Fitness Training News

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Be safe and make sure you have a great day.

# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 12:27 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Halloween is here

The neighborhood Halloween party was this past weekend. Too much fun. All of the kids dressed up and walking from house to house. They're all such great kids. Steve bought like 5 pounds of candy and then only gave out about 60 pieces. I know it's not Halloween yet, but, it's for the kids.
I have been known to do very elaborate costumes. One year a box of crayons. One year a life size butterfly. One year a headless horseman with my bike outfitted with a life size horse head. Fun fun fun! This year, I dressed in a short black skits, black patent leather boots and stocking and the blue wig. I love Halloween.
On today's ride we saw clothes hanging int the air. Why? Well, of course, to play fun games.

# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 12:21 PM 0 Comments

Monday, October 29, 2007

No time to ride or hike today

Long day. No time to do much of anything but work today. Woke up very tired. Not sure why. Just one of those days. When I'm this tired, best to just get the day done and leave training for tomorrow.

I have to say, though, I had one of my best day with my clients. Seemed I laughed at least several times every hour.

It was a great day for weather. I know there's a bunch of people out there that would like to see the snow flying but I'm happy for some warm weather to enjoy. there's plenty of time for the snow to fly soon enough. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:57 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, October 27, 2007

70s one day and 40s the next

Cords today. OK, so it's dorky to dress your dogs up like you. Whatever. I had my coat first. Their coats came from Old Navy at very good prices. Actually The Girls most likely could have hiked without them, but if we stand around a lot (which is known to happen when fixing a trail) then Lucie gets cold.

The last couple of days I've hiked doubles. Singles are standard with The Girls, and doubles happen when I don't have time to suit up and ride.

The cold weather came in later in the day yesterday. By last night the sleet started and it got pretty cold up here in the mountains. Had to cover flowers, baskets, and some of the late bloomers. Not as much fog and ice on the ground this morning, as predicted, so that's always a good thing. It's hard to train when the weather is too cold to suit up but not cold enough to ski or snowshoe. So then hiking is the main attraction around here.
Always starts out with a good steep start to the Barn Trail and then onto Red Shack and then we start to look for the Antler trail.

The Antler Trail was named because Lucie found a huge 10 point antler on it last year. She tried to drag it home, but it was just way too big and heavy. So I helped her bring it home and it sits in a tree for all to look at. Once the trail was named, we worked hard at keeping it safe and sound. Now it's a regular highway for deer, cats, bear, rabbits and best of all, us.

Steve got home from the Swap with enough time to go out of hike number two and make it into work for the late shift. He brought me home a really cool Italian wool jersey and a barely used Fi zik Vitess saddle. My favorite saddle.

I don't like to go to the Swap much anymore. Too many people. I had my own work to do. I went fridge hunting with J friend and found this most awesome French Door fridge. Perfect, as it will just fit into the space were the present day- 20 year old fridge is now. Score. Gets here in about 2 weeks.

Tomorrow starts the serious winter projects. That means less riding for a couple of weeks while wood is cut/sawed, flower beds are prepped, chimney cleaned out, and other cold weather preparations are made.

Don't count the Rockies out, just yet. They are a young team and are doing well. I know, they're not winning but they are new at this and just wait, they'll get better and better. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:54 PM 1 Comments

Friday, October 26, 2007

More riding fun

So, it must seem like I don't have anything else to do but hike the Girls and ride with Steve. Well, wish that was the case. I work afternoons and evenings. I don't mind eating dinner at 9 going to bed at midnight. It means I can ride and hike, and visit friends, and....

Look at views, that still I find incredible, even after 15 years of doing the same rides, and...

Find new little trails through my favorite trees, and....

And find quartz rocks along the way.
We found some new areas to explore. Not enough time on this ride so we'll have to come back another day. Many jeepster erosion made trails here but off to the back, where no one would think to look, we found some trails. Another day. Another ride...... # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 12:20 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Never get tired of the Business loop

I could do the same ride every day, over and over again. the views are incredible and there is always something different to look at. Even if the view is the same, I never grow tired of looking at it. I love where I live. I love riding my bike or hiking with with Steve and the Girls.

Today was especially great up here in the sky. Down low, too much smog.

And it was so warm. Only a ittle snow left on the ground up high.

Actually it's kind of dry right now. Some views remind me of Arizona. Sure hope we don't get as dry as the California. It's so sad what's happening. My heart goes out to everyone there in need.

# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 10:34 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

"What big teeth you have!", said Little Red Riding Hood

Snowed early Sunday morning. Blowing snow. But by 9 AM it had stopped and was time to go outside and play.

