That's (almost) a Wrap!

It was a crazy Saturday night. I cracked open a beer and unearthed my road bike from the basement. The tires had about 20psi and the spokes were laced with cobwebs. After an hour, the bike was clean and ready to go for the 9am shop ride on Sunday. Even though I haven’t been on a road bike in about three months I’ve still been racing CX on the weekends. How difficult could 40 miles be? The answer to that question came at about mile number 14. 

At the onset of this season I knew it was going to be nothing like the last. For starters, I had absolutely no structured training since October 2013. Part of this because my life had changed and I was no longer able to devote countless hours to training on a bike (a two hour ride can eat away close to four hours because I cannot ride from my front door) BUT the other part, the BIGGEST PART is that I wanted to see how well my general fitness could carry me through the season. My plan was to ride my bike as little as possible and most importantly, ONLY WHEN I WANTED TO. 

In 2013, the fewest hours per month I rode was twenty. In 2014 the most hours per month I rode was nineteen. Most of my time has been divided among running, strength training and yoga. On Tuesdays I ride my bike to and from work (about 18 miles roundtrip). Aside from racing, that’s really the only time I’ve spent on a bike for past three months. 

I wasn’t sure how things would go when I lined up for Nittany CX in the beginning of September, but I finished with my best result in a MAC Series Race. The good results kept coming and by the fifth race of the Series, WhirlyBird, I thought that I might actually be able to win my category. With one race remaining, I will finish first in the 3/4 women AND the 3/4 women 35+. 

And, just like this season was not like last season, next season will be different as well. There are decisions that need to be made about training and racing as I move on to face tougher competition. For now I’d like to just enjoy the moment...and maybe a couple beers.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

I'll count it...

Kutztown CX

aka the day I went for a run at the gym after the race and didn’t wash the embrocation off my legs

It’s been called a roadie course...not too technical and fairly flat...there were long straightaways on which you could really hammer. I did well here in the PACX last season, taking the win. The only notable change this year was “the whoops” section (four consecutive dirt humps) which replaced the log overs.

One thing I’ve noticed about embrocation is that it never works when you want it to. I did an initial application before I left and rode with heat on full blast in an attempt to activate it.

The temperature dropped ten degrees by the time I got to Kutztown and there were patches of snow on the course. After two warmup laps, I returned to the car and turned on the heat.

I can’t complain about my start, it was decent. A group of five hung together for a little while, then it went down to four and finally three. I sat in second most of the time. The effort didn’t feel hard...it actually was a fun race, one in which I didn’t really care about winning...and that might sound strange to a lot of people, but that competitive edge is something that I'm lacking. All three of us had a good race and I was content with third.

One beer, a cup of coffee and a peanut butter and banana sandwich later I was headed home. Then, in one of the poorest decisions I’ve made in recent months I went for a run at the gym without washing off the embrocation. The burn was so intense, it lasted hours after the completion of my workout. Lesson learned.

Sometimes it's not about winning every battle...I've been consistently decent in the MAC Series this year.  The final race of the season is Limestone on December 14th. I'll be there, wearing yellow.

Fair Hill CX

aka the day I got the holeshot

aka my first Mac win

As the season has progressed it’s become glaringly obvious that starts are something that I need to work on. I could line up with a bunch of toddlers on tricycles and still not get the holeshot. I spent the past two weeks working on my starts. 

The whistle blew, I took off hard and the holeshot was mine (for the first time, ever). It didn’t take long for a couple people to pass me, one of whom went down on an off camber section, which allowed the lead group to escape. I was able to reel them back in near the end of the first lap and never looked back...literally, I didn’t know how close or far behind second place was...I didn’t want to know. This course “owned” me last year and all I wanted to do was give it 110% until the finish line. 

I won my first MAC race. It was a good day.

Anyone who has never done this race should add it to their schedule
next season. It’s a great course.

