tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61405880623056356732024-02-06T20:56:50.282-08:00Back On 2 WheelsEveryone Loves a Comeback!!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-84133555868061938002016-08-03T15:56:00.002-07:002016-08-03T15:56:33.217-07:00New Blog Page Hi Guys! I have moved to a new host page and don't want you to miss anything! Please go to <a href="https://kateginsbach.com/" target="_blank">https://kateginsbach.com </a><br />
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Hope you enjoy the new format! Thank you!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-81225775472562063662016-07-20T21:43:00.002-07:002016-07-20T21:43:53.195-07:00100 Tatanka <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRniMuS2r7WJWhnwEIHeKBncwRQ3WwIGXyK4PoD5IiwjZzSEizkUo1aOMssQs8xDzWzi2sL0aT6oRL0Vvv73FUzyuXR8mk-V_Xhr_ONa28codfSrRhw4Yn7tSQy0Wm0vZFVXkZ-nzPUU/s1600/in+the+car+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRniMuS2r7WJWhnwEIHeKBncwRQ3WwIGXyK4PoD5IiwjZzSEizkUo1aOMssQs8xDzWzi2sL0aT6oRL0Vvv73FUzyuXR8mk-V_Xhr_ONa28codfSrRhw4Yn7tSQy0Wm0vZFVXkZ-nzPUU/s320/in+the+car+.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>"Hi! Can I jump in the back of your truck?"</b> I asked as the man rolled down his window. I was about 30 miles into my scheduled 100 mile ride, out of water and 2 miles from the first scheduled stop when I ran into the "Big Herd" of buffalo.<br />
<b>"Yes! Jump in!"</b> I threw my bike in his box and then jumped in behind it. A few minutes later he stuck his head out, "do you want to sit up here?" "Sure, do you have room?" So I jumped out and then hopped up into the front seat. I was greeted by a man and wife and their niece and two puppies on vacation from Missouri. My mom thought this was funny as the lady who found me on the side of the road when I got a brain injury was also from Missouri.<br />
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I had started the morning, like I start all big ride days, putzing around. I finally rolled out around 11 (I know, I know...) and wanting to get some miles in took the back road into Custer State Park, I also thought this route would have me avoid any of the herds thinking they would be up higher since the temps were over <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vyXs0rPhFa7NOikLuO9xYjUpsFqzAHbI5BwFlyZrtKRatDk4vrUY0FTGSVUlKnbROJScgjVm4UlxHzO5sv2WSPMQiAQ-l-akJEvS63hOP5__GWewCV9_XhuQ-z4nhXtKkSb6POy4Yzg/s1600/tatanka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vyXs0rPhFa7NOikLuO9xYjUpsFqzAHbI5BwFlyZrtKRatDk4vrUY0FTGSVUlKnbROJScgjVm4UlxHzO5sv2WSPMQiAQ-l-akJEvS63hOP5__GWewCV9_XhuQ-z4nhXtKkSb6POy4Yzg/s320/tatanka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
100 degrees. I was getting off of Wildlife loop road and heading towards Blue Bell (maybe 2 miles) where I could refuel (I had just run out of water), I looked to my right and saw the 'Big Herd' to the right and looked ahead and saw a line of cars stopped. I thought they were all stopped to take pictures (uh, tourists) when I took the right and realized that the herd was on both sides of the road and buffalo were zigzagging back and forth over the road. <b>I wouldn't be able to turn around and ride 30 miles back without water given how hot it was so my only choice was to negotiate around these guys (this herd is a little aggressive, already having one goring for the year). </b>I edged a bit forward keeping close to one car, there is no way I'm going to make it through this without getting gored, I saw the headlines, <i>"Higher-up at Wind Cave National Park has his niece gored by Buffalo, clearly not teaching her anything...."</i> I would never survive another family dinner if that happened. I looked ahead and saw a truck with a tandem in back, seeing they were still about 30 feet back from the hustle and bustle that was taking place ahead I made my move. Thankfully they took me in. We made it through without too much trouble. They then dropped me off at Blue Bell where I could get more water and snacks and continue on my way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySmvmYXtXqJl-E_EQ9eUev7M38SXkMPHGcMbAdbvrUv1yPcv3LOCdiXhT5avJmHj9WFiJ4QrfrYXhtVtiqgHLpLWW439CgG_oyUa4UF2ww2h5mQbN8WhmsATHWtMTRdxhbWITQX2Hbd0/s1600/Mt.+Coolidge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySmvmYXtXqJl-E_EQ9eUev7M38SXkMPHGcMbAdbvrUv1yPcv3LOCdiXhT5avJmHj9WFiJ4QrfrYXhtVtiqgHLpLWW439CgG_oyUa4UF2ww2h5mQbN8WhmsATHWtMTRdxhbWITQX2Hbd0/s320/Mt.+Coolidge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Mt. Coolidge</td></tr>
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I did continue but cut it short at 80 miles instead of 100, my computer read out 106 average temp for the day and my stomach started to fight back after about 50 miles with some fatigue setting in. I'll blame it on the heat, but it was a good ride to have after the Tatanka 100- did the same amount of mileage in half the time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfesXXD6UXYiJ8iNrqlyqkOPRB3GgEsbgTwhfM2HxLQuuwn3oOqf3T2I0lqKx0P2wfd3PEixzh2B7JQQuIV-wtsCjMRNtjmZlINHuzbS6L_uJio9LjPf6shmRXuTx8rkrg1KC3p2VhtY/s1600/with+parents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfesXXD6UXYiJ8iNrqlyqkOPRB3GgEsbgTwhfM2HxLQuuwn3oOqf3T2I0lqKx0P2wfd3PEixzh2B7JQQuIV-wtsCjMRNtjmZlINHuzbS6L_uJio9LjPf6shmRXuTx8rkrg1KC3p2VhtY/s320/with+parents.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2/3 of people in this picture are legal scholars (hint the one in the middle is not....)</td></tr>
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I also finished working and for those of who don't know I ended up working at my parent's law office. <span style="color: #674ea7;">Which I really tried to avoid coming into the summer, because I didn't want them to realize I </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">had NO idea what I was doing! </span> I had a different internship to begin with but once that fell through at the last minute this was the only thing open. I'm actually so thankful that I was able to be in my parents's firm. <span style="background-color: white;"><u>I ended up spending most days with my dad and had a really inside look into the legal profession, which is certainly filled with hilarity, and not a lot of dull moments.</u> </span>I also realized just how lucky I was to be able to have my dad as a mentor in a potential career, and to see him in that capacity as I'm sure most people aren't that lucky.<br />
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I'm headed to CO now to hangout until Leadville (I have wedding festivities down there the next 3 weekends). I'm looking forward to is, although this has been the first summer I've spent in the Black Hills since getting into mountain biking it has been better than I thought. I am hoping for less snake sightings in CO!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwOZtk1AzZ1shkbpGLW557UPy9L3BCNJz8VgL_ITr_Z5T_tGgUxkYei0s5CZn0_Fmu4zhuTCu4JaIG5-gcCr_5gGSakbepdT0RPxn-VvyDVqzYAtBmPY8AixmmEqoIfL77QNonu2upeA/s1600/straight+to+dq.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwOZtk1AzZ1shkbpGLW557UPy9L3BCNJz8VgL_ITr_Z5T_tGgUxkYei0s5CZn0_Fmu4zhuTCu4JaIG5-gcCr_5gGSakbepdT0RPxn-VvyDVqzYAtBmPY8AixmmEqoIfL77QNonu2upeA/s320/straight+to+dq.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">106 degrees=straight to DQ!</td></tr>
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-6644820704212252872016-07-17T22:33:00.000-07:002016-07-17T23:58:24.280-07:00Tatanka 100 <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent a lot of the Tatanka 100 thinking about Lance Armstrong, but probably not for <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKv50gMo9zOIA174cK2O2lEuArYbYAJ4_uSezTNZl8QUwnIZZ4A69WfAhqL9oOO99b6GfyqakNpITTOdhfH76Q5PlrexZtjdZGvo5P0Z4r63kkMkPRVrhydnG_3hJq9-0QLmrLz4a2fM/s1600/at+the+start+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKv50gMo9zOIA174cK2O2lEuArYbYAJ4_uSezTNZl8QUwnIZZ4A69WfAhqL9oOO99b6GfyqakNpITTOdhfH76Q5PlrexZtjdZGvo5P0Z4r63kkMkPRVrhydnG_3hJq9-0QLmrLz4a2fM/s200/at+the+start+.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready</td></tr>
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reasons you would think. There is a video of him doing a Beer Mile (run a lap, chug a beer, repeat x4) I was watching it with Wayne one day and after the first lap he walks off the track mumbling, <i>"this isn't what I expected..."</i> Wayne's response was, "what did he expect..it's a beer mile!" That's what I kept saying, "this isn't what I expected..." and then a little voice would pop into my head saying, "well, what did you expect, it's the Centennial Trail" and I would respond back with, "I don't know...not this" which is how 13 hours of racing could really be summed up, <i>not at all what I expected.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There wasn't one thing that went catastrophically wrong but enough little things that results in one large biomechanical malfunction which resulted in my slowest race ever. I had started the day not feeling at 100%, maybe around 70% having raced the </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAs1w8JxTUJwhujNQeGuMOtjiSs9sAsMXpsZUl4bAO0OQI6hZA3BDMe8f3pZhOHmVx-2QU0NU7Fc2mA7hhyphenhyphenKJBmByBT3pQNioELguGKVyMwTDPPZMAudDfSLeeczuO7cfecBngBgH3NU/s1600/on+the+road+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAs1w8JxTUJwhujNQeGuMOtjiSs9sAsMXpsZUl4bAO0OQI6hZA3BDMe8f3pZhOHmVx-2QU0NU7Fc2mA7hhyphenhyphenKJBmByBT3pQNioELguGKVyMwTDPPZMAudDfSLeeczuO7cfecBngBgH3NU/s320/on+the+road+.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Monday before but I figured I had 83 miles for me legs to figure it out so wasn't too worried. I had only decided to do the 83 miler a few days before, thinking I would just be doing the 35. <u>I figured the longest it would take me would be about 10 hours.</u> We started on pavement for a neutral roll out of about 3 miles before hitting the trail. Within about the first 6 miles I soon realized why the times were so slow from last year, the trail gets pretty congested to begin with and then there are a lot of hike-a-bike sections, but not hike-a-bike roll your bike along with you, more lift your bike up, put it on the rock and climb up yourself. Oofta, definitely no rhythm to the ride. The first aid station was at mile 16 so I kept thinking about that, trying to stay on pace and get my legs shook out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made it to the first aid station and made a plan to get what I needed and get out of there- I moved quickly. I left following two guys out, one local and one from CO. The heat was definitely starting to take its toll and after about 3 miles and half way down a descent the local guy went down on the left of the trail, he cramped up and and waved both of us along saying he'd be fine, so we kept descending and I kept drinking to stay on top of any cramps that might be headed my way. <b>We got to a road with no course marking....ohhhh crap!</b> Still not sure where we missed the turn we turned around and started back up what was initially a nice reprieve. We realized our mistake was where the guy cramped, as we both had been looking left the trail had taken a fork right. It was frustrating and took me a while to recover mentally from. Between the 1st and 2nd it's still pretty primitive trail, with stair hiking (my favorite), and a feeling of bush whacking through some areas with grass brushing against my handlebars and thick grass stalks that had only recently been pushed down to forge the trail. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVat402TRwbw0V3pbirerTn7qyHJGe-y8qsCetrmk6OPwHWkA4bO3-zRIzh0ZWv1YbNkWel9eLv52HFh8dDHyJKhLrJ2T4tA-TU1wf4FPJARiGYGmFhEjO30RWKVXPQAFg7M6OE_8SwgY/s1600/stuggle+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVat402TRwbw0V3pbirerTn7qyHJGe-y8qsCetrmk6OPwHWkA4bO3-zRIzh0ZWv1YbNkWel9eLv52HFh8dDHyJKhLrJ2T4tA-TU1wf4FPJARiGYGmFhEjO30RWKVXPQAFg7M6OE_8SwgY/s320/stuggle+bus.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Driving the struggle bus.... Photo: Randy Ericksen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the only time in my life that I've actually been concerned with a race cut off time- and it was going to be close, especially because I had taken a break to sit down on the side of the trail and eat something. I rolled into the aid station and saw lots of riders milling around. I ate some apples and laid down on a slab of cardboard for a while. I then got up and walked over to two women that I had talked to earlier in the day, they were calling it, not wanting to waste their whole day. <i><b>It was so tempting</b></i>, to bail with them, so I sat and ate some chips and pickles that they had given me while weighing the pros and cons. Pro: I'll be done with this wretched race. Con: I'll have to ride longer tomorrow. I got back up and overheard people talking about turning the aid station into a recovery aid station, that they were going to start pulling people...I grabbed my bike and got out of there deciding to at least make it to the next aid station. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The section was hot, exposed, dusty, and on a two-track open to motorized vehicles. <b>It sucked the life out of me, or what was left at that point</b>. I really started to get frustrated and started to do a lot of soul searching to get me through- I came up with a mantra <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"sometimes fast---sometimes last."</i></span> I also thought back to a ride I had done earlier that week with Barb when I had looked down and saw a snake below me on the side of the trail. I called back to Barb, "there is a snake back there" her response <i>"where?!? I don't see it, but I don't look down, I look at where I'm suppose to be going"</i> very wise words as I had started the day trying to look where I was going to avoid any mishaps with snakes and as the miles slowly crept by and the time seemed to be exponentially faster at passing, this became my thought process too, stop thinking about where I am right now, in this very moment and think about where you are going, this is training for Leadville, this doesn't matter.<b> It didn't make it any easier though.</b> I stuck with it but getting to that third aid station almost did me in. I <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was suppose to be tied up for directions</td></tr>
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rolled in 3rd aid station, grabbed the only drop bag I had packed for the day and promptly sat down in a chair that was provided by the boy scouts running the station. I grabbed a cup of chips, then grabbed another one, then another, then another, then another, then another-the most chips I have ever eaten during a race but I think my body wanted the salt. And then I sat there, and sat there, and sat there, and sat there weighing if I should drop out or not. I talked to the race directors from the gravel race I had done earlier this year in Spearfish as one had crashed out and the other pulled the plug </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and they offered me a ride back and then I weighed the pros and cons with them. It was most frustrating because at this point I was already toasted and racing for the next weekend was off the table so even if I didn't finish at this point I didn't gain much. They were familiar with the next section and gave me low down. It seemed there was really only one good climb out and then it was rolling. And so I finally got out of that chair and back on my bike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The climb wasn't bad, no more rock features so I was able to stay on the bike and just pedal. And that's what I did. For the next 35 miles, there were a few short climbs that I had to get off and walk up because my legs had nothing left in them. I rolled in to the last aid station, nearly </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">depleted</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and so happy to know I was now getting so close. The man put a cold wash cloth on my neck and the lady poured me a coke, which I didn't think I wanted but promptly drank. I sat down on a cooler and pulled out my cell phone to text Barb and give her an update, I had a message from my coach, "how'd the race go?" I burst out laughing and yelled, <b>"THIS IS THE LONGEST RACE EVER!"</b> I texted Barb with an update, letting her know I still had 17 miles to go. Even with 17 miles left I still knew it would be close to 2-2.5 hours. I left the aid station with enough fruit snack bags to get me through the week (better to be safe than sorry). I was doing well until the last 4 miles. <span style="color: #674ea7;">I thought back to this little girl who was put a bike with training wheels, on her parents taking their hands of her she began screaming, "GET ME OFF THIS BIKE!" I have never identified more with a child than those last miles.</span> Tears began to well up in my eyes from the frustration the day had brought. I cut through a cow track, which had a goat walking down it, which was a bit of a comedic relief. I knew the ending was at a city park but had no idea where the park was in relation to where I was and when I came up on one park that was </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoGnrkIyvhzJJkbZJk7VFq8it1vu35u0YcAhCawSoUHm0m_bz_7R1up0pehsx85xdRIc_d4_H67S7nl9hZK0I3akVYieAJBjIJ9a2-WeHaS1JJuc2G4pRG2z-VylXmiSSr2G1mjPOuME/s1600/finsih.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoGnrkIyvhzJJkbZJk7VFq8it1vu35u0YcAhCawSoUHm0m_bz_7R1up0pehsx85xdRIc_d4_H67S7nl9hZK0I3akVYieAJBjIJ9a2-WeHaS1JJuc2G4pRG2z-VylXmiSSr2G1mjPOuME/s320/finsih.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">desolate I had figured that everyone had left, fortunately I saw signs to keep going and was soon on the bike path. I was ushered into the high school track and saw a lone person standing at the opposite end. Again thinking this was the end, and was depressed that it took me so long that everyone was gone--she then pointed me around the corner where I was greeted by Barb and the finish line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I rode the next day, just to make sure that I could but the next few days were a little rough. I've even spent time questioning why I'm doing Leadville again. I've been opting for trainer workouts over going outside so I could at least watch 30 Rock and not have to think about anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so thankful that Barb did the 17 miles and was willing to drive me home, otherwise I think I would have just laid down in the grass and stayed there until I ran out of fruit snacks. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi798n81OnneTK6yBQU4Tkvj7w2Yz4_HaBukLWRuF2G5L0MT7V36NVhXGRmbhwX3RbTiW2TuF7XYlQJi_1XnH7iqyVhuDFchpA_e8krNYb10g0JxSazIzpe6KQl9xkbQ-b_0eyUT15_5Pc/s1600/with+barb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi798n81OnneTK6yBQU4Tkvj7w2Yz4_HaBukLWRuF2G5L0MT7V36NVhXGRmbhwX3RbTiW2TuF7XYlQJi_1XnH7iqyVhuDFchpA_e8krNYb10g0JxSazIzpe6KQl9xkbQ-b_0eyUT15_5Pc/s320/with+barb.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">She finished wayyyy before me!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the numbers:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Distance: 79 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time: 12:56</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avg. Speed: 6.10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elevation: 10,417</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avg. HR: 145</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avg Power: 95</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time spent at aid stations: 2 hours--I wish I was kidding!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quarq provided live tracking, which was nice when I was talking to Sully about dropping out at each point along the way and he could offer me up points of encouragement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a note my goal time for Leadville is 9:35- I was at mile 53 when I hit that mark in this race...almost comical. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTPwnte69hyphenhyphenADXWGa7i8Pz-0Lk_WMIo5lsj7kmJnzo7SZyPkON6JZWXRKJifwu5CLOtEXsKBuIo0OP_LZW8Hn5_D2NTEJPOZpOfW107WyhY-AtqEEymvUnvhfKYc9-8OxsqxPAJUonys/s1600/tan+lines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTPwnte69hyphenhyphenADXWGa7i8Pz-0Lk_WMIo5lsj7kmJnzo7SZyPkON6JZWXRKJifwu5CLOtEXsKBuIo0OP_LZW8Hn5_D2NTEJPOZpOfW107WyhY-AtqEEymvUnvhfKYc9-8OxsqxPAJUonys/s320/tan+lines.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Finally got my summer tan!</td></tr>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-45392888066808450512016-07-07T22:53:00.002-07:002016-07-07T23:17:25.852-07:00Teamwork makes the Dream Work <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDZ-msPe20PVOypr780HTY8xWrRQvlRTfNtckrKXpTbORf5wyZNZxPHOeeQkiyZXhkGlhOgUpeRjMyvUDiSKcp8U5NA5NzTiwPzjTF8fmk0xqFPRFRFViRRHM2dwwGbWRUXSvc5ziltM/s1600/Colorado+Trail+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDZ-msPe20PVOypr780HTY8xWrRQvlRTfNtckrKXpTbORf5wyZNZxPHOeeQkiyZXhkGlhOgUpeRjMyvUDiSKcp8U5NA5NzTiwPzjTF8fmk0xqFPRFRFViRRHM2dwwGbWRUXSvc5ziltM/s320/Colorado+Trail+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado Trail riding...</td></tr>
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I was having dinner with a group of friends about a month ago when one of the girls casually brought up that she wanted to do a mountain bike race this year. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;">I pounced on her having found out about a week earlier that my teammate for the Firecracker 50 last year wouldn't be able to race this year and was still slightly bummed at having to find a new teammate.</span></span> "The Firecracker 50 is a great race, it's so much fun! You'll only have to do 25 miles and I'll do the other 25, c'mon you've run 30 miles- you'll be fine!" Fortunately her boyfriend got on board with this plan and he found a teammate too.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHAgrakQ9TYR5jHLFQWBXUxoqi06wxusnResYQ-qaZNcoDSX-orlO5ND7IPl0BJjPgYdncEL23nRgX-gFUvZkA4wv3r26QOsQCTUC3qBjEeRz1Wo0_UM_Je3fS5O-zc3tOOOhExzG_YU/s1600/sunday+boys+ride+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHAgrakQ9TYR5jHLFQWBXUxoqi06wxusnResYQ-qaZNcoDSX-orlO5ND7IPl0BJjPgYdncEL23nRgX-gFUvZkA4wv3r26QOsQCTUC3qBjEeRz1Wo0_UM_Je3fS5O-zc3tOOOhExzG_YU/s200/sunday+boys+ride+.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squad Goals </td></tr>
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I was a little unsure the morning of Firecracker how my legs were going to react for the day. Two days before I had spend 3 hours on the Colorado Trail (completely worth it!) after an hour of intervals up at Leadville and the day before did a 2 hour ride with some friends, while I wasn't exactly pushing the pace I wasn't exactly sitting around in compression socks either. I had to keep reminding myself that it was training and everything counts towards Leadville whether or not my legs are on.<br />
<br />
The race started with Allison going first, I rode the parade with her and Dave (whose partner was also going first). <span style="color: #674ea7;">I think what really sold her on the race was getting </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs9LTXv8Tfh5l9WRaqCWO95g39mo5PEaeFPySkjOPdWPMrExWuYhQn2pMuOwOe3PUnrwqv2S4p_sx2MfhtYGf2R0_uJW3bPcLaLVC1uBmZeg1TfT98dV0vHfw9OT-d8c-PZfZ3bmKpTg/s1600/parade+start.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs9LTXv8Tfh5l9WRaqCWO95g39mo5PEaeFPySkjOPdWPMrExWuYhQn2pMuOwOe3PUnrwqv2S4p_sx2MfhtYGf2R0_uJW3bPcLaLVC1uBmZeg1TfT98dV0vHfw9OT-d8c-PZfZ3bmKpTg/s320/parade+start.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Ready to Race!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"> to be in the parade and I hoped that her enthusiasm would keep throughout the race.</span> After leading her out, Dave and I took off for the park where the exchange zone and finish area was. There Sully (because he's the best) washed my bike, because a clean bike is a happy bike and we waited.<br />
<br />
The next few hours were a bit agonizing, last year Sully had been on course so I had an idea of when I would see my teammate, this year was a little harder to guesstimate. I kept drinking and eating just to be ready--I even got dress after the pros got done with their first lap because chamois time is training time. I still get nervous for shorter races, probably more so than longer ones because they still seem so foreign to me so sitting around waiting was not helping the butterflies in my stomach. I was sitting watching people come down the front side of the mountain, looking for a blue camelbak when I heard "Ginsbach/Jasinski team is through!" "<i>Oh Crap! That's me!!" </i><b>I now know how how Superman felt every time he had to do a quick change in the phone booth- I stripped off my sweat shirt, jumped up from my chair and followed Sully (who had grabbed my bike) at a jog to the transition area.</b> I checked in with Allison to see how it was and how she felt, she said she had fun, number plate was switched and I was on my way.<br />
<br />
The first 7 miles is a steady grade up Boreas pass, I was familiar with it from last year and having <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AtCwacIRcMZqEn0-g-fL34kgEio75sk-LWucMDPJXOkvGomhCBtwqZODujsxN7nUGUlA2QcoFro0rA_Y3IvXKrgvdy9rYJv_0bP2P6DTuCUg1RUBpsifqaQnx-zwT1V65C-q-lr6FXE/s1600/camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AtCwacIRcMZqEn0-g-fL34kgEio75sk-LWucMDPJXOkvGomhCBtwqZODujsxN7nUGUlA2QcoFro0rA_Y3IvXKrgvdy9rYJv_0bP2P6DTuCUg1RUBpsifqaQnx-zwT1V65C-q-lr6FXE/s320/camping.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easing into this camping thing</td></tr>
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spent a night camping up where the road feeds into the trail. I kept thinking it was going to turn really steep but it maintained a nice steady railroad grade. I kept trying to average between 9-11 mph while riding conservatively enough to make it to the first aid station and top off my fuel levels. I was also worried my legs were going to go out in the first few miles but figured I would keep pushing until they did.<br />
This section is why I will never do the 50, or at least have reservations before signing up. <span style="color: #38761d;">Beginning the second lap fresh every person I seem to pass was a hollow shell who seemed so defeated by having to being the process again.</span> Most were beyond gone a "good job" or "nice work" and I wished I had more that I could have offered to get them up the hill.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XsCVQi-WDx2oXIOPJQsyrbtq1tOo_T_I8joFB1XqdjUxARpQqsUDll9cS4cjOBcBWne3GxkiooUC1HQ8mEHthi7VKDUzKJzPALk1ihP6tGO-tkD0X8V8paC8xvJM1Dl94c7z5bsYqKE/s1600/turning+.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XsCVQi-WDx2oXIOPJQsyrbtq1tOo_T_I8joFB1XqdjUxARpQqsUDll9cS4cjOBcBWne3GxkiooUC1HQ8mEHthi7VKDUzKJzPALk1ihP6tGO-tkD0X8V8paC8xvJM1Dl94c7z5bsYqKE/s320/turning+.PNG" width="180" /></a>I reached the first aid station grabbed a bottle and some chews because it had been a while since I had eaten anything and started on the trail. This course is so much fun, and with the rain that week had brought the dirt was especially good. I began descending and would slowly pick people off always trying to make sure not to encroach on them and let me know that whenever a good spot was available I would go around. <u>I kept riding and soon found myself at the bottom of Little French, which is synonymous with this race. It's a loose, two-track, baby head rock climb that I only ever remember being about 50 yards but as I approached it this year I realized it actually begins much farther down. </u>I kept turning the pedals over, reminding myself how much I hate hike-a-biking and those unfortunate souls around me motivated me to keep riding. I got my rear wheel on a rear rock and spun out which made me immediately hop off, take 2 steps and hop back on to keep going. The last 50 yards (the part I remember from last year) I spun my rear wheel out on another rock and hopped off, realizing it was a little too steep and a little too loose to get a good start I power walked the rest of the way thinking this is also great training for Leadville.<br />
