High Altitude Camping
Last night we packed our cars for high altitude sleeping under the stars. Mike is getting ready for a trip across the pond to a pretty big race in Beijing next month and wanted to get a final boost in his red blood cell count. Lara and I just wanted to sleep under the stars so we tagged along...the great thing is I am on break this week so I actually got to go!

We spent the night at a campground up on Old Stage road. The road leaves from the Broadmoore area and winds up into the mountains. Sadly, this was the first time I made it up Old Stage past the pavement, I can't believe I have been missing such a great road for five years! And Matty (my jeep) finally got to go off roading...sort of! :)

Mike treated us to his infamous "foil food" which he learned in boy scouts. I have to say it was very tasty! I just might have to learn how to make it...I am pretty sure it is within my realm of cooking as it is basically cutting stuff up and then grilling it in tin foil. That I can handle!

This morning we drove back down the road so Kojak (Lara's dog) could go swimming...he got a little run in on the way!

Sadly, the swimming pond was covered with trash. It's interesting that campsites close to town are always dirty while the ones further in the range are well kept. Just goes to show how many people never truly realize what Colorado has to offer by sticking close to town and leaving their footprints all over! Oh, and did I mention I saw at least 5 shooting stars including the biggest and brightest I have ever seen?! Fun times on break week! :)

Elite Districts

Today was the first of two days of track racing. Basically, elite districts count as the state championships and allow you go qualify for elite nationals in LA during the fall. My goal for today was to improve all of my times for collegiate nationals. No gold medals today but I did take a couple of silvers and qualified for elites. More importantly, though, I set a new personal best for the flying 200m and improved my 2k by 15 seconds...I want to gain five more seconds in the next 45 days (collegiate nats) and I think I am well on my way!

Entertainment at the Track
Thursday night track racing is always a lot of fun whether it's racing or laughing on the infield. Last night there were many laughs including Mike's latex gloves...yes, he uses them to keep the grease off when changing gears!

And then there was Renee demonstrating the "skinny" pose when wearing spandex. Unfortunately I missed capturing her fish face during the demonstration. She refused to do it again.

And, as always, an incredible sunset to enjoy!

Good week for hometown heros!

Not only did Danny win third in Sunday's stage but Katie Compton also won the short track national title this past weekend. I believe she now has three cross titles and a short track title in the past four seasons...yeah, she's super woman!

A Celebration of Dreadnaughts
I flew up to MI Thursday for my 10 year high school reunion...yes I am that old! Better than seeing all my old high school buddies though was spending an entire weekend with my best friend! Pictured are the newest additions to the Prentice family. Chase is on the left and Logan on the right.

Before the reunion Bethie treated me to a pedicure...happy birthday to me! :)

Than we got all dressed up and headed into Ann Arbor to celebrate the Dreadnaught reunion...yes, that was our high school mascot, a battle ship! Pictured are the original members of the "Happy Halter Club" (circa 5th grade!) And, yes, it is the third time I have worn that dress this summer...but it was in three different states so it doesn't count right?! :)

And the hockey team managers...yes, we thought it was fun to haul water bottles, tape sticks, and sit on the bench at hockey rinks for an entire season. Jenny is now married and just had her first baby!

And my soccer buddy Chris Potter! We affectionately called her "pee water" back in the day...not sure how it originated but I am sure she was glad to get rid of it. She's a teacher in VA but thinking of moving to the Front Range!

One of my Austrian exchange and german class buddies Chye. We suffered through four years of german together and she now lives abroad with her husband teaching in Amercian schools. Chye just got back from Bangledesh and is headed to Zambia (Africa) for two years!

After the reunion was over, we all went upstairs to hang out at the bar with everybody. It was good to catch up with Meghan. You may remember her face from Beth's wedding last year. She was also in the bridal party.

Ironically, Rita and Ron's favorite band was playing upstairs so Beth, Tracey, and I joined Rita on the dance floor for a bit.

Unfortunately it was raining all day Saturday so we were not able to go out on the boat but Beth and I did get quality relaxing time which neither of us ever gets. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise the weather was terrible as it forced us to chill for a weekend.

Hometown Hero Danny Pate Rocks!

