My last blog post was 1 year ago, after Hilbert 1, so this seems like a fitting time for an update (2011’s Hilbert 1 was 2 days ago). I’ll see if I can’t make this a more regular thing. I’m sure you’ve never heard that before.

A quick biomechanical update…I saw Dr.J @ the speed clinic last year. He told me I had no butt strength, angry knees, angry IT Bands, hip impingement…all sorts of things. He gave me a set of exercises, proper bike fit and some clues on how to pedal a bike. Things got better, but I finished up a 2010 season of so-so performance based on very minimal training due to the aforementioned angry-left-knee. Fast forward…I’ve been killing my hamstrings in the gym, and I’m now out riding up and over things on 50 and 60 mile rides with relative ease. I’ve been chasing DT around the farm with regularity. Strength is balanced out in the legs, I think, and I’m feeling good on the bike.

Now let’s rewind to January. Some part of me thought it might be a good idea to run a 13 mile out-and-back trail race up a really big hill. Preparations were minimalistic, haphazard, and downright foolish. Descending mile 8 of a 10 mile training run 1 week from the race, my right knee decided it had had enough. I jogged, walked, and limped to get home. I bowed out of the race. 3 weeks later, recovered, I tried a 3 miler. 2.5 miles in, the knee balked on a descent. I was sore for days. Walking killed me. 3 months later, I tried the same 3 miler, and the knee three-peated. Sharp pains shut me down. One Dr.K visit later, I have some work to do to get the right side back in order. I predict no Duathlons this year. The good news is that this particular injury has not prevented me from cycling. Healthy cycling legs and some good gym work has produced a pretty solid start to my 2011.

No exciting race story from Hilbert 1 like last year. This year I was 1st into the woods, and 1st out of the woods after 3 laps. Bam. That’s 3 for 3 in VORS so far.

In other more significant news, my family is awesome. E is playing great baseball on his major’s team and the Total Performance 11U travel squad. N is an amazing little ball of extroverted goodness. A my lady is a beautiful soul that I am fortunate to be able to share time with.

That’s all for now. Perhaps things will get more interesting if I blog more often than once per year.