Yesterday, I managed to get up early enough to drive out to Blue Marsh Lake with my friend John and a couple of guys from the Guys team. There's a 30-mile loop with some pretty good XC riding. Nothing terribly technical, but there's a couple of good climbs in there. I still suck at climbing, but nevertheless managed to complete the course in 2:45, which is a hell of an improvement over the 5+ hour time from last year. Granted, I was riding a single speed that time around, but I've still improved greatly. I still had some energy left, and I know that if I absolutely had to, I could have gone out for a second 22-mile loop, especially if I restrained myself a little more. This bodes well for the Stupid 50 in three weeks, especially if I can drop a couple of pounds by then.

I just have to remember to bring sunscreen.

Iron Hill next weekend! I wish I had someone to sucker into being my race support and handing me bottles after every lap. I've still got time to coax someone into doing that...

Iron Hill is the next race in my itinerary, then Danville, then the Stoopid 50 at State College on the 14th of June. Ouch. That means I've got about a month to prepare for that. Luckily, I've been managing to wake up early and actually get riding/gym...ming in before work, training with HEED and other supplements, and I've been stricter with regards to my diet. If I can do the 50, I'll be stoked. That doesn't mean I'll do the longer courses at Michaux this year, but I know I'll do better in the sport races. I really hope to do well when the collegiate MTB season rolls around.

I know Bryan's going to hate me if I manage to get the 50 under my belt - I'll be completely useless and destroyed the day after.

Muddy. Fun. I know it looks like I'm about to cry or something, but I was actually having a blast. So seldom do I actually get to ride in such sloppy conditions. The 50 degree weather wasn't even that bad after the first five minutes of riding.

French Creek was postponed until August. I was actually looking forward to another muddy race, but given that I need the cash, working instead of racing was probably better.

I bought some HEED, Hammer Gels, and hemp protein powder. I've been waking up earlier, working out more, and feeling better about riding. I'm serious about this racing thing.

Michaux sometimes feels like less of a mountain bike race than a total beatdown. Somehow though, it's still a freaking blast.



Yes, I did bring my computer camping.



At times, I feel like I would be happier just riding my bike instead of having a social life. Bikes are awesome.

I was going to take a picture of the weather forecast for Carlisle, PA, the town near which Michaux State Forest is located. I'll sum it up though by saying that there's a very good chance that the race will be rained on. Not rained out, just rained on. I'll be camping in the foul weather as well. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to a wet, sloppy weekend of rocky, muddy brutality.

I really think that a good number of mountain bikers are closet S&M freaks. Just sayin'.

I think I'm ready for Michaux. More prepared than I was last year anyway. I'm debating ditching the hydration pack and just going for water bottles, but that might end up being a bad idea if it's super hot out (what month is it again?). I should at least order a new reservoir for my smaller pack. I'm not in it to win it just yet, but I want to finish in a better time. I just have to register.

Oh, and I'm really good at putting things off, let me tell you. Tonight might be a late night. In any case, today is going to be a long day.

I have a test in twenty minutes. I'm still in bed, and I haven't eaten breakfast. This semester sucks my ass. Personal human relations are another thing that's getting me down lately, but I won't delve into that because I don't want to name names. Suffice it to say that I've become a shoulder to cry on for more than one person, when I haven't one myself.

Racing Sunday went okay. The course was super fast and fun, and the weather was perfect. I didn't finish well (38/43), nor did I expect to so early in the season. I'm still working on getting my riding legs back, and this was a much shorter and faster course than what I'm used to riding. Michaux is in less than two weeks, and I'm really looking forward to that.

I'm down ten pounds since I've started going to the gym on a regular basis. It's not as though I was hideously obese, or even fat for that matter. I just had a couple of pounds to lose. At this rate though, I'll be down to 200 flat in no time. At least two people have independently of one another said at that point, I'll be "svelte". I'm looking forward to that.