OFF THE BACK

It has taken me a while to get my pen out, so to speak, and write about this.   I think it has been emotionally charged and maybe I wanted to avoid the whole messy thing.

When I write something, there is requirement to get to the truth.

In late August, just after the Barrouse Bales in France, my 'wheels fell off'.   I told my 'event team' before the BB that I was not at my best but that I could still promise to deliver them to the Peyersourde(35 miles from the start) fresh and ready to climb.  I fulfilled the promise but the rest of day was subpar and I would not have been exuberant even if I had avoided the two flats.

In the days that followed, my fatigue grew and my performance fell.  By the time we left France for Spain, it was apparent that I had serious issues.  I was seeing a resting HR that was 20-30 bpm to high and max HR that was 20 bpm too low.   I was 'off the back' on smallest hills and I judged my aerobic capacity to be down 15-18%.

We noodled a few days in Spain…….sure we enjoyed the scenery and roads but I was cooked.  Fatigue set in during the day.   Massive sleep was needed but I could not sleep soundly, night sweats……..oh my!

As soon as we hit the states, I was at a couple of docs offices running cardiovascular tests and blood tests…..nothing.  The usual medical comments, that I was in the upper 1%, were of no solace to me.

By September 11, I had been dialed back for a month without improvement.  It was becoming apparent that I had a condition I had read about……I was overtrained.  Yes overtrained, I had not just overreached, I was facing a serious long term problem.

At the very least, I had made mistakes calculating the stress of 4 or 5 issues outside my daily training.  In doing so, I had massively underestimated my stress load.   At least one of my trusted advisors raised the question that maybe it was personality traits(not positive ones) that got me here and that maybe I needed to dig for answers?  I had little doubt there was some truth in this.

So, here I am today taking a dose of 'medicine'……..a long layoff, some new supplements, lots of rest, meditation, solid nutritional plan and some soul searching.  I am studying Spanish, talking to our kids on the phone, cooking and considering bocce ball or bowling as a new sport!

Nobody knows how long it will take.  I remain faithful that I will return to my former levels but don't look for any race stories soon. If one has to face this, it is a good time as the season is over.  I remain thankful that I have many people supporting, advising and helping me.

One of my trusted advisors reminded me that when there is a pile of crap, sometimes there is pony.  My Dad was optimistic in this way.    I am not yet sure what the lessons are in this case.   I am just going to keep looking for a pony.

I am still getting out just a little so I still hope to…

See ya out there.

 

Steve Miller learns about Racing

" I cannot believe how hard the start of those swim races are with so many bodies swimming and climbing over each other.  I did better this year, not getting so anxious and out of breath at the start of the battle.  It helped doing multiple races. " Steve Miller(Steve is life long athlete who cycles and played college football at the Div 1 level 'back in the day').  

Don't freaking tell me a crit is scary.  This guy jumps in the ocean with about 1000 people and swims out around two piers and back to shore….. I don't  know…maybe 2 miles?  Yea, through the surf in 'cold as heck' water.   Last race, a 7 foot long shark was sighted.

When we went to the start of the Barrouse Bales recently, our plan was to start at the front.   Chris, Hellen, Christina and I had our tires on the start line.   The road was about 20 ft wide and no more than 50m from the line was metal barrier protecting some utility construction.   There were about 5-6 guys crammed into the first line with us and rest of the 419 people were behind us.   Christina and I set there calmly knowing this thing would start like and explosion and collapse to 12 ft wide causing a huge traffic jam for the racers behind us.   People would be unclipping….a horrible sound.  Some would be yelling obscenities in French.

We were totally prepared as this was only one of many races this year.   In the recent weeks, C has said a couple of times that more frequent racing really reduces her stress running up to a race.  This is coming from someone that use to feel stressed out about doing the SCTAC 'B' ride/race on Tuesday nights………she loves SCTAC now.

It is almost amusing to me that so many people never learn this:  You cannot do anything well(and have fun) without the correct preparation and in athletics, this means doing races before 'the big race'.  It means racing often so one is 'race hard' physically, but mostly mentally.  Some people who have 'race reluctance' say, "I don't race, I just like to have fun."  Hum….to me, racing is fun.  They say, "I just like to ride, I am not competitive any more."  I used to ride with a couple that said this……every ride would become a race……every hill a competition.  "I am not competitive…"?  They wanted to beat my ass every time we threw our legs over our bikes.   I gave 'em up.  Most of time, I just want to ride(albeit hard sometimes), not competing but working with my ride mates!  Save competition for racing.  Before leaving this, I want say understand most folks that ride bikes do not want to race bikes(like most do not swim in open water ocean races)….I get that.  Some want to race but it is beyond their comfort zone.  However, all of us compete at something in our lives, so overcoming limits caused by comfort zone issues is terrific lesson to learn!

