Choose How To Race: Stupid, Cocky or Smart?

There are three ways to race, stupid, cocky or smart. I'll offer my analysis of the Easter Lake "Race For The Egg" as an analysis.

Stupid: In 2006, I was just getting back into running and thought an early-season race in my old neighborhood would be fun. I didn't know the competition, nor did I really care, so I just set out to run my own race. I took off at the start at a good pace and ran behind the four-wheel Gator on the two miles on the road, then lead the race through half of the trails before getting passed by the eventual winner, then marathon-mom phenom Robin Freedman, and her husband Brian. I was able to stay with Brian through the finish and sprinted around him at the finale.

I didn't have any expectations with the race, so finishing so high was cool.

Outcome: Emu Egg, 2nd Place Overall

Cocky: 2007 was a little different, as I felt confident I could improve on the previous year... I mean cocky. We started off on the road again, Robin was on my shoulder and we entered the trails with a kid from East High. He took off up the trail and Robin went with him. I continued to run at my pace, but was passed with about two miles to go by another runner and couldn't keep the pace, or close the distance by the line.

I was lucky this time - I had some shape, but not enough to hit the goal I had set to win.

Outcome: Rhea Egg, 3rd Place Overall

Smart: I had no expectations this year. I was sick and off training the first week of March. Second week I was in L.A. at a conference, so got some mileage in, but ingested more smog than I had hoped to. Upon my return, I was nailed by a sinus infection and allergy reaction to the snow dissipating. Ugh. Luckily, my doctor said I could do as I felt... race if I wanted to, sleep if I needed to.

Having no expectations, I planned on running to work on pace - steady, then pick it up in the last two miles. At the last minute, I decided to make sure my gear was smart. I switched from my Pearl Izumi XC trainers to a new pair of Bowerman XC racing flats, removed my windpants and switched from wearing a wind vest to a baselayer and technical shirt. I'd be a little cold on the open road with the wind off of the frozen Easter Lake, but I'd be faster in the trails by losing a ton of weight from my feet in the soft, loamy soil.

Outcome: Ostrich Egg, 1st Place Overall

So, I guess per my previous post, that "March means nothing" is bunk. You never know when you may surprise yourself with a little bit of unplanned tapering.

March Means Nothing

When the winds of spring blow through Iowa, the athletes get super-excited to throw down in a big way. I've learned over the years that March means nothing. I'm still in the base period, getting into a few intervals, and generally enjoying the work.

Since I came down with the cold two weeks ago, I took a week of rest, recovered, hit a conference in LA. Luckily, I was able to get three days of quality running in on the fabled Sunset Boulevard on the UCLA campus and the multi-million dollar mansions in the hills.

With the renewed confidence and excitement to return home, I got nailed again with a sinus infection. The crud was back. This time antibiotics were necessary and I'm taking it easy this week. March means nothing.

So, being said, it looks like the Easter Lake Race for the Egg 5-miler this Saturday is a bust. I doubt I'd be able to defend my 2nd & 3rd place overall eggs from previous years. March means nothing.

Getting back in sync means focusing on solid runs, good rides, and returning to the pool. June is where it happens with the new Pleasant Hill triathlon and Hy-Vee. We'll see what the rest of the year holds - whether another half-Iron distance, an attempt at Boston '09, or qualify for XTERRA Natz again. Heck, maybe even KC Cx Natz '08.

Start the day right - get the head in place, fuel the body with the right foods, train, work, study and make it all happen. March means nothing.

Down with the Sickness...

Zicam has been my friend this week. We were introduced by Chris Carmichael and the CTS podcasts. Since last Saturday, I've been nuking my low-grade cold with the swabs every four hours. I was able to run an hour on Saturday, ride for 90 minutes on the Hy-Vee Triathlon course, but lost my voice after returning home.

I haven't trained since, catching up on reading, school, work and family time. It's all good - and the new Fuji Pro Cross showed up today, so better get it dialed before rolling later this weekend. Rad.

Top Seven Things to do When You're Sick.
7. Great excuse to go out for Mexican with lots of jalapenos...
6. Forsake all training because you just feel like crap.
5. WATER! WATER! WATER!
4. Bring on the Chicken Pho!
3. Sleep in and really enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning while watching Tour de California reruns.
2. Graciously bow out of any impending social engagement...
1. Pray every day to get over it and get back in the saddle...

Why Ride Anything Else But a _________ Cross Bike?

I've been riding bikes since I was a wee bugger. Now, not that I'm much bigger, I've had the chance to sandbox with a ton of rigs on the road, trails and cyclocross. I've only had three bikes previously to race 'cross on - starting with a first-year Surly Cross Check, then an Airborne titanium Carpe Diem, lastly, former national champion Larssyn Staley's Hot Tubes.

The Surly was rad - ugly green with 9-speed Campagnolo parts. It looked great, shifted wonderful and was heavy as a bike made out of pewter, and rode like it, too. I wasn't too broken up to sell it to Fozy. Unfortunately, it was swiped from Fozy. RIP.

The Carpe Diem (a.k.a. Bok Choi) was a clear step up in the world. Once I used a green scotchbrite pad and a bit of WD-40 to get the shine on, the bike looked like a champ with Mavic Helium hoops, Dura Ace 9 and a Wound Up Carbon fork. This bike was made to ride and fast. Unfortunately, though, as all things bike - the relationship wasn't especially long term. I broke up with it last fall and ditched it via e-bay.

The Hot Tubes, well, wasn't meant to be. I didn't measure it right and realized this beaut of a 1x1 was two sizes too big for my small frame. Oops.

So, I've been without a rig for over three months now and been studying for the next generation of cross racer. Hmm... Trek... LeMond... Giant... Salsa... Surly... Ridley... BMC... Vanilla... TET Cycles... I just didn't know which one would sell me on the ride, frame, fork, and kit. I'm not especially discriminating, so really, anything that was reasonably light and had a good spec would be a winner.

The shot out of left field?

Yes... another Fujina...

... more to come