I'd Write More....

If I cared more.

Sad, but true, to quote that old classic by Metallica. But I have lost my passion for the cycling, and by having lost that, I don't have much to write about. Well, unless you want to hear about my triathlon training? Nah, didn't think so.

Spring Break pretty much sucked. It was too cold and wet and when I did get a chance to race, well, let's just say it didn't go so well. I think I'm pretty much giving up on mass start races for while. I think I'll stick to the human destruction machine known as "Triathlon."

I'm swimming much better and my running is coming around. I have my first 5K race in less than two weeks, so I'm excited about that. Never thought I'd be running in my first race (since high school cross country that is) when I was 38.

Wow, I'm getting old.

But not as old as dad, so it's all good! Ha!

Hope all y'all are well. I'm looking for the joy. I'll let you know when I find it.

Peace,

Jef

Not Too Shabby....

Well, it was colder than a witch's thorax (as mother would say) all day today for Spring Fling #3 (or as I heard one racer refer to it, "Spring Freeze"). It was cold and windy, with a dusting of snow early in the morning, and I just didn't want to race. I waffled around the house in the morning and finally loaded up my gear around 10.

Glad I did. Even though I burnt too many matches trying to cover breaks by my lonesome, I managed to have a very strong final sprint, finishing fourth, and fifth in overall points. Not too shabby, indeed.

Then I ran two miles. Just for good measure.

Man, I'm digging this new diet, my new workout procedures, and life in general. I haven't had this much fun with my athletics in a long, long time, and I'm looking forward to a great season of racing (swimming, biking, and running!).

I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to call it a night. More later, as it is Spring Break, so I'll spend too much time playing online.

Train hard, have fun, be safe,

Jeffrey

Back in the Saddle....

Again.

Well, I had my first crit of the season yesterday. Went okay, I guess. Felt pretty good in the Cat 4 race but made the mistake of getting off the bike and eating something before the Cat 3/4 race. The bitterly cold wind and the 34-degree temperature had its way with my hamstrings like a priest with an altar boy, and needless to say, that second race pretty much sucked. I finished in the top 20 of the first race though, so that was cool.

It was weird pinning a number on a jersey that wasn't my old team. I'd never raced in anything but blue and orange, so donning my all-black "Dopers Suck" kit made me feel a bit like a ninja and an outsider at the same time. Although, to be totally modest, the fact that I'm 20 pounds lighter than last racing season meant I looked good regardless. It was fun hearing the comments from "Wow, you look great!" to "You got a tape worm or something?" Either way, people took note and I felt good.

My distances continue to improve in the pool as my times go down. I did 1000 more meters in the pool this week than last, and in 12 minutes less time. I'm getting lots of good advice from friends and family, and it does get a little bit easier and more fun every time I get in the water. This week I'm going to go for thirty minutes straight and see how long I can go before I drown (or stop).

Recovery week this week, so my volume is down on training, but I'm looking forward to trying to get some work done around here. Finishing up a commission (jazz piece for a Chicago school), and some handiwork around the house (need a new screen door on the back porch). Stuff to keep my mind off of the fact that I'm not training...Grrr! I guess the best thing about it is that it makes me want to train even harder when my time goes back up, and that's a good thing.

Weather is finally starting to cooperate as well, with highs in the upper 60s Tuesday and Wednesday this week before Mother Nature pisses on us once again. Hopefully it'll be a warm rain this week, and not that cold miserable wintry mix crap. I'm hoping to get out during our spring break here in a week and enjoy the weather. I'm hoping the weather will be nicer up home in Iowa, too, in case I have to go up and give dad a big wet kiss for his birthday over break. I think he's turning something like 72 or something like that. Can't really tell....

Hope you're all doing well. Stay warm 'til the weather cooperates fully.

Jeffrey

Wow...Has it Really Been....

Two Weeks since my last post?

Man, what a slacker.

Let's see...what's up with me? Oh, yeah. I've been training like crazy and loving it. Swimming isn't quite so painful and I really enjoy my time in the pool. I'm not very "fluid," but my endurance gets better every workout. I'm not dreading the swimming portion of the races so much now and I'm actually starting to get excited for this Tri season.

Yeah, I know. I'm the one who bagged on Tri Geeks for years. I know, I know, I know. Get over it, okay? I'm sorry already! I shouldn't have been talking smack on folks whom I knew nothing about their training. Okay? Can we move on now and all my friends out there let me get on with it? Please?

Thanks.

I've been on a new diet the last two weeks and it's really going well, too. It's called "the Paleolithic Diet for Athletes" by Cordain and Friel (Joe Friel of "Triathletes Bible" fame). I'm down 16 pounds since the beginning of the year, and I've never EVER been this light since high school. I'm right at 160 pounds - something I never thought I'd ever see again. I'm soooooo thankful for the bike! (And the swimming and the running - but mostly the bike!)

Hope all y'all are doing well out there. I've been crazy busy with school stuff, lots of training, and composing. Sorry if I haven't been updating much, but know that I'm well.

More later (and sooner than later, I hope),

Jeffrey