Friday, September 29, 2006

rollin'

Only a couple days left till show time. I took yesterday off the bike completely to let my legs calm down and chill out - and it was needed. I rode into work yesterday to have my legs throb. It's only 1.2 miles. I know, pathetic. But today I woke up, feeling anxious to move the legs around and get some energy pumping through them again. Motivation is high - but one more day off should do the trick.

I just looked at my October training - holy moly it's light. Only 4 days on the bike per week? What am I going to do with all that free time? Time to pick up another sport. I'm checking into speed skating.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Goosebumps

I got a call from my friend Mary last night wishing me luck with track nats. It was a perfectly timed call - and helped me refocus and get excited about nats. I actually got goosebumps thinking about it. I was so tired from my effort yesterday that I just about cracked. She helped me realize I am going stinking fast and only good things are going to happen at nats. And then I got a text from Emily - wishing me the same. The timing couldn't have been better.

But alas this morning I headed to the track early to get in a session before work. It took 45 minutes to get there - usually it's only 15. Then once I got there this fog covered all of Marymoor. No worries though - just as I got to the track it cleared up and you could only hear the waddling of the geese in the middle of the infield. I warmed up - in what felt like an enormous gear - 51x16. I should have known right then and there to rest, go home. Take a load off and do fun things. Instead I attempted a flying 2k effort in a 50x15 and cracked. My body is tired - my mind is starting to play tricks on me and I made a good decision to just go home. But I'm supposed to be tired - and now I get a couple of days off the bike, do some fine tuning this weekend and then WHACK! Rip some legs off at nats. Thanks Glenn for the encouragment. Again, perfect timing.

So yes, I think I'm ready.

And if I ever start thinking running sounds good - all I have to do is think about this dude's toes...

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Final Countdown...

So only a few solid days of training left before we head down to LA. I'm looking forward to the competition - and also a little sad to say good bye to the season for the year. But all good things must come to an end - and winter training will whisk by the long dark hours of the year. Time to start planning for next season!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Training

What a great past two days of training. Thanks to Jennie - she helped coach me on some techniques that I hadn't heard before. For instance the Kirby (Klugal? I can't remember the real name of it) is important for core strengthening when you start going fast and keeping your crotch planted on the saddle. I tend to get sloppy when I'm tired - losing some core stability and my power starts wavering. It was good - she's such an inspiration and I really enjoyed training with her.

So one thing we both noticed is that I'm not pushing beyond my pain threshold. I hit the wall and then back off. I have yet to figure out how to endure beyond that wall and go beyond. I suppose that's what really sets you apart from other competitors - the way you're able to go beyond yourself and just cope resulting in nothing less than spectacular. Jennie said she's just put herself into that uncomfortablness so many times that now it's almost second nature to be able to push through the wall. So I'm striving for that. If you train that way you'll race that way. Nothing less than 110%.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Oktober Fest

Yep. It's that time of year again. Time for tiny little potent tasters for $20 and drunken crazy people in Fremont. My favorite time of year. And the sun is supposed to poke it's head out of the clouds later today. I was just getting used to the rain!

I've been reading Kele's blog about her time at the OTC and found another camper Renee's blog as well. And the big news:.... they are making the women's team pursuit an Olympic event! Saweet!!!! And they're also bringing back the team sprint. Yeah!!!! More opportunity to shine and get your foot in the door at the Olympics. So that makes me wonder when the emphasis will be placed on women domestically to start churning out the power houses.

I was talking to Jennie Reed about the women's track scene in the US. It seems like it's either local racing or world cup. But what about all the steps in between? What happens if you're talented locally and want to go up regionally and nationally? Do you have to do it through the men's ranks? Unfortunately that's the battle I've been facing. The only time there's enough domesitc competition is at nationals. Where are these ladies during the track season? Most are roadies or can't get the financial support and backing to travel across country for the UCI sanctioned races. So what happens? We develop an enormous gap between skill levels. I wonder if that will change in the future. How can I help???

blah blah blah. It's Friday.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Long Slow Days

Well the rain coat came just in time yesterday for my first 2 hour ride in the mist. And it turned out I didn't even need it - it cleared up last night while I rode. But I think we have a winner. It breathes really nicely - and I don't have to layer underneath it. My bike is 80% winterized - all I have to do is install the permanent rear fender. I'm using one of those racer blades right now. And one last thing to figure out - gloves. I'm still on the hunt.