Since I rode a little over 3 hours on Saturday, Sunday was for the Girls.

Took the Girls out early morning. Not much snow but enough to cover most of the ground.

The hike was pretty cool and the temperature was about 30 something. The wind was blowing only a little. Since the Girls don't have very thick coats of their own, I make sure they get bundled up.

When it's cold like this, we have fun running in the woods. They like chasing each other and they look something like"Little Red Riding Hood".

# posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:45 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Bottom of the 8th, bases loaded and.... It's a hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 to 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's what I call a lead! Just called my Uncle. Even though it's almost 1 AM. I know he'll be up. He lives in Connecticut, loves the Red Sox, and of course, he's watching. Although he wouldn't talk on the phone, because well, this is baseball. This is the deciding game. This is the Red Sox. This is darn good baseball!
Holly molly! It's a home run! 11-2! What a game to make your stomach hurt. Could it be? Maybe? Rockies vs Red Sox?
Ok, commercial break. My Aunt calls back. Says sorry they couldn't talk. Of course they couldn't.
Commercial over, games back on. I'm on the edge of my seat, even if I think I know what's going to happen. But in my family, we're superstitious. So, I can't even think it. Can't say it. Think what I know will happen.
Ok. Top of the 9th. One hit, 1 out...........man on first.............hit.....right center, 2 outs............
right center again.............and into right center again.......Coco there....he catches it.
RED SOX WIN!.................
Yesseeerrrriiiieeee!!!!!!!!!Red Sox vs Rockies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 9:43 PM 1 Comments

Warm weather riding turns to snow in Colorado high country

Warm, mostly sunny, very windy. Snow developing by late Saturday night. 40 degree temperature difference expected by Sunday.

On Saturday, rode with J Friend, knowing the snow was coming on Sunday. Awesome day to ride. Weather was warm , sun was out, and even though there was a wicked west wind, we never got cold.

Starting the ride we headed straight into the wind and I thought that maybe we should cut the ride time down. I had to work in the gym later in the day and I was wondering how much more wind was on it's way. That's fall riding.

The higher and higher we rode, the sky got a little darker, and the temperature a little colder. Still, the wind persisted but the temperatures only dropped a little. Just enough to put on long gloves and a rain jacket.

Because time was tight, we decided to stay on the Peak to Peak, instead of staying in the woods. I really wanted to have the extra time to show J Friend the Aspen Trail.The magical trail were I crashed last week. Wanted to see what caused the crash, which tree and which rock.

Once back in to the woods and onto the Aspen Trail, we ran into Shadow Man. It's very likely Shadow Man was responsible for my little mishap on the trail, as I couldn't find the tree that clipped my bars and caused the nice black and blue knee and sore shoulder.

Still, the Aspens are so magical here, and this little forest is so alive.
Most likely I'll have limited time to hike or ride this great little trail. Snow is coming and I prefer not to ride here if it's muddy. It's pristine single track and there's no point to ruin it for the future.

So, until the next warm and sunny day, I say good bye to the Aspen trees and hello to the boots, coats, and winter gear of winter. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:40 AM 0 Comments

Friday, October 19, 2007

Great Boulder Mountainbike Alliance party Wednesday night was the BMA board member voting and hob knob with soon to be elected officials to the Boulder City Council. And well, just an all around fun time. Many people there with the same goal. Get more trails and bike friendly riding areas in Boulder.

No photos. Was too busy eating the great BBQ food from Paul Roberts, drinking great beer from Oskar Blues, and having a good time. Good time to meet new folks with like interests.

I really feel BMA, IMBA, the City and County officials, Mountain Parks and Open Space, are interested more than ever to get things done.

If you can't be a member, than donate some money. If you can't donate money, donate your time. If you can't do any of it, spread a good word. Just do something to keep these efforts alive. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 12:00 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Another Silly Hat Trick

The hike today was incredible! it was mostly a leash day because of the lion sighting yesterday. Too, the Girls were on heightened alert which could mean the big kitty may have been in the area.

When they smell something that's different in the area, a smell they are not used to, they do this funny air blowing threw their mouth. It make s sound like a horse blowing air. Really funny to watch and hear. Their mouths puff out and with each breath.

After letting them play around at the start of the hike without their leashes on, they began to take a lot of interest in something down wind and down the slope. So.... on leash it was.

When we reached the Magic Quartz Rock, they were really interested in something down the hill and it was quite difficult to get their attention for the "hat photo".

