Prochiuto, fromage, and pane…repeat.

Go to the Source – choleforsman.missingsaddle.com

I definitely can say that I live my life instead of let it pass me by. I suck everything out of it I can, but that usually involves trying to cram everything in that you want to do.

Right now, I am cramming.

Cramming my belongings into boxes, and those boxes into my car, so I can cram them into my new apartment. Most of those boxes will remain unopened until probably the week of Aug 16.

Cramming my work into small packets called very efficient hours so I have time for everything else.

Cramming for my Anatomy and Physiology exam tomorrow, which I have been attempting to work at all along, but inevitably got behind with traveling to Oregon and choosing to get in a fun training block/vacation. (sorry Dr. P!)

Cramming as many miles in on singletrack with friends as I can without tiring myself out.

Cramming all my stuff into a suitcase and bike box by Sunday for a week and a half to jetset off to Germany for WORLDS (!!!!!!!!) + extra. YESSSSSSSSSSS!

Cramming in as much time with people I care about.

Cramming in sleep, and maybe food in my face

Cramming in blogging……

and now back to cramming for my test. Busy? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

Based on what I’ve heard about the marathon course in St. Wendel, Germany, this will be my wheel set up for the Marathon World Championships. THANK YOU DT Swiss, Continental, Magura, and Stan’s for making this set up possible:

Details:

Wheel itself: Custom built XRC 330 CARBON rim, 190 Ceramic Hubs, DT Aerolite Spokes

Magura rotors: SL Rotor (and brakes)

Continental Tires: Front: X King (tire to be released to the public in 3 months) Rear: Race King Supersonic

Stan’s: latex sealant

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors. Light wheels are good tires are sooo important!

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

I couldn’t put my finger on the right word for this picture. On Saturday, I did a mellow ride on the 2nd loop of the Breck 100 course – a loop I remember well from last year.

I was keeping some of the racers company during the tough sections. Little French is one of the toughest sections of the race, and is also part of the Firecracker 50 course. It’s steep, loose, longer than you want it to be, and a high point. I turned around and I saw this guy.

He had probably been up since 4 AM, signed up for the Breck 100. He had also most likely been riding for about 7 hours at the time I took this picture (the race started at 6 AM)

If you think about it, looking at this picture provokes more than just thinking, “That guy is exhausted, probably a little demoralized, and maybe wondering how he can move forward.” To me, this scene was very poetic because we’ve all been there. Maybe on the bike, and certainly in life. He has a choice. Give up right there. Throw in the towel, say “I can’t do this.” Or option number two. Lift his head high, and take another step forward, and then another.

The definition of persevere: “to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.” This is why I am an endurance racer. Continue steadfastly despite difficulty.

There are so many things in our life that make us want to give up, stop. To maybe even be afraid to move forward. Sometimes perseverance is the only thing that we have. We may be physically exhausted, emotionally exhausted, or feel trapped. Looking at this picture represents a very dramatic, genuine human emotion, and the fact that we do have a choice. The feeling of being down and out, but knowing you can still succeed.

Perseverance is what drives me in life. I will ALWAYS keep moving forward. How about you?

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

Click image

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

What does it look like to stand at 14,433′?

One word. Amazing.

If one picture is worth 1000 words, I’ll keep the words at a minimum and let the pictures do the talking.

When Jeff Kerkove asked me if I wanted to go out on a hike so he could train for the Colorado Trail Race, I put my bike down for the day and laced up my hiking boots.

Believe it or not, I had never stood above 13,000′ so I was excited to finally get waaay up high, especially to stand on top of the tallest peak in Colorado, and the 2nd tallest peak in the lower 48.  Now I want to hike more of them.

And so I walked. 4.5 miles up, 4.5 miles down. That was a pretty beautiful 5 hours, and the lack of oxygen didn’t really bother me at a walking pace.

Salami at the top? Yes.

Signing the logbook.

Feeling on top of the world…in so many ways.

