Saying Goodbye

Sheera

  Last night I sold my first mountain bike.  She was a 26r Giant Rincon, that weighed about 35lbs.  I named her Sheera. That bike was so heavy, but I loved it .  It was my stepping stone to earn a better bike.

I dusted her off and lubed the chain for the last time.  She has been in the basement, hooked up to a trainer for the past 2 years.  I threw a leg over her and took one last ride around the block.  As I flipped through the gears I remembered several rides;  doing 40 miles of the Ouachita Challenge in platform pedals, learning to ride clip-less pedals at Lost Valley, the rides with my daughter riding on the front in her special seat.

Bike Tutor Seat 

Finally removed zip-ties from 2008 Ouachita Challenge

I hope the woman who gets her, rides the hell outta it.  The bike has a way of changing you, if you let it.  There is a road/trail to happiness just outside.  A bike is a great way to see it. This bike was the vehicle that changed my life.  I rode my way into a healthy lifestyle. I am glad Sheera will see daylight again.  She deserves to be ridden.  Do you have a bike you don't ride?  Consider donating it or selling it to a newbie.  You may just change their lives.

Short Post on Cowbell Run

My picture with the cow

On Oct. 2nd I ran a half marathon in beautiful downtown St. Chuck with over 1500 runners.  I will admit to feeling a little out of place.  Runners are definitely different then cyclists.

Had a hard time getting 1500 people to pose

  Jim was there, on his bike, to offer encouragement.  The Cliff notes version is .......  I was doing great until mile 8.5.  My first mile was well under 9 minutes.  My four mile split was 35:37, still under 9 minute miles.

Trying to stay with the pack

 By mile 8 I had slowed to a 9:19 pace.  I was trying to conserve a little energy so I could have a strong finish.  Just before mile 9, the hamstring started to act up.  I had been having problems, for a couple weeks before the run, with my right hammie. It was only right that it should act up today.

So true

 By mile 10 I had to stop and stretch.  I must have looked like a wounded duck trying to keep moving forward.  It wasn't pretty. I have a lot of respect for runners.  Running is hard on the body.  It takes practice to run efficiently and fast.  I am still working on that.

Beautiful Lake to run by

My official finish time was 2:14:35. To put it in perspective....  I was #871 out of 1,407 finishers.  I was #382 of 783 females and #61 of 135 in the 40-45 category.  Not bad for a cyclist.

I received a sweet medal for finishing and an awesome cowbell and tech long sleeve t-shirt. I will be back next year. I am not going to stop running, that would be silly.

Buckle Blues

I have been working on my Burnin' race report the last couple days. The writing has not gone very well. It's not that I don't want to write it, because I do.  I have been dealing with the "aftermath" and it hasn't been pretty. I don't understand the way I feel right now.  I have been riding an emotional roller-coaster all week.  After I am done writing this I hope to get off the coaster and be my old self again.


  The last couple weeks have been amazing for me. Why on earth would I be depressed?  I proved that a mountain biker CAN run, if she wants to.  I achieved a goal and won a highly coveted belt buckle this past weekend. So, why do I feel like sh*t ?  Why do I feel so sad and empty?  I should be happy, right?

I remember racing Burnin' in 2009.  This was my first 12 hr race.  I was totally surprised when I won.  I carried my buckle in my pocket during the day, and slipped it under my pillow at night.  I kept it polished and dust free.  I could look at it and smile so big my face hurt.   It was an incredible feeling being up on the podium. Truth be told, I have been chasing that feeling for the past two years.

  Usually, after a race, I am able to sit back and enjoy the warm fuzzy. Why is my chin scraping the ground?   I was thrilled to receive my buckle.  I had worked hard for it.   Why did the thoughts of " what's next " hit me on the drive home?  The dust on the trail had not even settled and I was already thinking of Burnin' 2012.

Have you ever felt this way ?  How do I get myself outta this?

I Made It

If you don't read the Bike Shop Girl blog, you should start today.

Link

Arleigh is also in the running for Shape magazines favorite sports blog.  You can vote for her here. Just do it, she deserves it.

Take A Kid Mountain Biking in Pictures

It was a beautiful day for mountain biking.  Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers that helped make this an incredible event. Pat yourself on the back because the kids, and adults, had an awesome time. 

Tent City

Safety talk before hitting the trail

Kids waiting patiently to enter the skills course

One of several obstacles

This girl rode form beginning to the very end

Never too young to start riding

See-Saw was no problem for Sydney ( Lisa T. photo credit)

Yes, she can

Crushing it

Ready to attack those cones

No problem

New to biking and very happy with her prize

Mountain Biking Mama and her boys

Girl power

Ready to hit the trail

Our event gets a thumbs up

Pretty in pink

I couldn't stop smiling all day

All smiles

After winning this helmet it was hard to keep from smiling

Kids love stickers