December 2014: Training Ramblings....The Final Stretch!

The final stretch of the cross season....two races were left in December both of which were the final races in the two local race series - Super 8 and the Sportif Cross Cup.  

In preparation for the 2015 cross season, yup already thinking ahead!, I raced the Masters 123 race at Capital Cross. Boy, this was a fun race, the muddiest of the year and one in which I felt really strong off the back of the MABRA Championships the week previous. In terms of overall result this race turned out to be my most satisfying of the whole season. I ended with a top 10 performance in tough conditions and my highest ranking points from CrossResults (the national ranking site).  All bodes well for next season and I know what I need to improve on to continue to move up the ranks at the higher level.

A mudder at Capital Cross  Photo Credit: Kevin Dillard

 The final and 17th race of the cross season was the Sportif Series finale at BikeneticCX. I had the top spot in the Masters 3/4 series but there was an outside chance that if I DNF'ed for whatever reason that Michael Berry who was in 2nd and whom with I had had a season long battle could take the top spot!  You never know what can happen in a cross race so everything was up for grabs.  And to add some more pressure, my parents were over for the Christmas holidays and were able to come watch the race.

From the gun myself and Mike hit the gas and before the end of the first lap we were way clear of the field. A 2nd place for me would secure the series win so without taking any risks I traded the lead with Mike over the next few laps.  Then with 2 laps to go and after jumping back on after the sand pit, I sensed some doom....the left crank arm had begun to loosen! If that came off, it would be game over and the series gone! Over the next 2 laps it was a matter of nursing the bike to the finish line.  The gaps from us to the rest of the field was enough that a few seconds here or there wasn't going to make a difference.  With one to go all was looking good, we were still away and the crank arm was still on.....an easier last lap enabled Mike to open a small gap for the win but I was able to cruise into 2nd place and the series win.....Goal 3 of the season met!  And now Sarah can have her Sunday's back :-)

The Final Sportif Series Podium....unfortunately Mark couldn't make it so we photo shopped him in!

And what a fun season it was. I think that 'cross has taken priority over triathlon or road racing from now on....when does the 2015 start?  To top the season off, I was able to upgrade to Category 2 so now have no option but to race the Masters 123 races (or straight up 123 races if I feel especially brave!)

Over the next few weeks I'll review the year in terms of training numbers, races etc and get a blog post up.  Without a doubt though, the lack of an Ironman made things a lot more fun, I was able to focus more on cycling and especially cyclocross!

What I am Drinking This Month

GUATEMALA SAN JOSE OCANA from Ceremony Coffee Roasters

A maple syrup and cocoa aroma with brown butter and dates in a sweet, clean cup.

December Total: 475.00 miles/ 33 hours 4mins/TSS: 2210

Swim: 0 miles/0 hrs

Bike: 430 miles/24hrs 57mins

Run: 45 miles/5hrs 46mins

Strength: 2hrs 20mins

November 2014: Training Ramblings....Time to Hit some Goals!

Coming into the cyclocross season I had three main goals, which were all based upon the previous season and what I believed were fully attainable.  These goals were:

1. Win a race
2. Win the Master's 3/4 Sportif Cross Cup Series
3. Win the MABRA Master's 3/4 Championship

And by achieving those three goals, it would assure my upgrade to Category 2 for the 2015 season.  So goal #1 was taken care of in October with a couple of wins. Now onto the other two goals!

The Sportif Cross Cup series was also going to be a tight race until the very final race in December, I had missed a race while up at Providence and had lost some valuable points in the very first race due to a mechanical.  November started well when I took the win at a very hilly BiketoberFest race and gained some points in the standings.

BiketoberFest Podium

The day after Biketober was just a bad day on the bike at Ed Sanders cross. Despite a front row start the legs just felt dead from the get go and rather than dig myself into a deeper hole, I cruised around for a 30th place finish.....you live to fight another day!

The middle of November saw me jump up the categories and race the Elite Master's at both Schooley Mill and Rockburn in the Super 8 series.  This was to serve a couple of purposes 1) Prepare for the upgrade in 2015 and 2) Push myself against more competition!


Well those races didn't disappoint and even with a great crash at Schooley Mill that took me out of the top ten, I ultimately came in 13th and 18th respectively.

The final two races of the month were both in the Sportif Cross Cup series and back to the Master's 3/4. Both of these races turned out to be great and I felt awesome out on the course.  The South Germantown race was a frozen course which gradually melted as the race went on and I was able to take the win.  The next race was goal #3 of the season....the MABRA Championships.

