froZEN with my friends

To kick off yet another chilly spell in MinneSO-Friggin-Cold-duh, I spent Friday night getting uber sweaty with some of my favorite gals at Modo Yoga in Uptown.  Having only been going to hot yoga classes for a month or so, I discovered a fast addiction to sweating and stretching in the 105 degree room.  And, completely contrary to expectations with dozens of sweaty bodies in the same room, it's such a peaceful, odor-free, and relaxing environment with dim lights, gentle sounds, and instructors that lead you in your practice in a challenging and forgiving way.

This night, Teresa and Morgan joined me for the Friday night Karma class to support a friend's foundation that puts together for Twin City's homeless residents.  The class was HOT and the sounds of sweat hitting my mat as we did our first forward fold were loud and welcome as I watch the rivers run down my arms.  Shannon led us through a great practice and we left the class limber, lighter, and with relaxed.  To 'rehydrate' after class, we met Hwood & Matt at Burger Jones for some bevvies and grub to close out the night.  As well as the burger smell overpowered our detoxed state, the sounds of laughter and friendships binding tighter drowned out the existence of all other patrons.

As the night drew to an end, we parted ways to celebrate the next day's chills in our favorite ways... Me & Hwood - we took on the Lake Mtka Ice Race!  Morgan and Matt excited us in their attendance and constant cheers once the race was underway.  Heck, high of 5 degrees? Ignore the windchill... just wear another layer.  Sadly, the uber cold temps kept the attendance lower than normal but the event was top-notch as always.  Once the Elite Men's / Women's Open race toed the line, I was a little bummed out to find myself as the only chica with the cold-weather-cahones this year.  Oh well, there were still more than a dozen boys to try to beat, right?!

Once it began, I tried to secure a good position in the pack as we charged down the first straightaway in the pinky of the "Metal" hand course.  I got into the middle of the pack and pretended that the guys chasing me were my toughest female competitors on the ice... Kristi, Patti, and Danielle.  Run, baby, run!

The 45 min. race was gonna be tough as the cold wind drifted the snow across the shoveled, icy course.  Thankfully, Podiumwear makes AMAZING winter apparel, so I had every inch of skin covered in awesome Girl Fiend gear and stayed warm considering the conditions.  With every turn, I pedaled on, trying to push the limits of my home-made studded tires. I wasn't just gonna take the win without digging deep into my reserves and forcing myself to go faster.

With a few laps to go, my internal thermometer was inching up and I removed my neck cozy from my face to cool my core and increase my oxygen intake.  Not one lap later, the headwind bit hard at my cheeks and I was stunned to find my neck cozy had frozen into a solid, fabric mask when I recovered my face.  Attacking my imaginary opponents til the final turn, I was exhausted and elated as I crossed the line for the win that I joyfully shared with my hubby who went out hard and never let up, sealing our second husband & wife victory at the Lake Mtka Ice Race. :)

We were warmly welcomed in the park building with tasty burgers, dogs, and beers and friends.  It was so hard to leave after all the fun and laughs that filled the building began to fade, but the couch and some cozy blankets were calling our names.

Come Sunday morning, we refueled with family over a tasty brunch, inside from the increasing winds as the latest frigid blast moved into MN.  The food was warm, tasty, and it was great to celebrate my Dad's, step-mom's and step-sis's birthday over mimosas and bloody's.

To keep things interesting, I got to attend my first (and probably only) event at the Minikahda Country Club via our lululemon holiday party in the Paddle House.  We had awesome food from Brassa and cold beers and Sangria to top it off.  It was so much fun to finally get to know my knew coworkers better, enjoying stories away from the store and laughing as we played Cards Against Humanity and were challenged to play outside in spite of the negative 21 degree windchills.

Although part of me wanted to bail due to the temps, my love for trying new things layered up on the clothing and headed outside with my friends to try out Paddle Tennis outside on their heated courts.  It was so much fun!  I laughed my ass off as I biffed on a huge swat of the paddle, or as Kyle sent the ball souring out of the fences and into a snowbank. As the minutes ticked by, I was baffled by my dwindling motor skills and screaming backside... I think I was literally freezing my ass off out there!  I only made it some five minutes before I had to call it a night, just as Jay & Rosco drove up to take me home in a warm car.  We hugged our goodbyes and I headed home with my boys to close out yet an another amazing weekend with my loved ones, taking on new challenges and exploring new avenues of joy.

Meditation. Sweat. Laughter. Pain. FroZen. Joy. Love.

Finding Zen in any way I can,
Kristy Kreme

When there's no snow, gotta race ice!

Just over a week ago, Hollywood and I saddled up for the 4th Annual Lake Mtka Ice Race.  The weather was calling for an afternoon of 30+ mph winds and the temps were to drop some 20-30 degrees... but luckily, it wasn't set to roll into town until after our race.

