Cyclo X-Flatirons

Damn, this blog is turning into a cycling blog lately.  Did the Flatiron Mall Cyclocross Cat 5 race this morning.  Ended up 18th out of 65. This course did not play to my strengths. Mostly wet, slick grass course with lots of turns or bike handlers course, which I am weak on. The course kept getting slicker and muddier on each lap.  Fun!

Thanks again Bryan Trammell for the awesome photos!

US Open of Cyclocross

Finally got some photos of the fun I have been having the past 2 weeks.  Bryan Trammell came out and took some AWESOME photos of me doing my weekly 40 minute sufferfest.  Today's race was at Valmont Bike Park in Boulder.  Hardest course I have raced yet. So fun!!! Lots of bike carries today due to super steep hills and 2 sets of stairs which all plays to my advantage of being more of a runner. Passing people every time we had to run with the bikes. Finished in 6th place, moving on up!

Welcome to the Family Graybeard!

Added the final piece to the family stable.  Foundry Harrow Cross Bike.  Found a used one in great shape at a cheap price, could not pass it up.  Now both my mountain bike and cross bike are from Foundry.  Love the solid colors from Foundry.  Yes I named this bike Graybeard.

This bad boy is an enabler for fun like the Cross of the North cyclocross race that I did this weekend.  Think I found my new sport to help stay in shape after a summer of ultra training. 

So much fun!  Next race is Sunday 10/18 in Boulder at Valmont Bike Park at 7:30am assuming that the kiddo's team does not make the championship game in their hockey tournament, come on out if you are looking for something to do. 

Also been slowly getting back to running 30-40 miles a week and look to increase the intensity of that work to start getting ready for some 5Ks and Crosscountry races this fall along with increasing time in the gym.  All of that should help keep me in shape this winter. 

If You Ain't First You're Last

According to USA Cycling I am in first place for Cat 5 from zip code 80021 after my first cyclocross race last weekend.  Waiting on the sponsors to come calling, hoping for SRAM.  Two more races this weekend.  Get some!

September Numbers Check In

Pretty weak month but guess that is to be expected with taking the time to recover from Leadville.  All of the hiking hours in the chart were from a single day of doing Capitol Peak so lots of time lifting but that is pretty much it.  Put on about 10 pounds as of last week, I would bet it is even more now.  I am trying to get back to running regularly again but my runs don't feel natural, they feel forced if that makes any sense.  Like I am out of whack.  This feeling is normal for me after a 100 but usually does not last this long.

Not sure what is in store for this month but I should get more overall mileage as I try to get back to both running and biking regularly again.