Saturday – Criterium (Crit) & Time Trial

Saturday was just horrible weather. It started raining late Friday afternoon, and literally did not stop raining until Saturday night. And it rained hard! My day started off at 11:00am, and it was raining hard, and in the mid 40′s. A Crit is a very tight course, and lots of turns…so with pouring down rain, and bike racing going on with lots of fast turns, it can be a bit dangerous. Prayerfully I did not crash, and finished safe. I was not thrilled with my results; I finished 12th but again, I was safe and I consider that a win. (Training Peaks Data)

Photo courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/lee.mcdaniel

The Time Trial was just flat out painful. Not much other way for me to put it…the weather was worse, super hard rain, stronger winds and colder. I have never time trialed before and this course was very hilly. The winds were right in our face, and oh my…that just made me want to go back to the hotel and call it a day. Honestly I was mentally shot, and really did not care much at this point. My time came, 2:13pm …they shot me off and I just rode with 1 thing in mind…finish and get to the hotel. Looking back now, I really wish I would of overcome the mental aspect of this…it could of helped my overall GC ranking for sure. I finished in 24:29, a sub par time for sure, but for being my first – and the conditions I guess I will take it. (Training Peaks Data)

Saturday wrapped up and all in all I was happy with the results. I thought I could of done better, but that is ALWAYS the case.

Sunday – Road Race

Sunday the weather turned out great. It was a little chilly (low 40′s) but minimal wind. Our race headed out at 8:00am sharp, and we were flying. The course was fairly flat and fast, with 1 nasty long hill. I really liked this road coarse, the roads were great and the was well supported. I felt really good during this race, our team raced really smart together and we put ourselves in a great spot nearing the end. The group closed in nearing the final push to the finish and our team broke up a bit, and I shot out in the best position for the sprint. I got behind a few slower riders and ended up having to sprint nearly 300m to reposition and gain some ground and finished 7th.  Knowing I am not a strong sprinter right now, I was thrilled with these results. (Training Peaks Data)

Summary

Mineral Wells Stage Race was a fantastic experience for me personally…and I know it was an awesome kick off to the season for our Cat4 team. Our 4′s ended up winning 3rd overall, and I finished 10th in the GC. Again, I will take it all things considered.

Team Undiscovered Cat4 - 3rd Place

Team Undiscovered

We have the best team bar none! This group of guys are rock solid racers, and amazing guys. I am honored to race with them and call them my friends. Like us on Facebook here!  Our 2′s included Rob, Joey & Brian P. Our 3′s included Judson & Wayne S. Our 4′s included Dustin, Dylan, Kaleb and me. Our 5′s included Brian R, Wayne, Josh & Matt. You can see all their results in the links above as well!

Facebook Photos- http://goo.gl/GTped

• 2009 – Fun, Global, Leadership
• 2010 – Healthy, Flexable, Inspire
• 2011 – Faith, Focus, Intensity

However, 2012 is going to look a little different. As I have been praying and seeking God I couldn’t settle on three Words…only one word is jumping out. It is much more of a theme that will become the vision and direction for the year.

The Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30 has been a huge focus of my prayer time, and reflection these past few days and weeks. Learning more about what Jesus was talking about when he referred to the talents has been eye opening…seeing the talents as EVERYTHING we are. What are we doing with it, how are we being good stewards of all we have and all we are? Learning that with great stewardship we will grow and be blessed, and our capacity will grow. With greater capacity stewarded appropriately, we will grow more. However, the opposite is true as well. And so you have it…

My Word for 2012 – Stewardship

The stewardship word and theme will be focused around my wife, family, expense of time and all our resources.

I am excited to step in to 2012, and see where and what God does! It is my humble prayer that the verse below will be a reflection of my year.

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ – Matthew 25:21

Many of my friends want to know what my plan is…so every Sunday/Monday I will post the previous weeks plan, so feel free to use any that you want. My Virtual Coach is set for the key areas I am trying to develop…just keep that in mind.

- – Monday – -

Monday this week was a real easy ride outside. The weather was not great…29 degrees with a 17mph wind out of the north! I did not have good gloves, so I did not make my full planned duration, but I gave it an ole college try. I must get in the grove, and not let weather get in my way. I am working towards that.

Monday Training

- – Tuesday – -

Tuesday was my first dive into the “MS”  Maximum Strength workouts as you can see in the plan. You can learn more about MS worksouts from Joe Friel here: http://goo.gl/9wnvx My plan was 10 min on the trainer, then I followed these 5 workouts in this YouTube video - http://youtu.be/RqwHUuskPoY After hitting these 5 core workouts hard for ~35/40 min, then I do 15 min back on the trainer for light spinning. After the trainer I do 100 crunches.

