On the bright side!

I have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride with the onsite of COVID-19 and its impact on society, my local sphere of friends and family, my own personal family, and my own mental grasp. With the pictures on social media of food-less shelves and lack of toilet paper, makes my head reel and if I’m not careful, leaves me a little panicky.

I still don’t know the exact extent of this as I read and hear medical experts admit that THEY don’t even know the whole impact. But here’s one thing, most of us are about to be home more and with it comes a bright side.

Here are some ways to embrace this COVID-19 temporary lock-down.

Cynthia PlankenMarch 15, 2020

Soccer State/National Cup are here -Preparing your daughter for performance

Depending on a girls age, State Cup starts as early as January and for older girls (14-18), they start closer to May. Girls have trained over nine months, most since May of the previous year. Not to mention the time, financial commitment, and energy that goes into practice, games, tournaments, and showcases. I know this all too well with two of my own daughters 100% committed and from my own experience playing soccer throughout my childhood and into college.

Here are a few tips leading up to competition..

SoccerCynthia PlankenFebruary 17, 2020US Club Soccer, National Cup 2020, CalSouth, State Cup 2020, soccer, girls soccer

How to Race the Belgian Waffle Ride on a Mountain Bike

You might be asking yourself, can I ride Belgian Waffle Ride on a mountain bike? The answer is yes, and we’re going to show you how.

Gravel cyclingGuest UserFebruary 10, 2020bicycles, gravel, BWR, Belgian Waffle RideComment

Bike of choice of Endurance Gravel Rides..?

Which bike is the best bike for a gravel endurance event?

Deciding on the right bike for you is a big part of the training puzzle. Play to your strengths and weigh out the pros and cons is important and a very individualized answer. I asked three experienced riders which bike they recommend (and why) and other factors to consider.

Gravel cyclingCynthia PlankenFebruary 3, 2020gravel training, gravel, cycling, bicycles Comment

Upper Body Strength for Gravel Cyclists

Why do gravel cyclists need upper body strength? Well, picture yourself heading down a descent on your gravel bicycle. You maneuver up and over little bumps, rocks, roots and through ruts. This happens dozens of times over the course of many hours.

Gravel Training - Top 3 training tips for a strong season

With gravel growing and races get spicier (longer, harder, more elevation) each year, it’s important to start the season strong and focused.

Here are 3 Training Tips for a Strong Season (especially in your first ‘block’ of training) .

Cynthia PlankenJanuary 8, 2020

About the 12 Days of Core Xmas

Core Xmas was created as a fun approach to adding core into your day without having to buy equipment or even change your clothes. The goal for core is to create a strong base and support for your body to work from; solid platform to launch off of.

Cynthia PlankenDecember 31, 2019

Flex!

While you can do a lot with nothing, it is also fun to have a few toys on hand to add some fun and challenge to your exercises. I don’t think you need to join a gym to start strength training. Think simple.

Cynthia PlankenDecember 18, 2019training, strength, core, performance

A FALLEN HERO

Can’t quite get my head wrapped around the death of a friend, a fellow teammate.. who embodied all that I love in mountain biking and racing - he was fast..very fast. He was cool.. very cool. And he loved riding. Can’t quite get my head wrapped around the death of a friend, a fellow teammate.. who embodied all that I love in mountain biking and racing - he was fast..very fast. He was cool.. very cool. And he loved riding.

Cynthia PlankenDecember 13, 2019

Happy Trail Dog

5 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR YOU NEXT HIKE WITH YOUR 4-LEGGED FRIEND

Summer is a great time to be out on trail with your favorite trail dog! But before you go out on your next hike, be prepared to ensure you and your dog have a safe and pleasant experience. Dogs have needs just like us, but they can’t communicate as well.

Here are a few simple tips to help make sure your adventure is full of wagging tails!

Carry Lots of Water. Small amounts of water given frequently will help them stay hydrated and cool.
Take Lots of Breaks. Heat stroke is NO joke! Dogs are usually so eager to please and participate that they will continue to pound out trail miles with you until they suddenly collapse from exhaustion.

Click below to more tips and learn about how to best care for your dog on your next hike.

Cynthia PlankenAugust 18, 2019hiking, dogs, trail dog, dog health

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