For those of you following the tour, you may have seen Danny Pate ride to an incredible 3rd place finish in yesterday's stage. I am so bummed that I actually had the ability (time and cable access) to watch the stage and missed it! However, I am psyched that Danny rode so well. For his first tour, he sure is making an impression with 14th place finish in the time trial and 3rd in the mountains...and let's not forget his 6th place in the final stage of the Giro de Italia!

Busy, busy Friday!
Friday morning started off with a quick breakfast at Wooglins. Chris was in town for the morning (consult for wisdom teeth) and we met up for a delicious muffin before he went to the oral surgeon.

Than I spent four hours getting paid to ride my bike/sit on the side of the road...yes, the luxuries of being a luxury (cycling coach) means people to ride their bikes with me. Pretty nice!

This weekend I happened to be riding with the father of a movie star! While we were working on drills, we were actually interrupted by a call from his movie star son (he is real deal movie star and is going to be in a episode of House this fall...my favorite tv show!) His son was quick to point out that he was crazy to pay to be tortured! :)

After camp, I was off to celebrate Lara's 30th birthday at the Blue Star...always an excellent choice! I was actually the only one under 30 this time round...don't worry, I still have many, many months before I cross that mark! :)

Track Racing Fun
We have had a good showing of women this season and it's been fast which is making me faster for collegiate nats! I was especially excited to race with Amy again and have Renee out there, she always makes the races interesting! Even though I know her strategy, I have yet to make her break or beat her...someday Renee, I will be there! :)

And what would a night at the track be without an incredible sunset?! Actually, this was the best sunset of the season so far but I know there will be more!

Look Who Just Got a Little Bit Faster!

Yay! My fancy new disk wheel arrived just in time for the last two months of track season. Just need to get a tire glued on and it's time to have fun! Although, I will admit, I had to contact Zipp this morning b/c I couldn't find the threads for my rear cog. Turns out it was hidded under the carbon ring which was fastened with the lock ring. Seriously, did they really need to put that little carbon ring on?!

Home Sweet Home
Finally, at last, pictures of my new place! This is the kitchen...just the right size for somebody who spends time preparing food but not neccessarily cooking anything. Although, my friend Steff lives across the way and is going to give me cooking lessons this summer. She's an awesome cook and keeps it organic...she even grinds her own wheat and makes her own bread! Don't worry, I definitely am not going to that extreme but I think it's awesome!

Next up, the living room/office/dining room. Yeah, there is no dining room. I have a little bar to eat at but I just sit on the couch since I don't have any bar stools. My TV is a little small but Chris is kindly lending me his after summer classes. And while I get lots of sunlight, my apartment faces the east so it gets really toasty in the summer. Thankfully I have an air conditioner!

This is the bar area which really houses my bikes and recycling. That is the front door you see and there is a closet and storage space just to the right of it.

My bedroom with all my clothes...ironically, I always want more clothes! I have an huge window which is great except the sun rises right into it. I need to hang my curtains to help with that. And I have a little family of pigeons who live right outside the window...I could definitely do without them.

Another view of my room with the closet and awesome storage space. It's just like the one in my bike area. With these two spaces, everything can be put up and out of the way. Yes, I kept a lot of boxes up there, some of them are full and some are in anticipation of my move next year (yes, I am already planning on moving as I will be going on internship and am not applying anywhere in Colorado Springs).

Last, but not least, the bathroom. Ironically, this is the biggest bathroom I have had and get it all to myself! Everybody keeps asking if I like living alone. It's still sinking in as I have been so busy. But I can say I definitely that I don't not like it!

I Heart the Farmer's Market!

Sorry for the long absence, to say life has been crazy the past week is an understatement! My first round of comprehensive exams are on Monday so I have been studying like a madwoman in the midst of everyday insanity. Anyways, I have 48 hours to go before the test and decided to take a study break and head down to the Farmer's Market today. Usually I miss out b/c I am riding but due to my recovery week timing, I got to skip the group ride and peruse the produce instead. I've always liked the Farmer's Market but now I love it as I got all of these fruits and veggies for only $15...one vendor had fill a bag to the brim for $10! For those of you who know how much I love fruit, you know how excited I am about this new discovery! The question is, will I eat it all before anything goes bad? Definitely yes!