I am here. Not exactly a great holiday retreat but I don't think I would want it any other way.
A short Christmas break for my Sister had her running around all of Wisconsin trying to visit all of our family. A short stop by Lynn and I for a day and a half and she was ready to hustle back to B-town for a mandatory practice. With the snow falling and flights being delayed it was time for a drive. So, we all packed up the Subaru and headed down.
The schedule had Lynn and me returning to Wisco after watching the Hoosiers beat Purdue. That wasn't the case however. Still here. I feel like I have a purpose down here that doesn't involve a bicycle.
I did have plans for that too. A trip to this place was in order but with the temps near zero this morning I decided to change things up.
Not sure of total plans but I know I have to be back to work on Monday! I'm cool with that. I think its nice to hit the reset button and get things back to normal.
Ain't Life Great!
1.02.2010
12.17.2009
The Time Has Come
The time has come folks!
I am back at things again and feeling good about it. Mostly cross training stuff and that is how I like it for now. I am still commuting by bicycle and riding once a week but other wise it has been snow sports.
Last weekend I went XC Skiing with Coach and Lowell K.(ISCorp Junior Coach). It was a blast and it felt good to back on the skinny's. Sunday I went across the road to the Harley Woods on a little snow shoe adventure with my little training partner. She sure likes to run!
I must have made her tired because as soon as I put the bag down she hopped in and was ready to go.
Yesterday it was back to the woods to clean up some down branches and trees from the heavy snow a few weeks ago. I am not all of the way done but the main loop is cleared! Which brings me to my next thought..... This winter I have made it a personal goal to keep the Harley woods rideable. I want to keep the snow packed down and the trees and branches cleared. With the dog walkers invading it is like a double edged sword. It is great to have the traffic to help pack things down but people went through when the snow was wet and made huge ruts. Kind of hard to ride on so I'm not sure what I will do there. I still have a little work to do but other wise it is ok. Any way, if you are in the area on your bicycles this winter keep in mind for the most part Harley will be ridable.
After the woods I got on the old Surly and rode my way to Brookfield East where Joe once again made me work my butt off in the weight room. This time he had me doing some different stuff using Kettle Bells. I realized how weak and uncoordinated I am.....That stuff is hard! Soon I am sure I will get the hang of it but I am sure he won't make it any easier.
Thanks for reading!
DB
12.09.2009
Time for ReFOCUS
Today, as I walked around the house feeling weak and lazy, I pondered....... Almost 20% of men my age are considered obese, and 25 to 35 percent of americans live sedentary lives.
This time of the year I start to have problems with motivation. I find it easier to stay in and watch a movie or just lay around and pity myself for feeling the way I do. Every year I have gotten progressivly better at dealing with my lul in progression but still havn't masterd the art of taking "quality time" off.
Old habbits die hard and I guess the old me still likes to come out and play every once and a while. For those of you who havn't known me for very long, I wasn't always the way I am today. Growing up I was overweight and extremely unmotivated. I did do the work my dad made us kids do like make wood, etc. Also I had a paper routed and would do outside suff with my brother Derek. Mostly though I liked to do inside things and had no athletic abilities to speak of.
At age 15 I was almost forced to get into shape as I took a very physical summer job as a concrete laboror. I wanted to quit for the first month but the money was too good. After I gratuated high school I did the only thing I learned to be good at...Work.
I grew up fast but also picked up some more bad habbits. Smoked, drank, and ate more fast food and junk food. Still I stayed relatively thin as the amount of "work" I was forced to do day in and day out. Winter months were the worst and as the days got shorter and colder so did our workload. Lay off time became very unproductive and I would slip into my old habbits of being lazy.
Every year since I was 18 I have been working on making this "lazy time" progressivly shorter. I still don't think I have it down to a perfect science but progression is the key word. To explain; this year has been my shortest down time since I started to be active, and percentage wise my weight gain is the lowest.
Like I said in the beginning of my post, I am feeling lazy today. But for me my mind never stops going. I know that down time is great for refocusing and I think it really works. I do have plans of going out and enjoying our wonderful wisconsin snowfall. Maybe a hike/snowshoe, or an MTB ride is in order. Either way, the only way to break the chain of "lazyness" is to get out and do somthing, Anything. So to anyone who reads this post that feels the same way that I do at times. It's ok as long as it is productive in other ways(refocus time), and you do something about working on the negative sides. Baby steps are better than no steps and I will be joining you this week as I get myself motivated to get off this couch.
