Christmas in September

Don't you just love it when Santa comes a few months early?  Well, I do!  Today Mr. Fed Ex man (SANTA) showed up at my door with a very important package.  A package that contained something so cool that I almost started to cry.  Yeah, I did see a tear roll down my cheek as I peered my eyes on the beautiful metal.  This is what I saw.

These beautiful badges are going to make the Bella bikes even more beautiful.  I can't wait for the next build.  The second gift came from my cool husband who has been slaving away in his shop working on so many amazing projects. 

Remember a few months back - maybe even a year ago I was telling you about the carbon project that Brian has been working on.  Well, he has mastered the process.  Two and a half years of product testing.  Callused hands from all of the pattern cutting.  It couldn't have turned out more beautiful.  Fully custom carbon bicycle.  There is not a company around that is able to do the process like Brian.  Merry Christmas!  I am so proud of him for sticking with the project for so long and not giving up.  I will post photos soon!

Randy headed up today to pick up his new cross bike.  Cross season is on girls so let me know when you are out at the local races and I will come cheer you on.  Here is a pic of Randy's beautiful new cx bike.

Well, Christmas in September just makes sense.  I think I could get use to this.

911 - Never Forget

My mother is a truly amazing person.  She is a great writer and photographer.  Last year this is what she wrote about the 911 tragedy.  I just couldn't come close to saying it better.  Love you mom.

Born to Run - A GOOD read

I honestly can't believe how quickly time passes.  I say this too frequently, but seriously - time "FLIES".  This morning my 6:00am workout started in the pitch black.  I can't tell you how freaky yet amazing it is to run into the darkness.  Where I come from there are serious animals in the wild.  Thank goodness for a great running buddy (Kelly) who shows up at my doorstep so early in the morning to brave nature and the wildlife with me. I have been thinking a lot lately about the aches and pains my body feels after a long run.  

SAYING TO MYSELF: 

• Only short, small people should run.
• I am not built to be a runner.
• Running stresses out my body.
• You need to weigh 100 pounds to be a good runner.

How many excuses can I possibly come up with NOT to run? ? ? ? ?   

Early this week our good friend Scott showed up at our doorstep and handed Brian a book to read.  He said that this book "changed his life"!  Now seriously, how can one book "change your life"?  I don't know, but if it changed his life .  . . maybe, just maybe it can change my life too.   

Here is a little inside peak at Born to Run - Thank goodness for amazon.com

Book Description

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.


Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.

With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in the Copper Canyons. Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I can't wait to dive deep into this read and see for myself how one book can change a life.  So next time you're out at the local book store stop in and check out this good read.  It could change your life too. 

Introduction to FUN - CYCLOCROSS

It wasn't up until a few years ago that I even knew what Cyclocross was.  It sounds like some crazy motorbike race with big jump.  I thought it might be interesting to tell you girls a little bit about FUN.  The history behind cyclocross racing is pretty fascinating.  It makes a whole lot of sense in the fact that we need a year round training program.  Here are some interesting facts that I found at bigshark.com

History
Cyclocross racing was developed in Europe in the early 1900’s as a way for road racers to remain fit during fall and winter. The intense event helped athletes maintain and improve their racing fitness and skills, too. As the sport grew, some riders abandoned the road-racing scene to become cyclocross specialists. Today, there are cyclists who focus only on cross and many professional road and off-road riders race cross to keep their race engines finally tuned in the off season.

The Course
Typical cyclocross courses are 1.5- to 2-mile loops on a mix of paved and off-road surfaces over flat-to-rolling terrain. Usually, races lasts an hour plus a lap. But, what makes cross such a unique and challenging sport is that courses always include obstacles that force riders to dismount and run while carrying their bikes.

(This is the part where female women riders - who have had children need to wear DEPENDS while dismounting.  )

For example, most courses feature short, steep (often muddy) sections, which are nearly impossible to ride. There can be scary cliff-like drop-offs, river crossings and technical singletrack, too. Also, courses include series of man-made barriers scattered around the course requiring riders to carry their bikes over or, if they're really talented, to jump their bikes over the obstacles (called "bunny-hopping"). It's this combination of cycling, stunt riding, carrying, running and scrambling over obstacles that makes cyclocross so exciting, such a phenomenal workout and so darn much fun!

(pic taken last year at local cxrace)

(I COULD TOTALLY GET USE TO THIS!)

Doesn't that sound like a total blast?  I tell you what - this has my name written all over it.  Big, steep cliffs.  Barriers! Mud!  Does it get any better than this?  The only problem is I can't remember the last time I jumped over anything taller than 10" without peeing my pants.  Thank goodness for chamois. 

Kelson bikes and Bella Rosa bikes are teaming up to offer a cyclocross program.  We will be offering stock framesets for $1,250 bucks.  If you are interested in stock geometry we will make that available for an additional $250. 

