Just Josh'n

One of my buddies took a photo of himself training on the trainer the other day and posted it on facebook.  I looked at the pic and was curious what the heck was on his computer screen, so I asked him.  He mentioned this new software application from TrainerRoad, so I checked it out and really liked what I saw.  I havent tried it out myself yet as it requires a Garmin ANT+ USB for the Mac/PC, but the overview video they have online as well as a great review by EnduranceReviews.com.  You can get the Garmin ANT+ USB adapter for about $28 bucks at Amazon.com, and the TrainerRoad software itself is via subscription for $10 a month.  

The software is packed with features, such as  the ability to grab the ANT+ data from your speed/candence sensor and heart rate monitors, if you have a power meter it will also pull that data in.  The softare also includes......

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I was browsing around and ran into a great video from Chris Carmichael Training where Chris Carmichael and Brad Irwin talk about the importance of getting fitted in cycling.  They particularly discuss Real-time 3D bike fitting, I am a big advocate of getting fitted.  Even if you take all the tech out of it, the basic principles apply.  You want to look for comfort in your fit, aerodynamics in your fit and finally maximum power output in your fitting.  The balance of those three are key factors when getting fit for your bike and trust me the end result will have a huge impact on how you ride from here on out.

Elite cycling coach Chris Carmichael talks to Brady Irwin, a senior coach at Carmichael Training Systems, about the latest developments in bike-fitting, so cyclists get an optimal ride every time. With new infrared motion-capture technology, it's possible to plot the movement of several biometric markers in three dimensions as a cyclist pedals. From there, you can optimize your position on the bike against three important factors: comfort; aerodynamics, and power output. Finding the delicate balance between all of these is what will help you take your performance to the next level.

Quantum Mesa Cycles put on a great CX race in mid December, this race wrapped up my overall CX season.  I decided not to attend Nationals in Madison, WI or do the Masters World Cup in Louisville, KY.  My decision was based on two things 1) I needed a break before I started my basemile training 2) with the holidays it was tough to justify the 7-8 hour drive to both locations.

At any rate - this video is a symposis of the CX race that was held in Columbia, IL.  I had just cat'd up to Category 3 and was curious how I would do against the faster group.  I ended up placing 4th, and even held 3rd place for a few laps before I was overtaken by a stronger rider.  So sit back and enjoy the video, I made it trailer style so its short and sweet, not to mention action packed!

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done

Just another day, I am standing in an upstairs bedroom getting ready for my grandmother's funeral in Las Vegas.  It's a dreary overcast day, very abnormal for Las Vegas, even in the month of February.  Just another day I think to myself as I pull out my black suit that I bought just after I graduated college in 2000.  I lay it on the bed and put on an undershirt, black socks, etc... reach for the pair of slacks and start my legs through, one by one.  As I pull up the pants, they feel a little tight... hmmm did they shrink?  Can clothes shrink at the dry cleaners?  Certainly not, I pull them up around my waist, grabbing both sides pulling them in towards each other to clasp the button. Unsuccessful, I look down and realize this isn't going to happen.  The pants are simply to small, a once 32 inch waist, is now maybe 36 inches, maybe 37.  Panicking I think of about my options.  I did not pack two suits, I did not pack an extra pair of pants, I am screwed. 

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