Everyone says that exercising is a stress relief.
Working out is a time to stop thinking about work or the craziness at home and
get your frustrations out physically.
Working out and training are different beasts. Training can be stress inducing. Both physically
and mentally depending on the time of year and the upcoming event.
Right now, I'm training for the Road National Championships which will begin in late July.
That means I'm in my last real block of training. Every workout is critical and each effort affects the next.
I felt this last year while prepping for Olympic Trials. The race is being played out in my head and the image of my competitors training harder than me keeps me on the bike that much longer.
One very noticeable positive relating to stress relief is that while training with this intensity my body is so physical stressed that I have no more energy to even be worried about concerns at work or at home.
I'm just ready for bed.

Hitting the time.

This past Saturday I raced in the Colorado State Time Trial Championships.

All the local Time Trials I race are used as a test of fitness. Within the Time Trial format I'm able to see how fast I am or how fast I need to be.

In the Time Trial format - an averaged time per kilometer is the baseline for qualifying. This qualifying time is averaged off of the Time Trial results from the past world Championship and Paralympic Games performances. This way each athlete is competing directly against their international competition. It's a system that allows athletes from varying classifications can go head to head.
A percentage is calculated off of the per km time and then compared.
If a rider beats or goes below their per km time then they qualify for the 2009 Paralympic Team.

On Sat. with that possibility in the fore front of my mind I raced with a purpose. Going out a little to hot - maybe! I remanded steady and caught my minuteman. The last couple of km's were a steady drag uphill. I climb everyday due to where I live, Fell into a familiar rhythm and powered home.
Going over the calculations with my teammates I found that I made the time. This marks that I'm riding well with under two months till the National Championships.

Signing with Carmichael Training Systems

For a cyclist finding the right coach and coaching philosophy is crucial to one's success. Not only must there be open communication bust also trust in the process. I always say that Cycling is a practice in patience, it is not a sport of instant gratification. A coach allows the athlete to focus on the days effort with the belief that the grand scheme will yield results.

That is why I'm thrilled to have signed with Carmichael Training Systems for the 2009 race season. In CTS I have complete trust in the training philosophy. Chris Carmichael has developed a coaching model that incorporates years of experience racing and the latest sports science. He has been a Olympic coach as well as the long time personal coach of LANCE ARMSTRONG.
CTS and the coaching staff works within this successful system to bring out the best in top athletes as well as recreational riders. I was surprised to hear that their athletes range from cyclists and triathletes to Nascar drivers even bull riders.

With such a successful background I'll be able to rely on my coaching staff as I target a 3rd National Title and a run at the World Championships later this year in Italy.

For more info on CTS go to:
www.trainright.com

Hugo Road Race.

In my opinion, a true Road Race is what Bike Racing really is. So many times I find Crits, Hill Climbs and Time Trials occupying most of the race schedule. When I do see a RR on the schedule I make sure I'm at the start line.

This particular race was held in Hugo CO -out in the middle of nowhere. A 78 mile jaunt that felt like it sent us to Kansas.
The Beauty of this kind of race is the calm before the storm. Typically, it starts a bit hard and after a few miles everyone remembers that we have a couple of hours to go. Being at the right place, sensing the collective itch to attack and making that move is that unspoken battle that I most enjoy.
Unfortunately, Some days things do not go as planned. At mile 19 while cruising along with 60 other riders I run over some broken up pavement and my rear wheel is without air in a moment. A quick wheel change from the support car and a helpful draft gets me almost back until the car needs to stop for another rider. As I was in pursuit, I noticed my brake pad was rubbing on a carbon rim. A reason to stop yet again. And that was my race. Time Trialing back up to them was a lost cause. 60 riders vs. me were not favorable odds.
pedaling home after almost 4 hours I realized fitness only takes you so far. Awareness helps to.

The race season is here - I'll be racing most weekends regionally with my focus being the Road National Championships Held in Bend OR in late July.

Cheers!

Early Season Setbacks

In cycling, setbacks typically mean injury or illness.

For the first time in my cycling career I have an injury that may effect my training and racing.
Almost two weeks ago during a mountain bike training ride on trails around my house I dumped it and landed hard on my side. The wind was knocked out of me but that's only temporary and I thought nothing more about it. Now I'm thinking that I fractured or have a badly bruised rib.

Yeah, you can say I'm a typical guy - avoiding a doctors check. But today I'm heading over to the training center to get an x-ray. I'm not sure what can be done but as others have told me I should know how I bad I hurt myself.

On the topic of injuries - my team has had a string of bad luck which includes broken hands, a wrist and a dislocated shoulder. Injuries are a aspect of the sport that everyone is aware of but after 5 years of relative healthy racing the team has had a rough start to the 09 campaign.
I'm just glad that it happening 7 months after the Olympic Year and not 2 months before.

A new season!

April has arrived and unfortunately so has the rain and snow.

Racing has started around the region and it's time for me to test my preseason fitness.
Compared to other seasons, I've relaxed my efforts over the winter. A new position at work and a needed rest after the Olympic year are my excuses.
To start the season, I'll race local time trials and road races all in preparation for the National Championships in July.
In the past I've attended team training camps in Chula Vista Co. and have raced in Paralympic events in Canada. I've planned a trip to my hometown on Cape Cod for the first time in 4 years. It's time to see the family and my friends who I've ignored for too long. Of course I'll have my bike and a training program from my coach. Sending my power files to him to make sure I'm not just vacationing.
My main focus this year will be the US paralympic Road National Championships which will be in late July and held in Bend OR. As always I'll race to win. Beyond that will be the IPC/UCI World Championships in (I think) Spain sometime in early Sept.
Again, I'll be in the black and yellow of the Spike Shooter race team. Spike is an Energy Drink that makes Red Bull feel like a diet cola.

Like last year, I'll post updates on my training, travels and racing throughout the season.
Any comments and/or questions please don't hesitate.
-mike

TV coverage of the Games

U.S. Paralympic Team | News | NBC Sports to Broadcast 2008 Paralympic Games Documentary on Sunday, November 9

There will be a TV special this Sunday on NBC.
2:30 eastern time

I do know that the Pats are playing.