March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I picked up a book at the airport yesterday called Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs. I don't read nearly as much as I would like. Seems like I have been watching too much TV and not reading enough... Lost, AI, SNL, Bill Maher, Colbert Report... some of my faves...and many movies that the whole family enjoys. This guy Augusten is pretty damn funny though. Same author as Running With Scissors. A little weird but very witty and very gay.

It's been pressing on me to update my website since so much has been going on. The racing season is starting and the training should pay off. Working when there's work and coaching the athletes of which I have 7. I love that part. Some great sponsors are on board to help me out with my cycling career such as Garmin, Raw Revolution, GU, and CyclePath. Thank you! I've made some great new friends.

Today is mom's birthday. I never forget since it falls on St. Patrick's Day. I had a Guinness for mom.

Lots going on so I'll be sure to stay in touch more often...

January 20, 2010
Happy New Year!

It's serious training time now and I have been making it happen. I am dedicated to my training and have a big goal to reach with intermediate steps along the way. I can see results already and I am excited about the racing season to come. I haven't been on the trainer one day yet this season (except to ride the rollers to work on pedaling efficiency) and have been slogging through the wet Oregon weather for hours on end. Good times make you hard like Stijn Devolder, make you suffer and want the numbness in your feet and hands to disappear.

“I am content with my winter training. What others do is their business. "  - SD


November 3, 2009
Happy Birthday Katrine!

The months go by and looking back it seems I have less to say. I have really been enjoying the off season....riding the CCX bike and doing a lot of hikes. We took a family trip to Disney World last week and meanwhile I've been working 8-4 as much as I can to pay off my bills. Litigation support is a little slow this time of year so the hours are being cut back a little. The debt really piled up over the summer when I took a 6-month hiatus to race. I think a local campaign might be more doable. Either way, I want to be home more. We'll see. I am trying to practice patience, something I am not good at.

This post is a placeholder until I find new motivation to write. If I knew I had an audience perhaps I would have more to say.

P.S. Happy Birthday to Katrine. Today she turned 9! Wow. She is getting so big! Here she is with Minnie and her cousin Jordyn.

August 17, 2009
Easier to Believe...

Since my last post in June I have been in Bend, OR for Cascade and Road Nationals; NC for Presbyterian and Hanes Park; and Chicago for the tune up and finally Criterium Nationals just this last weekend. I haven't got any stellar results to report. Where is my late-season form? On paper and according to plan, everything should have gone better than it did. At the last 4 races, my teammates rode their legs off for me and did their very best. I thank them for believing in me. I wish I could have delivered a win for them.

I am looking forward to seeing Kendra before she goes off to Denmark to fetch Katrine on Tuesday. She'll be a full-time mom for the next year. I'll need to go back to work to pay for all my travels this season. I really just want to sleep for a week and feel like I need a vacation or something. I had crazy nightmares all last week...so strange. I have a few friends I need to visit.

I am not down and out though. I'll have to take the track bike over to Alpenrose and figure this shit out until I completely crack. Can't I put work off for another coupla? The next race is in St Louis over Labor Day - four days of crit practice. Then, Vegas and Boston and that's all for 2010. The season escaped me. What can you do but just keep at it? All the time that I spend thinking about bike racing and concentrating on my training hasn't done me much good so far. Just a couple top 5s at the NRCs and a whole lot of frustration. I'm way better than that and know right where I belong.

...switching gears.


June 17, 2009
Motivation, Meditation, Mediation, Mentality, Morality...

First half of the season is over. Like a mid season crisis I feel fit and strong like a bull but sort of defeated having never found my rhythm. Let a few people down that I wanted to make proud of a winner. If I had kept on, I would have just dug a deeper hole. So, in the need to get a hold of myself and progress, I pack up. Head to the beach or the cabin. Do this thing right and save up for the second half. Adjust my headset and bottom bracket as my good friend and coach Laurel Green would say. Clear the skies. Have a pleasant stay.

Can a midlife crisis happen at 37 anytime? Does that make a 74 year life? Still seems really old. Reflect, let go, win.


June 3, 2009
Moving on!

I don't even know where to start with our last team race in Tulsa, OK. Let's just say I am glad it is over. In fact, one might get a better read by visiting Wilson and Jenn-X's blogs and checking out the photos on my Tulsa Tough 2009 Facebook Album. I'm just saying...

Since I broke my bike (or someone or something broke it) in Friday night's crash, I was able to hook up with Andy and Britt from Storck yesterday to get my race bike early so that I could train this week leading up to Philly. I am so grateful for all their help. You guys are awesome!

I've been visiting and training with friends KC and Steve in Bucks County, PA. I've been sleeping in the "vampire room" which is awesome. I never know what time it is because there' are no windows and it's very quiet. Today I didn't get up until almost 10. I reckon my body needed some rest. They have 2 little boys, 3 and 6....cute boys, adorable. Nice to visit. Wouldn't want 2 of my own, thank you. Miss Stephanie, the sitter, has amazing patience! Wow! Little Tommy didn't want the chocolate milk in the glass, he wanted it in the box, damn it! And there were tears. Guess it's easier not to argue and just let their way be had. I think that can work with adults, too.

