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    <title>The Lastest Blog By namrita</title>
    <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/blog/namrita.aspx</link>
    <description>Lastest Blog By namrita</description>
    <language>en</language>
    <item>
      <title>ATL 1/2 Marathon </title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/14736/ATL_1/2_Marathon_.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/25/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I decided to do the 1/2 marathon 2 days before the race.  I had gotten a training plan from Kyle at <a href="http://www.continuumsports.com">Continuum Sports Solutions</a> 8 weeks ago but I wasn't able to keep up with it because the shoes I was wearing caused a problem with my feet and calves.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/11/atl-12-marathon.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fall in Georgia</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/13280/Fall_in_Georgia.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/17/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Ah, Fall...it's so nice to finally see you again
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6253389729_7ebfe1eb7e.jpg" /><br />
Cohutta Mountains near Ellijay, GA<br />
photo by Eddie O'Dea
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/10/fall-georgia.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>I &lt;3 Cross</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/13279/I_3_Cross.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/10/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I hadn't planned on doing any more cross races until November but when Shannon and Laurie offered me a ride down to Macon for the 2nd series race I couldn't help but say yes...  Cross is addicting. Extremely addicting.  Our friends were also in town from Thursday through Sunday so the weekend involved a lot of this
<img src="http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg644/scaled.php?tn=0&amp;server=644&amp;filename=rtlje.jpg&amp;xsize=640&amp;ysize=640" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/10/i-3-cross.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>And just like that..cyclocross is back!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/13278/And_just_like_thatcyclocross_is_back.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/4/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6207549056_624047171e.jpg" /><br />
Photo by Mike Waine
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/10/and-just-thatcyclocross-back.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Six Gap part II: Hogpen, Wolfpen, Woody's</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/13277/Six_Gap_part_II_Hogpen,_Wolfpen,_Woodys.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>9/26/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[As we turned on to Hogpen there was a lot of shuffling around, drinking, eating, etc. There was a 10km timed portion for the first of two KOMs but I never got a timing chip.  I didn't have any calories so Eddie gave me a bottle of HEED that he picked up at the previous aid station. The climb is 7 miles and averages 7% but gets as steep as 15%.  The steep section is right where they have an aid station between miles 3 &amp; 4.  Greg told me NOT to stop there because I would never get going again and there was an aid station at the top anyway.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/09/six-gap-part-ii-hogpen-wolfpen-woodys.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Six Gap part I: Neel's, Jack's, Unicoi</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/13276/Six_Gap_part_I_Neels,_Jacks,_Unicoi.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>9/26/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Six Gap is one of those things that I have never done but have been meaning to do ever since I started riding.  This year, with Interbike moved, it was a good time to do it.  I have also done enough 100 milers this year to know my body would be conditioned enough to make it through the 104 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing despite the lack of training lately.  3,000 people sign up for this event that leaves downtown Dahlonega at 7:30am.  If you want to avoid the sketchballs you have to race to stay at the front of the group for the first 20 miles or so.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/09/six-gap-part-i-neels-jacks-unicoi.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Colorado and running?!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/13275/Colorado_and_running.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>9/23/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[It's hard to believe I've only been on a bike twice in the last 3 weeks. After Interbike we celebrated Eddie's birthday and then I hopped on a plane to Colorado Springs for the International Sports Nutrition Conference.  The conference was really well done and included fun activities like horseback riding in the Garden of the Gods.  I even got to sit on a panel next to Josh Cox which was pretty cool.  Other than that I have been running quite a bit and really enjoying it.  'Cross practice really hasn't been happening for me and it's more stress than it's worth to worry about that right now.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/09/colorado-and-running.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Interbike whirlwind</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12441/Interbike_whirlwind.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>9/16/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I really just wanted 2 days in Vegas this year. I didn't have to work a booth so why spend anymore time in Vegas than needed? I, unfortunately, missed the Sinclair party but other than that it was actually a really good time and, in my opinion, more fun than last year.  I was blown away by the new products from both our main sponsors, <a href="http://topeak.com/">Topeak</a> and <a href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/interbike2011">Ergon</a>.  If you thought last year's new products were great just wait...2012 has so much more.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/09/interbike-whirlwind.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Life, etc.</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12419/Life,_etc.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>9/11/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Time flies, no luxury time lately for blogging.  Ever since we got home from our amazing trip out West things have been go-go-go.  This is really my semester to start making some progress with my research so I can get this PhD thing wrapped up and move on.  Literally.  I have a goal to work towards and the prize is out West..the sooner I am done with school the sooner we can go!  That being said, racing is taking a back seat to school this Fall while I get things in order.  I'm still (sort of loosely) training and I plan on doing some CX for fun again.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/09/life-etc.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Camp Carey &amp; Pierre's Hole 100</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12418/Camp_Carey__Pierres_Hole_100.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>8/8/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Right after High Cascades 100 I drove back with Amanda for two weeks of "Camp Carey" to live like a real pro.  The days consisted of nothing but real R&amp;R..sleeping in, drinking coffee, eating well, riding amazing singletrack, soaking in cold streams, etc. etc.  
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5982882445_bd85e6aee0.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/08/camp-carey-pierres-hole-100.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>No bike</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12417/No_bike.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/31/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I had to take a couple days completely off from sitting on a saddle. With the two long 100 milers in two weeks and all the riding I have been doing in between for the last several weeks, things were starting to get..um..really uncomfortable. Plus, I still have Pierre's Hole 100 coming up.  So, time to heal.  It's a good thing I am in one of the best locations for hiking.  It kills me to not be riding but I am doing my best to enjoy the outdoors anyway, just a lot slower. 
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5992052983_a7924c3726.jpg" />]]></description>
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      <title>R&amp;R'ing in Jackson, WY</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12416/RRing_in_Jackson,_WY.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/28/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Really, can you think of a better way to spend a rest week?
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5983440268_7422b237df.jpg" />]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>High Cascades 100!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12415/High_Cascades_100.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/26/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I know the last race is always the hardest. But, really, I think High Cascades 100 (..err 108) was really the hardest hundred miler, even more so than the Creampuff.  I don't know why..maybe because I didn't expect it.  I had a rough day from the start.  My breakfast just didn't sit well for me and despite the decent start (3rd into the woods) I think about 100 people passed me on the first 35 mile loop. I felt like I was literally going backwards on every little flat or climb and I was even getting passed on the downhill which doesn't happen all that often.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/07/high-cascades-100.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Cascade Creampuff 100 report</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12414/Cascade_Creampuff_100_report.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/14/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I have been having way too much fun to want to sit and blog.  But, here it goes.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/07/cascade-creampuff-100-report.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Costa Rica = recharge</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12413/Costa_Rica_=_recharge.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/27/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Immediately after Lumberjack 100 we booked it back to Detroit to catch an early morning flight to San Jose, Costa Rica.  We'd spend one whole week there with my sister and her hubby without a real plan...only to have a damn good time.  Our home base for the week was in Jaco, not the best town but it was a good central location.  We spent the first day just chillin on the beach and playing in the waves.  I got in a little over my head trying to catch the bigger waves without a board- wow the rip currents there were insane.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/06/costa-rica-recharge.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Costa Rica - the photos</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12412/Costa_Rica_-_the_photos.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/27/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5199/5877355825_91d5dcc5ab.jpg" /><br />
Quepos
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5877449815_4348e43c37.jpg" /><br />
Monteverde 
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5877442863_1c023831ff.jpg" /><br />
The Common Cup
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5877414117_25aec525c6.jpg" /><br />
Santa Elena
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5234/5877405653_ba765bec6f.jpg" /><br />
Santa Elena
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5877925120_b35f2872a6.jpg" /><br />
Manuel Antonio
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/06/costa-rica-photos.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Lumberjack 100 race report</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12411/Lumberjack_100_race_report.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/19/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[OK, I'm procrastinating packing so here is the short &amp; the u*** of the race report. 
I felt awesome on yesterday's preride. My goal for the race was to finish in less than 8 hours and 30 minutes which I thought was reasonable. Just about every single NUE heavy hitter seemed to be on the women's start list so I was trying not to even think about the podium.  I would just focus on trying to beat the clock and would be happy with whatever place I got.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/06/lumberjack-100-race-report.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Lumberjack 100- almost GO time</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/12410/Lumberjack_100-_almost_GO_time.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/16/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/5837753556_a79b555d84.jpg" />
Everything is just about ready, we leave tomorrow morning.  Other than a calf muscle that decided to freak out on me this week I am feeling really good.  Hopefully two days of rest will make the calf a non-issue for this weekend.  Until then, ice/foam roll/stretch/repeat.  
