SUMMER FUN

It's been a heck of a month.  Life has just flown by! I have just tried to get every bit of fun out of this summer before the kids go back to school.  Yesterday we took a fun little trip up to Cave Falls with family. The beauty was truly amazing.

  The kids go back to school tomorrow, and oh, how this makes me sad.  Sad to know they are all growing up.  Another year has past!  Oh, how time flies.  I have enjoyed every moment of this summer, and I can't wait until the next.  

My sister and her family

Look at these adorable little Vibrams.


I found this amazing little quote on Facebook and loved it so much I thought I would share.

I've carried a child within my body ♥ Slept with a child on my chest ♥ I've kissed little toes & wiped away tears ♥ I've been vomited on, peed on, pooped on & spent sleepless nights cradling my child, but I wouldn't have it any other way ♥ My body isn't magazine ready or perfect, but when I look in the mirror I see a Mom… and there is no greater honor, love or blessing.

BIG CHAR FIRED UP

Brian did some cooking with Big Char today.  Do you remember who Big Char is?  Well, Char is the name of the sweet cooking oven.  You know, the one that cooks up sweet carbon fiber bikes.

Brian was doing some painting on a carbon fiber fork so we went to hang out for a bit.   Enve, thanks for making such amazing forks.

Here is Coop trying to help out.  I LOVE that his little shirt matches his danger mask.  NOT PLANNED.

So, I have been slacking on the cycling end of things.  Why is it that life and busy schedules get in the way?  Could someone please figure that out for me and let me know.  I will make you cookies!
Tomorrow morning is the Rush triathlon.  Not doing it this year, but my amazing 65 year old father is.  I will post pics of him after the race.  He has had two hip and two knee replacements.  Now, what's my excuse?

DESIRE to push forward

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

She can deal with stress and carry heavy burdens. She smiles when she feels like screaming, and she sings when she feels like crying. She cries when she's happy and laughs when she's afraid. Her love is unconditional. There's only one thing... wrong with her. 

She forgets what she's worth!

when I was making kid t-shirts I made one that said "I am awesome, no really I am.  This is really how we should be thinking.  We all have such amazing talents.  We all have amazing responsibilities.  We are awesome.  I think if we believed in our ability to better each other - anything is possible.  So believe in who you are and your ability to be awesome.

Another Beautiful Build

Spent the weekend at Targhee Resort.  It was a blast visiting with family and watching the Pierre 100.  It is a local mountain bike race that has been going on for a few years now.  This is the first year I have heard about it.  It looks amazing.  These athletes were truly inspiring.  ONE HUNDRED miles on a mountain bike with over 16,000ft of climbing.  It exhausted me just watching them.  I love attending these events - it seems to re-motivate my engine.

Our good friend Chris road the race.  Way to go Chris!!

Brian has some beautiful builds that he has been working on.  I am wishing you could see these in person.  They are amazing.  I am loving the new matt finish on the frames.  Nicholas from Utah ordered a steel road frame.  He is the manager at the bike shop down there.   Steel has been a popular material lately.  Several people like the way a good steel bike rides.  

Here are a few pics from Nicholas's build.

Strawberry Smoothies & Legs

Strawberry Smoothie

My children absolutely LOVE smoothies any time of the day.  They have become so adventurous with the magic bullet.  Carson (13) has been brewing up this delicious berry, berry smoothie that it makes Jamba juice look like a bunch of ameteurs.

For one smoothie, combine 6 ice cubes, 3/4 cup skim milk, 2/3 cup frozen mixed berries, (optional spoonful of frozen cranberry juice) 1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt or Kefer and (optional 3 drops of liquid vanilla stevia). Puree until smooth.

Also, Bella Rosa is looking for a great pair of legs and some fun personalities.  I am wanting to do a couple photo shoots for the new site, and some brochure info.  If you are interested and live around the area, give me a shout out!  It should be a lot of fun, and we can get some riding in at the same time.  Here is a nice pair of Kelson legs - thanks to Ryan.

HEALTH UPDATE:
Alright, so going out of town and eating burgers and fries may effect your physical fitness.  Yeah, no weight loss this week . . . just playing catch up.  PLAN- Go grocery shopping for healthy fruits and veggies.   Can't wait!

