much exactly what I studied in college.
As the other attendees lobbed questions both thought-provoking and completely insane as our teachers, I was connecting the dots between the tenets of bike fitting and exercise science.
And as that information marinated on the very, very long trip home (including a two-hour delay in St. Louis), I came to a realization: I set up my Madone all wrong.
Long, low and aggressive is great for pinning it, but what about when you're not pinning it?
Think of it this way: when you draw a bow back into position to shoot an arrow, you're at the maximum position of power, right? There's no more aggressive a position as a bow drawn to full tension.
Similarly, there's no more aggressive a position on a bike than low and in the drops, edging toward the nose of the saddle. But what happens when you set your bike up that way? Where do you move, position-wise, when it's time to pin it?
You move off the back, because your position is stupid and you can't keep up.
Much like the archer holding a bow in front of him before drawing it, the bike position with the most potential is more relaxed, more upright. Your chest is open, making it easier to breathe, and your upper body is more relaxed.
Then, when it's time to pin it, get into the drops, slide forward and get to work. Or, if you're the archer, draw the bow and sight your target.
The original Madone setup is here, and it should be noted that the saddle went up another centimeter from that picture. The new setup is below:
I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking when I set it up originally. I can say confidently that I could have -- and actually have -- ridden for hours in that position. What I couldn't do, however, was tolerate an increase in pace in that position. Since it was pretty aggressive to begin with, there was nowhere to go.
Consequently, when the pace got ramped up, I struggled. After a couple of hours on the trainer yesterday, the change is immediately apparent.
So thanks, Mom and Dad, for putting up with me through college. The degree is finally paying off for something other than a line on a resume.
Since taking over at the Trek Store, all sorts of fun responsibilities have been coming my way. Chris was tickled to find out I do, indeed, check to see if the shop toilet is clean, and that I clean it if it's not. There's a bunch of other stuff, too, like administrative, managerial stuff, but it's really not that exciting.
Also not exciting -- but certainly interesting -- is bicycle fitting. From the outside looking in, it seems like a good deal of dark magic. Angles, measurements, "looking about right" ... it was baffling to watch.
But then, after being shipped to Trek Fit School for a few days last week, it all made sense. It's based on anatomy, physiology, flexibility and a little bit of physics. Minus the physics, that's pretty much exactly what I studied in college.
As the other attendees lobbed questions both thought-provoking and completely insane as our teachers, I was connecting the dots between the tenets of bike fitting and exercise science.
And as that information marinated on the very, very long trip home (including a two-hour delay in St. Louis), I came to a realization: I set up my Madone all wrong.
Long, low and aggressive is great for pinning it, but what about when you're not pinning it?
Think of it this way: when you draw a bow back into position to shoot an arrow, you're at the maximum position of power, right? There's no more aggressive a position as a bow drawn to full tension.
Similarly, there's no more aggressive a position on a bike than low and in the drops, edging toward the nose of the saddle. But what happens when you set your bike up that way? Where do you move, position-wise, when it's time to pin it?
You move off the back, because your position is stupid and you can't keep up.
Much like the archer holding a bow in front of him before drawing it, the bike position with the most potential is more relaxed, more upright. Your chest is open, making it easier to breathe, and your upper body is more relaxed.
Then, when it's time to pin it, get into the drops, slide forward and get to work. Or, if you're the archer, draw the bow and sight your target.
The original Madone setup is here, and it should be noted that the saddle went up another centimeter from that picture. The new setup is below:
I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking when I set it up originally. I can say confidently that I could have -- and actually have -- ridden for hours in that position. What I couldn't do, however, was tolerate an increase in pace in that position. Since it was pretty aggressive to begin with, there was nowhere to go.
Consequently, when the pace got ramped up, I struggled. After a couple of hours on the trainer yesterday, the change is immediately apparent.
So thanks, Mom and Dad, for putting up with me through college. The degree is finally paying off for something other than a line on a resume.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The plan appears to be working
So I mentioned before that I was just going to drill it for a few days since I'd be having a few days off the bike, right?
Right.
Well, I did that. And after the fifth day, I gotta say I feel great. My legs are tired, sure, but I feel strong and lean again. For yesterday's TT intervals, the power numbers were right where I thought they'd be the entire time.
After this little detour, I'll be getting back on track on Sunday. There's one week left in the Build 1 work phase, and I'm looking forward to doing all of the workouts, rather than all the hard ones on consecutive days.
There's something to be said for blocks of hard efforts, but man ... I'm ready for a day off.
Right.
Well, I did that. And after the fifth day, I gotta say I feel great. My legs are tired, sure, but I feel strong and lean again. For yesterday's TT intervals, the power numbers were right where I thought they'd be the entire time.
After this little detour, I'll be getting back on track on Sunday. There's one week left in the Build 1 work phase, and I'm looking forward to doing all of the workouts, rather than all the hard ones on consecutive days.
