Women's Half Marathon

Running Divas!

Jacque - 3:07:13 Woot Woot
Sonya - 2:36:24
The Women's Half Marathon Event went really well. Jacque and I got there in plenty of time. It was nice that her parent's drove us to the starting line and they got to see us cross the start line. This was my friend's first half marathon and she was excited and nervous for the event. The weather was a nice 49 degrees when we started too. We started together and then went our separate ways and I yelled, "Good Luck!" to her. Doing my run, I was doing a really good pace, and then after mile 7ish or so, my knee started to hurt really bad. I had to walk it out a few times, but still finished strong even though it hurt. It was such a beautiful weather for this event and that made me smile.
For Jacque's first half marathon, she did an awesome job! I am sooooo proud of her and how well she did.

Also- the cycling diva rode bike patrol for this event!

The mermaid diva had a family emergency and was unable to attend the event

Sonoita-Patagonia Time Trial – October 16th

Well...the Sonoita-Patagonia TT was quite interesting...the head and cross winds really made it more difficult for me...a couple of times I was just about blown off my bike thanks to the cross winds. But...dealing with weather conditions is all a part of racing! I was really disappointed because I didn't push hard enough...I thought I had a mile more to go so I was saving energy...but I actually only had about 200ft. Oh well! Lesson learned!

The most exciting part about the TT was my friend/teammate Louisa let me borrow her super fancy race wheels (see attached picture)! WOW! What a difference those made! Thanks Louisa, you rock!!

I've never been to Sonoita so it was a fun adventure! Weather was poopy with the heat and wind...but with each race I finish I learn a lot and have fun!

The location was...um...interesting. We parked/warmed up at the fair grounds. Well, there was a cowboy event going on...big burly cowboys with handlebar mustaches, huge cowboy hats, cowboy boots, etc. would walk past us and look at us (mostly Andrew) like we were aliens! Boys in spandex and boys in cowboy hats don't play well together lol. Horses and bikes in the same parking lot were quite the sight to see!

Since we drove 3 hours for a 25 minute race we figured we should make it worth our time/money...after the event we spent the afternoon touring the Vineyards and had dinner in Tucson! What a fun day!!

<3 the Cycling Diva

http://www.saguarovelo.org/infosonoita.htm

UPDATE- Running and Mermaid Divas!

das Foot Race at Oktoberfest!

Not too long ago, I agreed to run the 5 mile race with Jacque at the Tempe Town Lake Oktoberfest. I thought this should be a fun little event to do within our training for the Women's 1/2 Marathon on November 6th...a little change from Reach 11. Jac had a few friends that ran the 5K, but Jac and I (wearing my Munich Oktoberfest hat) took off on the 5 mile with the greeting of an ump-pa band playing as we made our way out of the start area. The course went all around Tempe Town Lake and ended up being over 5 miles at a total of 5.33 miles. I stopped my Garmin at 5 miles and the time was 1:04:25, with an average pace of 12:53/mi. We finished 5.33 miles at 1:08:23, with an average pace of 12:50/mi. I was 2nd to last place and Jacque was 3rd to last...hey we were not last! What I am most happy about is Jacque's performance! We determined that this was the best 5 miles Jac has ever ran and ran well the whole way. I raise my stein and say, "Prost!" to you Jac for a great run!

UPDATE- Cycling Diva

PHOTOS:
Cyclocross Training, Tour de Scottsdale, and Dc Ranch Crit

Cross training was a lot of fun! Unfortunately I don't have a cross bike so won't be doing any cross racing this season

Tour de Scottsdale...I shaved one hour and 20 minutes off my time from last year! WOW! What a difference a year makes! I got 19th/208 women!

DC Ranch Crit...last race of the season and by far my strongest crit race ever! WHY?! Not just because of the hard training I've been doing...but mostly because of the 15 fans I had come out to watch! Support from my family and friends makes all the difference in the world! Love you guys!!

I was just nominated to be the Club president- woo hoo! Fun times for the 2012 race season!

Arizona State Road Race Championship

Arizona State Road Race Championship
http://www.wmrc.org/azstaterr

44miles...
Two hours and 47 minutes...
burned 2000 calories...
drank 140oz of water...
3,376 ft elevation gain...
avg temp 102.9 °F...
max speed 43mph

I've never seen so many cyclists taken out by ambulance, puke while still on the bike, and pass out while still clipped in. It was an incredible sufferfest with MANY DNFs. It was a challenging and beautiful course...it would have been amazing in COOLER temperatures. I've never pushed my body so far and I'm not sure I'd push that hard again. After the event I kept getting goosebumps, the shakes, and was freezing cold. I was so cold I had to put a jacket on and sit in the sun. One of our teammates was driving the course giving us water and wet towels...what a lifesaver! There was only one feed zone...NOT enough in 100+ temps in the middle of the desert. At one point my Garmin said it was 113degrees. Ridiculous!

Amazingly...I actually finished (covered in sweat and salt)! There were 5 DNFs in my category. It was a dangerous race and I sure hope that next year the event promoters consider the fact that we live in a freaking desert that is HOT. I don't remember everything...I kinda spaced out the last 11miles...I have some memories of it (calling my friends who came to work the feed zone to drive some water to me)...I don't remember getting from the finish line to my truck/getting off my bike.

Our teams (the guys/girls) had amazing support from my friend Lori and Andy (cyclist out with an injury)...we couldn't have done it without them!

This fall I plan on driving out to Skull Valley (very appropriately named) and doing the course again...when it's below 80degrees.

Three Bears Time Trial 7/10/11

Raced in the Three Bears TT on 7/10/11:
Was feeling GREAT on my new bike...RAWR...perfect weather...pretty course...everything was perfect...until the soft tire in the last two miles :'(
I felt my tire slowly losing air around the last two miles...I wasn't sure what to do...my initial thought was I wanted to cry and just quit...then I saw Catherine (teammate) flying by as she was racing the 30K and she yells "Go Mel!" So instead of quitting and crying Catherine gave me the encouragement to FINISH! I managed to finish the last two miles without riding on the rim.

Since I can't afford a TT bike yet my next cycling investment will be new pedals (lighter) and aero bars...that'll help me be more comfortable racing TTs until next year when I can afford a TT bike.

PICTURES (none of me): Louisa (cat 3) and Catherine (cat 1/2) both kicked bootay in their cat...when I grow up I wanna be just like them :)

Cycling video

Chad got a new helmet camera and made this cute video of our ride! :)
http://contour.com/stories/shes-got-legs