That's Life

I know we are all busy.  I know we all have our daily routine of long to dos.  As mother's, and women we also have the daily to dos of everyone else.  We take care of the house.  We are chefs by nature, we are housekeepers by trade, we are kid lawyers, and motherly nurses.  We can freakin do it all!  Why, oh why do we have such amazing responsibilities?  This is kind of how I feel about so many responsibilities.

Although we have so much to accomplish in one day we some how find a way to get it done, and move on.  If we don't get it done, we find a way to cope with life just the way it is.  It's definitely not easy, but who said it was going to be?

(photo I took of a local hometown country girl)

The photography studio has been amazing.  I have been booked solid, and can't be more greatful for this opportunity in my life.  It was a year ago that I received my camera as a gift from my parents.  They knew how bad I wanted to take photos of Brian's bikes so they surprised me with a wonderful gift.  Look where it has taken me.

The boys are in full soccer swing.  Guess who has decided to coach?  Brian has graciously volunteered his time and talents to the soccer kids.  I know I say this all the time, but he is amazing.  How does he find the time?  He says that his kids are only young once and they will be gone before we know it.

Jenny came up yesterday to pick up her amazing cx bike.  Brian, Jenny, and I went for such an amazing ride.

CX season is right around the corner and I'm trying to grow some balls to race this year.  Alright, that sounded a little crude, but seriously - why the heck am I so chicken when it comes to racing?  It was never a problem 20 years ago.

Like I say, life is a crazy roller coaster - so get on and enjoy the ride.

Runner Steph, Meet Cyclist Steph - Featured Writer Stephanie Hancock

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take some photos of my good friend Steph and her family.  She has always been an inspiration to me, but after reading her story I realized that she is truly an inspiration to us all.  Thanks Steph for sharing.

(Here is a pic I was able to take of Steph.  It shows her definite love for running.)

Last Tuesday I met up with some friends to go for an early morning bike ride. I am a runner, not a cyclist, but every once in a while I try to get out on my bike. It kind of helps to have ridden a time or two each summer before my annual triathlon...

(A flat on a previous ride, but same friends I rode with on Tuesday)

I want to learn to like my bike, mostly because I feel obligated since I have it, but also because Jeff rides and I'd like to join him sometime when I feel comfortable on the bike. I keep thinking that I'll never learn to like riding unless I actually get out and do it. So I resolved to join the ladies on Tuesday and prove to myself that riding really wasn't as painful as I remembered.

It really was painful.

Worse than I remembered. I was out of breath before I made it to my neighbor's driveway. I was more out of breath as I tried to carry on a conversation and act as if nothing was wrong. I was miserable by the time we crested the hill. And finally at a whopping 2 miles out, I was done. Done. I couldn't believe I was saying it, but out came the words, "I have to stop. I can't do this." And completely out of character, I peeled off and headed the whole two miles back home like a dog with its tail between its legs.

I never quit. No matter how I'm feeling, if I start something I just don't quit. I spent the entire day Tuesday puzzling over my actions, wondering what brought on this odd behavior, and feeling like a complete and utter failure. I even cried more than once that day because I was so frustrated. I couldn't keep up. Sheesh, I could barely even start! I wondered if I should just give up on the bike. I could sell it and get some new running gear, couldn't I? I sobbed to Jeff, "How in the world can I ever learn to like cycling if I keep having bad experiences!?"

Jeff is very level-headed. He is as steady and logical and reasonable as they come. And kind, too. He just smiled at me and said, "You need to just go out on your own sometimes and have fun - don't worry about keeping up with anyone, just do your own thing."

I realized that a huge part of the problem was the stress and anxiety I get when riding (or sometimes even running) in groups - I worry that I won't keep up, that I'll hold people back, that I'll ruin their ride or run. At my two-mile turn back point on Tuesday I was struggling to keep up and terrified of the potential suffering in the upcoming hour. So I quit.

Jeff reminded me that I was sick and had been sleeping way more than usual as I fought off the cold and sore throat. And I remembered that I'd not eaten much for several days (sickness makes me lose my appetite), so there were definitely valid reasons for quitting, but if I had been running I don't think I'd have quit. Sure, I would have had a miserable run, but I wouldn't have stopped.

I know myself as a runner.

