3rd Place Sport Women - Lisa Stover
Team/Sponsors: Bike Factory

Bike:Gary Fisher Sugar

2008 Cat: Women Sport - 2009 Cat, if changed:

Favorite Race Style (XC, Enduro, Endurance) and why? Enjoy racing both XC and Duathlons at the moment, XC always a fav love anything off road and technical, Duathlons are a great way to push myself even further.

Favorite Race: National Duathlon Fesitval / Off-Road Sport Race

How did your favorite race play out?
The first run went great, even better to get on the bike and take off, track was dry and fast, so much fun! Last run hurt quite a bit after getting off the bike...not much of a runner but trying:) Won second in my age group, first duathlon for me since 2005. Looking forward to the next race in April! They also give away great goodie bags, that was exciting as well!

How often do you ride and at what pace per ride?
I try to ride two to three times a week. I also try to catch some spin classes after work if weather is bad or for recovery. I could do better at races if i ride race pace during the week.

Do you think riding everyday is over training?
I do not think that is overtraining if you can fit it in your schedule. When i was placing first in 2005 it was due to riding at least 6 days a week, if not outside for 1-1.5 hour rides, it was spinning to Spinervals tapes when weather was bad and during the winter for 1.5 to 2 hours. About once a week i would fit a three hour ride in, around mid week or weekends when there was no racing.

Do you switch between road ride, mountain biking and running?
Absolutely, most training or riding during the week is road or spinning, maybe one mtn bike ride and def two-three days of running. I only run about 3-4 miles at a time.

Do you wear a heartrate monitor and train based upon heart rate numbers?
Not at this time, but i used to, it does help show how hard you are training.

What (if any) supplements do you take during a race?
Sometimes red bull if i feel sluggish, cup of coffee in the morning after some nice oatmeal and toast, use hammer gel or GU during the races, like the ones with caffeine:) Tend to drink mostly powerade during the race as well. I was beginning to try some FRS energy items at the end of the season.

What type of (if any) supplements do you take after a hard ride?
Emergen-C orange flavor usually, can never get enough B vitamins and Vit C!

What got you into mountain biking and then what got you into racing?
Originally from WV (Beckley/Charleston areas) where the mtn biking is awesome!! Got my first bike (Specialized rock hopper) to take on some trails with a good friend just for fun. Got super hooked on the adrenaline rush and smells of the outdoors, first ride was along the New River gorge on the bike trails (where you can hear and see the rafters). Few rides later met a guy at Little Beaver State Park on the trails who introduced us to racing, they were looking for more females to enter races. After the first race at Pipestem State Park, 1st place finish, it was all over and i was totally hooked! First yr racing placed 3rd overall out of 16 races, with some first place wins along the way and the next year 2nd overall (missed 8 races due to moving to VA). So much fun to gain awards,plaques and recognition. Was sponsored by a local bikeshop, which visiting and hanging out there chatting about biking was as fun as racing!

Would you consider this a hobby, sport, lifestyle, or occupation? Why do you feel that way?
I feel it is definitely a sport, depending on how far you take it, i have ridden with others where it was their occupation, how fun! I do it for sure as my favorite hobby/sport and it is my lifestyle. I only push myself this hard at races and i love it! Being active and competing is the one thing that i look forward to every week outside of my family and work. I also include my family with riding and bringing them to races for support.

What do you like to do with your time away from your race/training calendar?
I spend all other free time with my family and friends at our beach house in the OBX (another place i catch some races/runs). I definitely juggle work, racing, biking, and travelling especially in the spring and summer.

Anything else you would like to share?
Racing and the comraderie is what i like the most in my past time outside of family and work. It helps keep me in shape, as well as staying young and happy (great for releasing anxiety and tension after a long work week:) Looking forward to another awesome year!

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