The new blog experiment!

So since everyone else seems to be jumping on the WordPress bandwagon, I figured I might as well give it a shot!

I’m actually loving the formatting of it, and eventually I can even turn it in to a full blown website! HOLLA!

Anyways, it’s a simpler and cleaner format, but I MUCH prefer it!

http://derekwl.wordpress.com/

See you there!

Andrew McCartney: The Euro Cyclist

With significant discussion as of late regarding 'Euroness' while cycling, I felt it necessary to outline the many ways that Mr. Andrew McCartney follows the divine rule of the "Euro Cyclist." He's been getting ragged on for being so Euro, so let me be the first to offer a form of praise:

(Source: OREC: The Official Rules of the Euro Cyclist)

3. The Euro Cyclist shall NEVER, under any circumstances, wear plain black spandex bibs (shorts, regardless of colour are BANNED) or ANY team kit
containing non-prominent logos. Shorts will extend approximately 2/3rds of the way down the upper leg and will contain a compression band at the bottom (distinct in colour). In NO CONDITION shall they extend any further!

4. Legs shall be SHAVED year-round. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS. Certain hair removal creams are endorsed only on a case-by-case basis. One shall never show up to a race (be it large or small) with ANY amount of stubble visible on one’s legs.

5. A prominent line where one’s kit ends and where one’s deep tan begins is essential to one's image. Artificial tanning is BANNED. The tan shall reflect the level of training commitment.

(He's got some catching up to do on that one :) )

7. Cycling shoes shall contain at least 80% white!

9. One’s bike frame shall contain between two (2) and four (4) colours IN ADDITION TO WHITE. All colours are acceptable as long as they combine tastefully and elegantly. In addition, wheel selection must also match frame and fork.

12. Ridiculously stylish eyewear (see endorsed products list) is to be worn AT ALL TIMES without exception. Glasses are to be worn over helmet straps at all times.

21. Facial hair shall be restricted to (at a maximum) a goatee, and even this is discouraged. Moustaches, beards, and any combination thereof are EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED in all instances. Stubble is, however, advisable in virtually ALL euro-situations. It is important to note that this DOES NOT apply to the legs.

24. One shall NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, associate with triathletes. This cannot be overemphasized! It is FORBIDDEN to have any number inked onto one’s body before a race.

(As you all know, he breaks this rule ALL the time, but you wouldn't know it when he's out cycling!)

34. Espresso is a NECESSITY and as such it must be consumed normale or ristretto on a patio (preferably in Italy) in full kit; All other coffee shall be brewed strong and taken BLACK.

46. When asked "how are you?" while riding one must proceed with one of the following...
i. Complain about coming off a sickness
ii. Explain that one is peaking for bigger races later in the season
iii. Mention that this is a "recovery ride"
iv. Explain that one is at the tail end of one’s daily six (6) hour training ride

I hope you all found this accurate, and informative. And GOOD LUCK to A-Mac and Austin in San Franciso!

TOO much time to think...

I'm sure this happens to everyone once in awhile, but it seems like EVERYONE in my life except me, has a life. Lately I've felt like I'm losing touch with some of those people closest to me, and it's resulted in many a night alone watching movies in the evening.

Now, I won't make this a public pity party, but I'm sure this is partly due to the progress, or lack thereof, with my left leg. It has come up multiple times in the past few years, even while swimming. IT Band, Hamstring, Calf, Soleus etc. etc. etc. The list goes on. One I did forget until very recently was my partially torn Achilles when I was 12. I'm sure Linda (my physio at Brentwood Physiotherapy) will LOVE me when I tell her this... After forgetting to tell her for nearly 10 appointments.

Originally the pain was focused on the lower medial side of my knee cap and was identified as my Sartorius and some-other muscle (can't remember the name!). It was due to very inflexible hamstrings, and after LOTS of stretching and TONS of Yoga, I was back at it. 2 runs into my fresh start, my calf/ENTIRE lower left leg seized up. It felt like a combination of a calf strain, shin splint, and soleus tear all in one. To top it off, my foot was so restricted from movement, I could barely point the toes on my left foot! BAD.

That was 2 weeks ago. I've tried running twice since. Once a week ago today (Monday) and once yesterday. Last Monday's run lasted 2 minutes, Sunday's 15, with the same results. I thought I could blame my shoes (new Lunar Elites) but as it turns out it didn't matter what shoes I tried. I went to see Rob Hasegawa at Cedar Hill Sports Therapy Clinic and he found that my foot was VERY tight and locked up, so a few adjustments later some of my pain was gone! Yay!

Not all of it though. I'm still struggling with my Peroneus and my calf. I dont know if it's tightness or what, but I'm seeing Linda tomorrow.

Anyways, I'm fairly certain that this is a contributing factor to feeling a little down because of the ambitious goals I had for this season. I'm very disappointed that this had to happen, but so far everything has been caught at the intial stages, so permanent damage shouldn't exist. SHOULDN'T! *knock on wood*

I'm getting pretty sick of my left leg though... Anyways back on topic.

Ally and I have been doing long distance all summer. She began what is formally "Summer Camp" at RKY and we aren't able to talk as much as during "Spring Camp." RKY is basically her favourite place on earth, so I couldn't be more happy about how much fun she's having... But I miss her! I guess it's even harder because of the emotional roller coaster that my leg is putting me through, not to mention finalizing my acquisition of an International Competition Card, looking for a new wetsuit (more on that later ;) ), etc.

Ok, rant/whine over. More physio, more chiro, more determination!

Rawr!

This is where I'd be a total Tri-Geek and...

This is where I'd put a YouTube clip of some inspirational song (e.g. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor)

This is where I'd evaluate my fitness in a narcissistic fashion

This is where I'd sandbag just in case the race doesn't go well

This is where I'd voice some idle threat to get my competition riled up

But instead..

I think I'll let performances speak for themselves.

C'mon and let me race!!!