RACE TURLOCK LAKE ROAD RACE – NOR CAL DISTRICT MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP – SAT. MARCH 28, 2015
Where to start! Well, first off, the scheduling of our state championship as essentially the season opener was a bit…weird/frustrating! Who is in shape in March for a Big Race? OK, the cyclocross girls are! ☺ But I have been back on my bike for just a short time, having had weirdly unsettling health issues that flattened me for all of last summer/fall/winter training and racing. Things are cleared up finally and it is an absolute JOY to be able to ride again! But I have not been training yet, just listening to my body and riding gently 95% of the time, and until three weeks ago, riding only 3 days a week. Suddenly, our championship race is announced and with not too much lead time! YIKES!! Naturally, I started stepping things up a bit, and thankfully rode the course the preceding week. It is a rolling course23 mile lap in green, green ranch land – absolutely beautiful this time of year! And by rolling, I mean long roads with continuous rollers, the first has longer little hills, the second, and crucial one, has fifteen – yes, I counted! – 15 “pop-overs”! The kind that take Real Power! So with an adjustment to my training, I readied for an event now just three short weeks away.
I LOVE racing, but have to admit, was a lil bit concerned about how this would feel. Would my heart rhythm support a short, intense race? Masters 60-64 women were racing just one lap – 23 miles! That means one thing – SPEED! It is actually easier to race it as a 46 mile race than to go top end, but…it is what is it, and I LOVE bike racing! ☺
So to ease myself into the event, I arrived just over two hours early – perfect for a relaxed set-up and registration. Our wave started at 12:30 – LOVE not getting up at 4:30 am to race! I knew it would take me 10 miles to prepare for the burst of speed we’d get at the start, and there was a nearby road with a couple of good lil hills. Perfect! Catching up with race buddies I hadn’t seen since last summer – priceless! One hour before my start I took HAMMER Anti-Fatigue, Mito Cap, Race Caps, and 2 Endurolytes, and a bit of Espresso Gel, which I always take with me in my flask. One might think I wouldn’t need these for such a short race – but I knew it would be intense from the gun…
And it was! Our group of five 60+ formed an immediate pace line and we worked hard to catch the younger race in front of us. What a thrill to pace line with experienced racers! We were hauling and it was hard – and fun! I ride alone 95% of the time, so this was a real treat! Sara Sterns, an enthusiastic, new racer, dropped back on the first hill. The remaining four of us kept working hard, and eyeing one another to see how things might play out. We caught a pack for the 55+ race and worked with them for a bit. Rounding the turn into the fourth of five roads, we hit headwind (15 mph) and the pop-overs, and I thought I saw “Reno” ahead in with the 55s. Jenny Frayer, from Reno is a very experienced and fierce competitor and I didn’t want her to escape, so I pushed hard for the next couple of minutes…and it turned out she was right behind me, with the rest of my group. I’d mistaken her jersey and was going after an inconsequential rider. Bad mistake – and I paid. The pop-overs were getting harder and I was talking to my legs more and more, and I slowly drifted back. Closed again, then drifted back a few more times…until, with four pop-overs to go, I was officially OTB and the follow car moved in…oh, I hate that!
The dang pop-overs came to a merciful end and turning onto a main road never felt so good! Smooth pave and a tail wind! Anything can happen, and with four miles remaining, I hauled to the finish line. Reno had taken it, and the other two, Katherine Boorner and Narda Roushdi were in the 65+. Two minutes down, I earned a silver medal.
Our podium photos say it all – we had a Fiercely Fun Race and enjoyed the moment! I felt fine, and my heart rate had been fine – no issues. I’m happy with how I rode because I was able to maintain on so little training. It was sunny and California warm and hanging out with racer buddies was perfect! Next up: Mariposa Stage Race in May! Then District/state championship in Sattley in June...and a Brand New Challenge - Silver State 508 Relay w Patti Jo Struvis in September! I can't wait❗️
Thank you, HAMMER Nutrition for your support! Racing in PINK really stands out in Nor Cal!
