VO2 Max Test with Krista Schultz

I have a confession...I just started using my heart rate monitor in November. After training and racing since 2004...I decided it was time. I was pretty unsure of what my training zones were and went off formulas I found online or asked others...I figured this was not the best way because everyone is different. So I decided to go in for a VO2 max test with Krista Schultz at Total Performance Inc.

Why VO2 Max Testing?

Planning and individualizing your training program is a key element in maximizing your training time and improving performance.

The VO2 max test results data reveals measurements showing the rate at which ventilation increases. It also determines the point at which lactic acid builds up in the blood steam during progressive exercise via a rise in carbon dioxide production. In addition the test shows the point at which your body is using fat as the primary energy source and the point where carbohydrates are the key energy source. With all this metabolic information the lactate threshold (LT). The LT represents a switch in energy systems, it is basically the body's shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. It is crucial to establish training heart rate zones based around your lactate threshold. Vo2 max measures the amount of oxygen consumed during exercise. When it is measured at maximal effort, it is called Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2Max). VO2max or maximal oxygen consumption represents the maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters, one can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight. The VO2 Max is the gold standard for measuring cardio fitness. The more fit you are, the higher your VO2 Max. Your heart, like any muscle, becomes stronger the more you exercise it. As you become more fit, your heart pumps more oxygenated blood with each beat.

So from what I understand...

This test is also used to determine my Efficiency along with training or heart rate zones. As I am increasing intensity...my heart rate is also increasing...so a bunch of numbers are also being output which shows VO2 and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). When the RER goes over 1.0 and continues over 1.0 I am burning more carbs than fats and my LT is achieved. When I am at my max effort my VO2 max is achieved. Comparing the VO2 value at LT gives my Efficiency...or VO2 at threshold/VO2 at max.

The Test:

The process usually lasts around 10 - 15 minutes depending on the individual. The athlete wears a mask with sensors attached to a metabolic analyzer so that respiratory gases can be measured (Oxygen uptake, Carbon Dioxide production, and total volume). A computer then processes all of this data, which is able to calculate the amount of oxygen the athlete uses (or VO2) at various exercise intensities. A detailed and highly accurate report of your metabolic profile and the status of your cardiovascular fitness as well as your training zones will be compiled after the test. Keep in mind this data is useful for about 3-5 months as LT will change in relation to heart rate as fitness increases. Testing your VO2 Max (volume of oxygen at max effort) reveals your metabolic profile, which tells you a story about your energy expenditure and provides you with accurate heart rate training zones to individualize and effectively maximize each exercise session.

I tried to take it easy the day before the test (easy swim) and tried to sleep in a little the morning before the test. I woke up feeling quite sluggish and ready to get moving. Headed out to Krista's lab in Baltimore. The gym was really welcoming and everyone was very friendly. I saw the contraptions in Krista's office. I got a bit nervous. Krista came out and greeted me...I felt better. I was going to be doing the bike test (the VO2 test can be performed for either biking or running). She put my pedals on the bike, which was hooked up to a computer and gave cadence, power, heart rate, speed. I got warming up as she explained what was going to happen. Then she got me set up with the head gear/mask/helmet contraption. eeeYIKES! haha. Got that in place and then she pinched my nose shut. ehh I won't lie...I was a bit uncomfortable...felt like I was going to start drooling all over the place. BUHAHA. She is talking to me and all I can do is grunt. good times. So we got started...she would slowly increase my resistance, while I was to keep my cadence constant around 90. I was doing a good job with that. After about 8 minutes I started feeling the burn. Maybe I was at LT. Krista was great! She was a really good support team telling me how awesome I was and how well I was doing. After about 10 minutes I had to stand on the bike...I was becoming really tired and my heart was going crazy..."Almost done...30 more seconds!"...Krista kept saying. Finally it was over. I was excited for the results!

The Results:

VO2 max = 51.8 ml/kg/min (average for my age is about 34.0...according to some charts my value is SUPERIOR! BUHAHA)
LT HR = 155 bpm
Effiency = 77%

Zone 1 = <122
Zone 2 = 122-138
Zone 3 = 139-144
Zone 4 = 146-153
Zone 5a = 155-158
Zone 5b = 160-163
Zone 5c = 164-171

Now that it is over I have the same feeling as after a race...what if I would have pushed it just a little more in the end!

