Posted by: sarianderson | November 2, 2009

AR Worlds Start this Week

Joy Sopris

Joy Schneiter training with the Chariot. We cannot live without these!

With the Adventure Race World Championships starting this week in Portugal, I’m beginning to miss racing a little.  Team Nike Beaver Creek, consisting of Mike Kloser, Monique Merrill, Chris Forne and Gordon Walker, are heading to Europe this week to hopefully regain our World Champions title.  After a great race last fall in Brazil, Team Orion Health pulled out the win just ahead of Nike which has left my teammates yearning for the win this year.  If I receive any updates throughout the race, I will try to get them posted as soon as possible.

Since I will not be competing this year, I’m just hoping to continue to get out for some fun runs and rides.  This pregnancy has been much harder than the first which continues to have me on up and down swings of training.  I’ve been working hard at listening to my body and not overdoing it.  This past week, that meant much time at work and on the couch while my abdomen and uterus were cramping.  Now that the uncomfortable cramping has subsided (at least for now), I’ve been able to get out the last few days.  It was really nice yesterday to have Ian tow Juniper in the Chariot so that we could get out as a family.  This morning Joy and I enjoyed just under seven miles of running with the kiddos at an eight and half minute per mile pace.  Not outrageously fast but not bad for pushing the kids on some hills.

1 Comment

Posted in Adventure Racing News, Upcoming Races | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | October 26, 2009

Feels So Good

Fruita Bike 10-25-09 #2I continued on my streak throughout the weekend getting out for an awesome trail run and some mountain biking in Fruita.

Although Saturday was a bit nasty outside, Joy and I enjoyed a great hour and forty-five minute trail run on Red Hill.  I was feeling a little sluggish at first having not run much since being at sea level but quickly started to feel stronger.  As usual, we didn’t stop blabbing the entire run which is an awesome way for me to judge my output level.  My doctor has recommended being able to talk while exercising (versus going off heartrate) so this is the best way to keep me in check.

The family headed to Fruita on Sunday for some much needed sun and mountain biking.  After Ian and his buddies enjoyed the ‘Anderson Loop’ in Loma (Mary’s to Horsethief Bench to Mary’s to Lion’s to Troy’s from the highway to Mack Ridge) I went out by myself for a few hours.  I didn’t spend much time on my mountain bike this summer and had been feeling like my technical skills were waning, but managed to get them back yesterday.  It was a little more difficult for me to judge my intensity level while riding alone and wanting to catch and pass the other riders.  I made the strategic decision to skip any trails with long climbs and instead stayed on the ones with short technical climbs requiring me to get off more often.

Overall, I’m psyched to be able to be active again and play outside.  I’m a much happier person when that happens and that helps keep the rest of the family happy.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Training

Posted by: sarianderson | October 23, 2009

Back At It

IMG_3370After a long break from training, and therefore blogging, I’m back at it.  Or at least I hope to be for awhile.  With the first trimester come and gone, I had hoped I would miracuously have tons of energy again and feel amazing.  That’s how it happened last pregnancy so I just assumed it would again.  We all know what happens when we assume…

Juniper and I have just returned from a three week trip to the east coast for a Polartec meeting and multiple family events.  I started to feel better during the beginning of the trip and even managed to run four days in a row.  As things got busier, I realized how easily I became exhausted and had to slow down a bit.  I managed runs every few days throughout the rest of the trip, even one along a nice beach, and was getting excited to get home and back on track.

Now that we are back in Colorado and on our regular schedule, I have been able to get back to ‘training’ – running and riding at a much mellower pace than normal.  For me, exercising while pregnant is about getting the endorphins going, being outside and having fun.  It is not about staying in race shape, training and tapering, or endurance.  I’ve enjoyed a peaceful evening mountain bike through the neighborhood and a couple two hour road rides with Juniper in tow culminating at the playground.  It is hard for me to take it easy and enjoy these things while I’m training so it is a welcome change while I’m pregnant.  I’m sure by the time I have this second wild one, I’ll be ready to get out for some hard training and racing again, but until then I’m going to try my best to relax and have fun.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Training | Tags: ,

Posted by: sarianderson | September 23, 2009

Nike-Beaver Creek Finishes in Second

It appears that Nike-Beaver Creek finished strong on the last day of racing to move into second place behind WinterXtrem5.com of France.  Unfortunately Mike Kloser still seemed to be battling with stomach issues as well as Richard Ussher of Toread Adventure Sport.  Despite the ailing racers, both teams finished strong and were able to finish the race thanks to help from their teammates.  Check out the race report on Sleepmonsters for more of the story.

