“Pre-post”… get it? ha!
Posted on May 31, 2007
Ok, Yesterday was a long day… I didn’t sleep all that well the night before, I got up really early, drove to Zurich (airport), Drove back, then rode 90km with Ruben, watched the Giro stage (awesome), then went to the track to skate sprints, then went into Germany for a meal and conversation with the gang.
Surprise surprise, I felt like complete garbage on the track. You know, out of all the great stuff happening around me, the experiences, the scenery, the great people, the languages, the good skating, the cycling… It was me stinking it up hard on the track one night that stands out. I mean, I was awful. Ha, I couldn’t even swing my arms in some of the later 200’s, and I was locking up towards the end of a bunch of them. It was rough going. I couldn’t even seem to recover between each, and I for the first time sat a few out.
Then, in the points race, which was by far the easiest and slowest one I’ve done here (it was almost funny), I didn’t have much more energy than to just sit around the back/middle and make it through the corners. Near the end, there were a few points I kind of half went for, getting third in both, and feeling nauseous the whole time. I tried to run out the last few laps, but could barely manage the first two of those reasonably well. It was ugly. A few times during the practice, I was in the middle gagging up a bit. I had this red carbonated sports drink that was really gross, and wasn’t helping anything.
The Point:
I think that sometimes it can be hard not to equate how I am feeling on skates with how I am feeling as Aaron Richard Arndt, ‘Double A’, ARA,’ Canada’, ‘Ontario’ [(pronounced ‘On-teyh-reeo’ in a grinding sort of NZ accent)] or whatever name happens to suit the circumstance, or more broadly; as a person, or an individual.
What I mean is that it can be easy to feel like how things are going on skates becomes how you substantiate/verify/appraise/asses your living experience this deep inside the skating world. I think this is a truly dangerous method of self observation/inspection/examination. I think the reality is that any/everyone is going to have ups and downs in any form of athletics, and it isn’t really going to change your person. This notion is vital to understand in order to survive if/when your objective is to improve, gain experience, or if you’re coming from where I am, rookie, et all.
Also, for me; on the track I don’t think I am going to ever feel particularly great, so I think this is an especially poor method to evaluate this trip, this experience, this season, my athletic or living experience, or more importantly, myself.
So what? So what…
So, despite one lousy sprint practice, things are truly great. Skating and training really is going well.
On a different note, and one that happens to stand out as it is different, and indicative; I really enjoyed dinner with the house last night. We went to a small pizzeria in Konstanz, Germany, I think there were 8 of us, and conversation was really good. There were a few languages sort of bunched together that made things quite interesting. The mix of English, Italian, Spanish, and German kind of wandered about aimlessly until Dj, Finster, and I got on talking about war, politics, economics, and mass human exploitation. It was enjoyable, and deserves mention.
I received some feedback and constructive criticism since I asked for it, and I think that a lot of it was very good, and helpful. Thanks for that. I’ll see what comes of it over the next few posts.
I should go, lots to do.
-Double A.
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Big Day in the Giro.
Posted on May 30, 2007
This is it. Today is perhaps the biggest day in the Giro. The is no question. The final climb has an average gradient of 12% and kicking up to 22%+ over an unbelievably tough 10km. There will certainly be a number of riders that crack today, and I am sure many who chose not to start today’s stage. See HERE to take a good look at the Profile.
Garzelli took the stage yesterday on a gutsy attack, catching the leaders, and attacking on them 30km from the finish to take an uncontested win. He can thank the indecisiveness, and disorganization of the first chase group that included several strong riders, but couldn’t commit to the chase.
I just dropped Kalon and Peter Michael off at the airport in Zurich. Both were excited about leaving for Incheon, Korea, and disappointed they were going to miss today’s stage. I am home now getting ready for a training ride this morning.
See y’all
-A.
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Today has had a fair bit of down time…
Posted on May 28, 2007
It has been raining since late last night, and today is a rest day in the Giro.
The first food item (I think) I bought in Switzerland was a jar of Nutella. It was the real stuff too; ‘Nutella” branded. I love that stuff.
After going through a jar, I picked up a second, this time under the ‘Nutoka’ label. I am happy to report that it is superior in every way; price, consistency, texture, taste, and spreadability.
I of course eat other things than just nutella sandwiches. They’re good though. I just thought I’d write about it.
I skated a light/simple sprint workout last night, and did a technical practice on the track this morning, but this rain sucks. I was really hoping to hop on the bike for a longer ride today, but it shows no sign of letting up.
