Today was cut down day #2; Luckily for me my phone did not ring at 6:45 and I've survived with the (now) 13 other XX1090 am Sportsradio Scott & BR Cycling Team; Ray was not so lucky. I haven't seen him since the first week, but he had emailed the group that he broke his collarbone and was recovering from that. Sorry Ray!

delayed post - Sunday July 20 Recovery Ride - Carmel Valley Loop 40 mi

I got up early to watch some TdF coverage which began at 4:30; I was up shortly before 5 tho. I chowed my usual oatmeal and yogurt, and watched the ascent of Col de Agniel, the usual silent sneaking to avoid waking my family. Luckily Carl called at 6:10 as I was preparing to roll and said email had told us to be ready to ride at 6:45; so I left right away.
After the usual morning stop at the Amtrak station, I arrived and saw the crew, not everyone was ready to roll but some were. Jim Carbaugh had another XX1090 quiz, and I was able to answer some questions but simply blanked on others, too much on the brain or brain too small more likely. The 15 remaining Radio contestants picked up our snazzy new jerseys, thanks Scott & BR, XX1090 and QMDC!
Kevin Heil won the mighty Immunity Pump for the week, accepting the freakishly decorated sceptre from Carl. Carl's added 'flair' is a light-up skull.
Kristine and the coaches had recognition and awards for folks from Groups 1-4, and a wild card award for fundraiser Dave; citizenship, community, and promotion of the ethos of CAF/QMDC drove these selections.
We had a safety reminder from Mari, and further expanding on the purpose and nature of a recovery ride from Pat Jak and Kam; strength and endurance gains are not made during the actual training (which breaks down muscle) but during active recovery. This is intellectually accepted by all, but always proves harder to abide to once on the road.
We headed out on the road, and deliberately kept the pace light, safe, and conversational - kept the pedals falling over. I rolled out with group 2 and headed up and down the line, but had a few great chats with Pat. A key piece missing for me is enough focus who the QMDC/CAF is supposed to benefit; Challenged Athletes. Both Pat and Bryon liked the idea I have to meet or connect with a few of the Athletes, Fred and Dale who ride with us weekly being great examples. Both guys have done all the training rides, both using handcycles; these guys are incredibly strong. Although I've said hello and such, I haven't had more of a conversation than that. Hopefully I can spend some time finding out more about them, their involvement in cycling, sports, CAF/QMDC. My hope is that this will take my QMDC experience out of the realm of me/I, to where it should be, focused on benefitting Challenged Athletes/CAF.
Just before the SAG, I was at the back of Group 2 with Pat, and we thought we were waiting for Greg who was coming back to the group after a flat. After a bit, tho, we didn't see him so turned around to go look. Further still, and we found Group 3 with no Greg in between. Pat continued along to look for Greg, will I hitched on with Group 3 and so got to spend the second half of the ride with Carl, Brent, Mike Mac and Frank. This was a double bonus, and the wisecracks were flying. We all kept ourselves in recovery ride mode and had a great roll back to Solana Beach.
Kudos and thanks to Todd for his early morning focaccia bread, just delicious for the post ride. I had my piece and Carl's too.
After the ride, The Six had a parking lot meeting regarding our event coming up in September. Somehow the guy with the worst handwriting ended up secretary, but our festivities and event are too good to forget, notes or not. Stay tuned for announcements to follow.!

