Wed Night Recap

I learned some valuable lessons again last night.... cotton mouth. Drink more water and hydrate throughout the day to avoid cotton mouth. If I end up getting it them stick a piece of hard candy in my mouth. Sprinting -maintain a straight line. I was warned tonight about my somewhat erratic finish - I was close to being disqualified. Apparently it was enough of a wavering to get the officials attention but not enough to disqualify me. Lesson learned - maintain a straight line. Also - once I go around someone in the sprinters lane - get into the sprinters lane so they have to go around me and cover more track to pass the finish line.

I did learn from last Friday though - staying near the back of the pack and getting to know the key players in the field. This helped me pull a stellar move with 1.2 laps to go - everyone else was lined into two pacelines - boxing in several of the stronger riders. I made a move from the back of the pack and no one saw it coming. Next thing I knew I was crossing the finish line with 10 bike lengths between me and second place. Nice execution.

late blog

had a productive day at the track last night. I went to the women's clinic, which although was a little unorganized and scattered had a great turnout. There were about 18 women there - an excellent turn out! Afterward we had a women's advisory MVA meeting - discussing how to attract and retain women to get to the Friday night program. This year has been a build year - and we should have enough women moving through the ranks soon enough to foster some amazing competitions. I am stoked to be a part of building this program for the years to come.

Training wise - it just seems like I've been racing all the time - and I miss the longer road rides! I know they will be back before I know it - so no worries. Maybe I'll do RSVP again - that was sooo much fun last year!

Easy Monday

Still recovering from the weekend. Sat night was a tad wild - we visited a friend down in Tacoma and started with Tequila moved onto beer... and then wine. It reminded me why I don't like to drink. :) Needless to say I didn't get in the road rides that I anticipated.....

Friday night debut

Last night was great. I learned a lot and managed to keep the pace high and exciting. My breasts made the front cover of the flier - it's hilarious! The first race was a 10 lap scratch - I got stuck up high and missed the attack. I still managed to bring in 4th. Then we did a 10 lap snowball where Taylor and I had a nice break away and captured the points in the beginning only to be caught by Emily and Christine in the last few laps. Talk about a thigh burner! Then we did a 4x4 and I collected some money from premes but was spent for the points. I knew that lesson - but I thought maybe I'd still have some kick for the end. Apparently the snowball had more of an effect than I thought.... overall a good showing though. I think I placed 4th. Not bad for my first night! Tactically I could have been a lot smarter... but that will come with experience. Also I need bigger gearing.... I was spinning out pretty easily. Fun times!

Rest week

Well obviously it's been a better rest week - I haven't had much to say since the beginning of the week! I did go with Jill and Cindy last night down to PRI - it was great! Women's night is an excellent chance to work on tactics and sprinting. I taught a Groupie some sprinting techniques and then she chased me down to the finish line! It was fun.

I'm looking forward to my first Friday night tonight... makes the whole week's anticipation worth it! Plus my Bubba is coming. :)

Monday night audieu

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to Roz's 3rd grade class as a guest speaker. I kitted up and rode across the bridge into one of the richest parts of Bellevue. The kids were great - they asked me tons of questions and hopefully I left a good impression on them. I have pictures coming soon....

Then last night I went to the track with Kelly and practiced my sprint a little. There was yet another crash at the race - a broken collarbone. Ugh. I was officially kicked out of Monday nights and onto Wednesdays and Fridays. I'm looking foward to it! Phil was there again and I chatted with him for awhile. Kelly did awesome - she's building on her fitness and is super stoked about the track. I watched a big black man give it all his heart in the sprint race and it was amazing. It looked like he was going to rip that bike apart he had so much power forced into it. Not graceful at all - but with that much heart it was a beautiful thing. I love this sport.

playing with the big girls....

ah - what a race! Probably one of my favorite ones of the season. It was simply amazing. Sure I was humbled today - but I pulled a rookie move and learned from my mistake. Those girls better watch out! It was funny - I went up to Mindy after the race and congratulated her - she said thanks Jennifer. Whoa - she knew my name! Craziness!
So the rookie move you might ask? I moved up the line and got off the front - I was a couple of bike lengths up and then they caught up pretty quickly. Then before I knew it, I was sucking air off the back and had a hard time recovering. Silly me. What was I thinking?! But oh the corners - they were so stinking fun. I did learn that I need to tighten them up a little - thanks to Annie from Wines. I had my moment of glory though - apparently the announcer was saying my name again and again. Then Phil Miller came and said, I wasn't going to pull you! I should have kept going just out of sheer determination. But I pulled myself and happily grabbed my recovery drink. Live and learn .... I learned a lot today! Fun times. I can't wait till the next one!!!

confidence builder

two separate incidents happened today on my ride around the south end. While coming back through Mercer, a Recycled racer said, "I don't mean to be rude but I was wondering if anyone ever told you that you have the most incredible calves I have ever seen." Wow - I responded, no, not on the bike. :) We chatted for a little while - he's a cat 3 and racing tomorrow too.

