Soul cycle training.... global

Today was still on the trainer.  Due to tight time restraints I needed to keep it easy and in-house.  Wanted to hit 3 hours 80-100 rpm.   Hit only 2.5 but pushed higher rpm's and did some upper body challenges, similar to some soul cycle classes I've taken in the past.  4 reps of 12 all upper body.  I call this training more global.. :)
Feed the mind with some great inspiration of true artistry.  One that does not feed by return, but one that does from pure pleasure and vision, inspiring... I enjoyed every minute of this film. 
Bill Cunningham, NY - One of the very greats of all time in the fashion industry, truly, truly inspiring on many levels.

Then finished off with the balance of Burning Man.  Incredible how much goes into such an event, really incredible!!!   Putting this one on the long term list... the list I don't officially have... haha...
I will be back on the training cycle Tuesday morning ( my Tuesday evening ).  Cycle shoes are packed and ready for my next adventure..

Genre - Documentaries and spinning ( and a little chris) haha

Last 2 days I was forced inside to the trainer :(  Although it is a great way to catch up on my "documentaries" haha!!!  Friday greeted me with about 4-5 inches of snow on the ground..  Then today were high winds.  In addition, the concerns of the sand and ice patches.  Need to stay extra safe these days.   Well today is exactly 3 weeks prior to the event... There is no time for slacking...   A little Chris... training intervals... cadence monitoring... then a bit of feeding the mind...

Stats:

80-90 rpm - middle gear - medium resistance
4.0 hours total - over 2 days.... okay..okay.... I need to do more... Just need to find the time.. ugh!!!
Other than Chris...
Views to feed the mind:   Waste Land - Vik Muniz
                                          Discovery Atlas
                                          and 30 Minutes into Burning Man

Tomorrow I hope to do 3 hours... Have to pack for my next adventure.. and get the kids ready for next week... so, busy as can be... but I have to do it...   Wonder what temptation of the mind I will chose tomorrow..  I can't wait to decide... haha...

Time for my muscles and mind to rest.

Just a side note... I've been away from home for a while now and I do miss my cycle adventures with my tour(ture) director... If you're reading this... Hope to see you soon :)  I miss your inspiration!!! 

Yard Sales - Typo correction.. :/ hehe

As my last evening here winds down in the Sierra mountains,  the sky turns to shades of pink and blue.  One of the most beautiful I've been lucky enough to see here in Nevada.   So today was my last day of skiing.  The weather was amazing at a high of 57 degrees, as they would say, Spring skiing.   The kids bailed on me today,  but a secret….  I didn't mind as I LOVE my adult days on the verticals.   I feel free and adventurous and able to push by limits, in depths, speed, ability and focus on technique.  So my sister and I hit the mountains hard,  speed was of the target today, and speed we did…Was able to catch some air on the runs which was really fun…  Speed…. whether it be on the bike, slope or int he car… I get that feeling taken over by the desire to fly.  The overall conditions again were "okay-good" considering the limited snow fall for the season.  The glades/trees were affected the most as coverage was sketchy.  And my sister opted out of a few runs through the trees with her new K2's.  So I ventured alone, although she did give a few a try.  I don't blame her… Who wants to ruin new K2's with rock skiing…. :(    We actually met the general manager of our complex on the slopes and he turned out to be an AMAZING skier!!!!!  Even asked him for any pointers.  He said my technique was really good, but that the one things that stood out was my hand/arm and pole position. Stay put in front and don't move from side to side… you want your body front and forward always.    We also did some bumps as well and again he said the technique was good but to focus on the hand/pole position and when turn to lift the leg higher which will help on the turns around the bumps….   He gave us some great ideas for future ski trips, Canada, Montana and Utah on the top of the list for next year.  He also told us about the helicopter skiing which has now been added to my short term  list, that I don't officially have..haha.  I would hope maybe 3-4 years for that one.  The avalanche factor makes me a little nervous with the kids being so young still, they need their mom…  although my son has already told me he is going...  Anyway… This week was not much on the wheels but all about the sticks… Did the 5-6 hours daily work on the legs, so I felt the muscle and endurance part of training was satisfied. Heavy cardio was there but was minimal.  I'm at the home base for the next few days so I hope to hit the road or trainer hard.  

