Well, it's been a few days since I've posted something substantial. Life has been busy-busy-busy, which is a good thing. The races are coming together nicely, sponsorship and just life in general is good. The Sam-boy and I have been making up for the lost time together when I was in Spain - great meals and great company. It's amazing how fast time goes by... Talks of Easter plans, my sister's wedding, my races...all of these are coming up quick!!
This past weekend was the official start to the Bethel Spring Series races. Last year, Aki - director extraordinaire - added a women's field. It attracts National Champs and beginners alike. A few of theses beginners were good friends - Miss Megan from Bethel Cycle came out to try her hand at Bike racing!
It was a tough way to start - even for those of us who thought we were fit. A number of Cat 1 and 2 cyclists riding for pro-teams (or who are in talks with them) - were out and it was just a hammer-fest. Attack after attack was brought back, but it made for a fast and furious day. The field was split and somehow I hung on to the front pack. The final lap came, I attempted a break and well, the engine ran out of steam before the final sprint.
I'm not upset in the slightest. I do these races, not for results, but for training - hence them being a "training series". Coach Eric and I agreed, I should use these to get some speed work in. Haven't done any speedwork since last fall, so it was a test for the legs. A test for the heart to jack my heart rate up nice and high and then try and recover! I got in a few "field tests" and really pushed the pace, averaged 24 mph for the 20 mile crit race. Very cool. I can't seem to mimic these kinds of workouts on my own, so it's a blessing when these talented ladies show up and hand me my a$$ on a platter.
Looking forward to the weeks ahead. You def. start to learn who is strong, who is reliable, who has a good wheel - who attacks when, and so another exciting season starts!! YAY!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Involuntary Naps
They happen. I've been home for almost a week and hit the ground running with work, workouts and fun. Yesterday, all of that caught up with me.
I was supposed to run and swim - wanting to combine the two, I planned to do both at the gym. At 4:30 I pulled into the parking lot and closed my eyes to get "psyched up" and prepare myself for the gym environment.
2 hours later, I was startled by a car horn beeping next to mine. The sky was dark and I looked at my watch, astounded that I had fallen asleep for hours. By that time, I was just about late for the dog and Sam (who I promised to make a nice dinner for!).
I emailed coach Eric and told him about my involuntary day off. Sometimes you can't be angry at yourself or upset. My body was trying to tell me repeatedly that I was exhausted and it finally just shut things down yesterday.
Today is sunny and beautiful - I have workouts and work to do, but will escape those things for a little while and go to the horse farm. My horse West has been injured (well, on the mend, I should say) for over a year and a half now. I just got the clear to start "tack walking" him - meaning I can tack him up and just walk around on his back - nothing else. This is some of the greatest news I've ever gotten and I can't wait to get back on the horse (and my pony, Cass!) today. Nothing makes me feel better (well, maybe not nothing) than connecting with my horses.
Hope you all can "re-connect" with the things and people you love today!
I was supposed to run and swim - wanting to combine the two, I planned to do both at the gym. At 4:30 I pulled into the parking lot and closed my eyes to get "psyched up" and prepare myself for the gym environment.
2 hours later, I was startled by a car horn beeping next to mine. The sky was dark and I looked at my watch, astounded that I had fallen asleep for hours. By that time, I was just about late for the dog and Sam (who I promised to make a nice dinner for!).
I emailed coach Eric and told him about my involuntary day off. Sometimes you can't be angry at yourself or upset. My body was trying to tell me repeatedly that I was exhausted and it finally just shut things down yesterday.
Today is sunny and beautiful - I have workouts and work to do, but will escape those things for a little while and go to the horse farm. My horse West has been injured (well, on the mend, I should say) for over a year and a half now. I just got the clear to start "tack walking" him - meaning I can tack him up and just walk around on his back - nothing else. This is some of the greatest news I've ever gotten and I can't wait to get back on the horse (and my pony, Cass!) today. Nothing makes me feel better (well, maybe not nothing) than connecting with my horses.
Hope you all can "re-connect" with the things and people you love today!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Carolina on my mind
"In my mind, I'm goin' to Carolina. Can't you feel the sunshine..." - James Taylor
I'd say my thoughts are on warmer places, that I'm bummed about the cold or the snow, but that's actually not true. It was beautiful to wake up this morning, look out the window and see over a foot of powder on the ground and trees. I suited up and took the dog out - promptly realized that:
1. The puppy has outgrown her horse blanket.
2. my boots are not tall enough for snow this deep.
