9/25/07 Measurements

9/25/07
QUADS: 56 cm
CALVES: 37 cm
HELMET: 55-59 cm

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9/20/07: Thursday p.m.
QUADS: 56 CM
CALVES: 37 CM
HELMET: 55-59 CM

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9/13/07
QUADS: 56 cm
CALVES: 37 cm
HELMET: 55-59 CM

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9/06/07: Thursday p.m.
QUADS: 54 CM (damn it, down 2 cm!! arghh!)
CALVES: 37 CM (up 1 cm...hmmm)

HELMET: 55-59 CM

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8/29/07: Thursday p.m.
QUADS: 56 CM
CALVES: 36 CM

HELMET: 55-59 CM

Quad Measurements and Bike Against the Odds ride

QUADS: 56 CM
CALVES: 37 CM
HELMET: 57-59 CM

The Bike Against the Odds ride took place last Sunday. Despite having been off the bike for 2 weeks and having gone wine tasting at Napa the day before, my legs felt surprisingly good. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was riding with a whole bunch of people and I was enjoying myself. (Also, the tasty peanut butter and jelly graham crackers at the feed zone really helped a lot.)

I'm proud to say that Team Oakland came in 3rd place in fundraising. Kudos to TO!!!!

Mary Maroon has mentioned getting a bunch of us girlies to do a century ride together. Can you imagine the shit load of fun that would be?! I'll have to really work on getting a bunch of us to do a century together. Oh the many photo ops I'd have on such a ride. =)

Holy Cow! Why haven't I discovered this sooner?

Last Sunday, my friends and I headed out to Lake Shasta for a few days of sun & fun. We rented a houseboat and a speedboat and brought with us tons of food, alcohol, board games, music, and enthusiasm.

Although I had planned on making an attempt at water skiing, I was nervous when we headed out with our skis on Monday. However, chickening out was not an option so I took a deep breath and went for it.

My friends Barb & Jaime coached me out on the water: Skis sticking vertically out of the water, knees to the titties, arms straight, and let go of my fear. The first few times, my skis would come out soon after the boat took off. Then, I finally made it to the seated position for a few seconds before going down.

I was frustrated as hell so I kept trying. I would re-fasten my skis, relax into the starting position, yell "Hit It!", and feel my skis drag across the water. Then, on this one attempt, there was that moment when I realized I had to get out of the seated position and lean back. I don't know how long that lasted but, doggone it, I did it! YES!

I went down quite a few times, swallowed a shit load of lake water, and slightly tweaked my left knee during one of my spills. However, I really, really enjoyed water skiing. I want to do it again, over and over. So, this now means I need to find friends with a speedboat.

Water skiing, cycling...I wonder what's the next sport I'm going to fall in love with.

The things we'll do for cycling

I've jumped on board with Beth's "Quads Watch". I think I'll even include my calve measurements to see if they grow simultaneously with my calves.

8/29/07: Thursday p.m.

QUADS: 56 CM
CALVES: 36 CM

HELMET: 55-59 CM

Man, do I feel silly

So, last night was another great Poo ride with a good number of women racers. After the ride, I headed over to the group to take some pics. A woman racer heading in my direction noticed that my helmet wasn't adjusted properly and proceeded to help me with adjusting my helmet straps.

She asked me how was my ride and I replied that it was good. I then asked her if she had hung in with the guys and she said yes. Being that I still haven't learned how to draft, or shall I say trust to draft, or corner without slowing down, I end up doing a solo workout while the pack races at 27+ mph during the poo rides.

After making our introductions, I learned that her name is Martina. Martina was very nice and even snapped a pic of me and Christian.

Today, I found out through the TO emails that Martina was one of the fast women out there last night. When I googled her, I found out she's a Cat 1/2 racer for ValuAct Capital. Damn, do I feel stupid asking her if she had hung in there with the guys. Turns out that I was talking to a bad-ass racer. Thing is, she was so nice. It is always refreshing to meet skilled & fast racers who don't only socialize with people within their categories.

Women racers like Martina, Mary Maroon, Starla Teddergreen, Mel Schultz, Beth Newell, Marie Dewitt, Karla Kingsley and Hanan Alves-Hyde inspire me because they're tough & skilled racers who don't act snobbish towards the rest of us who aspire to be as good as them someday.

My body is in this cubicle but my mind is far away.

I'm sitting here, listening to music and letting my thoughts wander.

I'm thinking about what a friggin' cool afternoon/evening I had last night.

I'm wondering where Mel will be leading us on tomorrow's ride.

I'm wondering whose going to show up for Sunday's Club One ride.

I'm wondering what songs I'm going to download to my IPOD before I leave for L.A. next weekend.

I'm wondering if I'll be able to raise money for the Bike Against the Odds ride by 9/16.

I'm wondering what I'm going to have for dinner tonight.

I'm wondering when I'll finally be able to pedal through corners without slowing down.

I'm wondering how long it'll take me before I'm comfortable drafting behind other riders.

I'm wondering when I'm going to catch my first blues show.

I'm wishing I was riding my bike up Mt. Diablo instead of sitting here with my random thoughts.