The 2014 Season was a season that I was hoping for some big results. I put in a solid learning year in 2013 and was ready to attach 2014. I was stronger and improved my bike skills. There was some big plans in the works for the summer. Goals and expectations were high for myself.
With school being crazy busy in the Spring 2014 semester I had little time to ride the trainer. I did some running but overall I had a fairly weak indoor training season. The first race of the year would be Barry-Roubaix in March. This race did not go very well but it was still very early in the season. The next race would be Mud Sweat and Beers in early May. This was my first race on the new bike and first true test of the season. This race went well and things seemed to be looking positive. A week after this I went to Brighton for a Tailwind Series race. For me this was to qualify for nationals. This race went fairly well. There was some fast riders in this group. It was still early in the season so I knew things would keep getting better if I played it smart. Toward the end of May I completed the Hanson Hills 100 Challenge. This was a very hard race and it was different from the type of racing that is normal for mountain bike races. It was much much longer. For me this race was something that was on the bucket list and it happened to fall on my birthday so it was special to complete this long race on that day.
Right after HH100 I did not take the time off like I should have. I started putting in the work and keeping my speed up. Three weekends after HH100 I raced the Chain Drive Festival in Houghton-Hancock, Mi. The week leading up to this race I felt different and was a little off on my speed. The race went OK but I knew something was wrong. That entire next week I tried to rest up and figure out the problem I race a 5k foot race that weekend and actually ran a PR. The next Monday I went to the doctors and I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus. This virus is a form of Mono and it takes a lot out of your system. During this time I was starting to get some coaching help. The day I got diagnosed with the virus was about 3 weeks before the USA Cycling Mountain bike Nationals. I was advised to push through it all and then take time off after to get it out of the system. Nationals came and went. That event was an experience even though I rode horrible
A month or so after Nationals I was cleared to start training again. I was very cautious about doing to much to quick. I started with some easy running and got on the bike a few times a week for short amounts of time. I was advised to worry about putting in miles instead of speed workouts. The time leading up to the Copper Harbor race was a joke. I did little training that was not organized at all. Right after Labor Day weekend in Copper Harbor I sat down and made a legit plan. That included all types of rides that I was advised to have. I started doing longer road rides on the weekends and within a few weeks of this plan my riding improved. I was putting down times on the speed and hills that I had never done when I was healthy. My confidence for Iceman was improving and I was feeling great about what was to come. I had about 5-6 weeks of solid training before Peak2Peak and Crystal Cross. That weekend was a warm up for Iceman and for me it was a speed test to see what my legs could do. That weekend went pretty well. The following three weeks leading up to Iceman were a challenge. The weather in the Soo was very wet and school was starting to control my life. I did what I could with the training and tried to be fully rested for Iceman. Iceman was hard this year. I did not race a smart race and it cost me in the end.
Overall the 2014 Season was very challenging. It really shows that even when you think you are looking to have a solid season, one mistake can haunt you for the rest of the season. Once I got the virus it gave me time to think over what I was doing with my life and why I was doing all this training. I couldn't answer some of the questions that I once was able to answer without thinking. Racing bicycles is something that I am so blessed to be able to do and I wouldn't change my experiences for anything but there comes a time when one has to rethink about why they are doing something. I don't know if it was the illness talking or what but there was a good two or three months that I was really sick of training and doing all the work that comes along with bicycle racing. Now that the season is done and I can take time off the bike it is time for me to be away from the sport for the winter and enjoy the challenge I put in front of my self.
All summer I had the idea of trying to run track and field again at the collegiate level. Well this is happening. The Monday after Iceman I started track practice as a team member for the first time in 4 year. I'm not expecting much from this other than getting in some quality off season training and learning new things that I could add to my cycling training if I choose to continue for 2015. As of now I plan on racing in 2015 but I am not sure how much. I will try and hit the bigger races like Iceman, Ore 2 Shore, Peak2Peak and a few others. Next summer I will be completing my internship and depending on that will depend on what I will be doing for 2015. I'm getting things lined up for next year with the mind set of racing.
I need to thank everyone who helped me throughout the 2014 season. Between my sponsors, family and friends this season went smoother because of you all. I wish I could say I had a killer season but realistically it was a very tough season in every aspect.
Thank you all:
Breakaway Bicycles of Muskegon
Thank you for your continue support when I live 6 hours away. You guys helped with any bike problems I had and get me set up for every challenge that I faced this summer
Mom and Dad
I could have not done any of this without you support. You both allow me to continue me to chase something that many other would see as a waist of time and money. After all the years of racing motocross and running you are both helping me do this racing thing. I can't even begin to repay you for any of it. Love you both so much.
Squeak
You are my cheerleader at all my races. Even though I don't get to see you much I appreciate all the support you give me. You keep me training hard because I don't want to let you down. I hear stories about how much you brag about me and I need to live up to those stories.