DB
This time of the year I start to have problems with motivation. I find it easier to stay in and watch a movie or just lay around and pity myself for feeling the way I do. Every year I have gotten progressivly better at dealing with my lul in progression but still havn't masterd the art of taking "quality time" off.
Old habbits die hard and I guess the old me still likes to come out and play every once and a while. For those of you who havn't known me for very long, I wasn't always the way I am today. Growing up I was overweight and extremely unmotivated. I did do the work my dad made us kids do like make wood, etc. Also I had a paper routed and would do outside suff with my brother Derek. Mostly though I liked to do inside things and had no athletic abilities to speak of.
At age 15 I was almost forced to get into shape as I took a very physical summer job as a concrete laboror. I wanted to quit for the first month but the money was too good. After I gratuated high school I did the only thing I learned to be good at...Work.
I grew up fast but also picked up some more bad habbits. Smoked, drank, and ate more fast food and junk food. Still I stayed relatively thin as the amount of "work" I was forced to do day in and day out. Winter months were the worst and as the days got shorter and colder so did our workload. Lay off time became very unproductive and I would slip into my old habbits of being lazy.
Every year since I was 18 I have been working on making this "lazy time" progressivly shorter. I still don't think I have it down to a perfect science but progression is the key word. To explain; this year has been my shortest down time since I started to be active, and percentage wise my weight gain is the lowest.
Like I said in the beginning of my post, I am feeling lazy today. But for me my mind never stops going. I know that down time is great for refocusing and I think it really works. I do have plans of going out and enjoying our wonderful wisconsin snowfall. Maybe a hike/snowshoe, or an MTB ride is in order. Either way, the only way to break the chain of "lazyness" is to get out and do somthing, Anything. So to anyone who reads this post that feels the same way that I do at times. It's ok as long as it is productive in other ways(refocus time), and you do something about working on the negative sides. Baby steps are better than no steps and I will be joining you this week as I get myself motivated to get off this couch.
DB
11.15.2009
End of Season
I bet every one is trying to figure out what happened to my blog. It seems as though I just fell off the face of the blogosphere. I'm happy to say not totally but I have taken a brief "Mikey" absence.
The past several weeks have been filled with many different activities so I think I will start with the most recent and work my way back.
Today
I did nothing that involved exercise and loved it. Besides the nothing I spent the whole day with My Awesome Girlfriend. We mostly just hung out but in the afternoon we ventured to the Art Museum to meet with some new friends. I have never been to a museum and actually found parts of it to be fascinating. Once we were done making wrong turns and being forced to look at the same exhibits several times we hit some dinner downtown and then headed home. I had a great day and it didn't even involve one bicycle.
Polska Cross
Anyone who was there is still trying to figure out who that tall drunk with the obnoxious cow bell was. I heard he would heckle any one that came by and had two beers on tap at all times. Mr. LeLonde got a good taste of just what this tall drink of PBR had to offer.
To explain myself a little It was 9 this very morning that I decided that my season was actually over. Up until then I was actually planning to do the last two local races. With the plug being pulled I had to release my energy in some way shape or form so I found some beer and drank like I knew what I was doing.
I sure do love the off season.
Iceman
The Iceman was not that at all. It felt more like a summerman, or good weatherman, maybe NICEMAN just sounds a little better. This is how things went down. I was focused, had good legs, and even found myself at the front of the race for a mile or so. I almost had something to prove going into this race after what happened at the Chequamegon. I wanted to show that I could roll with the big guns but maybe I was being too optimistic.
I made it through the sketchy road section, several sandpits and was still in contact as the accelerations started to hit hard. Sitting 10th wheel or so I was feeling ok and was pretty sure I would be able to hang on. The sandpits there had another thing in mind. A small gap got opened up about 10miles in and when I went to close it I ended up in a big sand pit going uphill. I wasn't going anywhere but was burning a lot of matches. After I got out of the pit I was able to latch back onto the group but was way over my red line and just wasn't able to recover. Boom, I blew like I no tomorrow and didn't have the mental capacity to put myself back together. Luckily Chris came by and saved me again(you would think he actually liked me or something). We regrouped and decided to race again after about 3 miles of easy spin. By the time the race was over we had worked our way back to a respectable finish. Not what I was looking for but I will take it this time of the year.