I've got a pal named Gary Rancourt, that does not cycle anymore.  After a year or so of paddle boarding, he recently finished a 25 mile race.  He endured boating traffic, head winds and waves, falling off the board several times.  Took over 5 hours.  You think this guy understands how to increase his comfort zone?  Don't use age as excuse either……Gary is about 70.  You can increase your comfort zone until as long as yoga re breathing.

Thirty five years ago I started a dinky business from scratch.   At that time, I could not speak publicly to 300-400 people(or 3-4 either), ask a bank for a $10m line of credit, or close the sale of a $2m contract……heck, I was cleaning the toilet and typing letters.   I increased my comfort zone…..day after day….year after year.   Now, I am back cleaning toilets and typing letters.  And, I like it….funny how life works.

Anyone can increase their comfort zone, or just set around Starbucks, drink coffee and talk.  I love Starbucks but I like a big comfort zone because it allows me to do a lot of stuff.  I've ridden in Europe and Africa but C has been talking about Asia and Hawaii……wow! gonna need to increase my comfort zone again.

See ya out there.

  

The 'Blue Train' Rolls through the Pyrenees

Sunday, we were proud to be representing Modry Evergreen Racing.   Racing in France is like playing baseball in the major leagues here in the USA.  Cycling is the second largest sport in the country and these guys take it very seriously.

Christina and I teamed with our good friends, Chris and Helen Balfour of Pyractif, for the Barrouse Bales in French Pyrenees.   This is a 74 mile race with 8100 feet of climbing and 2 major mountain climbs.   It encompasses the Peyersourde(Cat 1 - the hardest rating for a climb) and the Port de Bales(HC - so hard it is beyond rating).  The race drew 419 finishers(a record).  The weather was super.

Our goal was clear:   1st and 2nd Overall Women's

We met the goal!  Of course, this meant that we were 1st in Women's 20-39(Helen) and 1st in Women's 50+(Christina)!

Almost better than the podium results were the times:

Helen - 4:33 and change (last year's time was 4:56)
Christina - 4:37 and change (last year's time was 4:56)

Unbelievable.   These were the two fastest women in southern France today!

Christina and I were both thrilled with her race.   She used every tool in her bag.  The 33 miles out to the first climb were hard and darn hilly and we maintained 32.4km/hour……..then she PR'd on the Peyresourde and was 1 minute off her PR on the Port de B.   Helen is the very best female climber

in MY world and also raced a 'complete' race.  I was very proud of C's finish, only 4 minutes behind her.

As for me, I did everything I could, for those 33 miles, to get my team out to the climb as fast and fresh as possible.   We took 12 minutes out of last years effort.  It was not without it's pain for me.   I did a respectable climb up the Peyersourde as my team rode away from me(as planned…it was Chris who would marshall from there, and he did).  Ever optimistic, that I could catch them, I was going 65km/hour on the descent when my back tire blew out.  I rode to a stop in 300-400m in the weeds.   I climbed off shaking.   Two flat repairs later, a begged for tube(hard to beg when don't speak the language), a 2km walk uphill and a 45km ride on a tire with 40 psi in it, I limped in.   My first question was, "Did I make the time cut?"

All in a day of racing.

You know me.  I always look for the lessons learned or relearned, that I can apply to my life in general:

Dream Big - We set very clear bold goals……..goals that seemed almost unattainable!

Prepare - We did 4 weeks of heavy prep and C came into this in 'all time' peak fitness and peak form.  There is no substitute for being prepared no matter what your challenge.

Trust - Trust that people around you can sometimes see more in you than you can see in yourself.  Trust your preparation.   Trust your team mates.   Trust your coaches.   Trust yourself.

We are gonna kick back and do some cruisin' now………we earned it!  Well, we might do the Superbagneres Race (19km straight up a big mountain) next Saturday…….a birthday challenge for me(a real mountain climber…ha ha!).  Stay tuned.

See ya out there.

   

Me and George Hincapie

Page 134
The Loyal Lieutenant
by George Hincapie

After standing on the top step of the podium in February, I entered a standard month of training and racing I'd always embraced.  When I was back in Greenville, I'd begun to work with a 'performance mind coach' by the name of Christina Maddox…………..our work unlocked a level of focus I didn't know I had…………and her advice gave me a new weapon in my arsenal.

The influence that Christina has had on George, concerning what I call 'effective thinking skills', could be infinitesimal compared the influence she has had on me.

