2013 September/October Catchup

Wow has it been that long since my last post.   So much has happened in the last couple of months so let me try to catch you up.  In the mean time I hope you have been doing a good job of powering up and maxing out your life.

I have to be honest and say that seeing the last warm days of summer pass by is always a sad time of the year for me.  Put simply I love the warm weather and the freedom it provides.  I don't know about you but I just feel more active and inspired.  This year the onset of fall hit me pretty hard, I had no real reason to feel down with everything going well, but there is sometimes no accounting for the game the mind plays.  It was a struggle to stay positive and combined with a few bad nights it was all I could do to employ the methods I have learnt to stay focused on the good things in life.  Well I am pleased to say I got my mojo together and weathered the seasonal change.

Foundation Training:  In September I book myself up to become a "Foundation Training" Instructor with the goal of learning more for myself and helping others.  At the same time the "Round the Rock" race organizers contacted me to find out if I was available to do photography.  Talk about conflicted, I had been looking forward to the race but it feel right in the middle of my training.  I decided to go to the training and I did not feel to bad has I had not made a commitment to photography thinking they had it covered following earlier conversations.   It was the right call the Round The Rock team found a photographer and the Foundation Training was simply amazing.  I learnt so much and got to hang out with some great people.  Now I am in the process of sharing it with others 1:1 and building a group training program.   If you are interested in learning more send me a mail and ask to join my Foundation Training Facebook page.

Paddle Boarding:  It might have been the last few weeks of the summer but I made sure to get out on the water a few times.  The hinging I learnt in Foundation Training totally changed my paddling style and gave me more power, endurance and confidence on the water.  It was great.  Oh and the girls, got to come out with me as well, although I suspect they did not think it was as awesome as I did, but I put that down to the first few rides which I am sure will get better with more practice.

 

Hemel Board Company:  I have been having a lot of fun helping the team at Hemel get ready for next year.  We have been reviewing our board design and strategy for the last couple of months and exciting things are afoot.

Coaching:  In the last couple of months as my strength as improved and I have re kindled my passion for cycling I explored my feelings towards racing.  It turns out that whilst I enjoy competition I fear being judged and how others view me.  Most importantly how I view myself thinking I am not worthy if I don't do well.  Talk about a limiting belief and now that I am aware of it I am taking actions to treat racing differently.

A certified Health Coach in the Family:  My wonderful wife completed her training and certified as a holistic health coach.  She the got herself her first clients and I could not be more proud of her.

Braces off:  I finally had the braces on my teeth removed.  It has been a rocky road with a fair amount of discomfort but the good news is they are no more.  It is strange seeing my new smile and I am still getting used to the new bite.

 

 

Cycling:  The Foundation Training has helped me focus on continuing to strengthen my back and to modify my riding style.  Giving me confidence to pursue my goal of road racing next year.  I joined the Mr Crampy Crew (local bike shop) and started weekend mountain bike rides and week day suffer fest training sessions.  Oh and I picked up my new stallion, well after a short return to the shop he is now home again and named blue.

 

Blue with his proud owner - What a Ride

Grand Ridge

 

Tiger Mountain

2000 FT of climbing taking 49 minutes - Lungs felt like they would explode.  But what a view and Oh boy what a decent :)

 

Changing Jobs:  After 3 years in my current role I am also changing jobs and this weekend marks the start of a vacation between the two roles.  It was flattering to have been approached by both Amazon and Google, but in the end I decided to stay with my current group and change roles to try something a little different.   I have worked as both an Individual Contributor and a Manager on and off throughout my career, enjoying the different demands each time.  This time I decided to change from the managerial role I have held for the last 2 years to a principle Individual Contributor.  At least until my wonderful wife starts to bring in the bacon and I can spend more time building a training and fitness business or just having fun.  Until then wish me luck.

That about brings us up to date, see I told you a lot had happened in the last month and a half.  But I cannot close out without telling you that after 20+ years I participated in a bike race a lot earlier than planned.  Thanks to some encouragement from a local bike shop employee.  It was a Cyclocross Race, something I have never done before.  I am told that todays course was the worst they had seen and I have to say it was a grind.  That said I was pleased with how I thought about the race before hand and my performance.  I have a long way to go in terms of getting race fit but it is a great start.  

 

Starting out 

 First Climb - 3 more to go

 Did I mention the mud - OMG a lot of Mud

 

 That climb again - Did I mention the Pain

 

Your supposed to run over these - Try telling my legs that! 

 Crossing the line on foot after my rear wheel jammed - cost me a couple of places for sure

Tried to smile but face would not cooperate 

That is not were the gear is supposed to be.  Mud meets metal - Mud wins 

Would you believe this is was my commuter bike.  I have been using it to ride to work with fenders on and slick tires.  Even with an injury I could feel its excitement at doing what it was built to do. 

Everything went well right up until the home straight, as I turned in, I changed gear readying a sprint only to have my rear wheel lock up completely.  My rear changer had completely flipped and locked up in my rear wheel.  I have to run/walk home, not the finish I had hoped for but it made it memorable :)

 

Placed 58th of approve 90 riders and 9 minutes of the winning pace in the open cat 4/5 race.  That will do for a my first race, now I have some work to do.

Until next time remember, Power Up and Maxlifeout :).