Friday, January 25, 2008

Up to by DSJ

So just in case anyone is wondering what we have been up to...

Tasha is still "damaged" her cast stinks so bad that sometimes when we are sitting on the couch I get a whiff of it and it reminds me of a stale box of "bits and bites" fried bacon and wet dog combined. So let's just say I'm not sure who is more anxious to get it taken off. Also she has not done any dishes for weeks, or made any food, she just looks at me with puppy dog eyes, raises her cast and says I can't.

I have been insanely grumpy, losing weight, not fun. I am in Shwarma withdrawls...they said smoking was hard to kick,not like I smoke, but if it's harder than giving up Shwarma Palace chicken platter, man thank you baby Jesus that I never started!

So I am almost content with my manorexia. Hopefully it will pay off later this year. I know it may not seem obvious, but when I was in Europe, I was looking around at the start line and this voice said "You are 10 lbs too heavy to race these guys". I wanted to tell the person to F off, until I realized it was my own voice. So instead of making excuses, I had to take matters into my own hands and take some goodness out of my mouth. I'm so friggin sick of eating carrots and celery...not to mention it would be nice to be full, but I just remeber how bad I got my ass kicked in Europe and I cut up some more celery and pour a tall glass of water...mmmmmm oh how I love vegetables.

So other than that....You have to watch "The Peaceful Warrior" with Nick Nolte, he looks kinda ruff, not sure if he's on the wagon or out of rehab, but this movie is about a gymnast and it's actually suprisingly good. There are pretty intense moments in the movie and it has to have some of the greatest quotes ever for athletes.

"A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does"

"A warrior is not about perfection or victory or invulernerability, he is about absolute invulnerability"

Other than that I've also been reading "The gum thief" by Canadian author and artist, Douglas Copeland...the book looks kinda girly, it has a white and pink cover but it's about this goth chick that works at Staples and this older man who's life has gone to shit. Natasha made fun of me for buying a book that looks like a chick book, but I'm sure this guy wasn't thinking "yah I'll write this book and make a white and pink cover", I'm sure that's some young advo type person's idea. So what ever, so it looks girly, it's pink big deal it's not like I'm reading Sisterhood of the travelling pants or the Yah Yah sisters or a book with Fabio on the cover.
It sounds kind lame but it's quite clever and it's worth the twenty three bucks, it's quite whitty and you'll find yourself lauhing alot. I'm not really one to read fiction, I usually read books that are observations on society and that make me look highly intelligent and usually regard much popular fiction as boring and lose interest after 100 pages, but hopefully this one will keep me interested in all 237 pages.

Can't wait to see how the Canaucks do at World's this weekend...Good luck.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Derrick's interview

Anybody who is interested, Derrick got a pretty amazing interview posted on pedal mag today. Check it out at http://www.pedalmag.com/index.php?module=Section&action=viewdetail&item_id=12495 It's his turn to be semi-famous this week...........although, if you can read German, go see this
http://www.stevensbikes.de/teams/node/100
Also, just want to give a big, awesome, huge, mega, mack-daddy, criss-cross will make you jump jump, super shout out to Wendy Simms. We knew she could repeat her 5th place finish at the last world cup this past weekend in Hoogerheide. That was totally awesome. We will be bringing out all the voodoo magic for you to come on the podium this weekend at Worlds, eating rice cakes and shaking our shaman sticks.
Natasha

Friday, January 11, 2008

Top 10

Firstly, congrats to Wendy simms, for a 5th place at the World Cup in France. Knowing how hard a WC is, that is a huge accomplishment. Ironically as we were driving back from Toronto today, I predicted that she would come 5th. Crazy stuff.

Why were we in Toronto? Well I went to meet my new Teammates at Jet Fuel Coffee. So Jet Fuel is a coffee shop in Old Cabbage Town in Toronto off Bloor on Parliament st. Not sure why it is called Cabbage town, I'll get back to you on that one. Anyways the coffee is great, the shop is really cool. It's full of old cycling memorabilia like old trophies, pics, leaders jerseys and all kind of wacky art. It's a really laid back atmosphere and there is something really unique about it. The team itself has a lot of history and it is really cool to be part of it. I really don't want to sound like a total wanker, but it really makes me feel like I am going to be part of something and that whatever we do, it will be remembered, that it is part of something bigger kind of like being part of a mini legacy. Ok I know should slap myself upside the head cause that is total nerd talk fromage, but whatever, I've worked too hard to get to this point and I can spread a little cheese every now and then.

