tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76814150744834684372024-03-05T16:29:15.242-08:00Swimmer In TransitionRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-39381767401091630572015-08-02T20:01:00.001-07:002015-08-02T20:29:23.139-07:00Pendleton and a SparkYesterday Kyle and I raced the Camp Pendleton sprint triathlon. 500m swim, 18 mile bike, 5k run. A fun little trip around the LCAC facility against my favorite sailor. <div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvAOMhjJHeEUxWxjLd37hThVDVByLHwbE-IO9KOw0GJZXC2VdFRGXHVAGuiqHyRFNc_VkI3mfY6cCA6Bb2u70UIXkWPfGuSJaPCbVnzKFCFlxZ4dHhV-f1CrYuN-bZil361W0R1yMmV05/s640/blogger-image-1738836023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvAOMhjJHeEUxWxjLd37hThVDVByLHwbE-IO9KOw0GJZXC2VdFRGXHVAGuiqHyRFNc_VkI3mfY6cCA6Bb2u70UIXkWPfGuSJaPCbVnzKFCFlxZ4dHhV-f1CrYuN-bZil361W0R1yMmV05/s640/blogger-image-1738836023.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They didn't have an elite wave {not that I'm elite, but I like head to head competition}, so I started 30 min behind Kyle. I knew with the shorter swim, we'd be closer in time, but I didn't realize how close...</div><div><br></div><div>I stood at the swim exit waiting for Kyle. 12 min, 15 min...did I miss him? I meandered back to the start and glanced back, was that him? T-Rex running arms and head down, yep. 18 min, seriously Kyle?!</div><div><br></div><div>My wave went off with a few big breaks, and some current, and I over compensated, because the previous waves were getting pulled north and I found myself south of the first buoy. Seriously, rachel?</div><div><br></div><div>I had a good chuckle at the halfway point thinking back to Kyle's exit. </div><div><br></div><div>Caught a decent wave in and struggled through the sand. Hopped on my bike and was on a mission. Unfortunately I saw Kyle at my mile 5. What?! Made note of my time and got to the turnaround 15 min later. Crap, 12min back to the spot I saw him. So now I'm only 3 min up. He made up almost his entire losses from the swim?! My run is going to hurt.</div><div><br></div><div>Got back to T2 and chugged up the large launching ramp and saw Erin and Kyle at the corner. Ran as hard as I could, switching up my stride to utilize every possible firing muscle. Saw Kyle before the final straight away and he encouraged me to stride it out. I rarely sprint for the finish, and I'm not sure why. Maybe I thought I looked ridiculous. Maybe I remember running too fast through my Ironman finish chutes, and wished I had savored the moment more? But this was a sprint and so a sprint finish was necessary. </div><div><br></div><div>Moral of the story; it mattered. Beat Kyle by 11 seconds. Not a typo. A far closer race than the 6 min at Carlsbad!!</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Do I care that it was a minute slower than my first year racing triathlon? Or 9 slower than last year? Honestly, no. You get what you deserve. What you train </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">for. But it sparked something inside. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw4ZJn_YlHVqVSvyLGe0iFIJbkjcSIQwKUzrYxY7FNfdiCwCa2beEH-puv7R2X38Gg2JJy9GQIbcdVtKpnbS07QTc3hlsxJtu7I5D9Yg2gQ9wLXQO0LI2vc6F3PmQBOdbrdMAZYovcbpg/s640/blogger-image--69370683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw4ZJn_YlHVqVSvyLGe0iFIJbkjcSIQwKUzrYxY7FNfdiCwCa2beEH-puv7R2X38Gg2JJy9GQIbcdVtKpnbS07QTc3hlsxJtu7I5D9Yg2gQ9wLXQO0LI2vc6F3PmQBOdbrdMAZYovcbpg/s640/blogger-image--69370683.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I know it's only August and typically people wait till Jan 1 for New Years resolutions. But that's always forced by a date and maybe that's why they don't work. It's not genuine, it's tradition. Yesterday I was inspired by my lack of speed. I know it sounds arrogant because I still won my age group, but that didn't matter to me. I know it wasn't the best my body is capable of. It was my b</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">est on the day, and that's all I can ask. But it's not all I can do. So next year, pending we don't have to move, I'm coming prepared. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HOqWElDLEV-s1Ei6YJo6nWiSF4gIL8XIgkgs0CUlw-ueu3AImXSidphaE_gtyK7UsReYhES3fbtf26Uvp-AuQ9uMXl31pegisxejmaD5GQw2R1x6ftc4Et4_h-5KbbzZbXhZcs16F4bV/s640/blogger-image--952650461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HOqWElDLEV-s1Ei6YJo6nWiSF4gIL8XIgkgs0CUlw-ueu3AImXSidphaE_gtyK7UsReYhES3fbtf26Uvp-AuQ9uMXl31pegisxejmaD5GQw2R1x6ftc4Et4_h-5KbbzZbXhZcs16F4bV/s640/blogger-image--952650461.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Challenge 2016: PR all "my" local races. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Desert Tri Olympic</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Super Seal Sprint</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Spring Sprint</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">San Diego International</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Carlsbad</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Semper Tri</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And if we are still in the southwest: SOMA (Now Tempe 70.3) and have that be Kyle's first half ironman.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now I need a plan. And I'm sure it'll include a lot of running. Time to</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Embrace the suck. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">First goal? Lose the excess weight holding me back that'll likely cause injury while running. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Second phase? Gain back fitness. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Lastly, the speed shall come. Sparks. I will be fast. Positive thoughts produce positive results. </font></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-27923736015188249932015-07-11T22:19:00.001-07:002015-07-14T11:12:33.334-07:00Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your lifeSo why not "race" a sprint triathlon?! At the last minute working the expo today, I decided to toe the line tomorrow. Got my timing chip, bib number and swim cap {and all the other crap! you need for a triathlon} and I'm ready as I'll ever be to begin again.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAX2lYe3BZKN_3GqF9p93VwleT5kszYND2w-UXlbAU7A-FpliafLcaaPm7tAvtQlUgB4hm9_P31UZqBodijNlAPFc1cG-DHEWc-x9RuukyLoJeZRg9OBmcQAzUt5xkIblFs-YBvH6lQ-I/s640/blogger-image--1319393081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAX2lYe3BZKN_3GqF9p93VwleT5kszYND2w-UXlbAU7A-FpliafLcaaPm7tAvtQlUgB4hm9_P31UZqBodijNlAPFc1cG-DHEWc-x9RuukyLoJeZRg9OBmcQAzUt5xkIblFs-YBvH6lQ-I/s640/blogger-image--1319393081.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{last year}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Excuses:</div>
<div>
1) I'm 20lbs over weight</div>
<div>
2) I've got maybe 15 run miles total since Superfrog last October. </div>
<div>
3) Kermit's odometer hasn't moved. {he did get a good bath the other week}</div>
<div>
4) I've swam to the 1/4 mile buoy at the cove a handful of times. Slowly and for fun only. More like floating out there to clear my mind. </div>
<div>
5) I pulled my rib two weeks ago and it's been touch and go for taking deep breaths, swimming, living. {yes, dramatic}</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Reasons:</div>
<div>
1) Why not?</div>
<div>
2) It's one of the perks of my job. {unpaid, but free}</div>
<div>
3} I need to kickstart my body & heart:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been almost a year since I lost myself. Love is an odd and wonderful emotion. I feel like I only have so much to give. I know there are people out there with endless amounts. But most have a breaking point. I don't think I realized how hard Kyle's heart journey would be, and sometime after last July I stopped loving myself. I was {and still am} worried about him. His heart. His career. Our life together. And unfortunately, I lost sight of the present in looking towards an uncertain future. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We listened to an interesting NPR podcast {TED radio hour, "Shifting Time"} on the way home from Phoenix about time. How there isn't a present, only a past and the future. What does being in the moment truly mean? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I realized I've been looking towards an unknown future with a past that is empty. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So it's time for a change. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ready or not, here I come, future. One stroke, revolution and step at a time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4am. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-44584477804502094502015-06-02T20:10:00.000-07:002015-06-08T08:49:56.370-07:00Count von CountI've added another member to the family. Super Grover was sold to a nice OB fireman who had his bike stolen. The replacement is Parlee's new AltumR in Rivera blue. I was actually so impressed by the stock paint that I just ordered it!<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwgRK4JQa-OjdokQY3yKi9xyhDMGjBewOb7ja5UpWpuOLr5CEby0zFHwfQ92Er-5HuC3hOTyDQH4o6c_XSMD1LKKz-hMHkHtUmUz82nP6DYjwdc2-LfevHS1ftgjqXJzdf4OdDVYeKvGr/s1600/IMG_5939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwgRK4JQa-OjdokQY3yKi9xyhDMGjBewOb7ja5UpWpuOLr5CEby0zFHwfQ92Er-5HuC3hOTyDQH4o6c_XSMD1LKKz-hMHkHtUmUz82nP6DYjwdc2-LfevHS1ftgjqXJzdf4OdDVYeKvGr/s320/IMG_5939.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">super grover's very excited new owner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I opted for the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 build and stayed with the Rolf Élan wheelset. {Albeit a new pair, since I sold Grover with the old set.} Jim was pretty much nerding out over my build, and he did some custom work that even had the Japanese engineers for Shimano dura-ace perplexed. It was awesome to see the look on their faces. "Where do you charge it?"<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
The bike is finished with a Zipp SL70 aero internally routed bar, Zipp SCSL stem and the ever amazing Parlee seat post. Super comfortable and lighter than the Zipp; yet I'm just a big fan of the elegant lines. I use a Fizik Vesta <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">saddle. </span></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
I snapped a couple of photos on his maiden voyage. I've done a couple races. And sadly last month I took him down at Barrio Logan. My body took the brunt of it, as the Count came out with only a few scratches on the shifters and the edge of the saddle. Paint and frame survived unscathed! </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Here's to many more adventures aboard my favorite bike.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM_IRvL6pf0FtjSlV8waqCJW1juUO815JpNKKcxGiCtsVFY4JLtiEQtPW1ocTmIa7Sm1RFvDGpcih63eM8-nG7xP5zpHJtoc3KmYuX8GBaqk8ytEDorS6XP91IyTBHU8xCm2BTZMXmtrT/s1600/IMG_5934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM_IRvL6pf0FtjSlV8waqCJW1juUO815JpNKKcxGiCtsVFY4JLtiEQtPW1ocTmIa7Sm1RFvDGpcih63eM8-nG7xP5zpHJtoc3KmYuX8GBaqk8ytEDorS6XP91IyTBHU8xCm2BTZMXmtrT/s320/IMG_5934.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlTlFr3hODiSoGnSUYtl45M9Wz4ZPWld9qVOCK4R8qvf6G5qGtJ2RH-Ap2yK-1iYSOU10J1d4bsbVErfehmorZj4BtSwiGD8o4uCsmQrtfAT1XmZJGNsF45heE9M1xlHcOgr3zXmskzYK/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlTlFr3hODiSoGnSUYtl45M9Wz4ZPWld9qVOCK4R8qvf6G5qGtJ2RH-Ap2yK-1iYSOU10J1d4bsbVErfehmorZj4BtSwiGD8o4uCsmQrtfAT1XmZJGNsF45heE9M1xlHcOgr3zXmskzYK/s320/IMG_5962.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2QIKxZbPq5lNoNe_jgR5tFBqcSHoN0tMfE5SyHAriqUZbeoGBx4lukzPEfzMKTV6NkeQj95rBC6u8TrmXGr_aMm5zhkOA77nhFvazPR6bljsURIovqcx0Tw4qZqeM7DpuuMqFnbEp_8R/s1600/IMG_6094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2QIKxZbPq5lNoNe_jgR5tFBqcSHoN0tMfE5SyHAriqUZbeoGBx4lukzPEfzMKTV6NkeQj95rBC6u8TrmXGr_aMm5zhkOA77nhFvazPR6bljsURIovqcx0Tw4qZqeM7DpuuMqFnbEp_8R/s320/IMG_6094.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlqv4RpEBicmB52inFm6D0SC3ZDsgwphC6CYyTsY6F6I-1sR5OO3Oaaam6xZS_BM6EjTvHihigE87FMHFv0TuWsV9uHg0M5p8j7eY3C8Ud3DjSd5S3Y_VxvQrkgSQ9-2BGQrMwnMlUDMi/s1600/IMG_6133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlqv4RpEBicmB52inFm6D0SC3ZDsgwphC6CYyTsY6F6I-1sR5OO3Oaaam6xZS_BM6EjTvHihigE87FMHFv0TuWsV9uHg0M5p8j7eY3C8Ud3DjSd5S3Y_VxvQrkgSQ9-2BGQrMwnMlUDMi/s320/IMG_6133.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvmNjQ4Y-WyIMZFFrGmYo3WG9LTHsLqkzkt26SM08bnJMKwlcLHRPJBYExTtdGTQB9QLykKpZJFAl2XWYoraji5-n6kWM-CFnUxUKkSivpgZ14DnGsHorfl3qL0P5nAP6XZHQxYrrA2Xg/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvmNjQ4Y-WyIMZFFrGmYo3WG9LTHsLqkzkt26SM08bnJMKwlcLHRPJBYExTtdGTQB9QLykKpZJFAl2XWYoraji5-n6kWM-CFnUxUKkSivpgZ14DnGsHorfl3qL0P5nAP6XZHQxYrrA2Xg/s320/IMG_6145.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_FWrWJxe3xtNqbei1KBI8mpeBsH1bDcqiNaPpz7xVn_jUwHYARCAN5Fo57u_YGmdS8Ue_dp4oVLtgMht2cVDllsDBUUOzbivXO5FfflS0f1eBIuWpGf7stSQ7IJJa4m6LsI_XTY_jimI/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_FWrWJxe3xtNqbei1KBI8mpeBsH1bDcqiNaPpz7xVn_jUwHYARCAN5Fo57u_YGmdS8Ue_dp4oVLtgMht2cVDllsDBUUOzbivXO5FfflS0f1eBIuWpGf7stSQ7IJJa4m6LsI_XTY_jimI/s320/IMG_6237.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9Z9fy9Ro8ZkhjrMDTlP8fEcR__roVNTNQOpeoi9qqWqqn4VxHh-JDj63SsvopJ0vi1oYnBJ5nQKNQgAvMW_EDJwDrIVK7bmpT30txGN0RXL5zb4cM1Qe_iQhx-U7qCVOxu6qOpe8Onyw/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9Z9fy9Ro8ZkhjrMDTlP8fEcR__roVNTNQOpeoi9qqWqqn4VxHh-JDj63SsvopJ0vi1oYnBJ5nQKNQgAvMW_EDJwDrIVK7bmpT30txGN0RXL5zb4cM1Qe_iQhx-U7qCVOxu6qOpe8Onyw/s320/IMG_6244.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBvAMj-_BapE6ioVd3r6rbrglhLwJI_FI3IJqyXGZK1lpESR2aZgv2W1ZDHDv_wKNsrtuFn-o9Z3bqxAoCSIr6ncWTVXu-Fd5oTJDPp0xr-ARdMvPKBG2u543_xZx6Cm-th3Cbc4oONbE/s1600/IMG_6435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBvAMj-_BapE6ioVd3r6rbrglhLwJI_FI3IJqyXGZK1lpESR2aZgv2W1ZDHDv_wKNsrtuFn-o9Z3bqxAoCSIr6ncWTVXu-Fd5oTJDPp0xr-ARdMvPKBG2u543_xZx6Cm-th3Cbc4oONbE/s320/IMG_6435.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-8J2ujVb0jSW_94BCtEbYYm3eAoY7efeKBV9T8ifBxakNCqVfN-tjovq4vIJrsje9EVM_Gof7KBtmfsEIWu-65nR2NXH3DWfjF0iy2gU328ifwoMUS2LQwTAFI843bt7NbUlwWCfykqJ/s1600/IMG_6918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-8J2ujVb0jSW_94BCtEbYYm3eAoY7efeKBV9T8ifBxakNCqVfN-tjovq4vIJrsje9EVM_Gof7KBtmfsEIWu-65nR2NXH3DWfjF0iy2gU328ifwoMUS2LQwTAFI843bt7NbUlwWCfykqJ/s320/IMG_6918.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<br></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-24564963793016786022015-06-02T19:57:00.000-07:002015-06-02T20:15:51.491-07:00In-Limbo<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's no surprise that I've had a tough year and an even tougher time breaking free from that curse. Our current in-limbo situation is definitely not helping. It's hard to put anything on the calendar or even create goals, when I'm not sure what we'll be doing or where we'll be next week/month/year. Okay drastic much, I'll be right here next week.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last month our landlord broke the news that she was moving her father into our unit and we had 60 days to vacate. Unnecessary drama added to the in-limbo period, and we were almost screwed out of a place we fell in love with. A last minute deal by all 3 parties, and we were in the new place by mid-May. We've sadly moved out of our beloved 92107, but the rental market is ridiculous there. We miss the convenience of OB, but are loving our new place in Point Loma. Bigger windows, breezy, and a back yard that we've already been able to entertain with. Oh, and a million dollar view of the San Diego Bay, downtown, Coronado, bridge skyline.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kyle has been put through the ringer with finding new orders. I don't even want to talk about that.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been having a much harder time coming back from this crash than I anticipated. Both of my crashes on Cookie Monster left me itching to get back out there. To stay in shape as best I could and I had a fire to ride again. Maybe I'm too far removed, but this feels different. Darker and lonelier. It's not only my back that hurts. I wasn't in a good place before the crash, and I thought racing would bring me back to me. Sadly, it brought me to the ground.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before Barrio I had a bit of déjà vu. I felt like I was just here. Bummed out by my own community. Disappointed by my peers, sad and angry at the attacks taken towards myself and others for standing up against something offensive to me. It was almost a year ago that Kyle and I were hurt via social media, but I feel the wound hasn't healed.</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I took a stance against something I did not like. I did not attack a person, but I brought forward an issue with company who was providing a service that I paid for. I was dissatisfied with the marketing materials {not to mention, offended} and in return, I was attacked for my views non-related. I was also asked to not participate in an event I registered for. Personal attacks, and it hurt. I'm not trying to re-open that wound, but I never wrote about it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't keep questioning why I do something. Why do I ride? For fun, for competition, to enjoy as much of my time we have left in California? It's not so simple anymore and sometimes I wish I could be a beginner again. {minus the mis-matched kits}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsih5aIoeh5AQ8ii8lGhgLcTTevEuRyh-3hLNdPoISROATm5SdVfWz9vVNIWF6qyqmmltbcjMdAgWuNnz7SuSNyOAe2u2vuGJ45pygwiGWNNlQzHQwToAX_a-AIXuOHCZi8TMSMhn8nqW7/s640/blogger-image-1161230593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsih5aIoeh5AQ8ii8lGhgLcTTevEuRyh-3hLNdPoISROATm5SdVfWz9vVNIWF6qyqmmltbcjMdAgWuNnz7SuSNyOAe2u2vuGJ45pygwiGWNNlQzHQwToAX_a-AIXuOHCZi8TMSMhn8nqW7/s640/blogger-image-1161230593.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">even the after shoes match, now.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I rode Palomar at the urging of my co-worker. I'm in the worst shape I've been in since moving to San Diego, and that was made evident by Strava. I had no business attacking that hill and I let it attack me. But I made it up. Slowly but surely. Music cranked. I may have cracked a smile or two. I enjoyed a coke at the top and of course, the descent! The only reason I climb hills is so I can fly down them. And then Cole Grade road stood between me and the car. The artificial finish line, that I never crossed. I sat under a tree and waited for the sag wagon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_9s0lbOvOinGua14-dIGY20p2e1ccQSVY8cBam_PG_sKTY1Q46mYHjCT2th9OEUQGwdg8Ko32LVuGk2B_iZ4mPHFA9QREq-izuncR0i7AT-xckK_PI5dUxboWcw3dBfrWbPuyyxWVY_V/s640/blogger-image--1190808497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_9s0lbOvOinGua14-dIGY20p2e1ccQSVY8cBam_PG_sKTY1Q46mYHjCT2th9OEUQGwdg8Ko32LVuGk2B_iZ4mPHFA9QREq-izuncR0i7AT-xckK_PI5dUxboWcw3dBfrWbPuyyxWVY_V/s640/blogger-image--1190808497.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cole Grade cop out.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Haven't done that since Big Bear. Tried to avoid a pity party, becoming thankful my body made it as far as it did today.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj3RKQl8h8Fl_XMJgWDegtlUxJGcXx7jMr33Lm-Cx2uvirfhxA43kCtOf41aqY-DZ52bYTCnYiKSe7ZP5KC9dAUols8xY9EDV3ictfgYENgwKKWLWvRl2PoYYs9aH62Sw-l9Er9zfnyp8/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj3RKQl8h8Fl_XMJgWDegtlUxJGcXx7jMr33Lm-Cx2uvirfhxA43kCtOf41aqY-DZ52bYTCnYiKSe7ZP5KC9dAUols8xY9EDV3ictfgYENgwKKWLWvRl2PoYYs9aH62Sw-l9Er9zfnyp8/s320/IMG_0718.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The quitting spot at Big Bear training for IM Tahoe in 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Those dreaded words, "So, what's next?" come up so often, because aren't we all defined by what we've done and where we are going? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next? I suppose a happy post about my new bike. And an update from the #plr2015 with my college roomies. </span></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-5702965904867654722015-05-03T12:33:00.001-07:002015-05-07T18:01:44.143-07:00Hitting the Ground<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ah barrio. My favorite race is now tarnished with an avoidable crash. I'm glad it was my fault because now I don't have to feel angry at anyone besides myself. And I'm also glad I didn't take out anyone else, as I'm not sure how one can live with that guilt. I'm not quite sure how to stomach my error. It was a momentary lapse in judgement. A look I should not have taken. And a painful reminder to look through the corner even after the road straightens out. </span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>I've been racing since 2010 and have never crashed in a race. I've been in a lot of near misses, close calls, and have been extremely lucky. Sadly, my luck ran out yesterday, at my favorite race. <br><br>Kyle and I had a good warmup, riding to the race from OB. Got my number, passed my donated BWR entry fee for prime $$ onto Ralph for the w3/4, and got some spin ups and mini sprints done on the roads around the area. Did the warmup lap and felt okay. Wind would be a factor and I knew sitting in would be my only plan of the day. <br><br>It wasn't as fast from the gun as usual. Paraded around the first couple of corners and got to the bottom of the hill. After the turn up, in the straights, 2 Skyflash girls and a monster media girl went down. Not sure what happened but it was enough in front of me that I easily avoided it. Had to work a bit to catch back on, but nothing major. Monster media girl eventually got back in after a trip to the wheel pit, and I asked her if she was okay. A couple laps later and there was a $50 cash prime lap. Moved up after corner 1,2,3 and was sitting 3rd wheel going down the hill which I thought was too close to the front. The lead girl pulled for much longer than expected so I decided to make my move wide just before the final corner. Stood and sprinted about as hard as I would in a final sprint because gosh darnit I wanted that cash. Got it. And strung out the field. <br><br>Paid for it in the next 3 laps. Deanna was encouraging as I was quickly moving backward, to hang on and that she wouldn't let me get gapped. I was breathing like a large exhausted dog, and I'm sure others around me were concerned, or pleased. Sadly, my prime set up the attacks groups of 2/3 girls kept jumping from our bunch. As soon as I saw Joy go I knew I had to go, but wasn't recovered enough and knew my race was over. <br><br>Dislodged the most disgusting loogie in my life onto the entire left side of my face and sunglasses. That was seriously gross. <br><br>More laps of "is this over yet?" And "not sure how much longer I can hang on" and "I guess this isn't too bad"<br><br>I think I crashed with what would have been 3 laps to go. Headed into the final corner between two girls, the one on my right was further back. Wasn't anything abnormal or sketchy at all. I think I looked over my right shoulder as the corner was ending, because I had decided I wanted to move up. When I looked forward again I was heading right into the middle of the girl next to me on my left. Shit. She was following the pack and taking the corner extra wide and I had already started to straighten out, up the hill. I was in my drops, yet lost control of my front wheel as I rammed her. Props to her for keeping it up. All I remember seeing was someone's bar end cap in slow mo, falling through the air. And then I was down with my bike going over top of me. <br><br>Lots of internal swear words, or maybe I thought they were internal. JT and some random man scooped me onto the sidewalk as I was more concerned about being in the way of the lead pack. Head/neck felt fine, but my back/hips were in a lot of pain. <br><br>A terrible ambulance experience, 2 botched IV tries, a worse experience in X-ray, an hour wait at the pharmacy, and 30 min in the McDonald's drive through downtown and I was at my worst by the time we got home after midnight. <br><br>I have a very bruised low back/pelvis area, nothing broken. Got milk? <br><br>Laying down hurts. Sitting hurts. Nothing is comfortable, but especially not a metal scoop basket, an X-ray plastic board, and a toilet seat. Fml. <br><br>Thank you to JT who filled out the paperwork and took Kyle and my bike back home so Kyle could get the car. Thanks to Andrea for riding with me in the ambulance and listening to my craziness while on drugs. Thanks for the words of encouragement. <br><br>Should've put this at the top, cause this is all that really matters, but apparently my bike is okay! <br><br>Very sadly, they had to skin me of my skinsuit. The consolidation prizes? I got photographed by Danny Munson and I won a $50 prime. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vDMZ5l27WT_zbq_e8hJETGAbuvej94wgsOleTWrNNLPHSaYON0tXcArQPvhIFppFt9QsgVpt_Fu43zYyhcqrwDIc40LgSSDI9cSjg8snxXhmig35ua5usFyLg4lkvU9DnR6diTnA4a2s/s640/blogger-image-1526847436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vDMZ5l27WT_zbq_e8hJETGAbuvej94wgsOleTWrNNLPHSaYON0tXcArQPvhIFppFt9QsgVpt_Fu43zYyhcqrwDIc40LgSSDI9cSjg8snxXhmig35ua5usFyLg4lkvU9DnR6diTnA4a2s/s640/blogger-image-1526847436.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-37023967139530973832015-03-03T15:56:00.001-08:002015-07-13T21:10:22.138-07:00Getting used to the unknownI was always a planner, a goal maker, and an achiever. I had an uncanny ability to believe in myself and the certainty that every goal I had would be checked off. Living in northern Minnesota meant I still had room for fun and silliness. But I knew where I would be and had grand plans of the path needed to get there.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My husband is the exact opposite. He is spontaneous and free. That's probably why I was drawn to him after my collegiate career was finished. I had achieved all my goals and without anything on the horizon besides my upcoming employment at Wells Fargo, I realized I had the ability to be free too. He was different than any guy I had dated before and I loved the way he moved through life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had a curvy road that eventually led us to where we are today. And as much as we try to influence each other, we still have the same personalities. We learn from each other and have a balance that works. Most of the time. :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The planner in me was preparing for his next duty station. Craving every ounce of info I could get regarding the early release process, pcs'ing to the other side of the world, and the "what will I do?" unknown was exciting! I was planning our life in a foreign country and was excited by the prospect of the unknown. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
