I want to, this year, see if I can revive this thing. I keep thinking how I need to post just a small something on here occasionally, but I've had so many things happen since two years ago that I'm never quite sure where to start. The only thing I can think to do is with my most recent news.
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| #MermaidWinery #MermaidWineCX |
I went down to Asheville, NC for the 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. After much debate about which race to do (Elite or "Baby" Masters), I decided to go for the more motivating goal of a podium for the Masters Race. After a mechanical 50 yards into the race put me through the first corner in dead last, that goal quickly faded. However I managed to stay focused, switch bikes in the pit (thanks to my awesome pit crew Christopher and Michael), and ride my way back up to the 3rd step of the podium. That was the hardest thing I've ever done on a bicycle. The course was an awesome, epic, technical, course with so many fun, demanding elements. I hope this can become a race that makes it onto a regular calendar sometime in the future. #cxnats #ashevillecx16 #babymasters
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| USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship Women's Masters 30-34 Podium |
This past cross season I had more UCI races on the calendar than I ever have: twelve. I traveled to Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee. I raced against some of the best women crossers in the country, and came away with twelve- top twenty (including two- top fifteen and one- top ten) finishes. #ucicx
I only did a few local races. The Road World Championships were here in Virginia and that skewed the schedule just a bit. A lot of the early local races were cancelled or rescheduled to weekends where there was a conflict with a larger race that I had planned to do. I know the #VACX series and race promoters work hard at putting on good events...I wish I could make it to more. The VCU guys did a great job with their Richmond race, I had a blast at the State Championships in Charlottesville (finally got my first top step at a State Championship race), and the Rogue Velo Racing guys/gals always do a good job with Mt. Trashmore.
The one regional race I made it to was Tacchino CX in Upper Marlboro, MD. That was the first time in a while that I went into a bigger race with the mindset of winning. I went in thinking it, and came out living it. Being able to visualize and then achieve that goal was a big deal for me...something I haven't been able to do for a while. And something that I did, and will continue to, build on in the future.
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| My first W in a long time at a regional level race! |
The past couple of road seasons I'v tried to focus my efforts to work for my teammates. Every year my #TradewindsRacing gals become closer, and I want to work as hard as I can for them. They're a great group of gals and I love having them next to me. I can't wait for this season to get started. Keep an eye out for us, we'll be at many of the local and regional races!
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| Most of the ladies at #MermaidWinery celebrating Emily and Sally's babies! |
So that's the 2015-2016 racing season. Fun and very memorable. I don't typically like to brag about my accomplishments (thanks for bearing with me), but I finished on a high note, and took away a lot from this past year. I look forward to what the future is going to bring. I'm also looking forward to making these posts a more regular thing again...
In case anybody didn't know, and because it's been that long since I've posted anything on here, 2014 had some big news for Chris and I!