Then on my way back through Leschi, I'm spinning along and get a comment from a speedy reedy jersey, "are you on the national championship team?" and I responded, "no, not yet." Then he says, "well congrats on the state championship." I smiled and thanked him. I love this sport. Like you said - closer to rock star status each day. :)

the little knot is dissipating

when I get stressed out I get this knot that builds up right under my left shoulder blade. It's been getting worse over the past couple of weeks - but it's feeling better today. Much better actually.
So this weekend I get to race with the big girls. Exciting. I'm going to have to rearrange my handlebars to just the right position for all of those corners. I'm really looking forward to it. Stepping it up a notch will be challenging - but I'm always up for a challenge. :)

My track big front tyre has issues. I just checked it this morning and it's flat again. What is going on?! I'm taking it in and let the experts look it over. Maybe they will find something I can't.

Oh - and it's official. Easton just called and they are replacing my handlebars!!!!! Sweet!

committment

I hearby commit to not letting this caddy bs get in my way and alter my being. I am done with the negativity and am only focused on the positive and winning. Ahhhhh.... huge weight has been lifted. And I am starting to feel back to my normal being. yeah!

upgrade

I'm doing it. That's all there is to it. Joyce sent out this DICTATOR email that said Rachel is our designated winner this weekend. So rather than get kicked off the team for performing, I'm going to upgrade and get kicked off the team. This is ridculous. I'm totally switching. I can't stand her shit any more.

issues

so today was more of a 101 on bike mechanics than anything. I was a little frustrated not being able to workout as long and as hard as the rest of the group. But after refueling the belly and mind with wasabi - it was a good day. Like Diana said, patience is required for mechanical issues. Thanks for lending me the 15 - looks like I have some more gear to acquire. I'm going to take my time with that though - I swear I should find more sponsors or start working at the bike shop. It's getting ridiculous. Savings? What savings?

Sigh.

eternal circles of a spotless mind

I had a lot of fun last night. The only downfall was that there were so many people that they were only able to host a few races per category. It was such a social event - fun though. I'm looking forward to more. Ryan said don't forget my road skills. Hills, hills hills! It's nice to have distractions. :)

becoming a trackie

despite having a crash and post race beers catch up with me - I had a lot of fun at the track yesterday. Sprinting is a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it.... I still have a lot to learn but it's coming along.

ballard crit review

Wickly fun 4 corner course with some potentially disasterous obstacles (man hole cover on turn 3, slick steep bumpy section on corner 1, brick that's as slick as snot at the finish/start line). I was hanging with the combined field, had just pulled a move to advance to the front of the pack and then on the back hand side, right before corner 3, I watched a woman attempt to make an advance on two women that wasn't really there and then go down. Unfortunately I was right behind her and went down too. I landed right on my butt - hard. My elbow got scrapped up and my pedal nearly impalled my left shin. I was able to walk away - although, my bike handle bars were cracked. Damn carbon fiber. Molly suggested I send them back to Easton and see if they do anything for me.

So the woman who went down is also the woman who won. But she was DQ'd because in the field sprint she blocked both Amara and Annette. I was glad to see kharma bit her in the ass.

Falling - it's part of racing. I'm just lucky and glad that I'm not seriously injured.

Oh yeah - and for the record, Ryan had practically the same crash on the same corner, with matching scrapped elbows and hinnie. Lame!

decisions, decisions

do i put up with one ruthless and cruel individual so I can enjoy my other teammates/friends? Or do I say goodbye to any negative energy and move on? Melinda had a great suggestion - doing a team meeting. so who calls the meeting? if I do it Joyce will feel even more threatened that i am trying to take over her leadership - which I am not - but if the team isn't aware of the situation then how will we be able to resolve this? this is a team thing - it's not an individual situation. to me, that seems like a very good and viable option.

back to normal

the meeting with joyce went really well. I am so happy that it did. We had our moments where we both put our baggage onto the table - and ultimately she apologized for her email and attacks. I told her that it is hard to approach her when she says one thing and then demonstrates another in person. I also mentioned Rachel about the "mediator" yet on Joyce's side thing. I told her that her upgrade question made me feel like I was set up and she admitted not meaning to do that. We basically had a meeting of the minds and are both willing to contribute to making this an amazing thing. I understand where she is coming from and she understands where I am coming from as well. Damn that woman has a lot of baggage. But she also has a vision and it should shine through in the end.

the bike is here. it is a machine. i would like to take some time and get together to ensure it is properly fitted. do you have any time this weekend?

And then I got home and started processing our conversation. I started to get angry - really angry. What she is pleading for me to do is to throw races to sacrafice my own performance for the team. Sure I understand this to an extent - but at the same time that's like asking an Olympian to step it down a notch and give it to another person. She had the audacity to say if you hadn't of won then Katy would have been third. Well then why the hell am I there? Why am I competing if it's not to go for the very best each and every time? This is all just crap.

endurance miles

went for an endurance ride with katy yesterday on the burke. her handling and threshold mirrors mine. it was great! we worked on some lead outs and 3 -10 minute lt tempo runs.

on a side note - my bike is in!!!!!!! i pick it up in a couple of hours. i feel like a little kid again. headed out to the track tonight....yahooooooo!

foiled again!

stinking rain - spoiled track practice again. I am not risking it tomorrow - I am going to ride in the morning and get some endurance miles in again. I hope the rain goes away soon.

