Hill of Ice

A group of mountain bikers were going out this morning on the Harmony Hill trails, so I resolved to join this hardy group in 20 degree temperatures, practice my MTB skills and learn some new trails.

In order to get some extra miles in, I decided to ride the 6 or 7 miles over to the trails. The wind was howling across the fields and the cold was bitter against my face, toes and fingers. Navigating a series of unpaved back roads, I found myself at the top of a 50 foot decent that was covered in ice. A bit mesmerized by the beauty of the shimmering surface, I slowed to determine my next move. Before my brain could translate what was happening, I felt my cold body crash against the hard slippery surface. I quickly understood that the fall caused no serious physical damage, but a bit of contortion was required to release my foot from the pedal and right myself and bike on the ice. The answer was quite simple - ride in the snow on the roads narrow shoulder. My main thoughts at the time were - I wish I had my camera, and I better keep moving or I'll be late for the ride.

After another 30 minutes of uneventful, but very cold riding, I arrived at the trails, happy to see several riders preparing. The bike equipment being pulled from the vans and cars put my humble kit to shame. My water bottle was already frozen, but my slushy protein drink was drinkable. The other riders pulled out their camelbacks, and I made a mental note to bring mine next time - not long afterward, several riders were complaining about frozen camelbacks, so I'll need to bring my insulated tubing too.

I was a bit nervous, hence cautious, at the start of the ride for several reasons. The guys up front were just flying down the hill and I was the forth person, so I felt like I was holding up the rest of the group. There were plenty of ice/snow patches across the trail. I've never ridden on snow covered trails before and was unsure how my bike would respond. My general skill level is pretty low given that I rarely mountain bike.

As the ride progressed, my confidence increased when I got comfortable on the snow and my skills and balanced began to return. By the end of the ride, I felt like I could go longer, but I still had a very cold ride home, exposed on the open roads. It took almost 2 hours to go 18 miles, but that's trail riding for you.

The slow build

My goal this week is 12 hours of training. I've run 41 miles, but have only biked 60 miles – all on my indoor trainer. After my 12.5 mile run with the run club this morning, I didn't have enough time to catch the bike club, so I got on the trainer and did an hour worth of 10 minute repeats – watching cartoons, then cutting over to a Tivo'd Grey's Anatomy. This got me to about 8.5 hours for the week so far with just one day left. I might have to start swimming soon to add a few more hours of training to the week or alter my training plan. Rachel's coffee house was pretty cool last night, but it was tough getting up this morning to run and ride… it's time for an afternoon nap.

Into the Dark

As I headed back to work this week, there were record breaking warm weather days for January in Philadelphia. There is something unfair about that. Not to worry, I made sufficient use of the beautiful weather, riding into work one day, running at lunch most days.

Riding in the Dark
With newly acquired bike helmet mounted headlamp (Headtrip 3.0), I left my house at 6am. The darkness was solid given a 7:23am sunrise forecast. A patch of fog 50 meters from my home colludes with my Headtrip to excessively illuminate the immediate 4 feet in front of me, turning the rest of the world into an unseen chasm of darkness. My sleepy dull senses sharpened quickly as my bicycle, responding to gravity, pulled me quickly downhill through the chilling fog. Further jolted awake by an undetected pothole, I make a wide, gradual turn on to more downhill darkness. I strain my eyes through my mist covered glasses in an effort to survey the road for critters which would not show themselves through the fog until the last possible moment. After less than 1/2 mile of a 20 mile ride, logic and instinct send signals to turn around and give up this venture, but the fog begins to clear as I begin to climb out of this swale into the warm morning air.

Hibernia Bike

Hibernia Bike
Originally uploaded by sturino

Checking out Flickr integration with Blogger. This is a short ride I posted in Flicker - the ride portion of the Brandwine Valley Duathlon.

Lucky Hill Run

Leaving from my house this run is about a 10 kilometer loop through some beautiful country and past some nice homes.


Mile 2.5

Mile 3

Mile 3.5

Mile 3.75

Mile 3.75

Mile 4

Mile 4

Mile 4.25

Mile 4.5

Easing back into it...

7.5 mile trail run in Brandywine on Monday with Chris. Some weight lifting and lumber jacking yesterday. 65 minutes on the bike trainer (21miles) followed by 1 mile run this morning. Trying to build some strength without injuring myself.

Right knee is 90% better - left hamstring is still tight - plantar fasciitis is 80%. Hopefully everything is well rested enough to gradually eas back into things.

2008 Race Schedule...

Apr 6: Brandywine Valley Duathlon
Apr 27: Big Sur Marathon
Jun 22: Philadelphia Triathlon
Aug 31: ITU Triathlon Long Distance World Championship

To be updated.

The New Year

I haven't done New Years Resolutions for decades. Ages ago I decided that I should fix things when I recognize them going wrong. Small course corrections over time seem to work well. Letting things stay off track until the New Year seems odd to me.

So, when I see something wrong in the way I am approaching life, and if it is of relative importance (you can't fix everything), I will endeavor adjust.

That's it... if I stumble upon an epiphany, I'll share.