Black Chick on a Bike in the Twin Cities

So this is what I'll be doing for a while...

2011-09-26T10:31:00.003-05:00

Say hi to my little girl! I'm off work until Dec. 19th, so we'll see how this motherhood thing goes. I am excited/exhausted/stressed/euphoric all at the same time.

My Daughter at 22 weeks

2011-08-18T14:22:00.001-05:00

I don't think I have posted this one yet:

I am 34 weeks today...Briarrose should be born in 3-6 weeks!!!

Little Maximilian 11 weeks 6 days

2011-03-27T11:38:00.001-05:00

Picture taken on Monday March 14th, 2011.

Rammstein Concert

2011-02-24T17:27:00.001-06:00

Oops, I guess the show is this year and not 2012. Duh! Even better!

Been forever

2011-02-24T15:18:00.003-06:00

Well, Rammstein is coming back to America! Next May, 2012, they are playing a handfull of shows in the USA and 3 I think in Canada. It's nice of them to wait till the year the world is supposed to end to FINALLY tour here. LOL Anyways...I am stoked. I plan on getting tickets to the Las Vegas and Chicago shows.

So what's up in my life?

Well, I am engaged to a nice guy (yes a nice guy), I have my dream job as a Lab Manager/Assistant Scientist at the University of Minnesota, I make more than my dream salary, I have a new fabo perfect apartment, and I am expecting a baby this Fall! I'm 2 months preggers.

I miss cycling a lot. Makes me pretty sad to not be training and racing. However, it also makes me hungry as shit for the bike, people...etc. I close my eyes often and envision myself climbing the canyons of Utah. I miss St. George. I miss the I-80 frontage road. I miss South Mountain...yes, even Traverse Rd! So many routes I may never ride again.

I got so busy with life, a new job, new fiance, I never raced for my new team here in MN. I plan on rectifying that next season.

But, as soon as this kid is popped out, and the doctor gives me the ok, I plan on starting from square 1. I've done it before and I'll do it again. I remember the tale of an ex-teammate who had her 2 kids, then proceeded to kick but and climb the Cat ranks. While I may not ever be that good, I just wanna be a happy Cat 4 again racing Superweek. My due date is ~October 1st (1 year to the day my fiance proposed), so we'll see what happens!!! :)

2010-12-11T19:10:00.001-06:00

40 min to Rammstein! OMG! Cant believe I'm here! I smell weed! LOL!

A dream realized

2010-12-10T23:50:00.002-06:00

I have waited 9 years to see Rammstein!!! Now, I am in New York City (for the first time btw) and am counting down to their concert at Madison Square Garden. 15 hrs to Rammstein! I love you guys, thanks in advance for finally (FINALLY) giving your American fans what they crave...YOU damn it! :)

Pics of NYC to follow, including a crazed Elmo.

2010-04-15T21:41:00.001-05:00

Holy shit wtf is going on on LOST???

2010-04-05T21:02:00.001-05:00

70mph down freeway jamming to "Waiting for the Sun" by the Doors almost missed 20mph freeway exit...

2010-04-05T09:12:00.001-05:00

OMG! I SEE THE EASTER BUNNY ACROSS THE STREET GOING INTO MY COFFEE SHOP!

Yesterday's Training

2010-04-05T07:34:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Sunday, I rode long and slow. Sort of forced to go way under pace for the last half cause I bonked before I even hit the halfway point. I was also lost a lot of that time. Forgot my map, food, etc. etc. etc. The gas station I thought would be around after 16 miles or so was all boarded up. I thought I ate enough in the morning, guess not. It was the last half very painful mentally and exhausting. But I finished.

2:53
34 miles

2010-04-04T19:48:00.001-05:00

Sleeping is truly the hobby of champions!

2010-04-04T16:20:00.001-05:00

14mi into my ride i was starving, fogot my food, 20mi later i am home, time for nap #2.

Nice!

2010-04-04T10:10:00.003-05:00

Fabian Cancellara won the 2010 Tour of Flanders!!!! I wanted him or Stijn to win, this is awesome. Reading the cyclingnews.com updates was like so exciting as if I was there! I'm so happy for him.(photo from www.cyclingnews.com)

...

and yeah he's still fine. Hotter in person too!

Commuting from Lab...wow what a boring name for a post

2010-04-03T20:57:00.002-05:00

Hi!

The ride home was 12.7 miles and had 2 hills. There was a grind up Wheelock Pkwy that I was not expecting and then there was the usual North up Edgerton grind. I passed a bunch of cops stopped by the cemetary. They were talking to some young kids. Oh those were the days! Wayward youth, huh? lol

I immediately got home and filled out my Census form. I think it may be too late to turn in, but maybe not. I got a friendly reminder card about it. I dont want the Gestapo coming to my door in the night, so I'm gonna mail in first thing Monday morning.

I'm a bit put off by the ONE box I get to decide to check "[ ] Black, African American or Negro..." Um, I dont like to be called a negro. No offense if that's the way some people identify themselves. I am also NOT African American. I am not from Africa. I have a friend who is from Africa. Does he check African American? He has American citizenship now I think. There is no African box for him to check...why not? There are about 10 boxes for people of Asian/Far Eastern descent. Why do they get so many options? This is bullshit wrapped in a perfumed box. Thanks America. I guess it's convenient for you to lop me in the box with the other darkies huh? (This will no doubt offend some people, but I dont mean it that way. It's sarcasm.) Forget about uniqueness within people of African descent and within the African races (guess what America, we're different FYI). Now I know what Bahati was talking about on Facebook. Man. Good thing I love the shit out of the USA. I love America to death. If I didn't love my country, I'd wipe this census form between my butt cheeks after eating too much dairy the day before and mail it back to the Census Bureau. :)

Anyway... (Hooray for my first rant in ages!!!)

I have a picture from my ride today, but my phone won't send the pic. Now that my camera battery is charged, I can get proper pics another time. :) Falling asleep, so I'd better download my training data and hit the hay! Numbers from the ride to be added tomorrow of in a little while.

Commuting to Lab

2010-04-03T14:32:00.002-05:00

So the total ride was 12.6 miles with 3 hills. Very nice and very windy today! I think it's in the 60s with way too much sun! :) If there can be such a thing. lol I rode through my old neighborhood where I grew up and also along my old paper route from college. Very nostalgic and pleasant. :) I have a picture and I'll have the ride numbers when I get home from lab.

Tomorrow's Training

2010-04-02T21:06:00.002-05:00

Dang, the past few weeks in my new lab have had me working like crazy! Tomorrow I'm going to ride to lab, I think it's 13 miles? 10 miles? Then I'll finish some work, take care of my cells, etc. I may ride during incubations, we'll see. But anyhow, I will scope out a decent route so tha tI can start commuting at least 3 times a week. That plus weekend riding and eventually racing (season starts soon!) will get me in good shape for ICC Superweek/International Cycling Classic in July!!! I can't wait for Superweek!!!

More news and updates tomorrow once I catch the results of the Pro races for the weekend. Can't believe the Tour of Flanders is upon us and Stijn is supporting Boonen? OOOOKAAAAY...I'd rather he went for a 3rd win. :)

Ok, enough gaming for the night. Time to sleep for 10 hrs!

Laters! :)

Today's Training

2010-03-11T00:02:00.005-06:00

I swear it was 49 degrees when I went outside today. So, in MN that = heat wave. But, about 20min into my ride my fingers were painfully cold! I had a nice picture of the trail I was on. It was all misty and stuff because there was still ice/snow on parts but the air was warm. The path was lined with trees so it looked like I was in some horror film. All steamy and stuff, perfect for zombies to rise up out of...

...but I digress.

Anyway. I rode for an hour it was badass. The roads here in St. Paul are fucked beyond belief. Time to stop patching craters with lunchroom leftovers and actually rebuild the fucking road, or resurface it damn it! WTF do I have to do it myself?

In better news:

CYCLING

Linus Gerdemann (former hottie of the week or whatever in 2009) won Stage 1 of Tirreno Adriatico today!!! Yeah that!And look who else was there?Vino!

And, most importantly...RAMMSTEIN!!!!!!!!

/bow

The boys of fire has put up some new photos on their Facebook page. How nice! Taken whilst on the road for their 2010 Tour.

ON THE BUS!PAUL & OLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WAIDMANN'S HEIL BITCHES! "The creature must die!"PAUL + FIRE = TOO HOT FOR WORDS!

NOW..I'm gonna watch LOST and fall asleep...probably a mistake 'cause I'll have fucked up dreams.

