Cobb Mobb 2014 Elite Team

This maybe long over due as many of you know already especially my buddies in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and East Texas. I was recently selected on the Cobb Mobb Elite Team for 2014.  

The Cobb Mobb is a nation wide triathlon team which also includes a team of Pro's and a grassroots team backed by the power of Cobb Cycling located in a little town called Tyler, Texas. 

When I first heard of the opportunity I eagerly applied and couldn't wait for the announcement to hurry up and be released, based on the names above I knew it was going to be super competitive to get in on the elite team. I was excited when Jeremy had contacted to let me know I had made it.

 I first met John Cobb, I believe it was at the pre-tri clinic for the Rose City triathlon in August 2008.

 John Cobb is known world wide for his research and design particularly in saddle design and aerodynamics and has been in the cycling and triathlon industry since the 1970's. The Cobb Cycling company however started just in 2008 and they are huge supporter in the local community. To learn more about John Cobb go here.

I just got the new Cobb JOF saddle, it's technical name is the 55 almost just like this one shown, below, except mine is solid black throughout. I had switched over recently from an ISM saddle. I like this Cobb saddle because the front is more narrow which allows my legs to have less restrictions and still relieves other areas. It also seems less bulky and better comfort.

I am glad to know my better side is backed up by the Mobb as I'm looking forward to representing the Cobb Mobb team this year.

Thanks again for reading!!

The Shama Fit

This 2014 I am blessed to be working with great team of people that includes Shama Cycles out of Houston. Of course you know I don't live anywhere near Houston. I don't go to H-Town often but when I do it's well worth a stop at Shama Cycles.

I had the opportunity to work with Philip Shama. Shama is a huge supporter in the cycling and triathlon community and is a partner with OutRival Racing. Shama has also worked with pro cyclist and triathletes, so I was comfortable with him helping with my fit. I am disappointed I came on Saturday instead of Friday. Friday at Shama's is "Cup Cake Friday".

I made some radical changes to my bike fit at the start of the 2012 season. There isn't exactly a text book fit for every rider. It's been a struggle coming back to racing the bike portion like the old day's the last couple of years but we are getting there and better, my power to weight ratio says so.

The problems  due because I was set way behind the bottom bracket and had extreme flexion in my ankles, I was set up well on the front end though but they went the wrong direction with me. Over the course of the last two years I have made some small changes to my bike fit that were positive steps in the right direction.

These next two pictures I am set up in Shama's fitting room. Please disregard the mis-matched kit. I am wearing my first ever bicycle jersey though, repping the San Diego Bicycle Club.

Bike Fit from mid 2013

Shama Fit 2014

Good part about Shama is that he listens to and even checks on you after the fit and wants you to update him.  The changes that were made with Shama included a small cleat adjustment, longer stem, added some spacers back in, raised saddle height very slightly, and switched out my old ISM saddle for the Cobb JOF. There will be some more changes that I will eventually need to make as well over time, maybe a lot of time ;)

Since the Shama Fit and after few riding miles I am riding comfortably with a higher cadence and I can hold aero position. I never knew I had shoulder discomfort but there significantly less if any tension in my left shoulder. I am also loving the Cobb JOF (Just Off Front) saddle, it has the right amount of thickness and doesn't restrict my legs and other areas, but I'll do another blog on that soon. With the increase in stem length, you think I would have less control over the front wheel. It turns out I must have been really squirly to begin with because I can't really tell a difference.

I'll probably say this over and over again this year but I am really blessed to have a great team of people behind me this year. I really appreciate all the help!

Thanks for reading and if you are in Houston be sure to check out Shama's Cycling, especially on Friday for cupcakes.

Out Rival Racing Training Weekend and 1 Year Anniversary

What an exciting weekend I had! It was the ORR Elite group training weekend and Calley & I celebrated our 1 year anniversary.

I drove down to Houston after work Friday evening for the first big training weekend of the year. I was starving by the time I got to Houston after unsuccessfully finding a Subway with gluten free options. I'll know next time to be better prepared for traveling on the road. I stayed at the Hubert Inn. They have excellent hospitality! Jarrett (also on ORR) and Erin hosted me to a great home stay. Erin also has a lot of family in Carthage and they frequently visit, so we knew a lot of the same people. 

Jarrett and I rose early Saturday morning and headed to The Woodlands to meet the team and swim with the Magnolia Masters led by Tim Floyd. It was fun times. There were only about 5-6 of us a to a lane. We were filmed and photographed all weekend...all these photographs are courtesy of Corey Oliver.

The swim was a beating and it was only about 3500 yards.

We quickly got dressed and headed out for a 48 mile group ride that was to steadily build to tempo for the last hour. The ride quickly got fast having a few pro cyclists in the group. I stayed back or so for a little while because my effort and heart rate was starting too high and too quick. A great athlete always follows their coach's instructions. 

My favorite part of the ride was walking into this gas station that took you back in time. There was a lower level into a "bar setting" that had a jukebox, pool table with an old budlight lamp over it. I thought I had walked into a movie setting for "Pure Country". The jukebox even had it flipped open showing George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" album.

Out Rival Racing Group Ride. 

  

It wasn't long after leaving the old gas station/bar the ride quickly heated up...and so did the wind. 

Todd Teren leading the way here, he is making his debut rookie pro season this year.

Todd and I riding together.

After our ride we quickly got ready for short ride around the parking lot since the track was locked up. Our running form was filmed then we followed up and did some drills in the grass. 

What I do with my running form I make up for it with my swimming.

Coach Michelle showing us how to do heel lifts.

After our group workouts it was refuel time at the local Chili's. Then I went to Shama Cycles and Shama worked on my bike fit and I switched my old ISM Adamo TT saddle for the Cobb JOF. I'll do a separate blog for the Shama Fit and the Cobb saddle soon enough. I want to offer an honest opinion after I get some more riding miles in but so far so good. 

I am thankful for all the support team I have this year.

I left Shama Cycles and headed to Tyler to see Calley and it was our time to celebrate our 1 Year Anniversary. Honestly, I do not even know how I was so blessed to have found her. She tells me I must have did something wrong, so I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing wrong. 

We headed to the Lago Del Pino for dinner Sunday. We had a great dinner there but found it difficult to eat gluten free there but we managed to do it. I had a nice steak filet along with a loaded baked potato and veggies. 

We followed Lago del Pino that up with the Pizookie at BJ's with some strong coffee's. Don't worry (it's gluten free too).  I had a big training weekend and any amount of coffee at that point wouldn't keep me up for too long. It's important to earn your calories. 

My Wife to be in 2.5 months...who's counting?