Last year at the championships I came in 3rd and was focused on this race for 2014. With the Thanksgiving week I was able to get a solid week of training in and loved the course having raced here the last two years. From the gun it was just go, go, go and after a lap I was able to pull away from the field to take the win by a minute (over ABRT teammate Mickey Thaxton).

Goal #3 - MABRA Master's 3/4 Champion!

So November included six races, three wins, two race to scout out 2015 and a complete dud in one.  The 'cross season is almost over with only two races left.....Capital Cross where I will race the Elite Masters and then the final round of the Sportif Cross Cup with it all to ride for.  I am now 52 points ahead in the standings and 90 points available!

What I am Drinking This Month
COSTA RICA TORRES VILLALOBOS from Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Elevation: 1550 Meters
A soft mouthfeel surrounds this balanced and sweet cup complete with a tangerine, currant, almond and honey.

November Total: 439.37 miles/ 28hours 5mins/TSS: 1860.2

Swim: 0 miles/0 hrs
Bike: 431 miles/27hrs 2mins
Run: 8.37 miles/1hrs 3mins

October 2014: Training Ramblings......Nuttin but 'Cross

October was all in for 'cross racing, swimming was completely missing in action and I managed a solitary run.  It was all about the bike this month to see how the 'cross focus would pan out.

October saw me race 6 times including the final weekend of Holy week up in Providence, a double weekend of wet local races at Seneca Creek and Tacchino, the big MABRA race in DC and then our own race, ABRT's AACX.  A big month of racing and obviously a big thanks to Sarah for indulging me!

First up in Providence was a double weekend of racing on Saturday and Sunday. This is such a great race and hugely competitive field's in the Master's 1,2,3 on both days. I didn't have any expectations going into the weekend and was starting near to the back due to a) being out of area and b) being low on points.  Rolling around a tight course with multiple flyovers etc with 120 guys is a lot of fun...I ended up mid-pack on both days. It was good to see friends that we don't see too often but also great to spend a day after racing to actually venture into Newport and do some tourist stuff.

Chilling at Providence with Sarah

The following weekend was a weekend of being close but not close enough.  Both races at Seneca Creek and Tacchino were wet races and with Seneca in particularly being a slug fest in the mud.  I had a bad start at Seneca in the Sportif Series and could never get back to 1st place so ended in 2nd. At Tacchino the following day in the Super 8 series I was started further back on the grid on the 5th row as I hadn't raced any of the series to date. Again I moved up through the field and spent a lot of energy catching the front two.  By the final lap there was only two of us and I was done and rolled across the line in 2nd again.  An encouraging weekend for the rest of the season to come!

A rainy blur at Seneca Creek

One of the biggest local races is DCCX held at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in DC. It's a great course and the weather during the week meant it was fast and dry! With a front row start after 2nd of the previous week I knew that things already looked good....no catching up to do!  I had a good start and was sitting 4th as we hit the first set of stairs.  DCCX is a power course that really suits me so not long after the stairs I hit the front and powered through. It was one of those days that I felt great and was really flowing around the course so much so that I was able to take the first win of the season and did so by over a minute!  Bingo, the training and focus on 'cross was paying off.

First win of the season at DCCX

The final race of the month was our own race, AACX hosted by ABRT. We had spent a lot of time over the summer making some adjustments to the course and obviously being able to ride it at the same time. Knowing a course really helps, especially when it is a course suited to your own abilities...a perk of being the race director I guess!  Not only was it a goal race because it's ABRT''s home race but it was also the next race in the Sportif Series which was major focus of the season.  Again a front row start enabled a good placing into the first corner and then it was off to the races. I wanted to be first over the log and onto the climb before it got crowded. With that achieved I was able to gradually increase the lead to win by a minute again.  The video below shows the race and the AACX course (the first lap is probably the most interesting!)

Focused at AACX

With the focus on 'cross for the month of October I ended up with 2 wins, 2 2nd's and a great weekend in Providence. I am well on the way to achieving my season goals for 'cross and am having an awesome time racing. November doesn't slow down with a bunch more races before we finish up in mid-December

What I'm Drinking this Month!

Ethiopia Yirgz Kochere from 1562 Roastery (a great sponsor of AACX)

Ethiopia Yirgz Kochere features direct trade, zero defect from Ethiopia. Notes of Tropical fruit and citrus with a clean and crisp finish.

October Total: 310 Miles / 20 hours 41 minutes

Swim: 0 / ~0 miles / 0 hours 0 minutes

Bike: 304 miles / 20 hours 2 minutes

Run: 5.50 miles / 0 hours 39 minutes