Alternative forms of Cross Training:

Although last Friday was my last day of work, my summer vacation did not truly start until today. I had two days of conferences this week as well as two days of substitute teaching. While agitated that my road to freedom had been delayed, I made the conscious choice to make the best of it.



Surprisingly, the conference provided some nutritional food for thought from a cycling perspective. I received a book by John C. Maxwell entitled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. The intent was for us to read it from the perspective of an educator and how we can enhance our communication skills with other staff, students, and parents. However, because my mind was quite distant from anything work-related, I found myself reading it from an athletes perspective. The book proved to be chalked full of rich content that can be directly applied to my training regimen, my 24hr race focus, and my overall contributions to a team dynamic. While many of these “self-help” books are full of cliché mantras and million dollar buzzwords, this one seemed to be very worth the read!

The remaining 2 days of my 4 day count down to freedom were spent substitute teaching for one of our districts year round programs. The classroom was with our autism program, and the students ranged from 3-5 years of age. Although I did not ride my bike either of these days due to some recent illness I wanted to rest off, I do feel I got in some serious endurance training both mentally and physically! Allow me to testify that seven hours of 3-5 year old children with autism is easily more difficult from a mental and physical standpoint than any training ride I’ve ever done. I left each day with a headache, severe lower back pain from bending over because they were so short, and nutritionally drained. I’m guessing that if I could handle two days of early childhood induced mayhem, I can handle riding my bike for 24 hours!

Who cares? I’M flying!...some positive reinforcement

Last week seemed to be quit pivotal for me from both from a fitness aspect but more importantly from a mental perspective.

With mainly enduro training on my mind, I threw all caution to the wind and rode a lot of bulk mileage which left me questioning how much I had left for racing. I went into the Thursday night Waterford race with heavy legs and a tired mind. However, about half way into the race I wound up in a break with Don Cameron, Tim Saari, Dybo, and Mike Wissink. We turned ourselves inside out until we were assured the break was not coming back. With two to go, I took a flyer and ended up getting caught on the last turn rolling in at 4th place. Dybo managed to snap around the remaining two and pulled off the big W, which puts the WSC at back-to-back wins.

Two years ago, I showed up at Allen Park tired and in a post-inebriated state from end of the school year celebratory events the previous night. Needless to say, that race did not go well from me that day. I broke my rear race wheel, was shivering in 96-degree weather due to extreme dehydration, and got pulled early from the race because the leaders lapped my group.


Although this year I did partake in some school year dismissal induced partying, I showed up with a much more unwavering focus. Allen park is notoriously known for a low percentage finish rate due to its short course length and seasonally high temps. As the race started, something clicked; I was able to find good form and even more importantly great race focus. I found myself instigating a break, which eventually lead several riders getting pulled early from the race when we lapped them. After about 50min. of a six-man break effort, a group of 12 or so caught us containing Dybo and Luke. However, somehow I was still able to dig deep and find more intensity. I simply kept attacking the field and getting away with small groups.

Although my finishing result of 12th is not my best for the season, I have taken great pride in this race. I feel I controlled the majority of the race, and was even able to win a prime in the break. After it was all said and done, several people approached me and informed me of what a great show I put on. Dybo and DK both let me know it was the best they have ever saw me race. All of the feedback meant a lot to me.

Last season left me with an unfulfilled feeling and caused me to reevaluate what I needed to change in order to accomplish my goals. So far this season has provided more fulfillment and positive reinforcement than all of last season. I am having more fun, getting better results, the team is better than ever, my fitness is the best it’s ever been, and most importantly my mental focus is unparalleled.

Something has changed within me that is indescribable. The best and only way to verbalize it is that I can clearly see “the big picture” now. I am getting close to mentally figuring out what all this pedaling around business means to who I am and who I’ve become. My Vision Quest seems to be more evident now.

I was proud to see that recently the MiScene nominated me for the WCIF award, which was my own conception. It is with great honor, that I will accept this award. It’s ironic because the “Who Cares I’m Flying” mantra was streaming through my head as I relentlessly kept attacking the race on Saturday.

Additionally, my helmet is off to the unstoppable combo of Chrisy Keely and Ben Renkema. Both of these former teamates of mine snagged wins and demonstrated clearly that they are some of the best finishers Michigan has to offer.