Please donate to me or another fundraiser at:
http://mdc2008.kintera.org/bailey4caf

Delayed post, Thursday, July 17 Lunchtime trail run

I got out for a lunchtime run last Thursday, a sunny, breezy puffy cloud perfect day. A quick warmup walk/jog, with some Pat Jak inspired side runs, backwards run, high-knees and butt kickers. I skipped the pushups and squat thrusts, cause the bark on the side of the parking lot's no fun on the hands. I headed down the 'goat trail' single track from the Kyocera parking lot on Campus Point, emerging on Roselle St. The downhill is pretty steep, mostly walking, but as soon as I reached the flat I could feel the slowness in the legs. It's been nearly all riding for the past 2 months, and the muscles used are entirely different. I ran up the canyon, 1.25 of gentle climb on SDGE right of way fire road, then a little flat run on Eastgate Mall and back down. The climb back up to Qualcomm AA includes a very steep final .25 mile, and again the fitness level imposed itself, I could only run 1/2 way and walked the rest. This 4 mile run took 35:16, a few months ago this would have been closer to 30:00. This is OK, and it was great to have the cross-training engagement of different muscles, sunshine, smell of jasmine, and all. I'll strive to get at least 2 weekday lunchtime runs, since lunchtime cycling is not as doable.

Spinning Class, 7:00-8:00 am at The Sporting Club

Jessica filled in for Kris this week, and led us for another excellent eye-opener of Spin to start our day. She has some different music, and focused on matching cadence to the beat. The lights were low, so I couldn't see my HR monitor, maybe a good thing :)
Mike Henderson, Brent, Sam and I represented the XX1090 team; Sam mentioned it was his first Spin Class. Kristine, Chris & Jim McMillan, James, Dave, Helen, Mike McGregor, Kayvon, and a few others I recognize from QMDC but whose names I don't know rounded out the group. I always have trouble recognizing people without helmet, sunglasses, and biking clothes, many times I've introduced myself to someone I've ridden with before. We look so different riding vs otherwise.
I was back to my trail-running shoes, they seem to grip the pedal cages the best, have a relatively firm sole so not much is lost in pushing the pedal. I'm starting to feel a bit stronger in sprinting out of the saddle, but I still lack leg speed and stamina in that standing position, compared to seated. Something to continue to work on, I expect is strongly relates to Core/Upper Body strength, which are lacking. I was probably more tired today than Monday or yesterday, but I still got a good sweat and great workout.

