Where'sBrianandJennySmith

Jen's website

2010-08-30T09:52:00.000-06:00

I have a New website http://www.xterrajenny.com/

Brian will soon too, he needs help with a name.

funnily enough jenny smith . com and brian smith .com are quite common names and not available.

What would you call your website if you where Brian?

cheers

Jenny

back at work

2010-05-25T19:44:00.003-06:00

Brian is back at work. As many of you know he ruptured his pec major tendon and had surgery on it 2 weeks ago.

It was bizarre, the tendon was significantly degenerated and unhealthy? a puzzle.

The surgeon said you usually only see this kind of 'crappy' tendon in body building strength focused ( steroid using) athletes, not endurance ones.

Brian's vices extend to dark dark beers and such but not steroids so its a bit of a mystery.

He was lucky and Gloria Beim did a fantastic surgery. She's stressed his one chance to recover so

He is on the 12 month recovery program and in a immobilising brace for 6 weeks. He's been such a good sport because I know it hasn't been an easy change -to basically complete rest.

Me? I'm great. I am back running again and feeling very grateful albiet ( tired legs.. I had that glory 10 days where I was like yeah, my running is good, and now I have that wow why are my legs feeling like lead - accumulating workload feeling)

I had a fantastic trip to California to coach with the Trek dirt series ladies, Learned so much!

Thanks Brandyn for coming and making it a partner in crime trip.

I've thrown in a couple of MTB races and have the GROWLER coming up this weekend in Gunnison. I'm doing the 32 fluid oz of riding event, and then hopping on alot of planes , Colorado springs + Dallas + Miami + Sao Paulo + Rio de genero + Manaus. To Brazil for XTERRA Amazon. It'll be an adventure. I'm kinda nervous to tell the truth, my first xterra of the year!

I've really appreciated the later start to my season. I think it fits with where we live in Gunnison. Its felt like an appropriate seasonal time to get going, I feel much more grounded and have enjoyed training more so I have a really good feeling about moving forward into my 2010 race season.

Yeah.

I miss my training partner though, ALOT! It makes me appreciate it too, can't really complain when the fittest fastest member in our house is on the couch!

cheers

Jenny

The bikes-2010 Smith Machines

2010-05-02T18:30:00.006-06:00

I may not be able to ride but I can still drool and take pictures of my new bike. The Anthem is one of the stiffest and smoothest rides I've ridden. Can't wait till rehab is over and I can saddle up.

Got Jenny's new Trek hardtail out of the box. Should be a rocketship for her.

Happy Trails

Racing with fighters and freak boobs

2010-05-01T11:12:00.003-06:00

So, Vegas was awesome. Had a great race from start to finish. Couldn't make much time on Josiah and Conrad but happy with my form at this point. Even made enough prize money to pocket a few bills.

Met Nick Diaz, good friend of Damian Gonzales and world class MMA fighter. Beat him on the course but hope to never match up with him in the cage, I would be slaughtered for sure. His fist is as big as my head!

Back at the ranch in Gunny, trying to get the training up and going again and lost a battle with the bench press bar. I was on my last set of 10 with 155, even had a spotter. On the 8th rep coming to my chest there was a snap and my shoulder went backwards. 24 hours later after X-rays, MRI and 2 ortho-surgeon evaluations, I am left with a partially torn pectoralis. I need surgery to anchor the attachment and get myself 100% for training again. Most likely 6-8 weeks before swimming properly again. Oh well, I guess I do have an off-season now. Not so bummed about 32 degrees and blowing snow outside.

Hope the next blog is a bit more positive.

Brian

Brian's Spring fever

2010-04-18T21:42:00.006-06:00

Purple mountain, CB

O be joyful saddle

Wick

Brian has been having a blast skiing wwith Wick, Billy, Josh and Jay lately.

Crusty
Spring beaver pond crossing.

Spring 2010

2010-04-18T15:09:00.006-06:00

I finished up at the airport for the winter April 5th. It was a great job for me ( as Fred our station manager said, when we where talking about next season.. You like the discounted flight coupons.. Yep, I do like the flight coupons.. but I also really enjoyed the job) Great people on our staff, a change of scene for me and I found it really interesting and enjoyable. I'll probably do it next year.
I kicked my Spring off with a trip to Fruita and Moab. I love riding my bike and yesterday I realised I've mountain biked 9 days in a row. There are a few reasons for this. ( running and my body are having a wee issue) The cycling has been awesome and makes me so happy.

Moab - Girls weekend was super fun. Great friends Great riding.
A highlight for me was riding Lyn D'mato Franklin's 6 inch Maverick Bike down Top of the world trail dropping 3000 ft of elevation. I love my Trek sponsorship and bikes, however after a weekend in Moab on my carbon hardtail, the experience of 6+ inches of suspension was very GRIN worthy!

Am already scheming about a bigger Trek bike! ( My opportunity may come sooner rather than later)

April 25th kicks off a 3 week training, racing and coaching trip for SNRGY multisport coaching, Brandyn and I.

We are meeting up in Fruita, Colorado to race the opening Mountain states cup event http://www.racemsc.com/ of the year.

From there we are driving out to California San Jose and SanRafael. I am joining in as a guest coach with Trek bikes sponsored Women's coaching clinics http://www.dirtseries.com/

I am really excited. These women have their series dialed and it is both a super cool talented staff of coaches and a neat weekend of clinics and activities.

Trek women's demo crew are joining the clinic in San Jose with a full fleet of demo bikes. How fun: I can see a big bike demo happening for me over the weekend!

Am also excited for the time to train in Northen California and work with Brandyn on Snrgy multisport coaching and racing. Theres nothing quite like a partner in crime! To keep things really fun.

I am following up my trip with a US national or Triple crown( I can't keep up with the names) MTB race in Nathrop May 16th.

May the 29th is Growler http://www.gunnisontrails.com/events/growler/ 64 fluid miles of riding at Hartmans Rocks. ( I love this description: I know Hartmans and theres not too much fluid about it, it'll be sixty four miles of sand, technical,sweat and sweet single track.. tougher inducing!)

MY first XTERRA of the year is going to be Xterra Amazon. http://migre.me/wIan Very excited about this adventure.. !

Brian has been getting scary fit skiinng and skiing and skiinng. Each early 5am ski he says this is my last one, until Wick or Billy call again about tomorrow. He's looking lean and fit though so its only doing him good.

He is racing in Las Vegas this coming weekend ( flying solo now that I'm not doing it). I think its going to be a good one for him.

Cheers

Jen

Grand Traverse Win

2010-03-28T11:28:00.003-06:00

Brian and Wick ( Bryan Wickenhauser) won the Grand Traverse yesterday.

They where on fire. It was Inspiring.

The event www.elkmountainsgrandtraverse.com is such a neat experience (for me to spectate). People sign up early, train their asses off all winter to brutalise themselves in the tour and LOVE it. Its a special event. It has passion and soul.

Snapshots from the Trans Andes

2010-02-08T11:24:00.006-07:00

Warm and Sunny Chile.

Waiting to cross the river on stage 3.

river crossingsHiking out of the river on day 3.
Dinner tent stage 2 and 3.

This farm picture was taken at the top an an incredible climb. we look relaxed we'd ridden really hard for over an hour of climbing.

It rained alot at Huilo Huilo

Huilo Huilo nature reserve hotel.

Stage 5 was wet, and miserable.
This photo is funny, I am not posing. I am 5 hours into a '3hour' stage and thinking, where is the trail and where is the FINISH.
View from Huilo Huilo, we circled this mountain on our way to Argentina on the last day.

Soome of these pics are from triamax.com some are from www.transandeschallenge.com and photogapher: Marcelo Tucuna

we are rolling around on the floor

2010-02-07T22:39:00.003-07:00

If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around..

Susan Haywoods latest blog has Brandyn ( Snrgymultisport co-owner)and I rolling around on the floor laughing, and and agreeing.
http://susanhaywood.blogspot.com/2010/01/old-farmers-advice.html

Jenny.

Oh my aching calves

2010-02-06T17:51:00.003-07:00

So I can race for 6 days in the Trans Andes MTB stage race not too much problemo. But the Alley Loop XC ski marathon kicked my behind!
As Brian's dad said when I crossed the line in 3 hours 20, You looked like a fresh athlete, not a great skier, but it didn't look that taxing for you. (Thanks Paul.. I think thats a compliment?)
Its the truth too. I am a very average skier. Oh well.

Brian is a very good skier. While I was slogging it out in the Alley loop, he was coming off the bike in 2nd place at the European Winter triathlon champs. A messy transistion and problem with the timing chip going down into his boot? saw him finish in 10th, still an amazing finish at a World cup. It looks exciting for World champs next weekend also in Norway.

I've been kinda MIA and busy so heres a link to Rebecca Rusch and my cycling news blog for the Trans Andes: http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/trans-andes-challenge-rebecca-rusch-and-jennifer-smith

Next up I'll post some cool pictures. It was stunning in Chile.

Santiago Chile

2010-01-22T14:37:00.002-07:00

MY flight from dallas fort worth to Santiago saw a delay and I missed my connection to Pucon today. This saw American Airlines pick up the delay and host me in the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Santiago overnight tonight.
Im excited, I definately feel travel weary and the opportunity to have a clean NICE hotel room and a wee overnight vacation is wonderful.
I really have no agenda today other than rest and recovery so I spent the afternoon looking around town. Brian would love it here, lots of outside cafes and beer. Heaps of beer. In big fat bottles , light ales style, its hot..
I love the arts and crafts, I looked and then bought some water, It was fun. bright culture, and laid back atmosphere., As much as I love Gunnison, and our life, I resonate when I am away from the US too. Its a neat world we live in.
Lucky.
Jenny

A few things we don't need

2010-01-17T10:07:00.005-07:00

This is a bit of a random post. Classifieds on my blog!

We have several pieces of equipment we don't need and would like to sell. Please just contact me if you are interested.

1. Some brand new Equip 10 skate ski's the proceeds of this sale are going to Rebecca Dussaults, Olympic campaign, So if you weigh 115-129lbs and would like some new race skating xc ski's let us know.

$200 would be a great price.

2. Brian's F1 Scarpa race boots from last year. These have new liners and cables. They are in excellent condition. Super hard to come by so again if you or anyone you know are looking for Randonee boots.. Mondo 26/ Size 42/ Mens US 8.5

Wick modelling the boots!

We'd like $400 for them.

cheers

Jenny

Spandex and Snow

2010-01-14T23:34:00.003-07:00

Yep we live here.

Only Tressa ( my middle name is game) learns to skate ski at Mill creek.. think somewhat groomed, gorilla skiing and hills.

Brian and Keri Nelson ( doing what they do well.. hard sports fast!)

me.. I'll try.

Okay, I know its spandex, however these redfeather snowshoes and racing clothes are the best. They've sponsored me this season with the redfeather endurance racing team. I'm digging it as a sport and LOVING the products.

If you want to try snowshoe running go straight for the redfeather Vapor's. They are light, compact and fantastic to run in. I can do it, You can too.

Dinner

2010-01-12T19:14:00.003-07:00

I just spent $17 on black truffle oil. I almost had the opportunity to get it for less when it didn''t scan at Safeway and the clerk asked if I knew how much it was? I wish I could lie and not think Karma would come back around and get me, but I don't so I told her.

I've been thinking about truffles ever since our friends birthday dinner at the Secret Stash in Crested Butte in December. The oil smells so amazing drizzeled on food and tastes even better.

I also bought some Salmon to grill and drizzel it on. We have cooked potatoes to pan up, and some local greens that will be delicious with goat cheese.

Why such focus on food?

I drove over to Maysville today and rode my bike outside around Salida. It was 50 degrees and so warm! Untill I came to ride back to the car. Of course it was a headwind and the sun had gone down and it took an hour 15 instead of 40 ish minutes.
This ride is brutal.. a staight false uphill road into a headwind. Add that I do it in Jan and Feb when I'm not accustomed to the bike. It made for some creative 'rewarding'.

