Onward

You know that feeling when you are 100% satisfied with your accomplishments or more impressed by your self?  That feeling of happiness that something you could only dream of some how just sort of "fell" into your lap?  That's the feeling I have right about now and will probably have for the next week.  I don't think I have the most confidence in myself when it comes to athletic performances (let a lone call myself an athlete) and for me to see how far I have come in the past 2 years knocks my socks off!  It's somewhat amazing what a little number on a small piece of paper can mean to someone. 

As my road season is beginning to wrap up I look back at where I started and how proud and surprised I am of how everything came together.  My main goal this road season was to hang with the 3's and complete a full season in the 3s, if I somehow managed to do well and gain enough points to upgrade to a 2, then I would go for it.  My mindset was "what ever happens, happens".  I don't need to go into full detail on each and every race of this season, because I have already done that.  When the season started I felt un-prepared for what was to come.  Of course I had been riding my bike over the winter, but it was a harsh winter and I didn't get out a lot.  I spent many hours in the garage on the trainer.  Next winter I need to hook up my bike and trainer to a generator so I can power my house with my own energy.  Every year is some what of a learning experience in training for me.  This year I learned when I ride the trainer I can get really strong at flat roads and sprinting, not so great for the hills. 

This did me well in my first race at Sequim (flat with a sprint finish for 5th place), come IVRR, the lack of hill training didn't do me too well, those hills felt like beasts and I was sucking air (mainly a sprint finish for me, another 5th place).  After that race I realized I needed to get my hill training on, so it began.  Cherry Blossom was another wake up call that I was sucking air at the hills.  My mountain biking instead of hill climbing was NOT paying off.  Get going on those hill days Courtenay...so I did.  Walla Walla I began to see my improvements in my hill climbing, my hill day was paying off and I was getting stronger.  I began to add more times up Squalicum mountain road, and decided to go race at Vance Creek.  The profile looked boring, but I wanted to race.  The rolling hill was perfect for me and the cours was actually really awesome, I really saw my hill training was beginning to pay off, I just sort of rolled off the front of the group when climbing the hill (heck yea) and eventually ended up with a win.  Continued with the hill climbs, raced at Wenatchee.

Wenatchee went something like this:
Time trial in the rain, 3rd place, slower than last year (how is that possible)????? Crit was a combined 3/4 field, no rain, a total of 4 3's and 3 4's (confusing isn't it).  I lapped the entire field.  Road Race was wet, really really really wet.  When I say it was wet, I mean I took a bath in the rain.  We climbed that hill 2x, it felt amazing, I like that hill (I'm twisted in a way I know).  But I rode most of the course by myself, individual time trial number 3 of the weekend.  I won the 3's, but there was only 2 of us.  I would have placed 6th in the 1/2s for the road race.  I was proud of my climbing, it was finally coming together.

Enumclaw.  Enumclaw.  Enumclaw.  Going into Enumclaw I had 16 upgrade points, I decided to race Enumclaw as my last hurrah for road racing this season, and attempt to get some upgrade points.  The TT is only 6.5 miles, my kind of time trial (really short and to the point).  A time of 15:55 put me in 6th place. not bad.  My TT's have only gotten better since the first one!  The crit was a combined field of the W1/2/3, so around 55 women where on the 8 corner course.  While warming up the course was freshly greased for us with some rain drops.  The crit was scary, people were not being safe.  My legs felt pretty good, and I knew I needed to be in the front in case a break went because I wanted to be in the top 3 for the GC, so I fought for my position closer to the front, certainly not very close to the front, but I was up there.  About half way through the race on corner 6 I heard two girls scream and one girl swerve horizontally in front of me.  I had 2 choices, to hit her or swerve out of the way, I chose to swerve out of the way, slid out and crashed.  It was very startling.  I didn't know what to do so I immediatly stood up, grabbed my bike, shouldered it and ran to the pits where the men looked at me like I was crazy for running there!  They fixed my saddle on my bike, gave it a run through, and sent me back on my way into the pack.  I went back in with avengence and placed 2nd.  That moved me up to 3rd in the GC. 

