I think my shoulder / neck is okay. It must have just been a pinched something or other. It's still a little tight, but I can move my neck again and use my shoulder. After taking two days off, I went to spin class last night and felt great. I even did my shoulder routine with 7.5 pound weights! I know, huge right. I can't wait till I can use 10's, which are the lightest weights I own, and do my exercises at home.
I went to spin class again this morning and did legs since we can't ride the local trails wet after three days of rain. Tonight I plan to test my shoulder on the trails since the sun has been out all day. A trail near my house is sandy and drains well. It should be perfect in a few hours...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Chicken!
Yup, that's me. I totally chickened out of this weekend's race. Well, kind of. I pre-rode the course at San Lee Park in Sanford, NC (middle of nowhere) on Friday with three friends. It was tough, really tough. Crazy boulders, rocks, super tight switchbacks, very technical. There were some fun, fast parts, but few and far in between. This course is for technical and fearless riders, of which I am neither.
I completed the 10 mile lap on Friday just fine. But I walked quite a bit. The experts ride one large boulder section that I was able to run with my bike on my left shoulder, faster than ride. Yeah, that kind of course.
But still, I pre-rode, and could race just fine. Oh, but then the weather, the most wonderful weather. Saturday it rained hard, all day. Perfect. So add mud to this wonderful rocky, rooty, off camber joy and all of the sudden it gets scary, a little dangerous even. Well maybe only for someone who isn't allowed to fall for 9 more weeks. And did I mention it's supposed to be like 35 degrees. Fun, fun!
So funny thing. Saturday afternoon, I'm brushing me teeth after lunch and I feel a pinch and pop in my right shoulder and neck. Ouch! I check and see that the bone is still where it's supposed to be. Good. But the pain is almost unbearable. I am home alone with the boy. So I reach for the pain meds that were too strong after my shoulder surgery. I take half a pill, then the other half, then another. I also dig out a rice heating thingy I got at a Dirt Diva secret Santa exchange a few years ago (thanks!), read the directions, and pop in into the microwave. And still I can't move my neck.
Hmm, so how am I going to race tomorrow? At this point, I'm really getting mad. This is silly. My shoulder is healed enough that I can finally ride, and now some silly thing in my neck is going to stop me from racing. But yeah, it did.
I took some more pain pills before bed and washed them down with a Cider. This morning my neck still hurts, although not as bad.
Maybe I was not meant to ride. The course was probably too slippery, too dangerous for me. Oh well. I spent a fun day with my family.
But I still feel like a chicken for not racing and that makes me mad. GRRR!!! I guess I'm a fair weather rider for a few more months.
I completed the 10 mile lap on Friday just fine. But I walked quite a bit. The experts ride one large boulder section that I was able to run with my bike on my left shoulder, faster than ride. Yeah, that kind of course.
But still, I pre-rode, and could race just fine. Oh, but then the weather, the most wonderful weather. Saturday it rained hard, all day. Perfect. So add mud to this wonderful rocky, rooty, off camber joy and all of the sudden it gets scary, a little dangerous even. Well maybe only for someone who isn't allowed to fall for 9 more weeks. And did I mention it's supposed to be like 35 degrees. Fun, fun!
So funny thing. Saturday afternoon, I'm brushing me teeth after lunch and I feel a pinch and pop in my right shoulder and neck. Ouch! I check and see that the bone is still where it's supposed to be. Good. But the pain is almost unbearable. I am home alone with the boy. So I reach for the pain meds that were too strong after my shoulder surgery. I take half a pill, then the other half, then another. I also dig out a rice heating thingy I got at a Dirt Diva secret Santa exchange a few years ago (thanks!), read the directions, and pop in into the microwave. And still I can't move my neck.
Hmm, so how am I going to race tomorrow? At this point, I'm really getting mad. This is silly. My shoulder is healed enough that I can finally ride, and now some silly thing in my neck is going to stop me from racing. But yeah, it did.
I took some more pain pills before bed and washed them down with a Cider. This morning my neck still hurts, although not as bad.
Maybe I was not meant to ride. The course was probably too slippery, too dangerous for me. Oh well. I spent a fun day with my family.
