Race Report: XC Mountain Biking

In the first part of this post I told how I was both nervous and excited for my races a few weekends ago (how was this already 2 weeks ago?). Finally able to write my race report, here's how it all ended up going down:

Race Day #1 - Saturday

Up early, we loaded up the truck and were off to race! It was about a 3.5 hour drive and my race start time wasn't until 11am, so we had plenty of time to drive it that morning and save a night in a hotel. It doesn't seem to matter if a race is 15 minutes away or 3 hours, I'm always anxious until we actually arrive at the race location - just confirmation that we will actually get there in time I guess?!

The drive was smooth, until we were about 30 minutes away when we hit some very unexpected traffic delays on the highway. There was no way around, no other route to take. All we could do was sit there - this did not help my anxiety levels. Luckily we left the house early enough that we made it to the race on time - with about 20 minutes to spare before my start time. Nothing like racing on legs that have been in a car for more than 3 hours and anxiety levels maxed out from being nervous that we'd be late! BUT...we parked, I signed on, changed and headed to the start line!
(I even had time to pee - huge bonus!)

Saturday's race was a 3 lap, short course with 160m of climbing per lap and plenty of mud through one section of the trail. Right off the start my legs were on fire, no doubt from sitting in a car and then trying to ride. That and lack of mountains in my neighbourhood.

PC: Jim Uffelmann

Once the first lap was over the legs calmed down a little, but I definitely don't have the legs for tons of climbing. Being injured I haven't done much high intensity training, so this was definitely challenging! Although I suffered, and was about 5 minutes slower per lap than I was hoping/thought I'd be I was very happy to be racing. Happy to be healthy enough to be riding. And happy to be surrounded by the beauty of the trails. Both the beauty and the suffering were very welcomed!

PC: Jim Uffelmann

Just a *little* muddy!

After the race we hopped in the car and it was back to the hotel to do some cleaning - my bike was a muddy mess, as was I!

Once that disaster was all cleaned up I did some stretching and heating on my back, a quick trip to the pool for my littleman and then we were off to dinner to refuel for the next day. BBQ and beer - so, so delicious! Followed by some cool soft serve and it was lights out for me!

Race Day #2 - Sunday

I didn't sleep well the night before. I was really quite nervous about this course - both in it's distance and difficulty. Today's race was the long course; the marathon with over 800m (2600 ft) of climbing each lap.

All leading up to this race in the weeks prior I knew how many laps I wanted, but realized quickly that I may need to adjust my expectations based on my (lack of) technical abilities and the course conditions. While I had ridden the front half of this course before, I didn't know what to expect on the back half. I wanted to complete 2 laps going into the race, however when I learned the really super fast, shredder types would complete three...I realized I may only get in 1 lap before time cut-offs. But I was ok with that - today was a learning experience and believe me, I was about to get schooled.

Loaded with my a few tools, hydration and snacks I set off for the start line. Unlike yesterday, today's marathon race was a mass start. As we started our climb up I could feel my legs from the day before. They weren't on fire, but they had nothing in them. Nothing at all. I figured going in this would be a grinder of a day, and I was right. After just a couple climbing miles that felt very long on rough legs, I realized I would need to focus on knocking off one mile at a time, refocus and knock off the next.

Thankful for my Run Gum and Picky Bars!

When I reached the top of the first climb I was thankful for a little rest on the downhill; but on this course that rest didn't last long. Lifting my head I could see where we were climbing to next. Up, up; way up. Huge climbs, gnarly descents - this was a monster course - but I loved it! The ups and downs continued; through rock gardens and twisting trees; overlooking valleys with switchbacks and swooping trails. Although I was suffering, the race course and this trail truly was in the middle of spectacular wilderness.

Other than knowing I was still actually on the course by tell of the race signs here and there, I had no clue where I was or what part of the trail I was on. I knew how far I had gone, but no clue of the terrain ahead. My legs continued to drag their butt the entire course, but I just focused on the mile I was in until I reached a point in the trail where I knew where I was - and it was mostly downhill; I was almost done.

The very last checkpoint - checkpoint #7, was where Javelin Daddy and Little Cheetah were volunteering. They saw me before I saw them - and the sound of my littleman's voice was awesome!! I stopped for a quick kiss and hug and continued on to the finish.

Race done.

