Weekend of firsts.....

I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend in Tallahassee, Florida soaking up a lot of warm sunshine. Both days were sunny and pushing 80 degrees, which is perfect racing weather for the month of March don't you think? Not only were the Cumberland boys back in racing action, but there were USCF events as well.

With such good weather and races available it made for a weekend of first experiences for me in 2006.....

First days for me to ride without leg or arm warmers.
First day for me to use sun tan lotion on my arms and legs.
First races of the year!
First "in the money" of the season!
First race with my PowerTap.
First time visiting Tallahassee and the FSU campus.

For those who know me you're aware I always overdress and keep my skin and joints covered when training. I don't pull that stuff off unless it hits 70 degrees, which I'm convinced has helped me to avoid tendonitis throughout my athletic life. Since I've been covered up it means I'm a pasty white boy right now, but now was the time to work on my cycler's tan! I busted out the lotion and kept key body parts protected. Everyone should have a bottle of good sun lotion protection in their bag.

Since there were USCF events along with collegiate races we (meaning my coach & I) decided to give it a go and test the legs. I've never raced this early in the year, but I felt confident my training plan to this point had prepared me for what lay ahead. I'll be honest that I was apprehensive to do it in Florida where guys are a bit more fit than us racers north of Florida. I've seen the Univ. of Florida team these last three weeks, and they have impressed me with their March crit legs.

I did the Cat 3 race on Saturday and Masters 35+ on Sunday placing 5th and 11th respectively. The Cat 3 race may have been the slowest passive aggressive race I've ever done, and certainly not what I anticipated from Florida racers. The Masters race was expectedly much faster with attacks going until one succeeded. It's always fun to earn back some cash regardless of the pace though.

Which reminds me of something I heard legendary race car driver Richard Petty say once, "Win as slow as possible." His father taught him that and I'd say it worked out well for him. Aside from time-trials that philosophy is applicable to bike racing.

Both races were pretty good workouts for different reasons, and to make it more interesting I got to use my PowerTap for both. Training by wattage is the way to train these days, and having this information after a race is invaluable. My coach can use this information to track my progress and help him to create better future training plans. There were stark quantitative differences between the Cat 3 and Masters race, but in both races I was pleased with my peak wattage during key intervals.

I had never visited Tallahassee before this weekend, and it was nothing like what I expected. First off it was hilly! Secondly, did you know it's not a beach town? I didn't realize it was so far inland until I looked at map before traveling down. After living in South Florida and traveling all across the state I expected flatter ground and a little ocean action.

Having said that, it's a super nice town. Ironically, the FSU campus is located just off Tennessee Avenue. I drove through campus around the athletic facilities and was in awe with its size. The football, baseball, softball and soccer stadiums connect one another and are impressive to look at. Any athlete looking at those facilities would be anxious to suit up on those fields. Also, there's an impressively large circular stained glass painting within the side of the football stadium depicting Bobby Bowden overlooking the football field. It has for sure wooed many FSU football recruits.

Here I am after such a wonderful experience looking out my window in Nashville as it's raining and 39 degrees. Yeah, but nothing in the world beats sleeping in your own bed.....