tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41030175429723012682024-02-19T12:19:04.178-07:00CHRISTINE JEFFREY I am a Canadian Professional Triathlete, mostly Xterra, a wannabe Mountain Biker, and work as a Landscape Architect to support my habit. I currently call Tucson, Arizona home. Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-47601420621769155072013-09-09T18:44:00.002-07:002013-09-10T11:52:12.010-07:00Leadville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I mentioned in my last post I qualified and accepted a spot to "Race Across the Sky" at the<a href="http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-leadville-trail-100-mtb" target="_blank"> Leadville Trail 100 MTB</a> race last year at the Tahoe Trail 100. This would be by far the longest my ass had ever spent on a bike saddle and to say that I was just a little bit nervous about the whole thing would be an understatement. Thankfully I had a good crew here in Tucson sharing in the whole experience to train and bounce ideas off of and even better my coach Jimmy Riccitello had done the race himself in 2011. (and yes I did kick his butt!!!) Paul Thomas introduced me to the secret Leadville training grounds, otherwise know as the backside of Kitt Peak and more than a few days A WEEK were spent climbing Mt Lemmon. I was really set on approaching the race with no expectations but had in the back of my mind set out two goals of getting under the 9hrs mark for the "big buckle" and finishing top 10 overall for the women. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiKTzu5ZnjxHsJTnM1uthJsGB7D2ekj5GGnfw8WElZOnaTCc2DWhJQDhhEL14mfDsMYZMQhluPzPH7f8vvhK8iVzKmaaQJ7EGN1or33FO1zRyospmzhzGRP0cg5O3SlTPx84p48HyLHWxw/s1600/kitt+peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTzu5ZnjxHsJTnM1uthJsGB7D2ekj5GGnfw8WElZOnaTCc2DWhJQDhhEL14mfDsMYZMQhluPzPH7f8vvhK8iVzKmaaQJ7EGN1or33FO1zRyospmzhzGRP0cg5O3SlTPx84p48HyLHWxw/s400/kitt+peak.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backside of Kitt Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those of you not familiar with the race here are the stats :0- </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>100 mile out and back course (which actually means 103.3miles)</li>
<li>Starting Elevation 10,152 FT, Low Point 9,200FT, High Point 12,424FT (ouch!!)</li>
<li>12,612FT of Elevation Gain (hey, why not)</li>
<li>Over 1,500 people on the start line - 1,375 Finishers</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQUhXEcqkD2Dc-Oxi0xAB9oY-ePPF1eYG_wZoSyv2um7TLhnZKUbElWWwzqPeK9YpAORqv20fn-mKoqC-k3keayi-MFuiR5mKQZ0hXtaAkT0kydaHAtyYf8OXsvzroAjxldx0OiAV6_s/s1600/LT100MTBProfile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQUhXEcqkD2Dc-Oxi0xAB9oY-ePPF1eYG_wZoSyv2um7TLhnZKUbElWWwzqPeK9YpAORqv20fn-mKoqC-k3keayi-MFuiR5mKQZ0hXtaAkT0kydaHAtyYf8OXsvzroAjxldx0OiAV6_s/s400/LT100MTBProfile.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Extra long training days in Tucson in the middle of summer also posed a bit of a problem, and some serious suffering. My big training block heading into the race consisted of 3 mid-week rides (3,4, and 5hrs) then two big ones on the weekend, with a couple of short swim and runs thrown in just for good measure!! The solution to the heat issue was to get in a couple of hours around town then start climbing up the Mountain hopefully before you melted. Sunday was reserved for Kitt Peak reps (one road, one dirt, one road). There were a couple of days when I physically couldn't digest enough fluid to keep me hydrated, my last long ride ended with me spending the next 14hrs in bed. But overall I truly enjoyed the training and best of all my body responded really well to it. I felt stronger and stronger every week and did my last long session on Kitt Peak 2 weeks out knowing I had done everything I could to be ready to race. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjq7c1mNUvH5c6rYAqlz5a6VP_WxMXI9fx1ec5DMgZZlG266OL1xphlSwhP-yrVmJ_uTxtIQQ8cDUM8xBjcrYc9IlkIfl7TysgcvhCT3_wpqXyNvFV3hz1gb3JplRak8xRTdNSIS2XU9fI/s1600/IMAG0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7c1mNUvH5c6rYAqlz5a6VP_WxMXI9fx1ec5DMgZZlG266OL1xphlSwhP-yrVmJ_uTxtIQQ8cDUM8xBjcrYc9IlkIfl7TysgcvhCT3_wpqXyNvFV3hz1gb3JplRak8xRTdNSIS2XU9fI/s640/IMAG0211.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Park </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Exactly one week out I packed up the little Echo and headed UP. Shelby Katz saved the day and offered her condo in Winter Park, CO to be my training base for the week so I could get used to the altitude as best as possible. For me day 3 and 4 at altitude are death days and having put so much time and effort into training I didn't want to throw it away race day feeling like complete crap. Winter Park was perfect with a elevation just above 9,000ft, lots of awesome singletrack and close enough to Leadville to get in a couple of pre-rides during the week. Having ridden the climb up <a href="http://www.swimmingcj.blogspot.com/2011/09/colorado-fun-pics.html" target="_blank">Columbine</a> a couple of years ago with the infamous Mr. and Mrs. Smith, yes I actually blame <a href="http://www.xterrajenny.com/" target="_blank">Jenny</a> for planting the seed that eventually lead to me racing Leadville, I didn't feel the need to do it again. (Jenny did redeem herself by providing amazing insider prep information and race day sherpa services;) Thanks Jenny!!) I split up the rest of the course in half and enjoyed two pretty magical solo days out on my bike, soaking up the spectacular views. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgKltSwkcksjEnO3msAMq4aYPhkV6rCXduv9DC-S2qKUO4aNKPD26VOE0lQUmdeQ6WzAchvm66pN1DaN-b-zkS4MGibx9u3nq-sOozpVmU-Rs94CHNWRJWc1D3bEWPBwr7-ZbD7cFUhLEc/s1600/IMAG0212-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKltSwkcksjEnO3msAMq4aYPhkV6rCXduv9DC-S2qKUO4aNKPD26VOE0lQUmdeQ6WzAchvm66pN1DaN-b-zkS4MGibx9u3nq-sOozpVmU-Rs94CHNWRJWc1D3bEWPBwr7-ZbD7cFUhLEc/s400/IMAG0212-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turquoise Lake from the start of the Sugarloaf Climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjur2Aizb8LpogSQddDWgu3-vaNLyVvZv7eizEbXcrRIyvthts5iF2ps6DY7IGYYg3qgRywQjYBi14DuMP2E1ZmxAKjwpBuQE0iq5U7st2gwOz9yRAkJaAXMNhLb4zWiO3MVE69dhdGTLQ/s1600/IMAG0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjur2Aizb8LpogSQddDWgu3-vaNLyVvZv7eizEbXcrRIyvthts5iF2ps6DY7IGYYg3qgRywQjYBi14DuMP2E1ZmxAKjwpBuQE0iq5U7st2gwOz9yRAkJaAXMNhLb4zWiO3MVE69dhdGTLQ/s400/IMAG0214.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back over Twin Lakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjVIhv_pYlN_vHfiV3AEeLf1gbS3cxC89djLu0reiHTlF0FrVH_ydNZRSeIo9G-T2D_JqiM9gXMUoi5guJoan5ER4is09N9PXGseRedUxYS4M1ih4Fpu2FqQkPG0Be8QT8CkF8Af0wNjZU/s1600/IMAG0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIhv_pYlN_vHfiV3AEeLf1gbS3cxC89djLu0reiHTlF0FrVH_ydNZRSeIo9G-T2D_JqiM9gXMUoi5guJoan5ER4is09N9PXGseRedUxYS4M1ih4Fpu2FqQkPG0Be8QT8CkF8Af0wNjZU/s400/IMAG0216.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Lakes looking up at the Columbine Climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weather all week was dramatic and stormy with dry mornings and scattered afternoon rains. The result was perfect conditions!! The rest of the T-Town crew rolled into town Wednesday and Thursday and soon enough it was Friday and we were all nervously going over our gear, nutrition strategies, and feed bags. It just wouldn't be a race weekend without something going wrong and thus a huge shout out and thank you to Absolute Bikes in town from Salida who spent a couple of hours Friday morning fixing a loose cassette and bent derailleur hanger!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Race morning was an early one with a 6:30 start time. George Varhola and I were both in the Silver Corral and headed over to the start just after 5:00am to get well positioned. I was feeling good, a bit nervous but still relaxed. The start ended up being so mellow I had to laugh at all the pre-race anxiety I had over the roll-out. Everyone was super chill and gave each other plenty of space, I love mountain bikers. I held my position and used the riders around me to control my pace even though my legs were jumping to go faster!!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgd8YbfmvnnWykpY_AiXvCJzwl8VBxJgG1IRSkxXHgAPd6FUmqfIp7gJHmZECtwYDaKRZr15-KDDdLFGSBOIkDHZWYlN8EqEjvDPYK9S1jjO23nHkP7LnGorJxf5HsvVyrXZOEP9kYDrrA/s1600/Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8YbfmvnnWykpY_AiXvCJzwl8VBxJgG1IRSkxXHgAPd6FUmqfIp7gJHmZECtwYDaKRZr15-KDDdLFGSBOIkDHZWYlN8EqEjvDPYK9S1jjO23nHkP7LnGorJxf5HsvVyrXZOEP9kYDrrA/s400/Start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George and I on the start line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjt-gM87aY_fdRa_SIqY41aWtjQ-R5ldYXlDwhuLe1X5Vj3zr7jHC167czH4leKbH4vtUxbgd7-EvaeGltEdgCTavnRxSzwAoGcIU6aHC_6hDm4jNoDRPE8k9XTqeg6vVW-gdwLuAtZ6gU/s1600/timthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-gM87aY_fdRa_SIqY41aWtjQ-R5ldYXlDwhuLe1X5Vj3zr7jHC167czH4leKbH4vtUxbgd7-EvaeGltEdgCTavnRxSzwAoGcIU6aHC_6hDm4jNoDRPE8k9XTqeg6vVW-gdwLuAtZ6gU/s400/timthumb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one and only PT leading the charge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Up St Kevin's nice and easy and happy to see the field start to spread out. Dropped out onto the road and enjoyed the fast paved descent to Turquoise lake. Started the climb up Sugarloaf and started to pick people off, a little nervous about the Powerline descent but overall still feeling great. At the top of Powerline I was delighted to have found my own little space of trail. I couple of guys came flying past me but overall I got to ride it smooth and controlled, big smile. Back onto a paved road I quickly sprinted up to the peloton forming just ahead of me and enjoyed a super fast draft into the Pipeline Aid Station at just under 2hrs, right on plan. Into the aid station I was happy to quickly find Jenny at the Stan's NoTubes tent. Even happier to have her look at me with a surprised smile and say "I think you are in 3rd???" I replied I'm feeling great, switched out my bottles, grabbed my nutrition and headed out onto the Pipeline. I didn't quite believe I was in 3rd, but figured I wasn't too far off, maybe 4th or 5th!! I caught up with sometimes Xterra racer Jari Kirkland just before Twin Lakes and after a bit of a cluster at the aid station started the long climb up Columbine. I remember thinking to myself quite happily, 3hrs done - only 5hrs or so yet to go, then promptly realized I had officially transitioned over to the darkside. I mean seriously, who gets all happy and smiley thinking about ONLY having over 5hrs to go!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The magic continued up the climb, the legs were effortlessly ticking over. I was flying past everyone, just picking them off one at a time. The right hand turn up onto the goat trail and the legs were still powering away, breathing was controlled and HR was staying steady right below threshold. I was carefully maneuvering around guys off their bikes walking determined to ride mine all the way when the stomach wrenching sound of my chain snapping in half stopped me in my tracks. No F-ing way, not here, not now, unbelievable!! The ensuing 10 minutes of me frantically fixing my chain (thankfully I always ride with a masterlink and chain-breaker) were the longest of my life. I watched 3 girls catch and pass me before I finally got my chain back on. Tunnel vision, now I was pissed and full of adrenaline and ready to throw down, everyone out of my way. I have to admit I was "just a little" aggro with everyone walking and literally rode ride up the middle of the goat trail elbowing people out of the way when I needed to clear the trail for a downhill rider. Sorry...but only just a little, you were all walking ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Around the turn at the Columbine mine shaft in 4:25, no problem, half way done and ready to pull out a huge negative split. I caught 2 of the girls right at the top and headed down hoping I could catch back up to Jari. Quickly through the Twin Lakes Aid Station I settled back into my pace across the Pipeline, glad to have a couple of guys to ride with, trying not to think of the looming Powerline climb. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhMsE_oB6VgCovL5isazXwiLMZn6HHZa-XF5-8TOL8y2LyHRV2ju050ddAVyMX0m-hxjHD0HGGyAOpceQHlgxHypEnN9GIiTF1bDn7btqdeGCY_0Q53OoNaCRqvzfcWBpUw38T3vlgF2GI/s1600/MAT_2019_edited-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsE_oB6VgCovL5isazXwiLMZn6HHZa-XF5-8TOL8y2LyHRV2ju050ddAVyMX0m-hxjHD0HGGyAOpceQHlgxHypEnN9GIiTF1bDn7btqdeGCY_0Q53OoNaCRqvzfcWBpUw38T3vlgF2GI/s640/MAT_2019_edited-4.jpg" width="417" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Lakes Aid Station - homebound!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxRHmh4I3MOYc2ky9kc_vlEqf0ZQoqRcVrlwVPvDoa4oFfk6eSV32hFbO111tX5xVKFUvdEv9GFHeodXn69iBUYEwvoeyvQa1LKFWBF8WGsMjxE1WuJFHlMVAdF8KiBC0lCm_bjz_nUQ/s1600/zazoosh_990219749-medjpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxRHmh4I3MOYc2ky9kc_vlEqf0ZQoqRcVrlwVPvDoa4oFfk6eSV32hFbO111tX5xVKFUvdEv9GFHeodXn69iBUYEwvoeyvQa1LKFWBF8WGsMjxE1WuJFHlMVAdF8KiBC0lCm_bjz_nUQ/s400/zazoosh_990219749-medjpeg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Into the last aid station and happy to hear that Jari was only a little ways ahead. Jenny warned me that the last section was going to be longer than I thought and insisted on stuffing some more cliff blocks into my pockets. I was now carrying no less than four partially eaten packs!! Powerline, the climb everyone dreads no matter how good you are feeling. I gave it everything I could to stay on my bike but eventually had to jump off and start pushing my bike. Yep, it sucked, but it was over pretty quickly and I was back up riding. The thing about the Powerline climb is there are many false summits. I one point, thinking we were at the top, I let out a big Woohoo. Strangely no one around me shared in the excitement ;) Hmm oops. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhLfwC0GwKwN0OSYdcnOwdtR7zLww6zOVykWNdml5e9A_nhHtUzm1N6Fx-nxQKIh41RAeYfblkzVDZ-qiIqHVjh7-HNN4nDcpqwHf2Y_0gdWc49lftrj9wdPhjr3kd60b6WCZf-fnLwelw/s1600/pwrline2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfwC0GwKwN0OSYdcnOwdtR7zLww6zOVykWNdml5e9A_nhHtUzm1N6Fx-nxQKIh41RAeYfblkzVDZ-qiIqHVjh7-HNN4nDcpqwHf2Y_0gdWc49lftrj9wdPhjr3kd60b6WCZf-fnLwelw/s400/pwrline2.jpeg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powerline :0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Up and over the climb, fast descent back to Turquoise Lake then up the last long climb, St Kevin's. Funny, the descent 7hrs earlier seemed a whole lot shorter. Down the last descent and I was completely surprised to have Jari roll up behind me?? Tummy issues had plagued her all day and it seems she had had to make a bit of a trail side pit stop :( Only a couple of miles to go I put my head down and gave everything I had left. 4th overall in 8:22:08!! BIG BUCKLE :))<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjXZCAQP3BX_ojqDVB9MPuNT2EJ6hekd85hjCOBPdUDImpC-qyEOOD54Dqt5aZKY8RxtmHbOh2zrv856DUDK3YSJbYIOQLnWx2ZCJqCIQM8bW8Vjahv72ZCyt1MLcRXFrSOZq9f7zDHIpE/s1600/IMAG0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZCAQP3BX_ojqDVB9MPuNT2EJ6hekd85hjCOBPdUDImpC-qyEOOD54Dqt5aZKY8RxtmHbOh2zrv856DUDK3YSJbYIOQLnWx2ZCJqCIQM8bW8Vjahv72ZCyt1MLcRXFrSOZq9f7zDHIpE/s400/IMAG0223.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I put it on :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In over 20yrs of racing at the elite level I can count on less than one hand what some people might call "Magic Days". I not sure I really even believe in them, but Leadville 2013, whatever I want to call it, was certainly one of my best days ever!! Will I be back in 2014? Not sure. I believe that I can go a whole lot faster, but part of me wonders whether I should just let it be and always remember the race as the magical experience it was. Time will tell I suppose :)<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading,<br />
CJChristine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-46453279335522469082013-08-22T15:55:00.000-07:002013-08-26T17:58:48.318-07:00To Blog or Not To Blog...Well, it seems not to blog has been the unfortunate reality. I have officially deemed 2013 to be a rebuilding year and take the results such as they are in that context. Also a year to try some different events, which have proven to be much more exciting and therefore successful than I imagined. Having finally recovered (a week and a half later) from the freight train running me over that was Leadville Trail 100 MTB, I thought I would catch up on the old blog. I had a terrific race in Leadville (4th Women) and would much rather write about that experience but as I am first and foremost OCD, I will in the briefest of forms, ie mostly pictures, run through the last couple of races. <br />
<br />
May... Xterra Alabama & BE Beast of the Southeast (Nashville)<br />
<br />
Alabama is always a fun time with the whole gang converging on JR's place in Hoover. After the Xterra Vegas incident, I was hesitant in my expectations and just wanted to get a solid race in. I also remembered to bring my wetsuit so wasn't caught out in that bizarre situation. Good swim, solid bike, ok first 5km run, held on for 8th. But I did finish the run actually running so forward progression....Good. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhzYXG1jnpAgV69a58oDfa56Ru0zyu3MCAea-NIHbw3JFbT-QGfI_myiuA0nUIFsnCFNj4MiMwUbrQvQvYAQDzj0CeIYKi-fQ7h6ts9VlUZ0AgD_DW-ZM0HfMtz7EcodaVNHekPJ2fNSwk/s1600/Alabama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYXG1jnpAgV69a58oDfa56Ru0zyu3MCAea-NIHbw3JFbT-QGfI_myiuA0nUIFsnCFNj4MiMwUbrQvQvYAQDzj0CeIYKi-fQ7h6ts9VlUZ0AgD_DW-ZM0HfMtz7EcodaVNHekPJ2fNSwk/s400/Alabama3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always fun Oak Mountain trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From Alabama it was a group caravan over to Nashville TN for the inaugural Breakthrough Endurance BEast of the Southeast race weekend, and more wet muddy trails, yeah!! (I live in Tucson = no mud, ever) Craig Evans and company put on a stellar, action packed weekend in which I raced the Super-Sprint Off-Road Tri Friday afternoon (3rd), Olympic Distance Off-Road Tri Saturday morning (4th), Short Track MTB Saturday afternoon (3rd) and Sprint Road Tri Sunday morning (1st). I would not recommend this much racing in one weekend, the body definitely took a beating, but it was fun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiI0SsDKGB6CAbB-ULx9cS1vP4I_pSAfwWE6s4aLZPyc9EOy-Y6z7xNw_Ufa-Pogsx7I75GYN-iELVYseKMO5-GKc4b7oppOXGeSL24bwf5B6fmp_WNNssoQ65O3IgDTtItwIriBfWtOIg/s1600/2XU+BE+Race+Series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0SsDKGB6CAbB-ULx9cS1vP4I_pSAfwWE6s4aLZPyc9EOy-Y6z7xNw_Ufa-Pogsx7I75GYN-iELVYseKMO5-GKc4b7oppOXGeSL24bwf5B6fmp_WNNssoQ65O3IgDTtItwIriBfWtOIg/s400/2XU+BE+Race+Series.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BigFish super fast neoprene skin ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEghB3RATpyALkjwJoKBgbudTdNM6VSnR8VeZIRqmMscZv6-Ax3VIhzKvH0NJ79RShJjzg18NWx_t9ZJUzOk46N6s8XCO2PoFxgjDbkpQWwblWmsBZWUF3SaTFypiKky4hDq1MnCtlqYPfE/s1600/BE+Race+Series+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB3RATpyALkjwJoKBgbudTdNM6VSnR8VeZIRqmMscZv6-Ax3VIhzKvH0NJ79RShJjzg18NWx_t9ZJUzOk46N6s8XCO2PoFxgjDbkpQWwblWmsBZWUF3SaTFypiKky4hDq1MnCtlqYPfE/s400/BE+Race+Series+Run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennessee - Hot & Humid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
June... Xterra Richmond<br />
<br />