Diabolical Double

Yes, this was the hardest event I have done yet (stay tuned for Top 10 Toughest Events 2008). The Diabolical Double had been previously described to me as: 125 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing. This ride will hurt you. Badly. Really. The ride was one 125 mile loop, also covering most of the Savageman course. I had done the Savageman Aquabike last year. It hurt me. Sooo I was pretty anxious leading up to this ride. The ride was to take place on Saturday morning and was the last part of Savage Camp.

Matias and I had not been able to attend the full Camp so left for Deep Creek Lake State Park on Friday evening and arrived at 12am...everyone was sleeping...so we found where we were sleeping, got situated, and were in bed by maybe 1am...up at 6am to prepare for the ride. yaaaaa

I went across the street to Kyle and Laura's cabin, where the other half of the group was staying. Walked in, recognized the faces of some of the stronger riders in our area...SHOOOOT...what had I gotten myself into...I was scared. I asked Kyle if there were cue sheets..."NO, here is this Garmin Forerunner...it has the route and will tell you where to go." Great, I thought, as I pictured myself hitching a ride from someone in the middle of Westernport, MD. I am not huge on the technology (bike computers, HRMs, GPS) that everyone uses....yes, and I called myself an Agency Technologist. Computers frusrtate me and HRMs take too much fiddling around with. I had no idea how to use this contraption.

We were on the road by 8am. The group (~15 people) hung together. Pace did not seem to bad. The legs were feeling pretty good...but hard to get too excited...it was going to be a long day...lots of time to feel awesome and lots of time to feel miserable. 1st real climb (1st of 10 categorized climbs) came at about 15 miles...a beater. I may have been the 1st to the top...after that I stayed ahead for a bit. Matias shortly caught me..."You are an animal," he said. "I am nervous...gotta pace myself." I was feeling maybe I should be taking it easier...but I did not feel I was pushing it to much at all. There was a rest stop at mile 30 and then mile 50...the group pretty much stayed together up to this point. The big hills were coming one after another...a few rollers in between. Then the hugest hill came right before lunch (mile 65). It was a killer...this ride was sick. I was still feeling good. Had been keeping up on my nutrition (eating ~150 calories/hour, drinking water, taking Endurolytes, and eating fireballs of course). At lunch I stuffed my face with gluten-free pretzels and mint candys. 130pm and we were on the road again and over half way done. I was feeling a bit fatigued...

I had taken half my clothes off and left them at the rest stop (we had passed on the drive in and would be able to get them on the drive out). I felt weird...maybe the temperatures changes (when we started it was in the low 50s and was now in the high 70s). Climbing and descending sometimes gets to me when I climb and get really hot and then descend and become really cold. blahhh. Things are a little foggy now. The course become flatter and some more downhills as we entered Westernport. I started dropping behind the group. Then I was dropped. A few more hills...but I did not have the same climbing effort as I usually have. A few others were near me. Tom Shinners, had stayed back and was rounding up the stragglers (me mainly). He pushed me up the hills. HAHA. We came into Westernport at about mile 95. I felt like POOP...not necessarily bonking...I had just had enough. We regrouped, went down into Westernport, and made a rest stop. There was an option to go back 20 miles, instead of 35 miles. I felt like maybe I could make the 35...I did not want to be a wuss. Tom said he would take me back...I accepted and went with him after crushing 2 popsickles. I was so glad with my decision...it was the most hurtful 20 miles I have experienced on my bike. We had to do 12,000 more feet of climbing in those last 20 miles. All I could say to Tom was how miserable I was and ask him how many more miles, how many more climbs? "DO NOT ASK AGAIN how much more, stick to my wheel, put it in the lowest gear, GRUNT if you are falling behind, he shouted." GUHH I was so miserable. "How much more?!" I mumbled, buhaha. With maybe 10 miles to go he made me stop and take a gel and drink half my water. My throat and esophagus hurt like heck...maybe from breathing so hard for so long. I felt a bit better. Then Tom asked me what my "ALMOST home distance" was. I said, about 5 miles WHY?! I was cranky. A few minutes later he said almost home. HOORAY! And finally we enetered back into the state park and then were back at the cabins. 9 hours, 110 miles, almost 15,000 feet of climbing...I was freakin delerious and so thankful to Tom for dragging me back.

