Sunset in Tucson

Last week I made a resolution… not for 2015, but for the last week of 2014.

To be the badass cyclist that I am and ride till I showed 2014 what I was made of.  And I did. I escaped the cold snowy rollerville of Santa Fe, NM and drove out to Tucson, AZ. I took the week of Christmas to be in the best place I could for myself, with Alfred (my bike).

Sometimes with training, and even life you have to step back and look at what you really want and enjoy. It’s not about the money, or presents, or material things, but the experiences, adventures, and lifestyle you have. Whether you’re with others or experiencing something for yourself, it’s about the moments that bring alive that true happiness within you.

I resolved to be free on my bike, exploring the parts of my mind and internal problems that I can only reconcile on Mt. Lemmon in those deep long hours of climbing and pedaling.  And 27 miles uphill gives plenty of opportunity for that.

There are place, our happy places, where everything just disappears and the world somehow feels right… This picture is from one of mine.

Hoodoo Vista, Mt. Lemmon. Roads wind up the mountain

With fitness, especially as a professional athlete we know our bodies so closely and know when we are fit or feel good. And usually through the somewhat inconsistent off-season of cross training and indoor spinning we think winter means being out of shape and holiday off time. But sometimes we surprise ourselves. Getting in the time and effort to be active and stay healthy can reap benefits also.

For a few weeks before going to Tucson I have had a pretty boring routine of training. A roller wake up call before dawn to spin, then swimming before heading to work. After a long day of work I settled myself onto the couch for a long movie… haha just kidding… onto the trainer for a couple hours of spinning, or at the gym for some lifting and exercises.

So arriving to Tucson and riding up Mt. Lemmon that first day I completely surprised myself with how fit and strong I felt.   And it continued… The whole week I was able to keep endurance and stamina to ride hours beyond what I had been able to while in Santa Fe.

Riding to the top of Mt. Lemmon. Cold at the top with snow

Citrus picking on my day of rest

I really learned the direct effects of core and the importance of keeping consistent. I could stand on the pedals and balance with an agility I’ve never felt quite like this before. So get in those planks and crunches!  It’ll pay off!

I also realized how my nutrition and diet could push me into feeling more energy and the benefit from what I put in my body. Supplements and recovery mixes have balanced out my diet where I feel the effect of magnesium and other base nutrients. I have been using product from Integrated Health Distributors, specifically their Rejuvenate mix and Mayo-mag supplements that are essential for feeling good in every lifestyle, whether a pro athlete or not.

Feeling good and working out hard is such a balance, and so much of the time it’s a matter of balancing real life with our dream world of training. Setting yourself up for success comes from planning and knowing you can do it, then it becomes part of your every day.

I don’t usually post my workouts, training or numbers. But last week was such an amazing solo bike camp adventure that I just have to share it.

I rode a total of 30hrs and 50 min, with 1 day of rest midweek also (rest is so important and never to be neglected)

Rode 460 miles (740km), max speed on descent 50mph, and climbed 31,315 ft (9544.8m) in elevation

Can’t wait for what adventures await me in this upcoming year.  2015 LET’S DO THIS!

Windy Point over looking Tucson (you can see people on rock if you look carefully)

ITALIANO!!! 🙂  … scusa per tutti gli errori

Settimana scorsa sono stata a Tucson, Arizona per 7 giorno ad allenarmi al caldo e fare tante kilometri e salite.  E stato bellissimo facendo piu di 30 ore in bici, 740 km di distanza, e 9544m scalata in montagna.  Ancora tanto tempo per preparazione ma sono pronta e contentissima per il prossimo staggione.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but things have been so busy since returning … life just doesn’t move as slowly here as it does in Italy 😉

Since arriving back in the US it has been a transition of routines. From the constant travel and busy schedule of planning to a calmer more training and athletic focused plan.

While in Europe for almost 3 months I didn’t sleep in the same bed for more then 2 nights in a row. Always moving and traveling for work I lived out of my tiny suitcase and backpack with the minimal necessities I had. It was the experience of moving and staying busy that felt pretty familiar and similar to racing. Since I have to travel all over the country all spring and summer, I have to pack so selectively that doubling hiking pants, for sleeping, walking, and casual dinners became a must. Fast and light was a common theme.

Being back in Santa Fe I appreciate the familiarity and calm feeling of the town. It’s nice knowing the roads and not stressing about schedules and pickups. Like with most people when they travel, I found difficulty in keep a healthy routine or habit of nutrition. I wasn’t able to stretch like I usually do. And forget about vitamins, that morning ritual was replaced by downing a coffee and some fruit before starting work. The life of an athlete is already hard to maintain and keep focus, but throw in work and travel and the thoughts of those important supplements wasn’t exactly maintained.