Two weeks and I'll be racing my heart out in LA.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Yo!

So I swear I tried to upload some photos for all of you early today and blogger just pooped me out. But no - it's not working. It's probably the same problem that haunted Kele.

Last night Ryan and I headed out to the track for the typical Tuesday night motopace. He doesn't feel comfortable riding the mini-honda because he feels like he'd be stepping on someone's toes so I rode behind his motor instead. First response - agh the exhaust! I sucked down some serious tail pipe. Oh well - a girl's still got to do her motor pacing, right? It took us a couple tries to nail down the right effort too - he has so much torque on that thing that it was hard to keep it steady. Plus there's all this goose shit all over the track from the Canadian airforce. Yum - finishes off the tail pipe nicely with a minty fresh piece o' doo.

Good thing we did get out to the track last night because the rain is back. It's been steadily raining all day - and I have a two hour fun filled workout to do in it! Fun times!!! Good thing I have both fenders on - wait a second - no I don't! Rain rain go away.

Where's that super duper rain coat I ordered????

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

rrrrr rrrrr rrrrrain

So drizzle puts a slight damper on my planned workout session tonight. It's hard to simulate motor pacing on a track bike.... I'll have to get creative.

And last night I did some lifting - only to discover Stoney G's weights are all for upper body! I mean really, climbers don't have to work on their upper bodies. They should be stacking the weights up for some leg presses! Back to the drawing board to find some cheap gym without too many cheesers.

I sewed this killer fish head costume this past weekend. The same one, I must add, that Ryan and Ryan laughed at and said I was crazy for wanting to create such a childish thing. Well Sunday night after Ryan got back from climbing I showed him my fish head and he looked at me straight faced, "you have to make me one of those." If my pictures weren't such a pain in the butt to get up - I'd post one for you. (Sure I know, I keep saying it. But really - I have to go downstairs, boot up Ryan's computer... download the photos... ok I'm going.....)

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Let the steady sunday's begin!

The leaves are starting to fall to the ground, the rains are definitely on their way - and you have to wear knickers all the time now to protect against the chilly air. And the weekly women's Sunday ride is back in effect with today being the first go and a chance for new comers to the scene to ride with other racers and check out the dealio. I'm going to head down there to lend a hand - it should be a nice meeeeellllllooooowwww pace. And much needed after yesterday's fast twitch motor pacing. Tim paid me a really nice compliment - saying my bike is dialed in. My hips don't sway at all - no rocking, nothing. Thanks to Reed at Speedy Reedy. I should send him over a thank you note...

Two weeks till nats.... I'm getting anxious and pumped!!!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Getting things done

So while I had some down time I was able to research a bomb proof rain jacket and some killer tyres and tubes.... found the best all weather gloves on the planet - all in preparation for the rainy months.

http://showerspass.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=29&osCsid=1308dc4ca03e2c9fd52b9847b80d4786
http://orgear.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/descent/71506

I'll let you know how the jacket survives once it goes through a solid week of pouring rain. ;)

And I heard from a dear friend Laura Todd who lives in Bellingham. She forwarded a link to the Weepies who were recently highlighted on NPR. Deb Talan is a dear friend of Laura's - and everytime she's in town I try to go see them. It's good homegrown stuff - check it out if you like folky music. Comfort music for sure.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6041220

Thursday, September 14, 2006

sore throat

Uh oh. I knew it was coming. I got home on Sunday, smooched my sweetie, only to find out on monday we swapped bad germs. And now I have an inflamed lymph node on my right side. I tried gargling, I tried icing it with ice cream - to no avail. I soothed my weary soul with chocolate. I woke up today barely able to swallow. Good thing I cut my ride short yesterday.

Now it's time to pound the fluids! This is the third time this year I've had some cold like symptoms come up. Hmmmmm.... Emily mentioned once that she was always sick when she was cycling all the time. I wonder if that's true - are you more suspectible to getting sick when you work out everyday? Is your immune system that exhausted? And it's a vicious cycle when you can't work out. All you addicts know what I'm talking about. Injuries and illness are on the same level - LAME!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Getting Closer....

Last night was good - real good. Both Ryan's brought out their motorcycles even though we ended up using Stan's from the shed. Miller lead the first two efforts - both ramping me up to 33 mph. My goal before nats is 35 with sprints. If I can do that then things will be looking good for the old juiceypoo.