I took a nap today.
Yesterday’s stage in the Giro was awesome. The young itallian Ricardo Ricco claiming the win with the help of a [perhaps] stronger teammate Leonardo Piepoli. Eddy Mazzolini gave what may have been the effort of the day leaving the chase group to chase the leaders gaining a bunch of time, catapulting him into 2nd overall GC, while Bruseghin lost 9mins falling from 2nd to 10th. Di Luca, still in pink, attacked the chase group late in the last climb, leaving other favourites/contenders Simoni, and Cunego behind, strengthening his lead on them for GC.
Tomorrow’s stage looks to be shaping up to be spectacular;
Stage 16:
and Wednesday’s even better;
Stage 17:
Anyway, later..
(how’s that for freestyle?)
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Due Post…
Posted on May 27, 2007
Hey all, I just thought I would post an open-air response to the comments that I’ve received through the site this last while. First, thanks everyone for stopping by and checking out the site. How about a little direct feedback? What do you think of the direction of the posts? I’ve been posting sort of free-style, with little attention to grammar, structure, or topic, and just enjoying the writing and sharing. You know; making sure it doesn’t feel like work. I have been receiving some criticism for not posting enough pictures of my surroundings and skating stuff here. I’ll try to do more of that. For now, here’s just a few examples…
500m semi in Gross Gerau:
10,000m Elimination Swiss National championships (Weinfelden):
DJ Nation leads Scott Arlidge on break in Lichtenstein:
The hill leading into Kreuzlingen (it’s way twisty, and awesome on the bike):
Kalon Dobbin leads the chase in Lichtenstien:
Aaron’s Leg (yes, I’m a dork):
I should have my camera out regularly, because this is everywhere:
World Inlinecenter Auto (1 of 2):
Kalon’s pimpin’ ride:
This is meeeeeeeeeeeeeee:
I think this is a cool shot. Peter Michael after Lichtenstien:
Another view of the hill into Kreuzlingen:
Auto-timed self portrait (I told you I was a dork):
By the bay in… you guessed it.
Dork: yes, I was pretty excited about the suit.
The house I live in:
A typical round’about. This one happens to be around the corner from me:
Fogive me if I miss anyone;
Andrew Love: The colour you add in a comment is terrific. What are you doing this off season? Doing much inline? Maybe I’ll see you at A2A, 500m man.
Jacky Shu: Your last comments were far better than the first one-liner; “That post sucked” that I got from you originally. I hope you are feeling well, and your skating is coming along as it was this past indoor season.
Martin: The Giro coverage here is incredible. You would be in heaven. By the way, I live a few minutes from Jan Ulrich’s house.
Joey: I have to give it up to you. You post comments with by far the most consistency.
LB: Only one comment? I thought you were my biggest fan?? I really thought we had something… I’ll put you in contact with Joey.
Eric Wilson: You and I both know that isn’t the kind of ‘Giro’ I was reffering to. Funny though. You seldom arndt. …Get it? …Get it!??!?
D to the P: Yo Yo!! That name sticks bro-ham! Are you following the Colombian trials? Intense!
Kevin: Cool link. I like the culture of the company you mentioned, really cool. You’re right though… I am totally stuck on this pink bag. You would have to see it to understand. It’s awesome!
(J) Mom: I don’t know why, but the editor I use seems to constantly mess up the justification, spacing, sizing, and even periodically adds a random “J” about the site. If I don’t watch for them, they end up broadcasted over the net. It was just a coincidence. Really! I swear!
Nor Nor: I will leave a reply as vague and mysterious as your comment.
Boh: Hey! Let’s work out plans soon. It was cool to see you in Rennes, I’m sorry you didn’t get to race. It was hell anyways.
Eric Maas: Hahaha! I think the question is: do the boys remember the game? Boogies! Have you gone to the course in Cambridge yet? It’s alright.
Cheryl: Chocolate? That’s what stuck out? The chocolate!?! Are you following the Giro? It’s not too late…
Doucet: I get more traffic coming from your site than I can believe. So, I guess I really can’t complain about how much content you copy and paste onto speedskateworld.com. Wait, yes I can! [j/k] Keep up the hard work, and thanks for the positive comments on your site. Especially after trials.
Stephen: Are you still following the site? What do you think? How’s skating going in TO? Be sure to keep Jacky out of trouble. Actually, ask Ed Leung to do that. Hehe
Jessica Gill: That was an out-of-blue comment to receive! How was your trip to Toronto? Did you go? Still got that cool job?
