Big Year and New Team

Last month I received the unfortunate news that Trek has decided to not continue the Trek 29er Crew team for 2012. Originally I started racing for the Gary Fisher 29er Crew in 2009. Last year, Trek bought Gary Fisher and the grassroots mountain bike team became the Trek 29er Crew. I feel fortunate I was able to race on the 29er Crew for a little over 2 years. I will miss being part of a national and world-wide grassroots mountain bike team.

Shortly after hearing the news, I received a call from Trek. I am excited to share that I will be racing for and sponsored by the Trek Bicycle Store on their new mountain bike racing team for 2012.  I am very appreciative of the support and sponsorship they've offered to help me achieve my racing goals for 2012. This will be a big racing year for me and happy to be able to continue to promote Trek.

My racing calendar will consists of some of the traditional favorites such as, Spa City, Ouachita Challenge, Burnin a the Bluff, Berryman Epic, and the UFD series. This year, I have also decided to push my limits and race Syllamo's Revenge 125K, Dirty Kanza 200, 24 Hour Nationals-solo in Colorado Springs, CO and Leadville 100. Still waiting to hear results on the Leadville lottery selection. Since there is a slim chance on winning the lottery, I have penciled in the dates for the Leadville training camp in order to get my Leadville ticket to race. 

My coach, Chris Mileski, will continue to help me through the racing season.  Chris is the founder of Off the Front Racing and remains one of the Nation's premier endurance coaches. He always gives me the coaching and support I need to achieve my goals for the endurance events that I compete in. I couldn't do it without him.

Training over the winter has consisted of long rides (mountain and road) and weights/core/plyo workouts at the Sports Enhancement Group that started back in November of last year. We have just converted weights from power to endurance where the amount of weight goes down and number of reps and eventually, time goes up. I feel like I'm getting a little better with the core and plyo exercises but, still seem painful and hard.

I have been trying to focus a little more on nutrition for endurance training/racing too. I am trying to learn more about gluten-free products, super foods, healthy recipes, and organic products. Various sources I have been using include the Clean Diet, Simple.Smart.Nutrition by local cyclist and nurse, Cat Ebeling, and McDaniel Nutrition Therapy for endurance athletes, by Nutritionist and an endurance athlete herself, Jennifer McDaniel. I am trying to purchase the Feed Zone since it contains a lot of fast and flavorful recipes for athletes but, it has been sold out for awhile.

This year in my blog, I will try to include more reports on bikes, gear, and nutrition that works for me for endurance training and racing along with the race reports/events.  Check back on my blog and I will try to share what I learn.  Hopefully, I can help others by sharing information since so many folks have helped me through the years.