My precious is back. AND it now has 2GB of memory which is more than enough memory to run Aperture. I’ll be posting my photos soon, as soon as I have a free hour or so browse through them myself, and hopefully sometime in the near future I might even be able to post some that I have edited in Aperture - that might take a while for me to learn though so be patient please!

In other news, gale force winds are blowing through Ft Collins today. Not feeling like I wanted to be blown off my bike today, I opted to stay in on the trainer. I only had to ride an hour focusing on high cadence and with this wind it might have been difficult to even turn over 80 rpm’s in the 25 outside! On the trainer I was able to keep my cadence between 115 and 120 the entire hour - spin, baby, spin!

In other other news, Chris and Karyn (Ben’s colleagues) and Ben and I went to Boulder to see Alexi Murdoch (aka Nick Drake) at the Fox Theater Wed night. Before the show we had a pretty good Mexican dinner at Mamacitas (mmm, mole enchiladas) which is also known for having good margaritas. I hate, HATE tequila so I opted for the Mojito only to be told that they didn’t have mint so I was SOL. Ah, the food was good anyway.

Alexi put on a good show, although I don’t ever recommend seeing him when you are tired. He plays great music and he’s entertaining but his music is very mellow - definitely mood music. If you remember the song “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake that was played in the VW commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSKUL_n6c0) a few years ago, well, that is what Alexi sounds like. Good stuff but soft spoken vocals and acoustic guitar. The Fox Theater was just the right place to see him - intimate and cozy.

- Meredith

Alright already, my Mac PowerBook can show up any freakin’ day now! I sent my computer back to NZ over a month ago so that one of the memory card slots could be fixed. I should have been caressing it in my hands weeks ago, but NOOO, the courier in NZ decided on his own that there weren’t enough “tickets” (whatever those are) for it to make it to the US so he returned the computer to the origin without telling anyone. Finally, after I threatened enough times to sue if I didn’t get my computer back (the Kiwis only know what that means from watching too much American tv but it was enough to scare the piss out of them), someone took the initiative to actually track down my computer only to find that the box was being used as a foot rest underneath someone’s desk. Supposedly, the foot rest has now been replaced with the courier’s own La-Z-Boy recliner from home and my laptop is now on its way to the US.

ANY DAY NOW, I should have my precious back and I promise I will post more photos. You are probably asking why I haven’t already since I obviously have a computer to write my blog, but I will tell you it is because I am using a very ancient (you know, like 2 years old) PowerBook that would never be able to handle files so big. I have photos on my Nikon Coolpix and my D50 that I have been waiting to import for weeks, plus I have new editing software (Aperture) that I am dying to use, so as soon as my computer gets here I will be updating my blog with pictures.

Using Aperture is going to be a very new experience for me since I have never even used Photoshop so don’t expect big things, yet. I am still learning how to use my Digital SLR, too, but hopefully between the camera, my creativity, and the software I can create some flash photos for you all to enjoy.

Other than sitting here pining for my Apple, the weather has straightened itself out these last few days and offered up plenty of sunshine. Our ride on Sunday was a stunning display of how nice the riding is going to be around here. Once the mercury rises above 75F I will be loving it even more.

I went back to ICPH yesterday so Lee could do some more snap, crackle, pop on my back and it felt oh so good. It’s amazing what some good stretches and a little bit of TLC can do for the back, an area that often gets neglected because the legs are screaming too much. Speaking of stretches, I should go do some of that.

Word of the day: piriformis

M&M

It’s a damn good thing that I had it easy on the bike this week since it snowed AGAIN. Is it ever going to stop??? I am beginning to have my doubts, but don’t let that deter from my story…

On Friday, Ben and I drove down to Denver so that I could do a LT test with my coach, Corey Hart, at the International Center for Performance and Health (ch, ch, check it out, www.icphbalance.com). While Ben went off to meet with a physician about collaborating on research projects, Corey put me through the ringer on the CompuTrainer. Not only did he prick my ear, yes my ear, every 4 minutes but I also had to wear that insanely cumbersome, and oh so attractive headgear, so that he could measure VO2 (volume of oxygen used) and RER (a measure of fat and carbohydrate utilization) to get a good idea of how much endurance capacity I have in the tank right now. You’d think that being a bike racer, I’d be a glutton for suffering but let me tell you, I hate doing these types of tests. If it weren’t for Corey, Jen, Marge, and Lee yelling at me that I was a wuss if I stopped now (it went something like…what kind of cyclist do you think you are, you can’t get past 200 watts - PUH LEASE!!), I would probably have quit a good 3-4 minutes before I did. And when all was said and done, I thought I just might spew. I really did push myself quite hard and although I hated everyone one of them at the time, I thank them now for pushing me just to the edge and then letting me stop before I lost my brekkie.

