Professional and amateur athletes make the annual pilgrimage to participate in cycling’s best competitive events in various mountain and road bike disciplines.  Hundreds of pro cyclists, including national and world champions, come to Sea Otter to race, sign autographs, and share their racing techniques with fans.

Recreational rides are another feature of this cycling extravaganza, including Sea Otter’s Gran Fondo routes, which are fully supported and meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.

The Sea Otter Classic also hosts the largest consumer bike exposition in North America.  The Expo holds hundreds of vendors who display new products and offer samples and bargains.

The Sea Otter Village, hub of this four-day action-packed festival, includes a food court and beer and barbecue garden, and pulses with free, fun activities—including bike demos, stunt shows, and special events just for children.

The Sea Otter Classic is located in Monterey County, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.  Sea Otter is renowned as the bicycle world’s premiere festival and one of the world’s largest.

As you might be aware of, I have this lil ole club with over 170 ladies and a few happen to live in CA and mt. bike.  So, of course we have a group of women racing this year on behalf of Team Tough Chik.  If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I am not the most skilled mt biker. (Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C)  In fact I am much more comfortable with idiots whizzing past me going 70 mph on the road.  So these great women, Angela, Jessica B., Chrystal, Michelle and Tracy A.(if she heals, fingers crossed) are all racing cross country mt biking.  So, I was like “There is no way I am racing XC, so I will race road” and I signed up.  Amateur move.  See if I had half a brain, I would have looked at the course first.

I have participated in SOC for the past 2 years as a vendor at the expo and it really is a fun event.  It is such a fun atmosphere that each year I say, “next year I will race”.  And I KNOW how hilly it is around the race track, but it never dawned on me that THAT is what I will be racing until I watched this…

You can hear how powerful the wind is right away and if you fast forward to about 2 min into the video you will see how steep the climb is.  It would be tolerable if you had to do it once, but the course is 4 laps (some have to do it 7 times!)  Feeling completely overwhelmed, I showed my hubby the video and said “uh-oh, i don’t know if I can do this”, thinking his response would be “Of course you can!”  Instead I got, “you don’t have to race, just go this year and watch…”

Huh?  Ok now, don’t tell me I can’t do it because I will do everything in my power to prove you wrong.  I don’t know if that was his plan or if he was just tired of listening to me waiver on the issue.  Either way, I am going to do it.  I might come in last, not exactly good PR for the team, but I will finish.  And I am not beneath faking an injury or flat tire to justify a poor time.  After my sprint reverse tri on Saturday, my climbing training will begin.  I have a plan in my head and I think I have a pretty steep hill in mind that I can do hill repeats on a few times a week.

Oh boy, what have I done???

Liz

Name: Liz

Location: Gilberts, Illinois (45 minutes north of Chicago)

Sport of Choice: Triathlon

Hobbies: Reading, Crossfit, any outdoor activities, spending time with my friends and family

2012 Race Plans: Disney Princess Half Marathon in February and plan to do as many races as I can this year.  Need to sit down to figure out my 2012 schedule!

What makes you a Tough Chik: Let me first by saying I am not fast.  I have never won a race or placed in my age group.  I am a back of the pack racer and it has taken me a couple of years to be OK with that.  I am average girl that weights above average and enjoys doing endurance events; even running.    I want to show other women out there that age or size should not stop you from doing anything you want to do.

Blog: http://www.seelizzietri.com

Fun Fact: Loves Brussels sprouts can not run without music.  I have been known to go back home when my iPod has died even if I am not done with my run.  I now religiously charge my iPod and Garmin the night before a run.

Jackie

Name: Jackie

Location: Brandon, MS

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: reading

2012 race Plans: Doing my FIRST half-marathon, MS Blues Marathon, this Saturday  (as in three days from now!), Warrior Dash in April, Peachtree 10K in July, and hopefully several more

What makes you a Tough Chik: I’m turning the big 4-0 next month and decided I wanted to do it in the best shape of my life!

Jolene

Name: Jolene

Location: Burlington, North Carolina

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Reading, blogging, gardening

2012 Race Plans: NC 1/2 Marathon around Charlotte Motor Speedway, Komen Race, Ramblin Rose 1/2 Durham, MCM

What make you a Tough Chik: I juggle full-time school and work.  I am a mom of 2 and a wife.  I RUN!!

