KICKIN’
BUTT
IN ARKANSAS
I’m back home having in
my pocket a huge success at the Joe Martin Stage race May 8th -11th.
Thank you to all of you who have believed in me and have encouraged me through
several hard training days and accompanied me when I needed a training partner
to keep me company. Huge thanks to my coach Robin, who has given me the
coaching I needed to succeed in my goals.
Stage 1
ITT at Hog’s Den
This year the stage race
for the pros was four days four stages, starting one day earlier. The pro level
riders enjoyed being able to settle in to their surroundings and get a few extra
hours of rest before and afternoon start on Thursday afternoon. As for me, I
arrived early, warmed up till I was smokin’ hot and headed to the line. I am
not sure if this was my best performance, it was one of the annoying climbs that
you are always pushing gear, with no opportunity to spin, but I managed an 11:20
just 52 seconds off the leader. After crossing the finish line, I kept riding
till I was picked up by my Team Manager, Delona “Tut” Williams who picked me up
after a 20 minute warm down, then we headed home for dinner, movie and bed.
Stage 2
RR. 60 miles Mt Gaylor
 This
stage has two critical points to the race. One over Mt Gaylor, a 9 mile, hill
climb, 30 miles into the race, two, positioning into the finish which has two
kicker hill sprints, before grinding into to the hill climb finish all within
the last 1K. I successfully made it over Mt Gaylor with a break of about 20
riders. We started a great rotating pace line averaging about 25 miles an hour
till 5 k to go. Then things started to get a bit dodgy within 5K keeping me on
high alert to stay upright and make my move. Then it came, the hole I as
waiting for, I jumped on it and was exactly where I wanted to be 3 turns into
the finish. The last 3 hills took a bit out of me, but I managed to hang with
the leaders to the finish for 7th place. My performance on this
stage bumped me into 11th G.C. by the end of the stage.
Stage 3
RR 70 miles, Hogs Den
Being that I have never
finished this stage with the field, my goal was to manage my fatigue and stay
with the pack to the finish. Attacks were constant on lap one, until Cheerwine
finally got a rider off successfully. A handful of teams tried to get something
started to bring the Cheerwine rider back but in the end the strength wasn’t
there. The stage ended in a field sprit which included me for 18th.
Yahoooooooo! I made it.
 I
didn’t even wait to see the final results. My legs were on the verge of
cramping so I headed right to my team manager/host housing house, and ice
bathed, ate and took a 2 hour nap.
Stage 4
Dickson Street Crit 60 minutes
Still sitting in 11th
G.C. I was a bit nervous for the crit. This crit destroys riders; with its
8%/500 meter climb every lap. But I remembered that I am a darn good crit rider
and this was gonna be FUN! From the whistle, I was at the front playing in the
field going with attacks, drilling it up the hill a few times. After the first
few laps, I knew this crit would be no problem to finish. With the field
shattering around the course, I stayed with the lead riders to the end, hanging
on for 9th place.
Not loosing any time
from the leaders, I kept 11th G.C. and was happy with my finish. I
had gone with no teammates and only the support of my friend/Team Manager, Tut,
who played a key role in keeping my feed, rested and relaxed for the duration of
the event.
 After
the race, Tut and I headed out to do a bit of horseback riding before heading to
Jose’s for the last super. Monday we did a bit of shopping before I headed home
Monday night.
My next adventure will
be State Championship Time Trial on May 24th. From there, I head out
to Minnesota to announce the Nature Valley Grand Prix. After Minnesota I fly
out to Majorcca Spain for the road bike launch for GIANT.
See you on the ROAD
JennX
May Day
 May
Day, May Day, This season is here and there is so much going on. With a
full time job, full racing and training schedule and crazy last minute
invites to foreign countries, I have disappointed my fan base with my
lack of updates on my website.
Well..... Not to delay, here's the quick quick.
