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Training Camp

2010-09-19T00:00:00.003-05:00

I'm so greatful to a friend who's allowed me a special opportunity. Breathing easier now. And a big thanks to my employer for allowing me to telecommute.

What scenery?

2010-06-16T14:40:00.003-05:00

XTERRA SE Regional in Alabama was a good race. If compared-- the Waco TX regional was a sightseeing trip- and Pelham was a blur.

I'd left my helmet at home on my trip to Waco...I think my brain was in it. This time I brought both-my helmet and brain. And, I’ve made an interesting discovery: 90degrees and 85% humidity don't seem to affect an older female who routinely experiences hot flashes. Who knew that they were a good training tool!

I made the 9.5-hour drive to just past Birmingham, AL after work on Friday and was asleep in a hotel in Pelham by 1AM. I slept in until 9AM and headed out to pre-ride the 20-mile bike course, and take a refreshing dip in the lake; if you call 80-degree water refreshing. In the evening, I dined on crab cakes and sweet potatoes, then lights out early.

8:30AM and 80 degrees already. We are a race field of 128. For the swim, I lined up right behind the pro -Conrad Stolz, since I knew he’s be moving out fast and I’d have a clear path in his wake. The two 750 meter laps were uneventful-I even found some toes to follow for the first lap- then outswam my pacer on the 2nd.

Transition was speedy –no sox. I had no idea where my competition was, but stuck to my plan of riding the mountain bike segment all out-like it was only a bike race. I caught the first gal from my age group within 5 minutes and the second one not that much later. She allowed me to pass and I rode VERY aggressively for the next few minutes to be sure I was out of her sight in the trees. From then on, I had a blast. My new Fisher 29er SuperFly 100 bike is a joy to ride. Holy Cow, does it climb! And it gets me places before I’m ready to be there. So I’m learning to anticipate my turns and obstacles that much farther ahead. Good thing my distance vision is still good and I don’t need reading glasses to ride the bike!

I had no idea how much gap I had going into T2. I slipped out of my shoes while riding the last road section and since the dismount line was down a slight slope- I swung off at a run and I actually sprinted to my TA. For a fraction of a second on that run, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to keep up with my bike! It’s pretty funny when you’re so surprised with yourself. I heard my thoughts go “Wow, that was cool”.

Since I never saw my competition leave transition ahead of me in Waco because I was struggling with sox, here, I decided to go without. My shoes were buried in a pile of baby power and I slipped them on, grabbed my visor and Hammer Endurolytes and flew, leaving plumes of white smoke in my wake. I’ve since learned that slathering vasoline inside my shoes may have been a better idea. I’d worn my race belt from the beginning of the race-in the swim under my speed suit, and flipped around my back on the bike.

The run course that XTERRA laid out is dastardly. After the first 2.5 miles of Farmdale-Shroals-like running, there are 5 major climbs in the last 3 miles, combined with the plunging downhill on the other side. The climbs turned into power walks. The only saving grace is that both the bike and run are on Oak Mountain with plenty of oaky shade. It is really a beautiful state park, with an abundance of sights, activities and races. Visit there if you can. They host a 50K run in March, other road and offroad triathlons and mtn bike races. So, yea, my toes ended up blistered, but I didn’t realize it until after the race…truly mind over matter.

I knew that I’d won my age- and earned the trip to XTERRA Worlds on Maui as I crossed the finish line in 3:13:27. That was sweet. But sweeter still was a more personal achievement. I was able to sustain my effort and focus the whole race. I’d been missing that this year. Just over 10 minutes later- 2nd in my age finished.

I headed back to my hotel quickly to take advantage of late check out, air-conditioning, and a decent shower. I hit the road and was in my bed at home by 11:30PM. The next morning checking the results – I discovered that the only non-pro woman to finish ahead of me was half my age. I was 2nd amateur female. Sweet. That gal oughta’ go pro. She outdistanced me by 18 minutes and did beat one of the pro women. (And yea, my friend Shonny V. won the pro womens race.)

Now for staying kinda local for awhile. I feel like I’ve been living that Johnny Cash song …”I’ve been every where, man”….N’awlins, Waco, Kansas City, Birmingham…

And next year- SPAIN….Off-road triathlon has been recognized by the ITU – and so just like the ITU World ‘Road’ Tri Champs that is hosted around the world, there is a Cross Triathlon World Champs with the first one being in Extremadura Spain April 30, 2011. Four qualifying races will take 5 athletes per age group for TeamUSA. (still, all on the athletes own dime). So I qualified at Waco…
and am now looking for dimes.

Even the Poison Ivy is bigger in Texas

2010-05-28T16:35:00.002-05:00

Why I didn't even think that PI would grow in arid Texas....
I was painfully wrong. I could avoid it pre-riding,but during the battle of racing I ignored it. (another idiot move- I could have gone to a local drug store and buy Ivy Block the day before the race, duh.) This picture was 2 days after exposure. It's much worse now-4 days post...and I've patches on both legs ankle to fanny. But this blister takes the grand prize. I've never had one this bad.

