Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series Washington, DC

***Olympic DISTANCE***

Swim: 1.5K
Bike: 40K
Run: 10K

***RESULTS***

Results

Overall: 2:26:19, 20th female overall
Swim: 23:13
Bike: 1:09:51 (21.3mph avg)
Run: 50:37 (8:10 avg)

***PRERACE***

Big city races...pluses and minuses. Minus...the logistics pre-race always end up leaving me wiped before the race even starts. After 2 trips into DC Saturday I was pretty exhausted by Saturday night...although still only slept a few hours. Plus...SO many spectators pushing you the entire race. I love that! Up at 3:45am, had coffee, and was picked up by Dan & Ally...we were on the road by 4:15am. No traffic, got there quickly, and found a spot to park close to transition (West Potomac Park). I was starting in the top wave of men and women...so my rack was right at the front of SWIM IN and RUN out (BIKE in and BIKE out) on the opposite end. I was surrounded by lots of friends...."I CAN FEEL IT COMING IN THE AIR TONIGHT, OH LOOOOOOOOORD!" Nice...Phil, my main man, was blaring through transition. Though...dunno if I had it in me for this one...

***RACE***

SWIM - The top wave gathered towards the swim start. Some dude puts his wetsuit on backwards...I laughed heartily inside...and I immediately felt much calmer. The weather was lovely...maybe 74 and humid...good for coming out of the water onto the bike. Fenty gave a speech and we were then allowed to jump off the dock into the water. EEEE it was chilly...73...full-sleever today. The GO. No time to position or think. The course was a rectangle. Swim towards the Memorial Bridge, cross over to the left, and back. I was pretty far to the right of the pack. A group got ahead. After that I stayed with them in site and a bunch behind me. Felt a little choppy but not bad. The buoys were large and in charge, but there could have been a few more of them. I had no trouble seeing them but was unsure of which I was swimming to. Made it under the bridge and was on the return. Sun was blazing in my face! Water was a bit choppier and kept hitting junk...small logs. Finally spotted the blue dock where we had started. We were to swim a bit past and round 2 buoys before heading in. Saw a dude go by me the opposite direction (later found out it was Matias, who had missed a buoy...OOPS!)

T1 - Ran up the dock and across where masses of people had gathered...HOW EXCITING! Someone yelled 1st female out! I was pumped. I always feel like I have really let a lot get away in the swim...but always end up ahead. good stuff. Megan was right behind me! Although a bit of a nagging voice in my head (had been there all week) reminded me of my busted hips as I began to run to transition...

BIKE - Off on Bananas. Megan beat me out of T1...my legs had slowed me down (if only we could swim everywhere). She was in eyesight. Legs felt strong. I had no idea what this course would bring...but knew it was 2 loops around and through DC. I kept Megan in sight and maybe started to gain on her. A few small climbs and I caught her. Pushed ahead and moved over. The 1st loop we were back and forth at least 10 times. It was pretty awesome. Course was very clear as we had started 1st. A few guys passed but not too many :) Onto the 2nd loop...Megan and I were still back and forth...we began to think it was humerous...although later found out she got penalized for drafting...must have been on the 2nd loop when the course got very crowded and it was hard not to at points. Its started to get a bit dark towards the end of the course...looked like rain. Megan and I came into T2 in 1-2! I was worried about the run.

T2 - I was feeling really good endurance-wise. I felt I could really crush it right now but my legs would not go. My hip (the one that had the stress fracture) had been off the past week or so. Yea, not gonna be cool.

RUN - Junk. Very strained. Hurtin. I could do this...but should I? I saw Megan get further and further away pretty quickly. Mile 1 came after what seemed to be awhile. I thought about RI 70.3 in 3 weeks. If I can not even run 1 mile without hurting how the heck would I do a half marathon...SIGH. I felt sad. Another female passed. So frustrating. Mile 2. Then my feet started to get blisters...that's what you get for not wearing socks. The course was all on the street and hard pavement. Mile 3...half way! I felt like I might fall apart. I felt like crawling under a construction barrel actually...there were quite a few of them. I could wait in there until the race was over...could be awhile. Another female and another passed. Mile 4...only 2 more. I tried to pick it up a bit. It was raining. Saw Ernie a few times...he smiled and cheered...I felt a little better. Good thing about the course was that there were 3 out and backs...so saw a lot of familiar faces...but not sure I wanted people to see me not feeling so great. Finally a mile to go...and then site of the finish line. It seemed so far away. Not a strong finish. And afraid to take my shoes off :)

***POSTRACE***

Saw lots of friends at the finish and started to cheer up. Just because I had not finished as well as I wanted this race really took strength and determination...more than a lot of the races I have done. It was one of the tougher ones mentally.