But I still feel like a chicken for not racing and that makes me mad. GRRR!!! I guess I'm a fair weather rider for a few more months.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Spin Legs
Where have my spin legs gone? Now that I've been mountain biking for almost three weeks, my spin classes seems so hard. My legs feel so tired. What's going on? Is mountain biking that easy? Is spin class that hard? Am I over-worked, or just so out of shape I can't do both. Either way, my pants fit better and I'm having fun. So I'll enjoy it while I can. I have a real job interview tomorrow....yikes!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Moving On Up
Isn't this cute. At today's race, hubby took a shot of my last year's Top Fuel 9.9 that is now owned by a fellow racer, and my demo Top Fuel 9.8 WSD. He's very artistic!
Today I raced at Hobby Park, Race 2 of the Southern Classic Series. First let me just say that this course is super fun. And today it was dry. So it was fun and fast. I tried to get a good start, but played it safe too and ended up last. The race starts up a crazy long paved hill that serves as a mini race car hill. I passed two girls at the start of the incline, but then one passed me back at the top.
A few miles in, I passed her again, and was sitting in third, although I didn't know it as the pros started with us. And those two wonderful girls stayed on my @## the whole race. I pulled away at the end of the first lap for a while but then goofed up on a hill climb and lost my lead. So they were right there again, always!
So there was no time to drink, no time to gu with them right behind me. I was so thirsty and so hungry. At the start of the third lap my Dirt Divas handed me a water bottle, I took one sip and tossed it back. Thank you Cathi and Doc!
As I was running out of steam on the last lap, I offered to let the girls pass and they declined, saying they'll just pass me at the finish. Nice. That inspired me a bit. Okay sprint finish, get ready.
And I did. After the final climb, I put it in the big ring. I took my time descending the twisty rocks and then stood up and hammered to the finish, sat down going through the water and closed my eyes, then stood up again.
One girl was one second behind me. The other was eight. I laid on the grass and drank for a few minutes, caught my breath and then greeted my boy!
I was pleasantly surprised with a 3rd place finish and really glad I fought for it for three whole laps.
I felt better this week, stronger, faster. Definitely not 100%, but improving. And just as a gauge, I was 36 minutes behind 2nd place last week and only 15 minutes behind her (1rst place on the podium) this week. A few years ago, we were always neck and neck. Soon, I hope to at least be able to see her in the woods ahead of me.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Training Plan....Achoo!
I've always said that I'm allergic to training. I ride at one pace, fast and faster, during races. And I throw in a run here and there when I can't ride. That's it.
Before I never had goals. I just wanted to ride and race and have fun. Not that much has change, but the little modifications are making me think about training. I have so many goals now and they seem to be contradictory sometimes.
1. Race again
2. Get back into shape
3. Lose weight
4. Build back muscle in my arms and shoulders
5. Get faster
6. Build back up to endurance events
7. Do a few Xterra races this year
This seems totally manageable. I'm just not sure where to start. I heard a few girls talking about recovery rides for Monday after last week's race. Okay that sounds good. So Monday night I took a spin class and did arms and shoulders. My legs and upper body where both tired.
Tuesday I rode for about an hour and 45 minuted outside. That was fun.
Wednesday another spin class and weights. Really tired.
Thursday I did an eight mile run in the morning and rode for a little over an hour that evening. Felt great.
Friday I took a day off, just because I ran out of time.
Today I pre-rode for the race, so about an hour and a half. Felt slow, but had fun.
And tomorrow I will race for about two hours.
It all sounds good, but am I making any progress? Am I getting faster? Is my shoulder stronger? Not sure.
Before I never had goals. I just wanted to ride and race and have fun. Not that much has change, but the little modifications are making me think about training. I have so many goals now and they seem to be contradictory sometimes.
1. Race again
2. Get back into shape
3. Lose weight
4. Build back muscle in my arms and shoulders
5. Get faster
6. Build back up to endurance events
7. Do a few Xterra races this year
This seems totally manageable. I'm just not sure where to start. I heard a few girls talking about recovery rides for Monday after last week's race. Okay that sounds good. So Monday night I took a spin class and did arms and shoulders. My legs and upper body where both tired.