The race report will have to wait until after COSTA RICA!!!]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>catching up</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9915/catching_up.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>2/14/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Whew. I thought that once my qualifying exams were over I'd actually have some free time. Not so much! I guess I had forgotten how time consuming training for long-distance racing is.  This was my first real productive, uninterrupted week of endurance training and I got worked. 
Let's see, there was Snake Creek Gap last weekend<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4395847833_5f06d56431_m.jpg" />
A pre-ride of the Southern Cross short course mid-week. BTW, have you seen the podium t's??<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/5410758324_84e9622e9b_m.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/02/catching.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>mountain biking!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9914/mountain_biking.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>2/7/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I can literally count on one hand the number of times I've been mountain biking since the 12 hours of Dauset in September.  After just having the craziest week with 2 days of exams followed by the Southeast ACSM conference..meaning.."rest week", we definitely took advantage of Sunday's 55* and sunny weather. Eddie and I hit up our favorite trail which means rocks, sweeping turns, ridge riding and some great views.  
Eddie draining the puddles
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5424546917_fb7607e1d7_m.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/02/mountain-biking.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>XXC mag issue #10 is out</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9913/XXC_mag_issue_10_is_out.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/31/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://xxcmag.com/site/XXC_files/XXC_10_Cover_Web.jpg" />
Go <a href="http://xxcmag.com/site/eMag.html">here</a> to download.]]></description>
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      <title>Finally! A warm day</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9912/Finally_A_warm_day.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/29/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I absolutely had to fit a ride in today so we made the most of our time and rode the fat tires from the house to some intown dirt.  4 hours later I couldn't be happier..and tomorrow should be just as nice outside!
Ride food.<br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5399564298_1af92f5d56_m.jpg" />
My ride.<br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5399564554_f72334a916_m.jpg" />
My riding partner.<br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5398964411_f177676254_m.jpg" />
Flat, windy trail. Good for pedaling.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/finally-warm-day.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Rome Winter CX/Georgia State Championship Race Report</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9911/Rome_Winter_CX/Georgia_State_Championship_Race_Report.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/24/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I got 2nd at the Georgia State Championship CX race yesterday. I should be happy and thrilled but I'm not.  Instead, I couldn't sleep last night thinking about why I never had a chance at winning.  It was one of those races in which I was just standing in my own way of something that would have been..well..amazing.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/rome-winter-cxgeorgia-state-championship-race-report.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>cabin fever</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9910/cabin_fever.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/14/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[If you don't live in the South and you don't follow a bunch of Southerners on twitter or facebook then you may not know that we have been basically stuck inside our houses for 3-4 days.  The roads have been iced over so that they're not driveable or rideable. Businesses, clinics, schools, and restaurants were closed.  Mail trucks were in ditches.  Grocery stores were completely wiped out. Grown men were falling while trying to shovel or walk their dog.  Dogs were confused about where to poop.  Cyclists were stuck inside forced to ride their trainers or..crosstrain.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/cabin-fever.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>2011 Team Topeak-Ergon bikes</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9909/2011_Team_Topeak-Ergon_bikes.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/10/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[In case you haven't seen it, feast your eyes on this machine...
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5332763841_15d27953d5.jpg" />
Specifications:<br />
Frame: Grand Canyon CF (Hardtail)<br />
Drivetrain: SRAM XX<br />
Fork: RockShox SID Worldcup Team<br />
Wheels: DT Swiss XRC 1250 Carbon / DT Swiss XM 1550 Tricon<br />
Tires: Continental Race King 2.2<br />
Brakes: Magura Marta SL Team, MT 8 Team<br />
Headset: Ritchey Superlogic<br />
Stem: Ritchey WCS carbonmatrix 4-Axis<br />
Handlebar: Ritchey Superlogic Carbon<br />
Seat post: Ritchey WCS Carbon<br />
Grips: Ergon GP1 Leichtbau, GA1 Leichtbau
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/2011-team-topeak-ergon-bikes.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Week 1 is in the books</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9908/Week_1_is_in_the_books.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/10/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I was really on the fence about this CX race today. I haven't done 3 long days in a row of riding in a very, very long time. But, since we are sponsoring the Rome Winter CX Series, I thought it would be a good idea to go and represent both <a href="http://55nine.com">55nine Performance</a> and the <a href="http://womenscyclingproject.com">Women's Cycling Project</a>.  Plus, it's always nice to just get the first race of the year done.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/week-1-books.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>And so it begins.</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9907/And_so_it_begins.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/6/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I can't believe it's time for the Rome Winter Cyclocross Series.  I was sad for the Georgia Cross series to end (yes, there is something incredibly addicting about CX) but man...these last 4 weeks of no racing really flew by.  All the cross training really has me thinking I want to move somewhere skiing is possible in the winter.  I love cycling but I always get an itch to do something different at the end of the season.  I'm thinking Idaho.  Or Minneapolis.  Two very different choices..I know.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/and-so-it-begins.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Southern Cross Twin Six/Krautstache Design shirts!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/9906/Southern_Cross_Twin_Six/Krautstache_Design_shirts.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/4/2011</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Men's shirts:<br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5324644558_c73a907cdb.jpg" /><br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5324644630_88d6971d27.jpg" />
Women's shirts:<br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5324644786_874604acc4.jpg" /><br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5324644682_bd414c2d01.jpg" />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5239630042_82053e5d2f.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2011/01/southern-cross-twin-sixkrautstache-design-shirts.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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      <title>Thanksgiving: Is it all about the food?</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8842/Thanksgiving_Is_it_all_about_the_food.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/24/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Is Thanksgiving all 
about the food?&nbsp; Hopefully not.&nbsp; But, if you are anywhere near a grocery
 store today you may notice that it does seem to be <em>a lot</em> about
 the food.&nbsp; Through all the crazy traffic, shoppers, and pumpkin pies, 
don't forget to appreciate the time with your family and friends.&nbsp; If 
you are planning a long weekend of food-related fun, here's some things 
to keep in mind when you're tempted to fill up a second (or third!) 
plate of food...<br><br>1) Get in a morning workout whether it's a
 bike ride, a Thanksgiving 5K or 1/2 marathon, or a trip to the gym.&nbsp; 
You'll feel more energetic and will be less likely to overeat 
afterward. <br><br>2) If you are doing the cooking, be careful to
 not "taste" too much of the cooking.&nbsp; And, avoid mindless snacking 
while hanging out in the kitchen all day as the calories will add up.<br><br>3) Drink plenty of water all day long.&nbsp; I personally like drinking nuun - it's low calorie and slightly flavored. <br><br>4)
 Don't save all your calories for one BIG meal.&nbsp; Instead, eat a 
reasonable breakfast with lean protein, fruits, and veggies.&nbsp; Eat at 
least a small lunch so you don't arrive at Thanksgiving Dinner too 
hungry. <br><br>5) If you are hosting, make some healthy 
appetizers available...for example we are having nuts, fruit plates, 
olives, and baked sweet potato rounds with goat cheese, pecans, and 
dried cherries. <br><br>6) When serving up your dinner plate, 
make 60-75% of your plate lean protein and veggies.&nbsp; Watch out for the 
cream-based vegetable dishes, though! Keep the breads and starches to a 
minimum; in other words, make them the accessories to the meal.&nbsp; <br><br>7)
 Have dessert if you want it, but wait at least an hour after dinner to 
have it.&nbsp; The first bite always tastes the best so just a small serving 
should do it.<br><br>8) Don't forget that alcohol has calories, 
too.&nbsp; A long day of socializing around the kitchen can result in a lot 
of snacking and a lot of drinking if you're not aware.&nbsp; For every drink 
you have, also have a glass of water or sparkling water.<br><br>9) Get outside.&nbsp; After dinner, take a walk around the neighborhood.&nbsp; Trust me, you'll be glad you did. <br><br>10)
 Be aware.&nbsp; If you are worried about gaining off-season pounds or 
"winter weight", remember that every one of your choices counts and will
 make a difference in the big picture.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>THINK</em> about what you are doing and what you are eating and you'll have an easier time staying on track.&nbsp; It really is that simple. <br><br>Happy Thanksgiving!<br>Namrita K. O'Dea MS, RD]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Puzzle</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8841/The_Puzzle.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/21/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[For the past 3 weeks, I've pretty much been a single "parent" with 3 dogs on my own.  We don't have a big yard so I have been doing plenty of dog walking and very fast dog running..with 3x60 lb dogs that are faaaast.  It should be no surprise to me that I tweaked something in my hamstring and now it hurts to walk. I can still ride my bike but racing CX sounded like a bad idea so I skipped the Anniston night race Bamacross.  Bummer.  But, The Puzzle turned up.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/11/puzzle.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Georgia Cross in TN</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8840/Georgia_Cross_in_TN.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/15/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes, this past weekend's cross race was in Tennessee.  That meant 4 hours of driving for a 45 minute race.  Before this Fall I'm not sure I would have ever considering driving that much to ride for so little.  However, it IS a lot of action packed fun in that 45 minutes so I couldn't resist.  Plus, I feel like the more race courses I can see now the better.  They've all been really different.  The bad thing about that is that I am constantly exposing new weaknesses.  The good thing is that I am constantly exposing new weaknesses and working on them.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/11/georgia-cross-tn.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Iceman race report</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8839/Iceman_race_report.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/8/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I really didn't want to write one..but maybe doing so will help me remember what not to do if I ever decide to race again.  OK, I'm being over dramatic..if I ever decide to race ICEMAN again.