Duathlon, need I say anymore. There really wasn't an alternative as the James river was truly un-swimmable but really duathlons and I don't tend to get along. I did make up for it and go for swim with my bike halfway through the second lap of the bike (see bike course photo below) and managed to pull out a 7th. Best result of the Xterra series for me, go figure. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjFPxmHKr6AAQ_qM7vajAPuOmukvLZ-055mPFctHj5BMdoWEh0JLbV-ipYbK_TYU4d1pq7o_Ghp7RsSvvwWJJc47hR_FM6XZ-WUCD8fSN9tvBhJdLW1tTwlhNNlCgZ_Gzs4O5OQXOg1uyY/s1600/acf4ab16d06511e2ae4022000ae911aa_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPxmHKr6AAQ_qM7vajAPuOmukvLZ-055mPFctHj5BMdoWEh0JLbV-ipYbK_TYU4d1pq7o_Ghp7RsSvvwWJJc47hR_FM6XZ-WUCD8fSN9tvBhJdLW1tTwlhNNlCgZ_Gzs4O5OQXOg1uyY/s400/acf4ab16d06511e2ae4022000ae911aa_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the water is part of the BIKE course!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
July... Cedar City Fireroad 100<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Last year while coming back from shoulder surgery and thus not doing much swimming or triathlons I headed up to Tahoe to race the Trans-Tahoe Swim Relay (ok a little swimming) with my sister and the Tahoe Trail 100 MTB race. In my post-race stupor I reached out and grabbed the Leadville 100 gold coin. No worries, I'll take the spot for 2013, it'll be fun!! So after Xterra Richmond I decided that August 10th was really quickly approaching and just maybe I had better start thinking about the fact that I was going to race 100miles, with 12,600ft of climbing, almost all of which about 10,000ft. It'll be FUN!! To kick start the shift in focus I jumped in the car with the Tucson gang of George Varhola, Kathryn Bertine and Marilyn McDonald, and headed over to Cedar City Utah for the Fireroad 100 (km) race. Only 7,000+ ft of climbing in this little warm-up race!! I truly suffered way more that I expected and along with just about everyone else I spoke with after the race wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into. The race itself was great and lots of fun and even ended up being a pretty good payday!! As yes, a good kick in the butt to get serious about getting in Leadville shape:)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhx3Pa1iHRN6jMQqaXwmRvGQWibVD33mGF8nFkuCifs0sEQo0-_8Q69Zq0zXty24B467WfZjkk6l8hvgNlF72zhDWT44wfS3dQY6m-dG7Jre0e9GOR5EmlAskYkT8QP2egT2sW8fQY1Y6A/s1600/bilde1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Pa1iHRN6jMQqaXwmRvGQWibVD33mGF8nFkuCifs0sEQo0-_8Q69Zq0zXty24B467WfZjkk6l8hvgNlF72zhDWT44wfS3dQY6m-dG7Jre0e9GOR5EmlAskYkT8QP2egT2sW8fQY1Y6A/s400/bilde1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling Out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjzj6Q6dPVatNizHtHyN281bbihOfrAv6YHt-_zeaAAh4wRayWhz4QKcuWySYyAtDFtIIDV7cyuehY7OkKTAK-JJBbeq8vFs9vp3g2iFm1y-QKoGbcFlrNWcOSbKUMqvcNeMj-_lzCvHUI/s1600/bilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj6Q6dPVatNizHtHyN281bbihOfrAv6YHt-_zeaAAh4wRayWhz4QKcuWySYyAtDFtIIDV7cyuehY7OkKTAK-JJBbeq8vFs9vp3g2iFm1y-QKoGbcFlrNWcOSbKUMqvcNeMj-_lzCvHUI/s400/bilde.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular Utah Scenery (and suffering)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Next post... Leadville :))Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-77679628071429045132013-05-23T10:28:00.000-07:002013-05-23T10:28:21.770-07:00Catching Up...I never know how to start a blog post when I've left it so long without an update. I really should make a habit of keeping it up to date, even when life isn't what you think or hope it should be. Good thing is, it always seems to work itself out for the most part, or at least carry on. Since it has been so long I will do a quick recap from where we left off, 24hrs in the Old Pueblo...<br />
<br />
March...<br />
<br />
March went by in a bit of a whirlwind. I spend most of the time on a work project for the Tucson Botanical Gardens called "Growdown". Essentially four Tuscon Landscape Architect/Designers were selected and tasked with designing a 15'x20' garden and building it in 24hrs, pretty much speed gardening. It was a really fun, but amazingly exhausting experience and after three eight hour days out in the sun doing construction I was beat. I narrowly missed winning the competition (one vote) but was super happy with how my garden turned out. If you are in the Tucson area and interested, the gardens will be up for just a couple more weeks before they get dismantled. A full write up about the event with lots of before/during/after photos is on our <a href="http://ljdesignla.com/tucson-botanical-gardens-growdown-competition/" target="_blank">company website</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgxCEJx0IPHfHf-AptTRuWVU2psE0XXDmK6JnZJP4YbeqyY_UoknnMDQyrY0lfGhG50_RRqhMzp_5pcF4_DNYCd48kqId7vJ2RNaLoMboSVFxIQdOc1QKA-pCKuTKIzg4jNeUU2OBIW-tc/s1600/Growndown+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCEJx0IPHfHf-AptTRuWVU2psE0XXDmK6JnZJP4YbeqyY_UoknnMDQyrY0lfGhG50_RRqhMzp_5pcF4_DNYCd48kqId7vJ2RNaLoMboSVFxIQdOc1QKA-pCKuTKIzg4jNeUU2OBIW-tc/s400/Growndown+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving the plants a little TLC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiwQZcxO3qlieizCdMbbgSKqnUZlsHmBhtTIWEYJ5LQ3QNNd2Std7QiocAci_ISjh87yc8SxWwIKKo_lID1h73ZNgOawTJ9-QxfflBLweDdZWcS_4YDrTTzFAh8KoO5WUdrcZBTFk5AJio/s1600/Growndown+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQZcxO3qlieizCdMbbgSKqnUZlsHmBhtTIWEYJ5LQ3QNNd2Std7QiocAci_ISjh87yc8SxWwIKKo_lID1h73ZNgOawTJ9-QxfflBLweDdZWcS_4YDrTTzFAh8KoO5WUdrcZBTFk5AJio/s400/Growndown+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other than the rattlesnakes waking up, not much else exciting happened in March, so let's move on to April. <br />
<br />
April...<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjS8-ElNeS5XBV5cQTevJguBXTrzkZZgdT5hMNDRTsdgn4I0QAxzL7LfFjozYsVwVoP-brDTyVszt4HrgulGkGGoj22AOvtg4mIq7NuvlBMN5GkkZVAlcb_CrP2ssseLyZs4K0WTTqTVj0/s1600/Prescott+Punisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8-ElNeS5XBV5cQTevJguBXTrzkZZgdT5hMNDRTsdgn4I0QAxzL7LfFjozYsVwVoP-brDTyVszt4HrgulGkGGoj22AOvtg4mIq7NuvlBMN5GkkZVAlcb_CrP2ssseLyZs4K0WTTqTVj0/s400/Prescott+Punisher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kata, Myself and mini-Chloe ;) post race!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April I got back into the racing thing and started off the month with a last minute decision to race the Arizona MBAA XC Mountain bike race up in Prescott. I headed up Friday and got to hang out with fellow Xterra racer Jaime Brede for a fun weekend of camping and bike racing!! This year has seen a big increase in the numbers for the women's pro/cat 1 field race making it so much more fun and exciting. Chloe Woodruff was the class of the field and left us all in the dust, but Jaime, Kata Skaggs (another Xterra girl) and I fought it out until the very last lap. Pretty sure my legs were about to fall off. I followed that up with a quick transition run (ouch) then drove back down to Phoenix to meet up with Lisa Ribes and the first race of the <a href="http://www.azopenwater.com/" target="_blank">AZ Open Water</a> series in Tempe Town Lake Sunday morning. We both got up early and did our long runs before jumping in for the 3k swim. I am so lucky to be working with 2XU this year and wanted to get into my new awesome <a href="http://www.2xu.com/product/1037/V3-Velocity-Wetsuit/90" target="_blank">V3 wetsuit</a> and try it out before the triathlon season got into full swing. In hindsight I packed WAY too much training/racing into the weekend, especially one week out of the Xterra series opener, and really paid the price in Vegas the next weekend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgmy6FZ7tillbp976GPcj-HIyCvd_Al6pBYxAcbiBfIwXDx8Z6KhFhMJcpqpROlPuGSqoWzL7_x8MvxAR8_yPh2w3NhWlNoGK_y5z0NQMCx0ngDYFrXEIomPHv6i_Mzvt0fHNc4m0HUWwg/s1600/Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy6FZ7tillbp976GPcj-HIyCvd_Al6pBYxAcbiBfIwXDx8Z6KhFhMJcpqpROlPuGSqoWzL7_x8MvxAR8_yPh2w3NhWlNoGK_y5z0NQMCx0ngDYFrXEIomPHv6i_Mzvt0fHNc4m0HUWwg/s400/Vegas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-riding with Racergirl Mel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soooo Xterra West Champs rolled around and I decided to drive out instead of dealing with airlines, bike boxes, etc... I wasn't feeling horrible, but not great either in the couple of days leading up to the race. I won't go into the course details, as by now the "Moonscape" that passes for a race course in Vegas has been beaten to death, uninspiring to say the least. Race day rolled around and conditions were brutal, high temperatures and super high winds that nearly blew you off your bike (this isn't normal on a mountain bike). I did my normal warm-up feeling pretty sluggish but hoped that jumping into the COLD water would wake me up. I had a great swim, leading both the men and women out of the water, but then had nothing, and continued to have nothing for the entire race. I contemplated dropping out more times than I can remember but couldn't bring myself to do it and ended up walking most of the 10k in to finish. I have raced at the elite level 10yrs as a swimmer and going on 13yrs as a triathlete and this will go down as the hardest and worst race of my career. The fact that I had a good swim makes things even more puzzling and I'm not sure I will ever figure out exactly what happened but it was definitely not my day. I guess everyone has them every now and then but after the year I had in 2012 I was really hoping to get 2013 started off on a better note. <br />
<br />
Not one to dwell on disappointments, I got back to Tucson, put my head down for some big training and signed up for the Whiskey 50 Off-Road mountain bike race in Prescott in the Pro division, why not;) Turns out the start list was a comprehensive who's who of North American MTB racing. If you are a mtber and haven't raced the Whiskey you absolutely need to put it on your schedule. The weekend starts off on Friday night with the Pro Fat-tire Crit through the streets of downtown Prescott, lots of spectators, lots of fun, and lots of pain packed into a very short amount of time. The amateurs head out on Saturday for their turn at either 25 or 50miles of pain and suffering and the Pro's get their turn at the full 50 on Sunday. I was approaching this as a really hard day of training but also wanted to have a good race and ended up on the start line nervous and seriously wondering if I was completely out of my league!! I also had forgotten sunscreen and was desperately walking through the spectators begging for some, duh. As the last entry in I had number 52 out of 52 and joked that my goal was just to beat my plate number. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjzhL-uhVNBlle7arkwTeP86lhjY683Pz4GlvSeQh9KIpeTFkTJeLVzC8IegOIJAEpHCChHpWvt5OGogbCCMB9hWI78AmJC7y5kaWTPSJXF7auNSu-5drUiyYJGyJPy9CaJJ9pcjY3f2DA/s1600/whiskey+off-road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhL-uhVNBlle7arkwTeP86lhjY683Pz4GlvSeQh9KIpeTFkTJeLVzC8IegOIJAEpHCChHpWvt5OGogbCCMB9hWI78AmJC7y5kaWTPSJXF7auNSu-5drUiyYJGyJPy9CaJJ9pcjY3f2DA/s400/whiskey+off-road.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Andy for the cheers and photo!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With over 7200ft of climbing I had to ride my own pace right from the start and I knew I wasn't going to take any chances of a spill on the technical stuff so was happy to find my own spot in the second half of the field. I was super happy to ride solid the whole way and even started picking off girls on the 15mile climb out of Skull Valley. My skills through the last sections of singletrack were seriously lacking, especially since I had not pre-ridden the course, but I got back into town safe, sound and happy in 30th!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJK0wRZ9zk_1-Vwz9zTPdyf-jQ_8ieEZ3LT2OixkmhO3UMoZt4GHFZwZt2ywTVxmBHfj7pdCo4Z0SxjJOSmqyOcJd7eyFfbtlTU5M4jZ9eP4JaeeIquozbtImZHwP1weF02_junzUgIQ/s1600/LJ+Design+Packed+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJK0wRZ9zk_1-Vwz9zTPdyf-jQ_8ieEZ3LT2OixkmhO3UMoZt4GHFZwZt2ywTVxmBHfj7pdCo4Z0SxjJOSmqyOcJd7eyFfbtlTU5M4jZ9eP4JaeeIquozbtImZHwP1weF02_junzUgIQ/s400/LJ+Design+Packed+up.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
That pretty much brings April to a close, despite the boss's attempt to ship me back home!! (yes we do have a lot of fun even at work) Lisa decided returning the plotter was probably a better decision and I got to stay;) And since this is already a long post I will save my thankfully much happier Xterra Alabama race report for the next time!!!<br />
<br />
Cheers :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhgvH-7tCfZsBBv3JRMjsYjbx-dBZ8kUy11I1xviWcquuoeBL3YdPhAZ6TdDqXu-C330mJCD9K4QhKzHF609_A0n22u8Fk2aIZtTRfQovHC26aBtjs91mVXKB2e3OVSGEzfzG-DJiVfz1A/s1600/Tucson+Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvH-7tCfZsBBv3JRMjsYjbx-dBZ8kUy11I1xviWcquuoeBL3YdPhAZ6TdDqXu-C330mJCD9K4QhKzHF609_A0n22u8Fk2aIZtTRfQovHC26aBtjs91mVXKB2e3OVSGEzfzG-DJiVfz1A/s400/Tucson+Sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucson Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-51476112902980948822013-02-20T14:56:00.000-07:002013-02-20T14:58:15.433-07:00Ah-Ha.... It's 2013!!!Yep, it's been a while, but the giant reset button has been pressed and things are finally starting to get moving in the right direction again. I won't go into much detail, but I took a bunch of time off after Xterra Worlds to let the mind and body heal, enjoyed a great Christmas back in Canada with the family and have since been slowly building the fitness levels back up. I didn't think I would lose as much fitness as I did, but I guess that is what you get for growing old ;) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEh4QphBl_H3Fr0KV7KiEZnydnYD5_M2RDwcBj38FAeaG8J9ZHxLwyhW_3iEk7BmCcm9G3eqHXQLiAHKEYAbowvu3mj3tH-f6V0NdRMnicDggXGWUF6gEitWeI88EdnEgmSEqDnlrC7qbKk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QphBl_H3Fr0KV7KiEZnydnYD5_M2RDwcBj38FAeaG8J9ZHxLwyhW_3iEk7BmCcm9G3eqHXQLiAHKEYAbowvu3mj3tH-f6V0NdRMnicDggXGWUF6gEitWeI88EdnEgmSEqDnlrC7qbKk/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to head out on Lap 1 - 24HOP 2013!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So fast forward to 2013!! Still putting the pieces together, but got the season rolling with a shock to the nerves at the first race in the MBAA Arizona MTB series in January at McDowell Mountain Park. I had a good 90mins in me, too bad the race was 110mins long. Last 20 were pretty ugly, but you can't beat a day on the great trails at McDowell Mtn. It did provide me with some extra motivation to get my butt in shape especially since 24hrs in the Old Pueblo was quickly approaching.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiQj0vxQWZEm_cdgRNkVpHkK0jlMlZAzfjKuypkgetuuwGGN3QQCSewMzpcTu9l5ExSjeNFGx9k6uu-Dfu5rDGzPwkbaGuoIWd44FD8yRgO14A9kao15ntF_2O8ycQ1JsbvhUWwZiZBllo/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj0vxQWZEm_cdgRNkVpHkK0jlMlZAzfjKuypkgetuuwGGN3QQCSewMzpcTu9l5ExSjeNFGx9k6uu-Dfu5rDGzPwkbaGuoIWd44FD8yRgO14A9kao15ntF_2O8ycQ1JsbvhUWwZiZBllo/s400/photo+(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little piece of 24hr Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
24hrs in the Old Pueblo.... finally got out to see what all the hubbub was about!! I was fortunate enough to be apart of the 5 person coed team "Rudy Project Retreads" with a great group of guys, Nils, Steve, Hunter, and Darron. We even had uber mechanic Joe Devera in town to make sure the machines were running smooth all night long. Yep, were are pretty special ;) Headed out to 24hr town Friday night in time to get an easy lap in before Steve (executive chef!!) cooked us up some awesome grub. Did I mention we also had a full RV? If you are going to do a 24hr race this is definitely the way to go, mechanic, chef, RV and awesome peeps!! We were even treated to a gorgeous sunset. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQvkdMTjnz037iLStibY30doG5K4gbiI6bnuxJ9plZpUuDvfbhC39xgW54Mm5-hcK1te12paUx8ZE1rG3l0-G93uMDPfcsAywIP63azn-DIGYUoBBKSPo7NSma6aNS70uwugI_kNGMcQ/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQvkdMTjnz037iLStibY30doG5K4gbiI6bnuxJ9plZpUuDvfbhC39xgW54Mm5-hcK1te12paUx8ZE1rG3l0-G93uMDPfcsAywIP63azn-DIGYUoBBKSPo7NSma6aNS70uwugI_kNGMcQ/s400/photo+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Saturday it was a leisurely up and at'em for the noon start. The weather was turning out to be perfect, unlike the usual curse of this weekend, warm and dry with a pretty good wind though. I was 2nd in the running order and started my first lap shortly after 1pm. Ran into a bit of traffic but just snuck in under the 1:10 mark for a solid lap time. We had a team goal of a place on the podium and were sitting just there in 5th going into the night laps. My 2nd lap was full on dark and only my second time out on the mtb with lights, yeehaa. Still a bunch of traffic, but rode clean and solid and after a good nap put in another good night lap at 1am. As a team we were knocking out consistent laps like nobody's business and slowly moved ourselves up into a rock solid 3rd position by the end of the night. (the first two teams in our division were the pro-squads from Stans NoTubes and Nationwide) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjpq2t6rOxqedPF0odYhQVMg_LLh6Hk_Vl05aD-TvjFX8QzHn-1p4Gtp6yQ9KKbJ53aSTN3oMiynfYhC-YJPRNwYMmGx-IcKN5GfLyqGg3WM-TDzvU6DvspgTa0SCr9QE0PPYafXih4kdw/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq2t6rOxqedPF0odYhQVMg_LLh6Hk_Vl05aD-TvjFX8QzHn-1p4Gtp6yQ9KKbJ53aSTN3oMiynfYhC-YJPRNwYMmGx-IcKN5GfLyqGg3WM-TDzvU6DvspgTa0SCr9QE0PPYafXih4kdw/s400/photo+(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy "Le Mans" start with a couple hundred fellow cyclists!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon enough it was Sunday morning and we were excited about getting in our last laps out on the course. The wind had died down and the traffic had really thinned out and everyone turned in some serious lap times to hold onto our 3rd position, way to go TEAM!! <a href="http://liveresults.epicrides.com/24results/default.aspx?event=2013" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">Results</span></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjyF7xArG-f8fxTSp8t5Ky3buHwHjsMuY7s1EXP-BLuHne43k3RACzLRFEfihAIIq5bikGfTY85PwCCtQUrrKrQBhUYPJ2g9Bdvp3IN59s6_Ggx84KplK88431pDdR67s4MfxgGSTZIgGc/s1600/IMG959083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF7xArG-f8fxTSp8t5Ky3buHwHjsMuY7s1EXP-BLuHne43k3RACzLRFEfihAIIq5bikGfTY85PwCCtQUrrKrQBhUYPJ2g9Bdvp3IN59s6_Ggx84KplK88431pDdR67s4MfxgGSTZIgGc/s400/IMG959083.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 - 24hrs in the Old Pueblo crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall a great experience and lots of awesome riding. Tons of great stories, memories and new friendships and already looking forward to next year!! Definitely a must do. (Also put in the best straight 12hrs of sleep I have ever had Sunday night ;)<br />
<br />
Huge thanks has to go out to Pro-Mechanics Joe and Myron for keeping our machines running smooth the whole 24hrs. Also to <a href="http://proenergytowel.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Energy Towels</span></a>, an absolute must have for between laps, especially in the middle of the night. Thanks also to our team sponsor Rudy Project for the great gear and to Power Bar for the nutritional supplies. Biggest thanks goes out to my team-mates who made the whole thing so much fun :))))<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjKOhyphenhyphen0stCwZM6fAIJoMKu9CkGnR4gHl-maLOdH7qTkUJPR2y9CW8XcExK28GZpHpeQFSrrsf_wD6cCxx1zNJLaASjUjqgSvkLf1pY9v45ddpdCUZ7Apd_OxH853FxlC4v5vrfZ7ySVxDs/s1600/IMAG0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOhyphenhyphen0stCwZM6fAIJoMKu9CkGnR4gHl-maLOdH7qTkUJPR2y9CW8XcExK28GZpHpeQFSrrsf_wD6cCxx1zNJLaASjUjqgSvkLf1pY9v45ddpdCUZ7Apd_OxH853FxlC4v5vrfZ7ySVxDs/s400/IMAG0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspirational Night Lap Message from the Mechanics :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not sure exactly what is up next but definitely lots of training miles to go!!<br />
