Single Speed season has begun. It officially started for me after the Mt. Ogden 50K. I will be honest it did not start out very well. I felt terrible the first ride. I have ridden it periodically through out the summer, but that first ride I was so weak, tired, unmotivated, etc. I took a day off and then commuted home via my single speed road bike--my old Rogue. I then started to feel better, but I pinched my front tire coming down Dragon's Back. I never pinch flat. Well, never is an exaggeration but not so often. Luckily, it was on a very, very worn tire.
On Thursday, we met up with Keith, Jared, Derek, Kevin, and Ian and hit the Ridge Trail. As we started ascending what Keith affectionately refers to as Jurassic Park, Ian was behind me. He called me a "beast". I got a giggle from this. In what other setting would a female take being referred to as a beast as a good thing. When I finally caught my breath, I told him that while I was not completely sure what he meant by it, but I was taking it as compliment. He said that it was meant as such.
After reaching the top of the Alpine Loop, we rode Horse Flats. Just before crossing the road, I ended up air born. It was decided that my pedal caught a branch on the ground. As a perfect example of physics (objects in motion, me, tend to stay in motion), my bike stopped but I did not. I felt like it took forever to hit the ground as I had time to think that this was really going to hurt. It was not that bad though--just an abrasion on the elbow and a little something on the thigh.
Today we hit Corner Canyon. We parked in Alpine and climbed Hog Hollow descending into the network of trails. We did Ghost Falls a couple of times. I TT'd Clarks (11:30) at Chris' recommendation. I initially told him no but ended up doing it anyway. That about killed me. I felt good on the bottom portion and then died up top. I am not sure what else we rode. We probably missed a lot of the fun stuff because we just don't know about it. We need to meet up with a local to show us around next time
Single Speed season is going to be much shorter this year. We are not doing single speeds at the 24 Hours of Moab this year. We will do the Single Speed Challenge at Sundance and maybe I will SS 12 Hours; I have not decided yet.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Today we participated in the Mt. Ogden 50K at Snowbasin. It was a great race with a great course and we walked away with some spectacular prizes. We took great care to try and recover from last weekend's 100 mile adventure. On Wednesday, when we raced I thought I was going to be good to go. Chris on the other hand felt questionable.
Today it was the other way around. Chris felt spectacular--heart rate 190 and he had feelings of effortlessness. I on the other hand could not get my heart rate up until the second lap. My descending was shaky also. I almost went off the course several times. I also unintentionally impeded Sarah as I spun around on a switchback--sorry about that. She took off and I only caught one glimpse of her after that until after the finish. She was on fire. Results.
All in all though, I had a good race. Mad Doggers all finished on the podium. In the end, Chris said it was better that I finished second because then I came home with a Kinetic trainer as opposed to a set of Light & Motion riding lights like he got. (We only really needed one set of lights and we really needed a new trainer.) Chris also got a set of Edge wheels for being the fastest finisher on the day. In the raffle, I won a pair of Salomon shoes. We are excited about our winnings.
Today it was the other way around. Chris felt spectacular--heart rate 190 and he had feelings of effortlessness. I on the other hand could not get my heart rate up until the second lap. My descending was shaky also. I almost went off the course several times. I also unintentionally impeded Sarah as I spun around on a switchback--sorry about that. She took off and I only caught one glimpse of her after that until after the finish. She was on fire. Results.
All in all though, I had a good race. Mad Doggers all finished on the podium. In the end, Chris said it was better that I finished second because then I came home with a Kinetic trainer as opposed to a set of Light & Motion riding lights like he got. (We only really needed one set of lights and we really needed a new trainer.) Chris also got a set of Edge wheels for being the fastest finisher on the day. In the raffle, I won a pair of Salomon shoes. We are excited about our winnings.
Chris first place Pro-Male
My podium
Adam third in his division
Bruce took first in his division
Adam's podium for 5th overall amateurTuesday, August 18, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
My head has hurt since I started ascending St. Kevins as I headed towards the finish of Leadville Trail 100 Race Across the Sky. I have tried rehydrating and refueling but so far nothing has worked. Maybe it is because I can never sleep well the night before a big race and then it is hard to sleep the night after something long and hard like a century. Maybe it is something else though.
Our races went well. Karl had some cramping issues and a mechanical which caused him some time. Brad was happy with his race though he still has yet to get his sub ten. Going into it Chris had high expectations. He has been talking a sub-nine for my race goal for almost a year. I have always been skeptical, but never really voiced it. I would need to shave down 27 minutes. He had hopes of a sub eight which is a seven minute deficit from last year. He felt that was doable for him. At the pre-race dinner on Friday, Calvin predicted Chris would finish in the top 20 with a sub eight and that I would make the sub nine.
Against all forecasts that we could find, the rain came early in the day. There were some light sprinkles on the first climb, St. Kevins, and then Powerline was a nice steady drizzle. It continued to rain on me for almost two and half hours. Luckily I was dressed pretty warm so while I was wet I really was not that cold. There was some light hail on Columbine, but other than that the weather was really nice.
