Where the Heck has July Gone?!?!?!

This month went by WAY TOO FAST! The boys start school in 12 days (Bolivar decided to get things going super early this year and mid-week). Both the boys are bummed as they like them some summer time (although Jake never got to sleep in except for weekends).

Here's a clip of Ian and Deb playing some croquet and my out-building project yesterday evening:



I made the mistake of letting Jake introduce me to his (and his coaches') newest fixation: OLD GREG. It's kind of like Napoleon Dynamite as it gets oddly funnier the more times you watch it. WARNING: It is a different kind of humor so don't complain if you find it non-entertaining; you have been warned...

My mom and pop are coming up this evening and hanging out until tomorrow mid-afternoon. Nothing eventful planned, just a little eats, some croquet, and a bunch of nothing. I plan to continue my out-building project (power wash the floors and get some racks/hangers put in to gets the bikes organized.

Headed out this AM for my 'Friday Regular'. It was pretty chilly (upper 50's) at my 6am departure; felt amazing (almost a hint of 'cross in the air). Decided to take tons of video to document what Crusty is missing (you really need to come down and taste the good stuff). Dale was out of town and Ira is still off the bike so I hit it solo (ipod full of VH's Diver Down, older Kid Rock, smattering of Brad Paisley, and much much more). Ended up with a little under 45miles and 2:40hr ride time; a easy spinning pace. AWESOME is pretty much the only way to describe it. The below clips are in sequence, but only 1/2 of the ride; second half posted at a later time - check back

Stay tuned as more is on the way...

One Just for Winston

The only thing worse than passing up a SRAM Red gruppo for a 'dog hip/back specialist' is THIS; sad (sigh...), just pure sad (typed with a smirk). Does 'Where the Red Fern Grows' not mean anything to you; put him down!

Ian, Deb, and I (Jake was not too interested) loaded up after work, headed south to SPR, and watched the SBU teams play at The Courts. Always entertaining hanging out with the head boys' coach. Ian loves watching and commented a couple times on how disappointed SBU will be when he signs with UNC to play ball. Got home late and we all turn in, but not before I gave Jake a sound thrashing on the chess board.

Got a 1:30hr AM ride this morning and might sneak out with Deb for a bit this evening.

Another One (Project) Bites the Dust...

Garage is re-organized and entirely cleaned up. Glad that is done. Amazing how much room was added. Over the winter I will spackle the holes and re-paint, but for now it's great. Next up (this evening or next) is the out-building rehab into a bike/workout/shop. Not too much to be done, but enough to take up several evenings.

Deb and I snuck out for a 45min ride (on our respective steeds) last night. Incredible weather and, like always, good conversation.

Got an early start on shrub/garden work this AM as Coach picked up Jake for a XC camp in Log-Rog. This wet/semi-cool summer has done wonders for the flower/shrub beds. Satisfied with our garden, but we have had better (darn blite makes it look bad). Ian and I grabbed a couple donuts before dropping him off at BASE.

Met with a real estate agent at lunch as we are exploring the possibilities of selling the casa and building something with a basement and additional play/family room (just exploring and not real committed).

Fitness: Lunch strength workout (total blast to the system); no riding today

Spring Cleaning (better late than never)

Deb and I tackled the task of re-arranging/straightening our garage yesterday afternoon. It was amazing how much crap we had laying around that hadn't been moved (or seen) since we moved in (5 1/2yrs ago). We moved tons of stuff to the attic and a large portion to the trash. We aren't done yet, but it is already amazing how much room we now have. This week I will spackle some holes and it will look like a new place with a new coat of paint.

The plan is to upgrade my shop/detached garage with insulation, sheet rock, and a heater/cooling system; move all my cycling stuff out there and use it the way it was originally intended (Deb smiles every time I mention it).

Ian and I finished up the 'outside' evening with a couple games of basketball. It is still taking some getting used to the 10' goal height. Jake and I played some games of chess and wagered a little Durango usage/tank of gas on the last game and looks like I am driving the Isuzu until school starts (he is really playing well).

Hoped up this AM and met Dale and Nate for 1:30hrs cruising the various 'cross courses at SBU and YMCA ball fields; no efforts just a steady continuous ride. Felt good to ride 90% of the time in morning dew grass; starts the sensations coming. The Orbea has a more forgiving ride than the C'dale and feels a little quicker. Getting pretty antsy for the Blue (arriving some time in August - hopefully).

