U23 nats, aka a lot of pain and endless suffering

So the race went ok. Except for the part about little to no neutral water, and a lot of climbing.
Over 130 riders started and only 44 finished. I ended up 19th. Teams represented included Trek Livestrong, Garmin, Rock Racing, Rabobank, Waste Management, and others. Garmin and Trek pretty much controlled the race from the start and made it impossible for anyone without a team to try anything at all. A break composed mainly of Trek and Garmin guys, with a few WM went off the front about 10 miles in. Their teammates blocked and nothing could be done about it. The rest of the race was hanging on for dear life over the climbs in 100+ degree heat (glad i'm form Texas). I made all of the other splits and ended up finishing in the second group with about 10 other riders. Looking at the results and seeing the names Garmin, Trek and WM over and over again in front of my name lessened the blow. Most of those guys already get paid to ride their bike. So I'll take my 19th place and be rather proud of it.

Today is the individual TT, which can also be interpreted of about 40 min of wanting to puke in my mouth, cough up a lung, and feeling my heart-beat in my eyeballs...can't wait :)
Wish me luck!

Okey Dokey, two rest days down with some light recovery spinning. And a lot of carb loading.
I figured I have ingested about 3500 calories so far today. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little full. Tomorrow is going to hurt like nobody's business. 120 miles on the same circuit course as the last day of the Cascade Classic...Sweet Baby Jesus
Also, BIG THANKS TO CHAD SPRINGER AND RUSSELL METOYER for their donations.

Breakfast:
Two packets of oatmeal-330
Cup of coffee with cream and sugar 75
Raisin Bran cereal-189
Hard Boiled Egg-12

Ride (1.5 hr recovery spin):
Banana-62
Clif Bar-240
OS drink-330
Accelerade (2 scoops)- 240
Endurox recovery-270

Lunch:
Turkey sandwhich on rye (Spinach, swiss cheese, tomatoes, other stuff) 374
16 oz Vanilla Latte-250
Chipotle Tomato Soup-100

Snack:
OS drink-330
Pedialyte-100
Ice Cream-110
Powerbar recovery bar-260

Dinner:
Tuna Salad-350
Ice Cream-110
Physique Recovery-350
1 Beer~150

Snack:
Powerbar recovery bar-260
OS-330

=3344 calories

Last nights crit and today's stage went fairly well. A break got away a little less than halfway through the crit. Thacker launched a solo attack to try and bridge. I launched and caught him with a metro VW guy and we chased for a few laps, (without much help at all from metro). We got close to the break (about ten seconds) but eventually got brought back by the field (who decided to stop chasing after they caught us). Thacker and I sat in for the sprint and ended up 13th and 19th.

Today was a tough circuit race, which previewed the U23 nationals course set for Wednesday. Although it was only 67 miles, more than half of the 100+ man field dropped out. I had good position with about 1km to go, but a wreck nearly happened in one of the round-a-bouts and I lost a few places and ended up 13th, not to shabby. I moved up about 10 places in GC yesterday, and another 10 spots today, ending up 39th. The first stage totally screwed me over, but oh well, that's bike racing.

TT

Time Trial is done. I don't know the exact time, but it's somewhere around 23 min. It was a 10 mile TT, not a 14 like I said earlier. Average speed was about 25.5 mph, avg heart rate was 184. A little drama involving an older lady in a excursion, the yellow line rule, and Thacker went down, but we looked in the rule book and nothing was violated on his part. Also, I did not know my aerobars had the ability to move freely up and down; which is a little scary reaching speeds of 45mph. I did take advantage of this by switching between the Floyd "Praying Mantis" Landis and Fabian Cancellara positions. Tightening a few bolts after the finish fixed the problem. Legs are up for now, and getting ready for the crit tonight around 5, see you guys after that.

Thrown in the hurt locker

Just finished the most painful last 20k I have ever done. I guess Texas boys aren't meant for 20 mile climbs when they aren't used to them. I got dropped from the lead group about 5km from the finish. :( Those are not words I'm used to saying. About to check out results and the damage done and will let you guys know as soon as I know. 14 mile TT and a lesson on how to race a crit from a southerner tomorrow. For now the legs are up and I'm sucking down food and drink. The layout of today's stage is on the left.

gametime

Alright, the race is finally here. Did some openers yesterday on an uneasy stomach, by I think today will go well. If anything, I'm here to compete in something I love doing, and most of all have fun. I'll write more after the race, for now I have to get ready. Wish Thacker and me luck.

Whew, another long day on the road. We finally arrived in Bend, OR this evening, had dinner, and now I'm going to spin the ole' legs out on the trainer for an hour. I may get to ride in the team car with Chann tomorrow for the Pro time Trial, following some riders from the Felt Holowesko U23 team. Hopefully it comes through. as for now I better get to spinning, I'm really ready to go to sleep. I'll leave you with a few pictures from today, along with an awesome rest stop quote.

