It's Been Ahwile....

Wow it's been.....what???... A month since the last post... Nothing new...



I'm sitting here drinking a cold one (damn near frozen that is) waiting on the game to start and going to catch up here.



So.. since I last posted - I had to run out of town for a funeral. Go Back to work, etc. Doesn't work suck. I think back then I weighed about 248lbs. Well with hard work and determination I've managed to bring that down to 235 as of today!!!



I've commited to doing the 24hrs of Big Bear - but I'm not so sure if there is even a team, we'll keep you posted as that goes.



I did manage yesterday to get out and ride offroad for the first time in the new year. Heck probably several months if you go back to the Old year.



The ride was just at the local Boy Scout Camp, started at my place rode down Howells Mill and did a little connector trail over to Big Cabelll creek. Normally this trail sucks in my opinion, but today it was frozen and solid, and they've actually done . Only the latter portion was in bad shape due to some horseback riding.


Then over to the scout camp for a small loop and back to my place. Lot of walkin' uphills, chicken shit ridin' down hills. Feet got cold near the end. Of course back home to sit in the tub...

Cold beer and a Hot Tub

well I'm missing the game have to run...

After work at the KSF

04.18.07 Kanwha State Forest

Another Nice Day... Had to pick up the girls at 7:45, thus decided to take a spin out at the KSF after work.

Awsome Day..

Basically parked at the pool did the Davis Creek Trail - lower portion, then up Middle Ridge fire road, and did the Middle Ridge trail, afterwards.. thought about going down Black Bear, but decided to just cruise out the fire road, and then down through the Camping Area, and back to the pool via the upper section of the Davis Creek trail.

14miles total, 1hr 45.

Afterwards, picked the girls up and home for some pilsners and a Red Baron Pizza

3 Weeks and Counting

Yes, it's been about 3 weeks since my last post.

In that time, not really much has happened. But here's a short rundown, and hope to have some more timely posts coming soon...

First, I did manage to reach 225lbs by March... So that's about 25lbs of fat off my frame since January. Now unfortunately since that lofty goal, I haven't really lost much. I've been too busy relishing in that success that I may have gained a pound or two. Sure enough, the recreational beverages have picked up. YUMMY.

However I did step on the scale today, and I'm still hovering around the 224 to 225 range. 215lbs by June is the next goal. To attain that goal, I started keeping track of everything this week. So far so good, although, did pig out on some Ruffles chips and Kraft French Onion dip there one night. But what's wrong with a binge or two here and there????

So let's go back a ways... My last post was back around March 20th or so.. I've posted some pics on Flicker from the St. Patrick's Day Party.

03.19.07

That week I managed to ride about 62 miles, had to mow grass for the first time - this takes me about 3 hours. So I included it in my time and logged it as walking. Everybit counts. Also managed to get some jogging in.

03.26.07

This next week was my first week of Build I think. Build I. Planned for 11 hours and actually got that in. Basically from "the Plan"... I have to work out harder. More hill climbs and sustained efforts in Zones 3 to 5. It's lovely and it sucks. Nevertheless the summary is:

122 miles on the bike, 10 miles MTB, and 6 miles of jogging. Not to mention some weight workouts. All good.

04.02.07

Easter Week... oh what a long week this was. My better half was fed up with all the riding. Had class in morgantown.. was able to get a 2+ hour MTB ride in at Cooper's Rock. Then did some easy Rail Trail riding. Agreed to reduce the plan some. So well that will allow more time with the better half and hers.

Totals: 60 miles riding, 10 on the MTB, but again I included my 3 hours of mowing (for the second time) in this.

04.09.07

This week I had thoughts of racing the Mountwood Race on Sunday the 14th. But lucky for me a NorEaster moved in and my fairweather racing ability prevented me from even thinking about attending that. However Diesel and A'hole did do the Dragon's Back race in Virginia... Check those out. Most of the rides were on the road or trainer

Summary: 105 miles of riding. No runs.. just looking at the rain.

So no fancy pics this post.. No nothing.... No news on the 24 hours....it's getting close.

Check back

E18

Epic - for me

Saturday, yesterday, 02.17.07 was another lesson in Futility for me. Really it wasn't that bad.. But it was the first hard ride of the year for me.

yeah yeah, intervals, spinervals, hills, etc only do so much. They don't really amount to jack once one is out on the trail, in conditions meant to be spent by the warm fire and hot drink. Nevertheless it was fun, so kudo's to those that made me get out there and do it.

