On commuting...

I have to say, I absolutely LOVE that I've been able to commute to work more in the last week. You see, I recently changed jobs. No small part of my decision was that my choices for getting to work are now bike, run, or walk... And my bike ride to work now takes just as long as my drive to work used to!

I dusted off my commuter...

Okay, I took off the basket and panniers - I don't have to carry NEARLY as much stuff for a 19 minute commute! - And off I went to my first day!

It's been a couple days now, and I'm looking forward to not driving more and more. There's a kind of freedom that comes from not having to get in a car, put on your seatbelt, start it, and start driving. All there is to do is hop on your bike and go.  And if it's raining (like today), I can always walk!  But with views like these, who wants to do that...?

Cleat malfunction not 1 but 2!

I thought this was worth sharing! I found myself 30 miles out on my ride today unable to clip in with my right or left cleat. To say this was frustrating is an understatement when I had 30 miles to ride back home including a couple decent climbs. After 5 stops and multiple tools and cleanings....still no dice. However I am proud to say I got through it by soft-pedaling and when out of the saddle climbing kept my feet very still. It amazes me sometimes what we have to do to make it home safely, and I am so grateful. Once home after more manipulating and a little lube was able to fix both cleats....lesson....perhaps I will carry a small tube of lube on my rides! 😀

Ah, motivation...

It seems like motivation, or maybe a lack of it, has been a theme for a while. In the life of an endurance athlete, it's important. Motivation can make you feel invincible. Lack of it can make you feel completely worthless. I've struggled throughout the beginning of this year with motivation. Made me feel horrible. I went from consistent 30-50 mile running weeks and running ultras to sitting on the couch, unable to make myself do anything. I didn't gain weight, per se, but everything certainly rearranged itself around my body. I signed up for some races, ones that truly scared me, to see if that would help. It didn't. I was reduced to 25 and 30 minute sessions, spinning bored on my trainer. It was all I could make myself do. I'd run, "to the park and back." At 1.4 miles, a far cry from where I used to be. And it was hard. Not just a little bit hard, it was HARD. Like, I'd never run that far hard. 

Then I had a conversation with my husband. In one of his (rare ;-) moments of insight, he told me to be patient. That I've now been running, biking, climbing, and an athlete (I have such an issue considering myself as such) for 20 years now.  That I know damned well I can get it back. Just be patient. Now, that has never been my strong suit. ESPECIALLY not with myself. 

 I realized he had a point. And (gasp!) he was right. I thought some things through, decided to bail out on the running race that I didn't have a prayer of finishing upright, and give somebody on the wait list that truly deserved the spot a chance. Made me feel better, actually. 

That was two weeks ago. And damned if I don't suddenly have the motivation to go out and just run again.

And ride my bike, for that matter.... Patience, people!

Continued Motivation

Since embarking on a new journey and dedication to track cycling this year, I have a few quotes that I find myself revisiting with increased frequency when training starts to take its toll.

• It takes years of hard work to become an overnight success - Gary Mack

• Motivation gets you going. Discipline keeps you going - Jim Ryan

I love both of these because they remind me that it's the hard work and time put in that is going to set me apart from the others and that I am being true to myself.  It also brings me comfort and reassurance of my goals during particularly difficult times....like when friends ask to meet up for dinner, go skiing or take a 2 hour bike ride.  The guilt of saying "no, I have to go to the gym/riding" weighed quite heavily on my heart for a while. At first it was "I have to", but after 4 months of devotion to my training, it's now "I choose to" because in reality, everything is a choice!  There is nobody forcing you to do anything, regardless of what you may think.  :-) 

But if you do set goals for yourself, hold fast to them and see them through because in the end, 

you are worth the investment!  :-D

And....if your goals happen to be learning something new, such as riding the velodrome, let me know!

Hee hee hee... 

Love life

KI found myself feeling a little down the past few days and then went out riding, and bam nothing but smiles! What a gift it is to ride a bike in Colorado encountering many other cyclists on a 65 degree day in early March! I am so grateful to be part of the bike ambassadors with so many amazing women and such diversity. I can't count how many people comment on how they love our kits and ask me about our sponsors. It's an amazing feeling to be a part of something great. I can't wait to see what the spring, fall, and summer hold for our small, but powerful team! 

January...

January. Oh, January. It's that weird first month of the year, when you're coming off the high of the holidays, but excited for the promise of the new year to come. It's the month when most race lotteries happen, and you start putting together some ideas of what craziness you're going to attempt THIS time. 

So you stare at the computer for the exact second that registration opens and give the race your money. You scramble around trying to find accommodations for whatever crazy you just signed up for.

And then, the training begins. The weather usually doesn't cooperate, so on the trainer you go...

Costa Rica commuting

Ride more driveless in Costa Rica! Commuting to the beach.... just a girl and her bike. Forgot how much fun cruiser bikes are! Not much more to say than that. 

Just One More Ride

After a long holiday break, lots of snow and way too much traveling, I finally got in my first bike commute of 2017. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that getting ready was a $hit show. I couldn't find my panniers and cold weather gloves, and the roads...oh the roads! Too many crunchy, icy spots to get the mind twitchy, the blood pressure up and the nerves rattled for a morning commute. But it wasn't as bad as I anticipated, and it was about time I got back into the commuter groove.



In 2016, I set a personal goal to #ridemoredriveless, for my health, my wallet and the environment. I even moved closer to Denver to ease up my overall commute time (and in protest of $17/day parking fees). I tested different assumptions about bike commuting - everything from required attire to lighting systems, from managing time to get to work and energy to commute and still ride for fun, and most importantly, how to manage my energy expenditure (aka sweat) and helmet head so I could arrive appropriately bright-eyed and professional.

My biggest mantra was simply to get on the bike and don't over think it. I learned to commute in a dress (and still prefer it to kitting out!), that donning a helmet with slight damp hairs = KILLER hair for the day, that a pan of brownies rides pretty well on a rear rack, that Colorado's network of bike paths are incredible and that panniers are everything.

Just for fun, I tallied my commutes for 2016. 99 total commutes to work, running errands and as a means of alternative transportation. One ride shy (if only I was paying attention!) and now sets my new goal for 2017. Here's to 100+ in 2017.

AC Recovery

5 weeks post LockDown procedure has this Bike Ambassador having anxiety spikes at the very sight of roadies all bundled up commuting as I drive to work down Baseline and Arapahoe. At Megan's suggestion and coach Kasey Clark assistance I turned my 20 year old Jamis mountain bike into a spinner (changing out tires and getting alignment set) for rehab in my home office which has been great yet the having the comradery of Defined Fitness Training spin class or just the feel of the road is missed.
I've learned through this process that anyone who considers their age 1st and their health 2nd are already defeated which only leads down a negative path that adds to any agreeable comeback. The personal argument of Road Racing or Crits is a constant but certain struggle. Being part of a team with others that have experienced the same issues and knowing I always have someone to back me up has truly made my recovery process seem more attainable. Goal setting with you gals is so positive!
Dr. took my sling away yesterday, PT 3 times a day with pulleys, spinning and eating right....hope to add weights in 2 weeks and be in Spin classes by mid February and road by March 1st??? Sneaking off to Loreto, Baja Mexico in week to escape this cold.

Bike Ambassadors are going to have a monster mileage year while conquering a few podiums. Can't wait Ladies!!!!