On the road

Long three days so far. Two of them with little to no Internet...bleh. As of now we have driven through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and half of Utah. I finally gave in and downloaded the blog app for the iPhone in order to keep you guys updated. We have one more day on the road and then I get to relax in beautiful Bend, Oregon for a day before all of the racing starts. Of course, I just sneezed and blew a little snot on the screen, disjusting. Also, the lovely Ann Marie McCourt may be flying up in order to watch some of the racing, as well as saughnier and listen to me whine for a few days. That's about it thus far. I'll try and figure out how to upload pics from my phone.

Had a fairly good race at the Driveway last night. There was a break of 3 (Steven Wheeler, John Korioth, and I think Even Lambert) that went up the road about 25 min in. After the gap got a little to big for comfort, a chase group including Stefan Rothe, David Wenger, Phil Wikoff, Eric Benz, Matt Gordon, and yours truly decided to chase. We caught them and the group stayed together for the most part. With a few laps to go "some cat and mouse" tactics were involved and the break lost valuable time. We were caught shortly into the last lap which spelled a group sprint for the finish. Stefan was able to win it followed by Phil and Jed Rogers. I ended up fifth and Thacker 8th. A little unlucky, but oh well, I am peaking for nationals, not a weekly crit. There was also awesome announcing done by Patrick, Tyler and Chad.

Today was an easy 1:15 recovery ride followed by painting and moving stuff all day. A HUGE thanks to Mark Henry, Kevin McRee, along with Office Systems Center for the donations!

Other than that, my knee and collar bone are feeling better, no pain killers needed today. 2 more days until departure to Oregon.

Toasty

Today's ride was supposed to be 5 hours at endurance pace. Jordan and Matt came along with Matt and I out to Johnson City and back. We went a little over by accident, but it wasn't such a bad time. I felt a little sore and had quite a bit of pain from the wreck yesterday, but managed to get by, thanks to some pain killers. Despite the lack of fluids, incredible heat, and Matt breaking his chain at mile 80, I had a good time.

A few details about the ride can be found here. Thacker and I should be racing the Driveway Crit tomorrow. Until then, we will relax, watch the tour, and eat. All in all, today was a pretty good day.

Exciting news!!!! I think my car is totaled. I didn't say it was good news. I guess that's what happens when a Dodge Ram, towing a trailer, decides to swerve into your lane going about 40mph. I didn't even have time to hit the brakes. The good news is I'm ok and I think Juan will be too (the other driver). I'm more than a little sore in my knee and collarbone, but should be able to ride tomorrow. Nothing like facing off with a full size truck.

5 hour ride in the morning, followed by a lot of b*@#hing, moaning, and relaxing.

So, one 15 minute interval, seven low cadence hill repeats, and about 50 km of motorpacing and I finally get to relax. The motorpacing was on a fairly flat course and averaged about 34 mph. It wasn't too hard until the last ~K. Whenever Chann (who happens to be an ex-protour rider and national road champion) pulls up next to you in a car and says "ok, hang on for dear life." You know the next few minutes will be full of pain and torment.

Also, a huge thanks to Zac (Ballzac) Dashner, Rafael (Trigeek) and Gracie, along with Kevin (K-Pain) McRee for their donations! It helps me out a lot and I really do appreciate everything. All of the money raised is going straight to travel expenses.

It's been really busy the last few days. Saturday was another 5 hr ride. Sunday, some members of Velossimo, my family, and myself volunteered at the Couples Triathlon presented by Jack and Adam's and High Five Events. Thanks so much for everyone who came out!

Today is a much needed 1 hr recovery ride. WOO! Later this evening Thacker is coming into town to round off the last week of training for Oregon (he is heading up there as well). As for right now, I'm polishing off a bowl of Reese's Puffs and about to head to the shop to install a new bottom bracket. I needed to buy a more durable one, my last one didn't like me putting in so many miles on the bike.

Tomorrow is more hill repeats with Thacker, and then some motorpacing with Chann!

2.5 hour ride on the TT bike out of the way. I also borrowed a 55 tooth chain ring for it, and gave my road bike a much needed bath. You can view ride details here.

Most of my things are packed and ready for the move, which is kind of a crazy situation. My current lease ends July 31. I am leaving for Oregon on the 20th, and my next lease starts August 21st. So, whenever I get back (~august 5th) I'm am going to be staying with Karl for about 2 weeks and keeping a lot of my things at my wonderful girlfriend's (Ann Marie's) apartment. Fun to say the least.

Tomorrow I have another 5 hrs on the trusty steed. I'll try and take some pictures and post them on here. Other than that, all is well in the Jarisch household.