KC and I set out for a ride today and no sooner than we'd started did a torrent of rain hail from the sky for the next 45 minutes. Luckily, there is a cute Boro every few miles and we ducked into a little store in Carversville for coffee and baked goods. Since I've given up on the IPA temporarily, I've replaced said treat with a new treat - baked goods! I've re-discovered doughnuts, gluten free German chocolate cake cookies, gingerbread raisin muffins, and "everything" cookies. Oh boy, will that keep me from losing those last couple pounds? What's going to happen when I take a break? How am I going to resist the temptations? Will power is sexy. I wish I had more of that...

Manayunk...gadunk. Stay tuned!

May 26, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend Re-cap...

I boarded a plane for the east coast on Saturday. Met up with teammate Leigh Hopkins at the DC airport. Stayed with friend Vanessa in Arlington who has housed me for some races in the past and helped me greatly get here and there and figure out bike routes and such.

Riding to the race Sunday at RFK Stadium and through DC on Memorial Day weekend was something else. Rolling Thunder parade was crAzy! Thousands and thousands of motos parked everywhere waiving the American flag, some shouting that we were riding the wrong kinda bike. The road closures made it nice for us, giving us a free pass over the Memorial Bridge and up Capitol Hill and along Independence Ave. After a quick cafe stop, we arrived at RFK Stadium. The race had killer prize money, equal and same-day payout and distances for men and women, and we raced after the dudes. It was long for a crit (35 miles) and A LOT like PIR....windy, wide sweeping turns, coupla sharp ones too, and some rather interesting bike handling skillz and craziness.  Good for me. I needed to end this no beer drinking deal. I know now and knew then that I could have done better than 4th place...I also grabbed (2) $200 primes. Cha-ching! I was motivated to help Leigh pay ridiculous airline charges/bike travel expenses which were $190 ONE WAY on Delta. That's F-d up!

Kendra went to the beach house with the family. Sounds like they had a great time playing poker, walking along the south jetty, and playing at the beach with Indie Punkin. She's got her photos up on Face Book.

Back in Arlington Sunday night it was awesome Thai food with Vanessa. Monday morning up early to drive up to Somerville. Thanks to Jared Nieters from Haymarket Bicycles for the speedy lift. We were a little panicked because they don't tell you exactly what time your race is. We just knew there were 4-5 races in between. Got there with plenty of time. Pretty hot so not much need for a warm up. Race was hard and short. Team Type 1 put some hurt on from the gun. I wasn't sure how I could finish. I wasn't feeling it. Sketchiness all over the place and fighting for position on every lap was exhausting. I couldn't afford to be too far back. Somehow, after avoiding 2 crashes on 2 and 1 to go, I managed to find a couple good wheels and put myself in decent position on the long finishing straight. A mis-shift at 150m to go and a little boxxed in and I miss the podium - again. Not so happy with all these 4th places.

Good friends Steve Craig and KC Wilder and their 2 boys came to watch me race. After the race, Steve took Leigh to the airport and KC and I rode south to the BBQ. Didn't think it would be too big a deal to ride a couple hours after the race but it was windy and I hadn't eaten real food for hours. Luckily Steve was right behind us. After a 30 miles I hopped in, KC kept rolling, and we soon met at the food. I've had the good fortune at least 2 years in a row of finding myself at a Memorial Day BBQ. What would the day be without it? Oh man! Fresh flesh off the grill never tasted so good!

Late night last night catching up on the Giro and chatting with Steve. Got good sleep in the 'Vampire Room' as Steve calls it. No windows, quiet, and you never know how long you've slept. 7 hours straight through and then another couple.

I feel rested today and a good day for rest it is with drizzle and chillier temperatures. I'm just chillin' out in the McMansion and catching up on email while Nikki the dog barks at the deer running around their yard.

I have a very early flight from Philly to Tulsa tomorrow --6am. That was a crazy idea though I look forward to riding with the locals on Wednesday and seeing our host Brent again from last year's race.

Beer is imminent!

May 4, 2009
Homeward Bound...

The week went by so fast. I guess that's one of the reasons why it's called Speedweek. I really love it here in Decatur. Cute 'lil town. We've got some great photos of the team floating around on Facebook posted by riders and photographers from all the racing this week. My goal, and the team goal, was to get a win or at least get on the podium. It was a little harder to do than I thought it would be and we are disappointed that didn't happen. I am even harder on myself because I know it can be done! I know we can do it! I am over it.... finishing just in the top 10. I think we had a 5th, 8th, 9th placing. I crashed out of Athens Twilight with 2 to go. Roswell, we missed the break. Dang. I really need to work on maintaining my position in the last few laps and having the gumption to get to the 3rd wheel and hold it. Same story. Mental toughness is what I will work on between now and Somerville and Tulsa.

All the help we had this week from Andy and Brittany with Hawley and Storck was amazing;  transporting our bikes, tuning them up, getting us ready and cooling us off with cold water and post-race Colas. So amazing! Thanks you guys!

More later....

April 27, 2009
Jailhouse Rock...

Vanderkitten Racing headed to Georgia last week for Speedweek and the opening of the USA Crit Series. We had some interesting adventures along the way. To start, there were flight delays due to a "turracaine," as JennX calls it.

On one of our drives, I think it was to Beaufort...."Do you know why I pulled you over?" (We were going 97)...umm because the speedometer on the rental van reads 80 and our load is so large that we have been wearing out the brakes trying to slow ourselves down? And 3 girls are on their period? That's how we got into this mess in the first place! So, off to jail we went...no reciprocity between CA and GA I guess they can't agree on the law and JennX was driving, we were laughing hysterically, trying all the while to get her handcuffed at least so we would have some excellent photos.

