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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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....