Still more Testing!

Enter the lab.....

Tonight Tim Case and Greg Kostik came to Room 1004 at Children's Hospital for their 2nd round of testing with Dr. Dan and his staff. Tim was wallowing in lowlander's heavy atmosphere, having flown in from Boulder earlier today, beating the second snowstorm in a week here in Minnesota.

He was anxious to see how his winter training has been paying off: he will be racing this Sunday in his first criterium of the season back home in Boulder. I don't think he has much to worry about. We will get solid figures in a few days, but I believe he is on target for a good season, both for his new squad in Colorado, and for Team Strong Heart!

Here is is being tested (as all of the guys are) to check his acuity under the clock. As the timer ticks, the subject has to sequence 3 colored pegs into a numbered board, in order. The holes are randomly numbers and colored, so it is quite a challenge. They perform this test prior to the heart-rending cycle tests; it gets them in a frame of mind for competition. All four of our guys did a great job.

Greg arrived straight from work, and while Tim finished up on the cycle, he did his vertical leap tests and other preliminary testing. He showed that his legs have been strengthening over the winter. When finished with that, Greg plugged in his Ipod and pedaled to Metallica for a very impressive cardio performance.

All in all, Dr. Dan got alot of data to put together our plan for conquering the Race Across America in June. With this data we can fine-tune our racing plan, nutrition and rest goals and continue to train for the biggest race in the world.

2nd Team Physio effort

Last night Bernie and Niel got together with Dr. Dan and his crew at Children's Hospital in St. Paul. This was the second time I had attended one of these treats where I get to cheer the guys on, but don't have to do it myself.

I brought along cameras and video equipment, and post something once I get it edited down to a reasonable length (I have almost 2 hours of video, and most of it is just guys pedaling. I was trying out a new helmet cam, which made good video, but for some reason the sound was not working properly. I tested the unit after the session, and it recorded fine, but I must have shut something off or something. I will perhaps use the silent footage over music later: if I find something that is great I will post it somewhere and link it here.

I took a few snaps as well: here is one with Niel dying at the peak of his 2nd (or 4th?) Wingate test, when he was still trying to beat the title that Bernie laid down earlier...

Here is another with Bernie giving his order for Fava beans and a nice Chianti.

I will have more material later: and next Wednesday Greg and Tim will come down, and we will see what we get.

Our Adventure! ...and don't call me Francis...

I don't have any photos for the tasks at hand, but I get to include a link. I have begun a discussion with Pamela Blalock, a ultra-distance cyclist currently residing in Boston. I discovered her website several weeks ago. You can find it at http://www.blayleys.com/trips/2002/raam/index.htm

She crewed in 2002, and created a dynamite website with tons of insight into crewing and riders of the toughest race anywhere. As Crew Chief of Team StrongHeart, I am doing quite a lot of research and thinking about how to get this band across the county twice (from Minnesota to California to start the race, across the country during the race, and home again from Atlantic City!) safely and happily.

Pamela's website is a must-read for anyone interested in the technical aspects of the race from the "mule's" perspective. By mule, it is with admiration that I refer to the multitude of crew members that have gotten their riders to Everest and back again as the steadfast animal.

As an important aside, let me include a bit of my family history in explanation. My Father-In-Law, Rudy Stefancic, served in the 10th Mountain Division during the Second World War. They finished the war fighting north along the spine of Italy and crossed the Po River. During a conflict where the internal combustion engine came into its' own, this division of American warriors did their job with the aid of these sturdy critters. Mules carried all of the materiel needed to keep 10,000 soldiers moving and fighting, including field artillery, food, ammunition and climbing gear.

I am happy to be compared to these fine animals (I mean the Mules; I should be so lucky to be compared to the soldiers of the 10th Mountain). Not glamorous, but essential tools whenever the going gets tough.

Ideas are welcome for a better mascot!