Caffeine-aholics anonymous

Hello,
My name is Alison and I am a caffeine-acholic. I have known I am addicted to coffee for several years now. 4 years ago, I gave it up for 10 days.The first 5 days of that were some of the most miserable days of my life. Headache, body ache, general moodiness and crankiness.

When we woke up Sunday morning to no power, I learned my addiction had risen to an all time high.  Due to the situation of the tree on the power line, not only did we not have hot water, but we couldn't grind the coffee beans. There was absolutely no way for me to get coffee at the house.

The wind blew the tree over sometime around 11pm.

Without coffee, or something warm to drink, I was at a loss. I couldn't figure out what to do with myself--I was off. I paced around the living room, took the dogs for a walk (who were also "lost" as they couldn't play fisbee due to the down power lines), had a hard time eating breakfast, then when I did, the hunger wouldn't go away (seems caffeine stunts my hunger).

By 11am, I already had a lack of caffeine headache. I didn't feel good and I was grouchy. I desperately needed to go into Ned for a coffee shop stop.

The United Power trucks moved out of the way of our car and we were able to escape for coffee bliss.

This United Power worker was on the power pole for HOURS! Those guys were amazing and restored our power by evening time.

Once in Nederland, I got a "dirty chai" (Chai and espresso). I started to feel better and more "normal". The edge was gone and I was able to relax and enjoy the afternoon. I had no idea I had become this addicted to coffee and caffeine. Seems I can't function without it.

The cause of the down tree--other than wind--Butt Rot.

Here's to power, coffee, and caffeine! Cheers.

Butt Strength

After 7 years of bike racing, you would think I would be able to figure stuff out. Last week, with the help of my friend Andy, I was able to figure something out.

You see, despite massage, stretching, and foam rolling, my left hamstring had been getting tighter and tighter. Last week, it was just dang painful while pedaling-on the trainer. As I was starting to freak out and become a head case, it occurred to me--I have had this exact pain before and have become a head case because of it. I kept thinking about it. I've had this pain while training on my TT bike. However, this pain has never happened while racing, and has never happened during the summer. I only get this pain in February and in March--the same months I up the ante on my bike training while also continue to skate ski. A-HA! Skate ski!! Last week, especially, I had been skate skiing a lot (winter training camp) and my left Gluteus Medius (glute med) got pretty sore and tired while skiing. Could a tired and sore glute med be leading to my hamstring pain?

Enter Peak Sports Chiropractic (aka, my friend Andy). I took my situation to him and he determined my left glute med was VERY tight. He caused me a small amount of pain while using his elbow, hand, thumbs, etc. to release and relax the muscle. 2 hours later, during my intervals on the bike, I had NO hamstring pain. I had power while riding in the drops and could feel my butt working. Butt strength while riding a bike is a big deal. It helps!

Andy gave me some "homework" that included a tennis ball and stretching.Three days later, my left leg is strong and working well--pain free. I am no longer a Head Case (at least about this situation), and am happy to have finally figured this yearly problem out.

Winter Training Camp part deux

Winter Training Camp continues (why not when the food is free, the lodging is free, the company is good, and it is still windy at home).

Day 2 brought more nordic skiing at Devil's Thumb. I brought the Dad along for some fun too.

 I never thought I'd see this while skiing in the woods.

Turns out, due to the beetles and clear cutting, there aren't very many "woods" left. As the wind moved over the divide, and there were no trees to block the wind, the skiing stopped being fun.

Nordic skiing was followed by The Lion King-in an attempt to make my concrete legs feel better by spinning them out on the trainer while watching a movie. It didn't really work as my legs still felt like ass after 30 min of riding.

What really made my legs feel better was pizza. At Hernando's. With the family.

Day 3 of winter training camp brought wind, snow, and cold. My legs recovered over night (nice surprise as I am sleeping and working out at 8,500+ ft) and I was able to get a good trainer workout in the garage--I overheated watching the Lion King the day before and I'm blaming that on why my legs felt like ass. Riding in 20 degrees is far better than 60 degrees and no fan.

Trainer ride was followed by snowshoeing. It was very pretty and peaceful.

The snowshoeing was the end of Winter Training Camp 2012. After snowshoeing, I packed up and headed home. I had a great 3 days in Fraser with my family and doing a bit of "winter training". There's a lot of time for bike riding, might as well enjoy winter while I can.

Winter Training Camp

I like to think I am tough and I like to think I am good at HTFU-ing, but when it comes to wind, I'm done. There is only so much wind a person can handle while bike riding and I have hit my winter limit. When NPR mentioned something about the "wind event" coming to the front range foothills Tuesday-Thursday, I knew that my was que to get outta town.

Most people would go somewhere to ride bikes, but not me this time. I came where I can nordic ski for hours at a time. I came to where the food and lodging is free. I came where I am loved.

Mom and Dad's house right next to Devil's Thumb Ranch.
Day 1 of winter training camp was great.
- weights at the Fraser Rec Center followed by a skate ski at Devil's Thumb followed by dinner, ice cream and cookies. Not bad.

It's nice to be "home" for a few days.
It's nice to see family
It's nice to V2 on the flats for 20 minutes before even going up a hill.

Snow Day

Nordic Ski

Breakfast

Nap

Almond milk Cappuccino

Backcountry Ski

Who needs the trainer when you can do all this in one day?

Winter Riding

Winter time is one of my most favorite times of the year to ride. Snow packed roads provide a beauty and peacefulness that you can't find in the summer time. Hot chocolate in the water bottle is a welcome treat during hours at sub freezing temperatures.

Yesterday's ride was a perfect example of how enjoyable winter time riding can be- Sunny skis, brisk temperatures, snow everywhere.
 I saw- snow, ice, a fox, a coyote, horses, alpaca's, goats, snow covered mountains, and 0 other bike riders.

I got- 3 waves, 2 thumbs up, to drink hot chocolate, tired legs, a lack of oxygen (entire ride was above 8,000 ft), to walk through Black Hawk, an abundance of climbing, to practice my snow/ice riding skills, a since of pride that I ride in conditions that not many other people do.

This makes me happy.

Spreading My Wings

At some point, a bird needs to spread it's wings. Fly away. Be free.

For the past few months, I've been feeling like a trapped bird-my wings tied down. Sure, life was OK and I was surviving pretty well, but it was in captivity. I needed to be free.

The one thing stopping me, fear. Captivity is safe. You know you will be fed everyday, you know you will not get eaten, and you know the daily schedule. Freedom is scary. All of a sudden you are responsible for your place to live, your own food, your own schedule. How do you know if you will be able to provide this for yourself?

I took the leap this week. I cut the ropes, spread my wings, and flew away. I feel happy. I feel scared. I feel free and I feel light--it's amazing.

I'm not sure what the future will bring, but I believe. I believe in myself to make things happen. I believe everything works out in the end.

ALP Cycles Coaching