What's been happening!?!?

I am officially back. I think I am going to call the last two months, the true off-season. Obviously school finished and winter break came and went quickly. Lots of things have been happening over those two months. Over break, I spent a fair amount of time trying to get my old XC skis in working order only to find out that there is a place down here that rents skis for no cost other than the annual membership... Sold! I was able to get out to do some cross-country skiing through the Urban Ecology Center at least a few times over break. I was also happy to get a fair amount of weight-lifting in. Over the last two weeks I have been doing more cardio on the spin bike and a little running on the indoor track (much to my knee's dissatisfaction...). Thanks to the weather over the weekend and decent temps this morning, I finally got outside to get in some real saddle time!!! Meetings for Both the Titletown Flyers and the UWM Cycling team have started and collegiate road racing starts on Feb 28th, though my first race(s) are likely to be March 7 and 8th. Besides training and such, school is now entering week 3 of the spring semester, though I can hardly believe it. My schedule consists of about 4 classes, Monday through Wednesday and work 5 days a week. My biggest challenges are without a doubt my 3 night classes from 5:30 to 8:10 each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It's pretty hard to get used to staying attentive at night instead of in the early morning. The nice thing about the night classes is that I get a lot of time Monday and Wednesday mornings to get in a long ride or workout before classes start.
I'll have more to come, as I am making some (hopefully) big purchases over the next month or so, and as training builds towards collegiate road season!

-Andy

Snow Anyone?

Today was to mark the last day of school for the fall semester with my last final at 10:00 AM. This morning I woke up to the sound of snow blowers and lots of commotion outside. Looking out my window, I saw what I had feared; 12+ inches of snow and more on the way. I was hopeful that my exam would not be canceled, so I checked the computer and yep, exams are delayed due to the snowstorm... As a kid and even now, I loved snow days and always looked forward to them. Today is different, I really wanted to take this exam and get the semester over with. Now I need to try and get off from work tomorrow morning so I can go back to school and take the exam 24 hours from now... Not fun. In the meantime, I guess I will study a little more for the exam and have a lazy day watching all the people that have real jobs try and get to work.

Exams and Winter

Only three days, four exams, and two assignments separate me from the end of the semester and a month of so of time off to hopefully get in a ton of training. My day today has been spent in front of the computer working on typing code for a project due tonight and a little of that time was spent studying for my two exams tomorrow. (I love this time of the year...) But really, after tomorrow, the end of the semester is ever closer and some good time away from school and work is ahead. Things on the training front are still in slow motion, but that is quickly changing. Thursday, I am heading to our athletic center to get in with a personal trainer and soon thereafter a nutritionist. This last weekend I had Heather bring down the old XC Skis. They need a lot of work, some new boots and possibly new bindings, but I think they will offer a great opportunity to get outside and get active. (Not that I hate training indoors) I have also been giving thought to trying out rollers instead of my Fluid2 Trainer. The problem with the trainer is that is is big and noisy, two serious flaws when living in a small apartment. I figure rollers will be smaller, quieter, and will offer something a little different as far as indoor riding goes. So here is where I ask everyone who reads this... If you have a set of rollers I could try that would be awesome. Maybe a little temporary trade (my Fluid2 for your rollers).
In the meantime the season will likely begin with some good core weights and cardio in the gym. That is if these exams will ever be finished.

The End of the Off Season

If is has not been obvious, I decided to take a little hiatus from the blog and most things cycling. Eating the food I know I shouldn't, taking time to sleep (yeah right...) and having a lot of extra time... Well at least I was eating what I shouldn't have and not riding for a few weeks. The off season was good for the most part though. The extra time from riding and training was quickly eaten up by school work and the like and I found myself busier than ever. Right now I am in the final stretch of the Fall semester and seeing the end of a mountain of non-stop work. With that end nearing and so much time off, I am ready to get back on the saddle for some indoor training. Most days my legs feel like they are just dying to spin and lift weights for hours on end.
Once the semester is officially done, the plan is to seek out the help of a professional nutritionist and a personal trainer. Depending on what they have to say the tentative plan is to get in the pool and lift weights a few times each week and also spend plenty of time on the spin bike too. The 2009 season hopes to be the biggest for me yet, hopefully adding in some road races, crits, and plenty of mountain bike racing. There may also be a new steed in line from one of the teams newest and oldest sponsors.
It may just look a little like this.

In other news, the snow is falling and Christmas is definitely in the air. Tomorrow night, I head back to Green Bay to see a little Christmas music performed by none other than the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you haven't been to one of their concerts, I highly recommend it. The show is great for all, young and old. And the special effects are like nothing else I have ever seen in a single show.
Now, off to get some more work done so I can prepare for 2009 riding for the Titletown Flyers presented by Extreme Photography and Specialized!

Election Day

The day we have been waiting for has arrived. Soon, dirty campaign ads will be gone and a new leader will emerge to take the reigns for the next 4 years.
If you have not already, take the time to vote today. It is our privilege, our right, and our responsibility to vote. It does not matter who you vote for, just that you vote! Tonight, we find out who the next President of America will be.

Mustaches

Some of you may have seen the facial hair, here is the reason...
A couple guys and I decided to grow out mustaches for a big event this last weekend. The following is a photo story of the mustache...
Before:
And another Before Shot:
Step 1: The first cut
Step Two: Begin the 'Fumanchu' (Yes, the FUMANCHU)
Step 3: The 'Fumanchu' (This would have been great if my hair could fill-in)
Enter, 'the Mustache'
Finally, the Head Shot...

Believe it or not, I only some-what look like the creepy used car salesman down the street... Good thing this was only for the weekend. Not go ahead and leave your "why..." comments.

WORS 2008 and Shvegas

WORS 2008 is coming to an official close. Just over a week ago was WORS #12 at Sheboygan and this weekend marks the official end of the season with the WORS Banquet.

Shvegas was great. I had 4th place pretty much locked in so I just needed a solid finish. Out of the start, I was feeling good. I sat back a little and watched the boys battle over their preem money and kicked it into gear in the single track. It looked like Wenzlick and one of the shop guys from Stadium were on my wheel for a while in the leadout, but in the single track I flew away. One of the Sheboygan locals was right up with me and stayed there for almost the entire race. I was with a pack of five or so guys coming into the Equilizer, and knew there would be no succesful climbs today. I hoped off and Cyclo-crossed it all the way up and back onto the bike. We hit the slock rock and then we were out for lap 2. The 4-5 guys I was with were holding their own on the double track, but they were pretty slow in the single track, so once we hit the preem parking lot, I made my move, and shot past all of them into the single track where my goal was then to solo it and bridge the gap to the leaders. I was really flying, but I was using a lot of juice. about halfway in the Sheboygan and the Stadium guys caught up with me. We were working together until two 30-34 guys flew by. I missed the move and watched as the Stadium guy pulled away on their wheels. I worked hard, but just couldn't get up there. The rest of my second lap and my third lap was spent trying to get up front. Every here and there I could see some of the leaders, but I did'nt know quite how far off they were. I was pretty tired and knew I spent a lot of energy on my own durring lap 2. Eventually I recovered, and used what energy I had left to make a strong finish. I hit the line and felt exausted, but after a couple minutes of cool-down riding I felt great. My finish was great. I took 4th (again) in 19-24 and 23rd overall in Sport. I was technically the second fastest Stadium Rider (but the shop guy really doesn't count for me) and 7 minutes back from taking a win.

Next race is the IceMan up in Traverse City! Time to do some training and see where I end up. See everyone out at the Banquet this weekend.