Ojai 4/12:
(holy smokes, that was ages ago) Went great. At the last minute the
race was taken off the NRC schedule for the women, due to lack of
funding. So, as I had peaked for the race, I went prepared to race my
best. It was HOLY HOT stuff. The temps reach the high 90's as we
raced. I raced smart and hard, but suffered all the same. I pulled off
a 14th placing, my best NRC crit this season, but looking for better.
 Sea
Otter 4/19: Being a month later this year,
I figured Sea Otter may bring in some good warm weather, considering the
days leading up to race day were in the mid 70's. By the time the gun
fired on race start Saturday morning it was 46 degrees brrr.. I raced
10 of the 22 laps with newspaper in my chest.
I was happy with my fitness, I was super strong with the pack, but
missed the move of the day which was a 10 women breakaway, with all the
major teams. I was pissed, but still attacked the pack and drove the
pace a handful of times. When I realized it would come down to a pack
sprint, I drilled it up the wall one last time, hoping to get a small
break going for the last 2 miles, so I wouldn't have to sprint with so
many other women. No luck, Cheerwine countered my move and it was
everything I could do to dangle on to the pack. Luckily Morgan was
there and helped me stay connected. I ended up 26th. Not the result I
wanted but I know I'm fit, just have to race smarter!
 Sea
Otter Mountain Bike Race 4/20: Our
rad host family, let Jen and I stay other night so I could race the
Mountain Bike race on Sunday morning. My idea was to do a nice tempo
mountain bike ride as a recovery ride. Yeah, blew that idea right out
the window and soon as the group of 25 of us hit the dirt. It was 100%
effort for me from the gun. It was an 18 mile loop and I was at mile
nine in 50 minutes. Needless to say, it was not a recovery ride, but a
full blown time trail in the dirt. I panned out great with 11th place.
Not bad for never racing the Elite category. The women who place in
front of my ROCKED IT!
Malibu Training Camp 5/23-5/25:
My best friend Dots and I had the
opportunity to be ride leaders for a private group for "training camp"
in Malibu. The two of us had great girl time together, doing what we
love, riding, fine dining, great hotels and fun company.
 We
were hosted at the Fairmont in Malibu right of the ocean. We walked
into out "Bungalow Suite" to the small of fresh roses, orchids and
tulips. We could hear the waves crashing out the window. The Lodging
was great. The restaurant dining was tasty, the service wonderful. Oh,
did I mention we did 3 days of kick ass riding too? We can't wait to do
it again.
Piru TT May 3rd:
As I am still determined to medal at Elite
Nationals, I headed out to Piru for more TT training. I finally got
there with enough time to register and do a full and complete warm up.
I did not feel 100% that, but set a good enough tempo to knock 30
seconds off my TT time since last month. YAHOO, mission accomplished.
San Luis Rey RR May 4th:
After, food, shower, nap and a pack, I headed down
to San Diego to spend some time with my mom for Mother's Day a week
early since I would be in Arkansas next week. Hanging out with mom and
my step dad was the relaxing afternoon and morning that I needed before
the San Luis Rey road race in Bonsall.
The SBW team was aggressive, driving the pace and launching several
attacks. When I saw that it would come down to a modest size field
sprint, I position myself behind Rachel Tzinberg and she was my bet to
win the race. I managed to hand on Racheal's wheel until Corine Rivera
attacked with Proman and Cycles Veloce on her wheel, I didn't have the
legs to jump, but just drove it into the finish, for 6th.
What's next?
I'm off to Arkansas to race the Joe Martin Stage Race Thursday 5/8
through 5/11. I am expecting BIG things there, since this is a target
race.
I return to do ITT State Championships at Lake Los Angeles May 24.
In June it's off to Minnesota to race the Velodrome there before I
announce the Nature Valley Grand Prix June 11 thru 15.
As far as the foreign country part, I might be heading out to Majorca,
the largest island of the coast of Spain, for the 2009 launch of Giant
Bicycles road collection, for ROAD Cross your fingers, could be fun!
T.T.F.N.
See you on the road
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