Blog: http://journeyofacanuckmomontherun.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I am a Stand Ambassador for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Name: Leticia

Location: Marietta, GA

Sport of Choice: Cycle, Tri’s, and running

Hobbies: Hiking, painting, and playing Xbox =0)

2012 Race Plans: 1/2 Marathon March, half Ironman distance Tri April,

What makes you a Tough Chik: I kicked cancer’s ass and six months after being dubbed in remission I crossed the finish line for the Tour De Tucson

Haley

Name: Haley

Location: Brigham City, UT

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Trail running, Hiking, XC skiing, Snowshoeing, Kayaking, Mountain biking and basically anything and everything outdoors!

2012 race Plans: Really Big Free Marathon Las Vegas (Full Marathon)

What makes you a Tough Chik: I’m a mom. That makes me pretty tough I think that my other hobbies make me pretty tough too. I’m not scared of a little pain and dirt.

Blog: climbrunliftmom.blogspot.com

Fun Fact: Though I’ve always been athletic and into fitness, I didn’t start running until about a year and a half ago. I also didn’t start climbing until I moved to Utah in 2009. I didn’t even realize it was a real hobby for real people, I thought it was just something you saw in movies! Now I’m one of those people!

Suzanne

Name: Suzanne

Location: Madison, AL

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Reading, Volunteering, Playing with my dogs

2012 Race Plans: 12 Half Marathons in 2012!

What make you a Tough Chik: I always push myself to surpass the expectations of others and I NEVER give up!

Blog: http://www.cowsandlasersandeverythinginbetween.blogspot.com

Fun Fact: I was the reigning Miss Montgomery County Agriculture for 3 years!

Angela and I woke up early on Friday and drove out to Palm Springs from my place in the OC, about a 2 hr drive.  We arrived in downtown Palm Springs where they were shutting down the street for the 2 day event.  We grabbed some coffee and set up the mobile Tough Chik Store, by noon we were ready to open for business.

Happy Customers!

3 Toughies

THE RIDE–

I opted for the 56 mile distance, knowing that I would be on my feet for 8+ hours the day before, I thought 100 might be pushing it, plus I couldn’t leave the tent that long.  The initial plan was to shut the tent down and ride, then re-open when we completed the ride.  But Angela was so generous and said that she would stay back and work the tent.  SO SWEET!

Pre Ride (Shannon and Malia)

Fellow team-mate and friend Malia was also riding the 56 mile.  We had heard about wind warnings but of course there were all versions of the story.  Some said that it just applied for overnight, some said that the wind wasn’t going to pick up until noon.  I wasn’t too bad downtown at the start, so I didn’t really think much about it.  As we travel out of the protected downtown area, it was apparent that the wind was bad, in fact the worst I have ever been in (and I have ridden in a lot of different conditions).  Gusts would actually blow people off their bikes!  Sand was blowing in your face, cyclists were bunching up to protect each other from the wind, it was dangerous to say the least.  Plus this is the start, so everyone is ancy and wanting to get out in front.  A few times I even thought that I might bail at the first SAG (which a lot of people did).  But I am tough and kept on pedaling.

I skipped the first stop, as I was trying to treat this as a race, plus it was crazy.  After the first stop we did turn out of the wind for a while and I kicked into another gear.  A lot of riders were  beaten down by the wind, but I dug deep and Pinky and I started to kick some butt.  I have to admit that I had a very good time passing folks, especially boy with more expensive bikes.  I would love to have a camera on the back of my bike and catch the expression of the riders that were passed by this…

Never Underestimate a Chik in PINK!

I did ride though the second stop and picked up a Clif bar and moved on.  When I stopped my legs started to fatigue, so I knew I needed to just keep riding.  The rest of the ride was pretty much the same until the last 10-15 miles and I hit a wall!  I ride a lot in the 25-35 mile distance and know how to fuel and hydrate for that distance.  Of course this was longer, not to mention the extra effort to fight the wind, and I bonked.  The last 10 miles were a head wind back to down town and I just felt beaten down and worn out.  All good lessons, I know I need to work on my nutrition for the longer distance, but I also gained some confidence and I am not AS worried about racing Sea Otter as I was prior.  But I do have some things to work on.

Thank you to all the wonderful people we met in Palm Springs, we have a lot of more tougies added to the flock!  Taken over the world, one Tough Chik at a time

Name: Katie

Location: MD

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Reading, homeschooling my 3 boys, and tennis (when I am not  training for a race)

2012 Race Plans: High Cloud Snapple 1/2, Shamrock Marathon (VA Beach),Columbia Iron Girl 1/2, Frederick 1/2, MCM 10K

What makes you a Tough Chik: I am pretty stubborn . . . once I set my mind to something I do everything I can to make it happen.

Blog: http://blessedwithfullhands.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: I love winter running. I prefer to run through snow than under the hot sun any day.