Recovery spin out of the way. There's not a whole lot going on today. I may go to Barton Springs with Jordan in a little bit, or head out and watch the Driveway Crits later. I wish I was racing them, but it's not in my training this month. Other than that, I'm taking the TT bike out for my workout tomorrow.

Hah! Just saw Chann on a tour de france interview! He is one of the Directors for Garmin Slipstream (one of the teams that is riding in this years Tour de France.
The ride went well today. I realized about 20 min into it that my ipod wasn't charged. So I had to conserve the battery and ride in silence until the hill circuits (which hurt a lot less than the first go 'round). I also got news that I'll be training with Thacker Reeves the last few weeks before the trip. He is a very talented cyclist who rides for Matrix, a team out of dallas. I'm looking forward to have someone to train with on weekdays. If you havn't watched it yet, the tour stage today was awesome. I'm not going to spoil it though.

Also, if anyone wants to help volunteer at the Couples Triathlon this weekend you are more than welcome to. Jack and Adam's, the main sponsor of my team, is putting it on. Jack has kindly agreed to pitch in some cash for my trip if I can get at least 10 volunteers.

I don't know if this will work, but I'll try it. Here is my ride from today, Garmin style.
If it does work, you should be able to see my route, power data, elevation, and a lot more goodies.

Whew, trying to get on the bike by 7AM, ugh. It's going to be just me and ol' Pandora Radio for the ride today. Caffiene, check, oatmeal, check, sun screen, check.
Shout out to Scott Kinsel and Mel "Karen" Brown; thank you so much for the donations guys!
Training:
5 hours Workout Description:
BT: Hill anaerobic-endurance intervals. On a 6-8% hill do 8 x 3 minutes @ 325 watts.
Coach's Comments:
Most of the ride is in Z2 / then do two hill circuits the last 1.5 hrs of ride.

Be back a little after high noon.

Post ride recovery shake bliss

So...done with that. My legs don't really like spinning a high cadence after 45 rpm hill repeats. Other than what sounded like a possessed midget wookie stuck in my rear hub everything went smoothly. (The bushing in Mavic Kysrium rear free hubs need to be cleaned every once in a while) Until I do that, every time I coast going over 30 mph I will joined by a high pitched WANAHNAHNAHNAH!

Now it's onto doing a little packing (I have to be out of the apartment by July 19th), eating, and le tour.

For some reason I find a huge difference between how motivated I feel while watching the tour, and when I wake up at 7 AM, and the forecast calling for rain. The good thing is my new pocket pump gets to tag along. Hopefully I don't have to use it. At least it won't be 100+ degrees :)

The training plan calls for

Warm up 30 min/ do 1 x 15 min. z3 @ 95-105 rpm. Ride 8 x 4 minute climb of 8% grade at 250-275 watts. Cadence is 35-40 rpm rpm. Seated. 2 min. rec./ After last effort go directly into 15 min. Z3 at 95-105 rpm.

Sounds fun, I know. Once I start thinking about my goals and get a little caffeine in my system I feel better. Time to finish my Reese's Puff'sand banana, lather up with sunscreen, pack up and head out.

Training

So my build up to nationals started July 1st. You can view my training if you would like.
Today, (7/6) is my first rest day in two weeks. For the past three days I have been listening to my legs say "What the hell are you doing to me?! After a hard 5 hour ride on the 4th, and a 3:30 ride at tempo yesterday, they don't exactly feel fresh.

Saturday's ride started with the ATC bunch, added on the Lime creek loop, and ended with two hill circuits including Courtyard, City Park, and Jester. That was the first time in a long time I wanted to get off my bike and cry while riding up Jester. I was on my bike from 8:15 AM - 2:30 PM .

Yesterday's ride was fairly eventful, with the triathletes wanting to prove something, and my legs screaming at me to stop. I started with the Jack and Adam's Sunday group ride, and eventually cut off with Chad, Kevin, my fellow wolf pack members, and Mel, the cougar. Thanks to Kevin I learned that cherry shlushies go great in water bottles the last hour of a ride :)

With a lot of time spent on the couch and a few recovery drinks today I think I'll feel good for my hill repeats tomorrow. Most of today will be spent watching le Tour de France on tv and chillaxen.

Genesis

To tell you a bit about myself, I am 21 years old, a student at St. Edward's University, and a competitive cyclist. I ride for Velossimo Racing based out of Austin, Texas. I'm here to document my preparation for U23 nationals at the end of July. If I like rambling enough, my experiences will continue to be blogged in order to torture you with the tales. My weaknesses include chocolate milkshakes, thin mints, and back-rubs. That's about it from me, student, bike racer, hopeless romantic; I'll see you around.