Anaheim to SD Training ride - Sunday 7/13/08
Dark
This day started what seemed like a moment after my last post, the alarm went off at 4:30. I had pre-staged my bike and gear in the living room and got out of the room on tiptoes - trying to disturb as little as possible. Quick kiss for my Diana, past Owen's room to avoid waking Mr. Light Sleeper 3 year old, but at least Ms. Growing-Like-a-Weed 5 year old stayed soundly asleep.
Into the kitchen for the usual, oatmeal, yogurt and water, to get the engines running.
Cushy
The drive to Solana Beach was to be followed by loading bikes for their trip by Wheels On Wheels/Dan up to meet us in Anaheim, so I was out the door by 5:15. The level of support that QMDC/CAF is/are providing during our Training Rides is absolutely plush and first rate; certainly I have not displayed my appreciation and thanks vocally or often enough. As Brett/Trek Stores and I joked about at the end of the ride, a typical level of SAG for one of their Saturday rides might be a stop at the parking lot of a 7/11 and holding the door for you to go in and get your water & snacks! But Dan had all bikes quickly stowed in either the WOW trailer or the rented moving van as slick as could be. To compare my Scattante to the other rides it shared space with is a bit of a stretch, suffice to say many a wheelset alone quadrupled the value of my Performance machine.
Station
Arrived about 5:50 and met up with Carl, Mike and Todd in the parking lot and picked up my online ticket at the Amtrak kiosk, got to visit and roam about a bit before our 6:45 train. I met James, another Qualcomm employee, taking the train is old hat for him as it's part of his daily commute from Carlsbad. We would have a have a good sized team of just Qualcomm employees between both the XX1090 Radio Riders and QMDC fundraiser - 'Team PH'. Other running jokes in QMDC 2008 are 'Team Scott' and 'Team Mike', we must have at least 6 or more riders with each of those first names.
Search
We had a great and smooth train ride up to Anaheim, but since it couldn't be just a relaxing trip for me, I had to go and drop my ticket in the bathroom of the club car. As I returned to my seat with my desperately needed coffee, I was just in time for the ticket taker woman to be headed my way. Read Carl's Blog for what I missed as I retraced my steps and found my ticket, I haven't dared to do so; why was everyone laughing at me when I triumphantly came back with my paper validation? I find I ride best when I elevate my heart rate before the workout even starts.
Quiz
As I just started to settle in, rumbling past that little restaurant right on the tracks in San Juan Cap. where Diana took my for my birthday in 2000, Jim came by with our surprise quiz for the radio contestants. I think I did OK, although I blew the essay question; it was Carl's fault as he just kept me talking. I got Jim to give me some extra time on one trip by to pick up papers, but by his second pass I just had to give him what I had. Team Gnu Era, with the gnu/wildebeast as the featured animal; the long distance, all-disciplines all-arounder of the African veldt, swiftly and safely traversing distance, varied terrain, unknown dangers, as a giant family group. I really thought about this! But in the rush to turn in my homework, I spent too much on this part, ending horribly with 'The Flash' as superhero and 'Scott Kaplan' as celebrity, because, hey, it's his team.
Line
We arrived in Anaheim without further incident, and Dan/Wheels on Wheels were ready and waiting, along with our rides, staged up like a triathlon transition. First time I've ever seen a longer line at the men's room than the women's room, there at Anaheim Amtrak station. My small bag was too much so, so fitting shoes, shorts, shirt, and uneaten snacks made the latter inedible later on. On with the sunscreen, and a huddle before the ride. Based upon his vast knowledge of CAF, Scott & BR Show, brilliance and cool under pressure, our man Carl Gregory was the winner of the Immunity Pump for the week, safe from the for the first eliminations, coming up on Tuesday. Well deserved, and gladly received. Confirmation of water, map, and Driver's License for the trip thru Camp Pendleton, check.
Up
I started out in my usual group 3 and we headed out on the bike path, narrower than Oceanside, with some fun wooden plank bridges that made a nice bumBa Bumba bumBa as you rolled over them. I was thinking about how I felt for the day, time in the saddle on this furthest yet distance, and upcoming eliminations; I decided to bridge up to group 2 whom I could see just out of touch up ahead. It was a 5 mile chase up the road, one that would not have been possible had this been open road. I just wanted to push a bit more ahead of the 'rest phase' of the next few weeks. After only a few miles, we had a flat in the group, and 3 rolled on past. Shortly thereafter, we had SAG 1 out on the road at a Jack in the Box parking lot. Quick retop of water and Gu, and we were off again.
Coast
The ensuing trip down through the beach communities was filled with many stoplights, cars, and people. I've never ridden there before, to me it was much like Encinitas or Leucadia, but newer, with wider streets. I do remember coming out from the cityscape at the top of a hill and seeing an open beach/bay area, green vegetation on the near and far hillsides that pushed out to sea, white sand, blue water; this is what the CA coast looks like from pictures I've seen, although on a smaller scale, and by itself. Then back to more of the cityscape, following a bike route through residential streets. We were all moving comfortably, carefully, and having a great time rolling/visiting at this point. A bit along the way, we came to a narrower two way bike lane and had to go single file, both for safety and also to have some slipstream, because we had picked up some pace. Todd, Kevin, Mike Henderson and I each spent some time at the front. My thoughts at the time were, this is fun, this is what I want to do, some work at the front, then switch, then take another pull. I myself had thought of this as an appreciation for the rest of the group, let me pull and you come with me, since you've invited me along to enjoy your company, to learn from you, to share in the joy of the road, the breeze of my own making, the sweat that dries before dripping.
Camp
We reached the second SAG stop and refilled water, grabbed a sandwich and a coke, some pretzels. Jeffrey introduced Billy who was helping Kristine on this stop. Todd snapped some group photos, but as he's always doing this he's rarely in any, he let me get one of him and he/Kevin together. As we pulled out, I rode with Kevin for a while, discovered he's been a bit sicker than what he'd indicated earlier, from what he described, I suspect he may be running around with bronchitis at least or walking pneumonia, as I was last Dec-Feb. Of course, I wasn't doing 60-80 mile training rides then, either. He said he'd get to the Doctor this week and get it checked out. A bit further along, we approached the Camp Pendleton gate; fairly unassuming except for the 7 or so businesslike Marines at the guardpost. We huddled again to get the instruction, single file on base, or they'll shoot you. As we headed South, still with our tailwind, the path turned West, and into a headwind., like letting the air out of your tires. It became more important than ever to tuck behind the rider in front, to save energy. We had two flats while on the base road, including a front wheel.
Oceanside
We had a water stop just off the base; then headed South. This route seems pretty familiar by now, and always longer since it's the end of the ride. We motored our way down through Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas; burritos smelling good and legs no longer snapping; starting to twinge into cramp, so no more out of the saddle. In the last miles, I continued to slow, lost the wheel, and slowed further. All in the name of training, and I'd taken in 6 bottles and adequate nutrition to make it back to the Solana Beach Amtrak station. I had an arrival time of 1:40, but didn't actually note the starting time so not exactly sure of transit time. This ride was the best yet, and Many Thanks to Kristine/Jeffrey, CAF/QMDC, and everyone!
Animal
Brent Reman pulled in as I was getting snacks, visiting and walking the legs out; all he did Sunday was the Carlsbad Triathlon, then get on his bike after the race and ride north to link up w/QMDC and ride back down the coast. Slacker!

