The time-trial was a shy but decent performance and I finished second. For once I managed to do a steady ride with good pacing. I feel that I still left something in spare this time though.
In other races (crit+road) I did what I could, but I'm definetly lacking some endurance. Anyways, Juhana won the crit and Antti got third. Well done guys! Today it was a rainy, windy and cold day and I managed to do 95km of the distance on the race pace, which wasn't too bad.
I'm very happy with my time-trialling and there is lot more to come! I can say that I found my long lost love with time-trials. :)
'Not the wind, not the flag; mind is moving.'- Wumen Huikai
Home is the best place in the world. Here I am now, all stuff unpacked and loads of bike service to do. Still it is time for a cup of coffee first. Last week was a recovery week and now it is training full on again - I'm really looking forward to it.
I already had my stomach checked this morning, and with a quick word; everything seems to be fine there.
All good, all good, all good.
'Nothing is exactly as it seems, nor is it otherwise' - Alan Watts
The end of the academic year less than a week away from now. I just handed the last essay of the year in handful of hours ago. Six days to go and then it is over and I can completely concentrate on riding my bike. Still not to forget that during these last six days we do have two exams to finish of. The exams just don't sound as bad as essays - you either know the answer or not. In case of an essay you have to find the answer one way or another. Not say that I won't prepare for the exams.
All in all, the academic year has been good and I've had pretty much fun. Just waiting for the last bits of work to be marked (and exams completed) to see the final grades, but so far so good. Not a bad year at all resultswise anyway. Besides I can finally cope with Harvard referencing...
On the plus side is that I'm now also officially qualified Level 2 coach by British Cycling.
Cycling is good. Finally I've had rides during which I'ev felt like cyclist. Feeling like a cyclist doesn't necessarily say that what kind of cyclist though, haha. Tourist, wannabe or whatever it may be. Still the training seems to be effective and I'm progressing week to week. I'm quite confident that I can start riding some competitions as intense training rather soon. And that feeling makes me smiling even wider.
To answer the title; yes - but there is still some years of serious bike racing before it. :)
'There's no meaning to a flower unless it blooms.' - Basho
I can't really describe what I feel now. There was an accident in the Giro, far away from me, which took life a young passionate cyclist. It hurts me and everyone in cycling world. He was doing what he loved the most, he was flying down another mountain – he was living a dream of so many cyclist in the world until...
The world of cycling has lost one its many sons. Wouter Weylandt, you will never be forgotten.
This is dedicated to Wouter and the people closest to him:
Tiger Army - Afterworld
I sit and think of you only, only Like a dream, you came to me, meant to be forever Without you I am so lonely, so lonely So tell me where have you gone now, where have you gone?
Our love will live in the afterworld Some things will never end, they're just too strong It soars into the sky, beyond this world
I'll wait for you into the afterworld We'll be together soon, it won't be long when life goes by so fast in this world In this world
Beyond the heavens above, beyond anything Beyond the moment our eyes stare and see eternity Beyond our bodies in this life, beyond the end Is the place where our love will never die
Our love will live in the afterworld Some things will never end, they're just too strong It soars into the sky, beyond this world
I'll wait for you into the afterworld We'll be together soon, it won't be long when life goes by so fast in this world In this world
I'll wait for you until I leave this world I'll carry our love into the afterworld
This is not farewell, I'll meet you in the afterworld Don't despair my love, I'll see you in the afterworld
'Live every day like your hair was on fire.' Chien-Ju
Some steps taken, loads ahead. Anyway I'm feeling pretty much alright. One milestone was achieved couple days ago as I managed to do some intervals. On the plus side is also that I'm almost back on track with my uni work. It is now only to take the final sprint towards the exams and then I'm off to Finland to have some tummy controls and see my doc – although I don't even know who my doc is, but who cares.
Oh yeah, I also started weights training again yesterday. There is no photos of it for a good reason. I was there boldly on the free weights room, but... with some biggish rugby lads. I was like mickey mouse lifting my amazing 30 kilos. Although I tried to explain the guys, that I'm a cyclist and I've lost lots of my body weight – they laughed me out from the gym and told me to go home to train with a stick.
Just kidding!
I was in the gym doing my own stuff, no one laughed at me, I had good time and it wasn't too bad. Anyway, I still have some problems to see me in the mirror with these bloody chicken legs, haha. I know it ain't a bad thing for me now and I could get it back if I wanted, but it feels quite funny. So be it!
All in all, I'm back in the regime, season schedule looks good and my motivation is high. Things are looking good again. I just gotta keep on the good mood.