I liked Eddie's facebook status today, it pretty much sums up my race, also: "Adversity was overcome, though not all that quickly"
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/11/iceman-race-report.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Iceman Cometh.....already???</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8838/Iceman_Comethalready.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/5/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Whether I like it or not, I am heading to Michigan right after my midterms today.  Tomorrow, just under 4000 people will be racing 28 miles point-to-point in northern Michigan, ending in Traverse City.  I have been really excited for this one, but right now my feeling is it could NOT come at a worse time.  I haven't been on my bike more than once or twice a week if I'm lucky and school has been worse than ever...luckily only 5 more weeks of the semester because I don't think I could take it if it was any longer than that.  Oh well, I am just going to ride as hard as I can.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/11/iceman-comethalready.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Halloween at Mulberry Gap..and, of course, more CX</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8837/Halloween_at_Mulberry_Gapand,_of_course,_more_CX.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>11/2/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[This year, the Halloween ride at Mulberry Gap was a little different.  In the spirit of the Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure (PMBAR) we put on a "just for fun" CMBAR (Cohutta Mountain Bike Adventure Ride) on the Saturday before Halloween.  In the meantime, Eddie and I got out on the local roads for some 'cross bike action in preparation for Sunday's Georgia Cross race at Life University.  
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1404/5137617313_d7d098ea59_m.jpg" />
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1396/5137617609_223593b240_m.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/11/halloween-mulberry-gapand-course-more-cx.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Introduction to Mountain Biking: Training and Nutrition</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8472/Introduction_to_Mountain_Biking_Training_and_Nutrition.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/29/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Eddie and Namrita O’Dea spent the afternoon at REI Atlanta familiarizing new riders of all ages with the basics of mountain biking.  They covered a range of topics from choosing the right bike to proper nutrition and hydration to building fitness and skills quickly and enjoyably.  So, in a nutshell…what do they like and recommend?

Bike choice:
Eddie: Full suspension cross-country bike
Namrita: For an intro bike if you are on a budget: Hardtail with front suspension.  If money isn’t an issue: Full suspension cross-country bike.

Best bike upgrade:
Eddie: Ergon GX2 grips (with barends)
Namrita: Ergon GP1 grips (no barends)

Favorite bike accessory:
Eddie: Topeak Mini 20 Pro multitool
Namrita: Topeak Race Rocket mini pump

Favorite nutrition product:
Eddie: PowerGel and Gel Blasts
Namrita: PowerBar Endurance (Lemon Lime)

Best piece of advice for building fitness:
Eddie: Ride hard, rest hard
Namrita: Don’t forget about rest days and the importance of enough sleep and good nutrition

Best piece of advice for improving skills:
Eddie: Look ahead, not down
Namrita: Stay positive and relaxed.  Momentum is your friend.

I never ride without:
Eddie: Saddle bag with spare tube, tire levers, multi-tool, and Rescue Box
Namrita: Saddle bag with all the above, plus I always carry a cell phone]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fall</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8836/Fall.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[So far, my Fall has looked mostly like this
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5073990034_91434ae9c7.jpg" />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5056582637_8f84fc0eba.jpg" />
I haven't touched my mountain bike since the 12 hours of Dauset back in September.  And, I'm not complaining..I've been having a blast.  
This weekend, though, it's time for the annual Halloween tradition of riding mountain bikes in the North Georgia mountains...
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/4066464490_7d37abb4ab.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/10/fall.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Georgia Cross 4 &amp; 5: small victories</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8835/Georgia_Cross_4__5_small_victories.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/25/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I drove down to Savannah on Saturday with the Graham family and was able to get in a couple pre-rides of the course before our 6:30pm race.  I liked the course with the exception that there was 3 dismounts.  For anyone keeping track, that is one more dismount per lap than in my previous two races.  And, that is not good for me.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/10/georgia-cross-4-5-small-victories.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>vacation: photo post</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8834/vacation_photo_post.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/21/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[When you can't remember the last time you had a vacation that didn't involve training or racing, it's probably time for a "no bike" vacation.  Ours was in San Fran with 10 of our closest friends..no really, two sets of siblings and their significant others and a few other good friends.  In 5 days we managed to visit almost every neighborhood in SF and even a day trip up to Napa..in style.  12 people in a stretch limo for the day = good times.  We had a lot to celebrate: 5 birthdays and 2 anniversaries! 
Le Trappe- Belgian beer bar in North Beach
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/10/vacation-photo-post.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cyclocross: A learning project</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8833/Cyclocross_A_learning_project.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/11/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I was not nearly as anxious for the 2nd race..having had done it even just once before calmed my nerves a lot.  I still have no idea what I'm doing out there but, at least for now, racing is how I'm figuring it out.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/10/cyclocross-learning-project.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Off-season fun: Montaluce Winery, Hiker Hostel</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/8832/Off-season_fun_Montaluce_Winery,_Hiker_Hostel.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>10/9/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[It's about that time again, to start finalizing details for Southern X..2011 edition.  We have some really great changes in store that the racers and sponsors will love.  Stay tuned for some announcements in the very near future.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/10/season-fun-montaluce-winery-hiker-hostel.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>making the best</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/7139/making_the_best.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I have not wanted to ride on the road at ALL lately.  Maybe it's 
the heat..or maybe I'm just bored with the lack of good training roads 
in Atlanta.  There's not much good scenery close-by and we live in an 
area with lots of truck traffic and stop lights.  Lately, I've been 
putting more miles on our 2002 Escape which is reaching the end of it's 
precious life..220,000+ miles on it!!..just because all I feel like 
doing right now is riding mountain bikes.  
It's unfortunate that we don't have any good mountain biking within 
the City of Atlanta.  We have Sope Creek..but it's nothing like it used 
to be.  It's about 5 miles of trail, if that, that's mostly used by 
runners and walkers.  I wish we lived in a city that had weekly short 
track and XC races..heck..I wish we lived in a city where mountain 
biking was an option without having to drive an hour.  We have some 
secret trails here and there around the city so I've just been trying to
 mix some of those in on my lower-volume training days.  
<br><br>lunch today<br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4835202528_a33e2d7d82_m.jpg">
<br>thinking that I should have brought bug spray
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4835203174_7807b3550e_m.jpg">
<br>not many people ride these trails, obviously.  some parts are little overgrown and there are lots of trees down<br>&nbsp;<br><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4835202826_497192cec0_m.jpg">
<br><br>I do my fair share of dismounting on this trail..for example here<br><br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4834593699_caccd4ae71_m.jpg">
<br><br>Then, some of the stuff is really fun to ride, too. You always have 
to expect little wheel grabbers from underneath, though.  They like to 
surprise you.<br><br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4834594019_bfe197e647_m.jpg">
<br><br>I'm counting down the days until the weekend..we will be checking out
 the trail and route status for the Fool's Gold 50/100...the race is 
less than 4 weeks away now!]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mid-summer in Georgia</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6924/Mid-summer_in_Georgia.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/19/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Summertime in Georgia means getting to the mountains as much as 
possible to mountain bike.  Creek crossings, shade, and the daily 
thunderstorm all help to make you forget it's 90-some degrees outside.  
4-hour mountain bike rides in the mountains have been the norm 
lately.  Exploring some new stuff with Eddie in his preparation for the 
Trans-North-Georgia race and riding some old stuff like Stanley Gap, 
Green Mountain, Tibbs, Unicoi that I haven't ridden in awhile.<br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4808115495_3da369b8fd_m.jpg">
<br>I think I have done more climbing in the last 3 weeks than I have all
 year combined!  At least, that's how my legs feel right now. With the Offroad Assault on Mount Mitchell (ORAMM)
 approaching quickly, I am going to try to get some rest this week.  
