USA National Champion - Winter of Snowshoe Racing

My blog is back! I'm not sure why the season ends and I drop off the face of the earth for a few months. I guess I fully embrace my off season and find it healthy to have a few very unstructured months.

I spent the winter focused on snowshoe racing. Nine years ago when I did my first snowshoe race I swore I would never do another one because it was so demanding physically and mentally. And, not surprisingly, I am now in love with the challenge and fun that comes from snowshoe racing. I am a glutton for challenges! Despite having two nasty colds this Winter I've had some great snowshoe results including winning the USA National Snowshoe Championships this past Saturday in Frisco, CO. To say I was surprised to win this title is an understatement after battling a nasty cough for two weeks. Right before the gun went off I decided that my strategy was to lead from the start and see what happened. I got in front and didn't look back. I kept thinking that all the really strong trail and ultra runners would start to catch me. The course was two 5K laps on a very open course allowing you to see where other people were the entire race. On the second lap I was overjoyed when I realized I was actually putting time on the field. I maintained my lead and was able to cross the line with arms raised as the 2012 National Champion. It was great to be racing with so many of my Atlas teammates from all over...we are a force to be reckoned with!

Some pictures from the day and other races this year:

Leading Nationals race from the gun

Second Lap looking strong. Yes those yellow tights are bold!

1st Place at Teva Games Snowshoe race

2nd Place at Beaver Creek #2 Snowshoe Race

1st Place Colorado State Championship (yes I know I'm standing in the 2nd place spot)

Xterra World Championships

Very pleased with my 7th place at the 2011 Xterra World Championships and being the first American Woman! I was excited that the course changed venues simply because I wanted to see and experience a different part of Maui. The new course in Kapalua was less technical than the old course but was just as demanding with lots of steep climbing on both the bike and run.

My super supporter Doug made me pose for the camera for some "scenic shots"

SWIM- The new swim course was in a less sheltered area than the old course and all the "real swimmers" were looking forward to big surf. The two days before the race there were good sized waves but nothing too scary for this "always worried about sharks" kind of ocean swimmer. Race day the water was about as smooth as a lake but that didn't prevent me from almost drowning. When 675 people start together on a small beach there is no way to avoid some level of chaos. The bottle neck at the first buoy was so bad that I had men swimming on top of me and pushing me under the water. Panic ensued for me and I had a vision of being pushed under water and not being able to get back to the surface. I stopped and screamed loudly for everyone to "stop it". Well, nobody stopped being aggressive and I had to doggie paddle my way around the first buoy and find a little bit of clear water to regain my composure. I stayed with a group of women for the remainder of the 1st lap and was able to pull ahead of a few of them on the second lap. Coming out of the water into T1 I had no idea how many women were in front of me. In T1 I saw Suzie, Emma and Renata and knew I would need to get moving quickly on the bike.

BIKE- I only was able to pre-ride the first 4 miles or so of the course, as I didn't think it would be smart to try and ride the whole thing 2 days before the race. Doug was able to ride the entire course for me and warned me to pace myself and not be too ambitious on the first few climbs to avoid blowing up on the upper climbs. I'm so glad I listened to his advice as the climbs were indeed long and steep. My performance on the bike was good but nothing to write home about. This time of year gets hard for me as there are very few hours of light before and after work for me to get longer rides in. I think next year I'll have to suck it up and get on the trainer or do some big night rides to be able to maintain my bike power and fitness until Worlds. I still climbed well and felt strong but just lacked that "perfect feeling". Renata remained ahead of me on the bike from the start and I never saw her again. I passed Suzie early in the bike and fell behind Carina and Danelle who both looked very strong when they passed me. I could see Specialized teammate Emma for most of the bike but she and I were clearly going the exact same speed and it wasn't until the last 4 miles that I caught and passed her. The downhill sections were not technical except when I was behind a pack of men and was left riding in a red dust cloud so thick that I couldn't see at all. My biggest focus on the bike was hydrating and this was something that I executed perfectly. I drank my entire Camelback, a large bottle with Infinit and about half a small bottle of water at both aid stations.