HAMMER powered: Premium Insurance Caps, mito caps, race caps, anti-fatigue caps. Hydration: Endurolytes, calories: espresso gel, Hammer bar, Perpeteum tabs. Post race: Recoverite.
Photos by my friend Liisa Travis. Permission granted to use in promotion/advertising.
REPORTS: Berkeley Hills Road Race - May 10 - 54 miles
Berkeley Hills Race details: Start time at 8:30 - up at 4. :-( But I love racing, so Just Do It! :-)
A more casual warm-up thru the parking lots after getting lost and arriving a bit pressed for time. Today I raced in a pack of ~ 25 riders, but they were 3s mixed in with
35s, so it went fast as soon as we climbed out of the park and onto the main road into the wind. Fast is fun, but they are faster than I am and again, I was on my own far too soon. At the end of each lap we climbed “the bears” - baby bear, mama bear, and the final unrelenting papa bear. There is a gain of almost 1000’ in this 2 mile stretch, and we did it 3 times. This was a tough day, and memories of being the winner several times over made me realize how things have changed in the 20 years I was away from cycling. I miss being one of the Top Dogs, but it looks like I’ll have to earn my way back to the top one painful race at a time. I rode it hard and still
liked racing by the time I was done, and although I placed 4 from the end, at least I earned a place, not the dreaded DNP.
It was hard to finish so far back as a HAMMER Girl; I felt like I’d let down my sponsor. But - there is always much to learn and think about, and clearly, TTs are
becoming more and more my specialty. I’ve always loved ‘em, and will focus more in that direction through the rest of the season. I race again in another week, and then plan to take 3-4 days to back off and rest a bit, then gear up for Sattley - NorCal TT Championship and nationals.
Fueling:
Immediately following my race - 2 scoops of Recoverite mixed with the remainder of my second bottle, followed by dinner a couple of hours later. HAMMER is great product, with plenty of personal advice, and scientifically designed fueling for success in all events endurance
It is a pleasure representing a company I truly believe in and use daily. If you are interested, contact me for a 15% discount on your first order!
Heres what I take:
Ecaps (4-7 daily), Race Caps Supreme, Mito Caps, Boron, Phytomax, and Tissue Rejuvinator.
Thank you to those who are helping me reach my goals this season:
HAMMER Nutrition * Recovery Boots * Dr. Edward Chu, ART Therapy * Town Center Bike & TriMarnene Waid - Serenity Springs, Massage therapy * Joe Santos, bike fit specialist, Davis Wheel Works
RACE
REPORTS: Wente Road Race - April 26 - 34 miles Castro Valley TT = April 27 - 11 miles
Pre-race: Start time at 12:30 - nice!! Got there early and visited with Mike Freeman our local HAMMER guru. Great trainer warm-up, and I felt ready for a good race, and an overnight with a good friend, Jamie so I could race a TT tomorrow in Livermore.
Wente Race details: Roughly 4 miles to the decisive hill where things blew apart and I was on my own. This was a tough and WINDY 3-lap course, but I chased and rode with others as I caught them and then passed or got passed as the terrain changed. Steep climbs went ok, steep curvy descent no so much, but the more I race the stronger I will be. As I climbed the final hill my breathing turned to uncontrollable coughing and I crossed the line feeling worse than I could imagine. It is hard to imagine that 34 miles could feel this bad, but my Recoverite really helps and ridning back to the start line was uneventful.
