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!

San Dimas - what was I thinking?

This was a really tough race - I am not sure I knew what I was getting myself into.  I got to race with some of the strongest most amazing women in the World - so super cool.  I gained some incredible experience with the pros and was humbled a bit.  I know what I have to work for now though and will go back next year even stronger.

I am getting very excited for this upcoming season.  I have a lot of races planned and can't wait to see how well I can do.

At least I look legit - I am finishing with 4 Pros in this pic.

Gotta Bring my A Game

Today I will be doing another Crit.  It looks like there may be only 2 girls today racing with the boys.  I have got to really stay strong and stay in the group today! 

I Survived

Well I survived - I didn't last as long in the group as I wanted to - they were going so fast.  But me and the girls pacelined together and finished.  This is going to get me so strong though - pushing myself will be fantastic.  Next week I can only do better.

Game On! Season Starts Today!

Well the day has finally arrived!  Today is my first race.  It is more a practice race for me than anything though.  I will be doing the RMR Crit Race today  racing against the boys - in the B flight!  This will be great practice to prepare me for the season.

My first real race is in 2 weeks.  San Dimas Stage Race in California.  As of right now there are 62 women registered - I will be racing the Pro 1, 2, 3 Cat.  Last year there were 100 women and more than 80% of them are pros!  I have been training hard though and hope to just to my absolute best.

I am so excited to start racing!!!

San Dimas

Well I have registered for my first race!  It is going to be a great experience for me.  There is a 3.8 mile 1100 ft hill climb for the Time Trial.  I am working on my climbing to prepare.  I also will plan on doing a couple crits out at RMR the first part of March.  I have decided to race with the B Flight there - which will be good to have my butt kicked by all the guys.  I am sure I will learn a ton.  I am looking forward to this season. 

My new bike is amazing!  It responds so well to everything I have been giving it - I have never felt such amazing acceleration either - incredible.  With my new bike - my new Coach - and the continued drive I have this will be a fantastic year!

It's Home!

Wahoo!  I have my bike - it is home with me now!  I can't wait to get out on the road tomorrow!  Now I gotta come up with a name... Not quite sure. Its sexy enough to be a girl - but is going to kick butt like a guy.  Maybe Sam.... hmmm not sure.  I gotta ride it and think about it.

I did get to visit it at the bike shop last week.

Thanks to all my friends and family that helped me get this baby!

Gosh Darn Snow!

We finally got hit with snow.  I was so bummed - I really was not prepared to have snow.  I have been absolutely spoiled with such a mild winter but today I woke up and realized it was time to find my trainer.  As the day progressed I thought maybe I could get out on the road.  Thanks to my great coach Mark - he suggested we go for a ride in the afternoon.  What a most beautiful ride.  The sun was shining, the snow was glistening and the roads were clear!  I think we were the luckiest riders ever - to bad for the suckers that spent the day on their trainers :)

It's Here!

My bike is here - it wasn't supposed to be here until February!  This means I need more donations so I can get this baby paid for :) 

I will be racing for Bountiful Mazda this year - and with this team change came some wonderful sponsors and opportunities. Specialized being one of them - got such an amazing deal on this bike - just need a little extra to pay for it.

Isn't it SEXY!?!  Specialized Amira Pro with Electronic Shifting - oh yeah!  Now I just need to come up with a good name.