Finding Time.....

Finding time to train is difficult….With a family, work, church and other time fillers, I find it hard to find the time to train. Since I am a schedule type person, I have created a great weekly schedule that fits all my time fillers into a nice neat package. Problem is….life and other people are not so committed to MY schedule. For instance, Allison (worlds best wife), has been sick for the past 5 days. She is a trooper and tries to continue as normal, but she must rest. This leaves me to do a little extra. This small extra, throws my whole perfect schedule off! Once I am off the schedule it is difficult to return to it. I then get very grouchy, feel sorry for myself and start listening to all the selfish thoughts that go through my head.

I have stumbled across a great way to combat this destructive cycle….this solution has been there sitting in front of me for many years. So simple and powerful, yet so hard to do….Prayer. We are taught to pray about everything. Yet the idea of laying my training at His feet never occurred to me. It is powerful, trust me. I encourage you to pray and share your training concerns to Jesus. I know, I felt like a selfish little school boy asking for a special favor, too. However, as I thought about it more, I realize God placed this passion in my heart. He takes delight in me training and racing.

The real benefit is that in prayer, my goals are better aligned with God’s goals for my life. When I may place too much importance on a particular race or build period, my time in prayer often eases my tension about the training/ race and helps me see the more clearly the big picture. Prayer also helps me deal with the disappointments, especially when I don’t get to see the big pictures. We all know our passion for this sport can become too big in our lives, this God will not tolerate! Prayer protects me from this idolatry.

I encourage you to pray about your training and racing and be ready to listen to your true Coach!

Patient

Sunday’s workout….

30 minutes easy ride on Trainer

Sprint 8

5 minutes of zone 4 riding (Heart Rate Zones)

Rest of the hour I cooled down

I have forgotten how difficult Sprint 8 is on a bike. I was finding my speed dropping around 25 seconds. It was painful to keep it up for the full 30 seconds. According to Phil Campbell, this indicates I was doing it correctly. Sprint 8 is trying to get you to totally work over the fast twitch muscles. Although it was painful and I was dead, it did feel good to blow out the engine.

Latter in the evening I did some foam roller work on my legs. My right calf has been giving my problems.

I was able to get up this morning and do my devotional. Today’s was on patients.

“A patient spirit is better than a proud spirit” Ecclesiastes 7:8

Pride derails me so much. I know as an athlete, my pride has forced me to ride/ run harder than my workout called, just so I could keep up. Then I would miss two or three work out recovering. Or my pride kept me from attending a training ride with a faster group because I knew I would get dropped.

This morning’s devotional reminded me to be patient with myself; God is not finished working out His plan in my life…or yours!

It reminded me to remain focused on the goals God has for me this year. To not push and try and make things happen by myself, God is faithful.

Tim Johnson, Cyclo-Cross World Coaching

Video to watch!

Sprint 8 Challenge

I have started the Sprint 8 challenge….I have used the Sprint 8 program before and found it useful. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Phil Campbell, Sprint 8 designer. I had some specific questions about using Sprint 8 with endurance training. I like the HGH increase, but realize I can not rely on this program to get through a 100 MTB race.

Phil suggested during my high mileage cycles to try doing only two Sprint 8 sessions a week. Fit the sessions in at the end of a normal endurance workout. I questioned that I would be too fatigued to muster up 8 good sprints. He said the point was to get anaerobic and concentrate on the fast twitch muscles.

I have used Sprint 8 through the prep phase and just for fitness maintenance. I will try Phil’s suggestions and let you know how it works. Currently I will be doing three sessions a week for 6-8 weeks

New Year, New Goals

I will first apologize for being so lazy about my blogging! I will try and do better this coming year!

Indiana membership is growing. We have members all over the State, but no one area of strong concentration. This past summer we tried to do three group rides in different areas. We got one ride in. It seems that IC3 riders are dedicated cyclist and family members. We will try for a few rides this summer again.

God has given me this passion for cycling and pushing myself to the limit physically, I count every minute on my bicycle as a gift. It helps me stay healthy, mentally stable and I enjoy fellowship with other rides. I can not count the numbers of times I have been on a long solo ride and God has spoken to me about life. Cycling is a larger part of my life.

These are all great reasons to ride and join IC3, however, I am also a family man. I am a leader in my house. At no time should my cycling interfere with the relationship I have with my wife, kids, church and extended family. I will admit that this tough! This is one of the areas I will be blogging about this year….

Enjoy riding, most of mine has been inside on the trainer!

May Ride Report

On May 30, 2010 three dedicated IC3 members braved the hilly world of Morgan Monroe State Forest. This scenic ride is famous for the challenging hills and grand views. Present were Michael, Pete and James, all fit and trim athletes. Even though the ride was tagged a “No-Drop” ride, it was obvious to the three of us, the poor turnout was due to the fear that our superior fitness would tear the group apart on the many climbs!

1st climb was Hacker’s Creek. I was 1st to the top and celebrated with maximum climbing points! However, to my dismay, as I looked over my shoulder mid celebration salute, I noticed Michael was riding no-handed while talking on his cell phone.

The group quickly came together. We talked; we laughed and swapped stories of why we were not riding at our best. It seemed that Pete engaged in a hammer fest the day before and was not able to eat until late that evening, so his legs were very heavy and non-responsive. So he claimed!

As the road dumped us out on old 37 and we started the climb up to Hindustan, I noticed a lone cyclist moving fast. I reacted quickly and dropped my two companions and bridged up to the load rider. I suffered and finally reeled her in. After some quick negotiations and a promised discount at the bike shop, she promised to let me ride on up the road and try to slow the chasers down for me. I quickly built a lead and was riding alone up to the State Forest gate. Then I heard the familiar sounds of gears and wheels behind me. As the train pulled around me like I was old road kill, I made note it was the young lady pulling the men through! No discount for her!

Once we made it to the front gate, we started the long flat ride back the cars. Amazingly, Pete’s legs felt much better and he began to motor pace us back to 37 at a brisk 25mph. once the right turn unto 37 was made, Pete turn the screw down one more notch which put me on the rivet again!

We made it back to Starbucks and as we said our goodbyes, Michael showed us how bad his rear wheel was dragging his brakes. Evidently the whole ride, wow, remember the Hacker’s Creek climb?

Come on out and join us for June’s IC3 Ride on June 27th!

IC3 Ride at The Griffin's
11753 Wedgeport Ln
Fishers, IN 46037
317-205-5594 c
317-845-1974 h

· Ride starts 4pm
· Dinner following the ride
· Play set for younger ones
· Air-conditioning for the older ones
· Neighborhood pool down the street
· Blowup pool in the back yard

RSVP to jesells71@hotmail.com

Sunday, May 30 IC3 Ride

Come and join us at the Starbucks in Martinsville, In at 4pm. We will head out for an enjoyable ride through Morgan Monroe State Forest. This is a no drop ride. If you are a racer, use it as a recovery opportunity.

RSVP to jesells71@hotmail.com