Although disappointed that I didn't get 2 laps in, knowing full well that my original plan of 2 laps for my current state was potentially unrealistic, I know that next year, I'll be stronger and healthier to tackle it how I want and know I can.

After the race I grabbed some much needed and desired food and water, wiped the mud off my legs, changed and started the ~1km climb up to checkpoint #7 to see my boys and watch the final few racers go by. My bean had requested that I climb back up once I was done - so even on tired legs, how could I say no to that!? It was a slow climb!

The final few riders were exciting! For your lap to count you have to make it back to the finish line by the cut off time - if not, your entire lap doesn't count! The last 2 were quite close together, and when they passed us they only had a few minutes to make it back. Once they passed our checkpoint, we packed up and walked back down for awards. When we got back we heard they made it back with less than a minute to spare!

This guy: 70 years young and hauls ass!

Mountain biking is hard; those who excel at it are total badass beasts and I have mad respect for them. It is also so much fun. The combination of exhaustion, thrill and enjoyment is one of the many reasons competition is so rewarding - and with mountain biking, it's no different. (Added bonus of getting to do it in some of the most beautiful locations!)

Post race we had a quick dinner that consisted of a seriously desired and delicious, salty, hand-stretched, multiple-meat pizza and ice cold beer. Then we were on the road again for home. A great weekend, lots learned and can't wait to do it all again next year!

Until then ... #crossiscoming!!

Here we go ...

2016 has been an interesting year for training and racing, with an injury that has thrown me for more loops than I could have imagined.

Looking back I first became "aware" of my injury in the winter, early 2016; but like any typical idiot I decided to train through it, telling and willing myself it was a twinge and will go away, until one day I realized: I am injured. The following months and still to date, I am not yet injury free. I'm doing daily PT exercises, strengthening and nerve flossing (yes, I floss my nerves). I've also done traction, IMS, massage, osteopathy and a host of other stuff to get better. And while these past few months have brought fear (more on this later), freak outs, a whirlwind of emotions and actions they have also brought me opportunity to dive into something different and 'old is new again' though mountain biking.

I have always loved mountain biking for it's purity (credit to my husband for getting me into it). To be out in nature, on a trail and just ride. No expectations or schedules, just being. Rubber to dirt, explore the beauty on the trails, through the woods, around each and every bend and up and over every climb.

When I wasn't able to run, I turned to cycling more and more in both an obsession and a need, to keep training. Road and off-road cycling received a volume boost in training, as it was pretty much the only thing that I could handle. Running was definitely out, and strangely enough so was swimming; both aggravated my body quite a bit.

However, like any typical A-type personality I needed and wanted that feeling you get only from racing. All I could do through this injury was ride, but I worried about racing (XC) mountain biking in case the competition side of it, of me, took over and away from my love of just being on the bike; for nothing more than to ride through trees, over logs, through puddles, dirt, roots and rocks.

But it didn't.

What I found was that I loved, respected and appreciated them both; in their own unique ways. A perfect balance between loving the adrenaline and rush of racing and still "just being" out on the trail.

I loved both sides. I loved the "Oh my god this is exhausting and I can't climb that hill again...Oh I'm done, when's the next race?" as well as the "Wow, look around at how amazing it is here" and that sense of just BEING. I didn't loose any of it, they both just lived in different compartments.

So here I was, months into my injury with improvements happening - but very slowly. I had a few small mountain bike races under my belt ... and it happened.

A while back I was looking for more XC mountain bike races to do when I came across a couple on the same weekend. One, being a mountain bike marathon, something I had never done. The marathon was the day after the "regular" or short course mountain bike race. I had thought about doing them or maybe even just the short course, and then put them out of my head for a few weeks - until they came back.

And I thought to myself "hmm, maybe...?".

Before long *maybe* turned into "perhaps...I think so", and that turned into "holy shit, I'm registered for both".

It all goes down this weekend. I'm both jumping out of my skin excited, and totally nervous. But nervous in a good way. Race reports to follow next week - if you're curious to see if I make it up and down, up and down, and up and down the mountain.

Hills for breakfast. Hills for lunch. Gelato for dinner!

Yes, it's been a while since my last post and yes I'm STILL injured but that didn't stop me from having an epic training camp in the Okanagan a few weeks ago! While I'm still not running, I can ride; and I take full advantage of that - believe me! 

