There's a kangaroo loose in the top paddock...

Last posting Oct 2008?!

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Jeez, its been awhile. It seems as though my life outside of cycling took over, the weather in IL has been terrible, and my training has been hampered by a persistent (and traveling!) ankle injury. So in a nutshell:

Training continued through the winter. 1/2 of it with my club and the other 1/2 at home on my trainer. The dvr and i got to be very good friends. while i enjoyed the decrease in travel, i really missed suffering through workouts with people other than Michael Westen, Shawn and Gus, the HIMYM crew, (yes all tv characters) and my dog Cooper. I started working with a trainer at my gym and she's been great. I continued with 'cross with the ChiCrossCup series but my fall at the USGP reinjured my shoulder and i had to take things easy. Then my hip started acting up after i badly twisted my ankle snowboarding the Colorado. IT band stretching helped. My club had a training camp in Indiana which was awesome (except for the Wall. Stupid hill.) Hip is acting funny again and now my knee has joined it. Injury injury injury. sigh. After 7 months, i'm thinking its time to get it checked. After Downers, that is.

Racing has been going on, even with all of the outside life stuff happening. Weddings, visiting family from Europe, crappy weather, and an extremely busy day job has forced me to start using a calendar to keep track of all the things i needed to do. I'm not sure when i turned into an adult. Throughout the season though, my racing has been getting better. its still a SLOW progression (which is annoying to this less than patient person) but i do see the silver lining and the fact that my fear is finally subsiding is GREAT. I've even been in a few "incidents" (crashes, rain, bumps) and managed to stay upright or jump back in? AND i've been called aggressive recently? Good stuff. Some highlights include Champaign, Elk Grove, Kenosha (Superweek), and the Soldier Field Series. Lots of races where i've improved, so once again, its something. Hopefully i can move from improved to awesome...like by the weekend.

In other news, which isn't new news since she's already back, but Jessi Prinner won the Juniors TT Nat'l Champs and went to Russia for the Junior Worlds as a member of the US Team. So incredible and so deserving.

A couple more races to go with the Road Season (the summer has gone so fast...) and then 'Cross starts up. With the mild summer we've had, there's been many days that i've had this urge to pull out my 'cross bike. I'm really excited for this upcoming season, with the Chicago Series and the USGP (now a 4 race series!). Ok, i think thats about as short of a write up i can make for...10 months...wow...

Black and blue, bruised and battered, but oh what fun...!

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:12:00 +0000

I completed in my first Gran Prix, down in Louisville Ky. A UCI event, so I was unable to ride in the elite cat, but luckily there was a 3/4 race on both days. I had planned on visiting my sister but throw in a race weekend, i couldn't pass it up!

I started looking at this course months ago and i thought it was going to be awesome. it was really long which means you don't have to do a lot of laps (yes!!!). The video on the website showed highlights from last year and the biggest obstacle (no pun instead) was a LARGE staircase called "The Green Monster." I left for Ky late and had to suffer through a 2 hr traffic jam to Indiana (should've taken about 30 mins). After arriving at the hotel in pitch black darkness at midnight (and stupidly watching tv for a couple hours, as usual), i awoke to yup, pitch black darkness. The sun doesn't ride (ahem rise...) until after 7am in those parts and since i didn't get to pick up my race info the day before, i was up and bike ready at 615am. I packed up the car, grabbed my bagels, juice, cereal and coffee. I programmed thet GPS to get to Champions Park and prepared for the drive to the course. Right turn out of the parking lot, left turn at the intersection...and park the car? Lol, yeah...the course was right across the street from the hotel. Oops :-) So...park, unpack, eat, pin number, pre-ride the course, listen to race day music, find sister, play with dog, warm up and its RACE TIME!

Saturday Womens 3/4 30 mins
About 25 riders lineup at the start line. We were given numbers according to our rankings in the local series and if no ranking, then by registration time. Since I didn't have a rank, I started 16 riders down. Not too bad and it did make me glad i had pre-registered. The ground was pretty dry and the sun was just peaking through when the gun went off. The large pack of juniors waiting impatiently behind us would start about a mintue back and we'd all mingle at somepoint through the course. This was the largest pack i'd cyclocrossed with (and considering that i've entered into a 58 rider race later this year, i was excited to get the practice!) but for some reason, i wasn't nervous. I clipped in slow, though, but i was able to make some place going into the first turn. The course was very technical with lefts and rights coming up quickly. I wouldn't be able to do the course justice with a description, but check out the course map. Throughout the course, I was trading spots with 2 other riders and i also saw everyone else riding through the 3 sandpits and i thought "well...if everyone else is doing it..." and i tried it myself. And i did it! Yes, its nots a figment of my imagination, you CAN ride a bike THROUGH SAND! The last time i tried, i just toppled over. This time, i built up some speed, kept my cadence as high as possible and i pedaled through! yes! Round and round, over a set of barriers, up steep small hills and back down, runups with stairs and behold...the Green Monster. At least the steps were covered in "Drink Guinness, its good for you" logos (as my sister said "After running those stairs, you need a Guinness"). The Monster changed to a short flat section down a steep enbankment. The enbankment reminded me of when i was kid and my sis and i would ride down this hill on a little ten speed schwinns...no pedals, no helmets, a bump in the middle that would send you flying...ah good times, and that was my favorite part of the race! Others would clip in and slow at the top of the Green Monster and i just jump on and WHHEEEEEEE (no i didn't say that, i didn't have enough air), eh just clip in later. On the second lap, I entered the last sand pit too slow and tried to jump off the bike but I was still clipped in (oops!) and just fell over. Bike hit my knee and i bent the rear derailluer but i was able to recover and finish ahead of the 2 other riders i had been trading spots with throughout the race. Lots of fun, a good placing in my opinion and i knew i worked hard!

Later, my sis and i explored Louisville (I went to the Colonels' headquaters!) and its a cool city! We checked out the shops on Bardstown Rd, got stuck in massive highway traffic (semi overturned and 3 accidents all within a 3 mile stretch!), went to the mall, i took a nap, checked the bike, and then headed back out for dinner (spicy pasta...yum!)

Sunday Womens 3/4 30mins
Ah, wiser this time around. I did not pack up the car and since i "pre-rode" the course yesterday, i slept in until 7am. Grabbed the mandatory carbs and rode over to have the SRAM guys check out the derailluer (they're so great). The bike handled itself very well during my warmup and i once again lined up. Today, i had a bad position, somehow i was now in the last row (rather than the 2nd) and behind a squrrielly rider. I don't know why, but once the gun when off, she started swerving all over the place (ok, maybe it was like a 5 inch radius, but completely unnecessary) but instead of getting around her, i entered the grass behind. Going into the first turn, the rider next to me hit the pole and tape and i narrowly missed a crash. Phew...keep going, next turn, a rider behind me bumps my wheel but i stay upright. What the hell?!? Its ok...i slowed a little but pushed forward. The course was a little different this time around and the first barriers seemed to come up quicker. Under the bridge back out towards the sandpits. I'm once again trading spots with another rider but that just makes it exciting. I noticed that she slowed some in the sandpit and i thought to myself i could pass her there. Sandpit #2, she takes the line "most traveled" (ie flat and easier) and i pulled left into the deeper part to pass and BAM! my tired sinks and just stops, i endo and flip on to the sand. Another rider hits my tire (not me tho) and she gets up quick. My water bottle is a foot away and other riders are now coming through...i hear "watch out!!! on your right" and various other phrases and i grab my bike, try to stay still and all i can do is wait so they can go around me rather than trying to run and cause another crash. I ran through the next sandpit but ugh, my momentum is all gone. I don't hurt, the bike seems to be responding well and i just try to push it. I took the Green Monster slow but i can now see two other riders. I keep pushing it through the turns and barriers and by the time i hit the pavement to start the last lap, the first of the two is right in front of me. I take a large drink of my water and the first time ever, i threw it to the side. Granted its not a ton of weight, but it can't hurt to get rid of a full bottle when i know i'm not going to use it. Thru the corners, i hear her teammates telling her to get away "don't let her push you like that" and i get around at the first barrier. 2 juniors crash just to my left but once again, i avoided it. thru the trees, to the run up, on the short pavement, up the steep hill to the first sand pit...i rode through it (this time in the easy line) to make sure i'm not afraid of it but the rest i ran through. She caught up to me after somewhere after the 3rd sandpit and the Green Monster so in those last few hundred yards, i threw on all the gears i had left and sprinted as much as i could. i hit the pavement and looked back, she wasn't there. i crossed the finished line ahead, once again, of the riders i kept changing places with but much further down from Saturday. Thats alright, the bike was ok (thanks SRAM, although i don't think they believed i really endo-ed until they saw sand in my shifters...) i finished strong and i had SO much FUN! I'm sore today and i think i may have bruised a rib or 2 (yikes!) but wow, i can't wait to do this again!

The Green Monster One of the sandpits
Approaching the barriers Saturday's Pro Winner

For real this time...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:45:00 +0000

IOOk, so i did my last USCF road season of the year. Really. One of my friends (and ex-teammate) is now on the women's Team Priority Health. Plans to race together kept getting canceled (as well as this one too) but finally i headed up to Michigan for the Priority Health weekend. This comes after not riding for 2 weeks, being a bum for about a month and eating cupcakes and delicious italian food. I figured with winter training coming soon and a trip to Portland, i was going to relax a bit and finally eat what i want. Oh and yes, i thought i could race the 2/3/4 fields...

Needless to say a course of cobblestones, potholes and lots of turns (Grand Rapids) wasn't easy. I stuck with the field for about 15 of the 35 mins (guessimating b/c the officials forgot to turn the clock on). After getting dropped, i rode past an official and asked "how much time left?!" and he looked me confused. Next lap, i look at him and raise my hand and he says "keep going!" (ok, no kidding). Next lap, i look at him, he looks at me. Hmm. Finally, i hear Eddy say "well, we don't know how much time is left b/c the clock isn't on..." and next time i look at the clock, it says "6" laps to go. Decent race, wasn't sore after so i decided i'd race Ann Arbor. After spending the afternoon visiting the MSU campus (and stuck in football traffic after ironically commenting how i miss the traffic-less Michigan), i spent the evening with Em and her friends in AA. I must say, its a great town.

The morning started with rain that didn't stop until about 10mins before the start. A little less corners but a lot more hills and downhills. And wet. And rain puddles. And carpet on the RR tracks b/c, if you couldn't tell, the course was slippery. I debated racing b/c my confidence is nowhere needed for this sort of thing, but i still paid my fee and suited up. From the start, TPH took off (found out later this was the strategy) instead of taking it slow as i had assumed it would (similar to Downers two years ago). Tactically it worked well b/c the field broke in the first lap. TPH took a couple of primes as well as several money spots (4th, 5th, 7th, and 12th, i believe). Em did awesome! Me...well, approaching turn 2 on the downhill was enough to break me. Each turn was slower and slower and wish as i may, i couldn't change that. I still finished and while i think my apparent last placing is wrong (i mean, if you lap someone, don't you think you should be placed ahead? i don't know, thats just me) but in the grand scheme of things, whats the difference in a couple of spots from the end, especially this season? Not much, but so ended my USCF road season.

The weekend was tons of fun (even met an Ann Arbor ABDer, the mystery Michigan guy i kept seeing on results page), after hanging out with Em & co, i headed to Jackson for lunch with Mel. And we realized nothing has changed and try as we might, we have not grown up at all. Like i misprounced purple and that throw us into a laugh fit. Oh and mel couldn't find the cheese at bigbys. Good times!

