Snowcross!!!

This is the time of year where we have to make our own fun, otherwise it would be very easy to sit inside and be grumpy about how cold it is. Granted, I am a cold weather wimp, but trust me when I say it's been really cold here. So cold that it almost hurts to breathe.

On Saturday temps were in the negatives when I woke up. It was very tempting to stay in PJ's and drink hot chocolate all day. However it was the first snowcross race of the year, and I wasn't going to miss it! My BFF Juli and I rode over to the race for a 45 minute warm-up, though I'm not sure you can really warm up in such frigid temps. We were under a winter weather advisory and I was really happy when we arrived at the Versluis Orchards as the roads were getting a little bit iffy.

Whenever I look at this picture I have to laugh...it's Scott directing traffic!

Photo credit: Jack Kunnen

Juli and I arrived with just enough time to sign up for the race and then it was time to line up. There were at least 50 racers lined up, and it was slightly surreal. There we were all shaking violently in our cycling shoes but ready for the first race of the season.

I had no clue what the course was going to be like and I had a few surprises on the first lap. It was a big loop through the orchard with snow boulders, a few barriers, and icy corners. Passing was very, very difficult but eventually I managed to move forward in the group. I raced on my Dos Niner and it was a good call. The snowy course definitely favored mountain bikes!!!

Here I am taking on future world cup cross racers. There were actually two little girls out on the course racing and it was awesome to see. The conditions were miserable, but they were pushing their bikes around and laughing and giggling. And the best part is that they would stop and wait for another when they got to the barriers....this allowed me to get ahead or I'm sure they would have beaten me :-)

Photo credit: Jack Kunnen

From the get-go my hands were blocks of ice, and halfway through the race I started to get this horrible feeling like someone was stabbing me in my thumb. Ouch! Once I started pedaling faster though my hands warmed up enough for it to stop hurting. Which brings me to my new rule of thumb (ha ha, get it?) Sorry couldn't resist. But seriously, whenever my hands or toes get cold I just need to remember to pedal harder!!!

I wore my Optic Nerve goggles and it was a really smart decision (pat on the back for me!) Not only did the keep my face warm, but I felt like I was in a bubble from the elements. Plus they never fogged up!!!
Photo credit: Jack Kunnen

I managed to pedal (and crash) myself to the finish line as the first female finisher, but I wasn't too concerned about results. I mostly felt like I was playing in the snow with a bunch of my friends. It was so much fun!!!

My topeak alien is still hanging out on the back of my helmet from summer!
I never was able to redline it on the course because anytime I would pick up speed I would end up riding into a snowbank. However, I was really happy with how I felt out there and totally noticed a difference in my strength. All of a sudden everything that I've been doing this winter (Lynda's training plan and strength training with Jason) came together and I felt so much stronger overall!!! It makes me excited for my next month of training!

On Sunday Scott and I went XC skiing at Pando. It was a balmy 10 degrees, but I was able to stay a lot warmer then I did on the bike. My endurance with skiing is WAY low, and after 12 miles my legs and arms were complete toast. I was so tired at the end I think I was actually drooling on the last climb.

Me....
Posing (dork alert!)
I managed to make a few tricky downhills, but I also managed to crash on every body part as well. It's definitely time to go get some serious ART therapy from Jason. He and his wife were on vacation last week and they got home just in time. Between skiing and snowcross I think I've managed to crash at least 15 times since he's seen me last. Today my tailbone had a serious meeting with the ground. Thank goodness snow is relatively soft...but my tailbone didn't think it was soft enough!