My face....the day after!

Woke up this morning to a nice scab forming on my face. My kids are afraid of me! My body feels great and I want to get out and ride today. I received a phone message from Robert Linden (Tailwind Promotions). He wanted to make sure I was okay and thanked me for going to the race. I thought that was super nice of him. He is a great guy, and puts a lot of work into the Michigan USAC series. I'll keep you updated as to my healing progress. This will be a test to see just how well Neosporin works!


Cheers,

Sue

Stony Creek Marathon - CRASH.....

This is not the type of post race report I really like to do but I said I would do one so here it is!! We woke up this morning at 6:00 am to beautiful weather. Got the van all packed up and Jay and I were off to Stony Creek Michigan for my first marathon mountain bike race. I was totally excited, new challenge and I felt great (I have the back issues taken care of.....adjustment yesterday,Tiger Balm strips, and A535 today). All race categories went off in 1 min. intervals and got underway around 10:15 am. I was not sure what to expect from the course or from this type of race for that matter. I have never been on my bike for more than (3) hours so the game plan was to take it easy for the first (3) laps and more of a race pace for the final (2). The Elite/Expert women lined up and we were off. I took the hole shot at the whistle and held a very comfortable pace just to feel the other ladies out. Not even 5 min. into the race, I jumped over a log and lost my water bottle! I had not even taken a sip from it yet!! Not a good way to start a marathon race, however, I was very well hydrated before beginning so I knew I could get through and I just made sure to never over exert. After just over 1/4 of the 1st lap, I was out front with Danielle Musto (Kenda Tomac) right behind. Just over 1/2 way I was able to grab the wheel of another (male) racer and pulled away from Danielle. My legs felt great and I just took it really conservatively. Lap 2, I got a new water bottle and was going to hold onto the steady pace. I didn't even feel like I was racing (good feeling considering I still had 30+ miles still to do). Now on to lap 3..... Sitting out front with about a 7 minute lead, 3/4 of the way through I decided to take a sketchy line between (2) trees and I clipped my left handle bar. Not good!! I endoed, my face broke my fall, the bike went over my back, and I was still clipped in with my left foot. I "bit" it hard. Surprisingly I got up after unclipping, tasted blood but was ready to get back on and ride. My body was fine! Now for the biggest let down, I 'tacoed' my front wheel. I would have totally been able to race physically but my wheel was bent and with every pedal stroke it wobbled and rubbed my fork. I stood there trying to figure out what to do and a first aid guy came biking by. What are the odds! He asked me if I was ok and assured him yes as I eyed up his bike! Checking out his pedals, my cleats were compatible. Would he let me take his bike to finish? (You're supposed to finish on the bike you started on! But the thought crossed my mind.) I then checked out his front wheel. Same brakes as me, same tire choice, would he give me his wheel? I sort of hinted by saying I'm fine if I could just get a wheel I would continue to race. In reality I knew the medic couldn't give up his wheel, after all he is needed on the trail and that means he needs his bike and wheel! Now I was totally bummed knowing I had to DNF. After finding out the quickest way back to the finish area, I pushed my bike out. At times I tried to ride it downhill. I will say even on my way out as passing riders went by and asked if I was ok, I would reply I'm fine I just need a front wheel. (With hopes someone would take "pitty" and give me their darn wheel!! lol) (Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't expect anyone to do so.) So there you have it. My competitive drive, obsession to finish at all cost and total disappointment and let down at the fact I had to DNF. I feel unfulfilled from today's event so Jay and I are going for a (2) hour road ride tonight! What am I thinkin'?

Cheers,

Sue

The pain in my........

.....back!! I just registered for my first mountain bike marathon. I am pretty stoked! It's in Michigan and should be fun (in a weird kind of way)!! It's approx. 52 miles! I've never done a race this long before (not even a training ride this long) but heck I'm always up for a challenge! Bummer though, a couple of days ago I started with back pain. This is not the time for my back to act up!! I will be making a phone call in the morning to my chiropractor and massage therapist to see if we can get it fixed! Regardless, come Sat. I will be at the starting line ready to go!! I will give a post race report when I get back. ;)

Cheers,

Sue

What? Let the training begin?

