Mulberry Gap Ladies Only Weekend

Yeah, yeah ... I am a bit late posting this one, but better late than never. This is one gathering you ladies out there do not need to miss.

I had just finished a pretty heavy training load the week leading up to it, topping it off with the Cohutta Death March. For those of you unknowing souls out there, the Death March is a 75 mile gravel grinder with 9000 feet of climbing, 70 miles of it being in the Cohutta 100.

There were 12 of us that stayed at Mulberry Gap. From Namrita whose poor bike was a conglomeration of components, some of which worked (hint, hint: she NEEDS her Rotwild steed!) to Emily who likes to eat pizza and drink beer while showering ... with her kit ON, all the women were very cool and unique! Different levels of skill were represented, but no one was pushed to the edge, unless they so desired. There were options of varying mileage and everyone enjoyed the exquisite trails that the Chattahoochee National Forest had to offer.

A group of BUMP girls came up from the flatlands of Alabama, but they rode the mountainous terrain extremely well. I suspect they needed to feel they earned the post ride beers ... and wine ... and some sort of pomegranate martini drink. And earned them they did! I enjoyed their giggly and vivacious nature. And boy could they ride! Stacey is a Super D extraordinaire!

Mandy from Bike29.com came down from Vermont to escape the cold and try out her rigid singlespeed. She definitely got her work out in as she climbed up Potato Patch to the Upper Bear Creek parking lot ... twice. Gail tamed Pinhoti 2 this time and came away with an awesome ride and bones intact. Debbie, who was at the first women's only weekend last fall, has gotten even faster!

Most of these women have kids, which was pretty cool. We got to chit chat about balancing our family lives with our passion. It is so good to see older women in this REAL sport as opposed to other recreational ventures.

And where else, besided Mom's, can you have "hot, fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies" after 3 hours of riding. Dianne and Ginni are like my surrogate mothers ... they know how to nurture. Once again, the food was spectacular: baked potato bar with chicken and steak, pancakes with strawberries and bananas, chicken salad, pita crisps with "to die for" hummus, roast beef, corn casserole, awesome green salads, and the list goes on.

I will say, I had the best two nights sleep in a long time. 10 hours each night of restful bliss and no dreams about work. And the mealtime conversations were great; everything from broken bone stories to tire selection to your children's education.

I managed to get in 7 hours and 60 miles of riding. I am looking forward to the next one!

Pumpkin Pie Time

For those who abstained from last year's holiday goodies (that would be me), now is the time to enjoy Mom's homemade treats. You see, while everyone else was partaking of pumpkin pie, I was wrapping my slices up in saran wrap and popping it into the freezer. Although there might have been a tear or two shed then, now there are tears of joy upon opening these delectable treats trailside.

This past week was a 3 day block of L3 tempo work-outs. One on asphalt and two on dirt. Zeke's wishes of long gravel grinders had come true. On Wednesday, with sweet temps, we pedaled the roads through McMinn and Monroe counties. We managed to get in a little over 4000 feet of climbing in 75 miles.

On Thursday, we headed over to Polk County and rode the Kimsey Mtn Loop: 5 hours, 51 miles and 6000 feet of climbing. It was a joy to refuel on pumpkin pie about 1/2 way through the ride. Although it was cloudy and cool and rain threatened the whole time, we were blessed to not have to pull out the rain gear.

On Friday, we rode part of the Cohutta 100 fireroad loop: 6 hours, 61 miles, and 7000 feet of climbing. Today was pumpkin cheesecake! At these slightly less than race efforts, it is nice to be able to enjoy solid food. For me, race days are all about gels, the only thing I am able to easily digest at high intensity. Once again, we managed to escape a deluge of rain ... only in the last hour did it rain lightly.

Next week is a repeat block of 3 days. I can hardly wait! More pumpkin pie and chocolate cake awaits!

Snake Creek TT Finale

Springtime was finally here for the last race of the Snake. With no rain for a few days and temps in the high 60's/low 70's I knew course conditions were going to be excellent. It was do or die time.

After 5 months of training under Coach's guidance this would be my first real test. And with Willow Koerber coming, the stakes were even higher. I wanted to come within a respectable time of hers.

Although I was nervous, I managed to get a good night's rest. I also managed to get on the second row at the start. This time I was NOT going to have to pass 25 racers. I held back on the start, allowing time for my legs to "wake up." Still, it was hard not to go all out.

When I passed Zeke on the first doubletrack climb, he was motoring along very well, too. I told him to watch his back as Stanly was behind me. Well ... that may have been a tad bit of a lie (actually Stanly had started many waves back), but I wanted to push Zeke a bit as he was racing for first.

I entered the first section of singletrack with just one racer behind me and was able to go at my own speed and feel the flow of the trail. I popped out onto the gravel road and by this time had settled in to a good pace.

