Chris made a short video of me yesterday...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Movin' up to Cat 3
Last weekend in my cyclocross debut, I raced and won the Cat 4 category. Before I even received my new ACA license in the mail, I was already automatically upgraded to Cat 3. Today, we raced at Interlocken (Broomfield) in the first CX race of the Boulder Series.
Today was a great team turnout, with Sarge manning the trailer, 8 COMotion racers out on the course, and cold beer flowing at the finish line! Team support is the best motivation, thanks guys!!
Chris just finished building up his bike, and was ready to test his legs and lungs against a 75-rider field in men's Cat 4. Chris took off fast in the packed field, and soon found himself fighting for position, while gasping for air! All the while he had a fun time, and says he'll be back for more!
My race began soon after, and with 50 girls, I was jockeying for position right from the get-go. I rode a smart race, moving up a little each lap, and capitalizing on other girls' weaknesses - like clearing the barriers quickly, riding through the sand, and cornering.
I finished 3rd in Cat 3, and 15th overall! I am stoked!! I am loving every bit of this new type of racing! Nothing makes me feel more alive than a little bit of pain and suffering, and a good dose of natural endorphins!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Cyclocross Debut
Today marked my virgin debut in my new favorite sport - first cyclocross race ever!! Ever since I got my new Yeti CX bike way back in August, I have been ogling over it, and awaiting race day.
Chris has been gradually building up my bike, and going through all the frustrations of routing cables, adjusting brakes, and getting the shifting just right. My hat is off to my fantastic husband, as he has never built up a road bike, and he has a lot more patience and resolve than I would ever have! He worked late into the night last night, and then put the final touches on my bike this morning, only minutes before we left for the race.
I didn't get a chance to even ride my bike or test it out before we arrived in Golden for the Green Mtn Sports Mammoth Cross #1. My first ride was during my warm-up, but Chris had done an excellent build and everything was in place. Unfortunately Chris had sacrificed all his time building my bike, and has just started building up his bike, so he did not race today, and instead took great photos.
Since it was my first CX race, I was in Cat 4, but was still nervous at the start line, especially with a much bigger field than normally found at the mtn bike races. I got off to a good start, and immediately started weaving my way through the traffic and moving up.
I was surprised how after resting only one week after the mtn bike season ended, my legs felt fresh. The first couple laps were a bit of a bottleneck, and with negotiating the hurdles for the first time, I was trying to get my timing underway for the dismount and re-mount.
I was feeling good, and gaining confidence as the race went on. The course was dry and very bumpy, but my mtn bike skills were prevailing, and I attacked the corners and downhils with reckless abandon. I was shocked at how tentative the "roadies" were in taking the corners and off camber sections at high speed!
I threw in a big surge on the second to last lap, and tried to gap 3 girls. And then on the final lap the lactic acid set in, I momentarily lost focus, and crashed on a tight corner. One girl came back on me, but I caught back up to her and charged to the finish, winning Cat 4!! 
I was exhausted, but estatic and had so much fun! I love the dynamic of the race, with running and riding, and pinning it aggressively. I can't wait to race again next week!
Chris has been gradually building up my bike, and going through all the frustrations of routing cables, adjusting brakes, and getting the shifting just right. My hat is off to my fantastic husband, as he has never built up a road bike, and he has a lot more patience and resolve than I would ever have! He worked late into the night last night, and then put the final touches on my bike this morning, only minutes before we left for the race.
I didn't get a chance to even ride my bike or test it out before we arrived in Golden for the Green Mtn Sports Mammoth Cross #1. My first ride was during my warm-up, but Chris had done an excellent build and everything was in place. Unfortunately Chris had sacrificed all his time building my bike, and has just started building up his bike, so he did not race today, and instead took great photos.
Since it was my first CX race, I was in Cat 4, but was still nervous at the start line, especially with a much bigger field than normally found at the mtn bike races. I got off to a good start, and immediately started weaving my way through the traffic and moving up.
I was surprised how after resting only one week after the mtn bike season ended, my legs felt fresh. The first couple laps were a bit of a bottleneck, and with negotiating the hurdles for the first time, I was trying to get my timing underway for the dismount and re-mount.
I was feeling good, and gaining confidence as the race went on. The course was dry and very bumpy, but my mtn bike skills were prevailing, and I attacked the corners and downhils with reckless abandon. I was shocked at how tentative the "roadies" were in taking the corners and off camber sections at high speed!
I threw in a big surge on the second to last lap, and tried to gap 3 girls. And then on the final lap the lactic acid set in, I momentarily lost focus, and crashed on a tight corner. One girl came back on me, but I caught back up to her and charged to the finish, winning Cat 4!! 
I was exhausted, but estatic and had so much fun! I love the dynamic of the race, with running and riding, and pinning it aggressively. I can't wait to race again next week!
Monday, September 8, 2008
SWEET 6
Unlike previous years where CoMotion essentially dominated the Mountain States Cup team standings, this year it came down to the final race! It was an exciting and tense weekend at the reincarnated famous Breckenridge Fall Classic, full of crashes, mechanicals, and outstanding performances!As a team, CoMotion came into the final installment of the season trailing Feedback Sports by about 40 points. After Saturday's circuit race, we had pulled even to Feedback, and went into Sunday's long epic course tied for the lead. It came down to the wire, and CoMotion suceeded in beating Feedback by a mere 28 points, and reigning supreme as the BEST mountain bike team in Colorado for 6 years in a row!!!
The team that sealed the win!
Our fearless and comical leader, Stephen Lechner.
A row of beautiful Yetis.
Stepping up on the podium again... another awesome 3rd place!
Happy to be done, after a hard fought and intense race. (Chris also rode a great race on Sunday and finished 11th in his category!)
Rounding the last corner and charging for the line. (I later learned I was only 25 seconds off 2nd place!)
Chris pinning it early in the circuit race. (Chris took his first DNF ever, flatting just after losing his CO2 cartridge and spare tube!)
Suffering after taking a digger in the knee early in the circuit race. (I also took my first DNF ever in the circuit race in a freak mechanical, when my crank came unscrewed and nearly fell off!)For Chris and me this final race capped off a tumultuous season. While we were dealt a few of life's curveballs this year, we did have a lot of fun racing our bikes, and will surely be back for more in 2009!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
First Clinical
I just started off my 2nd year in the Regis DPT program. I'm certainly glad to have made it through the first year. It has been brutal like I've never known... even worse than working 16-hour graveyard shifts! The first 6 weeks of this fall semester are comprised of my first clinical experience. I am working at University of Colorado Hospital at Fitzsimmons in the in-patient acute care. It is nice being back in the real world, and finally applying some of the knowledge I've retained, while learning a ton more. And the best part is no homework at night and weekends off for the next 6 weeks! In my spare time I'm looking forward to lots of riding, R&R, and getting amped up for the 'cross season!
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