After a long week, kid field trip, an E.R. visit, work, and everyday 'mommy' and household stuff I put in an interval type effort ride (yuck, but oddly enough I love it). Today was no exception to my hectic week, morning chaos, kids to school, I taught (2) Pilates classes, taught a spin class, ate a quick lunch than met up with Pak (I was late, sorry) for the 2 hour open time I had before picking the kids up from the bus stop. (Breathe) I use up every minute in a day!! Anyhow, on to the ride! Pak had already put in a hard effort yesterday but being the guy beggin' for punishment he was ready to show me some interval work! So it was bye to Kim (with her new hair cut, I like) and off to the overpass over the 401. It was about a 20 min. bike ride to get there and than Pak went over what the mission of the day was, pyramid intervals over and back, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1 work effort. Well maybe for me it wasn't exactly those ratios cuz' apparently I can't count and messed something up but Pak assured me in the end my efforts still equalled the same effort to recovery. No cheating for this girl! What did I learn?? Intervals are so needed in my training and I need to accept pain. Yep, no pain no gain. I will keep you posted if that saying really works because I am ready for pain (I guess?!). I feel good tonight, energized in fact. (okay, I had a quick 20 min power nap around 7:00 pm maybe that's why I feel good!)

Thanks again to Pak (can't wait to do it again next time and I will push harder) and to 'Kimmy' for the recovery drink, you guys rock!

Cheers,

Sue

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby.....

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Race Venue: Ruby, Port Huron, Michigan
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Category: Elite Women
Racers/Riders/Passengers: Jay, Paiten, Me
Method of transportation: BIG White Ford E350
Mood: Happy, excited
Weather: Nice, clear skies, 75-80°F (approx.)
Bike: Scott Spark

To Port Huron we did go...... Map Quest said it would take approx. 2 hrs and 28 min. What were they thinkin'? Jay, Paiten and myself left early Sunday morning assuming Map Quest was right. Well after 1hr and 45 min (Jay was not speeding) we were at Ruby with some time to 'chill'. I was relaxed and fairly calm. I put in my warm up than to the line I went. After a BAD start(not able to clip in and total fumble) I was second last off the line of the group of 6. By the time the gravel double track turned into a quick climb I had jumped in the lead and never looked back. Ruby's course consists of switch back climbs, flat flowing single track and its well known (2) water crossings per lap. It is a fun course with minimal climbing. I saw this race more as a training ride, a chance to focus and work on areas of needed improvement (endless). The race was held at a comfortable pace for me and I raced at about 80%. In the end I took the win and was pleased with my ride.

After I was done, Jay took Paiten to ride the course as I watched the (2) other Canadians and The Bicycle Shop riders take to the line for their 1:00 p.m. start. Andy took 2nd and Russ took 1st in their respective categories. Looks like a successful day for The Bicycle Shop!

Post race drive home was not so great! We decided to avoid the Red Bull Air Race traffic on the Ambassador Bridge so we opted for the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. In an attempt to avoid Chatham we took some back roads...... All was good until the map we were following (and it is a new map) lead us right to a dead end. So the trip home took approx. 3 hours!!! Hey, we made it home and that's all that matters!!!

Thanks to Tailwind for putting on another great event and to Team Sandbag for their hard work in trail/course maintenance.

Cheers,

Sue

O-Cup #4 - Boler Mountain , London

On Sunday, June 7, 2009, Jay, the kids, Stu (there again to support his team (Norco), cheer, and take pictures as his injury heals) and myself headed to London for O-Cup #4 at Boler Mountain. This venue has always been alot of fun and is the closest of the O-Cups to us (only 2 hours away!). We still had to get up early because Paiten's race was at 8:30 a.m. and we had yet to register her! So up out of bed and out of the driveway by 5:40 a.m.. We all were able to sleep and once again (as usual) Jay drove in silence (the odd kid snoring or maybe it was Stu) after only getting a few hours of sleep the night before. The race venue was oddly relaxing/calming. Paiten and I made our way to get her registered and for me to sign in. Going into this race I was tied for series overall point leader and upon signing in I was given the leaders jersey. I was pretty pumped. Not to mention it is a sweet looking jersey! On to Paiten's race..... The course started off with a series of climbs up and down the front of the 'mountain'. Paiten had a great opening climb and looked strong. She had 1 shortened lap to do. After seeing the leaders come through in her category we waited, and waited, and waited.... then here she came down the final downhill, up the last couple of climbs with a look of anger..... What's up? She biked over to me and displayed every emotion. Her chain had come off and got stuck, she had to take her rear wheel off to fix it and had lost a bunch of time. She was so excited for this race and was up near the front with the leaders when this happened. Her disappointment set in. It's all part of racing and she got over it and is ready to redeem herself at the next race!! I'm so proud of her.

