Training

December has been a great month for easy fun rides.  I am so happy to say that I have not been on my trainer yet!  We did some great riding in St. George and I am working with a coach to get ready for the upcoming season.  The season starts early in February with Callville.  I am so excited to start racing again - I miss it so much.

MOAB - Wahoo!

Thanksgiving was fantastic - I spent 4 days riding in Moab.  With almost 300 miles, and 15,000 feet - we had some great rides!  I was also able to claim 9 QOM titles on STRAVA while I was there.  We did run into a little snow - but that just adds to the fun right?  I think St. George will be next on the list for December.

UCA Awards

This really was an exciting year for me.  I took 2nd Place in the Utah Cycling Association Cat 4 Women.

Me, Anne Perry and Cathy Kim

Moab - Winter Training

I am so excited!  I am headed to Moab this week!  I get to spend 4 days on my bike.  WAHOO!!!  It is a little crazy I will be in the Mountain Biking capitol and I will be riding my Road Bike - but what do you do.  I can't fit both bikes in so it is one or the other and I have been dying to get back on my road bike - it has been a long week off it.

$1000

Well I am at $1000!  Thanks to my friends and family!  It still is not too late to donate.  :)  I wouldn't want any of you to feel like you missed out.

Thanks so much!

I have so many great friends - I am at $800 so far!  Thanks to my friends and family that love me so much!  I am getting closer to that new bike - I can almost smell it.  :)  You can still donate - I still need a little more to reach my goal.

Donation Update

I am at $640!  I am so thankful for such wonderful friends and family.  Thanks all!

Bike Updates!

I am almost 20% of the way there!  Wahoo - thanks friends!  I have $340 towards my goal of $2000.

So my new bike will cost about $3000 - this is with a great discount.  I am actually debating between a couple different bikes.  If anyone would like to comment on my bike selections I would appreciate it.  Wilier Imperiale was my first choice for a long time - it looks to be a great racing option.  Not to mention I think it is the sexiest bike out there.  But I have been approached with another option and don't know much about this company.  Lapierre - Xelius 700.  From the reviews I can find it looks like a pretty fantastic bike - but I still am not sure - never having touched one or seen one in person.

New Bike Donations Needed

As most of you know by now – I am a bit of a cyclist as you have followed me here.  OK so maybe more like an avid cyclist that has done extremely well.  I originally started biking as a fun hobby – but decided I love it so much I want to take it to another level.  Well after almost 20 races this year, ending on the podium in at least seven – I am pretty sure it has become so much more than just a hobby.

The problem I am now facing is that I have completely outgrown my current bike – with my recent upgrade to Cat3 the ladies in this category are very competitive.  They are using every advantage at their disposal. My current bike is too heavy and to win at this level I will need the same advantages as the other ladies.  A much better bike is desperately needed and the time has come to make that big purchase.  I have had some great offers from a couple different bike companies – but I still need some cash – because these beauties are not cheap.  You can ask any of my teammates or friends that I ride with – they will all tell you I NEED a new bike – this is a real problem.

This is where you all come in….

I figure I have over 500 friends on facebook – so why not offer up a challenge… a facebook challenge.  So I blasted a post to all my friends on facebook and thought why stop there.  Why not see how many of my friends would donate a small $5?  Could I possibly get enough of them to donate to get my bike paid for?  So far I have $115 in donations – even before I have posted this on facebook – just because I have friends that care about me and know how desperate I am for a new bike.  I would even go so far as to put a sticker on my bike that says “Paid for by my favorite friends.”

I will throw in a little pity just in case you need it.  After feeding my 3 growing boys (who never get full), supporting them in their BMX racing (so not cheap either), and taking care of their other needs (trips to the doctor and such) – there is not much left over for me.  I do have a couple new t-shirts from races I did this year though so that has helped the wardrobe.  I have a great team that helps support me with race reimbursements – but that just isn’t enough to pay for a new bike.

So here I am begging and pleading with my friends and family – and I ain’t too proud to beg.  J  I have made it easy – just click on the DONATE button – click it and donate.  So easy!  Thanks for all the support you have shown me in my riding and racing endeavors – I love it!

UPGRADE!

Wahoo!  I upgraded to CAT 3.  This is such a great accomplishment for me.  My first year racing and I upgraded.  I hope to be able to continue on this great adventure.  Next my goal is to upgrade to CAT 2. 

I had my first race with the Pro CAT 1, 2, 3's last Saturday, September 24 - the Harvest Moon Crit.  I don't love crits, mostly because I have not had a lot of experience with them - I have only raced 6 crits this year.  This was my first race with Pro's and my least favorite type of race - I was SO nervous!  My goal was to finish the race and not get lapped... I did even better then that!  I had such a great finish, I was able to stay with the peloton and finish with them!  I finished strong and stayed with the group the entire time - never got dropped!  It was a wonderful day - being able to race with some of the best women racers out there and finish only seconds behind them.  This is going to be a great season as CAT 3!

