New Year, New - um - Me(?)

"New Year, New You" is a title you see everywhere right now.  Unfortunately, it's ubiquity is easily surpassed by its deceit.  Too few of us truly recreate ourselves, despite the new year.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.  Discouragement is the enemy.  Persistence does in fact pay off.  If you don't believe me, then watch this blog in the coming days and weeks.

Cycling & blogging-wise, I've fallen off the wagon these past few months.  As I just mentioned to a coach/friend, my off season is truly & absolutely "off."  My butt hasn't been on the saddle since Thanksgiving weekend.  In fact, this is my odometer as I type (on my "analog" training log):

 

Look familiar?  Yeah, just 16 miles more than the pic in my last post from December 6.  I didn't know that "20,000 mile" ride would be my last of 2011, but even so I rode a total of 4,465.23 miles last year - right about where I usually am.  I don't want to think of how many more miles I could have ridden, especially with the unseasonably mild December weather we had.

Ah well, at least I can honestly say that I think the time off has done me good.  I'm REALLY itching to get back on the bike.  And just in time - training starts tomorrow.  Here's my bike tonight - changing out the wheels to my trainer wheels.

Whether the time off has in fact done me good won't be known until my racing season starts - less than 9 weeks from now, in  Bethel, CT, first Sunday in March.

But I have more than my usual racing season motivation this year.  I always want to do well - or at least be able to hang in with the pack.  Racing's certainly more fun that way.  This year though, we are going to have an absolutely AWESOME Cat 3 team.  I'm not giving away any secrets - just stating a fact.  That's not to say that we're going to get great results (though hopefully those will come too), but the guys we've put together for 2012 are going to be an absolute blast to race with and work for.

To be able to do that though, I have to get my butt off the couch and back on the bike.  And with the start of winter training, I'll be updating this blog much more often.  So be sure to check in here when you can - and drop a comment if you're able.   The New Year may not mean a "new" me, but with your encouragement it should at least mean an "improved" me.

Comments

[Dennis Desmarais]

While you may find yourself crunched on time to get ready in 9 weeks for Bethel, there's still a long training runway leading up to the bigger road races. If you wanted to blog on "a `new' me", then pencil in a road race for 2012!

[BJH]

Giddy-up

[Eric Abbott]

Sound great! I hope the Cat3 team campaign works out well. Best of luck in the coming season!

Eric

[Suitcase Reviews]

keep in there, im sure you will do well.

[suitcaseofcourage]

Thanks very much for stopping by Eric! Good luck with your 2012 season too!

-SOC