Mountain Bikes, Bass Guitar, and other stuff I like

This is one of my favorite races since I love the multi-sport format and these trails are in my backyard.  In fact, I owe a lot to the fine folks at SORBA Woodstock and Blanket's Creek trails for helping me to get in shape in the first place! Running and biking sounds like a fun time on the trail!  This is the 3rd year I've done the race solo and pleased to report that my times have gotten faster each year.  The 1st year Renee and I tag-teamed it with her running and me biking. Woke up at 5:30 race morning and had some bulletproof coffee (coconut oil mixed with coffee). This really helped keep me sustained for the race. Normally I would race on that and maybe a piece of chocolate but was feeling extra hungry. Probably ate a little too much solid food with eggs, ham and cheese, a few almonds. Felt full up until race start at 9ish.  Definitely was NOT well-rested.  It's ok because I was feeling pumped. Not really nervous at all, just amped.  Feeling focused...

My second trail race of the year was a tough one at the beautiful Garland Mountain horse/hike trail system near Waleska, GA.  Temps were in the 40s at race start but skipped any warm clothing. Had the trusty Altras on, which did well on a muddy,slick course.  This race was part of a national cup series so there were some elite runners in the field.  I positioned myself at the front of the pack and had a quick start, perhaps a tad quick although I felt like I could maintain that pace.  I was putting in an 8:15 or so over the first 3 miles. Maybe an 8:30 would've been a wiser choice.  I'm sure all this will come with more experience.  Strangely, 2 weeks before during my half-marathon, I felt a lot better overall and had a strong finish. Today, I felt like I stumbled toward the end despite a eyeballs-bleeding uphill climb to the finish. A week before I had finished the Snake Creek mountain bike time trials then followed with an 8-mile run the next day so I ma...

Around 5 years ago when I began Mountain Biking there was one trail that struck me as one that I must ride one day when I obtained the skills and fitness to do so, that trail is Snake Creek Gap near Dalton, GA.  Just a mere mention of this trail seems to strike awe in bikers and runners alike, for its daunting technical features (roots and rocks ad nauseum) and lung-busting climbs.  This is not a "fun" trail necessarily (although there are plenty of fun downhill sections) but more of a trail to help you discover what kind of person you are.  Call it a vision quest for the modern age.  "The Snake", as it's affectionately called, can definitely teach one a thing or two about themselves.  Some people ask me, "Jonathan, why do you do what you do? Why subject yourself to such torture?"  I don't really have an answer for that except, to see if I can do it.  "Because it's there." 5 years later I finally got up the gumption to enter thi...

Went into the half with 6 days of rest thanks to snow and a sinus cold.  I don't recall resting the entire week before a r Haven't exactly been training like gangbusters for this race since it is Winter and all.  Done 3 or 4 long runs plus a few short runs for speed work.  Also down 5lbs. from the holidays helps. Thank you Paleo! Had a 30 degree 8am race start. Up at 6am! Wore the new Altra Superiors (no lacelocks yet). This was the Altra's second long run and they performed beautifully.  Great trail feel and decent grip.  No PF flare up after the race! Unfortunately, now they are completely covered in mud! Rained the night before causing a muddy course, foot-deep water crossings.  This race really felt like an adventure or obstacle race with the harsh conditions.  Narrow planks across creeks and tree crossings.  The first tree crossing I took but it really slowed me down so on the next two I just ran through the creek.  Hey, cold,wet feet ...

I'm sitting in my sunlit bedroom on one of the coldest winters in recent Georgia memory feeling a little tired due to a measly 6 hours of sleep and thinking about my training and racing to come over the next 6 months.  I'm also thinking about my winter weight gain, at least 10lbs. over my usual 175 race weight.  (Preferably race weight would be 170 but settling for 175.)  I know that I am fighting serious evolutionary factors here with my body wanting to rest and store fat for this harsh winter. This is all juxtaposed with the P90X strength training program that I started in November and I'm wrapping up for this session.  This interspersed with the occasional trainer ride, road ride, and MTB ride.  Not to mention the possibly ill-advised Snake Creek Time Trials, the next of which is next Saturday. My goal this winter was to strengthen up, which I certainly have, and to give my mind and body a rest from the rigors of running and biking.  So far this is go...

Toward the end of the year seems like a good time for looking forward to next year and reflecting on the past 12 months.  I began this blog to put my thoughts down on paper, a diary of sorts, but it has turned in to (hopefully) an insight into the mind of an amateur athlete.  I hope the readers have gained insight and humor from my writings and hopefully I can provide a glimpse into the painful, joyous, chaotic, and exalting world of bike racing and trail running. Over the past year I decided to try some new things and get out of my comfort zone.  I became interested in triathlon (swim,bike,run) last winter and entered a sprint triathlon in June.  The distances were short but it was still about an hour's worth of maximum effort.  Triathlon is fascinating because it requires such discipline and really stretches my limits on physical fitness.  Plus I also find it invigorating to train and compete in multiple disciplines. I did my usual trail duathlons this ...

I have been wanting to ride at Berry College for the last several years.  Renee and I had previously attempted riding at Berry in 2009, to no avail, since the trails proved elusive.  Today was a chance to finally go exploring and I'm glad I did.  The Assail the Trails race put on by Cycle Therapy really showcased all the trails available in the wilderness surrounding the college.  This is a beautiful area and it was so beautifully surreal to climb up to the House of Dreams in the misty clouds with trees around in brilliant orange, red, and yellow. I didn't sleep well at all last night waking up every half-hour it seemed with thoughts of, "Can I really ride 35 miles tomorrow?" I thought we would be out on the course the entire 35 miles but it turned out that we would make 3 laps with each lap heading out on different length courses.   Honestly, I was under-trained for this race since I have been resting for most of October and plan on continuing to rest in Nove...