The road race kicked my butt.  Again the 1/2/3 ladies were combined racing for 58 miles.  4 loops with this decently long climb in the middle, but an evenly long decent.  The first time up the hill hurt, my legs were not warmed up they burnt like crazy but I managed to stay with the lead group!  Once at the top I realized there was only 1 other Cat3 women in the pack, I thought to myself (wahoooo, just as I wanted).  A couple miles before the climb the other half of the pack caught back on, but once we hit the climb they were gone, and I never saw them again.  The 2nd time up the hill didn't hurt like the first, but the incline right before the feed zone was feeling really steep!  I couldn't hang with the group and was dropping off the back, but so where others.  Once we reached the top a group of us worked together to catch back onto the group.  The 3rd time up the hill was a wonderful thing, the group was going....slow (I thought thank goodness everyones legs must be hurting).  Then at that stupid incline before the feed zone someone picked up the pace and I fought SO hard to get back to the group at the top of climb.  I dug harder than I knew I could and caught back on...then we got neutralized because the 1/2 men were catching us.  SSOO lame!  The 4th time up the hill my legs were shot, I knew I wouldn't be hanging on for very long, and off the back I went with a couple of other riders.  Once at the top a group of us worked together on the decent and on the flats to the finish, where I finished 2nd of the 3's, 2 minutes and 40ish seconds back from the first place Cat3 women.  That put me in 2nd for the GC, roughly 10ish minutes ahead of 3rd place. 



Exausted on the climb in the RR



Going into the weekend I was hoping to do well.  Since I only needed 9 more points for my upgrade I decided I should really try to work hard and do well.  There was this stigma I had put on myself to perform well and play it smart.  This weekend was the first time while racing where I felt like I was racing for something.  It felt good.  Going into the race I knew I needed to work hard for the TT to put me in a good spot in the GC right from the start.  I knew I needed to work my booty off to stay with the 1/2's for the Crit.  I was pretty sure I would do well in the road race and I just needed to keep my eyes on the girl with the leaders jersey, make sure to follow her and any other women with a 300 number.  That's what I did, and it worked well. 

I walked out of the weekend with a maximum of 15 upgrade points (all you can get from a stage race), and I needed 9.  I can now get my butt kicked by the 1/2 ladies. 

I don't think words can express the excitement and emotions that are whirling around my head right now.  If you told me 14 months ago that I would have enough points to upgrade from a Cat3 to a Cat2 I would have said yea uh huh riiiight..me?  No way, not possible, on the road?  I don't think so, you're crazy.  You could say that I haven't had much praise or positive reinforcement for my racing ability in the past.  Really, actually just the opposite.  A little over a year ago someone said some pretty hurtful things about me and my racing abilities (if you're reading this sorry but if you're going to be an @ss I will point it out) and it made me believe I would never be good enough, no matter how hard I tried.  The more I succeed in cycling, the more I realize how the sport is defining who I am.  I am Courtenay, and I am a cyclist.  I am a roadie, I am a mountain biker, and my most favorite discipline of cycling is Cyclocross. 

With my new found ackowledgement of who I am and what distinguishes me from those I surround my self with I move forward.  I move forward with my cycling passion, I move forward to a more competitive field, and most importantly, I move forward to some mountain biking!!!!

Hoo Haa Ride Glide and Beyond

I got to thinking a few days ago about how I have many things to thank for my continuing enjoyment and love of cycling.  Aside from the fact that riding bikes is awesome, I need to thank a few items that make riding bikes more pleaseure-able. 

A Carbon Bicycle

Riding a carbon bike is a thing of beauty, they are so snappy and ready to go, I love it!  You literally glide over the pavement.  Quite an improvement over my "trusty" aluminum Trek that I raced on for 2 years. 

