Overall, this week was just rad.
It started with my birthday Monday. Yep, I'm a Halloween baby. It was a beautiful fall day and I spent most of it in the mountains. A great start to my 36th year....
Tuesday I found out that I was selected by Cycling Utah as Female Rider of the Year. To put this in perspective, the Utah Rider of the Year title has been awarded to Tour de France stage winners in the past. I am completely speechless about this honor. Okay, I will say this... The love and support I have received from the Utah cycling community has helped me beyond words get through this difficult year. Thank you. I hope that I can live up to this honor. I plan to work hard, doing what I love, and return to racing as strong as ever. Maybe reading my story will help newly diagnosed women to be a little less scared about cancer treatment. This higher purpose is definitely aiding in fueling my fire now.
Thursday and Friday I started working on my 2012 race schedule. Somehow, it keeps getting more and more ambitious. It is certainly not solidified yet, and some of it will depend on how my body responds and recovers from actual training and racing, but so far, in my opinion, it is a perfect mix of my favorite classics and new and exciting events. I am really, really, REALLY excited.
Today, to conclude an already incredible week, Shannon and I raced BMX at RAD Canyon. This was my first time on a BMX bike, I had a loaner, and it did not disappoint. We participated in a clinic in the morning where I (along with about thirty 10 year olds:) learned some basic BMX techniques such as taking the high/low line and how to survive the starting gate. I never did master the track-stand (something to work on) in the starting gate and my starts paid dearly, however I had a great time drilling it for the 45 second effort. I also need to work on my post-race high five and fist bump coordination with my fellow competitors. I quickly learned that BMX racing is different from mountain bike racing as blocking and cutting racers off is acceptable and even encouraged. We had so much fun; I will definitely go back. First I need to sharpen my elbows though:)
Athlete's account of redefining "normal" after undergoing breast cancer treatment
WOW - BMX - I've always wanted to try that out. There's a great track nearby. You inspire me to consider trying it out in the spring....
ReplyDeleteAnd HUGE CONGRATS! I mean - HUGE! Wow!!!!
And = by the way = you can consider your mission accomplished - at least in terms of my own cancer experience. I'm so grateful to you for your blogging and your correspondence with me. You have helped me feel more hope and optimism and less fear... so for that, I thank you.
Wooohoo! Awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on rider of the year and happy late birthday!
ReplyDelete45 second efforts, and cutting other riders off is encouraged? Sounds like I need to take up BMX.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice ti read your experiences. Nice to know you are Halloween baby. Me too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteDo stay in touch and keep posting.
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