Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Let's talk about CX.
So, my bike was rebuilt and ready to go yesterday morning. Dominic upgraded my shitty entry level shifters to ultegra. I was running a 1x9 now, with a 38 up front. For you non-bike people, that means a single 38 ring sprocket up front, with a 9 speed cog in the back (sound right, Julie?). He gave me his carbon BMX cranks and a carbon seat post.
Yesterday was "Double in the Bubble" workouts. OB gave me a shitload of interval stuff, in the grass, at Burnet Woods during the day. My legs felt good, I was bombing down hills w/o hitting the breaks, practicing cornering around trees, and just having a GREAT old time on my CX bike. I finished that workout in about 2 hours.
The bike was butter smooth. I was SOOO happy about how nice it felt to ride off road. This bike fits me like no other and I just fucking love riding it.
Last night, for workout #2, it was 'hot laps' at Kings. I got there about 6pm and hopped on my bike for some warm up laps. I couldn't remember the course too well. I followed a Team Dayton girl and then later tried to hang with Malissa and Gerry, too girls who podium'ed all last season. I can't, for the life of me, hang on. My bike was running super smooth though, and I was having a fun time riding the CX course. Everyone was skipping the sand pit. I kept wondering why, so after 5 laps, I finally tried it, and promptly went down on my ass. Busted my butter smooth ultegra shifter. DUH! Everyone was skipping the sand pit to avoid a mechanical. I had to ride singlespeed the rest of the night.
After almost 8 laps, I was cooked. Malissa and I practiced dismounts and remounts and we had a great time hopping on our bikes. I taught her the remount in minutes, it was awesome. My dismounts needed some practice so she helped me with those. It was a fun fun night.
*** Got a 105 replacement lever today but it shifts like shit, so if you or anyone you know has a 9 speed shimano rear shifter lever thingie for sale, shoot me a note.
Onto some not so fun shit going on.
MY NEW ROOF!! Who needs a fucking 401K?
So its been leaking into our bedroom for 3 months. It's been dry dry dry though for weeks, the rain is destined to start. The buckets have been set up. It's time to fix. I'm not fucking around anymore. They told me I needed a new roof years ago. If this is where Dominic and I are going to lay our heads, we can't put this shit off any longer.
Not bad estimates from Buddy, who's married to my dear friend Rorry:
$2700 labor
$1200 supplies
It won't be done until September 11th, the week before Interbike. I am so stoked to get this monkey off my back. It sucks knowing you have a roof that needed replaced 5+ years ago. I feel like a weight has been lifted, no doubt, but am sad to have to spend the only money I have put away from my 401k. It's a sad world we live in today.
But I have nice bikes!!
Yesterday was "Double in the Bubble" workouts. OB gave me a shitload of interval stuff, in the grass, at Burnet Woods during the day. My legs felt good, I was bombing down hills w/o hitting the breaks, practicing cornering around trees, and just having a GREAT old time on my CX bike. I finished that workout in about 2 hours.
The bike was butter smooth. I was SOOO happy about how nice it felt to ride off road. This bike fits me like no other and I just fucking love riding it.
Last night, for workout #2, it was 'hot laps' at Kings. I got there about 6pm and hopped on my bike for some warm up laps. I couldn't remember the course too well. I followed a Team Dayton girl and then later tried to hang with Malissa and Gerry, too girls who podium'ed all last season. I can't, for the life of me, hang on. My bike was running super smooth though, and I was having a fun time riding the CX course. Everyone was skipping the sand pit. I kept wondering why, so after 5 laps, I finally tried it, and promptly went down on my ass. Busted my butter smooth ultegra shifter. DUH! Everyone was skipping the sand pit to avoid a mechanical. I had to ride singlespeed the rest of the night.
After almost 8 laps, I was cooked. Malissa and I practiced dismounts and remounts and we had a great time hopping on our bikes. I taught her the remount in minutes, it was awesome. My dismounts needed some practice so she helped me with those. It was a fun fun night.
*** Got a 105 replacement lever today but it shifts like shit, so if you or anyone you know has a 9 speed shimano rear shifter lever thingie for sale, shoot me a note.
Onto some not so fun shit going on.
MY NEW ROOF!! Who needs a fucking 401K?
