Training Routes

Hello all, I wanted to take a section and show you some of my training routes. These vary greatly in distance and difficulty so pay close attention to the notes associated with each route if they are listed. I try and include specifics about climbing and any dangers to avoid.

Evies' Triathlon

It began as a cool rainy disgusting morning. High hopes for good weather were gone as I looked out the big front window at our house to see an absolute downpour happening! My daughter was to compete in her first triathlon this morning an I was going to have to break the news to her that she'd be competing in terrible weather. As I explained the circumstances to her as she looked out the window she just said "ok daddy, I'll do my best"! I thought wow, she really wants to do this! I was already proud of her and we haven't even left the house yet. We arrived at the YMCA facility in the pouring rain and began locating the transition area in which I would place her bike and gear while my wife and Evie went to sign in and get ready. The transition area was on the edge of the main soccer field and was a sponge full of grass and mud! I hoped at that point that the rain would stop and maybe the kids would catch a break. As I finished placing her things in transition I noticed that the rain was indeed stopping and the wind subsiding slightly, I was pleased. Some freinds of ours started arriving along with grandparents who had come out to see our little athlete perform. We all gathered in the pool area to watch the start and being the good Dad that I am I was going to photograph the whole thing. I looked through the lens and it had fogged up from the heat and humidity of the pool and I thought "oh no, not good"! I was finally able to get the lens clear though and began shooting. Evie swam her heart out and as she got out of the pool I realized that she had possibly swam too hard, she looked tired. I took off with her as she ran toward the transition area trying to shoot pictures without much success. I was able to get some as she hurried her way through transition. It was a blast to see how determined she was as she made the changes from swim to bike and how fast she was, we had practiced the switches before to familiarize her and it worked! She snatched her bike off the stand and off she went running out of transition and toward the road through the water and mud. I was excited as she jumped on the bike and flew off down the road as hard as she could go! It would be several minuites now until she was around the 3 mile bike course and I now had time to get some other shots of some of the other kids. As Evie pedaled down the last stretch of the bike leg she was greeted by me with my camera and all of our freinds holding signs up for her as she ran with her bike back to the transition area for the last time! I notice that in the transition to the run that she was tired and I worried about her being to fatigued to run, but she took off again. Valerie took off across the soccer feild to encourage her while she ran her two laps around the course, Evie was tired and walked a bit but then gave one last push to the finish. I greeted her at the finish and told her how proud of her I was then Brady, our freind and Evies' favorite cycling buddy, came over and hugged her as we all celebrated her finish. She had done it, finished her first triathlon! Valerie asked if we should stay for the awards ceremony and I said that we should out of respect for the other athletes and support them and their efforts. I remember that neither one of us thought that our daughter would place and that it would be encouraging for next time so that she could see the reward of the hard work that it took to earn their medals. As we listened to the announcements of the places for overall and then age groups it came down to Evies' age and a bit of sadness came over me as her name was not called but I didn't let on. Then came the 9 year old age group, 1st, 2nd and third place the announcer said goes to Evie Seitz! She had done it! Wow! We had not realized that due to her late birthday she fell into the 9 age group and not the 8! She had placed as one of the youngest in her group, I was overjoyed and so was she! I was so glad that we had stayed for the awards even though we had not expected her to medal, it was as rewarding for me as it was her. A great day!

Early fall training

Training this year has been way too intermittent for my liking and I have spent much of my rides suffering because of it. After SC ride for life I found myself not being able to get many miles like I am used to. I am excited about my return to training though as I try and work my way back to the form that I had in June. I have to constantly remind myself that I have a life, family, and job that hold priority over cycling and that I'm just not a pro who can ride every day and watch all of my calorie expendature and intake like them. I am constantly worried about eating too much and training to little(I'm guilty!) and have gained new enthusiasm lately with the cooling temperatures and the thought of fall riding. I struggle to find riding partners this time of year though with most of my freinds having children in sports and various other activities that take them away from the road, so I spend most of my time during off days in the week riding alone. I find that our area, upstate South Carolina, is really a wonderful place to ride. Theres nothing like northern Pickens and Oconee counties with the fall leaf display! Eastatoee valley produces some gorgeous scenery in fall and winter that makes riding all of the hills worthwhile. the http://www.cyberspinners.net/ crowd introduced me to these areas for cycling almost three years ago and I've not stopped riding them yet.
I am motivated this fall in part because of my dad. He has started riding with me often and is an inspiration due to his years of dedication, not to cycling, but to fitness in general. Dad was an avid runner for most of my life and after retirement and building his own home near Tamassee, SC is back at it! His addition of cycling to his routine has made me want to train harder and get leaner and meaner so that he doesn't completely blow me away when he really gets his legs in the next year or so. He is the 64 year old size of Alberto Contador at 5'9" and 138 or so lbs! Alot to contend with when I am 38 and 5'11" and 200lbs! Thats a bad recipe for getting dropped if I don't do something about it. It is a complete blessing though to have my dad envolved in the sport and hope to recruit him for the scride4life next year. Our last training ride together we took off on his first really challenging climbing ride up to whitewater falls from Tamassee. He hung in there and stayed right with me for the vast majority of the climb and only has about 3 or 4 months on his bike! On few occasions I was able to pull away slightly but he is riding like a champ! Power-to-weight ratio is definitely the key to climbing success.

Hello Peloton!

Hello upstate South Carolina cyclists! I am excited about this fall and all of the great cycling that upstate South Carolina has to offer us. So far this year on my calendar of events has been 2009 http://www.scride4life.com/ our yearly event in June every year that raises funds for the Upstate pregnancy care center in Seneca, SC. We were able to raise over $20,000 this year in support of this life saving cause and hope that 2010 holds even more in store for the center. I encourage all cyclists to come support our cause by excercising those legs on the way across our wonderful state by doing three, yes three century rides back to back until we reach our coastal destination(undetermined for 2010 as of yet). The website will guide you through signup and fundraising goals for the next year and should be updated in the coming months. Hey, where else in our area can you find a supported ride across the state with hotels and meals, and a cool jersey for $300? It's Awesome!

The picture above is of the USpro roadrace in Greenville, SC this year and what a blast that was to witness! Our hometown favorite George Hincapie took the honors for the third time and earned himself another Stars and Stripes jersey! Our scride4life crowd had a good turnout for the Stars and Stripes Challenge event that preceded the USpro and we did our best to tame the Paris Mtn. climb! From my crowds vantage point at the top of Paris Mtn. for the USpro I realized as I watched the pros just how slow I really am.
I am sure that this fall is gearing up to be a great cycling season and I'm ready to hit the mountains and feel the burn. For those who may be interested the Ride for Raptors is coming up along with the Cherokee foothills event that the Greeenville spinners put on so there are some upcoming events that you all should consider doing. Be safe out there and know your bike laws! Don't be afraid to use them if nessesary, there are some crazies out there. Later!