Tuesday I rode for about an hour and 45 minuted outside. That was fun.
Wednesday another spin class and weights. Really tired.
Thursday I did an eight mile run in the morning and rode for a little over an hour that evening. Felt great.
Friday I took a day off, just because I ran out of time.
Today I pre-rode for the race, so about an hour and a half. Felt slow, but had fun.
And tomorrow I will race for about two hours.
It all sounds good, but am I making any progress? Am I getting faster? Is my shoulder stronger? Not sure.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Finally A Race Report, Kind Of
This weekend kicked off the Southern Classic Series Mountain Bike Races. Of course this year, because I'm coming off a long injury, they decided to run one of the longest courses first. For years, since I've been racing this series, Uwharrie has always been the first race and the shortest course. Not this year, my luck.
Saturday morning, my fellow Dirt Divas and I drove up to Danville, VA and pre-rode the Angler's Ridge race course. Normally run in the middle of summer, the course was similar to the past few years (which I won), with some climbs becoming downhills and vice versa, nothing new, nothing super technical. I had a very slow, very safe pre-ride following all my girlfriends.
But could I do that three times tomorrow? The expert women's race was three laps for 27.2 miles. Yikes, that sounded like too much. Could I hold on that long? Would my shoulder start to hurt.
Oh what the heck, might as well try. I attempted to sign up for the race Saturday afternoon, but they told me to register at the social that night. Then at the social, they told me they forgot the registration paperwork and the race may be full. So register online and pick up your number tomorrow. I went online at the hotel and registration was closed. Then my friend called Sunday morning and said she got an email that the race was full. Oh well, guess I wasn't meant to race. I took that as a sign.
I put on my kit anyway and figured I'd ride a lap while my friends were racing. I get to the race and the USA cycling official, Jim Smalley, nice guy, says I can still register, go ahead. Okay, sure why not. So I pay $45, ouch!, to ride my bike in the woods.
I wasn't able to wear my camel back. It felt like the strap was rubbing right on the little washer in my shoulder. I don't know how to drink from a bottle while I'm riding, but not having a choice, I figured I'd learn or just stop to drink.
The start was delayed due to computer issues. So instead of the usual staggered start, they bulked all the pro and expert men AND women together and said go. 10 seconds later, huge pile up on the gravel road. Awesome! I of course was still way in the back waiting to start pedaling. I waited for the dust to clear, made sure I was in last place and then started my race, I mean slow, safe ride.
I saw the other girls in the far distance for a little while, but after we entered the single track, I put my head down and concentrated on my ride. I kind of rode the entire race like I was pregnant again. I rode hard and fast when it was super easy, but I took no chances on turns and downhills. I can't fall for three more months right?
And I didn't. No crashes, no falls, nothing. It was a clean (well muddy) ride. I kept repeating 'finish, don't get hurt' in my head all day.
After the second lap, an official pulled me over and made me stop. I told him I have one more lap to do and after a few seconds of him staring at my number, he finally let me go. Nice! Of course then I went off so fast, I forgot to grab a new bottle of water...duh!
So I ran out of water a few miles into the 3rd lap. A nice guy stopped and gave me a few sips of his. And then a volunteer filled me up at a water station a few miles later. I was also able to get Heed and water at another water stop at which the volunteer ladies gave me a long and detailed update on how the other girls were doing in the race.
Still I was dehydrated and under fueled. My tummy grumbled the entire third lap and at mile four I had to stop because my vision was blurry.
Even with all that nonsense, I had so much fun. I chatted with everyone that I passed (just a few) and passed me (a ton). All the guys were so considerate, calling out passes so well. I felt so safe, and so happy, so at home on the trails. I really had a blast! Even smiling almost three and a half hours later at the finish.
My pace was slow and that's okay. I rode at a nice 12 hour endurance race pace. I could have gone all day, with some more fuel of course. It was so incredible to be back in the woods, yelling, laughing, screaming. I was so happy.
I finished 4th, out of 5. The fifth girl DNF'd. I passed her at about mile 1 or 2. My prize was $75 and a gas card, not bad for 4th. That more than paid for the entire weekend, as I used Marriott points for the hotel and bartered a bed in my room for gas for our friend that drove.