I don't know myself as a cyclist.

Runner Steph, meet Cyclist Steph. She's a stranger and you don't know what she's capable of. That makes me wary and a little unconfident. Okay, a lot unconfident.

(Me & my friend Heather, whose husband helped fit both my old bike (pictured) and my new bike to me.)

Being the compulsive type, I decided to take Jeff's advice and go out again the next day (you know what they say, just get back on the bike when you fall - or fail!). I went on a solo ride and spent some time getting to know Cyclist Steph. It wasn't the ideal morning for a ride with 20+ mph headwinds the first and last 6 miles and crosswinds on other parts of the ride, but I didn't have to worry about my speed, didn't worry I'd be slowing someone down, didn't need to save my breath for talking, and could focus on the ride.

I'm so glad I did it. Tuesday: 2 miles of fatigue and anxiety until I turned around. Wednesday: 20 miles of strength and relaxed riding. I wasn't speedy - the winds certainly had something to do with that. Overall I averaged 15mph, which included the snail-pace 7mph ride on the uphill (I can RUN up hills faster than that! Oh, this is pitiful!), but also included topping out at 38mph on the downhill. THAT was cool.

So cool that this morning (now Monday) I chose to ride my bike instead of running. I rode the same route, this time with very little wind, and finished the 20 miles six minutes faster. It was another solo ride - trying to get my conditioning up to where I can ride with friends again. (I did join a 20+mile ride with some friends a few weeks ago, in rain and wind - they let me draft. I told you I'm not very good at this, but I'm trying!)

So anyway, it's coming. Tomorrow I'm doing my favorites - running and swimming. I have a half-marathon race on Saturday so technically I'm tapering this week and won't be doing too many workouts the rest of the week. But I bet I'll be on my bike again soon.

My husband (I could also call him my therapist, couldn't I?) regularly rides twice, thrice, four times the distance I'm at (and in a LOT less time). He's definitely inspiring me. And encouraging me. I love that he expects me only to have fun and has no pre-conceived notion that my running fitness would translate to cycling prowess. I don't think I'll ever be great, or even good - just mediocre. After all, I'm first and foremost a runner. But I'm a runner that is learning to (almost) love cycling.

Let's Talk Life

Alright, so life has just seemed to pass on by without me taking any notice what-so-ever!  I think I am going to have to turn this into my personal/fun/business blog.  So, I will begin with the personal side of life.    Yesterday, I was a little somber due to a rat!  Yeah, you heard me a friggin rat!  Carson, my son has owed a rat for several years.  Now this is not just an ordinary rat, this rat had style.  Anywho, a few months ago little Mr. rat who we called Nike got a tumor on his leg that just grew and grew.  I thought it was just a gas bubble that would pop, but after two different surgeries poor little Mr. Nike had to get put down.  His leg was seriously the size of a small pear.  I cried and cried over a rat.  Oh, the hormones.

I always tell you how much I love my little life.  Jenny came over for a mountain bike ride the other day.  We did some exploring through the peaks of our local National Park.  The cool thing about the ride was we just left from my house.  There are some amazing rides that I had no idea about - right in my back yard.  We had an amazing time, but after just about an hour of climbing I had the perfect excuse to not continue.  MY SEAT!  Yeah, my seat had slowly loosened itself up, and moved it's way all the way down.  Now, if I were a prepared bicycle rider I would have had all of my tools and necessities to fix the problem.  Well, I didn't !  My goal is to help self educate myself about lame bicycle issues so that I can teach my fellow riders how to be prepared.  So, in future posts I plan on educating other's about bicycles while learning and educating myself in the process.

Brian has been extremely busy with some new builds.  I went down to the paint booth and took a few snaps of his paint job.  Most bike companies can weld, but how many of them can weld and paint?  Brian definitely has some serious talent!  I get impressed every time I see him in action.  Talk about action . . . I'm celebrating 16 years of LOVE to this man on Friday!!!  Or maybe it's just 15 and it might be on Thursday.  Anywho . . . . Life rocks.

HEALTH UPDATE:
I am so proud of my ability to drool over chocolate now and not SNARF it down.  I am down a total of  9.5 pounds and happy to say that I can climb on my bicycle a little faster each day.  My goal this next week is to hit the weights.  Thanks for all of the encouraged thoughts.  You guys are awesome.

