Racing season is nearing a close. The last two races couldn't have gone any better - two provincial medals, silver in the TT and bronze in the RR. I'm so happy with my TT time yesterday. I went in hoping to go sub-58 minutes, and I ended up kicking my own ass and going 56:42! Helps to scream at yourself on the last 10km.
Coming up - Calgary Corporate challenge Triathlon, CCC 10KM and Provincial Hill Climb next weekend. Possibility of more medals? Guess we'll have to wait and see!
Went with Tony, Ryan others to Labour Day Classic Game yesterday - very sloppy. I passed out about 9pm last night, Ryan headed home around midnight, I slithered up to bed and slept until this morning.
Jeff and Susan's wedding reception was fun for awhile on Sunday night. Raced back into town from the Provincial TT in Leslieville and got ready after dropping off Brian Kullman. Everyone took off fairly early (11-12pm). I headed back downtown and went over to Tony's place for awhile. We ended up missing the Apollo BBQ on Sunday as well - too much going on, had to triage the events.
Not much else new. Bought some new Castelli gear at United Cycle in Edmonton and Bike Shop in Calgary, 30-50% off. Castelli Metalex shorts (funky silver!) and matching jersey. Managed to buy Castelli sleeveless skinsuit and another pair of Castelli shorts (EXTREMELY cheap) at the Bike Shop. Need to replace old wornout Ride N' Glide stuff. Love all of the items. Metalex shorts are a little tight, skinsuit is excellent. I'll wear it to the CCC Tri.
All dv-8 rubber items are wrecked now. I learned a very expensive lesson there....buy Canadian and make sure it's thicker gauge rubber you're dealing with. I'll have to check out U-bahn in Montreal when there. I'd love to get some more rubber, but it's all so bloody expensive!
Results for August 2003
Darwell ITT Series Race #3 Aug.10/03
Cat 4 - 40KM
1. Gary Brown Rundle MCC 56:392. Jamie Marshall TRS 57:23 3. Ross Andersen Calgary Cycle 57:594. Reid Dalgleish Synergy 58:185. Ted Emes ERTC 58:326. Nick Insole Juventus 58:507. Dennis Bland Crankmasters 59:098. Jason Frank CABC 59:159. Darin Schacker River Valley Cycle 59:1710. Robert Fouger Ind. 59:19
August 17, Mink LakeProvincial Road Race Championships Category 4 / Junior Men - 114 Km
1 Brian Kullman Terrascape 3:00:00 (Gold) 2 Jayson Gillespie ERTC Silver 3 Reid Dalgleish Synergy Racing Bronze 4 Robert Fougere Independent 5 Paul Venturelli Pedalhead 6 Mike Bidniak Juventus Junior Men Gold 7 Shawn Goulet Pedalhead 8 Michael Heintzman Blizzard 9 Myles Marshall Juventus 10 Darin Schacker River Valley Cycle
August 31, Red Deer/LeslievilleProvincial Time Trial Championships
Category 4 - 40km
Master A Men - 40 Kilometres 1 Kevin Rokosh ERTC 0:55:582 Reid Dalgleish Synergy Racing 0:56:423 Gary Brown Rundle Mtn CC 0:56:594 Bob McKerrell CABC/Projekt 1 0:59:085 Robert Beerkens Independent 0:59:146 Robert Gasienca The Bike Shop 1:00:147 Dennis Bland Crankmasters 1:02:268 Darin Schacker RVC 1:02:449 Dave Jaeger CABC/Projekt 1 1:03:3710 Kirk Loberg Revoluzione 1:04:4111 Michael Fix EBTC 1:05:2612 Robert Armstrong Independent 1:12:04

Letter to Dennis Bland:
Hey Dennis,
Thanks for the kind words. I can obviously appreciate your passion for racing. There are very few people out there that can understand the emotions (both high and low) that come with the exertion, commitment and dedication required to get to the level that we are at, not even considering the next level required to race at an elite level. My appreciation is greater for those of us that work a full-time job and train and support our sports on our own time and with our own limited pocketbooks than for those able to train and race as a career.
