Chocolate Milk

This morning, my coffee is infused with fresh, creamy chocolate milk from the Battenkill Valley Creamery.  My Gran Fondo winning time of 3:32:17 would also have put me in the top spot the day before in my category.  It was a tiny bit faster than my pace in 2011. It was cold, there was a bit of freezing rain, but the dirt was perfect. As always, it's a difficult race, but so much fun to be there with all my friends.  Dieter Drake and his crew surely know how to put on a great event. The best part is that I got to race with Victor!

Don't get me wrong, I love racing in the women's peleton, but any day I get to ride with Victor is a joy.  We have completed the 200km and 300km qualifiers for the Endless Mountains 1240km- Victor has promised to guest blog about our randonneuring adventures, so stay tuned.

This spring I also had great time racing with my teammate Bari Wood at Bethel and look forward to more races with her and my other teammates coming up.

Bethel with Kristin Thor Budden and Bari Wood

Face the Sun

UCI recently posted videos from the UWCT events in South Africa (see below). Watching them gets me psyched for new adventures and challenges ahead.  It also reminds me to take care and be cautious.  Last year, juggling responsibilities and pressures, I let the ball drop on my health.  My body was telling me something was wrong. I listened, although I didn't really like what I heard, and have made some changes that I hope will make it possible for me to continue doing all of the things I love. 

A year ago, I went off my MS medication.  The truth is, I just didn't want to define myself as a person with MS, and sticking myself with a needle each day was a painful reminder.  Sure enough, my symptoms started coming back worse than before.  As I stood waiting to go up on the ramp at the UWCT time trial, I was dizzy.  I knew the feeling would go away once I started riding, but walking up the stairs with my bike was a challenge.  

By the fall, I was regularly waking up in the middle of the night with intense muscle spasms that would seize up my legs in pain.  The dizziness was constant. My left hip and foot were so painful I could not walk without a limp. I had to stop running.  I searched for answers.  I consulted a neurologist, internist, ENT, podiatrist, orthopedist, therapist and nutritionist. I had X-rays, MRIs, shots, and tried a variety of diets, drugs and therapies.  Finally, I went back on Copaxone.  In just a short time, the spasms and dizziness have subsided. The pain is still there, but I'm managing. I learned that while I don't have to define myself by MS, I can’t ignore it either.  

One of the things that keeps me healthy is having athletic goals, which motivate me to continue exercising in spite of pain and other exacerbations.  Back in 2009, Victor and I attempted to ride the inaugural Endless Mountains 1240km.  (DNF story here).  We made some mistakes, but we learned from them.  This time around, I think we can do it!   We start with base training in South Carolina this week.

On our last day in South Africa, I picked up a sugar packet that had a message printed on the back:  "Turn to face the sun and the shadows will fall behind you." I stuck it in my pocket and keep it on a shelf because I think it’s a really good way to live your life.  Along with a remarkable team of fellow volunteers, I will organize the Golden Apple Tour again.  This year I am excited to race for the Tarmac/Iron Bridge Consulting Elite Team and look forward to riding, training and racing with all my cycling friends.

Writing this blog also helps and motivates me. I love the craft of writing and hope that others can find inspiration and strength reading about my adventures and struggles. In the end, we all hope to be able to tell a good story.  So, as I turn to face the sun, letting the shadows fall behind, I embrace all who care to join me. Let's ride!

The Best Race Ever!

My primary goal this year, at least in the beginning, was the Toughman.  But, when I qualified for the UCWT Final, my priorities shifted.  Swimming doesn’t tax the legs, so I did several long open water swims, but training for the bike prohibited much running.  In addition, I tore my hamstring doing a half marathon in March and that took weeks to heal.  If that’s not enough, I have chronic nerve pain in my left foot that becomes unbearable after about 3 miles, so I had not done more than 7 miles all summer, with most runs closer to 3 or 4.  My last run was at the beginning of August, so doing the Toughman on September 9^th seemed impossible- or maybe just another challenge.  I decided I would try.  As it turned out, it was the most fun I have ever had racing.

The water in the Hudson was brackish and warm.  As I stood on the shore waiting for my wave to start, I joked and laughed with the other women.  I felt relaxed and ready to enjoy the day no matter what happened.  The horn went off and I ran into the water like a dog after a ball.  My line was straight, I stayed with the pack and drafted; it was the best swim time I have ever had- a mile in 31 minutes!  At one point I found myself wedged between two women, so rather than drop back or try to speed up, I began swimming in sync, so that we wouldn’t bump into each other.  I felt like a dolphin and imagined we might just leap out of the water together!

Now, you may not know this, but all the best races have strippers, and this one was no exception.  I ran up to the beach, pulled my wetsuit down to my hips and flopped down on the ground.  A stripper grabbed the wetsuit and WHOOOSH I was free.  