<br />
The next section is super fast and super smooth, and I soon found myself at the second aid station and pushing towards the last one. There is so much good single track in this race that I was soaking it all up, and was into the last aid station before I knew it. Right after the aid station I went to pass a guy, there was plenty of room and right before making my move he stood up and took off. At first I thought maybe he had heard me coming and wanted to stay in front of me and then I realized this guy is a really good climber. I stuck on his wheel, and we moved up through more people. I began to<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Pg4EH6XjGGWbnaIY5QdsrP23BwVsgWZex4VCzSMkxsgC3f4eavk7RVcjsw7on7Qh5PWrRbDM4wHIdilVjCZ_W9_EZY6Qjf-FyfdqaQeRCHzLwwGW6v63sPHZQxRvm3XbabXgiSlWhM/s1600/log+ride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Pg4EH6XjGGWbnaIY5QdsrP23BwVsgWZex4VCzSMkxsgC3f4eavk7RVcjsw7on7Qh5PWrRbDM4wHIdilVjCZ_W9_EZY6Qjf-FyfdqaQeRCHzLwwGW6v63sPHZQxRvm3XbabXgiSlWhM/s320/log+ride.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't take the "A" line on Race day</td></tr>
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recognize areas that we had rode the day before and when we were at a log I knew we were close. I stayed on the guy's wheel and let him pull me up into the bike park. This is the best part of the course, it's almost 2 miles of just full on descent with jumps, log features, and berms, so much fun! I followed the guy through one of the switch backs and the top when he asked if I wanted to go around, <b>I hesitated, this guy had just pulled me around for 4 miles and he was going to let me go first on this descent?!?</b> But then I took him up on his offer, telling him that if he needed to get by to let me know. I rallied down that descent, trying to stay focus enough on what I was doing and not get too far ahead of myself. I came into the finish and the guy who let me go in front wasn't far behind, I thanked him for pulling me the last 4 miles and letting me go first.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charging</td></tr>
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I got done and found my teammate and found out that I lost to Dave's time by 9 minutes...if only I had known. <span style="color: #990000;"><i>My time was the exact same as last year, which is good and bad.</i></span> Good to think I got done with law school, haven't ridden much at elevation, and haven't done a lot of big climbing days. Bad because I'm not sure I'll be faster at Leadville at this point. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x8TqkS3V5Djlywt2mEH2pzcLqmboP3pkD93qHRoX08t5r8ZkrvUbgq5FTT-6ujouF9Aic2U4BXAeQ1MBUlwSmQbgeP6mOC90PNSdWFj-biIEVllt-Ce98gX_d3GeMX0ivrql8paSMZA/s1600/after+race+with+allison+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x8TqkS3V5Djlywt2mEH2pzcLqmboP3pkD93qHRoX08t5r8ZkrvUbgq5FTT-6ujouF9Aic2U4BXAeQ1MBUlwSmQbgeP6mOC90PNSdWFj-biIEVllt-Ce98gX_d3GeMX0ivrql8paSMZA/s320/after+race+with+allison+.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crushed it.</td></tr>
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Doing the team event might be one of my favorite races of the year. It seems that the race director does everything in his power to make sure that everyone has a great time out there- fully stocked aid stations (they give you bottle hand ups so you don't even need to stop), sends out emails before with all the details and even instructing people on how to pass and get passed. And the course is incredible (almost worth signing up for the full to do it twice!) every time you get close to being mental broken down over a climb you are rewarded with a tasty, well-earned descent.<br />
<br />
Here are the numbers:<br />
Distance: 25.1 miles<br />
Time: 2:35:41<br />
Speed: 9.66mph<br />
Average power: 152<br />
Average HR: 157<br />
2 Bottles (1 Skratch)<br />
1 bag of HoneyStinger Chews<br />
<br />
This weekend I'm doing an 83 mile mountain bike race in the Black Hills. I wasn't too concerned until I started looking at the finishing times from last year, women were from 9-16 hours and the fastest men were around 8 hours. Could end up being a much longer day in the saddle (with more snake sightings) than I was thinking...Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-20403323685039271162016-06-21T20:26:00.001-07:002016-06-21T20:26:48.560-07:00Queen of the Hills <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 15 hours leading up to the Queen of the Hills race at the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival did not give me high hopes for the race itself. Packet pickup was advertised as going till 5 and after arriving at 4:30 we learned that they left at 4. We went to the next location where we were told they didn't have our packets there and it wouldn't matter anyways because they didn't have our race numbers so everyone would have to get them in the morning before the race. There really wasn't a lot of information about the race on the website either, it's a race that combines a hill climb, cross country race, and downhill time segments for the overall. I asked if there were separate waves or different start times, <b>no mass start</b>. How the timing worked for the three separate categories- <b>there will be people there so you'll know which portions are timed</b>. Are there any feed zones? <b>There will be people with coolers that will have water</b>. We were also told that the course was marked so Sully and I left to go try to preside. <i>The course was marked but not in any fashion that really made sense of where to go and our only race course map was a strava file which left much to be desired.</i> We rode around for 1:30 and only went 6 miles because at every trail junction we would stop and try to negotiate if the course went this way or that way. Let's just say I was not impressed, and left feeling anxious about what was going to transpire the next day. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGrezXqvSfmxvb7VE1sCYbPdCSUmhgj8qNMiJaLK6XcsVqjWxCdplXMDldj0XHcEfeuUSQoUEpkp1Ctt3fppBwdPVhV1uvLw93l84fK2y9HyVeBQXUs4c19mfIP96qtL_DDwt6bN9opw/s1600/fat+tire+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGrezXqvSfmxvb7VE1sCYbPdCSUmhgj8qNMiJaLK6XcsVqjWxCdplXMDldj0XHcEfeuUSQoUEpkp1Ctt3fppBwdPVhV1uvLw93l84fK2y9HyVeBQXUs4c19mfIP96qtL_DDwt6bN9opw/s320/fat+tire+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting my HR down after the climb. Photo: Randy Ericksen</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The morning of the race, having to get our numbers we arrived earlier than usual only to learn that it was going to start an hour later at 8 instead of 7 because of thunderstorms. We put our numbers on then went to get more coffee, or at least me more coffee. We came back after the rain had stopped and warmed up. They then started the call ups. They didn't do separate waves but did divide us by age group, and there were so few in my age group </span><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">that I ended up in the front row with all the boys. I still get really nervous racing with guys because I never know how it's going to go. The race started on a bike path for about a mile or so before the hill climb begins, this helped tremendously to spread everyone out a little bit and have them fit into their proper position. Doing the hill climb even with a warm up doesn't change the fact that my legs were immediately filled with lactic acid and it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going down! Photo: Randy Ericksen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I followed the wheel in front of me and towards the top I had to hop off to scramble up some rock features, I apologized to the guy behind me who told me I was doing fine and to keep doing me. I made it up the climb and saw the people that indicated the time section was over. Keep pushing but continue recovering. <b>I was focused on riding when a minute or two later I heard a familiar voice, "Kate, there is a snake, get off the trail!"</b> I have been told that enough times to follow the voice up to Sully who was standing off the trail with a stick in his hand (I wish there was a photo). He was calling out to the other riders warning them too. I immediately hopped off my bike and ran towards Sully when I noticed a snake in the middle of the trail, coiled up, hissing, and moving around. I then remembered that snakes can jump (or so I'm told) and I moved a little faster. Sully got in front of me and we avoided it completely- about 15 seconds later we heard a shriek and later found out that a lady had run over it. That snake was pissed, and I've never stuck around long enough to see a snake get that reactive. I continued on Sully's wheel for a bit thanking him for stopping otherwise my race might have been over if I was the one to run over it- he was soon gone as we got on a descent and he took off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After the descent I got passed by a lady, and tried to </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">stay<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> on her wheel for a bit after she told me to hold on but I couldn't keep pace with her for too long and watched as she slowly pulled ahead. The course flows really well with a few short climbs and two big ones. The course wasn't terribly crowded either and on the back side of the course the distance began to grow between each rider. I was riding along looking to the switch backs above me to anticipate what was coming when I looked down and saw it slithering underneath me. I screamed having run over a snake and got chills running down my spine. Two minutes later I saw a course volunteer, <b>"I ran over a snake back there!"</b> <i>"Was it a rattlesnake?"</i> He inquired. <b>"I don't know but it could still kill me!"</b> I didn't know if it was a rattlesnake, but there are signs posted about them being over the hillside, and after the first encounter was not sticking around to find out. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Randy Ericksen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The one unfortunate part of our preride mishap is that we went down this section that we were convinced was the timed downhill, it had a few drops, rock waterfalls and was really fun to go down. During the race I found out that we actually got to go up it. I made it up one of the features before having to get up and run the rest of the way up. The climb does feed into the timed downhill portion but it has more berms and less rock features. I started down and was passed by two guys but both were really nice saying they'd see me on the climb again. I got done and started lap two by asking if the snake at the top was taken care of. They didn't know but figured I would check again at the top of the climb. I started up and again had to get off at the portion that I ran up on the first lap. This time I stopped and gave a guy one of my extra CO2s since he had a flat. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">All I asked in return was that if he got in front of me he'd warn me of any snakes. </span>I also asked that of any guy who passed me at that point and throughout the rest of the race. I check with the volunteers at the top about the snake and they thought it was gone. I was still reluctant coming around the corner and the section where Sully called me off for the snake. I then realized the faster I went the less time I would have if I did see. It was gone and I continued on my way. The first lap they cut out about 2 miles due to the rain and then decided to put it back in on the second lap, which made for some very challenging mental math trying to figure out how much I had left and how much of my bottle I could drink. It didn't seem to add much elevation which I was grateful for at that time and I got to the rocky climb sooner than I thought (miscalculation <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sully working hard. Photo: Randy Ericksen</td></tr>
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on the mental math). I was nearly out of my one bottle and just really wanted water. I got to the top of the climb and there was a group of volunteers there, I asked if they had any water and they told me further up the climb before the descent. <span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;">I went to get back on my bike and completely missed landing on the rear wheel, yeah still not sure how I managed that- they all kind of stared at me and I said, "actually do have tequila" and then I got back on my bike and climbed up.</span> I reached the top of the climb and saw the two people who were suppose to have water. I was only 2-3 miles from the finish and it was mostly descent but the sun had been exposed long enough and I had been out of my bottle long enough that all I could think about was stopping. I wasn't sure what the situation was so when I asked they took a bit to dig a Dasani bottle out of the cooler. I stopped for a few chugs and then handed it back and continued down into the finish. I got down to the finish and found Sully who had finished 3 minutes before me. I had saw him on one of the switchback climbs and tried to catch him but couldn't do it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished 2nd overall for women and first in my age group. I was 1st in the hill climb for women, 2nd in the cross country, and 3rd for the downhill section. When I was talking to Sully beforehand I actually thought it would be reversed, with the hill climb being my worst section. I think if it hadn't been delayed an hour the weather would have been perfect and one bottle would have been enough. I also thought the water station would be a little bit better since the race was 24 miles, but next year I'll just bring someone to feed me. <span style="color: #38761d;">The race was actually a lot better than I was anticipating and it seems like it has huge potential to grow and really be a destination race. I'm grateful to have options to race close to home. It seems that all the people who race in SD are really nice--I always stress so much about it--so I'm always very thankful for that (I haven't done a race yet in the state with anyone mean).</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All that for a pair of socks...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent the next day going over some of the trails on the Wildcat Classic course (a race in August that everyone should come to!) that is outside of my hometown. Mainly we just climbed up to go down the amazing descent at the end--but definitely worth it. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails outside of town I can ride to makes me VERY happy!</td></tr>
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</span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-53867643628539020372016-06-16T22:33:00.000-07:002016-06-17T06:51:43.914-07:00Gold Rush Gravel GrinderLast time I said that forgetting your legs was the worst thing to do when it comes to a race, actually I take that back--forgetting to register for the race might take the cake. Fortunately when I emailed the race director for the Gold Rush Gravel Grinder her response was, no problem-we could always use more females.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start- before I really knew what was before me. Photo: Les Hesierman</td></tr>
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I didn't think having to pedal for 110 miles was going to be that bad until I learned of the 100 degree heat for that day but even then I could not imagine what I was in store for. At 6:00 race morning it was already hot out and my stomach did not like it, I was able to get about 1/4 of what I normally eat for breakfast down before the race started which I knew wasn't the best plan but it was better than nothing. <span style="color: #38761d;">The neutral roll out started and I cruised along thinking they would regroup us before sending us out on the gravel, they didn't so by the time we officially started racing we were already strung out-I had to quickly assess and get on someone's wheel.</span> Having done one gravel race before I knew that I should hang on to someone's wheel as much as possible. And that's what I did for the first 40 miles. It helped that we were in a canyon by a creek so the heat wasn't terrible at this point. I spent the first two hours only taking in liquids, which I knew could potentially set me up for failure later but my stomach was not having any of it. I made it to the first aid station at mile 33 and refilled my bottles, thinking I had kept pretty good pace. I got food out to eat on the next section because I knew I needed to force something down or I would be done. The next aid station was at mile 68, which made me a little nervous but I knew if I conserved my water, I could make it if I kept on pace.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting pulled around is my go-to move. Photo: Les Heiserman</td></tr>
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I didn't keep on pace though and from mile 40 to 68 is a long, steady, gradual climb up. <span style="color: #073763;">It was never steep enough that it warranted getting out of the saddle but steady enough that I was just continuously mashing my pedals and remaining in a static position.</span> At around mile 43 I was starting to get worried about my water situation, there is no way I would be able to make it to mile 68 with what I had. But there was no other option either, I was closer to 68 than I was the beginning so only option was to keep going--and there wasn't a lot of cell phone service out there to call anyone.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was saved by the grace of God-- and this is really the only way I was able to keep going. The race director was around mile 50 and had a barrel of water. It seemed like he was picking someone up on the course (I'm not sure the reason he was out there- maybe he took pity on our poor souls who were slogging away) but I reloaded my bottles there and it saved me. One of the guys I was riding with said he was calling it. We were at a split and he said if you go left it loops you back to town on the 70 mile course and if you go right you'll stay on course. I asked if they would take our times over for the 70 mile- he didn't think so. I decided to keep going but immediately questioned my decision as I rode off. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next 18 miles didn't go by any faster. It was miserable, somewhere in that time span I questioned everything, riding bikes, racing bikes, doing Leadville- they all seemed like <b>awful</b> ideas and yet the only thing I could do was to keep riding my bike. <u>I simultaneously hated my bike and desperately needed it. I was in a low for about 35 minutes, and began eating by the clock and trying to work out of it.</u> I began taking breaks; every 20 minutes or so I would find some shade, get off my bike and just stand there letting the breeze cool me off, eat something, stretch and then get back on to continue. One guy made the comment that we were no longer racing, we were just surviving. It changed my perspective a bit. I started saying I can survive this, I will outlast-as long as I don't get heat exhaustion. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I struggled into mile 68 planning to drop out, have my dad come pick me up and go eat a hamburger. I rolled up to the check point and then asked how many women were in front of me, "you're the first one" I responded, "Well... I suppose I will keep going then." I took a break inside the lodge and refilled my bottles, pulled some food out of my drop bag, and then got back on the bike. <b>I didn't make it very far as the course wasn't marked and my cue sheets were some what confusing at this point, or I was becoming delirious</b> (just kidding mom!). I turned around and went back to the check point and asked which way to go. One guy was about to leave and told me he'd take me back the way we needed to go. Thank goodness! I was not in the mood for getting lost. I hung on with him for a while and then told him, "I'm probably going to drop off so don't feel like you need to wait for me." I did and he kept going, but at this point the directions were more clear. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #45818e;">We finally reached a sustainable downhill section, which I thought would be a nice reprieve but it was mostly a two-track with enough rocks that I felt like a Raggedy-Ann Doll and every muscle in my body remained braced for impact</span><span style="color: #222222;">. My chest became so ridged that I was forcing air out just so I would breath in, <i>no need to go all vaso vagal out here</i>. There is one last good climb going into mile 85, I actually misread the cue sheet so when I started it was only a mile, I then realized that it was closer to three. A lot of people were off their bike walking up it. I'm not sure if was the heat, the fact that sometimes I ride a single speed or the fact that I hate hike-a-biking but I kept mashing up in my lowest gear to avoid getting off the bike and walking. It wasn't terribly steep but at this point in the race everything seem to expend more energy than necessary. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last climb- but still 25 miles to go. Photo: Les Heiserman </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I made it to the last check-in point around mile 86, got some water and then turned around. The next 25 miles or so are mostly downhill, not steep enough that you can coast but at least it wasn't uphill. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I watched the miles tick by (not fast enough) and couldn't wait to finally get off my bike.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> With 10 miles to go one of the guy who was walking up the hill earlier blew by me like I was standing still, sure I was still cruising at 22/23mph but there was nothing left. I started singing, "Everything hurts sometimes" my own rendition. I've never had so many simultaneous aches at the end of a race, down to my bones hurt and I think if someone had offered me a ride at that point I would have taken it, that's how far gone I was. Fortunately nobody did so I kept riding down Spearfish Canyon. </span></span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: inherit;">I was so happy when I was done, I got off my bike and laid under a tree for a good 30 minutes--which rendered some very weird stares but my response was, "just say no to gravel". </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing our tales of misery</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent a good portion of the race thinking I was never going to do a gravel race again. I later found out that I won my age group and the women's overall walking away with $200---I realized shortly there after that I'll probably do gravel again. For our podium picture, they said 3rd place was still out on course...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9JeyeJHJy5UkEKaTauAT9pcwLOjNmR-dmjY60rXFQl13qVO34fOTDZyuqP7mTxk4oRtG9EbYHOwf97U8YAWJCPtKLLFEdP6lPGUBlfK7rwGTjmU5Uymvt12rDYtyANfy5qeSxu-Hqv4/s1600/with+dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9JeyeJHJy5UkEKaTauAT9pcwLOjNmR-dmjY60rXFQl13qVO34fOTDZyuqP7mTxk4oRtG9EbYHOwf97U8YAWJCPtKLLFEdP6lPGUBlfK7rwGTjmU5Uymvt12rDYtyANfy5qeSxu-Hqv4/s320/with+dad.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having second thoughts about my retirement </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm grateful to the race directors, as I saw both of them on course making sure that people had enough water and seeing if riders needed anything. And also to my best friend Heidi, who let me stay at her house and take over her kitchen to make all the food I thought I was going to eat during the ride. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here is the break down: </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Miles: 110.8</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Time: 9:06:07 (Time I was actually riding: 8:37- I said I took a lot of breaks in the shade...)</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Avg. Speed: 12.1</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Elevation: 6,401</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Avg. Heart Rate: 155</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">5(!!!) Snake sightings</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Nutrition:</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">10 Bottles of Water</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">5 Servings of Skratch</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">4 Rice cakes with blueberries and chocolate (I was carrying 6 total along with 5 sweet potato cakes, 2 gushers and 1 sharing size Peanut M&Ms bag but never consumed them..oops). </span><br />
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-4405731101607855452016-05-30T22:40:00.000-07:002016-05-31T04:47:33.534-07:00To Get Where You're Going Have you ever went to play baseball but only to forget your glove? That's what showing up to a race and forgetting your legs feels like. You can still race, but it's not very pretty. That's how I felt at Ironhorse. I finished, it wasn't pretty and I never want my legs to decide not to show up again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4dWLo3KqsVj41wnS1UsN0mBDr1_KJx8_VlaMi7ELjgcHzu4ZJ6jf-kDFLjkkHk2rpSF5NHACYwugGK9JcFEW6KKufxp9VeUmdsKTRdY-piRQA-b9dsNM7XpYUbb_18Ku3yRQKJ4dZ6g/s1600/dropping+in+durango.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4dWLo3KqsVj41wnS1UsN0mBDr1_KJx8_VlaMi7ELjgcHzu4ZJ6jf-kDFLjkkHk2rpSF5NHACYwugGK9JcFEW6KKufxp9VeUmdsKTRdY-piRQA-b9dsNM7XpYUbb_18Ku3yRQKJ4dZ6g/s320/dropping+in+durango.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not race course but definitely worth riding!</td></tr>
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I was abnormally nervous for the Ironhorse race, maybe more so than any other race I've done. I'm not sure it it was coming off a year of law school without a gauge of where I'm at, racing with the pros, or it only being 18 miles. Fortunately we were staying with some friends, and Bryan was racing the pro men's category, which took off 1 minute before my race. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I mainly just followed him around like a puppy the whole weekend in preparation of the race.</span> He made me feel better when preriding the course the day before he reminded me that everyone would be suffering. After a lap on course and picking his brain some more we went and rode some other trail in Durango. Durango has an amazing trail system, we only scratched the surface so certainly worth a trip back. Because of the race we kept it short and only did an extra hour of riding off course. </div>