Walked around DC for what seemed like ages, hung out at the RATS tent with good friends, drank some champagne with Matias, and watched the pros race...in the end...one of the better days :)

***LESSONS LEARNED***

-Wear freakin socks! Someone needs to INVENT running shoes with built in socks....HINT HINT.

Since I have been back to running (Jan 2008)...it has been on or off...when I can run it is good and I feel strong and solid...but then there are times were my hips just feel very weak/strained (especially where the fracture was). The gluten-free diet/yoga has got me a looong long way...back to running at all. For now the best run training into a race is to not run. Yea, I am not going to get any faster this way...but I will hopefully finish in a decent less pained time. But I think it might be time to do something more...

Up Next: Rhode Island 70.3, Sunday, July 12, 2009

Reston Sprint Triathlon

***Reston Sprint DISTANCE***

Swim: 400 meters
Bike: 12 miles
Run: 5K

***RESULTS***

Results

Overall: 1:05:14, 2nd female overall (1st podium finish!), 1st in age group
Swim: 5:44 (tied with Julie for 2nd female out of the water)
Bike: 32:58
Run: 23:49

***PRERACE***

I was pretty excited/anxious/nervous for my 1st race of the season. I felt ready to crush it. This was also our 1st LUNA event of the year. This made me calmer knowing all of the team would be there and also the whole Reston tri community among many other friends. AND my sister's 1st race ever! Gonna be a big day. And with all the rain the week brought clear skies were forecast for the weekend...

Saturday was packet pick-up. In return for being able to set up our LUNA hut and spread our LUNA lovliness we were also volunteers for the race. We set up next to The Bike Lane and had a great time raising some money for BCF, calming some newbies fears, and handing out snacks to everyone.

Sunday morning I woke up to what sounded like thunder and rain. Couldn't be. I start receiving txts from a distressed Sarah..."KATIE! It is not supposed to be raining?!" Ah Shoooooooot. "Man up and get out there," I TOLD her. :)

I dragged myself out of bed, got my stuff together, drank my coffee, while refreshing the radar about a million times, before driving the quarter mile to the race start. Looked like it would clear for GO time...

***RACE***

SWIM - Before long we were all lined up around Lake Newport 50m pool for the swim start. It was a snake swim (400 meters). Odds started on one side, evens on the other. One was to swim eight lengths of the pool (down and back one lane) so that both odds and evens finished in the middle.

By chance Julie O (my craziest swimming friend...who does all the crazy swimming events with me) and I were starting at the same time. Unreal. Someone had to have freakin rigged this. I was 15th and she was 16th/odds and evens separate ends...we would meet in the middle...OH and we WOULD meet in the middle. And we were off. First 100 I felt like I was going to toss my coffee. The intensity of a sprint KILLS me. I was coming up on the guy in front of me. They sent us off 10s apart. About 200 meters in I passed him. Coming into the last 100 meters I felt a bit stronger...flip turns in wet suit under lane line...interesting. I felt like I was going through the spin cycle. Last 50 meters. I breathe to my left and look who is turning into there last 50. SHOOT! Julie breathes to her right...we were cheek to cheek. What a riot. I started to bust it. I would not let her get ahead of me. I started to laugh...she was so serious and focused like she wanted to rip my head off! We were coming to the wall even. Touched at the same time. OH MY...Forgot we had to pull ourselves out of the water. GUHHHH. We were both hurting. I was laughing so hard I could not run. She booked it and I ran after her still laughing....into transition...love you Julie :)

T1 - I rip the wetsuit off and quickly was off. I was feeling a little volatile.

BIKE - Julie is right in front of me. Matias flies by in front of both of us. Bananas had it in her and I took off after him. I knew the only female in front of me know was Ally. I could see a few off in the distance. The course is 3 loops (4 miles each for a total of 12 miles) of a triangular course on the main road around North Reston. The rain had stopped but the roads were slick. The last part of the looop on Baron Cameron is a pretty good climb. End of 1st loop I caught sight of Ally. I was gaining on her on the uphills...but she maybe a little faster on the downhills. End of 2nd loop climb I got her. In 1st now. YIKES! Could I hold off. A lot of people on the course now. Legs felt decent. I really don't warm up for about 30 minutes into a ride...by that time it was about over. Feeling good on the 3rd loop. Into transition 1st female.