His heart, on the other hand, has taught me that not everything in life can be planned for. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two weeks ago I went to St. Louis to visit my best friend from high school, Annie, and meet her new bundle of joy, Aaron. I also snuck in a visit with Mr. Christopher Hanley, Moment's old mechanic. Had a great weekend even though it was fridged. I bought a new long down jacket just for the occasion. {It's currently 70 degrees in San Diego, the jacket is now useless.}</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEqDX5bQ5yUpGjJ-_Pfm3Z1Stkqpybz8M-JJhzqcpnjVwfH80qIVdpE44C2rZULX88SbfKNY-KV3lHspO7KkezcjMeXYrczPZ3l-OR925NKvQBo5p8sl-8a-qeI9u1NP50xPU0_rvCShf/s640/blogger-image--1976501029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEqDX5bQ5yUpGjJ-_Pfm3Z1Stkqpybz8M-JJhzqcpnjVwfH80qIVdpE44C2rZULX88SbfKNY-KV3lHspO7KkezcjMeXYrczPZ3l-OR925NKvQBo5p8sl-8a-qeI9u1NP50xPU0_rvCShf/s640/blogger-image--1976501029.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt8To4DcaoifNb9cqIyHFRf2iv7O_bOxq0aVt_gxPqxEMK4_tHN4F94rPkheJc_kgk5uMynS4HTlJTZeOvX4qS_rMzvv5MjMxn2OneHG51gLwyXtk4zpqe9CTwkITvKQ56NTQzWU4pPVW/s640/blogger-image--366100712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt8To4DcaoifNb9cqIyHFRf2iv7O_bOxq0aVt_gxPqxEMK4_tHN4F94rPkheJc_kgk5uMynS4HTlJTZeOvX4qS_rMzvv5MjMxn2OneHG51gLwyXtk4zpqe9CTwkITvKQ56NTQzWU4pPVW/s640/blogger-image--366100712.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiI2jxc3CqKeBsHGB8f5J8V71aeyvvNkPx2MDIwbus6v48K-PhxgwWPiyoj_L-mrS_m297ewRnSYxACpfoT-RzF412Njmx6FfEBp33jj5CIQ9KvAB6WWlXzPjfV149n0FVG-yk0YTtedE/s640/blogger-image-1361776382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiI2jxc3CqKeBsHGB8f5J8V71aeyvvNkPx2MDIwbus6v48K-PhxgwWPiyoj_L-mrS_m297ewRnSYxACpfoT-RzF412Njmx6FfEBp33jj5CIQ9KvAB6WWlXzPjfV149n0FVG-yk0YTtedE/s640/blogger-image-1361776382.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Back on the home front, Kyle was trying to ride his bike with some Brady-Cardia episodes. Unbeknownst to him, his heart rate was at 40 and not responding to effort. Not pumping blood to his extemedies thus his hand and feet were going numb. A DNF and back to the drawing board. Tuesday he tried to commute to work via his bike and made it 10 pedal strokes before turning back. I was on my own ride, so he drove himself to the ER. They admitted him and after a visit with his cardiologist, they decided the pacemaker was the only option. His EKG had totally flipped, going from his "normal" high heart rate svt with exercise and right bundle branch block, to this bradycardia episode with a left bundle block. Wtf. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QWy4BSWwD4yqBSh8tSHNJRyoZIVFGe295Wlp7B7x8pyWpSzp0b7tE6iTYopZSxib8_o0FiLe9fMVUoGOfHk7RaKX8nPBXu1G8cEFnH64m1EulHKtBxDYrI4pB7jZPKhmwkWJDDXGpe_c/s640/blogger-image--1900778561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QWy4BSWwD4yqBSh8tSHNJRyoZIVFGe295Wlp7B7x8pyWpSzp0b7tE6iTYopZSxib8_o0FiLe9fMVUoGOfHk7RaKX8nPBXu1G8cEFnH64m1EulHKtBxDYrI4pB7jZPKhmwkWJDDXGpe_c/s640/blogger-image--1900778561.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first night they woke him for a scrub down and he passed out and his heart stopped for 9 seconds. His cardiologist was pissed when she found out the next morning and they hadn't moved him to the ICU or contacted her. After a long wait for the cath lab to open, he went down for the implantation. And came back a new boy. Kidding. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYrUcE4dmFDLXGK2fvXasbS4dWbQE5Wi3QGjnrnUwEVtuc8u1WqaX4gRz9IrxGzGKXFJUGplt7aLVgzIVPyfz25DD4oCXzbWegoIdUa-g38HzfGUeIsP-9LTqNYECcyzo-J3610UA_Op8/s640/blogger-image--1147310390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYrUcE4dmFDLXGK2fvXasbS4dWbQE5Wi3QGjnrnUwEVtuc8u1WqaX4gRz9IrxGzGKXFJUGplt7aLVgzIVPyfz25DD4oCXzbWegoIdUa-g38HzfGUeIsP-9LTqNYECcyzo-J3610UA_Op8/s640/blogger-image--1147310390.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He was released Thursday. He had a rough weekend and some odd palpitations but tried to trust in his new technology. Last Thursday was his pacer followup and wound check and he decided to throw some odd stuff at his docs. SVT, AVNRT, Brady. It all came while they had the monitor on. Unfortunately the cath lab is closed for maintenance so they put off his next ablation till tomorrow. He's had multiple "attacks" this weekend. So now he has to go back to the lab for hopefully his final (4th) ablation. To cut off his hearts ability to tick. And to fully rely on his pacemaker 100%. Because clearly his heart has demonstrated that it can't function properly. As he says, "Go home av node; you're drunk." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemaUdjZAG_gZAW6kT4QjRkVIdr0uo3g0IbL7FXSWiLhjB-PHzzXmMavQKR44Ub7FXVSX7MFqBaa_FOPx4MNWAqDd8mEx7gENAbwc_9I1PlzdJzMeQ2soBYW-RbLA42YDnXPsRgb0klEcV/s640/blogger-image-106802473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemaUdjZAG_gZAW6kT4QjRkVIdr0uo3g0IbL7FXSWiLhjB-PHzzXmMavQKR44Ub7FXVSX7MFqBaa_FOPx4MNWAqDd8mEx7gENAbwc_9I1PlzdJzMeQ2soBYW-RbLA42YDnXPsRgb0klEcV/s640/blogger-image-106802473.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Where are we at? In limbo. And it sucks. I promise I'll do a more positive post about my recent race experiences at VOS and the new San Diego Omnium. And my new bike! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb48qsVaZdM5EoGffxS40Rvj9mBRaf6HB0qnx61njAFQUV9ky0l8Z6LuM9AUpwr3zSyVzovDQl591VlGSFRtlrVQJxFnZABYvMZ_vjttffXCeknOT-fszr0f2Yy6lk50tEdZtaoY2c_P_/s640/blogger-image-469498139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb48qsVaZdM5EoGffxS40Rvj9mBRaf6HB0qnx61njAFQUV9ky0l8Z6LuM9AUpwr3zSyVzovDQl591VlGSFRtlrVQJxFnZABYvMZ_vjttffXCeknOT-fszr0f2Yy6lk50tEdZtaoY2c_P_/s640/blogger-image-469498139.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are hanging in there. One day at a time. #willsdynasty</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-80157865497971716662015-01-23T22:13:00.001-08:002015-01-26T19:46:42.270-08:00A slow start requires interaction<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Slow and me aren't really friends. I'm a first born, type A, get shit done, fast and efficient, type of woman. I'm a swimmer, a triathlete and a bike racer. It's always been a race against the clock. And myself. Bigger, better, stronger. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think when I turned 30 I was in denial. There was no way I was going to slow down. I kept thinking I could pull off amazing without the work required. Or really, I wasn't aware of what 30 means to my body and mind. The work required was no longer the status quo, but so much more. Last summer was a harsh realization of "adult" issues. The health, marriage, waining fitness type of realities. I sometimes find my mind wandering to the past and find it hard to snap back to who I am now. Not dwell upon who I was. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, I'm still "Rachee Gordon" as Kyle calls me. But I'm a bit more relaxed these days. Spazz and Ratchet the Hatchet {don't ask} are nicknames of the past. I'm still trying to get used to the slowed down version of me and sometimes it doesn't feel quite right.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't drink coffee. My coworkers know I drink too much soda. More out of habit and that <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">2:00</a> craving to crawl from my blood sugar crash that comes with with having a later lunch. I didn't used to require stimulants to keep me fast. I used to proclaim, "I'm high on life!"</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last night I went to yoga and used our new to us membership to the climbing gym/yoga studio. {Cross training is better than couch sitting.} The instructor was helpful with her body awareness cues and really spoke to me the entire session. Today I used that strength and length to really enjoy the ocean and each stroke that was given to me. There is something about a calm, crisp and clear ocean for a first light cove swim that forms clear, positive thoughts. And a bright smile. Jake can tell you, there is always a smile smeared on my face during those swims. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not sure why, but the struggle each morning to get out of bed is real and it's the worst it's ever been. It's a fight with my mind and excuses fly out like a newspaper hot off the press. But, I've never once regretted getting up. Upon experiencing and completing the morning activity, I'm always refreshed or trashed, but totally satisfied that I made the effort to move. So, why does the mind play games every morning, telling me my bed is much better? Stay. Be warm. Rest your eyes. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Get up! Move! Love! Smile! Swim, bike, run, stretch...</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**********</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The activities that I've gravitated towards haven't necessarily been a team effort scenario. A race for the clock usually involves others, but not always towards a group effort. Individual performance is paramount. Here's where I think I've been going at it all wrong. Swimming is individual, but when did I have a solo practice? I laugh at my solo swims with great trepidation, knowing I don't have the drive to push myself. It's others who have always pushed me to be better {knowing or unknowing}. Triathlon is individual, and I mostly train alone.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I wonder why motivation is lacking. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I realize I need human interaction. The distractions of our daily lives have pulled me away from the things I love most. I find myself busier with back office stuff at work. Or ignoring my husband while I admire the 15th "like" on Instagram. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's not who I am, nor who I want to be. That's where I need your help. If you are still reading, you are either a) my mom, b) bored/distracted at work or in bed, or c) a friend who cares what the heck I've been up to. Either way, I need you to help me be accountable. Yell {or kindly remind me} to get off my phone. Invite me to ride! {currently not taking run invitations.} Lets climb, be yogis, drink wine, make a bonfire, enjoy the sunset {on my day off}. Let's race. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thing is, I don't want to slow down. <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I used to climb 3x a week in Minnesota, with friends who got me. I used to be more involved with the Tri Club of San Diego, volunteering and working out with others. I used to be the primary bike fitter at work. All of those experiences got me to who and where I am today. I don't necessarily need to try and recreate those activities and experiences, but I realize they all have human interaction as the common thread.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I chose not to have children so we can have the freedom to be fast. To be me. {Among MANY other reasons.} I promised my husband I wouldn't slow down. I just need others to push me harder, faster, longer, or to just get out of bed! I need that threat of getting dropped. Or the challenge to drop you. I need that date on the calendar. And maybe, those magnets in my bed will become a little less strong. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So. If you want me to be your training partner, I'm here for the taking. I don't have a coach or a plan. I'm more than willing to join your route, your ride, your gym, your sunset view, your happy hour place. Please join my rides, our climbing gym, meet me at Pizza Port, Wonderland or the La Jolla Cove. All invites welcome, fast or slow. Anything is better than not moving. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interact. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Email me for my phone number: <a href="mailto:rachel.anne.wills@gmail.com" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">rachel.anne.wills@gmail.com</a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's play. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-71733706468909897152014-12-24T17:43:00.001-08:002014-12-24T17:43:16.101-08:002014: A year to leave behindI started writing our Christmas letter and I had to put it down. It was getting a bit depressing and the theme felt repetitive. Rode bikes. Went on vacation. Kyle went SVT, got shocked, got an ablation. Repeat. Vacation, deployment, foreign country ER, and return to be ablated again. "Looking forward to 2015" feels a little more real than most imply.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I did things a bit differently this year. I wrote our "12 moments of 2014" which allows the repetitive nature of our year to come through. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiqE03skfgFvYgcVscuVEJO5eTSfolOtriEJ34XP3d4F7T5vCWW1PDMAymznETgOiDunaGx4jykFIeKCVmE-cb2bkmBHoIrYxNTpDT_xz_38FKzYyklid29hdIAVf5xB3F0d79DIqyNAM/s640/blogger-image-1496649628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiqE03skfgFvYgcVscuVEJO5eTSfolOtriEJ34XP3d4F7T5vCWW1PDMAymznETgOiDunaGx4jykFIeKCVmE-cb2bkmBHoIrYxNTpDT_xz_38FKzYyklid29hdIAVf5xB3F0d79DIqyNAM/s640/blogger-image-1496649628.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
12 months of sunshine: yep. We're still in San Diego and loving it. Last winter was a sad state of affairs for the CA water table, but pretty awesome for cyclists. We've had a bit of rain this winter and I found it fun to be able to wear my rain boots! </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxLX2PPOwdwp1WL1AAVx9ymv12Id4u7W-1qectPaeJl6fy-dCrowjBvpllzeMPOmt3SJ_5zpZvlB4STiOjzJJ-ykCv3mR_dQt6tPaRzvnPJNzg6U-2LzlvzVVri2h7RJw1vdBmuDmRDrv/s1600/10265649_10101133685053155_6515982829319419087_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxLX2PPOwdwp1WL1AAVx9ymv12Id4u7W-1qectPaeJl6fy-dCrowjBvpllzeMPOmt3SJ_5zpZvlB4STiOjzJJ-ykCv3mR_dQt6tPaRzvnPJNzg6U-2LzlvzVVri2h7RJw1vdBmuDmRDrv/s1600/10265649_10101133685053155_6515982829319419087_o.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Over 11 podium winnings. This blog pretty much sums that up. Had a fun early season racing bikes fast. </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEBS_eZLcQa3vGWf5n112VBO63Qfi4hsNnwIttrEJwKtj0gmJdRX3WsGQWjJin7cP9-nRJxkCCta5LAwZ_pWEjDxQADgfpb7Y_KC36EdeUlWnf05HCF0Mv2ZDq06V64-pcpmnrLP4lj-9/s1600/1491723_10100938849290585_195977335166688849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEBS_eZLcQa3vGWf5n112VBO63Qfi4hsNnwIttrEJwKtj0gmJdRX3WsGQWjJin7cP9-nRJxkCCta5LAwZ_pWEjDxQADgfpb7Y_KC36EdeUlWnf05HCF0Mv2ZDq06V64-pcpmnrLP4lj-9/s1600/1491723_10100938849290585_195977335166688849_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">racked up a bunch of points at the 805 criterium weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
10 days in Tahoe: I do love this place. We went in July and had an awesome trip to swim and ride. Followed with a not so awesome trip in Sept for my {cancelled} half ironman {wildfire smoke} and Kyle's overnight stay in Reno ICU after requiring 3x cardioverts. Not fun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0Jrz_1NauRXLKNBFG7jJ1e4QDRh818jMn1jYwULodeWcj9kIN5Woyg-FWm-oOvQxH03gLhloSDVhQKi9dGWk8Dj1QEszjljjKWdi2P9vAGYfEm41_kERwc4L2c6fqt8tm5rPqZBimESk/s1600/10557391_10101048481920915_8280930917606294522_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0Jrz_1NauRXLKNBFG7jJ1e4QDRh818jMn1jYwULodeWcj9kIN5Woyg-FWm-oOvQxH03gLhloSDVhQKi9dGWk8Dj1QEszjljjKWdi2P9vAGYfEm41_kERwc4L2c6fqt8tm5rPqZBimESk/s1600/10557391_10101048481920915_8280930917606294522_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trans tahoe swim relay = fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
9 trips with family- went to Phoenix in Feb to visit my new nephew and got to race too. I went back in April to visit during my moms 2nd trip out. I also went to South Danota in May for Jax's baptism and got to visit the Tiedemans! I got some quality swim lesson time with the little guy. Meg and Jax came to visit over the 4th of July. Kyle and I went to Seattle in Sept for my cousins wedding which was a great Gordon family gathering. We then ventured out to Phoenix again for Thanksgiving. I'm here now for a couple days before xmas and we are heading to Ohio next week to see his family and I get to meet his grandparents for the first time! Okay so that's 8, but he has 3 houses in Ohio we'll be shuttling between!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWGwzgT-RLO2PP68_rMUif_vfvvr0z8qIIxdx7nPpT8aCAY0-Smckje1B4ehq0vYcM4TRftpw332BqIhyphenhyphen0MlYY-Nl6ChW3hAV3G1cjKdGLXEFu5Yo5TV97MWw2WDVZCghRr1R7iD5Qb4X/s1600/1902923_10100859305452075_381613791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWGwzgT-RLO2PP68_rMUif_vfvvr0z8qIIxdx7nPpT8aCAY0-Smckje1B4ehq0vYcM4TRftpw332BqIhyphenhyphen0MlYY-Nl6ChW3hAV3G1cjKdGLXEFu5Yo5TV97MWw2WDVZCghRr1R7iD5Qb4X/s1600/1902923_10100859305452075_381613791_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcnObEQrFEaHons87hsLGzVSWzSnEdZvZ0u8VnDp4cYNzwpawKlyjUAD9eyQRddiQ68f2-mBCsPVeyfWMUU11iCmzrI65Um1qhx6m5sFt2nMQLAavSlMDhIayZH3MDDrJ9XQgUUNaN9f4/s1600/10308724_10154633457705257_2923207624734398004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcnObEQrFEaHons87hsLGzVSWzSnEdZvZ0u8VnDp4cYNzwpawKlyjUAD9eyQRddiQ68f2-mBCsPVeyfWMUU11iCmzrI65Um1qhx6m5sFt2nMQLAavSlMDhIayZH3MDDrJ9XQgUUNaN9f4/s1600/10308724_10154633457705257_2923207624734398004_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family reunion at Hannah's wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
8 years in the Navy - so proud of my Sailor. It hasn't been the greatest year for him, yet he remains so positive. He started taking online classes to finish his degree. He earned a NAM this summer for his work leading up to deployment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngx4zu_tkqSrbBncu6tBshstkBQFOuu1nP8ZsmA2LWSVEpWcyI0qZqcZy7S4hQgQR3GLmoZSphi79XII0Nbfo0pF4pa146Pm3YTQdqOgWwjS2UCB-1vU8tP7e1l7z9koMbbBYwX3pbY7V/s1600/1549579_10101128388662165_6456800207206964572_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngx4zu_tkqSrbBncu6tBshstkBQFOuu1nP8ZsmA2LWSVEpWcyI0qZqcZy7S4hQgQR3GLmoZSphi79XII0Nbfo0pF4pa146Pm3YTQdqOgWwjS2UCB-1vU8tP7e1l7z9koMbbBYwX3pbY7V/s1600/1549579_10101128388662165_6456800207206964572_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i've turned him into a hockey fan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
7 bikes in the household. Enough said.<br />
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanr7t_CU55Q5XWT570Of_OYS0auy0mzV-4GjzophuvwQtPZ5rehlzw2SKpB-OJ8tOWiG53FHS70xRRXgzGFr0A5f9B63cRclEDUj8QzfIY3qfEpAq7A8nWenseQTmsW4iBp2bdJSafgKt/s1600/1525342_10100820533700975_1972761191_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanr7t_CU55Q5XWT570Of_OYS0auy0mzV-4GjzophuvwQtPZ5rehlzw2SKpB-OJ8tOWiG53FHS70xRRXgzGFr0A5f9B63cRclEDUj8QzfIY3qfEpAq7A8nWenseQTmsW4iBp2bdJSafgKt/s1600/1525342_10100820533700975_1972761191_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal joined the family last Christmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqiYx2S8nEvB14WIyDfdT0ajkuNkcBwgU3BvbtbRqiEwQgBgeTxzIkZP9iPvilBMrWl2rWcdaKag0H9ZPAUnXJGzDlcJChaM2BVDsAqr0O8KZl3Swp1_rgQe30ZrlCx74hIk3diXRSXG7/s1600/10351753_10100944553339625_1380203010124127534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqiYx2S8nEvB14WIyDfdT0ajkuNkcBwgU3BvbtbRqiEwQgBgeTxzIkZP9iPvilBMrWl2rWcdaKag0H9ZPAUnXJGzDlcJChaM2BVDsAqr0O8KZl3Swp1_rgQe30ZrlCx74hIk3diXRSXG7/s1600/10351753_10100944553339625_1380203010124127534_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
