ATHLETE HIGHLIGHT: Shelly
My favorite part of being a cycling coach is working with such amazing people and committed athletes and being on this journey with them of striving, growing, learning and that feeling of being alive and doing what you love doing.
It is my hope and goal to highlight these badass athletes not just to showcase their awesomeness but also to give insights and training tips on the things that help them achieve their goals.
Enjoy
Chi
SHELLY PEPPI-NANI
GOALS: Adventure. Go Hard. “See how hard I can push”
PROFESSION: Physician Assistant in Urgent Care. She works 12-hour days and 15 days a month.
FAMILY LIFE: Married with twin sons in their 20s and her dog, Sonrisa
VALUES: Time with family and time for adventure; Good music and good food.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Stagecoach 400 - several times including March 2024
Pebbler Cobbler 7.0 - Feb 2024
Escape LA - November 2024 (300 miles, 42,000’ in 5 days)
12-hours of Temecula (solo)
Belgian Waffle Ride
Leadville 100
Races for TASCO-MTB Factory Team
TRAINING PROGRAM
I’ve been working with Shelly for close to five years. Between her demanding work schedule (long days on her feet as well as needing to be fully present and charged), time with family and fun shit, and her goals for endurance events and bike packing, training is a delicate balance. She averages 3-4 major bike packing events a year which requires a lot of energy and effort (around 2000 TSS). What makes Shelly badass and an awesome athlete is that she is very clear on what matters to her and what makes her excited in life - no question about it. She’s also great under pressure - hence her profession.
The critical component to Shelly’s training is a sustainable BASE activity level, so when it’s time to up her game for a bikepacking event, the delta in training wasn’t as big. The goal was to MASTER the BASICS and this woman is a master.
The training keeps me in a perpetual state of readiness. Readiness for whatever adventure, ride, race, pops up. With just some fine-tuning and tweaking I’m prepared to go! I love that!
Shelly
A bit of Shelly’s Magic Recipe
Packs a lunch for work - this is part of her nutrition program which not only helps in recovery but also ensures she’s getting the protein she needs in her day. Here’s a video of what she puts in the lunch (and yes she has her own chickens)
Rides weekly on average 8-10 hours, 500 TSS on the bike.
Ensures good sleep to help with recovery (which is essential. )
Takes care of her body with Yoga Mondays and massages.
Gets two strength training sessions in per week as well as hiking and/or running. Hiking is important for multi-day events when there can be some long stretches of hike-a-bike. Also her bike weighs extra so important for her core, stability, balance are honed in. Also with all the elevation in a day, having strong legs and ramping up the hill strength helps with the integrity of her joints especially the knees.
Have this base allows for her to ramp up training without over stressing her system. She has become a master of doing the daily things well - she’s consistent and shows up, makes the time and puts in the effort.
Shelly, your journey is truly inspiring, and I couldn't be prouder of your unwavering dedication and commitment. Your ability to balance a demanding schedule with your passion for cycling and endurance events is nothing short of remarkable. Keep pushing your limits, and know that I'll be here every step of the way to support and celebrate your achievements. You're an absolute rockstar, Shelly!