The big event that has been on my calendar since early 2011 has come and gone. I am left with some seriously sore legs, a big sense of accomplishment, a bit of disappointment and a few "what if's", but overall I am quite happy with how the day went.
Race day started at 6:30 am when Andy, a fellow Johnnie, and I headed out to put our bikes in line for the start of the race. The start of the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 is a mass start with the only guaranteed spots at the front given to those with prior race results in either the Fat Tire 40 or similar races to justify a place with the fast guys/gals. Needless to say, my prior race results guaranteed no such priority! People start putting their bikes in line by 4:00 am to guarantee a spot towards the front. Surprisingly, we were probably at about the halfway point of the pack when we put our bikes in line. After dropping our bikes we headed back to Grand Pines to get dressed, choke down some breakfast and attempt to suppress the nerves.
We had about three hours between dropping our bikes and the start of the race at 10:00am. It was nice to not be rushed and to be able to eat, pack for the day and sort through the right clothes to wear. I also found myself pacing aimlessly though as my mind tried to comprehend what laid in front of me.
The part of the race I was most nervous about was the start. One of the biggest things I struggle with when racing is riding my own race, trying not to get caught up in the pace of the riders around me, the adrenaline dump at the start, and worrying whether or not I am holding up other racers. One of the downfalls of doing a majority of my mtn biking alone is that I am not accustomed to having someone on my wheel at all times and when I am riding in a pack I tend to get over anxious about the rider behind me and I forget to concentrate on my race/ride. So with 1,900 other racers, chances were pretty good that I was always going to have someone on my wheel, unless I went really, really slow.
Wondering what 1,900 mountain bike racers looks and sounds like? Check out the video!
Chequamegon 2011 from Butter on Vimeo.
Luckily for me, the start went off without a hitch. Andy was not so lucky. His day was almost ended within 300 yards of leaving the starting chute. As we rolled out, a rider that for some reason was super paranoid about the space around him, gave Andy an elbow that Hulk Hogan would be proud of. As a result, Andy was sent careening towards the curb. Luckily, he managed to avoid an endo and recovered nicely to race a great race. The 3 mile pavement lead out to Rosie's field and the start of the off-road portion of the trail would be the last I would see of Andy. The real race for me was about to begin.
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Here, There, Everywhere
Last week was a crazy week to say the least at the Mousel house. Well, I guess it is hard to say "at the house" since we were hardly home and hardly together. I left for DC on Sunday morning and got back late on Tuesday night. Isabel went to the cabin on Monday morning then I joined her Wednesday through Sunday. All the while, Butter held down the home front until Friday when he left for the MS150 Bike Ride from Duluth to Minneapolis. We all came back together on Sunday afternoon ready for some down time together and relaxing at home.
Last Sunday, I went to Washington DC for three days with our 8th graders as I have done every year for the last 6 years (minus last year as I was quite busy). I absolutely love the trip and this year was no different. We had a fantastic group and no major issues just our crazy sight-seeing schedule. It always amazes me the different dynamics of the groups we bring every year, but they are always complimented for their respectful and mature behavior. Both a flight attendant and our bus driver/tour guide commented that our group was one of the best groups they have seen. When I tell people I teach middle school, I always get the question, "How do you do that? I could never work with that age." My response is always, "We have really great kids."
Back to the trip...the trip is very similar year after year, but we do change things up from year to year. I went to four new places this year that I haven't in the previous six times I have been to DC: Crime and Punishment Museum (lots of reading, but interesting...not for a weak stomach), Air Force Memorial (highly recommend seeing as it overlooks DC from a hill by the Pentagon), Newseum (super cool, we did not have nearly enough time to do that place justice), and Camden Yards (the ball field where the Baltimore Oriels play...6 major league ball fields down, many more to go). Here are a few photos from my camera phone:
Luckily, I missed the heat here and there. Isabel was fortunate to beat the heat at the cabin with Grandma, Papa, Auntie Kassi, and Ethan. Later in the week, I joined in the fun along with Josh, James, Suz, Maddie, and Ava. By the time the rest of us got there the weather was hit or miss, but lots of hanging out outside and fishing was enjoyed as well as a little swimming fun.
Isabel caught her first fish (wanted to touch and play with the fishy), went on her first boat ride (she hates the life jacket), and got her feet wet in the lake. As always, she is quite the busy body; she loved playing in the muddy rock garden or walking on the dock.
