outside is cold

The Scott may be hot, but outside it is cold! Saturday morning, was ride with Dr. Tough Love and the Highlanders, so even though I might not of wanted to get my tush outside when inside was nice and toasty I had committed and out I was going. I made sure to layer on the clothes to keep me warm and was looking forward to riding the Scott as she looked at me longingly for a ride. I put on my leggings, arm warmers (made from old wool socks-try it they work great) and jacket. This time I put socks on, but I usually ride barefoot. I felt like Joan of Arc ready to take on the cold. I headed over to Dr. Tough Love's house and realized the cold was doable. I saw a couple of other cyclists and for some reason even when you see others doing something you consider not quite sane, it legitimizes it. I was beginning to warm up although my ears were cold and we headed off to pick up the highlanders and then off to Southwest Parkway. The Scott was a gem and the road was smooth. My legs felt tight, but as we rode they loosen up and I was really enjoying the ride. The wind was fierce and batted us around like bunny rabbits, but I pressed on and kicked it into high gear. After the highway 71 stretch, which I hate for its lack of shoulder, I set the Scott loose and had some fun. Going down Bee Caves I felt fabulous and the bike responsive by the time I hit 360 I had to wait for the rest of the group, busy with their shenanigans, catch up and then it was one of my favorite stretches. Similar to Great Northern, this stretch on 360 is great because you can really get going fast down it. I took advantage. By the time we reached home my toes were frozen to the point I couldn't feel them when I took my shoes off. Nothing a hot shower and a hot beverage couldn't fix.

My new Scott Plasma Contessa

I received this photo from one of my friends from college who is now a professional triathlete and is now married to a professional triathlete. They are two of the nicest and most humble athletes out there. Check out Lovato's blog here and Amanda's (the previous owner-this bike has some good juju) here. I didn't know what to say. I felt like I was cheating on Rooster, but I'd been told by many of my riding buds that a new bike would make a world of difference to me. Lovato had a similar bike to Rooster that I refused, but when this one came up, I knew I would be crazy to pass up the opportunity, carbon body, campy parts, etc. Still with my personality, I needed time to think it over. "I tell you what" Lovato said. "We'll ship it to you, have you fitted on it, and if you still don't like it, we will take it back." How could I refuse that. Lovato continued, "I'm sure you will love it though, it is one sweet ride."

It was love at first ride, and the Contessa fit like a glove, Lovato knew ... I'm ever grateful to my friends and support crew for convincing me it was a good decision. And I have yet to climb on without a big grin creeping across my face and squeal of laughter when I hit those long straightaways I so love. "Have I told you how much I like this bike." Has been repeatedly said by me and heard by others. I'm sorry guys, but this is the bike that has me on cloud 9 and can take me to the moon.

Tough Love-Race Report

Another early morning race start, but I stayed in San Antonio for a shorter commute and bonus of being driven by my parents to the start. So, while I had to wake up before the sun, it was nice to be driven out to Bandera by my support crew. You always know you are getting close to the Bandera race start as you start to notice a slowly forming snake of cars in the otherwise quiet morning. This morning was a cold one, but as far as running goes-perfect. Last year I was late to the race start so this year I got there in plenty of time, although after packet pickup, bathroom break and walk to the start, there was not much time. I debated on how much clothing to start running in, as usually I warm up fast, but hate being cold. I choose a mixture and took my tights off, but left my jacket on. After walking to the start I ran into Tough Love who was pacing Corndog in the 50k and made our plans to meet up afterward. Not long after the gun went off.
The Bandera trail run is a route with a lot of hill climbs and tons of rock. On the one hand hills and rocks are what make it hard, on the other, they are what make it interesting and beautiful. Time flies by when you are having to constantly recalculate where your foot should fall and at the same time sneak peaks at the gorgeous views. I was maybe, one mile into the run when I had my first fall, and that is fall flat on my bottom. My feet just rolled on the rocks and out from under me. I looked back at the person behind and said “Now that is gonna pretty, smiled, and then picked myself to keep going.” As we began the ascent of the first hill my left leg quad muscle began to tighten. I think it was mainly from the cold and the uphill, which honestly I’ve been mainly road running, and that is not what will help in this type of run. I pulled to the side for a sec and stretched it out. When I realized that wasn’t helping much, I figured I would just keep running on it and hopefully as I warmed up more it would stretch out. My leg remained tight and it felt like I was just dragging it along in a way. I looked forward to the first rest stop because my next thought was maybe I’m a bit dehydrated and if I get some Gatorade in me it will loosen the leg up some. I had water with me and drank all I had, but Gatorade or juice would hydrate my muscles a bit faster. We crested a hill and I could hear people cheering. “Great” I thought. “Now I can get some fuel and hopefully that will work.” As I ran down the hill just before the rest stop with all eyes on me, I tripped hurtling forward scrapping my leg and hand. The girl next to me kindly handed me my water bottle and embarrassed as I’ll get out, I picked myself up and headed straight to the water. I glanced down at my leg which was all scrapped up, but knew it was just surface and splashed water on my hand as quickly as I could. I knew I needed to just keep moving or I would tighten up. My leg hurt but nothing horrible, only when we had to run through the sotol did I wince. The course definitely felt easier than last year in a way that I was running harder but making it up the hill with a bit more ease cardio-wise. I still felt like I was dragging my left leg on the run and kept stumbling on most of the run-this slowed me some, but I was still completely enjoying myself. Especially when I crested one of the hills to see a volunteer at the top excitedly clapping, encouraging all the runners, he was stationed at a beautiful, albeit windy overlook. “Thank you for being out here. You’ve got a great spot to watch us from.” I gasped out to him. “Well I love it and you are looking great, at least you are smiling.” He chortled back. The volunteers really do a great job with this race. I was running the shortest distance 25k, but a lot of people would be out here all day running 50 and 100k. I was looking at my time to try and figure out how far I was in the race, but knew I was going faster than previous races by my location. I decided to ask someone who looked like he was wearing a GPS watch. “8.5 miles” he said. “But I’m not sure how accurate that is with the hills and all.” He said. I could tell he was proud of his watch and I was happy to know where I was at. It gave me motivation to keep on pushing. I knew I was way ahead of pace from the previous year and just needed to hang in there to beat my previous time which was my main goal. I came to the rest stop at the bottom of the hill and got some water and headed back out. In previous years, I’ve grabbed fuel here, but I felt pretty good on that front and just kept chugging. The aid station I just passed was the just under 11 miles so I knew it wasn't too much farther and for at least the next mile or two we had flat, soft trail. My legs breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time were crying "uncle". I did the same thing I did in the marathon and ignored the pleading of my legs knowing it would be worse to walk and just kept at it. We had on more steep climb which I ran half way up and then was slowed so much I was at a walk. One of the guys I kept passing on the uphills and then he would pass me on the downhills for pretty much the whole race passed me on the way down and with the way my leg was feeling I knew that was it and let him go. Finally, I came to the last aid station a half mile from the finish and I stopped and got water even though I knew I was close, I felt water was more important. Then I looked at my watch and realized if I could just pick it up for this last half mile I would break three hours. "Wait, what is that, break three hours?!!!" I had yet to break three and a half hours on this course in the previous two years. As I rounded that last corner I saw my parents cheering me on in the cold then saw the clock 2 hr 59 min- I had done it! And I beat my previous PB by forty minutes, my legs hurt but all I could think was-"I can't wait until next year." How great it is to surprise yourself.