Castro Valley TT race details: I awoke with dead tired legs in spite of Hammer Recovery drink, potato, chicken, and salad dinner, Recovery Boots, and a good night’s sleep. I arrived to a chilly, wet 11 mile course that was open to traffic and full of tight turns. As I drove the course, I became convinced that I would not be able to spend much time on my TT bars, and was a bit panicky over the frequency of cars on this low visibility course. I decided to race my road bike, as there were just 2 of entered in my age group (60+) and Mary Ellen Allen holds several national records. I opted to race low risk , but also knew that I was chickening out and letting
myself off the hook. I placed my numbers on my jersey and started a trainer warm-up, changed my mind and re-pinned to my tri top, continued warming up, and once I was completing my road warm up, re-pinned yet again back to my warmer jersey. Yep - it was cold and I was feeling …distracted and scattered. Soon into the race I was having breathing issues and although I tried to race all-out, this was one of those days when it just wasn’t there. Cars flew by on this no-shoulder course, and miles from the finish I had to STOP for a couple of equestrians who insisted that I did NOT have thright of way! Cheeze - They had their horses across the whole road, while I track stood and begged to go by. So … it was a horribly slow time on a cold and wet day on tired legs and waning enthusiasm. I was glad to be done and put it on my list of “not next year” races. (Wente, on the other hand, although I did not show well and had a very tough time, is on my list of next year - safe and challenging course, one I want to do better on.)
Was it fun? Saturday yes, Sunday, not so much. I love racing, so go home and to get back to training.
Fueling:
Immediately following both races - 2 scoops of Recoverite mixed with the remainder of my second bottle, followed by dinner a couple of hours later.
HAMMER is great product, with plenty of personal advice, and scientifically designed fueling for success in all events endurance
It is a pleasure representing a company I truly believe in and use daily. If you are interested, contact me for a 15% discount on your first order!
Heres what I take: Ecaps (4-7 daily), Race Caps Supreme, Mito Caps, Boron, Phytomax, and Tissue Rejuvinator.
Thank you to those who are helping me reach my goals this season: HAMMER Nutrition * Recovery Boots * Dr. Edward Chu, ART Therapy * Town Center Bike
& Tri * Marnene Waid - Serenity Springs, Massage therapy * Joe Santos, bike fit specialist, Davis Wheel Works
Where to start! Well, first off, the scheduling of our state championship as essentially the season opener was a bit…weird/frustrating! Who is in shape in March for a Big Race? OK, the cyclocross girls are! ☺ But I have been back on my bike for just a short time, having had weirdly unsettling health issues that flattened me for all of last summer/fall/winter training and racing. Things are cleared up finally and it is an absolute JOY to be able to ride again! But I have not been training yet, just listening to my body and riding gently 95% of the time, and until three weeks ago, riding only 3 days a week. Suddenly, our championship race is announced and with not too much lead time! YIKES!! Naturally, I started stepping things up a bit, and thankfully rode the course the preceding week. It is a rolling course23 mile lap in green, green ranch land – absolutely beautiful this time of year! And by rolling, I mean long roads with continuous rollers, the first has longer little hills, the second, and crucial one, has fifteen – yes, I counted! – 15 “pop-overs”! The kind that take Real Power! So with an adjustment to my training, I readied for an event now just three short weeks away.
I LOVE racing, but have to admit, was a lil bit concerned about how this would feel. Would my heart rhythm support a short, intense race? Masters 60-64 women were racing just one lap – 23 miles! That means one thing – SPEED! It is actually easier to race it as a 46 mile race than to go top end, but…it is what is it, and I LOVE bike racing! ☺
So to ease myself into the event, I arrived just over two hours early – perfect for a relaxed set-up and registration. Our wave started at 12:30 – LOVE not getting up at 4:30 am to race! I knew it would take me 10 miles to prepare for the burst of speed we’d get at the start, and there was a nearby road with a couple of good lil hills. Perfect! Catching up with race buddies I hadn’t seen since last summer – priceless! One hour before my start I took HAMMER Anti-Fatigue, Mito Cap, Race Caps, and 2 Endurolytes, and a bit of Espresso Gel, which I always take with me in my flask. One might think I wouldn’t need these for such a short race – but I knew it would be intense from the gun…
And it was! Our group of five 60+ formed an immediate pace line and we worked hard to catch the younger race in front of us. What a thrill to pace line with experienced racers! We were hauling and it was hard – and fun! I ride alone 95% of the time, so this was a real treat! Sara Sterns, an enthusiastic, new racer, dropped back on the first hill. The remaining four of us kept working hard, and eyeing one another to see how things might play out. We caught a pack for the 55+ race and worked with them for a bit. Rounding the turn into the fourth of five roads, we hit headwind (15 mph) and the pop-overs, and I thought I saw “Reno” ahead in with the 55s. Jenny Frayer, from Reno is a very experienced and fierce competitor and I didn’t want her to escape, so I pushed hard for the next couple of minutes…and it turned out she was right behind me, with the rest of my group. I’d mistaken her jersey and was going after an inconsequential rider. Bad mistake – and I paid. The pop-overs were getting harder and I was talking to my legs more and more, and I slowly drifted back. Closed again, then drifted back a few more times…until, with four pop-overs to go, I was officially OTB and the follow car moved in…oh, I hate that!