So, there is definitely NO reason to stop training this fall/winter season.  Get into cyclocross - it seriously ROCKS.

Running Inspiration

Holy smokes!  Where has the time gone?  So many amazing things happening.  I am in LOVE with this time of the year.  The brisk chill in the morning air makes me smile.  Although riding a bike in 40 degree weather makes me get a little RT.  Yeah, I had to turn the heater on this morning.  They are predicting am showers with possibility of snow.  SNOW!  What in the world is going on? 

I finally nailed down the final design on the head badges and they are off to manufacturing.  I am so excited how the final design turned out.  Here is the new design.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to be commissioned to take the Mesa Falls Marathon photos.  It was an absolute pleasure!  I had  a lot of great help from my fabulous mother, and friend Kelly.  The pain in the butt came when we had to index all 800 plus photos.  Wow, what a job.  It was such an amazing experience watching these individuals run/walk the race.  So many different types of people.  There were young people my children's age.  Older folk, my grandmother's age.  Larger boned bodies. . . . small and petite.  They were running for the gold, or finishing as a gift to a love one who had passed.  I LOVED every minute of it!  They made me realize that anything is possible.  You just keep one foot in front of the other and keep pressing on.  Check out some of the amazing runners here www.lifephoto.smugmug.com

3 MONTH CHALLENGE UPDATE - Week 2

PLUS 1 pound (total weight loss -4)

EXERCISE - beyond slacker

So I could say

• 
  
  That I was super busy
• 
  
  The kids made me eat that
• 
  
  My body hurt too bad to exercise
• 
  
  I had NO time
• 
  
  My dog ate my kids homework so I had to stay up late helping them.

or I could just say that I have NO excuse for why I was not 100% this week.  Life happens!  Goals for this coming week.

• 
  
  Prepare meals - check
• 
  
  4 days weights
• 
  
  4 days cardio

Can't wait for Monday!  It's time to kick some serious buttahh!

3 Month Challenge Update

THREE MONTH CHALLENGE - MONDAY UPDATE

Weight Training (4 days)
Cardio Training (5 days)
Healthy Weight Loss (-5 Pounds) Too much for one week, but things will slow down next week.  Off to a great start.

(I am not being compensated in any way for doing this program .  The only thing being compensated will be my rear end!)

I have to say that I learned a lot this week about myself and my family.  I learned that no matter how prepared you are - things are going to come up.  You have to be able to deal with the challenges, and accept the consequences of your choices.  I learned that in order to be successful at any healthy eating journey you HAVE to focus on YOU! 

Let me explain (THIS SECTION MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR ADULT EARS)

• Dishes, dishes everywhere - Do I do the dishes, or go workout?  Well, this is my response for the week. . . . SCREW the dishes!  It's 8:00 at night and I haven't worked out - now if I want to be successful at changing things I need to say NO to something.  So, yup the dishes are going to have to wait.
• Reading time with kids - Well, again it's late at night - I'm pooped and I have spent all day with the children entertaining them.  I don't have to feel guilty for not reading tonight so again - SCREW the reading!  I'm off to workout.
• There should be a rule that people can't wake up before 5:30am.  That is just not a time of day that people can function.  Well, this week 5:30am came way too early.  Again, SCREW the sleep . . . it's time to workout!

Again, I apologise for the foul language, but I am trying to get a point across.  If you want something bad enough, you have to make sacrifices.  The sacrifices you make will end up making you stronger and healthier. 

Challenges - Brian made some yummy huckleberry apple pie.  Freak, how can you pass this up?  Well, one bite won't hurt.

Positives about Living the Life

Even though the first few days I wanted to just scream for a chocolate bar it ended up being alright.  I felt prepared with what I was going to eat and when I was going to eat it.  I never felt hungry!  I was eating all the time (right proportions, right combinations).  Well, one week down and a lifetime to be healthy!  Can't wait.

Fit Day

(Jess, sporting the new Bella Rosa jersey)

It has been a fun past few days. 

We have had so many visitors up in our neck of the woods. 

We were able to visit with Stephanie, Jill, Michelle, and Jessica.  They all came up individually to get fit properly on their new bikes.  Jessica, came up to get fit for a new Titanium cross bike.  Cross season - soon to start up. 

(Steph getting a good fit)

(Stephanie and her husband Jeff)

I get so excited for them because I know how much happier/comfortable they will be riding with a good fit.  People comment often on how their custom bike has solved their neck or back pain.  They comment on how the proper fit has made it so their knees don't ache.   Brian is a bike magician.   He has worked with bikes since was 12 years old.  He is ONE with the bike.  He can make you one with your bike. 

Michelle - close to 6 feet tall -  now has zero neck pain.

(Jessica getting fit for her new Titanium cross bike)

Here is a new cross bike Brian is building for Randy- It's crazy AWESOME!

So girls, if you are having trouble with your current bicycle and your ride is just not 100% satisfying - come on up for a visit.  We would LOVE to see you.