Quick Reflection
Every once in awhile you just have to sit and reflect. Reflection could be from a moment of passing nostalgia, an event that sparks that all too familiar feeling, or just the time to actually sit still and think. Regardless, I think reflection is usually a good thing. Maybe we shouldn’t dwell incessantly on the past, but we should also appreciate and remember the moments and people who brought us to this point today. Too often we blaze through life without any concern for those around us, and never taking that small moment to look upon where you are, and who you are.
Maybe it is that I have the time, maybe it is because it is all coming so quickly. Please know, I am very thankful and blessed.
The Yoga Experiment
I was told the more you went to yoga, the better you would feel, and the more addicted you would become.
It was like a simple equation. A direct relationship between an increase in classes and an increase in positive thoughts towards the practice. Is that true? I was skeptical of such logic, so I decided to conduct an experiment to find out. For one week exactly, I took 5 yoga classes. 5 hot yoga classes in a mere 7 days.
I thought I would try the hot yoga, and for once, not leave the class early, and dedicate myself to stay through 90 grueling minutes of stretching. How hard could it be? It didn’t involve cardio, or my aerobic system. However, it involved my core, my flexibility and my patience.
The days went on. Did I feel more limber, or just less embarrassed by my lack of coordination?
Bendie Envy. That’s the term my friend used to describe the feeling of trepidation before each yoga class. The suspicious feeling regarding the yoga “teacher’s pets” and those who warm up doing head stands and can stretch their leg perfectly straight out in front of them holding their big toe with their “peace fingers”. This feeling of insecurity was decreasing with each class attended.
Crow. Cat. Cow. Pidgeon. Animal names? Of course, but also a term for poses requiring strength and flexibility. In yoga class, I could become a tree, a silver surfer, and or I could develop talons and get my “man on”. My breathing can now become oceanic, rhythmic, or something like that.
I was inspired by the yoga classes as they highlighted my stiffness and imbalance. I recruited a US National Team teammate and good friend to join me. I figured with two professional cyclists in the class, the attention of the instructor would surely be divided. It turned out, Kat, was actually much more talented than me in the yoga department, and I was still meticulously corrected.
7 days complete.
Am I sold on yoga? I might be. Not just any yoga. I think I vote for vinyasa, or as the Red Dragon Yoga Studio in Mill Valley refers to their hot vinyasa class, “Power Yoga”. We flow from one pose to the next and through the movements, there is less time to have a yoga Nazi pick on me for my form. I try to blend in, sweat, and move freely. I am challenged, but I am kept interested with few static poses, and the class is based on dynamic movements and upbeat music that doesn’t involve waterfalls or windchimes.
5 days of yoga, and I am sore. Does it make me better cyclist? I hope so. Do I intend to compete in the Olympics for yoga? Thank heavens, no, but I think it will be a beneficial addition to my weeks of training when I am home. 5 days/week? No. I am crossing my fingers for 1 day/week.
There is some truth to the repetition of yoga to feel its energizing properties. Addicted might be a strong word, but I at least can admit that I began ALMOST enjoying yoga. Who would have thought it was ever possible.
If you like this picture…
Photo by Larry Rosa
If you like this picture… and you like to know what the date is, this will be my final plug to get your OFFICIAL Team TIBCO calendar!
We just got our first draft of our schedule for Team TIBCO’s racing in 2010. The good news is that will be touring the world! No matter where you are located, you will be able to watch the team in action. To give you a little taste of that, we will be in New Zealand, to Redlands, to Merced, to Menlo Park, to Sea Otter, to Minnesota, to New Mexico, to Beligium, to France, to Tulsa, to Oregon, to Santa Cruz, to Burlingame, to Italy! You got it. I am pretty sure we will be everywhere.
I love to look at the schedule and think about the exciting times and challenging races in the future! Will you be there with me? I hope so.
What exactly is the team pursuit?
Upon returning from my experience on the track, I have been asked repeatedly, what was I doing there?
I even heard the rumor that I was possibly doing roller derby. Not really roller derby, but after watching the Madison I can see some similiarilites.
The track is usually 250m around, although sometimes it is 333m. The events are separated into two distinct categories. Sprint and Endurance.
A sprint event is usually 3-6 laps in duration and involves raw power and race tactics to win. I was very impressed with the sprinters that I saw. With their stocky frames and mustaches, they were a raucous group of men that seemed to be happy to be loitering at the track. As soon as I would get a little jealous of their rested demeanor, I would witness one of their brutal 500m effort. Le ouch.
An endurance event on the track is longer then the sprint events. Endurance events comprise of individual pursuit, team pursuit, scratch race, points race, Madison, and omnium. The IP is basically an individual time trial, and it has been removed from the Olympics for 2012, hence the focus on the teampursuit. The scratch race, points race, and Madison are all mass start events. For now, I think Iwill focus on the team pursuit.
The team pursuit for the women comprises of 3 women/team, and the distance is 3k. For the men, they start with 4 riders, one of the riders being expendable, and their distance is 4k. There are few things as beautiful as a flawless team pursuit in action. Although it may not resemble roller derby, it is pretty incredible to watch. The efficiency and tenacity of the team is incredible
Check out this video of the Great Britain women setting a world record against Germany in Manchester, England.
Manchester World Cup Women’s Team Pursuit
If you don’t want to watch all 10 minutes of the video, fast forward to about 3:30 in to watch the world record being set!
I have so much respect for our US women who can kill it out the track so gracefully and powerfully. What an awesome discipline of our sport.
And the rain comes.
What do you do when its raining?
I am beginning to ask myself that question as I look at the weather forecast. There are many options. I compiled a list, since I tend to be a list maker type of person.
The tough:
Put on fenders.
Put on fenders on the front and the rear.
Where latex gloves under your gloves.
Put ziploc bags on your feet under your socks, in your shoes, under you shoe covers.
Where a rain jacket.
Find a good friend to join you.
The not-so-tough:
Ride rollers.
Ride a trainer.
Find a good movie to accompany you.
I think I will…
Take a rest day.
What does that make me? It makes me a girl that just got done with 2 weeks at track camp. Cheers to that.
Maybe I will find a good movie, and that doesn’t include rollers.