So its been leaking into our bedroom for 3 months. It's been dry dry dry though for weeks, the rain is destined to start. The buckets have been set up. It's time to fix. I'm not fucking around anymore. They told me I needed a new roof years ago. If this is where Dominic and I are going to lay our heads, we can't put this shit off any longer.
Not bad estimates from Buddy, who's married to my dear friend Rorry:
$2700 labor
$1200 supplies
It won't be done until September 11th, the week before Interbike. I am so stoked to get this monkey off my back. It sucks knowing you have a roof that needed replaced 5+ years ago. I feel like a weight has been lifted, no doubt, but am sad to have to spend the only money I have put away from my 401k. It's a sad world we live in today.
But I have nice bikes!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Recovery weeks make me feel bloaty.
That's a favorite expression between Dominic and I.
"Bloaty".
Kind of like how tapering makes you feel. Sandi is tapering for IMKY and she's pretty much bat-shit crazy right now. I am staying out of her way. Just kidding girl.
It's been such an easy week, and I have eaten a box of cookies almost every night before bed. I am on a sugar binge. Ugh, it's making me sick and tired. It is time to snap the fuck out of this and get back to it. OB has some wicked workouts coming up for me this week. I am excited.
Cyclocross. It's just about here. Tons of people have been out on their CX bikes for a month or more now. Me? This is the state my CX bike is in:
New paint job is coming with a few upgrades we found in the basement. Dominic was supposed to have it done a month ago, but his hand was injured. He promises a build by Monday morning. I sure hope so, cuz I am ready to get the hell off the pavement.
There's been a lot of CX practice going on at Harbin, Kings and Devou. Am I spoiled or what? - to have three CX courses at my access and all within a half hour drive. Most nights I have to work, but this Thursday I took off for the CX time trial at Kings. I hear it's a killer and fun as shit. I'll be racing there September 18th so it's time to get with it already!
This morning I took the road bike out for about an hour and a half before work. The sky was beautiful. Here are a couple shots.
The Ohio River
The 8th st. viaduct (it has a bike lane, but it's all full of glass).
"Bloaty".
Kind of like how tapering makes you feel. Sandi is tapering for IMKY and she's pretty much bat-shit crazy right now. I am staying out of her way. Just kidding girl.
It's been such an easy week, and I have eaten a box of cookies almost every night before bed. I am on a sugar binge. Ugh, it's making me sick and tired. It is time to snap the fuck out of this and get back to it. OB has some wicked workouts coming up for me this week. I am excited.
Cyclocross. It's just about here. Tons of people have been out on their CX bikes for a month or more now. Me? This is the state my CX bike is in:
New paint job is coming with a few upgrades we found in the basement. Dominic was supposed to have it done a month ago, but his hand was injured. He promises a build by Monday morning. I sure hope so, cuz I am ready to get the hell off the pavement.
There's been a lot of CX practice going on at Harbin, Kings and Devou. Am I spoiled or what? - to have three CX courses at my access and all within a half hour drive. Most nights I have to work, but this Thursday I took off for the CX time trial at Kings. I hear it's a killer and fun as shit. I'll be racing there September 18th so it's time to get with it already!
This morning I took the road bike out for about an hour and a half before work. The sky was beautiful. Here are a couple shots.
The Ohio River
The 8th st. viaduct (it has a bike lane, but it's all full of glass).
Friday, August 20, 2010
Bicycle Dreams
The trailer gave me goosebumps. Watch and tell me what you think.
He had me from the sentence "Endurance athletes are running away from something inside themselves...".
Dominic and I finally found time to watch the movie together last week. The film is as dramatic as it seems. This movie brought on a lot of emotion. It didn't help that I was PMSing and crying all over the place anyways.
Steven Auerbach's film, Bicycle Dreams, documents the solo competitors for Race Across America. RAAM is known as the world's toughest bicycle race, 3000 miles in which you must complete in 12 days. The athletes all had a story and it wasn't all about the bike. It was about DRIVE, HEART and SHEER DETERMINATION to finish a race.
The movie was dramatic, tear jerking, and had awesome audio. All the components for a great movie. Go see it when you can!
He had me from the sentence "Endurance athletes are running away from something inside themselves...".