LOTOJA

Well I survived!  I even did well, I had a fantastic time.  Time 10:41:26

This is me and my teammate Amber at the finish - how great do we look after 206 miles?  We have thought about next year - and are not sure if we will do a relay - or if we will ride it solo again to get an even better time and finish.  Those relay teams were having so much fun - getting to stop at the Feed Zones and have a picnic.  We will see - we may want to do a team relay and just try for the fastest relay time.

LOTOJA

The count down starts - we are just days away now.  I have to admit I am starting to get a little nervous.  I need to remember to eat and drink a lot.  Will my body start to refuse what I am trying to feed it?  Gotta pace myself - 206 miles is a LONG way.  Will I be able to nail the hills and stay with the group?  Will the feed zones go smooth?  I pray for no flats.  So much to think about.

I want to do very well and finish in under 10 hours.  I feel like my training has been great, I think I should be ready.  So I just hope that all goes smooth and I am able to stay strong.

Sanpete Classic

Well I am now convinced I am cursed with 2nd place.  I landed another 2nd in the Sanpete Classic.  I thought I had this one - but I started my sprint to the finish just a little too soon and just couldn't hold it.  Now I have the strength and abilities - I just have to work on the tactics of racing.  I am learning though.

Bikes for Kids

Bikes for Kids was a fantastic Stage Race for me.  I took 3rd in the Crit - 2nd in the Road Race and 2nd in the Time Trial.  I finished with a 2nd place in the GC.  I am bummed that the season is coming to an end with only 3 races left for me this year.  I should be upgrading to CAT 3 by the end of the season so that will be great for a fun start next season.  I am debating Cyclecross - I just hate to not to have a race to look forward to.

Race Updates

I did the Porcupine Hill Climb on July 9 and took 7th.  It was a tough race with a mass start - I couldn't figure out who what ahead of me and what place I was in during the ride.  I wish I had done better - but it was still a great ride.

I did I Think I CANyons on July 16 - this was a crazy tough ride.  I am so glad I did it though because I am sure it made me stronger.  We did Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, and Emigration Canyon.  13,000 feet of climbing and 110 miles.  We finished in 8 hours - which wasn't too bad, especially after taking a bit longer lunch than I would have liked.

Got another 2nd Place finish on July 23 at the Chalk Creek Road Race.  This was a fantastic race - I lost 1st place by an inch - this just means try harder next time.  I was on the front for way too long too - gotta learn how to stay off the front a little more.  I am looking forward to the next few races - gotta just race harder and keep getting stronger.  I am having a great season and hope to upgrade to CAT3 before the end of this season.  Gotta get one 1st place finish.  :)

Update

I realize I have gotten behind with my race updates.  Well I continue to get stronger and stronger - taking 5th place in the Antelope Island Road Race on April 30.  But my most recent race is the most exciting!  I took 2nd place in the High Unitas Classic on June 18.  What a fantastic race!  I continue to work on my hill climbing and continue to get stronger with each ride. Training 6 days a week - hoping to bump my training up to 3-4 hours a day.  I just wish I could afford to race every race out there - so I could upgrade faster.  I also am working towards getting the new Wilier bike I want - gotta get a bike that can keep up with me.

Feeling Fantastic!

Well I did well at East Canyon - coming in 9th or 10th.  The results are still incorrect because the Masters 35 raced with us and they did not provide different numbers for them - so I still am unsure of my finish.  It was a good race.  I was dropped off the lead pack on the second nasty hill.  There were a group of us that worked together to try and catch the pack - but it just didn't happen.  I had a good finish - just not a great finish.

Antelope Island Road Race was great though!  I came in 5th overall!  I really had a great race.  I stayed with the lead pack and was able to push it up the last hill to make it into that 5th spot.  I just keep getting better and stronger - I am feeling fantastic!

April Update

After racing in a blizzard at Tour of the Depot in Tooele - I ended up 5th on the road race.  The time trial was canceled due to weather and I came in 4th on the circuit race.  Placing me at 5th overall.  It was a cold nasty race that scared a lot of the competitors away - but because I am just a bit crazy - I wasn't going to miss it.

Tomorrow is the East Canyon Road race.  It starts and ends with a 6 mile climb.  This will be a great race - my goal is to stay with the lead pack and hold on. 

Wahoo!

Tour Del Sol was a fantastic race for me!  I came in 5th place overall.  My goal was to stay with the pack in the criterium and the road race and I did it!  I feel that I am getting stronger and can not wait to see what the rest of this season will bring.  I have Tour of the Depot coming up next week - it should be a great race.  The weather is finally nice as well so I can get some great rides in.  This is going to be a great year!