<br />Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-72895908585348366492012-11-26T09:06:00.000-07:002012-11-26T09:12:16.492-07:002012 Season is OVER!!!So for the past three weeks I have been trying to think of a way to positively wrap up this season, sugar coat it so to speak. Well, I can't do it. This year SUCKED!! At least as far as triathlon went. In the greater scheme of live and the world is wasn't so bad. I have a great life with lots of opportunities, great friends and family, and in the end I will heal and recover and live to fight another day. But as this is for the most part a blog about the triathlon side of my life, I will return to the summation that the only thing good about my 2012 triathlon season is that it is finally over, done, finished!! I can wipe the slate clean and be done with it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="302" scrolling="no" src="http://www.ustream.tv/embed/recorded/26451588?ub=ff3d23&lc=ff3d23&oc=ffffff&uc=ffffff&v=3&wmode=direct" style="border: 0px none transparent;" width="480"> </iframe>
</div>
<a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="background: #ffffff; color: black; display: block; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; padding: 2px 0px 4px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" target="_blank">Video streaming by Ustream</a><br />
This short promo video done a couple of days before Xterra Worlds sums it up pretty well. Please excuse the first 30secs. They told me they weren't recording yet and I was joking around doing all the things I shouldn't do during the video :0 If you can lip read there are a good couple f-bombs in there!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEt29Gzzkuhc0oOl4Qe1KMQOGFaI6MfC6LvQl2cZ12aIOYUPZfbjB7mu11F0UvPdrGdi5LjlLCFk87j4ZXFWlSNpGlZk62gSA2n2V-SRH6gKxHCl4myVXSmf9itRUekF84fNBMwEzMU4/s1600/pre+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEt29Gzzkuhc0oOl4Qe1KMQOGFaI6MfC6LvQl2cZ12aIOYUPZfbjB7mu11F0UvPdrGdi5LjlLCFk87j4ZXFWlSNpGlZk62gSA2n2V-SRH6gKxHCl4myVXSmf9itRUekF84fNBMwEzMU4/s400/pre+race.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think Nils pretty much summed up how the day was going to go in this photo!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhKJo34KOAgfECgvc7V_nCdaDnvQlWiLbss8SvKs9KUFu32cekvO10R1n_9c9Ru9v-ZtqfEG9DC-SdBc3loyyvIrVtoR7oRlJiigQ8UW6RA9xdO3cqMx1RUFM9q3pD6oDipTFIWHhOEyAk/s1600/Xterra+Maui+2012+Set-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJo34KOAgfECgvc7V_nCdaDnvQlWiLbss8SvKs9KUFu32cekvO10R1n_9c9Ru9v-ZtqfEG9DC-SdBc3loyyvIrVtoR7oRlJiigQ8UW6RA9xdO3cqMx1RUFM9q3pD6oDipTFIWHhOEyAk/s400/Xterra+Maui+2012+Set-up.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up transition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Needless to say my calf didn't hold up for the race a few days later. I hadn't tested it at all in the five weeks since injuring it at Xterra USA and was hoping for a race day miracle. I taped it up best I could and headed down to the start. To add to the injustice of it all, the swim was finally challenging and was looking pretty epic as we headed into the surf. Unfortunately my calf was so bad I could barely run on the sand and had to limp into the water pretty much getting pummeled and stuck behind the entire pro field. The midway beach run and run up to transition after the swim were about as ugly as it could get without me actually starting to walk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSSGFoB6L6eMbgA6-H7sthqQtqzZqySOoGCQTiR-rRnbsV83pR4p5ZwxRXm-1QVrmoouf1EVAiokD0dk0jvn3URa414kCQ7klfUcjWdnWpzw2XHR3XGUoUYic-kyxpnvyxVtUwOk8t5M/s1600/Xterra+Maui+2012+Swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSSGFoB6L6eMbgA6-H7sthqQtqzZqySOoGCQTiR-rRnbsV83pR4p5ZwxRXm-1QVrmoouf1EVAiokD0dk0jvn3URa414kCQ7klfUcjWdnWpzw2XHR3XGUoUYic-kyxpnvyxVtUwOk8t5M/s400/Xterra+Maui+2012+Swim.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I got on my bike with the two leaders, Mari Rabie and Barbara Rivera, and tried to get my head in gear. I knew at this point that there was no way that I could run, but I could have a great bike and since I didn't race Worlds in 2011 this was my chance to get a race pace effort on the course if for nothing else than to be better prepared for next year. Not sure I accomplished that goal very well, but I did get through it and called it a day in T2. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgOvNlO17jx0G7B8A7Y90HW5CJsT6iFeRvb9oh-qvRsSJA3OksdeMOeBwYv99n5TJtYyWXdFszYMm9Dc0xzTBWGTD2x7Jw1hGKBFW8lHo1aYUChMQM-WiMh0OMwu1xs1NLM9oRqbLofZJg/s1600/kj+and+cj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvNlO17jx0G7B8A7Y90HW5CJsT6iFeRvb9oh-qvRsSJA3OksdeMOeBwYv99n5TJtYyWXdFszYMm9Dc0xzTBWGTD2x7Jw1hGKBFW8lHo1aYUChMQM-WiMh0OMwu1xs1NLM9oRqbLofZJg/s400/kj+and+cj.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big and Lil Fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhF3x2HPiML4FN9Aga_gHd8vvHIyUSau5UUGzIO44ml9ov7pCRADH5DZB2FqqIxSCbYdCEm9dU3Vu4qKYTZrEjVKUNOnGaYSRatm3Z9tp4vAzvOOhV9mfpHw6BkvGYAlSGWOuAy95_43P4/s1600/the+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3x2HPiML4FN9Aga_gHd8vvHIyUSau5UUGzIO44ml9ov7pCRADH5DZB2FqqIxSCbYdCEm9dU3Vu4qKYTZrEjVKUNOnGaYSRatm3Z9tp4vAzvOOhV9mfpHw6BkvGYAlSGWOuAy95_43P4/s400/the+girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the 'Girls' tailgating pre-Halloween Party!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As bad as the race itself went, the trip was a lot of fun. Big thank you to the "Lil Fish" for coming out to cheer and hang out. Also to the housemates, Shelby, Branden, and Dave for an awesome group to stay with!! <br />
<br />
Last but definitely not least, I'd like to wrap it up with a huge thank you to my sponsors who supported me through everything: Sean and <a href="http://www.champ-sys.ca/" target="_blank">Champsys</a> for the amazing (and incredibly stylish) racesuits and training gear, <a href="http://www.nativeyewear.com/" target="_blank">Native</a> Eyewear for my great glasses, <a href="http://www.maxxis.com/" target="_blank">Maxxis</a> for the best tires out there, <a href="http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com/" target="_blank">Nineteen</a> and their awesome wetsuits, <a href="http://www.xendurance.com/" target="_blank">Extreme Endurance</a>, <a href="http://www.honeystinger.com/" target="_blank">Honeystinger</a>, and <a href="http://www.zipfizz.com/" target="_blank">Zipfizz</a> for their wonderful products that kept me hydrated, fueled, recovered, strong and healthy. Also big thanks to my coach Gareth Thomas for guiding me through the tough times and putting up with not a lot of good news coming in on the training logs!!<br />
<br />
Throughout this year the reputed Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times" has often popped into my head. Here's hoping for a much less interesting 2013!!!Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-46455906628204965022012-10-07T23:35:00.001-07:002012-10-08T13:38:50.096-07:00Xterra USAI haven't really been too excited about writing this race report, hence the two week delay since Xterra USA Nationals. Overall the race went about as well as could be expected considering how my year has been going and I'm happy with my 6th place finish. However, the resulting aftermath is just typical of what I am going to chalk up to as simply the curse of 2012. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiYot9LUzTe2TxSj7XEIUN0C52UQxY5EwIA7bW3E6h4_OszsfQZi_cGM3g0Eg014UBY2Z05T8aF2O6f3i6pJd_LyaPTxw518tLYpfRSnqzU_E1Mbn5q8yiMWmLCJpVKhOECcXuckI9n-YI/s1600/Swim+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYot9LUzTe2TxSj7XEIUN0C52UQxY5EwIA7bW3E6h4_OszsfQZi_cGM3g0Eg014UBY2Z05T8aF2O6f3i6pJd_LyaPTxw518tLYpfRSnqzU_E1Mbn5q8yiMWmLCJpVKhOECcXuckI9n-YI/s400/Swim+Start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim Start - Xterra Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The pro's had a slight head start in front of the amateurs and it was nice and clean. I quickly got in behind Ben Allen and Craig Evans with Branden Rakita right in the mix. The three of us couldn't hold Ben's pace through the 2nd lap and came out of the water a couple of seconds down with a nice gap behind us to the next guys. My swim is finally really starting to feel good and I was excited to be swimming right where I should at a comfortable pace, especially after feeling like I was going to die at Xterra Canada. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjZIjVwAXiu_w9SmuF3ZPa3ie8yu7QkzA4G8DTueA1bIYX2LfquEnc4bgxalnrUYUBedUgVU5OxKJsN7yFfQEVWWcE-iaryF1E4qczw0-UCM1bcbnH1896A8w7QfzHOTCTqaRJ11nX7Kqs/s1600/XT+USA+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIjVwAXiu_w9SmuF3ZPa3ie8yu7QkzA4G8DTueA1bIYX2LfquEnc4bgxalnrUYUBedUgVU5OxKJsN7yFfQEVWWcE-iaryF1E4qczw0-UCM1bcbnH1896A8w7QfzHOTCTqaRJ11nX7Kqs/s400/XT+USA+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheeler Canyon - Photo Emma Garrard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Onto the bike I was feeling the best I have all season. I held onto the lead all the way through the first two climbing sections getting caught by Mel and Suzie right at the top before the first descent. I stuck with them for a bit and thought I might just hang on, but the pace was just out of reach. Leslie, Danelle, and Renata gradually reeled me in and passed me up the long climb to Sardine Peak and I rolled into T2 in 6th place, right about where I thought I would be. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgHDecwe7OPN5W8KqcM2Teqcdze4dl35SFbWolLZ9O8k-0vsJX8pGFZP1Y733JXag1QPz1QC2LG9umZKXZf-Z5oLodVJ0iVWilyjDiagj2pxidWxqMJlwi4dZ3qmfDtlVEIbgApEaZ5zkI/s1600/1209220566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDecwe7OPN5W8KqcM2Teqcdze4dl35SFbWolLZ9O8k-0vsJX8pGFZP1Y733JXag1QPz1QC2LG9umZKXZf-Z5oLodVJ0iVWilyjDiagj2pxidWxqMJlwi4dZ3qmfDtlVEIbgApEaZ5zkI/s400/1209220566.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Fork Trail - Photo Nils Nilsen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I started the run feeling pretty good, legs were light and turning over nicely. I had been nursing a bit of a niggle in my left calf and a chronically sore right Achilles tendon for the week and a half leading into the race but was hoping that by easing into the run I could let them warm-up and get through the run without any problems. Usually my Achilles is a bit stiff and sore for the first couple of minutes then loosens up and is fine, unfortunately not this time. By halfway through it was progressively getting more and more sore and putting lots of strain on my soleus, which was in turn tightening up. A slight stumble in some congestion when the sprint course joined back into our course sent a shooting pain up my calf and I almost just had to laugh, really I just can't seem to get a break this year can I. All I could do was hobble into the finish hoping the damage wasn't too bad. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEh6V5ObjoACHrztQ3eL7Xeb59n-5EvRWSopxY3Wpujmp5v1F5Poh2HonAY50FPj1Mkg5odpg7xNkAFVM8AsgKHMRRop6eJykAdrVlUEjsnLk-aHkgijm6Hs6v-R2gFIfeVB-QQlNq6gEhY/s1600/XT+USA+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6V5ObjoACHrztQ3eL7Xeb59n-5EvRWSopxY3Wpujmp5v1F5Poh2HonAY50FPj1Mkg5odpg7xNkAFVM8AsgKHMRRop6eJykAdrVlUEjsnLk-aHkgijm6Hs6v-R2gFIfeVB-QQlNq6gEhY/s400/XT+USA+2.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Colours on Run - Photo Emma Garrard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By evening my ankle was starting to bruise and swell along the side of my tendon. After two days in the car driving home from Utah I had cankles the size of Canada. Is this season almost over, please!!!<br />
<br />
Anyways, only three weeks to go until worlds and then it will be over. Making the best of what I can do training wise and will just have to roll the dice in Maui and see what comes up. Good news is no matter what happens I will be in Maui :)Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-50323798715507121212012-09-28T15:34:00.002-07:002012-09-28T15:34:27.955-07:00Xterra USA - Pre-race video...Little late, but just figured out how to convert this video from DVD to digital. Fun little interview I did with Park City TV the week before the race!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8RpULoxYlx0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-85186099491045835002012-09-21T20:51:00.000-07:002012-09-21T20:51:31.960-07:00Quick Update...Thought I'd write just a quick update before Nationals happens here tomorrow. Just a couple of days after getting back from Xterra Canada I loaded up the car for the extended road trip up to Utah for Xterra USA. Fortunate enough to be able to work remotely I was able to head to higher ground and hopefully produce some additional red blood cells before race day. The trip started out with the Deuces Wild Triathlon Festival in Showlow AZ. The last time I was in Showlow in 2004 I got airlifted out (another story for another day) and I had to laugh at the wall of hay bales marking the spot of the incident. Thankfully the Xterra event went off without any problems, though it was a tough little course. Shonny V and I made the guys work hard placing 4th and 5th overall!! Good hard training day in the books.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg43vx5rv9FrCQRgk7zIDtw7B_qre2crN4w9EhQ4tDWQkbsQvYOZWWP8_P1qV3MG8Dase1LPtNWbPBarxoOnViJ1xrqEZs6oEw-ccaDm8yRXlV_zIs-bWcmItyC4oUnan-j-xE9yi-CCaI/s1600/IMG_1389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43vx5rv9FrCQRgk7zIDtw7B_qre2crN4w9EhQ4tDWQkbsQvYOZWWP8_P1qV3MG8Dase1LPtNWbPBarxoOnViJ1xrqEZs6oEw-ccaDm8yRXlV_zIs-bWcmItyC4oUnan-j-xE9yi-CCaI/s400/IMG_1389.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fool Hollow Lake the night before the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgorQx9CC31NaEt0BtiCKoJcXdIVHac3dqMVWsHlcmWKTdlEu7n4oRl5kHM6zoWYc4dmvq8u-D9uba0JFYNf2OVkBLsb7n6qy2DG4JQUAC2Qfp_PEsUaUFsqdhGzN5of1vyPe35oKRyZQY/s1600/zazoosh_990161402-1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorQx9CC31NaEt0BtiCKoJcXdIVHac3dqMVWsHlcmWKTdlEu7n4oRl5kHM6zoWYc4dmvq8u-D9uba0JFYNf2OVkBLsb7n6qy2DG4JQUAC2Qfp_PEsUaUFsqdhGzN5of1vyPe35oKRyZQY/s400/zazoosh_990161402-1800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BigFish style run :)-</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunday right after the race I jumped in the car and headed north, what a gorgeous drive, and pulled into Moab right at sunset. Stayed the night in the hostel, hmmmm, a little sketchy. Up early Monday and decided that even though the training plan said day off a quick MTB ride was a must and headed out to Klondike Bluff. Perhaps not the best of Moab, but a nice little introduction, definitely will be back!!!<div>
<br /><table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjJDzcbI2AnLMSPVQMn-W1s6CuvSzmQlspiIkbY8emcM2ozhaTTrCM3pKUjojOqK-PLjURiHm4rjGt0RBQ6V2iwrFzRvYlWPvDAi_L5HcfhOalXEshMyPL5xz2HGM2w5YIaEWdW8LWGfng/s1600/IMG_1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDzcbI2AnLMSPVQMn-W1s6CuvSzmQlspiIkbY8emcM2ozhaTTrCM3pKUjojOqK-PLjURiHm4rjGt0RBQ6V2iwrFzRvYlWPvDAi_L5HcfhOalXEshMyPL5xz2HGM2w5YIaEWdW8LWGfng/s400/IMG_1390.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into Moab at sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg9BROhJy5bUhAHw7Eiq7z904veupbn6EquKClsDHwLjJrXTdR1DbeCB0g82m9TPYv9yfcIrsS_e7cV-7p8YksWTOf00AVeEhgU_SUcX59-j1wP17vbi0TkEKIIJ-CUj5dDucNwxT8EJvk/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BROhJy5bUhAHw7Eiq7z904veupbn6EquKClsDHwLjJrXTdR1DbeCB0g82m9TPYv9yfcIrsS_e7cV-7p8YksWTOf00AVeEhgU_SUcX59-j1wP17vbi0TkEKIIJ-CUj5dDucNwxT8EJvk/s400/IMG_1391.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Klondike Bluff, Moab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From there it was a quick drive up to Park City where I was lucky to be able to stay with 'future xterra triathlete' Kelsey Withrow ;) and BF Evan. One day she will see the light and leave that road stuff behind!!<br /><br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhlkGsXKE0wHuZZXEqhcO3nhM6wCK4niK-YHdqouaDzPSritaHPluGx84a3YUDf-3mdIn_qjacjIOWNWlsFEy2hTzRuj-IVsuvQM9nbvhuRX1OW-TyRvyAQokwL_SmpmLPH8lgcsa6t7-M/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkGsXKE0wHuZZXEqhcO3nhM6wCK4niK-YHdqouaDzPSritaHPluGx84a3YUDf-3mdIn_qjacjIOWNWlsFEy2hTzRuj-IVsuvQM9nbvhuRX1OW-TyRvyAQokwL_SmpmLPH8lgcsa6t7-M/s400/IMG_1392.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour De Suds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Enjoyed a great week and a half in Park City (aka MTB nirvana) training and adapting. Even joined in the local Tour De Suds MTB hill climb race in costume on Sunday. Great event if you ever find yourself in town the weekend before Nationals. </div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiUYp2ohoRb1x2hfk9482JAERzbxXFPV64rVJMmcZDLQkBGMXFLf4Ces6MXqhXYYLDHkFf7q3zZXyT3MqOOFOYczScl-PZ0s_9LrZbrAcTZeN4I3Aczyz7t95qifPSjKz49C4KAPmdBDNw/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYp2ohoRb1x2hfk9482JAERzbxXFPV64rVJMmcZDLQkBGMXFLf4Ces6MXqhXYYLDHkFf7q3zZXyT3MqOOFOYczScl-PZ0s_9LrZbrAcTZeN4I3Aczyz7t95qifPSjKz49C4KAPmdBDNw/s400/IMG_1393.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-mountain trail, Park City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here it is, race evening in Snowbasin. The weather looks to be perfect and the fall colours are putting on a show. Everything is packed and ready to go :) Woohoo!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiCrCkxXrSp847Y08Od3q0aBYCP2u-ZbGA89vWpG-mKY1zhFQFjV_W_CLXbp-EGCSHnmjE4j1luFF1odwA2caVFfXsoX4eTZrC6IK9G7vootde0SCBlsMcd2_CIanPNoy-HrqhkZijtQ08/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrCkxXrSp847Y08Od3q0aBYCP2u-ZbGA89vWpG-mKY1zhFQFjV_W_CLXbp-EGCSHnmjE4j1luFF1odwA2caVFfXsoX4eTZrC6IK9G7vootde0SCBlsMcd2_CIanPNoy-HrqhkZijtQ08/s400/IMG_1388.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up the canyon towards Snowbasin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-12601505509091584932012-09-05T18:37:00.001-07:002012-09-05T18:37:57.614-07:00Xterra CanadaWell we all have those days when the body just doesn't want to get moving and Sunday unfortunately was one of the them for me. I knew going into the race that I was going to struggle a bit with the bike course, then it decided rain the day and night before. While the course handled the rain well and there wasn't much mud, it did make the roots a tad slippery. With all that has happened this year with crashes and injuries I was going to play it safe and not take any risks even if that meant losing some serious time. What I didn't count on was feeling pretty sluggish overall and suffering even on the double track and roads sections.<br /><br /><table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg901pxqhUYqjmSJDfm4q-GCTVrGziAyBovqm1tFPXewGU-7_yqp01TLTZsNbse9y2vybfa_-pTVxZFw7Hl11mD3etttxTQvfAYViT8WfcB_3m7wo_YN1eAYL2DJYvduEsN3_UmjpXrG3Y/s1600/Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg901pxqhUYqjmSJDfm4q-GCTVrGziAyBovqm1tFPXewGU-7_yqp01TLTZsNbse9y2vybfa_-pTVxZFw7Hl11mD3etttxTQvfAYViT8WfcB_3m7wo_YN1eAYL2DJYvduEsN3_UmjpXrG3Y/s400/Sunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian Sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We woke up Sunday morning to a spectacular sunrise, complete with snow capped peaks!! Brrrr... Warm-up was definitely on the chilly side but got in a good bike/run then headed down to the Quarry for the swim start. It was a mass start of some 150 people for the 3 loop course, but everyone was surprisingly good with their self-seeding strategies considering the limited amount of space available. I got off to a clean start and onto Branden Rakita's feet where I sort of stayed the whole 3 laps. While the pace didn't seem all that fast, I just couldn't get into the next gear, a feeling that would continue for the whole race. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEigMg8fPvulyR7s5zlfcRtLAg-5scBKLui5rohkRqTkIieC84qqP_4qJ25Ux2sc5-ydgVfwetmtrX7FS6XVh8rcn-pvSoraCVHR20IDPbLGr3DSQSdRyMGHYSZM3rpN6S7Wf995nsJyLug/s1600/Swim+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMg8fPvulyR7s5zlfcRtLAg-5scBKLui5rohkRqTkIieC84qqP_4qJ25Ux2sc5-ydgVfwetmtrX7FS6XVh8rcn-pvSoraCVHR20IDPbLGr3DSQSdRyMGHYSZM3rpN6S7Wf995nsJyLug/s400/Swim+Start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarry Lake - Xterra Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEho7llMPZiXIuV2MgCQemAFKmeMYkt_v1y-DBRBmYtCvGTQAUq0BBqF-ysMxvroc7uCJub1ZPXedQ4dSFa9uE-mqlnrvzzU9ndklk3NguhWrThdWegWJeygs82L7MSvtb6B3nlX3D-RBw0/s1600/Swim+Run+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7llMPZiXIuV2MgCQemAFKmeMYkt_v1y-DBRBmYtCvGTQAUq0BBqF-ysMxvroc7uCJub1ZPXedQ4dSFa9uE-mqlnrvzzU9ndklk3NguhWrThdWegWJeygs82L7MSvtb6B3nlX3D-RBw0/s400/Swim+Run+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim Lap - Courtesy Jordan Bryden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not going to elaborate much on the bike and the run as I pretty much just got through them. I did manage to pick up the pace a bit and ride better the second lap of the bike but too much damage had already been done by that time to make up any ground on the rest of the field and I finished up in 7th. The course though, was very spectacular!! Thanks Trey for the photos :)<br /><br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjGGmUGFAG3iCwFJ0wGFzSpuJaW6fHbAZQC3UGKSiKj9paqFyMCghDHY8yrHKKSEBmB7Idrocz5pQgGW0iG-FcqeYwXZMqBVsz15iVXaZ9uNkYmfdnNNUUmNNKiA4tx2IqMzjfHIPuo8vs/s1600/Bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGmUGFAG3iCwFJ0wGFzSpuJaW6fHbAZQC3UGKSiKj9paqFyMCghDHY8yrHKKSEBmB7Idrocz5pQgGW0iG-FcqeYwXZMqBVsz15iVXaZ9uNkYmfdnNNUUmNNKiA4tx2IqMzjfHIPuo8vs/s400/Bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to drop into EKG - Xterra Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiPq7oTKp6ZWZ-wYN-l4DTw9KWvz6L_9FsicuR_Y14P0Uz_rvU_Sor2G8V35b9sQoCNyU5oWpK7ju8qvGeyEY2C9buVY7I0zNrMu1HslP6MZPZ8A9HSY5R3PGVyi5oXPQgb99knzHi2Qk0/s1600/Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq7oTKp6ZWZ-wYN-l4DTw9KWvz6L_9FsicuR_Y14P0Uz_rvU_Sor2G8V35b9sQoCNyU5oWpK7ju8qvGeyEY2C9buVY7I0zNrMu1HslP6MZPZ8A9HSY5R3PGVyi5oXPQgb99knzHi2Qk0/s400/Run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out on the run - Xterra Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back in Tucson and moving on!!! Deuces Wild Triathlon up this weekend in Show Low before heading up to Park City, Utah for some altitude adaption ahead of Xterra USA Nationals end of September. <br />
