Thru Endurance We Conquer!

It is very common to see amateur athletes of all kinds with more logos on their kits then a NASCAR driver. Everyone is looking for the deals and the ability to say they are a sponsored athlete. Companies see the influx of people willing to hashtag their lives away just for a few pennies off something and take advantage of that for some free marketing. There are entire websites dedicated to helping athletes find sponsorships of some kind. But there really isn't a relationship between athlete and company that works for the benefit of both. The discounts offered aren't usually worth the effort and it's difficult to really promote a product that the athlete doesn't believe in. It's even harder to believe the quality of the product when you see athletes jumping from company to company and each one is the "best they've ever used." Or when you are told that such and such is actually better, but I'll use this because I get a discount. No brand loyalty at a...

Back in 2009, I was sponsored by Chistopher Bean Coffee based out of Florida. It was some of the best coffee I'd had - consistently roasted with smooth flavor. When in I'm a huge proponent of buy local and there are plenty of local roasters in Colorado Springs. I think I tried almost every one - with some very good results. But always mixed. One day I'd get a bag and it would be perfectly roasted (for me) and the next week it would be bitter to my tastes. So frustrating when all I want to do is enjoy a morning cup of coffee with my book or when preparing to race. I love the taste of coffee, but not when it's a heavy, dark roast and that seems to be the style around here. So late last year, when the team manager for the newly revamped Christopher Bean Coffee Team approached me about renewing sponsorship, I jumped at the chance. And when I got my first order of coffee, I knew it was the right decision (even though it's not local.) The mellowness of the lighter roast...

2013 is looking like a fun year already. New races, new goals and a new look. We've got some fun adventures planned in addition to our classic events. I'm really looking forward to the different races and rides this year. It's going to be great fun seeking out new and awesome single track with my husband. I also have some big goals for the coming year. Its gonna be a lot of hard work, but I'm ready. And I have a great support crew to help me achieve those goals. But the biggest news is the new look for the coming year. After the end of last season, Nick was thinking of some ways to make a little extra money after a very slow summer. He decided that working at a bike shop as a mechanic might be the best idea. Something different and a way into the bike industry. Well, the week after he talked to Brian at ProCycling, he landed a good, long term contract. So much for changing careers! But we were still talking about racing for a new team after leaving Ascent (They di...

After two years sporting the red and white of Ascent Cycling, Nick and I have decided it's time for a change. We parted ways with Ascent in early October. It's been a good two years, but it was time to move on. I'm happy we had the opportunity to meet and race with the Ascent gang. It's a good group of guys and gals who like to ride their bikes almost as much as they like talking about riding. I'm also happy we parted ways on such good terms and with the high of our second place at the 24 Hour Mountain Bike National Championships in our back yard. Obviously, a change like this required a lot of thought. Nick and I spent many hours discussing our options and where we wanted to go - both team wise and for our riding and racing. In the end, there were a number of things that factored into our decision to leave Ascent, including the possibility of Nick working for another shop in town. I don't feel it is needed to go into details, but we happy with our choice and ...

After getting back from 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest and using the Exposure Lights to illuminate the forest, Nick and I were really excited to get a new toy for the lights. A remote switch that controls on-off and beam power. While the on/off switch on the Maxx-D and Toro lights is already easy to use, the remote switch is awesome. It's like having a hydraulic lockout for the fork instead of reaching down every time. It is as convenient as using your thumb to switch to a higher gear. Comes with a little Velcro loop and the aluminum housing is rubber backed to keep it form slipping around (you need to get the Velcro tight). This is going to be very nice come the next 24 hour race and or night ride. The remote switch Mounted on the handle bar Perfect placement for on the fly added lumens - don't have take hands off bars or look at the light

Because 24 hour racing is greatly dependent on knowing how equipment performs, Nick ran a test of our new lights. He wanted to see exactly how long each of the Exposure Lights we have would last, so we could plan our laps at the upcoming 24 hour races. Please take a look at the chart he wrote up. There's some really good data, and some really impressive numbers. Click on the link below for the full PDF. Exposure Lights Bench Test Exposure Lights Bench Test 

Nick and I are pleased to announce an official light sponsor for the 2012 24 Hour season - Exposure Lights USA. We will be using the Exposure Lights for all our 24 hour races and night rides from here on out. This is an exciting partnership that will literally light up our nights! Why Exposure Lights? Well, it's a clean system with a no fuss on/off and setting toggle switch that easy to use, even with heavy gloves. (Nick loves that, especially in the winter.) The helmet mount for the Diablo light is robust and features a simple ball joint system that makes it easy to adjust on the fly. It's also withstood a few of Nick's high speed wipeouts. The bar mounting clamp is equally durable and easy to use - and very light. The aluminum housing for the light system is both functional and elegant. There are several models of lights, from the tiny 325 lumen Joystick to the burly 1925 lumen Six Pack that will light the trail for yards. All the lights are modeled after the same con...