Jay designed the course again this year and was ecstatic when we got a dusting of snow the day before they shoveled off the course, exposing clear, glare ice to test even the best studded tires out there.  How do you keep the advantage? More studs!

 We raced the Advanced race, running the women 10 sec. behind the men.  There were only 4 of us ladies in it, but we put it to the men just as well, catching the first handful by the time we entered the massive pinwheel.  The course was wicked fast and we were tearing it up.  Me, Danielle, and Patti kept passing the lead around for the first couple laps and it was awesome!

Though I didn't have much of a season in 2012, I pulled out all the stops and rode out of my mind!  It felt so great catching dudes and passing them with ease and not letting them pass me back.  Unfortunately, my endurance was 2nd best and Patti rode away from us.  Danielle and I worked together, but couldn't close the gap as the laps counted down and the winds began to build.

I began to bonk and Danielle went on solo pursuit of the win as I dug deep to retain my position.  Exhausted, sweating, and out of breath, I crossed the finish line in third behind two of the best competitors out there - it was awesome!

Fatigued hugs and high-5's awaited me at the finish as I got there just in time to watch Hollywood lose his breakfast on the shoreline.  H-WooD had suffered a poor start, slipping a pedal instantly and fell into place in the top five or so at the go.   Super-charged and sporting a new kit, he threw it into high gear fast and started picking off riders at an aggressive pace.

He rode up to 5th, but didn't relent.  Lap after lap he caught his rabbits, moving into 2nd place behind Brendon Moore.  Although he got faster and faster each lap, he wasn't able to close the gap all the way and finished proudly in 2nd place.  Way to go, hun!

Two races down for 2013, two podium finishes... 2013 is gonna be a good year for Girl Fiend Cycling!

Kristy Kreme

Double Ice Victory

Out on Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior last weekend, Hollywood helped design a killa new ice race course. It was the second year for this event, and it was HANDS-DOWN the best one yet!

With a couple inches of snow fall the night before the race, Hollywood, the Chucker, and I went to the lake a couple hours early with shovels to make sure it was perfect come race time. Chris McCormick and his team of helpers puttin' on the race were there with shovels in hand and we attacked the course right away, shoveling right down to glare ice for almost the entire course. Three sections were left with 10" deep worth of snow to navigate through, making it a sweet, tail-floating addition.

The Hardcore race went first, and twenty-some tough MN-mutha's toed the line, under layers and layers of thermal gear. As Jay pointed out when we first met, I must be part 'Dude', because I was the only chica to take on the Hardcore race. Forget the easy win... it dialed it up to 11, making it that much harder since now I was out to beat the men!

Hollywood, the Chucker, and I went balls out for the holeshot once the race began, and we went through the first turn together in 1st, 2nd, and 4th (DeathRider snuck in front of me for third). I pushed my lungs to the limit, trying to maintain contact with Hwood & Chucker, holding on to a top five position for longer than I thought I could.

The studs in my tires grabbed the ice and never let up, allowing me to fly through the course without touching my brakes. Hollywood and Chucker were takin' it to DeathRider and the rest of the ice-hungry racers, tearing away off the front of the race. I held my position well, maintaining a top-ten placing throughout the race (eighth place maybe?). Coming up to the finish on our last lap, Hollywood had the hammer down in first, Chucker was giving it to DeathRider by holding the 2nd place finish just outside of his reach and Caveman was riding out an impressive 5th place!

At the final turn, Hollywood came up on me and we rolled the finish line together with arms held high! After 200+ races, this was our first win ever on the same day - and we got to finish together! It was awesome! ... by the way, if anyone has a photo of it, please let me know - I would love to see it....

What a perfect day - great weather, awesome course, tough competition, spectacular win! We got into warm clothes as fast as we could and watched the beginners take on the course. After the finish of their race, we all retreated to the basement of Jake O'connor's for some tasty brews and awards.

Yeah, Black n' White! Another great ice race on the books, with more to come. Keep your eyes open for the St Paul Winter Carnival's Ice Race (put on by none other than Hollywood!) and the Loppet Ice Race in February.

Stay Warm!

Kristy Kreme

St Paul Winter Carnival Ice Race

The Winter Carnival finally got the cajones to really throw down and host a killer ice race! Sat. January 29th at Lake Phalen - get your studded tires on and take the ride of your life. Who'll win... store-bought or homemade studs? Guys or gals?

Put on by none other than my favorite bike shop in the world, Hollywood Cycles!!! Also sponsored by Olivier at the Bikery (you ROCK!) and SISU. Preregister and save some $$.

Rockin' in the Free-zing World,

Kristy Kreme