A week in the desert of Anza Borrego, CA

Currently as my fingers type across the keyboard, I’m flying back to Denver, Colorado after a week in Borrego Springs training our new field crew for their promotion. Training did include some classroom time and best of all some 4 wheeling in the desert. This consisted of hills climbs, rock crawling (really cool to see the suspension of the car work and how to engage the suspensions to your favor by “left foot” braking. We also had the crew practice recovery tactics (pulling FJ Cruisers ‘vehicle for promotion’ out of deep sand and even when they are high-centered too, sort if like getting stuck on top of a turtle shell…ha ha).

Overall it was a great week of 4 wheeling and thawing out in the desert sun. However it wasn’t as warm as I wished or expected for southern California standards. Temps ranged in the mid 50’s to low 60’s with only a day or two in the 70’s. We had some rain the first night and a windstorm with blowing sand, very crazy to see first hand. Then to add to it, at 3,500 feet there was snow in the mountain tops, so awaking in the morning for a run, I saw a rainbow and snow atop some of the mountain tops on their west face.

I was able to do a couple runs while out in the desert, but unfortunately not as many as I needed or even the important long run of over a 1:30. Lots of my excuses stem from staying up late (not drinking) but talking shop with co-workers and clients about what we can do to tweak the Trail Team experience and ideas for later dates and even in the following year. The runs that I was able get in were great and peaceful, both at sunrise and sunset. I did notice that my night run was short as I didn’t really want to run into the wild coyotes as there are an abundance walking around and howling. A few snake tracks could be seen too that I didn’t want to meet first hand.

The highlight of the week wasn’t running in the desert but 4 wheeling and getting to see the crews in their element. Doing some of the things with the FJ Cruiser that we did, especially, the FJ I had (was stock, just off the showroom floor, nothing aftermarket or special, like 3 inch lift and fat tires). It was insane to look up at this hill and know my goal was to “fail” the hill climb as it was instructed, so

we drove halfway up and then had to back down in a straight line. Then we hit a few steep down hills in soft dirt and washouts. The rock climbs where the best by far! The high speed flat sections where cool too, with tops speeds of 50mph on 3-4 inch of loose sand underfoot and taking S turns like it was nothing, kicking out the backend of the FJ and letting off the gas so the front tires would bite for better traction. I learned that trick from one of the professional drivers Kevin Hans from NH that was out to help with training.

Well pictures speak a thousand words, so I hope that you enjoy the ones I’ve included and it speaks better then how I’ve tried to describe my last week and first time 4 wheel to you. If you’re interested in the FJ Trail Teams, the promotions I helped launch, check out our their website at www.fjtrailteams.com

warm weather training

This week has been a little uneventful training wise compared to last week with the conversation atop Lookout Mountain with the police officer This week consisted of only a really bad basketball game on Tuesday the 13th (we lost by a ton 30points). We played the best team in the men’s league. We played well for the first 10 minutes keeping it close, that being a ten point deficit. Then all of our shots seemed to be hitting a manhole cover over the rim. While all of their shots just fell through and touched nothing but twine.

The best part of the game was when two tall Jones (tallest player on their team) was on a fast break and I tried to stop him. Standing my ground, and covering the family jewels. I took a charge! It was a little crazy with this guy jumping up. For a moment I thought he was going to jump right over me. I could see part of his leg (knee) up by my chin. It was insane to see him jump that high. Who said white men can’t jump. This guy did, I saw it and felt it first hand.

After that point of the week, nothing much else really happened that was to exciting. Just the normal running and biking and lifting. I however have started to see the chiropractor again to help with all the nuances that come the miles of training. I have felt a big difference in power on the bike and a little less pain on my IT-band while running too.

Yesterday was the final race of the series for Chilly Cheeks Duathlon. What a perfect bluebird day it was (bluebird for those not familiar with the term, equals a blue-sky day, not a cloud in the sky). The temperature was 36 degrees at the start of the race. 18 degrees warmer then the last one on Jan 20th (still waiting the race photos to arrive so I can post them for you). The roads were clear of any snow pack and or ice making the running more enjoyable and the bike that much faster. Due to the clear roads and full ten miles of biking compared to breaking it up 4 and 6, I rode with clipless pedals, helping me to average 19mph on my cycle-cross bike. I think that must have been pretty good for racer number 71 (Sam Wood)who decided to draft off me (non-draft legal race mind you) for about 2 miles and up a slight 400 ft incline. Once we crested the top he passed me and rode off. I did catch him on the run, so it was my payback. The best part of him drafting off me, he had a full tri bike with aero bars and zipp wheels. I guess it goes to show that you can’t really buy speed, all the time! I was pleased with my performance, finishing under an hour at 59:44, twenty minutes faster then the first race. Some of that had to due with the course being cleared, and not having to run through snow up to my knee caps.