So I know I promised a 10 things I learned in Belgium list, but some of the stuff is only funny once you've been, so here are the.....

Top 10 things I've learned in 2007

10. Don't ever reach down and try to fix a speed sensor on your fork while racing a 250 km road race. This will most likely result in a severe crash which will make your face hit the pavement rather hard and you will loose lots of skin, also it is very hard to get blood off shimano road shoes. Look what happens



9. There are many reasons why Cross stage races do not exist. Doing 3 consecutive cross races in Europe is sure to make you feel like you have been run over by a garbage truck...or possibly even like a piece of garbage.

8. When in Europe...don't ever admit that someone was better than you. Even if you win, don't ever, under any condition, admit that you were a 100%. Always blame an extreme amount of training hours that week, fatigue from travel or an unknown viral illness as the culprite of your current state. Oh yah, the weather as well, say it was too hot or too cold or too humid and if none of those work you can say an old injury was flaring up. But always say that you think you will be in top form very soon and you can feel it coming.

7. Pastry tastes better in Belgium. Why? It seems like an ongoing theme, because they care. That is one of the biggest differences between North America and Europe, they pay more attention to detail because they care. Just as the pastry chef meticulously places each layer of cream, flaky crust and elegantly rolls it in delicious chocolate, this same care is taken to the making of all food, fashion and athletic endeavours. Why are Europeans such great cyclists? They care and they just don't give up and they will kill themselves to win (in more ways than one).

6. On being a professional cyclist. Man where do I start. I am not a professional cyclist. Who is a professional cyclist. I'll tell you, it is someone who makes a living racing. It is someone who is gets fired if they they suck. It is someone who views cycling as a job and takes it seriously. Racing your bike and not working does not one make a pro, it makes a cyclist who "enjoys" racing. Cause for the most part, there is nothing enjoyable about the actual race part. If you are having fun in a pro race you are most likely severely delusional about the efforts you are putting forth. Anything else than throwing up bile and feeling lactic acid seeping out your sternal notch and taking huge calculated risks without hesitation is not acceptable. Yah there are some elements of racing that are social, like small local races and such. You have to win a lot more than a few hundred bucks a year to be a pro. It undermines a lot of hard work that others put forward when anyone who has a credit card and a race license calls themselves a pro.

5. It is possible to be too easy on yourself.

4. There are two times to take it easy. The first on is something I like to call Monday. I know God said Sunday was a day of rest...but there is way too much racing Sundays...hence Monday.
The other, well it is called retirement.

3. You have to learn how to win, more importantly, you have to learn how you can win.

2. You have to lose. If you don't routinely race outside your comfort zone, you'll never achieve your potential.

1. Enjoy the journey just as much as the destination and it will be a good ride. You will get there if you really want it enough...eventually.


Here's the new kit, well last years kit until we get the new ones. It may look like I've been working out, but I just cropped the pic to look slender. Believe me I swear tonight was my last Shwarma until I loose 5lbs...diet starts tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Natasha is semi-famous

Hey hey hey, check out my favorite Cross racer blazing the pages of pedal mag, hot off the press
http://www.pedalmag.com/index.php?module=Section&action=viewdetail&item_id=12413

Also check the blog soon, because I'll be releasing the Top 10 things I learned in Belgium list.
Later