XTERRA SouthCentral Regional Champs -Waco TX

2010-05-28T16:34:00.001-05:00

Never under estimate the value of swift transitions. (and trail running shoes that you can wear without sox) I was ahead of Lucia going into T2, I snapped a bike shoe off the pedal going into transition, then knocked the bike down next to mine. while I put on socks, I never saw her head out ahead of me. 22 seconds. Because of the undulating course, she was outta site but a couple of times late on the run, I caught a glimpse of her and was befuddled to think that she was ahead of me- must be someone else in the same club kit...but nope...
I felt I had a steady, solid,race, not the most stellar, but I did feel like my run was a bit better than it has been lately...I'll take that as a small victory. And, I did ok in the 85+ degree heat.
The end result is that I did not qualify for the Xterra Worlds in Maui and don't have plans to race another regional, Well, dunno now. My options: go to AL 1 week after a half Iron in KS, 1 day after Steamboat Classic in Richmond VA, or at 6000 feet CO in July.

Iceman was N'Iceman

2009-11-27T19:40:00.004-06:00

What a fun trip. I'm over the flu, but haven't ridden my bike much. Oh, well, I'll bring what I got to Iceman Mtn bike race in Traverse City MI.
Weather was unseasonably warm..shorts and long sleeve and jacket. Wierd for November. I raced here once before last year-the year they had 6 inches of snow the night before and closed the road to the start at the high school in Kalkaskia. I rode on white ice that year and could have used studded tires. Last year wasn't fantastic, it was cold but dry. This year...wow, prime for records. Except that the course was extended about a mile from 'downtown' Kalkaskia to accomodate the larger entry field. Regardless, I think it's a great start location and they should keep it. There were booths of local clubs and a very festive atmosphere.

I went off in wave 9 - expert women 35+, and expert and sport women 45+. Noting last year, that I would have won the 35+ and garnered $210 of the prize purse, but winning the 45+, I received $135. Ah, always one to figure out how to race for fewer of my $, I entered the young-uns age group this year.
It was wierd to start a mountain bike race on the road with 100 other nervous jittery women. I hung to my typical outside right position. And a good thing for it. There was a crash to my left after about 900 yards. That was even more incentive to hit the trail near, or in the lead, which I did.

A group of 4 of us separated early in the race and whittled down from there. I did my share of leading and pleading as my groupo encountered stragglers from the earlier mens fields."Please...when you've got a chance..ladies race behind...can we pass?" Some guys moved sideways almost immediately, others took a couple of pleads..and then some. I just didn't want to let the gals that we'd already dropped back into the race. Then there were 3 and then 2 of us, Johanna Schmidt..of Traverse City MI.....uhhh ohhh.

I was on Johanna's wheel and she dashed around a guy just before a narrow sandy spot. That's all she needed to get the gap. And amazing to me...pulled away on a long 'roady' section. Well, I'm not so amazed, considering my recent training (or lack of). And so that was the race.

I kept it honest, and hammered (yes, a 2 hour bottle of Hammer Perpetuem) the best I could to defend 2nd place. Unfortunately with the lengthened course, I missed the 2 hour mark, but was only 1 min slower than last year (2:02:30).Johanna has 1:45 on me at the finish.

I have to give credit to Trek Demo program, Ken, and the awesome bike that I didn't ride until race morning. The Gary Fisher Superfly 100, full suspension carbon 29er rolled sooooo fast..and navigated the single track like a snake in the trees. I had no problems with climbing either. My balance over the bike was perfect. Now, one problem...I want one.

At the awards that evening, Johanna brought her young son on stage to receive her award. I was thinking...but passed up the comment of '3 generations' on stage. Since Johanna just turned 35 this year...she really is a short generation behind me.

Unfortunately the other members of Proctor Cycling team did not fare so well this year. Crashes, dnfs, mechanicals..I was very sad for the talented guys and gals that definitely have what it takes to podium. Still, whether, to drown sorrows or celebrate the great weekend and 65 degree weather...we all merrily populated the beer tent after the race.

Oh, yea...my season isn't done...Sunday- drive 7 hours from Mi to home. Wed begin the 18 hour drive to Clearwater FL.. Ironman70.3 Here I come. Gee,hope I remember how to ride a Time Trial bike !

The Highs, Lows, and the Incredibly Lucky

2009-11-05T15:06:00.002-06:00

Xterra World Championships, Maui 2009

Many Many Highs. Travel was uneventful, and that truly is a high point. Flights were on time, and smooth, and my bike was charged the ‘correct’ exorbitant fee of $175. The weather was great on Maui. I didn’t think that it was too hot- even though it’s been 80s and very dry. I’m confident in my Hammer heat preparations using Race Day Boost and Liquid Endurance. I feel tuned up by both my chiropractor and massage therapist. It was wonderful having family to share my experience with. It was my sister and her husband’s first trip to the Islands. (which they extended long after I was back at work!).