It's hard to believe that this race season started on January 2 with the
 Snake Creek Gap Time Trials!<br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4239652554_fb7470c839_m.jpg">
<br>My original plan was to taper off on the mountain bike racing after 
ORAMM in favor of training for a late fall marathon.  But, the mountain 
bike race season never ends around here and there are so many races 
tempting me<br>.  
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/4619586229_61d49cf631_m.jpg">
<br>Yep, I've signed up for the <a href="http://55nine.com/100.html">100</a>
 again.  I couldn't resist..I had so much fun doing it last year.  This 
time, though, I'll be racing my Rotwild R.R2 full suspension bike.<br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4808148845_8d386e9d4e_m.jpg">
<br>There's also a new <a href="http://www.active.com/mountain-biking/hiram-ga/3rd-annual-assault-on-brushy-mountain-2010">40
 &amp; 80 mile race called the Assault on Brushy Mountain</a> that will 
take place just 30 minutes from our house in October so that one is a 
must-do, also.  I have no idea what the course will be like but I am 
definitely going to check it out.]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Women's Mountain Bike Weekend at Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-a-way</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6783/Womens_Mountain_Bike_Weekend_at_Mulberry_Gap_Mountain_Bike_Get-a-way.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/12/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Women's Mountain Bike Weekend at <a href="http://mulberrygap.com">Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-a-way</a>
Sponsored by <a href="http://topeak.com">Topeak</a> and <a href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/home">Ergon</a>
Dates: Sept 3-6<br />
Location: Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-a-way in Ellijay, GA
Amenities: Fresh farm-to-table meals, on-site trail access, massage therapist (advance booking required), dog-friendly, maps available, guided rides, beginner clinics, free give-aways, clean cabins, hot showers, and hot tubs
All levels of riders are welcome
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/07/womens-mountain-bike-weekend-mulberry-gap-mountain-bike-get-way.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>pedal pedal pedal</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6812/pedal_pedal_pedal.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/8/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[For the past several months I've been struggling with pedaling technique.  I used to brag about how I had a pretty perfect pedal stroke, but sometime in the past few months something changed.  At some point, I started emphasizing one particular motion in the pedal stroke too much, causing certain muscles to fatigue faster, eventually resulting in tightness in my knees, IT bands, and hip flexors.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/07/pedal-pedal-pedal.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Climbing in the Cohuttas</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6689/Climbing_in_the_Cohuttas.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/7/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[We spent the long weekend celebrating the 4th of July by hanging out with friends at <a href="http://mulberrygap.com">Mulberry Gap</a>, watching people and fireworks (but mostly people) in downtown Ellijay, and of course climbing almost every hill we could find in the Cohutta Wilderness.  
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4769719734_8dc9f7b1f8_m.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/07/climbing-cohuttas.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>TGI the long weekend</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6780/TGI_the_long_weekend.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>7/2/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I can't believe it's already been almost two weeks since Lumberjack 100 and my vacation.  Recovery has been slow after this last race.  My legs have not felt great, my ribs have been really sore, and I have been just generally tired and still sad about Bob.  It has been over two weeks since he went missing.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/07/tgi-long-weekend.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Lumberjack 100: 2, Me: 1</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6779/Lumberjack_100_2,_Me_1.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/22/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes!! Lumberjack 100 was great and third time was a charm.  I had two goals for the day: 1) finish and 2) have fun.  I did finish and it was pretty fun so I call that a success.  
I decided to pace myself very conservatively so I could actually maintain and hopefully get faster on each of the 3x33 mile laps.  I went out feeling great but with the plan of holding back for at least 4 hours.  My goal was to finish under 9 hours.  Seeing that I have not, by a NUE racer's standards, at all been training for a 100 mile race I thought that was a reasonable expectation for myself.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/lumberjack-100-2-me-1.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Lumberjack 100: 2, Me: 1</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6809/Lumberjack_100_2,_Me_1.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/22/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes!! Lumberjack 100 was great and third time was a charm.  I had two goals for the day: 1) finish and 2) have fun.  I did finish and it was pretty fun so I call that a success.  
I decided to pace myself very conservatively so I could actually maintain and hopefully get faster on each of the 3x33 mile laps.  I went out feeling great but with the plan of holding back for at least 4 hours.  My goal was to finish under 9 hours.  Seeing that I have not, by a NUE racer's standards, at all been training for a 100 mile race I thought that was a reasonable expectation for myself.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/lumberjack-100-2-me-1.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>next up, lumberjack 100</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6808/next_up,_lumberjack_100.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/17/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Here I am again..for the third time.  It's a long way from home but this year I'm determined to cross the finish line.  2 years ago, I crashed out of the race before the race even started and last year my knee injury took me out after 50 miles.  
This year, I simply have two goals: 1) Finish and 2) Have fun.  Long races are not my focus this year so it's nice to not have any additional pressure..who knows, I may even do better than I think I will..we shall see.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/next-lumberjack-100.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>next up, lumberjack 100</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6778/next_up,_lumberjack_100.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/17/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Here I am again..for the third time.  It's a long way from home but this year I'm determined to cross the finish line.  2 years ago, I crashed out of the race before the race even started and last year my knee injury took me out after 50 miles.  
This year, I simply have two goals: 1) Finish and 2) Have fun.  Long races are not my focus this year so it's nice to not have any additional pressure..who knows, I may even do better than I think I will..we shall see.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/next-lumberjack-100.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>next up, lumberjack 100</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6686/next_up,_lumberjack_100.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/17/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Here I am again..for the third time.  It's a long way from home but this year I'm determined to cross the finish line.  2 years ago, I crashed out of the race before the race even started and last year my knee injury took me out after 50 miles.  
This year, I simply have two goals: 1) Finish and 2) Have fun.  Long races are not my focus this year so it's nice to not have any additional pressure..who knows, I may even do better than I think I will..we shall see.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/next-lumberjack-100.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bob: Missing in Knoxville, TN</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6777/Bob_Missing_in_Knoxville,_TN.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/16/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I woke up this morning to an email that Bob, my beloved past foster dog is currently missing in Knoxville, TN.  He escaped from his yard at 3am on Tuesday 6/15/10.  He was near Ebenezer &amp; Northshore near Pellissippi Pkwy.  
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/4706651086_6b764414ee_m.jpg" />
If anyone has any information, please let me know.  Thanks, in advance.]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bob: Missing in Knoxville, TN</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6807/Bob_Missing_in_Knoxville,_TN.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/16/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I woke up this morning to an email that Bob, my beloved past foster dog is currently missing in Knoxville, TN.  He escaped from his yard at 3am on Tuesday 6/15/10.  He was near Ebenezer &amp; Northshore near Pellissippi Pkwy.  
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/4706651086_6b764414ee_m.jpg" />
If anyone has any information, please let me know.  Thanks, in advance.]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>training tips</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6806/training_tips.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/9/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://bikerumor.com">Bike Rumor</a> interviewed Jeff Kerkove, Eddie, and me and came up with a pretty good amount of information regarding training for endurance.  See the column <a href="http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/06/08/endurance-training-tips-an-interview-with-topeak-ergon-team-riders/">here</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>training tips</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6684/training_tips.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/9/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://bikerumor.com">Bike Rumor</a> interviewed Jeff Kerkove, Eddie, and me and came up with a pretty good amount of information regarding training for endurance.  See the column <a href="http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/06/08/endurance-training-tips-an-interview-with-topeak-ergon-team-riders/">here</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>training tips</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6776/training_tips.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/9/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://bikerumor.com">Bike Rumor</a> interviewed Jeff Kerkove, Eddie, and me and came up with a pretty good amount of information regarding training for endurance.  See the column <a href="http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/06/08/endurance-training-tips-an-interview-with-topeak-ergon-team-riders/">here</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ACSM trip</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6775/ACSM_trip.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/7/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I got in a total of 5 hours of training this week, and 4 of them were today!
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/acsm-trip.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ACSM trip</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6683/ACSM_trip.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/7/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I got in a total of 5 hours of training this week, and 4 of them were today!
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/acsm-trip.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ACSM trip</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6805/ACSM_trip.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/7/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I got in a total of 5 hours of training this week, and 4 of them were today!
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/acsm-trip.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ACSM trip</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5819/ACSM_trip.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/7/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I got in a total of 5 hours of training this week, and 4 of them were today!