Congratulations to Mike, Gretchen, Jay and George!  Way to stay strong and pull through!

Leave a Comment

Posted in Race Coverage, Race Results | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | September 23, 2009

Team Nike-Beaver Creek Racing Strong in China

2009day2en001I haven’t decided if I’m bummed not be racing in China right now for the Wulong Mountain Quest.  It is a super fast stage race with great competition and amazing scenery but the illness I picked up there last year has lingered with me for almost a full year.  Due to me being sick and not performing very well last year, we finished pretty poorly which makes the return trip a bit more expensive.  Nike-Beaver Creek had an awesome race last year even after Dan Weiland severly sprained his ankle in the prologue and finished in third place.  My teammate Mike Kloser returned with Nike-Beaver Creek this year racing alongside Gretchen Reeves, Jay Henry and George Christison of New Zealand.  After the sprint prologue and two days of racing, the leaders jersey has changed every day which can only mean that the competition is fierce.  Team names have changed from other races but most of the racers are the same including Salomon Crested Butte, Richard and Elina Ussher, Myriam Guillot, Jacky Boisset, Ian Edmond, Marcel Hagner and many more.

From a quick note from Mike Kloser it sounds like the prologue was ridiculously fast just like last year and Day 1 involved lots of muddy mountain biking causing mechanical issues for many of the teams.  Nike-Beaver Creek had a good day despite Mike feeling ill and only one flat on the bike to finish the day in the leaders jersey.  Day 2 proved a little more difficult for the team with a mechanical setting them back from the beginning and Mike continuing to be sick.  It sounds like he cannot keep any food down but is at least able to stay hydrated.  Thankfully it sounds like he has recovered very well from a big crash earlier this summer and that the rest of the team is feeling well and racing strong as usual.  That is one of the great things about adventure racing – everyone goes through bad spots and the rest of the team is there to help that person out and get them through it.  And since I know how strong Mike is, I’m sure he’s not slowing the team down one bit.

With the time change to China, the racers should be back up at the hotel and resting for Day 3.  I hope Mike does not have what I had last year as I can’t imagine racing again while feeling like that.  Hopefully after some rest and hydration, Nike-Beaver Creek will be able to have a great day again tomorrow and move back into the lead.  Visit the Wulong Mountain Quest site for more reports and overall standings.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Race Coverage, Race Results | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | September 16, 2009

Where I’ve Been

Yes, I know I’ve been slacking on the updates but I have a good reason.  I have been down for the count the past five weeks or so with constant nauseousness and exhaustion.  Just as I was ramping down my training for the TransRockies and feeling good with only a few weeks notice, I found out I was pregnant.  This was a very pleasant surprise but I was bummed to not be able to race with Anita.

It amazes me something this small can make me this sick.It amazes me something this small can make me this sick.

At that point I was very early in the pregnancy and the additional blood in my system must have been helping me in my training.  I was running faster than normal with less effort and was really looking forward to six days of trail racing.  Apparently that was the honeymoon phase as a week or so later the exhaustion, nauseousness and vomiting began and that’s where I’ve been since then.

I have still been able to get out for some great runs and rides even if they’re not as often as they used to be.  A few weeks ago in the midst of the worst of it, I enjoyed an awesome two hour run on Red Hill with Elinor and Leah.  It was such a nice surprise to be able to get out that long although I did pay the price later that day and the next day – I was totally worked.  I think I may have felt worse than I do after a six day expedition race.

Although I don’t love being pregnant, I do love the outcome and am already looking forward to meeting the newest Anderson.  I’m bummed to be missing the randonee racing this winter but am looking forward to lots and lots of pregnant training just like last time.