Soon after the first road crossing (around mile 13) as I thought I was moving quickly and smoothly up a gradual climb, I heard Willow behind me, asking to pass. Crap! I did not expect her to catch me this quick! Oh, well ... I gladly let her on by. Then I picked it up a bit and stayed with her. Amazing, she was so smooth and steady ... on a hardtail. She was really cool to watch. I managed to stay with her for a mile or so, until the trail pitched up even steeper. Knowing that I would explode trying to stay close, I settled back into my own rhythm and watched her grow smaller and smaller. (Are there any other sports where you can compete against one of the world's best?)

During the last climb before the sickenly sweet descent into the aid station which marked the halfway point, I began to hurt a bit. I began questioning my fitness, but after glancing at my watch, I realized that I was close to 10 minutes faster than January's effort. No wonder! Now, could I just hold this over the last 17 miles and perhaps gain even more?

As I rolled in to swap Camelbaks, Bruce told me that I was just 3 minutes behind Willow. That was encouraging. The next few miles rolled by uneventfully. I followed Garth's line down the Middle Mountain descent. Once I began going through the multiple creek crossings, I slowed a bit. All the rocks here seemed to be very sharp and "angry looking." Stumpy was handling well and I did not want any mechanicals now.

When I began the final doubletrack climb, I felt a painful twinge in my hamstring. What the heck am I doing having a cramp? I don't cramp, darn it! (The last and only time I have ever cramped during a race was Ouachita '08) I immediately dropped into granny and soft-pedaled. Thankfully, the painful tightening relented. I took it easy up this climb.

Once I entered the 6 mile rock garden, I slowly picked it up a bit, testing my hamstring. All seemed o.k. and this being my funnest section, I carved through the singletrack as smoothly as possible. Today I was able to clean sections I usually am too tired to on race day. And other sections I was smart enough to dismount and run through, knowing I would be quicker and less likely to cause another cramp.

Just before the gunsight pass, I saw a figure I did not expect too. At first I thought I was hallucinating. Loretta?!! What is she doing there? And then, a full-on cramp! Ouch, ouch, ouch! I yelled at Loretta, "You gave me your cramps!" (Later on, I found out that she had snapped her seat post around mile 12.) I had to run up through the rocky pass. Fortunately, I was able to remount and pedal the last 100 meters of singletrack.

Once I hit the final pavement descent, I tucked in to as aero a position I could get ... on a 5 inch travel bike. The final 50 meters I was able to stand and sprint and avoiding another cramp.

Final time: 3:26. I came in second! I was stoked ... I had improved my time by 20 minutes. And I came in within a respectable time of Willow's 3:13. Goals accomplished!

Other notables:

1. Zeke came in second. My TR partner is shaping up quite nicely. His class received the loudest applause.
2. Kim came in second in her class. Congrats! And she does not even consider herself a racer.
3. Kylie finished a sub 4 hour ... on a singlespeed! If that had been me, they would have been carting off my lifeless body at the halfway point.
4. Stumpy was an amazing steed for this one. Like a hardtail on the climbs and tamed the infamous Rock Garden.
5. EQUAL PAYOUTS!
6. Karen is still frickin' fast, even without training!

If Coach dials me in to my other races like she has for the Snake, it is going to be a fantastic year!

Big Gains

Yesterday was a 20 minute power test for me. I was a bit anxious about doing it, as I was coming off 2 1/2 weeks of high intensity. I had hopes of improving my wattage since the last one in November.

I got a good night's rest. After enjoying my coffee, my breakfast consisted of tuna, 2 eggs, sweet potatoes, and strawberries. Yeah, it is not your bowl of Wheaties, it is SO MUCH better for the engine! Then I did a few easy household chores ... just to keep my mind off the test while my food digested. Gosh, I would have thought I was racing today.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, I got started with the warm-up. I was thankful for the warm temperature, even if it did come with some pretty strong winds.

My warm-up was about an hour long (it takes me this long to start feeling good), I punched the interval button and was off. I paced myself at the lower end of my Threshold power for the first 5 minutes, opened it up for the next 11 minutes, and then entered then entered the realm of "cardiac attack" for the last 3 minutes. You know, eyes bulging, tunnel vision, drooling, thinking "what the heck am I doing ... I am going to stroke out!"

Afterwards, I had to fight off the feelings of wanting to collapse in the farmer's field, waiting for the vultures to circle my withered shell. But after 10 minutes of easy pedalling, I became human again.

What an effort! At that time, I felt that I had improved, but only by a bit. Just before my vision narrowed, I had looked at my average wattage, but the numbers were hard to see. So when I got home, I downloaded my workout.

