Growing

I'm getting a little OCD with the prep work. Socks are becoming an issue, I need the right ones, the first day of racing each week has to be the right ones, if not, my concentration is thrown. 5 races in the bag, the right socks were worn for two of the good days. But then yesterday I didn't put them on, and it still went OK, maybe I can let that one go. But they are always black, black socks offer a greater chance of success. These pics are from Breck a few weeks ago, go to Jared's site for pics of this past weekend, that's him leading me up the running stretch, if I was clever I would have a thought cloud over my head saying "Hmmmm how am I going to come out on top here?"

I'm trying to get control of the thoughts that cloud the results, too much on deck when the head needs to be clear(er). The more there is on the line the better it can be. Perfect Tommy had it down before I even knew what could solve the equation "No matter where you go, there you are." Too long to not know, All these years of cross makes it come a bit easier but not as easy as it could without the ghosts in the head.

2 Rows

Good days come on the second day. Yesterday was a bit harder, because they were closer until the final split on the last lap. Today, it was better, the legs responded early and allowed more diesel early. Moved through the higher effort with good sensations. Clean, except for a missed pedal or two, if that's the worst that happens...

.500

I never like the sound of wind chimes in the fall, maybe the one or
two horror movies I watched as a kid had the evil whatever stalking
to a background of wind chimes. Still to this day they sound
different in the fall. Four cross races in the tank; 2 firsts, 2
seconds. It's adding to be a later peak. Good course today, they let
me lead from about the 20 minute mark, as in don't pull around Tim,
let the sucker pull till we figure out when to attack. Good course,
for me, fast techy bits followed by continuous pedaling, one spot to
recover if you could, or a great spot to push pace a bit. The more
the race wore on the better it felt to have them watching me, I felt
better about each time around the tight stuff and more confident that
it was MY day. Two guys from the same team were following me, each
time I'd open the door a bit to let one by, no takers. Slow turn was
enough to spring one off the back, last lap was enough to free the
other. Comfortable enough last time around. Not a bad day.

One

Not enough, the new gloves aren't cutting it the way I thought they would. Fox Antifreeze gloves get close but below 25 degrees, no go. Hearing the changes coming is building the fuel in the furnace, more is more. Rest, food, intensity, the spring is coiled and ready to pop. Dialing in the rest of the changes to get through the fall, one thing keeps in my head, one thing-one. One gear, one place, one race to get it all wrapped up into a little box to end the year. One day in December to clear it out for winter.

Test

Breaking in and taking a break. It comes out as the temps go lower
and I try to get more in than I can. Racing comes thick and fast, new
gear soon, I hope. Next week more preparation for the big ones.
Getting it all together in one push, maybe PNW, certainly KC.

Blue Skies

Random shots from the last few days, as the cold in the mornings forces more and more warm layers to come out, changes are everywhere as the average falls. The fox was gathering his dinner, he didn't mind that I was there shooting, he just went about his evening. Biggest day in weeks today, almost 4 hours, good work and good recovery, thanks Jared I'll miss you when you go to the land of Phillip Morris. Commitment is growing as I hope the fitness does. Bed early, eat right, all in the puzzle as the pieces fit the way they should. Working out the ghosts to feel the legs breathe. New victories aren't far off, the old ones are gone.

Radiohead

Radiohead is putting out a new album next week. They aren't setting a price for the download, you pay what you want for it. Brilliant. I already have mine pre-ordered, I think $20US is fair, if it's really good I'll buy the hardcopy too when it comes out in December. I haven't purchased a CD in years, iTunes gets my money, more than I would care to think. Artists make their money on touring not record sales, maybe this will shift the paradigm.

Gravy

I want more, not cross as a cherry on top, but fall as an extension of the summer season. It's not gravy, it all counts, I don't get out of anything because summer was good, it can always be better. This isn't gravy, it's still the meat.

Grass

IMG_4683.JPG_s
Originally uploaded by Jared Roy

This is from last week's race, I like the tall grass and the solo, alone riding. The season heats up as the weather here goes cold. 23 degrees today, my new gloves were ok, but you can't put cold hands into a glove and expect them to warm up in less than 20k.

No new snow today, that was yesterday, the bike feels better, rolling on the road bike with 40 psi in tubeless was good for training but not for recovery days. Climbing Moonstone with 40 psi was great opener work I should have kept the focus through Saturday. Listening to the sounds of cross makes me hear the cracks in my armor. If it's lycra is it still armor?

Bear Creek

IMG_4819.JPG_s Originally uploaded by Jared Roy

Not exactly classic cross weather but a good course if you didn't have to deal with traffic. I had a few run-ins with lappers or riders warming up, that sprung a few extra seconds for Eric. Oh well, second place on a day I felt like crap is good. For now. Thanks Jared for the pic.