The Razor

I have been "working" for the better part of three months now, between core, gym stuff, and riding I have been having what I would honestly consider my best pre-season ever.  I think that one of the most important things for an athlete, or really anyone who wants to excel at their job I guess, is to establish a routine that works for them.  It sounds so simple but, I remember reading a soundbite from the doctor who is testing the CSC guys, he said that the guys who had the best, most consistent results, the guys who were the best riders were the ones whose biological markers stayed pretty much the same through the whole season.  The routine that needs to be established is the one that will help you have consistent, physiological reactions to the stress of training, racing, and traveling.  If you can make those adaptations as familiar as possible, you will race better.  Period.  I really believe that.  Here is an example that I have to use unfortunately, because it is the easiest to understand.  Lance.  I think that his training consistencies are pretty much legendary.  He knew what was best for him.  I am confident that you will take your potential as far as you can go if you can establish YOUR ROUTINE. 

The funny part about having this routine and getting into this impossible groove, is that what usually happens is that you get going so well, the rhythm is so good that you lose yourself and......you get sick.  Two days ago I had done my fourth ride this season over 5 hours.  The special part about these rides is that it ain't no Carter Lake loop, these sickening routes consist of every frontside-foothills-paved climb in Boulder:  In no order of importance, Lee Hill, Old Stage, Linden, Sunshine, Flagstaff(to the mailboxes), NCAR, and whew, a loop of the Morgul-Bismark.  All my rides, that Allen has lovingly dubbed, Hells Hills, went well, actually getting noticeably easier each time, led to two days ago, and my last ride of this block of training.  I did 5 hours and 4 minutes, about 4000kj, blah, blah...I felt awesome, even after I got home....ate some food, hung out and then it all started to slide out of my grip...

My nose started gettting blocked, my nasal passages into my throat started getting sore...ah, yes, I gain more momentum then I ever have before, and I get sick and the damn "thing" gets away from me.  We call it riding the razor, balancing on the edge essentially of wonderful, unexplainable strength, and bed-ridden, pitiful sickness.  The guy who wrote, "Lance's War" said it best if you are looking for a more heroic definition.  Dammit, another reference, sorry.  Anyway, the point is, it has been a couple days since that started and I have been drinking so much water it would be easier if I just carried a bedpan everywhere, and I am feeling better.  I have also convinced myself that this is a good sign, the end of a block of sick training, a little cold, maybe I need to slow down a bit, and relish what I have achieved so far.  Camp starts in less than two weeks: hard-ass hil-climbing in Silver City, NM for two weeks, I get to test my slipperiness in the wind tunnel next Tuesday, and we finally have a break in the weather, however short-lived, all these events, it is best to just to breathe deep and enjoy them.  Thanks for reading.