Am I too mature to write in a blog that has a title called Leave the Fan On?
Probably . . . . but I might give it another try. We'll see.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
The 3 inch mustache
I am currently growing a three inch mustache, a mustache so small you can only see it from 3 inches from my face.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Veggie Challenge Continued
The Vegetarian Challenge is still going strong.
I feasted on some veggie burgers tonight.
In cycling news, the base training has started. Nothing serious. Just spinning indoors.
I feasted on some veggie burgers tonight.
In cycling news, the base training has started. Nothing serious. Just spinning indoors.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Vegetarian Update
Day 4 of the Vegetarian challenge. No cheating and no I have not had Spaghetti every night. Eating plenty of veggies and feeling fine.
What did I really give up when I took on this challenge? Here is what I figure I've lost:
What did I really give up when I took on this challenge? Here is what I figure I've lost:
- Wawa Turkey Hoagies
- Horsham Pizza Cheesesteak
- Pork Chops
- Chicken Parm Pizza
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Base Training
Got a simple 30 mile ride in today. Just cruising down the Schuylkill River Trail.
The NY Times had a great article about consistency, specificity in training and how it affects an athlete's physiology.
The NY Times had a great article about consistency, specificity in training and how it affects an athlete's physiology.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The Vegetarian Challenge
I am a fan of Tim Ferriss' blog and book.
The Four Hour Work Week.
His blog is all about lifestyle design and challenging the status quo. In the spirit of that I going Vegetarian from Sunday Nov. 25th to Dec. 24th.
I know its nothing Earth shattering but it should be fun.
In a similar vein, I have fallen in love with all things salsa. As a result, I have started also making my own salsa. It is a closer to Pico de Gallo than salsa at the but far more fresher and lots more spice.
The Four Hour Work Week.
His blog is all about lifestyle design and challenging the status quo. In the spirit of that I going Vegetarian from Sunday Nov. 25th to Dec. 24th.
I know its nothing Earth shattering but it should be fun.
In a similar vein, I have fallen in love with all things salsa. As a result, I have started also making my own salsa. It is a closer to Pico de Gallo than salsa at the but far more fresher and lots more spice.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Granogue and Wissahickon Weekend
My goal for the weekend was not too get lapped and failure is a feeling I am familar with, even before this weekend. Thats right racing B's was tough going.Granogue: My focus for this race was to be smooth and try to crank the pace when I could. I am a roadie so I consider this course fairly technical. My start was "ok" considering I was in the rear and I was fairly smooth the first two laps. However, once I got tired and everything begins to hurt, my abilities to sink like a rock. I had slipped back a little too much and was trying to catch a group of 3 infront of me. I was about 10 bikes lengths behind them when two of them just quit. They rode into the pits and never came back. The 3rd quit about half lap later. Well, I aint quiting so I finished up the race.
Wissahickon: This race was just painful. Too hot. Too fast. I felt like puking at 2 laps into the race. There is nowhere to rest and recover during the race. You constantly need to be pushing it. My bro and sister came out to the race. I told them didn't need to cheer for me when I was in last place, cause no one likes cheering for a loser. (just ask an Eagle's fan) The highlight of this race was someone in the second row of the start rolled a tubular 5 feet into the race. Huge pile up that everyone had to ride around. I saw some guy running with a completely taco'd tire.
Chilling with the team during the other races was fun. and in conclusion Pro's are very fast. You can read cyclingnews if you want read about Johnson and Powers beating up on the Elite Mens field.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
MAC Cyclocross Begins!
Thats right kids, time for some real cross racing.
Granogue and then Wissahickon. I'm kinda pumped. Not as fit as I was hoping, but things have been busy. I'm a little scared of Granogue, cause last year that race kicked my ass.
I was faced with the decision of having to choose between racing the B category or racing the C category. I decided it was time to step up and 'B' a man, besides who likes racing early in the morning anyway.
My goal for the races are nice and simple. Don't get lapped. I have no delusions of grandeur, but I do want to keep things respectable.
My goal for the races are nice and simple. Don't get lapped. I have no delusions of grandeur, but I do want to keep things respectable.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Bucks County Covered Bridge Ride
Sunday morning, Dr. J and I went to the Bucks County Covered Bridge Ride. It was an hour drive to middle of nowhere Bucks County PA. We get out of the car at 8 am, and it occurs to me. It is 36 degrees outside. It was COLD, but the high today was supposed to be 69 in Philadelphia.