Chelsea: Hey, Chelsea won the FA Cup! Congratulations, Chelsea! Way to go! Still confused?
Yesterday’s stage in the Giro… It was so good, I can’t even begin to explain it. Two packs with teams working together. What a show. Di Luca still in pink. Simoni robbed at the line! Garzelli chasing in the draft of a motorcycle in the last km to take the stage win! Bettini nearly takes his long awaited stage win! Liquigas an Lampre sacrificing three riders a piece to chase! Eban Mayo called back to pull the Simoni group up to double the attack’s size! Pellizotti called back from the break to help the peleton chase in the last climb… Petrov and Schleck crashing on a tough descent, and catching the chase group minutes later… This was perhaps the most dynamic stage of a major tour I have ever seen. It had everything. Stage 15 today…
Stay tuned…
-A.
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Layout: Kreuzlingen, Stage 13+14, Belgium?
Posted on May 26, 2007
I skated twice yesterday, neither was especially hard, but in both I was really working on technique. To my surprise, I felt great in both. The first, in the morning was a long solo skate along Lake Bodensee. Here is a picture to give you some idea of the layout. I am living in Kreuzlingen, at the German border to Konstanz. There are great paths along the lake that are much wider than any typical Canadian walking/cycling path, and cluttered with cyclists, and even packs of skaters.
The evening skate was with the “Begg group” on the Weinfelden WIC marathon course. I think it is going to be fast. It seems all the downhills are long and drawn out, and all the uphills are short and punchy. The finish will be chaos, with an abrupt down, and abrupt up (under a bridge), followed by a sudden narrowing of the road ~600m before the finish. While the roads aren’t especially smooth, I think that the speed will be such that you’ll barely feel it. I am really looking forward to this race. I just really want it to be dry. Weinfelden is 14 days from today.
This morning I rode with Ruben Martinez. He’s super strong on the bike. We rode for 3 hours, and covered around 85km. I flatted as we were winding down on our way home. I thought it was a great ride, and slow enough that we could enjoy a bit of the scenery. It really is truly beautiful here. The view across the lake from Suisse into Germany is spectacular, and was on our right shoulder for all of the first ~30km. We rode with the intention of keeping it “traquillo”, which it was for the first and last hour. The middle hour was a little faster, but still very enjoyable. Ruben leaves to go back to Argentina to prepare for and race the Pan American Games in Rio. I am sure he’ll do well.
Yesterday’s ITT in the Giro was great to watch, with the surprise winner Marzio Brusehin (Lampre), and perhaps even bigger surprise of second place finisher Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval), leaving “The Killer” Danilo Di Luca in third place, maintaining 55seconds worth of control on the Pink Jersey, but putting nearly a full minute of time on contender/hopeful Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval). Brusehin surprised all especially since none of his split times registered, as he went ‘under the radar’ until he crossed the finish line with a winning time of 28:55 over the 12.6km climb. Interestingly, none of the riders soprted TT bikes for the stage, as the climb was steep and technical enough to warrant ‘climbing bikes’.
Results - Stage 13
1. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Lampre, at 12.6km in 28:55 (26.144kph)
2. Leonardo Piepoli (I), Saunier Duval, at 0:01
3. Danilo Di Luca (I), Liquigas, at 0:08
4. David Zabriskie (USA), CSC, at 0:19
5. Franco Pellizotti (I), Liquigas, at 0:22
6. Stefano Garzelli (I), Acqua & Sapone - Adria Mobil, at 0:29
7. Evgeni Petrov (Rus), TCS, at 0:31
8. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), Astana, at 0:33
9. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre, at 0:38
10. Andy Schleck (Lux), CSC, at 0:40
11. Perez Cuapio Julio Alberto (MEX), Ceramica Panaria - Navigare, 0:43
12. Branislau Samoilau (Blr), Acqua & Sapone - Adria Mobil, 0:43
13. Gilberto Simoni (I), Saunier Duval, 1:06
Overall (GC)
1. Danilo Di Luca (I), Liquigas, 57:11:28
2. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Lampre, 0:55
3. Andy Schleck (Lux), CSC, 1:57
4. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre, 2:40
5. Francisco J.Vila Errandonea (Sp), Lampre, 2:44
6. David Arroyo Duran (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne, 2:51
7. Evgeni Petrov (Rus), TCS, 3:11
8. Gilberto Simoni (I), Saunier Duval, 3:32
9. Emanuele Sella (I), Ceramica Panaria - Navigare, 3:52
10. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), Astana, 3:53
Yesterday’s Stage Profile:
Today’s 192km stage should be interesting to watch with a long, flat approach to the two big back-to back climbs of the day. Coverage starts in minutes, so I should get to that. Here is the profile for today’s stage:
Stage 14:
I am thinking of going to Belgium to race the Belgian National Marathon. I’d probably leave tomorrow. I will have to look into ticket prices later today.
