Bike Line Spring XC at Fair Hill

On April 9th I did the Caffeinated Cyclist group ride. At the end of the ride, my heart rate went from 120 bpm to 200 bpm. It stayed there for about 15 minutes. My heart felt like it was going to come out of my chest, but I wasn’t short of breath or dizzy. My primary care physician referred me to a cardiologist, who gave me an appointment on May 8th. 

My plan was to take it easy until then, wearing a heart rate monitor while exercising and not allowing my heart rate to go above zone three. This meant that I would have to skip the Bike Line Spring XC at Fair Hill on April 27th. Everyone said that this course was beginner friendly and it would make a perfect first race. I have only been on my mountain bike a handful of time since purchasing it in December of 2012. I’ve never ridden anything technical. Most of my miles have been logged on the flat pines of Batsto. 

I wavered until the night before registration closed. My fear was that I’d stress my heart, initiating another episode of 200 bpm...but the weather was perfect and a bunch of my awesome CX friends were racing, so I decided to give it a go. 

I had spoken to my teammate Lauren about previewing the course, but it never panned out. She said that sometimes it’s actually better not to know what a course is like because then you go out there and just ride it. This was the best piece of advice I received (in addition to being told not to wear my skinsuit, thanks Robin). Had I ridden the course prior, I definitely would have talked myself out of racing...either that or I would have ridden very tentatively.  

Other than the race being a mass start (like CX) I had no idea what to expect. Instead of pinning a number to my jersey I received a plate that attached to my handle bars...and it was microchipped, which I thought was pretty damn cool. No one warms up on stationary trainers, so I pedaled around for half an hour before the race on some of the other trails in the park, then made my way to the staging area. The 17-39 women lined up in front of the 40+ women (my field) who seemed more tentative about the start...but it was just like a CX race and I went as hard as I could as soon as I heard the start command. I managed to pass most of the women in the 17-39 field but two were so far out in front that I never caught them. I lead my field the entire race, which put me on top of the podium...not bad for my first mountain bike race. 

I still have a TON to learn about mountain biking...learning not to have a death grip on the brakes while descending...learning how to ride over roots and rocks...and stream crossings...what was that all about? 

POST RACE (ROOT) BEER 
(FLOAT):
A growler of Iron Hill Root Beer, half gallon of Turkey Hill all natural vanilla ice cream and a can of Reddi Whip!

too much of a good thing

January was not particularly kind to me. I struggled through the first few months of the year, trying to make sense out of the things going on around me.

I found myself logging in more miles, more time at the gym and tracking those activities online (Training Peaks).  Each week marked a new opportunity to reach another goal...more miles, more hours. At one point, I was running 40 miles a week, until my body was no longer able to stay on pace...eventually, it shut down. Now, I am dealing with the repercussions.

Two weeks ago, I stopped keeping track of my activities.  I have come to realize that during those months, exercise was the only thing that I felt like I had control over...but eventually, it chained me down instead of lifting me up...too much of a good thing can hurt you in the end.  

Random Philly Finds Part XII

Like Barnes and Noble, only better...

mulligan

Mulligan: when a player gets a second chance to perform a certain move or action.

The first time I heard this term was several years ago when I attempted to play a round of golf. Recently, I was asked a question that reminded me of this word...what is one thing in your past that you wish you could do over?

My response...I like this question, because it can be read from two different angles. The one that most people will take, something they regret that they wish they could do over. The one that I take...something that is so fun that I want to do it again.

For whatever reason, my experiences over the past few years have taught me to live without regret. I have definitely made mistakes. I have definitely burned some bridges, but I have also built ones that have led me to beautiful places.