Another reason for going to the ICPH was to have my back checked out. It’s been pretty jacked up for the last month and while I was suffering on the bike, Lee and Marge could immediately see why. From one side they could read Shimano across the back of my shorts but from the other side they couldn’t see a thing. In other words, I am completely rotated through my hips, sitting and standing on the bike, which can’t be the most optimal position for maximising power. So after I caught my breath and regained my wits, Lee, a biomechanics and physical therapy partner who specializes in musculoskeletal and biomechanical dysfunctions, and Marge, a medical partner and P.A., did a full assessment on my back and hips. Conclusion: My back is all out of whack. Several of my vertebrae are out of alignment, my lumbar spine doesn’t flex, and my hips are rotated causing all sorts of problems for my musculature. Prognosis: Good. It can all be fixed with more manual therapy and advice from Lee and Marge and A LOT of work on my end - something I tend to neglect, stretching, has got to become part of my daily routine.

The ICPH is a top notch facility - the team of experts there know how to work with athletes from all different disciplines, ages, and levels. Corey keeps me on my toes by feeding me with good knowledge about training and performance and providing the right programming to keep me on top of my game. And, in just one visit, Lee and Marge have got me thinking optimistically about improving my performance by correcting my dysfunctional issues. There is a lot of good stuff happening at this place - I highly suggest taking a look to see what these experts can do for you.

And today was another doozy of a ride. The weather forecast was calling for blue skies and warm temps (relatively speaking, of course) but what it turned out to be wasn’t the most pleasant of days. Ben and I headed out by going up by the reservoir with plans to head north to the Poudre River and back home. All was going well, the roads were clear and the temps were sweet. And we happened upon a few other cyclists, one of whom turned out to be Georgia Gould, Luna Chix professional mtn biker. Hearing that she and her husband just moved to Ft Collins a few months ago has me really stoked because it’s always nice to have good female riders around who can kick your butt. Anyway, we rode along with Georgia, her husband and friend and I wasn’t even freaking out (like I normally would) about riding through all the snow, gravel and slush - I couldn’t let this pro mtn biker think I was some roadie who couldn’t handle my bike. We were chugging along at a pretty good clip, enjoying the ride until suddenly the temps dropped and we kept getting wetter and dirtier from the spray of cars whizzing by. Riding through the canyon is going to be a beautiful ride, I think, but today all I could see through my muddied glasses was the patches of slush and snow that I had to navigate my bike through, all while trying to get circulation back in my fingers and toes. Not one of the most pleasant riding experiences in my life, but probably not the worst either. But, I do know that when the snow melts, the roads are dry and the river is gushing, it will be a fantastic time to be on a bike.

So, between yesterday’s test and riding through today’s crap, I’ve had a couple days of hard nosed riding. What’s the saying - that which doesn’t hurt you, only makes you tougher…let’s hope.

Here’s to sunny skies and warm days…

Meredith

I know, I know, I’ve been slack in getting my posts up regularly.  I do have some good excuses though.  First, I didn’t have my computer at camp since it is being paddled across the Pacific from New Zealand (it had to go back for repairs); second, there wasn’t free internet in the hotel rooms so I couldn’t hop on Lauren’s (my roomie) computer 24/7 either; third, since I have been back in Ft Collins, I have been preparing for the movers to FINALLY arrive with our belongings; fourth, I still don’t have my computer.  And, starting tomorrow I won’t be living at someone else’s house where I have a computer to use so until my own finds its way across the pond, I won’t be writing much.

Anyway, training camp was great.  Although the weather wasn’t as great as it was in CA for some other teams, it all worked out good for us.  The first week was the coldest, which was perfect since we had so many other activities going on we hardly got to ride our bikes anyway.  The second week, when we were “free”, brought in some pretty nice weather which was perfect for longer rides.  It was still cold and dirty at higher elevations, which the mechanics weren’t too happy about since it meant they had to wash our bikes, but down around 5000 ft it was sweet.  And most important, it didn’t rain so there were no days of training inside (except for people like Phil who were doing 3-a-days).  Besides the training, there was good bonding time off the bikes.  We are going to be just as tight as last year, and what’s even better is that we are a month ahead (compared to last year) in all of our preparations on and off the bike.