I saw Lance and Dave descend Columbine a little over three and half hours into my race. Lance had a gap on Dave. Alex Grant was not far behind Dave. At this point I was trying to remain optimistic. I had shaved off some time to the first aid station, Pipeline, but lost most of it by Twin Lakes. Chris said to expect this though as they added some single track between the two aid stations. I was hoping to get up to Columbine by four and half hours. It was looking good until I realized I was much further from the top than I had thought. I was a bit off my goal but undeterred. The volunteers were great at all the aid stations, but Columbine they seemed even more helpful. They were calling me by name, filling bottles, telling me where I was at overall, the works. By the time I was getting back on my bike eating a brownie, I told one of them he was my best friend. He was just great.
I continued to feel good back through Twin Lakes and Pipeline, until after ascending and descending Powerline on the return. Going back to St. Kevins and the finish was tough. I did not think I was going to make it within nine hours. I almost gave up the quest when a guy came behind me and we worked together--he did much more--on the flats. I just have no power especially when it is windy like it was. We got to the final little climb back into town. I pulled away from him (either Tom Covington or John Callahan according to the results). I just pushed and pushed as it continued to go up. I looked down and I had two minutes to get there in time. I could see that red carpet in the distance but had no idea if i could make it or not. As I approached the crowd seemed to roar. I crossed the line at 8:59:20. Just under an hour slower than Chris 19th place finish. Lance took first this year 28 minutes ahead of Dave Wiens.
Calvin was spot on. Too bad they were not taking bets on the Holley's in Vegas, he would have been the big winner. Results.
Lance at the awards
Ken, his belt, and Merrilee
My race shwag including the BIG belt buckle
Chris, me, Dave Wiens, and Karl at the pre-race meeting. Brad was dutifully inside listening.
Our races went well. Karl had some cramping issues and a mechanical which caused him some time. Brad was happy with his race though he still has yet to get his sub ten. Going into it Chris had high expectations. He has been talking a sub-nine for my race goal for almost a year. I have always been skeptical, but never really voiced it. I would need to shave down 27 minutes. He had hopes of a sub eight which is a seven minute deficit from last year. He felt that was doable for him. At the pre-race dinner on Friday, Calvin predicted Chris would finish in the top 20 with a sub eight and that I would make the sub nine.
Against all forecasts that we could find, the rain came early in the day. There were some light sprinkles on the first climb, St. Kevins, and then Powerline was a nice steady drizzle. It continued to rain on me for almost two and half hours. Luckily I was dressed pretty warm so while I was wet I really was not that cold. There was some light hail on Columbine, but other than that the weather was really nice.
I saw Lance and Dave descend Columbine a little over three and half hours into my race. Lance had a gap on Dave. Alex Grant was not far behind Dave. At this point I was trying to remain optimistic. I had shaved off some time to the first aid station, Pipeline, but lost most of it by Twin Lakes. Chris said to expect this though as they added some single track between the two aid stations. I was hoping to get up to Columbine by four and half hours. It was looking good until I realized I was much further from the top than I had thought. I was a bit off my goal but undeterred. The volunteers were great at all the aid stations, but Columbine they seemed even more helpful. They were calling me by name, filling bottles, telling me where I was at overall, the works. By the time I was getting back on my bike eating a brownie, I told one of them he was my best friend. He was just great.
I continued to feel good back through Twin Lakes and Pipeline, until after ascending and descending Powerline on the return. Going back to St. Kevins and the finish was tough. I did not think I was going to make it within nine hours. I almost gave up the quest when a guy came behind me and we worked together--he did much more--on the flats. I just have no power especially when it is windy like it was. We got to the final little climb back into town. I pulled away from him (either Tom Covington or John Callahan according to the results). I just pushed and pushed as it continued to go up. I looked down and I had two minutes to get there in time. I could see that red carpet in the distance but had no idea if i could make it or not. As I approached the crowd seemed to roar. I crossed the line at 8:59:20. Just under an hour slower than Chris 19th place finish. Lance took first this year 28 minutes ahead of Dave Wiens.
Calvin was spot on. Too bad they were not taking bets on the Holley's in Vegas, he would have been the big winner. Results.
Lance at the awards
Ken, his belt, and Merrilee
My race shwag including the BIG belt buckle
Chris, me, Dave Wiens, and Karl at the pre-race meeting. Brad was dutifully inside listening.Monday, August 10, 2009
Aaron Said...
Today I went to Peak Fitness & Performance to get my VO2 Max tested. I was a bit apprehensive going into it. This was to be expected though; I commonly get a little anxious over the unknown. What if I am too weak to really push? What if it is crazy low indicating that I am tapped out? What if it is high and I should be better than I am but I am too lazy? What if...
This was my first test of this kind, but I went into knowing that I would have to breath into a mask while riding. The mask not comfortable but it did not appear to restrict my breathing. Aaron said that was a possibility, but I did not perceive it.
So the test starts off pretty easy and it progressively gets harder. My test did not seem so progressive. As soon as Aaron said to start shifting down, it got hard pretty quickly. I think I only lasted six "hard" minutes.