Hammer Nutrition
Thank you for all of your support this season. The feedback after each race report was encouraging and I am so happy to be supported by such a great company who support grass root athletes like myself.
Friends (to many of you to single out)
You all have helped in some form or another. Buddy has came to all three Iceman's I have raced and been there through all types of weather. Huge thanks to you all.
Crank Brothers
Your pedals lasted all summer. Such a great product. They got put through all types of riding and never disappointed me. Thank you for the support in 2014
Schwalbe Tires
Your tires are the best on the market and they have helped me become a better rider. With your tires on my bikes I have more confidence and I feel like I can attack all types of course without having to worry about flats. Thank you for your great support.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
Iceman 2014: Mudman 2014
The 2014 Iceman marked the 25th year for this historic race. This year was a special one for all 6000 racers who traveled to the area. With the race being a week later this year the weather was on everyone mind. Was there going to be snow or will it be like the past when its been fairly nice weather? Well mother nature had something special for the 25th year. All week the weather predictions keep changing and everyone was preparing for the worst or at least they thought. When sitting in my hotel room in Kalkaska the night before I looked outside to find it snowing. Was this going to be a legit Iceman this year? I was praying for snow the entire week. The little dusting of snow was quickly followed by rain that night and the all race day
The morning of the race I felt fairly relaxed. In the past I would be so nervous it would make me sick but this year was different and I didn't know how that was going to play out. After making eggs on my flat top in the hotel room, we got everything packed up and headed to a parking spot that I went to last year to get everything ready and warmed up. I sat on my trainer for about 10 minutes then got the final prep done with my riding gear to make sure I would stay some what dry. I then jumped back on the trainer for another 10 minutes to keep the legs loose. During this warm up time a reporter from the Record Eagle out of Traverse City was taking pictures and asking question about the race. Normally I would prefer to listen to music and get into the "zone" but this guy was friendly and I was happy to help him out. On my warm up I felt fairly relaxed. There was a calming feeling in the air.
Sitting in staging the nerves started to come and I was finally in the zone I was wanting to be in. It was in the low 30's, windy, and raining steadily and increasing as time went on. This year I was in wave 4. As the race took off everyone was fighting to stay out of the wind but without getting the splash from other riders. The opening roll out was very cold. I fought my way to the top 4 and was the first one to hit the dirt. Once we get the first couple of k done in the woods the pack shrunk to 3 riders and we worked off each other to fight the wind. I had my strengths in the singletrack so I took the lead during those sections when I could and sat in the draft in the other sections. Once the pack started to catch the first few waves we made quick work of them and made passes in places that shouldn't have been passing lines. Thankfully I was comfortable riding in the slop and I took some risk in the tight sections and on the descents. The small 3 rider pack stuck together for about half the race but once traffic became a problem I found myself in front of the pack and just started working off others and passing people when I could. I didn't want to settle into a pace that wasn't fast enough. My bike computer didn't work the entire race so I was unsure of the pace I was riding at. I felt good and was riding smooth. I took a huge risk that ended up biting me in the last 10k of the race. My hands were so cold and muddy that it was hard to reach back and grab gels or even water from the bike. I pulled a rookie move and didn't take in anything other than grabbing the water bottle 3 times. Every aid station was packed with slower riders so I just flew through these sections. The last 10k of the course is the most challenging parts of the course. There are some famous hill in this last section of the course and the include Anita's and the Icebreaker. I blew up hard after Anita's and really tried my best to ride it in to the finish. I had a few chances to push but it wasn't anything to make up time I was loosing. I struggled with the last 2k just worked to get to the finish in one piece. I crossed the finish with a time of 2:27:15. I was not happy at all with this but I finished.
I ended up finishing 15th in the Men's 19-24 age group. This was my best placing in the 3 years I have done this event. So on paper my results looked OK but the reality is that I rode like a rookie and I pulled a huge risk that probably cost me a top 10. On the plus side, I finished. My bike lasted the muddiest conditions I have ever raced a bicycle in. A lot of top riders had to DNF or fix the problem on the side of the trail and crossed the line with horrific times. The only bike problem I had was a very common problem for everyone and that was loosing my rear brakes within the first 10-15k of the race. I can't be to upset with my actual time because the course was so nasty and everyone had fairly bad times this year. The logging sections that everyone dreaded was a single file mess that looked like a swamp and not a bike trail. For me there are some mixed emotions about the entire event. I'm happy with the placing but disappointed with how I actually rode. I'm happy that the 2014 mountain bike season is done and I can walk away from what had been a very rough season in one piece and with a decent result. Two months ago I would have questioned the ability to get a top 15. Even after the warm up race at Peak2Peak I was questioning my fitness. So to finish the season like this is something I can live with. I will be back again for 2015 for another shot at it. 2014 was a huge learning year and I'm excited for 2015. Now it's time to spend time off the bike and transition to something else that I have kept quiet for some time. You can find the answer to this when I do a write up on the Entire 2014 Season.