T2 - Quickly transitioned to run. Well sort of. People were running in all directions. I thought I knew exactly where the run exit was...but people were running in the opposite direction. Later realized they were coming out of the pool. oops. Could have saved some time here.

RUN - As I headed out of transition someone smacked my butt. eeeYIKES! HAHAHA It was Kona Kev. Gasps from the crowd! The bike/run bricks I had started a few months ago must be paying off. I felt strangely good starting the run. Usually it takes a mile for that. I felt light and strong. Ally was right behind me...she had caught up a bit in transition. I could see her maybe 50 yards behind me (yes, I think in pool distances). About a mile in Matias is on his way back. Yeah! He was #1..and so was I! AWESOME. And Dan was close behind him...Ally right behind me. Funny. A bit of an uphill and I felt a bit weak. Ally and someone else still in eye sight. On the return...I started to not feel so tired...give it all you got...I picked it up. Almost home! I came into the finish still feeling strong. #1 female across the line. But with a time trial start...would have to wait for the final results.

***POSTRACE***

I hung out at the finish and got to see some of the other Chix and Sarah finish strong. She was smiling when she finished. Ended up #2. Not sure who the girl who got #1 was. It was a great day for everyone.

It was another awesome LUNA event. Really great to have other ladies see you in the LUNA gear and ask how they can become more involved in the sport...we tell them about LUNA and experience the excited reactions to find there are others to Get Outside and Play with. We even got business cards! HEHE

***LESSONS LEARNED***

-Learn the transition area - 2nd time this has happened. I need to take more note on transition area set up before the race. Maybe walk through a few times.

Up Next: ITU Dextro Energy World Championship, Sunday, June 21, 2009

Jim McDonnell Swims

***RESULTS***

1-mile (wetsuit): 24:53, 2/73 female, 2/11 30-34
2-mile (wetsuit): 51:06, 9/80 female, 2/10 30-34

***PRERACE***

Have not felt like I have had to best feel for the water the last month or so. But always look forward to this swim...do it every year. Lots of familiar faces and laid back atmosphere.

***RACE***

1-miler

1 miler went off at 8am. I was in the 2nd wave, along with former fellow OU swimmer, Jill Coleman. We were off before I had time to think. No dilly-dally in the water. I had somehow got front center...heard a few people shout they were just gonna run Katie over. BOOOO. Heck no...no getting run over. I busted it from the start and as we turned into the cove simmered down a bit. Settled into a good pace. Water was a good temp of about 74. I had worn my full sleever. The pack dispersed. Coming out of the cove my arms were feeling somewhat sore. Started to worry about having to do the course (1 mile) 3 times! There were not too many around me. I felt like I was near the front of my wave. Could see a few from the 1st wave. Held my pace through the rest of the swim. On the way back in my arms felt a bit fatigued and I was getting really warm. Finally it was over. ehh on doing that 2 more times!

2-miler

2-miler went off at 9:30am. Just enough time to let some soreness from the 1-miler sink in. This time I was in the 3rd wave. Off again. I did feel a bit more warmed up. It usually takes a good mile for me to feel good in the water. The downside of being a distance swimmer. The 1st mile went by pretty fast and I actually felt really good. Then about 1/2 way through mile 2 I started feeling REALLY tired...arms getting pretty sore. Feeling a bit dehydrated. Drinking lake water (and I wonder why the lake junk gets me later). Finally I was headed for the shore and I had finished.

Times about a minute slower from 2 years ago...however, placed about the same. Either I was doing a lot of swim training in prep for Lake Champlain OR the course was a bit long. Oh well I had fun.

Up Next: Reston Sprint Triathlon, May 31, 2009

TriRATS President Makes Her Comeback

From Spokes Magazine May 2009 (by Ron Cassie):

Thirty year old Katie Davison started swimming in Cleveland, where she grew up, on the neighborhood pool team where she grew up.

“I was a pool rat as a little kid,” she says. “I ended up coaching my summer swim team when I got older.”

She swam through high school and her first year at Ohio University, “until I burned out,” she says. The transition from an hour a day of practice in high school to sometimes six hours a day of training in college proved overwhelming.

A petite 5-3 and 100 pounds, Davison took up running to stay in shape. Later, after moving to Reston, Va., a little more interested again in swimming, she joined the Master’s program there. Master’s swimming had introduced her to local triathletes, who introduced her to cycling, and eventually the former “pool rat” in 2004 became a TriRat - the nickname for the Reston-Area Triathlon Club.