<br />Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-40266382442461368062012-09-01T21:03:00.000-07:002012-09-01T21:03:34.762-07:00Rocks and Roots in the Canadian Rockies!!!Bit of time to spare before turning in and looking forward to racing Xterra Canada tomorrow. The race is being held in the spectacular Canadian Rockies this year at the Canmore Nordic Center. It's been a great trip so far, though a little chillier than I had planned. Got into town Wednesday afternoon and met up with Luna Chix Suzie Snyder. Had dinner and spent the night with my uncle in Calgary before driving up to Canmore Thursday. Even the drive is spectacular!!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEikikee7cOQ2352RBlbH-dMZ9sWDNg4u_9ykp9dqMW7iig4dY44qbAseUByG5TftaCyOkj2UDnjs6VQr_lrOdBs5ZlDY8DApDa2F-wjtE2pN_RtdH3TwToR59X0v7KdhzR-GPiQzgpYbNk/s1600/Road+to+Canmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikikee7cOQ2352RBlbH-dMZ9sWDNg4u_9ykp9dqMW7iig4dY44qbAseUByG5TftaCyOkj2UDnjs6VQr_lrOdBs5ZlDY8DApDa2F-wjtE2pN_RtdH3TwToR59X0v7KdhzR-GPiQzgpYbNk/s400/Road+to+Canmore.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trans-Canada heading into Canmore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Big thanks to Cal and Laura for hooking Suzie, Branden, Renata and myself up with a great house to stay in at the last minute. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEic_K9073t63TAOwMqXBDQCPAk8fRHe9GUSZcWuODM1rgOsh4y4PjCY_6FzP_m2jOqChAZpEwyreoNAUZ5CcocD3reHx6VBGNiIqTGgh58JT0XVG-IcNfxxX1CUMUUQibChwhTfxaDIsBc/s1600/Race+Backdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_K9073t63TAOwMqXBDQCPAk8fRHe9GUSZcWuODM1rgOsh4y4PjCY_6FzP_m2jOqChAZpEwyreoNAUZ5CcocD3reHx6VBGNiIqTGgh58JT0XVG-IcNfxxX1CUMUUQibChwhTfxaDIsBc/s400/Race+Backdrop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transition at Canmore Nordic Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Spent the past couple of days getting some training time in on the course which is going to prove to be really fun and quite challenging for me, at least on the bike. Lots of singletrack with roots and rocks and a couple of fun sections aptly named the "Laundry Chute" and the "Coal Chute".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhMaZgaWNqwK2GGL8G1q5kPEi_d8QcpZhXif7UJEFWuzPmjCGMwODXmGixGzIV9HusLVKQ7e0_ayO-jhg2ZzecONN_kUPviImr8rhETyBHPJX8-UBPZXEPGYO8t5vxSnjIL64TaDaGtKIg/s1600/Fun+Swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaZgaWNqwK2GGL8G1q5kPEi_d8QcpZhXif7UJEFWuzPmjCGMwODXmGixGzIV9HusLVKQ7e0_ayO-jhg2ZzecONN_kUPviImr8rhETyBHPJX8-UBPZXEPGYO8t5vxSnjIL64TaDaGtKIg/s400/Fun+Swim.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarry Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgmn1bfy73lK0vah5k-FVu_nZsHzyw34Khwa7pgPhdiCGT0wIj-ZZZf7g6y0sXw1s1Jpvt9J9ixXryU-PVOG25QI_1y7lQAAsk_LBdr0EDrSzPzFW4vQzqbX6ehbN8iDGF9fJI0UsZ-Bf8/s1600/Pre-riding+with+Suzie+Snyder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn1bfy73lK0vah5k-FVu_nZsHzyw34Khwa7pgPhdiCGT0wIj-ZZZf7g6y0sXw1s1Jpvt9J9ixXryU-PVOG25QI_1y7lQAAsk_LBdr0EDrSzPzFW4vQzqbX6ehbN8iDGF9fJI0UsZ-Bf8/s400/Pre-riding+with+Suzie+Snyder.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-riding with Suzie Snyder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm still operating in the not taking any chances of a big crash mode, so will be running down the Laundry Chutes. I figure loosing a couple of seconds hike-a-biking is way better than the possible alternative!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEh5vF2N-AeosntqgR_7A2mSiifLkkQx_K13S4pyY9n9bk50zb_7UlYdzxwVV12e7toCxHoj6RlXDDlkvWg2VDhc-5NSWX75WY417yULlsBiIKXNTSe6px4LHS_cmWUTSQHYQRKW1-1lf9Y/s1600/Laundry-Chutes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vF2N-AeosntqgR_7A2mSiifLkkQx_K13S4pyY9n9bk50zb_7UlYdzxwVV12e7toCxHoj6RlXDDlkvWg2VDhc-5NSWX75WY417yULlsBiIKXNTSe6px4LHS_cmWUTSQHYQRKW1-1lf9Y/s400/Laundry-Chutes.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry Chutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiiqpk-uIdGF65T3DFht_Ma7ammphgs5QhlD3QY7HKyHo60g5vQos8osNGmyY-k2SVLAMGhTr1QvKCtFWbZhX2TGRCyLxWJEmr8XH-4hoSXm6VqZOsMCsIA0vt53NhBfXfG3XNZ8h09N44/s1600/Xterra+Pro's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqpk-uIdGF65T3DFht_Ma7ammphgs5QhlD3QY7HKyHo60g5vQos8osNGmyY-k2SVLAMGhTr1QvKCtFWbZhX2TGRCyLxWJEmr8XH-4hoSXm6VqZOsMCsIA0vt53NhBfXfG3XNZ8h09N44/s400/Xterra+Pro's.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stellar Pro Field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And did I mention, 8 pro women vs 4 pro men!!! Way to represent Chicas!!!<br />
<br />
Goodnight :))Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-17140502172628587142012-08-29T10:16:00.001-07:002012-08-29T10:17:30.496-07:00Xterra Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow, has it really been a month since Xterra Mexico!! I guess time flies when you are running around like a chicken with its head cut off. You would think I would be a little bit more excited about getting back to racing after 9 months off. Well I was and what a great race to kick off my abbreviated 2012 triathlon season. I had heard great things about the race last year and it didn't disappoint. The race was held in Tapalpa, a couple hours drive into the mountains outside Guadalajara. The race organizers took great care of us, putting us up in a great lake front house right next to the swim course. The area had been having a wetter than normal summer, so while that meant for some serious mud it did make the countryside incredibly green and lush!!!</div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiQUP_cCTo6v7Nksj-9Lqb6hEEXix9QiIA0pHL0giOSscEjzxx8xzRkJaBZe6bY2pPp8REXbBBMrG86hQsvpAKwFTqSzzW8Wie5FuJ1duJKR50vYPOLyZL-yj1UBKtZMI9pJrfAqZHFvhM/s1600/2+-+House+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUP_cCTo6v7Nksj-9Lqb6hEEXix9QiIA0pHL0giOSscEjzxx8xzRkJaBZe6bY2pPp8REXbBBMrG86hQsvpAKwFTqSzzW8Wie5FuJ1duJKR50vYPOLyZL-yj1UBKtZMI9pJrfAqZHFvhM/s320/2+-+House+2.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from out patio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The days leading up to the race were spent catching up with friends and checking out the bike and run course. Shonny, Renata and I were rooming together and according to Renata I talk way too much!!! Ha-Ha, we are rooming together again at Xterra USA, so she is investing in a good set of earplugs ;) Seriously though, we had a lot of fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhpl1Un9MIRAtQoqLRF7njZqhivGLEhFal5UZ0dEXaJusRNB93hSA0TuqdhjddqjTWeYaSImBq8QW90hSxWPvhOfda3bTJ_IgBqR-WzDK7-noDyaFneoNu8o3dTP0Dh_XB0QGbDeINjBUg/s1600/8+-+preride+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl1Un9MIRAtQoqLRF7njZqhivGLEhFal5UZ0dEXaJusRNB93hSA0TuqdhjddqjTWeYaSImBq8QW90hSxWPvhOfda3bTJ_IgBqR-WzDK7-noDyaFneoNu8o3dTP0Dh_XB0QGbDeINjBUg/s400/8+-+preride+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-riding with the gang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The body was feeling pretty good going into race day, though after 9 months off and being up at 7,000ft I was definitely nervous and hoping that race mode wouldn't be too much of a shock to the system!!! Thankfully it was a non-wetsuit swim (the shoulder was still a little cranky and didn't like being constricted in the wetsuit) and even though we started with the top age group men in their wetsuits (always a bad idea) things settled in to a nice pace quickly. My swim is definitely lagging a little behind but I was happy to be able to grab the feet of Branden Rakita and "Paco" Serrano and stick to them for the two lap swim. I knew Renata, Shonny, and Fabiola were going to be super strong on the bike and needed all the time I could put on them.<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgE6ul5hohyphenhypheno5iDKuGjNDTkN2b1uWgr5ciA2JS9NuCJ00nzSDlqh3QC6WwJGx6szOtguu4ZN4lFKftd8VEfOOiKJtix_LKUuVtKAWQQ1jOliMNOKg8W61R87pHjEklavI1IuzwVBRAjN7g/s1600/20+-+Race+AM+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6ul5hohyphenhypheno5iDKuGjNDTkN2b1uWgr5ciA2JS9NuCJ00nzSDlqh3QC6WwJGx6szOtguu4ZN4lFKftd8VEfOOiKJtix_LKUuVtKAWQQ1jOliMNOKg8W61R87pHjEklavI1IuzwVBRAjN7g/s400/20+-+Race+AM+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race morning </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pre-ride had been pretty wet, then it rained the entire next day!!! Soooo can you say mudfest!! The picture below is when my bike actually got so gunked up it literally stopped moving. Not being much of a mud specialist, since I live and train in Tucson, I was really happy with how well I rode, strong and steady the whole way, saving just a little in the tank for the run. I stayed on my bike except for a small airborne incident when I went into a mud puddle just a little too fast. Thankfully the landing was really soft. Renata caught me near the top of the climb, just before half way, and I held off Shonny, but saw her coming in right on my heels into T2. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjYq2hi1oD8GeRSGTyopLJLA7BQP2-dxwSFOIfGcbjgZ_zR594EX91fLk8aze3Nv0GuUWtxmZvnk1tGMTIKJAscXzcgh_g19i_YbKjw8vxSqE1QGWJghxzbNIbZuNyT0sY2VpZ361xEIIs/s1600/29+-+Bike+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq2hi1oD8GeRSGTyopLJLA7BQP2-dxwSFOIfGcbjgZ_zR594EX91fLk8aze3Nv0GuUWtxmZvnk1tGMTIKJAscXzcgh_g19i_YbKjw8vxSqE1QGWJghxzbNIbZuNyT0sY2VpZ361xEIIs/s400/29+-+Bike+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjaRqHUdgn39wB10UV6LB7iFR2jr_ChEynerk3SmHmExG03CbGfhneBgc7ggBPZgt2InnKmYd22sUszzkrvSiYqx46jBrrAmmgmU04PXJynLOje_r5neYgHJVQUD4FZapu_xAG46WKppZg/s1600/30+-+Bike+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRqHUdgn39wB10UV6LB7iFR2jr_ChEynerk3SmHmExG03CbGfhneBgc7ggBPZgt2InnKmYd22sUszzkrvSiYqx46jBrrAmmgmU04PXJynLOje_r5neYgHJVQUD4FZapu_xAG46WKppZg/s400/30+-+Bike+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back moving again :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The run is defintely where the lack of racing finally kicked it. The legs were bordering on lead weights and it didn't help the run course was one hell of a tough one, truly Xterra worthy. I headed out on the two loop course just ahead of Shonny and hoping to hold her off, negative on that one. I did keep her close and held off Fabiola for third. Super happy with the result, but more happy with getting that first one back out of the way!!!<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjnHvLOS9DO3MPnR30BoqWPchyphenhyphenPQqMqiXsThN8j0MIVIp2Qsb5AVMhaN_O6qQq12Wzx3Ie82A_Kb5oYYnYWFcS-4_qh_9QuF_0XdjMZH1cYXzUJN0vPlNsPwyYINpGutkiSctn2x2TPctI/s1600/33+-+Run+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHvLOS9DO3MPnR30BoqWPchyphenhyphenPQqMqiXsThN8j0MIVIp2Qsb5AVMhaN_O6qQq12Wzx3Ie82A_Kb5oYYnYWFcS-4_qh_9QuF_0XdjMZH1cYXzUJN0vPlNsPwyYINpGutkiSctn2x2TPctI/s400/33+-+Run+1.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through Tapalpa's cobbled streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgwG8LvuHIj_LzYsdTjkzkeeraLubc_ksJldz8792IOpB4wVmDefWAPU912IwWGrxtthCvgZcRWLW4cCwjIqceQvkF61dqBrHc-keDxPEYnueI3RdSXK8njvwVWJ4fd8odqEqN_BTCvTSg/s1600/36+-+Podium+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG8LvuHIj_LzYsdTjkzkeeraLubc_ksJldz8792IOpB4wVmDefWAPU912IwWGrxtthCvgZcRWLW4cCwjIqceQvkF61dqBrHc-keDxPEYnueI3RdSXK8njvwVWJ4fd8odqEqN_BTCvTSg/s400/36+-+Podium+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEibxij0fBO5PbcEiCKUNAlgrin4rGYzaevCbC0pD_zC_qPNLcbz13l89dTuehKhNJgmD-oFwfdUBt6Wd78HTBZ_XNVzNxiwAmZvCbPCjjq4hMYe1Um1Yvob-Q3UA5Wep8gnhyZqTsSXdBI/s1600/38+-+postrace+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxij0fBO5PbcEiCKUNAlgrin4rGYzaevCbC0pD_zC_qPNLcbz13l89dTuehKhNJgmD-oFwfdUBt6Wd78HTBZ_XNVzNxiwAmZvCbPCjjq4hMYe1Um1Yvob-Q3UA5Wep8gnhyZqTsSXdBI/s400/38+-+postrace+2.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race Mexico style!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The day finished off with a great awards ceremony in the town square complete with fireworks, and of course fun drinks!! <br />
<br />
So fast forward a couple of weeks and here I am in Denver airport on my way to Xterra Canada in beautiful Canmore Alberta. Can't wait to see what I've got now that the cobwebs are all dusted out!!Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-91942950600154385732012-07-26T05:00:00.000-07:002012-07-26T06:45:05.251-07:00Tahoe WeekendBeen a while since the last post, but to be honest not much has been going on. Shoulder has been gradually improving and I have been able to build up my swimming and get back to full bike and run training. That means nose to the grindstone and yeah I get to race again. I was a bit worried that the shoulder wouldn't be good enough to do the Trans Tahoe Relay as planned, but it came around just in time!! And just for fun I decided to make it a super double weekend by entering the Tahoe Trail 100 MTB race the next day. Why not!! I flew out to San Francisco on Thursday afternoon and hooked up with the 'Little Fish' before driving up to Tahoe. Friday was a bit of a frustrating day trying to pre-ride the mountain bike course WITHOUT the course map, but the gorgeous weather and scenery made getting continuously lost bearable. And hey, ignorance is sometimes bliss when it comes to these enduro courses. Better not to know how much pain and suffering is headed your way. We got about 1/3 of the way through before giving up and heading home, leaving the rest of the course as a surprise for Sunday ;)<br />
<br />
Saturday... Now in it's 36th year, the relay swim across Lake Tahoe from Sandy Harbor to Skylandia, is put on by the Olympic Club of San Francisco and this year attracted 182 teams of 6 swimmers. My sister had recruited me for this fun event to be the ringer and while I'm not sure I was quite up for that title, it didn't stop them from making me the leadout!! Unlike triathlon, there are no wetsuits allowed in open water swimming regardless of water temperature, so thankfully the water and weather cooperated and no one froze to death. The logistics of this race were also unlike any other race I have ever done. As the leadout I started on the beach with my 5 teammates waiting about 1500 yds offshore in the boat. Sounds pretty easy, swim out to the boat, continue swimming across the lake, NOT. Trying to find your boat from the water in the middle of a flotilla of almost 200 boats in 60deg water is a nightmare!! Fortunately, we found each other surprisingly quickly and got safely on our way, unlike several teams who after 45mins (swimmers swap out each 30mins to start) still couldn't locate their swimmer. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgB79UnqmXJZADCrlEUqdMKsxXt_RtPFQ0Y0sDNZpxd1ZiJgNwbjj0hBAj8DLRVM42UAiFHhIXpa-5Op0ckED4397wTdr0rw0BG5GDJQb7pViq8dL_7yGhjmKBQ6PctbNf2mZWgZA-agSE/s1600/3-Lake+Tahoe+Race+Morning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB79UnqmXJZADCrlEUqdMKsxXt_RtPFQ0Y0sDNZpxd1ZiJgNwbjj0hBAj8DLRVM42UAiFHhIXpa-5Op0ckED4397wTdr0rw0BG5GDJQb7pViq8dL_7yGhjmKBQ6PctbNf2mZWgZA-agSE/s400/3-Lake+Tahoe+Race+Morning.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjKFwgHSp3CeMKWTUytCw_tTLoOzkCy8VR8D2k-IZs-fInWtuWsqNM6BW906Kw3pQXLtjfDaYYum64rJPXa0rQNg4tmYRbWIeuFHdJtWXc5a5XiNW0IeBG02g0ybK60soFpIJOB95W1_wQ/s1600/2-Lake+Tahoe+Buoys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFwgHSp3CeMKWTUytCw_tTLoOzkCy8VR8D2k-IZs-fInWtuWsqNM6BW906Kw3pQXLtjfDaYYum64rJPXa0rQNg4tmYRbWIeuFHdJtWXc5a5XiNW0IeBG02g0ybK60soFpIJOB95W1_wQ/s400/2-Lake+Tahoe+Buoys.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rest of the morning was spent blissfully puttering across the lake. The relay worked as 30mins each, followed by 15mins each, then 10mins each until finished. Team Aquaholics put in a solid middle of the field effort, which included having lots of fun, to finish just under 5hrs, yeah Team!! Pretty awesome way to spend a Saturday morning!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgDt37xi-1CUmWDT3afW2gSd8y5jkkP9a3G-z8LCPAA3-Jsv_mH2wDN-RSQ4009dlNzC96zM2QTMrctwLUdgqPa5e6YiYggrEhCRztwIdF19KyKbMN6HZ1oyC_VH6PsFa0jCs8MRzpCUJY/s1600/5-CJ+on+Boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt37xi-1CUmWDT3afW2gSd8y5jkkP9a3G-z8LCPAA3-Jsv_mH2wDN-RSQ4009dlNzC96zM2QTMrctwLUdgqPa5e6YiYggrEhCRztwIdF19KyKbMN6HZ1oyC_VH6PsFa0jCs8MRzpCUJY/s400/5-CJ+on+Boat.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin in the middle of the 4mile long Boat Conga Line!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEj0lBuzFG2UjGIez7bmq02SLNpkESd5p2UQAdF9RZtrOKnTO6GRCg6nqsZ11RZ1lZiiXqkHNott_tIwjZSbdOAjAN3x7ws1J2nwVrsiRzf3S18cnFDEwf5MPnDC-8jUzLuD5hilkg8An2Y/s1600/8-Team+Aquaholics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lBuzFG2UjGIez7bmq02SLNpkESd5p2UQAdF9RZtrOKnTO6GRCg6nqsZ11RZ1lZiiXqkHNott_tIwjZSbdOAjAN3x7ws1J2nwVrsiRzf3S18cnFDEwf5MPnDC-8jUzLuD5hilkg8An2Y/s400/8-Team+Aquaholics.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Aquaholics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunday... Another 4:30am wake-up ugh!! Race start was 7am at NorthStar so up bright and early it was. Joining in this adventure were fellow T-Towners, Bryce Phinney, Ryan Hammerel and Dan Distefano along with SF Bryce Ritzel. Sister decided to sit this one out!!! (more brain cells I think) The race field was only a little over 400 so we all got off to a nice mellow start, rolling on the pavement up to the village then climbing the dirt road to Mid-Station to start the first of two laps. This is where things got dusty, really dusty. For the first 45mins all I could see through the clouds of dirt was the faint shadow of the rider in front of me, hoping dearly that he was riding a good line. There wasn't even a chance of actually seeing the ground and what you were about to run over, or into. Yeah for full-suspension!! Thankfully things cleared out mid-way through the lap and made the 2nd lap quite enjoyable, if you find 7,444 vertical feet of climbing enjoyable. Yep, ignorance was bliss. The goal was not to put myself completely in the hurt locker, couldn't afford to take a week off to recover, so I rode strong and steady and the legs were awesome. Wasn't sure how they were going to handle 5+ hours on the MTB and elevation and was super happy with were my fitness turned out to be. The Queen of Pain herself, Rebecca Rusch, took us all to school, but 2nd through 5th were all within 10 minutes of each other. Happy with 5th overall and 2nd in my age group and a little nervous about taking the spot to Leadville, though I decided to defer to 2013 so plenty of time to figure that monster out!