Swashbuckler CX

The forecast called for rain. I opted to stay at a hotel close to the race course last night to avoid the long, early morning drive. The rain never came.

I arrived at the grounds of the PA Renaissance Faire around 8am, plenty of time to get a couple of laps in before my race. This was the second year for Swashbuckler and the course was noticeably different...there seemed to be more sketchy gravel sections, a fly-over (with a longer bypass option) had been inserted and a set of barriers had been removed. This was the first race I’d ever done in which there were no barriers.

All of the gravel had me feeling unenthused about racing. There weren’t many participants in this field. When we lined up, it was evident that only a handful would be competing for the top three spots.

I got a decent start and stayed with the lead group. At the fly-over, another rider failed at her attempt and came sliding down into me. The lead group of three got away...far away...and I realized that the race had changed quickly. It’s a place I’ve never been before. Usually, I can find a race within my race, but there was none. It was just me, alone, in fourth, riding my bike around the grounds of the Renaissance Faire. Having no one to chase and no one chasing me, took the wind out of my sails just a bit. 

On the second lap, I went down hard in a gravel section just before the fly-over. Blood was running down my leg and I was covered in dirt...two and a half more laps of torture and I was done...fourth.

I promptly headed to the medical tent to get cleaned up, then devoured an excellent peanut butter and banana sandwich. At least it didn’t rain.

Crossasaurus Awesome...

AKA doing dumb stuff in my first 1/2/3 race 

I almost didn’t race today. Yesterday afternoon I was talking myself out of it because the alternatives were more appealing...I could go to the gym and have the rest of the day to get stuff done...I could ride alone at Batsto...I could ride with my teammates and eat cider donuts. Then, the right words came at the right time and they were...”Not my circus, Not my monkeys.” So I made a deal with myself...I would race, but after that I’d go for a run. I packed up the car and headed to Upper Salford Park.  

Two years ago, I did a handful of races and fell in love with CX. Last year I had success in the PACX 3/4 Series. Today, I returned to the place where I had begun, my goal: not come in last...and I didn’t...I’m actually not sure how I did because I left right after the race to go for a run...but I know I didn’t come in last...and I know I could have done better if I hadn’t “yardsaled” (thanks for the lingo, Robin) in the last lap...but it was so much fun catching that air and it’s nothing that a couple motrin and a bottle of Pumking can’t fix. 

I don’t think I’ll ever have that competitive edge, the one that makes you want to sprint it out for 14th in the elite field. That could be a problem down the line, but right now I’m enjoying myself.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

Underpass Weave

HPCX Day 2

I woke up with no regrets about ordering that pizza last night. When I went outside to load the car it was noticeable that it had changed from summer to fall. I hopped on the Turnpike North and opted for Lionel Richie over Taylor Swift for my soundtrack.

The course was noticeably different with the exception of the nasty paved climb. My legs felt like cement on the warm up so I tried to keep moving until the start of our race. The field was smaller than the previous day, but the competition was still present. I vowed to have a better start, which I didn’t and promptly went to work. Heading into the second lap I was in eighth. On the bell lap I found myself in fourth. That’s when I noticed a yellow jersey on the side of the course. It was the series leader with a flat. 

I successfully avoided all remaining trees and finished third...the podium I had hoped for, one day late.

A special thanks goes out to Noodles the dog for heading up the cheering section today. Next weekend I put on my big girl pants for the first time in the 1/2/3 race at Crossasaurus Awesome.

HPCX Day 1

I got dumped this week. I was handling it fairly well until sitting alone with my thoughts on the drive to Jamesburg this morning. Breakups should be forbidden during CX season.

In order to race, one needs to possess both a physical and a mental presence. Today, I lacked the latter.

There was a run up, followed by a steep descent. I made a mental mistake, being more concerned about clipping in than the line I was taking, which left me off course and into a tree.

