tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67830467322044805252024-03-13T07:11:05.800-04:00THE BAD KAT CONFESSIONSBad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-18778369251208465912013-05-09T10:31:00.000-04:002013-05-09T10:31:55.795-04:00034 Orange Iced Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uvanIEBkAjJFC-JIzby1gOpcE0a7TzApjdAQ-cQaIOrKZXN4RAid3fHwRXWpTENONVbbusc_5oJB6qBC5Pm_-9xsZ7gsF7usJexXYEj6XatKLseFJTdZwjHOpYKUwsCUebBuAhGrTEVQ/s1600/603835_646111412081408_937705436_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uvanIEBkAjJFC-JIzby1gOpcE0a7TzApjdAQ-cQaIOrKZXN4RAid3fHwRXWpTENONVbbusc_5oJB6qBC5Pm_-9xsZ7gsF7usJexXYEj6XatKLseFJTdZwjHOpYKUwsCUebBuAhGrTEVQ/s400/603835_646111412081408_937705436_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went through a stage around age 13 where I drank a lot of Turkey Hill orange iced tea and accompanied it with a lot of wheat thins. I didn't grow up as an endurance athlete. I still enjoy a tea every now and then. All in moderation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Turkey Hill Country Classic was on Saturday. I wrote up a race report over on my team CAWES blog. Read about it <a href="http://www.cawescycling.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here. </a> A podium at any race is always special, but a podium at this silly bike race super special to me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope to have enough upgrade points by the end of this road season to move up to a Category 2. I hope Turkey Hill will have a race for me to do when / if that happens. Outside of training races I don't race with the dudes. Just not my style. But it's no big deal if I don't do this race again, there are plenty of other womens races to chose from. A girl can dream, that's all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Got a full day of <strike>daydreaming</strike> work in yesterday. The thunder storms parted and the sky cleared. Got outside and busted out some intervals on the bike. Made egg salad and sweet potato fries for dinner. Fell asleep at 9pm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think the Poolesville Road Race is calling my name on Saturday. I didn't pre register, they closed it a week early. If not Poolesville I'll be at the Smoketown criterium on Saturday. So many choices.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-20615444384583268242013-05-01T21:13:00.000-04:002013-05-01T21:13:30.515-04:00033 In the Middle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDEBiii_ti03VJWn1sLHO5aP2CpvCFSvCE0F5WwVaDsJlCaFRMcwR8vk2OvtnAECdPHbz-GzsIiHrM6HQ-i-hMMKYUUqDXjGxdQyTTlZf7aeLtq8HFzwN9bkyQwn4C3ZJSp_AVmVukMLQ/s1600/Image003.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDEBiii_ti03VJWn1sLHO5aP2CpvCFSvCE0F5WwVaDsJlCaFRMcwR8vk2OvtnAECdPHbz-GzsIiHrM6HQ-i-hMMKYUUqDXjGxdQyTTlZf7aeLtq8HFzwN9bkyQwn4C3ZJSp_AVmVukMLQ/s320/Image003.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
Yesterday my root canal was finally finished. I showed up at the dentist with my tooth in a bag ready to finish this thing. It only took two weeks, 35,000 mg of antibiotics, and a gallon of ice cream. Not to mention no dental insurace has left me with a nice credit card bill this month. I celebrated at work with a glass of probiotics. <br />
<br />
I'm hoping the effects of these antibiotics don't sneak up on me. I have been trying to play it smart in terms of my training and racing. The intensity of my training has taken a step back. I'm looking at my long term goals and health.<br />
<br />
I'll be honest I'm ready to get back onto a training schedule. I think that is why I'm feeling a little lost right now. I never really felt like I got into a good training block this winter after cyclo-cross nationals. I was dealing with an injury that I thought would just resolve itself with some time off training. Funny how injuries don't work that way. The dull ache in my left hamstring that I had been experiencing since November turned out to be caused by my twisted tailbone. I haven't been able to pin point the exact thing that caused it. Really it could have been as simple as twisting to put a load of laundry into the washing machine.<br />
My flexible back was good for gymnastics, but can be bad in terms of ab stability. I have learned not to confuse ab strength with ab stability. So I worked with an awesome physical therapist who is also a competitive cyclist, and we got my glutes firing and abs stabilizing. I came into the road season feeling strong and pedaling more efficiently. I knew my top end and sprint still needed work, but I was okay with that. I was ready to built into the season and hopefully my July races would be better for it. I guess that's why I'm so ready to get back on track after this tooth derailment.<br />
<br />
BA and I found ourselves in the middle of some business decisions. We didn't take them personally. It was business and we understood that. Do not mistake my talk of business decisions with necessarily monetary gain. We found ourselves and our personal assets open to liable, me through marriage. We can only blame ourselves for following the lead and ignorance of others and not educating ourselves. We then had to make an informed business decision for ourselves to protect what we have worked for outside of said business. That business decision we had to make was taken personally. <br />
<br />
I will speak for myself when I say I am feeling used and a little lost at the moment.<br />
<br />
Time will march on and the days will fall into place. New opportunities will and have presented them self. Now all we can do is be more educated and cautious. <br />
<br />
"Just do your best, do everything you can, and don't you worry what their bitter hearts are gonna say."<br />
(The Middle / Jimmy Eat World)Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-91416907908762575402013-04-20T17:19:00.000-04:002013-04-20T17:19:46.669-04:00032 Sunny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Cn4nzW2bhErdnRSQ_Llnlyu_PRrXmJMW82YuhlILtiYI5t5HNhK1YEiyJW1pHOrcCDcpFQxu1GE8coAYtzA-xT4pyiHZ8W1E7YInnO8j8t5-d0YiW3-SHldDe0IK1M0AKslWedKjcH-R/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Cn4nzW2bhErdnRSQ_Llnlyu_PRrXmJMW82YuhlILtiYI5t5HNhK1YEiyJW1pHOrcCDcpFQxu1GE8coAYtzA-xT4pyiHZ8W1E7YInnO8j8t5-d0YiW3-SHldDe0IK1M0AKslWedKjcH-R/s640/P1010010.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">"After every sunny day</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Came a stormy night</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">That's when Finner would say</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Keep your heads held high"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">(Of Monsters and Men)</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: DroidSansRegular, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-2560943377149028742013-04-18T15:33:00.000-04:002013-04-18T15:33:39.077-04:00031 Swollen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxI93KS3N6xx9PLygvuO86MoMoQUZKjTD8Bk6vFB89I4Qn_ODSnct0xHFvvQ-cAMPKPALGYh4918sknfjIYCnElcRj9T8KsZ-9OS6X0OmS5m8XRnMu03h8f9AKp7_HTo2w2d3VnCc4ah-/s1600/P1010012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxI93KS3N6xx9PLygvuO86MoMoQUZKjTD8Bk6vFB89I4Qn_ODSnct0xHFvvQ-cAMPKPALGYh4918sknfjIYCnElcRj9T8KsZ-9OS6X0OmS5m8XRnMu03h8f9AKp7_HTo2w2d3VnCc4ah-/s640/P1010012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eating ice cream at 1 a.m. is not frowned upon.</div>
<br />Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-40518518783685029922013-04-17T16:46:00.000-04:002013-04-17T16:46:17.090-04:00030 Bad Tooth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyK2_IzRI8MiEBYNxbYXmszAfa-5BgK_ru2YU1QgkXEvEn5KCRwVqdHMqdxKPvQ_RbppTNBEHxHn3yVCutoQBr9CdJg4Ocn5SZ8MJOrpnC5ZAt-Ii2GiooGtBGpCVm0ejj91EbhFotAGU/s1600/P1010012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyK2_IzRI8MiEBYNxbYXmszAfa-5BgK_ru2YU1QgkXEvEn5KCRwVqdHMqdxKPvQ_RbppTNBEHxHn3yVCutoQBr9CdJg4Ocn5SZ8MJOrpnC5ZAt-Ii2GiooGtBGpCVm0ejj91EbhFotAGU/s640/P1010012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've got one bad tooth.<br />
<br />
The root canal went just as Babik described, "It will feel like they are jamming pipe cleaners in your tooth". So I was prepared. I was not however, prepared for the day three cheek swelling and antibiotics and the possible need to remove the crown to let the "gases" release. This is only round one, the permanent root canal packing and putting my crown permanently back on is yet to be complete.<br />
<br />