6 years at Moment Bikes. Still loving my job as the bike fit kingpin and guru at the shop. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFqlrcUEi-8GaUHRfPUHX2p6DvHrrO8N0-YR_JZWOyaJ_GFrkw2rg4L5EkTwe0u0aEzkUhEaiiijE9C3p6fTmMKb5ucEG4beNvU49ctNzSzatv920aj1vPAb9qm1Ca-jmlRcw9TwdFrX2/s1600/photo+(10)%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFqlrcUEi-8GaUHRfPUHX2p6DvHrrO8N0-YR_JZWOyaJ_GFrkw2rg4L5EkTwe0u0aEzkUhEaiiijE9C3p6fTmMKb5ucEG4beNvU49ctNzSzatv920aj1vPAb9qm1Ca-jmlRcw9TwdFrX2/s1600/photo+(10)%2B(1).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Going on 5 married years. In sickness and health was the theme of this year. Oct brought our 4th anniversary and we celebrated at a Kings hockey game in LA! </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXAugHqGouKBTikwI433H-WcyKn1w_QzKeOCNbRvVFcUqyOSkN7QB_AeHBH3jkyxLtItEovS2dI8YT14P5HmHn94HYAzR2Xi8DV6UV2lOpbt39T6sKE7PiWdgqNlGnYTqz9_mLWLv7QnQ/s1600/1010412_10101128388552385_7584241666812260864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXAugHqGouKBTikwI433H-WcyKn1w_QzKeOCNbRvVFcUqyOSkN7QB_AeHBH3jkyxLtItEovS2dI8YT14P5HmHn94HYAzR2Xi8DV6UV2lOpbt39T6sKE7PiWdgqNlGnYTqz9_mLWLv7QnQ/s1600/1010412_10101128388552385_7584241666812260864_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4 cardioverts. One at work, 3 in tahoe. 2 were unsedated. He made me video the first one I saw. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3 ablations. He's gone in for 3 electrical pathway studies to map and ablate the bad nodes. He's an anomaly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Category 2 upgrade. Successful racing builds points. Should be an interesting 2015 racing full time with the big girls. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyTcvRHRHRDfSzKzlNcpMj9dBuzWIutAvice4f0IokwaRCpCxsf22DPx51LmA5urksNEyRhaPTZ8Tf0XT3G5xRPav3TqnrwQkHrAcRCQJGILGxFvdvmPgyeLVjV6LgQFCkwQDXd1Kahr2/s1600/10348678_10152203698922742_2821231909800184193_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyTcvRHRHRDfSzKzlNcpMj9dBuzWIutAvice4f0IokwaRCpCxsf22DPx51LmA5urksNEyRhaPTZ8Tf0XT3G5xRPav3TqnrwQkHrAcRCQJGILGxFvdvmPgyeLVjV6LgQFCkwQDXd1Kahr2/s1600/10348678_10152203698922742_2821231909800184193_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ah yes, the willsdynasty. We gotten knocked down but we will be back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwySU03CowXobYdC9ht8f7giCTwJ9Fe_JFrMgaToOxhltBCfX0FkEm5FZtwz2HFKXcTK11DdMN0C9pKl6_eMA1YHi6Q0YQZM7SQxusPKMO5AEZg6Ca5yZ9jNWrYQPfoyZe3EZqJikLXK3K/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwySU03CowXobYdC9ht8f7giCTwJ9Fe_JFrMgaToOxhltBCfX0FkEm5FZtwz2HFKXcTK11DdMN0C9pKl6_eMA1YHi6Q0YQZM7SQxusPKMO5AEZg6Ca5yZ9jNWrYQPfoyZe3EZqJikLXK3K/s1600/wedding.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-33195885860553675942014-11-20T16:44:00.004-08:002014-11-20T16:44:54.561-08:00Twas the night before...Kyle's third ablation.<br />
<br />
***********<br />
Finding a "starting" place, looking back to the past, is more difficult than I remember. I suppose it's harder to put challenging times to words, than the race report, podium shot posts of the "on season." It's okay. Everything will be okay.<br />
<br />
In my <a href="http://swimmerint1.blogspot.com/2014/10/deja-vu-all-over-again.html">previous post</a>, I had mentioned the #willsdynasty work that would get me back this winter and that Kyle would be finding on his trainer throughout deployment. I didn't intend for that preview to be so literal;<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2583c1; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"I'm looking forward. To training as "one of the guys" again, and racing as I have before, solo. I know this will be a challenge as a Cat 2. I know I have a lot of work to get my body where I want it to be. Strong and balanced. My sherpa is going on an extended "trip," yet he'll be back before I know it. Time for a winter of #willsdynasty." </span></blockquote>
Well, he was back. And before I knew it.<br />
<br />
I got the message at 4am on the Saturday of our team training camp. I had wished him a smooth day ahead {his first real day on deployment} before I went to bed and woke up to, "Yeah, about that..."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yu7iDAn6ULIRhyksr0dlme1QaLn_luhCUdSoE6dH8p6Pt8CBDIZKLF2kNvcXz2d1ycK3eGM5Nd0Ha98YpBdM740xkoy2sS7N-rq6j7klR6-nzogIRAlFzA2oZhNTQKeAoNqRmYrFuUIj/s640/blogger-image--785688733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yu7iDAn6ULIRhyksr0dlme1QaLn_luhCUdSoE6dH8p6Pt8CBDIZKLF2kNvcXz2d1ycK3eGM5Nd0Ha98YpBdM740xkoy2sS7N-rq6j7klR6-nzogIRAlFzA2oZhNTQKeAoNqRmYrFuUIj/s320/blogger-image--785688733.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
So Mr. Less than 1% Chance has defied all odds twice now and got sent home.<br />
<br />
I had a lot of people reach out, and most were asking if I was relieved or glad to have him back. Which was interesting to answer. Of course I'm relieved he's back to be able to handle this issue here, in America, with his cardiologist who knows his heart better than anyone. But am I glad? No, not really.<br />
<br />
Being a Navy wife is something I signed up for. I knew there would be times apart. Of course I was sad when he left. I cried like a baby in our monster truck. But I was mentally prepared for six months. I was in shock when he came back. And it's not like his journey home was easy. Poor guy was stuck on C17 planes in a hammock, sitting on airfields, or in small airport terminals and customs rooms for 5+ days.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7st1-aPZvvoBVsLWBamQEjZ509YTfOR_O9PQB1Ry2XF0RBlUKc6T5-5Nq1HRyhCRzoc0ch31LyzPxsbIQiMmJ8UnKcm3h5xF6qFNNbNmlCBr7tPD98YdS_Qfbepx_ZWCNbC-AnE0GhTo/s1600/IMG_4856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7st1-aPZvvoBVsLWBamQEjZ509YTfOR_O9PQB1Ry2XF0RBlUKc6T5-5Nq1HRyhCRzoc0ch31LyzPxsbIQiMmJ8UnKcm3h5xF6qFNNbNmlCBr7tPD98YdS_Qfbepx_ZWCNbC-AnE0GhTo/s1600/IMG_4856.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary foreign hospital, luckily w/Western trained docs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So he's back. We had a great meeting with his cardiologist two weeks ago and scheduled his third ablation for tomorrow. So another study and investigation to seek out those bad pathways, and his extra ticks will again be burned.<br />
<br />
I think it's most disheartening for him and I by the lack of understanding of anyone else {including our parents, whom we love} of what is actually happening to him. We don't blame anyone, as we are bad at explaining it, but it's frustrating when people hear "heart" and instantly think about heart attacks, blockages, bypasses and stints. That's pulmonary medicine. His issue is strictly electrophysiological. His bad "pathways" are extra electrical nodes on his heart that fire incorrectly, and off beat from his AV node. They get into a bad circuit and cause his heart to beat at 250bpm. His heart is strong and can sustain that rhythm for a while, but eventually his blood pressure drops {his heart is beating on a different rhythm than it's pumping} and in those instances, he has to be cardioverted through many joules of electricity to his heart {getting shocked} to bring him back to a normal rhythm. This past time he was able to cardiovert himself through maneuvers he's tried in the past. He has a 50% success rate at skipping the shock.<br />
<br />
He's had to work hard to be able to prove himself competent to complete his PRT today. His cardiologist said the best thing for him is exercise, yet explaining that to his workplace or my friends is challenging. She finds that most people who quit working out only gain other problems through lack of exercise {issues on the other side of the heart}. She just wants him to make sure he's relatively close to a hospital and that he has his pill in pocket {beta blocker} incase of an episode. But he was cleared for riding and physical activity. The funny thing is he's supposed to watch his caffeine intake, yet the Navy is fueled by 2 things, diesel and coffee.<br />
<br />
If you want to read further, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supraventricular_tachycardia">Wiki</a> is pretty helpful. Supraventricular Tachycardia.<br />
<br />
*******************<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ3UEzGsC_XJ0CzvDCjQVzyriroVDgqsXnIsDUMsMRZFjOt0tBvx0ePjO4X9FVSWLrm1PVQVA3HsM2MbrFB9oyahKFwa0Ujz1bhFzbrCU_i8PkHYC755uHlixSXgaAGvEXmDBolZSPXOB/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ3UEzGsC_XJ0CzvDCjQVzyriroVDgqsXnIsDUMsMRZFjOt0tBvx0ePjO4X9FVSWLrm1PVQVA3HsM2MbrFB9oyahKFwa0Ujz1bhFzbrCU_i8PkHYC755uHlixSXgaAGvEXmDBolZSPXOB/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IfK8ZwA0R9GTfWpafYycQ3GbviEozGkVDftEW6e7ScY0rSuNIhIlorzp18ME-J8wTzRHhe12s2iHqb6SioD_IwjYhIVo9vMY6AAnaPLmIWo2iVqjyJ3M0p7TsvY_m_6l5WiDOrgGqFAn/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IfK8ZwA0R9GTfWpafYycQ3GbviEozGkVDftEW6e7ScY0rSuNIhIlorzp18ME-J8wTzRHhe12s2iHqb6SioD_IwjYhIVo9vMY6AAnaPLmIWo2iVqjyJ3M0p7TsvY_m_6l5WiDOrgGqFAn/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
So what have we been up to? Riding! What else? It's been a gorgeous fall/winter here in So Cal. I feel so lucky to call this our home. His command is keeping him on shore/staff duty till we figure out what's happening with his heart, which is great news. Moment Racing had our team banquet at our sponsor, Stone Brewing, and we got a private room at their Liberty Station location. Yummy eats and great beer, paired with the awesome work {if I do say so myself} of Kyle and I on our hammer award project. We are off to Phoenix for Thanksgiving and here for the weekend of shopping madness. I do work retail and have to be at the shop for the craziness! Come visit me, we really do have great deals all weekend. Rides, food at the shop, and extended hours 8-8 from black Friday - Sunday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSoQt8IFtHZnPvE3Zuvpi20sBRL5unY5pAtxcTwdPPqigGzDCc8BGuMrXVfQigMLGncJczWInteBFug0GSmgi9z3qc56hvPVFiBv3CTbiGLT6L-2xE-6evRpRPW-wuTyAJlmyWnPB8fTs/s1600/IMG_5211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSoQt8IFtHZnPvE3Zuvpi20sBRL5unY5pAtxcTwdPPqigGzDCc8BGuMrXVfQigMLGncJczWInteBFug0GSmgi9z3qc56hvPVFiBv3CTbiGLT6L-2xE-6evRpRPW-wuTyAJlmyWnPB8fTs/s1600/IMG_5211.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GWL - an awesome time back out east.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE5mL2XcfMk3FntP2ZBVf3qrXpdUL8hsd6vEctWJWiGQ45nkDbfA9iNwds_Jv1dem5KoY4fGJDdFI75J62baIJnsw7wen0PFKgZxmruvrFREDYHMBXtIfcbxL5meCS0goY2T41oI3Uh8F/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE5mL2XcfMk3FntP2ZBVf3qrXpdUL8hsd6vEctWJWiGQ45nkDbfA9iNwds_Jv1dem5KoY4fGJDdFI75J62baIJnsw7wen0PFKgZxmruvrFREDYHMBXtIfcbxL5meCS0goY2T41oI3Uh8F/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding with him to work. he gets a flat. sad face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY32xLSnRmGlbmDG_CViAcPd9AWg1bKcWeWTJA10jxwYjKsPWPyu5o7krHIvvqDLaUZRrHTnSi788Hpj_erL3PmYCTOEWS1na2tv9r9wB7FFawcq0dISzBuxIzv59fi-aKrYdTs6-5yCe/s1600/IMG_5108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY32xLSnRmGlbmDG_CViAcPd9AWg1bKcWeWTJA10jxwYjKsPWPyu5o7krHIvvqDLaUZRrHTnSi788Hpj_erL3PmYCTOEWS1na2tv9r9wB7FFawcq0dISzBuxIzv59fi-aKrYdTs6-5yCe/s1600/IMG_5108.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tide pool hill repeats on a crisp morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've also been doing a little cove swimming here and there. This place still is my favorite in San Diego, and has been extra special lately, with clearer and warmer than usual conditions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3osbO13xnUT9TGafv6x2XOF5RsmW7UxKDG7wMguzXSoQnkjbGhN4ZveX4BjAZ53RTpKd6a7Vpxf2l13r-_rbFCu-AyLvWV5yKwtMr6mJokuPLnOA7sXwCyX2C1A3k_trgFWa09b-9Z5h/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3osbO13xnUT9TGafv6x2XOF5RsmW7UxKDG7wMguzXSoQnkjbGhN4ZveX4BjAZ53RTpKd6a7Vpxf2l13r-_rbFCu-AyLvWV5yKwtMr6mJokuPLnOA7sXwCyX2C1A3k_trgFWa09b-9Z5h/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CN-ad48h3n0VKV-nwL3UkwlAOrqH_TRx8hbqcJa14cLSaBX6c7w9bP5B8kqRdbYKOaQIRyFS29coVOkxj2ZNx37Y58EbjM2KEV5uAE8CmGRQXhIT-z7JmzVgvUqy-u3kYSQ1sqvhzvwS/s1600/IMG_5062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CN-ad48h3n0VKV-nwL3UkwlAOrqH_TRx8hbqcJa14cLSaBX6c7w9bP5B8kqRdbYKOaQIRyFS29coVOkxj2ZNx37Y58EbjM2KEV5uAE8CmGRQXhIT-z7JmzVgvUqy-u3kYSQ1sqvhzvwS/s1600/IMG_5062.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-81631499677357534772014-10-28T00:30:00.002-07:002014-10-28T00:32:11.602-07:00tears & friendsI just cried for 8 min straight. I have the best of friends, near and mostly far, who created a little video. These nine ladies {and their babies} have impacted my life in a way that can't be made in a day, week, or year. These women have given me the strength, smiles and memories that have truly transcended time. I am forever thankful for their friendship, kind and beautiful words, and encouragement. To keep on keeping on.<br />
<br />
Missy said it best with her song, and one of our favorite {on repeat WAY too many times} - Sway by Bic Runga from 1997!:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And there's no cure, and no way to be sure<br />Why everything's turned inside out<br />Instilling so much doubt<br />It makes me so tired - I feel so uninspired<br />My head is battling with my heart<br />My logic has been torn apart<br />And now it all turns sour<br />Come sweeten every afternoon</i></blockquote>
I can't remember the last time I heard this song. And now, actually listening to the lyrics, it's just all to perfect for the feelings I've had for the latter part of this year. I do feel so uninspired. Yet, with the words of these nine women, I've had a fire lit in my heart. So, to each of you, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc0Q0LSnMAOU9xn8YZDje9dLyo0Hphq8ovgm2ioqLwGVAv9Ba5fkMBG3nrbteW1eNVEAm4CYA22WzhVD2gC-N26l8Z__Oglh993a66omkDUI4M8UM-PiXfPBgJ-BhZ0d7zfWqT1yoe7Vr/s1600/IMG_5002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc0Q0LSnMAOU9xn8YZDje9dLyo0Hphq8ovgm2ioqLwGVAv9Ba5fkMBG3nrbteW1eNVEAm4CYA22WzhVD2gC-N26l8Z__Oglh993a66omkDUI4M8UM-PiXfPBgJ-BhZ0d7zfWqT1yoe7Vr/s1600/IMG_5002.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seester Megan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ah my sister. There is no one like you and no one better to call my only sister. You've taught me way more in life than any little sister should have to, as you've had much of your life experiences before I. We may not always be on the same team, but we'll always be family. It's an odd experience to grow up with someone who is your greatest competitor but the only one I'd want in the lane next to me, because either way, we both win. You are a gorgeous woman and the mother I could never be.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK3z4NttcipubCFdfKg0Yh8DbNsWRERX2yPy28L6TzANhRjxie8D0tRh43cFH24ISHDTeQsHgwsTU5XWDDuKDfgP45Y3tN7WMr1fWpCFsQ4v29SSaC1alIwRilcONnzBLlFUQs5-3IsAS/s1600/IMG_4974.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK3z4NttcipubCFdfKg0Yh8DbNsWRERX2yPy28L6TzANhRjxie8D0tRh43cFH24ISHDTeQsHgwsTU5XWDDuKDfgP45Y3tN7WMr1fWpCFsQ4v29SSaC1alIwRilcONnzBLlFUQs5-3IsAS/s1600/IMG_4974.PNG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GRHS buddies - Kelly, Brenna, Jaime and Heidi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You ladies gave me the drive and motivation to be a better, faster, stronger girl starting in elementary school when I met all of you on the YMCA swim team. You put up with my spazzy-ness, my OCD, my wishes at 11:11, and antics. You were my teammates, best friends, and girls who stood up for me. Kelly, you are determined and caring, strong and soft. I've never met anyone such an amazing switch from competitor to friend. Brenna, you were most like me, crazy, fun and different. We didn't fit into the regular box of normal high school and I had a blast being your sidekick. Jaime, you are too pretty to be our friend. I love that you and Brenna were discussing joining the lane 2 crew again, "what lane was it?" You were always someone I looked up to (literally as well) and I'm glad you showed me what college was like before college. :) Heidi, thank you for putting this together. I always tried to match your craftiness, and I know I never will. Your love and intensity for others is unmatched. Even though distance has separated us, you all hold a special place in my heart and to hear that back from each of you means the world to me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LIVzrg1Qvn1nkrJaK9Wx-OjsqKlC8NmR6BOvd3BXSLbaSGGT1CghA7zXDkEUfKNQq-1eGLoDDCj4qXuBZgYvbLli_1I-Zk2Yeb4hJA67M7jX7hnZW4kS3KRRBNsiPGLAJVFAGkngPvG8/s1600/IMG_4976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LIVzrg1Qvn1nkrJaK9Wx-OjsqKlC8NmR6BOvd3BXSLbaSGGT1CghA7zXDkEUfKNQq-1eGLoDDCj4qXuBZgYvbLli_1I-Zk2Yeb4hJA67M7jX7hnZW4kS3KRRBNsiPGLAJVFAGkngPvG8/s1600/IMG_4976.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pink Ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ladies of 821 South 25th St. You entered my life in 2002 and will never leave. The memories we've shared only continue to grow, even as we move farther apart.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMumGGt_f_ny-5MHEqsB2whV4Dcx5_qZdhQl4itfBVHCIDLvj_SEGAL9pAFeehqHaBLpMC9JJPZoVfiQZCkD8VDy3zOsJrKIb-5bfw9CDCzKYPdzn4a5yG08UJy5EmRhPgAJoPgBUP6jf/s1600/IMG_4987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMumGGt_f_ny-5MHEqsB2whV4Dcx5_qZdhQl4itfBVHCIDLvj_SEGAL9pAFeehqHaBLpMC9JJPZoVfiQZCkD8VDy3zOsJrKIb-5bfw9CDCzKYPdzn4a5yG08UJy5EmRhPgAJoPgBUP6jf/s1600/IMG_4987.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missy {miss-e-poo}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the day I met you in the summer of 2002, like the creepiness of internet dating for the first time {I think we overloaded either other's email inboxes every week that summer}, I knew it was meant to be. Destiny {or Mavi's alphabetical by first name roommate matching}. You were the college roommate everyone wishes they had. You were forced into our friendship and I'll forever be grateful. Your love and support through so many thick and thin times goes unmatched. You are amazing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbBHrrow138zYfOfNHC-Xw9vpchlPYCovypbsIhmSCeClNNo6g_0_Ghsl9Qj9VsGszRYLJ00T15qRZ2D8hyphenhyphenRBsZw0eLKJQQSH6lKiwRBj0MI63HCVtQvjF1EgLnEtzJQNkvpA6sICx_L4/s1600/IMG_4991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbBHrrow138zYfOfNHC-Xw9vpchlPYCovypbsIhmSCeClNNo6g_0_Ghsl9Qj9VsGszRYLJ00T15qRZ2D8hyphenhyphenRBsZw0eLKJQQSH6lKiwRBj0MI63HCVtQvjF1EgLnEtzJQNkvpA6sICx_L4/s1600/IMG_4991.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie (KT)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Katie you are my comic relief, yet you've always given it to me straight. You are bold, strong and amazing. Thanks for allowing me to invade your personal space with "puppy" - I know you miss it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv3bBDjz_tjCopU7cSsZjPLzJZ9AB-cI82pCMWKn6-z32lxRaM5AetFoHvoRTGQ50-WjhVEPCruO5C93Rkr9HrIpZuKmxPuZdLWyTt1aVvnlFkalN5CERp0JiR3ilY7K7qF0Qi1w7H3CS/s1600/IMG_4992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv3bBDjz_tjCopU7cSsZjPLzJZ9AB-cI82pCMWKn6-z32lxRaM5AetFoHvoRTGQ50-WjhVEPCruO5C93Rkr9HrIpZuKmxPuZdLWyTt1aVvnlFkalN5CERp0JiR3ilY7K7qF0Qi1w7H3CS/s1600/IMG_4992.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayley (KK)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kayley, the wind beneath my wings (kidding, and I thought it'd make you laugh). I am a cyclops because of you. Also a Krachel, Krach, Grodo, Krach-e-pants and way too many other hilarious pet names. Your antics are well matched to mine. Your son's message was too cute. :)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbGi_K8VzPNFdZEcFsYWWw02Njpas3WqQUy1tFW4k030F-6_A6WWcybQRTIcilR-EpPmDb2rluN8ZP76A_0ft0VnyxNcJrM_cNCjQGiRG9y-45IN9yGEOhgC3ePKWG9uxsmaxE4ahvurz/s1600/IMG_4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbGi_K8VzPNFdZEcFsYWWw02Njpas3WqQUy1tFW4k030F-6_A6WWcybQRTIcilR-EpPmDb2rluN8ZP76A_0ft0VnyxNcJrM_cNCjQGiRG9y-45IN9yGEOhgC3ePKWG9uxsmaxE4ahvurz/s1600/IMG_4995.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Car. E. {ah, mavi is hilarious with his name pronunciations} You are my dancing queen, always willing to go out with me when everyone else wanted to study. You are a gorgeous women, inside and out, and bring light to anyone's day. I cried the hardest at your message. Your kindness and heartfelt words mean more than you know. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Phew - that was a lot of memories packed into one small post in time. You all are amazing women and without you I wouldn't be the person I am today. Smiling. Grateful. Motivated. Inspired.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-21172346815482790652014-10-08T09:59:00.003-07:002014-10-08T10:01:41.181-07:00Déjà vu all over again<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: inherit; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I know it's only October, but I've had a full year and I'm looking to press reset and start again. </span><br />
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A year full of sunshine and rainbows, and a lot of smoke and mirrors on the rainy days. We even had thunder and lightening cast over us in San Diego. And over my life too. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week, Moment Racing lost our two most active female racers. And I can't help but reflect that loss to myself. There is probably much more to their exits, and I know it's selfish to turn the spotlight back to me, but I am hurt. It's not their fault, nor do I wish to reflect any negativity towards any of my prior teammates. I realize this event is just the last one in a series of "woe is me." </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I'm going to cleanse my feelings through writing and press restart. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">**********</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem is, I'm a strong individual. The first born. A Midwestern. Stubborn and a bit sassy. So identifying when something is internally wrong doesn't come immediately for me. I think I'm pretty good at mitigating my stress levels. I have a handle on these crappy situations. But what's happening are those levels become maxed out, and the next stressful event fills my already full arms. My internalization of emotions and events makes me look strong from the outside, and asking for help seems weak and unnecessary. I got this. And the extra tip of the scales suddenly makes that load unbearable. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking back, I've had a great year statistically. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Top 5 placing in 14 of 16 races</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Red Trolley W123 - 2nd</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Valley of the Sun Criterium W3 - 1st</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Valley of the Sun Road Race W3 - 5th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Valley of the Sun Stage Race W3 - 4th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">St Patrick's Day Crit W123 - 4th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Tour de Murietta Road Race W123 - 5th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Barrio Logan W3/4 - 1st</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Hancock Twilight Crit W3/4 - 2nd</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Hancock Twilight Crit W123 - 5th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Avenue of Flags Crit W3/4 - 3rd</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Avenue of Flags Crit W123 - 7th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">California State Championship Crit W3/4 - 4th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">California State Championship Crit W123 - 5th</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Manhattan Beach Grand Prix W3/4 - 1st</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Successful Category 3 -> 2 upgrade (points)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Here was my write-up to a teammate gathering info on the season:</span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">"I had an awesome season racing with teammates! We had a blast coming up with race plans and executing, and whether they succeed or not, we always came to the next race with the fire to try again. After racing as a solo racer for most of my career, it was very rewarding to share my successes with teammates, who sacrificed a ton to get me to the line every time. Every one of those results was a team effort. It was a fun season of not only endurance but mental growth, learning to push past pain doing multiple races in one day/weekend. In my last season as a Cat 3, I was afforded the opportunity to both learn from the big girls, and lead the newer racers."</span></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Deja vu all over again. None of that matters when you don't have anyone to celebrate with. I lost almost all my teammates in 2010, just after my first racing season, when they left to start another team. I should have learned back then that nothing is forever in this sport; loyalty is only good till the end of the season. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm a swimmer and a triathlete, which are individual sports. I was a marching band nerd and a synchronized swimmer, but I liked those team activities because they were so reliant on each individual's performance. I thrived knowing I put forward my best for the team. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amateur bike racing is unique. The results in the end are who crossed the line first, but the process to get there and how a race unfolds isn't so simple. Teamwork is a beautiful thing when it works, and is what keeps a team together. Second place through the last rider keep coming back to race again. The lure of the line isn't the only reason people race. Maybe I've been blinded by that.</span> </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">*********</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This summer I had just come off a great road season, ready and motivated to kick butt at Tahoe half ironman this fall. I was happy with my fitness at SDIT and ready to build upon it. We went to Lake Tahoe for my swim relay and Kyle's first long distance mtb race and came back motivated. Only to have our car break down and Kyle to go into SVT two days later. The string of stress started to unravel. Training suffered. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">September 2014 was probably the most stressful month of my life. Highlights (and lowlights) included Tri Classic work craziness, immediately followed by Interbike, my cousins wedding and our fall Tahoe trip. Immediately followed by my race cancellation, Kyle's SVT, watching him get shocked 3x and subsequent overnight stay in the cardiac ICU in Reno. Immediately followed by my worst half ironman, my car dying again of the same problem, and Kyle's mandatory pre-deployment retreat on his 30th birthday. Immediately followed by his 2nd ablation which took much longer than expected, but yet she expects it to be a non issue. Which was said after the first round. Immediately followed by the exit of teammates. Oh did I mention we are under the two week countdown to his second deployment? Can we just get a break already? Déjà vu all over again. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CmSJisNFhnZkhIm4u9m8p7BFvUgwIFwpDRjR1_AF8qN1U2c2sC_eubeeVNgRcWgCPWVL66UeaYZXgeaXRU3JEfqLsdf9GSoIdJIZKewLgOy9GmN46tYWdoD1NbwEhF6Q11vd4rx_9X4D/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CmSJisNFhnZkhIm4u9m8p7BFvUgwIFwpDRjR1_AF8qN1U2c2sC_eubeeVNgRcWgCPWVL66UeaYZXgeaXRU3JEfqLsdf9GSoIdJIZKewLgOy9GmN46tYWdoD1NbwEhF6Q11vd4rx_9X4D/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">before the race that didn't happen </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0P5QaHrhSfHtf7QFZ9LYPHe1oyu0ZiatzV51pnwhybIyWdohILrgucWs3KipwJ8FUDaKPAiBGCvueVyR6bczSyjeYs8quzgCCbwwimRNPsjik2ClXVMYHjyrLg-vnn8oYKSINXVhw9Q7/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0P5QaHrhSfHtf7QFZ9LYPHe1oyu0ZiatzV51pnwhybIyWdohILrgucWs3KipwJ8FUDaKPAiBGCvueVyR6bczSyjeYs8quzgCCbwwimRNPsjik2ClXVMYHjyrLg-vnn8oYKSINXVhw9Q7/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">yep. 247. garmin said so.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdUbpE-T1ZrYaj6vpZEHXM2LWMwHqMLEOfpUI4ooiHN4WOsxFtvo9pcbVDLI0u4X5Qe2vAQADOWWlabgVRzgKUcApT_vb1YE21CJ2z5KSbWzoUHNoMvwAcG3wFxsqhdn-VY5uCAE9-Rlu/s1600/IMG_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdUbpE-T1ZrYaj6vpZEHXM2LWMwHqMLEOfpUI4ooiHN4WOsxFtvo9pcbVDLI0u4X5Qe2vAQADOWWlabgVRzgKUcApT_vb1YE21CJ2z5KSbWzoUHNoMvwAcG3wFxsqhdn-VY5uCAE9-Rlu/s1600/IMG_4619.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">not a comfy ride. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9ElOVdzGyd2kTO6endoGygxiA2B_HlUyIGr6ubFz0-dl3eeAVsDpC57y2U29ILaiFJAchXYmRbrqJG8DYZvOeoe2DIZx6giDF8TyKqcMqGZXULIoKkrhyjqjNL9qlSOKO7OKZKwiirT5/s1600/FullSizeRender_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9ElOVdzGyd2kTO6endoGygxiA2B_HlUyIGr6ubFz0-dl3eeAVsDpC57y2U29ILaiFJAchXYmRbrqJG8DYZvOeoe2DIZx6giDF8TyKqcMqGZXULIoKkrhyjqjNL9qlSOKO7OKZKwiirT5/s1600/FullSizeRender_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">oh, this again? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEudxrnVKdRsxUEaGHvZ-IteLd4arsVCt9Kf6iWFm5YYAOX3oCB2HCE6z3AR46iNOdD7SkLCaj2K75lL7B3-qciCkt92R3KiXFytILocyM57-l8ht9Ty66e8IqOUGRilgcsM_YRys2VY8o/s1600/IMG_4668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEudxrnVKdRsxUEaGHvZ-IteLd4arsVCt9Kf6iWFm5YYAOX3oCB2HCE6z3AR46iNOdD7SkLCaj2K75lL7B3-qciCkt92R3KiXFytILocyM57-l8ht9Ty66e8IqOUGRilgcsM_YRys2VY8o/s1600/IMG_4668.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that was not fun.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In college I went through a similar low eb during my sophomore year. I was dealing with a sidelining back injury, working on a not yet diagnosed Crohn's disease, and a failed relationship where I was heartbroken. I had just finished my worst swim meet and called home to cry to my dad. In his ever amazing talk to calm me down, he explained how my siblings and I were finally voted into our Chippewa tribe! Did I mention this was the only semester I got a 4.0? Ahh, silver linings. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">**********</span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">I</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">t's not as if this is "just a funk," as I kept telling myself. And I know I'll be okay. I have an amazing husband, I live by the beach, I love my job. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">I'm not motivated by swim bike run anymore. I need to step away from the sport until it finds me again. It felt very forced this season, and I don't enjoy sport when I'm "forced" to do it. I'm not a pro. This isn't my livelihood. My college tuition is paid. Triathlon is something that used to make me happy. This year I kept finding it left me feeling guilty about missed workouts. It left me feeling bad about my body image and my slow (for me) times. It actually made me hate swimming. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Phew. That's a lot of negativity. I'm a positive person. I like to smile. I've lost who I was and I will find her again. I am a swimmer, lost in transition. But I am a native and I always find my way. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">I'm looking forward. To training as "one of the guys" again, and racing as I have before, solo. I know this will be a challenge as a Cat 2. I know I have a lot of work to get my body where I want it to be. Strong and balanced. My sherpa is going on an extended "trip," yet he'll be back before I know it. Time for a winter of #willsdynasty. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961);">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-42778674708009884912014-09-18T20:57:00.002-07:002014-09-18T21:03:01.667-07:00Training Calendar vs Life Calendar<div>
I'm heading to Tahoe 70.3 with mixed emotions. I'm excited to race my heart out, but at this point I'm feeling more like a participant. Taking a look at my training calendar the past month...yeah, um...crickets. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My life calendar on the other hand has been rather packed with work and fun. Unfortunately we can't have it all and something had to give. And for once, I was okay with it being athletics. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After Kyle's hospital stay and subsequent tests, I lost a lot of motivation. Looking back, I can't believe how well I handled it, but I'm glad I didn't push myself. As much as I tried to smile through and hide it, the stress was present. And making myself feel guilty over missed workouts was not the solution. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORJZF79a5IrfNx-9AAVa27lXrijk0HWy1PVdtYcILHEeX27S2GjL75cjKr6qsBOSTFK4RkAWiRQwWIamAOdfvFSI9foPIZUFJ8LvcLKvo45k16mxUjNB947SojzUIzzGUf-T6NrWusWk0/s640/blogger-image-365466848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORJZF79a5IrfNx-9AAVa27lXrijk0HWy1PVdtYcILHEeX27S2GjL75cjKr6qsBOSTFK4RkAWiRQwWIamAOdfvFSI9foPIZUFJ8LvcLKvo45k16mxUjNB947SojzUIzzGUf-T6NrWusWk0/s640/blogger-image-365466848.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Soon after, we slid into tri classic mode at the shop which leads to long days, missed lunches, and too much Mt. Dew and Dr. Pepper. We had another great event and it really felt like we had our sh*t together this year. {good job Sara! and super thanks to my husband for all his "voluntold" work. He's the best.}</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVufj0DalGPh8wMn3uPBrvOpS7ZTYC-PUIf2SfVkxuy3900nHDL6Lwca1R-ckJB_OZlKOU5dW0WmDzI_UFq2JpEJC4SWUZqRsTZjQnIfEhU0vZ7tBcANdFoQkrSBlrgcTXn_jj_Q1vRIN/s640/blogger-image--840105396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVufj0DalGPh8wMn3uPBrvOpS7ZTYC-PUIf2SfVkxuy3900nHDL6Lwca1R-ckJB_OZlKOU5dW0WmDzI_UFq2JpEJC4SWUZqRsTZjQnIfEhU0vZ7tBcANdFoQkrSBlrgcTXn_jj_Q1vRIN/s640/blogger-image--840105396.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i love my volunteers. especially him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6Lbyh4GOcg_2-9Yh7CmoZMTSVDy3q6pOmGWWhF7GTIdNS19LwsW_WYGq30GX9Q6ovGV380Qv529RLcb5qYTOZVAIgBThLIYhzFgFTBN89XU0NSebnC5sgg_5BxA664tpNiHG3fUszrlu/s640/blogger-image-1213110948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6Lbyh4GOcg_2-9Yh7CmoZMTSVDy3q6pOmGWWhF7GTIdNS19LwsW_WYGq30GX9Q6ovGV380Qv529RLcb5qYTOZVAIgBThLIYhzFgFTBN89XU0NSebnC5sgg_5BxA664tpNiHG3fUszrlu/s640/blogger-image-1213110948.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">omg i need this bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Three days after the Classic, JT drove us to Vegas for Interbike {so much for catching up at work!} and we enjoyed two and a half days out there. Long days standing and walking make it pretty hard to find motivation to run. Jim and I flew back late on Thursday night {9/11} and I didn't get to bed till after midnight. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBtBfTI5M3krJpMU19MvCM4oovNQDj-DJxIUEaIx3mBJ8y-0e_eXLj0v7J7fUsnj9l9SR8ssZfkHum5BDPxMQ4_kOM6YKJwigQbo11DY-YYJW5vd7auLgt8u15CpFQvXQa64Evf3jHyaz/s640/blogger-image--928766788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBtBfTI5M3krJpMU19MvCM4oovNQDj-DJxIUEaIx3mBJ8y-0e_eXLj0v7J7fUsnj9l9SR8ssZfkHum5BDPxMQ4_kOM6YKJwigQbo11DY-YYJW5vd7auLgt8u15CpFQvXQa64Evf3jHyaz/s640/blogger-image--928766788.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#nbd - yah - Taylor Phinney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Friday afternoon I was back on a plane with Kyle to Seattle for my cousins wedding. We had a fantastic time at the Copper Creek resort at the base of Mt. Rainier. Simply gorgeous. She had almost the entire side of the family out there, so it was awesome to catch up! Besides the bride and groom, baby Jax stole the show. And I was glad for his snuggles and giggles. Family time is the best, and sadly it went by way too quickly. It was so great to see everyone, and especially my grandpa. Thanks to Molly and Bill for being the best hosts ever. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_J_mSfJcNiZFhDY4nuBqLfPawBWH0YSCL3YpQ36i8ebeTTfztcrI9nR1ud_P_vQLwbn_56hDPOyT5Gplm2WoZf-xyh9VIXX2Y0JFkUfX0PdAqFF1R1DGeIlBUNLmxPrcVN9JRtoN3kOL/s640/blogger-image--1221335349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_J_mSfJcNiZFhDY4nuBqLfPawBWH0YSCL3YpQ36i8ebeTTfztcrI9nR1ud_P_vQLwbn_56hDPOyT5Gplm2WoZf-xyh9VIXX2Y0JFkUfX0PdAqFF1R1DGeIlBUNLmxPrcVN9JRtoN3kOL/s640/blogger-image--1221335349.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous hannah and pop Bill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2Uzp_tqtzQKhmcFjAe6KLE1NRkCafpPfg3MV3JajcjKG7Hl2sCbl-2g-5R3hN1CT5Xe_Vjn5FYuaM8isJp81ZEM3NoYTZtIurG1ZNv8Q3oVIxk19f5i2SCJOizNYvQfJbUVmsDSmOXpn/s640/blogger-image-748660892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2Uzp_tqtzQKhmcFjAe6KLE1NRkCafpPfg3MV3JajcjKG7Hl2sCbl-2g-5R3hN1CT5Xe_Vjn5FYuaM8isJp81ZEM3NoYTZtIurG1ZNv8Q3oVIxk19f5i2SCJOizNYvQfJbUVmsDSmOXpn/s640/blogger-image-748660892.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gordon family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_o9OTwwSmwyW_GHA7xBdVSZRMWBa0FDf1pbTAFEiVrxDQuiS2vAXHI-aqA3qiac4dBA6Mhve8LFAwZIzGnVq80lqX-ue6j_HVChuhVQfR3rmuPSuL5IMJa1uMF30GwdhIG5mrh9msl-x/s640/blogger-image--995224314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_o9OTwwSmwyW_GHA7xBdVSZRMWBa0FDf1pbTAFEiVrxDQuiS2vAXHI-aqA3qiac4dBA6Mhve8LFAwZIzGnVq80lqX-ue6j_HVChuhVQfR3rmuPSuL5IMJa1uMF30GwdhIG5mrh9msl-x/s640/blogger-image--995224314.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jax being mr. handsome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHce2pbIt03nrx_0SbMCTW-gdqaLybJVOnCEWPRmGmJYMQrfHJmkZBLYUYE0DOoIulph6-KAtbLOkbUJoOFlzqWMJu2j4kwGhg-r3LaZ0NjuQFRNMPTLDn-mVNaoDA7LHj_VYS45yaTm77/s640/blogger-image--179849198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHce2pbIt03nrx_0SbMCTW-gdqaLybJVOnCEWPRmGmJYMQrfHJmkZBLYUYE0DOoIulph6-KAtbLOkbUJoOFlzqWMJu2j4kwGhg-r3LaZ0NjuQFRNMPTLDn-mVNaoDA7LHj_VYS45yaTm77/s640/blogger-image--179849198.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#onaduck in Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEXXVaUp-Xj7KNMRQPQMIyCFS0ktf9NRJAKzJ5qdKOOZZYOTimqowBI6QDlwucU5C80Q_4ZJWtDtJaJrwZhJPqPTxe004udRDz7esQIitLbW4epxSpuVBbrSdkcpLtHfZeDADKsJg6fLC/s640/blogger-image--1651462529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEXXVaUp-Xj7KNMRQPQMIyCFS0ktf9NRJAKzJ5qdKOOZZYOTimqowBI6QDlwucU5C80Q_4ZJWtDtJaJrwZhJPqPTxe004udRDz7esQIitLbW4epxSpuVBbrSdkcpLtHfZeDADKsJg6fLC/s640/blogger-image--1651462529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle + I at Mt. Rainier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw31KRi1epcpCmL2A_MxgVRqmiv-xBTer6ozHIAEz8XUzzuzJsZP7kFBi9t0YIiqjI21IO4wIpEg_5a_86bpZoUxMpvku0BwmqoXJ9IJ4XtIAJBeeZGhgOF1FMbw-ei0tRdiufDc7B6Yj/s640/blogger-image-278648507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw31KRi1epcpCmL2A_MxgVRqmiv-xBTer6ozHIAEz8XUzzuzJsZP7kFBi9t0YIiqjI21IO4wIpEg_5a_86bpZoUxMpvku0BwmqoXJ9IJ4XtIAJBeeZGhgOF1FMbw-ei0tRdiufDc7B6Yj/s640/blogger-image-278648507.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah's husband Michael restores VW's. This was their guest book.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIN_1_gwOHDG2ZWhwsvYHfvK4upqbwOERaDtWNSW7NwXSjkMxYYUa4I-RdYQC4vW2PiQ9qhLr1YL-9QhS9Za88Z5-spGYLYDA_qpFDupf-OOZXCp-6hY_eb9KS6TZUhr-MBFoT8rdcVhi/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIN_1_gwOHDG2ZWhwsvYHfvK4upqbwOERaDtWNSW7NwXSjkMxYYUa4I-RdYQC4vW2PiQ9qhLr1YL-9QhS9Za88Z5-spGYLYDA_qpFDupf-OOZXCp-6hY_eb9KS6TZUhr-MBFoT8rdcVhi/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sunday night we all shacked up in one hotel suite and it kinda felt like a college trip I took to Winnipeg. Kyle and I grabbed the early flight back to San Diego for a long day back at work. We worked Monday-Wednesday and started today at Kyle's 0-dark thirty wake up call for departure to Lake Tahoe. And the land of fires. {Well, that's all of California}</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Phew. Exhausted reading all of that? I rode my bike on Wednesday and felt great. Usually taper weeks have me feeling down. I'm kinda hoping I can roll from the fitness I had this spring. But I'm okay with whatever race day throws at me. Know that I'll be fighting till the end. Channeling all of that Jens Voigt hour record energy. #shutuplegs</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And it's vacation time! </div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-4801572624394492302014-08-17T11:33:00.001-07:002014-08-17T11:35:43.329-07:00Trans Tahoe 2014Lake Tahoe is a pretty amazing place. I think I've put the Trans Tahoe swim relay on my yearly must do list. After the awesome time I had last year with Erin H. on a team we hardly knew, I knew this year was going to be even better. I'm not one for planning, and actually prefer when someone else does it and I just ride the coattails. However, I knew I wanted to swim again and to just be on the lake. So, I assembled the team, registered for the race, rented the boat, got the lodging and executed a fun long weekend!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b0BMDkX8ikdN-fwpCN6V9EMhzY4iFaIods2hyphenhyphenbloJpTU-t3B4KhY3LDWt63mNJ-XtWiaI_QpEc-JsB_0FiCkiCO8WWmve-1R-LaUL4k0_OeVawVYbuQojZ2HIkQ1TKfqtPt2LediXK44/s1600/photo+1-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b0BMDkX8ikdN-fwpCN6V9EMhzY4iFaIods2hyphenhyphenbloJpTU-t3B4KhY3LDWt63mNJ-XtWiaI_QpEc-JsB_0FiCkiCO8WWmve-1R-LaUL4k0_OeVawVYbuQojZ2HIkQ1TKfqtPt2LediXK44/s1600/photo+1-5.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">life is good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thursday am was an o-dark-thirty wakeup just as Kyle prefers. We were on the road and into Tahoe around 2:30, just as the crazy thunderstroms were turning on. Lightning, thunder, rain, hail. Chaos. How am I supposed to train for my half ironman in these conditions? Jeremy and I went out for a quick ride once the rain died down, just enough to get my bike nice and nasty.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q7CIQlFixekSIRiHBRIIoV8RGzjGWiXbV8K_bI2l6vsE6CDuuFFhPHLNeTfI0r3tNGHA7HBWKQ7u8isfmHK2pI0IsgBUilOiCajrG4fmF3WDvE9dVpqbbHW3SlTMZ6DcWQGMvhO9VLMZ/s1600/10563119_10101976710149035_5138622855678323681_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Q7CIQlFixekSIRiHBRIIoV8RGzjGWiXbV8K_bI2l6vsE6CDuuFFhPHLNeTfI0r3tNGHA7HBWKQ7u8isfmHK2pI0IsgBUilOiCajrG4fmF3WDvE9dVpqbbHW3SlTMZ6DcWQGMvhO9VLMZ/s1600/10563119_10101976710149035_5138622855678323681_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">erin rocking it up brockway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Friday we had planned for the long ride day. Jeremy had two laps on tap {that's what happens when you register for the full ironman rather than the half!} and was worried about the afternoon thunderstorms, so we chose to start early. Erin, Erin, Steve, and Mark joined me for the 1 lap adventure. Afterwards we went to the beach for a bit, before the storms rolled in. I attended the captains meeting on Friday night and they let us know the contingency plans should the storms roll in earlier on Saturday. {Radio channels, protocols, etc}<br />
<br />
Saturday was another early wakeup as the 5 team members had to get to the boat launch and drive across the lake to the start. Our lead swimmer Erin M. got a more relaxed morning as she got driven to the start line via car. As the captain and organizer, everyone looked at me to be the boat captain. Yeah, I grew up on a lake in Minnesota. But my dad always did the boat launching, tricky driving, and navigation. I think I only took the boat out by myself once. Suffice to say, I was very nervous about the responsibility. After the 2 second, "this is forward, this is reverse" tutorial by the boat rental staff, they pushed us away from the dock and I was forced into go mode, trying to not smash into the boat docked directly in front of me, or the other boats tied up in the area. Phew, made it out of there and we were ready for our long journey across the lake.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiEo1XJ31K82GQja1O5AToLJuRWxibu6hocPH8Fglt7loJzDqr-QjgSFiZhxJF8R1pw4fdAVTgbBWjxLO-f9PuvmI9PdRsQjaqNa8fWnwHTt1OUQ1ee-JbM0dLuTGMFpL2k15oYRnRdLC/s1600/photo+4-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiEo1XJ31K82GQja1O5AToLJuRWxibu6hocPH8Fglt7loJzDqr-QjgSFiZhxJF8R1pw4fdAVTgbBWjxLO-f9PuvmI9PdRsQjaqNa8fWnwHTt1OUQ1ee-JbM0dLuTGMFpL2k15oYRnRdLC/s1600/photo+4-2.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sun bathing beauties.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got to the start very early and were just a floating around in anticipation, yet nervously patrolling the area. Before we knew it, the race had started. We were in the second wave. I started to get closer to the pickup area and luckily found Erin without too much trouble. This part is extremely scary, as there are a crap ton of boats all within a small area and now swimmers are in the water. After finding her, it was then about navigating around the other boats and out the natural "channel" of swimmers forming through the impending and waiting boats. Phew, we were out in the open water and I was getting more relaxed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza3cmnjM04Yy3i4dSQaPehHyZ1kl_IjScuMlltMyrALWNereO-1DkY12hCJv7l0ZbhTbwMqtlFhCrhIbEFQh2tTiXSDIkH-upd2t2b_KQ89nueonsspAb0NiE5JZ4BZRW_OJUmyJ3E9Al/s1600/10473566_10203433123002991_6853082932166863706_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza3cmnjM04Yy3i4dSQaPehHyZ1kl_IjScuMlltMyrALWNereO-1DkY12hCJv7l0ZbhTbwMqtlFhCrhIbEFQh2tTiXSDIkH-upd2t2b_KQ89nueonsspAb0NiE5JZ4BZRW_OJUmyJ3E9Al/s1600/10473566_10203433123002991_6853082932166863706_o.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding erin. and then trying not to run anyone else over. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now it was just 10ish miles across the lake in a somewhat straight {or zig zagged} line to the west. We all had fun jumping in, which of course makes for epic photos in a ridiculously gorgeous setting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50tPs1r9bmlqS_ZbbTWIq4ziqUX2zLowFFRF1fWiyRgSar9rjGOUz9QVJVLo6hhxVBJooZ81dVEA60tthmKp4it9MjqUxEHElxeQmJC0PnPoSvJwTx3xOqrtcem_IyOibijO77kDSHGd8/s1600/photo+5-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50tPs1r9bmlqS_ZbbTWIq4ziqUX2zLowFFRF1fWiyRgSar9rjGOUz9QVJVLo6hhxVBJooZ81dVEA60tthmKp4it9MjqUxEHElxeQmJC0PnPoSvJwTx3xOqrtcem_IyOibijO77kDSHGd8/s1600/photo+5-2.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so much fun. all in one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Saturday night we hosted a big party at our house with two other San Diego teams. Sunday was a bit of a rainy day and Kyle and I spent it together as most everyone else journeyed home. We enjoyed some drinks {Woodies} at Gar Woods on the lake, watching a crazy lightening storm roll over the lake and some mini golf after {of which I won by 1 stroke.}<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9_-8rptewcgrpDxNB-lGrhaPGAp04Ko53NMQRLfohAtEph0EL2frkmeVKgMXm25at65kbSkzBt05cFZxM5CBuc0H3FQmgxfy3fraWTAivtwS6Le8T5FoQU-URT0PtileuFQGOjBYvxxT/s1600/photo+2-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9_-8rptewcgrpDxNB-lGrhaPGAp04Ko53NMQRLfohAtEph0EL2frkmeVKgMXm25at65kbSkzBt05cFZxM5CBuc0H3FQmgxfy3fraWTAivtwS6Le8T5FoQU-URT0PtileuFQGOjBYvxxT/s1600/photo+2-5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woodies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LbWc4E7qEj3agsHrVYJaYB9vlG7C2T3fOZmfdhFh-UKWz3N1ywWYELzixOWX4wpQow9xCslnRzHN2D-X6daCyKx2SKREvLNEQd2FbGv7alzItpeKqRzGx2LBelpky4RwUzMuscOqqvxN/s1600/photo+3-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LbWc4E7qEj3agsHrVYJaYB9vlG7C2T3fOZmfdhFh-UKWz3N1ywWYELzixOWX4wpQow9xCslnRzHN2D-X6daCyKx2SKREvLNEQd2FbGv7alzItpeKqRzGx2LBelpky4RwUzMuscOqqvxN/s1600/photo+3-4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">storm watching from the deck at Gar Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOR5ApBdVM3V51NUppZNtV0zN1BfJGNkcFxa7wwscAGzvqPR4BtEbDcS4ssPbaThyphenhyphenL8xiH3MCb453OBJwQ-sFBWtj9AARJ_0XJtuwy2Y9Z7RhmovPk76VzQeQAr8c_n_-83H0MOgYRQT/s1600/photo+4-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOR5ApBdVM3V51NUppZNtV0zN1BfJGNkcFxa7wwscAGzvqPR4BtEbDcS4ssPbaThyphenhyphenL8xiH3MCb453OBJwQ-sFBWtj9AARJ_0XJtuwy2Y9Z7RhmovPk76VzQeQAr8c_n_-83H0MOgYRQT/s1600/photo+4-3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is serious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Monday morning we left bright and early. Only our alternator failed around Lone Pine and we rolled into the only auto repair shop in town. Of course they didn't have the part and we'd have to stay overnight to wait for it to get shipped in. And of course the entire town's hotel business was booked with Badwater endurance run race support crews. Luckily, I gave our sob story to the front desk woman after she told us no, and after we called every other hotel in town hearing the same thing. She magically found a room available. Hotel pool and a race running just outside our door? Sounds like an okay way to spend 24 hours in the high desert. I had Tuesday off of work since the shop is closed, and Kyle called into his work with the news. He went for a mountain bike ride in the afternoon and I waited till sunset to get my long run in along Owens river.<br />