February 16, 2009
High on Dark Chocolate...

There are some things that I have learned to love even more than before. One of them is dark chocolate. No dairy. Check. Current addiction is Dagoba organic chocolate from Ashland. All (most) good things come from Oregon.

Great, fantastic weekend of racing in San Jose and Santa Rosa with Vanderkitten despite rain and a premature start in Santa Rosa on Sunday, no warm up, and s**t brick race legs, cold toes, numb hands... Soggy, soggy day.  Normaly, the stuff I typically love to race in. The best part about the weekend was homemade chili at Dave and Jennie's and seeing old teammates and meeting some of the new ones, too! It is going to be an exciting year.

As mentioned, I had a nicely timed 3 week Sanborn training camp in Sonoma County and am headed back to Oregon for some more of that. Will be difficult to drag myself out of bed at 6am to go back to the grind if I am summoned. Not really a morning person. Feeling pretty good about how I have been doing health-wise and the fitness will come in March. Next stop for the team is the Redlands Cycling Classic March 26-29.

 

February 2, 2009
Base Camp/Fat Camp...

I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to ride here in Sonoma County with my bud Laurel Green. She opened up her home to me and made me see that I can still eat yummy foods that are good for me even if they sound nasty all mixed together. Kale and celery....yum. Ahem. That one took a few sips to get used to.

The region has seen temperatures between 67-70 degrees everyday since I arrived a week ago and I feel a little bad for wishing it would stay this way since they are having a huge drought here. I really couldn't have come at a better time even though I miss home for the time I'd be spending with Kendra and the Indie Punkin. Yesterday, they were watching the Super Bowl and the Puppy Bowl, dog-walking, and beer-drinking without me. The tradeoff? I rode to the beach and basked in the warm sun.

I also feel lucky that I stumbled upon a woman browsing the local bike shop in Sebastopol who turned up to be one excellent masseuse.  (Same gal who works on Levi and the Astana Team). I'm thinkin' her hands will put some magic and speed in my legs, too.
 

December 11, 2008
Conundrum…It Takes Money to Make Money...

Yeup, it does. Just like it takes results to get on an elite level cycling team, it often takes a team to get those results.

Good news! Vanderkitten Racing announces its 2009 roster and I’m on it! This is very cool…So are these new ZeroGravity brakes (recently reviewed on VeloNews).

Not such good news! The first race of the 2009 season already went to shit as the Tour of California scaled back women’s racing to just one day. Perhaps the San Jose Criterium will replace the date and we can make a weekend of it. Or, maybe we can head to the Valley of the Sun? Going into the season, I am a little worried about the rest of the NRC with the crappy economy and rumors of other races lacking sponsorship. Worried I’ll get in the best racing shape ever and not have any races to go to. But there’s always plenty of fast racing with the dudes in OBRA-land.

More and more we hear about job losses over the last 2 months, the highest unemployment rate in 26 years. Sadly, people are losing their pensions right and left. With the jobs market continuing to deteriorate, I feel pretty lucky to have a couple good jobs. Work in the software industry is pretty slow however so I have been taking the occasional day off to ride longer, relax at home, and spend time with my athletes.

--
Ten days ‘til the shortest day of the year, the dawn of the winter when the heat stays on all day. This year, I am not in the sprit of the holiday. I think I must have SAD. On the other hand, I am excited that Katrine is coming home from Denmark to visit and the family is coming over, too. But wait Kendra won’t be home until the 23rd and the house is a mess and I want a cleaning lady for Christmas! Just stay calm and don’t get all frantic and anxious. Look forward to hoppy effervescent libations and festive indulgence!

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I can’t wait to be fit again. I need a warm-weather riding vacation. I would like to go back to Mallorca. Anyone?

 

November 8, 2008
Obama'd...
 
I am inspired yet torn by this historic time. The Americans elected its first black president in a democratic nation and filled a majority of seats in both the house and senate with Democrats. Thank. Goodness. Accusations and allegations plagued the November elections but we prevailed ethically and soundly. Given the enormity of this time, I am not so amused by the "war on terror," the state of the world economy, prop 8, and the swinging prices of gas and oil. WTF America? Change is due in all of us.

--
Today, I tried to sleep in. I cleaned the gutters, lifted weights, folded 4 loads of laundry, played ball with the Indie Punkin and neighbor Dan and his 2 dogs, and had dinner with Sue and Tim. Sue made killer peanut sauce pasta with carrots and cucumbers. Such suchness. Now I am drinking beer, awaiting SNL, and drooling over pics of their new house. Holeeee- crap.

Contemplating training in Belgium with Susie and watching UCI CX World Championships 2009 in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. Miles baby. Miles.

October 19, 2008
A Charlie Brown Christmas...

I believe that we might want to go back to the start when it was a dark and stormy night... when there was no end, only a beginning.

What's on my mind? Well...

Typical couples these days aren't always the man and the woman - Adam and Eve. Even though same sex marriage is fairly young at this stage, it's important to support. It is real.
--
Can you imagine discovering religion later in life? I guess it might have something to do with who you are exposed to and who becomes your superstar(s).
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Maybe you were singing a Rasta-man chant. Babylon, make an impression.