Dinner. I can't wait.

Happy New Year Tour

2010-01-02T08:49:00.007-07:00

Here's some pictures from the now annual Anthricite/West Elk New years day tour.

And thanks to Jarrall Ryter heres the Garming Info ( it is 2010 after all!)...
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21455812

Skinning up.

West Elk Castles from Swampy Pass

Edge of Antricites from Swampy Pass.

Swampy Pass: Breakfast

Between Swampy and Beckwith Pass. Wilderness.

Climb up to Beckwith Pass

Beckwith LUNCH time. ( Bar's open Dave?)

Dave Mo. ( Ownder Rock and Roll sports in Gunnison/ Loving life)

I'm still smiling, coming off a Beckwith its already a good year!

Bottom of Beckwith, by Horse Ranch Park. Kebler.. pass.

B'man staying warm on top of Kebler..

What a great start to 2010.

In 2010

2009-12-30T22:18:00.003-07:00

I will:
Laugh, Celebrate, Live , Love
Wear frivolous clothes.

remember to blog more than 5 times a year.

Here is a photo album from our friends Pam and Juan of our trip to Maui and Xterra Worlds 2009/

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=525966557211%3A436866493

Here is a link to my next adventure in 2010. www.transandeschallenge.com Thanks to Rebecca Rusch for inviting me to partner her. Thanks to Trek bikes for supporting my going.

Prior to our adventure to the Andes, I am racing the Colorado snowshoe championships, Jan 16 (never say never) I am lucky enough to be on the red feather snowshoe racing team, www.redfeather.com, and have been using their fantastic snowshoes ( The Vapor and the Race 100) this winter. The Vapor are light and fast to run in, the Race 100's have more float for powder and deep snow.

Happy New Year everyone. Here's to 2010.

News

2009-09-05T09:54:00.005-06:00

Brian came home from Brazil, vibrating. Its so great to see him happy and high on life. I guess he had a fantastic time there, thoroughly enjoyed Mike and Ann's company and somewhat of some vacation time, along with XTERRA Brazil. The race itself had huge potential, but his stomach became really ill after the swim. And he slogged in to the finish.

I've been getting into the groove of home and training post our Europe trip. Its taken a few days to adjust and finally I learned to let it go and chill. I've always had a hard time coming home from a big trip with the adjustment and the feeling crappy that comes with travelling. This past weekend, I basically took all expectations off, created a mess, tidied the mess up, walked the dog, sure enough Monday came after a good nights sleep and great, feel normal. On with life.

Its going to be nice to be based somewhat from home leading to Xterra nationals and Worlds.

Next weekend Brian and I are having a rare weekend together mountain bike racing at the fall classic, in Breckenridge. Hopefully it has a fantastic turn out, I've missed the MTB circuit this year and along with a butt kicking fitness boost, it'll be super fun to socialise.

Leading into Ogden, Brandyn and I are going early and taking a diversion to inter bike for a day. I've never been before and avoided it for the past few years as it always falls the week of Xterra nationals, but this year I want to visit for a day.

Brian is here there and everywhere, an adventure race in China, Xterra Nationals and a duathlon in Brazil. Some exciting and different stuff for him.

Heres some random pics from Europe, some of them are courtesy fo Brandyn Roark Gray ( because she takes better pictures than me!).

Worthersee, Austria.Klagenfurt, Cafe. Austria.

So over the heavy baggage. Bad Gastein Austria.. 4 hours into our ride. Look a cafe.

Lunch Spot.
Lunch.
Bad Gastein Falls, super neat.
Enjoy

Jenny.

I know I know

2009-08-21T02:35:00.005-06:00

So after a few jabs in the ribs about my lack of updates, I thought I should put a little wee one in!
Where are we?
WELL, Brandyn and I are eating I mean racing our way through Germany and Austria. We started in Denver airport with a canceled flight and were ugraded to Business class for the trans atlantic flight. Um.. the way to travel! So enjoyed it, was even a bit reluctant to sleep.

Munich, Dresden then Zittau, saw us in the far east corner of Germany right along side Poland and Czech. Sans our bikes, but no worries, Ina, Benno and the crew at Xterra Germany looked after us, and we where treated to an amazing, event, organised and professional , with a grassroots freindly atmosphere.
Our bikes came and so did Saturday with XTERRA Germany. A great race, I was 6th, Bran 11th. Pretty good for travel and not seeing the bike course. Then the party. Fun.

Sunday we caught the train to Dresden, as it turned out for brunch and some sightseeing.
This week has been quite a bit of travel. Its funny, in some ways I am experienced w/ travel, but I'm realising that its always so much easier when you've done something once before. Hence the relaxed attitude with this trip. My goal is to enjoy it and should I be lucky enough to do it again next year, then it will be so much easier and more focused on the races. For now, I'm like, relax, go with the flow and have fun.

We visited with Ken, Sandi and Colin in their new home Hopfen am see. Stunning, and great to see them and to ride.

8 1/2 hour train ride through the alps to Klagenfurt Austria, sees us in Klopernisee, with the 'Brits' Jim, Sam Garder, Paul Davies, Renata Bucher - well she's swiss- at Pension Agnes. Looking forward to an amazing race at teh European Championships. The swim at sunset the other night was one of the events of my life.
Who would have thought I'd ever be swimming in Austria??? as a professional um.. swimmer.. well triathlete.

Brian. He is going to Brazil for XTERRA Brazil.on Tuesday. Hopefully I still have husband when I get home. Last night I dreamed he wanted to retire so we could have a garden. Weird. Gunnison has a 90 day growing period.

July

2009-07-26T17:47:00.007-06:00

I love July. I think its a huge reason to live in G.U.N.N.I.S.O.N.
July is a little like xmas and birthdays rolled together and better:

1. Its not butt ass cold ( I know bad language on my blog!)

2. Has 4th of July weekend which as we live in the best place on earth in July means we have fun friends to visit and play.

3. Has our wedding anniversary.

4. This year marked a decade in the States for me.

5. The days are warm and long and the nights are comfortable ( I seem to value this)
6. The lake is warm and I love swimming there.

7. The wildfowers in Crested Butte are amazing as is the high country riding.

8. I start to feel fit in July.

#8 has been a bit slower, coming back to Altitude from 6 weeks at sea level bought with it my eustation tube ear problem. So I've been battling a bit w/ fluid in my ear. After 2 weeks of denial and 2 weeks of Sudofed ( that would work when I took it and not after it wore off)I was waking up in the night and nearly at my wits end, but finally this past week I started on Fluonase.. and its making a huge difference, Thanks goodness and I'm loving feeling better.

I don't like all these medications so if anyone has some good natural effective ideas please let me know. I'm up for anything effective.

July has the Tour de France too, so much quality TV. Sad and glad that it finished today. Less TV.. is a good thing. My plan to stretch and strength while the tour was on wasn't always carried out. More like coffee in the morning and falling asleep on the couch at night.

Enjoy

Jenny.

SNRGY Multisport Xterra Camp

2009-07-14T12:17:00.003-06:00

We have four spaces left for this camp. We would love to have you join us. Contact us for more information. Just click on the title and it will take you to SNRGY multisport blog.
cheers
Jenny

Home

2009-07-08T20:52:00.003-06:00

Some pics from the last 2 weeks. July 4: Nico named crazy house: lots of riders, snakes, the dog.. fun though!
Hartmans rocks.

Reno flag bear deadmans-The girls: Bran, Erin, Jenny, Alex. Alan (taking the picture.. lead out boy for motor bikes coming the other way).

Alex climbs

CB classic pics from the weekend beofre. Xavier Fane.

lucky

2009-07-07T13:18:00.003-06:00

Slightly sore upper back/neck. Brian has a slightly sore neck. Max seems aok.

Mountain Motel

2009-07-06T23:43:00.002-06:00

My updates have been terribly non exisistent.
But I thought tonight deserves a mention. On the way home from pre-riding the Beaver creek XTERRA course in Vail, and hot on the heels of an amazing few weeks with alot of amazing friends, Brian killed his first ever ELK.
It wasn't his fault - it lept from the side hill as we where driving up Monarch mountain pass and onto our bonnet and windsheild. All I remember is thinking Elk.. as bang.. the car fills w/ smoke, and airbags deployed. Are you ok.. yep, me? yep, ... Max? lets turn the car off.
As you can imagine .. chaos ensued but everything worked out and we are in Mountain motel in Salida waiting to be towed to Gunnison tomorrow.
On the eve of our 9th year wedding anniversery.. perspective..people you care about all really all that matter!

Crested Butte Chamber | Fat Tire Bike Week

2009-06-09T12:37:00.002-06:00

Crested Butte Chamber Fat Tire Bike Week

Brian, Brandyn Roark Gray and I are leading rides at the festival. Join us for the riding, celebrating and racing.

the Crested Butte 40 is on Sat 27th.. limited to 100 riders. Now would be a good time to sign up!

Jenny Smith Post Race HOO-HA | Kenda Cup East #3 | Massanutten HOO-HA on CyclingDirt

2009-06-08T13:15:00.001-06:00

Jenny Smith Post Race HOO-HA | Kenda Cup East #3 | Massanutten HOO-HA on CyclingDirt

Posted using ShareThis

Doing no wrong doing no right.

2009-06-08T06:34:00.003-06:00

I am in Harrisonburg, VA visiting Sue Haywood and the Harrisonburg crew for a few days. People make the place and its a really neat place here.
The Massanutten Hoo Haa, Kenda cup was held over the weekend. Kristi has raved about this race and as one of her favorites and I wanted in. Also its just fun to be in the East Coast MTB scene, see Jeff Schalk, Jeremiah, Sue and everyone. The course was so fun, alot of built trails some just finished last thursday, Rocky, muddy, rideable technical, hard as hell it turns out.

Wow.I had a hard race, one of those days, where all things come together and result in feeling like utter cow pattie poo. I even had a headache. and I wanted to both pull out or walk. But only on the climb as soon as I got to the top.. whoo hoo.. .. Massanutten Yee haa... too much fun..

So I dragged my sorry ass around and up the 2nd lap climb, and thought about how last week I could do no wrong.

In contrast Sue Haywood won the double XC closely with Cheryl Sorenson ( a Trek team mate I met for the first time.. what a cool lady.. tough!) and Sue won the Super D too. Good stuff!.

Brian raced in the Teva games, a flat tire put him out in the MTB event, then he stepped it up in the 10k trail running event, finishing a very respectable 11th in what is one of the US's most hotly contested running events.

Photo link

2009-06-04T07:38:00.003-06:00

Ace pictures by I play outside.
http://iplayoutside.smugmug.com/gallery/8416374_HVELL#552790064_mEymj-A-LB

ACE adventure event - full

2009-06-01T10:14:00.010-06:00

Max and I drove up from North Carolina to West Virginia - to meet up with Kristi at the ACE adventure center for the ACE off road triathlon.

Kristi has talked about this race for years and I was very excited to check it out.

A very short ride pre race day resulted in me deciding not to check out the trails. My bike would get far too muddy and only illustrate how ill prepared I was.

Camping was provided free with registration at the Mountain top campground. So instead of riding I got settled into a site, pulled out the cooker, prepared for dinner and cracked into a Japanese Red Rice beer bomber. ( I'd been saving it for 3 weeks for a special occasion).

Kristi arrived... in fine style.

We had dinner, got ready for the 7am race set up and settled in for the night. Max and I sleeping the back of the van as we had the night before too. Its comfortable and I really like it.

Normally!
Post dinner, it started to rain a bit.....
Then it started to rain allot ( completely pouring down) , along with the rain came thunder and lightening.