Hoo Ha Ride Glide

Hands down this stuff is amazing and has saved my hoo ha area for the season.  If I had not placed 5th at IVRR I would not know about this A-mazing chamois cream for females.  TMI warning: I am SO prone to saddle sores that I just know how to deal with them these days and what to do when they get out of control.  Every race season I end up with multiple saddle sores.  Since I won this in my prize bag at the end of March I have used it on nearly every ride and race and have yet to encounter a saddle sore.  I swear by my Hoo Ha Ride Glide. 

Baby Powder

You know when you get off the saddle at the end of the race and you forgot to use your Hoo Ha Ride Glide?  We all know the feeling of a sore chaffed sit bone area.  Baby powder does wonders to help relieve any after riding soreness because of your forgetful self.  Baby Powder is for AFTER NOT DURING. 

Tea Tree Oil

This is for when you don't use Ride Glide or any thing like it and you end up with a large saddle sore right on your sit bones!  One day last summer when I was at the Public Market across the street from work I opened up a natural remedies book and discovered the real name for a saddle sore (furuncle, they are basically boils or cystic acne).  I read a natural remedy for saddle sores are Tea Tree Oil.  So I bought a tiny jar of this stuff and it does work wonders.  Here is what you will need:

Warm/hot water

Tea Tree Oil

Wash cloth

Combine a couple of drops of oil into the hot water, dab a corner of the wash cloth into the mixture and apply the wash cloth to the saddle sore, holding it there with pressure for 10 minutes.  You're saddle sore will absoultly decrease in size by the next day.  Of course you need to continue with this treatment until the saddle sore is entirely gone.  I find using the Tea Tree Oil AND Baby Powder works wonders.  Now I do recommend using the Tea Tree Oil in the privacy of your own home and bedroom, where no one can look at you funny when your hand is um..you know. 

Smart Wool Socks

If you don't own a pair, go buy 5.  Disclaimer: When you become addicted do not call me telling me it's my fault you are broke because you spend $15 for 1 pair of socks (fyi..smart wool isn't cheap). 

Yes, this is a pile of MOST of my Smartwool socks

Iron

I already told you about this stuff.  Wikipedia just informed me that iron deficiency anemia can cause folliculitis (similar to furuncle, as previously mentioned), I wonder if that's true?  Maybe that's why I am prone to saddle sores?

Cliff shots & shot blocks

Cycling Northwest is sponsored by Cliff so I have a ton of Cliff products.  I really love their products.  They have a new formula for their gooy oozy shots and I like it so much better.  It is a thinner consitency so it's easy to swallow and take in.  Cliff shots get me through my races when my energy is declining.  I have also discovered a new Luna Bar flavor that is delicious.  I love taking the shot blocks and Luna Bars on training rides with me in place of taking a shot of ooy goodness since it's easier to chew when you aren't having to pay attention to the next move by your competitors.  Thank you Cliff for making such great products. 

Nuun

Cucina Fresca AND Cycling Northwest are sponsored by Nuun, and what a great company they are.  When I look around at the other teams jerseys and their sponsors I see a Nuun logo on nearly every team out there.  It is SO great that Nuun is getting their product out there and supporting the sport of cycling.  I place one Nuun tablet in one water bottle and then have one water bottle that is just plain water.

Helmet

Safety first folks!  I love pink, so naturaly I would want a pink helmet, so Chris bought me one 2 Christmas's ago.  A Giro Atmos.  I love that helmet, it's light, airy, and pink, but it unfortunately dents my head...big time.  Cycling Northwest is also sponsored by Uvex, so I tried one of their helmets.  It's mainly white, with hints of red, and circled with green.  To be honest when I first put the helmet on I felt like a dork, who am I kidding...I LOOKED like a dork!  I wasn't sure I wanted to keep the helmet, so I test rode with it on (with the tags too) and decided "wow this helmet is comfortable".  I speak no lies, the helmet is comfortable and it doesn't dent my head.



I cannot thank these products enough for making my cycling THAT much more comfortable!!!!  Now, if you don't ride bikes I highly suggest you go to your local bike shop and pick up a bike and start riding.