<br />
Tuesday morning we decided to ride up Whitney Portal Rd to the trailhead. It's a ridiculous undertaking at 11 miles and 4,000 ft of climbing. Kyle only had his mountain bike and I was on Kermit, so suffice to say, we both didn't have our bikes of choice. Somehow we managed, and I think Kyle dominated with his granny gearing, but was nice enough to ride next to me as I was about to cry every time I looked up and couldn't see the top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo6E-MbdgEsDjC4E9GdqZwpTP9jKk2T2tCVRGLQUquUzXnzLc6-BOWwgFUvJDJRoR2YNVArq0lRDDwH9zFz-JeLDbfvB4xuqs5BF6FCmSgmLQdTczGKur8fIVS4lgk6eAQphIVgzZc-dV/s1600/photo+2-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo6E-MbdgEsDjC4E9GdqZwpTP9jKk2T2tCVRGLQUquUzXnzLc6-BOWwgFUvJDJRoR2YNVArq0lRDDwH9zFz-JeLDbfvB4xuqs5BF6FCmSgmLQdTczGKur8fIVS4lgk6eAQphIVgzZc-dV/s1600/photo+2-4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying not to cry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNulkh7T8FsAYAxUaEyei-BUAsBjM0kmjBl9g4Uew5cndcRw9OASxvBoovFI_9zzQLe-9-FDkA_jXZ5mgXZ2mw2FvWuAef3HaZevJKLpDEjt_kKFYbHMsst1pXAfDDUOEhTRaBr8eRAzVY/s1600/photo+1-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNulkh7T8FsAYAxUaEyei-BUAsBjM0kmjBl9g4Uew5cndcRw9OASxvBoovFI_9zzQLe-9-FDkA_jXZ5mgXZ2mw2FvWuAef3HaZevJKLpDEjt_kKFYbHMsst1pXAfDDUOEhTRaBr8eRAzVY/s1600/photo+1-4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mr easy gearing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We passed 4 "runners" finishing the final leg of their race, that they started over 24 hours prior. We finally made it, and dipped our toes in the frozen creek, which felt amazing. We actually got the call that the car was ready when we were up there, so we {he} bombed down the descent <strike>while I descended like a sissy on my tri bike with sweaty palms, trying not to slide off my brake levers,</strike> smiling ear to ear. The fresh air and gorgeous views really do melt away the pain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy_Vpa41e8pXmZpbJzJWP4cAqyOs07NL9nO5Q6WrMUIofRF1E5xPCno1hGcl0KtjkwQ1w5xxQxFH5tgCe0YKAvCerhICGoV8cN7-fH-RV5sw9ZTLic3U1cShiNIMes-w9utIKmKYAVFWl/s1600/photo+3-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy_Vpa41e8pXmZpbJzJWP4cAqyOs07NL9nO5Q6WrMUIofRF1E5xPCno1hGcl0KtjkwQ1w5xxQxFH5tgCe0YKAvCerhICGoV8cN7-fH-RV5sw9ZTLic3U1cShiNIMes-w9utIKmKYAVFWl/s1600/photo+3-3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Got in the car with the new alternator, and it was idling like crap, and a with another quick adjustment, we were on our way, hoping the work we just forked over an arm and a leg for would get us back to San Diego.</div>
<br />
Sometimes an unexpected detour is just what you need after a long vacation. Having it extended that final day actually added to our journey and helped Kyle and I grow closer. It's something we'll need and look back to as he's prepping for D2. {his second deployment} His hospital detour the day after we got home wasn't something either of us expected. Suffice to say, I felt I needed a vacation from our vacation and hospital stay. I definitely fell behind on training and it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows in our neck of the woods {beach}. After hearing about his CT results, we were able to breathe a sigh of relief, for now at least. Thank goodness he wasn't put on limited duty, or worse, medically separated. Life as we know it will continue on. He's "away" {not underway; this land based navy stuff is interesting} this week for some final prep. And in less than 5 weeks, we'll be back in Tahoe!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="454" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/rzwFYCSD2W/embed/" width="400"></iframe></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-67906115505732915492014-08-04T09:57:00.003-07:002014-08-04T10:03:28.989-07:00Semper Tri {then & now}Back in 2008, the Camp Pendleton sprint was the first race I picked and registered for after moving to San Diego. I ended up racing Spring Sprint and a couple of TCSD club races in the meantime, but this race brings me back to my newbie days of triathlon. 2014 was the first time I came back, and I'm not sure why I waited so long. This is a very well run, organized event, on a great course and you get to run over a LCAC at the end! I snagged a free entry at a TCSD club meeting for knowing what LCAC is an acronym for {Landing Craft Air Cushioned}.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My race report will be a then/now on my feelings throughout the race.<br />
<br />
PreRace<br />
Then: I remember thinking how cool it was that they let us onto a military base. Now: Been there, done that, military wife. Then: Super wowed by the vast LCAC area, structure, launch ramp. Now: Still wowed. Then: Setup transition, and would've panicked had this years turn of events sprung upon me. Now: <i>My wetsuit leg ripped open as I was putting it on</i>. Like a serious hole, through the lining, across the entire front of my upper thigh. Ugh, not good. Was chatting with friends when this happened, and I was like, "Well, I don't have to wear my wetsuit bottoms, and maybe I'll just wear the top." My tri top isn't the greatest swimming top and would've caused a significant amount of drag. My shorts are a couple of seasons old now, and not sure they would've stayed on with the surf conditions. Okay, duct tape maybe? I went to the announcer's stand and surprisingly the guy had a bin of supplies and as I saw the grey roll, I knew I was in business. I put a couple strips on the inside to hold it together and then wrapped it around my entire thigh to make sure the water didn't wash it off. Seemed to be holding so I got in the water for a bit of a warmup. Got back out for the swim start, and the makeshift, ghetto wetsuit repair was going to work. BTW - I got these De Soto bottoms back in 2010 before my first Ironman. 5 seasons later, I'd say that was worth my $$. The top was replaced last year before IM Tahoe.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="406" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/rMu_iESD-y/embed/" width="350"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijxLAFJK3c5DH4cBf1YLXEB7ISQfZz77PlNpIBtYA-VE8N97pcBKkBbleY_Q6YU8gKek9T21GunqaLnQ0GU3VTV3LdNIs5qqutNH48Jxr1N_g2Xhz2rI4mCZ_1AsjVh90McaA8fpi4DX6/s1600/photo+1-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijxLAFJK3c5DH4cBf1YLXEB7ISQfZz77PlNpIBtYA-VE8N97pcBKkBbleY_Q6YU8gKek9T21GunqaLnQ0GU3VTV3LdNIs5qqutNH48Jxr1N_g2Xhz2rI4mCZ_1AsjVh90McaA8fpi4DX6/s1600/photo+1-3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yep - this happened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXUDk4cLHNLIOa_KrHg5np-u1JWOEoe8veqjKiZ_oa302d4vzwZWh1K4Ne9lCs7WMC0EfXIo6ObbNfO-YT8nvz8DvfO8IFId4RZjAbQgsTFOy074uOoclk1y8hMNC-anKD1ZLZzBChKLj/s1600/photo+2-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXUDk4cLHNLIOa_KrHg5np-u1JWOEoe8veqjKiZ_oa302d4vzwZWh1K4Ne9lCs7WMC0EfXIo6ObbNfO-YT8nvz8DvfO8IFId4RZjAbQgsTFOy074uOoclk1y8hMNC-anKD1ZLZzBChKLj/s1600/photo+2-3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">duct tape fixes everything!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Swim {Then: 12:50 / Now: 10:38}<br />
I remember large waves in '08 and a rather tough current pulling us south. This year, the waves weren't bad but it did take longer than expected to get to the first buoy. The current was pulling us a bit north and almost pushing us back to shore. The way back in was easy, but I never really had a wave to catch. The sand run was horrible both years. :) Wetsuit repair and stripping went as normal.<br />
<br />
Bike {Then: 1:00.03 / Now: 53:58}<br />
Not really a fair comparison. I had Felty back then, possibly with some aerobars by that point. Now, my position aboard Kermit, with my aerohelmet and fancy gadgets, I should be able to go faster than I managed. I just couldn't wake up. Any time my cadence went under 90, my power dropped. I had absolutely no "push" and had to just spin my way through the course. Average power was 15 watts lower than it should be and I just couldn't find the pop on the course this year. I had 1 Gu and 1 bottle of APX.<br />
<br />
Run {Then: 26:54 / Now: 24:46}<br />
Wow, that sucked. I remember the launch ramp being crappy, but not that crappy. I trudged my way up that incline and struggled through the rest of the run. Couldn't pick up my feet, and again, that elusive pop I felt in my legs during SDIT hasn't made an appearance since. I knew I was leading my age group and probably had enough of a lead to hang on for the W, but man, I couldn't shake the funk I was in.<br />
<br />
Overall {Then: 1:39 / Now: 1:31}<br />
I ended up 2nd overall female {1st AG} this year as the lack of local pro's and possibly a smaller field helped the competition ease up a bit, and hey, I'll take it. The trophy was an old ammo box with their logo spray painted on the side which was a neat touch and a good conversation piece for Moment's trophy mantle. Thanks to all the volunteers out there - this course is super safe, fun and well run. I'll definitely be back!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="406" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/rNOjwWyD6o/embed/" width="350"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6QJZqTcvoFVbTtdINWQG25QLgV5gzoP8dBX8K5RvBSXOPnjI4mJD3mCxL87-A-S-W-eWzBydQufPylEHi1a-jsX_ASvS8aTc-KQke9gBnW8Bd-ctAImHCeaBvKCyF4fqSaTkC4AOyHW3/s1600/photo+3-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6QJZqTcvoFVbTtdINWQG25QLgV5gzoP8dBX8K5RvBSXOPnjI4mJD3mCxL87-A-S-W-eWzBydQufPylEHi1a-jsX_ASvS8aTc-KQke9gBnW8Bd-ctAImHCeaBvKCyF4fqSaTkC4AOyHW3/s1600/photo+3-2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-55073189220939392892014-07-31T08:26:00.000-07:002014-07-31T19:33:30.345-07:00Kyle's frozen heartLife has interesting ways of reminding us about breaking free from our daily grind. Sometimes it's a vacation. And sometimes it's getting 220 volts to the chest. Kyle tried both last week. And even after his heart was frozen, I fell more in love with the warmth inside that man. He is my life companion, my best friend and my lover and I know I'd be lost without him.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll save the Tahoe vacay for another post, but mention that it was a much needed break away and we both had a blast. Even car troubles couldn't bring us down. We came back energized for the grind ahead. But I don't think either of us were prepared for the events of those 3 days. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Trying to keep this relatively short: He experienced some high heart rate stuff at work on Thursday. Like 250bpm high. Onsite EKG was showing abnormalities and Balboa wanted him transported via ambulance. Anyone who knows Kyle knows that he isn't a fan of anything hospital related. After almost 2 hours with the elevated HR, and 2 doses of adenosine, his blood pressure plumited and they decided to defribulate him, unsedated. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It reset his heart and he claims after the initial millisecond of sheer pain, gave him instantious relief. And it was about that time that I got to the ER. His work called me that morning and made it sound like he was going in for some routine testing and may be there for a half day and I can go if I want. No mention of ambulance or puke fest he had on the way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I got to the ER and saw that things were much worse. His bed was surrounded by docs, EMT's and nurses and he was covered in wires. I gave him a kiss and his first words were "I got shocked" and "It felt like I was on tv!" Okay, we're gonna be here for a while. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCVikBPBeFbcLOucFu5OBsaZyRThEMDd2SHkp_QetviRrQD4nejQIK0NHqRHNzYxiJ7llc96cPuNc1bJJIs_AUGEZo3cPorRkimd2nsYcWKJ5-KSr95XhhIS4iw-lGJZ82IlI83GWdeU_/s640/blogger-image-401849863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCVikBPBeFbcLOucFu5OBsaZyRThEMDd2SHkp_QetviRrQD4nejQIK0NHqRHNzYxiJ7llc96cPuNc1bJJIs_AUGEZo3cPorRkimd2nsYcWKJ5-KSr95XhhIS4iw-lGJZ82IlI83GWdeU_/s320/blogger-image-401849863.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he made me post this. he was "resting his eyes"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
We finally got moved upstairs and out of the madness of the ER around 4pm and heard the plan for day 2. An Electropathway study and possible ablation. He's diagnosed with AVNRT and they weren't going to let him leave till it was fixed. {Wikipedia is helpful to someone unfamiliar with medical vocab.}</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went for a run through Balboa Park to clear my mind from the emotions and went back to tuck him in for the night. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnrR7U4YDv3M06urPm_KMaer7w6cqG8yRYezy7WkiTF-iyJT15OukngUJ0sRndblLyaHGW1639z3E4Qumn_JoKJbqbPl6n3iiN2y5bm0ivZeL1lCRu3m36YxVfwFRxHyydjJcemMz420q/s640/blogger-image-1474039055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnrR7U4YDv3M06urPm_KMaer7w6cqG8yRYezy7WkiTF-iyJT15OukngUJ0sRndblLyaHGW1639z3E4Qumn_JoKJbqbPl6n3iiN2y5bm0ivZeL1lCRu3m36YxVfwFRxHyydjJcemMz420q/s320/blogger-image-1474039055.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">running on empty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Day 2 was long. I got there at 7am to sit in for the Doc meeting and plan for the day. He got bumped to third in line, and without being able to eat or drink until after the study, we knew it was going to be a long day.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdF29ywY5u2XBZ9BQkBfjdQ3TIifE6ncONd552SOI0KYen3Q5zaYL3moISiezvA9JhiQ-12bD-NlpYcA7w7WTYfkWcGg7942zoOCh5lb2Hxaz1QeRnmKQWpYol262wr22vXcrhlnrQBiH/s640/blogger-image--1751870596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdF29ywY5u2XBZ9BQkBfjdQ3TIifE6ncONd552SOI0KYen3Q5zaYL3moISiezvA9JhiQ-12bD-NlpYcA7w7WTYfkWcGg7942zoOCh5lb2Hxaz1QeRnmKQWpYol262wr22vXcrhlnrQBiH/s320/blogger-image--1751870596.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">movie watching day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Around 2pm they came in and got things rolling with a dose of Valium and rolled him down to the cath lab for what was a 4+ hour study. They put him into tachycardia to find the bad node. It was close to his av node, which meant they freeze it instead of burning, because they have more control. After retesting, they couldn't get him into the crazy rhythm again, which means she fixed it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5 hours of laying flat and still to make sure the holes in his groin and neck from the 4 cath ports clot properly. He did get to eat (Gagillone Bros cheesesteak from his boss) which was a relief. Another overnight stay. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The drive home on Friday was hard. All of the emotions and fears caused me to get a bit tearful. Even knowing it was over and he's fine, I think the stress of those two days and magnitude of what had happened finally hit me. Trying to be strong and supportive can only last so long in the energy sapping environment of the hospital. Lucky for Kyle, he got some drugs to aid in his sleep. I had an empty bed. We had a lot of friends and family reach out, but all I really wanted was a hug and kiss goodnight from my man. In our bed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday morning I went for my tempo run in OB before heading to the hospital. Trying to burn off some of the "woe is me" feelings of the night prior and oh yeah, I am still training for a race. If Kyle couldn't use his heart, I best use mine to some potential here. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Saturday was a crappy day of waiting for discharge papers. Docs came in at 9 and said all is well and we release you. What that really means is they have a lot more rounds to cover and your paperwork is not our top priority. By noon the nurses still had no idea we were leaving. I think by 2 pm they finally started pulling the iv's and removing his monitor leads. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Thank the maker" as Kyle always says. We were out of there in time to see the sun set over the ocean. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So he's out of the woods with the electric stuff but they did find an aorta issue during his echo which he's receiving follow up appointments for soon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He's a happy, healthy, very bored sailor right now who'd much rather be back on his bike chasing those local KOM's. Soon enough. In the meantime he had some computer games to win. #willsdynasty</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-54431261961310125322014-07-17T09:57:00.001-07:002015-07-13T21:12:16.930-07:00Carlsbad Triathlon 2014<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's the lowdown on the shop throwdown. Getting JT Lyons to the start line takes a little inter-shop smack talk these days. A lot of you didn't know or don't remember, but long before our road team started, JT was a pretty competitive triathlete. After starting a business, his fitness lagged as we grew. 2008 he raced IM Arizona and killed it. {Meanwhile, I did my first Tri in '08} He made a slight comeback for a bet with an old friend in 2011 at San Diego International {which he beat me in.} All the pre-race polls had me picked for the win, but I knew better. Jim and I had our bets on JT getting 2nd in each leg, but taking the overall win. Jim and I held up our portion of the specialization, taking the run and swim respectively, but not sure what happened to Vince on the bike. Oh wait- he put heavy cage pedals on his Dura-Ace 9000 cranks, thus using his running shoes on the bike because he "didn't want to get his Sidi's wet." And then there's that whole octopus dragging thing. Yeah, the bike did include the transition 1 and 2, but the clock doesn't stop in triathlon. He lost by 2 seconds. That hurts. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ezRZJo1MOaKAAZv1P9UHBoRTFf98JciSSicGaDEWlbLWwPt76x74g2N1n452taT3FIqqBqjOLDuxQsBxwhAIj51nERauJaXnDNRyMDDw_Le0Mbbn0RLnyNxyuF8D9q55wMoof4wYC5-I/s640/blogger-image-1340199471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ezRZJo1MOaKAAZv1P9UHBoRTFf98JciSSicGaDEWlbLWwPt76x74g2N1n452taT3FIqqBqjOLDuxQsBxwhAIj51nERauJaXnDNRyMDDw_Le0Mbbn0RLnyNxyuF8D9q55wMoof4wYC5-I/s640/blogger-image-1340199471.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From my perspective, it wasn't going to be a close race so sadly I didn't take it seriously enough. I had a pretty big week of training, as my coach wasn't going to let me taper for a shop competition. {Next year I may reconsider the race calendar}. I came to the start line with 15 miles of running and 3 rides, 2 which were interval work. Looks like I left some watts on the silver strand on Friday. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The swim was ho hum. I'm not the greatest at the run-in, beach start, so I just tried to follow JT's line into the water. We were almost to the first buoy before I reconnected with him and saw his wetsuit. So, yes I figured it be a great idea to pull his leg, fully knowing he'd go ape sh*t on me. A hard dunk and a near kick to the face later and we were on our way. I put in a bit of an effort after the turn buoy and didn't see him again. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHfdcPG-l-4XsKVjSkINSdExDqdGhFc232GbQrJ0jC1-waIMQmGX7JHtjODYPSbXV70AVbwOudj8nmipD2wPKyR2OxE9TAWrF9oG76H8IZ-FHcChqYK1P3F92LsN1U4AihoKl41yO3blw/s640/blogger-image-902438058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHfdcPG-l-4XsKVjSkINSdExDqdGhFc232GbQrJ0jC1-waIMQmGX7JHtjODYPSbXV70AVbwOudj8nmipD2wPKyR2OxE9TAWrF9oG76H8IZ-FHcChqYK1P3F92LsN1U4AihoKl41yO3blw/s640/blogger-image-902438058.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">T1 was slow as I use socks and road shoes. I'm not really a sprint specialist, so transition times usually aren't a top priority for me. Foot comfort and no blisters matters much more in a half/full ironman and these swimmer feet can't seem to knock those comforts. Hopped on my bike and felt like poo. Power ended up being 15 watts less than my last tri, 2 weeks prior, and the effects of the training were showing. Apollo Ono passed me </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in the bike lane around </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">4 miles in {</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">on the right!! He'll get a penalty in Kona if he pulls that crap} Apparently speed skater legs translate well into cycling. Then the inevitable JT pass occurred. I had 2 options, draft my way back or be fair and represent the shop and myself in an appropriate, legal manor. Grr, stupid morals. I let him go. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I got off the bike and hobbled through transition like a crippled old lady. {still struggling with the low back issue.} Lynne yelled that I was 30 sec down but I didn't see JT, so it had to be more. I ran hard on the boardwalk and wished I'd have known JT walked up the ramp! I started on the downhill towards the final 180 and these random men who were running but not in the race became my personal pacers and cheer squad. I told them that my boss is ahead and I need help. Trip him, please. :) We passed by as he was on us way back up and yeah, his running style looked like hell. Maybe I had a chance! I saw Jim with perfect run form and calculated that I'd at least, hold him off. Vince a little later looked like he'd thrown in the towel. I ran as hard as my legs allowed on the day and finished less than <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">2:30</a> min behind JT, keeping my job. :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAjpvJU9fw3Himd7INmccLgk3nHclVSpm6qHVXnXdAs26OM9CeG0Pti4qLdYNDyaecMUDo3zon_5hhnT9EF703DFQxduJF398wbxZ0STbXLnnBhzQmSE9jrbsWZ44QqSP3z2_EGjVSZlI/s640/blogger-image-1992867599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAjpvJU9fw3Himd7INmccLgk3nHclVSpm6qHVXnXdAs26OM9CeG0Pti4qLdYNDyaecMUDo3zon_5hhnT9EF703DFQxduJF398wbxZ0STbXLnnBhzQmSE9jrbsWZ44QqSP3z2_EGjVSZlI/s640/blogger-image-1992867599.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6A_t22cmoed71fzuMp46SQphuUwGAMdFmr_7MX15nE-5SJBTYU4oZ7aeoLDOh66uFFa4RBFz5-W0WheRIKSTEZzID8fmjFtqiz3URnBAzfJX6nye8hfNXLzoxiNpDUW4SpPF8NJ37O1p/s640/blogger-image-1237681773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6A_t22cmoed71fzuMp46SQphuUwGAMdFmr_7MX15nE-5SJBTYU4oZ7aeoLDOh66uFFa4RBFz5-W0WheRIKSTEZzID8fmjFtqiz3URnBAzfJX6nye8hfNXLzoxiNpDUW4SpPF8NJ37O1p/s640/blogger-image-1237681773.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Racing my coworkers on a gorgeous So Cal day is pretty awesome. I ended up 3rd in the Elite category which was a fun bonus, ending up on the podium with Michelle Jones. (Olympian, ironman world champion and a Felt IA rider) She crushed all of us and edged out Apollo for a sprint to the finish. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgnPz7NADmndvbcemnnbWfuWDxB1h_dv5EPZVEhFejT8DFZz6obEuf9xLPNuG7Amlxukzvvy_MpaZBAJZGQL3dEjmKZfneiwrrmYAiHbkxxq5U5Zw9yYDDQ2cWOj7oSBNsAik07rBIW5s/s640/blogger-image--2142447691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgnPz7NADmndvbcemnnbWfuWDxB1h_dv5EPZVEhFejT8DFZz6obEuf9xLPNuG7Amlxukzvvy_MpaZBAJZGQL3dEjmKZfneiwrrmYAiHbkxxq5U5Zw9yYDDQ2cWOj7oSBNsAik07rBIW5s/s640/blogger-image--2142447691.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">---------------</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We're on our way to Tahoe! Vacation responder is on. Kermit is packed and I'm so ready to jump in that lake. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94yXIrYZN7X3BeWbyjVDJiVphP-5WAhkK_EfaxIpB5fdUfPaXa1lPto2aweaRxxhqXxdyHCclC9HNb_VjGRuCNCT9aKWIv-pz15RYP79xwxyRUvxZYcWteLhkNUUHJOcdCLo7DtvQXBm9/s640/blogger-image--1192889491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94yXIrYZN7X3BeWbyjVDJiVphP-5WAhkK_EfaxIpB5fdUfPaXa1lPto2aweaRxxhqXxdyHCclC9HNb_VjGRuCNCT9aKWIv-pz15RYP79xwxyRUvxZYcWteLhkNUUHJOcdCLo7DtvQXBm9/s640/blogger-image--1192889491.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-32737993819822010392014-07-08T13:45:00.004-07:002014-07-08T13:45:45.410-07:002014 SDIT<div>