The rest of the group returned about an hour later. Everyone was SPENT. We then went for eats and drinks at Unos. I was feeling OK except for my throat/esophagus was killing...I had either become sick from the ride or just worn out from breathing so heavily over a long time. I crashed pretty quickly that night...woke up the next morning feeling pretty similar. I decided to go for a 45 minute swim in the lake followed by a 30 minute run...throat hurt during the swim and strangely felt pretty good on the run. Matias and I hung out with the group a bit and were on the road home about 2pm. WHAT A BEATER!!!

Ready for hot yoga tonight :)

Up Next: General Smallwood International with Team LUNA Chix DC June 29, 2008

125-DiabolicalDouble

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Lake Placid Training

Long training weekend up in Lake Placid last weekend. Joe Coyne, had organized a training trip in preparation for s upcoming Ironman USA.

DAY 1/Thursday: Thursday morning Matias and I started off at Turkey Thicket with a solid 5,000 yard swim. We then headed out...picked up Kelzie, and then headed to meet up with Joe and Laurel. Team Versa was on the road by 9:30am, only 30 minutes later than planned. The drive was pretty uneventful..a few rest stops...and then around 3pm a stop in Woodstock to ride a 30 mile loop Joe had found. WOW...Woodstock was just as I pictured it. My legs felt stale...this would be a rough ride. We got going and it did feel good to get moving. After about 20 miles though I was ready to be done and thought this could be a long few days if my legs did not feel better. Since Tour de Skyline they just had not been feeling it. Not much recovery and over-training is what I suspected. We missed a turn and ended up with about 36 miles and were back in the car. After a quick stop at Sunflower, a local health food store, and a run in with a very laid back yogi we were on the road again by 7pm. We made it to Placid by 10pm...I was beat.

DAY 2/Friday: After a look at the weather forecast the previous night and our late arrival, we decided to sleep in a bit until 8ish, hit the grocery store, and then head out to ride one 56 mile loop of the Placid course. At about 10am we were ready to roll out. I was glad we had waited a bit for the sun to come out and temps to go into the upper 50s. As we started to ride my legs still felt so strained. UGHH. BLAH. I wished I was swimming. The 1st part of the course was some serious downhills...dang...downhills are not my strength at all. So yea, maybe 6 miles of realy downhill. I wanted to turn around but now though that might not be such a hot idea as we plummeted into this valley...going back up might not be so fun. I was stuck. After about 14 miles the downhills ceased and we came into Keene and regrouped. I was definitely not feeling well. I decided I should turn around and find a pool. BUHAHA. I told the group I was not feeling it and going to head back...the reminded me I had to go back up what we had come down. I did not care...I love climbing. Sucka...the climb back up was rough...nuf said. After that I felt a bit better. Headed back into town...the group would not be back for maybe another hour so I decided to ride through town and check out the Lake Placid Fitness Center, which supposedly had a pool. Unfortunately their pool was closed. Major bummer. I headed back to the condo...for a total of about 40 miles. The group returned around 2pm. The afternoons workout was a swim in Mirror Lake. We headed for the lake at 430pm. I had heard the water was in the lows 50s and was a bit nervous but really wanted to swim. Got my wetsuit on and lingered around awhile. Matias busted right on off the dock...huh...he seemed ok. I went over to the shore and waded in and started swimming...it was freakin cold. Not the type where one would warm up. DANG. I swam maybe 15 minutes and started feeling dizzy...this can not be good. I decided I should be a wuss and turn around before I had a problem. I was done trying for the day. That night we crushed some food and watched a movie about a guy who somehow became blind in Mexico.

DAY 3/Saturday: After yesterdays bust...I decided to do my own thing today. The group was doing a lot of riding (at least 1 loop of the course each day). I decided that was not the best for me with how my legs had been hurting and with Eagleman coming the following weekend. I planned to do a long run and then try to find a pool. At 930am I headed out solo-mission in the Newtons to run around Mirror Lake (which I believe was about 3.5 miles round trip). I did one loop and was feeling pretty good, and no signs of blisters (At the end of my runs in the Newtons my toes would began to get sore and I was getting some good looking blisters). One more loop should put me at 8 miles. After the 2nd loop I was still feeling pretty good so decided to go for one more. Coming through the town that 3rd loop my feet/toes started to hurt. I could have done another if I cut my toes off. I headed back to the condo and ended with about 12 miles...m longest run to this date. I really wanted to swim so looked online and called some places to find a pool. No matter where I go I am always able to find something...NOTHING. geez. When Matias got back from riding he felt my frustration and decided we should try and bust into a hotel he had seen. We headed to the Adirondack Inn and were able to sneak into their 15 or so yard pool. It felt great to stretch out and then sit in the hot tub. After the swim we went to Pasta La Villa for a Starburst martini and $1 drafts. nice. Then headed back to the condo to catch the end of a movie about a he-she. That night we crushed some more eats and then headed to the American Legion for some karaoke. We sat in the corner and watched the professional karaokeeer's line dancing and singing. After about an hour we were all falling asleep and decided it was bedtime.

