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!
--
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).
--
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.
--
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!
Our race tonight started at 6pm on the streets of
downtown Beaufort, SC. With Vanderkitten Racing having Jennifer
Wilson in one of the top 5 spots she got a call to the line. There
were massive attacks from the gun and it was full gas for the first
10 laps as riders tried to establish a break. Some laps in, with VK
rider Kele Murdin on the attack, Melissa Sanborn countered with a
prime win and a break got away. Unfortunately, it was the decisive
move which included Tina Pic, Laura Van Guilder, and Rebecca Larson.
Knowing this was a dangerous breakaway, Vanderkitten went on the
attack to try and bridge and/or bring it back. The course was a
semi-technical course with a narrowing first turn and a hairy turn
out of corner three. The wind was slight and the conditions were
ideal as riders tried to play their cards in what might have been a
bring-back attempt in squelching the break. The break which had
almost 35 seconds at the midpoint of the race, became 10 seconds in
the final 3 laps of a 50 lap, 50 kilometer race. It was frustrating
to watch! The cards were not falling for us as they would in an
ideal situation! Jen Wilson was having a spasm in her left side and
was out of commission for much of the race. Kele had a broken saddle
which was replaced quickly in the pit. However, Jenny Trew raced an
amazing race and was aggressive throughout and was always on the
hunt to bridge the gap that went away. Despite some of our
misfortune we still placed 2 riders in the top 10 and grabbed a
couple primes. Five more days of racing and we shall git ‘er figured
out!
April 24,
2008
Over There...
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....