Lookout!

Today was the Lookout Mountain Hill Climb.

Before today I've climbed Lookout twice (on the road -- I've done a few more times on the mountain bike trail). Once in the freeeeeezing cold a few Januarys ago... it took me around 45 minutes to go 4.5 miles. The second was last week, while on antibiotics in between the first plague and the second plague that weekend. Chris, Bill, and I spun up it in about 40 minutes, but this time... gasp... it was fun.

So those two experiences put me on the start line of the race this morning at 9 am.


For once the women went off before the men, which allowed Chris to actually see me start a race and take some pictures. The Cat 4 Women's group was much larger than I expected -- no results are posted yet so I'm not sure how many were actually there.

After a quick miss of a girl falling at the start, the rest of the race went off nicely. Teammate Nicolette was there after originally planning not to be, so it was great to have someone to warmup with, chat at the starting line with, and freeze my butt off on the way down with.

We started together, but got gapped from each other by a few girls at the start and I wasn't ever able to catch back on her wheel. She's a strong climber and, despite never really riding her road bike very much, she did a great job and was quickly gone. I was left to fend for myself, passing girls that immediately imploded after their hard starts, but never really able to bridge up to a group which I know ended up hurting my time at least a bit. I kept a few rabbits in sight and tried not to let them go. My arms immediately cramped up (same thing happened at the TT on Wednesday -- not sure what that's all about, as I've never had my arms cramp up before) and my eyesight started to go a little weird despite not pushing all that hard, so I settled into a rhythm that was easier than I had planned. Eventually the eyesight got better and I was able to push harder and get more into a racing rhythm. I passed some girls but knew the main group was up the road too far to catch. At some point a girl passed me and I didn't want to let her away. I kept her within 10-15 ft the rest of the climb despite her efforts to shake me a few times.

I had a good rabbit.

As we reached the 3 mile mark (of the 4.5 mile climb), I started thinking tactics. I was feeling good and felt like I could probably pass the girl in front of me, my rabbit from before, but decided that it was too close to the end to pass up a good finish-line push past her. So, I settled into a good rhythm a few feet behind her and basically drafted up the last few switchbacks. As the road turned flat/down for the final push to the finish, she clicked up gears and I immediately matched. I could tell she knew I was there now, and seemed to be getting annoyed. With each effort she would put in, I would put it in too. I thought of the millions of times we've watched road races and I know the sprint finish protocol... let the guy in front do all of the work as they try to shake you, then swing wide and sprint past them to the finish line. Sounded like fun.

And it was.

We were really cruising as we clicked up the gears, and the last right turn was coming up that leads to the finish which is on a slight hill. On the turn she took the inside, right line and I decided to surprise her and make my move. I took the outside line, swung past her, stood up, and flew to the finish. Too bad no one was around to watch the fun except for strangers who probably didn't care, because it felt awesome. I probably really pissed her off, and the nice side of me feels a little bad, but it made the whole race worth it. I ended up with a time of 31.something and I'm disappointed that I didn't make it in under the 30 minute mark, because I know I can do it. But the finish was the highlight of the race, and it was serious fun playing the tactical game. Even if it was only the difference between 29th and 30th place or something.

Did I mention that after that push I had to cruise over to a secluded area because then I almost puked?

That's a good effort right there! Can't be disappointed with that!

I already can't wait for next year. The race is short, slightly expensive, and they didn't even have so much as water at the top... but to me it was worth it. Nicolette had a great race and got up in 28 or 29 minutes. We hung out at the top for a little while, saw some preliminary results, and then piled on some clothes (but not nearly enough) for the freeeeeezing cold decent. It was great to have someone to complain to the whole way down! We stopped at a parking lot on the climb and waited for Chris, Shawn, and Bill to make their way up in the Cat 4 Men. While we froze our butts off, it was so fun to watch them mid-race and cheer them on. We quickly headed down after we saw them and hopped in her car with a full heater blast to warm us up.

As it turns out, Shawn got 3rd place with some beer, cash, and a medal as prize. Chris was not far behind him... less than a minute... and he crushed his PR for the climb with a 20.something finish. Chris also enjoyed the team tactical aspect of the race -- something I think we both could get used to! Bill did awesome and crushed his PR by 5 minutes or something. For having 3 of the 4 most ghetto bikes in the Cat 4 Men, our team kicked some serious butt. I'm proud of them!

