A Run? Schedule Talk & Clean Bills

I have NO idea what got into me tonight! Maybe it was the full moon? Maybe it's Wifey in full on Turkey-Trot mode? Or maybe it was just that I didn't have all my shit together to go for a ride tonight? Whatever it was, SOMETHING possessed me to go RUNNING tonight!

Now hold on a minute, don't go thinking I was out there putting in big miles. It was 30 minutes of walk one block, run two blocks, etc., etc., The last time I did anything even VAGUELY resembling running was at the start of the 24 Hour Champion Challenge, and the last time I went for an official "run" was probably 6 years ago. So I didn't want to blow my knees out right away. There will be plenty of time for that later.

Running kinda cool, but it did lack something! Not sure what it was... Oh yeah, it lacked my ass in a saddle, atop two wheels, a chain, crank, etc., etc., Just kidding. It was a nice change, and it worked into my "avoid the trainer at all costs" theme for 08/09. I think I would enjoy trail running way more, but figure if I'm gonna be on trails in the woods why wouldn't I be on my mountain bike?? :) I will say it was nice to be able to do it and the only thing I had to worry about was my knees. Cardio wise I can run no prolem, it's the pounding my legs take that hurts!

It was good to be outside, good to work a sweat up and good to feel my legs hurt a bit. I don't see me signing up for any 5Ks just yet, but a quick run now and then will help to mix things up a bit this fall and winter. OR cripple me, one of the two.

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After my morning shower, I sat down to drink some coffee and check e mail. As the first drops of double strength French Roast (AKA-extase liquide) hits my veins, I see an e mail from Don P., getting everyone all fired up to race by sending out the proposed 2009 W.V.M.B.A. schedule that was on the whav-imba boards.

Of course I NOW would be spending all my free time at work today with a calendar, a pencil with a good eraser, and a bad case Wannaracenowitus. My main goals for 2009 are of course endurance events. But I also would like to do some XC races. So far this is what I came up with. Races in BOLD are "A" races. The rest are written in sand and skipable.

April 05th Chief Logan State Park (XC)
April 18th- Leesburg Bakers Doz (Solo)

May 03rd- W.V.M.B.A #2 Challenge at Mountwood (XC)
May 09th- 12 Hours of Elanor (Solo)
May 17th- W.V.M.B.A #3Tour De Lake
May 30th- Mohican 100 (N.U.E. #2)

June 20th- Lumberjack 100 (N.U.E. #3)

July 05th- W.V.M.B.A. #6 Race To Lil' Moes
July 19th- W.V.M.B.A. #8 Valley Falls
July ??th- Wilderness 101 (N.U.E. #5)

August 2nd- W.V.M.B.A. #10 Lake Hope
August 16th- W.V.M.B.A. #11 Dirt Derby
August 30th- SM100 (N.U.E. #7)

Sept. 13th W.V.M.B.A. #14 Bob Evans
Sept. 20th W.V.M.B.A. #15 Appalachian Classic

My main goal for 2009 is to try to hit 4 or 5 N.U.E. races. Then a 12 hour race or two. That would give me 6 enduros in '09 and then fill in some weekends with some XC racing to try to improve my speed, and race skills. Since I've never really raced XC (other than a few here and there about 5 years ago) I'm gonna start in Sport Vet (35+) and see how it goes. As the W.V.M.B.A site says "Upgrade carefully, downgrading never looks good!".

One key thing you'll notice is the lack of a 24 hour solo. I have no desire for a a 24 right now. I won't rule one out of course, but right now I'd rather do 12's and Hundies. The 24's just put my body through the ringer and after the last couple months of clots, deafness, and a million doctors visits I want to enjoy racing more. I think I can get everything I want in racing in under 13 hours! I also have some ideas of my own, for some UNorganized endurance rides in the mountains this summer in the 50, 75 and 100 mile range.

I've never felt better about my goals for a coming season. I think trying to focus on events like the N.U.E races are what I need. There's really no pressure. Just go fast for 100 miles and see what happens. No worries about a podium. Not in this lifetime. I just want to enjoy racing, ride some fresh dirt, see some new places, meet up with some old friends and meet some new ones. The same goes for the XC stuff. I'm looking at them like going to school. I need to step up my race skills and the only way I can do that is by racing. If I do well, fine, if I suck- fine. It's all training, it's all an experience, and it's all mountain biking. So it's all good!! :)

I can't wait until spring to look back and see how I revamped the above schedule. I'm sure this is not the first time I'll be posting my "schedule" only to change it two days later. Sorry. But you know and I know that I'm a putz.

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Lastly- I hit the E.N.T. Doc today and had my hearing retested. BIG improvements and he's confident that I should get just about all my hearing back, and that the tinnitus should leave in time too. SWEET! I also go a call from my regular Doc today and she said that she got all my blood tests back, and as far as she's concerned my blood is normal and shows no sign of any serious issues that could have caused my blood clot or cause another. But she does want me to see a hematologist in the future so they can double check everything. So if I'm lucky I'm looking at a few months on blood thinners and then nothing! At least I hope!! Either way, I can ride and race and that's sweet!!

Later