The dang pop-overs came to a merciful end and turning onto a main road never felt so good! Smooth pave and a tail wind! Anything can happen, and with four miles remaining, I hauled to the finish line. Reno had taken it, and the other two, Katherine Boorner and Narda Roushdi were in the 65+. Two minutes down, I earned a silver medal.
Our podium photos say it all – we had a Fiercely Fun Race and enjoyed the moment! I felt fine, and my heart rate had been fine – no issues. I’m happy with how I rode because I was able to maintain on so little training. It was sunny and California warm and hanging out with racer buddies was perfect! Next up: Mariposa Stage Race in May! Then District/state championship in Sattley in June...and a Brand New Challenge - Silver State 508 Relay w Patti Jo Struvis in September! I can't wait❗️
Thank you, HAMMER Nutrition for your support! Racing in PINK really stands out in Nor Cal!
HAMMER powered: Premium Insurance Caps, mito caps, race caps, anti-fatigue caps. Hydration: Endurolytes, calories: espresso gel, Hammer bar, Perpeteum tabs. Post race: Recoverite.
Photos by my friend Liisa Travis. Permission granted to use in promotion/advertising.
REPORTS: Berkeley Hills Road Race - May 10 - 54 miles
Berkeley Hills Race details: Start time at 8:30 - up at 4. :-( But I love racing, so Just Do It! :-)
A more casual warm-up thru the parking lots after getting lost and arriving a bit pressed for time. Today I raced in a pack of ~ 25 riders, but they were 3s mixed in with
35s, so it went fast as soon as we climbed out of the park and onto the main road into the wind. Fast is fun, but they are faster than I am and again, I was on my own far too soon. At the end of each lap we climbed “the bears” - baby bear, mama bear, and the final unrelenting papa bear. There is a gain of almost 1000’ in this 2 mile stretch, and we did it 3 times. This was a tough day, and memories of being the winner several times over made me realize how things have changed in the 20 years I was away from cycling. I miss being one of the Top Dogs, but it looks like I’ll have to earn my way back to the top one painful race at a time. I rode it hard and still
liked racing by the time I was done, and although I placed 4 from the end, at least I earned a place, not the dreaded DNP.
It was hard to finish so far back as a HAMMER Girl; I felt like I’d let down my sponsor. But - there is always much to learn and think about, and clearly, TTs are
becoming more and more my specialty. I’ve always loved ‘em, and will focus more in that direction through the rest of the season. I race again in another week, and then plan to take 3-4 days to back off and rest a bit, then gear up for Sattley - NorCal TT Championship and nationals.
Fueling:
Immediately following my race - 2 scoops of Recoverite mixed with the remainder of my second bottle, followed by dinner a couple of hours later. HAMMER is great product, with plenty of personal advice, and scientifically designed fueling for success in all events endurance
It is a pleasure representing a company I truly believe in and use daily. If you are interested, contact me for a 15% discount on your first order!
Heres what I take:
Ecaps (4-7 daily), Race Caps Supreme, Mito Caps, Boron, Phytomax, and Tissue Rejuvinator.
