Race Report: Granogue Fail

Posted on by lindsay
I didn't go. For the past few weeks, I've been looking forward to this race and the opportunity to race in the men's category. It was the first race in a while where I actually felt excited about the event and not just the prospect of getting it over with. But then things went awry over the past week, I have become increasingly depressed and anxious, and then before I knew it, I wasn't eating or hydrating or sleeping. That hit a low point yesterday and by the time the alarm went off to get me up for the race this morning, I was already awake, sticky with cold sweat and feeling a combination of stomach pains from not eating and queasiness at the thought of food. I turned the alarm off, rolled over, and decided the five hour round-trip drive to race in 40-degree rain and mud when I ...continue reading.

This is long and somewhat depressing. Enjoy!

Posted on by lindsay
Hello there. It's been a few days, a lot has happened, a lot of it has been a crapload of suck, so let's get caught up and back on track with the whole regular posting thing. Kelley Acres Race Report I was going to do a full report on this event, but I procrastinated and then Grandma died, so it went by the wayside. To summarize, I spent the days before this race feeling dread and doom yet again. The Saturday night before, I even broke from my standard pre-race teetotaling and had a beer, and then ate my feelings in the form of fifteen Nutter Butter wafer cookies and three servings of candy corn. It was ugly. The morning of the race was spent agonizing over whether or not to go (including a sobfest in the car after arriving at the venue and registering), until I finally decided I would ...continue reading.

Race Report: Never thought THESE pictures would go on the Internet.

Posted on by lindsay
The Event: Ed Sander Memorial Cross Race (MABRA #1) The Finish: 3rd Place -  1/2/3 Elite Women, 1st place - Cat 3 Women Prologue: This was my first cross race of the season and I spent the week leading up to it being all I don’t know if I’m cut out for this, I’m scared and unmotivated, I can't stop feeling/whining/worrying, and so on. In other words, a model of confidence and preparedness. Saturday was supposed to be a 2-3 hour endurance ride to prepare for the race, but I put off the ride until the very end of the day when it was cold, dark, and pouring steadily. I then rode for two hours, coming home freezing and soaking wet after 9pm. My coach would cry if she knew this. I cried too, but that was before the ride back during the part about the feelings and the doubt. ...continue reading.

Mad Skillz

Posted on by lindsay
I am going to do a race report on yesterday's race (short version: I raced), but that will have to wait until tomorrow since it is late and I was unmotivated to write one today. One of the things I took away from the race was the realization that my cyclocross handling skills could use some work. Last year I raced cross on my mountain bike and spent the first half of the season learning to maneuver that bike around tight and twisty cross courses and over barriers. (If you are unfamiliar with cross, this will all make more sense after a visit to Wikipedia. Search for "cyclocross" and if you see men carrying their bicycles, you're in the right place.) By the end of last season, I could dismount, sprint over barriers, and remount smoothly and quickly, and handle sharp turns without swinging wide into the course marking tape ...continue reading.

Like A Fish On Dry Land

Posted on by lindsay
HOLY CRAP. Running is a NIGHTMARE. I consider myself athletic; I ride a bike five or six times a week, race frequently, and take care of my body. Just a few weeks ago, I rode a hundred freaking miles through the mountains. When I saw “30 Minute Run” on my training schedule for yesterday, I thought it would be fun and different. Perhaps a little awkward and creaky since I haven't run in several years, but certainly not bad. WRONG. SO WRONG. I started feeling awkward the moment I had to get dressed using a wardrobe of nothing but cycling clothes. Spandex shorts with visible chamois pads, Sock Guy cycling socks, and colorful bike jerseys with multiple back pockets may work when one is actually on a bike, but for jogging down the road, I would look like a douche. After trying on several possibilities, I settled on a pair ...continue reading.

Five days of rest in haiku.

Posted on by lindsay
Wednesday: Everything is sore Riding bike? Ha! Not a chance! Goodbye Olympics. Thursday: Feeling depressive Bought some rubber skeletons Target saves the day. Friday: Passionfish again Miike Snow show attracted many Sound guy, sadly, deaf. Saturday: Updated this site Coding language is foreign Oops, fatal error. Sunday: More computer fun Walked dogs to death by fatigue Bingo failure. SHIT.