This came at the very end of the fourth lap. I went from third to sixth, with only one lap remaining. I could not shift and my saddle was crooked, but I finished. Aside from a nice handlebar check to the ribs I am ok. It could have been much worse. I drove right to the shop and am ready to roll tomorrow. Hopefully, all of me will show up this time.

life in the slow lane

I’ve been training at a gym in Moorestown for about two years. Last Spring, I started working with a client who was only available at 8:30am on Tuesday and Thursday. The commute to make it to the gym for an 8:30am appointment is much different than the commute to make it to the gym for a 9:00am appointment. I found myself sitting in a ridiculous amount of traffic on those days. A drive that should take 12 minutes was taking closer to 30 minutes. It wasn’t the lost time which concerned me the most, it was the people I had to encounter during that time. Everyone was in a hurry...aggressive drivers, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgaters, impatience...it left me feeling on edge. That wasn’t how I wanted to start my day.

So I opted for life in the slow lane.

In the mornings, it can actually take less time to ride my bike to Moorestown and I get a workout. It’s win/win situation, except for the fact that I still have vehicles to contend with. The first time I nearly got hit was by an older woman who was making a right hand turn into a doctor’s office. She did not see me and started her turn. I yelled, but she didn’t hear me. Thankfully, her turning skills weren’t that sharp. I had enough time to react and hop the curb into the parking lot. She seemed startled when she saw me. The following week, I was riding in a residential neighborhood. A woman pulled out from a side street with the intention of crossing the road that I was on to get into her driveway. She didn’t see me...me with my bright green kit and matching helmet, yellow back pack and flashing lights...that was a close one! I am thankful for the stopping power of disc brakes. 

Since then it’s been a mixed bag...wanting to go around a car that's making a left hand turn...rolling through a stop sign...attempting to make a left hand turn in front of me. I’ve been lucky enough to avoid getting doored on Kings Highway, but it’s only just a matter of time.

What I’ve determined is that riding my bike to work is no less stressful than driving. In fact, it's even more stressful. In theory, life in the slow lane is a good idea...if only the rest of the world would slow down so I could enjoy it.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

This was not staged...

WhirlyBird CX

The entire week had been a struggle...the company I work for owes me nearly $600 in back pay and is giving me the run around. I received a letter from a lawyer indicating that a long time tenant would be holding rent in lieu of repairs. She filed a complaint with L&I indicating that her heat did not work, even though I told her on numerous occasions that it did...and it does...the technician confirmed it on Friday morning in her presence. I’ve a laundry list of repairs to tackle over the next few weeks. People expect to just snap their fingers and have things done. Let me tell you, contractors are not the easiest people to pin down.

So, needless to say I was looking forward to racing this weekend. It had been three weeks since Charm City. I was on my bike three times since then and was hoping for fresh legs instead of that rusty feeling. 

I never trust the 10 day. The 5 day can be hit or miss as well. Both were forecasting rain on Saturday...and rain it did...but I didn’t even care. WhirlyBird will always be special for me because it was my first CX race...and this was my two year crossaversary. I had waited two years for a mud race. It was Saturday morning and it was here.

I arrived at Bensalem High School at 8am, walked to registration and took a look at the course. After two preview laps, I revisited the off camber sections. They were rideable, but all bets would be off at race time.

I got my useless front row call up and ten people blew by me when the whistle sounded. Going into the barriers I wasn’t in the best position. I knew that people would be riding aggressively on the first lap, making them more prone to errors and falls on the slick sections...and that’s exactly what happened. This enabled me to gain some ground on the lead group. 

My strength is endurance and the ability to pick people off as they wear down. Unfortunately, this was a short, three lap race which had me begging for one more. I crossed the line fourth, not far behind a buddy of mine who I enjoyed heckling in the final minutes of the race. I was covered in mud...I was happy...and for thirty two minutes I had forgotten about the battles I had been fighting all week.