There's something to be said for blocks of hard efforts, but man ... I'm ready for a day off.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Targets
I think I waited a bit longer to post this last year, but you're getting a season preview today ... mostly because I have nothing else about which to write. Seriously, things are slow here.
The big wild card in all of this, of course, is my back. I have no idea how it's going to react to actual racing. I've been pinning it without too much trouble on the trainer, and when I get outside it's mostly OK. But then it's been not quite nine months since it was broken, so I do recognize it's a work in progress. Bold events are goal/peak events.
So here you go:
March -- One of the Flatwater training races, maybe.
April 11: Twin Bing Classic
April 17-18: Le Tour de Husker (where I ate it last year)
May 22-23: Flatwater Cycling Weekend
June 5-6: Norfolk Weekend
June 12: State TT
June 26: Cornhusker State Games TT
July 10-11: Omaha Cycling Weekend
July 18: Iowa State TTT
August 7-8: Tour of KC
August 21-22: Big Creek RR/East Village Criterium, Des Moines
The last goal race will be tight in terms of peaking, but it'll be fun to go do something else regardless. And, of course, this is all subject to home/work schedules. And there will probably be a few races thrown in here and there as they get closer.
But that's the plan. It should be fun.
The big wild card in all of this, of course, is my back. I have no idea how it's going to react to actual racing. I've been pinning it without too much trouble on the trainer, and when I get outside it's mostly OK. But then it's been not quite nine months since it was broken, so I do recognize it's a work in progress. Bold events are goal/peak events.
So here you go:
March -- One of the Flatwater training races, maybe.
April 11: Twin Bing Classic
April 17-18: Le Tour de Husker (where I ate it last year)
May 22-23: Flatwater Cycling Weekend
June 5-6: Norfolk Weekend
June 12: State TT
June 26: Cornhusker State Games TT
July 10-11: Omaha Cycling Weekend
July 18: Iowa State TTT
August 7-8: Tour of KC
August 21-22: Big Creek RR/East Village Criterium, Des Moines
The last goal race will be tight in terms of peaking, but it'll be fun to go do something else regardless. And, of course, this is all subject to home/work schedules. And there will probably be a few races thrown in here and there as they get closer.
But that's the plan. It should be fun.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Modifications
Sometimes, life necessitates making changes into a well-planned schedule. It's Build 1 time on the training calendar, which means more intensity and more focused workouts.
It's also slightly insane right now. I was sick last week and stayed off the bike for a couple of days and I have a story to write this week. And later this week, I'm headed to fit school, so I can mess up the riding position of Omaha's finest cyclists.
It's gonna be great!
So, since I missed a couple of important days last week, they got pushed back to the weekend. And since I'm going to be off the bike for three or four days this week, I made a change.
Once I got back on the bike after being sick, I felt good right away. I waited just the right amount time before getting to it. So after that good workout, I decided to make every workout until I leave a good one.
Or, in other words, I'm gonna drill it for 5 days in a row, then take four days off. Scientific? No. A benefit? Probably. I'm hoping I can get at least an easy workout in on a couple of days of the trip, but I'm not planning on it. If it happens, it happens.
Three days into the plan, I'm doing OK. The most notable issue is my hips. With the change in saddle height, they're doing more work. So they're a little tired.
Two days left, including today. Ouch.
Another modification: Jack threw up all over the place on the way to daycare. Yes, in the car. So the schedule will change again. Awesome. Looking at core/lifting this morning instead of riding.
It's also slightly insane right now. I was sick last week and stayed off the bike for a couple of days and I have a story to write this week. And later this week, I'm headed to fit school, so I can mess up the riding position of Omaha's finest cyclists.
It's gonna be great!
So, since I missed a couple of important days last week, they got pushed back to the weekend. And since I'm going to be off the bike for three or four days this week, I made a change.
Once I got back on the bike after being sick, I felt good right away. I waited just the right amount time before getting to it. So after that good workout, I decided to make every workout until I leave a good one.
Or, in other words, I'm gonna drill it for 5 days in a row, then take four days off. Scientific? No. A benefit? Probably. I'm hoping I can get at least an easy workout in on a couple of days of the trip, but I'm not planning on it. If it happens, it happens.
Three days into the plan, I'm doing OK. The most notable issue is my hips. With the change in saddle height, they're doing more work. So they're a little tired.
Two days left, including today. Ouch.
Another modification: Jack threw up all over the place on the way to daycare. Yes, in the car. So the schedule will change again. Awesome. Looking at core/lifting this morning instead of riding.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Liberation!
Though the official, final change of power (denoted by a change in paychecks) only happened a couple of weeks ago, I've been in charge of the shop for a couple of months now.As Chris, Jake and I were talking about how we'd like to do things, I always got the feeling that Mark would come in and say, "why'd you do that?" or "that won't work." Hell, he still might.
But now I can tell him to stick it. You hear that, Mark? Stick it!
Chris put his (his, as in Mark's) name tag on the board this morning. He's gone. He's dead to us.
Oh, crap. He just walked in the door. Hide!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Rollers. It's been a while.