Stats for the week:

30 hours total - Typo correction.. hehehe
Intermediate downhill on 2 - 156 K2's
Minimal stopping for the occasional photo op and or a rest break and mountain mary
OR the gathering of a yard sale..hehe… 

An adventure with some stolen moments... and some training??

Last few days have been focused on my kids... an adventure.. some stolen moments we will all remember for times to come... But don't worry have kept up with plenty of physical challenges to prep for the big event... hehe!   4 days of hard runs.. and my favorite parts..... mogul mania... haha... I think I might be liking " Ellie's swing"  and "Ellies"  although towards the end it was pretty rough... the conditions are quite better than I had expected...  but thank god for rentals.. the bottoms part at least... tracked about 5 hours net time daily.. haha.. all fun.. Tomorrow is the last full day..   Next year I get myself a epic unlimited pass...Kids hit Kirkwood on Thursday without me :(.. sure they will have a great time.. Thanks Aunt Amy and uncle Marc..

Catching up

Well,  Sadly I have to say that I think the pace that I have been keeping up has finally caught up to me... or.... I just got the cold my daughter had the week prior... anyway... UGH!!!

I will stay put for the next 5 days and have some mega fun on the slopes of Heavenly... South Lake Tahoe...  met up with my kids... made the journey to the mountain... got the ski rentals tonight, although this year I brought my own boots... Lesson learned from last year... not letting new " foreign " boots get the best of me... We are right on the mountain and we keep hearing the graders coming by... Wish I had some pics to post but... my hands were too full of tissues... to carry the camera... hahah...  I know.. I know... this is about cycling and the training but it is also about the person behind it.  Anyway... I'm meeting up with a photo group on Sunday.. I've been following them for a bit and it just happens that they planned a photo walk to South Tahoe the same time I was here.. going to be wicked fun!!!!  Well bottom line... :(  no training today although I had great expectations.. thought I would run as the roads here are really clear...But not being able to breathe through my nose held me back from doing that. LOL... but don't worry I will make it up on the mountain tomorrow.  Oh and BTW..... my legs are killing me... Thanks David!!!! ( aka bootcamp instructor)  Yes.... my legs... can you believe it... they hurt??? Weird?  Til tomorrow.

On the Road - Boot camp

Today started for me before the sun rose.  The light of the city and crescent moon were beautiful so I partook in some image capturing.   Even talked my way up to the 8th floor to watch the sun rise.  Got some good shots after I moved past the actual glory of the moment. hehe :)   After the peacefulness and calm it was off to boot camp.  Decided to run there and took a slight detour ( intentional- I'll never tell) but made it to Lacy Park right on time.  Boot camp was great as it challenged me ways that I had not never challenged - at least in the last 6 months.  David, my "drill sergeant" made sure he hit me hard, all parts..  apparently there are some parts that I have been missing :/ on my training.  After this cycling event, I think it is time for me to go more global in my training. There are other parts of my body other than my legs.....LOL  Was great fun but I think I might be hurting tomorrow in places I've never felt... Thanks David!!! I think???? Until next time

Training on the "road"

Although time is drawing near to the big event...  I unfortunately have been forced off the asphalt and into the sky... hehe... Life happened and away from my home base and my "Ralph and Steve" training membership for weeks... although catching a little pleasure in between.   Doing my best to keep the training going with what I have.  Gym's have worked but where I'm unable I hit the road running.  Today I hit the gym.. 2hour 15 minutes cycle.. average rpm was 85... peaked at 105.  Watched "TV" on the screen as I monitored my cadence and distance.. caught NCSI and  Law & Order... hahaha  Haven't watched those in years! Was the last one standing or should I say sitting in the gym.  Off to Boot camp in the park tomorrow morning... First time ever... I'm looking forward to  it.   BTW... that is not my reflection haha... it is the TV image.... :)  Off to chill and watch a little Nova... Learning a bit about the Himilayans...   Until tomorrow...

Cat and Mouse

Sorry for the delay on the Cat and Mouse footage.... Life happens... hehehe...

Stats:
39 PMR miles  twice over...  3:07
43 miles total
Partner: 1/4 of the way... Ralph.. hahaha
Temp: 40 degrees - totally nailed the "what to wear" question... 3 layers...

What did I take from this ride:  WOW... I can remember the first time I rode this route... It was a huge accomplishment...one time around... The ability and drive to actually want to do it twice was amazing... And if I had the time...  I would have said... yes... let's do it again.. Perhaps before my trip to Arizona I will travel this route until I can't... hehe... We will see if we can squeeze it in! UGH!!