In March, she was named club president. Not that it’s been a smooth five years in her new sport-of-choice.

“Everybody you meet in the D.C. area who swims seems to do triathlons,” Davison says. “I was hooked right away.”

David Glover, who founded TriRats, she says, was a big influence on her. They’ve became good friends and were even roommates for a while. However, Davison ran into an unexpected obstacle not long after her first tri - the Spud Short Triathlon (now General Smallwood) in June of 2004.

Amazingly, she won her age group in the Reston Olympic Distance Triathlon that fall, but then got the bad news the following spring: She was diagnosed with a stress fracture between her femur and pelvis. Davison would not be able to run for the next three years.

“I felt like I was just starting out,” she says. Davison was at first, also diagnosed with osteoporosis. Which seemed incredible given that she was only in her mid-20s.

She kept waiting for the stress fracture to heel, but it simply wasn’t. She could swim and bike because they were non-impact sports, but running was out. Committed to pursuing triathlon, working out regularly - and the TriRats - Davison joined triathlon relay teams, did “aqua-bike” events, or just did the first two legs of triathlons and then pulled out. She also did some very long swims, including an eight-mile swim from Vermont to New York State on Lake Champlain and the 4.4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. She found ways to compete.

About a year and half after her initial diagnosis Davison met Mary and Al Delaney, who run Rehab to Racing, and they eventually got her to a new orthopedic doctor. In February 2007, she finally got a full diagnosis - Davison had Celiac disease. It’s a disease that destroys the small intestine and prevents the body from absorbing nutrients, such as calcium, as a result of a gluten-intolerance.

Today, with a new diet, Davison is back running and says she has more energy than ever. Which means a lot.

She came back to her first complete triathlon last May, taking fifth overall in Little Pepper Sprint, “a good confidence builder,” she says, and has been slowly increasing her workload and triathlon distances ever since. She took 10th overall last August at
the IronGirl Triathlon in Columbia, and completed her second half-Ironman triathlon of the season at Savageman in late September.

Of the three disciplines, Davison began cycling last, not that long ago really, and rather than focus on the time lost running and her mis-diagnosis, she believes
concentrating on cycling while re-habing has made her a more well-rounded triathlete.

“I put a lot of time in one the bike, and I learned to love hills, which helped me develop power,” she says. “I only do rides that have hills when I go out and now
sometimes my bike times are as high as my swim times.”

Ironically, she adds, running might prove her strongest suit over the long haul.

“Even though I’ve always been a swimmer, I don’t have a swimmer’s build,” she says. "When I do run, it’s usually pretty good.”

Her goal this year includes a good showing at the Rhode Island Ironman 70.3 in July, and then she wants to crack the top 10 again at IronGirl Columbia.

“I love the IronGirl race,” she says. “So many inspiring women.”

As TriRATS president, she says, the thing she likes best about the club :is that it is very relaxed."

The president’s job isn’t a voted position, it’s simply been handed down over the years from David Glover, to Steve Smith, to Keith Bohnenberger, to her. Previously, Davison served as the club’s social director, and added that club members Kevin Kunkel and Nate Miller have been especially helpful in the early going,
organizing regular meetings, and working on plans toget more people involved with the club.

Davison said she hopes to make the club more interactive, adding more social events, and more training events in the process. She said she’d working on putting together a survey to get feedback from members on the best ways to develop more participation.

“I want to keep it still a relaxed environment, where people of all ability can come to connect to people,” Davison says.

Currently, she says, TriRats has over 1,000 people registered on it’s Yahoo-list serve, and about a 100 dues-paying members who receive the full benefits of belonging to the club.

She noted the annual Tour de Skyline event is early this month (May 1-2), the Reston Century, and Reston Bike Club, the Reston Master’s swim team, and the Sept.
13 Reston Triathlon - all remain favorite activities and training groups for TriRats. Club members are spread out, however, from D.C. through Northern Virginia.

The late-season Savageman race traditionally serves as a club fundraiser with TriRats entering as relay teams. Davison also added that Kevin Kunkel is organizing a
bicycle tour/training trip to Spain this year for club members.

And, of course, monthly Friday Happy Hours remain a popular activity with usually 30 or so folks turning out.