Now, its on to cyclocross, my FUN season. i've been looking into getting my own cross bike, and i specially want this one. i've been spoiled (borrowed bike) by the Bianchi Team Concept...sigh...

The last big road race of 08...?

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:36:00 +0000

So downers as come and gone. When it was merely approaching, I was already telling people how excited i am for 'cross to start and then of course bootcamp. Now that its passed, what am i doing? Searching online for another road race. With the way the season has been going, i just don't feel like i'm done for 2008, but while there are several races in the area and of course ABD's Fall Fling, it was the last big USCF road race for me...

Glenoce Womens 3/4
I was very impressed with this venue. Winners jerseys were offered to all the cats and the prize list/primes were good for all of them, regardless of the level of ability. Even the "behind the scenes" people were great, from the hospitality tent and neutral support and even Half-Acre for free beer to riders (over 21 of course!). I was also very happy that the Amen Corner was not included in my race (it was added in for the Womens 1/2/3 and the Mens Pro race...i did that corner last year as a 4, very technical). So basically, a 4 corner course, more of a rectangle shaped which allowed for speed increases and potential attacks on the back stretch and start/finish line stretch. Most of the race wasn't a surprise, prime lap sprints, some shaky riders in the corners, but my surprise? I didn't get dropped. I lead out the first lap and planned on staying as close to my kiwi friend as possible. The idea was to stay on her wheel and if i could, second was almost a guarentee. She even lead me out to win a prime. With about 3 laps to go, MP told me to get to the front and she'd block the pack. My first real attempt at a breakaway didn't work for more than a few seconds b/c rather than go all out like i should've, i was trying to play it cool and hoping JK would jump with me. But MP did a great job slowing the field and it worked from corner 2 til corner 4 when my shaky confidence made me slow in the corners and allowed the others to catch. On the 2 lap to go, JK tells me "i want you on my wheel the rest of the race" and i told her i would do my best. Thru corner 3 and 4, i was there. Bell lap, I'm still there on corner 1...but i get pinched in corner 2 and JK pulls ahead to the front and i'm sitting about 8 back. I try moving around, and i try to move up the right but we are just beginning to approach turn 4. i pull back into the line (corner 4, while not the Amen Corner, was still sharp and had a curb that looked like it was coming after you rather than you towards it) and BAM the leader hits the curb, taking out about 3 other riders. JK managed to get around and sprinted for 2nd oh so slightly behind 1st place (yes, thats how good she is!)...I got around a couple of riders and was able to take 5th place (and $60 and a prime!).
Side note: I did race Grayslake, but a rather disappointing race for me getting dropped very early on and basically just rode. i was lapped by the field and tried to help MP take the final money spot by pulling. i still have to find out if this is allowed, MP says no and didn't take the pull but i thought i could help her and worked hard my last couple of laps. Well, harder in the last laps since i had to ride 99% of the course alone.

Downers Grove Womens 3/4
I actually thought i had a shot at this race. One of my all time favorite courses and one of my first as a new racer. i did terribly my first time and on my way to a top 10 my second time (until i crashed out at the start of the bell lap) and i wanted redemption. i saw the start list and only about 12 riders signed up! i need more would come but it definitely kept my confidence up. 27 riders started this 8 turn technical course with an uphill finish, a false flat, small steep uphill into a fast downhill and doesn't really stop only decreases all the way thru turn 8 (i really love this course). i made sure i was at the front at the start and my goal was to lead out the first lap and i did! at the whistle i jumped and took turns 1 and 2 first. i braked too much on turn 2 and had to calm myself a bit, but still pulled until turn 3...knowing that the headwind was on the downhill, i took the steep turn 3 slow trying to get back in the pack. I'm still having some difficulty with that and only managed to get in the back. I hung on for a bit, moving around and taking the turns faster than previous races (yes, i've been practicing...although most of that practice went out the window as the race went on, but its a start). But when the prime lap was announced, i wasn't comfortable with the cornering speed and was dropped. The rest of the race was all catch up, switching positions with a few girls through 4 laps or so. With 2 laps to go, i caught up with TF who was (i believe) the last rider behind the pack. I was hoping we could catch the pack, but with 2 to go, it was doubtful. She and i worked together the last two laps and coming into the last couple of turns, she said something to me i couldn't hear. Thru turn 7 and 8, i was planning my sprint and took 8 slight wider than TF and sprinted around her. I took 14th, my best placing in Downers to date. Later, TF tells me she wanted to lead me out. Definitely appreciated, wish i had heard though :-)
Side note: the Womens Pro1/2/3 race? I knew i wasn't ready of a race of that caliber (yet) but when i saw some of my cat3 friends signed up, i started thinking maybe i should do it...until rider #80 rode by. A field containing Tina Pic, Brooke Miller, Devon Haskell and Kristin Meshberg along with 76 other riders. I sat this one out and enjoyed the race. see, you can get large women fields in high quality races.

Downers is generally the end note for my season. Like i said, there are a couple of more races i can do and i'm really excited for 'cross, those are my FUN races. I've defnitely come a long way since my first race in 2006, set backs and highlights but more importantly, i'm optimistically looking forward to 2009. the goal of becoming a cat2 in 2009 is still there and while i wanted to start the season as a 2 (and i've come terms with the fact that won't happen), with a solid winter season, cornering practice (maybe if i practice on the ice that is sure to come, cornering on dry pavement will be a breeze?!), and pack work, the goal is now cat2 by Downers 2009 (save #81 for me!).

Tally: (to be updated) --> 36 (7 + 1 million)
Crits - 26 (and 5 more to go)
Road - 4 (and 1 more to go)
TTs - 5 (and 1 more to go)
Track - 0 (b/c of my crash, i will most likely wait til next year to go back)
CX - 1 (and like a million to go!)

A summary and a helicopter...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:08:00 +0000

I never did post my blog for superweek. I have it sitting in my drafts section right now, but as i re-read it, it says the same thing i've been saying throughout most of this whole site, so you know what? thats enough. i've griped and i've vented (thanks to all those who listened and tried to give me advice), if you're really following, you know my issues. So for my superweek summary? It was hard, it was tough, i was involved in a crash and i have a lovely V bruise on my leg (for victory? fingers crossed!). I didn't do much but i guess it was a great workout...BUT my teammate Jessi Prinner WON the series (as well as taking two stages!) and is off at Nationals now.

Some words of advice included doing more group rides with a little less aggression than a superweek race and some other advice included doing the Bartlett rides. The BRs is how i prepared for Superweek last year, but with my shoulder injury falling almost exactly 4 weeks before, I had no choice but to sit around and wait. But i did go back to the BR this past week and it was exhausting, in the good way! Some missing faces from earlier in the summer returned and it was just a lot of fun. It was really nice to actually ride well and like JB said, it made me remember why i love to ride.

Next up, the PPCB ride. It was faster than i expected it to be...generally we're told to keep the pace 20-22, but i know it was faster than that (haven't checked the powertap yet though, but when i saw 21 into the wind, i'm guessing the average was higher!). I pulled more than i wanted to b/c i was tired from BR, but 2 things happened this ride:

1) We turned right at one point and all of sudden, there's a helicopter in the road. it said ARMY on the back and was refilling on something to spray the field...conspiracy? Mulder? Scully?

2) In the last few miles, I pull ahead into an open spot. One rider says
Rider: What racing cat are you?
Me: Me? (ha! this is why i don't chat much on rides...)
Rider: Yes you
Me: I'm a 3 ...
Rider: I was going to say "you're too good not to race"
Me: wow! thanks!
Rider: are you close to moving up?
Me: ha! no, not even close, its been a rough season.
(and then some convo on racing and SLOWING as we approached the next intersection. Not sure who that was, but really, thanks for the compliament! it seems like its been ages since i rode well and even longer since i've heard a compliament for it.)

A rant of my own (Tour of Elk Grove)...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:38:00 +0000

I’m kind of a race constant. I’ve had a pretty disappointing season, but you’ve got to be in it to win it right? It takes a lot to keep me from a race, like a separated shoulder and a warning from my doc “don’t race.” But a flu? Soreness? Road rash? Jeez, even my (newish) stupid fear of crashing won’t keep me away. Such was the case today; the long awaited Tour of Elk Grove. I had been looking forward to this race before my disappointing season because I did fairly well last year. Plus I felt as though it was a tough and technical course that also allows a less experienced rider to ride with the pack. See, that technical aspect of the race generally slows the pace down in order to take the 180 turns safely. It’s different in the higher cats, but for a new rider starting out, it does a lot for their confidence to do well in a race like this. So my flu wasn’t enough to keep me away…

Nor would the amateur mistake I made today. My back brake was on for about half that race before I realized that was why my watts were so high and my speed sluggish. I worked with another rider for most of the race and took off for the final straight away at a surprising 30mph. So I was definitely disappointed in the fact that my races are not going along with my actual ability, but that was my fault and it will be double-checked from now on. But what will keep from away from Elk Grove next year?

The race officials notified us at the start/finish line that our races would be combined. Originally the flyer made the women’s race a Women’s Open but later it was changed to join separate races for the Pro1/2 field and the 3/4, and I was very happy about this. I later heard that prize money was decreased in order to increase the prize money for the men’s races. Ok, that didn’t really bother me, I know that cycling is male dominated and prize money is always higher for those races (and I’m not going to start preaching about that). But at the end of the now Women’s Open, the Mayor calls us all into a tent to speak with us. He tells us that they are still going to honor the prize money promised in the flyer, but that he is very disappointed in the turn out. He could of canceled the race, he says, but not to. He tells us he was promised a better turn out but it was obvious we had not fulfilled our promise. He says that, as of this moment, there will not be a women’s race next year unless we can convince him why he should continue holding a women’s race. I know how I heard this and I know how the other ladies sitting at my table heard his little rant, and I heard “its your fault more riders didn’t show up and for that we aren’t going to let you race next year.” This really upset me and I forgot my stupid mistake. I asked some other riders what they thought he was telling us and then once the Mayor had a moment free, I spoke to him.

I told him I didn’t appreciate what he was insinuating, that the riders who actually showed up for the race was to blame for the poor turn out. I wasn’t hostile and I didn’t make a scene. But this is what he says to me:

“No, its not that I’m actually placing the fault on you or the other riders. I am blaming those riders that did not show up and you are here so I just have to take it out on you.”

What?! So I tell him that no, he doesn’t have to take it out on us. I have come to this race every year since it started. I showed up, my teammate showed up. I said that had the race been a Women’s Open, I would not have because this is not the way to get riders out on a technical course (think about it, there are three Mens Cat 5 heats. I’m not saying there are enough women racers out there to have separate heats for the cats, but two races for the women? I don’t think that’s asking too much). He says:

“Well you should have brought more women out to the race…”

I say “But I’m not the race promoter” And his response? He shrugged his shoulders, lifted up his arms, and turned around and walked away. Apparently it wasn’t even worth a response.

What was said, in my opinion, was very disrespectful. I know he was frustrated with the turn out, but to blame the racers who come to the race (a lot of us still feeling that post-race high) for small fields? This isn’t Texas or California. In our area, the women’s fields are always small. I believe there are a lot of women out there who would like to race and for whatever reason do not. I’ve always spoken highly of the Elk Grove course, even met with the “You actually like that course?!” because so many dislike the narrowness of the lanes, the technical turns, and the possibility of crashes. But for the reasons mentioned above, I do like this course. It is because of its difficulty that I think more people should try. And I’ve always finished my description of the course with that sentiment.

Another rider gave the Mayor some really good advice, offer more perks and you’ll get more racers. Like rider housing because at this time of the year, a lot of budgets are running out or empty. Small prize purses and a small budget will keep racers away. Or how about a race weekend like the men get? Riders are more likely to travel to a race if they will get more than one race out of the weekend. Since the first Tour of Elk Grove, other cats have gotten a full weekend of racing. Can’t this be done for the women? There are lots of ways to get more racers out, but blaming the ones who came is not one of them.

