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

Single Track Road Race- Sunset Crater/Wupatki

I raced in the Single Track RR on Saturday 6/11/11
It was an...um...interesting race. 48 miles through Sunset Crater/Wupatki
BEAUTIFUL scenery!!
I kept up with the pack for the first 15miles...then as I was descending at 40mph my chain fell off. I was going to fast I couldn't get it back on without getting off the bike. Ugh. I lost my position with the pack. I was devastated as I watched them fly by. The back pack came by and I jumped on with them...just to have my chain come off AGAIN. I wanted to give up...gotta admit my eyes teared up a little...but I kept going.
There was 20+ miles of climbing on the way back...it was brutal with head/cross winds. A couple times I almost got blown over when I was climbing hills and out of my saddle.
As I was ready to completely give up in the last 200m I saw my teammate, Louisa, coming down the path to cheer me on...as she yelled "Go Mel!" I got out of my saddle and passed the girl in front of me. I had no idea that my sprint would get my third place in my cat! Yup, that's right, I got 3rd place! If it wasn't for Louisa's encouragement I wouldn't have sprinted and would have gotten 4th.
Before the race I was incredibly nervous...without Roadie Lori, Coach Andy, and Louisa's positive words I wouldn't have been as successful!

Some interesting info from Garmin...

Max speed: 45

Elevation Gain: 3,048 ft
Elevation Loss: 3,127 ft
Min Elevation: 4,573 ft
Max Elevation: 7,120 ft

Avg Bike Cadence: 82 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 126 rpm

Max Temperature: 91.4 °F

AZ Women Racing: Cotton Classic TT #1

AZ Women Racing: Cotton Classic TT #1: "Race Report: Great day for Jobing.com Women's Racing.  Catherine Dickson pulled double duty in the 20K and 40K.  She finished 1st in both d..."

"Run for the Mountain", Snowbowl, and "Cotton Classic TT"

Weekend started off in Flagstaff with a 5K "Run for the Mountain" event. Finished in 32 min which isn't bad considering I'm not used to running in such cold weather, elevation, and hills...oh...and running isn't my sport haha.

After the 5K some teammates and a few others rode Snowbowl- I didn't ride to the top because I had to get back to Phx AND I had to save some energy for racing Sunday. Snowbowl is relentlessly brutal...but beautiful and a great workout! The day started at 40 degrees and warmed up into the 60's.
Calories burned for the day- approx 2000

Today I raced in a Time Trial- Cotton Classic
My second TT...First TT was straight up South Mountain (totally different course)
This course was flat which provided me with a baseline
20K- 37 min, burned 800 calories, average bike cadence 98
I continue to get racing tips from teammates and racing friends...Special thanks to Andy, Louisa, and Edwin!
An interesting tidbit...The TT was male dominated today- as I was waiting in line for my start time I was in a line of all guys. They proceeded to tease me the entire time I was in line. I was annoyed but played along...couldn't let 'em see they were bugging me.

Check it out...http://www.azwomenracing.com/2011/05/cotton-classic-tt-1.html

SoMo TT, Avondale Crit

I raced in my first TT 5/7/11: South Mountain TT
Had a BLAST! Was a very interesting experience. The Jobing.com Women's Racing team won the climbing championship trophy!

Raced in the Avondale Crit 5/8/11: Crits scare me lol...but I love the speed and rush I get from doing them. There was one crazy lady who was not keeping her line and kept shoulder checking people...but other than that the Jobing.com ladies did great and worked hard! I managed to stay with the pack the whole race...woot woot!

Running Diva, Mermaid Diva, Honorary Running Diva: "Race for Hope"

So yesterday was the 3rd Annual Race for Hope for all Cancers that the divas, Lori, Sonya, & I (Jacque) ran. Well, Lori & Sonya ran, I walked/ran it. After having a stomach bug all last week, I hadn't run at all so yesterday's run was a challenge for me. I took a nap on Sunday afternoon to recover from the early morning requirements of said run and woke up with legs that felt like they should be cut off. I was a little puzzled because I have never been this sore after a run before. So this morning on my way to work I had a light bulb moment...Duh, your legs are sore because you were lifting kegs while working Saturday afternoon...and that my dear, is why your legs are killing you...occasionally I have some real blond moments!
-Jacque-

