Are You Living It?

As mentioned before, it is HOT here in San Jose. Record temps have hit the area for several days in a row now - with no sign of it cooling down while we’re here. To be honest though I’m LOVING it!

It’s crazy how sometimes when your life is totally scattered how feelings, emotions, and revelations can come about at the strangest moments. The hard part is confronting them and letting your heart be vulnerable. I’m not sure if it’s courage but more like being honest with yourself and allowing your heart and mind the opportunity to have peace by letting these feelings surface. There are times in our lives where we have to keep our true feelings buried but then there are people we are lucky to cross paths with where you feel comfortable being open and even if it’s not good timing at least you can grow from the situation and rediscover yourself.

We made an attempt at Angel’s Staircase last weekend.  Angels Staircase is the highest legal mountain bike ride in Washington State topping out at about 8000 feet.  I know all you of you Rocky Mountain folks are saying…ahhh that is nothing.  Well in an altitude sense that is true but in Washington 8000 feet is high and you climb nearly 5000 feet on all singletrack to get there.  If the trail is tacky enough this can be one of the best rides ever.  I had done this ride a few years ago when I had ridden more (This was my fifth ride out this season after breaking the old collar bone last fall) and I remembered it being not quite so difficult.  Here you can see Ryan on the beautiful trail in perfect condition:

It’s HOT down here. And about 85 in the room I’m surfing the Internet on. Guy deemed it Bikram Web surfing.

Relaxing before my face off against Jen Featheringill tonight in our sprint finals. Should be good! Best two out of three. Wish me speedy legs!

As I updated on my twitter account I went and bought my first climbing helmet in years.  I have climbed a bit in the last few years but nothing that required a helmet (I hear the safety specialists clamoring now).  This was done to do a multi-pitch sport route up Goat Wall called the Methow Inspiration Route.  Here is picture of goat wall from the Lost River Airport:

Before the memory fades into oblivion - I thought I’d recapture the days events. It’s not every day you win a National title - let a lone your first USA Cycling Masters title as a first year master - so here goes.

My track hack has finally calmed down after a big power output from this afternoon. I’m proud to say I just earned my first Master Nationals title in the 2k pursuit with a time of 2:37.00. Yahoo!

It’s HOT here - with really low humidity (14%!). But I managed to dig deep and lay down a stellar time. Thanks to all the friends and family who have supported me in my endeavors and allowed me to live my passion! Today I got to demonstrate what happens when you lay it down on the line and go for it!

Last post until after the (other) big day. I am psyched and in a really good place and happy to be with and see my family. What a gift to get to do this…I am gonna soak it all in! Thanks to everyone who’s been calling and emailing…and thanks to my coach for really working through all the bumpy patches with me. You’re the best man!

Except for Pete - he’s the most best

Sitting with my friends Cindy and Jess and Donna tonight (who rocked me with awesome prerace gifts!) I realized just how psyched I am to do this friggin’ race! I remember when Jess did the Boston Marathon…I envied her so much. Her day to fight had come and she got to take it on…and she did tremendous, as did our friend Karen. Now I finally get to make it happen. It’s so cool…

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Just a couple quick picks from a ride in the Tennessee Valley Road area in the Marin Headlands:

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View down to Muir Beach.

View to southwest.

Breather after the climb up the Coastal Trail to Coyote Ridge.