September 09, 2008
Into the Wild...

First of all... A big, HUGE, HUGE thanks to all the folks who made the inaugural Tour of Missouri Women's Criterium a smashing success. My teammates Liz Hatch, Jenny Trew, and I had an amazing and wonderful time this past weekend visiting Kansas City. We really got the royal treatment from the fans, promoters, sponsors, and our peers. Thanks to the Embassy Suites and to our Wenzel clients Rob & Susie Schultz and their family for taking me in and shuttling me around. And thanks to SKC Racing; without them and their support and determination getting the Vanderkittens to the race, we wouldn't have had the wherewithal to come this late in the season. Thanks to Kelly Benjamin and the Cheerwine Team for putting on a huge celebration and their part in organizing the events. I had a great time hanging out with everyone, making new friends, and seeing old teammates in fine street clothes and cowboy boots. Thanks to Amy McMinn for helping us get to the race and the tons of others whose names escape me at the moment and to Kelly's parents Rich and Shari Stephan for hosting the best BBQ party of the year! Oh, and thanks to Robin Farina for buying me a pint of Guinness at O'Dowd's and the late night taxi ride for the big and nasty, I mean big and tasty. I never eat at McDonalds... almost never. Yeup, it's true we are sometimes ordinary people, too. Thanks to Sarah Bamberger for finding my wallet. I hadn't thought about how I might get home with no picture ID. 

The race course in Missouri was awesome and a fast 6-ish turn course with a long finishing straight into a headwind, so long that it was too long for me to hold off Amber Rais charging behind me for the $1000 crowd prime with 4 or 5 laps to go I can't remember. I thought I had it and I think I even let up slightly and threw the bike in desperation. So close (2" maybe less) from the cash in our pockets. I led it out from the 3rd to last turn. 450-500m is a long way to go and lose it by a fraction of a cm dang-it! Can't I get something right? Live and learn. Calm down Sanbornio. Relax. Breath. Go fast. Use your brain. Next time. There are two more races to do it for the kittens this season on the road. San Fran this coming Saturday the 13th and Vegas on the 25th where the Kittens will try to maintain their USA Crit Series team lead. What's awesome was Trew got 6th despite having "no jump" and Liz was 20th even after getting knocked into the outside barriers. So, all in all a great race and we still walked away with a little something.

My only complaint this past weekend is the sold-out red-eye flight I took on Continental at midnight on Saturday from Portland to Huston and the screaming 3 year old child who wouldn't shut the f' up! I'm tryin' to get some zzzz's here lady! Shut your kid's mouth, don't stuff it with chocolate bars, Twinkies, and play cartoons on the mini. She doesn't deserve jack acting like that. She needs sleep and she's 3 and already is on the road to hell and 40 lbs overweight. Try some Benadryl. It works. Really. Needless to say, I was beside myself as were most passengers trying to sleep. I always thought a red-eye would be cool. I could sleep stretched out on 3 seats. At least that's what Mark our manager told me it would be like!

--

It's that time of the year again...the leaves are starting to turn, the air is crisp, the dew is on the lawn in the mornings, and I have a major bug up my you-know-what to race 'cross! It's all about skill and nerve and I wish I'd had a little more off-road practice and experience. I used to be more of a daredevil. Wish I'd been a better mountain biker at least that would help me. Need to start doing some running soon, too. After Vegas I figure. So, I'm doing what I can. I've hit the books to refresh my memory on training and technique and I'm at least going to give it my best again and teach my clients a few new things about racing, technique, preparation, and the like.


August 24, 2008
The Balancing Act...

It was a rest week this last week after crit nationals and months of training while not feeling 100%. I've been in denial that I could just ride myself into good position and have had a few good results but the team has deserved so much more of me than I have been able to give. So, I finally decided to nip my illness in the bud and go on antibiotics. As much as I hate them I think they are working. I've been feel crappy ALL year long it seems so this was a good time to do it. We're 2 weeks away from Missouri, 3 weeks away from the SF Twilight, and a month away from Vegas and the Vanderkittens would really like to show the world we can race and land on the podium.

The balancing act of racing while working, coaching, and having enough time for training is hard on my form. Sometimes after a full day of staring at the computer at the office I just want to crack open a cold beer and play with Kendra and the dog. So, why do I continue to race? I love it! I love the team and where we are going. We're about development and working together as a team to build on the future of women's cycling. It's an exciting time!
 

August 1, 2008
Bee Stings and Sprained Ankles...

This week was a little crazy. Monday night, as I'm just about to head out the door for a round of racing with the local masters men, Kendra appears limping to the basement door with a scraped up knee and Indie bursting in happily, panting and jumping up and down, oblivious to any irregularities in her exercise routine. Kendra's first explicative indicated things weren't good and she only hoped her ankle wasn't broken. She'd fallen over a root wad up on Mt Tabor while looking away from the trail at flagging that must have been marking exactly what she'd tripped over. We quickly apply ice, elevate, and give 600mg of Ibuprofen and Inversion IPA. I run to get Dan, our neighbor and doctor. He checks her over. All is good and it looks like only a sprain.  He must have thought, having just had knee surgery only a week ago and nearly done with his crutches already, 'C'mon sistah! Suck it up! Just look at me!' Actually, he was offering up his crutches just in case.