Life Rolls On

(Jenny, your bike is looking so stinkin cool)

So I have to tell you that life has been a wicked fun roller coaster lately.  I can only say how greatful I am for the amazing opportunities that have come my way.  So many things have happened lately that I don't even know where to begin.  My blogging skills totally bite, but be patient  - good things to come.

The other day I had the opportunity to go for a ride.  A ride that took me back in time.  A ride that made me cry, but at the same time put a huge smile on my face.  I got to ride with my hubby Brian.  It's been almost 13 years since I have been on a road ride with him.  No, let me explain.  Do you have kids?  Well, I have three of them and thirteen years ago I gave birth to my first amazing child.  That is pretty much when life halted all things fun.  Brian was always watching the kids while I went riding, and I watched the kids while he went riding.  Now, thirteen years later I have started giving them a little bit of responsibility.  As long as they are alive when I return two hours later . . . . it's a good day.  I think I made Brian sweat a little.  He only made me cry once.  Freak, that was a good workout.

Brian has been insanely busy.  I think the hardest part for him is working at home.  He has a small studio building that he builds out of, but when he is at work, it's hard to work.  Here is an example.  Today his friend called to ask to borrow his drift boat to go fishing.  Off he goes with the boat.  Brian goes back to welding, and an hour later gets a panic call saying your boat is at the bottom of the river.  He heads out to save his boat.  Poor guy just wants to work.  He is constantly helping the community and everyone around him.  I just keep telling him to say NO, and throw everyone the bird, but he thinks that his duty is to help the whole universe.  Tonight we are off to teach little boys about bike safety.  Work, what's that?When?  Life around these parts rolls on.  Life is amazing, and I am living it every day.

HEALTH UPDATE:
So far I have been sugar free for 23 days.  I have lost a total of eight pounds( THIRTY to go) and I have more energy than ever.  The only problem is I WANT A FRIGGIN SNICKERS BAR!!!!

Utah Bike Fit

We made a quick trip down to Utah this weekend for some serious bike business.  Yesterday, we fit Tiffany (the most amazing girl on the planet) for a Bella Rosa bike.  When it was time to ask questions about flexibility, she past the test with flying colors.  Tiffany, can almost kiss her own butt!  How would that be?  I would love to just be able to touch my toes.  Way to go Tiff, it was so fun meeting you.

Today, Brian has more business in SLC doing a few more fittings for cross and road frames.  I wish I could go with him and be his sidekick apprentice.  Each time I learn more and more about bike fit.  I truly enjoy learning more about bikes.  If you are in the SLC area and want to ride faster, contact me regarding setting up a custom fit for your current bike.

I will spend the afternoon with the kiddos in search of the perfect SLC activity.  Talk with you all soon about the updated trip.  Get out and ride.

Healthy eating update

So some of you have been asking how the eating program has been going.  Happy to say, that I have been working hard to achieve my goal.  Here are a few things I have been doing to stay on track.

1. Sugar addict - CONQUERED.  This was the hardest part for me.  For the first three days I had serious withdrawls.  Headaches, stomach pains, and serious PMS.  

1. Eating about two fruits a day - I love fruit.  I could eat it for every meal!  

1. Eating unlimited amounts of greens.  Freak, I think this is making me a wee bit constipated!  Bring on the Kefer.
2. Sticking with low fat proteins.  Chicken, and fish.

1. Exercising a minimum of 4 days per week.  

It has been three weeks and currently down 6 pounds.  YIPPEE!  

Have you ever picked up a five pound dumbbell and thought that it was pretty heavy?  It's amazing how quickly it can pack on over the years.  THIRTY pounds to go.  I will keep you updated on the progress, and if any of you feel like joining in just drop me a line!  

Early Morning Rides

So early morning rides are going to become a regular scheduled event on my calendar this summer.  It is the only way I will be able to get my rides in. . . . EARLY!  Here is a short vid I made up of our little journey through the woods.  Come join us.

Last night it was suppose to snow close to 6", but thank goodness the weather man was wrong so me and a good friend headed out for some torture in the cold (38 degrees cold).  Here are a couple short clips of our painful journey.  I definitely don't consider myself a videographer, but thought it would be fun to start sharing clips of my little life, and my back yard.

