Today was 98.6mi, 3 QOMs (Queen of the Mountain...a climb that awards points to the top 5 riders at the top....which makes them go fastER), 2 Sprints (same thing top 5 get points, and in the end a special jeresy and, of course MONEY), and 3 Feed Zones.
The first 'event' was a sprint 22mi in....so, I guessed it would be fairly tame until then seeing the length and such...WRONGO! I don't know why or who or what...but it was blazin fast out of the gates...there was this hilly loop we did in the first 10-15 miles. I'd swear they were givin' out $1000 prizes, cause we were racing like we stole somethin!!
Man I barely survived these climbs...and what was hardest was knowing that you had all these miles, and super hard climbs coming, and sprints...so I had to really fight not to panic, and just focus on the one hill or section I was on...So finally we made it through all the Sprints...now we are at mile 30, and I am dying. I figured, 'now it will slow down' ...wrong again...now a break tried to get going...
Somewhere around mile 40ish we got a pee break, and then right before the first major climb of the day, at mile 60, it calmed down....but there were like 10 girls up the road w/ like 1 min at the base of the climb.
Ohh, that climb. It's the same one we did wed. And it's not too horrible, as in, not too steep. But that just means it's faster. It just seemed to go on forever today. Again there are the 6-8times I had to re-convince myself that I had more in me, and I could keep pushing. It's such a fine line of pushing hard, or standing around a hairpin turn that puts you over the edge....or not going all out for fear of going over the edge...I had to keep asking myself, "Is this the best you can do??", sometimes the answer was Yes, sometime it would make me dig again....So, I was with a group over the top, and then down the decent we picked up more and more...and through a flat section we caught more, then some caught us...and it was Groupetto at it's best....
Where people yell at the lead riders if they go to fast up climbs, and people are discouraged from pacelining....funny huh, how 5min ago we were all totally on the rivet...and now it's the opposite.
I enjoyed the ride home a 40mi venture. I imagined what it would be like in the front group I so long to be a part of. Probably don't get yelled at for going hard up the climbs.
Jen Stevenson, my teammate made that front group. She rode like herself today, I'm so happy for her. The group was about 30 riders. Armstrong and Amara Abbott were off, and Armstrong won by like 2 min was the rumor I heard.
My group finished at LEAST 25min behind. All smiling!
Crit tomorrow, YIKES. I always think everyone will be tired, and that will keep the pace down! And it's always the hardest crit of the season! I'll let ya know tomorrow.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Martinsburg
This stage was 19.6mi loops and we got to do 4. This course had NO QOMs, hallehulah!! But Sprints each lap at the S/F. It was a rolling course w/ no significant hills....so you know what that means....FAST!
And it was...I tried to get in a few early moves....then tried to go w/ THE move that stuck...and just didn't quite make it....man that burns to be so close!
After the break of like 10 went (w/ riders from all teams represented), we pretty much just rolled it in.
Lauren Faranges (sorry, I know that is WAY wrong), won! Catherine Cheatly (Cheerwine) 2nd...
Our group decided to sprint for 13th in the rain and therefore in overcooking the 2nd to last corner Brooke Miller went down directly in front of me, and instead of looking where I wanted to go...I just stared at her head I was so worried I was about to hit....but I didn't instead hit a telephone pole and someone ran in to me.....Physically I was perfectly fine, but my bike didn't like it....Since it was in the last 1K we all get the same time....Jen and Shontell finished safely in our group.
And it was...I tried to get in a few early moves....then tried to go w/ THE move that stuck...and just didn't quite make it....man that burns to be so close!
After the break of like 10 went (w/ riders from all teams represented), we pretty much just rolled it in.
Lauren Faranges (sorry, I know that is WAY wrong), won! Catherine Cheatly (Cheerwine) 2nd...
Our group decided to sprint for 13th in the rain and therefore in overcooking the 2nd to last corner Brooke Miller went down directly in front of me, and instead of looking where I wanted to go...I just stared at her head I was so worried I was about to hit....but I didn't instead hit a telephone pole and someone ran in to me.....Physically I was perfectly fine, but my bike didn't like it....Since it was in the last 1K we all get the same time....Jen and Shontell finished safely in our group.
Hollidaysburg
Let's see...3 laps about 20 mi each. LOTS of rollers. QOM was tough, actually the climb wasn't too bad...but it was followed by a screemin decent, railroad tracks, and an uphill 200m to the finish. There were multiple attempts to get way, but naught to be had!!