Now anyone who has been around Max with thunder knows he turns into a neurotic, quivering, unreasonable mess... panting, shaking, pacing, freaking! out.
He worked into such a state that there was no way to calm him down. And after hours of this I realised there was no way I was getting any sleep - not with neurosis hell of a dog sharing the same space.
4am in the morning, the dog goes back to the back of the van and starts circling. I realise too late whats about to happen, I fly to sitting up and call Max .. NO.. as he explodes diarrhea everywhere... he reacts by runnig up to the front seat, spreading it everywhere.. everywhere.. I open the door yell ..OUT.. and sit in shock and horror at what just happened.
Did I mention its 4am and pouring rain. Crap!
Without breathing too deeply.. try to decide what to do now? .. in the dog's defense he comes over and looks at me with such fear and shame, I almost melt and forgive then and there.

Luckily we camped next to the facilty block and they had these awesome stainless outdoor tubs with hot water. I filled them with 'simple green'.. (its a bike race after all and that all I had in the car), throw out the sheet, and start to wash or at least clean off to wash later: 2 blankets, my sleeping bag, thermarest,the carpet..cycling shoes, toilet bag, yoga mat, long sleeve top, pants, socks.. it was everywhere.

6am the sky clears and 7am the sun's shining its a bright new VW day. Race morning.

We loaded into buses and trucked down to the start. No swim - the river was in a flood. The race is normally swum in 5-6 ft of water, the Gauley was clocked at 14 ft friday, 11 ft on Saturday!

Bus ride.

Andrew, race organiser.. yeah.. no swim.Jen, and Jen.. pre race.
I quite like starting on dry -ish land

So we ran, biked and ran.. It was such fun.

Hard as anything, Muddy, technical, Really, West Virginia trails are awesome.

And fantastic training, it was great to run before cycling for a change.

This pic is a bit close up for comfort .. but it is funny as it was muddy!

After the race things got more eventful again. Max was by the car and as we went to leave, found out he'd been almost run over by a woman. I found this out as she asked if he was my dog? As I reply yes, she yelled at how irresponsible I am, tying a dog to the car, she didn't see him lying there, gave her the fright of her life, she nearly squashed him. WHAT?? as she drives off.

I did freak out a bit , he seemed reaally sore, yelping when i picked him up, reluctant to move, in shock. We call the vet, drive an Hour to Louisville WV, I felt very worried and responsible, I cried to Brian.

Fortunately he was walking from the car into the vet practise: his right leg is scraped, and sore, his rump is sore, we hope its bruising. He has pain meds,and is on calm couch rest.

Kristi said today: he kinda had the good life for a Monday: "In the sun, On drugs and on the couch!"

I slept with him on the bed last night, During the night, decided he can sleep on the bed any night. I love the dog.

Vegas.. then East bound

2009-05-24T12:36:00.006-06:00

Cirque de solei. Vegas

Brian, I and Brandyn.

Max and my trip started with a speeding ticket 20 miles east Of Gunni. Its still sitting on the dashboard, I know I have to suck it up and pay it, but have been procrastinating.
We drove East, stopping in Boulder on route to hwy 80 and Chicago, and meeting Brian. Nebraska/Iowa/ Illinois.. quite pretty, spring and green... and it was a long way!

Post Chicago we drove to Battle creek Michigan for the Midwest championship Xterra. Fast, fun, flatter trails made for a great triathlon. Nice swim, fast bike, enjoyable run. Race morning we where met with 30 degree temps and ice.. but race conditions where basically perfect. I rode into 2nd and finished 5th. Brian ran into 7th.
Solid races. The Xterra competition on the US scene this year is awesome. Top 5 in Michigan all finished top 6 at Worlds last year.
We stayed with Andrea and Brett in Michigan, and their two husky dogs. Great hosts and a really neat couple.
Post race Brian and I visited Ann Arbor for a day, it was really fun, student town, stayed next to a Trader Joes ( made me very happy) and we went downtown Monday evening to Arbor Brewing company ( made Brian very happy). Was a good time, lively town, relaxed.
Tuesday was another story. I dropped Brian in Detriot and drove all day through Ohio/Kentucky/Tennessee untill 11pm that night. Ugh.

Big Bone state park, Kentucky.. recovery day..staying in one piece.
Wednesday saw Max and I arriving in Alabama to Oak mountain. Love it here. Great venue and state park. To say I was wrecked is an understatement, couldn't ride my bike on the trails.. too much effort!
I met my host family for the weekend Jenny, Corbin, Cassie and Gauge. A good nights sleep and a new person with my name emerged on Thursday.
The Southeast Xterra was held yesterday and I had a solid race to finish 6th. I had good legs a good bike and improved run.
Xterra's are tough, today I am once again wrecked! So heading East toward Atlanta and north to visit Brian's sister in Gastonia, North Carolina. Next up is the ACE off road triathlon West Virginia this weekend. Apparently its quite the party. 1 1/2 miles downriver swim/ 7 mile run/ and 12 mile bike. Kristi of Dirtbean and I are going to camp and experience some West Virginia racing scene. I can't wait it has been a long time since I've raced in WV.
What a good life! Brian is in Gunnison, racing the Sage burner 25k trail race yesterday, which he won, and the half growler MTB race today. He was 2nd on his single speed.

SNRGY multisport is LIVE

2009-05-12T00:07:00.001-06:00

Here I go again linking blogs to blogs and web pages.
Snrgy Multisport is LIVE.
Check out our Blog at http://www.snrgymultisport.blogspot.com/
Our website is still an work in progress but we are making progress. ie: learned today how to sign in and upload.. baby steps people.. baby steps. http://www.snrgymultisport.com/ ( be patient with this one).
Check back often as there are plenty of exciting happenings behind the scenes and in the works. cheers Jenny

Gunnison Growler and the Dog

2009-05-07T22:29:00.003-06:00

The Gunnison local growler series started up while we were in Vegas last week, and we joined in with race #2 this evening. Hartman's rock's area is in such good shape and so are the Gunnison/ Crested butte locals.. perpetually!
It was a lung buster, technical skills, single track racing and fun all rolled into one. I often end up duking it out with several single speed in these races, mismatched bikes allow me to catch on the big ring portions and have the 'hurt' put to me on the climbs. Tonight I made a guy hang out behind me for too long and when I did finally let him by saw he was on a single speed. Oops that's not cool.. On my part.

On to the d o double g. Brian woke me at 5.15 yesterday. "Max has run off and I've got to meet Wick' ( to ski) Can imagine how psyched I was with that.. Wednesday is trash day too... damn it.. damn dog.
1 hour 30 looking for the dog in the semi dark in to morning, we gave up and realised it would be ugly. 8am in comes the fat double wide boy. burping and thirsty with something resembling turkey grease or a toxic oil spill from his head , down his neck and legs!
Needless to say the remenants have been nasty, last night was a 4 x interupted one, and today was extra nasty surprise in the lounge. Revolting...
Also needless to say the boy has been bathed and is extra sweety maxwell dog all day today.
He knows.
Wonder why we don't have any additional children?

Jen

Leaving Las Vegas

2009-05-03T08:25:00.002-06:00

The opening race of the US cup Xterra series was held yesterday in Las Vegas. Interesting venue for an off road triathlon.. the USA man made city.

What a place Vegas is. The epitomy of most things I don't believe in.. unsustainable, consumerism to the max, man made excess. the rant could go and go.

People were extremely hospitable and friendly. Marty and Larry Simmons kindly hosted Brian, Brandyn and I.
Sunset racing put on a put together brutal event in Lake Las Vegas ( very clean water) and surrounding dirt. I say dirt as nothing grows out there... beyond the irrigated landscaping.
Chris met and rode with us on the course top meet insurance rules with the private property and organised tickets to Cirque de solei KA show. FUN!
Bran and I shopped, Trader Joes and the Henderson Whole foods.. ( a whole food store on steriods.. of course its Vegas.. pretty fun for foodies!).

Then there was the racing. Not too spectacular. Brian and I where both 8th. Lots to improve on. I felt like one speed steady Jenny. But as its the beginning of a long season it may be a very good thing as we progress. We've been doing this for a long time, a little hunger is good for us.

Today its back to the Earth in St George , Gooseberry Mesa and Zion national park. No highway 15 today.. we are taking the back road home.

time to change the scenery

2009-04-27T22:40:00.002-06:00

I have my camera on this trip and will take pictures, I promise. I think its time to move the Gothic in Jan header on our site and substitute a South West in the spring picture.
I am in Aztec, getting ready to leave for Vegas tomorrow morning, with Brandyn. Excited, its the opening race of the 2009 Xterra US cup series on Saturday.
Ready? I will find out.
Brian.. he's always ready. its his style.
Stay tuned.. we'll keep updated as we go.
cheers
Jenny

How not to hold a dog

2009-04-23T22:34:00.003-06:00

When I ride with Max, I hold his leash really loosely as he likes to stop dead cold at piece's of road interest..
Last week I rode with him the leash strung in my fingers. Well he stopped alright and it wrenched my middle finger sideways and backwards. It HURT.
10 days later and I still have an exceptionally sore finger. Seems uber silly and I've been putting off getting it further checked out. The thing is I've realised how much I use it. swimming: middle finger. Typing, driving, changing and hand pumping a tire.
The worst activity shimano xtr shifting. Of course as its my right hand, its the rear too.

It made me remember the ad campaign when XTR, STI was first released.. middle finger's.
cheers
Jenny

Cover Boy

2009-04-15T16:41:00.003-06:00

http://www.usatriathlon.org/content/index/1622

Brian at ITU Winter World Traithlon championships, Gaishorn, Austria.

Is it lame?

2009-04-13T19:45:00.001-06:00

to write a blog post linking a blog to a blog?
http://www.twowheeltales.com/wordpress/?p=462

life has been busy.. so check out my post for two wheel tales.

Jen

Crazy happy

2009-03-31T19:15:00.004-06:00

Accomplishment's
:Team Woody: 5th place overall

Sarah Gillis and Dave Scheefer

Sarah and Robyn

Pat Oneill and Jake Jones.

B'man

Wolfie.. I bet Sue D didn't pack Dave's bag!
Grand Traverse, Crested Butte to Aspen 09. Pics from Sarah Gillis.

Grand Traverse 2010.. I wonder if I could get myself over Star pass and on route to Aspen?

smith and brown

2009-03-31T19:12:00.003-06:00

Finish of Grand Traverse 09. 9 hours 36, 7th place.

The witching hour

2009-03-27T22:40:00.002-06:00

Its 17 degrees in Gunnison and an hour from the midnight start of the Grand traverse ski event. Crested Butte to Aspen.
Brian and Jon Brown, partners for 7 of the past 8 years are up in CB now 'warming up' for the start. Its going to be a cold one.
They are both using Randonee equipment this year a first for Brian, in this race, and with fresh snow last night it is a good call!
Its going to be an interesting race, the new snow has added another element . JB hopefully has Brian under the thumb and paced for the first part of the race..
Wish them luck.

Me? Maxwell dog and I are getting up at 5am to drive to Aspen for the finish. Hopefully we'll get there before they do ...crazy eh.

Nice togs

2009-03-24T19:48:00.003-06:00

Thanks Swim Outlet. Speedo Grab bag womens togs. $29.. seemed a reliable bet, Know the sizing, they are only going to get wet and ruined by the pool anyway. Didn't exactly expect this $19 beauty!

I realised yesterday after swimming in Montrose pool ( the Gunnison pool is closed for several more weeks or so..) I have swum in 12 pools, in 11 towns , in 3 Countries in the past 7 weeks.

This weekend if I swim in Delta on Friday, Aspen on Saturday and Grand Junction on Sunday.. It'll be the start of a fun new game for the year!

Notable in this is that I'm yet to swim at home in Gunnison - Post Feb 1st .

Funny

2009-03-23T19:15:00.004-06:00

Travis Scheefer and Jon Brown got stranded in Denver International Airport on Sunday night, their way back to Gunnison from the USMMA randonee skiing national championships in, Jackson, WY.
This is great - and pales Brians airport antics.
What to do.

