Long Over Due

A couple of weekends ago, Presidents weekend to be exact, I went down with Wendy and Jessika to St. George.  The plan was to drive down Friday, meet up with a bunch of gals Saturday, ride all day and come home.  The plan worked just as we hoped.

I picked up Wendy and Jessika right after work and we drove down.  Can I tell you what fun it is to ride down with 2 single gals in the car.  They had the funniest dating stories, and all of the acronyms I hadn't heard.  I don't think I have ever laughed so hard.  It sure is crazy in the dating world.  My favorite was the story of the guy who took out this girl and wanted to take back the kiss, more than a day after it happened.  Really, who takes back a kiss, you can't take back a kiss, especially a day after it happened! 

We arrived in St. George safely and ready to go to sleep so we could ride the next day.  We were supposed to meet everyone at the race course at 9:30 am, but I took a very long time racking the bikes and then had to make a quick pit stop on the way.  We ended up being late and getting a very late start.  Thank goodness the group we were meeting was patient and waited for us.

We rode the race course with Gayle, Tiffany, Desi, Ashley, Stephanie, and one other gal whose name I forgot.....sorry.  It was a lot of fun, visiting and riding the course.  This is the perfect course to ride on and still be able to visit.  When we got to the second wash we spent a lot of time practicing getting over the rocks.  I did fine on my first try, my second try and my third, however when I was asked to demo again I became jinxed and could no longer make it over.  Oh well, I can only cross my fingers this will not be the case at the race.  Eventually we got on our way and finished the riding the course.

We had perfect timing, because as soon as we got back, we met up with Tim and Jen.  It was decided we would go have lunch and then ride barrel roll.  At this point our groups temporarily parted ways.  Tif and Gayle's group wanted to eat at a place I can't remember, and we wanted to eat at Pizza Factory, so we followed Tim and Jen to Pizza Factory with the agreement to meet the others at barrel roll.

Unfortunately we never did meet the others at barrel roll.  We got there before them, and because we needed to get back home that night we started to ride.  We let Tim lead the way, which means he goes ahead scouts out the trail, comes back to make sure we are still on the trail, and then goes back ahead.  I think riding with us is the best exercise for Tim, otherwise he would just ride the trail in one direction and be done, but when he goes with us he gets to ride it multiple times in small sections--what could be better.

The ride was so much fun.  This was the first trail I rode after Lamberts park when I was learning to ride a bike.  Although I did not remember much of the trail, I did remember walking a lot of sections.  This time I only walked a small section.  The trail left a beautiful 7 inch mark on my backside--yes I measured it.  There was a small up I was going up, and ended up in the wrong gear.  I couldn't clip out and slowly tipped over and landed hard on the edge of a rock.  I cursed and Jen stated it was a fall worthy of a curse.  Thank goodness, because it sure felt like it.  Not 2 feet after the fall I accidently shifted forward on my bike and was acousted by my bike seat!  That should never happen to anyone, I actually had to stop and wait for the pain to subsided.  Other than those miner occurances the ride was awesome.

Sadly we had to leave St. George, but I can't wait to go back.  Fortunately for me this weekend I get to go back, a trip that is long over due.
Slideshow of a great weekend.

Go Team Estrogen!

It's not very often I come across phenominal customer service, however recently I did, so good in fact that I had to blog about it.

As you know I need to buy and wear compression clothing for my vasovegal synchopy.  This required a few purchases from different companies trying to find what would work best for me.  Some of the orders came one at a time others came in clusters.  One day I received a cluster of orders from 2 different companies--Team Estrogen and Zoot Sports. The Team Estrogen merchandise fit, but the Zoot Sports was too big, so I had to return it--this is where everything goes haywire.

