I leave this Thursday for a 2 week vacation in Wyoming. Kevin and I are going to hike in the Wind River Range for 7-8 days and attempt to climb Gannett Peak, the highest peak in WY. This will be the first vacation in years that hasn't involved 2 wheels and the first time since 2000 that I've taken 2 full weeks at once. It's strange to think that I won't be biking for two solid weeks but this trip will be amazing. The Wind River Range is the prettiest place I have been and I'm looking forward to seeing another part of this area. Physically I feel ready but I have to admit that I'm a bit scared about the summit attempt as there will be glaciers, crevasses, and exposure. However, I figure being scared is a good thing as it will make me be more careful and thoughtful every step of the way. And, Kevin and I have been planning this for 9 months and he's an Eagle Scout so he's prepared for anything.
We don't really have plans for the remainder of the vacation other than that we are going to visit Kevin's Aunt and Uncle in Sundance, WY and check out the Tetons.
I've also been thinking of changing my race schedule a bit but I first need to get some things figured out. This race sounds pretty amazing and I'm hoping to do it. After all, what would I do after the WY adventure but be sitting on the couch and eating a bag of Doritos!
See you all in a few weeks!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday Penn Women's Mountan Bike Rides
I've been part of the Wednesday Penn Cycle Women's Rides for the last 11+ years - either as a ride leader or a rider. The rides started after I moved to MN because I wanted to try and meet some other women who were into the sport of mountain biking and Penn Cycle graciously agreed to be the host. Thanks Penn Cycle!
As I imagined, it was a great way for me to meet other riders and develop friendships. While many have come and gone, I still ride with lots of these women and every year I meet more women with the same love of biking. We have had a lot of fun times!
Fun. Fun. Fun. These rides are not training rides, no one gets dropped and we want everyone to have fun, enjoy the trail, learn something new and meet some friends. We want to help new riders feel more comfortable on their bike as well as allow more experienced riders the opportunity to challenge themselves and improve their skills.
Tomorrow the ride is at Terrace Oaks . We meet at the Eagan Penn Cycle at 6:00 and ride from there. Terrace is a great place for beginner riders because it lets your practice some basics --going around tight corners, how to maintain speed in some fun, windy, singletrack and learn some downhill skills. It's also good because it's short so you can go back again and practice the skills. Hope to see you all out there!
Valerie
"We all get 24 hours each day. We should spend that time living the life that makes sense to us."
As I imagined, it was a great way for me to meet other riders and develop friendships. While many have come and gone, I still ride with lots of these women and every year I meet more women with the same love of biking. We have had a lot of fun times!
Fun. Fun. Fun. These rides are not training rides, no one gets dropped and we want everyone to have fun, enjoy the trail, learn something new and meet some friends. We want to help new riders feel more comfortable on their bike as well as allow more experienced riders the opportunity to challenge themselves and improve their skills.
Tomorrow the ride is at Terrace Oaks . We meet at the Eagan Penn Cycle at 6:00 and ride from there. Terrace is a great place for beginner riders because it lets your practice some basics --going around tight corners, how to maintain speed in some fun, windy, singletrack and learn some downhill skills. It's also good because it's short so you can go back again and practice the skills. Hope to see you all out there!
Valerie
"We all get 24 hours each day. We should spend that time living the life that makes sense to us."
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sisterhood of Dirt
Sisterhood of Dirt is now up and running! Thanks to Janet for her creative ideas and to others who contributed to the content.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
John Muir Race report
Saturday was my first endurance race of the year. I did a 6 hour race at John Muir in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest of WI. Going into it I was really nervous because of my race performance the last two weeks but things turned out much better than anticipated.
I didn't really know what to expect of the course because I've only ridden there once and couldn't really remember the trail. It was fun and fast with some good, short little hills and some fun windy, singletrack.
The best part of the race was how I felt. It all came together very nicely. I didn't let any weird mental garbage clog my brain and I was able to go at a consistent pace for each lap. I finished with 4 laps (44 miles) in 5 hours and 23 minutes. You have to be done before 6 hours is up otherwise I would have gone out for 1 more lap.
