31 mph winds with gusts 77mph+ Gila Day 2

I don't have many pics today coz my camera got blown away....day 2 at Tour of the Gila. Good day, once again everyone finished in one piece, which in this sport, is alot. Of course the riders always want more, but some days you take what you can get. I want more for the riders too but racing in conditions like today - you have to be happy to finish. Nate and Kevin both took a spill, Kevin on the twisty turny Pinos Altos descent, Nate on the stretch after the Sapillo descent on NM 35. Kevin just had a face like a mtn biker - covered in dirt; Nate took a hit on his elbow and had to get some stitches. He was pissed so I knew he was okay.... he is fine. Going to be sore and banged up, may hurt his TT elbow. But he did incredible - in the front group, said he had to bury it to chase back on after the fall (which happened coz someone threw their water bottle in the road). Blair got through the tough part, and on the twisty descent got stuck between groups. There are so many many skillsets one must acquire, to race this level racing. Having the legs is one thing, I think really important, but there are many other fears to conquer. It takes time. About 3-5 more years than most riders want to spend. I think of how many times I had to tell Nate he would have his day, alot. Many yrs. I know Nate won't mind me saying this coz it is true. Takes so much time and just when you figure out something, there is a new obstacle. But that is why I do love the sport. I didn't elaborate on this much; this sport of road racing is amazing. I have been through all spheres in this sports. Top to bottom and back and sideways. But the amount of support that goes into one single race, at this level, is extraordinary. The mult support systems are several. Each rider is dependent of these very special support systems. The riders that work as hard as they do; how can you not wanna support them? I come to a race like this (real) and again reminded just how extraordinary the sport is. Why I always want to be involved in it and will support road racers.

Back to the racing today; Blair had to do alot of extra work but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I remember many days like this. And I know how hard they are. I am just happy Blair has the power. One step at a time. All we can do. He was so close today, so close. Had he gotten into the group on the descent of Pinos Altos, I am sure he woulda been in that front group. Sure of it. So we need focus bit less on power now and more on certain skillsets. It will come Blair.

Cat 2 race with Kevin and Russ - this race was completely splintered to bits in the first 10 miles; it was a Brutal start (which I knew, had predicted, was going to happen). There was a time bonus sprint 6 miles into the race and the cross winds coming into the sprint were sick. I don't have words to describe the wind today. I was really afraid all hell was going to break loose from the gun. The first sprint happens, then you go about 1 more mile and turn right - and then climb for about 4 miles to Pinos Altos. Nate said the pace on that was sick. I can only imagine. When the cat 2 guys came through - it was in bits and pieces - 80+ guys destroyed in the first 10 miles. Russ and Kevin were both looking good. Kevin made it back on after his fall. I cannot remember exactly where Russ went but he launched hoping to bring some guys with him, and there you go. A successful break on a day when many people wanted to be swept away so they didn't have to fight the winds. It is so COOL!!! when the homeboys kick some butt in races like this. I love it. Nate in school and Blair working FT 9-5; racing against the pros, incredible. I wish I had lots of money and could sponsor the homeboys full on. But we all do what we can right and who knows what the future holds.

Russ's break stuck and we saw them coming into the last turn - Russ looked great!! One guy jumped and got clear, and then Russell Brown took a field sprint! I gave him lots of crap coz I remember him telling me he couldn't sprint. Never say never. Not in a sport that rewards commitment and consistency.

Pierre just called time to go get Nate. Chow down, relax, and tomorrow is the TT. Pro guys go first thing, cat 2's go last I just hope this wind dies down.

Bernard if you read this - Sram guys took care of Nate's bike but gave me hard time coz I didn't have a mechanic. But I mentioned your name and it worked like gold. Thanks

Land of Enchantment

I promised I would post so here I am. I wish I knew how to place the pictures better but so be it. Another lesson I need get from 16 yr old Avery Wilson......