Thank you to those who are helping me reach my goals this season:
HAMMER Nutrition * Recovery Boots * Dr. Edward Chu, ART Therapy * Town Center Bike & TriMarnene Waid - Serenity Springs, Massage therapy * Joe Santos, bike fit specialist, Davis Wheel Works
RACE
REPORTS: Wente Road Race - April 26 - 34 miles Castro Valley TT = April 27 - 11 miles
Pre-race: Start time at 12:30 - nice!! Got there early and visited with Mike Freeman our local HAMMER guru. Great trainer warm-up, and I felt ready for a good race, and an overnight with a good friend, Jamie so I could race a TT tomorrow in Livermore.
Wente Race details: Roughly 4 miles to the decisive hill where things blew apart and I was on my own. This was a tough and WINDY 3-lap course, but I chased and rode with others as I caught them and then passed or got passed as the terrain changed. Steep climbs went ok, steep curvy descent no so much, but the more I race the stronger I will be. As I climbed the final hill my breathing turned to uncontrollable coughing and I crossed the line feeling worse than I could imagine. It is hard to imagine that 34 miles could feel this bad, but my Recoverite really helps and ridning back to the start line was uneventful.
Castro Valley TT race details: I awoke with dead tired legs in spite of Hammer Recovery drink, potato, chicken, and salad dinner, Recovery Boots, and a good night’s sleep. I arrived to a chilly, wet 11 mile course that was open to traffic and full of tight turns. As I drove the course, I became convinced that I would not be able to spend much time on my TT bars, and was a bit panicky over the frequency of cars on this low visibility course. I decided to race my road bike, as there were just 2 of entered in my age group (60+) and Mary Ellen Allen holds several national records. I opted to race low risk , but also knew that I was chickening out and letting
myself off the hook. I placed my numbers on my jersey and started a trainer warm-up, changed my mind and re-pinned to my tri top, continued warming up, and once I was completing my road warm up, re-pinned yet again back to my warmer jersey. Yep - it was cold and I was feeling …distracted and scattered. Soon into the race I was having breathing issues and although I tried to race all-out, this was one of those days when it just wasn’t there. Cars flew by on this no-shoulder course, and miles from the finish I had to STOP for a couple of equestrians who insisted that I did NOT have thright of way! Cheeze - They had their horses across the whole road, while I track stood and begged to go by. So … it was a horribly slow time on a cold and wet day on tired legs and waning enthusiasm. I was glad to be done and put it on my list of “not next year” races. (Wente, on the other hand, although I did not show well and had a very tough time, is on my list of next year - safe and challenging course, one I want to do better on.)
Was it fun? Saturday yes, Sunday, not so much. I love racing, so go home and to get back to training.
Fueling:
Immediately following both races - 2 scoops of Recoverite mixed with the remainder of my second bottle, followed by dinner a couple of hours later.
HAMMER is great product, with plenty of personal advice, and scientifically designed fueling for success in all events endurance
It is a pleasure representing a company I truly believe in and use daily. If you are interested, contact me for a 15% discount on your first order!
Heres what I take: Ecaps (4-7 daily), Race Caps Supreme, Mito Caps, Boron, Phytomax, and Tissue Rejuvinator.
Thank you to those who are helping me reach my goals this season: HAMMER Nutrition * Recovery Boots * Dr. Edward Chu, ART Therapy * Town Center Bike
& Tri * Marnene Waid - Serenity Springs, Massage therapy * Joe Santos, bike fit specialist, Davis Wheel Works
April 6-7 - TopSport Stage Race - Woodward Res 54 miler - done! Racing with 23 year olds is...Not Easy! But every race is making me stronger, and...I didn't finish last! Got to paceline with some college girls for a lap And then put my head down in 15 mph wind and TT'd to the finish. Tomorrow: 11 mi hilly TT and 25 mile FAST circuit race! Time to Recoverite, eat, and Recovery Boot! I love racing! Notice where i put my Race Cap and Mito Cap for mid-race use !
