ALLISON MANN

Yeah, life has been a bit of a curve ball the past few weeks. Some thing’s by choice and somewhat planned, and other things not by choice and unexpected.

Since we’ve had so many race reports, what with the hot race 3+ weeks ago at Sea Otter Classic, the long race 2+ weeks ago at Whiskey Off-Road, and then the somewhat local camping race at Idyllwild Spring Challenge 2 weekends ago, I haven’t had much time for much other than: race, try to catch up at home, train, work, and travel/race again.

This is the start of week #3 that Justin and I have been “split up” and by that I mean… he took a new job in San Juan Capistrano, so we are no longer figuratively attached at the hip. It’s a big life change for us going from spending basically 24-7 together, to just a few hours in the evenings, and not training together.

Justin and I did our last training ride the Wednesday before Whiskey Off-Road.

Nice day, but bittersweet

Hold on to your hats… might get a little bumpy

First solo training ride in awhile… it was a recovery week, so didn’t seem too unusual

It hasn’t been all blue skies

Though we have somewhat found a new stride, things are by no means smooth sailing just yet. The first week and a half were pretty tough on both of us, with a completely different life schedule, training stress, travel stress, work stress…

I needed some cheese to go with my whine

Yeah, I did a little bit of sad eating/comfort foods

The sun started to shine a little before Idyllwild

Starting to feel better last week…

Solo ride to stretch the legs

Solo warm down

Since Justin started his new job the Monday right after Whiskey 50 (no rest for the wicked!, straight from Prescott to new job in about 15 hours), we didn’t ride together all that week following, and went right into Idyllwild, where we were racing instead of riding.

SO! This past Saturday was our first ride together in 2.5 weeks! We both had a blast.

Took the scenic route, so we didn’t quite make it to the beach

It had been awhile since I’d done a decent endurance ride like that… 4 hours, solid steady workout, a few stops for bike setup changes, a few refills. 4 hours and it was burrito-time!

Shower beer FTW

We got a ton of rest Saturday night, little bit lazy morning, and then Sunday we drove through the nasty air up to the local mountains for about 22-23 miles of singletrack.

Getting cleaner

Ahhhh

Refreshing

Get some!

Only 3 hours… no burrito! Bummer, too, cause we don’t get out to Mentone for Cuca’s nearly often enough

Some recovery coconut water Sunday evening

So, it has been a stressful and trying few weeks, but time is passing, we are figuring out the new “normal” and making it work, keep on trucking, ticking over the pedals.

Racing again this weekend, and then I’ve got a bit of a big travel race on deck. Looking forward to some good times, and some more changes ahead.

If you’re here in So Cal, you’ve got a few days to register for the Courageous Women of Dirt of day at Irvine Lake this Saturday (5/19).  Check it out!

Meanwhile, it’s back to the grindstone!