What goes up…must come down.

Today, I am thankful for my health. Healthy in my mind, and thankful for simple things, like being able to walk and see out of two eyes.

Today is a day of rest, and catch up, I’m so behind in everything!  Whoops….!

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

I’m not racing the Breck 100, but I’m up here hanging out for the weekend and riding! I thought I’d feel tired from the CreamPuff, especially because I’m currently sitting 9000′+ from where I was sleeping last week. I took it really easy for 4 days this week and only did 2 easy recovery rides.

I jumped on one of my favorite trails in the area- the Peaks Trail which is about 10 miles one way, rolling, with some fun technical sections. It goes from Breckenridge to Frisco. I had so much fun and was giggling just like I was on the rollercoasters at Elitch’s on Wednesday evening! My legs actually felt strong and it was so hard to hold back, but I did for the most part. I WISH I could race the Breck 100 tomorrow, but I gotta rest up for Worlds so it doesn’t take me 3 hours to warm up!

Mmmm, I can’t wait for tomorrow!  I’m going to RIDE at a mellow pace, the second lap of the Breck 100.  I want to race, waaahhh! 

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

I’m not racing the Breck 100, but I’m up here hanging out for the weekend and riding! I thought I’d feel tired from the CreamPuff, especially because I’m currently sitting 9000′+ from where I was sleeping last week. I took it really easy for 4 days this week and only did 2 easy recovery rides.

I jumped on one of my favorite trails in the area- the Peaks Trail which is about 10 miles one way, rolling, with some fun technical sections. It goes from Breckenridge to Frisco. I had so much fun and was giggling just like I was on the rollercoasters at Elitch’s on Wednesday evening! My legs actually felt strong and it was so hard to hold back, but I did for the most part. I WISH I could race the Breck 100 tomorrow, but I gotta rest up for Worlds so it doesn’t take me 3 hours to warm up!

Mmmm, I can’t wait for tomorrow!  I’m going to RIDE at a mellow pace, the second lap of the Breck 100.  I want to race, waaahhh! 

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

What a surprise! The day after the Cascade CreamPuff (this past Monday), I headed to Bend to finish my shop visits. I was shocked to see that the West side of Oregon is high desert after the jungle trails I was riding on the days before! The town of Bend is pretty cool with a great outdoor vibe.

I needed some recovery riding for my sore legs, so I rode Phil’s and Ben’s Trail, which was flat and twisty.

To top off my day in Bend, I was very lucky to get a VIP tour at Deschutes Brewery – one of my top 5 favorites! It was a nice reward after the CreamPuff.

Dark IPA

Deschutes uses fresh hop flowers.

I got to have a taste of the “special” employee beers. YES

Tuesday I headed back to Portland and got to enjoy some delicious coffee from the this place in the Alberta District called Barista. It was sooo gooooood!

French pastry shop

I had to look in the food co-op b/c I love funky grocery stores.

And flying home…. Mt Hood

I had a great week in Oregon and hope to get back up that way soon!!!

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

Hey girlies!  Do you live in the Front Range?  Come on out to chat with me about bikes on July 21 at Wheatridge Cyclery!  Bring questions of any kind.  I’d love to chat with you and help you any way I can, and share embarrassing stories about myself   See ya next week!

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

First of all, I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and the support!  In case you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, I had the honor of being selected to race Marathon World Championships in 3 weeks!  I can’t wait to sport the USA jersey and proudly represent my country as an endurance racer.

Announcement can be seen here and here.

This will be my first time racing my bike over the big blue ocean.  I never thought I would get the chance the race in Europe, let alone a World Championship!!!!!  It feels amazing to have all my hard work over the past 6.5 racing seasons pay off.

What do you know?  Dreams actually do come true.    I guess I need to start dreaming a little bit bigger now!!!!

Go to the Source – sonyalooney.missingsaddle.com

Go to the Source – troywells.missingsaddle.com