train hard, recover harder

The biggest thing I learned from my coach at Minnesota was how to recover. Getting faster is about recovery. When you're on a rest day, you need to rest. Sit on your bum, play video games, drink a ton of water, and let your body rebuild.

This also applies to those time one gets sick during the season. When a cold is coming on, learn to recognize it and and stay off the bike. Sit on your bum, play video games, drink a ton of water, and let your body rebuild.

When you're injured, let your body rebuild as fast as it can. Do NOT ride. Sit on your bum, play video games, drink a ton of water, and let your body rebuild.

Catch my drift?

Today I'm recovering from an odd ankle injury that I never saw coming. After Sunday's epic ride to Blue Mounds I had a stiff right ankle. Monday morning it was really hurting and walking was painful.

THEREFORE: I stayed off of my right leg and kept it elevated. I did not ride. I did not walk. I did light stretching that wouldn't engage my right ankle, and I did my situps.

Today (Tuesday) it feels much better, just stiff. While missing the beautiful weather is frustrating, prolonging an injury is even worse.

topping out and getting le sick

I don't get sick much, but when I do, I make it count. Last year I went without a cold the entire year. The year before that I only got sick once and had bronchitis so badly I was at the doctor every four days and missed the entire collegiate MTB season.

Last Monday (the 13th) I went on a two hour road ride and was just flying without even trying. The day before that I was jamming at Jim's and absolutely killing it and didn't even feel tired. I was starting to plateau in my training and needed some time off. However, I didn't recognize that I was starting to overtrain so the next morning I woke up with a nasty headcold. My throat was sore, sinuses clogged, and I even had a headache, which is quite uncommon for me.

The past week was spent in full-on recovery mode. I sat on my butt any time I wasn't at work. And even when I was at work I was chugging water. The winning combination went like this: Emergen-C every morning, tons of water during the day, sittging in bed or in front of the computer in warm clothing while at home, and getting ten hours of sleep each night.

On Sunday I turned 24. This year has been very challenging and full of change, and I wouldn't have guessed I'd be here if you'd asked me on my 23rd birthday. Racing (and being competative) at the top of cat.2 is something I never thought I could do even if I had the opportunity, so I'm really glad I've had the chance to do that.


At the beginning of this season I made a list of goals for the year:
-Pay off student loans. (On schedule to finish paying them by year end)
-Buy a car (Done in February)
-5 top-5 finishes (So far 3. 4th at Rhinelander, 2nd at Eau Claire, 1st in Super-D at Mt. Morris)
-Win the Subaru Cup (I didn't win it, but I learned I can throw down with the top Comp Racers)
-Move out in September. (I'm moving into my new place August 1st)

I'm going to add some goals for the second half of the season, as I've checked off a few of my current goals.
-Win a comp race.
-Learn to race cyclo-cross and complete three races.