Basically, it’s a catch 22, you say more time (and money) should be devoted to the cats with more interest, but then complain when interest diminishes because of the lack of time (and money). You can’t have it both ways. The Mayor said that we have to convince him why there should still be a Women’s race next year. This means the decision has already been made not to have one with a slim chance it might be on the schedule. How about you convince me why I should come back again, because as of right now, I’ve made the decision not to come back to the Tour of Elk Grove.

An excuse to be lazy...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:20:00 +0000

Fox River Grove: Womens 1/2/3 30 mins
The last race I did in June, the crazy high ski hill climb to fast downhills through a subdivision to the start/finish line and back up the hill. A small field of 5 riders started, including my teammate JP who is crazy enough to say "I loved it!" when asked about the hill. From the start, JP was in the front and attempted to create a new race (ie, she almost went the wrong way), I did this course last year and yelled out "where are you going?!" and turned up the hill. It was exciting and awesome, i was leading up the hill...for like 2 seconds when JP went speeding past me. The plan was to get her ahead and i would block the large peleton behind. For the first lap, it was the four of us. 2nd lap, HS got away and we lost NW, so that left me and CS. As the laps kept coming, we were neck and neck...and then my foot came out of the pedal halfway up the climb (maybe it wasn't a good idea to change the cleats on the way to the race). I hear her teammates "DROP HER DROP HER!!!" just adding salt to the wound. She makes it up the hill b4 I hit the mini-flat. Down the hill, I catch her wheel. She expertly pulls of and makes me pull. Crap. When we hit the 2nd to last lap, i'm tired, but 2 to go! We go up together and it happens again, foot is out. I get it back in quicker, but this effort of starting from a stop on such a hill gets me. I see CS and i'm trying to catch, i get close on the last lap, but no cigar. I take 4th.

I thought to myself...fox river grove was a tough race, but it was short. the hill didn't hurt as much as last year and i have a free monday. i would like to start racing the track again, but i hadn't been back since last year and i decided it was the perfect chance to get there for some Monday Night Training. It was a sunny warm day, why not? I prepare the track bike, check the tires, lube the chain...ponder a 50 or a 48. I go with the 48, afterall its been awhile, i don't want to tire my legs out b/c tuesday is bartlett. plus we have breaks between sets, i can always swap out to the 50 if i start to spin. it was nice to be back with the track crowd and i took a few warmup laps on my own. after a pre-training day safety talk, we all head into the 30lap warmup. once we're organized and the paceline starts, so does the accordianing. accelerate, slow, accelerate, slow. it was getting annoying and i look ahead to see who is the trouble maker. i think to myself "i really don't want to be in this position" but can't really do much b/c of the paceline but i continue to watch for openings. a gap opens up again, and there's a quick acceleration and all of a sudden BAM i slam into the wheel in front of me and i'm down. i scrunched up, trying to protect myself b/c there were riders behind me. a few swerved around but a few also hit me (and i've got the tire tracks to prove it). once it was clear, people ran over to see if i was alright. i sat on my knees and tried to catch my breath. My shoulder hurt and so did my knee. I stood up and asked "where's my bike!" and i spotted it yards away from where i was. i started toward it, but the first aid guy told me to sit down and he got it. a couple of ice packs and bandages later, i'm filling out an incident report. i think its ok, just trackrash, swelling and bruises. figured i'd be sore tomorrow.

The following day was bartlett. i thgt it'd be a good chance to see how much i hurt and worse case, i'd just hang on that back. JP's mom helped bandage my knee and i left looking like i was wearing fishnets. turns out though that i couldn't climb and i couldn't accelerate. my chain skipped on me once and jerked me forward and boy did that hurt. i know i got a good workout in, climbing those hills in the saddle. i got dropped really early, but managed to catch up when JP's mom asked me to give her the cell phone. that was one of the hardest things i'd ever done. i rode the rest by myself b/c i just couldn't do anything really. called my doctor that night, and a couple of x-rays and MRIs later, i found out i had dislocated my shoulder as well as having a 1st degree AC joint separation. I've got some lovely colors on my knee, but the swelling went down really quick. With the injuries, i'm off the bike for 3 weeks. I had to skip the proctor cycling classic, unfortunately, but had a lot of fun just hanging out. physical therapy is to start soon and :::fingers crossed::: i should be healed and ready for superweek!

9 vs 10...4 vs 5...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:36:00 +0000

A random title, yes, but you'll understand, i swear...

The Sherman Park crit came early this year and i remembered it well from last year. it felt like a long lap, it was windy, lots of rain puddles, and i almost got hit by a duck in flight. But i also took 2nd in my cat so it was a good race in my mind. Although i pre-reg way early, i didn' t know if i would be racing in chicago or in kentucky, but as luck had it (impending storms and the potential flooding/closing of roads in Indiana, my trip was postponed til saturday evening) the pre-reg came in handy...

Sherman Park, Womens Open 60 mins
Long race...even though superweek races are longer, my last few were around 30 mins. i was definitely nervous coming into this race. as the last blog states, my season hasn't been going well and i've been shaky riding on the road...although the shakiness isn't my fault. My last training ride, i was run off the road by another cyclist (too many potholes, not enough room, but with all my 'cross races guiding me, i got back on the road with just grass stains on my tires) and later "hugged" by JP who was trying to give me a push but only made us bobble. So yeah, poor results + shaken handling skills? Not a good combination. But my friend NW from my cat 4 races returned (from Ireland, lucky girl), a few warmup laps around the course, and reminding myself that "every race is a new race", i relaxed a bit.

At the start line, 10 of the 11 registered lined up. the official began the rules speech and said "Ladies, your race is 60 mins"...meaning to only be heard by NW, i said "can it be shortened?" when heads in front turned sharply to me and FH said with a smile "we are definitely not shortening it!". Ok, oops. Oh and lined up with the xXx squad? An Olympian track athlete. Whoa.

The race started without any commotion, even the announcer started yelling to get us revvvved up. next lap, he tried something else and that was a prime...for socks. but it worked and the pace picked up. i didn't plan on going for any primes, i just wanted to hang on, but i found myself in 2nd position and thought "hey why not" but i didn't give it my all and was easily beaten by GN, the track star. Soon after, an attack allowed GN, FH, and TF to breakaway. As much as i wanted and tried to go with them, it didn't happen. As soon as i caught the end of that break, my stomach was in my throat, i felt lightheaded and like i was vibrating. i swear, i was about to throw up on my bike. I thgt "thats it, my race is over" and started soft pedalling. i was so mad as the rest of the riders gave chase...i looked back and saw the last rider coming and decided the least i could do is grab that wheel and finish. But just a bit of draft was all i needed. I still felt shaky for a few more laps but made my way back up. For the rest of the race, i didn't let anyone get away. I was still mad that i lost the winning break b/c i knew it was going to happen. The three ended up lapping us, with only GN and FH continuing to pedal away. TF kept attacking near the start/finish line and even though she had 3rd guaranteed, there were other xXx riders in the pack and i wanted the next best spot, 4th. The announcer threw out more primes to the pack, but honestly, i barely noticed. I was watching the other riders, waiting for the next attack and i even planned one out with 2 other riders. It didn't stick, but it was awesome trying. After pulling tons (along with 2 other riders) i backed off the last lap. I had found the best spot to be, coming into the finish, was on the outside, with riders to the left gave some shelter. I made sure to stay on someone's wheel for as long as possible; i was tired and i didn't know how much sprint i had left. Around the curve, everyone just went. I pulled off CS's wheel and thgt "i got 4th!" but then saw BC's sprint kicking in and i went after her. Similar to the Winfield Crit, BC and i fought for the spot all the way to the line, but this time she took it by a wheel. Get it? 9th place vs 10th place...4th place vs 5th place...the title? get it? good.

Really good race, really tough even though DH, KM, and JP weren't there and I took home my best USCF placing of the season and my first ever prime ($50! can't beat that!)

Oh how I love to throw my bike...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:27:00 +0000

I really do, but unfortunately I rarely get the chance. I haven't hidden the fact that my racing hasn't been going as well as i hoped; while i've been able to find the bright side in most of my races, these past few weeks have been really hard. "i need to sulk for awhile" was repeated lots.

Since Joe Martin, i've done six. Of those, only two count in my head as good races. Of the entire season so far? i think i've had 3 good races. looking at the math...i've done close to 20 races already. wow. didn't even realize that until now...Since this entry has the potential of being a book, i promise to try to:::focus::: and just do quick entries.

Monsters: cat 3 race, 30 mins + 1 lap (i think)

Love the monsters course, completely flat, 4 corners, rectangle shaped. usually a headwind on one section. last year, i came in about 14 in the cat4s, i stayed with the pack for the entire race, but got pinched on the 3rd turn (stupid inside corner) and couldn't make up the ground. This time around, i promised myself, i would not get in that position. Throughout the race, i moved around, but always with the pack. at one point, i did try to catch an attack but instead of making a 2 person paceline, i ended up just bringing the rest of the riders with me. oh well. (my 'cross friend Lindsay entered this race and was i impressed when she crashed 2 laps to go and then just jumped back in. that girl is tough!) Down the back straightaway, i find myself on the inside track. What the hell?! No way...i can't move, i've got people all around me. i look back...wait, can it be? There's no one...i tap my brakes, move right and straight up the right hand side. I get behind MP in 3rd position. It comes down to the final sprint, xXx rider took the pull in the final 2 turns w/ MP and me following. While we tried a lead out, i had to move around and start my sprint (too) early. I managed to take 4th. This is one of my good races.

Memorial Wknd Racing (Iowa/Illinois)

Ok, my first time doing these races, i felt good. 2 races in the 1/2/3 field and 1 in the newly added 2/3s. I was really excited for that one! Plus monsters went well, right? Well...in neither of the three races did i do anything remotely race report worthy but here it goes...

The first race, in Melon City, was so hard. Yes, it was hilly and yes it was fast, but seriously? why was it that hard? I don't know. The only good thing about the course was the speed bump...leading up to the race, i had visions of high speed car chasings on the streets of San Fran but in reality? So much fun, i got air on every lap! But, sadly, i was pulled with 2 laps to go. Didn't even get a place on the finish list. Went back to the Illinois border (after searching high and low for a mystery mall b/c the Garmin took us to an deserted parking lot and the Starbucks barista gave us the opposite directions...), my awesome friend Ran and i went searching for Thai food. Apparently sunday night in the Quad Cities gives you three options 1) Bennigans, 2) Pub/bar food or 3) italian buffet. We opted for #1. Quad Cities 2/3: bad. just bad. 8 corners, basically flat and just fast fast fast. I got dropped basically at the start line. Sure i couldn't clip in (again) and there was an attack from the start (again), but seriously, at this point, i feel as though i should at least be able to stay with the pack for a little while. The officials did let me finish this one, but i did get lapped and i did come in WAY last. And yes, it was actually embarassing to hear my name from the announcers. by dawn's suggestion, next time i'm bringing a bull horn to yell back at the announcers. Quad Cities 1/2/3: yeah, really dreading this race. relaxed for a bit in the hotel before heading back down and wandering the streets with Ran. We went to this cafe that advertised "massage lotions" and "panini sandwiches"...with advertising like that, who isn't going to be curious?! Turned out to be a great place though and we had a good lunch. 40 mins til race time, i hop on the trainer. My legs were really hurting, i needed a long warm up. i had a good position at the start and managed to clip in. i stuck with the pack for 1 lap. yes, 1 lap. sad. at the 22 lap mark, i got pulled. I guess when the officials saw i would soon be lapped for the 2nd time, i was out of contention. I didn't really understand what was wrong. I've put the work in, i've gotten stronger and i'm getting dropped by everyone and their grandparents. My poor family/friends/etc who had to deal with me sulking for the rest of the week...