All the same, the hour hike was perfect. The sun was out and the sky was completely clear, that perfect deep blue fall color. It was a bit windy and that made the air pretty crisp.

No riding today, too windy by late afternoon and quite cold. Tomorrow, maybe. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:46 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Mountain lion sighting in Boulder County No photo. Too busy throwing rocks at a very close mountain lion.

Just saw my 10th lion sighting in 16 years. All of mine have been between the 2 mile marker and the 9 mile marker of Four Mile Canyon. 4 sightings have been on gold Run road. 5 were in the same year (2001) and 3 during the huge five foot snow storm a few years back. For Steve, this makes it 14, he once saw a mother mountain lion with three cubs. They stopped his car near our house. He also had one jump in front of him of the Boulder Creek Path at the mouth of Canyon.

Around 12:30 today we were headed out to do the Business Loop. We were talking rather loudly and laughing about something Steve had said. Well, if anyone knows me, I am rather loud sometimes. Around the 7 mile marker of Four Mile, I saw a large dog walking on the edge of the road and thought it was odd; no human with it. It's then, when I saw the huge tail, that I yelled "mountain lion!". We were about 25 feet from it and it only went another 20-25 feet farther away into the wooded area, and crouched down. Perhaps to hide from us? It was a very dark mt. lion. All of the others I've seen were very light in color.

We jumped off of the bikes, stunned, and walked to the far side of the road. Since we wanted to continue to ride, we felt maybe it would be best to throw some rocks in it's direction. We threw about 7 rocks and the last rock landed next to it. Only then did it jump up and move farther away. We couldn't tell where it was at this point so we threw a few more rocks into the woods, to give it a scare. And yes, we did yell out to try to scare it from humans.

We decided to ride for only a few more minutes because we wanted to get home and make sure our dogs were secure in their kennel run ( and our house).

Nice for an exciting ride and another sighting. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 1:52 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Double Training Day

After the last few days of riding in very cold temperatures, it was nice to have a great double training day. Actually a triple if you count resistance training, too.

The best thing about Tuesdays is that Steve and I don't work until 2PM. That means plenty of training time and dog time before work.

So out the door mid morning with the Girls and onto the Red Shack Trail, over to the Church Trail, down the Antler Trail, back to the Red Shack and home free onto the barn trail.
Great hike. A little over an hour of trail time and the temp warmed up to about 50 degrees.

We got home just in time to sneak in the Business Loop. It was a treat to be able to wear short sleeves and only knee warmers. Of course, with shorts.

The pace was pretty quick to the start of the double track. Got there in about 34 minutes. Not bad since my quads were tired from lifting last night. It wasn't until about the half way mark that I started to ride really slow. My legs just didn't want to go any fasted on the climb than about 9.5 mph. Usually do it in 10.5-11.

Still the views were awesome. It snowed quite a bit up in the mountains and the mountains looked awesome.

When we got to Gold Hill, there was quite a bit of snow still on the ground. We only got a dusting at our house so it was fun to ride in some snow.

Made it home just in time for both of us to get to work on time. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 8:50 PM 0 Comments

Good Job Rockies!

They did it! Good for them, good for Denver, good for Baseball!

Since the strike, I haven't watched much Baseball, except for a Boston Red Sox game, here and there. Now I'm a fan once a gain. I know that's not a good thing, not fair. You know, only watch when things are going good. That's not really the case. For a long time I didn't feel like it was fun to watch. Then when the strike happened I felt that they were getting too greedy. Well, now they're playing really good solid baseball.

Clint Hurdle could not have said it better. "This is a special moment in the career of every man involved in this. This may never happen again. You look at your history books, how many times has it happened so far? This is one of those things where you get everybody back 10, 20 years down the road and you have a reunion gig, I would think. ( quoted in the Camera, October, 16, 2007)

You could not have said it better. I'm back! # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 10:19 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, October 14, 2007

what the ground, a rock, and my knee have in common

Contact, of course.

Some may say I'm too old for this. Others may envy my life. I do.
Was riding at the end of this week. Hit the Aspen Trail at a speed that was a speed I hadn't done in a while. Was just thinking of how cool it was to have the skill it takes to ride in tight single track and hit it fast. All of a sudden I had to decide to go around a rock and navigate the trail, taking a quick turn to the right. Started to jump the rock, took the particular turn a little faster than usual, clipped my bar on the edge of a tree and that was all she wrote.
The front wheel turn completely sideways and I hit the ground with a thud, slid about 6 feet and stopped just before my face was to hit a rock.

