Winter Wrap-Up, PMC Winter Cycle

March 13: Nor'easter brewing
Red Skies in Morning, Sailors take warning

Winter is over! Woot woot! We had a relatively mild winter with very little snow, but the monotonous gray days seemed endless. February and March were a long haul, and I took a break from the blog. Kathy came out to ride the PMC Winter Cycle on the coldest weekend of the year. We had a great time riding for a great cause, raising over $1,250 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute between us. Many, many thanks to our sponsors!

Feb 4th: -8F degrees at Fenway Park

The dry winter allowed for some riding, but not in the same vein as in the past. I've yet to ride more than 15 miles on the bike this winter -- especially since I spend more time on the mountain bike than road bike. I'm making good use of the treadmill, however, and hope to be running again this spring.

Thirty Days of Biking began today!  This will be my tenth and final year riding this challenge. Ten years ago, these April rides were folded into many of my coached training rides as I prepared for different events. Long distance endurance rides were my jam back then. These days, I'm just riding for the coffee stop. Lol.

It was a rainy start to Year 10. I'll post photos in batches as I go along. Twenty-nine more rides to go.

Feb 22nd: A spring-like day in February

An inauspicious start

For many years, I started the new year with a schedule of ride events and races and goals to train for -- often laid out and documented here in my blog -- and that was a routine for several decades. I have a few goals penciled in for 2023, but it’s not like the old days of training and FTPs and watt goals. I’m content with that. 

I ended 2022 with a trip to the ER in an ambulance after taking a head first fall down a flight of stairs. After slamming my head and neck into a wall, I passed out in the kitchen. The police, fire, and ambulance arrived soon after, (all a blur), but I remember looking up and seeing my cousin's son (a firefighter) standing at my feet, looking down at me. We locked eyes and both smiled, and I knew I was going to be ok. 

I was in rough shape going into the new year -- too sore to get back into a fitness routine, over to the Y for spin classes, or on my new treadmill to join my sister for our 3x weekly walk/run. I was feeling pretty blue when my Coffeeneuring 2022 patch arrived. (Thank you Mary!) It was a reminder to just take it easy, enjoy the ride, enjoy a coffee, and not take it all so seriously. I’m here for that. I got back on the treadmill in Week 2 of the new year, excited for my new NordicTrack smart treadmill which arrived January 2nd, a Christmas gift from Mike. I love it. We converted the boy's former playroom into a home gym this year, and it's been helpful to my recovery. By Week 3, the soreness in my back and neck eased up enough for me to return to spin classes at the Y. The PMC Winter Cycle is just a week away! I'm not as ready as I would have been had I not taken a header down a full flight of stairs, but I'm well enough to ride and I'm super excited about it.

We finally got some snow this past week -- enough for a bit of snowshoeing before rain arrived the next day and it all melted away. It's been one crazy winter.

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Winter road riding

Cold January

Clear dry streets (last Sunday) gave me a good chance to take the bike off the trainer and hit the road. I played that game where I told myself if the temps hit 30, after being in the teens and twenties all week long, that I'd head out for a ride. It took me almost as long to find my winter riding gear as it did to actually ride a quick loop of the neck, but I got out the door, which is half my battle on any winter ride or run. (Minus shoe covers. Couldn't find them).

As I rode the mostly empty streets through Marblehead, my shoe cleats woefully worn to the point where I wasn't actually clipped in, I vowed to do better next time. I haven't done a lot of road riding the last two years, choosing the mountain bike instead, but it was a good ride. 

I just ordered new cleats -- and have been searching for those shoe covers. A blizzard is on tap for the weekend, so I have time to replace those cleats before my next road ride. It looks like I may be snowshoeing more than riding into February anyway. It's been a slow grind.

Photographers off Devereux.
There was nothing out there but ocean

Indoor Ride Cycling Studio

We had fun last week checking out Lila's new business -- Indoor Ride -- with Amy, Jen and Chip! The new indoor cycling studio will add another cycling option to my workouts this winter, and between both P2 and Indoor Ride, I have another reason to cancel our membership at the YMCA. (The boys haven't been using the Y facilities for a while, and I only hung on to the membership for spin classes.) The studio is terrific and tons of fun -- and my feelings weren't too hurt when Chip DUSTED me in our pseudo-workout. (Really, I just went along to chat with everyone. It wasn't a race, Chip!)

Sending tons of luck to Lila and Justin on their exciting new venture!

Spring Melt, Finally

Aw geez, I feel weak! I'm back to doing weights and core work with Keli and Christine, but arm and shoulder soreness is holding me back. (It's been persistant since I landed on the pavement a few weeks ago.) This week I got out on the bike mid-week, (on the MTB), and also headed to the Y for a few workouts, but I took it kinda slow all week. A friend sent me an article about the inevitable decline in athletic performance after a certain age... and I'm at that age... so that was depressing.