ABD Twilight/ABR Nat'l Champs

Yeah, i really didn't want to race. i was so upset and still sulking from the previous weekend. on my wed ride, i just sighed for the first 15 mins. i can't remember the last time i just didn't want to be on my bike. but thats the thing, no matter how many times the fun is sucked out and is a disappointing day, in the back of my head i know i'll be at the next race. i may still sigh at the beginning, but i'll be there. Twilight didn't go well...my first time racing this course, it starts with a curve to an uphill. you think it'll finish at the top/the left hand turn, but you actually continue to climb. A dowhill to a right turn, more down to a left and another left, back to the start finish to do it all over again. I remember liking this course when i practiced it last year, but i definitely didn't like it saturday. an attack on the first climb dropped me. i worked with 2 other riders for most of the race, but lost a spot on the final sprint b/c i tapped my brakes while she pedaled through. I tried to slingshot out of the corner, but when you don't really have a jump and the other rider does, you just try to make the best of it. I came in 11th. Nat'l Champs oh jeez...my nemisis aka the hill. first race course i'd ever done back in 2005 in the citizen women cat. i took 3rd and walked away with a powerbar tshirt. i also experienced my first crash and my first free lap/getting thrown into the pack (all within the first minute of the race!). yes, i'm an overachiever. Got there early, and was surprisingly sore so i took a longer warmup. the course has 4 corners, the 2nd leading into the hill that starts as a false flat into the first half of the steep hill, a slightly flatter section and then UP into turn 3. a fast downhill into turn 4, into the final straightway (or as the announcers called it "the longest sprint in the WORLD!"). I was not looking forward to this. getting dropped really takes the fun out of racing and my track record here wasn't keeping me positive. My plan, don't get dropped, stay in the front. At the whistle, i couldn't clip in (but on rides? i'm like 99 for 100 perfect. ugh) but i got it and pushed it for the pack. No way am i getting dropped this early. after turn 1, i moved to the right side and stayed there til we approached the hill. i decided to move up the right side, lightened the gears and moved to the front of the pack to take the pull into the next 2 turns and down the straightaway. it felt so good to lead the first lap. i kept moving around for the first half of the race, always trying to be in the front on the hill in case an attack occured, i'd only lose a couple of spots rather than getting dropped completely. it worked until a second attack on the downhill happened and i just couldn't make up the ground. I end up riding by myself for awhile, but i can still see the 2nd pack so i'm working hard. All i end up doing though is catching a xXx rider on the final lap. Coming down the hill, i'm in the draft but its slow and i'm worried i'll lose her if she jumps so i decide to go. i keep dropping gears, telling myself "she's coming" b/c i swear i hear her and i swear i see her shadow getting closer and closer. i see the announcers stand and the start/finish line and i hear xXx click another gear. Crap. I'm not going to lose this now...i use my last gear, stand up, lean back and threw my bike. love it. I don't even know how close the other rider was. it could've been my imagination that her wheel was next to mine...the first question i asked (as i'm still gasping for breath) was "did i get my place?!" b/c even if i was wrong, i'll never believe we didn't fight for that place. it was a 9th vs 10th not 1st vs 2nd but the way things have been going lately, i'll take it. For now.

I really tried to keep this short. as you can see, the way i feel about my ride/race is directly proportional to the length of the race report. a couple of months into the season, i'm not where i want to be and i'm not even sure why. yes i've been picking hard races, but who wants to be good at easy races? nice for the ego, maybe, but until you're up against riders from places like texas, colorado, oklahoma, or california, that 15 min crit isn't going to do much good. I've got a couple of off weeks coming up, mainly b/c i'm tried of the driving and the next IL race was cancelled, but there might be a kentucky race next weekend. for now, its back to HCs and PTs workouts, lets try and get those watts back up.

The quest for butter ... (Joe Martin Part 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:02:00 +0000

Jessi and Sue finally sat down for dinner, after riding 34 miles, being caught in the eye of the storm and then continuing to race uphill before the next tornado came in, a big problem arose. Breakfast didn't start until 630am and we raced at 8am. Tune in now for The Quest for Butter...

Our race fuel was in jeopardy. We had found out that breakfast wasn't served until 630 and that would really be pushing it. Without our plate of hashbrowns, the next option was bagels. Plain bagels wouldn't do and while sour cream is apparently an option, the J's first choice was butter. We happened upon a Walgreens and we were able to rest well knowing catastrophe had been avoided. (The next morning, we were awaken to smells of hashbrowns and biscuits...apparently brekkie came early that morning and the butter wasn't necessary...)

Loaded up the car, headed the 1.5 miles to the crit course. A short 25 mins of racing on a 1.1 mile course with one large hill, one awesome descent, some slighty more than false flats, and lots of turns, i couldn't wait. It was really chilly (40 degrees) and windy (hmm...was there a tornado the previous morning?) and i opted for pants...except i left them in the hotel. darn it! Oh and i had one full fingered glove. I did have my huge 'cross gloves but decided it wasn't necessary. I would regret that after standing at the start line for 15 mins. But anyway, cold and wind aside, i was excited for this race. I love crits and ones with hills are even better. Got J set to roll out and warm up, and now its my turn to get ready. Its only 715...plently of time. Or not, the next thing i hear is the announcer saying "5 mins to race time! course is closed!" WHAT?! Ok, so pedaled around for like 2 secs, headed to the start line, J's already there. We line up next to each other, complain about the cold, check out who is in the field. 5 mins pass...10 mins pass...i see the clock by the announcer say 815. What is going on? I so could've used that extra 15 mins to warmup. Finally, the officials say the course is clear and "LADIES, ARE YOU READY?!" Yes.

Except i'm not. Gun goes off, one rider attacks from the start. I push off...clip in...wait, clip in...my pedal smacks into the back of my leg...push it around, finally get the foot in and i'm done. The other riders took off on that attack and i'm struggling just to catch the last rider. I still can see the pack in front and i think that maybe if i catch on to a couple of riders, the hill will slow the front down and we could get back. Try as i may, i did pass a few riders, said outloud "lets work together, we can get 'em!" but i didn't have anyone on my wheel. while it would have been easier just to stay on someone's wheel, i wasn't going to give it...yet. I had overheard someone the day b4 tell one of their teammates "Don't give up! This is your moment and you'll never have this one moment again! PUSH IT!" and this is what i heard in my head. Granted my race was done, i wasn't going to catch the front pack, but i drove all the way to AR, rode the crazy hills and this was the last stage of the race. Crappy circumstances, but at least i know i rode as well as i could with it.

One positive though to my finishing is that the officials pull us one lap b4 the front pack was to come in. B/c of this, i got to see J in a sprint finish and take 3rd place. She finished with a GC of 10th and I finished 29th. It was a lot of fun, i look forward to this race again next year just i could do without the tornados...

More carbs...less fiber...(Joe Martin part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:34:00 +0000

You last saw Jessi and Sue speeding down rural Arkansas roads, cringing at the sound of quarter-sized hail pounding the Jeep. We now rejoin the two cyclists watching the Weather Channel trying to predict whether the TT is still on...

At 1pm, the tornado warning was still in effect. J and I had our TTs around 530...while J was desperately awaiting the warning to be cancelled, i really wouldn't have minded if the TT was the one to be cancelled. 2.5 miles, majority uphill with an average of a 6.8% grade. Not my idea of fun. In the meantime, i was forced to drink a protein concoction that in one word was "vile" (i have since bought my own container of protein mix...the things i do...) and then just took a nap, falling asleep to the beeps that was the tornado warnings.

A couple of hours later, we head out into the sunlight and humidity, to a dry Arkansas. It was as if the last few hours had never happened. We drive out to Devils Den and it was so pretty. I didn't think I'd make this comparison, but it reminded me of Waipio Valley in Hawaii. Just gorgeous. The drive down the curvy roads/switchbacks and steep decents was so fun, but in the back of head, i thgt "i have to ride up this? on a bike?"...a few minutes later, we parked and began our warm up. J said we had to ride for an hour...i don't think i've ever done an hour warmup. But, J says, S does. Simple as that.

TT: 2.5 miles. 680 ft of climbing. Seemed so small compared to the 1500ft of climbing from the RR. Nevertheless, i would rather have ridden the RR course multiple times than do the TT. I don't like TTs in the first place, and while i will admit that i never became bored...mainly b/c i was concentrating on not falling over...this was painful. a slow cadence, the smallest gear on my bike, and people zipping by (lucky ones who finished the course already) made this 2.5 miles take forever. I had asked a rider who had done this b4 to "take pity on a little chicago girl" and asked for advice. I was told that once i saw the "horse" sign to give it all i had b/c i was almost done. i was never so happy to see a horse crossing sign, but i did just that. once again, it went as well as i probably could have expected, but nothing to really get all excited about. But J? She was awesome and took 4th...and was only a minute off Laura Van Gilder's time. (She finished the day in 9th overall GC!)

After a quick change, we headed out for a much deserved dinner and to walk the crit course. I couldn't wait til the next morning b/c it was the crit that was calling my name. plus it had a hill...in a crit is the only time i will admit i like hills. Repeating the mantra J taught me "more carbs ... less fiber..." we headed to dinner and to discuss the following morning...

to be continued...

The Joe Martin...(part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Forewarning, this might be a long blog...

This race has been on my mind to do for a long time. Granted i haven't been racing for all that long, but the statement "i have wanted to race Joe Martin ever since i started racing" is true. I don't know if there is some sort of bike conspiracy list out there, but i swear, from the moment i bought my entry-level, sora/tiargra component combo Trek, i started receiving race ads...Joe Martin being the first. I remember b/c i thought "Arkansas? Thats so far away!" Little did i know that like 2.5 short years later, that driving distances would be relative to the level of racing excitement and i'd be saying "its only 10 hours away!"

Coming closer to the actual stage race, I didn't realize the level of racing that is the Joe Martin. Maybe it was an intentional blind eye or just laziness, but i signed up, wrote it down in my calendar, took the time off of work, and that was that. Check the map? Nah. Read old race reports? Nah. Look at elevation and climbing levels? Why? We'll find out when we get there, right? I was really excited for this race, i was being realistic about the road race but at the same time its only 34 miles. a TT in hilly AR, but its only 2.5 miles! A crit with the 3/4s that beat me up in St. Louis? Oh come on, its only 25 mins. I really live in a delusional world...

Planning changed quite a bit in the last week b4 JM, but in the end, Jessi and I headed down to Fayetteville AR the day b4 the stage race was to begin. After checking in at registration, and going through our goody bag, the newly Old Spiced Jessi (aka James) headed to this little Italian place called Pesto Cafe. I was taught a lot on the ride down, for example, pre-race dinner? "More carbs, less fiber". Pre-race brekkie? The apparently race fuel is a plate full of hashbrowns. Oh, and no dairy...but Jessi allowed me a little milk in my coffee. She's very sweet. After checking the "Race Bible", we headed to the registration tent in order to do Jessi's rollout. At the parking lot, the bikes are put together, check, we pin numbers and the whole ordeal just to find out that we parked in the wrong lot and that our start line/registration is 11 miles away. Hmmm...not really what the RB said, but ok. Bikes thrown back in the car and we sped away down some rural AR roads. Once again, bikes out, etc etc...Jessi and i realize we have one bottle of water. I started walking around asking and luckily the wheel truck brought a container. Time for our warm up...i say "did i forget anything...oh i don't know, but i'll figure it out, lets go"...J starts giving me some tips on various things like tailwinds, etc, when i look over at her and say "J? Do you realize that i'm wearing my helmet?" with a look of surprise, she says "well, i do now!" and i quickly turn around, ride back and then start walking as soon as the officials are within sight. Start time in 10 mins.