I think mustering up enough self-discipline to keep up the motivation and drive this season has been my greatest obstacle. I've found it very lonely at times to be doing what we're doing. Not that I'm looking for recognition, but the people in my daily social circles don't understand what we put into a race. It frustrates me sometimes that they can't show an interest in my accomplishments to the extent I think they should. I guess that's why I've found socializing in athletic circles this summer so much more rewarding - at least there everyone understands what you're going through and can appreciate your accomplishments. I remember the book "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner", and the title rings so true.
Luckily I've raced with a fantastic team this year and I've been able to have the team racing experience that I've always dreamed of having. I can safely say this is the most rewarding summer I've EVER had on so many levels. I will definitely race with Synergy again next season. Unfortunately, my main goal of the year still eludes me. I'm sitting in first place in Cat 4 now for Alberta Cup points (71(?)), but I only have 32 upgrade points so I'm not out of Cat 4 yet (you can only get 20 max from TT races), although I suspect some of us that are close will be moved up by the ABA execs before next season. I could've been in Cat 3 quite awhile ago if not for numerous difficulties at the start of the season (crash at Ardrossan, missed turn at Bikes on Broadway, mechanical at Prairie Steamer....), but that's all part of the experience too, isn't it?
One other thing that I've found missing in the bike racing scene is the presence of any 'family'. I'm sure a few of the guys out there are gay, however it's not nearly as 'open' an environment as triathlon. Even out of the gay guys I know, there are none that ride at any high level, even recreationally. I wonder why that is? Loads of hot guys in spandex, why wouldn't you take an interest? Oh well, I guess that's another one of those benefits only guys like you and I can appreciate, right? ;-) Everyone I know in the racing scene seems to have a very liberal attitude at any rate.
You've had a great season as well - it's been great to watch those that have put in the effort over the summer improve and stick out the racing until the end of the season. Kudos to you too!
I'm glad to hear you only had a flu-like bug on the weekend and nothing worse. That must've been pretty stressful and frustrating at the same time.
I'm not planning on racing the Masters RR this weekend - I'm riding the bike leg of the Calgary Corporate Challenge CPR Triathlon team on Sunday. I've been organizing the 10K team for the CCC race on the 13th as well. Hopefully it won't affect the Hill Climb on Sunday the 14th! I start vacation on Sept.21 and I'm basically not back to work until Oct. 14th. Joe and I are heading to Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City for 10 days, and then I'm heading back to Manitoba for a week for my brother's wedding.
What are your plans for the winter? I'm not sure what direction I'm going to head in training-wise. There seem to be far too many options now, but of course that all hinges on how much money one is willing to spend.....
I still plan on spending several days in the gym, plus 2 spin classes a week (until after Xmas anyways). I want to increase my weekly running mileage from 30km now to 45km, but that will sort of hinge on the rest of the schedule. I'm determined to pick something up for cross-training, whether it be getting back in speedskating again with the CSSA, doing some more XC skiing, or even taking some dance lessons. I'm also curling with the Apollo league this winter - I know it's not training, but it is fun!
Anyways, hopefully we'll both get into the Hill Climb. Good luck this weekend if you decide to race. Please keep in touch over the off season and let me know how things are going!
Cheers to a great season in 2004!Regards,Reid
-----Original Message-----From: mtbsuit [mailto:mtb_suit@yahoo.com]Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 10:37 AMTo: Reid DalgleishSubject: Re: ITT Series

--- mtbsuit <mtb_suit@yahoo.com> wrote:> Hey Reid:> > Congrats on your best 40k time and on your overall> result this weekend! Masters A / Cat 4 seems> especially competitive with all the guys trying to> move up to cat 3 ;-) You should have enough points> to> move up now.> > I'm feeling *much* better today than yesterday> morning. Darn flu-like symptoms. Ironically I felt> much better after the race than before/during the> race. All flushed out.> > You're my inspiration for next year. I haven't> decided if I will do the Masters RR this weekend,> but> I hope to do the hill climb. In addition,> Crankmasters is having a 20 km TT at the end of Sept> on hwy 22X.> > ciao,> > Dennis>