Category Archives: bike
Photography Travels: 2014 Sea Otter Classic – Day Zero
Eyes pop open at 4:20, well before the alarm was set to go off. Anticipation rules the morning, as I am about to head off on a new adventure.
I’ve traveled a lot, I’ve raced a lot, and I’ve done a lot of photography – but I haven’t ever traveled to photograph a race before. This would be new territory for me. If my 49 pound suitcase and bursting-at-the-seams backpack were any indication, I have a long way to go in the ‘travel light’ department. Two laptops, power supplies, trail running shoes, a sleeping bag (?!?!), two DSLR camera bodies, assorted lenses, batteries, and about 8,000 cables and chargers take their toll on the airline weight allowance.
I feel like I’m going on safari for a month, not a five day trip to California. I tell myself I need more practice figuring out what to pack for this kind of thing, but it seems like I already left a huge pile of gear behind that didn’t make the cut. How can I take even less?
I’m in the air right now, smiling at my good fortune of a south-facing window, an empty middle seat next to me, and the incredible view of the Rocky Mountains. It was cool to see so many of the peaks I have climbed, lakes I had camped near, and feel the memories of my footprints on the ground below.
I picked up a rental car after landing in San Francisco and swung by the San Jose airport to pick up Jason who would be racing on the bikes for the next three days. After the mandatory stop at In-N-Out for some burgers, we made our way another hour south to the Laguna Seca Raceway which would serve as the venue for the 2014 Sea Otter Classic.
We met up with our crew and all pitched in to get the booth set up in record time, then it was off to get some pizza.
I’m making the trip to support my brother in the launch of his new company, Razik Bicycles. They organized a team of guys to race in the Sea Otter Classic near Monterrey, and I will be trying to get some good images of their exploits on their wicked cool racing machines.
As much as I hate being nervous, I love doing stuff that tests me and pushes me to get out of my usual way of doing things. I am geared up to deliver my best and to do it with a good attitude and help the team any way I can. Go time!
2013 Year End Stats
Well, I beat last year’s running mileage by 4 miles. That’s progress!!
I was happy to finally get my bike refurbished and put some solid rides in on it late in the season. I also rowed 45 miles on our new rowing machine, which bumped up my overall hours of training somewhat.
I think I ran better back in 2009 and 2010 when my mileage was lower, but time on the bike was higher. My ideal mix seems to be about 2,500 running and 1,500 bike (which are usually all MTB miles, so they don’t rack up quite as fast).
The actuals:
Racing was a struggle this year. I DNF’d the Buffal Run 100 in March, ran two very slow 50 milers in May and June, then my second-fastest Leadville 100 – but it was still 3 hours off my best.
My best race was actuall a non-race solo 50 mile time trial that I ran in September.
I was fortunate to participate in many fun group runs including the Ponderous Posterior (fat ass), Leila’s Leadville run, Brandon’s Leadville run, Woody’s pancake run, and some other smaller get togethers. I had a great time with my son on a 14er trip where we climbed peaks all day every day. A fun trip to Moab with friends and family, and many other good memories.
I’m happy with my consistency and hope that I will start to see some more improvement eventually after being stalled out for quite a while.
Thanks for dropping by and I hope to see many of you on the trails in 2014!
2012 Year End Stats
I missed my training goals by a long way this year (stated I was shooting for 3,333 running miles and 999 bike in last year’s post).
The actuals:
It is tempting to consider this some sort of failure, but I need to reconsider that feeling. The past 2.5 months post a broken rib have been a struggle and I can’t let that skew my take on the entire year. I had some great highlights with two 100 mile finishes (including one where my nephew ran his first ultra, and my brother did his first trail race), a 50K PR, a half marathon PR, running a 50K with my 18 year old son, hiking many 14er’s (11 I think), taking my wife up her first 14er on our anniversary, and shooting around 25,000 photos. A kid graduated high school and started college. Another started high school. My youngest spent a chunk of time in the hospital. I took on some new responsibilities at work. It was a busy year!
Running took a back seat at times, at least more so than previous years. That part is fine, I made up for that in many other areas. I am disappointed with my non-existent bike miles, though. That used to be my primary activity and I miss it. I think I have had better overall running years when I have spent time on the bike as well.
2013??
I want to fly like an eagle to the sea.
Fly like an eagle, let my spirit carry me.
I want to fly like an eagle till I’m free.
See you on the trails!
The Scene Begins 