Enjoy the footage...

http://youtu.be/AvwV98J97Zg

Siddartha's journey

What better of a way to start the week but to allow the gently tones of Gere's voice ( haha) guide me through Grubins interpretation of Saddartha's journey.  Hope to add to this later as I have much to say but must start my own journey this week. 

The peddling part:  :)
Stats:  Chris was not played....Surrendered to Gere's words... heheh
Cadence: 60-70 - I know, I know!!!! - Top gear tho... but no resistance
Duration: 1 hour

Work in progress...

Video and stats not quite ready from the cat and mouse race.. working on it... but the statement of the race is from Ralph "  I thought I would have caught you on the mountain the first loop" HA!... LOL.... NOPE... second loop top of 55!!.....     Video to follow... needs a bit of work...  Cat and mouse and BTW... still getting the hang of the gopro... yes, yes... I turned the button on... but ran out of memory 1/2 of the way through... had to use my phone camera for additional footage... haha

Spacial Awareness - Catch me if you can

Needing to share a note sent to me from Ralph.....As I mentally prep for the cat and mouse race tomorrow... a double loop on the Pawling mountain race!!!  (me... being the mouse..hahaha) Amazing mentor!!!

He writes:
Suggestions for Friday. Be warmed up. Ride as hard as you can, but still be able to say single words. Only for short times should you max out your heart rate. 5 min. at a time. Then ride steady so you can speak a word. You should always have some difficulty speaking full sentences . Don't panic ! Ride your ride as best you can. Be determined on your mission to keep me off the back. Take advantage of your strengths . You are fast on the flats and descents . Ride smooth. Stay small. Sit as much as you can climbing. Use easy gears with moderately high cadence. Try to spin 60-80 rpm on the climb.
Once you run out of gears, ride steady. Don't blow yourself up.
Look at the big picture. Have spacial awareness . Don't focus on your front wheel. Keep your head up, looking at your next goal. As you approach it , move the goal further out. Always pedal over the hill . Many people slow down as they approach a hill top. This is where you drop them , the last hundred yards. Draft everything you can. Try to stay out of the wind. When racing , you divide the route into sections. It's easier to swallow. Don't dwell on the finish. Work on where you are. Your body can take more punishment than you'll ever know. Trust yourself. Smile ! You'll be surprised.
REMEMBER ! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN !
RIDE SAFE. YOU CAN'T WIN IF YOU'RE ON THE GROUND.

Lesson learned:
Lots....  but there is an underlying meaning that I can take to life here....  I never look at the top of the mountain when I climb I find it overwhelming at times, but he knows my cycling tendencies very well and I tend to look only immediately in front of me..At time.... straight down...  But what I really needed to do is.... look slightly ahead at a "close" target.. and once I get there... I need to look at the next closest target.... WOW... I've been 1/2 wrong all this time... Look slightly ahead, which will push me slightly harder... then move onto the next... "Spacial Awareness" my new favorite phrase...   multi steps!!!!  Something to take along with me in life. Thanks Ralph!

See you tomorrow......
Catch me if you CAN!!!!

PAC Tours... thank you

Support from many areas continue to come in.  The cycling community is an amazing community.  I'm  about 6 weeks away from the camp in Arizona and I'm very excited, .  Although my training lately has been often side tracked due to that thing once again that we call "responsibilities of life".  Anyway I wanted to share some great news that the Pac tours has offered me a team bike for the week to use.  That is so cool on their part!!!  Amazing support out there.  Thank you PAC tours!  Tomorrow is "Ralph's cat and mouse ride"  haha!!!  2 loops of the Pawling mountain race, at race speed?? And as most of you know I would be the mouse...   He's giving me a 15 minute head start.. I'm thinking I might need to latch on to a few cars to get more of a head start. NO.. NO...only kidding... safety first... We will see how long it takes for him to catch me... Oh yeah... you bet the go pro will be attached.. Can't promise it will be "on" haha... Although I really need to find another "place" for the camera... I laugh at myself every time I wear it... the helmet is a great place for it, the movement gives you a feeling of actually riding... well kind of...  the outfit and the helmet and the protruding contraption from my head... does not read cool to me..  I guess I have to make up for it in other areas... haha..   Until tomorrow