Vacation (AKA training camp) started with our traditional mountain ride to break up the long drive to BC. It was beautiful as always, with the turn around point being at a beautiful lake surrounded by mountain views. It was a hot day, and with the assistance and pressure from Little Cheetah, I stripped down to bibs and dunked into the icy cold mountain lake. It was insanely "take your breath away" cold, but unbelievably refreshing!  

Just before "the dunk"!

The following day, the real fun began with a 1.5 hour grind it out climb...but the view was all worth it!

The hills in BC are awesome and I just don't get that elevation change on a regular basis back home so it's a nice switch up for my legs; although absolutely exhausting as well! Riding through vineyards each day with the view of the lake is unbelievable. There is just something about being by the water that energizes you. 

It was a solid 9 days in a row of hard, HARD riding. That being said, it was of course mixed in with plenty of local food and beverage intake. Have you ever had fresh cherries on a pizza? It was a local twist on the traditional Hawaiian! I highly recommend it!

It also included the occasional gelato...

It was also track meet time for Javelin Daddy - and one of my favorite meets to watch! The weekend part of our trip was jam packed with both throws pentathlon as well as individual throws events. I will fully admit, being at the track I was a little bummed to not be racing steeple this year, but I'll be back!

While I am hoping to be running this month I am focused on a fall cross-country season. Until then it will be riding my little heart out, perhaps trying some new adventures (more on that to come!), and doing all I can to rehab my body and return it to it's normal healthy, strong self! 

Breathing is good.

Sigh.

And ... breathe. 

Now that that's out of the way, I can write. I'm injured, no doubt about it. I first thought it was a twinge, or maybe just an irritation, but I am injured. And it makes me mad. I know it comes with training; we push, push and push and sometimes our body pushes back. I know that I should be getting all the negative crap out of my head, and let the positive thoughts flow in (because we don't need the negativity floating around in there!), but it's hard. I know healing takes time, and I'm working to remind myself of that.

My injury isn't really defined. It's a roller coaster of ups and downs and an encyclopedia of events. All my symptoms and pains come and go, improve and get worse with no patterns or correlations that I can find.

My last run was 4 weeks ago today, and that is killing me.

However ... I'm re-building.

I'm rebuilding my foundation so that when I can train like I want to train, I'm stronger than ever. I'm in the weight room more (a very good thing) and working on my mountain bike skills - because I have none! I'm focusing and doing what I am able.

 I'm even doing some racing this year!

PHOTO CREDIT: Redline Photography

I've readjusted my goals and race calendar for the year, however even that I'm not certain of.

But it's a plan.

I'm taking things day by day because some days I feel horrible and the next day is an improvement. This is new territory for me, and while I may not like it, I'm not letting it push me around! I'm longing for the day when I can run again, but until then I'll be on the trails - attempting to shred one dirt path at a time!

How do you define amazing?

For me, it was last Sunday afternoon.

...

It was my boys; my family.

It was nature, nothing but nature.

It was the singing, quacking and honking of birds, ducks and geese. 

It was mountain bikes and endless trails.

It was the unknown rustling in the underbrush as we rolled past.

It was beautiful weather and sunshine.

It was water breaks and deciding where to venture next.

It was freshly chewed trees and beaver dams galore. 

It was scat on the trails and fun identifying it.

It was leaves crunching and crackling underneath our tires.
It was trail mix and carrots.

It was climbing and then cruising down!

It was adventure and exploring.

It was discovering and learning.

It was pure joy.

And it, was amazing. 

Operation Don't Be a Chicken

Fear can be tricky. Sometimes I think a little bit of fear can be a healthy thing, in certain situations; a balance between weighing what may or may not be safe vs. taking an important or exciting risk. However, I also believe fear can cause negative stress when we (*cough, cough* ME) tend to analyse, re-analyse, over-analyse and analyse again everything to death. For myself, I do this in many areas of life, as Javelin Daddy can 100% attest to, but as it relates to sports and athletics, I definitely have a few areas of fear that I'm hoping to over come, or at least reduce...

Leading up to a big race 
I lived this during my absolute raceweek meltdown in 2014. I had so much stress leading up the race, that come race day I had absolutely nothing. While I'm racing lots this year, my 'A' races this year are a trail and road race in July and an off-road duathlon in August. I then want to head into cross-country season strong and healthy for the fall. I'm hopeful I can take what I learned back in 2014 so that history doesn't repeat itself.