With Paiten's race over, we really just had to wait around for my race at 1:30 p.m.. I took in a quick nap in the back of the van and totally 'chillaxed' the rest of the morning. I started getting ready around 12:30 and soon after made my way to the staging area. I was the first called up to the start line! (Benefit of having the leaders jersey, woo-hoo! I say as I raise the roof with my hands!!) I was then joined by the rest of the super strong field. At 'go' I had a decent start and felt strong right through the series of opening climbs. As always it took me the first lap to find my flow. (I need to work on that!!) The course had open climbs, flowing single track and some pretty fast downhills, one in which if I had been an inch closer to the tree I would have been airborn. I still feel the breeze and hear the sound of that tree that seemed to jump out at me! Accident/injury avoided, phew! I did manage however (at a different spot) to smack my knee off my handle bar, sending sharp pains through the knee cap and causing a momentary numbness and lack of power to my right leg. No 'biggie' it was all good for the next power climb! Anyhow, I put together a strong race and finished 4th. I was happy with that!!

Now there's a few weeks in between O-Cups and I will try to fill my schedule with Michigan races where possible. There are a couple other options that I am considering on the calendar. Looks like I have some training weeks ahead of me!!!

Cheers,

Sue

P.S. (Kim and Pak are on the mend. Pak has even been out on his bike. He is one crazy, stubborn, pain driven, 'cyclist'/'biker'! For now Kim just has to settle with riding in my basket on the front of my handlebars!!!)

Lay off the brakes.....

So there it was, Canada Cup/Ontario Cup #3 at Hardwood Hills in Barrie. Hardwood Hills boasts some of the best trails in the province, with some of the hardest race courses. It has also been the "monkey on my back". In the past I have never had a good race there and this year I was determined to change that........

We (the whole family) left at 7:00 a.m. Friday to head up to Barrie for a family/race weekend trip. We arrived around noon at the Barrie KOA, where a cozy 'Kabin' awaited us. There was a bit of a drizzle (no surprise we are in Barrie) but temps were mild. We set up our temporary home (by the amount of stuff we jammed into our full size van, you would think we were there to stay!). As I prepared lunch the clouds moved out and to our surprise the sun beat down. I headed to Hardwood to pre-ride around 2:30 p.m.. I did 2 easy pace laps, and I was comfortable with the course. It seemed to have a bit more momentum and flow than in previous years. Happy with my ride, I went back to camp (approx. 10 min. away) where Jay and Paiten were waiting to go and pre-ride Paiten's course. The weather was nice all evening and the kids kept themselves busy. We topped the night off with a bonfire and the traditional s'mores.

Saturday morning we awoke to clear skies!! YIPPEE, Barrie was being kind to us this year. I had already decided that I was not going to ride the course again so I took the position of 'chillin' for the morning. Jay took Paiten out to ride the course again and to register. After lunch, we (Jay, Clayton, Nelson and myself) went back to the venue so I could sign in. (This is mandatory and must be done on the Sat., if not you will be fined $50 prior to being allowed to race! Ouch!!) I waited around and chatted with 'injured' Stu (NORCO, thanks for the pics.) as Jay took the boys on the trails. As the day went on we went from shorts and a tee to almost winter clothing. Around 7:00 p.m. the skies darkened, the wind picked up and a cold front moved in. It stormed for about an hour and as fast as it came it went. We made a small bonfire and called it a night around 10:30 p.m..

Sunday....Race day.... The watch alarm went off at 7:00 a.m.. We needed to get Paiten ready for her 8:30 a.m. race. Due to the fact that my race was at 11:30 a.m., I stayed back to get ready and Jay took our little racer. They came back with good news. Paiten had a good race and came in 5th. At 10:15 a.m. we were Hardwood Hills bound again!! This time with all the kids and their noise makers. It was windy and cold!! I sat on the trainer and warmed up for about 20 min. than hopped on the Scott (thanks to Len I still have it) and finished my warm up. I went to the staging area and waited for call ups. There were 30 pro women racing!! We had 4 laps (36 km's). After struggling to find my flow on the first lap I dropped back a bit. Once the legs kicked in on the second lap I worked my way back up and finished in 16th place. I was pleased with my race (knowing I still have more to give and to work on). I feel like I finally shook my 'Hardwood curse'.

So now I look back and think, darn I could have been faster, I should have pushed even harder, I should have let the bike flow more, I really should have 'laid off the brakes'!!

Cheers,

Sue