Coasting the Draft

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Cold January

Cold, cold cold at Appleton Farms

Arctic temps on Sunday kept my ride at Appleton Farms a short one. I like the challenge of riding in the winter, but I made judgement error when choosing my gloves on Sunday and my fingers were painfully frozen after 30 minutes. I love the rooty, rocky challenges at Appleton on a cold day, but 20 degrees and the frostbite potential was just too much of a challenge. My mistake. I'll be better prepared next time.

#frostbite #needbettergloves

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Week 1 of 2019

With Jaclyn Norberg, Alison Eagan, and Lila Gardella

I’ve laid out a few big goals for the new year and my training calendar is starting to come together. In addition to working on my mountain biking skills, (never ending), I plan to get back on the Trek for a few road events this year. I’ve also amped up my running plans in 2019 in anticipation of a big challenge this Spring. (More on that to come.)

We had surprisingly mild weather on New Year’s Day for the Wicked Running Club Frosty Four (mile) run. I joined speedy Jaclyn, (my relay teammate in last year’s Pumpkinman Triathlon), Alison, and Lila for the run, but as I hadn’t been running since having back issues in October, I took it slow for just a 2 mile run — 1 mile out and 1 mile back. Perfect.

And as I was bib #2, I ran my number!

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 24, 2018

2018 Comes to an End

We are approaching the New Year (!)... and a semi update to the blog, from which I took a hiatus in 2018, is long overdue. I hope to post more frequently in the coming year.

Wrapping up 2018, I have to say it was a good one both personally and "professionally". I continued coaching our athletes at Indoor Ride, helping them reach their cycling goals throughout the year.

Sadly, we closed the training studio at the end of November due to several factors, including lease issues and changes in the owner's personal life. We had an amaaaazzzing 2 year run --- I really had a blast -- so the last few weeks since closing the studio have been a little sad. I'm no longer seeing my favorite athletes on a daily basis, coaching them through intervals or mixed terrain, although I'm doing my best to stay in touch virtually. (Cycling and comm apps Zwift and Discord are helping.)

Indoor Ride, Nov. 21, 4:45 a.m.
Opening the studio to coach my final Intervals session.

I started 2018 with a back injury, which wasn't a good start -- but I managed to get through the Disney 10K in Florida with the help of great friends. Also in January, I started working with professional cyclist Crystal Anthony tackling an eating disorder that had been plaguing me for a few years. I probably never would have sought help in this area if I hadn't been coaching my own athletes and realized that I needed some help in this area! I'm happy to say that after a year of mindful, focused nutrition, I've gotten my health back on track, and grateful to Crystal for all of her help.

Walt Disney World 10K, January 2018

Thirty Days of Biking, Year 5, was a cold, wet punishment. It always is. Somehow, I forget this factor every March when I'm anxious to get out on the road again and eager to sign on for the April challenge. I managed to ride every day in April, with encouragement from the boys, who joined me for a few rides themselves, including Will in Ann Arbor, where I hauled the bikes out to Michigan to ride with him before midnight on Day 27 of the challenge.

Unfortunately, also during 30 Days of Biking, I had a rather spectacular crash on a night ride with Chip, where I went over the handlebars, head first into the pavement, and smashed my face and broke two teeth. It took several weeks of dental work to repair the teeth, and for an injured hand to heal, but heal I did and I only have a small scar on my upper lip remaining to remind me not to brake hard with my left hand.

Bruises heal, bones mend, and teeth can be fixed.

Photos from Instagram follow, catching up on the year now ending. 2018 was a fantastic one -- I'm already excited for 2019.

30 Days of Biking, Year Five (Week 1)

April 1, Year Five begins, Devereaux Beach

April 2, Sleet and snow

April 3, Beware of Attack Seagull, State Street Landing

April 4, Quick Spin on the Schwinn

April 5, Boston Skyline at Dusk, Eisman's Beach

April 6, "This is perfect weather for a ride." Chip Cronin, 2018

April 7, Blue Skies

30 Days of Biking, Year Five (Week 2)

April 8, Winter Island

April 9, Coffee ride

April 10, Short spin before picking up Chip, Pleon YC

April 11, Out and about in Salem, MA

April 13, Salem MA

April 14, trail and gravel ride

30 Days of Biking, Year Five (Week 3)

April 15, Cold, windy, icy drizzle. I didn't ride far

April 16, Torrential rain all day.

April 18, SHS Sailing at Winter Island

April 20, Kids at play

April 21. A night ride with Chip ended with an OTB crash.

30 Days of Biking, Year Five (Week 4)

April 22

When you take a header over the handlebars and smash your face on the pavement, this kid will look past the blood to reassure you that your teeth are still (relatively) intact. Love this boy.