So I says to myself, Precious, (because that IS what I call myself)...

There I was, feeling all bummed out cuz hardly anyone was posting here, despite the numerous invites, and then BLAM-O. Oh Brotha Where Art Thou, a.k.a. Tango999, slams down a gigantor post and saves the day. Lays down the gauntlet, if you will. Now I gotta pick it up a bit so as not to be totally put to shame.

So, seeing as how we are, in part at least, a grassroots racing team, lemme tell ya a little sumpin' sumpin' about this year's preparations and my initial idea for the racing calendar. First off, training in these parts has been a be-otch of late. I can ride in the heat. I can ride in the wind. I can ride in the cold. I can even ride in the very cold (at least by Chicago standards). But in the snow/ice? Nope. Not me. Too much like skiing. [see previous post] 'Cept for the extra danger that is. Not many jokers sipping lattes while talking on their cell phones while driving 2 ton SUVs a few inches from a skier's shoulder. It just happened to me the other night on my bike though. Some moron in a gray SUV just HAD to squeeze past me going way too fast for that particular spot, all in a maniacal effort to get to a stop light a few seconds faster. And yes, the light was red. And yes, he brushed my shoulder with his side view mirror while trying to do it. He didn't take me down, but if he had, I would have been knocked down, prob'ly face first, onto a 4-6 inch curb, with a car directly behind me with no time to react. Yeah, in case it wasn't obvious, it kinda scared me. It's all good though. Or as Tango999 would say, it's not just good, it's good enough. I'd still rather ride than drive (or take the bus or train).

Anywho, back to the weather, it's been ice/rain mixes for the last several days, with nuthin' but more o' the same predicted for the next week or two. Can someone please remind me why I live in Chicago? So that was the long way of saying that it's been a whole lotta Tour de Basement rides for this 'Tamer. Mostly just tryin' to keep the fitness level from dropping too gawd-awful low before the "training in earnest" starts in mid-January. Long-ish (2-3 hour) rides when there's something on TV that will keep me from wanting to slit my wrists on my chain ring, and shorter, hard interval rides sprinkled in here and there for good measure.

On "club" days (meaning I go to my health club at lunch or after work) I usually do a hill run for about 30-40 minutes, or a 30 minute interval stair climb workout.... which is merely preparations for the Feb. 2008 Hustle Up the Hancock that I'm signed up to do. Oh, and I been liftin' a little too. Arms, shoulders, back, that kinda stuff. Should be stretchin' more though. A lot more. Got me some o' dat family limberness. Meaning none. Still can't touch my toes without aid of bending my knees. And I don't mean just a little bend either. And if I'm not mistaken, this year will mark the 5-year anniversary of me having my New Year's resolution be something to the tune of "Do yoga" or "Do Tai Chi"or "Do Pilates" or just "Stretch more you friggin' moron". But this year's gonna be different, I swear.

So what about racing, you ask? Well, first race of the oh-8 campaign... I'm thinkin' Hillsboro Rousbaix. It's near St. Louis, MO. (I'd add a link but a) I don't know how (Nomas??) and b) I don't think there is one yet. But mark those calendars folks, it's set for March 29, '08. For us Cat 4 Lady's, its 44 miles. Much longer than most Cat 4 chica races. Which means that for a change, its worth the drive. Almost. Chica Xtreme, Justin, Tango999, Erika, Lorraine, Vincent, Tim D., others, how 'bout it? You still have plenty of time to train, and I'll meet you is St. Lewee, as they say. After that race, well, I'd guess the Yankee Springs MTB TT, which is sorta the race that started it all. Then, well, I just don't really know. I'll get back to ya on that one...