2 Thumbs

2010-03-10T00:51:00.003-06:00

One thumb UP for the sexy hot tat on the back of "Pipo" Pozatto, one of the only guys to maintain an extremely high level of hotness with a bike helmet and shades on...
and...

One thumb DOWN for the porn stash. Ew. Visions flash before me of scary white vans and guys with fake broken arms and mouths with too much gum asking, "Can ya help me move my couch into my truck?"

Team Training Session

2010-03-06T12:35:00.003-06:00

OMG HARD!

lol

I swear part of me died today in class. I am coming off of being a bit ill, and I only rode 2x this week so far. I dont feel weak anymore so I thought I'd be ok.

We started with some Flat Threshold and High Aerobic work where we go 5 min. at threshold 90rpm and then right into high end aeorobic 5 min. 70-75 rpm. Work aeorobic system, overload legs, repeat. We did that for a while, maybe 30 min.??? Then we got into the meat of the workout...

3 min. Max => 3 min. rest
2.5 min Max => 2.5 min rest
2 min Max => 2 min rest
1.5 min Max => 1.5 min rest
1 min Max => 1 min rest
30 sec. Max => 30 sec. rest

OWIEEE! OUCH! That hurt so bad. I totally blew out on the last 40 seconds of the 1.5 min interval. I had to maintain 20watts less than I had for the first 2 max in tervals. I was able to recover and bring my power back up for the 1 min and the 30 sec interval. Significantly higher (obviously) for the 30 sec. one.

It was totally awesome when someone started talking and she was like "If you can talk you're not working hard enough!" Freakin hard core man! Then, she was like, "If you blow up, then you blow up. Train more!"

All in all, I was naseaus, still am a bit. Ugh. But I am oh so happy.

Now, Fiona Lockhart (what a cool name, like a detective or something) wants me to redo my threshold test. So 20 min. as hard as I can go! I'll do this workout this week sometime and send her the data file. I'm not gonna lie, I dont want to suffer through this, but, yes, I do want my numbers.

NUMBERS:
1:06 of pain

I'd Like to Start the "Resurrect Boone on LOST" Campaign

2010-03-03T21:21:00.007-06:00

Last Thursday I developed a terrible headache. It felt almost as bad as an MSG-induced migrane headache, but it wasnt as poignant. It lasted all day and only got worse as the evening progressed. Then, on Friday I had nosebleeds all day, but at least the pain lessened. I thought my brain was melting out of my head. Then, Saturday early AM I was up with bad GI stuff. I missed team training and felt/still feel terrible. LOL I'm falling apart! Or else I have a fucking brain turmor. The headache subsided Sunday so I was positive things would get better. Now however...I have been dizzy all day and my head started hurting again this evening. Ugh. If my nose starts pouring blood again I'll go to a doctor or something.

On the brighter side, I rode outside yesterday while it was like 40 degrees and sunny as hell! NICE! The sky was as blue as can be. I was so happy. Today it was like 45 degrees. The weather is really turning a corner. :)

And, I am all caught up on LOST finally!!! Now I am watching the episodes on abc.com with commercials unfortunately. Gosh, who the fuck likes commercials??? I was happy with LOST until I saw last night's episode today online. I am SO CONFUSED, and angry because I'm confused. One thing I am tired of is Kate chasing Sawyer and then Jack, then Sawyer then Jack, etc. etc. Ugh she is such an annoying character. Now we have Claire back...another woman with nappy hair and a gun, er, axe, to replace the French woman we lost a while back. Well, I hope things get explained in a satisfying way for all the fans. Especially me though, why dont they bring Desmond back? He's so damn hot. And they had Boone back too in the LAX episodes.O M F G! How is it possible for a guy's eyebrows to be so fine? Weird! His eyes are crazy sick. What a gorgeous guy Ian Somerhalder is. Chappo to his parents for hooking up!

Laters!

Training Update

2010-02-21T09:28:00.003-06:00

Wow! Yeah I havent updated in a while, lol. Lots going on.

I've been doing the Saturday morning training sessions with my team led by Coach Fiona. Wow. They're kicking my ass. Love it!

Finally FINALLY I got the batteries in my Power Tap hub replaced! Thx to the guys at Erik's Bike Shop on Cty Rd E here in Maplewood/Little Canada or wherever I live. It took 2 of us to open the hub. I held the wheel. the mechanic fit the new cap tool on the old hub as best he could, pressed down and turned. Took a while but we got it open. I am REALLY pissed that the people I bought the from did not include the cap tool. Seriously.

Anyway, I'm not riding enough I know, but I fucking hate my indoor trainer so whoop-die-fucking do! I'm still steadily dropping weight so I'm ok with it. Just a couple indoor session a week, or short runs through the snow, plus my team training. That's my week.

Job-wise, I am out of the worst lab in history and I dont give a shit who sees that I write this! Mentallu-abusing your underlings (lol, that's what my boss thought we were, jeez!!!) is wrong! I have a new job pending admisistrative stuff. Cross your fingers for me....if anyone is out there still reading this blog!

I will be posting some writing on here soon. Plus I will be getting out on my mountain or cross bike more since it's warming up but the roads still suck ballz, so I'll have cool Garmin GPS map pics. :)

PLUS, my wonderful teammates (yes u know u r) gave me a pair of shorts and a jersey from last year for free!!!!!!! THANKS SOOOOO MUCH! Damn I'm so poor and this means the world to me. :) :) (I smile too much I know. It's just me.)

Oh! After training yesterday, we had a long meeting about the team, goals, the season, etc. I am so happy I have a fellow sprinter teammate who will be doing every damn race out there practically just like me. Finances will be the only limiting factor for me. I hope that I can work my ass off for her and help her win some crits.

Okay, more coffee and more LOST!!! 3 more episodes in Season 5 for me. GOD BLESS NETFLIX streaming movies and tv shows!!!!

2010-02-19T05:23:00.001-06:00

Things never to watch rt before bedtime: LOST. lol

2010-02-13T09:25:00.001-06:00

Whole Foods salad bar = yum!

2010-01-25T18:28:00.001-06:00

Watching Halloween 2 remake...Rob Zombie never disappoints.

2010-01-25T06:26:00.001-06:00

Just got back from a nice run. Still too much ice and snow. : )

This Weekend's Training

2010-01-24T17:48:00.003-06:00

SATURDAY
Bianchi/Grand Performance Team indoor training session with CTS coach Fiona Lockhart at The Dance Studio

Wow! This was HARD. It was cold and slippery outside, I could barely make it to my car from the front door! There was a layer of ice all over everything, including my poor car. Fortunately, I had the new RAMSMTEIN album and hadn't listened to it yet, so, I poppsed that in I after 5 songs I was motivated and pumped. I can't believe how amazing the album is! Each song was even better than the previous one...how is this possible?

Anyway, Fiona said that Session #1 would be the hardest because we were establishing our threshold. I dreaded this b/c I know mine has plumemted into my feet, lol. So we started warming up, and my PowerTap decided to not work, then it started working when it felt like it. This was odd because it worked all week. Maybe it got too cold? Batteries?

We rode for a bit, then did intervals to get ourselves ready to be in the pain cave. Then the 20min. as hard as you can go interval began. We got some music too which was nice. I wished I could've had Rammstein in my ear. So I could barely hold 20-30W below what my FTP used to be, how sad. But I tried my best. ANother teammate and Fiona walked around and too readings from our heart rate monitors and power meters every few minutes. It was all so official and cool.

Fiona is having me email my power file to her so she can analyze it. I can't believe that this is al FREE to my team. Bianchi/Grand Performace Cycling Team is serious as shit and hard core. They really believe is including EVERYONE for training. No one is excluded based on ability. This is what makes a good team. I am excited and motivated to push myself and get better so I can pull off a result for us this season.

NUMBERS
1:02

SUNDAY
I did the Vision Quest FORCE DVD threshold test for a warmup. This was 20 minutes. Then I headed outside into 34 degree weather with freezing rain...or raiing slush, whatever, it was miserable and great. I rode through a million way too deep freezing cold puddles of water and my back and feet got a bit cold, but not too bad. I was on my 'cross bike so I had my mtn bike shoes on and they have better protection against the elements. I rode outside for 30 minutes.