I figured my feet were already wet and the dog didn't seem to mind that her butt was exposed from the blanket, so we hiked on. The snow was perfect - not that hard-packed stuff for snow-men, but the fine powder that seems weightless when you move your feet thru it.
My schedule today called for a 90 minute run and rather than risk getting hit by a car, I took the workout inside. Thank goodness for my IPOD and running into an old school friend, or I never would have survived!
At the 75 minute mark, a gym employee came up to me and told me I had to get off the treadmill - "there's an hour limit on these" he said. I thought he was kidding. To my left and right were about 20 empty treadmills. "Miss, you cannot run longer than 60 minutes". Meanwhile, I kept running - while he's talking to me. Absolutely stunned, I told him I just had another 15 minutes. No dice - I got off the treadmill and marched myself straight to the Manager's office. An "out to lunch" sign hung on the door. Argh! Left her a voicemail and let her know about what happened.
I wasn't angry so much as mystified - I thought they only enforced those rules when it was super busy? Is there some crazy new "cardio limit" that I'm not aware of? Crazy!
Not wanting to email Eric that I didn't get in the whole run, I threw on a jacket and ran the dog to the bank and back to get in those last 15 minutes.
It may sound weird, but when things like this happen, I like to think of it as the workout gods testing me - tempting me with the chance to quit early and have an excuse. Rather than give in, you've got to just turn the music up, throw on a cap and get to it! Hopefully I can add that little bit of mental toughness to my piggy-bank of race strength.
Happy snowy training, y'all!
I'd say my thoughts are on warmer places, that I'm bummed about the cold or the snow, but that's actually not true. It was beautiful to wake up this morning, look out the window and see over a foot of powder on the ground and trees. I suited up and took the dog out - promptly realized that:
1. The puppy has outgrown her horse blanket.
2. my boots are not tall enough for snow this deep.
I figured my feet were already wet and the dog didn't seem to mind that her butt was exposed from the blanket, so we hiked on. The snow was perfect - not that hard-packed stuff for snow-men, but the fine powder that seems weightless when you move your feet thru it.
My schedule today called for a 90 minute run and rather than risk getting hit by a car, I took the workout inside. Thank goodness for my IPOD and running into an old school friend, or I never would have survived!
At the 75 minute mark, a gym employee came up to me and told me I had to get off the treadmill - "there's an hour limit on these" he said. I thought he was kidding. To my left and right were about 20 empty treadmills. "Miss, you cannot run longer than 60 minutes". Meanwhile, I kept running - while he's talking to me. Absolutely stunned, I told him I just had another 15 minutes. No dice - I got off the treadmill and marched myself straight to the Manager's office. An "out to lunch" sign hung on the door. Argh! Left her a voicemail and let her know about what happened.
I wasn't angry so much as mystified - I thought they only enforced those rules when it was super busy? Is there some crazy new "cardio limit" that I'm not aware of? Crazy!
Not wanting to email Eric that I didn't get in the whole run, I threw on a jacket and ran the dog to the bank and back to get in those last 15 minutes.
It may sound weird, but when things like this happen, I like to think of it as the workout gods testing me - tempting me with the chance to quit early and have an excuse. Rather than give in, you've got to just turn the music up, throw on a cap and get to it! Hopefully I can add that little bit of mental toughness to my piggy-bank of race strength.
Happy snowy training, y'all!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
10 For Sunday
10. The bike grease that seems a permanent fixture on my fingertips.
9. My new green jacket - the one I negotiated down to 8 Euros.
8. The feeling of a brand new toothbrush.
7. The sound of the snowflakes hitting the window.
6. The news that the race was canceled and climbing back in bed for hours.
5. Leaving the suitcase packed and the house a mess, just because I can.
4. The butterflies I still feel every time Sam kisses me.
3. The way no matter where I sit, Luna curls up with me.
2. Hearing the nickers of Cass and West when I get out of my car.
1. Looking into his eyes and realizing that from Day 1, we knew.
9. My new green jacket - the one I negotiated down to 8 Euros.
8. The feeling of a brand new toothbrush.
7. The sound of the snowflakes hitting the window.
6. The news that the race was canceled and climbing back in bed for hours.
5. Leaving the suitcase packed and the house a mess, just because I can.
4. The butterflies I still feel every time Sam kisses me.
3. The way no matter where I sit, Luna curls up with me.
2. Hearing the nickers of Cass and West when I get out of my car.
1. Looking into his eyes and realizing that from Day 1, we knew.
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