Recap

Just a little recap from the weekend.

Thursday. Hit a Patapsco ride with Elton, Boring and crew (the Under Armor Triath crew). I haven't ridden out there for a while and it was a treat. I was riding on the single speed and had some reservations as to how I'd fair with these guys, who were riding geared lightweights.

Surprisingly enough I hung tough the whole ride. I was pretty self-impressed with some of the climbs I was managing. After 10 miles, a couple riders headed back to the park and ride, while Brian, Chris and I hit the ridge line for some more fun miles.

Friday. I went to a work friends open house. she's selling her house in B-more and she wanted to show it to friends - part pride, part "tell your friends". Afterwards we headed down to Fell's to see the Loose Caboose. Another fun show.

Saturday. Back to A-town to hang with the NoVa crew less Z-man. The players ended up being Newb, Wil, Eck, Kara and myself. We went to see the White Stripes at the Patriot Center. The show was ridiculously good. Two person band...I can't describe how good the show was...go see them yourself.

Afterwards we hit Dremos and then Wilson's Rooftop. Good times were had by all...I think.

It was good to hit my parent's place on Sunday for some good home cookin' and the unconditional love of my pup.

Ahh...such a loveable little killah!

This just in - Palooza pics (Thanks Kara!)

Presenting

PALOOZA AFTER DARK

Keith, Jimmy Freebird, Newbias, Hedges, Wil, Burl, your's truly

It's dark outside, cups in hand - you do the math. I think we're leaning on each other out of support (more structural than moral).

Me and Z

It's official. I can't take a serious picture. I'm attempting "Magnum" with not a lot of success. I just look like Zack's drunk buddy, which I am pulling off with a great deal of success

Coming soon...the PPEC (Palooza Pretzel Eating Championship) pics.

I'm racing in the Tour next year

I figure if I can just make the time cut-off for each stage, I'll have a fighting chance at a podium spot.

Seriously, the doping, lying and various other advantage-gaining tactics, have gotten way out of control. Whatever happened to long training days in the saddle, watching the diet, studying competitor tactics, etc? When your acumen and god-given talents were your edge. And if you didn't have those, well, you raced amatuer or were a hard-nosed domestique.

I don't like making blanket statements. There are way more honest riders than cheats and frauds, but I am getting very disgusted at these doping scandals. Once you get into the top echelon of pro cyclists, I would assume the edge over your true peers is harder to find. Throw large amounts of cash in the mix through sponsorship deals and bonus money, and now you have created your powder keg for cheating.

It happens in all sports - even chess (seriously - thanks Brad). I would love to have heroes again that I can honestly look up to and I would love to think that Lance, Floyd and Tyler are innocent. Nothing is sacred.

I am too mad to write more eloquently!

Oh, screw you, Chicken!

Proof of Purchase...very painful purchase

Big shocker that there is only one photo from my day of destruction (aka, the Xterra Du). Oy vay. Not looking happy at all. Note the horrible seat positioning...

yes, my right leg is at full-extension. It hurts just thinking about it.

Screw you, Vino!

That's it.

Confused? Read this.

Been a long time....

Haven't posted for a while. My athletic prowess has been lacking, although I have been running and riding...just not in the systematic way that I have been. I'm re-re-launching my marathon training next week. My ankle is starting to feel better, but I want to make sure that I'm not grinding it out prematurely.

Last week, I was able to get in two real solid mountain bike rides. Some very good mileage at Loch Seminary. Hoppe reacquainted me with the other trails on the eastern side of providence. Some awesome downhills and a gnarly uphill. Throw in some road climbs and you have a fun little addition. I have been enjoying the hell out of my single speed. It's a nice release from the mind-twisting worries of derailleurs and suspension.

I have been running as well, but nothing over 5 miles. I feel good, but I don't want to push the ankle.

This past weekend, was a athletics-free weekend. Grandmapalooza was on my plate, which started Friday. Friday afternoon we headed to Urbana to the Edmarve Farm for a weekend of debauchery. Wilson and I picked up some beers and found our way to a little piece of heaven on Prices Distillery Rd.

The Friday poker tourney was going to be underway at 6:30, so I had to get the tent up tout suite. And by tent, I mean carnival, big top proportions. I enlisted the help of Zack, Wilson, Harne and Fair to get the monster up. After some engineering, the bad boy was up - about 45 minutes later. Luckily, Little Harry wakes up doing shit or we might have been out of luck.

The tent became the transient home to many, but the permanent residence to Wilson, Z-man and myself. Barker became a Saturday crasher. Tent City has a number of other inhabitants who took residence outside the safety of the monster. The hope is that Tent City increases in numbers next year.

It was great seeing everyone there. In addition to the beer bus, the huge "Pimp My Smoker" with whole hog a cookin' and the new gaming rage, Cornhole - we were audibly delighted by the sounds of Bluegrass Blend.

Guesstimates are hovering at around 300 attendees. I can't wait for next year.

Rest for the wicked....