K, Peace and love…
-ARA
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Hey Now!! Fun with the Giro, and a bit of rest…
Posted on May 25, 2007
I only skated once yesterday, solo. It was kind of nice, though not the hardest training. I’ll consider that a rest day. I will not be traveling to Korea, though several in the house leave on Wednesday. What’s new in TO? Does anyone have any news? How’s training going? What does the attendance look like at TISC? Is the racing group staying on form? How is the fitness group looking? Who’s coaching? How’s all that?
Who’s out there? Where are you skating? What races are coming up for you? Do you have a list of races you are doing? What’s your favorite?
Yesterday’s stage in the Giro was certainly the finest of this year’s Giro so far, seeing a Di Luca win, and his reclaiming of the Pink Jersey (Maglia Rosa). It was an incredibly tough mountain stage with nearly the first 100km all uphill. Leonardo Piepoli did a remarkable amount of work for his teammate Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) shattering the pack and leaving him to fight with Di Luca (Liquigas), Andy Schleck (CSC), Eddy Mazzoleni (Astana), and a struggling Daniano Cunego (Lampre) up the second mountain of the stage, the descent, and the last short climb into the finish. In the end it was a dog fight between Di Luca and Simoni on the last narrow and winding 1km climb into Briançon. It was a very exciting stage to watch. God bless EuroSport. We get the English feed at the house.
Today’s stage is an individual time trial, and should be exciting to watch. A few top names did not start yesterday’s stage, and the race seems to really be heating up amongst a very select few.
Things are great, just thought I should say it. Yay!
A-ski-doodle-pie.
Di Luca Wins:
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Not-so tired legs, Giro…
Posted on May 24, 2007
While I can’t say my legs were especially ‘fresh’ last night, they weren’t feeling as tired, sluggish, and/or pained as they had been over last week, after Rennes. Skating that long and hard in the rain really did a number on me, especially on my groin muscles. On the track last night, I can’t say I was skating noticeably faster, but I did feel more control, a little more confident, and frankly the practice though equally as tough, was far more enjoyable for me. I mentioned in my last post that I was curious about how I would feel on the track last night. I guess the short of it is; better, but not all that much better.
It looks like things will be picking up in the Giro this week. Those stages look intense. Petacchi looks in top form. Mc Ewen has had some tough luck in the last 100m of a few stages now. Hincapie looks surprisingly strong. But what happened after he got caught on stage 10? Di Luca continues to make things interesting… Does anyone feel bad for Bettini?
How about adding a one liner or two about this year’s Giro in the comment section? Let me know you’re out there.
Today’s Stage (12):
Yesterday’s crash:
-end
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Nothing much…
Posted on May 23, 2007
After a long, amazing, and beautiful ride through the mountains yesterday, of 110km in the warm bright sun, that included several tough climbs, and just as many amazing descents, followed by a fun/technical/easy skate with “Luggi’s group”, I’m a little tired. I rode ~90km the day before also, so today, I took the morning off, slept in, and relaxed. I got a lot of sun yesterday, and I think I’m feeling the effects of that as much as anything else. I really enjoyed the ride yesterday, it may have been one of the most fantastic road rides ever. I did, however, have to abandon the bike on a tight right turn on a descent that had us at ~75km/hr. I wasn’t going to make the turn, so I just stopped the bike instead, rather than attempt to make the turn with riders on the inside of my drifting out. It was, believe it or not, the safest thing to do at the time. I just kind of stopped the bike, and hopped off at the last second, never touching the ground (aside from my feet). It was the fastest I think I’ve ever stopped from a speed that fast. It was kind of fun, though a touch scary. I hopped back on the bike and caught the group seconds later.