It was a free weekend away in the woods with great girlfriends (and Terry) and a little bike race. Woo hoo!
Saturday morning, my fellow Dirt Divas and I drove up to Danville, VA and pre-rode the Angler's Ridge race course. Normally run in the middle of summer, the course was similar to the past few years (which I won), with some climbs becoming downhills and vice versa, nothing new, nothing super technical. I had a very slow, very safe pre-ride following all my girlfriends.
But could I do that three times tomorrow? The expert women's race was three laps for 27.2 miles. Yikes, that sounded like too much. Could I hold on that long? Would my shoulder start to hurt.
Oh what the heck, might as well try. I attempted to sign up for the race Saturday afternoon, but they told me to register at the social that night. Then at the social, they told me they forgot the registration paperwork and the race may be full. So register online and pick up your number tomorrow. I went online at the hotel and registration was closed. Then my friend called Sunday morning and said she got an email that the race was full. Oh well, guess I wasn't meant to race. I took that as a sign.
I put on my kit anyway and figured I'd ride a lap while my friends were racing. I get to the race and the USA cycling official, Jim Smalley, nice guy, says I can still register, go ahead. Okay, sure why not. So I pay $45, ouch!, to ride my bike in the woods.
I wasn't able to wear my camel back. It felt like the strap was rubbing right on the little washer in my shoulder. I don't know how to drink from a bottle while I'm riding, but not having a choice, I figured I'd learn or just stop to drink.
The start was delayed due to computer issues. So instead of the usual staggered start, they bulked all the pro and expert men AND women together and said go. 10 seconds later, huge pile up on the gravel road. Awesome! I of course was still way in the back waiting to start pedaling. I waited for the dust to clear, made sure I was in last place and then started my race, I mean slow, safe ride.
I saw the other girls in the far distance for a little while, but after we entered the single track, I put my head down and concentrated on my ride. I kind of rode the entire race like I was pregnant again. I rode hard and fast when it was super easy, but I took no chances on turns and downhills. I can't fall for three more months right?
And I didn't. No crashes, no falls, nothing. It was a clean (well muddy) ride. I kept repeating 'finish, don't get hurt' in my head all day.
After the second lap, an official pulled me over and made me stop. I told him I have one more lap to do and after a few seconds of him staring at my number, he finally let me go. Nice! Of course then I went off so fast, I forgot to grab a new bottle of water...duh!
So I ran out of water a few miles into the 3rd lap. A nice guy stopped and gave me a few sips of his. And then a volunteer filled me up at a water station a few miles later. I was also able to get Heed and water at another water stop at which the volunteer ladies gave me a long and detailed update on how the other girls were doing in the race.
Still I was dehydrated and under fueled. My tummy grumbled the entire third lap and at mile four I had to stop because my vision was blurry.
Even with all that nonsense, I had so much fun. I chatted with everyone that I passed (just a few) and passed me (a ton). All the guys were so considerate, calling out passes so well. I felt so safe, and so happy, so at home on the trails. I really had a blast! Even smiling almost three and a half hours later at the finish.
My pace was slow and that's okay. I rode at a nice 12 hour endurance race pace. I could have gone all day, with some more fuel of course. It was so incredible to be back in the woods, yelling, laughing, screaming. I was so happy.
I finished 4th, out of 5. The fifth girl DNF'd. I passed her at about mile 1 or 2. My prize was $75 and a gas card, not bad for 4th. That more than paid for the entire weekend, as I used Marriott points for the hotel and bartered a bed in my room for gas for our friend that drove.
It was a free weekend away in the woods with great girlfriends (and Terry) and a little bike race. Woo hoo!
On my drive home from my friend's house (that drove), I broke down a little and cried. I know this seems silly. But I really felt like I finally had my life back. And for that I am greatful.
This was also my first night away from my little guy. Boy was he missed. Hopefully he'll be out there cheering for me next Sunday.
With more clothes on...
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Apples to Oranges
Okay, I know this isn't a fair comparison. But it's what I have to work with and worth while documenting to me. So here goes.