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The morning of the Ironhorse we woke up and went and did a lap on course, okay I did half a lap because my legs weren't feeling great while Bryan finished a full one.<i> I spun out a bit longer on the road hoping to start a spark in my legs but really wasn't too worried about it at this point. </i>I got back to the house, ate and put my legs up and then ate again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following Bryan and Sully around </td></tr>
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Before leaving I changed into my kit, filled bottles and went through the schedule with Sully for feeds and then followed Bryan out of the house. The race starts on an uphill and is pavement for about 2-3 minutes before reaching the dirt. I followed Bryan up and down some hills to warm up to help get my heart rate up before the uphill start and then cruised around till the race and touched base with Sully again before the start.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back row is where it's at</td></tr>
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The start was really uneventful, there were about 25 women and I started in the back. We started and immediately the pace was set pretty high, it's mainly a race of who can get to the dirt first because after that the passing becomes very questionable. <span style="color: #674ea7;">It was in the first few minutes, on the pavement that I realized my racing legs were not going to be with me.</span> I got on the dirt climb and continued to turn the pedals over trying to inspire my legs to do anything, something, but there was no spark. I was hanging with a small group of girls and just trying to hold on with everything I had. There are two big climbs on the course and both on the first half of each lap. The one big issue I have with the race is the age group men started 3 minutes behind us. They caught our group on the second climb and immediately separated us out. The fast guys seem to know how to pass, realizing that a 1-2 second delay isn't going to make or break them, in order to wait till it's clear. It's the guys who are midpack, and not all of them either, but those guys started making really sketchy passes and left me as the collateral. I would hear one guy go to pass and give him the go followed by, <b>"me too", "me too", "me too"</b> until I would be run off the trail. I got jostled like this more than I was comfortable with and finally lost it when one guy who passed me with no warning and not in a passible spot caused me to go off on the side of the trail.<i> I asked him if he was serious in my most grown up voice, he told me I could use my words to tell him it wasn't clear, so I used my words to call him an asshole.</i> I immediately regretted it because he seemed like a huge jerk who wasn't worth the sin. It's the first time that I've actually lost my cool during a race and realized soon after that it wasn't worth it. The thing that I'm sure he didn't realize was that it wasn't just him but the 12 guys in front of him who had the same mentality. I took a moment to regain my composure, and didn't have another problem after that. As my friend Kara says, "it only takes one jerk to ruin the moment." </div>
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The second half of the lap, is fast, with even some questionable descents. <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">There is a loose baby rock decent that immediately turns into a sharp uphill and a few tree branches that could really ruin your day. </span>I was the most nervous for the descents, but it's the only place I was able to catch people and make up any time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivn8a0uyvMRRKZHHGwDrNH3T53xFyE63e19Gh_zb_-nSkWEmLtEzjHW8CUJIBvQtZInaPGtujUBRcj51MECRo82wLCZGef5wKMBfDYxgL-vYy7abQBHNEem6DzjHzH-lFG7OnAWPTLdyU/s1600/hand+up+from+james+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivn8a0uyvMRRKZHHGwDrNH3T53xFyE63e19Gh_zb_-nSkWEmLtEzjHW8CUJIBvQtZInaPGtujUBRcj51MECRo82wLCZGef5wKMBfDYxgL-vYy7abQBHNEem6DzjHzH-lFG7OnAWPTLdyU/s320/hand+up+from+james+.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Sully's hand up couldn't save me- Photo: Kenny When</td></tr>
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The one really cool feature this race has is that you go through a brewery in the middle of town right before the finish. It's really fun, the crowd is cheering and yelling so loud and there is so much energy. <span style="color: #073763;">Because of the transition from outside to inside it's really hard to see anything inside the bar other than the light on the other end, so I would just go towards that and hope for the best.</span> From there it's a steep ramp off the back porch and back onto the race course. On the second lap I grabbed a beer hand up but immediately regretted it because it wasn't tequila so dumped it out and continued on my way. </div>
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The final two laps were really uneventful on the third lap I caught up with one girl on the climb and I sat on her wheel for a while and then she sat on mine, then she started to pull away and I muscled up every reservoir inside of me to go with her and it worked, I went and then I immediately dropped off 7 seconds later. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTkrhiud9JXlb3SB_DHGtZ7k0Pbpw0gT0If59UHHqpT2kkxRhQuP9H-WpsLWI12TbYkwGXSwJJ1rctLttZvbDbMA8U2dXxnC1DmzJYHxRavipLPcwiKdzEB_72yG02ot7qrVDdzX3HR0/s1600/at+finsih+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTkrhiud9JXlb3SB_DHGtZ7k0Pbpw0gT0If59UHHqpT2kkxRhQuP9H-WpsLWI12TbYkwGXSwJJ1rctLttZvbDbMA8U2dXxnC1DmzJYHxRavipLPcwiKdzEB_72yG02ot7qrVDdzX3HR0/s320/at+finsih+.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So glad to be done!</td></tr>
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<b>I finished almost last, but that's okay.</b> I wrote my coach after the race saying that even though it wasn't the result I was hoping for it was hard to complain having spent the previous two weeks riding with little rest and going into the race without fresh legs. I told him that I had followed Bryan (he finished 6th) around so didn't think it was my nutrition/rest/hydration/warm-up or pre-ride but just that the legs were not there after all the riding we had done. He wrote back saying he could see I was fatigued from the training that I've been doing, and sometimes it needs to happen to get where you're going. </div>
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I'm off this weekend and just doing a few rides this week in Boulder and then will be heading back to South Dakota. <span style="color: #741b47;">The next weekend I'll be doing a 110 mile gravel grinder in Spearfish, and planning on bringing my legs to that one. </span></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-75451229520478186192016-05-26T15:36:00.000-07:002016-05-26T15:36:32.015-07:00Good for the Soul <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During Spring Break, I figured it was really time to try and hunt down a new mountain bike. I started looking at the Juliana Joplin, thinking if I needed only one bike that would be the bike to have. </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, I have long admired Juliana as a bike company for pushing the boundaries for women's bikes.</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I filled out an application for a grass-roots sponsorship, knowing well that it was a little late in the season trying to lock down anything but as Sully says, "if you don't ask the answer is always no." I was accepted as Juliana Ambassador and selected the Joplin as my weapon (bike) of choice. It's the most amazing bike, it has the heart of a trail bike but the body of an climber (which works well because it's the exact opposite of me). There is nothing it cannot do and I'm so excited to see where it will take me this next year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sully and I planned a trip to California for after law school to see his family and get a solid block of riding in. It's no secret that finals definitely put a damper on my training (as it should) and my candy consumption definitely went up. I only did about 6-8 hours of riding for two weeks (just for comparison the first week after law school I spent 16 hours riding). After one final I was scheduled to do 5 intervals, after the 4th one I started hysterically crying thinking I had failed (I didn't) and did not get to the 5th set. </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Law school really isn't for the faint of heart, or the emotionally unstable.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never a dull moment with these two!<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">t</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We left Boulder after law school and headed towards Ogden to stay there for the night. Wayne moved </span><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">there in February and we were the first official visitors. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Luckily for us, he's still looking for a job and rode with us in the morning.</span><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> It was my first ride on the bike and I couldn't believe how responsive it felt climbing, but didn't feel like I sacrificed anything on the decent either, although Wayne and Sully stayed significantly ahead of me. Wayne and I have matching helmets to go with our matching brain injuries! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The first ride we did in California was around Lake Folsom. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u>Sully has ridden around there and thought it was be a good location for intervals, it wasn't.</u></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u> </u></span>But still a lot of fun, smooth trails to spend time on and continue to get acclimated to my bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Our next stop was Santa Cruz, which was amazing. Not just for the riding but the forests are awe-inspiring. </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The redwoods that grow there remind you just how insignificant you are, and yet awake and inner desire to always spend your days wisely </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">(deep, I know-thanks law school). The trails around there are unlike anywhere else I have ridden. It makes sense why so many bike companies are located there, the perfect place to test equipment. I can't even describe how amazing the trails are so here are some photos (worth at least 1,000 words). If you mountain bike at all, this is certainly a destination worth going to.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9fTND5l-WZw7p2_dnjrwpBhYTwUqBRCmsiWuO0nAaXE8xQQwWB5vbIKfhOaLFNILWO7x50g9NRXxn7t6ucuksjRX0zGwn53KGmSmIWJFWPnxEcJJ2xQgPz24VD-NOSWref2qSP4S5FA/s1600/Giant+Tree+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9fTND5l-WZw7p2_dnjrwpBhYTwUqBRCmsiWuO0nAaXE8xQQwWB5vbIKfhOaLFNILWO7x50g9NRXxn7t6ucuksjRX0zGwn53KGmSmIWJFWPnxEcJJ2xQgPz24VD-NOSWref2qSP4S5FA/s320/Giant+Tree+.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">House hunting </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3dQCg0WgF2W4lumdschaxDMjLq3sw5zSIM3-JYT3QfK6Kv1da2Z0atfAd62M2jiL6RqMKbmEIdsEeERD-hMrlSOgnzqWjH-wXpy-sqjTkpexvwMR8XpIt_nnu2kH7cIWoBasG-d87Yg/s1600/teetertotter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3dQCg0WgF2W4lumdschaxDMjLq3sw5zSIM3-JYT3QfK6Kv1da2Z0atfAd62M2jiL6RqMKbmEIdsEeERD-hMrlSOgnzqWjH-wXpy-sqjTkpexvwMR8XpIt_nnu2kH7cIWoBasG-d87Yg/s320/teetertotter.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may have had excess amounts of candy before riding the teeter-totter 7 to 8 times...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bgkjpobj25gsv37dbn9soGG3nL_NqEB6oO8Ay3lBLYpADlgUXL3x7ht9hJJYMHZFfHpE-dV4pv6TuMpdvk7bt8THOOJbVDBO-ik3mweJNsOkUENj4cSMgM3aGrYJmliojoWbitaqPZI/s1600/yoga+pose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bgkjpobj25gsv37dbn9soGG3nL_NqEB6oO8Ay3lBLYpADlgUXL3x7ht9hJJYMHZFfHpE-dV4pv6TuMpdvk7bt8THOOJbVDBO-ik3mweJNsOkUENj4cSMgM3aGrYJmliojoWbitaqPZI/s320/yoga+pose.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Re-rooting with nature after law school (get it because it's tree pose for yoga)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are now back in Park City, heading to Moab for a night of camping and then to Durango, CO for the first race of the season, Ironhorse. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I was going to sign up for the expert category but they don't have one and only 2 women are in my age group so upgraded to the pro category to race with 10 women instead. </span>Might be a bit demoralizing but as my coach said, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Don't be afraid to go with the pace, there's no consequence of exploding in a race like that, and having fast people to chase is good for the soul." Plan is to try and at least hang on for the first lap (6 miles) and then go from there. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry ladies, Wayne is off the market</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I feel as if the tension I have been walking around with during law school is finally leaving my body. </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I'm returning to a normal sleep schedule and a normal consumption of coffee</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> (at least for me). Somebody told me before law school started that the first year will really turn you inside out, I thought it was an exaggeration before I began and now I realize it's the perfect way to describe the year. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California recovery day done right! </td></tr>
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-59866048501620561942016-03-28T21:51:00.001-07:002016-03-28T21:51:56.768-07:00Learning How To Ride (Again)They say you never forget how to ride a bike, however, some of my moves were pretty questionable after five months off the mountain bike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfaOdIdTgFA7igvv-fi_dnofXJUHnE47KS3-vm0XXFxpVFMjWrkBET8Pfa_pgOb812FI8oy8owOiqNAdlnl7O5Ka9ycIjCZqVl3AAhH8QZ3UzdbptmPwJSumfNsivvf7-SBTpSnHHRq0/s1600/wheelie%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfaOdIdTgFA7igvv-fi_dnofXJUHnE47KS3-vm0XXFxpVFMjWrkBET8Pfa_pgOb812FI8oy8owOiqNAdlnl7O5Ka9ycIjCZqVl3AAhH8QZ3UzdbptmPwJSumfNsivvf7-SBTpSnHHRq0/s320/wheelie%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least I can still wheelie!</td></tr>
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I had good intentions of spending Spring Break doing homework, but that presented a challenge once arriving in Colorado and the trails being soooo close. Just for the record I did actively engage in finding and landing an internship for the summer, that counts as school work, right? It will be in Rapid City, SD, while not in Colorado it was an opportunity that was too good to turn down and at least it's the hills, plenty of riding, closer to Sully, and a host to a few races that seem like they'll be pretty fun, but will still head to CO for a handful. It might also help me figure out if I want to continue pursuing a law degree or not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpQrzXCEU_mmq2md2IhSbYVVrvs-DGu7X6IgFGq3WKE_Q9cy2s9Vg_BVLrRLlLv6qzXsPiJ9CDlLKIx1RelMe9nakcmLlWOZsKDKpItUS6KtVoZsiLgC3rViXtemCesG1vNFFH2Q9QkQ/s1600/chasing+james+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpQrzXCEU_mmq2md2IhSbYVVrvs-DGu7X6IgFGq3WKE_Q9cy2s9Vg_BVLrRLlLv6qzXsPiJ9CDlLKIx1RelMe9nakcmLlWOZsKDKpItUS6KtVoZsiLgC3rViXtemCesG1vNFFH2Q9QkQ/s200/chasing+james+.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
When I got to Boulder, Sully spent the next morning fixing my cross bike from when I broke off the rear derailleur, he switched out my tires <span style="color: purple;">(what girl doesn't love new shoes?!?)</span> and did something to <br />
the rear wheel that I hadn't noticed needed fixing. We went for a short ride after that, just to see how everything felt on the bike--<i>I've known this now for a while but having a functional rear derailleur really makes the rides more fun</i>! We headed to meet some friend for Happy Hour, which was much needed to acclimate back in to the Boulder Culture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd05gOvXYUroUOT3hAhDx7wkKgoMrUI7A27379IqKKjk8TxryzNaArHduCKqvXMoQXyMRnUfLsbmxz8C1B83WrnfFwuhjKsp944K97MD3OfzKPk059Xk3G1eJlsgTRuZdjaanB5xeBftc/s1600/squad+goals+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd05gOvXYUroUOT3hAhDx7wkKgoMrUI7A27379IqKKjk8TxryzNaArHduCKqvXMoQXyMRnUfLsbmxz8C1B83WrnfFwuhjKsp944K97MD3OfzKPk059Xk3G1eJlsgTRuZdjaanB5xeBftc/s320/squad+goals+.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squad goals. </td></tr>
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I got on a mountain bike for the first time since last October. The guys at Republic Cycles in Boulder set me up with a sweet Rocky Mountain Instinct, the one do-it-all mountain bike, and it did. <b>I was eternally grateful for the Maxxis tires that came on it, which saved my life a few times from going off the trail. </b>I've not only missed riding my mountain bike but the camaraderie of being on the trail, riding with friends, running into other friends, being a rolling carnival is really the best way to describe it. We then went out for tacos and Sully got one with kale on it, I asked if I could try it which I did and then he said, "you didn't like it did you?" <span style="color: #38761d;">I shook my head no...he stated, "you've been away from Boulder for too long and have too much kale immunity."</span> It's not the same staple in Vermillion as it is in Boulder. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGKkxHmyKiGl2WuJtgkl8TbGW4vAwTdhKg-OcWEjnjtIfxS_s2lgAXk4vr0PC5Fy5Un3tCe7PG9fKjFQ1mFsrJww32SIjQ3LvzuWQQCFqB1L1Y-5GT-UnqzHgApADyGGG44fGJoBSMUs/s1600/big+rock+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGKkxHmyKiGl2WuJtgkl8TbGW4vAwTdhKg-OcWEjnjtIfxS_s2lgAXk4vr0PC5Fy5Un3tCe7PG9fKjFQ1mFsrJww32SIjQ3LvzuWQQCFqB1L1Y-5GT-UnqzHgApADyGGG44fGJoBSMUs/s320/big+rock+.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Move!</td></tr>
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The next ride we did at Hall Ranch, which I've always had a rocky relationship with. Most of it is a rock garden. It's always challenging as the only way you can get better there is to ride there, nothing else translates to getting in shape for insane power moves and at the same time a finesse that somedays is there and others not. It's my favorite trail depending on the day and this ride it started out as my least favorite trail. <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">They reworked a few of the little sections which I bobbled over and stepped off, and turned awkwardly, and put a foot down, and sighed...a lot.</span> Sully kept reassuring me that he'd ridden recently with people who didn't get the same sections, he always so encouraging. I, however, kept blaming the fact that maybe I should ride a mountain bike more than once every 5 months. I somehow managed to make it to my nemesis the "big rock" which I spent 4 months one year working on getting up; now was the real challenge of seeing if any of it had been retained. The first approach I rode my line and managed to get my front wheel on, <i>okay not bad.</i> The second approach I hit the same line as the first and a few grunts and power moves later I was on the top, <b>"Oh my gosh! I made it!!"</b> I went back down and rode it up a few more times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Feeling a little more confident in my riding skills we rode to the top, headed over to the loop and then charged back down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVytPLqcYxUHLF7L-v8GfecEbJZpzOZknLdX2A3wAPFRJw3Y_CvS87Nqqw96pTapQu6fKSPZWI0K1t7wiW4aRa_ok7HvPqjA-X_5A1Gk8x2jw3T33VFo6FiViFvgxQ7-eQFLJ4Mc69L0/s1600/charging+downhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVytPLqcYxUHLF7L-v8GfecEbJZpzOZknLdX2A3wAPFRJw3Y_CvS87Nqqw96pTapQu6fKSPZWI0K1t7wiW4aRa_ok7HvPqjA-X_5A1Gk8x2jw3T33VFo6FiViFvgxQ7-eQFLJ4Mc69L0/s320/charging+downhill.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sully was in a good spot to catch me..and take a photo</td></tr>
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Once again I found Sully waiting for me at the bottom of the rock in a position to catch me if I did tumble over, <b>fortunately it did not happen</b>, and I'm still not sure if he would be able to catch me if I did, but it is a really sweet gesture. I continued on my way not wanting to put a foot down. Minus one turn at the top (the sharp left hand drop, that I never get) I rode the whole way down without stopping or putting a foot out. I felt satisfaction knowing that my downhills skills (mostly the bike) were on par for the occasion.<br />
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I then went up to my parents house to spend sometime with them and see some friends, which is always so nice, both seeing my parents and friends. <span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I did some riding around my hometown, which is always so hard because most of my rides I just look up and envision the amazing trail system we could have there, one of these days!</span></span> I also started back with a coach, which makes dealing with the headwinds so much better in Vermillion. I'm pretty excited with the workouts he has structured for me and seeing where the race season will take me. It's been nice getting back to that structure, I didn't realize how much I missed it until it started. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Trails, Please!</td></tr>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-65962701916856799602016-02-29T06:19:00.002-08:002016-02-29T06:19:30.828-08:00Revelations Not Resolutions<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to think my bikes didn't require much maintenance and then I moved away from my mechanic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I haven't been outside on a bike since mid-December and so when temperatures finally reached nearly 65 degrees I jumped at the chance to get outside in minimum layers. Not wanting to ride my road bike because it needs some work opted for my cross bike. Plus then I could get on the back gravel roads with more ease. With no real route in mind I just started riding and formulating a plan to loop it all back. I was only about 8 miles into my ride when I started going down a hill full of peanut-butter sticky gooey mud. I even turned </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">onto this road because it looked less muddy than the one I was on. Alright I'll just take it easy and get through the ravine onto the other side, it looked a little bit drier. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">I was sliding/pedaling down this hill when I looked down and saw my chain slip off the front chainring</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">.</span> I tried to navigate over to the side so I could stop and put it back on but didn't have enough momentum so had to get off in the middle of the muddy section. I was thinking about how </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Too much power....</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dirty I was going to get trying to negotiate the chain back onto the chainring when I noticed that that wouldn't be a problem-- because the slack that cause my chain to fall off was there because <b>I had managed to rip the rear derailleur right off</b>. At this point, 8 miles from town I proceed to begin to laugh, hysterically. <i>Which is quite the upgrade from this fall when I suffered a mechanical and threw my bike in the ditch and sat down and cried. </i>Realizing how far I was from town, on some back road with a "minimum maintenance" sign on it there was only two things to do- start walking and start calling for a ride back. The walking proved to be much more challenging than I had thought. <span style="color: #674ea7;">The mud that had caked my bike added at least 50 pounds (only a slight exaggeration), a lot of heaving and hoeing to get 200 yards back out of the mud.</span> Eleven minutes later (I'm so weak-'it's like the push-up I did last year isn't even relevant'-Liz Lemon) I had made it out, finally resorting to dragging my bike by the handlebars, and trying to stay upright as my shoes became engulfed in the mud. I found a stick after I was out of the thick of it and cleared off as much mud as I could so that the wheels would spin, thus making walking easier. I began to go </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Dirt is the new pink</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">down my call list, I tried a few different people with no answer and figured I would just keep calling until I got someone or made it back to the major highway to hitch hike back to town (Wayne would be so proud if I did manage that). <span style="color: #741b47;">Fortunately I was able to get ahold of the same friend who picked me up this fall and saved me from getting into the back of someone's truck and being the start of a bad Lifetime movie.</span> I managed to get the bike home and give it a bath--it looks like a pretty clean break at the hanger with no damage to the rear derailleur, frame, or wheel. Sully reminded me later when I was crying about it that it was just a bike. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took me a while to post because I wasn't sure what to talk about--I spent most of </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Feeding my soul</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas Break trying to feed my soul with nordic skiing, biking, hiking and avoiding anything law related. I gave back my mountain bike because the contract was over and with the option to purchase I couldn't justify spending more money than my tuition on a bike that just sat in my house begging to be ridden. It's been weird, like when I broke my leg in college and all of sudden wasn't an athlete. I've been defining myself as an endurance mountain biker but without a mountain bike I feel like I'm having to redefine who I am. This resulted in crying a lot, wondering if I was slowly morphing into a person I might not recognize and wondering if it would be worth it.<span style="color: #e06666;"> I struggled with coming back to law school and when I finally left for school turned around twice on the drive wondering what the heck am I doing.</span> I even made a deal with myself that if my grades were below a certain average I wouldn't come back but unfortunately (or fortunately) did better and so resorted to coming back with a little better attitude. I'd like to say that has made all the difference but it still seems that something deep inside is begging for more. I've applied to a few other programs at this point, nothing law related, just to see what might come of it. And the option to transfer law schools is still on the table. I just don't know how much of it is environmental and how much of it is actually the law school process. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeuiYDyx0HLYC4nGqi93whxLb2R9BViB0wI0KotczQvrN2GyPtmZZfbm4kMiDrI9Jta5lRh_LM0GKZKYRFEd0wT9sUI0fhs40k7H8WnBG5L1Az1KR0ziur1_-SkyqaPEXYdFpEWW7E0w/s1600/IMG_5829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeuiYDyx0HLYC4nGqi93whxLb2R9BViB0wI0KotczQvrN2GyPtmZZfbm4kMiDrI9Jta5lRh_LM0GKZKYRFEd0wT9sUI0fhs40k7H8WnBG5L1Az1KR0ziur1_-SkyqaPEXYdFpEWW7E0w/s200/IMG_5829.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was able to get some nordic skiing done the past two months when we had snow, and have been running more. Sully was here for about a week and we did a 4-mile race. He beat me by 20 seconds and paced me for a mile or so and then I couldn't keep up as he slowly edged ahead.<b> I'd like to say that it was because he came from altitude but Sully is deceivingly fast, I thought this might be the one race I would beat him at, doing a 7:46 mile pace.</b> It's the first race we've finished together; the last one I dropped out of so joked how he could pace me again for a bit and then I'd just pull off the course. This semester, I've tried to make a point of going to Sioux Falls once a week to ride inside at a shop which is nice to (a) start doing some interval work (b) be surrounded by people who ride (c) stock up on groceries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll be racing for World Bicycle Relief again this year, which I'm really excited for. I haven't thought too much about what races to do besides Leadville and even that seems like a maybe somedays. It's been strange to think that at this point last year I had my bike, a training plan, a coach and this year I'm just like #yolo! (you only live once--all the cool kids are saying it.) We have spring break next week so hoping to use that time to start figuring out summer plans and spend some time outside on bikes!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Nordorking</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most frustrating thing is that all the misery and discomfort I feel is totally normal for law students and not uncommon at all. People wouldn't keep coming to law school if it wasn't worth it, would they? <span style="background-color: #6fa8dc;">I guess that's what keeps me, misery loves company and there is no better place to surround yourself in that stew than in law school.</span> Someone once told me that if you just take a step, it doesn't matter what direction you'd soon start to figure out if it was the right one or if you should have stepped in another direction. I think a lot about law school in terms of a training ride, am I getting what I need out of it or is better to cut my loses and go rogue. That's what I'm trying to do this year is have revelations and not resolutions. Okay maybe just one resolution to spend more time upside down. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMKU0j9u1HAOQNa1kMmT3XUb5EvitPSZLbuJs0-bZBlG0eFS5Xxvk1MkGtAVYb-0_wfeflJtqbxvaHHqFI1aLdXJvbFcTB63izGqs-UJDqgv4fjnS3KQg_KuckWqD_9fHxABCBjBQttE/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMKU0j9u1HAOQNa1kMmT3XUb5EvitPSZLbuJs0-bZBlG0eFS5Xxvk1MkGtAVYb-0_wfeflJtqbxvaHHqFI1aLdXJvbFcTB63izGqs-UJDqgv4fjnS3KQg_KuckWqD_9fHxABCBjBQttE/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The more blood to the brain the better, right?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-28225378857926989452015-11-24T21:42:00.000-08:002015-11-25T08:33:22.124-08:00The Opposite of Loneliness <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"We don't have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but if we did, I could say that's what I want in life...It's not quite love and it's not quite community; it's just this feeling that there are people, an abundance of people who are in this together. Who are on your team." -Marina Keegan </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I haven't posted in a while because I really wasn't sure what I would be posting about. I had a post in my head all about withdrawing from law school; and well since the last day to withdraw has passed, I suppose I will write about staying. But first all about South Dakota CX State Championship! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had planned on racing my crockett (geared bike) and only because of Sully's voice in my head saying <span style="color: #38761d;">"bring your single speed just incase something happens to the crockett when preriding" </span>I brought my single speed. I did two preride laps on my crockett. On the first lap after climbing a hill and having it flatten out a bit, I went into a turn and hit a bump with my front wheel, knocking both hands off my handlebar and on the way down into smacking my <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chad Pickard </td></tr>
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handlebar with my face, by the grace of God, I was able to find the drops and save my mouth from what I imagine a great discomfort. I did the descent but realized how fatigued my hands were from the position of the hoods. Between the hand position, not wanting to break my face, and not shifting with about 6 minutes to go decided to switch to my single speed. Fortunately not much was required to switch bikes. I went up to the start line, there was one other lady and a bunch of dudes, but no other single speeders! <b>Yes, victory would be mine.</b> There was one big hill (the biggest I've seen in eastern SD thus far) and even on geared bikes people were getting off and running so figured I wasn't at that much of a disadvantage being single speed. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0J4SRvj1YQ-cepOobhruJt2IMU9SaOlEl7BWlxkBXxNPVialUCdk35S4GZdMe3NpkQ10VvPNmvPUAIpgNbLKWcwtk3enhcP5tNAaJz-JNJKBFpfN6Leg2Ufvk_V6e82QW0oLPk-cW6w/s1600/money+money+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0J4SRvj1YQ-cepOobhruJt2IMU9SaOlEl7BWlxkBXxNPVialUCdk35S4GZdMe3NpkQ10VvPNmvPUAIpgNbLKWcwtk3enhcP5tNAaJz-JNJKBFpfN6Leg2Ufvk_V6e82QW0oLPk-cW6w/s200/money+money+.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Money! Money!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went through the finish after the first lap and thought maybe we'd be doing 3 laps total, but then they informed me there was three laps to go, oofta. The finish is flat and sends you right into two barriers with enough speed I was concerned I'd end up like the guy in the video, "Joey's Okay" (google it) but had somewhat smooth sailing over them. I didn't gain or lose any spots on lap two and only on the third lap did I pass someone going up the hill. I also picked up a leaf but it sounded like I was losing air in my front tire. I was sure I would wash out on the descent if that was true but also realized that the wheels I was riding on didn't cost that much ($10) and would just ride the rim if I had to. It only took another half lap to figure out when I hadn't gone flat that it was a leaf and I was fine. The last lap after the top of the hill I was thinking about the descent when I ran over a bunch of leaves and smashed my front wheel into a rock. Immediately I lurched forward and almost took a stem cap to the sternum, oops, don't get complacent. Focus on right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right after finishing I was informed I won money, who knew moving to SD would have such perks!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsqmlTDJ5etcUjDdy99J_3L8NMnDvV6cBoULp-pfupIKGy46bxCqBsTHgs29_ULQjS58GtziFY1Z-HVRCOTgkchGZ9GljYK5uNo57tnuf3S_y4v8Vjj4WbXxt8gbpzAyM2cXUEtiM8X0/s1600/singlespeedddd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsqmlTDJ5etcUjDdy99J_3L8NMnDvV6cBoULp-pfupIKGy46bxCqBsTHgs29_ULQjS58GtziFY1Z-HVRCOTgkchGZ9GljYK5uNo57tnuf3S_y4v8Vjj4WbXxt8gbpzAyM2cXUEtiM8X0/s320/singlespeedddd.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singlespeed queen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leading up to the race I didn't ride much, I took my single speed out 2 weeks ago and did about twenty miles without meaning to but the simplicity is so nice and you can just zone out, so that might be my 'A' bike while on the prairie. I did take my mountain bike a few weekends ago with a guy from law school who has a mountain bike, I think he might be the only in the law school with one. All the leaves had fallen so it made some descents and corners questionable but we finished mostly unscathed. It definitely made me realize how much I missed it. But the snow will be here soon I wouldn't be doing much riding except on the trainer! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I realized where most of my discomfort was stemming from in law school: a deep rooted sense of loneliness. I don't mean that as in I don't have any friends, because I do. I told Sully the other day,</span><span style="color: #674ea7;"> "I just need one person who wants to go on spirit journeys with me."</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> My discomfortable comes a lot from the unknown because I don't know anyone here who has tried to train for 100 milers during law school and survived. If I stay for the second year, does it get better? Is it easier to travel? Can I have the time to go on these epic adventures? And is this how I'll feel the rest of my life or does it get better or does it get worse? In Boulder, I felt like I could pick plenty of peoples brains in the athletic community, from nutritional habits, pros and cons of wearing bibs, what is the best route, what is a new route, race strategies, and if it's normal to cry during a bonk. I know that I'll find that community feeling in the legal profession eventually. I haven't decided if it makes me feel better or worse that </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Even Artichokes Have Doubts.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm still not really sure what made me decide to stay at law school. Maybe it was enough inverted yoga poses that got more blood to my brain. I really thought I was going to leave. I have a bad habit of staying in situations longer than I should thinking that they will get better, if I just give it a little more time, it'll change. <span style="color: #a64d79;">I also hear that the first year of law school is designed to turn you inside out and most of it is spent being miserable, so I wonder if I would be having similar feelings elsewhere as well.</span> I also worry that maybe I'm prolonging it so that I can be at peace with my decision. Like when I DNF'd at the Whiskey 50 and it took me 6 miles of trudging through the snow to cry all the tears out and be okay with the race ending at mile 13. But then I wonder how much of it is how much I hate living here and not actually law school. I also worry too much for my own good so I try not to think to far down the road. I don't know what's making me stay, and I don't know if I want to leave. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have no classes left and now only (yeah, ONLY!) finals to get through and then a new set of skis** to christen in the Colorado Snow! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like I summoned the snow-gods!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>**Skate-skis for all you nordorkers who want to go when I'm back. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-P.S. Also if you can't tell I'm on a bit of a kick with Marina Keegan's writing. Unfortunately her life was cut short 5 days after graduating from Yale in 2012. Check out her essay's and stories, I feel like she's continuously helping me develop as a person. </span><br />
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-44697139806083429982015-09-30T20:59:00.000-07:002015-09-30T21:02:29.103-07:00Chasing the Sun After Leadville I took two weeks off the bike and tried to settle into law school. I spent the first two days crying--this is why bonking in the woods is more ideal than surrounded by people. <span style="color: #134f5c;">And a good idea to have your mom around so you don't pack up the entire car and leave.</span> It's not that I don't want to be in law school I do, or at least pretty sure I do. It's just the adjustment from Colorado to South Dakota has been a lot harder than I thought it would be.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this count as a trail?</td></tr>
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I still haven't gotten into a groove with riding. <span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;">I never thought that I would feel so claustrophobic in the vastness of the open prairie, but it's a little unnerving with how much space there is.</span> If someone is chasing you, there is nowhere to hide. I have no sense of direction and worry if I wander too far away I'll just keep going. I also thought I would never miss climbing but boy I do. I used to think in terms of thousands of feet which has since been readjusted to hundreds, the most climbing I've had thus far is 761ft. over 50 miles (no shifting out of the big front chainring either...). Normally that would have equated to roughly 5,000 to 8,000 feet of climbing depending on the route. The one benefit is that it's teaching me to pedal, because it's so flat there is no coasting, just lots of pedaling.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Story of my life: Surrounded by dudes at a bike race</td></tr>
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I also experience my first cross race here (about an hour away from school), in years past I've only raced one or twice a season and always on my singlespeed but decided to do it on my geared cross bike. The cross scene is still developing here so the women all race together instead of in separate categories. Which didn't make sense to me until I showed up and there was a total of three of us for the race. There aren't too many men either so we raced with the men cat 3/4 and the master's category. <b>Racing for 10 hours is very different from racing for 30 minutes.</b> I don't usually incorporate a warmup before my races because<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuA9I8ESw4QrdB7fUlolthwFWM4zVqMSqtNS_0Fro0NBrB-S7SGIvOBPd2HGgp9b_Ovw2JorymxBXo_4BOy_bWTNCJ7d6j1Sq-K6nu-qNuovIZIa208I4_PKeWH_8LbZS_Vr9TNcsV2I/s1600/cross+race+2+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuA9I8ESw4QrdB7fUlolthwFWM4zVqMSqtNS_0Fro0NBrB-S7SGIvOBPd2HGgp9b_Ovw2JorymxBXo_4BOy_bWTNCJ7d6j1Sq-K6nu-qNuovIZIa208I4_PKeWH_8LbZS_Vr9TNcsV2I/s320/cross+race+2+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least I look fast, right?</td></tr>
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racing for 100 miles there is plenty of time to warm up. A 30 minute race, as I've come to find requires a proper warm-up, when the race was ending I felt like I was just getting going. <i>*Note to self, riding to the start line is not a sufficient warm-up.*</i> The course was all on grass with a sandpit going through a kids playground. <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was fun, hard, and depending on how you look at it I either got last, 3rd or 1st. </span>Last because there were only three women and I was last (dropped a chain but I was out of contention before that), or 3rd because there were three of us and that at least gets me a podium spot. Or first, because I was the only woman racing in my category. I was all set to make my Irish exit until I realized I locked my keys in my car and my phone was in there. So much for not having to talk to anyone. It was actually a blessing in disguise as I had to ask someone to use their phone and then wait 30 minutes for AAA to show up. <span style="background-color: #20124d; color: #b6d7a8;">Then I started talking to people, or more they started talking to me because I was the only one they didn't know. It's a small group of passionate people, and it's nice to know that they exist over here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dShMnnT9uZCSnyjAAbe4R-BTjkVvsWysoT3ON0n_rcsZXtgWTL4ebT0vFyDUC6428yt463o-1vXGe4e7FEQH4RSizF5_GVTX6Rebr8rAkIXPG7aefwCsQINF9lSxeYEDkVUDDlm5ni4/s1600/cross+race+3+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dShMnnT9uZCSnyjAAbe4R-BTjkVvsWysoT3ON0n_rcsZXtgWTL4ebT0vFyDUC6428yt463o-1vXGe4e7FEQH4RSizF5_GVTX6Rebr8rAkIXPG7aefwCsQINF9lSxeYEDkVUDDlm5ni4/s320/cross+race+3+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what I'm doing</td></tr>
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I have yet to see too many people when I'm out riding though. Which is a little disconcerting as I've had many near misses with cars. Cars here just aren't aware to watch for cyclists on the road. I've taken my cross bike out just to get away and onto gravel roads away from traffic which is great, except for when I flat or double flat as I did today. The first time about 4 miles down a desolate road that had posted "travel at your own risk" at the beginning which I thought would be perfect for the bike.<br />
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I'm still not sure what caused it and after using my spare tube decided to head back towards town. <span style="color: #a64d79;">I was about 6 miles out still when I stopped to put more air in because it was looking a little low and needed to make it </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">back to town because I have a very, very short list of people I know to call.</span> I pulled over and touched the valve core when it blew. <b>No!</b> So I did what anyone would do 6 miles from town with not a soul in sight, I threw my bike and hand pump into the ditch and sat down to cry. Mid cry I stopped hoping that I would be able to find my hand pump when I finished because it's a nice little one but then carried on for a few more minutes before digging it and my bike out of the weeds. Luckily I have one classmate's phone number who was free to come pick me up. I was talking to Sully later about it, how alone I feel when riding and in general here and how in Colorado someone would have been out there with a spare tube.<span style="color: #351c75;"> To which Sully added, "yah, and you're a girl so you would have gotten so much free stuff in Boulder."</span><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"> </span></span><br />
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Adjusting to riding has been hard, the one thing that has been constant in my life for the past four years seems to be crushing my soul here. <span style="color: #38761d;">I know it will get better, and over time who knows maybe I'll really end up liking head winds and I'll be really fast at changing flats and dodging cars</span>. As a result of my angst from some of my rides I've started running. I was so upset (mainly from a car almost hitting me) with how crappy a ride was this weekend that the next day I just started running and kept running for 9 miles, it was definitely a much needed spirit journey. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now I do things like this...for fun</td></tr>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-67611090660614208762015-08-26T19:28:00.001-07:002015-08-26T19:28:25.950-07:00Leadville 100: Fight Like Hell<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_NzMqzCf8fVX9RsWF4lgXqDtAInxuKkdKCe_c2ntiA1StMSNPl5UZk0ZiwLliaihIw-QHtlJ7xOsbwNpUtKjOJcS0jLEfdNKgOIYzu3YGrPh7z2aZnsYdOQdyOfBPG_iH4ndLOE7SNk/s1600/before+start+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_NzMqzCf8fVX9RsWF4lgXqDtAInxuKkdKCe_c2ntiA1StMSNPl5UZk0ZiwLliaihIw-QHtlJ7xOsbwNpUtKjOJcS0jLEfdNKgOIYzu3YGrPh7z2aZnsYdOQdyOfBPG_iH4ndLOE7SNk/s320/before+start+.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Help! I need help!!" My focus was abruptly interrupted at mile 16 during the Leadville 100 when I was desperately trying to wrangle my derailleur into working. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming into Leadville was uneventful, I left Law School Orientation early for it and was focused on trying to get prepped for the event. Sully and I headed up to Leadville the Thursday before where we did packet-pick up, a pre-ride and met up with the World Bicycle Relief Team. Friday was spent much of the same, taking it easy, making sure the check-lists were complete, food was made, bottles ready. Sully went over the bike once more and I was good to go. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final thoughts...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">The morning of the race, I didn't feel nervous, I didn't have a lot of excitement either, I felt focused and calm--two things that I did not expect.</span> Sully and I rode down to the start line and I maneuvered my way into the front of my wave. Some guy around me crashed, which was a little comic relief because the race hadn't even started yet. The gun went off and the waves started to move, I didn't have to wait long because I was towards the front and before I knew it we were off. I always get a little nervous for St. Kevin's, even with doing Leadville before. Everybody talks about the bottle neck and the jostling for position. Neither time has it happened to me where some asshole runs me off the route but it's always in the back of my mind. As we started up into the double track climb one of the guys I know passed me so I sat on his wheel to get through the throngs of people. After the initial climb I settled into a pace but still weary of everyone around me. I pulled my arm warmers down so I could drop them at the first aid station around mile 11.<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> I was only able to get one off in time to drop it before turning onto a three mile descent on the pavement.</span></span> This is where I knew I could make up time from the previous year; instead of eating on the descent, tuck go faster and eat on the climbs. So that's what I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the uphill I took my arm warmer and stuffed it in my middle jersey pocket (because I didn't want to litter) where it would be out of the way and took out some food to eat. I was in my groove working my way up the double track on the back side of Powerline when I heard one guy not even finish his sentence, <span style="background-color: black; color: white;">"Hey girl in the pink helmet your arm warmer..." But in that moment the arm warmer had slipped from my jersey pock and straight down into my rear derailleur, slinking around it like a serpent and clogging up the whole system.</span> <b>"Ohhhhhh Fudge!" </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ3baZkWT41_KFJ-GMzXylKajAIdTeekJedor4mRCyGnUPK74xjcqNO1g2ZgXAJbM7elaeGMw9S_r59S1Vzbp10BAJ8Mt957dYlDzzUB5me77okXydcL9E7CzJgkUf8BO79k_TL9rgFY/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ3baZkWT41_KFJ-GMzXylKajAIdTeekJedor4mRCyGnUPK74xjcqNO1g2ZgXAJbM7elaeGMw9S_r59S1Vzbp10BAJ8Mt957dYlDzzUB5me77okXydcL9E7CzJgkUf8BO79k_TL9rgFY/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Except, I didn't say Fudge</i>. I wrestled with the arm warmer trying to get it to untangle and saw the end of the race looming. Some guy called out if to see if I needed help, I exclaimed, <i>"Help! I need help!"</i> and he stopped and was able to rig it back into some what of a shape that would get me going. I remember standing there and looking at the impending climb, and thinking <i>Okay, you have two options now, you can quit, blame it on the derailleur and walk away orrrrr you can fight like hell. Oh yeah, option 1 doesn't exist.<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"> </span></i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">I took off with a vengeance, I had no idea if it would hold so I would ride that thing until it broke and then I'd start running.</span> I took off continuing the climb, at first gingerly shifting and seeing what my range was, <b>not much- about 5 gears in the middle</b>, no easy climbing gears and nothing on the top range. Gears are shifty so that's fine. I had some reprieve at the top which opens up into Powerline at the bottom. It's a really fun descent and I bombed down it, taking the B line as much as I could to make up time and get around people. Powerline proved to not be too difficult getting down, there is only one really good line and most people are pretty cautious about it so I kept my distanced and followed suit. At the bottom and once on the pavement towards the Pipeline aid station the guy who helped me made a comment while passing <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">"Dang, you went down that hill and passed me like I was standing still." I laughed and thought of all the sketchy events that have led to the confidence I now have in descending.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKGOq1xWZYKRU3KiN35WNtp6u2wkH-LZvPP8pPHOTZtNFEmB_HuNZ-iWq6wV_SJ8xKqzo3-94C48KuZKan13clghC3-cQumjpFX9ML7IGqBL2JNzW-BcVlu7DoK3QV5xFLvQat_rLIJA/s1600/powerline+going+donw+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKGOq1xWZYKRU3KiN35WNtp6u2wkH-LZvPP8pPHOTZtNFEmB_HuNZ-iWq6wV_SJ8xKqzo3-94C48KuZKan13clghC3-cQumjpFX9ML7IGqBL2JNzW-BcVlu7DoK3QV5xFLvQat_rLIJA/s320/powerline+going+donw+.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Steel face</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next section is really great if you can get onto a group- it's about 5 miles of pavement and if you can sit with a group they'll pull you right in to the aid station. Expect that gear issue,<span style="color: #93c47d;"> I couldn't get into a hard enough one so when the group took off my little legs were spinning as fast as they could but to no avail. </span>I was stuck out there on my own with a lone single speeder behind me. I'm sure people who saw me were thinking I should just shift to a hard gear. Fast twitch muscle have never been my strong suit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the derailleur issue I lambasted myself for not taking my phone, there was no way to tell Sully at mile 40 what had happened so he could prepare. I thought maybe if I saw someone at the aid station at mile 23 I could have them text him. I didn't know anyone who </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLFNNJ1T3XmatMi_aQ_BI8iEzucvR1JksgRmQdXuxNlqgMEItOi7ym7Ric8cFN_tvlGXgiad9a-Jib_4FeIE5ZylpuIUyVacr61Rl0jkuP_tP7xLrTQg-pOaNlyiafyek_nlbu5cx6hw/s1600/race+1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLFNNJ1T3XmatMi_aQ_BI8iEzucvR1JksgRmQdXuxNlqgMEItOi7ym7Ric8cFN_tvlGXgiad9a-Jib_4FeIE5ZylpuIUyVacr61Rl0jkuP_tP7xLrTQg-pOaNlyiafyek_nlbu5cx6hw/s320/race+1+.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was going to be there, let alone who had Sully's number. I slowed a bit but not much as I still wasn't hopeful I'd know anyone but then I saw the Luna Pro Team's Van- he should have Sully's number. <span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #073763;">I rode to the side of the van "Chris! Can you text Sully that I bent my rear derailleur. It's working but will need something." "Yeah, sure! anything I can do?" I told him I'd just wait till I saw Sully, I don't know why I passed. But that's okay. </span>I continued eating, drinking, riding and making sure not to shift under load. The section is fast, only about 50 minutes and I rolled into the 40 mile aid station to see the WBR tent where they told me to keep going Sully was further up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned onto the dam and towards the end I saw a group of pink shirts (the same ones from the last time) and waved to acknowledge that I saw them. I rode up and they were all ready to hand me food, "My derailleur, did Chris text you?" Sully had only taken my phone to the aid station, which I thought could happen- I told him it was bent and when he was looking at it, I took in some food and drink and waited for the diagnosis. Since Sully hadn't gotten the text he didn't have a spare derailed to put on there and asked if I could deal with it until he saw me again at mile 60. He had bent it back a little more so I was able to access a few more of the harder gears. I told him that was no problem and began the process up Columbine. <b>To say I was nervous was an understatement.