I sat in workshops and classes for 20 years but more importantly, I have soaked this stuff up from her through osmosis.  She pretty much lives it!

Recently, a female masters triathlete told me she credited Christina(what she learned from Christina) with making her an Iron Man….or maybe an Iron Woman?  This was after 2 hours of classes at Carolina Tri during some Tri club meetings!

A local well known fitness professional, who attended a weekend workshop, told me a few months ago that she can't even remember how she thought before her workshop experience with Christina.

Christina and her organization never taught me what to think but how to think.   They taught me the power of positive self talk, that my current thoughts would determine my future, the leverage for change was in my beliefs, not my actions.  They showed me the power of bold attainable goals and how to set them.  More importantly, how to attain them.

They taught me that all meaningful and lasting change starts on the inside and works it's way out.  They taught me more…much more.  They taught me how to make these and other tools a part of me.

I still have all my foibles……..but these skills have helped me learn how to use my most effective and complicated tool….my brain.

During the years, I have seen many people change their lives with these tools, as I have.   I have seen many more dismiss these truths and resist.   When the student is ready, the teacher will appear…….and not before.

OK…back to George and Christina…….or really what they know, can bring about, and make happen.  What we can learn from them is important…..not really them personally as I am not putting either of them on a pedestal.

George is retired, still riding and not race fit anymore.  I promise though, he can still break a mortal human's legs.   If you get a chance to ride with him, take it.   He still has the magic.  Watch, listen and learn.  Learn about being a champion, not just riding a bike.  If you understand how champions think, you can be one at work, home, church or just about anywhere.

Christina is retired, also.  She hasn't spoken in front of world class leaders or audiences of hundreds, in a few years.  However, she too, still has the magic.  So, if you are ready, you might, you just might want open yourself up to some ideas that have been game changers for people like George and I.  Just listen….listen close.  And, maybe one of these days we will get a magic marker back in her hand and put her in front of a white board??  Maybe…if we're lucky.

Punchline:  If you keep on doing what you always been doing, you will keep on getting what you always gotten.   I love my life but I still want a better one!

See ya out there.

Oh, the picture of C and G is at the Paris Roubaix the year he got second.   They worked together that year prior to the race.   At that time, no American had ever been on the podium in the hundred plus years of the race.  Not sure if that is still true? He always wanted 1st.  To paraphrase a great writer OG Mandino, "He aimed his spear at the stars and only hit the moon, but wasn't that better than aiming at the moon and hitting a rock?"

The Bottom Rung

When I was 9 years old, I went to Little League try outs and I made the majors.   This meant I would be in full uniform playing the next 4 years for Elgin Butler Brick.  I would be playing in a league largely dominated by 11 and 12 year olds.  I was starter that year but I was about the 9th best kid on the team.  That changed tremendously by the time I was 12.

I have a lot of these stories…….that is about being the last rung on the ladder.   I played serious softball in Texas in my 30's and I was 10th best guy when we hit the field.

Playing with better people makes me better, I came to learn a long time ago.   It is also tough on the ego.

When we started the Headstrong Team several years ago, both Christina and I were nearly the weakest riders.  For 2 years, we worked and learned.  We trained.   It hurt physically, being the last person up the hill.   Everyone was at a moderate pace while we were nearly full gas.  We got better and better.   There is an old saying, " If it doesn't kill ya, it'll make ya better!"

By year 3, we both graduated and in year 4, we were dishing out some pain vs. always taking it.

Well, the planning is on for 2015, already.   C and I are going to what is a 'dream team' for us.  Thirteen of the Masters from Modry are moving to Carolina Cycling.  Modry has been great but this will create one of the top Masters/Womens teams in the southeast.  It is a great bunch of people, also.  I will be the oldest person on the team………no surprise.   I am close to the oldest person in the world!   Here is the kicker.   I will likely be the weakest rider on the team…….hum……."Play it again, Sam."  No where to go but up!

My world view is that equilibrium is never maintained for longer than moments……..one is either getting better or getting worse, at anything whether athletic, business or personal.   If you agree with my world view, it stands to reason that getting better is usually better than getting worse.

Whether at work, in a sports team, a running group, a book club, take stock of your associates.    If you want to get better, try joining a team of people who are mostly better than you are…….smarter, faster, stronger.   You WILL either die or get better………….and you WILL NOT
die.

Given the alternative, I will always take trying to keep up on a great team over being a lead dog on a mediocre one.  But, that's just me!

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to get better in 2015 and spend a lot of time with some great people.  I am thrilled to wear the red and white of Carolina Cycling Team next year.

See ya out there.


