Took my first real big health hit of the fall this past weekend. I'd been bitching to my wife about my back/joints Thursday and Friday, then come the weekend I just felt like general crap. Got the clear to run Sunday morning, but really needed to sleep and rest which is what I did. I still don't feel right, but better than yesterday so that's a step. Hoping I get healthy enough over the week to get a basic run in the Boulder Mountains this Saturday.
Some random thoughts.
Most of the Fall/Winter race calendar sucks around here, minus the FA events of course. The winter distance races in the Denver area are less than appealing and quite expensive in my view for what you get back. Really looking forward to kicking JT's ass at the hill climb in a few weeks, though aparently he's top dog now. Won't do him any good getting an elite entry to CM50K though cuz it's just a marathon.
Also, really looking forward to the Twin Mountain Trudge in Laramie this coming year. I love me some snow running, can't wait for it really. I don't like the in between times with all the ice, but when it's just fluffy awesome snow, it's pretty damn good.
Carved pumpkins with Xavier on Saturday, and the damn squirrels already got to them. So our Jack-O-Lanterns look more akin to toothless West Virginians...
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Catching up
1-3 in the alumni game. Actually felt comfortable at the plate, drilled a single, stole second and third, scored. Made a couple errors at second (subbed in since none of our alumni players played second). I think if I still weighed 185-190 I'd still have the pop, timing was just a bit off (4 years not touching a bat will do that I guess).
In laws have been in town this week so I haven't gotten back into the groove of daily training, but I'm feeling more comfortable when I am out there. Snuck out to Mt. Falcon on Wednesday, felt a bit uncoordinated and slow, but settled in after a half hour or so.
"Raced" the Band on the run 2 miler out in Aurora today with my father in law. 12:30 in the snow on a slightly hilly course. Pretty fun actually, we couldn't find the start for the longest time (in a gated community that you couldn't drive into), but got there with 10 minutes to spare. I decided to bag a warm up and any real effort (wise decision). I didn't slack too badly, but with our first cold day and no warm up I could still feel the hammys twinging around mile 1. I was the default winner in the 19-29 AG, I was also the only one in the AG. For a race with an $18 registration they gave out some nice swag. I ended up with a $25 gift card to the Runner's Roost, but almost all of the other AG winners came away with a nice Saucony RR jacket. Then I ate 3 Cinnamon rolls, watched football, and drank Titan/Hop Trip IPA.
Back to work this coming week and I intend to get back on the horse. This applies to training and eating/drinking. I've enjoyed my beer and disregard for most forms of healthy eating, but I'm ready to start the long transition back to fitness. I might use some small 5K's or XC races to help with the speed work as I tend to get up and after it more with others there to push me. I'll also try to join Joe and Luke for some turnover work.
The 2012 race schedule has been up in the air a bit, but I'm gonna keep it under control until I find out about Hardrock. That would change everything, especially in regards to training.
Lastly, my Rockhopper is fully under construction, the entire front end is disassembled. Was happy to see the traditional 1 1/8" steerer rather than the 1". I may have socialized my way into a set of Mavic wheels this Friday. Pays to attend homebrewer parties.
In laws have been in town this week so I haven't gotten back into the groove of daily training, but I'm feeling more comfortable when I am out there. Snuck out to Mt. Falcon on Wednesday, felt a bit uncoordinated and slow, but settled in after a half hour or so.
"Raced" the Band on the run 2 miler out in Aurora today with my father in law. 12:30 in the snow on a slightly hilly course. Pretty fun actually, we couldn't find the start for the longest time (in a gated community that you couldn't drive into), but got there with 10 minutes to spare. I decided to bag a warm up and any real effort (wise decision). I didn't slack too badly, but with our first cold day and no warm up I could still feel the hammys twinging around mile 1. I was the default winner in the 19-29 AG, I was also the only one in the AG. For a race with an $18 registration they gave out some nice swag. I ended up with a $25 gift card to the Runner's Roost, but almost all of the other AG winners came away with a nice Saucony RR jacket. Then I ate 3 Cinnamon rolls, watched football, and drank Titan/Hop Trip IPA.