</b> I had no idea if my gear range </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0JCsGIzL0-qDz0xgxq7Fnf-aasNyrPhZjG0umVL1pBUdg7Ogwu8towZeNdOEC5oekh_cdbwQl0nvHs-XZLJqRxtoINkGPpp-fMOhKE0DotNFkTLcdG5YQ9sl3YPSmza_aEnFkXcuWqc/s1600/columbine+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0JCsGIzL0-qDz0xgxq7Fnf-aasNyrPhZjG0umVL1pBUdg7Ogwu8towZeNdOEC5oekh_cdbwQl0nvHs-XZLJqRxtoINkGPpp-fMOhKE0DotNFkTLcdG5YQ9sl3YPSmza_aEnFkXcuWqc/s320/columbine+.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was going to get me to the top without snapping my chain or throwing everything into the wheel. All I had to do was get to the top and then I could just coast downhill if all else fails. I've always had a vendetta with Columbine, it is the same mountain that gave me a TBI but I've never felt like I've ridden it to my full potential.<span style="color: purple;"> I'm not sure if it was the broken derailleur, the fact law school started on Monday, or plenty of past visualization but I had the best ride up it. I actually think by not having my easy gears I went up faster (and I did, it was my fastest time up, including training rides).</span> I was making up time, and passing people doing it. I did make a point to try and tell everyone "good job" as I passed them, because I've been in their place where everything starts to fall apart on the climb. Towards the top one guy asked me why I was in such a good mood, I informed him, <u>"I start law school on Monday! So this is great!" </u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was prepared for the walking section of Columbine, after the gravel road, it funnels into a goat trail that can be somewhat limiting because you have people coming down on the left and nowhere to pass on the right. If anything I've learned, it's to sit tight here and just go with it. I don't know if it was because I got up there faster but there was very limited walking. The last time it was almost 1.5 miles of all just hiking because of how backed up it got, but this time there were sections of walking but usually only 100-200 yards before being able to ride again. I ran into one of the ladies I knew- she told me that somebody crashed right in front of her going down Powerline and caused her to crash and go over the bars, she landed right on a rock with her chest and had been having trouble breathing the rest of the time. So she was going between walking, riding, and sitting to catch her breath. That lady is hard core (side note she finished and finished well!). Once I got to the top I knew there would be no time to waste, but I knew I needed to grab some food. In the midst of telling Sully what had happened to my derailleur I handed my food back to my mom when I went pee and forgot to grab it back. I had enough bites of things left and a whole bottle of skratch that got me up the mountain. <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">I had even started looking for food that had been dropped when I was hiking but didn't find anything (my mother is thanking the lord I did not pick random race food up from the ground, Wayne, he other hand is probably shaking his head...).</span> I got to the top refilled my bottle with water and took in some oranges and watermelon. I turned around and did the short 100 yard climb up and right before the descent started, I was on a tandem's wheel. I thought about passing them but then they made the move through the middle and I realized I just needed to stay on their wheel. They navigated through the throngs of people now pushing their bikes up and the people on the right riding down. <span style="background-color: white;"><b>Fortunately, most people realize that a tandem coming down is like a freight train so they conceded the right of way to them and I was able to squeeze by behind them. Once we got to the gravel section the tandem completely dropped me.</b> </span>That was fine, the gravel had been a little loose on Columbine so I was being a little conservative still. On a flatter section I went to drink but dropped my bottle and thought about stopping to pick it up but then ran over it so at this point I was completely out of food and water but only had about 10 minutes to go before I saw Sully again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got back to the aid station and Sully had his whole tool roll laid out.<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"> My dad held my bike while Sully switched out parts and I ate food and posed for my mom to take pictures. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuoD1E0jwJRhqZu4f57iGMvNKIUWgVywg3D0W7QtM-LTL4lu77cKi2goD9rkOMvGPeKx-NH2CVIpupMEp7koRach3RMGcELg_CZphlzz4ecmkSr3YXzsDLow-MIk9vST1QnbYrAi1zhE/s1600/posing+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuoD1E0jwJRhqZu4f57iGMvNKIUWgVywg3D0W7QtM-LTL4lu77cKi2goD9rkOMvGPeKx-NH2CVIpupMEp7koRach3RMGcELg_CZphlzz4ecmkSr3YXzsDLow-MIk9vST1QnbYrAi1zhE/s320/posing+.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I knew it, Sully told me I was ready to roll, he said it might make some noise but it should shift smooth and not cause any more chain tension. <b>OH MAN! Was he right-smooth as butter- and I was on a roll! </b>I left the aid station and stopped by the WBR tent to see Claire and two of my friends who I missed on the way in. I quickly filled them in on my adventures and they then told me I should go and keep riding. The next section back to Pipeline Aid station isn't anything special, there is one mile of single track which is nice but that's really it. I avoided the back log that happened about 1/3 of a mile behind me. Sully and I had initially talked about him being at the Pipeline Aid Station but figured he wouldn't have enough time to get back there so mentally took stock of my food/water situation incase I needed to make it to mile 89. I could do it so I didn't take anything from the aid station and was able to get in a group this time for the pavement section. Before the turn off for Powerline I saw Sully's big blue van so knew he was close. The WBR girls were planning on being on Powerline so I thought maybe he was with them. I turned the corner and saw him with his tool roll and food waiting for me. He wanted to make sure the derailleur was holding up. I grabbed some more food and was grateful to be able to restock just incase I needed it for the climb.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ2e_DlcwQPSqmxbOmDUr6XgCeNBWOm0MAtJORST_O-7rmEBXGR3fX1HEWpeEa3cvrUPbAwMbosNQ1-P6sWrvxt8GR3eT8UVbrOTsGT54myVcTYVuFUBMHjfxyT6X94PbWI3NhS6CkkA/s1600/getting+der.+fixed+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ2e_DlcwQPSqmxbOmDUr6XgCeNBWOm0MAtJORST_O-7rmEBXGR3fX1HEWpeEa3cvrUPbAwMbosNQ1-P6sWrvxt8GR3eT8UVbrOTsGT54myVcTYVuFUBMHjfxyT6X94PbWI3NhS6CkkA/s320/getting+der.+fixed+.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamwork makes the dream work.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Powerline is always tricky because there is really only one line up and that seems to be the one people want to walk up too. I knew I could make it up a good chunk of it before needing to walk- fortunately Powerline draws enough crowds that they yell for you at walkers to get out of the way.<span style="color: #cc0000;"> I saw the WBR girls which helped to give me a little surge of energy. </span>I figured I just needed to make it to the photographer so there is proof of me being a badass, I did but the photo has yet to show up. About half way up it becomes so steep that I'm at an advantage to walk because it's faster- so that's what I did. I made it a point to get back on as soon as I could and begin the climb up into the 4 false summits before reaching the top. Going down this section is much more fun than going up. It's only 3 miles but still takes me about 50 minutes. I still felt great going up, and once I got to the top I found a girl's wheel to sit on for the descent. She rallied and it was all I could do to keep up with her but her lines were smooth, not what mine would have been had I been doing it solo. We got down the mountain pretty fast and soon we were almost to the home stretch. More descending on pavement followed by a 20 minute climb up to the last aid station. I had made a rough plan to see my parents at this one, drop my camelbak and get one last fuel grab before the descent into town. As I approached the aid station I couldn't find them so I grabbed a handful of M&Ms and a cup of coke. I then saw they had full unopened cans</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW9NHfWK8F3zTrGnXdtD2Y8xX9jkXM4uXRDXCITJrf5a-jY0LrtobEwl6xSAZIEUfOvcXwCG9qVMax0iFwa7YpB24xCpwfs0a2vpsq1gGbfFdV1zKaAVWHdHk8mnANzE0UeRxfyQnnpc/s1600/the+start+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW9NHfWK8F3zTrGnXdtD2Y8xX9jkXM4uXRDXCITJrf5a-jY0LrtobEwl6xSAZIEUfOvcXwCG9qVMax0iFwa7YpB24xCpwfs0a2vpsq1gGbfFdV1zKaAVWHdHk8mnANzE0UeRxfyQnnpc/s320/the+start+.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and I asked if I could take one and stuffed it into my sports bra--incase of emergency. I was now ready to begin my descent with a jersey pocket full of M&Ms and a can of coke in my sports bra. <span style="color: #93c47d;"><b>I still approached the descent like I had most of the other ones, with reckless abandonment, especially knowing I was so close to home. </b></span>Toward the end of the descent you end up on a narrow gravel road, about 6 miles from the finish, this is when I started to feel the fumes. I searched in my bag and pulled out my in "super case of emergency" bar, I had never tried it and immediately regretted it, it reminded me of tequila, not what you want when you're that far into a race. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">With about 4 miles left I saw Sully, I thought about stopping but realized I was so close so the only thing I could think of to yell at him was "I'm dead!" clearly brain function was starting to go too.</span> After seeing him it's a double track again that feels like a rutted out alley. I saw a RudeBoy (it's a team in CO that gets rowdy) and knew he'd navigate the section with ease so I followed his lines up onto the gravel road that flows into town. Last time I raced Leadville I was so unprepared for this section but now I knew what to expect so it wasn't as demoralizing. I could see the crest of the hill that I needed to reach to begin the descent into town. At this point I was really only on fumes, I don't remember any other time that I had felt so spent in any race or training ride. <span style="background-color: #b4a7d6;">I reached the pavement and turned onto the final stretch. It was all I could do to turn the pedals over. I remembered the coke (a weird thing to forget) and opened it with about half a mile left and chugged it like I was in a frat house.</span> I shoved the can in my jersey pocket and proceeded to the finish line. I don't remember much just a blur of people yelling. As I crossed the finish line I tried to put my arms up--but almost fell off the bike in the process so put them back down almost immediately, the pictures are real gems. I got my medal and went and found my mom, dad and Sully and almost immediately regretted chugging that can of coke. I don't know if I've had much more than a sip or two of pop for at least 12 years so it was quite the shock to the stomach, which so kindly reminded me of that fact when I was throwing it up later. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRfj-rDAjvHnUms5A-LrdfDu2GQsllJWmDzCtJSod5RdPx3eqwQ-Q8BH38ud8pMdEVg2Ub7UFGiTYVgWQkqGWdQVfdGqV5k-vz-k_rr76DIgMg9qtDEMzYvD47OdTglOKT2ZyHdtqnck/s1600/with+the+parents+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRfj-rDAjvHnUms5A-LrdfDu2GQsllJWmDzCtJSod5RdPx3eqwQ-Q8BH38ud8pMdEVg2Ub7UFGiTYVgWQkqGWdQVfdGqV5k-vz-k_rr76DIgMg9qtDEMzYvD47OdTglOKT2ZyHdtqnck/s320/with+the+parents+.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best team!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished in 10:09- about 16 minutes faster than my previous attempt. I finished 39th for women and 8th in my age group (it's a weird race because they clump all the pros and amateurs together in the same age groups).<b> It might have been the best race of my life.</b> I relished every moment and only the last few miles did I start to fumble. I loved racing for WBR, and I'm really proud of how I dealt with the derailleur issue, a few years ago I'm not sure I would have had the perspective to keep going. <b><span style="background-color: #666666; color: #ffe599;">It was really a great hurrah before law school. And totally worth spending the first two days of law school bonking from it. </span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUGVkpADMdObfP34KagNge8g1zPPzWD6_iHj8tOnSuzMpFAaZnw0Sw-tvTCGWQN6QzwbOevxWrSfPKyn8nMq4vw9CI8bCZtU7i90ofsBZ7CubDRlpkvcxxoSxISxKrs2P710LtsqNcT0/s1600/at+finish+with+sully+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUGVkpADMdObfP34KagNge8g1zPPzWD6_iHj8tOnSuzMpFAaZnw0Sw-tvTCGWQN6QzwbOevxWrSfPKyn8nMq4vw9CI8bCZtU7i90ofsBZ7CubDRlpkvcxxoSxISxKrs2P710LtsqNcT0/s320/at+finish+with+sully+.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best mechanic/support crew!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically & emotionally: Give up, or Fight Like Hell. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the HILARIOUS finish photos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-55936254802922314552015-08-09T20:14:00.000-07:002015-08-09T20:14:20.924-07:00Be Grateful<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblEJbezcvTlH5LoSPHGRTSGHzMNJdXPGLW4dNY2xoDmBCqBrfCptA0RvFXXn6jl9KGyUDOBJUzItRMxhR8lpv0QZCruqax82Hwf6djJYw9gU-d4whxkcccELr_qpWih6WXWOxHNktS_g/s1600/columbine+crash+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblEJbezcvTlH5LoSPHGRTSGHzMNJdXPGLW4dNY2xoDmBCqBrfCptA0RvFXXn6jl9KGyUDOBJUzItRMxhR8lpv0QZCruqax82Hwf6djJYw9gU-d4whxkcccELr_qpWih6WXWOxHNktS_g/s320/columbine+crash+day.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survived the crash date</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>"What's your last training ride if you don't cry on it?" </b>I posed to Sully after I had gotten off the bike, gotten some food and gotten some perspective. I was on the last 40 minutes of my 4 plus hour ride and almost to 50 miles. I had one of my banana wraps explode in my jersey pocket earlier which had put me in a calorie deficit, had been facing a strong headwind on the way back and was about half way up the segment after Powerline (about a 45 minute climb) when I lost it. Not fully, complete <br />
breakdown mode, I didn't have that much energy to waste- but my fears bubbled up to the surface and I did the most logical thing to do- released them in the form of tears. <b><span style="color: purple;">"What if the race isn't fun, what if I'm slow, what if I don't PR, what if I crash on this descent and don't get to race, what if it was all for naught." </span></b>Everything came out and then I reached the summit, turned around and descended back to my car to eat my emergency snickers- as they say, you aren't you when you're hungry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y-B_rrN_hZhcSNcPRw9np10qi46V5x4-HXKGT84MZ5kca-K2O1hyGEuQYzFGvKE_9QxC6d3bu3OInouUbTC0hj7HCZwHN-tcOW8hqybPCDleNH9tB92-NWiGL_e_5zk1TJUXN31F5u0/s1600/moose+at+cabin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y-B_rrN_hZhcSNcPRw9np10qi46V5x4-HXKGT84MZ5kca-K2O1hyGEuQYzFGvKE_9QxC6d3bu3OInouUbTC0hj7HCZwHN-tcOW8hqybPCDleNH9tB92-NWiGL_e_5zk1TJUXN31F5u0/s320/moose+at+cabin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you give a moose a salt block....</td></tr>
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Sully pointed out that this was normal, and it seemed to happen at least once a year in training mode for me. It was true and I probably would have been surprised if I had made it through the whole thing without crying. <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">It doesn't help that I've been living out of a laundry basket of riding clothes from my car as all of my things have been moved for the start of law school and my lease ended July 31st. </span>Fortunately I've had some stability in the form of my family's cabin over by Crested Butte, no internet, no cell service (there is a landline), and no people which has led to my first Pintrest Project, and moose watching! It's also given me a lot of time to just be, especially before the chaos that this week will bring, with law school orientation, flying back to CO, racing Leadville and then flying back to start law school.<br />
<br />
I've put a lot of stress around getting a PR at Leadville and trying to get as close to 9 hours as possible. <i>It will be rather hard, as my best training times put me around 9:30 and that's been for only half the distance.</i> It's stupid to put so much focus on this one race though, I've had a great season and <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY5tUcE_eKxP2eOldrPlxJ8rgIIn-ASiZX-gInCgmvN6WGXOHK4cInoHFqnvy3NL94rr8CPYzulQHcTj2Puod9P5alVy-HnRybnWIlJjSNeSfwIip8Hqlb_zEhxQVyrv-OgTuQWU8n8A/s1600/car.+of+happiness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY5tUcE_eKxP2eOldrPlxJ8rgIIn-ASiZX-gInCgmvN6WGXOHK4cInoHFqnvy3NL94rr8CPYzulQHcTj2Puod9P5alVy-HnRybnWIlJjSNeSfwIip8Hqlb_zEhxQVyrv-OgTuQWU8n8A/s320/car.+of+happiness.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this ride to a carousel...</td></tr>
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some really epic training rides. If something goes catastrophically wrong at Leadville, it's not the end of the world. <span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>I'm not defined by this race</b></span>- plus I did register for 2016 already soooo....<br />
<br />
When I finally told my mother in passing that I did register for 2016, she said she figured "I would and it was fine as long as it remained fun but to also remember that when I'm climbing those hills in Leadville that I could be on the flats of Iowa with a party bus behind me" (there is talk about doing RAGBRAI- the ride across Iowa, with the whole gang). She does have a point if anything it's just a great last hurrah before law school -<u> I mean what's a going away party without 1500 other people to celebrate with you?</u><br />
<br />
I did express some of my fears to Barb, who has accomplished many Ironmans, marathons, x-terras, triathlons and various other athletic accomplishments- and she gave me some great advice "Stay in the moment. Pass through the bad patches. Be grateful. You got this!" <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>And so heading into race day, I will remember to be grateful that I even have the opportunity to get to the starting line. </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr3sB1yNhR9qqoByjpJQ1MjXrJIglHaVSRF9uoJxGadt6hhqzw9FhQrohfZAz8wy0b0Y0eu9TA53VzficVIrOjsW6SipUbkAwvokEWVn3TtsTc4McSTdSh3Zk2HSyIK8Gmx8NIOaSJBg/s1600/tapering+at+cabin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr3sB1yNhR9qqoByjpJQ1MjXrJIglHaVSRF9uoJxGadt6hhqzw9FhQrohfZAz8wy0b0Y0eu9TA53VzficVIrOjsW6SipUbkAwvokEWVn3TtsTc4McSTdSh3Zk2HSyIK8Gmx8NIOaSJBg/s320/tapering+at+cabin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm before the storm. </td></tr>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-52666707438084728422015-07-14T06:24:00.002-07:002015-07-14T06:24:36.762-07:00SilverRush 50: Where Do You Want To Go?There were two things that happened at the SilverRush 50 that I didn't plan for:<br />
1.) <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Launching my bike off my car rack on the way to the race (don't worry it's fine!)</span><br />
2.) <span style="color: #a64d79;">Winning an entry into Leadville 2016....my mother is already praying</span><br />
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I guess I knew #2 was a possibility but it seemed to be the furthest thought from my mind, I was focused mostly on trying to improve my Leadville coral position and on racing my own race and not worry about anyone around me. I successfully achieved both of those even with my legs deciding not to show up.<br />
<br />
The race started like it did every year, with some chaos interrupting my calm focus. <b>The first year I had to call my dad to help me figure out where the start was, last year I had to call Dana to bring me my camelbak, and this year I was driving when I hit a dip and launched the rear wheel of my bike off the bike rack and smack onto the street. </b>Fortunately I saw it right away and with my friends in the car right behind me they both reassured me that it was fine. Not like I had a second bike if it wasn't fine so figured I would ride it until it broke (it never did).<br />
<br />
At the start I double checked my rear tire pressure and it seemed to be holding so wasn't going to fret about it. The hike up at the start is always awful, immediately my legs were questioned why I was doing this but once I was on the bike they seemed to settle into a rhythm. I had talked to my coach <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnetmJeksS1Pu-KhZ52MnqsQPfiDMfwkM_AtRbDG9u2cZwBqpd29PNgdt34sn3GduB2H2Ff8TZQcs5xK1PuoaM7Q83FeWnBVjsgTKUlLptttZYT2yz9CVrPEahJ6LonjVQ2cBywix9P8/s1600/HillPush-Silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnetmJeksS1Pu-KhZ52MnqsQPfiDMfwkM_AtRbDG9u2cZwBqpd29PNgdt34sn3GduB2H2Ff8TZQcs5xK1PuoaM7Q83FeWnBVjsgTKUlLptttZYT2yz9CVrPEahJ6LonjVQ2cBywix9P8/s400/HillPush-Silver.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awful.</td></tr>
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about the course and decided it best to ride the first 10 miles conservatively at it is a steady climb, there would be plenty of other places to blow myself up. And so I did, I settled into my pace and just turned over the pedals hoping to wake my legs up. The last 4 miles of the climb are on a donkey trail that is pretty rutted out and has some questionable lines. My only goal was to not have to walk any of it because I knew mentally it would make my day harder. So I didn't, I kept climbing and was thankful to the guys walking behind me who would call out to those in front of me that I was coming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_KpARVem72Kt64cAamtFb_b92XSNIUPrXT4U6ZnTKlTew1TtBvtYvwVgZ_fC-M_jPeTMNEqPoRerPjXvQ0TSFD32LrBh2szaK6F9neUEq9bYbAwPiUz2o9tOAlJ-DVRKWfEdaoqPCCw/s1600/honey+boo+boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_KpARVem72Kt64cAamtFb_b92XSNIUPrXT4U6ZnTKlTew1TtBvtYvwVgZ_fC-M_jPeTMNEqPoRerPjXvQ0TSFD32LrBh2szaK6F9neUEq9bYbAwPiUz2o9tOAlJ-DVRKWfEdaoqPCCw/s320/honey+boo+boo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preach, girl.</td></tr>
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I was relieved when I turned off the climb and onto the gravel road that pulled me down by the first aid station and into the forest. I kept descending knowing it would only lead to more climbing. That climb was followed again by a quick descent and another climb that sent me over the highest point and down into the turn around. I knew I didn't want to waste too much time at the half way aid station so when I rode by <span style="color: #cc0000;">I grabbed two bananas and five gels just to be safe, because what's a race if you don't cross the finish line with at least an extra 1700 calories of food. </span><br />
<br />
The way back always seems shorter than the way out, and it is, time wise but nothing substantial because all those downhills on the way out become uphills on the way back.<b> The way back though involves about a mile or two of hike-a-bike section which made me grumble because I hate hiking with my bike.</b> After that it was followed by a descent back into the forest when I saw one of my friends on the way out. Unfortunately it was on a corner and only realized who it was after passing her. We shouted at each other and then continued on our separate ways. Getting back to the final aid station seemed faster than I thought it would be. The climbs are shorter and the descents are longer. <i>I followed one guy into a descent and saw him crash right in front of me but luckily I took the cleaner line and remained unscathed.</i> I pulled into the last aid station not really needing anything but figured if they were handing out water I would take it. The girl I rode to<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiy3ul45_xGTFlaXu4BsnUQTWVU6LB5Nlr42y__73TPYn3ykpCPSHlJYa8pwCWfWcbxN_R5BamyxDfB5ym0g7W9SnEYi3mujRXZsBbPW9pTPcYOe8Dg6c02JLluUGtqKWH0d1yWRQ19k/s1600/Suzy+and+I+after+the+race+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiy3ul45_xGTFlaXu4BsnUQTWVU6LB5Nlr42y__73TPYn3ykpCPSHlJYa8pwCWfWcbxN_R5BamyxDfB5ym0g7W9SnEYi3mujRXZsBbPW9pTPcYOe8Dg6c02JLluUGtqKWH0d1yWRQ19k/s320/Suzy+and+I+after+the+race+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Suzy, she's also from West River, we represented</td></tr>
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only had coke and not wanting to waste time waiting for water I took it and mentally prepared for the last push of the day, 4 miles up the gravel road before taking the 10 mile descent into town. I settled <span style="text-align: center;">into a pace, and kept rhythm by reciting prayers and old poetry </span><span style="color: #674ea7;">(really the only time I break out any poetry is when I'm climbing on my bike)</span>. About half way up I got passed by one lady and was able to sit on her wheel for the most part and have her pull me the rest of the way. I also knew that the descent provided two lines so wasn't worried about getting stuck behind some cranky old guy like last weekend. Before I knew it we were turning onto the descent and I was opening up my suspension. I felt great going down, smooth, clean, and focused. Maybe one of the most confident descents I've had in a long time. <span style="background-color: white;"><i>I was able to pick clean lines and navigate around other riders with ease. I knew this is where I could make up some time so I kept pushing and kept pedaling. I watched the mileage climb with the approach of town near.</i></span> I had passed three girls on the descent and didn't want them to have the opportunity to pass me back. With 1.5 miles left to go there is a short steep hill that I knew if anyone would catch me it would be on that, especially if I had to get off and walk. I focused, shifted down in time and mashed up it and kept cruising to the finish line.<br />