RUN- I was feeling strong coming out of T2 but didn't know what to expect on the run other than a long climb and long descent. I was told I was in 9th place and that 5th place was only 2:30 ahead. If I honored my roots as a runner and my abilities I thought I could maybe make up that 2:30 and get on the box. I passed fellow Coloradan Kelly Cullen within the first mile and could tell the heat was not agreeing with her. She was one of many that were slowed by or fell victim to the heat. Fellow Specialized rider Melanie was leading and had an assumed victory until she collapsed within a few hundred meters of the finish. This was heartbreaking to hear yet amazing to see someone push themselves above and beyond their limits as an athlete in pursuit of excellence. I didn't pass any other women on the run and assumed I was in 8th place. At the top of the climb I saw Emma was not far behind me and I kept pushing the downhills hoping to get away. My focus for the last 3 miles of the run was centered on my breath and not the fact that my quads were cramping up with every step. When I got to the last 1/2 mile of the run I heard I was in 7th. Through the stream bed and onto the beach sections I could see the 6th place girl in front of me and thought for sure I could catch her. I tried to pick up the pace but I felt like I was running in slow motion. This was confirmed when Doug was able to keep up with me. The last bit to the finish was up a steep grassy hill...cruel to say the least! Up this hill my stride got a little wobbly, I did some weaving and I wasn't sure I'd make it for a brief moment. Luckily that moment was about 50 feet before the finish line and I did indeed make it as the 1st American and 7th overall!

The beach run and the hill to the finish were brutal

Congratulations to Women's winner Lesley who was very deserving of her victory on a tough day! While the race was missing last year's Champion Shonny as well as Julie (both out due to injury) the field was stacked and fast with the addition of some ITU girls. It is so exciting to see how fast the women continue to get and hopefully we are making the races more interesting as the "battle for the box" gets closer.

Wow, all that dirt makes my teeth look really white. Not sure my brain was working in this picture.

Huge thanks to all my sponsors for their support this year! Specialized, you make the best hardtail 29er a little 5'3" girl could want! Native, you are a super fun company to partner with and I always know I have the most styling shades on! Honey Stinger, I could eat your chews for dessert. In fact, I sometimes have to resist the temptation to do just this! Infinit, my custom drink blend leaves me strong, even in the hot, humid Hawaii climate! NoTubes, the super light and durable wheels are genuine pieces of artwork! Avia, your shoes leave me blister free and fast! Squadra, what can I say, your kits make me look good (and are super comfortable)!

I'm happy with another great season of racing and look forward to building upon my success next year! However, if you need me in the next few weeks I'll be at the gym reading a magazine on the eliptical machine.

Run, Sara, Run

The last two weekends I took advantage of some local cross country races to take me back to my roots and boost my speed factor. I have such fond memories of high school cross country...running down "potato chip alley" (a path of crunchy leaves), taking cookie breaks at friends houses along our routes and getting stuck in a blizzard on the way to the State meet to name a few. I've come to rely too much on my background of running and always end up neglecting my run training a little. Nothing like a few hard races to get me back on track. Last weekend was the CU Rocky Mountain Shootout where I toed the line with lots of fast college girls. I ended up 27th in a talented field and had the post race hack to remind myself how painful a 23 minute race is. Today, I ran the Coal Creek XC race and 38 minutes proved to be equally painful. I did take the win and came home with a case a beer to ease my aching muscles.

Some photos of my 23 minutes of pain:

A Few Nationals Photos

Photo Credit: Xterra

Photo Credit: Kristen McFarland

Xterra USA National Championships

Xterra USA Nationals was made super exciting this year by the appearance of Lance. The hype was a little much at times but the crowds were amazing! Never in an Xterra have I seen spectators at so many places on the bike and run. Thanks Lance for making our sport a little more known! Also, thanks to all my great sponsors for the support throughout the year: Native, Specialized, Infinit, Avia, No Tubes, Honey Stinger and Squadra!

Doug's good childhood friend was getting married last weekend so he was partying on the East Coast, leaving me without my favorite travel partner or mechanic. Congrats Fran and Candice! Sorry I couldn't be there! After a long solo drive on Thursday I rode the new part of the course and had to stop several times to enjoy the spectacular views. Friday was spent relaxing and doing some light pre-race workouts.

The Xterra Nationals course should be perfect for me as there is so much climbing. Turns out for the last 3 years the trails around Snowbasin and I don't get along as well as we should. I finished the day in 8th with the 5th place podium spot I was gunning for only about 2 minutes ahead of me. Here's a quick break down of the day:

Swim:

For the first time the pros got our own wave and started 30 seconds before the amateurs. I started the swim next to many women and just a few places down from Lance. It seemed like we would have a direct line to the first bouy but the blinding sun led us astray way to the right. Or maybe it was the excessive number of kayaks and boats that caused us to get lost. Anyways, I managed to get back on course and had a good swim hanging with a small group of pro men. I came out of the water in 6th, which is great for me! I'm sure it's against all coaching beliefs but it seems the less I swim the faster I race.