Back in the Saddle

2009-03-21T18:51:00.003-06:00

What a whirlwind winter it has been. I still have 3 ski events left this season and less than a month away from the first Mountain States Cup event. I do have to apologize for being the world's lamest blogger. I think I can count my blog entries on one hand. Jenny has done an excellent job updating with both our events and travels.
It has been in the 60s here in Gunnison. Unheard of temperatures for this time of the year. We've been hitting the road bikes this past weekend. A nice change from slogging in the snow all winter. Jenny and I even got the itch to train with Western State's distance running team this morning. We did a 4.4K tempo and I added a 600M following to really get on the toes. Its so good to get top notch runners to try and hang with. Jenny and I get our best speed workouts with the team.
Next weekend is the Grand Traverse. For Jon Brown and myself, it will be our 7th year racing together and my 8th. Eight years and only one victory. The GT is the most prestigious winter event in the Gunnison/Crested Butte valley. I think there are 120 teams of 2 this year. It sold out in 14 hours! Any of you that are good skiers and like endurance racing, this race is one of the most unique and rewarding out there. Just starting a race at midnight is cool but then covering 42 miles and 6000 vertical feet to the finish in Aspen is pretty sweet. I am looking forward to racing on my randonee equipment this year for the first time. Skiing off the star pass cornice will be much more enjoyable.
I bagged Carbon Peak for the first time this past week. Bryan Wickenhauser and I skied the spoon on Wednesday. We summited in 1:20 and were back to the car in 1:40. A firm ski but fast with the solid crust out the bottom. I think Wick said it was 3270 vertical. Wick managed to get 3rd today at Randonee nationals in Jackson Hole. Pete Swenson won and Travis Sheefer (another local from CB) was second. Travis won the 12K mountaineering event at XTERRA Winter Worlds, beating me by 11 seconds. Pete and Travis made automatic selection for worlds next season as the top 2.
Wick promised to send me a picture he got of me on the top of Carbon. I will be sure to attach on the next post. That's all for now. I will be sure to post again soon.

Brian

Winter XTERRA World Champion x 2

2009-03-11T07:09:00.005-06:00

Here's Xterra Planet's report.

Sunday, March 08, 2009
Brian Smith, a 33-year-old elite endurance racer from Gunnison, Colorado, was as flawless as the weather at Snowbasin Resort today – putting together the best bike, snowshoe, run and randonnee ski times to capture the XTERRA Winter World Championship for the second straight year in two hours, 21 seconds, more than five minutes ahead of two-time Winter Triathlon World Champion Nicolas Lebrun from France. “It feels good to defend the title,” smiled Smith, who also won the USA Winter Triathlon crown in January. “I wanted to be flawless today, and was able to put some gaps on the field in the first climbing section on the bike and from there I just stayed on the gas and pulled away.”
Indeed, the man who was wearing the No. 1 jersey was appropriately out in front all day. The race combined 10-kilometers of mountain biking, 5km of snowshoeing, 5km of running, and 8km of ski mountaineering – all on the “Greatest Snow on Earth” at Snowbasin which is boasting the deepest base in Utah and solid mid-winter conditions to go along with the most beautiful sunshine days imaginable. Smith charged hard from the moment race director Dave Nicholas’ cannon blast sent a flurry of mountain bikers representing 15 states and four countries sliding down the hill to start the race. He had the fastest bike time in 25:04, and went out onto the snowshoe leg more than a minute ahead of Jay Henry, two minutes in front of Lebrun, and just about four minutes ahead of Josiah Middaugh.
Middaugh, an 8-time snowshoe national champ, made up a minute-30 on Smith during the deep powder snowshoe stomp through the forest and caught Henry and Lebrun by the time they hit the run. The trio of striders made for an intimidating chase pack but Smith stayed swift and kept his lead at 1:35 heading out onto the ski mountaineering course. By the final stage Middaugh had overtaken Henry and Lebrun and moved into second place, giving himself the opportunity to turn the tide on what happened at last year’s race when Smith made up two minutes in the last leg to steal the victory from Middaugh by a mere second. Alas, it wasn’t to be as Smith posted the fastest ski mountaineering split of the day – a 39:39 with a graceful giant slalom shuffle in front of a cowbell-ringing crazed-crowd at the finish line to seal the deal. “I’m sorry it wasn’t as spectacular of a finish as last year but it was a great race,” said Smith at the awards ceremony where he picked up an $1,800 check for first place. “These guys here at Snowbasin did an excellent job putting this course together – this place is first class all the way.” Those sentiments were echoed throughout… “The ski was awesome, just beautiful terrain and this was my first time skiing in Utah but I’ll definitely be back. I had a blast,” said Henry, who finished 3rd overall. Lebrun, who came into the ski stage in fourth, skinned his way up the hill in a hurry and passed Henry and Middaugh to finish second. All told, the 18-mile course featured some 3,000 feet of human-powered climbing up, down, and around the snow covered mountain whose base sits at 6,400-feet elevation.

Rebecca Dussault also of Gunnison, CO.. absolutely crushed the womens race. She is having an amazing season on snow this year!

Two for one

2009-03-08T12:25:00.006-06:00

I get 2 birthdays this year, One in NZ and then as I cross the dateline tonight the second on in the US. 20 extra hours to spend travelling!

I wonder how long the novelty will last.

The cool part though is the feeling of justified self indulgence. My day is going to start with yoga, loading the car, a swim at freidburg pool on the Wellington waterfront and breakfast at the Parade cafe.

Life is pretty good I say.

Wonder how Brian is doing in Xterra Winter Worlds at Snowbasin?

cheers

Jen

Karapoti classic MTB and Rees's Cow

2009-03-07T12:39:00.003-07:00

Before I tell you about the Karapoti MTB event. I have to share my coffee I am drinking. Its the best thing ever! and not just because I am tired and sore from yesterday's race. Rees Buck has milk in the fridge from his cow in Wanganui. You can't buy unpasteurised milk (legally I believe) so to get around it, there are co-ops here where you buy shares in a cow and your milk is delivered once a week. Anyone who has been to NZ knows how good the dairy is here. So add home made milk to the mix. Its utter heaven!
If I knew how good it tasted I would have been following Cameron around and down to the dairy shed vat, when I was staying on his farm last week, much like James the pig!

Okay the Karapoti. this race is so cool, seriously would be a good one for any ones MTB to do list. Its a mix of he, she and everyone, and really hard to boot. This year it was raining. So not exciting for me as I fly home tomorrow and you know how un-appealing cleaning everything right after a mud MTB race is in time to get it up to flying standards. Add that it is located basically in a paddock, rain - not appealing.
The race starts on the edge of a river. FUN?? in waves but waves of 100 or so. The river this year was chest deep, except for one line across rocks only thigh deep! I didn't get that spot so my line was into the river, hoist my bike above my head/ while holding my position/ in bike shoes, and a current/ up to my chest.
Amazing I had a good start! Until 10 minutes in when I flatted, my front tire, in the bead, a faulty tube stem, a second change, used co2 and hand pumping later I got back in 10 minutes or so ... long off the back of the train.
OH well. was a great workout to say the least, so much muddy messy, leg burning climbing, bike wrecking fun. As a bonus I finished 3rd with a little NZ pocket money for lunch and dinner.
Now 1 more day in NZ. what to do?

Pets and VIC Australia.

2009-03-05T02:57:00.007-07:00

Bec, Gavin and I rode out of the trail and into this guy walking his goat.. Of course!

When you get to know my sister you soon learn, quickly that her pets are a huge part of her. When I was staying, she picked up James, a hand reared runt.. ooh James loves Cam, Cam owns his dairy farm and has an endless source of Milk, for James... Can't wait to see the 150lb pig in another couple of months. He's cute though and bright, and boy can he throw his toys out of the cot and squeal.

Cam, Rachael, Missy and JamesThe Ollie man.

While In Aussie, I got my butt kicked in a 100k MTB event. Hopefully it also kicked my butt into better shape. 100k was quite hard out of winter and a few weeks on the bike. Very steep hills! While we where in Apollo bay we went on along the ocean road to see the 12 Aposotles.

West Coast NZ

2009-03-05T02:43:00.004-07:00

Rachael, Dad and I in Denniston, Westport ( there are some great tracks for mountain biking there too!)

Musseling at low tide - Cape Fowlwind, Westport.

Punakiki ,Inland packtrack, loop, West Coast.

Life Unwired

2009-02-19T13:47:00.002-07:00

Is nice, and healthy. Less computer, more friends and family. No cell phone. Funnily enough life goes on!

Today I am crossing my fingers the (only ) bike shop in Colac Australia will (open) and be able to fix my shifting. What do you suppose the airlines actually do to our bikes between check in and the baggage claim?

cheers

Jenny

what I did...

2009-02-05T03:00:00.005-07:00

..."NT" ...do today?
Rachael ( my sis ) and Cam and I where driving over to the West Coast today.. right past Hamner...when me and my big mouth goes.. have you ever bungy jumped?

A short uiey later and we found ourselves at the Hamner thrill seekers kiosk fessing up and paying for 3 bungy jumps.

Those of you who know me know I am terrified of heights.. I've always said I'd never jump off a prefectly good bridge.

So we get up there, Rachael and Cam are super excited and I'm thinking oh crap..

Cam goes first.

I don't! really the pic say's it all.
Rachael is like for gods sake.. my turn!

SUN

2009-02-01T12:59:00.003-07:00

I am sitting outside at Seth's place in Boulder, in a tank top, and my arms are getting sun for the first time in at least 10 weeks! It feels so good! We've had a great winter in Gunnison, and its bizarre how we forget that the rest of the country isn't quite as cold..
We 'raced' ( Well Brian did I participated) in the Alley Loop marathon skate ski yesterday. -11 In Gunni in the morning, the snow in CB was cold. Brian waxed us warmer so he had a hard day of it, w/ not much glide.. I don't know that I really noticed. Once I got over being taken down on the early climb... ( chaos skis poles everywhere...) I had a blast. I'm skiing well for me this year. Its largely I think due to the swimming , my upper body doesn't get fatigued. I was 22rd in the womens marathon, 3 hours 12, Brian was 6th in the mens in 2.15.
No pictures.. Brian's reasoning ...too busy racing!
Afterwards we jetted home, ( left the house in a shambles ) and came to Boulder. Brian and Seth are in Eldora racing a 10k snowshoe race. I'm busy stealing Seth's PG tips tea ( cup #3) and Me and Max ran into Settlers park, we both overdressed, Max's nails are long from the snow and not pavement, Max drooled the whole way w/ exciting spring and city smells!
Tomorrow I fly home. .. I'm so excited.. well not really excited at all about the 30hr + flight, long layover in LA, but very excited about seeing my sister, nana, mum and Dad.
I'm taking a bike w/ for my sister and a bike for me to ride , so am testing out a new way of travel. I only have the 2 bike boxes, my clothes are in laundry bags and plastic bags in the boxes, my cycling shoes, running shoes, and helmet are in my carry on. Both boxes come in under 50lbs, Hope it helps and I don't get over charged! Also hope bikes arrive in one piece... athlete tools help as packing/padding.. kick board, yoga mat, pull bouy, tpt block, camel back....

Finally.. Go Katie Compton. The UCI World Champs cyclocross on http://www.universalsports.com/ Marianne Vos won the race, but the deserved respect goes to Katie and Hanka (the German rider) for aggressing the race, You could argue Marianne as being savvy and smart/ you could also argue her as being .. wheel sucking non working.... My respect goes in Katies direction.