At the time I got the merchandise I was still working in Salt Lake and did not have the time in the day to return the merchandise.  My always supportive husband went to the post office and returned the stuff for me.  About the time I was expecting to get an exchange I got a phone call and an email from Anona at Team Estrogen.  Apparently the return had not gotten sent to Zoot Sports, but Team Estrogen instead....oops.  They let me know and wanted me to know if I wanted them to mail it back or forward it.  I asked them to forward it, only to discover the RA was not on the box.  I got the RA's, emailed them the RA's and they forward everything on to Zoots.

Now here is one of the cool things.  I offered for them to charge my card to pay for shipping, and they said no they would take care of it.  How cool is that, but it only gets better.  They sent my returns on their way to Zoot Sports, and then I waited to hear from Zoot Sports.  I waited almost 3 weeks, and no email, no phone call, no nothing from Zoot Sports.  So, I did what any consumer would do I contacted them.  I first contacted them on the contact us site, waited 2 days, and still no response.  I then called them, was put on hold for several minutes, before the automated voice came on asking if I wanted to stay on hold or leave a message.  I hung up.  A few hours later I called back and got Chad.

I asked Chad if they had any information on my return.  He looked up the RA's numbers and there was no information.  He asked for a tracking number, but I didn't have one.  His response was then, "well without a tracking number we can't help you.  We have a very large warehouse with returns coming in everyday, and there is not way we can help you.  You will just have to wait a 2 to 3 weeks to see if we get the package."  I told him tomorrow will be 3 weeks.  His response "oh, it is, well, we can't do anything without a tracking number, so you will just have to wait."  I asked if they checked items in according into the RA# and he said no I needed a tracking number (why do you even require an RA# if you don't use it?).  With that I said okay, thanks for your help and good-bye.

I then emailed Team Estrogen to see if they had the tracking number so I could call Zoot Sports back.  A few hours later I received a voice message on my phone from Chris at Zoot Sports, apologizing for the delay in getting my items returned, telling me they were on it, and if I had any questions to call him.  The next day I received a phone call from Laurie in accounting requesting my credit card information so they could refund me.  They must keep amazing records.  Since I did not have the card on my I had to make some calls, and call her back with the information.  The good news, I checked my credit card, and the items have finally been credited!

Thank you Team Estrogen and Anona, if it hadn't been for you I would not have ever received credit for the returned merchandise.  I will always purchase merchandise from you.  No thanks Zoot Sports, you have lost a customer for life, and I hope others will think twice about buying things from you after reading this.

VO2 to the Max

Thanks to the Mad Dog Team we are working with Peak Performance and Fitness to get VO2 testing done.  I was so excited when I found out this was available.  The only testing I knew about was up at the University of Utah. I knew they did some at BYU, but was not sure if it was open to the public.  I have always wanted this done (okay not always, only since I started riding a bike), and when I found out (thanks to the team) Peak Performance offers this and many other services I contacted Aaron and made an appointment to get tested.

Today was the day of my test.  I was somewhat tenative about going, because I have gone so far backwards from last year I was wondering if it would be a waste of time.  I know that all of us getting ready for race season say we have gone backwards, but I have gone really far backwards-- I will share the whys and hows at a later date.  Anyway, facing the harsh realities of where you are can sometimes be hard to take, but I felt this would be a good opportunity to gage my progress throughout the season, and give me something tangible to show the improvement.  Luckily the cost is very reasonable, so getting tested mid-season will be well worth it.

The test started with Aaron going over a little bit of my history, weighing me (ugh I hate sharing this), getting my body fat percentage (ouch that really hurt) and my bmi (apparently I am overweight not obese--I already knew this.)  After all of this I got on the bike and warmed up.  After the warm up came the test.  Aaron put this mask with a tube connected to it on you and you start riding. 

At first I felt somewhat enclosed in the mask, but I pushed aside the enclosed thoughts, relaxed and began pedaling.  While I pedaled I watched the dvd "Off Road to Athens" and Aaron gave instructions to increase the tension.  I pedaled, increased the tension, pedaled increased the tension and eventually it was over.