In no time I was out on the bike.  I always feel like a kid on the bike, but riding on the closed highway gave me an added thrill.  There were many friends marshaling along the way,  shouting encouragement.  On the first loop, Bari (who was doing a relay) and I were leapfrogging- she would pass me on the uphill and I would fly by on the downs and flats.  After my experience in South Africa I was worried about dehydration, so I drank down my 40oz bottle after the 1^st turn around grabbed a refill.  I had to stop pedaling to pour it into my aero bottle and lost Bari.  Then, my aero bar slipped.  It was hanging down on the right side.  I was trying to figure out what to do about it when I saw the Briarcliff Bike Works tent.  I pulled over and showed Lou the problem.  He quickly got out his wrench and tightened the bars in place.  Thanks to Lou I was back on the road!  I refilled my bottle one more time as I headed back into the park.

Alas, I had misjudged and my quaff to sweat ratio was off.   I decided to go to the port-o-john in the transition area.  It might have been a better idea to go in the woods.  It was a struggle to get out of and back into my tri suit without touching anything! It was by far the longest transition I have ever had- 6+ minutes!!!  No matter, I knew the hardest part was ahead and I was just hoping I could finish the race, not worried about making any personal record. 

I took off very slowly to warm up my running muscles.  After about 3 miles the pain in my foot kicked in.  My mental strategy was to recognize the pain and then file it away in a box on a far away shelf that I could ignore.  It wasn’t very hard, because there were so many other thoughts flooding my mind.  I lived in Croton for 15 years and raised my kids there.  The run went by my old house and along the trails I used to run with my dogs when I first discovered my inner athlete.  It went passed the beach where my son was a lifeguard.  It went passed the field where my daughter played soccer.  Though I didn’t grow up in Croton, passing over the Croton Dam I was reminded of my high school days when teenagers from miles around would congregate on a sunny afternoon to throw Frisbees and drink beer.  At every mile there were people giving out water and nutrition.  There were cheerleaders and marching bands and girl scouts and boy scouts and whole families cheering us forward.  I felt grateful and energized just to be.

By some miracle, my muscles were holding up.  But people were still passing me.  So, at the turn around I picked up the pace.  I was concerned about the big hill on RT 129 at mile 10 because I remembered how difficult it was four years ago.  But, this year it seemed much easier.  I even passed several people!  Then, it was all downhill to the finish.  I was elated; I was going to do it! 

With about a mile to go, I heard a female voice behind.  Suddenly, the competitor in me shouted an alert!  As the woman caught me, I picked up my pace to stay with her as she was my age.  We ran together for a while. I had no idea how many people in my age group were in front of me, but I didn't want to let her get away.  It was not easy keeping up, but I did.  Then, about 200 meters from the end, a young guy she knew came up and started pacing her at a faster clip.  I thought, “OK, that’s it.  I’m done,” and I let her get away. 

Then, I heard Marcus saying, “Don’t give up!”  I dug down deep and caught her 100 meters from the end.  I pulled ahead, fueled by some mysterious power reserve.  You can see how happy I was when I crossed the finish line from the smile on my face.  I didn’t know it, but I had won 2^nd place in my age group!   Amazingly enough, I even set a new PR! 

Victor and his son were there with me to celebrate as I went up on stage.   I got a humongous medal, a plaque and fancy heart-rate monitor watch as a winner’s gift.  We ate BBQ, drank beer and marveled at how much fun the triathlon scene can be.  Even as the event was drawing to a close, the last athletes finished to cheers as the MC announced their names and congratulated each one!  Victor was very impressed.   Although I have encouraged him, he has never been interested in competing in triathlon.  As we were leaving, he stopped at the Danny’s Cycles booth.  They were having a 50% off sale.  I went ahead to get stuff to the car and when he showed up; he had purchased a pair of tri shoes!  Toughman 2012 was my 67^th race since June 2001.  It was, by far, the most fun I have ever had racing. The only thing that could make it better is racing it next year with Victor.

When Life Throws you a Burger...

As the sun rose at Tala, the rhinos came to bid us farewell on our last day in Africa.  Actually, they were just grazing and came along as we were setting up for the balloon ride.  They were not amused.  They started huffing and stomping and our pilot decided we should move off a bit.  What a way to start the day.  It was quite an experience to be riding in a basket high in the air at the mercy of the wind.  We were close enough to see the giraffes and wildebeests run at the whoosh of the balloon jets.  We flew out of the preserve and over farmlands and villages.  People waved and children shouted. Our landing in a sugar cane field was gentle.  As we waited for the crew to find us, we toasted our adventure with champaign (this is apparently a ballooning tradition, as much for the amusement of passengers as for the appeasement of locals who might not otherwise appreciate a balloon landing in their fields.)