“TriRat’s has a nice balance,” Davison says. “It draws a lot of good athletes, but it’s not only for elite athletes, it’s supposed to be social, and for people starting
triathlon to people who have been doing it awhile. I guess, I am optimistic, I see a lot of good things for the club in the future. For more information, visit
trirats.net.

Tour De Skyline

This year would be my 3rd attempt at Tour de Skyline.

What is the Tour de Skyline?

RATS (Reston Area Triathletes) holds this event annually. The Tour de Skyline (TdS) is two-day ride from Front Royal to Waynesboro (day one) and back (day two) along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Said another way, TdS is two days, 220-miles, 20,000 feet of climbing, and too much fun. Even though TdS has a nice three-letter acronym, it's much more casual than you would think. Roads are not closed, there are no aid stations, and there are certainly no t-shirts.

DAY 1

6:45am Friday morning...Neva, Dan, and I met up at Worldgate to drive out to Dickey Ridge and the start of Tour de Skyline. I was feeling soso. Had not been feeling top notch the past week...

We arrived at Dickey Ridge right around 8am. This ride always brings a great group of riders together...saw a lot of friends and also some unfamiliar, soon to be friends, faces. Got all geared up and Neva and I were on our way....210 miles or BUST. No cue sheets necessary...just straight 105 miles from Dickey Ridge to Waynesboro. I was really happy to have Neva there this year...the ride can be very long and lonely by oneself. As we started my legs felt somewhat stale. I had done a lot of riding last week (including Mt Weather)...but the legs had been feeling solid. Oh well..there was ample time to feel awesome and to feel miserable. We hit Mile 31 (our 1st rest stop). We stopped for a quick bathroom and water break and were back on the road. Then some serious climbing began (not that there had not already been serious climbing). This ride is either going 10mph or 40mph...there is not much inbetween. The climbing is not out of the saddle climbing....just steady grinding on the quads. My stomach, which had been feeling rough all week, was not feeling so great. guh. Felt like I might be sick. I told myself to suck it up. Mile 46, Matias blows by us...scared the heck out of me...but good to see him. We made the big climb into Big Meadows (Mile 51) and stopped for lunch. I had some pretty bad vegetable chili...but it warmed me up a bit. The weather was decent. We had had some drizzle on and off with temps in the low 60s. Although the temp seemed to have dropped and rain picked up as we got into Big Meadows. I put more clothes on.

Neva and I were back on the road. I was feeling recharged. That only lasted about 10 miles. I started to overheat. Bonzai SAG passed us about Mile 60 and we stopped to drop off some clothes and get some more snacks. Then we come up on Dan, who had some technical difficulties. He continued on with us. At this point I was at a low. I did not feel like eating or drinking and felt nauseated. Some parts of this section are foggy. We came to Mile 80 and had a quick bathroom/water break. Only 30 more miles to Waynesboro. All I could think was..."And I am supposed to do this whole thing again tomorrow?! Yaaa right." I then decided to take it 10 miles at a time. My neck and shoulders were starting to hurt. My longest ride this season had only been 55 miles...so the body was starting to feel it. I had been trying to eat every hour. Nothing seemed to be doing much. I had some LUNA Moons...YAHOOO...finally something gave me a 2nd wind. Mile 95 and I was feeling a little better. We reached Mile 105 and exited the park. The 3 of us were ecstatic...it was 5 miles mostly downhill to the hotel. We arrived there with HUGE smiles.

Got checkd in, showered, drank beer behind a dumpster, went to dinner, searched for chocolate with Dan, and was in bed around 11pm.

DAY 2

I slept like a log. Woke up feeling ok. My stomach seemed to have calmed down after drinking half a bottle of Mylanta the previous day. Got ready to go, had some breakfast, and Dan, Neva, and I were back on the road at 7am. holy shoot...my butt...it was gone and it felt like I was sitting on a pillow. I had switched from tri shorts to cycling shorts for Day 2. I hate cycling shorts and NEVER wear them. It was going to be a rough day. First 10 miles are mainly uphill. Dan and Neva seemed to be doing well and chatting amongst themselves. What the beep was wrong with them?! buhaha I was very quiet and everything really hurt...but that was the lesser of my worries...felt very nauseated. The thought of eating or drinking anything made me feel volatile...not good. We entered the park...I felt like throwing in the towel. Started pondering how long the Bonzai SAG would take to get to us if they left at 8am...could be awhile. Suck it up. Mile 80 (counting back down now)...we stopped for bathroom/water. Spirits up a bit knowing that the hardest part of the ride was over. 10 miles at a time. Then Nate Miller came at us form the toher direction...yipeeeee. I felt better. He is twice my size...so I got on his wheel and he rode me into Big Meadows...lunchtime! Had some more bad vegetable chili. I was going to finish this thing.