Halloween Cross
No costume but I was ready for a little cross. This was my 3rd race attempt at cross and I had only ran across barriers once before the race and that was during warm up. Not expecting much I took off strong and played the mtb card, shake things up early and see what everyone else has.
That worked great until my tactical card played to my disadvantage. I let a group of two catch me so I wouldn't have to ride by myself the whole race. The guy sitting 3rd wheel took a drastically shorter line and opened up a quick 5 second gap. I didn't respond immediately and it cost me 5 more seconds. I did close it down but I was on the rivet. The guy in front knew and would accelerate just enough to put me out of commission. I fell off and finished second on the day.
Special Thanks
A special Thank You goes out to Adventure 212 and the Peariso's for all of there help this season. They really have proven to be not only a great sponsor but also great friends. I love being on the team and look forward to many more great times with them.
Lynn, My wonderful girlfriend who is at the forefront of my success. Without her I wouldn't be the person I am today.
Joe Ciesynski, My stellar coach for his infinite knowledge and support. Believe me folks, he is the best in the biz.
Craig B., My big bro who helps to keep me motivated. (Watch out for this guy this ski season...I heard he is killing it with his training this year)
David, Terry, Dennis and Heidi, These guys have shown their support all year long and I am glad to have such great people on my side.
And everyone who has ever helped me reach for my goals....You know who you are. So if I missed a name or you feel left out don't feel bad. There probably wouldn't be enough room on the page for all the people that have helped me.
Keep it real
DB
The past several weeks have been filled with many different activities so I think I will start with the most recent and work my way back.
Today
I did nothing that involved exercise and loved it. Besides the nothing I spent the whole day with My Awesome Girlfriend. We mostly just hung out but in the afternoon we ventured to the Art Museum to meet with some new friends. I have never been to a museum and actually found parts of it to be fascinating. Once we were done making wrong turns and being forced to look at the same exhibits several times we hit some dinner downtown and then headed home. I had a great day and it didn't even involve one bicycle.
Polska Cross
Anyone who was there is still trying to figure out who that tall drunk with the obnoxious cow bell was. I heard he would heckle any one that came by and had two beers on tap at all times. Mr. LeLonde got a good taste of just what this tall drink of PBR had to offer.
To explain myself a little It was 9 this very morning that I decided that my season was actually over. Up until then I was actually planning to do the last two local races. With the plug being pulled I had to release my energy in some way shape or form so I found some beer and drank like I knew what I was doing.
I sure do love the off season.
Iceman
The Iceman was not that at all. It felt more like a summerman, or good weatherman, maybe NICEMAN just sounds a little better. This is how things went down. I was focused, had good legs, and even found myself at the front of the race for a mile or so. I almost had something to prove going into this race after what happened at the Chequamegon. I wanted to show that I could roll with the big guns but maybe I was being too optimistic.
I made it through the sketchy road section, several sandpits and was still in contact as the accelerations started to hit hard. Sitting 10th wheel or so I was feeling ok and was pretty sure I would be able to hang on. The sandpits there had another thing in mind. A small gap got opened up about 10miles in and when I went to close it I ended up in a big sand pit going uphill. I wasn't going anywhere but was burning a lot of matches. After I got out of the pit I was able to latch back onto the group but was way over my red line and just wasn't able to recover. Boom, I blew like I no tomorrow and didn't have the mental capacity to put myself back together. Luckily Chris came by and saved me again(you would think he actually liked me or something). We regrouped and decided to race again after about 3 miles of easy spin. By the time the race was over we had worked our way back to a respectable finish. Not what I was looking for but I will take it this time of the year.
Halloween Cross
No costume but I was ready for a little cross. This was my 3rd race attempt at cross and I had only ran across barriers once before the race and that was during warm up. Not expecting much I took off strong and played the mtb card, shake things up early and see what everyone else has.
That worked great until my tactical card played to my disadvantage. I let a group of two catch me so I wouldn't have to ride by myself the whole race. The guy sitting 3rd wheel took a drastically shorter line and opened up a quick 5 second gap. I didn't respond immediately and it cost me 5 more seconds. I did close it down but I was on the rivet. The guy in front knew and would accelerate just enough to put me out of commission. I fell off and finished second on the day.