So today was stage 1 at the Tour of the Gila, for the pro race it is 94 miles from Silver City to Mogollon. The pic above of the terrain says how many houses we saw in 94 miles (that is correct people from MD and NVA there are no houses in the pic). We are in the wild west. The cat 2 race, which Russ Brown and Kevin Gottlieb are racing, also did the 94 miles. I will get some pics of them tomorrow but when they made the turn into the last climb Kevin was in the 2nd group, the front group was only 5 riders - so I am thinking Kevin finished top 10 today, and coulda been 6th. Maybe higher if someone got popped from the front group. Russ was tucked safely in the field, which for today was good coz it got windy as all hell.

Blair and Nate experienced the infamous gutter action of a pro peloton. My NRC racing days are long over, but man the memories of strong cross winds while racing Hewlett Packard years ago are crystal clear. Just single file and it all depends on where you are in the field, how many people blow up single file in front of you and each time someone does blow it is HELL to close the gap. There was a 9' gap which came down to 7'20" the 2nd time through the feedzone (@ 42 miles in) but there was still 52 miles left to race..... I was thinking to myself the chase is going to start and all havoc is going to ensue. Perfect timing for the wind to pick up, which it did. At this point, when the boys decide to chase, you better be sitting pretty. Else it is almost a superhuman effort one must possess not to get knocked out of the front echelon. Blair made it to the front group but cost him some precious fuel, and then he settled into a group behind the front group. Nate was bit far back when the hammer went down - and I am sure Nate learned alot today. This is PRO racing. You rarely get a 2nd chance to correct one single error in your racing. Any time the pace eases up, you get forward. Never stop moving forward. Not to be on the front all day, but just trying to stay in the top 30.

This is why riders should get outta mabra and stick their teeth in this racing - it is way different. To stay in the top 30 when EVERYone wants to be top 30 in the entire field, is hard. Each level gets harder than the last one and you never stop improving. Good day, everyone finished within the time cut, are chilling and Pierre is going to start massages soon.

Tomorrow the race goes from Bayard to Bayard - 80 mile RR with about 5800' of climbing. Some beautiful terrain but some very narrow roads, very tough descents, and lotta UP. Likely be windy again but some of it will be shaded from the winds.

Levi won, Lance was in the race but I didn't see him. Well done KBS

new duds

It is 2 million yrs, yes I am exaggerating again, since I last wrote in my blog. I haven't DLed my pics yet for a while so this is the new clothes we are wearing in 2010. I cannot wait til they come in - another week or so.

Man - where do I start. Life is good, and so busy. Pierre and I work all the time. 7 days/week. The shop is doing fantastic. I have so many things I want to do in the shop: new paint (the walls are awful), new lighting, getting a new VO2 analyzer - the one they use at the OTC, lactic analyzer, maybe a new treadmill. I have been doing a lot of running testing and the current one I have is too narrow. I guess it is like owning a house, only we have the shop and our big dog. I am going to miss Dallas so much again; but thank God the Wilsons's are taking him (so I will not worry). I was afraid when they got their own dog I may not have a sitter, but hopefully Sooty Bear and Dallas DaBoss will get along. Pierre and I take off for Gila on Monday, the race starts on Wednesday. Blair is not feeling so good right now and pray he gets better overnite. He has worked SO hard for this race. As has Nate. All of them do. I will try very hard to post pics and a brief note everyday. This year we have a house with a stove!and a fridge and internet. I have about 30 plans due out on Monday so thank God I have internet at the house where we are staying.

Sunday is the Richmond Duathlon and I have some people racing there. Nancy is racing St Anthony's, many racing Jason Grundel. Racing every weekend. I try to get in my measly 100 miles/week - this is COMBINED running, mtn biking, road biking, walking....... I am trying so hard to make more time; but truth is Pierre and I are busy. It is awesome, the shop is going to make it I would say.

