Aug 22, 2015 at 02:17 PM
Can try the Osmo preload drink regimen?
Kissena Women's Team
Aug 22, 2015 at 08:48 PM
Nice job. And the 3 legged dog was a reality but also a great metaphor for every odd thing that's happened in a race, like that time someone's helmet went rolling across the road. What the hell was that, I asked. Well, that was a 3 legged dog.
The solution for cramps is the solution for a lot of things on the bike, including getting faster:
Stretch
Hydrate
Train at high intensities
I still cramp on hot days, and push through them, but it's pretty awful. Stretching regularly is important, not just the day before a race but during the week, especially making that part of what one does on a recovery day, and I'd recommend not stretching just before a race. Also, rolling the legs out after a ride or race, for me, speeds recovery.
Hydrating the day before, especially before a humid race, is important. I mix water with Hammer fiz tabs and sip on that in the office all day Friday. And drink during the race, a solid sports drink like Osmo or something of your choice that works for you.
Intervals. Yep, lots of intervals. And speedwork. Make those muscles know what you expect of them.
If you do all that, you may still cramp, but it will take a lot longer to get there, and hopefully your race is done by then.
Aug 23, 2015 at 04:16 AM
Fantastic result Jill. No advice on the cramps. They're murder.
Aug 24, 2015 at 02:06 AM
Great job Jill! I enjoyed reading that! I especially liked the part about the three-legged dog, I'm sitting here saying out loud to myself "NOOOO" hahaha.
Seriously it just keeps getting better. You are going to be dangerous next year...cant wait to kick some major butt with you in 2016....HOLLER!
Seriously it just keeps getting better. You are going to be dangerous next year...cant wait to kick some major butt with you in 2016....HOLLER!
Aug 24, 2015 at 01:42 PM
Huge favor to ask: Does anyone have a Garmin Edge that I could use for GMSR over labor day?
Aug 24, 2015 at 03:49 PM
Edge 500 work?
Aug 24, 2015 at 04:23 PM
Yes, that would be great! I just want to know what mile I'm on so that I know how much longer the suffering will last 
Aug 24, 2015 at 05:39 PM
Borrow away, email me so we can coordinate.
Aug 30, 2015 at 09:20 PM
Jill, how was your race?
Aug 30, 2015 at 10:44 PM
CRCA W3/4 final race of the season:
Today's race was a 4.1 lap with the finish at Engineer's gate. It was much more steady than the previous 2 weeks, not many attacks. I stayed with the pack throughout, got to the front on all of the uphills, and led the way up 3 of the 4 hills. They didn't let me get the break up the hill as they did last week, but once I got to the top of the last hill I thought that I was alone, so I went into TT mode only to find out that the pack was with me and then we were neutralized.
There was one break that I chased along with 4 other ladies that I thought might stick on about lap 3 through HS alley, but it didn't stick. I spent a lot of time at the front in general, maybe too much, but the pace was so slow that I felt that I was resting.
Going into the finish the Dave Jordan ladies had a lead out and I was sharing that wheel and in the top three at the straightaway leading to Engineer's gate. The leadout went left, her teammate went right, and I ended up getting boxed in. I didn't get much of a sprint going in the end and had a pack finish. I finally saw the finish line at a CRCA race, so I was and am happy!
Next stop, GMSR
Today's race was a 4.1 lap with the finish at Engineer's gate. It was much more steady than the previous 2 weeks, not many attacks. I stayed with the pack throughout, got to the front on all of the uphills, and led the way up 3 of the 4 hills. They didn't let me get the break up the hill as they did last week, but once I got to the top of the last hill I thought that I was alone, so I went into TT mode only to find out that the pack was with me and then we were neutralized.
There was one break that I chased along with 4 other ladies that I thought might stick on about lap 3 through HS alley, but it didn't stick. I spent a lot of time at the front in general, maybe too much, but the pace was so slow that I felt that I was resting.