Special Thanks
A special Thank You goes out to Adventure 212 and the Peariso's for all of there help this season. They really have proven to be not only a great sponsor but also great friends. I love being on the team and look forward to many more great times with them.
Lynn, My wonderful girlfriend who is at the forefront of my success. Without her I wouldn't be the person I am today.
Joe Ciesynski, My stellar coach for his infinite knowledge and support. Believe me folks, he is the best in the biz.
Craig B., My big bro who helps to keep me motivated. (Watch out for this guy this ski season...I heard he is killing it with his training this year)
David, Terry, Dennis and Heidi, These guys have shown their support all year long and I am glad to have such great people on my side.
And everyone who has ever helped me reach for my goals....You know who you are. So if I missed a name or you feel left out don't feel bad. There probably wouldn't be enough room on the page for all the people that have helped me.
Keep it real
DB
10.22.2009
Checkin in
I just checked out the rankings for Cat. 1 riders in USA Cycling.
http://www.usacycling.org/rankings/index.php?sex=m&state=&org=mountain&disc=xc&cat=1&agemin=1&agemax=99
(Click Go!)
Turns out I'm ranked # 1 :)
http://www.usacycling.org/rankings/index.php?sex=m&state=&org=mountain&disc=xc&cat=1&agemin=1&agemax=99
(Click Go!)
Turns out I'm ranked # 1 :)
Oh what a night
I don't have any pics to share but I do have a story.
Lately at work we have been super busy not leaving me much time to get my rides in. I have been managing with trainer rides and riding the parkway across the street from my house but decided to do something different last night.
With my first Ice Man coming up and me racing in the Pro Field I don't want to start slacking just yet. By this time last year I was already turning into a blob and was barely riding over an hour. Not this year, motivation is flowing through me.
Unable to make the Wednesday night Ronsta ride almost had me beat, but I was determined to get some good quality riding in. So I strapped on lights and headed out the door. Not sure totally what I was going to do I headed west to a familiar hill for some repeats. As the sun set over the beautiful land of Waukesha county I was treated to a spectacular view every time I would crest the hill. It made it worth going back up every time.
By now it was almost dark and I was only an hour into my ride. Luckily there is this little gravel path called the bugline that goes all the way out to Merton. Destination established. I didn't care how long it took me I was going there. As I head down the trail my light shows me this almost picturesque tunnel which gave me an undefined end to my ride. I got into a rhythm and all I could think about was how great things were. The temp was perfect, I was riding, and things were just right. This time alone was just what I needed. It helped me reflect on the past, think about the future, and get ready for what is right ahead of me.
Oh what a night
DB
Lately at work we have been super busy not leaving me much time to get my rides in. I have been managing with trainer rides and riding the parkway across the street from my house but decided to do something different last night.
With my first Ice Man coming up and me racing in the Pro Field I don't want to start slacking just yet. By this time last year I was already turning into a blob and was barely riding over an hour. Not this year, motivation is flowing through me.
Unable to make the Wednesday night Ronsta ride almost had me beat, but I was determined to get some good quality riding in. So I strapped on lights and headed out the door. Not sure totally what I was going to do I headed west to a familiar hill for some repeats. As the sun set over the beautiful land of Waukesha county I was treated to a spectacular view every time I would crest the hill. It made it worth going back up every time.
By now it was almost dark and I was only an hour into my ride. Luckily there is this little gravel path called the bugline that goes all the way out to Merton. Destination established. I didn't care how long it took me I was going there. As I head down the trail my light shows me this almost picturesque tunnel which gave me an undefined end to my ride. I got into a rhythm and all I could think about was how great things were. The temp was perfect, I was riding, and things were just right. This time alone was just what I needed. It helped me reflect on the past, think about the future, and get ready for what is right ahead of me.
Oh what a night
DB
10.17.2009
Blaster!
Trying to figure out how I am going to put this.
It.....Was..........AWESOME!!!!
Those seemed to be the only words I could make come out of my mouth at the time of my speech. The few words I did manage to get out pretty much summed things up for the 4 laps of gnar we called our "race".
The place was awesome, the people were great, and without cool events like this some people might forget why they mountain bike.
Thanks to the Curtes Bro's and all that helped with everything, these folks are class acts.
Check out all of the stuff I walked away with...My favorite besides the Jersey is the official autographed flyer.
DB
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