Curry and Post It Notes

There is something about ultra endurance racing. What that something actually is, is very different for everyone involved. For me, it is the continuos reminder of what can be accomplished with a positive attitude. That just because something doesn't go according to plan doesn't make it wrong. Maybe it's a sign. A gentle reminder not to forget something from someone up above.

This past weekend, Jenn and I spent an awesome evening at the Harlow drive in movie theatre with Gabe, Quinoa, L to the B Soon to be K, Thin Mint, My Fairy God Mother, Stephanie and Michael. Because Thin Mint and I were going to be coming straight from work Jenn and L2TBS2BK picked up Thai for us. I made the decision to try something new and ordered the red curry with duck.

It tasted great. After the movie, we called it a night and headed home for bed. After all, I did have a ride planned for the morning. Shortly after laying down in bed my stomach decided it no longer liked red curry with duck. I would spend the next 3.5 hours sick, running back and forth to the bathroom with the greatest of stomach cramps. A level of discomfort I've never experienced.

I was eventually able to close my eyes and get close to an hour of sleep before the alarm went off. It was time to get ready for my last multi hour ride before packing everything up and heading back to Texas for this weekend's RAAM Challenge 400. I put my bike on the trainer, got dressed and started pedaling. The ride didn't go so great as I felt extremely dehydrated and started to cramp. On top of that, things felt a bit raw.

Some people might get discouraged if they got sick and were unable to do get the last workout before traveling in. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't included in the "some". That was until as I was gathering my work clothes from my bag, I reached into the side pocket only to realize I was out of something. Something very important. Something that would ensure post ride comfort should comfort be compromised in Texas.

The red curry with duck was more than a new tasty way to dehydrate myself. It was a post-it note. A gentle reminder to purchase more Desitin before leaving for Texas. A reminder to not allow my mind to slip away. A reminder to keep it posi.

The End Becomes the Beginning

Having too much deadfall in a forest prevents new growth. Mother Nature has her own way of dealing with this and that's by setting it all ablaze. With the burning of the deadfall comes the room and fertilization needed for new growth to begin.

When I got back home in August after racing the RAAM Challenge Minnesota 400, I felt I needed to do the same. However instead of setting myself on fire in the middle of the National Mall, I just took a little break from any structured training and focused on the clearing of deadfall.

The original plan was to take a couple of weeks to recharge the battery. It was time to sleep in until at least 5:30, focus on spending time with my loved ones and maybe do a few things around the house that had been getting pushed to the side. Although I was still getting out on the bike for a spin at least once a week, the more time that passed the less motivation I had to do any more.

After almost two months of dodging the questions of "What is next?" and "Will this be the year for the big one?" I am beginning to finally feel like the battery is almost fully charged. Although this coming year will not be the year of the big one, I have started to look at the race calendar for next year. Now instead of it feeling like a chore, I am getting excited about what is to come.

Some people train so they can race. I race so I can train. Truth be told, I don't usually remember too much of race day because they come and go so quickly. The early mornings with David, Quinoa, Thin Mint and Michael. The long nights of riding by myself to be joined by Jenn, Betsy Crocker (Not Betty Crocker) and all my other teammates in the morning. Those are the times I look back on. Those are the times I fall back on during long efforts. Those are the times I remember the most. They are the only reason I get excited at the beginning of a new season.

Minnesota 400 Recap

I never did get around to writing a race recap from the RAAM Challenge Minnesota 400. If I had written one the outline for the recap would have looked something like this
Before the start of the race

• "I can't stop shivering. Why is it so cold?"
• "Can I have some Aleve? I feel like I've been hit by a truck"
• "Can I have your thermal jacket?"

The remainder of the race

• "Can I have some Aleve?"
• "I'm so cold"
• "I hate expansion joints"
• "Can I have some Aleve?"
• "Dane, why did you just drive into the side of that building? There was a perfectly good drawbridge to cross."
• "Can I have some Aleve?"
• "Was that a raccoon?"
• "Watch out for alligators"
• "Can I have some Aleve"

The longer the race went on, the more frequently I was asking for it as the fever continued to wear on me. Thankfully for my internal organs, the crew followed Bayer's recommended usage guidelines for Aleve. I am also thankful my sister put together this video recap of the race so I don't actually have to write it.

Merry Go Round

Are you going to ride today? How far do you want to go? Where do you want to go? If you are like me, you have asked these questions of yourself or others more than once in your life. A lot of times, these questions lead to the merry-go-round of "I don't care. What do you want to do?"

Sure you could always go ride the same old routes and roads you always do. Or you could expand your horizons and try something new. You could do this systematically by choosing roads you have ridden before and linking those others in a combination you hadn't tried before. The other option would be to allow your inner 5 year old to dictate where you ride and for what distance. This is the simpliest way and more times than not leads to the most scenic rides.

On Monday, I gave my inner 5 year old this opportunity. The only comment I made to him as I handed him the crayon and map was that he had to avoid Hull St, Midlothian Tnpk and Broad St. All other roads were fair game and if he had never heard of the road before, it most likely hasn't been heard of by many other motorists either.

A digital crayon and a map

For the last couple of weeks, my cycling has incorporated a bit of world history thanks to the coverage of the Tour de France. Even though the Tour was on a rest day, this ride would be no different. Along my way to the Center of the Universe, I passed by Patrick Henry's home where he lived while serving as the first governor of Virginia, Scotchtown. While riding by, I wondered if the French were as inspired by the acts of those who once lived in the "chateaus" they rode by on a daily. I would imagine, yes.

After passing by Scotchtown it was time visit two of the fable sisters in the area before arriving in the Center of the Universe and turning back toward the shop for a rare Monday afternoon shift at the shop. 110 miles later and off the bike, my internal delight shined bright enough to penetrate the tired and hot look of my exterior.

Before your next ride, will you allow yourself to get on the merry-go-round or will you hand over the crayon?