A few highlights from camp included Thomas running in the wall as he walked off the elevator while reading his GPS contraption.  Go figure - the GPS couldn’t tell him he needed to turn?  Or had it just not reconfigured yet after he missed the turn?  He literally walked straight into the wall and even scrubbed up his knuckles, too.  The best part was that there were at least 3 of us who witnessed it, and for which he was so embarressed he turned and ran straight outside.  Then there was our rookie, Nicole, who showed up for our first ride in her Skins compression tights.  But Nicole is a sponge so she quickly learned the proper “roadie” dress code and I am sure she will never make that mistake again.  Good on ya, Nicole.  And then there was Matt (aka Horsepower or just HP) who seemingly forgot to kick his horsepower into gear when he fell over slow motion style, while still clipped into his pedals, because he couldn’t pedal through a deep section of dirt.  Right on, right on.  And there was the day that Lauren called out flat so we all pulled over to wait for the car, which was 5 minutes back after it had gotten stuck behind traffic, to change her flat but to my amusement it turned out that I was the one with the flat but just didn’t know it since I hadn’t heard the tire pop.  Duh, duh, duh.  And last but not least, for those of you who were at camp you must be waiting for this one…a certain Navigator (I won’t name names) who did an Irish jig (that should give you a clue as to who it was) in Lara’s skinsuit!  Hysterical!!  Fall off your chair funny.  And if I build up the courage, I just might post the video, too.  Oh, and if you are ever bored, just ask Hilton for some stories because he’s got a few funnies to throw at ya.

Now I am back in Ft Collins wondering why the hell I am here since it is snowing AGAIN!!  At least this week is an easy week since I am resting up for my lactate test with Corey on Friday.  An hour here and there on the rollers won’t kill me, I guess.  That is unless I try standing up because then they just might launch me (I am not that good on them you see).

I suppose I should get some shut eye soon since tomorrow is going to be a long day.  The movers will be here in the morning and will probably still be around in the afternoon which means I’ll get to spend the evening unpacking.  I guess I’ll be playing decorator for awhile now.

Next time I post it should be from my own computer which means I should also be able to post pictures, too, so stay tuned.

MM

Anyone who thinks that a cycling training camp is all about riding your bike, think again.  A few nights ago we were treated to a ballet.  Of course, the girls were more into the ballet than the guys were, and a few of them were even able to skip out the back door (at least the ones who got to the car first), but in my opinion those who left missed some incredibly hot bodies performing several spectacular pieces involving athletic grace and stamina.  The dancers performed 4 different pieces, which ranged from quite bizarre to flat out fantastic.  My teammates and I spent the entire show scrutinizing their bodies, oohing and ahhing over their muscular legs and ripped bodies - the women included.  And you can imagine there were a few giggles about certain bulges on the men, too.  But really, the dancers had bodies that most of us would kill for.  I’ll admit that I could learn a few things from these people. 

After the show was over, all the riders were invited back stage to meet the dancers, which after sharing stories with them about performing, recovering, traveling, etc, I realized that our athletic worlds are very similar.  Straight after a performace they are expected to sit in a car for hours, stretch out the stiffness the next day, and then perform again straight away, just as we do day after day.  Although, it sounds like we are more fortunate in the sense that we have soigneurs who travel with us to provide a much needed massage after our “performances”, whereas they must use comp tickets to trade for massages.

For me, it was a nice way to spend an evening, watching someone else do the hard work for a change.  And I think that even most of the Navs enjoyed the show more than they thought they would.  They just had to put on the masculine front at first, but now we know they all have a feminine side. They’ll hate me for saying that but c’est la vie.

Other than going to ballets, having 10 meetings a day, taking more photos yet again, we have found time to ride our bikes.  Yesterday the Lipton girls rode up the mountain during a great 5 hour ride.  We covered a lot of terrain yesterday and experienced temps ranging from warm spring-like to freezing winter-like.  Heading out of Albuquerque we climbed and climbed until we reached the ski area at over 8000 feet, where parts of the roads were still covered with snow, and then we quickly put on our jackets before we were blown away and developed frost bite before descending back down the mountain.  Back in Albuquerque at just 5000 feet we were able to strip away a lot of our clothing to feel the fresh air on our skin.  Boy, did that feel good.  After weeks and weeks of training with layers upon layers on, it felt refreshing to reveal bare skin to the sun and warm breeze.

Today we will take a short recovery spin and then tomorrow is our last day of camp.  We’ll work some more on lead-outs, sprints, attacking, chasing, etc so that our legs take one last beating before stepping on the plane for home Saturday morning.

Although the weather the first week in Albuquerque was a shock to the system, it has cleared up nicely and I only hope that when I return to Colorado the streets will be dry and the temps will have warmed up so that I don’t have to get back on the trainer again!!!

I’ll be posting some pictures soon so stay tuned…

MM