RR: 34 miles...the field is made up of 3/4 women and Masters 40+ for a total of about 45 women (?) Large all things considering and i was really looking forward to it. the hills were intimidating and i didn't know what i was getting myself into, this being my first trip to AR, but still...34 miles with a large field. Well, the race went decently, i stayed in the front until the first real acceleration, which wasn't a long time, but this is what i expected. Curious about the course? Lots of hills. I can't really say much more than tough climbs, good pavement, and AWESOME decents. I was dropped pretty easily by the main field (which later broke up into 3 groups). A few of us stragglers finally got together and started pacelining. Looking at the result sheets and the times, we weren't far from the 3rd group, but the organization of our little group probably came a bit too late (even tho we definitely made up time coming in). I know I was muttering about the hills and one rider countered with an enthusiatic "Welcome to Arkansas!"...yes, what a way to experience my first trip there...

After the RR, Jessi and i attempted to ride back to the car. Within about 2 miles, i was like "i'm about ready to walk" and J says "if you do, i will too...". that was all the encouragement i needed and i hopped off. a bit of rain started and one of the race organizers pulled up and offered us a ride to the car. the bikes wouldn't fit so J stayed back and we drove off. Some thunder and more rain later, i'm finally speeding away to get J. Another organizer sat w/ J in a nice fancy sports car and as soon as i got there, we threw the bikes in the back, jumped in the car and BAM the hail started! it was so loud, the rain got heavier, the roads started flooding and by the time we got back to the hotel, the weather channel told us about the torando warning in effect. yup, big storms and tornados in AR that day, and the TT scheduled for that afternoon was in question...

blog to be continued...

Yes.

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:14:00 +0000

My answer to a race? Always yes. I love to race, even when its a terrible finish or a race riddled with mistakes and mechanicals, there's no better way to spend a day. So when my friend Dawn (who is unfortunately moving to Miami and later South America soon...don't you feel so bad for her?...please note the sarcasim) invited me to the Tour of St. Louis, to spending the entire weekend racing, I had to go.

Once again, i felt Chicago late. The initial plan is to leave around 3pm, beat the traffic, get in early and maybe even sleep. 7pm rolls around and i still have to make my usual Whole Foods stop. 4-5 hours of driving, i can get in around midnite, eh thats plently of time. the rain was really pouring most of the way...i was tempting to stop in peoria for the nite, but with only 2 hours left of the drive and it was only 10pm, it just seem easier to keep going. I also spent a good amount of the drive trying to figure out where this sense of deja vu was coming from as i passed the ISU farms, various malls, etc (wasn't until i saw the sign for Litchfield that i remember, oh right, Hillsboro like less than a month ago...). Got to the hotel about midnite but for some reason i have a tendency to watch something (anything really) on TLC to 2am on race weekends...i don't know why...

Saturday (Race 1): 60 min + 5 lap crit, changed to 50 mins + 5laps b/c the officials were running late. i had woken with some hip pain, but just figured i slept wrong. I was given a warning that Team Revolution would be the team to watch since they had 6 in the field. Ok, makes sense. The course itself was a loop in a park, two hills, two-ish descents and i think about a mile in length. This didn't seem bad, i've done longer races before and i was feeling pretty good. then the attacks started. i hung on for the most part, stuck with the group on the climbs and just conscentrated on watching TR. with a small field of 9 riders, you kind of had no choice but to go with the attacks otherwise you're off the back and not in contention. TR would send one rider out and another following a counterattack. each time the attacker was brought back, another attack would go. the other ladies would then slow down the rest of the field and i can't even count the number of times i was either blocked or pinched in a turn. good tactics on their part, obvious lack of knowledge on mine. speed wise, i was fine with this race but i have a lot to learn about racing this caliber of rider(s). i finished 7th.

Saturday (Race 2): 9 mile TT in a nature conservatory. the road was awesome...recently paved, very little in the way of hills (stand up, couple of pedal strokes and its done). wind was minimal (at least if you consider the ABD TT in Maple Park...monster wind). After napping (and getting a sunburn) in the car in btw races, i rode fairly well. my legs were hurting from this mornings race lesson and that stupid pain in my hip came back, but overall my ave speed was a bit of 21mph (vs my last TT which was 19) and i pushed myself that last .6 mile at 25 mph...didn't think i could do that and it wasn't as hard as i had expected it to be. i really have to get over this mental issue and realize i'm stronger than i presume to be.

Sunday (Race 3): another crit, once again shortened to 50mins + 5laps. The course was in a park again (such a beautiful area in St. Louis!) this time much more flat with 2 short but windy hills. TR was out again in full force, this time attacking from the start line. I tried going w/ each attack and even caught the attacker at one time, but when the 2nd attack from the field came, i just dropped back and hung on. there was lots of blocking and lots of attacks. 2 riders got away from the group and there didn't seem to be much attempt to catch them from the rest of us. I noticed various possible times and just wished i had a team with me. I took the pull a good amount, but more so b/c i had trouble getting away. attacks on the hills, attacks on the flats, attacks on attacks, i even said out loud "you gotta be kidding me!!!". About 30 mins in, my leg just cramped up, from hip to knee. Is this the IT band coming back to haunt me? I just couldn't push the pedal to stay and i dropped back. It still hurt to pedal, but i was going to at least finish this thing. I came across a Big Shark rider (turns out i rode with her and her sister at Superweek last year) and we worked other. The riders were still in sight, i figured we could do this. a lap later, she tells me she'll try and help me but she doesn't think she could keep my pace for very long (whoa! i'm setting the pace?!) i tell her i'm not going to drop her, let me know if she falls off...a couple of laps later, i'm glad i made that decision, b/c its obvious my race is over, its just time to finish. We still rode hard, and i just tried to work on a few things (like excellerating in the drops, pedalling thru the corners, pushing my speed in the wind). the leaders came around and i told BS to make sure she gets on...i jump back into the group and finish with them the last few laps. I took 8th.

So lets see...my results? pretty crappy. the racing? it for sure a learning experience. TR did come over and apologize...they were using these races to practice for their upcoming GA racing...yup, turns out most of the TR riders were part of their elite squad. Wow. I've never ridden with riders like this, and definitely the most difficult racing i've ever done (and i'm including superweek). I saw team tactics and had it used against me. i pushed myself and noticed how far i've come since the previous year. Granted, i've got the brace back on my right leg and hopefully i can get this recovered before Joe Martin. But all in all? It was a great weekend, got some tough racing in and met some really great people. as i was driving home, i was thinking about how glad i am that monday is a rest day...until i saw the exit for batavia and thgt "i can't wait for my next ride...". See? Always yes.

Down in kentucky...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:12:00 +0000

I drove down to Kentucky this past weekend to help my sister get settled and decided to take in a race since she'd be working and otherwise i'd just be on the trainer...for 3 hours. Lets see, drive 6 hours to kentucky to sit on a trainer or race saturday morning? not a hard decision...

Fallen Heros Circuit - Womens open
I can't say this is my first open race, but i swear, everytime i get up there, its so exciting like its my first one. i checked out my competition the week before online with results and such and i knew there would be at least one cat 1 and a bunch of 2,3,4s. thats definitely a lot of high caliber riders! the course itself was a 3.1 mile loop, in a park (no cars! yes!) with uphills, a false flat, more uphill, a downhill, back up, more false flats...you get the picture. lots of hills. Nothing crazy like Hillsboro, but interesting b/c i don't think there were any true flats. A 45 min race, knocked down to 30mins, but ended up being about 40mins long...

With a motorcycle leading the way (the course, while in a park and away from cars, was still open to pedistrans, who surprisingly got out of the way for an approaching cyclist...you don't see that often in chicago), we headed to the first climb. A curvy uphill, to a less steep section, a bit more up, into a false flat. I was keeping up with the riders and i told myself to stay in the draft. This was really hard to do b/c i wanted to get the hill over with asap, but i managed for the most part. i watched the cat1 rider b/c i knew she had won of the races in this series and i knew that if and when she took off, that would be the winning break. for a majority of the race, the riders stuck together. a few attacks on the uphills, lots of speed on the dowhills broke up the group into 3. With one lap to go, there was 7 of us. I didn't realize i was in the main pack until i made a big mistake. two riders broke away, including the cat1, and i wanted to go with them. i attempted to make the bridge and was only about 2 bike lengths behind when we hit an uphill. instead of falling back to have someone fresh take the pull, i took it. by the time i hit the top, those 2 riders were gone from sight (not necessarily a bad thing b/c it was just loopy and you couldn't see them), but i had fallen from the front to a bike length behind the 2nd group. i worked hard to catch up (yeah, got over my fear of the decents real quick) and bridged up to the 2 riders (with group 2 in tow). when i looked back, i saw we had dropped the other half of the starting riders. i saw an opening to get behind the cat 1 rider and i thgt i wasn't going to let them get away again. up another hill, one i mistakingly took to be the last hill, a cat2 rider attacked and i attempted to stay with her. i should have stayed in line and let someone else go...so, the same 2 riders that previously broke away did it again and this time i couldn't catch up. i had fallen behind again and thats when the last and longest hill showed up. i fell behind the 2nd group again and i didn't have enough road to catch up again.

In the end, i took 7th out of 14, but also first in my cat. it was a fun and different course. i have to stop making those mistakes b/c its not the first time, but then again, how will i know what i can and can't do unless i try? hows that for justification?

I also ran into someone who knew exactly where my club is, which is surprisingly since i was in kentucky. i asked him how he knew it was in Illinois and started looking down at my kit and said outloud "does it say illinois?" and thgt "wow, i really should know what my kit says..." but before i could do the "dog chasing its tail" routine, he replied back with "i used to live in wheaton"...

sub 14! Uh, yeah, nevermind...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:38:00 +0000

Sub 14? Ok, how about sub 20? No...? Ok...sub...25?! Jeez, not even sub 30...

So my TT was disappointing. This was my second time doing the 10mile course out in Maple Park, while this was the John Frasier Memorial TT, it is the same course as the ABD Fall Fling. I looked at my time last year and thinking (logically, i'd hoped) that with all this training, i should at least better my time and i set a goal of 27 mins...

The TT course is pretty straight forward, the only real question is whether or not the wind will play a factor and by how much. I got a late start time so i assumed the wind would be stronger but on the off set, i'd have a stronger tailwind. Yesterday, it seemed more like a continuous crosswind that was stronger on the way out, but no true tailwind. Lots of flat, some small bumps, a couple of curves, and one turn around.

I chatted with a couple of people to find out what the wind was like. I was told its tough going out but much easier coming in. I was also told to sweep the turn around, but regardless of how much room i get, i swear, i pratically come to a stop on turnarounds. I noticed everyone was starting the TT in the big chain ring and a large cog. Ok, I'll do that too. I noticed on my warmup that my chain was skipping but i didn't have a chance to fix it. My plan going into this thing was 1) beat last years time...2) ave 21-22mph...3) beat it by 3 mins...4) ride 53/18...5) keep the rpms up, change the gear if necessary...6) get in the drops...7) don't below 18mph ever. Wow, thats a lot to remember.