SNRGY multisport

2009-01-24T20:47:00.004-07:00

I met with Brandyn Roark Gray and Lisa lieb in Ouray earlier this week. To check in and plan for SNRGY multisport the coaching and clinic company Brandyn and I have started. It was great, and exciting. Since then we've been squaring away details, registering a domain for our website ( which to be honest is a bit confusing.. to me.) I signed in yesterday and realised oh crap its full of technical language and details! Then I called in to a bank on Friday and opened an account, again, it was significantly more involved, than expected.

We've started coaching clients and so jazzed about it. I think we have a neat concept going and we agree on many aspects of our business and how we want to work with our clients. Its great. Snrgy.. with the sports, clients, lifestyle, health, performance.

In the meantime my ear has been acting up, the other one. So I have an appointment with the ear nose throat specialist on Tuesday. For a full audio exam etc.. Fingers crossed, It will be great to have it healthy and stable before I fly to NZ.

We raced the Kenny mac 30k skate race in Gunnison this morning. Put on by Gunnison Nordic, $5 entry! WARM!!! so warm I was saturated, by the end in just a base layer and a light jacket. Brian flew and won the men's race. Much to my surprise I skied well for me and was 2nd in the women's race. it was super fun to ski with Sue Demottai and other women I am usually 10 Min's at least behind. Brian bought me a red bull... I never drink these.. might be something to it.

March 13 - 15th is our next XTERRA training Camp in Farmington, NM. Spring will be in the air. Perfect timing for a summer triathlon camp. contact us for more details snrgymultisport@gmail.com

Cosmic Ski Event

2009-01-20T20:11:00.004-07:00

Moving right along.. we seem to be in the thick of Brian racing. Me? along for the ride! This past weekend was at the Sunlight ski area in Glenwood springs. I hadn't been there before, its out of the way from Gunnison, as you have to go around the mountains to get there.
It was a super fun weekend, staying downtown ( cheers Ross ), good coffee shops and food and across from the hot springs!
Sunlight ski area was great, our Monarch passes extend there too, so while Brian and Sully pre skied the downhills on Saturday, I made my way around the mountain on the ezy peasy terrain. And it was warm!
Sunday dawned bright and early, and cool 13 degrees, the race started at 8am, so we got up early. Brian was using both his sets of skins in the race so I put on yak traks and grabbed poles to hike up the mtn and watch the first skin up.
Randonee racing is basically like a MTB cross country race on skis with fast gnarly ski downhills, the skiers transition at the bottom, put skins on to climb back up, take skins off at the top to ski down. Super hard and fun and waayyy out of my skiing league! Which is a bummer, maybe in 5 -10 years ??
Anyway, on the first skin up, I cheer everyone on. Where is Brian? off the back I see him and learn later he had ice in a binding and it wouldn't engage. He started maybe 5 mins back after getting it sorted out.
I run down to watch the first transition, Brian Wickenhauser and Max Tamm come flying in in a dead heat basically, Brian comes in maybe 3 mins back in about 10th place, and heads back up the hill for lap two.
I run up to watch the 2nd descent, fully realise how out of my league it is and am now in massive awe of everyone doing it, and envious.. ( guess thats what I get for growing up w/ the ocean out my bedroom window across the street!!)
By the 3rd and final climb and bootpack Brian had caught the front and was hopefully headed for a win. Brian crossed first, then Max and Wick duked it out for 2nd finishing in a basic sprint. Wick is an amazing descender, Max earned the 2nd place.
After the event Brian and I skinned up the last climb. It was amazing. Pete Swenson put a track in through aspens overlooking Sopris MTN, stunning and ridiculously steep and scary! from my pint of view, but so cool, we skinned to the top and took the green run down.

Wick, Max and Brian - top 3

Skin up.

Skins on.

Sully's gear.

Classic ski with Gale at Hartmans.

These icicles looked so pretty we tried eating them, they are too fragile.

cheers

Jen

USAT Winter triathlon National Champion

2009-01-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Brian won the Usat National champs in Bend, OR today. Awesome . Congratulations.

Which also means he's qualified for the US team to go to World Championships in Austria.

Rebecca Dussault also of Gunnison won the womens event.

Pics to come...

Winter Tri Nationals

2009-01-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Brian is off to Bend, OR for the USAT winter tri nationals this morning. Someone say gear? Holy cow.. below is Jc leary's pic of his packing and equipment last year.

This time around he shipped his bike ahead through Gunnison Shipping to Bike and Ski in Bend. A great idea! much cheaper than the $250 It'd cost to fly with and as weight is not an issue with UPS he put his whole bike in the case and some extra bit and pieces to boot. If/when we fly this year we are absolutely going the shipping route.

Me? I thought about going but my motivation was the possible draft Abyss beer ar Deshutes brewery... not really valid enough reason to cancel personal training clients and fly to Bend! So Brian's parents are skiing at Monarch today and I'm car pooling to ride in Salida. First time out of the lounge this year on the bike.. Weather says 42 degree high there... wish me luck. If its really cold.. My alpine stuff is in the car too.. ( never thought I'd say that.. ha ha..) Never say never my friends!

Universalsports.com

2009-01-06T20:54:00.001-07:00

www.universalsports.com check it out.. its awesome.. skiing, nordic skiing, cycling, track and field... perfect for trainer time!

Gunnison Chica's

2009-01-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

I was snowshoe running at Heartmans this morning and thinking. I'm writing an article for the Gunnison trails website on training at Hartmans.. Its going to be easy! Its our church.

It got me thinking about some of the women in our Valley and appreciatively inspired.

Funnily when Brian came home from Hartman's he was telling me about who re ran into today. Our friends Gale , Greg, Carol, Bike shop owner Ricky G and Kathy G and A woman in windproof pants, on old skate boots and older fisher skis hammering up the main street hill... when he finally caught up he realised and gave Susan Demattei a huge fright. Sue skied with for the rest of the loop.

Local Yokels:

Sara ski's

Jari Kirkland- Rockstar.
Keri Nelson. Snowshoe National Champion.

Dussaultskis, Grandma Quinn, Carol.

Mama Dussaultskis. 8 x national XC ski champ/2006 Olympian Rebecca.

Who inspires you?

New Years Day 2009

2009-01-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

Travis Scheefer and Stoobi skin up

Start of Swampy

West Elk mtns

Winter single track

Swampy Pass

Looking back at the Castles
Awesome!! What a great group.
Another view of Anthricite range

Keri Nelson over my shoulder...

Jon's coffee laced

Top of Beckwith

A stunning start to the New Year. Warm compared to last year only -12 as we drove by the bank in Gunnison. Such a warm day later on. 22 of our friends met at the Ohio pass trailhead for the Swampy, Beckwith, Kebler, Ohio Pass tour of the Anthricite range. 4 passes over 10,000ft. Good times.

I of course realised I still can't ski for 'crapola' coming off of Beckwith.. Nordic skis, downhill conditions, burly snowmobile track etc.. made it challenging. Wish I could say I didn't crash.. alot.. or cry.. I did. Still it was an amazing day.

Brian is a Saint , and skied with, fed me lunch, made me laugh. I bought in the tail end of the group at 3pm.. 8 hours later.

Start as I intend to continue.. 'sometimes over my head, tears, tantrum, humor, one foot in front of the other'

Happy New Year.

XMAS POWDER

2008-12-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

Brian and I met with Monarch Mountain a few weeks ago. Brian is going to put on a Randonee ski clinic prior to the Feb 21st event at Monarch and in return thay graciously supplied us with Season Passes.
I am not a skier, in fact I've attempted to ski 3 x in my life up untill now, the last was in 1999 where I basically did my damnedest to not go down the hill at all.. and that was the beginner slope! Not exactly the point.. eh!

Well that's all changed, we went up to Monarch to pick up our passes yesterday and ski in the POWDER! It was awesome. I loved it.. I didn't get off the kids lift ( according to Brian.. I was like kids? the kids are up the top of the mtn....) yet, but I did make it down a blue slope and I am hooked.

So excited. We used Brians rando equipment, and his new GOODE ski's ( so I'm learning on $2000 carbon ski's and bindings.. the lightest on the market.. Thanks Dave GOODE ...being Brian's wife has benefits sometimes!).

cheers
Jen

Brandyn's cat and pickle drink

2008-12-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

Someone gave us this at the pool the other day.

Yes it tastes disgusting.

Crazy Snow

2008-12-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Its positively dumping, while its been snowing just about every day since last Tuesday the intensity upped and today it has been absolutely pouring out of the ski/ sky.

So I donned the Yak Trax and ski goggles and headed out for a tour da neighbourhood. I play outside is always so much better than the torture machines at the gym.

cheers

Jen

Home made goodness

2008-12-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

A client Michelle gave us the most amazing chocolate chip cookies today. Yum! One turned into 3 as I got ready to ride the rollers.. wonder if my ride used them up??

I've been right into making things at home lately. In part, its a response to food prices being so expensive. Its also to stay healthy. Largely too .. its just better.

I'm sprouting mung beans and they are delicious. Eating them in pumpkin soup. The soup is last nights soup improved. Roast Pumpkin, onion and garlic with coconut milk, red curry, and coconut curry chicken stock. (My friend Laura suggested a little brown sugar and stock to bring out the flavor.. it has made a huge improvement). Tomorrow I am thinking the soy chorizo in the fridge would be good added too....

Soup in December is the best!

I've got Yoghurt making in the cooler overnight. Take some plain Yoghurt , about 1/5th of the container, and mix it in a Jar with organic milk heated to 115 degrees, Put in our small 'chilli bin' and add hot water... to cover the jar and incubate the 'yoghurt'. Its good and alot cheaper. I'd like to find some organic milk powder and then I could make thicker yummy Yoghurt. Not sure that Gunnison has that though. ( NZ is 15 years ahead of this game, my cooler is a homemade version of Eziyo!)

I'm also making Granola in the oven right now. Its so much more economical and nice to know whats in the cereal mix.

cheers
Jen

So whats new?

2008-12-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we experience periods of change, and change can be really good. Its allowing me to be really stimulated and challenged.

My off season is in the past now, it was an off - season, my ear problems really affected me, but a visit to a specialist last week was encouraging, I'd had 2 things going on; an Eustachian tube problem and an initial ear canal infection, which in the end was dry and inflamed, mainly because it was too dried out from treatment. Its really settling now so I am much happier.

Its been interesting however and a learning curve. I've been learning about some Chinese medicine and the relationship between the water element, our kidney's,adrenal glands and ears. I relate to what I am learning and feel much of it is applicable to me. So in the long run I think the whole experience is a healthy one. My mantra for now is nourishment, and not just food, more in the form of some calming activities and balance to my go/go lifestyle.

I've changed coaches too, after 3 very successful years with Ann Trombley (www.trailmastercoaching.com) I approached Dara Marks Marino (http://www.dmmfastcoaching.com/) for coaching. Dara with her cycling and xterra experience is a really good choice for me to continue to develop as an xterra athlete. Its exciting and I am feeling really positive about the change.

I've also ( now I'm letting all my cats out of the bag, but whatever... its no secret that I am not a good swimmer... yet) begun working with Brandyn Roark Gray with Swimming.

She and Trever are olympic trial swimmers and coaches of the Four corners aquatic team... I'm hoping a little will rub off. She's a fantastic coach and again I am very excited to be working with someone who also competes in Xterra and triathlon.

2009 is very motivating to me.

Brian and I, along with Brandyn and Trever (Roark) Gray are teaming up to teach an Off road triathlon camp in Farmington, New Mexico Jan 22 - 25, 2009.
Brandyn and Trever will take the swim clinics. They'll video, assess your stroke, teach you drills to correct it, use tools for swimming, show how to integrate into a workout and how to progress your workouts into your season.

Brian and I will teach mountain bike and run clinics focusing on both technical and technique skills, race specific skills and workout planning and progression.

The weather will most likely be dry in Farmington and Aztec. I've just been down to swim and ride. We checked out the trails and they are super fun and appropriate.