Wicked exhausted that is...nyuck, nyuck, nyuck! After a nearly debilitating weekend, a "shake the pain" run on Monday, and a chill ride (aka blazing fast ride) at Loch last night...this kid is gonna chill for a night or two. Maybe get a nice six-pack, grill some meat, chill on the patio with the neighbors, hang with the dog.....or go on a five-mile run.

We'll see.

In any light, I'll be watching the tour replay tonight. So maybe a nice French red and a baguette are in order.

So about last night's ride. I get to the Seminary parking lot and casually get ready for the ride while waiting for Hop's arrival. All decked out, tuned-up the single dinga, and prepped myself for the self-proclaimed easy ride that awaited me. I had forewarned Hoppe that in no way was I going to turn myself inside out.

Well, the ride kicked off and the easy pace was set. and then two miles in...off to the races!!!! Miraculously I felt great. We hit some trails that I haven't ridden in a LONG time, on the backside of the reservior near the dam. Hoppe put on a clinic and then I thought it was wise that I too put on a clinic...

It ended up being one of our fastest rides of the year. Both on singles. I've never been as strong on the Rig as I was yesterday. At the end of the ride, I was tapped out of water and I wanted to sleep on the church lawn.

HEY PRO CYCLISTS...STOP EFFING DOPING!!!!!!

It's not often a person applauds a whole country...but YAY Germany:

"We just received the news that the German public channels ARD and ZDF have indeed decided to pull the plug until the doping case of Sinkewitz is further investigated. The channels have said they hope that their action will send a strong signal to all of those involved in cycling."

Although I would be one PO'd TdF watcher...Versus better not follow suit.

Tour DAY France

The updated GC results from the "2nd annual Brad & Cam Waste Time at Work Talking About the Tour de France Poll" are in:

snydeheimer

1. valverde (2nd) = 2
2. vino (21st) = 34.2
3. evans (4th) = 1.6
4. leip (9th) = 7
5. mench (18th) = 15.6

Overall GC points: 60.4

chezcapie

1. vino = 40
2. valverde = 0
3. menchov = 24
4. kloden (8th) = 5.6
5. hincapie (39th (capped at 25 spots)) = 30

Overall GC points: 99.6

RideCam needs to have some of Crankenstein's GC riders "tested", if he has a chance of winning the GC at all this year.

Cameron Chesnik, DNF

I didn't get accredited through any professional society or go through years of school to get initials tacked on to the end of my name. Nope, all I had to do was personally blow up on the Rocky Gap Duathlon course...

The weekend started off perfectly. Slept in on Saturday, rolled to Frederick to coordinate plans with my parents, got to Rocky Gap in record time, pre-rode the 7 mile bike lap, showered, napped, dinner, nap, snack, sleep.

At 6 am on Sunday, I woke up with nary a problem, showered and hit the transition area, which was basically right outside my window. Is this perfect or what?

I ran into some old friends and prepped my personal TA space. I stretched, fueled up and was ready to roll out. I prepped pretty well for this race between adventure racing, mountain bike racing and marathon training...I thought the moons would align for this event.

The gun went off and the Duathletes hit the first 3 mile run course. At mile two, I logged a 7:44 and 7:47 split...and this course was silly hard. And then, "down went Frazier". I clipped a root and hit the terra firma with extreme prejudice. I popped up with scrapes and bruises, which didn't affect me...but my heart rate was spiked to an astronomical number. At this point I tried to regain composure, but I just couldn't find that groove. I fell twice more and tweaked my already hurting ankle. I hobbled home to the TA with a 33 minute three mile...horrible. 17 plus minutes to regroup/hobble/walk/run back to the TA...blah...makes me sick to my stomach. Bye career day.

My mentality shifted from race to enjoy - if that's even a remote possibility. I hopped on my bike (note: seat tube at the top tube was cracked, so I slammed the seat post down to apply more rigidity to the tubing) and it felt refreshing to be on the ol' rig. I caught some of my group and knocked out the first loop with no problems. My calf was cramping a little from the ankle compensation on the run and I felt the initial twinges of an inner thigh cramp due to the low seat post height.

I was really starting to question whether I should continue or not. I gave the pirate throat slash sign to my parents as I entered the TA, thinking about calling it a day. But, the competitor in me wouldn't allow for it. I went out for the second bike lap and I actually caught up to the field I was running with. It felt great knowing I made up this ground, but with about two miles left in the ride, a spectator got in my way on an uphill section and I had to hop of the bike. CRAMP, CRAMP, CRAMP. After yelling explicatives at this person with a crowd of youngsters around (I never signed up to be the poster child), I hobbled a couple hundred feet to the aid station. I tried to stretch it out and even hopped back onto the bike, but my day was done. I pulled the cord and recorded my first DNF.

It is haunting me today. I don't quit. But I've never been in more pain. I wanted to reach the finish line for my mom. She came to watch my first real event and I wanted to give her something special, but those damn "moons" didn't align the way I thought they would.

Well mom, pop and RideCam readers - you better make reservations for next year, I'm gonna put on a show. Time to avenge my DNF.