Going into the finish the Dave Jordan ladies had a lead out and I was sharing that wheel and in the top three at the straightaway leading to Engineer's gate. The leadout went left, her teammate went right, and I ended up getting boxed in. I didn't get much of a sprint going in the end and had a pack finish. I finally saw the finish line at a CRCA race, so I was and am happy!
Next stop, GMSR
Aug 31, 2015 at 01:35 AM
Great job Jill! The only sprint I did today was to the refrigerator to get ketchup for my cheeseburger. Looking forward to a seriously awesome 2016 with you! Let us know how GMSR goes...
Aug 31, 2015 at 01:07 PM
Sep 08, 2015 at 02:33 PM
Stage 1: TT
It was my first TT and I didn't really know what to expect. I knew that the first climb was going to last for a steady 2.5 miles of the race. I started in the big ring, immediately switched to the small when I glanced up at that hill in front of me. It felt like only a minute or so in and I was passed by this crazy fast girl that I had just seen during warmup climbing up a mountain because she forgot something up at the registration area. I see her pass the girl in front of me and then she's gone. I then focus on getting to the girl ahead of me and I get her on the rollers. There is a huge downhill, a dip, and then a wall climb right before the finish. As I am going about as fast as I would for the day, the girl that I just passed is suddenly trying to pass me in the 6 inches between me and shoulder on my right. She almost crashes us and I'm super pissed off at her. So, i kick it up a notch, beat her and pass the girl in front of her. Lost a few valuable seconds because of that lady and because of starting in the big ring, but I was happy to finish with an 11/24.
OH! And I rode back with the girl who passed me up the hill. She said she passed about 6 people and I later learned that she is a professional triathlete and she recently won the Lake Placid Iron Man! No big deal. They wouldn't let her automatically upgrade into the Pro 1/2/3 field for the race. Obviously she wins this entire thing.
Stage 2: Circuit Race
Our circuit race was pretty short, only a lap and 3/4, 34 miles. We were neutral up the first hill. I stayed at the front for the race until our field completely came apart at the QOM, let by Miss Professional Traiathlete, who stayed at the front and kept the pace blistering throughout the entire race. I chased with 3 other ladies for a bit until my back felt like it was burning and it was not possible for me to hang with them any longer. I went into TT mode for the last 4 miles thinking about how I was going to get up Middlebury and App Gap with significant back pain. I finished 16/24.
Stage 3: The big one!
I spent the whole day and night after the circuit race pretty uncertain of whether I would be able to race day 3 because of the back pain. With lots of advil in my system the next morning, I hobbled up the hill to sign in for the day. I was in pain just walking up the hill, but for some reason it didn't hurt as much on the bike. I think all of the ladies were terrified from the brutal race the day before because everyone stayed together and we had a very nice steady ride up to Middlebury gap. Middlebury gap was so painful...the hardest thing I felt that I had ever done in my life up to that point! The field was split at that point. I chased with 4 other ladies at a grueling pace. We picked up one girl who chased back to us after going over a guardrail on the downhill. This girl was so badass, the guardrail stopped her bike and she went flying over and barely sustained a scratch. And when she joined us, she gave me an extra waterbottle since I was out of water after losing my second bottle on a bump 15 miles in. So awesome! Our chase group was together until baby gap. App Gap was ridiculous! I was barely moving my pedals forward in the granny gear, and that last 500 m! I thought, YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, I CANNOT GET MY BIKE UP THAT! I did a little zig zagging and made it! First Kissena to the top (which was good since everyone started an hour or more after me)! I came in 13th with a time of 3:50, under my goal of 4 hours! It felt like a huge accomplishment and it was so much fun sharing it with my new friends that I had made on the ride and my teammates who came up the hill shortly after.
Stage 4: Crit
Who said the first half lap was neutral?! Because it wasn't! It was a sprint from the start. I've never done much cornering, got popped at the start, chased for a few laps and was released early to my relief. I was NOT ready for that. Yikes!
General Classification:
I came in 14th/24! No major mishaps and I made it up App Gap. I would definitely do this again.
