Training Status??? (III)
#252
Riding the bike I love.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canada
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#253
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Blacksburg, VA
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Bikes: Yeti ASRc, Focus Raven 29er, Flyxii FR316
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I've shared this story before, but it seems appropriate to break it out every once in a while.
Once upon a time, when I was a cute little Cat2 road racer, I finished my race, and the old ass old dudes' 40+ race was after the P/1/2. Inexplicable, I know. During my cooldown lap, I pulled off the course to let the old boys have their fun.
A young boy came up to me during the race, and asked me what was going on. It was immediately obvious to me that this young man, Greg, had Down Syndrome. I sat down and took the time to answer any questions he had until he seemed satisfied. Unfortunately, Greg seemed scared by the racers as they whizzed past. He sat down next to me, and stuck out his hand. I looked around, and saw two parent-looking adults nearby, both of whom made eye contact with me. The mom nodded, and I held Greg's hand. For a while, reassuring him and talking to him.
Eventually, I learned that Greg wanted to learn how to ride a bike, and be a bike racer like me some day. It tore me up to more or less lie to him and say "Yes, you'll be a bike racer too, Greg." I was on the verge of breaking down when the race ended, and he got up and walked away to his parents. His parents both came over to me a short while later and thanked me.
Ever since then, I've had a piece of athletic tape with his name taped to the handlebar of any bike I've owned. Because whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself and don't want to keep pushing, or in the winter, when I just want to get off my bike, I look down at that piece of tape. And realize that there are thousands of kids just like Greg who would give anything to be able to ride a bike, let alone race it. And that it insults Greg's very existence when I don't take advantage of the many opportunities that I have, however trivial they may seem to me.
Once upon a time, when I was a cute little Cat2 road racer, I finished my race, and the old ass old dudes' 40+ race was after the P/1/2. Inexplicable, I know. During my cooldown lap, I pulled off the course to let the old boys have their fun.
A young boy came up to me during the race, and asked me what was going on. It was immediately obvious to me that this young man, Greg, had Down Syndrome. I sat down and took the time to answer any questions he had until he seemed satisfied. Unfortunately, Greg seemed scared by the racers as they whizzed past. He sat down next to me, and stuck out his hand. I looked around, and saw two parent-looking adults nearby, both of whom made eye contact with me. The mom nodded, and I held Greg's hand. For a while, reassuring him and talking to him.
Eventually, I learned that Greg wanted to learn how to ride a bike, and be a bike racer like me some day. It tore me up to more or less lie to him and say "Yes, you'll be a bike racer too, Greg." I was on the verge of breaking down when the race ended, and he got up and walked away to his parents. His parents both came over to me a short while later and thanked me.
Ever since then, I've had a piece of athletic tape with his name taped to the handlebar of any bike I've owned. Because whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself and don't want to keep pushing, or in the winter, when I just want to get off my bike, I look down at that piece of tape. And realize that there are thousands of kids just like Greg who would give anything to be able to ride a bike, let alone race it. And that it insults Greg's very existence when I don't take advantage of the many opportunities that I have, however trivial they may seem to me.
#254
You blink and it's gone.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dundas, Ontario
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Bikes: Race bike, training bike, go fast bike and a trainer slave.
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^^^Thanks for posting that...
I have my dad's old toque (winter hat for those who don't know) sitting in front of my fan. It reminds me of him and the pain that he suffered...My pain on the bike is nothing compared what he had to endure at the end....
I have my dad's old toque (winter hat for those who don't know) sitting in front of my fan. It reminds me of him and the pain that he suffered...My pain on the bike is nothing compared what he had to endure at the end....
#256
Wheelsuck
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Duke. Awesome story. Thanks.
____________________________________
A little stretching and rollering was all I did today. Rest is good.
____________________________________
A little stretching and rollering was all I did today. Rest is good.
#257
Senior Member
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Location: NYC
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Wow, thank you for sharing, Duke.
Rode 73.4 miles today on wet roads.
https://app.strava.com/activities/30780863
Rode 73.4 miles today on wet roads.
https://app.strava.com/activities/30780863
#258
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
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+1 man that's deep.
I appreciate reading that; puts things in perspective for me.
---
Shootin' for 3 at a lowish Z2 tomorrow b4 work over here.
I appreciate reading that; puts things in perspective for me.
---
Shootin' for 3 at a lowish Z2 tomorrow b4 work over here.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#259
Making a kilometer blurry
DoK, just as moving as the first time I read it. I remember it came up a lot in the "what motivates you?" threads. Good stuff.
#261
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South Jersey
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Was feeling like crap. No energy on or off the bike, legs constanly heavy and burned as soon as I started to pedal. Took two weeks easy. Brought volume down ~200tss per week and 2.5 hours per week. Got back to it last night on the trainer and felt like a million bucks!
#262
Fast for a sloth
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fort Collins
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Thanks for sharing Duke. Very moving.
My training status - trying to dig a hole but it's not working. I need to find a bigger shovel.
My training status - trying to dig a hole but it's not working. I need to find a bigger shovel.
#264
Fast for a sloth
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The MTB trails are still open around here. I don't think we're getting a winter this year. I'm not sure if this is good (awesome riding conditions) or bad (no ski days).
#266
Reasonably Slow...
An hour this morning before work @ z2.
Going to jog 45 min tonight because I'm paranoid about having weak joints.
Going to jog 45 min tonight because I'm paranoid about having weak joints.
#267
MS, Registered Dietitian
Join Date: Jun 2008
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4-day weekend in Savannah, GA with the family. Brought a bike and went on tough group rides Saturday and Sunday. Those coastal riders don't fret over a lack of elevation change... they just kill it over every bridge or overpass, and have preset sprint points (marked on the road with 1k to go, 500m, etc) along the route. They also keep track of the points over the course of the ride. Headwinds + sprints + double rotating pacelines = good hard workout. 2.75 hours Saturday, 3.25 hours Sunday. ~450 TSS over the 2 rides. Tired yesterday and today, duh. Always great to meet new people and ride new roads!
#268
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Big Red One, Kansas
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^
Dang....I miss the Savannah Wheelmen. Got yelled at alot when I first started riding with that group 5 years ago.
Dang....I miss the Savannah Wheelmen. Got yelled at alot when I first started riding with that group 5 years ago.
#270
Senior Member
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#271
Making a kilometer blurry
First 1' intervals since 2011! Was not pretty.
4x1x5: 540W, 580W, 550W, 500W
I was doing the 70% recoveries though, but that doesn't explain the first one that was about 100W lower than expected. Last week I questioned my motivations for doing AWC and VO2 for this block, but now I'm glad I am -- I need to get those systems going again. Week 1 of 3 now... Next block will be base again, I think -- need to look at a calendar again.
4x1x5: 540W, 580W, 550W, 500W
I was doing the 70% recoveries though, but that doesn't explain the first one that was about 100W lower than expected. Last week I questioned my motivations for doing AWC and VO2 for this block, but now I'm glad I am -- I need to get those systems going again. Week 1 of 3 now... Next block will be base again, I think -- need to look at a calendar again.
#273
Senior Member
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Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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45 minutes on the commute this morning. Junk miles mostly, but it's better than driving.
#275
**** that
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Commute today for 2.5 hours total. Uau I'm actually training!
Or at least getting in some time in the saddle. I'd planned to get 12-15 hours/week last month, instead I got about 15 hours for the whole month. This month will be different dammit!!