Oh wait... A little background, just in case:
Top Fuel 9.8 WSD is a carbon full suspension 26 inch bike that is women's specific. (~$5000)
X-Calibur is an aluminum hardtail 29er bike. (~$1500)
So here goes again.
Today I did two lap at Sherman Branch. My first lap was on the Trek Top Fuel 9.8. (Note that the first time I rode was last Friday at Sherman on the Gary Fisher X-Calibur.) Immediately the TP felt really good. I was low to the ground, smooth and felt like I could thread the front wheel through the trail like a needle. The control was amazing. I liked being lower to the ground. The bike seemed to float along the bumpy trail and it cornered so tightly. Rock gardens were not a problem. Hill climbs were easy. The bike felt great, other than a little elbow pain because it was half a size too small for me.
On my second lap, I did a quick switch to the GF X-Cal. Right away, I felt like I was about 10 feet off the round and the front wheel was big and I had less control. Within minutes I had better control of the bike, but was still bouncing around. Being off the bike for so long during my recovery, I don't ride at 110% anymore, so on the hardtail I felt more bumps. The XC climbed better and it cornered well, but overall I preferred the Top Fuel.
I know this isn't fair. I'm comparing two different materials, carbon and aluminum, two different size bikes, totally different drivetrains, etc. But this is what I have to go by now. I would love to wait a few months to test ride more equivalent bike set ups and decide what I want to ride and race this year. But I am bikeless now, and really want to configure a bike to fit me ASAP.
So it comes down to this. Being out of shape and having a weak right shoulder/arm, the full suspension bike seems like the right bike for me. Now I just have to pull the trigger...
Oh wait... A little background, just in case:
Top Fuel 9.8 WSD is a carbon full suspension 26 inch bike that is women's specific. (~$5000)
X-Calibur is an aluminum hardtail 29er bike. (~$1500)
So here goes again.
Today I did two lap at Sherman Branch. My first lap was on the Trek Top Fuel 9.8. (Note that the first time I rode was last Friday at Sherman on the Gary Fisher X-Calibur.) Immediately the TP felt really good. I was low to the ground, smooth and felt like I could thread the front wheel through the trail like a needle. The control was amazing. I liked being lower to the ground. The bike seemed to float along the bumpy trail and it cornered so tightly. Rock gardens were not a problem. Hill climbs were easy. The bike felt great, other than a little elbow pain because it was half a size too small for me.
On my second lap, I did a quick switch to the GF X-Cal. Right away, I felt like I was about 10 feet off the round and the front wheel was big and I had less control. Within minutes I had better control of the bike, but was still bouncing around. Being off the bike for so long during my recovery, I don't ride at 110% anymore, so on the hardtail I felt more bumps. The XC climbed better and it cornered well, but overall I preferred the Top Fuel.
I know this isn't fair. I'm comparing two different materials, carbon and aluminum, two different size bikes, totally different drivetrains, etc. But this is what I have to go by now. I would love to wait a few months to test ride more equivalent bike set ups and decide what I want to ride and race this year. But I am bikeless now, and really want to configure a bike to fit me ASAP.
So it comes down to this. Being out of shape and having a weak right shoulder/arm, the full suspension bike seems like the right bike for me. Now I just have to pull the trigger...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Two Bikes?
Yes! Just a few days ago I was bikeless. Now thanks to the Trek Store I have a demo GF X-Calibur and thanks for Trek Women I have a Top Fuel 9.8. Not bad huh? I know, I'm so lucky.
Well not really. After my first ride on Friday afternoon, it poured all weekend (and I worked at the Trek Store) and today hubby is working late. But tomorrow, oh tomorrow, cannot come soon enough. The kid is in preschool from 9-1 and hubby is working from home. So I have the whole day to play, I mean ride, I mean play. Who else is free? Yippie!
Well not really. After my first ride on Friday afternoon, it poured all weekend (and I worked at the Trek Store) and today hubby is working late. But tomorrow, oh tomorrow, cannot come soon enough. The kid is in preschool from 9-1 and hubby is working from home. So I have the whole day to play, I mean ride, I mean play. Who else is free? Yippie!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Oh peanut M&M halves, how I've missed you!