NUMBERS
00:50

2010-01-23T09:32:00.001-06:00

1st training session with my new team is done. All i have to say is...ouch. : )

New Job

2010-01-13T15:10:00.003-06:00

I finally got my training peaks account activated to Premium so I can download training data. I know it's sad but I couldn't afford the $20 bucks a month. I should be able to afford this for a few months. I also have my PowerTap working finally. So, I'll soon be putting he link back up that leads to my training data for anyone who follows my long dead blog anymore. lol I am sure I have maybe 1 reader left. Maybe. :)

I also ordered a hard rubber mat to that goes beneath exercise bikes and treadmills in order to muffle the sound or dampen the sound when I am on my trainer. Now I can do my workouts at 5am when I wake up instead of when I get home in the evening. This will prevent me from skipping workouts because I am too tired, too hungry, too stressed from a days work. Those dumb ass excuses that I use. :)

I also signed up for some team training with a professional coach. She will teach us 7:45-8:45am on Saturdays from Jan. 23 to Mar. 13. YAY! I hope to be in decent shape in 3 weeks, or better shape. I just can't face being in a room right now with a bunch of fit people and me feeling like a blob! lol

And, I will be starting a new job in mid Feb. Same field, new lab. Yay. It's a big step up for me. I just have to pray that there is no one on the damn lay off list to take my job away from me. It's not fair that they can force people to hire people on this list. I found the damn job, it's mine. I worked my butt off and sought this person out and I am qualified for the position. It's mine darn it. I got laid off so I know how it feels, but I would never want a job because someone was forced to take me on.

And, RAMMSTEIN!!!!! RULES!!!!

2010-01-07T19:34:00.001-06:00

Instant depression cure = SNL Best of Chris Farley! Damn he was a talented mofo. Sad he's dead.

Team Radio Shack Website

2009-12-22T08:35:00.001-06:00

Nice!

http://www.teamradioshack.us/

Yesterday's Training

2009-11-22T06:09:00.003-06:00

Ugh, I really blew that. lol

I met my new teammates at our sponsoring bike shop, Grand Performance. The bad luck started immediately, as it usually does for me. My PT died during a ride last Sunday, so I went into the bike shop where the gentleman replaced the battery. The computer worked, but it still didnt read data from the hub and cadence sensor. "Shit!" I'm thinking. I need a record of what I do for personal motivation. Oh well, we start off on the ride and there are like 9 ladies and 2 gents. I thought things were going well, but after climbing up a slight grade on the Smith High Bridge and gettting caught at 2 traffic lights, I knew I had to go my own pace. I was ok with that. It was advertised as No Drop, but not labeled as recovery so, I asked someone to ride up to the group and tell them I was going to go solo.

My training guides all say that especially for Base Training you often have to go yoru own pace. You never know when others are in their season. Some people may have just finished racing, some may have had a few weeks for a break, others like me, my have raced January to April, stopped and only rode a few times a week till July and then quit altogether because they were still unemployed, poor as sh*t, depressed and thus demotivated thinking their future was gone.

It's funny now, but it wasnt so damn funny at the time.

I found some great roads in West St. Paul. Nice and wide, the weather was cold, but sunny and clear. So all in all I had a really great ride though and I am glad to have warmed up (lol) with the team. :) I will be trying to hang with them again. I wont give up, however, I still need to focus on my aerobic base. I have 10 kilos (yes 10 now everyone knows) to drop by April. I wish to God that Gardie lived here so I could enlist his help again. :(

NUMBERS:
1:40

Today I plan on taking the Gateway State Trail as far as I can East. I think it goes to the river separating Wisconsin and Minnesota. It's 6am and 46 degrees F outside now, so the temps may be nice!

2009-11-18T16:37:00.001-06:00

Omg science...

Today's Training

2009-11-15T16:28:00.002-06:00

Today began the first day of real training for the 2010 season. I discovered the Gateway Trail, which has an entrance near my place, and rode along it for a while. I caught up to regular roads that were a part of the only route I now since I've been here. The weather said 45 degrees F, but half way through the ride it seemed to drop 10 degrees. Maybe it was wind.

Anyway, I say someone spray painted the word "BEAST" on the trail and I've decided that that word will mark the tone for this coming season.

NUMBERS:
1:00 (hr:min)

Aaaw!! Rammstein have the flu! :( :(

2009-11-13T13:14:00.001-06:00

http://www.thegauntlet.com/interview/307/559/Rammstein.html

No one is immune! Here's an interview Christophe the drummer did last night before they performed in Barcelona, Spain.

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH WORLD!!!!

2009-11-13T07:55:00.001-06:00

Yay! A night of Jason Voorhees movies, how fun. I am planning on watching Part 1, 2, 3 and then 6 which is my favorite. :)

2009-11-05T05:53:00.001-06:00

Yes i'm on Facebook. Thx for the nice compliment! I am not that great, not like Major Taylor at least. : )

Sup?

2009-10-28T19:43:00.005-05:00

So the job is fine, so far. I'm pretty content which is cool.

I got into a passionate conversation with a videogame friend of mine about how I believe some people (me) are meant to be alone/single (no negative connotation associated with the word "alone') and some people are meant to couple up. He believes that a guy knows what's best for me and that's why many guys have tried to pin me down and get into relationships with/marry me. I say that's bullshit. I know what makes me happy. I've lived 30 yrs. so I think I've got it figured out.

I have been grilled by my friend at work too. He is like a smart, sensible brother. He's really great. He (like my videogame friend) doesnt want me to give up, but wants me to find someone because there is someone for me. I say "Puh-shaw!" But then I stop and think, hard. I try to find someone I would actually consider marrying. I decided that I'd marry the lead guitarrist of Rammstein, Richard. Because I'd like to get to know the man behind his lyrics (in his solo project Emigrate) and because I am sure he'd leave me the fuck alone. He'd be too busy being too damn fine and writing music to bother me with things like "quality time" and such nonsense!(Did I mention the part about being too damn fine? Oh yeah, I did.)

Anywho...

I am happy as heck in my new apartment. I come home to NO ONE. It's great! I can cook what I want, walk around half-naked, pee with the door open, it's AWESOME! I also get to game, write, think, draw, day dream WITHOUT interruption. You see where I am going with this?

I am also having a creative itch. I am wondering how it will manifest itself. I'm excited to start a new writing project or drawing. I have been hankering to head over to the Mpls. Institite of Art to sketch. I could see that Louvre exhibit!

and,

I wish I was going to see Rammstein on Tour. :( :( :( I just want to die I am so depressed about not going!!! But, someday, right? (image from www.Rammimages.com)I love Rammstein so much that it makes me physically sick. lol

2009-10-21T23:10:00.001-05:00

2nd day in a row i wanted to buy chew for a nicotine fix, trying not to smoke. I fought the urge & won...this time.

AAAAAAAH!

2009-10-20T21:47:00.002-05:00

I need a new job.

Anyway, more importantly...

I am in my new place, although it is bare bare and bare. Just me, 4 bikes, 4 suitcases, a blanket, a stuffed mouse and me. lol Seriously though, that's it.

I need a plan to get going. I want to start my 2010 season NOW. Officially! I think I will sit down with my Cyclist Training Bible and map stuff out. I can't afford Vision Quest right now, not just yet. So I have to self coach some Pre training adn Base training. My new team seems to be nice. I wish I could find time to ride with them. Things have been so hectic lately. At least I rode Sunday when it was nice! Things could be worse! :)

And Rammstein has a new album that I am fieeeeeeeending for!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAHH!

2009-10-19T17:30:00.003-05:00

I'm so poor that i bought a $1.50 box of pop tarts to live off of for the next 2 days...

2009-10-19T17:30:00.001-05:00

I'm so poor that i bought a $1.50 box of pop tarts to live off of for the next 2 days...

2009-10-18T09:29:00.001-05:00

In my new apt. as of yesterday. Slept on a hard floor. Ow! Goin 4 a ride.

Yay snow!

2009-10-12T08:47:00.002-05:00

Today it is snowing! It is so pretty I love it. Not enough to really accumulate yet, and it's not cold, so it's okay. The sky is all white and the trees are sprinkled with white. Blah blah blah...omg, sounded like poetry. :P

I have officially joined the Saint Paul Bicycle Racing Club and their active race team called Bianchi Grand Performance. So, I guess I have to change my license soon :( Oh I am so sad to say goddbye for REAL to Ski Utah. But, I guess I am no longer a Utahn let alone a racing cycling for that team. Ho hum. :(

Anyway! I am excited though! New exciting adventures in my journey through the Minnesota Cycling Scene. Fun!

2009-10-11T19:53:00.001-05:00

Omg! My first time watching the cleveland show and i am rotfl!!!

2009-10-02T07:32:00.001-05:00

Omg...i swear that i'm having breakfast across from the actress who played the teacher in Child's Play 2!!!

