“Go Live Your Life, Dude!”

It’s been a long time since I have checked in!  Since the last blog article, my back (where the melanoma was removed) has healed and is doing excellent.  I have a very nice scar, aka a new story, but I am healthy, and I have been healthy.  I had to be very careful for the first 48 hours post surgery.  However, after that initial period, I was permitted to do some very light riding on the trainer.  Since the doctor cut out a big chunk of flesh and things were stretched quite a bit in order to pull everything back together, the biggest concern was pulling the skin tissue apart.  The secondary concern was infection.  After 2 weeks, though, I was cleared to go back outside.  To quote Dr. Jakowatz:  He said, “GO live your life dude.” 

I have faced adversity in the past.  Plenty of it actually, so I have learned to be thankful for each day and each chance that I have to do what I love to do.  Anytime you lose something you love, whether it is only for a moment or indefinitely, you are reminded of how much you actually enjoy doing that activity.  It is a pleasure and not a chore.  My previous adversities had taught me not to take anything for granted, while this new challenge provided a quick refresher course.  I was reminded how much I love bike racing, and that life can change fast.  Doors can close and new ones can open.  We never know when that might happen.  I can look back on my life and see numerous places where the Lord closed doors, re-routed me, opened new ones, or just put up a temporary road block.  It can happen. I was extremely thankful this time was just a short pause. 

“Go live your life, dude,” meant it was time to start my 2008 training.  And, actually living my life, requires some help from my coach, Dave Jordaan.  Dave is a brilliant man.  His mathematical skills, in combination with his coaching artistry, have allowed me to achieve great things in the sport.  Every off season he designs a very structured training plan, and every week through the season, he checks it or tweaks it.  We work very well together.  And after many years of laying foundations and builds within the year and then year upon year, I have reached the level where I am now.  The Lord has blessed me with an outstanding “plumbing system” (aerobic engine etc,) the right mental make up, and the opportunity.  However, I wouldn’t be where I am without the hands on coaching that Dave has provided along the way. 

So… we set the plan, and after a couple weeks to allow my body to settle back into full time bike racer life, I started training hard.  This first block was heavy on the base and strength side of things.  I finished it the Sunday before Christmas and then took the week between Christmas and New Year’s to rest.  I was tired and ready for this mental and physical break. 

Since then, I have been in my second foundational winter training block.  The medium intensity stuff has started in addition to the base work.  January is actually the time of the year when my head remembers what I should feel like, but my body is still in the process of adapting.  It is a time to suffer (a little bit,) but also to be patient, because I don’t want to have, and I shouldn’t have midseason form now.  Instead, I need to be making the steady investments while allowing the physiological builds to gradually take place. 

I am motivated, focused, and excited for 2008.   AND… I am enjoying the journey.  Each and every step of it. 

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