Now that I’ve been back for a little while I have settled back into the comforts of a routine and priorities of training and health have moved back up to top spot.

I’ve spent a lot of time getting to the gym for swimming and stretching, and while it was still warm enough outside I was able to get some good training rides. I had a great couple weeks on my cyclocross bike, exploring and loving the trails around Santa Fe. The Dale Ball trails I had so much fun on, and despite being more for mountain bike, my cx bike does pretty damn well and gave me a great workout.

(Unfortunately) the other night a storm came in bringing snow and cold weather. So now even with the sun out, its super cold out and too much for me. So it’s back to the gym and rollers for a while.

But find a good playlist, or Netflix and there’s a bright side to everything 😉

Keep scrolling for pictures of some adventures 🙂

Thanksgiving ride with some NM friends

Made some new friends while in Denver riding

Christmas time in Santa Fe… Lights on the Plaza

Cyclocross adventure on the Dale Ball trails

Stumbling upon cool places on my ride

I think that car has been there a while 😉 … trail riding

It all began in mid June.  I was sitting in the Denver airport flying home from a race thinking about how I needed a job for the fall to cover racing debts.  Only a couple months later, I am working for Butterfield & Robinson, a biking/hiking tour guide company.  Now in Arezzo, Tuscany, next week I go to guide the last of 3 trips this fall.

It all happened so fast, one minute I was filling out applications, the next I had a ticket booked for Italy for 2.5 months.  It was an exciting turn of events and worked out well as the season was finishing up I could fly over to Italy and begin guiding for the fall season.  Since I am Italian and American, cyclist, and have experience in the service industry, I have a pretty good skill set for being a guide.

I arrived in Varese with 10 days before training began in Beaune, France (head european office), to visit family and ride around my old cycling streets where I first began cycling.

I arrived in France and had 3 days of intense training alongside 12 other new guides.  Some from Canada, some from Europe.  It was fun to ride and experience another part of France I had never been before.  Meeting the veteran guides and new ones I noticed an interesting personality trend of exploring, adventure, and enjoyment in hosting others.

Sentiero degli Dei, Path of the Gods

Between riding, demo’s and logistics it all went by so fast.  Real life hit on the last evening of training where I said my good-byes to new friends and headed out on an overnight train and back to Italy… southern Italy… Naples.  I began pretrip for a week and then guided a 6 day trip along the Amalfi Coast.

The trip went from Naples to Capri, to Positano, to Amalfi, then final night high above in Ravello.  It is an amazing place with breathtaking hikes, amazing food, and a culture so different even from the north.  Despite being my first trip guiding all the travelers were pleasantly surprised and I definitely used my other experiences and strengths to highlight and be a good guide.

Final night of Music and Wine

My next trip took me north … Home.  I guided a group in what B&R calls the Lakes District of Italy.  My family lives on Lago di Varese, 1 of 7 lakes in the area.  The trip started in Bellagio on Lake Como (probably the most known and famous), then to Lake Lugano in Switzerland, then finally on Lago Maggiore.

Mt. Bre, above Lake Lugano

I have ridden around all of these areas and know the roads and area so well.  On the Lago Maggiore part of the trip we went by Santa Caterina, a small church on the side of the cliff where my cousin works as a restorer and making art for the shop.  I was able to give a personal and local experience to the trip.

I must say it was a bit strange at first seeing all these places with a “work” perspective.  I met some amazing people on this trip and a woman who has been fighting liver disease for many years really made an impression on me.  For her strength and incredible genuine compassion, thanks Fran.

Even though my passion, determination, and goal is cycling.  To be professional, compete in the Olympics and World Championships, and be the best I can.  I have to support myself and make some money to fund all these races and traveling I want to do for this sport.  So that is where work comes in, and I could not have found a better off season job then this.  I get to share my passion for travel, languages and culture, while meeting some new people and having new experiences.  I still continue coaching and work with my amazing sponsors like Integrated Health and love my relationship with them even as I am off the bike.

I’ll return to the U.S. at the end of October and be back to racing for cyclocross.  I can’t wait to get back into competition and training hard again for next season.  Till then I’ll be enjoying some Italian trail hikes, riding, new friends, and can’t forget…  THE GELATO!!

Woodstock, IL

The Prairie State Cycling Series started August 20th and went through the 27th.  8 Races over 10 Days.

