Phil Zajicek http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:59:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Stronger. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/15/stronger/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/15/stronger/#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:33:15 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/15/stronger/ Getting stronger daily, I lost a big chunk of fitness with the stomach bug after Cascade but I’m fresh now and very motivated to regain my strength in time for nationals.  Headed to Chicago this weekend for Downers Grove then it will be back to Boulder for a big block of training before road and time trial nationals in Greenville, SC.  This weekend will be quite a shock to the system, definitely a good jump start before Greenville though.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/15/stronger/feed/ I’m back. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/05/im-back/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/05/im-back/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:53:25 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/05/im-back/ Well, kinda.  Back on the bike and while not exactly tearing up the roads I am finally able to get some decent rides in. Back to back days of 4 hr mountain rides with intervals on the agenda.  Two weeks until national criterium champs and just under 4 weeks until road nationals.  Hope that the form continues to come around.  Two weeks of minimal riding and a weight loss of 8 pounds.  Not exactly the best prep for nationals.  On the plus side I’ve been getting some sweet rides in on Liz’s 1961 Vespa. So much fun, especially when we are able to go out together.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/08/05/im-back/feed/ Skinny. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/27/skinny/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/27/skinny/#comments Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:53:51 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/27/skinny/ Turns out that stomach parasites are a great way to lose weight.  Problem is that I was already pretty skinny going into Cascade.  Unfortunately it seems that my power has managed to disappear as well.  Been able to get out for short rides the past few days, just cruising along at 25 kph feels like an effort. Got passed by a student on a mountain bike yesterday.  Then by an old guy with full panniers.  Demoralizing to say the least.  Amazing how quickly one can go from attacking Baldwin and Louder up a mountain to dreading climbing up the backside of Olde Stage Rd.  I’m halfway through the antibiotic course though and the stomach is feeling much better.  Should be back to full strength soon.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/27/skinny/feed/ Stomach bug. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/23/stomach-bug/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/23/stomach-bug/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:29:46 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/23/stomach-bug/ Laid out in Boulder right now instead of being able to rock the ttt with the team out in Altoona. Bummed to have missed going out to the race, I feel like the form that I had last week in Oregon was some of the best form that I’ve had in my life. Unfortunately I’ve picked up a nasty stomach bug, still waiting for the lab work but the doc thinks that most likely it is giardia. Started antibiotics for it today and will hopefully be back on the bike and able to pedal with some strength shortly.

On a personal note-I’ve always kept this blog purely about bike racing and training, however I’ve recently fallen in love and am extremely extremely happy. Her name is Liz and she is the most amazing girl that I have met and I feel like a very lucky person to have her in my life. I look forward to sharing my life with her and wanted to share with all the blog readers the happiness that I am feeling.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/23/stomach-bug/feed/ Nice. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/16/nice/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/16/nice/#comments Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:12:12 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/16/nice/ Pulled it off today thanks to a huge effort by the team. 5 laps of an undulating circuit with 4 sprints worth 15, 10, and 5 bonus seconds. First sprint came on lap 2 and as we figured they would the Toyota team kept control of the field until that point so that Baldwin would be able to have a shot at winning the time bonus. Dominguez was the final leadout man with Wherry sweeping Chris’ wheel. About a km out I was fighting with Wherry and rubbing elbows a bit to get Baldwin’s wheel. Ben Day put in a big early dig and caused a bit of panic in the Toyota train forcing them to up the pace earlier than they had wanted. Took advantage of the chaos and was able to sneak through a gap at the last second between Baldwin and Louder. Won the sprint with Baldwin not getting any time at all. So 28 seconds up on second place at that point and feeling confident. A lot of stress leading into that first sprint! From that point though it was straightforward, let a small break get up the road then control the pack. Toyota had put a lot of energy into that first sprint then came up with nothing to show for it, I think that took quite a bit out of their sails and they didn’t contest the subsequent sprints. The Navigator boys did a fine job of keeping the pace high while still allowing the break to float out front. We rode Rodriguez, Cooke, Brooks, and Van Ulden while allowing Day, Chadwick, and Lill to sit. On the last lap we began to up the pace and were able to bring back the break just before the final KOM, at that point Chaddy, Day, then Lill took over and drove the pace to prevent any serious attacks. Things were aggressive those last few km but I did my best to relax and follow the team. Maintaining confidence in your teammates is crucial in times like that. O’bee ended up taking the stage, I was content to play things safe and came across with Baldwin 3 seconds back. So! A big win for myself and for the team. Coming into the final day I knew that I had the strongest team in the race and after yesterdays performance now everyone else knows it as well! I’m feeling good and am looking forward to a relaxed week in Boulder. Going to be spending lots of time with my new love, Lucy.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/16/nice/feed/ Cascade links. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/15/cascade-links/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/15/cascade-links/#comments Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:27:50 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/15/cascade-links/ The team killing it on the front and making my day easy.   Smashing the tt and staying composed.  Justin England commentary and some video from the crit. And video from yesterdays road race.  Drank a local brew last night, hopefully some of this will be in order tonight!