Saturday night - should be sleeping now.
Had a great day with Diana and the kids, birthday/pool party and fun.
Bad news, only last Sunday's ride and Wednesday Spinning workouts this week. On the plus side, I haven't been pounding out the yard work as in weeks past. I wasn't able to squeeze in running/cross-training during the work week as I want and need to. It's a big balancing act.
Got my train ticket to Anaheim, and got my seed donation in. Planning to send out the first wave of email requests for support tomorrow, followed by the larger circle of friends/acquaintances, etc.
I'm going to pick Todd's brain for his fundraising idea at work.
Steve Skwarlo is riding in a the San Jose LIVESTRONG Challenge ride tomorrow, so won't be joining us for Anaheim/SD, but he'll be there in spirit. Way to go, Steve!

Late post Thursday Night Torrey Pines High workout:

No kitchen pass for this week, so I didn't make it. Carl reported that it was a hammer fest, Group 2 speed consistently with forays into Group 1 territory.
Somone's been watching their Tour de France.
My hopes are still up to attend next Thursday's Close Order Riding clinic with John; I'm sure my bike handling skills (and everyone around me) will appreciate improvement there :)

Late post: Wednesday 7/9/08 Spinning Class, The Sporting Club
I actually arrived before the start of this week, although not by a lot.
Kris said his knee was doing better, and was able to lead us through a spirited workout with a great warmup, and multiple sets of hills/sprints with short recoveries in between.
Brent, Steve Swalko, Mike Henderson and I made up the XX1090 cadre. Kris and Jim McMillan, Hockey Mike, Qualcomm Mike, Helen, and a new fundraiser (another Scott!) along with some others whose names I don't know or forget were along for the sweat. My biggest challenge seems to be getting a good grip, since I'm using street shoes and cages on the Spin bike. My cleats are Crank Brothers, and the Spin bikes have Look or SPD compatible clips. This makes out of the saddle sprinting a challenge for me, because of the flywheel action feels like it will (and has before) pulled my feet off the pedals. Combine this with my lack of leg speed, and voila! my biggest challenge. I plan on talking with Kris about things I can do to improve leg speed. I've noticed great benefit to my Sunday rides as a result of the weekly Spinning I've been able to make since week 3.

Only 'workout' today was repurposing this near-forgotten blog from 2006 into my 2008 Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge fundraising blogsite...