On the plus side, we had spring-like weather early in the week and I got in a ride that didn't require bundling up like the kid in A Christmas Story. It was wet and messy, and the melting snow has uncovered massive potholes, (and I caught a glimpse of a curb!), but it was good to get out for a spin. Cold air is back, but at least we've had the promise of Spring.

The 5k I signed up for, The Nutty Irish 5K Cocoa Run, (which all of my girlfriends are ditching), is just 8 days away. I have not been running -- which is actually the least of my concerns, because I can always run/walk and that's fine -- but the race is on a golf course currently buried in snow. It's going to be a muddy mess and... OMG... I don't want to ruin my new running shoes!!! (For real.)

Gotta think long and hard about this one.

Sunday Snowday, Ragged Mountain

Still too messy for my road bike, but I got to wear the new VKVIP thermal team jacket, (that arrived on Friday), to the mountains yesterday. Will, Chip, their friend Jack, and I headed up to Ragged Mountain, (the boy's home mountain during the winter), for a last blast of skiing and boarding. The boys ditched me for the more technical trails while I stayed low-key, (having barely been on my board this year), but it was a fun day. Love the new jacket -- It's a bit big for me, but Chip says I'll grow into in. Hahahahaha....

Sunday MTB, now a Single Speed

Another chilly ride today at 25 degrees on the coast. We had a bit of a stiff wind coming off the ocean across the causeway, but it didn't feel as bitter as some days have been. Maybe I'm getting used to it. I kept my ride short today and tried to follow Rebecca's advice and practiced riding in the snow and sand at Deveraux Beach before looping the Neck and heading home. It was good to get out before the next wave of snow hit. (Snowing now as I type this.) The boys are hoping for another snow day tomorrow. (We'll see...)

I need to spend a good chunk of time cleaning the bike tomorrow. I'm stuck on one gear at the moment, and despite Pete telling me not to invest any money in the bike, (OMG, the rusty chain!!), I'm anxious for a smoother ride. Hopefully a good solid cleaning will help.

Sunday Wipeout

Our Sunday started off like the last few Sunday's this month... with snow falling and gray skies... but by 2 pm, the pavement was showing, (with help from a snow plow), and the sun was out! 37 degrees felt WARM, so I bundled up and headed out for a ride.

At this time of year, gloves and mittens suddenly go missing. Mine, (and I have several pair), were no where to be found. Hmmmm. Not wanting to lose my momentum, and it not being that cold outside, I grabbed Mike's glove liners that were on the table and headed out the door.

Big mistake! About five miles into my ride on the mountain bike, I slid on an icy turn and wiped out in slush, sand and gravel -- shredding Mike's gloves. Argh. Just a little wipe-out, but I did end up with bloody hands and one scraped knee from the slide. (I slammed my shoulder down hard, too, but didn't really feel it until the next morning.) I dusted myself off and continued on my ride, just happy to be out in the sunshine.

Vacation Week in the Frozen Tundra

Brrrr... we're still in the deep freeze...

I'm obsessed with the frozen harbors in Marblehead and Salem. It looks and feels like we're living in ALASKA.

It's school vacation week, and Will's lifeguard certification test on Wednesday kept me from getting to my regular P2 class on time -- so my P2 workout pushed to Thursday this week instead. I missed my Wednesday gang, but got to ride with Jen (El-Sharif) on Thursday which was fun, (despite coach Jen M. being annoyed. I don't think she liked us chatting.) Jen has coached Will in swimming, and they keep in touch, so it was good to talk to her about some of the latest drama we've had to contend with from our charming 16 year old. (Like removing biohazardous materials from the school science lab to work on his experiments at home... OMG. What was he thinking? Jen's immediate response, "He's not. He's 16.") Will has managed to raise my anxiety level to an all-time high with some of his boneheaded actions, so it was good to ride and talk it out with Jen and get her perspective -- and though I didn't put in my strongest effort in the workout, and lacked energy from not eating enough, (and got called out for that) -- it was the kind of workout I needed. There are times when I just need to ride and chat with a friend... and with 9 feet of snow on the ground, I've been unable to really do that. (Plus no one wants to ride with me in 20 degree temps.)

Saturday morning (P2) homework club got busy with another long Sufferfest. (Two hours!) I came home from my workout this morning unprepared to help Mike chip away at ice dams on the roof. I'm trying to muster some energy.

 Twenty-seven days until Spring.

#Bostonsnow - Hoping it melts by June

Are you tired of me writing about the snow? I'm pretty tired of it too. Since last week we were hit with two small storms and another blizzard -- apparently stuck in a three day pattern of snow and bitter, bitter cold. Enough already! I didn't get out for a ride all week, but managed to make it to P2 for mid-program testing and join the girls for a long Saturday morning Sufferfest ride. A fun morning, despite the suffering. 