I didn't beat last years time. I was actually 14 secs slower, which really stinks. Riding out, i was watching my speed and my time. I thgt if i could hit the turn around by 14 or 15 mins, i could make up the time coming back. Problem was the crosswind...i was getting shoved around like crazy. On a couple of the curves, i was zooming thru, thanks to a short tailwind and thgt "yeah, i got this!". At the turn around, it was 16.5 mins. Ok, a little longer than i had wanted, but while 27 was my goal, the most important was beating last year. Heading back for the second half, my speed definitely increased, as well as my rpms. i actually dropped a couple of gears. Funny thing is that i felt let i was getting pushed around even more. but then i hit that curve (with the nice tailwind...?) that was now a headwind. Crap. It was terrible, i lost goal number 7 and i remember seeing 14, which just made me angry and i brought it back to 16/17 (never seeing that 18 again until i was near the end of the curve). With just under 3 miles to go, its only at 21 and i think its still possible. But the time was passing faster than the miles...i pushed it as hard as i could for the last 2 miles, knowing that while my time was going to be bad at least i could go home knowing i didn't completely give up.

I took last in my cat, 14 sec slower than last year. While i would like to blame the skipping chain or even the rib injury, i know it wasn't that. i just didn't ride well. according to the powertap, my watts looked more like a hilly road race than an almost flat TT. while i can't really pinpoint what was wrong, besides my usual weaknesses, there were a couple of positives. I believe my watts were higher, the 10miles seemed to go faster than i previously remember and i was hitting some speeds on the flats that i hadn't done b4. I'm happy with my ride back to the finish (minus that stupid curve) and i'm ok with the ride out, i just think i could have done better.

with that said, its over with. on to the next race!

I drove 4 hours to Hillsboro and all i got...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:14:00 +0000

was a sunburn. yes, a sunburn! turns out 25th place isn't even enough for a "i particpated" ribbon, but spending 2.5 hrs outdoors on a sunny 50 degree day isn't anything to complain about...

i headed down to Hillsboro right after my day job friday. one cup of coffee stop and one emergency detour to a bike shop put me on the road at 830pm. the following morning looked to be a good weather day. lining up w/ the rest of the womens open riders, i was once again nervous and i still had some rib issues. it was nice to have jessi and marylin up there, but still...32 riders (by my last count) was 30 more than my last race and this was a much tougher course...with a neutal start out to the rural roads, a couple of uphills and descents lead to more flat roads, lots of wind, some gravel roads, some shorter hills, back towards town to hit the 2 big climbs, into another descent that lead to bricks and back to the start/finish line. Each lap = 22 miles and my cat had 2 laps.

my plan for this race was to stay near the front for the climbs. hills and i, we don't have the greatest relationship. i figured if i could stay towards the front, i'd only drift toward the middle, rather than starting in the back and end up getting dropped. sounded good, but didn't work out right. for some odd reason, the descents put some fear into me and instead of trying to gain some ground, i was getting passed. before i knew it, i was starting the climbs near the back . About halfway thru the 1st lap, i ended up getting dropped, but still had the pack in sight. i caught on with a stl trek rider and said we should work together. a few miles later, we caught up with two more, an iscorp (yvonne) and a mack (katie). mile after mile, we just continued to paceline and at the 15 mile mark, a lady yelled out "just 7 more to go!" not really, we had 7 more miles til we started the 2nd lap. coming up to the big climbs, we caught on w/ another two riders (team revolution and kenda). i almost turned the wrong way b/c i swear the course marshall was pointing left, but maybe it was b/c i saw the hill ahead...like i said b4, hills and i just don't get along and my idea is to just get it over with as fast as possible. i would pull away from the paceline at this point, not to intentionally breakaway, but not realizing i was going faster. at the top of the 2nd hill, i wondered out loud "what am i doing here, i hate hills" to which K said "then why are you charging up every single one?!" I was?

Heading down towards the bricks, i was still nervous about the descent. we didn't paceline much on the bricks, but all started working together again once we passed the start/finish line. I said outloud "one to go!" but either no one heard me or didn't think it was funny, but it made me laugh. the womens cat4 was coming back in as we headed out and i yelled out to Dawn and Gina (who finished 25th and 26th!). on the first descent, i got my nerve back up and just took off...but then no one was behind me? we were coming to the first uphill, i slowed up and got back in line. Once out on the road again, we got organized by TR and Kenda...we started an echelon (which i've only attempted once b4 and i pretty much messed it up) but it was great to actually have it work! Our 6 person paceline worked well together for the most part and the 2nd lap seemed to go a lot faster. Around the 12 mile mark, we dropped two riders, but picked up another TR. She worked with us for awhile, but then it was back to the four (me, Y, TR, and Kenda). There was some talk about when to we would stop this teamwork for the final sprint. I voted for after the bricks, but found out later it was decided to be at the top of the 2nd big climb. I started to feel some pain in my side and my breathing was getting short, but i was almost done, i could deal w/ that later. Coming closer to the 1st big climb, i asked if anyone would notice if we just turned left and made a grand show of a final sprint...someone replied that maybe we could get past the officials, but then the other cats coming the opposite way might notice. Eh, probably right. So we climbed. Once again, i just tried to get over the hill...again, another comment made about slowing down for the paceline. me? since when do i need to slow down?

At the top of the 2nd climb, Y took off with TR close behind? i was confused, i thgt this wasn't happening til after the bricks, but i had heard wrong. ok, time to stop worrying about the descent and i went after them. i caught up to TR and attempted to catch Y, but wasn't able to. i finished 2nd in our group and 25th in my cat.

So, overall, this race surprisingly enjoyable. the bright spots? 1) well, jessi took 5th! i didn't see the final results of the other cats, so i'm unsure of the other ABDers. 2) the 44 miles went by quicker than i expected, the weather was great, and the race was very well run. the hills were challenging but not as difficult as i imagined. while my goal was to stay with the main pack, i was glad that i didn't get dropped completely and ended up working together with some really good riders. a lesson in echelons, pacelining, and communication...getting in the drops and attempting to go aero...not completely hating the hills...and of course some advil for my ribs...

Its like ice...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:39:00 +0000

Yes, i'm complaining about the cold. Yes, i've grown up in chicago, i vacation in colo during the winter, and i've raced in ice/sleet/snow but this past weekend, its been cold! Starting with two days of 60 degree weather, which of course i couldn't take advantage of b/c of my day job, the drop to 36(ish) wasn't fun.

Saturday i was told to do a two hour outdoor ride with an easy 130-175 watt goal. Heading out to the lake since i was riding solo (what? no one wants to join me? its supposed to be a whopping 40!), i was excited. i hadn't been on my road bike...actually on the road...since October and the first 15 miles just flew by! i didn't even notice that my ipod for off in the beginning b/c i was just listening to the sound of my tires on the pavement, the switching of the gears, and the cars passing by. a few other bikers were on the path, some random runners, but for the most part it was wide open (will not be attempting this in the summer though, when pedestrians think walking 4 across on the BIKE PATH is normal). It was just amazing to be outdoors, riding, again. my turn around would be whenever the powertap said 1hr...but until then, just time to enjoy...and go fast of course. At the 1hr mark, i did finally turn around. i thgt i was awesome, 40 degree? pssshh, thats nothing. 175w...eh, i pushed it higher. "Climbs"? lets see if we can hit 500...550...600?! But maybe i forgot about my old training partner, the Chicago Wind. Oh my goodness...it pushed me backwards and sometimes sideways! 14mph and i'm hitting over 200w?! what the hell!? i think that was the longest hour of my life and the coldest! I had to stop a few times to try and warm up, once by a large heating duct and another near a bathroom just to get out of the wind! My feet were like giant slabs of ice and each time i stopped, my body temp dropped so quick that i just decided to suck it up since it was only getting worse. Took me 10 mins longer to get back to the start point, and i just shivered and turned my car into a sauna. (btw, temp when i got back? 35) but still, it was wonderful to be out there again...

Sunday, i had two choices: race in WI or repeat sat's workout. Ok, i just said it was wonderful, amazing, etc...but no way was i going to do another frigid 2hr ride vs a 45 min race. And of course, ITS A RACE. i mean, its what i'm working so hard for and what i'm so addicted to. It was my first outdoor race in my new cat so i was excited and nervous at the same time. there was only one other rider in my cat, but luckily the officials started us all together. in that weather, with 1/2 of the course in the wind, thats just awesome. My warmup consisted of 2 laps and running back to the car. the thermal jacket stayed on (along with my 3 other layers and 2 pairs of gloves...does this sound crazy to anyone?!). The course itself was easy, no real corners (ie 90 degrees) but more sweeping. Lots of bumps and holes, but it was a wide road so not too bad. one straightaway was into the wind with a slight incline and two crosswind areas and then the one "easy" straightway with a tailwind and slight decline...

Weather reports called for sunny and high 40s. Actual weather? wind, 36 degrees, mostly cloudy and the sun came out after my race. the field itself was btw 15-20, mostly cat 4s. the other rider in my cat is fast, i've seen her race b4 and i just figured i was going to get 2nd. with my recent upgrade, i just didn't want to get dropped completely, esp in this weather. i opted out of the booties b/c i'm not a fan of racing in those bulky ones i have, but i was regreting that just sitting at the start line when those ice slabs came back! i made friends with this girl Molly after her teammates (very lively so early in the morn) made a huge ruckus trying to warm her up. it was too funny so i asked her who was her very energetic team. New to the sanctioned family of racing and a cat 4, she was a definite ally. Within the first couple of laps, the group split into three...when the other rider took off, i wasn't ready and still cold. i knew if i attempted to bridge, i'd be setting myself up to hit a wall just end up riding alone in this cold wind. In a group of 6, molly and a track rider sarah did a lot of the work, molly esp into the wind. the other three drafting a lot in the beginning and i was sick of it. even after taking my turn pulling i would try and get off, but they would just follow me left and right. I finally had to stop pedalling. at one point, i caught up to molly and told "don't pull into the wind, the others need to do some work" (btw i just read "The Rider" by Krabbe and whenever i tried to get the others to pull, the whole debate he had was in my head and i was so worried that someone would sprint past me and i wouldn't be ready...made me at least soft pedal). Finally, they started doing their share of the work. I starting thinking about where i was going to make my move. Granted my 2nd place was guarenteed, but i didn't want to come in last in the cat 4s when i'm officially in a higher cat. i figured 2 laps to go...i wanted to tell molly since she was pretty strong and with all the work she did, she deserved a high placing in her cat. but there was no chance to say anything w/out the others hearing. i just hoped she would catch on...coming around turn 4, into the windy section, i took off. the other girls slowed here b4 and i knew it'd be my best chance. up the incline, i pass the 2 lap card and into turn 1. i look back and molly is just 2 bike lengths behind and i can't see the rest of the girls. YES! it worked! I yelled "MOLLY, ARE YOU COMING WITH ME?!", i eased up just a bit and she pushes to catch me. Out of the crosswind, i tell her to take the pull, with one more lap, i didn't want to risk getting tired. She says "Yes madam!" and asked me what cat i am. i tell her that i recently upgraded and she tells me "well, you sure deserve it! you're so strong" (that just made my day!). i then tell her that my spot is fixed but i want to get her to the finish ahead of the other girls. i take the pull once again into the wind, but just slightly slower since there's no real threat at the moment. Around we go, we ride next to each other on the easy side, but i notice a rider making up distance as we go into turn 4. I tell molly "we got one coming!" and take off again...she's got my wheel and finally its the finish line. So i got my 2nd place and took 4th overall. Molly took 3rd place and 5th overall. (btw, final temp: 38)

Good race, i liked the tactics and the planning. i would have loved to keep up with the other rider in my cat, but this just shows me once again how i need to warmup. but overall, a good start to the 08 season!