Tonight I am a chipmunk with a prescription of ice cream for dinner.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-39873828929663566402012-06-06T08:29:00.000-04:002012-06-06T08:29:44.876-04:00029 Single, Single, DoubleDouble unders don't own me anymore. Last night it just clicked, single, single, double, single, single, double. I'm actually doing them I thought, in the middle of a workout on a Tuesday night they just happened. For awhile I was the girl that just did the 3:1 single ratio. For every prescribed double under I did three singles. I thought it was just a skill that wouldn't be mastered. No that's silly to just stop working on a skill. So I studied a bit, but that still didn't help. So I started counting my attempts during workouts, no more singles. And then on a Tuesday night during a 12 minute AMRAP of 15 double unders, 12 handstand pushups, 9 hang cleans the double unders just happened. Single, Single, Double. Double unders don't own me anymore. Next up Double, Double, Double...Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-82847254981499538252012-05-23T11:50:00.002-04:002012-05-23T11:50:50.529-04:00028 Sleeping WeatherI used the weekend to take advantage of the excellent sleeping weather. I got in a solid 12+ on Saturday night; low humidity, slight breeze, warm but not hot. I went to bed early with the windows open and ceiling fan on, and I didn't wake up until the sun was shining and birds were chirping. BA like most folks thought it excellent riding weather and ventured out for a long one. Not me I slept. I raced on Saturday and when the thought of riding on a sunny Sunday didn't get a smile on my face I knew I needed to listen. We've all had those days, so I listen to myself and got the weeks chores done. You know the drill; laundry, mowing, yard work, dishes, grocery store etc. The feeling that I am ahead of the weeks "stuff" takes such a burden off my shoulders, now I'm pumped to ride my bike and throw weights around. I'm calling it a successful recovery block.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-89449719471066113412012-05-17T08:08:00.000-04:002012-05-17T08:08:09.090-04:00027 WednesdayThe first time I showed up to Wednesday Worlds I had never done a road race before. It's a good way to see what road racing is like I thought, without shelling out any dollars. I rolled out with the B group and got dropped on the second corner. That's right two minutes in and it was over. I tried chasing on. They are right there not even 50 yards ahead, it looks like they are easing up, but the cross wind was just too much. I rolled to the fourth corner with a tear in my eye. I just wanted to hang in and ride around with people, it wasn't like I wanted to win the thing.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I was still getting dropped on Wednesdays. I'd show up every once in a while and hang in as long as possible. If I was lucky I'd hang on until the last corner when it started ramping up for the sprint. Last year I usually made it to the end, but only showed up on weeks I wasn't racing. It was still pretty hard for me just to sit in. <br />
<br />
This year with the warm and dry spring I showed up to the March and April Wednesdays. The first one I did, I hung in and hung in well. I was there at the end for the sprint. <br />
<br />
Last night a group of two rolled off the front early. I was near the front and recognized their gap was increasing. I accelerated up to their wheel and looked back, no one had come with me. Half a lap later another rider bridged up. We stayed away for a lap or two. The pack came back and I sat in until the end. <br />
<br />
Progress is sometimes hard to measure and sometimes it just hits you over the head.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-11357466142040250632012-05-15T17:09:00.000-04:002012-05-15T17:09:25.030-04:00026 Tires<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-xCnMQBI3NNlfSkyIMXP9qneOT9Ui3gwJqaakcyaRuWCcMI6smolB3ODjbX1VFNEdsnEDaOkeiI3IiJywn9ohHoA8M5UBnaWLXs_FPl8GPja3GBDupq4GI8t9jX84T9s1Mb7colBuxXf/s1600/P1010041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-xCnMQBI3NNlfSkyIMXP9qneOT9Ui3gwJqaakcyaRuWCcMI6smolB3ODjbX1VFNEdsnEDaOkeiI3IiJywn9ohHoA8M5UBnaWLXs_FPl8GPja3GBDupq4GI8t9jX84T9s1Mb7colBuxXf/s400/P1010041.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tire flipping workouts remind me I'm just a farm girl at heart. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't do too many, they really leave a mark.</div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-44154680962945761922011-12-16T12:23:00.005-05:002011-12-16T20:02:54.743-05:00025 Wedgies<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I don’t know how it happened. Geler Votre Cul Cross, freeze your ass off, my skinsuit shorts started riding up. I was wearing leg warmers and thick gloves. The gloves were a bit much and came off with a lap and a half to go. I was concerned thin gloves would leave my hands frozen at the start and I would be unable to shift confidently during a crazy start. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVFWkNUkeS_n586kuUQz6PaOUKBJweu1M-5C3-YrfodEXpCGx1EsQq7NpXRLQuRA3t1ner9yMCB8CFDgJiNRWbybWEcSfrjcQxODaRxJLhBAvLV2x_sfluUxeZQamZLJIlMvMU1ydGo51/s1600/140290061.YO2VKLkg.NewfolderIMG_1517%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVFWkNUkeS_n586kuUQz6PaOUKBJweu1M-5C3-YrfodEXpCGx1EsQq7NpXRLQuRA3t1ner9yMCB8CFDgJiNRWbybWEcSfrjcQxODaRxJLhBAvLV2x_sfluUxeZQamZLJIlMvMU1ydGo51/s320/140290061.YO2VKLkg.NewfolderIMG_1517%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedge in Profile<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">www.dennisbike.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Point being, there I was with thick gloves trying to yank down my shorts while cornering, avoiding a barn and trying not to slow down. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My thought process during this moment; crap my shorts, what is going on, I have a skinsuit wedgie, wait is my ass hanging out, no, okay, try to pull them down, crap corner, try to pull them down, crap gloves, crap barn, eff it I’ll just have to deal with this wedgie. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I had a good race, in the mix, felt strong.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHiCLfFI5aOOAPSJqxcZsMSl66iTsk1OPywWDVpX2xYJoCkx8g6xu45nvXo50FF3-bVQRohwv85wzFENNPCSDvwcNb5zP-RcBVjIv1iw6JErHXGkbz0FBSNtmJHPbpnKLAfdvYhUEzBPj/s1600/139613115.byheqB0U.IMG_0585%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHiCLfFI5aOOAPSJqxcZsMSl66iTsk1OPywWDVpX2xYJoCkx8g6xu45nvXo50FF3-bVQRohwv85wzFENNPCSDvwcNb5zP-RcBVjIv1iw6JErHXGkbz0FBSNtmJHPbpnKLAfdvYhUEzBPj/s320/139613115.byheqB0U.IMG_0585%255B1%255D.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Andy in Orange<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">www.dennisbike.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg-M23gCcIQ-ODwr3K1eHORO2aLThPFSiP3Xtl7lBBNFGv1D3Vn3d9sKvji5zLQJ6RT57EydrB8moEJxw4P4e3yjbZoxg1AjvBe2x77rJJMkPSEhmi4iaqG46Ej06H8Zt6wQGkPjW0c4A/s1600/140287008.4RycMmtg.midIMG_1503%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg-M23gCcIQ-ODwr3K1eHORO2aLThPFSiP3Xtl7lBBNFGv1D3Vn3d9sKvji5zLQJ6RT57EydrB8moEJxw4P4e3yjbZoxg1AjvBe2x77rJJMkPSEhmi4iaqG46Ej06H8Zt6wQGkPjW0c4A/s320/140287008.4RycMmtg.midIMG_1503%255B1%255D.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedge in Full Effect<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">www.dennisbike.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Proud of my Bad Andy, 2011 MAC Cyclocross Series Overall Winner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-58412754911044768402011-12-09T15:24:00.000-05:002011-12-09T15:24:23.325-05:00024 3 - 0<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The jokes we make can turn into the goals that we secretly hold onto. We let them brew in our hearts, and pull them out when the training gets tough. We set the little goals in the hope that one day all those little ones will add up to the big one.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Being married to an elite cyclocross racer may have given me a different perspective than some. It was always the joke, the gentle teaser for the beginner racer, “so when are you gonna move up”? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So if we want we can; sleep in a little, go out to breakfast, enjoy the scenery outside of the race venue. It was turning into wait what state are we in, oh right every race looks the same because we’ve been at the race venue for over 8 hours a day.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We put in our time. BA is nothing but supportive of my racing, even when it was at the crack of dawn and hourd from his race, or when I wanted to get there even earlier so I could pre ride more than one lap. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Maybe by the time I’m thirty,” I blurted out one day. I think I was 27 at the time. I wasn’t sure if I was serious or not but I kept a hold of that goal I had just set for myself. I had three years right. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The years went on, every year I got a little faster, fitter and smarter. Every year I put in a little more time and hard work. Every year I learned a little more and paid a little more attention to both my strengths and weaknesses.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The 2010 cross season was both fun and frustrating. Perhaps I was putting to much pressure on myself. I thought I should be somewhere and wasn’t getting there. Sure I had improved, but not as much as I wanted. Really who did I think I was comparing myself to? For the most part I focused on the improvement I had made and not the improvements of others.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I changed as a racer last season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always showed up to race and tried my best, but I finally realized what that meant for me. It meant I wasn’t going to do my best on pure fitness, it meant I wasn’t going to ride away from everyone, it meant I would need to study the course, it meant I needed to know what gear to be in at transitions, it meant I needed to know which corners could be railed and which couldn’t, it meant I needed to know alternate lines if the one I was planning on taking was blocked, and of course it meant I needed to throw all that planning out the window if the race demanded it and just react.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The season ended and I was completely done. Not with riding, but I had nothing left for racing, suffering and fighting. I just wanted to pedal without intensity or purpose. I wanted to leave for a ride and get lost on the road.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The winter came and I found CrossFit and gained confidence in a sport where I had some natural strength. Then Mountain and Road season began in the spring. I had some really good races, even made the podium a few times, all the while thinking, “Maybe by the time I’m thirty”. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I was in a position where the decision was mine. I decided what was right for me was to move on. It was time, I wasn’t giving up but I was letting go. I realized if I stayed where I was it would probably be my last season as a cross racer. Yes strong words, but I really needed a big push a new outlook on racing. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I went for it and never looked back. </div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-50199414640177972952011-05-06T12:54:00.000-04:002011-05-06T12:54:53.366-04:00023 Easy Killer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaQ24Wro1fCDIjEjp7OlFTbY-laAdmFwuAzbuaqdwiXtmWVy9dbiy9ANRCUvN6PumqGB74ejHy1h12MHKCs4LtMTnrJdzIAXmRzte9EUcmTMpx4SkuUv-Xz3Zgdejeo1Qw8eqwU1Cumk2/s1600/tulips353-3%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaQ24Wro1fCDIjEjp7OlFTbY-laAdmFwuAzbuaqdwiXtmWVy9dbiy9ANRCUvN6PumqGB74ejHy1h12MHKCs4LtMTnrJdzIAXmRzte9EUcmTMpx4SkuUv-Xz3Zgdejeo1Qw8eqwU1Cumk2/s320/tulips353-3%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Easy killer is pretty much what BA told me last night. Sometimes I'm extremely stubborn. That stubbornness and fight can be to a fault at times. That's why I have BA to pull me back to reality.<br />
<br />
I want to race the next MASS Race, French Creek. I've already spent the money. Right now it's not that I need the money, but I just don't want it to go to waste. <br />
<br />
I was actually trying to rationalize it to myself. Just this race and then I'll recover through the rest of the antibiotics. Alas, I won't be there.<br />
<br />
This isn't something to eff with he says. The words ring true. While I may come back with a negative Lyme's diagnosis, I may also come back with a positive. <br />
<br />
Right now, I need to let the antibiotics and my body do the work, and not stress my body more by racing around the woods for two hours on Saturday. <br />
<br />
I'm drawing some inspiration from these tulip photographs. I heart "real" abstracts. It's an aerial photograph of tulip fields, but appears to be a painters abstract creation.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-7699912308399163192011-05-05T14:42:00.000-04:002011-05-05T14:42:16.207-04:00022 Lemons and Lyme's<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Mid Atlantic Super Series presented the Granogue Mountain Bike Race this weekend. Andrew Mein's Excellent Adventure held on the Dupont's estate just outside Wilmington Delaware. I came home with a nice plaque for 2nd U40 Sport Woman, a nice travel mug, and a tick attached to my belly. The little sucker was feeding on me just like a little vampire, that's disgusting. First misquitoes now ticks, who knew this blog would turn into my personal trials and tribulations with blood sucking critters. Yes it looked like a deer tick, no it didn't appear to have a full belly of my blood, yes unfortunatly I crushed the little sucker trying to remove it, yes part of it is still in me, yes that's disgusting. <br />
<br />
I didn't notice it until Monday evening. Cross your fingers that it crawled on me Monday when I was sorting through the clothes I wore to the race on Sunday to wash and wasn't feeding on me since Sunday, yes that's disgusting. <br />
<br />
Yesterday I developed a stiffness in my upper back and a small bulls eye around the bite. Doctor time. The prescription is for antibiotics now and a blood test after I'm done with the antibiotics. If I don't have the lyme antibodies then either I didn't have it or the antibiotics worked. Sounds better to me than waiting a couple weeks to see if my blood tests for lyme and then proceeding with antibiotics. <br />
<br />
My goal for Granogue was small. Just finish. <br />
<br />
The start was good. The first section of single track gave me some trouble and the second section some more. I continued on, tried to relax, and told myself yes this may start to suck a whole lot but do not stop pedaling. <br />
<br />
Then I got in a good rhythm, started riding better and even letting it rip a little. In the end it was a ton of fun.<br />
<br />
Unlike the Bakers Dozen I was nervous for this race. I have no idea why. You could say this race is my nemesis, I've never finished until this year. Yeah, goal accomplished and I managed to pull 2nd U40 sport woman.<br />
<br />
I'm not letting this little blood sucker hold me back. French Creek is this weekend and I'm registered.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW5KfVVxfh7vXU2v22JX_IrDqUu06ofTB7s5v3TNc18Hr_PDJ_8zxQ-3xjGGRoKKmcbMjaqfPWrpZSEV_Bjr7ZFjq2HJgzXfNcYetlBFnNOeX67VU24bXD0Xtf4_LUA7-7s_N06MjzIOc/s1600/ss-110429-wedding-ceremony-35.ss_full%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqW5KfVVxfh7vXU2v22JX_IrDqUu06ofTB7s5v3TNc18Hr_PDJ_8zxQ-3xjGGRoKKmcbMjaqfPWrpZSEV_Bjr7ZFjq2HJgzXfNcYetlBFnNOeX67VU24bXD0Xtf4_LUA7-7s_N06MjzIOc/s400/ss-110429-wedding-ceremony-35.ss_full%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a>Last weeks royal wedding in England got me intrigued on the subject of royalty. I studied the family trees, followed the lineages and read the dramas. How strange to see your family tree mapped out for the entire world to see. As I read about the dramas and scandals of this prince or that queen I thought, they are so real. These things happen in every family not even with the exception of royalty. <br />
<br />
I wish the best for the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge. I think they may have got it right. I hope so anyway. They seem genuine, balanced and real. Sure there will probably be scandals, dramas, and lies that I may or may not read about. But for this moment on this day, I felt like I could connect with them.</div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-39223315804628593312011-04-19T11:03:00.000-04:002011-04-19T11:03:17.412-04:00021 MosquitoesThey're back, I got bit by a mosquito on the upper portion of my ear. Where this person got a rad tattoo, my ear is red and swollen and looks like that cauliflower ear wrestlers get. It itches bitches.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG23iZ1A7ncutyN55STH4nL2a8lo1PUNjizl7Tja8VCctCsXFc-3A8hvGTlwRnVgFqRFGVQVtPlcgPlvZsRUcXXIBF0HKyL3AfC2_nSp0nZGbMFwUOWNxnsVLFpKwl1YCfmPO50SlKVA0/s1600/ear_tattoos_16%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG23iZ1A7ncutyN55STH4nL2a8lo1PUNjizl7Tja8VCctCsXFc-3A8hvGTlwRnVgFqRFGVQVtPlcgPlvZsRUcXXIBF0HKyL3AfC2_nSp0nZGbMFwUOWNxnsVLFpKwl1YCfmPO50SlKVA0/s200/ear_tattoos_16%255B1%255D.jpg" width="158" /></a></div><br />