Once again, it was just fast fast fast...all day. But great racing! Such a great field and everyone brought their A game...it's fun.
Laura Van Gilder won, and that's all I remember.
Chrissy is leading her team in 6th (I think), Kat Carroll is riding awesome as well! Lynn Bessette is here wreaking havoc, and she's just here for training! Training for WHAT?? What event takes a 7 day stage race to prepair for?
I'm training for my Vacation in Sweden!
Once again, it was just fast fast fast...all day. But great racing! Such a great field and everyone brought their A game...it's fun.
Laura Van Gilder won, and that's all I remember.
Chrissy is leading her team in 6th (I think), Kat Carroll is riding awesome as well! Lynn Bessette is here wreaking havoc, and she's just here for training! Training for WHAT?? What event takes a 7 day stage race to prepair for?
I'm training for my Vacation in Sweden!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
the big TUNA!
Toona a seven day extravaganza of the hardest courses all year:
Stage I: TTT it was 17k, highway, rolling terrain, two u-turns
So fun, and different. We were the smallest team, w/ the biggest heart. Two of our girls had zero TT equipment, no one had disc’s, and only 1 had TT helmets. But we gave it 100%. Here’s what happened:
Webcore: 24.29
TEAm Lipton: 24.37
Colavita/ Sutter Home: 25.04
Aaron’s: 25.45
Team Expresscopy: 25.46
Cherrwine: 26.03
Bike Hugger: 26.12
Advil: 26.17
Team TIBCO: 26.19
and more
Stage II: new stage 48.6m, one HANEOUS climb no one expected at 10mi in.
Field split into groups (the front group of 45, our group of 35, 15min back).
Allison Powers WON!! Yea Allison such a great girl. Allison Testarosa 2nd Express Copy, 3rd Kori Seahafer.
I climbed so hard I peed my pants, and still lost 15min.
Stage III: 97mi big climb came at mi 70.
There was a break of like 12 off for most the early race. Riders from all major teams were represented. Not much chasing, everyone waiting for ‘the climb’. Again, the climbers surged away from me fairly quickly. At the top I found myself w/ Shontell chasing to get onto a group, with which we finished. Kori Seahaefer won, Felica Gomez got second, Chrissy got 6th, and that’s all I know for now.
It was such a hard day, OMG! Not so much the first 70, but man those 70mi really haunt you for the next 27. My legs were cramping on both sides (hamstrings and quads) on the last stretch into town. I can see why it’s important to climb in training, to give those muscle groups a chance! But, we lost like 10 min today, less than some, more than many! But again, that’s all I had today, and that’s all I can ask!
Stage IV: 60mi, 4 loops, Holidaysburg
Stage I: TTT it was 17k, highway, rolling terrain, two u-turns
So fun, and different. We were the smallest team, w/ the biggest heart. Two of our girls had zero TT equipment, no one had disc’s, and only 1 had TT helmets. But we gave it 100%. Here’s what happened:
Webcore: 24.29
TEAm Lipton: 24.37
Colavita/ Sutter Home: 25.04
Aaron’s: 25.45
Team Expresscopy: 25.46
Cherrwine: 26.03
Bike Hugger: 26.12
Advil: 26.17
Team TIBCO: 26.19
and more
Stage II: new stage 48.6m, one HANEOUS climb no one expected at 10mi in.
Field split into groups (the front group of 45, our group of 35, 15min back).
Allison Powers WON!! Yea Allison such a great girl. Allison Testarosa 2nd Express Copy, 3rd Kori Seahafer.
I climbed so hard I peed my pants, and still lost 15min.
Stage III: 97mi big climb came at mi 70.
There was a break of like 12 off for most the early race. Riders from all major teams were represented. Not much chasing, everyone waiting for ‘the climb’. Again, the climbers surged away from me fairly quickly. At the top I found myself w/ Shontell chasing to get onto a group, with which we finished. Kori Seahaefer won, Felica Gomez got second, Chrissy got 6th, and that’s all I know for now.
It was such a hard day, OMG! Not so much the first 70, but man those 70mi really haunt you for the next 27. My legs were cramping on both sides (hamstrings and quads) on the last stretch into town. I can see why it’s important to climb in training, to give those muscle groups a chance! But, we lost like 10 min today, less than some, more than many! But again, that’s all I had today, and that’s all I can ask!