Tuesday Training

- – Wednesday – -

Wednesday looked really easy, but honestly it kicked by butt…peddling drills. You can read the description in the pic, and wow I needed this, and need it a lot more. I am a horrible peddler and not efficient at all. I need to get much better in this area, and only way to do that is more of this drill.

Wednesday Training

- – Thursday – -

Thursday was the same as Tuesday…just copy and paste here in a few. But wow, my butt and legs were burning after this. I am totally not used to this type of workout multiple times a week. Today was Maximum Strength workouts as you can see in the plan. You can learn more about MS worksouts from Joe Friel here: http://goo.gl/9wnvx My plan was 10 min on the trainer, then I followed these 5 workouts in this YouTube video - http://youtu.be/RqwHUuskPoY After hitting these 5 core workouts hard for ~35/40 min, then I do 15 min back on the trainer for light spinning. After the trainer I do 100 crunches.

Thursday Training

- – Friday – -

Well, I don’t really have weights so I am skipping that part right now. So, I hit the indoor trainer for 1:06 of smooth riding. After the ride I did 100 crunches.

Friday Training

- – Saturday – -

Saturday I was planning on making my Team Undiscovered group ride…but could not make it due to a ballet recital for Reese (gotta keep the priorities in check!). So, instead of a 3 hour group ride, I followed the training plan and did a simple zone 1-2 1:06.

Saturday Training

- – Sunday – -

Sunday was a great Schlegel group ride! It was cold and wind out of the south…so we headed into the wind to start. Typically on these types of rides I try and stay up front, and work more than just sitting in. Today was no different, and I was feeling it. It was a great ride and was NOT a zone 1-2 ride…it was much more than that. Let’s say that this made up for not having weights at home.

Sunday Training

So there ya go, that was week 1 of my base training. It is a new experience for me to have 7 day workouts, and such a structured plan…but it really helped me stay on track this week. I have a day trip next week, so already planning accordingly for being out of town.

How about you…what did your week look like?

So, my first 90 days, or 3 months have been fantastic…more energy, more nutrition, better digestion, and shedding fat. My goal is no longer weight loss, as a cyclist I am striving hard for the power to weight ratio…so I am trying to be as strong and light as possible. This means trim fat, add muscle…and with the help of Shakeology, a simply healthy lifestyle, and my training I have been able to continually reduce my body fat %!

Robin, my wife has also been using Shakeology for about a month…and has a bit different perspective on it. You can read her thoughts here. I would love to add more and different perspectives as well …so if you are using or have used Shakeology please comment. I think everyone’s body is different, and will respond differently…so I welcome all feedback.

For me, I am sticking with Shakeology! Going into the “off season” for cycling, I am looking to get as fit as possible, and have seen Shakeology be a great part of my training process. I am also trying to maintain my healthy lifestyle, and this fits perfectly as well.

My favorite Shakes over the last 90 days (all made with Chocolate Shakeology), and everyone I add 6-7 ice cubes and blend in a blender fyi.

• Mexican Chocolate Shake
• 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 tsp. of cinnamon
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 cup of skim milk

• Chocolate Bananas Foster
• 1 banana
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. rum extract
• 1 cup skim milk

• Chocolate Vanilla Minty
• 1/4 vanilla extract
• 1/2 peppermint extract
• 1 cup skim milk

• Pecan Cinnamon Roll
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 vanilla extract
• 8 pecan halves
• 1 cup skim milk

To get started I should by saying that “racing” was never the goal. Simply put, the goal of the 2011 season was to have my first century ride at the Hotter’N Hell Tour in Wichita Falls, Tx. 2011 was my 3rd season on the bike (2nd yr), and I was really looking forward to progressing towards being a solid recreational rider.

The 2011 season opened in April with the Red Bud Classic…a great 50 mile event [Garmin details] that set the season off on the right peddle. April, May and June included 4 good events that lead me into a strong summer. By late June I was really feeling strong, down around 10lbs and was talked into my first “race” at the Jenks Criterium (Crit) [details]. The race environment was amazing…and really freaking HARD! I finished 10th, and being honest it was all I needed to be hooked on racing.

July was a huge confidence booster for me with another Crit race where I placed 4th, and two really strong events…the Norman Conquest, and the Duncan Dehydrator. At the Conquest I was able to hang with the lead out racers group for 66 miles and end with a nearly 23mph avg in some serious hills [details]. The Dehydrator is an actual “race”, but not an official USACycling, and I finished 3rd in my group, just behind 2 outstanding local riders, Jeremy Miller and Paul Bonds [details].