Name: Erika

Location: IL

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Baking, reading, outdoor activities

2012 race Plans: Chicago Polar Dash half marathon, Ice Age Trail Run half marathon, Rockford Marathon and maybe an indoor triathlon to get my feet wet in the “Tri” world.

What makes you a Tough Chik: I wear many hats as a mom and wife and I’d like to say that I juggle everything perfectly all the time but I don’t.  However, when I run I feel like Superwoman and that gives me the courage and determination to face the day’s challenges.

Fun Fact: I have five children whom I homeschool.

Carin

Name: Carin

Location: Denton, Texas

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Photogrophy, Writing, Cooking

2012 Race Plans: Cowtown Half, 2/26; Running Moms Rock 5K, 4/21, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, 4/29;  More TBD.

What make you a Tough Chik: I think I am a tough chik because I just keep plugging away at what I love to do. Life happens, but I’m not letting  it stop me from what I want to accomplish for myself.

Blog: http://mommyracingdiaries.blogspot.com

Dear Valentine’s Day (or VD Day as I like to say)-

Valentine’s Day, I am not a fan of you, in fact I really don’t like and maybe even teeter on despising you.  And before you say, “Oh, I am just a bitter single old lady”, I have been very happily married for 8 years!  My dislike for VD day (yeah, I know what i just typed, that was intentional) started wayyyy before I met my husband, in fact you have been making me feel inferior since elementary school.

Let’s start at the beginning, elementary school.  Even at this early age, I was aware that you, Valentine’s Day, is a day that separates the haves from the have-nots.  Sure we all got the little perforated cards with My Little Pony or He-Man on them, because it was mandatory to give one to everyone in the class.  But there was always bigger cards or the cards with the “good” cartoon characters given to the popular kids.  You knew if the giver really wanted to “be yours” or if you just got it by default.

Then comes Jr. High when your sting really starts to burn and not the sting from cupid’s arrow.  My Jr. High’s student council sold carnations as a fundraiser, the pretty girls walked around with bouquets of pink, white and red carnations.  I roamed the halls with one single flower that I received from my best friend because we promised to buy one for each other, although she always ended up with a few from other admirers. Once again, you made me feel “less” than the pretty girls.

In High School it was so obvious that you did not have a boy friend on Valentines Day and there was always some stupid Sadie Hawkins dance, which I never went to.  I wasn’t a troll in high school, but I was not a boy magnet either.  A little chubby (or as my mom called it, baby fat (yeah at 16)), kind of shy, just average…below the radar.  I did have one awesome Valentines Day in High School, I was a Junior and my boy friend was a freshman in college.  He was away at school, I went through the whole day watching couples in the halls and wishing I had my boy to hold hands with.  Last period was Drill Team and the whole team (100 + girls) was stretching in the cafeteria when the aide at the front office delivered me a message that I need to pick something up at the reception desk.  I walked back through the team with a huge bouquet of flowers (our friends mom owned a florist shop and hooked me up).  All the girls were drooling with jealousy and I loved every minute of it.

In College, I threw a huge anti-valentines day party and got real drunk, that was fun, but not romantic.  I can’t remember one Valentine’s Day when I had a date, just the brutal awareness that I was not loved by a man.  What a load of crap!  I was loved by so many other people, but on this one day you whole worth comes down to the fact that you don’t have a boy to take you to dinner.

My husband is a lucky man, he gets a total pass on 2/14.  Thanks to my mom, I am furiously practical and refuse to let him buy me flowers that are 300% more for this week.  DUMB, wait a week and buy me flowers when the go on sale.  Don’t you dare buy me candy or chocolate, because that is not on my diet and I will eat the whole box in one sitting.

For so many years You, Valentines Day, has made me feel inferior, self-conscious and the worse, un-loved.  The EXACT opposite of what the day is supposed to represent.  So now that I am “loved” (because I have a man),I still can’t celebrate this day.  I am so bruised and scarred by the Valentine’s day of the past, that I can’t just forget and pretend they didn’t happen.  I want to forgive you and move on, but I think of all the other women that you are making feel like sh!t today and I can’t.  I wish you would just go away and come back as Friendship day.  A day to celebrate friends, a day to go grab a latte with your bestie.  A day to get a mani/pedi with you co-worker or have a glass of wine with a neighbor.

Sorry Valentine’s Day, I know you mean well, but I just can’t support you and your holiday.  You have plenty of fans and I am sure you won’t miss me.

