warm weather training

This week has been a little uneventful training wise compared to last week with the conversation atop Lookout Mountain with the police officer This week consisted of only a really bad basketball game on Tuesday the 13th (we lost by a ton 30points). We played the best team in the men’s league. We played well for the first 10 minutes keeping it close, that being a ten point deficit. Then all of our shots seemed to be hitting a manhole cover over the rim. While all of their shots just fell through and touched nothing but twine.

The best part of the game was when two tall Jones (tallest player on their team) was on a fast break and I tried to stop him. Standing my ground, and covering the family jewels. I took a charge! It was a little crazy with this guy jumping up. For a moment I thought he was going to jump right over me. I could see part of his leg (knee) up by my chin. It was insane to see him jump that high. Who said white men can’t jump. This guy did, I saw it and felt it first hand.

After that point of the week, nothing much else really happened that was to exciting. Just the normal running and biking and lifting. I however have started to see the chiropractor again to help with all the nuances that come the miles of training. I have felt a big difference in power on the bike and a little less pain on my IT-band while running too.

Yesterday was the final race of the series for Chilly Cheeks Duathlon. What a perfect bluebird day it was (bluebird for those not familiar with the term, equals a blue-sky day, not a cloud in the sky). The temperature was 36 degrees at the start of the race. 18 degrees warmer then the last one on Jan 20th (still waiting the race photos to arrive so I can post them for you). The roads were clear of any snow pack and or ice making the running more enjoyable and the bike that much faster. Due to the clear roads and full ten miles of biking compared to breaking it up 4 and 6, I rode with clipless pedals, helping me to average 19mph on my cycle-cross bike. I think that must have been pretty good for racer number 71 (Sam Wood)who decided to draft off me (non-draft legal race mind you) for about 2 miles and up a slight 400 ft incline. Once we crested the top he passed me and rode off. I did catch him on the run, so it was my payback. The best part of him drafting off me, he had a full tri bike with aero bars and zipp wheels. I guess it goes to show that you can’t really buy speed, all the time! I was pleased with my performance, finishing under an hour at 59:44, twenty minutes faster then the first race. Some of that had to due with the course being cleared, and not having to run through snow up to my knee caps.


Some big news before I depart for another week. On Wednesday I was selected to be a member for Team Polar for the Colorado and Denver Metro Area. After reading about some of my team members via email, I can say that we’re looking to have a great season out here and the training rides / runs for those who live close will help a ton, as many of them are planning on a long course race.

Well I’m off to San Diego for work for a week and some warm weather runs. Have a great week everyone and talk at you later. Hope you enjoy some of the images from this past weeks race.