Update

2009-10-01T18:01:00.003-05:00

THE GYM
I hit the gym last Friday for an hour in the AM and then went 2 times this week for ~30-40min. OMG! I LOVE lunges across the b-ball court. They hurt, but my ass will thank me when it fits back into the size 8 jeans. :)

WORK
Work has been good and busy. So many dead mice, dissection, body pieces flying everywhere, etc. all in the name of cancer research. Pediatric Cancer research. I see the way the Bone Marrow transplanted mice look when undergoing rejection and it literally TERRIFIES ME to think that the HUMANS that undergo this rejection look the same. It is really really sad and scary. No joke. I hope what I am doing makes a difference.

Sup?

2009-09-28T18:51:00.004-05:00

Did I mention how proud I am of Cadel Evans for winning the UCI Road Race World Championship?
Congrats my dear Cadel. Although you have never been on any of my hottie lists or had any otehr type of honorable mention, I have watched you ride for years and years and have seen you try and try and try and try. So, now, I am happy as hell for you that you succeeded!!!

Oh, and...

Have I mentioned how hot Vino is looking (as usual)?

lol

'Cross Practice Report

2009-09-23T20:21:00.004-05:00

Boy...I suck bad. lol

It was nerve racking enough getting back on my 'cross bike after my horrible crash out of last season that left me with 2nd degree tendon tears, blinding pain and basically 1 arm for 2 mos.

We did normal ride around and hop the barrier, then the guy in charge, a Ridley guy, had us do some tactics where we rode in pairs and the crossed in front of eachother tryig to block right before the barrier.

WHOA!!!

I just wanted to focus on the dismount, clearing the barrier and then remounting (which I am so rusty at). It felt like an advanced 'cross practice. I tried 3 times and then whenever I tried to remount a swarm of guys would come up behind me and almost plow me over! As if it was a fucking race!!! So, after saying "sorry" and "excuse" me ad infinitum, I got fed up and asked the guy in charge if I could practice on my own with another barrier on the course because I just couldn't go that fast. He was totally cool with that, as long as I felt okay. Thanks goodness. Aparently he knows Ali Goulet (YAY!!!) and we chatted about him for a sec. That was nice. I remembered Ali's 'cross clinic and that made me feel pretty good about myself. Oh how I miss some of those familiar faces. :(

I practiced on my own while they did a hard practice race then I headed home. I was a dork and went up to talk to some Bianchi/Grand PErformance guy in the parkign lot and said I wanted to join that team. He didnt know what to say to me, I was very embarrased. I am used to people being welcoming and excited to chat about their teams. He seemed tired and in a hurry to leave and confused as to why I was introducing myself to him and talking to him. Oh well.

Now I am home and tired after a spin class, a long day in lab and then 'cross practice.

NUMBERS:
0:45 Spin Class
~1:00 'Cross practice

I'll get there at 5:30 next week so I can ride the course alone until the clinic at 6:15.

2009-09-23T19:02:00.001-05:00

So far, i suck at cross.

The road back to fitness

2009-09-23T08:14:00.002-05:00

I am on a journey to get my cyclist body back, or more positively I should say to get my racing body back. Being laid off and then running out of money made it impossible to race, care for my bike, etc. It may sound funny but it's true. I couldnt even buy gas for my car because my unemployment was a bit less than 50% of my normal income. I could only pay bills...barely. I couldnt even afford my own food. Thus, I drove no where since the last race I did in April here in MN and I ate crap 50% of the time. I either ate bad food provided by famility members of my own choosing, or I ate barely anything. Thus, I have watched my weight go up and my pants get tighter. Now, I am in my "fat" pants...which are really my normal-sized pants but to me ever since I became an athlete they are FAT pants LOL!

So, today I took a SPIN Express class at my new gym (at the Univ of MN Rec center) at 6:45am. It was 45 min long and was pretty challenging. It felt awesome. I have never done a spin class before and have onyl heard "bad" things or negative things about them. I dont know where those folks got their info because this was fun!

So afterwards I went to shower quick and get to work...and then I noticed whilst looking for the shower that it was like a prison shower! Everyone was together! I was so FREAKED! Then, off to the side there was a lone shower with a curtain so I was ok. I have to get over my hang up about being naked in front of other women I guess.

So, I am at lab now and excited to get the day done. Why? Because 'cross practice is tonight and I AM going FINALLY. :) My stuff os packed up here in my car/in my gym locker and my bike is in my car. I'll head out to the park at 4:40pm today. Course practice is at 5:30, the clinic is at 6:15 and a practice race is at 6:45. FUN! :) I am nervous though of course.

2009-09-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

Just reaffirming my undying devotion to Rammstein!

Dear Mr. Anonymous...

2009-09-18T07:11:00.003-05:00

http://www.visit-x.net/rammstein/

My thoughts are...

1) Go to New York, find Richard, tie him up in his apartment and make him my slave for a week straight and then pray that I still have a job when I get back to Minnesota;

2) OMG! I am soooooooo damn jealous! Why cant I be in the video tying Paul and Richard up and spanking and biting them? AAAH! I dont do the cowboy fantasy, but the other ones are great;

3) Who needs internet porn anymore? Now we have this! LMAO!

4) I am so pleased with this work, great job Till on your English singing. Much improved! :) I cant wait to spend my hard earned money on this new album.

And, I will now officially do ANYTHING except commit suicide to see Rammstein in concert and the icing on the cake will be to fulfill number on the list above.

Ok, gottat go to work...but those images will be stuck in my head, OMG! Naked Rammstein!

2009-09-13T19:52:00.001-05:00

Ew...Iowa smells like poo.

2009-09-13T17:58:00.001-05:00

My $1 dinner is 2 cherry pies from McDees! Cant wait to stop being poor... LOL!

2009-09-13T12:27:00.001-05:00

I'm struggling to get back to Minnesota. So tired. Cant believe i have to work at 9am tommorow...and i still have 9hrs. to drive.

On the road still

2009-09-10T09:47:00.003-05:00

Got to Cheyenne, WY last night and I'm leaving soon for SLC which is 6 hrs. away. Sucks that I wont have time for any visits. I have to arrive, load up my car, take care of some business and then sleep so that i can drive home in 2 days instead of 3. Then I have to start work on Monday morning. I could take 3 days to get back like i have done in the past, but I want to have a day to relax and get some new clothes for work. We'll see.

On the road

2009-09-08T22:54:00.001-05:00

In Omaha, Nebraska about to go to bed. I am sooooo tired!
I hope to get to Cheyenne tomorrow or maybe close to it.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!

2009-09-03T01:42:00.005-05:00

(High-pitched girl shriek)

http://www.rammstein.de/blog/lang/en/

Who else would have the nerve/gall/ballz, the whatever to name their single what they named it? LMAO!!!! ROFL!!! I LOVE RAMMSTEIN! OMG! It's nice to know that there are wild young bulls stomping around inside of these middle-aged men. LOL!!!!!

***

Still waiting for some $$$ before I leave for SLC. Should be here soon. Work starts on Sept. 14th if I didn't already mention it.

Employed!

2009-08-27T16:46:00.002-05:00

I just got a job in one of the top immunology labs in the world at the University of Minnesota!!!! OMG! My career is going to take off!

YAY!

Let's put it this way, I can now race, ride, buy, etc. and enjoy cycling once again just the way I used to...only better!

YES!

I can now join a team for real and not worry about affording my new kit!

Yes!!!!

I can now start saving for Rammstein tickets for the next concert tour!

I can now start fantasizing about new bikes again and trips to races!

What's next?

2009-08-26T23:13:00.003-05:00

http://mcf.net/misc/2008/Cyclocross%20Cobweb%20Remover09.pdf

Waiting for $$$, then new tires, safety check, renew vehicle registration and then I am on the road to SLC! Can't wait to hit the Shoreline trail with my mountain bike. How sad it has been to miss the Tour of Utah. :( Can't wait! I'll be grabbing my 'cross bike, mtn bike, cycling DVDs etc. etc. etc.

I need a new team!!!!

Aaaaw! :(

2009-08-26T23:11:00.000-05:00

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/no-vuelta-for-kloden

I've gotta get hip on latest cyclingnews like I used to be!

YUM!!!!!!!

2009-08-26T23:09:00.001-05:00

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vinokourov-to-head-to-the-tour-of-spain-with-astana

Update

2009-08-20T02:08:00.003-05:00

Coming soon...

Pretty Boy of 2009 #2
My journey back to SLC
What's become of my cycling?
RAMMSTEIN!!!!!!!!!!!