Results much better than I expected....okay way better than I expected.  I may be overweight, but still in pretty good shape!  This makes me happy as it gives me encouragement I am on the road back to being fit.  The other cool thing about the test, I learned my heart rate zones.  They are slightly different than what I thought, which is great, because now I have a better idea of exactly where I should be when I ride.  Aaron gave a lot more beneficial information, and I left very excited about where the upcoming year is going to take me.

I am learning the more information you have the better rider or better fit you can become.  Instead of just riding, there is riding with direction and still having fun while you ride.  All of this information is going to help on my way back to recovery!  Oh, another great thing, I am getting my resting metabolic rate tested next week.  Very excited about all of this new information I am learning!!!
The beautiful mask--just finished riding.

Side view--do you like the rack on the back of the bike!

Beating the Next Snowfall

My office has a view of outside, which makes me long to be out mountain biking on sunny days.  Today, knowing it is supposed to snow tomorrow, I couldn't resist the sunny day, as soon as I got off work I raced down to Racers to get my bike (of course it was not at home on such a beautiful day), and then hurried home.

I decided I would ride water tower since I was pretty sure the snow was probably melted.  And it was!  The good part was the dirt was rideable, the bad part is horses and people have been going in the mud, and near the top I couldn't clear the hill due to to many divits and my lack of technique.  Luckily is was on the last part of the ride.

I went up the hill twice and end up soaking wet.  Lucky for me I took my baclava off while riding, and put it on just before my final descent.  I don't know if I would have lasted had it not been for that--by the time I got home I was fairly cold.  But it was worth it!  So much fun riding outside, I don't think Spring is going to get here soon enough.
Pictures from then end of my final climb.

Locks of Love

I have been bored with my hair lately and decided I needed a change.  I went in with plans of a different hair color, but then started playing around with the idea it was time to donate my hair again (this would be my 3rd time).  After much contemplating, squinching my eyes closed, and holding my breathe, my hair was chopped off.

I don't have any good before pictures since it was unplanned.  The most current is the one below from this weekend (cropped of course).  This is with my hair pulled in to puppy dog ears, but it might give you an idea of how long it was--oh, ignore the funny face, I was going over a couple of rocks.

This is the only after right now.  I come home with helmet head, so I won't let my husband take any pics.  Over the weekend I will get some pics.

My Ride to Work

This morning I took the long, scenic route to work.  I wish I had a video camera to capture everything I say, but I don't usually take my camera with me to work, and alas I did not for this ride.

On my ride I saw two ducks come out of a large ditch, quacking as they flew ahead of me.  I then saw a convoy of tree cutting trucks riding past me in the opposite direction.  There was a group of road workers preparing to do work by the railroad tracks.  It must be an ongoing project as there was an outhouse close by.  I went by where they keep the school buses, and for the first time saw many of the drivers pulling out to go and pick up kids.  I saw 3 deer under some trees in a field, watching me closely as I rode by.  And finally the fog over the vast fields--I love the fog.

I don't think there is any better way to go to work.

Pride

I haven't written forever, and was going to write about my trip this last weekend, and I will, but I wanted to write about today.

Today I rode by bike to work (for those who didn't know I got a new job and it is close to home--yeah!  Also, yeah for the new job, I really like it.).  According to Coach Dan I am supposed to keep my heart rate down on these rides.  In the morning this is not hard, I am tired and really don't need to arrive at work sweating and hot.  Going home is a whole different story.

Riding home I just want to pound the pedals.  I have been in an office all day long and need to just ride hard.  There is something that feels so good when you ride hard.  Going home I ride up 2 small hills, and one long, steep hill.  It takes all the self control I have to gear down and spin up these hills.  I know this may seem crazy, but it takes everything I have to not go up as fast as I can and as hard as I can.  I would say I am somewhat prideful.  I know I can make it up these hills in my large and middle cog, and I want to do it in these hard gears.  Part of it is because I like making it hard and I can, the other is what if someone were to pass me!  I hate being passed!