Pre race days were spent casually, doing bits of swim, bike, run, and resting. We also made relaxing trips to the Aquarium, La Perouse Bay and Paia (love to eat at Café Mambo).

Race highs- A really good swim. – not great, but that comes next year. I wasn’t whaled on or squished, and felt strong both laps. Also- a really strong bike finish. I was still flying long after the Plunge. I’m thinking Latte Perpetuem rocks!

The Lows- the scratches, bruises and black eye from my crash during the mountain bike. My run suffered because of the deep bruise on my right thigh, again, thanks to the bike crash. But the good on the run came from my nailing my Endurolyte intake and a first in 3 years, I did not cramp.

Here is the incredibly lucky…. I didn’t remember Not remembering…until I was analyzing the race a couple of days later. During the bike at about 8 miles, I was descending much faster than the two guys that I was catching. I was planning my approach and pass, when the first guy crashed, followed by the second, and then I wasn’t in the right place to avoid them and “the rock”. I hit the rock, flipping over the bars (is it a good thing that I held on, rather than did a superman slide on lava?) I remember hearing my helmet go CRACK !!. Next, I’m picking up my bike and seeing that the bars are crooked. I emplored one of the 2 guys to help straighten them. It worked with a “pop-pop”. And they are straight. I grabbed my bike from his hands and said “I gotta GO!” I leaped on, pedaled the chain back in gear and was gone. (Huge thanks to ‘that guy’ for his strength) I knew the right side of my face hurt a bit, but I didn’t see blood, and I saw that my thigh was bruised and hurt a bit as I pedaled…but I was going, and going strong. Adrenaline…an amazing drug. Just before Ned’s climb I hear a pss…pss..ps…my back tire has been ‘thorned’ but seemed to be sealing. I stopped to squeeze the tire…yep, low, but not flat. I rode on, making sure that the sealant is coating the interior, but I know that I can’t descend the Plunge on a low tire. Another stop to use my CO2 canister and boost it….and ride on… and stop another moment later to close the valve stem…..(don’t hurry too much) and I hit the Plunge. The crash had made me more timid that I wanted to be, and I was more cautious when passing people, but I was still passing. All in all, I had a blast on the bike.
The part that I don’t remember….after hearing the crack. I don’t remember how the rest of my body hit the ground, or how I got up. My first vision was of me reaching for the handlebar of my downed bike. Analyzing my lumbar scrapes and SI joint bruise and soreness- I must have flipped straight onto my back. My thigh took a big impact from the stem and bars, it’ll be purple and slightly dysfunctional for awhile. But I’m OKAY, and incredibly lucky. Another bit of incredible luck-nothing failed on my bike after the crash during the rest of the race. That’s not to say that I still have the same carbon bars, seatpost or front suspension stem. They were all replaced upon my return home in preparation for the Iceman mountain bike race next weekend. (no rest for riders who love to ride!)

Once again, my run suffered, but that too will be fixed next year. No bruises, no crashes, and more running are on the schedule. I didn’t even feel bad after the race this year. No dry heaves, or IV’s just ice bags in the med tent. I sucked my Recoverite and Hammer pills down pronto. My sister was so relieved that I still won, even with family watching. Why is it that she thinks relatives are a jinx? I LOVED having family along.

The day after the race, we took an excursion upcountry to tourist hot spots (“not” ) the Surfing Goat Dairy and Alii Lavender Farm. Both sites were enjoyable visits into the non-resort bounty that backroads Hawaii has to offer.

And the lowest low of the trip- catching the flu on the flight home. I spent 3 days as a coughing, sweating zombie. There is a lingering bit of cough, but my energy levels are coming back just in time to head to Michigan for the Iceman mountain bike race. This would normally be the end of my season- but not this year.

I did New Orleans 70.3 back in April to assure that I did my basework last winter. It worked out so well that I qualified for the 70.3 World Champs in Clearwater FL on Nov 14. So, “Honey, guess where we are spending our 17th wedding anniversary !”

…stay tuned.

The Good, the Bad, and 5 Pounds

2009-10-19T21:57:00.004-05:00

The Best - Winning my 4th Xterra National Championship with my hubby Alan there to celebrate with me. And knowing my friend Shonny is coming ever closer to that top spot. 2nd is outstanding…and you are not, and never will be a “mini-me” to Mel.