Overall, the race was a blast.

I can't wait to go back and prove to myself what I really can do.

17.5 days and counting...

Gotta love the arrival of May (even though it snowed today).

17.5 days left of school with kids.

I love my class but they are ready for 2nd grade... and there are good reasons I don't teach 2nd grade.

Tomorrow starts a whirlwind of testing to see if I actually did my job this year. We'll see how that goes, seeing as I only have 10 kids who have been with me all year because of the grade level changes and everything. The rest have been with me for six months or less. Should be iiiiiinteresting.

In other news, I rode the 4th Cherry Creek time trial last night. I rode the 1st, in crappy snowy/rainy weather, skipped the 2nd because of a work obligation, and missed the 3rd with strep/flu. This week I rode despite being super dehydrated and five pounds lighter from a weekend of puking from the antibiotics the dr put me on. I felt remarkably good, even in the wicked wind, and turned a 32ish minute race -- four minutes faster than week 1 and only roughly a minute off of my personal best. Not too shabby.

The best part of the night?

Driving my car down.

It's so fun.

I am in love.

Aaaaaannnndd... my honey bought me some little additional goodies to put in the E, 'twil be fun when they arrive. Thanks honey!

Meet BlueBert

After what seems like WAY too long and WAY too much irritation, I now have a car again.

Meet BlueBert, our new '08 Element:


In all of his 42 mile old glory (and that's after the 20 mile drive home):

It's beyond weird to drive a car that is so similar to what I'm used to, but has so many little changes.

A million thank you's to my parents (specifically mom) who let us use her Accord for an indefinite amount of time. They are wonderful beyond necessary and I don't know what I'd ever do without them.

Tomorrow the new E will haul its inaugural bike haul to the Cherry Creek Time Trial.

WOHOOOOOO!

Healthy Release? Hmmm?

Right now my husband, who I couldn't be happier to have home, is venting his pent up frustration by ramming a cyber-car in an XBox rally game until it is no longer recognizable as a car.

His poor little rally Ford Focus no longer has doors, bumpers, hood, windows, or much of a hatch.

From his sneaky little giggles, I think it is helping, somehow.

We haven't played this game in years... but I think he made a good choice.

We did the hateful task of car shopping yesterday in case the insurance company calls the E totaled in our favor tomorrow. Neither of us want a new car, but it's the best solution to the problem. Getting a new car is always fun though. Right?

I've had a fever for three days. It went away a bit today but seems to now have come back. Can the flu be stress induced? Seems to be ridiculously terrible timing.

Today my parents cheered up the outlook on life by bringing us an awesome new microwave! We've (mainly I've) always hated the microwave that came with the house. They happened to score a $700 microwave for less than a $100 today. It's awesome and the install will be complete very soon. It was a gesture that was by no means necessary, but greatly appreciated. A little bright spot after an absurdly crappy weekend (other than having hubby home safe and sound, and getting to relax and watch a lot of movies with him -- that part was great).

Tomorrow is another day...

Last update (hopefully)

As of 7:00 Chris is in the Springs. Next time you get an update, it should be from him (with pictures supposedly!).

YAY!

I'm off to get pizza and cake for his arrival. I can't wait to see him.

Update 3

Last I talked to Chris he'd made it almost back to I-25 in New Mexico.

He still has quite a drive in front of him, but the weather looks ok so hopefully the only obstacle is extreme boredom.

Today I managed to lock myself out of our house on my way to my uncle's funeral where I nearly passed out standing in the sun with my fever. Nice. If I don't lose my freaking mind by the time he gets home, the day will be a success.

(P.S. Adam, the bikes are in good shape luckily. Don't worry, that was the third or fourth question I asked him as well :))

Update 2

Talked to Chris this morning and he is heading home right now in the BoxTruck.

Jefe is still being kept for observation, but no word of surgery yet, thankfully. Chris had a similar spleen injury as a kid (rollerblading with some excessive speed -- we all should've learned then to keep him in a plastic bubble) -- so at least Chris can commiserate with his situation. They haven't let Jefe start drinking liquids yet, so being terribly uncomfortable and thirsty seems to be his status right now... hey, it's like racing the race anyway :) Someone is coming down from Colorado to keep him company and drive him back when he is released.