After ridding myself (mostly) of whatever it was that invaded my body earlier this week, today was the day to get back on the bike. And as I was getting set up this morning, I thought -- "hey, rollers. That seems like a terrible idea."
Terrible? Well, you know how head colds kind of mess with your equilibrium a bit? You feel a bit spacey, kind of out to lunch? I still have a little of that. So getting on the rollers probably wasn't the best idea.
But hey, it's me we're talking about. What could go wrong?
Other than a dropped water bottle, nothing. It was an hour-long spin on the rollers at pretty easy intensity, because it's hard to do anything but easy intensity on the rollers.
Hopefully with another day of sinus-clearing, balance-regaining progress, I can get on the trainer tomorrow morning and really drill it. Because Shim is waiting for me. And if I don't get back to work, that will become a recurring theme.
And nobody wants that.
Terrible? Well, you know how head colds kind of mess with your equilibrium a bit? You feel a bit spacey, kind of out to lunch? I still have a little of that. So getting on the rollers probably wasn't the best idea.
But hey, it's me we're talking about. What could go wrong?
Other than a dropped water bottle, nothing. It was an hour-long spin on the rollers at pretty easy intensity, because it's hard to do anything but easy intensity on the rollers.
Hopefully with another day of sinus-clearing, balance-regaining progress, I can get on the trainer tomorrow morning and really drill it. Because Shim is waiting for me. And if I don't get back to work, that will become a recurring theme.
And nobody wants that.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
We're not messing around here
When I was a kid and didn't really want to do something -- like a chore, for example -- I'd sort of halfheartedly do it to get it done and then wander off.
Or, in other words, I'd half-ass it.
Now that I'm a grown-up (of sorts), half-assing it is no longer an option. No, sir. We use our whole asses around here.
That applies to everything, including getting sick. Despite having a little germ-carrying wonderchild around, we've managed to stay reasonably healthy. But the cold that started brewing Sunday night ... wow.
I woke up yesterday morning in a fog after a horrible night of sleep. And from there, things went further downhill. Today, after a pot of coffee, some cold medication (decongestant) and some pop tarts, I'm happy to report I'm mostly OK.
I'll probably get back on the bike tomorrow morning and resume the pain. To continue with the theme, it'll be a three-hour, zone 4 suffer-fest. No easy spins here.
Right.
Or, in other words, I'd half-ass it.
Now that I'm a grown-up (of sorts), half-assing it is no longer an option. No, sir. We use our whole asses around here.
That applies to everything, including getting sick. Despite having a little germ-carrying wonderchild around, we've managed to stay reasonably healthy. But the cold that started brewing Sunday night ... wow.
I woke up yesterday morning in a fog after a horrible night of sleep. And from there, things went further downhill. Today, after a pot of coffee, some cold medication (decongestant) and some pop tarts, I'm happy to report I'm mostly OK.
I'll probably get back on the bike tomorrow morning and resume the pain. To continue with the theme, it'll be a three-hour, zone 4 suffer-fest. No easy spins here.
Right.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Still recovering
Despite all of the bluster about "The List" -- who's on it, who isn't and what it means to be crossed off -- I'm much more focused on being simply "not crappy."
It's been 7.5 months since I broke my back. I'm reminded of the injury pretty much all day, every day. That doesn't mean blinding pain, or even a dull ache, but just a constant consciousness. It just doesn't feel right.
But that doesn't mean I haven't been working hard. I've been doing core work since October or so and riding just as much as I was last year.
Halfway through yesterday's ride, while fighting a fairly modest headwind, my back started aching. It does that now and then -- most notably when I'm doing long, sustained efforts in an aggressive position (like in the drops or low on the hoods).
I keep wondering how long it's going to be like this. Probably forever, given what happened. It's just kind of frustrating, you know?
Once again, though, Shim comes through as a shining beacon of motivation. All winter, as I've been cranking through workouts, I've been remembering something he said early last summer (paraphrased): "Nice knowing you. Everybody who works at a bike shop gets slower the longer they work there."
I might be slower this year -- I certainly am right now. But it won't be because I work at a bike shop.
It's been 7.5 months since I broke my back. I'm reminded of the injury pretty much all day, every day. That doesn't mean blinding pain, or even a dull ache, but just a constant consciousness. It just doesn't feel right.
But that doesn't mean I haven't been working hard. I've been doing core work since October or so and riding just as much as I was last year.
Halfway through yesterday's ride, while fighting a fairly modest headwind, my back started aching. It does that now and then -- most notably when I'm doing long, sustained efforts in an aggressive position (like in the drops or low on the hoods).
I keep wondering how long it's going to be like this. Probably forever, given what happened. It's just kind of frustrating, you know?
Once again, though, Shim comes through as a shining beacon of motivation. All winter, as I've been cranking through workouts, I've been remembering something he said early last summer (paraphrased): "Nice knowing you. Everybody who works at a bike shop gets slower the longer they work there."
I might be slower this year -- I certainly am right now. But it won't be because I work at a bike shop.
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