Bike:

This is where I should shine on this course based on my skills. Not so, this year though. Don't get me wrong I was still fast but somehow I just didn't have the power in my legs that was there a few weeks ago. I passed Suzy about 3 miles into the bike and knew there were woman chasing me and probably not too far ahead of me. I was trying to pick up the pace but kept finding myself feeling "off". After being passed by Danelle, I held my 5th place spot on the bike until the top of the Sardine climb, when Shonny (aka the toughest woman out there racing with a torn ACL) passed me. I knew Emma was right behind me and we ended up riding into transition together. I must say Emma and I look good in our almost matching kits!

Run:

I had a less than speedy transition because of the obnoxious buckles on my bike shoes. I'm hoping to get a pair of the Specialized TriVent Terra shoes to help me speed out of transition like a bolt of lightening. Out of transition I could see Shonny, Christine and Emma all right in front of me. Once we were up the super steep hill and to the singletrack they pulled away and my legs would not respond when I tried to pick up the pace. And I can't believe that I ate it not once but twice on the run again. The first time was a minor spill about 1.5 miles in and the second was a little more painful at about 3 miles. I jammed my big toe on a rock and thought I might have broken my toenail off. Then, I started to feel what I assumed was blood in my shoe. As always, whether it's a good day or bad day I did my best and made my way to the finish, coming across the line in 8th. I took my shoe off to see a very bloody foot. The medical staff thought a few stitches would be a good idea but I suggest a little glue instead. Thankfully, they agreed this would be adequate.

Not my best day but it is pretty amazing how fast all of us ladies are and the races are getting more exciting because we are so close. Congrats to Specialized teammates Mel for taking the win and Emma for getting on the podium in 5th. See all you speedy ladies in Maui!

What the?!?! - Xterra Canada

Doug strongly encouraged me to race Xterra Canadian National Championships which are conveniently held in Whistler, his dreamland of big mountains and endless mountain bike trails. Doug assured me he would be a great support for me if I went to this race. And, indeed he was a great support, but nobody could help me enough with the challenges of this race. This race was arguably one of the toughest Xterras out there. I knew the course would be challenging but after pre-riding one lap I wanted to cry. The course was two laps of 9km. Doesn't seem that long right? Hmmm, seems to have taken me two hours to do this during the race. Raised bridges, big old roots, raised bridges, oh did I mention all the skinny bridges. Not good for this girl who is still relatively new to mountain biking and has a small fear of heights. After digesting the course I went out for another lap on Saturday and actually started to have fun. I was clearing and able to ride about 95% of the course and was feeling confident. The pictures below are a small sampling of the many bridges on the River Runs Through it Trail that was part of our 9km loop.

On to race day. We swam two loops and the way out was straight into the sun..not fun. It was disheartening when we got close to the first buoy and the whole group I was swimming with cut the buoy in a major way. I ended up swimming backwards to ensure I went around the first buoy rather than following the masses on their shortcut. I still managed to almost catch up to some of the group that I was with and was the 3rd woman out.

I opted for my Specialized Era since I didn't know exactly what the course would be like and for me more suspension is usually better. My bike worked flawlessly. It was all about the operator having a rough day that caused me to move backwards in a hurry. Trying to ride the course at race pace was very challenging for me and I messed up so many times on sections that I rode perfectly the day before. I hate to say it but I was a mental weeine and really struggled to keep my head on straight. I kept trucking along and "survived" the bike hoping that I could at least have a fast run. And indeed I was running fast until bam I fell really hard on my right side and jammed my left foot into a big root. I told myself get up, shake it off and focus so that doesn't happen again and then bam again I went down this time wiping some skin off my left hand. Seriously, I thought I was a runner. The course was so hilly and full of rocks and roots that I think the trail beat me down and my hip flexors did not want to lift my legs up anymore. In the end I passed one girl on the run but wasn't close to catching anyone else. I ended up 6th on what was one of my roughest days since starting Xterra. Yes, I was bummed to say the least. However, I had to put it all in perspective. I am so lucky to have the ability to maintain a job and a sport I love, I have great friends and family that encourage me along my journey and heck I still had 3 more days of vacation in Whistler to enjoy.

Doug and I hit the slopes of Whistler for some downhilling and I left feeling confident that yes, I can ride a mountain bike. I'm a little worried that I liked dowhilling a bit too much and want to get my hands on a proper downhill bike.

Doug hitting a big drop

Me getting some sweet air

Next up is Xterra Nationals in Ogden, Utah. To say I'm excited is an understatement! My mountain goat climbing skills will come in handy and the S-works 29er will be a superb weapon of choice.

Sunday on Lookout

Super exciting Sunday hanging with the crowds on Lookout Mountain watching the US Pro Cycling Challenge. The energy was unbelievable! Here's to hoping it comes back for years to come. Highlight was a young boy, maybe 7 years old, on a mini-me road bike being told by his dad to "dial it back a litte" as he raced up Lookout. He was hurting his old man and loving it...wish we had a video of it.