ANd I WILL get back to my normal boy crazy, cycling-obsessed, manic, crazy self soon....just busy with others things now. I am in a transition, but, things will be more normal soon! (normal for ME)

On the agenda

2009-08-07T02:26:00.004-05:00

I am getting ready to drive out to SLC soon to come for my 'cross and mountain bikes...I miss them and 'cross starts end of September...

Oh yeah, and Vino is back! Yay! More puppy dog eyes to ogle in the peloton. I am dissapointed that he has reported said to be building the team around Contador...I hope he does not doubt his abilities. Is he mentally defeating himself already? I'd hope that he'd at least try to be the leader. But, what do I know? As long as his legs are shaved and he's trying, that's what counts right? LOL!

My two cents

2009-07-22T10:51:00.004-05:00

Why did Alberto Contador attack in the last ~1.0 mi of the final climb today? Wasn't it up to the Shleck brothers to put time into him and Klodi if they wanted to by attacking them? What did Contador gain by attacking and thus dropping his teammate? Just curious. There ar eno time bonuses at the line either...hmm, I REALLY wonder what he was thinking. I wonder if he was supposed to do that. If not, then I'd hate to be in that bus ride back to the hotel. I'd hate to be at that dinner table tonight. Wow. Yeah, I know that there are no gifts in the Tour de France, but wait....Contador DID give the Schleck brothers a gift, Andy especially. He dropped Klodi.

Good job nimrod.

Yeah I;m biased as hell since Klodi is hot as hell to me, but still. I do have an understanding of bike racing with teammates, even if it is rudimentary. I would NEVER have done that if I was a race leader and didnt need to. I would NEVER have isolated MYSELF with two other gals on the same team. If we all came to the finish together, all 4 of us, I would sprint for the win at the line, I honestly would.

I really wish Armstrong would crush the f*cking shit out of that whiny little b*tch.

Pretty Boy of 2009 - Number 1

2009-07-11T21:00:00.010-05:00

In honor of the Tour de France and thanking it for helping bring back my motivation and in honor of cycling in general, I have decided to "reintroduce" that Hottie of the Day contest from the 2008 Tour of Utah. This time, it's called "Pretty Boy of the Week."

The first honor, goes to someone who every time I look at him I say "Oh my god, he is just so damn prety!" Odd because he's a dude, but really, I can never help it. Since I saw him on CSC and then when he moved to T-Mobile Team...I was like, "OMG, he is so pretty!"

...

LINUS GERDEMANN!!!

DOB: 16/09/1982

PLACE OF BIRTH: Münster (GER)

MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried

HEIGHT: 1,83 m (6 ft)

WEIGHT: 69 kg (152 lbs.)

PRO SINCE: 2003

PREVIOUS TEAMS: 2003 Winfix-Techem, 2004 Winfix-Arnolds Sicherheit, bis April 2005 Akud-Arnolds Sicherheit, ab Mai 2005 CSC, 2006 - 2007 T-Mobile, 2008 Team Columbia

TYPE OF RIDER: Hot!!!
Just kidding...ALL-ROUNDER!

PALMERES:
2003:
1st place, U23-Bundesliga

2004:
1st place, U23-Bundesliga

2005:
1st place, stage, Tour de Suisse
3rd place, Bayern-Rundfahrt

2006:
2nd place, stage, Tour de Suisse
2nd place, stage, Sachsen-Tour
2nd place, prologue, Deutschland Tour
6th place, Vuelta a Catalunya
7th place, Tour de Suisse

2007:
1st place, stage, Tour de France
Yellow jersey, Tour de France (1 day)Doesnt he look great in yellow?

2008:
1st place, Deutschland Tour
1st place, stage, Deutschland Tour
1st place, Tour de l’Ain
1st place, stage, Tour de l’Ain
1st place, Coppa Agostoni

Oh Linus, you are so g*ddamn hot, thank your parents for bumpin it, they did a damn good thing for the world!

What I've been up to

2009-07-11T13:01:00.003-05:00

I'm on a new training program with my coach. Since i am burned out, demotivated, missing my 'cross and mtn bikes (i usually hit the mtns when I am sick of the road)....we are changing things up. I am running now and focusing on strength training.

I am watching the TdF too, enjoying it. I am so happy that Andreas Kl(o umlaut)den is there. He is great to watch. It is so funny how it seems tha tevery other Tour de France he is out in some way, injury, not allowed to start, etc. I hope he doesnt retire any tiime soon because i want him to win. I want to at least see him on the podium again. I am still cheering him on no matter what.

I've also been horribly depressed over not being able to go see Rammstein in Europe...omg it keeps me up at night. Sad. :( OMG COME TO THE USA!!! I can die a happy woman if i get to see them just once. :(

:)

2009-07-05T19:51:00.001-05:00

There are very few things in life that are perfect.
One of them is...
the Tour de France in HD.

Robots r kewl

2009-06-27T00:05:00.003-05:00

Did I mention how utterly depressed I am about Rammstein not coming to the USA? OMG...what do I have to do, go on a hunger strike? Kidnap someone an dhold them for ransom? What b*tches...what???!?!!?!?

I just saw TRANSFORMERS 2 and it was sooooooooooo awesome! Robots, in disguise, fighting eachother. Nothing else to say. Very happy.

This week has been an interesting week for me, or at least the last 24 hrs. has been interesting...

Been gone too long.

2009-06-23T17:53:00.003-05:00

I know, I am soooo sorry. I know I have been absent for a while. I have basically just melted into the background of life for a bit...a month I guess. I am alive and okay. I have been burnt out from cycling.

Why?

It's because I ride and I rarely see other cyclists. Maybe its the routes I do, or the times, but I dont see them every few minutes as I am used ot on teh weekends in SLC. I also miss the familiar faces and bikes and kits. THe scene here is large, more so than I expected, but still it is not teh scene I have come to know and love.

Also, I am unbelieveably depressed and gut-wrenched over Rammstein. They are touring in Germany and other places for this first Tour and I cannot go. When Tickets went on sale I envisioned all the happy ecstatic people thanking Jesus for their tickets (ha ha lol, but I do mean it).

Besides those two things, I am good!

More updates to come!

Saturday's Training

2009-05-24T01:59:00.011-05:00

Oh yeah.

I rode to Oakdale, Lake Elmo and then to Stillwater. I crossed the bridge over the St. Croix river and into Wisconsin and then headed back home. Yay, I rode to the next state! The weather was ~68 degrees and perfect. Sun and clear skies. LOVE Minnesota weather. I tried to focus on a high cadence. I spent 45% at 80-90rpm and 20% at 90-100rpm. I tried. I'm happy with that. I want more like 50% at 90-100rpm.

NUMBERS:
2:39
38.1 miles

TSS = 161
IF = 0.779
NP = 133 Watts

Mmm...base endurance miles.

I need to get my ass out on a group ride, I just can't decide what team to ride with, the Minnesota Cycling Team (seem the most hardcore), the Bianchi/Grand Performance Team (the most organized team training), the Gopher Wheelmen (they have Pactimo clothing, but only one sponsor)...so many more to pick from!

2009-05-24T00:57:00.001-05:00

Just left a Taco Bell in the ghetto of Mpls. with my bff. Nice to be back in a city with character!

Back online

2009-05-23T10:11:00.006-05:00

Had no internet connection for a while. I always hate it at first, but then I enjoy it.

I have been doing more reading of the old fitness magazines i started picking up in 2002 while in grad school and I wanted to start "going to the gym" or whatever that was. I wanted to lift weights in addition to my running (that I was into at the time, I ran marathons). I read Muscle & Fitness Hers (which was different that the one of today, it was just like the Oxygen magazine of today).

It was an issue that had an entire full body program for a week. You worked certain parts on different days. Plus, it showed you the machines and free weights in photos and how to use them. I began training and loved it. I got over the initial "I'm embarrassed to be here training because I'm a newbie and not as fit as you all" by getting my head out of my own ass and getting over myself.

It took a good 2 years before I noticed muscle layered on my frame with lines and shape. The fat went down of course which helped. I finally had a high metabolism too as I noticed. I caught myself always staring at my arms and shoulders in the mirror at the gym as I did curls and arm raises. I was happy. In 2004 I had the body I had always wanted.

Then...

I moved to Utah in Jan 2005 and I got more serious about cycling. Eventually I realized in 2006 that I had to weight less. I read about people who were triathletes and told that their upper bodies had to be widdled down to shed muscle weight. So, I worked in 2007 really to shed my muscle to weight less.

It worked.

End of 2007 I was at my lowest weight ever that I can recall! If you read my previous blog posts I'm sure I talk about it.