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I was happy with my finish I took an 1:05 off my time from last year and 5 minutes off the time from the year before (5:50 was this year). I felt pretty good because I had raced my race and even with my legs not feeling 100% I was able to keep riding and not sulk about it. I ended up winning my age group which was nice, especially because second place came in 30 seconds behind me. <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Winning gives me the opportunity to race Leadville in 2016</b></span>. I didn't even think about that as being an option. When I was up on the podium they give you an option of taking the coin to register later or passing it up. I took it; but still have yet to register.<br />
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<h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.”</h1>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-28714332842949900412015-07-10T08:47:00.000-07:002015-07-10T08:47:50.323-07:00Sparkle Unicorns <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbmx94849LGggN8PbXJe46iLeISVrhghBBUhluO_fTNoza_gJEJV4ou1IkyzM1yvDHEVubYSczFX1xE-zp1RKpA-Po3soFFRrNpAB5ztJUNMo7MneLKSDb-q-ifIZRKgPQkZT1w8CXBo/s1600/The+girls+after+wedding+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbmx94849LGggN8PbXJe46iLeISVrhghBBUhluO_fTNoza_gJEJV4ou1IkyzM1yvDHEVubYSczFX1xE-zp1RKpA-Po3soFFRrNpAB5ztJUNMo7MneLKSDb-q-ifIZRKgPQkZT1w8CXBo/s200/The+girls+after+wedding+.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still the same after 8 years!</td></tr>
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Heading up to Breckenridge for the Firecracker 50 was the perfect anecdote for spending the previous weekend in NYC; navigating traffic, tourists, and roller bladders <b>(yes, that's still a thing there- I know I was shocked too!) </b>around central park while riding. NYC was great, in that I was able to catch up <br />
with friends but it quickly reminded me why I didn't remain on the East, too many people-all the time. Not to say Breckenridge wasn't crowded, with it being a holiday weekend it was but at least I was in the mountains and riding my mountain bike.<br />
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I signed up for the team category with Carly, the fiancee of one of Sully's riders. We had talked about it at the Grand Junction race but I postponed registering because I was having a hard time coming up with a team name.<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;"> With only a few days left I put down the only name that seemed reasonable: Sparkle Unicorns. </span></span>We both had a similar approach to the race; casual. I was grateful for, because I have the SilverRush 50 this weekend and didn't want to blow myself up by doing two 50s in a row.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrOjyXtusDjbdgUaEvFeF2B6bGsNHWKcoEu_LEgvGXRVHSMDQ3ftuStAd_ElCDeAMNBCLJR0KN6vUSEDfx5fgByRo9mqL2CaZWQKYxA-AirWlqz1Rjef8DhGLbOzAREoix322MAZ20TY/s1600/Breck+pre+ride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrOjyXtusDjbdgUaEvFeF2B6bGsNHWKcoEu_LEgvGXRVHSMDQ3ftuStAd_ElCDeAMNBCLJR0KN6vUSEDfx5fgByRo9mqL2CaZWQKYxA-AirWlqz1Rjef8DhGLbOzAREoix322MAZ20TY/s320/Breck+pre+ride.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good vibes on the preride </td></tr>
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We started the race by going through the 4th of July parade in Breckenridge and then I pulled off and headed back to the house while Carly started the first lap. It's a bit odd going second because you have a vague idea of when you will begin but no definite way of knowing. I gathered my things at the house and headed to the park to watch the pros come through and help do feeds for Sully's team. <span style="color: #674ea7;">Other than that I spent most of the time trying to avoid the sun and hoping that I didn't miss Carly coming in. </span>After and hour or so waiting in the park I couldn't handle it much more and decided to at least put my ride clothes on so if Carly did show up I would be ready after she had to find me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S8rpp78YS9MIEyESBg49rQR2w7mqGHmJZ8jclNSYvkT-O325WcSKoMkTFcWQmqU4EL8iUk9tg8S-jd0HJl9b9uqmjRzKxyzudYO4eWiDZ-hVr0Uzi0RCgmLaSZ4aPljsMlFlGE-Y9O4/s1600/switching+numbers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S8rpp78YS9MIEyESBg49rQR2w7mqGHmJZ8jclNSYvkT-O325WcSKoMkTFcWQmqU4EL8iUk9tg8S-jd0HJl9b9uqmjRzKxyzudYO4eWiDZ-hVr0Uzi0RCgmLaSZ4aPljsMlFlGE-Y9O4/s320/switching+numbers.JPG" width="320" /></a>The finish is a really fun descent with switchbacks carved into the hillside so you can see the riders coming down. I saw Carly in full <span style="text-align: center;">descent mode and edged out of the transition zone to get ready for the baton handoff, and by that I mean number plate. She rolled in and I asked her how it was, "really fun!" We fumbled to switch out the number plate and then I took off. I hadn't ridden much of the course but had an idea after talking to people about it. <i>The first few miles are a road climb up which I saw a lot of people starting to suffer on their second lap, I felt bad passing them because I was feeling fresh to death (and looking it too) so tried to give them a "good job" and maybe give them a little life to keep going. </i>The road section is followed by turning off onto a drainage ditch that is wide enough to pass and only about a 1% grade. I cruised through the first aid station, remembering to eat and drink by the clock and continued on my crusade. <span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">I was really surprised by how nice everyone was when I tried to pass, nobody tried to out sprint me or be an ass about it which made it easier to keep passing.</span> It was a fun course because I was either climbing or descending, not a lot of just flat pedaling which kept it interesting and moving fast. I saw Sully at the second aid station where I took a bottle from him just to get some water in before tossing it back to him. </span><br />
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The next section is the one I had been warned about by multiple people, Little French. It's a loose rocky section that is rideable but one miss turn and you'd be off the bike. I started the climb up and sat on a wheel until they got off to walk and moved up to the next one. I wasn't sure I'd be able to ride it all and got passed by one guy taking the B line around me so I thought I'd sit on his wheel to navigate the group of 5 walking in front of us. He got off his bike and hiked in behind them. I followed suit because if he didn't think it was worth it I figured it probably wasn't. Besides, it is good practice for Leadville. I got back on my bike before the top which put a little bit of time between me and the group behind me which meant I could enjoy the descent all to myself and I did, silky smooth single track that pulled you down the mountain.<br />
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The third aid station at mile 21 appeared sooner than I thought it would. I knew from earlier when Sully was there that it was about 20/25 minutes to the finish but there were also about 5 switchbacks <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tried to get him at the end!</td></tr>
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that you had to climb up to get down to the other side. I started climbing up and knew it wasn't worth trying to get around anyone on that section so sat still until it opened up onto a straight climb that had enough room to pass. <span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">I made my moves to try and get to the descent sections sooner and was soon sitting on a guys wheel that seemed fast and warranted no reason to go around him.</span> Right over the crest where we started the descent he scooted around another guy to begin his descent, I tried to follow by saying, "on your left when you get a chance" but he didn't seem to find a chance. I thought that was okay because we had to cross a road and I planned on passing him there. We hit the road and I said, "Can I get around" but he sprinted back onto the single track. I then sat on his rear wheel for the <br />
next 2 mile descent trying to find the chance to make my move. He took a wooden feature and I tried to sprint around on the trail but he cut me off. I sat on his wheel all the way through the finish and then he turned to me and said, "I'm really sorry darhling, I should have let you pass." <b>Maybe it was because of recent sexism I've been dealing with at work, or maybe it was because I hadn't had coffee yet, but I unloaded on him, </b>"Yah, you should have let me pass." His response, "Well, I was just out there trying to give it my all." "Oh, and I wasn't?!?! I was and mine was faster than yours!! You should have let me pass because you knew I was girl and we aren't in the same category, we aren't racing against each other." I was pretty livid, but Sully and Carly soon intercepted me and we were revealing in how much fun the course was and how we wouldn't want to have do two laps. <span style="color: magenta;">The guy who blocked me ended up doing a 40 minute slower lap time than me so joke is on him- because in the end he got beat by a girl--sucker!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game Face!</td></tr>
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I felt great through out the race, I started pretty conservatively and found my groove which served me well. My next adventure is the SilverRush 50 this weekend, I'm excited to see how it goes as the first year I did it I loved it and last year I loathed it so could be funnnnnn!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-17921702580276016842015-06-22T07:55:00.001-07:002015-06-22T07:55:24.804-07:00Bashing with the Betis18 miles doesn't seem very long when comparing it to my other race distances, but when in the midst<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmiZoBWTzvpcs7An4cy2TCAii3IHEHuHTBxxb6hKETphKqoG-s0URXqB_TbkacMEUyB_wyqiE4wInhdiS3-TbEnBN_iuZT770c0sQyQq0YlpoET6aWTGc0N3yo-Gu7YcxrXXHsQGIk_I/s1600/Painting+parker%2527s+nails+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmiZoBWTzvpcs7An4cy2TCAii3IHEHuHTBxxb6hKETphKqoG-s0URXqB_TbkacMEUyB_wyqiE4wInhdiS3-TbEnBN_iuZT770c0sQyQq0YlpoET6aWTGc0N3yo-Gu7YcxrXXHsQGIk_I/s200/Painting+parker%2527s+nails+.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">That would be nail polish going on...</td></tr>
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of it, it seemed like it when on forever.<b> It didn't help that for the first 6 mile lap I kept looking at my power meter box instead of the mileage box so felt like I was going nowhere</b> when really I was making progress.<br />
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The race had started off with me in the second row, there were no official call ups and I didn't want to push my way up. I started next to a girl I knew so that helped. Sully and I had talked about how important the start would be and getting from the double track to the single track as fast as I could. I didn't get there fast enough and was following many others into the line. I wasn't worried though because I had no idea what to expect, and knew not blowing myself up on the first lap was probably in my best interest. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">There were a few steep switchbacks climbing up, one girl in front of me tried to pass another but ended up running into her, I got off my bike and ran around </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bg8bpn8AK_qZfPpOEghjN0RJXBt1SMH2HKel_LWJAzb0gTvu_Czn7EahDpUN3RgeriEn2cDkRtJlgalQ3pqTgt4uoiqZCSdVOuNSDgp2glPFPuelK7Zm1Tm3RjxSVe3mKwKAF6G57qQ/s1600/racing+bbb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bg8bpn8AK_qZfPpOEghjN0RJXBt1SMH2HKel_LWJAzb0gTvu_Czn7EahDpUN3RgeriEn2cDkRtJlgalQ3pqTgt4uoiqZCSdVOuNSDgp2glPFPuelK7Zm1Tm3RjxSVe3mKwKAF6G57qQ/s320/racing+bbb+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I'm surprised I didn't melt in the heat</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">them which spiked my heart rate and gave me a little anxiety because I wasn't sure if that was proper etiquette or not. </span>I jumped back on my bike (good thing I've practiced my cross mount!) and took off on the chase, the girl I knew was still in front of me and I knew if I hung around her I would be okay. <span style="color: #990000;">I've always struggled with passing people and would only follow suit when someone else made the move around someone and I would try to sneak in with them, like, "oh, I'm coming by too!" but usually would get caught behind and would lose some seconds until I could get around too. </span></div>
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I made it through the first lap, and saw Sully at the start of the second to get my first bottle. I grabbed it on a short climb up and took some in. I knew I could push harder on the second lap and so I did, I also knew that I had to get more aggressive with passing, upgrading from my, <b>"hi, when you get a chance, but really no rush, I'd like to get around you, but really only when you can"</b> to "when you get a chance". I kept picking people off, and tried to get to the next person in front of me and just keep pushing. Some of the dirt was lose on the back side and I was constantly worry that I would slid out but kept it somewhat in control. I did most of the passing on the second lap, the group had spread out and I had no idea where I was in relation to anyone. <i>I passed through the finish with one more lap and with Sully standing if I wanted water or GU, I thought about it for a moment too long before shouting "GU!" at the last minute to grab it.</i> I knew I needed something to ward off cramping as it was hot and extremely exposed. I had to take it in and was trying to figure out when but went into the single track right behind a lady and knew I was not in position to ingest it then.<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> I needed to get round her so I could get the GU. I took the left on a clear shot and got around her, but knew with 5 miles left I had to not get complacent and keep pushing.</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span>I took in <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9xm6IPY13aANpnb9JSiPB8v4zVKOGHPcFSTG2ruiBGAO4YkagbIczb0AoxzbDF40LZjqoerMaHesFK58XE7IkuxqCE7oNvbXHb5WdU1_kvTOwwjQw2vu6GDR_Axj6cVRC_MsOQg3KKc/s1600/racing+bbb2+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9xm6IPY13aANpnb9JSiPB8v4zVKOGHPcFSTG2ruiBGAO4YkagbIczb0AoxzbDF40LZjqoerMaHesFK58XE7IkuxqCE7oNvbXHb5WdU1_kvTOwwjQw2vu6GDR_Axj6cVRC_MsOQg3KKc/s200/racing+bbb2+.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Pre-cramps</td></tr>
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half the GU because that was all I could manage before needing both hands on the bars. By now I knew the course enough to know where I could gain time, the short uphills and where I should reign it in, the loose corners. With 3 miles left I realized I should have put something in the bottles, like scratch or nuun because my calves were beginning to cramp. Just the first signs when you feel your muscles start to pull. I tried to prevent them from seizing by staying in the saddle on the short climbs and stretching them on the descents. I kept pushing but could keep feeling the slight ting in both my calves and would pull back just a little. The last half a mile twists around with sharp right turn onto double track that has a steep climb before flattening out into the finish.<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #0b5394;"> I took the right but had to get out of the saddle to get up the hill, that's when it happened, both calves seized, which was both hilarious and not.</span> I was so close and yet was far enough that I had to keep pushing, I'm sure I <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">During the cramp</td></tr>
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was grimacing the whole time. I crossed the finish line and immediate got off my bike, sat on the ground and stretched both legs out. I was announced the unofficial winner of my age group as I sat there and had one of the shop owners and Sully come up to grab my bike and give me water. I rode my bike around for a cool down with Sully and then I had to stop and throw up the coffee and GU I had taken in. Ooops. <i>Negative feed? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Parker all dressed up for the drag race </td></tr>
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We hung around for the drag race and the podium. I ended up winning my age group and getting third for the expert field which I was pretty happy with. <span style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">To give you perspective last year I raced sport and got third in my age group. </span>I felt <span style="text-align: center;">great through out the whole race, minus the cramping but was happy that I kept pushing and kept racing and didn't get complacent. This was the race I was hoping to have at Grand Junction, but glad to at least have it. </span></div>
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Last Tuesday I hosted a happy hour and silent auction at the shop, which was a huge success, $1,700 was raised for World Bicycle Relief with some really cool prizes being donated for it.<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> It was pretty amazing to see so many people show up and support the cause, it might have helped that there was free beer, but whatever gets people in the door! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">We're all winners!</td></tr>
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This weekend I head to New York City for a wedding and decided to fly with my bike because I'll be there for four days and it seemed cheaper and easier than having to rent one. It might be little excessive to take my bike but why not? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO6Ft1DQoLhphFGYQIxYwJewUZpCYEWgHnn_i9A0Zzeqn0sABOx-6unaj_QIeBwe2Wj_kJ7pHkDRTAc3rLXCQkqFWv62i8edc23uxGfbZhzRsi0Pg4pmk47CKkqTxAhJZzeED-X07yT0/s1600/Podium+for+BBB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO6Ft1DQoLhphFGYQIxYwJewUZpCYEWgHnn_i9A0Zzeqn0sABOx-6unaj_QIeBwe2Wj_kJ7pHkDRTAc3rLXCQkqFWv62i8edc23uxGfbZhzRsi0Pg4pmk47CKkqTxAhJZzeED-X07yT0/s400/Podium+for+BBB.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">New kit day and new spot on the podium!</td></tr>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-2258834331679332352015-06-12T12:02:00.001-07:002015-06-12T12:02:59.248-07:00Two Gears: Hard and Harder I hadn't really put together that I had ridden the trails for the Grand Junction Off Road 40 until I pre rode it. I have ridden the trails before a few times but didn't really put together that it was the same, as I would never willing chose to bring my race bike to these trails for the most part. Thank goodness for the pre-ride. I was with one of Sully's riders and his girlfriend and they were nice enough to stop and talk lines and talk about the course.<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I was still nervous even the morning of knowing what was in front of me, it's pretty technical and incase you don't remember I got a brain injury riding down a gravel road.</span> I started right behind a friend from Boulder who was doing it with his dad, which helped. Once the gun went off I took off<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TkMPAdRG9x3T4lVlJtMi1iSj-bZYikImqsIq5ZJ9lNeMuIoXn6wLtmo4Y5ghEgUG-f_BvDhSr5O2CJICxQP_yHI4Jv470aBKkuAGSNof8_IIXN-qcXlbMUuvdd9eL-7NRpxxOSycWzk/s1600/sportograf-60590594_lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TkMPAdRG9x3T4lVlJtMi1iSj-bZYikImqsIq5ZJ9lNeMuIoXn6wLtmo4Y5ghEgUG-f_BvDhSr5O2CJICxQP_yHI4Jv470aBKkuAGSNof8_IIXN-qcXlbMUuvdd9eL-7NRpxxOSycWzk/s320/sportograf-60590594_lowres.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">This is before everything went south...</td></tr>
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into the rhythm of getting to the trail as quickly as possible to avoid the bottleneck that happens on the single track. I followed the flow of people onto the dirt and up to the Widowmaker Hill, which everyone gets off to hike up at this point. <span style="background-color: #e69138;">One guy on the side of me hoisted his bike onto his shoulder to carry without realizing his front wheel kept taping me in the head, I wondered how many brain cells were dying because of it, briefly, and then jumped back on to continue.</span> Thanks to the pre-ride I knew what was in front of me and what lines to take which helped immensely as most were getting off their bike to run around or crash but allowed me to stay in my rhythm. <b>I had cleared all the technical features on the first half that I was worried about and feeling mildly confident in how I was riding until I took a wrong turn. </b>I didn't realize it had happened and maintained my flow behind a few other guys, one who was extremely cranky and kept dropping the f-bomb which I thought at first he was mad that a girl was riding behind him and trying to pass and then later realized he knew that we had all taken the wrong turn but decided to keep riding as well and just spew profanities about it. It wasn't until we all got to the next junction that 30 of us had realized what had happened. Fortunately, instead of having to backtrack we were able to loop around. I took off but most people seemed to mosey on back to the course and since I had no idea where I was going, was at mercy to their pace. We finally reached the first aid station and I got back on track. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPRkyoPt86Kz4fXxpSjrrI99nUM1heprRs079TnwiyUPBVta750KS41jf27XhfoKqYU1kFoZu6gY7WTslKovU0oz9ef4fyd9i8I5ycuWUAidtXKJ1Xw3qafad70J1I5kFKQGr2mbc-JY/s1600/temp.+tatoo+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPRkyoPt86Kz4fXxpSjrrI99nUM1heprRs079TnwiyUPBVta750KS41jf27XhfoKqYU1kFoZu6gY7WTslKovU0oz9ef4fyd9i8I5ycuWUAidtXKJ1Xw3qafad70J1I5kFKQGr2mbc-JY/s200/temp.+tatoo+.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Maybe this should have been a map</td></tr>
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After a quick technical descent I kept the momentum going and knew what was coming thanks to my handy-dandy temporary tattoo which was an aid station followed by an uphill slog. <span style="color: #a64d79;">I had taken enough time getting lost that I was approaching the hill climb with all the guys on their enduro ready bikes (designed much more for going downhill than up) which helped as I was able to slowly pick them off on the 7 mile double track climb.</span> I would flutter between feeling great and feeling sorry for myself. Which probably correlated to my eating and drinking intake. I was frustrated that I had gotten lost and had assumed that I was in last place but then I would switch modes and be okay with it just <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">being a really good supported training ride. I was grateful when the climb was over and a short descent greeted me to bring me into an aid station. I got off to change the scenery and maybe feel better about things, and I did, briefly until I got back on my bike and continued the next 2 mile slick rock climb up. "Just keep pedaling" I kept repeating. I gained a surge of energy when I saw my friend's sisters and girlfriend at the next aid station. I had told them about getting lost and was able to ingest as many oranges as possible before leaving, knowing the end was near. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f5NS6wEBQQxEgSuGKPbmNZioQ332ez2xGPuwae4NkCcEypoD1QcL2w8H6MYLvvNqK-eYdNL4Ja5nKMp4h58MoUjTDB4eHDdqSB7X1sBdWHUf3MfsAL8VaihUGl8eulMHEhZAHBSSimI/s1600/sportograf-60584155_lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f5NS6wEBQQxEgSuGKPbmNZioQ332ez2xGPuwae4NkCcEypoD1QcL2w8H6MYLvvNqK-eYdNL4Ja5nKMp4h58MoUjTDB4eHDdqSB7X1sBdWHUf3MfsAL8VaihUGl8eulMHEhZAHBSSimI/s200/sportograf-60584155_lowres.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">I was still about 11 miles out but what remained flowed mostly downhill and it put me back on the section that I had pre-ridden. I hit the 2ish mile road section with a group of 4 guys and followed them back into the single track. I was last but soon scooted around two when they got off to walk their bikes on some rocks and then around the next one shortly there after. I was following one into the only technical section I was worried about, he got off and I stalled while he moved out of the way. I proceeded down the line I knew but only to be forsaken at the end. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">The line I wanted fed back into the trail but I bobbled and turned my wheel away from the trail and down towards the jagged rocks the littered the hillside.</span> I bailed off my bike and it fell onto some rocks and I jumped and landed unscathed. Fortunately the guys who were walking down behind me were there to ask if my bike is okay. "Uhh oh, ha!" I looked to see my right brake level lying in the middle of the trail. Huh, so now I have a front brake left for the rest of this descent. You have got to be kidding me. I got back on and gingerly </span><span style="text-align: center;">began pedaling. The next section was a short uphill climb with an exposed ledge on the left. I shifted down but didn't realize that I broke the shifter so every click to go down was doing the opposite and moving it up to a harder gear. I didn't even put it together while I was pedaling into a harder gear. I hopped off to walk up with everyone else and it wasn't until I was back on that I realized I didn't have access to the rear shifter and now was stuck in the smallest cog on the back. <i>Great, so now I had two gears left; hard and harder. And only the front brake. This is hilarious. </i></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlcDpogoegOED_E_tXAhaCeHPMDnlED-dBXFBtmGboQOyf_sDCyKApyPHsUkkOOiplirvrpaIuM0jCM6GfyGfNByUacoYoGGJZFoUaSvCg1LVtw-4jtFi_7rrh18RP2DpoiOrirMvzQo/s1600/broken+shifter%253Aleverl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlcDpogoegOED_E_tXAhaCeHPMDnlED-dBXFBtmGboQOyf_sDCyKApyPHsUkkOOiplirvrpaIuM0jCM6GfyGfNByUacoYoGGJZFoUaSvCg1LVtw-4jtFi_7rrh18RP2DpoiOrirMvzQo/s320/broken+shifter%253Aleverl.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Not so funny at the time</td></tr>
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I started to get into a grove, and maybe became mildly overconfident with one brake. I gained some speed going down into a left corner that was grooved with rocks. In a panic I locked up my front wheel which skidded my bike straight into a rock.<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> I didn't even </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">notice the damage at the time but later saw that I had taken off a few layers of paint and exposed the carbon, ooops. </span>I was fine, but my poor bike. I had no advantage to my predicament, I couldn't get going too fast on the downhills and was stuck in two hard gears for going up hill, so I bounced between riding and running. At least it's good practice for the hike-a-bike sections in Leadville. I ended up on the pavement that was a 2 mile ride back to the start when I met up with my friend's dad. </span>One of his cables had broken so he was limited to the gears he was able to use as well. <span style="color: #a64d79;">I rode in with him where we talked about the course and what had transpired over our separate journeys. I was never so happy to see a finish line. </span>I ended up 6th for women, which might have been the most disappointing thing, with everything that happened I should have gotten annihilated, but only 9 women were in my category. I'm not sure how to get more women racing but that's for another blog.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">So glad to be done. </td></tr>