The yearly benchmark race. I almost didn't register as my run prep wasn't where I'd have hoped it would be, but the lovely folks at TCSD granted me an entry as a thank you/retirement present for my help with the JCC swim program over the last 6 years. Coach's advice was solid and I went for it. And it was everything I had hoped it would be. A great confidence builder in the plan and in the work I did this year on my bike. I can't believe it, but crit racing actually helped me race triathlon. That silly full gas on, rest, sit in, full gas, unpredictable, controlled by others, way of riding and racing somehow translated to an individual pursuit. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The swim was ho-hum, as it usually is. Gun went off and I started out moderate. Looked around and saw a couple of lurkers, but decided to drop the hammer and get them off my feet. Kyle commented on the swim start, "Babe, before the first buoy you've taken half as many strokes as the girls around you and you've already dropped them." I watched a video he took and yeah, my stroke rate is a bit slow right now. I really don't have the swim fitness to keep it up, so I relied on my strength to pull me through. Time was close to my slowest at this race but was still first out in my wave. {12:31}</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="464" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/p1dXxwgr1u/embed/" width="400"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kermit was back in action this year, and I got to hammer the bike. I PR'd the course {49:12!} and had a blast up at Cabrillo. It's so nice to know every bump in the road- and there were quite a few! Gotta love the city of SD and their water line issues. Once they are done digging up OB/Point Loma, I can only hope and wish they'll actually dig up the entire road and resurface. It's a disaster out there right now. Power was where it should be {200 watt average} and I {not so gracefully} got off the bike still holding the lead. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you saw me in T2, I ran to my rack like an old lady. My freaking jammed low back was NOT happy coming out of aero and standing was a bit difficult. I knew I'd eventually shake it off as it had before, and just after the sand out of T2 I was able to stand straight. Phew. My run garmin wasn't cooperating, so I finally switched it to timer mode and went by the course mile markers. Was hitting my 8min/mile goal and feeling pretty great, surprisingly! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kyle was yet again an amazing Sherpa and has this race down pat. He drops me of at transition, drives to the finish line, rides his bike back to the swim start and cheers the entire way. He gives me time checks on the run.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kcfFluxMXcWvLk6yaJmRy2ICj9styc5G1R_SCPcMg7N-M2Ir4u3B3mw8gJuaF7trD6oC7iupauYCOS5J6eBJCRRsa769XhWUnjCvLQMwNWOGW24CsjuIkxjh6TQgiH9C9IKPTiH5KDYo/s1600/IMG_3754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kcfFluxMXcWvLk6yaJmRy2ICj9styc5G1R_SCPcMg7N-M2Ir4u3B3mw8gJuaF7trD6oC7iupauYCOS5J6eBJCRRsa769XhWUnjCvLQMwNWOGW24CsjuIkxjh6TQgiH9C9IKPTiH5KDYo/s1600/IMG_3754.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out before the swim.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year I had the lead until mile 4 on the run. It was the latest I'd been passed on the course, yet I'm never surprised when it happens. The first girl ran a freaking 38 run, to which I have no answer to. The second came past me and my legs refused to respond. Not that I blame them, as they've had no speed work an haven't even ran a mile under 9:15 in training. Pulling off just over 8min miles for 6 miles was a huge feat for me and I still can't believe they did it. I ran 49:08 and the muscle soreness was quite the reminder for the next couple of days.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe6XO_RXLzumeWAZjn-yVUken8ld_b9UQDEhqgHG7mVsaxENhyphenhyphenUc7Y9sIKnW4L_pWk4z3VX8YRDHc5bDSDUqB74LPC1OCosB8kMTbo6PgWzwF-RHZi_nB8_skapy4y0KyqL6gSp8ga0Gp/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe6XO_RXLzumeWAZjn-yVUken8ld_b9UQDEhqgHG7mVsaxENhyphenhyphenUc7Y9sIKnW4L_pWk4z3VX8YRDHc5bDSDUqB74LPC1OCosB8kMTbo6PgWzwF-RHZi_nB8_skapy4y0KyqL6gSp8ga0Gp/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">focused.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall at 1:53 this was my second fastest SDIT and I was pleased with the result. Last year I was Debbie downer after a less than spectacular day and it was nice to redeem myself, if only for the confidence it gave me going into this summer. I ended up 3rd in my AG.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvCEs_xZrGLU2ODgTRlvMgjdD5XCcnKnNMWm2xiyE0rGR7bZMS3o9FC47N5XodW8X2tVA6J3XLU53AjxWBQaUGaNK76pCdyokxcQyTL9MSKFZz4wlIBp6IC0EAjFwEWS-ZsqbnWU1XmIT/s1600/IMG_3752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvCEs_xZrGLU2ODgTRlvMgjdD5XCcnKnNMWm2xiyE0rGR7bZMS3o9FC47N5XodW8X2tVA6J3XLU53AjxWBQaUGaNK76pCdyokxcQyTL9MSKFZz4wlIBp6IC0EAjFwEWS-ZsqbnWU1XmIT/s1600/IMG_3752.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cycling podiums are fancier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's funny how my bike times at this race seem to mimic my run times each year. </div>
<div>
<br />
2009: 52/54<br />
2010: 50/50<br />
2011: 50/51<br />
2012: 49/47<br />
2013: 49/51<br />
2014: 49/49<br />
<br />
In 2012 I was coming off decent fitness from Carlsbad half marathon, and Panama 70.3, and Kyle was deployed. After a couple months off, I put in an almost 30 runs in 30 days during April which kickstarted my training, but still I lacked focus and consistency leading up to the race. One of these years, I swear I'll actually schedule my training plan to peak for this race (i.e. actually train for it!). I'll eventually get to that elusive top spot on the podium!<br />
<br />
Onto Carlsbad Triathlon this weekend! It's the Moment Employee showdown. Stay tuned...</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-36032038487900266992014-07-07T13:17:00.002-07:002015-07-14T11:22:14.689-07:00MBGP & UpgradingMy last race as a category 3.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-zkZGSpb/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-zkZGSpb/0/S/ND5A7208-S.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Solo 2 lap TT for two primes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-NqwmZrJ/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-NqwmZrJ/0/S/ND5A7217-S.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pain face after getting caught from said breakaway. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-LxQS4Dt/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-LxQS4Dt/0/S/ND5A7235-S.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The wining move. Orange girl attacked at the last kicker, so I had no choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I hammered down the hill and took the last corner perfectly, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">coming </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">around with enough time before the line. There it is. My race report in pics. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">{thanks <a href="http://www.pbcreativephoto.com/GALLERIES/CYCLING/ROAD-RACING/MANHATTAN-BEACH-GRAND-PRIX-2014/i-zkZGSpb/A">pbcreativephoto.com</a> for the shots!}</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="464" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/qHfJyugr93/embed/" width="400"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Finish line video by Kyle</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZfia7_0c7zpYkFt1Px7KPBDyIY6cu_oY7kGk-k4NVbwhedf6uhJgN_kwjPp7eZmWRsJXael3ica4vAf1D61M_DY4lnurs607m7dpc889H5-slN-vjzDwQxxdSTujBuT7uReR724nCbpA/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZfia7_0c7zpYkFt1Px7KPBDyIY6cu_oY7kGk-k4NVbwhedf6uhJgN_kwjPp7eZmWRsJXael3ica4vAf1D61M_DY4lnurs607m7dpc889H5-slN-vjzDwQxxdSTujBuT7uReR724nCbpA/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prime hunting with Deanna and podium shots with my Parlee. The winner's <br />
jersey made by Capo was an awesome touch by the race organizers! And of<br />
course, APX was my drink of choice for this short, hot race. {35min}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been struggling with how to fit in, and I realize by trying to do that, I'm only lying to myself about where I can go. Let's face it, I've never fit in, and as a women in her 30s, it's not looking like I'm going to anytime soon. As a female athlete, I think we have plenty of opportunities to second guess ourselves, doubt our abilities, and hold ourselves back. That's a lot of internal struggles, matched with the external pressures and fierce competition, and it's no wonder our sport lacks participation numbers. It takes a certain type of person to be a bike racer, and for once I'm willing to admit that I have it. The courage to race.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've submitted my upgrade and pending USAC approval, I'll be a Category 2 racer. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you read my blog or see my Instagram or Facebook pics it's no surprise that I've had a little success this season. Upgrading wasn't one of my goals, but I suppose that's what has to happen after accumulating all the other goals. I'm leaving Cat 3 without a state championship jersey, which is something that was a goal. I'm leaving my teammates and won't have the ability to help them upgrade. And I'm indebted to them for dragging me to the line and helping me rack up these points. I'm leaving the category that often had two opportunities to race; gaining invaluable experience hanging on to the pro fields, and being at the forefront of "racing" and tactics in the category 3/4 fields. I'm leaving the category that afforded me the experience of racing 6 times in 3 days at the 805 Criterium Weekend. I'm leaving the comfort of the known.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVv9DomD40JZPtF_nByCSJpTqw3kB0h-7vEBBG6S1hx2XWzgxVXPXxb5E_gassaYvtha2FOYF1krGYTjo3JiuzKNB0Bj8x7EbHdLETRzDI5lySC2Ye6o4JDh6N8wjIZ7r5fjWPcrD7trt/s1600/cat3.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVv9DomD40JZPtF_nByCSJpTqw3kB0h-7vEBBG6S1hx2XWzgxVXPXxb5E_gassaYvtha2FOYF1krGYTjo3JiuzKNB0Bj8x7EbHdLETRzDI5lySC2Ye6o4JDh6N8wjIZ7r5fjWPcrD7trt/s1600/cat3.tiff" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know no one really takes USAC rankings seriously, but it's pretty cool to say I'm going out on top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So why upgrade? I'm 3 points away from a mandatory upgrade and if anyone calls me a sandbagger again, I may hurt someone. So, I'll take that aggression out in my training and racing. All joking aside, I shouldn't hold myself back from becoming better. My teammate Greg said it best "Be excited, Rachel, if just not to undermine the gravity of the achievement for the rest of us whom upgrade points don't come quite as easily. Congrats! First Moment to two." So I've been dabbling with the big girl racing, but now it's time to show myself that I belong. To show myself how far I've come since my first criterium a week after my first Ironman in 2010. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8IUV3SACs4bfznGiYiMgRiAjGK-D70wxLE2iQ-0VE69LgcPup56E6UlZQwWGLbN0crg-41FSU66OZF8EqdSVcv3pqoH0X1n6qq0QKZf-_lIcgtW7PDDzfxybsH_XGmaRKoCSfW4A5ZDn/s640/blogger-image-1783266412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8IUV3SACs4bfznGiYiMgRiAjGK-D70wxLE2iQ-0VE69LgcPup56E6UlZQwWGLbN0crg-41FSU66OZF8EqdSVcv3pqoH0X1n6qq0QKZf-_lIcgtW7PDDzfxybsH_XGmaRKoCSfW4A5ZDn/s640/blogger-image-1783266412.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after my first Ironman and a week later, just before my first crit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And that's how it's always been. I've dabbled in the two sports, cycling and triathlon, since living in San Diego. There has been focused training blocks towards one or the other, but most of the time, for me, it's about getting out there and racing. My current preparations for Tahoe 70.3 are going well. Manhattan Beach Grand Prix was sandwiched between SDIT and Carlsbad Triathlon this coming weekend. There's always been something about toeing the line that motivates me much more than the daily grind. The race day adrenaline can't be duplicated outside of competition and that's what fuels my fire to train. I'm a competitive person by nature. I've honed my racing skills and craft of winning, and I'm ready for my next challenge. I didn't push for an upgrade, because I wanted to learn from the best and I knew I had to personally "feel like a cat 2 racer" before actually becoming one. There are a lot of riders who put upgrading first, but I think my patience will pay off. I want to be a smart, safe rider, someone who has others looking for my wheel. So here it goes.<br />
<br />
Expect the best for yourself, and nothing less.<br />
<br />
{I have my husband to thank for always encouraging and supporting me throughout our journey. He's a big part of the reason I've experienced success and have kept my head high, through controversy and failures. His love {and bell ringing} is second to none. My sherpa, my teammate, my best friend and the love of my life. #willsdynasty}</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-27218905457753785592014-07-05T21:45:00.003-07:002014-07-06T05:56:11.780-07:00summer loveZen running. I've never believed in it {or <i>understood</i> is probably a better word} because I'd never experienced it. Runner's high. Yeah, not so much from the "land" of swimmergurl. But tonight, I think I've come as close as I'll ever get to the feeling of floating. We aren't talking about cranking a 6min/mile pace, floating like Meb. Just one of those runs where no body parts are barking back. Where your mind is at ease with every step. Where I finally felt at peace with where I was at, in those exact moments. The run wasn't forced, nor planned and definitely not fast. I ate dinner {a lovely one, prepared by my husband} and watched an episode of House of Cards. We discussed tomorrow's plan and then I decided to run.<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
At 8pm. On a perfect summer evening. In Ocean Beach. I don't think a run can get much better. The sun had just set and the clouds were colorful, hovering above the ocean. A slight breeze made the run out quiet and the way back tranquil. The San Diego river was calm and the ocean was tucking itself in for the evening. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Anyway, I digress with setting the scene. It was just one of those runs I won't soon forget. I'll fold that into my heart and bring it out during this next run block of training, where I'm sure the zen will quickly fade as the mileage and pace ramp up.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
June has come and gone. And there was only a hint of gloom, which has since past. I get to keep my husband home for a couple more months. I'll reflect back including my yearly benchmark race report alongside my first mtb race in a post to follow. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBYppdiNc1UqivJvn1r9PVLOVZn16xUrABZHyICU7YhCVMCrWjhZse5yfjSSmbazpZ2AurEu_YMgTly3j4E_GuuhGr59x7iqfvhT1O-49tV6acn6HGRFPejKgmnXoYYHjsiRMJn9ZCUX4/s640/blogger-image--2038842713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBYppdiNc1UqivJvn1r9PVLOVZn16xUrABZHyICU7YhCVMCrWjhZse5yfjSSmbazpZ2AurEu_YMgTly3j4E_GuuhGr59x7iqfvhT1O-49tV6acn6HGRFPejKgmnXoYYHjsiRMJn9ZCUX4/s640/blogger-image--2038842713.jpg"></a></div>Is this real life?</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd86xFeud_Tcnm7gmGRt22Fb4bD2O0cHcU3NbRTNR_30u3AJDjdYruTqahwYDuRb68Vx9e1W6l4rvBohhQkR82W3vPn6gODWuwiM05tUwpCZfq-MDfEV7Uk867kSUsG1lmRGE8SqucZM2y/s640/blogger-image--1596016881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd86xFeud_Tcnm7gmGRt22Fb4bD2O0cHcU3NbRTNR_30u3AJDjdYruTqahwYDuRb68Vx9e1W6l4rvBohhQkR82W3vPn6gODWuwiM05tUwpCZfq-MDfEV7Uk867kSUsG1lmRGE8SqucZM2y/s640/blogger-image--1596016881.jpg"></a></div></div><div>I got to meet Meb!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxtAUiodAMDEL56LVHRQ3xAzMth3dxkr1k3Jvsfrvdu8OCY_W-AhGSJng52FzMva3eycMKRrFhs1Lwd1JGrB-hVTY1lOfesmX1Zs_07jMbl-EeyeeBIcqgv2CA982OpO8Y2hPwJqCyQW0/s640/blogger-image--1068801625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxtAUiodAMDEL56LVHRQ3xAzMth3dxkr1k3Jvsfrvdu8OCY_W-AhGSJng52FzMva3eycMKRrFhs1Lwd1JGrB-hVTY1lOfesmX1Zs_07jMbl-EeyeeBIcqgv2CA982OpO8Y2hPwJqCyQW0/s640/blogger-image--1068801625.jpg"></a></div>Happiness is.</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-38444619331831160712014-05-29T21:40:00.000-07:002014-05-29T21:40:55.388-07:00{bike} Love. and those who lack.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, not hate. Cyclists look after each other. We point out obstacles, we lead out team members, we lend a tube/co2/flat help. The hate we are confronted with stems mostly from road-raged drivers who needed that extra second we've just took from their lives, while they've waited until it was safe to pass. Or don't wait for that safe moment and nearly run us off the road. We've all been there. Some of us yell back, throw the fist in the air, or use certain fingers to display our fear and anger we just experienced. Some brush it off and ride on. Some cyclists hang it up and don't come back because they aren't confident in their own skills, nor the skills of the drivers around them. Some aren't so lucky and end up injured or sadly, killed. But I digress.</span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then some of us experience hate from the inside. Which is the worst hate of all. We as cyclists need to ride together, cheer each other on, and lend a bit of Tegaderm when times are literally rough. Leave those hateful words behind. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I had my first real hate. And I can't help but say it hurt. Finding yourself on top of the podium tends to bring jealousy into the mix. Jealous insecurity? Maybe others have felt this towards me before, but when it was put into the world in writing, it kinda stings. I have a loving husband. I work at a bike shop. I'm passionate about swimming and cycling. My family is awesome. Life is pretty simple in the Wills' household. Not perfect. But that's life. And if you are jealous of mine, then make it for yourself. I'd suggest starting with love.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not to say I haven't felt jealously towards others. I know of the hard work and dedication, drive and motivation, put forth to achieve a goal. I've been jealous of fitness, I know hard work has been put towards. Of job titles, which were earned. Of perfect relationships. Of hotter bikes. Of my husband's metabolism. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Fortunately or unfortunately, social media tends to bring out the best and worst in people. It's either painting pretty life pictures on Instagram or smashing businesses on Yelp. What you don't often see is the hard work, heartache, arguments, job application failures, relationship issues, screaming children, and all that other crap we hide behind the doors of our homes. What you don't get is that face to face interaction. That other crap is what makes life interesting I suppose. What make the highs great. And as for those lows: How brave would you be actually letting a business know they messed up to the owner before blasting the company online? How brave would you be letting me know I'm a sandbagger to my face? If you want success for yourself, you shouldn't wish failures upon others. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">A friend told me today: </span><i style="color: #222222;">Successful people don't break others down.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">After 6 years here in San Diego, I really feel the Minnesotan in me and sometimes </span><span style="color: #222222;">beneath</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> all the sunshine in California there is darkness. The nice isn't so nice. The relationships aren't as strong. Loyalty is something spoken, not practiced. Judgments are made before </span>introductions. {Seriously, I've never met the guy}<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I guess that's the way it is. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm always looking for new riding partners. Come to Moment. Call me a sandbagger {or a badass cyclist} to my face so we can joke about it, and LET'S RIDE! </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We all need just a little less hate and a whole lotta love. (Words spoken by Mr. Ralph Elliott; a local cycling race announcer and promoter)</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAa6bFpkHb8-dlyQXgx0c8wW2ZZRzTGXVvAKQ0qh_3fkl_IHT_DcoqM2DmDiImeHmKX4EJpBmztKtH9eHiAOmbLrZnSs3TmX8DGfpqRZb-tAOYk_qM8-ihKVCzDIYTWGPM64IafowH3Mj/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAa6bFpkHb8-dlyQXgx0c8wW2ZZRzTGXVvAKQ0qh_3fkl_IHT_DcoqM2DmDiImeHmKX4EJpBmztKtH9eHiAOmbLrZnSs3TmX8DGfpqRZb-tAOYk_qM8-ihKVCzDIYTWGPM64IafowH3Mj/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is bike to work {makeup} day in San Diego!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-23451169917762646942014-05-21T10:11:00.001-07:002014-05-21T12:47:26.379-07:00Firestone 805 Criterium WeekendRacecations are the best with Kyle as my sidekick. I won't say they are the most organized or are without drama. But they are time away. Together. And sadly, they race by too fast.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77nqV5RvAUb3QvbahHT5Q2MGeYKdkUkAem5sQ9ZvMDFZtrZXHZV6vs6wFEPs-J41VL7s8-c3g-FV9PR3cJXsq1pAW4xUAdHoaZM7U6UUmUOBsrBwvw9oLqINO4u3nx2wOJ4AtgxOU5Ydl/s640/blogger-image--1702867112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77nqV5RvAUb3QvbahHT5Q2MGeYKdkUkAem5sQ9ZvMDFZtrZXHZV6vs6wFEPs-J41VL7s8-c3g-FV9PR3cJXsq1pAW4xUAdHoaZM7U6UUmUOBsrBwvw9oLqINO4u3nx2wOJ4AtgxOU5Ydl/s320/blogger-image--1702867112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cheap floaty and a pool = relaxation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj-K4PZJeVj7zkCrkaSKU83iD6f18bO0Cz15LcZQEGvC9Nl0yrvG79B0Z_NvR2oCZ4bicAVAFJoSiXsht4Ahkz3FHZZspcf1guN4WqD0G0hMySEd16cJmBlNilEXu46ig67hfUyaqzIWG/s640/blogger-image--2054230447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj-K4PZJeVj7zkCrkaSKU83iD6f18bO0Cz15LcZQEGvC9Nl0yrvG79B0Z_NvR2oCZ4bicAVAFJoSiXsht4Ahkz3FHZZspcf1guN4WqD0G0hMySEd16cJmBlNilEXu46ig67hfUyaqzIWG/s320/blogger-image--2054230447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teaching my man Kings in the Corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This past weekend we headed up to Lompac and Buelton, CA for the Firestone Walker 805 criterium weekend. The CA state championship race moved from Brentwood this year and we've had this weekend on our calendar since the announcement. We were packed and ready for our four day weekend by the time I got off work on Wednesday evening. Stayed with one of Kyle's old navy buddies in Ventura and headed up to the race area on Thursday morning. We checked into the campground and took a quick bike ride through Solvang {and hopped over private property fences, hike-a-biking, to complete the loop}. Returned to the campsite for some pool time {really ruffing it} and made hot dogs on the fire for dinner. {s'mores too!}</div>
<div>
<br />
