Last Post of an Odd Year

2009 will soon be hobbling its old ass out the door to make way for the screaming brat that is 2010. Can't wait. Cuz, you know, 2010 will be so much different.

Right now all 2010 means to me is that the gym and pool will be packed until the middle of February. Then reality sets in and all the resolutionaries once drunkenly determined to make 2010 the year they get in shape give up and head back to their respective sofas and give me the workout facilities back.

Who am I kidding. I ain't barely done shit in weeks. I keep telling myself, "Self, don't sweat it. You are just taking some time off." Then self replies, "Time off from what shitface? It isn't like we're pulling 20 hour training weeks with 200 miles on the bikes, 50 on the feet and 5 in the pool plus weights, stretching etc. Our entire training regimen is essentially 'taking time off.'" "Self." I then reply. "Self, you are a dick."



Actually, with holidays and a week off for Dinnyland, it's no wonder I can't get my motor running. Let alone head out on the highway. But DL was another great time. Save for the 16 hour drive to SoCal, Wifey and Smarty Pants getting sick, the busy nights and eventually leaving the 70° temps. Smarty Pants was much more fun than the last time. She rode everything, even the Tower of Terror. Speaking of terror, not only did I survive the Princess Dinner at Ariel's Grotto, I finally met my nemesis, Jaws, at Universal Studios.



As for Christmas, the Dinny trip made shopping easier than ever. We didn't have enough money left to do much! AWESOME. Almost makes me want to take a vacation every year if it allows me to avoid the mall.

With that, what will my 2010 hold? I have goals. Goals beyond sport, even.
• I want to complete a half iron distance triathlon.
• I want to race an XTERRA event.
• I want to race a couple of mountain bike events.
• I want to complete a couple of half marathons (which I am already registered for. Take that Self!).
• Cyclocross in the fall.
• I want to finish my garage.
• I want to paint the bathrooms.

Time, motivation and money are my biggest obstacles. Mainly motivation. I really need to choose the rest of my events and get a training plan together. Or a coach. Maybe just a coach.

And I need to start looking for a new vehicle.
And a TT bike.
And a mountain bike.
And when did this New Year's post become a Christmas list?

Happy New Year.

It's Cold Again

Okay. I don't do this enough. But thanks to any and all who check in and see if I have had anything exciting enough happen that is worth mentioning. Truth is, I have. In my mind anyway...

So, a summary of recent event since my last post is in order...

- Winter has arrived in Utah, bringing with it the ususal score of idiots that forget that accumulated ice and snow on the roads makes said road surfaces slippery.

- I managed to survive another Christmas lights on the house adventure without shaking myself off the roof. Or simply falling. (I hate being off the ground. Even swimming I am off the ground, technically. Love/hate.)

- New shed, still no room in the garage. What the fuck there?

But things are happening and work is nuts and I am trying to fit in a little of this and that where I can.

I sat out pretty much the last cross race of the year yesterday at Fort Buenaventura. Alas, have to save cash for Christmas. Plus I am a little gunshy after my 0-3 finishing record this year. I am already looking ahead to 2010 and maybe a new Fisher Presidio. Maaayyybeee.

I realized the other day I hadn't swum since the J&J Tri in Septemeber and drug ass to the pool last week. Getting there is an accomplishment. I am still slow, but plan on going more as of tonight.

The Madone is sadly on the trainer. Sad for me. Not the bike.

The Titus is ready to hit the road and go to a farm where it can roam and be happy. Sadly, my last two ride on it have been fantastic enough to question my motives for selling it. Especially blizzard ride. That was so cool. If anyone needs a great deal on a great bike, I got one.

Still need to post some pics of the Racer.

Smarty Pants is a pistol. Wifey is looking awesome with her new workout schedule.

Congrats to Jenn and Craig on child #2. All our love.

And I am proud to say that I know two Ironman Age Group Winners. Katie and TOBY! You two rock. I hope one day to mimic your feat of Ironman glory. And get ready for KONA!

More later. I so promise.

db

Is it Spring yet?

It's snowing. Dammit.

But what does it matter? Most of my outdoor projects are completed and there will still be enough time to finish things up.

Plus, my back is out as I type, so I am not much good to anyone right now. I could probably ride, probably swim but not run really well because I can't stand up straight.

All this comes on the eve of the Double Cross Halloween Weekend. Races at Wheeler Farm on Saturday and Sunday. They are iffy now, at best.