All around Chicago in small suburbs to host the exciting crit races that over took the streets for the afternoon.  The first 3 races were fun and fast as Colavita dominated with team tactics to get Erica Allar on the top of the podium.  The second day, Lake Bluff, was the tough NCC race and I went for a solo attack that later got sucked up with a lap to go and not much left for the sprint.  The third race in Crystal Lake was much more positive with an 8th place finish in the group sprint.

Big thanks to Jim Michler for all his support during the series

That evening after Sunday’s race at Crystal Lake I flew out to Salt Lake City for the Scott Meeting, our sponsors big dealer and rep event of the year.  It was 2 days of lux hotel, test riding road and mountain bikes, and meeting other athletes and dealers.  It was great to connect with our sponsor and give back for all the support they have provided us.  Deer Valley, Utah was a beautiful spot in the mountains with amazing riding and beautiful views.

Scott week!!!

Fellow Scott athlete Lesley Paterson

View from the top

Wednesday morning I flew back to Chicago and drove straight to the next race, the road race in Willow Springs.  I broke away with 2 other riders but we got swept back by Tibco and it came down to the final finishing stretch.  The next days race in Beverly was more exciting as I unfortunately missed the 3 person break but after a couple mechanical near crashes managed to break off and stay away for 4th.  The next couple races I kept on the offensive and was aggressive by attacking and looking to break.  A couple managed to get out but were pulled back in and had to sprint in the group finish.

Then the last day it all came together.  It was a crazy race as about 15 minutes in a dog went walking right into the middle of the race, it freaked out and froze in the street which was unfortunately right in front of me and I barely stayed up while going over the poor pooch.  I really hope it’s ok.  After that I went to the pit so I could get back into the race and had to chase back on as the pack was split up.  Then once back on the front, a lap later, I went on the attack and got away with Morgan Brown.  We stuck it all the way to the end, finished with over a minute gap.  I attacked her with a lap to go, knowing she’s a stronger sprinter, but wasn’t able to gap and as the final stretch came she turned on the speed and I couldn’t match.  We put in a lot of work together and even though I wanted the first place, I respect her taking the win.

Finished 10th overall in the General Classification of the omnium,

Breakaway with Morgan Brown

Downers Grove Podium

Pic with Tina Pic, an amazing cyclist 🙂

It was a great series and I had a lot of fun staying with friends and meeting new ones in Chicago.  Great place to race and I definitely hope to come back next year for more crit racing.

Saw the Bean, got my postcard, and tried some deep dish pizza … chicago trip = success

Now I’m in Denver, on a sort of lay-over before I head to Salt Lake City on Saturday for a couple races.  In Cedar City for the Cedar City Grand Prix Crit on Aug 4th, and then a circuit race in Salt Lake City on Aug 6th, that will be in conjunction with the men’s Tour of Utah race.

Out for a spin in Brookfield, WI

After racing the rough and tough 5 days of North Star Grand Prix, my teammate Starla and I drove the 5 hours to Wisconsin for Tour of America’s Dairyland.  With 11 races, 10 being crits and 1 circuit race it became a string of racing and routine.  Get up in the morning, eat, spin (sometimes depending on how late we slept or how the legs were feeling), local coffee shop to use wifi to work, then lunch, pack up for the race, get to the course to preview a bit and warm up, RACE, head home, dinner, bed.  Everyday this was the same story.

So Starla convinced me to try the “custard” of Wisconsin… I’d pretty much call it ice cream, but yeah, it was really good!!

The excitement of racing and going to different areas around Milwaukee every day kept it new and such cute little towns with amazing centers with people lining the streets for every race.  Every afternoon we got on our bikes and played the crit game to see if we could outride everyone else and break off the front or position for a good finish.

After the race series was over there was a whirlwind of travel to follow.  Sunday evening Starla and I left Wisconsin for Minneapolis at 10pm, only to have an unexpected stop in Madison at my old friend’s place because of torrential rain and a tornado warning that was going right over the highway.  So we made it to Minneapolis at 4am and super tired!

The next day we packed up our bikes and Starla headed to the airport while I got an awesome tour around Minneapolis/St. Paul by our awesome hosts.  Finally some fun and to see a bit of the city where we raced.  The next morning (Tuesday), I had a 6 am flight which meant a 4am cab ride to the airport only to have my flight delayed by an hour.  That delay turned into a 4 hour wait in Denver and getting home to Tucson at 3 pm.  Literally the moment I got home I was already packing, and the next day between appointments, meetings and packing I got my car loaded up.  Only 1 full day in Tucson and then I headed out for the 7hr drive to Santa Fe.  I arrived on the 3rd of July and after an exciting 4th of July going to a baseball game and seeing fireworks my first moment to breath came the 5th.  So for the past few days I have been unpacking and settling into the altitude and cool weather training of Santa Fe.  I miss the calmness of being here and riding through the plaza to take in the culture of the downtown.