Group ride, with Diesel, Ahole, JT, and some dude Wes. I've only met JT a couple times, and Wes today. Doesn't really matter because I rode so far back I didn't see any of them. Diesel planned the ride along the Kanawha Trace. Portions of it, anyhow... Mile post 8 or so, Big Cabell Creek through Cananan Lands, Gobbler Knob, Black Jack, that's as far as I've ever been so any other notable areas, I have yet to bust a cherry on. But end up in Frazier's Bottom where Diesel dropped his vehicle off the eve before.

I didn't do the Big Cabell Creek portion, the group picked me up at my house and I did the Cananan Lands - portion. The climb to Cananan Lands was a pain. I really thought I'd do better, but to be honest once to the top I felt I recovered well so maybe somethings going right. Ahole - was riding a Single Speed - modified to have two speeds. Climbing this hill I could only think of what a ReRe one would be to inflict such torture on oneself. But he still beat me to the top.

Down the Goat Trail, Christmas Tree Farm section. I hadn't been on this in so long. The trees must have been 5 feet tall last I saw them, they're now 8 to 10 or more. The frozen ground and over inflated tires on the 9.8 made me realize just how bad I'm in need of a new front suspension fork.

Then it was up a real torturous climb. Lft Fork of Cooper Creek Road. this steep Dirt Road Climb was my first introduction today of the ice covered dirt road. Let's make sure that one realizes, snow, ice whatever, I was not climbing this hill today if the conditions were optimal. However one had to choose their lines well, some of this simply was luck. But it was easy to find the ice spots for me as I spinned out easily on several occasions. Walking mostly to the top. To me this will be a Hour's Category Climb (spelling on that?)

To the top and on to what I think the sign said Jenkin's Branch portion of the KT. This part I've always disliked, but it's a much better ride in the direction we're taking today, as it's mostly downhill. Again Years since I rode this, so I'm here to remind myself how much I dislike this section.

Crossing the frozen over creek for what seemed a hundred times, one realizes how much they weigh. By this I mean, you learn to choose your steps carefully. But rest assured I plunged through the ice on more than one occasion, and my sensitive toes were only saved by the goretex socks, and the blood kept flowing because of the endless amounts of times I was walking.

This trail is scenic, and eventually opens up into some fields and with the grey skies, snow coming down, and riders in front of me.... (yeah this was an area that I could see them that far in front of me) the view was scenic..pop out the camera and bzzzzt. Guess it froze up or something. The snow or what not may be too bright, but it just shut down. This was a common them throughout the rest of the day.

By the end of this section, I had had my fill of the Kanawha Trace for a few months. So I puss out and bail from the rest of the group. Wish them well and I plan to return home via Lft Fork of Barkers Ridge, and Hammer Hollow Road.

Up the hill to Barkers Ridge, I see what can only now be thought of as an omen, and once again, The Canon didn't work or I obviously would have showed you. But riding along a Golden Retriever had it's head buried in a recently hit deer, just having a field day with the carcase. Raising his head as I ride by, snout all red, red on the snow.. one can imagine a scene out of Cujo or something.

Hammer Hollow, is where things went wrong for me and after talking to Ahole over dinner later Saturday Eve, it sounds as if portions of they're ride were very similar.

Hammer Hollow is a Dirt Road that connects Barkers Ridge and I think it's MacComas Branch. I would descend from Barkers Ridge, ride out and end through a 30yard long Creek bed ride.

Well the decent I wrecked once, twice, and not learning my lesson back on and wreck again. This was not over once to the flat part as I must have wrecked 3 more times with one more harder than the others. Every time I turned a pedal I was on my back making snow angels it seemed. BTW, the pic is looking up the Hammer Hollow decent after wreck #2. I was able to coax that out of the camera.

Needless to say, one injured hand, limped home, getting ready to hop in the Hot Tub, not regretting my choice to bail. The phone rings, Diesel's wife says the police have called and threatening to tow his Vehicle. Well I didn't know where he parked it, but feeling they should be almost there, told her to just call back and tell them not to tow it.

Then with cold beer in one hand, I slip my fat ass into the Hot Tub, and hit the jets.

So this Epic Ride of 18 miles also was the same Error I kept getting on the Camera E18. And my choice of taking Hammer Hollow was an error... so my title is very fitting.

18 miles 3+ hours (slow going along hammer hollow)

"...Eeeassyyy....like Sunday Morning"

Good Morning Peeps

another post from the 4.5 from 60

I don't think I've posted anything from Friday on.. so here's a summary of what's went on over the weekend.

On Friday, I rode again on the trainer after work, and after working on a Fridge, which didn't have the part so I'll have to work on that again some today. Nevertheless, the trainer ride was intended to simulate some hill climbs. So basically I adjusted the grade setting and some of the gearing to climb nowhere slowly. To be honest, next time I do this workout, I need to adjust some of my settings as I dont' think I got what I was supposed to out of it.