On the bright side of things, I think my backyard tubeless cross wheel setup is working. I did a short ride the other night and had no issues with leaks or rolling tires at 45 psi. I did smack a rock hard enough to think I might have broke my front wheel, and nearly send me over the handle bar, and just kept right on going. It would have pinch flatted a tube for sure.

On a sadder note, my Dad's (and my) Jack Russell Terrier died last week. He had a severe infection from advanced diabetes and Pop decided it was better to have him put down. Roscoe was a great little dog and tough as nails. He'd fight most any dog and I saw him win against larger dogs more than once. He was a lover, too. He didn't like to be held, but that was alright because he felt like a sack of sticks when you did.

My sis gave him to me several years before she died. Then, when I married Wifey, Pa wanted to keep Roscoe at the house. He said it was to make my new apartment life easier. But I think he liked the dog which was why I never asked to have him back.

Roscoe went pretty much everywhere with Dad, so it is a kick in the gut to him. It's tough when your best buddy suddenly isn't there anymore, following you into the bathroom and stuff. I know. I gave him up once. But now, like so many other people and things I've cared for, he only lives in my memories.

'Cross Race #2

Two races. Two flats. Cyclocross race #2 was uneventful in the sense that my race lasted all of 5 minutes when I pulled out with yet another flat. Not sure how this happened. After fixing the first flat, not once, but twice, I put in a new tube. Problem solved, right? Wrong. The tire held air all week, until race day. Dig this.

I air up the tires to 50 psi in the back of the truck because, you know, I don't want to risk a flat. Next, I carry the bike across the parking lot to the course. Then, I set the bike down on the starting line and throw a leg over the top tube and the tire is almost flat.

WHAT THE FU@K?!

Now before you think I am a dumbass for not checking the tire for thorns, I did. Multiple times. The tube had a very small failure where the valve stem is glued to the tube. Just bad luck. Not the first or last bad luck I had on Saturday, either. In fact, Saturday pretty much was the shittiest day I've had in about the last 6 months. I digress...

So I rode most of a single lap before pulling out. Again. At least last week I got to do most of the race. And I now have a backyard tubeless setup in place that I am trying out.

- Stan's rim tape to seal the spoke holes
- 4 rubber rim strips to build up the rim bed, 26" size for a tighter fit
- UST valve stems
- Stan's tire sealant

I am hoping to get out to the fairgrounds race course soon to test the tubeless out. I need to make sure the tires don't roll off the rim unexpectedly causing me to die. But so far, so good! I am looking forward to a pinch flat free 45 psi and excellent protection from flats. Crossing fingers.

CYCLOCROSS!

Cyclocross is hard. More so when I race with the fast guys because the start time better fits in with my life. Even then 'cross is fun in a strange, hurt yourself kinda way.

Race #1 was of the Utah Series Utah Series was last Saturday and, since it was a local Ogden race, I went. And got beaten soundly. It was my own fault.

I am a slacker, and I didn't get out of bed quite as early as I should have, plus I didn't really pay attention to the classes. And I forgot just how old I am. Or blocked it. Anyhoo, I showed up to race the Men's B group because the 1:00 start time meshed with my lazy ass better than the 9:30 Men's C start time. Little did I realize that I could easily have raced the Masters B 35+ at 10:30 and probably gotten beat just as badly. But maybe not quite as badly because there might have actually been some guys my age racing against me instead of a group of 20-somethings without wives, kids, real jobs and mortgages that do nothing except spend every dime they have on carbon 50mmm tubular wheels and two bikes set up identically. I would much rather be beaten by guys in the same boat as I am in, and with more dedication than I have. I like an even playing field.

In spite of once again having the realization that I am no longer a bike racer ground into my face, the race was fun. Nothing eventful happened, except when I got to throw some elbows with a dude that races Pro-class mountain bike when he was passing me. But that is part of the game. Oh, and I flatted with a lap and a half to go. Which was a bummer.

Thanks to my sister in law, Shaylee, for the pics and watching Smarty Pants while I goofed off. You'll notice in the second pic, I am off the back right at the start.



The real bitch here, is that I have tried twice now to repair the damn tube and my tire keeps going flat and I can't find a reason why. Maybe it is time to go tubeless?

And here is a teaser... the Schwinn Racer project is nearly done! Assembly is completed and I should have pedals this week. With luck, I'll be riding it this weekend. If I survive 'cross race #2, you can stop by at 10:30 and watch me compete in the Masters class.