Looking out the window...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:02:00 +0000

So i'm back at work and instead of really doing anything, i'm looking out the window. While watching a mysterious gray/silver cat (with bright yellow eyes) pounce on an unseen mouse is pretty entertaining, coming back to work after a 2 week vacation is never a good time...

My vacation...1.5 weeks spent in aspen colorado, sounds perfect and most years it is, but this one was an exceptionly painful trip. Why do you ask? Well, 1) the car accident that happened on the 2nd day of the trip and 2) the slam into the catwalk on the 2nd to last day of the trip.

The car accident left the jeep wrecked and undrivable...we hit black ice on the way to taking the dog to the "doggie hotel" and started a 4 car pile up that caused traffic way back in the city...enough that the lodge people were talking about "some accident near the airport"...(we're famous!) Except for some bruises and soreness, everyone is ok and things could have been a lot worse. Later than nite, Cooper also fell into the swimming pool but thanks do his many outings at Montrose Beach, he swam to safety.

So, i played it safe after the accident...afterall, i've got a cycling season to think about...and stayed away from the terrain park and the picnic table i crashed into last year in order to keep myself as injury-free as possible. i even got myself a helmet and new boots this year! Coming down part of the mountain, there's this flat section, a steep downhill, a small uphill and then another downhill leading to a catwalk. Normally, i LOVE catwalks! there's nothing to them, just keep your balance centered and you'll make it across easy. I love to go fast there! This time, i was feeling rather adventurous and didn't slow on the downhills b/c i wanted to go really fast. And this was the one time (in about 4 years, i think) that i lost my balance on the catwalk. A split second loss caused me to slam into the flat ground. I did hit my head and i know i would've had a concussion if not for the helmet (it paid for itself right then and there). I believe i strained my sternum and i have various other strained muscles, on top of the colorful bruising from the accident.

All that aside, the snow was awesome. it was a bit chillier than last year at this time, but with the record snowfalls, it didn't keep many people away. My sis and i also hit the Highlands this year, which in my opinion was scary, but she loved it. Maybe b/c it was a new terrain and there were tons of people that day, i dunno. But we'll definitely head back there next year. I had some good workouts at the gym too, but i also flushed the key to my locker lock down the toilet...good thing they had an extra! Anyway, Aspen/Colorado was awesome as usual, the food (even the Whole Foods in Ft Collins!), the shopping and of course, the terrain...til next year, Colorado!

Up next? My first real outdoor race in the Women's Open cat. oooh!!!

To the mountains...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:11:00 +0000

Less than one month til i hit the mountains. In preparation, i have checked the board (rust free, wax on, stickers? could use some more), checked the pants (nope, not still at the cleaners...surprised to find out they are actually light tan...), checked the boots. Ah, yes, the boots. I have these OLD SCHOOL wave boots, back when all there was were velcroe straps and regular shoe strings. Back when women's specific wasn't even thought of. Back when boots were $70! I decided it was time for new boots, after 8 years, i think i got my money's worth...especially since i would have to constantly stop at the lift and re-tie them. I did my research and got these awesome 07 Burton Boots online for...$71 (including shipping!) but little did i realize how times had changed...

It was a showdown, i tell ya. As the sun was setting, I approached the boot. Sitting there, with its faux-gold B, daring me to try them on. Quickly looking at the boot, i see "upper region" pull cord and "lower region" pull cord. I see another cord inside the boot as well as a velcroe strap and "Customizable Shoe". What??? Looking in the box, there's no instructions. I stupidly ask myself "How do i put my boots on?" but of course no one (or thing) answers. So, i try the physical approach...i yank on the cords, pull out tweezers to get some extra 'omph'...all i manage to do is open the velcroe. So i try the intellectual approach and go online. I found some postings with other poeple asking "how do you put these on?!" and someone said "maybe your feet are too big" (just not as nice). No, thats not the case. So i took the old fashioned approach, sat down and just stared at the boot. Assessing the situation, i imagine how the cord is stiched inside the leather to figure out its path...maybe i'm yanking on the wrong side? No. Following the cord further, i see its not moving in two specific spots...there are teeth that hold the cord in place near the "Upper Region". All you have to do is move it down. I have conquered the Burton Boot.

I know why the MADE kids cry...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:07:00 +0000

I'm a big fan of the show MADE on mTV. I love seeing the random goals that these kids make, meeting their coach, watching as they realize things aren't as easy as it seems and then the moment they think "i can do this!" One thing that always annoyed me was the cry babies, the ones who threaten to quit, throw tantrums, and get their coaches so mad that they themselves want to just throw in the towel. I sit there and think "just suck it up!" b/c they have this oppurtunity that so many poeple in the world will never have, to live their dreams and have someone show them how...but i know now why the MADE kids cry...

Yesterday, i did my first ever PT workout. This stands for pain threshold. I saw this workout on my calendar and i looked at the set up. Intervals of varying levels of watts, increasing along with the gear ratios. Must do 2 sets to fail. Intimidating? Yes. Unreachable? No. After work, i made sure i was ready...powerbar, water + mix, bike set up on the trainer, ipod, fan was on and of course, gum. My first interval consisted of a gearing of 53/19 and a watt of 150. Easy...next interval...easy. Only 8 more to go in this set. Slowly, the minutes ticked by, the gears went lower, the watts and rpms went higher. What the hell, i'm only on interval 3? I struggled through a few more intervals, only able to make it thru 7. On my data sheet, i have FAIL written next to the 300 53/15 level. I didn't feel like i had literally failed, but i couldn't hold it, i was done with that set. just one more to go. A cooldown and a warmup b4 my next set, i kept pedaling.

Checking with the powertap, i see that i'm just about to start my warmup. While changing the gears, i grab my data sheet, read the numbers for the upcoming intervals and i just thought "i really don't want to do this again"...but kept pedaling. during the rest of the next 10 mins, my attitude changed...i got a little choked up...i could feel tears...why this is so freakin hard?! What is wrong with me?! There's no crying in cycling. But at that moment, i felt like i couldn't do it. I wanted my numbers to be so much better, i wanted to pedal faster, to take on more but with each attempt at the intervals, that will was decreasing. Very rarely have I felt like its so hard that i just want to stop, a difference here was there wasn't anyone around to push me like when i ride with my club or head to the gym. Yesterday was definitely the worst. The connection then dawned on me and i told myself what i yell at the TV...SUCK IT UP. You want this, you signed up for this, you brought this on yourself so quit the whining (my dog then looked at me like i had gone mental...which i probably had). Second set had larger increases in watts, so i only got through 5 of them, but ended up at the same gearing as the 1st. After that, i kind of just sat on the couch and starred at the wall. Yes, i do know why the made kids cry...

More logical than walking on it...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:13:00 +0000

Would be racing a bike on it. By "it" i mean snow, ice, mud, gravel and the occasional soccer goal post. Yes, chicago weather did not disappoint and once again, the IL State Champs was held on a snow and ice covered Montrose Beach. This is another race that i've spectated for years and finally, i raced it yesterday. Race six of the 'cross series, i have to say this was the most fun i've had in a 'cross race and definitely tops my favorite race list.

Montrose Beach, IL Champs, 30 mins
The course consisted of two very long run ups (the Montrose hill), separated by riding downhill in really thick snow and ice and a barrier just for fun. After the second run up, you met another downhill that was just pure unadulterated awesome. I didn't touch my brakes on this, stayed in the line created by the earlier races and just flew (well, as much as you can in deep snow :-)). At the base of this, you rode under a soccer post, into a steep but short uphill with some technical turns, down this steep hill, left under a bridge full of gravel to a barrier and another short uphill. A bit of flat into some more technical turns, back down the hill under the bridge (again) but this time into some deeper gravel, back uphill, to a false flat, some more turns, down again, up to a barrier, down into deep snow with a low tree branch, some more turns, back to the straightaway/start finish line, some quick turns and up the hill again...so yeah, basically lots of steep up/downhills, lots of turns, and two large run ups...

I got to the race about 1030...still feeling warm from the car ride, i walked out and thgt "oh, this isn't so bad". I walked the course, watched some of the mens 40+ to see the trouble spots and started shivering. I chatted with a couple of the women's riders and got a sense of the course and decided "yeah, it really is below freezing" and went back to car. I had been wearing so many layers (thermal ones!) that it was tough getting my kit on! I was debating the best way to get a warm up in when my two friends showed up with hot chocolate. They made a very convincing argument and i nixed the warmup to chat and threw on some more socks. I decided against the booties since there was so much ice around, i didn't want to add to it by putting on slick bottoms to my mt. shoes. After finally getting to the line, one rider seemed to be a scene out of Rocky. In a yellow rain slicker, she's jumping around, rubbing her arms, trying to warm up. Up until the last possible minute, the slicker stayed on and her teammates were trying to keep her warm. Hey, whatever works right? I chose to be as close as possible to the bbque grill ...

The official gives us our final instructions. She is looking at her stopwatch, and my fingers start tapping the handlebars. She lifts up the whistle, my foot starts tapping. In my mind, "lets go, lets go..." There's nothing like the anticpation of raceday and especially the last couple of minutes. With a "Have a good race ladies", we're off! The pace started out quick, but slowed very soon after b/c we hit our first set of turns. The men's races had seen some crashes here but with our smaller fields, we were able to slow without any harm. Right away, the field split in half, and i was the last rider in the front pack. LJ, IM, LS, and LH were ahead but not by much. With the first run up, i could still see IM and LE but as expected, LJ took off. My goal for this race was to finish at least 3rd, i wanted a medal. I set my sights on LH first and after about 1.5 laps, i was right behind her. My chance to pass came on the 3rd set of steep up/downhill when she skidded on the deep snow/low branch turn, as she tried to right herself, i yelled out "on your right!" and took off...i heard an "ARGH" but dropped a gear b/c i needed to put some space btw us (I've races LH on the road and track b4) and set my sights on either IM or LS. I wasn't sure who was in 3rd, but i figured IM since i could see her. I needed to make up some space/time and stopped trying to clip in my shoes b4 taking off (seriously, i was having the hardest time just getting clipped in!) and tried to use as much momentum as possible on those uphills. I still haven't gotten the dismount/jump barrier/mount down very well and with the added resistence of the slow, i was even slower than before. The uphill after the deep gravel always gave me problems and i would have to run up half of it. On one of the laps, i caught up to recently upgraded ABDer Gina (congrats on her first 1/2/3s race!) and found some room to pass just before the straightaway, but before getting caught behind a junior who almost caused a crash. Lost some time following him, but couldn't find a spot to move around. Round and round the trees, i passed another womens' rider, but who she was, i had no idea. I could see LS at the top of the run up as i was approaching...could it be? I hadn't seen IM or LJ, but i knew LJ was up front. So coming into the final lap, i had no idea where i was placed but i just rode hard to keep my current position. I took the final long downhill a bit too fast, skidded on the soccer post by managed to stay up right. Didn't use the brakes on the short downhills and added another gear. Still couldn't make it up the one stupid uphill but no matter, its the last lap. Round the turns, i had to majorly slow b/c i was going too fast. A few more skids and a few more close calls with some trees, i cross the finish line and hear "you're done!".

