Erik D. Jones’s Blog

On February 8th, 2006 I made a commitment to myself. I decided that it was time for a life changing event. Now one may think that most of the time, these so-called “life changing events” can only occur in the wild…But I’m here to tell you that they can be self-made. So let me explain…

My bestest friend, mentor and partner-in-debauchery, Zack, is one of the most remarkable athletes I’ve ever been close to. Watching him develop his cycling ability over the past 3 years, switch from triathlons to 100% bike racing has been an interesting metamorphosis to observe (albeit from the safe and comfortable, well-heated bleachers as I eat my proverbial snack-bar food and cheer him on, downing my beer and wiping my sloppy mouth with my other food-stained hand) (imagery great, huh?).

Sometime in July of last year I decided to give this cycling thing a try. So I went out and bought myself a really awesome road bike (Felt F60 for those who give a rats ass). Well then I got caught up in more travel for work (damn hurricanes) and then started this business (damn Laguna Beach-side office).. and well… I really never got serious about riding. I’d put in a few weeks at a time at a good pace and a good length and Zack even seemed surprised at my ability (probably given how grossly out of shape I was.. at least in my mind’s eye). But I just never “clicked”. Sure I wanted to be the next Zack on the bike.. but that’s just not who I am.. or.. maybe…. ?

So back to February 8^th (I just figured you needed the background story)…So on February 8^th I went on Ann Louise Gittleman’s Fat Flush Plan. Now for those of you who know me, you might be thinking “You’re not fat..” and those of you who don’t know me that well might be thinking, “Holy shit, how old ARE those pictures? Jesus Shamu… “ Well… I wasn’t fat, but I was surely not in competitive shape… So here we go…

Now for those of you who don’t know the Fat Flush plan… It starts off the first two weeks (It’s a staged diet) eating under 1800 calories (I think the book actually calls for less, but at 6’3″, I burn a lot just from gravity pulling my head towards the Earth’s core..).. anyway. So 1800 calories, NO sodium, NO caffeine, NO alcohol, high-protein, low-carb, low-fat, low-cal. Sounds boring? Umm yeah.. you have no idea. But thankfully I know how to cook and believe it or not (I can prove it to you sometime), I made this stuff taste good.

Ok… So meanwhile, back at the Bike Barn… I combined this new fangled diet with a rapid increase in cycling. I decided that 5x a week was where I wanted to be to reach the goals I wanted. “What goals? You’re a slob who likes to sit on the sidelines popping piroshkis (that’s a Russian beef pastry in case you don’t know) in my mouth cheering on Zack and other athletes”.. Yeah well.. I’m not going to get into the whole psychology of what I want and why because you’re probably already sick of reading this damn blog… Anyway…

Back to our regularly scheduled program.. So ok.. I’m eating efficiently, sleeping a bunch, cycling like no one’s business. So sometime in February I set a goal (put my money where my mouth is, more like it.. ) and signed up for a 100K (64 miles for you standard unit weenies) bike ride through Temascal Canyon (around Corona, Anaheim, etc) with the Orange County Wheelmen (their spring metric century). So that was last Saturday.

So 18 lbs and 6% less body fat later and my ass is in the saddle on this 100K adventure of mine. I learned things about my body (jesus I sound like a 13 year old boy touching himself for the first time.. ) that I never ever knew. I don’t think I can articulate it well enough, but let’s just say that never before in 31 years of life have I ever spent 4 hours working out non-stop (I ended up going 110K after I took a wrong turn.. oops). I felt amazing, accomplished and proud of everything I have committed myself to up to this point. Since that life changing decision back in early February, I’ve been averaging 100-150 miles a week 4-5x a week and I’ve continued to follow a modified version of that original diet (modified because I’d be dead if I exercised this much without eating more).

So what’s next for new and improved Erik? I am riding in the AIDS lifecycle (www.aidslifecycle.org/1457) in June… 550+ miles from San Francisco to LA over 7 days. I plan to do several century (100miles) rides over the coming months and would like to start racing sometime soon when I (and Coach Zack) think I’m ready.

Who do I have to thank? First and foremost, my coach, my mentor, and my best friend Zack for changing my life. I don’t know what the future will hold for me in terms of cycling, but the door has been opened and I’m learning so much more about my mind and body. This is a new adventure, a new place to explore and I don’t have to get on a plane or hop in a car to do it (just hop on my bike.. hehehe) Second, I’d like to thank myself for finding the strength, dedication and sacrifice to making this change.