199

We were walking from Camden Yards to the parking garage last weekend when I saw a dime laying on the ground. After taking a few steps past it, I explained to my girlfriend that I really wanted to pick it up, but there were too many people around to stop. “Wouldn’t it have been better if it were a twenty dollar bill?” she said. “Well, if I found 200 dimes I’d have twenty dollars. You gotta start somewhere."  

Today I was walking the dog and I found a dime. I picked it up. Only 199 more to go. 

One day at a time...little goals...the big picture.

Non-Race Report: Town Hall CX

At the first race of the year, I parked my car next to a couple from Boston. The guy asked me if I liked the disc brakes on my CAADX. I said they took some time to get used to. “Oh, are you a roadie or a mountain biker?” he asked. “Neither” I said, “I am a runner.”

I woke up before my alarm went off this morning. There was a pibble who needed walking before I drove to Bethlehem for Town Hall Cross. A beautiful morning was unfolding. I thought about the three plus hours I’d be spending in the car today, just to race my bike for forty minutes.

When I got home I put on my sneaks and went for a run. I kept running. I ran right past the time I was supposed to leave for the race. At the end of last season I promised myself I wouldn’t miss these magnificent Fall days because I was trapped in a car traveling to a race. Fresh air is good for the soul.

Charm City CX Day 2

For the two years I’ve raced, Charm City CX has been on my birthday weekend. Last year I had a poor result on day two and spent the remainder of my birthday in a shitty mood...but this season isn’t like last season and I’m not racing for results. 

I woke up at 6am and made a cup of French Press coffee. Hotel coffee is nasty. If packing a French Press makes me “high maintenance” I’m perfectly ok with it. I accidentally discovered that walking is a good way for me to get moving on the morning of a race, so I made my way to the fitness center of the Holiday Inn. The music I was subjected to for the next thirty minutes was awful...terrible...a mix of everything from Paula Cole to Oldies to Country. I wanted it to stop, but it didn’t and it stayed with me for days to come. 

The ride to from Cantonsville, MD to Druid Hill Park was short and foggy. Thankfully, visibility improved as I made my way to the course for a pre-ride. There were a few changes. The most notable was the “fly over” which was deemed too hazardous for us to ride on day one. 

I didn’t get the best start and was forced to dismount at the first technical section (a short, off camber) because other riders decided they needed to walk it. The leaders slipped away and gained more separation as I fought my way through the traffic. It wasn’t looking good. The climbs felt steeper and the sand was unforgiving. With two to go I had myself in a decent spot to make a push for 6th, but I ran out of gas and crossed the line 8th. 

I got changed and chatted with some friends (one of whom presented me with an awesome six pack of Left Hand Milk Stout). It was a tough two days of racing and I was glad that it was over...mainly because I was about to head to Camden Yards for a baseball game and dinner at Du Claw Brewing Company. 

Thanks to everyone who made my 40th birthday weekend at Charm City a good one!

Charm City CX Day 1

Most of the car had been packed the night before, so when the alarm sounded at 5am there wasn’t much to do. I grabbed some coffee, donned my headlamp and walked the pibble before taking off for Druid Hill Park. After a couple of miscues, I arrived in the correct location, pre-rode the course and picked up my number. 

The course was different this year...there was more climbing, more sand (four sand pits total), and a “fly over.” My primary concern was the sand, so I went back to that section to watch. Some of the guys in the first race were running it, some were riding it and I couldn’t tell which was faster. Last year I didn’t attempt to ride it because my technical skills sucked. Not much has changed since then, but I figured I would give it a shot and see what happens.

We were informed that the “fly over” would be removed from our race because it was too dangerous. The announcement was met with mixed reactions. While I had no problem riding it, I certainly didn’t want someone who couldn’t to come crashing back down into me. 