Out for a hike at 7 or 8 months pregnant last time.

Out for a hike at 7 or 8 months pregnant last time.

4 Comments

Posted in Training | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | August 21, 2009

Primal Quest Top Teams Have Finished

Orion Health come across the line first!

Orion Health come across the line first!

After almost an entire week of non-stop racing, the top teams have finally crossed the finish line at Primal Quest Badlands.  Final results are still unofficial but it appears that OrionHealth has taken the top podium spot by racing out front the entire race.  Salomon/Crested Butte came across the line second several hours back and should hold onto that spot once time credits and penalties have been awarded.  Merrell/Zanfel Adventure came across the line third but it is unclear if they will hold the last podium spot due to an interesting take on the rules of the swim.

Many more teams will continue to finish up racing today and tomorrow.  Six hundred miles of continuous racing is super tough and all of these teams should be proud of themselves.  I think it’s a good thing I’ve been home enjoying short trail runs and road rides with Juniper.

Check out these sites for more reports and lots of photos:

Primal Quest

Orion Health

Salomon/Crested Butte

Primal Quest’s Flickr Photostream

1 Comment

Posted in Race Coverage, Race Updates | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | August 15, 2009

Caught Up In It All – Updated

It’s Saturday morning, the weather’s not exceptionally nice and I seem to be stuck in front of the computer instead of out running or riding.  There’s a lot going on this morning that I ‘need’ to follow.  Primal Quest started early yesterday morning in the Badlands.  Unfortunately our team is not there this year due to a bad bike accident a few weeks ago however many friends are racing.  It appears that Team Salomon Crested Butte and OrionHealth.com are battling it out so far.  From the sounds of it, Crested Butte took a chance to get some rest last night and now are back on the heels of the New Zealanders after about 24 hours of racing.

Len Zanni leading Lance Armstrong & Jay Henry up the first climb in Snowmass a few weeks ago.

Len Zanni leading Lance Armstrong & Jay Henry up the first climb in Snowmass a few weeks ago.

Primal Quest is about 600 miles and will go on for at least 3 or 4 more days so I have been more obsessed with the Leadville 100.  Of course the big thing with Leadville this year is Lance vs. Wiens and breaking the 6-hour mark.  Lance has become somewhat of a local in the Roaring Fork Valley and Wiens has been a friend for several years after adventure racing together.  So who  have I been cheering for this morning?  Len Zanni of course.  Len from Honey Stinger and Big Agnes is my dark horse to either be on the podium or take a surprise win.  Although Len works full time and has two young kids, he is strong, has been training with Lance and has been having an amazing season.   Of course I’m cheering for Dave and Lance and everyone else, but really we are just hoping Len can keep up the pace he is racing at currently and that he has no mechanicals or crashes.

My new shoes! Imogene, Wildcat & Fireblade

My new shoes! Imogene, Wildcat & Fireblade

L to R: Imogene, Wilcat, Fireblade

L to R: Imogene, Wilcat, Fireblade

What I really should be doing is deciding which of my new La Sportiva trail shoes I should put on and try out on the trail.  All three shoes look great and I’m having a hard time deciding which pair to try first:  Fireblade, Imogene, or Wildcat.  I guess it will depend on how much more rain falls this morning and how long I get to run for.  Tough decisions.  Although I’m no longer racing in the TransRockies (more on that another day), I’m looking forward to putting lots of miles on these new shoes.

As I finally finish up writing this, it looks like Lance is going to win the Leadville 100 this year despite flatting and riding with 5 – 10 miles left.  Although he won’t break the 6-hour mark, it looks like he’ll easily break the record Dave Wiens set last year.  Wiensy should be claiming the second spot on the podium and third is still up for grabs.  I hope Len can pull it off but either way it has been fun to watch.  Salomon Crested Butte is still on the heels of OrionHealth in Primal Quest with about 450 miles of racing remaining.

Here are top 10 from Leadville: 1. Lance Armstrong, 2. Dave Wiens, 3. Matt Schriver, 4. Alex Grant, 5. LEN ZANNI, 6. MAX TAAM, 7. Travis Brown, 8. Manuel Prado, 9. Mike Hogan, 10. Jason Tullous.  Huge congratulations to Len and Max and the Honey Stinger team!