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I meant to get this up sooner, but some things transpired at work that took a lot of energy. Since the race, I've been riding mountain bikes more, at least when it's not raining in Boulder. This weekend I'll be doing the Beti Bike Bash, which at 18 miles is by far the shortest race I'll do all year! Eeek!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBhZeLYiabKbj0p1N8s8CXz4amXqR9mKJttDDoRje1ufohTwSUZQ61Nfk2q6IBkxviRhheg3-F2JnRwEVS8_-kC_ZrWZoDIctVEmPGxO90vVQ5k88sShgvKw7ChEknROq7tJYntp-2s/s1600/ned+riding+w%253A+james.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wBhZeLYiabKbj0p1N8s8CXz4amXqR9mKJttDDoRje1ufohTwSUZQ61Nfk2q6IBkxviRhheg3-F2JnRwEVS8_-kC_ZrWZoDIctVEmPGxO90vVQ5k88sShgvKw7ChEknROq7tJYntp-2s/s320/ned+riding+w%253A+james.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-60501406543586899622015-05-28T07:57:00.003-07:002015-05-28T07:57:56.610-07:00Gravel Metric Ride (or was it a race?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I didn't know what to expect walking onto the USD campus. I was pleasantly surprised by it all. The whole campus resides on one giant city block, which seems fairly easy to navigate given that the law school is in one building only. The meeting with the dean to discuss orientation options went rather smoothly. I was thoroughly impressed with how versed she was with Leadville, I had sent her the link before and we figured out some options. The rough plan is to fly out Wednesday and then fly back Sunday for the first day of classes. She said she would talk to the professors about not calling on me for the first week so I could transition and regroup after; law school is taught under the Socratic method so that was a relief to know, she just wants me physically there the first day of class. She was concerned about me missing a lecture on Thursday by the bar association on character and fitness to talk about the standards set forth about being in law school and a potential lawyer.<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> I wasn't going to mention it but then my dad intervened (I knew I brought him for a reason), "oh, her mother was on that board for 14 years so we can handle that.</span>" or something of the variation. That settled it- that would be all I needed for a pass. <span style="text-align: center;">We spent the rest of the afternoon meeting with a realtor and looking at houses. I'm sure I'll feel much better once I figure out where I might be living so I can get things there sooner rather than later. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sully and I then headed to Sioux City and rode mountain bikes, followed by road bikes in Madison, and mountain bike again in White Water, WI at the John Muir trails. All were pretty fantastic, except the road ride, it was a little bumpy. </div>
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The gravel metric was something else. I didn't know what to expect, it's not advertised as a race, but I <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXtAKVC3jSdHNleLJyQIPEPjY173NKdXLhpmOx55y-_Uy2DRyzlh0It-_EZ5FmsXc089Vqc9baeiYBpLoEanrDaYKGnZjTPG6VIfG-lWTNxvvV_YUIFMlVf5673bRIcS5xyMhJzfO6lA/s1600/before+gravel+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXtAKVC3jSdHNleLJyQIPEPjY173NKdXLhpmOx55y-_Uy2DRyzlh0It-_EZ5FmsXc089Vqc9baeiYBpLoEanrDaYKGnZjTPG6VIfG-lWTNxvvV_YUIFMlVf5673bRIcS5xyMhJzfO6lA/s200/before+gravel+.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly excited about the unknown</td></tr>
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could have certainly been fooled. It started with a 5 mile police escort to the gravel; they stopped us and let everyone regroup i.e. let all the guys go pee on the side of the road before starting us again. The ride started and the only advice I had to go on was to stick with a group. Which I tried with the lead group, but they were real fast so I was off the back pretty shortly after. I was riding by myself for a good 5 miles, stuck in between the lead group and the group behind them, not wanting to slow down but unable to reel anyone in. I got lucky when the course took us through a farmer's field, and it slowed some down that I was able to get back on to someone's wheel. <i>I kept thinking the first 15 miles that this isn't going to be sustainable, I'm going to bonk at some point if this keeps up.</i> Around mile 20 I was on my own again when a guy, Brad rode up and I stuck on his wheel, we worked to pull to the next guy and from there the three of us pulled up to the next two and then there was five of us. We stuck together till about mile 40, I chatted with an older lady who was only out there to see "if she could keep up with us youngins" she could. The course takes a 5 miles round about a lake which is over a snowmobile course, so you're really just riding through grass which slows everything down substantially and we were able to catch more people and get strung out through the sections. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM3_aLTsIsGZeEPGr3uFCinCoRF53u0Lhe6ba6vg80wSZvp1PNy_a9Ik3QTZWUXqnsKAmWGEm8trcd09VpyKiU5fRvf-3Men4xnK9IocyVcuBMtnu9CNKLO7EkwIr4JIEWfx2kBEviGE/s1600/gravel+metric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM3_aLTsIsGZeEPGr3uFCinCoRF53u0Lhe6ba6vg80wSZvp1PNy_a9Ik3QTZWUXqnsKAmWGEm8trcd09VpyKiU5fRvf-3Men4xnK9IocyVcuBMtnu9CNKLO7EkwIr4JIEWfx2kBEviGE/s320/gravel+metric.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly more excited- look at how fast I look!</td></tr>
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I saw Sully on the other side of the forested area right before the check in point. He told me his rider was winning and one of the guys we know from another shop was up ahead and to go catch him. I rolled into the check in point, got my wrist band punched (super casual), right as a big group was rolling out, I had enough time to grab a banana and start fighting to get up to them. It took a while but I finally managed to catch up and slowed my pace when I ran into the guy I knew, who was carrying beer and pizza in his frame bag. I rode with him for about 4-6 miles, enough time to watch him fall into the creek and then he started developing IT issues and stopped to do yoga. <b>I did not have time for that. </b>From there I hooked on to a group of Sram employees and let them pull me in the rest of the way. I did take pulls through out but by then there were seven of us so never for any substantiated time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBnMzJk-QtUZlQ4OFq1FavPrjkMK9r1PLlyKv08mVjbzlVzgK0k-bSlGFOhrWIFnX8EQnk9Vlo17iCCjQOYTE0NXrnIjeAkQC_N745VRLikK2c0Vw2fuUZpesbZ_TuinMol7K40kmFkA/s1600/finish+line+gravel+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBnMzJk-QtUZlQ4OFq1FavPrjkMK9r1PLlyKv08mVjbzlVzgK0k-bSlGFOhrWIFnX8EQnk9Vlo17iCCjQOYTE0NXrnIjeAkQC_N745VRLikK2c0Vw2fuUZpesbZ_TuinMol7K40kmFkA/s320/finish+line+gravel+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the finish line, I think</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I was surprised when I finished that I had finished in the capacity that I did. I kept waiting to bonk. </span>Unlike Colorado where a climb is followed by a descent, there were no sustained climbs followed by any descents it was just 68 miles of pure pedaling. I can't say I didn't like it, I'm still not sure if I liked it but I didn't mind it. I don't think I've ever spent as much time staring at the wheel in front of me as I did during this ride. I ended up averaging 17.2 mph over 4 hours- there aren't official results but Sully thinks only 3 or 4 women were in front of me, not that it really matters....</div>
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I got bumped by a car last night when I was riding home with Sully. It seemed strange because he was pulling out but had stopped and I was crossing in front of him but only after stopping to make sure he saw me. I'm still not sure how he didn't see me, I had look at him when he was looking at me, so maybe he thought I was clear on the other side already. I went and he rolled forward and then stopped and then rolled forward into me- still not sure how he didn't see any of this happening. He just bumped my back end but it was enough to rattle me. I got off and was on the side walk looking at my bike to see if any damage was done. <span style="color: #a64d79;">Everything checked out but I had no idea what to do so I did what seemed logical and just started crying.</span> The driver rolled down his window to ask if I was alright, Sully said I was fine and I was and the bike was so he continued on his way. I'm sure I'm just extra sensitive to it after my last one being a hit and run. After he left I completely lost it and my leg started shaking. It's not that I was injured or hurt in any capacity and I knew that at some point this would probably happen again. I was more just shocked by it all. It only left a scuff on my skewer but it popped in his bumper (so, I won, right?). At least he stopped to check on me and it was nice having Sully there to check out my bike right away. I took another minute before getting back on and finishing the 400 yards to our destination. My bike is fine, I'm fine, physically and mentally, it's certainly a different scenario when the guy doesn't drive off but actually stops to check on you. Fortunately these don't seem to be an every day occurrence so I thought I would mention it; <b>let me just repeat, mom, I am fine. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOashf8fgLqSWW6IsRZbWhCfJ9zyPnI08cSgy3X-AqT6c_FDZq3d5jKpCL2UwoLraQ48ojVxKNEBsm9O-5_MfpUKS6-pKEV07vNg1obmW0HbFJFd9hiyg5BsKsPUiVV5HCslbVwFTdzBI/s1600/iowa+riding+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOashf8fgLqSWW6IsRZbWhCfJ9zyPnI08cSgy3X-AqT6c_FDZq3d5jKpCL2UwoLraQ48ojVxKNEBsm9O-5_MfpUKS6-pKEV07vNg1obmW0HbFJFd9hiyg5BsKsPUiVV5HCslbVwFTdzBI/s320/iowa+riding+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was in Iowa, super smooth and fast </td></tr>
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This weekend is the grand junction off road, which is 40 miles. I'm pretty excited for, I definitely feel like I'm getting stronger and from what I hear it sounds like a fun course- I forgot to register online <i>(Chris, can I get on the same program as Bryan with you?)</i>- but it doesn't seem like it's full and offers on the site registration on Friday. And if not I'll just race bandit (haha, kidding, what did I just mention about the character and fitness of law students). </div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-36482043174261015532015-05-19T07:37:00.000-07:002015-05-19T07:37:53.498-07:00This is a Joke, Right!?!"This can't be seriously happening!" I said as I kept double checking the start date for University of South Dakota's law school. <b>There is no way, Leadville is August 15, with classes starting the 17th and mandatory orientation August 11-14th.</b> And here I thought I would go into Leadville with no real stress, no brain injury, no broken bikes, just smooth sailing to close out this chapter of my life. Every argument against USD has been trumped by it being so cheap, and Kara lives really close so if I need to take a hiatus she has a whole house for me. <span style="background-color: #93c47d;">Except for this - this has certainly thrown a wrench in it. </span>I know the logical thing for most people would to be just miss Leadville this year and hope to do it later. I can't give it up though, I'm so close and so committed. Six months ago this might have been a different story, one where I would be traveling around passing the time till law school not thinking about Leadville, but here I see the finish line. I've tried to figure out the best option but I can't seem to end up with one where I win at both.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">45 miles in the rain, I'm clearly enthralled.</td></tr>
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<i>I was contemplating this all the other day at work, wondering out loud what I would be like on the first day of class coming straight from racing Leadville, someone pointed out I would be the fittest one there</i>. I'm going to be at USD this coming Thursday, Sully and I are heading to Chicago for a gravel grinder (60 miles on gravel) and stopping there on the way to check it out. I have set an email to explain my unique position and to talk to someone about options when I'm there- I'm hopeful but have some trepidation about it. My dad will be visiting there with me and my mom told me to take him to the meeting. I said I wasn't sure if he would see my argument for how much I want to do Leadville this year and might not understand why I can't just go to law school.<span style="color: #cc0000;"> She laughed and said that as a lawyer you often have no idea why your client decides something but you still argue for them.</span> If it all works out it will end up being a funny story, but it's not there yet. I have thought about just going to another law school, some have given me enough money that it's not the same but close to USD but then I weigh practicing in SD and this makes the most sense. To have the entire network there and to know most of the lawyers in the state by the time you graduate is invaluable. I know what you're thinking because I'm thinking it too, it seems so silly to think about going to another school because of a race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally got the WBR kit!</td></tr>
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It's not just racing Leadville though, I'm really excited about being on World Bicycle Relief this year and want to see that commitment through. Why I want to go to law school stems from the same reason as wanting to be a part of WBR. We'll see what happens, and I'm sure I'll keep you posted. I know that this seems like such an insignificant problem to have and really I should be grateful to be in this position, right? <br />
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I have the Gravel Metric this weekend, which is a more casual 60 mile gravel ride and not so much a race. <b>You just email this guy, pay $15, show up and he gives you a handkerchief with the directions on it, so that should be interesting. </b>The weekend after I'm doing the Grand Junction Off Road, which is 40 miles on trail. I'm excited for the GJ Off Road to see how much I've improved in a month (since the Whiskey 50). There isn't too much to do until I figure out what the plan of attack is for everything, except keep riding my bike- and drinking coffee.<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Right now I seem to have a lot of anxiety about the law school dilemma; I can't figure out, like most women, how to have it all.</span><br />
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*Disclaimer: I'm sorry if this comes off as I'm an ungrateful brat who should just be happy that I have all the opportunities I do.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-65403904608996921702015-04-29T07:40:00.001-07:002015-04-29T07:40:51.284-07:00Whiskey 50: Back With A Vengeance <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ugh, how is this happening, again?!?" I expressed my anguish over the weather while I took cover under Sully's team tent. <span style="color: #674ea7;">Whiskey 50 was the next day and the weather still didn't look great. </span>I was in my riding clothes trying to pre-ride and stuck watching the ebb and flow of precipitation come down. The saying goes "chamois time is training time" and so I was able to get my pre-ride in by sitting in my riding clothes for an hour constantly checking the weather for race day and questioning why I voluntarily chose to come back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rain wasn't suppose to start until noon for our race, but I wasn't convinced. <i>I even stashed a third set of winter gloves behind the bladder in my camelbak just to guarantee they would remain dry. </i>I even debated wearing shoe covers, Sully thought that was a little much but the constant flashbacks of last year had me questioning his rationality. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the layers!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The morning of the race I woke up and stepped outside to be pleasantly surprised with only a crisp chill in the air and cloud coverage, <b>but no rain, no snow.</b> I still put on a long sleeve base-layer, jersey, arm warmers vest, and long sleeve jersey. As well as a hat, buff (to cover my neck), winter gloves and knee warmers, but no shoe covers. Sully talked me into leaving my long sleeve jersey with him at the start line which later I was grateful that I relinquished it. The start began with a bang (literally multiple guns), and with a rough game plan of trying to get as far up the front as possible to get on the single track first. I took off and began the longest training ride on my mountain bike of this year. Getting on the single track was effortless and I was surprised at just how much of a different race it is when you ride everything. At one </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">point on it the riders bottlenecked and </span><br />
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everyone had to get off, not sure what was happening I was a little anxious. <i>The lady behind me must have picked up on it and assured me it was fine, we were in 5th and 6th place so no reason to panic. I wasn't as conscious about my place as I was trying to make sure I didn't get cold again. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The single track was really fun and over too soon. The next section is a fire road down to the turn around point, Sully told me it wasn't worth trying to mash down it and just ride it. I ate some food on the way </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steady decrease...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">down- unfortunately I hadn't done the best job wrapping it in aluminum foil and so the peanut butter went all over my face as I tried to squeeze it out </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(good thing I already have a boyfriend!)</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. At the turn around I grabbed a full banana without dismounting and began the trudge back up the hill. </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first 11 miles weren't bad at all, the last three were brutal. </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a bit of a biomechanical with everything beginning to ache. I just had to get back to the single track and so I schlepped along, and didn't put up much a fight when I would get passed. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At some point during long endurance races I find it becomes less of a race against everyone else and more of a race against yourself. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was at that point, I just needed to finish. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was before cramp hill...or after</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">I reached the single track and every ache I had seemed to go away.</span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"> I'm sure it was more mental in knowing I was almost done and back to the fun</span>.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> I've followed enough of Sully's wheels to feel pretty confident with my descending skills at this point. There was one concern I had and that was "cramp hill" I was informed that most people cramp on it but it's only about 4 minutes so if you have to </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">get off and walk it's not too bad. I kept riding and each little hill would wonder if it was it, and then I wouldn't cramp and so would wait for the next one. This continued until I reached the pavement and realized that I still have no idea which hill was cramp hill. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last miles on pavement are still mostly down hill, I was so excited that I was actually going to finish I didn't even care when it started raining.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> I came across the finish line and was so relieved that it was over with no snow- and no need for a third pair of gloves! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ended up finishing 9th overall for women. Those last three miles on the hill I got passed by 4 or 5 girls and was only able to catch back up to one.<span style="color: #0b5394;"> It's early enough in the season that I'm happy with how I finished and I know I have somethings to work on; like preventing biomechanicals and doing a better job wrapping my food.</span> Sully and I went for a ride in Prescott on Monday and wouldn't you know the weather was near perfect. So much so that one of the girls on his team is convinced that I'm the one who brings the bad weather. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skies out...thighs out</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-41491224717949357932015-04-17T07:45:00.001-07:002015-04-17T07:45:27.495-07:00Trails That Lead Home <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NjWdd_Q5b6ZSzOGeWjnN2ZMWZAX13P1FwaNz1dt2bmVi8t2NnRFLiEdE9b0cmR2TTl5nzpQAM9rLa7JD1ZcS1Cip-wfigWMkXmQ3m2qFDjZurjz0ekkOwO_mQdBkqjL29l_lJUJDB_c/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NjWdd_Q5b6ZSzOGeWjnN2ZMWZAX13P1FwaNz1dt2bmVi8t2NnRFLiEdE9b0cmR2TTl5nzpQAM9rLa7JD1ZcS1Cip-wfigWMkXmQ3m2qFDjZurjz0ekkOwO_mQdBkqjL29l_lJUJDB_c/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's what I hear...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's official, I signed up for the Whiskey 50...and got into law school (still waiting to hear from Harvard buuuuut I'm not holding my breath). It took less than a week to hear back from two schools <b>(jury is still out if they even read my application- see what I did there?).</b> It's nice knowing that I at least have some place to go in the fall (once I figure out if that's the cheapest place or the one with Whole Foods closest- only kind of kidding.) Knowing I'm in has made me definitely realize that the things I'm even slightly inclined to do- I probably should just do them because the next three years won't warrant as much free time to go ride my bike. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rmBwqTgcojEzkGzS4oaCfbLfGCrRv-GKHZBH8k4_MdR3KzsPp3pVyU2CduwzfZMxSoLQ7ECUwWjJ3HdJfiBdjm2PCWWqlSM-uJ-m-SvjnZEtyBODAW8awb4On68DCiPt0FgI4JqXeBA/s1600/jumping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rmBwqTgcojEzkGzS4oaCfbLfGCrRv-GKHZBH8k4_MdR3KzsPp3pVyU2CduwzfZMxSoLQ7ECUwWjJ3HdJfiBdjm2PCWWqlSM-uJ-m-SvjnZEtyBODAW8awb4On68DCiPt0FgI4JqXeBA/s1600/jumping.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took a break from thinking about law school to go to Fruita with some friends. We started with riding Friday in Buena Vista. Having never ridden the trails it is definitely </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNkp2J5UfgmqvSDCUw5CDVmYRuUEIedRodl6pR8D_cRJQve5ZvnZhWP4aHYYF0j1MEew_dG19n8vhuYHlMvIbbfqMnk_quMJ85pO0L8qfCjlyM067qti-EFPWBwHIw-FVGjhugPqxwtE/s1600/BV.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNkp2J5UfgmqvSDCUw5CDVmYRuUEIedRodl6pR8D_cRJQve5ZvnZhWP4aHYYF0j1MEew_dG19n8vhuYHlMvIbbfqMnk_quMJ85pO0L8qfCjlyM067qti-EFPWBwHIw-FVGjhugPqxwtE/s1600/BV.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">worth a trip back, if for nothing but the views. Fruita was great, for some reason I thought it was going to be warm and it was but not during the night in the tent, when I couldn't feel my toes. <i>Riding in the exposed hot sun is brutal- you feel like you rode farther than you did and you need more sunscreen than normal.</i> All in all, it was nice to take a break and just ride and camp. I think I'm starting to see what the appeal is with going to the middle of nowhere and sleeping outside (but don't get me any camping gear for my birthday- I'm not there yet).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took Sully up to South Dakota for Easter. <span style="color: #674ea7;">Unfortunately there aren't any trails out my back door yet; but there are some cow trails that we were able to improvise on. </span>We had only planned on riding around 2 hours (I had already ridden one when I met up with Sully). Somehow we ended up on the wrong cow trail (I know all trails lead home, but not necessarily the most direct way). We ended up on a ridge looking at the house and had to backtrack another hour to get back. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhHoW_dYEZ7JEZZADkEmSxDs2nO30OqUSNAer0YJ8nKSrHywA_J_w_QqA7nnIYKQDuJvsX5XDAT4Me3hmwiX8GrjjY-5-2FfNC5u4m4olTKfazdoppOShTEs0tuR6IZTk9y4ibN1f570/s1600/cow+trail+in+sd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhHoW_dYEZ7JEZZADkEmSxDs2nO30OqUSNAer0YJ8nKSrHywA_J_w_QqA7nnIYKQDuJvsX5XDAT4Me3hmwiX8GrjjY-5-2FfNC5u4m4olTKfazdoppOShTEs0tuR6IZTk9y4ibN1f570/s1600/cow+trail+in+sd.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the trail?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdcAdwoqUEm_SkYjc5wB5ABsP-sMddgCiD7LUdNBhugKTQ0z-ONWEPbITmXB0rOt1kP_aArqdMZXt7U5yVEkqg2Sbsgc-UYM9wthK_ri4NpW0mPqKXbFWuxw-gk6IwWnb9ak8NRn6rdQ/s1600/getting+lost.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdcAdwoqUEm_SkYjc5wB5ABsP-sMddgCiD7LUdNBhugKTQ0z-ONWEPbITmXB0rOt1kP_aArqdMZXt7U5yVEkqg2Sbsgc-UYM9wthK_ri4NpW0mPqKXbFWuxw-gk6IwWnb9ak8NRn6rdQ/s1600/getting+lost.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See our mistake? </td></tr>
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It didn't hurt to spend more time on the bike but we'll have to go back and really map them out <span style="color: #134f5c;">(or get Wayne to redirect the satellites for us)</span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week was my biggest time wise spent on the bike so far this year. It required some creativity in getting all the time in with work- I realized I should probably eat something before taking off on a 4 hour ride <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(I already knew this)</span> but sometimes it's hard to get anything in at 6 in the morning. Working on it though. James pretended he wanted to buy brown rice hot cereal (because I'm allergic to most of the easily accessible breakfast foods) and said I could have some (isn't he nice?)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGaIsC8la_0gzkaSLHWovAlfb1cuStLSVc62vUXDlF7oLb77hgdfTbvWSPrw7RY_LfGuuCoKyF3VTJ45M8A8J103S4ON7TOkQ4Yibq3e366Lrq_CeLyctq_m3Vk6loJdp5PoV5hJNmKc/s1600/climbing+fence.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGaIsC8la_0gzkaSLHWovAlfb1cuStLSVc62vUXDlF7oLb77hgdfTbvWSPrw7RY_LfGuuCoKyF3VTJ45M8A8J103S4ON7TOkQ4Yibq3e366Lrq_CeLyctq_m3Vk6loJdp5PoV5hJNmKc/s1600/climbing+fence.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some improvising while riding</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fundraising for World Bicycle Relief is going well, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>I'm at 20% of my goal!</b></span> I have some more ideas in the works to get the word out- don't forget you can still donate! </span><br />