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/06/acsm-trip.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Burn 24 hour race </title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5818/Burn_24_hour_race_.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/1/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I hadn't done a team 24 hour race since 2002 or something like that.  While it was most certainly easier than a Solo 24, it was not without it's challenges..mostly logistics, communication, and of course keeping everyone happy and motivated..some people are easier than others!
Overall, we had a great race.  Eddie and I raced with three of our friends who do not race much, but they are all fast and fun people.  We spend a lot of our weekends riding with them so we thought it would be a fun thing to do and the BURN 24 hour is seriously the best 24 hour race I have ever been to.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/burn-24-hour-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Burn 24 hour race </title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6804/Burn_24_hour_race_.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/1/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I hadn't done a team 24 hour race since 2002 or something like that.  While it was most certainly easier than a Solo 24, it was not without it's challenges..mostly logistics, communication, and of course keeping everyone happy and motivated..some people are easier than others!
Overall, we had a great race.  Eddie and I raced with three of our friends who do not race much, but they are all fast and fun people.  We spend a lot of our weekends riding with them so we thought it would be a fun thing to do and the BURN 24 hour is seriously the best 24 hour race I have ever been to.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/burn-24-hour-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Burn 24 hour race </title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6682/Burn_24_hour_race_.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/1/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I hadn't done a team 24 hour race since 2002 or something like that.  While it was most certainly easier than a Solo 24, it was not without it's challenges..mostly logistics, communication, and of course keeping everyone happy and motivated..some people are easier than others!
Overall, we had a great race.  Eddie and I raced with three of our friends who do not race much, but they are all fast and fun people.  We spend a lot of our weekends riding with them so we thought it would be a fun thing to do and the BURN 24 hour is seriously the best 24 hour race I have ever been to.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/burn-24-hour-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Burn 24 hour race </title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6774/Burn_24_hour_race_.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>6/1/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I hadn't done a team 24 hour race since 2002 or something like that.  While it was most certainly easier than a Solo 24, it was not without it's challenges..mostly logistics, communication, and of course keeping everyone happy and motivated..some people are easier than others!
Overall, we had a great race.  Eddie and I raced with three of our friends who do not race much, but they are all fast and fun people.  We spend a lot of our weekends riding with them so we thought it would be a fun thing to do and the BURN 24 hour is seriously the best 24 hour race I have ever been to.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/burn-24-hour-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>new bike! new bike!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5817/new_bike_new_bike.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I finally got to ride my 2010 Rotwild yesterday.  It's been a long process getting everything together between the build-up, tuning, and fitting everything to the Wobble-naught specs...all while there has been a lot of travel and work craziness going on.  
Alas..here it is
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/4646651782_9b19ac01df_m.jpg" />
I took it out on the first trail ride yesterday.  Even though we applied my fit to the new bike, it handles quite differently.  There have been some geometry changes but I like them.  
cockpit
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/new-bike-new-bike.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>new bike! new bike!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/6681/new_bike_new_bike.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I finally got to ride my 2010 Rotwild yesterday.  It's been a long process getting everything together between the build-up, tuning, and fitting everything to the Wobble-naught specs...all while there has been a lot of travel and work craziness going on.  
Alas..here it is
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/4646651782_9b19ac01df_m.jpg" />
I took it out on the first trail ride yesterday.  Even though we applied my fit to the new bike, it handles quite differently.  There have been some geometry changes but I like them.  
cockpit
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/new-bike-new-bike.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Now we are ready</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5816/Now_we_are_ready.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4646046547_67a4123034_m.jpg" />]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Tick tock</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5815/Tick_tock.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[The countdown is on..my race bikes are still not 100% done because my Wobble-naught fit called for 70mm stems..which we don't have.  I'm trying not to stress out over such a detail (ok, significant detail)..I am still trying to kick this cold I've had for OVER A WEEK and stressing out won't help that.  I am blaming this cold on a cute little innocent baby.  Eddie went to visit our friend (and his baby) in DC a couple weeks ago while he was up there and caught a cold..now I have it and can't get rid of it.  Those babies carry some n**** stuff.  
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/tick-tock.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Topeak-Ergon 24 hour race clinic &amp; Sram xx at Brushy Mountain Cycles</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5814/Topeak-Ergon_24_hour_race_clinic__Sram_xx_at_Brushy_Mountain_Cycles.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/26/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Attn: Burn 24 hour racers! Details <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/namritakodea/4640781620/sizes/o/">here</a>.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4640781620_bc4517a4b7_m.jpg" />]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>BURN 24 hour race: Topeak-Ergon Pregame clinic!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5813/BURN_24_hour_race_Topeak-Ergon_Pregame_clinic.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/25/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Brushy Mountain Bicycles in Wilkesboro, NC will be having an open house from 4 to 7 on Friday May, 28th with light refreshments and cheap beer. From 5 to 6, SRAM will on hand to talk about their new Sram XX 2 x 10 drivetrain.  Then, Eddie O'Dea and I, representing Team Topeak-Ergon USA, will be fielding your inquiries about preparing for a 24 hour mountain bike race.  We'll cover 24-hour race equipment and gear, bike fit, 24 hour race nutrition and any other relevant questions you may have. Plan on heading over for that last minute tune up or just stop by because you can.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/burn-24-hour-race-topeak-ergon-pregame-clinic.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>XC training</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5812/XC_training.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/20/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[This past weekend I thought it would be a good idea to do some cross-country racing.  I've only ever done two of them and actually like them.  It's becoming more and more apparent, every month that goes by, that regardless of how much I WANT to ride, I just don't have the hours to put in on the bike to do well at the longer races that I really love.  In light of this, I think the rest of my season will have to include short races.  No, Lumberjack 100 doesn't really qualify as short but it will be a really fun trip so I'm going to go anyway.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/xc-training.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>turning the page</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5811/turning_the_page.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/10/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Last week I was on a post-PMBAR race high and frantically trying to cram for final exams.  The good thing was that all three finals were on Tuesday after the race so I got them over with all at once.  The bad thing was that they were all on Tuesday after the race. 
Ah, well. School is over until August and I am just happy that I survived the first year.  Only 3+ more years to go.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/turning-page.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>They must be doing something right</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5810/They_must_be_doing_something_right.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/6/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[..if I have to set an alarm, mark my calendar and CLEAR my calendar for 9 am CST on the 6th of every month to get one.  
Of course, I am talking about the <a href="http://twinsix.com">Twin Six</a> T-shirt of the Month (ToTM). 
Yep, I just got my May shirt..the <a href="http://teamdicky.blogspot.com">Dicky</a> edition
<img src="http://twinsix-images.s3.amazonaws.com/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/185x165/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/t/6/t610wt17.gif" />
You better go now if you want one..or forever regret it.]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PMBAR- Pilot Rock, I think I love you</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5004/PMBAR-_Pilot_Rock,_I_think_I_love_you.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/4/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Continued from <a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/pmbar-go.html">here.</a>
I debated on the title of this post. I was either going to call it, "Why I love my 26er" or "Pilot Rock, I think I love you".  I settled on the latter, obviously, because I didn't want to upset the 29er elitists too much.  Oh yeah, I used to be one, too.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/pmbar-pilot-rock-i-think-i-love-you.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PMBAR- "GO"</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5003/PMBAR-_GO.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/3/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[We passed Gear Check with an "A" --all that old adventure racing mandatory gear really came in handy!  At 8:00 am, after the mandatory racer meeting, Eric and Erinna handed out the maps with the checkpoints already labeled.  The two circled CPs were mandatory and we had to get 4 to finish.  If you got 5 CPs you got a 3 hour time bonus.  I was not really interested in that.  As I already said, my goal was an 8 hour day of riding followed by one or more burritos and one or more cold IPAs while cheering on the rest of the finishers.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/pmbar-go.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PMBAR- "GO"</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4953/PMBAR-_GO.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/3/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[We passed Gear Check with an "A" --all that old adventure racing mandatory gear really came in handy!  At 8:00 am, after the mandatory racer meeting, Eric and Erinna handed out the maps with the checkpoints already labeled.  The two circled CPs were mandatory and we had to get 4 to finish.  If you got 5 CPs you got a 3 hour time bonus.  I was not really interested in that.  As I already said, my goal was an 8 hour day of riding followed by one or more burritos and one or more cold IPAs while cheering on the rest of the finishers.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/pmbar-go.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PMBAR- a little history</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4952/PMBAR-_a_little_history.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/3/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://pisgahproductions.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=37&amp;Itemid=126">The race<a /> is over and I am pleasantly tired. This race report is going to be long so I'll do it in stages.  This was my 3rd time doing this race. The first time was 5 years ago and I was still a beginner mountain biker.  Yes, for some reason I decided I wanted to do the hardest races out there as a beginner.  Needless to say, the first year my teammate Stephen and I DNF'd after getting 3 checkpoints in 10 hours.  We both bonked, we both crashed, and the riding was..just..brutal.</a></a>
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/pmbar-little-history.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PMBAR- a little history</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5002/PMBAR-_a_little_history.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>5/3/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://pisgahproductions.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=37&amp;Itemid=126">The race<a /> is over and I am pleasantly tired. This race report is going to be long so I'll do it in stages.  This was my 3rd time doing this race. The first time was 5 years ago and I was still a beginner mountain biker.  Yes, for some reason I decided I wanted to do the hardest races out there as a beginner.  Needless to say, the first year my teammate Stephen and I DNF'd after getting 3 checkpoints in 10 hours.  We both bonked, we both crashed, and the riding was..just..brutal.</a></a>
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/05/pmbar-little-history.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Never say never</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5001/Never_say_never.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I used to be somewhat of a runner before I ever got into cycling.  Now, I hardly ever run--only in the off-season to do something different when it's cold outside.  The furthest I've ever run was in a 20-hour adventure race. I think we did somewhere between 30-40 miles on foot..and then I promptly quit running after that because my body was so broken.
