Deer Valley Ski Trip - Jan. 31, 2009

We slept in until about 8 AM (7 AM Pacific Time). First night sleeping was a bit restless with the altitude. It also took a while to get all the ski stuff organized. So it was almost 11 AM before we got on the lifts after getting our locals lift ticket booklet for the week. I found my ski legs on the 4th run. Seamless soaring - just like heaven. The weather was perfect - 30 degrees and sunny and almost no wind. There was a lot of activity at Deer Valley today - the last day of the World Cup Free Style. Free handwarmers! We had lunch at the Empire Lodge - great grilled salmon salad. We decided to make this a short day - 10 runs. We have all week ahead of us. Enjoyed the steam and sauna at the condo afterwards.

Deer Valley Ski Trip - Jan. 30, 2009

This was a busy week at work. I had a deadline for an article for Health Lawyer News, presenting and chairing our Development Law Diagnostics Day - on top of my regular workload and trying to get out of the office for vacation. I am definitely ready for vacation. Our Southwest flight from Oakland to Salt Lake City was late morning so that eased the pressure. We were able to complete the majority of the packing the night before - although I did miss my cycling workout. The drive to the airport was smooth. It was nice having free wifii available while waiting for the flight. There was no line at the SW curbside check-in, short security line, and no line at Starbucks - the only upside of the recession. We both held "A" boarding passes and were able to get the 2 seats at the exit row. Flight left on time, and all of our baggage made it to SLC. We had to wait a bit for the Suburu Outback at Hertz Gold check in but all worked out. Hit Costco and checked into the Marriott Mountainside with a nice view of the mountain. Did a short workout at the gym and went to bed - no alarms set - we'll get up when we get up. Eager to hit the slopes but we have all week.

Most Improved Rider of the Year - Master Female

Sunday evening Alto Velo Wecor, my cycling racing team, held its annual awards banquet at the Tied House. I was honored to be named Most Improved Rider of the Year - Master Female for my 2K track national championship.

San Bruno Hill Climb - January 1, 2009

PHOTOS: Warming up on the trainers; MEA and RFA at the top; MEA climbing; RFA climbing; Course profile; RFA at the finish; MEA and Phyllis post-race; MEA at the start

Category: W4; Place: 5th; Field: 22; Time: 21:48

RFA and I started the New Year with the San Bruno Hill Climb (Brisbane, CA) - the first sanctioned road race of the season. The course is 3.5 mile with an average grade of 7% - the switchbacks at the top are over 10%. The race started at 10 AM, but we were at the start by 8:30 so we had adequate time to check in, pin on the race numbers, set up the trainers, warm up and hit the porta-potties. It was cold (mid-forties) and foggy. We said hello to our numerous Webcor teammates and NorCal bikeforums folks. The groups went off in 2 waves, 5 minutes apart. RFA raced with the 55+men who started just ahead of the Cat 4 women in wave 2. Although we had a good warm-up, it was chilly waiting at the start. I passed RFA a couple minutes into the race. My heart rate was around 152 and I kept it there for the whole race. My teammate Phyllis was racing with the Cat 1/2/3's so I couldn't tell how I was doing compared to her. My legs felt great and I was probably more limited by my breathing. The fog was pretty dense at the top and you couldn't see the finish line until you were almost upon it. Everyone was complaining that they were saving for the sprint at the finish - but it was too late. I was happy with my time. My goal was 22 minutes and I knocked off 2 1/2 minutes from last year! Afterwards, RFA and I stopped at Peet's for coffee, went home for a quick bowl of hot soup, and went out for a good 20 mile tempo ride.