100 miles of racing this weekend, pace set by 20 & 30-somethings! Yikes! I hung on for as long as possible in all 3 races, on hilly windy roads near Copperopolis and Woodward Res. Met new friends, formed race alliances, and rode like ... Crazy ! Hoping to beat a few 60+ gals when I get to the Big Races, and training like this is crucial. And fun, in that demented sort of way. "Put your head down and Go. Hard. Then Go. Harder. Until you cross the line." HAMMER sure helps, and Recovery Boots, and chicken pie for dinner . I love racing, so it was a Great Day !
Turlock RR - Sat. Mar.29, 2014
Pre-race: After checking the weather about a dozen times, I finally went to bed convinced I’d be able to race rain-free. And my pre-race routine went just fine - except that my morning protein-fruity smoothie was giving me stomach gurgles - for the third week in a row…so it is time to adjust and maybe drink it with a 3-hour window to race start. Got a sufficient warm-up in the lots near the start, maybe 4 miles, but didn’t feel race-alert, and was wondering if I’d be ready to ramp up the speed when they got it going, what with racing a bunch of kids yet again. I’m old enough to be their grandma!
Race details: This is a 2-lap course, about 22 miles per lap, with a county line sprint 6 miles from the start. Last year I got dropped at this sprint, and had to TT for 38 miles - I was not about to let that happen again! So I became the aggressor, and attacked as soon as we had the whole road, about 4 miles in. I’ve been practicing cornering so that I could approach these turns without fear, and that is how I raced the whole course. I must have attacked 10-12 times and stayed with the pack until 7 miles to go J This is the best I’ve done this past two years and I was racing happy and hard the whole time. I was hoping that repeated attacks would wear out a few of my group so that I could place, but alas, that did not happen. We had the 1-2-3s with us (I am racing the 35+), but they are all pretty strong and we stayed together thru the rollers and into the headwind. At times I even led the pack and for me, that was exciting! I saw the photographer out there, but nothing with me in the lead appeared online - what a bummer! I was strong throughout and took a Mito Cap and Race Cap at the end of the first lap (I tape them to a piece of reversed electrical tape on my top tube) and continued to feel strong. I also used my gel flask a couple of times and grape fizz electrolyte in my bottle. Seven miles from the finish we rounded a corner and faced the last set of rollers. I attacked one more time - but I was no match for them (the rested ones!) and I was dropped. Anything can happen, so I put my head down and worked, hoping for the best. I came in right behind the finish line crash, grateful not to be a part of that! I ended up 8th of the 10 in my race, so no podium finish for me L BUT- I was only 2:00 down on the pack, and that is a huge improvement from last year, and even last month! Those intervals are paying off! Another racer told me if they’d had a Most Aggressive award, I’d have won it. (Of course, it could also have been called the Impatient Award, or the Not Too Bright Award, since my tactic didn’t work, but since I have no chance in a sprint finish, I still think it was worth a try - and it made the race a lot more fun. If I had teammates in my race, things would play out differently.)
Warmed down with a new racer friend from San Jose. We talked about working as a team next time we race - that would be a great idea! J
What I'd do differently: Form an alliance with another rider.
Was it fun? Yes, I love to race ! J I played the HAPPY song all the way home! This was my best race since my comeback - I felt comfortable on the course, and comfortable being aggressive. It will all pay offwhen I am racing 60+ races at states and nationals! J
Thank you to those who are helping me reach my goals this season:
HAMMER Nutrition * Recovery Boots * Dr. Edward Chu, ART Therapy * Town Center Bike & Tri
Marnene Waid - Serenity Springs, Massage Therapy * Joe Santos, bike fit specialist, Davis Wheel Works
This is the only photo from the race; I’m on the right. Winner Chelsea Brown is to my right- she is 25 years old! I’m old enough to be her grandma!
She is also a very smart and tactical racer - with an awesome sprint!