Monday, July 6, 2009

G'Day

I have neglected this blog for too long now, so I shall update...

What's new? For me, my first year of full time racing has been pretty bad. A lack of fitness, motivation, & experience is to blame. Being 20 years old and immature doesn't help either. Basically the first part of the year I burned myself out with all the travel to races and athlete days. My fitness was decent at the beginning of the year after Redlands but then quickly went south. The first part of the season has been a bit sloppy & embarrassing, lets hope I can pull it together for the last hoorah of racing.

I've learned a lot from this year so far. Racing on a team and for a teammate is WAY harder than just looking out for yourself. Last year my only job in races was to conserve, follow wheels, conserve some more, then sprint at the end. This year it's been quite different. With the caliber of riders on the team, I've taken a worker roll. It's really an honor to get to ride for the girls on the team, but dang it's hard trying to make the race happen!

When it comes down to it, things could be worse. I just need to do my part in getting it together and being a valuable teammate. I have had 3 weeks at home and was able to rest up a little and then do a small block of training. Lets hope it works out!

New on the diabetes front is that I am back on Apidra in a OmniPod. I forgot how much easier it is with a pump vs. having to carry a syringe and vial around everywhere.

I also got an awesome cat named Nobu. I have never been a cat person until now... Speaking of Nobu I think he's coughing up his first hairball!!! Sickkk!!!!!!!

Later folks

PS- Shouts out to Mon.. she's to blame for this Internet whine sesh on my blogo. Hope you're healing up nicely. (Check out her blog, she wrecked damn hard in Tulsa breaking 3 vertebrate and separating her shoulder!)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Update

Still have diabetes & blog will now be titled Morslow

G'Day, folks!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Diabeetus

So since I have returned from camp I have been without the FreeStyle Navigator. If you are unaware the Navigator is a continuous glucose monitor that lasts for 5 days. It measures your glucose levels constantly and sends the reading to a little monitor that you can easily carry with you on training rides or doing whatever you do. For me, it has been one of the most helpful training tools that we have been allowed to use with being on Team Type 1. But because of technically difficulties with insurance companies I have been left without sensors. Most do not cover such lavish diabetes management tools which is truly stupid in my opinion. In the long run it can help prevent complications!!! So when they are chopping off my foot & paying to get me a really nice seeing eye dog I'm totally pulling the, "I told you so" card! Well honestly, by that time they will probably have dropped me as a customer & then I'll just be without insurance and really bitter...

Any how hopefully Abbott, the makers of the FreeStlye Navigator hook us up soon with sensors. With all the training I have been doing and spending all last night not being able to sleep because I kept having to eat Dex 4 glucose after spending yesterday in the mountains, I realize without it what a great training tool it is on and off the bike!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Training Time!


So just returned from the 2009 Team Type 1 training camp out in Santa Barbara & Buellton, CA area. It was a blast. The first photo is the view from our hotel balcony. We were really spoiled!

Next is a picture by Team Sports photographer Marco Quezada.
The first 3 days of camp were full on with sponsor commitments. We did a whole day of media training followed by a few days of video & photo shoots. It was exhausting! If only shammy time really was training time.. because I would seriously have three 9 hr days in a row! It was a lot of riding back & forth, stop & go. The next photo is a view of the beach where we had our last photo shoot... I love that view.


The next photo is a bit blurry. (I forgot my digital camera and was left with my blackberry to document the trip) It is of the 2009 kit. Personally, I think they make us look like Buzz Lightyear which is pretty rad. To infinity & beyond!
After the first few days of camp that consisted of all the meetings & what not it was actually time to start training. I was absolutely creaking the first few rides with the team. I guess long days of standing around, being not well rested & eating lots of food that tasted good but not good for you was not the best way to prepare. It was so great to meet all the girls finally & get to see everyone in action. It was pretty impressive to see how strong everyone is. I really think it's going to be a great year of racing. I know that I am going to be learning heaps with all the experience of the girls on the team.

After the 2nd day of training a few of the riders were invited to a school in Solvang, CA to speak to students about the team & what it is like being a bicycle racer. The host cities of the TOC are doing a program where they teach the children in school about bicycle safety and invite some of the teams to come visit. It was really fun. I love hanging around kids. They always say the funniest things & are so creative. After our presentation we signed Amgen Tour of California pamphlets for all the kids. I loved Solvang! You can really tell everyone in the community is very excited about having an event like the tour coming through. A family even invited the womens team to there home one night during camp where we had a traditional danish dinner of ableskivers. They are basically pancake puff balls that tasted like sugary goodness! I know it's hard to spot me because the lack of height difference, but here is a photo...


So after a few hard days of riding we were all lucky enough get massages by our new soigneur Avery May. She is awesome! This winter she went to Thailand & learned Thai massage. It's real crazy.. she uses her feet a lot. At first I was like, "whoa nelly!" but it works really well & felt great.
So I am back in Athens where it's a bit chilly & rainy... tad bit of a change from the beautiful weather in CA.. but I am focused & ready to start buckling down & preparing for the season. It's going to be a long year of learning lots!!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

While I was out on a 2.5hr training ride I realized I am not meant to do certain things in life. Those things include...

- doing training routes/races where the words "hill, mountain, or climb" are used in the description
- eating heaps of cake
- training on days where the high is 30 degrees

Upon my arrival back home, I pealed the layers of lycra off as quickly as possible & jumped into the shower. My ice cold feet started singing in pain as they were doused in hot water.. it was then I realized I need to HTFU.. I used to think I was somewhat tough & good at suffering... Nope. Florida sure did spoil me! Although the weather has taken a turn for the worse the last few days I am truly enjoying Athens. The training is good, the people are nice.

I sure am looking forward to being in Santa Barbara on Thursday though... Pictures from camp to follow :)

Friday, January 2, 2009

Team Type 1 2009

Happy New Year! The TT1 website is currently evolving...

It's a work in progress but checkout a few of the new links on the webpage. Take note of the Triteam, TT2 & the WOMENS PRO TEAM :)

www.teamtype1.org