The training weekend was a huge success and we met our goals of testing out the van sound systems as well as giving our newest members a run down on crewing, direct following, and leap frog support. I think we have a fantastic team and I am very happy with how things went. I hope that those that were able to participate enjoyed the trip and were able to get some sense of what crewing is like (although we were only doing the basics). Lisa put together a great route that was very scenic, hilly (we even had a simulation of the flagstaff climb and the Gerome decent), and an all around great place to ride - I am a little jealous that she has such beautiful training grounds - although a bit windy. She, her husband, and her dog Sprocket were fantastic hosts and we really appreciated them sharing their beautiful home with us!
The van audio and rear light setup worked very well and Janet really liked the sound levels (as all of us who were able to ride did). I went with a bumper mounted design in an attempt to get the sound source as close to the rider as possible. This worked great with only one minor drawback, if you are in the van with the windows up it can be difficult to tell how well the sound is projecting. So we will have to pay attention to ensure that (a) music is playing and (b) we don't let it repeat too many times.
On the way home I proposed the following shift organization and Janet likes the groupings, so the crews will be (subject to change):
A-Shift:
Bill - Crew Chief and EMT
Kathryn - Logistics
B-Shift:
Tom - Mechanic
Lisa - Navigation Specialist / Mechanic
C-Shift:
Chris - Mechanic
Patty-Jo - Crewing and RAAM knowledge base (whose mind I will surely be picking at the end of each day during RAAM)
Kat - (Massage) Arrives part way into the race and will probably relieve someone on of C-Shift first. This will give her the opportunity to work on Janet before she goes down for sleep our longest period of time that we are not moving.
Also on the way home, I discussed with Kathryn and Janet the possibility that B and C crews rotate through the primary follow van within the first six or so hours of the race with me there to help or answer any questions about the van etc.. The first section where we are allowed to direct follow is Christmas Circle in Anza Borrego, so we may start that around there or where the follow vehicle picks up Janet after the self support area (leaf frog support until Christmas Circle). I know from experience that the first day is a very exciting time and I think it will be nice to get you all involved in that first part. It is also a very important area to do everything right (NOTE: It is always important to do everything right) because there will be many RAAM officials and the racers are much closer together for the first day.
I hope to add some photo's from our weekend as I get them from the crew...stay tuned!
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Planning Update
This past week has been a fairly eventful one. The most notable event was receiving sponsorship from Hammer Nutrition. They will be providing Janet with a variety of nutritional fuels and supplements to help with her training and RAAM race. Additionally, Hammer will be providing Janet with items such as shorts, jerseys, socks, gloves, and a jacket. We cannot thank Hammer Nutrition enough for their generosity and encourage you to take a look at their products: www.hammernutrition.com.
We have also received word that Action Wipes will also be sponsoring us this year. Action Wipes are like baby wipes but better, they are bigger, thicker wipes designed for active adults. I have to say that it is amazing how dirty you get after a long distance ride and I for one will cary these on my next double century ride. Action Wipes will be keeping Janet and the crew clean and refreshed through the day and night. You can learn more about Action Wipes by going to: www.actionwipes.com.
Catching up on past a past item, Janet's employer Express Logic (ThreadX) has also sponsored her for RAAM. Express Logic provides software for embedded applications. We are so grateful for their generous sponsorship and understanding as Janet trains and prepares for RAAM. To learm more about Express Logic go to: www.expresslogic.com.
If you are interested in sponsoring Janet or know of someone or comapany that would be, we would greatly appreciate your help. Take a moment and read through our sponsorship information: Sponsorship Details.
Another item off our checklist is the rental of our primary follow vehicle. I found a great company that provides 15 passenger vans full of features such as game system, DVD player, IPOD compatible stereo, power everything, and built in inverters so we can plug our laptops and battery rechargers right in. An additional benefit is that the company is 100% carbon neutral (gotta love a green company). We will be using the same van for our crew training trip that will be happening at the end of April. So we will get a test run with it before the start of RAAM.
On the training front, Janet has been adding up the miles with a number of long weekend rides covering 450+ miles in a weekend. The weather here has been great, but it is beginning to heat up a bit so she will get some heat training in this weekend.
Last but certainly not least, we are still looking for one additional crew member. It would be wonderful to find someone with mechanical or medical training, but neigther is required. Our crew is a group of fun loving people who are dedicated to getting Janet across America quickly and safely.
Well that's all for now...
Bill
We have also received word that Action Wipes will also be sponsoring us this year. Action Wipes are like baby wipes but better, they are bigger, thicker wipes designed for active adults. I have to say that it is amazing how dirty you get after a long distance ride and I for one will cary these on my next double century ride. Action Wipes will be keeping Janet and the crew clean and refreshed through the day and night. You can learn more about Action Wipes by going to: www.actionwipes.com.
Catching up on past a past item, Janet's employer Express Logic (ThreadX) has also sponsored her for RAAM. Express Logic provides software for embedded applications. We are so grateful for their generous sponsorship and understanding as Janet trains and prepares for RAAM. To learm more about Express Logic go to: www.expresslogic.com.
If you are interested in sponsoring Janet or know of someone or comapany that would be, we would greatly appreciate your help. Take a moment and read through our sponsorship information: Sponsorship Details.
Another item off our checklist is the rental of our primary follow vehicle. I found a great company that provides 15 passenger vans full of features such as game system, DVD player, IPOD compatible stereo, power everything, and built in inverters so we can plug our laptops and battery rechargers right in. An additional benefit is that the company is 100% carbon neutral (gotta love a green company). We will be using the same van for our crew training trip that will be happening at the end of April. So we will get a test run with it before the start of RAAM.
