Merry Christmas!! Cyclocross nationals 2007

Merry Christmas everyone!!! The year really flew by. Caleb and I went to the cyclocross nationals last week at Wyandotte park(not the lake) to check out the action and to cheer on the locals(and part time trail runners). Cameron got on the podium in the singlespeed race. The mens elite race was exciting as well . The course really got sloppy once it warmed up. Tim Johnson won the stars and stripes. The last time he won was in 2000, which also happens to be the last time the race was in KC. Local stalwart Steve Tilford's race was messed up by double flatting not once, but twice. The first time I know he probably had to ride half the course on two flats. He still finished on the lead lap even after all that.

I'm lazy

First off congrats to Paul Schoenlaub and Dave Wakefield for good runs at Sunmart. Secondly, I think all of the posts about taking some time off finally rubbed off on me. I haven't ran since last Thursday. I had been feeling kind of crappy lately so may be I needed a little break. I am looking forward to Th Cyclocross Nationals this weekend. I'm going to go out and watch Cameron and Joel race the singlespeeds Sun morning and probably watch the pro race later in the day. It will be a lot cooler than watching the Chiefs get their asses handed to them again. Hopefully I can sack up and run tomorrow night and get a decent long run in on Saturday. Also I like eggs.

Clinton Cross country challenge

Well, Jackson and I went out to Clinton Lake for the 2 and 5 mile cross country races last Sunday. I was sick again and for sure would have bailed if I hadn't already signed up. The weather was brisk, but nowhere near as cold as last year. I ran the 2 mile with Jackson in 24:?? . Then I lined up for the 5 mile and ran the first few miles with BadBen. I started to feel a little better toward the end so I picked it up a bit. finished right at 40:00. If nothing else it was a good workout and I didn't make myself sicker...or is it more sick? Steve and Marcia Riley put on some good events. I definitely like the format of two races back2back. It's fun and its something I'd like to see us add to one of our races. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, so I threw in a shot of my new car. I got in a pretty good run tonight. I did five hard hill repeats of about 1 min. ea. along with a warmup and cooldown. I felt a lot better than I did on Sun. I just need to get out of this funk that I've been stuck in since the time changed and get back to training consistently. Next Sat is the Alternate chili run at Wyco. I heard there were a few crazies out there last Saturday in the rain. Jeez.

Nathaniel's run

I went ahead and did Nathaniel's run. I did 20 laps in about 4:30 , which works out to 26 miles. I had thought about trying to do 50k, but my legs were pretty shot by then and I just didn't feel like going any further to be quite honest. I didn't really ever get bored or anything, even with the loop being only 1.3 miles, my legs just got tired. The turnout was pretty low. It would have been nice to see more people out there. I think that Paul Schoenlaub did 32 laps and Stuart Johnson did 31. Cody did 24 laps. This event was a nice change of pace(and an easy way to get in a long run) and it was for a good cause so I'm glad I did it.

Veteran's Day 4-miler

We had a pretty nice race at Wyandotte County Lake last weekend. The weather was much nicer than last year's race and we even had a little fall color left to enjoy. We ended up with 60 runners, which was a good jump from 37? last year. Jaraj took the victory with a sub 30 minute time. I know that doesn't sound that fast for a 4 mile run, but this course will kick your butt. Rick Mayo put in a strong run for 3rd place and it was good to see Caleb out there mixing it up. My son Jackson, who is 8, ran the race too. It was his first race longer than a 5k so I was very proud of him. At the last few short races I had done I started like a jackrabbit and faded, so I told myself to start a little slower than I have been and it paid off. I ran 34:39, with Stuart Johnson on my heels for the last 2 miles, which was good for 10th. I ran 36:11 last year on the same course so I was happy with that. Here are a few pics that my brother Adam took. Results and more photos HERE. My photos HERE. I also threw in a shot of some nymphs( Hare's ear and Pheasant Tail) that I tied at my class this week.
I almost forgot to mention how bad I scared Caleb (and Kyle) after last Thursday's course marking and run. A few of us ran the course after marking. Caleb and Kyle dropped me so I jogged back on the road from the archery range. When I was almost back I could see their lights in the woods and I had an evil idea. I hid behind a big tree that was right beside the trail. When they got to me I jumped out from behind the tree into the trail while simultaneously screaming and clicking my light on and shining it up at my face!! Caleb didn't seemed to pleased, but Kyle ;aughed a little. I thought it was pretty funny myself, but it was a bit mean.
I'm still undecided about Nathaniel's run on Friday. Not sure I'm up for 6 hours of running. I'm actually thinking of doing the Cranksgiving alleycat race next Sun. I've never done anything like that so it could be fun. I might do Dude, where's the trail. I'm doing the Clinton cross country challenge fer sure though. Then the alternate chili run and after that a short break from races.

Fly tying

I signed up for a fly tying class at Cabela's. I've always thought it would be cool to know how to tie flies so I'm learning. Here's a shot of the woolly worms and woolly buggers I tied last night. Next week is nymphs!

New Toys!

Well, I've been looking for a deal on a new bike for awhile and I finally found a pretty good one. I bought a Gary Fisher x-caliber 29er. I rode a Surly Karate monkey (rigid with gears) for most of the last two years and finally decided to buy a bike with some suspension. I plan on setting up my KM as a singlespeed. I don't want to get soft in my old age(I turned 33 today!). I think the x-cal is a pretty good setup. It has the same frame as the higher end paragon and it has a RockShox Reba SL fork. I rode it today for the first time and I'm pretty stoked. It's a little heavy, but I'm going to switch out a few things and get some nicer wheels built for it. I'm thinking Chris King hubs with Stan's ZTR 355 29er rims. Should be pretty nice and I'm sold on the 29 inch wheels. They roll!
My other new toy is a kayak. I probably didn't need it, but I've been thinking about getting one for awhile and it was heavily discounted at Cabela's. I figure that It'll be good for training if I get back into the Adventure Racing. I really missed that this year. Anyway, It's an Old Town Cayuga 160. 16 feet long. No rudder, but I can add one if I want. I bought a Pacific Paddles T1 touring paddle to go along with it. 29 oz. for $115. I'm pretty happy with it so far. Now that it gets dark at 6 I should have plenty of time to go out for a paddle, right?
Last weekend I ran the 5k(more like 4+ miles) and rode in the cyclocross race at Wyco park. It was a good time and I was dead tired after getting killed in the cross race. Let's just say my time on the bike has been minimal. They had tons of good food and Boulevard beer!
Next Sunday is the Veteran's Day 4miler. I'm going to try and get out and clean up the course a bit before the race. See ya out there!