This weekend was all about the criterium. I toed the line 6 times in 3 days and had no idea how my body would respond to that much intensity in such a short time. Quite frankly, I'm shocked at how well it went and have a lot to say but I'll try and keep it brief. Most importantly though, I am indebted to my teammate Deanna. She worked her ass off for me this weekend and I've never enjoyed the view ahead more than when it comes from the colors of my teammate. Her selfless riding is unmatched in the women's racing scene and I cannot thank her enough for the work getting me in position. She made my job of getting to the line easy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctTIjWnAmol6woBE01xq7aUO1LlqZgxh6kbfHdDjEGVPa0iXK0-GzVp4KeCJE9JMipkwvLU46sDuk0Aix1TOt6_mfOa8shrLutsNr0fmloyGJynvcc-cdaoR0m7n7li4T4K1-ZtYifgPG/s640/blogger-image-1608432861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctTIjWnAmol6woBE01xq7aUO1LlqZgxh6kbfHdDjEGVPa0iXK0-GzVp4KeCJE9JMipkwvLU46sDuk0Aix1TOt6_mfOa8shrLutsNr0fmloyGJynvcc-cdaoR0m7n7li4T4K1-ZtYifgPG/s400/blogger-image-1608432861.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Firestone 805 Allan Hancock EVOC Track Crit</u></b><br />
Friday was a sleep in morning for us {as much sleeping in you can do in a tent} and we headed to the race site 20 min away rather early. The course was on police training grounds and was quite frankly a bit of a disappointment. There were zero turns and the course was the least technical I've ever seen. It'd be like a crit on Fiesta Island. Boring. Windy {another weekend theme}.<br />
<br />
<b><i>W3/4</i></b>: Toed the line. Attacks happened, but we all know that they can't really be called attacks. More like surges off the front where everyone knows it's going to happen, so accelerating at a moderate pace makes it easy to bring them back, and makes the attacker more tired. Deanna lined me up for a prize prime and we snagged it easily. Winds started picking up and with one to go she brings me to the front. The main headwind section was a bitch. Being on the inside for the last curve before the sprint was critical and unfortunately not where we ended up. I ended up having to come around her into the wind and easily gave the inside line away {a much better line} and sprinted in for second.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oZfxztkTE_3JJdrsy0dFhtF9vqjs5U4WP1mPKBUf3LEr-r5RLtquH6l2ryIEL-KE9ac5aek-eC6atIwsldXWBdnfsExL14VkfMPSkWhDnTC_YrbvJwRc23Y7yrmDSA1VzklnFBxCV0Gn/s640/blogger-image--474285370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oZfxztkTE_3JJdrsy0dFhtF9vqjs5U4WP1mPKBUf3LEr-r5RLtquH6l2ryIEL-KE9ac5aek-eC6atIwsldXWBdnfsExL14VkfMPSkWhDnTC_YrbvJwRc23Y7yrmDSA1VzklnFBxCV0Gn/s400/blogger-image--474285370.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">day 1. podium 1 (2nd)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>WPro123</i></b>: We weren't too stoked to race as the wind was picking up and the course was so uninspiring. But we paid and were there for the other races anyway, so why not. Attacks were much punchier, but still were not going to stay away. Deanna brought back a couple of breaks and worked hard in the wind. I tried to stay sheltered and to position myself near the contenders. She again pulled me to the near front and I slid in behind a sprinter who took me to the line for 5th.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WBv6ktsFLQlzFhR90kvyeDyvGlYj8aBwZOHrX_TX9IoIpZwtVe2od-hij3nTv9mOXaMnAKKs4XX4vtuRKQ4z36huyxcnh1WGuZCGuhexqVLiEdwnliH8QNv_itgVh-CPvD1EIiRJs8fX/s640/blogger-image-202727748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WBv6ktsFLQlzFhR90kvyeDyvGlYj8aBwZOHrX_TX9IoIpZwtVe2od-hij3nTv9mOXaMnAKKs4XX4vtuRKQ4z36huyxcnh1WGuZCGuhexqVLiEdwnliH8QNv_itgVh-CPvD1EIiRJs8fX/s400/blogger-image-202727748.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kyle, bryan, brendan, and vince. Kyle on a break. and day 1 podium 2 (5th)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>Firestone 805 Avenue of Flags Crit</u></b><br />
Saturday was the same wind story, but much different on the course front. It was an L shaped 6 corner course with a punchy "hill" - but not a real hill. Half the length of the Barrio Logan hill. Our teammate Kim joined in for the fun.<br />
<br />
<b><i>W3/4</i></b>: The race started off pretty mellow. Deanna got set up for the primes and I was in conservation mode, so I followed her but didn't sprint around the girl who she gapped on the first bell, and was poorly positioned on the second. Deanna snagged both for herself. Maybe halfway though there was a crash {in the straights after corner 2} that I saw/heard before it actually happened and was able to make it through the carnage. In typical 3/4 fashion, everyone is looking around and slowing, and for the next couple of laps we were going not fast. We get setup for the last lap and Deanna is pulling strong again. Unfortunately our line again took us to the windy side and I couldn't catch the girls who got the earlier jump and ended up 3rd.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcldCFZ-XuShQlLzoT_Uf9sG6QLX8jdMK3vpkAyD3reWMt_vdI2sMH0MRLCai8ut5lJDbWC9NhQtvkGtth3BNfhQbNJr2sC-Qza5xy_OGv7LkZXo47EExV34gQXwIlzDnXa-bIGRF4gxs/s640/blogger-image--857194648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcldCFZ-XuShQlLzoT_Uf9sG6QLX8jdMK3vpkAyD3reWMt_vdI2sMH0MRLCai8ut5lJDbWC9NhQtvkGtth3BNfhQbNJr2sC-Qza5xy_OGv7LkZXo47EExV34gQXwIlzDnXa-bIGRF4gxs/s400/blogger-image--857194648.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">day 2, podium 3. (3rd) And the ladies! Deanna, Kim, Christy, and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was an omnium weekend, meaning there were points for top 10 places all 3 days and an overall podium. Deanna and I had planned to do all of the 3/4 races but take Saturday afternoon off to rest up for Sunday's big race. After getting points on the first day in the Pro123 race we decided to make it a game day decision on Saturday and register after experiencing the hill. It wasn't that bad, so what the heck.<br />
<br />
<b><i>WPro123</i></b>: Hardest race I've done. From the gun to the finish. So much windier at 1:15pm than 8:05am. Attacks from the start kept the bunch strung out and left me no where to hide. I rode this course as technically smart as possible. I took all the corners clean and on the right "side" for the wind to be most blocked by the one girl next to me. Still, I'm sprinting up the hill every time, and redlining on the "downhill" section tucking myself as low as possible begging the wind to give some relief {it never came}. Girls are popping off the back at a regular rate as the field is diminishing quickly {36ish starters, 16 pack finishers}. Heck, I'm popping off the back. Twice the motor went in front of me and thankfully the pack pace lulled in the slightest amount and I chased like hell to catch back on. Crash ahead in the corner and Deanna get's caught behind. I see it happen enough in advance and the crasher skids out of the corner enough to allow me to take the inside line and catch a wheel to hammer onto the pack. The pack attacks. Because that's the difference between the races. 3/4 girls look around. Pro girls attack when they hear a crash. It's a chance to break, or at least splinter the field. Every time around the finish I'm begging for the laps to get lower and the clock to race faster. Is it over yet? I am seriously wondering if I'm going to finish. Each lap crawls by and I'm running on fumes. I have burned every match I ever thought possible and am somehow pulling out splinters of efforts to just hang. Hopped onto a good wheel on the last lap and turned for the finish. There was a bit of craziness at the fence {as that was the better line with the wind} and I was forced wide {and into the wind}. Came around a girl and the blast of wind almost made me laugh while in full sprint mode. It did make me feel like I was riding into a wall. Couldn't believe I managed to finish. Seriously. Hardest fought battle for 7th place ever. Deanna actually finished without getting lapped begging all those girls who got popped to work with her. The girl who crashed ended up getting a free lap and I was pissed to see her back in and to see my teammate on the back chasing. Felt vindicated when crasher ended up getting popped again from the main group. {RIDE IN YOUR DROPS!}<br />
<br />
Saturday evening ended with Kyle's race {last race every day all weekend} and him winning a $100 bottle of wine in a prime when I shouted at him to do so. Love that man. ;) After the races, we were invited to a dinner party at a local gal's amazing house! The food was awesome and the company was even better. Most of the women's 3/4 field was there and it was great to spend some time with these ladies off the bike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc7UEBVnI_O-EBnVknMhOaqVYkiRxn3DbSOp6SjzLXC-4Zy-Xa8uzuWZ1n7fGiTDGYsD7hvy2FLg2DGGOmDDZSkNEqaSl_VpLOz0oLvMSmiOMHW-VTPspv2dSFVZsKSkFIwstZuqyA5u_/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc7UEBVnI_O-EBnVknMhOaqVYkiRxn3DbSOp6SjzLXC-4Zy-Xa8uzuWZ1n7fGiTDGYsD7hvy2FLg2DGGOmDDZSkNEqaSl_VpLOz0oLvMSmiOMHW-VTPspv2dSFVZsKSkFIwstZuqyA5u_/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kyle moving up to win me some wine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Firestone 805 Avenue of the Flags Crit</u></b><br />
Sunday I woke up tired. Like really dead to the world tired. We packed up the car the night before but still had to get the tent and sleeping crap loaded in. I made oatmeal for breakfast and we were off to Lompac for the final day of racing. I was basically sleeping on my trainer, trying to ingest as much caffeine as possible. I even had half a coke at 7:30am. 1 vanilla Gu. 1 motivator. Come on body, work with me. Wake up!! The course was an 8 corner course, but was longer than Barrio or Brentwood, so there was quite a bit of road between the corners. It was also a bit wide for most of the course making it less technical than I'd like to see. And those straights meant the wind would yet again play a role. <br />
<br />
<b><i>W3/4: </i></b>We again worked on the lead out for the primes. Missed the first one again due to energy conservation {I gave up midway though the sprint}. The second prime was for omnium points for the top 3, and I ended up getting 3 points for 2nd. The rest of the race was a bit fidgety. Searching for safe wheels. Controlling the race. And on the last lap while following Deanna's wheel, I got pushed into the gutter on the one tight corner. She pedaled out and I had to let off the gas to not go down. I watched her ride up the road. I sat in and decided to make a move on the next corner. Deanna was making her move and an unnamed competitor decided to move to the inside and they bumped shoulders and bars and seriously almost went down. I was angry. And was holding my breath through the entire fiasco. I was watching Deanna leadout the wrong team! I gunned it out of the next corner and had to maneuver around quite a few riders. I was on a good wheel, but found out later her chain dropped and she couldn't shift to the big ring! Went into the last corner in a crappy position and sprinted in for 4th in the most disappointing finish of the weekend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF06oYwAvyZA_dMN2SestxcYFfoNZWy8RRo9eQBZiQZEUsRi3tv82Qg-Lns7SZeneGZ1zR5T8KiwHxrYYr_IEjIAJplHTdYjHsNU_AmunsQdlOxL3lXixIxQYl3HH4yKh3qXVyDm07f71W/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF06oYwAvyZA_dMN2SestxcYFfoNZWy8RRo9eQBZiQZEUsRi3tv82Qg-Lns7SZeneGZ1zR5T8KiwHxrYYr_IEjIAJplHTdYjHsNU_AmunsQdlOxL3lXixIxQYl3HH4yKh3qXVyDm07f71W/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lead out for a prime</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b><i>WPro123:</i></b> What a fun race. Yeah I was dangling off the back for a while, but this race was significantly more manageable than the heart attack of a race the previous day. The attacks were strong, as was the freaking wind. I knew there would be the omnium points prime half way through and what do you know, 25 min in and they are singing the bell. I had warned Deanna and she did her best to move us up, but the peloton was a bit jumpy and I had to use my brakes a little more than I like. Was fighting for position all through that lap. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An attack shortly after left the race split. Joy {the eventual winner} was still in our group so I was concerned, but not alarmed. A coupe corners later and she attacks the chase group and I freak out. This is it. That's the race right in front of me. Deanna drives me to the front and I launch. I put in an effort that I know is more matches than my book has. I have to believe in every pedal stroke. I hit the windy section and tuck so low. My thighs are pumping harder into my chest, mashing the pedals more than ever before. I'm gaining on the break. Dangling. I hit the corner and thankfully the tailwind pushes me to the back of the group. Holy hell I made it. I seriously quoted Top Gun and gave myself a pat on the back {Gutsiest move I've ever seen, Mav} knowing that it could've been the winning break. And Danny Munson of Cycling Illustrated snapped a rad photo of my move! <a href="http://instagram.com/p/n54dZVsIwF/">Instagram</a>. <a href="http://cyclingillustrated.com/805-crits-valley-flowers-images/#foobox-1/5/Valley-of-Flowers-6.jpg">Cycling Illustrated</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz4jfLVZsho7h-plO-eBeUjx-z2-oaGBxelHbOXXVoH7BJMnZEvW73qPTje2FAaHBarqaZBWlYljy9dv3C3fwk-owtF-ow3G-0wM2TZkSFyfWYeM_FkBzGKLz-p2sLrFe0i-Uh0httr9K/s640/blogger-image-117690865.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz4jfLVZsho7h-plO-eBeUjx-z2-oaGBxelHbOXXVoH7BJMnZEvW73qPTje2FAaHBarqaZBWlYljy9dv3C3fwk-owtF-ow3G-0wM2TZkSFyfWYeM_FkBzGKLz-p2sLrFe0i-Uh0httr9K/s400/blogger-image-117690865.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately a lap later, the chase group got their </span>engines<span style="font-family: inherit;"> going, the break was unorganized, and the gap was bridged. Dang it! All that work! All those burned matches. 5 laps to go. I'm in recovery mode. The pack is getting squirmy again and I find myself near the back using the brakes all too often. With 1 to go Deanna brings me to mid pack and grabs the pro girl's wheel and heads into corner 4. We are on the outside and we all get pushed wide. And then she brakes. Hard. I'm screaming. The Monster Media girl gets forced on the other side of the fence! I'm at a standstill and manage to get around and sprint down the windy section to catch the field. Crap! {that effort was at a higher max wattage than my sprint}. Made it through the narrow corner, take a breather on the tail wind section but know I need to be moving up, not back. Moved up in the next two turns and hit the last turn on the inside stuck in traffic. Go to sprint and some crazy bumping is happening on the fence that I manage to get around and put on the afterburners for a second sprint attempt which lands me 5th! I was so happy at the finish to actually be there! After the crazy last lap and the bridging efforts, I was just so relieved to cross that line alongside some great competitors. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Phew 6 races and 7 podiums. With the consistent finishes all weekend I managed to place 3rd in the women's 3/4 Omnium and 4th in the women's Pro123 Omnium! I couldn't have done this without the help of my amazing teamie. Mad props to her aggressive and selfless riding. So much fun. No bear jersey this year, but I had much more fun racing more and not sandbagging for one race. Testing my legs and fitness and will to ride hard were much more rewarding experiences. I found some new pain thresholds and dug deeper than I thought possible, while still being there in the end. Gaining that experience and muscle memory will only make us stronger racers. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzmNo26xfp7yRfLHzJ7cmqZ54OUV0nXUDVSKgKIMBLYuCJeAf0U86MbjeJs58D7dZiJkRXL4HuFPdVLOD7F6AIkWS_kizN1EwEKxuJcqjV13yrHYWXlTJ2Puh2_6pKJp2fDdZkHr7eR7g/s640/blogger-image--161617673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzmNo26xfp7yRfLHzJ7cmqZ54OUV0nXUDVSKgKIMBLYuCJeAf0U86MbjeJs58D7dZiJkRXL4HuFPdVLOD7F6AIkWS_kizN1EwEKxuJcqjV13yrHYWXlTJ2Puh2_6pKJp2fDdZkHr7eR7g/s400/blogger-image--161617673.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3. Podium 6. (5th)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kyle was yet again the last race of the day in a desolate town. I enjoyed my well earned Firestone 805 beer and had fun cheering for him and Greg. It was a late night on the road but so worth it. Definitely on my list for next year, although sadly I'll be solo as Kyle will still be deployed. {more time for team bonding!} </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9x3p3WII2rMopuKeKadWTncpysoU1MSC6eXeaySCNnEL1-TLyp7O9XuallxDWLE3Wxv_nni1SXL249j8bbzAPMvo_uV0VqQ0d3Sa3G1H43wAlbpCeMi-KYCwAN2sFsg8Wx-4iaw1ZlSm/s640/blogger-image--761662351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9x3p3WII2rMopuKeKadWTncpysoU1MSC6eXeaySCNnEL1-TLyp7O9XuallxDWLE3Wxv_nni1SXL249j8bbzAPMvo_uV0VqQ0d3Sa3G1H43wAlbpCeMi-KYCwAN2sFsg8Wx-4iaw1ZlSm/s400/blogger-image--761662351.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so much fun. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm really starting to believe the pro123 races aren't that scary and that my ability to hang on and be there at the end is greater than my mind once thought. Good thing I'm switching gears to half Ironman training now. :/ </span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-90452005798836518662014-05-12T09:37:00.000-07:002014-05-12T09:37:29.552-07:00up close, yet so distantMay 1 was the 6th anniversary of my first triathlon and I feel so far, but yet so close to that day and this sport. This winter/spring I've removed myself from almost all things triathlon. Scratch that. Removed myself from running {and Kermit}. And now I've done something that'll require me to pick it all back up again:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoDmvap2_S92dOUyB12eR3lb9hwVz6_dYvWTIld29vR3pgc35ymKkgSbFP-fsP5UumUVE0yTLYvNaRZJjWa8MXXY78gBt_5fW1f0sL7ql5BVm67pD_ZMGObk3ijCOjVbqvpiqXvIbrecx/s640/blogger-image--680214471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoDmvap2_S92dOUyB12eR3lb9hwVz6_dYvWTIld29vR3pgc35ymKkgSbFP-fsP5UumUVE0yTLYvNaRZJjWa8MXXY78gBt_5fW1f0sL7ql5BVm67pD_ZMGObk3ijCOjVbqvpiqXvIbrecx/s320/blogger-image--680214471.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yeah, I couldn't resist the pull of the Tahoe battle {albeit half that battle} this fall. Ironman announced the half, on the same day as the full, and yet again the pull to register for an {almost} inaugural race was great; I'll be headed to Tahoe again this fall. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR8vCp8CxICKIY6WB4ckDYdzF7AEbzKglU6ztnTOAxndvP-AcqvUZTQlQSNPk6WnczicX2Skv_NGIXt9RLTHxhmu_xytG8GZx3vyjfb__Or3Q4EB9qAJ1QPVWhVT7J4EKw2kw_DaAEPSY/s640/blogger-image--1396403331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR8vCp8CxICKIY6WB4ckDYdzF7AEbzKglU6ztnTOAxndvP-AcqvUZTQlQSNPk6WnczicX2Skv_NGIXt9RLTHxhmu_xytG8GZx3vyjfb__Or3Q4EB9qAJ1QPVWhVT7J4EKw2kw_DaAEPSY/s400/blogger-image--1396403331.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite photo of the day last fall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Let's just talk about the journey that'll bring me to the start line:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Run - mmm yeah, we'll need to be getting back on this bandwagon again. Yet, I've jumped on so many times before and have basically fallen off the train every time. I want to do things a bit differently. New watch. New shoes. New motivation. New mobility. New body. {I wish} </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yeah, I realize I can't change who I am, nor the feet and ankles I swam my body into, and because of that, I cannot approach running the way every land athlete does. This water girl needs to give some extra attention starting from the bottom up {just like what I teach all my swimmers - kick, core, then arms} - for me, it's going to start with my toes, arch, heel, achilles, ankle, shin, calf, knee, hamstring, quad, hip flexors, butt, and yeah my head. Strength, mobility, stretching, releasing, supporting. Not to mention, positivity. These actions will get me to the start line ready to race. Because, quite frankly, I'm rather sick of getting to the start line ready to swim and bike and "survive the run" which has been my motto for oh so long. This time I want to STRIVE.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9ppxGL4AD-TdHk4wAkCf6dmB84CvuadInX80Iwd8aD9rcrHGDBYuwHAMfEWi1Dur5bvu09KolRcwO6keGGhYUl0rHzGWisFKvzmgPtJy9hQdyE3B41hLR8aKmpQlNl8nlKZGJ6HvaxMx/s640/blogger-image--1688368133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9ppxGL4AD-TdHk4wAkCf6dmB84CvuadInX80Iwd8aD9rcrHGDBYuwHAMfEWi1Dur5bvu09KolRcwO6keGGhYUl0rHzGWisFKvzmgPtJy9hQdyE3B41hLR8aKmpQlNl8nlKZGJ6HvaxMx/s320/blogger-image--1688368133.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking care of my poor leggies last year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bike - Kermit will be paired with Elsa {the power meter} again after this weekend. I've learned a bit on Super Grover this winter and how my body responds to effort levels. Granted, I haven't ran off the bike once, but I've gained some strength and guts that I didn't have on my bike before. Through very non-scientific testing, I've found I can actually back off on the cadence and lower my HR a bit, push a slightly bigger gear and climb faster. I've always been a spin to win kinda rider, so don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about 60rpm here. But backing it a bit below 90, my knee and heart are responding okay to the change. Will be interesting to see how Kermit does. And yes, I'll even incorporate a little {or a lot} of Fiesta Island interval/strength work on the bike. My motor needs some fine tuning. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXt8sHYl3IO108XsqHQ-oCBnHspFCcorfoBYC0F1yJcXJDJXxZM4h2YJU4ocwi_cyvQoFqm1kTjX9Xr542u4Jux61OzqCQgclIg-PNetZpV22__RRKtjMs0OWY2JRcE36Ff9GzDik7Nst/s640/blogger-image--748175213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXt8sHYl3IO108XsqHQ-oCBnHspFCcorfoBYC0F1yJcXJDJXxZM4h2YJU4ocwi_cyvQoFqm1kTjX9Xr542u4Jux61OzqCQgclIg-PNetZpV22__RRKtjMs0OWY2JRcE36Ff9GzDik7Nst/s400/blogger-image--748175213.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mannyvphoto.com Dirty30 Birthday ride. <br />Super Grover needs to be hibernated for a while</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Swim - this is going okay. I've been swimming once a week at the cove, plus floating through a couple of swim lessons here and there. Once the bike racing slows down, I'll add a couple masters workouts a week. But in all reality, I haven't lost my swim. This summer, I got a team together for the Trans Tahoe swim relay {we still need a boat! anyone? Bueller?} so I'll have to ramp it up here a bit for that. Looking forward to getting up there again and checking out the updated bike course and hoping my lungs fare better this time. Also interested to see what IM will do for the 70.3 swim start. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgxOJ1uLsGJ6kIOogr0cUYcUbAVZl5-om2TdqDViw5uXcuIxHyjv6TjDOdmXSIAJSgHBq25A6Z3O5TKKShhazJBsgAmPlNCAiIHjU4wcyeJlVQ10VnVyG8h49wATQR_eGK3lBp55c_Dlp/s640/blogger-image-2118167989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgxOJ1uLsGJ6kIOogr0cUYcUbAVZl5-om2TdqDViw5uXcuIxHyjv6TjDOdmXSIAJSgHBq25A6Z3O5TKKShhazJBsgAmPlNCAiIHjU4wcyeJlVQ10VnVyG8h49wATQR_eGK3lBp55c_Dlp/s320/blogger-image-2118167989.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the meantime, I had some bike racing to attend to! Last weekend was the criterium at Barrio Logan {downtown San Diego} and it was awesome to have teammates in both my races! {congrats to Deanna who worked her ass off this spring for her upgrade.