Now, after seeing the women in these magazines I remember how happy I was with my upper body then. I missed my fucking delts, my biceps and triceps. I missed having a muscled upper body (not iverly muscled and man-like!) just shapely.

Now I have come to a decision that I WANT MY BODY BACK! So, I am working towards it.

Today's Training

2009-05-19T19:03:00.002-05:00

AAAH! It was 95 degrees F today! I had no idea. I thought it was like 80 degrees. I should've know when I stared riding and after 20 minutes I could barely breathe!

Anyways, it was great training. So now I'm gonna game and recover!

NUMBERS:
31.0 miles
2:07

Today's Training, or, "So So Naughty"

2009-05-17T23:32:00.006-05:00

Pretty uneventful ride. Sun was awesome. A guy caught up to me after ~20 miles or so. I was so shocked to see another rider! He was a speed skater named Mike or Matt or something. His legs told the truth. He WAS a speedskater. He reminded me of Thor Hushovd, so, it was a pretty hot experience.

I almost didn't ride because my legs got real heavy today. I think it was a bit of stress. I had to file an unemployment review so I dug out all of my papers and filled it out. I know it's normal, but I am always worried about this kind of stuff.

NUMBERS:
2:31
37.1 miles

Also, some of the Pros at the Giro d'Italia have "Tweeted" that they thought today (Stage 9) was not a good day for the fans and spectators. Fuck what we think. They should not feel bad, in my opinion. Rider saftey is NUMBER ONE. I have always thought this and conducted myself according to this at both Tours of Utah that I volunteered for. I am glad no one was hurt today. I am happy that they took a stance. Anyone who is entertained by riders risking being injured or worse is a damned sadist...and not in a good sexy hot Marquis de Sade way.

naughty

On my plate for today

2009-05-17T11:38:00.001-05:00

3 hours to do today, I should really do 4 to 5. I am not sure which route I want to take. Should I bike to Hugo? Should I bike to Stillwater and then cross the bridge into Wisconsin?

Or both?

Look out for this guy!

2009-05-16T10:03:00.016-05:00

Cycling has been under the cloud of doping since testing was available to catch EPO and other substances. Now, we have homologous/autologous blood transfusion and EPO CERA. I am a biochemist/molecular biologist and I have worked in a Toxicology/Sports Testing laboratory, so I know the dangers of taking such suppliments.

So many of our heros have fallen as recently as 2 days ago which makes it hard to have faith in any pro cyclists anymore. We, or I, don't want to latch onto one of these riders, admire their skills and try to emulate them, cheer for them and wish them success.

Currently there seems to be a wave of outspoken cyclist who are not shy about speaking out against doping. One of them is Robbie Hunter of Team Barloworld. I have known this name for a few years now but never really paid attention to his racing.
Robbie won Stage 11 of the 2007 Tour de France and as recently as yesterday, he almost won Stage 7 of this year's Tour. I recommend going to the VIDEO section of www.universalsports.com to check out Stage 7 and watch the last 10K if not the whole race. It was SO exciting and I was biting my fingernails and crossing my fingers for Robbie! What drama and excitement! I really thought he had it in the bag, but alas Edvald Boassen Hagen (Columbia High Road) snagged the win. Robbie was 2nd, however. So, that's a fabulous result!

Robbie is also on twitter and he has a personal website (see the "Shout Out" section on my right sidebar for a link to his website). He is family man, successful on the bike and his stance against cheating is admirable. He is rider to watch. Not just for us fans, but the rest of the peloton should watch out for him as he works hard to snag another Tour de France victory!

Go Robbie!

...

(Oh yeah, he's hot too! You thought I'd miss that???)

Today's Training

2009-05-14T19:19:00.004-05:00

I did Sprint and VO2 Max intervals today. They felt awesome! I finally found the BEST hills to do these on, FINALLY! I am really missing the canyons of SLC now.

NUMBERS:
1:31
20.5 miles

TSS = 153.5
IF = 1.004
VI = 1.69
NP = 172 Watts

Tomorrow I don't ride. I may swim and/or do something else. I need to get my *ss to the grocery store to get some veges so I can eat more salad. I ate up my last batch and have been living on raisin bran, bananas and soy yogurt since.

I'm gonna' watch Stage 6 of the Giro tonight, that's about it!

The Newest Hottie on the Block

2009-05-14T13:57:00.008-05:00

After much consideration and weighing of all of the deciding factors:

1. Cycling performance
2. Moderately high to high degree of confidence when speaking about performances on the bike
3. The way the bike shorts "hug", just enough without being grossly see through or "Boonen-like"
4. Perceived thigh circumference,
5. Jawline,
6. Smile,
7. Hair,
8. Eyes, and
9. Height (1.86m) and overall "statuesque-ness"

I have deemed Thomas Lövkvist officially HOT!!!CONGRATULATIONS!

OTHER NEWS:
I just found this blog. She may like the boys almost as much as I do...
http://cycling.justanothergirl.net/

Wednesday's Training, or..."If I buy a barn, will a naked Hugh Jackman show up?"

2009-05-14T02:25:00.011-05:00

Today I rode easy to Hugo, MN and back home. I tried to maintain 90 rpm, at least above 85. It was cloudy while I watched the Giro live on my computer, then it was sunny and beautiful so I suited up and got ready to head out. Then...it started raining...bad. It was cloudy. I was SOOOO upset. Literally the minute I was to head out the weather turned to shit, almost. It was still ~65-68 degrees F. When the rain stopped, I headed out. It was wet and gross but eventually ~45-60 min. in it was sunny again.

NUMBERS:
1:41
25.1 miles

I took my brother, his girlfriend, my 2 nephews and my BFF out to dinner because it was my younger nephew's 5th birthday. I got him a Spongebob cake too! It was fun.

Then my brother's girlfriend (her name is Berlin and yes she's black, cool huh?) and my BFF and I went to see the X-men Wolverine movie AGAIN so that we could drool and make hungry noises while we admired all of the naked, muscled up men fighting and slashing each other up...oh yes, the movie was sweet sweet softcore porn for us women who like rough and tough, dirty men...with Adamantium claws, boom sticks and the like. I also loved the fights and I was pissed that there was no blood!!! How can you claw a dude's face and not spray blood and skin everywhere???

Anyway, we were so raunchy during the movie, thank goodness at 9:30pm there were only 3 guys way in the back of the theater! ;)

Dumb*ss

2009-05-13T10:24:00.006-05:00

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/may09/may13news3

Cheating? Fine, we all do dumb sh*it.

Lying? We'll, "liar" is just another name for "piece of sh*t."

Today's Training, or..."Bye bye Broccoli"

2009-05-10T22:35:00.010-05:00

I rode from St. Paul to Stillwater today, right up to the St. Croix River. I stared across it to Wisconsin and then headed back home. There are some GOOD STEEP PAINFULL climbs in Stillwater! Ouch!

NUMBERS:
39.6 miles
2:57

TSS = 139.5
If = 0.688

I have just discovered that eating an entire bag of broccoli with olive oil and balsamic vinegar with dinner is NOT a smart thing to do. Not not not very smart smart smart. I am in so much pain and discomfort right now. Laying down doesn't even help. I want to go to sleep so badly, but, each time I release the fumes my stomach just gets re-impreganated with the icky uncomfortable toxic waste.

Gosh.

I wish I could laugh, I love poo humor, but, I really AM uncomfortable.

Gross, icky, lurchy stomach feeling.

I am now through with broccoli. I thought I was before, but, now I am really really through.

F*!k you broccoli.

Mother f*!k you.

Oh yeah

2009-05-10T12:13:00.001-05:00

Did I mention that I got recognized from my blog at the race yesterday?
Whoa!

Race Report - 2009 Sibley County RR

2009-05-09T15:22:00.013-05:00

I awoke at 4:15am, hit the snooze till 5:30am, ate a bit, slammed coffee and was out the door by 6:50am...so good for me!!! I packed and gathered all my bike stuff last night so all I had to do was get up and go.

I arrived and was cold as sh*t like everyone else. It was in the 40s, felt like high 30s with the wind. There were many teams represented. The Cat 4 women field + Women 40+ had 18 riders!

We rolled out and then hit a climb. The race began 1 mile up the climb at the Start/Finish line. I felt so damn good on the climb. I was working hard, but I did not feel "on the verge of popping" like usual. After some time I got on front to do my share of some work. The wind was MONSTROUS!!! Head/cross wind for a while, then I fell back to rest but was in the wind too long and my legs seized up (probably should've warmed up, huh?). I sprinted and sprinted and didn't get back on. I held the field in my sights, they were so close! But, it always seems that way, right? When they made a right turn I thought that the wind would be a tail wind, NOPE! It was a full on headwind, so, my pursuit was in vain. DAMN.

