WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWEEEEEEEEE! That is me in shock. After many years of trying to get sponsored by the Cannondale factory mtb team, it has finally happened. A dream come true! The next morning, I woke up and really thought I had dreamt it. The reality keeps hitting me and shocking me all over again! I can't wait to ride the AWESOME new team scalpel. It's the coolest bike EVER! This is Sonya flipping a lid from excitement.
More updates later. It's been a crazy week. I'll let you know of my Thanksgiving excursions over the weekend. It was a good week at home. :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving with N. Dynamite
It's a little long, but pretty funny. This guy does a great job of being Napoleon. GOSH! It's basic cooking!
That's niiiiice!
It's good to to be home. I have been here three days, but it actually feels like many! Vacations are never as restful as you think they are going to be, but I never said action-packed was bad! I have been working in the mornings-- we are super busy at Sunflower and I don't mind making some money while I'm here instead of a week of making a big fat zero. I rode in the foothills both Monday and Tuesday. It always feels great to get back and ride on the trails I first went mountain biking on. Plus, they seem a lot easier now because I'm used to brutal climbs in Colorado. The seemingly flat riding is a good break although there's a couple tough sections. It was pretty sandy, so it's a good thing we are getting some moisture in the next couple of days. I have been hanging out with the fam in the afternoon/evenings, and then seeing my brother and friends at night. Of course, that means not much sleep. Staying out till 2 AM is not conducive to a restful vacation, or a fast 10K for that matter. However, I did everything wrong for the half marathon (not training, eating pizza and beer the day before), so to heck with it!! I am always glad to have a good crew here in Albuquerque although a lot of my girlfriends moved away. They will mostly all be back for Xmas though. Yaaay!
It snowed 5 inches in Denver today. I can't say I'm disappointed to miss the first bigger snow of the year. I think it's going to hit us down here tomorrow.
I drove my dad's sweet corvette today. I need to drive it again b/c it's frightening to drive a 7 L, 500 HP car when you drive a lawnmower for a car. :) I thought I was being badass and accelerating fast. Turns out, no so badass. I have to learn how to really drive a race car... like let the engine re-re-rev up more before shifting. It was enough to make me sweat though!
I have been taking photos, but forgot my data USB cord. I'll see what I can do. My dad wanted to take a picture of me with his car...so here is one for you motorheads.
My dad's pride and joy. he's been taking it to the race track. suuweeet!
This one is pretty funny... I think the corvette is hotter. ;)
It snowed 5 inches in Denver today. I can't say I'm disappointed to miss the first bigger snow of the year. I think it's going to hit us down here tomorrow.
I drove my dad's sweet corvette today. I need to drive it again b/c it's frightening to drive a 7 L, 500 HP car when you drive a lawnmower for a car. :) I thought I was being badass and accelerating fast. Turns out, no so badass. I have to learn how to really drive a race car... like let the engine re-re-rev up more before shifting. It was enough to make me sweat though!
I have been taking photos, but forgot my data USB cord. I'll see what I can do. My dad wanted to take a picture of me with his car...so here is one for you motorheads.
My dad's pride and joy. he's been taking it to the race track. suuweeet!
This one is pretty funny... I think the corvette is hotter. ;)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Greetings from 500 miles south!
Yep! Jack and I drove back to Albuquerque today. It feels great to be home is all I can say. Although I love Boulder, it's always so wonderful to have a home base and come back to the city and house that I spent most of life growing up in. Plus, most of my family is here. I miss them!!
Jack and I had a fun drive. He makes me laugh more than almost anyone...probably because we make fun of NM stuff that no one else really gets. Other stuff too. My arms were going numb while driving because I was laughing so hard. I was probably swerving all over the road too, but that is not an uncommon site in NM. ;) His sister, Nina, is one of my really good friends too. With bike racing and travel to and from NM, I feel like an honorary member of the Baum family. :)
I am still doing some work for Sunflower while home, one of the many perks of my job so I can still make some cash and be here. 10K on Thanksgiving-- should be interesting since my ankles are still killing me from the half marathon. I intend to hit up my favorite trails too. I love my old stomping grounds. Till next time!
Jack and I had a fun drive. He makes me laugh more than almost anyone...probably because we make fun of NM stuff that no one else really gets. Other stuff too. My arms were going numb while driving because I was laughing so hard. I was probably swerving all over the road too, but that is not an uncommon site in NM. ;) His sister, Nina, is one of my really good friends too. With bike racing and travel to and from NM, I feel like an honorary member of the Baum family. :)
I am still doing some work for Sunflower while home, one of the many perks of my job so I can still make some cash and be here. 10K on Thanksgiving-- should be interesting since my ankles are still killing me from the half marathon. I intend to hit up my favorite trails too. I love my old stomping grounds. Till next time!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A little more specific
I wanted to elaborate a little more on some of my mountain biking tips since I realize just because I know what I mean, you may not! Just two small little comments.