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEj6W4I1Gec3_Q0Fn0OQtLUiGmNiKJWCqkQoG0259958rDXKANyRW6dLaAnAupdHGeg0gkMjC-loWOXFA6IIMQTDkE2MuqTOnDM_bHhnhrCXPDwXmfLnO-JlvXfttBqv05uC3_knWskZBfU/s1600/2-All+done.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W4I1Gec3_Q0Fn0OQtLUiGmNiKJWCqkQoG0259958rDXKANyRW6dLaAnAupdHGeg0gkMjC-loWOXFA6IIMQTDkE2MuqTOnDM_bHhnhrCXPDwXmfLnO-JlvXfttBqv05uC3_knWskZBfU/s400/2-All+done.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirty, Happy, Finished!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up, yep my 2012 triathlon season is actually getting underway and hopefully I remember how to do it. Xterra Mexico August 4th here I come!!!Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-82976648081066186752012-05-09T14:31:00.001-07:002012-05-09T14:31:22.941-07:00Rehab Fun...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The human body is truly amazing but when you don't move something, perhaps your shoulder, for 6 weeks it effectively stops being able to do so. I never thought I would be so excited to be able to lift my arm above my head again. Over the years I have rehab'd two elbows (6 weeks and 2 weeks immobilized) and a neck (12 weeks in a brace) but I have to say this will definitely go down as the worst of the three. The six weeks in the sling went by surprisingly quickly. I got thoroughly reacquainted with my bike trainer as well as the elliptical trainer at the gym, and with the exception of a few low moments manage some pretty solid training. Nothing spectacular, but enough to maintain a pretty descent amount of base fitness. Also enjoyed some time out with friends including a wonderful Easter Sunday get together with the T-Town crew on the patio at the JW Marriott at Star Pass. If you are ever in the Tucson area this is definitely the place to enjoy the sunset and a great Margarita!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgJs20e-MygJopgm4-TVVhYfu9ZbwnUFJvaEzPe95qTQxvddCujRc3f7j1dZTUWmYcfVcVQX3bbi1vdCCDlAv7465spfNbasRgBuboW2Cj2uZUF2oelgq0DlUd1mBQumxdJ3uKGMr-cw6s/s1600/IMG_1008%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs20e-MygJopgm4-TVVhYfu9ZbwnUFJvaEzPe95qTQxvddCujRc3f7j1dZTUWmYcfVcVQX3bbi1vdCCDlAv7465spfNbasRgBuboW2Cj2uZUF2oelgq0DlUd1mBQumxdJ3uKGMr-cw6s/s400/IMG_1008%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Sunday at the JW Marriott, Tucson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My parents also dropped in for a week's visit and we took to opportunity to go up and do the night experience at the Kitts Peak National Observatory. Definitely a great evening activity if you are looking for something unique to do. The evening includes watching the sunset, as you have to be up on the mountain before dark so your car headlights don't interfere with the research being done at the various telescopes, and a quick overview of all the facilities and telescopes. The rest of the evening is spent split into two groups with half star-gazing through binoculars and learning about the constellations and planets, then switching spots and viewing various planets, star clusters etc through one of the telescopes. The evening concludes with a guided drive down the mountain without headlights!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhLy33hfUNn-Xgj3gj4lnhMQOu73ppsfMpzS_GFQjv03IcX4BVrTmvxF1vRzc3ufUoD4nFX0ezQL_4QRcoO8tRuuPHdLjiTOpeVxdYqEtZRfZeE-f2RC19iNj2-kYmqHzmUtKLKERmRY2I/s1600/IMG_1020%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy33hfUNn-Xgj3gj4lnhMQOu73ppsfMpzS_GFQjv03IcX4BVrTmvxF1vRzc3ufUoD4nFX0ezQL_4QRcoO8tRuuPHdLjiTOpeVxdYqEtZRfZeE-f2RC19iNj2-kYmqHzmUtKLKERmRY2I/s400/IMG_1020%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the St Kitts National Observatory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While Kitts was exciting the highlight of their trip was definitely the surprise visit of my sister Karen and her BF Bryce. I almost gave it away during the week but managed to keep it a secret until they walked through the door Friday evening. With Mother's Day and my father's 70th B-day coming up it was nice to get the whole family together!!! While just a short weekend trip, we did manage a beautiful and hot hike up the phoneline trail in Sabino Canyon then enjoyed dinner on the patio at the Catalina BBQ. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgkaDXPFqmnKa-8vPUJv4-QMc-3uSSlyHKWPgVKV2jF8w99P6nHMu5-tKWoljSZRt_lq_-9OudUZ4koJiHwMvfOVvI7XGEPvO3hg1y0_RUMATxCs2WcxH9-R2RbRu5qY3ICvFtZADpUp7I/s1600/IMG_1027%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaDXPFqmnKa-8vPUJv4-QMc-3uSSlyHKWPgVKV2jF8w99P6nHMu5-tKWoljSZRt_lq_-9OudUZ4koJiHwMvfOVvI7XGEPvO3hg1y0_RUMATxCs2WcxH9-R2RbRu5qY3ICvFtZADpUp7I/s400/IMG_1027%5B1%5D.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabino Canyon hike with the family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the rehab front after only three sessions I have almost full flexion (front arm raises) and good external shoulder rotation. I am also doing some isometric strengthening and will progress to abduction (side arm raises) and strengthening with movement in the next week or so. Running is back to normal and I am slowly introducing riding on the road back into the training schedule. I have attempted some one-arm swimming and doggie paddle ;) but full swimming and mountain biking are probably a good couple of weeks away!! I do get some pretty strange looks at the pool to keep me entertained. So onward I go...Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-62598507333115696232012-03-29T15:44:00.000-07:002012-03-30T08:07:38.218-07:00Doing Time....so to speak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So things haven't gone exactly to plan since my last post. Six weeks post crash came and went with me still unable to swim because of intense pain at the top of my arm recovery and it was becoming pretty clear that there was more damage than just the broken shoulder. Went in to get an MRI and although it didn't really show much, it did look as though there was some sort of tear in the Labrum. I guess this is pretty normal and you really never know exactly what the damage is until you get inside and take a look. Since it had now been almost 8 weeks since the crash with very little improvement I decided to go ahead and get the surgery scheduled and done. Thanks again to JT and Southwest Hand for all the great and timely care putting humpty-dumpty back together, hopefully for the last time. I can handle injuries when I know what is wrong, what I have to do to fix it and roughly the time frame it will take to do so, not knowing what is going on drives me NUTS!!! Time to get this shoulder fixed and on its way to a full recovery. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went in for surgery two weeks ago today and yesterday while I was getting my stitches out got to see some of the images from the procedure. Apparently the MRI really didn't show what was going on and as it turned out I had a little tear at the top of the Labrum, a huge tear along the bottom, and just for added bonus some cartilage damage. Yes, I am a card carrying member of the "don't do anything half-assed" club!!! Thought I'd post a few pics, well just because ;))</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgIpCe0mfJ_6t1BRPx0VQ_geHeFEfID9eDkYzG9Xw39sr1wTc84PwUg6Hux5w1-0D10Q6ftiInfrnYCfz-LgEQHNWltOelUDjdEC2xYSVuONtB9nCtdCh5oStQ0VT_0NZF7F-TJIBXWlTU/s1600/Tear+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpCe0mfJ_6t1BRPx0VQ_geHeFEfID9eDkYzG9Xw39sr1wTc84PwUg6Hux5w1-0D10Q6ftiInfrnYCfz-LgEQHNWltOelUDjdEC2xYSVuONtB9nCtdCh5oStQ0VT_0NZF7F-TJIBXWlTU/s400/Tear+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big tear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VrVZwTqwxBfrtYaa4z9cqVMFfTvmMLuCBC06JcMQC8UMTbyeOZYUE-EcVuW9gUl1DGAh9YqzC0RFwJeWaEhqG8Hc25yfE2DNHRJpoY4lnzLeZ8OxIeWSpMPB8HlCDdIIY8m-2iglmlc/s400/Tear+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange cutting device cleaning up tear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhpq9wPVIN2OVlz5h-bmay-N_8yJjdh5c2xIWaDOFdeclonHqqBH7z3NeSqEzCJkVazYDsGr8oNgtRNc3gKxF0sWkX-E5iJpAQHGX5Xd5ERIKytR2vxnuOMaF4Lb2L9Ak7RUBsmuaZRtVc/s1600/Tear+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq9wPVIN2OVlz5h-bmay-N_8yJjdh5c2xIWaDOFdeclonHqqBH7z3NeSqEzCJkVazYDsGr8oNgtRNc3gKxF0sWkX-E5iJpAQHGX5Xd5ERIKytR2vxnuOMaF4Lb2L9Ak7RUBsmuaZRtVc/s400/Tear+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing up tear with what looks like shoelaces ;))</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEi6CuFNDVyEuPa3xwcC7Fm1yurt-5jlrpv-Xfd4mn-vuX2jqnur83ikzqP_8iuOm9R9pVHDNARK6unY7OLZe7Ao-ayK5k9nPMxD8SmlekpN9b7UJHhGGB_s0uo4nuS9hScUhyphenhyphenRqtS9bJnY/s1600/Tear+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CuFNDVyEuPa3xwcC7Fm1yurt-5jlrpv-Xfd4mn-vuX2jqnur83ikzqP_8iuOm9R9pVHDNARK6unY7OLZe7Ao-ayK5k9nPMxD8SmlekpN9b7UJHhGGB_s0uo4nuS9hScUhyphenhyphenRqtS9bJnY/s400/Tear+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All better :))</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So now I'm "Doing Time" so to speak, with 4 more weeks in my lovely and very stylish sling before being able to start moving my shoulder again and then another 6 weeks or so after that before being up to full speed. I am able to ride my trainer (oh I know you are all very jealous) and can run on the elliptical trainer so my ass is hopefully going to stay about the same size until I am back to 100%. Sad and disappointed to not be racing the front end of the season, especially the ITU Cross Worlds in Alabama, but happy to finally have everything fixed and healing. Big thanks to everyone for all your calls, emails, tweets, messages of concern and support, I feel very loved :))) Best of luck to everyone racing, I will be following from my couch, and looking forward to being back out there soon!!!Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-90651233617321300262012-02-28T05:00:00.000-07:002012-03-02T15:19:48.983-07:00Bad Luck Comes in 3'sAfter some extensive research (aka procrastinating by looking up useless information on the internet) it seems there is really no historical basis for the saying bad luck comes in 3's. Go figure. I did find this somewhat unrelated but interested tidbit about soldier's superstitions on lighting 3 cigarettes with one match being bad luck, at least for the third soldier:<br />
<br />
<i>"The explanation of the origin of the custom is that British soldiers, entrenched against Dutch foes in the Boer War, learned by bitter experience of the danger of lighting three cigarettes from one match. When the men thriftily used one match to serve three of them, they gave the Boer sniper time to spot the light, take aim and fire, killing 'the third man'."</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
No matter, I am assuming that the saying is true and therefore my bad luck is officially over for a very, very long time. Let's recap, for those of you joining in for the first time :)<br />
<br />
1 - September, day after Xterra Nationals, big MTB crash in Park City on the Crest Trail resulting in an avulsion elbow fracture, slightly torn triceps tendon and nasty ass infected cut. Took me out of Xterra Worlds and about six weeks of recovery time before even thinking about doing any kind of training.<br />
<br />
2 - January, after putting in some amazing winter base training in November and December I came down with a bit of a cold. Took a couple of days off then decided enough was enough and headed out for a MTB ride while still under the weather (bad idea). Totally pilled it up on one of the easiest sections of trail, lots of cuts and bruises, chipped bottom tooth and a really sore shoulder. I suspected a torn rotator cuff but was hoping I had just slightly dislocated it. After two weeks of living in denial I finally broke down and headed into the Doc. What do you know....broken shoulder!! Cracked Humeral Head to be exact. Found this lovely diagram when doing some more extensive research ;) and had to laugh... just insert myself and you pretty much have it!!! Since I had been going about my life oblivious to the fracture for two weeks already orders where to "be smart" (yep, all over that one) no swimming, no MTBing, no more crashing....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjG6a7gBYfUes7v_u4Rn-s-DzVrNkAH7JT5NxrGN0zednq9sY5PcQW7sHeRZjAtfPvP7P91ChMtGgIgCkzzIdo59e_24-t2Kupia3OJd_-vt6sIkOoZGWH9OCdQxFTn1eam5sL3krRsQ-w/s1600/humerus+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6a7gBYfUes7v_u4Rn-s-DzVrNkAH7JT5NxrGN0zednq9sY5PcQW7sHeRZjAtfPvP7P91ChMtGgIgCkzzIdo59e_24-t2Kupia3OJd_-vt6sIkOoZGWH9OCdQxFTn1eam5sL3krRsQ-w/s400/humerus+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to break your shoulder MTBing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiEjuptmBScfEzRWky-fVZ6XCgCNDWMI3JRC4B5AnnxXYZ9KyP46Uvq8KpVi2KxWfm3KlEm5iiiCsM6zhNU9ubZXuOQL3HPwknWaG8jgPIKY2alirQW2BhqGenObStfFXFKUWs0O87xU-o/s1600/humerus+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjuptmBScfEzRWky-fVZ6XCgCNDWMI3JRC4B5AnnxXYZ9KyP46Uvq8KpVi2KxWfm3KlEm5iiiCsM6zhNU9ubZXuOQL3HPwknWaG8jgPIKY2alirQW2BhqGenObStfFXFKUWs0O87xU-o/s200/humerus+2.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Number 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3 - No more crashing... okay, sounds pretty self explanatory. Now I am quite happy doing a couple of workouts a week on my trainer, but long rides when the weather in Tucson is FABULOUS just isn't going to happen. And really, I had been riding my road bike out on the roads for two weeks already without any problems. So, just three days after the broken shoulder diagnosis, Lisa Ribes and I are out riding on a lovely Saturday morning and some moron truck driver decides to run us off the road. Actually not sure exactly what he was trying to do but that was the end result. I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he wasn't really trying to kill us but who knows. There was certainly no oncoming traffic and plenty of space to pass us safely instead of giving me inches AFTER I jumped into the shoulder when he blew the horn a couple of seconds before he nearly plastered me across the front grill.<br />
<br />
So there it is, three done and done!!! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgolV-A3jHoCjBQOYZ-z_BNbCnU7cx1hgym2_6_B5YY-s8cTG-_t3kEyWqOg_iV5wzrEH_GtBmz1GjL0o5AJUx-2PjUnZ1pCVbpY2-r21Z6cPvyW0tWPscCA_-vw2x0vdgvFlu-REXBOBo/s1600/IMG_0935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolV-A3jHoCjBQOYZ-z_BNbCnU7cx1hgym2_6_B5YY-s8cTG-_t3kEyWqOg_iV5wzrEH_GtBmz1GjL0o5AJUx-2PjUnZ1pCVbpY2-r21Z6cPvyW0tWPscCA_-vw2x0vdgvFlu-REXBOBo/s400/IMG_0935.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always fun Mt Lemmon group ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Moving on, coming up on six weeks post fracture and itching to get back in the pool. Have stayed upright and enjoyed some great rides with all the local and visiting athletes here in Tucson. Even dusted off the MTB and got in a great easy ride this past weekend!! Sad to see my winter roomie <a href="http://www.brandenrakita.com/" target="_blank">Branden Rakita</a> head back home, but got to enjoy a fun weekend with <a href="http://www.shelbylkatz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shelby</a> and the visiting Old Pueblo peeps. Huge congrats to <a href="http://www.sarahcaylor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah "crash" Caylor</a> for winning the women's solo at 24HOP (might have to steal your nickname soon!!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiLmXgJP0zMONI9yBK96ItH1uHXCEeNZbGWf8PZ0bwXmF3EmpFZuHABu-tXv9KGViIWpM7dWum02yfTTE6jTormd7kG1JX4F4CK1jGZsXDhNihtJT17NDxVeg-6WBLumD0J1OGyydFIb1I/s1600/IMG_0936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmXgJP0zMONI9yBK96ItH1uHXCEeNZbGWf8PZ0bwXmF3EmpFZuHABu-tXv9KGViIWpM7dWum02yfTTE6jTormd7kG1JX4F4CK1jGZsXDhNihtJT17NDxVeg-6WBLumD0J1OGyydFIb1I/s400/IMG_0936.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelby and Tracy checking out dessert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEj4QDen4zKVZXIxFBjBhSFGPVYlzk57JgHmpKH3FBRwIK44oY6v0_8uaPHQB4qtdRoRvCS5IFnERodlbQ8ZUKo-gV-UQ8Qn6LKFy1ppAVxbQ37OjbNkGXwrnz4s_qKcltJUVM1subLPbZs/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QDen4zKVZXIxFBjBhSFGPVYlzk57JgHmpKH3FBRwIK44oY6v0_8uaPHQB4qtdRoRvCS5IFnERodlbQ8ZUKo-gV-UQ8Qn6LKFy1ppAVxbQ37OjbNkGXwrnz4s_qKcltJUVM1subLPbZs/s400/IMG_0942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the trails :)))</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-64442071671745424102012-01-26T08:46:00.000-07:002012-01-26T12:56:58.737-07:00January Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So its already nearing the end of January, kinda scary and exciting. Haven't been too good about updating the blog so going to cheat again and do a photo essay of sorts. We kicked off the holiday season with Gord Fraser's Christmas sweater party complete with DJ and Caryn's jello shots!! Good times where held by all, such a good time that I had to skip my bike intervals the next morning and simply concentrate on making my afternoon flight home to the Great White North ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjdm6BI4hlOZjS-TbR4Q1x1SIvpHz2K60QKRNtSYOdtrPAe_pa9I7MOWXpTQxVaQIL4P97TV7l1e2sD0JfJtj_oxoNt3wcpNLwf_gOFdouRTKAAh64Mgys9WXIGdL1W02bd6RH6nSh-CGw/s1600/IMG_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm6BI4hlOZjS-TbR4Q1x1SIvpHz2K60QKRNtSYOdtrPAe_pa9I7MOWXpTQxVaQIL4P97TV7l1e2sD0JfJtj_oxoNt3wcpNLwf_gOFdouRTKAAh64Mgys9WXIGdL1W02bd6RH6nSh-CGw/s400/IMG_0812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam, PT, Noreen, Marilyn, myself and Justin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Arrived in Canada Sunday night before Christmas and got to enjoy some great family time. Did a bit of baking and finished (well started and finished) my shopping while fitting in some easy workouts here and there. Everything was cruising along nicely until the evening of the 22nd when my sister and I were enjoying the hockey game and she suddenly started feeling nauseous. I headed to bed feeling pretty normal but woke up 1am or so and the two of us tagged teamed the bathroom for the rest of the evening. Needless to say we both spent the next day in bed feeling more miserable than I have felt in a really long time. It hurt to even roll over in bed!! We thought at first it might be food poisoning but judging by how many other people came down with the same thing it was likely just a really nasty flu bug :( </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was finally able to rally mid-day on the 24th in time to get out for a short ride on my hometown trails before heading into Toronto for our family Christmas dinner. Always fun to ride the trails where it all started for me on the mountain bike. Sadly my sister was still feeling horrible and had to miss dinner. A funny article floated around the social media sites about the truths of health clubs and one item said the only way to lose 10 lbs in 24hrs is food poisoning. Well, it took me for about 6lbs and Karen for 14lbs. First Christmas holidays in a while that I have lost weight </div>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiuc_gIf2VUzRLPKzaHCu6D2xWPes_AF7vcsjeN83q-S8VD9R7T3z-McYPWrYN6BFzUaEKU2wQMm_3AAyvt3NI6CYGYJQrrC8ot5jLZb1FXGLwanyjtnJ2dxeS0p8Bntke3q61HDDelWog/s1600/IMG_0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc_gIf2VUzRLPKzaHCu6D2xWPes_AF7vcsjeN83q-S8VD9R7T3z-McYPWrYN6BFzUaEKU2wQMm_3AAyvt3NI6CYGYJQrrC8ot5jLZb1FXGLwanyjtnJ2dxeS0p8Bntke3q61HDDelWog/s400/IMG_0822.