SBR Utopia ~~~~ Permanently OPEN!! (Page 21)

Same boat here except I did it about a month ago.  I wouldn't even know something is wrong until I go running, then it acts up all over again.  I'm hoping it'll be healed in time for Canada but I don't think I can train any running in the meantime.  Irritating.

Pretty sure I would have taken the bike out and gone for some KOMs...

Like this? 

http://www.strava.com/activities/162432184/segments/3769592541

I was a bit concerned for your safety this morning as I watched the Weather Channel. Evidently, there was nothing for me to worry about, you put everything to good use.

LOL.

I did my first mountain bike race yesterday.  Borrowed a bike, shoes, and pedals and just went for it.  I had no freakin clue the course was so hilly and technical.  I thought I was going to die at least 20 times on some of the downhills and single track.  Did take a couple of small spills when my front wheel would hit a big rock the wrong way, but I wasn't going that fast through those areas.  Some of the climbs were short grassy sections over 30% at the top.  It was pretty much like WTF...we have to ride up there?  With mountain bike gearing I did have enough power, but most times I would pop a wheelie and then had to dismount and push the bike...which was super hard as well. 

Not sure I will be doing much more mountain bike racing in the near future.  Would love to get into it, but I need far more practice before taking on a course like that again.  Finished MOP...about 40 minutes behind the winner at 2:25.

I went for an hour long run this morning in 80F temp and 100% humidity -- by the end, my shoes and socks were completely saturated.  I think I'm gonna have to start bringing two sets so I can change half way through longer runs!

Meh, there was no real danger.  It was pretty windy but not enough to do more than knock over some trees and sink a few boats in the harbour....  Lots of people still without power from downed trees (individual places may not get it back until Thursday apparently).  The wind direction meant it wasn't going to knock any trees into our house.

I have a couple of friends that keep trying to talk me into mountain biking.  What you describe is pretty much why I keep saying no.    I'd either break my neck or absolutely love it and have to buy more stuff.

Fred, looking at your rides on Strava it looks like you are going to crush it at IMMT!  How do you feel your bike fitness compares to 2012?

I recommend finishing with a smile rather than just finishing!  

And finishing with a smile doesn't have to mean you went on a sight-seeing tour. Done this plenty of times. Don't want to think about specific times or placing, just want to put in a good effort and enjoy being out there. Let those other things fall where they may.

Mountain biking certainly has its differences from being on the road. Used to do it a lot more, but not enough trails around here to really keep up the interest. It can depend a lot on the trail too, how well it matches up with what you like to do. Some people like it a lot more technical than others. I tend to like needing to pick lines well, but without having to constantly have to slow and go over things so carefully. Kind of like having an obstacle course to run though. Fine to have some really tough things every now and then, but much of the time I just want to get out and run. The mountain biking will certainly work things a bit different as you have to be able to keep control much better than on the roads. Very tough mentally. With the wheel popping, think Jason was running into the balancing act and smooth pedaling action. Staying forward just enough to keep the wheel down, while not so far up that the rear wheel spins out. Also have to keep a more constant power output so it doesn't slip. A lot more to pay attention to.

Interesting enough, I've had more notable injuries on the roads or paved pathways than while mountain biking. Think I've gone over a few more times, but the speeds are so much lower on average that there wasn't going to be a lot of damage. On the one trail system where I did much of the harder riding (MUP doesn't really count towards this), a final average of 8-10 mph was moving right along. Running speed for many of us if you include intervals & tempos.

Ben...the wheel popping was exactly as you described.  The sections were so steep that standing up was not an option and it was indeed a balance of trying to put your chest to the handlebars...but not too much.  The main reason though that I popped up most of the time was that I'd hit a bump.  You'd think they'd make those 30%+ grades smooth huh?  LOL.  There were a couple of times where I tried to quickly dismount in those situations and was scared I might actually fall and tumble all the way to the bottom of the hill...HAH.

I really enjoyed it though...at least the parts that were not life threatening.  I can imagine myself riding much tamer courses for fun in the off season.  A friend of mine had his go pro set up to take pictures every 10 seconds...hopefully I can share some.  

Great if strange past few days...  

Locked my bike onto my rack for the ride to the beach - and left my key at home.  Not frustrating or anything (and watching salt spray come over the bluff during the hurricane and soak the bike was making me nuts!).

Got a mild concussion surfing in the aftermath of Arthur (sounds more dangerous than it was - waves were tame enough for the whole family, but I got the board for my "turn" just as a wave hit).  Then I got pulled out of the pool tonight for a tornado!  What the heck's up with this weather???

Raced a 4 miler along the beach with Kim on Sunday after we saw the signs for it during our longer run on Saturday (not the best taper, I guess).  At 6am she gets up and then pops her head back in the room and says, "We're racing today."  LOL!  Kind of a last minute decision, but she was first woman and I was 3rd overall - which was a blast!

I love small, local races (and NOT just because you can podium).  They're just such a great time.  Yes, we finished with smiles even though we'd turned ourselves inside out!

I hope everyone (even if you're not in the US and it wasn't a holiday) had a great Fourth!  We watched fireworks and bonfires the size of houses (truth) along the beach - a citizens' celebration we get to enjoy every year!

Matt

Decided you only live once, who knows what happens next year, so I'm going to Milwaukee.   I'm racing Bryan Dunn in my AG.  Or rather, chasing Bryan Dunn.