But now, my massage therapists Amy and Shannon have me set on this new obsession: Qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  After hearing their detailed description of the race I can't help wanting to do it.  The problems/issues with this are:
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/never-say-never.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Never say never</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4951/Never_say_never.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I used to be somewhat of a runner before I ever got into cycling.  Now, I hardly ever run--only in the off-season to do something different when it's cold outside.  The furthest I've ever run was in a 20-hour adventure race. I think we did somewhere between 30-40 miles on foot..and then I promptly quit running after that because my body was so broken.
But now, my massage therapists Amy and Shannon have me set on this new obsession: Qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  After hearing their detailed description of the race I can't help wanting to do it.  The problems/issues with this are:
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/never-say-never.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Never say never</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4834/Never_say_never.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/28/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I used to be somewhat of a runner before I ever got into cycling.  Now, I hardly ever run--only in the off-season to do something different when it's cold outside.  The furthest I've ever run was in a 20-hour adventure race. I think we did somewhere between 30-40 miles on foot..and then I promptly quit running after that because my body was so broken.
But now, my massage therapists Amy and Shannon have me set on this new obsession: Qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  After hearing their detailed description of the race I can't help wanting to do it.  The problems/issues with this are:
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/never-say-never.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65 Part Two: The race</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4833/Cohutta_65_Part_Two_The_race.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[4:30 am wake-up call..who doesn't love it?  Monte was already up making the coffee.  I was laying in bed listening to the rain hit the roof.  It seems like every Cohutta race I have been to has started out 1) dark, 2) chilly, and 3) wet.  The pre-race morning hours just flew by..I think the dogs thought we were crazy standing outside with them in a church playground at 5:30 am in the dark and in the rain.  The 100 miler was to go off at 7am and the 65 miler at 7:15am.  While I really enjoyed having an extra 15 minutes to get ready that wasn't why I picked the 65 mile race.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-part-two-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65 Part Two: The race</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4950/Cohutta_65_Part_Two_The_race.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[4:30 am wake-up call..who doesn't love it?  Monte was already up making the coffee.  I was laying in bed listening to the rain hit the roof.  It seems like every Cohutta race I have been to has started out 1) dark, 2) chilly, and 3) wet.  The pre-race morning hours just flew by..I think the dogs thought we were crazy standing outside with them in a church playground at 5:30 am in the dark and in the rain.  The 100 miler was to go off at 7am and the 65 miler at 7:15am.  While I really enjoyed having an extra 15 minutes to get ready that wasn't why I picked the 65 mile race.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-part-two-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65 Part Two: The race</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/5000/Cohutta_65_Part_Two_The_race.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[4:30 am wake-up call..who doesn't love it?  Monte was already up making the coffee.  I was laying in bed listening to the rain hit the roof.  It seems like every Cohutta race I have been to has started out 1) dark, 2) chilly, and 3) wet.  The pre-race morning hours just flew by..I think the dogs thought we were crazy standing outside with them in a church playground at 5:30 am in the dark and in the rain.  The 100 miler was to go off at 7am and the 65 miler at 7:15am.  While I really enjoyed having an extra 15 minutes to get ready that wasn't why I picked the 65 mile race.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-part-two-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65 Part One: Pre-race</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4999/Cohutta_65_Part_One_Pre-race.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I had my list of "Don't ever do again" from Ouachita Challenge that I consulted on Thursday prior to the race.  Primarily, I made sure to get all this in order:
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/4551795089_84d2862689_m.jpg" /><br />
Nutrition done right
I have realized that even if your fitness is not exactly where you want it, you can still make up for a lot of that with 1) Proper nutrition and 2) Efficiency on the bike.  I will get to that a little later in my report.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-part-one-pre-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65 Part One: Pre-race</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4949/Cohutta_65_Part_One_Pre-race.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I had my list of "Don't ever do again" from Ouachita Challenge that I consulted on Thursday prior to the race.  Primarily, I made sure to get all this in order:
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/4551795089_84d2862689_m.jpg" /><br />
Nutrition done right
I have realized that even if your fitness is not exactly where you want it, you can still make up for a lot of that with 1) Proper nutrition and 2) Efficiency on the bike.  I will get to that a little later in my report.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-part-one-pre-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65 Part One: Pre-race</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4832/Cohutta_65_Part_One_Pre-race.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/27/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I had my list of "Don't ever do again" from Ouachita Challenge that I consulted on Thursday prior to the race.  Primarily, I made sure to get all this in order:
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/4551795089_84d2862689_m.jpg" /><br />
Nutrition done right
I have realized that even if your fitness is not exactly where you want it, you can still make up for a lot of that with 1) Proper nutrition and 2) Efficiency on the bike.  I will get to that a little later in my report.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-part-one-pre-race.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65, The Short version of the "Shorty"</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4831/Cohutta_65,_The_Short_version_of_the_Shorty.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/26/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes!!! I did it. I took care of all my little and big mistakes from the Ouachita Challenge and everything turned out just as I had hoped.  Starting out, I knew I would be racing some really fast women and I said I would just be happy with 3rd place.  Then, when we lined up (all the fast women lined up at the front, does anyone have a photo?) I decided it would be tough to get in the top 5 and I would be happy with 5th, haha.  I was lined up next to Danielle Musto, Lisa Randall, Ursula Sandefeur, and there were also some unknown fast ladies from Wisconsin.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-short-version-shorty.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65, The Short version of the "Shorty"</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4948/Cohutta_65,_The_Short_version_of_the_Shorty.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/26/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes!!! I did it. I took care of all my little and big mistakes from the Ouachita Challenge and everything turned out just as I had hoped.  Starting out, I knew I would be racing some really fast women and I said I would just be happy with 3rd place.  Then, when we lined up (all the fast women lined up at the front, does anyone have a photo?) I decided it would be tough to get in the top 5 and I would be happy with 5th, haha.  I was lined up next to Danielle Musto, Lisa Randall, Ursula Sandefeur, and there were also some unknown fast ladies from Wisconsin.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-short-version-shorty.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta 65, The Short version of the "Shorty"</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4998/Cohutta_65,_The_Short_version_of_the_Shorty.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/26/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Yes!!! I did it. I took care of all my little and big mistakes from the Ouachita Challenge and everything turned out just as I had hoped.  Starting out, I knew I would be racing some really fast women and I said I would just be happy with 3rd place.  Then, when we lined up (all the fast women lined up at the front, does anyone have a photo?) I decided it would be tough to get in the top 5 and I would be happy with 5th, haha.  I was lined up next to Danielle Musto, Lisa Randall, Ursula Sandefeur, and there were also some unknown fast ladies from Wisconsin.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-65-short-version-shorty.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta: Here we go!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4997/Cohutta_Here_we_go.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/23/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[For once, we actually packed and prepped in advance. Who am I??? PowerBar Endurance, PowerGels, and Gelblasts are packed.  I lost my HR monitor but I did find an old Timex Ironman watch that seems to tell the correct time..so that will have to do.  Eddie bought me a gel flask and Danielle is letting me borrow one of her cool 5oz Hydrapak Softflasks. The forecast looks like it could make for an epic race..70% chance of severe thunderstorms! Welcome to mountain bike racing in the Southeast..where a mudfest is almost a guarantee in the spring.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-here-we-go.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta: Here we go!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4947/Cohutta_Here_we_go.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/23/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[For once, we actually packed and prepped in advance. Who am I??? PowerBar Endurance, PowerGels, and Gelblasts are packed.  I lost my HR monitor but I did find an old Timex Ironman watch that seems to tell the correct time..so that will have to do.  Eddie bought me a gel flask and Danielle is letting me borrow one of her cool 5oz Hydrapak Softflasks. The forecast looks like it could make for an epic race..70% chance of severe thunderstorms! Welcome to mountain bike racing in the Southeast..where a mudfest is almost a guarantee in the spring.