Season’s Greetings

Posted on by lindsay
My racing season starts this Sunday. I've said a number of times in the past month that I am not ready. I've heard others say they are not ready either. What is ready, though? Who peaks for their first race of the year and shows up with everything tuned and perfect? My plan is to show up, try to keep the extreme nerves quiet, and race my bike. Part of tuning the body is racing - there is no better training than stomping the pedals wildly in an effort to get away or stay attached. The nerves part is easier said than done. I am a basket case; on the bright side, I could eat the entire aisle of Easter candy at Target, shelves and all, and burn it all off before Sunday morning just from fidgeting. My stomach is wondering if we ate a rabid bat earlier today and why we ...continue reading.

ElliptiNOFINGWAY

Posted on by lindsay
The CEO of my company just walked by my office, paused, backed up into my doorway, and told me to sit up straighter because I was slouching. I told him I'm used to slouching over on the bike with a death grip on my handlebars. He said he does the same thing and that it leads to back pain, and then suggested that I try the ElliptiGO. "Well, I race bikes, so that wouldn't really work out so well," I replied diplomatically. He said, "Ahhh, so you're a bike snob. You probably see those things and laugh at the people on them." Of course not! (Yes, absolutely, without hesitation.)

Things A Competitive Cyclist May Want To Consider When Traveling For Work

Posted on by lindsay
1. A hotel towel can take the place of the Pilates mat you didn't pack. Do not touch the carpeting. There is a reason hotels choose dark, loud patterns; unimaginable stains are hidden on that floor pelt of filth. 2. You can adamantly intend to do a ride on a bike in the hotel's fitness center as much as your little cyclist heart desires, but if there is no bike in that fitness center, you're still screwed. 3. Bring snacks. Normal people who are not training eat three meals a day, not eight, so conference schedules are built around that structure. If you do not bring extra food, you will be stuck waiting hours between scheduled meals and will end up wanting to eat PowerPoint slide printouts or worse, the things office people believe constitute actual food (donuts, Peeps, Doritos, etc). 4. Practice shamelessness. Normal people do not drink 100 ounces ...continue reading.

The Women of XO Communications p/b Cisco

Posted on by lindsay
The boys of XO Communications p/b Cisco are legendary around MABRA - there's a lot of talent in our region, but when they roll up to a ride or race, you know you're in for a hard day. But much like Sears has a softer side, there's a tender side to the brawn and grit of the men. No, not Tim Brown; he moved away. I'm talking about the women of XO Racing. It started with Monika Sattler at the beginning of 2011, grew when Lindsay Bayer joined a year ago, and continued with the addition of Ky Hunter at the end of 2011. Now we're gearing up to begin an aggressive season of racing NRC/NCC races with some stops at MABRA events and we're excited to race hard, work together, and represent our awesome sponsors. Monika Sattler Tell us a little about yourself. Originally from Germany, I came to the States ...continue reading.

Hoping the road to greatness is paved with fun-size candy bars

Posted on by lindsay
I just made fancy hot chocolate; real dark chocolate chunks melted with caramel and sea salt, topped with whipped cream. It's good - not as delicious as the Artfully Chocolate version I'm trying to replicate - but still enjoyable. Also, I hate myself for drinking it. This is happening while I am drinking it. Sip, loathe, sip. This drink is fattening and sugary and rich and all I did for exercise today was some core work and a recovery ride. Yet all I can think about is eating more whipped cream and sticking my finger in the jar of caramel. I probably will and then regret it even more. The other day, I was filled with regret before I'd even put the first cookie in my mouth...and then I ate two and despised myself for the next four hours. I am not good at self control. That's funny to say, because ...continue reading.

Any Given Saturday

Posted on by lindsay
I hurt my knee earlier this week while running through Reston Town Center. Less than two blocks of dashing merrily in flat boots and by the end of the night, I could hardly bend my leg. The ortho doctor said that I likely tore my cartilage or meniscus (to a minor extent), and went on to add, "Isn't it funny that you compete in a high risk sport, and yet you injured your knee running to your car?" Hilarious. So he gave me some free sample drugs and sent me home with orders for an MRI and to rest until my follow-up appointment next week. And I rested hard...for two days, until impatience and anxiety over missed training won and I gingerly rode for 90 minutes on Friday evening. All seemed well, so I got back on the bike for the scheduled training this morning and ended up feeling great. ...continue reading.