Recap Session: I'm alive!

So, I have been slacking on my blog lately. I kind of forget about it, and then days become weeks and wow, I have had 2 races since my last Root 66 2nd place finish. Both were EFTA races; which intimidated me last year because I always heard how difficult they were, but not this year! I also did some riding in Western Mass with Chunkers, it was a good time, we climbed about 1500 feet to the top of the Pittsfield State Forest and got to see a pretty epic view of Massachusetts and New York State.

The first race was in Gloucester, I placed 3rd, it was a rough ride, slippery roots on slanted hills, that was ridden hard by all the Experts and Elites. The 2nd race was in New Hampshire, it was called "the Pinnacle"- it was by far the best MTB race I have done. The first part of that race was a climb, yes I was cursing my legs and thinking to myself "Why do I do this, I'm going to quit, I can't go around again" but the second part of the race TOTALLY makes up for the hell they put you through in the beginning. Single track, downhill, slightly technical, with burms, and just pure awesome-ness. Oh and the all-famous "plunge" to end the lap, which is a GIANT downhill, that I was a bit too nervous to go down...so I chose the pine needle-y less steep side (huge regret).

Anyways, this race was so awesome, perfect weather, and to my knowledge I was only racing 1 other girl, which I was okay with because she beat me at my first race, so it was competition . She took off in the beginning, but instantly started walking a hill that I climbed (with a lot of effort) all the way to the top! After about 5-8 minutes into the race, I never saw her again. I kept thinking the people coming up behind me might be her, but they never were. I just enjoyed my nice ride and put in my best effort, actually, I could have probably pushed a tiny bit harder, but since I didn't see her, I gave myself a small break.

This "small break" really kicked me in the butt! Apparently, the woman I was pretty much riding with the entire race (either in front of or in back of) was in my category! So, letting her pass me at certain points and not passing her when she said I could, was me just giving away 1st place! I had no idea, if I did, I definitely would have pushed a LOT harder when she was in back of me, or when she would say, "You can pass me if you want"...I WOULD have! Regardless, it was such a fun race.

I will be racing in Camden, Maine this weekend, hopefully I won't flood my blog with excuses of why I was not 1st. I mean, I have to get 1st place on my BIRTHDAY!!

Catching up.

So, I took a little time off from writing my weekly blogs about racing and riding, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been happening. After my first race (Winding Trails), it was time for the race I was really anticipating; ROOT 66's Lung Opener at Massasoit State Park. This was my trail, where I learned to ride my mountain bike, so the confidence was built strong. The day was awful, it was freezing, raining, and just not the type of weather you want to go ride your bike in, regardless I felt good and was ready to W-I-N.

We all lined up and started the race, I powered up the pavement and was 2nd into the woods, I wanted to get ahead of as many girls as I could in the beginning because I know the trails are mainly single track, and I didn't want to be caught behind anyone; getting off their bikes to go over logs, plus I knew there was some sketchy bridges in the beginning. I cruised through the trail and ended up being 3rd overall and 1st in my age group for almost the entire race. I kept looking back and never saw any of the girls that I knew were in my category so I was feeling awesome and just kept powering. Making it over every log, up every climb, and stretching out my tired legs on the downhills so they could get rest for the deadily climbs I knew about at the end of the race.

I ended up catching up to the girl in 2nd, who wasn't in my age category, about half way through the race; I rode her wheel for awhile until we got stuck behind some guys who were obviously putting no effort into trying to catch up to their race. The slow picnic-ers were in a really great section where I was planning on really putting down some speed, super smooth, single track, with some easy-speedy turns. That did not happen. Finally after losing probably 3 minutes of my lead, I yelled ahead, "We gotta get by you guys!!" they let us finally pass and I sped passed the girl in 2nd and cruised by a nice pond. We continued to ride together and then she finally powered by me again and I lost her wheel.

Still feeling like no one could possibly catch up to me from my category; I knew I was somewhat close to the end, and even closer to the hill I was excited to dominate. Out of nowhere I hear "On your left" and my main competition, Pedal Power, rode by me. I was crushed. I put so much effort into the entire race, to get stuck behind beginner men enjoying the scenery, messing up my plan to gain a bunch of speed, and end up behind my competition who I know is not very technical, and I know will not make it up the hill I planned on dominating.

