24 Hours Round the Clock

24 Hours Round the Clock 2009 Solo

About 2 months ago I decided I was going to try another 24 hour race solo. At the time it sounded like a great idea. Last Tuesday I couldn't figure out why I thought it was a good idea. Wednesday the reality set in and I was so nervous. I looked at the start list which only made me sick to my stomach and I also started remembering what I felt like after the last one. Ouch. So I made it to Sat morning and was race ready. I had Kris, Noah, and my Dad there to support me. My little bundle of smiles, Adreinne, played with her Grandma's.

The race started with a LeMans start then off and riding. I was really feeling good. Took out on a pace I felt I could hold for some time and had fun. The course was 15 miles and was a mix of 6 short hills, some single track, more rock gardens then my back side wished for, a little techincal climb and decent. The last 24 hour race I did I lost a lot of time in the transition. To much time at the tent between laps. So I wanted to improve on that. The first couple of laps I was in race mode and after about 3 laps I was all business. I did a lot of thinking about what I was going to down for nutrition when I got back. You get to a point where it is hard to take anything down. By the 3rd lap I told Kris and my Dad to just tell me what to do what to eat. That is just what they did. I came into the tent. They would shove food in front of me " here eat this, drink this." As best I could I followed what they said. They were more with it than I was and new what I needed for fuel. I tried not to argue or oppose anything unless I new I would vomit. After 6 laps my mind started doubting myself. I was keeping a pretty fast pace and new I needed to settle in for a few laps. The results were messed up so we didn't know where I was. For all I knew I had someone 20 min back, which isn't much in a 24 hour race. So I fell apart a little. Kris was awsome and got my spirits back up and I was off and riding again. That was the only time I lost it, after that it was business. Ride my lap, get to tent, get food, and get back on the bike. I was pretty excited for night to fall, it would give me somthing else to worry about besides what my body was feeling. I rode throught the night and my lap times were still good. Kris fell asleep with Noah and I was so thankful by Dad was there to have warm soup, chai tea, you name it he was ready for me. We kept my stops at the tent down around 5 to 10 min and I was out riding again. I figured even slow I was better to be riding than sitting. I headed out for my last lap in the dark so excited for morning. About 3:30 am a team riding went to pass me and clipped my handle bars. I went down hard and it hurt. I layed there for a minute more worried I wouldn't be able to finish than if I had broke anything. I finally got up and shook it off. Got on my bike and tried to ride. My knee was bruised pretty badly but I just get pedaling. I think my knee hurt for the next 9 hours of riding. I had a really slow lap that lap. I got back to the tent and Kris had great news for me. They had posted current times/laps and I was 1 1/2 laps ahead. I was excited and in dis-belief. So I washed my face off, took off some clothes from the cold night riding and headed out again. It was getting harder to ride, I felt like I was riding so slow, but my lap times weren't really that bad. So I just kept with it. Pretty soon I was on lap 16 and 2 laps ahead. I came around to the tent about 11:10 and was feeling a little sureal beacuse no matter what happened at this point I had won. I had to check the time board for myself so I walked over, and it was true I didn't have to go out for another lap. So with the knee pain I was having decided to sit and call it good at 16 laps. I think it took a good hour to realize I had won. I had wanted this so bad it wasn't real to me yet.

It only took about an hour before all the damage to my body set it. I was having trouble walking, I realized my hands had been numb since midnight and the bruising from the crash was starting to show up. Even today (Tues) I still can hardly hold a pen or even type for that matter. But it was worth it. I accomplished my goal I raced the 24 hours solo and I won, I rode 240 miles, I had 2 kids and I can still manage good results. I was honestly proud of myself for the first time in a really long time and I couldn't have done any of it without my support team Kris and my Dad ( and Noah). My family is the best!!!! Thanks to Vanderkitten for being a great sponsor and for their great kit that kept my bumm from totally sore. I am truely blessed to have all the support that I have!!!! Thank you!!!!

1st of 16 laps. Looking pretty good at this point.
Just sat down after final lap. In total dis-belief that I won and a little out of it.

Now playing while Mom races.

Walking up for the podium. Yippie!!