Monday, January 7, 2008

Hospital Visit

So I would have to say hospitals are my least favorite places in the world. And I have had enough horrible accidents and mistakes from my younger years to back up my statement. Plus add my visit to the hospital today.
Today I had an appointment at 1:15 at the plaster room to find out if I needed surgery for my wrist. Atleast some grumpy lady told me last week that I had an appointment at 1:15 pm today. I waited until about 3 pm to see the orthopedic doctor that was in today. First I got my cast removed and saw that there was still a lot of bruising, underneath my fore arm was blue and green from wrist to elbow as well as my knuckles and hand. The doctor came in and said I should of been sent for an xray first and he told me sorry for the mistake and to come back after the xray. Nice, don't you think I could of done that already in my 2 hour wait to see him. So on to the xray where 20 people were waiting ahead of me. Another 2 hours roll by and I'm back to see the doc and if he wants surgery. He notices all the bruising and asks me if that was from the fall. Don't you think I should be asking him that question. Doc looks at the xrays and they look better with my bone spacing and no need for surgery. Then he says he will see me in 3 weeks and sends someone in to put on a nice, smaller, lighter, new cast. Yeah, this did not happen. For sure I got a new cast, put it in no way is nicer, smaller, or cooler. Maybe lighter, but it sucks. The guy put the cast on so tight that now my purple fingers are white. I'm thinking if I eat shwarma that all the salt retention might cause my arm to swell and send me running to the ER to ask them to take the cast off with bad garlic breath. I sit here wondering how small my arm is going to mold into during the next 3 weeks. I fear to eat and gain a pound. The guy didn't make it any shorter either, and now I have to type with the computer 3 feet away from my face. I'm sure work is going to go real well for the next while.
Derrick was nice enough to join me in my visit to the hospital today. I guess he doesn't realize that when I ask him to go with me, I just really want his company to make the time go by faster. Instead he uses the visit to socialize with his co workers in the ER. He did though try to get me a splint rather than a cast, but the docter said no way for my clean break of the head of my radius bone. Derricks intentions on the splint were so I could do the dishes, the doctor didn't find this funny at all.
So after my 4 hour wait for a scheduled appointment at the hospital it was clear to me that Derrick, who didn't even think my wrist was broken some time ago, isn't the only one who works at a hospital who doesn't know what's going on.
To end on some good news, today I did get an email saying I was nominated to do Worlds for cyclocross this month in Italy. Not only was I nominated but then selected for Team Canada. Even though I am not planning on going, I am still pretty honoured. Canada has the opportunity to send 5 women this year but only4 were selected by the committee as they only felt these four had met the standards to actually compete. So this is pretty cool because I didn't even think I qualified. I am planning on going next year, but this year I could not afford to go back again to Europe in such short notice. Not to mention about the broken wrist, but I'm sure if I had the money I would find a saw and be on the next plane to Italy. Derrick also made the alternate list which is crazy as well. Who would of thought the dynamic duo could be selected for Team Canada together.
So wish me luck with my healing and keep your fingers crossed that when the cast comes off in three weeks there is no further damage and my arm is not all deformed like it was when I broke it back in eigth grade. Yeah that was one to remember, the doctor took my cast off after 6 weeks, saw that my bones had growned together and formed me two elbows. Then he said he was going on vacation and would sent me to a specialist. What I think he meant to say was that he screwed up beyond what he could correct and he would send me to someone who knew what they were doing.
Enough said.
NCE
P.S. If the doctor I saw today reads this, I am really just joking, and please don't ever make me have surgery.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Take a hike, eh (by DSJ)


Back home,can't ride the bike so I'm pigging out and getting fat. I can actually feel my ass get fatter day by day. I know because my jeans are getting tighter and I just don't feel like a manorexic cyclist anymore. So far I've been to Shwarma Palace 3 times since we've been home and last week I managed to have an all time low of 45minutes exercise the entire week.

Since we have been home, back in Canada I also decided it was probably time for a proper winter coat and I even went all out and bought some winter boots. I'll spend thousands of dollars to do a race in Europe, but it takes me an hour an a half to decide if I want to "splurge" and spend 60 bucks on a pair of boots. I would hate to spend money on something that I actually need. So I'm feeling pretty Canadianized now that I'm rolling around in a full down coat and sporting some sweet Clark's boots that were like 75% off since most real people do their Christmas shopping before January 4th.


So today, I had enough of being lazy...Natahsa and I had the brilliant idea of going for a hike.


You know when you read other peoples blogs(ya I know if you have time to waste reading our rants, you must be reading tones of random gibberish all over the internet) and you view their profiles, a lot of people seem to enjoy hiking, so I figured we are like other athletes, sort of, maybe we would give this hiking thing a shot. I'm not really sure what they mean by hiking, but it kind of seems like just walking around in the woods. I don't think it is running in the woods, cause then they would say they enjoy trail running or running. So we gave this hiking thing a try in the Gatineau Parc. So as you should always ease into a new sport or activity we did a 20 km hike in heavy wet snow and it only took 3.5 hours! Nothing like easing into things.

