Road Trip!!!

I made it home from vacation. A drive out to Eastern Canada- New Brunswick. 1500km each way in the van with 2 kids.... need I say more. We were visiting some of my husband's family for 2 weeks. Overall, a good trip-- we visited with family, trips to the beach, and around town. I also managed to get some cycling in.
Upon arriving home, I felt exhausted from the travel, lack of sleep (my daughter cut two teeth) and being out of routine. I was thinking, aren't you supposed to feel rested after vacation? Not more tired?? I think we realized how all the little things are harder not in your own place, stopping at hotels, staying with family (doing the kids therapy in the hotel/others houses, after a long day in the car, or just a long day, not getting a full nights sleep, etc). Eventhough going away is hard, I still really enjoy it. We had lots of fun, and after being home for a few days, I am feeling more rested.
The cycling in New Brunswick is great. It is all rolling hills, with some bigger climbs too. After riding out in NB the hills here seem easier. I did a few bigger rides, 'the hampton loop' - a we call it. Across a short ferry, the a beautiful ride along the river into the town of Hampton. An optional Tim Horton's stop (for coffee- of course) and then continue back where we were staying. There are alot of covered bridges in New Brunswick, which add to the beauty. It was nice to get in some different rides, and scenery.
Overall a good time, but it is always nice to be home!

Club Ride and Beach Day!

Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you.
Denis Waitley

Well, I haven't raced in the past few weeks, yet I have been to a couple of racing supporting my husband and got in some good training rides. I have done the SCCC club ride the past two Saturdays, and that has been a great workout. I don't get out on the club rides too much anymore, due to scheduling. But they are a solid 80-100km ride, with a few hill climbs and some intestiny throughout. Usually a very good group of riders, who all like to get in a good workout. My friends have nick-named the ride 'smack-down' or 'beat-down' as after the ride, usually you want to eat then go and lay-down for a while/have a nap. Riding in a group, and having that comfort level and trust of the other riders around me --is always a challenge. This past Saturday, I was feeling better and held in with the group at a solid pace in the rain. I plan on continuing with these great rides, and trying to get out for another club ride this weekend.

Race Support -

Lake to Lake Race - when out and cheered for my husband at this great local event. He had a solid finish of 2nd overall on his cross bike! Here is an article that was published on the event and Nathan's efforts.

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2631759

Racoon Rally - this past weekend, my family headed down to this great event. My husband raced the cross country mountain bike race (on his cross bike)-- and won. A good ride for him, and then we spend the rest of the day at the Allegany state park and enjoyed the beach. The beach was about 700meters from the event start, what a great venue.

Hamburg Crit and the Mudcat

Last weekend, my family and I headed down to Hamburg, New York just outside of Buffalo for the Hamburg Criterium. My son entered the kids bike race. This was his first race, and he was excited to be a part of it. Although he was hoping to be in more of the races... got to love a 3 years old's logic. He was happy to ride his bike around after his race on the sidewalks. My husband raced in the Masters 35+ and won the race. This was his warm-up race before the cat 1,2,3 race. Which turned out not too bad, except when someone almost crashed him out at the end of the race. He kept his bike up, yet a bit of damage was done to his rear wheel. I went in the women's race, which was a bit disappointing. There wasn't a big field, so they changed the start of the race, and combined us with the cat. 4/5 men. Yet, we had a separate start but were allowed to race together once the race started....what?? Anyway we started our race, and the race was going well until we were going to be lapped by the men. Then the women's field all tried to jump into the men's pack. Some women were in the pack, and some didn't make it. I was on the back on the pack for a while. Then after a few corners, I decided to drop out of the race. There were a few reasons for dropping out- the combined fields, being mentally tired, etc, etc. Anyway I hate dropping out of races, but sometimes it just happens. I was going to post some photos of my team kit, but I don't have it yet. So there is a photo of the mudcat instead.

The Mudcat.... what is that. Well some of my friends wanted to ride out to Dunnville, to see the course for their triathlon in a few weeks, and get a long ride in. So I decided to get a long ride in with them. We were hoping to make it, and take our picture with the Dunnville Mudcat. So we were unsure if the weather would hold-up as it rained all morning. We left around 2pm, the rain had stopped yet the wind was really strong. With a strong head, cross wind the whole way there. We were going a bit slower, than planned. We managed to get chased by 3 dogs on the way there. Those dogs apparently aren't used to cyclists, or have no fear-- as they ran onto the highway a few times in front of a car.

We didn't make it to the mudcat or the Tim Horton's in Dunnville-- as we had to turn around before we made it the whole way. With the head wind, and the black clouds near us-- we thought we better head for home. We lucked out with the weather, and didn't get rained on... only a few drops, and found a Tim Horton's in Welland. Great ride- epic conditions -- 120km or so.

What is a positive attitude??

