Bricks = House...right?

Music: La Maitresse Aux Yeux D'Or

It's long been said that building fitness is like constructing a house. So whether you are just gearing up for a summer of Gran Fondos or washing the bike for this weekend's opening race, take a moment to consider just what it is that you're building. What materials are you going to use? How fast do you intend to build? It is made to last your family 80 years or just serve as a toolshed? Are you responsible for every nail and board or do you have someone helping with the tricky bits? If so, do you understand why those tricky bits are tricky and could you complete those bits yourself is required? But perhaps most important is who are you building the house for? You, your parents, your spouse and family, or the local guys at the bar just to show them you really could follow through and get 'er done all this time that you've been shooting your mouth off.

The first race of the season is over. The roof is on, the plumbing is in and the electrical circuits haven't burnt anything down yet. But there are still some very important parts to be finalized, like all the pieces of the house that make it a home. That make living on a daily basis more comfortable, that make it easier to go out into the real world and earn that paycheck. March racing is like the first two weeks. You find out the little details...are the pots, pan and cooking utensils in the wrong spot? Did you totally blow the wall colors and will eventually need to repaint? Is it a relaxing space that also accommodates a stress-free commute to work?  These opening races can be used productively to fine tune your routine and form if gone about in the right manner, or you can let them run you into the ground. They are an opportunity to craft your home from that of a sturdy, rain-repelling structure to a functional and productive living space, a sanctuary for the many unforeseen stresses of the months ahead.

This week I am staying with my good friend Ysbrand in Palo Alto, California to complete my final preparations before the NRC season kicks off in earnest next weekend at San Dimas and Redlands. The weather is gorgeous and the roads pristine, just what I need to fine tune my racing nutrition and interval training after picking up some good insights at Merco. Fortunately the reactions have been very positive and I lend that entirely to the clean burning fuels I've been providing my mind, body and spirit with since early November under the tutelage of my coach @Generic Nutrition. And since a lot of these changes have moved against the grain of traditional sports nutrition, I guess you could say I haven't been building with brick at all!

Speaking of unconventional nutritional, my friend from Jessie shares the latest from Minneapolis' fight for small urban gardens. More info here.