In the midst of it...

Another day out here in Santa Monica, though this one is not as bright and shiny as the past ones. I was lucky enough to get my ride in today before the clouds opened up, but cant help but wish it was sunshine coming through the office windows, or that the roof above my desk wasn't leaking. Oh well, little things. At least I have little Rebel here to keep me company :)

The season seems to be getting into full swing and I am really excited about that! This past weekend was the Red Trolley Criterium in San Diego and the weekend before that was Mothballs in Santa Barbara. Definitely a shock to the system. Major shock to the system. A little blow to the confidence too, thats for sure.

After complaining to my coach about not feeling fast and not being able to match the speed of the girls I was racing against and not being confident in my training and lacking power in my legs and not having the anaerobic endurance I "should" have and blah blah blah he simply writes back, "You can be fast now or fast when it matter. Not both." Well that put a stop to my moaning. It's amazing how completely mental this sport is and that any little thing seems to unravel all you've worked for....at least in your head. Why was I upset? Does a local crit in early Feb really matter? No. The fact that we are already starting to set up lead outs as a team in Feb is amazing to me. We couldnt get that organized until July last year. Granted, they have yet to suceed but it is only through much practice we can get it right.

I need to just stay focused on what I am doing every day to make myself a better athlete. Not worry about what others are doing or who is peaking in February. It is going to be a LONG, hard season and I'll have plenty of butt-kickings to come. Hopefully soon I'll be the one dealing the suffering though, not being dealt the hurt... as my Sports Director Kurt would say.

Valley of the Sun this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. Thursday night departure with a young and vivacious Christine Barron. That 17 year old (or is it 16?) is gonna teach us old kids a thing or two this year. Hopefully good things are to come.
Now back to my coffee and the office :)