Running Diva (Jacque) update part 2

So in preparation for the boot camps Koviena and I have been working out at the gym across the street from work in the mornings. We were supposed to be there at 6, but we tended to arrive at 6:15 or 6:30 or not at all, depending on the day. So Koviena says to me that we should do the yoga class because it starts at 6am and we would have to be there on time. I agreed since I have done yoga and liked it. We show up the next day at 6 and the class is already starting. We immediately join in. This is a little more advanced of a class than I was expecting. You continue from pose to pose without many breaks in between. But there was this one position and I don't remember what all the instructor was saying to do because I looked over at Koviena and lost my balance laughing at the expression on her face. "You have got to be kidding me" is the pc version of it. I thought I was going to die laughing, which didn't make the instructor very fond of us. Then she says to move into the warrior II pose. She wasn't standing up front demonstrating, she was walking around. So I move into what I thought was warrior II, but was really warrior I and Koviena was following my lead. So the instructor says to the class, "My two newbies are in warrior I when I clearly said warrior II" You can imagine what the two of us thought, and it wasn't very nice! :) Needless to say we haven't been back. My back was too sore for the next week, plus I don't think she's the right instructor for us. We will have to find another reason to get to the gym on time to prep for the 5:30 am start time of boot camp.

Running Diva (Jacque) update

So Koviena, my co-worker at the school, has talked me into a Pink Boot Camp to help get into better shape. AND there was a groupon for it, so we were VERY excited to get the session for $89 versus $199 for a month. Unfortunately, Koviena was in physical therapy so we were not sure which session we were going to do. There was one starting April 25 and one May 31 that were were going to try to sign up for with our Groupons. The week before the April 25th Session Koviena decided she was ok to start the April 25th session...but they were SOLD OUT. We were devastated! Well, not really but we thought ok, we will just do the May 31st session. (I am going to Iowa to visit my family and there will be beach & pool time so I WILL be wearing my two piece bathing suit...and not the tankini this year! so the May 31st session was a must!) But it wouldn't take my groupon...technical difficulties. I called the Pink Boot Camp and they looked into it. Unfortunately they only allow 14 groupons per session. But he would squeeze me in. I explained that we needed two spots. So he made us an offer...$100 off the price if we would sign up for the May 31st session and pay for it at the discounted rate and then we could use our groupon for the next session starting July 5. So we got TWO sessions for less than the normal price of ONE...very excited about the deal we got!!! Wish us luck - we hear it's brutal but the results are worth it!

A true Redneck Diva...

Mel, cycling Diva, ran in the Warrior Dash...lots of dirt and lots of fun! :)
check out the website: http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_arizona.php

Focus Grand Prix

I raced in the Focus Grand Prix Saturday (criterium)...

It was a GREAT course...wide and pretty flat. I felt AWESOME in my warm-up laps...had my new racing wheels (THANKS CHAD!!) and I was ready to rock n roll! I was so nervous I couldn't clip in right away but was still able to catch up with the girls. As I turn a corner near the end of the first lap my pedals locked up! WHAT?! I quickly realized my chain fell off. I hop off my bike and freak out! What do I do?! Quit?! I knew they'd get at least a one lap lead on me...I quickly put my chain back on, hop on my bike, and pedal like mad! I actually catch up to the girls and managed to stick with 'em the whole race.
My friend Deb was there fulfilling roadie duties that day- I don't know what I would have done without her support that am! She was my navigator when I got lost, cheerleader, and photographer to name a few duties! Thanks Deb!
Despite the drama it was a very fun and exciting race!

Arizona State Criterium Championship

Today I cycled in my first Criterium...I think I have finally come up with two words to describe my experience today...WOAH BABY! I have MANY many many many thoughts about my experience today...just not sure how to put it into a blog...it was such an amazing and overwhelming experience. I'm still in shock that I'm actually did it.

First a big thank you to Roadie Diva Lori (aka Mermaid Diva), Sonya (aka honorary Redneck Diva), and Chad for coming out today to watch. Your support means the world to me! Thanks also to Matthew, my family, and friends who supported via prayer and text. The texts/emails/phone calls of support are incredible and much appreciated!

Being a part of this was amazing and exciting! The course was perfect (nice and wide!) and the weather was great (a tad chilly).

Screwed up at the start, hung on with the pack for a few laps, finished with no flats and no crashes!

These girls are incredible riders...and they aren't even the cat 1/2s! I have come a long way...but I have a long way to go.

Today was GREAT fun...and even though I was one of the slowest out there...at least I was out there!!!! :) And hey, it was my first criterium...not bad for a newbie!!!