Every time the whistle blows it’s a blur. I’m starting to piece together these fragments, realizing that I need to be more aggressive at the start. The sand pits came at the end of each lap, after we had already passed through two sets of stairs and some brutal climbs. I stuck with my game plan and (to my surprise) successfully rode the sand pits. I knew there were four people in front of me, but only one was in sight. Eventually, I was able to pass her and shortly thereafter, another rider (who was removing course tap from her rear derailleur). There were still two laps to go. Both of the riders I passed were strong and could easily come back to pass me, but they didn’t. I crossed the line third. It was my first podium in a MAC race! 

The encouragement and cheers coming from the CAWES ladies as well as the elite women racers were definitely heard and VERY much appreciated. 

After the race, I did a quick yoga podcast, ate a peanut butter sandwich and headed south to Washington DC to visit my brother in the hospital. We talked and took a walk downstairs to sit in the atrium. It was the first time he had been outside since his surgery on September 4th and mom said it was his best day so far. Later that night, I had BFD (breakfast for dinner) and banana cream pie...and thought to myself “Yeah, it was a pretty good day."

My 40th Year

Star Rock, West Chester, Crossasaurus Awesome, Swashbuckler, Kutztown, UPGRADE! PACX Series Champion...Stoudts, Fair Hill, CRXC, WhirlyBird, Town Hall, Nittany, Charm City...out of habit, sweet potatoes and chicken, superstitious, Taylor Swift, Honey Bagder...Batsto, Batsto, Batsto...cupid, hashtagnofun, New Brunswick, Princeton, cupcakes, cookies, french press, breakfast for dinner, D & R Canal, words with friends...greetings from the arsenal, the stars aligned, like clockwork, too much of a good thing...road rides, retired, running, HIIT, burpees...SVT, EKG, echocardiogram...decaf coffee...American Authors, One Republic, Phillip Phillips, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers...Iron Wood, on belay, zip away...Catskills, Giant Ledge, Panther, Balsam, Eagle...Atlanta, Apollo, Atlantic City...Riley, Tap Shoes, Mary, Bridget...saying good bye on her own terms...MedStar, Washington DC, Sugarbaker, waiting...cancer sucks...sometimes I ride mountain bikes, but not very well...Fair Hill, Ramsey’s Revenge, it’s not like CX...slow pitch, soreness, groove, dairy fields...Cape May Brewing Company, Triumph, Victory, Stoudts, Iron Hill, Appalachian Brewing Company, DuClaw...flights of beer, growlers to go...EFT, agility ladder, flip Bob, no talk Thursday...commuting, life in the slow lane, sweaty kits...L&M, eat all the donuts...compex, compression socks, epsom salt, recovery...structure is for suckers...Street Tails...The Hazel Diet...Hammer, Whole Foods, sprouted grain bread, primal yolk coffee, popcorn, wild caught...minimalism, selling everything I own on eBay...Focus, CAADX, disc brakes, can’t stop won’t stop...peanut butter sandwiches...staycation, Federal Donuts, Phillies (suck), Little Baby’s, beer, pizza...eat fresh, eat local...pumpkin...smoothies, donuts, beer, cookies, everything...congratulations.

fall

Fall is the season in which I am most aware of change. The colors go from green to yellow, red, orange and brown, the air becomes cooler and we lose day light. Many people adhere to the notion of “spring cleaning” but I prefer to do mine in the Fall. 

I came across this post a couple of weeks ago and it stuck with me...“You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you."

I like this play on words. It reminds me that I am responsible for my own actions, emotions and (ultimately) happiness.

i love you

I grew up in a house where we never said “I love you.” 

I remember sitting in a chair at the therapist’s office, sometime in my late twenties, telling her that my father has never told me that he loves me. I know that both of my parents love me, it’s just not something that they’ve ever said...and a lot of people find that odd.

Recently, interaction with my mom has been limited to the phone. Once a day I will call her and she gives me the update on my brother. Before she goes, she says” I love you” and I say “I love you too.”

I like the way that sounds.