This week I head to Chicago to race in the Prairie State Cycling Series, an 8 day race held over 10 days.  I am also excited because over the 2 days of rest I will be flying over to Salt Lake City for the Scott Meeting.  A meeting put on by our main sponsor Scott Bikes to present their products for 2015.

To really follow our trip through Minnesota and Wisconsin, Starla and I took a pictured every day of the trip and had fun finding new and fun ways to get our pic in for the day.

After a week in Chattanooga, TN I traveled back to Tucson, AZ and really started to feel the heat.

I didn’t have the best results at Nationals, but it was a good experience.  I don’t like making excuses, but because of my injury, taking time off, and training, I didn’t have the greatest expectations either.  So I traveled to Tennessee with a plan to race smart and learn all I could from the race.

View over Chattanooga, TN

The Time Trial was tough, where focus is not always my strong point.  I felt good and held to my plan through the first lap (of 2), but then the fatigue of the race and broken up training started to set in.  I pushed as hard as I could but when your legs just don’t want to go anymore its hard to keep that mental drive.  Despite the low result and not improving on my time from last year it was good to get out a gain and push myself in a race situation.

Time Trial at the Volkswagen plant

The Road Race was fun but again tough and I didn’t finish with the greatest result.  The first 3 laps in the small circuit were fun and easy as the group rode through town and allowed a solo rider up the road to have her moment.  Then going into the climb I was in good position, but nervous about my ability.  And just as expected, after the first couple minutes there was no easing up and the group climbed hard.  I know when I am fit and ready I can hang with them and compete, but after about 4 minutes of pushing my threshold was hit and I couldn’t stay in.  So a group formed of about 15 along with my teammate Starla and we flew down the descent and back towards downtown.  I must admit I was scared of the “wall” on Kent St. that was added on from last years course.  It was about a 25% hill, about 200-300m, and with my back I was nervous for the strain I would have to put on it in the climb.

So making the final turns before hitting the base I was in front and going in hot.  But then I spotted cars stopped on the road.  Oh Shit!  “MOVE,! MOVE!” I yelled. In quick last second thinking I went inside and hoped there was enough space.  If something happened I had 14 other riders behind me and no where to go.  As I made the fast turn I saw the lead car (of 3) with the back door open and just as the guy jumped in and closed the door I managed to squeeze by the car and the race guard rail.  It was so close and I heard the cars wheels screeching as we passed.  In the highest gear we climbed fast and over the wall, it was not easy and my lower back was completely fatigued to get up and over.  But thanks to some fast moving there was no wreck and we made it over.   After that we headed through the circuit and back towards Lookout Mt. and for another long climb.  This time the group took it steady and not surprising I felt better and probably could have climbed faster actually.  Up and over to the descent which I took 100% without breaking, creating a gap on the rest.  So a Tibco girl and myself road back in towards downtown hoping to make the circuit.  Unfortunately, the judges were there waiting and shut down our chance to ride the wall and final circuits again.  So with that my day was done and I had to settle for a top 30th position.

Road Race going over the bridge back towards downtown

I look back on these 2 races with disappointment as I know I am much stronger and can perform much better then these results reflect.  But to look at the positive, the races were a good test for my body and my legs after my cramping, time off, and coming back into training.  It was only a month ago that I was barely riding and now I am back at 100% in race mode to ride with the best in the country, that has to say a little something about my drive.  So in conclusion, it was a good experience and I look forward to some training and then hard racing in Minneapolis and Wisconsin in June.

Present from our hosts

Majestic balls of light … having fun with Starla after racing was over

This past month was one of the most difficult and frustrating since I became a cyclist.  Being an athlete we are so in tune with our body and always doing what we can to become fitter, faster, stronger and improve overall, but when things don’t go right it can be a difficult road.