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guelph Lake MTB trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Arrived back into Tucson Wednesday and jumped right back into the training. Fellow Xterra triathlete and good friend Branden Rakita is spending a couple of months here training this winter and the weather has been nothing short of spectacular. New Year's Eve Leanda Cave and I celebrated by getting in the first long ride of the season (at least for me it was!!) I had never done the Madera Canyon climb, so the two of us enjoyed a nice leisurely 10am start and a good 5hrs + in the saddle. The climb was a "little" steeper than I had anticipated and the legs were definitely feeling it, but it was well worth it for the view at the top. Leanda managed to do the climb one handed and taking pictures, I however needed both hand firmly gripping the bars ;))</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjCKUnFwx5VC-E2H77jNX80uCdHjWrBtHKFXl1yngL264e5I8IGCmgCi2v0hptPjowoo9HmrPjeZGiRsAYTsbcrStK3KWGZ8d0PID8Ky39EB8MOdHj3n31Qr9GhzPYXZSQmTU4daJ7snMg/s1600/IMG_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKUnFwx5VC-E2H77jNX80uCdHjWrBtHKFXl1yngL264e5I8IGCmgCi2v0hptPjowoo9HmrPjeZGiRsAYTsbcrStK3KWGZ8d0PID8Ky39EB8MOdHj3n31Qr9GhzPYXZSQmTU4daJ7snMg/s400/IMG_0830.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding up Madera Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a quick clean-up and power nap on the couch it was out for a great dinner with Leanda and Bill before heading over to the west side New Year's Eve party. Wasn't sure if I was going to make it all the way to midnight but the dance floor got going and soon enough it was well into 2012. Once again the Sunday bike intervals got a pass ;)) I think it should be a rule not to have hard workouts on Sunday during the holiday season. No matter, it's a long season and plenty of time to get in all that good training!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jumping ahead, it was time to get some testing done to set up the training plans and see if all the extra miles on the bike during November and December had paid off. Lucky for me Brian Grasky is here in Tucson with a great set-up and indulged me in helping me inflict 30mins of pain on myself. Good news is my bike is doing awesome, like better than last year in late March awesome. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhG3Otrak5G05TNlqmeduHl4fuOy_EEApYC0rU2PuNDDi9UH_kRSysY19hUqVYNBNBITuhIHrhM4rmVUlkhmQxQuH5n7Hrvpn3xN_rFXjdgHpcR2oWiTAXYvT0QtGwyR5H6yXxTwvBNMYk/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3Otrak5G05TNlqmeduHl4fuOy_EEApYC0rU2PuNDDi9UH_kRSysY19hUqVYNBNBITuhIHrhM4rmVUlkhmQxQuH5n7Hrvpn3xN_rFXjdgHpcR2oWiTAXYvT0QtGwyR5H6yXxTwvBNMYk/s400/IMG_0839.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lactate testing at Grasky Endurance Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bad news is the next week after riding the first MBAA mountain race at McDowell Mountain Park with a bit of a sore throat I came down with a full blown cold and major congestion that knocked out a couple of days of training. Then true to me being unable to sit around and relax and recover I headed out for a mountain bike ride not quite feeling 100% and had a total high speed crash resulting in a chipped lower front tooth, some serious trail rash, cuts and bruises and likely a slight dislocation of my left shoulder :((( Yeah, I got to spend the next day sitting in a dentist chair then took another couple of days off training, boo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgBn9gv5Yi93q1cGPyNzBjPTAFdi70wqJgjBtTp5tPGTgZA8YM308Grq6kmfffLRHsYondhF0LrSPVOEZidQw9aYgNGk9GPq7sECGSlI_cpa-pRrXyEwjyfH3Iycb3hnVkIVglsDcJ-kcA/s1600/MBAA+1E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBn9gv5Yi93q1cGPyNzBjPTAFdi70wqJgjBtTp5tPGTgZA8YM308Grq6kmfffLRHsYondhF0LrSPVOEZidQw9aYgNGk9GPq7sECGSlI_cpa-pRrXyEwjyfH3Iycb3hnVkIVglsDcJ-kcA/s400/MBAA+1E.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing at McDowell Mountain Park MBAA #1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhn6PCJSrtzbAATg_tFqtwYZ5nLNB9_BGQwkoyFY_GH1VCAIW6Thu_dwOyXGzydn_bIWd-Z-eH2mcvOHx_GvI5VOlDBhD5K_gjTTJwa60CPkIrodmDvlPosNqWYEoXbCxXAms7mSQpWPa8/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6PCJSrtzbAATg_tFqtwYZ5nLNB9_BGQwkoyFY_GH1VCAIW6Thu_dwOyXGzydn_bIWd-Z-eH2mcvOHx_GvI5VOlDBhD5K_gjTTJwa60CPkIrodmDvlPosNqWYEoXbCxXAms7mSQpWPa8/s400/IMG_0804.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucson Mountain Park - my backyard MTB playground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So now, a week post crash, I am finally feeling better and getting the training all fired up again. Berk is sending me Turkish Evil Eyes to put on my bike so I won't crash anymore, anxiously awaiting those ;) Waffling a bit on whether or not to still do the 24hrs in the Old Pueblo, but excited to see everyone that is headed down this way next month. Until then keep the rubber side down!!!<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiryC7KXm2Ss45rd-nHA2mDbpxzvV6jpcg44yZlvgrf7_fkAQmkLCQki9NRsP0CukWgRTJyHx5q8ebTmEroI5ggCC7XEA_FHQ5Vk6YgmEVqy2idQsn9AWp0WaVXJLbT8t4__eQP3PILTpI/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryC7KXm2Ss45rd-nHA2mDbpxzvV6jpcg44yZlvgrf7_fkAQmkLCQki9NRsP0CukWgRTJyHx5q8ebTmEroI5ggCC7XEA_FHQ5Vk6YgmEVqy2idQsn9AWp0WaVXJLbT8t4__eQP3PILTpI/s400/IMG_0858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Tucson Mountain Park!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgbhye7YRJtxUjBcIqQJcssUdeMHN_vW02XiSGE4FMoPrJZzMYeW6nj8PAsyj3-adRnQYfv_7wytRBLKh-mxiRIbDCS5Cbz3S_MuANjqO0vrrDRS0ysnnwX7vA9PPw7z-YpAc-_MOToAA8/s1600/IMG_0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhye7YRJtxUjBcIqQJcssUdeMHN_vW02XiSGE4FMoPrJZzMYeW6nj8PAsyj3-adRnQYfv_7wytRBLKh-mxiRIbDCS5Cbz3S_MuANjqO0vrrDRS0ysnnwX7vA9PPw7z-YpAc-_MOToAA8/s400/IMG_0873.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Therapy!!! thanks Jess :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_462996407"></span><span id="goog_462996408"></span>Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-68183647029830369372011-12-13T06:00:00.000-07:002011-12-13T06:00:00.482-07:00Dawn to Dusk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TcdfPJuIkidBTtGyfzY8kPnSKetETba4PtkYQgHBMPAlv5FiNwNznm6fCky5wenBe8S_s4OTDb7ERY4qf22f1BcfExEQc6KO1s3eeXD4WetXHxk1WBfqDzjoiS0X9rvdmWxbiKkSVBI/s1600/385930_10150390878497163_79555167162_8858146_1851800317_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TcdfPJuIkidBTtGyfzY8kPnSKetETba4PtkYQgHBMPAlv5FiNwNznm6fCky5wenBe8S_s4OTDb7ERY4qf22f1BcfExEQc6KO1s3eeXD4WetXHxk1WBfqDzjoiS0X9rvdmWxbiKkSVBI/s400/385930_10150390878497163_79555167162_8858146_1851800317_n.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<br />
Off-season racing fun got rolling a week ago Saturday at the Dawn to Dusk mountain bike race hosted by <a href="http://www.dcbadventures.com/">DCB Adventures</a> on the Pemberton Trail at McDowell Mountain Park just outside Fountain Hills. I jumped on the co-ed quad team Cancer Sucks with George, Jo, and Todd for this great event. I headed up early Friday afternoon to pre-ride the course as I haven't ridden the Pemberton Trail in years and luckily was able to grab a great parking spot. Turned out this was pretty sweet as the parking lot filled to capacity Friday night and all latecomers had to park down the road and get shuttled in. Not ideal considering the rain started falling and temperatures plummeted during the night. We were smart and got a good nights sleep at the Holiday Inn!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgkZfGYNutfiaBx_RIwBHl2XiQOukOjTjMg3EzVsN3gC33vvbM5gSl0XwtYEYTYbcVF4AbtmUaVoy31_aQa6XerJp4jOv6BNH8ScWRNvFY3nT6xOpV5pZ3J0E89iEdnGx8FCyKre1zQbjw/s1600/380930_10150390882152163_79555167162_8858161_915673655_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZfGYNutfiaBx_RIwBHl2XiQOukOjTjMg3EzVsN3gC33vvbM5gSl0XwtYEYTYbcVF4AbtmUaVoy31_aQa6XerJp4jOv6BNH8ScWRNvFY3nT6xOpV5pZ3J0E89iEdnGx8FCyKre1zQbjw/s400/380930_10150390882152163_79555167162_8858161_915673655_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George lining up for the start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4:30am wake-up to rain was lovely, but George loves mountain biking in the rain and it was a mass sprint start so he got to go first!! I rode 2nd with Todd and Jo in 3rd and 4th. The first lap was a little chilly but no rain and the trail was running nicely. We spent the time between laps huddled in the car chatting and trying to stay warm only venturing out to cheer the next rider on or get ready to ride a lap. The sun made a brief appearance for my 2nd lap and so inspired me to really have a great lap, one of those special, totally in the groove mountain biking moments :) Sadly the rain came back and my 3rd and last lap was pretty sloppy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgVEtTJGUFtljxkc-igzEPy9rz1nbjwv37zcZRbOtm5k5qsccZmN8-pexofFTcZ_db2Gr7w0ZyvZXR2P3a_u224v3cBrCx5kkZkB59Tmp8rnxlXH8MM9bzOmwUeiIOESuA1qBTJDVM66EE/s1600/392824_10150391102262163_79555167162_8859101_1198670292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEtTJGUFtljxkc-igzEPy9rz1nbjwv37zcZRbOtm5k5qsccZmN8-pexofFTcZ_db2Gr7w0ZyvZXR2P3a_u224v3cBrCx5kkZkB59Tmp8rnxlXH8MM9bzOmwUeiIOESuA1qBTJDVM66EE/s400/392824_10150391102262163_79555167162_8859101_1198670292_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing up Lap 2 (i think)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjubnSfbqUqm-qAShQy5xfNJLFVRQXeUi0RfVtGeb43Pdq4lg-Z2rHSKrcaQHUiAQVaFm7U8ksPoJOcLQra-QFtxM3F69myKMpEkTnJNWgSRSAJ7gLqm3IQ_adWE9YxlhanMWEyjF-seJs/s1600/385451_10150391278997163_79555167162_8859798_461037213_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubnSfbqUqm-qAShQy5xfNJLFVRQXeUi0RfVtGeb43Pdq4lg-Z2rHSKrcaQHUiAQVaFm7U8ksPoJOcLQra-QFtxM3F69myKMpEkTnJNWgSRSAJ7gLqm3IQ_adWE9YxlhanMWEyjF-seJs/s400/385451_10150391278997163_79555167162_8859798_461037213_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun weather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEj6g6dxn1QdvTfUN7dsOCRzqV3QvDK1wLrs8I0NRKETVpvXB9KFQwZs1Mz3gZ6bs5HOb4HMtSe7PU1WbOUAPVnpV2waSV7oWeRBnM8TJUcFwyV5ECuaHdH_sGrUTEm8hxHGuGB7kmyOAmQ/s1600/388609_10150390879187163_79555167162_8858150_450846422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g6dxn1QdvTfUN7dsOCRzqV3QvDK1wLrs8I0NRKETVpvXB9KFQwZs1Mz3gZ6bs5HOb4HMtSe7PU1WbOUAPVnpV2waSV7oWeRBnM8TJUcFwyV5ECuaHdH_sGrUTEm8hxHGuGB7kmyOAmQ/s400/388609_10150390879187163_79555167162_8858150_450846422_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everyone had a great time and we won our division convincingly!!! The weather only made it that much more epic. The drive home to Tucson after the race was probably more painful than the race itself and I definitely felt like a train wreck the next morning!!! Not sure what I am getting myself into racing 24hrs in the Old Pueblo as a duo. Thankfully my partner in crime Katie Ellis is in great shape taking the win in the solo division. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEilpzQ6DzE25b1FQvPhUmahQmSJ0l6jbuyzJXeSJ-gh3r4X1EavHxY_bEL7xNBiM7Nnmf58nxOGO3TdNEvtWPYqGLgr2ppavIgHop2AvA92tQaolRZEAjcWDYf2iEBlQpJPk-YxhOivlR8/s1600/392217_10150384932097517_700717516_8686365_1640692710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpzQ6DzE25b1FQvPhUmahQmSJ0l6jbuyzJXeSJ-gh3r4X1EavHxY_bEL7xNBiM7Nnmf58nxOGO3TdNEvtWPYqGLgr2ppavIgHop2AvA92tQaolRZEAjcWDYf2iEBlQpJPk-YxhOivlR8/s400/392217_10150384932097517_700717516_8686365_1640692710_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race team celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Since then it has been nose to the grindstone getting in some great training especially on the bike. Spend this past Sunday out on the 24hr course for the first time and pretty excited about the race in February. Trail is in great shape and super fun. </div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
This is probably it for the year as far as blogging goes so Happy Holidays and wishing everyone a terrific 2012!!</div>Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-15768335744523447222011-11-20T17:31:00.001-07:002011-11-25T22:35:58.387-07:00Northern Californial Part IITuesday morning we were off on our next adventure, a trip down the coast highway to Monterey and Carmel then a day visiting the Aquarium. I was pretty excited as the Aquarium is something I have wanted to visit for a while, surprising eh? all those fishies and stuff ;)<br />
<br />
The drive was spectacular and California served up another georgeous day. We ate sandwiches on the Santa Cruz pier and rolled into Monterey an hour or so later. Travel guide (sister) Karen had mapped out the route and we expertly found our way to the 17-mile drive through Pepple Beach. I am so moving there (if I win the lottery or find a really rich guy to marry me). Amazing oceans views, sea lions, sea otters, what's not to love!!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEi0iaKuC4rJkcJZGEVmcxYrgzGWIYO1bq_wp8xkoC-Rag4fvdZsd5UXT5OrAU7vaS8sPtrV1BmGKe2XVbidvmk4bSdTbbJbm8PeguCt3WflQO87JaP-CphUtnFMqJNdcAl3cO0BE1-WC1g/s1600/Monterey+CJ+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iaKuC4rJkcJZGEVmcxYrgzGWIYO1bq_wp8xkoC-Rag4fvdZsd5UXT5OrAU7vaS8sPtrV1BmGKe2XVbidvmk4bSdTbbJbm8PeguCt3WflQO87JaP-CphUtnFMqJNdcAl3cO0BE1-WC1g/s400/Monterey+CJ+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monterey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg9T8PX4mMzE6zc4-V_C5euUAkSBbAZYRSOYsH-9O1ULkI2epl2fQr971H_bzqX_s4DuhGYeozi_Qi3zrWIClGJRNf8cUglqe-2iDwQimfOQehaAw52xHck0EznbwZC7NHU_I-8rhcTnjw/s1600/Monterey+CJ+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9T8PX4mMzE6zc4-V_C5euUAkSBbAZYRSOYsH-9O1ULkI2epl2fQr971H_bzqX_s4DuhGYeozi_Qi3zrWIClGJRNf8cUglqe-2iDwQimfOQehaAw52xHck0EznbwZC7NHU_I-8rhcTnjw/s400/Monterey+CJ+034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepple Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
 <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEh6tiBGgYEbFJpTaXkHQagIvyjf-Ri52wwRBSuOwmG18MA9pK7YpJ534TLSWoOE4YI5i-T7-Hs5CDy3ArT5z194Hax6hK091Kquz2cpHB7gYmrcAxaQu8mpLk450D_aVPUIS3_fPQFZMCM/s1600/Monterey+CJ+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tiBGgYEbFJpTaXkHQagIvyjf-Ri52wwRBSuOwmG18MA9pK7YpJ534TLSWoOE4YI5i-T7-Hs5CDy3ArT5z194Hax6hK091Kquz2cpHB7gYmrcAxaQu8mpLk450D_aVPUIS3_fPQFZMCM/s400/Monterey+CJ+041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepple Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We indulged Dad and stopped in at the Pepple Beach club house and strolled out to the 18th fairway. I guess if you are a golfer you can appreciate the need to do this ;)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiYZMHObtazyoK7unkMA_fWInPhZqkzfrIArrAtVTNgWzPF8O0uhJMRDVZ7EACL_2y7xSXQvVMB0bV3qiWWHPfhkTm0TJXHumxgPW2M_2bywBFcRMwHSeLIfKrGHVtE_EziT44PxisiCBc/s1600/Monterey+CJ+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZMHObtazyoK7unkMA_fWInPhZqkzfrIArrAtVTNgWzPF8O0uhJMRDVZ7EACL_2y7xSXQvVMB0bV3qiWWHPfhkTm0TJXHumxgPW2M_2bywBFcRMwHSeLIfKrGHVtE_EziT44PxisiCBc/s400/Monterey+CJ+047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We arrived into Carmel and caught just the last little bit of the sunset before grabbing a great Japanese Seafood dinner in town. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgm8ecnVQ769dTIaVLqR3cQW71yUKwLe7FpRJ5f4MOk_SV3wTVxodyYWxsYAbSmtBbmYoiO1QPeEx5Sam8A7cBAbzL7jRVGYcC6Yr02iJGosLHH7iNJpj7uAiZCl_W7wZ2_TGmsWLxX3lw/s1600/Monterey+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8ecnVQ769dTIaVLqR3cQW71yUKwLe7FpRJ5f4MOk_SV3wTVxodyYWxsYAbSmtBbmYoiO1QPeEx5Sam8A7cBAbzL7jRVGYcC6Yr02iJGosLHH7iNJpj7uAiZCl_W7wZ2_TGmsWLxX3lw/s400/Monterey+011.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jellies at the Monterey Aquarium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1367655346"></span><span id="goog_1367655347">Up early Wednesday morning, we weren't quite the first ones in the door of the aquarium (but close). I was a little nervous that I would be disappointed and expecting way too much, but I was very impressed. We started with the feeding of the sea otters, very cute, then headed over to the open sea exhibit. The walk through the jellyfish display was impressive and watching the schooling sardines in the giant tank, well I probably could have stayed there all day mesmorized. We moved onto the kelp forest tank which housed one of my favourites, the leopard shark. The penguins were a bit lazy and just hung out, but I guess that's what they do most of the day. Had tons of fun at the splashponds where you could reach in an touch some of the creatures. I convinced a young boy to reach in and pet the Bat Ray's. Pretty sure a future in maring biology is in his future!! Overall very, very impressive and well worth the trip.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Thursday saw us say goodbye to the parents after a great visit while I got to stay on for a couple more days. The weather was starting to turn a bit ugly but thankfully cleared up perfectly for the Saturday morning Studio Velo/ Purple Patch ride. The ride was the Alpine loop with an added drop down to the coast and back along hwy 1. The ridge road, also know as the seven sisters served up some stunning views to go along with the seven leg burning climbs. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEi0OG93QEXGBeaIn-uLsgmLKyjpETNoeyIc-P1UkW3RL1io0LiBnZ5LQzDaH1hKxyp2DqMXg45LKqBxHBdnbiaGJXjqGaKkYeKATrQLbc8DQlWFIeiKZ9gfu2_RxYkMWrWFv7ACNZVB1uw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OG93QEXGBeaIn-uLsgmLKyjpETNoeyIc-P1UkW3RL1io0LiBnZ5LQzDaH1hKxyp2DqMXg45LKqBxHBdnbiaGJXjqGaKkYeKATrQLbc8DQlWFIeiKZ9gfu2_RxYkMWrWFv7ACNZVB1uw/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven Sisters - Mt. Tamalpais</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
We wanted to head out to watch the Single-Speed Cross Worlds in the city Sunday morning but just couldn't get motivated to brave the cold wet weather. Instead we enjoyed a leisurely morning before I headed off to the airport. <br />
<br />
Back in Tucson and back to work. Getting in lots of miles on the bike and loving it. After two weeks back on the road I decided Thanksgiving was the appropriate day to take the mountain bike out for a spin. A bit sketchy to start out with but so exciting to be back on the trails. Good thing because I am signed up as part of a four man team for next weekends Dawn to Dusk mountain bike race in McDowell Mountain Park. <br />
<br />
Hope everyone enjoyed a great Thanksgiving!!!</div>Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-66059277456345389322011-11-18T19:10:00.001-07:002011-11-19T14:40:01.968-07:00Northern California Part IThey say broken bones take about 6 weeks to heal but mine seems to be stubborn. Still stiff and sore, six weeks from the crash I woke up on a Sunday morning and looked at my trainer upon which I was suppose to do a long ride and just couldn't do it, so out the door I went. It is now coming up on almost 8 weeks and the healing process continues at a painfully slow rate. I have been getting some good rides out on the road bike but the mountain bike will have to wait until next week. Swimming is interesting... and running is still a bit painful as I think I irritated the bursa over my hip with the hard landing and I have just attempted one short one so far. Not overly worried as long as the healing contines at a steady pace and just looking to use November and December to log some great bike base miles. The one advantage of not going to Maui was that I traded my ticket into a flight to San Francisco and met up with the rest of the family for my sister Karen's best friend's wedding and a week hanging out in the Bay Area. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhQN6a_FU_pmEg1RHiyZcqBonljQ5JLoxx5K6o-9mNgYoEixP6tmksn3dg3XFxyuiu6DJl0Lg5NdlCvEwj8yGZ5GIXZyk2SHN1wi5I6yB3Nzx6aUfzHW9EXF6pM1yXvcIBhtCfdi1VGawY/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN6a_FU_pmEg1RHiyZcqBonljQ5JLoxx5K6o-9mNgYoEixP6tmksn3dg3XFxyuiu6DJl0Lg5NdlCvEwj8yGZ5GIXZyk2SHN1wi5I6yB3Nzx6aUfzHW9EXF6pM1yXvcIBhtCfdi1VGawY/s400/IMG_1563.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Dad :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Got into SF Thursday evening, picked-up the parents, and spent the night in Sausalito chez 'little fish'. Drove up to Sonoma Friday afternoon in the rain and got my sister to the rehearsal dinner while the rest of us enjoyed a lovely Italian restaurant in town. Saturday, like a true triathlete, I got up early and headed out on the bike for a long ride through the vineyards over to Napa and back. I neglected to look at the elevation profile of the route I chose and while incredibly lovely, my 3hr ride turned into almost 4hrs even after cutting out a section. I can see why 27's and compact cranks are popular here!! <br />