Round two. Thursday I was outside with Indie picking raspberries for breakfast. When I came into the house to give her a raspberry treat I noticed the right side of her snout was quite swollen. Minutes later both sides. She must have been stung by a bee I thought. I called to Kendra, both of us are laughing at the comic dog... Kendra taking pictures and I'm on the net looking up how to treat bee stings in dogs. Could it be serious? She's now having trouble breathing and just vomited raspberry nastiness (she likes to pick raspberries, too). I call the vet and they confirm what some of the websites prescribe - 50mg of the stuff in Benadryl. Once again, neighbor Dan to the rescue. By now Kendra is walking pretty well and gets Dan and I'm late for my training ride with Sue. The Benadryl knocked her out. I guess she was sleeping the whole time I was gone, nearly 4 hrs. The swelling had gone down but now is migrating to her eyes. Her left eye is so swollen she looks like a Shar-Pei. We didn't get pictures that time but gave another dose of the stuff. I think to myself later - that's human dosages. Friday morning comes and all is better and I'm on the way to the airport.

Both incidents seemed serious at first and I was pretty worried. Worry gets you nowhere but makes you careful at least.

I'm still suffering from asthma, bronchitis, allergies, sinusitis, or whatever you want to call it. Basically, I cough a lot and it's a "non productive" cough. The doctors have checked me over and I've got my TUE for albuterol. My training is going well and I'm racing well and I cough mostly at night. I can't imagine how much better I would race if I felt normal. It's been on and off since a week after Philly and lately it's been keeping Kendra and I awake now for a week or more. She'll be glad to get some sleep this weekend while I'm away in North Carolina chasing the USA Crit Series and NRC with my teammates Leigh, Liz, and Wilson. I am hoping the humidity will alleviate my symptoms.

June 27, 2008
Goin' Back to LA...

We cleared our porch for the Summer Solstice and trimmed the foliage so we could sit lazily in our chairs in the shade with our pup Indie and watch the world go by while drinking a frosty beverage or two. Picture that. It's heaven on Earth.
 --
Arranging puppy play dates is new to us dog owners and it's even more complicated sometimes than arranging Kat's play dates... Indie's BFF is Jaeda, a 5-month old Doberman Pincer, who we met at puppy kindergarten this spring. Going to the Dog Park and puppy play sessions are great avenues in meeting new people, which is something we've been meaning to do.
--
Katrine has been taking swim lessons all week and from what I hear is swimming up a storm, sliding down the big slide, and jumping in the deep-end and touching bottom which is 7 feet down. I can't wait to see her do her thing next week.
--
To do the Cascade Cycling Classic or not to do? It is up the hill and down the hill. It would be good training against Kristin Armstrong who is prepping for the Olympics.
--
My allergies have been off the chart this season and the pollen forecast is through the roof. However, while it's going to be 100 degrees in P-town tomorrow, you will find me riding along the strand of Manhattan Beach. Oops, I thought it would be warmer down here and I don't think I packed any close-toed shoes!

I got into LA this afternoon and my host family picked me up at the airport. What would we do without the generous support of our fans, the ones who help make it all happen and make our out-of-town stays seem like a home away from home? Thank you so much.

I am looking forward to seeing an old friend and Dave and Mark and racing with Wheels and Lizzie again. I think we are all feeling pretty good these days.

When I get home, I'll have to make sure the cukes and squash get into the ground if it's not too late.

June 12, 2008
Back Home...

I hear the sun is going to come out today in Portland, OR! Ok, 1 O'clock! Here I come! I'm waiting to ride if this is the case! Sun? Hmmm, huh? WHAT? This has been the coldest June in 10 years says K-Man.

Speaking of Oregon and cool Oregon bike racers I rolled around with Mr. K-Man who was doing his first race as a Cat 2 before the start of the women's race on Mt. Tabor last night. Yo! No more sandbagging K! On course, it was pretty neat to see such a big women's field and even Larssyn Ruegg (Staley) showed up! I've known this gal since she was 14. Amazing talent but has had a lyon's share of injury.

Looking back on Philly I wish I had more time to take in the citywide festivities. It was Pride weekend and all that and interesting stuff always happens in Philly. Some of my fans showed up at our hotel. Hernando swagged them out as he was working on the bikes in the hallway. I shook their hands while they commented on my tattoos, especially the Vanderkitten Tattoo on my calf.

And the racing part of Philly.... I think it was the weirdest race ever. I was out of my body the entire time. Sometimes it gets really hard and you just focus so much that you aren't even there. Hernando gave me tips about breathing and I stole his word "Hara" and that is my mantra now when I can't stand to be in the pain cave, can't go any deeper, or feel my body rocking unnecessarily and getting out of control. My focus switched to the hip-elbow connection and the strength of dropping my belly and centering myself on the universe of my bike. It makes pain leave the body. It's so SWEET. Whatever works, Sanbo. Even an old dog can learn new tricks.
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Meeting KC Wilder and Steve Craig when I went east to the Tour of Somerville was one of those life changing experiences. KC has a PhD in Sports Psychology and she talked with me about living the dream and her experiences on the bike and racing as an elite athlete. Steve gave me a book that I wish I had read 8 years ago called Optimum Sports Nutrition by Dr. Michael Colgan. Even though I have pretty good dietary habits and have been taking aminos off and on throughout my career, I never considered the dynamics of synergy and precision. What to do is one thing but WHEN to do it is another. Reading this book is having an impact. Simple reminders about reading labels and translating fat content, the misconceptions about RDA and how it's pretty useless to the athlete, cutting out saturated fats, eating less red meat and more whole grains, and the power of antioxidants, suppliments, and the anabolic drive. All things healthy that serve as reminders can give an edge to performance which is the little inspiration I needed to help me lose these last few lbs and get myself to race weight in a healthful manner.

