Race Report: Brooksville Road Race 10/17/2010

start time: 2:30 PM
the competition: Pro 1/2 and Cat 3 field
terrain: 17 mile rolling circuit with 3 climbs, 4 laps; 68miles
how it went down:
It was a big combined field of close to 90 guys with some powerhouse teams such as Z-motion, Florida Velo, ASV, Colavita, and Performance Fitness. I was feeling pretty good as the first lap came around to the start finished but reached out for my 1st feed at the beginning of the 2nd lap when I dropped my bottle. We flew thru the feed zone at around 33mph. Not a huge deal as I took on 2 bottles as the start of the race. At the end of the 2nd lap, we were at an average of 26mph and I successfully got the feed at the beginning of the 3rd lap.
The hammer was put down as Z-motion sent a couple guys to set the tempo up front with Grant Potter pushing the pace. We were strung out most of the 3rd lap and coming into the start of the 4th/last lap, I slowed down to grab the last feed but was gapped. I was pushing 28-29mph working to catch back up to the peleton but was unsuccessful at the 1st turn and soon found my day was over. The average at that point was 26.5mph. The speed and tempo of the 3rd lap raised the average 0.5 mph. Although I was unable to finished the race, it was a good race for me as I learned and gained more experience anticipating a rise in tempo and when to not take a feed it fuilds are not a necessity. Also, this was my first race in over 4 month after taking the summer hiatus, not finishing my previous race, and nursing a knee injury. Next up in an A race- the 2010 Florida State Road Race Championship in 2 weeks.

Step up for Down Syndrome, Reunion Concert- not, and all around town

Saturday was a very eventful day that would find me driving all over town. It all began with heading to Lake Eola for the Step Up for Down Syndrome walk and support. We were there in support for Team Shea as our neighbor's daughter has Down Syndrome. I wore running tights and a sweatshirt as if I was ready to run a marathon. I think Desiree was apprehensive/emberassed to be around me.



Afterwards, we got tickets the day before for a big concert: The Reunion Concert which were to include George Jones, Mickey Gilley, and other old-school country stars. Details: http://www.reunionconcertevent.com/. Gates scheduled to open at 9:30AM and we arrived to the event at 11:15. However only to find that 'Are we at the right place?' We actually drove through the gate onto the lawn and saw a plethora of porta-John's. No stage or production set-up. No people, signs... There was a news van at the gate entrance and the informed us that the promoter cancelled the concert the night before. Good thing we got the tickets for free. So we headed to Florida Mall and I was dared to wear my tights into the mall by Desiree. I was like, Ok, no worries.

Another Overhaul of the Felt F1 Sprint

The Sprint bike was overhauled again before Greece but I'm just not getting around to posting pic.

frameset- 2008 Felt F1 Sprint Team edition size 54
bars/seatpost- shimano pro vibe white
brakeshifters- dura ace 7900
front/rear derailleurs- dura ace 7900
crankset- dura ace 7900 172.5mm 52/39T
bottom bracket- fsa ceramic red megaExo
cassette/chain- dura ace 7900
brakes- ultegra SL 6600
hoops- zipp 404 clinchers with tufo elite-C tubeless clinchers
data management- powertap SL+

additional pics: http://sports.webshots.com/album/578641913VsPGKP

Anniversary Get-a-way

We left friday after work to head to St. Augustine taking us about 2 hours and checked into our hotel. This place is beauitful: The Renaissance Resolt at World Golf Village about 15mins away from the tourist downtown area. It was worth being a little removed from that area and stay at such a nice place. After dropping our bikes off in our room, we headed to dinner at a local sushi restaurant: Fusion Point. Great prices, taste, and atmosphere. Weird thing was, it didn't seem like any of the people that worked there were asian until we further investigated and determined the sushi chefs were half asian/half something. lol

The next morning we woke up for a casual bike ride. This would be the first time in a long time that Desiree and I got the opportunity to ride together because of my training schedule. We just headed east on Int'l Golf Pkwy that deadend into US1 but crossed over into a beautiful neighborhood Palencia and checked out the beautiful houses. After the bike ride was out fun in the sun. We ventured to a beach not before grabbing to subs and goodies from Publix and settled there for ~3 hours.

Back to the hotel room to get cleaned up and head into town following some of the historic areas and the heading to church at the Cathedral Basillica- The first/oldest Catholic Church. We The found an awesome seafood restaurant for dinner at O.C. White's seafood. Deisree had a seared salmon dish and I, a coconut curry mahi. We continued to tour the downtown/historic area before becoming exausted and crashing for the night.

Sunday morning we decided to head to the pool and relax before grabbing lunch at a local buritto mexican restaurant and did some shopping at the outlets.

A great weekend for a great occasion. Thank you Desiree for a wonderful time and to Anh Vu and Darcey for their trolley pass gift. Unfortunately we didn't have time to use, however it another excuse to return to St. Augustine.

More pics: http://travel.webshots.com/album/578637833yoVEdy

it seems promising

I ordered cleat wedges last week and they came in on Tuesday and had them in for my ride this morning. The use of cleat wedges are to correct anatomic faults with your bike fit. My left leg (which is the leg that has been giving me problems for the past 3 weeks) is valgus on the bike. Meaning that it laterally "bends" in towards the top tube of the bike. This is less then ideal as it decreases the direct force during the pedal stroke. It can also and often causes medial knee pain. This is nothing new to me, but i figure that I would change what I could giving my knee's current condition.
My ride this AM went pain free. I did a few 2-3 min efforts in the saddle at ~300watts and had no problems. High cadance intervals- all good. Not doing full on efforts or out of the saddle efforts, but needless to say, I am very happy with the ride. To compliment that, no pain or tendon problems being on my feet all day at work today. Tomorrow morning is another test to see how the knee feels.

Happy 1 Year!

A Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Desiree and myself this past Tuesday. With our busy work schedule, we haven't had the opportunity to celebrate yet, but St. Augustine sounds like the perfect getaway for a perfect occasion.
All smiles!

Oops I crapped my pants...or could have

5:45AM wake up to sit on the can, eat breakfast, and get ready to sit on the saddle for a training ride. I'm out the door by 6:15 and there is just a pinch of light existance. I'm heading out the back entrance to my neighborhood and I do a couple times a week. There is a turnpike overpass just after you turn out where bats commonly congregate. You can hear and smell them under there. As I approach the underpass, I can see flying objects in the near distance through the faint light or upcoming daylight. As I am passing under the overpass, the sounds of the bats are heard through my headphones and I felt an object hit the right side of my chin and land in my lap. I'm swatting at my lap and manage to dislodge what ended up being a bat that hit me in the face. I could have crapped my pants but fortunately didn't and fortunatelly was able to keep the rubber side down. My heart probably raised at least 15 beats and felt like it took some time to reach normalcy.
That could have been bad! Oh the joys of saddle diaries.
Me: 1; bats: 0. Let keep it that way with the bats score at goose eggs.