Next Stop - Beijing!

8.29.08

In just a few hours I leave with my team to Denver - San Francisco - Beijing.
A couple of hours to CA. Then 12 hours in the air to China.

Today was again the busiest day in my life. It's been 15 hours since I woke and only now am I
starting to unwind. Earlier today I sat through meetings that went over everything from being a good Ambassador to how I can write my blog.
With regards to the blog, I was told that I cannot report any race info due to rights infringement with the main media outlet. This includes no pictures of myself and/or anything relating to the games. The idea is for us bloggers not to be reporting the the happenings before it is officially released by the press. It makes sense but does take some of the excitement of writing and hopefully reading the blogs.
What I can do is write about my experiences in competition and throughout the day. I'm thinking much of what will go on off the bike will be just as interesting.

So stay tuned and my next entry will be from across the planet.

The Cape Cod Times

I think that I forgot to include which newspaper will be running that Sunday Story.
In the past few months a few different media outlets have contacted me to talk about my
Athletics, Adam seemed to me to be the most interested. So I'm looking forward to reading
the article and am excited that it's for my hometown paper - The Cape Cod Times.

More press & media

8.30.08

Sports Writer Adam Smartschan has interviewed me and says that This Sunday's
Sports Section will carry a Story about my life and preparation leading up to The Beijing Games.

Adam seemed very excited about the story and about cycling in general. I recommend that
everyone grab a Times and check it out.

I leave tonight! If possible, I plan on continuing writing. It may be the best way to keep
up to date to what's happening at the Paralympic Games.

Other media outlets,

www.paralympicsport.tv
www.univeralsports.com
www.ronswilliams.com

A few of my teammates have interviews posted on youtube as well.

Becoming Team USA

8.28.08

A couple of days to go. I've been asked "are you excited? No, too busy to think about about. The excited started to creep in when I recieved our team clothing today. Never in my life have I ever been on a bigger shopping spree.
As proud Sponsors of the US Olympic Team, Nike and Ralph Lauren has outfitted us with every article of clothing I'd ever think of wearing. Everything from Nike Sandels & sneakers to Team USA Sweater Vests.
With a shopping cart and a checklist, each athlete, coach and support staff made their way around to different tables to try on the clothes. The tailors we present to make sure the Ralph Lauren suits would look good for the cameras. I went through the process with my team. It was nice to see how loose and excited everyone was.
My evening was spent packing my bikes and other equipment and then bringing them over to the Training Center. Cycling is one of those sports that requires quite a bit of equipment.
Here's a run down of what's going with me;

3 bikes (Track, TT and Road Bike)
1 set of Race wheels ( only one because the team has the other two sets)
two helmets (aero & road)
Extra Tires & tubes
Extra Shifter & Brake Cables
Extra Chains & cassettes
Extra Brake Pads ( for carbon & alloy rims)
Two Team USA Racing kits ( worn during Road Race)
Two Team USA Skin suits ( worn during TT and Track events)
And the Team USA Suitcase filled with our Team USA gear.

A cycling team in an airport is never what the airline folks want to see coming!!

Thank you!!

8.28.08

I have just a couple of days before I leave and I expect them to be two of the busier days I have ever experienced.
So I'd like to give thanks to those who have helped me along the way.

I would have to start with Pamela, my wife and at times training partner. Love you!
My coach Tom Murphy from Carmichael Training Systems who has worked with my for
over 4 years now. You helped me a great deal - Thanks!
My family back on Cape Cod. It's been hard leaving home to pursue my dream. Thanks for the support!!
My teammates and support staff on the Paralympic Cycling Team. It's been a blast and honor to ride with you.
The folks at Old Town Bike Shop. Thanks for ignoring my ignorance and being patient with me.

And to my Sponsors;
Spike Shooter Energy Drink. Thanks Brian! www.spikeshooter.com
Challenged Athletes Foundation. Thanks for the years of support. www.challengedathletes.org
Maxxis Tires. I love them tires! www.maxxis.com
Powerbar. www.powerbar.com
Carmichael Training Systems. Thanks Tom, Jim & Craig. www.trainiright.com

It's been a lot of work and a long haul. Without everyone listed and I'm sure many others I wouldn't be writing this or heading to China. Now it's time to go win a medal!

My comfort zone

8.27.08

Lots of cyclist hate Time Trialing and for good reason. A long, hard paced effort does not feel all that great and it's easy to focus on the pain. I have always like that feeling of being so close to quiting but pushing through the pain for extra speed. On a Time Trial bike and in the aerobars I feel fast no matter how slow I may be.
My last major workout before packing up and heading out was 2x30 minutes on the TT bike with maximum but sustained effort. This type of workout is as much mental as it is physical. To hold the proper wattage and speed for 30 minutes requires a strong will and lots of self motivation.
It's always been interesting to me to find that sweet rhythm that can be held but is not holding anything back. For most of the 60 minutes I was either near or at a hyperventilation state. My aim in all TT's are to crack with a few hundred meters to go and struggle in so that I know I've left it all on the course.
Cruising home I felt tired but satisfied with my efforts and with my training as a whole. But, doubt always creeps in as to "was it good enough?" or "will my taper be spot on?"
That's when I call my coach.

No Velodrome - I get it !

8.26.08

Coach Tom had planned to have me on the velodrome one more time before packing the
bike. But, like previous attempts to train on the track it was not meant to be. I left work in a downpour & Thunder/lightening storm and of course on my bike. The track is closed for any rain due to the risk of crashing. Instead I pedaled over to the Garden of the Gods Park to do some interval training. The workout were to be max efforts of both 1 and 4 minutes to simulate what I race on the track in Beijing. The Garden of the Gods offers absolute breathtaking scenery but a great training circuit.
The rain stopped and the training went well. I used a slight climb to increase my power output which of course had a little kick at the end to send me deep into oxygen debt. In all types of bike racing it's crucial to be able to send yourself into an anaerobic state and then recover to go with another attack or to attack yourself. At this point the body is working too hard to rid it's self of the lactic acid build up. The accumulation of lactic acid in the body is what gives that soreness to the muscles. That's the reason why I'm asked to do these
legs burning intervals over and over again.
My day does not end with the workout. I try to get join my team at the OTC for a group dinner. Being part of the team reminds me that even though I may be by myself in training, I'm not the only one training my ass off!

The photo is of the Garden of the Gods in the winter looking south towards Cheyenne Mountain.
It's beautiful!!