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-here-we-go.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cohutta: Here we go!</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4830/Cohutta_Here_we_go.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/23/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[For once, we actually packed and prepped in advance. Who am I??? PowerBar Endurance, PowerGels, and Gelblasts are packed.  I lost my HR monitor but I did find an old Timex Ironman watch that seems to tell the correct time..so that will have to do.  Eddie bought me a gel flask and Danielle is letting me borrow one of her cool 5oz Hydrapak Softflasks. The forecast looks like it could make for an epic race..70% chance of severe thunderstorms! Welcome to mountain bike racing in the Southeast..where a mudfest is almost a guarantee in the spring.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/cohutta-here-we-go.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sea Otter</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4829/Sea_Otter.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/18/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I flew into the Monterey airport yesterday afternoon, right before Eddie's race.  He picked me up, we returned to the race/expo venue, and he proceeded to frantically get dressed and prepared for his 40 mile race.  In the meantime, I wandered around and said "hi" to some of our sponsors--Crank Brothers, Magura, DT Swiss, Continental Tires...in the middle of that a somewhat familiar face came up to me and said, "Hi.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/sea-otter.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sea Otter</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4946/Sea_Otter.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/18/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I flew into the Monterey airport yesterday afternoon, right before Eddie's race.  He picked me up, we returned to the race/expo venue, and he proceeded to frantically get dressed and prepared for his 40 mile race.  In the meantime, I wandered around and said "hi" to some of our sponsors--Crank Brothers, Magura, DT Swiss, Continental Tires...in the middle of that a somewhat familiar face came up to me and said, "Hi.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/sea-otter.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sea Otter</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4996/Sea_Otter.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/18/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[I flew into the Monterey airport yesterday afternoon, right before Eddie's race.  He picked me up, we returned to the race/expo venue, and he proceeded to frantically get dressed and prepared for his 40 mile race.  In the meantime, I wandered around and said "hi" to some of our sponsors--Crank Brothers, Magura, DT Swiss, Continental Tires...in the middle of that a somewhat familiar face came up to me and said, "Hi.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/sea-otter.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sea Otter-bound</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4945/Sea_Otter-bound.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/16/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[The rest of the team is already out there..I leave in the morning.  I'm bummed I'm not racing but that's OK since Cohutta is just one week away!! Yikes..I have to go through my "Do Not Do Again" list from Ouachita Challenge sometime next week.  I'm packing a lot of trips into the next few weeks which, unfortunately, are also the busiest weeks of the semester..final projects and final exams.  Well, you only live once.  I can sleep sometime in May.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/sea-otter-bound.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sea Otter-bound</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4828/Sea_Otter-bound.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/16/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[The rest of the team is already out there..I leave in the morning.  I'm bummed I'm not racing but that's OK since Cohutta is just one week away!! Yikes..I have to go through my "Do Not Do Again" list from Ouachita Challenge sometime next week.  I'm packing a lot of trips into the next few weeks which, unfortunately, are also the busiest weeks of the semester..final projects and final exams.  Well, you only live once.  I can sleep sometime in May.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/sea-otter-bound.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>I hope "THEY" are right</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4827/I_hope_THEY_are_right.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/15/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Whoever "They" are, I hope they are right about the third time being a charm.  If you look over to the right ---&gt; you may notice a new addition to the 2010 schedule.  This is not a new race for me, but in 2008 (report <a href="http://daniellemusto.blogspot.com/2008/06/lumberjack-100-race-report.html">here</a>) and 2009 (report <a href="http://namrita.blogspot.com/2009/06/back-to-basics.html">here</a>) I swore I would never go back again.  But, here we are..in 2010 and I have a chance to go back for another chance.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/i-hope-they-are-right.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>I hope "THEY" are right</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4944/I_hope_THEY_are_right.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/15/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Whoever "They" are, I hope they are right about the third time being a charm.  If you look over to the right ---&gt; you may notice a new addition to the 2010 schedule.  This is not a new race for me, but in 2008 (report <a href="http://daniellemusto.blogspot.com/2008/06/lumberjack-100-race-report.html">here</a>) and 2009 (report <a href="http://namrita.blogspot.com/2009/06/back-to-basics.html">here</a>) I swore I would never go back again.  But, here we are..in 2010 and I have a chance to go back for another chance.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/i-hope-they-are-right.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Maybe it's the coffee</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4826/Maybe_its_the_coffee.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/14/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[After intentionally dehydrating myself for 24 hours (we are piloting a dehydration study in the lab), I wasn't really expecting much out of my workout today.  But, as soon as 3pm hit and I could have fluids again, I downed as much nuun as I could plus a tall dark roast from Starbucks.  I didn't have time to do my intervals outside, so I did them on my Kinetic Rock n Roll trainer.  Well....let me just say, I had the highest average and max power I had ever seen in this workout today.  Maybe it was the caffeine? But, my weight is also down, and so is body fat.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/maybe-its-coffee.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>this is going somewhere..isn't it?</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/4825/this_is_going_somewhereisnt_it.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>4/12/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[This week of training kicked my butt.  No, it wasn't 30 hours, or even 20 hours..uh..it wasn't even 15 hours.  It was a measly 11 hours and 20 minutes according to my training log.  But, none the less..I am worked.  Coach said I would be tired today, and I was.  The last two days were hard rides and last night was a party at our office with the employees of Big Peach Running Co. in Georgia.  The turnout was great and it was a great event for everyone including GA Sports Chiropractic, GA Sports Massage, Continuum Sports Solutions, and 55nine Performance.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2010/04/going-somewhereisnt-it.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>a good ride</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/3002/a_good_ride.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>3/1/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[    Some of the best rides are the unexpected
ones. After standing, talking, riding, and working for most of the day
at the SEE-ME expo yesterday and getting Bob the new foster dog last
night, I was pretty tired this morning. We had planned to salvage a
good ride on Sunday and chose our favorite trail, Snake Creek Gap. I
could barely keep my eyes open on the drive up and I was pretty sure I
was going to have a slow, lazy ride. I took off because the guys were
running late so at least the first hour of my ride was alone. It was
nice..very nice. I could settle into a comfortable warm up pace and
work the technical sections without worrying about anyone else's pace. 
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4395847833_5f06d56431_m.jpg"><br><br>
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4395848077_1f46aa6a3f_m.jpg">
<br><br>I haven't ridden alone in quite a long time and while my legs were
feeling slightly sluggish, I was riding smooth and cleaning a few of
the technical sections that always give me trouble. I won't lie, the
short steep climbs hurt..but they always hurt. Overall, I think that
was the smoothest run of the trail I have ever had. There won't be any
tapering and I'll be training right through it, but I can only hope the
time trial goes as well next weekend! We shall see.
<br><br><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4395848335_434e608015_m.jpg">
  ]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cold-weather race nutrition</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2470/Cold-weather_race_nutrition.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/3/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[A few people have asked what I use during cold-weather for riding and racing.&nbsp; Well, here you go:<br><br>I stick with PowerBar Endurance in my bottles. I use the same concentration (see mixing instructions on container) but because I don't drink as much when it's cold, I have to supplement carbs and electrolytes with other products.&nbsp; For that I use the PowerGel with 2x sodium and the PowerGel Energy Blasts.&nbsp; I will empty the Gel Blasts right into my pockets so they are easily accessible and I'll just pop two in every 15-20 minutes or when I think about it.&nbsp; <br><br>I hope that helps!&nbsp; <br>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Snake Creek Gap Time Trial #1</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2469/Snake_Creek_Gap_Time_Trial_1.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/3/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[    It was colder than I thought it would be,
that's for sure. Anyone that showed up to race today gets bonus HTFU
points. I think it was 20*F at the start with snowflakes and wind, and
not even up to 30*F when we finished. 