DAY 4/Sunday: Today I would attempt to ride 1 loop of the course with the group again. We decided to get an earlier 8am start as the weather looked like it would get worse throughout the day. The way to Keene my legs felt soso...the downhills began...really not fun. Mile 35 the legs started feeling very strained again. Well at least only 20 more miles. The next section was this out and back. The wind started to really pick up and at times I felt I was going backwards. I became sad and wanted to be done. Kelzie was ahead...Matias was ahead but kept slowing to wait up for me and make sure I had not blown away. Joe and Laurel were not far behind. At mile 44 the climb back into Placid began. It had started to rain and I got cold. The last section was Little Cherry, Big Cherry, Baby Bear (weak), Mama Bear, and Papa Bear hills. Not too bad...I do love climbing. And finally it was over and we were back at the condo. Matias and I headed to the crepe place and I had a sandwich with gluten-free bread! It was so yummy. Then we decided to check out the Swedish Hill Winery. They had some great wines and we bought 3 bottles. Everyone was pretty wiped from training at this point...that night we crushed the rest of the food and talked about what we would do our last morning in Placid.

DAY 5/Monday: The group discussed a couple options for the morning training before leaving to go home. I was leaning towards NOT riding and just going for an hour run. They had wanted to do a mini-tri. This would mean getting in the freezing water around 7am. I was not up for that. Then someone mentioned this Whiteface Mountain ride. UGHH ride. Then the talk was of this mountain which consisted of 8 miles of climbing. OK I was in. Whiteface Mountain is 8 miles on a 8% Grade. The Climb is 3,500' up Scenic Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. New York's 5th highest peak with 360° panoramic views of the Adirondacks, New England, Vermont and Montreal. Starting line is at the Junction of Routes 86 & 431 in Wilmington, New York. Team Versa headed out at 630am, arrived at the starting line at 7am and were rolling by 715am. The climb began. Is this the start I kept asking. I sure as heck hoped...we were already significantly (out of the saddle type) climbing. "Yes, but we have not entered the actual climb," they kept saying. nice. Mile markers started saying 3, 2, 1 miles until Toll Booth (that meant park entrance). After 3 miles we came upon the closed park gates and signs which said NO bikes. I was bustin on through. Matias and I had gotten there 1st..we waited for Laurel and Joe to make a decision. Laurel said "LETS GO"...so we were climbing. Yes, this was climbing...no relief whatsoever. We settled into our paces. Matias was about 50 feet ahead of me and Joe about 50 feet behind...I did not want to let Matias out of my site. We came up on a sign...ROUGH ROAD 5 miles...great 5 miles till the top. They were not kidding...this was crazy tough. After wat seemed like a loooong time I came to ROUGH ROAD 4 miles...GOOD GRIEF. I needed fireballs and a gel...I was going to bonk after riding 4 miles. The next 2 miles seemed long and it started to get colder...maybe a temp drop of 10 degrees from the base. And the visibility was becoming very low...maybe 50 feet...I could barely see Matias but knew he was only about 50 feet in front still. Then the wind picked up...I had to really fight to ride through it. Finally, I came upon ROUGH ROAD 1 mile. There were no longer trees as we were at the top of the mountain...I felt as if I were in a different country. And finally I was at the top at some castle. So strange. I found Matias and Joe shortly followed. We were SO cold. Temp had gone down to 40 degrees and the wind was very strong. Some guys who worked in the castle had drove up right as we were finishing and told us we should not be up there and better ride back down asap. We were waiting for Laurel and then were gonna head back down. I was NOT looking forward to the ride down. Laurel arrived and they let us warm up a few minutes in the castle. Then we headed down. I took it EZ...breaked the entire time. There were some serios small rough bumbs middle of the road that could have taken someone out if you had not been paying attention. My eyes were watering and I was SO cold. I gripped my breaks so hard that my hands went numb. Temp was rising...at mile 4 it was about 55 degrees and then at the base about 62 degrees. I did not see anyone ahead of me at the base...I felt delerious and was unsure of where to go. I called Matias and Joe...AH DUH. Then figured it out...made my way back to the car. I was proud of that accomplishment. Probably the hardest thing I have done on Bananas. We got back to the condo, packed up, and shipped out. The way home went quickly. Matias drank too much Rockstar and went psycho. He finally bonked about 8pm...there is a 1st time for everything.

