Tonight I'm going to swap out my saddle for one I got at the bike swap. Since my bike fit a week and a half ago, my legs have felt a LOT better . . . but I'm developing a nasty saddle sore. This saddle has never been quite as comfortable as I would like, but its also never been bad enough to change. Until now.

Just thinking about racing makes my HR jump 15 points. Heh, I have to stop so I can stay in my endurance zone.

The real problem, for me, with the cold, is time.

When its warm enough, I ride my bike to the lakefront path before work, do my training, ending up at work where I can shower, etc. in the locker room. I don't have to spend an hour in traffic, so I can get up an hour or so later.

But when its cold and snowy and icy and I ride indoors, I have to account for that extra hour. I still have to be at work by 9 am no matter what the weather. This means I'm up before 5 am. And in two weeks, it means I'll be up before 4 am. Ugh.

The alternative is to sit on the trainer after work. Which, if I can't get to bed until after 10 pm, I do. But its tough on my legs to ride a couple hours in the evening and then a couple more early the next morning. And, you know, sometimes I have stuff to do in the evenings. See friends, spend time with Jackie. You know, have a life.

Maybe the weather isn't my real problem, maybe its having a job. Where's my million dollars?

I am completely unsurprised by the study that found that women feel hunger more intensely than men. When confronted with favorite foods on an empty stomach men were able to use techniques they were taught to dismiss their hunger. Women in the same situation practising the same techniques still had just as much brain activity in their hunger center. Women are hardwired to eat when food is available. Sigh.

Went to see Max Testa speak this evening. Upshot was pretty much that people genetically predisposed to cycle well, will cycle well. And lactic acid testing is good. Then a bunch of stuff about triathletes. And if you have a good base already, hours of easy pedalling are a waste of time. That's all I remember right now.

So I'm predestined to be hungry and an unexceptional cyclist. Could be worse, I guess.

I'm hungry. Always so hungry.

Last week I started winter training in earnest -- one-legged drills, spinning drills (I'm better at both than I was last year. Nice to see progress) -- and lots and lots of endurance paced riding. I've been resisting riding the trainer as much as possible, so Saturday I did the team ride despite the extravagantly falling snow. Another xXxer and I rode our cross bikes up to Highland Park and back. It was surprisingly do-able and really fun. The knobby cross tires have little problem with snow-covered roads. Love that bike.

Sunday, I attempted the Lakefront Path. I rode down to Navy Pier on the streets to avoid the whole Oak Street Beach disaster, hopped on the trail at the bridge, but within 1000 feet realized it was a no-go. It hadn't been plowed, but it had been well-used by joggers and was surprisingly treacherous -- especially considering how rideable the roads were on Saturday. I turned around and finished my ride on the dirty, dirty streets.

And now I'm on a rest week. I'm fighting a bug, so the extra sleep is needed. I just wish I weren't always so ravenous.

The view from my trainer.

This cross bike was the best thing I bought last year. Being able to do my training ride outdoors in this weather is priceless.

First day of one-legged drills. I'm definitely better at them than I was last year. And it's something different -- the trainer is fine with drills to focus on.

Cross bike was great in the snow this morning. Love riding to work.

60 days to camp!

61 days to camp!