When Aaron said two minutes left I tried to keep my cadence up, but I was too weak. I caved almost as soon as Aaron said I could stop as soon as it got too difficult.
In the end, my maximum oxygen uptake was 61.4 ml O2/kg/min. Aaron said I have my mom to thank for this. VO2 max is inherited primarily from mothers. So "Thanks Mom."
During the test
Before the hard stuff
This was my first test of this kind, but I went into knowing that I would have to breath into a mask while riding. The mask not comfortable but it did not appear to restrict my breathing. Aaron said that was a possibility, but I did not perceive it.
So the test starts off pretty easy and it progressively gets harder. My test did not seem so progressive. As soon as Aaron said to start shifting down, it got hard pretty quickly. I think I only lasted six "hard" minutes.
When Aaron said two minutes left I tried to keep my cadence up, but I was too weak. I caved almost as soon as Aaron said I could stop as soon as it got too difficult.
In the end, my maximum oxygen uptake was 61.4 ml O2/kg/min. Aaron said I have my mom to thank for this. VO2 max is inherited primarily from mothers. So "Thanks Mom."
During the test
Before the hard stuffThe test yielded a lot of interesting information. It gave me personalized workout zones and caloric expenditures at aerobic and anaerobic thresholds. This will give my workouts and training a little bit more meaning. It also lets me know what actually constitutes a "recovery workout". Pretty cool stuff.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
We just got back from PC. Chris' mom let us stay in their time share last night. We had a kick back evening and a lazy morning. The later start this morning let it warm up a bit before hitting the trails as it was a cooler day. We headed up to Mid Mountain through last week's race course. Then we traversed the trail from the Canyons to Deer Valley. It was a blast. I felt good--much better than the quick spin we did on the Midway trails last night. Although I have to say I really enjoyed Barrel. That was my favorite. The "Challenger" trails were pretty overgrown. Maybe they do not see the traffic that some of the others do.
The one draw back of the ride we did today though was the traffic. There were so many more people on the trails than we are accustom to seeing. In fact, I almost took a guy out. We were cruising down a section and all of a sudden there was a guy coming up. I was able to scrub off some speed and avoid a head on by going to my left--he did the same. I felt really badly.
In total we put in 3.5 hours. I pushed pretty hard, but after taking some time off this week it felt good. Hopefully I will do a good job of recovering for Leadville.
Oh, and I am getting my VO2 Max tested on Monday. I won a free test from Peak Fitness & Performance at Solitude. That should be interesting.
The one draw back of the ride we did today though was the traffic. There were so many more people on the trails than we are accustom to seeing. In fact, I almost took a guy out. We were cruising down a section and all of a sudden there was a guy coming up. I was able to scrub off some speed and avoid a head on by going to my left--he did the same. I felt really badly.
In total we put in 3.5 hours. I pushed pretty hard, but after taking some time off this week it felt good. Hopefully I will do a good job of recovering for Leadville.
Oh, and I am getting my VO2 Max tested on Monday. I won a free test from Peak Fitness & Performance at Solitude. That should be interesting.
Monday, August 03, 2009
The final ICUP was at the Canyons on Saturday. It was a later start around noon. We also did the half lap first which climbed the road to shake things out before entering single track. My category left with the Expert Men 40+. I have liked the few times we have done this.
Starting the race my legs did not feel good. They did not feel really bad either. I started towards the back of the pack but made my way through the group pretty well before we got to the top. There are some false flats on the course which I always hate. I descended pretty well.
I was surprised to see Heather Holmes while climbing the first full lap. I saw her for a bit on our second lap also. Then I lost her towards the top of the climb and on the descent. I ended up a minute and a half behind her. I was stoked with this finish.
Chris's Mom and Mike did hand ups for us. I finished a bit before Chris as he had more laps to do than I did. After a couple of minutes of my finish Kathy went to the finish line to wait for Chris. Mike said that she was getting nervous. I thought that was funny because he was not really "scheduled" to be in yet. He came in a couple of minutes behind Alex. He had a good race also even with an endo finishing seccond.
Chris climbing the road
Chris descending the last single track
Heather, Me, and Erika on the podium for the overall
(I did more races and essentially bought first place. I know how to work the system.)
Starting the race my legs did not feel good. They did not feel really bad either. I started towards the back of the pack but made my way through the group pretty well before we got to the top. There are some false flats on the course which I always hate. I descended pretty well.
I was surprised to see Heather Holmes while climbing the first full lap. I saw her for a bit on our second lap also. Then I lost her towards the top of the climb and on the descent. I ended up a minute and a half behind her. I was stoked with this finish.
Chris's Mom and Mike did hand ups for us. I finished a bit before Chris as he had more laps to do than I did. After a couple of minutes of my finish Kathy went to the finish line to wait for Chris. Mike said that she was getting nervous. I thought that was funny because he was not really "scheduled" to be in yet. He came in a couple of minutes behind Alex. He had a good race also even with an endo finishing seccond.
Chris climbing the road
Chris descending the last single track
Heather, Me, and Erika on the podium for the overall(I did more races and essentially bought first place. I know how to work the system.)
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