So by bro calls last night from their vacation in Cali (LA for the first part) filling me in on some of the family fun they are having and mentions how yesterday he is shopping for some kicks at an Adidas store and Issiah Thomas sits down next to him trying on the same shoes. They strike up a little conversation and the next thing you know he gets invited to his house for dinner... OK, maybe no invite to dinner, but does chit chat with the guy, who Jim says was super friendly and engaging. It's always nice to hear of higher profile folks being approachable as so many times that is not the case (at least presented in the media).

Jens Voigt: You are sick in the head if you don't love and root for this guy; between his WWJD (What Would Jens Do) mug, his 2008 interview on "... I tell my body to shut up and do what you are told...", and THIS interview about how to beat Astana this year he is a classic.

Fitness: 1:30hrs steady ride Noon basketball

THE APOLOGY

If you know me then you know from time to time (ok, a little more often than that) I do and say things that are completely stupid and offend numerous folks. Deb is usually good about keeping me in check, but this time I am checking myself.

Last week I ranted about my riding, how racing is connected, and pretty much made the 'leave me alone' comment. Initially I didn't think much of it, but then I started thinking how much I was out of line. Hindsight, I fully understand that Scott's comments (which I deleted) were in no way a dig or hack and he truly is interested in me being at my best for cross. I (and my ego) don't always deal with other's advice and opinions well and it's something I need to get over and take it for what it is - advice on what will help me.

Scott, I am getting ready to give you a call this afternoon to apologize in voice (not in person as I don't see you too often), but for now I apologize and hope to mend hard feelings. My bad...

Sunday and TdF

Randy W. hopped in the truck with me Sunday morning and we made our way to the Queen City Crit. Randy had never watched a race in person and was interested to see what I ramble on about.

I jumped in the Cat 4/5 race and after a couple surges and attacks in the first 15 minutes I could tell my legs were pretty flat and I needed to concentrate on simply finishing with the group (seems to be a recurring theme). All was fine until 2 laps to go; the pace was quickening, I was sitting around 10th or so, and the Big Shark guy in front of me simply lets a gap open quickly (and then he subsequently set up), and I spent the next full lap trying to cover the huge gap. I came close but with 1/4 lap to go I set up as I was toast. Slightly disappointed I couldn't cover and mix it in for the finish, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Randy and I spent the rest of the morning/afternoon watching the races and having a good time. The race turnout seemed pretty low as the field sizes were small. Too bad SPR can't get bigger turnouts and more events, but since those in KC and STL have local races all the time they don't seem to travel in bulk outside of their respective city limits (but then again the don't really need to).

Jake borrowed a Xbox 360 game from a friend and pretty much disappeared for the entire day. I am hoping he finishes soon so I can have a crack at it.

Deb had a girl's movie night (estrogen ocean) with some friends, but not before she whipped up ANOTHER blackberry cobbler for her man. It's great to see her hanging out more and more with friends doing 'girly' things as I know she has wanted such time like this for quite a while. As small town as Bolivar is it appears to have numerous clickish groups and sometimes hard to crack. She had such good close friends in SA and she is starting to get that here.

With mom off doing chick things Ian and I got the lawn mowed (oh yes, he is quite the driver), continues RipStick'in it, and played a ton of basketball. He has quickly moved to his #1 sport again in anticipation of The Courts in October. This year he moves to a 10' goal so he is having to adjust his shot some. I have always liked how goal height (and smaller balls are used) is lower for younger players and raised as their strength and abilities grow. That way kids can learn to shoot correctly and not 'sling' the ball at the goal. E-ball's ball handling skills continue to progress as his left hand is almost as natural as his right and his cross-overs are not to shabby. He is pretty funny as of late as he likes to 'back me down' in the post.

Ira and family dropped by and I got to see August Brown for the first time. I always forget how tiny are the newborns. He looks just like the rest of the Brown crew (luckily like their beautiful mom). You know for some reason Ira seemed to have a couple bags under his eyes and looked just a little drained... hmmmm, can't figure out why.