I won....so happy!

Sea Otter aka Sea Hotter

I got home Monday afternoon from a very warm (ok hot) trip to California for the Sea Otter Classic. This was my first big race of the season. I was really nervous. We got to Monterey area about 1 am Friday morning and I needed to be at the site and practicing Super D course by 9am. Well we didnt make it there by 9am but I did however manage to meet up with Dave from Vanderkitten get my kit, get dressed and head up to practice. I got one run it, I felt like I had 1am legs (heavy and slow). The course was fire road and fast. It was sandy in many places which I wish I could have ridden twice so I knew where to slow up. As far as Super D course it was pretty lame but what can you do. It was a lemans start and we had to start on our hands and knees with our heads touching the ground. I had a pretty bad start and couldn't get clipped in. I moved into 6th place pretty quickly. The race went by fast I had a few mistakes which costed me in the end but the real mistake was trying to pass for 5th place in the last corner and well sliding out and ending up in a sand pit. I ended up losing my place and finished in 8th. I was a little dissapointed, but was really just glad to be on my bike.
Sunday was the Cross country. I had been nervous about this race since I landed in San Jose. I think a combination of not getting in the training I needed because of the weather in the NW and being tired from being up with a baby (6mo old). I had a few goals one was to finish, not be last, and well give it my all and see what happened. I got out to Laguna Seca on Sunday and it was all but 90 plus degrees. About 50 degrees warmer that what I am use to training in. Shock. I found out they were shortening the course, which was a good and bad thing. I am an endurance person, but with the temp I was happy to limit my exposure to the heat. The race started out really pretty fast. I tried to go out hard but was still in the second half of the pack. I raced hard, about all I remember thinking about was how hot I was. My legs felt good but everytime I would start to push harder my head would throb and I thought I might melt. I drank as much water as possible with the one bottle I had, took the feed and got another bottle and tried to ration it. My mouth kept getting dry so I wanted to have a sip or two for the last climbs out. I kept trying to push harder it just wasn't seeming to work, I stood where I could and tried to keep my head in the game. After the start I didn't get passed and was able to pass many people along the way falling to the heat. All in all I was pretty satisfied with my finish, it is really early in the season for me and I have a lot of room for improvement. So hopefully over the next few weeks/months I can get my legs going and be flying by 24 hours and Trans Rockies. Next race Tuesday night circuit race, haven't road raced in about 3 years. Should be fun!!!

Oregon Coast April 2009

Noah looking for Sea lions in the sky...

Can't beat running and playing in the sand.

Trying to stay warm watching the sun set on the beach.

So it use to be when I was in high school we went to the Oregon Coast every spring break. It was such a blast to spend another spring break there. We went to Gearhart, OR just north of Seaside. We pulled a late night drive to get all the way to the coast while the kids were asleep. I can't say it was the best of weather, but I don't ever remember spring break having good weather on the coast. It was however a blast. My entire family was there Thursday which was cool. We walked down to Pop's sweet shop for a warm mocha and the best scones I have ever had. Noah loves the beach. He just loves to run, look for shells and sand dollars, fly kites, and chase the surf. The sun managed to break through on Saturday morning so instead of heading to Portland like planned we stayed the morning in Seaside. We went for a small hike at Ecola State Park which is beautiful. Then spent some time on the beach where Noah was making friends right and left. He was covered in sand before we knew it. So much fun!!! We headed back to Portland and spent some more time with Shelly and Maggie. Sunday was the day for the MTB race.

