Sofia's First 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race

Sofia and I took a two hour drive up to the local mountains of Idyllwild to the 24 Hours of Adrenalin. Nope, I didn't race this time. I was there to DMS massage the racers.

My babysitter backed out at the last minute so I took Sofia with me and we made the best of it. Luckily Carl and Marless were there to help me for the first day and Christian was there to help the rest of the time. A few other friends came by our Feed The Machine/DMS Massage Booth and played with Sofia.

I came up with the ingenious idea of enclosing her in a blow-up kiddie swimming pool that had a canopy. I padded it with a cozy comforter and put all her toys in there and she was happy. It was only $25 at Target and it worked perfectly!

It got down to the low 30's at night so Sofia and I cozied up in my Honda Element. I took the back seats out, put all our blankets down and we slept together in the back. Every hour and half I turned on the heater for a few minutes to warm up the car and we stayed pretty cozy all through the night. (I know it's a box on wheels, but dang I love that car!)

And thanks to La Ruta Lou, Sofia had the PERFECT outfit! She was wearing her "stars & stripes" bike jersey and she looked adorable! Meanwhile, Mommy is still trying to fit back in her's! :)

Taking Time to be a Mommy

I've been following a blog written by a friend of mine who took time off of adventure racing and ultra running to have a baby. I'm always interested to find out how other new moms are dealing with the effects of taking it easy through pregnancy and new-motherhood.

It's seems as though my friend and I have been going through similar emotions. We were excited and anxious to become pregnant and have our children even though it meant slowing down our intensely active lifestyles. All the while we were probably thinking that a couple of weeks after popping out the kids, we'd be back on the trails running and riding. Of course we knew we'd be slower and have to take a little time to get back in shape but I'm sure we didn't realize how much work it would be.

While reading her blog, I was amazed at how quickly she got back to running long distances and how she had some very ambitious race goals so soon after giving birth. Although I knew I had to keep my own pace, I was almost beating myself up for not keeping up with her post partum fitness levels.

I've been training as much as I can around working and taking care of Sofia, and a few times I've been plagued with some knee pain that I didn't have before. I'm pretty good about listening and understanding my body so I've attributed the pain to the changes my body made during pregnancy and also the extra weight I'm still carrying. Surprisingly I've been really good about taking it easy and not pushing myself too far to further any injury. Maybe it's because I'd rather spend more time with Sofia anyway, but whatever the reason it doesn't matter. At least I'm being patient about my return to pre-pregnancy ultra fitness levels.

It turns out that my friend now has some injuries in which she is attributing to post partum and is not able to fulfill her ambitious race goals. That news just assures me that listening to my body and taking my time with my return to pre-pregnancy fitness levels is something I must do in my own time.

Every week I have to plan a training schedule and try the best I can to adhere to it. Luckily adventure racing has made me very patient and flexible because having Sofia means that plans will always change.

I still have about 15 pounds I'd like to shed but I've finally accepted my current size and have bought clothes that fit. I've got a few races on my calendar including a 12 hour run (which I will walk) and a 12 hour mountain bike race. So maybe by Sofia's first birthday I will be back to where I want to be.

My First Duathlon

Competing in races has always been very motivating for me. I know that if I put a race on my calendar, tell the world I'm going to do it, and then I PAY for it, I will force myself to train. So I decided to do a duathlon: 3.1 mile run, 18 mile road bike ride, 3.1 mile run.

Honestly...I did not set up the TEXAN behind me!

I have gone from running to riding to running many, many times in my adventure racing career. However, I have never done a true duathlon until now.



Running is definitely NOT my thing. So I "shuffled" my way through the first 3.1 miles and fell behind most of the pack. :)



But when I got on the bike, my body got happy again and I passed a bunch of folks. Some of them twice....hmmm, not sure how that happened.

Cool thing was that I had a fan in the crowd! When I finished the bike, I was transitioning to the run when a Marine said, "Are you Bernice?" I nodded and he said, "I've seen you on TV!" And despite the dread of my upcoming run, I forced a smile and a "nice to meet you" and I shuffled away.


I really had to talk myself through the last 3.1 miles! But I did and I was able to complete the entire race in 2 hours and 8 minutes!



I'm finding out that returning to my pre-pregnancy fitness level is way harder than I imagined. I have to keep reminding myself that I trained very hard for 6 years to be that fit. So I can't expect to be anywhere near that level at only 6 months post-partum. I just have to keep registering for races! :)

My "Cutie Cupcakes"

For some unknown reason, I started making cupcakes when I was pregnant with Sofia...and I don't even like sweets (not to mention I don't like cooking!) I'm not joking when I say I have never eaten a single cupcake I have made. But I assure you that everyone says they are good. :)

Spaghetti & Meatball cupcakes, Popcorn Cupcakes: Made for our Alaska Experiment Premier Party at a pizza joint.