On the training front, Janet has been adding up the miles with a number of long weekend rides covering 450+ miles in a weekend. The weather here has been great, but it is beginning to heat up a bit so she will get some heat training in this weekend.
Last but certainly not least, we are still looking for one additional crew member. It would be wonderful to find someone with mechanical or medical training, but neigther is required. Our crew is a group of fun loving people who are dedicated to getting Janet across America quickly and safely.
Well that's all for now...
Bill
Saturday, February 7, 2009
My (soggy) ride report
Managed to last a whole hour out there today. I got lured out by a late afternoon appearance of sun and a spectacular double rainbow. But after only a few miles I managed to find the same cloud I got stuck under a few weeks ago, and soon it was pouring rain and I was kinda soaked. Not actually hypothermic though. And it was useful for checking out which gloves/jacket/tights work best under those conditions. Good thing I chickened out on the 300k ride up north, because the choice of clothes I had packed, including two left gloves (duh) never would have worked.
Lots of that sandy (mud) stuff on the roads too bwaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Well, maybe we can all get in a little more outdoor riding time tomorrow.
-Janet
Lots of that sandy (mud) stuff on the roads too bwaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Well, maybe we can all get in a little more outdoor riding time tomorrow.
-Janet
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Houston we have a problem...
Houston we have a problem... Jan 14
Janet gave us all a good scare when she sent the below email out. The title alone was enough to get my heart racing as to what could have happened.
From Janet:
____________________________________
...I just took a spill on my bike (wiped out on some loose sand) and probably cracked a rib or two. My ample experience in this area tells me it will be about a week before I can do much of any kind of working out on a (stationary) bike, and another week after that before I get back on my actual road bike. Meantime ice, Allieve, and Gino. Gino is my personal medicine man/holy man who got me well in time for RAAM 2007 when I did the exact same thing.
____________________________________
The reason she says she has ample experience with cracked ribs is that she had a similar accident two years ago- about a month before the start of her first RAAM attempt as a two woman team. Amazingly she was able to recover and they had a fantastic RAAM.
Although it does appear that Janet did in fact crack a few ribs in the crash and possibly suffered from some pulled intercostal muscles, she was able to quickly return to her bike and do some easy rides, albeit with some shallow breathing. All of us who know her, know that she is a fighter and will not let a few cracked ribs slow her down. We just keep reminding her that the wheels of the bike belong under her and not over her head.
It just goes to show that anything can happen during the run up to the starting line. Hopefully this is the last of Mr. Murphy's (you know- the guy that came up with some crazy rule) musings with the Osprey.
Janet gave us all a good scare when she sent the below email out. The title alone was enough to get my heart racing as to what could have happened.
From Janet:
____________________________________
...I just took a spill on my bike (wiped out on some loose sand) and probably cracked a rib or two. My ample experience in this area tells me it will be about a week before I can do much of any kind of working out on a (stationary) bike, and another week after that before I get back on my actual road bike. Meantime ice, Allieve, and Gino. Gino is my personal medicine man/holy man who got me well in time for RAAM 2007 when I did the exact same thing.
____________________________________
The reason she says she has ample experience with cracked ribs is that she had a similar accident two years ago- about a month before the start of her first RAAM attempt as a two woman team. Amazingly she was able to recover and they had a fantastic RAAM.
Although it does appear that Janet did in fact crack a few ribs in the crash and possibly suffered from some pulled intercostal muscles, she was able to quickly return to her bike and do some easy rides, albeit with some shallow breathing. All of us who know her, know that she is a fighter and will not let a few cracked ribs slow her down. We just keep reminding her that the wheels of the bike belong under her and not over her head.
It just goes to show that anything can happen during the run up to the starting line. Hopefully this is the last of Mr. Murphy's (you know- the guy that came up with some crazy rule) musings with the Osprey.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Training Starts
Janet has started her training in earnest, but the weather seems to not be cooperating...the joys of an ultra-cyclist.
On Jan 4 Janet decided to brave the ride to Julian from Rancho Bernardo... she wrote:
"About halfway between Santa Ysabel and Julian it turned overcast and I started getting pretty chilly. It was frustrating to see the rest of SD County bathed in sunshine. I managed to made it to Julian and survived the descent back down alternating which bare hand to stick under my jersey and thaw out. In Santa Ysabel, I could start to move and feel my fingers again but was still in overcast surrounded by sunshine seemingly everywhere else. Then it started raining on me! I decided to give myself the Indian name “Stuck Under the Same Go$$amn Cloud”
It was warm and sunny enough in Ramona at last to shed a couple layers. I carry a little backpack for stowing wind jacket, head band, tights etc.
In one of the side pockets I pulled out a nice pair of mittens I had gotten for Christmas…"
The rigors of training for the "Worlds Toughest Race" have begun.
On Jan 4 Janet decided to brave the ride to Julian from Rancho Bernardo... she wrote:
"About halfway between Santa Ysabel and Julian it turned overcast and I started getting pretty chilly. It was frustrating to see the rest of SD County bathed in sunshine. I managed to made it to Julian and survived the descent back down alternating which bare hand to stick under my jersey and thaw out. In Santa Ysabel, I could start to move and feel my fingers again but was still in overcast surrounded by sunshine seemingly everywhere else. Then it started raining on me! I decided to give myself the Indian name “Stuck Under the Same Go$$amn Cloud”
It was warm and sunny enough in Ramona at last to shed a couple layers. I carry a little backpack for stowing wind jacket, head band, tights etc.
In one of the side pockets I pulled out a nice pair of mittens I had gotten for Christmas…"
The rigors of training for the "Worlds Toughest Race" have begun.
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