I received the bite on Sunday while trying to pull the most gigantic spring onion out of the ivy patch. I used a proper dead lift technique but it wouldn't budge. Ripped the top off without getting any of the goods. Total onion fail.<br />
<br />
I worked on my hamstrings while picking up the millions of sticks and branches that littered our yard after Saturday's storm. My kind neighbor saw me out there picking up sticks and stopped by to return some that belonged to the trees located on my property. We both have the same species of trees. I guess when your a weakling these things matter. I thanked them and continued on my dead lifting spring onion workout.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-25090288898973341172011-04-18T13:45:00.000-04:002011-04-18T13:45:43.381-04:00020 Punk Rock RescueThe free punk rock show at the American Bar and Grill was just what BA and I needed. When I wonder what is happening to this world, are policy makers following a good path, am I loosing too much hope in humanity or did I have too much faith to begin with. <br />
<br />
Punk Rock was there to the rescue. When a show is free, well you never know what to expect. The bands were good, and I was refreshed by the community spirit. It was simply put a pretty rad show. <br />
<br />
And just what we needed. A night out, some loud music, and a few two dollar beers.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-74537602418971843502011-04-18T13:42:00.000-04:002011-04-18T13:42:39.110-04:00019 WeenerWins come few and far between for most cyclists and athletes in general. I'm not the type of athlete that gauges their sucess on wins. I would have been out of the cycling game a long time ago if that was the case. <br />
<br />
Taking my first legitimate win ever at the Leesburg Baker's Dozen, three female catagory, was just the reassurace I needed that I am making some fitness progress. There was something really rewarding that it was a team effort. Team Estrojets. We had a solid team and we just rode. That simple. <br />
<br />
I brought my A game, I knew we had a chance to do well. The funny thing is though I wasn't nervous. I was excited to race my bike. Bring it mud, bring it slick roots, bring it rocks.<br />
<br />
I'm seriously loving my new hardtail 29er. It's changed by whole outlook on mountain biking. I feel just as powerful as when I'm on my cross or road bike, which was not the case before.<br />
<br />
Since January BA and I have been working out at the Crossfit Collective. Crossfit is a serious butt kicker, but so rewarding. I'm feeling so much stronger on the bike. The combination of weight training and gymnastics was just what I needed to add to my training recipe.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-19504118084616464822011-01-20T08:40:00.000-05:002011-01-20T08:40:47.937-05:00018 Fast<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR-de4Zu5-CcJ2BhY2z9XYhgwH8zt01Md2K2Xhaj4fRjAJXXE9d5iddrfWRLwuL8ONmSfYq0yIu3AXC1Vdg4sjRjhXA0XqtSThZWs60R8DMYn4lH4Kvt8rEx6-KTM9LCmi6cZUbzscxo_/s1600/winter-wind-storm-09%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR-de4Zu5-CcJ2BhY2z9XYhgwH8zt01Md2K2Xhaj4fRjAJXXE9d5iddrfWRLwuL8ONmSfYq0yIu3AXC1Vdg4sjRjhXA0XqtSThZWs60R8DMYn4lH4Kvt8rEx6-KTM9LCmi6cZUbzscxo_/s320/winter-wind-storm-09%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a>I haven't felt fast for awhile. Since the Sterling Ma. NACT Finals Cross Races, Thanksgiving weekend. I keep reminding myself that it's okay not to feel fast in January and I probably shouldn't be fast in January. I had an entire Fall Cross season where I felt fast. On the long winter rides it's easy to forget.<br />
<br />
On Saturday I decided to ride out to the fields. The roads where the traffic is sparse and the farm fields are plentiful. I avoided these roads last week due to the threat of snow drifting and blowing. The cross winds are strong on these flat roads that traverse barren fields. I feel at home, they remind me of growing up on the farm. Long walks around the fields. I didn't move far from home, but some days I miss being right there surrounded by them.<br />
<br />
As a child I loved the wind. When a storm was approaching or just blowing across the barren fields. It lended a sense of excitement to the outside. I would run outside into the wind and let it whip my hair around as I leaned into it letting the force hold me up.<br />
<br />
As a cyclist I loathe the wind. I stay in during wind advisories, I curse the cross wind that pushes my bike into the gutter, and I fight the head wind that makes turning the easiest gear incredibly hard. On Saturday as I rode through the fields, I accepted the wind. It's winter and I'm feeling slow. I will not fight the wind but instead ride my pace. There will be plenty of windy spring days to slice through the wind with speed and determination, but for now I've accepted the wind. As I turned the corner onto the Brownstown Road Race course the head wind pushed me back. I accepted it and kept pedaling. Up the hill, across the finishing straight and off course I continued on my long winter ride.<br />
<br />
I passed an amish teen in Rumspringa. He was scooting along in a sweatshirt, beanie, jeans and sneakers. His scooter basket was full of packages. He was not fighting the wind. He was simply moving.<br />
<br />
I allowed myself to enjoy the scenery. I had no intervals to do or recover from. The length of Stumptown Road there was a line of toilet paper strung for miles disappearing into the white snow, as if someone had held a roll out of the car window and let the wind take it a will. I pressed on into the winter wind.<br />
</div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-49749676912886600192011-01-17T12:03:00.003-05:002011-01-17T12:11:04.741-05:00017 Chasing Old TrailsYes this is a little old. I'm getting back into the groove....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHExLtQk6L5iXW0iLeI2GMBuwH8KRFCse8T0P88nxi4ZN2No_EOybItp7wBuVn-qKSK1slMAE9N6k4ubYfknSLg2urepEzX5-tO3GVrhPyknR957a9ASw2gZAuXRM9oM8hPhG8DpNFP2X/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHExLtQk6L5iXW0iLeI2GMBuwH8KRFCse8T0P88nxi4ZN2No_EOybItp7wBuVn-qKSK1slMAE9N6k4ubYfknSLg2urepEzX5-tO3GVrhPyknR957a9ASw2gZAuXRM9oM8hPhG8DpNFP2X/s200/untitled.bmp" width="150" /></a></div>The holidays means spending time with family and returning to old hometown haunts. For BA and I it means packing up the car with mountain bikes and presents. We try to squeeze in as much riding time as possible. I hang onto BA's wheel as he whips around the trails of his high school days. The days of night ride poaching with flash lights and ski gloves. I'm told of story's long past. Of winter rides in waffle thermals, hooded sweatshirts, and corduroy shorts. <br />
<br />
The trails are rough, one giant rut, fallen trees, and frozen mud. The hills are tiresome, but we attempt to ride them all. As I dismount my bike and begin the trek uphill BA says, "yeah this isn't even rideable in the dry, in case you were wondering". <br />
<br />
Then there's the moments where the trails flow, through the pine forest, down the descents. I'm permitted to lead the chase every once in awhile. I scream all the way downhill. Entertainment for the more confident BA. <br />
I sweat like a fiend, we remove rain coats. It rains a lot, the trails are always muddy. If you want to ride around here you get used to the mud I'm told. BA reminisces of the "dry" summer, when they rode everyday. There's talk of changes to the trail, better drainage through a nasty mud pit, and the hill that he's only made up once without dabbing. <br />
<br />
We return to the car. I'm exhausted. I never tire of hearing the old mountain biking stories. Races in corduroy shorts and waffle thermals. I'm reminded, I may never be that hard, no matter how good I get. We can only strive with all our technical gear and carbon bikes to retain the passion of corduroy shorts and waffle thermals.<br />
<br />
