Going Commando

According to my mom, when I was a baby I did NOT like a wet diaper. I realize this is probably true of most babies, but in keeping with my usual "I'll just take care of the problem myself" approach, when my diaper was wet I would simply pull it off. Ahhh!!!!

41 years later and not much has changed. While I thoroughly enjoy going for a long ride or run in the Texas heat and sweating up a storm, when I'm done working out I want to air out and be dry. NOW!

With all the cycling I've done over the past several months in preparation for RAAM, I've reverted back to my baby ways and have started going commando again. I should clarify. I'm not running around without any bottoms on (although I have been known to streak in the house - who doesn't?) but let's just say that sometimes my "too much time in the saddle" pink parts are not in the mood to deal with women's underwear. And even the most soft, smooth, supple elastic is STILL ELASTIC! I've come to fully appreciate men's cotton boxer shorts or even light airy skirts and so have my pink parts. Because sometimes a girl just needs some air!

*I had to go buy my own since Leary doesn't wear boxers :-)

47 Days and 50 Bazillion Details

We are T minus 47 days to RAAM. Where has the time gone? I'll tell you. It has gone to 20 months of planning, preparation, training, more planning, trial runs, trial errors, meetings, e-mails, discussions, documentation, and more planning. At one point last year I remember thinking, "Oh, we can do that later. We have PLENTY of time." In the words of my Dad, "It's later than you think!"

Photo 1: Setting up the leapfrog and follow vehicles.
Photo 2: Testing out race radios.


As of last week, we are in the final throes of RAAM planning and the core team decided that the best approach is to meet weekly for a few hours to hammer out remaining details. At the end of our last meeting, Crew Chief Fred sent out this list of what's left to finalize - yikes!

RAAM Route Review
Vehicle Power Requirements
GPS Navigation Equipment
Vehicle Role Definition
Gopher Vehicle- rent or borrow
Crew Rotation
Vehicle Supply Inventory
Bike Equipment
PA system for communication to riders and/or provide music
Bike Light Battery Charging
2-way Radio Battery Charging
Spare Bike Light Batteries
Vehicle Signs
Medical Supplies
Financial Mechanisms
Off-shift Activities/Procedures
Satellite Phones/Long-Range 2-way radios
Rider Tracking
Safety Emergency Procedures
Gopher Vehicle Implementation
Info sharing with riders
What to Pack
Improve vehicle logsheets
Improve Dashboard Checklists
Pre-Race Food Preparation
RV Practice Plan
Pre-Race Activities
Crew Photographer/Videographer
Crew T-shirts (round 2)
Agenda/Schedule for Kerrville
Maps for Kerrville

And of course a little extra training is built into these meetings because I get to ride 20 miles to them! Awesome!!!

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Photo 3: Got tires?
Photo 4: RAAM Planning meeting.

"Those are some big biking legs!"

I was standing in Starbucks ordering a mid afternoon tea when out of nowhere I hear a guy's voice behind me say, "Those are some big biking legs you got there!" I glanced side to side and saw there weren't that many customers in the place so I assumed he was talking to me. I turned around, reluctantly smiled, and said, "Thanks?" emphasizing the question mark. We briefly chatted and it turned out he was a cyclist too. I should have left him with this parting thought, "Dude. Unless you want a hot coffee dumped down the front of you, you DON'T tell a female she has 'big biking legs', or 'big' anything for that matter." Well, maybe if referencing boobs but even that's a turkey shoot.

I have recently realized that ultra endurance cycling may not be the best sport for women. Don't get me wrong, I think females are very well suited, both physiologically and mentally, for long distance sports. While I was training for my first 100K trail race, my leg muscles became long and lean and my abs and back solid felt strong. But with all the cycling I've done over the last 12 months in preparation for RAAM, my quads are bigger, my butt and hips are bigger, my gut has gotten somewhat flabby, my upper body muscles have shrunk, and my posture is taking on a permanent, hunched over, "aero position" shape. It seems that cycling enlarges everthing women typically work so hard to reduce. My thoughts were confirmed when my teammate Carol asked, "Have you gained weight during your training? My legs have gotten huge!" My other teammate Sue responded with, "I haven't gained weight but my butt is a lot bigger."



















Cartoon by Guy Junker -- http://www.junkertoons.com/ebmtb.htm