I watched a Gopher Wheelman girl get popped off so I booked at 24mph to catch her. When I did, it was still into the headwind so I drafted even though it was uphill (gosh I felt so great climbing! It was hard as heck, but I felt great working and having my legs burn.) I got in front to let her rest, then looked back and I had dropped her...

...so, what did I do? I thought, "go on BG, punch it! Catch the bunch, catch other stragglers," but then, I thought, "No, you've done this before, you burned yourself out chasing alone into the wind and then the people you left caught you." So, I thought I'd just work with her. Then, our pace slowed a lot, but I didn't leave her. I don't know why. I thought because it was just a workout for me, I have been burnt out and sick of seeing my bike so I wanted to just work hard and meet folks and enjoy being out again. It turned out it was her first race ever. We went a steady pace, but we were not racing. Far from it.

Once we got to the start of the climb again to the Start/Finish line, she said that she would've quit if I hadn't been there. I remember that newbie feeling from my days. We ground up the 2 miles climb. I told her that I would leave her the next time we hit the climb because I wanted to push it and get a good workout.

After the race one lady was like, "What happened to you? Where were you?" we had been talking strategy at the start, I told her that I was just getting back into racing and it was early. Plus, I am still Base training really, I began March 1. Then she said that she gave birth 2 mos. ago. Then I said..."Oh, I guess I have no excuse then for dropping off." Really! :)

I had a hella good time. One guy came up to me beforehand all sweaty and post warm up and wanted me to help adjust some safety pins in his number. So I got to touch a sweaty 1/2 cyclist (or I think the 3s and maybe masters men started ~9am too).

Oh yeah, the 1/2 field passed me a couple times while I was out. And yes, legs, yum, yeah. So, BG is being taken care of in that department. I was worried because I didn't see any hotties yet, but, I wasn't really looking.

Really! I wasn't!

Really!

There was a bit of a stink about a Cat 1 rider (who won of course) in our field. We had a 3 too. She used our Cat 4 race to warm up for her 1/2/3 race. Is this fair? Did she steal a win from another woman? I dunno. Is a Cat 1 woman who is 40 years old a sandbagger when she races against the Cat 4 women? What about a 3? Is it fair for them to break up the field? These were mentioned by various women today. Since it is not an A or B race for me, it was a C, I don't give a sh*t. I plan on racing Women Open category in preparation for the Women 4/40+ crit races.

NUMBERS:
(includes the neutral roll out + the race + the ride back to start):

43.2 miles
2:57

TSS = 204.7
IF = 0.833
NP = 142

:(

2009-05-08T15:55:00.004-05:00

http://www.rammstein.com/Tour.html

They always do a Spring tour, right?

Right?

Right?

Maybe I should do like the Honolulu Marathon...buy the ticket and then figure out how to get there later. I do have a friend I can stay with (friend of a friend) in Berlin and then another friend in...somewhere, Germany. We worked at Emory University together.

I am now going to scheme and figure this out. Should I wait? They said they'd come the the US damn it! Aargh! It's like they are asking for their fans with slight chemical brain imbalances to go insane and write them crazy fan letters talking crazy ass shit! You know? Ugh. I should write like one letter a week to their manager asking politely if they'd please come here. I'd consider sleeping with the owner of whatever stadium they need to play in in case they do not want them to play there because of their pyrotechnicks and such. Really. I would/will.

I should totally just move the Europe with nothing and bum around. Maybe I can be a groupie minus the slut roll. I'm not that kind of girl. Maybe they'd give me a job. I can move and lift stuff, or at least I can look cute while I try, right? I could be the official like, coffee and booze runner.

Getting Ready to Race

2009-05-08T05:55:00.008-05:00

First off, the fact that VERSUS is not showing the Giro SUCKS! YOU SUCK VERSUS, DO YOU HEAR ME??? Look at the field, it's a bonafide Grand Tour field. What's up with you guys? It makes me want to write letters and not watch VERSUS ever again. F*ckers.

...

The past 6 days have been "hard" training-wise. Mentally hard. I struggled last Saturday on the VQ ride. I ended up calling it a day and riding on my own. Sunday I tried not to think of riding. I was so damned demotivated. I didn't want to look at my bike. Around 12AM Monday (late Sunday "night") I found out why...

Suffice to say, being a chick athlete sometimes sucks big time. At least for me.

Monday I drove back from Racine and then Tuesday I was back on track. I did Monday's strength workout Tuesday and rode the bike. It stormed Tuesday PM and Wednesday PM, so I did not do the crit and TT those nights.

I actually went down to the fitness center here in my apartment and was able to get my mom to go too! Her husband was doing his regular workout so we forced her to come.

I did the elliptical machine for the first time ever. I have hated it in the past because it looks retarded and I always see those skinny chicks who don't need to workout on them going a million miles an hour reading SHAPE or something else like that. It was okay. I only did 15 min. Then I ran on the treadmill. I miss running! Then I strength trained.

After the workout, I went upstairs and popped in the Hell on Wheels DVD and did my intervals on the TT bike. No power as instructed by Jason, to alleviate pressure/stress on me.

So, it's been only 4.5 hours this week, with 6.5 planned. Only 6.5 planned because Jason doesn't know how long I would've gone Tues and Wed with the races and we're not sure how long I'll go for tomorrow's race.

Tomorrow is the Sibley County RR. It's 2 laps and 36 miles total. Here, women wither race "Women's Open" category where the Cat 1/2/3/4 are all together and the Cat 4s are scored separately OR, there is the "Women Open" Cat 1/2/3 and "Women 4/40+" Masters here is 40+. That makes me feel so young! So, I guess I have 10 years to train for the Masters National Championships, right??? LOL!

My race tomorrow starts at 9am and is 1.25 hours away. I cannot wait. The money trickles down to 3rd place (yes, Cat 4 women here win $$$ just like everyone else!) It's $35, $30 and $25 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. So, we'll see how it all goes. I am nervous of course, but not like I used to be in Utah. I am stoked to see who the Cat 4 women are that race out here. I need to reissue my USCF license.

No comment...

2009-04-30T21:16:00.006-05:00

http://utahcyclingtabloid.blogspot.com/2009/04/canyon-wins-raam-and-ida-hoes-better.html

Thursday's Training

2009-04-30T21:04:00.004-05:00

I kinda maybe sorta botched today's workout. Should've been 90 minutes. I did less than 90 minutes. Should've been 4 x 10min. MAX intervals. I did 4 x 8min. ones. My heart wasn't in any of them either.

NUMBERS:
too sad to report

At least I have 100 miles under my belt this week.

My Thursday

2009-04-30T11:18:00.003-05:00

I absolutely do not feel like riding today. I just want to stretch out all day and veg out. Maybe it's because I have a 16 hour training week? I dunno. Maybe I am intimidated by this VQ Century ride this Saturday? I am terrified that if Robbie is there, I will be so nervous and have performance anxiety and just implode.

Ugh!

Tonight I am driving down to Racine, WI. to stay with my grandma till Monday. I need to plan on when I will go back. Maybe in 2 weeks?

I can't wait to see how today plays out...

Today's Training

2009-04-29T21:24:00.007-05:00

It was projected to rain and thunder today, so I waited for a break in the rain. Meanwhile my coach called and we yapped for almost an hour. Lots to remember and to do, etc. He is great to help with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th guessing myself, etc. We talked about my bonk session from yesterday and my sugar rage afterwards. Very helpful.

I left to ride after we spoke and it was cloudy and the air was damp, but no rain. After 1 hour, at the turnaround on my out and back route, it rained. First drizzle and then full on rain. There's an unpaved section of road on my route (a shortcut through the actual training route map). It was exciting to try the dirt and gravel and bumps in the rain! Very 'cross like!

When I got back my feet were soaked. I need to get another pair of Craft neoprene booties. Those were the BEST.

NUMBERS:
29.2 miles
2:03

So, I have 91 miles this week already, and with the century ride with the VQers this Saturday, I am going to have a 200+ miles week. Yay!

I am going to be smart and prepare for this century. I am going to eat pasta even though I am really turned off by it lately. I'm going to sleep mroe than normal and drink water like there's no tomorrow.

I am hoping that I don't have to ride Sunday. Not to wuss out, but, I really want to lay around and not ride.

