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I cannot begin to express how fantastic it felt to win my first Expert XC race. I've been close on several occasions but there is something about bagging a win that just doesn't compare to the other spots on the podium. I'm ready to turn the page in my racing and start to bring consistency to this Expert level and ready myself for the upgrade of my life.

Telluride was a muddy mess after two days of rain. Thankfully the skies were clear when we started our Expert race at 10:30am. I went out hard and took the lead going into the first climb. I made it my goal to clear every section of trail possible, regardless to the conditions. I think this one move made all the difference in my performance. My riding originated on the east coast so wet roots and mud are no stranger to me. I wrestled my way through the messy sections and gained valuable seconds with every piece of trail I cleared. I pushed my limits in every way and my legs didn't fail nor did my lungs explode. But man I felt pain like I've never felt. Before this race I too easily settle into my 'just-below-discomfort-zone'. However, this weekend I kicked it up and over that line of comfort and I hurt for 2:46:00. Every bit of the way I dug deep and it made for a dominating day.

Once I was clearly in front of my age group, my new goal became taking the overall Expert woman finish. Every race Megan and others from her age group have come through our 19-29 pack. I rode furiously to prevent this. Around every turn I imagined Megan lurking and riding in her dominating way and I rode harder. It was actually a great technique because I finished 7 mins in front of my group and in front of the other Expert women of the day. Thanks for being my motivation Megan. I respect you more than you know.

Now is my time to start showing some consistency. I have the State Games this weekend here in Colorado Springs. Then Snowmass NORBA the following week and Eldora after that, with another long awaited short track. I'm excited that this win came while there were still a few opportunities left to repeat it. I'm trying to relax and focus on the process rather than the outcome. But once you've tasted victory you begin to crave it in a way you didn't before. I'm hungry!

Ask Chambers, he might be able to explain that Victory Feast better than me. Here's to up and coming racers. CoMotion Sports supports us well!

Remind me what "Victory Arms" mean?? I'm so confused.

Stuck in the Loo

Ummmm. What can I say......I made the dumbest mistake of my cycling career- I missed my start. I came out of the bathroom and heard the announcer sending my group. I hot-coffeed my way through all the senior men and started a nice 3 mins back. I sprinted the bottom valley and started passing several women on the climb. They would later pass me above 13,000 feet. O' the joy of cracking above treeline. Please don't check my time- it's that bad. I think my preride may have been faster. Sponsors line-up cause I'm terribly good...yeeeeaaaahhhhh! What do you mean I should have gone earlier...this was my 4th time of the morning. I think I may have a problem. Suggestions are welcome.

So I'm already nervous about Mt. Evans

Mass Appeal

Snowmass, CO
MSC #4
July 14, 2007
Expert Women 19-29

This race took me back to my roots and showed me how tall the tree has grown. I left the heart rate strap in the jeep and used my heart instead. It was a grueling race of climbing in the heat. But with words of motivation plastered to my handlebars I kept cranking when my mind tried to sabotage it all. I saw set backs and I overcame them. I lead the pack up the first climb and then in two laps would be from 1st to 6th place respectively. I rolled across the line in a delightful 3rd, a hard-earned 3rd (unofficially).

A few lessons learned:
-when I push really hard I forget my left from my right (I need to add R and L to my bars)
-ASR suspension rocks, from the tricky top section to the crazy descents
-when the going gets tough Spike riders pass from all sides
-camelbacks are only effective if you throw them off at the feed zone and feel surprisingly lighter and faster
-don’t let the rider in front of you get out of sight- because you may never see her again…until she shakes your hand from the top of the podium (assuming they got results right and had awards).
-you know you went hard when you finish and everything goes really bright as TC helps you to the ground.
-I followed Meeegan for a while and realized that when she races it feels like a really fun, fast afternoon group ride. She’s efficient and nearly flawless. I need to stick her line more often.
-Of all the race courses to repeat, why Snowmass. I’ll be back there in a few weeks for the NORBA. Ahhh, the anticipation to do this race again.

Endorphine BUZZ!

A.D., Kelli Emmett, and I got in our climbing miles yesterday on Mt. Evans, the highest paved road in the world. Kelli represented the competitive Pro arena. She climbed strong and pulled away (way away). She was in good form following a broken arm at a recent World Cup.

Alison represented the champion retirees who can show everyone up. She was kind enough to ride with me and then sprint up to Kelli and back. I'd say she did an extra 4 miles this way. Said she needed her Endorphin Buzz. She's a real addict, insanely so. At one point she sprinted away from me and said, "I ride so I can eat." I thought to myself...I'd just stop eating. (I was hurting at that point.)

I represented the population who takes time off the bike and then realizes how asleep their legs have become. I didn't shoot one Endorphin Buzz all day...I made a slow grind to the top. It was a good pre-ride for me before racing Mt. Evans in two weeks though.

All in all we matched up evenly enough. Apart from the fact that Kelli had to spend an extra 15 mins at 14,000 ft waiting for my sorry ass. She got over it on the decent (I think). And that Al had to swerve from shoulder to shoulder to stay at my straight-line pace. Still it was a great day on the free rollers.

I did get a little "frisky" as the coach put it, on the decent. I caught some screaming fast speeds and got by both Kelli and Al near the end. "Why can't you be frisky in the climb?" Al asked. I gave her a crooked smile and kept stomping the pedals. She knows I have it in me...which gives me no excuse to not let is shine.

Poets and Philosophers

I discovered a little more about myself this morning (which is always scary....those who know me understand) while reading Zen and the Art of Making a Living by Laurence G. Boldt. I determined why I don't always solve my problems immediately. Problems meaning, anything that develops in my life that feels out of my control and is creating an internal struggle, namely my bike racing and job as of late. What I realized is that unlike the scientists out there I don't make it a problem and solve it. I make it a "mystery to be revealed". So I'm not really stuck...I'm just revealing mysteries. Hummph. I enlighten myself.

The Saga.

So it took eight days and nights without her, but now I'm back. After quite a bout with my bi-cycle the coach took her away from me and said "Find any other way but on your bike to have fun....if you need your fitness-fix hike or something." Well it's true that you don't know what you have until you lose it and that was the case for me. Just a simple commute to work was gone... So I waited and longed and pondered my deep love for that leather saddle atop that carbon rear triangle, those fresh knobby tires sealed against those stealth black rims, those hubs that purrrrrr when I coast, those tacky grips that ask me to hold them tighter, that limber fork that gives under my strong arms....it was all taken away from me.


But TODAY, today, I returned to my love and I held her passionately and firmly as we made up for lost time. Sweating, thrashing, grinding, pumping, swerving, pushing we reconnected and let it all fade behind us. She was a good fit this time. She responded to me this time. We were one this time. Needless to say I even practiced my victory arms on the ride down....she was breathless and happy. I was too. I conquered by listening and letting her show me how. If you think its sick and wrong you just haven't had THIS sort of ride on your bike. I'm sorry for you- you're missing out.

Careful not to light matches around me...Burnout may occur.