August was ridiculous HOT, just like June and July! Seriously…100+ days, day after day, after day! Let’s call August 2011 the month of the Century. My goal starting the season was the HHH Century…but by now my goal had shifted, and was focused around becoming a better racer. My first Century started with the Spin Your Wheels 100. With a crazy turn of events, I was able to rock the SYWs 100 in 4hrs, 24min [details]. Not to shabby for my first 100 miles. Then, 2 weeks later in Wichita Falls, the HHH 100 was even faster, with a 4hr, 18min time…finished with a standing sprint finish and coming in 4th with the lead out group [details].

August and September were all about category 5 racing, so I joined the BEST local racing team – Team Undiscovered! Coming into the Oklahoma State Road Racing Championship (Sept 24th) I had completed 7 races, and had learned a lot. After a solid effort, and minimal rookie mistakes, I had a solid podium finish[pic] at the Championship and placed 5th as a category 5. Immediately following the Championship I requested an upgrade to Cat4…and it was approved! Woot.

I started the season as a solid recreational rider with a goal of doing well in a Century…and ended the season as a Cat4 racer!

Where do I go from here? Well…it’s training time now. Off season has started, and its time to get stronger, and better on the bike. I have so much to learn, and really look forward to going into the 2012 season stronger, lighter, faster and much better on the bike. I am sure they will change as the off season progresses…but right now my goals are: keep learning, support my team well, get much stronger to be a better sprinter, and WIN a Cat4 race! Yea, I don’t think that is asking to much.

Ok, so let me expand…because right now you might think I am nuts! Don’t get me wrong, what we do for a living is important…at least I hope it is. The Bible tells us to work 6 days a week, I can not imagine that God intended for us to spend this much time without purpose. However, where the significance issue comes into play is when ”what we do” becomes who we are. Did you catch that? What we do for a living…where me make our money, what we call our job, maybe our ministry, becomes a core issue when it defines who we are.

I call this “Misguided Significance”. Our desire to be significant in this world is fed by what we do for a living, and that starts this dangerous cycle. We quickly then become consumed by feeding this desire and before you know it “what we do” becomes “who we are”. We can learn a few things from Jesus’ words:

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13

16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them,“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Mark 1:16-18

Is your Misguided Significance wrapped up in money, maybe power or the corner office? What “thing” is defining who you are? Maybe it’s the performer in you that is trying to look great in your boss’ eyes. Maybe it’s driving the right car or SUV to fit in at the country club. Whatever it is, let me tell you…it’s misguided.

Who you are is NOT what you do. We must realize our significance can not come from what we do, it must come from who we really are…in Christ. If we chase the significance of what we do we will sacrifice the critically important parts of our lives, our spouses, our kids, our family, and our relationship with Christ. Our priorities will end up totally out of whack.

As leaders we are even called to a higher standard with this principal.What example are we setting? What do our team members see when they look at our lives as leaders? Are we examples outside of what we do at the office? Again, Jesus nails this topic as well:

1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. Luke 17: 1-2

But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48

Wow, the other morning when I read Luke 17:1-2 this jumped off the screen. I had read this many times, and I typically related it to my children…my little ones. However, reading this with a different lens, I now see the importance of this verse to me, as a leader…what example am I setting? A bit convicting!

So, the next time you are tempted let me encourage you to – Stop telling people how great you are at work…while your marriage is falling a part. Stop telling people about your new promotion and raise, while your kids have no real connection with you. Stop telling people about how great you manage your schedule and keep your house together when you can not remember the last time you read your Bible. I once heard TD Jakes put this best…it’s time to stop focusing on being a public success, if you are a private failure.

In closing let me leave you with this:

Give up the dearest, choicest, and apparently most needful thing, if it leads you into sin. (Pleasures which block the road to heaven ought to be given up) The same rule that bids you avoid sin, bids you also avoid all that leads to sin.- Charles Spurgeon

If you can not get your significance under control…if you can not land your priorities in the right order…then it might be about time to make a RADICAL change. Misguided Significance just might be that major block in the road as Spurgeon mentioned.

The Human Brain from Geoff Schultz on Vimeo.

UnLearning is so important…it, in and of itself leads to Learning for me. Right now I am really learning so much, from so many different people and input sources.Let me briefly mention a few.