The camp costs $295 which includes all clincs. Accomadation and food isn't included. Farmington has plenty of reasonably priced accom. We envisage eating out together Friday night, then on Saturday the ride clinic will be from the Gray's house and end with a pot luck BBQ.

Its an amazing opportunity for athletes of all abilities to start their year off well. Its going to be social, fun, motivating and extremely useful.

Space is limited so please contact me w/ any questions.

cheers

Jen

Brian's blog for two wheel tales

2008-11-30T17:22:00.001-07:00

Snowing and 40, B’man blogs
This post was written by Brian Smith on November 30, 2008
Hey all. Brian Smith here in wonderful Gunnison, Colorado. My wife Jenny and I are enjoying our tiny window called ”off-season”. We currently have snow flurries and its 40 degrees. I am trying to get excited to run an hour and head north for some early season skiing. Maui seems like it was years ago already, maybe even another planet. Time to get the snow bike up and running andstart nordic/randonee skiing. Any of you that has access to randonee equipment you should check out the Cosmic race series that Pete Swenson and Monique Merrill put on. www.cosmicski.com They are a lot like mountain bike races on skis. Same race time and elevation gain. Quite a hoot.
The date for the USAT winter triathlon nationals has been pushed ahead 4 weeks as it overlapped with the ITU Winter Triathlon Worlds. These events are a lot of fun as well. Trying to skate ski after running and biking in snow till you see stars. What could be more fun? I have these funnew toys called rollerskis I picked up after Maui. Hopefully I will be ahead of the game once we have some good track. Salomon has been very kind to us this season. We both have complete kits for skate and classic skiing. We have to be sure to make the skis go fast as well!
Our dog Max is helping to keep up our running fitness. He completely trashes the house if he gets left behind. He isn’t all fun and games as his nickname is “nightmare dog”. We have to brush him 3 times a day or we will have a new shag carpet each day.
Sorry I don’t have any pictures. I promise to have some for my next post. Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.
Brian

The mystery ear infection

2008-11-23T04:06:00.000-07:00

I went to another doctor on Friday. I'd been really frustrated as 3 weeks in despite/ rest/antibiotics/medicated ear drops etc.. My ear was still infected and hurting me crazy.
The doctor commented on alot of sand in my ear, embedded, inflammed and infected> We need to get the sand out. So she washed it out. It was alot of sand!
Do you want to know how much better it is already. Amazing, awesome. I feel like a human being again.
Equally amazing is that it took 3 visits to get the sand problem taken care of, both earlier visits commented on the sand but in a oh observation kind of way. Amazing!...
I think I have just changed doctors.

flat batteries

2008-11-19T19:36:00.001-07:00

1/2 way around the white rim I remember... didn't I have fresh batteries for the Camera in the glovebox in the van?! Yep.. please check out http://www.urbanassaultride.blogspot.com/ for josh's perspective and more pictures.
The white rim was cool. We had a great group of friends to ride with and the day was spectacular. The pace kept moving along, which was nice as we didn't stop for too long along the way. It was quite Sandy out there during the early part of the ride.
I wore stylie (not so much) 180's ear warmers to protect my ear infection and rode. My newly built single speed. As its my 08 hardtail bike turned (white brothers eno's hub) single speed I felt super comfortable. But I have to say. I'm done with the single speed white rim ride for awhile. 30 miles in I realised.. this ride in dumb on a single its too much of a range of steep climbs to flat riding. Oh well it was a stunning day.

How was Brian's ride? It was his birthday, he celebrated... Of course. This year he got lucky and rode (demoed for Brian Reipe /Mountain flyer magazine). A 29er belt drive single speed spot titanium bike. ( what alot of words... for a one geared bike) The Spot bike rates in Reipe's top five bikes ever and Brian agreed.cheers
Jen

time to do it again

2008-11-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Are you coming to play?

In threes... fours...

2008-11-10T19:09:00.001-07:00

They say that bad luck comes in threes. Don't they also say you make your own luck?

My three of late ie: the past few days have been:

A whopping ear infection. This was a total downer as I went to a doctor on Wednesday, only to go back again to my regular doctor on Friday desperately needing antibiotics. I probably should have been given the option to take antibiotics the first visit. It would have saved me $50 and some pain.

A broken tooth: . Dried pineapple hard as leather is not the right food for me to eat! The dentist saw me today though and I have a temporary tooth and crown on the way. Pricey wee lesson.

The others where minor, but next time I make an awesome pot of vegetable soup I should taste it before putting in cayenne and 2 cans of Mexican hot tomatoes. Hot hot hot... too hot to eat! After trying to tame it with the only yoghurt we had .. vanilla.. I gave up and just ate the yoghurt. Soup anyone.. a whole pot full is in the fridge!

I'd put a container of ear drops on the kitchen bench, that night when I asked Brian if he'd moved them he said he'd put them on top of the oven, so I go to the kitchen and get drops from on top of the fridge next to the toaster oven. It's 11, I'm tired. On Sunday afternoon I see my drops on the microwave oven on the bench. Been using the dogs ear drops for 2 days!!!

B'man joined in the not thinking fun and dropped his cell phone in the dish water this morning.

But we did race a super fun cyclocross race on Saturday. A shout out goes to Western state college's Mike for putting together a super course, w/ snow off camber sections, a 180 degree snow corner and a brutal run straight up the embankment - sledding hill. Then to boot he rounded up amazing prizes and prize money. Brian held off the always fast Brian Reipe for $200, and I won a Smith ski helmet, Smith goggles and $100 voucher to Sugah's restarant... Local races are the best right!!! The weekend weather was awesome for this time of year and we got to ride with Jeff and Laura at Heartmans yesterday. MTBing for fun is my favorite thing to do. Plus the dentist in Montrose meant 'targe't' and a run on grass and trails by the Montrose river. Max has a new target toy and said the run made him very happy!

Two wheel Tales

2008-11-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

We are contributing to a site managed by Gregg Stephan. www.twowheeltales.com Its a neat concept. Contributing Authors include 24 hour phenom Rebecca Rusch, Mountain bike, cyclocross extraordinaire Jeremiah Bishop, Creative Genius and endurance cross country racer Kelly Magelky.. So far its a group of diverse athletes... hopefully you read and enjoy.

Not in Hawaii anymore Dorothy

2008-11-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

30 degrees and snowing all day. Got a call from Brian.. I'm up in CB full on winter went skiing at lily lakes.. AWESOME..
I'd figured.. pant and shoes on the floor, garage key missing...
Speaking of Brian, I haven't said too much about the crocodile undee costume at Halloween, cool idea for sure.. execution?? decide for yourself...shame he left the plastic knife at home it was an integral part of the costume. Check Conrad Stoltz's website www.conradstoltz.com for the incriminating evidence.
More on Brian:
Its Brian's annual birthday white rim ride Saturday Nov 15th ... 6th year running... wanna come ride?!!

More Hawaii

2008-11-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

This picture is beautiful. Lieb took us for a hike from the end of the road on the North side of Kauai. It was amazing.

Swimming behind the waterfall was swimming into a gale force blizzard, I was expecting snow any second. The photo was worth it.
The hike was awesome, our second neat hike that week. We'd joined Michael and Kristin in the bamboo forest in Maui. That hike had gone through bamboo up a creek bed and ended swimming up a river and climbing into a pool at the base of a waterful . The previous day we'd gone to Smugglers bay, Trevor has no fear and Brian is crazy.

The boy's resurfaced and our hostess with the mostess introduced us to the game of Sit. The game of sit is when you sit in the waves breaking on the shore and stay put. As it was stormy the waves on the shore where decent. The game of sit was very similar to toss the cork. I found the others dying laughing being tossed around the shore and joined in, still have sand in my scalp and water in my left ear from the game of Sit.

Our friends Dan and Cathie had told us to seek out Puka dog, so we did... so not dissapopinted!!! With likola mustard, and relishs: pineapple/ coconut/ mango... these where not your average hotdogs!

As we where leaving Honolulu last night Brian with a mouthful of icecream said 'being fat Brenda and getting fat is fun!' Well yeah...

Max was super excited to see us home and I'm a little envious of Lisa still being in Kauai.. what day is it tomorrow??

World championship Xterra race

2008-10-31T11:51:00.000-06:00

Kristi and I : Cool calm and collected

Okay maybe a little nervous! don't drown hugs.
Krisit and I come out of the water together... classic!

Brian raced great. His time was within a minute of the previous year. Given the run course being about a minute longer and harder this year, you could say his race was very equivalent. The men's field was STACKED with talent and the bar was definitely raised. Brian was 9th this year and 50 seconds behind the first American Josiah Middaugh. He had a great swim 22 minutes!! solid bike and as always one of the fastest runs. I think he was was happy.. He should be! The mens race was won by the Spanish mountain bike champion, 2nd was Michael Weiss a former under 23 World Mountain bike champion. 5th was Eneko Ylanos 2x World Xterra Champion and 3x ITU Olympian. I think you get the idea. Brian was less than 4 minutes back from the fastest bike time, truly not bad! 4Min's off World cup MTB pace?!!!

Me? I had a good swim, 24 Min's 15... was so psyched! This was a big goal for me, so I was really happy. My bike was solid and I rode up to 4th coming off the bike with Renata Bucher of Switzerland and 2 mins back on 2nd place at the time who was Shonny V. My run was crap. I'm sorry but its true. To my credit I hung in there and re passed 6th place then held off a hard charging Jenny Tobin to finish 6th.
All in all I'm just so psyched that the season is over. I got tired at the end this year, in a counting down the days of training kind of way, So the finish line was sweet, That's it I'm done for a little while no intervals and structure. I need a break.

Its been a good year though and I'm very grateful for all my good races, for my Achilles being healed and solid, for my 5th at USA Championships and 6th at Worlds as I realise they are very decent results, for Ann Trombley my coach for putting up w/ me, for my swim getting better, for my sponsors Trek bikes/Volkswagen MTB team, Salomon mountain company, JBL,Shimano,Rockshox,Bontrager,Xterra wetsuits. And a bunch of other stuff.. I mean...

We have it really rather good!!!! and now we're in Hawaii!!!! Wheres the ocean??

Kaua'i Time

2008-10-30T22:30:00.000-06:00

The 2008 season's over!! YEASSS!!!!

Hanalei Bay... Puff the magic dragon lives by the sea... in a land called Hanalei... In the Cliffs Coming soon...You saw it here first!

Weekend before

2008-10-19T20:07:00.000-06:00

Brian has been working at noon this weekend, so we've been braving the morning's and heading out at 9. Me cause I think its worth it to get the intensity of training w/ Brian, or maybe I'm just lazy and like drafting. It seems like one of those roles you slip into like who does the majority of the dishes or takes the token 'pull at the front' - that would be me. Out the door and I sit on Brian's wheel alternately appreciative, annoyed, angry or scared depending on whats going on.
Man: I'm excited for Maui and in that phase where I know its just one more week in the season. As I'm riding at Hartmans today.. I'm thinking how nice it would be to be hiking or trail running out there. I toyed with the off season and even sat on a rock for a bit! Mainly as I foofed up a rock on 'Josies' and then noticed my surroundings.. Its nice, its sunny, I should sit!
We seemed a bit dogged by bike issues today. Brian had seat issues, then when I was packing up my bike my rear derailleur broke. Oh well - not ideal but at least - it wasn't while riding and I have tomorrow to get sorted.

Counting down,getting excited,Trek/South Maui cycles and what a PB?!

2008-10-15T17:40:00.001-06:00

Okay so the first one is really only exciting to me as I just took 5 seconds off my previous personal best 100 swim time. Do you know how encouraging that is. 1.22 ... Yeah!

Its been really cold in the mornings and so I've been grumbling a bit. (26 ( snow), 10, 33 (snow) and 15 have been the past four mornings.) But: today was absolutely gorgeous, sunny a high of about 60, so no more I had an amazing ride, cleaned the house and turned on the heat.
Warm is good!