Dirt rash on the top side of the left arm, rash on the top side of the right arm and well, the left knee took the worst of it.

Oh well, that's riding. Ride and learn. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 1:20 PM 0 Comments

In search of a new trail before the snow hits the ground

I knew it was going to rain and snow today, so I wanted to get the Girls out before the weather set in. Also had good friend, Joanne, along for the exploration of a new trail.

So, we climbed and climbed to the top of this hill. Doesn't take too long to get o the top and when you get to the top, the view is worth a million bucks.

I've gone by this hill a hundred or more times. Always on my bike. Always wanted to know, that what I was convinced, would be a long forgotten, miners hide-a-way. It's near the RR bed of long ago. In fact, in the opposite direction of this hill, deep in the ravine below, are old cabins. So, it only made sense that above there would be similar 100 year old dwellings, too.

At some point the dogs took off in different directions. Lucie, as usual, stayed close. Kayla, decided to explore on her own. At times, driving me to a worried state of "where's Kayla?".
After calls and great whistles from Joanne, once again, the "booger head" would appear. Only to disappear over the next set of hills and reappear shortly after.

Hill after hill, we explored. Hill after hill, we only found woods, trees, views, and an occasional tree stump. But no trails. Only the foot path of a deer or elk. I was sure that a miner, a homesteader, or someone would have found this place perfect for a home. But nothing.

It was a good day exploring. Now I know. What I think would have made a great home site, others did not. But it's still a great place to wonder around without a single person ever knowing you'd been there. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 1:04 PM 0 Comments

Monday, October 8, 2007

Wild Turkey Trail in Boulder, trail opening

Woke up today with the realization that I had not brought my hanging baskets in from the freeze last night. Needless to say, I threw the covers back over my head and decided that the day wasn't starting out very good. But the day did get better and it was warmer and sunny when I started work in the morning. Always a good thing. And the plants made it alive and tonight they are already into the house. Better start to tomorrow, already.

Left work for a couple of hours today to go to the ribbon ceremony and ride event for the New Wild Turkey Trail at Heil Ranch, Boulder County Open Space. Even got to ride in shorts and short sleeve jersey.

It's easy to live up in the mountains and ride private trails, secret trails, and just plain not-for-everybody- trails. But hey, Boulder now has over 100 miles of trails for mountain bikes to ride on and if you don't help build them, elect officials that open them, and do events like today's ribbon cutting, then you don't have a right to bitch and moan about them. Everyone should do their part to help forge the path to shared trails. That means, politics occasionally. Not everyone can live in the mountains. Not everyone gets to ride single track where others are not allowed. When we first came to Boulder there were very few trails anywhere to ride on. There were very few mountain bikers, also. Just like having babies, just like owning your own single family house with land or a yard, and just like having the fitness and time to ride your bike, is really a luxury. Growth is growth. You just can't live without it. For centuries everyone has felt the encroachment. Just ask the Indians, the settlers, the buffalo, the wolves, the mountain lions, the ranchers, the hunters, the developers, the mountain folk and the list goes on and on. I wanted to live here. I'm happy to be here. My house is over 130 years old. Used to be 2,000 people living in my community. That's growth. Now there's about 50. I love living and riding here. But I also like riding in Boulder. So I figure, the more officials that understand the passion to ride and be in the woods, the more trails that will eventually be open. Even if it takes more years than I have left.

Thank you to all that came today and helped make one more trail opening a reality. Not a trail closure.

So.....today we rode up on the Wapiti trail to the beginning of the Turkey Trail's start. There were several agencies there. County Commissioners, Open Space, IMBA, BMA, Boulder County Horsemen/ Equestrians, and more then I can remember. Even the turkeys showed up.

Once at the new trail head, the official people made their speeches and everyone gave thanks (not for the bountiful turkeys on site-not Thanksgiving ,yet) for the work that had been done for the new trail. Then it was time for all of the photo ops.

Photo line ups, horse included.

After all of the photos, it was time to head out on the new trail. Everyone appeared to have a great time and the talk of more trails. Especially the connector trail to Lyons was settled into our brains. That will be an awesome event. Just think, we'll have a way to ride almost entirely on dirt from Boulder to Lyons and then onto the Hall trail network.

Thanks everyone for all of your hard work. Long live lots of new trails and to the continuous sharing of already built trails. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 11:46 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Canine Good Citizen Award

Today was the day. No snow, no wind, and no freezing cold temps. Here's how the day unfolded.OK. I've been calling it the Canine Good Samaritan test. It's Good Citizen. Oh well. Whatever.