Cycling. I am learning so much about cycling right now, and it is helping me with so many areas of my life. Cycling is helping me improve my discipline, my drive, and most important it is pushing me back to square one of humility with some of the killer riders & racers I train with. One of my teammates Rob is freaking amazing on the bike. While riding with him I pay close attention to his form, how he peddles, how he shifts gears, how he approaches hills, how he rides down hills…I am paying attention to everything. I am learning a ton just riding with him…but you see, it would be so easy to miss these opportunities. I have noticed some younger and less experiences riders are not paying attention…they are spending more time trying to fit in, or worse – trying to impress other riders instead of  learning (that’s a whole other post about low self asteem as a guy). The humbling part is so good…gets me back to the basics of paying attention to my surroundings and just absorbing as much as possible; something I am learning to apply to all parts of my life.

My Boss. Let me just say I am blessed to have an amazing boss…yea, nobody is perfect, but Bobby brings so much to the table it’s crazy. One thing Bobby is continually modeling for me is the art of problem solving. Bobby has a natural gift of asking the right questions, and thinking in a uniquely gifted way to really assist with problem solving. I think problem solving is one of the greatest life skills. Until I met and interacted with Bobby, I thought I was great at it…but, he puts me to shame. I watch his interactions, pay close attention to his questions and try and predict what is going to come next. Through this I am training myself to get better. Much of the training part is UnLearning for me…to not assume so much, not to jump to conclusions and this is massive – to keep pressing…keep pressing. Oh, how it might drive me freaking nuts, but keep pressing. It’s good!

Another person I want to mention is Amber. Wow, I am learning so much from Amber…she models learning in the best of ways. Typically she can find herself in the middle of something she has never seen, messed with, or even thought about…and she figures it out. Amber and I have worked together now for a few years and her raw, natural ability to learn is one of the reasons she is thriving. Amber is a natural learner…and she models it so well for me, and anyone on our team who will pay attention. I should also mention that she doesn’t just leverage her natural ability to learn at work…she and her family are walking through the real issues with foster parenting and I can see how much God is using this time in her life, and how much she is learning…and more importantly, UnLearning!

Finally, and most important…I am learning a lot directly from God! He is speaking to me in a huge way through my pastor, Craig Groeschel and a ton in my daily time with Him. I can not be more thankful for taking a big step almost 2 years ago when I started spending time in the Word every morning. It is in these daily times where I am learning, unlearning and where God is speaking to me through His Word. As good as this has been, it has also been challenging, painful and flat out hard at times. But I know, without a doubt that I am a better man, husband and father because of it.

There are some many others I am learning from…just don’t have time to mention them all. Let me leave you with two quotes:

We should be careful to get out of an experience all the wisdom that is in it – not like the cat that sits on a hot stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot lid again – and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore. - Mark Twain

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. – Helen Keller

• Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
• Black Bean Lasagna
• Whole wheat pasta and homemade marinara sauce
• Strawberry, Pistachio and Goat cheese pizza
• Pasta with Roasted Peppers, Onions, Feta and Mint
• Fresh Corn, Tomato and Mozzarella salad
• Spinach and Ricotta stuffed shells
• BBQ Chicken Salad (I removed Chicken)
• Lentil Tacos
• Amazing whole wheat blueberry muffins
• Simple fish tacos
• Penne w/ Chickpeas, Tomatos &, Feta
• Smokey Potato Pancakes
• Spicy Mexican Bean Burgers

Wow, eye opening wasn’t it? His 4 points were outstanding, and so inline with my thoughts and views on discipline!

1. Discipline is not Willpower
2. Success breeds Success
3. Beware of Justification
4. Discipline is a Ladder

Bonus thought: this really does not fit so I am calling it a bonus. Years ago I got to spend some time with Larry North, a trainer and well know fitness guru in Dallas, Texas. Larry had a saying “make the better bad choice”. Often times we can find ourselves in situations where we don’t really have a “good choice”…so make the best choice you can. Instead of caving in saying well, nothing is good, so I am just going to eat the triple cheese burger with super sized fries…stop, and make the better bad choice!

My Saturday Food and Activity Log
5:15am – Shakeology shake
6:00am – 180min cycling
7:15am – mini Larabar on bike
8:30am – Cliff “Shot Block” (3 blocks) on bike
9:00am – Chocolate milk post ride
10:30am – mixed nuts
12:30pm – Boca burgers, tomato/mozzarella salad
3:00pm – apple w/ natural peanut butter
6:30pm – whole wheat pasta and maranara sauce w/salad
9:00pm – mixed nuts

Tomorrow is the last day, so I am going to talk about the big D word…discipline. Bring on your questions.