Things are good, I've recovered from Tahoe.. I was really tired last week, am tapering (from recovering which is weird) and truly am feeling good. Its a mind game to taper... as an athlete I'm not used to it, I have been somewhat waiting all year to appropriately back off and peak for Worlds and now that its time there is a degree of insecurity surrounding the process.
Its really nice though to go through the process of feeling more energetic each day. Can't do much now.... just final touches in the next 10 days.

I started to pull out shorts and summer clothes in preperation for Maui today. Its pretty great that World championships is in Hawaii. The venue doesn't get better than that! Thanks Xterra!
Its deserved though.. as the race is and will be brutal. I keep thinking about details that put a nervous shot in my stomach.

Trek bikes are teaming up with South Maui cycles at Xterra World's. They'll have a booth at the Maui Prince next to regristration. Showcasing the 2009 fuel. These are the bikes Brian and I are riding there. They are great bikes, we've been raving about the performance and its deserved. If you're in Maui and at the event come over and say hello. Michael Browne Trek brand manager will be there Friday and Saturday, ask him all your questions, he knows the bikes. Brian and I will be there with our bikes also on Friday mid morning and Saturday mid morning.
enjoy
Jen

Uugh

2008-10-12T17:20:00.000-06:00

26 this morning and trace snow, Crested Butte w/ 2 inches. This is not Hawaii training weather. I have a little wee poor attitude. The wind chill factor cut right though my cycling clothes and I cut the workout to the core and quickly got home. Of course I feel guilty but guilt sits easier than ill, Thank god I'm not hunting. Hope tomorrow is warmer.

Rooibos espresso

2008-10-10T17:41:00.000-06:00

I am love love loving my new to me espresso machine. The coffee is the best! Yesterday though I decided its all heading in the way too caffeinated Jenny direction. I knew this would happen. Just because I want to joyously pull and drink shots all day long, that doesn't make a serene healthy me! ha ha.
So I decided to pull the plug on the pm habit developing from Wed and Thursday. Morning only coffee is the right amount for me.
Today I remembered the Rooibos espresso Laura bought us in Capetown. It was good. I have some rooibos still and even though its not finely ground, thought I'd give it a try. Worked awesome, tasted awesome. I made it flat white style with some frothy soy milk. How good is life! Thought about Sue H while I drank it! Now where to get more Rooibos when my bag runs out?

Elk

2008-10-09T00:23:00.000-06:00

Brian is going Elk hunting on Friday. He's super excited. I think its a man thing. My vegetarian mother is appalled. She'd be more appalled at the Zip saw I purchased from bowhunters.com in case he 'catches' an Elk.
Anyway.. the bikes are still in their cases in the car and after masters swim this evening I went shopping for huntin food. Brian was working. I was kinda hungry so don't know if I really bought practical hunting food, but I did spend $168 so hope there's something useful. If not we are going to be eating allot of beans rice and variations of for a while!
I then made a batch of super cookies ( http://www.dirtbean.com/) and cooked up some Boulder sausage and rice for ... bean/rice/ sausage /veges burritos I'll make up tomorrow, Because I said I would..
Brian isn't really like the rest of us, for him this is perfect Xterra World championship preparation. relaxation. I wouldn't exactly say he's like a hunter either as how many do you know who ride their cyclocross bikes into camp and take running shoes with?
me.. The annual W mtn run is on Saturday. the house to myself and maxwell will be kinda nice. most likely I'll miss Brian, life is funny like that.
Jen

Rich Cruse Pic

2008-10-08T17:40:00.001-06:00

Pics

2008-10-08T11:30:00.000-06:00

Overlooking Incline Village Pre race interview

Good shot Julie...what exactly am I doing? I'll skip this pre race step in Maui... and swim faster!Tunnel Creek$25 all you can eat Sushi. We ate there twice... Of course.

Lake Tahoe

2008-10-06T19:27:00.000-06:00

Brian and I just got back from a great swim in Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe. It was so amazing the October sun setting swimming through the rocks just off shore. I really love swimming and we've done allot of it in the past few days. In fact every day that we've been in Incline Village. Memorable. Wednesday's swim as the wind picked up making waves. Paled in comparison to Saturdays swim w/ white caps and 3 foot swells. Today's swim was the best. Calm, blue, glass, into twilight...
Yesterdays swim... . XTERRA USA championships. 300 athletes, alot of adrenalin. Aggressive. Brian had a great swim and came out in 35th. I got man armed/ a goggle full of water/ and a 31 minute swim time. WTF... I want to swear as I am so frustrated at myself. B says a little frustration is good to fuel me. I hope so for the future.
The rest of the championship race was good for us both, good bike legs took me into 3rd and Brian into 8th. The fuels where awesome, the bike course was fast I think I rode 2 Min's quicker than last year ( will have to check ). Bran's great run carried him up to 6th overall. My run dropped me to a 5th place. I had to frantically run with everything I had to hold onto 5th, 10 secs out of 4th, 10 seconds ahead of 6th.
Both fields where super competitive: Internationally stacked and A pre- World championships The US series where awarded yesterday too. I finished the 2008 US series with a 3rd overall Brian was 4th overall.
During the race Brian had his best splits in the swim bike and run in Tahoe/Us nationals... this bodes well for Worlds. 4th was also his highest US series finish. NICE.
cheers
Jen

106 pirates and 2 rocket ships

2008-09-28T19:48:00.000-06:00

I went to Boulder last week, was lucky to catch up with Tressa/ raid Ray's plums to make some plum sauce/ get spoiled w/ sports food and sponsor goodies from Zack and oh did I mention the bikes!

The 09 top fuels.

We debuted them for their virgin rides in the CB classic yesterday. The CB classic is a pirate 'race/ride' A soul ride 89 miles of 12000feet. We basically talked and goaded Kelly Magelky into teaming up w/ us and doing it solo too... as our 1st lap guy he could do double duty. At 11pm on Friday night an innocent comment... its marked isn't it? from Kelly. Um... actually its not marked... oh crap .. the best we could do... improvise directions...

Sat: 30 degrees F, 8am, 106 riders ...Kelly is a great sport, he rode 2 laps of an unmarked course and survived! In the meantime handed off to Brian and then me... Our team won the overall and the team race. But more importantly we had a great day out and:

HOLY COW.. I can't exclaim enough. Our new bikes!! They are incredible. I am nearly loathe to get used to riding it as the norm as it felt amazing. and I want a little to keep that feeling! I (almost.. just one creek crossing mess up)cleaned the Dyke trail.. for real...it had me in disbelief what I was climbing and maintaining traction on. This bike is ridiculously exciting!Come find us at the XTERRA nationals next week in Tahoe and we'll let you see it for yourself. I'm am so excited to have this bike to race.. did I say its nearly half a pound lighter than my hardtail/ with the exact same components and the suspension is so smooth... How is this possible? who cares!

Cactus Eaters and Green espresso

2008-09-23T08:26:00.000-06:00

I spent the whole day at home yesterday: I cannot remember the last time I did that. It was great, I cleaned up/and then read a book untill 11pm at night. The book was the Cactus eaters by Dan White. About walking the Pacific Crest trail between Mexico and BC Canada. It was a neat read.

It fed my yearning for adventure. I mean the places/people/experiences are really the reason I live my life. You think about some of the silly/annoying/bizarre/difficult things that happen and thats what is memorable.

Like for me: the time I decided to sleep in the van in the Mesquite parking lot outside a Casino in 95 degree weather.. it was free...travelling in style: when I had to go to the bathroom at 5am... drove to the side door, Pj's and early am gamblers!

Or the time I contracted the Duck Virus from swimming in Lake Mission Veijo and racing in Idyllwild with 100 itchy welts spreading all over my body/ with the flies on the brutal hike a bike there: I won /looked like a creature from the deep/was so itchy I couldn't stand even walking for 2 days/couldn't take the steriod medicine due to the Xterra the following week/misery, and of course look back w/ good memories.

I also bid and won an espresso machine on Ebay yesterday. My excitement is tempered only as Brian doesn't know... yet... Wonder if I can sneak it into the house? or maybe pose it as a birthday present for him?

Back to work and training today: Get the girl out of the house! (before I buy anything else!!)

Fantastic weekend

2008-09-22T10:48:00.000-06:00

Followed by a little frustration. An update to our Maui Flights in my inbox today, showed no return flight from Honolulu? Hmmm... So an hour and a half later I'm supposed to be satisfied with our agents will take care of it, right now the flight was cancelled. Great... Good thing I noticed?

Oh well... on w/ life for today eh.

Our weekend was amazing: Lenny and Tron ( Nick and Parker) came to stay, providing allot of amusement, riding and entertainment.
I got the end of my hard week training in: Masters Swim Fri night, running workout with the Western cross country team Saturday am, This shattered us and the ensuing pm Nick and Parker ride On Teocalli ridge was brutal!, if not beautiful..., Sunday am Bay of chickens Lake swim, and pm Hartmans MTB ride.
The best part is this week is my well deserved EZ week... Well Ann calls it EZ, in all honesty is more low volume and high intensity, and I'll take it.

Amid the training we all had some great dinner's, nice wine, and entertainment. The boy's entertainment included allot more beer and bar's....

www.supportjamiewhitmore.org

2008-09-16T16:58:00.001-06:00

On this Site you can keep up to date with developments about the Silent Auction in Tahoe : Oct 3 and 4th. The site will be updated with some of the great items up for auction.
You can also keep up to date on future fundraising, buy rocking t-shirts, make a donation and show your love!

Thyme, sage, purple potatoes,I really love food!

2008-09-15T18:59:00.000-06:00

Feel so lucky today, Our friend Keri gave us some fish from her parents trip to Alaska ( Cod, Halibut, Rock fish... Heaven!), and the health food store has local produce @15% off all week.

11950

2008-09-14T07:30:00.000-06:00

Brian and I rode an amazing ride yesterday. It was of course longer or harder than either of us had remembered. Topping out at 11950 we rode for ages longer above 11500. I suffered rather well on the climbs, which was fine, and got my intervals in easily. As high mountain rides often do... it got more technical, ridiculously steep and loose toward the saddle causing me to mess up alot and feel very head poundy and woozy! I saw a Marmot laughing at me.... maybe it was my imagination.

We had been riding for about 2 hours when we came across a huge metal gate with a posted/trespass sign. So we debated what to do. Turn around... ? ( so sad as we'd grovelled up a climb for basically 2 hours and were about to hit the downhill single track). It was nearly 6 oclock so we decided if we got caught we'd plead 'impending darkness and safety'. 100m later we passed the sign for the other side of the private property... Phew!

We've since found out more.. the owner bought this property specifically as it bordered national forest and had a trail. He apparently made allot of money in Telluride selling land in a similar situation back to the government. In this case he was turned down so he trucked in several thousand dollars in metal gates and signage to the middle of nowhere and closed the trail! C'mon... you buy a piece of scree above treeline purely to make money then close it! I have a very strong opinion about this. If a trail is marked, mapped, exists is 99.9 % forest service land .... it should be regulated to stay open if the .01 % land is sold.

Anyway the descent was amazing.

Afterward we took Donny to the wine bar for Sushi. Donny is a client of Brian's and hadn't ever eaten Sushi before. It was really fun. We were really hungry. Our waitress even came over to see that all the items checked where for us ( and not mistakes/from a previous order etc...) Of course we ate everything and the bill was a bit on the scary side.

25 degrees warmer and Silent Auction

2008-09-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

We continued with our Thursday morning Lake swim's today. It seemed surreal to me as we've also started Master's at the college. Jon the instructer is really good and its worth the effort to make the 6.30 -8pm time slot. It means home at 8 to eat, sleep, alarm, coffee and swim again at 7am. I think I even dreamt swimming.
The air temp was a tad warmer this week than the 29 we where treated to last Thursday, but it was still 25 degrees warmer in the water than on the shore. I think today marked the last of the summer swimmers our group fo 5 is going to be whittled to 3 next week.