@David Yang Thanks so much for your Garmin! I stared at that thing the whole way up App Gap, marking off tenths of a mile as they passed.
And also thanks for the support and mentoring from my fellow Kissenas! It was a great weekend out there with you.
It was my first TT and I didn't really know what to expect. I knew that the first climb was going to last for a steady 2.5 miles of the race. I started in the big ring, immediately switched to the small when I glanced up at that hill in front of me. It felt like only a minute or so in and I was passed by this crazy fast girl that I had just seen during warmup climbing up a mountain because she forgot something up at the registration area. I see her pass the girl in front of me and then she's gone. I then focus on getting to the girl ahead of me and I get her on the rollers. There is a huge downhill, a dip, and then a wall climb right before the finish. As I am going about as fast as I would for the day, the girl that I just passed is suddenly trying to pass me in the 6 inches between me and shoulder on my right. She almost crashes us and I'm super pissed off at her. So, i kick it up a notch, beat her and pass the girl in front of her. Lost a few valuable seconds because of that lady and because of starting in the big ring, but I was happy to finish with an 11/24.
OH! And I rode back with the girl who passed me up the hill. She said she passed about 6 people and I later learned that she is a professional triathlete and she recently won the Lake Placid Iron Man! No big deal. They wouldn't let her automatically upgrade into the Pro 1/2/3 field for the race. Obviously she wins this entire thing.
Stage 2: Circuit Race
Our circuit race was pretty short, only a lap and 3/4, 34 miles. We were neutral up the first hill. I stayed at the front for the race until our field completely came apart at the QOM, let by Miss Professional Traiathlete, who stayed at the front and kept the pace blistering throughout the entire race. I chased with 3 other ladies for a bit until my back felt like it was burning and it was not possible for me to hang with them any longer. I went into TT mode for the last 4 miles thinking about how I was going to get up Middlebury and App Gap with significant back pain. I finished 16/24.
Stage 3: The big one!
I spent the whole day and night after the circuit race pretty uncertain of whether I would be able to race day 3 because of the back pain. With lots of advil in my system the next morning, I hobbled up the hill to sign in for the day. I was in pain just walking up the hill, but for some reason it didn't hurt as much on the bike. I think all of the ladies were terrified from the brutal race the day before because everyone stayed together and we had a very nice steady ride up to Middlebury gap. Middlebury gap was so painful...the hardest thing I felt that I had ever done in my life up to that point! The field was split at that point. I chased with 4 other ladies at a grueling pace. We picked up one girl who chased back to us after going over a guardrail on the downhill. This girl was so badass, the guardrail stopped her bike and she went flying over and barely sustained a scratch. And when she joined us, she gave me an extra waterbottle since I was out of water after losing my second bottle on a bump 15 miles in. So awesome! Our chase group was together until baby gap. App Gap was ridiculous! I was barely moving my pedals forward in the granny gear, and that last 500 m! I thought, YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, I CANNOT GET MY BIKE UP THAT! I did a little zig zagging and made it! First Kissena to the top (which was good since everyone started an hour or more after me)! I came in 13th with a time of 3:50, under my goal of 4 hours! It felt like a huge accomplishment and it was so much fun sharing it with my new friends that I had made on the ride and my teammates who came up the hill shortly after.
Stage 4: Crit
Who said the first half lap was neutral?! Because it wasn't! It was a sprint from the start. I've never done much cornering, got popped at the start, chased for a few laps and was released early to my relief. I was NOT ready for that. Yikes!
General Classification:
I came in 14th/24! No major mishaps and I made it up App Gap. I would definitely do this again.
@David Yang Thanks so much for your Garmin! I stared at that thing the whole way up App Gap, marking off tenths of a mile as they passed.
And also thanks for the support and mentoring from my fellow Kissenas! It was a great weekend out there with you.