(The photo above of Saturday's sunrise was taken before the blizzard hit us later in the day.)

I'm trying to stay upbeat and positive, but it's been tough!! My Vanderkitten teammies in California and Arizona... plus Rebecca out in Colorado... have been filling my Strava feed with beautiful long rides in warm, sunny temps. It's killing me. Shoveling snow three times a week is just not the same.

Adventures with Chip: MTB in the snow

The snow is really becoming a joke at this point. We've had over 75" of it here on the North Shore, just within the last 15 days -- with more storms headed this way at the end of the week. We've had quite an impressive winter. Most, (but not all), of my riding has been indoors, either on the trainer at home, or on the computrainer at the B&S Fitness Facilities, (aka P2). Fortunately for me, Pete's mountain bike has allowed me to get out on the road this winter, even in the snow. (I'm not going to want to give it back at the end of the winter!!!)

The boys have used up all five of their snow days at school, but today's day-off was a pre-planned professional day, so it's a freebie. (Very convenient for the schools, who are digging out from yesterday's snowstorm.) Since Chip is always willing to head out on an adventure -- especially if it involves food -- I asked him if he wanted to join me for a snow ride. He of course said, "Yes". So we headed off down snowy roads towards the Salem DD's. Funnnnn!!!

Winter Weary

It's been a loooong week with snow storm after snow storm -- and all of my workouts being forced indoors. The boys didn't have school on Monday or Tuesday, (again), due to another 17" of snow -- which piled on top of the 30" of snow we were hit with just days before. (More snow is expected this weekend.) Wow. Winter is really killing it this year. The week flew by, though, with Super Bowl euphoria, Will's 16th birthday, the Northeastern Conference swimming championships, and of course snow on snow on snow. Digging out has had to count as my conditioning workouts.

Thank you, Nancy and Fred, for the beautiful flowers -- they are a lovely reminder that Spring will come.

Weekend Championship Fun

It's World Championship weekend, with both CX Worlds and the Super Bowl. Yesterday I watched our girl Carolina Gomez Villafane race for her home country Argentina in the Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor. We were thrilled to be one of Caro's sponsors as she headed to Tabor, and sooooo proud of her finish. World Cup points placement put her at the back of the pack to start, but she moved up to 25th place during the race until another rider's crash held her back. She finished the race in 39th place -- sooooo happy for her! (Also competing at the World Cup was Vanderkitten's Elle Anderson (now on the BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental Group team) finishing 40th, (I could hear Jono cheering from California); and local racer Crystal Anthony placing 25th. (GREAT finish for her. She should be thrilled.)

The women's race was really exciting. Edge-of-your-seat racing. OMG. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot getting past Sanne Cant for the win. OMG. Really exciting race. Why women's cycling doesn't get more attention is a mystery. It's so rad.

The men's race earlier today was not nearly as exciting to watch. Perhaps because I have a less vested interest in the men? Let's face it, women rock. But I was cheering for Jonathan Page today, and felt a tug in my heart seeing him cross the finish line at 23rd. He had a heartbreaking week.

We're on to the Super Bowl. Cheering for the New England Patriots, of course. I bundled up for my ride in Patriots gear today, (nineteen degrees), and set off to look for the Snowy owls down at Goldthwaite Reservation. Sadly I didn't find any... but I'll keep looking.

Go Patriots!

Blizzard of 2015

Snow Day!!! I'll be riding on the indoor trainer for a few days, as Swampscott was nailed with 30.4 inches of snowwwww. OMG. So much shoveling! I sure miss the days when my dad would have his construction crew come plow us out. Hahaha. Love this pic of Will, dressed like he's ready to go skiing, not shoveling. He takes his blizzard-wear seriously.

I was actually excited to do more mountain biking in the snow, but I'm afraid this kind of snow is waaay too deep. Rebecca texted me a ton of advice on how to approach certain riding conditions, and I need to practice!! Awww that Rebecca. She's the best.

(Haha, that's technically true. Rebecca is the 2012 Masters Cyclocross World Champion and 2014 Masters National Champion. So pro...)

I'm going to practice the "three rules" she sent me while I'm on the trainer this week, (she's an awesome coach), and hopefully hit the trails when some of this snow melts. Loving the MTB.

Quick ride before the storm

Riding in the snow is harder than it looks! Chippy and I headed out for a trail ride this afternoon -- though he had a difficult time in the snow and slush with his 24" tires. We managed to take the trail into Marblehead for about a mile and a half miles before returning home to exchange a pair of gloves. He asked me as we approached our street, "How many miles have we gone?" I had to take a guess at three. While he got a pair of warmer gloves, I grabbed the Garmin, because he really likes stats. He'll be a Strava addict one day.