I was run-nang

So I went to Soldiers Delight to determine my pace for the Du this weekend. I intentionally started out quick with a 7:15 mile, and then scaled it down a notch to 7:30. WOW...I felt great...BAM!!! Ouch, ouch, ouch...I was hobbling around trying to regain my balance and to the floor I went. I picked myself up, dusted myself off and yelled at myself. I tweaked my ankle mildly, so I walked back to my truck (only a mile).

I took off my shoe to access the damage. Tender, but not a lot of swelling and no bruising. Good signs. I followed the RICE/MICE rule (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Movement) in an attempt to avoid a tragedy in the morning.

So I woke up and I was able to hop, skip and jump (that's your visual) with only a little pain. At present, still no bruising, but it is tender and slightly swollen (probably because I can't elevate). So it looks like the lead up to the race will be exercise free...

I also found out that the last leg of the duathlon is 5 miles, not 2 miles. So the race looks like this:

3 run (while the tri's are swimming .75 miles)
14 bike (two 7 mile laps...10.5 on semi-tech trail, 3 on road!)
5 run

I've never been in a race with a speed-oriented transition. I mean, I've been in a hanful of adventure races, but I didn't feel the pressure to GO, GO, GO! It should be interesting to see how the mental piece of the TA plays a hand in the big picture of the race. I tend to be a lemming at races, I follow the pace of the pack, so if there is an aggressive start...I go out gang busters. So my promise to myself is to go out at my own pace during the run, then take advantage of the bike section, and cross my fingers during the last run section.

This is yet another adventure where the waters are largely unchartered for me. I assume I will learn a lot the hard way, but I have been going through this race a lot in my hea, visualizing tempo, fueling, etc. I just can't wait until my plan poops on me!!!! That's the fun, right???

Tour de France Picks - 2007 edition

TdF NEWS: Stage 1 had one of the most notable finishes I've seen to date. After dealing with a minor melee and accident, Robbie McEwen managed to find his way back to the peleton, pass 150 riders, and take the stage by coming out of nowhere with a huge sprint. Kudos ROBBIE!

The second annual RideCam/Crankenstein TdF Picks

Bradley is looking to avenge his loss from last year, Cam is looking to regain the title after wavering from this year's Giro loss.

Official posting per Crankenstein:

sold my left testicle for 15 min of internet time on the ship. here are my tdf picks:

gc:

1.valverde
2.vino
3.evans
4.leipheimer
5.menchov

kom:moreau/rasmussen
white:dekker/contador
green:mcewen/boonen

prologue:millar/cancellara
tt1:zabriskie/hincapie
tt2:kloden/wiggins


RideCam's late entry:

Ahh...I forgot to post before the prologue, so by default you win the opener. I did make my picks pre-prologue though. They are as follows:

gc

1. vino
2. valverde
3. menchov
4. kloden
5. hincapie

kom: rasmussen/moreau
youth: contador/dekker
green: boonen/mcewen

prologue: lost
tt1: wiggins/zabriskie
tt2: millar/cancellara

Hot Hot Heat

I should've read the weather report for the week and altered my training schedule a bit. Alas, I did not have that foresight. Friday I took the standard day of rest...but not for the ol' party muscle. I hung out with a work mate and friends which was a good time, but it made Saturday a kick in the chunk. My scheduled long run was held until the sweltering afternoon, after the Tour de France prologue TT.

I geared up for a nine mile run. Holy crow, it was a steamy muv! On top of the heat, I also tinkered with a new running path which had me scaling long climbs. Heat + Climbing = Grown men crying. Add to this equation that I didn't take water/fuel and now I have BONK. I haven't bonked in quite a long time (okay, since the Savage). I am an idiot for trying a stunt like that, but another "lesson learned". I ended up run/walking 7 miles.

I'm off on a 20 mile bike ride. Again, it is steamy, but I am taking water, food, endurolytes, etc. I should be good to go. Just a nice little EASY ride.

Work can just kill a man...or a blog writer...or

Whateva!

Long time, no blog. Busy livin' the dream, if that dream consists of over working and stressing over poor training schedules. Actually, it's not all that bad. Work has been pretty intense with all the merger concerns and retaining the biz...but with all my excellent strategery...shouldn't be a problem.

I have revamped and re-committed to a new training plan for the Marine Corps Marathon. it consists of 18 weeks of training with decent mileage, not the crazy "run 2 miles then 14 miles..in week 2"! Oh, and the plan emphasized that walking is okay.

WTF? I haven't signed up for a long walk. I signed up for a marathon. And if memory serves correctly, Pheidippides didn't walk from Marathon to Athens to proclaim that the Greeks beat the Persians ... nope ... he ran. All 26.2 miles. Although he did die from exhaustion at the end.

Hmmm...A fine predicament.

Basically I'll be running 4 times a week with cross training and rest sprinkled in, which helps with my other pursuits...like drinking beer and eating fatty foods...oh and stuff like ARs and Duath's that I've signed up for.

My new itch....kayaking. Need to get more proficient in the way of the paddle if I want to have better showings at these fickle 24 hour adventure races. Next year, we are looking at tackling the 2 day E-Fix...yaaay-yah!

On tabs for my currently event-free August, a 184.7 mile C&O Canal bike trip w/ my usual suspect, Zack. He should be all healed up from his Mt. Blanc excursion.