2010: Goals and Ambitions

Like every new beginning, it feels appropriate to take a step back and lay down some goals for the new year. To try and keep myself accountable, I'll spell them out here, so here they are:

• Upgrade to Cat 3 in Road This will be my main goal for this year. I had several 10th place finishes last year, but upgrade points start at 9th. Although there are several routes to a Cat 3 upgrade, I'd like to earn mine via points. I think this will be doable, but it won't come easily. I'll probably have to focus on hilly races like Mt. Nebo and work on developing something that at least resembles a sprint.


• Compete in a stage race. I'd like to try one of those 3 event weekend stage races with a RR, crit, and TT. This means I gotta work on my TT.


• Improve TT, do 8 miles in 20 minutes or less. This works out to 24 mph average, and I'm a long way to being able to sustain that for 20 minutes. I think this would really help in my quest for a road upgrade, as well as improve my cycling over all.


• Not get dropped before mile 10 of Battenkill Masters 30+ I don't expect to make the first selection, but I'd like to at least hang with the main pack. Last year was apparently 30+ mph, so this will be interesting.


• Upgrade to Cat 3 cyclocross This really isn't a goal, all I have to do is one more race. Cyclocross doesn't need any goals, it is just pure fun.


• Keep Running I want to do some trail races, maybe a Ron Horne event.


• Multisport This has got to be the year for a duathlon or triathlon. They look like fun.

And that's it. The TT goal will be the toughest I think, I'll focus on strength training this winter, and then switch to high intensity intervals and 2x20 type workouts in the spring. Oh man, I can't wait, 2010 will be great.

2009

Looking back on 2009, it is interesting to summarize my training and look ahead to 2010 with some goals in mind. First off, here is plot where you can see the average time of 3 different routes, compared with total mileage for each month.



January is a bit misleading, because I spent most of that month on a trainer and that time isn't counted. I also didn't include the mileage on my cross bike in the fall and winter because I didn't use a computer on that bike. Still, some interesting trends.

May was definitely my breakthrough month, for the first time I could hang with a pack and not get dropped before the end. Until my second Grattan race, I had popped off the back of every Cat 5 crit, RR, and training race I had entered. My first field finish (11th) at the second Grattan race wasn't a huge result, but it was immensely satisfying.

The trend of getting faster was a big factor that kept me going throughout the year. Sure, some days my legs were just dead, but I could tell that I was definitely getting stronger. I think it is really incredible how the human body responds to these training stresses, getting stronger and fitter through adaptation.

6 Hills and Flint Hill are each about 20 miles long, Bougher Hill is a very hilly 40 miles.

Total miles for 2009 is 3,150. That is approximately the same as Los Angeles, CA to Bangor, ME.



While some days did feel like I was just getting on the bike to train, most days I really looked forward to getting on the bike and going for a ride. Especially riding cyclocross, what an awesome sport, that is just a blast. I'm already looking forward to next season.

The highlights of biking in 2009 include the Tour of Mt Nebo, that will be a definite for the 2010 calendar. Also, the PA State Championship. Despite finishing dead last, spending 30 miles in the winning break before my legs gave out was a lot of fun. I hadn't even biked more then 50 miles in one go before that day, so 60 miles of racing was a bit beyond me at that point.

My first century wasn't was hard as I thought it might be. The support from Lehigh Wheelmen was great and as long as I had food, I felt like I could keep pedaling. The Delaware Water Gap was beautiful. I ended up doing the ride solo, for as much as I enjoy team training, and group rides, a nice long ride in solitude is very relaxing.

So now the idea is to prepare for 2010. As much as I enjoy competition, I also really like training in the off-season because the focus is just on riding for the sake of riding. And, until I get through the qualifer exams in January, biking will be my much needed source of stress relief and sanity.

The biggest change for 2010 will be joining a team, I'll be riding with Lamprey Systems. Also on the calendar, Tour of the Battenkill!

Marten