I don't remember the last time I woke up from a nap and felt so disoriented. I glanced at the clock - thinking it was 4 am and realized I was in my bed but in vertigo land.

Today was a low energy day. Throwing a party, winning a race and riding to Ballard for lunch is enough to exhaust anyone. I feel emotionally drained too - and when my mom called and insisted I make a dentist appointment I nearly lost it. I hate the dentist. I have bolted out of the chair before. All I have to hear is the drill and then it's curtains for me. Last time I needed some work done they had to perscribe me valium. I laugh at myself but it is a serious fear of mine.

Track was cancelled due to the rain. Lame. I went on a short easy ride. I also met up and carpooled with Kele - Lief Clark's girlfriend. From our conversation, I must have caught him on a bad day. I didn't tell her my thoughts on it... it just goes to show how damn small the cycling community is.

Ah what a week

I'm pooped. I didn't sleep well last night due to the recent drama in my life and having to race with that cloud hanging over my head. But I must say - it couldn't have gone better. Podium, Katy 4th, Melinda prime, etc etc... nice work

track rulz and i'm getting kicked off the team...

some shit is going down. tons of details - but I need to focus on the race tomorrow...

Well the vacation did wonders for my cycling game - I stayed with the guys the whole time. I would have finished with the pack had some yahoos not crashed right in front of me on the last lap. They were maybe two bike lengths. I slammed on the brakes and stopped to help the carnage up. Dang! Oh well, there's always next week.

The legs felt great - and today I'm feeling even better. I should be good to go for the weekend and the upcoming track! Boy am I excited for that! My mom and I might be traveling to Hawaii later this month to visit with the family. Will that be an issue for my training?

if you didn't want to win....

then why did you chase me down after the meet the team ride? Excuse me, but isn't a goal of racing to win? I'll never forget the Mason Lake race that you came up to me and said something and I said, "we're here to win, right?" Well apparently this is not the case.

I am a type A personality. I set goals for myself and then go after them with a vengence. If I don't succeed the first time, then I try and try again until I get it. Racing fills that need to succeed. Hosting team meetings, contributing to the website, volunteering to be the voice at meetings - thanking the team after events via email and encouraging them to strive for excellence... apparently that is not enough team contribution. I can't help it if my teammates are not at a level playing field. That they don't have the same drive and desires as I do. I certainly don't expect them to.

"So, when I read your thoughts about upgrading, and I put on my team
manager hat, I have some thoughts. First of all, I really don't see
anything in your note below that talks about supporting your teammates
or team work. Your goal below is about upgrading so with an eye toward
getting on a national team and this is an individual goal. I've thought
about this a lot and I'm not sure that the team is not in a position to
support this, for a number of reasons, most of which I outlined back in
December and have continued to talk about during the season. I'd love
to sit and talk with you about how can we either find a way to support
our mutual goals or think about how we transition you to another team
that can support you in this endeavor. I'd prefer to just have this be
a conversation between you and I, vs. including others so that we can
both speak freely. I'm really hoping that we can get to a place that
works for us both. I seriously applaud your enthusiasm and your dream,
but need to think about the goals & objectives of the team (which have
never been about results) and I also need to make sure that I can keep
the promises I've made to the other 9 women on the team by continued
focus on supporting them in their development - that's my job :)"

First day back

It took me a few revolutions to get back in the mode - I thought to myself - aie crumba. Racing starts back up this weekend. But half way around the south end - with the threat of an oncoming thundershower approaching - I found my legs again and picked up the tempo. Once around Boeing the showers let up and then I ran into a friend - Paul - who is an avid recreational cyclist. Then I took him through the arb - letting him cruise first to run out his legs and then zoomed by him and sprinted to the bridge. The legs are back and feeling strong!

On the drama tip - Ryan and I ran into Joyce on our way to the climbing gym to which she said, "We need to talk." Dude - I feel like I'm grounded or something! Apparently my comments regarding Upgrading ruffled some feathers. This is what I said in an email....
Upgrading - I've been talking with my husband about this a lot lately. On one hand I would like to win the BARR - which I have a great contention for this year. But on the other hand - that means remaining a Cat 4 until August. Not saying that would be a bad thing. On the other hand - I would like to continually improve and feel I will by leaps and bounds by upgrading and getting my arse kicked. I'm also thinking about the future - for elite level cycling. If I were to show my resume to a national team - what would be more weighted - a BARR winner or upgrading to Cat 3 in my first season? Dilema, dilema. Any input would be wonderful.

Oh well - you can't make everyone happy all the time.