Shark cupcakes: Made for my boss's son's school party.

Panda Bear cupcakes: Made for my family in Texas when I was visiting them.

Baby cupcakes: Made for Cousin Winsome's baby shower.

Bagels & Lox cupcakes: Made for a BYOB (Bring your own brunch) Party given by my friend Christie.

Rabbit holes made for Easter in Texas.

Sofia's New BFF

Introducing...Shay Riley Kletke!

Shay is Sofia's new baby cousin. She was born on Friday, March 13, 2009. She was 9 lbs 12 oz and 21 inches long. I think we may have the next Misty May & Kerri Walsh in our family!

Brian & Winsome with baby Shay Riley

Sofia checked out her new BFF!

Shay is a whopping 3 pounds heavier than Sofia was when she was born. But now that Sofia is so big, Shay feels so small!

Aaaah, just 6 months ago this was me and Sofia at Hoag Hospital!

I'm really enjoying baking "novelty cupcakes!" These are the special "Baby Shay" cupcakes I made.

My Valentine

NEED I SAY MORE?

24 Hours of Old Pueblo

Last time I wrote a blog with this title, I had just placed 2nd at the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo in Tuscon. It was only my second 24 hour solo so needless to say, I was totally stoked to have done so well.



This weekend, while the ladies are stuffing their faces with nutritional supplements, soothing their bottoms with "butt'r," and hallucinating at 3am, I will be hanging with the most beautiful girl in the world.



And although I would absolutely love to prepare for the 2009 24 Hour Nationals in Moab...



It might behoove me to wait for 2010...




Good luck to all my MTB pals at Old Pueblo! Find your happy place.

Back to the races!

I have always done 12 to 24 hour mountain bike races either SOLO or with one guy. But this time I joined a great group of gals for the 12 hours of Temecula.

Monique, Melissa, Bern, Tiffany

It's usually a lot of pressure to ride duo with a guy because he rides so fast and he expects so much out of me. Not to mention, I put a lot of pressure on myself during my solo races to finish a certain number of laps and compete with the top women. But I must say, it's a totally different experience to ride "just for fun" with a bunch of nice women. I had a great time and I remembered why I love mountain biking so much.

Jason and Heather put on another great race! This was the first time they left out the infamous "Dam Climb" and it made for a very "flowy" race course. Had I have been in shape, I would have ridden my single speed Niner. But alas, I stuck to the gears and had an incredible time.


Although I found the course to be super "flowy," it was quite technical with lots of ruts, rocks, and steep drops. There were several places were they posted "Caution" signs and there certainly could have been more of those signs all over the course. :)


Unfortunately Melissa took a nasty spill. She was scratched up and bruised pretty badly. They thought she may have had a separated shoulder so she was carted away in the ambulance. Turned out it was nothing major and she's fine. The very next day she was asking us when we could race again. Tough girl! That's why I love her!

And I must give props to the best support crew in the world. Carl and King Rich are always there for me for assistance and mental support. Thanks guys!

Sofia's Baby Talk

President Barack Obama

The Inaugural Address

It's different to actually read the speech as opposed to just hearing it. Kind of like reading the book then watching the movie I suppose. I missed the speech on TV so I decided to read the first few lines to see what kind of sugar coated words the President's speech writers put in front of his face.

Yes, yes, that may seem a bit pessimistic, but isn't that the way it usually goes? Words, words, words. They don't mean a thing. (Is that a song?) Well, after the first few lines, I was hooked. I read all four web pages of the speech and even got some strange moisture in my eyes a couple of times. (Damn, those writers are good!)

Huh well, as I read it, I imagined President Obama speaking those words and putting true feelings behind them. I could see him in my mind and I could feel the power of his voice. The words flowed through my mind and body and subsequently drowned my governmental pessimism with renewed hope for the future.

I was actually excited and motivated! All the while thinking, "I hope they do it, I hope they do it, I hope WE do it. Let's make a change for the better! Can we?"

So my question is: Will the government use that speech as a general outline to construct specific goals for our country and implement those new ideas to better our nation and the world? Or will the Inaugural Address remain only sugar coated words, written by very good speech writers, forgotten in the back of some history book?"