Back on the saddle. I felt refreshed and like the end was in site. Dan, Neva, and I hit Mile 31 in no time...quick bathroom stop and back on the road. I was ecstatic...less than 30 miles to go. But also dreading the serious 3 mile climb at Mile 24. That might just kill me. My knees and neck/upper back were hurting the most. The nausea had become better...LUNA moons and Clif blocks were keeping me going. Then we hit it...Mile 24, 3 mile climb...holy shoot. Felt decent the 1st mile, 2nd mile was a struggle, and 3rd mile I wanted to get off my bike and punch myself in the face. buhhaha This is crazy. Finally it ended...and we were going downhill...fast...into fog...it was cold...and I was seeing stars. Maybe I was delerious...oh well...just hold on only 15 miles to go. In and out of a lot of fog for awhile. Mile 10...yAHAHAHAHAHOOOO. Almost done. And then we were back at Dickey Ridge...I was SO happy and SO proud of myself.

solid 210 miles

Up Next: Jim McDonnell 1 and 2 mile swim, May 24th

LUNA Summit

LUNA Summit is turning into being one of my favorite weekends of the entire year. It is really an amazing feeling after spending a weekend surrounded by healthy, inspiring in so many ways females.

I arrived Thursday late afternoon, hung around the SFO port for a bit while I waited for Julie and Laura to arrive. Once they got in, we rented our minivan, and headed to the hotel in Mill Valley, CA. We were all pretty delerious on East Coast time...so by the time we got to the hotel we were beat and went to bed immediately.

Friday, Laura, Julie and I were off to the pool early...back to the Jewish Community Center I had found last year (lap swim all day long!). It was somewhat chilly that morning...say 55 degrees. I was a little unhappy about swimming outside in that...but sucked it up and got in anyways. I was cold so sprinted most of the workout. We headed bcak and I was off to leader training. Leader training was at Clif HQ in Berkley. It was pretty awesome. We got a preview and small training on the new Team LUNA Chix website (to launch late April), learned about leadership, and just got to know the other LUNA leaders. I met some really great ladies and reconnected with some I had met last year. After the leader training the rest of the team members arrived for the Summit Kick-Off dinner and festivities...a highlight of the weekend.

Saturday was more fun. First off, those of us who had rented bike for either the road or mountain bike ride had to pick those up...chaos but very nicely handled by Blazing Saddles, the bike rental company. The I was off on a trail run, led by the Bay Area running team. A beater, but awesome. I was worried on how my hips would feel but they ended up feeling awesome...got to do more softer surface running. The course was extremely hilly. 7 miles later I returned just in time to check out the new LUNA line of clothing and see how some of my other team members had done in the open water swim clinic (which I had passed up die to the 50 degree water). My little sister, Sarah, is one of the newest LUNA members. She did her 1st open water swim and LOVED it. I was so happy and proud of her. Up next was a road ride...a little worried as my legs were destroyed from the trail run and I was on a rental bike. But heck I decided to go for the longer 3 hour option. We were led by LUNA pro Tyler Stewart. The legs started off feeling good. Then we started climbing...guh this was not going to be good. It was like Savagebeast all over again. I did not feel the rental was fit quite right. This would be a long ride...why did I decide to do the longer option?! I stayed toward the front but was hurting. We stopped after about 45 min to regroup. Aparently the longer ride had not severed from the shorter ride. I was totally opting for the shorter ride at this point. Laura was with me. Little did we know there was still ample climbing ahead of us. Savagebeast meets Skyline Drive. The climbing legs started to feel good and I pushed ahead of the group on the climbs. I was still really uncomfortable on the rental. My hands kept falling asleep...I needed to relax my shoulders and arms more. As we neared the hotel and end Laura and I decided to keep riding a bit and rode out into Sausalito. It was beautiful. Why do I not live there?! We got back, showered, relaxed, and headed down for some cold drinks, dinner, and Q&A with the LUNA pros. Good times.

Sunday I woke up early to get in a short jog before having to sit on an airplane for awhile. Sarah and I were the 1st of our team to leave. We had breakfast, a talk on Best Practices, mingled with the other LUNAS, and were on the way home.

It was an Amazing weekend! Can not wait for next year!

Armin Van Buuren @fur

HIGH ENERGY! AWESOME!