The next race is July 25th at the 24 Hours of 9 Mile in Wausau, WI. I'm doing the 12 hour solo event. Coach and I had another talk yesterday about training and we both agreed that the goal is to make me faster. I have the endurance so now I will spend my training working on speed. It should be fun!
I didn't really know what to expect of the course because I've only ridden there once and couldn't really remember the trail. It was fun and fast with some good, short little hills and some fun windy, singletrack.
The best part of the race was how I felt. It all came together very nicely. I didn't let any weird mental garbage clog my brain and I was able to go at a consistent pace for each lap. I finished with 4 laps (44 miles) in 5 hours and 23 minutes. You have to be done before 6 hours is up otherwise I would have gone out for 1 more lap.
The next race is July 25th at the 24 Hours of 9 Mile in Wausau, WI. I'm doing the 12 hour solo event. Coach and I had another talk yesterday about training and we both agreed that the goal is to make me faster. I have the endurance so now I will spend my training working on speed. It should be fun!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Shout out
I forgot to give a shout out for my friends Dana and Janet. They did awesome at the 9 Mile race this weekend. Nice job ladies!
Ready, Set, Go!
The last two weekends I spent in WI doing short, cross country races which are part of the Wisconsin Off Road Series. This is a great series -- a lot of fun races, great vibe and fun people.
The first was the Crystal Lake Classic in Rhinelander and the second was the Big Ring Classic in Wausau. Both courses were really fun and I was happy to be back in Wausau which has some of the best singletrack in the Midwest!
But to be completely honest, I'm not really happy with how I performed in either race. I expected better results and pretty much spent the last two days whining. Well....that all changed after I talked to my coach this morning. She reminded me that I had a hellish last few weeks of session but that I needed to stop whining and kick it into full speed. It was a good kick in the pants.
After all, I didn't stay committed to my training all winter long, with the hellacious work schedule, with 4:45 am workouts and Saturday winter rides in the cold to just show up and go at a comfortable pace. From now on, I'm putting it all on the line - consistent training and showing up for races confident and ready -- physically and mentally. For those still wondering why I do this, click here.
This weekend I'm doing my first endurance race of the season and I CAN'T WAIT! I'm doing a 6 hour solo race as part of the 12 Hours of John Muir. I've only ridden here once but had a blast and am excited about riding some new trails and some fun singletrack. I'm also looking forward to this race because some friends and family (Kevin's parents) will be there. It's always nice to have a cheering section!
Happy racing!
Valerie
"We all get 24 hours each day. We should spend that time living the life that makes sense to us." -- author unknown
The first was the Crystal Lake Classic in Rhinelander and the second was the Big Ring Classic in Wausau. Both courses were really fun and I was happy to be back in Wausau which has some of the best singletrack in the Midwest!
But to be completely honest, I'm not really happy with how I performed in either race. I expected better results and pretty much spent the last two days whining. Well....that all changed after I talked to my coach this morning. She reminded me that I had a hellish last few weeks of session but that I needed to stop whining and kick it into full speed. It was a good kick in the pants.
After all, I didn't stay committed to my training all winter long, with the hellacious work schedule, with 4:45 am workouts and Saturday winter rides in the cold to just show up and go at a comfortable pace. From now on, I'm putting it all on the line - consistent training and showing up for races confident and ready -- physically and mentally. For those still wondering why I do this, click here.
This weekend I'm doing my first endurance race of the season and I CAN'T WAIT! I'm doing a 6 hour solo race as part of the 12 Hours of John Muir. I've only ridden here once but had a blast and am excited about riding some new trails and some fun singletrack. I'm also looking forward to this race because some friends and family (Kevin's parents) will be there. It's always nice to have a cheering section!
Happy racing!
Valerie
"We all get 24 hours each day. We should spend that time living the life that makes sense to us." -- author unknown
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