Training With Senorita Sofia

I've finally lost enough weight to be able to jog without my knees aching (or without my belly bouncing...yuck!) I like to take Senorita Sofia out to enjoy the lovely SoCal weather so I put her in the baby jogger and off we go. Our jogging loop follows the trails near our home. It includes 4 short but steep hills and it takes us 55 minutes.

Although Sofia is big and tall for a 4 month old, she is still a little small for the jogger. My adventure racing teammate Christian made us an "insert" to put inside so that Sofia can be supported. Little Lady seems to really enjoy the ride. She gets very calm when we start out and then of course she falls asleep about half way through.


I always used to hate jogging, and in my adventure racing days, I would have to force myself to go. But with Sofia, I'm actually enjoying it. Could it be because I'm running with a buddy who doesn't care how hard I'm breathing? Is it because I can jog really slowly without anyone else thinking I'm a wimp?...I mean since I AM pushing an extra 25 pounds. Or is it because I'm so happy to be sharing the beauty of the outdoors with my Little Lady? I think it's all of the above.

I've also been able to spend a little more time on the bike. During the week, I'm up at the crack of dawn riding my trainer for 45 minutes. On the weekends, I get in some longer road and mountain bike rides. Having goals is very important and motivating for me so I'm currently preparing for my first mountain bike race since pregnancy.



By The Numbers

4 Months since I gave birth to Sofia

5 Hours I rode my bikes this weekend (most I've done in 1 year)

24 Pounds I still want to shed

6 Days until my first mountain bike race since pregnancy

Miss Gilly's gift to Sofia: The Jolly Jumper

Sofia's First Christmas

Although my little Senorita Sofia had no idea we were celebrating Christmas, she was still filled with joy. She is the best present Greg and I could ever ask for.

Santa visited Little Lady Sofia in Texas. He must have known how good she had been through her first 3.5 months of life because he brought her lots and lots of presents! So many presents, they had to be shipped to SoCal in a very large box.

Texas Pic by Christina Ybarra

We had Little Lady Sofia baptized at the church where Greg and I got married in New Braunfels. There were so many people there to witness the blessed event. My brother Stephen is her Godfather.

New Braunfels, TX Pic by Christina Ybarra

My Lady (a.k.a grandma) provided Mamacita with the cutest little shoes and she actually kept them on through the entire church service!

My Christmas Post To You All

I'm really not a big fan of Christmas music. I realized that when my Mom, Dad, and Greg all wanted to listen to Christmas music in the car and I claimed that California was too fashion forward to have any stations dedicated to holiday cheer. Of course Greg knew off the top of his head the station they wanted so not only was I stuck in three hours of holiday traffic, but I was also in auditory prison! Now don't get me wrong, I don't mean to portray a "bah humbug" attitude here. I love the Christmas holiday, it's just the music I can do without.

Is it just me or do a lot of the songs seem so melancholy and depressing? Or is it that they are just so slow they make me want to "put on my cap and settle down for a long winter's nap?" In fact the only Holiday song I really like is not about Christmas at all...

Bern's favorite holiday song

Anyhow, I'm sharing this special holiday post with you to tell you that I finally found a Christmas song I enjoy. So grab a cup of cocoa, sit back & relax and listen to this holiday song. And please don't be one of those folks who says "I'm just trying to get past the holidays." Take time to enjoy the season whether you are with your family and friends or alone on the trails. Have a HAPPY HOLIDAY & a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Finally, a Christmas song I enjoy.

I'm so in love!!!!!

Isn't she just adorable? Okay, I know I'm biased but dang she's cute! I just love her so much!


Senorita Sofia can now see the mobile above her crib and she really enjoys it. She can lie in there for a long time just listening to the lullaby and watching the fuzzy construction vehicles go round and round. I just wish I didn't have to wind it up every 30 seconds.

She has also recently discovered her hands. She entertains herself for lengths of time by watching her hands and putting them in her mouth. The other day I put a colorful rattle toy in front of her face and waited for her to reach for it. After about a half hour she was reaching out and grabbing it. I'm not sure that she knows the toy remains in her hands but she is learning.

My best gal Miss Gilly came back from Whistler to visit with me and to meet Sofia. I've missed her so much. But even though it's been a year since she's been gone, we fell right back into our old routine! We drank wine, went mountain biking and then we went "girly" shopping for clothes and shoes! Aahh, the good old days!

Oh yeah, and she got to love on Little Lady Sofia also!

My parents came back for another visit. They just can't stay away from their first grandchild for very long.

My brother flew in from New York to meet his niece. He too fell in love.

Baby and Mommy hands