Getting Stronger

I went for a fantastic ride on Sunday with a great group.  There were a couple really strong guys and I was able to keep up with them!  One of them was a Cat 3 - it felt so great to be able to ride so well.  A couple of them commented that I was a strong rider - I feel like I am getting even stronger.  I am so excited for this weeks race - we will see how I do.  Look out - I am getting there!  I can only keep getting better.

RMR Crit Series

I have decided that I need to improve my weakness.  Criteriums are my fear and weakness - so that is where I need to get the most practice.  I did my first Crit Race with the Rocky Mountain Crit Series yesterday.  I did OK - I decided to register for Flight C rather then D - so I am in a tougher category.  There are not enough women racers - so we get to race with the guys.  In fact I was the only woman in the group.  I felt so good - I didn't even come in last, it is always nice when you can pass the guys.  This will only make me stronger and better as the season progresses. 

Callville Bay Classic

Well I had another great race.  I improved over my last race - and plan on getting better with each race I do.  My hill climb Time Trial could have been better - but the more comfortable I get with Time Trials I will be able to do so much better.  I try to reserve energy and I am learning I just have to go out there and go for it.

The Road Race was tragic, one of the racers was hit by a car and the race was neutralized.  This was a bit of a bummer - because I was doing really well.  There was a great sense of team work though - we were all concerned and there to help wherever we could with the other racer.  I think that is something that women racers have - compassion.  We all road back to the finish together and got ready for the next day.

The Crit was so much better this time - I stayed with the pack until I lost my momentum on a corner.  I got to close to the fence and it worried me so I kind of lost it at that point.  I will do so much better the more I do crits.  I did witness a couple of nasty crashes and that scares me - but I guess the best thing to do is to face our fears and just work at improving.

Three weeks of training for the next race.  It will be great - I will be ready.

Winter Again

Just as when I thought I was going to get to hit the pavement - it snows!  I did get 3 good rides in this last week before it snowed, but I would have loved some great rides this weekend.  I really focused on intervals and hills this week.  Callville Classic has some fun hills - I have got to be prepared. 

I have been reading a fantastic book - The Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel.  It is fantastic and I am getting some fantastic ideas.  I am working on changing my training a bit - such a fantastic book!  I highly recommend it to all.

I am getting very excited for this next race.  As the season progresses I can only do better.  This is going to be a great season!

First Race!

Well I have completed my first stage race.  I had a blast!  I did not finish quite as well as I had hoped but it was my first race ever and my first race of the season.  It is tough to train here in Utah and compete with racers that get to train year round.  I finished 19th, so I at least landed in the top 20.  There were 32 women in my category, but only 26 finished the race.

My next race is in a week and a half.  The training has been bumped up - and with the temps in the high 50s this week I will be hitting the pavement with some crazy interval training.  I did my favorite cycle class last night, yoga and some weight training this morning.  Out on the road this afternoon.  It will be a tough week - but it should get me in a little better shape for the next stage race.

The Training Continues

As my first race in Phoenix gets closer, my training gets more strategic.  I got 40 miles of hills in last Friday and I continue to push my 2 a days spinning.  It will be a little too cold the next couple days to ride outside, but should warm up enough to ride Thursday and Friday.  A few days spinning and lifting inside - some nice rides on the road later this week - just a couple tough days at the first of next week - a couple easy days and I am there.  I should be in good shape for next weeks first race!  Have I mentioned I am so excited!?!

First Up - Valley of the Sun Stage Race

With less then 3 weeks until my first race - I am getting so excited!  I have 2 weeks of intense training and I hope the weather continues to remain pleasant, as long as it is dry I will be out on the road.  I have some great cycling classes, but they just are not the same as the road.  I continue to ride, lift, eat, sleep, and repeat.  Well OK - I do get to be a mom in there somewhere too and I do have to work to pay the bills, so as you can imagine life is a little busy and crazy.  Good thing the gym is open at crazy hours.

2011 Outlook Projection

With the assistance of sponsorship dollars my 2011 race calendar will include road races, time trials and stage races.  Some of those races will include:

• Valley of the Sun – Phoenix, AZ
• Callville Bay Classic - Las Vegas, NV
• Tour Del Sol – St. George, UT
• Bear Lake Classic - UT
• Mt Hood Cycling Classic - OR
• High Uintahs Classic - UT
• East Canyon Road
  Race - UT
• Tour of the Depot - UT
• Tour of the Gila - NM
• Cascade Classic - Bend, OR
• Bikes for Kids - UT
• LOTOJA – UT, ID, WY

Winter Training

Winter Training is always tough.  But it gives me a chance to hit the gym and lift a little more often.  My training this winter consists of early morning spinning classes, late night weight lifting, and hoping a praying for a nice day to hit the road for a long ride.  I will ride outside as long as the temperatures are 30 or above - and the roads are not covered in snow.  There is nothing better than riding out on the road.  I have gotten a lot of good ski days in - they are great for cross training but I would still rather be on my bike.