Monday, January 31, 2011

The Jury is Still Out. But the Sentence Can Only Be Good!

On Wednesday I pay a visit to my internist to go over my latest lab tests. So much rides, literally, on the outcome of these tests. I've done everything possible to isolate factors under my control such as diet and exercise so my metabolic functioning can be assessed accurately. The pre-diabetes diagnosis made last November, based on a discovered genetic abnormality that makes my cells insulin resistant, will be either confirmed or found to be a false positive. Confirmation of the diagnosis will only steel my resolve to keep focused. But, irregardless of the outcome, the changes I have made since November with my diet and exercise regime will remain the core of my plan of action. I feel too good!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The 2011 Butte 100 MTB Race

The 2011 version of the Butte 100 Endurance Mtb Race is scheduled for July 29-31, with the actual race taking place on the 30th. This race is gaining such momentum since its inception four years ago. Last year was the biggest field and had its first iconic competitor, Tinker Juarez. Last year the 100 mile race route was an extended loop along either side of the continental divide which made it hard for race organizers and volunteers to police for rider safety and support.

Here I am giving Tinker Juarez's bike a pre-Butte 100 race tune-up in 2010.
Imagine my excitement tuning a Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
and cycling icon's machine. It was a first in my short wrenching career.

Tinker told me after the race that he thought the Butte 100 route was more challenging in some respects than the Leadville 100, given its climbing profile and amount of challenging technical single track.

Recently on Tinker's Blog, he posted his 2011 race schedule and happily, for all of us in the southwestern Montana Mtb Community, he has the Butte 100 once again in his cross hairs for July. Tinker is a great guy, very approachable, humble to the core, and a cycling well spring of experience.
I enjoyed my short time with him and look forward to his return to The Outdoorsman this July.

Tinker Juarez and a Happy Wrench

Check out this year's Butte 100 Race Profile. It's a two lap set-up with over 16,000 feet of climbing on mostly single track. The revised course provides greater safety, emergency responsiveness, and aid station support for the racers.

 I've ridden all of the eastern section of the course and found it challenging under casual pace conditions. Can't imagine doing that terrain amid race chaos. It should prove to be an excellent format and TRP
Triple Ring Productions, lead by local organizers Bob and Gwen Waggoner, Guy Vesco, and Gina Evans, have added event timing chips provided by Montana Timing to ensure accurate race results for all competitors. All-in-all, TRP has taken past racer comments to heart and continues to make changes year after year to bring an excellent professional racing event to a one-of-a-kind Montana venue.

The Butte 100 is gaining ground in the professional mountain bike racing community because of the hard work by so many of my Montana friends.  Look out Leadville! 


Friday, January 28, 2011

The Tour Divide Gears Up and So Should We At The Outdoorsman

The Tour Divide 2011 is fast approaching its June 10th Grand Departure from Banff, Canada. As of today, some 133 days out, 67 racers have registered for the Banff departure, while 6 riders will start from the south in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Interestingly, there are only 15 previous race hardened veterans registered in this year's event so far. That leaves the balance of the field dominated by rookies who may have no first hand knowledge of the magnitude of what this 2747 mile race demands of the human spirit, mind, and body. We wish them well and hope they will have done their homework long before showing up at the start.

I've seen over the past two years the faces of the racers as they make our shop in Butte, Montana after just 4 to 6 days of racing in some extreme weather conditions across the rugged Montana landscape. This is not a race for the ill-prepared or anyone without the steel of will to endure the hardships and solitude of the trail.

What we work hard to provide at the Outdoorsman is a quality service and hospitality experience to all Divide riders whether they are racers or not. At the core of this philosophy is Outdoorsman owner, Rob Leipheimer. Under Rob's leadership and through the hard work of all shop staff, Tour Divide racers and the casual Great Divide Mountain Bike Route riders receive a warm welcome and the best mechanical service that keeps them rolling toward the horizons that lay ahead.

With such a large race field this year, the Outdoorsman will play an important role in keeping folks moving as they seek new adventures down the trail.





Sunday, January 16, 2011

I Like It When A Plan Comes Together

Went to the gym this morning to do some core strengthening, then went home and cleaned house. Had a meeting in my head which resulted in my ego forming a terrorist group. The only way to defuse the mob mentality was to take advantage of the great weather here in the Mojave and enjoy a head clearing 65 degree bike ride out to the canyon. I had to remain in control so as not to fall apart.
Took this pic at the end of my ride this afternoon. That smile on my face is the realization that I could go home, look into the mirror and NOT have to go into my head to get me to come out with my hands up! I won the day!
Stats for the training week of Jan 10th: 4 strengthening days in the gym, 6 bike rides, 191.95 road miles, 9,587 feet of climbing, 12h18m54s of saddle time, Avg HR 135, Avg speed 15.6mph, Max speed 42mph, and 11,330 Calories burned.

