So far, I’ve been on the bike a good month and I really feel good the entire time. The winter is the best time for me in the Midwest. Once the heat sets-in above 90, asthma creeps up. I’ve never had an asthma attack per say, but after a race it feels like my lungs are scarred and keeps me from taking deep breaths.  Only last year did I take something for it - albuterol, which had too short of an effect. This year I’m going to try a longer lasting medicine. I forget the name of it, but I remember that my copay was upwards of 100.

We had a warm-spell a week back and I was able to get on the road bike for some longer rides. Otherwise, I’ve been primarily on the Mt Bike. You see, I really don’t like the trainer, so unless it’s unavoidable I’ll be out in 10 F. If I don’t have time to hit the trails outside the city, I’ll stay in a park near my house, Forest Park, where I ride a make-shift offroad circuit. So far, I’m the only one on this “secret course”, and I’d like to keep it that way since much of it is to be found on the golf-course. (but I stay off the greens)

When I was much younger, I would habitually spend two-hours on the rollers. You may not believe me, but it’s true, it was Pedro Delgado himself who told me that I was wasting my time. At that time, I trained with his brother-in-law, and taught his other brother-in-law English. His Mom would pay me by cooking me dinner and at one of these dinners, Pedro showed up with their sister. That was his only advice.