We decided to do Anderson Mill backwards which means ALL up hill.  Now, all I have to say to that is FREAK!  You can spin all winter long indoors, but when it comes to getting out on the real mountain, it means serious PAIN.

I get a little freaked out when it comes to wolves and bears.  We have a lot of them around here.  Ran into some FRESH bear poo on the way and I was wanting to turn back, but little Jenny just persisted up the friggin hill leaving me thinking about pedaling a lot faster.  I caught right back up knowing there was a bear on my tail.

By the time we headed down the mountain we we SUPER cold.  Trudging through drifts and the misty rain made my toes and brain stiff.  It took pretty much all day sitting by a fire with my robe and hot chocolate to thaw out, but you know what . . . . . . . . . it was totally worth it.  Call if you would like to join us on our early morning bike rides.

Featured writer - Jennica Hirrlinger

I always truly enjoy reading Jennicas articles.  Each time I read one I learn something powerful.  I learn a life lesson that I couldn't have learned in a classroom.  She teaches us that we are truly tougher than we think we are.  Thanks for sharing another truly inspired read.


Success or Failure - Featured Writer Jennica Hirrlinger

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?  I’ve seen this question being asked all over facebook lately and I, personally, think it’s a tricky question.  I mean, sure it would be fun to just have it all handed to me but, man, the risk of failure is what makes success so intense.  It’s the lows and the down times and insecurity of it all that truly allows us to feel the elation and the joy of the summit.

I am often asked how one trains for a marathon.  “It’s so far!  I can only run 3 miles.”  To that, I usually respond that the first three miles are the hardest.  And, they are.  It takes a while for our bodies to warm up.  Beyond that though, it also takes a while for our brains to warm up to the idea that we physically can run that far.  Our mental toughness runs on a parallel track with our physical endurance and they grow together.

I learned some things about myself on a recent climbing outing.  I spent a couple hours hanging out on a wall, higher than I’ve ever climbed and feeling stuck, with nothing to do but to wait and to contemplate how I felt about being up there and being completely out of control and trusting someone else to help me succeed.  My brother and I did our first multi-pitch climb and while there were a few moments where I thought I might totally lose it my overall feeling is that I got just a little bit more mentally tough.  Even at my most anxious, I could still make myself continue physically doing what needed to be done and though I was not yet at a place where I could get back on solid ground, I could talk and think my way down from the stress I was having.  And, I realized how amazing and exhilarating it was to be up there and I got tougher.

I got tougher, not because I could not fail, but because there was a huge risk that I would fail.  I could have easily found out that I was not cut out for the whole climbing thing or I could have chosen not to ever see what it was like to run further than 3 miles.  But I didn’t.  I took a risk and it feels good.  So, instead of asking what would you do if you knew you could not fail, ask yourself what you can learn through your failure and take the risk.  The feeling of success is totally worth it!

12 Week Challenge - AGAIN?

                Alright girls, it's time that I truly admit I have problems. 

(hike in the rain with my amazing hubby)

I know, we all have problems but at some point and time we need to deal with those problems.  I think I have already blogged about this issue several times before, but the past few days I am really wanting to share my issues with others.  I am a woman!  I am full grown adult woman!  I have needs and wants.   Currently those needs are

*Good food
*Good friends
*Supportive family life
*Shelter

So far I have all that I could ever ask for and more.  Here are a list of wants that don't seem too off the wall.

*More food
*More food that is not good for me
*More food

Here is my problem.  I LOVE food.  No, seriously I LOVE bad food (sugary food).  I am truly addicted to crap!  I know I have problems starting projects and not following through to the end.  Is it just me?  Why can't I commit?

I love exercise.  I enjoy waking up early to teach my bi-weekly spin class.  I love evening runs by the river.  I even love pumping iron.  All these things make me feel empowered.  But for some reason I can't seem to figure out why I can't drop weight if I am only eating 4 candy bars in a day while chugging down my diet pepsi.  I thought it was suppose to counterbalance the candy bars.  Well, I was reading "Racing Weight"

and Matt says that you can not eat 4 candy bars in one day and lose weight.  That was super cool to hear.  Now I think I have it all figured out. 

