Oliver the Great.

After one long season of never seeing another jersey that matched my own, I was glad to be surrounded by comrades this weekend at the first Mountain States Cup race in Nathrop, CO. I presupposed this team thing was going to be the extra push. The push I need to get my foot over to the other side, where bike racing is FAST and you have to be just as fast to play a role in their game. I was excited by the team dynamics going into the weekend. For me everything culminated into a long awaited (in-the-back-of-our-trailer-sleeping-long-awaited) Short Track race on Sunday.

It was a Pro/Expert women start, which meant for we Experts "don't get pulled". Several of the guys emphasized the importance of staging and getting a good up-front position. I was on the line, front row, ready to hammer my guts out. Bubba and Chad pulled all my excess gear (tube, CO2, pump, water bottle) off my bike, while laughing at my novice-like ways. Then just as I asked for my bottle back, the official started the race. I jumped for my pedals and took off. I got in behind two pros and did as I was told, "hammered my guts out" the first lap. Then on the second lap the other Pros came rushing past me. I held decent position as the second Expert in behind the Pros. Over the course of several rolling laps I managed to get by one Pro rider and finish as the 2nd Expert and 6th overall. The screaming, cheering, and instructing from the sidelines fueled my spirit and my will as my body fought to keep up with the pace. There was a different team member at every turn rooting me on. I loved it. Their shouts kept me stomping the pedals over. I was excited with the outcome of the race and the weekend as a whole.

My XC race on Saturday was successful as well. Though I finished 3rd behind two extremely strong, fast ladies. This will be a season of committed work to get to the top of the podium. Ever race will be a new challenge (and opportunity).

On the flip side (the pun is intended)...Oliver made all the first place team wins look like child's play compared to his ferocious first lap around the Short Track course. He was leading a pack of screaming fast dudes when they hit the motto section of the course, literally. He came into the jumps with speed and intensity and hit the dirt with the same. Much of the talk of the weekend surrounds this explosive crash and the aftermath of it. I know I took that turn with care my first few laps through the Short Track.

Oliver we wish you a speedy recovery...I think your mental capacity is what will need the most encouragement in coping with this mishap. Hang tough. We need our Oliver back on course.