DaCrizzow

    Do you hear that grinding noise? Do you feel shit being shaken up? That's the procession of the equinox as we're entering into the Age of Aquarius. The dismantling and confusion that you feel is just the results of a transition taking place. Any cyclist understands this, if you've ever tried to change gears while going uphill it very rarely goes without a little grinding between the chain and teeth and maybe even a bit of back pedal. Yeah, it rarely goes smooth at all.     There's a slight "wobble" in the earth's axis rotation that about every 2,100 years results in the sunrise and sunset happening on two different zodiac constellations. It takes about 26,000 years to complete the rotation back to the original constellation. The Mayans, Egyptians and many other ancient cultures knew this and it it meant something. The last 2,000 or so years we've been waking up to the pisces constellation. You know, two fish, jesus, all that shit. You didn't r...

not awesome     Another Smith Rock Ascent in the books! I came out for the inaugural race three years ago for the 25k. I brought a friend who was new to running and while I did the race, my friend ran/ hiked some of the trails. The next year I ran the 50k and said friend ran the 25k. Same deal this year but we brought another friend who's new to running to run/ hike while we ran. Maybe next year we'll have another convert.     Coming in from Portland, the trip didn't start off so smooth. A freeway blowout in the van shook us up a bit but soon we were back on the road headed to Bend to pick up our race bags and dinner. Then to the campground.    The campground was full but we ran into some "bro's" who led us to a cool spot just a rock's throw away. And by "bro's," I don't mean douchy frat guys, I mean dirtbag climber guys. I don't follow frat bro's down dirt roads.     We found a nice space for the van, set up the camp chair...

on the way to the race the day before. not expecting this     Ultra season is on! This past weekend I headed to Sisters, Oregon for the Peterson Ridge Rumble 20 & 40 miler. Of course I signed up for the 40. This would be my second time running this race and although it being 40 miles, it's relatively easy race. Relatively. There's a few portions of either dirt or soft gravel roads that you can take advantage of and either pick up a little speed or just give your mind and eyes a break from scanning rocks and roots that are just waiting to grab a toe. I think I almost ate dirt about a dozen times. actually ate some dirt twice.     This is the beginning of my third season as an ultra-runner, so as it should be, my third different approach to training. This time around, I started my training the first week of November 2014 after a two month hiatus. I've been pretty regimented. Two 5.5 mile runs to and from work four days a week with my long run on the weekend....

    After the last couple years of having all but stopped cycling altogether, I decided recently to dive right back into the deep end and do the Gorge Roubaix Gravel Grinder. An organized ride covering 85 miles and about 7,000 feet of climbing with about 35-40 miles of it on gravel, in The Dalles, Oregon. About 75 miles east of Portland. There was a race version on the same course but i KNEW I wasn't in "race condition." Turns out as I was having my ass sufficiently handed back to me, I was barely in "ride with my friends" condition.     It's funny how running 45-65 miles a week doesn't transfer to the bike, just like a few years ago cycling 200-250 miles a week didn't transfer to running. I mean, you'd think, "it's all legs," right? Wrong. It is, it's "all-a lot-of-things" and a lot of the same things but they work differently. Legs, heart, lungs, back....     It was myself, my brother and two friends, all of us use...

    It's been about five months of hard work but I'm finally reaping the fruits from the seeds I started sowing back on that first monday of November 2014.     After having a rough year, physically, emotionally and spiritually, I decided to take a break. An eight week exile from "trying." Basically I just went to work, came home, ate dinner, went to sleep then repeated it all the next day. It sucked to put my mind and body on hold like that but I needed that transition period. I find it easier to get rid of the old BEFORE bringing in the new. When I used to race bikes, after the last race of the season, around the last week of November, I would put it all away for the month of December. No training or anything, then start back strong the first week of January. I skipped this the last couple years and it was showing. So after my last ultra race in september, I jumped at the chance to do nothing for awhile.     It wasn't easy getting started again but after...