When I have an injury 
Right now I’m dealing with some Achilles, lower leg, calf, tibial tendinitis issues that have risen from making some "questionable" decisions with my training. My fear with injury (other than injury itself) is not knowing exactly what it is or how it will react to anything and not being able to do what I want to do, when I want to do it. I have a bad habit of jumping to the worst case scenario and working backwards, over obsessing about every little detail.  I know with injuries we need to be cautious and listen to our body, but all that fear and negative energy can’t be good either. I'm trying to shift to a "it's an injury - they happen, it will heal with rest" mindset. (And in the future listening to my body better!)

When I’m mountain biking

Last weekend we got out for our first trail ride (thanks to a mild winter with little snow!); complete with roots, mud, flowy turns and fun features. It was on one of my favorite trails, one that I’m fairly comfortable on and it was beyond awesome, but it was also the one I sprained my knee on last fall and coming back my confidence is a little shaky.

You see the problem with fear is that sometimes it takes over your body, gets in your head and then you do things you wouldn’t normally do. Fear can mess with your confidence, and for someone like me who doesn’t have much to begin with when on a mountain bike, this is pretty big to overcome some days. There are days when I ride a trail and I’m relaxed, fluid and smooth. I can ride the features, bridges, logs etc. with confidence! 

My goal when mountain biking: Smoother than a fresh jar of skippy!

On other days I’m not. I let fear take over – on things I know I can do. I get in my head and my body becomes tight and rigid – not good things for balancing on logs and avoiding trees.

My bottom line: I must stop being a chicken. I’m not saying a little bit of fear isn’t a healthy thing, I strongly believe it is; but in matters of play, training, racing and injury I’m working hard to not be so chicken-like, go for it and trust in what I know!

Race season really heats up in May and I have big goals; I have distances and times I want to nail and have no room for injury, negative crap or other. It’s hard to shift your mind set, but I’m working on it one bridge, one race, one injury at a time.

One of my all-time favorite books and all-time favorite quotes

Operation DON'T BE A CHICKEN is on. I'll let you know how it goes. 

March is here!

I am so excited, and at the same time cannot believe that March is here already! I remember thinking back in December that spring seemed so far off, and now here we are, with it on the horizon.

Spring is one of my favorite times of year; it's the time when all the colors of nature come back to the Earth, the geese return home, the birds nest in our back yard, the roads dry up, the ice melts away and race season starts to heat up!

Last weekend was race weekend and a 5km was on tap! For some reason I was really excited for it. Not because the weather was going to be great (the forecast was for freezing rain and temperatures just above zero) or because I was peaked for a PB or anything, but because I've been longing for a race as I was really curious to see where I was at in a 'race situation'. You can simulate all you want, but as we all know, race days are different; and you just can't replicate that in training.

With my knee injury back in the fall, it set me back a little or perhaps gave me forced rest that was necessary or needed. However since then I've been able to nail some really great training sessions this winter with some solid strength and speed foundation work (thanks in-part to our very mild weather this year). Seeing how that would all play out with an early/start-to-the-season race had me really excited!

This race last year happened a month later, in April. In it I did meet my 'C' goal, and was at peace with that. But that was last year; this year I knew I wanted more. Here's my kilometer by kilometer breakdown of how it all shook out for me this time around:

I warmed up well and come race start I was both anxious and excited to get going! Perfect little combination of nervousness and adrenaline!

Me in the purple coat - trying to stay warm!
Photo cred: MEC race series

Gun goes off, I toss my warming coat and go! The first kilometer was a gradual to increasingly steeper uphill climb, and against a slight wind the whole way. I had a thought to maybe tuck behind some other runners to block the wind (something I never do) but didn't like that at all. I wanted to see where I was going, so out I went. My pace was ok, but since this first kilometer was mostly uphill I was more focusing on sustained hard effort, rather than pace obsession.

From the 1km to 2.5 km mark it was mostly downhill, with some flats and it went by really quickly. I had to actually double check my watch as I didn't believe the race signs. Pace check: good or a little fast, but no worries since I knew my first kilometer was slower. Why not, I thought, - let's see what happens?