Dominic and I finally found time to watch the movie together last week. The film is as dramatic as it seems. This movie brought on a lot of emotion. It didn't help that I was PMSing and crying all over the place anyways.
Steven Auerbach's film, Bicycle Dreams, documents the solo competitors for Race Across America. RAAM is known as the world's toughest bicycle race, 3000 miles in which you must complete in 12 days. The athletes all had a story and it wasn't all about the bike. It was about DRIVE, HEART and SHEER DETERMINATION to finish a race.
The movie was dramatic, tear jerking, and had awesome audio. All the components for a great movie. Go see it when you can!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I have a sticker on my bike that says "Fuck those guys".
Photo by Debbie Baker
Where to start?
Last week I wrote a post on Drunk Cyclist whining and ranting about women's bike racing. It generated over 100+ comments, and created a lot of dialogue. Good and bad. The dialogue is good. More talk generates discussion, ideas, which makes people pay attention.
I got my ass split open in the mean time, but that's ok, I've got thick skin.
Then this blog post from an elite pro cyclist in NE appears. Her condescending and degrading tone is the reason why I think this sport is just way too snotty for me. Maybe she is uber educated and maybe she is ultra fast and has lots of knowledge and respect in the sport. I do so love the rush and the thrill of racing my bike and trying to hang on a wheel while taking a 90 degree turn. I just fucking hate to think of associating with people like that.
We are two very different types of women and our background's couldn't be any more different. My only background in bikes is being a messenger in SF in the early 90's. I wasn't racing on some elite collegiate team.
Please.
Fatmarc emailed me this morning. Fatmarc is a friend/mentor and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. He asked me "What are you going to do about it other than bitch about it on DC?" (that's the nice version).
People! I am not just sitting around on my ass bitching. I got involved with helping at bike races last fall during 'cross. I have helped at countless races over the spring and summer. I have committed to working some CX races this fall. Joan Hanscom who puts on the USGP has promised to put me to work this fall. We already plan on meeting at Interbike.
I will not shut up and I will not sit on my ass and do nothing.
Women's racing can be better.
Where to start?
Last week I wrote a post on Drunk Cyclist whining and ranting about women's bike racing. It generated over 100+ comments, and created a lot of dialogue. Good and bad. The dialogue is good. More talk generates discussion, ideas, which makes people pay attention.
I got my ass split open in the mean time, but that's ok, I've got thick skin.
Then this blog post from an elite pro cyclist in NE appears. Her condescending and degrading tone is the reason why I think this sport is just way too snotty for me. Maybe she is uber educated and maybe she is ultra fast and has lots of knowledge and respect in the sport. I do so love the rush and the thrill of racing my bike and trying to hang on a wheel while taking a 90 degree turn. I just fucking hate to think of associating with people like that.
We are two very different types of women and our background's couldn't be any more different. My only background in bikes is being a messenger in SF in the early 90's. I wasn't racing on some elite collegiate team.
Please.
Fatmarc emailed me this morning. Fatmarc is a friend/mentor and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. He asked me "What are you going to do about it other than bitch about it on DC?" (that's the nice version).
People! I am not just sitting around on my ass bitching. I got involved with helping at bike races last fall during 'cross. I have helped at countless races over the spring and summer. I have committed to working some CX races this fall. Joan Hanscom who puts on the USGP has promised to put me to work this fall. We already plan on meeting at Interbike.
I will not shut up and I will not sit on my ass and do nothing.
Women's racing can be better.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Yowsa. Is it really August 14th?
The summer is flying by. I can't believe it's almost over already. Kids are going back to school soon, Cyclocross season is about to start, and we are counting down the days to Interbike, Vegas, and getting married!
As summer winds down, so has my first road race season. I think it went pretty well, considering it was my first season. I competed in a total of 10 road races (crits, and a 12 hour included). I kept the rubber side down, had a bunch of fun, made a ton of friends (a couple of enemies as well), and learned SO much. It's been a great time. In addition to all of that, I have made some fantastic connections. Coach OB, for one. I can tell it's going to be a helluva journey.
Last weekend I raced in my first 6 hour mountain bike race as a team with another girl. Nancy is a fastie that I raced CX with last summer. We had a great time. As a team, we podium'd 2nd place but it was all her 4 laps to my 2 laps. It was such a good time though.