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/15/cascade-links/feed/ One more day. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/14/one-more-day/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/14/one-more-day/#comments Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:14:28 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/14/one-more-day/ Thirteen seconds up and one day of racing left up at Cascade.  Came second to Louder today on the mountain top finish, Baldwin was nipping at my heels in third.  Tomorrow isn’t going to be so easy, five challenging circuits with 4 sprints along the way worth 15, 10, and 5 seconds.  I think that the team is riding super strong right now and is going to be up for the task of defending the jersey for one more day.  Just need to outkick Baldwin for the time bonus…

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/14/one-more-day/feed/ Cascade. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/13/cascade/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/13/cascade/#comments Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:13:45 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/13/cascade/ Three stages into Cascade now and managed to move into the lead this morning.  Came close in the first two stages, was outkicked at the finish of stage one and botched the finish of stage two by going too early.  Narrowly beat my teammate Ben Day in the tt but was able to put 30 seconds into Chris Baldwin.  Very excited.  The tt was challenging, 7.5 miles out a gradual drag on rough pavement then U turn and fly back to the finish.  Rolled the 57×19 and 21 most of the way out then just stayed on top of the 57×11 and 12 on the way back.  Think I should have 13 seconds or so on Baldwin now, I’m sure that Chris and everyone else is going to be on the attack tonight.  90 minute technical twilight criterium in downtown Bend.  I think that the team is up to the task and should be able to get through this evening.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/13/cascade/feed/ Mid season. http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/03/mid-season/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/03/mid-season/#comments Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:32:04 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/03/mid-season/ Having a few cruisey days as a bit of a midseason break.  Things went well in Minnesota at Nature Valley, gave it a go in a long breakaway, had a decent tt, and put in some good digs on the hard finishing circuits of the final two days. Ended up finishing 4th overall, 1 second off the podium.  Pretty happy with that result considering it is a flat race decided primarily on time bonuses.  Resting up in Boulder now, putting in some long rides on the Monster and catching up with old friends. Cascade is up next, hoping that it is going to be a good one.

]]> http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/07/03/mid-season/feed/ 5 seconds… http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/06/06/5-seconds/ http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/06/06/5-seconds/#comments Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:03:47 +0000 philz http://www.pzajicek.missingsaddle.com/2007/06/06/5-seconds/ Last week was….fun. A stressful, aggressive race to be sure but when the legs are feeling good and the team is strong then bike racing is much more fun. Had fun contesting the bunch sprint on the first road stage, downhill run that was all about position into the final 200m. I tried coming around Ben Jacques-Mayne but I had the 53×11 spun out for all I was worth. It appears that I stick my elbows out when I am at max cadence. Huh. Put in a smoking tt, finally am feeling super with my position and really took advantage of a course that suited me. Came out of the start of the tt at max effort, cracked a bit in the last few km but really feel like I put everything I had into the pedals. I also rode the double all carbon trispokes in the tt. Super fast and light combo, I’m definitely digging on those wheels. Came second in the  30 km TT, just behind TT specialist Nathan O’Neill. Sitting 5 seconds behind O’Neill on GC, I attacked and attacked over the next two days but wasn’t able to get away from Nathan and the Health Net boys. Well done to them for riding a super strong race. Very happy with how the Navigator boys fared as well, 2 stage wins and teams GC.
Feeling quite smashed at the moment but am hoping to recover from Hood and build on the form a bit for my next race-Nature Valley Grand Prix.

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