Come My Lady.

From E's blog:

circles-circles-circles


So, I'm attempting to become S's training partner. Can you hear the fear in my voice? Now, I need to get this straight, we are not in competition w/ one another. This is Sarah's thing and I'm benefiting by spending time w/ her and getting exercise. We ventured out Saturday on road bikes, this is my first time riding a road bike. I have always teased her by calling them "ten speeds", she gets kindof gets annoyed...teehee! Riding a road bike for the first time was freakin scary...tell you, it wasn't a mtn bike!(not that i'm a mtn biking expert or anything) We went down this hill at mock 3, no exaggeration, I promise. ;) All I could think about was "I'm too pretty to have road rash", (I'm terrible-iiii knnnnow!) But I made it home safe and sound. Honestly, I really did enjoy myself-I couldn't wait to try it again! So, we decided to go on a ride on Sunday. A quarter of the way into the ride, I really felt much more comfortable...I even told S that I hope to get better to challange her a bit more, which translates too...I'll do this w/ you again. Thank you for believing in me Sarah! You're a SUPER STAR! I hope my next blog won't be about "road rash"...please, please everyone knock on wood for me...whatever type of wood you prefer. Sarah and I prefer cedar. wink, wink

I thought this was great. Had to post it. :)

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Climatic Keystone Climax: MSC Last

This....this was a fantastic weekend of racing for a young racer. After realizing how very close the points for the overall were I negotiated with myself on a big goal of finishing in front of a particular rider:


Athlete Profile: Stephanie Ward
Description: The nicest racer you'll ever meet.

I knew that I couldn't let the series slip. I had put too many long weeks into this goal to corrupt it with these final two races. So I grabbed up some good sideline advice and went for it. With a team shouting my name and a course that was fast and fun I gave it my all, I gave it my heart.

I had a terrific Short Track finish as the 2nd Expert and 5th Pro/Expert. I wanted to throw my hands up when I went through the line because it felt THAT good. A racer knows when a job is well done. This race was one!

With the solid STXC finish, I put myself in a position to enjoy the XC (as much as one can enjoy a XC, right). I went out strong but not to the point of self-explosion. I made smart moves going into the first single track and I kept my head together. I reeled in riders ahead of me and was setting neatly in 4th place going into the gnarly Keystone descent.

I got passed on the fire road section midway down. That lit the beast inside of me and I hammered my way up to her wheel. I pushed her to the point that she pulled to the side of the trail and let me around. Dirty racing, you say? Well maybe (a little) but racing for sure. I had a rush of excitement coming across the line.

The girl I passed found me when she came over the line and threw me a huge high-five...

"Good racin'" she said. "You had me so nervous. I couldn't find a good line. I had to let you around."

"Yeah, good racin. Sorry 'bout that. Way to be." I replied.

And on that exhilarating note I finished a long eventful season.

Awards and LOTS of beer to follow.