I couldn't get by her, I stayed right on her wheel, maybe a feet or two back..but never lost site. The hill was approaching and I was still right behind her, unable to get passed so I could make it up. She made it not even a quarter of the way and stopped dead in the middle of my perfect line, I yelled, a word that rhymes with shmuck, and got off my bike and ran up the hill that now dominated me.

Pedal Power is a cross-racer, she knows how to get off her bike, and run. I am not. Running during a race, to me, is awful. This really slowed me down and I fumbled getting back on my bike and almost lost site of her. There was one more totally un-rideable hill at the end and I remember Chunkerz (Billy, my boyfriend) saying whoever gets to the top of that hill, wins the race. Mainly because it is a straight shot down to the finish after that hill. Well, guess what? The girl who hates running during races did NOT make it to the top first, I pushed as hard as I could, ran as fast as I could up a wall, hopped on my bike, and pushed rediculously hard.

 "Maybe I can catch her" I told myself. Nope. But I did finish 3 seconds behind her. Which I don't know if that is worse than just completely losing the race...3 seconds!! Really?!! 3 seconds I lost because I was stuck behind a group of men who don't know how to get out of the way!! Okay, maybe I should have just powered as hard as I could passed her, but easier said than done now.

Anyways, I was happy, it was pouring cold rain by that point, and I was still proud of myself for getting a good finishing time, but trust me, next race, Pedal Power will not be in front of me.

Root 66 Winding Trails RACE #1!...

The day finally arrived; After a solid two weeks of butterflies and me turning to Billy saying "I'M SCARED" I am proud to say I finished my first CAT 3 Root 66 race with a red 3rd place medal hanging from my neck.


To start it all off; I worked a long shift at my part time serving job, and by long I mean about 10 hours on my feet, nonstop, with no food, and usually minimal time to use a bathroom or take a sip of water. I made  it a point to ride 45 minutes on the trainer before with a workout Billy gave me to prepare my legs for the race; my legs felt OK. I continued my day with drinking as much water as I could possibly chug every hour in a time frame of about 50 seconds (which is the time frame that I have between my section at work slowly going up in flames because I'm not there). I wanted to make sure I prepared the best I could for my race, ending up drinking about 7-16 ounce water bottles.


As soon as I got home I laid in bed, falling asleep probably around 9-9:30pm; waking up at 4:45am. YUCK. We woke up to the sound of pouring rain and a intense wind storm...I thought to myself, "hmm maybe I won't race today" but what kind of attitude is that!! Billy and I packed up the car and headed to Farmington, CT, about a 2 hour drive west.


We arrived around 8am, (my race is at 9am) so the pressure was on to get ready and try to pre ride the course a bit to warm up my legs. I felt crappy, my legs burned up a tiny dirt hill, I wasn't going over any of the logs because I had no confidence, but I just tried to tell myself, "it's all about the experience, as long as I finish, I'm happy."


9am; it was time to race. All the CAT 3 racers began to line up, CAT 3 women all start together because it is such a small group of women, there is no need to start the age categories seperately. Looking around and listening to the girls talk made me more and more comfortable, they all seemed to be on my level, some had other racing history in cyclocross and road, and were giving mtb-ing a try. This is really only my second year riding a mountain bike, nevermind racing or riding any other type of bike, so I was a little inexperienced, but I know I have a lot of technical skills compared to others, just lacking bike fitness (getting there though!)

The whistle blew and we were off, my plan was to hold a good place, about 3rd, and pace myself throughout the race. The race started up a dirt gradual climb and then right into single track, I'm pretty sure I sat about 5th/6th with the group of women, and about 3rd in my category going into the singletrack. We all approached a steep downhill with a log in the middle, very easy to just roll over, the mud made my bike slip a bit but I had total control. I started feeling great right from the start; extremely strong. The trail weaved left and right, all singletrack, and as I approached a short climb with some roots I knew I had it down, root-y climbs are my "thing."