Winning zee race is zee next battle. I asked Hernando if I could hire him.

He said no...


June 8, 2008
Philly, PA - The Granddaddy of Races…

The Commerce Bank Liberty Classic in Philadelphia, PA is absolutely my favorite race on the planet and a win I have dreamed of owning since I became an elite bike racer. I would liken the course to some of the world cup races but the crowds just don't turn out en masse the way they do at Philly. The event has been known to draw over 1 million spectators who line the streets to cheer on the riders as they head up Manyunk, Lemon, Strawberry, and come through the home stretch around Logan Circle. This year the temperatures soared to over 100 degrees and the humidity made it even hotter. These conditions kept some fans glued to their TV sets as live coverage aired via WPVI (ABC-TV).

Vanderkitten had the help of Vander-feeders Steve Craig, Steve Hatch, and our DS Michael Hernandez. These guys did an amazing job getting us our musettes and bottles where hydration and nutrition were more important than position. Liz Hatch grabbed my musette for me the first time through. We had some bad positioning but still made it just fine since everyone was sitting up through the start/finish to quench their thirst. Hatch is a pro at this and I took the musette the next time through. I'm pretty good at the feeding thing and I had no problem coming to the front that time so that I wouldn't have to chase back up to the group. Getting to the front is easy when you are completely out of liquid, it's 100 degrees, and cold bottles await!

That was the feeding. Even though it was a smaller field of 100, it might have been my best Philly as far as how I placed myself amongst the pack and how I read the race (except the last 500m). The racing was pretty fast and there were the usual amounts of attacks and activity at the head. The most memorable moment in the race for me was being in a break of 12 with every larger team represented. With World Champion Oenone Wood (High Road) in the group sitting on I wasn't sure how long it would last so I didn't do anything about doing some work. Although, maybe I could have been the organizer and made VK's presence known. Hindsight is ALWAYS 20-20 unless you win. I was just waiting, biding my time for the catch and release. My disappointment came when I fell too far back and Value Act Capital and High Road attacked again. The last time up Lemon Hill my legs cramped pretty bad and it made it hard to push down Kelly Drive toward Logan. Leigh Valletti made a brilliant move through the sweeping turn back onto Kelly but it was a move for one. I found myself swarmed around Logan and a crash near the 200m to go sign. I had to swerve but in reality it didn't affect the top 10 much that's how ridiculous my position was. You can see me there in the middle next to Leigh and if you can see Van Gilder (Cheerwine) also 9 or so riders ahead of me, I nearly came upon her at the line that's how long I waited, too long, too far back, end of story. Something has to change with all that.

So, the plan is to race with the men and go to the track and figure it out. I have less than 10 weeks.


June 6, 2008
Reading, PA - Race #2 Triple Crown…

I think Hernando describes the day better than I could and from my perspective, this was a really fun course, just bumpy as hell. It was a 1.8 mile circuit that had been part of the Triple Crown in years past. It was my first time attending this race and I really wasn't nervous at all. Mostly, I was just sleepy from the cloudy weather? Sometimes it's good to yawn before the race, a sign of being relaxed. Showing signs of form coming on, the legs had been feeling great and my recovery was good, too. My challenge seems to be finishing high and pushing my way to the front of the race. I have no problem getting there when told to go, so I am not sure what happens to my brain when it's just me and my head and the finishing line. Placement and confidence.

Ok, now that I've figured out what is wrong with me, I'll let you know what was really right and how every Vanderkitten made the front group in this race of attrition. The field was whittled down from a field of 85 riders to only 35 or so. I had flatted in the race mid-way and rode a Mavic spare that was so out of true that it caused my brakes to rub and definitely caused me to waste all kinds of energy. The team rode an excellent race and Wilson took the wind for me in the final 500m. My legs were feeling great but that doesn't always lead to great results either and I only managed a 13th place. I can't really blame the outta-whack wheel but most certainly didn't help my chances. I should have known to check my equipment like I usually do.


June 4, 2008
Allentown, PA - Lehigh Valley Classic…

The race yesterday in Allentown was “wicked” fast as the Canadians say. I love all those ways they say stuff. Unfortunately, Wilson and Flavia weren’t feelin’ it and didn't ride to their potential having been gapped by other riders. On top of that I think Wheels was havin’ some crappy legs and allergies to boot. I’ve been feeling a little of that also but nothing that Zyrtec hasn’t cleared up.

Hatch rode an excellent race especially after yelling in our ears early on that her leg was killing her and “I’m only pedaling with one leg!” Her muscles finally relaxed and I am really happy to see her form coming back and her excitement to race again. It was a really fun race actually with a little sprinters hill, 1 mile long, and some challenging 4-corner right hand off-camber turns. With 12 laps to go I flatted. I felt it was soft beforehand when I was going into the turns because I almost took myself out a couple times and couldn’t figure out why I was so timid and untrusting of the bike. Duh! I got a change from Mavic and the wheel, I discovered AFTER the race, was so out of true that it must have had a broken spoke or something loose in the grommet. Holy crap I was pissed too because I had been racing smart and relaxed. I had planned to glue myself to Ina’s wheel. She is always a good rider to watch and I was biding my time to attempt to bridge with her because I could see her also watching for the moment to go across to the break that had formed when I was pitting.