Leg cramps are one of the worst and most debilitating pains/injuries for a cyclist as there is no real immediate cure or relief.  Especially if the cramps are linked to something other then hydration, there is not much to do but wait it out and possibly massage it to release.   If you have ever gone through a leg cramp or charley horse, you know what I’m talking about… not much to do but gut it out and wait for it to pass.  Now, imagine that pain, for 5 days.  Walking, sitting, even just bending your legs causing a quad to cramp up with blinding pain.  Here is the story…

After racing in California and returning to Tucson from Redlands I tried my best to rest over the couple days I had at home.  But unfortunately it wasn’t enough to detract from the course my body was set on towards injury.  It progressed fast from a cramp while riding into the next day driving and walking.  So I was obviously freaking out since I was I traveling to Kansas City for a family event and then Arkansas for a race.  Having pain and injury is uncomfortable for any athlete, but manageable when you know the cause or why it is occurring.

For a week I went through the constant muscle cramping from activities as simple as walking too fast or bending my legs in the wrong position.  My family was very understanding and considerate of what I was going through.  They got me to a massage therapist to try and relieve it, but it was no help.  My plan had been to train a bit in Arkansas before Joe Martin Stage Race, but that didn’t happen.  Once there though, cramps gradually went away as I rested, and spent a lot of time massaging my back and in the hot tub.  As the second week went on I was able to go for walks and then eventually riding easy again.

This period of 2 weeks where I didn’t ride and had to focus on every move I made, literally, was a lesson in patience and trying to figure out the root of a problem that I knew I could not rush.  Initially, I thought like most that it was an electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and fatigue.  I drank an incredible amount of water, magnesium, salt tabs and massage, but nothing helped.

I spoke often with my nutrition/supplement sponsor, Dr. Hank Liers of Integrated Health Distribution, and he advised me through the whole process about cramps.  I knew electrolytes are a big component to muscle response and cramping, but where the body reaches an initial and major deficit is with Magnesium.  Loosing a lot through sweat, but is more difficult to manage and needs to be supplemented in our diet.  But like so many things in sports and with our bodies, there is a critical balance of physical wellness that includes nutrition, muscular, nervous, skeletal and so much more.

So after seeing a myo facial massage therapist and doing my own body work, I realized it was rooted from by back and nerves that run from the lower back to the quads.  In Arkansas, the best solution was rest, back massage, hot tub, and stretching once I felt comfortable with the motions and the cramps were gradually stopping.  Every day it was a matter of testing myself and listening to signals.  Whether just standing up from a chair to how my muscles reacted when walking down a hill I had to pay attention.

At the worst: I would get up in the morning and cramps would start immediately just from walking to the bathroom, I had to sit on the floor or with my legs on a chair to keep them straight, and walking was brutally slow and usually resulted in a long sit on the floor wherever that might be.

Progress:  I was able to walk a little more every day with cramps decreasing in intensity, then I could sit with my legs bent for longer periods of time.  It was most interesting that walking downhill was the hardest/last thing to come around.

Result:  Once I got back to Tucson, AZ, I went to a myo-facial and cycling massage therapist that said I was incredibly out of balance.  My right side back and psoas was bunched and tight, and the muscles on my left leg were also tighter.  Because of fatigue and tightness of my back it was putting pressure on the nerves and causing cramping.

I also went to another athletic massage specialist that Dr. Hank knows.  He was the massage therapist for the Olympic team in Calgary and really knew his stuff.  I had never been to a chiropractor, but as one of his many skills he cracked and twisted me in ways I never knew I could go.

Cause: I think the major cause for this imbalance, tightness and pinching was a link of events.  A couple weeks before Redlands I had a minor crash while motor pacing where I landed on my left side, then racing hard, sitting in the car for 7hrs traveling after, then little rest and no massage/treatment resulted in my back muscles/vertebra putting pressure and pinching the nerves that run down to my quads.

Diagnosis/Rehab:  Lots of stretching, swimming, and massage (mostly for my back).  I also have been doing exercises for my back to help the curve in my spine to reduce pressure and flexibility as well.

Advice:  For a cyclist, stretching is incredibly important for your back.  Putting the pressure and stress on our backs being in that bent over position can cause problems and unexpected injuries.  Swimming, it helps stretch and relieve pressure on the spine and vertebra.  Getting massage is so common and recommended among cyclists, but if you’re not able to go to someone, there are a lot of “self help” solutions.  Foam rolling, softballs, rolling sticks, and other gadgets can help alleviate pain or soreness and increase recovery.

Digging Deeper:  When something comes up, consider the root of where it could be coming from.  Whether it’s linked to somewhere else in your body or to something in the past that could be resurfacing.  Our bodies are an intricate system; one imbalance internally can cause many other things to go wrong.

Conclusion: So after this month of intense physical and mental experience I look forward with a new appreciation for taking care of the little things and making sure I take the time to let my body rest and get the off-the-bike attention it deserves.