There is going to be a Silent Auction for Jamie Whitmore at Xterra National Championships in Tahoe next month. Many of you know that she is having some serious health problems. If you would like to make a product donation please email me. If you don't have my email leave your contact on a comment here and I will follow up.
Its really awesome, I think the Auction is going to gain alot of momentum and raise a good amount of money to help out. Plus be a great way for the athletes in Tahoe to buy some neat stuff. Jamie's coach Neal Henderson for example has donated a 3d bike fit and physiology test from Boulder Center for Sports medicine. Brian and I are donating custom Trek/VW ( can't be purchased anywhere else) Tri Suits. (And you know the mountain bikers out there all want a trisuit... its the anti baggie and pro Lycra fashion!!!!!) You can check up on Jamie through her website http://www.jamiewhitmore.com/ .

CB Classic - mark the date

2008-09-09T11:51:00.000-06:00

Fall Classic 08

2008-09-09T08:16:00.000-06:00

Wraps up the Rocky Mountain Bike season. And marks our build to Xterra Nationals and Worlds. 9 races for me since the 21st August. I'm feeling fit and strong, a block like this works for me. Yesterday though... I did forgo exercise to visit the library.
Brian won the circuit race and 2nd in the crosscountry. Kelly podiumed both events. The XC was awesome, perfect riding, perfect temperature, Epic climbing loop, a variation on the Firecracker 50 loop backwards. I won the circuit race and crosscountry. Kelly Mattingly (2nd place pro woman) descended super fast and had me working hard in the XC. The last descent in from Boreas Pass took what seemed like half and hour and I was riding to hold her off. Very Valid as at the line the gap was 40 seconds.

The power of suggestion

2008-09-03T21:15:00.000-06:00

I filed for an extension on our taxes earlier this year. Have I mentioned this before... note to self... do em on time... time just makes it harder. Anyway its been project numero uno this week and am nearly seeing the light at the end of the receipt pile!

My motivation has been flagging a bit, I'm still tired from the past 3 weeks, today's run with LT intervals and then ride with LT intervals highlighted it too as I could only get my HR up to a sluggish 160... ( or maybe my time at 10 000ft just means the 7700 of home is easy on my body?!).

My ride was actually pretty funny, as I pulled out the single speed to ride. My thinking went along the lines of... 8 min hill repeats... I'll just crank the single up an appropriate grade and effort will take care of itself. What ended up happening though was me spinning in from Hartmans rocks. SLOWLY. so slowly. so painfully boring and under geared ( or is it over geared? too easy anyhow)
Sandi I wished you where in town today.. pull out the violin strings but I was craving company.

Anyway when the motivation flags sign up others and sign up to race. Its more fun that way. Less alone time. So tomorrow at 7 we are meeting for a group Blue mesa lake swim. Then on Friday we are driving over to Breckenridge for the fall classic circuit race and cross country race. Fun, friends, the rec center for swimming, Sushi and Thai, in a cool mountain town, an enjoyable way to train. Plus the D o double g is off to a vacation in the kennel for the weekend.. footloose and fancy free

Hopefully its a classic fall weekend and Breckenridge will be more mellow than it was 4th of July. Plus I have a little redemption to find for myself on the Classic ( aka firecracker 50) course. That one nearly broke me that day.

cheers
Jen

Dara, Mckenna and Brianhead NMBS.

2008-09-01T08:40:00.000-06:00

I was intending to write a silly post about the freebie meal -post racing and my love of Onion rings and ketchup.
But I just read Dara's blog about the birth of her daughter Mckenna this past weekend and the post moved me. Congratulations!

We - meaning Brian and I raced in the NMBS national mountain bike finals this past weekend again in Brianhead Utah. the cross country was one lap of the same course we had raced 2 laps on the previous week... so we all knew it pretty well.
Saturday had the Stxc and in spite of a small field the racing was good. I led for a while mid race purely because the pace was kinda slow and I didn't really care about the outcome. Not fully commited to the outcome isn't the way to win a short track though so when the attacks began I dropped to 7th. My teammate Lea Davison won which was really awesome.

It seemed like we waited forever to get the XC underway. Part of this I think was because it started at 2pm and part of it was because I knew we were leaving to start driving home afterward... so I was keen to get racing.
The road climb was mellow for over half of it as the guys at the front controlled the pace, then an increase happened followed by a real jab of intensity - pain at 10 000ft. I have this situation in my cycling racing right now where I am super strong and consistent and excellent on the flats and slight uphills. But man am I hurting with steep climbs and accelerations in pace. So that was my race. I rode very strong and hurt when the girls accelerated. For the whole upper loop and climb I was in 8th, with Kelli Emmet just in front of me and just in front of her a pack of 4 women ( 2-6th). It had been that way for an hour and I couldn't bridge up.
Hitting the downhill in no mans land was hard as I was going fast but without a reference of others its hard to know if its quick enough. At one point ( dark hollow is really technical) I was realising I was probably losing time but I was on my bike and riding - so that is a good thing too! anyway I finished 8th and felt rock solid and strong.
Talking with Brian on the way out, he said he felt the same. Its perfect really, with 3 xterra's and 6 mountain bike races in the past 5 weeks, I'd say we have a great training block and to feel spunky and speedy would be a big ask. The increase in fitness will come over the next couple of weeks and to come off this training feeling strong is great.
cheers
Jen

Decor

2008-08-29T09:13:00.000-06:00

An unexpected side bar to a travelling lifestyle is the opportunity to sample the wide variety of accommodation options. (airline travel 'options' could be a whole nother book... best left unwritten!)

This current condo in Brian head Utah is definitely up there. Where did this stuff come from?

Enough making fun. We have it very 'good'!

Our $12 condo for the previous 3 days! Red Canyon Campground, drinking water, coin showers, hiking trails out the back door. Should you be out this way make a point of riding Thunder mountain trail.

UTAH

2008-08-25T08:39:00.000-06:00

This report is really just the tip of the iceburg.
We have been out in Utah for 10 days or so now and in that time raced 5 times. The Mountain championship Xterra in Ogden and then 5 days later the American mountain classic stage race in Brianhead, Utah. Its been pretty sweet I'd say and action packed to state the obvious.
In the Xterra (which seems long ago now!) Both Brian and I pulled off a pair of third places. Solid for me and has me sitting in third for the overall series as well. Brian's race was exceptional as all four top men where within a minute of each other at the end. talk about exciting racing. Brian was 33 seconds behind World Champion Conrad Stoltz and 1st American male.
On to the American Mountain classic. Its been a blast staying with a relaxed crew of Trek Vw teammate's, specialised racers Rebecca Rusch/Conrad Stoltz/ Amber and friends from Gunnison/Crested Butte. Really good legs and 4 hours something on the first day of predominately ( awesome but rough) single track saw me in 2nd and had me realising it had been a while actually since I'd ridden more than 3 hours or raced over 1 hour 1/2 on a bike.
Day two was super cool as I rode with Lea for most of the day... company in long races is good. I think its key that most stage races use a team formula. I pulled in 3rd for the day and stayed 2nd in the GC. Lea flatted at the end which was a total bummer and had her 4th in the GC.
Day 3 was a double cross country loop and I rode solid to again secure 2nd in the Overall. Lea rode with for a lap and then we caught Sue Butler who Lea needed 4 minutes on to move in 3rd and the prize money. A timely attack on Lea's part took care of Sue jumping on the Trek/VW train and in fact took care of the train altogether as I was shelled also.
Brian meanwhile rode a smart 4 days of attrition to move into 5th and the final podium spot on the last day. Hard charging according to the organiser.

Compete Clean

2008-08-11T20:06:00.000-06:00

This is Awesome! Go Jeremiah.
Jeremiah Bishop is a part of w/ the USADA pilot program to comete clean! Here are some media examples of the USADA campaign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=226K9wVKitI

Xterra Beaver Creek, Olli impics and the rest of August.

2008-08-10T14:29:00.000-06:00

I'm using the Silver Box on my lap in front of the TV and its Sunday afternoon (quality recovery!!)
Very excited to have good viewing over the next couple of weeks... even though it will undoubtedly eat into more productive activities... but does fill a niche left wide open after the conclusion of the Tour day France.
I mean seriously what is better than watching sport you like w/ coffee in the morning.

Yesterday we competed in the Beaver Creek XTERRA. In its first year the event basically burst onto the scene offering an exceptional championship worthy race. It's organised by Mike Closure and crew, has the backing of the Vail/Beaver creek resort and was supported by Team Unlimited. Exceptional. The race was potentially exceptional too when you like 4500 feet of climbing at 9000ft.
Brian and I got there on Friday afternoon too late for previewing the course but we did ride 30 minutes up the initial climb. It was refreshing to be racing a mountain setting we love and Crave. So we were excited. Not so exceptional we found out was our form on the day which was a bit of a bummer as we both just struggled with the early steep climbing and intensity. So we ended up calling it very good solid training against great competition in a fantastic setting.
Shonny V took the women's race with her climbing ability and an excellent run too. Mel M was 2nd and I was third. Mike Vine took the men's race, Brian was 5th.
Racing an Xterra used to be a huge deal for me and would knock me ...sore for the week following.. its progress now that I can use them as training.

On Tuesday we are driving out to Utah... Road trip... for some racing.
This coming weekend we have the US championship series Mountain Xterra championships. The following week we are racing the American Mountain Classic Stage race.. Thurs-Sunday. Then the weekend after is the NMBS finals at Brianhead Utah, STXC and XC.

I'm excited and ready. Brian is so psyched to be taking a break from work and training to race. It has been a long time that we have both taken a 3 week travel/race block together... hopefully it goes well. Its going to be really fun.

The stuff of legends

2008-08-10T07:50:00.000-06:00

Go Dave: As he wins the Leadville 100mile bike race for his 6th Consecutive year. Beating Lance Armstrong in the process and setting a new record of 6 hours 45 minutes. 100miles at 10,oooft, with 14 000 ft of climbing... 6 hours 45!!! (13minutes faster than his previous record set last year... when he raced Floyd Landis)

American Mountain Classic

2008-08-07T19:21:00.000-06:00

In a couple of weeks we are going to join in w/ the American Mountain classic stage race in Brianhead, Utah. Its promising to be an awesome event and some great and hard competition and racing. A prologue followed by 3 stages of 55 miles each!
Just the bike fitness boost we need to up our form and carry us through to Xterra Nationals and Worlds in October.
The organisers have stepped up and offered equal prize money to the top 3 men and women. Which is a great response to racer feedback.
check it out and come race too... http://www.americanmountainclassic.com/

Rachael

2008-08-04T22:00:00.000-06:00

Its Rachael (my sister) BIRTHDAY today.

Side swiped

2008-08-04T21:47:00.000-06:00

Last Wednesday I was fully knocked with some kind of bug that had me grovelling around the house and in front of the toilet all day long. Awful.... equally awful was the fact that it didn't go away as quickly as I'd hoped (isn't that the truth for most things.. take what you expect and double it....) so I spent the past 5 1/2 days feeling greenly nauseous the majority of the time. I did learn a thing or two though... Salmon and Kale... not good to get ill on.... running w/ a sore stomach Bad... Coconut,ginger and lemon soup Good...A beer after a ride at MT CB, w/out enough food... fairly bad.....Homemade hummus w/ 8 cloves of Garlic... Horrible ( why did I think 8 cloves of garlic would be the winning formula anyway)...
Anyway... midday today... it went away... and I felt much better...went for a spin... felt peppy even...SO Happy.

On account of completely missing my hard week of training. I decided to sign up for the Beaver creek Xterra http://www.xterrabeavercreek.com/ this weekend too, and plan on joining Brian there...

cheers
Jen

403 with MT and Bob

2008-08-03T11:13:00.000-06:00

It doesn't get any better than this!