Three days and counting...

Time flies. It is a cliche’ but it is true. It is simply mind-boggling to me that I will be hopping on a plane and flying back to Europe on Wednesday. It is hard to really comprehend it. Since Jim told me that I am going back- I have been in a bit of a state of disbelief. I did not want to talk about it too much for fear that speaking of it would burst that magical little bubble that made it all true. But the time is counting down and reality is beginning to form a more and more distinct picture in front of me. Ahead of me is Plouay World Cup, Tour of Holland and Giro Toscana... dare I say that Worlds might exist in my future too? Right now, I have my fingers crossed that I may be so honored as to secure the final spot on the World’s team for the US. There are normally 6 slots, but since Tina won the Pan Am Championships, she got an automatic bid for a 7th slot. Right now, there is one spot left... my fingers are crossed to get a chance to represent the US in Germany on Sept. 29th, but if I don’t get to go, it is because there are so many fantastic women racers in the US right now. It would be hard to be too disappointed when this is so far above and beyond my goals for this season. We are talking an order of magnitude more than I could have even begun to hope for. So, if I get to go, I will be ecstatic. But if not? I will get my chance someday. I am confident of that. So, I will be happy for whoever does get to go. I know that it will be someone I respect and like personally, since I can truthfully say that I do respect and like all the people who I race against who are in contention. I feel lucky to be part of such a great group of inspirational women. We really are lucky. I am competitive and want to win, but I also really like my competitors. It is a great situation to be in.

But as it is now, I am on the cusp of going back to race where the best race. I can’t wait! I have a day off today since I have been trashed for the last couple days. We have been going hard and it takes its toll on me. That is what we want, so that when I get to back off, I start feeling like a million bucks and get really fired up to race. Some racers don’t like their days off. They feel antsy and feel like they are missing out. I can say that the same is not true for me. I like getting my days off. I like to take a break and get excited again to be on the bike. I won’t lie- I get saddle sores, I get tired, I need a break some times. When I do get a break, I enjoy it. I do get ready to get back on the bike again, but having a day off is something that I like. I know that I respond well to rest and can feel my body heal and get ready to race again. And, of course, getting time off for me helps me rekindle that bikelove. You all know how I love to love my bike! A day off is a good recipe for getting back to loving my bike. It is, after all, much harder to love your bike when you are trashed!

For now, I will say goodbye as I start to get ready. Three days. How does time fly SO fast? Wow.