Thanks Joe for putting this training trip together. I had a great time training and hanging with everyone! Go Team Versa!

Up Next: Eagleman June 8, 2008

5th Annual Tour de Skyline

Hurtin. Home last night from the RATS 5th annual Tour de Skyline.

What is the Tour de Skyline?

The Tour de Skyline (TdS) is two-day ride from Front Royal to Waynesboro (day one) and back (day two) along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Said another way, TdS is two days, 220-miles, 20,000 feet of climbing, and too much fun. Even though TdS has a nice three-letter acronym, it's much more casual than you would think. Roads are not closed, there are no aid stations, and there are certainly no t-shirts.

This year was a big year for TdS...with 50 or so people signed up to go. Kona Kev did an excellent job in organizing the whole event. We were going to have 2 SAGS (Kevin's truck with Peter, the massage guy, and the Bonzai van driven by Andy and later Frank). And also a few cars.

The weather was not looking good (rain and only about 60 for a high...where it would be at least 10 degrees colder in the mountains). I had been checking the weather all week and looked like it should clear up around 12 on the 1st day. Then when I looked at the radar that morning it looked like we were going to be rained on the entire 1st day and now also a chance on the way home. Ughhh...I don't do well in cold but tried to stay positive. Matias, Andrea, and I headed out from Reston about 6am to be at Dickey Ridge Ranger station ready to go at 8am.

We arrived at the Ranger Station where everyone was getting ready and seeming quite positive for the crummy conditions. We took some pics and were rolling. I had put on as much clothes as possible and felt pretty comfortable. It was raining and very very foggy (visibility of maybe only 100 feet in some spots). The ride starts out climbing so I quickly became hot. People started to settle into groups. I stayed toward to front with about 6 others. My legs were feeling solid...a very good thing for the start of a 110 mile ride today. Only thing not so great was the conditions which seemed to be getting worse. We hit a few downhills, which were pretty scary in the rain and fog. I got cold. At about mile 20 Andy drove up and told us the police were kicking us off and the ride was being canceled. WHAT?! Hmm Part of me was sad...and the other part was thinking yea this is going to get pretty miserable. We turned around. Some pretty steep downhills...I got really cold...cold in my bones and was so glad we were turning around. A mile or so later another group flew by and yelled "Its OK we can keep going, turn back around!" WHAT?! Andrea and I looked at each other pained. We were both so cold. We turned around not sure what was going on...caught up to this group and they said we were riding to the 1st rest station at mile 24 and would then be shuttled to the halfway point and then try and ride the rest into Waynesboro. EEhh. During the ride to mile 24 I became FREEZING. We arrived at Elk Wallow (mile 24) and there was the Bonzai van ready to shuttle some to Big Meadows (mile 50). We threw our bikes in back and about 8 of us jammed in. Andrea and I huddled in the front near the heater. We were both cold and miserable and unsure of what was going on and unsure about how we could continue at all with cold and wet clothes.

Somehow everyone managed to get to Big Meadows (mile 50). I changed into normal dry clothes but was still chilled inside. The weather report was that the bad conditions continued to the end. A lot of guys decided to chance it and continue. I was done...so was Andrea. We decided to SAG it and start fresh on day 2. SAGing was somewhat fun but I was disappointed to not continue. Once we were past about mile 60 things really cleared up and warmed up a bit. Oh well. Everyone made it to the hotel in Waynesboro safely around 6pm. We showered, dryed our clothes, and all headed to Scotto's for dinner. I really hoped for good weather the next day. They were calling for a 30% chance of rain and highs in the upper 50s.

