Wednesday, February 2, 2011

SNOW DAY!!!!

Last night I told myself that I would put some time into this thing, if school actually got canceled. The bulk of the snow seems to have missed us, but they still shut everything down, so here it is.

I've been lazy about writing anything here, but its because I've been getting a much larger workload this term than last, and I'm also training more.

So I will go back to the holidays. My trip to Blue was a great time. The weather was awful, but I still boarded twice. I picked up a little cold there, but shook it shortly after getting home by eating straight ginger root and garlic. I kept a solid diet going and continued to train, allowing me to dodge the awful flu that seemed to snipe down everyone around me.

The weekend after that I took off training to visit Montreal again. Took it easy there, only hitting the downtown pubs once. Good times with friends and friends family.

Since then I have really been enjoying my training. I did some awesome trail runs through fresh pow, that seemed to really strengthen my hamstrings. I have been out on my mountain bike almost everyday that the trails have been ride able. Conditions were perfect the last 2 weeks. Challenging with the depth of packed snow, but not frustrating. Unfortunately some of my favorite trails have not been packed yet, so I have been doing reps of the ones in good shape. Strength works have been tossed in here and there, but I don't think that pumping out more than 40 push-ups in a set is necessary.

Also the dreaded trainer has seen some use. I've done 4 2hr rides and a few 1hr spins. Having a power meter makes it much more interesting. So far I have been averaging just over 190watts for the 2hr rides. Seems to be a good fat burning effort that I could likely sustain for 4hrs. I'll step it up to 200watts next time. Today maybe?

I have not been doing anything too intense yet. The Frostbike is coming up quickly, so I will do some efforts up some hills before that. After the Frostbike I will up my millage but keep the efforts similar to now. No need to run myself down in February.

I realize that last season I was on peak form during the OCA camp, then burnt out for the first O-cup. This year I will do things different. Less volume, less intense through Feb/early March, then much more intense and even less volume then I did last March/April.

I got my acceptance into the OCA camp, which I am unsure whether I will be able to attend. It means missing 7 days of college, a guaranteed 5% drop in all classes. I plan to talk to my teachers tomorrow and make sure that I will not be missing mid terms, or major unit tests. If I'm clear there, or will be allowed to write make up unit tests, I will go for sure. The decision needs to be made by Friday.

If I can't go to that I will make a trip to SC during my reading week from Feb 26-March 5th.


So other exciting news is that I bought a new road bike! A Cannondale CAAD10 DA. So excited for the first day of clean roads so I can experience the difference between a 2005 CAAD8, and 2011 CAAD10. I still love my CAAD8, so I can't imagine what I'm in for. Reason for staying on aluminum is because I love the way it rides. The connection to the road, the stiffness, and its lighter than most elite level carbon frames. To get a carbon bike at the same weight would cost at least $1000 more. Pics to come....its still at Liberty until I finish paying for it.

Also I will jump the gun and announce that team Liberty! Bicycles has been created for the 2011 season. Team list and goals to come......
Huge thanks to Kurt for for the amount of support he is throwing at us. Getting very excited for spring to come.

Enjoy the snow!!





4 comments:

  1. Lucky you. I'm at work. I'll get a good core workout shoveling the heavy snow later today.

    You're going to miss a week of Gilles' classes? Brave.

    Awesome news about the L!B team, you guys should have a strong showing at the XC o-cups for sure.

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  2. Thanks,

    Gilles will lose all respect for me when I tell him that riding my bike is more important than his AutoCAD lectures.

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  3. Gilles still contacts me every once in a while so you can just tell him that I gave you permission...lol

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  4. Good call on the CAAD10. That's going to be a fantastic bike for sure. I too have an aluminum rocket on the way... you'll see soon enough :)

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