K4 Racing

Well things have taken an incredible turn.  I have started a new Women's Racing Team!  Check us out at www.k4racing.com or www.dna-plan7.com.  WAHOO!!!

Heck and Back - 1st Place

Today was a great race - I took 1st!  I am pretty sure my heart rate was at 200 as I sprinted to the finish.  There were 3 of us in the break... they started the sprint at least 500 meters to the finish - I can't believe I held it and finished so strong!

Mt Hood Classic

What a fantastic Race!

Stage 1 - Road Race
This was a great race - I was aggressive where I needed to be - but hung in where I could.  I am starting to get smarter with my racing.  I sprinted around the back of the pack and ended up 2nd in the uphill sprint finish... unfortunately I crossed the yellow line 20 feet before the 200 meter mark (where we were allowed to cross) - so I was relegated and ended up in 20th place.  Live and learn - I will get there.

Stage 2 - Time Trial
Wahoo!!! I took 1st!  I didn't make any mistakes on this one and just nailed it.  I wasn't sure how well I had done and they took forever to post results - but I did it!  I was thrilled!  The winds were insane and I was questioning the decision I had made to use the disc wheel - I was blown all over the road and may have carpel tunnel from holding onto my bike so hard, but it was still a fantastic race for me.  I am figuring this TT think out.

Stage 3 - Crit
Well we all know that crits are not my favorite.  I had hoped to be able to lead Amber out and have her get the win - but I had nothing left and did all I could to hang in there.  I did keep my yellow jersey though!

Stage 4 - Road Race
This was a crazy tough road race - 55 miles and 6300 feet of climbing.  I was feeling great - but once we hit the steep hills I started to loose it.  My good friend Megan came out of nowhere and told me to suck to her wheel.  I asked her what she had eaten for breakfast because she was on fire!  She pulled me up the hill - Amber tucked in behind me and helped me catch the chase group.  There were seven of us at this point working to catch the three in the lead (one of them being the girl right behind me in 2nd place).  The descents were so crazy - with twists and turns and potholes everywhere.  We caught up with one of the three that were ahead and continued pushing up the last hill.  Megan again took the lead - she lead two of us (me and the 3rd place GC) and we climbed to the finish.  With one more ahead of us trying to bridge the gap - I was really worried about being pushed off the podium completely.  Well Megan ran out of energy and it was up to the two of us to continue.  I hung on her wheel and took 5th.  Thanks to my other new friend that was so sweet to allow me to just hang on.

I ended up with a podium finish with 2nd GC!  I want to thank my wonderful team mates (even though technically Megan is on a different team).  Love you girls!

Tour of the Gila

I realize I have gotten a little behind on my updates.  Tour of the Gila was AWESOME!  I came in 4th GC and was only 14 second behind 3rd place.

Day 1 - Road Race
I had a fantastic race - even though I pulled for 20 miles (because I am still learning to race smart).  I learned that I was a strong rider and could kill hills.  I did have an unfortunate event - a rider collided with me getting her derailleur stuck in my spokes... how we did not go down I will never know.  I was able to pull away - but it messed up my front wheel.  It would not turn - so pushing the last 8 miles with a messed up wheel I did not finish as strong as I would have liked - but still had a top 15 finish behind the leaders.

Day 2 - Time Trial
I came in 4th overall and was thrilled with my time trial. 

Day 3 - Crit
I had a blast doing this crit.  Normally I am not a crit girl - but I had some fun with some attacks and even got in a break of 4 of us for a bit - wish we could have held it.  I ended up in a top 10 finish with the pack.

Day 4 - Road Race
This was another fantastic day of racing.  I worked with the leader to bridge a gap and rode strong the entire ride.  I had another great finish and ended the day with my 4th GC - couldn't have asked for a better experience at Gila.

I did take 3rd place in the 35+ - so I did get a podium pic.  I love Gila - it is on my list of favorite races.

Tour of the Depot

I had another fantastic stage race - finishing 5th in the GC.  I took 6th in the TT - I little disappointing - but were were all withing seconds of each other.  I didn't use my TT bike and should have - I thought the hills were worse than they were and the TT bike would have been the best option.  I took 5th in the Road Race - getting in with the break away and being able to work with the ladies to finish strong.  It was awesome to be able to stick with them up the hill and get away.  And came in 6th in the Circuit today, just hanging with the pack.  I did get a 2 minute penalty for not checking in for the Road Race - sometimes lessons are learned the hard way.  I was still able to get that 5th GC though.

I am for sure getting stronger - now I just need to lose those 6 extra lbs and I will be there!  I am so excited to see how the season progresses.  I am legit now though - I got paid to ride my bike this weekend!  Gotta love prize money.

Tour Del Sol

Tour Del Sol was a great race - my TT was awesome!  I borrowed a TT bike the day before I raced and got about 45 minutes to ride it the night before.  I killed the TT - I took 1st in Cat 3 and 5th overall.  I can't wait to get my own TT bike and be able to start training a little more specifically for TT's.  This could end up being a really great thing for me. 

Unfortunately my 2 teammates went down in the crit and were not able to ride the road race with me.  I ended up finishing 8th overall in the GC - not too bad.  I did finish 3rd GC in Cat 3 so I can't complain about that too much.  I gotta continue to work on my climbing and attacks - I will get there though. 

Start of a great season.

UVU Classic - We Killed IT!!!

Amber and I killed it today!  We decided to take the break on the hill climb - we were a little worried we wouldn't be able to hold it for the remaining 35 miles - but we did!  Amber pulled me up and with my killer descent we nailed it all the way to the finish.  Amber took the 1 and I came in right behind her with the 2 - finishing 6 minutes ahead of the next woman.  It was such a fantastic race and a great come back from last weekends race.  It gave us the confidence we need for a fantastic season this year.

Now we can't wait for Tour del Sol this coming weekend!