It Is Bike Season, Y'all!

Every year as the calendar turns to spring I find myself turning to my bike for some extended time in the saddle.  Back in late February, I spent a weekend in the Hill Country with Tri-Now Endurance at a cycle/run camp.  I was so happy to get back in the saddle earlier than I have in the past and I learned a lot of things about cycling from Coach Frank.  You might recall, I rode my first century ride early last May - the infamous Shiner GASP (Great Austin to Shiner Pedal).  I was not planning on attempting a century that early in the season, but things were going well so I gave it a shot.  I ended up having such a great day that I signed up for it again this year. 

My bike buddy, Fi

Naturally, life gets in the way and I was not back in the saddle again until mid-April when it was time for the Lancaster Country Ride.  This was my first 100K last year and it has become one of my favorite spring rides.  The route takes us down the Texas Bluebonnet Trail during prime Bluebonnet viewing season. This year was no exception and I enjoyed the day with newbie cyclist Cat M. despite the wind that gave us fits blowing at 23 mph hour for the entire ride.  I don't think that the route ever allowed us much tailwind as there was either a headwind or a crosswind for most of the route.  I found out just how scary a strong crosswind can be while riding downhill.  We had a great time and I was very pleased to get so much time in the saddle.

Scenes from Lancaster

The next weekend took me out to Aledo for the 70 mile Ride for Heroes.  Many of my buddies had done this ride in the past and it provided both the high mileage and challenging hills that we needed to prepare for Shiner GASP.  I met up with Drum, Cat M, and Fi and we enjoyed a beautiful Saturday with lots of sunshine and less wind than Lancaster provided.  The hills were quite challenging and I was ready to be off my bike by the time we hit the 70 mile marker.  Aledo puts on a nice ride with well-manned aide stations every 10 miles and hamburgers at the finish line. There are some sweeping views too - a reward for climbing those hills!

Pre Ride with Fi, Cat M, and Drum (Photo: Drum)

For some time now, Mr K has been suggesting that I consider a new bike.  I always turned him down, saying that I needed to spend more time "working on the motor" and, quite simply, I was so happy with my beloved Breeze.  Sometime in the later miles of the Aledo ride, I started to reconsider his offer and I was ready to talk about bikes by the time that I got home.  I spent the weekend gathering opinions of my cyclist friends and reading reviews online.  I found a bike on Craigslist that both fit my size and was highly recommended so by Tuesday night,  Johann was in my living room.  He is a sleek Cannondale Supersix and it was love at first ride.  Loading him into the car I realized how heavy sweet Breeze is - and wow, is that bike responsive.  Wondering how I came about the name Johann?  It comes from Johann Pachelbel...you might have heard of him...he wrote a little Canon in D.  Get it?

Meet Johann

I have spent some time getting acquainted with the new bike and we are ready to head out for Shiner GASP this weekend.  I am looking forward to spending another day in the Texas sunshine as Fi and I pedal our way towards that little brewery in Shiner.

Grasslands Trail Half: The Race I Love To Hate

This race happened exactly a month ago now, I can hardly believe that I let so much time get by before sitting down to blog about it.  Grasslands Trail Half and I have a long and storied history together, it was my first trail race ever back in 2010 and it was a truly harrowing experience.  It was pouring rain, temperatures dropped to the 30s, the winds were roaring, I had mud up to my ankles, and it snowed by nightfall.  It took me over three and a half hours to finish that race and I probably would have DNFed if I could have figured out a way for someone to rescue me from the woods.  As awful as it was, I felt pretty darned proud of myself for even starting that race.  Then 2011 rolls around and the conditions could not have been more different: warm, humid, and the driest March on record.  All of that mud from 2010 was now a thick sand....just like a beach except not a drop of water to be found. Tough going, but much better than the previous year.  I ran myself to an hour and eight minute PR and had a lot more fun.  I missed the race in 2012, but 2013 brought chilly temperatures, light rain, and eventually hail.  I was able to eek out a 20 second PR despite the challenging conditions.  Oh Grasslands...why so fickle?

Trail Running in Texas, Y'all

To say that I had never had a "good" day to there would be a huge understatement.  I waited until a week or so out before signing up this year, not sure if I was willing to fight through another year of cold and mud.  Wouldn't you know it, they put rain back in the forecast the minute I clicked the register button?  Luckily it held off and I finally got some good running conditions out on that trail.  I had only run trails once this spring, but I was still hoping that I could manage a PR - even if it was just seconds faster than last year.  I traveled to this race solo, as Mr K was in the final stages of training for Ironman Texas 70.3 and was spending time on his beloved bicycle.  Of course, I found plenty of frunners when I got there and we were eager to get this race started.

Always great to see Mark L (photo: Mark O)

I only checked my watch on occasion just to get a feel for how I was doing as far as time goes.  I ran what my legs wanted to run and enjoyed picking people off on the single track - a feeling that one does not get when racing on the road.  The trail still had its usual sandy spots and there were tons of ruts from the horse tracks, but it was about as good as it gets at Grasslands.  I needed a quick pit stop at the first aide station (around mile 4), but soon found that I had made up the ground that I lost.  I probably rolled my left ankle four times during the race, but I never once fell.  My lack of recent trail running was showing!  As I was topping off my handheld at the second aide station (mile 10ish) the marathon leader came speeding by.  I fell in behind him and just to see how long I could keep him in my sights - guess what, it wasn't long. I had 3.5 miles left and I could tell that I was on pace for a solid PR - time to bring it home!  There are some nice flat stretches during this section, but the last couple of miles were uphill.  These miles always seem so hard and extra cruel as the parking area and finish line are within sight.  

Trail running is dirty

I gave it all I had in the final push across the finish line and was thrilled when I checked my watch - 2:12:43 --- a fourteen minute PR!!  I finally feel like I got the best of that trail and I was so pleased with my efforts.

Happy Runner at the Finish Line

I enjoyed a delicious plate of post race BBQ and made myself comfortable in Alicia's camp.  Alicia was in the process of running 50 miles and I wanted to make sure to see her between her loops.  Make sure you click on over to Alicia's page to read her story.  It is a good one!  I was reminded, again, of what incredible people surround me.

Alicia on her way to 50 mile greatness

So there you have it: Grasslands. The Race I Love To Hate.  Or is it The Race I Hate To Love?  Depends on the weather forecast.