Mornin'

2009-04-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

I curled up for a "nap" at 8:30pm last night thinking I'd wake up ~9pm and then eat a bit more and get ready for bed. Yeah right. I woke up ~2am STARVING! I don't remember what I ate. A piece of bread with honey and PB maybe? I drank a lot of water and then went online like a nerd for a while. I think I went back to sleep ~3am.

I woke up at 10:30am this morning. Yes! 12 hours of sleep! That's a LOT of growth hormone. I hope my body is healed from yesterday. I can't believe I bonked.

Today I have 2 hours planned. It was raining when I awoke, I don't hear the rain anymore but that could be because I closed my window. It says it will thunder and rain until evening.

My coach says that riding is supposed to be "fun" and that I should not subject myself to riding in crappy conditions just because my plan says that I have to ride that day. I CAN'T get my mind around those words. I HAVE to ride, I HAVE to train, every other Cat 4 woman out there is riding AND training, and probably losing weight faster than me right now, and is gearing up to kick my butt. How can I not do my workouts?

GOOD NEWS:
My Brad Pitt abs are back!!!!!!

Now if my *ss and thighs could just hop on the f-ing ball. I lunge and lunge til lthe cows come home. I do box/chair squats on ONE leg constantly! I'm doing all the moves that Robbie and Jason have laid out for me and nada! I wish I was a man. Then I'd just have to worry about a fat middle and manboobs. (HA HA HAAA! Manboobs!!! I haven't said that word in a while.) I am not going to reproduce so why don't my hips and thighs and butt just vanish! If I wasn't trying to be a great cyclist I would not care. But, I am. I can't take the extra weight.

Also, climbing out here is fun fun fun. I can actually go harder than I have ever gone. My watts on climbs is high for me and I can just keep going. I am actually seeking out climbs and smiling when I find them. SICK! I am sure this is high-altitude me having success at low altitude. Eventually this advantage will faaaaade I'm sure.

Today's Training

2009-04-28T19:41:00.002-05:00

Today was interesting. Here's a little of what I wrote to my coach:

"...I think that I "bonked" really really hard after ~550kCal...not sure how far in I was, I only looked at that because I tried to figure out how much I had eaten and then how much I had burned. I ate ~950 kCal before I trained. So, I figured I should have a 400kCal excess...so I don't know WHY I bonked. Unless, my Basal Metabolism sucked up those 400 kCal and I was running on empty....

Anyway, all I know is I got fuzzy headed, couldn't pedal, got really grouchy, then I was starving to death, I swear. I rode past a BBQ and wanted to rob everyone (of their food)!!!"

NUMBERS:
25 miles
1:50

Check my Training Peaks profile if you'd like to see more detailed training data.

When I got back from training, I could barely walk without being light-headed. I immediately ran into the kitchen and whipped out so much food. I grabbed a box of strawberries, a soy yogurt, a bag of sugar, Ezekiel bread, a banana, a pear, honey, PB and vanilla Silk soy milk.

I thought about needed sugar to feed my brain and protein to destroy my gnawing hunger. I added some sugar to half a glass of Silk and slammed it down. I then sucked down the yogurt, I don't even remember using a spoon. I ate the banana and then the pear. I paused and breathed and was so thankful that I had stuff to help me recover.

Then I downloaded data & showered and planned on taking a nap. I sent the workout to my coach and am now eating 2 slices of Ezekiel bread with a bit of PB and honey and a plate of strawberries. I am also rehydrating.

I hope I recover well!!! I am going to lie here and force myself to chill. No walking unless I have to get up and pee.

What on my plate for today?

2009-04-28T12:37:00.005-05:00

The best thing so far about being at home?

Sleeping on a $1100 mattress...wow. I have never EVER been so damn comfy. I look forward to going to bed every night, and waking up so I can lie here and bask in the comfort.

Today I got up at ~10:45AM and had 9+ hours of sleep. I cannot begin to explain how great I feel physically. There is definitely something about ONLY training and resting in terms of how I can feel my muscles getting stronger faster, or recovering faster. I dunno how to explain this. I can already see and feel the difference in my legs and arms.

Plus, this core and leg routine Robbie and Jason made for me is really doing wonders. I added pushups on my own because my upper body and chest need it.

TODAY'S WORKOUT:
Today my instructions are:

"4x10 on road bike, start the first one a little easy and increase your average power for each interval, 5 minutes recovery between"

I HAVE found a place where I believe I can get a full 10 minutes in at threshold without interruption by stop signs, lights and the like.

I feel ready for this workout. I can feel a bit of "fatigue" or acid in my legs, but I think that after a low power and long warm up & some stretching, I will be fine. I have noticed that (maybe because I am old) that I feel stronger after I've warmed up for a while. So, today my time is 1:30, but I may end of doing more like 2:00. We'll see.

Today's Training

2009-04-27T18:51:00.006-05:00

It was supposed to be in the 60s and sunny, but it was 45-50 and cloudy and windy and cold! Oh well. I rode today, should've been for 3 hrs. (Sunday's original workout) but I was too chilly. Yesterday I did today's workout, strength training and stuff for an hour.

Nothing exciting about my ride except that I found a town called Hugo and there was a Victor Hugo street. Kinda neat I guess.

I didn't, however, see any hunchbacks like I thought I would.

;)

NUMBERS:
2:33
37.2 miles

2009 Giro del Trentino - 2.1

2009-04-26T01:02:00.005-05:00

Italy, April 22-25, 2009
Stage 4 - April 25: Sillan (Aut) - Pejo Fonti, 214.2km

(Results and photo from www.cyclingnews.com)

Danilo Diluca won the stage and Ivan "the sexiest man in the peloton is back" Basso won the overall! Yay and yum!

Results
1 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
2 Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce
3 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo
4 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) CSF Group-Navigare
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
6 Przemyslaw Niemec (Pol) Miche-Silver Cross
7 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli
8 Leonardo Bertagnolli (Ita) Amica Chips-Knauf

Final general classification
1 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
2 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana
3 Przemyslaw Niemec (Pol) Miche-Silver Cross
4 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo
5 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) CSF Group-Navigare
6 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli
7 Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce
8 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
9 Leonardo Bertagnolli (Ita) Amica Chips-Knauf

Today's Training

2009-04-25T20:18:00.001-05:00

Rode around at least 7 lakes, through groves of trees and along long winding smooth roads!

NUMBERS:
29.4 miles
2:10

Yum!

2009-04-25T10:57:00.003-05:00

OMG...this movin' back home at 30 years old because you lost your job thing ROCKS!
It ain't so bad.

WHY?

Because I just woke up 10 minutes ago, went into the kitchen and the coffee had JUST finished brewing AND my mom was making PANCAKES! Holy Ballz! I couldn't believe it. I figured that it was a special occasion maybe because I was here, but no, she said that she does this EVERY WEEKEND!

I don't think I've ever woke up happier! So spoiled! Love it!

I said that she'd better stop of I'd never leave home. Seriously. She laughed.

Today's Training

2009-04-24T20:52:00.004-05:00

Today I tried out part of the Gopher Wheelmen's training route. It was nice to see how much shoulder there is to ride on here! The route was amazing and I felt strong as heck...of course, since I am now at lower elevation (maybe 1000+?) and I have so many RBCs you'd think I was on EPO. Anyway, there are 2 things that I forgot about that would plague me here in MN...

1) HUMIDITY!

2) BUGS!!!!!!

Yes, it's not as humid as the ATL, but, omg. It was 71 today, but I swear it felt like my shirt was compressing my chest and I was so hot! It was a weird humid hot, not a dry heat hot like in SLC.

I had a blast though.

Then, I ran errands with my mom! Yay! Who've thought that I'd miss that?

NUMBERS:
25.2 miles
1:42

TSS = 102.4
IF = 0.774
NP = 132 Watts (goal 130-140W)

Yes, I miss SLC already... :(

Oh yeah, I popped a Vicodin ~ 30 minutes ago and...yup, I'm feelin' it now. I'd better enjoy it b/c the smooth daze will last ~20 minutes because my body metabolizes the shit out of opiates. I took it to get my butt back into my proper sleep cycle.

First training ride

2009-04-24T12:39:00.001-05:00

I getting ready to go on my first training ride here in St. Paul. I have a map of a route, but I am still a bit "ify" about it. I have never been in MN as a cyclist. I got into cycling in grad school when I lived in Atlanta, Georgia.

I woke up at 11am! I was up at 6am, then somehow passed back out. I swear I had my alarm set for 8am. Oh well. At least the weather is nice!

It may rain at 3pm.