In this past week, a light has seemed to go on for Isabel. She has started to use her sign for please, will take your hand to lead you to what she wants, sounds are starting to sound more and more like words, and you can ask her go get something (like a shoe or toy or sippee) and she will go get it. It is pretty cool to actually feel like we are communicating. On the teeth front, she popped her bottom right molar. Teething stinks, by the way! So 11 teeth total with the bottom left molar just under the surface. From what I hear, the worst of 'em have not even started...the dreaded eye teeth!
So that's it for now...Butter will be coming shortly for his recap of another successful MS150.
Last Sunday, I went to Washington DC for three days with our 8th graders as I have done every year for the last 6 years (minus last year as I was quite busy). I absolutely love the trip and this year was no different. We had a fantastic group and no major issues just our crazy sight-seeing schedule. It always amazes me the different dynamics of the groups we bring every year, but they are always complimented for their respectful and mature behavior. Both a flight attendant and our bus driver/tour guide commented that our group was one of the best groups they have seen. When I tell people I teach middle school, I always get the question, "How do you do that? I could never work with that age." My response is always, "We have really great kids."
Back to the trip...the trip is very similar year after year, but we do change things up from year to year. I went to four new places this year that I haven't in the previous six times I have been to DC: Crime and Punishment Museum (lots of reading, but interesting...not for a weak stomach), Air Force Memorial (highly recommend seeing as it overlooks DC from a hill by the Pentagon), Newseum (super cool, we did not have nearly enough time to do that place justice), and Camden Yards (the ball field where the Baltimore Oriels play...6 major league ball fields down, many more to go). Here are a few photos from my camera phone:
Luckily, I missed the heat here and there. Isabel was fortunate to beat the heat at the cabin with Grandma, Papa, Auntie Kassi, and Ethan. Later in the week, I joined in the fun along with Josh, James, Suz, Maddie, and Ava. By the time the rest of us got there the weather was hit or miss, but lots of hanging out outside and fishing was enjoyed as well as a little swimming fun.
Isabel caught her first fish (wanted to touch and play with the fishy), went on her first boat ride (she hates the life jacket), and got her feet wet in the lake. As always, she is quite the busy body; she loved playing in the muddy rock garden or walking on the dock.
In this past week, a light has seemed to go on for Isabel. She has started to use her sign for please, will take your hand to lead you to what she wants, sounds are starting to sound more and more like words, and you can ask her go get something (like a shoe or toy or sippee) and she will go get it. It is pretty cool to actually feel like we are communicating. On the teeth front, she popped her bottom right molar. Teething stinks, by the way! So 11 teeth total with the bottom left molar just under the surface. From what I hear, the worst of 'em have not even started...the dreaded eye teeth!
So that's it for now...Butter will be coming shortly for his recap of another successful MS150.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Summer Vacation
Where have you gone? I can't believe it is the end of July already and I will be going back to work in a month. Yes, I know I have been very fortunate in my time off with Isabel, but it is still quite scary to think about having two full time jobs! Those parents out there know exactly what I am talking about. Anyway, enough about work, here is what we have been up to the month of July.
July brought our first night away from our little girl, and not just one night but four nights! Butter and I made our third trip up to Alaska to celebrate Amy and Andy's wedding. Saying goodbye to Isabel was not easy. Yes, I cried all the way to the airport which made Butter very nervous for the rest of the trip and my mom and dad thought they were going to have to come back and pick us up before we left. To everyone's amazement, we all survived, but were definitely ready to get back to our little girl.
The Bride, Amy, my college roommate, put together a super fun and beautiful wedding weekend, and we couldn't think of better reason to make the first big trip away from Isabel than our dear friend's happily ever after...as Butter took over 450 pictures to prove it!
Hatcher's Pass is home to an old mining operation. Here is a run-down cabin along the trail.
Mr. and Mrs. Gorn's first dance as husband and wife...such a happy couple!
Sara, Megan, Kati, and Jodi pose for a "rare" photo op!
Cha-cha Slide! Very impressive, Ladies.
11:00pm - Getting ready to call it a night or not?!
(In the photo: Zach, Megan, Sara, Butter, Andy, Graham, Kati, and Jodi)
(Photo credit: Nikki)
Too Cute! One of the many hand-made decorations created by the Bride...she did an absolutely awesome job!
The ride back from the reception. Nothing like a school bus with a few brews and friends to get the crew singing...ah, the Link.
The bride and groom...goodnight.
When we were away, Isabel got to go to the cabin with Grandpa and Grandma. She loved being there and taking naps outside in her chair. I was hoping Grandma would work her magic and Isabel would be in a napping and nighttime sleeping routine, but as I am learning she has her own ideas. Luckily, I do not think she kept Grandma up too much! While with Grandma and Grandpa, she grew and filled out in her face, found more of her voice, discovered her giggle (too darn cute, by the way), and got a tan (Grandma says it was more from the wind, but a little sun kissed is okay with me).