Check-in, shuttles, SAG stops, timing, food, and everything was
awesome. Thanks to the tons of NWGA SORBA volunteers that were out in
full force today, in the cold!
I didn't register in the Money Class, mostly because these are
training races for me and I didn't want any additional pressure. In
fact, as we were getting dressed I was so NOT nervous that it was
weird. I was just hoping I would be motivated to ride hard enough for a
good training day and to stay warm. The infamous creek crossing came
about a mile or so in. It was pretty deep, but Carey had clued me in to
staying right where it was shallower. It worked like a charm, I just
got a little splash on the bottoms of my shoes. Others were not so
lucky. 
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4239652554_fb7470c839_m.jpg">
I was carrying extra socks and my chemical hand and foot warmers but
I decided I didn't feel like stopping to get them on. Bad move. Soon
after that, hands and feet started to get cold. Even worse, the bike
wasn't shifting because the drivetrain was starting to freeze. First it
was the front derailleur, then eventually the back was mis-shifting. My
right foot got TOTALLY soaked in another small creek crossing that was
just a silly mistake on my part. Other than the bike issues and the
cold appendages, I was doing OK. Eventually my bottles froze and I
stopped drinking more than a gulp of grape slush every hour. I drank a
total of about 16 oz during 4:45 of racing!&nbsp; Thank goodness I had my PowerGels and Energy Gel Blasts..they saved the day, did not freeze, and were easy to keep eating while riding.&nbsp; I had planned on a
conservative time of 4:15 but took 30 min longer. That's OK, the
conditions were pretty rough today. It's good to set the bar low on the
first one, now I can only get better for the next two races :-) I did
get first place, though, so obviously the other ladies in my category
had a tough time in the cold also. Great job to everyone started and
kudos to everyone that stuck it through the end. It would have been
REALLY easy to sleep in today and also easy to bail during the race. 
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/4239668636_9b1b6b5831_m.jpg">
I'm feeling the after effects of the cold. I couldn't feel my feet
for several hours and when feeling did come back it felt like my toes
were on fire. Now it looks like my big toes are red balloons. I think I
have blistering..mild frostbite? Ugh. I hope it's less painful tomorrow
because I have a BIG WEEK of riding planned! It's my last week of
vacation before Spring Semester starts.
Thanks to NWGA SORBA and Steve Sharp for the above pictures. Thanks
to Bruce, Mulberry Gap, and the many other people out there to support
the race today. 
<a href="http://www.55nine.com/southernx.html">Southern Cross</a> is one week away!!!! Lots of work to do on that next...
  ]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pre-Snake Creek Gap Time Trial #1</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2440/Pre-Snake_Creek_Gap_Time_Trial_1.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>1/1/2010</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[    Anyone that knows me at all knows that I
hate cold. HATE it. Unfortunately for me the forecasted weather for
tomorrow's time trial is only a high of 35* which, I'm sure, we won't
even feel until AFTER the "race" is over. So, I'm trying to mentally
gear myself up for tomorrow while I'm packing everything I can get my
hands on to stay warm. If it's as cold as this day, then I'm in
trouble!!!
<img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/53661220.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&amp;Expires=1262387709&amp;Signature=wj37Px9OT7gidYW3njzi7Mn6be0%3D"><br>
Riding with Danielle Musto in Michigan last week
Nutrition<br>
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4235274526_bd023766ed_m.jpg">
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/4235274830_8c369c6726_m.jpg"><br>
Trash bags you ask? Well, apparently there is a 10-yard KNEE DEEP creek
crossing at mile 1.5 out of 34. Ohhhhh...just greeeeeaaaat. Can't wait
for this one.
Covered shoes<br>
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4234499891_aafde6c410_m.jpg">
<br>..and for toasty warm hands and feet<br>
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4234500209_2439231d63_m.jpg">
<br>Plus, I have every baselayer and piece of Topeak-Ergon clothing that I own.  It's always good to have options :-)
OK, see you on the other side once I have thawed enough to type!
  ]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>home sweet home</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2419/home_sweet_home.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>12/31/2009</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[    I was only in Michigan for 9 days but it
makes the Georgia winter seem warm! Well, today we actually had decent
weather..sunny and mid 40's during my ride. I went up to Snake Creek
Gap to "preride" the first 17 miles of this weekend's 34 mile time
trial. I always call this the "easy" half but it's really not that
easy. It's easier in comparison to the last 5 miles of the course but
it's still steep, rocky, and covered in leaves! I took it easy and
tried to snap a few pics..not so successfully but I got a few
post-worthy ones. 
<br><br>Trying to capture the steepness from the side since the head-on shots never do<br>
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4229044963_baf3191215_m.jpg">
<br>Guess what tire I'm using?? Yep! My favorite Mountain King. <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4229813398_4ca85a292e_m.jpg">
<br>I only ride with people that use <a href="http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/home">Ergon grips</a> Just kidding..maybe.<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/4229812936_51d00d329e_m.jpg">
<br>Trying the <a href="http://www.jeffkerkove.net/">Kerkovian</a> shot. He does a better job.<br>
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4229813212_2cdc827202_m.jpg">
<br>Pinhoti marker. If you don't see one of these you've probably gone off course.<br>&nbsp;<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4229813060_c737cbcb2d_m.jpg">
  ]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Off-season</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2396/Off-season.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>12/28/2009</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[It's off-season for many of the mountain bike
athletes but that doesn't mean that anything slows down around here!
Having just finished my first semester of my PhD program at Georgia
Tech,&nbsp;I've been trying to pack as much in to my four-week "break" as
possible.&nbsp; Mountain bike racing starts in less than two weeks so I've
been ramping up the bike training as well as the cross-training. My
cross-training includes some running as well as in-the-gym strength
work under the direction of an Athletic Trainer and strength coach.&nbsp;
It's been challenging to balance everything with school, research,
training, and my clients but I think I might be getting the hang of
it.&nbsp; It's required a lot of re-prioritization and time management.&nbsp; I'm
also fortunate to work with a great coach who understands my schedule
and time constraints.&nbsp; This year it's all about quality, not quantity,
with training.&nbsp; My 2010 race schedule is still up in the air but I'm
getting started in early January with some tune-up races.&nbsp; I'm not
worried about results at this point, but they will help me to best
prepare for the bigger mountain bike races coming up later in the
season.&nbsp; <br>
<br>The off-season is also a great time to assess strengths and
weaknesses as it pertains to your specific goals.&nbsp; It's a good time to
readdress technique and skills, as well as nutrition.&nbsp; I have been
traveling around the East Coast and Midwest leading endurance training
and racing "Kliniks" (that's "Clinic" in German) as part of the
Topeak-Ergon USA team and PowerBar Team Elite.&nbsp; In these "Kliniks", we
discuss training tips, equipment choice, race strategy, skills and
technique, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, I&nbsp;also cover sports nutrition.&nbsp; In the
most recent "Kliniks" I focused mostly on off-season nutrition tips&nbsp;and
winter hydration.&nbsp; We are always looking for new locations, so if you
have any requests on new "Klinik" locations, please drop me an email!&nbsp; <br><br>Happy Trails!<br><br>Namrita K. O'Dea, MS, RD<br><a href="http://namritaodea.com/" target="_blank">http://namritaodea.com</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kliniks in Rochester, MI (12/22) and Holland, MI (12/26)</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2407/Kliniks_in_Rochester,_MI_(12/22)_and_Holland,_MI_(12/26).aspx</link>
      <pubDate>12/19/2009</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[Kliniks are on again..this time in Michigan.
These will cover off-season training tips, equipment choice, racing Q&amp;A, and I will cover a lot of sports nutrition tips. For example: Winter hydration, how to maintain or lose weight during the off-season, and nutrition tips for building muscle.
Details are <a href="http://ergonbike.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/kliniks-in-michigan-on-1222-1226">here</a>
Rumor has it we might be sneaking over to New Holland Brewery after the Velo City Cycles Klinik...
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2009/12/kliniks-rochester-mi-1222-and-holland-mi-1226.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Long weekend</title>
      <link>http://www.powerbar.com:80/post/namrita/2404/Long_weekend.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>12/1/2009</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[For once, a long weekend actually seemed like a long weekend to me. It was great. I decided ahead of time that I was going to overlook school work for a few days and focus on training like some of the past "good old days".  
Let me preface this by saying that going to the gym has been kicking my butt.  I lost so much total body fitness over the last few months that getting it back is proving to be quite painful. But, luckily it's a good hurt.
<a href="http://www.namritaodea.com/content/2009/11/long-weekend.html" target="_blank">read more</a>]]></description>
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