} This weekend we headed north of Santa Barbara for the CA State Criterium Championships at the Firestone 805 crit weekend. Had a blast on my weekend away with Kyle. He's ramping up his workups for deployment in November, so we are trying to enjoy the small vacations we have together between his time away. {more on this epic race weekend to follow}</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh and speaking of new, we just got a new Tempurpedic mattress! I feel like an old married couple, getting excited about such a major purchase, but we are sleep/recovery nerds and cannot believe we've been on something so uncomfortable for this long. It just got delivered a week ago and we spent the last four nights camping; so yeah, we're a bit excited for restful night sleeps ahead! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-82975820117730465922014-05-04T07:02:00.001-07:002014-05-12T09:44:49.906-07:00Barrio Logan Criterium 2014<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Overall a great afternoon in the Barrio for this Wills. (Had this in the draft folder for a while). Here's the race report for both my Barrio Logan 2014 criterium races. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7Xy1Y0NXB0cGnWZOTkgdb5g0CVHWWgrf7t6ofPfTW-pYCjsiZrbAhbDUsDlOCe4d79jOLd0app7cwKTwQWR1BN9Mi48U8zDNvYaxi6hi-ktZdLmaX-UbZzEmkV9sN77motcyUa6MfvWf/s1600/10245406_994458775118_6693448950168581951_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7Xy1Y0NXB0cGnWZOTkgdb5g0CVHWWgrf7t6ofPfTW-pYCjsiZrbAhbDUsDlOCe4d79jOLd0app7cwKTwQWR1BN9Mi48U8zDNvYaxi6hi-ktZdLmaX-UbZzEmkV9sN77motcyUa6MfvWf/s1600/10245406_994458775118_6693448950168581951_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no warmup is complete without a mxm coke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Women's 1-3:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have a teammate! Congrats to Deanna for upgrading and killing it in her first real 1-3 race. No surprise, I feel like crap for warmup and the heat is draining all ounces of energy I am trying to muster. Luckily we brought a cooler of Coke and APX. A jolt to the system (along with a little ice in the sports bra) and some fuel in my legs. The race started off at a blistering pace and maybe let up no more than 3x in the race. I was on the back, barely dangling, yet in control, for almost the entire race. I worked on taking efficient lines through the corners and paid attention to the gassed riders in front of me, taking note of riders looking like they were about to pop and moving in front of them. I think I tapped the brakes maybe 3x the entire race. Love this. Fast. Not sketchy. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJMndgYlHMohAw9Qj8H2zN2jSKHsKe9YsLPbm69ct9FcBVXMj87Qy_OG-EIV_N8ZUE1X9XZ9KtNr0Mufe1ZgN7YI6HsvqVVXZvd6JM-Cc-iNI44HMGcfemIs8MVxH2UYv2WYQa_ehJqAA/s640/blogger-image-296805305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJMndgYlHMohAw9Qj8H2zN2jSKHsKe9YsLPbm69ct9FcBVXMj87Qy_OG-EIV_N8ZUE1X9XZ9KtNr0Mufe1ZgN7YI6HsvqVVXZvd6JM-Cc-iNI44HMGcfemIs8MVxH2UYv2WYQa_ehJqAA/s400/blogger-image-296805305.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With 5 to go, Deanna saw a (slight) lull in the pace and rocket shipped us to the front of the field on the hill. Ouch. I sucked her wheel so hard I could taste that rubber. She pulls for over a lap and in the meantime a break forms, of which she pulls me into. I look back and it's clean. JT and Max were in total shock that we were no longer on the back, but sitting 3-4 wheel! The shocked cheering from the sidelines really helps, guys. 4 to go. Yelling at the group trying to organize. How are you people pros? This is ridiculous. Worst riding I saw all day was in this fake brake that wasted all energy. I worked my ass off to keep it. 1.5 to go and we are caught. Good luck recovering from that effort. Found Deanna and gave it all we had but pulled the plug and coasted in. Ouch.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBGyfL7HGNRnW6R8bBfareugOWoGddvQ4WFYwd63pW-VKQuYaff30xmMVB7zWZvsJ8oU4lqiHguJZH8jSfnHTxOU09cB-MHYaZaFE_Kr9adkRDvmVY04yA9NwWyTWYUIgmXIk7PU7plv8/s1600/10312091_994460087488_6358991715538369614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBGyfL7HGNRnW6R8bBfareugOWoGddvQ4WFYwd63pW-VKQuYaff30xmMVB7zWZvsJ8oU4lqiHguJZH8jSfnHTxOU09cB-MHYaZaFE_Kr9adkRDvmVY04yA9NwWyTWYUIgmXIk7PU7plv8/s1600/10312091_994460087488_6358991715538369614_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving her wheel. thanks to her hubby Max for the photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lessons: 1) Breaks are fun! I can see why Vince et all do them. However, winning is much more fun. 2) I don't think sitting on the back of the field had a negative effect. Like I said, no brakes used all day and was super efficient choosing lines in and out of corners. The race was so strung out, there was no where to hide {or draft}. 3) Deanna is a beast. Had we gone with 3 to go it would've stuck. Or really, just the last lap. Her sacrifice was ridiculous and is unmatched. As our first real attempt, I have very high hopes and expectations for the future. Machine. Sadly the paper results don't show any of that effort. And I'm totally okay with it!! 4) Allergies can be seen in photos. I've been suffering with the Santa Anna winds and had extreme congestion all week. Check out the C<a href="http://cyclingillustrated.com/cory-williams-mary-maroon-win-barrio-logan/nggallery/page/4#foobox-1/11/Bario-Logan-73.jpg">ycling Illustrated shot by Danny Munson</a> {and the nastiness on my ass} {or don't}. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3/4: I really had no expectations. It was hot. I was tired. Although without a sprint effort, my legs should still have something, right? And Kyle DNF'd, so someone had to win, right? Deanna and I did half the course, cutting through at the center, as a cool down/warmup and toed the line in the front. We exchanged pleasantries {or the unpleasantries of our legs} and vowed to not go for primes until at least 10 min in as we both knew our legs and lungs needed recovery laps. Whistle. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not fast but not slow. {As a side note, I won this race in 2011 at a MUCH slower average pace- it could've been a cat 4 only race at that point, but still, this race wasn't slow by any means}. I was glad for the pace and glad I wasn't having to set it at this point. A couple bike shop primes that we didn't even challenge passed by. And then they announced $50 cash. I was on Deanna's wheel, and announced as such and she did her thing. Pulled me past everyone and I stood to "sprint" at maybe 60%, knowing there may be someone on my wheel. There was, she tried to pass, I cranked it a bit harder and shut her down. Booya. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp-q7XaTNOD72LPiqe8qAz_fK6ckg8hBl0DWQw8kEoUv82iRADFE0MbeoxBeOFVPa1ST8W5JonSnG54XqHaI5lHKqAfSro3dV_S2D4XMd_6kjkOB1NYh-Zhn6YkORGCmDMjDYgvJzhv0S/s1600/10151753_994463226198_6479451181436501146_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp-q7XaTNOD72LPiqe8qAz_fK6ckg8hBl0DWQw8kEoUv82iRADFE0MbeoxBeOFVPa1ST8W5JonSnG54XqHaI5lHKqAfSro3dV_S2D4XMd_6kjkOB1NYh-Zhn6YkORGCmDMjDYgvJzhv0S/s1600/10151753_994463226198_6479451181436501146_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clearly having too much fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People were getting popped and I kept looking back for Molly. Halfway through I saw her, after we had shed a few kin. Phew. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next prime was 2 laps after our last - $50 to Aqua al 2; a prime I won in 2011 as well. Deanna said she didn't want it and I was still a bit tired from the last. Was probably sitting 12th at the start of the lap. Easily moved my way up the field through the corners (see lessons learned) and was in position to sprint again after Deanna again pulled me to the front. Went with no challengers. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next prime was $50 San Diego restaurant gift card and Deanna did her magic. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5 laps to go and I'm getting sick of the cornering. Trying to coach the field through them isn't working so I take some hard pulls. To which I get "coached" by a chic, who tells me to take it easy cause I have a sprint and I could win this. No sh*t Sherlock, but I'm trying to be that mentor that I remember from my early days. I love the backside of this course, so I'm taking pulls, but they aren't serious efforts, just the best cornering that I can manage. Sorry if that came off cocky. The hill comes and I'll let up. I am a sprinter for gosh sakes. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1.4 to go and I've been on Deanna's wheel for a while. Molly is on mine. D makes a massive move on the hill and I know my legs can't handle that effort at this moment, so I tuck in behind some Skyflash ladies. Sitting maybe 7th wheel. Deanna is 3rd wheel. Final lap and I can feel we have this in the bag. I make a move to get on her wheel on the final climb. She pulls me around the second to last corner in a ballsie move and I'm sitting 4th or 5th wheel into the last corner. Sprint mode on. Win. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cannot give enough props to my freaking awesome teammate. She ended up 4th in the 3s after all her work. Molly got 5th in the 4s. This control we felt during the race was a pretty awesome experience. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKconBQzsmiIuFLFTci4bgAOy4K_OTaqo5IzYFLFiBCt_7q5dpXNk0AaUmYl7EORe_Ck-LQn2-8cfMO7DSqCYZopLprzjygLwtf98tzdnasxsq2p5z0K_3UEC-q-dlNIjcQRbJA09dMlk/s640/blogger-image--1666712420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKconBQzsmiIuFLFTci4bgAOy4K_OTaqo5IzYFLFiBCt_7q5dpXNk0AaUmYl7EORe_Ck-LQn2-8cfMO7DSqCYZopLprzjygLwtf98tzdnasxsq2p5z0K_3UEC-q-dlNIjcQRbJA09dMlk/s400/blogger-image--1666712420.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lessons {or rather differences between the races}: 1) 3/4 girls don't quite understand how to corner and maintain speed. Going inside to inside is the most frustrating thing to watch. So I didn't. Every time I was on the front I swept WAY wide and cut through the gutter. I really hope the girl behind me was impressed. And learned the proper cornering technique. 2) The "hill" was at a significantly more manageable pace for the second race. The 1-3 race hammered out of that bottom corner and up the hill. I tried to stay smooth and not surge or stand too often to blow the sprinter legs (which I didn't save anyway going for the break). The only time I felt good on that hill in the 1-3 was following Deanna's wheel in our big move. 3) Prime hunting is fun. I owe Deanna a lot of ice cream. 4) Thanks to Jimmy for giving me 3/4 of his Popsicle after my first race. Lifesaver. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I LOVE this course. The bumpy roads, endless corners, and close proximity to home make this a Moment domination race forever. </span></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-69859655881914205652014-04-07T08:22:00.000-07:002014-04-07T08:22:07.968-07:00St Patrick's Day Crit {Women 1-3}<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Racing twice in a day isn't something I've done often. When registering, the 3/4 and 1-3 races were far enough apart that I felt I'd have a good chance to recover and at least survive the longer 55 min second race. What I didn't realize was that 5 hours is too much time and 1:40pm was supposed to be my nap time, not game time. But alas, I paid the extra $10, I may as well roll myself to the start line.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We failed at bringing a cooler and snacks or a proper lunch. Typical. And the temps were increasing from the mornings nice cool race. Things were ramping up for a hot and windy second go. Luckily I won a box of Clif bars in a prime from the earlier race and luckily Conrad gave me three bottles of water before he left.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I got on the trainer twice before the race. I didn't push over 100 watts either time. I was tired and unmotivated. We had the Moment tent and I laid in the grass for a couple of races. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I ingested all caffeine in sight 15 min before the race in hopes of a jolt to the system. A coke, motivator, and a gu were dumped in the very empty tank and a prayer for survival. I even stole some ice from the food truck cooler and shoved some down the front and back of my long-sleeve black skinsuit and in my single bottle of APX.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAZjQHpLRYrABNumSL5QwdBZ6LYvZdiy68YVSZYJNlU7_cVBP6OYMvzRQxbfWtuz4w0gpCHRzOg7DzrQVioOyS2VEjOv8MzxN_YbQWvSRCikGphMGRvYnfktWJdSg8SzzGBBp4lDnbbUp/s640/blogger-image--1910660864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAZjQHpLRYrABNumSL5QwdBZ6LYvZdiy68YVSZYJNlU7_cVBP6OYMvzRQxbfWtuz4w0gpCHRzOg7DzrQVioOyS2VEjOv8MzxN_YbQWvSRCikGphMGRvYnfktWJdSg8SzzGBBp4lDnbbUp/s400/blogger-image--1910660864.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Small-ish field of 35 compared to Murietta circuit and especially with the technique-easy, wide course. I chatted it up with a Parlee/Herbalife pro rider from Australia before the race and knew I should stay with her.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It started off slow. And really, stayed that way for the entire race. It was similar to the women's 3/4 field and half assed attacks, but this time it was the wind reeling riders back in. Primes were happening but I was happy to sit in and observe the race. I was all over the field, finding new wheels to follow. During one of the surges, I begged myself for 3 laps to drink, as my mouth was turning to parchment paper.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The only thing to note during the race was about half way through. We were heading into the only real corner on the course and I was near the back and towards the outside of the bunch. There were probably 4 girls wide in front of me, I was in between two others, and had people behind me. Everyone took the corner and held their lines except the girl on her hoods in front of me. She sat up and pointed her bike out of the corner towards the far side and started veering left. Right into my front wheel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Shouting commenced and I was forced to follow her ridiculous line wide, while also grabbing both brakes somewhat hard. And in a corner, that's not optimal. I somehow managed to keep the bike upright and with some choice words, and decent handling skills, we all made it out unscathed. Something about "put your hands in the drops" made me feel like a cop and I made the mental note to avoid her wheel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Fast forward through a pretty boring business park crit to the last lap. I did my usual find a ride to the front and caught a dragon lady wheel. Three girls went on a flier, only to get pushed backwards as we hit the windy backside. This made for a squirrelly bunch as the group was absorbing the girls through the middle. I had visions of getting boxed in, and saw myself slipping backwards as the group was going around the slowing riders. The move had to be made. Two of the lead out girls were moving back quickly in a trajectory towards me, and had a decent gap between them. I surged up the middle, taking what was my most controversial line all day, all while holding my breath. I felt like <a href="http://youtu.be/WxS0kiUX6p0">the doors of the alien ship from Independence Day were closing in</a> and I was going full gas to make it through. Must go faster, must go faster.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Big breath when it stuck and I was back making my way forward going into the final corner. A couple more moves before the corner and I unleashed the sprint which moved me up a couple more spots and I managed 4th, just narrowly missing 3rd at the line.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS54IbexXmohTunmG1WxWyZO_XaTxb5FgRL67CAtxi1JMAlPpgYu8YmiMxb4VG_ucQcRHE5Y1VjWdAnaC7Ib4pi9hRq2kpZnGmxkQeBzcGO9xlIU2IlBoUNt4qffJNW9SP-1oxrUd7Hc6/s640/blogger-image-1897571373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS54IbexXmohTunmG1WxWyZO_XaTxb5FgRL67CAtxi1JMAlPpgYu8YmiMxb4VG_ucQcRHE5Y1VjWdAnaC7Ib4pi9hRq2kpZnGmxkQeBzcGO9xlIU2IlBoUNt4qffJNW9SP-1oxrUd7Hc6/s400/blogger-image-1897571373.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I was glad to be done and happy to have made it to the end, considering the pre-race energy levels. I won a K-edge Garmin mount and basked in the glory while watching Kyle not only toe the line, but survive the Pro123 field. Boss.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliXSBXclYoyvgIAd_dWMrSMGIv-mMQMn6kcVfhZpKJndwD9XlDzCKqxVo0KnzWXDvDV9-7U2WaUmIQ-bqkyl7Z7i7m45XBwEb3ub3z-ZdswhOqF103p35xFWV8aqxH7Cs6JLhLHFgNKeB/s640/blogger-image--922685595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliXSBXclYoyvgIAd_dWMrSMGIv-mMQMn6kcVfhZpKJndwD9XlDzCKqxVo0KnzWXDvDV9-7U2WaUmIQ-bqkyl7Z7i7m45XBwEb3ub3z-ZdswhOqF103p35xFWV8aqxH7Cs6JLhLHFgNKeB/s400/blogger-image--922685595.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7681415074483468437.post-83998972850683727952014-04-07T08:21:00.003-07:002014-04-07T08:21:58.705-07:00St Patrick's Day weekend {women 3/4 race}<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kyle and I had a nice almost </span>stat cation<span style="font-family: inherit;"> weekend a couple weeks ago. We headed to Newport Beach on Saturday night and had a great time out on the town and at the hotel pools.</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63HOT1ehQyyEHB9lSP428tiJY093tNQa8qWykl9NNy0fKwBnw8qRz0a3SEysGUIaayE_bxMpJpA_tKzSWbwk5kqVBYV6LH56bt4CWWUiNc_GcHZ1rH4bBCxYmQuDanz37IJoMvehcMfWh/s640/blogger-image--884262631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63HOT1ehQyyEHB9lSP428tiJY093tNQa8qWykl9NNy0fKwBnw8qRz0a3SEysGUIaayE_bxMpJpA_tKzSWbwk5kqVBYV6LH56bt4CWWUiNc_GcHZ1rH4bBCxYmQuDanz37IJoMvehcMfWh/s400/blogger-image--884262631.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sunday we woke up and left a bit late {someone needed coffee} but made it there with 40 min before my race. I know that's not really enough time for a proper warmup, but the extra sleep {and coffee} was necessary and I had a feeling it wasn't going to be a fast race after looking at the course.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The plan was to go for primes as well as set up the attack/lead out train for Kim with 2 to go.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfn5rZAz5Z9D42lf78YRcPnalG8cwzaY1mbq1BhbldoTuFdIx5TzNpVntiBbXpsXh1mNDjQlTSF3zFm429axMUq-XEEP8XpyxU988mcR62NazK1AOQUrPsZ6GpQ3wyk-Xzx2asYLkEvfY/s640/blogger-image-2049073829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfn5rZAz5Z9D42lf78YRcPnalG8cwzaY1mbq1BhbldoTuFdIx5TzNpVntiBbXpsXh1mNDjQlTSF3zFm429axMUq-XEEP8XpyxU988mcR62NazK1AOQUrPsZ6GpQ3wyk-Xzx2asYLkEvfY/s400/blogger-image-2049073829.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">As expected the race was a blob field full of squirly corners and half assed "attacks" that had no chance of staying away. The course is long enough and the field was small enough {35 ladies} that I almost felt myself doing circles around it. Found Deanna as they rang the bell for the first prime and sat on her wheel. When no one attacked I told her to go for it and I kept sitting in. She won the prime {knee warmers}. Took a pull after as we strung out the field and got back in the pack. A couple laps later I again found Deanna near the front so I moved up to her wheel and kinda expected the same thing to happen. Someone learned something from our shenanigans and went around us and I didn't jump soon enough. She {La Grange} took the prime and I got on her wheel hoping she'd work with me as we had a gap but that plan was foiled and I dropped her. Led into the next lap but knew it wasn't going to stick, so I sat up. Whoever "bridged" my gap approached me and then sat on my wheel. Can someone please explain how to pass a solo break to this field? Christ! Please go around me, as I am no longer in service for a hot second.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I hate the swerving crap and looky-loo's - but that's racing when no one wants to do work. Sat back in, found Deanna and got back on her wheel for the next prime where I actually stood and came around. Kept the effort consistent and she warned me of someone coming on my left. I won the prime {box of clif bars} and kept the pace high. Deanna yelled at me to get off the front and I look over and she's coming on the inside also on the front. I giggled and got back in the field.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqZH4ZI1_W_5frVtFzss0ozkZwmDWCA-TnqS7IwdONV-1Jwf3q9YkULLbDoGvhoERqNicPF6JgToYKzqYi2F-ZQFnYICaZkpdHav71oit1KlUqnr67wYC1GWkl4aLMQtLP3Jvj5gT6Vzk/s640/blogger-image--1277654934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqZH4ZI1_W_5frVtFzss0ozkZwmDWCA-TnqS7IwdONV-1Jwf3q9YkULLbDoGvhoERqNicPF6JgToYKzqYi2F-ZQFnYICaZkpdHav71oit1KlUqnr67wYC1GWkl4aLMQtLP3Jvj5gT6Vzk/s400/blogger-image--1277654934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for a prime</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">At some point Deanna got the next prime {$20 bike shop gift cert} as I went to the back in search of Kim. Lynne notified me we all made it through the crash {crash?! What happened? Apparently shoulders were bumping and one girl overreacted and bounced the other way into a rear wheel and took herself and her teammate out. I have no idea as I was on the front when it happened.}</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I found Kim who seemed distressed that she couldn't move up to find us but I let her know I was there for her rescue and we were going to sit in. Stay on my wheel. Stay patient. At 3 to go we'll search for Deanna. Which we did. She was unfortunately on the inside and we were on the outside. I made a move/shift to the right and I'm not sure if Kim was able to. I sat on Deanna's wheel to let her know we were there. And to sit in/conserve energy. 2 laps was too long to make a move.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">She was siting 4th-ish wheel and moved to the front for the last lap where we got some amazing press sitting 1, 2, 3 {Deanna, me, Lynne}. Deanna is going strong and I motion to Lynne I'm going on the 2nd corner. {hoping Kim is behind her}. I made my sacrifice pull which was probably a bit too enthusiastic and I buried my head. As the back straight was ending I looked back and gapped the field! What?! That's not the plan! Now what do I do?! I decided I was committed and put in another surge, stayed consistent into the last corner and tried to put in another sprint. To no avail. So I sat up and held my line hoping to see a teammate pass me so I wouldn't take their points. Kim finished 15? And I was right behind her. Deanna and Lynne made some amazing sacrifices and I think with a little reorganization and practice we can actually make something work.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8D-lfrneSZaQ0N1gSGrrds1yG11kqKzapsNQg3VV0tHDs97q-yYKtPDMy5VUkJRxjGjt4Uj7oRH5iK114-MhqzK-nQibrH7de6yBL5gJIJEFVWK8rvB7f4Qxni7ebgjIOYRUW_lphu-G/s640/blogger-image-1224791354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8D-lfrneSZaQ0N1gSGrrds1yG11kqKzapsNQg3VV0tHDs97q-yYKtPDMy5VUkJRxjGjt4Uj7oRH5iK114-MhqzK-nQibrH7de6yBL5gJIJEFVWK8rvB7f4Qxni7ebgjIOYRUW_lphu-G/s400/blogger-image-1224791354.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Getting 3 of 4 primes was an excellent win for the day. As was staying out of the crashes and feeling like we were controlling the race. Average speed was just above 23 and on a flat course with almost no wind {for the am races} it was a bit sketchy. The lack of any real corners {they were more like bends in the road} and the wide course made it hard to get away or force people into good lines. I thrive on technical corners and was sadly disappointed with the course. Event organizers were great. Excited to race as a team again.</span></span></div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139798525183752997noreply@blogger.com0