Dirty Girls Jeni, Nancy and I
Dirt folks are nice, unlike a lot of roadies out there. I think MTB racing is definitely a venue I will be pursuing more next year. I like to think I could complete the Mohican 100 next May.
How Dominic spent his time at the 6 hour MTB race
So where does this leave triathlon?
I have tried to get my head wrapped around SBR. I am signed up to be a kayak-er at IMKY in two weeks hoping to get some MDOT inspiration. I'm not really feeling it though. I like the fact that I did an Ironman once and I know I could do it again. But right now isn't the time. We'll see. I am not saying no just yet but I really love racing bikes.
My CX bike is being re-painted by my soon-to-be husband (cannot wait to call Dominic my husband). It's going to be flat black with a lime green fork, lime green bar tape, lime green cables, and possibly some lettering on the top tube. It's going to look RAD!
Everybody's talking about CX now. I am super psyched to start my 2nd CX season. Coach OB has me doing lots of hard intervals, some running, and the 10.2 mile TT every week. I am used to holding my HR at 179+ for 30 minutes. My legs are tired from the hard workouts and I wear my 2xu's to bed. I am not used to these short and hard workouts at all.
Since OB has taken over May 1st, I am down 10lbs and NONE of my shorts fit. I have to wear a headband thingie around my waist to keep them up. A body fat test is in the future because I hate to think I am losing muscle mass.
That's all I got.
Thanks for reading. Keep it real.
Photo by Jeff Jakucyk
As summer winds down, so has my first road race season. I think it went pretty well, considering it was my first season. I competed in a total of 10 road races (crits, and a 12 hour included). I kept the rubber side down, had a bunch of fun, made a ton of friends (a couple of enemies as well), and learned SO much. It's been a great time. In addition to all of that, I have made some fantastic connections. Coach OB, for one. I can tell it's going to be a helluva journey.
Last weekend I raced in my first 6 hour mountain bike race as a team with another girl. Nancy is a fastie that I raced CX with last summer. We had a great time. As a team, we podium'd 2nd place but it was all her 4 laps to my 2 laps. It was such a good time though.
Dirty Girls Jeni, Nancy and I
Dirt folks are nice, unlike a lot of roadies out there. I think MTB racing is definitely a venue I will be pursuing more next year. I like to think I could complete the Mohican 100 next May.
How Dominic spent his time at the 6 hour MTB race
So where does this leave triathlon?
I have tried to get my head wrapped around SBR. I am signed up to be a kayak-er at IMKY in two weeks hoping to get some MDOT inspiration. I'm not really feeling it though. I like the fact that I did an Ironman once and I know I could do it again. But right now isn't the time. We'll see. I am not saying no just yet but I really love racing bikes.
My CX bike is being re-painted by my soon-to-be husband (cannot wait to call Dominic my husband). It's going to be flat black with a lime green fork, lime green bar tape, lime green cables, and possibly some lettering on the top tube. It's going to look RAD!
Everybody's talking about CX now. I am super psyched to start my 2nd CX season. Coach OB has me doing lots of hard intervals, some running, and the 10.2 mile TT every week. I am used to holding my HR at 179+ for 30 minutes. My legs are tired from the hard workouts and I wear my 2xu's to bed. I am not used to these short and hard workouts at all.
Since OB has taken over May 1st, I am down 10lbs and NONE of my shorts fit. I have to wear a headband thingie around my waist to keep them up. A body fat test is in the future because I hate to think I am losing muscle mass.
That's all I got.
Thanks for reading. Keep it real.
Photo by Jeff Jakucyk
Monday, August 9, 2010
26 minutes of ouch
I knew it was gonna hurt but I wasn't sure how bad.
The running.
It's been....months.
I procrastinated until noon and finally set out to do my run. Might as well soak in some heat, right? It hurt within seconds. My quads and my chest, OMFG my chest. Like I just quit smoking yesterday, or something.
I had a 20-30 minute easy run on the schedule and I was ready to hurl at 7 minutes. Some of the thoughts that ran through my head:
- oh my this hurts more than I thought.
- do I have to pee?
- how in the fuck did I do an Ironman just a year ago?
- did that even happen?
- this blog post
- lessons learned from the cycling community. (that's a whole 'nother post).