Back to work this coming week and I intend to get back on the horse. This applies to training and eating/drinking. I've enjoyed my beer and disregard for most forms of healthy eating, but I'm ready to start the long transition back to fitness. I might use some small 5K's or XC races to help with the speed work as I tend to get up and after it more with others there to push me. I'll also try to join Joe and Luke for some turnover work.
The 2012 race schedule has been up in the air a bit, but I'm gonna keep it under control until I find out about Hardrock. That would change everything, especially in regards to training.
Lastly, my Rockhopper is fully under construction, the entire front end is disassembled. Was happy to see the traditional 1 1/8" steerer rather than the 1". I may have socialized my way into a set of Mavic wheels this Friday. Pays to attend homebrewer parties.
Friday, September 30, 2011
A jock filled weekend
Alumni weekend is upon us, or maybe just me. Time to relive our former glory.
However, more importantly, it's time for trash talk and reuniting with some good friends who I once shared many long bus rides to such wonderful locales as Las Vegas... the one in New Mexico...
Game time is 10am with BP prior, gotta try and put a few off the scoreboard like the good old days. Now that I'm 30 pounds lighter, it'll be a good time to prove my old theory that you don't have to be huge to hit homers. I'm gonna predict a 1-4 performance with a homer and 3 K's.
First things first though, time to enjoy a few beers with the boys tonight.

This is GREAT. To get an idea of just how bad we really were that first year, check this out.
I try to mention just how poor we were when people bring it up, or I mention that I played ball in college, but it's just easier to see it in writing: 6-45. If you look hard enough you can find me cast in a less negative light (beer to whoever actually reads through it enough to find them), but it's not easy to find...
However, more importantly, it's time for trash talk and reuniting with some good friends who I once shared many long bus rides to such wonderful locales as Las Vegas... the one in New Mexico...
Game time is 10am with BP prior, gotta try and put a few off the scoreboard like the good old days. Now that I'm 30 pounds lighter, it'll be a good time to prove my old theory that you don't have to be huge to hit homers. I'm gonna predict a 1-4 performance with a homer and 3 K's.
First things first though, time to enjoy a few beers with the boys tonight.

This is GREAT. To get an idea of just how bad we really were that first year, check this out.
I try to mention just how poor we were when people bring it up, or I mention that I played ball in college, but it's just easier to see it in writing: 6-45. If you look hard enough you can find me cast in a less negative light (beer to whoever actually reads through it enough to find them), but it's not easy to find...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Phase one complete
Picked up a swap part saddle from the LBS parts bin (nice Bontrager evoke) for $20. Now my butt will be happy. I threw the new saddle on the CX bike to give it a go and this morning I thew my WTB Silverado saddle on the Rockhopper (so much better). The next phases are as follows:
Pedals- SPD/Less than $30
as is the bike is in commuter shape so pedals would allow me to use my Sidi's (which were purchased for $7.95 at DAV thrift store in Lakewood).
Wheels- Here's a tough one, I'll need a 29'er front wheel and a 26'er rear both NON DISC. Surprisingly hard to find old school MTB wheels nowadays. Likely will use my dividend from REI in march to pick up mismatched pair as they are the only place that seems to carry what I need (single wheels) in my price range.
Fork- Rigid, 29'er and Canti compatable
Tires- again, one 29'er and one 26'er, preferably 1.95's and fast (Small block's perhaps)
Now onto the stuff I have no idea about:
Headset- likely also need access to a press?
Stem- at least 100mm, likely need 110 or 120 due to having the smaller frame.
Spacers- including a front brake cable hanger like this one.
Handlebars- high rise, like this. Again, to accommodate my smaller frame.
The last step would be to turn it into a Single Speed, but that's simply to fulfill the desire to have a LOW maintenance bike. The gears currently on are great 18sp and in good condition.
Pedals- SPD/Less than $30
as is the bike is in commuter shape so pedals would allow me to use my Sidi's (which were purchased for $7.95 at DAV thrift store in Lakewood).
Wheels- Here's a tough one, I'll need a 29'er front wheel and a 26'er rear both NON DISC. Surprisingly hard to find old school MTB wheels nowadays. Likely will use my dividend from REI in march to pick up mismatched pair as they are the only place that seems to carry what I need (single wheels) in my price range.
Fork- Rigid, 29'er and Canti compatable
Tires- again, one 29'er and one 26'er, preferably 1.95's and fast (Small block's perhaps)
Now onto the stuff I have no idea about:
Headset- likely also need access to a press?