My recent life

This is long winded and probably boring.  I have been posting race report after race report and I am not quite sure if you people love to read my race reports or my life reports, or if anyone is even reading my blog, but it sure is fun to write to someone.  There are some things I want to update you on.

#1) I bought a new mountain bike.  Full suspension Giant Anthem X2.  It's beautiful and really fun to ride.  Here is the background story on this bike.  As you may (or may not know) I race my bike off road for a different team (Cycling Northwest) than Cucina Fresca.  That way I am on a team that really focuses on off road racing, it's a blast.  Russ was able to nail down a Kona bike sponsorship, and I thought to myself, HECK YA!  I really really really want a new cyclocross bike, so I had my mind set on purchasing a new Major Jake (pretty carbon).  I went to the Kona website to check out the bike and look at their sizes.  That's when I found their 49 was rather large, and I didn't see that they make a 47, but they certainly make a 63 (damn you Ryan Trebon).  So unfortunately for me, I cannot get a Kona Major Jake shiny new carbon cyclocross bike.  I pouted for a night and started to think, what will I do with my "money" I have been planning on spending on this bike.  Perhaps some new road wheels, or maybe I could find a good deal on a full suspension mountain bike.  The very next day I recieved an email from a women on the Cucina team looking to sell her full suspension Giant mountain bike (size small) and she had only rode it a handful of times.  I test rode it, and I fell in love, it fit right, felt good and was so much fun to ride.  So there you have it, in a blink of an eye I went from buying a new cyclocross bike to actually buying a full suspension mountain bike. 



Not my ACTUAL bike, but mine looks just like this



#2)  I am obsessed with numbers.  The other day I saw my resting heart rate at 43bpm (YES)!  I finally feel like I am getting in shape!  Thank you bike racing, thank you SO much!  I think my legs are finally getting underneathe me (it only took 6 weeks).  Some more stats for you (really they are for me).  I have a hill route I do from my house it's roughly 2000-2500ft of climbing in about 25ish miles.  I head out to Squalicum Mountain Road and usually repeat it around 3x and time myself each time up.  On Tuesday I made it up in a record time of 9 minutes and 9 seconds.  My previous record from a couple weeks ago was 9 minutes and 55 seconds.  Ladies and Gents I am getting in shape.  For my final 2x up I was able to keep them under my previous fastest time.  After 3x up Squalicum Mountain I head to Yew Street to torture myself up Yew, go back down, and finish on the steep steep climb of 40th street and then roll at high speeds downhill to my house. 

#3) I can't stop thinking about my brother.  He doesn't call me back when he says he will.  I know he is busy, but can't he take 5 minutes to call me?  I know things will never be the same, and I haven't seen him in almost a year, but don't you ever wish you could rewind life back 10 years and change something where it all started?  I feel bad for him, and when I see pictures from when we were small, a little piece of my heart brakes.  The innocence of being a child is gone, but I don't know if he was ever given that oppotunity to BE a child.  I know part of his addictions are a result of this, are a result of the way we/he grew up, but he just can't face it.  I wish he could see behind all the hatred he feels and know how much his family loves him.  He doesn't see it and sometimes it makes me ache.

#4) I started taking Iron again, and thank goodness for that.  I think Iron supplements might be the key to all my problems.  I have been anemic for as long as I can remember.  I eat my veggies and a colorful diet, but I do not eat red meat and I never have.  Whenever I have my blood drawn for any particular reason, all numbers are great except for my hematocrit (the level that is measured for blood dopers).  Let me put this in perspective for you.  The UCI "legal" limit is 50%.  My levels are typically 30% and a normal female's levels are 38-42%.  I usually choose to ignore the doctor/nurse when they tell me to take iron and I say to myself "it only looks that way because I'm fit".  A little peice of knowledge for you to take home.  When you exericse and become fit your blood actually becomes thinner (therefore you bleed longer as well) and because the plasma has a greater volume it appears that the hematocrit levels are below what they should be.  Since I hate taking pills my reasoning was I am not anemic I am fit. 

