From paradise to snow

We made it back to Boulder this afternoon after a long trip including a night spent in the Portland airport. We came back to around 20 inches of snow here in Boulder...from paradise to snow in a day! The season has finally come to a close for me. The 2009 Xterra Worlds pro field was stacked and every woman was fast (this may be an understatement). I went almost 4 minutes faster than last year and placed 9th (the same place as last year). Pictures and race report will come I'm just too tired now.

Dear Mrs. Piggy

Ok swine flu, I know you have infected several people in my office and you have me running scared. Please stay away from me for the next 10 days. My hands are raw from many washings and being lathered in hand sanitizer. I even invested in antiviral/antibacterial wipes and wipe down my desk area daily. I'm taking lots of Vitamin C, echinachea and garlic...I hope it all works Mrs. Piggy and you don't come knocking at my door.

I always struggle to stay healthy this time of year for some reason and this year is no exception. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I can make it a few more days without catching anything. I'm feeling ready for Maui and the only thing that would slow me down at this point is being sick.

Last weekend I had some less than ideal Maui prep...a cyclocross race in the snow. I bundled up in an effort to simulate a warmer climate but actually never warmed up much as it was breezy and in the 20's. Good hard effort though that was rewarded with a burger and beer! One more intense run and ride session and then it is rest, rest, rest for me.

Give me some oxygen and heat

We spent the weekend in Frisco so Doug could do 2 cyclocross races. The trip marked the first time since ski season that I went to the mountains and was not racing...crazy! I enjoyed a long ride on the Peaks Trail on Saturday and a long hilly run on Sunday. I was planning on just running along the path to Copper Mountain but then I saw a little trail and a sign talking about an old mine. So I ran up, up and up some more. I made it to the mine and was determined to get to the top but once it got so steep I had to walk I called it a day...sweet coffee was calling my name. Both my ride and run had me thinking about skiing since there was snow on the ground.

Doug makes it look so easy

I've entered the heat and oxygen period of my Hawaii prep. That weird girl running with a hat and long sleeves on a beautiful Fall day, that's me. The sweaty girl you see going back and forth between the sauna and steam room, that's me. I'm not sure how much this helps me get ready to race in Hawaii but I think there is something to it. I did the same thing last year and was not bothered too much by the heat. I'm also doing supplemental oxygen workouts on the bike and run at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. It's amazing how much harder you can make yourself go when you have so much sweet oxygenated air. Thanks to Paul and Becky for loaning me a slick tire and Powertap to use during these torture sessions! I've never used a Powertap and don't even use a heart rate monitor when I train.

My 'technology' is my Timex watch. Yep, the kind you buy at Target. This one is pretty advanced though seeing as it has 3 different alarms you can set. What the heck do you need 3 different alarms for? We'll have to see if I take to this technologically advanced training or not.

Xterra Nationals

Last weekend I had a successful day at Xterra Nationals held in beautiful Snowbasin, Utah. The hills were covered with hues of red and yellow and the weather was sunny and warm. This course is all about climbing...my favorite! The swim starts in Pineview Reservoir down in the valley. The bike climbs and climbs all the way to Snowbasin ski area, then in case you didn't get enough it climbs some more up the ski area before coming back to the base of the area. The run is a big climb, up to some 'flattish' rocky single track and then back down to the base of the area.

Right before the mayhem began

I came out of the swim in 5th(?) about 30 seconds behind eventual winner Mel. I had a great bike (11 minutes faster than last year on a slightly longer course) and came to T2 in 3rd behind Mel and Shonny. The second I got off my bike I knew I was in trouble. I had sharp pains in both quads, think a knife being stabbed into your leg. The cramps stayed in my legs the entire run and eventually my stomach cramped too. I resorted to walking a little and even had the thought of getting a ride on a moto back to the finish but I was as tough as I could be and held on for 6th place (2nd American). I was bummed that my body failed me although it was probably my own fault for not drinking enough on the bike...Doug scolded me about this as he usually does. However, I could not be happier with how close I am to the podium even on a 'bad day'! This race served to boost my confidence and get me excited about Worlds and beyond. Top five women were Mel McQuaid, ShonnyV., Lesley Patterson, Carina Wasle, Jenny Smith. So glad to be done, not sure what's with the Elvis lip

Post race we celebrated with an awesome dinner, drinks, ice cream and lots of laughter! The trip was made even more special and fun because of my travel buddies and support men. Thanks Doug and Paul for helping us on race day...it meant the world to me to have such dedicated support! I might have passed out without getting another bottle from Doug. Brian had a great race and can now stop saying that his friends girlfriends are faster than him...good work Brian! Becky had a huge smile on her face during the race and had a successful day in many, many ways! Also, thanks to all my sponsors...Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Yeti, Powerbar, Rudy Project, Pearlizumi and Xterra wetsuits.

After a long ride home complete with road closures, consumption of fast food and too many candy corn pumpkins I'm home and enjoying a rest week before a little more hard training before Worlds. Three weeks from today and I will be drinking my coffee on the lanai overlooking the ocean with my parents (Doug will probably still be sleeping).