I took stock of what I had to wear. I had leg warmers, arm warmers, polypropolene layer, and a wind jacket. For some reason, I didn't think that was enough. We sign up and I grab a cup of coffee. I'm still freezing. I tell Dr. J that I am hanging in the car until it warms up. At 8:30 I decide to stop being a wus and get on my bike and ride wearing every piece of clothing I had.
I have not done a lot of these organized group rides. I go on group rides but with other cyclists that race or ride a ton. The average rec cyclist is not someone I ride next to everyday. There were certainly a few times when I was concerned about people riding a bit goofy. The other thing that amazed me was that no one called out cars. No one called out turns. No one talked about change of pace. I took it upon myself to call out cars and turns when near crowds. I would say "Hi" to people as I passed them. It felt like the right thing to do.
The ride itself was 63 hilly miles of fun. Lots of great scenery. 6 covered bridges and rest stops along the way. I never ate so much during a ride in my life. All in all the ride was GREAT!
Here is a little link to the Bucks County Covered Bridge Ride.
I took stock of what I had to wear. I had leg warmers, arm warmers, polypropolene layer, and a wind jacket. For some reason, I didn't think that was enough. We sign up and I grab a cup of coffee. I'm still freezing. I tell Dr. J that I am hanging in the car until it warms up. At 8:30 I decide to stop being a wus and get on my bike and ride wearing every piece of clothing I had.
I have not done a lot of these organized group rides. I go on group rides but with other cyclists that race or ride a ton. The average rec cyclist is not someone I ride next to everyday. There were certainly a few times when I was concerned about people riding a bit goofy. The other thing that amazed me was that no one called out cars. No one called out turns. No one talked about change of pace. I took it upon myself to call out cars and turns when near crowds. I would say "Hi" to people as I passed them. It felt like the right thing to do.
The ride itself was 63 hilly miles of fun. Lots of great scenery. 6 covered bridges and rest stops along the way. I never ate so much during a ride in my life. All in all the ride was GREAT!
Here is a little link to the Bucks County Covered Bridge Ride.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Racing Commuter Style
I would like to coin a new cycling term called racing commuter style.
Commuter Style would refer to riding your race bike to the race. Doing the race on the bike you rode there and riding back home, hence commuter style. I'm not talking about racing on a commuter bike, but a legitmate road bike. Don't get me confused with those crazies in London.
So last weekend I rode to my first cyclocross race of the season did the race and yes I did it commuter style. It was a 30+ mile ride to the race and it was alot of fun. I got but kicked in the race, but I ended up getting 70+ miles by the end of the day.
Commuter Style would refer to riding your race bike to the race. Doing the race on the bike you rode there and riding back home, hence commuter style. I'm not talking about racing on a commuter bike, but a legitmate road bike. Don't get me confused with those crazies in London.
So last weekend I rode to my first cyclocross race of the season did the race and yes I did it commuter style. It was a 30+ mile ride to the race and it was alot of fun. I got but kicked in the race, but I ended up getting 70+ miles by the end of the day.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Recycle your running shoes
If you are anything like me, you have plenty of reasons to drink. But this post has nothing to do with that.
If you are anything like me, you may have the running shoe build up. I currently have 7 pairs of running shoes in my closet. Some over 2+ years old. Yes those boxes have running shoes in them.
You can recycle running shoes!!! http://www.runtheplanet.com/shoes/selection/recycle.asp
Nike seems to have a good program, but I am certain you can have any running store recycle them for you.
So go recycle those shoes when you are done running in them. They will turn in them into a basketball court.
If you are anything like me, you may have the running shoe build up. I currently have 7 pairs of running shoes in my closet. Some over 2+ years old. Yes those boxes have running shoes in them.
You can recycle running shoes!!! http://www.runtheplanet.com/shoes/selection/recycle.asp
Nike seems to have a good program, but I am certain you can have any running store recycle them for you.
So go recycle those shoes when you are done running in them. They will turn in them into a basketball court.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
What would David Lee Roth Do?
When you are lost in indecision, I suggest you ask yourself one simple question.
What would David Lee Roth do?
You will have your answer.
Yes, The Van Halen in Philadelphia was awesome.
What would David Lee Roth do?