Two of the girls in my CAT had some trouble on the climb, one girl fell and the other had troubles with something at the top, this gave me a chance to break away. I powered up the hill and kept a good yet fast pace for almost about 3/4 of the rest of the first lap. I kept my eye on the back of me, now in first, just to make sure no one was creeping up behind me, I felt awesome. The trail was great, I made it up every climb (except a rediculous one at the end)...

and was not afraid of any of the techincal points of the trail. There was an insane mud bog towards the end of the course, which really slowed me down because right after getting out of it was some more climbs, my bike felt like cement was drying on my chain. Right near the end of the first lap the girl who fell on the climb passed me, and at that point I felt a little drained from the mud and climb.

I ended up losing sight of her a little bit into the 2nd lap but was totally happy knowing I at least had 2nd place, although 3rd place was right behind me. I made a silly mistake on one of the logs and ended up toppling over and allowing 3rd place to catch 2nd. From that point I was on 2nd place's tire the entire lap, I never lost sight of her and never let her gain to much of a gap. She slowed down a lot of some technical climbs and downhills, but I just kept right behind her hoping for a chance to speed passed. Right towards the end, the trail goes onto a paved road; I felt awesome and noticed she really wasn't pushing too hard, I told myself, "Just power by and pass her" but for some reason I made the choice to keep behind and hold onto her back tire. MISTAKE. I forgot that the end of the race is rediculously slow and sandy and by that point my legs had no more power.

 She ended up crossing the finish line 11 seconds before me; I was actually OK with it. I honestly thought I had no chance to place, and was just hoping to not finish in 2 hours. It was a 10.2 mile course, I finished in 1:11. My lap time last year was 41 minutes, this year is was 35.3. I am so excited and now even more excited to race this Saturday at a course I am completely familiar with, MASSASOIT.


Until then.......

Peanut Butter POW!

Yesterday marked the 2 weeks until my first race day!! I am still a bit nervous for the 10 miles of what I found to be hell when it was just 5 miles last year, but I feel a lot stronger and fit this time around. I had a great ride at Wampatuck State Park with one of the more larger groups I have ridden with (7 total).  The ride went great, I tried to really push myself with speed and keep up with the BikeBarn boys, and keeping up means coming up to them 10-20 seconds after they have stopped going hard.  I am extra proud that I made it up this giant, steady, never-ending climb that wasn't really part of our ride, but more an option to take the more intense route. It was the first time I said in my head "Shut up legs" as my boyfriend would explain. I felt the burn, and my legs just wanted to stop peddling but I kept telling myself, "Just keep going, you can do it": Mind Over Matter I suppose.

I almost gave my boyfriend a heart attack on the ride; as I chose to avoid a rock and take the inch of moss-like land next to the rock that could of led to a 6-foot drop into a river. We both would have gotten a nice cool down if that happened. But luckily I didn't realize at the time, that the ground beneath my wheels was paper thin and I rode right over it...or more over air as I was told by my jaw-dropped spectators.

Wampatuck is a great place to ride, with tons of trail options for any kind of rider. Our ride really consisted of trails I have never been on, and not really to my personal taste of how I like to ride. It was pretty flat, with a few roots here and there, and some climbs that were very gradual and un-technical. I really prefer to challenge myself with steep technical climbs that require you to act fast and choose the right lines, I feel it builds experience. One specific part of the ride I enjoyed was the twisting and turning downhill, that had a handful of berms to ride. Berms are something I need to get aquainted with, or more so, comfortable with. I feel once you can ride berms, you become one with your bike and let it dance through the trails. (Heard this saying from a friend, corny but totally true.)

(lame Berm example..)

I'm getting better and better at learning how to lift my bike. I was entertaining myself on my ride at Wampatuck when going over bridges that had a little drop at the end. Lifting my bike and getting some air (and by air I mean a foot if that). I felt cool though. Kind of like how I felt cool when I was taking a break (I know, I know:  "There are no breaks in races!") and sitting on my bike with one of my shoes clicked in and let go of the breaks and toppled over, letting my beauty hit the pavement, OUCH! No injuries, just laughs.

I am trying to get in as much riding as my schedule allows me, I'm determined and obsessed; I think that combination works really well with mountain biking...Until my next epic (or Era should I say) adventure, I'm just going to keep hoping summer is on it's way.

So far so good.