Between the 2.5km and 4km mark it was pretty icy and trying to maintain a solid, consistent pace was challenging. Having to slow down and penguin run, dodge ice, leap over sketchy sections or detour slightly onto the snowy grass made for not the best conditions, but what can you do right?

For some reason, whether it's road or cross-country I have my biggest struggles between kilometer 3 and 4, and this race was no different. I find doubt and fatigue start to creep in, if I let it; but I'm working on keeping that crap out of my head!

4km mark - almost done. While I thought I knew the finish I quickly saw ahead that we had one more hill to climb. Crap. This hill I pushed, I wanted to finish hard and spent and was definitely pleased with how I attacked that hill. Finish line in sight I pushed hard; jumping over some last few ice and snow patches I crossed the line satisfied. I reached my 'B' time goal, and for a March race, I'm very happy with that. I felt I pushed well, but also know I have more to give and faster times to come as I build my strength and speed through the season.

I know I have more speed in me. I know I will get stronger. I know it. I know I have more to gain, learn and give. This is my last year in this age group so my plan is to make the most of it. No regrets. Leave it all out there.

Bring on 2016. I want it.

Friday night lights

The early part of any calendar year usually doesn't have me racing all that often. It's a time to focus on my strength and base training so that I can enter the upcoming season injury free and tough!

My past few weeks of training have been solid. The best I've had in a while, and I'm very thankful for that. Let's be clear, they haven't all been sunshine and rainbows - some were downright terrible. But each one made me stronger.

This is also the time of year that I'm just itching to race. I can't wait for triathlon season to start, for my favorite trail running series to start, family road trips and adventures. So...last Friday night when I had the opportunity to race indoor track, I figured why not? Javelin Daddy was already throwing, and my race would be right after. I was there anyways right?

Track races are not natural to me; in fact they scare the crap out of me. Plunk me in the middle of a road or trail run and I feel at home, comfortable and ready.

Heck you can even dump me off the coast of Alcatraz (one of my absolute favorite triathlon adventures) to race and I feel more comfortable than I do on a track. And that's saying something; I'm terrified of sharks and other creatures that may or may not be swimming beneath me.

I dabbled in track last year, and this year I will be adding more; but to say it's a strength of mine would be the exact opposite of truth.

Race day, last Friday night, came and I was excited and nervous all at the same time. While pizza and beer sounded like a much easier night, I knew that was most likely just the fear talking. First up, however, was to cheer on Javelin Daddy for throws. It was a huge flight - 16 throwers. Unfortunately Javelin Daddy did not have his best day, but I know it's still coming. I can't wait to watch him this summer - I have a feeling of good things to come!

Once throws were done and the dust settled I warmed up with my Littleman at my side on a very crowded track; legs feeling ok. I had the lap times in my head and knew what I needed to run to meet my goal.

I was late getting to the start (or at least late for name/number call) and forgot my hip number in my bag.

Oops. Still getting the hang of the timing ...

I was in the third heat of women so that let my nerves build up nicely for the start of my race. Just before the start I gave my Littleman a kiss, reminded myself of the times I wanted and prepared myself to be ready to hurt like hell.

What I'm looking at ... I have no idea?

Race start:
The gun goes off and as I round the half way mark of my first lap I can already tell I'm out way too fast. I check the time coming through the 200m mark and have two simultaneous thoughts:

1) "OH crap, I'm going to seriously suffer, I went out way too fast!"
2) "But if I hold this pace ... OH  the possibilities!!"

I often argue with myself when I race.

As I came around for lap 2 I knew I was in trouble, but was still ahead of pace. "Ok" I'm thinking, "Just hold this pace, hold this pace". Lap 3 hurt, it was ugly. I was just trying to survive. On lap 4 I could hear my husband and Littleman yelling at me to pick it up - the only sounds I could hear in a pavilion full of people screaming and an announcer calling the play-by-play.

"Pick it up, pick it up..." The only words I kept saying to myself over and over, "pick, it, up". As I rounded my final corner and came down the home stretch I saw the time. I was fixated on it as I tried to push through the final 30m. At the finish my lungs burned, my throat was on fire but I beat my goal time by 2 seconds. YESSSSS!

After the race I did get my pizza and beer, and boy oh boy did it ever taste good! Getting out of your comfort zone, doing things you don't normally do is a good thing - I can't wait to do more of it as 2016 unfolds!