Further Confirmation?

Greetings Readers!

After writing this post, I thought that maybe it was a fluke, I was just having one of those rare days when you just feel “it”, whatever “it” is. I kinda dismissed it, thinking that I’m not really that strong most of the time. Well, it happened again. Even more impressive was the amount of Beer I drank the night before, followed by the tiny amount of sleep I got.

I told myself after riding all week to work that I’d hit it hard this weekend on the cross bike. Instead of taking the road bike out for long mileage, I’d do a shorter, more intense ride on the CX bike at Forest Park. I didn’t realize just how hard I was going to go, or how well I would respond.

Back in the day I used to ride my mtn bike a lot at Forest Park. Climbing those firelanes can give you a heck of a work out. Back in 2004 I had my best year, but even then, on a mtn bike, I struggled with climbing Springville. I remember all too well how steep and hard that climb is: I had no idea that I would climb it on my CX bike. I started out just hammering on the Leif, back and forth, up Saltzman, then hammer the Leif some more. On my last trip back to Germantown I had the idea to try to climb Springville. I’d just hit it hard, dismount, shoulder the bike and treat it like a long steep runup. I could use the conditioning right? But as I was out of the saddle, (for extended lengths as the pitch is mighty steep for cross gearing) I started to play that little game in my mind: “YOU CAN MAKE IT JIM” I started telling myself that I could do it, and to my amasement, I did. I was all lathered up, and sucking wind at the top but I climbed it, without dabing, on my cyclocross bike.

Now I’m sure that Tonkin could do it, or Trebon, or most, if not all, the guys racing in the Killer B’s. But hey, I was feeling pretty good about my 45 year old, Master C racin’ Keester getting up that bugger of a climb. And with authority no less! I killed it!

Further confirmation that that ride on the 26th was no fluke. Not to mention how strong I’ve felt on the Single Speed. Yes, I’m begining to beleive, that I’m on good form. I’m smelling blood, and the season is just around the corner. I’ve done just what I’ve set out to do, be on my best form come Oct. I’m gonna give’r that I can assure you, no matter my fitness. I’d just prefer to give’r in my best shape. It’s early August and I’m going to be even stronger in 2 months.

My morale is really good right now, I’m tasting some success and it’s bitter sweet givin all the work I’ve put in this year. In a few weeks I’ll hit my 3rd quarter goal a month early, that is going to feel really good! I’m hitting all my goals and I’m ahead of schedule, I can’t wait for Cross!

Miles ridden today, 27

Miles ridden 2008, 2724. 

Cheers!