- Dominic needs an oil change.
- roadies are way more serious than mountain bikers.
- damn I am looking old this summer.
- ahhhhh there's that buzz you only get from running.
- damn I did have to pee!
I can't believe how fast you lose it. That's ok I will get it back. My head is buzzing all over the fucking place now. Damn I missed that.
In other news, I "raced" a mountain bike 6 hour yesterday, if you want to check it out on DC.
The running.
It's been....months.
I procrastinated until noon and finally set out to do my run. Might as well soak in some heat, right? It hurt within seconds. My quads and my chest, OMFG my chest. Like I just quit smoking yesterday, or something.
I had a 20-30 minute easy run on the schedule and I was ready to hurl at 7 minutes. Some of the thoughts that ran through my head:
- oh my this hurts more than I thought.
- do I have to pee?
- how in the fuck did I do an Ironman just a year ago?
- did that even happen?
- this blog post
- lessons learned from the cycling community. (that's a whole 'nother post).
- Dominic needs an oil change.
- roadies are way more serious than mountain bikers.
- damn I am looking old this summer.
- ahhhhh there's that buzz you only get from running.
- damn I did have to pee!
I can't believe how fast you lose it. That's ok I will get it back. My head is buzzing all over the fucking place now. Damn I missed that.
In other news, I "raced" a mountain bike 6 hour yesterday, if you want to check it out on DC.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
I keep drifting away from Drunk Cyclist. I've been working on a post for them, updating it here and there with a picture, but then I drift away. I usually post on Fridays. I just don't seem to have anything to say, which is fine cuz DC has no kinna schedule. There's been an addition of like, 4 new writers in the span of a month, so lots and lots of posting going on. Did you know Drunk Cyclist is one of the top 50 cycling blogs, in fact #17? I feel like there's this huge pressure to have something cool to say in my posts, and I do get a good reception for the most part. There will always be a few haters I guess, everywhere you go. Can't please em' all. I am still proud to be a part of their site.
Today was a fun fun day. I took off work in the morning to cheer my girls Christa and Polly on in The Pur Tour. An entire day of races for every category you can think of. Even fixed gear!
I did not race because I somehow committed to racing a 6 hour MTB race tomorrow! WOOOT! I am doing it as a team with this cool chick Nancy, who I used to race CX with last year. She whooped some ass! so I am nervous about it.
It was a good time to scream and yell and cheer for my friends. It felt good NOT racing for a change. I yelled my ass off at her and all my other friends competing. Good times.
Today's races draw a nice crowd for the juniors. I even saw a jr little Kenda teammate who sucked a wheel just like a pro. She' just 11 years old! HOW CUTE!!! I was snapping her picture and texting them to our director. What a doll. And her dad was so proud. This little girl did RAGBRAI last week! 400+ miles!
OB, the best fucking coach in the world, who won the tandem road race at Master's Natz yesterday in Lousiville! These are some of my favorite girls to ride with and race with. We are all coached by him.
Christa, Malissa, OB, me, Polly
What a fun fun day. I caught up with a lot of the ladies I raced with this past spring which was fun. Saw lots of racing friends. A random guy in the parking lot told me he read my blog and also started cycling to get clean. Hella cool. I hugged him, said thanks.
Have a great week.
Today was a fun fun day. I took off work in the morning to cheer my girls Christa and Polly on in The Pur Tour. An entire day of races for every category you can think of. Even fixed gear!
I did not race because I somehow committed to racing a 6 hour MTB race tomorrow! WOOOT! I am doing it as a team with this cool chick Nancy, who I used to race CX with last year. She whooped some ass! so I am nervous about it.
It was a good time to scream and yell and cheer for my friends. It felt good NOT racing for a change. I yelled my ass off at her and all my other friends competing. Good times.
Today's races draw a nice crowd for the juniors. I even saw a jr little Kenda teammate who sucked a wheel just like a pro. She' just 11 years old! HOW CUTE!!! I was snapping her picture and texting them to our director. What a doll. And her dad was so proud. This little girl did RAGBRAI last week! 400+ miles!
OB, the best fucking coach in the world, who won the tandem road race at Master's Natz yesterday in Lousiville! These are some of my favorite girls to ride with and race with. We are all coached by him.