Woke up the next morning to clear skies! I was feeling really sore and a bit drained of energy from being so cold the previous day. Leave time was on one's own...but a pretty big group of us (Matias, Andrea, some other strong riders, and I left at 8am. Five miles of climbing to do before we even entered Shenandoah National Park...huh. I was feeling pretty good and actually almost overheating. Once we got into the park I started feeling a bit tired (great feeling at the start of a 110 mile ride...shoot). My whole body just felt wiped and sore. The previous day had completely drained me. It was going to be a long day and I was probably going to be sick after this. I was keeping with the group but felt the pace might be a bit fast and not sure I would be able to hang. Why do I always think I can ride with the big boys? Some days I can...but this was a long and difficult freakin ride. About mile 90 a rather large climb started and I got dropped. Beep. The mental battles were to begin. I told myself...you have 90 miles to go..if you don't think positively this is NOT going to happen. A few miles later on a downhill something fell off of me and Bananas and busted into a million pieces. hmm hope I did not need that...I went back...it was just a light. Doug Steele (man of mystery) came around the corner and we rode together for awhile. We caught up with the group at the next rest station (mile 80). They were heading out. Doug and I left shortly after. Then Doug decides to drop me non a downhill. I am not much of a riding partner (passing on the uphill and dropping on the downhills). Alone again. A few miles later came up on the Bonzai van...people were putting on more clothes...so I was back with the group again. Mile 70...dropped again. Damnit. A few miles later, Andrea caught up...she had been left behind at the van. We were both tired and decided to stick it out together. We then came up on Dave, Marty, and John. We all rode together then. I was seriously hurting. My legs were past sore and now just hurt to touch. And my upperbody was a mess (from the stress of being so cold). It hurt to keep my head up. And I was cold. I decided around mile 60 I would be done at Big Meadows (mile 50).

We rolled into Big Meadows and met up with the guys we had started with and found Matias...he looked cold and like he was hurting too...looked like his eyelashes might be frozen. Poor guy...everyone was looking rough...I decided to get some food and see how I felt. I got some vegetarian chili, gluten-free pretzels, coffee, diet pepsi, and felt a little better and decided I would continue...if it came down to it I would get in the SAG. Andrea and I headed out on our own...Matias was a little behind, but he would catch up. I was feeling a bit refreshed...musta been that chili. I was a little nervous...on the drive the day before we saw lots of construction from about mile 45 to mile 35. Some off-roading might be going on. Matias quickly came up to us and passed us. Then we were on our own. Came up to lots of construction...which watching and dodging made this part of the ride go more quickly. Then the tunnel around mile 35...tunnel vision on a bike...makes me nauseas. I got hungry again...had a new gel (Clif Vanilla)...this was the best gel I have ever had. We were nearing Elk Wallows (mile 24)...I started preparing myself for the 3 mile climb out of there. My legs were in pain but my spirits were lifting as we only had about 20 more miles! We stopped for a quick bathroom break at Elk Wallows and were off and climbing. We hit mile 23...still climbing...mile 22...still climbing...I was going to fall over and I did not care. My legs hurt. I did not look up. We rode with our heads down. Each bend we rounded I thought it would be over...no...kept on climbing. Finally it was over and we were coasting downhill. I was so happy. Now only about 14 miles to go. I started to feel nauseas and was seeing spots...I slowed a bit and told Andrea I was not feeling to great. But then the real downhills started and I could just coast...and tried to think positively and snap out of it. We were both so happy the last 5 miles. Then we were done. My legs were beyond done. Hope I did not do any serious damage. Well...what does not kill me only makes me stronger.

Day 1: ~30 miles and pulled out
Day 2: 110 miles

Andrea, thanks for riding with me...would have been ugly without you. Kevin, thanks for organizing. Matias, thanks for the motivation and the laughs. Bonzai, thanks for the SAG. Riding on Skyline is one of the most gratifying feelings. A lot of times I was thinking this is crazy and why am I doing this...I am never doing this again. But each time I say these things I always come back for more :) Each time I ride on Skyline I realize that so much of the sport we do is all about mental toughness. I am going to make an effort to work on my mental toughness in my future training and racing...I think this could be a huge factor in ones performance. Especially mastering pain and fatigue by keeping focused and controlling negative thoughts.

Up Next: missing Jim McDonnell this year, Lake Placid training/fun trip May 29, 2008