You will have your answer.
Yes, The Van Halen in Philadelphia was awesome.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Park Bike Repair Website
I've begun fixing the cross bike for the season (yes I know I am behind schedule). I came across this website and I love it. It is excellent for all things bike repair.
Park Tool Repair
Park Tool Repair
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
100on100, Running 100 miles in Vermont
Long time no blog. yada yada yada . . .
Put in a strong 30 minute run last night. Running at night is great. Nice cool. Everything looks different. I can say it gets me in shape for Cyclo-cross.
More importantly I am preparing my legs for the beating they are sure to be taking this weekend. I have joined a team for the 100on100. I am part of a 5 person relay team to run a 100 miles on route 100 in Vermont. It should be a really good time. Hopefully, I'll have some nice pics.
Put in a strong 30 minute run last night. Running at night is great. Nice cool. Everything looks different. I can say it gets me in shape for Cyclo-cross.
More importantly I am preparing my legs for the beating they are sure to be taking this weekend. I have joined a team for the 100on100. I am part of a 5 person relay team to run a 100 miles on route 100 in Vermont. It should be a really good time. Hopefully, I'll have some nice pics.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunset Sprint Triathlon Race Report
On Saturday July 14th, I got up at the ass crack of dawn and headed down to Bridgeton NJ to compete in the Sunset Sprint Triathlon. The Sunset Sprint Triathlon consists of a 800 meter swim, 16 mile bike, and a 5k run. This was my first triathlon in 2 years, my coming out of retirement race.
I went down there with "the Good Doctor" and "the boss man". The good doctor was doing her first Triathlon and "the boss man" was doing the duathlon. We threw everything into the Boss Man's minivan and headed to the race. We got there, signed all the papers and proceeded to get ready. I am pumped. Moment of Truth Time Baby!!!
But before the Moment of Truth, we need to walk from where you park the car to the transistion area, which is about 1/2 a mile away. By the time, we got to the transition area, I heard someone shout 10 minutes till wave 1 goes. Thats Me!!! I set up my transition area like it is old news and roll to the beach.
The water was a balmy 84 degrees. No wetsuits! The gun goes off and we go running into the water. I hadn't swam since the Cheasapeake Bay Swim, so my swimming form was off. WAY OFF! I was swimming like a horse. I swam in 14:36. Not exactly fast. But the swim never matters in a triathlon.
Transition 1 went Smooth like Colt 45 Double Malt. 1:23.
Out on the bike. This where I was prepared to hear the lamenations of the women. I wanted a fast bike split. I sprinted out of the transition area, hopped on the bike and I was off. I stayed tucked in my bars and started hunting people down. The first half of the bike I passed people at a steady rate. It was great to pass guys on Cervelo P2's with full areo disc wheel set up. By the second half I could tell I may have burned my candle a little too much in the start, cause I was starting to fade. I ended up averaging 21.4 mph for a 44:49 bike split. This was the 23rd fastest bike split. Not too bad I guess. The bike course was flat as a pancake (minus a false flat here and there) and a full aero-set up was a HUGE advantage for the tri-geeks racing today. I perfer a more rolling time trial course that keeps people honest.
Transition 2. Smooth like Butter. (with the exception that I ran past my transition spot) 1:31
I start running. Well not really. More like jogging. I didn't start running till 1 mile into run. The course had a few off road sections. Not very hilly but not completely flat. I ran it in for a 22:56 5k. Not exactly a stellar 5k. I was not in the mood to hop in my pain cave during the run. I told myself if someone in my age group passes me then I will have to turn it on. Otherwise, I'm chilling. No one passed me so I chilled.
Final time: 1:25:13.
Well, all this work got me 28th overall out of 170 and more importantly 3rd in my age group. I ended up getting the Second place age group trophy cause the 1st place guy got 2nd overall.
So many people chill through transitions, but I refuse. The clock is always ticking, and putting a minute into your potential competition can be huge by the end of a sprint triathlon. My transitition times helped earn me a extra placing, without it I may have been 3rd in my age group.
I went down there with "the Good Doctor" and "the boss man". The good doctor was doing her first Triathlon and "the boss man" was doing the duathlon. We threw everything into the Boss Man's minivan and headed to the race. We got there, signed all the papers and proceeded to get ready. I am pumped. Moment of Truth Time Baby!!!
