Back in the Groove

The last week has been pretty tough. I’ve had a lot of homework and things to do around the house. Now I don’t like to complain, but things were just piling up and I was having the most difficult time getting them done. In the aftermath of regionals, I was pretty tired. As the days went on I began to realize just how tired. Nothing I did seemed to help. I was getting tons of sleep, eating plenty, recovery riding, you name it I was doing it. But nothing could get me out of the rut I was in both mentally and physically.

After a recovery ride on Monday, I decided to just take it easy, focus on getting homework done and get my head back in the right place. Tuesday and Wednesday were just hard days. I had a tough time getting out of bed even. But I pushed on to at least get my homework done. That was good for me. I got my homework done and actually enjoyed it a little. But having nothing to do on a Thursday night? That was truly special. I completely chilled and went to bed without any worries. Friday was similar, just chilled and got to bed super early. Mentally I just needed a little break.

On Friday I got the cross bike working and headed out to Olin park with some buddies to practice some barriers. It was a good time, but I realized just how out of cross shape I had become. This year I was able to get into really good shape for MTBs, but completely lost all running muscles. Seriously, I couldn’t run, not even a little bit. It was a lot of fun though, and after a few barrier runs I got the feel back for the barriers, almost like I had never left.

Saturday was the annual apple cider ride with the UW club. I have missed this ride every year since freshman year, due to races or other things, but not this year. I skipped the cross race on Saturday to ride out to an apple orchard near devils lake and stuff my face. The morning began much like the week did. I just didn’t feel good at all and couldn’t get my heart going. I was holding the groups pace, but I felt really dead. I suffered for 65 miles to get that apple pie, and man I felt like I really deserved it.

And seriously, that’s what I did. I bought an entire apple pie, no more, no less. It was simply delicious. Sugary and awesome, I ate about half of it before I thought of stopping. I packed it away in my jersey pocket and we headed home. The 45 miles back were less torturous. We rode to a ferry about 5 miles away and rode that across the Wisconsin River. It gave me a shot to stop and really look at the amazing landscape in that part of the state. I wish I had some pictures.

After we got off the ferry, something amazing happened. All that crap and heavy feeling in my legs just started to go away. I don’t know if it was the apples, the fresh air, or the company. But something about that ride was exactly what I needed. That is without a doubt the weirdest feeling I have ever had. I felt way better at the end of that 100+ mile ride than I did at the start. I guess the lesson is that I still need to figure this bike thing out. Just when I thought I had a handle on training, curve ball, but not in a bad way.

So with this new found motivation and legs I raced in the Sun Prairie CX race today. I really like the course they have. It was awesome last year, and the park has some really neat features. I have to say that I didn’t like the course as much this year as last year, but it was still a cool course. It was a tough race though. Brian Matter was there so the pace was quick right off the bat. I knew it was going to hurt, and that is exactly what it did. It was good though. I was able to dig deep, and suffer. That’s always a sign that I’m feeling rested. And I think I ended up 7^th or 8^th, not bad for the first time on the cross bike this year. Hopefully after MTB nats and a little time off the bike, I’ll be back racing cross like a champ. The big goal this year is MTB nats, but I’d really like to have a solid cross season, or at least what’s left of it.

Skip and I leave next Thursday, early for New Mexico. I'm really excited to be racing and I think I’ve got something to show for all my hard effort this year. I’m shooting for a top 10 in the D1 men’s race. If all goes according to plan, it’s going to hurt, but I will do it. That’s all for now!