Anyway, today I just relaxed and watched a movie, and took my time putting some clothes away… really boring stuff. In about half an hour, the Grio coverage starts, so I’ll watch that, then go to the track tonight for a sprint workout. Should be tough but good. I wonder how I will feel on the track now that I have a little less trouble walking, climbing stairs, getting up from couch, etc… Oh, there’s this really cool bag I’d like to buy at the bike shop around the corner from me. It’s pink and grey, but I think it’s just about the coolest thing I’ve seen. It’s one of those ‘messenger/courier type” shoulder bags; really heavy-duty kind. It’s bloody expensive though. Anyway, I’m just rambling with no direction. Practice on the track starts at 6pm. I should go.
Hi All! I hope everything is well.
-ARA
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Post Swiss Nats…
Posted on May 21, 2007
After a nice light recovery ride along the lake with Wayne last night after yesterday’s races, and an extremely enjoyable ride today (15km solo, 45km with a small group, another 15km solo), I am home with a bit of time to spare before the Giro starts today, and so I thought I would type up a small report.
First, I just want to thank everyone for reading, responding, sending emails, and posting comments. You all motivate me to spend the time to maintain the site, and keep it interesting. I do hope you all enjoy following along with my travels and WIC schedule.
Yesterday I raced the remaining races of the Swiss National Championships. In all, it was a cool experience, and I believe a positive one at that. As I mentioned, I wasn’t feeling the best, and found myself somewhat reluctant to race. In the end, I of course did, and am quite glad to have ‘bit the bullet’ so to speak. It was clear that racing on the track at that level would be valuable experience, and frankly extremely inexpensive at that. I very much enjoyed racing under no pressure. The Swiss open their National Championships to foreign skaters, and since there are so many here, the pack was full of non-Swiss skaters. I was wondering how the Swiss skaters felt about it…
Anyway, in the morning I raced a 5,000m points, and a 3,000m. I felt alright in both, and was handling the pace and movement ok, but more importantly was learning a bunch about how the pack was operating, and the lines to skate in response to it. I was feeling better about how I was skating from race to race, and though I was feeling worse and worse physically, it wasn’t until the last race; the 10,000m elimination that I actually felt comfortable in my surroundings on the track. I lasted until 8 or 9 laps to go in the 50 lap race. I had a bunch of energy and speed left, but was caught in the traffic and didn’t get around it well enough going into the lap I was eliminated on. I ended up moving up from the back with so much speed that I went from last place (elim’d) into 2nd between the line and the corner, and almost took out the whole field. I even heard an “oooooooooo!” gasp from the crowd. I think that race might have been the highlight of the season so far, it really was a bunch of fun for me.
I think I’m done writing for now. I am going to watch the Giro and enjoy some food. Maybe a coffee. It goes really, really well with Swiss chocolate. Really, really well.
-A.
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Swiss Nats
Posted on May 19, 2007
I raced the Swiss Nationals today; 300m, 500m, and 1500m today with the longer races tomorrow. I wasn’t sure if I would race because a) I feel like absolute garbage, and manage to only waddle up the stairs. I mean my knees buckle if I don’t swing my arms real hard when I try to get up. It is from Rennes, and this week’s training. Including a day Wednesday that included a 50km ride, dryland with the ‘Begg group’, a quick little 10km ride with a small group, another 15km ride with Wayne back to my place (with a fantastic descent) and training on the track; sprints and a point’s race that was agony on my tired legs. And of course b) I wasn’t registered. Hehehe, within five minutes of showing up today, I was registered, and 10 minutes after that I was in the middle of the covered banked track in Wienfelden prepping for my 300m TT. In the center, I realized that I hadn’t actually done a TT start yet this season, even in practice, or for that matter done a start at all on this track. I’m sure it showed. On the positive, I am able to try stuff here like leading all but the last 50m of the 500m, and 4.5 of the 7.5 laps of the 1500m heats because I really have nothing to lose. I mean really. …Nothing but perhaps a little pride, but frankly pride doesn’t buy the whiskey, so to speak. After a decent amount of warming up, my legs felt alright, but certainly weren’t in top condition. I think I raced reasonably well, and learned a bunch on the banked track. I certainly wasn’t outclassed, and I am actually really looking forward to tomorrow’s points and elim races, where I have a little more time to NOT PANIC! I just hope when I wake up tomorrow, my legs are just a tad less tired. I was locking up at the end of the 500m!
My best wishes go out to those in Ontario, racing Prov’s. I hope that all goes well, and what I really hope, especially for the younger skaters, is that you all remember to not equate the competition on the track with competition as people. People are just people, they shouldn’t make you nervous. ;)
Oh, and Petacchi won today’s stage, and I called it. Yeh-yeaaa!!!
-Aaron Richard Arndt
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