I am infatuated with mountain biking. I don't know what happened, why, how. I just know I did Bakers Dozen, could not clear 2 rocks, and am determined to clear them. It is FUN, it is challenging, I am ready to move on from the road. I never knew if it would happen. Honest. It was, is, has been my life. For as long as I can remember. Of course I will still ride road and maybe even do a few races; but the challenge of mtn biking is so awesome for me right now nd I have FUN. The next thing I will try is cross - as soon as I get my bike in the right size. I set up a camp with Sue Haywood, yes the legend Sue Haywood - anyone can come just email me; and I think I am crazy enough once again to sign up for S100. I know - middle age crisis, I am sure this is it. Better to be doing something like biking than other stuff....

I have a ton of work to get done today and hoping I can get in one hour of something, so ciao for now. Will update from Gila

First post of the New 2010 Year

YEAH BIG D!!! This pic is another of Jim Wilson's (thanks Jim!); my digital camera bit it and am bummed out bout this coz I didn't get a camp pic this year. This really upsets me. I never took pics as a kid but now treasure them. Jim Wilson hd alot to do with this. What a handsome lad in this pic....

What a difference a year makes. I would have never fathomed the changes. I am again in Tucson and just completed another very successful JR training camp. I had Avery, Andy Mt, and James Lim in the 15-16 group. DangeRuss comes in today to add to the U23 camp of Nate, SBk, and KevinG. They are now best mates with Tommy D and likely meeting today for a cuppa at Le Buzz.....Real. The cyclists come to Tucson. For the mountain. Camp was great, we had exceptional weather. Only bit cold atop the mtn and nothing compared to what I just looked at Reston, VA weather a high of 30??? all week. UGH.

Last nite we all had dinner together, it was a feast and I didn't know if I had enough ketchup for SBk but we made it work.....post chowing we had a toast (I think I had too much sparkling cider...worse headache ever....) and I wanted to hear everyone's goal (s). I wrote them all down when I came to bed. I realized that my goals are now different. I thought about it so much last nite, after saying I wanted to regain form. I want to be healthy BUT I am a coach now and these are my goals. Coaching. I feel the transition from athlete to business-person is very hard. I seem to have always judged myself on how fast I am; but this matters only when one is a "racer". I always want to be an "athlete" in terms of the fact I take care my heart and my health; but this is very separate from being a competitive athlete. So Nate I am changing my goals from what I said last nite; my goal this year - I have 3-4 really; they are 1) produce some outstanding athletes and results, 2) make the business successful 3) spend lot more time with the people that matter, and 4) get back into good "form" again for my health. I will always LOVE racing; it is a big reason I coach for a career. But I have other fish to fry right now. I was a FT competitive athlete for the majority of my life. I want to do other things. I want to become the best coach I can and this is far more important to me than anything (except loving my family and friends and bestest mate). So yes I am renegging on my New Year Eve vow and changing it to the above. I am allowed to change coz I am a woman.....

I love my job. I know how lucky I am in life to have a job I truly treasure. I always followed my heart and many a long ride wondered what the hell I was doing spending 6 hrs on a bike. But it was who I am. This new year has presented me with so many amazing possibilities. I am excited bout all of them. But I promise myself to make more time for the people that count rather than spend more time on my laptop. It seems in coaching there is always more I can do or think of new ways to get an idea across or "send one more email". But I promise Dallas he is getting his long walks everyday. For his heart. I want to get a 2nd dog so much now.... will never be able to go away coz the Wilson's are likely getting their own dog and pretty soon Carolyn will have to quit her job just to manage the dog household.... just when she thought the boys were leaving the nest....But yeah, I have many plans for this New Year. I am so excited just thinking about them laying here in bed typing. Yeah!!! I have so many athletes' on the verge of BIG breakthroughs - keeps me up at nite. Thinking about training plans and options and how long of an effort or power #. It is incredible.

Happy New Year to all. May all reach for their dreams and goals. Thanks Mom for giving me the guts to go after my dreams and thanks Dad for teaching me how to work hard in order to achieve them. Peace.