For the past few years I have wanted to do the Capital Reef Classic bike race with my husband.  It is a very well organized race that we have attended since it began.  For a brief moment I thought about riding in it this year (July), but came to the realization that I am not in "fit" shape to do it.  I am what I consider to be a fit overweight cyclist.  Does this make sense?  I feel fit!  But at the same time I have a high percentage of body fat.  Matt also says in his book that "A runner weighing 160 pounds has to muster about 6.5 percent more energy to run the same pace as a runner weighing 150 pounds." No wonder why all my skinny friends were beating me to the finish line.  I get it!

So, in order for me to really work on my issues I have to commit to something big.  So here we go again!  For the next 12 weeks I am committed to eating healthy and exercising.  I will chart my progress along with my (hopeful) weight loss/fat loss journey so that I can start achieving some of the goals I have put off for so many years.  Please help me along the way!  Those freakin Oreo's are calling my name.  

GOAL: 

• Cardio at least 5 days per week
• Weights 3 days per week
• Healthy eating plan
• Chart progress
• Lose body fat
• Attend one cycling race/event without pooping my pants
• Enjoy the journey

Where have you been?

Alright, so you are probably wondering where in the world I have been lately?  Well, life has just been spinning so quickly I just decided to get off the ride for a while.  Not really, I am back in full force and still waiting for the warm weather.  It's raining again today, which makes me believe there is a rainbow and a smile on the other side.

My husband has been working so hard to help me get ready for the open house at the studio.  Well, it turned out amazing.  Family and friends showed up to support us during the open house.  It was great seeing so many of you.  Here is a little glimpse of the new studio pretty much FINISHED!

Now that the studio is officially open, I can focus a little more on the cycling scene.  Brian just finished Liz's bike, and can I just say WOW.  Seriously, every time he finishes a bike I just say WOW!  Here is a pic of her beautiful new ride, oh and my beautiful - HOT husband.

This bike was truly custom in every way.  Liz works for the Forest Service and wanted her bike to represent who she is.  She is in love with trees!  I know we all have our passion and LOVE and her passion is white pine bark trees.  The detail in this bike is truly unique.  I find it amazing how Brian can start with one single tube and transform this process into a work of art.  All of our bikes are built one at a time in house.  From welding to painting - true awesomeness.  I will soon be showing you how this process is done, from start to finish.

This beauty is a custom blend of columbus tubing, Sram and Ritchey parts.  The carbon fork smooths out road vibration and a women's specific Sella Italia saddle provides comfort for those long rides.  All logos, and details where painted directly onto the frame.  No stickers or decals here.  Just pure sexiness.  Freak, I want to ride this beauty.

CHOCOLATE THIEF?

Seriously ladies, is this weekend over?  Happy to say that it was a truly amazing weekend.  Family, friends, and a case solved.  The kidos found out who the REAL Easter bunny was, and the chocolate thief was finally caught.

I have to admit that I started eating candy on Friday after a painful trip to Walmart left me with bags of opened candy sitting in the closet.  Hello, I had to open the candy to stuff the eggs but what was left over turned into a true problem.  Friday - candy!  Saturday - candy!  Sunday - candy!  All weekend long I munched (with the closet doors shut) on CANDY!  Here is the sad part.  Today I woke up and after a painful morning of spin class I headed directly into my kids rooms on a hunt for CANDY!  I quietly lifted the grass from the basket and stole everything that was possibly delicious.  Yeah, I headed to the next room and stole more from my sleeping child's basket.  Finally, I headed to the last room where I tip -toed in, lifted the grass, and heard a soft little voice say "mommy, why are you stealing my candy?"  I was caught.  All my kids will now know who stole their yummy Easter candy.  It was kind of like the story of Goldilocks and the three bears.

If there was an CAM (chocolate addiction meeting) here in town I would be attending daily.  WTH?  This has to stop NOW!  Could someone please tell me how to steal candy without getting caught?  No, really I just need help and it starts now.  How can I report to my faithful women cyclist friends and readers on becoming clean?  Do I need to go in depth about my life and where this all began?  Or do I just need to start training for an event that will help fulfill that gap?  Well, for the moment I will ponder on this painful event and let you know the outcome.  So, I'm heading to the gym in the morning to work off about 20 pounds of chocolate from a place I call HELLMART!