<a href="http://teamwbr.worldbicyclerelief.org/kate-ginsbach">http://teamwbr.worldbicyclerelief.org/kate-ginsbach</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-62877640784247934792015-03-10T21:09:00.002-07:002015-03-11T07:31:55.875-07:00"Every Passion Has Its Destiny"- Billy Mills<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRIGSZ1OJ-Q6ftAAJ2gBBz_bGpt3ZXBbhPjN5mxMcKNCSYf9eID0_igAGqMRCCeDkzE_iSXqjmsd7jbE3ZFD1mUX9FN-g37hbbBsc-QgIUPbeW5BQ6K4gyeV8elIyiAbyW0WSd5XwldM/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRIGSZ1OJ-Q6ftAAJ2gBBz_bGpt3ZXBbhPjN5mxMcKNCSYf9eID0_igAGqMRCCeDkzE_iSXqjmsd7jbE3ZFD1mUX9FN-g37hbbBsc-QgIUPbeW5BQ6K4gyeV8elIyiAbyW0WSd5XwldM/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chills, Anyone?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have never heard Billy Mills talk, put it on your list of things to do. Go find a podcast or youtube video. It's really an incredible sensation to listen to him describe winning gold in the 10,000 meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. I remember listening to him describe the race and finished thinking I could accomplish anything! He was an underdog going in and a full minute slower than the favorite in the preliminaries. With two laps to go in the race there were only two other runners with him in the lead group. <b>Down the final stretch, Mills describes the race where he is contesting the others and getting pushed around and at that moment he realizes that this is the closest he will ever be getting the gold medal.</b> With that he surges ahead and wins the race. He goes on to talk about how he took on moment and turned it into a lifetime of giving. He co-founded a nonprofit group Running Strong for American Indian Youth. The group aims to fulfill basic needs of American Indian people and help communities gain self-sufficiency and self-esteem.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3r5NN7xPPXiU-oMd7ff_tkxuQhdAUoJBaZStgTfdLszAP2hJWH3kvNX4F4q1OcFBws7lRNyRkUaeCtVqGznVcRFXaO_VKyIGdLs3LoCg8qQV3NJJjl7WUzGuDDuwFfsFv5dzj4lV2ng/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3r5NN7xPPXiU-oMd7ff_tkxuQhdAUoJBaZStgTfdLszAP2hJWH3kvNX4F4q1OcFBws7lRNyRkUaeCtVqGznVcRFXaO_VKyIGdLs3LoCg8qQV3NJJjl7WUzGuDDuwFfsFv5dzj4lV2ng/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might have to start focusing more than I have been...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think of that speech a lot going into Leadville this year. I still get chills thinking about it. With the thought of going to law school this fall (acceptance, pending), <i>I figure this is the closest I'll be to having the resources available to me, the time to train, and the overall well being to really go for it and try to get sub-9.</i> <span style="color: #674ea7;">Which means taking 1:20 off my time...no biggie, right?</span> I have 100 miles to do it, actually 104. I actually got a coach for this year, who seems to fully back my crazy idea of crushing my PR (probably helps I'm paying him to believe in me). It's actually nice, I just get on my bike and ride, no guess work or thinking am I riding hard enough, far enough, fast enough. I just supply him with my numbers and he takes it from there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVwWr_PGTFuc4vH2VyCuiESEblO3uuZ-DmkdXdf7kjkXrMgSeK5wRqK6lQvEGZAl3T5o2QD7FxmF3k9AdsdFvr7pdFCPLCQneTlPaq9pgvETgwJbAoActXbYndriBU4lrAjB9F-5cIXs/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVwWr_PGTFuc4vH2VyCuiESEblO3uuZ-DmkdXdf7kjkXrMgSeK5wRqK6lQvEGZAl3T5o2QD7FxmF3k9AdsdFvr7pdFCPLCQneTlPaq9pgvETgwJbAoActXbYndriBU4lrAjB9F-5cIXs/s1600/IMG_2879.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest thing I'm excited for about Leadville is that I was given a spot on the World Bicycle Relief team (only four spots). WBR provides specially designed, locally assembled bicycles to students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs in rural Africa. What a great way for me to use my passion to help others be connected with education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Part of being on the team means I have to raise $5,000 for the group. I feel like it's the perfect opportunity for me to give back. <span style="color: #cc0000;">I have gotten so much out of cycling in my life, that providing a bicycle to someone who really needs it not only gives them a new bike, but a new outlook.</span> If you want to donate you can at </span><br />
<a href="http://teamwbr.worldbicyclerelief.org/kate-ginsbach" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://teamwbr.worldbicyclerelief.org/kate-ginsbach</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Training officially started this past week, with a field test and lots of intervals (okay, not that many but definitely more than I was doing this winter!). I'm pretty excited for this season and to experience all that comes my way! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVKLjZv4bKFYNfTg9-uYB2f1i9nLhjh8vuQ1_PIQhNwMfTcE7-LBDa0dpjiA5LpjFrl4GMATT6WMinr9quhV7IGgnDzFcQEmUUR_YCr4NhzP3Y-LxI7zU2UU89PNdfJeq_4hT8ugRhkI/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVKLjZv4bKFYNfTg9-uYB2f1i9nLhjh8vuQ1_PIQhNwMfTcE7-LBDa0dpjiA5LpjFrl4GMATT6WMinr9quhV7IGgnDzFcQEmUUR_YCr4NhzP3Y-LxI7zU2UU89PNdfJeq_4hT8ugRhkI/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for riding 65 miles with friends!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-61461387958842921532015-03-01T14:41:00.000-08:002015-03-01T14:41:21.576-08:00Winter TrainingWinter training hasn't involved much biking, well it has, but not the focused kind. <span style="color: #0b5394;">After White Rim I took some time off and went up to South Dakota to work on my mother's judicial campaign.</span> Which was a lot of fun and a lot of work. It began to light the underlying thought about law school.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHGYMmt_zXLoH-y-p1hbiLyaDOXOUjRyCfWE2KjY0hK29FRwnmtM9el1R8gnrMBhQIy9_CKgCE4FL7T5YFafWJZb5Hi_B3SH8SNNUfryzFBCeEc8Rznqv7kQGC1xi9-t4Zug4F8Sb5ao/s1600/karen's%2Bhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHGYMmt_zXLoH-y-p1hbiLyaDOXOUjRyCfWE2KjY0hK29FRwnmtM9el1R8gnrMBhQIy9_CKgCE4FL7T5YFafWJZb5Hi_B3SH8SNNUfryzFBCeEc8Rznqv7kQGC1xi9-t4Zug4F8Sb5ao/s1600/karen's%2Bhouse.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many supporters showing maximum support!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77OOeLz5PYUfJrU2YK_3DQoPOyiLmdCuUsWJC98j6RQlR4kEyUV9gT7I28EuzZJ6DN3jNiGqfGDvFr7EzMla_whHvLEiawYc1ZnzbTzFOIXmvjo43lxuU5I-uxeA4vy9vdR6xa0LVXDc/s1600/at+the+beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77OOeLz5PYUfJrU2YK_3DQoPOyiLmdCuUsWJC98j6RQlR4kEyUV9gT7I28EuzZJ6DN3jNiGqfGDvFr7EzMla_whHvLEiawYc1ZnzbTzFOIXmvjo43lxuU5I-uxeA4vy9vdR6xa0LVXDc/s1600/at+the+beach.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So warm!</td></tr>
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I spent a few days in San Diego with Sully's family for Thanksgiving, it was strange, eating Thanksgiving dinner outside in 95 degrees. <b>I didn't hate it. </b>We spent time at the beach and went on a few runs.<br />
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The beginning of December I spent mostly in the library finishing a paper on Tuberculosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, for a graduate class. Which also sent the spark about law school burning brighter as many injustices stem from poor policies in place or even lack of a policy to hold people accountable. <span style="color: #6aa84f;">It also made me realize how much I miss being in a college library, with only the occasional drunken student running through and banging on trash cans during St. Patrick's Day. </span>The public library attracts a bit of a different crowd-- one man brought his own mustard in and kept squirting it directly into his mouth. Not exactly my study food of choice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPXb9xpGKD32oJpiAchuUEEre0js-XzTfr2NblwQymqHDOPOR0deQtARfnBbuNT754hDDTk5Ye2JgWh6EkyVLL0GW3Z1fzYz6Fh2S4lBl57R106_QiAMFRNMOVT5bcg1hclijEAvE_1Y/s1600/christmas+picture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPXb9xpGKD32oJpiAchuUEEre0js-XzTfr2NblwQymqHDOPOR0deQtARfnBbuNT754hDDTk5Ye2JgWh6EkyVLL0GW3Z1fzYz6Fh2S4lBl57R106_QiAMFRNMOVT5bcg1hclijEAvE_1Y/s1600/christmas+picture.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne loves taking photos</td></tr>
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Sully came up to South Dakota with me for Christmas. Frank expressed his excitement by informing me, <b>"I got him a present so he better get me something"</b> nothing like the spirit of Christmas. We took our cross bikes and rode around and discovered some very under utilized trails.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsVYkp67PXbuXpnVgToXq7ayalmIqjqWYSygZYoWj1-m3Hbv38h_xItXKNWrW01uAUkfB1CQpUufw984Dje6YVM27wcFPSMRz70lNXvAYBj-i20hyfBPjU3i1uiiAa-oS4RbX1G-Gl8E/s1600/new+bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsVYkp67PXbuXpnVgToXq7ayalmIqjqWYSygZYoWj1-m3Hbv38h_xItXKNWrW01uAUkfB1CQpUufw984Dje6YVM27wcFPSMRz70lNXvAYBj-i20hyfBPjU3i1uiiAa-oS4RbX1G-Gl8E/s1600/new+bike.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Sully headed down to Austin when we got back for Cyclocross Nationals. <span style="color: #674ea7;">With him gone I spent most of the time studying for the LSAT and watching "The Good Wife", which I attributed to studying because it's all about lawyers. </span><br />
<br />
I got a new bike in January, a Superfly FS 9.9- a full suspension cross country bike. I wasn't a fan of the color on the 9.8 and the 9.9 is fully customizable. <span style="color: magenta;">The shop let me get it under their demo program and pick the colors.</span> I think I did a pretty good job, although Wayne's first impression was, "it sounds like a hippy threw up".<br />
<br />
February was weird enough weather that we spent the first half riding out side in a little more than jersey and shorts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO2l-aMiyUVi51yseGv8Vro1ea-WivxFUOkOhZb9ky7JaCa22d2pVfuMUzkx0KFKHLoTV_SRK9O3bh-zMFXoXVTqcy4aqGIEGQWUXXZ3bgyuRwt0VS6xVduBh0WHrYLWqQuAvKQqZcgo/s1600/gettign+up+big+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO2l-aMiyUVi51yseGv8Vro1ea-WivxFUOkOhZb9ky7JaCa22d2pVfuMUzkx0KFKHLoTV_SRK9O3bh-zMFXoXVTqcy4aqGIEGQWUXXZ3bgyuRwt0VS6xVduBh0WHrYLWqQuAvKQqZcgo/s1600/gettign+up+big+rock.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Usually requires a little "oomph"</td></tr>
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I went to Hall with Wayne and Sully and make it up the big rock a few times which always makes me feel like a badass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_awcVdUtAk0m1QN3oweduXg-n81YnO758nGBprkuxtmCTgvhOVMhGO8f9_C7SWT15D3kMhtLstZ_Kwbv4qObF4KHI2qAceNJBfdHC_DLtozwuzZ608Ap_3LPoV-pq3uIZFDGzrSDc2jM/s1600/wayne+picking+his+nose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_awcVdUtAk0m1QN3oweduXg-n81YnO758nGBprkuxtmCTgvhOVMhGO8f9_C7SWT15D3kMhtLstZ_Kwbv4qObF4KHI2qAceNJBfdHC_DLtozwuzZ608Ap_3LPoV-pq3uIZFDGzrSDc2jM/s1600/wayne+picking+his+nose.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne loves it when I take pictures</td></tr>
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The weather finally realized it was Winter and so Sully and I headed down to Sedona to visit his parents and ride in 75 degree weather. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3996HHVm8KSBB8ePjsSOV8dfjQYmDeTZpHJQZDZggaRdtu0xaXY4Kt7j4DVGjH_j_9o3hLIIfnP6k3RT7eSBMM0tJA-LBR95qaieN8quaX1a8Yk4AB9uMoIh2u3-1ehiW97C7Yps6ew/s1600/riding+in+sedona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3996HHVm8KSBB8ePjsSOV8dfjQYmDeTZpHJQZDZggaRdtu0xaXY4Kt7j4DVGjH_j_9o3hLIIfnP6k3RT7eSBMM0tJA-LBR95qaieN8quaX1a8Yk4AB9uMoIh2u3-1ehiW97C7Yps6ew/s1600/riding+in+sedona.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No snakes were seen this trip!!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Unfortunately when we came back it was still winter and thus back to riding the trainer and dreaming of Spring. I officially start tomorrow training for the Leadville 100 so thought I would catch you all up before jumping right back into it. </div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140588062305635673.post-86811089267709632502014-10-28T07:38:00.000-07:002014-10-28T22:36:12.817-07:00White Rim: The Most Epic of Adventures "What section of White Rim are you guys doing?" Sully asked. <i>Not sure how to respond I said, </i><b>"Uh...all of it..."</b>. "Okay, do you have an exit strategy?" He inquired. <b>"Yeah, finish it and exit."</b> That wasn't quite working for him. "What if something happens?" He probed. <b>"Call Alex."</b> "What if you don't have service?" <b>"Ahh, we'll be fine. Don't worry."</b> This conversation took place at 9pm on Friday as I was heading to Moab to ride the 103 mile White Rim trail the next morning.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3y4FvgHSRZcg5mGpWrSi4gC7dBIdz2k1SU-ND0RklybllczMDasan2u0FbL04QjrYdQIdjBtugU06-Uskn-7K_AyDjAOfNxjW8kQ8CnsIuIJz4LRQXIhbh_2Bvos25W8vyYbfRRLzs4/s1600/The+start+white+rim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3y4FvgHSRZcg5mGpWrSi4gC7dBIdz2k1SU-ND0RklybllczMDasan2u0FbL04QjrYdQIdjBtugU06-Uskn-7K_AyDjAOfNxjW8kQ8CnsIuIJz4LRQXIhbh_2Bvos25W8vyYbfRRLzs4/s1600/The+start+white+rim.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of any adventure begins with getting there-Ha!</td></tr>
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Dana and I had been talking about riding White Rim for a while and the opportunity presented itself when we'd have some friends there the same weekend. Done. <span style="color: #cc0000;">We roughly had a plan, start around 8, go clockwise, just keep pedaling, and plan for anywhere between 9 and 12 hours.</span> The route is about 75 miles on double track along the rim with the final 25 miles being on gravel and pavement going back to the start near the visitor's center in Canyonlands. We thought it would be best to leave a car near the 75 mile mark and shuttle the start. After a little putzing around, like sitting down to eat breakfast, we left Moab to park my car and begin. The road to park my car required some negotiating, the double track was rutted in some places and had massive rocks in others with sand pits scattered in between. I was grateful we wouldn't have to ride up it in the dark. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBEQGUWlMsLzLqI1NQnLIw3K3ZUkIZHyZ1gIP7DZE4ISee7amO3v4Ac9Bjt_hu1ZUBTDuilobkSTZjDevRbozunUfBUpFvUgo8zFL2o4Iq0gms0oOS9RLEn9c9XlPNfP69sHjfZ6s_DQ/s1600/Hour+1+selfie+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBEQGUWlMsLzLqI1NQnLIw3K3ZUkIZHyZ1gIP7DZE4ISee7amO3v4Ac9Bjt_hu1ZUBTDuilobkSTZjDevRbozunUfBUpFvUgo8zFL2o4Iq0gms0oOS9RLEn9c9XlPNfP69sHjfZ6s_DQ/s1600/Hour+1+selfie+.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hour 1 selfie</td></tr>
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We got to a "Y" and were surprised not to see any other cars but didn't think much about it. We loaded up into one car and took off for the start. We pulled back onto the highway and about half a mile later saw the road sign for where we should have parked the car. <b>"Uhhh." "Ohhh!"</b> And then we both hysterically broke into laughter and laughed so hard that we cried. Alex pulled over and asked what we wanted to do. "Muh, we'll figure it out. We can always hitch hike to the car or have you come get us." After some confusion on where the start was we were finally on our bikes, it was only noon. Don't worry we brought the guide book and a big map.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK99LfVJH59cR4HA9HyGOhuNaBbNn__gq1mEZFlpIZE6jOq-DoG40tOrOtFoxPIvEJY5NtxNbwZMmx_pS-EpO6z7-I6HTrGZXl1Ht1rDVsKa7OqXzg7RaA_x3F4spnpLq1DmmGq61wjM/s1600/guys+couldn't+hang+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK99LfVJH59cR4HA9HyGOhuNaBbNn__gq1mEZFlpIZE6jOq-DoG40tOrOtFoxPIvEJY5NtxNbwZMmx_pS-EpO6z7-I6HTrGZXl1Ht1rDVsKa7OqXzg7RaA_x3F4spnpLq1DmmGq61wjM/s1600/guys+couldn't%2Bhang%2B.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guys couldn't hang </td></tr>
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The start was great with a nice 3 mile descent into the canyon. About 15 miles in we came on a group of older guys riding it. We asked where they were stopping and then told us (about 10 miles from where we were) and that they started around 10:30.<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"> <span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="color: black;">When we casually told them we were doing the whole thing they seemed flabbergasted.</span></span></span> Dana and I rode with two of the guys and the guy I was riding with seemed to want to push the pace so I did. After going around a bend I decided to wait up for Dana. The guy stopped with me to wait for his friend as well. We saw Dana get off the bike but couldn't figure out what she was doing. The guy I had been riding with expressed his concerns about Dana being able to finish. I started laughing and informed him that she's one of the top ultrarunners around and knows how to do endurance. <span style="color: #38761d;">He was stunned and offered me some cliffblocks, which I was about to tell him that I was carrying about 6,000 calories with me but the Wayne in me interjected and saw it as free food so I took it and thanked him.</span> Those guys took off and Dana caught up saying she had to stop to go to the bathroom. We laughed about the fact that they were only doing 25 miles today and were concerned about us when we started 90 minutes after and still caught them. We also wondered what they do at camp all day, like why not keep riding?<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAi5M2KFQYClAfwSZIbn2-5kG_b5WBa0CslPamjXxRDCGH8EPTUTVNfYiKAj3KTpffyz88M_5I3vlbBVqYdIpKi2JJRvka-bFs0itfMCU3UXY2JN7Iqu4RZ46OHvB67-UtLLmYT-vpDI/s1600/Rim+shot+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAi5M2KFQYClAfwSZIbn2-5kG_b5WBa0CslPamjXxRDCGH8EPTUTVNfYiKAj3KTpffyz88M_5I3vlbBVqYdIpKi2JJRvka-bFs0itfMCU3UXY2JN7Iqu4RZ46OHvB67-UtLLmYT-vpDI/s1600/Rim+shot+.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views never got old</td></tr>
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After that we faced a steady incline, the kind you don't realize you are riding uphill until you turn around. It was only made worse by the fact there was a nasty headwind. <i>When do we turn around and get the tailwind? </i>We rewarded ourselves at the top with skittles. We kept cruising right along running into only two more groups riding. One lady was very excited, <span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: magenta;">"That's just fantastic! Two girls, just two girls riding into the dark! Doing the whole thing! Just two girls!"</span></span> Dana replied with, "Yep! Just two girls pedaling" which was our motto from there on out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIT7da6Gm9Og-0HzY4vkfLeN8cmQxE6J_XjWHFWuv6YZo8iB5tFbo11VWJEVAXCKhebLOhyrf1GSzdeA8JwUm243UESvnrKltlZAAr9KbqHPfU4qsiaqJrurIl-WC6aXBkoip6YA69Ww/s1600/Rim+sunste+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIT7da6Gm9Og-0HzY4vkfLeN8cmQxE6J_XjWHFWuv6YZo8iB5tFbo11VWJEVAXCKhebLOhyrf1GSzdeA8JwUm243UESvnrKltlZAAr9KbqHPfU4qsiaqJrurIl-WC6aXBkoip6YA69Ww/s1600/Rim+sunste+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
We kept saying how lucky we were because we have the best views watching the sunset from the top <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO8A76NE5pxQhQOVASWKxdFwCF3gsPw2RcAhE37bdxvFNbefJ5sQz-_h7LI-B4ldQ-v32GZDKSjgGTl7pjBQBHol_xY0Xe9NGmwL5fXf5GpIK7MzcWWbkdZDZyMG-nb0Gi6CNXRMq1UE/s1600/Rim+sunset+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO8A76NE5pxQhQOVASWKxdFwCF3gsPw2RcAhE37bdxvFNbefJ5sQz-_h7LI-B4ldQ-v32GZDKSjgGTl7pjBQBHol_xY0Xe9NGmwL5fXf5GpIK7MzcWWbkdZDZyMG-nb0Gi6CNXRMq1UE/s1600/Rim+sunset+.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
of a hill. We were then greeted by a friendly family when we stopped by a campsite to put our lights on. We chatted and took them up on their offer for a buffalo chicken sandwich. They made sure we didn't need anything else before we continued. As we were walking away I quietly told Dana that my light was dead. She fumbled around in her bag and produced another headlamp. <span style="color: #45818e;">Good lord, it's not like I don't have access to multiple other lights and I pick the one that can't hold a charge. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYJHFiu4e-WWg3wYu06qFCkhVGG6g2j65t24JZcueUHp_MoI3-7QMz4jxOjg_oK-OX9domLkZ4-LYsVc3KCT-pnNdI7svYq6uXn8cNdWhYhnetC4zptCZEQ_cZH4B9vAMySnSkTYOc8Y/s1600/Dana+crushing+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYJHFiu4e-WWg3wYu06qFCkhVGG6g2j65t24JZcueUHp_MoI3-7QMz4jxOjg_oK-OX9domLkZ4-LYsVc3KCT-pnNdI7svYq6uXn8cNdWhYhnetC4zptCZEQ_cZH4B9vAMySnSkTYOc8Y/s1600/Dana+crushing+.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana crushing!</td></tr>
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<br />
We took off into the night with about 17 miles left. Riding at night was pretty awesome. <span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">You could never quite tell when you were next to the rim except for a feeling of vast emptiness lurking right there. </span></span>We even contemplated telling Alex to sit this one out, we were going to do another loop. <br />
We were certainly slower in the dark but didn't fret much about it as we were only going to mile 73. Plus, the temperature had cooled off a bit making it more enjoyable riding weather.<br />
<br />
The last 17 miles were pretty uneventful. We both fell, but it was more of a slow motion get stuck in the sand and then fall over, which if nothing else was more comical than anything. With some more navigating we got to the campground right around 10. Two people came out and asked if we needed <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9sNVI0z4lDLm5tzTj0_Z4-EUmM5eyn2UlfnGhb_7cv7jwsTgtIGdvHszArkBpSQprYCRbTnZnBpFxPs8-Jqv1eFowwtd_COy-vinVO37TCzBI2s-zeUhkABxggFr5DkHOHhh4VRB5Tg/s1600/Night+riding+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9sNVI0z4lDLm5tzTj0_Z4-EUmM5eyn2UlfnGhb_7cv7jwsTgtIGdvHszArkBpSQprYCRbTnZnBpFxPs8-Jqv1eFowwtd_COy-vinVO37TCzBI2s-zeUhkABxggFr5DkHOHhh4VRB5Tg/s1600/Night+riding+.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>water, which we both had plenty of. <span style="color: #674ea7;">What we really wanted was a ride but they weren't picking up what we were dropping down.</span> Seven miles was the next push, and we figured we'd probably see Alex sometime soon.<br />
<br />
The seven miles were flat and dead-ended into a "T". If we turned left it took us two miles down to Mineral Bottom, where we had initially planned on parking. If we turned right it took us up a ridiculously two mile steep climb before another 10.7 miles to the highway. We paused at the conundrum. We took the left, hoping maybe Alex thought to park where we wanted to. We descended down and reached a parking lot. We went through seeing no sign of his truck and stopped in sand gully. We looked at the two track leading out the other side and only saw deep sand going up. Not wanting to forage through that we turned back to head towards the highway. If nothing else we'll get cell service there and have Alex meet us. "Oba dee obladi da..." Dana would sing when we got back on our bikes, "just keep pedaling." And then we'd laugh. Just two girls pedaling. <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">We climbed back out and passed by the road we had just come from and started the incessant climb. We stopped about halfway up and sat in the middle of the road to eat snickers. </span>We contemplated taking a nap but thought it best to get a hold of Alex and then sleep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwyCiNZuJSvG8SKqilCY6sXd2QmBb8XN2yFUXp7iIjfYTTVTsynKez4vqc2SXEVYMNvkXsccCen9HMyY-R6zVyBFTRTNwR01UlSwb5rBPf44oaiR7iiBrKDFfBLFyYK_YXmov-Zxoufs/s1600/Rim+with+me+on+it+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwyCiNZuJSvG8SKqilCY6sXd2QmBb8XN2yFUXp7iIjfYTTVTsynKez4vqc2SXEVYMNvkXsccCen9HMyY-R6zVyBFTRTNwR01UlSwb5rBPf44oaiR7iiBrKDFfBLFyYK_YXmov-Zxoufs/s1600/Rim+with+me+on+it+.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly not taken at night. </td></tr>
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We persisted and crested the top and began an easy spin on the gravel. Two miles later Dana's phone pinged. <i>Oh my gosh this is the best! </i>Dana tried calling but not enough service to connect. I sent a text, "Alex it's 12:14- we are on mineral spring road heading to 313- please come get us :)" Not a moment later I got a response. "En route" <i>Oh my gosh! This is it! </i>"Dana! He's coming!" <b>We continued cycling on, because really at this point why not.</b> Debating what "En Route" meant, was he at the big campsite, or town or closer. We worried maybe he would take the wrong road but decided he probably wouldn't. We saw what looked like two head lights in the distance, "Hammer time!" We pinned it for maybe 2 minutes before realizing the closer we got the further it seemed to be.<i>What is that? Is it a car? Even if it's not Alex, we're getting a ride </i>(Alex later told us it was a well site, which made sense as to why it was not coming to get us)<i>. </i>We kept checking in with Alex. I told Dana it was the longest I had been on my bike, she told me to join the club. At one point she biked closer to me and whispered, <span style="color: #351c75;">"So, four minutes ago...." </span>thinking it was going to be something about Alex, I said <span style="color: #38761d;">"Yah...?"</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"I ran over a snake!"</span> Still hushed. <span style="color: #38761d;">"Was it alive?"</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"Yah"</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">"Okay, well thanks for waiting to tell me."</span> Later I found out she was going to wait 5 minutes to tell me but couldn't wait that long. <b>I thought to myself, this is why we're not sleeping out here, I'll have some snake cuddle up next to me and that would be the death of me. </b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JGOUOg52a8bbCfk76nTBvuwvXEM4npTa_dqW203nh_3Tta_OwQR_mZp4K4fnvQKVZ3Fjyo1iMA8Ra0Qk0zR2gTi8lymjypiAA-EJMDYbFjFL0kaG9saGjTKU4Y7QPbClvbzPspau0y4/s1600/Alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JGOUOg52a8bbCfk76nTBvuwvXEM4npTa_dqW203nh_3Tta_OwQR_mZp4K4fnvQKVZ3Fjyo1iMA8Ra0Qk0zR2gTi8lymjypiAA-EJMDYbFjFL0kaG9saGjTKU4Y7QPbClvbzPspau0y4/s1600/Alex.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best shuttle bunny. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rumbling of Alex's truck along with distant headlights made us euphoric. "<b>Most epic adventure ever!" </b>As we took off towards the truck. I told Alex I have never been happier to see any human at 1:30am as he rolled down his window. We recited the whole trip to Alex as he drove us to my car. We decided to all camp there instead of driving an hour back to the big camp. Marinating in 13.5 hours of sweat, dirt and blood wasn't my ideal condition but I still seemed to have a pretty restful sleep. When I woke up the next morning and got out of the car I saw Dana and we immediately burst into laughter. Like she said, <span style="color: #e06666;"><b>"You know it's a good adventure when you wake up and just start laughing before saying anything."</b></span> I couldn't agree more. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12973534197896619873noreply@blogger.com0