Stage IV: 60mi, 4 loops, Holidaysburg
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Mary and Jason Fisher got married in Dallas
This is the clan....after the fact...but it give an idea of who was here!
Mike and I enjoying the scene...
Sister!!
Aunt Molly (my Mom, SINGLE), cousin Sarah, and cousin Carolina...
Cousin Anna, Aunt Sally, cousin Carolina, Aunt Joni...
This is what I was doing during Mass....oops....Mike doesn't approve..
Mrs. Fisher....
Taboo at the Pruit/Cook/Hulser/Murdin/Traffas's
Uncle Dan tries to get his point across...
Next day we helped Uncle Tom, and the bride to be in the black shirt smiling, put the programs together....
True love!
I love my Mom!! She's SINGLE!!Abby and I all cleaned up.
My NUclear family
Mom and Aunt Sally...
The boquet toss...Anna got it
Home for a day
Here, somewhere, I am racing w/ the Master Men on Wed last week...
Damn I think I'm cool...
Here's the one race I did (and thought I was getting a point, but forgot there was a guy off the front). I quickly coughed up a lung, and decided to call it a day!
Friday, July 13, 2007
My trip back to the West Coast...
I know what you are think, 'My Kele you really travel in STYLE'...
I took 2 of these
And 3 of these....
One of these...
And 2 of these...
Monday, July 09, 2007
Independance GP, Colorado Springs
My trip to Colorado Springs proved to be memorable!
At the airport I realized I had left my purse in the taxi...that contained my phone, all forms of identification and money....hmmm. Terry just happens to know this cab driver by name (and number) called her and had her bring me my purse!! Whew!
So, Sarah Uhl picks me up and we go watch Junior Track Nationals. Which was so much fun!
Next day, I had a Kerin and a Points race. The points race was great. Sarah and I were close in points the entire race, which made it fun! But my lungs were about to fall out by the end, w/ the altitude.
Jennie and Kenny chat it up before race time...
That's what racing is all about, nice work ladies!
Adam D drives it to the line in his 200m TT...
Kerin time...Here is the finals round...notice I'm taking pictures....
This is when it gets good!
On the fourth, Sarah and Benjamin, and Moonlie watched the fireworks and enjoyed watching the Madison! Moolie is their dog who was less than thrilled about the fireworks.
I had such a great time! Racing was good, the weather was crazy, my company was awesome! A huge Thank you to Sarah and Ben for letting me into their home! I fell in love w/ their dog Moonlie! Ben Sharp and Sarah Uhl are both great people!! It was fun to see Jennie again, and get one short girls night!! I wish I could do that more!
Off to Portland, OR for the Alpenrose Challenge.
At the airport I realized I had left my purse in the taxi...that contained my phone, all forms of identification and money....hmmm. Terry just happens to know this cab driver by name (and number) called her and had her bring me my purse!! Whew!
So, Sarah Uhl picks me up and we go watch Junior Track Nationals. Which was so much fun!
Next day, I had a Kerin and a Points race. The points race was great. Sarah and I were close in points the entire race, which made it fun! But my lungs were about to fall out by the end, w/ the altitude.
Jennie and Kenny chat it up before race time...
That's what racing is all about, nice work ladies!
Adam D drives it to the line in his 200m TT...
Kerin time...Here is the finals round...notice I'm taking pictures....
This is when it gets good!
On the fourth, Sarah and Benjamin, and Moonlie watched the fireworks and enjoyed watching the Madison! Moolie is their dog who was less than thrilled about the fireworks.
I had such a great time! Racing was good, the weather was crazy, my company was awesome! A huge Thank you to Sarah and Ben for letting me into their home! I fell in love w/ their dog Moonlie! Ben Sharp and Sarah Uhl are both great people!! It was fun to see Jennie again, and get one short girls night!! I wish I could do that more!
Off to Portland, OR for the Alpenrose Challenge.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Racing at home!
My baby is on the track now...
In the heat of the moment...
Mike sprints to the end!
Me and my tounge out...lovin the bike!!
Manhattan Beach
So, I went to Ca for Manhattan Beach! It gave me an opportunity to see my friends Terry, Gale, Kyle, Katlynn, Teddy, and Cumin Anderson of Palos Verde Estates.
I got to go for a nice spin when I got in on Sat. Here's what I did...
A little self portrait on a great view spot
Beautiful huh!
I love California
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