Sometime in March I woke up extremly dizzy, so dizzy it felt like I woke up from a night of partying (ie hung over).  I thought it would pass if I continued on with my day, it did not.  I couldn't lie down because I would get way too dizzy, and walking was hard too.  I deemed it vertigo, but when I woke up the following day it was gone.  Fast forward to a couple weeks later, I am at home eating lunch preparing to go for a bike ride when the room starts to spin...the vertigo hit again.  I'm too young for vertigo I decided, so I googled (thank goodness for google) dizzyness.  Guess what can cause dizzyness?  Yes...anemia.  Disucssing this with Chris he states "well it makes sense, you probably aren't getting enough oxygen to your brain".  Silly me.  I had also been so excessively tired I wanted to take a nap every day.  I just figured I wasn't going to bed early enough.  I also found I was getting tired on my bike rides.  This all should have added up earlier.  I have been taking Iron since the week before Walla Walla and I feel like a whole new women these days!  My legs feel recovered every day, I don't feel as if I need a nap after 2 hours of work, and last but not least I won a bike race!  Which leads me too....

#5)  I wasn't going to write a race report for this race...but I have to since I won.  It all began on Saturday when Chris and I were on our easy 1 hour spin before the race ride.  I said to him "wow I hope my legs feel this good tomorrow" and they did.  The course went something like this....down down down down hill, fun flat and windy (not windy but wine-d) country road, up up up hill.  The up hill was 3 miles of rolling up hills, and then before the 1k sign a nice longer consistent hill.  We did 4 laps for a total of 53 miles.  The ladies didn't want to work (I am seeing a trend here).  But heck I didn't want to either...I take that back I am always for working if I know that everyone else is going to work hard too, but I could tell that no one wanted to work because no one would go to the front.  I think the first lap the same women was in the front for about 3/4 of the time, I felt SO bad, I would have helped but I knew that if I did no one would come relieve me from up there.  Once we hit the hill one rider attacked and I went with her, but so did everyone else.  I decided to keep the pace moving up the climb and led for most of the way up with some exceptions here and there.  Once we hit the decent I decided I worked a little too hard the first time up the hill and would take it easy the 2nd time up and try an attack the 3rd time up.  Riding in the flats felt like we were on a Sunday leisurely bike ride, it was a little rediculous.  The 2nd time up the hill I sat in and was hardly working....hit the flats again and what do you know we are going at a nice Sunday leisurely bike riding pace.  The 3rd time up the hill I sat in the back for the first 1/3 and moved forward to the front where I just hammered it up.  As I approached the top I turned around and realized I had a gap, so I went with it and kept pushing pushing and pushing.  At the start of the decent 4 other riders caught me, and thank goodness for one rider who cracked the whip to start a paceline going.  For the final lap we dropped one rider and were down to 4 of us pace lining.  I had to start thinking about the hill and see how it was going to play out for the finish.  I was pretty confident that I could take them considering how I just sort of rolled off the front in the previous lap.  Going into the start of the hill we were still pacelining, but once the rollies stopped decending and had a constant climb I pushed harder and attacked the girls to continue on for a first place finish.  OH and this race was a state champoinship, so I am the womens cat 3 state champion...heck yea!  For that I won a gold medal and a box Cliff Shots. 

I would love to post some more photos but it appears some photographers do not want you to take their photos off their website (shucks)!   Click here for some race photos

A few things to note for this coming week/end.  The WWU mens A cycling team is heading over to Wisconsin for Collegiate Road Nationals.  I think Steve and Ian should try for spots 1 and 2 in both races.  While they are racing road bikes Chris, Whitney, Logan, and myself are going to Wenatchee to race mountain bikes!  This weekend is the Chainsmoker race and it is a qualifying race for Mountain Bike Nationals in Sun Valley, Idaho.   We all would like a chance to race at nationals so here we go!  Since this race is sanctioned by USA Cycling (I am a cat 2 on my license aka sport) I have to race in the Sport category, I think I will feel like I am cheating by racing in that category...oh well not my fault!

Wish us luck!