Winter is here. In full force. The snowbanks in our front yard are now so high that I can’t see over them. All this snow is a good thing – it enables me to get out and snowshoe and skate ski – but I must admit that I can do without all this shovelling…

In between shovelling I’ve been getting out for some fun snowshoeing adventures. I’ve been out three times now – each time at a different location. After only three snowshoeing runs/walks I can see why people are so addicted to snowshoe running. Wow – what a work-out. Combine running with ankle to knee-deep snow and you’ve got a some seriously heavy breathing and burning legs. Oh and toss in a few steep climbs and you’ve got a great way to get outside and have some fun.

It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of running in the snowshoes but once I figured out that I need to lift my knees high and try to really step forward, things started to flow (a little bit). I’m doing a mix of running and walking – essentially because my fitness does not lend itself to outright running and because I’m still nursing some annoying running-induced injuries. But through it all – it is so much fun.

Today I drove out to Relais plein air in the Gatineau Park and explored trail 65. While the main trail is quite packed-down, there are lots of side trails that make for some challenging snowshoeing. I simply followed the already made tracks into the deep snow – for the most part these trails hooked up with the main trails. These side trails afforded me some awesome views, some steep climbs and some tricky descents that involved some jumping, sliding down on my bum, and hanging on to the random tree.

Super steep climb. Fun going up and even more fun going down!

View of the Gatineau Park from one of the climbs.

Kept warm with my trusty Omega-Pharma Lotto hat.

On Sunday I plan to do something I haven’t done in a long time… Skate ski. Yep – it is time to get out and see if I can remember how to ski. It has been six years since I’ve skied… I’m excited and a bit nervous. My plan is to go out early before the crowds arrive and to test out my legs, core and lungs on a flatish section of the Gatineau Park. I’m pretty sure it will be another fun day out in the snow.

Of course with all this activity, my thoughts are wandering towards 2013 and thinking about 2012. I could write a long post about the year that is almost over. But honestly it wasn’t the year that I had “planned” on. Sure there were lots of highlights: racing in the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series (and rediscovering why I love cyclocross), watching Marc race on the road and seeing how happy he was with the success of his young teammates, watching Marc have one of his best cyclo-cross seasons ever, and experiencing racing with such a robust and friendly women’s field in the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series. But along the way, I still have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth – really I’m still angry with my body and this darn disease. It is hard not to think of all the things I missed out on this past year. But there is not time to feel sorry for myself – all I can do is make sure I squeeze the most out of every healthy day I have. This means that in 2013 I might seem unfocused or not “serious” but this is not the case – rather I want to do it all – trail running, mountain biking (can’t wait to get out on my new 29er), road racing (just a little bit), and cyclocross racing. I will be staring with a coach in 2013 and I’m excited to get my fitness back and to build some newfound fitness.

Thanks for hanging out with me this past year – it has been a tough one but I’m confident that 2013 will be a good one.

I kind of thought my racing days were over… but it turns out they aren’t…

These last few weeks I’ve been spending time riding the trainer and watching many programs on Netflix – and this has resulted in lots of time to think. All of this riding in place has made me realize how much I miss structured training, setting goals, and challenging myself.

I’ve decided that I’m not ready to stop racing. I had so much fun racing in the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series this year and I want to experience these sensations again next year. The difference being I want to be racing with fitness and strength.

It has been a long time since I’ve “trained”. Since April all I’ve been doing is riding my bike to and from work and then racing cyclocross on Sundays. I know from these last few weeks of trainer time that I have a lot of work to do.

But this is okay. I’m mentally and physically ready for this. I want to race again so I’m willing to do the work to get me ready for it.

My racing plans are pretty simple for the upcoming season: race the occasional road race, race the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series, and do some cyclocross races in New England. Amongst this I plan to spend lots of time on my new mountain bike (maybe do some four or six hour mountain bike races), participate in Rideau Lakes and do the Tuesday night trail runs in the Gatineau Park.

I thought I was done with racing but I’ve realized that I need to finish racing on my terms – not because I’m sick or injured.

(Now I’d like some real snow to fall so I can get out and ski and make use of my brand new snowshoes.)

I’ll admit it – I miss racing my cyclocross bike. I guess I looked forward to the Sunday morning races more than I realized. Now instead of thinking about the upcoming race, I find myself thinking about the past races (what went well and where I could have improved). Yes, it turns out, I’ve still got that competitive spirit inside of me. (Phew!)

This time of the year is a trick time. It is too cold to ride outside comfortably – not to mention the ice and ridiculous winds. There is currently no snow so skiing and snowshoeing are on hold. So what to do? Well for me this has allowed me to get back to one of my favourite activities – running.