With our plans not coming out the way we had talked about them prior to the race, I knew we had to watch out for an opportunity to follow the right move. Even though we were not trying to be in a break, Liz made a good choice and bridged herself to the break and Ina would follow or did Ina go first then Liz and others? I can’t remember but it was awesome. There would be 7 of them for a couple laps. Unfortunately, Liz could not match Ina’s counter when she decided to go again. Outta there! Taking Powers, Duster, and Van Gilder with her. I saw the opportunity slip. It was just about the lap that I had gotten myself together after my mishap. 

Ah well, that’s bike racing. Most important, I have been having a lot of fun racing the last 5 races from Somerville and Tulsa to Philly. Funny thing how it’s fun to race when you’re in shape, eh?! And you have a DS that just makes everything a little more chill. I love that guy.


May 24, 2008
M'Bemba...

Do certain tunes or voices give you goose bumps? I close my eyes while listening to African singer Salif Keita and his voice gives me the chills. It's the purity and passion of his voice singing songs I can't even understand and the strumming instruments and ritual drums that I can only imagine the details of his message.

So, I raced the Mt Hood Cycling Classic and I am a little disappointed with myself that I wasn't able to calculate my effort in the TT properly and didn't bother to protest being time cut when another rider had. Ah well those are the UCI rules and I can be over it now. As the coach says, you gotta move on. It was great training and beautiful weather. I rode part of the Tour de Hood with some of the locals and got to eat some of the best apples I've ever had in my life:  Gorge Delights.

I'm on my way to Somerville, Tulsa, and Philly. It will be great to see my teammates again! I don't enjoy the travel and flying though. But can you believe how lucky I got today? I only had to pay $25 for an extra bag/bike. Guess they didn't notice my 62 plus linear inches. Two bags were more than 80 lbs and I can carry them at once. It really does pay to be muscularly endowed.

May 5, 2008
Cinco de Mayo...

I'm traveling home after being on the road for nearly three weeks racing in CA, GA, AL, & SC. This trip was an affirmation that it's tough to come back onto the scene after a 2-year hiatus and into a race series of this caliber after having a tough winter filled with sickness and sleepless nights and trying to race against the best sprinters in the country who have been racing heaps more than I have. No excuse really. I feel like I should at least be able to hide in a race and gitty up for the last 3-4k. Guess it wasn't the case this time. I am going to have to make some changes in my life for the rest of the season to really make it again and carry out the job I was hired to do. I would like to meet the elite athlete that works two jobs, has a family, and trains and is uber successful. I'll definitely put my energy into my athletes and stick to coaching and see if I can get a leave of absence from the software company. Ric Crawford's article in VN in this month was a nice little reminder that we need to be happy bike racers to be successful bike racers which includes having minimal stressors and getting lots of rest and recovery. It's true this is the first year I've tried to do everything and I can tell you it just makes competing that much harder. Take more vitamins, focus on recovery, spend some time with the family and the garden, train in the morning and ride with my athletes, walk the dog, and do some healthy cooking, cut out some calories, lose those extra 5 lbs...

It will all be okay. Indie is going to look so big to me. Here's 12 weeks:  WOW!
 

May 1, 2008
Greenwood Race Report...

Nothing was getting away tonight!

Vanderkitten was active throughout the entire race making sure that if a break went, we were in it! That was the game plan!

We drove in a little early from Beaufort, SC and were able to check into our hotel before the race. We were joined by Leigh Valletti (The Machete) and Sonja Evers and it was awesome to see them! Our race start was 5:30 and the temperature was warmer and thank goodness it wasn’t going to be dark like the last couple nights! The course was fast, had a good rise to the finish, and a chicane on the back side.

Vanderkitten was attentive at the front to make sure nothing would get away. Leigh brought her fresh legs and Melissa nearly got into a break with Cheatley, Powers, and a Colavita rider but unfortunately it was brought back. Jen Wilson found herself active and was twice in a good group up the road. However, nothing was going to get away tonight! Unfortunately the finish just wasn’t meant to be for Vanderkitten this evening but we persevered. Wilson with her ripped buckle was tentative to go too hard for fear that if she sprinted her foot would come out of her shoe!

As the lap cards went down, there was still a threat of a breakaway attempt since riders had gotten away late in the race last night. Jenny Trew raced an aggressive race throughout and we made an attempt to find one another at the end. Kele is recovering from her earlier crash and it was such a fast race tonight. That hill took its toll. We’re still finding our race legs but we just keep feeling better every day. Wilson, Trew, and Sanborn tried to hold good position beginning early with 7 laps to go and follow the leadout of Cheerwine but with 3 laps to go, 2 laps to go, 1 lap to go, it was a cluster in the chicane and in the end sometimes it’s just not worth it unless you are already in the top 5 at the front.

At the end of the day, we took 3 primes, sprinted our legs off, raced aggressively, and came in the money. We did our best and achieved one of our goals: MAKING THE BREAK!

Tomorrow is another day and I hear the course is wild.
 

April 29, 2008
Beaufort Race Report...

