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The Whittiers

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    handup


    smith

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    Today we celebrate lucky #7...and I'm amazed and in awe of the life we've built together. It's incredible to get the opportunity to grow together as two people...manage conflict...celebrate each other's accomplishments...coordinate through life's chaos and craziness...find balance between two very different, yet very similar people. I'm so grateful for this love! Happy anniversary, @spencerwhittier ...can't wait for many more to come!
    After 2 very different 100mi races in 2 weeks, I basically had to crawl my way to today's Black Bear Rampage 40mi mtn bike race. But @scottsbicyclecentre puts on a good show and I had the best friends supporting me (during a super-stressful week)...so couldn't resist lining up! Seeing so many familiar faces is something you can only get at your hometown race and there's something to be said about lining up alongside your "community"...it brings me so much joy to race and suffer with my friends on the bike. ❤ . . . . @pactimo_official @skratchlabs @industry_nine @handupgloves @smithoptics
    Happy to walk away from my 2nd #shenandoah100 with an hour+ PR! I took a much more aggressive approach at the start and it paid off in the end...while I'm a bit disappointed I missed a turn at the end of the race, which added 10 minutes to my time (and 10+ people to finish in front of me), I'm grateful to have a solid race (with no mechanicals or crashes) and so many wonderful people encouraging and cheering me on. This race reminds me of the amazing friends and community @spencerwhittier and I have found with this hobby. It was fun to share this experience with a great group of friends from Tennessee! . . Stats and specs: rode my @konabikes #HeiHei from @suckcreekcycles decked out w/ @industry_nine (raced on Maxxis Ardents 17/21 psi)...Sram Eagle w/30T chainring (b/c all the climbing!)...dressed in @pactimo_official Summit Classic jersey and Summit Strike bibs...scarfed down plenty of @skratchlabs chews and chugged all the Skratch hydration...10 bottles, I think and a bottle of Skratch Wellness before the race (plus Recovery after)...and of course had my fav @handupgloves and socks with my @smithoptics Network helmet. . . . . Only 329 finished this year and 27 of us were women. ❤ I was the 11th lady to cross the line (thanks to my mishap with the turn I let another finish in front of me...doh!).
    My thoughts have pulled me in so many directions when trying to put what happened at @sbtgrvl into words. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to truly explain the impression it had on me (it's ok to insert a "geeze it's only a bike race" eye roll and stop reading here). Surely it's not news to you that I don't race to stand on a podium. That's simply not my path right now (or maybe ever). But damn it I planned for an 8-hr finish on the 100 mi course...and I finished in just over 6hrs! I was in shock. I ugly-cried on my way back to the van after the finish (yeah and I don't cry like ever). But I knew how it happened. My mind and focus finally caught up with my fitness and I finally found that special place where experience and improvement meet. I'm still learning what it takes (for me, because it's not the same for everyone) to put my mind where it needs to be during races, and I'm thrilled (and hopeful) after seeing a big glimpse of it. But anyway...on to those stats and specs! . . . Rode my Focus Mares cx bike (1x10/42, 34T) with @industry_nine Ultralite 240c TRA wheels, @maxxistires Rambler 38mm (started at 40° temps with 30&33psi), doubled up on handlebar tape and didnt regret it during any divebombs...ate countless @skratchlabs chews and prob 4-5 bottles of Skratch hydration...throw in some maple syrup here and there....wore @pactimo_official Summit Climber's jersey and Summit Strike bibs (so light and comfy!). @handupgloves covered my feet (socks) and hands (moved to their shortie gloves from long-fingered after temps increased)...@smithoptics protected my eyes and head with Attack Max glasses and Network helmet. . . . . My 2hr PR was good enough for 124 overall of 500 finishers...25 of 136 total female finishers...13 of 40 in 30-39 female category.
    It's been a blur since @sbtgrvl but it's already time for #Shenandoah100 (mtn bike race) this weekend and I'm thinking back at how different I felt this time last year. I'm not sure what Sunday will bring but I know it will be a huge beast that I'm lucky to get to experience with @staraffolter and @ditchflower. #Repost @aliwhittier ・・・ Only 41 women started #shenandoah100...out of almost 500! I was the 14th woman to cross the line...more than 100 racers didn't finish. Check out the link in my bio for a recap. I was so grateful to have support from our friends (and @Spencerwhittier's teammmates) on @motormileracing and of course, my @teamcatfight teammates on race weekend...and I couldn't have survived without Coach Carp getting my fitness ready. I've really been blown away by everyone's kindness and encouragement. I'm by far not the fastest bike racer, but I really do love racing my bike no matter the outcome. Bike racing has helped me learn to let go of a lot of insecurities and focus on what's most important to me...and worry less about what others think about my appearance or how I *should* live my life. I'm honored and so fortunate to get to have these experiences. Cheers! 📸@jackanderson2018 . . . . @skratchlabs @pactimo_official @pactimocustom @smithoptics @handupgloves @konabikes @industry_nine
    [Link to full video in bio] * There are so many things I love about riding a bike. But I'm mostly grateful for all the amazing places the bike has taken me...and with the most amazing people! There's something for everyone when it comes to cycling, and rule #1 for me is to have fun! Grateful and honored to share this experience with @spencerwhittier. We had a great time filming this episode and sharing why we love riding bikes in #Tennessee! #Repost @tnvalleyuncharted ・・・ We're feeling like mountain biking pros after we got some insider tips from the pros themselves. 🚵🏽‍♀️ #MountainBiking #KnoxRocks #TVUncharted . . . . @konabikes @pactimo_official @industry_nine @skratchlabs @handupgloves @smithoptics
    This is definitely the "we should probably take at least one photo" scenery. 😂 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ I promise the HARDford 50 course was definitely more picturesque than its parking lot.
    Long hours on the bike mean you stop for snacks/water...maybe at a bait&tackle shop...where you're too busy LOL'ing about not knowing what a tick tornado is to eat all your Pringles...so they get stuffed in your pocket for the rest of your 7hr ride. 📷 @ditchflower
    Train hard. Play hard. Fun day in the woods with friends. . . . . @skratchlabs @pactimo_official @pactimocustom @industry_nine @handupgloves @smithoptics
    I'm motivated by the women before me...who weren't given the chance to push their limits...not allowed to compete alongside men...and who might have achieved more than I could ever imagine if they were encouraged (and conditioned) to be brave and dream big. I'm inspired by people who allow themselves to experience things like bike rides/races without letting "their results" define them...or worse, stop them from the fun of the experience to begin with. So much gratitude to those who paved the way for us...and so much appreciation for people like @spencerwhittier ...who never makes me feel slow and reinforces that I and other women belong here, too... This morning I got to ride my bike w/my husband before going to a job that I love. I can't believe this is my life... . . . . @skratchlabs @pactimo_official @industry_nine @handupgloves @smithoptics @litespeedbikes
    100% of the views in Steamboat are breathtaking. 😍 I'm even more excited for @sbtgrvl next month! Hands down one of the most beautiful courses. It's hard to imagine suffering for 100 miles out there when the scenery is so pretty.
    The years keep flying by, but I'm always glad to reunite with these women. ❤ Hard to believe how much has happened since fall 2004!

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