So it has been over 1 1/2 years since I have done a MTB race. I was a little nervous to say the least. My sister offered to watch Noah and Adri so Kris and I could race. I owe her big time. So we headed out to the Hornings Hustle. It is a pretty cool course always a little muddy. It really wasn't to bad this year. There was still pleanty for slippery snotty hills to climb and descend, but no mud pits. Sweet!!! There was a nice creek crossing to clean the bikes off each lap. It was warm out a nice 70 degrees. Mind you the highest I think I had ridden in temp wise was 45. It was a little warm. We warmed up and headed to the start. There were 12 women lined up in the open/pro catagory. As if I wasnt a little nervous before, now I really was. I felt pretty good, my legs were a little loaded but hopefully would work themselves out. I raced in second most the race. I say most because I broke my chain with almost 2 miles to go. I thought there was a lot of downhill so I originally didn't fix it and ran the ups and coasted the downs. This wasn't really working very well. So I had to fix it, I really need to work on being a faster mechanic. Needless to say third place passed me so when I got my chain fixed it was all or nothing. So I hopped on my bike and sprinted for the entire last mile. I caught her as we entered into some single track and we got stuck behind some slower races. As soon as it opened up to the climb right before the finish I sprinted and well I got 2nd. Yippie. I was pretty stoked. So now it is time until Sea Otter Classic next weekend.

Adrienne's Baptism

Wow, it has been awhile since I have posted. I guess I have been busy. Adrienne is almost 6 months and I can't believe it. We had her baptized last weekend. She is such a little sweet heart, hungry and all we made it through the service with out too much of a fuss. It was a good weekend. Adrienne is starting to sit on her own, which she is very proud of. She is quite the talker and loves her brother. She loves to watch him and smiles when he plays with her. It is very cute. Noah has been learning to ski, he is almost ready to go on his own. He loves it. He is

going to play soccer this spring and can't wait. God has blessed me with a beautiful family, I am forever thankful!!

Well training offically started I think back in January. So far that training has been very cold and lately very wet. That is how I know training has started... when I make myself get on a bike when it is 17 degrees out or when it is 35 and raining like crazy. So it has been very busy between kiddos, work, and ride time. I seem to be managing. We will see how things go. I am racing for Vanderkitten this year, after 5 years with Velobella. I guess it was just time for a change. We all need one once and awhile. Vanderkitten is a clothing company from the Bay area, they make kick a$$ cycling kits. Check them out www.vanderkitten.com . Well this week we are headed off to Oregon for a weekend at the coast and plan on hitting a MTB race down there on the way back. Then 2 weeks after that it is down to the Sea Otter classic. I am a little nervous about both being away from my family and to race in the Pro field again at a national race. I think it will all work out though. All I can do is give it my best so that is what I will do. I am doing a few races here and there but the big plans are for 24 hours Round the Clock solo, the NW Xterra, and Trans Rockies with a good friend of mine Erika. I might even attempt a few road races, we will see.

My baby girl 3 1/2 months old

Winter Wonderland

Praise the Lord for sisters!! Seriously I have the 2 best sisters in the entire world. They are my best friends and I love them. I took Noah and Adrienne down early to Portland to Visit Shelly, Jared and Maggie Jane. I dont' think we could have fit more into the weekend. Lets see a Bakery a day, Zoolights, Shopping, a Christmas train ride with Santa, swimming, and well a Cross race. It was the best weekend ever. Most of all spending time with family. Noah is still talking about his Maggie Jane and Kris and I are still cleaning all the mud off of our bikes and selves. Adrienne is turning out to be a good little traveler and putting up with the craziness of her family. She is my little sweetheart! I am dreading heading back to work next week. I guess it is the way things go though. I am so blessed to have a wonderful nanny for them, it makes it easier. I will miss my time with them. Well till next time.

Halloween 2008

A Sleeping Pumpkin and the Fire breathing Dragon.

Racing again...

Well I am back racing again, this time racing myself into shape though. You got to start somewhere I suppose. I raced the INWCX race at Riverside. It was hard.... ok, brutal being only 4 1/2 weeks post baby. I enjoyed every minute of the race though. My HR hit 193, which I didn't know it could still do. I guess being out of the race scene for 10 months can have really good effects on your desire to race. I have been pretty excited to get back out there. Can't wait to do another one. Adrienne will be 5 weeks tomorrow. I can't believe how much she has changed. She has become a lot fussier, but mainly a lot more cute. She is a doll and puts up with her big brother wanting to give her kisses all the time pretty well. He is handling the big change pretty well. He dressed up as a dragon for halloween and got to go trick or treating. He thought it was pretty cool. I think he said it was awsome actually. He is a load of fun. Not much else going on, I will try and post more photos.