<br />
Got cleaned up just in time to get to the wedding on time only to have my sister's bridesmaids dress zipper split open unexpectantly minutes before the start of the ceremony!! Mum's to the rescue, my sister was expectly sewn into her dress, and later cut back out of it:))) Congrats to Jenny and Dave on their beautiful wedding and future life together!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgF8PE3IcUhcIdCqDQ-lUiYmChgQDhi2h59z1yH8W_-h7UXIbzf8LohqoFDW4xU4fDTRg-NNRrOaTGzT41r4CmcndhQKswvBhXZCMoJVltkhp0pxWwJ0AQqRbp2vg8s8MtoJ5UhpuOPEoU/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8PE3IcUhcIdCqDQ-lUiYmChgQDhi2h59z1yH8W_-h7UXIbzf8LohqoFDW4xU4fDTRg-NNRrOaTGzT41r4CmcndhQKswvBhXZCMoJVltkhp0pxWwJ0AQqRbp2vg8s8MtoJ5UhpuOPEoU/s400/IMG_1577.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benziger Winery - Sonoma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunday we jumped in the car and headed out to do some wine tasting. We headed over to Gundlach Bundschu first, the oldest family run winery in Sonoma. As it was Mum's birthday we treated her (and us) to a bottle of their Vintage Reserve Cab we enjoyed later with a great dinner. Next, in search of a more fruity selection we stopped in at Benziger. The estate there was beautiful and showcased their organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farming methods. The wine was pretty good as well. Picked up a nice Sauvignon Blanc and surprisingly a Port before taking the scenic route back to Sausalito.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx6YcaK1no48XnWxZwJ-myzLJKiGDZsJ5uxIypWvZRhaDXhPDqzRvpTLAzh2xmMuZ5G7r7A52H_ex_pqp90kQgTo5Jc-6Ztoei83pdhZ8uEnkQ2fPyDcFIYej2lNl99IosJMntGDbmCM/s1600/IMG_0682%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx6YcaK1no48XnWxZwJ-myzLJKiGDZsJ5uxIypWvZRhaDXhPDqzRvpTLAzh2xmMuZ5G7r7A52H_ex_pqp90kQgTo5Jc-6Ztoei83pdhZ8uEnkQ2fPyDcFIYej2lNl99IosJMntGDbmCM/s400/IMG_0682%255B1%255D" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
Monday morning it was back on the bikes. This time my sister joined me for a great ride up Mt Tam over to Stinson Beach and back on Hwy 1. Amazing views and lots of climbing!!! Perfect way to start the week. After a short turnaround it was back to Muir Woods and Mt Tam with the parents for a four hour hike through the giant redwoods. Pretty sure the legs were absolute done by the end. <br />
 <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiuUMYR4xb_rVbFE8KUzvx3a-ee5vVc0UeUzbXe0WjZBCBSDJS-CGdS46kEvW0uhvPssyOxOf1PYI-LzjL4aj3887YVHKBlGO4JT74aRxN9R4JvtCwFcU1yzhVVGmr2k0fDyDcHct9W73Y/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUMYR4xb_rVbFE8KUzvx3a-ee5vVc0UeUzbXe0WjZBCBSDJS-CGdS46kEvW0uhvPssyOxOf1PYI-LzjL4aj3887YVHKBlGO4JT74aRxN9R4JvtCwFcU1yzhVVGmr2k0fDyDcHct9W73Y/s400/IMG_1582.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Muir Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><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/AVvXsEizW_3v0UxgxVSy0g5bQJahAyTRGTsarN6XaAbiGX1a3tPdXKZO4Dvt179Jxtdcz7To0IY6tsbOk7ZKhTefUJq4Q74CS85zkIylyLMjKz2-wTEEWxAzJ_Ww6AC0NkOufUZALj7vuWWChic/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW_3v0UxgxVSy0g5bQJahAyTRGTsarN6XaAbiGX1a3tPdXKZO4Dvt179Jxtdcz7To0IY6tsbOk7ZKhTefUJq4Q74CS85zkIylyLMjKz2-wTEEWxAzJ_Ww6AC0NkOufUZALj7vuWWChic/s400/IMG_1584.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Mt Tamalpais State Park</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgzoBCs47EstxF-RAXmSl9K_gV1gq0SVkMRXEiLSvmSA46Ta_nT3D_ew55nhAkRdvXI7DyuYIvTi7wPvatDkezOCSQM6ZL3fg0dlBMflOsTfoduq4XjCiTeMINmtProx0NwV29KsM6VMzg/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoBCs47EstxF-RAXmSl9K_gV1gq0SVkMRXEiLSvmSA46Ta_nT3D_ew55nhAkRdvXI7DyuYIvTi7wPvatDkezOCSQM6ZL3fg0dlBMflOsTfoduq4XjCiTeMINmtProx0NwV29KsM6VMzg/s400/IMG_1597.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Tamalpais State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Next up we headed south along the coast road to Monterey and Carmel....</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>
<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>
<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>
<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>Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-87332419307182792722011-10-21T15:43:00.001-07:002011-10-21T15:49:58.766-07:00Triathlon Magazine CanadaFinally got my copy of the September/October issue of Triathlon Magazine Canada. Took a while to get it shipped all the way to Tucson ;) Nice little article, hopefully I uploaded it with enough quality to read. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG52VCbaZ_iLxVhl439ikb2HecAnqhuJbr9lLSo6xq3dnTAWGilnfFEzefU3J5RyYKSWTMHtgZipl19j-5BieRtUgVT7XS8L9bjlKkKk8yZHxWzxCN6tr4ZgLFRCUww5byiEoD7Kuf8o/s1600/Trimag+Canada+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG52VCbaZ_iLxVhl439ikb2HecAnqhuJbr9lLSo6xq3dnTAWGilnfFEzefU3J5RyYKSWTMHtgZipl19j-5BieRtUgVT7XS8L9bjlKkKk8yZHxWzxCN6tr4ZgLFRCUww5byiEoD7Kuf8o/s640/Trimag+Canada+2.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg4s_KnfnCDNTVx1NK42bY_-2yYpc5spWwngBy5QiVB1VSH0eN8T3fPCDKTdhDQXex7AiDaaTbZnr89NgKQDxid14UKAJsUzQJTPvTk3GMLBLIGCwvyog654LD-XCueM9c_p6Z_Ycebg/s1600/Trimag+Canada+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg4s_KnfnCDNTVx1NK42bY_-2yYpc5spWwngBy5QiVB1VSH0eN8T3fPCDKTdhDQXex7AiDaaTbZnr89NgKQDxid14UKAJsUzQJTPvTk3GMLBLIGCwvyog654LD-XCueM9c_p6Z_Ycebg/s640/Trimag+Canada+1.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
This picture was taken on the second loop of the bike at Xterra Canada in Whistler BC. If you look at my left arm you can already see the bruising from dislocating my shoulder on the first lap!! Sometimes I just don't know when to quit ;)Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-78366297899535510982011-10-20T10:08:00.000-07:002011-10-20T10:08:34.074-07:00How NOT to ride your MTB<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have been procrastinating writing this post for about three and a half weeks now. Don't know if it is because writing it down will truly make it a reality that I won't be competing in Maui this coming weekend at Xterra Worlds. It's been rather hard following everyone's FB, tweets, blogs and knowing that I am missing out, especially since this year there is actually going to be a challenging swim at Fleming's beach (surf beach)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyways, the story goes as follows. The morning after Xterra USA after a leisurely sleep-in and departure from Snowbasin back to Park City, Emma and I loaded up the bikes and drove up Guardsman Pass to ride the Wasatch Crest Trail. A stunning point to point trails that was suppose to find us a couple of hours later back at the house. The weather was beautiful and trails were in great condition. We were rolling along casually on what would be considered a non-technical trail, mostly as the name would imply along the crestline of the mountains, occasionally dropping into the trees for some switchbacks. After the quick stop for a photo op and another for me losing my multi-tool out of my saddle bag, Emma warned me of the upcoming section called "The Spine", an exposed section of sharped ridged rocks on a steep descent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiuOFDWZZmDujRNzUo81imURpBfxKehmn8lVUfsAaVjbqVegJJCywlPHRZf9Xw7-ux7Ts6UDD-Sd_c4pvDUEsIPdQ2qCgudeU0ic6FzZmFOjMAIy4F9KUkxUg3_dVIWAmLJF_h-XHU4fRU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOFDWZZmDujRNzUo81imURpBfxKehmn8lVUfsAaVjbqVegJJCywlPHRZf9Xw7-ux7Ts6UDD-Sd_c4pvDUEsIPdQ2qCgudeU0ic6FzZmFOjMAIy4F9KUkxUg3_dVIWAmLJF_h-XHU4fRU/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day started out picture perfect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjjS4otu80yUGGhx0K983Uj6lwRGIFtuFDmDlMKB6NMj04QU6Q8itf-YnX0z1y7wudBypHJIdzy7_g10hVK6W2FqJBIeefOKgulV52sROM1NZwWFz83oSnOmE5r6HjMw_GGY4CITvNND-k/s1600/wasatch-crest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjS4otu80yUGGhx0K983Uj6lwRGIFtuFDmDlMKB6NMj04QU6Q8itf-YnX0z1y7wudBypHJIdzy7_g10hVK6W2FqJBIeefOKgulV52sROM1NZwWFz83oSnOmE5r6HjMw_GGY4CITvNND-k/s400/wasatch-crest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had full intentions of at least stopping at the top and making an informed decision as to how or if to ride this sections but caught a bit off guard I found myself already dropped in before realizing it. Not just dropped in but dropped in and way off-line. A moment of panic had me hit my brakes hard, big mistake, lock up the tires, slide uncontrollably, and finally hit the ground HARD. Because the terrain was so jagged I didn't slide at all, good because I didn't launch myself over the edge, bad because instead of some road rash and bruises I sustained structural damage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhGA-cnIyYp-nBToyv8w1ZoO0SFEf18QkOYVJB8N5-FFy0hCx6CmLxvbsHSr9Xcy_hviRGSw99TCoDvFaMTdj4R3sLbeXqYE6K_uoaluUft1UxopYp3_IItb7UfqsiCiH3wYbct5PSu2z8/s1600/the+spine+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA-cnIyYp-nBToyv8w1ZoO0SFEf18QkOYVJB8N5-FFy0hCx6CmLxvbsHSr9Xcy_hviRGSw99TCoDvFaMTdj4R3sLbeXqYE6K_uoaluUft1UxopYp3_IItb7UfqsiCiH3wYbct5PSu2z8/s400/the+spine+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Spine"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgHz_ZKjwc7xTisjdJW8anQwZiMEi8Y6YQcTNz_ZDurb-fOPCMHf0gdPyvicLC46BVtWJLxsSgg0HazaRIUPi5dF40QmSdpsQFpz7ieQVsqKtaPp499xJkKmiT_WS2bh7sbeO-ENhHBUk4/s1600/CrestSpine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz_ZKjwc7xTisjdJW8anQwZiMEi8Y6YQcTNz_ZDurb-fOPCMHf0gdPyvicLC46BVtWJLxsSgg0HazaRIUPi5dF40QmSdpsQFpz7ieQVsqKtaPp499xJkKmiT_WS2bh7sbeO-ENhHBUk4/s400/CrestSpine.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why I should have gotten off and walked</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A quick look at my elbow showed a seriously nasty cut already gushing blood which obviously was going to require some medical attention. Too bad we were about as far away from any access off the mountain as we could get and without a medical kit. Lucky for me the rider right behind me had a band-aid and handkerchief we managed to work into a tourniquet with the help of Emma's hair elastic. We then proceed to inch our way down towards the top of The Canyons ski resort. After the shock and adrenaline wore off a bit the pain really started and I did have a couple moments of thinking I am not going to make it down on my own. I also was pretty sure that this much pain was not being caused solely by the cut and I had likely done much worse damage. After some seriously sketchy downhill hike-a-bike we came across one of the resort trail builders and he graciously offered to drive us down to the top of the gondola then were met at the bottom by Emma's neighbour waiting to drive me to the Urgent Care. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEglSg0TgsA2e5ufk0QY3273Rz5puVmKPqK8pgMj159jJvs49IXqBgRUVsMnlLUVhX77g13-xqQTQW8qybIVyrPe1muOt4ExDWZxSfZoyRE57npdDblIHD7jKZI-T7hOApzsk-gxgdIcRc4/s1600/Elbow+Injury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSg0TgsA2e5ufk0QY3273Rz5puVmKPqK8pgMj159jJvs49IXqBgRUVsMnlLUVhX77g13-xqQTQW8qybIVyrPe1muOt4ExDWZxSfZoyRE57npdDblIHD7jKZI-T7hOApzsk-gxgdIcRc4/s400/Elbow+Injury.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aftermath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To make a long story short, the urgent care facility took xrays but couldn't really tell whether my elbow was broken or not then proceeded to stitch up the cut with, what I found out 3 days later, rocks and dirt still lodged inside. I drove home Monday with the help of some Vicodin and got in to see JT at Southwest Hand Orthopedic Wednesday with a fully infected elbow. Friends in high places are always important :) Back later that afternoon, got the cut all cleaned out, stitched up, and casted. Diagnosis - slight avulsion fracture and torn triceps tendon = no racing Xterra Worlds.<br />
<br />
So after three weeks, the cut is pretty much all healed up and the cast is off. I'm allowed to move my elbow to keep it from completely locking up, though it is still pretty stiff and sore, but no pressure or resistance for a couple more weeks. Crawled into a tub of chocolate ice cream (a couple actually) for the first two weeks but have started back running and riding the trainer to keep my sanity. Already planning the next adventures and will be back at it in no time. Not the way I wanted to end the season, but what can you do?<br />
<br />
Best of luck to everyone racing in Maui Sunday, wish I was there...... next year :)))Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-14597265941702644612011-10-06T17:55:00.003-07:002011-10-06T17:57:10.370-07:00Xterra USA NationalsThe Xterra USA National Championships was held for the 3rd time at Snowbasin Ski Resort, just outside Ogden Utah. This race, on top of being the championship race, was the "must score" sixth race in the Xterra USA series. The other 5 scoring races were your best 5 of the 6 regional championship races. I had just squeaked onto the podium taking 5th at last years race, also finishing up the series in 5th, and was looking to better that placing and hold onto my 3rd overall ranking in the series. Mel and Shonny with their amazing racing and consistency had put the top 2 spots in the series out of reach. With the altitude (5,000 to 8,000ft) and lots of climbing and me being a lowlander and one of the larger athletes at 5'10 this course would not be considered one that suits me. However I had managed to work in a 2 week training camp in Park City prior to the race to adapt and now living in Tucson had Mt Lemmon to work on the climbing skills and so was feeling pretty good going in. I knew my running was still a little behind where I wanted it with the time off due to injury before the HyVee race but it was coming around nicely and, well, I would just have to Canada UP!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg4rLLIlO5eJSwTBMGWYi5X1OS3V5JRrXiIGhNLrmliiVEaNxPDcgIFl40GEr3-J5M0ebrjfV7Vg3oZ_MfwI01BeIlYxcrXDDILBnNqbB8TN01nxHTyaIDgKz2zpmj-X7s8VwwtgdFkLlM/s1600/Xterra+USA+Warm-up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rLLIlO5eJSwTBMGWYi5X1OS3V5JRrXiIGhNLrmliiVEaNxPDcgIFl40GEr3-J5M0ebrjfV7Vg3oZ_MfwI01BeIlYxcrXDDILBnNqbB8TN01nxHTyaIDgKz2zpmj-X7s8VwwtgdFkLlM/s400/Xterra+USA+Warm-up.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles setting up T-1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Emma, Mel, Mical and I rented a condo Lakeside, another edition of the Villa of Fast Chicks, right near the swim start so race morning was a breeze even with two separate transition areas. We were expecting a media frenzy with Lance Armstrong in attendance and weren't disappointed, thankfully they seemed absorbed with everything he was doing and had little effect on anyone else's pre-race rituals. The only issued ended up being three times as many boats, kayaks, jet-skis, etc that made the already difficult buoy sighting with the sun directly in our eyes downright impossible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhhimBxIzVmYTG7D2NBfHYpdDy6J8XcLvovpXkWa6yjKCd-5xhjJu_j_JApL7sZ1a_cqa6w4vUkoIave3hyphenhyphenDFa3T0BQaJdocmo42ebaPDTyTcKzt39vtw2sn1cKJd72LXU7qFaBR5_GPWg/s1600/Xterra+USA+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimBxIzVmYTG7D2NBfHYpdDy6J8XcLvovpXkWa6yjKCd-5xhjJu_j_JApL7sZ1a_cqa6w4vUkoIave3hyphenhyphenDFa3T0BQaJdocmo42ebaPDTyTcKzt39vtw2sn1cKJd72LXU7qFaBR5_GPWg/s400/Xterra+USA+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful morning at the Swim Start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The weather shaped up to be beautiful, a little chilly warming up but guaranteed to be perfect racing weather once we got onto the course. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhGpJB6B5mB_GnibLzSrz0xiKGkYdakxLgk_mydCg3P4NtRuI_YJEIrT2RPJrYVXunB-vYeZqOpNIHJGwQwlRnc3IoArM6Lb0qYyVcubeQohDLlKTbFdUe66c5L-Fza_eun-QGUoVGqbKw/s1600/Xterra+USA+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpJB6B5mB_GnibLzSrz0xiKGkYdakxLgk_mydCg3P4NtRuI_YJEIrT2RPJrYVXunB-vYeZqOpNIHJGwQwlRnc3IoArM6Lb0qYyVcubeQohDLlKTbFdUe66c5L-Fza_eun-QGUoVGqbKw/s400/Xterra+USA+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ready to go!!! (me on the far left in pink cap)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The swim, except for the trouble finding the turn buoys was fairly uneventful. Aussie Ben Allen killed it and got out of the water almost a minute ahead of the field and I tucked myself nicely into the first pack of guys for a nice draft. I finally had a speedy T1 and was out of my wetsuit and onto the bike with a nice gap on the chasing women. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEhwgu_FB1WPHxg2tA7iWFyI8xkhYBi4kAVny572tDVugRA7PYYjYJjQ6GJeD4Cg3nPmjR3rtPj098Ly5MxToqm7xR4WSxCiR9Gp4C-ebLnRcUgpFNDKX10mbEogObiNDW1vFFe0qvXHNiw/s1600/Xterra+USA+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgu_FB1WPHxg2tA7iWFyI8xkhYBi4kAVny572tDVugRA7PYYjYJjQ6GJeD4Cg3nPmjR3rtPj098Ly5MxToqm7xR4WSxCiR9Gp4C-ebLnRcUgpFNDKX10mbEogObiNDW1vFFe0qvXHNiw/s400/Xterra+USA+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into T-1 just ahead of one Lance Armstrong!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bike course starts out with a short section of pavement to get to the start of the dirt and climbing. Up Wheeler Creek I swore I hit the rim on my rear tire going over one of the rocky sections and was desperately hoping I didn't have a leaky back tire. I jumped off quickly at the first road crossing to double check and while it felt a little soft it didn't seem to be going flat. Still in the lead I started up the singletrack climb hoping to keep Mel at bay until the top of the first descent. No such luck, she passed me a bit before the top. Even after checking my back tire I still couldn't shake the feeling that it was going flat and ended up babying the descent. <br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDmp1PCd8_erw23ww56ergJozt0MZCA5kGfKOTQ-gXiu6iN_PGED3b9DODyTxgsTaBdYL7Lr2lY_j63-Z12Ja1NVS72ICILZcuY_5C2_Y5CuA-4FGVUYmKiZfJMB9YTdlNzIKrHXJmo4/s1600/Xterra+USA+5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDmp1PCd8_erw23ww56ergJozt0MZCA5kGfKOTQ-gXiu6iN_PGED3b9DODyTxgsTaBdYL7Lr2lY_j63-Z12Ja1NVS72ICILZcuY_5C2_Y5CuA-4FGVUYmKiZfJMB9YTdlNzIKrHXJmo4/s400/Xterra+USA+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The rest of the bike was pretty uneventful (and my back tire never did go flat!!) I slowly got passed by the mountain goats and rolled into T2 in 6th with 7th through 9th right on my tail. Emma caught me pretty quickly and we both slowly reeled in Shonny (who was amazingly racing with knee brace on due to a 90% tear of her ACL, she definitely gets the Canada Up award) With all the twists and turns on the run course it was hard to tell exactly how close the race really was but in the end 5th through 9th ended up being separated by only 3 minutes or so. I held onto 6th, unfortunately the first spot off the podium, but did keep my 3rd overall in the series. Congrats to all the chicks out there, the depth in the women's race just keeps getting better and better. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgdr10q7t7rpA0DE_f7G3vq2XLtBfytvw618sayfja5zW9Th-EhT1g8jcmVCA8WtXNSeDnyvyc0VDyipcZxCgC_FC0Ku8Hdr7pEAru9P0HpGxNzLS8h_9RGoRZ0aA_0Q5UxIDV7t0rKR9o/s1600/Xterra+USA+Podium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr10q7t7rpA0DE_f7G3vq2XLtBfytvw618sayfja5zW9Th-EhT1g8jcmVCA8WtXNSeDnyvyc0VDyipcZxCgC_FC0Ku8Hdr7pEAru9P0HpGxNzLS8h_9RGoRZ0aA_0Q5UxIDV7t0rKR9o/s400/Xterra+USA+Podium.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xterra USA Series podium 4th E Garrard, 2nd Shonny V, 1st M McQuaid, 3rd C Jeffrey, 5th S Snyder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I would love to say that I am putting in a great block of training leading up to Xterra Worlds in a couple of weeks, but that is a story for the next blog entry....<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and as always huge thanks to my friends and family, coach Gareth Thomas, and all the sponsors who support me; Fuji/Breezer Bikes, Rudy Project, Extreme Endurance, Champion Systems Canada, Nineteen Wetsuits, Maxxis Tires, Honeystinger. </div>
Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-31317870016110370082011-09-22T12:14:00.000-07:002011-09-22T12:14:17.573-07:00Xterra USA PreviewWow, look at all this blogging :))) Arrived in Park City Utah last Monday to get in two weeks up at altitude ahead of the Xterra USA Championships over at Snowbasin Resort. The weather has been fabulous except the one day that Mel and I headed over to pre-ride the course and froze, figures. But it is shaping up to be an amazing weekend of racing, just two days away now.<br />
<br />
There has also been a ton of media buzz here for the race, largely due to the fact that one Lance Armstrong is showing up. As such I have been lucky to have gotten some good media attention including a couple of videos, one of which was a short segment on the KSL News 5 Morning show here in Utah, and a nice mention in Sports Illustrated. I couIdn't figure out how to embed the videos and article in my blog so I have just listed the links below along with some beautiful pics I took pre-riding the new section of the bike course yesterday!!! and my new bike;))<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ksl.com/?sid=17350425&nid=1105">KSL News 5 Morning Show - Xterra USA / Snowbasin</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://video.ak.fbcdn.net/cfs-ak-ash4/352717/189/10150390738883623_12928.mp4?oh=75827c6abef6cfd6ba2ce2e6f50f5441&oe=4E7D3B00&__gda__=1316829952_18099c64e11b1c981cd2da1708b60594">Xterra TV fun video up at Snowbasin</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/more/09/21/Lance-Armstrong-XTerra.ap/?xid=shareFB">Sports Illustrated - Xterra USA Lance vs Conrad</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg-h2Wza5MopRFBR3laIkUewzY6G1f50RkSQzHu6pzRPN7LaJy41g4DjPvuJvQf6N32vm64Gzbm7vnJhLXz8ICkThZBI5HZyC0_ZPyLECaC5iZ3qxAyyjMLR9nvooTAyFXT_Kadxfpm7fc/s1600/IMG_0596%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h2Wza5MopRFBR3laIkUewzY6G1f50RkSQzHu6pzRPN7LaJy41g4DjPvuJvQf6N32vm64Gzbm7vnJhLXz8ICkThZBI5HZyC0_ZPyLECaC5iZ3qxAyyjMLR9nvooTAyFXT_Kadxfpm7fc/s400/IMG_0596%255B1%255D" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowbasin Resort from the Sardine Peak Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgQwHckVxefqnHRxhn8XhSezZeG6DuwRmHtdsLHgkUTJ0V6_qA0tcqKQv1FdTcW3szDF1tBtxApz7vOvheukT7qndqm30akUJC8sqnlXTsoV9bbB9IeD2r75rurr2jrTvEZhBrWn8MNNlI/s1600/IMG_0611%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwHckVxefqnHRxhn8XhSezZeG6DuwRmHtdsLHgkUTJ0V6_qA0tcqKQv1FdTcW3szDF1tBtxApz7vOvheukT7qndqm30akUJC8sqnlXTsoV9bbB9IeD2r75rurr2jrTvEZhBrWn8MNNlI/s400/IMG_0611%255B1%255D" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New singletrack on the bike course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjuQmXGEcZyDMbhdzr-jUzZORnugJre8u8pH2fdlj-jH99k34rbLivBCgd39MHylOcoJZywAOvLhCS_1anUkpbO3iq82d_c0Xlsr5xgNigO8yXld1Ra0kzf6CELGPGO1I36ijG1afyfaE8/s1600/IMG_0616%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQmXGEcZyDMbhdzr-jUzZORnugJre8u8pH2fdlj-jH99k34rbLivBCgd39MHylOcoJZywAOvLhCS_1anUkpbO3iq82d_c0Xlsr5xgNigO8yXld1Ra0kzf6CELGPGO1I36ijG1afyfaE8/s400/IMG_0616%255B1%255D" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineview Reservoir (swim venue) from top of the bike course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgBpyglvlipu64AQSn3slmXKGQYDzAvKqGtKWJZj1up3_oFk1YG0ff5hQ_OYn3YGoqDAup4prfiZR25vsVfV0CiaE6AGDXSHIzv_rduCYKQV7EL6P480EjFiuLtNJj6Vh0MubgEOeEnMUk/s1600/IMG_0583%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpyglvlipu64AQSn3slmXKGQYDzAvKqGtKWJZj1up3_oFk1YG0ff5hQ_OYn3YGoqDAup4prfiZR25vsVfV0CiaE6AGDXSHIzv_rduCYKQV7EL6P480EjFiuLtNJj6Vh0MubgEOeEnMUk/s400/IMG_0583%255B1%255D" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New wheels for riding the new bike course :)))</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-64614296648261607002011-09-21T19:13:00.001-07:002011-09-21T19:13:33.907-07:00Colorado Fun & PicsWasn't inspired enough to write a race report for the Xterra Beavercreek race but here are some pics from the experience and much more fun drive home. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgNbC6MynvY_x_9ZiaMu8Pq3n7SEouJVJ0gIBmR2yBh9d5EJOvgRkqx7q7vWtoRQeKRbszdPuZ2qZZKa3Xi5y1QN6oYkZpiWlQEfvmxhV2r619ToJ6mYrs2Dt2Mgl_wlGblb1iTapOKG0Q/s1600/IMG_0513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbC6MynvY_x_9ZiaMu8Pq3n7SEouJVJ0gIBmR2yBh9d5EJOvgRkqx7q7vWtoRQeKRbszdPuZ2qZZKa3Xi5y1QN6oYkZpiWlQEfvmxhV2r619ToJ6mYrs2Dt2Mgl_wlGblb1iTapOKG0Q/s400/IMG_0513.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xterra BC Swim Exit @ Trey Garman/Xterra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEg41qtcK13ijzkmif6HQUs3cn4QYOrnECo1Tt-eLLrhMRnJkSVU0i1vUJmXc4Th2QgRU27bpQ5irnVXE-pUtQnyVH34yPF4f8-FMoD00sps0h_cX0fVSIXHGV3a4HmVrBAqj-bk72pZbgg/s1600/BIke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41qtcK13ijzkmif6HQUs3cn4QYOrnECo1Tt-eLLrhMRnJkSVU0i1vUJmXc4Th2QgRU27bpQ5irnVXE-pUtQnyVH34yPF4f8-FMoD00sps0h_cX0fVSIXHGV3a4HmVrBAqj-bk72pZbgg/s400/BIke.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xterra BC Bike @ Trey Garman/Xterra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next photo is where the bike course topped out at about 9,500ft. It is also about where my head exploded. My legs had given out about 1000ft lower down. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxV7GhkQt1O9Pg1TFj_eL5F4WhR0xz0ZjqctElPliV0IaL6VhXkFbhDyDhsejmnX1Ap9hRwGBynlCL9loZNwZf3_W2PM4T8xWSsW9lqC6V8sPLxxoEJSjVZGMmldcCLnBlbI2ARUu9LQ/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxV7GhkQt1O9Pg1TFj_eL5F4WhR0xz0ZjqctElPliV0IaL6VhXkFbhDyDhsejmnX1Ap9hRwGBynlCL9loZNwZf3_W2PM4T8xWSsW9lqC6V8sPLxxoEJSjVZGMmldcCLnBlbI2ARUu9LQ/s400/IMG_0422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are no pictures of me running because I wasn't actually running. More like short spells of shuffling between longer spells of walking which is better than the "sitting down with my head between my knees to keep from passing out" that I really wanted to do. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjzB-8NF-3AlU-FofIPrApam4UdyZ__Zbg8YABmZ1nj0gBPjjCoTpzaPG1h5CpwWo9WkeLMCDvzrANqqJUfnQSkOm1fkRHaSlpcCkrNMWqpRdX_BTqubwFxnqm6ljob1hWU_oaH0JRe97U/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB-8NF-3AlU-FofIPrApam4UdyZ__Zbg8YABmZ1nj0gBPjjCoTpzaPG1h5CpwWo9WkeLMCDvzrANqqJUfnQSkOm1fkRHaSlpcCkrNMWqpRdX_BTqubwFxnqm6ljob1hWU_oaH0JRe97U/s400/IMG_0444.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny and I at the top of Leadville 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The day after the race I got talked into joining Brian and Jenny Smith for a "spin" on the Leadville 100 course Jenny was going to race a couple of weeks later. Jenny wanted to do the section from Twin Lakes up to the top of Columbine (at 12,500ft). Famous last words "it's a fire road climb, big chain ring" (my A$$) the last section I was in my smallest gear, chin on my stem just trying to keep my front wheel on the ground. I though about getting off and walking but from the other riders out there I was passing it looked just as hard or harder to walk. Admittedly the view from the top was spectacular. My legs however did take about 5 days to recover!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe_PfQ9K-IMlfc7Sli8dBv8MFULnMpMfnQAGEg_wWF3nLHuptkZbNUsHjs6CziidPpC2EKv7aW5wAAjaj5g-0z6rIsbE-mA_VtdKHHJBKIwCPJus192Si1rdzKQyuNBlesq_dLonAe8A/s1600/IMG_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe_PfQ9K-IMlfc7Sli8dBv8MFULnMpMfnQAGEg_wWF3nLHuptkZbNUsHjs6CziidPpC2EKv7aW5wAAjaj5g-0z6rIsbE-mA_VtdKHHJBKIwCPJus192Si1rdzKQyuNBlesq_dLonAe8A/s400/IMG_0462.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;">
Enjoyed a nice open water swim with the Smith's just outside Gunnison the next day before the long drive back to Tucson.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjFiHRMkWqmc40TAJVQ1uPBgdrhF-yOW_9taOKeDjgot2Vtq8rEfDEdWy1nS2U7eZv0WwVzZL1RUsx72zXtV3JcuxBip343cmuIgLQoBJj5fPq-gKg-ySCGqzDP8Vw71Ocwq6Sdp0QNZGM/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiHRMkWqmc40TAJVQ1uPBgdrhF-yOW_9taOKeDjgot2Vtq8rEfDEdWy1nS2U7eZv0WwVzZL1RUsx72zXtV3JcuxBip343cmuIgLQoBJj5fPq-gKg-ySCGqzDP8Vw71Ocwq6Sdp0QNZGM/s400/IMG_0476.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgF8O6KWKy4XQqeHa7oXV7B3I1KcsTz6Jz0tDBewD_s2naCy7XU3C_eXrnf478dnctC1MrOR6HzqGXEGiua_ZZRDsw_WMQ0ZpP09JrpyJ6dsbiuH7F9HmIk89ppK-p1YgwkBmVxBOsAPw0/s1600/IMG_0484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8O6KWKy4XQqeHa7oXV7B3I1KcsTz6Jz0tDBewD_s2naCy7XU3C_eXrnf478dnctC1MrOR6HzqGXEGiua_ZZRDsw_WMQ0ZpP09JrpyJ6dsbiuH7F9HmIk89ppK-p1YgwkBmVxBOsAPw0/s400/IMG_0484.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Million Dollar Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEj3C1dSjy92RSIHb_cKyK13jw3IHPZOW4efr8sclx_Uj__TJOk82h_Kt9xMKnkYneV4Hp3iToG44bTBEvxoI-CRjLJzs1IpMRdMYW-3FQtzLMVa_DbpZSWv0xzuT6aQkMy5eo3Fk_myadk/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C1dSjy92RSIHb_cKyK13jw3IHPZOW4efr8sclx_Uj__TJOk82h_Kt9xMKnkYneV4Hp3iToG44bTBEvxoI-CRjLJzs1IpMRdMYW-3FQtzLMVa_DbpZSWv0xzuT6aQkMy5eo3Fk_myadk/s400/IMG_0492.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Million Dollar Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Decided to take the scenic drive home. Ouray is one of the coolest towns ever and has a great chocolate and coffee shop, bonus. US 550 or the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray to Silverton was truly a spectacular treat and made the next 10+ hrs of NOTHING worthwhile. </div>
<span id="goog_1805445211"></span><span id="goog_1805445212"></span>Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4103017542972301268.post-12580061980582471892011-09-19T17:48:00.000-07:002011-09-19T18:59:35.867-07:00HyVee Triathlon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hanging out here in beautiful Park City getting used to the altitude ahead of the Xterra USA Nationals next weekend and finally have some time to put together my race report for the HyVee Triathlon a couple of weekends ago. I skipped over Xterra Beavercreek as there was really nothing to say about it. I made it through the race but that was about it. I did have a great ride the day after on the Leadville course with Brian and Jenny Smith, and a scenic drive home so will posts some pictures of that in the next post. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After Beavercreek the body was done, like really really done. I stopped in Durango for lunch on the drive home and had to use my arms to swing my legs around and host myself up out of the car. Then I barely was able to hobble into Subway to grab a sandwich. A week off was absolutely necessary. Not really ideal for the timing of HyVee but there wasn't any other way. On top of that my achilles decided it didn't like me either and forced me into four weeks on the elliptical trainer leaving me only two light weeks of running heading into the biggest money race of my life, oh well. <br />
<br />
So arriving in Des Moines I had no idea how my race was going to go and really didn't have any expectations. I was also looking at one of the best pro fields assembled outside a world championship event. Admittedly a guaranteed paycheck for simply finishing the race was a bonus and as it turned out quite a few of the girls were there suffering through illness and injury for just that reason. HyVee and 5150 certainly did not disappoint in putting together a great event, from being met at the airport and instantly shuttled to the host hotel, to the best swag bag ever. The venue was well set up and organized and the great PR translated into a phenomenal amount of spectators and a great atmosphere on race day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJCQLz2foNBjsDQ_m_mRMZeomzhczBfDng3C1d1sSpZLeEH5arQtBMrekejp9AMFFWUAGx8L-3_GriUsfsv-1FHCwZjFfnQr7Lcr_caJbAasjsCRFBuq63q4ooKTTxW0OHHFB7rfAACM/s1600/HV+Venue+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJCQLz2foNBjsDQ_m_mRMZeomzhczBfDng3C1d1sSpZLeEH5arQtBMrekejp9AMFFWUAGx8L-3_GriUsfsv-1FHCwZjFfnQr7Lcr_caJbAasjsCRFBuq63q4ooKTTxW0OHHFB7rfAACM/s400/HV+Venue+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHw208I7XbHCCRvudB-IByaNyxkN_UKGVvR74nh1jY8KFlKMcl_7d1YSSg_4KYzVDE-sy1zfm06Bu90N1cXBWTNQP6kQIldutkz6ac0apk_IkqHwZuZIFbu67idUjFWHevqNWDWDU1jw/s1600/HV+Venue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHw208I7XbHCCRvudB-IByaNyxkN_UKGVvR74nh1jY8KFlKMcl_7d1YSSg_4KYzVDE-sy1zfm06Bu90N1cXBWTNQP6kQIldutkz6ac0apk_IkqHwZuZIFbu67idUjFWHevqNWDWDU1jw/s400/HV+Venue+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I ended up rooming with fellow Arizonan Angi Axmann who was probably the best thing to happen to my weekend. With my motivation and enthusiasm being a little on the low side her's certainly made up for it!! (if you know or have ever met Angi you know exactly what I am talking about :) I also got to hang out with Xterra chick SueAnne for some extra laughs and good times. The days before the race were pretty relaxed, getting in a bit of training and taking lots of naps. (isn't that what race week is for?) <br />
<br />
At the pre-race meeting on Friday the organizers told us that the river was a little low and shallow for their liking and had asked the army corps of engineers to add about 8" of water to the section of river we were going to be swimming in (the age groupers were swimming at a lake a little ways away) True to Murphy's law it rained most of Saturday adding a bunch more water to the river system and by Sunday morning what was once a calm, virtually current free body of water was a swiftly moving river. Having raced the Tiszaujvaros World Cup several years ago I knew how much fun we were in for (sarcasm) The swim was supposed to be a two loop affair but after watching the first girls to jump in for warm-up go absolutely nowhere it got changed to a three loop swim with the majority of it looping in behind the pontoon where we were protected a bit from the current. What this meant was the first turn buoy was less than 100m from the pontoon. 30 elite triathletes in a single line headed towards a single point less than 100m away with a strong cross-current was going to get ugly. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEgLOiQLmt7wVhOT6e4PGF6bA2gQ8W_MMnRMvnquTYXCCTiy8KxUT_pLfaGVbSmtSFzWW0Xu4YW2Q0mn-g79nMKPGqYJ1zA5XEsFDCBkjNPxzmElaaWUHQ2UGFRSJMgmv7GW13gF5YtyH5c/s1600/HV+Swim+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOiQLmt7wVhOT6e4PGF6bA2gQ8W_MMnRMvnquTYXCCTiy8KxUT_pLfaGVbSmtSFzWW0Xu4YW2Q0mn-g79nMKPGqYJ1zA5XEsFDCBkjNPxzmElaaWUHQ2UGFRSJMgmv7GW13gF5YtyH5c/s400/HV+Swim+Start.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Phillips @ Competitive Image</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wearing number 19 I was decidedly right (downstream) of center on the pontoon for the start and knew I was going to get hammered. A little out of practice with the full-contact swim starts of ITU races I was beaten up and ended up behind the lead group through the first lap and looking to make up time on the next two, but definitely ahead of the non-swimmers who were having a seriously tough time even getting through the swim. It was officially one of the craziest swims I have ever done. On the second lap I somehow wasn't paying attention and ran smack into the concrete bridge pillars, first time that has happened. The tough swim did mean that we were nicely spread out going out on the bike and drafting on the 4 loop bike course was pretty much a non-issue (at least for me). I got out of the swim just inside the top 10 and settled into the bike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEjjwPJxrKUb8oLg_MPe0KYlZfnkz2NJlOX-k22qv2h3WgLpAyaZ6S3OXw0sbe-GT0-ejSve4qdPvp3zkW7FQvYJK2dYjyjrtD-iNaHDPcG8Cx-HVc4e1CeKvNBaBy-P0gNQ9_dgYHqXIzA/s1600/HyVee+Swim+Exit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwPJxrKUb8oLg_MPe0KYlZfnkz2NJlOX-k22qv2h3WgLpAyaZ6S3OXw0sbe-GT0-ejSve4qdPvp3zkW7FQvYJK2dYjyjrtD-iNaHDPcG8Cx-HVc4e1CeKvNBaBy-P0gNQ9_dgYHqXIzA/s400/HyVee+Swim+Exit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Phillips @ Competitive Image</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bike like the swim (and later the run) was multi-laps, as Sara McLarty said before the race this was going to be a non-drafting ITU race. With four laps and 17 corners per lap and a good breeze blowing it was a challenging but fun bike course. Being used to MTB where you rarely get settled into a single pace I felt pretty comfortable with the course and was riding well. I definitely lost a couple of spots to the stronger riders but was super happy to roll into T2 in 17th spot. Before the race I had been thinking that against this quality of field a top 25 was realistic and anywhere from 20-25 was having a great day, now the goal was definitely inside the top 20. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiDLuO82S-SZIw70RBUNztsq5DBzqtA6xfTn_ifFi6eCZXQJLbDq43o6l-4okZ6zh1eER0j9jhLrbnwYs1O3EB3fgZ6CwMPuA-RjLl85E70Pz_V9EmPDnKGXnK2DE1lvlBHzCJlimk519M/s1600/HyVee+Bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLuO82S-SZIw70RBUNztsq5DBzqtA6xfTn_ifFi6eCZXQJLbDq43o6l-4okZ6zh1eER0j9jhLrbnwYs1O3EB3fgZ6CwMPuA-RjLl85E70Pz_V9EmPDnKGXnK2DE1lvlBHzCJlimk519M/s400/HyVee+Bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Phillips @ Competitive Image</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got passed pretty quickly by superstar runners Gwen Jorgensen and Radka Vodickova and was feeling just a little bit un-snappy (hmm, yep only 2 weeks of run training) but while I couldn't seem to turn my legs over any faster I also as the 4 laps ticked by was not slowing down at all and started reeling in the girls in front of me. I moved up a spot on the last lap and was just shy of running down the next two girls to finish up in 18th. <br />
<table align="center" 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/AVvXsEiRV2EGloA8xy4fgL5q1JqDZmUuUBCCVNWBT_Q8ltKR-_YsYTyfQsnTc9ENFjtCgTm_RhRCPcljIXyxhMyXFXXDUnvysMWpVIevxj44pIBD9hI63INO5yS_10NB7U9Fu-yobFldnv1Py1I/s1600/HyVee+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV2EGloA8xy4fgL5q1JqDZmUuUBCCVNWBT_Q8ltKR-_YsYTyfQsnTc9ENFjtCgTm_RhRCPcljIXyxhMyXFXXDUnvysMWpVIevxj44pIBD9hI63INO5yS_10NB7U9Fu-yobFldnv1Py1I/s400/HyVee+Run.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Paul Phillips @ Competitive Image</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall a great race and experience to be apart of. While I was a little overwhelmed by all the racing in the front half of the season chasing the invite to this race it all seemed pretty worthwhile in the end. Next year though I would love to come into this race with a bit more focus and see what I can do. Will worry about that next year. For now it is back to the dirt for Xterra USA and Xterra Worlds :))) and yes Lance is racing... bring on the circus ;)Christine Jeffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14931942860241301533noreply@blogger.com0