What is a wonderful opportunity for the owner of MotorTabs and the future growth of the product means that I will be saying goodbye to one of my best sponsors at the end of the month. MotorTabs will be shutting down and ending production of the electrolyte replacement tablets. Upon hearing the news, I stocked up my favorite flavors! Have to make them last now... I will miss the portability of the tablets, the great flavors, the slight effervescence and the balanced blend of electrolytes. MotorTabs made it easy to turn any drink into an electrolyte replacement drink, without tons of calories or artificial sweeteners. Greg, the founder, has accepted a position with CytoSport and will be the new brand manager for CytoMax. The potential for development in the arena of portable, single serving electrolyte replacement tabs is huge with this new position and I wish him the best of luck.

After already suffering from some major scuffs and dings on the my Truvativ Noir cranks, I was happy to accept sponsorship from Crankskins. They make high quality protection for crankarms and chainstays. I also really like the ability to personalize your bike through the different patterns and colors. Haven't gotten mine yet, but will soon. Need to figure out what colors I want! Visit http://www.crankskins.com/ for more information.

This is the hard part about being a professional triathlete. I have to pay for my sport somehow if I'm not working, so I need the sponsors. I also need to find a few strong sponsors that will help with travel and racing expenses, not just the product at a steep discount. Don't get me wrong, I love having the access that I have. But a closet full of coffee will keep me awake while driving to the race, not get me to the race. So I need to learn to sell myself. That's something I'm not very good at. I would prefer to let results, ect speak for me, but that hasn't worked really well this year. So now the hunt begins - not so much for the 2010 season, but for the years after that.

I got my new bottles while I was out in Vegas, so this was the first chance I had to play with them. My first impression was how light they were. I think the 30 oz Eco bottle was lighter then some of the plastic bottles I've been using. The sport top is perfect for using in the car or while on the spin bike. I'm not going outside for a while, thanks to the pneumonia, but looking forward to trying the bottles when I do. I also got the Eco Jr and an Eco Steel bottle. The Eco Jr. is a good size for am orange juice or for using at the computer or at work. Don't need to worry about knocking it over, unlike the taller bottles. The Eco Steel is for my swim bag - I needed a new bottle after my last few plastic ones got deformed in the summer heat. I know the sturdy steel will last being in my car all day and the slate blue is a nice color. Everyone is making metal waterbottles now. Why not try the only ones designed for the active lifestyle we all lead? http://www.ecosportsbottle.c...

I just joined with EcoSportsBottle as a new sponsor. With my focus on Xterra and EcoSportsBottle's commitment to healthy, environmentally friendly water bottles for training and racing, it seems the perfect fit. EcoSportsBottle offers a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bottles for training, racing and daily use. There are no harmful chemicals such as BPA and no risk of leeching into fluids. The bottles wash clean and don't add unwanted flavors to water or other drinks. Make the switch to clean, green bottles - make the switch to EcoSportsBottle! http://www.ecosportsbottle.com/

After my sucessful, but lacklust season, I decided that I needed some help with training, planning workouts, ect. I felt like I was kind of floundering with trying to manage swimming, biking and running, and figuring out what I needed to do to improve in all three areas. After doing some research, I decided that the best fit was with CTS here in Colorado Springs. I know other athletes who have had huge successes working with CTS. I'm really looking forward to this partnership - I can now put my energy into training and recovering and let my coach build the training program. It's one more peice to the puzzle and one that will pay dividends later in my career. Visit http://www.trainright.com/ to see how the coaching staff at Carmichael Training Systems can help you reach your goals.

I heard a rumor the other day that Safeway might be pulling Christopher Bean from the stores here in Colorado. I hope it's just a rumor, because Safeway is the most convenient location for me to get my coffee. Christopher Bean is also the most flavorful and smoothest coffee I've tasted. I know that I can get it on-line, but what about people who don't know about Christopher Bean? Maybe if Safeway didn't hide the coffee on the bottom of the shelf, more people would realize how wonderful CB is. Consider sending a product request to Safeway - Save our Coffee!! http://www.safeway.com/ifl/grocery/Product-Suggestions#iframetop

I picked up a new sponsor this week. Motor Tabs, a sports drink - electrolite replacement drink. It's a low calorie, but high electrolite tab. The really exciting part is that there are no artificial sweetners - unlike some of the other companies. I'm really looking forward to getting the first shipment. There's more varity of flavors with the Motor Tabs as well. www.motortabs.com