Running Sucks

So after a brutal cyclocross race yesterday, in which I totally sucked, Heather wanted to run today. Oh, I forgot to mention, poor out of shape, Heather won her women's Cat A Race yesterday. That chick is a genetic freak and I hope Zach got some of it. We decided to check out the local MTB trail first to see if it was ok to ride, it was not. I am totally against people riding when it is muddy, it destroys what precious trail systems we have left. So after a little recon on that trail we decided to turn around and head to the top of Spencer Butte. It is 2.5miles up and 2.5mile back on mostly good trail until you get to within about a quarter mile of the top, then the trail ends at a boulder field. From there it is find your own way to the top. But the view was awesome. On the way up we went through a foggy section of tail, it was pretty cool, but as we got to the top we realized it was a cloud. When we came out of the fog it was totally sunny and we were looking down on the clouds. We could see the Sisters which are part of the Cascade Mountain Range. I wished I would have brought the camera, but I didn't. But I can assure you I will next time.
Scott

A Eugene Sunrise

I thought this was pretty cool the other morning. The last couple mornings we have awoke in a cloud. It is really kind of spooky. This picture was taken when the town was in the cloud. As we descended down the hill we went into it. But it was sunny at our house when we left.

Awsome Shoes

These are the new Shimano R-300 Custom Fit shoe. I got these a few weeks ago when we were in St. Louis for Heathers medical school reunion. I got them Custom fitted there but had not had a chance to ride them until yesterday.

Lets start with the custom part before I tell you about the ride. First they take the insoles out and bake them in this special Shimano oven. After a few minutes they pull them out and put them back in the shoe. Then you put the shoes on and stand for 5 minutes. After that is done they take the insoles back out and put the shoes in the oven for a few minutes. This is the fun part. After the shoes have cooked you put your feet in them. They are really hot at this point. Next comes the the vacuum bag. They put this bag around your foot a suck all the air out forcing the shoe to mold to your foot. I will not lye, the pressure is almost uncomfortable. But man the shoes fit like a glove. You can see the bumps your toes made on the outside of the shoe.

Back to the ride. As most of you know with new shoes comes new cleats. I am always worried about getting the cleats just right, because a cleat that is off just a little bit can cause big problems with your knees. After a lot of measuring and guessing whether or not the cleats were right I was out the door. After a few peddle strokes I now know why pros get custom fitted shoes. I can't believe the difference, it feels like you are wearing slippers on your feet. You don't really feel the shoes at all. And as far as the cleats go, this is the first shoes I have ever owned that I did not have to go back and readjust the cleats. I can't wait to ride again. If you have an opportunity to get these shoes they are well worth the price.

scott

New Cross BIke

Well everybody else was showing their new rig, so I thought I would put mine on. I got this Redline Conquest Pro frame back in September and took parts off my old cross bike to finish it. The frame is super light, it is all aluminum, with a carbon fork. Very light and nimble. I have had to experiment with tire pressures to get the bike to handle the way I wanted it to. I had a big problem with the front end washing out the first time I raced it. But I have the bike dialed in now.

Why I Race Cyclocross

For those of you that have never done cyclocross you don't know what you are missing. Not only is it a total blast, but it really helps with bike handling skills and most of all keeps you fit. My last race which was 2 weeks ago, was 60min. During the race I was in zone 4 for 45 minuets and zone 5 for 15. Not all at once but at various points in the race. That kind of effort every couple of weeks keeps your Anaerobic Threshold up, so come December you don't have to work so hard in the building phase.

I raced today in Salem,OR, that is about an hour north of Eugene. Today's race was on an old golf course. It was a really cool course but totally brutal since it has been raining for the last week. The ground was totally water logged which made for insane rolling resistance. As the race started I was in pretty good position, but could not hold the pace of the leaders and fell back through the pack. I was completely out of gas, but decided to finish no matter what. At the end I was completely wasted, but I had finished and that is what is important.