Old School - Kind Of

So today was the annual NOBC 2-man 40k TT. This is usually the first TT of the year for me and this year is no different. I did feel a lot better this year than last I think because I have some races under my belt. I do have to admit I really wasn't into it. I think mostly because my ergomo bottom bracket did not come in from the warranty issue I had so I wasn't able to use my TT bike. So with Mike Lew as my partner (he himself is old school), I suited up in the skin suit & aero helmet and mounted the Road Bikes; both of us. (note: my road bike had a rear disk while Lew just rode his American Classics). We ended up doing ok in the TT. While we weren't competitive in the 1/2 category we definitely made those "young whipper snappers" take notice when we came whizzing in with a time of 57:13 on road bikes. In fact this is a faster time than I posted last year and last year we were on TT bikes; although Bob did have that unfortunate accident of crashing after touching wheels with me. Last years time was 58:02.

Which Racer Are You?

A few moments ago I read an article on VeloNews that was previewing a line of Retro Clothing. In the article the following were descriptions that correlated to the three special editions jerseys that celebrate cycling's roots. So which racer are you?

HARD, FAST AND PART OF THE BLACK TRAIN.SHOE COVERS, THREE QUARTERS AND A CAP UNDER HIS HELMET.HE LIVES IN THE ECHELON, THE WIND AND RAIN.FROM FLANDERS TO ROUBAIX AND THE ARDENNES.HE FLOWERS IN SPRING ON THE COBBLES AND MURS.... THE BELGIAN

THE 'PATRON' OF THE PELOTON, HE KNOW THE RULES.HIS NICKNAME SHOW'S HE IS LOVED.WEIGHED DOWN WITH EXPECTATION, HE IS THE NEARLY MAN, THE 'ETERNAL SECOND'.STILL HE BATTLES ON AGAINST THEM ALL, AGAINST HISTORY.A PART OF THE LANDSCAPE THAT FORMED HIM.... THE FRENCHMAN

TRAINING CANNOT START BEFORE HIS FIRST ESPRESSO.IF IT'S RAINING, IT DOESN'T START AT ALL.HE SETS THE RULES FOR EURO CYCLING STYLE.AND HAS THE BEST VICTORY CELEBRATIONS.HE COMES ALIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS.AND LIVES FOR THE HOTTEST DAYS IN MAY.... THE ITALIAN

http://www.velonews.com/article/73677/rapha-peddles-its-2008-collection

I wonder if one day they might make the quote for .... THE AMERICAN. What would it say?

Racing of a Different Kind

Today was the Crescent City Classic and is one of the larger 10k races in the country. Now I don't run a lot but I got the opportunity to run in this race as I had no cycling races this weekend and that the entry was free (thanks again Kate). I do like running but it is hard! During the off season I usually try running to change things up and keep in good condition while taking a break from the bike. This year my coach had me running once a week through base. Once racing started this stopped. So what does this mean? It means that in the past 3-4 weeks I ran twice - last Wednesday and yesterday (Friday). Actually this morning I was still a little sore from the tempo run I did Wednesday. Nevertheless, I got up this morning and made my way out to the race.

After a 20 min drive to the finish, 15 min walk to the shuttle, 10 min shuttle to the start, 30 min walk down the starting street (including a stop for coffee), and a 30 min walk back to the start it was finally time to start. Other than all the walking I did the only warm up I got was a few minutes of stretching at the beginning of the race and the great coffee that I got from a little cafe on Decatur. I didn't do a qualifying run to get close to the start like I was supposed to and instead just managed to squeeze my way up tot he front until I saw some people I knew. I talked to them a bit and was told that the group I was standing with would be doing about a 6 minute first mile. Way too fast for me in a 10k. I thought "Well it will be just like riding the hills start and the front and drift back." That was exactly how the race went.

The plan was to really start running after I warmed up at around the three mile mark and hold it into the finish. Well, in the first three miles I manages to keep sub 7 min miles - good right? I was happy with this and then mile four came. I was supposed to pick it up and instead got distracted with hi-fiving people, stopping to get a hand up of beer and generally just goofing around. I think I did the 4th mile at something in the high 7's. It was here that I decided that 2 miles isn't really that long and I should just pick it up. But I didn't. At least not as much as I could have. I did pick it up a little and was passing people but kept thinking - should I be hurting as much as the people around me? I actually felt fine, could hold conversations, breathe, and look around. Others were panting, and looked as if they were just forcing the run. During mile 5 there were some guys on the side of the rode dressed as devils that were handing out hot dogs!!! I really wanted one but decided that I would quickly become sick on a hot dog while running ( I later learned a friend of mine ate the hot dog and still finished a minute ahead of me - maybe I should have taken the hot dog after all). Aside ... Notable mention is earned by the guy dressed as one of the teenage mutant ninja turtles that I passed in mile 5. I remember him passing me in the first mile but when I passed him he looked as if he were dying. Carrying that shell on his back couldn't have helped! ... Aside end. At the beginning of mile 6 a guy was counting out what number you were (the top 500 got free signed posters worth like 80 bucks). I was in the group with 380 and at that point picked up the pace. I even made a mention to some guys that it was time to turn it up - I don't think they cared, I ran away from them. I tried following this cute girl with these tight black shorts on and a black sports bra (a little hottie!!!) but she easily out paced me and I had to let her go. Coming into the finishing stretch while everyone was picking up the pace I was accelerating gently but giving the crowds along the road hi-fives in the process. It was pretty cool. I ended up finishing with a time of 43:30 on the dot. Pretty good considering that a runner I am not. I would have made the top 500 but without a timing chip I didn't qualify - they won't even record my name a finishing. Oh well it was great training and lots of fun.