Tucson 2009-2010

I'm once again in Tucson for what we will be another training camp AND some downtime. Pictured above are some good friends - Marc and Kay and Lee who were with me in Tucson 2 or 3 years ago. Lee is fighting for his life right now, with cancer. Marc and Kay are still biking fools; Marc now has his wife Elli turned into a biking fool as well.. My sweetie, top pic, is standing above his hometown of Aspen, where he lived until just last year. The weather is 75 and perfect; why we come to Tucson to train. I have found a sensational house, in Sabino Canyon and a stones throw away from the shops/ grocery store. When I see out on the balcony to enjoy a drink, the mountains are right in front of me. As we left Denver airport, we fly right over Aspen and like Pierre I try to find all the roads I have ridden on, in Colorado. Many. I finally got my bike last nite at midnite, so going for a ride soon. I wanted to check in and say thanks to all my friends and support systems.

I am lucky to be here. I didn't know if would do Tucson this year; as Pierre and I finally opened our training center. It opened 6 weeks ago and seems like this day was yesterday. It has been a whirlwind. I got out here and as usual I am east coast neurotic until about now - 2 days later. Takes me a long time to SLOW down to west coast time. The shop has been extremely rewarding and we, I think I can speak for Pierre as well, are really excited about what we can DO for athetes. We also moved house as well, so the last 4 mos have been great transition. Maybe it is the time of year, but I think maybe it is a new chapter for me; I am very excited about 2010 and the possibilities. My mind is clear and I have a renewed focus and energy for what I want to do. I want to get behind a team again, put on a race in Herndon, make the shop as successful as I can, and make MORE time for my sweetheart. Pierre and I have been through ALOT, together. Life does seem to get better and better; being able to SEE more and understand life more. Learning from others and being able to love more freely.

I have had an incredible year coaching wise. The results were as good as it can get: of course the big ones were Nate and Steven getting podiums at Jr Nationals, Kay Tsui cleaning up once again at Masters Nationals, Jeff Anderson winning the 45+ cyclocross series, my juniors overall kicking ASS all year, Blair learning how to ride crits, the Richmond HPC boys kicking plenty of ass, I know I could go on and on. Jody Bailey racing the S100 under 10 hr; Paul Wilson finally coming up with a win at Turkey Day, Chris McMillan and Kat 2nd in the Quantico 12 hr cranky monkey race. Rob Urbach winning the overall 45+ Triathlon series. The athletes I am working with right now are just as magical as it gets. Many of them are prompt for big years in 2010; which always feels me with great energy and excitement, in seeing their dreams come true. Lot of breakthroughs. Gaining triumph in these sporting events is winning in all frames of life. It is very rewarding.

I have some plans for myself next year as well; I want to regain some race form. Go to Master Nationals. It will take some very careful planning on my part to MAKE time for myself, to focus on the actual training. I have been making plenty of excuses for it not happening, mainly work - but I don't let my athletes get away with this one so why should I? I have to block off time for myself to train. I also really want to make more time for my relationship. Pierre and I work like crazy; but somehow we both must slow it down. Somehow. Not sure yet; but somehow. I know the fact that we moved, opened the shop - this has been hard. But now that we have alot ironed out and are getting into a routine, we need slow down. I think I have almost had an ulcer from stress.... this is ridamndiculous.

So on this note, I am finishing my bike, getting dressed in cycling clothes, and going to visit one of my fav mountains, Mt Lemmon. I told Jeff I will likely be crying coz I not going uphill fast these days..... lotta work to do. But, the hardest month of any training plan is always the first one. I have all kinda lines I tell people so I have to suck it up and get busy with it now. It is almost 72 degree here, so I better not be crying.

Happy Holidays to all, I LOVE Christmas actually and all the lights, and I love the joy. I wish we humans would keep this joy all year. Not let it die out. Special to be able to go ride a bike up Mt Lemmon. That for sure.