When I say to lean back on the downhill, you should get in a tuck position. If you look at the photo of me on the right (the action one), you can see I am ducked down on the handlebar, my face is kind of close to the bar, and I'm leaning my butt back. When I say shift your weight back, push your butt back. Another tip for downhilling-- keep your knees bent. Don't lock them up so they can absorb more shock. Also, if you are going over rock, use your arms. push down. It helps your shock rebound at the right time and gives you more control.
Another quick tip. If you're riding through a rocky section and you lose your momentum, but you can't pedal because the rocks are too high, backpedal about 1/4 of a revolution, then pedal forward. It doesn't give you much speed, but it will help you not completely lose it.
When I say to lean back on the downhill, you should get in a tuck position. If you look at the photo of me on the right (the action one), you can see I am ducked down on the handlebar, my face is kind of close to the bar, and I'm leaning my butt back. When I say shift your weight back, push your butt back. Another tip for downhilling-- keep your knees bent. Don't lock them up so they can absorb more shock. Also, if you are going over rock, use your arms. push down. It helps your shock rebound at the right time and gives you more control.
Another quick tip. If you're riding through a rocky section and you lose your momentum, but you can't pedal because the rocks are too high, backpedal about 1/4 of a revolution, then pedal forward. It doesn't give you much speed, but it will help you not completely lose it.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Almost home... and home free
Yep! I am really excited about going home on Saturday. I haven't been back to the 'Querque since May and all my friends, family, and sweet singletrack is waiting for me! My aunt, uncle, cousin, and her husband are coming from Arizona (to my grandparents) for Thanksgiving. I don't get to see them all that much, so it will be nice. I really miss not having my family around, especially during tough times. Me and Jack are heading down and we usually have fun. Last time we were ranking high schools in Albuquerque based on the ghetto-ness and how much street cred you get by going there.
...and home free in THREE (well four) weeks. Three weeks of classes and no more electrical engineering graduate school. I cannot wait. Never ever again will I have to take any of those classes and suffer. Then I can focus more on suffering on the bike. :) MSEE in December, then working part time at Sunflower Solar and racing in the spring. I think I'll finish up my NSCA personal trainer certification stuff over the winter too and get that up and running. I'll finally have time!
Another note. Life never ceases to surprise me. I guess that's what makes it interesting, but my optimism about the good in people was seemingly fading. I think it's coming back. We all just want to feel special,understand one another, and do things that make both us and others around us happy. That's all it is.
My dad.
I couldn't help but put a photo of my favorite place in the world. My family and I have come here every year since I was 1. Photos of the San Juans that are a familiar site in my dreams and every June always bring me peace and happiness.
...and home free in THREE (well four) weeks. Three weeks of classes and no more electrical engineering graduate school. I cannot wait. Never ever again will I have to take any of those classes and suffer. Then I can focus more on suffering on the bike. :) MSEE in December, then working part time at Sunflower Solar and racing in the spring. I think I'll finish up my NSCA personal trainer certification stuff over the winter too and get that up and running. I'll finally have time!
Another note. Life never ceases to surprise me. I guess that's what makes it interesting, but my optimism about the good in people was seemingly fading. I think it's coming back. We all just want to feel special,understand one another, and do things that make both us and others around us happy. That's all it is.
My dad. 
I couldn't help but put a photo of my favorite place in the world. My family and I have come here every year since I was 1. Photos of the San Juans that are a familiar site in my dreams and every June always bring me peace and happiness.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
update coming soon...
Sorry it's been so long. My roommate moved out, I didn't have internet, I got busy, and I have a million excuses. :)
Long story short. My half marathon that I ran 4 times to train for...went surprisingly well. I somehow thought I was training at an 8 min/mi pace, but after I looked down at my watch after every mile and saw I was funning between 6 and 6:30 min/mi, I was in shock and awe. It was really cold at the start. I went with Jamie and we left at 6:30 AM. It was still in the 20s and the sun didn't come up till right before the start.
