Owasippe

I couldn't believe when I looked at my Strava calendar that it had been several, you read that right, SEVERAL weeks since I had ridden at Owasippe. Oops! 

So on Friday evening my parents watched the kids and I, after work, after getting groceries and being locked out of the house, followed by an hour of sitting in the camper eating microwave popcorn and watching Pirates of the Caribbean, followed by Chad rescuing me and unlocking the house, went to Owasippe. 

And because Chad had to leave work early (5:30) he decided to blow off the rest of the day and join me! Yay, Date Night! Sometimes crummy situations (like getting locked out) can turn out to be a great thing!

Here are some pictures from one of my favorite places to ride:

While taking this shot I noticed an old cabin across the pond.
I was getting the heebeejeebees  and was too nervous to get a picture, maybe next time!

It's easy to ride the trail, head down, rolling out the miles.
But Owasippe holds too much beauty,  take the time to enjoy the scenery.

Pictures previously taken at Owasippe:

Mountain biking is just about the hardest racing there is to do.

Shredding the last single track section before the finish

That's what Chad said yesterday after riding Pando Fall Classic. He also said that to me years ago when I first contemplated racing myself. I didn't really believe him. I mean, seriously, you're on a bike (what's more fun than that?) and you get to sit down (on that bike) for the entire race. It's not like running where you're on your feet, pounding pavement. Mountain bike racing could not possibly be more challenging than running a marathon.

I have since learned my lesson. And if you've done a mountain bike race you know what we're talking about. Mountain bike racing challenges every system in your body: strength, endurance, aerobic and mental focus. It's tough.

My daughter learned that lesson yesterday.

Sage climbing the ski hill to the finish line at Pando

The picture above sums up the entire experience for her: she had to dig deep.

I won't sugar-coat the experience. It was rough. There were tears for 95% of the race. However, given the opportunity to quit, she refused and pushed on.

One of the other girls in her AG, a more "experienced" racer at the young age of 9-10 was waiting at the ski hill for Sage to finish. She cheered her all the way up the climb along with the crowd of spectators and racers that had long earlier finished. Then she congratulated Sage at the finish line. It was a great display of sportsmanship and it meant the world to Sage.

One of the reasons I love mountain biking, especially racing, is that is has pushed me beyond what I thought my limitations were. It takes you so deep into suffering that all you see is black and pain lights up your legs like fire crackers. But somehow you find a way to keep going. It's true what is said at Leadville 100 every year: You are stronger than you think you are and can do more than you think you can do.

At bedtime we talked about what a tough, difficult race she had. It was the hardest thing she has ever done! But she learned something amazing and invaluable about herself: she endured.

Help me decide what to do in 2013!

If you haven't done so yet, please vote!
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I'm easily swayed into doing events, so vote on the survey to the right to help me decide what races/events to do in 2013!

Thumbs-up after the first lap of LJ100

A return to LJ100?

It kicked my butt last year. Should I go back to return the favor? (I've been thinking scary thoughts about attempting the NUE Series. If I'm going to put in all that time training for a 100 mile race, I might as well get as much out of my training as possible! Right? I'm right.)

Sub 4 hour Marathon

It's a goal of mine to run a marathon in under 4 hours. Shall I attempt that at Bayshore in Traverse City?

Ore to Shore

Sounds like a fun event in a beautiful location. Should 2013 be the year I finally commit?

Half Ironman

A full Ironman is on my bucket-list. Committing to doing a Half next year would put me on the road to knocking this one of the list.

3rd Annual Skip School to Go Mountain Biking Day (SS2GMBDv3.0)

Snoose on the loose in the woods

It's just about that time of year again: Skip School to Go Mountain Biking Day. 

Why must we skip school to go mountain biking? It makes it that much more awesome of a day, a day she'll always remember.

And now that Bear can ride his bike there will be a SS2GMBDvB1.0 (Bear's First Annual). Coming Spring 2013.

I'm currently in the "concepting" stages of SS2GMBDv3.0. I need to pick a date and a location. In the past we've ridden at Luton and closed the evening with Ada Bike Shop's Ladie's Night. It was a lot of fun and a good experience for Snoose to meet so many amazing, strong women cyclists. This year we will do something a bit different and not incorporate Ladie's Night. However, I'd like it to be equally special and inspiring for her. I'm not quite sure how to accomplish that. 

If you have suggestions, please let me know. Help a mom out! Thanks!!!