Christa, Malissa, OB, me, Polly
What a fun fun day. I caught up with a lot of the ladies I raced with this past spring which was fun. Saw lots of racing friends. A random guy in the parking lot told me he read my blog and also started cycling to get clean. Hella cool. I hugged him, said thanks.
Have a great week.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The start of a new decade.
So I turned the big 40 last week. No biggie, right? Not for me, so much, anyways. The actual day was not spent celebrating at all. Working from home has its advantages and disadvantages, though. Dominic made me a yummy breakfast after a hard interval workout before clocking in. Calls, texts and voicemails from friends. That night I watched tons of Facebook "happy birthday!" messages come through. It was a good day, I don't mind not celebrating. It certainly wasn't a bad day.
To start this new decade, I have been doing some evaluating of my life. After some soul searching, alone and with Dominic, I have decided not to let my past rule my emotions. It's time to move the fuck on. No dwelling in the past. I just want to look forward to my future with Dominic and all of the good times we will have. That MUST be my focus now. (about fuckin' time, right?)
Positivity, not negativity.
It's important to surround yourself with people who will be a positive force in your life, and it's up to me to decide who gets in and who doesn't. Get it?
I started therapy this week.
Oh happy happy joy joy. This year my insurance is just a $25 co-pay which is much more affordable than last year's $40. My friend Christa says "picking a therapist is like picking a husband, you have to KNOW their The One." I won't kick this one to the curb until I know for sure I don't like her. For now, she is working with my regular PCP which is what I need. Next week, we'll see what happens.
OB sent me my schedule for August. I got a huge smile on my face when I saw it. It's like opening a present, I swear. First off, I get a day of double workouts again. He has me doing two hard efforts on Tuesdays (now to be dubbed Double in the Bubble). Today's two torture sessions were as follows:
AM - 4x hill stomps.
PM - 10.2mile TT
The hill stomps are over with and went well. Hill stomps are when you climb a hill in a hard gear, at a really slow cadence, for about a 4-5 minute climb, and then you sprint over the top about 200 meters and get really spinny. Then you fly down the hill and climb it again. x4.
I am dreading the TT tonight, especially since I am doing it on my road bike. No PR w/o aero bars, I have learned. It's ok though. It's all about the effort, not the time. (POSITIVITY, dammit).
OB also has me running again, for CX. Only 30 to 40 minutes, hill intervals, stuff like that. So, back to the trails I will go! I am excited!
Off now for w/o #2.
Have a great week.
To start this new decade, I have been doing some evaluating of my life. After some soul searching, alone and with Dominic, I have decided not to let my past rule my emotions. It's time to move the fuck on. No dwelling in the past. I just want to look forward to my future with Dominic and all of the good times we will have. That MUST be my focus now. (about fuckin' time, right?)
Positivity, not negativity.
It's important to surround yourself with people who will be a positive force in your life, and it's up to me to decide who gets in and who doesn't. Get it?
I started therapy this week.
Oh happy happy joy joy. This year my insurance is just a $25 co-pay which is much more affordable than last year's $40. My friend Christa says "picking a therapist is like picking a husband, you have to KNOW their The One." I won't kick this one to the curb until I know for sure I don't like her. For now, she is working with my regular PCP which is what I need. Next week, we'll see what happens.
OB sent me my schedule for August. I got a huge smile on my face when I saw it. It's like opening a present, I swear. First off, I get a day of double workouts again. He has me doing two hard efforts on Tuesdays (now to be dubbed Double in the Bubble). Today's two torture sessions were as follows:
AM - 4x hill stomps.
PM - 10.2mile TT
The hill stomps are over with and went well. Hill stomps are when you climb a hill in a hard gear, at a really slow cadence, for about a 4-5 minute climb, and then you sprint over the top about 200 meters and get really spinny. Then you fly down the hill and climb it again. x4.
I am dreading the TT tonight, especially since I am doing it on my road bike. No PR w/o aero bars, I have learned. It's ok though. It's all about the effort, not the time. (POSITIVITY, dammit).
OB also has me running again, for CX. Only 30 to 40 minutes, hill intervals, stuff like that. So, back to the trails I will go! I am excited!
Off now for w/o #2.
Have a great week.
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