Ciao

Off Season Startup

It is again the off season and Nate got his post in before me dangit. Man I cannot believe my last post was August - NO idea how this happens. Things are happening though!!! We decided to commit to moving "west" of DC out here in Herndon, VA and try making this training center a Go. Rock on (now if only we have mtns but we should gonna create them indoors beware clients.....). I have not exercised in about 2 years or 500 watts as Nate would say. Last training ride I did was with Mike Fawell and this was in June I think. We only have 1100 sq feet you wouldn't think it could be SO hard getting open. But we are trying to do it "right" and create the ultimate training experience vibe. Of course alot of this comes from what I liked as a training area. Good light, lots of fresh air, clean, high ceilings, and the proper training equipment. It is crazy how I was always too poor to train on something as regal as a Computrainer and now I own 18 of them....what the?? Maybe one of these decades I can actually keep my word to Jeff and Kay and Mimi and get my ass with some form. Gonna try yet again for 2010. I am seriously rested - and have actually never taken a real break. I can't say I enjoy it - my body kinda feels out of sync on a daily basis.

We moved house as well and I found all my old training logs. It is true I used to log about 30K/year. I know - insane. But I do believe in volume as all my athletes know. BIG hours in the off season. Even though I no longer racing seriously - I SO miss my big rides and when we are open and rolling, I definitely up for the 5 hr rides up Mt Weather.

So yes, the shop almost ready. I was going to have a "soft" opening tomorrow evening - but decided to wait and be able to do it right. Plus I would likely scare people away coz really I haven't had much downtime and am kinda wired right now. Pierre too - he doesn't know I been makin our coffee in the AM mostly decaf so we don't stress too hard. SO much to do and get done, lotta details. Thanks God I have had the best builder in the world - doing our buildout. Steve Mitchell. He is saving my ass coz I don't know this buildout stuff. I don't have the eye to see things as an architect and he does. This is going to be a work on progress and Rome wasn't built in a day (as someone keeps reminding me). I don't think I ever thought I would own a business. But one thing led to another and here we are. I will have a official shop opening in about 2 weeks. I am into hanging lotta pics and kinda decking it out now. I found the coffee maker Christine Welhburg swears by, the Cuisanart all in one thingy. We still need get comfy station going. Figure out what to use as our water supply. Jenette is coming up to help me get some last minute stuff done and help me design official HPC first time ever clothes so I can one century get Jeff Anderson a LS skinsuit. God knows he has waited long enough. I hope he deosn't quit racing before I get him a LS skinsuit. I have the colors in mind, but Jenette does have the eye. Anytime I am dressed up it is thanks to my friends. This is rare indeed.

Mimi Newcastle is my right hand "everything" woman and Alvin Chang in this list as far as helping me with ANY thing computer. Without Mimi, well, I wouldn't have figured out how to write this blog likely. Thanks MIMI for ALL you do for me and have done from day 1. You ROCK! Now we gotta get you a National Championship. Chris Kelley been there every step as well and I call her, going between crying to joy, the challenges of opening.

So this what I been up to. Classes start this coming Monday @ 11AM. I cannot thank my friends= mostly clients enough for the support and camaraderie in making this happen. There are so many people I have to thank; that have been there every step of the way to see this training center become a reality. That have given me the support I needed to go after my dreams. It feels good. All I can say is now that I have 18 trainers and rollers and core equipment and my firs time ever office with a desk - watch out. You guys/gals gonna be training alright. No excuse now for not being able to do Muscle Tension workouts....... and core. I truly cannot wait to start riding again. I rode with Jen Cheng and Jen 90lber Yip (-ping my legs off) last weekend and about killed me. Pierre said he never thought he would see the day I return from a 60 mile ride and he have to carry by bike up the stairs. Dangit!! I am tired of hurting on every ride I do. How about getting in shape???!! Dah. A training center would help with this...