Holy cow, batman! I had increased my FT by 6%! Coach said that was "friggin impressive." I was stoked. All that time in the saddle doing intervals in miserably cold and sometimes wet weather, all those days in the gym, those times on the trainer, and above all, giving up Mayfield's Extreme Moosetracks ice cream ... has finally paid off. I have something tangible that I can measure, not just a subjective "good vibe."

This makes it a lot easier to keep going down the road I have chosen ... to see just how good this 40 year old body can become. The sacrifices just don't seem like sacrifices anymore.

Tried and True

I have been using Chamois Butt'r since late June 2008. I made the switch from Assos immediately after the Cowbell when I branded myself with my chamois. After 12 hours or riding in dry conditions my chamois had cut into my buttocks. The scars are just now fading!

I started using Chamois Butt'r prior to my being sponsored by them. For me, I want to know that a product works before I ask for sponsorship. Nothing worse than to HAVE to use a product that sucks!

After using Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle for 6 months and in all sorts of weather, I must say that this product keeps the 'taint happy. You get the 8oz Eurostyle for $19.99, twice as much as Assos. I use much less due to the thickness and "stay-ability" of the product. I know this because my white saddle is much less polished and people have not asked me why my shorts are oozing a white substance.

My saddle sores have been minimized and I do not have to re-apply during a long training ride or a 12 hour race. And it is made in the good 'ol USA, very important these days.

I have samples, so if you want to give it a try, just ask and you shall receive.

Croom 50

Zeke and I treated this "ride" as a training race ... one where we would stay together as a team. Since we are going to race TransRockies in the 100+ category, we needed to see how we would work together and see where are strengths and weaknesses lie.

Zeke wanted to start off sooner than the official 8:30am start, but I made him wait. I needed time for my food to settle and I wanted to see how we would work around some of the slower riders.

The first 12 miles to aid station 1 Zeke was blazing trail. I was loving the tight, twisty, whoopty-do singletrack. My legs were happy today. Since this was not an official race, we tried to be very courteous when passing people. But in spots it was still a bit difficult not to rub some elbows as the trail was very tight. And there were times when we would be passed and I was happy to allow them by as I knew they had their own agendas.

I was doing just one bottle, which, by the way is SO NICE; no Camelbak today. We refilled at Aid Station 1 and I choked down a banana. We were off in no time and still feeling the love.

This trail is mentally taxing because a lot of it looks the same and your reaction time has to be quick or you might just end up in the briars, down the ravine, or kissing a tree. It is physically taxing because it is so flat (1675 feet gain in 50 miles) and you are always hammering.

As we neared Aid Station 2 (mile 29), we were met with bikini bottoms, pink flamingos, and Beach Boys tunes. These volunteers were having a great time and treating us riders to some good food. PB&J sandwiches, homemade cookies, pretzels, oranges, bananas, and so much more. I opted just to refill my bottle and grabbed another banana. No experimentation for me today.

After Aid Station 2, Zeke began to lose focus. I could tell that he was beginning to hurt as the pace slowed and a few expletives were directed at the sand pits. Knowing him, I think it was a combination of this type of flat, monotonous course and not getting enough calories in. Later, I learned, he was also having issues with hand numbness.

Heading towards Aid Station 3 (mile 39) I told Zeke that we need to stop for a few minutes and that he needed to get some more calories in. Bypassing the "swamp water", cheddar cheese cubes, and meatballs, I played it safe with a PB&J sandwich. Zeke had a banana and a couple cookies.

Then Jason rolled in upon us. Breathing a bit heavy, he had "raced" to catch up to us; he had started about 15-20 minutes after us. We all left together. Seeing as how he would not be able to keep us with Jason's pace, Zeke took the leash off me. I asked if he was sure and he said yes. I was like a beagle going after the rabbit.

For the last 12 miles I put it in the big ring and let 'er fly. It was a good TT effort for me, to stay on Jason's wheel. It was a good finish to a great day. However, just a few minutes after we had finished and grabbed some water, Zeke rolled in. Hmmm ... somebody else picked up the pace in the last few miles as well. I think next time I will lead the team! No sandbaggers at TR allowed.

What a wonderfully beautiful day! Great weather, good friends, dedicated volunteers, and a fun course. It was good to see Reenie and Tom; they looked very happy to be on their bikes ... and not having to ride on snow!

Zeke and I have a lot of work to do ... but today was a good start.

6 Days and Counting

The wait is agonizing ... especially since I have had and continue to have some hard efforts planned for the road in 20+ degree weather. Ughh!

Next week Zeke and I are heading to sun shiny Florida for some warm weather and a fun ride, the Croom 50. It will be so nice to have just ONE layer, and perhaps even sleeveless jerseys.

Right now the forcast for Tampa is sunny with highs in the 70's.

I am so over this Michigan-style weather. This is Tennessee ... for God's sake!