Planned the work for 2011 well and working the plan without coping out. Have another medical evaluation coming at the end of the month, so gotta keep in the game. Goal for this week: 4 days in the gym and 7 days on the bike. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

All The Ducks Are in A Row for 2011

2011 is shaping up to be a great training and fitness year. The total battery of medical exams and lab tests were completed today, and the final verdict is I'm in top physical shape for my age. Still have one pending lab test from today to get feedback on, but don't anticipate anything coming of the biopsy taken. The road is clear now to get down to the business of working the plan to get me in shape to meet the challenges, fitness, and health objectives I have set for myself for the coming year.
All I need now is to get my new 29er mountain bike and get some miles in the dirt ridden. Stay tuned!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Year's Resolutions.... or How to Lie Convincingly to Yourself

I never have been too keen about making New Year's resolutions for one important reason...they require conviction and perseverance to see them through. And the routine daily obligations and stresses of career and family make a person easily fall back onto a path of least persistence for the sake of survival.  Oh, believe me I've tried! The road to success has always been paved with the best of intentions. But, it's my belief that this year will be different! I seem more motivated, and I have already begun to make changes to effect the outcome. The committee in my head has held extensive introspective meetings to sort things out and formulate a workable game plan. I believe they have set a good course for me for the new year. They planned the work, now it's my time and responsibility to work the plan.

What's the motivation, the driving force, that will sustain my effort?

First, the support of my family.

Second, in 53 days I celebrate my 63rd birthday. That's 23,013 days of living! In that time I've lived in Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Texas, Nevada, and Montana. I've gone to college and graduate school, been married 41 years to the love of my life, had two children who I admire and adore, and now have three of the most precious grandchildren a man could ever dream for. All in all, a very fulfilling life. One I wish to continue as long as I am privileged.

Third, in my nearly 63 years of living  I have:
  • delivered newspapers
  • picked tobacco (which is why I've never smoked)
  • worked in a steel mill and in heavy construction
  • dug ditches for a pipeline company
  • loaded trucks at a freight company
  • worked at a mental health facility
  • did intake casework and counseling at a federal prison
  • been a Clinical and School Psychologist for a Texas State Education Agency
  • worked at a Texas university writing a textbook
  • served as a School Psychologist for several Texas school districts
  • been a self-employed professional photographer
  • taught Elementary School in 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade
  • been Science Department Chair and taught 8th grade Middle School Science
  • served as the Environmental Education Coordinator for a large Texas school district
  • been the Director of an Outdoor Environmental Ed Program and Outdoor Learning Center
  • served as High School Chemistry Department Chair and taught High School Honors Chemistry
  • been working as a professional bicycle mechanic at several bike shops since retirement in 2004.
I mention my work background for no other reason than to illustrate that I'm no stranger to hard work, that I value education and the intellectual enterprise, and that I love the energizing nature of change to keep life interesting and stimulating.

Third, two near death experiences, one a pulmonary embolism in 2008, the other a major heart attack in 2009, have finally convinced me I am NOT bullet proof and invisible. As a matter of fact, I've come to the tacitly clear conclusion that I never was of super hero stock, even though my youthful delusions told me so. I know this now. And, very recently after undergoing the most comprehensive medical checkup in the last decade, have learned that I have an insidious metabolic syndrome that makes my body cells insulin resistant which makes me a prime candidate for Type 2 Diabetes. Finally, I have a meaningful understanding why I have had long standing problems with my weight, and why I've been on the brink twice. Can't afford to test the "third time's a charm" theory.

Not making some significant changes in the way I've done things in the past will doom me for sure in the future..if I am granted a future. So, the plan includes moderate exercise, diabetes medication, and a vegan diet.

I know there have never been, nor will there ever be, any guarantees in life. You take one day at a time, put one foot in front of the other, deal with whatever life throws your way, and hope to see the sunrise the next day.

In any event, I'll go ahead and work the plan my doctor and the committee in my head have devised. I have nothing to lose and potentially more time with my wife, my kids, and my grandchildren to gain. And you know the best part...it involves more time across the top tube. Booyah!