Ciao for now - I hope not 3 mos again til I can write the next post

Development

This blog today is 2 things - it is very hard for me to write but also the best for me to write and share. There are people that change your life - if you are lucky enough to see far ahead, not be selfish, focus on what you are good at and supposed to do, and just do it. Nate Wilson has been one of those people - in my life. I am ridiculous coz when I think of him leaving I cannot stop crying. SORRY Nate. I am not trying to embarrass you. I started coaching in 2003, it was the fall my mom passed away from cancer. My mom was my biggest fan in my cycling. My Dad never seemed to understand cycling = me. He does now. I admit I was fairly neurotic back then with my sport - some of which I am not proud of. My mom came to my races - I thought she would be here forever. But one day she fell - and after going to the hospital she had cancer pretty much all over her body. I was out on my bike when I talked to my Dad about it - my life changed that day. She didn't live much past being diagnosed with cancer. That fall I realized life doesn't last forever. I grew up, fast. I had been racing my bike and waiting tables. Pierre used to tease me about having 2 graduate degress and tossing shrimp for a living. I loved the bike.

So 2003 I sent resumes everywhere and actually got hired on the spot. I worked 3 days as a personal trainer and realized this was NOT me. Then started in with a company coz they had a VO2 analyzer - and having a M.S. in physiology and loving the "science" of training - this was a good start. But after bout 1 month I again needed more - and so in 4 mos I started my own biz. I spent every penny I had on a VO2 machine. Bike racing does not teach you how to "coach", any better than books. I think really athletes and working with athletes teach you the most about being a coach. Their needs harnessed with their dreams coupled with the coaches science of training and performance. I know racing as a cat 1 seems to have given me more than what the books did - but truth is, it is the books and real life experience combined, that enable me to make it as a coach. So I started as a coach - but I still had so much to learn. I may go back to school once more (and it will be in CO or the west damnit!) for sports pysch. There is ALOT to being a coach. The training part is easy - with power and HR and RPE - that part is the easy part. But getting an athlete stimulated for a great ride - is what matters. Despite a bad week of training or coming back from an injury or stress on the homefront. When you line up with a number on, it is Game on.

So - back to Nate. I started coaching Nate many yrs ago. I can think of so many rides we did together - the 100's of repeats I made him do on Hunter Station (and yes he hated them). I had only been coaching a short period of time when I started working with Nate. And what made it so real - was his desire to exceed. Despite ALL odds. Despite he was on the small side. Despite he had been dropped in many races. He was smart and analytical. He was very caring towards his fellow man. He read alot about training - and all along our relationship - he always questioned me and asked me intelligent questions. The friendship and the trust just happened. That now is very special to me. I had dinner with the Wilson's last nite - kinda our goodbye dinner as Nate takes off tomorrow - and I told him the truth - which is that he gave me as much in developing as a coach, as I gave to him in his cycling career. This is rare. I have some other athletes that have this energy as well - that they give to me. It allows me to grow as a coach and person. It is kinda funny to me that I was always kinda shy in school - and now I coach. It is alot of 1:1 and I thrive on this. So the development came from both sides - the room to grow and adapt and advance.

Tonite I am testing Nate - he has been on spectacular form. I wanted him to be peaking in July - kinda from Fitchburg > Nats. He did have a hard day in the Crit Nationals - but other than this one day - he has been "on" for about 2 mos. This is kinda unheard of - a long peak. Him getting the win at Millersburg was perfect. I knew he was going to win and soon. He was hating 2nd place. And you have to hate it enough, to win. Congratulations Nate. I can tell you I have been honored to work with you the past 5 yrs - the memories are something I shall cherish forever. I will make sure I make all the future jrs do as many if not more repeats on that damn hill Hunter Station. I know you are going to make it - and as your parents also feel, noone could be prouder of you than me, them. It is about being a winner OFF the bike as well as on. That makes a great champion. I have so many pics I coulda put up - they are from Jim Wilson and Linc Brookes. I love the one of Nate sprinting. I rode with Nate on Tuesday for an easy spin and riding beside him - to have a memory of him from yrs ago to the Nate of him riding beside me that day - I was in awe of what he has developed into. Not coz I was his coach - but that he never gave up. Not ever. I knew he never would - but to actually see it all come true is ... what to say. I don't know.