Some big news before I depart for another week. On Wednesday I was selected to be a member for Team Polar for the Colorado and Denver Metro Area. After reading about some of my team members via email, I can say that we’re looking to have a great season out here and the training rides / runs for those who live close will help a ton, as many of them are planning on a long course race.

Well I’m off to San Diego for work for a week and some warm weather runs. Have a great week everyone and talk at you later. Hope you enjoy some of the images from this past weeks race.

Spring in Denver!

Today was a day that Denver has known as typical winter. Temps in the high 50’s to low 60’s and snow in the mountains where it belongs for all those skiers.

You can tell that everyone seemed to have cabin fever, just itching to get out and ride their new bikes on a bluebird day. (bluebird being clear sky’s).

As we started out Sunday ride from the parking lot of Starbucks and did the 10 mile warm-up to the base of Lookout Mountain, we came across another Starbucks. Go figure. They really are on every street corner in America. We rolled up on this one Starbucks and there where 25-30 riders hanging out and talking about their planned rides. You just knew it was going to be a busy day full of people who love the outdoors and I’m one of them here in Colorado!

Today we rode up Lookout Mountain again. I did one and half climbs. After the first one, I left the crew as they did a second climb, to go and do a few rollers to work on speed and maintained cadence at an average of 22mph over the rollers.

Funny thing happened as I crested the first hill. I was going downhill at 34mph. 10mph over the speed limit for cars. Out of the corner of my left eye I noticed a police car on a side street. As I passed the street I saw his lights come one and he let the siren go off once as he approached me. He rolled down his window and asked to talk to me on the side of the street….NO JOKE. I was a little taken aback. I thought it was because I had earphones in but it wasn’t that. He didn’t care. He asked me for identification and where I had come from. He explained to me that he was looking for someone that I matched a description of. That being, a man of his mid 20’ to early 30’s on a bike in a blue outfit. I had a blue jacket on. He also mentioned that this guy didn’t seem to be mentally right due to the activities that the community / neighborhood members had called and complained about. I know that I’m not mentally right for wanting to ride on freezing days and for doing an Ironman race itself.

In the end, I was able to continue on my way and the officer asked if I saw someone looking like me or similar that I notify him as he was potentially dangerous. During the rest of the ride, I didn’t seem to come-across anyone of that match. Good thing I guess.

The rest of the day was great. Nice easy ride down Lookout to my car, followed by a easy transition run to stretch the legs and get them used to running right afterwards.

Moving forward this week, basketball on Tuesday again and then the last Chilly Cheeks race on Saturday. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes. I’m still waiting for my photos to post on the blog with you all.

I hope everyone has a great week and keep in touch ya’ll. Jen F. I'm working on photos for you and others...stay tuned.

Super Bowl Sunday....

I know it has been a couple weeks since I last wrote. Sorry for that. I’ve been a little busy here on the work front and training front too. Last weekend I was up in the Colorado Mountain at Solvista filming a few short web-commercials for my client with Warren Miller! That was a great time, seeing how the ins and outs work of making a commercial. It was so cold up there I must tell you. We woke every morning to temps on average of minus 10. That’s right! On day one we reached a high temp of 8 degrees, I’m just happy that it wasn’t windy out. Once our commercials go live on the web, I’ll be sure to include the link for you to all view and check out our handy work.

As training goes. It’s been steady and that is a good thing. I’ve had to re-arrange a few workouts from one day to the next but they have been completed. Lots of running on the treadmill which is starting to get to me. Even thought I have enough music to start a store. I can’t wait for the tons of snow to clear the sidewalks and local parks so I can run outside. The temps will also have to rise too as lately the minus temps are not my friend outdoors. However this past weekend was ideal… Our temps here reached 45 degrees and on Super Bowl Sunday that means it’s a great day for an outdoor bike ride. Especially since my Patriots didn’t play and I had money on the Colts and knew they where going to win! So what does one do? Go on a 39 mile bike ride that will kick anyone’s ass. There where four of us, Cody, Eric, Andy and I. We headed south to Red Rocks; west on Grapevine Mountain (8 mile climb at 9%) then over to the west side of Lookout Mountain with another monster steady climb before we even hit the top. Then, finally down hill on the east side of Lookout into Golden, Colorado and back to the starting point, Starbucks. When it was all said and done, we traveled 39 miles in 3 hours 19 minutes while climbing over 4,000 feet in elevation! That was followed by a short run and a long nap….

I must say that I thought just a ride up Lookout was good enough to be called “epic”. No way. This was more epic then just a ride up Lookout, and it probably felt worse as I’m still out of shape. So as the weather gets warmer and these rides become more consistent they will get a little easier.

Moving forward as soon as I get the photos from the “Chilly Cheeks” race from a couple weeks ago, I’ll be sure to post those for you to look at too. The final “Chilly Cheeks” race of the series will be on Feb 17th. My goal is to do a little better then the last one and just enjoy the different format of riding my cross bike and running in the snow.

Hope you are all well and if you’re in the Midwest…It was only a matter of time until the cold found you. Sorry folks.