Your truly,

Shannon

Rebecca

Name: Rebecca

Location: Hickory, NC

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Jewelry, lifting weights, aerobics, zumba, hanging with family & friends, shopping

2012 Race Plans: NC Half in March, Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in March, Racefest Half in April, Divas Half in May, not sure what the 2nd half of the year will hold.

What makes you a Tough Chik: I started running back in late summer of 2010 and completed my first half in the fall of that year.  I haven’t looked back since!   I’ve completed multiple 5k’s and a 10k. Despite several newbie injuries when I started, I’ve learned that I’m a lot tougher and stronger than I ever thought I was.  When it gets rough out on the road (and it still does) I just have to remind myself that ‘I’m stronger than I think I am’ and that helps me get through!

Fun Fact: I ran my first half last year and already signed up for three this year.  I’m a running addict and proud of it!  Bring on the sweat!

Name: Therese

Location: Huntsville, AL

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: ultimate soccer mom

2012 race Plans: Seaside?, 4 on the 4th in Keene, NH

What makes you a Tough Chik: Love to try new things.  Love to go to new places with my girlfriends. I exercise when time allows!

Fun Fact: I have 3 kids who keep me super busy!  I am a sign language  interpreter in the school system.

Jen

Name: Jen

Location: Northern NJ (AKA: “The Dirty Jerz”)

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Writing, dancing, film, word games

2012 Race Plans: Tentative: Hollywood half (CA) Longbranch half (NJ) and FINGERS CROSSED: ING NYC Marathon in November

What make you a Tough Chik: Staring down being 90 pounds overweight, the loss of a 16 year job, having to short-sell my house and dealing with a new baby with special needs I had a choice – to stay down or get up. I chose to get up. It wasn’t easy. Instead of drowning my sorrows and killing myself slowly with ice cream, alcohol and cigarettes I chose to live. I chose to get tough. So I started running. And I learned something. Step-by-step and mile-by-mile I became stronger. I got faster. And I got fitter. 90 pounds later and I have learned to not mind falling down because I know that I have the ability to get back up – I have learned that I can face down and do ANYTHING because I am one TOUGH Chik.

Blog: http://seejenroerun.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: My guilty pleasure is playing poker and one of my dreams is to play in the World Series of Poker someday. Couple of people behind me instead!  I’m still slow, but I have improved over the past few years and look forward to making great strides during this year’s training!

Pam

Name: Pam

Location: Arlington, VA

Sport of Choice: RUNNING!

Hobbies: yoga

2012 Race Plans: 3 Half Marathons, Ragnar Relay DC, Richmond Marathon

What make you a Tough Chik: I don’t let physical pain or negativity stop me from chasing my potential.

Blog: knickerstwisted.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: Singer in a rock band!

Danielle

Name: Danielle

Location: Rhode Island

Sport of Choice: Running

Hobbies: Cooking, Sewing, Photography

2012 race Plans: Worcester 1/2 Marathon (Worcester, MA); RnR Providence 1/2 Marathon (Providence, RI);  Air Force Marathon (Dayton, OH).  Hoping to get into Marine Corps Marathon; applied for lottery of NYC Marathon; contemplating my 1st tri (sprint) in June

What makes you a Tough Chik: I was never the athlete growing up; I was a quitter because it didn’t come easy.  But after my first child I decided to not quit when running was hard and I realized that with lots of hard work and dedication, I was half way decent.  I successfully ran through my second pregnancy, hitting a 1/2 marathon PR, and completing two more 1/2′s at 18 and 28-weeks respectively.  How did I ever not think I was tough?!

Blog: mymummashoes.wordpress.com/

Fun Fact: I competed in ballroom dancing at the collegiate level; I’m a construction project manager and wear pink construction boots when I’m at work

Tammy

Name: Tammy

Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland, CANADA

Sport of Choice: Running

Other Hobbies: Reading, Learning, Volunteering, Organizing Fun Walk/Run Events for Charity

2012 Race Plans: I am training for my First Marathon, which takes place in ROME, March 2013.  I plan to do a few 5K’s, 10K’s, a local 15K, the Tely 10-Miler, and the Provincial Half Marathon in September.  Then I will focus on Marathon Training (which I hope to have a better base for by then!).