It's the feeling in our guts, the highs and lows, the goals we achieve and the ones we don't. On these winter rides I'm reminded of why I pedal.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-65213201615292065232010-11-26T10:33:00.000-05:002010-11-26T10:33:53.125-05:00016 Hoagies and Fries<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxA4OnXsCuS4Nr_U2FDL1U-3h3_JI-5vkje4j1fqc-MonwHIfRnMKiD07pzbzAh-DtFmv3L4c6365-OIAmq77Z9QZeDFXdotnawYvJ-0BhJEUEffpykD9LenxIXbndgzgcXr7IhbzPMF/s1600/P1010062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxA4OnXsCuS4Nr_U2FDL1U-3h3_JI-5vkje4j1fqc-MonwHIfRnMKiD07pzbzAh-DtFmv3L4c6365-OIAmq77Z9QZeDFXdotnawYvJ-0BhJEUEffpykD9LenxIXbndgzgcXr7IhbzPMF/s320/P1010062.JPG" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Our car smells like hoagies and fries again. You know what that means, another great weekend of cyclocross racing has occurred. It has become a bit of a ritual for BA and I to enjoy rest stop veggie hoagies and french fries on our Sunday post race drive home. Something about a long weekend of racing, riding like a fool with drool coming out of your mouth, and you butt cheek hanging out of a ripped skinsuit that makes french fries taste all that much better.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">This past weekend the MAC Series wrapped up with races #10 and #11 in Long Island. What a great MAC season, great turn out, great courses, great promoters, great officials, great racers, great people.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkukS2WRtBhEtFdrFaUI2mkV_RVApclUGMAVrOhSiwazfzoGbBWtRYzCbcjxp3kjVn5URDQYyRUswB6KZ65SCyHYiZw3dK2qco5hp49h-sQMB4tmrPvYYngAcbn73xAUqMytlzNL1-PTD8/s1600/P1010063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkukS2WRtBhEtFdrFaUI2mkV_RVApclUGMAVrOhSiwazfzoGbBWtRYzCbcjxp3kjVn5URDQYyRUswB6KZ65SCyHYiZw3dK2qco5hp49h-sQMB4tmrPvYYngAcbn73xAUqMytlzNL1-PTD8/s320/P1010063.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">I took the line on Saturday with a stacked B-women's field. I was fresh from a weekend off racing. Last weekend I bought this book shelf and made BA built it. He pulled a muscle building it. Our books are off the floor now, even this Dewey Decimal book.<br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />The B-women go off, I really need to work on my starts. I felt like I didn't have enough room on the start grid. BA says I need to make room, that's what elbows are for. We hit the grass and I kept trying to move up. I'm not in good position. Around the first corner the rider in front of me eases up ever so slightly, I try to go around. Our wheels rub. I think that's okay these things happen but then BAM I'm over her wheel and BAM I'm falling into a rider to my left and then BAM I'm on the ground. I hit the ground and rolled like 5 feet from my bike and unknown to me my skinsuit ripped and my left thigh, butt cheek was hanging out. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">The cheers today were awesome. I rode my butt off and apparently showed everyone. I also may have not been so nice to some folks. Let's face it in a class of sandbaggers those who actually want to get upgrade points are fighting for every spot every race. 9th B-women. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvYX-_pqTjlX_te7QLLS_rrpHqPxXrsqGNMST4eqagwWLWL0sprI6CA0mMkxqsnYKIb6gL59wUelGiUXWAdtLTmKbnfSaZve5sZpsmjSZBS2m9YWJs8de7Xn0-ZWS0-8kurDyu_DcT3Vp/s1600/P1010056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvYX-_pqTjlX_te7QLLS_rrpHqPxXrsqGNMST4eqagwWLWL0sprI6CA0mMkxqsnYKIb6gL59wUelGiUXWAdtLTmKbnfSaZve5sZpsmjSZBS2m9YWJs8de7Xn0-ZWS0-8kurDyu_DcT3Vp/s320/P1010056.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">BA rode to 8th today. Dinner was delicious. Hotel was bed bug free. What more could you ask for?</span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Sunday BA and I both rode to 6th in our fields.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I made the pecan pie and green bean casserole. The family mentioned they hadn't seen us in awhile. BA and I tried to explain the cross season and how many races we've been doing. Maybe next year with races going into January we'll be around some more weekends in the fall. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I rode on the back patio on Wednesday night. Fearing the darkness and Thanksgiving travelers I decided to stay off the roads. I think Danger Scout would approve. Our patio light created this eerie shadow of me across the back yard. The neighbors probably think I'm nuts. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaFMwl9iJ8i1_xsUdj2kvsFyjd0PawkcGeJ5sCkZI2AmTZTbiBR8PSu1hraJOjRqfe-rcY5gK_6tRUaZ8tBo-eWzqNcwbpSlYaKGPbAndYBclzwSDAh5y_TcxuVYRtnKjpS6sHUfGtbmQ/s1600/P1010068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaFMwl9iJ8i1_xsUdj2kvsFyjd0PawkcGeJ5sCkZI2AmTZTbiBR8PSu1hraJOjRqfe-rcY5gK_6tRUaZ8tBo-eWzqNcwbpSlYaKGPbAndYBclzwSDAh5y_TcxuVYRtnKjpS6sHUfGtbmQ/s320/P1010068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">Today we are heading up to Sterling MA for the NACT Finals and some New England Cross Racing. PA States is tomorrow. If your a resident of PA or any state for that matter you should go. BA decided 4 years of the PA State Championship Title was good and this year we should try out a new race.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important;">I'm off to ride the trainer in the basement now... gearing up for a winter of staring at the basement wall. </div></div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-70036078431048529722010-11-26T10:05:00.000-05:002010-11-26T10:05:49.539-05:00015 Episode XV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvSS5AdTLzXpRUCCvDlcvJK6Y3ynmr9wfpgmsQfWFnXykPe6QvBWvFf5SPBaldXt6fM4r1BB2JK6SeZdRAgWf1gc2a3CV7ewnMK6GHdC78fkuFgkusgQz09SGhHw52CNVI6ndEFRBWphT/s1600/P1010045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvSS5AdTLzXpRUCCvDlcvJK6Y3ynmr9wfpgmsQfWFnXykPe6QvBWvFf5SPBaldXt6fM4r1BB2JK6SeZdRAgWf1gc2a3CV7ewnMK6GHdC78fkuFgkusgQz09SGhHw52CNVI6ndEFRBWphT/s320/P1010045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">I'm behind, I wrote this 2 weeks ago and never posted. Enjoy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Two weeks have flown by and 4 more races are done, until next year!<br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />This Halloween C3 - Athletes Serving Athletes busted out the top secret special skinsuits.<br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />Stormtroopers are the personal army of Darth Auer and of his commanders. They are portrayed in collective groups of varying organizational sizes ranging from squads to legions, and, for some, their armor and training is modified for special operations and environments. The troopers' most distinctive equipment is the white battle armor they normally wear. </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbSuoilWFB0i6NuR61TpkIlcw9f53ZHcvF2OOZk9LwyBLV8W7BIiYIZUBPM0fqqgtFTdE7xCYM8AlvWjTLQyas6NF_4fBKI-uchKetzk3AQyzfhJ8jBOnrUCPwtiCd9dWQ1-uSmFbEyHM/s1600/P1010042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbSuoilWFB0i6NuR61TpkIlcw9f53ZHcvF2OOZk9LwyBLV8W7BIiYIZUBPM0fqqgtFTdE7xCYM8AlvWjTLQyas6NF_4fBKI-uchKetzk3AQyzfhJ8jBOnrUCPwtiCd9dWQ1-uSmFbEyHM/s320/P1010042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Two weeks ago BA and I headed over to New Jersey for MAC Race #7 Beacon and #8 Highland Park. Beacon has always been good to me, especially last year. The course is usually the same. Fast flat sandy trails, a beach run, the amphitheater of pain, barriers right after a turn, nice uphill road finish. I was expecting to have a decent to good day. This is what happens when you start expecting in bike racing. A bad start, I thought I'll sit in for a moment and continue to move up. When I decided to move I got pinched in a turn. I kept trying to move up the entire race, but ended up the 14th B Women. <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />BA and I are having some serious regrets about being the "house with the light out" on Halloween. Sorry kids I just didn't have time to get candy. They spared the eggs and TP this year. Thank Gawd.<br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />Highland Park Mac Race #8, I might have said "I never have a good ride here". Well that's what happens when you start expecting in bike racing, sometimes you surprise yourself. The course has got some climbing and tricky turns. I had my climbing legs ready. Another bad start, but I didn't give up. I just kept keeping on and being aggressive until the end. 5th B Women, my best Highland Park. </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmag0jTc9eTJFGed_35pjmCiJEnlg93Zxx7ExLynFprWbsDV7SaMSILYdS2afhuKBAQMD6wgv-hBXO93IWiJtUyfqPYc31PnlfAYroeT5vl8npY7Pu8jMst2rEZDXvNcLOZT8W62QsZfLv/s1600/P1010041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmag0jTc9eTJFGed_35pjmCiJEnlg93Zxx7ExLynFprWbsDV7SaMSILYdS2afhuKBAQMD6wgv-hBXO93IWiJtUyfqPYc31PnlfAYroeT5vl8npY7Pu8jMst2rEZDXvNcLOZT8W62QsZfLv/s320/P1010041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">BA had two nice rides to 9th and 10th. <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />I've got to give a shout out to the C3 elite women's team. Cleaning up the podium at the past 4 MAC races is not a feat to take lightly, rock on!