When we returned from Alaska, we changed out our bags and joined them at the cabin for the week. Being at the cabin with a baby changes the meaning of "relaxing at the cabin", but it is such a blessing to be sharing this special place with her. Almost everyday, I think about how grateful I am for this amazing place and how lucky little Isabel is to begin her summertime enjoyment of the cabin. My Grandma and Grandpa sure know how to continue giving of themselves and love even from up above.
Currently, we are working on that aforementioned sleeping routine...please pray for us!! And we are looking forward to a weekend visit from Grandpa and Grandma Mousel, another trip to the cabin at the end of the month, a Twin's game or two, daddy's 24-hour mountain bike race at the end of August, and all the other spontaneous events summer brings!
July brought our first night away from our little girl, and not just one night but four nights! Butter and I made our third trip up to Alaska to celebrate Amy and Andy's wedding. Saying goodbye to Isabel was not easy. Yes, I cried all the way to the airport which made Butter very nervous for the rest of the trip and my mom and dad thought they were going to have to come back and pick us up before we left. To everyone's amazement, we all survived, but were definitely ready to get back to our little girl.
The Bride, Amy, my college roommate, put together a super fun and beautiful wedding weekend, and we couldn't think of better reason to make the first big trip away from Isabel than our dear friend's happily ever after...as Butter took over 450 pictures to prove it!
A hiking excursion at Hatcher's Pass was an awesome way to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Alaska scenery.
(In this photo: Amy, Graham, Sarah S, Jodi, Zach, Kati, and Nikki)
(In this photo: Amy, Graham, Sarah S, Jodi, Zach, Kati, and Nikki)
Yeah, we basically rock!
(Kati, Megan and Zach)
(Kati, Megan and Zach)
The lake at the top of our hike was breath-taking. The fog was so heavy when we first walked up I did not even realize the lake was there, but it lifted during the time we inhaled this serene beauty.
Hatcher's Pass is home to an old mining operation. Here is a run-down cabin along the trail. 
On the bus to the wedding reception...gotta love the school bus!
Mr. and Mrs. Gorn's first dance as husband and wife...such a happy couple!
Sara, Megan, Kati, and Jodi pose for a "rare" photo op!
Cha-cha Slide! Very impressive, Ladies.
11:00pm - Getting ready to call it a night or not?!(In the photo: Zach, Megan, Sara, Butter, Andy, Graham, Kati, and Jodi)
(Photo credit: Nikki)
Too Cute! One of the many hand-made decorations created by the Bride...she did an absolutely awesome job!
The ride back from the reception. Nothing like a school bus with a few brews and friends to get the crew singing...ah, the Link.
The bride and groom...goodnight.
When we were away, Isabel got to go to the cabin with Grandpa and Grandma. She loved being there and taking naps outside in her chair. I was hoping Grandma would work her magic and Isabel would be in a napping and nighttime sleeping routine, but as I am learning she has her own ideas. Luckily, I do not think she kept Grandma up too much! While with Grandma and Grandpa, she grew and filled out in her face, found more of her voice, discovered her giggle (too darn cute, by the way), and got a tan (Grandma says it was more from the wind, but a little sun kissed is okay with me).
When we returned from Alaska, we changed out our bags and joined them at the cabin for the week. Being at the cabin with a baby changes the meaning of "relaxing at the cabin", but it is such a blessing to be sharing this special place with her. Almost everyday, I think about how grateful I am for this amazing place and how lucky little Isabel is to begin her summertime enjoyment of the cabin. My Grandma and Grandpa sure know how to continue giving of themselves and love even from up above.
Isabel lounging in her chair outside enjoying the lake
Isabel's first dip in the lake with dad...no tears, but not quite ready to splash
and play like in the tub.
and play like in the tub.
Isabel loving her new sun hat...a little big yet!
Isabel in her "Jenny Jump Up" courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa...
not quite jump around, but loves sitting in it!
not quite jump around, but loves sitting in it!
Ava, Maddie, Elias, and Josie taking a rare time out from swimming for a photo op with Isabel
Isabel and daddy enjoying the raft
Family shot enjoying the summertime sun...pretty brave swimsuit photo!
Currently, we are working on that aforementioned sleeping routine...please pray for us!! And we are looking forward to a weekend visit from Grandpa and Grandma Mousel, another trip to the cabin at the end of the month, a Twin's game or two, daddy's 24-hour mountain bike race at the end of August, and all the other spontaneous events summer brings!
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