Starting Out Fresh Again

Yeah I know it has been several eons since I wrote an entry. What's crazy is it doesn't feel like all that long ago. So what is new in my world?? School is back in for the kids, peak season at work is well under way, I became a Beaver leader for my son's Scouts group, I quit bike racing, I have resumed triathlon training, Lance says he is coming back, more dopers were discovered in the Tour and I will be in Disney World soon!

After the Provincial Time Trial in Canmore, I pretty much packed it in for the season. I went through the exercise of reviewing my season and summarizing the highs and lows. Now in years past when I have done this I get super motivated to come back the next season. This year however I was left with mixed feelings. For some reason my motivation for bike racing was drained and I had been left with a tasteless sensation in my mouth. Upon further reflection what I found that bugged me the most was how riders were treated by either the ABA or the race organizers. As an example, in a circuit/road race I and pretty much everyone else in my group was not credited with an offical finish time but rather being relegated to finishing minus 1 lap when in the end I finished on the same lap as the winner. Further to this was having a rider that I actually lapped be credited as finishing on the same lap as I did. In the end, it seems it only matters if you are on the podium or ride in the higher categories to get proper results or props. Another great example is a rider I know who was registered to race but in fact did NOT race and was written up in the overall race summary as being a factor and finished second in a great finishing sprint. So we can register for races now, not show up and gain a podium spot over those who show up?? Another example was Provincial MTB Champs in Edmonton were rumors were swirling that laps may be reduced due to warm weather expected. Notification happened AT the start line when it was overcast and no warmer than 24 or 25 degrees. I guess we Alberta racers are not as tough as the other Provinces so we have to race shorter distances. In years past I had accepted these issues as "part of bike racing" however it really doesn't sell the sport to new comers or keep current members motivated to race or take part and something within me just did not want to accept it anymore.

Since my reflection period my focus has turned back to triathlons but most knew that once my Achilles injury healed I would be back to triathlon anyway. Also, I did not just hang the bike up like so many ex-racers do because I in fact still love to ride. I pimped out my road bike a bit with some carbon cranks moving the SRM to the TT/tri bike and picked up an iBike Pro in order to help quantify my general road rides. This is a topic (many positive aspects) for a future write-up. What has helped to keep me motivated to ride is the fact that I don't have to do it everyday since I can now train swimming, running and weight training on different days. My rides outside were pure joy and exhiliration as I didn't focus too much on watts, cadence or HR - I just rode based on how I felt. Trail running with my dog has also been a nice break as it forces my lungs to heave and my muscles to ache. Massage has also been helping although the fascial release techniques make it feel like my skin is being peeled off from the muscles. Excruiating but effective to sum it up.

All in all my mental state is "fresh" again and I am working on many weaknesses now like swimming, running and general strength and often times being pushed outside my comfort zone - ever done a backwards dolphin kick in the pool or subtle sculling motions under the water or trying to complete 7 to 9 strokes before you can breathe? Have I come around with a desire to get back into bike racing next year? Not really. I am still interested in the time trials if they fit the schedule and possibly the Deadgoat MTB Enduro again - yeah one of my previous write-ups spelled out my agony and grief during that event but it fits with my event interests and I always enjoy the challenge of "redeeming" myself after a poor showing. And yes I would probably do it solo again. Personal challenges is what I chalk it up to be all about for me.

If there is a message to take from this writing it is for everyone to reflect on what you are doing and understand "why" you are doing it with the outcoming being that you are passionate about it otherwise you too may find yourself wondering what that tasteless sensation in your mouth is and where all that time went.

JVD