<br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />Last weekend was my first trip up to NOHO, Northampton Mass, for the 20th annual Cycle-Smart International. I was pumped because I'd never been and BA was pumped to check it out again. It was awesome; fun course, great people, super organized, totally rad. Thanks to Skinny Craig, Beth and the family for letting C3- Athletes Serving Athletes crash their house. You can't turn away darksider Fat Marc and Monkey cause their family, but to host and cook for the rest of us was super cool. <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />Once again I'm so proud of my B gals, 75 strong starters. The numbers in our races just keep increasing, it really is awesome. Even in the MAC we've had a solid 40 strong most races. </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nRgu8RArXIp8nfg0wAXVEZQlz-sKe6fWHxQTLFB7AAUCdfP48X_N7CRNoG4MWOxcXRGCeeSMG338FxtcDga9GZw2c0M_dD8EkU6of4jWKQIp3fTNHPgMoITZtLYZcWjRiIzMSVJoOyOf/s1600/P1010044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nRgu8RArXIp8nfg0wAXVEZQlz-sKe6fWHxQTLFB7AAUCdfP48X_N7CRNoG4MWOxcXRGCeeSMG338FxtcDga9GZw2c0M_dD8EkU6of4jWKQIp3fTNHPgMoITZtLYZcWjRiIzMSVJoOyOf/s320/P1010044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">Starting 5th row was a challenge that I accepted and concurred fairly well. 25th day 1 and 22nd day 2. I just kept trying to move up through the field the entire race, and had some of my best last laps of the year. I must say it really was awesome to get the feeling of a giant pack of racers behind you while your trying to bear down on the giant pack of racers in front of you. I did find myself in no mans land most of the time but only because I refused to settle for the pack I was with and kept trying to move up. </div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; text-indent: 0px !important;">BA had a respectable ride to 12th on Day 1 and an awesome ride to 6th on Day 2. The piece of snot running out of his nose on Day 2 was rock awesome. Skinny Craig mentioned if he just licked the snot it might act as some sort of power gel / cliff shot for added energy. Something to consider for the future.<br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />I'm now more in love with New England Cross than ever. Spectating Gloucester in 2004 inspired me to race. Racing NOHO in 2010 has reminded me that cross is boss. </div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-16648081447330875682010-10-29T14:16:00.000-04:002010-10-29T14:16:12.600-04:00014 RealityThe reality is it has been a tough week. The mid season tiredness has crept into my legs and soul. A co-worker has been let go due to lack of work. Lay-offs are looming large above all our heads. This lay-off has created more work for me. I'm really not sure if it's good or bad, but I just keep showing up and collecting a pay check. I hope with all my heart this lay-off goes better than the last one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9s477gqvDWyVuz55i3NE3fdwtsqcaYu9IiheTyGhCXHuJr0bXaCq6pukAgr1PCjOHIBV0aNV-Kp7CX1ulDAVjDbtRtAGa0ki5npqeqKLK6j5xeArkGfdW8dlMWukiP5rwCasWUrJ39K8/s1600/sunmen_105_600%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9s477gqvDWyVuz55i3NE3fdwtsqcaYu9IiheTyGhCXHuJr0bXaCq6pukAgr1PCjOHIBV0aNV-Kp7CX1ulDAVjDbtRtAGa0ki5npqeqKLK6j5xeArkGfdW8dlMWukiP5rwCasWUrJ39K8/s320/sunmen_105_600%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The USGP in Kentucky last weekend was okay. Perhaps I was expecting more, but the venue and course did not seem ready for a world championship event. The week has cost us two broken shifters, a gore cable, a sliced tubular, and a lot of sleep. On the bright side Bad Andy got caught in this pretty sweet photo.<br />
<br />
I'll stop bringing you down. I'm looking for the bright side. Negative energy out and positive energy in. I'm excited to race my bike this weekend. Mac Races #7 and #8 Beacon and Highland Park.<br />
<br />
Have you seen the<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TiIrpEMbQ2M"> time traveler</a> caught talking on a cell phone in this clip. Kinda funny.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-63100078343022618562010-10-20T12:03:00.000-04:002010-10-20T12:03:08.543-04:00013 Battle Scars <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz81TcMc1z8rpyGD6Mpux-IOGHOH7Dr88JfIJpSvv0fWV9jgRrJKEDOch2UdpXyGcuBhPRI6x6U0rAbkn3zGe8OSIDZ1IPanbXKMgRUwCDg-aR9pGipRw2_P21e0Djz46QnB7TyCCEkAqk/s1600/129576656.kwxQwB9f.etcIMG_1578%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz81TcMc1z8rpyGD6Mpux-IOGHOH7Dr88JfIJpSvv0fWV9jgRrJKEDOch2UdpXyGcuBhPRI6x6U0rAbkn3zGe8OSIDZ1IPanbXKMgRUwCDg-aR9pGipRw2_P21e0Djz46QnB7TyCCEkAqk/s400/129576656.kwxQwB9f.etcIMG_1578%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This weekend was the Granogue cyclocross race, MAC races #5 and #6. The queen of the MAC GRRRanogue. Did you know in 2005 at my first Granogue while pre riding the course in the foggy misty morning I was so scared of this course that I went to the car and didn't race. Yes it was my 3rd race ever but I don't think I'll ever live that one down. My best Granouge finish came in 2008, 6th place B Women. That year the course was dry and swoopy, the barriers were near the rooty tree, the climb to the water tower was fast and powerful and it was a sunny crisp fall day. I was having one of those rare days when it felt like my legs could do anything. I attacked on every hill on the first lap and tried to maintain. I often think about that day, I attacked the course with vengeance, I had something to prove to myself, I wasn't scared.<br />
<br />
Did you know after two years of trying I have never finished the Granogue mountain bike race. That's another story for another time. This year the Granogue cross race celebrated 10 years and it's first double up weekend with two new courses. Did you know Bad Andy has been at every Granogue Cross for the last 10 years. <br />
<br />
Saturday's course offered a downhill slalom from the water tower, a rideable backside hill, and a random sandpit in the woods. I ripped the start finding myself in decent position after the first corner. As we approached the sand pit I was ready for anything. I left a little room to the rider in front just in case things got crazy. Good thing, there was a pile up. As people parted sorting out themselves and bikes, a path was cleared for me to continue rolling with out the need to dismount. Score. Up the next hill I desperately tried to attach to the group in front of me. Through the barriers I attempted to make up more time because I new I needed a wheel on the windy road section. Well this failed completely, I wrecked on my remount and cut my knee on my bike. There's a first for everything. The knee didn't hurt just a little bloody, I kept going. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrl3MdX82NIESVNqLCYLqULZpvSEIXZlZUJfxrcGct1kVU5xejajEmz2wF6m7MwuTu3HnL7CH1FoUxaHOKJtV73BbnHTy5XwUijSSQ_msYXx7-eOqaDS5PvOR_7MwRRqpqEjMEXkluffo/s1600/129541811.Fcwb181G.ucimenIMG_0669%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrl3MdX82NIESVNqLCYLqULZpvSEIXZlZUJfxrcGct1kVU5xejajEmz2wF6m7MwuTu3HnL7CH1FoUxaHOKJtV73BbnHTy5XwUijSSQ_msYXx7-eOqaDS5PvOR_7MwRRqpqEjMEXkluffo/s320/129541811.Fcwb181G.ucimenIMG_0669%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Andy Granogue Cross<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">http://www.dennisbike.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then my seat decided it wanted to be pointing at the sky and not level. I was near the pit and knew BA's bike was in there for me. My first pit, while searching for the bike a couple more spots were lost, I kept going. Finished 15th out of 46 starters in the B Women. It turns out i needed four stitches in my knee. Thanks to RKL and LVG for accompaniment and car to the medical clinic post race. <br />
<br />
BA had a good ride, although 11th is the the worst spot in a UCI C2 race, no UCI points. For a good majority of the race he was in a group of 8 or so. I think one of the biggest groups I've seen in a cross race that stay together for awhile. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wqLk4ARiLzPYKX1GGo-vz8GB21JLwd0NShSoAksg_tiQKHPa8EhlYaiqlmoOVqNXpgNNRkG6G4aGo4y0PQ6cR1iAOKfPmxzgxcCRXAN1qnRy-RTiST5hnsyiJTzRZD-Q3ZOX9YSsJIMY/s1600/129565323.uLQpBRS0.bwomjrIMG_1028%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wqLk4ARiLzPYKX1GGo-vz8GB21JLwd0NShSoAksg_tiQKHPa8EhlYaiqlmoOVqNXpgNNRkG6G4aGo4y0PQ6cR1iAOKfPmxzgxcCRXAN1qnRy-RTiST5hnsyiJTzRZD-Q3ZOX9YSsJIMY/s320/129565323.uLQpBRS0.bwomjrIMG_1028%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Kat Granogue Cross<br />