For now, Chris is starting the 10+ hour drive back in a giant Uhaul. While it's not his preferred method of transportation (by the way, THANK YOU to everyone that offered to help shuttle him back!!), but he wanted to take the quickest and least inconvenient method home and this seems to be it for now. I hope to see him before 10:00 tonight, but we'll see. He slept in a crappy chair in the hospital and says his only sore spot is near his shoulderblade. The reality of all of the implications of this accident seem to really be sinking in... i.e. good thing we have a cushioned savings account.

Got a few more details of the accident: tires blew off the rims, they landed rubber (uhh, I guess rim) side down thankfully, they were still able to open the doors to get out, back end took most of the damage, bottles and glass everywhere from the cooler, they couldn't locate the driver's side mirror anywhere.

I am so glad they both turned out as ok as they did.

As for me, if I keep the "What ifs..." out of my head, I do ok. I now have a raging fever and have to head off to my uncle's funeral this afternoon. I foresee a weekend filled with good food, an obscene amount of snuggling, and a lot of tears.

I can't believe the good people that we are lucky enough to be associated with. Thank you to everyone who left such nice comments and offered to go out of their way to help us. I appreciate it so much, and Chris will be so touched when he gets back to see all of the comments and emails. The biking community is an incredible group of people.

update

I just talked to Chris and he was finally eating some food and then was hoping to get some sleep somewhere. Jefe is still doing ok, they just keep checking him and making sure it's not getting worse. Best case scenario looks like they'll need to keep an eye on him for a few days and then he'll have to be really cautious for a while. If that's the case, family or friends will be picking Jefe up and taking him back, and Chris will piddle home in the BoxTruck some time in the next day or two. Chris still insists he feels fine, so that's good.

Must sleep now. Tylenol PM is kicking in...

...

Everything is ok.

Everything is ok.

Repeat that five times and then keep reading.

Chris called me at lunch today and told me that, at some point early this morning, as he and Jefe were driving down to Arizona for the AZT300, Jefe fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the Element.

I don't know a lot of details, but they are ok. Jefe is in the hospital getting his spleen checked out (and hopefully not removed, but is a possibility at this point), but Chris is totally fine supposedly.

Obviously the E is *probably* (I guess *hopefully* at this point) totaled. Most likely return back to Colorado will be in a Uhaul truck so as to get the bikes and gear back home.

I want nothing more than to be instantly transported there.

Anyone have a teleporter laying around??

I am freaking out being so far away and not being able to help or even give him a hug. But I can't be thankful enough that he is ok (that they are both ok). And that he is currently stationary, sleeping at the hospital (while waiting for Jefe), and I don't need to worry about him tonight. I hope to see him incredibly soon as I don't think I can handle being alone with my thoughts for too long.

I love my Chris with every ounce of my being. I'm sorry he'll miss his much anticipated race. I'm sorry for all of the annoyances that will follow in the next few weeks. But THANK GOD he's ok.

Stiff drink anyone?

Pan included?

Today we bought what looked like an unbelievably delicious new dessert:

We always enjoy Ms. Betty Crocker; we never say no to anything with Heath bar in it; and it looks like so type of brownie-ish dessert... something else we quite enjoy. Sooooo, we got it. But look closely at the box -- the PAN is INCLUDED. My first thought upon seeing that when I got home was -- wow, how did they fold up a 9x9 pan into a brownie mix sized box? I got all excited to see it and then opened the box. I saw a tiiiiiiiiiiiny little pan and tiiiiiiiiiiiiny ingredients. I'm sure it'll taste delicious, but for costing as much as a cake and totaling the size of a slice of cake, I feel a bit ripped off. Sad.

I'll let you know if it's worth it.

On a different note, Chris and the RATM boys rode in the Haystack Team Time Trial yesterday in Boulder. It looked like a blast and I wanted to do it, but unfortunately couldn't get the girls rallied in time. Instead I played photographer, and wheel sherpa for some random guy who got a flat on his warm-up. I was happy to be able to help him out, afterall, you never know when you'll need a similar favor. Here are some pics from the day. The first two are the only ones that turned out decent of our team, the rest are random teams that I played the "adjust the shutter speed" game with. Some turned out really cool I think.






Here's to another week and another vacation picture.

P.S: Another reason I love my hubby... today we jointly and giddily decided to plan our entire dinner around wine and biscuits. YUM.