Beer, Bikes, and Snow

Since I am friends with the guys at Pure Energy, I decided to add Hippo CX to my small list of races for 2018. I signed up to help support the ladies Pro/Cat 1/2 field even though I knew I'd be DFL. I also offered to help with set up and registration. Nothing like a full plate. And everything I've ever done to prep for a race in the past? Didn't happen. After helping set up the course Friday and not getting home until 11:30 only to get up at 5 am Saturday to return for registration...I wasn't in the mood to race (as probably expressed by my Medium face at registration). That morning I said "I'm not racing". As a matter of fact, I gave my pit bike away for the rest of the season. But a friend registered in our race because she said she saw my name. How can you not race? I worked registration until 30 minutes before my race. Quick changed and pinned my number. I rolled up to the start realizing I still had the car keys in my pocket. I rolled up already ...

I had no plans of racing CX this year.  I have not done any training since Nationals 2017 .  Not only have I lost fitness, I've also lost the desire to race.  But a friend gave me the nudge to get out there again.  I dusted the cobwebs off my CX bike and hit a few of the Wednesday night Otto practices.  I told myself  that I would enter the CX races that mattered - the first being Lucky Charm CX.  I met Michael "Lucky" Lukowiak in 2011 at the MTBNJ 2011 Mooch Madness race. He was a complete goofball and always made me laugh. In the fall of 2017, Lucky was participating in a cross race and had a sudden massive heart attack following the race. Lucky Charm Cyclocross came about as a way to honor Lucky. So figured that if I was going to pin a number this year,  it would be for him. I  registered for the Elite - Cat 1-2 race and knew I was going to get slaughtered. But I didn't care. My goal was to put in a good effort and have ...

It's been a few months since I last checked in - I had just been cleared by my hand surgeon and hand therapist.  That was early November.  A few have asked..."how's the thumb"?? It's ok.  I'd say I'm at 85%.  Opening jar lids and bottles is still a challenge.  It's stiff and and stretching my thumb across my palm is still challenging.  I'm not in pain though, which is a plus.  Many have told me it takes at least a year to be fully healed. I've been reading sports motivation books - this is from The Brave Athlete I've been back on the bike but it's been a struggle - both mentally and physically.  Even though I was running (which I'll get into later), I lost fitness over those months of not training and being off the bike.  I certainly feel it when I climb.  And I notice it while riding with others I used to keep up with. I also lost confidence riding more technical and challenging terrain.  What if I fall and get hurt agai...

I mentioned in an earlier blog post that this year's CX Nats would be one of my only chances to race Nationals.  With the locations moving every year, Hartford, Connecticut was one I could pull off with work and traveling.  So I trained longer in my season than I usually do and had January 5th as my last race. I had a pretty stellar season, winning a few races and earning my Cat 1 upgrade - and I kept Nationals as an "experience" race.  I didn't want to put so much pressure on myself that I was a stressed-out mess leading up to it.  My legs and mind felt great leading up to the race. Nationals started on Tuesday, January 3rd .  The weather was mild with rain - making the course an absolute mudfest.  I watched videos posted of people slogging up Bonk Breaker Hill and sliding down on their butts.  Lots of running.  Bikes completely covered in mud.  Would it be like this for my race Thursday? The forecast was calling for colder temps to ar...

I love Bubble CX.  I have had some really great races at this venue.  And this year it would be a double race with the NJ State Championship on Day 1.  But when the dates were announced, I already had a "save the date" for a friend's wedding.  What to do...I made the decision to race and then head to my friend's wedding after.  Luckily the Master's race was early enough that I could race and make myself presentable for the wedding. I couldn't sleep and rather than sit at home I got to the race early.  I knew that getting out to pre-ride would be limited due to the stacked start times.  I watched the first race then got out for a lap.  My legs were still feeling HPCX and I was a bit worried about how they would feel racing today.  I knew the sand to woods transition would be tricky, so I went back and tried two different lines.  I opted to sit and watch the other races before getting on my trainer. There were only 3 of us in the M...

My feelings about HPCX go back and forth.   Maybe it seemed to have more climbing than I remembered because most of my CX races this year have been relatively flat.  The start is always a grinding pavement climb.  The barriers always seem extra high.   And now they've added a double sand pit. This year Jalepeno Cycling announced that they would be stepping up and matching our Master's Women payou t to the Men's for both days.  Wow.  Thank you thank you thank you!  This is incredible and I hope it's a sign of what could come. Saturday (Day 1) was chilly.  It was the first day I lathered on embro and pulled out my thicker gloves.  The course was similar to previous Day 1 races.  I somehow got turned around and was going the wrong way until I got to the barriers. Doh.  One of the corners was full of acorns and going into it too fast, I nearly ate it.   I was happy to see the volunteers raking the area on my 2nd lap. p...

I've heard great things about Crossasaurus Awesome CX race hosted by Philadelphia Ciclismo .  This year I made sure to put it on my calendar as a not-to-miss race.   Since the PACX Master's category starts at age 45, I had to register in the Elite class.  I had some personal goals but most importantly, have fun. Since I had never raced this venue, I arrived early to get in a few laps in between races.  I was fortunate to grab a parking spot near the pit and sand area.  Sunshine and a breeze dried out the course.  It had some fast swooping corners, some wooded technical sections, steps, a drop, and a small sand section. All of the women were staging and racing at the same time.  Since this was my first PACX race, I had last call up.  I was the only one in the 2nd row, which was very lonely.  I lined up behind my friend's wheel and listened to the official give instructions. The whistle blew and we were off.  The first corner was ...