Hwy 1

So I left the city (San Francisco) on my love (Cervelo r3) headed for Highway 1 and north of Point Reyes. I stopped off in Sausilito at a bike candy shop where the owner threw on a new chain ring and chain as my bike was a little out of sorts after I put on a new wheelset and cassette.

I must tell you that after leaving sausilito and heading up the Camino Alta grade into Larkspur, Fairfax and eventually to the coast was an absolutely magical ride. I rode hard as I teamed up with a couple of folks interested in a hammer fest (as was I). I mapped my ride.

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80/20

Work is crazy busy...another project today (more work)...and only 3 hours of sleep last night. Hmmmm. I said I was going to slow down. Its odd how we just keep saying yes in some sort of odd fear that if we say no, work, dollars disappear or worse we don't get asked again. Fact is when I sometimes say no...People want me more and I become more valuable (law of scarcity).

But I must remember Pareto's law. 80% of the value comes from 20% of the work. I think I've done my 20% this week...heading to San Francisco tomorrow to enjoy the 80%. Econ lessons done for the eve.

Its all Math Baby!

So I committed myself to race the Walla Walla stage race in just 1 month. I determined that I'm 7 lbs over the weight I want to carry up the BIG hills of this epic (well epic for April) race. So I discovered that I'm 149 and want to be 142 at the start of the race without losing muscle. It means work. So based on my frame, I used a nifty online calculator to know that in 4 weeks to lose 7 lbs I need to consume no more than 1400 calories a day before exercise. Exercise permits a little more consumption, but the key is NO WINE! Ouch. So I played the math game for two days now (consuming almost exactly 1400 calories plus some extra treats for ride days). I also need to kick up the intensity of riding and distance while starving myself. My friends, its not going to be pretty. I was already very cranky today, tired and dreaming of a fine italian Amarone and chocolate. Just 3 weeks and 5 days to go! This is more difficult (personally) than the hardest math exercise I faced at MIT.

A year ago...

A year ago today there was a race; a dreadful day really. After racing my 2nd race of the season, I decided to do the weekend double, Mason Lake and Sequim. Sequim was where it all broke down. I fractured my collarbone and a couple of ribs. Oddly I have felt the need to sit out this part of the season either because work has been fairly demanding, or something in my consciousness via intuition says that I'm not to race until I feel comfortable in the season, the skill of the riders, etc.

Today I jumped aboard my beautiful BMC machine and did the Chilly Hilly twice (about 65 miles and 3800 feet of climbing). It taxed me physically but charged me emotionally. I rode with two members of another team that allowed me to feel the passion of riding again... as it was missing.

Time to now prepare for the season!
So far on the calendar is Elkhorn. Its a beastly race, but I plan to be ready for it.