Nittany CX: DAY 2

Sunday morning was a carbon copy of Saturday morning, except for the fact that when my alarm went off I felt forty years old. 

Last season I raced back to back days on two occasions. Both times, I felt sluggish and sore on the second day, yielding poor results...and because I haven’t been training, I figured that today would be no different than what I experienced last year on day two. 

It had rained over night and the temperature was cool. I previewed the course in all of its muddy glory, then picked up my number. This isn’t a particularly profound thought but...what goes on behind you and what goes on in front of you can impact your race significantly...sometimes you come out on the winning end of things, sometimes you don’t. 

There was a lot going on during the first three minutes of this race, especially when we hit the mud. By the time I broke free from the congestion, the lead group had gotten a gap. I worked hard to close in on them and managed to reel in two riders, resulting in a fifth place finish. What pleased me the most was my consistency. Placing fourth and fifth on back to back days is definitely an improvement from last season.

Nittany CX: DAY 1

The forecast was for heat and humidity. My efforts to stay properly hydrated were rewarded with several trips to the bathroom throughout the night. The alarm went off at 5AM. I donned my headlamp and took the dog for an hour long walk.

One of my friends said that racing this weekend would be good for me because it would allow my mind to focus on something else...obviously, she doesn’t race CX.

Aside from attending one skills clinic, I’ve done absolutely nothing to prepare myself for this season. Lack of preparation seems to lend itself well to lack of expectations and so I rolled up to the line fairly relaxed. And when the whistle blew, my heart raced, my legs ached and I was thankful that the race was only four laps.

I stayed with the lead group for a good portion of the race, then started to wear down on the third lap...but I held my position and kept them in sight, crossing the line fourth. It was my best result in the MAC Race (by a lot!).

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay to socialize after the race...but it was nice to see so many friendly faces. I appreciate the kindness of each and every one of you who reached out to me today.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

Maybe it's weave or maybe it's not...

CX is coming...

...or at least that’s what I’ve been told

This season won’t be like last season, that’s for sure.

Health problems, family stuff, finances, fit issues and work have kept me from getting on the bike more than once or twice a week.

Last year, there were only one or two days a week spent off the bike. Now, the tables have turned. I need to be efficient with the time I have, so most days are spent running, strength training and/or on the stair machine at the gym. I still have fitness, just not bike related fitness and that is something which becomes glaringly obvious when I am fighting to not get dropped on a group ride.

Last season, if you told me this is where I would be right now I’d tell you that was an unfathomable thought...but here I am, life happens and I’ve adapted.

I’ll certainly be approaching this season with a different mindset, but one thing that will not change is the tremendous amount of fun I am going to have.

the problem with stuff

I’ve spent the past three years making a conscious effort to declutter my life. I’ve made donations, sold things on eBay and most importantly stopped buying stuff unless it was absolutely necessary. There have been things that I’ve really wanted, but did not need. It’s been difficult exercising restrain at those moments. Discipline has paid off.

It’s been a bumpy road the past few months.

There have been people who I have wanted to reach out to for support, but I haven’t. And I am starting to realize that (just like with material things) there are people I want in my life that I don’t necessarily need in my life.

cold turkey

During the winter months, my caffeine consumption was out of control. My coffee mug holds four cups of coffee. I was drinking two a day, from the french press. During my April appointment with the cardiologist, he asked about my caffeine consumption and mentioned that it could have been the cause of my SVT. 

Something had to change. 

I thought back to the last time I tried to quit my afternoon cup of coffee. The result was a terrible headache. Was I addicted to caffeine? Probably, but I always justified it by saying I could be addicted to something far worse. This time around, I eased myself into it, by starting with half-caf, then de-caf and ultimately no coffee in the afternoon. 

While caffeine addiction pales in comparison to other types of addiction, it is definitely a liberating feeling to no longer be dependent on that afternoon cup of coffee.

The Tumbleweave Diaries

weave-a-blowin' in the wind