Couple of things. This race was awesome. It was tough, it was techincal, it was fast, it was slow. I was concentrating so much on not falling/skidding, looking for the best lines, and trying to overtake the next rider that i wasn't even paying attention to the time. I saw 16 mins and i saw 35 mins. That was it. I did try to calculate laps after the 16 min mark, but once i saw the first set of turns, math went out the window (sorry mel). The race was over too quick (even though it was prob about 45 mins!) b/c it was so fun. At various places on the course, i would hear people cheering for me by name...of course Ran and Brandon i knew (i do appreciate the silent clapping), Cecile who told me to smile pretty, my mom yelling my full proper name at the top of the hills and even my sister (who later said "that was actually pretty cool" and "can someone train just for this?" could that mean she wants to cyclocross? hmmm)...but there were others too and i don't know who they were b/c i was focusing on the line in front, but it was so great to hear this throughout the course. i had to stop carrying my bike on the runups b/c i was getting this pain from my hip to my knee (it band?) which is hurting pretty bad right now. After the race, some riders congradulated me, including LH who said "yeah, this girl beats me in the crits too..." it was nice to hear that about me, rather than something i would say about another rider. LJ did end up winning the series and the IL Champ, which is so great and she is off to Nationals (good luck!!!). I ended up 4th with LS in 3rd and IM in 2nd. Not bad placing, but a little sad b/c i was one spot off where i wanted to be (and i wanted a medal! and yes, i'm going to pout...just a little). I did a whole lot better this year in 'cross and the competitive bug did bite even though i said "this is just to get me off the indoor trainer." 6 official races, 4 unofficial races, one GC win and one 4th overall, i'd say thats a pretty good season.

Listen up, Lunchbox...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:17:00 +0000

...there's something wrong with me. Seriously. tomorrow is my first at home HC workout, high cadence. According to my calendar, its "to fail" meaning i pedal til i can't pedal no more. i don't like cadence, it hurts my shins (insert whine) but yesterday, after my 1.5 hr ride, i'm like oh, tuesday is HC day and i was so tempted to try a set out, just for fun. This morning, at work, i'm thinking "today is weights and tomorrow is HC!"...driving home "i have to clean and lube the bike, gotta get it ready for HC!!!" ...coming back from weights, i'm about ready to jump out of the car i'm so excited for HC. What is going on? I know, tomorrow, i'm going to call myself an idiot. going to shake my head in disbelief over my own stupidity. but tonight? i wanna ride my bicycle.

oh and i get to go to a legal conference tomorrow. maybe thats another reason for the excitement? just another example of how there's something odd going on? but i haven't completely gone crazy. Today, as i was driving in traffic (55 mins to go 15 miles. ridiculous), i was *almost* calm as i saw the red lights and the cars backing up. Almost. It would have been the first time in my life and i know lots of people that can vouch for that. I learned the streets of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs b/c i can't stand traffic and i'll turned down street after street trying to find a way around it (and now with my trusty GPS system, i no longer get lost!). But thankfully, that didn't last long. The "i'm going to make a spot and you'd better let me in b/c i have my signal on and even though you can't tell b/c its broken its on so i'm coming in" driver you all know and love woke up and i got home in 35 mins. I rock.

Dear Santa...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:35:00 +0000

Dear Santa,

It is really cold in Chicago. Probably not as cold as the North Pole, although some pictures have surfaced of you in boxer shorts snowboarding...i'm just saying, if you're going to 'board, at least put some halfpipe gloves the next time you attempt an Eggplant... Nevertheless, its cold in Chicago and speaking of "North", you know what would make it less cold? A North Face coat! "But of course!" as you realize this is the only logical conclusion but then wonder "but which coat? They have so many varieties, colors, shapes, and sizes...some of which have never existed yet!" and i am writing you this to ease your worries. Yes, i'm a giver.

For your own convenience, i am attaching a photo of the new Boulevard Jacket from NorthFace, it is a pea-coat inspired, performance, waterproof, insulated cold weather wear. From the detachable trim to the hidden zipper and button closure, this is the IDEAL jacket for the person who wants a more professional look without losing the warmth and comfort that NorthFace has built its name on. It even comes in five different colors to express your own personality!

In my opinion, i think the Asphalt Grey is the best...and would look great under my Christmas tree with a tag that says "To Sue, Merry Christmas"...

Have a great Christmas, and travel safe!

---Sue

So i won the GC and i took a (virtual) trip to Colorado...

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:06:00 +0000

In Chicago, we have this crazy thing called Bandit Cross. there's actually two of them, one in the city and one out in the suburbs. I've been using these practice races for, of course, practice towards the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. Never really in competition for anything, especially since they don't count for anything and points are randomly assigned based on the "promoters" whims and b/c i'm this little cat 4 vs super fast guys and pro 1/2 women. But hey, its good fun and gets me out of the house and off the trainer.

After 5.67 races, the GC was announced on a balmy 28 degree friday, the day after thanksgiving (yeah, no way i'm headed to the shops on black friday. i'd rather be freezing and attempting to hop barriers). Teeth chattering, we stand there in our winter cycling gear, which doesn't seem to give enough warmth especially now that we've stopped moving. First place, with the prize of a frozen turkey, was ABDeeDee. I look to my teammate, Gina, who looks at me and says "Nope, i'm ABD Shorty, you're ABDeeDee"...huh? I won the Bandit Cross GC? How is that possible? Yet, everyone is looking at me like this is common knowledge and there seems to be a giggle going around. Nah, can't be a giggle, 98% of the "crowd" are guys, guys don't giggle. So, i go up and get my frozen 14lb turkey, mention that its "something i've always wanted...the day after thanksgiving" and sit back down, with a look of confusion on my face. I have no idea whats going on.

I tell Gina "I don't get it." and she tells me its b/c of an almost kiss. Wait, what? I was involved in almost kiss (or according to the website, a potential kissy kiss) that i don't know about? But i didn't get any more details until after the "awards ceremony". Gina later tells me that about a month ago, while she and i were practicing dismounts after one of the races, the guys thought...well, that there was going to be a "potential kissy kiss". Where that idea came from, i have no idea. We were practicing dismounts. We discussed technique. I don't even think we were close enough for something like that to happen. But b/c of that, she and i each got 25 pts. This made me laugh all the way home. No offense is/was taken, its all in good fun, but wow...such imaginations. Granted, its not the way i wanted to win my first GC, but i now have a frozen turkey in my fridge for Christmas.

Now, my virtual trip to Colorado. It was the FreeForm workout of Bootcamp. I kind of associate this workout with cross b/c its one of those things that i never really remember how painful it could be until i'm in the middle of it and there's no way out. It was the Coors-Morgul Bismark simulated course. 12.5 miles of steep hills and fast downhills. My first time ever doing this course (last year), i finished in 44mins58secs and i couldn't wait for it to end. The last .6 miles is a 6% grade and seems to last an eternity. Saturday, was the first one of the year and i kicked butt. I finished in 39:30, either my fastest or 2nd fastest ever. I did complete it once in the 39 range but that was with a ton of drafting. This time around, i drafted for a bit in the beginning, but someone took off on purpose and left me in the dust. S'ok, i was feeling pretty good, managed to up my speed on the downhills (which was the biggest problem since my cadence was crap...its not awesome yet, but so much better), i wasn't grinding on the uphills, and i finished the majority of it on my own. I finished 3rd in the group i was riding with and not too far off from superstar/crashzlot Jessi. Not too shabby for my first effort, and i'm thinking...drop another 5mins by spring?! Yeah, lots of hardwork is in my future...but, much like cross, its not so tough anymore...

A cross race for me...?

noreply@blogger.com (Soosie) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 04:14:00 +0000

So normally, it takes a couple of days for me to post one of these (sorry Kelly, its another cycling blog...) but i had *such* a great race day that it needed to be done now...

SCW Cross, Lansing IL 30 mins
I was supposed to get in a 30 min warmup, to which some of my fellow riders laughed at when i mentioned it since i'm always the one getting there "late". I think i got about 15 mins in...oops. The course was relatively flat, definitely made for the roadie in me, with 2 sets of barriers (one had 3 barriers as a set) and a large/deep sandpit. Otherwise, just a lot of curves and turns, some interesting pavement in that it was circular. With all the leaves on the ground, one section was actually worrisome b/c i was thinking it might be slippery.

Race started out really well, i had a good position and rode 4th into the trees. The first set of barriers came quick and thinking i needed to get over the barriers fast, i didn't brake. Stupid. When i jumped off the bike, my feet slammed into the ground and freaked me out. That and i forced to run fast to avoid falling was not a good idea. This caused me to lose a spot in the "paceline" (can it be a paceline when most people have a couple of bike lengths in btw?) and i worked back up to ABDer Gina. For the rest of this lap, i stayed on gina's wheel. I was thinking that since she's looking to cat up and i'm not really in contention for anything, i was going to work to get her at least 4th place. This meant putting some distance in btw us and the rest of the field and catching up to the top 3 riders. I yelled to her "I'm not going to pass you, lets get Imelda!" b/c we could actually see each on this course since it just wrapped around and around in each lap. 3rd place would have been awesome for gina and imelda was close enough that we could get her.

Coming into the next lap, IM was about 3 lengths ahead. I noticed the areas that she slowed and i knew where G needed help. G's dismounts/mounts are great, whereas mine are lacking, but its the opposite when it comes to pavement. I would pull on the pavements and try to close the distance. we caught up to IM at the sandpit, where i passed both G and IM. IM bobbled a bit and started drifting right, so i pedaled fast to the left and overtook her, hoping that G was in tow. She was now drafting off of IM, but not too far behind. I kept going...G is strong and i expected her to break free and we'd work together, but it turned out that the chase effort was a little much. ABDer Jim kept yelling "POWER SUE POWER SUE!!!" at random places on the course (how did he get there so fast?!) Until the 2nd to last lap, i was ahead of both by a few lengths and i knew that if i kept that pace up, i'd take 3rd (whoa! how'd that happen?!)

Passing the officials, i saw that the time counter said 28 mins. The officials had told us that we'd finish on the same lap as the leaders, so i thgt "this is the last lap!" and pushed it. Since my mounts are ...well, sad actually...i needed to be ahead of IM in order to take 3rd. Around and around, on to the pavement, i pushed the gear and put my "wet leaves" fear aside. To the sandpit, i unclip the right and unclip the left. Closer yet, apply a bit of brake, and swing my right leg over and lift up my left foot. Lift up my left foot. wait...LIFT LEFT FOOT! It had clipped back in and down i went. I crashed pretty hard but heard "GO IM! GO IM!" and that was more motivating than "GO SUE" b/c i didn't work this hard to lose it in the last few hundred ft. I jumped up, grabbed the bike that was now actually a few ft in front of me and ran thru the pit. Hopped back on, IM was so close, i heard her breathing. Another gear down, i just kept pedalling and i saw her right behind me coming up to the finish line and the official says "ONE LAP TO GO!"...

You gotta be kidding me. All that effort for the sprint finish, by both me and IM, for nothing b/c we had 1 lap to go even though the counter now said 32 mins. I slowed done majorly, but still ended up first over the barriers. I slowed enough to make IM pull. I knew, once again, i had to be in the pit first. I had passed IM there b4 and the course after the pit had pavement. IM is an awesome roadie/track, so had she gotten ahead of me in the pit, i would most likely take 4th. On the pavement b4 the pit, i passed her and gunned it. Into the trees, i was probably only a bike length ahead. Into the pit and out, i'm still ahead but she's right on my tail. Onto the pavement, back on the grass, towards the finish line, its a repeat of the previous lap. I see her wheel on my left and i have one gear left. Down it goes, i push it and throw my bike! I HAD IT, I TOOK 3rd! I waited for the official results b4 going on my cool down, but IM came and said congrats, as well as some other riders.

this race was so exciting. not only did i place the best in any of my cross races, but besides JP, this was the only cross race that i was actually competiting in since i hadn't had any mechanicals or lots of stupid mistakes to drop me back. It really pushed me and i loved the sprint finish (so much that i did it twice!). Such a great race day...