     

PREPPING FOR OUR NEXT BIG CHALLENGE

We just can't get enough of France, the Pyrenees, Barrouse Bales (BB is a cyclosportive race) or Pyractiv (our accomodations).

We are headed back for a three-peat in August.   To the right, is a great podium pic of Christina in the Women's Masters 50+ last year.  She was also 5th in women's overall.  Her French competitors were very gracious.

This year, our batteries are charged and we are on track.

Today we start a 17 day nutritional block designed to bring us to 'race weight'.   This block will not only allow us to shed a few unneeded pounds but also fill our tanks with jet fuel.  We kicked our training off with a 135K ride that entailed some climbing.   I am still injured and inhibited from standing climbing so we must delay our steep climbing training just a bit.  Rain turned us around and we are reset for tomorrow.

Our race is on August 10th and we are currently discussing/clarifying our race goals but I think there are two things on which we can improve, along with being in the 'shape of our lives'.
1.  Start closer to the front.   There are two distances and each have about 600 competitors.   We need to start closer to the front and get in a faster pack going out to the first climb, which is about 30 miles.
2.  Descend faster.    We are going to practice the tricky descent on the Port de Bales prior to the race.  Last year Christina and Helen were passed by 2 women on the final descent and it would be good to avoid this again.

Our training looks pretty simple:

*  5-7 big climbing rides w/race pace climbing efforts
*  4-5 SCTAC - C20+ added miles on front and back.
*  2-3 training races or hard Saturday group rides.
*  Lots of endurance pace stuff.

Chris and Helen Balfour, our hosts and friends, are joining us in the race.   These guys are doing the
L' Etape du Tour (an amateur race of a TdF stage) on July 20th.   They are in crazy shape.   Helen reached the podium last year in the BB (and was 6th women's overall) but I think she can win the 35+ this year.   I do not yet know her goals or Christina's, but they could be 1-2 in the women's overall.  Chris just turned 50 and will certainly be a top finisher in that AG.

This whole journey includes the same vital elements I use for any challenge in life:

*  Set clear and specific goals.
*  Plan my preparation.
*  Execute my plan.
*  When it gets to the 'day of reckoning', trust my preparation, myself and my team mates.
*  Go all out……if I fail, I fail.  I don't leave anything out there.

I will keep you posted.

See ya out there.

The Tough Guy is Not So Tough This Time Around

When I was at A&M(1 Million Years BC),  I was tough as heck.  While I played varsity football there, I maybe missed 1 or 2 practices in 3 years.  I missed ZERO games.  I played 'hurt' most of the time.  I can remember setting alone in my room in tears, just thinking what I might be able to do if I could just be 'all well'.

In the years I spent in business with my partner Jim Landino, we said our most important attribute was that we showed up……no matter how bad things were.   We showed up.   We were tough guys.

Well, my latest tough guy test came at NC State RR.  As many of you know, I crashed with no one to blame but myself.  I knew I was hurt the second I pulled my face out of the dirt.  I took off on Sunday but Monday found me out for about 2 hours…. wrist brace, ibuprofen and bandages and all.  Once again, I was proving I was a tough guy, if to no one other than myself.

By Wednesday, I soloed a 131K ride for my June Strava 130K Granfondo Challenge.   No doubt, I overdid it.  Pain and exhaustion followed in the next days.  

On Saturday, our family vacation started.   Usually, I am leading the charge.  Our family consists mostly of folks who take a rest AFTER their vacation.  This year, I have not been able to hack it.  I am unable to mountain bike on single track, water ski, wake board or paddle board.  Oh sure, I have done a couple of 2 hour road rides on the MTBs and a short hike, but mostly the kids and grandkids are asking if they can help me…….  They are carrying and lifting things for me.  I am taking a lot of naps. I am struggling with feeling like I have aged ten years since our last vacation, one year ago.  Then, I mountain biked rugged single track for 3 hours and helped carry a small child over a mountain and back on a hike……..in the same day…..in 100 degree heat.

I have been here before and come back.  I will come back again. Maybe just not as fast as a tough guy would like?

Right now, I am working on being less physically tough and more mentally tough.   I am working on enjoying my family more in a cheerleader role than a leader role………..I am a fortunate guy.

My granddaughter, Aly, ask me what it felt like to 'have created' this group.   Answer:  GOOD, VERY GOOD.  I love this team more than life itself.

See ya out there.

Oh, I almost forgot….here is the Totally Radical Slalom Skiing Grandmother Dude!   She's holding up the Grandparents on this vacation.   And, I did a paddle board run this morning so maybe I am not ready for the grave, yet?