Tour de Mesa

As I sat down to write this blog the first thing that came to my mind wasn't the final results...but instead I thought of all the wonderful people I have supporting me. Three people I want to give a shout out to are the Swimming Diva Lori, the Mermaid Diva Jacque, and the honorary Redneck Diva Sonya. I can always count on these divas to be by my side in one way or another at EVERY event. As much as I LOVE doing these cycling events...they wouldn't be anywhere as fun without friends and family cheering you on. :)

Now...the Tour de Mesa...{http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/!ETP/ETPhome.html}.
Last year I rode the long route- 72miler. It was a long hot ride. This year my goal was different...I did the 26miler and my goal was to finish in the top ten women (and place in the "gold" category). My plan was to ride as fast and hard as I possibly could.

I must admit...my nerves were high as I arrived (even though this wasn't a sanctioned race that counts towards my standings) in the parking lot. I'm unloading my bike and equipment and I see my good friend Laura! WOOT WOOT! As we rode to the start line together my nerves started to fade in the midst of our giggles and photos.

I find my spot in the front of the pack and start to mentally prepare myself for this ride...then I begin to remember the brutal Usery Pass (see map on Garmin)...ugh...last year desert turtles were outpacing me going up the Usery Pass at certain points..."why am I doing this again? I won't make it in the top ten women...ugh"...I stop myself from thinking negatively and remind myself to just have fun.

The ride begins (and it's already hot!) and I keep with the front pack for at least 5 miles...then quickly realize their pace is too fast and I don't want to burn out. I drop back a little to ride with 3 other guys who had a nice pace I could keep up with. The route is beautiful...you can't help but get lost in the awesomeness of it all!

We come to Usery Pass and my heart starts to pound...not from exertion but fear. I set a good cadence for myself and get in a comfortable position for the long hill ahead. The bike mechanic at at the sag stop hollers "nice spin pink!" I give him a big grin and keep truckin' along...I needed that encouragement! I would have hollered back "thanks!" but I couldn't speak lol. As I slowly spin along the Pass I keep repeating in my head "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it...!" (My thigh muscles disagreed.) As I finish the Pass my heart jumps for joy and I fly down the hill.

WOOT WOOT! I'm in the home stretch now! The traffic cops and people cheering on the side of the road the last ten miles helped a lot...I was surprised to hear the cops yell at me "you're doing good!" as I ride through their intersection. I'm turn onto the last stretch (approx a mile long) and it's a slight incline...my burning thighs say "no more climbing!"...but my head yells back "you're almost done...come on...one last push!!" As I make the final turn to the finish line the crowd is cheering and I push hard to the end...

As I finish the event one of the the event staff guys at the finish line (they mark your # with your "place") says to me "hey, good job, your time is a "gold" finish!" I mouth "thank you" cause I couldn't speak yet lol. I make my way over to the results board and await my results. Tick, tock, tick, tock. The longest ten minutes ever! They finally post my results; 22nd place overall and 3rd place woman! Oh my goodness...it can't be...I was the third woman?!?! My heart leaps for joy (a tiny leap since it was very tired lol)! I did it! I did it! woot woot! Even though this success doesn't "count" towards my status in racing I don't care...I'm SO EXCITED!!!!

A big thank you to my dear friend Chad...he taught me how to ride and encouraged me to get my racing license and join the pro team...without you Chad I wouldn't be where I'm at with my cycling.

So...that's my story. :) Praise be to God for a safe and flat free ride!

Here is the link to my Garmin report...check out the hill!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76762440

It's official!

Cycling Diva has her racing license and has joined a new team!
She will be racing with Jobing.com Women's Racing Team
The club team is Tribe Racing

Here is some info about the team:
http://www.azwomenracing.com/

Cycling Diva will be racing in:
South Mountain Time Trial 5/7/11

Where are they now?

So what are the delicious divas doing now?

Mel: Cycling diva has started training with a new team: http://www.azwomenracing.com/ and is working on getting her USCF license (http://www.usacycling.org/)

Lori: The Mermaid Diva continues to train with cycling (she got a new bike!), swimming, and running. She completed her fist cycling event with the Cycling Diva: "Girls Gone Riding" (http://girlsgoneriding.blogspot.com/)

Jacque: The Running Diva has started training indoors- thank you AZ allergies (BOO allergies!!). Her goal is to run in the Women's 1/2 Marathon this fall. (http://www.womenshalfmarathon.com/). She will also be doing a Pink Boot Camp with a co-worker....5:30 am for 5 weeks m-f.

GO TEAM! WOOT WOOT!