I figure this is actually a better way to do an activity. Did you know that is possible to start to enjoy something, get a little bored, go back to really loving it and then frigging thinking it was the worst idea you have ever had all during the same hike. What a sport, the gamete of emotions resembled the all the notes between a baratone and a supprano. At least we looked the part...any time I think hiker, I think cargo pants. So I threw on a baggy pair of cargo's my new boots and a super sexy ladies small thermal Sugoi shirt that Tasha gave me (she hates all the thermal stuff I wear cause it's way too tight and it really makes me look like I should be doing some gay porn) but what can I say I like tight thermal jerseys.

At least we set out on our journey with a bag full of food, which oink oink we ate it all. I actually bonked during our adventure and needed a power gel. We were walking on what must have been snow shoe trails, cause we kept on sinking through to our knees in snow. At random points throughout our adventure we began running up and down steeper off trail sections and I actually managed to fall down and roll down the hill. As we were totally lost are feet were soaked, hands were cold and we both agreed that this taking time off the bike is not all it is cracked up to be. Oh how I longed for the safety and security of my compoutrainer and the basement. Poor Tasha, she kept on falling but she had to keep her left arm up as not not smash her cast and get it wet. I did manage to get a really good picture of her peeing on the side of the trail,I'm not for sure if she'll let me post it, it may be offensive to some readers. I used the public urination skills I learned in Belgium to write my name in the snow..D-E-R-R-I-C-K. Sweet. Cool. Don't eat the yellow snow.


On our way back we had to take the main ski trail and we only got yelled at once by a skier telling us walking on the trail ruined ski trails. I felt bad, but not bad enough to trek back out in the woods doubling the time back.


So this may be my one and only "hike" of the year, cause I can no longer walk. I kept on waiting for this zen like feeling of being one with nature, of feeling relaxed, but it never came. Maybe next time we'll rent a pair of snow shoes or something, it may be easier than sinking in the snow to our knees. We did however manage to laugh at ourselves quite allot and although it was kind of painful, it was nice just to be out with Natasha doing more real people stuff.
Tomorrow we go see the bone guy for Natasha's wrist. Her cast looks pretty cool, Kiwi Mike wrote "you are sooo hot" on her cast so I'm sure we'll get a chuckle at that tomorrow.
On racing related news..I will indeed be racing with Jet Fuel Coffee, I received our tentative schedule and everything looks good, looks like first taste of road racing is April 1st....so can't get too fat, thank the lord there are no stroopwaffles in Canada, even if there was don't tell me where I can find them.
Derrick

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Back Home in Ottawa

So Derrick and I made it back home safely on New Year's Eve. The flight was long, and there were lots of grumpy new years eve travellers. We weren't part of this, people were rushing through the airports with their nickers in a twist. We had a long relaxing layover in Heathrow and got to window shop at the overprised high fashion clothing. If only I could have tons of money, not work, and race my bike, is what I've been dreaming for the last couple days. Yeah, fat chance.
Spent New Years Day visiting the Ottawa Hospital to check out that ignored wrist. Trust it to me to have messed up my wrist in some unique way. I split the head of the radius in two, just a little chip off the end. Had to have a cast put on, and even worse, I have to come back next week to see if I need surgery as the bones are a little displaced. I guess that is why my hand looked like someone had blown air into a rubber glove, it also explains the bruising everywhere.
The funny thing is it doesn't really hurt, the even funnier thing is the ER docters face when I told him that. He said "do you need anything for pain, some drugs, a shot of morphine". I said, "no offense, I broke the thing 4 days ago, I'm long over the pain."
Now casted and a couple more days off before I go back to work. Yeah, back to wishing I didn't have to............maybe in a few years when I am podiuming in Europe and women are noticed in the world of cyclo-cross.
Nice to be home and not have freezing cold water or scolding hot water. To all those Europeans, there are such things as warm water. Also, did all the laundry again and my clothes are finally mudless.
We both do miss the racing, our house mates and the life in Belgium already. I'm already thinking about next years trip and planning it out.
Finally, Wendy if you are reading this, a big shout out to you on your first European podium. This is well deserved and I am sure the start of many more to come.
NCE