Jake overslept this mornings 6:20am XC run, but woke up at 6:30, called coach and found out they were running to the Frisco near our house. After a quick splash in the face he was off in search of his AM crew. I watched as he bolted out of the garage and he looks so light and easy it made brought out a huge smile across my grill. He has yet to miss a single AM run (except those while on vacation) this summer and never complains or gripes. He is constantly impressing me with his commitment to team responsibilities (boys team captain) and his individual development. I have no idea of expectations for this XC season, but anticipate a significant gain from last as he is physically stronger, many more base miles/time, and mentally is understanding what it takes to move to the next level (thanks for Coach Bandy and Dixon). He was going so smooth and strong before his Achilles injury in track and I think he is going to use that disappointment for fuel a little of this years fire (something to prove to a couple of the track coaches who wrote him off). Coach Bandy is a guest speaker at a Log-Rog running camp this Wednesday and it taking Jake (and a couple of his top girls) to run with the group. For those interested the following is his '09 schedule:

Sept 5th - SWCCCA @ East Newton (big event, all SPR and surrounding big schools)
Sept 10th - Carthage Invitational
Sept 15th - Bolivar Invitational
Sept 19th - MSSU Stampede @ Joplin - A 'Can't Miss' event
Sept 22nd - Nixa Invitational
Sept 29th - East Newton Invitational
Oct 13th - Logan Rogersville
Oct 24th - Conference Meet @ Reed Springs
Oct 31st - Districts @ Bolivar
Nov 7th - State @ Jeff City (most demanding course in the state)

What a blessed life I have with a best friend/girl who still makes me smile every time she walks in a room and continually spoils me, one son who's love/skill of running continues to grow, and another who can't play enough basketball. Don't shake or nudge me as there is no way I want to wake from this dream!

TdF is over and in the books. Absolutely impressed with AC winning it on his own, LA's physical ability for a podium finish, Cav's 6 wins (with GH and Renshaw's crazy lead outs), and Wiggin's monster rides. What I am sick of hearing is how disruptive and bad teammate was AC and how LA had to deal with him; from my perspective it was the other way around. Alberto was the clear leader of the team from the moment he won his 3rd grand tour last year and should have had a team dedicated to him instead of constantly dealing with the adversity of LA wanting to reclaim his throne. LA is in for numerous kicks to the groin if he thinks he is going to reclaim his winning ways. Yes he finished on the podium, but both AC and AS are head and shoulders better climbers (and will continue to be) and AS is only going to get better at his TT. Contador could have buried LA on the Ventoux climb if they were on separate teams. So, enough of the 'Lance is such a great team player and AC screwed everyone..." AC was his own team and he still won and as for what he did to AK, he was trying to WIN (putting more time into LA and Wiggins before the TT) and not focused on getting his team additional places. That is my $.02

Fitness: Sunday - 40min crit (hard efforts at time, but overall not a high paced) Monday - 1:30hrs of the hardest basketball I have played in some time (tons of interval-like efforts up and down the court) and PM strength workout in the gym (been a while, but time to get back to work).

RipStick Nation and Ramblings

So Ian (and the rest of us) is having a great time on his new mode of transportation. The following are clips of his SECOND day messing around (Jake and Deb's first); I swear the kid is a natural at about anything he tries:

Friday evening we hit the tandem with the Kemps for 1:30hrs. It was a beautiful evening. We finished up at 3Gs (met the boys there) for a little frozen yogurt. When we got home everyone was still taking rounds on the RipStick. Ian and I watched the end of stage 19 (as he's a big Cav fan and hadn't watched it yet).

Plopped myself in front of the tube (Ian joined me midway through) this morning and watched AC and LA defend their positions against the Schleck attacks. It was pretty good to watch, but not as dramatic as the advertised. Interesting to see if MC and Columbia makes it 6. Poll question: 6 stage wins or green jersey; as a ride and as a sponsor which one?

Got the Orbea switched to a 53 ring for today's crit in SPR. Loaded up the truck with Deb and Ira (Jake hanging out with friends and Ian at a SPR Cards game) and off to the races... I had watched the rain all morning and was hoping it would pass through and the crit course dry by race time, but it was not to be. I don't mind racing in the rain, but put several things together (Cat IV + rain = someones going down, don't want to damage a bike going up for sale next month, save some race fees for the new rig...) and I decided the best thing was to spend a relaxing afternoon watching. I could have jumped in the 3/4 race, but with a good group of fast guys I really didn't want to pay just to get dropped a couple laps in. Will reload for tomorrow morning. That's the great thing about mid-summer events; if you don't do them no big deal.

Took a look at Jake's '09 XC schedule and it has the potential for some fast times; more speed courses than climbing (which is good for him). Added more Saturday meets (5 of them) so will have to see how it works with my 'cross (obviously his takes priority).