Leave a Comment

Posted in Adventure Racing News, Race Coverage, Race Results, Race Updates, Random Fun | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | August 10, 2009

State Champions Jersey and Marathon Run

Ian leading up the first climb.

Ian leading up the first climb.

We had a weekend of racing and training.  In the typical Anderson style, we packed as many miles and fun in as possible.  Ian was able to race in the Mountain States Cup at Snowmass on Saturday.  Having not raced much this season, Ian had to race in Cat 2 since he did not have a US Cycling license.  I had lots of confidence that Ian could win his age group as he has been very strong this year.

As I predicted, Ian won his category and received a Colorado State Champions jersey but the big news of the day was Lance Armstrong.  Lance has been in town often this summer training for both the Tour de France and the Leadville 100.  This was one last hard effort before racing Leadville next weekend.

Juniper and I had fun snapping photos of Lance while passing 3rd place finisher Len Zanni Honey Stinger gels in his attempt to close the gap.  Although Len didn’t catch Jay Henry (2nd) or Lance, he had an amazing race and represented the valley very well.

Len Zani leading Lance Armstrong & Jay Henry up the first climb.

Len Zani leading Lance Armstrong & Jay Henry up the first climb.

The crowd surrounding Lance was impressive and it was amazing to watch the people follow and hound him.  Ian was lucky enough to warm up with him for a few minutes so we moved on so I could get out on the trail.  I ran the Golden Leaf half-marathon course along the Government Trail for some great training for the TransRockies.

Jay Henry, Lance Armstrong & Len Zanni

Jay Henry, Lance Armstrong & Len Zanni

This morning I ran a great 25 or 26 mile loop out of Carbondale below Mt. Sopris.  It was surprisingly quiet and peaceful for the first half as most people must have been still relaxing.  Ian and Juniper met me towards the end of the run with some fresh water.  Very sweet of them!  Not sure if all the miles I’ve put in have worked or if I just had a good day, but I finished a lot faster than I thought I would in 3 hour 15 minutes.

I have a few more days to put in some big miles and then it’s already time to taper.  I hope I have a few days in the TransRockies where I feel as good as I did today.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Race Coverage, Training | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: sarianderson | August 3, 2009

TransRockies Run with a legend

GTRunLogo_4CThis weekend I did two big local runs (Basalt Mt. and Mt. Sopris) in an effort to cram in some high altitude mileage and test my legs a little bit.  On Friday I found out I’m going to be racing in the Trans Rockies Run with last year’s champ, Anita Ortiz. The TransRockies is a 6-day stage race covering 113 miles and climbing over 25,000 feet in elevation. Unfortunately, Anita’s race partner, Katie Mazzia, is injured and cannot defend the title this year. I’ve wanted to try this race for a couple of years so when I saw the news on Facebook I immediately jumped at the opportunity to join Anita. Anita is fresh off a win at the Western States in her first 100 miler and is always fast, no matter the distance. We’ll be racing against big names like Nikki Kimball and Kami Semick and alongside Dean Karnazes and Helen Cospolich.  Thankfully my legs felt pretty good this weekend.

As I have been running for hours on end the past three days, I’ve actually been daydreaming a lot about skiing and randonee racing. After all, skiing down Mt. Sopris is a helluva a lot faster than running down it. La Sportiva recently unveiled their new ski mountaineering race boot and I can’t stop thinking about it. The Stratos has a 100% carbon outer and weighs in at only 2 pounds!  Just think how fast I can go uphill with those on my feet – I won’t even know they’re there.  Now, how do I get my hands on a pair? They cost $2,200 and only 20 pairs will be available in the US.

StratosLittle

Until I figure out how to convince La Sportiva and Ian that I have to have a pair of the sexy carbon boots, I’ll continue to pound out as many miles as possible on the trails and roads in the Roaring Fork valley.  I need to be ready to race at Anita’s level in just three weeks!

2 Comments

Posted in Gear, Training | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Older Posts »

Categories