With Christmas around the corner and nearing the end of December, it feels good for the body to adapt to my new position for the coming season. Remember, no hard rides until Feb. This weeks forecast calls for more rain and cold temperatures, so get back in the gym and continue the strength training. Last Saturday ride was good. Andre and I rode 51 miles with 3500 feet of climbing at a very mellow pace. I never saw my heart rate reach over 145. Thanks for the great ride Andre. Until the next blog, HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND SAFE NEW YEAR!!!!
Al

Thursday's ride was definately on the cold side. It was the first day I rode since the week prior and it was very cold. It was 35 degrees outside without windchill, but when riding at 20 mph, it probably was 28-30 degrees. CHILLY WILLY!! Anyways, body still feeling very good during this off season (Nov, Dec and Jan) looking to putting the LSD miles in ( long slow distance) in the coming weeks.
Later
AC

First week of riding the road bike and it felt good to be taking it easy. One thing I don't understand in the cycling community: Why, during the off season do cyclist train like its the middle of racing? RELAX and go slower to get FASTER!!!!! Tuesday I was greeted with 42 degrees at 6:00 am to start my 80 miler with Coffee crew (yes, these guys are fanatics). My averaged heart rate was a mere 143. I can feel the body burning the weight off. Dropping weight and leaning out as much as possible before march is a must for a road cyclist during this time of year in order to become efficient as possible. Continue strength training on Mondays and increase the mileage on the bike is a perfect prescription for early season success. Current body weight is 174 (last year this time 210) and I'm beginning to feel good.
Thought for the day: YOU HAVE A CHOICE, YOU CAN LIVE ORDINARILY OR EXTRAORDINARILY, I CHOOSE THE LATTER!!!!!!!
Till next time.
AC

Cross Training Time!!

With one holiday down and one to go, it's time to mix things up a little and work out on the weaknesses. For example, those dreaded hills (or speed bumps I call them in Orange County, Mountains in Los Angeles County). These include strength training (lunges, squats, running, dead lifts and core body exercises), for me I do these every Monday beginning in mid November all the way through December. I also like to ride my mountain bike, run and even surf. This is a perfect time of year to drop those unwanted pounds too. Let's face it, the laws of gravity don't lie: the heavier you are (I'm 175), the harder it is to push yourself up any hills. Your engine needs to be really efficient, that means the leaner your able to get to, the better your engine will work. Remember this, if cycling was easy, everyone one would be doing it. With this being said, keep in mind caloric intake, what type of caloric intake (preferably whole raw foods) and amout of caloric intake.......less is best!!!
Take care and a penny for your thought....THE HARD PART IS LOOKING FOR THE EASY WAY.
Later

As promised, the Turkey Tri went through without anyone drowning, vomiting, or even a blown aorta, that's not to say it was easy. However, Team Beach Kings placed a respective 6th place. My bike time was around the 34 -38 minute mark. I will comfirm once the splits are posted by Wednesday. Here are some pictures for your viewing interest.

THIS JUST IN: OFFICIAL TIME SPLITS

.5 mile swim @ 30.00

14 mile bike @ 46.48

4.3 mile run @ 32.45

Until next time, that's all folks.