KHS 6 - Brunswick School 4

I got asked to run the clock at a neutral site for this D-II prep semi-final playoff game. Smucker Bennett and I manned the scorers' cubicle and ragged on anyone and everyone!

KHS carried most of the play and had a 5-2 lead in the 3rd. But Brunswick battled back to make it a nailbiter coming within 1 goal with just over a minute left in the game. KHS was undaunted and added an empty-netter to seal the deal. They now head to Salem, NH for the Frozen Four to ironically face bitter cross-town rival Hebron Academy!

eMotion Roller Riding

It has been over a month since I rode rollers for the first time. I can safely say I have become 1 with them. I know this because today I was able to ride with no hands. This new ability has added a fun new element to indoor training: I can now practice my finish line celebrations (within the confines of the ceiling height of course)!
These rollers are confidence instilling as if you look in the pic above, there are roller blade wheels at the sides of the front drum to keep the front wheel in line (I have hit these many times!). And there are 2 black bars to keep the rear wheel in line with the 2 rear drums. I can't say I've done a balls to the wall sprint, but I definitely have gone as hards as I felt comfortably going.

Speaking of sprints on rollers, the eMotion came with very little user-info. The unit was assembled at the bike shop, so I just got on and rode. Fortunately, right before my first sprint workout I figured out how to adjust the reisistance unit. I thought I had been changing the settings using the dial below, but was suspicious when it really didn't feel any different.


Upon closer examination, I deduced the magnet was installed incorrectly and thus never interacting with the flywheel. I got it spun around and then it all made sense. The arrow pointed to the resistance setting as the magnet gets positioned closer to the flywheel. DUH!

Now I feel the difference! I do the majority of work on 2. 3 is going to be reserved for seriously tough workouts!

First outside ride of 2008

The 'cross drivetrain can handle it!

Went out with no agenda, just to do some recon on the condition of the roads around the neighborhood, guage how many layers of clothing I need based on temperature, check satellite radio, and just get out of the house for once.

Weather was prime, sunny and about 40 degrees. Of course I overdressed and was very warm for the first 2/3. But was glad I wore all I did at the end as only my toes were just starting to get chilly, but that was it.

I rode the Aegis Shaman 'cross bike because I expected the back roads to still have ice spots and they didn't disappoint. Even the shoulders on Rt. 17 had snow and ice spots. The 'cross tires were a must have. But it was fun nonetheless!

My Sirius radio was a disappointment as reception was very broken up without using the antenna headphones. Looks like I'll have to pre-record music before rides rather than rely on reception.

Friendship Mites Tourney 2/22-23

Spent the first half of the weekend in Bangor for Drake's hockey tournament. Game 1 was Friday, we spent the night in a hotel, then played 2 on Saturday. The team went 0-3, but easily won all the pool games at the hotel!

Since we were in town, we decided to check out the Eastern Maine Class B basketball title game. Drake's best friend's dad is the coach of Maranacook so we showed our support. The boys won and are off to the state title game.

I've had to take another 4 days off from training due to head and chest conjestion. We just keep handing each other a virus here in the Wheelden household. I'm trying to motivate for a mellow ride outdoors for fun today. We'll see.

2008 Daytona 500

Sunday wrapped up with the Great American Race, kicking off the NASCAR season. We had some of the league participants over to watch. P-Diddy took home the commemorative mini die-cast car for being closest to picking the winner. It's good to act like a redneck!

2008 Atoms World Tournament 2/17

Drake and Fenix each made their own unique debuts on the ice Sunday. For Drake, it was his first competition as a goalie,

and it was Fenix's first game ever.

It was a fun event for all and both boys played well. In true hockey-player fashion, Drake lost a tooth out on the ice! No worries, the Tooth Fairy still delivered.

I'm racing Semi-Pro this season...

...and I'm going to look like this:

Minor Setback

I had a quick fever burst Sunday night that came out of nowhere, but I sweated it out fast. Nonetheless, I've had a wicked sore throat since Monday morning. I took Monday off completely. Then yesterday was too nice to stay inside so I took a leisurely snowshoe with camera in hand.

No one out here except deer.

Trees were still pretty heavy with snow from the weekend

A favorite view of campus

This was a cool section, I had to walk around the huge moguls

This is the sidewalk I ride back and forth from home to campus. The picture doesn't exaggerate, the snow walls are shoulder high!

Snow Banks

I can't get enough of this snow! We're expecting another 6-10" for Wednesday. Where are we going to put it?!

Good times

This was a banner weekend. First, KHS kids left Thursday for a long weekend. Friday was an easy work day covering a Maranacook HS game. Later that night, we held the draft for our NASCAR Fantasy League. There are 8 of us in the league, all with KHS ties. The one wild card from away is Joey K.
This meant the Daytona 500 is only a week away and I get to be a redneck again!
Saturday was Drake's hockey game, then Babs did a mom's brunch, then I did a 2.5 hour snowshoe, then the Smuckers had a Pre-Summer 2008 party complete with horsehoes, a fire pit, and of course beer die.
Today was more hockey, then a riveting afternoon at the Auburn mall. Babs went to caucus and I rode the rollers. I was hoping to watch the Bud Shootout that I recorded then the Grammy's, but the dang cable is out so it may be movie night instead.
I really enjoyed that snowshoe. My workout for the day was for 2.5hrs of aerobic activity. There's no way I was going to spend it on the rollers. I had big aspirations earlier in the week to get outside, but Friday brought us more snow and the roads were bogus. I also took advantage of walking on the XC ski trails since they hadn't been groomed in a week and we got ANOTHER 6+" last night and today. This winter is great, albeit a little over the top! I'm not complaining. I felt fresh on the rollers today, so life is good!

Rim Tape

I think hockey tape works. I installed and rode with it on the rollers last night. We'll see if it lasts.

Snow Day Part Deux

And the hits keep on coming. Drake and Fenix have no school again today. At this point, Drake will be in class through June!

Whirlwind Weekend

It started with a fairly unpleasant, but fortunately uneventful icestorm on Friday. It looked pretty the next day, but the wind and heavy branches flirted with knocking power out.

We bagged Drake's 7:10am game at KIA Saturday morning. I got my roller workout in then went to work for the rest of the day. Drake had his birthday party at the rink in the afternoon. There were about 20 kids out on the ice having a blast.

Babs made a rink cake!

Sunday started normally with Drake and Fenix's Atoms practice. Drake then opened family presents.

NHL 2K8 for me, I mean Drake!

Top present honors: box of hockey goalie cards

Everyone except Fenix rides a Kona now, sux being the youngest!

Drake sporting top present #2: TPS Dragon goalie mask

Then both boys went to friends' birthday parties as I went to work and watched an ugly KHS vs. Stanstead game. We all reconvened at home and prepped for the Superbowl party we hosted.



It was a shitty end to to the weekend with the Pats' loss. But seriously, it just doesn't matter. We finally put a cap on Drake's birthday with a dinner out at Longhorn Steakhouse tonight as he officially turns 7.