The Better – climbing, climbing, climbing to over 7800 ft on the mountain bike. (And little bits of plunging downhill) to end at 6350 feet (1935mtrs). It was a cool ride early on in the shadows of Wheeler Creek Canyon. The ever increasing altitude finally exposed the trail to the sun, and we flashed in and out of the brilliant fall colors for the rest of the ride. The trail was bone dry and fast, not too technical, but rocky – so I did my best to cha-cha on top of a bike that was break-dancing. They don’t call it a Fisher ‘Sugar’ for nuthin’!

The Good – swim Pineview Reservoir- 4892 feet (1491 meters). I started near the outside left next to boat slips, of a clockwise 2 lap swim, and was hoping to avoid the mash. But it always seems like the two big guys – one on each side of me, decide to squeeze me out the back like somebody squishing the guts out of a grape. So I hesitated and headed even closer to the docks and finally bullseye the buoy. I had clear water to swim most of the way- to my dismay- I wanted to find some feet to follow. Altitude wasn’t a factor, nor the moderate water temperature and lack of wind :-D All systems good. I climbed out the water and through TA in 30:39. Just behind the inspirational challenged athlete Megan Fisher.

The Bad – but not so bad. The headache I get the first afternoon at altitude. Plenty of water, my compression tights and keeping up on my Hammer nutrition - all made short work of my adaption.

The Worse – Falling apart on the run- Altitude took its toll here. I ran better at Lake Tahoe- even though at altitude there, the course was flatter. Snowbasin run started at 6350 ft and climbed straight up a ski run to over 7500ft. I was so wupped by then, I didn’t really enjoy the rolly, flowy ‘horizontal’ trails that we ran before the plunge, and I mean plunge, straight back down the ski run to the finish on the lawn of Snowbasin Ski Resort. Thank goodness I came into this race aligned (thanks Dr Rob) and massaged (Thanks Steve) - and well, I’m gonna need some more of that TLC again!

The Worst - 5 pounds of luggage costing $145 to fly. My 55 pound bicycle box (47 lb at home) - weighed on a questionably zeroed analog scale from circa 1960 in the Peoria airport cost an additional $125 and the agent not knowing that a special item does not get the $20 baggage fee, added to the obscene charge of $175 for a bicycle -Total $320- Equal to the plane ticket that I purchased for my 170 pound husband…Me AND my bike weighting less than my husband. My soap box, but I won’t rant on.

Random Thoughts-
Nationals is always a good for re-acquainting myself with friends scattered across the country. What neat bunches of people.
Odgen 25th Street, Union Station, the ambiance all good. The artful horses throughout the metro area. Good eats: Jasoh’s, Karens Café, the Oaks. Oh, and the bakery that handed out huge warm slices of fresh bread for samples.
Perfect weather- warm, absolutely clear blue sky, low wind. Brilliant fall colors on the mountains.
Hill Aerospace Museum- the ghostly relics and not so old relics of man and flight.
Cool bike shop skylinecyclery.com Catering to all types of riders, Complete with dogs, a loft, and bunches of stuff to browse and buy. Of course, it’s a great place to pick up those CO2 canisters for those of us that fly.

http://www.brightroom.com/go.asp?60510853Has a great bikeshot Shots at Snapfish-available once I figure out the link.

The greatest Joy

2009-08-31T09:39:00.003-05:00

The greatest joy I receive from my racing is being able to share it with family and friends. I said I'd never go to Xterra Worlds in Hawaii without my husband after the first year when I went alone..and I haven't. It means so much to have him there, even though it is so tough for him. (and our budget) He gets so nervous for me and worries when I'm out of sight, fretting for my return. I love him so much.

And now, I get double joy this year going back to Worlds when my sister and her husband will be joining us. It brings tears to my eyes. I 'm so excited to go and it's only the end of August. I think that my training will go very well with these positive thoughts in my head for the next 8 weeks.

Along the way- 4 weeks from now, there is the National Xterra Championships in Ogden, UT. I'll be racing on a new course, for me, but have confidence in my 'intel'. I've learned from people with previous experience and maps, and weather.com...

And the greatest joy- is that my husband will be sharing the experience with me. We cobbled away enough frequent flyer miles to get him there. Now , how to get the bike out there without buying a whole, 'nother ticket! Maybe I should take up golf, or archery. Well, I shouldn't get started on the airline tirade, I'm in a joyful mood right now.

Happy Autumn..it's getting to be my most favorite time of year.

A new adventure

2008-11-04T21:06:00.003-06:00

This is the beginning of a public life that I knowingly instigated. Other things I do are public through no conscious extraordinary effort on my part. The things I do are just out there anyway... I mean like working, swimming, biking, running..all out there. (well, I supppose I could be a hermit and eliminate alot of public exposure) But as it is..this is the extension of that public arena. My expression of what has made an impact on me.

To give credit where credit is due- the title of my space comes from the life I lead in the family of Xterra athletes living more, and from my super massage therapist- who ends each session with the verbal suggestion of living big.

So here I go...