DNC Invesco Field: Obama = Change

What a great speech tonight by Obama! I know Denver was eating it up because I stepped outside of Earl's on 16th Street Mall to what seemed like a huge Broncos Super Bowl celebration. I wonder what McCain is thinking? It's going to be one tough act to follow that's fo' shizzle.

2008 Denver DNC Frenzy Photos/ Video

Denver's finest looking for a fight.

This is one block from the chaos on 16th Street Mall

Everyone has something to say in Denver.

Maybe as busy as NYC but definitely not as stinky, hot and humid.

The guy in the suit is the right-side rear door opener for Hilary Clinton. Big crowds showed up to watch her walk 10 feet, I was impressed with how well she walks.

Da Bears!

We scored tickets to the Broncos vs. Packers game last night and it was an awesome night. Perfect weather and great seats! The only problem was the Packers won and being from Chicago that's never a good thing.

Thanks to Dr. John Shank, my brother-n-law who scored us the tickets. If you're looking for an orthopedic surgeon down in Colorado Springs he's your man. Shoot me a comment and I'll get you his contact info.

Coffee Break

I've decided to end my 2008 road season and take a 'coffee' break before I have fun with the whole cyclocross season this fall. I'll mix up my training with some trail running and hiking. It has been a long long season with my first race back in March. This has been by far the most successful season ever for me with 4 wins and half a dozen top 10s in both the Cat. 3 and Pro 1/2 Category. I'm looking forward to building on this success with even a better 2009. So if you live in CO and you like coffee, give me a ring.

DNF (Did Not Finish) Form

That's right folks, I have great DNF form that I'm trying to hold onto for these last couple of races. Today was another spectacular show of my DNF form getting shelled in the Prospect criterium pro 1/2 race about 30 minutes into the 90 minute race. The last two races I have developed severe cramps just underneath my rib cage causing horrible pain, not good when you are going full throttle. It has taken me out of both races unable to match the speed with the knife stabbing cramps. A good buddy of mine Ben Raby mentioned I might be drinking too much water and I think he's right. It has been hot in Denver the last month so I think my efforts to stay hydrated may have backfired by drinking too much water. So this coming Sunday I will drink a little less going into the race and more during the race if that makes sense. I think a little potassium will help with the cramps so I'll have a banana split about an hour before my race. If this doesn't work just call me Devin from now on.

Who knew?

Me no LIkE LigHtnINg

I would say this photo is pretty close to what I encountered on my training ride today. I left the house thinking the storm had passed but you gotta love Colorado weather because anything can happen and the storm decided to blow back west towards the mountains. With the wind picking up, the sky turning black and the sound of thunder I knew I was in for a crazy ride. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a wuss when it comes to lightning. I decided I couldn't turn back because the storm was dumping by my house so I thought I could just ride away from it. Yeah I find myself drinking a grande Americano and eating a banana chocolate chip coffee cake from Starbucks waiting for the storm to pass. It never did and is still here as I write this post. I was soaking wet and exhausted from my race effort to get back home as thunder and lightning filled the sky. I'm alive so no complaints.

DoWN bUt NoT OuT

Yesterday was painful and demoralizing after having a good result Tuesday. The pro field was stacked which wasn't surprising given the prize money was at $5K and man did the race start off super fast. The first 20 minutes the entire field was single file cruising at 30+ mph and I was holding on for dear life. I made a rookie fatal judgement error by not warming up enough and because I didn't the initial hard efforts I just could not recover from and ended up dropping off pace. NOT fun! It was hot and I thought I could warm up into the race but from the start it was all out war. It was great to see my family out watching and some friends cheering me because I needed it but unfortunately the show ended early for them. 3 more races until the road season is over and I'm not counting myself out just yet. I still think I can pull one of these off with a little luck, okay lots of luck.

Bannock St.

This Denver street is very special for two reasons. The first being that I won my first crit. as a cat. 4 on this street over 6 years ago. The second being that Bannock street is part of the Taste of Colorado. Well tomorrow afternoon I get another shot at racing Bannock and I can't wait! This is a fast and technical course which suits me perfectly. I'm excited to line up with the pro 1/2s and duke it out for 90 minutes. I'll have a little extra motivation with some friends and family cheering me on with each passing lap. Game on!
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