We headed back out for Part 2 of our ride, deciding to stay on paved roads for a quick loop down to the beach. It was good to get out before the storm, and it was fun catching up with him. The kiddo talks a lot when we're on the bike -- I love that.

Cold? Just a little

I've been taking full advantage of the mountain bike these last two weeks, checking out trails and riding on the beach. I like riding with the wider tires on the icy roads and trails, which are definitely safer than my road bike! Until you're riding in an area you've never been before... following some footprints in fresh snow... and realize you've biked onto a sheet of ice flowing along the river. OMG. Heartstopping moment there. Pleeeeaaassse don't break through the ice.

Ya. I was lucky.

Forest River Conservation Area is my new playground. I just need to watch where I'm going.

Bundle up, Sixteen Degrees

Cold chilly days this week, with temps in the upper teens, lower 20s throughout the week. I had originally planned to get in a run on the treadmill today, but instead hopped on the mountain bike for a quick trail ride -- 16 degrees -- before getting Will to his swim meet. (Really, I just wanted to be outside.) The trail was quiet, and I saw several Northern Cardinals on my ride -- their bright red feathers really stood out against the snow and the bare trees. So pretty! The air was cold and still, and the sound of cracking ice under my tires, as I hit a few frozen puddles, echoed around me.

Just a short ride, under 7 miles, but good to get out.

First Ride of 2015

Happy New Year! It's now Day 4 of 2015 and the year has gotten off to a good start. My New Year's Day looked a lot like previous ones -- with a few twists. This year's polar plunge was taken on by Will, not Chip, and a New Year's day brunch was spent with my SpiderOne Racing teammies, not the North Shore Cyclopaths. (Our Cyclopath brunch-hosts, Av and Laurie Hammer, had to cancel due to the flu. Get well quick, Av!)

I spent the mid-afternoon laughing and laughing with Lila, Jen, Kristen and Alison, Cate and Amy... OMG, they are a crazy bunch. A great way to bring in the new year. Thanks, Ladies!

Also kicking off the new year is a Whole 30 Challenge with RAAM bestie Ingrid -- and so far, so good. I love getting a text from her each day telling me how her day went and what workouts she completed. She's a force. Love her.

Over coffee yesterday morning, it was hard to think about heading out in 19 degrees -- really hard. But the temps eventually hit 25, and with a winter storm not arriving until late in the day, I had no excuses not to ride. I bundled up and managed 17 miles on a cold, gray day. No speed records, for sure -- it's hard to move quickly under three layers of clothing, and my toes completely froze -- but it wasn't a bad ride. 2015 is looking good.

Garmin Woes

I have the worst relationship with my Garmin. I haven't used it much in my offseason, (No Garmin, No Rules), but we have new Vanderkitten teammies in our Strava group, and I wanted to get in the habit of uploading my rides again, so I took it on Monday's ride.

I headed out for a typical Marblehead loop around the harbor and out to Peach's Point... very cold. My nose started pouring like a faucet, and after sniffling for miles, and my head starting to ache, I attempted my first ever snot rocket.

I was not very successful.

I became fixated with the snot covering my sleeve, and in my hair, and narrowly missed a wall on Beacon Street. I jerked my handlebars a little too much to avoid the wall, but crashed. (More like a spill than a crash.) Argh. I ended up with a slightly skinned knee.

More annoying -- the screen on my Garmin changed. I hit the return button to get to the previous screen, and all my data was there, so I figured, phew! No problem. I finished my ride, incident free.

After slapping a band-aid on my knee at home, I uploaded my ride to Strava. OMG, the data didn't transfer! 16.2 miles was reduced to 4.1. (Beginning at the point I crashed, flying over the rooftops of Marblehead, ending at home.) The mileage recorded, (and I was able to upload it to Garmin Connect), but the map data was skewed. So frustrating!!!

I really need to make peace with my Garmin in 2015.

Vacaaaation

2014 is coming to a close much differently than my previous two years -- In 2012 and 2013, I was frantically finishing out the Tri Inside the Y, which I didn't participate in this year. (I'll be back on it next year, though. I missed it!) My final days of 2014 have been quiet ones.

My best bro, Pete, has loaned me a mountain bike for the winter. OMG it has a rusty chain. Shayne would freak to see it, but with some work, it'll be good to have on icy, snowy roads this winter. I'm excited for more off-road adventures. I took it for a ride yesterday and it's a little rough, but it'll work for a few months. 

I'm heading out today in 37 degree temps (on the Lexa) to get in a "post-Christmas-excess" ride. Fat season is officially over for me -- it's time to get back on track. Ingrid has partnered with me on a Whole 30 Challenge beginning January 1 -- (Houston doesn't seem so far when you're chatting by text every day) -- and I'm excited for that. I'm rereading It Starts with Food to refresh myself. I've forgotten soooo much!

Very happy to be starting a new chapter in January... Time to get back on the bike and ride.