I couldn't have done any of this if it wasn't for the support of some amazing people in my life. It has been a roller coaster of a year and Iceman is always a race that people bring their A game to. I had a lot of great people pushing me and encouraging me to keep pushing when things seemed like they were done. I couldn't thank you all enough for the support and love.
Thank you all for everything
Mom and Dad
Squeak
Buddy Kurjiaka
Breakaway Bicycles of Muskegon
Hammer Nutrition
ESI Grips (esigrips.com)
Spy Optics
Schwalbe Tires
Crank Brothers
The morning of the race I felt fairly relaxed. In the past I would be so nervous it would make me sick but this year was different and I didn't know how that was going to play out. After making eggs on my flat top in the hotel room, we got everything packed up and headed to a parking spot that I went to last year to get everything ready and warmed up. I sat on my trainer for about 10 minutes then got the final prep done with my riding gear to make sure I would stay some what dry. I then jumped back on the trainer for another 10 minutes to keep the legs loose. During this warm up time a reporter from the Record Eagle out of Traverse City was taking pictures and asking question about the race. Normally I would prefer to listen to music and get into the "zone" but this guy was friendly and I was happy to help him out. On my warm up I felt fairly relaxed. There was a calming feeling in the air.
Sitting in staging the nerves started to come and I was finally in the zone I was wanting to be in. It was in the low 30's, windy, and raining steadily and increasing as time went on. This year I was in wave 4. As the race took off everyone was fighting to stay out of the wind but without getting the splash from other riders. The opening roll out was very cold. I fought my way to the top 4 and was the first one to hit the dirt. Once we get the first couple of k done in the woods the pack shrunk to 3 riders and we worked off each other to fight the wind. I had my strengths in the singletrack so I took the lead during those sections when I could and sat in the draft in the other sections. Once the pack started to catch the first few waves we made quick work of them and made passes in places that shouldn't have been passing lines. Thankfully I was comfortable riding in the slop and I took some risk in the tight sections and on the descents. The small 3 rider pack stuck together for about half the race but once traffic became a problem I found myself in front of the pack and just started working off others and passing people when I could. I didn't want to settle into a pace that wasn't fast enough. My bike computer didn't work the entire race so I was unsure of the pace I was riding at. I felt good and was riding smooth. I took a huge risk that ended up biting me in the last 10k of the race. My hands were so cold and muddy that it was hard to reach back and grab gels or even water from the bike. I pulled a rookie move and didn't take in anything other than grabbing the water bottle 3 times. Every aid station was packed with slower riders so I just flew through these sections. The last 10k of the course is the most challenging parts of the course. There are some famous hill in this last section of the course and the include Anita's and the Icebreaker. I blew up hard after Anita's and really tried my best to ride it in to the finish. I had a few chances to push but it wasn't anything to make up time I was loosing. I struggled with the last 2k just worked to get to the finish in one piece. I crossed the finish with a time of 2:27:15. I was not happy at all with this but I finished.
I ended up finishing 15th in the Men's 19-24 age group. This was my best placing in the 3 years I have done this event. So on paper my results looked OK but the reality is that I rode like a rookie and I pulled a huge risk that probably cost me a top 10. On the plus side, I finished. My bike lasted the muddiest conditions I have ever raced a bicycle in. A lot of top riders had to DNF or fix the problem on the side of the trail and crossed the line with horrific times. The only bike problem I had was a very common problem for everyone and that was loosing my rear brakes within the first 10-15k of the race. I can't be to upset with my actual time because the course was so nasty and everyone had fairly bad times this year. The logging sections that everyone dreaded was a single file mess that looked like a swamp and not a bike trail. For me there are some mixed emotions about the entire event. I'm happy with the placing but disappointed with how I actually rode. I'm happy that the 2014 mountain bike season is done and I can walk away from what had been a very rough season in one piece and with a decent result. Two months ago I would have questioned the ability to get a top 15. Even after the warm up race at Peak2Peak I was questioning my fitness. So to finish the season like this is something I can live with. I will be back again for 2015 for another shot at it. 2014 was a huge learning year and I'm excited for 2015. Now it's time to spend time off the bike and transition to something else that I have kept quiet for some time. You can find the answer to this when I do a write up on the Entire 2014 Season.
I couldn't have done any of this if it wasn't for the support of some amazing people in my life. It has been a roller coaster of a year and Iceman is always a race that people bring their A game to. I had a lot of great people pushing me and encouraging me to keep pushing when things seemed like they were done. I couldn't thank you all enough for the support and love.
Thank you all for everything
Mom and Dad
Squeak
Buddy Kurjiaka
Breakaway Bicycles of Muskegon
Hammer Nutrition
ESI Grips (esigrips.com)
Spy Optics
Schwalbe Tires
Crank Brothers
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