Up at 6 Am. Actually was warmer at 6 AM than it was at 7 AM. Let the Girls out to pee, and back into bed because it's fun for the whole family to fit on the bed and hang out. Back up at 6:20.

Then, eat, pack and load everyone into the car. Pick up Joanne, our wonderful friend, who gets a "Good Citizen" award herself. She took photos all day, held the dogs and seemed to have a great time, herself. She put up with all of us, all day long.

we got to the place near Colorado Springs at 9:30 and met some other dogs. I was the ring master, Steve was the side kick, and Joanne the photographer, and Girl's sitter when were busy.

Then you wait. And wait. And wait. Lots of waiting. Like a bike race. But it's not so bad. Getting your dog to learn to "wait" isn't a bad thing. Patience is a virtue. You know, like when you go to the coffee shop, run into a friend, and make your dog sit there like he/she is interested in what you're talking about. And sit there and sit there and .....

Then it was time to watch people start confirmation. That's where dogs of a certain class (female, or male, 6 months or adult) go into the ring. In the ring, they are expected to trot around, stack (certain kind of stand), allow the judge to touch them, look at teeth and watch them, and then, do an out an back trot for movement.

Lucie used to be a show gal, but didn't really like it. That was fine for us. We told her that being our lovable, smart, funny, obedient, hiking pal, was just fine with us. Today, she did her first "stack" in a year, and I think she looked awesome. Unfortuneately, it doesn't matter to the judges what I think. But then again, I'm just a person, and wife, a bike racer, and a mom to my girls, and well, I'd love them for whatever they decide to do with their lives.

So Lucie placed third out of three. I'll take it. Like I tell my bike racing clients, "It's not that only so many women showed up to race, it's that YOU showed up to race"

Next it was Kayla's turn. She's never been in a show ring. It showed. Oh well. Goofy Kayla. Tired her best. That's all I wanted. She finally had to be coaxed to trot around the ring with Lucie running around the outside of the ring with her. What a great big sister. Way to go Lucie.
That's what big sisters are for, right? Kayla second out of two.

Kayla's stack was, well, OK. At least she tried. She even let the judge look at her teeth.

Onto the "Best Female Head". I actually entered them into the "Movement" category. Since it didn't go so well in Confirmation, I asked to switch to the "Female Best Head" judging. How can you go wrong with your head? We didn't win the best head award, but the judges told me that both my Girls were second. Yeah!

Next, we were on to the Good Citizen test. The dogs go into the ring with 3 other dogs and three strangers/judges. The test includes several tests. All tests are to test the dog's ability to be with a stranger and be calm and inviting.

The tests are:
Walk around the judges and remain calm.
Walk past another dog calmly while the owners shake hands.
Walk around the ring while a lot of noise is being made. Our noise was made with cookie sheets banged together.
Allow the judges to brush the dogs, touch/pat the dogs, and look at their teeth.
Have the dogs hold a sit, down and a stay. The stay is held while we walked 25 feet away.
Have the dog stay with the judge, while we leave the area-unseen, for 3 minutes.

No problem holding a sit from 25 feet away. Bring on the hard stuff, mom.

Lucie and Kayla did wonderful. They did as they were instructed and were very obedient. I thought the hardest part would be my leaving them for 3 minutes. Nope, they were champs!

Probably harder for me leaving.

After the Good Citizen testing I decided to try them out with the Lure Coursing. Neither dog had done this before, but both come from champion coursing backgrounds, so what the heck. Always worth a try.

Lure Coursing is accomplished by the dogs chasing a plastic bag around a course. Today's course was only about 150 yards. Regular course are 600-700 yards. Seems easy, right? I mean dogs love chasing moving objects. And I'm always telling them not to chase the cats, or the bunnies in the driveway, or the ground squirrels.

The "bunny".

Lucie wouldn't start the chase and instead kept looking at me as if I was going to tell her to stop. Then she began to run and finished the course. Not stellar but she did it. Kayla ran tentatively around the course and came back to us.

The second go round was pretty funny. Lucie ran the course 1/3 of the way, cut across the middle, and right back to the machine that operates the "bunny". Kayla, ran 5 feet and headed straight back to me and sat between my legs. Game over, time to go home. Had enough. Done.

It's fun to take a whole day and do something you would never normally do. That's life and it's how we learn. Socialization is a good thing for human and canine. Now, lets go hiking back in the woods.

Kayla finishing the day by finishing the run, early. # posted by Michelle Grainger @ 9:28 PM 0 Comments

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