The first effort was 49x14 and I felt a little spun out when we'd do our big efforts. Then I put on 49x13 and was able to spin like a mad woman. Unfortunately some random people entered the track on their normal bikes so we had to stop our workout to get them off - safety first. :) Then Mr. T got on the bike and ramped me up to 32-33mph. It feels good to go that fast - but I know I have to go just a little bit faster to get where I want to be. I think I remember Becky Quinn saying she paced at 40. Hmmm... something to think about long term wise. Give me another year - and I hope to be knocking on that door.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Pooped

Yesterday I had the urge to tackle my overgrown and neglected yard. Luckily it's the end of the summer and most everything is dead so I didn't have to worry about pruning things back that much. But I will say that my front hedge required a lot of work and filled 10 lawn trash bags full of ivy leaves. But it's done and I can neglect my front yard for an additional 6 months now. :)

Today we're headed out to the track for some motor pacing efforts. Should be fun. I'm still exhausted from this past weekend and then yesterday. But training for nats shouldn't be easy.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

MS 150 Ride

Just got home and showered after a long and amazing day in the sun on my bike. Jill, Zana, Carol, Kristin, Paul and I all ventured the 75 mile day from La Conner up through Bow, around Chuckanut and back down the Skagit flats. It was great - the sun was shining, the rest stops great and the support was amazing. This is a ride I will do year after year after year.

So a recap of the highlights - 5 flats between Kristin, Jill and I. It rained for the first time in months and washed all the debri to the side of road - causing an unusually high amount of flats. Oh well. After the 4th flat we decided doing all 75 miles just wasn't in us so we did the shorter 50 mile version. ;)

The real reason we cut it short? Beer Garden. :) We hung out with some of the Harley guys and got to hear their take on MS and their commitment to involvement. The candle light vigil was filled with hope. Key note speaker was another amazing cyclist who was in the prime of his life and suddenly struck with MS. He's still pedaling and is slowly gaining his strength back and learning how to deal with MS. The biggest contributor is seeing how many people get involved with the MS ride year after year and give so whole heartedly to the community. Pretty touching if you ask me.

Pictures to be posted soon....

Friday, September 08, 2006

halloween

Anyone got any costume ideas? I have access to a sewing machine and am looking to create something fabulous....

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Limp noddle

I feel like one - especially after this morning's 2.15 hour massage. Oh Genevieve - she rules. I feel like a million bucks. :)

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

motopacing

I must admit, I haven't been this tired or exhausted from a workout in a long time. Yesterday we headed to the track for some points race training behind Stan's motor. I decided to make the points race my primary focus at nationals - the ultimate of ultimate track races. So Miller had me put on a 47x14 for my first effort and we cruised for about 50 laps with some sprint intervals thrown in the mix. We'd count down every 5 laps and he would have me sprint around the motor simulating a sprint lap and then jump back on at 27-28mph. I really struggled with the last effort - but he also ramped the speed up to about 32 or so. It was all I could do to hang on. :)

After some rest and sitting for recovery, I put on a 49x14 and we did it again. This time a shorter effort - I had a hard time even getting my legs to spin around. But once the intial shock wore off - I was good to go and we hammered. It is amazing to me to think Hammer and the world class pursuitists can hold that same tempo without a motor and drill it for 3k. I think I'll try it once I fully build my aerobic engine. The second effort was much harder - we were cruising around 33-34mph. The motor is super fun - but exhausting. You don't realize it until you're done. I felt like puking afterward. I came home in a heap. Poor Ryan had to carry me to bed because I couldn't muster up enough energy to watch our movie. I love those kind of workouts - they tax you physically and reward you mentally. I'm excited to see what happens at nats.

Monday, September 04, 2006

5 years and counting...

Ryan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary this weekend. He came and cheered me on for the last Friday night racing and then we headed out Hwy. 20 for an epic road ride on Sunday. Saddly, Marymoor racing is done for the year. It was a great end of the season party - Dan Harm ran around the track NAKED. It was funny. There was free beer and we stayed till almost midnight. Fun times.

Our ride on Sunday was amazing. 42 miles each way - up to Washington Pass and back. Lots of climbing - I burned 2250 kcals on the way up and 725 on the way back to give you an idea of how strenuous it was. Ryan rocked it - that man can climb! We had a blast. Lots of laughs and good memories created - I'm so happy and in love with him. GUSH GUSH GUSH.

Oh and on a side note - Friday they posted a cancellation of the T-town races. Man am I glad I left early!!!