But before the Moment of Truth, we need to walk from where you park the car to the transistion area, which is about 1/2 a mile away. By the time, we got to the transition area, I heard someone shout 10 minutes till wave 1 goes. Thats Me!!! I set up my transition area like it is old news and roll to the beach.
The water was a balmy 84 degrees. No wetsuits! The gun goes off and we go running into the water. I hadn't swam since the Cheasapeake Bay Swim, so my swimming form was off. WAY OFF! I was swimming like a horse. I swam in 14:36. Not exactly fast. But the swim never matters in a triathlon.
Transition 1 went Smooth like Colt 45 Double Malt. 1:23.
Out on the bike. This where I was prepared to hear the lamenations of the women. I wanted a fast bike split. I sprinted out of the transition area, hopped on the bike and I was off. I stayed tucked in my bars and started hunting people down. The first half of the bike I passed people at a steady rate. It was great to pass guys on Cervelo P2's with full areo disc wheel set up. By the second half I could tell I may have burned my candle a little too much in the start, cause I was starting to fade. I ended up averaging 21.4 mph for a 44:49 bike split. This was the 23rd fastest bike split. Not too bad I guess. The bike course was flat as a pancake (minus a false flat here and there) and a full aero-set up was a HUGE advantage for the tri-geeks racing today. I perfer a more rolling time trial course that keeps people honest.
Transition 2. Smooth like Butter. (with the exception that I ran past my transition spot) 1:31
I start running. Well not really. More like jogging. I didn't start running till 1 mile into run. The course had a few off road sections. Not very hilly but not completely flat. I ran it in for a 22:56 5k. Not exactly a stellar 5k. I was not in the mood to hop in my pain cave during the run. I told myself if someone in my age group passes me then I will have to turn it on. Otherwise, I'm chilling. No one passed me so I chilled.
Final time: 1:25:13.
Well, all this work got me 28th overall out of 170 and more importantly 3rd in my age group. I ended up getting the Second place age group trophy cause the 1st place guy got 2nd overall.
So many people chill through transitions, but I refuse. The clock is always ticking, and putting a minute into your potential competition can be huge by the end of a sprint triathlon. My transitition times helped earn me a extra placing, without it I may have been 3rd in my age group.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Allentown Criterium
Ever had a race go so bad, that if your bike flew off the bike roof rack on the way home, you wouldn't have stopped to get the bike.
I probably wouldn't have even hit the brakes.
[Editor's Note] Thanks to Matteis for telling to me to get over myself by informing that maybe Triathlon, BBQ and Beers Saturday, Criterium Sunday is not a recipie for success.
I probably wouldn't have even hit the brakes.
[Editor's Note] Thanks to Matteis for telling to me to get over myself by informing that maybe Triathlon, BBQ and Beers Saturday, Criterium Sunday is not a recipie for success.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A nice hole in my bike saddle
Either my ass got fat or that saddle just can't handle the increased mileage? Yes that is a picture of my Bianchi Gel Selli Italia bicycle saddle. My perfered saddle bit the dust when I bit the dust at the Syracuse Criterium earlier this year. I think it is time for a new saddle?
Ok, who is the prankster that put areobars on my bars? Um, I'm that prankster. Thats right kids, I'm coming out of triathlon retirement tomorrow. I will be competing in the beautiful Sunset Sprint Triathlon of Bridgeton, NJ. It has a 800 meter swim, 16 mile bike and 5k run. A coworker of mine is also doing it so I am looking forward to taking his pride.I was at the Thursday night crit yesterday and had the following exchange with a fellow cycling aquantance.
Me: You racing this weekend?
He: Yeah, I'm doing Millport on Saturday, and Allentown on Sunday. You?
Me: Doing Allentown, Doing a Triathlon on Saturday so I can't do Millport.
He: You do triathlons?
Me: Not really.
He: You swim?
Me: I know how to swim. I figure it will a time trial surrounded by a swim and a run.
(laughs, end scene)
So I lied a little . . . yeah I know how to swim. Yeah, I've done a few triathlons.
One thing I have learned is never tell serious cyclists you are a triathlete. They will automatically make alot of assumptions about how you ride in a pack and how you handle a bike. Most of these assumptions are 100% correct, but I feel after doing a season of cyclo-cross and road cycling that I have shed my triathlon roots.
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