Are You Living It?

Passion, Patience, Persevere… these are the three main words that allowed me the opportunity to not only make it through my recovery but to come out of it stronger and more focused as a person and a athlete. The last entry I wrote was about my training for the 2008 season well if you aren’t aware, I was in a pretty nasty crash at the Tour of Gila where I ended up breaking my pelvis in three (my lucky number) places. After a “fun” airplane flight to El Paso where the doctors initially thought I was going to need surgery, I wake up finding out that I was in another state and possibly going under the knife! It was all a whirlwind but luckily I had my coach Michael Engleman there by my side until my mother could fly across the US to help. I ended up not needing surgery and my mom was there to fly me back to SC to start my recovery process. It was a long 3 months of highs and lows, pain medications and crutches for most of it but in hind sight more positive things like seeing my sister Candice graduate from Grad School, attending a friends wedding, and many more. These are all important events in my life that I would’ve missed if I had been racing.

The past 3 months have been very challenging both mentally and physically but I’ve had an amazing support system backing me and keeping me focused and happy. A huge thanks goes to Michael Engleman and all the amazing women riders/mentors of the USWCDP, I thank everyone for all the advice and kind words of encouragement. Jet Tanner of JetCycling and Kami Tremblay (www.baltimoreboston.blogspot.com) my partner in crime were there to keep me “sane” hope their efforts paid off. Jet deserves tons of support and thanks for putting on this years US National Elite, U23, and Juniors races, I wish I could be there to help and race! I’d also like to give props to my cyber pen pal, Cleez, Megan, Amanda, Yukie, Anne, my Portland fan club, Team Kenda Tire teammates, Sharon, Orlando, and most of all my incredibly strong and loving parents.

I just got back to the “fairy bubble” or also known as Boulder, CO where I’m searching for a new job and home but in complete bliss to be back in the Rockies, on my Blue bike, and surrounded by friends (and many Rio Margaritas). My new friend Orlando Chinea is the CO, NM, UT, KS Blue Competition Cycles Rep (www.rideblue.com) and he was able to get me a new saddle which after being off the bike for 3 months/broken pelvis a good saddle is just a wee bit important. Thanks to Blue, I love my new saddle and it’s getting a ton of action! The first week of riding was tough because I went from race fitness to not being active for months so it was grueling. It’s crazy how fast it comes back though and now I’m back to putting in some solid base miles to prepare for my first cyclocross race season. I’m excited about racing again but more importantly I’m all smiles just being back on the bike and continuing to live my life with passion, patience, and knowing I will persevere.