It's the eve of the season's first race- Kenosha Velosport spring training crit. In less that 12 hours, I'll be on my way to defining the new season of road racing instead of looking back to a season full of disappointments and failure. At risk of sounding like a friggin' philosopher, one of life's biggest disappointments is to make 90% of the necessary sacrifices for a particular goal and falling 100% short of that goal- so much sacrifice and none of the goal to show for it. Well, this season is all about vindication.

This year, I enter the racing season at the end of my second Build 2 training week (for you Joe Friel disciples out there), so the legs are benefitting from fantastic Base mileage and 2 weeks of solid Build workouts. For the first time in years, I enter the racing season below my target weight for May's "Monsters of the Midway". Hell, I was never able to get near enough my target weight goal to call it a realistic goal.

In 12 hours, I hope to be scripting a great blog detailing an epic breakaway and glorious victory. Regardless, the last few months have been glorious and the discipline and commitment to my training has been epic. Tomorrow is the start of a long and rewarding season. Vindication will come this season. Perhaps not at Kenosha tomorrow, but I am focused on that prize and I will hoist it above my head by the time Fall brings this glorious season to an end.

May the Cycling Gods smile on me this season.. Sacrifices have been laid out all winter long and legs are locked and loaded. It's almost race day, baby, and there's nothing finer than pushing yourself to the limits with a smile on your face and a burning sensation in your legs.

I wouldn't go planning the Chicago Crit (Sun, 7/25) as your "A" race for this upcoming season. The Mayor's Office released an announcement on the city's 2010 event schedule earlier this week. Way towards the bottom (after endless banter on the binge eating fest that is the Taste of Chicago) is the following note regarding the Chicago Crit:

"Due to the challenging economy this year, the City was forced to cancel Venetian Night, the Chicago Criterium, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival and Great Chicago Places and Spaces."

I suspect that promoters will try to locate a sponsor to cover the incredible cost of this great race, but right now the event must be on life support. I'd recommend focusing on Super Week (which concludes on that Sun, 7/25) or Glencoe (which takes place on Sat, 7/24).

The 18 race series known as the Mid-America Time Trial Series (MATTS) has been posted to the North Branch calendar.

Beginning in January with the traditional indoor series hosted by ABD Cycling and ending with the Verdigris Finale on September 18th.

The MATTS is a long race series and just completing enough races to qualify is an accomplishment in and of itself.

Riders who do well in the MATTS series often find themselves highly placed in the Rider of the Year competition as well. Track your results in both series and make sure you participate in the minimum number of crits and road races to quailify for ROTY.

More information can be found at American Bicycle Racing.

474 Racers showed up for the final Cross race of the 2009 Chicago Cross Cup Series. This final race is also the IL State Championship race for 2009. The snow held off but the temps were cool in the 30's with a steady brisk breeze for the last shot. Montrose Harbor offers lots!! of sandy terrain, some elevation, and great views of the city and the lake. In order of appearance: Jeff Provisor in the Masters 40+ scores some points for the team and himself with a 29th place finish at the IL State Championship. Mark McNeill in the masters 50+ has a strong race defending his top 20 series standing but suffers a mechanical forcing a DNF. Mark finishes 18th in his class for the series, nice job Mark. In the Mens 4a Cameron Pease and John Hoffman line up to attack the deeply rutted sand with John finishing 13th in the race and 15th for the series, Cameron puts down a solid 40th in a State Championship race of 73 starters. Mark Moller did not race but placed 19th for the series in the Masters 30+. Ten races in 12 weeks couldn't be more fun. Team NBC finished 34th of 89 teams. Hope to better that next year by adding some more NBCs to the roster. Special Thanks to Ted from Blue Competition Cycles for his support and especially our sponsor Jeff Provisor of Mainstreet Bikes for tons of hours dedicated to the Cross Cup Series. 280 days til we to "Do it in the Dirt"! (again)2009 Cross Detail Stats Google Docs

The start of the 2010 season may seem like a long time from now (okay, it actually IS a long way off) but there is work to be done, fellow North Branchers. This period is the perfect time to look back on last season and start setting the strategy for success in 2010. One of the best places to begin with is your training plan.

Were you happy with results of your training plan?
What did and did not work this past season?
Were the workouts sufficient to develop power and endurance?
Will you continue or begin spending $$$ on a coach?
Did you even train according to a training plan?

If the answer to that last question was NO, then you may not be stacking the odds in your favor as much as possible. Several team members subscribe to different coaching methods and training plans. Tap into teammate experiences to figure out what training plan may work for you. I happen to be a follower of the Joe Friel self coaching method, but several others have turned to other approaches.

The following links contains a series of training plan articles from Joe Friel. These articles provide solid perspective on the general benefits of a training methodology regardless if you decide to go with another program or bail on a program altogether. Lay the foundation for that podium spot right now, fellow North Brancher...

Training and Transition Period

2010 Planning: Part 1

2010 Planning: Part 2

2010 Planning: Part 3

2010 Planning: Part 4

2010 Planning: Part 5

Ed H.