I know many of you cyclists are shaking your heads and thinking “Running? Yuck – I hate running”. I admit that running is not for everyone. But I do enjoy it. I’m not a fast runner. Nor am I graceful. But I thoroughly enjoy it. There is something about the freedom that running affords. Pull on some tights, a base layer, tie up the shoes and you’re out the door. In 30 minutes a good hard work-out can be had – anywhere.

Of course this recent excursion into running hasn’t been without its problems. First very weak calf muscles resulted in some severe hobbling around. Then I made the silly decision of changing my running gait from a forefoot strike to a heel strike – this resulted in some injuries. And now that I’m back-on-track and following the advice of a top-notch physiotherapist, I’ve got a new problem – one that even surprised my physiotherapist… My right heel is locked. Apparently our heels are supposed to move around – allowing us to pronate and supinate. Well my right heel is locked, causing some serious pain. No idea how this happened. I’m guessing it is because I “run like an elephant” (my words). Anyway, I’m now able to start running again…

This running is not the same as cyclocross racing or a long road rid in the summer – but it is still pretty darn good. My mind is free to wander and roam – to dream up new challenges while my legs are burning and my breathe is coming sharp and loudly. Soon enough I’ll be juggling running on the bicycle paths with skate skiing and snowshoe running.

Meanwhile through all of this I’m thinking of that moment in Perth when I dropped my chain and how in Almonte I had too much pressure in my tires and in Morrisburg when young Lois dropped me on the run-ups and in Logosland when I found my groove on the long false flats and how my barrier technique finally came together by the end of the season.

(To help keep the cyclocross vibes running through you, check out these awesome videos of women racing in Europe: Petitesreine’s Videos. If you watch the videos from 2011 you might even catch a glimpse of someone racing around in an Ottawa CX skin suit…)

Today Marc hops on a jet plane destination Belgium. I’m going to miss him. I can’t wait to hear about his races. I’m super happy that he has this opportunity.

Pedal hard Marc!

Keep smiling!

Dig deep!

Have fun!

We’ll miss you!

The biking season is over in these parts. After a fun day on the cyclo-cross bikes in Almonte, racing in the last race of the Eastern Ontario Cyclo-Cross Series – the snow arrived on Monday morning. I would like to thank Mother Nature for her impeccable timing – I for one was not enthusiastic about racing in the snow…

The last day of racing in this outstanding series was another in a series of most excellent Sundays. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I had so much fun on my cyclo-cross bike this year. I had some decent rides. I had some not-so-decent rides. But through them all, I was smiling and enjoying myself. Each race really was an experiment – how would my body respond to the race intensity, would my technical skills show up and help me out, and what could I learn from each race. I think one of the best aspects to this race season were my fellow competitors – I got to know some women who I wouldn’t have otherwise had a chance to get to know and I got to see some outstanding young teenagers out racing their bikes. As an extra bonus I got to hang out with lots of great people during Marc’s race – chatting and cheering away. Really, some very good Sundays were had (and I’m looking forward to doing it all again next season). A very good sign is when the season ends and you’re already looking forward to the next one.

The snow on Monday also signalled the end of bicycle commuting days. I know there are many hardy folks in Ottawa who cycle year round – I am not one of them. My route takes me on a range of bicycle paths and busy roads and I find that the ice build-up, snow, dark mornings and evenings combined with some rotten windchill doesn’t make cycling that enjoyable.

So what to do to get fit, blow off stress, and enjoy being outdoors? Well this winter is all about embracing snow. I used to be a rather keen skate skier so I’ve dusted off my skate skis and thanks to Graham at The Cyclery, my skis are ready to go. I’ve also acquired a pair of Atlas Run snowshoes – this winter I’ll participate in the Atlas Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series. I had a pair of running snowshoes when they first came out but once I started going to Belgium for the cyclo-cross season, I gave them to my mom. I’ve never snowshoe raced but I hear it is a lot of fun – so why not? Along with this huffing and puffing up hills on skis and snowshoes, I’ll also be out running around in running shoes. I’ve always had a “thing” for running and I’m excited to get back into it again. I don’t plan on breaking any records, rather just getting out for some lunchtime and evening runs during the week. (Of course Dawn did plant a seed that is growing rather fervently – The Ultimate XC 23 km trail run…

So in other words, the winter looks like it will be very good. I’m looking forward to the skiing, the snowshoeing and the running. But even more so, I’m simply looking forward to being active and slowly rebuilding some fitness and overall body strength. In between all this outdoor activity, I’ll be doing lots of yoga and spending a couple hours on the Computrainer.

Yes, this all sounds like a lot but I assure you that it only appears this way on your computer monitor. In reality I’ve figured out how to squeeze an extra four hours of daylight into each day so I’ve got plenty of time to do all this activity along with working and general house stuff. (Yes, I could be high on endorphins right now…)