After that ride, drank some beer and ate lamb chops. yummy

Saturday... Finally I go off road. Been so long I didn't know how. Rode around the Scout Camp. The ride felt good. Crisp Cool air - bout 30 degrees. Sunny in places, this made the ground soft as it tried to thaw out. Other places it was shady and cold packed. Nice ride.

I had intended to go about 2 hours, but my pushing and slodging through the trails only alotted me about an hour and 40 minutes. So once I got back to the home base, I finished the ride on the trainer.

Then to the walkin fridge - outside - for some pilsners and a soak in the hot tub.

Saturday eve is was to Famous Dave's in Barboursville for a nice dinner with my OH SO WONDERFUL GIRLFRIEND - Susan Irene Smith. (yes she insists I plug her on occasion) Pun Intended.

Nevertheless we met some of her friends there and well nice dinner. Ate ribs, came home and the dog ate the bones.

Sunday - needed about 20 minutes to meet the goal of the week. I was supposed to run, but didn't feel like it. Used another Spinervals tape and did about 30 minutes of it.

NOW for the rest of the day -

Do you have to ask?

SUPERBOWL

chili and sandwiches and beer

So the breakdown...

Did about 98 miles of riding, 14 off road, and
the majority on the trainer. Ran 4 miles at a very slow pace. Started the week
off at about 238lbs, and I'm closing right around 233lbs.

Next week the 229 barrier.

Two Down…

Week of 01.08.07 to 01.14.07

Ok so I posted this late… this is all new to me….But let’s get started..

Week two saw me starting off the second phase of the Base I period at about 246lbs…Monday started off tired… but I managed to Run for twenty minutes prior to lifting weights followed by a slow spin on the indoor trainer. Tuesday, felt a little better so prior to work I rode on the trainer for about 45min. That eve came home and originally wanted ride outside.. but it was raining and got home a little late …. So thus started to spin on the trainer some more. This will get old soon.

Wednesday.. ran prior to work at Susan’s. This felt good to do.. This was a rest day, and I think it was well needed as it felt good.. Susan and the kids we all went to the movie to watch a cinematic turd – Happily Never After. Good for kids, but bad for adults.. If it’s not Pixar don’t go watch it.

Thursday…Today was supposed to be weights.. but I won some tickets off the radio for the Comedy Zone, so while I was trotting down Howells Mill Road on my thunderous jog… decided to push the weights back till Friday, and finish this run then do a nice longer ride. So that’s exactly what I did. The normal loop around Barkers Ridge to Lft Fork Cooper Creek. After words….. consider 8 beers at the Funny Bone.

Friday….Run, Weights, and then spinned on the trainer. You know the routine.

Saturday…. Supposed to meet the better half’s parents for lunch around 1ish. Plus it rained today. Rushed home that morning from Susan’s, to get the bike together.. right prior to riding the rain began to hit… Hence the pics…Same ride as yesterday – around Barkers Ridge and Lft Fork of Cooper Crk. Just in the rain. It sucked. This only takes about an hour and a half so, once I finished I jumped on the trainer for an additional 30 min or so to get my planned two hours in. Felt good on the trainer and probably could have ridden more.

Then off to Famous Daves in Charleston for some food. And legal beverages… Of course the legal beverages lead to one and one makes three type of situation. So after returning home it was then off to Ruby Tuesdays for more brewskis and to watch the pigskin on TV while Susan and the girls shopped.

Because of all the Brewski’s, on Sunday at 10 ish, I found myself pedaling to the mall to get my car. For this ride, I had my first IPOD incident. Locked up.. so once I returned home, I spent an hour researching this problem. Simply had to reset it, and this is done by holding down on a couple of buttons. However this must be proprietary info, because it’s a pain to find.

10:41 hours of workout time, 6.6 miles of Jogging, and 94.28 miles of riding.. Most of which was done on a trainer.

Week Two Ended at 243lbs.

Up Hill Struggle

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Originally uploaded by BottleOfPills.

Wow.. one week down. As of this date, it's actually been about a week and a half.

It's not been that bad.. I think the reason for this is that over the past several weeks I've been wanting to finally get back in the saddle. (sorry to coin a phrase) So definitly the newness is a factor in the enjoyment. Plus the weather has been nice and cooperative.

Yes in the first week of January it wasn't too bad, heck great. 60 degree weather isn't too bad.

So this first week I actually plunged gung ho into it and hit it full bore.

First..... The Plan..

A few months ago.. about after the Dirt Derby - 1st Annual, I felt reinvigorated. This may have been due to seeing friends, and seeing a race. Nevertheless I decided that I have to do something. Well of course nothing happened immediatly, but the feeling lingered. So after recieving an email about the upcoming WVMBA season being set it was decided to set a plan.

