Trans Iowa Training '14

 This winter hasn't made it easy to rack up the miles, and I'm not even up north where its really cold.  Despite the below average temps my training is still on track.  I wrote down an actual training plan this year instead to just riding as much as possible, and it seems to be working.

I have for more seat time right now than I did at this time last year.  I believe March is when it really matters though, crank it up in March, taper through April and be prepared for what I predict/hope will be a gnarly race with few finishers.  I don't care if I'm last, as long as I am one of the few.  Last years perfect weather and conditions made for what many said was an easy year, I'm ready for a hard one.

 

This race is a huge motivator.  I don't drive to the grocery to grab something, I jog down and write it down as training time.  The guy at the gas station looks at me funny when its below freezing, my fingers aren't working right, and I spill the hot chocolate I just bought.  He's probably thinking "that guy must have a DUI, why else would someone be riding their bike right now?"

I am half way through the training plan and wondering if I bit off more than I can chew.  If I complete the plan though, I know I'll be in good shape.  Its time to dig deep.

-David Swanson

Adventures with Stanley

A few days ago "flat Stanley" came in the mail.  He is on vacation from some family in WI, and wanted to go on some adventures.  I told him that it is a freezing outside, and he said "I'm from up Nort', bring it on!"  I am not one to be outdone by a 6 inch tall man so I said "lets do it!"  To which he responded "Der ya go, eh?"

We went out into the cold, and Stanley remembered he didn't bring a hat or gloves.  I told him "its to late to go back now."

We were moving pretty slow with all the fresh snow.

We even fell once, but it didn't hurt with all the nice fluffy snow.

We found a cool creek crossing.

We hid out of the wind behind this giant oak tree to warm up for a minute.

The next day the sun came out and the roads were much easier to ride on. 

It was a beautiful day with almost no wind, it was still cold but we had a great time.

-David Swanson