TEN QUESTIONS WITH ANNABELL HOLLAND
Annabell is a supervisor, coach,
athlete, multiple National Champion
and one of the forces behind last
year's wildly successful women's
camp. 1. The women's camp last year was a resounding success. There will be a women's camp on May 22-23. Who should come and how much experience do they need? This year we are changing it up
just a bit as Rick Adams was able
to make the "Get-Ready-for Summer" race
on Saturday May 29th part of the
BAWC Women's 3 & 4 points series. The camp this year will be for women
who are currently racing on the road
but have not yet completed their
requisite 3 Saturdays to be eligible
to race. This camp will satisfy the
Saturday requirement. So basically
the women need no track experience
at all, but some road racing experience. We will be covering the basics of
track, doing a ton of skill drills,
and practicing all of the races they
will be doing the following Saturday
at the race. 2. I know many of the ladies who attended last year would like to further develop their skills. What is the best way to do this? Any plans for a more advanced camp? I highly recommend attending the
Saturday afternoon advanced beginner
session. This session is coached,
has mentors, and introduces folks
to training on the track. I would love to conduct a more advanced
camp, but unfortunately I just don't
have the extra time this season.
I don't know if everyone realizes
this or not, but everyone involved
in running the track is a volunteer. 3. You were a multiple National Champion last year at Masters Nats. You were targeting the sprints and won. It was quite exciting and I think Julie Nevitt and I were more nervous than you were! Given that, how big a surprise was it to also win the pursuit? I knew going into the competition
that I had a good shot at top three
in the pursuit despite being a sprinter.
1st place however, was a long shot
and I doubt will ever be repeated
by me. The stars aligned on that
day, and it was a magical ride. I
noticed the wind and chose a much
smaller gear than everyone else.
That turned out to be a great choice.
Those munching big gears got bogged
down in the head wind and lost speed
on the back stretch. Since I can
sustain a high cadence, I was able
to maintain my speed and not burn
too much energy trying to bring a
big gear back up to speed. 4. I saw a picture of you on crutches. Hopefully you will be back training soon! Will you be going to Texas to defend your championships in September? Yeah, I broke my ankle. It all depends.
I would like to, but the body will
tell me if I can. So far I am healing
faster than anyone expected and am
back on the stationary trainer. I'll
just take it week by week and train
as I can as if I was going to Texas.
If I can get back to form, I would
like to focus on Worlds in Portugal
as my target race. 5. You are also a track supervisor with the main supervisor responsibilities for the Sunday morning advanced session. I'm someone who has completed the three beginner sessions and I've raced on Larry's Tuesday nights. But I just want to ride around. Can I do that on Sunday? Or what should I expect if I come out to a Sunday session? I would recommend you attend the
Saturday afternoon Advanced Beginner
sessions. The Sunday sessions are
Advanced and require open track experience.
Throughout the winter when the track
is quiet I try and mentor as many
people as I can. Unfortunately as
the track gets busy, it is just too
hard for me to mentor riders without
the track experience. As the season progresses there is
usually a Thursday evening Intermediate
session where you can test your legs. 6. You work for the City of Fremont and last year the water park was completed and had its grand opening. That sounds like a great way to treat the family on a hot summer day. Where is it and what kinds of activities are there? I am the Parks and Recreation Director
for the City of Fremont. Last year
we opened Aqua Adventure, a four
acre family waterpark www.goaquaadventure.com
. It is located in Central Park (Lake
Elizabeth) and truly is affordable
family fun. If Hellyer folks want
to take their family, make sure you
see me so I can pass along a coupon. 7. Before cycling, you played softball at a fairly high level. How'd you get from softball to cycling? Once I stopped
playing softball I was looking
for a new challenge. I found soccer
and joined a team that started
in Division 8 and made it up to
Division 2. Somewhere in there
while in a co-ed game I shredded
my ankle and literally could not
run for 6-months. A friend introduced me to cycling,
and I actually hated it, but had
no other exercise options. I do have
to thank Terry Shaw for introducing
me to the track. He handed me a bike
one day and said I want to see you
out there. The rest is history. I
fell in love with the sport and started
racing. 8. You're doing some coaching this year. How did that come about and are you open to new athletes? I truly love introducing women to
the sport of cycle, and I was looking
for something to keep me engaged
in training this year. I started
up a program for San Jose Bicycle
Club. I volunteer my time, and the
coaching fee goes toward supporting
the women's race team. Due to time
commitments I can only take on three
athletes, and all slots are filled. 9. Over the winter you vacationed at one of my favorite places on earth…the Big Island of Hawaii. What was your favorite spot? Swimming with the wild dolphins
in the open ocean and snorkeling
with Mantas at night was by far one
of the best experiences on a vacation
I have ever had! 10. And this question since the new "Dancing With the Stars" begins tonight! You know that I'm a big fan…you've met a couple of former DWTS contestants. Who were they and how did you get to meet them? You truly are a big fan and I believe
I sent you a picture of one of your
favorites. :) Last year the major fund-raising
event was a play on Dancing With
The Stars. Kristi called upon all
of her dancing friends and had everyone
out there from Cheryl Burke (our
local professional) to Marlee Matlin
and Shawn Johnson, to even the Jr.
dancer winners. Her husband Brent
(for all you hockey fans) even danced
a number with her. There will be a sequel event this year, so Cathy, I will save a spot for you at my table ;) Thanks for the interview Annabell! |