I'm somewhere in this cluster.<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">http://www.dennisbike.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sunday morning I didn't know if my knee would let me race. I almost broke down before leaving the house. BA talked me through it. The plan was to ride around and see how it felt. Upon arrival I forgot about my knee. I started riding and forgot about it even more. I was excited to see what new surprises and challenges the course had to offer. Sunday's course gave riders a run up backside hill (BA and some others rode it), a tough ride up to the water tower and a downhill remount after the run up. I killed the start attempting to attach to the top four. As I made my way down the hill from the water tower I was desperately searching for a place to recover. A few people passed me. I kept fighting for positions knowing that I was running down the downhill re-mount section. I was lame today because I was thinking about my knee. I passed people on the tricky turn before the road. I was really suffering during this race and it seemed like everyone just kept passing me, so on the last lap when I was passed on the water tower hill I attached myself to the wheel and sprinted for 10th out of 46 starters in the B Women.<br />
<br />
BA had a inspirational ride to 6th. He rode the backside hill and when the crowd went nuts it fueled his fire. Check out his post race <a href="http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/237726-Granogue-Cross-2010/video/360376-Granogue-Day-Two-Andy-Wulfkule-Post-Race">interview. </a><br />
<br />
This weekend we head south to Kentucky for the US Grand Prix of Cyclocross. We are both excited to see what the Kentucky Cyclocross Scene is all about.Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-55687561145210716182010-10-13T15:32:00.000-04:002010-10-13T15:32:21.507-04:00012 Yesterdays Skinsuit <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLn-oamd7fTyf2ByIMBmCSZakTQVsmUdBKweXBMYmRNsnuKkXiAP0eo6e7ifZ4lJ1gVXTK_Iq_G8H1QeF1i73mkDKc1P8HCqj7ZoxpDo0xij8tsC9XMnkdqKOfrM-kpv5o5ZD9qsjvxwv/s1600/expman%5B7%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLn-oamd7fTyf2ByIMBmCSZakTQVsmUdBKweXBMYmRNsnuKkXiAP0eo6e7ifZ4lJ1gVXTK_Iq_G8H1QeF1i73mkDKc1P8HCqj7ZoxpDo0xij8tsC9XMnkdqKOfrM-kpv5o5ZD9qsjvxwv/s320/expman%5B7%5D.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Kat Friday<br />
Searching for more gears.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This past weekend BA and I headed west to the triple up cyclocross race known as the Cincinnati UCI 3. We met up with fellow C3 - Athletes Serving Athletes teammates and friends to concur the Ohio Valley CX Scene. It was hot and dusty. Not your typical cross race weather. I brought the camera, it never left the car.<br />
<br />
Friday's race course greeted us with some challenges. Loads of climbing. It was definitely one of the toughest cross courses I've done. I've never wished so badly that my 38 lil chain ring was a 36. The 42 saw no action except for the start. Monkey and I found each other on the last lap. I yelled to her as she passed. "I hate this course with every fiber in my being" she started laughing and said "I think I'm gonna puke". It was awesome to have a teammate to share that moment with. We finished together, still in the top ten. No disrespect to Friday's course designers, just not my cup of tea. That one hurt, but everyone is still talking about it. Shout out to DeeDee who took 3rd in the elite women's race way to crush it. </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e0-U6wQcKtEgFKgsq_76OW_9DZbX3bPTcFVgXsY-BU3ZgYb40G4aJTxNaecPH2RjxPtU2Pi8iuDXlRV0Nl3d_8L0rVu8y0WYc2ULvHKm-jFHMiMksh-damxFftiPQzA9lNsbxnJ167Ul/s1600/expmanCAP3FLXH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e0-U6wQcKtEgFKgsq_76OW_9DZbX3bPTcFVgXsY-BU3ZgYb40G4aJTxNaecPH2RjxPtU2Pi8iuDXlRV0Nl3d_8L0rVu8y0WYc2ULvHKm-jFHMiMksh-damxFftiPQzA9lNsbxnJ167Ul/s320/expmanCAP3FLXH.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Kat Saturday<br />
What a difference a day makes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Fueled up on Thai food and donuts we set out for Saturday's race. The race course is in a smallish park in the middle of a neighborhood. I wish my neighborhood had a cross race, jealous. The course was wicked fast, loads of turns, ups and downs. I breathed a sigh along with most of the team. I loved every single moment, so much so, instead of warming up on the trainer I just road the course. Sometimes the first race is nice. 6th B women. BA had a solid ride to 14th again.<br />
<br />
On Sunday as we set up camp at the venue, and I started looking over the clothes I had left. I really wanted to wear a skinsuit. They make me feel fast. It was dirty. I only wore it for an hour yesterday I thought giving it a sniff, not to bad. Maybe my stink would deter someone from riding my wheel the entire race. Monkey and I both agreed we would wear yesterday's skinsuit. Sometimes at a bike race you just gotta do what you gotta do and not think twice about it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtuEtNaILhh51a8wYZu7D4xC1WNrI8IitER9d1JCKxCktztTr8qJF944yFojFjADIe_mJDPVky4RKHTuAvYs1CZ_q44x-EvOJ97CW8FK8U4vhbEiiLWiSqEe4JXblcbH4UjlG_jmT4yY0/s1600/expmanCA3H8FSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtuEtNaILhh51a8wYZu7D4xC1WNrI8IitER9d1JCKxCktztTr8qJF944yFojFjADIe_mJDPVky4RKHTuAvYs1CZ_q44x-EvOJ97CW8FK8U4vhbEiiLWiSqEe4JXblcbH4UjlG_jmT4yY0/s320/expmanCA3H8FSE.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Andy Saturday<br />
Lucky 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My legs hurt, but I sucked it up and rode the uphill sand because I knew it would be badass. BA went crazy. It made me smile. Hey, I passed three people running. The last lap I again rode the sand. Probably a mistake, I made it through but totally felt it and suffered through the last lap. Didn't have a good finish. Oh your passing me on the finish straight by all means please go ahead. Not good. 8th B women. Sorry Ohio I dropped the F-bomb (at the railroad tie mulch thing) and the S-bomb (weird uphill tree turn) during this race, I sometimes get a potty mouth during racing, not at racers but at obstacles (trees, roots, rocks, etc.) they don't have feelings.<br />
<br />
BA rocked it to 13th like his number. UCI points for the Class I race. He road the uphill sand a couple laps to pass people, but not every lap. On the laps he wanted to rest he ran. He's smart. <br />
<br />
Fat Marc and Monkey as always great hotel roomy's. LVG always crushing it with a pair of seconds, nice. C3-Athletes Serving Athletes, what a great weekend in Cincy, Outhio. Granogue this weekend, MAC races #5 and #6. Find me selling t-shirts to chat or buy one. All the cool kids are wearing them.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-64200208354582272572010-10-05T17:31:00.000-04:002010-10-05T17:31:07.922-04:00011 A Tale of Two Races<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPJ7I9C9cCuZk8sSIOFFWbsjBj9fdmUP58OdnYoRGIFswCl9qgfRxpSu6Fk_NGtOAVPQFgFjlnF-B6TeH8rgzMtmI4fA2HGAjIXBgkjs8IOX4aEaJfsObbPcTiwMBtlV2OVBVAlMKLjmR/s1600/P1010035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPJ7I9C9cCuZk8sSIOFFWbsjBj9fdmUP58OdnYoRGIFswCl9qgfRxpSu6Fk_NGtOAVPQFgFjlnF-B6TeH8rgzMtmI4fA2HGAjIXBgkjs8IOX4aEaJfsObbPcTiwMBtlV2OVBVAlMKLjmR/s320/P1010035.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Donkey likes new home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. It was the season of cyclocross.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">On Saturday Bad Andy and I headed down to northern Maryland for MABRA Race #2 supporting breast cancer awareness. Good cause bad directions. BA and I got so unbelievably lost we almost gave up on the race and went home. We were on a tour of the Gettysburg battle fields and not headed to a race. Seriously. If not for a quick call to Fouche who is semi local and was able to point us in the right direction we would have bagged the race. We owe him one.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">I would like to just skip over my race on this day entirely. I was ready. Third to the mud at the start. Then it all went wrong. Apparently I wasn't ready for the mud, the slog of a climb. I tried to make up where I could, it was too late. I'm proud I stuck it out. I knew what was happening and I tried to adjust my riding style, but was glad when I finished. I held it together for the most part. 7th in the Cat. 3 women's field.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">BA had another nice ride to 4th in the Elite Men's Race. Battling with Bishop. I'm told they both found a secret concrete gutter along the really muddy off camber section. Everyone else thought it was a stream. BA took the line through the mud, Bishop was pushed into the stream, when Bishop discovered it was concrete he attacked. Later BA used it to attack Bishop. Those crazy elites. BA had his number on the wrong side the entire race. He was rider X. The officials where really nice about it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">On Sunday we headed over to New Jersey for the Hillbilly Hustle v.5 put on by Breakaway Bikes. I new things where right with the world when we got out of the car and heard G n' R blaring on the race course. I breathed deep, and exhaled letting the previous days bad race float away into the Jersey breeze, this was gonna be a great race. The course is flat, sandy, loads of turns, a giant dirt pile, and some fast tricky sections.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_S0PfzhqcqmNuHG1FBCAqTobjD9vreSCy2XJbJVrEVjWsikreQtq7XyK2ViyrLUCWBYEQo0g7XeiPM7uPRkiLxTtkJSfhGiE4WYsBDfoggeP9T25OounqN3Hv1MfjlwWmWtTfon_JpgYv/s1600/129116087.dbK8cZa4.abwomIMG_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_S0PfzhqcqmNuHG1FBCAqTobjD9vreSCy2XJbJVrEVjWsikreQtq7XyK2ViyrLUCWBYEQo0g7XeiPM7uPRkiLxTtkJSfhGiE4WYsBDfoggeP9T25OounqN3Hv1MfjlwWmWtTfon_JpgYv/s320/129116087.dbK8cZa4.abwomIMG_0115.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Kat Hillbilly Hustle<br />