You know what that means right? If I got to eat my favorite candy, I got to do my favorite thing! Yes, I got to ride. The Trek Store loaned me a Gary Fisher X-Caliber and I took it out for my first ride today. Before I left the house, I rode around on the grass just to make sure I wasn't wasting my time. I felt alright.
So I drove to Sherman Branch, a nice swoopy, curvy, 11 or so mile course about a half hour from my house. It's been so long since I've ridden that I had to go through my checklist a few times: bike, gloves, shoes, helmet, gum. Okay, go.
At first I was tentative. That first root was so big, the first rock looked enormous, and that first drop, OMG, this is gonna hurt. You know what? I was fine, no pain at all. My shoulder is definitely weak. I am out of shape, and I am not aggressive on my bike. But I can ride.
I took it pretty easy in the beginning, only pushing it on the hills. And oh how I've missed the hills. I love climbing! I just wish I never have to ride down. About 3/4 of the way through the trail I crossed a small stream and then goofed up on a little rock garden. Instinctively I turned my bike around to go back and try it again. But then I thought this was silly. It's my first ride, let it go and move on. I couldn't do that. So I rode back and tried it again. I made it through, felt great, and sprinted the rest of the lap. It felt so good.
BTW, the X-Cal was awesome, it cornered so well. I was really impressed. I'm so used to high end $8k carbon racing bikes and this is an aluminum 29er that retails for about $1700. It was great and I loved it.
Time to order my team bike...
So I drove to Sherman Branch, a nice swoopy, curvy, 11 or so mile course about a half hour from my house. It's been so long since I've ridden that I had to go through my checklist a few times: bike, gloves, shoes, helmet, gum. Okay, go.
At first I was tentative. That first root was so big, the first rock looked enormous, and that first drop, OMG, this is gonna hurt. You know what? I was fine, no pain at all. My shoulder is definitely weak. I am out of shape, and I am not aggressive on my bike. But I can ride.
I took it pretty easy in the beginning, only pushing it on the hills. And oh how I've missed the hills. I love climbing! I just wish I never have to ride down. About 3/4 of the way through the trail I crossed a small stream and then goofed up on a little rock garden. Instinctively I turned my bike around to go back and try it again. But then I thought this was silly. It's my first ride, let it go and move on. I couldn't do that. So I rode back and tried it again. I made it through, felt great, and sprinted the rest of the lap. It felt so good.
BTW, the X-Cal was awesome, it cornered so well. I was really impressed. I'm so used to high end $8k carbon racing bikes and this is an aluminum 29er that retails for about $1700. It was great and I loved it.
Time to order my team bike...
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Big Day
Today Jack was finally able to watch Winnie the Pooh without breaking down in tears when Pooh gets chased by bees, or floats away with a balloon, or gets stuck in Rabbit's hole. Huge step right.
Oh and then for lunch he ate peanut butter WITH jelly. Not on bread in a sandwich, but with two spoons. Hey, we're making progress. That's what counts. Yeah, he's odd, but remember who his parents are...
Oh and then for lunch he ate peanut butter WITH jelly. Not on bread in a sandwich, but with two spoons. Hey, we're making progress. That's what counts. Yeah, he's odd, but remember who his parents are...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A Little Lift
I know I'm not supposed to start weight/strength training till Monday, but seriously I've been lifting a 35 pound kid around for months, what could some light weights do?
So after spin class today, I took the urban iron class. It's kind of like body pump. Honestly, it was pretty silly, but they did have 2.5 pound weights in there which are great for my super atrophied, super flabby right arm. The class was okay, kind of boring and definitely a waste of time for someone in shape, but I appreciated it as an entry back into lifting.
If I'm not too sore tomorrow, I'll try a little more and also work with all the silly bands from PT.
Must be able to hold onto my handle bars!
So after spin class today, I took the urban iron class. It's kind of like body pump. Honestly, it was pretty silly, but they did have 2.5 pound weights in there which are great for my super atrophied, super flabby right arm. The class was okay, kind of boring and definitely a waste of time for someone in shape, but I appreciated it as an entry back into lifting.
If I'm not too sore tomorrow, I'll try a little more and also work with all the silly bands from PT.
Must be able to hold onto my handle bars!
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