There is a huge Indian population in South Africa.  They came over in the late 1800's as indentured servants to work in the sugarcane fields and suffered many years of oppression.  In fact, it was in Pietermaritzburg that Gandhi was put off a train for riding in the whites only car.  He gave up his career as a lawyer and began fighting for civil rights.  Many Indian South Africans now live in Durban.  We were advised to go there and taste the curry.  Umlanga Beach, just north of Durban, seems very much like southern California, although I think the curry is better and the ocean is warmer.  There was a boardwalk, including a path through the trees and marshes where we came upon lots of monkeys! Finally, we changed into our bathing suits and jumped into the waves.  They were powerful and exhilarating and made me forget all about the sharks…at least until they pulled everyone out of the water.  But, by then we needed to get back to Pietermaritzburg for the closing festivities.

 While we were very tired from a long day, I was glad we went to the dinner.  We sat with other racers and had some great conversations.  For the first time I felt like I belonged in their company.  All of us have a passion for riding.  Some are more gifted and dedicated to racing, but we all have been drawn into the game and play it well- and sometimes not so well.  Igor Kopse, the fastest rider at the road race had a funny crash at the finish line.  And I was worried about falling of the ramp. At the end of the race season, we all still want to go out and ride.  Indeed, we got up this morning and before packing our bikes for the long trip home, we had a ride.  What a beautiful country. I am so lucky to have had this opportunity.  The friendships and bonds we have formed together are deep and lasting.  I am so thankful to my friends and family and the whole cycling community.  I am grateful to Tarmac Iron Bridge Consulting, Westchester Cycle Club and all the individuals who sponsored this trip with their generous donations of time and money. I do hope our experience serves as an inspiration to others.  When life throws you a burger, eat it; Savor every bite, enjoy the delicious juices, be nourished and leave the plate clean.  

Fire Breathing

My lungs still hurt from the race on Saturday.  We awoke to blazing heat and hot winds whipping across the veld.  As I was getting oatmeal at the breakfast buffet, a race official came up.  I commented about the weather, adding the hope that it might improve.  "Maybe it will be alright." 

"I don't think so, but good luck anyway?" he replied, as South Africans do, making all statements queries.  He was right.  25mph winds combined with temperatures near 100F turned the day into a convection oven on the rapid dehydration setting.  I took a bottle with sugar and electrolyte mix and drank two bottles of water at the start.  I thought that would be enough. I knew there would be very little chance of getting on the podium.  In addition to the two women who beat me in the time trial, there was another former pro from Italy at this race.  So, my goal was just to stay in the game for as long as possible.  And, in the high winds, I knew it would make my ride easier if I could have the benefit of drafting. 

I started near the front and at the first hill the leaders went easy.  So far so good.  As the second hill approached, Jodee went out front!  Cameras snapped, she smiled and relished the feeling of flying on the front of the pack! Then, on the next rise, the leaders attacked.  Jodee and a few others were gone. I hung on, but started dropping back. I could see some others dropping off as well, and figured I could catch them and we could form a chase group to get back.  We did, although I had to spend quite a bit of energy bridging.  I sat in to rest for a while and only went to the front on the descents so that I could be in a good position at the bottom of the climbs.  I was having a great time, waving to people, feeling the power of a dozen strong women blazing across the sugarcane fields. On the climbs, I would drop back and then have to work to catch up.  But I was happy to be hanging in there.  I drank about half my bottle and was putting it back when it dropped.  Only half way into a 36-mile ride with almost 3000 feet of climbing in these conditions, this was a disaster. 

I stayed with them for a while longer.  Then, at the bottom of the last and longest climb, Table Mountain, things started to break up.  The leaders attacked and my race was over.  I looked down at my computer and just tried to keep my power above 200.  The climb was tough, and without water I was in fear of cramping.  As I rounded a corner, I saw a women spectator with a water bottle in her hand.  I pointed, begging and she ran after me and handed it off. I was very grateful and drank it right down.  There was a brief moment when I felt a gentle tail wind!  I began to hope that maybe I could catch a few people on the descent to the finish. 

The devil on the veld had a different plan in mind.  At the top of the mountain, it blew a fierce crosswind that threatened to push me over.  My bike began to shake as I picked up speed.  I envisioned the trip ending in a South African hospital and refocused all my energy on staying upright.  I had to lean into the wind and ride to the right side, only to be blown back into the left. At the bottom, I started cramping and had to ride in the last 200 meters using alternate legs.  

I was totally spent at the end and chugged three bottles of water. Ann Marie was in already.  When Jodee arrived we all went to see Meg off on her race.  Her race was longer and the day had gotten even hotter.  She cramped and crashed into the sugarcane, loosing her pack, but she made it back in one piece. 

As expected, there was no podium for me, but I was satisfied that I did my best.  Later there would be nagging thoughts, (If only I had lost those 10 pounds, maybe if I had pushed harder at the bottom of that hill, what if I had been more disciplined training?) but I was able to let them wash over me and let them go.  I soaked my sore legs in the ice-cold hotel pool and later we made plans for a balloon ride over the veld and a swim in the Indian Ocean the next day.