Basically I agreed with some friends to do the 24 Hours, as explained in the last post, so no bore here. So to help "train" (and I use that term loosely) it's a good idea to do other races. So with this new schedule I picked a few that I would definitley do - Six, and two or three of those I picked that I would want to do well in. Let's call them A Races. The others would be B races, and then of course there's several C races.

A - Do well in.
B - Do
C - Do if you want to, nothing else better to do, etc.

Then break out my dusty copy of the Mountain Bikers Training Diary and follow the authors' regiment (Joel Friel).

The key is periodization... So I'm sure after a couple months of peridizing I'll be ready for a midol. But more seriously, periodizing works like this...

Activity, Activity+, Activity++, rest

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

Obviously there's more to it than that but that's the jest.

So according to the book my first goal is to work on the Base Period.

What is the Base Period you say...Well as far out of shape I am, this is probably the most important phase.

This is where I begin to work on endurance and skills. I've been out of it for awhile, so I really need to work on skills - shit - most of my pals will say that I never had any anyway. Plus it's also to build some strength. Because this period usually takes place in the winter months. A lot of rides will be done on an indoor trainer, weights, etc. Riding on ice will help develop skills. So it has it's advantages. The disadvantages are obvious - freakin' cold.

WEEK 1 250lbs

For this week -

Well this week started off in Florida - St. Augustine. I did manage to run 20 minutes around this quaint little town. Once home on Wednesday, I began watching the diet. Not strictley but for me it is quite a stretch.

Nevertheless, I ended up running 3 more times this first week. Mostly prior to lifting weights - which I did twice. I managed to ride 4 times, most on the trainer, but one ride was a night ride for about 10 miles. The other was a long 2+ hr ride on Saturday prior to my gf's party. All the rides went good and it totalled something like 8 total workout hours, 77 miles of riding, and 6 miles of running. For the record I had planned 8:48 hh:mm, and my actual was 8:28 hh:mm.

WEEK 1 ended at 246lbs

prelude .... to failure???

What am I doing here?

No clue really... just thought it would be neat to keep a slight journal of my record comeback to the wild world of Mountain Bike racing.


Most likely of course it shall be a lesson in Futility.


What got all this started you may ask... Well, a long time ago in a messed up world not so far from where I now stay, I used to race on the local MTB circuit. (from here on out, MTB, will stand for Mountain Biking, Mountain Bike, or some other similiar conotation - so enjoy).


At that point in my life I was about 215lbs, not the leanest, nor the meanest, but fairly competitive for my class - Clydesdale. I'll explain this term some other time. I managed one victory in my several year career before my hibernation, most times I finished in the top 3 in my class by years end, and if not definitly in the top 5. Competed in the 24 Hours of Canaan (Snowshoe, Timberline, whatever it is, as it will always be Canaan to me) several times. Had a lot of fun doing so.


2003


I fell upon hard times... Got a raise, a promotion, new house, semi family, and all the riding took a backseat to my new found HOME LIFE.


Well all that fell apart of course... you've seen it on Friends a 1000 times, guy moves in with girl, girl moves out. Eternal Bliss falls apart.


Enter 2007.


Same house, same money for the most part, new dog, different (BUT BETTER) girl, rusty bike, fat waistline, skyrocketing blood pressure, very little if any riding. My friends don't recognize me, but that doesn't matter because I can't keep up with them. (not that I ever really could but you know)


Basically, I'm a bloated warthog. I've spent the last 4 years basically drinking beer, eating at buffett bars, and not exercising.


Over those years, I have tried to get back into things. But as one can see I guess I wasn't too into it.


Well this is a new year, and a new goal, and well most likely, just another failure. But something's different..

One, I'm serious... at 250lbs. BP 158/95, I'll die. LOL. I like to eat, and if I don't exercise I can't. I also like to enjoy Beer. LADIES AND GENTS...BEER DOES NOT HELP. - BUT IT IS FUN -Thus I have to ride more.

Two, this journal, blog, may help the motivation factor, it may not. But I hope to keep it up to date ever other day, every day, or at the least a Week's summary.

Will anyone read? Well I haven't told anyone yet as of 1.4.07 - NO ONE KNOWS. Or at least NO ONE THAT KNOWS ME KNOWS!!! lol

Three... I'm sick of my better half reading me the amusing stories of the "Fat Cyclist". some other blogger who at 149lbs is not FAT!!! I'm fat.. I'll eventually give you pictures to prove it. Anyhow, this dude has reached some famous notoriety by claiming to be what I am and what he evidently is not. Come on - he did the Leadville 100... how can he be fat? But his writings are funny, and well thats probably the secret to his success and the failure to mine.

Well that's the prelude....

Hopefully the postlude will not be tomorrow.....

Till then....