In the past I have allowed this thinking to mess up my recovery rides.  Someone rides by and begins to pass, and I just can't take it.  I let them go, and then eventually I have to hit into high gear, catch them and pass them back, and then not let them pass me back.  Sometimes I am too horribly competive, or perhaps insecure--who knows.

However, this year I am not going to let that happen.  I am going to be secure in my riding, recovery days are recovery and anyone can pass....now if I can just get my mental state to be as secure.

I Touched Dirt

I can't remember the last time my bike touched dirt.    I had surgery, was sick, the weather isn't good, there was always a reason I couldn't get out for a ride.  Today there was no reason other than I am supposed to be working on  base miles and keeping at a low heart rate.  But what does that matter, the dirt was calling and I had to answer.

When I left it was brisk out, but warm enough.  The ride up water tower was perfect. Great snow pack, the sun was out, and it got warmer and warmer as I got to the top--probably the only time an inversion is a good thing when you are above the inversion.  When I got to the top I decided I needed to ride further, I kept riding further and further and finally decided I would ride all the way to roller coaster road. 

The snow was packed most of the ride with only a couple of spots that were not so good, but all of it was rideable.  When I got to roller coaster I saw nothing but deep snow and no packing.  I looked at it for a long time debating whether to ride or not.  I finally decided to turn around--I didn't want to ride up the hills in unpacked snow, more than likely I would have ended up pushing up the hill instead of riding.

The way back the snow started to melt a little bit, but luckily it never got mushy.  The ride back was fun, andn going downhill was great, no ice spots--at least I didn't find any!  I am so glad I got to ride the dirt, I don't think Spring will get here soon enough.

Top of Water Tower, great snow pack.

The view--gotta love it.

A runner passed by and offered to take my pic--I love the chubby cheeks with the baclave on.

Worst part of the whole ride--not too bad.

Homework!

My daughter is very lucky, and so am I.  Her teacher does not believe in homework--how awesome is that.  He gives the students every opportunity to complete their assignments in class, they can stay in at recess and complete their work if they would like.  I have liked this as Mandy has only come home a few times from school with homework and when she does, she is able to get it done.  One would think this would not cause any problems.

I guess not so.  Today I received a phone call from the teacher.  Apparently Mandy had a 2 week assignment she was to read 4 different books (all very slender in size) and write a 15 line report on the book.  She was even allowed to take notes on the book as she read them.  So for 2 weeks the entire class has been reading and writing, and what has Mandy been doing?  That is a very good question.  What she wasn't doing were the reports.  Apparently she was reading, but not writing. 

So needless to say Mandy is home now doing her schoolwork.  There is no playing with friends, getting on the computer, or wii until the reports are done.  Oh, she can watch tv, but only after 6 pm and only mom or dad shows--you know news and fun stuff that only mom's and dad's like to watch.  One other catch she cannot do this homework at school it has to be completed at home.

I received 14 missed phone calls at work when this news was given.  When I finally was able to answer my phone, being the great kid she is she tried to negotiate the homework.  You see the teacher is giving her until Friday to finish the reports--nice teacher.  Her idea, write one report today, one tomorrow and two on Thursday, and each day when she finishes she can play, have computer, wii or tv privileges (we never allow all 3 in the same day, only playing with friends).  I wasn't up for negotiating, so now she is working on the reports.  Oh, and guess what it is almost 7 pm and Mandy has finished 2 reports and is partially done with the 3rd.  Nothing like a little incentive to get things done.  Hopefully this will never happen again.

The Trainer

Last year I rode outside most of the  winter and did not need to spend much time on my trainer.  This year has been different.  My cold tolerance has changed with my broken nose, so I have been riding mostly on my trainer.  It's not so bad.  I have discovered the series Heroes, there are 23 episodes in the first season!  I also love to watch Biggest Loser while on the trainer, it is very motivating.  But I have my fingers cross that soon it will be over 30 in the morning and I can start riding outside again.