Sep 08, 2015 at 03:34 PM
Are you excited about cross season? Or just curious? Here's an outstanding opportunity:
https://www.bikereg.com/kmc-cyclocross-festival-friday-womens-pre-ride-w-mo-bruno-roy-supporting-the-amy-d-founda
Sep 08, 2015 at 04:43 PM
I would consider this, but I don't think I can take that Friday off to make it by 2:30p. Bummer.
Sep 08, 2015 at 09:15 PM
Congrats Jill! Sounds like an awesome weekend. I hope to join you next year!!! Time for some more park mornings in the meantime 
Sep 09, 2015 at 09:13 PM
Really great job Jill! Sounds like fun...looking forward to racing and training with you...its all about 2016!!
Sep 22, 2015 at 02:39 PM
Just a reminder about the Velocio Trunkshow at Redbeard this Wednesday! She will be bringing both Women's and Men's clothing. Wine and light fare will be served. Tell your friends.
Oct 14, 2015 at 01:54 PM
Any Kissena women interested in a group ride to Piermont this weekend? 8am BB, 9am GWB
Oct 15, 2015 at 02:31 AM
I'll be out of town this weekend….boooo! Sorry I've been MIA, I had surgery on my nose last month so I've been off of the bike a couple weeks. Just started doing some weights/core work yesterday and planning to get back on the bike within the next two weeks. Really really looking forward to it and riding with you guys! I actually have my bike fit scheduled for tomorrow at Redbeard….woohoo! Maybe we can plan a women's ride in the next couple weekends? But I will definitely be out there with you soon enough!
Oct 15, 2015 at 02:56 PM
Ahh out of town also... actually in town for the first time in FOREVER next weekend though. Can we do a ladies ride then??? Booking ahead
Oct 15, 2015 at 03:11 PM
I'll be gone next weekend.
Oct 15, 2015 at 04:27 PM
yup...me too....I have a bachelorette party...anyone around nov 1st day after halloween?
Oct 15, 2015 at 07:32 PM
nope
Oct 15, 2015 at 10:39 PM
maybe we can aim for the weekend after that...
Oct 17, 2015 at 05:17 PM
I am around next weekend Saturday, the first weekend in November, and the weekend after that. If anyone wants to ride, even in the parks, let me know! I need to get back in the swing of things...
Oct 17, 2015 at 05:22 PM
One more thing...I'm trying to get back in the swing of yoga. I usually go to Brooklyn Yoga School on 6th Ave and St Marks in Park Slope. It's donation based but very good. I try to go to the 6pm or 8pm class at least once a week. The day is very flexible. Anyone interested? I have an extra yoga mat...
Oct 18, 2015 at 06:49 PM
Hi girls,
I was chatting with Kasia at Redbeard before my fitting Thursday (which was awesome by the way!!). She had mentioned there were some women interested in Kissena that had been in the shop. Was just wondering if any of you girls had interest in getting a group ride together in the next coming weekends to introduce ourselves to these new prospects. This is in no way taking away from the "Meet Kissena ride" that is typically done every few months. I do not want to step on anyone's toes that is directly involved with membership since they do such a wonderful job. Jill- I know you have been doing a lot of stuff with recruiting, so if you know anyone or have any ideas? Kasia also offered to put it in their newsletter. I also heard that a couple of the women from one of the developmental teams from another club (not saying any names) were actually looking to join a new team. Seems like an ideal time to scoop up some new teammates. Just some thoughts...let me know what you guys think?
Kristin-yoga sounds fun but I live in Manhattan...boooo 
Oct 18, 2015 at 09:44 PM
Yes, I am going to plan a happy hour to recruit women. I'll be letting Kasia know about it and a few fb sites. When would you guys be able to do this? Was thinking of a weds or Thursday night in Brooklyn. It'd be super if you all could make it. Kasia sent me an email if one girl and I invited her to our ride yesterday, but she couldn't come. I'll throw out some dates tomorrow.
Oct 19, 2015 at 12:50 AM
Wednesday nights are generally better for me...Thursdays are tough because I work until 8. But its whatever the group wants as I can scoot over after work so just lmk...