First trip of 2010

I'm out of practice. I came to Charlotte, N.C. for some training and testing, and I forgot my camera. So, words will have to do.

Day 1- Travel
Drive to the airport in sideways falling snow VERY early in the morning.
Fly to Charlotte via Orlando
Get picked up by Team VBF teammate, Robin, drive to her great bike shop, Uptown Cycles, get on my bike that was already built up for me, and ride. It was great. Sunny and warm-ish.
Grocery store, dinner, bed.

Day 2- Great mellow day
Wake up
Coffee, internet, breakfast.
Head to Uptown Cycles for "stuff doing".
Get set up on the Computrainer, ride, ride and ride to my longest trainer ride ever (40 degrees and raining outside).
Stretch, lunch, cappuccino drinking.
Post office, grocery store, home.
Dog walk, internet, dinner make.
Dinner with Team VBF Kristin and her Dad (Robin too).
Pack stuff for tomorrow, phone, bed.

So far so good!

Check it out!

My coaching business, ALP Cycles Coaching, is now live on Facebook!
Check it out, learn some stuff, then become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ALP-Cycles-Coaching/302499859121?ref=nf

A day in the life of a Ski Coach-in pictures

Truly Something Special

Living and training at 8,000ft is really something special. I was truly reminded of that Friday while riding my bike.

My day started with Nordic Skiing at Eldora. It was amazing. The weather was great, the trails empty and the wind calm.After Nordic Skiing, I went home and re-fueled myself with a home made gluten-free muffin. Next came a bike ride on the singlespeed. It is here when I realized how special riding "in the middle of nowhere" is. Instead of being rewarded during a long, chilly ride with a Mocha Latte, you are rewarded by seeing things you would never see anywhere else.Instead of thinking "just make it to the coffee shop, keep going", you think "just make it to the pretty view. You can do it".And just when you think you couldn't pedal anymore and are in need of the post ride Chai, you see a herd of elk to motivate you.
Riding in the middle of winter time, in Colorado between 7,000-10,000ft can be a little lonely and "un-natural" feeling, but the rewards far out weight anything else.

I needed one or two more muffins when I got home...

"Typical" Day in Colorado

Today, when I started my ride it was 40 degrees and sunny; a perfect day for riding.
The "training" day included riding my two most favorite bikes. First off would be my TT bike.

The view while riding.The view I actually see while riding my TT bike.Then came the switch to my singlespeed cross bike.
As I explored new roads,
the weather started coming in.
The temperature dropped and soon I was in a full on snowstorm.20 minutes later, it cleared up and was beautiful again.
Less than 2 miles from home, I saw a kitty, a BIG kitty.
Such is the life at 8,000ft in Colorado.

Finger Prick

Question- how many times can a person get their finger pricked in a day?
Answer- if you are doing physical testing at Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, the answer is A LOT!Being a bit of a workout masochist, I kind of like the testing. It brings out the best in me as I want to do my personal best. Plus, I get to learn a lot about my body and my training.

The tests included a Lactate Profile, VO2 max, and Windgate to determine peak power for 30 seconds.

We pretty much learned I am not a sprinter (surprise, surprise) and that I have some work (ie training) to do for next season.

I wonder if Dex4 will sponsor a women's team for Breast Cancer as well as Team Type 1? I love that stuff.

A day in the life...

Since this is my blog, I 'spose it should be about me.
So, here is a day in the life of....ME.

Wake up
Espresso
Poo
Nordic Ski
Ski Coach
Espresso
Trainer
Stretch
Shower
Dinner
Sleep

This schedule, although incredibly busy has some amazing high points.
-Nordic Skiing before and while the sun comes up is a great experience.
-Nordic Skiing before the sun comes up can lad to Moose spottings.
-I get to drink a lot of espresso.
-I never get board.
-I am VERY ready for bed time at 8pm.