School visit at Beaufort Elementary:  Question and answer about helmets and safety and why we wear such tight clothing! Those kids were super cute and I am sure that we had some influence on getting them out there tonight for the kid’s race! 

Kendra always tells me, "there is no try there is only do." The show must go on and on it goes into the flat, fast, technical courses of Speed Week 2008 beginning on Saturday the 26th in Athens, GA. Six Vanderkittens are en route to kick some ass on the streets at Athens Twilight, a favorite race of mine and one I've always dreamed of winning. If it isn't me, well that's okay because we have a deep team to take up the sprints. My teammates are Liz Hatch (Lizzer), Leigh Ann Valletti, Jenny Trew, Jennifer Wilson (Wheels), & Kele Murdin. I can't wait! It's the first time I've raced with a strong team for this many races in this many days - 6 in 9 days while competing for series points and $38,000 in cash.

Lizzer, Wheels, & I are on the same flight - nonstop SFO-ATL. It's $85 to fly the bike on United now! On May 5th the fee goes up to $100. You've got to be kidding me! They've got you by the cahoonas. Airline prices are rising and so are the baggage allowances. We'll have to figure out how to score 2 sets of bikes next year just to save on flying. It's becoming a hassle. Do the airlines want you to stay home, drive a car, take a bus or train? I don't get it...

...And then there's the dog, Indie, and Katrine, my two cutie pies. =) Three weeks is a long time to be away from home. Kendra tells me that it is better to be gone now because I would be soooooper grumpy if I were at home in the cold wetness of Portland, Oregon. It's nice to have been able to train consistently during my visits to California. I am thankful to my hosts at Sea Otter and to Mark and Liz for putting up with me sleeping in their living room for a few nights while we waited for today's departure.

 

March 28, 2008
Proud Mamma...

She's the cutest thing! We just picked her up on Monday night and so far it’s been going really well. She is such a good girl. She’s a purebred lab with brindled markings and she’s just 7 weeks old yesterday (born Feb 7th)… pretty young really to bring her home but the breeder said they were ready to go since they were on solid food and driving mom crazy! Mom is a yellow lab and has a sweet disposition and is about 80-85 lbs and dad, who we didn’t meet but has the same sort of mellowness about him, is a black lab and weighs about 110 lbs. Hopefully, our girl doesn’t get that big! She’s 1 of 11 in the litter and pretty small – maybe the 2nd smallest in the bunch. She likes her crate, doesn’t chase the cats – yet, and sleeps a lot. She’s gone for a few short walks on her leash already and loves jerky treats. We don’t have a name picked out yet. We’ve got a long list of possibilities and we’re waiting ‘til Katrine comes home from spending Spring Break with her dad. We like the names Indie, Jadie, Aria, McKenna, Ella…

Not so happy about the snow falling around here. Makes it sorta hard to train. I have a long weekend off and thought it would be nice to get in some miles. Well, let me tell you, I am tired of the wet, windy, cold conditions of Orgeon! Blah...

 

March 1, 2008
Happy Ending...

Just like the old days... and I really need to figure out how my teammates make music to read by. I need to git with it! They go on rides with their ipods and I am just trying to figure out how to fit my patch kit in my jersey pocket. I am so old school or, is it my agedness?  Liz Hatch, you got some good taste in musak! I thank my teammates for talking me into FaceBook. Eeeyup, I caved there, too.

Happy Birthday Vanderkitten. I'm inspired by my teammates and Ophelia of course, the face of Vanderkitten. Other than team camp, meeting the team, sponsors, telling stories, laughing, it's been a happy ending but a near training disaster in February. One step forward, two steps back. The good news is that I've beaten the Norwalk and whatever other strain of flu, cold, and virus that was brought by the east, north, and south.

Just need a little bit of love and luck 'cuz we got the happy ending. Our team inspires.

      
 

February 21, 2008
It's Just the Way We're Wired...

Back from training camp and I have another little cold... again! What's HOT and what's NOT? Vanderkitten is hot... this cold I have is not! My body could use another visit to Dr. Thomas Kano at All About Health. He came to visit the team during our stay in the Bay Area and he really fixed me up. I've had chronic hip rotation troubles for eons. What a little crack can do for you!

The first NRC race of the season has come and gone. The inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium held on President's Day was fantabulous. It was exciting to be included in the TOC and I want to thank AEG and the race director, Laura Charameda, for supporting women's cycling. To kick off the start of a new season, the team rode awesome, placing 3 riders in the top 20 and taking 2 field primes. As a sprinter with a good jump, I am still working out the kinks in my training and getting to the head of the race. I keep telling myself it's still only February. But, next time, I am just going to go to the very front, find my team, and giv'er. It's the only way - Leontien van Moorsel style. Like any goal, if I tell ya'll then I'll have to be held to my word, right?

I've been doing things you don't normally get to do when you work full time and train, like watch a lot of TV, sleep, and bake. I'm all caught up on Lost, L-Word, and American Idol, and I baked some chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread last night. I opened my Valentine's Day present from KW which was a new webcam and Katrine had Christmas again and scored some new clothes for her American Girl Doll from Aunt Janet.

It's a nice day, which is a rarity around here, so I am going to head out for a short spin to stretch my sore legs and try out my new Specialized shoes and Look Keo pedals. They look fast! My girlfriend keeps telling me everything is going to be okay. 

More journal entries....