Yeah I'm holding my breath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">I pre rode a bunch, it calmed me to know the course inside and out. On the pre ride I saw the log natural barrier. I saw the way around. The log wasn't that big. I've been practicing log hopping this summer on the mountain bike (I usually slam into them and hope my mountain bike suspension does me a favor). On the mountain bike this log is a no brainer a bump in the trail. On the cross bike it's a different story. I rode up to it twice in warm up until I finally found the confidence and over it I went. Not bad. The first lap I hopped the log and the one spectator in this section went crazy. That was all I needed, I railed it every time the rest of the race. I hung onto the wheel of two chicks that have been racing elites since I started racing like it was my life's mission. 5th in the elite women's field.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Bad Andy rode like a rock star to WIN his first Hillbilly Hustle. He's been there since the inaugural race, except for last year when we made the trek up to Gloucester for New England Worlds. Not this year kids, we were pumped to get hustled. He signed a few autographs and posed for some fan pictures post race. Didn't I tell you this is a great race. <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />The best part is the super Bad Donkey trophy Bad Andy won created by Warren Holzman. It found a good home. Thanks to everyone who had a part in the Hustle. It really is a gem. Alright, I'll stop now.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscjXmB3ON4LILDOg2sCBI8Nd8Cj-nzQm9qslqIkipCRzIX_77mEnHLkhaREUJ68mrkz-1KiPCSQMdOPkHprDDgEFvERgv3gx4kJ2OpNRXoAyxYFDRyq03TKFIZupzc4j65TMo3UOx9Kxe/s1600/P1010021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscjXmB3ON4LILDOg2sCBI8Nd8Cj-nzQm9qslqIkipCRzIX_77mEnHLkhaREUJ68mrkz-1KiPCSQMdOPkHprDDgEFvERgv3gx4kJ2OpNRXoAyxYFDRyq03TKFIZupzc4j65TMo3UOx9Kxe/s320/P1010021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elite Men's Podium Hillbilly Hustle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">With the high of the great race going I may not have been slightly negligent with the bike rack. As we crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge we heard a rustling up top. I looked over to see BA's brand new bike dangling off the side of the car held by the wheel strap. My heart sank. We made our way the the right side of the bridge desperately searching out a pull off. The drop out is slightly damaged, everyone seems to concur it's not structural. <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" /> <br style="text-indent: 0px !important;" />This weekend we head out to Cincinnati Ohio for the three day race weekend. The bikes will be inside the element for this trip. What's better then a cross race? A day off work. Can't wait. </span></div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6783046732204480525.post-40681234486974777442010-09-29T16:25:00.000-04:002010-09-29T16:25:35.753-04:00010 Ebb and FlowThis past weekend BA and I headed due east to the Whirly Bird Cyclocross Race put on by Guys Bicycles Racing, MAC series race #4. This was a new race for both of us. In previous years this was a PACX series race that we never raced. This year as MAC Race #4 we were excited to check out a new course and venue. The course was located on the Bryn Athyn college campus. Indoor bathrooms and changing areas were a plus. We met up with fellow hardcore MAC racing C3-Athletes Serving Athletes Teammates. The unfortunate MABRA / MAC series same day double up made for a team split and only one day of racing in the Mid Atlantic region. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDN9_uLkn4abJX8YFyoF6hP-IlL0MT6AB-Id-RsqsT81-GX3jMSlBKvNL2DxW-2vS6BR0gAyiAd5EiPN_J5Wk0edwo7k-2F0T6XCILxTs3EKgFHEoENA5r3S46GjoW78dGjHWL-wvlTEp/s1600/128868975.nClW9T69.34womjrIMG_9328%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDN9_uLkn4abJX8YFyoF6hP-IlL0MT6AB-Id-RsqsT81-GX3jMSlBKvNL2DxW-2vS6BR0gAyiAd5EiPN_J5Wk0edwo7k-2F0T6XCILxTs3EKgFHEoENA5r3S46GjoW78dGjHWL-wvlTEp/s320/128868975.nClW9T69.34womjrIMG_9328%5B1%5D.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Kat Whirly Bird<br />
I look ready to steamroll.<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">http://www.dennisbike.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We took the day off from racing as a blessing in disguise. We had a much needed house cleaning and hair cut date. Yeah, hair cut dates are awesome, I know what your thinking old married couple right, but between work, training and racing time is precious, and now we don't look quite as scruffy.<br />
<br />
The course ebbed and flowed, I was looking for total flow. It was fast, but then it was slow. I dug it, parts of it, most of it, something was off. I had a decent result, 8th in the 3/4 women's field with 40 plus at the start, but I didn't I ride the way I know I can. I didn't have the punch, the explosion out of the corners, the confidence, I used my brakes on the downhill, I was off. I raced hard. I had fun. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhvdNQ7bF-Ndztu1nf1GyT2w3K48Hq97aacy9a1U87SVeUv40pRFfKfKdp_wpupbmJ6jL9lvO-CeSU0GBJjaq32HupdRFuj09gk6KjZx6w1z682mbjuUjccPM6ovKXTusSdNeBIsd00TW/s1600/128913416.foMpAxu4.elitemenIMG_9719%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhvdNQ7bF-Ndztu1nf1GyT2w3K48Hq97aacy9a1U87SVeUv40pRFfKfKdp_wpupbmJ6jL9lvO-CeSU0GBJjaq32HupdRFuj09gk6KjZx6w1z682mbjuUjccPM6ovKXTusSdNeBIsd00TW/s320/128913416.foMpAxu4.elitemenIMG_9719%5B1%5D.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Andy Whirly Bird<br />
BA's ready to prance<br />
<a href="http://www.dennisbike.com/">http://www.dennisbike.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had a pretty impressive save into the barriers near the finish on the first lap. I was standing on the left pedal ready to dismount when my foot slipped off. I was still holding onto the bike. One hand on the handle bars and the other of the top tube as I was drug on my knees across the grass. The bike was still rolling upright. I managed to find my feet before the barrier and ran over like nothing happened. Someone it the crowd said it was a nice save. If you have to biff the least you can do is impress a spectator with the save.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Bad Andy had a nice ride to 4th in the Elite Men's field. I don't need to tell you it's hard racing "pro's" when you stand all week teaching youngsters and the day before the race you were cleaning the bathroom instead of resting the legs, but BA and Witwer (who took 3rd of Team ALAN) rocked it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnclUsowFxLbmZwyBluseaFitVp774ORKRdpI8j51T4jctyn3AIeRC12QRWJpp3VI_OSCrENJHfj4VNZNLR66cZm6wuMcaV9U9mq1EouYq2RrVcuysLfyPcZ8l4liT1vyz58_CcioZcP8/s1600/P1010021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnclUsowFxLbmZwyBluseaFitVp774ORKRdpI8j51T4jctyn3AIeRC12QRWJpp3VI_OSCrENJHfj4VNZNLR66cZm6wuMcaV9U9mq1EouYq2RrVcuysLfyPcZ8l4liT1vyz58_CcioZcP8/s320/P1010021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elite Mens Podium Whirly Bird<br />
Bad Kat Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I'm hoping this past weekend was an ebb race and I'll find my flow in the coming races. This weekend BA and I head down to MABRA Race #2 supporting breast cancer awareness and then over to Jersey for The Hillbilly Hustle v.5. We missed the Hustle last year and are excited for v.5. If you haven't done the hustle yet this is the year to check it out. Seriously there's nothing more rad than a dirt pile. The Hustle is grass roots racing at its best.</div>Bad Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03886691430849960079noreply@blogger.com0