Are You Living It?

Lars Holbek, whitewater explorer and gentle soul, has finished his ordeal with cancer. He will be missed by those who knew him, and by thousands who followed in his pioneering first descents of rivers across the west. Lars was a person from whom many drew inspiration, to challenge themselves and explore whitewater rivers around the world. May his memory be preserved in each safe eddy we catch, while we follow his lead in exploring the world of whitewater.

It was a treat to slow down and enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving Day with family. Trudy and I went over to Lakeview Oregon to unwind and visit Dad. I took a walk across the valley and looked over the ranch. A couple coyotes were out looking for gophers and mice, the cattle were laying in the morning sun. A quiet and peaceful morning without any noise of traffic, people, dogs, or doors. Nothing but the sound of a breeze in the grass and trees. It was a reminder that no matter how hectic it gets, there is always a peaceful place to retreat and recharge. Ahhhh, all better now!

It seems the most common pain conditions I see are caused by trying to catch-up on exercise. For a number of reasons people miss, or skip their scheduled exercise routine and then try to make it up as soon as they return to the routine. I just want to remind us all, a few missed days of exercise is not going to make a negative change in our fitness.

Core Stabilization and Strengthening has been a hot topic in fitness for some time. I have developed the  revolutionary Core By The Cord Program. This is a core strengthening program for those on a budget, and blends well into your fall and winter cross training schedule.

To begin, ask around for names of elderly or disabled persons that use wood to heat their homes. Contact them to request their support in allowing you to stack their firewood as it arrives at their home for free. They save money, you get a workout.

Here in Northern California, the cold weather has arrived with winters breath, and the fall leaves are now dappling their color on the roads. With the rain and wind, the leaves have lost their last hold in the trees, and now wait to be frozen in place under the coming snows. Until then, they lay in wait to catch the unsuspecting cyclist or runner off guard with their ice-like slipperiness.

A few weeks ago I heard about a Cyclocross ride that followed a local river drainage. The Boy Scouts had gone up and improved the trail recently and my friend Jeff from the Fifth Season said the ride would be great for my cross bike. He gave me the directions and landmarks to find my way, then all I had to do was find some time.  Well today I found the time!

My cyclocross ride was great, with climbing and headwinds to keep up the effort. 40 MPH gusts kept it challenging even on the pavement. Oh I love this time of year.

James Schaffer’s “Visor Warning” rung a bell for me yesterday, though not quite like it did for him. The tree limb brought back memories of my childhood with my younger brother Ross. When I was about 7, I remember leading him along on a horse through the trees. I didn’t realize how low the branches were until one cleanly scraped Ross off the horse and onto the ground. As the day progressed something kept nagging at me. I felt throughout the day that I was forgetting something, checked my schedule over and over, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. It seems that if I don’t write something down I never remember to do it, so I figured I must have forgot to write something down. I found myself awake this morning at 2:30 AM. It hit me, Yesterday was the 26th, my brother’s birthday, only it wasn’t September 26, it was August 26, and I completely forgot.

Cross season is closing in quickly. It’s that time of year for us Roadies to show the world why we ride a bike and are not runners. Well at least we can blame some of it on the shoes!

Ending each ride with a short run is actually becoming enjoyable. My hips have finally given in to the fact that I am not going to stop just because they are whining a bit. The cross bike is getting its yearly cleaning, just kidding, why would I clean it if it’s just going to get dirty again? Now, about that shifting problem.