Zones... defined.

Moving back to Colorado and feeling I had a complete wash of an inexistent season, I decided to work with a coach and try this whole structured training thing.

If you're reading this and know me, you probably know that I'm terrible at structure. I am very easily distracted (SQUIRREL!) and in the two years of mountain biking I realize I kind of just have one speed... it's; GO! Any riding with heart rate/power, scheduled and consistent squat parties, and rest days... all very foreign to my, "let's just ride bikes" approach...

I'm not getting any younger, and want to see what a little structure can do. For the past month it's all been written out for me, all I have to do is log on to Training Peaks and follow directions. Easy; right? So far so good thanks to Josiah, a coach who knows me and understands my goals.

Friends have all warned me not to take riding too seriously as I'll burn out or lose the fun in it. So, the stubborn MN Lutheran in me is dedicated on keeping it fun. In the hours and hours I've been spending riding according to "zones"... I've had some time to think about how to keep each zone fun. Other than the obvious answer by keeping most your training outdoors....MUSIC! Playlists are key. Smiling helps too.

I've come up with a fool proof Zone/Genre guide to keeping bicycle practice fun.

Zone 1: This is the "am I even moving" zone. Classical music or a book on tape is a good approach here.... something that won't rev you up and keep you under control. Try Nora Jones or Bon Iver

Zone 2: This is the zone that apparently we have to stay in for the majority of the off season; harder than it sounds. I decided reggae is the best for Zone 2... a good relaxing beat that's a notch up from napping music. Obviously Bob Marley is a Zone 2 choice favorite.

From Zone three on, if you're at a lost you can always resort to Lady Gaga or Shakira... shake it beats.

Zone 3: In this zone I find the best is a plethora of tunes... just keep yourself interested in what you're doing. You're not soft pedaling, and your not dropping the hammer. Hit your pandora 'quick mix' to get a good variety. Exclude anything zone 1 in the mix.

Zone 4: Zone 4 is almost red zone, not quite your "I'm probably going to hit the wall if I stay here much longer"... so I say a good club mix; yes... techno-or anything you could stay out dancing to until 4am. You're not here long, mostly interval work... maybe recover with some Zone 2 in between Zone 4 bouts.

Zone 5: This zone is full on red zone, race pace! I'm not an angry music fan, but I think that the angrier the better in this zone. Something you can really visualize a good airkick to.

So... there you have my take on proper music genre by Zone training. Enjoy! Happy pedaling!

Taking my time. Riding a bike.

In a world consumed with the unsettling feeling of constant ‘corporate’ ladder climbing; I’ve had the pleasure of falling off the route at a young age… a few times. This ‘route’ typically being conjured up by the age of 18-22. At that age our decisions are heavily biased with family, religion, relationships, and society. Most haven’t left the comforts of their hometown, friend circles, or even state. A key factor that’s missing would be ones sense of self. This definition of ‘self’ is still that which has been molded by our upbringing, fitting quite nicely in a confined little box. What I’ve come to terms with is that I don’t really fit into a box, and when the walls start building up around me, I want nothing but to break them down.

This has rung true in a lot of my life, and with my recent jump I’m trying to work on being more mindful of taking my time. Bringing me back to that little word I believe should be in the 4-letter category; patience. Knowing that all my choices I’ve made good or bad, thought out or rash, have all lead me to where I am right now… and that is exactly where I need to be.

What has stood by me through these constant life re-routing is my bike, well a few different bikes… but two wheels nonetheless. Of course, family and friends are always and will always be there; but time on my bike is the one place where I feel like I can think clearly and process the input, criticism, and all else that’s thrown my way with my lofty goals. These goals that may not be completely understood by everyone, but to me they give me a purpose. A purpose that is far from my original plan, but a purpose that will continue to grow and change… with Time. Patience. And a bicycle.