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary result."---Anon.

http://www.niagarathisweek.com/community/article/822539--walk-makes-great-strides-for-cf

http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/818292--breathing-as-a-family

We have all heard about having a positive attitude and how that affects our life so significantly. I do try to have a positive attitude about things, yet sometimes I like to be realistic about things as well. In reading some of the recent articles posted in the newspaper about the Great Strides walk, I had alot of different feelings. I have anxiety around having 2 kids with cystic fibrosis--the thoughts, the struggles and wondering about the future. I know we have adapted to the daily therapy routines, the digestive enzymes for the kids, vitamins, chest physiotherapy... and this is when they are healthy. Throw in an extra antibiotic or two..and it is a whole new ball-game.
I know, my family has come a long way -- having my 3 year old remember that he needs digestive enzymes before he eats or drinks something, having my 17 month old grab to put her mask on her face when she is tired (as she sometimes sleeps during her therapy) allows me to enjoy the small gains we have made. I have thought about all the 'what if's' with CF for my daughter, and then when through them all for my son.
Right now, my positive attitude is thinking about all the gains that have been made with cystic fibrosis over the recent years, and how much more will be made in the future. Also thinking about trying to enjoy the moment, and live in the moment. No one knows what the future entails exactly, so there is no point dwelling on it-- I am trying my best today to make sure that the future is a good one!!

Great Strides Walk

Sunday, May 30th was the Great Strides Walk for CF. Thanks to all our sponsors and support for this event. My parents came with us, and we enjoyed a great day at Zooz/ Safari Niagara. The weather was great, and the kids had a blast.

Some of the preliminary numbers:

Total money raised for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation = $1,743,943+

Total money raised for the Niagara-Hamilton Great Strides Walk = $82,359

Total money raised by my family = $880

Thanks for the support!!

Niagara Classic Road Race

The Niagara Classic Road Race, a.k.a. effingham. The cyclists in niagara all know this famous climb-- saylor's hill. This top of this hill is the killer part of the course each lap and also the top is the finish of the road race. What a great race, close to home, local training areas, but one big hill!
As I was packing up my car early in the morning for my 8:30 start, a stopped got my large tim horton's coffee and headed to the race. I completed my usual race warm-up, legs felt a bit heavy and headed to the start. On the start line, then we all peddled off down Tice Road. I was very nervous at the start, yet stayed at the front of the group, where I wanted to be. We settled into a rhythm, then the base settled down. I placed an attack, and got a good gap off the front. I was wishing someone might bridge up to me, but the group just chased me down. I settled back in, and felt comfortable as we got onto effingham street. I moved up to the front of the group for the climb up saylor's hill. I had a good climb, I wasn't going for the 'queen of the mountain' points, just a good race. Started down Tice Road on lap 2- the fast section, one main group still. Some riders who were dropped on the climb bridge back on. We settled in as a group, and turned onto effingham road. Then as we approached the bottom of the climb, all the riders were trying to move-up before the start of the climb. The rider beside me, got crashed out. She fell onto me, but I managed to push her off me. Then ride into the gravel and grass, back onto the road- and start the climb. Unfortunately, I lost a bit of ground going into the start of the climb. I managed to get on to the back of the pack, but a few smaller groups had formed up front. As we headed down Tice Road, I bridged up to the next group- after a few minutes of solid work. Then I joined into a group of 6 or so riders. We headed up saylor's for the 3rd time... my legs were really feeling the efforts. Then started the last lap, we could see the first group in front of us -- but our group could never close the gap down. I tried to bridge across the gap, but didn't make it. I knew that would have been my big effort, and the race up the hill for the final sprint would be tough. I managed up the last climb, near the back of my group. Overall, pleased with the day - 10th in the category 3/master women's race. And 4th in category 3. I had some good efforts, and with road racing-- the more you race, the more you learn!

Windwarning and 70% chance of thunderstorms...

weather from my last bike race. Saturday, May 8th-- my friend Barb and I packed up the car and headed down to the Bristol Mountain Road Race just outside of Rochester, New York. This being my Mother's Day outing- a bike race! Too funny, no spa-day, pedicure, etc - a road race in horrible weather conditions. Some how I convinced Barb to race as well- with this being her first road race. Barb being a seasoned triathlete and running racer, she was not new to racing though.

I raced in the cat 4 women's race, which they combined with the cat 1,2,3 women's race. Cat 4 women did 2 laps of the 17 mile course, and cat 1,2,3 women were doing 3 laps. I was pretty happy that it wasn't raining or thunderstorming when the race started. I had packed extra honey stinger energy chews -just in case. (my new favourite race/riding food). We headed out on the flat section of the course with a strong head wind. As we turned the corner the wind finally shifted, we were all welcoming the hills just to get out of the wind. The pace picked up on the first climb, and didn't let up after that. I made it up the first climb with the main group, then some fast windy turns. When we started the second climb, I felt okay on the steep pitch, but the group then split on the rest of the climb. As I was dropped from the leaders, but kept them in sight at the top of the climb. I found myself in a group with two other riders. We descended well, and could see some other riders up the road, but couldn't close the gap up. As we ended lap 1, and hit the head-wind section again for the second lap. We worked together well as a group. As we hit the last climb of the day, the rain started!! ughh. I tried to push the pace on the climb, we all stayed together though. (I need to work on road race strategies!!). Then we hit the descents together, I wasn't feeling as comfortable as the other riders on the descents, but I could keep in contact. The rain continued, and a few wind gusts on the final descent into the finish. I finished at the end of my group, the down hill finish-- not my strength. I was 8th overall in the cat. 4 women. I had a great day, got a good ride in, and had alot of fun. Also, Barb finished her first road race ever in epic conditions.

Barb- finishing Bristol Mountain Road Race

Note to self: I should have printed off reverse directions home from the race. We did manage to get lost, on the way home from the race. We were in desperate need of coffee and made a few wrong turns!