What make you a Tough Chik: I think I’m a tough chik because I chose to run despite that my friends, family, and coworkers thought I was crazy.  I’m terrified to the core at the thought of training for a marathon, much less running one – but I’m going to do it anyway!  I’m a member of The Arthritis Society’s Joints in Motion Training Team and have committed to raising $6,500 for the opportunity to support arthritis research and to run my first marathon in such a memorable location.  Last May I raised $8,100 and ran the Great Wall (Half) Marathon in China.  Some people think it’s all about the trips, but for me it’s about community.  I enjoy volunteering and putting in the hours and hard work that is required to ensure success.  Raising money to support non-profit organizations takes considerable effort and I am always in awe of the amazing people that work for non-profit organizations.  I’ve met so many wonderful people through volunteering and will continue to do so for as long as I can.  I work full time, take two University courses per semester in the evenings or by distance education, volunteer with the Arthritis Society, Group Lead at various running clinics with The Running Room, and I organize and host several fundraisers during the year )   Oh yeah, and I train for various races ranging from the 5K to the Half (and now Full) Marathon!

Blog: I tried to BLOG last year while raising money for arthritis research during my Great Wall adventure … I might try it again  )

Fun Fact: When I started running in May 2007, most of my race photos had me with the ambulance right behind (as I was always at the back of the pack).  Now, I am proud to say that I no longer let that bother me and that sometimes there are a couple of people behind me instead!  I’m still slow, but I have improved over the past few years and look forward to making great strides during this year’s training!

Trinity

Name: Trinity

Location: Charlotte, NC

Sport of Choice: running

Hobbies: sewing, crafting, yoga and PiYo (training to be an instructor)

2012 Race Plans: 2-6 half marathons, my first full marathon, a Super Spartan, and a Tough Mudder

What make you a Tough Chik: I began running when I was 30, and in the past two years have gone from nothing to marathon training, with two little kids in tow!

Blog: runningmother.blogspot.com

Fun Fact: I moved to Germany with my husband when I was pregnant, and both my children were born there.  Sadly, we moved back before they learned German.

Maria

Name: MARIA

Location: San Diego, CA

Sport of Choice: Running, Biking and soon to be Triathlons

Hobbies: Going to concerts, museums, happy hours, hiking with my dog and traveling.

2012 race Plans: Tinker Bell Half Marathon, Tour de Palm Springs, a few half marathons and a sprint triathlon

What makes you a Tough Chik: Words I live by: Never underestimate the power of self-reliance and inner strength. And tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

Blog: imready2tri.blogspot.com/

Fun Fact: There’s a few: I’m one of the few Filipinas I know who has naturally curly hair.  I am extremely creative and crafty, like Martha Stewart, minus the Type A behavior.  And I’m originally from New Jersey…not the Jersey Shore and I don’t have an accent.

Heather

Name: Heather

Location: Keene NH

Sport of Choice: Running, triathlon, more running!

Other Hobbies: I’m a bit of a gym rat…

2012 Race Plans: First 50 miler, adding 4 more marathons to my 50 states list (including the Blue Ridge Marathon, arguably the toughest road race in the world), Tough Mudder, and possibly a sprint triathlon or two!

What make you a Tough Chik: I’m a single mom to two rambunctious little boys. Running helps keep me strong, both mentally and physically. I’m always looking for the next challenge to push my personal limits.  I don’t let anything or anyone get in my way as I pursue my dreams. I AM a TOUGH CHIK

Blog: www.runfastermommy.com

Fun Fact: I am an ACSM certified Health Fitness Specialist with a BS in exercise and sport science. Richard Simmons is my hero.

Angela and Shannon

The night started with a meet a greet, we had cocktails (thanks to my hubby and William Grant & Sons), Mix1 and some snacks.  Team Tough Chik members Molly and Lisa were in attendance, we got a group shot…but it is MIA!

Presentation by Chris with Fizik

Presentation by Chris with Orbea

We were lucky enough to have Chris from Fizik and Chris with Orbea, each spoke about the importance of women’s specific products, specifically saddles.  The boys were upstaged followed by our very own Angela who gave an amazing presentation on bike maintenance and changing a tire.

We even gave away a few goodies from Fizik, Tough Chik and Out-Spoke-N.

And the winner is...

Angela is VERY excited about Grip Tape!

On Friday morning I introduced Angela to my swim coach and Team Tough Chik member, Trainer Ali!  I got these ladies on the road and showed them one of my favorite rides.

Shannon, Ali and Angela

We had a great afternoon ride and the weather was amazing.  On Sunday Angela returned the favor and introduced me to one of her friends and Team Tough Chik member, Malia!  Angela got me on her turf (the dirt) and showed me who’s boss.  Boy, that girl has mad skills!

Louise, Me, Angela and Malia - showing off how Tough we are!

It was a great time and I must admit that my legs are feeling it today.  I have plenty of time to recover for Tour de Palm Spring next weekend.  More Tough Chiks on bikes, does it get any better?