Part of the course as the sun came up. It was in Loveland
I had a blast and midway through I even thought, "Hell. This is WAY easier than a mountain bike race." However, I made a rookie mistake and didn't drink any water. I forgot how hard it is while you're running-- I'm used to feed zones on my bike. Mile 9 is where the fun began- cramping which continued to the bitter end. My mile times were 8-9 min/mi and I lost 4-5 min overall. I crossed the line (and got passed in the last mile by a girl, shoot!) and nearly fell over. My entire body was cramping so bad I had to hold on to things to stand up. For days after, I walked like Frankenstein Gumby. I could barely walk...ask anyone. :) It was quite the scene and no fun for me. I ran a 1:33 which put me in 3rd overall for the women. I'm a little confused by the results because they did not include the 2 master's women who beat me...so I think the real result was 5th. It was such a shock and now it's got me wondering how fast I could do it if I actually trained for it for a few months. I'm running a 10K on Thanksgiving... but man! I ran today, if that's what you want to call it, and my ankles and knees were killing me. Jamie who immensely added to my fun was running the 10K. I think he won his age group and is just an all around badass. :)
Jamie. aka the black knight.
My lovely blister that still hasn't healed. I felt it coming on around mile 7. Guess I should have tried a little harder to break in my shoes.
Running races are sweet. They make you unlimited pancakes and give you cool schwag with your entry. Maybe the mtb promoters need to get a clue. ;)
Long story short. My half marathon that I ran 4 times to train for...went surprisingly well. I somehow thought I was training at an 8 min/mi pace, but after I looked down at my watch after every mile and saw I was funning between 6 and 6:30 min/mi, I was in shock and awe. It was really cold at the start. I went with Jamie and we left at 6:30 AM. It was still in the 20s and the sun didn't come up till right before the start.
Part of the course as the sun came up. It was in LovelandI had a blast and midway through I even thought, "Hell. This is WAY easier than a mountain bike race." However, I made a rookie mistake and didn't drink any water. I forgot how hard it is while you're running-- I'm used to feed zones on my bike. Mile 9 is where the fun began- cramping which continued to the bitter end. My mile times were 8-9 min/mi and I lost 4-5 min overall. I crossed the line (and got passed in the last mile by a girl, shoot!) and nearly fell over. My entire body was cramping so bad I had to hold on to things to stand up. For days after, I walked like Frankenstein Gumby. I could barely walk...ask anyone. :) It was quite the scene and no fun for me. I ran a 1:33 which put me in 3rd overall for the women. I'm a little confused by the results because they did not include the 2 master's women who beat me...so I think the real result was 5th. It was such a shock and now it's got me wondering how fast I could do it if I actually trained for it for a few months. I'm running a 10K on Thanksgiving... but man! I ran today, if that's what you want to call it, and my ankles and knees were killing me. Jamie who immensely added to my fun was running the 10K. I think he won his age group and is just an all around badass. :)
Jamie. aka the black knight. 
My lovely blister that still hasn't healed. I felt it coming on around mile 7. Guess I should have tried a little harder to break in my shoes.
Running races are sweet. They make you unlimited pancakes and give you cool schwag with your entry. Maybe the mtb promoters need to get a clue. ;)
Friday, November 02, 2007
Halloween is like Hanukka!
I was feeling kind of burnt out on Halloween on the actual day of Halloween so I went bouldering at Boulder Rock Club. I hadn't been in almost 2 years, so needless to say, my forearms are totally sore. I think I'm going to start going every Friday to get in shape and not be such a T-Rex. Plus I know you were dying for more costume pics ;)
Brent (my roommate) completed my costume with the mug, but it got really heavy!
Me and Shade. I thought I was so clever later calling him Lamp Shade. haha
brent and I. This picture is hilarious if you use your imagination. don't worry, none of that!
WALTER! COME ON MAAAAN!! "You see what happens Larry?? This is what happens when you...."
Me, Tim,and Thurein.
Yah boyz
Many of you know that The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies, so when I saw someone dressed up as Walter walk in the bar, I was more than stoked. I was chasing this guy around all night screaming Big Lebowksi quotes at him. I think he was amused.
I thought Oct 31 would be the end of Halloween, but Sunflower (my work) wanted to have a Halloween party today...so I had to dress up again. This costume got its mileage. Now I'm totally sick of it! ;) No more costume pics for a year. You better enjoy it while you can :)
Brent (my roommate) completed my costume with the mug, but it got really heavy!
Me and Shade. I thought I was so clever later calling him Lamp Shade. haha
brent and I. This picture is hilarious if you use your imagination. don't worry, none of that!
WALTER! COME ON MAAAAN!! "You see what happens Larry?? This is what happens when you...."
Me, Tim,and Thurein.
Yah boyzMany of you know that The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies, so when I saw someone dressed up as Walter walk in the bar, I was more than stoked. I was chasing this guy around all night screaming Big Lebowksi quotes at him. I think he was amused.
I thought Oct 31 would be the end of Halloween, but Sunflower (my work) wanted to have a Halloween party today...so I had to dress up again. This costume got its mileage. Now I'm totally sick of it! ;) No more costume pics for a year. You better enjoy it while you can :)
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