 This past Sunday marked a very great and inspiring day. First and foremost, I had the day off from doing any sort of unwanted work that I have every other day of my life, so the day is fresh and full of opportunity! More importantly, my beauty of a bike is all built and ready to be let off it's leash. My boyfriend and I, along with a few other guys all met up for a ride at Massasoit State Park in North Taunton an all time favorite ride spot of ours, and coincidently the location for the second Root 66 mountain bike race; that I am now even more excited about!

    I was a little nervous for the ride at first, mainly because riding with a bunch of guys is a bit overwhelming, but it definitely took a turn for the good. My bike must have special effects built into it because I have never felt faster, stronger, or more fearless in any ride I have ever done. Typically I can make it up a few climbs in Massasoit, and struggle with about half, haha oh no...not on Sunday. I bursted with lightning force up every single climb on the ride, with really no need to stop at the top and pat myself on my back because I just wanted to keep going. My bike has changed my riding skills for the better. I usually turn into a small crying child when I see logs that I have to get over, once again, not on Sunday. There were a few in the beginning that stopped me in my tracks, but after a while I just stopped thinking about them, and plowed my way over the logs, lifting my front end like my boyfriend always tells me.

   I tried to focus on not using my breaks as much going downhill; success. My boyfriend and a BikeBarn buddy flew by me, twisting and turning down a steep single track downhill, full of rocks and roots. I said screw it, Let's see if I can keep up. With minimal pull from my right hand on the breaks, I flew down the hill, 20 feet behind the boys, creeping up a few seconds behind them. My boyfriend was shocked at how close I was, usually expecting me to come peddaling along minutes later, with a tight grip on my breaks. I focused a lot of my attention on pulling up when riding, and essentially, speed.

   The conclusion of this drawn out story about my ride is the fact that I think this is the beginning of my potential of going somewhere with biking. I feel all of my positive thoughts about riding pro and doing well at races is attracting all positive outcomes, such as, this past Sunday's ride. I just need to keep riding as much as I can, and build up more of my bike fitness and speed and there is no stopping me! I can gladly say that I rode my bike, it did not ride me.

3 more Sundays until my first race that kicked my butt last year....

but this time I've got..........................BIKE FEVER!

Saying Goodbye to an old friend..

This is it! My very first post as an official blogger! I figure, why not start off by explaining what exactly I'm trying to do here. I'm trying to make things happen. I'm tired of going through each day, waking up, showering, working, eating, sleeping, repeating. I just don't think this whole "career life" is for me. The fact that my mom, to this day, still tells me the story about how in elementary school when they had a parent teacher conference, the teachers had all the kids make little artwork pieces of "What I want to be when I grow up" and all the children had "Doctor" "Nurse" "Mommy" "Firefighter" "Policeman" and what did her wonderful daughter have written? "Grinder Girl". For all of you non-western mass natives, a grinder is a sub, or sandwich. I guess this should have been a clear red flag that having a real career was not really something I was serious about.

I don't think I am truly allowed to say that I am hardcore about mountain biking...... just yet! Mainly because I compare myself to my boyfriend who rides his bike every single day 363 days a year...and I.....well I don't. But I feel my restraints are substantial. I work... my butt off, and guess what? IM SICK OF IT! So, now it's time to make things happen, because my dad always told me, "you can only make things happen if you do it yourself."

So, what am I exactly trying to make happen?? I'm trying to get nasty at mountain biking, and well, make money doing so. It seems like a really long shot in the dark, and I've thrown the idea away plenty of times, but women's mountain biking isn't as popular as men's, and at first I kept telling myself your getting old, all the young girls are going to have all the potential.; But my awesome boyfriend made me think otherwise. I feel I was born to be athletic, and never really put 150% into any sport I played, and I was still pretty decent, so what if I just focus all my attention on this one single sport? It never hurts to try? Well, it might hurt, I tend to be accident prone.

I've been thinking in the mindset of "The Secret". The whole idea that "thoughts become things" and the "Law of Attraction." If you have positive thoughts, you will attract positive outcomes. I think it can make a lot of things happen. So I am going to work hard, and picture myself succeeding and well, it'll give me something to do if nothing comes of it, but I think something will come.

To end this all, and give myself a new beginning for my next blog, today marks the day that I purchased my first expensive bike: A 2011 Specialized Era Comp Mountain Bike. This beauty should arrive within a week, and when it does, I am going to ride the crap out of it, or it may ride the crap out of me, either way, it's going to be great.