Stem- at least 100mm, likely need 110 or 120 due to having the smaller frame.
Spacers- including a front brake cable hanger like this one.
Handlebars- high rise, like this. Again, to accommodate my smaller frame.
The last step would be to turn it into a Single Speed, but that's simply to fulfill the desire to have a LOW maintenance bike. The gears currently on are great 18sp and in good condition.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Free meat saw/Project bike/Joke of the day
My co-worker gave me his old 1993 Specialized Rockhopper Sport (in pristine condition) and now I have a winter commuter and a project bike. I'm gonna have some fun and maybe even get it ready for a Leadman 2013 go. Probably the most important fixes initially would be the saddle (it's original and it hurts) and the pedals. otherwise it's fully ready to ride. Even the original "smoke" tires have great tread.
My friend Jesse reinvented his early/mid 90's Specialized into this beast:

That's the inspiration. Jesse's bike is a SS 69'er with mullet brakes (disc front/canti rear).
Joke of the day:
A boy's parents are getting a divorce. The judge asks him, "do you want to live with your mom?"
"No," the boy says, "she beats me."
"Oh," the judge replies, "well, would you like to live with your father?"
"No," the boy says again, "he beats me too."
"Hmm," the judge considers, "who should you live with?"
The boy replies, "can I just live with the Denver Broncos? Because they're not gonna beat anybody."
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Life
Quick update about the status of the Garcia household.

All is good on our little patch of grass. As it turns out, Oliver broke his humorous on delivery (left side, basically the bone between your shoulder and elbow). We saw a pediatric orthopedic doctor yesterday and he assured us that it looks good and will heal extremely fast (3 weeks). We've got his arm immobilized by using an ace bandage to keep his hand on his chest (similar to the position a sling puts your arm). Otherwise you'd never know he's got a broken arm. When it's still (99% of the time) he's just a normal baby, no crying unless he's crapped himself or needs food. He fusses when we have to change his shirt but that's to be expected.
Sleep wise we're doing well (knock on wood). He's been cruising off to sleep for 3 hours at a time so we're relatively rested. I'm extremely thankful for that, and I've even got a few runs in. I might try to see if Xavier wants to go check out the Bear Chase Race on Sunday. Speaking of Xavier, I'm taking him on Thursday to go do something fun. Had thought of hiking, so I might check the weather to see if that's a good idea still. If not that, I might take him down to Manitou for the penny arcade and pizza.
Thanks for all the well wishes in the last post, always great to hear from y'all. Nick, Rachel loves the idea of hanging out with Dana and the Clark contingent of germ spreaders during the Chubster so we'll see you there. In other news, I will likely head up to Boulder sometime around Halloween, and take part in a small chunk of legally questionable hi-jinks. Won't be ready for the full deal, probably a heavy half.
All is good on our little patch of grass. As it turns out, Oliver broke his humorous on delivery (left side, basically the bone between your shoulder and elbow). We saw a pediatric orthopedic doctor yesterday and he assured us that it looks good and will heal extremely fast (3 weeks). We've got his arm immobilized by using an ace bandage to keep his hand on his chest (similar to the position a sling puts your arm). Otherwise you'd never know he's got a broken arm. When it's still (99% of the time) he's just a normal baby, no crying unless he's crapped himself or needs food. He fusses when we have to change his shirt but that's to be expected.
Sleep wise we're doing well (knock on wood). He's been cruising off to sleep for 3 hours at a time so we're relatively rested. I'm extremely thankful for that, and I've even got a few runs in. I might try to see if Xavier wants to go check out the Bear Chase Race on Sunday. Speaking of Xavier, I'm taking him on Thursday to go do something fun. Had thought of hiking, so I might check the weather to see if that's a good idea still. If not that, I might take him down to Manitou for the penny arcade and pizza.
Thanks for all the well wishes in the last post, always great to hear from y'all. Nick, Rachel loves the idea of hanging out with Dana and the Clark contingent of germ spreaders during the Chubster so we'll see you there. In other news, I will likely head up to Boulder sometime around Halloween, and take part in a small chunk of legally questionable hi-jinks. Won't be ready for the full deal, probably a heavy half.
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