After the CCC there is always a big after party with a live concert, lots of food and drinks (mostly beer). Again Kate hooked me up with a VIP pass and it was awesome. At the very beginning the professional athletes (mostly Kenyans) were hanging around, getting drinks (not beer - maybe that's why the run so fast?), food, etc. It was kinda cool to see them so close although I didn't get the chance to talk to any of them. They were so small and pretty much made me look like a giant (very cool). I did chow down and the VIP is definitely the way to go! No lines, shade, and spacious what more could you ask. So my tally for post race nourishment:

3 Subway sandwiches (3 inches each)
2 Subway wraps (1/2 of a wrap each)
1 Jambalaya
1 Hooters hot wings (3-4 wings)
5 Abita Amber Beers
2 Waters
1 Banana (actually 1/2 of a banana)

This lasted me about 2 hours then I had some M&M's and a half of an everything bagel with cream cheese.

Next year I think I might train more for this try to get sub 40 and obviously get a timing chip so at least I can be scored!

The Power of Punch

Sunday, was the Rouge Roubaix; quite arguably one of the only true Road Races we have locally. It's a 100 mile journey with no loops, laps, or circuits. Not to mention the ~20 miles of dirt roads that we cover that make it legendary.



I was looking forward to this race and put a little mark on my training calendar to try and have a good result at this race. The race is so early and so hard that to win it your really need to have some top form; I knew this would not be the case for me but I was looking at it as an early season stepping stone to build into the season. The only problem with these type of goals is that even sometimes when you achieve the purpose of the goal you feel lousy about the result. This may have been the case this past weekend. I ended up finishing ~40th in a 100+ field. Usually not a result worth reporting but, in this race where every spot is cherished and raced for, not too bad I suppose. I'm not going to give any specific race details but just this one quick note about the race - the field was stronger than I've ever seen it, and because of this it was a very strange Rouge Roubaix. The more important thing about the race is that I learned that I am lacking the punch power needed to get over those difficult climbs (i.e. how I got dropped and ended up 41st). I guess this can be expected. It is still early in the season and I really haven't started to fully develop my top end systems. Just as important is that I noticed that my sustained power is doing ok as on the flatter stuff and the rolling hills I was able to push the pace a little. Also in the end I still had gas left in the tank - not a whole bunch but some.



The one thing about the race I will elaborate on is the finish. First of all, this is the best finish for the Roubaix that I have seen in recent years. Secondly, I try not to race for 41st place. The difference between 41st and 50th really doesn't matter. I guess the guy's I was riding with really have not realized this because there were several of them that attacked our group when approaching the finale. First at 3k to go, then 2k, then 1k, and I was like enough so I chased down the guy who attacked with 1k to go and launched an attack myself. I then thought 1k is a lot longer than I remember. With about 500m to go the group caught me and I snuck into the 2nd position. Soon we saw the 200m to go sign and with 150m to go I launched my sprint and held it to the line. While I guess it was good practice I only sprinted because the other riders began attacking while I was more than content to just ride in laughing and talking about the race. The other thing that bothered me about this was that when trying to get to the finish the group was all not that motivated to go fast. I would push the pace to 45k and when I pulled off it would drop back down to 32k. I just feel that if you have enough left to attack you have enough left to help with the pace setting.



The next RR I will be doing is on April 6th. I am hoping to get some good work in in the break and hopefully put up a good result at that race.

This One Counts

This is my first year on an actual cycling team and as of now it's been overwhelming. I would like to note that I say "an actual cycling team" with some reservations. Last year, as the year before I raced for Bicycle World Racing, out of New Orleans, LA. This was a great team for me at the time and I still hold dear the friendships I made while there, however, did not have the strength or coordination to implement tactics etc. The most teamwork involved getting water bottles for other teammates. Now that I'm racing for Mercy Cycling, out of Ft. Smith AR, the concept of teamwork has quickly been developed. Just the fact that your on a team and know that on any given day any one team member could take the "V" is amazing. This was illustrated in last weeks victories at Lago Vista.

I could only race on Sunday because of being required to work on Saturday. I did however make the 8.5 hour journey on Saturday so that I could race with the team on Sunday. When I got there I learned that that we had taken 1st and 8th on the day; impressive with the field present. The team was tired and had worked hard (I only add this because this is the first time that I have seen these guys so quite and the looks on their faces as if it was still a race, not to win but just to stay awake a few more hours before going to bed - they just wanted to finish). The next morning we grab some breakfast and go to the race. At our team meeting before the start we were discussing strategy (we meaning the other guys on the team as I realize that I am there to just be told what to do) and one of our guys charmed in and said "Lets just do what we did yesterday." I thought to myself how simple - lets just win. Well, I ended up being asked to cover the early breaks and I did (as best I could). I ended up being dropped after an effort trying to pull back a break and not being able to recover. I know I was working for the team but I wanted to finish in the peleton today. This is something I've taken from my prior team (thanks K) - "You have to finish before you can win". Well I didn't even finish with the group. I rode around the course until getting pulled and proceeded to get ready to leave. Making the 8.5 hour trek back to NOLA I was pretty disappointed. I did what I was told, which is good, didn't finish, which is bad. The next morning I get an e-mail from the Team Captain thanking us for our work. We had pulled off the Double "V" over the course of two days - amazing! Now for as bad as I felt getting dropped yesterday somehow it seems worth it. It was for the team, for the "V".

So this weekend we have a local race and I have it down as one of my target races. I'm not sure what I'll be able to do but if I'm lucky I might be able to out last some others in this 100 mile death march - the Rouge Roubaix! All I know is now I'm on home soil - this one counts!

Brooks A. Branham
Mercy Cycling Team